Work Text:
Kaveh’s commissions vary constantly. And more often than not, he’d have to bend his desires to fit his clients’. He’s not bothered by it, he’s accepted it a long, long time ago. The last time he was upset about caging his creativity was way back when he thought he could deconstruct the stars and build a thousand moons.
Now, accepting a commission to build a bridge or fix a roof is a normal occurrence. Which is why, now, having freedom to create what he likes seems almost daunting. It was like he’d been holding his breath for so long, and now that he’s allowed to breathe, he’s afraid he’s forgotten how to. But Kaveh’s nothing but headstrong, he will try, and try, and try again. Until nothing is left of his lungs but the feeble hope of accomplishment.
Miss Amira was a lovely lady with the brightest smile. She was a photographer, and her love for aesthetics and colors and light shone through with each of her requests about her future home.
She only requested a couple of things, and all of her requests were phrased in a way that suggested imagination, instead of limitations.
She’d wanted to be able to see the sun and draw the stars from her bedroom, she wanted open spaces large enough to slow dance in, and lastly, she wanted a room with windows for walls, where shelves layed everywhere. She clarified that her soon-to-be wife was a painter, and she needed tons of storage, light and a calm view.
Kaveh was hired along with Saleh,—another Sumerian architect, although he was based in Fontaine— by Miss Amira. She was getting married soon, and wanted to build her forever home. They’d discussed almost everything along the four weeks they’ve been working, and they only had to begin putting their plan into practice.
Thankfully, he and Saleh seem to be agreeing on things, or rather, Saleh had been more than happy to accommodate any of Kaveh’s ideas.
It was making Kaveh feel rather guilty, but he chucked it up to his reputation. Saleh was a little younger than him, perhaps Haitham’s age? And he must have heard about the ‘Light of Kshahrewar’ and the infamous ‘Palace of Alcazarzaray’ and decided that Kaveh was a genius of some sort.
Although the guilt of seeming controlling was present, it would almost vanish into nonexistence when Kaveh was sketching, or planning, or walking along the construction site.
Even Alhaitham’s teasing quips were ignorable to him now. He would sit on the carpet next to the living room table, spread out all his scrolls and inks, pull his hair up and away, and get so absorbed he wouldn’t notice Alhaitham’s return until he would hear a familiar grunt and look back to see him sprawl across the divan with an open book.
Sometimes, Alhaitham would be bored enough to ask Kaveh about the project that has absorbed him whole, and Kaveh would barely find enough mind to reply over the hurried sketch of his pen. He would then mutter something about rest and foolishness, and Kaveh would lift a hand to land an affronted hit across his arm without glancing away from his work.
———————
Tonight was their last night on site. The house was completed, it was only missing it’s occupants. And speaking of occupants, Miss Amira had come by to take a final look at the house. She seemed delighted as she walked around, and Kaveh felt happiness and relief collide in his chest at her content expression. After her brief tour, she’d turned around and handed them sealed envelopes with a grin on her face.
“Here. This is nothing compared to your incredible work, but I would be delighted if you could attend. I must introduce you to Meiying,” She rambled excitedly.
Kaveh smiled politely, grabbing the envelope and storing it with a soft command to Mehrak. “Thank you, I would love to attend, Miss Amira.” Saleh expressed a similar sentiment, to which she only chuckled in response.
The wedding was in Liyue, and Miss Amira had assured them of the hotel lodging. She even encouraged them to bring a plus one as she walked away.
Saleh seemed to perk up at the information, and he turned towards Kaveh with a smirk on his face, “there’s no need for two invitations then, why not attend together, senior Kaveh?” He questioned slowly, his arm coming up to wrap around Kaveh’s shoulder.
Kaveh grimaced in his head, dreading the thought of making things awkward by simply refusing him. Instead, he quickly put a little more space between them, dislodging the arm on his shoulder.
An impish smile graced his face as he fixed the hair by his nape. He glanced at the children playing by them to avoid locking gazes with Saleh, “Apologies, Saleh. I’m planning to bring my partner along,” he said quickly.
Saleh didn’t have time to respond, but he seemed a little perturbed as Kaveh muttered something about groceries and strode away with a hurried goodbye.
Kaveh sighed deeply as he walked away, the tension leaving his shoulders in small increments. He had a good time working with Saleh, are things going to become irritatingly awkward now? The thought of having to walk on eggshells for the remaining time of his contract was almost enough to ruin his mood.
He huffed quietly, adjusting his grip on mehrak as he headed to the markets. It really was his turn to buy groceries, and he really didn’t have the energy to deal with Alhaitham’s petulant remarks after he discovers that his precious cashews were not restocked. Though, recalling the furrowed brows and the pout— yes, it's a pout. No matter what Alhaitham might claim— is enough to bring a soft chuckle out of him.
——————
Kaveh huffed as he juggled the bags he was carrying and tried to find his keys. After a few moments of searching to no avail, he resigned to knock on the door.
He heard the lazy shuffle of feet before the door opened, Alhaitham was out of his usual outfit. Instead, he donned a soft full-sleeved shirt and black pants. His hair was ruffled messily, so Kaveh assumes he’d been lounging on the divan.
Alhaitham slid the door open completely as Kaveh pushed his way in. Only grunting briefly when Kaveh shoved the bags into his arms and bent down to take his shoes off.
“Use those feeble muscles of yours and carry these to the kitchen.” He muttered as he placed mehrak on the counter near the door. “Oh, and be mindful of the eggs,” he added mindlessly. his hands lifted to tie his hair up, and then raised further in a deep, aching stretch. The final day was a lot of double checking everything, it was as exhausting as it was exciting.
Alhaitham’s eyes briefly flit to the pale skin that peeked as Kaveh stretched, before glancing away and carrying the bags to the kitchen.
Kaveh’s eyebrow raised as he trailed behind Alhaitham, suddenly perplexed at the lack of complaints.
He grabbed an apple from the counter, washed it, then sat on the counter to watch Alhaitham unload the groceries. A grin lifting his lips as he stared at the back of Alhaitham’s head.
“How come you’re so obedient today, Alhaitham?” He chuckled teasingly as he chewed through the sour apple. “Finally decided to show your dear senior some respect?”
Alhaitham paused where he was restocking the spices, before he seemed to hum thoughtfully.
He turned around, his gaze as striking as it always was, and walked until he stood right in front of Kaveh. One of his arms curled around the edge of the counter beside Kaveh’s hip as he leaned closer, his other arm moving to reach behind Kaveh.
“What are you saying? Surely you’ve realized by now that you are the only senior I respect, dear senior Kaveh.” The slow drawl echoed through the suddenly silent kitchen, Kaveh’s breath hitched as his eyes flitted between teal irises and pink lips.
He could feel the heat rush to his face, his apple lay forgotten in his grasp.
He quickly turned his head away, using one of his palms to lean back and scoff in hastened affront.
“Tch, ungrateful and insincere,” Kaveh muttered through his blush, before taking an unnecessarily big bite out of his apple.
He quickly grimaced at the overwhelming sourness that flooded his mouth, His thoughts running rampant as he wondered if a taste of Alhaitham’s pretty lips would override the sourness.
“I am anything but,” Alhaitham muttered as his hand returned from behind Kaveh and dragged a grocery bag with it. He peeked inside, released a pleased hum and moved away.
“Good. You brought cashews,” he said flatly. Kaveh hopped down and walked to his room, pausing briefly to deliver a soft kick to Alhaitham’s shin, one that he dodges easily, before scoffing loudly, “Of course I’ve brought them, you’d give me hell if I didn’t.”
——————-
He’s flipping through the academia scrolls when Saleh comes up to him. Kaveh promised to hold a lecture today, and he’d decided to look through the materials a couple more times. He’s sitting at the secluded table near the bookshelves. Their—His table.
Saleh seemed to be in a good mood as he sat in the seat right beside him. Kaveh musters a polite smile, and tries to banish their previous conversation from his mind. It's fine, just act normal. It’s fin—
“I didn't know you were in a relationship.” The statement halts his thoughts, and he keeps the smile across his face with desperate determination. There’s a groan echoing inside his head as he scrambles to respond, “Well, it's not something I publicly advertise. It’s my private life, after all.” He replies politely.
“Who’s this lucky partner, then?” Saleh leans in further, their faces are too close. Kaveh feels his eyebrow twitch, just how persistent is this guy?! “I’m going to see him at the wedding anyways, won't I?” He adds insistently.
Shit . Now what? Kaveh flounders for a moment, before the sound of a chair scraping across the floors steals his attention.
He glances up just in time to see Alhaitham sit down. He leans back and props his heel utop his other knee, but the relaxed way he was sitting greatly contrasted with the clench of his jaw. Kaveh’s eyebrows furrowed in worry, Alhaitham feeling pissed enough that it was physically visible was a rare thing. Something incredibly irritating must’ve happened.
Kaveh tried to think back on their morning, he seemed alright. He woke up on time, he drank his coffee, and he even felt good enough to deliberately leave clutters of books spewed across the floor for Kaveh to trip over. Just what could have happened?
“You forgot your keys, Kaveh.” Alhaitham raised a hand, the jingle of keys echoing in the quiet library. Oh, was that it? Surely Alhaitham’s used to Kaveh’s forgetfulness by now? Kaveh reached over and picked it up from the offered palm, his eyes glued to the furrow between Alhaitham’s brows as he made a mental note to triple check if he had his keys before leaving the house.
Larger fingers wrapping around his own startles him out of his thoughts. Alhaitham’s hand is wrapped around his, and the cold metal of the keys trapped between their palms is suddenly much more noticeable compared to the gentle warmth of Alhaitham’s skin.
They finally lock gazes, and Alhaitham’s face seems to pinch with sudden uncertainty. Alhaitham , uncertain ? But before any of them could speak, Saleh’s voice shot through the tension surrounding them, “ Oh , you must be Kaveh’s partner. I was just asking him about you.”
Kaveh’s entire face heats up. He quickly snatches his hand and the keys back as he turns to Saleh, “He isn’t—”
“I am. Why would you be speaking about me?” Alhaitham interjects, his voice even as he looks at Saleh. Kaveh’s head snaps toward him, eyes narrowing in confusion. What the hell is he saying?
“In truth, I’d wanted to attend Miss Amira’s wedding with senior Kaveh as my partner. But he refused, stating that he already had a partner.” Saleh said conversationally, but despite the polite tone of his voice, his gaze had sharpened with a bitter glare.
He places a hand on Kaveh’s shoulder, before adding; “Ah, what a shame. We work so well together too.”
There was a few beats of tense silence, and then—
“It is,” Alhaitham agreed.
“What?” Saleh's smirk faded into confusion.
“A shame,” Alhaitham mused flatly.
His hands began to sift through the scrolls covering the table, slowly stacking them, before he stood up properly.
He circled the table until he stood beside Kaveh, then wrapped a hand around the crease of his elbow to gently nudge him up, “You’re lecture is about to start, isn’t it?” He questioned evenly, then removed his arm once Kaveh stood up and proceeded to walk away.
Kaveh hurried to catch up, quickly grabbing Mehrak and bidding Saleh a rushed goodbye. He snatched the papers out of Alhaitham’s hands as they walked out, then turned to glare at the side of his face.
“What the hell was that?!” He snapped quietly.
Alhaitham seemed determined to gaze ahead, even as he shrugged dismissively, “What was what?”
“You!— Haitham, seriously! Why didn't you correct him? What am I supposed to tell him at the wedding now?!” Kaveh knocked their shoulders together in admonishment, a blush staining his ears as he spoke. Alhaitham finally turned to face him, a raised eyebrow decorating his expression.
“I’ll come with you,” he assured promptly.
Kaveh’s eyes widened in surprise, and his feet seemed to tangle on their own, because he barely had a chance to exclaim his surprise before he was falling.
An arm flew to wrap around his waist, enduring all of his weight and halting his fall. Alhaitham used his other hand to help Kaveh upright, then promptly pushed him into the lecture hall. “I’ll come with you,” he repeated unhelpfully, Before striding away.
Kaveh stood still for a moment, Alhaitham? Choosing to leave Sumeru to attend a wedding? A wedding . He barely tolerated the bustling markets, why would he willingly decide to attend a party of loud shouts and songs, with people fluttering all around? it made no sense.
His attention snapped to the students filtering into the hall, and he sighed despairingly as he rearranged the scrolls in his hands. He’ll think about this later.
———————
There was no later.
Alhaitham didn't bring it up. Not when they got back from the academia, not the next morning at breakfast, not even when they were bickering about the stupid, unnecessary rug Alhaitham had bought. (Kaveh’s convinced that Alhaitham deliberately chooses the ugliest furniture just to ruin his mood)
Suddenly, they were standing near Wangshu inn with bags trailing behind them. Though The orange hue of the leaves drifting around them was enough to build a flutter of excitement through Kaveh’s chest. The wedding would commence this evening, and he was looking forward to seeing it.
The venu was right outside the inn. There were pearly round tables scattered around everywhere, and wooden beams placed overhead with small lights wrapped around them like vines, along with the countless flowers dispersed around in bouquets the colors of the sky at sunset.
They were handed the room key in exchange for their invitation. And Kaveh didn't comprehend the issue with that until he was standing face to face with the single bed placed in the small, neat room. He turned to Alhaitham hastily, and pointed to the bed hesitantly.
“I’ll go ask her for another room,” he muttered quickly. Placing his bag near the wall and striding too the door.
A hand wrapping around his forearm halted him in place, and he turned his head to stare at Alhaitham. “W-What is it?” Kaveh said hesitantly.
“We’re supposed to be a couple, right?” Alhaitham asked evenly.
“Well, yes—”
“Asking for a room with two beds won’t help the charade, would it?”
“Alhaitham. You don’t need to make yourself uncomfortable to play along with this,” Kaveh said firmly, his brows pulling in discontent.
“I know.” Alhaitham’s calm reply released the tension in Kaveh’s shoulders as he sighed in relief. “Okay, then let me—“ he tried to gently tug his arm away, but Alhaitham’s grip held firm.
“I won't be uncomfortable,” Alhaitham assured promptly, his gaze earnest and warm. Kaveh’s eyes widened, and he could feel his face heating at the sudden intensity of Alhaitham’s gaze, along with the warmth seeping from Alhaitham’s palm.
“Y-You’re sure?” He mumbled, and he ignored the unusual tone of his voice to focus on the small tick of Alhaitham’s lips
“Do I seem like the self-sacrificial type, senior?” Alhaitham’s palm lowered as he took his shoes off and moved to place his cape on one of the hangers. Kaveh only pursed his lips in mock vexation, and turned away from Alhaitham to start unpacking. He didn’t even respond to Alhaitham’s very obvious taunt. He knew very well that any response would look silly when paired with his flushed face.
———————
There were no issues after that, Alhaitham preferred to slump beside the window with a book as Kaveh went down to greet Miss Amira before the wedding; she had come for a final check of the venue along with Meiying.
She seemed as ecstatic as she was nervous, but the pride in her smile as she introduced him to Meiying was equivalent to a million ‘I love you’s’.
Kaveh’s heart warmed at the obvious adoration, and he felt a genuine smile grace his lips as he congratulated them and handed them the wedding gift he’d prepared in case he wasn’t able to later. And miss Amira’s flustered gratitude filled his ears as he rushed back to the room to get ready.
He nudged at Alhaitham’s lazy form insistently as he paced around the room while he got ready.
He’d prepared a suit to wear, black in color except for the deep red vest he wore over his white shirt. Should he wear the red tie? Or would it clash with his vest? He’d pulled half his hair into a small bun, with two braids leading to it, and stuck his feather into the bun carefully.
Alhaitham lazed around in the background as Kaveh rushed around the tiny room. Entirely uncaring as he drawled a couple of teasing comments at Kaveh’s stressed expression.
Kaveh sighed as he checked himself over again, he hasn’t forgotten anything, his kohl hasn’t smudged, and his hair looks neat.
He turned to glance at Alhaitham as he tied his shoes, and couldn’t deny the flush of his cheeks as he stared at Alhaitham. His suit was black as well, but he’d forgone the jacket and wore a black shirt instead. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal smooth muscles, and Kaveh quickly glanced up and away.
Their gazes met and Kaveh hastened to ask, “Where’s your tie?”
Alhaitham blinked slowly, before pointing to his luggage and waving his hand dismissively, “I seem to have forgotten it,” he said slowly.
“You only packed one?” Kaveh asked incredulously.
“Yes,” came the lazy drawl as Alhaitham ran a hand through his hair and pushed it up and away from his forehead. Small strands escaped the firm combing and fell onto perfect strands over his face.
“Do you want mine?” Kaveh moved to rummage through his luggage, “it’s red though.” Alhaitham hummed in what Kaveh assumed was agreement as he fussed with his hair.
Kaveh straightened the tie and walked over to stand beside him, then lifted his hand to him. Alhaitham stared at the offered tie, then pushed the offered tie back towards Kaveh.
“You don’t want it—” Kaveh began confusedly, before Alhaitham interjected.
“Put it on for me.” He demanded pelutently.
Kaveh’s eye twitched in irritation as he stared at Alhaitham’s cross expresion. Alhaitham stared back unashamedly, and they stood still for a few seconds before Kaveh’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
He walked closer, until the tips of their boots almost touching, and shifted his weight to raise himself a little to fit the clasp through Alhaitham’s head.
His heart quickened as his arms wrapped around Alhaitham’s neck to fix his collar, his cheeks warming at every brush against the bare skin of Alhaitham’s neck.
He bit lips and narrowed his eyes to focus on folding the tie properly, then pushed it up to situate it snuggly against the space between Alhaitham’s collar.
He smoothed the tie down and lifted his arm to re-fix the collar, then gave it a quick glance-over and hummed in satisfaction as he glanced up at Alhaitham giddily.
“I’m done, Haitham…” the words caught in his throat as his gaze met Alhaitham’s.
When did he get this close? Alhaitham was already staring at him through half-lidded eyes, his gaze dark and attractive. His head was slightly tilted down, and their noses were almost touching. Kaveh would only have to move a little, just a little bit and he’d be kissing—
Kaveh quickly glanced away, but his eyes landed on Alhaitham’s hands where they were clenched in tight fists by his sides, knuckles prominent through the firm curl of his fingers.
He hastily took a step back, suddenly desperate to put some space between them before he did something he’ll regret.
He didn't look at Alhaitham as he walked towards the door, only paused to make sure he had the key before walking out. But the heavy sound of footsteps assured him of Alhaitham’s presence trailing behind him.
——————-
The venue was somehow even more dazzling at night, and both Amira and Meiying looked stunning. After the vows, the after party began, with guests fluttering through the gardens, and drinks passed around along with delicious food placed on tables. Kaveh and Alhaitham sat on one of the tables in semi-comfortable silence, both content to watch the event.
“You want another drink, Haitham?” Kaveh stood up, hands smoothing down the fabric of his jacket.
Alhaitham glanced at him and shook his head evenly, his eyes flitting between Kaveh and the finished drink sat on the table. “I’m not carrying you up to the room if you get too drunk to walk,” came the teasing drawl.
Kaveh only rolled his eyes at the taunting mixed with subtle concern as he moved towards the counter.
The counter was relatively empty, with most of the people clustered around each other and chatting happily.
He thanked the worker as he grabbed the drink, turned around, and immediately collided with a sturdy chest, he fumbled to balance and keep his drink from spilling, then glanced up to see Saleh staring down at him.
Kaveh sighed in irritation, and tried to step back quickly.
He was stopped by a hand closing around his forearm, and an irritating voice, “Senior Kaveh! I’ve been looking for you,” Saleh hollered loudly, clearly tipsy.
Kaveh snatched his arm back, the force of it spilling some of the drink to the floor. He glanced down at the splashes decorating the grass then back up at Saleh, he could feel the anger building in his chest.
Hmm, maybe he’s tipsy as well? It usually took longer than that to wane the people pleaser out of him.
“You fucking—” a large hand around his waist pulled him back to rest against a warm chest.
Kaveh startled and hastily looked down at the arm wrapped snug around him, then tilted his head up to glance at Alhaitham.
His eyes narrowed in confused irritation, how was he supposed to hold back from kissing that pretty face when Alhaitham kept pulling shit like this?
Hm, yeah, he’s definitely tipsy.
His drink was taken away courtesy of Alhaitham’s other hand, “weren’t you going to grab me a drink?” He said, his eyes locked on Saleh.
“No I wasn’t, actually—” his retort was interrupted by Alhaitham’s steady voice.
“Excuse us,” Alhaitham shifted to stand beside him, but kept his arm wrapped around him, using it to steer Kaveh towards their table.
A few hours passed along with them sitting at that table, neither one of them spoke about Saleh, instead, they bickered about the right color to use for the table cloth, or tried to come up with a backstory for any guest they saw passing by.
Kaveh caught Saleh’s eyes a couple of times, but chose to ignore him completely. The furrow of Alhaitham’s brows was much more concerning, along with the constant fidgeting with the headphones covering his ears. He must be reaching his limit, then
After a couple of steady moments with Alhaitham’s frown deepening considerably, Kaveh pushed his chair closer to Alhaitham’s, then lifted an arm to run his thumb across the crease between his brows.
Alhaitham’s frown seemed to melt off his face, and his hand lifted to wrap around Kaveh’s wrist, keeping Kaveh’s arm close to his face.
Kaveh’s lips thinned with concern as he leaned close to whisper,
“Headache?”
Alhaitham only hummed in response, his eyes closing briefly as Kaveh’s thumb ran across his forehead. A smile tugged on Kave’s lips at the adorable display, the red flush decorating Alhaitham’s cheeks suggested that he was a little drunk too, despite the fact that he hadn’t had that much to drink.
Well, his tolerance had always been worse than Kavehs.
“Let’s go back then, we’ve stayed long enough,” he murmured softly, suddenly afraid to shatter the comfortable haze that surrounded them. Alhaitham’s hand was warm where it was wrapped around his wrist and Kaveh was desperately hesitant to dislodge it.
“Are you sure? I don’t want you bothering me about having to leave early,”
“I won't,” Kaveh’s hand shifted to pinch his cheek, “Go ahead, I'll follow you after I use the restroom.”
They both stood up, Alhaitham walking towards the inn as Kaveh headed to the restroom. It was a little far from the main venue, and the silence was a soothing reprieve from the bustling of the party.
He’d washed his face to clear his head, the cold water a hazy contrast to the warm atmosphere in the venue. But any relief he’d gathered from the water vanished as he stepped outside and immediately spotted Saleh.
He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he stared across the fields silently.
Kaveh froze for a split moment, but ultimately decided to just leave. He really should’ve known this would happen, Saleh was persistent at best, and unashamedly sleazy at worst.
He’d almost rounded the corner away from him when Saleh’s voice pierced through the night sky.
“Before coming here, I’d asked around about this Alhaitham.” He said suddenly, Kaveh shifted to turn towards him.
“I’m sure you must know that I’m a little behind on the latest gossip in Sumeru.” His head turned to look Kaveh over, his eyes slow as they moved up and down. “And I just don’t understand why someone like you would choose someone like him,” he muttered arrogantly, almost conversationally.
“ Someone like him?” The question rose out of Kaveh before he could process it, his voice quiet, so so quiet it was almost a whisper.
“Well, aside from the arrogant, know-it-all attitude. I was told his grandmother was an esteemed Kshahrewar alumni, so who’s to say he entered the academia out of his own efforts.” Footsteps echoed across the eerie stillness as Saleh straightened and began moving closer to Kaveh’s frozen form.
“Or maybe he didn't buy his way into the academia, maybe he was let in out of pity.” He wondered aloud, his figure towering over Kaveh’s uncomfortably.
Kaveh tried to remember that they were at a wedding—his client’s wedding at that— he tried to tell himself that this person wasn’t worth causing a scene, that his words don’t mean a single thing, that if Alhaitham was here, he’d shrug them off and probably forget he ever heard them.
“His parents did die while conducting a research experiment, didn't they? It's the most scholarly death imaginable. Perhaps the academia took in their poor boy—”
Kaveh’s fist connected with Saleh’s cheekbone with a satisfying sound.
Saleh crumpled down, one hand braced on the floor and the other cradling his cheek. Droplets of blood fell from where Kaveh had busted his lower lip, and Saleh looked up at him with wide eyes.
Maybe it was the fact that Saleh’s words were still ringing in his head, or maybe, it was the image of a much smaller Alhaitham.
An Alhaitham that had none of his current height, one with fuller cheeks yet the same indifferent expression. Brimming with talent and curiosity, so young yet so confident in his own abilities, the boy that clutched at a worn out handkerchief with yearning desperation.
The same weary handkerchief with delicate words etched onto it, ‘May my child Alhaitham lead a peaceful life’
Kaveh crouched to rest beside Saleh’s slumped form, lifted a hand to fist through his collar and pushed him flat against the brick wall.
He could hear his own panting gasps as he delivered one punch after another, and soon, murmurs echoed around him and he was pulled away from Saleh’s groaning figure.
A couple of people surrounded Saleh, and Kaveh didn't even have it in himself to pity him once he caught sight of the swollen skin and the blood leaking from his nose. He only hefted a deep sigh before walking away.
The stinging of his hand felt muffled between the unbidden anger filling his chest. And the walk to their room did nothing to cool his irritation. Between one blink and the next, he stood in front of the wooden door.
The lazy shuffle of feet echoed through the silent hallway, the sound so Alhaitham and so soothing. Kaveh pushed through the door as soon as it opened, then attempted to walk past Alhaitham and into the bathroom.
“Kaveh—” his steps were halted by a hand closing around his wrist, Kaveh sighed audibly, then turned so he was facing Alhaitham.
They stood between the tight space that made up the entryway, the room’s lights casting orange hued shadows across Alhaitham’s face, concealing the cool teal of his eyes, and somehow making the concerned expression on his face seem so much warmer than usual.
He’d left the window open, too, and the night breeze fluttered around playfully, entirely ignorant of the tension crowding the room.
With one hand cradling Kaveh’s palm, Alhaitham lifted his other hand to caress the swirling blues and purples scattered across Kaveh’s knuckles.
“What happened?” A deep frown pulled across Alhaitham’s face, the anger swirling in his eyes making the supposed question sound like a demand instead.
Kaveh felt the previously dormant irritation rise up in response, and then his hands were fisting through Alhaitham’s shirt to pull him closer.
“You shouldn’t have gotten involved,” he grumbled through pursed lips, but Alhaitham said nothing in response.
They stood in silence for a few still seconds, then his injured hand dropped to his side, and Kaveh looked away from Alhaitham to stare down at the bruised skin decorating the clenched fist.
He stared at his own hand, yet saw nothing except the arrogant lilt of Saleh’s lips, and Kaveh’s mouth was moving without his permission, spitting the grumbled words he couldn’t contain,
“Who does he think he is? He knows nothing, Haitham. He knows nothing.” Kaveh hissed loudly, his voice cutting through the quiet breeze echoing around the room.
More silence, and then Alhaitham’s hand curled around his own shaking fist, “Kaveh, what happened,” he questioned again, this time gently, the hand cradling his own tightening for a split second.
But Kaveh gave no answer, he barely registered the words he was hearing.
“—blabbering like a damn idiot, he could live a hundred lifetimes and he would still fail to achieve everything you’ve done in one,” Kaveh muttered hastily, suddenly glancing up at him with the same fierce glare Alhaitham was used to, the same one that made it look like Kaveh’s eyes were ablaze.
He’s usually only granted the honor of seeing those after a couple of taunts and teasing quips, but right now, despite the obvious injury, and the foul mood surrounding the determined fire in Kaveh’s eyes, Alhaitham couldn’t contain the smile spreading across his face, nor the pleased chuckle that slipped out unwittingly.
Kaveh seemed to freeze as Alhaitham stepped closer and leaned down until he could rest his forehead utop Kaveh’s shoulder, then shifted to bury his face in the warmth of his neck.
His arms twitched cluelessly before coming up to wrap around Alhaitham’s shoulders, his head tilting to rest against silver locks.
“Did you just laugh, you little shit—” the disgruntled tone of Kaveh’s voice along with the fingers pinching at the skin of his shoulders in admonishment made it so Alhaitham couldn’t contain the happy laugh that shook through him.
“Were you defending my honor, Senior?” Alhaitham’s voice rumbled between chuckles, and Kaveh really wanted to be upset, but the boyish grin decorating Alhaitham’s face was an instant distraction to the vexation that threatened to rise through his chest.
He could only watch as Alhaitham pulled back enough to face him, yet made sure not to dislodge Kaveh’s arms.
He leaned in close, until their foreheads rested against each other. A grin still sat across his lips, and Kaveh could feel himself nuzzle into the touch, even as his face heated at the way their noses collided gently.
Alhaitham was so close he could see the small upturn of his eyes, along with the small dimple that sat close to his chin. And Kaveh really couldn’t help the way his gaze slid from the teasing teal to rest on plush lips, especially when they shifted closer.
“ungrateful and insincere,” he muttered slowly, half lidded eyes fixed on the lips drifting towards his own.
They stopped an inch before his own mouth, then opened to whisper back, they were so close he could feel the words on his lips, the delicate breaths brushing past his mouth making it so Alhaitham’s words would forever be etched in his mind.
“Not to you, Kaveh. Never to you. ”
And then, unwavering warmth was spreading across his lips.
His eyes drifted close as Alhaitham’s arms wrapped around his waist, the smooth glide of soft lips against his own relaxing him out of the tense posture he’d maintained the entire night.
His shoulders slumped down, and his fingers uncurled to further wrap around Alhaitham. One of his hands drifted up towards Alhaitham’s nape, and he mindlessly began to smooth down the stubborn locks of hair.
Alhaitham released a quiet sound in response to the soft touch, and Kaveh barely felt the wet press of his tongue before he was parting his lips willingly.
Warmth spread through him, traveling from mouth to the ends of his fingertips. Soft gasps echoed through the room as their mouths drifted apart, and Kaveh barely had time to open his eyes to see the dark, heavy lidded gaze trained on his face before Alhaitham was tilting his head and pressing his mouth back against his own.
Kaveh’s eyes snapped shut as the kiss turned more insistent, and he barely registered the way he was nudged back until his back made contact with the wall.
Suddenly, Alhaitham was in every crevice of every corner he could perceive. One of his arms wrapped across Kaveh’s shoulders, his other one situated around his waist, and using his weight to press him into the wall behind him.
Kaveh's arms fisted through Alhaitham’s hair, suddenly desperate to find something to hold onto. But that only seemed to motivate Alhaitham further, based on the deep groan and the unbearable push of his lips.
So good, so warm.
Alhaitham only pulled back at the insistent nudging against his shoulder, and their lips drifted apart with an obscene sound. Kaveh knew his blush had reached his ears, yet he couldn’t think past his gasping breaths and the glistening of Alhaitham’s lips.
Time seemed to stand still as they stared at each other, and kaveh’s eyes slid shut as Alhaitham shifted closer, his lips tingling with the thought of another kiss.
But the press of lips landed against the heated skin of his cheek instead. And The arms wrapped around him pulled him away from the wall and closer into Alhaitham’s chest as his lips drifted across flushed skin.
Kisses fluttered from his cheeks, up to his temple, to the corner of his eyes and the side of his mouth.
The slow, grounding kisses placed across his face helped slow down the race of his heart, and he could feel the tension seep out of him as his arms tightened around Alhaitham’s form, his head shifting to bury himself closer into the soothing embrace.
It took him a couple of moments to gather his courage— and his ability to speak— before he was able to whisper hesitantly, “you mean this, Haitham?”
the arms tightening around him and the lips that engulfed his own once more was enough answer.
Next morning, Kaveh had apologized to both Amira and Meiying profusely, even though they both stated that they were too buzzed to notice the scene, and Kaveh thanked the gods that he decided to snap far away from the venue.
He’d seen Saleh in passing once or twice since then, and the bandages that littered his face never failed to make a little satisfaction rise through his chest. It even pulled a genuine laugh out of Alhaitham the first time he saw it, and although he spent the couple moments after that both teasing and gloating, Kaveh couldn’t find it himself to be upset when faced with the genuine giddiness decorating Alhaitham’s expression.
Although the warm fingers laced through his own helped too.