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Alhaitham was known to be the quiet, smart, overachiever scholar. No one dared approaching him, claiming he was too smart to get along with, though he did have his small group of friends, and everyone built stereotypes around him. Most deemed him too scary to talk to. Some even assumed he was a mere boring nerd. However, people didn’t know that they were only baseless accusations, and that Alhaitham’s imagination was as vivid as a five-years-old. In fact, he could still see the childhood creatures, the Aranaras, who are known to only be visible to those who dream.
Alhaitham liked to head to the entrance of Vanarana after his classes. He found that place rather calming, providing the perfect ambiance to get work done. Aranaras would often approach him, watching him at work, clueless at the fact that he could see them. Despite hating when attention was brought upon him, Alhaitham quite enjoyed their company. As time passed, he would visit Vanarana more often, for the sole purpose of hanging with his green friends. They learned to communicate with each other and those days were filled with harmonies and laughter, they were also the ones where Alhaitham felt happiest and enjoyed himself the most.
He would tell them about his day at the Akademiya, about his friends, about the strict professors, and the small creatures would listen while bobbing their heads as if his stories were songs. Alhaitham would gradually open up about his problems and worries, and they would sing him a song, swiftly making his issues disappear.
His life at the Akademiya wasn’t hellish, but rather exhausting. Judging stares down the hall didn’t particularly bother him, but they would slowly get into his head. His friends, Cyno, Tighnari and Kaveh, would keep him company during their common breaks, but he felt vulnerable, as if naked, when none of them were near him. Not that it was obvious anyway. He had the ability to perfectly mask his feelings.
Kaveh, on the other hand, was popular, easy to get along with, and loved by all. The Light of Kshahrewar as most liked to call him, was an inspiration, a model to follow by. He himself, however, was devoid of dreams. Sure he seemed happy and was the Light, and sure the field in which he chose to expert in required, necessitated even, imagination and creativity, but he was devoid of dreams. His ideals were mere ideals. He was unconsciously aware of that fact. His optimistic facade was only a poor excuse of a display of hope, behind which he would lock his coward, pessimistic self.
As they say, opposites attract. Like a magnet's north and south pole. Since Cyno and Tighnari knew each other since they were kids, naturally, Alhaitham and Kaveh got closer. And like all close friends do, they kiss they hang out often. A few breaks spent together turned into study sessions at each others’ dorm. They gradually grew closer and more comfortable with each other.
Alhaitham would of course still visit his leafy friends, but much less than he used to. They didn’t question him though, for they knew something he himself didn’t. They could see in his eyes a glimmer every time he would tell them about the time he spent with the “blindly optimist idiot”. They could hear his voice get a pitch higher whenever he mentioned Kaveh. They could feel his heart skip a beat while he was working, and that was an obvious sign that he suddenly thought about the blonde. Alhaitham would often claim he felt weird and was probably sick. Little does he know, the Aranaras would snicker at his obliviousness.
So they decided to build a plan. They would first get Alhaitham to realize his feelings for Kaveh, and then hopefully convince him to confess to Kaveh. Said plan was immediately put in action the next time Alhaitham started yapping talking about his beloved close friend.
The scheming creatures teased him even more when he blushed after the first time, much to his dismay. It took the same thing happening multiple times for Alhaitham to realize that the fuzziness he kept feeling when he was around Kaveh was most likely not him being sick. Rather certain sentiments he felt for the blonde that he couldn’t quite explain (you don’t say, Haitham).
On the other hand, Kaveh was freaking out. He started spending more time with Tighnari (much to Cyno’s dismay), ranting and panicking about his newfound feelings. The fluffy eared friend calmly listened to every session and even gave him some advice; Like perhaps he should talk to Alhaitham about it. You never know for sure, he might feel the same way. Kaveh concluded he should just ignore those feelings until they go away (they won’t) (same tho).
With Cyno’s spying abilities, Tighnari got a hold of the location where Alhaitham hung out everyday after their exhausting classes. The duo decided to set Kaveh and Alhaitham up, hoping for some miracle to happen. Surely the both of them cannot be that oblivious right? They got Kaveh to meet up near the entrance of Vanarana for a picnic hangout.
When Kaveh arrived, out of breath (due to being late to the rendez-vous), he was confused to see no one. He was already twenty minutes late. Was everyone else just as late? It wasn’t like his friends. However, he quickly got distracted by the mesmerizing view that existed within the vicinity of the depressing air of the Akademiya. He decided to walk around and explore the environment, deciding on a place to settle down and work on a few sketches for his final project.
After a few hours of peaceful sketching, Alhaitham arrived, surprised to see Kaveh at his ‘hideout’. The latter got flustered but quickly recovered and invited him to stay. They kept each other company until sunset.
Meanwhile, in a nearby bush, Tighnari and Cyno were rage quitting because nothing was happening (literally the fandom).
As the day came to an end, a tired Kaveh could be seen drifting asleep and unknowingly dozing off on Alhaitham’s lap. Tighnari and Cyno were having trouble staying quiet as they expressed their excitement (same guys, same).
Alhaitham was, of course, flustered. The Aranaras had to remind him to breathe. He didn’t want to wake the hardworking boy up. He looked so mesmerizing, resting in his lap. His hand unconsciously combed through the blonde’s locks. His hair was so soft, and they smelled so lovely. Archons, he had Alhaitham wrapped around his fingers. They knew he would do anything for Kaveh’s happiness. He wished this moment would never end. He would stay out and up all night if he could, but the nights in Sumeru were cold and ruthless, and he was afraid Kaveh would catch a cold.
The man finally decided to slowly get up, carefully picking Kaveh up in bridal style, making sure he wouldn’t wake up, and walked towards his dorm (he’s strong like that). After a good twenty minutes of continuous walking, because he couldn’t afford to take breaks and risk Kaveh getting sick; he wouldn’t forgive himself if that ever happened, he finally arrived at his room.
He never had any roommates, and as a result, only owned one bed. He settled Kaveh in his bed, tucked him in and quietly fell down next to his bed, staring at him. Even with his disheveled hair from the wind, and pink cheeks from the chilly air, he still looked so captivating. Alhaitham fell asleep sitting in that position, head resting on the bed and back shrimping over. That night, his back grew ten years older, but it was worth all of it.
Morning quickly came and Kaveh was the first to wake up. He panicked as his brain registered his surroundings. The sight of Alhaitham sleeping in such a position filled him with guilt. He quickly got up to at least prepare breakfast and ran away to his own dorm.
The Haravatat scholar woke up confused and slightly disappointed at the absence of his crush. Only one thought was on his mind throughout the classes that day: “I need to confess to Kaveh.”
And confessing he did, not without some complications of course. First, the Aranaras had to endure hours of Alhaitham’s voiced internal monologue. He hesitated, overthought, and delayed his plans. This went on for weeks. Cyno, Tighnari and the Aranaras gradually grew exasperated. It went on and on until the little companions decided to do something about it.
They convinced Alhaitham to just bring Kaveh over, prepare a good enough confession, and that they would take care of the rest. Days of torment followed. He was on his 4 839th draft by now. His confession either sounded too mushy, too fake, too much or too little. None of them were good enough. None of them were worthy enough. Heck he didn’t feel worthy enough of The Light of Kshahrewar. He felt like an idol. And as close as they are as friends, Alhaitham still felt as though Kaveh was unreachable. As though he was someone to worship, but himself was a mere follower. A God and his follower can not, can never, be together. Sure Kaveh was very nice to him, but one could argue that he was only friendly by nature.
Endless trains of doubts filled his mind. Vivid memories of their sweet time spent together replayed in his head. Part of him, the rational, but also hopeful part, knew that Kaveh liked him back. But the other part, the one that was dominating his mind, was questioning if confessing was really the thing to do. What if he misread Kaveh? What if Kaveh only considered Alhaitham a really good friend, and nothing more? Worse, what if he did all this, and Kaveh rejects him and it ruins their friendship?
He thought about it over and over. He discussed it with his good friends, who only reassured him that it would all work out in the end.
Finally, he concluded. “Fuck it we ball.”
That… was unlike him. To rush in (not really). He always gave it time and thought things over before coming to a decision. But he did. He thought really hard. And gave it a lot of time. It would have been two months by now. So he was allowed right? He had been careful his whole life, tiptoeing around decisions. So he was allowed to be ever so slightly reckless once, right?
He opted for a straightforward confession. He tried to sprinkle the tiniest bit of romance in it (because he knew Kaveh would swoon over that) (he’s so bad at it though).
The day came. Alhaitham told Kaveh to meet him at the entrance of Vanarana.
Kaveh did as he was told. As he walked towards where Alhaitham was waiting for him, he noticed little flower petals that he recalled weren't there last time. It wasn't the blooming season either, but he paid no mind.
As he arrived at the rendez-vous, he was pleasantly surprised with beautiful flower garlands that sprinkled the trees and the small, strange houses. The place looked revamped compared to the last time he was there. The plants looked somehow even healthier and even the sun seemed to be shining brighter. A small soothing melody could be heard. The true highlight, however, was the person standing in front of him.
Standing a few feet away, was Alhaitham, in some formal but somehow still casual clothing, a bouquet of fresh padisarahs in his hand, his cheeks lightly dusted with pink. The view was… ethereal. Kaveh wished he could pull out his kamera and shoot a quick picture. He wished he could stand there staring at the man in front of him forever. In only a few seconds, Kaveh had their whole future planned out.
He walked forward. His legs were struggling to keep himself up. His hands were shaking. His heart was thumping. He could barely breathe. His eyes were tearing up. He felt as though this was a proposal. He felt himself falling for this man all over again (so much for waiting until the feelings go away).
Alhaitham waited for Kaveh to be at the perfect distance before speaking.
“Senior, I’ve been harbouring special feelings for you for a while now. Forgive me for being so selfish, but you’ve brought such light and happiness in my life that I desire a greater label to us than ‘close friends’ or ‘best friends’.” He struggled to keep his voice stable, but he kept going, “May I be your boyfriend?”
Kaveh was at a loss for words. He never imagined Alhaitham could be this thoughtful, despite knowing him so well.
A loud “Yes!” could be heard throughout the forest. And through the group of Aranaras quietly cheering for the new couple, was Alhaitham kissing Kaveh, as though they were longing for this moment their whole life (they kinda were).
And so marked the great triumph for the Aranaras, Tighnari and Cyno. They could finally be free of Alhaitham’s and Kaveh’s endless rant about each other.
The following weekend was spent celebrating at Lambad’s Tavern.