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“Is it true you haven’t been sleeping?”
“Good to see you too, Cyno.”
Cyno crosses his arms impatiently, carefully observing the slumped way Alhaitham sits at his desk. Alhaitham’s office is quite large, but Cyno can see the dark circles under his eyes from the doorway.
“Are you going to actually come in, or are you just going to stand there ominously?”
With a small huff, Cyno lets the door close behind him and makes his way over to stand in front of Alhaitham’s desk. He looks even worse up close. There’s exhaustion written across every fiber of his being, like he hasn’t slept in a week. And according to Kaveh, he hasn’t. If Alhaitham were one to overwork himself, that would be Cyno’s first assumption. But for someone who leaves the Akademiya no later than the scheduled end of the workday, his condition is even more worrying.
“So it’s true then.”
Alhaitham lets out a lengthy sigh, leaning back in his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Where did you hear tha—Kaveh. I should’ve known.”
“He asked me to check on you while he’s traveling. I’m glad he did. I know you wouldn’t have told me.” Cyno tells him, concern unhidden in his voice.
There’s a tiny eye roll; clearly Alhaitham thinks Kaveh and Cyno are both worrying too much over nothing. Cyno is far from convinced.
“He just left this morning.” Alhaitham mutters. “Besides, it’s not like I’ve never made do with less sleep than I’d prefer before.”
“You look exhausted.”
“Impressive. You should’ve been a Sage.”
Alhaitham gives him a deadpan look as he delivers the sarcasm, leaving Cyno with the slightest desire to strangle him on the spot. Still, though the Scribe hasn’t lost his wit, Cyno is still concerned. Even his office seems disheveled, which is definitely out of the ordinary. There’s a half-forgotten mug of tea on the desk, and Alhaitham is wearing his cape properly around his shoulders. Cyno makes a mental note to check for a fever. He has a sneaking suspicion that Alhaitham has exhausted himself to the point of being ill.
“I’m serious. Go home and go to sleep.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t need to.”
“Well that’s clearly a lie.”
“Fine. I don’t want to.” Alhaitham responds stubbornly. This is clearly a battle he’s willing to fight.
“This isn’t like you. Doing nothing at all is normally right up your alley. What’s really going on, Alhaitham?”
He hesitates for a long moment before answering.
“…I’ve been dreaming.”
“And you thought the solution was to just not sleep?”
“Too much. I’ve been dreaming too much.” Alhaitham admits quietly.
Cyno pauses just long enough to make his tone gentler.
“Are they nightmares?”
A brief nod. “Some are. Others are just strange, but prevent restful sleep. I wake up more tired.”
It’s Cyno’s turn to sigh. After the Akasha terminals were shut off, he also had some difficulty getting used to dreaming. Though not like what Alhaitham is describing now. Refusing to sleep entirely is foolish, but understandable given the current circumstances.
“Still. Even if you don’t sleep, you should get some rest. I’m guessing you’re not feeling well either.”
Alhaitham lays his head on his desk tiredly, obviously found out.
“I thought so.” Cyno says quietly, reaching over to run a gentle hand through Alhaitham’s hair. His hand lingers briefly on his forehead, confirming his earlier suspicions. Alhaitham flinches away ever so slightly.
“Your hand’s cold.” He mutters halfheartedly, eyes slipping closed.
“It’s not. You’re just sick.”
“Just tired.”
“Alhaitham. You have a fever.”
He hums noncommittally, only reopening his eyes when Cyno stops playing with his hair. He looks almost disappointed.
“Come on. You need rest. Your desk can’t be that comfortable.”
Alhaitham eventually relents, pushing himself to sit back upright in his chair before getting up. He gets lightheaded immediately when he stands too quickly, nearly collapsing on the spot. Cyno’s impeccable reflexes keep him from hitting the floor.
“Easy. I’ve got you.” Cyno reassures him, pulling Alhaitham’s arm around his shoulders for support. It’s a slightly awkward feat given their height difference, but manageable. It’s far from the first time Cyno has had to keep Alhaitham upright after falling victim to his own stunning lack of self-preservation.
“I can walk on my own.”
“Can you?” Cyno raises an eyebrow at him.
“I told you, I’m just tired.”
“If you say that again, I’m taking you straight to Tighnari. He won’t be nearly as nice as I am. Do you think he’d say you’re just tired?”
Alhaitham lets out a long sigh, giving up for the time being. Thankfully, he makes no more effort to pull away, though Cyno can tell he doesn’t want to be seen being helped out of the Akademiya by the General Mahamatra himself in the middle of the day. It isn’t as if either of them are subtle presences, and this is sure to bring unwanted questions. Alhaitham has always hated being pestered with queries about his own wellbeing.
“Do you think you can manage the long way?”
Alhaitham gives a nod, accompanied by a visible loss of tension at the idea of walking through the less-crowded halls. At least that way he can avoid most of the nosy stares.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
The walk back to Alhaitham’s house is relatively uneventful, even if it does take a bit longer than usual. There are a few odd looks from students, but a withering glare from Cyno has them scurrying away in terror. He can’t deny the bit of satisfaction it brings him. Something about seeing the normally infallible Alhaitham so unable to hide his current weakness makes Cyno feel fiercely protective. To be trusted this much is no small achievement. He’ll do everything in his power to make sure Alhaitham feels safe.
By the end of the trip, Cyno is supporting noticeably more of Alhaitham’s weight than when they left. He’s so tired. Cyno just hopes he manages to get some restful sleep. Hopefully he can convince the obstinate Scribe to at least try.
It takes an extra try for Alhaitham to get the front door unlocked, and Cyno can’t help but notice he has both his and Kaveh’s keys. Some things truly never change. When they finally get inside, Cyno locks the door behind them and Alhaitham deflates. With just a little convincing, Cyno is sure he can get him to sleep.
“Go change. Get comfortable, and I’ll make you some tea.”
“There’s no need to fuss so much.” Even his voice sounds exhausted. He’s completely given up trying to hide it now.
“Well, I suppose if you’re feeling perfectly fine, care to indulge me in several rounds of Genius Invokation TCG?”
Cyno doesn’t have a chance to fully ask the question before Alhaitham is heading for his bedroom. There’s still a smirk on Cyno’s face as he starts making the tea; thankfully there had been a tin of chamomile hidden at the back of the cabinet.
As the water boils on the stove, Cyno washes the few leftover dishes in the sink and sets them aside to dry. One less thing for Alhaitham to have to worry about once he’s feeling better. Even the state of the house is evidence to how he’s been doing recently. Alhaitham is normally a fairly neat person, but the number of books and papers scattered around the living room is surprising. Cyno takes a moment to stack them neatly on the coffee table, knowing Alhaitham will rest better in a less-chaotic space. By the time he’s done, the water is ready. He pours it into a large mug, allowing the tea to steep.
A moment later, Alhaitham walks into the kitchen and straight over, leaning his head on top of Cyno’s. He tends to get a bit clingy when he doesn’t feel well. The rest of their friend group has a pact to never tell him out of fear that he’d stop.
“I was going to bring your tea to your room. Go lie down.”
“I don’t want to be in there right now.”
“Alright. Why don’t you go relax on the couch then? I’ll be right there.” Cyno suggests, hoping he can actually convince Alhaitham to let himself rest.
Alhaitham nods, shuffling off toward the living room. He’s changed into soft, warm clothes, and thankfully looks at ease despite being so exhausted. Even his noise-canceling headphones have been taken off in the safety of his own home. Cyno smiles lightly to himself. It’s taken a while for Alhaitham to get this comfortable around him, especially given where they started. But the effort was well worth it.
When the tea is finally ready, Cyno carries it into the living room, where Alhaitham sits cross-legged on the couch.
“Here.” Cyno says, handing over the mug of tea. “At least you look more comfortable now.”
“Thank you.”
Alhaitham takes the mug, drinking a sip and then all but curling around it as he holds it with both hands.
“Are you cold?”
“Yes.”
Cyno places a gentle hand on Alhaitham’s forehead again, brushing soft gray hair out of the way. He can’t tell if his fever has gotten any worse, but Alhaitham has certainly gotten worse at hiding how he’s actually feeling. Even as he slowly sips at his tea, Cyno can tell he’s fighting to even keep his eyes open.
“I’ll grab you some blankets. Are you sure you’d rather stay out here?”
“I’m sure.”
“Alright. I’ll be right back then.”
He returns a moment later carrying a stack of warm blankets, and even the thick green comforter from Alhaitham’s bed. Alhaitham gives a mildly surprised look at the hulking pile that Cyno is absolutely not struggling to carry, but doesn’t comment. He merely watches, mildly amused, and takes another sip of his tea.
Thankfully, as large and comfortable as the couch is, it should be a reasonable substitute for actually resting in bed.
Cyno dumps the pile of blankets beside his patient, then wraps several around Alhaitham’s shoulders. He then sits back down, and pulls the heavy comforter over both of their laps.
“Thank you.” Alhaitham says quietly as he leans his head on Cyno’s shoulder.
“Any better?”
“A little. Yes.”
“Good.”
They sit in comfortable silence for a while as Alhaitham sips at his tea. He’s still curled around the mug, enjoying its warmth. Every now and then, he tugs at the blankets around his shoulders, wrapping them a bit tighter. Finally, when the tea is gone, he sets the mug on the coffee table and slumps even further against Cyno with an impressive yawn.
“I think it’s time for you to get some sleep.”
“No.”
“Alhaitham.”
“I’m not going to sleep.”
Cyno sighs, shifting on the couch to pull Alhaitham into a hug.
“You said I only had to rest. And I am resting.”
“I know. I won’t force you. But you need it. I know you’re scared, but you’ll only make yourself feel worse the longer you keep yourself awake.”
“I don’t want to sleep, Cyno.” Alhaitham’s voice is quiet and desperate, even as he fights to keep his eyes open.
“Shhh, it’s alright.” He soothes, pulling Alhaitham closer.
Neither of them make any effort to move until Alhaitham is relaxed again, breaths even and slow.
“Come on, lie down. Just rest.”
Cyno carefully helps Alhaitham lie down on the couch, rearranging the warm blankets to cover him. The pillows in the living room don’t look overly comfortable, so Cyno quickly grabs one of the ones from Alhaitham’s room. With the makeshift bed completed, Cyno can tell it won’t take much longer before Alhaitham can’t even fight it anymore.
Before settling back down, Cyno grabs a book that seems interesting, and wrings out a damp cloth in the kitchen sink. He brings both back to the couch, where Alhaitham is making desperate final attempts to stay awake.
“Here, sit up a little for just a minute.”
Alhaitham makes a complaining sound between a groan and a whine, but complies anyway. Cyno sits down sideways, bringing the pillow into his lap.
“Alright, you can lie back down. How’s that? Comfortable?”
Alhaitham gives a nod, shifting to lie on his back. Cyno pulls the blankets a little higher, glad that Alhaitham seems at least slightly warmer than he had earlier.
“I hope you feel better soon. I don’t like seeing you sick.”
Cyno brushes Alhaitham’s hair back, placing the damp cloth across his forehead. He keeps running gentle fingers through his hair, knowing Alhaitham usually finds it soothing.
“I’ll be fine, Cyno.”
“I know you will. Am I not allowed to be worried?”
“Hm.”
Alhaitham’s eyelids flutter, only for him to startle a moment later, trying desperately to keep himself awake.
“Please try to get some sleep, Alhaitham.”
“I can’t, Cy—”
“For me?”
Alhaitham looks at Cyno with pleading eyes.
“Just try, alright? I’ll wake you up if you start having a nightmare.”
“…Promise?” He asks quietly.
“I promise. Please, Alhaitham. I don’t want to see you get worse.”
He hesitates, but eventually nods.
“Do you feel safe here?”
Another nod, more assured than the first.
“I’m safe.” He says, though Cyno isn’t sure if he’s answering the question, or reminding himself. Either way, saying so out loud helps him relax considerably.
“I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“What if I sleep for twelve hours?”
Cyno gives an amused smile. “Then I’ll be right here for twelve hours. And my feet will be asleep.”
That earns him a tiny huff of laughter, and Alhaitham finally lets his eyes slip shut.
“Thank you.” He says, words nearly slurred with exhaustion and barely above a whisper.
“Of course. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”