Chapter Text
Alhaitham
“I’m dating someone by the way,” Kaveh said one night, lying on the couch next to Alhaitham with a math textbook spread out on his lap. The campus library was about to close and they were the last ones here. The large glass windows of the library walls gave them a wide view of the autumn trees which were blending into the orange sunset.
Kaveh had his blonde hair tied up in a high ponytail with strands sweeping past his red eyes. It was the start of exam week and Kaveh already had deep sets of dark bags under his eyes. He wore a gray hoodie that fit loosely on him. It was an unusual sight to see him in something so casual today. Kaveh tended to overdress for class, trying on a variety of accessories and keeping up with the latest fashion trends.
“Congrats, we’ll see how long that will last.” Alhaitham glances over and then back at his own book. His eyes skimmed over the paragraph but he did not process the information. He was still processing the fact that Kaveh found a partner. In his mind, he always thought that nobody could be up to Kaveh’s standards. He thought that Kaveh was out of everybody’s league, including his own. To Alhaitham this was not an opinion, but an objective fact supported by evidence.
Simply based on today’s beauty standards, Kaveh transcends everyone in his school. Academics-wise, Kaveh consistently scores high in all his classes, especially math and science. His talent in artistry will land him in any art program at any university of his choice. In terms of personality, Kaveh was charismatic and kind. Almost too kind. He would take on a teammate’s work in a group project, or stay up late with a classmate to help them cram for a test. All of these were reasons why Alhaitham could not believe Kaveh found a true equal for him.
“Can’t you be happy for me for once? Jerk.” Kaveh mumbles, shutting his book and standing up. He slung his bag over his shoulder and looked down at Alhaitham with a weary look. “Come on, it's getting late. We should head home before the last bus leaves.”
“Sure. And I did congratulate you.” Alhaitham points out, following Kaveh closely. If he wasn’t happy about something, he was not going to put on a false act. Kaveh frowns slightly, a brief flash of hurt in their eyes which makes Alhaitham wonder if he was trying to seek approval from him. “I don’t care who you date, Kaveh. Just don’t cry to me about it if it doesn’t work out.”
“When someone tells their best friend they have a boyfriend, they’re supposed to be happy for them! Instead, I’m stuck with you.” Kaveh sighs, shaking his head as he walks outside. He shoves his hands into his pockets as soon as they are greeted by a gust of wind. “You didn’t even ask any follow-up questions. Do you even want to know anything about me?”
Alhaitham resisted the urge to roll his eyes but he was used to Kaveh’s endless complaints about him and their friendship. Most of them were out of endearment. “Alright. What does he look like?”
“I have pictures.” Kaveh took out his phone as they stood at the bus stop. They were the only two on the sidewalk and the streets were getting dark. Alhaitham steps closer to Kaveh. He unlocks the phone and scrolls through dozens of pictures of him and Alhaitham hanging out. “Here he is.”
Alhaitham glances over, and he instantly recognizes who Kaveh’s boyfriend is. He was one of the football players, Sanjit. He was one of those guys that all the girls in school swoon over. He was tall, strong, and charismatic. He had dark hair, green eyes, and a confident smile. But none of that mattered because Sanjit was not good enough for Kaveh. No one was.
“...As long as you’re happy,” Alhaitham says, revealing no emotions in his voice or face. Truth was, if he didn’t stay calm he might show how upset he really was.
“I am.” Kaveh doesn’t look at him. He stares at the road and waves down a bus that approaches. Kaveh didn’t bring enough change so Alhaitham nudges him aside and pays the fee for him. He always brings extra coins just in case.
They sit in the back of the bus and look out the window. It was mostly dark now, with few cars on the street. Kaveh shivers and sits a little closer to Alhaitham. Alhaitham doesn’t complain, but he thinks about how Kaveh must do the same with Sanjit. He pictures Kaveh leaning against Sanjit, snuggling closer than how they were currently. He wasn’t special.
The bus stops at Alhaitham’s stop and he gets up, prompting Kaveh to also stand up.
“This isn’t your stop.” Alhaitham reminds him.
“Just thought I should walk you home. It’s dark after all.” Kaveh insisted, tagging closely behind. Alhaitham sighs but doesn’t stop him. He was hoping to have a quiet walk home alone.
“You’ll be walking alone once I get home.” Alhaitham exits the bus with him. Their neighborhood was darkened even more by the trees that blocked out the moonlight. A couple of houses were lit up with Halloween decorations that illuminated the sidewalks. But it was still dark and who knows who could be driving the streets at night. “Text me once you get home.”
“What? Are you worried about me now?” Kaveh smiles.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you got jumped and robbed. You should pay more attention to your surroundings.”
“Don’t say such things like that,” Kaveh looks around. It was just the two of them out tonight and Alhaitham had to resist the urge to reach over and take his hand to hold. It irritated him knowing that Sanjit probably got to hold Kaveh’s hand anytime he wanted. They walk slowly and their hands occasionally brush against each other.
“There’s my house,” Alhaitham pauses at his driveway. It was empty and the lawn outside was barren except for a few succulents and weeds. Kaveh had wanted to come over someday and work on his hard during winter break. “I'll see you.”
“Okay, goodnight.” Kaveh gives him a small wave.
Kaveh
When Kaveh got home, the house was strangely quiet. He walks through the entrance hallway, past the paintings done by him and his mother. He greets a portrait of his father that hangs next to a painting of some flowers he’s done, like how he always does every evening.
He reaches his living room and finds his mother, Faranak, sitting on the couch and flipping through an architectural magazine. His eyes softened a little. It’s been a while since she’s looked at anything related to architecture after his father passed away. Every hobby that she once had seemed to have been put to a halt during years of grief and depression. Now though, Kaveh noticed little pieces of her lightning up again.
“Hey Mom, have you had dinner yet?” Kaveh asks quietly and sets down his bag, walking over.
She looks a little startled but smiles when she sees Kaveh approaching. “Not yet. Let’s order a pizza tonight. I wanted to talk to you about something first.”
“Sure.” Kaveh takes out his phone to order a pizza using a delivery app. He sits down next to Faranak. She waits for him to put his phone away before beginning.
“I found a new job,” Faranak states, excitement creeping into her voice. “I’ll be working as an architect again.”
“Oh my god that’s wonderful!” Kaveh can’t help but smile. His mom has taken a break from designing for years due to her mental state. The fact that she’s finally returned to her passion was amazing. He grabs her hand and squeezes in celebration. “So when do you start? And where?!”
“In two days, it’s in Fontaine. I’m so excited!” Faranak’s eyes light up. At the same time, Kaveh’s smile fades and he lets go of her.
“That’s so soon…But that’s great Mom..I’m really happy for you.” Kaveh says softly this time. Fontaine, another country away. He would almost never see her again. But he still meant what he said. He was incredibly happy for her. She’s spent years overcoming her depression and Kaveh was with her every step of the way. “But I’m sorry, I can’t come with you. I start college here this year.”
“I know Love, I never expected you to pack everything up and leave.” She says gently, taking Kaveh’s hand. She rubs her thumb over his soothingly. He didn’t realize he was shaking. He doesn’t know why but this felt like a loss. Another parent to leave him. With her gone, the little family the two had would be gone. Kaveh wanted to ask why she couldn’t have found a job here. He wanted to ask why won’t you stay, for me? If Dad was here, wouldn’t you have stayed with us? Instead, he took a deep breath and hugged her. It wasn’t fair to expect her to stay just for him. There was nothing here for her except reminders of the past. She needed this opportunity.
“I’ll miss you, but I support you. I’m glad you found a job that you’re finally passionate about.” Kaveh says, keeping his voice steady as he lays his head on his mother’s shoulder. He realizes that when she leaves, he probably won’t be holding her like this in a long time. “I really am proud of you Mom.”
Faranak pulls away and looks at her son gently, “I should be the one saying that to you. You’ve grown up to be the kindest and most talented person I know. I’ll always be proud of you.”
“You’re acting like we won’t be seeing each other again.” Kaveh laughs weakly. “You’ll come back and visit Sumeru right?”
“Of course, I need to see how you’re doing in college after all. You have to give me a campus tour.” She smiles. But Kaveh had doubts. Why would she make a trip to cross two nations just to see Kaveh when she has a new and better life in Fontaine? Kaveh was nothing but a reminder of the past now.
“That’ll be really nice. I’m glad.” Kaveh says again. “I’ll help you pack tomorrow okay? I have homework tonight.”
“That’s okay” She nods. The doorbell rings and she looks up. “That must be the pizza.”
“I’m not hungry.” He shakes his head. He turns away and heads to his room, shutting it before his tears can fall.
He throws himself onto the bed without turning the lights on. He lies in the dark and turns his phone on. He sees a text from Alhaitham that was 20 minutes ago.
[AlHaitham]: R U home?
Oh right, he forgot to text Alhaitham that he got home.
[Kaveh]: Yea
He scrolls away and opens Sanjit’s texts.
Sanjit sent him a selfie of him at the football game along with a text: I miss u Kaveh, u should’ve been here! Let’s go to the movies this Sunday!
Kaveh smiles a little and saves the image. Sanjit did look attractive in that picture. He was wearing a football jersey, and his hair was being blown in the wind. His eyes were the most beautiful, a bright green teal.
[Kaveh]: Maybe, I might be busy this weekend.
Sunday was when his mom was leaving. He wanted to take her to the airport and be with her for as long as he could while he said goodbye.
[Sanjit]: that’s ok, have a goodnight. I love you <3
It takes Kaveh a while to type out: Love you too.
He sighs and closes his eyes. He could just tell Sanjit what he was doing this weekend. But that would mean being vulnerable and telling him his mom is leaving him. And then he will have to tell Sanjit about his dad. He didn’t want to unload his entire sob story on his boyfriend. Sanjit would feel forced to comfort him, pity him, and may even think he’s pathetic. He didn’t want to do that to him. He opens his eyes and realizes his vision is blurry from tears.
Kaveh goes on his phone again, opening Alhaitham’s number on instinct. Alhaitham was the only person who could deal with his complaints and still treat him the same way every day. He wasn’t thinking at all when he pressed the Facetime button.
Not even one ring in and Alhaitham picks up immediately.
“What do you want?” Alhaitham asks uncaringly.
“You could just say hello, you know?” Kaveh frowns. “What if someone important was calling and that’s how you greeted them?”
“Hello,” Alhaitham says. Kaveh heard a clattering noise in the background. Kaveh squints as he looks at the screen. Alhaitham had his hair pinned to the side as he struggled with a pot in front of him. Alhaitham was in the kitchen, trying to make a meal apparently. Kaveh remembered that Alhaitham had been living alone for a while after his grandmother passed. Kaveh wondered how he did it. His chest ached just imagining coming to an empty home every day, which would be a reality after his mom left.
He watches Alhaitham put a bag of frozen dumplings into the boiling pot of water. “Do you want to come over tomorrow?”
“No,” Alhaitham says but he looks at the screen at Kaveh. Something changes in his eyes when he notices how Kaveh looks and he says. “...But I’ll come. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just need to help my mom pack for tomorrow. She’s leaving.” Kaveh’s voice cracks when he states it finally. She’s leaving. And he’ll be alone. He felt terrible; he should be happy for her first and foremost. Of course, he was happy for her, and he was incredibly proud. But he felt selfish thinking of how he'll be alone.
Alhaitham doesn’t ask questions about that. He just says, “Okay, I’ll be there.”
Kaveh lets out a breath of relief. That was all he needed. His best friend will be here tomorrow morning and everything will be okay. He sighs and closes his eyes, putting his phone down even though he hasn't hung up on the call. In the back of his mind, he briefly thinks of Sanjit. He'll go on that date after he helps his mom move out. That should be fine. Right now, he just needed Alhaitham.