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Christmas. A time of joy, a time to be with your nearest and dearest. That's why there had been a celebration at Alhaitham and Kavehs home. Though it was a reminder to Kaveh what had occurred the previous year, he decided not to let that bother him too much.
See, he had come to terms with his feelings for someone he knew in the Akademiya and sent them a letter in which he poured out his heart. Turns out the man panicked and fled the nation to avoid confronting Kaveh which had really stung him.
So, he's reminded of that now with Christmas around the corner but it doesn't sting as much. Not with Alhaitham around, the very man who took him in and was supportive after the incident. He did notice Alhaitham was a little... off the day he sent out that letter. He had disappeared then reappeared to deliver the news about the man. Though, Alhaitham looked as if he had been in a fight and he wondered why. He tried to ask about it but his junior simply shrugged it off.
Their first Christmas in this situation was spent with Tighnari in the forest, a little mistake because it was rather cold there. Nonetheless, they had an amazing time playing games and eating food, dancing the night away. It helped keep Kaveh distracted from what had happened. He drank and ate and drank and ate, blissfully unaware of the teal eyed man who watched him from a corner with a gentle expression.
Alhaitham was eating some fatteh, a dish he came to really love because it was Kavehs favorite. He had reached for one the moment he first saw them and was still munching on some now. His book was in his lap, admiring the beautiful blonde that danced and chatted with Tighnari. Alhaitham wasn't one to really give gifts, choosing to give his simple wishes of happiness to others and present some food he would make because why not?
Kaveh, on the other hand, loved going all out for the people who mattered to him. He knitted, scrapbooked, baked, creating anything and everything for his friends. For Alhaitham, he had knitted a beautiful scarf for the colder times, his way of ensuring the junior didn't get sick. It was a beautiful teal, more on the darker side, and the accents to it were silver. It went right with the youngers color pallette and was extremely sophisticated.
Alhaitham did end up using that scarf very often, not leaving the house without it. Sometimes, he'd pretended to almost leave without it just so Kaveh would rush over and put it on for him. It was sweet and very domestic, their closeness making Alhaitham get struck with the urge to leave a little kiss on Kavehs forehead. He kept his feelings buried, though, and only thanked the elder before leaving for the Akademiya.
By the time the cold began to leave, Alhaitham found himself being a little bummed out because he couldn't wear his scarf anymore. So, he hung it up in his room so he could admire it anytime he felt like it. So there the scarf remained, up on the wall near Alhaithams bed so it was the last thing he saw before bed. Kaveh was the first person he saw and the last one as well, something that he came to really adore.
Kaveh always went above and beyond with his gifts so Alhaitham wanted to do the same for him this year. But what could the architect really want? What was something Kaveh could use everyday that would serve as a reminder that Alhaitham would always be there for him? Kaveh deserves to have something beautiful, something that would surely touch his heart.
Oh. Oh.
Now he knows.
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A few months later
Ah yes, it was the holiday season once more and Alhaitham found himself being rather... nervous this time around. Not only had he gotten something beautiful for Kaveh, he had also planned on finally telling him about his feelings. That's why he was pacing around in his room with a little box in his hand. He was dressed rather comfortably with the scarf around his neck once more.
It smelled of Kaveh now because it had gotten mixed in with his clothes. Alhaitham almost tore up the place trying to find it, the scarf was just that special after all.
Now, Alhaitham was finally going to gift something just as grand to Kaveh. A gorgeous hairpin but not just any hairpin, it was in the shape of a lock and key. The lock had a heart in it and it was designed so Kaveh would need to ask Alhaitham for help putting it on. This was Alhaithams way of saying that Kaveh essentially held the key to his heart. Yes, it was cheesy, but he didn't care at all. He wanted Kaveh to know that he loved him in his own way and this was his way of making it known.
That and he got an amethyst necklace with their initials on it. Was it too much? Maybe... but this was Kaveh! Someone as beautiful as him deserves to have only the best of the best. The necklace was stunning but to Alhaitham, there was nothing that could compare to the blondes beauty. Every time he would gaze at that face, he would be struck in the chest with a pain from such immense beauty. An overwhelming amount of love held within his heart for the blonde he called his roommate, a love so touching it needed to be displayed.
What better way to shown a mere portion of his love with this necklace specially commissioned for his (hopefully) soon to be boyfriend? This was but the start of Alhaithams gifts for Kaveh, the future was still unsure yet this yearning man could not control himself any longer.
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Twas the night of their celebration when Alhaitham had locked himself in his room to write a letter for his beloved Kaveh.
Dearest Kaveh,
The light of my life, the man whom I've loved in secret for months now, I present to you a delicate hairpin, carefully selected to compliment your gorgeous hair. It is intended to be slipped upon your hair by a helper, who shall be I. Aside from the hairpin, I have specially commissioned a necklace which I shall hand by the end of the evening when all eyes are on us for a toast. You, my dear, know I struggle to convey my feelings, which is why I have chosen to write a letter for you, to pour my love out for you. For months I have watched you from afar, observing and learning even more about you, something I found impossible considering I know all about you.
The night I took you in was but the best one of my life, a choice I'm glad to have made. Once again, fate has united us and I fully intend on keeping you around this time. I will give you all my love, a sentiment that you wholeheartedly deserve. I will not break your heart, my starlet, because I would rather die than to cause you any form of pain. I wish to stand by your side for the rest of my life, to be your rock so you may always rely on me, and to provide for you. I know you are capable of grand things, things I wish to be part of. You may continue to pay rent if you want, truthfully I will be using that Mora to buy you gifts because you deserve it all, the entire world.
I love you, Kaveh. More than I ever though and I wish for you to be my lover. If you feel the same, please let me know with a kiss under the mistletoe. If not, pull me aside and we shall talk.
With love,
Your Alhaitham
P.s look up
And so, Alhaitham folded it up neatly and slipped it into his pocket, returning to their living room. He remained by Kavehs side for the rest of the evening, trying not to show how nervous he was about the situation.
Kaveh, on the other hand, was cheerfully mingling with the guests and being a good host, as expected. It was a very lively atmosphere with a bit of dancing going around. Alhaitham and Kaveh had done some rearranging that day to make more space for everyone. Well, more like Kaveh was telling Alhaitham what needed to go where while he hung up a few decorations. It was worth it though because they got compliments on this temporary arrangement.
Alhaitham was silent as he had watched Kaveh do his thing, from dancing and drinking to leading everyone to the tree for their gifts. Kaveh had such a big heart full of love for everyone, a selfless man who would do anything for the people he loved. Alhaitham wanted to pour all his love into Kavehs heart, to feed the blondes heart and let him know he, too, deserves to be loved on.
What's this now? While everyone exchanged gifts, Alhaitham had realized Kaveh left a little box on his lap. He raised an eyebrow and looked at the blonde who simply smiled at him. That lovely smile that could easily make his day.
"So! Why don't we go around and open our gifts one at a time? Get the excitement going! We'll end with me so let's start with Nari then make our way around."
Kaveh spoke with such cheerfulness, it was easy to see how he bubbled with excitement, watching as everyone opened all their gifts. There were some tears, people overwhelmed by all the love being spread in the room. It soon got to Alhaitham and he simply stared at the box in his hand, a little nervous with everyone staring at him.
"Hmm... why doesn't Kaveh go and I'll go last? I want to be surprised and I have something for Kaveh as well. Open my gift last, please."
"Okay! Let's see what I have~."
Kaveh excitedly opened all of his gifts, thanking everyone profusely after each gift was opened. Alhaithams gift was beside Kaveh and he could tell the blonde was rushing to get to that final gift. They were on a couch, sat under the mistletoe that Alhaitham had placed, already knowing where Kaveh would have wanted to sit by the end of the night. A few people noticed it but didn't say much, focused more on the celebration.
"Aww it's a lion pen! Thank you so much Collei, I'll make sure to use it often! Especially for my blueprints, this makes a perfect addition to my supplies. Now! Let's get to the final gift~. Wonder what Haitham has gotten me.."
Kaveh set his pen down on a gift and picked up Alhaithams. Before he could even open it, Alhaitham silently handed him a letter before looking away. His body language showed he was nervous as Kaveh opened the letter first with a little smile, taking his sweet time in reading. Alhaitham slowly looked back at him, just in time to see Kaveh looking up along with everyone else.
What would Kaveh do? Would he kiss Alhaitham or pull him aside?
Kaveh felt his heart racing, hands slightly trembling as he processed the letter. It was a little similar in a few aspects to the one he sent last year. It brought back those memories but he pushed them aside before he was being confessed to. He was the one to receive a letter and boy was he ready to accept it, to accept Alhaitham and his love.
Kaveh set the letter down and turned to Alhaitham, taking a deep breathe before throwing himself onto him, giving him a sweet and tender kiss. Alhaitham was rather surprised at first before he kissed back, hearing the sudden cheers coming from their friends. There were a few "I told you so" and the sound of Mora being exchanged but he didn't care.
Kaveh pulled away with a little peck to the lips before tucking a few loose stands of hair before his ear, cheeks flushed a soft pink.
"Now then... I believe it is time for me to open the gifts to accompany the letter my boyfriend has written for me."
Alhaitham was stunned by his words but regained his composure rather quick to look at Kavehs reaction. The hairpin was brought out first and Kaveh immediately asked for help to put it on. Alhaitham happily obliged, carefully putting it in Kavehs hair.
"The lock and key to symbolize how I have the key to Alhaithams heart~."
Kaveh spoke in a teasing tone, though he was proud while saying it because it had touched his heart. Cyno looked over to Tighnari and crossed his arms with a frown.
"You like when they say it but when I say you have the key to my heart, you look at me with that stone face of yours. I said you were the master key that unlocked every piece of my heart and didn't even react."
Tighnari looked at him and shook his head a bit, stroking his own tail a few times.
"Fine, I'll admit it was endearing and I love it. Now sh~."
Kaveh couldn't help but smile at the other couple before unboxing the necklace with a happy sigh, handing it over to his new lover. Alhaitham carefully clipped it on before nodding a little to himself, crossing his arms right after.
The blonde inspected the necklace and spotted their initials within a heart, slightly laughing.
"Who knew our scribe could be such a simp."
Alhaitham could only roll his eyes, shifting closer to Kaveh.
"I'll open my gift once we're alone."
Was all he could get out before everyone decided it was time to make a toast and agree on a location to celebrate New Years. Alhaitham really didn't mind where they celebrated so long as he stuck by Kavehs side. That's where he remained for the rest of the night, right beside his lover who did all the talking. It let Alhaitham be a bit more relaxed, clearly still avoiding crowds even if they were friends.
By the time everyone left, Alhaitham had begun to feel a little excited because he could finally open his own gift. He looked over at Kaveh who sat on the couch and pat the spot beside him, quickly sitting beside him.
"Relax Haiyi. It's not a bad gift! I think you'll quite like it, honestly."
Kavehs soft tone made Alhaitham nod a bit, carefully opening up the box to reveal a delicate music box. He looked at Kaveh slowly who gestured for him to open, slowly doing so.
How adorable... it was such a beautiful melody, one like no other. In a way, it felt like it captured their feelings for each other perfectly. It gave Alhaitham this sense of hope, that they would heal from their past, embrace each other and grow both as a couple and as individuals. It felt as if he had nothing to worry about so long as he had Kaveh by his side, his opposite who kept him sane.
Alhaitham slowly turned to face Kaveh properly, setting the music box down and looking at him. Gently, he took Kavehs hands in his own and gave them a gentle squeeze, almost smiling as the squeeze was returned.
"It's beautiful, Kaveh. It's perfect, best gift I could ever ask for."
Kavehs expression softened at the others words, content with the fact that he appreciated his little gift. He had helped with the production of it, with selecting the perfect melody that screamed Alhaitham and ensuring every note was perfect.
"So... tell me Haiyi, tell me everything. I want to know why you love me, how you realized it. I wish to know every little detail! I don't care how long we stay up chatting, I love your voice anyway."
There was a little shine in the blondes eyes as he spoke, Alhaitham easily noticing it and laughing a little.
"You love my voice, huh? I knew it."
Alhaitham was more than happy to know Kaveh actually liked to listen to his voice. He would talk forever if it meant hearing his new beloved boyfriend happy.
"Yes, now hurry up! Or I'll take it back!"
"Alright, alright. Kaveh, you're someone who is always ready to give people a helping hand, you give people all your love and support and I want to do that for you. I want to give you all of my love and support, to feed the heart which always gives without hesitation. I know that I love you with all my heart, I hold such immense adoration for you that when I see your face, I'm struck in the chest with a pain from how beautiful you are. Kaveh, I would choose you any day. In this life and every other life, I would choose you without hesitation, I'd move heaven and earth to find you and be by your side like it's meant to be. For you, I'd do anything. Your caring heart and cheerful manner are just two things out an infinite pool of things I love about you. My heart has been yours for as long as I can remember for you are the only person who truly understands me. Our intellectual debates are my favorite because we understand each other so well. Without you, there wouldn't be a me. We're opposites, yes, but opposites who attract, who always pull towards each other and not away. I'd marry you right now if I could because I know what you're like, I know all your little habits. I guess I really came to terms with it all when you said you loved someone else and were going to confess. I knew something had to be done. So I threatened him, told him to never look at you or I'd see to it that he would never step foot near you. I love you, Kaveh. I never want to lose you, I'd do anything to keep you here with me, forever and always."
Alhaitham spoke with such sincerity that Kaveh just froze. He didn't register the younger man's hands resting on his chest nor did he register the way Alhaitham was oh so casually slipping a hand into the blondes shirt. It was clear his junior wanted to take advantage that they were official to finally get a little more handsy.
When Kaveh finally realized Alhaitham was squeezing his chest, his face turned a bright red.
"Haiyi! I love you too, so so much. I think I thought I loved that man because... because he was like you. Those qualities of you that I adored, he had them too but... it wasn't the same. He tried to argue with me but it only hurt and I realized that it was you I've loved all along. We have our moments but we don't dare to hurt each other. I was blinded by the qualities he copied from you but I realized it's you I'm in love with. I, too, would choose you, Alhaitham, in every life. I'll always search for you and stay by your side. And I would totally marry you right now too. Paper ring, toy ring, real ring, it doesn't matter because I'd still be engaged to you. In a way, we've always been like an old married couple with the way we'll argue..."
The blush was still prominent on Kavehs cheeks as he looked down at his lap, playing around with his fingers.
"So... we've just been crushing on each other all this time?"
Alhaitham asked as a hand, that wasn't squeezing the blondes chest, moved to hold one of Kavehs hands.
"Well... I guess so. Now stop touching my chest! I need to clean up so I can get ready for bed."
Kaveh exclaimed as he held onto Alhaithams wrist, not making a move to push the hand away because he kind of enjoyed the feeling of the others cold hand there.
"Mmm... no. I quite like doing this. And you aren't pushing me away so I'd say you also enjoy this. Also, you'll sleep in my room from now on, it's only natural we do so. I'll upgrade to a bigger bed for us, as well as my closet so you can move all your stuff in. Your room can be converted to whatever your heart desires. Talk to me if any materials are needed for your projects."
Kaveh looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Had he known Alhaitham would be this sweet he would have confessed to him a long time ago! Whatever, he shall simply enjoy this new chapter of his life. What could he build in his old room? Maybe convert it into a better office? Potentially a library for Alhaitham to enjoy? So maybe possibilities... he'll have to get started on some blueprints and keep an eye out for beautiful decor. Whatever he builds must be something the pair can enjoy!
"Hm... I know that look. Your mind is hard at work once more. We'll discuss it all in the morning. For now, let's clean so we can get you settled in our room."
Our room... such a simple phrase that had Alhaitham almost grinning with delight. He was more than happy to rearrange the room to make Kaveh happy. It was going to be their room, it needed to fit both their needs. Was he fond of change? Not really, but he trusted Kaveh so that was good enough for him.
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A few weeks later
"Alhaitham!!!! I swear!!!! What did you do to my key?! I can't find it!!!
Kaveh was yelling like a madman because he couldn't find his key, his key with an adorable plush that represented Alhaitham. Was it a cheesy thing to do? Potentially, but this was Kaveh, a man who had an eye for cute things that reminded him of his loved ones.
"Calm down darling. They should be hanging by the door, exactly where you left them."
Alhaitham had replied in a more calm voice, flipping the page on his latest book. He glanced up to watch the blonde move around in a not so graceful manner, slightly shaking his head. Truth be told, Alhaitham had hidden Kavehs keys simply to keep him around a little longer so they could enjoy a cup of coffee together.
"Why don't you sit down and I'll pour us some coffee? Calm down a bit and search together."
Kaveh looked over at his lover and sighed softly, making his way to the living room and plopping onto the couch. Alhaitham gave him a little nod before getting up and setting his book down. He made his way into the kitchen and opened a cupboard, grabbing their matching mugs.
This was something new they were doing, getting all the matching items that suited them to show off their relationship. It started off with matching slippers and pens but that soon became scarves, mugs and more. Alhaitham couldn't help but let a little smile form as he made their coffees before going back to Kaveh, handing him his mug.
The blonde smiled as he gently traced the design on the mug before taking a sip. Perfection... it was just how he liked it, as expected of Alhaitham. They sat and chatted for a little until the coffee was gone. Kaveh washed their mugs before they searched for his key together, finding it inside a pot for some reason.
"Alhaitham... what are my keys doing here?"
Kaveh asked as he turned to look at Alhaitham who now stood a few centimeters away.
"Well... who knows. Guess you must've dropped them in there."