Work Text:
Kaveh had left.
The events that led up to it had happened all too fast for Alhaitham.
It started with Kaveh coming home from a client meeting, which clearly hadn't gone too well. He was quieter, barely speaking unless Alhaitham asked something. After they ate lunch made by Alhaitham, he made an offhand comment about the dishes that were piling up. Doing the dishes had always been Kaveh's job, but Kaveh had let them pile up for a few days now. This time, however, the bickering that ensued from this comment quickly turned into an argument between the two, escalating to the point of Alhaitham snapping, "Then maybe you’d be better off getting your own apartment", before Kaveh stormed off, Mehrak helping him carry the few belongings he had. It was a low blow, definitely, even Alhaitham knew, but this would all blow over eventually.
It had been a couple of hours now, and it was pleasantly quiet. No one he has to argue with, no one to nag him, and he has the whole house to himself. If Alhaitham werent so asocial, he could even invite a friend or a colleague over for the evening. He, of course, wouldn't, but it felt nice and freeing having the option.
And it wasn't like this was something new. Kaveh had stormed off multiple times before during an argument. Routine dictated that he would then be dragged home from Lambad's tavern in the evening, and the next morning, everything would be back to normal again. It was odd, however, that he took his belongings with him, which he doesn't usually do. Who needs all of that at a tavern?
No matter, Alhaitham shall get started on dinner.
It was just plain chicken and Rice. He wasn't really a culinary expert, but Kaveh would complain if the meals he made weren't up to the standards his taste buds had. Now, when Kaveh wasn't here, he was happy to make something simpler. He did make extra, however, for when Kaveh would eventually be dragged home drunk by Alhaitham.
Speaking of that, after putting away the leftovers for Kaveh, it would be a good time to go fetch Kaveh from Lambad’s. Evening was starting to roll around afterall.
Alhaitham made his way over to the tavern, mentally preparing himself to drag Kaveh home. It was always a bit of a process. Kaveh would groan and whine, insisting on one more drink. Alhaitham would eventually get through to him, and they'd walk home, Kaveh draping off of Alhaitham. It didnt always go smoothly, however, especially after arguments. Once, Alhaitham had to even carry Kaveh home bridal style, all the while receiving weak kicks against his side from an angry Kaveh.
However, once he arrived and asked Lambad to point over to where Kaveh was sitting, Lambad shrugged and answered that the man wasn't here. Kaveh had apparently only picked up a part of their shared wine order and left.
So now Kaveh had stolen some of their shared wine, but also disappeared somewhere with it, great. Lambad did, however, point to the direction of the general mahamatra, Cyno, sitting at a booth with presumably a few of his work colleagues. Alhaitham thanked the bar owner and went over to Cynos table.
"Alhaitham? A pleasure to see you," Cyno greeted. Upon seeing Alhaitham, an odd expression grew on Cynos' face. Alhaitham was never really especially good at reading emotions; in fact, most of his knowledge on the topic stemmed from reading books about it. Alhaitham studied Cyno's face for a moment before giving up. Kaveh was so much easier to read and understand.
"Hello Cyno, may I pull you aside for a moment?" Alhaitham asked, crossing his arms. Wordlessly, Cyno stood up, and Alhaitham led him to a more secluded corner of the bar.
"Is this about Kaveh?" Cyno started, causing Alhaitham's eyebrow to quirk up.
"Have you seen him?" Alhaitham asked.
"Yes, around an hour ago, he came to pick up something. He didn't look well. Did something happen between you two?" Cyno pressed. Alhaitham always disliked talking with Cyno when he got in this “interrogation mode”.
"Nothing especially. Do you know where he went?" Alhaitham continued, avoiding Cynos’ intense stare. He wasnt interested in discussing their fight with Cyno.
"I don't. Keep an eye out for him, okay? I'll let you know if I or any of the matras see him," Cyno answered. Alhaitham wasn't too worried, however.
"No need to make a missing persons report of him yet, this is nothing new", Alhaitham said, shaking his head. Cyno nodded in return.
"I won't, I'll just tell the matras to be on the lookout," Cyno assured. Alhaitham was pleased with this.
"Sounds good, thank you", Alhaitham said, before waving him off and walking out. He made his way back home.
Opening the door and stepping into the now-empty house felt odd. He really had expected to be dragging Kaveh home with him and wasn’t betting on spending the night alone. They had been living together for almost half a year now, and it was rare to come back home to an empty house without any of the lights on. No matter, Kaveh would come around the next morning at the latest.
---
As it would turn out, Kaveh wouldn’t come home the next morning. Not even the next evening. Alhaitham ended up eating Kaveh's leftovers for breakfast and made more food towards the evening again, making sure to put some aside for Kaveh. He forgot to eat outside of those two meals, which resulted in him binging during the evening. Usually, Kaveh reminded him to eat. The whole situation was annoying, and now Alhaitham also had to do the dishes. It did take a while, though. Perhaps he could have offered Kaveh help with them.
As night fell, Alhaitham found himself alone in the dim living room. He thought back to the circumstances surrounding the fight. Had Kaveh taken all his things with him because he was intending to move out? Alhaitham felt himself grow nervous at the thought. He always complained to everyone about how he couldn’t wait to live alone again. Now that he was finally alone, why wasn’t he happy about it? Did he really grow so accustomed to Kaveh living with him? I guess in certain ways it was nice having someone around again. The last time he lived with someone was when his grandmother was still alive, and he missed that. He missed having someone with him. Someone to share the small joys and griefs of day-to-day life. Someone who shared a passion similar to his, even if it was to a different topic. Alhaitham missed Kaveh’s look when he would start to ramble about his newest infatuation. His red eyes so full of passion and interest. He missed how Kaveh would quietly listen to Alhaitham talk about a new book he had read and how Kaveh would then question everything Alhaitham thought about the book. Every ideal that Alhaitham had. Every opinion Alhaitham held. He missed how Kaveh made him better.
He didn’t want to be alone again, just when he managed to forget what it was like. He wanted Kaveh back.
Morning arrived without any signs of Kaveh. Alhaitham slept in the living room (at least tried to, mainly he just stared at the ceiling), since his room felt too isolated. The quietness in the house felt suffocating. How did he ever live alone before? Perhaps he should find Cyno and ask if there have been any sightings of Kaveh.
Almost as if on cue, thunderous knocking broke his train of thought. He made his way over to the door and opened it, finding a stressed-out-looking Cyno behind it. Upon seeing Alhaitham, Cyno immediately calmed noticeably, quieting down for a moment.
"Any news about Kaveh?" Alhaitham started, fearing how Cyno would continue. It couldn’t be good news if Cyno had come to find him.
"He is in the bimarstan", Cyno answered, almost cutting Alhaitham off. The weight of the words took a while to settle onto Alhaitham. His entire body tensed up violently. His hands felt clammy, and he had to take a few deep breaths to steady himself. Alhaitham really wasn’t good with situations like these. He hated feeling worried for others. The last time he had to feel like this, his grandmother hadn’t made it. He gently pushed past Cyno, closing the door behind him and headed straight to the birmarstan. Cyno quickly caught up.
"What for is he there?" Alhaitham asked, speedwalking towards the birmarstan. His eyes never met Cynos.
"Adverse effects of a withering", Cyno answered. Alhaitham spun his head towards Cyno.
"The withering? Where was he found?" Alhaitham asked, noticing his voice rise slightly. He did, however, feel a strong wave of relief, with his legs slowing down just slightly. The effects of the withering were very much treatable.
"A forest ranger found him west of Sumeru City, towards Vissudha Field. I don't know more about his condition," Cyno continued. The two of them remained quiet until arrival.
Alhaitham pushed aside the cloth door of the birmarstan tent, immediately locking eyes with Kaveh, who was lying on a medical bed. He let out a long breath he didn't know he was holding and felt his entire body relax. Even though he didn't know the extent of Kaveh's condition, at least he was in front of him now, alive. Kaveh immediately turned his gaze the other way.
"Why are you here?" Kaveh said, his voice more accusatory than questioning. He refused to look at Alhaitham and was instead scowling towards the tent wall, as if it had anything to do with the situation. Alhaitham took a few steps closer, Cyno following him.
"What happened?" Alhaitham asked, his voice coming out quieter than what he would have liked. His eyes fell onto Kaveh's leg, which was in a cast. Kaveh's face had a large bandage on his cheek, and his chest was also wrapped. Kaveh’s face was as white as a sheet of paper, and his hair was a mess, at least compared to how well-kept it was normally. Kaveh stayed quiet.
"He was found unconscious near a withering. Most of its effects have worn off already. Aside from that, just a broken leg and some surface wounds", the nurse tending to Kaveh eventually spoke up, giving Alhaitham a gentle smile. Alhaitham nodded at the nurse. The room was quiet until the nurse left shortly. Cyno followed him out, and Alhaitham could hear them discuss something about paperwork relating to Kaveh’s release.
"You wanted me gone, and the feeling is mutual. Could you leave now?" Kaveh asked, his voice laced with anger. Alhaitham had no idea how he should answer. He didn't even know what he wanted anymore. Really, why was he even here? Was he here to just check that Kaveh was even alive? Or would he finally be honest with his feelings and tell Kaveh to come back?
"I..."
"Leave!" Kaveh snapped, cutting Alhaitham off. His voice was louder now, as he finally turned to Alhaitham.
In front of Kaveh, Alhaitham looked almost pathetic. His gaze was locked on the floor, and his hands were clasped together in front of him. Alhaitham's back was hunched slightly, as if he was trying to make himself look smaller. He looked boyish, like the Alhaitham he had first met in the Akademiya. Like the Alhaitham, who had just lost his grandmother and was all alone, until Kaveh extended a hand out to him. Kaveh immediately felt is resolve falter. Alhaitham looked so vulnerable like this. Like someone or something was out to get him, and he knew it.
"I want you to come home", Alhaitham eventually piped up, his voice barely above a whisper. His hands rubbed against eachother, a habit Kaveh recognised from the few times Alhaitham was nervous.
At Alhaitham's words Kavehs gaze fell into his own lap. His eyes burned slightly, and he had to bite his lip to avoid bursting into tears.
"It's been really lonely, and I keep making too much food," Alhaitham muttered, his gaze still transfixed on the floor. “I don’t want to be alone again”, Alhaitham continued, his voice sounding defeated and tired. Kaveh let out a shaky breath and looked up at Alhaitham again.
"I'd like to come home too".