Work Text:
“Hi, Haitham,” Kaveh called as the front door opened.
Alhaitham’s chest warmed at the sight of him sprawled out across the divan in the living room, one hand resting over his stomach and rubbing in slow, idle circles.
“Hi, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“Like ass,” Kaveh sighed. “I’ve been missing working today. You get to go to the Akademiya while I have to sit here in agony and grow an... eyeball or whatever.”
With a soft smile, Alhaitham crossed the room and settled beside him, inhaling the scent of agitated omega. “Do I need to remind you what a reckless workaholic you are? You worked yourself to sickness last month. Your body needs rest right now, and so does our child.”
Kaveh responded with an indignant huff.
“And,” Alhaitham continued, “now that Nahida will finally accept my resignation, I’m just as ready to stop working as you are to go back. Nothing would make me happier than spending my days at home taking care of you two instead of sitting in that stuffy old office.”
Kaveh tried to lean in - only to realize he couldn’t quite bend far enough to rest his head on Alhaitham’s shoulder, settling instead for his arm. “I know, I know. I just miss feeling useful. I can’t even sit at my desk anymore to draft because this little asshole,” he gestured to his stomach, “tries to break my ribs anytime I do.”
Alhaitham shifted behind him, drawing Kaveh carefully into his lap and wrapping both arms around his waist to cradle the curve of his belly. “You’re not doing nothing, darling. You’re growing an entire person. That’s more than enough contribution for the time being. And in a few months, you’ll be able to start working again.”
“I guess...” Kaveh grumbled.
Alhaitham could feel the frustration coiled in his muscles. With slow, gentle movements, he replaced Kaveh’s hand on his belly and began tracing back and forth. Ever since he’d learned just how easily both Kaveh and the baby responded to that sort of soothing contact, it had become a nightly ritual to abate some of the stress of Kaveh’s pregnancy.
“Just relax,” Alhaitham murmured, brushing tender kisses along Kaveh’s shoulder and smiling when he melted backward against him. “Want me to read something to you two?”
The habit had initially stemmed from practicality - a way to familiarize the baby with Alhaitham’s voice and instill a love of learning. But over time, it had become something of a bonding experience for him and Kaveh, too. Some nights, they’d discuss the contents between each chapter, weighing ideas for the baby’s academic upbringing. Other nights, his voice would simply lull Kaveh to sleep, their hands entwined over the warm curve of his baby bump.
Kaveh nodded sleepily. With one arm wrapped around him, Alhaitham plucked a book from the small stack he’d amassed. “Let’s see...” Alhaitham murmured, flipping open to where they’d left off last time.
As he began reading aloud about basic linguistics and conjugations, Kaveh settled against his chest and nuzzled his collarbone.
A few chapters later, though, Alhaitham realized Kaveh’s eyes were still open, gaze turned upward toward him and expression tightened with something far deeper than simple restlessness.
“What is it? Is something wrong with the baby?” he asked immediately, but Kaveh shook his head.
“The baby’s fine. Just... I’m scared, Haitham.”
Alhaitham closed the book at once and set it aside.
For all the assurances Kaveh had offered throughout his pregnancy - that everything was great and he was perfectly capable of carrying their baby while still working and being a functioning adult - these moments of raw, vulnerable fear were surfacing more often the closer his due date drew.
“Scared of what?” Alhaitham asked softly.
“What if... what if the baby hates me? Or what if I can’t... what if -” He trailed off, voice wavering, one hand raised to keep Alhaitham from interrupting. “What if I’m not a good dad?” he eventually whispered, voice heartbreakingly small.
Though the thought was utterly absurd, Alhaitham knew better than to dismiss it. No matter how much Kaveh fretted, Alhaitham knew exactly what kind of a parent he’d make - a doting one, to say the least - and that he was far more likely to end up being too affectionate than not enough.
Still, given how chaotic Kaveh’s upbringing had been, it made sense that he harboured some lingering fears of inadequacy - not that Alhaitham planned to leave them unchecked.
“Sweetheart,” Alhaitham began, pressing a kiss to the scent gland on his neck. “I’m not just saying this because we’re married. I truly cannot imagine anyone better suited to fatherhood than you. I was going to wait to show this to you, but...”
Dropping one last kiss to his cheek, Alhaitham guided Kaveh to rest against the pillows and rose to his feet. He rifled through his work bag before returning with a wrapped package from Nahida, then handed it to Kaveh.
Kaveh eyed him suspiciously for a moment before untying the ribbon. Inside was a framed sonogram, engraved along the edges with a message:
To be raised by pragmatism and idealism alike is a rare gift.
Nurtured by two devoted fathers, this child’s future will be shaped by curiosity, knowledge, and uncompromising love.
Tears gathered in Kaveh’s eyes instantaneously.
“There are plenty of children in the world,” Alhaitham said quietly, tucking a strand of Kaveh’s hair behind his ear. “But I can’t wait to raise one who carries part of you within them, Kaveh. You make everyone around you feel seen, make them feel valued. And...” he kissed his forehead and lowered his voice, “you will help me raise our genius super-baby into the most incredible human Teyvat has ever known.”
Kaveh let out a shaky laugh. “You still have to love them even if they come out as a dumbass, you know that, right?”
“I would love them even if they turn out to be the most idiotic, irresponsible, clumsy, messy, rebellious little bastard that has ever lived,” Alhaitham confirmed as Kaveh smiled up at him.
Though it was true, it was a scenario he could never picture - after all, their child was a mixture of the two most brilliant minds in Sumeru. In Alhaitham’s not-so-humble opinion, there was no combination of DNA more perfect than what was currently arranging itself inside of Kaveh’s body.
But Kaveh had never experienced that kind of unconditional love. Regardless, even though he hadn’t gotten it from his parents throughout his childhood as he deserved to, Alhaitham was more than happy to provide it now.
“With your genes, I’m sure they’ll be at least a little disrespectful if they’re anywhere near as smart as you seem to think they’ll be,” Kaveh said with a nostalgic gleam in his eye. “Do you remember how unbearable you were when we were students?”
“A little? In your words, I was the most insufferable scholar in Akademiya history,” Alhaitham replied, leaning in to grace Kaveh with a slow, loving kiss. “And if the baby takes after your stubborn ass, we’d better prepare ourselves for one hell of a battle of wits.”
Kaveh laughed and reached for Alhaitham’s wrist, guiding him back behind him on the divan and reclining against his chest once more.
“Thank you, Haitham,” he murmured after a moment, eyes fluttering shut as he relaxed into him. “Love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Both of you.” Alhaitham brushed his fingertips over Kaveh’s stomach, humming softly when the baby responded with a faint kick. “Just rest. Baba’s right here.”
