Chapter Text
Lambads tavern is busy, the hurried sounds of people running to and from tables, glasses being slammed on tables and loud hearty laughs ring in Kavehs ears, though he cant find it in himself to join in. He sits hunched over his usual table, empty glasses pile up on one side, threatening to fall over and crash onto the floor, leaving him in more debt than he's already in, Kaveh doesn't hurry to stabilise them. Really, whats a few thousand more mora on the steadily growing amount he's already under?
Lambad cut off Kaveh from ordering any more drinks a while ago, he's not sure when. For the last few hours Kaveh has been moping over the table, empty glass in hand, staring down the old thing, the scratches from use, the letters carved into it; really he could stare forever, he just might.
Kaveh feels a light tap on his shoulder, startling him out of his daze. Kaveh turns far too fast stumbling a little over his drawn out words, though that may actually be the alcohol still left in his system.
"Hey! cant just... sneak up on a guy like that, y'know?"
Kavehs eyes are shut tight, the lights in this room are making his head pound.
"... uh-huh." the stranger says, Kaveh thinks the voice sounds familiar but jeez what can he get out of a "uh-huh" and what does this guy mean "uh-huh"? The man nearly scared Kaveh half to death! ... well that may be an overstatement but still, responsibility, at least say sorry!
""uh-huh" seriously? cant say sorry for the scare? whadya want, im busy." Kaveh half-shouts, rubbing his eyes.
One of Kavehs eyes crack open, the lights making the strangers face a little hard to decipher, but... that hair... a soft light grey, teal strands scattered throughout, Kaveh knows that hair. His eyes adjust to the lights, and as he thought, Alhaitham. Kavehs heart drops to his stomach, a sudden sense of dread fills his head as his face twists into a scowl.
Alhaitham speaks, it's a far more careful tone than he expected, though still carrying that usual Alhaitham im-way-smarter-than-you air.
"Busy, huh?" He says, skipping over the apology, Kavehs frown deepens. Alhaithams eyes drag over the table in front of him. "How much is your tab."
Kaveh pauses. "Why do you need to know? why are you even here Hait- ... Alhaitham." He looks back down to the table, waiting for Alhaitham to leave. Soon enough, footsteps make their way into the crowd, He lets out a long sigh, why would Alhaitham be here? Why come up to Kaveh? Why speak to him? It's been years since their fight, they've grown further and further apart over that time, they may as well be strangers. Kaveh stopped worrying about Alhaitham, or at least he tried, memories would pop into his head from time to time; Some at the sight of a book he noticed Alhaitham would read during a particularly boring class, or a squashed cup sleeve from the coffee shop they would visit together after study sessions, the memories are enough for Kaveh, he's over Alhaitham, and Alhaitham is over Kaveh. Kaveh isn't bothered at all by being disliked. not one bit. especially by Alhaitham.
Kaveh cares a little bit... and maybe he's a tiny bit bothered. He's not over their fight, not one bit, but Alhaitham probably is, maybe just trying to get on his good side would solve a few problems? Kavehs need to be liked, his drive to prove people wrong? double whammy if he gets Alhaitham to like him! solid plan. definitely wont backfire.
A few minutes later, Kaveh is scribbling down his schemes on a napkin, they are almost unreadable, if you looked closely you could perhaps make out a "ALHAITHAM!!!!!!" circled and underlined a few times.
Once again, a tap on Kavehs shoulder. He jumps a little bit and stuffs the napkin into his pocket.
Alhaitham is back, one eyebrow slightly raised at the way Kaveh scrambled to hide a napkin, really, Kaveh was planning on storming his office the next day but he supposes this is a little more convenient of a start.
"Kaveh. I payed for your drinks so-"
"You...?! Why? What... How much do i owe you?!" Kaveh starts digging around in his pockets for mora, he knows he said "whats a few thousand more mora" but thats to Lambad! Kaveh likes Lambad! The tavern is literally where he lives right now, he owes Lambad and as guilty as he feels for not being able to pay him back at the current moment he's glad its the patient amazing owner of Lambads, Lambad that he owes and not some pretentious snooty loser like Alhaitham. Kaveh will not let himself owe Alhaitham any mora.
A hesitant hand falls on Kavehs shoulder, immediately retracting when Kaveh whips his head up to meet Alhaithams eyes.
"No need. You live..." Alhaitham clears his throat. "You are staying here, at Lambads, correct?"
"Yes. Why? Gonna ridicule me? Y'know you really haven't changed since-"
"Live with me."
...
"Pardon?"