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It starts with the food.
At first, Kaveh doesn’t think anything of it.
He comes home a few times to Alhaitham saying he’s cooked dinner, or how he’s found some market stall on his way home from work, and somehow there's always leftovers for Kaveh. It’s an oddly kind gesture, but Kaveh doesn’t think too much of it. He’s well aware of the more traditional courting rituals, but he sincerely doubts that Alhaitham cares for them. He probably doesn’t even realize that an alpha gifting food to an omega constantly like this could be seen as courting.
But then, the gifts come.
Little trinkets, jewelry even, gestures that Alhaitham waves off with a hand saying it’s only because the knick-knacks caught his eye, being reminded him of Kaveh. Once, he buys Kaveh cologne that he thinks would match Kaveh’s scent, and Kaveh nearly confesses his love right then and there.
It’s infuriating.
‘Does he even know? Is he even aware of what he’s doing?’ Kaveh thinks, almost bitterly, to himself as he stares down at yet another gift from Alhaitham. This time, it’s a book. Some cheesy romance novel that Kaveh would most definitely enjoy, but Alhaitham shouldn’t know that.
Kaveh keeps his mouth shut though, too scared to rock the boat and lose what peaceful coexistence they currently have. That is, until he’s with his friends.
“I think he’s planning something,” Kaveh says to Tighnari and Cyno over lunch in the tavern. They share a long and heavy look between each other, before turning back to Kaveh. Cyno leans back, whilst Tighnari props his chin up on his hand.
“Why would you think that?”
“Well he’s- he’s just you know, buying me all these things, and it came out of nowhere. I have no idea what his plan is. Maybe he’s trying to make me feel bad, or maybe he’s done something and I just haven’t realized and this is his way of apologizing,” Kaveh huffs. He does not say that he thinks Alhaitham has been courting him because he can’t be. He wouldn’t court an omega like Kaveh. He shouldn’t. Their relationship has been so tumultuous over the years, and sure, they’ve come to some kind of truce nowadays, where they’re not at each other's throats every day. But that doesn’t mean that Alhaitham has suddenly decided to court Kaveh.
“You think… Alhaitham buying you gifts, is him planning something nasty?” Tighnari asks slowly, like he’s in disbelief. Kaveh shoots him a glare, displeased at the tone he takes.
“Yes, but you don’t have to say it like that.”
“What kind of gifts is he buying you?” Cyno asks, even though he appears mostly disinterested.
“You know… trinkets. Jewelry. He bought me cologne once, and he, uh, he bought me a book yesterday.”
Both Tighnari and Cyno go silent, staring at Kaveh with wide eyes. Cyno leans forward, placing his hands underneath his chin as he stares intensely at Kaveh, scrutinizing. It makes him squirm, and he feels his face flush red.
“Aren’t those traditional courting gifts?” Cyno asks, and Tighnari slaps his hand onto his forehead, shaking his head.
“Kaveh, is Alhaitham courting you?”
“What - no! He can’t be! I seriously think he’s just messing with me, Nari. I know they’re considered traditional gifts but come on, when have you ever known him to be ‘traditional’ about anything?” Kaveh shoots back, shoulders tensing. ‘Alhaitham is not courting me.’
Cyno and Tighnari stare back at him, piteous, before they glance back at each other. Tighnari sighs, rubbing his hand over his face, before he leans back into his chair.
“Maybe he thinks you like it traditional. Have you tried asking him?” Cyno prompts, and Tighnari lets out an incredulous laugh at that. Like the mere thought of Kaveh asking Alhaitham is humorous. He hates that Tighnari is right, however. Kaveh refuses to ask the alpha. Partly because he’s scared that he’s right and Alhaitham is just messing with him. That would be too harsh of a blow. It would break his heart, but Kaveh doesn’t say that. He’s also scared of ruining whatever they have. Alhaitham has been so kind lately that Kaveh is terrified of speaking up and losing that.
“...no,” Kaveh replies, frowning petulantly. Cyno sighs, and leans forward to pick up his deck of TCG cards.
“Well, it seems there’s only one thing left to do then.”
–
It’s hot. Kaveh lies on his bed, sweat clinging to his body. He hates the rainforest air. He hates the way it snakes its way into your house, into your clothes, and clings to you, laying over you like a lead blanket. Stifling all the air from your lungs.
“Are you going to get up?” A voice asks, and Kaveh groans, lazily lifting his head. Sweat drips down his forehead.
“No. It’s too hot.”
“It’s not that bad. Are you getting sick?” Alhaitham says, as he walks closer to Kaveh’s nest. It’s been thrown in disarray since his last heat, and he itches to fix it back up, but he can’t find the energy to.
“No. I’m fine. Maybe my heat is coming up, I don’t know,” Kaveh mumbles, rolling over to hide his face into one of the pillows. It’s old, and a little worse for wear. If Kaveh had the money, he’d buy some new ones. Maybe some new blankets. Alas, he doesn’t, and all he can do is make do with what he has.
Alhaitham clicks his tongue in disapproval, and reaches over to place his palm on Kaveh’s forehead. The touch is startling, sending tingles down Kaveh’s spine, and he blinks his eyes open in surprise, turning to gaze up at Alhaitham.
“You’re burning up. You need to take a bath or something,” Alhaitham reprimands. Kaveh rolls his eyes, but he allows himself to be pulled up by Alhaitham’s hands, away from the comfort of his nest. “You should replace some of these blankets, too.”
“I don’t have the money to,” Kaveh grumbles, as he staggers out of his bed. Alhaitham hovers by him for a moment longer, a strange expression on his face. He sighs, running his hand through his hair, before he goes to leave the room. Kaveh doesn’t really understand what this was all about, but he’s too tired and sweaty to really question Alhaitham’s motives.
“Don’t lie around all day. Go get cleaned up,” Alhaitham says, turning to glance back at Kaveh one last time. Kaveh blinks owlishly at him, still feeling the slide of sweat down his skin, and nods.
–
Once Kaveh has bathed, he feels significantly better. Alhaitham must’ve gone out whilst he was in the bath, since he isn’t anywhere to be found. Not that Kaveh really minds. Now that he’s got a clearer mind, he can reflect on Alhaitham’s strange behavior from the morning. The lingering touches, the soft-spoken words, and the way he’d looked as he left. Pensive. Thinking.
It’s weird. Kaveh is a little convinced that someone has secretly replaced Alhaitham in the house, because there’s no way that the Alhaitham he knows would be so kind.
Kaveh makes his way to the study, and picks up one of his blueprints. He might as well begin working now that he feels a little less like he’s suffocating.
–
“Kaveh, wake up,” A voice calls softly, and there’s a hand on his shoulder shaking him. Kaveh blinks, eyes heavy, dragging himself back to consciousness. His face is pressed against something hard, and his neck has an awful cramp in it. Slowly, he lifts his head, blinking some more to clear the haze of sleep from his eyes. Alhaitham is standing there, hand on his shoulder. His scent, this close, clogs up Kaveh’s nose, and it makes heat swirl in the lower pits of his stomach. A heady sandalwood scent mixed with the smell of ink and book pages.
“What…” Kaveh drawls, and Alhaitham’s face turns soft. He presses the back of his palm to Kaveh’s forehead again, and frowns. Instinctively, Kaveh finds himself leaning into the touch, cool against his heated skin.
“I think you’re going into heat. Are you alright?” Alhaitham asks, and Kaveh sighs. He feels clammy all over, sweat clinging to his body, and there’s a fog settling in on his mind. “I thought it wasn’t due for another week.”
“It isn’t. I don’t know what’s going on,” Kaveh whines, slipping his eyes closed, and Alhaitham clicks his tongue again. “It’s so hot.”
“I know. Come on, I’ve got you some things to help,” Alhaitham encourages gently, and Kaveh reopens his eyes to look up at the alpha in confusion. He’s exuding a thick and calming scent, and it warms Kaveh’s stomach, making him feel a little dazed. Alhaitham pulls Kaveh up by the shoulder, and the omega stumbles a little. He catches himself against Alhaitham’s chest, and if he were of clearer mind, he’d feel flustered about it. Instead, they both pause, and Kaveh inhales the scent of the Alpha deeply, before he pulls himself away, shaking his head to clear it.
“This way. Back to your bedroom, come on,” Alhaitham prompts, thankfully choosing not to comment on the way Kaveh had just sniffed him. Kaveh lets himself be pushed along, his movements sluggish with sleep and exhaustion. Alhaitham leads him back to his bedroom, and it takes Kaveh a second to realize what is different there.
On the edge of his nest is a whole pile of brand-new blankets and pillows. Kaveh blinks slowly in surprise, staring at them wide-eyed.
‘He bought me nesting materials?’
Kaveh’s heart squeezes, and he feels a little choked up. Like he might cry.
“Is… is it okay?” Alhaitham asks, tentative. His scent sours just slightly, like he’s nervous. Kaveh blinks again, and steps forward to pick up one of the blankets. It’s velvety soft, and Kaveh can tell it’s of high quality. It couldn’t have been cheap. Lifting it up, Kaveh’s chest clenches more at the realization that Alhaitham must’ve scented the blankets. His scent clings to them heavily, comforting and warm, and Kaveh’s eyes water. Conflicting emotions rise in him, and he feels overwhelmed.
Is Alhaitham teasing him? Pretending to court him on the cusp of his heat just to be cruel? He can’t be serious. Alhaitham would never… he’d never want to go for an omega like Kaveh. One so despondent and hopeless, crushed by debt. He can’t even keep his nest in good shape when he’s not in heat, he’s a terrible omega. There is no logical reason Alhaitham would court him, yet here he is. Doing all the silly traditional things. Cooking him food and bringing it to him. Getting him gifts. Scenting him. Buying him nesting materials, and making sure they’re scented with his scent.
“Are you just messing with me now?” Kaveh asks, voice hoarse and trembling. There’s a short noise of surprise, and Kaveh can smell his own scent thicken with distress. He sniffs, reaching up to rub at his face to smear away the beginnings of tears.
“What? Why would I be… Kaveh,” Alhaitham says, and then his voice turns so soft that it makes more tears build in Kaveh’s eyes. He can feel the Alpha come to stand next to him, and he must be trying to scent Kaveh with how thick he’s laying it on. Cloaking Kaveh in a calming smell. “Why would I mess with you?”
“I don’t know. Why would you do all this, otherwise?” Kaveh whispers, and he hates how choked his voice comes out. Archons, he hates how easily emotional he gets in pre-heat. It’s embarrassing and pathetic.
“I had hoped it would be obvious by now,” Alhaitham huffs, but there’s a teasing tone to his voice. His hand comes to place on Kaveh’s lower back, and Kaveh shivers at the touch. It’s cold and soothing through the fabric of Kaveh’s shirt, cooling his overheated skin.
“Why me? You could have anyone else. I don’t- I don’t understand,” Kaveh sniffles, and Alhaitham sighs. Gently, he turns Kaveh, and takes the blanket that Kaveh has been gripping tightly from his hands. He places it back down on the bed, before reaching up to cup Kaveh’s face. Kaveh leans into the touch, and lets out a wet and pathetic breath.
“But I want you. We can talk about this when your heat is over, okay? I don’t want to stress you out,” Alhaitham croons, and Kaveh sniffles once more. A tear slips down his cheek, but Alhaitham is quick to whisk it away with his thumb. “I’ll go get you some food, okay? Just relax.”
Kaveh wants to beg Alhaitham to stay, but he’s exhausted and worn down and wants nothing more than to crawl into his nest. He swallows thickly, before nodding, and turns to climb his way into his nest. He takes the blankets that Alhaitham has bought him with him, and Alhaitham watches, eyes tender, as Kaveh half-heartedly rearranges them around him. He’ll do better when he’s not so tired, but for now, he’s content to bury his nose into the smell of Alhaitham and rest.
“I’ll check on you a bit later with some food. Rest well, Kaveh.”
–
Kaveh wakes with a start.
Everything is hot and overwhelming, pressing down on him, and he chokes out a whimper. His thighs are sticky, and there’s an emptiness low in his stomach that screams to be filled.
Desperately, he reaches out into the blankets, pulling one of them closer to him. It still smells like Alhaitham, and it makes him whine pathetically as he presses his face against it. Drawing in big gulping breaths of the Alpha’s scent. Kaveh feels hotter, if anything, from it, and his clothes are itchy where they lie over his skin. He needs to get out of them now. They’re suffocating him.
Scrambling, he reaches to shuck off his shirt, peeling the sweat-slicked fabric off of his chest, and already that feels marginally better. Once he’s done that, Kaveh quickly pushes his pants down, shuddering in relief at the air hitting his cock. It’s already hard and leaking against his stomach, and slick is sticking to his thighs. Somehow, during his nap, he’d fumbled from pre-heat straight into full-blown heat, and now he’s left to drown in it.
‘Where’s Alhaitham? He said he’d check on me, why isn’t he here? Does he not care?’ Kaveh thinks, and tears build in his eyes. He should’ve known, he should’ve known Alhaitham didn’t really care. He needs an alpha so badly, why isn’t Alhaitham here?
Kaveh lets out a mournful cry. He can’t help it. He’s surrounded by the scent of an Alpha, yet there isn’t one here to comfort him. He’s been abandoned, left to suffer alone. His vision blurs with tears, and Kaveh turns to bury his face into the pillows again, hitching with trembling sobs that begin to wrack him.
He’s alone. So alone. It’s unbearable and suffocating.
Kaveh shakes in his despair, pulling a blanket around him and covering his body with it. He tucks it around his head, muffling the world, and lets out another sharp whimper.
He doesn’t know how long he lies there, crying pathetically into the pillows. He’s too distraught to attempt to abate the ache in him, even when he can feel slick dampening the sheets underneath him. It could be minutes, or hours, but Kaveh doesn’t know. All he knows is that he’s alone.
Time stretches onwards, and Kaveh doesn’t move from his spot in the bed. It isn’t until there are hands touching his face, pulling him up and out of the haze, does he realize that anything has changed. The thick and cloying scent of an alpha fills the room, and he draws in a gulping breath of it.
“Kaveh, I’m sorry, I’m here, I didn’t think it would start this soon,” Alhaitham calls sweetly through the haze, and Kaveh sobs in relief. The omega in him screams in joy that his Alpha is back, and he fumbles his fingers into Alhaitham’s shirt, trying to drag him closer.
“Thought you - thought you left me, n-need you, please,” Kaveh chokes out. Alhaitham hushes him softly, and crawls into the nest, bundling Kaveh up into his arms. The blanket falls from around his shoulders, pooling around his hips, as he’s pressed against Alhaitham’s chest. Immediately, Kaveh noses along the base of his neck, searching until he’s found Alhaitham’s scent gland. He can hear the way Alhaitham’s breath hitches in his throat when Kaveh rubs his face against it, inhaling the sandalwood scent deeply, drawing in massive breaths to fill his lungs up.
“I wouldn’t leave you. I just went out to get some food, I’m sorry. I’ve got you,” Alhaitham croons, and he strokes his hands up and down Kaveh’s spine. Long and soothing movements that steady Kaveh’s breath.
“Need you, Alpha please,” Kaveh murmurs, and Alhaitham inhales again. They’ve never spent a heat or rut together. Usually, at this point in time, Alhaitham would’ve left to go stay in an inn whilst Kaveh is in his heat, and vice versa for Alhaitham’s rut. It’s more bearable to be alone in a heat when there isn’t an Alpha around to tempt you.
But Alhaitham is here now, and Kaveh needs him.
“Touch me, please, I- I need-”
“I know, I know, it’s okay. Lay down, I’ve got you,” Alhaitham coos, gently tipping Kaveh down to lie onto his back. Kaveh squirms, unwilling to let go, but Alhaitham pries his hands off regardless. Kaveh blinks, vermilion eyes hazy, as he watches Alhaitham shed his shirt, and immediately hands it to Kaveh. The omega whines, pressing the fabric to his face, inhaling it deeply, before he tucks it above his head into the walls of the nest. Alhaitham laughs warmly, and leans down to hover above Kaveh’s face. “You’re going to be the death of me, Kaveh.”
Kaveh doesn’t really have the brain power to form a response, so instead, he tips his head back, exposing his neck to present to Alhaitham, trembling in anticipation. Alhaitham inhales sharply again before he leans further down, and lightly presses his lips to Kaveh’s neck. Kaveh shudders with it, and he can feel the pool of slick between his thighs grow.
He mewls, high-pitched and needy, and reaches up to thread his fingers through Alhaitham’s hair, tugging on the silver strands to pull him infinitely closer. Instinctively, he spreads his legs, and the blanket wrapped around him finally falls away. Leaving him exposed completely.
Alhaitham pulls back from Kaveh’s neck, and the air suddenly becomes heavy with the scent of his arousal, thick and cloying. It lays over Kaveh like a heavy blanket, his inner omega purring in satisfaction at arousing the Alpha.
“Archons, you’re beautiful,” Alhaitham murmurs, and Kaveh preens from the words. He wants to roll over, to present himself, but he’s also perfectly satisfied being splayed underneath Alhaitham like this. His whole body is on display.
Alhaitham’s hand slides down from Kaveh’s face, stroking over his sides, before he stops over Kaveh’s hip. He strokes over the bone with his thumb, small circles, and he presses another kiss to Kaveh’s neck, nibbling slightly.
“Such a good omega, aren’t you? So pretty,” Alhaitham praises, and the words make Kaveh’s head feel foggy. He tips his hips up into Alhaitham’s touch, whining weakly, desperate and aching for anything that the alpha is willing to give him. Alhaitham laughs softly again, before he slides his hand in between Kaveh’s legs. Fingers pressing to his slick entrance. “So ready and wet for me.”
“Mmm, p-please…” Kaveh murmurs, spreading his legs wider. Alhaitham lets out a low rumbling noise of satisfaction and slowly begins to press a finger in. Kaveh is so aroused that he’s already loose and ready though, and Alhaitham lets out a groan when he realizes, returning to press in with two fingers. Kaveh lets out a staggered moan, arching his back and rutting his hips down into the touch. He needs more, it’s not enough.
“So impatient,” Alhaitham scolds, and Kaveh realizes that means he must’ve spoken out loud. Not that he really cares, especially not with two of Alhaitham’s fingers easing in and out of him, stretching him further. His hands move from Alhaitham’s hair to the sheets below, fruitlessly scrambling in the fabric for purchase. Still, Alhaitham gives him what he wants, and slides a third finger in, making Kaveh keen over the stretch, cock leaking against his stomach.
He pants, lips parted, and his eyelids flutter as Alhaitham strokes his walls. There’s slick everywhere, coating Kaveh’s thighs, the blankets, and Alhaitham’s hand, and the glide is easy. He’s ready, so ready, for Alhaitham’s cock. He wants, no, needs to be knotted, to be pressed down into the sheets and kept pliant, fucked stupid.
“Okay, I think you’re ready. Do you want it like this?” Alhaitham says, and Kaveh takes far too long to register the question. He’s trembling all over, body feverish with arousal, but Alhaitham is patient. Slowly, Kaveh flashes his tongue out, licking over his lips, before he shakes his head.
“Want… want to be on my stomach. Want to present,” Kaveh mumbles. He’s a little embarrassed by it, but his omega instincts are winning over. Alhaitham lets out a low groan, but slides his fingers out of Kaveh. He grasps Kaveh’s hips, flipping him over, and the show of strength has Kaveh moaning, especially when his unattended cock rubs against the sheets, smearing pre-cum over them.
Immediately Kaveh shakes as he lifts himself up onto his knees, keeping his chest down. He bares himself completely, his entrance loose and dripping wet where it’s exposed to Alhaitham.
“Fuck, Kaveh,” Alhaitham whispers, reverent, and Kaveh whines in response. He can hear Alhaitham removing his pants, placing them to the side of the nest so that Kaveh can move them later. He slides up behind Kaveh, and Kaveh trembles in excitement when he feels the tip of his cock, thick and hard, press against his entrance. “Take a deep breath.”
He doesn’t need to, but he does anyway. Kaveh inhales deeply, the smell of their combined arousal fogging over his mind, as Alhaitham begins to press in, spreading him open. Kaveh lets the breath out with a loud moan, his back arching as he’s stretched around Alhaitham’s cock. It’s so big, bigger than anything Kaveh has ever taken, and it feels so good. Filling him up the way he desperately needs.
“You’re so wet, fuck,” Alhaitham hisses under his breath, as he pushes the rest of the way in. Seating himself fully inside Kaveh. He’s so deep that Kaveh feels like he can feel it in his throat, his hands clawing at the sheets as he rolls his hips backwards. The omega inside him purrs at being filled, satisfied at last. He lets out a pleased little hum, and Alhaitham groans again. “Shit, Kaveh.”
Slowly, Alhaitham pulls out, before thrusting back in. The amount of slick that Kaveh is producing makes it incredibly easy, and Kaveh shivers as he lets out a loud moan, burying his face into the pillow in front of him. He can feel pre-cum dripping down his legs, already so close to cumming just from this. Just from being stuffed full.
Alhaitham’s hand smooths over Kaveh’s spine, moving to grip his waist as he starts up a steady and slow rhythm. Each thrust inside Kaveh is mind shatteringly deep, and he chokes out pathetic noises with each one, mewls and whimpers as he’s taken apart. His back arches up against Alhaitham’s hand, and he lets out a babbling cry when one of the alpha’s thrusts presses into his prostate, sending hot sparks of pleasure up his spine.
“Oh, nngh- Haitham, Alpha-” Kaveh cries, shuddering all over. Alhaitham grunts in response, leaning forward to slide his hand up Kaveh’s torso, lifting him up to press his back to Alhaitham’s chest. Like this, he slides deeper than before, and it’s blinding how good it feels. Kaveh babbles wetly, and tears start to brim in his eyes as he hurdles closer to his orgasm.
“Are you - fuck, are you going to cum like this, pretty omega?” Alhaitham murmurs, low and husky, in his ear, and Kaveh shakes with a sob, nodding. He wants so badly to be good for him, to be a good little omega. “Good boy.” Alhaitham punctuates it with a kiss over his scent gland, and that proves to be the last push Kaveh needs.
His body tightens up, and his vision goes startlingly white as pleasure crashes through him like a wave, and he spills all over his stomach and legs. Kaveh jerks harshly against Alhaitham, muscles spasming as he cums, a warbling and wretched cry leaving his mouth. He can faintly hear Alhaitham curse, as he leans the both of them forward, crowding over Kaveh’s back as he lays back in the sheets.
“Ah, ah- Haitham! Oh-” Kaveh moans, Alhaitham’s cock pressing into him. It’s almost too much, painful sparks of pleasure shooting up his spine. He clenches tightly around the cock inside him, desperate to keep it inside, and Alhaitham let out a shuddering moan behind him.
“Kaveh, Kaveh I’m going to- let me pull out fuck-” Alhaitham chokes out, but Kaveh lets out a hurt whine at the words. Alhaitham can’t pull out he needs to- he has to cum inside, he has to breed Kaveh, he has to.
“No, no, no, knot me, please, please-” Kaveh begs, writhing underneath Alhaitham. Is he not good enough to be bred? Is he not good enough to be knotted? Why does Alhaitham not want to?
“Kaveh that isn’t- nngh-” Alhaitham hisses, before he jerks in hard. He stills, and Kaveh can feel the scrape of his teeth over his shoulder. It makes Kaveh spasm, the desire to be marked filling him. He keens, tipping his neck to the side, and Alhaitham lets out a groan, before Kaveh can feel him spilling inside him.
It’s scalding hot, and the omega inside Kaveh screams in joy as he’s filled with cum, bred like he needs to be. He can feel the swell of Alhaitham’s knot, stretching him and plugging him up, and he squirms, eyes rolling backwards. Spit slips down his chin as he moans, and he feels something snap in his lower abdomen. Everything goes hot and white and bright, and Kaveh screams as he feels himself cum again against the sheets, cock weakly spurting. It’s too much, too close to his previous orgasm, and it feels shattering, as he collapses down into the bed, tears and spit dripping down his face.
Alhaitham is panting behind him, head pressed between Kaveh’s sweat-slicked shoulder blades. He might say something, but Kaveh can’t hear him past the ringing in his ears as he shakes apart.
Slowly, he feels an arm wrap around his waist, and the two of them turn so that Kaveh is on his side, Alhaitham pressed behind him. It makes the knot inside him shift, and he wails, chest arching up at the over-stimulation.
“Shh, shh, I’ve got you, you did so good,” Alhaitham croons softly in his ear. He noses along Kaveh’s neck, rubbing against his scent gland, and his hands rub up and down Kaveh’s waist. Long and soothing gestures as he emits a calming scent. It fogs over Kaveh’s mind, and he whines, tipping his head back towards Alhaitham. He blinks, slowly and heavily. He’s finally able to clear some of the haze from his mind, his heat satiated for now at being fucked and filled.
“Haitham,” Kaveh croaks, earning a gentle hush from the alpha.
“It’s alright. Just relax whilst it goes down, I’ve got you.”
Kaveh shivers at the words, relaxing into the arms that hold him. He feels safe, secure at last. Alhaitham peppers featherlight kisses down his neck, over his scent gland, but he doesn’t bite, as much as Kaveh wants him to. As if reading his thoughts, Alhaitham speaks again.
“I’m not going to mark you right now. Not when you’re in heat and can’t think straight. When this is over, we can talk about it then, alright?” Alhaitham whispers, and as much as Kaveh wants to protest, he’s regained enough coherency to know that that’s probably the wiser decision.
“Mmm,” Kaveh hums, causing Alhaitham to chuckle quietly. The knot inside him is deflating a bit, no longer stretching him so wide. It allows his body to relax more, turning limp and pliant in the arms of his alpha.
“Rest up, Kaveh, we’ve got a long couple of days left.”
–
Kaveh wakes slowly. His entire body is sore, but there’s a warm feeling of satisfaction in his chest. He yawns, stretching his limbs out, only to find his legs tangled up in something. There’s something wrapped around his waist too, heavy and warm.
Groaning, Kaveh turns his head, and his heart nearly stops at the sight behind him.
Alhaitham is wrapped around him, his face pressed into Kaveh’s shoulder blades. Bite marks and hickeys litter his skin, making it look like some savage animal has attacked him.
‘Oh my Archons, did I do that?’ Kaveh thinks, feeling his face flush. His entire body locks up, frozen in shock. He watches, almost in slow motion, as Alhaitham’s eyes flutter, and his arm tightens around Kaveh’s waist, tugging him closer.
“Mm, morning,” Alhaitham murmurs, lifting his head to gaze up at Kaveh. His eyes are still half-closed in sleep, but there’s a soft smile on his face. It makes Kaveh’s heart flutter weirdly, and he swallows thickly.
“Morning,” Kaveh mumbles back. He watches carefully as Alhaitham peels himself away from Kaveh. Immediately, he misses the warmth, but he doesn’t say anything as he rolls over to face Alhaitham. He winces a little when his muscles protest at the movement, and Alhaitham mustn’t miss that, frowning as he watches Kaveh.
“Are you alright? Is your heat over then?” Alhaitham asks, and his hand reaches up to rest on Kaveh’s cheek. The touch spreads warmth throughout his body, and instinctively he nuzzles into it. Once Kaveh realizes what he’s done, he flushes bright red. Alhaitham doesn’t comment, shockingly, and just smiles softly at him.
“Y-yeah. I think it’s done now,” Kaveh replies. Alhaitham hums in approval, before rolling onto his back. He yawns, stretching his arms out above his head. It gives Kaveh a perfect display of his bare chest, muscles flexing. Heat stirs in his stomach, and he flushes even darker.
“Mm, that’s good. I’ll make some breakfast then. We should talk afterward,” Alhaitham says, sitting up. Kaveh doesn’t move from where he’s lying on his side, instead choosing to watch Alhaitham carefully. His muscles ache all over, and he’s pretty certain that there’s cum leaking out of him still.
“Okay,” Kaveh replies, and Alhaitham smiles again. He leans down, and much to Kaveh’s surprise, gently places a kiss on the corner of the omega’s lips. Kaveh’s heart stutters, and he feels his mouth drop open at the tender movement.
Without saying another word, however, Alhaitham leaves the bedroom. Still completely naked.
–
Once Kaveh has peeled himself out of bed, and cleaned himself up in the bathroom a bit, he joins Alhaitham for breakfast. It had given him time to assess the situation, as well as look at his body. Most of his heat is a blur, filled with sex and passion, and it shows in the marks that cover him. The ones that really catch his eye, though, are the bites surrounding his scent gland. Alhaitham didn’t mark him, not like that, but the intent was clearly there. Anxiety flares hot in Kaveh’s stomach, now that he has to face the alpha without the pretense of being in heat.
Still, he can’t put it off forever, and drags himself out to the dining room. Alhaitham is setting out plates, stacked high with food. Kaveh’s plate is stacked with fruits and toast, food that would help him replenish his energy after his heat. His stomach twists at the sentiment, as he takes his seat across from Alhaitham. Shyly, he picks up one of the fruits, a zaytun peach, and bites into it.
“So,” Alhaitham starts, and Kaveh jumps a little bit. He squirms in his seat, hunching down a little bit. Alhaitham eyes him warily, but doesn’t comment. “We should talk.”
“I- yeah. I suppose we should,” Kaveh mumbles, feeling his face flush as he bites into the peach again. “Don’t feel… obligated, I guess, to be with me, just because we- you know. I don’t want to force you into anythi-”
“What are you talking about?” Alhaitham cuts Kaveh off abruptly, his expression sharp. Kaveh purses his lips shut immediately, and ducks his head. “You think I would feel obligated to be your mate just because I spent your heat with you? Are you forgetting everything else?”
Tears prick Kaveh’s eyes sharply, and he ducks his head further down. He picks at the toast on his place, breaking off crumbs onto the plate. He hates how sensitive he is still, fresh out of his heat.
“No, I just. I’m- you deserve someone better, I think. A better omega. One that isn’t in debt, or a mess, or anything like that,” Kaveh replies, his voice shaking ever so slightly. Across from him, he hears Alhaitham sigh heavily, before there’s the scrape of his chair against the floor. Kaveh tenses as he hears Alhaitham walk over to him, stopping right next to him. Kaveh doesn’t move to turn towards him, but Alhaitham forces him to regardless. He grabs Kaveh’s knees, spinning him in the chair so that he’s facing him, and bends down to be eye-level with Kaveh.
“When have I ever said I cared about anything like that?” Alhaitham asks, and Kaveh sniffs pathetically. He shrugs, refusing to look up at Alhaitham. “Kaveh, I want to be with you. As you are, not as you should be.”
Kaveh’s throat tightens, a thick lump growing in it, and he feels a scalding hot tear streak down his cheek. Alhaitham is quick to catch it, cupping Kaveh’s cheek as he lifts his head up to look at him. The look in his eyes makes Kaveh’s breath catch. It’s tender and raw, and filled with so much adoration that it chokes Kaveh up even more.
“But-”
“No buts. Do you really think I would court you if I didn’t want you?”
“No… I don’t know. Maybe. I thought you - you were messing with me.” It’s an echo of their conversation from before Kaveh’s heat. Alhaitham sighs again, before he leans forward, and gingerly presses his lips to Kaveh’s forehead. It makes Kaveh’s breath hitch again, as he grips at the fabric of his pants.
“You truly are a fool if you think I would expend my energy on something that I didn’t want,” Alhaitham murmurs against his skin, and Kaveh lets out a wet laugh. Of course, even now, Alhaitham finds a way to insult him and compliment him all in one sentence.
Slowly, Alhaitham withdraws, and he holds Kaveh’s gaze steadily. Burning with a long-held passion and desire that Kaveh has not seen in the man before. Or, maybe he has, and he just never noticed until now.
“Kaveh.”
“Y-yes?” Kaveh replies, his palms beginning to sweat at the serious tone that Alhaitham takes.
“I love you. Will you be my mate?” He says it in a way that leaves no room for hesitation or doubt. No other way for Kaveh to work around. There is no teasing, there is no cruelty to his words.
He’s completely serious, and Kaveh feels his words stick in his throat. Tears rush to his eyes some more, and he lets out another wet laugh, reaching up to smear away the wetness that clings to his eyelashes.
“Yeah. Yes, I love you too. Stupid alpha,” Kaveh answers, and he can’t help the way a smile forms on his face. He looks back at Alhaitham, and his chest fills with warmth at the look on his face. He looks like a man in love.
When Alhaitham leans forward to kiss him, Kaveh can finally admit to himself that his courting worked.