Work Text:
The blonde man raked his hand over his hair. Stress was eating away at his brain. Why did this client have to be so demanding?
“How is this design?” Kaveh asked, grabbing a blueprint from Mehrak.
“I don’t like it. At all” the man was straightforward as he examined it.
That pissed Kaveh off, his temper was already short from when he’d broken a few vases this morning, and torn a painting that he’d adored.
“What would you like me to change?” Kaveh asked, putting on a smile to make himself look as ‘happy to help’ as possible.
“Well for starters there are way too many flowers on the design, not enough blue and too much green. Also the window ledge isn’t close enough to the door so I can see who’s out front. I asked for a small built-in bookshelf that was precisely 13.73cm wide and 15.98cm tall, but this is 14x15 instead” the customer grumbled.
Anger was bubbling up inside of Kaveh like the volcanos in Natlan. Although he’d only seen them in photos and descriptions, they looked magnificent. He had stayed up for three nights in a row to get his customers requests done, but alas, it wasn’t enough. But, was it ever?
“I’m very sorry, I’ll fix it right away, is there a certain amount of flowers you’d like specifically?” Kaveh asked, trying to push a curly strand of hair back. Only to fail.
“I’m not sure, just not too many and not too less like you did last time. I will check on the design next week” the man dismissed Kaveh with a flick of his hand.
He walked himself to the door and found himself in Avidya forest. Right, he’d forgotten the meeting was at his clients house.Usually he’d love to serve his customers, but perhaps his fuse really was shorter than usual. Because he felt just about ready to throw a rock through his window.
Looking around, Kaveh grabbed a small pebble and threw it across the ground in front of him. For a moment, he closed his eyes to try and calm down. Just to open his eyes to see some familiar shoes.
“You alright?” Tighnari asked, offering a hand.
“Uh, yes. Just uh, work. You know? Same old same old” Kaveh stuttered as he regained his composure, grabbing Tighnari’s hand, then letting go once he was upright.
“Yes, but you don’t usually seem so… Er” Tighnari stopped for a moment, looking for the right word.
“Tired? Stressed? Probably because this one singular client refuses to be satisfied with anything I do” Kaveh grumbled.
Tighnari looked at the blonde man, his face straight. But his tail and ears were bent in a certain aspect of amusement. Completely betraying him.
“Sure, anywho. I advise that it’d be best to relax and have a break, you’ve even got eyebags. Perhaps have a nice chat with Alhaitham” Tighnari’s ears bounced for a moment before going back to normal.
Kaveh had to bite his inner cheek to stop himself from blushing at the mention of his roommate's name. For a while now, he’d had feelings for Alhaitham. But the scribe was so distant and appeared to have no interest in romance and having a love life. So he’d kept all these childish feelings to himself.
Perhaps he really was delusional. Why did Kaveh even like the man? He always gave the cold shoulder, in fact, the kindest thing he’d ever done for Kaveh was buy him a certain painting for his birthday.
The most intimate they’d ever been was when Alhaitham had hugged him when he was rejected by four work clients in one day. Otherwise they never really talked in general. Usually only speaking to bicker or argue over small problems. To be fair, kissing was a bit far fetched.
“W-what would I talk to him about?” Kaveh asked, his fury forgotten.
“Oh? You know, normal stuff” Tighnari shrugged.
“And what is normal stuff?” Kaveh asked.
“You act like you two never talk. Like work? Or how your day went, or if you have any plans or anything such as that, you should know this kind of stuff. It’s basic” Tighnari explained.
“That’s because we don’t really talk” Kaveh shyly looked away.
“Really? Well then you must change that. Try some small talk, then perhaps after some time, you could finally confess” Tighnari waved his tail.
“Yeah. Wait, what did you just say?” Kaveh asked as realisation kicked in.
“That you could confess to him?” Tighnari repeated.
“Is it that obvious?” Kaveh whispered.
His cheeks became hot and red with embarrassment as the forest watcher nodded almost instantly.
“What made it so obvious?” Kaveh asked.
“You act differently around Alhaitham, and the same for him. He’s more soft, more kind with you. I get that he may not show it, but he really does care” Tighnari smiled softly.
“But then why does he threaten to kick me out? And use all my mora?” the blonde tried to push back a few tendrils of hair just to fail as he had before.
“Then again he still hasn't kicked you out has he? Sometimes he even pays for your drinks and a few pieces of furniture you like every now and then” Tighnari pointed out.
Kaveh slowly nodded.
“Tighnari! I need your help! Traveler found some people who ate some poisonous mushrooms!” Collei yelled out.
“Well I need to go, see you around” Tighnari waved hastily before dashing away.
It was starting to get late. Around seven by the time he checked his watch. Kaveh walked back to Alhaitham’s house and he found an envelope at the door with his name on it, so he picked it up. Looking around, he tried to find his key.
“Where’s my key?” Kaveh let out a sigh of defeat. Had he forgotten them again, for the fifth time in a row? Kaveh had no choice but to knock on the door. The sound of a groan came from inside as the door was slowly unlocked.
“Sorry Haitham, I forgot my keys,” Kaveh said, rubbing his temples.
“It’s fine, I took them anyways” Alhaitham shrugged, still reading his book as they discussed.
“You, what? You little” Kaveh lightly smacked Alhaitham’s arm. He could never bring himself to actually harm his roommate, aka his crush.
“Well there was nothing else I could do, it’s fun annoying you” Alhaitham closed his book and looked into Kaveh’s crimson eyes. The man poked Kaveh’s cheek playfully before letting himself smile, just the tiniest bit. Kaveh’s cheeks burned again as Alhaitham cupped one cheek with a hand before letting go softly and walking into the house.
“You coming?” he asked as Kaveh slowly nodded. What was that? When he was poked in the hand, he remembered the envelope. He walked into his shared room with Alhaitham and put it on the desk. I’ll open it when I’m done taking a shower.
After two hours of getting ready and prepping for later he sat there at the desk. Wondering what it could contain. Perhaps a new client? An old friend? That envelope would be one of the worst things he’d ever read.
_____________________
Alhaitham sat in his chair. Was that hint obvious enough? He was very much aware of how cold he looked on the outside. Never sticking around long enough to get close to, or have a proper conversation with. The man thought back to when he stared into Kaveh’s eyes, all he wanted was to get lost in those crimson pools.
His feelings were weird. Alhaitham had come to accept it. He could hate one person one moment, and then actually like them the next. Although he still never showed it. Why did he have to be in love with his roommate? Out of all the people in the world, it was Kaveh.
For once he removed his headphones and sat there. He closed his book and put it on the table. Today he was going to cook dinner. Without delay, he walked up to the fridge and examined what he had. There were enough ingredients to make some soup. Although he hated it, he’d make it just so that Kaveh would be happy.
He poured the canned tomatoes in and took out his hand held blender. Once it had been thoroughly blended, he spent a good 33 seconds debating on whether he should use coconut cream or normal cream. In the end he just used normal cream.
Thank god I brought sourdough the other day. In order to make it through this meal, he needed some sort of solid food. Sourdough to the rescue much.
“Kaveh! Dinner’s ready” he called out. Silence, there were literal crickets chirping in the background. Instead of yelling again, he just walked out and made his way to the halls that connected all the rooms.
The door to their bedroom was open, and the subtle sound of sobbing could be heard from within.
“Kaveh?” Alhaitham entered the room gently, trying not to make Kaveh flinch. The blonde man looked up at Alhaitham with puffy eyes and a tear stained face.
“What’s wrong?” Alhaitham asked, slowly moving closer.
“N-nothing” Kaveh covered his face with his hands, looking away.
Alhaitham wouldn’t pry the answer out of Kaveh. “It’s okay” he patted Kaveh’s back comfortingly. He was never good at this kind of stuff.
“Okay,” Kaveh whispered.
“Dinner’s ready” Alhaitham pulled away and guided Kaveh to the kitchen, where the food was still hot. Thankfully.
“You made soup? I thought you hated it” Kaveh sounded surprised.
“Well usually when i’m reading i don’t but I don’t plan on doing so” Alhaitham looked at the clock. It was only 7:30pm.
The two ate their dinners and Alhaitham cleaned up. A few minutes later, Kaveh appeared, wearing a cozy coat and something he would wear out.
“Where are you going?” Alhaitham asked in the middle of scrubbing a pot.
“Just- Just out” Kaveh still sounded utterly defeated.
“Alright, try to be home by 12 okay?” Alhaitham said.
“Why are you so worried?” Kaveh asked.
“Because I care about you and want you to be safe,” Alhaitham reluctantly said.
Kaveh didn’t respond and left through the front door. There was the scribe - alone again - stuck washing dishes. Once done, he read his book for a few hours before he walked into their bedroom. It’s 12:15 already. There on the desk, lay the very letter that had sent tears to Kaveh.
To Kaveh
We would like to apologize in advance. Unfortunately, your mother has been in an accident. She was traveling over Fontaine with her husband when they were ambushed by rifthounds and hillichurls. Your mother and step-fathers funeral will be held here in Fontaine. We would like to invite you here, on a two week hotel reservation with transport and food all prepaid. We would like to apologize again.
Sincerely
Neuvillette, the Iudex of fontaine
Alhaitham let out a small gasp, his room mate was grieving, no wonder the sudden attitude change. He knew his lover. Kaveh would probably be at the tavern, drinking himself away. He had no choice but to go there himself. He threw on his work clothes - because he didn’t want to wear anything else - and marched his way to the tavern.
_______________
Kaveh never really had a high tolerance for alcohol. He was only two drinks in and already feeling tipsy. The world suddenly felt so lonely and tiring. Would the world be better off without him? Maybe it would be.
“Another drink please” he asked the bartender who stalked off and then returned with another glass of beer.
Great, so he hadn’t slept in days, had a very picky and annoying client, and his mother was dead. What was next? Would Kaveh be framed and killed? Who knows. Perhaps suicide really was the best option. Kaveh leaned on the table. Too drunk and exhausted to do anything else.
“Kaveh?” a familiar voice sounded behind him. Kaveh barely had the energy to turn around, but he was glad he did.
“What are you doing here?” Kaveh’s words slurred.
“To check up on you. I saw the letter” Alhaitham took a seat next to Kaveh.
“Letter?”
“The one about your mother,” Alhaitham said.
“Oh, yeah” Kaveh looked away, on the brink of tears again.
“I’ll have one glass of wine” Alhaitham said to the bartender who simply nodded and grabbed a glass, filling it with red wine.
“You’d… Have a drink with me?”
“Yes, you’re stressed and tired, a-and I want to be there for you. Now tell me, what’s on your mind?” Alhaitham asked slowly.
“I’m thinking about ending it all” Kaveh said after moments of debating on whether he should say it or not.
He watched as Alhaitham’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
“Because there’s nothing left for me in this world. A-and ending it all is better then having to be indebted to you and having no mora. Then I don’t need to worry about work and deadlines. Besides, it’s not like anyone will notice if I’m gone” Kaveh took a big sip of his beer.
“I would,” Alhaitham said softly.
Kaveh turned his head and watched Alhaitham drink his wine. The way his lips moved to the shape of his glass. The way his Adam's apple bobbed as he drank the wine. The way his eyes and nose were delicately sculpted to be perfect. Why is he so perfect?
“How long will you stare?” Alhaitham asked, not looking away from his glass.
“Oh uh s-sorry” Kaveh stumbled over his words as he tried to look away.
“Please tell me you won’t commit suicide” Alhaitham suddenly looked at Kaveh, half his glass empty.
“I- uh, why?” Kaveh asked.
“Because I don’t want you to die. Also, then who’ll be my roommate?” Alhaitham asked, shaking his drink to mix it for absolutely no reason.
“I thought you’d prefer to live alone?” Kaveh asked, unable to control what he was saying as he finished off his glass of beer.
“Yes, but I do like the company” Alhaitham drank the rest of his wine.
For some reason, Kaveh’s brain seemed to short circuit and he blurted out three words.
“I love you.”
Alhaitham put his glass down on the bench slowly, before turning to Kaveh.
“What?”
Kaveh was as red as a tomato, blushing so much that there’d be no need for makeup.
“Uh what? I think I’m too drunk, I can’t even hear myself” Kaveh tried to cover up.
“No, no I heard you. Now say it again” the scribe said.
Kaveh looked away before reluctantly speaking. “I-I love you” he said again.
Alhaitham let himself smile.
“Me too Kaveh, me too” the scribe looked at Kaveh.
Suddenly, his shoulders felt lighter, as if saying that had made him feel better. He closed his eyes and let his head rest on the bench.
As if some ghost had taken over his body, the architect stood up and walked to Alhaitham with long, wobbly steps. Only halting once right in front of Alhaitham. He slightly bent so that he was eye level with the man who was sitting down. Now their faces were inches apart.
“What are you doing?” Alhaitham asked.
Kaveh moved before he thought and moved forward so his face was planted on Alhaithams lips. He didn’t care that they were in public, that people could see them. All he needed at this moment was a kiss from his lover.
Alhaitham was surprised by this approach but he welcomed it. Perhaps this would be the one time he would let his guard down. He kissed back as Kaveh pried his tongue into Alhaitham’s mouth. Kaveh tasted like beer and scotch and the scribe enjoyed it. After a good two minutes of making out, the two finally separated. A line of drool on both their mouths.
“That- that was fun” Kaveh shyly admitted. But a smile was planted on his face. The first genuine smile he’d had in a while.
“I fucking love you” Alhaitham said, licking the drool off his lips. Was it his own or Kaveh’s drool? Actually, he didn’t care anymore, either was fine.
Kaveh smiled again, this time with a toothy grin.
“Now what are you doing?” Alhaitham asked as Kaveh sat down again and leaned on the bench with his arms under his head.
“J-just closing my eyes for a moment or two, I’m a bit tired” Kaveh closed his eyes, expecting to open them soon.
“That’s an understatement, you haven’t slept in days” Alhaitham said. He looked at the blonde man and watched as Kaveh’s breathing regulated. Intrusively, he poked Kaveh’s cheek, and got no reaction. Is he actually out cold?
Alhaitham checked the time. 1:15am. We should head back now.
“Thanks for the service, I’ll be paying for him as well” he said to the bartender as he pointed to the unconscious Kaveh.
If the bartender had seen them make out, he didn’t show any sign that he had.
Alhaitham made sure to pay for both their drinks and tip well. Then he hauled Kaveh onto his back and piggybacked him. It was already 1:42am. The scribe started walking his way back to his house with his drunk roommate on his back. He felt Kaveh slightly moving against his back. The sound of an adorable whimper came from Kaveh.
“Where are we?” His voice was soft and raw.
“On the way back home” Alhaitham said while he walked with Kaveh on his back.
“What happened? I only remember drinking a few glasses of beer then… Well everything else is foggy” Kaveh said, still sounding vulnerable.
“You passed out when you said you were closing your eyes for a few moments,” Alhaitham explained.
“Oh, oh yeah. Thank you Alhaitham, I-I needed that” Kaveh nodded.
Alhaitham smiled again.
He could just imagine the architect's eyes widening as he felt a kiss on his cheek.
“Would you like to try and walk?” Alhaitham asked.
“Uh, sure” Kaveh was put down by Alhaitham and used his shoulder as support. He took a singular wobbly step before falling face flat on the ground. The sound of Alhaitham’s chuckle could be heard from behind him.
“I’d appreciate some help here,” Kaveh said as he struggled to get upright again.
“Alright, alright, You’re clearly still hungover, I’ll carry you” Alhaitham pulled Kaveh on his back and trekked back. He put Kaveh on his bed and watched how - not even three minutes later - Kaveh was out cold again. Alahitham nestled beside Kaveh on the floor and went to sleep. Too tired to change back into his pajamas.
I’ll spend the rest of my life with him. No regrets.