Chapter Text
The scholar’s hands bloomed with the ink of pens he scarcely touched.
Alhaitham had known a moment like this would come one day, yet the blue-black stains were a horror to see appear.
That was it. His life was over. He’d made contact with the person he was ‘destined’ to be with. But, in Alhaitham’s opinion, there was no true evidence for that being real. And he had no desire to meet or ever know that person. Now he’d have a permanent reminder of them on his hands for a lifetime. A lifetime of avoidance, of hoping it was just a one-off meeting and he’d never have his own marks show up on someone else’s hands.
Yes, that was most likely. That day had been the opening ceremonies of the Akademiya. Alhaitham had shaken many hands, and there had been no people who had stood out to him as anything special.
Nothing would happen, he was sure of it. He wouldn’t let anything happen.
_________
His hands looked like they had gloves on.
Another day, another ink spill.
Sitting in the House of Daena, Alhaitham let out a quiet groan, knowing that although the ink wouldn’t stain any of the books he was sorting, it was a pretext for being kicked out by an overly cautious librarian. As if he, the new Haravatat prodigy, would dare to spill ink on the precious collections of the Akademiya.
Still, better to not sully his reputation at the beginning of his academic career. People had been banned for less.
Shaking his head quietly, Alhaitham rose from his chair to head back to his dorm. After carefully shelving his book (a fascinating tome on ancient Deshret ruins and scrolls found within them), Alhaitham had it in his mind for just a moment to stop and breathe.
Standing in the middle of a library stoically looked awkward, and Alhaitham knew it. Still, his mind was aware of the consequences that would befall him if he were to run back to his bed and collapse from the shock.
His hands shook slightly as he inhaled, letting his body settle. Alhaitham closed his eyes.
Breathe, Alhaitham. Fate can’t hurt you.
He exhaled, slowly.
You will never meet this person. They cannot leave you like everyone else.
Alhaitham opened his eyes, lights bright but not blinding.
You will be okay, Alhaitham.
Coming back to his senses, Alhaitham rubbed his eyes to readjust and He was just about to exit the building when he felt a body smack right into his chest, and a quiet “oof” from a student stumbling back from the impact.
“Sorry!” the student apologized profusely, waving his hands out and grinning up at Alhaitham. “I suppose the new students haven’t gotten to know my, ah, habits yet.”
Alhaitham stared at the hands being held up in front of him. Ink-stained hands sat on a man with strange red eyes and blonde hair.
“Oh, I’m Kaveh,” the man introduced himself with a nod. “I’d shake your hand, but my hands aren’t in quite the cleanest state. I’m a junior in Kshahrewar.”
Why did this have to happen? With an upperclassman?
The ink stains had faded from Alhaitham’s hands at that point, so the student (Kaveh, Alhaitham repeated in his mind) couldn’t see the stains that matched the Kshahrewar student’s own.
“I’m… Alhaitham,” he introduced himself reluctantly with a small nod. Freshman, Haravatat. I think I met you at orientation.”
His mind had suddenly recalled the memory of a blond student carrying around a briefcase running around and shaking everyone’s hands. He had run up to Alhaitham and shaken his hands vigorously before running off. That had been the moment…
It was a coincidence. It must have been a coincidence.
Kaveh tilted his head, blinking for a moment while ink dripped silently onto the floor. “Honestly, I’d say I remember you but I shook every students’ hand. It’s a habit every year.”
Alhaitham forced himself to smile. “That is very nice, Kaveh. You should probably go wipe off your…” he trailed off carefully, looking back at the ink stains he had just sported on his own hands.
A rosy blush overcame Kaveh’s face. “I suppose you’re right. This tends to happen pretty often throughout the school year, since I’m a bit of a blueprint addict. Architecture,” he clarified. “I’m an architecture student and I draw blueprints.”
If this was real, Alhaitham would know soon. He’d have confirmation soon.
Alhaitham pursed his lips. “Lovely.”
The two men stood there in awkward silence, like there was still something that needed to be said but was left hanging in the air.
“Sorry for the run in,” Kaveh apologized with a flustered smile, holding up his hands in mock defense. “I’ll watch out more carefully next time. See you around, Alhaitham.”
Then he went on his way.
A million images and thoughts hurried through Alhaitham’s mind, but they were suppressed as quickly as they came.
Nothing would come of it. Nothing would.
_________
Junior year at the Akademiya, and Kaveh was so ready.
Was he going to be extremely stressed out? Was this the point he needed to actually begin job hunts and make sure his resume was full? Yes and absolutely, but there was no reason to not look forward to another year at the most brilliant place in Teyvat.
Orientation flew by like a breeze, as it always did, but Kaveh felt like there was something new in the air. Something felt like he was going to finally meet the one this year.
Maybe he would finally start to see soulmate marks appear on his body this time. If it had been one of the freshmen something would have to appear soon. He shook every single one of their hands, he knew for sure. He literally counted, referencing the admissions scrolls to make sure he didn’t miss a single one. Hell, he shook the hands of students’ siblings if they attended, with the wish of finally having something.
It was a selfish practice, Kaveh knew. Not everyone wanted to jump into a relationship in the middle of preparing their academic futures, but he at least wanted to know that they were out there and within reach.
Spilling ink on his hands was just one way of attempting to see if he could find them. Being an architecture student became a very helpful excuse in that way.
There was time, Kaveh knew, and so he allowed himself to leisure and enjoy his first days back in the academic world without a care. He headed to his favorite coffee shop in the Grand Bazaar, desperate for a caffeine rush and a good conversation with any friend who might be there. He happened to be in luck, as he strolled through Sumeru City and saw bright red hair and a blue dress trailing out of a shop.
“Nilou!” Kaveh greeted, rushing to catch up to his friend as she walked on. Nilou was always a joy to see, especially as she was often away from Sumeru City while the Akademiya was on break. There was no better person to gossip and grab a drink with.
The lithe dancer turned back as she heard her name being shouted, and her face burst into a smile as she saw the architect at a jog to catch her. “Hi, Kaveh!” She replied brightly, stopping to give the blonde student a hug. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in literally forever.”
Kaveh chuckled, continuing to walk with her through the bazaar. “It has been a few months. I’ve missed our coffee dates and gossip sessions. But now I’m back at school,” he rolled his eyes, “and I will be here for a while.”
She wrapped an arm around Kaveh’s back and pulled him in close. “Well, I’m here if you ever need any more models for gorgeous statues.” Nilou jokingly stretched her hands out into a stereotypical ballet pose, attempting to somehow look serious when she was on the verge of laughter.
“That was one time! And I didn’t know they were going to make water spurt out of your mouth!”
“I’m just teasing you, Kaveh,” she said with a whisper of scandalousness. “So,” she dropped her voice lower, “Any soulmate markings from the new students?”
Letting out a groan, Kaveh shook his head disappointedly. “No luck yet. You?”
Nilou grinned coyly. “Maybe…”
Kaveh let out an embarrassingly loud shriek before getting control of himself. “Nilou! How could you not tell me that! I thought I was your bestie for the restie!”
“They just, like, appeared one day!” she exclaimed, twirling her hair in her fingers. I still haven’t figured out who it is, though. I bumped into a lot of people during my last recital, literally.”
“Want to grab a drink and chat about it?” Kaveh asked hopefully. “I have got to hear about your summer and your recitals.”
Nilou bopped Kaveh on the nose with a giggle. “Absolutely. And we can talk about how we’re going to find your soulmate, you hopeless romantic.”
The coffee they had was delicious, but nothing brought Kaveh back to life like conversation with a good friend. Sharing memories and hopes for the upcoming year, and the sweet presence of a girl whom he loved.
Kaveh just needed to have hope, like Nilou had. He’d find his person, wherever they were.