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When Alhaitham woke up everything felt wrong
For starters his head was throbbing and a hint of nausea like he was hungover which was impossible for him since he didn’t drink. Then there was a constant dull ache all over his body that was unfamiliar. When he opened his eyes he found another thing wrong: he was sitting at Kaveh’s desk.
As he lifted his head from the countless blueprints scattered on the desk his arms ached in protest as he pushed himself up from the desk. When he grew more aware he realized everything looked different… Almost like everything was brighter and more colorful, like everything was more vivid. He noticed that his blonde hair was falling down on his face.
Wait…
Blonde?
As he stood up he groaned as he felt his body was super stiff especially in his neck and back thrumming with some pain. As he started to try to walk to the kitchen his joints popped as he moved like rusty door hinges creaking open. Suddenly he grew dizzy as he walked, dark spots clouding his vision as he stumbled through the hallway desperately trying to find somewhere to sit so he doesn’t pass out. He almost fell but he finally found his way to a chair in the dining room. He sighed as the dizziness seemed to fade a little and his vision returned to normal.
As Alhaitham made it to the kitchen albeit not with his usual grace he realized that they were out of ground coffee and needed to grind the new bag of whole beans they just got. Alhaitham paused as he realized he forgot where the coffee grinder was. This was highly unusual for him to forget something like this. It was then he realized that his thoughts weren’t there like he couldn’t think. Usually his mind was sharp and catalogued everything but now it’s like his head was stuffed with cotton and covered with fog.
As Alhaitham tried to navigate the sludge that is his mind at the moment he finally remembered where it was as he opened the cabinet he felt his fingers start to ache. He tried to flex them but it only seemed to make it hurt more. Pushing through the fog and pain Alhaitham finally got the coffee grinder, turned it on and dumped the beans in.
Soon the loud noise of the grinder filled the house. Normally Alhaitham hated the noise because it was way too loud for him but for some reason right now it didn’t drive jagged nails into his brain like usual. Alhaitham was way too exhausted to think about why this time was different. When the grinder was done and put away he started to put the coffee pot and realized that Kaveh wasn’t there to be found
He was so focused on himself he didn’t realize that Kaveh wasn’t up. As Alhaitham looked for him he soon heard soft sobs coming from his own room he then remembered that he woke up in Kaveh’s room and wondered why he was in his room. As Alhaitham opened the door he eyes widened at the scene before him
He saw himself
He saw what looked like himself on the floor sobbing in the corner covering his ears with his hands rocking himself back and forth. Suddenly everything clicked into place.
“Kaveh?”
Kaveh looked up at him with tearful eyes. “Everything… So loud…” Alhaitham kneeled down next to Kaveh trying to ignore the pain in his knees “Kaveh I’m so sorry I didn’t realized we switched bodies… and I-I used the grinder that must have been so loud for you” Kaveh nodded, slowly removing his hands from his ears despite the pained look on his face. Alhaitham sighed as he went and grabbed his noise cancelling headphones and placed them over Kaveh’s ears and he immediately sighed in relief.
Once Kaveh calmed down the sudden shock of a sensory overload he then registered the shock of switching bodies. Then came the questions.
“Is everything always so loud for you?”
Alhaitham nodded
Kaveh lightly chuckled “wow I guess I understand why you always wear your headphones now”
Now it was Alhaitham’s turn to ask questions
“Why does everything hurt in your body, also I feel so tired”
Kaveh froze
“I- uh- well- doesn’t everyone experience pain?”
Alhaitham glared at Kaveh
“Well besides your ears does anything currently hurt you now?”
Kaveh ponders the question for a moment.
“Well actually no, I haven’t not felt pain in a long ti-“
Kaveh stilled as he realized what he said.
Alhaitham sighed “You know you’re an idiot right? The short time I’ve been in your body I’ve nearly passed out, everything hurts and I’m exhausted yet I feel like I can do everything yet nothing at the same time”
Kaveh smiled which was weird for Alhaitham to witness his own body smile. “That sounds like a normal day to me”
Alhaitham’s eyes widened
“A normal day? You’re telling me that you’re always in pain? Kaveh you need to go to the doctor’s or at least talk to Tighnari about it”
Kaveh sighed “I’ve told Tighnari about it before. He’s given me a wrist brace for when my wrist gives me more trouble. He’s one of the only ones that actually believe me. Most doctors… Most doctors just don’t believe me, they never actually listened to me. They just refused to acknowledge my pain and just slap an anxiety diagnosis on me. Now I’m going to make breakfast for us and I’m making my favorite shakshuka” he said as he left the room.
Alhaitham took a moment to let everything Kaveh said to sink in. He never knew that every day Kaveh woke up in pain. He didn’t know that he’s tried to seek help but most doctors denied his pain.
As he tried to get up the aforementioned pain decided to show itself again in the form of shooting pain in his calf and ankle causing him to stumble and nearly caused him to fall. As he gritted his teeth and sucked in a sharp breath he cursed the doctors that said Kaveh’s pain wasn’t real and silently wished to strangle said doctors.
Trying to ignore the pain Alhaitham finally got to the hallway after a few minutes of sitting on the bed to rest from a near failed attempt of getting off the floor. Before he went to the kitchen he decided to go into Kaveh’s room. Earlier when he woke up in there he didn’t get a good look at the room since he wasn’t fully awake at the time.
As he went in the room he noticed something next to his desk he didn’t notice earlier it was the wrist brace Kaveh just mentioned. As he picked it up almost on cue his wrist decided to hurt more. As he put it on his right wrist he noticed that it seemed to help a little. Why doesn’t Kaveh wear this more often? He wondered. Alhaitham left Kaveh’s room with the brace still on. As he entered the kitchen he is greeted with the inviting scent of the shakshuka that Kaveh is preparing.
As they both sat down at the table with the food Alhaitham realizes that a certain someone might not have a fun time eating.
“Oh, I just remembered, you might not enjoy your food.”
Kaveh looked at him, puzzled.
“What do you mean? I love shakshuka and I prepared it the way I always like it. There shouldn’t be anything wrong with it. Although I’m surprised you want to eat it. You usually don’t like it”
Alhaitham looked at him with serious eyes
“I’m just saying that considering you’re in my body you might have the same textural issues I usually have”
Kaveh ignored Alhaitham’s warning and dug into the food. Soon after taking his first bite Alhaitham didn’t fail to notice the growing look of discomfort on Kaveh’s face as he spat out the food into a napkin Alhaitham gave him. Almost like he knew this would happen.
“Why does it feel like the food is attacking me? Why do I suddenly not like it? It’s my favorite.” He said as he shuddered.
Alhaitham subtlety smiled as he took Kaveh’s plate and started eating. The smile slowly faded as he noticed Kaveh’s eyes fixed on Alhaitham’s wrist… where the brace was.
“Why are you wearing the brace?”
Alhaitham didn’t understand why he looked upset.
“Well, I found it and when I put it on my wrist felt better. I don’t understand why you don’t wear it especially when it actually helps you.”
Kaveh sighed.
“Yes.. I know it helps but… I don’t like the stares and judgement people give me when I wear it”
It was now Alhaitham’s turn to sigh.
“You really shouldn’t let other people deter you from using something that actually helps you”
Kaveh sat there in silence as Alhaitham got up to make a sandwich with sunsettia jam- a safe food that he knows Kaveh would enjoy. As he reached to get the bread he discovers that they are almost out. When he grabbed the jam it was almost out as well. As he looked around he realized that several other things are almost out signaling a need to go to the market today. Going to the market was never his favorite activity. The hustle and bustle of the market is usually overwhelming but needs are needs.
Alhaitham let a long drawn out sigh as he gave Kaveh the finished sandwich. When Alhaitham sat down and ate Kaveh’s breakfast he noticed that despite the food being slightly cold it was still delicious. The spices danced on his tongue in ways it never did in his own body. It was a very pleasant experience to enjoy food without issues. As Kaveh ate the sandwich his expression lightened up. When he finished his sandwich he spoke up.
“Oh yeah, I used up the last of the eggs. It looks like we have to go the market in this state”
Alhaitham hummed in agreement.
As they walked to the market Kaveh asked a very important question.
“Do you remember everything we need to get?”
Alhaitham froze. As he blinked a few times trying to remember he comes up with blanks. Nothing. The more he tries to remember the items the more it eludes him. It feels like he could tell you anything else except the things he needs to remember.
Almost as he could see the wheels turning in Alhaitham’s mind Kaveh laughs as he hands him a piece of paper.
“You’re useless you know? I knew you might forget Because you’re in my body after all. Anyways, here’s a list of what we need”
As they arrived at the market Alhaitham was taken aback by the beauty of the place that usually brought him so much discomfort. The bright and vibrant colors that seem to be everywhere. The smell of the fresh spices from one of the stalls. The children running through the place laughing and playing. The Hustle and bustle of the market he never really enjoyed now seems so magical. However he brought back to reality by the radiating pain that is now coming from his knee.
Alhaitham turned around to look at Kaveh who hasn’t said much since leaving their house. He is currently behind Alhaitham fidgeting with his cape with a look of discomfort on his face. Alhaitham was worried about Kaveh he has never seen him so quiet.
Usually he would be chatting away with one of the women selling fruit, but now… he jumps every time one of the vendors yell out to attract customers. Alhaitham feels almost sorry for him but that thought was cut short as suddenly one the vendors quickly jumped out in front of them trying to get them to buy something. Alhaitham could feel Kaveh get closer behind him trying to make himself small and hide.
After dealing with the vendor the market soon became a blur of colors and pain, his mind slowly becoming sluggish and his ankles ached. Alhaitham became more aware again when Kaveh tugged on his arm sleeves. Alhaitham soon took charge and cleared a path for both of them to the outskirts of the market to sit down. Without thinking he put his arm around Kaveh who suddenly curled up and leaned against him.
“Everything… it’s so loud, just too… much. Is this why you don’t like to go?”
Alhaitham nodded
After they sat there for awhile they decided to leave the market and grabbed food from Lambad’s for later. On their way home Alhaitham was finding it harder and harder to ignore the pain and exhaustion that crept up on him. His back was throbbing in throngs of pain. He found himself drifting away, his hearing going in and out until Kaveh snapped him out of it.
As they finally reached home they both let out a sigh of relief. They both went into Alhaitham’s room where Kaveh then disappeared into a sea of blankets, cocooning himself in comfort and warmth. Alhaitham smiled as he left the room to go to the kitchen.
The smile soon faded as he reached the hallway as suddenly his vision swam. The exhaustion he’s been trying to stave off has suddenly hit him with full force. He staggered into the living room as his colorful world quickly grown dim and started filling up with black spots. Using what seems like the last of his strength to get himself to the couch before it all faded to black.
As Alhaitham awoke he felt like his head was pounding and his shoulders and lower back was aching with pain. When he tried to sit up everything felt so stiff and he felt like he could barely move. His mind was clouded in a haze that the pounding did not help. As he got up and felt his joints pop he found himself walking without thinking, like his body has a programed destination that requires no thoughts.
He found himself opening a cabinet then grabbing something and returning back to the couch. He soon realized what he grabbed was a bottle of some kind of drink when he found it pressed to his lips and drank it. The slight burn of the liquid seemed to somewhat pull him out of his trance. He looked at the bottle he was drinking and realized it was in fact a bottle of wine. He froze as he realized what he has done. Alhaitham unlike Kaveh has rarely drank alcohol and never has been drunk before.
A few minutes later Alhaitham felt a pleasant dizziness that swirled through his mind. His pain has subsided and it’s the best he’s felt since he’s been in Kaveh’s body. He flexed his fingers and found that it didn’t hurt like earlier. Before he knew it the bottle was pressed to his lips and when it left his mouth he noticed that it is now half empty. As more pain went away Alhaitham smiled. This is awesome! He thought. All I have to do is drink more then I’m free from the-
Wait.
An ice cold wave of reality and a sobering thought hit Alhaitham.
This must be why Kaveh drinks so much.
As numbness to the pain started to grow more inside Alhaitham, Kaveh emerged from the bedroom. As he turned to see Kaveh he felt a warm smile grow on his face. Kaveh however, stopped dead in his tracks.
“Alhaitham… are you drunk?”
“I’dunno. I think so? … you are so cute… I-I mean when you are in you. Right now you’re in me.”
Kaveh blushed at Alhaitham’s slurred words. Alhaitham’s eyes widened in a delayed reaction.
“I’m sorry I have no idea why I said that”
Kaveh chuckled
“Drinking can cause you to overshare sometimes. But you don’t have to apologize I… don’t mind the complement.”
Alhaitham then started giggling. He didn’t know what was funny but at this point he didn’t care. The pain seems to all but faded instead he felt a pleasant numbness throughout his body and dizziness in his head. He felt like he could tell Kaveh anything. Trying to chase more of the euphoric feelings, Alhaitham tried to reach for the bottle but his arm felt heavier and clumsier then usual. Kaveh seemed to notice this and grabbed the bottle.
“Whoa there! I think you had enough to drink”
Alhaitham couldn’t stop the tears from falling from his face. He didn’t understand it but he felt like he needed that bottle.
“I wanna feel even better! Why you taking it away? I thought you loved me!”
As Kaveh got up to take the half empty bottle away Alhaitham desperately tried to follow but as he stood up the whole world seemed to sway, forcing him back on the couch. The tears seemed to stream even harder. He has no idea how or why he’s feeling what he’s feeling. The jumbled thoughts and the fuzziness throughout his body is a foreign feeling to him. As he stared up at the ceiling it seemed like it was moving and that fascinated him.
Alhaitham barely noticed Kaveh’s return from the kitchen. He seemed to be holding a glass of water but it took too much effort to confirm that. Alhaitham didn’t feel like drinking water although the very small part of his rational brain functioning is screaming at him to drink water but he quickly ignores the thought. It looked like Kaveh could see Alhaitham trying to think and he sighed as he held out the glass to him.
“Haitham, you should really drink this it’ll make you feel better”
Alhaitham perked up with his head cocked sideways in slight confusion.
“Wait really? I wanna feel good!”
Kaveh nodded with a sly smile that Alhaitham failed to notice. Alhaitham quickly grabbed the glass with a shaky hand and chugged it down. It tasted like water but he was way too invested to ‘feel better’ to care. He let out a sigh as he leaned against Kaveh. The dizziness seemed never-ending but leaning into Kaveh seemed to provide some sort of relief. He smiled lazily as he stared at him. He felt like he needed to tell Kaveh what’s on his mind.
“You know… when you’re in your body.. you’re so pretty? Wait… I’m in your body! Does that mean… I’m pretty?”
Kaveh laughed as he saw the look of drunken confusion on Alhaitham’s face.
“Yeah, you are handsome”
Alhaitham’s cheeks seemed to grow even redder despite them being already red due to the alcohol. As he smiled he dimly noticed that his body began to feel even heavier than before and found it harder to keep his eyes open. It was like a battle that he was on the losing side on. As soon as the battle started it ended, leaving Alhaitham’s world in complete darkness.
Kaveh sighed as he felt Alhaitham slump against him. His even breathing meant he either fell asleep or passed out. He never expected to walk out into the living room to find Alhaitham drunk with a wine bottle in his hand. As he racked his brain for possible reasons as to why he froze as he thought of a probable cause.
He was probably in pain.
His own body’s pain.
He should of helped him. He should of massaged Alhaitham’s shoulders white knee was usually in pain. Kaveh should of helped him like how Alhaitham helped him when everything was too much at the market. Instead he did nothing and his body returned to it’s own habits. He looked at Alhaitham’s sleeping form and tears fell down his face.
“I’m sorry I didn’t help you try to live in my body.”
Thinking of ways to help him Kaveh realized that he should probably carry Alhaitham to his bed instead of leaving him to sleep on the couch. Kaveh knew that that’s probably the whole reason why Alhaitham drank in the first place. Before he picked him up Alhaitham stirred in his drunken sleep. When Kaveh got closer he smelled the pungent stench of wine on Alhaitham’s breath. Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham was able to put up with his drunkenness considering his sensitive scent and hearing.
As he picked Alhaitham up to carry him he noticed that it took less effort than it would if he was in his own body. I guess these muscles aren’t just for show. He thought. With him safely in Kaveh’s arms Alhaitham unconsciously nuzzled into the crook of Kaveh’s neck. He shuttered at the sensation. It felt like tiny pins pricking his skin. He silently wondered if that’s the reason Alhaitham usually shied away from physical contact.
As he gently laid Alhaitham on his side on the bed Kaveh felt tired and decided to lay down next to him. As he felt sleep overtake him he last thought was I truly don’t deserve him.
As Alhaitham woke up he felt… normal. He felt the morning sun on his face. He didn’t feel pain…
Wait…
As he quickly opened his eyes he looked over to see…
Kaveh
In Kaveh’s body.
He let out a sigh of relief. He was finally back in his own body. As he got up he noticed the curtains were open. He closed them so Kaveh would have less pain considering he probably has a hangover from what Alhaitham did last night in his body.
Oh yeah
Last night, yesterday, Alhaitham needs to talk to Kaveh about everything that happened. Almost as if on cue, Kaveh groaned awake, slowly opening his eyes and clutching his head. As he looked at Alhaitham he did a double take then his eyes went wide.
“Wait.. we’re back to normal?”
“Yes, but Kaveh, we have to talk about yesterday”
Kaveh sighed and looked down.
“Yeah, I know.”
Alhaitham reached down next to the bed and grabbed the wrist brace he put there yesterday. He gently grabbed Kaveh’s arm and slowly put the brace on his wrist. Kaveh didn’t say anything but he didn’t refuse the brace either.
“Kaveh, we need to talk. After spending a day in your body, I understand more about you. Your pain is real. I want you to talk to Tighnari about your pain and also your habit to numb the pain with alcohol. It’s not healthy. I’ll go with you to the doctors too. I just want you to feel better.”
Kaveh sat there in silence for a moment, possessing Alhaitham’s words.
“Alhaitham, I understand you more now. I never got to thank you for calming me down yesterday morning and at the market. I never knew that it could be so overwhelming for you. Also I now understand why you usually avoid the market.”
Alhaitham stared at Kaveh’s carmine eyes. The world may not be as colorful and bright as it was through Kaveh’s eyes but staring at them, they are as beautiful as ever. As Alhaitham leaned in and their lips met. Kaveh’s eyes widened but quickly closed as they both reciprocated. It was kind and gentle yet beautiful and magical. As the languid kiss ended they both sat there for awhile in the silence. Kaveh had a look of shock on him but it soon turned into fondness. Alhaitham stood up and held out a hand.
“So, can we visit Tighnari and get you the help and care you need?”
Kaveh formed a small smile and grabbed his hand.
“Yes, let’s go”