Chapter Text
SEVEN
Kavetham (Kaveh x Alhaitham)
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"Huff, and… here I am."
Kaveh stretches up his body after such a long walk. He cracked his neck to feel more relief before finally looking at the gate of Sumeru City. He's a changed man now, more mature and wiser, definitely not so different but a better one. No longer has a binding debt, has a proper place to live in his current main town. Smiling to himself, Kaveh shrugged and walked forward.
Yeah, he's finally ready… to face the past.
Sumeru in seven years seems not to have so much to change. At least, the front gate. Kaveh confidently took a huge risk by not telling his closest friends about his sudden arrival. They still keep in touch by exchanging letters to each other, so eventually they would welcome him unconditionally, right? Very optimistic of him.
Kaveh reminisced the moment when he visited Gandharva Ville as his first destination. What a coincidence that Cyno was also there to pay a regular visit for Collei and Tighnari. Much to be expected, all three of them were surprised to see Kaveh in the flesh without any prior notice. Collei even jumped and hugged Kaveh excitedly, it was understandable for her when another person she acknowledged as family finally returned. Cyno and Tighnari just smiled in relief to see how Kaveh is in a good condition and not much has changed since the last time they met.
They decided to take a lunch break and share any stories while eating, just like how they used to be. Kaveh was enjoying his Sumeru cuisine thoroughly when Cyno pops out the statement, "You should have brought Haitham here. Kind of missing how you guys argue over the dinner table like old times." Cyno chuckled lightly until Tighnari nudged his elbow to stop.
Kaveh swallowed the rest of his food, "Hm? I haven't met him. I intend to go to the city last." Didn't notice this answer make the others freeze, Kaveh silently thinking before he snorted, "Well, I might go to visit his house before finding a hotel though. It shouldn't hurt." Mumbling more to himself while reminded by a tall figure who always brings a book in his hand.
Right.
Alhaitham.
Maybe Cyno is only one of those people that Kaveh allowed to remind him of his… ex-boyfriend. After all, they already know how the last break up was not that pretty and thought they should be made up by now. Four of them are still close friends, colleagues, and alumni of the same academy above everything. Kaveh can't let his personal feelings become a burden and obstacle for their relationship particularly including Cyno and Tighnari. He might be disappointed with his ex, but that doesn't mean he would cut him off entirely.
They can still be friends, right?
Especially after Kaveh sent an apology letter and got a reply right after his moving to Fontaine. They might not send each other messages that much since their special relationship ended, but wasn't it enough to prove that now their relationship has become normal friends and no grudge needed? Both he and Haitham are supposed to be adults in this matter.
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"If you really want to go, just go. It's not like I could change your mind."
"Great. Don't worry. Since you don't want anything to do with me, then I'll make sure I move my stuff faster!"
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Still, it would be awkward to see Haitham face to face immediately after such a crash out. Kaveh would never admit the reason why he needed to see Cyno and Tighnari first was to calm himself down and prepare the real task ahead. He also expected that his friends would ask about Alhaitham, they were almost inseparable in those times after all.
Kaveh was still chewing his food too long for his own good. Cyno raises an eyebrow, "But, has he decided to tell you?"
This time, Kaveh looked up with a similar expression, "Tell me what?"
"Well, you guys–"
"G-General!" Collei suddenly cut him quickly. When all eyes are on her, she panics and looks down as she searches for other words. Kaveh saw her in confusion and before he could ask, Collei lifted up her empty plate, "C-Can I add more rice, please?" she added, referring to the bucket of rice beside Cyno.
At first, Cyno didn't seem to buy anything and just took her plate. Tighnari clears his throat in the midst of it, "Nothing important. You will meet him eventually." He concluded the obvious plan and stared at Kaveh full of meaning. However, Kaveh can't help but stop wondering when Tighnari brings another menu on the table, "I just bought a good wine, it doesn't hurt to drink a little. Join us?"
#
After that ambiguous conversation, Kaveh accepted the offer and they drank until night. Now that he remembered everything, Kaveh almost forgot about that part, what was that about? Something that Haitham decided to tell him? Well, nothing strange or suspicious in their last messages so it shouldn't be some big news or something. Alhaitham has to be in a better condition too and face no problem without him around. All is good. All is… perfect.
It is?
"…No. You can't back off now."
Kaveh slapped his own face several times to ease the fear that was almost forgotten since he strode over the borderline. He thought he already got over this, only a few steps ahead to Haitham's house and suddenly he wanted to retreat.
"Haitham wrote in the letters that he already forgave me and… and… and I forgive him! Yeah! We're basically back to square one now, just like how we used to before, not a big deal. The past stayed in the past! Let's move on!"
Kaveh kept chanting to himself, assuring there's nothing to dwell about. Just greet politely, sit on the couch, talk a bit, permit yourself because it's late, and get out! It's so easy being a guest, right? Unless it's your ex house where you also lived before, but still–no, Alhaitham is not the kind of person who holds a grudge. He might even forget everything that happened seven years ago. Kaveh stopped his feet as he realized.
That's right.
How did Alhaitham go through his heat in these seven years?
That summer night was the beginning of their new pages. Alhaitham came out as Omega and Kaveh was the first person to know. An information that Kaveh was bound to know as his housemate. Kaveh remembers vividly that he was confused, as an older Alpha he should know his place, he needs to get out of the house as soon as possible. He can't endanger their relationship nor Alhaitham, regardless of the feelings that he had harbored to his junior for years.
However, a hand tugged at his white shirt silently…
"Aren't you going to help me?"
…then everything blurred.
Kaveh closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He let everything out as he wiped his face to change his expression calmly. He saw the bag of coffee beans from Fontaine as gifts, wondering if maybe they can enjoy coffee together again? Who knows.
Feeling a bit relaxed, Kaveh walked towards the last turn to the path that he knew so well. He saw the sight of the terrace he used to see everyday at last. He began to ponder… what does Alhaitham look like now? Will he be surprised? Will he be happy? Will he be sad? Or… will he be disgusted? The last one will be the most unlikely, yet he can imagine it immediately. Kaveh cursed his insecurity whenever it came to surrounding his own junior in academy days.
Now he stood up right in front of the door. At very least, Cyno and Tighnari already make sure Alhaitham still lives here. They also respect Kaveh's decision to not tell Alhaitham about his arrival so he can look forward to Alhaitham's surprised face. One last saliva swallowed to regain his straight face before knocking the door.
There is no answer. Kaveh knocked once more then he stopped when he heard a voice inside. Like someone just coming out from the room and walking towards the front door. The steps were calm and fearless, even though it's rare to have guests at this hour. Kaveh contemplates the possibility that Alhaitham is now used for having visitors at night. Maybe… there's actually someone else… his new lover or… well… anything could occur in seven years.
Whatever. It's not his business anymore.
Kaveh almost choked the moment that door finally opened wide with Alhaitham already wearing his black tight neck-turtle shirt as usual. He… didn't change at all. That wavy greenish-gray hair, green pupils with red teal, pale white skin, and perfect muscular body behind the fabric. Alhaitham's eyes widened, he seemed genuinely surprised to the point his lips apart without any sound coming out. His hand is still holding the door's handle while the gap between their bodies disappears slowly as the intense feelings grow.
"…Kaveh?"
Snapped from his daydream, Kaveh began to stutter, "H-Hey, Haitham." He will curse himself later for looking so pathetic and awkward, "Long time no see! How have you been?" he asked while waving his hand clumsily.
Alhaitham didn't reply for a second. His lips only tightened a bit and when he wanted to say something, another voice came right behind him.
"Who's coming, dad?"
Kaveh blinked in confusion. Wait, did he hear wrong? A child's voice? His gaze moved to Alhaitham's face that changed a bit puzzled, but still won't say anything. Alhaitham looked down before he turned around and it also gives Kaveh a full view inside the house.
Kaveh was right, Alhaitham is no longer living by himself. The child that turns out to be a little boy is still rubbing his eyes sleepily. When he finished, he looked up to his… daddy who is supposed to be Alhaitham, then to Kaveh that was still standing outside. He tilted his head, showing the cautiousness to someone he had never seen before. He gets closer just to reach Alhaitham's pants and tug it as if asking, "Who is this man?" without taking his eyes off Kaveh.
This boy… he has blond-greyish hair and sheepishly sharp red eyes. Some attributes that are intriguingly familiar. As if no genetics test were needed. Kaveh knew he can't always be shocked by everything after seven years gone from Sumeru and yet…
Why… this child looking so much like him?
As Kaveh's hand raises to point out, Alhaitham looks away quietly, "Is that–"
Kaveh loosely lets go of the bag from his hands until everything is scattered on the ground. Unwanted memories that were supposed to be blurred in the past are now slowly returned, wiping out all the mist he created. The last scene before he and Alhaitham go separate ways were on repeat like a broken cassette.
"…I don't have anything else to tell you."
The last sentence kept echoing like a punishment of idiocy. Alhaitham is always good at lying. And Kaveh is always so easy to believe. What could be a worst consequence for two people that choose to ignore the depth of action they choose just for a greater good to each counterpart in the surface level?
Kaveh intended to surprise Alhaitham with his unnoticed arrival.
However, it turns out… what exactly happens is the other way around.