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“Let’s say, the plan does fail tomorrow and the world ends: is there anything you’d regret?”
Alhaitham can’t help but chuckle at the ridiculous question. A day ago, every citizen of Sumeru had been evacuated to the desert, escaping the impending danger happening with Irminsul. At some point, it had been decided that the best course of action was to use the retired Akasha Terminals and combine it with Deshret’s Aaru to reconnect with Irminsul and restore order. As a top scholar from the Akademiya, Alhaitham had been assigned as head of the project alongside Kaveh. After hours of grueling work, Alhaitham was finished with his work and decided to take a break on the rooftop of the Mausoleum. Book in hand, he stood by the edge of the roof, overlooking the desert as he began to read the book he brought with him. He was only able to get a few pages in before Kaveh appeared by his side, striking up a conversation with him to discuss the state of the world.
While Alhaitham had wanted to spend the rest of the night with some peace and quiet, Kaveh’s presence isn’t unwelcomed. He’s a familiar face, and they may not always see eye to eye, but their conversations flow easily. As far as companions go, Kaveh isn’t the worst option.
Besides, Kaveh is nervous, filling the silence with random chatter as a way to blow off steam. Even though Kaveh would never admit it, Alhaitham can tell that he’s seeking comfort from him, and who is he to deny that? They have been talking for nearly an hour now, admiring the night sky and the raging sandstorms of the desert as they do so.
He’s not sure how they got to these ridiculous questions. At first, their discussion was about their project, and then they began to reminisce about the past. Now, it’s just question after question, Kaveh nervously bouncing on his feet as he says whatever is on his mind.
“I’m not answering that,” Alhaitham replies.
“C’mon, just entertain me for a moment here. There has to be something you regret!”
“You think I’d tell you that?”
“Well, I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours!”
“No need, I already know your regrets.”
“Oh, really?” Kaveh lifts an eyebrow as he turns to face Alhaitham. “And what would that be?”
“Too many to name.”
An adorable pink flush spreads across Kaveh’s face as he grits his teeth. “You—! You make it so hard to be cordial, you know that?”
Alhaitham chuckles, his heart fluttering as he admires Kaveh’s flushed face for a moment. “I’m simply stating the truth. That’s just the kind of person you are, Kaveh. You carry a lot of weight on your shoulders, it’s only natural that you’d have regrets.”
“Whatever.” Kaveh huffs, turning away from Alhaitham. “I don’t want to argue anymore tonight.”
“That makes two of us.”
The conversation comes to a halt, neither of them knowing where to go from here. Despite the pause, the silence shared between them is comforting. That’s one of the things he likes about Kaveh. Even if they get into arguments all the time, the moments where they are not are some of the most peaceful moments he has. Alhaitham studies Kaveh, watching him as he kicks a stray pebble around.
“We’ve been standing around for a bit, haven’t we?” Kaveh suddenly asks. “Let’s lie down and give our legs a break. Wait here, I have a blanket we can sit on.”
Kaveh runs off towards the center, grabbing a bag behind a pillar before running back.
“You brought your sleeping bag up here?” Alhaitham asks as Kaveh rummages through his belongings.
“Well, yeah, I plan to sleep out here tonight. You get such a wonderful view of the night sky.”
“I’ve noticed.” Alhaitham gazes up at the stars for a moment. “It’s also quiet up here.”
“It’s kinda like Razan Garden if you think about it! This place isn’t as pretty, but you get a nice view of the sky, can see the world from a distance, and not a lot of people are around,” Kaveh rambles as he sets the blanket on the ground. He sits down, patting the empty space beside him as he shoots Alhaitham a radiant smile. “Come sit down with me, I promise it’s comfortable!”
Alhaitham accepts the invite, sitting next to Kaveh as he continues to dig around his bag. As he waits for Kaveh to retrieve his belongings, he pulls out his book and begins to read, continuing where he had last left off before Kaveh had approached him.
“I have some snacks if you’re hungry. Here.” Kaveh passes him a Zaytun Peach. “This is yours for whenever.”
“Thank you,” Alhaitham replies as he sets down the fruit beside him.
“Let me know if you need anything else. My offer still stands from before, you know. I can whip up something on the stove. Just ask.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“But I want to!” Kaveh pouts. “It’s my job as your senior to look out for you!”
“You have such a funny view of the world.” Alhaitham muses, turning the page of his book as he reads on.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You said the same thing earlier when we were working on the Chessboard. How you need to ‘look out’ for me because I’m your junior.”
“Well yeah, it’s part of my responsibility, you know? It’s the job of a senior to take care of his junior in all matters!”
Alhaitham slams his book shut. “Do you feel responsible for me all the time?”
Kaveh’s face turns red as he chews on his Zaytun Peach. He mutters incoherent words, refusing to look Alhaitham in the eye as he continues to eat.
“Look who is avoiding answering questions now.”
“I’m not avoiding the question!” Kaveh snaps. “Of course I feel responsible for you all the time! What good am I as your senior if I don’t do that?! You already act more like a senior than I do, with how you take me into your home when I’m in debt and pay for all my drinks when I can’t afford to. I just want you to know that I can take care of you too and I’m not some useless freeloading senior taking advantage of his junior!”
A chuckle ripples out of Alhaitham as he lies down on the blanket. “Isn’t it time you let go of this silly notion of seniority? You don’t have to look out for me because I’m your junior or to prove yourself to me or anybody in that matter. I certainly don’t look after you because of that.”
“Then why do you look after me?”
Because I care about you. Alhaitham thinks. Because you’re important to me, and I want you to be happy. Because I love you, and I want you to feel loved.
These are all the things he wants to tell Kaveh, but he can’t bring himself to say any of it. Affectionate words are already hard for him, but stating something as vulnerable as his true feelings for Kaveh is an entirely different beast itself. Although their relationship has improved since they started living together, Alhaitham doesn’t believe they’re at a stage where he can reveal this without damaging their already fragile relationship. He considers his words, thinking about how he can convey the same feeling without revealing too much about his undying affection for Kaveh.
“Because we’re friends,” Alhaitham states.
Kaveh’s eyes fill with joy as he smiles. “I’m glad you’re grasping the concept of friendship now.”
“Then you should understand you don’t have to feel responsible for me. Friends look out for each other, do they not?”
“Yeah, they do. Okay, I get it now.” Kaveh lies down beside Alhaitham. “I shouldn’t feel guilty when you look after me.”
“You should also be more accepting of help.”
“Alright, alright, stop lecturing me.” Kaveh waves him off. “I just want to lie down and look at the sky. It’s beautiful isn’t it? Even somebody who is as artistically stunted as you should be able to admit that.”
Alhaitham’s eyes tear off Kaveh as he too observes the stars. “Yes, they are quite beautiful on a clear night like this.”
“Remember when we were still in school and we’d spend all night lying on our backs outside my house looking at the stars?
“I remember.”
He remembers that time as if it just happened the other day. All those long nights they spent in Kaveh’s backyard, huddling together inside their shared tent for warmth. Their hands would intertwine as Kaveh leaned into him, pointing out all the constellations in the night sky and Alhaitham would fall asleep to the sound of Kaveh’s voice rattling off about the countless myths and legends of the stars. Those were some of the happiest nights of Alhaitham’s life. He would be lying if he said he didn’t miss those days, but he chooses to not dwell on the past. After all, he’s with Kaveh under those very same stars now, isn’t he? Who is to say they can’t create more memories like that?
“Then you probably remember the constellations I told you about, right?”
“Not as well.”
“Let’s test that,” Kaveh takes Alhaitham’s hand before pointing at a constellation. “What’s this one called?”
Alhaitham narrows in on the shape of the constellation. It resembles a fox curling in on itself and staring at the world below as if it is observing them carefully. He recalls the name Kaveh had called it when they were younger, telling him stories of the Tighnarians that once lived in the desert.
“Vulpes Zerda.” Alhaitham answers.
“Wow, you actually got it. Okay, how about this one?”
Alhaitham’s gaze follows where Kaveh is pointing, landing on a formation in the shape of a bird. Its wings are spread out, as if the bird is ascending towards the heavens. His lips quirk upwards as he recognizes this constellation.
“I know this one. It’s your favorite. Paradisaea: the bird of paradise associated with the Huma bird said to bestow good fortune to those that catch a glimpse of it.”
“Yeah, that’s the very one. I can’t believe you remember that.”
“It just stuck out to me in my memory, that’s all.”
“Still, I’m impressed. Especially since you remember it being my favorite.”
“I also recall you telling me that you used to seek this specific constellation out whenever you felt down because the sight of it is enough to make you feel better. Is that still true?”
“Yes, that is true.”
“Are you seeking it out right now because you’re nervous about tomorrow?”
Kaveh awkwardly chuckles. “You caught me. I am seeking comfort from the stars again because I can’t get my mind off of it. You probably think it’s pathetic, don’t you?”
“On the contrary. It’s natural to seek comfort when you feel down. Everyone does it.”
“Even you?”
“Of course, I take comfort in the fact that I did all I can to prevent tragedy. The rest is out of my control.”
“Yeah, I remember you saying that earlier, but is that really enough? I mean, you’re not even a little worried or nervous?”
“Perhaps not for you, but for me it is.”
“I see,” Kaveh sighs. “We really are entirely different people.”
“But that’s what makes us ‘us.’ We wouldn’t work the way we do if we were more alike.”
Kaveh’s lips quirk up into a smile. “Indeed. Maybe we’d actually go through longer periods without fighting if that were the case.”
“Arguments are also a part of who we are. It wouldn’t be the same otherwise.”
Kaveh looks at Alhaitham like he said something wrong. His eyes narrow as he raises an eyebrow, giving him a doubtful look before snorting and rolling eyes.
“Are you looking for an argument right now?”
“No, I just want to relax and enjoy the rest of my night.”
Kaveh’s hand squeezes Alhaitham’s as he turns to look up at the stars. “You’re right. Let’s just enjoy this beautiful night and all the stars it offers.”
Lying side by side with their hands clasped together as they admire the vast night sky, Alhaitham finds himself at peace. He looks over to Kaveh, studying the pink flush on his face and the sparkle in his eyes as he shares his radiant smile with the heavens above.
It’s odd to think that this could be the last time he ever gets to see that smile. He cherishes that smile, committing it to memory every chance he gets. Now that the end of the world is upon them, he wishes he could’ve seen it more. There are a lot of things he wished he could’ve done with Kaveh. If their time is cut short, he won’t ever get to fully fix his relationship with Kaveh, or tell him how he really feels. Worse yet, he won’t ever get to experience a life he can share with Kaveh, the kind of life that only lovers can have. They won’t ever get to be intimate, or even marry someday.
If this is really the end, is this really what he wants? To die without ever having said anything?
Alhaitham sighs heavily. It seems like Kaveh’s nerves are starting to rub off on him. How annoying, now all his thoughts are plagued with hypothetical ‘what ifs’ he doesn’t even want to consider. What was meant to be something peaceful, now has his heart pounding as he looks at Kaveh.
It’s nice to have Kaveh by his side. He wants to share more moments like this with him. And even if they survive tomorrow, there is still a chance they won’t ever get to have a moment as peaceful as this. Isn't it a waste of his life? Waiting for a moment that may never come? What if now is the time to come forward with his feelings? As he sees it, he has everything to lose if he doesn’t say something now.
With his newfound resolve, Alhaitham takes a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before professing the feelings he has kept at bay for so long.
“…my biggest regret would be you.”
Kaveh’s smile falters, turning his head toward Alhaitham as he looks at him in confusion. “What did you say?”
“You asked if I would have any regrets if we failed. That would be my regret.”
“Why would I be your biggest regret?”
Alhaitham’s hand squeezes Kaveh’s. “Because I could die without ever having told you how I felt.”
For a moment, Kaveh just stares at him in shock, a small gasp escaping his lips. His eyes sparkle in ways Alhaitham has never seen before, a myriad of emotions swirling within them. Joy, confusion, fear and uncertainty are all present, exposing everything Kaveh feels. The pink flush on his cheeks have turned into a bright shade of red, further revealing the feelings he’s struggling to respond to.
Then, Kaveh begins to laugh. It’s an awkward laugh, the kind of laugh he has when he’s trying to play off something he’s unsure about.
“And what would those feelings be?”
Alhaitham swallows down the lump forming in his throat as he brings Kaveh’s hand up to his lips. He offers Kaveh a smile as he kisses the back of his hand. Kaveh’s eyes tear off of Alhaitham as he fights back a smile.
“I see.” Kaveh answers before clearing his throat. “Well, I share the same sentiment. I would also regret it if we died tomorrow and I never said anything.”
“You do?”
Kaveh nods. “I mean, I’m not anywhere close to feeling ready to talk about it, but I know if it’s all going to end tomorrow, then I think I’d want to at least spend some of my last moments letting you know the truth.”
“It’s funny how that works. When the end is looming above our heads, we feel pressured to get things done. Suddenly, every excuse we had before feels insignificant.”
“You’re not wrong,” Kaveh chuckles. It’s the first normal laugh he’s had since the start of the conversation. He turns his body towards Alhaitham, his expression turning shy as they lock eyes. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
“What?”
Kaveh places his hand on Alhaitham’s chest. “If it really is the end, I think I would want to do more than tell you how I feel.”
He inches closer to Alhaitham, his line of sight falling down to his lips for a split second before returning to meet his gaze. Alhaitham’s heart beats erratically as their faces draw closer. He takes Kaveh by the waist, holding him close as they slowly close the distance between.
Their lips are just a few inches apart when Kaveh suddenly stops, shyly looking at Alhaitham as he asks, “Would you… want more too?”
Yes. Alhaitham thinks before leaning in, bridging that final gap between them. Kaveh’s lips are soft and warm, providing him with a similar feeling coffee does in the morning. He can still taste the fruit Kaveh had been eating on his tongue. Out of all the scenarios he imagined kissing Kaveh, he never imagined that they would share their first kiss like this. It’s better than anything he could have imagined. He melts into the kiss, savoring every part of Kaveh’s lips as he tightens his hold on Kaveh’s hips.
A needy whine escapes Kaveh’s lips, and it’s music to his ears. He could listen to that sound all day if he could. Kaveh’s hand runs over his biceps, digging his nails into his arm as if he’s afraid of what will happen if he lets go. Alhaitham is too. Unsure if any of this is real, he clings to Kaveh, drinking up his presence as much as he can as if he could wake up from a dream at any moment.
They only break their kiss to catch their breaths, foreheads pressed together as they remain close. Alhaitham runs his hand through Kaveh’s hair, squeezing their joined hands before releasing a blissful sigh.
“If we make it out of this alive, are we going to pretend this never happened?” Kaveh asks.
“No, but if you’re not ready to talk it over, it doesn’t have to mean anything right now,” Alhaitham assures him. “Just having you right now is more than enough.”
Kaveh nods. “Okay, I can live with that.”
“But promise me that we will talk about it eventually.”
“Of course,” Kaveh assures him. “Once this is over, we can talk about it.”
“Can we do that again?” Alhaitham asks.
“We sure can.” Kaveh laughs, nodding enthusiastically before leaning into him.
Their lips meet to share another heated kiss, moaning into each other as they desperately cling onto one another. Kaveh’s hands roam all over Alhaitham as Alhaitham’s hands run through his hair. Their kisses are needy and desperate, full of yearning and all the unspoken words they have yet to share between them. The longer they kiss, the hotter Alhaitham’s body gets. Every inch of his skin feels like it's been lit on fire, and everywhere they touch courses through his body like electricity. He moans into Kaveh’s mouth, digging his nails into his skin as he drags his mouth down Kaveh’s neck. As he sucks on a particular spot on his collarbone, he is rewarded by a string of needy whines, Kaveh’s hips grinding against him in search of more friction.
“Alhaitham,” Kaveh moans as his fingers card through his silver locks. “If you continue to work me up like this we might go all the way.”
“Is that something you want?” Alhaitham asks, peering into his eyes as he kisses the mark he had just left on Kaveh.
Kaveh nods. “If we die tomorrow, I want to have done everything I could with you.”
“And if we live?”
“Then I would want to do this again.” He cups Alhaitham’s face, guiding his eyes to look in his direction as he offers Alhaitham a sweet smile. “I know this isn’t the best of circumstances to be doing this, but, I really want to spend tonight with you.”
“As do I,” Alhaitham replies as he leans in to give Kaveh a sweet kiss on the lips. “We’re in agreement, then? No regrets?”
The corner of Kaveh’s eyes crinkle as he smiles sweetly. “How could I ever regret this? It’s you.”
The kiss they share this time is more languid. They take their time taking their lips apart and drawing out moans. Kaveh’s touch has also softened, his fingers grazing across Alhaitham’s arms as he slowly begins to wrap his arms around his neck. They grind into each other, their moans drowning out the silence of the desert.
Alhaitham runs his hand down Kaveh’s body, committing every inch of his skin to memory. He feels soft underneath his fingertips, and Kaveh shudders whenever his fingers run across a particularly sensitive spot. Diving his hand underneath the opening of Kaveh’s shirt, he pinches the nub of his nipple. This earns him a whimper, Kaveh’s nails digging into him as he refuses to part from Alhaitham.
He can’t help but smile as he continues to toy with Kaveh’s nipples, sliding Kaveh’s shirt down his shoulders until his chest is fully exposed. Kaveh bites Alhaitham’s lip in protest, too aroused to voice it. When their lips finally part, a trail of saliva continues to connect their lips as if they are truly connected.
Taking a moment to admire Kaveh under the moonlight, Alhaitham notices how his pupils have been blown wide open. This up close, he resembles a cat when it stares at catnip, ready to pounce and devour in a trance-like state. If somebody held up a mirror to Alhaitham, he probably would look the same. He certainly feels the same, with his cock straining against his pants fighting to be released and take what it’s been aching for all along. He wants to devour Kaveh, consume his entire being until they are one.
“How do you want to do it?” Alhaitham asks as his fingers trail down Kaveh’s stomach, pulling down Kaveh’s pants in one go.
Kaveh takes hold of Alhaitham’s shoulders and flips himself on his back. From this angle, Kaveh’s hair splays across the blanket, resembling the rays of the sun.
“I want to look at you while you’re inside me,” Kaveh says as he cups Alhaitham’s face. “And I want the stars to serve as a backdrop.”
Alhaitham can’t help but chuckle at the request. It’s the most Kaveh-like answer. Ever the romantic, he chooses the position that not only allows him to look at Alhaitham but also have a beautiful look at the sky. And this position is perfect for Alhaitham as well, for he gets to admire Kaveh’s face up close as he makes love to him.
He peppers kisses down Kaveh’s body, pausing at Kaveh’s chest to give extra attention to his nipples. He runs his tongue across the erect nub, drawing out moans from Kaveh. Then, he takes the nub between his teeth and grinds into him, flickering his eyes up to watch Kaveh’s head tilt back. Using his free hand to play with the other nipple, he begins to suck, drawing out a series of high-pitched whines from Kaveh.
“Fuck,” Kaveh moans out as he arches his back. “Stop teasing me already.”
Alhaitham chuckles as he lets go of his nipple, giving it a wet kiss before continuing to trail his lips down his body. When he finally reaches the waistband of Kaveh’s boxers, he presses a kiss on the fabric before taking it between his teeth. Without breaking eye contact, he drags it all down, setting Kaveh’s cock free.
His heart beats in excitement as he grabs hold of Kaveh’s thighs, pushing them apart before swinging them over his shoulders. He leans into the inside of his thigh, kissing it thoroughly before whispering against it, “Do you have lube?”
“Yes,” Kaveh reaches behind to grab something from his bag, pressing the bottle into Alhaitham’s hands. “Use this.”
“I’ll take care of you,” Alhaitham promises as he uncaps the bottle and begins to coat his fingers in lube. “Just like I always have. Just tell me if it hurts, okay?”
Kaveh nods as he stares intently, watching as Alhaitham presses his finger against the rim. He circles around the entrance for a moment, giving Kaveh a moment to adjust to the feeling before pushing his finger inside. Kaveh winces from the intrusion but otherwise remains unresponsive, keeping his eye on Alhaitham as he slowly pushes his finger in.
“Are you okay?” Alhaitham asks.
“Keep going.”
He begins to thrust his finger, moving in and out at a steady pace. Kaveh’s breath hitches as he adjusts to the feeling.
“More,” Kaveh begs. “Add another finger.”
Alhaitham does as he’s told, inserting another finger inside. This time, Kaveh throws his head back and moans, his chest heaving as he looks at Alhaitham with lust.
“Another,” he demands. “I can take it.”
“Are you sure—
“I can take it!” Kaveh insists.
He inserts the third finger, earning him a moan as he begins to thrust his fingers at a faster pace than before. Each time he inserts his fingers again, he hits another spot, searching for a specific spot—
“Alhaitham!” Kaveh calls out as his eyes roll back into his head. “There!”
A smirk forms on Alhaitham’s lips as he hits the spot over and over again, drawing out cries of pleasures from Kaveh. He studies Kaveh’s face, soaking up every reaction he manages to form as he continues to thrust.
“This feels so good,” Kaveh whimpers. “Please give me more.” He places a hand on his stomach as he gives Alhaitham a lop-sided smile. “I want to feel you inside of me.”
The look in Kaveh’s eyes is enough to sway Alhaitham, immediately taking his fingers out, to pull his pants down in a hurried fashion. His hands shake as he covers his cock in lube, heart beating erratically at the prospect of finally being inside Kaveh. He adjusts their position, letting Kaveh hook his legs around his hips as he leans down to Kaveh.
“Ready?” Alhaitham asks.
Kaveh wraps his arms around Alhaitham’s neck and nods. “Whenever you are.”
Looking into each other’s eyes, he aligns his cock against Kaveh’s hole. He has thought about this moment for so long, it feels like a dream. Part of him wonders if he really is dreaming. Maybe he fell asleep while admiring the stars with Kaveh and the real him is snuggled up against his senior as he dreams about this. Or maybe, he fell asleep long before any of this, and he’s inside curled up in his sleeping bag dreaming about what could have been.
Whatever the scenario, none of that matters the moment his cock enters Kaveh’s hole because he instantly knows that this is all real. His tight walls envelope Alhaitham completely, the warmth immediately hitting his brain. He feels like he’s ascended to heaven. It takes everything within himself to not cum right then and there from how ethereal it all feels.
As he pushes inside, he knocks their foreheads together, breathing in his floral scent. This up close, he can see everything Kaveh is looking at through the reflection of his eyes. And what a beautiful sight it is. His own reflection is in Kaveh, with the brightest stars in the night sky surrounding him. But even more beautiful is the love and care in Kaveh’s eyes.
Has Kaveh always looked at Alhaitham like this? Committing it to memory isn’t enough, he wishes he could take a picture and frame this expression so he can hang it on the wall of their house. He wants to be able to admire it all the time, and most of all, he wants to be reminded that this is how Kaveh looks at him when their feelings are out in the open. Just pure unadulterated love, the kind of love Alhaitham has waited years for love and is now his for the taking. He hopes he looks at Kaveh in the same way, that he too can tell just how deep his affections are. He wants Kaveh to know that he loves and cares for him more than anything, and his desires run deeper than the trenches at the bottom of the ocean.
When he bottoms out, the two breathe into each other, their chests heaving as they adjust to the feeling. Kaveh cups Alhaitham’s face and stares at him as if searching for something within his eyes. Then, before Alhaitham can even ask how he’s feeling, Kaveh surges forward, crashing his lips against his in their most desperate kiss yet.
Alhaitham takes this as his sign to start moving, thrusting in and out as they make out. Their kisses are sloppy, but just as passionate as before, moaning into each other as they both lose themselves to pleasure. If this is how it feels to become one with the person you love, then Alhaitham wants to stay inside forever.
He thrusts hard and deep, reaching as far into Kaveh as he can. Kaveh’s free hand scratches against Alhaitham’s back, burying so deep into his skin, he can feel it break skin. All of his senses are on overdrive, and he can feel everything at once. From the cold air of the night mixed with the warmth of Kaveh’s body, to distant sound of wind mixed with Kaveh’s cries of pleasure, Alhaitham finds himself feeling everything at once.
It’s overwhelming, but Alhaitham wouldn’t have it any other way. As they continue to make love, his hands roam down to Kaveh’s neglected cock. He wraps his hand around the base of it, pumping it to the rhythm of his thrusts.
Kaveh whimpers against his lips, silently warning that he is close. Alhaitham himself feels like he is on the edge, ready to paint Kaveh’s walls at any moment. After another few pumps, Kaveh cums all over his stomach, whining against Alhaitham’s lips as he does. And as for Alhaitham, all it takes is another whimper from Kaveh, his hand sliding down to graze the gem on his chest before he too is cumming inside of Kaveh. He nearly sees white as he orgasms, moaning out Kaveh’s name before hugging him tight.
They finally break their kiss to catch their breaths, Alhaitham’s head resting against Kaveh’s shoulder as he does so. Kaveh hugs him back, squeezing him as tight as he can as if he could slip right through his fingers.
“Alhaitham,” Kaveh breathes out in between pants as he runs his through Alhaitham’s hair. “Alhaitham, I—“
“Was I good?” Alhaitham asks. “Did I satisfy you?”
Kaveh laughs weakly, kissing the top of his head. “Yes, you were good.”
“You don’t regret this?”
“Never.” Kaveh assured him. He lifts Alhaitham’s chin up so that they can gaze into each other’s eyes. There is a sweet but tired smile on Kaveh’s face, his eyes sparkling just as bright as the stars that form Paradisaea. “You were perfect.”
Alhaitham buries his nose into Kaveh’s neck, smiling to himself as the call of sleep beckons him. His eyes flutter shut as he relaxes, breathing Kaveh’s scent.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep just yet,” Kaveh shakes his shoulder. “You need to pull out of me.”
“I’m not falling asleep,” he denies.
“Uh-huh, pull out first.”
“But you’re so warm, and the night is so cold.” Alhaitham pouts as he nuzzles against Kaveh.
“Ugh, you’re impossible and I can’t believe your junior charm still works on me,” Kaveh mutters. “Fine. Just… pull out before you sleep, please.”
“Of course,” Alhaitham kisses the side of Kaveh’s neck. He tilts his head up and leans forward, capturing Kaveh’s lips in a sweet kiss. “But I was thinking about going again once we both have a little more energy.”
Kaveh’s face reddens as he averts his eyes, a smile forming on his face as he quietly answers, “I wouldn’t mind.”
Under the stars of the Sumeru desert, they make love again and again, as if this truly is their last night together.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Alhaitham wakes up right as the sun begins to rise above the horizon. After staring at the sky for a few minutes as he waits for his brain to catch up to the rest of his body, he sits up, and yawns, stretching his arms out as he looks over the empty spot beside him. Looking around for Kaveh, he finds him standing a few feet away, watching the sunrise wearing nothing but a blanket around his body. The rays of the early morning sun reflect off Kaveh’s hair, making its golden shine brighter than ever before. He’s so radiant, Alhaitham’s heart flutters at the mere sight of him. As he continues to admire Kaveh, he can’t help but roam his eyes all over the marks on his body, a reminder of the passionate night they spent together. Alhaitham likely has a few of his own as well. The idea of heading down and everyone discovering the mysterious marks on their bodies already fills him with elation. He wonders what their friends will say.
Finally, most likely. He is well aware of the fact that their friends have been waiting for them to get together for some time now. While they still have to talk things over completely, their relationship is already set in stone. Their feelings are out in the open, and once this is all over, Alhaitham looks forward to making it official.
Since it’s already dawn, the time they have left alone is limited. Alhaitham should take advantage of the time he’s got left to spend with Kaveh before they start up with their plan to save Sumeru. He pushes himself off the ground, grabbing hold of his own blanket as he approaches Kaveh.
“Morning,” Kaveh greets as soon as he spots Alhaitham. “How’d you sleep last night?”
“Surprisingly well considering those blankets provide little back support,” Alhaitham answers.
“Aw, you’re lucky then.” Kaveh groans as he reaches behind himself. “I think I’m too old to be sleeping anywhere without a little cushion.”
“And yet you’re the one that decided to sleep under the stars,” Alhaitham chuckles.
“Hey, I thought it was a great idea! It’s not my fault that my brain hasn’t caught up to my aging body, yet.” Kaveh frowns.
“You’re only thirty. That’s still relatively young,” Alhaitham points out.
“Watch out, you’re gonna be turning thirty in two years. Don’t complain to me when you start having back problems too.”
“Mmm, considering the fact that I work out more than you do, I may have saved myself from that fate for a few more years.”
Kaveh rolls his eyes. “Are you hungry? I can make us breakfast. And I brought some coffee beans with me so I can whip that up for you too.”
“Not yet,” Alhaitham replies as he fixes his gaze on the glowing red and pink hues of the horizon. “After the sun rises.”
“Of course, be my guest. This may as well be our last sunrise for all we know.”
They stand together in silence, watching the sunrise. Alhaitham has watched many sunrises before, but something about this one is unique. If it weren’t for the large Irminsul tree, it would look like any other sunrise. Despite the mark of their looming threat’s presence, it’s peaceful, like the calm before a storm. Alhaitham reaches out and takes Kaveh by the hand.
“Are you still nervous?” Alhaitham asks.
“A little.”
“How so?”
“I just really want our plan to work,” Kaveh answers. “There’s so much at stake, but more than anything, I want to save our homeland.”
“We’ve done all we can,” Alhaitham assures him. “Have faith in the fact that you did your part in saving Sumeru.”
“Thanks… for everything.”
Alhaitham turns to Kaveh. “What?”
“Thank— wait, you’re trying to make me say it thrice, aren't you?”
He shrugs in response, but he’s pretty sure the smile on his face gives him away anyway. Kaveh huffs, rolling his eyes but moving closer to Alhaitham all the same. He rests his head on his shoulder, nuzzling against him as he sighs.
“Sunrise is almost over,” Kaveh states.
“Indeed.”
“And we have a long day ahead of us.”
“As it always is when it comes to saving the day.”
“I know you said you wanted to eat after the sun rises, but can we… stay like this a little longer?”
Alhaitham smiles, nuzzling his head against Kaveh’s as he squeezes his hand. They may have a long day full of uncertainties ahead of them, but one thing is for sure: for a brief moment in time amidst all this chaos, they were able to seek comfort. Alhaitham hopes that when it’s all over, they will still have each other.
“Of course.”