✿ *•.¸𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋*•.¸✿ // Alhaitham x (FEM)Reader

✿|I{• 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 •}I|✿

          You awoke in a cold sweat to loud thunder crashing overhead. Suddenly sitting up, you looked outside to see bright flashes of lightning strike the ground. The sound of the thunder booming and heavy rain pouring down in sheets was enough to make you tremble.

You forced yourself to get over this silly fear. Although there was a makeshift roof covering your head, it didn't stop the wind from blowing the cold rain into the cave. No matter how many times you tried to fight it, you couldn't stop the flood of memories flowing through your mind. You were immediately whisked back to your childhood days when you were running for your life amidst a storm much like this.

You had accidentally stumbled upon a few fatui members...and the experience was far from pleasant. After managing to lose them...you realized you had gotten lost yourself. The sound of the thunder that day was permanently seared into your memory, and any loud noises brought you back to that painful day.

You snapped back to the present, and this time your trembling had just gotten worse. Wanting to forget it all, you pulled your knees close to your chest and buried your face into your arms, trying your best to stifle your soft sniffles as tears rolled down your cheeks

This is stupid...it's just rain...

You hugged your knees even tighter, shivering as the chilly wind blew straight through your thin shirt. Unable to sit still any longer, you stood up and were about to start pacing back and forth when you felt a strong pair of arms wrap around you. You quivered as Alhaitham pulled you into a warm, comforting embrace, sheltering you from the bitter rain as the wind grew fiercer.

You knew it was unusual for him to do something like this, but at this moment you were just glad you had someone by your side, unlike that lonely, cold night many years ago. Without another word, you melted into his embrace, tightly hugging him back as he gently patted your back, soothing your worries.

"You will be alright," he quietly assured as more tears fell from your eyes against your will. As the two of you stood in each other's arms, the thunderstorm eventually calmed down outside, turning into a placid shower instead. Your heartbeat slowed after what seemed like an eternity and you finally relaxed, drifting gradually into sleep against Alhaitham's shoulder not long after.

.

.

.

The two of you had woken up the next morning and immediately left for Sumeru city to clear your name. You had been walking for well over half the day and your legs were about to collapse, yet your mind was more preoccupied with something else....Although the memories of last night were still fresh in your mind, Alhaitham hadn't mentioned a word about it.

Did he forget...? No, that's not possible. Then why isn't he saying anything???

You started overthinking, wondering if you had just dreamed everything instead. But it had all been so vivid; the loud thunder, his warm embrace, everything! Your cheeks turned warm as you recalled what had happened.

You stared at Alhaitham's cape as it gently swayed in the wind while he walked in front of you, unable to figure out how to ask him about it. Just as you had finally gathered the courage, Alhaitham stopped and turned to face you.

"We should take a break here," he suggested, looking up at the sky. You were taken aback at the orange-streaked sky, wondering when it had become sunset.

"Oh, there's the same cave we stayed in before!" You quickly pointed forward, recognizing the same fruit tree....and steam that almost drowned you. Shaking off the bad memories, you and Alhaitham made your way over and settled there for the night.