HaiKaveh Week 2023

Days 4 & 5: Reunited/Touch Starved

Many things happened following the rescue of the dendro archon, leaving Alhaitham swamped with work to the point where he could barely keep his eyes open each night once returning home; however, one such night, it appeared that going straight to bed was not in the cards for him. The gray-haired scribe opened the door to see none other than his blonde husband pacing back and forth in their living room only for the other man to stop, hand on his hip as soon as Alhaitham had made it all the way inside and closed the door behind him. When had he gotten back from the desert?

"Are you out of your mind?!" Kaveh demanded to know. Okay so this couldn't wait till the morning then.

"Perhaps. Though not to the point where it hinders my ability to do my job," Alhaitham responded flippantly. Yes, a lot had happened, but he was fine. Sumeru was safe. The archon was rescued, and Sumeru had been rid of the Fatui for the time being. What exactly was the issue?

"I leave for one month, one measly month, to study architecture in the desert, and I come back to find out that my husband went up against both the Fatui and corrupted Akademiya officials? Do you have any idea how-" Kaveh's voice lacked its usual bite by the end, instead he faltered before continuing, "how worried I was, Haitham? Fucking hell. Could it not have waited till I got back?" Tears began to well up in pale ruby eyes, and that alarmed the scribe. As much of a flair for dramatics his husband may have, he rarely cried. At the sight of the other man beginning to break down, Alhaitham made his way over to him and wrapped his arms protectively around him.

"Kaveh," the scribe's voice was low and soft, a tone few had ever heard from him, "It was a time sensitive matter. Had we not made the move when we did, everyone would have been in much greater danger. I'm sorry for worrying you, but I'm not sorry for what I did." It was the most honest apology he could give the other man, even if it hadn't been exactly what the blonde wanted to hear. True to his stubborn nature, Kaveh pulled back to wipe his own tears, frustration still clear in his expression, but Alhaitham stopped him, gently wiping the evidence of his lover's distress from his face before pressing gentle kisses on each cheek and pressing his forehead to the other man's.

"I'm still mad at you, you know. You could have made me a widow at this young of an age. You dumbass," the blonde said, though his voice was soft and raw as he came down from his panic attack, his breath still unsteady. In response, the scribe took a couple of deep breaths while holding the other man close until eventually the architect began mimicking his slow, calm breathing pattern. Only once he was sure the other man had calmed down enough to continue their conversation did Alhaitham speak again.

"I missed you too, you know," he said with a small smile, "You're capable and strong on your own, but it always worries me a bit as well when you travel for long periods of time like that."

"You could have come with me, you know? You ended up going to the desert anyways," Kaveh pointed out with a small pout, "And don't think buttering me up with compliments will get you out of trouble." At that, Alhaitham frowned before grasping the blonde's chin and lifting his gaze to meet his own.

"I do not give empty compliments, Kaveh. You should know this by now," he said, before pressing a firm kiss to his lover's plush lips. The kiss was eagerly returned as soft hands moved up to cradle his face, and that is when the pieces began to fall into place for the scribe.

This was more than just missing his presence. Kaveh had clearly missed their connection, the gentle touches that reminded each other that they were a team, that they weren't alone. A month may not sound like a long time to most, but to a pair that had been together since their student days, the time felt much more oppressive. Alhaitham had felt that same need too, but in the interest of Sumeru and their archon, he had pushed the thoughts back. As long as the mission had succeeded, not only would he be more free to research as he saw fit, but Kaveh would be safer as well.

That was his truest motivation for completing that mission, but that was never something he would say out loud. Instead, he would portray his feelings as he usually did: tender kisses in the dark and protecting his lover in his own way, without fanfare. That night, Alhaitham made sure his feelings were pressed deeply into his husband's skin kiss by kiss and touch by tender touch. By the morning, there would be no confusion in Kaveh's mind where his priorities lie. Alhaitham would make sure of it.