Stolen Enchantment

Forgetful Appreciation

"Maybe I aaaaaam, heh, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm wrong."

He danced the keys in between his fingers, they chimed together lightly. Alhaitham watched with sharp eyes as he began to slowly approach as if he might scare a timid animal. Kaveh slowly backed up, giggling in his drunken state. Stumbling over his two feet clumsily, it would be so easy to just jump over and snatch them away.

But he wouldn't want Kaveh to begin throwing a fit, or doing something reckless. With one quick step, he moved forward, his hand swerving into Kaveh. But as he attempted to take the keys back he could feel his hand being gripped back through the inclines of his fingers. As a surprise, he shifted his weight. Forcing Kaveh to fall back into the wall, Alhaitham quickly reached his arm back and cupped his head to insure he wouldn't get hurt.

"Kaveh you should–"

His soft tone was interrupted suddenly by the gentle skin brushing up against the back of his wrist. Kaveh dragged his hand away from his head and down to the side of his face, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment.

Soft pink blush filled his cheeks from the alcohol, he smiled blissfully as his hands moved atop Alhaitham's, whose breath hitched suddenly at the gesture. He didn't move but could feel the cold silver of metal in between their hands that collided together earlier.

"Kaveh."

"Haitham?"

His sluggish tone was sweet and colorful, his bright red eyes dancing like rubies in the moon's shimmering light. The look he gave Alhaitham was passionate and welcoming, he slowly turned his head to Alhaitham's hand. Nearly brushing his lips against his palm before he hastily pulled away out of respect for Kaveh's future realization.

A moment of peaceful quiet of staring until he quickly turned his head away, his lips tensed awkwardly as he scratched the back of his neck. Their hands still entangled in one another's, he began to slowly let go, dragging the keys with him. Kaveh almost fought back, but eventually let go as his eyes wavered down.

Alhaitham instantly caught his toppling body, carefully leading him back to the front where he put the keys in to enter. By the time he pushed the door open Kaveh was already patrolling around the house, his staggered walk nearly led to a bloody nose as he went right instead of left. Alhaitham drew a silent alarm,

"Your room is the other–gods, not like you'd listen anyway."

Alhaitham groaned before continuing his follow behind Kaveh, he arrived at his room. Just peeking in he was already passed out on his bed, not even the blankets covered his feet. Was he so drunk? Alhaitham pressed his index finger to his temple before approaching, he was already overstimulated enough to the point where he felt no need to attempt at carrying Kaveh back.

Instead, he leaned over and carefully eased the blankets over his body, his hand unconsciously moved over Kaveh's skin and pulled back the strain of hair covering one of his eyes behind his ear. He couldn't help but feel startled by his advances, but at that same moment, he couldn't help but do so. Kaveh's features shined so beautifully in the moon's light, Alhaitham dragged the back of his hand down Kaveh's face before letting off.

As he moved to exit the room, he couldn't help but look back and smile. He could admit that tonight was one to remember. Kaveh somehow managed to settle the stir in Alhaitham's chest, giving him the comfortable warmth of the sun in his daily life. Although Kaveh was sleeping, unable to hear around him. Alhaitham still decided to ease the gratitude burning in his heart,

"Thank you."

The next morning arrived abruptly with a loud knock at the door, it was quick and fearful. After about 10 seconds of this consistent bother, Kaveh had been suppressing the responsibility to get up and answer it for the sake of more sleep. A minute or so passed, and sighing in relief his eyes slowly fluttered shut before that maddening sound returned. Although this time it followed someone's frantic shout.

"Alhaitham?! Are you here this morning? I have an important report to be noticed!"

The woman's voice was soft and sweet, but at that Kaveh felt even more of an urge to get up out of bed. Dragging a single hand down his forehead, hastily throwing the door open. By the reaction of the woman, he must've appeared unsightly as her eyes widened in concern. Her voice skipped a sentence as she hurriedly handed Kaveh over a document.

"The Light of Kshahrewar? What is it—ahem. Excuse my rude banter, the Lantern Rite Festival is being hosted tomorrow. Assuming that the Scribe is not here, I can ensure that you'll pass the message down to him? Ah, I nearly forgot, here's the paper involing the details."

She scurried off without another word, Kaveh simply shrugged and closed the door behind him as he scaled the top of the document. It overlooked the generally details and dates, he was intitially interested from the start. Unfortunately last year's Rite Festival he had missed due to a few contracts he was meant to finish up. He had actually been hoping to go this year, as it oficially starts tomorrow on the 6th.

He figured that Javve would understand his absence for the Rite Festival, after all he wouldn't be surprised if the man had gone to it himself! Kaveh began to ready himself for the trip, packing important clothes and what not. It wouldn't be very long, but he wanted to enjoy his stay in Liyue.

At one point he scurried off into Alhaitham's room, originally assuming it was his only to realize. Embarassment washed over his face, the night before and recalling what had happened was a blur. His actions couldn't have been so terrible, he decided not to dwell on the matter too much.