genshin oneshots (mlm)

Late

Kaveh's POV

It was mid afternoon and I still hadn't caught sight of Alhaitham. He'd been gone all day, from morning till now— obviously.

Where is he?

I kept thinking through previous conversations Haitham and I had had in the past day to try and remember if he'd said anything about being busy at the academia, but nothing came up. I was starting to worry.

I'd been at home all alone all day without anything to do and no one to talk to, and still no idea where Alhaitham was.

As acting grand sage he always had lots of work to do but do you really think he did it? What a joke! Alhaitham was a very bright and strong willed man. He was incredibly closed minded but also rather open minded too.

However when it came to his work, he was never in his office. As I've learned.

I sighed and laid my head on the table. I didn't have the energy to go out and find him, but I needed him to come home. Do I wait? Do I go find him?

As my thoughts swirled I felt myself slip into sleep a couple times. All I could do was hope he came home some point tonight.

I put my arms on the table and crossed them so I could lay my head down comfortably. I hadn't taken off anything of my every day wear, including the bright feather in my hair that Alhaitham gave me as a gift a long while ago.

Before I could recount any other thoughts I had fallen asleep in the dimly lit dining room of Alhaitham and I's shared flat. All that was on my mind was hoping he'd be home soon.

Alhaitham's POV

It'd been a long day of me seeing to townsfolk and making my rounds around the jungles and forests out of boredom. Anything to not be working.

I hadn't realised I'd been gone all day until the sun began to set behind the large trees and the forest lit up with a bright orange hue.

I hated to admit it but I missed Kaveh. Sure, he was an overzealous blonde and wasn't the brightest at times— decision wise, but he was...warm? I guess. And he was always lively when I was more mellow. He probably doesn't know it but he helps my energy recharge a lot of the time.

I sighed in frustration. How could I just leave him all alone? nonetheless all day. I felt guilty. But at least now I can go home and see him.

If he wasn't angry with me, that is.

I wasn't too far from the city if I remembered correctly so I backtracked my steps along the dirt path through Mawtiyima Forest till I got back to the Palace of Alcazarzaray. From here I can cross the river to Sumeru city.

Much easier said than done, though. The water was rough and usually swarming with spinocrocodiles. But it's tolerable, as long as you make the jump from shore to shore. If you disturb the water the crocodiles will get restless.

Kaveh and I's flat was closer to the academia so I wouldn't have to walk far, as he said. However, that means you have to walk through the entire city to reach it. So in all honesty it's redundant. But it was the thought that counted.

The streets were barren and dimly lit by street lamps that littered the stone paths. I guess everyone had already gone home. Honestly that only made me feel worse.

I picked up a run and tried to get up the paths as fast as I could without tripping on the crevices and vines. Thankfully I succeeded and was able to pull out Kaveh's keys from my pocket and unlock the door. Yes, they were Kaveh's. They had his lion keychain on them.

I quietly entered the flat and shut the door behind me, locking it back. Before I could call out for Kaveh I saw his bright blonde hair glowing softly in our dim lighting in the room. A small chuckle escaped my throat.

Had he fallen asleep waiting for me?

I quietly made my way over to the sleeping blonde and took my cloak off, draping it over his body so he was covered by something to keep warm.

I was hungry, but I was exhausted above anything else. I went upstairs to where our room was and took off the pieces I wore to protect and close my ears. Sometimes I sleep with them on, but usually when it's just Kaveh and I home my sensitive ears can handle just his voice. If anything, I appreciate his voice.

I unwrapped the teal cord from around my body and tucked them into my nightstand drawer, kicking my boots part way under my bed before looking towards the doorway.

Fuck it.

I walked back downstairs and over to Kaveh, lifting him into my arms before shifting him on my left arm so my right was free and he was against my chest, his head on my shoulder. 

Using my free hand I turned off the lamps downstairs and walked upstairs to our room once more but this time with the sleeping Kaveh in my arms. He was surprisingly light. For me, anyway.

I laid him on his bed carefully and removed his shoes, taking the feather from behind his ear as well and setting it on his bedside table. I left my cloak on him rather than tucking him in. I didn't want to risk waking him.

I planted a small peck on Kaveh's cheek and went to my own bed, flopping onto it with a sigh and staring at the ceiling. Pretty soon I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

However, what felt like a few hours later I was awoken by weight on my chest. I sleepily opened one of my eyes and saw a familiar blonde head right where the green gem on my chest was.

"Kaveh..?" I asked, quietly. Barely awake.

I got no response, but he did shift slightly.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to sleep. Quit moving, Haitham."

He had a sleepy tone but was still incredibly sassy. I snickered as he forced his weight and head down and made me lay flat again. My cloak was still on him, or rather both of us now.

"I'm sorry,"

"What for?"

He tilted his head up to look at me, his eyes big and sleepy.

"Coming home late. I didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"Alhaitham..."

"Hmm?"

"Shut up."

I laughed softly and wrapped my arms around the blonde on top of me, a small smile on my face as I could feel Kaveh's body relax. He was falling back asleep.

Typically in this situation I'd move Kaveh back to his bed. But in light of this evening I decided to just let him stay.

And I had to admit, I wish I let him do this more often.