It's Always Been You (Haikaveh/Kavetham)

It's Always Been You

Normally, Alhaitham enjoys the walk back to his house, especially on a beautiful day in Sumeru City like today. The sun is out with barely any clouds in the sky, a light breeze keeps the residents refreshed, and colourful flowers bloom in every street. Instead, he's trying to outpace a short, blond Amurta student who's following him around.

"It's really not necessary for you to accompany me all the way home, Vishan. I'm sure you have better things to do." Alhaitham says, pinching the bridge of his nose, cape swishing around him as he takes several long strides to get ahead.

The student speeds up, undeterred, with a huge smile filled with adoration. "Oh, no, Grand Sage, this is the very least I can do after you saved my life!"

That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think? I mean, sure if those Treasure Hoarders had the right person, they could've messed up your face a little and robbed you, but they wouldn't have gone as far as to kill you. Also, someone clearly lied to you when they said you'd find a special type of flaming flower in those ruins-Alhaitham thinks but doesn't say. He has enough tact and social skills at this point from dealing with a constant onslaught of questions from Akademiya scholars. On top of that, they don't understand that he is only the Acting Grand Sage for the time being (and has no desire to officially take up that title). This is seemingly another one of those instances where he will most likely have to deal with Vishan's hope that Alhaitham will fund one of his projects or offer him some wise advice.

Surprisingly, Vishan hasn't said much and has simply chosen to walk with Alhaitham with a childish skip and a smile that's making Alhaitham more and more uncomfortable. It's the same look he's seen several drunkards give Kaveh when they're trying to bed him, and he doesn't like that one bit. Not because it's Kaveh of course that they're shamelessly flirting with, but because they always grow a little violent if Kaveh politely declines them and that sets Alhaitham off. Again, not because it's his roommate! Just human decency and consent. That's all there is to it.

Shaking his thoughts away from his roommate (and bane of his existence), Alhaitham focuses again on the road ahead, eager to bid goodbye to this random student he pretty much picked off from the road. What he doesn't expect, however, is for Vishan to follow him inside when Alhaitham unlocks his door before he can even react. Alhaitham's nose flares up with irritation, considering Vishan is a stranger and didn't even ask for permission.

But before Alhaitham can say anything, he hears an angry yell coming from the kitchen. "Alhaitham! You took my key again, I couldn't go outside and buy any shoarma for the wraps you wan-oh, who's this?" Kaveh enters the living room, gesticulating wildly, blonde hair tied up in a loose bun. He's dressed in a more casual version of his daily wear, ostentatious red cape nowhere in sight. He stops at the sight of the young student who oddly looks a lot like him. Vishan is much shorter with slightly darker hair, darker skin, and lighter eyes than Kaveh, but the resemblance is there. Kaveh's crimson eyes narrow in confusion and he crosses his arms.

Alhaitham sighs and puts Kaveh's key and his own on the hook next to their front door. "This is Vishan, and he was just leaving."

The student in question now has a frown on his face and doesn't leave at that clear dismissal, but politely introduces himself. "Master Kaveh, nice to meet you." He puts a hand out and Kaveh gingerly shakes it. Kaveh isn't surprised that Vishan knows who he is by face alone, he's been photographed often for his works and, most recently, for being a prospective Kshahrewar Sage. Not that Kaveh would ever willingly go for something as mind-numbingly boring as the management and desk work Alhaitham has to deal with.

"Right, uhm. Nice to meet you too." He phrases that as more of a question rather than a genuine pleasure. "Is everything alright?" Kaveh asks, finally taking note of how dishevelled Alhaitham looks. He'd normally yell at Alhaitham for tracking dirt in the house, but something about Alhaitham's appearance makes him refrain from doing so.