The Vulture and the Paradisaea (Alhaitham x Kaveh)

S1 C8 - Drunken Confessions

Alhaitham sighed as he stood outside of Lambad's Tavern, supporting Kaveh up with one arm. Kaveh's head was rolled forward, and he was drooling from the side of his mouth. "Didn't it occur to either of you to stop him from drinking too much? Our house takes a while to get to."

Cyno and Tighnari both looked sheepish. "Sorry, he didn't look like he was going listen," Tighnari said, then his expression changed into a sad sympathetic one. He exchanged a look with Cyno. "We think he needed this binge Alhaitham. We all know things have been hard for him. He didn't even muster the energy to complain about you." Alhaitham paused.

"I see. Anyways, I have to go get this guy to sleep, see you guys later." Then Alhaitham heaved Kaveh onto his back, turned, and walked away. He wasn't as heavy as Alhaitham thought he would be. Could it be that he wasn't eating as much? Kaveh is doing just fine, don't worry too much. The weight turned out to not be a problem at all, but Kaveh's hair would suddenly block his view, and he would also squeeze the air out of Alhaitham randomly. I should tell him to not binge drink for a while.

It took a while, but they both made it to their house. Alhaitham took Kaveh's keys out of his pocket, unlocked the door, and kicked it wide open with his right leg. He walked into Kaveh's room and tapped the door lightly with his foot. It opened up enough for Alhaitham to walk through. He placed Kaveh on the bed, and Kaveh immediately laid down and started to try sleeping. "Oi, sit up. You can't go to sleep until you change."

Kaveh slowly sat up and rubbed his eyes. He complained in a overly slurred voice, "I'm trying to sleep. What does it matter if I don't wear my night?"

"One, your work clothes will be all wrinkled in the morning, two, it's more comfy when you change out." Alhaitham pulled out a plain white shirt and pants. "Put these on, they seem alright."

"I don't want to. These clothes are just fine." Kaveh crossed his arms and laid back back down. This little- Alhaitham shook his head. Kaveh was so irritating when he was drunk. He was even more stubborn and childish then when he was sober.

"My archon, why are you always so determined to not listen to me? Your determination is admirable, but it's downright annoying when you have to deal with it firsthand. Sit up." Kaveh looked him straight in the eyes and didn't move. "Do you really want me to change you myself?" Kaveh's face filled with terror, and he jolted up.

He shouted, "Don't touch me!" He wrapped his arms around his body like a shield. Tears streamed down his eyes, but Kaveh was too drunk to realize. "You of all people should understand why I'd prefer no one touch me right now. But use it against me to make me listen to you? I don't get you. What happened to the kid I met in the Akademiya? It's like he doesn't exist anymore." Alhaitham winced. Shit. I fucked up.

He wiped Kaveh's tears off with one finger. "I'm sorry, okay? I forgot about... what happened. As for when we were both still studying in the Akademiya, did you ever even think to believe that I've been acting differently for your own good?"

Kaveh's tears continued to drip down his face as he argued, "That doesn't make sense. What good reason do you even have?"

Although he knew that it was better if Kaveh didn't know, Alhaitham couldn't stop himself from confessing, "I meddle, okay? I know you know this. I deal in things I shouldn't. You're hurt, and you're going to continue hurting for a while. It's hard getting back up. It might be impossible for you to go back to normal if what I dealt with comes back to bite me in the ass, by hurting you. I'm trying to protect you."

Kaveh laughed bitterly. "I'm an adult now, Alhaitham. I have the strength to deal with it. Just trust me, would you?"

Alhaitham bit his lip, and whispered, "I don't want you to be hurt because of me."

Kaveh took Alhaitham's hands in his. "Haitham, it's fine. I'm still standing, aren't I? I'll be okay. Just stop pushing me away. I don't need protection now. I needed it before, when he died. But that's in the past, and what happened then made me stronger, strong enough to still stand after all I've been through. Now, I just want my friend back. I just want to be able to have a shoulder to rely on, to be able to vent this to. I'm tired of pretending to be stable and secure, I'm tired of holding this all in." Alhaitham's heart throbbed. At this point, he wasn't sure what would hurt Kaveh more, continuing to ignore him, or getting closer and putting him at risk. If he really insists...

He softly told him, "If that's what you want. You still have to change out though." Kaveh nodded slowly, wiping his tears off. He avoided eye contact while doing this.

"Alright, I'll do it, stop nagging me. I'd prefer to do it without any eyes watching me, okay?"

"M'kay. Night."

Kaveh smiled lightly, the expression making him shine, even with the dark circles under his eyes. "Goodnight, Haitham."

Alhaitham walked out and into his room. He flopped down on his bed. He tried to go to sleep, but his heart was too busy thumping with the fear and anticipation of what was to come.

-Next morning-

Alhaitham walked out of his bedroom and saw Kaveh sitting in the living room, looking over a design with Mehrak. His first instinct told me to ignore him and go on, but he remembered what discussion they had the other night. So Alhaitham walked up behind Kaveh and leaned over to see the design. "Is that your latest project? It's looking pretty good." Kaveh jumped about a foot in the air, and turned to look at Alhaitham. His face was all flushed. Mehrak also turns to look at Alhaitham.

"Alhaitham? My archon, don't do that again. I didn't even hear you sneak up behind me. Fuck, you scared me." Mehrak beeps in agreement.

"Ah, sorry. I'll try not to do it again." Kaveh's face was now a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. He must have forgotten when happened yesterday. Well, it's nice to shock him. His expression almost made Alhaitham smile. He stopped himself though. "I'll be heading out now, just wanted to check in with you before I leave. How bad was your hangover?"

Kaveh continued to stare at him, completely baffled, while stammering, "I-It sucked shit, but I'm over that now. Alhaitham, are you feeling okay?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Kaveh opened his mouth to respond but Alhaitham realized the time and cursed. "Shit, I'm nearly late." He snatched a snack from the table. "Sorry, talk to you when I get back home. See ya later." Alhaitham then walked toward the door, opened it, and walked outside. As soon as he got out, he allowed himself a small smile and tried not to snicker. That was... nice. I missed these times. He hadn't allowed himself to think of those times, but now that he was, he realized how much he missed them. It was so nice to finally talk like that again. Maybe I was wrong. He's not the kid I met in the Akademiya anymore.

Alhaitham was in such good spirits, he couldn't pick up on the fact that someone was watching him from the distance. The blue-eyed stranger simply stared at him, while a wicked grin slowly spread across their face. Things were taking a turn.