Once is More Than Enough

Chapter 8

Kaveh walks faster as he hears Alhaitham laugh behind him, smiling at the noise. Ignoring the topic of the conversation they just had, it wasn't often for either of them to laugh when talking to each other, especially Alhaitham. Kaveh could probably count on both hands how many times Alhaitham had laughed because of him, and on one hand when it was a genuine laugh instead of his usual sarcastic laugh when they were arguing. He walks past a shop and seeing the redness on his face, he tries to stop thinking about Alhaitham's laugh and starts singing the Sumeru Anthem in his head all the way home.

He heads to his room, his lungs feeling lighter than it's felt in months. "Could it be that Alhaitham was hinting that he likes me again?" He thinks. He remembers when he found out that Alhaitham had liked him. At that time, Kaveh was dating a girl, this was a bit before he realized he was gay, but had never imagined THE Alhaitham would like him. Kaveh had thought Alhaitham was the straightest guy he had ever met and that his type would be a smart pretty girl who's organized and had her life together. Nothing like him. Imagine his surprise when right before Alhaitham's surgery, he told Kaveh that he liked him and walked into the operation room before he could respond. That was his biggest regret. Not stopping Alhaitham back then.

Kaveh opens his window, letting some fresh air in as he digs through his closet drawer for his diary. He freezes as he looks at his diary, noticing it is in a different spot than before. "There's no way Alhaitham searched through his room? Right? But that would explain how he knew about the Hanahaki disease. But then he would also know he is the cause of this.

"ALHAITHAM!" Kaveh shouted, running out of his room towards Alhaitham's room. "Did you go through my room. Don't lie."

Alhaitham looks up in surprise at the sudden noise before processing what Kaveh is asking. Realizing Kaveh probably already knew, Alhaitham didn't bother lying. "Yes, I did. I apologize but I was desperate and you weren't telling me anything."

"How much did you read...?"

"Only the entry where you learnt about the disease. I wouldn't snoop through your stuff. You seem anxious, are you ok?"

Kaveh visibly relaxes. "I'm fine. I'm fine. Sorry for bothering you." He leaves, thanking whichever archon stopped Alhaitham from even accidentally looking at any other entry. If he were to have accidentally seen, he would've thought Kaveh was crazily obsessed with him. He heads back to his room, putting his diary in another spot. A while later, Alhaitham knocks on his door. 

"Do you want to go out and eat dinner with me? It's about time for dinner," Alhaitham asks. 

Kaveh looks at him in surprise. Not that he hates it but Alhaitham has been treating him a lot nicer. Still dense and only academically smart but more patient and less stressed. And asking him to eat dinner with him? Outside? That's new. But he's not going to complain and reject this opportunity. "Only if you're paying?"

"Of course, I'm paying. You couldn't pay even if you wanted to," Alhaitham joked. "Lambad's Tavern?" 

"Shut up. Alright. Let's go." Kaveh gets up and follows Alhaitham toward the front door, putting on his shoes. 

They don't talk on the short walk there but it wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, it was probably the most relaxed Kaveh has felt in weeks. He's able to breath properly and hasn't had a coughing fit the entire day. They quickly get settled down at a table as a waiter comes to give them their menus.

"What do you want to eat? Shawarma Wrap?" Alhaitham asks.

"Huh? Yeah."

"Do you want the Sabz Meat Stew too? Seems like something you'd like."

"Oh yeah, sure. I do like it. Just remember, you're paying."

"I know, I know. Do you want anything else?"

"Nah, that's enough."

Alhaitham nods and raises him hand to signal to the waiter that they were ready to order. "I'll get the Biryani and the Fish With Cream Sauce. He'll have the Shawarma Wrap and Sabz Meat Stew. Thanks."

When the waiter leaves, Kaveh turns back to Alhaitham, smirking. "Seems like you pay more attention to me than I thought."

Alhaitham shrugs. "I'm observant. It's a good skill to have." He leans back in his chair and looks at Kaveh before someone catches his eye. He tilts his head to see past Kaveh and sees Nahida with her eyes widened, frantically gesturing him to go to her. Alhaitham sighs and gets up.

"I'm going to go to the washroom," he says to Kaveh. As soon as he sees Kaveh nod in acknowledgement, he heads towards Nahida, hiding behind a plant near the washroom.

"What's going on?"

Nahida looks around before whispering, "This is the last loop for Kaveh. I can't give you any more time. Circumstances have changed and everyone's life energy is running low. Fast. The Akademiya almost has enough energy for whatever they're planning."

"What? But you told me at least two more loops."

"I know, I know, but I can't. Either you save Kaveh this loop, or that's it. I need you to find the host starting the next loop or else everyone else dies."

Alhaitham shakes his head. "No, you promised me. Please. Give me at least one more loop."

"I can't, Alhaitham. I have to think about the entirety of Sumeru."

"You can't. Without me, you won't be able to do anything anyways. Either I save Kaveh first and then help you or you find someone else. I'm not doing this without ensuring that Kaveh will be alive when the loop breaks." Alhaitham looks towards Kaveh and sees the waiter placing the food on their table. "If you'll excuse me, Kaveh is waiting for me." Without another word, Alhaitham walks back and sits down, smiling at Kaveh.

"Hey, you took a while, the food's already here. Were you taking a shit?" Kaveh wiggles his eyebrows at Alhaitham.

Alhaitham scoffs as he takes his food. "Don't be ridiculous, someone called me."

"Oh, about work?"

"Yeah, but it's fine. Eat." He puts the wrap in front of Kaveh and gestures for him to eat. Alhaitham looks at the time and startles when he realizes it's already 8:30 P.M. He usually sleeps at around 11 so he's not sure when the loop restarts but he has less time than he wishes. "Let's talk after this. I need to tell you something." 

Kaveh looks up from his food, wiping his mouth before replying. "Sure. I think I have something to tell you too."

They resume eating in silence, listening to the clink of their spoons and the background chatter of the few other customers still in the restaurant. They quickly finish eating and pay before heading out, back home. Alhaitham looks up at the sky, which has turned into a mix of pink and orange, the moon already visible on one side, the sun still visible on the other. "The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" Alhaitham says, looking at Kaveh, to see him also staring at the sky.

Kaveh chuckles, "Didn't know you liked these kind of things. But it is. It's exceptionally beautiful today." 

They walk the short distance to their house, Alhaitham reaching for his keys as they near the front door. He inserts the key in the lock and opens the door, holding it open for Kaveh to head in first. "Should we talk now?" Kaveh asks as he heads inside, taking a seat on the couch.

Alhaitham nods, closing the door behind him and opening the lights before joining Kaveh on the couch. "Please let me finish talking before you say anything." 

Kaveh nods, indicating that Alhaitham should start.

"I know that there is someone you like but I also know that they don't like you back, hence your disease." Alhaitham sees Kaveh opening his mouth and quickly interrupts him. "Let me finish. I know they don't like you back but I hope you can let me be a person who'll like you back." Alhaitham pauses for a second. "Romantically. In case I wasn't clear." Alhaitham stares at Kaveh, hoping he can convey his sincere feelings, awaiting Kaveh's response. His heart starts to sink as he sees Kaveh start to frown, or maybe it was a wince, before quickly getting up.