Affection Points || Alhaitham x Kaveh

Chapter 3: 2600 = Kaveh

If it weren't for the foreign clothing Alhaitham recognized as fontainian, Alhaitham would've greeted the woman with Kaveh's name. She stood out in the streets of Sumeru City, her carmine eyes darting around with a sense of familiarity and fondness. She was pretty, but Kaveh was prettier in Alhaitham's opinion. Alhaitham found her by Kaveh's family home, the one he impulsively sold to complete that darn palace. A palace that wasn't even for himself.

Alhaitham didn't mean to eavesdrop, he was passing by when he heard the woman knock on the door and ask for Kaveh.

"Kaveh? Ah, you must be talking about the former owner of this house." The homeowner said, "He sold this place ages ago."

Alhaitham studied the shocked expression on the woman's face. It was the same expression Kaveh made whenever Alhaitham did anything he considered "nice" or was particularly offended. But the woman looked visibly older than Kaveh. If Alhaitham had to guess he would guess that she was in her fifties. He briefly wondered if that was what Kaveh would look like when he got older as well.

Fontainian clothes...Kaveh lookalike...

Alhaitham concluded the woman was most likely Kaveh's mother. He waited until the woman and homeowner stop making small talk to approach Kaveh's mother.

"Good afternoon." Alhaitham started.

She stared at him for a moment, "Hm? Good afternoon to you as well! Oh, this is actually great timing, have you seen a middle aged man, around twenty three and looks like me. His name is Kaveh, he's my son but I never told him I was visiting so..."

Like mother, like son, huh.

"Ahem..." Alhaitham interrupted before she could continue any longer. "I actually live with your son. If you need proof—"

"REALLY? You live with Kaveh?! The archons must be looking out for me today. Please, lead the way!"

Really? She's just going to believe me? ...Is this where Kaveh gets his gullible ways from?

Regardless, Alhaitham showed Kaveh's mother the way to his home. She kept her chit chat, leading to Alhaitham learning many things. He would've zoned her out if not for the little mentions of Kaveh as a child. It was amusing to think about the stories she told: Kaveh sneaking in his first blueprint into her work, his interest in arts and his first sketchbook, how he would cry when he was hungry and how she would have to comfort him, etc. Lots of material for Alhaitham to remember and haunt Kaveh with. On the subject of Kaveh, Alhaitham occasionally commented on things or asked questions. He also learned her name: Faranak. The rest of the stuff Alhaitham didn't care to hear.

It was almost terrifying how much Faranak reminded Alhaitham of Kaveh, both because of her appearance and her little habits.

Finally, they arrived in front of the house. Alhaitham unlocked the door and Faranak made a comment about the tiger key that Alhaitham had "accidentally" taken. It was no surprise that she called it cute.

How would she react if I told her I found her son cuter?

Alhaitham took off his shoes and stepped aside to let Faranak in.

Kaveh was organizing the bookshelf. The pretty blonde looked over at him, Alhaitham found it slightly frustrating how he was looking over him. His gaze lingering on top of his head rather than at him. Kaveh has been doing that a lot recently. Alhaitham didn't like it.

Kaveh's gaze shone fully on his mother, he made that adorable shocked face of his, and uttered a single word.

"Mom?"

The two practically flew into each other's arms, Alhaitham could even see tears in Faranak's eyes. Seeing the two almost made Alhaitham miss his grandma. Almost. Alhaitham decided he should give the two some alone time, they should go out to eat for lunch. But most importantly, he needed to make a good impression on his future mother in law.