crimson teal // kavetham

5/5

"...What?" To say Kaveh was in shock was an understatement.

"Do I have to say it a third time?" 

Kaveh just stared. He stared for a good few minutes before blinking and breaking the ice, "In love? Or just a-"

Alhaitham cuts him off with a sigh, "In love."

Kaveh doesn't think he's ever been left so speechless before, he swallowed audibly before darting his eyes down to the blankets, "I- I should go," He rarely stuttered, his mind going into overdrive as he reached blindly for his clothes.

Alhaitham held no protest. He watched the other quietly, looking away out of respect as he got dressed. He felt displaced, awkward even. Alhaitham didn't necessarily feel like he had a pit in his stomach, more just a feeling of 'I'm okay now but I'll definitely break down later.'

There was a silence between them as they went downstairs. This wasn't an awkward silence, this wasn't a hateful or regretful silence, it was just pure quietness. The crickets were extra loud that night as Kaveh stepped outside, sparing a glance back at Alhaitham.

The look in his eyes struck something within Alhaitham, taking his last look of such a vulnerable Kaveh. The blonde walked over the road, where his car was parked, slamming the door before driving off without a second to spare.

Alhaitham sighed, locking the door.

That was the first time he had cried himself to sleep in a while.

The tears didn't stop coming, he felt like a fool - but he couldn't help speaking his mind when the time felt right, and telling Kaveh his feelings in that moment is what felt right. The contrast of his warm tears on his cold skin made him feel sticky, Alhaitham cried all of his feelings off and then went to the bathroom to wash his face.

Despite his efforts, Collei could immediately tell something was off the next morning.

"Dad? What's wrong?" She frowned, Alhaitham tying her laces for her.

He shook his head, "Nothing, don't you worry."

She wasn't convinced, Collei frowned further, "Tell me."

Alhaitham stood back up, brushing his shirt off with his hands, "Where'd you get this insistence from?"

"Sigewinne." She shrugged, crossing her arms, "Go on."

He chuckled, putting his coat on as he opened the front door, "Just adult problems, nothing for you to worry about."

Collei fell silent, she was quiet until she had buckled herself in the back seat of the car and until Alhaitham had settled into the drivers seat, "Promise?"

"I promise."

To say Alhaitham was scared to see Kaveh was an understatement, he could only hope Kaveh would take the same initiative from the other times he avoided Alhaitham and not show his face at the gates.

And so of course, the one time he wanted that behavior, he didn't get it.

Alhaitham felt his heart fall to his stomach as Jean and Kaveh approached him and Collei when they got out of the car, Jean holding her signature smile whilst Kaveh looked uncomfortable.

"Alhaitham! Collei did amazing on last weeks quiz!" Jean announced, holding a piece of paper in her hand, "She earned the highest grade in her class." She showed him the paper.

Alhaitham smiled, looking at Collei, "Good work!"

Jean smiled, "Kaveh told me all about how you took his advice and helped Collei with her grammar, it's rare for parents to listen to feedback so we thank you gratefully," She turned to Kaveh, egging him on like an overbearing mother, "Isn't that right?"