Infuriating :: KAVETHAM/HAIKAVEH

25

Kaveh's POV

It had been a few days since the confrontation with Aziz at the Akademiya, and things had finally started to settle down. Alhaitham was feeling better, though I could tell he was still carrying the weight of that encounter. He didn't talk about it much, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw clenched every time someone mentioned work.

We needed a break—a real one. But before we could even think about getting away, there were errands to run. The Akademiya had been sending me non-stop requests for architectural revisions, and I was low on supplies. So, I decided to head to the Grand Bazaar to stock up on materials and maybe pick up something nice for dinner while I was at it. Alhaitham, as expected, opted to stay home and read.

The Bazaar was as lively as ever, bustling with people and vendors hawking their wares. The bright awnings overhead provided some relief from the Sumeru sun, and the air was filled with the rich scent of spices and fresh fruits. It was a comforting place—familiar, busy, full of life. The kind of place where you could lose yourself in the crowd, forget about your troubles for a while.

Or at least, that's what I hoped for.

I was halfway through haggling with a merchant over some high-quality paper when I felt a strange chill run down my spine. It was the kind of feeling you get when someone's watching you—someone who doesn't have good intentions.

I turned, casually glancing around, and that's when I saw him.

Aziz.

He was standing with a group of his friends, his nose still in a cast, the bruising around it fading into a sickly yellow. I couldn't help the surge of satisfaction that welled up in me at the sight of him looking worse for wear. But that satisfaction quickly turned to irritation when I noticed how he was whispering to his friends, glancing in my direction with that same smug grin he'd worn at the Akademiya.

They weren't even being subtle about it. Aziz was clearly talking about me, his friends laughing and throwing glances my way as if this was all some big joke. My first instinct was to ignore him. Let him think whatever he wanted—I had more important things to do than get dragged into another confrontation. But then, he laughed—loudly, obnoxiously—and it echoed in the marketplace, drawing the attention of a few curious onlookers.

That laugh. It was like nails on a chalkboard, grating against my nerves. I couldn't just let it slide, could I? No. Not after everything he'd put Alhaitham through.

I clenched my jaw, took a deep breath, and walked over to them, forcing a pleasant smile onto my face. Aziz's eyes widened slightly when he saw me approaching, but he quickly masked his surprise, straightening up and trying to look tough.

"Kaveh," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "What brings you here? Running errands like a good little architect?"

I ignored the comment, closing the distance between us with a cheerful demeanor that barely hid my irritation. "Aziz!" I said brightly, giving his shoulder a hard, 'playful' punch. He winced, his expression faltering for just a moment before he recovered. "How's that nose of yours?"

Aziz's friends exchanged looks, snickering behind their hands, but Aziz didn't laugh this time. He rubbed his shoulder where I'd hit him, his eyes narrowing.

"It's healing," he muttered, clearly trying to maintain his composure. "But you've got a real temper, don't you, Kaveh? Just like your little boyfriend."

My smile faded, and I could feel my hands balling into fists at my sides. "What did you just say?"

"Oh, come on," Aziz scoffed, rolling his eyes. "We all know what Alhaitham is—a coward. Always hiding behind his books, always trying to act smarter than everyone else because he's too scared to face the real world. You should've seen the way he looked at me, Kaveh. It was pathetic. Like a little puppy with its tail between its legs."

My blood boiled. "You don't know anything about him," I said through gritted teeth, my voice low and dangerous.

Aziz sneered, clearly enjoying himself now. "Oh, but I do. I know that no matter how much he tries to act tough, he's still that scared little kid from school. You've probably seen it too, haven't you? All that bravado, but deep down, he's nothing but a—"

I stepped closer, cutting him off with a glare that could've turned sand to glass. "Keep talking like that," I warned, my voice cold and steady, "and I'll break more than just your fucking nose."

Aziz's smug grin faltered for a split second, but he quickly covered it with a laugh, trying to act like my threat didn't shake him. But I could see it in his eyes—the fear, the uncertainty. He wasn't as brave as he liked to pretend.

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, waving me off like I wasn't worth his time. "Whatever, Kaveh. Run along. Go play house with your little boyfriend."

I didn't say another word. I just turned on my heel and walked away, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. The sound of Aziz's laughter echoed behind me, but I didn't look back. I couldn't. If I did, I might have actually followed through on my threat, and that wouldn't help anyone—least of all Alhaitham.

By the time I finished my errands and headed home, my anger had simmered down, replaced by a deep sense of exhaustion. I hated this. I hated that Aziz was still a part of our lives, that he still had this power over Alhaitham, over both of us. But what could I do? I couldn't keep punching him every time he opened his mouth. That wouldn't solve anything. It would only make things worse.

When I finally stepped through the front door of our home, I found Alhaitham sitting in the living room, a book in his hands. He looked up as I entered, his eyes softening as he took in the sight of me.

"You're back earlier than I expected," he remarked, closing his book and setting it aside. "How was the Bazaar?"

I hesitated, debating whether or not to tell him about my encounter with Aziz. Part of me didn't want to burden him with it, but I also knew that hiding it wouldn't do either of us any good. We'd promised each other honesty, after all.

"It was... eventful," I admitted, walking over to sit beside him on the couch. "I ran into Aziz."

Alhaitham's expression didn't change, but I could see the way his shoulders tensed, the way his hands subtly clenched in his lap. "What happened?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "He was at the Bazaar with some of his friends. Started talking shit about you. I confronted him, gave him a little reminder of what happens when he runs his mouth."

"Kaveh..." Alhaitham began, his voice soft but laced with concern.

"Don't worry," I interrupted, giving him a reassuring smile. "I didn't hit him this time. Just... warned him, that's all."

Alhaitham looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine as if he were trying to gauge how much this encounter had affected me. Finally, he sighed, leaning back against the couch and rubbing a hand over his face.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't," I said quickly, shaking my head. "Don't apologize. This isn't your fault, Haitham. Aziz is a jerk, and nothing he says or does is going to change who you are."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on some invisible point in the room. I could see the gears turning in his mind, the way he was internalizing everything, as he always did. After a few moments, he looked back at me, his eyes softer, more vulnerable than I was used to seeing.

"Thank you," he whispered, and this time, it wasn't just for standing up for him. It was for being there—for understanding, for not letting him fight this battle alone.

I smiled, reaching out to take his hand, squeezing it gently. "Always," I whispered back. And for that moment, it was enough.