In Silence, Only the Memory of You Remains. [Haikaveh]

EPILOGUE

The weekend morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft yet noticeable glow across the scribe's room.

Alhaitham stirred, half-awake, as the muffled sound of knocking echoed from the door. His body, heavy with the remnants of sleep, resisted the urge to move.

"Haitham, come out and eat something."

Kaveh's voice, familiar yet edged with subtle annoyance, carried through the quiet atmosphere. The scribe grunted at the early request, choosing to ignore it as he shifted under the blankets, rolling over to the other side, determined to steal a few more minutes of rest. The knocks persisted, though, each one growing more insistent until they turned into a rhythmic demand that grated against his fragile peace.

"Are you ignoring me!?"

The door creaked open with an unmistakable sound of frustration, and Kaveh entered without hesitation. Alhaitham kept his eyes shut, pulling the blanket over his head as if that could somehow erase the intrusion. The blonde, standing in front of his bed for a couple seconds, sighed in exasperation without pushing further.

"Fine, suit yourself." he said as his footsteps retreated, and the scent of food wafted into the room, stronger with each passing second. It was impossible to ignore.

After a few moments of trying to fall back asleep, Alhaitham gave in. The aroma of whatever Kaveh was cooking had done its job, pulling him out of bed despite his best efforts. He stretched, his limbs stiff from a night of restless dreams, and ran a hand through his hair. Sleep was a fleeting thing these days.

Heading to the bathroom, he washed his face, the cold water refreshing against his skin. He lingered there for a second, staring into the mirror. His reflection was as unreadable as ever, but there was something in his eyes—a heaviness that had settled over him in the past few days.

It wasn't so easy to shake off the weight of everything that had happened.

Finally, he left the bathroom and made his way towards the kitchen, the smell of cooking stronger now, leading him like a beacon. As he entered the room, he found Kaveh standing at the stove, his back to him, focused on a sizzling pan. The soft clinking of utensils against cookware filled the air, adding a domestic harmony to the scene.

Alhaitham's voice, still thick with sleep, broke the silence. "What are you making?"

Kaveh turned briefly, his crimson eyes catching Alhaitham's for a split second before returning to his task. His tone was laced with mock annoyance. "Oh, so someone finally decided to show up." He clicked his tongue. "A thank you wouldn't be too much to ask before you eat the food I've been slaving over."

Alhaitham, unfazed by the architect's sulking, crossed his arms. "Technically, you should be thanking me. I paid for all the ingredients you're using, and might I remind you, you still owe two months of rent."

Kaveh bristled at that, his temper flashing in the way it always did when Alhaitham pushed his buttons. He opened his mouth to retort, but stopped, an unexpected grin tugging at his lips. "You really don't know how to let a guy have a moment, do you?"

Caught slightly off guard, Alhaitham raised an eyebrow but didn't respond, something like amusement flickering in his chest. Kaveh always had that unpredictable charm, disarming him in the most unlikely moments.

The tension between them dissolved as Kaveh let out a laugh, low and genuine, shaking his head at their ridiculous banter. He turned off the stove and motioned to the table. "Alright, go set the table. Breakfast is ready."

Without complaint, Alhaitham did as he was told, moving with the efficiency he always displayed. They sat down together at the modest table, plates filled with a dish native to Sumeru—Zaytun Peach Pita Pockets, stuffed with tender meat and fresh vegetables, seasoned perfectly. Kaveh's cooking was always good, a skill honed through countless shared meals in this odd coexistence they had developed.