Where It Hurts To Stay, But Hurts More To Leave
7 parts Complete MatureKaveh is used to being looked at-but not like this.
Not like a scandal. A punchline. A man who used to have brilliance in his hands, now reduced to whispers in Akademiya halls: "He lives with the Acting Grand Sage, doesn't he?" "Must be nice, having someone else pay the bills." "They say they hate each other, but..."
The rumors sting more than he lets on.
Not because they're cruel-but because they're close.
Because sometimes, late at night, when Alhaitham is quiet and the house feels too heavy, Kaveh wonders if they're right. If he's only still here because Alhaitham tolerates him. Because it's convenient.
He hates needing anything.
Especially him.
But the worst part?
No matter how hard he tries to hide it-his fear, his longing, the feelings he shouldn't have-Alhaitham sees right through him. Like he always does.
And Kaveh doesn't know what's worse:
That he might lose him...
Or that Alhaitham might stay.