Chapter Text
It was too quiet.
The kind of quiet that made something as light as air feel heavy the passing winds were not peaceful, not gentle. It was the silence of something being wrong.
Alhaitham looked up from his book that he wasn't even finished with unusual for him but he really felt like something was wrong, eyes narrowing slightly at the empty spot on the couch where Kaveh had been just minutes ago. The blanket he’d been curled in was now crumpled on the floor, the corner dipped in a small puddle of spilled juice. The soft pastel sippy cup had rolled under the coffee table.
“Kaveh?” he called delicately as if Kaveh was a frightened deer and Kaveh might as well be one. No response, not even a muffled voice or mumble.
He found the door to the balcony ajar, cold air slipping in, bringing with it the sound of harsh rain tapping steadily on the stone tiles of the deck. Alhaitham’s breath caught in his throat as he stepped outside.
There, tucked into the far corner of the balcony, was Kaveh. Curled in on himself, barefoot and trembling, his pacifier dangling from his hand and his favorite stuffed lion held tightly to his chest. The rain hadn’t touched him directly due to the roof, but he was damp from the mist, his soft golden hair clinging to his face. His eyes were puffy and red a clear sign that he has been crying for awhile.
“Kaveh…” Alhaitham’s voice dropped to a murmur, crouching beside him. “Why are you out here? You’re freezing.”
The little didn’t move at first. His big doe eyes blinked slowly, like he hadn’t even registered Alhaitham’s presence until now.
“‘M sorry,” he mumbled. “I made a mess… ‘nd I thought… you didn’t wanna see me ever.”
Alhaitham’s chest ached. He reached out slowly, draping his own jacket over Kaveh’s shoulders. The moment the fabric touched him, Kaveh flinched—but didn’t pull away; instead he stayed there as if he was made of stone.
“I wasn’t mad,” Alhaitham said softly, brushing Kavehs slightly damp hair out of Kaveh’s eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I was worried when you disappeared. That’s all.”
Kaveh sniffled, his voice barely more than a whisper as he fidgeted with his own hands messing with his pacifier as a way to soothe himself. “But I spilled juice… ‘nd I know you like everything neat…”
Alhaitham let out a breath, sitting down beside him on the wet deck and gently tugged him into his lap. Kaveh came easily, small and shivering against his chest but nevertheless he pressed his face into Alhaithams chest.
“You are more important than my books,” he said firmly. “More important than juice. Or blankets. Or clean floors or anything else that beautiful mind of yours can think of. I care about you. All of you, even your flaws.”
Kaveh’s tiny fingers clung to the front of Alhaitham’s shirt, gripping like he was afraid he might disappear if he didn’t hold on tight enough like in some world Alhaitham would do the thing he has never even thought of.. And leave him over a little mistake.
“Promise?” he asked, voice cracking. “Even if I’m… messy ‘nd loud? Even if I cry?”
Alhaitham pressed a kiss to the top of his head. “I promise. Even if you scream and throw glitter all over my research notes.”
That earned a tiny giggle. Just one—but it was enough to make Alhaitham feel the knot in his chest ease at least his little one was able to still giggle after this mess up.
“Can we cuddle.. . please?” Kaveh whispered a nervous look on his face like Alhaitham would dare say no to such a sweet and kind request from the cutest boy ever after a pause Alhaitham spoke.
“Of course,” Alhaitham replied, already lifting him up again. “Let’s get you warm and cozy and most importantly inside I can’t have you getting sick, then you can decide if you want cocoa, a nap, or a story. Or a fourth option of all three, which one do you want honey?”
As they stepped back inside, Kaveh nestled into his arms and mumbled a soft “all three please” , his lion tucked safely between them. The rain continued to fall beyond the glass, but the quiet inside the apartment felt different now—soft, safe.
Loved.