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It started as such.
When Alhaitham was still a student, still softened by his youth, still wide-eyed and naive (at least as naive as someone like him could be), he’d been assigned a research trip to the ruins at the base of the great mountain Dragonspine.
The purpose of the research trip was unimportant, both now and then. The foolish researchers in charge of said trip had come woefully under-prepared – and when Alhaitham had pointed this fact out, they’d dug their metaphorical heels in, insisting that a mere student could not know more than them.
And so now, as an adult, Alhaitham still carried the memory of the feeling of frostbite.
It was not anything traumatic, as many might believe. Merely an annoyance at best. After their group had been found, he’d spent nearly an entire day bedridden and swaddled in blankets as his temperature staunchly refused to climb to safe levels.
He didn’t quite remember that part. He only held vague recollections of hospital rooms and worried red eyes. Even after his temperature was regular again, his damaged fingers had to be covered in bandages and salves for over a week.
For months, the phantom feeling of cold had lingered underneath his skin, chasing him from room to room no matter what he did to try and drive it away. It had annoyed him to no end, distracting him from his papers and schoolwork.
Being Alhaitham, he of course had said nothing. Even when those same red eyes would catch on his jacket, worn over his uniform, and that pretty face would slip into a frown.
Now, years later, that creeping chill was little more than a memory, one he merely frowned at upon reminder.
However, that did not necessarily mean he was warm.
––––––
Alhaitham sighed, adjusting his headphones for the millionth time as his home finally came into view. He’d had far too long of a day, week, month, since his unwanted promotion to the role of Acting Grand Sage. All he wanted was to simply collapse into his bed and not move for a week, responsibilities be damned.
He wearily reached for his keys to unlock the door, stepping inside and hanging up his cloak with sluggish movements.
Dragging a hand over his face, he simply headed for the divan. He nearly tripped on his way over, ultimately collapsing into it with a thud, forgoing food and a change of clothes in favor of resting on the nearest flat surface for at least a few moments.
He knew, logically, that ‘a few moments’ would very likely turn into ‘all night’. However, it wouldn’t exactly be the first time he’d spent the night on the divan, and it would hardly be the last. Ultimately, he was too exhausted to care.
He hadn’t even bothered to grab a blanket before his impromptu nap, but the uncomfortable lack of warmth wasn’t nearly enough to drive him towards gathering the energy to stand back up. Fortunately, he at least remembered to slip off his earpieces before he was stuck with them uncomfortably squished between his face and the cushions.
It was a few minutes later, half asleep and steadily falling further into the darkness’ embrace that he heard the creak of a door, followed by a loud and exasperated voice.
“Alhaitham? I heard a thud, don’t tell me you-” Kaveh’s voice abruptly cut off, likely as he entered the living room and saw Alhaitham’s haggard state, draped messily over the divan. Alhaitham heard a sigh, tinged with something Alhaitham would never dare to call fond, before he heard footsteps again.
He lost track of the noises after that, slipping further underneath the waves of his own exhaustion as Kaveh moved about the living room.
He was stirred just barely back into vague awareness as he felt something fall over him, and it took his sleep-addled mind far too long to realize it was a blanket that Kaveh had retrieved for him. Without his own permission, a pleased sigh escaped him as soft fingers carded through his hair. There was a pause, then Alhaitham vaguely registered the soft sound of amused laughter.
He practically melted into the cushions of the divan as the gentle touch continued, leaving burning trails along his scalp from the contact. He shivered unconsciously, and to his dismay, those delicate hands retreated. He heard another soft chuckle, and the sound of a voice just above a whisper drifted through his ears.
The words were lost on him, however, as sleep finally claimed him.
––––––
After that, it was nearly impossible to not notice the chill under his skin, uncomfortably reminiscent of the days after that trip so long ago. The memory of that touch, warmer than anything he’d ever felt, lingered in his mind like a plague, and in comparison, everything else felt like the depths of that lonely mountain. Alone in his office, away from prying eyes, he’d tried running his own hands through his hair, trying to mimic Kaveh’s movements to see if it was just a strange sensitivity on his scalp.
But he’d felt nothing out of the ordinary.
So if it wasn’t the touch, then what was it? He didn’t know.
Unbidden, his mind returned to thoughts of his roommate.
Honestly, he had long since stopped questioning Kaveh’s weird habits. The random playing with his hair was just another oddity on a very long list. Kaveh was Kaveh, and that was all Alhaitham needed to know. The only negative outcome of the strange occurrence was the unfortunate way it lingered in his mind.
He felt…
He felt a lot of things. The chill was one, and he wondered just how long he’d felt it without even noticing.
But another thing, one he was surprised he hadn’t noticed earlier, was this… hollowness. He simply felt empty, like something in his very soul was lacking.
He idly wondered if maybe he was overworking himself, if that was the source of this permeating feeling. Or, to rephrase, if his overwork at the hands of a freshly-rebuilt society apparently oh-so-in-need of his abilities was the source of this feeling.
He frowned, attempting to refocus on his work.
He’d taken to wearing thicker clothing in an attempt to stave off the chill in his bones, and yet it never seemed to work. He was always just barely too cold, just barely not warm enough. Not cold enough to shiver, but not warm enough to be comfortable.
It truly was strange, to feel this cold in the middle of Sumeru’s most pleasant season.
Even his temperature-controlled room, built specifically to always hold the optimal level of heat, was not free of this chill. He’d simply taken to using an extra, thicker blanket at night.
That had earned him an odd look from Kaveh when the architect had taken notice of it from the hallway, lying discarded on his bed. The older man had brushed off his momentary confusion, making a jab at Alhaitham about never tidying his bed, and Alhaitham had made some jab back, both of them easily descending into their usual bickering.
He’d gotten a similarly strange look when he’d taken his winter clothes out of storage.
Alhaitham paused, dust-brushed box in hand as he retreated from the storage closet.
“...Can I help you?”
Kaveh glanced from him, to the box, gaining a strange, and vaguely judgmental look on his face. Unspoken, he seemed to be saying something about Sumeru’s current weather, and the lack of a need for such items.
“If you’re going to judge me, I’d suggest you keep it to yourself. This is my house after all, and I am allowed to do whatever I want in it.”
Kaveh had simply raised an eyebrow. After a short moment, he just walked away with a huff and an uncharacteristic silence. The lack of their usual dynamic left Alhaitham feeling wrong-footed, as if he’d somehow done something wrong.
He was quick to brush off the feeling.
Another oddity to Alhaitham’s routine was how he took his showers.
Lately he’d been taking them hotter and hotter in an attempt to stave off the cold for as long as he could. He’d turn the water up as hot at he could stand it, and just let it wash over him. And it worked, but only barely. And only just as long as the water ran down his skin, and then he was left feeling even colder than before. When he’d get out of the shower, he’d find his skin dotted with little patches of red, and he would ignore them just as he attempted to ignore the immediate return of the chill in his bones.
Kaveh kept yelling at him for wasting the hot water, and for using it all up. Alhaitham used the same useless excuse as always, that he could do whatever he wanted in his own house. Kaveh called him an inconsiderate bastard, and Alhaitham disregarded his words. Rinse and repeat.
While he’d tried a great many things to stave off the cold, he really hadn’t tried much to fill the void that rested in his chest. Now that he’d noticed it, it was like he just couldn’t unsee it. It was simultaneously a harrowing emptiness, and a weight, that pressed down on his ribs so hard that some days it was all he could do just to breathe through it.
And yet, despite how bothersome it had become under the weight of observance, Alhaitham could not come up with any ideas to try and chase it away. The only thing he had come up with was distraction – burying himself in his books and his work, and trying very hard not to think about the ache beneath his ribs. The Akademiya certainly appreciated him for this, the increased overtime doing wonders for the organization’s efficiency in restructuring everything.
And if it came at the cost of Alhaitham’s sleep, then so be it. He’d simply take extra coffee to work, and trudge through life as he’d always done.
He realized with a cruel irony that he had been wondering if his overwork was the source, and yet simultaneously, here he was attempting to drive it away with more work. How utterly illogical.
How utterly unlike him.
It had been nearly a month since the last time he’d slept on the divan, since the fateful realization of the twin feelings nestled in his skin like parasites, and he idly wondered if ignorance really was bliss. If that was how he’d gotten through his day to day before, then he’d gladly forget the last month just for a chance to feel like he wasn’t falling apart at the seams anymore. Even if it didn’t truly fix anything, even if he knew he’d felt like this long before he’d actually noticed.
Alhaitham sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers.
Just what was wrong with him?
Was he ill? Was he dying? Was he simply overreacting?
He didn’t know.
…He didn’t like not knowing.
––––––
It all came to a head one morning when Alhaitham was getting ready to leave for work. It was ungodly early, and Kaveh was up ridiculously late. It just so happened that they both managed to be awake at the same time.
Alhaitham had been attempting to tame his wild bedhead in the mirror, and he’d yet to put on his earpieces or his cloak. Just as he exited the bathroom, he came face to face with a very displeased Kaveh. He stopped, frowning at the obstruction in his path.
“Don’t tell me you’re actually going to work like that.” Kaveh frowned, clearly upset.
“Like what?” Alhaitham asked, attempting to move past Kaveh. He was physically blocked by the claymore wielder, effectively cutting off whatever remark Alhaitham had been about to make. On any normal day, Alhaitham would have been able to just shove the architect aside (not that he really would), and move on. But too little sleep over too long was getting to him, and he found he did not have the strength nor the energy to even try.
“Kaveh. Let me through.” He said, meeting the other man’s eyes in a silent plea, challenge, he didn’t know. Kaveh’s worried red eyes ran searchingly all over his face, and his frown only deepened at whatever he found. Alhaitham, too, frowned as the silence stretched.
“Some of us have places to be, you know.” He said, though it lacked his usual bite with how tired he was. Part of him hoped Kaveh wouldn’t pick up on that fact, but those foolish hopes were quickly dashed with how fast Kaveh’s frown only deepened.
“You don’t work until seven. It is currently four.” Kaveh stated, a clear challenge in his words. When Alhaitham didn’t respond, only glaring flatly, he continued. “This isn’t healthy.
“More importantly!” Kaveh abruptly shouted, “This isn’t like you! You don’t- You don’t overwork, in fact you only ever work exactly what is required, and then you stop. Everyone else be damned. What has gotten into you?”
Alhaitham frowned again. He didn’t think he was being that transparent.
“I’m fine, Kaveh. Besides, when have any of my habits been any of your concern?” He said bitingly, too exhausted to continue the conversation. When he made to move past Kaveh again, he was stopped by a hand grabbing onto his arm. He nearly gasped at how the contact burned, but he had no time to dwell on it as the architect began to speak.
“I’m serious, Alhaitham. Gods, it’s like you can’t even imagine that someone in this world might possibly care for your well-being. You’re going to work yourself into an early grave at this point, and I will not just stand by and let it happen.” Kaveh stated firmly, worry-driven anger in his gaze.
“Why, too afraid to lose the house?” Alhaitham taunted. Kaveh’s grip tightened, and Alhaitham barely held back a wince.
“You! You know that isn’t why! Ugh! Why must you be so stubborn!” Kaveh shouted, and this time Alhaitham really did wince at his roommate’s volume. Abruptly, Kaveh took a deep breath, and his grip relaxed, though he didn’t let go. He obviously hadn’t noticed Alhaitham’s reaction, barreling on.
“I’m not falling for that. Stop deflecting, damnit.” He glared at Alhaitham, as if he could make his junior submit by sheer force of will alone. Something in that gaze made Alhaitham’s annoyance fade away, and his shoulders drooped as the fight left him.
Alhaitham stared at his roommate, and his roommate stared at him. Alhaitham noted that here, when neither of them had shoes on, Kaveh was about half an inch taller than him. Normally they stood at equal height.
He shook his head, both in response to Kaveh and to dislodge his own distracted thoughts as he dragged a hand over his face. Sensing that he wasn’t about to run away, Kaveh let go of his arm, and immediately Alhaitham wished he would put it back. He… didn’t know where that thought had come from. His skin burned with the ghost of the touch, just like it had a month ago.
“I can’t explain myself because I don’t even know what’s wrong with me.” Alhaitham said. That quiet admission seemed to suck all of the fight out of both of them, leaving only worry and exhaustion.
Kaveh was quiet for a moment. The silence stretched on long enough that Alhaitham’s crumbled walls lifted back up, and he moved to keep walking with a quiet mutter.
Kaveh’s arm moved out in front of him, effectively blocking his path once more. When he met Kaveh’s eyes, he found something unreadable, soft around the edges and very sad. He swallowed thickly.
“Just…. Can you try?” Kaveh said weakly, his arm drooping downwards.
Alhaitham was silent for a moment, contemplating the words.
Truthfully, he had no idea where to begin. Vulnerability was not something that came easily to a man like Alhaitham, and there was a part of him that knew nothing would come from spilling his heart. Nothing would truly change, because if even he could not find out what was wrong with him, how could anyone else?
But then again, he had always held Kaveh in a higher regard, not that he’d ever admit that to the architect’s face. Gods know the poor fool wouldn’t take it well, thinking Alhaitham to be playing some kind of cruel joke on him.
But in truth, that higher regard was, at first, the only reason Alhaitham stuck around him so long ago, all the way back in the Akademiya when they’d first met. Kaveh had been the only person worth Alhaitham’s time, surprising him over and over with his wit, his light, and the way that only he was able to hold his own against Alhaitham’s grating personality.
Maybe Kaveh could surprise him once more. Alhaitham gave in to the idea shockingly easily, though he didn’t care to linger on the why.
However, the problem still remained…
“I’m afraid I don’t know where to begin.” He said simply, tiredly. Kaveh thought for a moment at this, an adorably focused expression on his face as he stared at the floor, one hand on his chin and the other crossed over his chest. Against his will, a soft smile flickered across Alhaitham’s face, before fading away.
“How about starting with why you’re heading to work at four in the morning? – Might I remind you that you came home last night at ten.” Kaveh tacked on accusingly.
Alhaitham opened his mouth, then closed it. A fearful, frankly childish part of him shied away from the idea of opening up, even when the larger part of him had agreed to share, to reach out. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
“I suppose it’s been a… distraction.” He said, and the words, finally out in the open, did not help to lift the weight on his chest one bit. Not like he’d expected. If anything, it only served to make him feel worse.
“From what?” Kaveh prodded once it was clear Alhaitham was not going to continue, though his tone was not unkind.
“From this…. Feeling.” Alhaitham frowned, rubbing at his chest like it could serve to ease the twisting inside. “I am not good at this. Emotions. I’m afraid I don’t know how to describe it.” He admitted, slipping into his usual mask of cold rationality in an effort to ease his discomfort.
“What’s it feel like?” Kaveh asked, stepping closer ever so slightly. Alhaitham was not good with emotions, but something about the concern, about Kaveh, made him want to try.
Alhaitham thought for a moment, and several words came to mind. None could quite adequately describe the feeling, how it was everything and nothing all at the same time, and wholly unpleasant. Eventually, he settled on one.
“..Heavy.”
Kaveh nodded, contemplating. After a moment, he spoke up again. “What about the other stuff?” He asked. Alhaitham raised an eyebrow, waiting for his junior to elaborate. Kaveh rolled his eyes at the look. “You seem like you’re… perpetually cold. I would ask you if you’re coming down with something, but this has been going on for far longer than an illness should last. Not to mention it reminds me quite a lot of the last time you did this…” Kaveh trailed off, muttering his last sentence. Alhaitham’s gut twisted strangely at the reminder, at the fact that Kaveh so clearly remembered something so unimportant as that.
“I am not sure why. But yes, I have been… cold.” Just like last time, went unsaid.
And there it was, so simple it almost felt mocking. A strange feeling, and a bit of a chill. It felt like far too little for this big of a reaction. Such a small thing to work himself into the ground to try and avoid. Alhaitham frowned again, and he startled as Kaveh’s gaze snapped up to him.
“Stop that.” The blond said, his face morphing into a glare.
“Stop what?” Alhaitham said, bewildered.
“I know that look. You’re telling yourself you’re overreacting, right?” Kaveh said, and Alhaitham realized Kaveh only knew that look because he’d seen it on himself. Still, he did not make to deny the words.
“There is no such thing as an overreaction. Not- when it comes to one’s own feelings.” Kaveh barreled on when he noticed Alhaitham opening his mouth to retort. The scribe closed it again slowly, eyebrows furrowed. He had no response to that, no comeback. Kaveh noticed, if the half-hearted traces of a self-satisfied grin were anything to believe. The emotion was gone as soon as it appeared, though, and the seriousness quickly returned to the architect’s face.
Kaveh crossed his arms, shifting on his feet. “How long has this been going on?” He asked. At that, Alhaitham’s frown deepened.
“I don’t know.” He admitted truthfully. “Quite a long time, I think. But I only really noticed it about a month ago.”
At that, Kaveh’s eyes snapped up, realization coloring his gaze. “You mean when you collapsed on the divan?” He said, brows furrowed. “When you scared me into thinking we were getting robbed?” He added flatly.
Alhaitham nodded. “I don’t know why that was the turning point, but it’s like it’s impossible not to notice it now.” He knew it wasn’t the touch, as several times now he had tried mimicking that touch in an attempt to feel that warmth again. It never worked, to his disappointment each time.
Kaveh was silent for a moment, contemplating. Unbeknownst to Alhaitham, his thoughts were running wild as his mind fought to support the conclusion he’d just drawn.
He remembered that night, though only in bits and pieces. For the most part, it had just been another day for him, and he wasn’t even quite sure how he was able to immediately recognize just what Alhaitham was talking about. When he’d come into the living room to find Alhaitham haphazardly sprawled on the divan, looking about five seconds from falling off, he’d grabbed a blanket to cover him with. And then, unable to resist the urge, he’d started combing his fingers through his junior’s soft hair.
Alhaitham had melted into his touch like a cat, leaning into it and even whining when Kaveh pulled away. It was clear that he wasn’t entirely awake, and probably not even aware of his actions. Kaveh had found it incredibly adorable, and had stored the memory away in his mind for him to turn over when his held-in feelings for the man became a little too much to ignore any longer.
Kaveh wondered if that touch was what set Alhaitham off. He’d said that he had been dealing with whatever this was for a long time, but only noticed after that night.
Kaveh knew what it felt like to be touch-starved. He was the lonely, indebted architect, after all. Alhaitham was just about the only person he saw on a regular basis, and Alhaitham avoided touch like the plague. So he knew what it felt like, to want nothing more than to simply be held, to crave the warmth of another person. All things considered, was that what this was?
Kaveh had spent a long time thinking about all the oddities plaguing his junior. Trying to figure it all out. He was constantly cold, from the winter clothes at the end of spring, to the hot water, the blankets. Constantly seeking warmth.
He was irritable, as well. Alhaitham himself had likely not noticed this part, but in the past two-ish weeks, the scribe had kept to short, curt answers whenever dealing with Kaveh. Gone was their almost friendly banter, replaced with what seemed like genuine annoyance more often than not.
He had also been avoiding Kaveh. Isolating himself, holing up in his room to bury himself in a book or drowning himself in papers at work. He’d gotten more and more distant as time went on, steadily drawing further and further away as he tried desperately to distract himself. Clearly, he was avoiding something. (Something Kaveh now knew was his own feelings.) Kaveh had barely seen him at all in the past week, and it had felt like he was chasing a ghost. And he lived with the man!
If this truly was a case of touch starvation, then it was the worst one Kaveh had ever seen. But, given how he could probably count the number of people Alhaitham had ever been close to on one hand, it was unfortunately not very surprising. Still, he needed to know for sure.
“Can I… try something?” Kaveh eventually asked. Alhaitham, who had leaned against the wall and closed his eyes (Gods he looked exhausted, just how little sleep had he truly gotten?) startled, looking back at him quizzically.
“Just humor me, here.” Kaveh said, motioning with his hands for Alhaitham to come closer. Too tired to argue, Alhaitham simply stepped closer.
He tensed at the feeling of arms wrapping around him, and before he knew it, he was being pulled into a warm chest, his head being guided to rest on Kaveh’s shoulder. Those arms wrapped around him, and suddenly all Alhaitham could feel was warmth. His skin burned at the contact, just like it always did, but somehow it felt heavenly.
He let out a pleased sigh before he could stifle it, and leaned into that warmth. It felt like that void inside of his chest was slowly, steadily being filled, like the weight was being eased. He felt more than heard Kaveh’s hum, like the architect had been proven right about something Alhaitham was not privy to. At the same time, the hand still cradling the back of his head began to scratch lightly at his scalp, fingers combing through his hair. He groaned appreciatively, and melted even further into Kaveh’s grasp.
At that, Kaveh let out the prettiest little laugh, but Alhaitham was too busy basking in the warmth and comfort to feel embarrassed.
“Feel better?” Kaveh asked, mostly genuine. A little mirth still colored his tone, and Alhaitham could imagine how pretty his smile must be at that moment. He nodded into the architect’s shoulder, feeling like he could stay there forever.
Idly, he wondered if he would allow anyone else to do this. Probably not. Kaveh always had a habit of rewriting every one of Alhaitham’s personal rules, but the scribe didn’t really mind. Something about it being Kaveh made it all okay.
When was the last time he’d been held like this? Alhaitham didn’t know. He hadn’t felt this cared for since the last time he’d sat tucked in the safety of his grandmother’s arms as a child. It was nice. Oh so nice, and he wondered how he could ever be able to return to his usual routine after experiencing this exquisite warmth.
Slowly, he felt himself sagging more and more in Kaveh’s arms as the exhaustion caught up to him. His eyes grew heavy enough that he could feel it even while they were already closed, and his shoulders drooped. He let out a tired breath as his weight nearly pressed Kaveh into the wall.
“Guess the lack of sleep is finally getting to you.” Kaveh muttered, and the sentence was almost lost to Alhaitham’s ears. Kaveh continued, rubbing a hand along Alhaitham’s back. “Alright, come on. You’re not falling asleep in the hallway, and you’re definitely not going to work.”
Alhaitham merely grumbled incoherently, unhappy with the idea of moving and having to separate from Kaveh. Kaveh simply patted his back, and made to move towards the living room. Alhaitham quickly brought his hands up to grasp at the back of Kaveh’s shirt, nuzzling his face into the architect’s shoulder with another unhappy noise.
Kaveh’s shoulders dropped dramatically with a noise of exasperation. “Haitham, we cannot stay in the hallway all night,” He began, but the way his arms returned to wrap around Alhaitham spoke otherwise. “Clingy bastard.” He muttered, and Alhaitham might even call that tone affectionate.
Another moment passed, and Alhaitham began to sag again. Kaveh sighed.
“Walk with me then, you clingy bastard.”
“Creative. Using the same insult twice.” Alhaitham mumbled sleepily. He heard a soft huff from above him, colored with a smile.
He felt himself being pulled along, and reluctantly he pulled away just enough that they wouldn’t be tripping over each other. Kaveh’s hand remained around his waist, and they walked closely side by side.
He was guided to sit on the divan, and Kaveh left his side. He frowned, but didn’t make to move, too tired to get up. He simply sat, watching Kaveh move about with sleep-addled eyes. The blond was cleaning up his mess, for once. Feeling another wave of exhaustion hit him, Alhaitham simply turned over and laid across the divan, throwing an arm over his face and closing his eyes.
After a moment of resting (but unfortunately not sleeping), he heard Kaveh pause.
“That’s a terrible habit, you know. You’d probably sleep better if you slept in your actual bed more often.” The architect huffed. Alhaitham merely grunted in response. He already felt that… feeling returning, and the air felt cold in Kaveh’s absence. His face twisted into a frown. It- wasn’t enough. He’d had a taste, and now he wanted, no, needed more. Just like a month ago, he realized.
In the absence of warmth, he felt wakefulness returning to him bit by bit. This had been the reason he was up so early, having given up on sleep after hours spent tossing and turning. That aching pit inside of him, gnawing at his chest and clawing up his throat, had kept him awake all night. While it had been eased, such a thing could not be chased away with just one hug.
When was Kaveh going to be done? Would he come back? Alhaitham felt his frown deepen against his will at the thought, and he shifted his arm so he could crack one eye open. He startled when he noticed Kaveh was closer than he thought- walking the last couple of steps towards him, his hands placed on his hips and a thick blanket under one arm.
He was in his nightclothes. Alhaitham couldn’t recall even hearing him leave the room.
Kaveh sighed. “Scooch over, then.”
Alhaitham raised an eyebrow. Kaveh rolled his eyes, his lips curved in the smallest smile. “I already know it’s a lost cause trying to convince you to get up and head to a proper bed. So you’ll just have to move over.”
Alhaitham didn’t need to hear anything more, shuffling himself to the side to make room for his roommate, though he grumbled without heat as he did so. The architect only rolled his eyes again.
Kaveh carefully climbed onto the divan with him, shuffling about to find the optimal positioning so that they were both as comfortable as possible in the cramped space. He threw the blanket over them both, then leaned back.
With a surprising amount of strength, he gathered Alhaitham up into his arms, once again tucking the scribe’s head in the space between his shoulder and his neck. This time, however, he leaned his head over to rest his cheek against Alhaitham’s hair. Alhaitham returned the embrace just as eagerly, tangling their legs together underneath the blanket and tightening his fingers in the soft fabric of Kaveh’s shirt.
Kaveh sighed contentedly as they both settled fully. “That’s nice.” He muttered.
Alhaitham hummed softly in agreement, nuzzling into Kaveh’s neck. As he felt the soft card of fingers through his hair, a thought lazily drifted though his head.
Yeah. He could get used to this.
It took no time at all for sleep to drag him under, feeling safe, protected, and oh-so loved.
––––––
When Alhaitham awoke the next morning, stirring with a grunt, he was met with the sound of sleepy chuckles.
“Morning, sleepyhead.” Came Kaveh’s sleep-roughened voice. Alhaitham thought that he liked the sound. He squinted his eyes against the light, dropping his head back into Kaveh’s chest with another sleepy grunt. Kaveh laughed, and Alhaitham decided that he very much liked the sound.
“I called out of your work for you,” Kaveh said, running his hand through Alhaitham’s silvery hair, “Sent a dusk bird to the Akademiya.” He paused, then chuckled again. “They probably think you’re dying or something, given how I worded it.”
Alhaitham nodded his thanks. Truthfully, he didn’t care what the Akademiya thought, and he knew that Kaveh knew that. But he was grateful that Kaveh had the foresight to call Alhaitham in sick, given that they’d spent what was likely the entire day cuddling on the divan. An experience he was happy to continue, basking in the sticky-honey warmth of his roommate’s arms. His head still felt fuzzy from sleep, and he felt more rested than he had in a very long time.
Alhaitham heaved a sleepy sigh.
“We are definitely doing this again.”
Kaveh’s laugh sounded like music to his ears.