Chapter Text
Arrogant, self-centered, and selfish, that's what his partner is. Kaveh is relieved that they are almost done with the project that they were assigned to work on together. Of all students from the Darshan of Haravatat, why did he end up getting paired with someone who's basically the epitome of everything that irks him?!
Alhaitham, that's his partner's name. He's a year younger but he's highly regarded in his darshan even by his seniors.
Everything started out fine when they were introduced to each other. Alhaitham was polite and he even called Kaveh 'senior' but as their project progressed, Kaveh made the mistake of thinking that they were going to be good friends so he told the younger to drop the honorifics and to be more casual with him.
That did not work into his favor because as they continued to work together, they realized that they have so many differences when it comes to habits, views, and beliefs and it clashed with their project.
It started out with slight disagreements to arguments, and now, quarrels that last more than a day. It has definitely gotten in the way of their work either---or at least, for Kaveh. Alhaitham is so indifferent, Kaveh couldn't tell. There's definitely a crack in the mutual trust and respect they had for each other during the beginning of their project but Kaveh supposes it's tolerable. As long as they their fights don't escalate into something more, it will
Kaveh is currently sketching an outline that is needed for the project when a stack of papers is suddenly slammed onto his table. “I’m working,” He says through gritted teeth.
“Did you make changes without consulting me again?” Alhaitham asks.
“Good afternoon to you too.” He rolls his eyes at his junior.
“I have no time for your snarky comments, Senior Kaveh .” Alhaitham sneers. “Why did you make changes without consulting me?”
“As if you haven’t done that before.”
“I did it because it is necessary. We were given a budget, you can’t just make changes because you wanted something flashier.” Alhaitham retorts.
“So if you are the one making changes without my knowledge, it’s fine but if I do it, you make it sound like it’s because of something so petty?” He drops his pencil to face the other. “Listen, I’m not stupid. I have considered the other factors before making the changes, when something is obviously out of place then you’re bound to change it. That’s what I did.”
The Haravatat scholar scoffs. “I wish I could change my partner. You’re always letting your personal feelings get in the way instead of being practical and rational. You’re holding this project back, you’re supposed to be the senior here but why can’t you act like one?”
Kaveh clenches his fists. He wants to curse, he wants to scream but he’s just so exhausted both physically and mentally. “Rationality and practicality isn’t always the way to go, this is why you’re so boring and one-dimensional.” He says as calmly as he could.
“That’s a petty reason, I’m removing the revisions you made. If you want to make changes, take it up to the Grand Sage. I’m not going to let you ruin this project.” Alhaitham dismisses him.
“Ruin this project?! You are so full of yourself! If you cannot respect me as your senior or project partner then at least respect me as a person. I am so tired of you looking down on me.” Kaveh slams his palms against the table.
“I am not looking down on you. If you’re feeling inferior then that’s on you.” The gray haired man retorts.
At that, Kaveh just turns his back on him. “Fine, do whatever you want.” He says in a defeated tone. He’s tired and sleep deprived, the last thing he wants is to waste his energy arguing with someone with the emotional intelligence of a wall.
He leaves his things on the desk and storms out of the work room. He wishes that he could at least see the look on Alhaitham’s face but it would only frustrate him more if he ever sees the usual look of indifference on his face.
He needs to be somewhere alone. Away from Alhaitham, away from those people at the Akademiya that thought they could work well together, and away from everyone that thinks he’s a genius like Alhaitham is.
Kaveh was so preoccupied by his frustrated thoughts that he didn't realize that his feet had taken him to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
"Great," He huffs in annoyance. He wanted to go to a place where he can be alone so he can mope in peace but the place is restricted to the sages only. He'll have to go back down and risk seeing Alhaitham again.
Why can't things go his way for once?!
He suddenly hears the sound of approaching footsteps which alerts him. If any of the sages see him here, he'll definitely be reprimanded and he'll have to face disciplinary action.
He looks around for an alternative way down but it's impossible unless he has a wind glider.
"This way," A soft voice suddenly says.
Kaveh looks around to find where it is coming from but he sees no one. Just as the footsteps are getting louder, the doors to the sanctuary suddenly open and out of panic, Kaveh runs inside.
The interior is not exactly what he expected to see. He thought there would be… more . Instead, he sees a spacious room with something that looks like a pavilion in the center.
"Shit, there's nowhere for me to hide." He curses. He scurries over to the farthest corner of the room hoping that he stays in the blind spot of whoever is coming.
The footsteps stop and he hears voices just outside, he holds his breath and silently prays that he won't get caught because if he does, he can kiss his dream to become Sumeru's best architect goodbye.
A few minutes pass and the voices eventually stop and he hears footsteps again but this time, they are slowly fading away. He lets out a sigh of relief once the footsteps are fully gone.
"You may relax now, they won't be coming back in a while."
Kaveh nearly screams when he sees a child right next to him. "W-what are you doing here?!" He gasps.
Why is there a kid in the Sanctuary of Surasthana?!
The child doesn't respond, she's a young girl with white hair and green eyes. "Are you a child of one of the sages? You shouldn't be here." Kaveh says once he has composed himself.
"You look upset," The little girl says. "Are you alright?"
There's something about her voice that's so soothing and comforting. Kaveh knows that both of them should leave but he feels as if his thoughts are being clouded.
"It's nothing," Kaveh shakes his head.
"What bothers you?”
Kaveh hugs his knees to his chest. “It’s just… I had a fight with a friend. I’m not even sure if we’re still friends at this point, all we do is fight.” He says with a sigh.
“Why are you fighting?”
“We kept having disagreements and it’s affecting our work. It’s tiring for both of us.” It’s as if the words are easily flowing out of Kaveh’s mouth despite his mind telling him to leave the sacred place. “I wish we could just get the project over with. I don’t want to work with him anymore.”
“Perhaps you’re both just under a lot of pressure and it’s affecting your work. You should give it time, you’ll both make up eventually.”
Kaveh looks at the young girl in bewilderment. She sounds so mature and wise for her age. “I doubt he’d apologize and there’s no way I’m apologizing to him either.”
“I think it’s just your pride getting in the way. You’re hurt because you see him as your friend and it upsets you that you always fight so easily.”
Kaveh gives her another look and lets out a scoff. He can’t believe this. What is he even doing? He’s out here hiding in the Sanctuary of Surasthana venting to a child about his problems. He never felt so pathetic before.
He's annoyed. He's frustrated. He feels defeated.
Despite that, he can't help but ponder over the words the girl had just said. His thoughts continue to feel clouded and he feels as if he's enveloped by a comforting sensation, it's as if he's in a metaphorical embrace.
Kaveh looks at the girl, she's looking at him too. He feels as though he's about to get sucked into her gaze. "Who are you?" He asks.
The girl places a finger over her lips and smiles mysteriously. "Someone who knows a lot more than you think."
Kaveh tilts his head in confusion. "What do you even mean?"
The girl places a hand over his forehead. "Sleep. I'm here to help you." She commands in a soft voice.
Kaveh wants to protest, he doesn't understand what's going on but before he can even do anything, his vision blurs and he falls into a deep sleep.
When Kaveh wakes up, he's feeling a lot more comfortable. His bed feels a lot softer and cozy. He opens his eyes and blinks a couple of times to get his vision to focus.
Confusion dawns on him when he notices an unfamiliar ceiling. He looks around and realizes that he isn't in his own bedroom too.
Did he pass out somewhere else?
He suddenly feels alert. He did not trespass someone else's home, right? Or worse, was he taken by someone?
He's about to get up from the bed when he feels an arm around his waist. It also registers to him that there's a person right behind him. He hears soft snores and feels a warm breath against his nape.
Oh no, did he get wasted and ended up hooking up with someone?
He carefully unwraps the arm around him and turns around. He nearly falls off the bed when he sees the person on the bed with him.
"Alhaitham?" Kaveh whispers in disbelief. Of all people in the Akademiya, it’s Alhaitham?
Were they drunk? That's impossible though because Alhaitham would not drink with him, especially not after a big fight.
He takes a closer look and notices that Alhaitham looks a bit different. He looks… bigger? His features look a lot more mature.
Feeling even more confused, Kaveh gets up and the man on the bed stirs. "Baby, why are you up so early?" He asks as he slowly sits up.
Kaveh hears the cogs in his brain turning: Did he just call him baby?! His already deep voice somehow managed to get even deeper and lastly, he slept next to Kaveh shirtless?!
Alhaitham yawns. "We had such a long night, I thought you were going to sleep in."
He thought about what that meant but Alhaitham suddenly gets up and he sees that he's not just shirtless but completely naked under the sheets. Kaveh immediately averts his gaze.
Ah. A long night indeed.
He doesn't even register it when Alhaitham suddenly kisses him on the cheek before he goes to what looks like a bathroom.
Once Alhaitham is out of his sight, he starts freaking out. As he's pacing around the room, he catches a glimpse of his reflection on the mirror on the dresser across the room.
Kaveh halts and takes a closer look. Just like Alhaitham, his reflection looks different too. His hair is longer, he got taller and broader, and his features are also more mature.
He tries pinching himself thinking that it's all just a dream but he isn't waking up. He wanted to comically scream because there is no proper explanation to whatever is going on right now.
He sees a framed photo on the dresser. It's a picture of him and Alhaitham in matching black and white suits and big smiles on their faces and right in front of the frame are two rings.
Wedding rings.
"We're married?!" Kaveh gasps.