Chapter Text
Few people knew it, but Kaveh, the genius architect, the star of Kshahrewar, the undisputed creator of the Palace of Alcazarzaray, this same Kaveh was in debt. But not a little in debt. Rather REALLY in debt of a few tens of millions of moras. However, the pretty blond was satisfied with his life now. He won't spit on having a bit of mora for him, but he had a roof over his head thanks to the kindness of Alhaitham, and he could exercise the profession of his dreams: Architect and designer. Thus, the few people aware of his secret were none other than his closest friends: Tighnari, Cyno and Alhaitham. However, we should not omit the demon of his life, the reason for his current situation: the named Dori. The rest of the world remained blind to his situation,
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Kaveh stretched for a long time in his chair. Damn! He had been working on a storefront sketch for almost three hours. It was a request from a wealthy merchant from Sumeru who wanted to redo his store, inside and out. He had given the blond carte blanche, simply asking him to do something simple, elegant and sophisticated. Something that would make customers want to come in. The architect had been totally enthusiastic about the project. He had the week left to submit the first drafts and he had already made a first copy of the facade. It was therefore his second and he still had to make the various proposals for the interior. Kaveh looked out the window of the study at the Academia. He immersed himself momentarily in memories of student youth where he and Alhaitham stayed in the library of the Academy for long vigils of revision. With a slight sigh, Kaveh picked up his quill and went back to tracing the lines of his sketch. It was his turn to cook tonight. What could he do? Pita pockets? Or just humus?
Suddenly, a shadow cast over his large leaf causing him to look up. A young student observed her drawing. Kaveh had grown accustomed to having students watching him work on his projects when he was at the academia. He really didn't mind, as long as they didn't constantly interrupt his work with questions. The blond noticed that the girl was watching him now. Forcing himself to smile a little more, he raised his eyebrows as if to silently ask her if she had a problem. She then seemed very embarrassed, like a child who was caught stealing a piece of candy.
“Um, I…Senior Kaveh…I – uh…I didn't mean to bother you.
- HM hm. I understand. However, where you are, you hide the light from me, preventing me from advancing on my sketch. If you could shift, that would be adorable,” the blonde explained patiently. The student immediately shifted as if a fire burned her feet. She then lined up with the other two students watching her. ' Did they really have nothing else to do?' thought Kaveh feeling their heavy stares. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to regain his lost concentration, he decided to pack everything up and go home. Finally, at Alhaitham. “Are you already leaving Senior Kaveh? exclaimed a student. Kaveh simply nodded, not wanting to engage in further conversation. It certainly didn't sound like him, but today had really been a big day. Besides, these groupies were the worst kind of leeches. He greatly preferred students who came directly to ask him questions for advice but who left to respect his workspace.
"Senior Kaveh, when will you be back?" asked the girl. Discreetly rolling his eyes, the blonde replied slowly. " I don't know. I don't have a fixed schedule you know”. Seeing the crestfallen faces of the students, he shrugged subtly, continuing to pick up his things. “But Senior Kaveh, are you coming back? You can't abandon us! one of the students exclaimed. The architect stopped his gesture and slowly turned his head to stare at them. " Pardon ? I can't ? But I would do what I have to do. I don't think I have to take orders from any juniors…”, he said with a cold smile, making the three students shiver. Collecting his last belongings he left without a glance. Coming out of the library at last, Kaveh sighed at the fresh air, heading home. He didn't take the most direct route, though, to make sure that if some groupies followed him, they wouldn't get the rental of his house. In no way did he want to cause trouble for Alhaitham.
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Arrived in front of the door, Kaveh noticed that he did not have his key. Again… Resigned, he knocked briefly on the door. After a few minutes of waiting, the latter finally opened, revealing the scribe reading a work on the hieroglyphics of ancient civilizations. “Alhaitham, seriously! Can't you leave my key? If you weren't here I'd be locked out! »
“Hmm… But I'm here.
- Humph…. Fortunately ! ". Kaveh entered with his head held high and took off his shoes and cape. He went to the kitchen to find a Sabz meat stew simmering. ' Did Alhaitham cook because I'm late? ' thought the blond, feeling a soft warmth spread in his chest. He walked back to the couch where the gray was sitting. The scribe didn't even look up when he felt the seat sag. A soft hand landed on her cheek and Kaveh placed a kiss on her cheek. "Thank you," the blond muttered, before getting up and going to the bathroom, not perceiving the slight smile that graced Alhaitham's lips.
That evening was particularly calm. Kaveh recounted his working day and Alhaitham listened religiously, occasionally making a few pertinent remarks. When the architect broached the subject of student fanatics, the scribe frowned. "Isn't it disturbing to always have someone on your back?" That's why I prefer my office. he declared solemnly.
“It is indeed exhausting. But not everyone is lucky enough to have their own office, Mr. Scribe…” the blond replied playfully. Suddenly, a shiver ran down his spine. Turning around suddenly, he stared at the dining room window to find only the darkness outside. Had he dreamed? He saw Alhaitham staring at him with a sort of concern. “Kaveh, how are you? Looks like something's bothering you.
- No it's nothing, don't worry! I thought I heard a noise. It must be fatigue,' the blond lied.
- Hmm, okay. I'm going to bed. As I cooked, it is you who cleans. And don't make too much noise please
-Of course. Thanks again for the meal. Good night ! Kaveh replied as he picked up the plates. As he washed the dishes, he couldn't help the disgusting feeling from being watched. He didn't even dare to look out the window for fear of discovering something he didn't want to see. The silence in the house was suffocating, as if everything was suddenly too quiet. A cold sweat ran down his neck as he finished the dishes and left for his room. As soon as he turned off the light and crawled into bed, the sickening feeling began again. He turned over in bed, getting a direct visual on the window. At that moment, his body froze in horror. He had not dreamed! There was a figure at his window that hid as soon as he turned around. Frozen by fear, he dared not move. What should he do? What if they were burglars? Or worse ! If it was one of the students that afternoon who had followed him. Taken in a spiral of infernal thoughts, Kaveh did not see the night pass and found himself a ball of anguish in the early morning.
As he struggled to his feet, he glanced quickly at his window, but didn't notice anything alarming. There were no tracks on the tile, nor footprints on the floor. Assuming it was his whimsical mind playing tricks on him, he headed for the bathroom, then the kitchen to join Alhaitham for breakfast.
The scribe noticed his roommate's exhausted head. " Slept poorly ? he guessed correctly.
“Um…I haven't slept a wink. I had this feeling of being watched all the time. I even thought I saw a silhouette through my bedroom window,” the blonde laughed softly. The other wasn't laughing, but said nothing, frowning slightly. "It was probably fatigue," he retorted.
" Probably yes… ".
Kaveh fell silent. Why bother Alhaitham with such trivialities. He had more to do at the Academia than pity him for a sleepless night.
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Kaveh had no desire to go to the Academia, but the mere thought of staying in the scribe's house knowing what he had seen the day before sent a shiver down his spine.
Reluctantly, the blonde picked up his blueprints and headed for the library, hoping for some peace of mind. Kaveh's lucky star was obviously not there. He was used to it now. However, he couldn't let out a sigh when he saw the same students as the day before rushing towards him. "Senior Kaveh!" You came back! one exclaimed. "Is it to see us?" asked the second. The blond let out a weary laugh. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not here for you. Besides, I would be grateful if you could not stick to me today. I really need some air…”. The three students looked at each other and nodded. “We are sorry Senior Kaveh, we did not realize that our behavior is bothering you. You should have told us before. the girl explained softly before walking away. Kaveh smiled at that. They weren't mean, just a bit of a fan.
The blonde finally settled down at a table and began his work. Today, he was counting on finishing this store front.
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As he finally put the last stroke, he stretched, yawning greatly. " Fatigue ? asked a female voice. “Hmm? Yes a little » answered Kaveh softly without paying attention to who was talking to him. "You haven't slept because of Alhaitham perhaps?" the voice asked again.
Kaveh jerked his head up and turned at the origin of the voice to see…a wall. There was absolutely nothing around him. A deep anguish seized him again. He tossed around like a madman in his seat, attracting dubious looks from the students and researchers present, as he searched for the origin of this voice. Kaveh started to panic. He had not dreamed damn it!
Suddenly, everything had a meaning in his head. The silhouette, the voice… Someone knew! Or else he was good for the asylum. Slowly, he turned back to his plan, seeing that it was finished. Letting out a sigh, he picked up his things and went home. The feeling of being watched followed him. Seeing Cyno, Kaveh decided to go talk to him.
“Hello Cyno! the blond exclaimed with a smile.
- Hello to you too, Kaveh. You seem very tired,” noted the general.
- Hmm. Exactly... I would like to talk to you about something. But not here.
- Well, enter the office I'm coming. Cyno opened the door to his office, inviting the blonde. Kaveh sat down on the chair and waited a few minutes. At least the feeling had stopped.
Cyno finally entered and closed the door. "So, what did you want to talk to me about?" »
- Please don't laugh.
- Well I don't know. It will depend if...
- Promise! the blonde exclaimed vehemently.
- Alright Alright ! I promise, I won't laugh. Cyno was really intrigued now.
- Since yesterday, I have a strange sensation… as if I was being followed and observed permanently. So I took a longer route home yesterday to sow a potential follower,” Kaveh explained.
- Wise decision. Cyno commented with a nod. "Please continue"
- Well. When we were eating with Haitham, I felt like something or someone was watching me through the window, but when I turned around, NOTHING! And it continued all evening! The worst ! That's when I went to bed, I swear I saw a figure at my window! the blonde exclaimed, making the other frown. Cyno looked pensive.
“And again, in the library, I heard a voice asking me if I had slept badly because of Alhaitham. I swear Cyno someone knows…” Kaveh breathed out his final rant, tears in his eyes. The white put a firm hand on his shoulder and squeezed it.
“Don't worry Kaveh. I will open an investigation. I'll have you watched around the Academia. If you see anything else, come tell me. And no, you're not crazy. Kaveh looked up at the last sentence, a slight smile on his lips. His friend knew him well.
“Thank you Cyno”.
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Two weeks later, Kaveh had not relived the strange feeling, for his greatest happiness. Cyno hadn't contacted him about it, but he wasn't worried. Yet when he arrived at the Academia that morning, a strange atmosphere awaited him. Several times he received sidelong glances. When he passed through the hallways, the whispering stopped. A lump squeezed his throat.
What the hell was going on? When he arrived in front of his professional mailbox (he had chosen to leave it at the Academia, for obvious reasons of residence), he saw a sheet taped to it with an inscription.
“ POOR ” and “ HOMELESS ”. Kaveh stood shocked at the sheet. When he came to, he tore off the sheet and saw the looks of pity or mockery from the various people present. Damn it ! Who would do such a childish act in the Academia? Clutching the ball of paper in his hand, he retrieved his letters and went to a table to consult his mail. Kaveh thought he was lucky to arrive early in the morning, so he was able to limit the damage.
Among the letters refusing funding or requesting work, one without a sender questioned him. He picked up the small brown envelope. For its size, it was relatively heavy.
However, when Kaveh opened it, he knew his life would never be the same again. He had just opened Pandora's box. Inside are photos of him and Alhaitham eating at the scribe's. Another of him entering the house, key in hand. A third showed Alhaitham leaning against the door frame as he spoke to Kaveh who was sitting on his bed. And a letter. “ They already know. It's too late for you. LIAR ! »