Archive of Our Own ^beta

It has been two years since Kaveh left Teyvat. Two years since he last saw the green lash of Sumeru. Two years since he was called “The Light of Kshahrewar”. Two years since he wore his red cape. Two years since he used his Dendro vision. For two years he drank wine while enjoying a game of Genius Invocation TCG with Cyno. Two years since he last visited Tignari and Collei for dinner. Two years since he held a quill to design for clients. Two years since he last saw his love. 

He remembered the days when he had to say goodbye to his close friends. He never told them where he was going. They assumed it was one of the other continents. Collei cried as she gave him a small handmade doll. Madam Faruzan gave him a set of beautiful coloured pallets that he left behind. Cyno and Tighnari both gave him a photo album. They knew that they could not convince their friend to stay, even though they aren’t sure where he will be going. Cyno even sent him off with one of his jokes, which he wrote down on one of the photos in the album. The ones who knew were their Archon, Nahida, and her loyal companion. They made sure to keep it a secret from everyone. 

He met the trailblazer and the express crew during one of his expeditions two years back. It was a moment of luck that they landed in front of him while he was blazing through the sandstorm. After helping them with their mission which includes getting locked in a ruin full of ancient mechanics boobytraps, a group of eremites and hunters chasing them, and an ancient god that still resides in that ruin. Back then he wondered if this was what Alhaitham felt when he helped the traveller. At the same time, he laughed knowing that the man will show no emotion but make more…. Rational course of action. Until now he finds it ludicrous, irresponsible, and dangerous.

Long story short, he was invited to join their future expeditions. They gave him time to think. They even mentioned that he can always return to Teyvat whenever he feels like it. The offer was tempting. He took his time when he went back. He made excuses not to join them including his debt, which to his surprise, Himeko offered to cover as his advance payment.

She said, as he quoted; “Having you in our team will be an interesting equation”
Smile as she sips her cup of tea.

After weighing everything, it came to the last argument with  Alhaitham that made him decide to leave. The argument was so bad that it felt like their joint project in Akademia. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, but he decided it was best for them to be separated. 

It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Alhaitham. He never did say goodbye. Packed the bare minimum with Mehrak and left his keys in the glass bowl next to the door. He didn’t have the heart to say his farewell. Just like the coward he is, he left during the night. 

Remembering it all was giving him a headache. Actually, he started to have a migraine the moment PomPom announced that they are making a stop at Teyvat for the next five days. He made sure that he stayed in the engine room for those five days. Not wanting to even see the planet itself. Busying himself by assembling and disabling the machines there. He is sure to have an earful from Asta, but right at that moment, it’s the best distraction he could do. 

“Mehrak pass me the __”

Instead of the cold metal of the tool, he felt warm skin lingers on his hand. Long enough for him to turn and face the most beautiful face he has ever seen. His skin is still pale but aged well for the two years they were apart. His silver hair had grown longer, shoulder length, tied to the side with small braids. His eyes are still the unique teal green, calculative but now warmer. Those eyes are staring at him as he tries to avert his red ones from looking straight into those unique bicolours that he fell in love with during his Akademia days.

He stands so fast that he hits the metal of the machine he was repairing with a loud tang. Almost everyone in the area stopped to look at him.

“Ouch…”
Rubbing his head where he felt a rising bump he also felt a warm hand trying to smooth it. A quick reflex made him slap the hand away and look at Alhaitham. They both stared at each other before the younger one turned and walked away.

“Very well… goodbye” 
As Alhaitham turned to leave his hair to move, Kaveh was shocked to see his earrings on Alhaitham. The pair of earrings that he used to cherish because it reminded him of the man he cherished. 

He made a quick move by pulling Alhaitham’s hand. The pull was stronger than he expected as the other man was quickly pulled straight to his chest. The warmth shared between the two was something they didn’t realise that they desire. It was also something that they both stubbornly would not admit that they missed. 

“Those earrings… Why do you have it… Wait… why-how are you wearing them? You don’t have any piercings. And you can’t wear your headphones with them” 
Kaveh moved some of the silver hair to closely inspect the reddening ear. Minutes felt like hours before their “physical interaction” session was interrupted by a clicking of a camera. 

“Aaawwww…. Don’t they look cute?”
March 7th showed Caelus the Polaroid photo she took. Caelus just nod in agreement as he gestured to March to show it to Danheng when they met him. 

“He-Hey you should take photos without people’s permission! Give that!” 
Kaveh tried to snatch the photo away only for Caelus and March 7th to speed up and run to the other side of the area. 

“Nah… I think this will look great in my journal”
March 7th wave as she disappears behind the doors.

With a sigh, Kaveh rubbed his head and flinched when he remembered that his head just hit the metal he was working with. Turning around and looking at Alhaitham who was staring at the scene unfolding in front of him, Kaveh gestured for him to follow him. He needs some painkillers, and maybe some alcohol, strong ones. Maybe he should ask Mr Yang if they could stop by Belobog to stock up on some good wine and beer. 
—-

Entering Kaveh’s room, Alhaitham noticed some familiar items and many that were not. Sitting at the corner near the window was Kaveh’s claymore, the beautiful flowery design that he commissioned from Mondstard. Hanging on it was his Dedro vision which was deemed light, maybe because the ship is near Teyvat. Next to it was Mehrak, or what used to be her.

“What happened to Mehrak?”
He asked as he bent down to inspect the heavy case.

“Oh! That’s her old shell. Nowadays she’s an AI. Here”
Kaveh tapped his watch and a holographic Mehrak pops up in the room. She made a happy beeping sound when she saw Alhaitham. Gesturing the man to sit on the bed as she zooms around the room to get some drinks for their guest.

“Thank you Mehrak. You are sweet as I remembered” 
Alhaitham said when the AI hovered over a cup of tea for Alhaitham. To his surprise, it tasted like how he liked his tea. Though it does have a unique flavour that he never tasted before. While sipping his tea, he looked at Kaveh.

The Kaveh in front of him is the same…. Yet not. He’s toner, and bulkier, there are more scars littered on his body, scars that he knows nothing about, and there are signs of wrinkles shaping on his face. Two years has been too long.

“At least you’re not bolding”

“Excuse you!?!?” 
Kaveh turned as he put on a fresh shirt.

Alhaitham walked off the bed and in front of him.

“Let me repeat that, at least you are not bolding”
He held a few strands of greys in his golden locks. Signs of ageing.

“Tsk… it’s just stress. Don’t you know grey hair means you think a lot?” 
He softly removed the hand holding his hair. Yet never let go. Looking at the rougher hands before finally looking at the man in front of him.

Even though Alhaitham is taller, he felt he was looked down upon. He felt he knew the man in front of him, yet he didn't. That vibrant red he admires and had been secretly seeking is now looking straight at him. And it felt like something cracked in him. Some he wished he didn’t notice. 

Moving closer he placed his face on the crooked of Kaveh’s neck.

“Don’t…..leave me… again….please”
He said in a whisper. A prayer to any archons who listen. Maybe Lord Kusanali, as she had always been kind to her people.

Kaveh was shocked, Alhaitham is not the type of person to whisper or show his emotions. He speaks his mind and wears an air of confidence around him. Yet the man in front of him right now feels…. Fragile. Like if he says the wrong thing or touches him he will just break. Kaveh guides them to the window seats, not letting any physical distance between them. This somehow caused Alhaitham to sit on his lap. 

“I can’t. I can’t stay when I’m not needed.” 
Kaveh said as finally looked down at the planet below them. The small tiny planet that he was born on. 

“Who says you aren’t needed? Did you know all our friends miss you? Do you know I need you!” 
Alhaitham half screamed as he tightened his hold on Kaveh’s shirt. 

"Bu-But"

"No buts! If you are planning on staying on this ship, so will I" 
put both of his hands on Kaveh's cheeks to make him focus on him.

"Wha-what? I mean, Himeko san might not allow..?"
Kaveh tries to find a good excuse to distance himself.

"Stop running and just tell me what you want to say to me! I won't move until you do"
To emphasize this he leans in towards Kaveh making them lie back on the soft couch. 

"That-that's physically impossible! We will need to move one way or another! What about food? or the bathroom??"
Kaveh tries his very best not to blush (but fails) as Alhaitham's chest touches his. The man still wears thin materials on his skin, it wasn't helping. 

"Don't worry about that.... senpai. Mehrak can help"
Alhaitham leans in and whispers to Kaveh's ears and turns to look at Mehrak. The AI beeps happily as she zooms out of the room and comes back with food to show what she can do. 

"Oh come on.... Mehrak! Aren't you supposed to listen to me! Did I install a command prompt for you to listen to Alhaitham while I was drunk years ago?" 
He groaned and slumped back. 

"No, you didn't. I took my time to learn to speak to her and we had... What do people call a bonding time?"
Alhaitham grins as Mehrak chirps in agreement. 

Covering his eyes with both of his palms, Kaveh chuckles in defeat. He missed the teasing bantering they used to have, he missed the arrogant smile Alhaitham gave him when he knew he won, and he even missed the control the man had over him.

"FINE! You want it so badly! I ran away because I can't take it anymore! It's exhausting to be seen as this..  genius architect act! It's exhausting that I can barely pay rent without having a huge debt around my waist, it's exhausting to keep up the charade of being this perfect citizen that son! It's exhausting the be seen as an idiot... and most of all... it's exhausting to love you..."
He finally said it all. The thing he kept deep in his heart and the reason why even looking at the green planet hurts him so much. 

He was ready for anything from Alhaitham. The rejection, the insult, heck, even Mehrak hitting him with his old claymore. But he wasn't ready for the warm lips on his. It was warm and out of the blue he had to open his eyes. Alhaitham was kissing him, a passionate one. He can even feel him giving him a kitten lick on his lips before pulling away. 

"I was waiting for 10 years for you to finally confess. Now tell me, where do I put my luggage?" 
Alhaitham grins as he moves off Kaveh. 

"Wait... what luggage? And what was that!?"
On cue, there was a knock at his door. 

"Hello Alhaitham, I'm the conductor of the Astral Express, Pom Pom! I'm here to deliver your luggage and invite you for tea at the Parlor Car. Himeko san and Mr Yang told me you are great with cataloguing! It would be nice if you could help me organise some things."
Pom Pom said sheepishly as he rubs his cute tiny paws.

"It's nice to meet you Pom Pom, thank you for helping me with the luggage. Please tell Himeko san and Mr Yang I am delighted to join them for tea. But please let me freshen up first" 
Alhaitham gave a small pat on Pom Pom's head before closing the door.

"As I was about to say, Kaveh senpai. I will find and follow you wherever you go. Be it the end of the universe" 
Alhaitham pushed Kaveh on the bed and straddled him. He let him go twice now. He will not let the blond leave him ever again.