Archive of Our Own ^beta

Alhaitham knows many things.

There are two things he does not know.

1. How to comfort people.
2. How to dance.

These are very significant issues, especially because of his relationship with Kaveh.

Kaveh has had many woes in his life, and there are only a select few he allows to support him. He tends to believe he is a burden to others.

Alhaitham has always been there for him, in his own way. He may not know what to do in order to comfort Kaveh the best, but he tries.

Many years ago, when the pair was still in the Akademiya, Kaveh danced a lot. Whenever he was on his feet, he couldn’t keep them still. His moves could range from a simple sway of the hips to an attempt at copying the dancers at the bazaar. A hummed tune would often accompany his motions.

If it were any other person, Alhaitham would’ve been irritated by the constant fidgeting and off-tempo harping. But it was Kaveh, and anytime he was in Kaveh’s presence his eyes were covered by rose lenses.

Kaveh would often invite him to dance together, and Alhaitham would begrudgingly join in. Kaveh would set a spin crystal on the music player, take Alhaitham in his arms and lead him around his dormitory. He may not have been any good, but Alhaitham did have fun dancing with the blonde. Their laughter would fill the room, along with a couple of yelps of pain when the Haravatat accidentally stepped on his senior’s feet.

Alhaitham reminisced on those precious memories as he sat in the living room with Kaveh, who was working on a commission. The scribe was trying to read the book he had purchased about music theory, but it was difficult to focus when Kaveh was grumbling and scratching out sketches with his quill. The latter was never a welcome sound to his ears, but the music from his memories was. The book in his hands was not helping with his longing for more moments like that with his roommate.

Another huff from Kaveh, and that sparked an idea in his head.  Witnessing Kaveh struggle with his work was always causing Alhaitham concern. He normally had no clue on how to help, but dancing used to make Kaveh happy… and Alhaitham was missing those times like a dog… and the music player with a box of spin crystals was right across the room, and Kaveh’s hands would feel so nice on his shoulders and Kaveh’s waist would feel so nice in his hands and—

“Kaveh.”

“Alhaitham.”

“Will you dance with me?”

Kaveh’s quill dropped from his hand. Alhaitham watched as Kaveh slowly turned his head and examined his face to see if he was being genuine (he was).

“Right now?”

“Why not?”

“I’m in the middle of a project.”

“A project you’ve been working on all day, nonstop. Aren’t you the one always saying it’s good to stretch your legs once in a while?”

A defeated sigh, and a pained groan as he stood up. “Alright, let’s dance.”

Alhaitham eagerly marked his page and set his book down on the divan, following Kaveh to the open area of their living space. Alhaitham crouched down to look through the box of spin crystals, summoning what he’s learned from the music theory book to choose the perfect tune. A song in a major key would make Kaveh happy, right?

He placed a disc of slow dance melodies from Fontaine on the music player, and set the needle down. Then he turned around to face Kaveh, whose vermilion gaze met his own teal eyes.

The music began to play and Alhaitham outstretched his arms. Kaveh seemed taken aback at the choice of music, but stepped into his embrace anyways, placing his hands on the scribe’s shoulders and not breaking eye contact.

Alhaitham carefully set his hands on Kaveh’s waist, tightening his hold only when he was sure Kaveh wasn’t bothered.

“I hope you’ve improved since… last time.” The architect said with a hint of melancholy in his tone.

“I’m afraid I’ve had no partners to practice with. If anything, I’ve only gotten worse.” Alhaitham responded with a smirk. He lightly stepped on Kaveh’s foot to prove his point, earning himself a glare from the other.

“Well,” said a slightly agitated Kaveh. “I suppose I’ll take the lead, then.” As he spoke, the architect slid one hand down Alhaitham’s left arm and intertwined their fingers. He raised their arms and started off with a gentle sway from side to side to the tempo of the music.

As the song got closer to the climax, Kaveh began to lead them around the area, even turning them around a few times. His gaze wandered while Alhaitham’s stayed locked onto Kaveh’s face.

Kaveh must have felt him staring, for he looked into his eyes and gave a soft smile that made the scribe’s heart flutter.

At that moment, the song ended and switched to a much more mellow tune. Alhaitham decided he could handle this and took the lead.

Sidestepping and twirling ensued, their movements graceful and seemingly effortless. They were both focused on one another and their dance, trapped in their own world with blinders on their eyes.

As the song reached an emotional progression, Alhaitham, slow and carefully, began to tilt Kaveh back. His hand slid down the architect’s body, successfully dipping him and leaving a flustered expression on the blonde’s face.

Back into Alhaitham’s arms, Kaveh composed himself, his expression forming into an impressed one.

“So you did improve, or were you risking dropping me?” Kaveh  inquired with a teasing grin.

Alhaitham returned the smile and spoke with sincerity. “I would never let you fall, Kaveh.”

At that, Kaveh’s eyes rounded out, the sharp lines softening. His shoulders dropped with a short exhale, and Alhaitham’s brows furrowed in concern as a small tear slid down his roommate’s cheek. The scribe’s hands immediately flew to cup Kaveh’s face.

His monotone voice almost sounded panicked, a manner similar to the quick and gentle wiping of tears his fingers were busy with. “Wh— no, don’t cry… this was supposed to make you happy, I—”

A soft, grateful smile interrupted his thoughts, causing him to abruptly stop speaking. Kaveh was… smiling. At him.

Before he could commit that smile to memory, Kaveh had already rested his head on Alhaitham’s shoulder and slung his arms around his neck. The Haravatat’s hands returned to his senior’s waist.

“Thank you, Haitham. I’m having a great time.” Kaveh spoke quietly into his neck. “I just… really missed this. Dancing with you.”

Alhaitham didn’t realize he had missed being hugged by Kaveh so strongly until he received one after years of suffering without them. Unsure of how exactly to return it, the scribe hesitantly slid his hands further around Kaveh’s back, fully encircling him and pulling him closer.

Lulled by the soft tune in the background, the two swayed like a sapling in a slight breeze as they embraced. Alhaitham could feel Kaveh’s small exhales as the man pressed his face further into his neck.

“I love dancing with you.” The scribe blurted out, emitting a light giggle from Kaveh.

“I’d hope so.” The blonde responded lightheartedly. He lifted his head from Alhaitham’s shoulder, his carmine eyes shining with genuine affection. “I love dancing with you, too.”

Smiles grace both of their faces, the dumb kind that you see on lovestruck teenagers. Neither of them realized how close their faces had gotten until their noses brushed against each other and their lips pressed together.

The kiss was chaste and sweet, only lasting a second or two. But another one followed. Then another. And another and another until kisses were being placed on cheeks and foreheads and anywhere that could be reached.

When the need for oxygen was too dire, they separated, blush dusting different places on their faces. Kaveh’s was on his cheeks and nose, Alhaitham’s only on the tips of his ears.

Kaveh hid his face in the scribe’s chest for a moment, peeked up as if he were going to say something, and then hid again. After another amusing moment for Alhaitham, Kaveh lifted his head again, his face even more red than before.

“You know, there’s something I love more than dancing with you.” mumbled the blonde.

Alhaitham smirked. “Hm? What would that be?”

“Well, I…” he faltered, eyes darting around. Then, staring straight into Alhaitham’s eyes, he spoke firmly, “…I love you. More than dancing with you. But I still love dancing with you, you know, because I-I love you, and yeah… you get it.”

Alhaitham remained silent after Kaveh’s ramble, trying to suppress his growing smile. Kaveh, on the other hand, was about to burst like a shaken up bottle of Fonta.

“Won’t you say something?!” he whined, fisting Alhaitham’s shirt weakly.

Alhaitham laughed, the sound blending nicely with the music still playing in the background. He then leaned forward to peck the architect’s forehead. “I love you too, Kaveh.” he said softly as he pulled away.

Kaveh’s expression morphed between one of mystification, a petulant pout, and looking as if he were about to sob in less than a minute. Alhaitham was just glad none of them were an expression of frustration anymore.