Chapter Text
“I mean… You could come along if you want. That would be really nice.” Kaveh was standing in the doorway, fixing his hair.
“No,” Alhaitham replied. “I don’t want to talk to anyone. Why don’t you just stay home?”
Kaveh rolled his eyes and sighed. “Because I want to go out, Alhaitham! Unlike you, I’m not mentally eighty-seven and my idea of a fun Friday night is sitting at home reading boring old books.”
“Well, unlike you, I’m not mentally sixteen and my idea of fun is to drink myself into a stupor and make a complete fool of myself in public.”
“Ouch,” Kaveh said, but he could not help but giggle at the memory Alhaitham was clearly thinking of. “…That was one time, one time I thought participating in a limbo contest drunk was a good idea. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned, get over it.”
“You almost split your head open.”
“I almost won the contest.”
Alhaitham sighed and shook his head. “You’re hopeless. At least promise me you won’t do anything stupid, such as having more than two glasses of wine.”
“Alhaitham, come on,” Kaveh groaned. “I can be responsible. I’ve had a stressful week, and I just want to go out and have a good time. Besides, Cyno and Tighnari are going to be there as well. You really should come, it will be fun.”
“I don’t want to,” Alhaitham responded, and he went back to the couch in defeat. If Kaveh was that determined to go, then he wouldn’t stop him. He didn’t understand how Kaveh could prefer being at a loud, stuffy tavern with lots of drunk people over relaxing at home with a good book, but he really was trying. With Kaveh's track record of drunken idiocy, he would still be worried, though. Alhaitham picked up his book again and watched Kaveh put on his shoes.
“Don’t forget your key.”
Kaveh smiled and waved at Alhaitham from the door, jiggling his key around.
“See you later, you buzzkill!” He made sure to stick his tongue out at Alhaitham right before closing the door behind himself, and hence, before he could do or say anything in response.
Alhaitham rolled his eyes.
"Have fun, moron," he said, even though Kaveh was already gone.
It was still fairly early, and Kaveh was sitting at their usual table at Lambad’s, alone, sipping on some wine. Cyno and Tighnari had left a couple of minutes ago. It was always like this; whenever Alhaitham wasn’t with them, Kaveh always ended up feeling like the third wheel after some time. He really was trying to be understanding of Alhaitham’s preferences, but Kaveh thought that it would really do him good to get out and talk to their friends more often. He sighed and stared into his glass. Oh well, no point in staying here all by himself, he would just finish his wine and then go back home to complain to Alhaitham how boring it had been without him there. Kaveh was about to get up from his chair when he heard a dark, silky voice address him.
“Good evening. May I buy you another drink?”
When Kaveh looked up, he saw a masked man with wavy blue hair standing in front of him. He was very attractive, but Kaveh instantly sensed that there was something off about him. However, he was just a little too bewildered to refuse.
“Uh… sure,” Kaveh said, and watched the man gesture to the barkeeper for another bottle of wine.
He smirked down at Kaveh, revealing his sharp teeth. “…May I sit?”
Kaveh nodded slowly, and then took another look at the man as he sat down at the opposite side of the table. His clothes were quite unusual, and Kaveh wasn’t exactly sure where he could be from.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” Kaveh asked as he watched the barkeeper arrive with an unopened bottle of wine. He poured them two glasses, and then quickly left again. Kaveh probably wasn’t the only one here who was more than just a little intimidated by this person.
“I’m from Snezhnaya, but I used to live here in Sumeru. And to answer the next, inevitable question on your mind, which you’re probably too polite to ask… Yes, I am affiliated with the Fatui. Harbinger number two, in fact.”
Kaveh’s eyes went wide, and he gasped audibly. The man almost sounded proud when he said that, and Kaveh could not believe the absolute gall of him to just blurt that out as if it were nothing.
“W-Why would you just… admit that publicly?”
The man shrugged. “Why not? What are you going to do about it?”
“I don’t know, have you arrested or something?”
“For what?” The man chuckled and took a sip from his wine. “I’m just peacefully sitting here, having a drink and engaging in conversation with a fellow scholar.”
Kaveh raised an eyebrow and cast the man a wary glance as he sipped on his own wine. This was just a little too much to stomach, was he actually having a drink with a Fatui Harbinger? Alhaitham’s voice echoed in Kaveh’s mind, don’t do anything stupid, and then, run, as far and as fast as you can. But Kaveh didn’t.
“…How do you know that I’m a scholar?”
“You’re Kaveh, aren’t you? The famous Light of Kshahrewar? Don’t look so surprised, I’ve done my research.”
“And you are…?” Kaveh asked, nibbling on his bottom lip.
“People just call me the Doctor. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
“Okay then, Doctor… what do you want from me?”
“Nothing in particular,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to someone interesting. You seem interesting to me.”
“That’s a little hard to believe,” Kaveh mumbled. “I’m just an architect.”
“Yes, and quite a good one, or so I’ve heard…no need to be so humble,” the Doctor smiled at him. “I don’t mean to insult you, but this seems like such a terrible waste of talent.”
Kaveh raised an eyebrow. “How come? Not to sound conceited, but most people praise me for my accomplishments.”
“Most people are sheep. I did not mean to offend you, your vitae is certainly outstanding. I am simply suggesting that someone as bright and brilliant as yourself must be capable of achieving greater things than…building houses. If you really think about it, you are nothing but a glorified construction worker.”
“Wow… Tell me what you really think,” Kaveh said and kept sipping his wine. What a backhanded compliment, and here he thought Alhaitham’s words could be hurtful at times. “…What do you suggest, then?" Kaveh huffed. "Where would my talents be adequately represented?”
“Studying something that is actually interesting and challenging, such as machines and technology, for instance.”
Kaveh inhaled sharply and clutched his wine glass. “Studying machines is heavily restricted in our Darshan, the Akademiya has basically banned that field of study, you must know that.”
“Yes, I am aware. For the most ridiculous of reasons, too.” The Doctor sighed and went back to drinking his wine. “The Akademiya isn’t the only place where you can acquire knowledge and skills. I discovered that shortly after I was exiled from there myself.”
“You were…exiled?”
“It’s a long story. Let’s just say my interests weren’t in line with the oh so virtuous ideals of the Akademiya.”
“Hm…sounds like you’re trouble,” Kaveh said and poured himself some more wine. If this conversation were to continue, he wasn’t nearly drunk enough for this. He could not believe that he was having an actual discussion with this…Doctor. Alhaitham would probably throw a fit if he knew. But something about him was strangely captivating; Kaveh just couldn’t bring himself to thank the man for the drink, wish him a good night, and then get up and leave. He knew that would be the right thing to do; he knew that he should remove himself from the situation and stay far, far away. Yet he couldn’t.
“Perhaps,” the Doctor said and chuckled. “Or maybe I just get bored quickly. Is that so terrible?”
“That depends,” Kaveh responded. “It depends on what exactly you did... But I also believe that everyone deserves a chance for redemption.” He paused, and then stared at the masked man’s face. “Are you…trying to redeem yourself?”
The Doctor stared back, and then he simply laughed. “Would that make you feel better, Kaveh? Would that put your mind at ease? I heard you’re a highly empathic individual… Can’t you empathize with me?”
“I don’t know you well enough to answer that,” Kaveh sighed and drank some more of his wine. He finally felt the effects of the alcohol kick in.
“Then I suggest we get to know each other a little bit better.”
“That would be a start,” Kaveh said and bit his lip. This was a terrible idea. It was like an accident happening in slow motion, and all he could do was watch.
“Well, there is one thing about you I can’t help but point out…you’re exquisitely beautiful, Kaveh.”
Kaveh almost choked on his wine when he heard that, and his cheeks went red. He didn’t know how to respond, all the words in his mind were jumbled up in a frantic chaos of confusion, embarrassment and…excitement. Had he heard right? Was the Doctor, a Harbinger…hitting on him? Alcohol and handsome, mysterious strangers really were a dangerous combination, and Kaveh wasn’t used to such outright compliments and flattery. He tried to think of something clever to say in response, but he was far too drunk, so in the end, all that came out of his mouth was a very inarticulate mixture of huh? and what?
“I said you’re beautiful,” the Doctor repeated, this time leaning in very close and lowering his voice. So Kaveh had heard right.
“Umm…thanks,” he stuttered, and immediately sighed in regret. He must be coming off like an absolute idiot. He didn't even know why he cared, it wasn't as if he was actually considering pursuing...whatever this was.
“I’m sorry… I’m… really drunk, and I…don’t exactly know how to flirt. You should probably find someone else for that.” Kaveh laughed awkwardly and twisted his wine glass between his fingers.
“Somehow, I find that quite hard to believe,” the Doctor murmured. “Besides, who says I’m flirting? It was just an observation…I was simply stating an obvious fact.”
If it was possible, Kaveh’s face turned even redder than before, but he finally found his words again.
“I do find you very handsome as well,” Kaveh said. “It’s just… I don’t usually do this. I mean, talk to other men like that...” He immediately thought of Alhaitham, and what he would say if he saw him with someone else, anybody else. Probably nothing, because he wouldn’t even care. Kaveh couldn’t deny that he had a huge crush on his roommate, but Alhaitham had never given him any reason to believe that the feeling was mutual. Sure, behind closed doors, he was nice to him, in his own weird little way. Their teasing and bickering was mostly friendly in nature. But Kaveh was certain that Alhaitham simply had no interest whatsoever in romance or relationships, and therefore he felt like he had no right to impose his silly little feelings on him. It could potentially ruin their already fragile friendship forever, and he no doubt would have to find a new living arrangement.
“Well, then… it could be our little secret,” the Doctor said, and reached across the table, brushing a strand of hair out of Kaveh’s face. His hand lingered on his cheek for a moment, and then slid down the side of Kaveh’s neck. He hummed in appreciation, and his fingers moved further down, to his collarbone, tracing its shape. The touch sent a shiver down Kaveh’s spine, and his breath hitched in his throat. There was no point in hoping that Alhaitham would ever touch him like this, so he might as well consider his other options.
Kaveh tried to sober up at least a little before things could get even more out of hand. Finally, he regained some of his wits. He swatted away the Doctor’s hand. “Hey…I’m not that kind of boy,” he chuckled, “I’m not going to hop into bed with a stranger on the first night. Perhaps after three to five months of intense courtship. And once I can be sure you're not as wicked as you let on.”
“I thought so… I do apologize for my unwarranted advances, I got carried away.” The Doctor laughed quietly and rested his chin on his hand. “…Three to five months you say? You must be rather confident to think I would wait that long, which makes you even more attractive. Only the most phenomenal things are worth waiting for.”
Kaveh sighed and leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes, and it felt like not only he himself, but the whole tavern was spinning. He was definitely drunk out of his mind at this point, and this conversation had turned unexpectedly…sensual. The Doctor’s allure went beyond physical attractiveness, he was clearly an intelligent man, and so very charming. And straightforward, just like Alhaitham…if he were interested in intimacy. Kaveh knew that this man was bad news, but he simply couldn’t help thinking that perhaps there was still something good in him, or that he had a valid reason for being who he was. Either way, he was undeniably attracted to him. At least right now, being as drunk as he currently was.
“I didn’t say ‘wait’, I said intense courtship,” Kaveh smiled innocently and placed a cool hand at the back of his boiling hot neck, trying to bring his temperature down at least a little. It was getting uncomfortably hot in here.
“Hm… I must admit, I don’t usually do that,” the Doctor said. “But it could be an interesting experiment. Perhaps I could try to set a new record… how about two months?”
“Aren’t you ambitious,” Kaveh giggled and leaned heavily on the table. Probably not his brightest idea, but he grabbed his glass of wine, and downed its remaining contents in one large gulp.
“Given the right motivation, yes.”
“So…what would you do to me after those two months then, Doctor?” Kaveh slurred, casting a seductive glance directly at the Doctor. Bold, but effective. He hadn’t thought it possible to render the man in front of him tongue-tied, but apparently, he had been successful. It took him a while to respond, but when he did, there was a downright twisted smirk on his face.
“Well… I would make you scream. That much is certain.”