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Kaveh pushed open the door to the house he begrudgingly shared with Alhaitham, exhaustion dragging down every step. It had been a brutal day—clients nitpicking his designs, deadlines looming—and all he wanted was to collapse into bed. But as he entered, that familiar irritation flared up.
"Of course, he couldn’t even bother to leave a light on," Kaveh muttered, shaking his head.
Their endless bickering had become routine, and even now, Kaveh found himself grumbling about the little things. But something felt off—more than just his usual annoyance. The air inside was thick, heavy with an unsettling stillness that made his skin prickle. Alhaitham had a mission today… and he should have been back by now. Kaveh's irritation shifted to unease as he scanned the room, dread creeping in like a cold wind. Where was Alhaitham?
“Alhaitham?” Kaveh called out, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. He waited, expecting the usual monotone response or a sarcastic remark, but the house remained eerily quiet.
A cold shiver ran down his spine.
He took a few hesitant steps forward, his mind racing as he tried to ignore the growing sense of dread building in his chest. That’s when he saw it—a faint smear of blood on the floor, leading into the living room.
Panic gripped him like a vice, and Kaveh’s breath caught in his throat. “No…” His steps quickened, his heart pounding as he followed the trail of blood. With each step, the oppressive silence of the house seemed to close in on him, amplifying his fear.
He rounded the corner into the living room and stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening in horror at the sight before him.
Alhaitham was slumped against the wall, his body battered and broken. His once-pristine clothes were soaked with blood, and his normally sharp, composed expression was twisted in pain. His skin was ghostly pale, his breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps.
Kaveh froze, his mind refusing to process the horror in front of him. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real. His thoughts spun in a chaotic whirlpool, and he struggled to breathe, the weight of the scene pressing down on him.
“Alhaitham!” Kaveh’s voice cracked as he stumbled forward, falling to his knees beside Alhaitham’s limp form. His hands hovered above the bloodied wounds, shaking uncontrollably. He didn’t know where to start, didn’t know how to help. There was so much blood—too much.
“Alhaitham, please…” Kaveh’s voice was barely a whisper as he pressed his hands against a deep gash on Alhaitham’s side, desperate to stop the bleeding. “Stay with me. You have to stay with me…”
Alhaitham’s eyes fluttered open, though his gaze was unfocused and distant. He blinked slowly, as if trying to place where he was, or who Kaveh was. His lips moved, but no sound came out at first. When he finally managed to speak, his voice was weak—so weak it nearly shattered Kaveh. “Kaveh…”
Kaveh’s breath hitched, and tears filled his eyes as he leaned closer. “I’m here. I’m right here,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “What… what happened? Who did this to you?”
Alhaitham’s eyes closed again, and for a terrifying moment, Kaveh thought he had lost him. But then, with great effort, Alhaitham’s lips parted. “Ambush… couldn’t… avoid it…”
“Ambush?” Kaveh repeated, his voice rising in disbelief. “Why didn’t you—why didn’t you call for help? Why didn’t you—” His words cut off as a sob escaped him. He pressed harder against the wound, his hands slick with blood. “You idiot! You… You should’ve let me join you! I could’ve… I could’ve helped…”
Earlier, Alhaitham was sent to the desert on his own to investigate a rogue faction rumored to be gathering dangerous artifacts. Even though Cyno had warned him about the mission’s risks, Alhaitham chose to go alone, trusting in his own skills to handle whatever came his way. When Kaveh had tried to offer help, Alhaitham had brushed it off, insisting that he could handle it. What started as a simple investigation quickly spiraled into chaos when he was ambushed by hidden enemies. Despite fighting fiercely and winning, he was overpowered and severely injured.
Alhaitham’s brow furrowed, and he forced his eyes open once more, though it was clear he was barely clinging to consciousness. “Didn’t… want… to worry you…” His voice was barely a whisper, strained with pain.
Kaveh’s heart twisted painfully at those words, and the dam he had been holding back finally broke. “Damn it, Alhaitham!” he cried, tears streaming down his face. “Why do you always have to do this? Why do you have to shoulder everything alone? Why can’t you just… just let someone in? Let me in…”
His voice cracked, and he choked on a sob, the weight of everything crashing down on him all at once. He couldn’t lose Alhaitham. Not like this. Not when there were so many things left unsaid, so many regrets weighing on his heart.
“You… you don’t get to die on me,” Kaveh whispered through his tears, his voice trembling with raw emotion. “You hear me? You don’t get to leave me behind… Not after everything…”
Alhaitham’s hand twitched, as if he was trying to reach for Kaveh but didn’t have the strength. His voice was little more than a strained breath. “Kaveh… I’m… sorry…”
“Stop apologizing!” Kaveh’s voice rose in desperation, his tears falling freely as he clutched Alhaitham’s hand. “Just… just stay with me. Please, Alhaitham… I can’t—” His voice broke again, and he buried his face in his free hand, sobbing openly now. “I can’t lose you…”
Kaveh’s shoulders shook with the force of his grief, the fear of losing Alhaitham tearing him apart from the inside. He had always known that Alhaitham was reckless, that he took on too much without asking for help. But seeing him like this—broken, bleeding, barely holding on—was more than he could bear.
“I’m… not going anywhere... not leaving you… I promise…” Alhaitham whispered, though his voice was so faint that Kaveh almost didn’t hear it. He managed a weak smile, despite the pain that was clearly etched across his features. “Too stubborn… to die…”
Kaveh let out a choked laugh through his tears, his grip on Alhaitham’s hand tightening as if that alone could keep him tethered to this world. “You’d better be,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Because if you die on me, I swear I’ll… I’ll never forgive you…”
Alhaitham’s smile faltered, and for a moment, a flicker of something vulnerable crossed his features. “Kaveh… I…”
But whatever he was going to say was lost as a wave of pain washed over him, and he gasped, his body tensing. Kaveh’s heart lurched in his chest as he watched Alhaitham’s face contorted in agony, his breaths coming in short, shallow bursts.
“No, no, no… stay with me!” Kaveh cried, panic surging through him once more.
"Kaveh…” Alhaitham’s voice was a mere whisper now, so faint that Kaveh had to lean in close to hear him. “I’m… glad… you’re… here…”
And with that, Alhaitham’s eyes slid shut, and his body went limp in Kaveh’s arms.
“No!” Kaveh screamed, his voice tearing through the silence of the house as he clutched Alhaitham’s battered body. “No, no, no… please, Alhaitham, don’t leave me… please…”
But Alhaitham’s strength was fading fast, and Kaveh could feel the life slipping away from him. The realization hit him like a freight train, and he let out a broken sob, his whole body trembling with the force of his grief.
He glanced at the doorway, desperately hoping for a miracle. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each second an agonizing reminder of how close they were to losing everything. He could almost hear the minutes ticking away, a harsh reminder of the precious time slipping through his fingers.
“Kaveh!” A voice suddenly called out, piercing through the fog of despair that had consumed him. Kaveh looked up, his tear-streaked face twisted with anguish as Tighnari and Cyno rushed into the room.
“Tighnari, please!” Kaveh’s voice was a desperate plea as he frantically wiped at his tear-streaked face. “He’s… he’s not…”
Tighnari knelt beside them, his expression grim as he quickly assessed the situation. “He’s critical,” Tighnari muttered, already pulling out his medical supplies. “We need to act fast.”
Cyno moved to Kaveh’s side, his normally stoic expression softened with concern. “Kaveh, let Tighnari take over,” he said gently, placing a hand on Kaveh’s shoulder. “He’ll do everything he can.”
Kaveh hesitated for a moment, his hands still pressed against Alhaitham’s wound as if letting go would mean losing him forever. Kaveh’s breath caught in his throat, and for a moment, everything else faded away. All he could see was Alhaitham—the man who had always been there, infuriating and impossible, but also the one constant in his life. And he couldn’t lose him. He couldn’t.
With a trembling hand, Kaveh slowly pulled away, letting Tighnari take over. But as he moved back, he kept his gaze locked on Alhaitham, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Please… keep your promise,” Kaveh whispered, barely audible over the rush of blood in his ears.
And as Tighnari worked to save Alhaitham’s life, Kaveh knelt beside them, the weight of everything pressing down on him like a tidal wave. The fear, the grief, the love he had been too afraid to name—it all crashed over him, leaving him raw and broken.
But through it all, one thought remained.
Alhaitham had to survive.
Because Kaveh couldn’t bear the thought of a world without him.
Kaveh’s world felt like it was spinning out of control. He sat next to Alhaitham, his eyes never leaving the wounded man as Tighnari worked with swift, practiced motions. Cyno stood nearby, his presence a steady anchor amid the chaos.
Tighnari’s hands moved swiftly, applying pressure to the wounds, stitching up lacerations with a precision that spoke of years of training. His face was a mask of focused determination, but Kaveh could see the strain beneath. The gravity of Alhaitham’s condition weighed heavily on everyone in the room.
Kaveh could barely breathe, his heart still pounding from the adrenaline and fear. He tried to offer help, but Tighnari had firmly directed him to stay out of the way, insisting that his emotional state might interfere with the urgent care Alhaitham needed.
“Is he going to be okay?” Kaveh’s voice was a whisper, as though speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile hope he clung to.
Tighnari glanced up, his expression softening momentarily. “He’s in critical condition, Kaveh. But if we can stabilize him now, he has a chance. I need you to stay calm for him.”
Kaveh nodded, his hands gripping the edge of a nearby chair so tightly his knuckles were white. He watched as Tighnari worked, his hands moving with careful efficiency to clean and bandage Alhaitham’s wounds.
Cyno approached Kaveh, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. “You’re doing the right thing by being here. Alhaitham needs you.”
Kaveh looked up at Cyno, his eyes red and swollen from tears. “I don’t know if I can handle this,” he admitted, his voice trembling. “I feel like I’m losing him, and there’s nothing I can do.”
Cyno’s grip tightened reassuringly. “You’re not losing him. Tighnari is one of the best. Alhaitham is strong, and he’s fighting to stay with us, with you. He’s not alone in this.”
Kaveh swallowed hard, his gaze returning to Alhaitham. He saw the pain etched into every line of his face, and his heart ached at the sight. “Alhaitham, please… you have to stay with me. I need you. We still have so much to… to talk about. So much to do. You can’t just—”
He broke off, overwhelmed by another wave of tears. His body shook with the force of his sobs, and he buried his face in his hands, feeling utterly powerless.
Tighnari looked up briefly, catching Kaveh’s anguished expression. His eyes softened, and he spoke with a gentle tone that contrasted sharply with the urgency of the situation. “Kaveh, Alhaitham can hear you. He knows you’re here, and that’s important. Your presence is a comfort to him.”
As Tighnari continued to work, Kaveh’s sobs gradually subsided into quieter, more controlled cries. He took deep breaths, forcing himself to stay composed as he whispered softly to Alhaitham.
“I’m here,” Kaveh said, his voice catching with each word. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to get through this. You have to. For me.”
Alhaitham’s eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused, his exhaustion evident. Despite his state, he struggled to direct his gaze toward Kaveh. His hand reached out weakly, trembling as it barely made contact with Kaveh’s cheek. “Kaveh…” he murmured, his voice faint and disoriented.
Kaveh took Alhaitham’s hand, holding it gently yet firmly. “Shh… don’t try to talk. Just rest. You’ve been through so much… but you’re going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Alhaitham’s grip was weak, but it was there, and that small touch gave Kaveh a sliver of hope. As Alhaitham’s eyes slowly closed, Kaveh could see the pain in them, but also a hint of something else—something that told him Alhaitham was still holding on, still fighting.
Tighnari finished bandaging the last of Alhaitham’s wounds, and he stepped back, wiping sweat from his brow. “He’s stable for now. I’ve done everything I can here. The next few hours will be critical. Keep an eye on him, and if there’s any change—good or bad—let me know immediately.”
Kaveh nodded, his eyes still fixed on Alhaitham. “Thank you, Tighnari. I… I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Tighnari gave a small, reassuring smile. “You’re lucky we’re in the area. Just make sure you take care of yourself too, Kaveh. Alhaitham needs you too.”
As Tighnari and Cyno left the room, the weight of their shared frustration and concern was palpable. Cyno’s hands were clenched into fists, his jaw set with anger. "I warned him," he said, his voice taut with frustration. "I told him it was too dangerous to go alone. And now look where we are. This wasn’t supposed to happen."
Tighnari, his own worry clear in his eyes, placed a steadying hand on Cyno’s shoulder and pulled him into a side hug, his grip firm and reassuring. "I know," he said quietly, his voice betraying the depth of his frustration. "We all did. But he’s always been stubborn, and it’s part of what makes him... him. It doesn’t make it any easier, though. We should have been more insistent, more persuasive."
Cyno leaned into Tighnari’s embrace, letting the tension in his body slowly ease. "It’s just... I can’t stand seeing him like this. He’s our friend. We should have been able to prevent this."
Tighnari’s gaze was steady, but his voice carried the weight of his own frustrations. "We’ve been through so much together. It’s hard not to feel like we’ve let him down. But we can’t afford to let that overwhelm us now. We need to focus on finding out who’s behind this and making sure Alhaitham gets the justice he deserves."
Cyno nodded, his frustration tempered by Tighnari’s calm support. "You’re right. We’ll get him through this. He needs us now more than ever."
Tighnari’s hand lingered on Cyno’s shoulder, a silent testament to their shared commitment and the strength they drew from each other. "We’ll face this together, remember?" Tighnari said, his voice firm. "That’s what we owe him. We owe him our best effort, and we owe it to ourselves to stay strong."
Cyno faced Tighnari, pulling him into a tight embrace. They held each other close, their mutual frustration and worry easing in the comfort of their shared presence. “What will I do without you?” he murmured, his voice barely audible.
Tighnari looked at him, his expression softening. “You’ll manage, just like you always do. But I’d rather not find out”
Cyno shook his head slightly, his voice firm despite the lingering tremor. “I can’t accept that. I don’t want to think about it. You’re the one who keeps me grounded. I need you here.”
Tighnari’s gaze was steady, a small, genuine smile on his lips. “And I need you too, Cyno. I love you.”
Cyno’s eyes met Tighnari’s, filled with gratitude and affection. “I love you too, no matter what.”
Kaveh, listening to their conversation, felt a flicker of hope amid his anxiety. He watched as Cyno and Tighnari walked away, their promises giving him a small measure of comfort. Turning back to Alhaitham, he held his hand tightly and continued to speak softly, recounting their shared memories, voicing his hopes for the future, and expressing his love in every way he could.
Hours passed in a blur, filled with whispered promises and heartfelt confessions. The fear never fully left Kaveh, but he found solace in the small signs of improvement—Alhaitham’s breathing becoming slightly steadier, his grip on Kaveh’s hand firming ever so slightly.
Kaveh held onto the hope that Alhaitham would pull through, that their shared dreams and promises would be enough to keep him anchored to this world. The road ahead was uncertain, and the fear of what could still come was overwhelming. But in that quiet room, surrounded by the evidence of his struggle, Kaveh clung to the belief that Alhaitham’s strength—and his own—would be enough to see them through.
And as the night wore on, Kaveh continued to hold Alhaitham’s hand, his heart aching with the weight of his love and fear, but also warmed by the unyielding hope that together, they would overcome this darkest hour.
Kaveh’s exhaustion was palpable, but he refused to leave Alhaitham’s side. The faint hope that Alhaitham might wake up was his only anchor, and he clung to it with all his might.
Suddenly, Alhaitham’s hand twitches in Kaveh’s grasp. The small moment was enough to make Kaveh’s heart skip a beat. He leaned closer, his breath catching in his throat as he saw Alhaitham’s eyes flutter open.
Alhaitham’s gaze was unfocused at first, but gradually, recognition dawned in his eyes. He looked at Kaveh, confusion and pain mingling in his expression.
“Kaveh…” Alhaitham’s voice was a mere whisper, strained and weak. “Kaveh, is that you?”
Kaveh’s breath hitched, and he struggled to contain the overwhelming surge of emotion that threatened to break free. His eyes filled with tears, and he grasped Alhaitham’s hand more tightly. “Alhaitham… you’re awake. You’re really awake…”
Alhaitham’s gaze softened, but there was a weariness to it that spoke of the pain he was enduring. “I… thought I wouldn’t make it,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I didn’t… expect to see you…”
Kaveh’s heart ached at those words. He fought to keep his composure, but the strain was evident. “You can’t say things like that. You scared me, Alhaitham. You scared me more than anything has ever scared me before.”
Alhaitham’s eyes were filled with a mixture of regret and affection. “I’m sorry… I didn’t want to… put you through this…”
The words were like daggers to Kaveh’s heart. He had spent so many hours fearing the worst, and now that Alhaitham was awake, the floodgates of his emotions burst open. His voice trembled as he spoke, unable to hide the pain and anguish he had been holding back. “You think you can just… apologize for this? Do you know what it’s like to see you like this? To think I might lose you? I’ve been here, alone with my fears, waiting for you to wake up…”
Alhaitham’s gaze hardened slightly, and he tried to lift his hand, but the effort was too much. “Kaveh, I—”
“No!” Kaveh’s voice cracked, filled with raw desperation. He leaned closer, his face inches from Alhaitham’s. “You don’t get to tell me it’s going to be okay. You don’t get to make promises when you’re the one who put us in this situation. I’ve been holding on by a thread, and now you’re awake, and all you can say is you’re sorry?”
Tears streamed down Kaveh’s face, his composure shattering completely. “I was so afraid… Afraid of losing you, of never getting the chance to tell you how much you mean to me. I kept thinking of all the things I never said, all the times I pushed you away when I should have been holding you close.”
Alhaitham’s eyes filled with pain, and he tried to reach out to Kaveh, but his strength was failing him. “Kaveh, I… I didn’t know. I thought I was protecting you by… by not involving you. I thought if I could bear the burden alone, it would keep you safe.”
Kaveh’s sobs grew louder, his voice a broken whisper. “You can’t protect me by pushing me away. I want to be there for you, to share your burdens, not to be kept in the dark. I want to be with you, in every way. I want you to let me in, to let me help you.”
Alhaitham’s face contorted with pain and regret. “I didn’t know how to… how to let you in. I thought I was doing the right thing. But now… now I see how much I’ve hurt you.”
Kaveh’s breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to control his emotions. “You think you’ve hurt me? Do you know what it’s like to feel so helpless, to watch the person you love most suffer and not be able to do anything about it? You think you’re the only one who’s been through hell?”
Alhaitham’s eyes widened at Kaveh’s words. The person you love most… The realization hit him hard, making him focus entirely on that phrase. He hadn’t truly grasped the depth of Kaveh’s feelings—or his own. The weight of Kaveh’s suffering made him confront his own failings. “I’m sorry… I never wanted to… to hurt you. I thought I could handle it alone.”
Kaveh's voice broke as he let his frustration spill out. “I know you’re trying to protect me, but stop treating me like I’m made of glass! I can handle the truth, no matter how harsh it is. What I can’t handle is being kept in the dark. I need you to open up to me—really open up! Don’t shut me out like this—let me be there for you, just as you’re supposed to be for me!”
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of their past arguments and misunderstandings pressing down on them. Alhaitham’s gaze wavered, his emotions raw and tangled. He struggled to find the right words, the silence stretching between them. Finally, he broke the quiet, his voice trembling as he said Kaveh’s name, each syllable heavy with unspoken truth.
“Kaveh...”
The pause seemed endless as Alhaitham wrestled with his fears and emotions. “Despite all our bickering and the distance I’ve tried to create, the truth is… I love you. More deeply than I’ve ever allowed myself to admit. I was terrified of confessing my feelings, afraid that you might reject me or that my emotions might just add to your burdens. I worried that my vulnerability would be seen as a weakness, or that my feelings would be dismissed as trivial. I thought keeping you at arm's length would protect you from my troubles. But all it did was push you away.”
He took a shaky breath, his voice filled with regret. “I realize now that I need you with me, sharing every part of my life—every joy, every struggle. I want us to be together, not just for now, but for always. I want us to stay in our home, our home together, and build a future side by side. The thought of being without you is unbearable. That’s why I kept you out of this mission—I couldn’t bear the idea of anything happening to you because of me. I thought it was safer if I handled it alone. But now I see that my fear only drove us further apart.”
Kaveh’s heart ached as he absorbed Alhaitham’s words, the bitterness of their past arguments fading into the background. He reached out, his hands trembling slightly as he cupped Alhaitham’s face. “I love you too,” he said, his voice wavering with the weight of his emotions. “Despite all our bickering and the frustrations we've faced, I’ve always cherished your presence. I’ve struggled with my own feelings, feeling alone in my battles, but you were always there for me—even when I didn’t see it. Your support, though silent, has been my anchor.”
He paused, his eyes glistening with sincerity. “You know, I’m often stubborn and quick to argue, but it’s because I care so deeply. I’ve had a hard time admitting it, but I can’t imagine my life without you. When I thought I might lose you… when you were so close to death, it felt like my entire world was shattering. The thought of a future without you was unbearable. I need you in my life, not just for the moments when everything is perfect but especially during the struggles and the pain. We’ve been through so much together, and every time I’ve felt lost or overwhelmed, your presence has pulled me back.”
Kaveh’s voice dropped, filled with vulnerability. “I was afraid to confess my feelings too. It’s hard not to worry about being left alone or having my feelings dismissed. But I see you, Alhaitham—not as some emotionless figure, but as someone who has his own struggles and fears. I don’t want to keep pushing you away. I want to build a life with you, face every challenge together, and find joy in our shared moments. But for that to happen, you have to let me. You have to let me be a part of your life, completely. I’m ready to stand by your side, not just in this home but for the rest of our lives.”
Alhaitham’s eyes met Kaveh’s, filled with a mix of gratitude and sorrow. “I will… I promise. I’ll let you in. I’ll let you help me, and I won’t push you away again.”
Kaveh nodded, his tears falling freely now. “That’s all I ask. Just… let us be together, through everything.”
As Alhaitham’s eyes grew heavy again, the strain of his injuries evident, Kaveh stayed close, his hand still holding Alhaitham’s. The room was filled with an aching quiet, the unspoken promises hanging in the air between them.
Kaveh’s heart ached with fear and pain, but there was a glimmer of hope now—a fragile, tenuous hope that maybe, just maybe, they could rebuild what had been broken. He could see Alhaitham’s eyes closing once more, and a desperate need surged within him to convey just how much Alhaitham meant to him.
Slowly, Kaveh leaned in, his breath mingling with Alhaitham’s as he gently pressed his lips against Alhaitham’s. The kiss was tender, a soft brush of affection that spoke of all the things Kaveh couldn’t put into words. It was a promise, a plea, and an affirmation of their bond all in one.
Alhaitham’s lips were warm, and though his strength was waning, he managed to respond just enough to return the kiss. The contact was brief but filled with an intensity that conveyed more than any spoken words could. It was as if, in that moment, their hearts communicated directly, a silent agreement to face whatever came next together.
Kaveh pulled back slightly, his forehead resting gently against Alhaitham’s. His tears had slowed, replaced by a resolute determination. “I love you so much,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “I need you to hold on for me. We have so much left to share, and I want us to see it all together..”
Alhaitham’s eyes fluttered open just a fraction, meeting Kaveh’s gaze with a look of profound affection. “I love you too,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I’m here… and I’ll fight for us.”
As Kaveh watched Alhaitham’s eyes flutter closed once more, a calm settled over him. The kiss they shared had been more than just a fleeting moment—it was a mutual promise, a silent agreement to face whatever came next together. Exhausted, Kaveh lowered himself beside Alhaitham, their hands still linked. He gently rested his head on Alhaitham’s shoulder, finding comfort in their closeness. They had both struggled with their feelings, but now, side by side, there was a shared sense of understanding and commitment. Kaveh knew that no matter what lay ahead, they were in this together. Losing Alhaitham wasn’t an option. As he took in the steady rise and fall of Alhaitham’s chest, Kaveh made a silent vow to fight for their future, knowing Alhaitham felt the same way.