Kaveh, drunk and flailing around, is kissing Haitham's neck. Although Haitham could take advantage of the situation, he simply keeps him company and brings him water to help him recover, knowing that it's all due to the effects of alcohol. At one point, Kaveh falls asleep in Haitham's arms and he carries him to bed.
The next morning, Kaveh wakes up with no memory of what happened, but notices the hickeys on Haitham's neck and playfully teases him about it.
Warnings: Spoiler on Haitham's Bday Dialogue (Tweaked it a bit), Nicknames for s/o (my lil bookworm), Gender neutral reader, OOC Alhaitham sry ill prolly remake this
a/n: Happy Birthday to the one and only akademia scribe, AlHaitham 🌱! Posting my first fic on Haitham's bday! Hope you like it!
Prologue: You were living on Alhaitham's abode as well as Kaveh for a long period of time. He was basically one of your friends before becoming your s/o. You were one of those few people that can understand how Alhaitham mind works as well as know his past. You wanted to surprise Alhaitham on his birthday, one that isn't too grand, just for him to experience, since he's special to you.
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Alhaitham woke up finding his house empty of bickering noise that usually wakes him up everyday. He went out to the kitchen, seeing pre-brewed coffee, plates with butter chicken and pita pockets, and a small mint green colored note that says "Good morning Alhaitham! It's your birthday is it not? Well happy Birthday! I know you don't celebrate your birthdays too grand so we I made you some butter chicken, pita pockets, and I even pre-brewed your favorite coffee! I apologize beforehand as something came up with Kaveh's project, and he asked for my assistance early in the damn morning, so I couldn't greet you when you woke up, nor I think we can't celebrate your birthday a little later. I really apologize, I'll make up to you really!" He read your note with a very small smirk in his face, although the smirk was washed away by a hint of sadness as he could not see your face early in the morning nor even spend time with you later. It is true that both of you were working on a project despite you being a Spantamad scholar and Kaveh as a Kshahrewar scholar. Alhaitham went on his original routine, after his morning coffee and ate the food that you made, he scurried to his office to see application forms piled up on his desk, after minutes of rejecting majority of the proposals, he went to the library to quietly read books.
You and Kaveh didn't actually do his near-due-project, both of you were preparing for a surprise for Alhaitham, since you knew that he hasn't experienced being surprised even when he was little. You knew that this was either a hit or miss situation, but you already decided that whatever Alhaitham might say, you wouldn't take it to heart. "Y/n? Y/n! Are you listening to me?" Kaveh shook you as clearly you weren't listening to him. "Sorry, I was deep in thought, what was it?" you gave Kaveh an apologetic look. "Ah! I was asking what food should we buy later, and the cake, the decor-" "Kaveh, I'm sure Alhaitham doesn't want a grand surprise, lets just make it simple? Simple decor like party streamers, and Alhaitham isn't really picky with food so we can probably make Lambad cook up some fish roll and ask some specialty from our friends, like Nilou, Cyno, Dehya, and Tighnari!" you cut Kaveh as you were walking down the Grand Bazaar "Right, Do you think they'd even agree to that? As that man clearly has no sense of emotion! Not even sense of style nor design! Did you see how he took off the magnificent piece of..." "Kaveh not right now....." Kaveh begins to rant how both of you were preparing for a guy that he clearly hates.
Alhaitham on the other hand, still is on the library, reading his usual range of books. His reading pace is quite slower than normal though. His mind is quite clouded today, as there are times that he thinks about you being unusually unavailable and he's probably thinking of increasing Kaveh's rent in the process. He shook his head, his irrational thoughts getting into him. He actually looks up to you a lot, and you actually gave him the key of feeling emotions, not that he'd give up rationality of course! It's not wrong to say that you made him feel emotions he's not used to feel. Alhaitham noticed that it's passed his office hours, so he packed up and made his way home.
While AlHaitham was spending his last minutes at the library, You and Kaveh were decorating his house; the place was quite tidy, party streamers were hung up, and a variation of food was across the table. You even manage to whip up some gifts from your friends.
Kaveh was on the watch, he saw Alhaitham coming home, he hurriedly sprinted towards the house signaling you "Y/N! He's coming!" he said as both of you hid behind the table.Alhaitham noticed Kaveh's stare from afar and he knew that something was up but he kept it to himself and let Kaveh do his thing.
When Alhaitham was on the doorstep, getting his keys, he could sense something was fishy. He turned the keys, opened the door, switched on the lights only to hear you and Kaveh yelling out "SURPRISE!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALHAITHAM!" For once, Alhaitham was stunned and speechless, however that quickly changed and went back into his usual cold demeanor. "Wouldn't it better to save your enthusiasm on my birthday, to everyday of your lives? In that case Kaveh wouldn't cram his architectural projects and you to wake up early every single morning" Alhaitham said, as a small smile crept his face. "HEY!!" "I sometimes wake up early, mind you!" You both shouted at Alhaitham.
All three of you were hanging out on the living room, talking and chatting how the day went. You noticed how Alhaitham was a bit more quiet than before so you decide to approach him.
"Hey? Everything alright, Haitham?" you questioned him while wearing a worrying look
"It seems so, what made you ask?"
"Well you're more quiet than usual..."
"Mhm? Nothing gets passed by you, doesn't it? Well to be frank, I just don't know how to respond in surprises like this, since I didn't really ask for it" Alhaitham bluntly says.
"Oh wait did we...did I upset you? Sorry I just really want you to experience being-" Alhaitham cupped your cheeks.
"Nonsense, my little bookworm, I just didn't expect you to surprise me, let alone have Kaveh to help you, I apologize if I didn't make myself clear enough" he continues to cup your cheeks and he gives a little peek at Kaveh before giving you an Eskimo kiss. You blush at the action he made and you remembered you still have one surprise left. "Haitham wait...I have something to show you" You led Alhaitham at the backdoor of his house, "I know this wouldn't really be that special to you since...." you opened the door, revealing a small picnic area under the starry skies. "I know... I know you're going to say that stars are just big chunk of rocks on the outer space, and the light reflects on them so you we can see them...but!! I really want to spend this time with you...for once! Under the beautiful night sky!" You gave him a look that's hopeful, he made a small smile, thinking you wouldn't notice and said "The night sky indeed does not appeal to me..." you frown "However... the light from the moon and the stars above illuminate how alluring you look" Your face becomes red as a tomato and Alhaitham slowly slithers his hand to your waist and gave you a forehead kiss. "S-stop! Since when do you talk like some Snezhnayan man!" you cover your face as Alhaitham chuckles.
Both of you were sitting on the picnic-like setting, you were sitting on Alhaitham's lap, his head on top of yours, and his arms around your waist "Thank you..." you heard Alhaitham murmur, "For what?" you looked up to him "For surprising me, I haven't really had any enthusiasm in birthdays since I do believe that enthusiasm is best used in everyday situations; however I acknowledge your efforts" "Oh my... Are you getting sappy? THE Alhaitham thanking me for the surprise?" you made a small smirk and he tackles you and tickles you making him on top of you.
He stopped tickling you and made a cold look "I'm being serious" he told you "I know" you said as you rubbed your nose onto his. He lift up your chin, getting ready to kiss you, and you close your eyes only to hear a slam of the back door, "Y/N I GOT IT I HAVE AN- Ewww are you two making out, like out in the open?! Haitham since when were you this bold-" Kaveh, currently semi-drunk, interrupted the moment he shouldn't have. "KAVEH!!" Both of you screamed, you throw something that was near your grasp and it hit Kaveh's head, making him unconscious (it was a Zaytun peach). "Oops, oh well!" you said while you suddenly kiss Alhaitham, who in exchange also melted in the kiss. Once you were both out of breath, you both suggested to continue this inside, as both of your hands linked with each other and leaving poor Kaveh outside to sleep.
Bonus (the next day):
"Ouch...my head hurts" Kaveh said as he was rubbing his temples. "Hey, Y/N...remind me why was I sleeping outside? And why was there a Zaytun Peach near me...." Kaveh asked you "Oh, I don't know! Maybe the peach fell on your head and knocked you unconscious" You explained to Kaveh while trying to hide your laughter. "Oh I see, thanks Y/N...wait... ZAYTUN PEACHES DOES NOT GROW ON TREES, Y/N COME BACK HERE, WHAT DID REALLY HAPPEN?" Kaveh chases you as you began running when he realized. Alhaitham came out of his room and saw the two of you running around, "It's too early for this..." he said as he turns around and close his room.
The tavern dwindles with the last of its patrons, scattered amongst its cozy booths. The smell of burnt tobacco and roasted meats linger in the air, and amid the quiet buzz of muffled conversations and the occasional raucous laughter, the tavern's water fountain crashes gently in the background. It's such a soothing sound, one that makes Kaveh sink deeper into the cushions.
He is flushed a rosy pink, and so are the other akademiya staff with them, who are either blacked out on the divan or reaching for another bottle, laughing rowdily amongst themselves. Kaveh grins sleepily, reaching for his cup when Haitham grabs his wrist. "You’ve had enough,"
Kaveh frowns. “The night is just getting started,” he urges, but his grip on the cup loosens as he slumps back into his seat.
They’re seated next to each other, and Alhaitham can smell the acrid alcohol on his breath. "I came to eat, not babysit you." He fills his cup with water instead and pushes it into his hand. “Drink this and we’re going home,”
Kaveh sips it obediently, but he doesn’t stand up when Alhaitham does. A weak hand shoots up to clutch the hem of his cloak.
"Piggy back me, Alhaitham," Kaveh whines softly, eyelids fluttering heavily. Alhaitham stills, unable to look away as he realises, much to his surprise, how weak he has become; Kaveh bats his pretty crimson eyes and his lips are pulled into a pout while he continues to tug gently at Alhaitham’s cape.
"I’m so tired I can’t walk," he exclaims with a heavy sigh.
Alhaitham glances around the table, but no one seems to be paying them any attention. He sighs quietly to himself and ends up removing his cape to secure it around Kaveh’s shoulders. “Get on,” he instructs, bending down for Kaveh to climb onto his back. Kaveh sighs contentedly into his ear, arms loosely looped around his neck as Alhaitham hoists him up with a purposeful grunt. "You're heavy,"
"You're so warm," Kaveh presses his cheek against his shoulder and sighs once more.
"So are you," Alhaitham grumbles lightly, as they take their inconspicuous leave from the table. Kaveh is warmer than usual, his body burning into Alhaitham's back. It's slightly uncomfortable, but they are soon welcomed by the sweet, cold air of the night. The streets are quiet, but the man on his back is growing quieter, mumbled ramblings fading off into silence as he falls into a light doze.
Alhaitham sighs once more and begins the walk home.