Archive of Our Own

Kaveh isn't sure what happened.

He had been bent over his desk, working on a project. As he reaches for an eraser, the desk disappears.

The desk 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.

Kaveh only has a second to gape at the empty space in bewilderment before the rest of the room disappears too. Then Kaveh is falling, wind rushing past his ears, and a thousand colors he couldn't name flashing before his eyes.

Then it all stops as abruptly as it began, and Kaveh finds himself in the middle of Treasures Street.

Kaveh blinks.

...What just happened?

He realizes a few onlookers are eyeing him curiously, and Kaveh clears his throat and excuses himself.

He almost hurries home to resume his project, but then he remembers that Lambad's Tavern is nearby.

Kaveh grins. Well, maybe he could have a drink or two before heading back. Kaveh hums happily as he pushes the tavern doors open. Lambad's Tavern is warm and welcoming as always; a drink at this lovely establishment will help him destress.

And perhaps forget the weird thing that happened to him a while ago.

Yes, some alcohol ought to do him some good.

"Lambad!" Kaveh calls, sliding into his favorite seat. "A bottle of Zaytun peach wine, please!"

Lambad's face lights up behind the counter. "Why, a new customer! Hello sir, welcome to the best tavern in the city!"

Kaveh's smile fades. Did Lambad just call him a new customer...?

Wait, maybe he's joking. Lambad likes jokes, right?

Kaveh laughs, slapping his knee for extra effect. "Okay, that's a good one, Lambad!"

Lamabad's face falters slightly, though his customer service smile is still plastered on it. "Pardon?"

Kaveh stops laughing. "Huh?"

Lambad doesn't speak.

Kaveh swallows, falling silent. "I-I thought you were joking."

"About what?" Lambad isn't smiling anymore. From the corner of his eye, Kaveh sees the former sailor's hand drifting to the dagger strapped to his waist.

Kaveh's heart races in his chest. "Lambad, what are you doing? It's me!"

"I don't know you, stranger," says Lambad, voice laced with suspicion. "I've never met you in my life."

"Listen to me!" Kaveh pleads desperately. "I've been going to your tavern since I was a teenager!"

Lambad brandishes his dagger. "Get out."

The other patrons are staring at them now, and Kaveh realizes everyone is eyeing him with distrust.

No one recognizes him.

"I don't know where you're from, boy," Lambad hisses, "but here in Sumeru, we don't take kindly to lunatics."

Kaveh leaves the tavern, eyes wide with disbelief.

What's going on?!

He races through the streets, heart rabbiting in his chest. No one acknowledges him. No one smiles or waves as he passes by, not even the merchants he frequents every week.

It's like they don't even know him.

Kaveh pants as he hurries up the familiar pathways. If nothing else, this last place will prove that once and for all, he existed.

That he's real. That Lambad and those patrons and merchants were merely playing a cruel prank on him.

Kaveh decides to head home.

Kaveh sees the path that leads to his and Alhaitham's house. He pushes his legs for one final burst of speed.

Hair sticks to his face. His lungs threaten to burst.

Kaveh doesn't care. He needs to see the house. He needs to see their home. He needs--

--The house isn't there.

Kaveh's heart stops in his chest.

He trembles as he stares at the empty space where his home should be. Where Alhaitham's home should be.

The missing house confirms Kaveh's fear: he isn't in 𝘩𝘪𝘴 Sumeru.

In this Sumeru, Kaveh never existed.

Wait. What about Alhaitham?

Kaveh runs to the Akademiya.

The Akademiya is as pristine and imposing as ever, and the sight of it usually brings Kaveh much-needed comfort. But not this time. Kaveh's dread regarding his roommate's existence overrides any solace the Akademiya may provide. Students stare as Kaveh hurries past, but he can't find it in himself to care. He heads to the scribe's office.

"Haitham!" Kaveh yells as he opens the door. "Haitham, it's me--"

It isn't Alhaitham behind the desk.

A man in spectacles smiles at him. "Hello. Can I help you?"

Kaveh freezes.

The man rises from his seat. "My name is Siraj. It's past my working hours, but I'm willing to assist you, sir. Do you have a proposal you need to submit?"

Kaveh shakes his head and leaves.

Siraj calls after him, but Kaveh pays him no mind. Kaveh goes to the House of Daena.

He heads to the shelves containing his favorite books. His anecdotes are missing, as expected, so Kaveh hurriedly shoves them back and hurries to Alhaitham's favorite books.

The man's anecdotes are missing too.

A shiver runs up Kaveh's spine. Alhaitham doesn't exist in this Sumeru either.

Kaveh almost falls to his knees as the reality of his situation sinks in.

He's in a Sumeru where neither he nor Alhaitham exists. No one knows him, and Kaveh has no way of going back to 𝘩𝘪𝘴 Sumeru either.

Kaveh wants to scream.

No. 𝘕𝘰. He's not going to scream. Kaveh is a graduate of Kshahrewar. His darshan taught him that every problem has a solution.

He just has to find it. And if he can't find it, he'll make one.

Kaveh squares his shoulders. He's going home, no matter what.

Kaveh spends the next few hours poring over books in the House of Daena. Yet he barely finds information regarding his circumstances.

No one has conducted any studies regarding alternate realities or similar keywords.

Soon, a librarian appears and gently asks Kaveh to leave.

"Leave?" Kaveh sputters. "Ma'am, it's barely 9 pm."

"Young man, it's almost midnight," the librarian replies impatiently. "Best you get going now. Unless you'd rather have a matra escort you out?"

Kaveh leaves the House of Daena and vows to return tomorrow morning. Kaveh only remembers the extent of his situation once he leaves the Akademiya.

He doesn't have a place to sleep.

Lambad's Tavern is out of the question for obvious reasons. Kaveh considers sleeping in an inn, but he doesn't have enough mora on his person to pay for a room.

Kaveh's stomach grumbles, and he winces.

Maybe he can buy a pita pocket and hunker down in an alley for the night. Yeah, that sounds like a plan. He'll summon Mehrak to watch over him as he sleeps--

--Mehrak. Is she with him?

Kaveh summons her, heart thudding in his chest.

Mehrak appears, blinking at him curiously.

Kaveh gasps and pulls her into a hug. "Oh, Mehrak, you're here." Mehrak is with him. Kaveh may be in a terrible situation, but at least he's not alone.

"I know you're confused," Kaveh murmurs, "But we're not in Sumeru. At least not in the Sumeru we know of," he says as he walks, the toolbox floating behind him. Kaveh doubts she can comprehend him, but he keeps talking, grateful for Mehrak's presence.

"I don't know how we're going to get home," says Kaveh, "but I'll figure something out. I promise."

Kaveh buys a pita pocket, then heads into one of the passageways he frequented when he was homeless. He is about to sit down when he hears a grunt from the end of a dark alley.

Then a man cries out, and the dull thud of a body echoes from the darkness.

Mehrak beeps in alarm.

Kaveh dismisses her and hides as two men come into view.

Fur-trimmed coats, crimson tunics. Cold, metal masks.

Fatui.

One of the men speaks in Snezhnayan, and his companion replies in kind. A third Fatuus emerges from the darkness. Kaveh isn't sure why, but something about the man draws his attention.

The Fatuus is tall and built, all sharp lines and sleek angles in a dark overcoat. Metal trims and green accents adorn his attire, with a Dendro vision pinned to his chest.

A Fatui Dendro agent. How rare.

The agent says something to the other Fatui, his voice low and distorted behind his mask, and the men hurry to fulfill his command. He must be their superior.

One of the Fatui pulls something from the shadows, and Kaveh realizes it's a 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦. A man, his face bruised and stained with blood, lies on the floor.

Kaveh's heart stops.

The Fatui slam the man against a wall, and his eyes roll to the back of his head.

The man's bloodied lips begin to move.

Kaveh realizes he's praying.

"Lord Barbatos," the man, seemingly a Mondstadter, whispers weakly. "Have mercy on me."

"Lord Barbatos--" his breath hitches as the Dendro agent looms closer "--have mercy on me."

"Lord Barbatos--"

"Enough." The agent's voice is clear and commanding, and the man falls silent. The agent gets down on one knee, meeting the man eye to eye.

"Do you know why I'm here?" The agent whispers.

His subordinates don't move. Kaveh holds his breath.

The man resumes praying.

The agent angles his head, a slant of light catching the cut of his jaw.

"I'm here," says the agent, his voice a distorted rasp against the Mondstadter's prayer, "to collect a debt."

The man closes his eyes, lips moving frantically.

"We had an agreement, Rye," the agent continues. "Yet you failed to honor it."

"Lord Barbatos," Rye cries, "Have m-mercy--"

The agent grabs the back of his head. "It's not Barbatos you should be asking mercy from."

Rye trembles. The agent lowers his mask.

Kaveh's eyes widen.

Silver hair, teal eyes. A familiar, handsome face.

The agent is Alhaitham. Alhaitham exists in this reality. Alhaitham is part of the Fatui.

Kaveh's heart threatens to beat out of his chest.

His vision activates in response to his distress, and Alhaitham's face snaps in Kaveh's direction.

Kaveh holds his breath.

Alhaitham lowers his hood and turns back to the man. A book materializes in his palm.

The other Fatui grab the man as Alhaitham looms over him.

"By Her Highness the Tsaritsa," Alhaitham intones, "you shall pay your dues." He narrows his eyes. "Blood for blood."

Before Kaveh can blink, Alhaitham shoves the spine of the book into the man's mouth.

Rye screams, eyes wild, and chokes when Alhaitham crams the book further between his teeth.

"Easy," the agent croons as Rye struggles against the fatui's grip desperately. "It'll be over soon."

Rye's eyes water as his lips stretch to accommodate the book. His fangs scrape at the cover, drool pooling at the corners of his mouth, and he whimpers as the agent shushes him. Alhaitham smiles tenderly, his fingers soothing the back of the man's neck. Alhaitham grips the edge of the book.

Then he slams it in.

Then he does it again.

And again.

The man's skull knocks against the wall. His eyes roll to the back of his head. Alhaitham doesn't stop, even as the man whines, low and weak like a sickly hound. Kaveh can't look away.

He knows and accepts that his Alhaitham has taken lives before. Yet to see an Alhaitham hurting someone and reveling in it is a different thing altogether.

Kaveh implores his legs to move. He wants to help. He wants to run. Yet he stays still, his breath coming in shallow gasps, as the man finally stops struggling in the Fatui's grip.

Alhaitham hums. Then with the strength of a vision wielder, he jerks the book harshly and snaps the man's neck.

The man slumps against the wall, lifeless. Kaveh muffles a cry.

"Get rid of the Mondstadter's remains," Alhaitham turns to his subordinates. "Burn it, bury it; I don't care. Just don't throw it into the river like the last time. For fuck's sake, interns these days don't even know how to dispose of a body..."

"Yes, sir."

Alhaitham raises a hand before the Fatui can leave.

"I almost forgot," he says. "We still have unfinished business."

The subordinates look at each other in confusion. "Sir?"

Alhaitham's eyes move, and suddenly, he's staring at Kaveh's hiding spot.

Kavehs heart stops.

Alhaitham chuckles. "Enjoying the show, little eavesdropper?"

Before Kaveh can move, Alhaitham flickers to the spot behind him, and strong arms grab the architect by the waist. Kaveh yells and summons Mehrak, and she slams the back of her claymore on Alhaitham's side. The agent howls in pain as Kaveh scrambles away.

Kaveh has to get out of here. Now. He raises his hand, and Mehrak flies to his palm.

The other Fatui rush up to the architect, weapons drawn, but Kaveh fends them off with a burst of Dendro.

Kaveh is about to run off when a shock of electro runs up his arm. Kaveh screams, white-hot pain coursing through his body as he curls in on himself, and Mehrak falls from his hand.

A Dendro dagger is embedded on her surface.

Kaveh freezes. No. No, no, Mehrak--

Alhaitham appears next to the blond and kicks him square in the chest. Kaveh slams against the wall with a groan. He crumples on the floor as Alhaitham steps closer to Mehrak.

"No!" Kaveh yells, his voice hoarse. "Don't you dare touch her--!"

"Fascinating piece of machinery you have here," Alhaitham murmurs. Three Dendro daggers appear between his fingers.

Kaveh snarls as the other Fatui grab him.

"Hold still," says Alhaitham. He glances at Mehrak, then meets Kaveh's gaze. "I'd hate to ruin something so beautiful."

The Fatui subordinates drag Kaveh forward until he's kneeling before the agent.

Alhaitham is even more intimidating up close. He looks at Kaveh without warmth nor familiarity, just a hint of mirth in his cold teal eyes as though Kaveh is a particularly spirited pet.

Kaveh glares up at him, daring the agent to say something. Alhaitham chuckles. The mirth is completely palpable on his face now.

"What shall we do with him, sir?" one of the subordinates asks. "According to the handbook, eavesdropping is usually punishable by death." The other Fatui mutters something in Snezhnayan before he points at something in the corner.

Kaveh cranes his neck and sees the lifeless body. The book is still lodged in his mouth.

Kaveh's eyes widen. He thrashes frantically, vision glowing, and throws off one of the Fatui.

No. 𝘕𝘰. He's not going to let them take his life. Alhaitham isn't going to stuff a book into his mouth. Alhaitham isn't going to break his jaw. Alhaitham isn't going to snap his neck, Kaveh won't let him, Kaveh won't--

Alhaitham grabs the back of Kaveh's head. Kaveh thrashes wildly. Alhaitham pulls him closer, his mouth brushing the shell of Kaveh's ear.

"Breathe, darling," he croons, his voice a low drawl as his fingers soothe Kaveh's neck, "We're not going to take your life."

He's lying. Archons, he's lying. He's a liar. He's--

--He's Alhaitham, holding Kaveh, soothing Kaveh. He isn't Kaveh's Alhaitham, not at all, but Kaveh had a long day, and Alhaitham is so warm, so familiar, and his fingers feel amazing on Kaveh's skin.

"There we go," the agent hums and leans away. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Kaveh blinks, and his face burns when he realizes what just happened.

One of the subordinates snorts.

Alhaitham glares at the man sharply. "He's off-limits. The 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘴 are off-limits. The last thing we need right now is another diplomatic incident. Am I understood?"

The Fatui lower their heads. "Yes, sir."

Alhaitham rises to his feet. "I'll take care of him. You two, get rid of the body. Now."

The Fatui leave silently, taking the body with them.

Kaveh remains on the floor, mind reeling as he stares at Mehrak's damaged form. Mehrak beeps weakly.

Kaveh's gaze hardens as he scowls at Alhaitham. "You--"

Alhaitham gets to his feet, then hauls Kaveh up as well. "Save your breath if you're going to berate me for breaking your toy."

"Mehrak is not a toy--"

"I don't care what she is," Alhaitham snaps. Kaveh falls silent. He and Alhaitham have hurled various hurtful things at each other, but Alhaitham has never said he doesn't care about something Kaveh loves deeply.

The agent's words sting more than Kaveh is willing to admit.

Alhaitham's face doesn't change. "The Fatui aren't allowed to take the lives of the locals," he says. "But that doesn't mean we can't roughen you up every once in a while."

"Think of your little briefcase whenever you feel the urge to report us," the agent sneers. "You could've easily been in her place."

Then Alhaitham turns away and flickers out of the alley.

"Jerk," Kaveh snarls and unexpectedly blinks away tears. He sniffles as he gathers Mehrak into his arms.

Mehrak beeps. Kaveh peers into her circuitry through his blurry vision. Good, the damage is only surface-level. It will take hours to repair her, but at least she's equipped with the tools that Kaveh will need.

Kaveh winces as he pulls Alhaitham's Dendro dagger from Mehrak's body. It disappears as soon as it's free.

He can't believe it. Not only is Alhaitham a Fatuus in this reality, but he's a jerk, too. Kaveh's Alhaitham is occasionally perplexing and bothersome, but he's not the kind of man that stabs Mehrak and calls her a toy.

He's not the kind of man that takes lives in alleys.

Kaveh trembles as he holds Mehrak to his chest. He wants to go home. Yet he can't do anything until the House of Daena opens tomorrow.

Mehrak beeps again, and Kaveh gently caresses the mark Alhaitham's Dendro dagger left behind.

Alhaitham.

Maybe he can help Kaveh go home.

Kaveh scoffs. What a ridiculous thought, he really needs to sleep--

--What if Kaveh convinces Alhaitham to help him? Kaveh will tell Alhaitham they know each other, then Kaveh will explain that he's from a reality wherein he and Alhaitham are roommates. Then, Fatuus Alhaitham will feel pity, and he'll help Kaveh out.

Oh, who is Kaveh kidding? It's a terrible plan.

But it's the only plan that Kaveh has at the moment. Executing it is better than waiting until the House of Daena opens.

Mind made up, Kaveh squares his shoulders and dismisses Mehrak.

He must find Alhaitham.

Kaveh switches to his elemental sight. Kaveh knows Alhaitham's Dendro energy like the back of his hand, and Alhaitham knows Kaveh's Dendro energy in the same way. Their familiarity with each other's energy is the reason they can track and recognize each other regardless of distance. Thankfully, Fatuus Alhaitham and Kaveh's Alhaitham share the same kind of energy.

Alhaitham's Dendro trail begins where he had been standing, then disappears at the area where he flickered. Then it starts up again at a nearby rooftop.

Kaveh smirks. This should be easy. The architect scales the nearby structure, using Dendro to keep his palms and feet sticking to the walls.

He lands on the rooftop with practiced grace and switches to his elemental sight.

Alhaitham's Dendro trail starts on the very roof Kaveh is standing on. Then it moves to the other rooftops, a wispy elemental trail snaking through the city's skyline. The trail disappears at intervals (Alhaitham must've flickered on those spots), yet it always reappears nearby.

Based on its density, the agent should still be nearby. Kaveh starts moving.

He isn't capable of flickering like Alhaitham, nor is he a particularly capable free runner, but Kaveh can navigate the city rooftops well enough. Sure, he uses his Dendro occasionally to keep himself from falling or slipping a few times, but it's not like anyone has to know.

Kaveh leaps from rooftop to rooftop, skidding down inclines and climbing up walls. Finding Alhaitham is an exhausting endeavor, but the cold breeze and the prospect of going home keep Kaveh from complaining. After twenty minutes of freerunning, Kaveh notices that he has passed through the same building thrice now. Furthermore, the trail loops around, snaking through the same set of roofs.

Alhaitham is going around in circles.

Kaveh realizes Alhaitham knows he's being followed.

Right on cue, Kaveh feels a gust of wind behind him, and he summons his claymore just in time to block Alhaitham's sword.

Alhaitham leaps back, amused, and lands gracefully on the same rooftop as Kaveh. "So you finally figured it out."

Kaveh shrugs. "It took me a while."

Alhaitham laughs without mirth. "Something tells me you're not an ordinary local, vision wielder." He settles into a lax stance, deceptively casual, though his sword continues to gleam threateningly in his hand. "Why were you following me?"

Kaveh narrows his eyes. He needs to be careful with his words. This man may be Alhaitham, but he isn't the Alhaitham that Kaveh knows. Kaveh relaxes his stance, mimicking the Fatuus, and dismisses his greatsword. Alhaitham raises an eyebrow.

"I want to talk to you," Kaveh declares. The architect squares his shoulders. "I know you, Alhaitham."

Alhaitham's face doesn't change, but there is a hint of amusement in his eyes. Kaveh is learning to despise that expression. "Oh?"

"Yes," says Kaveh, refusing to be deterred. He indicates Alhaitham's frame. "I know you 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 well."

Alhaitham stares at him. Then he snorts. "Apologies, but I don't remember every person I've ever slept with."

"Huh?" Kaveh frowns. "What are you--" Then his face turns red as he realizes what Alhaitham is insinuating. "I'm not one of your one-night stands!" Kaveh yells. Alhaitham's words fill his head with various mental images, most of which aren't entirely unwelcome. "We've never slept together!"

"Oh?" Alhaitham smirks as he regards the blond with a slow, appreciative gaze. "We should."

Kaveh slaps him.

Alhaitham blinks, then touches his cheek. "You slapped me."

"I did," Kaveh confirms, face red and fuming. "And I'll do it again if you keep talking to me like that."

Alhaitham opens his mouth, then closes it. He sighs. "Go on then. How exactly do you know me?" He dismisses his sword to cross his arms. "And why do you know my name?"

This is it. The moment of truth. Kaveh will finally tell Alhaitham about his origins.

"Alhaitham," Kaveh begins, "I'm from another reality."

Alhaitham stares at him. Then he flickers to another rooftop.

"H-hey!" Kaveh calls, chasing after him. "I'm talking to you!"

"You're entertaining; I'll give you that," Alhaitham calls over his shoulder. "But you've wasted enough of my time. Go home, Sumerian. We both have better things to do."

Kaveh snarls as he leaps to another roof. His foot misses, and he would've fallen off if his hand didn't grab the ledge at the last second. "My name is Kaveh!"

He tries to heave himself up, but hunger and fatigue aren't doing his body favors. "We live together in my reality!" Kaveh's hand is a weak, traitorous thing. He trembles as he repeatedly tries and fails to pull himself up.

Maybe Kaveh should let go. This height won't end him; the most it'll do is break some of his bones. Kaveh will walk off the pain after a few weeks like he always does. But if he falls, he might never see Alhaitham again.

That thought distresses Kaveh more than it should.

A pair of boots appear next to Kaveh's trembling hand, and he looks up to see Alhaitham peering down at him.

Kaveh tries to heave himself up.

Alhaitham merely watches him.

"We live together, you say?" says Alhaitham. He sits on his haunches and regards Kaveh curiously. "Tell me more."

Kaveh scowls at him. "Will you help me up if I do?"

Alhaitham chuckles. "It depends on whether I like your answer."

Kaveh swears to spit on the man's shoes later. He inhales and activates his vision to keep his hand sticking to the ledge.

"I-I've known you for decades," Kaveh begins. "Though we only started living together a few years ago."

Alhaitham hums.

"You've got a messy room, and you like to drink my beer," says Kaveh. "You don't put away your books," Kaveh gasps, "And you nag me about my life choices."

"I sound difficult to get along with," says Alhaitham.

"You're perplexing," Kaveh admits. "And you've hurt me a lot of times." He quivers. "But I've hurt you just as much, if not more."

Alhaitham remains silent.

"Regardless of the state of our relationship," says Kaveh, "you offered your home to me. I want to return the favor."

"I cook for you," Kaveh whispers. "I clean for you. I welcome you when you return from work, and I look after you when you're sick. You're difficult to get along with," he admits, "but I am too." He laughs weakly. "Maybe that's why we were once friends."

Alhaitham scoffs. "We don't sound like friends."

Kaveh gapes at him. "Huh?"

Alhaitham gives him a soft, strange smile. "We sound like lovers." Before Kaveh can retort, Alhaitham grabs his hand and hauls him back into the roof.

Kaveh gasps, his limbs screaming in protest while the agent observes him.

Kaveh scoffs. "You liked my answer?"

Alhaitham turns away. "I don't believe it."

He 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 believe it. Kaveh poured his heart out and told him the truth, and the stubborn bastard still won't believe him.

Kaveh gets to his feet furiously. "What do I have to say to make you believe me?! I told you everything!"

"Words can only do so much." Alhaitham refuses to look at him and turns away. "Unless you've got proof to support your claim, I'm afraid I must leave now."

Alhaitham is leaving.

Alhaitham is leaving again, and Kaveh knows he doesn't have the strength to chase the Fatuus in another stupid cat-and-mouse game around the city. Kaveh recites the first thing that comes to his mind. "Your grandmother gave you a book!"

Alhaitham freezes.

"It has a green cover," Kaveh continues. "You showed it to me when we were students. You said I'm the only one you've shown it to."

Alhaitham doesn't move.

"Your grandmother wrote a message on the title page," says Kaveh. He inches closer to Alhaitham's figure. "'May my child Alhaitham lead--'"

"Enough," Alhaitham whispers. He finally turns to face Kaveh.

The agent's face doesn't change, and his body barely gives anything away. Yet Kaveh knows Alhaitham's tells like the back of his hand: the clenched jaw, the heavier breathing.

Alhaitham is agitated.

Alhaitham believes him.

"You weren't lying," the agent whispers in disbelief. He meets the architect's gaze. "You do know me."

𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺. Kaveh throws up his hands. "Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell you!"

Alhaitham's face softens. "I never should've doubted you, Kaveh." He offers his hand.

"Yeah, you shouldn't have," Kaveh agrees and approaches the Fatuus. He takes the proffered hand.

Alhaitham smiles and pulls the architect closer. Kaveh flushes against the man's chest. "Haitham--"

"Indulge me," Alhaitham mumurs. "There's no one quite like you in my reality." His free hand rises to soothe the back of Kaveh's head.

Kaveh shivers at the contact, but he doesn't pull away. Alhaitham hums softly, his thumb smoothing the point of Kaveh's jaw.

Kaveh leans closer. Alhaitham smiles.

Then he jabs a needle into Kaveh's neck.

Kaveh gasps, and his vision begins to darken. He snarls at Alhaitham. "Y-you--!"

"So fucking easy for it," Alhaitham chuckles. He throws the needle away as he holds Kaveh with the tenderness of a lover. "I give you a single scrap of affection, and you come running into my arms."

The blond can barely feel anything, his limbs growing numb from the needle.

Kaveh glares at Alhaitham as his knees buckle. "You sick bastard--"

"Darling," Alhaitham croons, his face a smug blur in Kaveh's darkening vision, "you should've realized that before taking my hand."

Kaveh is angry. No, he's furious. He's absolutely furious at Alhaitham.

Yet he's even more furious at himself. How dare he fall for a cheap trick just because the trickster bears Alhaitham's face?

Alhaitham shushes him as Kaveh grows limp and his vision worsens.

"There we go," the Fatuus croons. "Don't fight it."

Before Kaveh loses consciousness, he turns his head. With one last defiant glare at the man, Kaveh spits on Alhaitham's boots.

Then everything fades to black.

---------

Kaveh opens his eyes to an unfamiliar wooden ceiling.

He blinks, thoughts slow and thick as molasses, and registers that he's lying on a bed, his body covered by a quilt.

Kaveh huffs.

Honestly, he expected worse. The Fatui aren't exactly known for their hospitality. Kaveh tries to move but finds his wrists restricted by ropes tied to the bedposts. That explains the ache in his shoulders.

'So much for hospitality,' Kaveh thinks wryly.

Kaveh's head throbs, but he knows he can't stay here. He activates his vision. It doesn't respond.

Kaveh tries again, but the familiar curl of Dendro won't answer his call. After some fumbling, he manages to kick off the quilt with his legs and finds his vision missing from his person.

Kaveh's heart stops.

At that moment, the door abruptly opens. Alhaitham enters the room. He holds a book with a bloodied spine in his right hand and clutches Kaveh's vision in his left.

Kaveh snarls. "You--!"

The Fatuus smiles thinly. "It's nothing personal, Sumerian." He puts the book in a drawer, his eyes raking over Kaveh's bound form. "Don't bother with those ropes," says Alhaitham. "They're Fatui-grade. Your feeble arms won't be able to tear through them."

Kaveh scowls at him. "My arms may be feeble, but my hands are more than capable of tearing your throat out."

Alhaitham laughs. "I'd like to see you try."

Kaveh tugs at his binds. "Is this how all of your conversations go? You, standing there like some all-important bastard, while the other guy is either kneeling or tied to your bed?"

Alhaitham smirks. "Only the most enjoyable ones, I'm afraid."

Kaveh's face flushes, but he doesn't give the Fatuus the satisfaction of a verbal remark. He focuses on his vision in the man's hand.

Kaveh calls to it, but the vision won't respond. If only Alhaitham could stand a little closer...

"I've come to a decision," says Alhaitham.

"Oh?" Kaveh tries again, willing his vision to obey him. It still won't answer his call.

He meets Alhaitham's gaze. The Fatuus cocks an eyebrow, obviously privy to whatever the blond is trying to do. Kaveh's scowl deepens.

Alhaitham continues. "While you were unconscious, I was making arrangements to have you brought to Snezhnaya."

Kaveh scoffs. "Oh my. Whatever for, Mister Fatuus?"

He snickers at how Alhaitham's face scrunches up like a frog. Kaveh flashes the Fatuus his sweetest, most annoying smile.

Alhaitham scowls. "You are an anomaly." He pads closer, but not close enough for Kaveh to trigger his vision.

"You are living proof that inter-reality travel is possible," Alhaitham continues. "The Fatui will gain much knowledge from studying you."

"So you'll hand me over for your organization's benefit," says Kaveh. He cannot pretend that the thought doesn't hurt. Kaveh's Alhaitham is harsh and perplexing, but he'll never let Kaveh come to harm for the benefit of his institution.

Fatuus Alhaitham is different.

Fatuus Alhaitham is a monster.

Alhaitham scoffs. "You're here in my quarters, aren't you?"

Kaveh frowns at him. "What?"

"I didn't hand you over," Alhaitham says patiently. He falls silent, waiting for Kaveh's reaction. When there is none, he continues. "It's true that turning you into a test subject would be beneficial to my organization. Yet it would be detrimental to 𝘮𝘦."

Alhaitham speaks before Kaveh can interrupt. "It's obvious that you know too much about my life. If I send you to my co-workers in Snezhnaya, you might end up spilling information about me." Alhaitham leaves Kaveh's vision on a table. "I've taken great care to ensure that the Fatui only have access to the bare minimum details of my life."

"If you tell them what you know," says the Fatuus, "all my work will be for naught. My days of comfort and privacy will be over. So no," says Alhaitham as he stalks closer to the bed. "I did not hand you over."

Kaveh almost scoffs at the man's reasoning. It's an absolutely self-centered way of thinking, but it's not too far off from how Kaveh's Alhaitham would deal with the situation.

Kaveh sighs. At least he's not going to become the Fatui's test subject for now.

"So what now?" Kaveh asks. "You'll keep me as a hostage here forever?"

"No," says Alhaitham. "I'll send you back to your reality."

"What," says Kaveh. He almost can't believe his ears. "Y-you'll help me...?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Alhaitham sneers. He grabs one of the ropes binding Kaveh's wrists and tugs harshly. Kaveh yelps in pain.

"I would've taken your life for what you know," Alhaitham hisses, "but we're not allowed to put down the locals. So I'm sending you back instead."

Kaveh gapes at him. "You're helping me."

"I'm disposing of you," says Alhaitham. "I have contacted my subordinates in Snezhnaya. They will send a device that should take you back to your reality. Until it arrives, I will provide for you, and you will stay here in my quarters."

Kaveh can't believe his luck. He finally has a roof over his head and a way home. Sure, the circumstances under which he acquired these are pretty messed up, but they're better than nothing.

Furthermore, Kaveh can't believe Alhaitham's ridiculous ideals saved his life.

"Don't forget that you're still my captive," says Alhaitham. "So don't go around looking too happy."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Kaveh retorts.

Alhaitham breathes out a laugh. It's such a familiar, uniquely Alhaitham gesture that Kaveh smiles despite himself. The Fatuus clears his throat. "You're only allowed to stay in my quarters, my office, or downstairs in the bank."

"You live above a bank?" Kaveh asks. He doesn't recall seeing a Fatui-owned bank in his Sumeru.

The Fatuus nods. "Living above the Northland Bank is convenient. With those areas in mind," Alhaitham continues. "You can't leave the bank. You're not allowed to go into the rest of the city."

Kaveh sputters, yanking on his ropes. "What do you mean I can't leave?! This is inhumane!"

"This is mercy," The Fatuus replies coldly. "𝘔𝘺 mercy."

"A dozen Fatui researchers are dying to get ahold of you," says Alhaitham. "The only reason you're safe in my bed, instead of being dissected on an operating table, is because I declared that you're under my protection."

He yanks on Kaveh's hair. "Don't make me regret it."

Kaveh scowls. Before he can say anything, his stomach growls loudly.

The architect flushes. Alhaitham blinks. Then he smoothes Kaveh's hair back and leans away from the bed. The Fatuus walks to the table and tosses Kaveh's vision to him.

It lands above Kaveh's belly. Kaveh eyes the vision, then turns to Alhaitham. "You're not worried that I'll try to get rid of you?"

"I'm your only way home," Alhaitham smirks. "Besides, you had plenty of opportunities to take my life when that vision was still in your possession, yet you failed to do so."

Kaveh's face burns. "I did not fail to take your life. I chose not to."

"Oh?" Alhaitham turns away, his fingers fussing with something on the table. "And why is that, I wonder?"

'Because you're Alhaitham,' Kaveh thinks. 'Not 𝘮𝘺 Alhaitham, but you're Alhaitham nonetheless.'

Alhaitham doesn't wait for Kaveh's answer. "Free yourself from those ropes. Then come here; I prepared a meal for us to share."

It's strange to hear that Alhaitham decided to cook willingly. Not that he never does it, but Kaveh knows his Alhaitham prefers doing other chores. Kaveh is curious about what kind of food Alhaitham decided to prepare.

He activates his vision with a thought, and Dendro quickly starts eating away at the ropes. Once his binds have disintegrated, Kaveh gingerly gets to his feet and sits on Alhaitham's other side at the table. Kaveh's nose twitches at the scent of food on the table. Alhaitham has prepared a beautiful spread of Snezhnayan fare, and Kaveh can't decide which dish to try first.

Alhaitham chuckles at Kaveh's amazement. "Have you tried Snezhnayan food before?"

Kaveh shakes his head.

Alhaitham smiles. "Allow me to get you acquainted with my region's cuisine."

He names the dishes, pushing them to Kaveh's side of the table so the Sumerian can try them. Borscht is a sour red soup made of meat stock and vegetables with a dollop of sour cream or smetana on top.

Pelmeni are dumplings filled with minced meat and also topped with smetana. Kaveh thinks the pelmeni look adorable. Not that he says that to Alhaitham.

There are also fermented cucumbers, and cabbage rolls stuffed with meat, rice, and vegetables and cooked in tomato sauce.

Alhaitham pours a cup of fragrant black tea for Kaveh, and it's such a familiar gesture that the architect's eyes almost water.

He misses his Alhaitham.

The Alhaitham before him is of Sumerian descent, but the rest of him is utterly Snezhnayan, from his accent to his cuisine. Regardless, Fatuus Alhaitham is nothing but pleasant throughout their meal. He introduces the dishes and refills Kaveh's cup with tea dutifully. Alhaitham is also kinder when he's eating. His mouth is occupied by food; that means he can't talk and say hurtful things to Kaveh.

After the men finished eating, Alhaitham takes Kaveh on a short tour through the bank.

Alhaitham's office is connected to his living quarters. The office is a small, sparse room; aside from a Snezhnayan-style wood carving of an eagle on his desk, the room is void of decoration. The office reminds Kaveh of Alhaitham's scribe office in the Akademiya.

The bank is more beautiful than Alhaitham's rooms. It's a high-ceilinged, grand chamber featuring tasteful Sumerian motifs. Yet Kaveh can't help but notice that the overall layout is undeniably Snezhnayan. The Fatui who work in the bank barely acknowledge Kaveh, though they incline their heads respectfully when Alhaitham passes by.

They also address the agent as "sir," which Kaveh finds strangely endearing.

Alhaitham seems to be the head of Sumeru's Northland Bank branch. At the end of the tour, Alhaitham and Kaveh return to the agent's quarters. Alhaitham grabs a duffel bag and puts on his mask. "Don't cause any trouble."

Kaveh frowns at him. "You're leaving?"

"I have work," Alhaithama answers, his voice distorted by the mask. "As much as I'd like to stay here and be your warden, I have fieldwork to attend to."

Alhaitham puts on his hood. "I'll return in a couple of days. Until then, don't think of sneaking out." He steps closer. "Step out of line, and it's straight to the dissecting table for you."

Kaveh scowls. "Don't treat me like a child. I'm older than you."

"Then act like it," says Alhaitham. He slings his bag over his shoulder and opens the door. "If you need something, call one of my subordinates. They will tend to your needs."

He leaves.

Kaveh is alone again.

The next few days of Kaveh's stay in the Northland Bank are uneventful.

The Fatui are usually content to ignore Kaveh, except when it's time to bring him meals or to provide his necessities. They treat him less like a captive and more like a ward.

Kaveh doesn't mind.

On the first day, Kaveh fixes Mehrak in Alhaitham's room. Repairing machines has always been soothing to Kaveh, and tending to Mehrak made him feel less stressed about his situation.

On his second day, Kaveh heads to the bank and watches the tellers. As expected, the staff ignores him, though some customers throw curious glances at the architect.

On the third day, Kaveh paints in Alhaitham's office. The Fatui barely blinked when he requested a watercolor set and a sketchbook. Kaveh leaves a painting on the agent's desk.

By the sixth day, Kaveh is bored and lonely. So he approaches the Fatuus who always does wood carvings in the breakroom, and introduces himself.

The Fatuus, Viktor, is a bit unfriendly at first, though he quickly warms up when Kaveh expresses interest in his carvings.

The next few days aren't so dull and lonely anymore.

During his breaks, Viktor teaches Kaveh how to do Snezhnayan wood carvings. They talk about their lives too. Kaveh talks about his career as an architect, and Viktor talks about his days in Mondstadt and his friend, Lily.

One day, Kaveh brings up the eagle wood carving on Alhaitham's desk.

Viktor smiles. "Yes, I made that as a gift for Sir Alhaitham."

Kaveh momentarily stops whittling his bunny. "Really?"

"Yes. He's a good superior to his employees," says Viktor. "He treats us well."

Viktor goes on. "He gives us long vacation leaves. And he doesn't expect us to go above and beyond for the Fatui. He says as long as we're doing our jobs properly, he doesn't care what we do in our downtimes."

Kaveh smiles fondly. "Haitham wants you to have comfortable lives."

Viktor's face softens. "Yeah, that sums it up." He turns to the bear he's carving. "Kaveh?"

"Mhm?"

"You were there, right?" Viktor doesn't look at him. "When Sir Alhaitham put down the Mondstadter."

Kaveh shivers at the memory. "I didn't know a book could be used like that."

"That was a ceremonial execution," says Viktor. He sets down the bear to grab his snack: an open-faced sandwich consisting of a slice of bread with cheese and sausage.

"The Mondstadter, Rye, was one of our debtors," he explains. "When he couldn't pay up, he fatally injured the man Sir Alhaitham sent and hid in the desert." Viktor takes a bite of his sandwich. "Sir Alhaitham eliminated Rye to show that anyone who lays a hand on his subordinates will suffer a painful end."

Viktor smiles at Kaveh. "I hope I'm not overstepping, but I'm glad Sir Alhaitham didn't take your life."

Kaveh almost drops his bunny. "Pardon?"

"No offense," says Viktor, "but think about it. You know a lot about him, right? You're a walking liability. You're better off six feet underground." He bites into his sandwich again.

"Haitham can't eliminate me," Kaveh says slowly. "Fatui can't eliminate Sumerians."

"Oh, is that what he told you?" Viktor pats Kaveh's shoulder. "That 'rule' is just a guideline. We can end the locals the same way the locals can end us. Though it's discouraged, of course."

Viktor regards Kaveh curiously. "Sir Alhaitham isn't a man who hesitates. He should've eliminated you as soon as he realized you're a liability." He finishes his sandwich. "I wonder what stayed his hand."

Kaveh wonders too. The architect and the Fatuus return to their carvings.

One evening, the bank descends into chaos.

Kaveh wakes up, his sleep disturbed by clamor from downstairs.

How strange. Kaveh's days in the bank have taught him that the Fatui 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 clamor; their system as an organization is too well-oiled to cause chaos amongst themselves. Kaveh slips on a robe and heads to the bank.

Fatui members run around frantically, fetching medical supplies and first-aid kits. One of them accidentally bumps Kaveh and yells at him in Snezhnayan before scampering off.

Kaveh cranes his neck, trying to see what's going on but the bank lobby is too chaotic for him to see anything. The architect spots Viktor hastily collecting bandages in his arms.

"Viktor!" Kaveh calls and runs toward his friend. "What's going on?!"

Viktor barely glances at him. "Go back to your room, Kaveh."

"Viktor, wait!"

Kaveh tries to help with carrying the bandages, but the Fatuus pushes him away.

Viktor's face softens with guilt. "I'm sorry, but now's not the time. One of our cavarans was attacked, and we have a lot of wounded combatants. We need all hands on deck to tend to them."

"Then I can help!" Kaveh insists. His Dendro healing abilities may be limited, but Kaveh can perform basic first-aid procedures. "Viktor, please--"

"Kaveh," Viktor says impatiently, "You're not a Fatuus; you're our captive. You're not supposed to help us."

"Please return to your room, alright?" Viktor says gently. "The best thing you can do right now is to 𝘯𝘰𝘵 get in our way."

He leaves. Kaveh watches his friend's retreating figure before heading back to Alhaitham's office.

Kaveh startles when he sees it's not unoccupied. Alhaitham stands behind his desk, weary and alone.

He looks worse than the last time Kaveh has seen him. There are circles under the agent's eyes, and his hands tremble as he unbuttons his attire.

Alhaitham manages to remove his coat.

His inner tunic is stained with blood.

Kaveh's heart stops. "Haitham, you're--"

"I know," says the Fatuus. He turns away, grabbing his desk for support. "Mind grabbing the first-aid kit for me? It's next to the mouthwash."

Kaveh gapes at him. "You're going to tend to your own injury? Don't you have a doctor?!"

"I told her to tend to my men," says Alhaitham. He winces and grabs the desk for support. "Get the first-aid kit."

Kaveh refuses to move. "I'm calling the doctor. You can't possibly--" A dagger narrowly misses his ear.

"Kit," Alhaitham snarls, clutching his middle. "𝘕𝘰𝘸."

Kaveh swears to scold him later. Honestly, is being a stubborn bastard a constant trait among all versions of Alhaitham?!

Kaveh hurries into the bathroom. He finds the first-aid kit next to a bottle of pine-flavored mouthwash, grabs it, and runs back to the office.

Alhaitham curses in Snezhnayan as he hisses in pain. Kaveh approaches the agent and gingerly pulls up his tunic for him. The sight of a large, inflamed gash on Alhaitham's torso almost makes Kaveh faint.

"Archons, you've been walking around with this?!" Kaveh exclaims.

"It's just a gash," says Alhaitham.

"It's infected!" Kaveh yells. He stands on his tiptoes and touches Alhaitham's forehead. "You're burning up! Archons, Haitham--"

The architect pushes Alhaitham to sit on the chair and begins gathering supplies from the agent's room.

Alhaitham glares weakly. "This is none of your concern, Sumerian--"

"Shut the fuck up," Kaveh barks. He grabs a lighter and a pair of tweezers and holds the needle into the flame. "You come back with an infected gash, and you expect me to stand by and do nothing?!"

Kaveh turns away. "Do you have alcohol in here?"

Alhaitham grabs a bottle of Fire Water from beneath his desk. Kaveh nods. "Drink. You'll need it for the pain."

Alhaitham huffs. "This is unnecessary--"

Kaveh glares at him. Alhaitham takes a swig of liquor obediently.

Soon, Kaveh carries the supplies to Alhaitham. He helps the agent slowly remove his tunic and runs warm water over the gash. Alhairtham winces but remains silent, his eyes boring into Kaveh's skull as the architect prepares his needle and thread.

"Are you ready?" Kaveh asks.

Alhaitham sighs and takes a swig of Fire Water. "Let's get this over with."

Kaveh huffs out a laugh despite himself. He reaches forward and squeezes Alhaitham's hand. "Tell me when it hurts, okay?"

The agent's cheeks flush, and it takes a moment for him to nod. Kaveh tells Alhaitham to hold still. The process of stitching the agent's gash is a long and agonizing ordeal. Alhaitham doesn't scream, but Kaveh can tell he's in pain.

Fatuus or not, Alhaitham's body language is an inter-reality constant. The knowledge that Alhaitham is hurt and doing his best to hide it motivates Kaveh to work faster.

Alhaitham takes a sip of Fire Water as he watches the architect. "Hey," he calls, his voice slurred with intoxication.

"What is it?" Kaveh asks, not taking his eyes off his task. Alhaitham winces when Kaveh's needle presses deeper. Kaveh rubs the agent's knuckles as an apology.

"Are you always like this?" Alhaitham murmurs.

"Like what?" Kaveh smiles wryly. "Pushy?"

"Pretty," says Alhaitham. He cups Kaveh's cheek. "You're so pretty."

Kaveh's face flushes, and he turns away to focus on his work. "You're drunk, Haitham. Don't say things you don't mean."

"I'm telling the truth," Alhaitham insists petulantly. He pouts as he caresses Kaveh's face. "You're so pretty. I can't take my eyes off you."

Kaveh flushes more, and he fights to keep his hands steady.

He isn't new to receiving compliments. Yet to hear them from Alhaitham, even from an Alhaitham in another reality, is enough to make his heart rabbit in his chest.

Alhaitham laughs, but there's no mocking edge to it.

"You're beautiful," the agent continues. "Smart and kind, too. Your Alhaitham is lucky to have you in his life."

Kaveh bites his lip. "C-can we talk about something else?"

He isn't expecting the Fatuus to agree.

"Of course," Alhaitham says softly. He squeezes Kaveh's hand. "What would you like to talk about?"

"Tell me about your home." Kaveh wills his attention back to the needle. "Tell me about Snezhnaya."

Alhaitham's gaze softens, and he takes another swig of Fire Water. Then he speaks.

Kaveh has always known about Alhaitham's silver tongue. On more than one occasion, the scribe uses his exceptional verbal talents to procure information or to bend people to his whims.

It's a different thing altogether to hear Alhaitham use his talent for something so wholesome.

Alhaitham paints a vivid picture of his home through words alone. He describes snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes and the smell of pine needles and wood smoke. He speaks of dappled sunlight on cold skin and the burn of Fire Water as it travels down one's throat.

He speaks of his childhood, of cuddling next to his grandmother as she reads him a collection of poems she brought from her homeland.

"Sumeru is her home," Alhaitham whispers, "the same way Snezhnaya is mine. I requested to be assigned here to get to know her better."

Kaveh's heart stirs as he finishes off the final stitch. "So, did you? Did you get to know her better here?"

Alhaitham turns to the window, a distant warmth in his eyes. "I've been in Sumeru for five years." He meets Kaveh's gaze. "She is everywhere here."

Alhaitham continues, his intoxication loosening his lips far more than what is necessary.

It's okay. Kaveh will keep his secrets.

"I see her in the streets," Alhaitham admits. "In the structures. I see her in the people. Her spirit feels alive in Sumeru."

"I see my parents too," Alhaitham whispers, slumping against Kaveh's frame as the architect drags him toward the bedroom. "I look at Sumeru, and she shows me my family." He chuckles. "These must be strange words from a son of Snezhnaya."

"No," Kaveh replies softly. "Not at all."

Kaveh trembles as he helps Alhaitham toe off his boots and settle into the bed. Alhaitham sighs, bone-deep and weary. "I wonder what I might've become if my family didn't move to Snezhnaya before my birth."

He turns to the ceiling. "If I was raised as a Sumerian."

Kaveh thinks of Alhaitham, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 Alhaitham, and his heart stirs. He grasps Fatuus Alhaitham's hand in his own. "You would've been wonderful."

Alhaitham blinks before he smiles, warm and sincere, and brings Kaveh's hand to his lips. "Thank you for tending to me."

Kaveh flushes, warm and sugar-soft. He doesn't pull away when Alhaitham kisses his knuckles again.

"Get some rest, Haitham," Kaveh murmurs.

"Will you stay here until I fall asleep?" Alhaitham whispers.

Kaveh tenderly brushes the hair from the Fatuus's forehead. "Of course."

Alhaitham spends the following week recuperating in his room. He refuses to be idle and tends to his paperwork while Kaveh keeps an eye on him.

They talk about all sorts of things. Kaveh learns that the Fatuus is actually pleasant company when he's calmly working at his desk. They don't bring up the night Kaveh treated Alhaitham's gash. Instead, they talk about their respective regions.

"Winter feels endless in Snezhnaya," says Alhaitham. He and Kaveh sit on the bed together, watching a rainstorm drench the city. "I miss the snow greatly."

"I've never seen real snow," Kaveh admits. "What's it like?"

Alhaitham takes a sip of Fire Water. "Cold and wet. Like fluffy rain."

"Fluffy rain," Kaveh repeats and leans his head on Alhaitham's arm. "I'd like to see it someday."

Alhaitham hums. He pulls Kaveh closer.

When Alhaitham starts to feel better, he and Kaveh take turns cooking for each other.

Kaveh prepares Sumerian fare, including Sabz Meat Stew, Fatteh, and Padisarah Pudding.

Alhaitham eats everything with gusto.

The Fatuus cooks for Kaveh in return.

He makes bliny with jam or caviar for the architect to snack on.

On hot days, he prepares okroshka, a cold soup consisting of potatoes, eggs, doctor's sausage, cucumbers, and dill mixed with pure water and diluted sour cream.

Kaveh loves everything that Alhaitham cooks.

After one particular meal, Alhaitham brings up a topic that hasn't been on Kaveh's mind as much as it should've been.

"I have been in correspondence with my subordinates in Snezhnaya," says the agent. "The device that will send you back to your reality is considered stable and ready for use. It is currently being shipped to Sumeru."

Kaveh's eyes widen. "Already? What--how did the Fatui researchers even manage to develop it?!"

"Does it matter?" Alhaitham cocks an eyebrow. "It's due to arrive here about a week from now." He takes a delicate sip from his teacup. "You're finally going home."

Kaveh is going home.

He can finally have his life back. He can return to a Sumeru where the people know him, and Alhaitham isn't a temperamental Fatui agent. Kaveh should be happy.

...Kaveh isn't happy.

He looks at the Alhaitham before him, sipping tea, and a hundred times more pleasant than the Fatuus who finished off his creditor in the back of an alley.

Kaveh will miss him.

"Hey."

Kaveh realizes he has been zoning out for a while. He meets Alhaitham's gaze apologetically. "Yeah?"

"Tell me about Sumerian desserts," says the Fatuus. He smiles gently. "Baklava sounds fascinating."

Kaveh smiles back. They talk about food for the rest of the evening.

One night, Kaveh is trying to fall asleep on the cot in Alhaitham's office. As he is about to nod off, someone taps his arm. The architect opens his eyes to the sight of a fully-dressed Alhaitham standing beside his bed.

"Archons!" Kaveh yells. "Haitham, you--"

"Grab a robe," says Alhaitham. He heads to a nearby window and opens it. "I'm taking you somewhere."

That gets Kaveh's attention. "Huh? To the bank?"

Alhaitham chuckles. "No, silly." He indicates the sky. "I'm taking you outside."

Kaveh almost can't believe his ears. "But I can't leave the bank. I'm your captive."

Alhaitham gives him a wry smile. "Do you still feel like a captive, Kaveh?"

He said Kaveh's name. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘒𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘩'𝘴 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦.

Kaveh blinks, staring at the Fatuus, then grabs a robe.

The men leave through the window.

It feels good to run outside again after weeks of being cooped up in the bank. Kaveh runs happily after the Fatuus, enjoying the breeze blowing his hair back and making his clothes flutter. Archons, he's never taking the wind for granted again.

At first, Alhaitham leads the way through the rooftops while Kaveh follows him. But after a few minutes, Alhaitham makes a frustrated sound. "Can you go any faster?!"

"I'm going as fast as I can," Kaveh retorts. He carefully leaps to the next roof and waves an airy hand. "Leave me behind then. Just tell me where to meet you."

Alhaitham huffs and crosses his arms. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Fine," says Kaveh. He stumbles as he tries to find his footing. "Either you wait for me, or you can carry me to the location."

Alhaitham grins.

Kaveh realizes what he just said. He moves back. "Archons, no, Haitham, you are not carrying me--" He yells when the Fatuus sweeps him into a bridal carry. "Haitham, you--!"

The agent grins as he presses the architect close to his chest. "Oh, but how can I ignore such a wonderful suggestion?" Alhaitham croons. He grins sharply, and it does strange things to Kaveh's heart. "Hold on tight."

Kaveh barely manages to wrap his arms around the agent's neck before they flicker to the next roof.

Kaveh feels the familiar sensation of Alhaitham's Dendro, and then they're moving, falling somewhere, the wind rushing into their faces. Then it's over.

Alhaitham is standing on a different rooftop, Kaveh in his arms.

"Are you alright?" Alhaitham asks.

Kaveh doesn't know. He has never flickered with his Alhaitham before. He doesn't know what to compare the experience to.

But Kaveh's heart is pounding with thrill rather than fear, and Alhaitham is smiling at him, his face achingly handsome in the moonlight.

Kaveh grins. "Can we do that again?"

Alhaitham laughs as he tucks his face into the architect's hair. If Kaveh didn't know any better, he would swear that Alhaitham kissed the top of his head.

They flicker again.

Alhaitham switches between running and flickering as they navigate the rooftops. Up on the roofs and in the Fatuus's arms, Kaveh feels warm and safe. He laughs freely as Alhaitham does a running commentary about everything they see.

Kaveh leans closer, tucking his head on the agent's chest. Alhaitham's heartbeat is firm and steady and so, so alive.

Soon, Alhaitham brings them to the rainforest outside Sumeru City.

The agent gingerly sets Kaveh down in the middle of a sizeable clearing.

"Alright," says Alhaitham, excitement in his voice, "close your eyes."

Kaveh huffs at him. "Did you prepare fireworks or something?"

"No," The Fatuus laughs and stands behind Kaveh, covering the architect's eyes with his own palms.

"Trust me," Alhaitham whispers, his voice low and teasing in Kaveh's ear. "This is better than fireworks."

Kaveh shivers at their proximity.

Before he can retort, the temperature around them suddenly drops.

Then Kaveh feels little pinpricks of wetness on his bare arms. Alhaitham steps back, and then the agent's hands no longer cover his eyes.

Kaveh gasps.

Snow is falling from the sky.

It looks nothing like the illustrations in the storybooks. The snow falling on Kaveh is dry, delicate, and cold to the touch. It settles on the Sumerian greenery like powdered sugar.

Kaveh blinks in disbelief, snow landing on his eyelashes, and turns to Alhaitham. "H-How--?"

The Fatuus reveals a Cryo delusion on his belt.

"You said you've never seen real snow," says Alhaitham, a sheepish smile on his lips. "So I thought that I might show it to you."

Kaveh laughs in disbelief. Then he laughs again, eyes crinkling happily, and runs toward the Fatuus. Alhaitham catches him, his boots crunching in the snow, and Kaveh wraps his arms around the man's neck and kisses him on the lips.

Alhaitham makes a surprised sound before he holds Kaveh by the waist and returns the gesture.

Kaveh's heart threatens to burst with joy.

When they separate, Kaveh giggles at the adorable flush on Alhaitham's cheeks.

"I-I know this isn't real snow," the Fatuus stammers, suddenly nervous. "And this is nothing compared to a Snezhnayan winter--"

"Haitham," Kaveh interrupts, cupping the man's cheek, "I love it."

Alhaitham blinks, his ears red, and Kaveh gives in and kisses him again.

They spend the next hour frolicking in the snow.

Kaveh gasps when he cups a handful. "Archons, it's freezing!"

"Of course, it is," Alhaitham laughs. "It's Cryo."

Kaveh pouts. "You said it's fluffy rain!"

"Close enough," Alhaitham replies cheekily, his eyes crinkling with mirth in the darkness. "Why don't you try tasting it?"

"Tasting it?!" Kaveh yells, mortified.

"Well, not the ones on the ground," Alhaitham laughs. "Try the ones that are falling from the sky."

Kaveh frowns, wondering if Alhaitham is messing with him or not, before he opens his mouth and catches a few flakes on his tongue.

It tastes like nothing.

Kaveh makes a face and says as much. Alhaitham guffaws. "Well, yes, it's basically water."

"Why'd you want me to taste it then?!" Kaveh whines.

"You look cute when trying new things," says Alhaitham. "It's one of the reasons I like to cook for you."

Kaveh's cheeks flush, and he swats the Fatuus's arm. Alhaitham catches his hand and kisses his wrist with a wink.

They return to the bank soon after. Alhaitham doesn't say it, but using the Cryo delusion seems to tire him. Upon noticing this, Kaveh says he's sleepy and wants to go to bed.

"But you haven't finished your snow fox," says Alhaitham, indicating the half-formed snow sculpture.

"I'm too tired to continue," says Kaveh, and feigns a yawn. "Perhaps we should go back now."

Alhaitham still looks hesitant, but another yawn convinces him to stop using the delusion and get ready to leave.

Kaveh is relieved his plan worked. He doesn't fully understand the delusion, but something about it makes his hackles raise. Kaveh is glad to see Alhaitham tuck it away and replace it with his regular Snezhnayan-framed Dendro vision.

The men flicker through the city again, though Alhaitham is noticeably quiet. He's also more winded than last time, his breath coming in heavy pants as he carries the architect.

"Haitham?" Kaveh whispers, worried. He cups the Fatuus's cheek. "You look tired. Maybe I can run--"

"N-no, it's fine," says Alhaitham, smiling wearily at Kaveh.

They pass by a street lamp. The light illuminates a dull white streak in Alhaitham's hair.

Kaveh's eyes widen. The streak wasn't there before. "Haitham, your hair--"

"It's nothing," says Alhaitham. He kisses Kaveh's forehead. "Don't worry about it, my dear."

Kaveh doesn't stop worrying. But he falls silent and doesn't voice his thoughts. Alhaitham doesn't need to hear his nagging.

They slip into the bank through the window. As Kaveh is about to return to his office cot, Alhaitham clears his throat.

"Yeah?" says Kaveh.

Even in the darkness, Kaveh can see the flush on Alhaitham's cheeks. "Maybe you'd like to stay in my room tonight."

Oh? Is he--

"Only if you want to," Alhaitham adds quickly. "You can say n--" Kaveh crashes his lips against his.

Kaveh leans back with a self-satisfied grin.

"You were saying?"

Alhaitham smirks, sharp and wicked, and hauls Kaveh into his bedroom.

Kaveh has imagined this scenario a thousand times in a thousand different ways. Him on his back. On his knees. Against the divan, his legs wrapped around the scribe's waist.

Alhaitham does not disappoint.

He drives Kaveh against the wall, hot and ravenous, his searing palms roaming under Kaveh's tunic.

"H-Haitham--" Kaveh gasps, then cries out when the Fatuus bites his neck. Alhaitham chuckles and drags his mouth down the column of Kaveh's throat.

"You don't know what you do to me." Alhaitham kisses Kaveh's jaw. Kaveh groans, low and needy, his hands scrabbling at the Fatuus's back.

"You look at me," Alhaitham breathes, "all sweet and doe-eyed, and all I can think about is how pretty you'd look when you scream my name."

𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘴. Kaveh squirms, frantic and achingly warm between his legs, and Alhaitham laughs softly.

"Look at you," he croons and grabs Kaveh beneath his thighs. "I've barely done anything, and you're already begging to be taken."

Kaveh gasps when he's lifted into the Fatuus's arms, his hands scrabbling for purchase at Alhaitham's shoulders.

Alhaitham chuckles darkly, and Kaveh moans and surges down to capture his lips in a kiss. Dimly, he realizes that the agent is moving, taking them somewhere, but Kaveh is too distracted by Alhaitham's mouth and his clever, gloved hands to take much notice. Then the agent's hands leave Kaveh's thighs, and he falls gently into Alhaitham's bed.

Kaveh lies there, face flushed, and stares up at the Fatuus's looming figure.

Alhaitham is severe in his Fatui agent uniform, sleek and dangerous in a way that makes Kaveh's face warm and his legs want to spread wider. His overcoat accentuates his shoulders, and the dark fabric of his attire brings out his silver hair and teal eyes.

Gods, Kaveh wants him.

Alhaitham makes to undo the buttons on his lapel, but Kaveh stops him with a hand on his wrist.

"D-don't," he says. His face flushes as he holds the Fatuus's gaze. "Keep it on."

Alhaitham blinks, surprised. Then his gaze darkens, and his mouth twists to a knowing smirk.

Kaveh keens when the Fatuus divests him of his trousers and settles between his thighs. The fabric of Alhaitham's uniform is rough against his bare skin, but Kaveh enjoys the sensation more than he'd like to admit.

"H-Haitham--" Kaveh buries his hands in the Fatuus's hair.

"So my uniform does it for you?" Alhaitham chuckles as he sucks bruises into the blond's neck. Kaveh whines, angling his head to ask for more, and his hands move from the Fatuus's hair to his back.

"You do it for me," Kaveh answers with so much honesty that it startles him.

Alhaitham looks up, flushed and wide-eyed beneath his messy silver hair, and Kaveh's chest warms at the sight. He grabs Alhaitham's face and kisses the man sweetly, imperfectly.

"I want you," says Kaveh, and he wraps his legs around Alhaitham's waist, pulling him closer.

Alhaitham's face softens, and he draws Kaveh into a kiss of his own. Kaveh sighs, warm and blissful in the Fatuus's arms.

"I want you too," Alhaitham whispers. "So much."

Kaveh grabs his lover's hand and leads it between his legs. "Then take me."

Alhaitham heeds his words.

---------

Later, Kaveh lies in bed, warm and satisfied.

Alhaitham holds the blond in his arms, the line of his front pressing against the curve of Kaveh's back. His arms curl protectively around the architect's waist.

"I told you we should sleep together," Alhaitham chuckles.

"Mhm, I can't believe you were right all along," Kaveh agrees with a soft laugh. The Fatuus grins and pulls him closer.

"'Let us divide the plunder of the world,'" Alhaitham intones. "'You, my share--'" He presses a kiss on the back of Kaveh's neck "'--and the rest is yours.'"

Kaveh flushes deeply. "I didn't take you for a romantic."

"I'm not," says Alhaitham before kissing the blond's skin again. "But I will be for you."

Kaveh laughs softly. "You and your words..."

"Just for you," Alhaitham whispers reverently. "All for you."

Kaveh smiles, eye crinkling with happiness, and cups Alhaitham's cheek lovingly. Alhaitham leans into his touch, and Kaveh giggles when the Fatuus kisses his palm. The light catches on Alhaitham's hair, and Kaveh sees the white streak has remained among the silver strands. Kaveh's stomach churns at the sight.

He glances at the floor, eyeing the messy pile of their clothing. The Cryo delusion rests on top of Alhaitham's uniform shirt, small and innocuous.

"Kaveh, beloved?" Alhaitham places a hand on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Kaveh pecks him on the cheek. "I am. Just--" he eyes the delusion "--doing some thinking."

The Fatuus follows his line of sight.

"I'm worried about you," Kaveh admits. "I don't know much about delusions, but I saw how winded you were and--"

"Kaveh," Alhaitham cuts in. "Delusions are indeed dangerous. Prolonged use of them ensures an early end to one's life. But trust me--" he laughs "--my career will finish me off before that delusion can."

Kaveh frowns. "That's not funny, Haitham."

The agent's face softens in apology.

Kaveh sighs deeply. "Can you promise me that you'll see the doctor tomorrow?"

Alhaitham nods. "Of course." He offers his arms, and Kaveh falls into the Fatuus's embrace.

"I'm just worried," Kaveh whispers plaintively. "I...I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Alhaitham assures him and tucks the architect's head into the crook of his neck. "It'll take more than a delusion to keep me from you."

Kaveh kisses the Fatuus's collarbone.

Alhaitham tucks the blanket around their shoulders. Kaveh falls into a dreamless sleep.

Alhaitham calls for the doctor the next day.

After examining the agent, the doctor confirms that the delusion did cause Alhaitham's sudden bout of exhaustion and the streak in his hair.

"But do not worry," she says. "Your body will slowly recover. However, avoid using the delusion for six months. Your body needs time to heal." Her eyes narrow. "If you use the delusion again, it will drain you of your elemental energy, aging your body rapidly until it ends your life. Am I understood, Sir Alhaitham?"

The agent sighs but nods.

That night, Kaveh finds Alhaitham securing the delusion onto his belt.

"H-Haitham--" Kaveh begins.

"I'm not going to use it," the Fatuus says quickly. His face softens. "Her Highness the Tsaritsa gave it to me. I'll simply hold on to it for safekeeping purposes."

Kaveh bites his lip, doubt in his heart. "If you say so."

Alhaitham smiles and pulls the architect into a hug.

True to his word, Alhaitham doesn't use the delusion again. He remains in the bank, managing his subordinates and tending to paperwork with Kaveh by his side. One day, Kaveh is sketching idly in the bank lobby when Alhaitham approaches him.

"Oh, hey," Kaveh greets. He lowers his pencil. "Isn't it too early for your lunch break?"

"This is more important than lunch," Alhaitham replies. "Kaveh, the device is here. You can go home."

Oh.

Before Kaveh can reply, Alhaitham sits beside him on the bench and sets a box on Kaveh's lap. "Open it."

The architect lifts the lid. Inside the box is an intricate device made of metal, about the length of Kaveh's pencil. It shimmers when the blond places it on his palm.

"The researchers call this a 'Portable Waypoint,'" says Alhaitham. "Once charged with enough elemental energy, this Waypoint will return to your reality, taking anyone holding on to it."

Kaveh pockets the device, wondering how something so innocuous can be so powerful.

"However," Alhaitham continues, "my subordinates modified it, so it can only accept 𝘮𝘺 elemental energy." The Fatuus chuckles. "Only I can send you home, beloved."

Kaveh gives him a teasing smirk. "Did you ask them to do that?"

Alhaitham leans toward him. "Mhm, take a guess."

Kaveh laughs and elbows the Fatuus's arm. Alhaitham pulls him closer, resting his arm around Kaveh's shoulders as more people enter the bank.

"Are you excited to go home?" asks Alhaitham.

Kaveh sighs, leaning back on the bench. "I...I'm not sure yet."

He looks up. "I'll miss a certain someone if I leave now."

"Oh?" Alhaitham's gaze darkens. "Who will you miss, exactly?"

Kaveh grins coyly. "Maybe you can make me say his name tonight."

Alhaitham leans closer, his mouth brushing Kaveh's ear. "Darling, I'll make you scream it."

Kaveh shivers, warmth curling in his belly, and resists the urge to kiss the Fatuus in public.

Alhaitham leans back, pleased, and Kaveh's face warms at the smugness on the man's face. He laughs softly. "Fine, I'll just leave tomorrow, then."

The architect's hand finds Alhaitham's on the bench, and their fingers intertwine.

"I don't want to go yet," Kaveh admits. He peers up through his eyelashes, holding the Fatuus's gaze. "Maybe we can head out tonight? As a farewell date."

Alhaitham smiles tenderly. "Of course."

Kaveh is about to suggest potential date spots when a yell at the counter grabs everyone's attention.

A group of Mondstadters hold the tellers at knifepoint, led by a red-faced woman. "Where's the head of this bank? Where is he?!"

Alhaitham groans. "Sometimes, I hate being the manager."

The woman grabs Viktor by the collar. "Where's your boss?"

Alhaitham pats Kaveh's hand in apology. "Give me a second," says the Fatuus. "Let me just kick her out, and we can continue."

The agent languidly approaches the woman. "Good morning, ma'am. What can I do for you today?"

The woman's face flushes with rage. "You! You took my brother's life!"

Everyone's attention is on the woman and the Fatuus. Alhaitham stays silent, letting the woman's words hang in the air before he cocks an eyebrow. "I might've. Frankly, I don't keep track of my assignments."

The woman's face turns redder. "Surely you remember my brother, Rye!"

Recognition dawns on Alhaitham's face. "Oh, you must be his sister, Maize. Cute names, by the way." He chuckles. "Are your parents named Wheat and Barley, by any chance?"

Maize slaps him.

"You took Rye's life!" She yells. "Now, I will take yours!"

"Sure, go for it," Alhaitham rolls his eyes. "Make it quick, though. I have an appointment after lunch."

Maize lunges at him with her knife.

The bank falls into chaos. The Mondstadters yell, brandishing their blades, and the Fatui reveal their own weapons to defend themselves. People run and scream, and Kaveh summons Mehrak as he helps the clients evacuate the bank.

Maize slashes wildly at Alhaitham, talentless but persistent. "You didn't have to take his life!"

"I had to," the agent replies calmly as he dodges the Mondstadter's knife. He didn't bother summoning his sword. "Your brother fatally injured one of my men." He holds out his leg, and Maize trips unceremoniously.

Alhaitham smirks down at her. "Blood for blood."

Maize snarls from the floor. Then her lip quivers, and she tosses away the knife. "You Fatui are all the same!"

"You think we're idiots!" she yells. "Screaming and crying over a life that's already lost, a life that's simply one of the thousands you've taken!"

"I am nothing to you," Maize hisses. "The same way, Rye was nothing to you. He was an assignment in your eyes, just another man whose blood stains your hands." Her eyes water. "But he's everything to me."

"He's my brother," says Maize. "He's my family. And you took him from me."

She rises to her feet, heaving with fury.

"I can never defeat you, Fatuus," Maize snarls. "But if I'm going down--" she raises her arm, and light bursts from her fist "--you're going down with me."

The glow fades, revealing a Geo vision in her palm.

Alhaitham's eyes widen.

Just as he summons his sword to slit the woman's throat, Maize screams, loud and primal, and Geo bursts from her like a shockwave.

Everyone in the bank is thrown against the walls, and Alhaitham's sword clatters a few feet away from the woman. Kaveh's back slams painfully into a bench.

He barely recovers when Maize raises her arms, activating her newly-acquired vision. The ground rumbles, and the pillars of the bank shake dangerously. Then the chandelier begins to sway, and Kaveh realizes what she's trying to do.

"Everyone, run!" He shouts at the top of his lungs. "She's going to bring down the bank!"

People start rushing out of the doors. Alhaitham snarls and leaps from the floor, daggers at the ready, but Maize merely swats him away with a burst of Geo.

Alhaitham collides with a desk. The chandelier groans, low and metallic, then the tubing snaps. Then it's falling, its entire body about to crash down on Alhaitham's prone form.

Kaveh runs and barely manages to grab the Fatuus by the waist and haul him to safety. The chandelier crashes behind them, and bits of glass and metal embed themselves into Kaveh's skin.

"K-Kaveh--" Alhaitham stammers, a cut bleeding above his brow "--you--"

"Now you know what it feels like."

Kaveh's head snaps to the woman behind him, his body pressed protectively in front of Alhaitham's form.

Maize indicates them. "That is what it feels like to be powerless."

Around her, the bank continues to shake, and visible cracks are starting to show in the walls and the pillars. Fatui and Mondstadters alike run and clamber to leave through the doorway.

"Is this what you want?" Kaveh snaps. "To harm innocents in pursuit of the one who ended your brother's life?!"

"Blood for blood," Maize hisses. "You don't know anything about loss."

Mehrak suddenly appears behind her.

"I do," says Kaveh, not taking his eyes off Maize's face.

"I know what it's like to lose someone," Kaveh continues. Mehrak floats closer to the woman.

"And believe me--" says Kaveh, rising to his feet "--I know what you're going through."

Mehrak summons Kaveh's claymore.

"You feel sad," Kaveh whispers. "Vulnerable. Empty."

Maize trembles.

"Your grief feels endless," says Kaveh, "but that's the beauty of it. Unlike everything you've ever loved, grief will never leave you."

Mehrak raises the claymore, the blade positioned perfectly to lop Maize's head off.

Kaveh smiles sadly. "Not even in death."

Mehrak swings the claymore.

Maize reacts before the blade can decapitate her. She summons a Geo construct to save her neck, and the second it takes for her to do so is all the time Kaveh needs.

The architect dives forward to grab Alhaitham's sword, then slashes Maize's throat.

The woman's eyes widen, blood seeping from her neck.

Kaveh rises as Maize falls to her knees.

"Blood for blood," he whispers. He turns away as her body falls to the floor.

Alhaitham has managed to clamber to his feet. His expression softens. "You dealt with her."

Kaveh swallows down a sob that threatens to spill from his throat. "I didn't want to."

Alhaitham is about to reply when the trembling walls remind them of their circumstances. Maize may have fallen, but she managed to do enough damage to the bank foundations with her vision.

Alhaitham's Dendro vision glows brightly, and he summons gigantic Dendro constructs to support the crumbling pillars.

"I'll keep them up for as long as I can," the Fatuus hisses through gritted teeth. "You and Mehrak evacuate the rest of the people."

Kaveh nods.

The architect and Mehrak split up as Alhaitham keeps the bank from collapsing on itself. Kaveh scours all the rooms, and by the time he returns to the lobby, a small group of people follows him.

Mehrak hasn't returned yet.

Kaveh is about to herd everyone to the doors when a huge decorative stone arch crashes in front of the entrance, trapping everyone inside.

Kaveh curses. Why isn't Mehrak around when you need her?

"Kaveh!" Alhaitham yells. He has sunk to his knees as he directly channels Dendro to the ground. "I can't hold on much longer!"

Kaveh activates his vision. With the strength of a vision wielder, he grabs the edge of the arch and tries to lift it.

The stupid thing barely moves. Some of the people notice what he's trying to do, and they grab onto the arch in an attempt to help him.

The walls groan.

Alhaitham screams, and his vision starts to flicker feebly.

It's no use, Kaveh huffs. Not even everyone's combined strength can move the arch. If they can't move it, how else are they supposed to leave? Unless someone breaks it--

--Kaveh's eyes widen.

Kaveh still has Alhaitham's sword; he can break the arch. The sword won't be as effective as his claymore, but it's enough.

"Everyone, move!" Kaveh snarls at the crowd and infuses the sword with dendro.

Kaveh lifts the blade. The Dendro grows stronger, almost overwhelming. At the crest of it, Kaveh swings.

He makes a sizeable cut on the arch. Kaveh slashes again, over and over, when the stone finally yields.

The blade cuts straight through the arch, splitting it in two. Alhaitham's sword shatters in Kaveh's grip.

Sunlight spills into the bank.

Kaveh huffs weakly, and herds the people into the entrance. He runs to Alhaitham and pulls the Fatuus to his feet.

The Dendro constructs disintegrate immediately.

"Let's go," Kaveh breathes, wrapping an arm around the man's shoulders. "C'mon, Haitham, we need to leave--"

A soft beep makes them stop.

Mehrak floats on top of the counter, a little girl, the daughter of one of the clients, holding onto her.

They're too far, Kaveh realizes with dawning horror. At the rate the pillars are trembling, the bank will collapse before Kaveh can reach them.

"Haitham, we're not going to get them," Kaveh yells, tears in his eyes. "Haitham--"

Alhaitham kneels on the floor, pressing his palms to the ground. All at once, the Dendro constructs appear to support the pillars again, but they disintegrate as soon as they emerge.

Alhaitham's vision barely glows now.

Alhaitham yells and curses in Snezhnayan, then his eyes flicker to the delusion on his belt.

Kaveh's eyes widen.

"No," Kaveh breathes. He reaches forward, grabbing the Fatuus's shoulders. "Haitham, no, don't--"

Another arch falls and barely misses Mehrak and the girl.

Alhaitham's eyes water. "Save them for me, Kaveh."

"Haitham!" Kaveh yells, but the Fatuus ignores him.

Alhaitham activates his Cryo delusion.

Frost creeps up the walls, freezing the pillars and arches into place.

Kaveh sobs as the temperature drops and turns to the Fatuus.

Alhaitham's hair is entirely white now, and lines have appeared on his face. His once-strong limbs are thinner and weaker, yet he still grasps the floor with determination.

The delusion glows brightly on his belt.

"Save them," Alhaitham whispers, growing smaller and skinnier as his body ages rapidly in his clothes.

Kaveh runs across the lobby and snatches the girl and Mehrak from the counter. He bounds back the way he came, the walls trembling around him as the frost begins to crack.

Kaveh slows to a stop before the Fatuus, grabbing the man's cheek. "I've got them, Haitham, I've got them. You can let go now--"

Alhaitham shakes his head. "If I let go...we'll all get crushed."

Kaveh trembles as he realizes what the man is going to do. "Haitham, no, Haitham--"

The frost cracks again, loud and clear and dangerous.

The girl cries in Kaveh's arms. Mehrak beeps rapidly.

Alhaitham's face softens, and he presses his lips to Kaveh's palm. "Save yourselves, beloved."

"N-no--" Kaveh's eyes water "--Haitham, no, you can't--"

Alhaitham lifts one hand from the floor and grabs his dying Dendro vision. He presses it to Kaveh's hand. "Go home."

Kaveh sobs, quivering weakly. Alhaitham leans forward and presses his forehead against the architect's. "Thank you for coming into my life."

Kaveh cries out, tears streaming down his cheeks, and he wraps his arms around Alhaitham's trembling shoulders. The Fatuus hugs him back, his arms thin and frail as the delusion drains him of his vitality.

"I love you," Alhaitham whispers. "In every lifetime. In every reality."

Then a burst of Cryo pushes Kaveh, Mehrak, and the girl out of the doorway. Warm sunlight shines on Kaveh's face, beckoning him to leave, but he can't turn away from Alhaitham's rapidly aging figure.

Alhaitham smiles even as Cryo climbs his arms, freezing him to the floor.

"I love you too," Kaveh breathes. "So much."

Alhaitham's eyes crinkle with happiness. Then his delusion flickers and its glow finally fades.

The frost melts completely. The ceiling comes crashing down.

Kaveh watches the love of his life get crushed by the falling debris.

People scream. Children cry, and hands pull and claw at Kaveh's limbs.

Kaveh doesn't move even as the girl is taken from his arms, and the bank collapses on itself.

The dust settles. What was once the Northland Bank is now a mess of metal and wood and stone.

Kaveh can't hear anything.

Someone grabs his shoulder, and he realizes it's Viktor.

"Kaveh!" The Fatuus yells. Half of his mask is missing, and there's a nasty cut on his cheek. Viktor speaks, his mouth forming words, but Kaveh can't hear him.

He tears his shoulder from the Fatuus's grasp and runs toward the debris.

With the strength of a vision wielder, Kaveh tries to lift a portion of the ceiling. It barely moves. He screams, tears pricking at his eyes, and tries again.

Mehrak appears at Kaveh's side. Together, they push the ceiling away, revealing a mess of debris underneath.

Kaveh summons his claymore and crushes them all. He cuts through metal and wood and stone as he tries to reach the floor.

Soon, he finally sees a sign of what he's looking for.

A shattered Cryo delusion lies on the tiles, its wielder nowhere to be found.

Kaveh's heart sinks.

He falls to his knees, gathering the broken delusion in his hands. The greedy thing drained Alhaitham completely, not even leaving a body for Kaveh to bury.

Kaveh screams.

Then he curses and throws the delusion into the ground. Kaveh cries into his hands as a low, terrible wail tears its way from his throat.

Mehrak beeps softly.

Kaveh turns to her, eyesight blurry with tears, and sees she's indicating something on his waist.

Alhaitham's vision glows weakly next to Kaveh's brighter one.

The elemental energy in the Fatuus's vision is too faint to indicate the wielder is still alive, but it's enough to send Kaveh home.

Mehrak beeps again. Kaveh pulls out the Portable Waypoint from his pocket. Kaveh needs to leave this reality. It's what Alhaitham would've wanted.

Kaveh dismisses Mehrak and his claymore. With a heavy heart, he presses the Waypoint to Alhaitham's vision.

The Waypoint glows as it activates. Then Kaveh is falling, wind rushing past his ears, and a thousand colors he couldn't name flashing before his eyes.

Then it all stops as abruptly as it began, and Kaveh finds himself in the middle of his bedroom.

The Waypoint disappears. Alhaitham's vision dims completely.

Kaveh yells.

He shoves at his desk, scattering his sketches everywhere. He tears his work from the walls and smashes his ornaments. Then he sinks to the floor, his anger finally giving way to grief.

Tears prickle at Kaveh's eyes as he clutches the lifeless vision in his hands.

The green surface has turned to a dull gray, never to glow again. Kaveh thinks of its wielder's last moments, of Alhaitham's aged face as he whispers his final words, and something in him 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

Kaveh lets out a broken sob and presses the vision to his lips.

The door creaks open, revealing the last person Kaveh wants to see right now.

Silver hair, teal eyes. Dark scribe's attire.

"You're back," says Alhaitham. Not Fatuus Alhaitham. Not Agent Alhaitham. Just Alhaitham, the roommate, the scribe, and the Alhaitham of Kaveh's reality.

The sight of him makes Kaveh 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦.

Alhaitham is the same as he has always been, from his nonchalance to his choice of clothing. The scribe's presence should comfort the architect, yet Kaveh doesn't want him.

Kaveh doesn't want the scribe.

Kaveh wants the Fatuus.

But he'll never see the man again. Kaveh will return to his roommate, a man with his lover's face while bearing none of his affection.

Kaveh has never abhorred the cruelty of his life until now.

The blond doesn't realize he's crying until Alhaitham pulls him into his arms.

"No, let go of me!" Kaveh hisses, but Alhaitham holds him closer, tucking the blond's head into the crook of his neck.

This is wrong, Kaveh thinks desperately. This is all 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. Kaveh doesn't want the scribe. He wants the Fatuus. He wants his lover, not this man who is--

--He's Alhaitham, holding Kaveh, soothing Kaveh. He isn't Kaveh's Alhaitham, not at all, but Kaveh had a long day, and Alhaitham is so warm, so familiar, and his fingers feel amazing on Kaveh's skin.

Kaveh sniffles at the achingly familiar gesture.

Alhaitham shushes him gently. "I'm here," the scribe whispers, his voice a low rumble as his fingers soothe the man's neck. "I'm here, Kaveh."

Kaveh closes his eyes and clutches his roommate's back. Dimly, he registers that Alhaitham has picked him up from the floor and led them to sit on Kaveh's bed.

"You were gone for a while," Alhaitham says once Kaveh's breathing is steadier.

Kaveh rests his chin on the scribe's shoulder. "Yeah?"

He feels Alhaitham nod. "You were missing for weeks." His hand runs down Kaveh's back, tracing his spine. "I waited for you to come home."

Kaveh is overcome by shame at the man's words. Alhaitham waited for his return, and the first thing Kaveh did once he was back was wish for the scribe's presence to be replaced by the Fatuus's.

The guilt makes Kaveh press closer in apology, but not enough to voice it. The architect will not apologize for weeping over his lover.

"Do you really want to know where I went?" Kaveh whispers.

At Alhaitham's nod, the blond says, "I was in another reality."

He waits for Alhaitham to laugh or make a remark about the state of Kaveh's mental faculties.

The scribe does neither. "That must've been quite the experience," says Alhaitham.

Kaveh thinks of Dendro agents and books, and gashes and Cryo delusions. He recalls a woman's choked cry as he slits her throat and a man's final words before a crumbling bank claims his life.

Kaveh leans away from Alhaitham to peer into his face.

His lover's visage stares back at him.

"It was," Kaveh whispers.

He waits for Alhaitham to make another statement, but the scribe merely nods and falls silent.

Strange. Since when is Alhaitham satisfied with Kaveh's answers?

But then again, Alhaitham isn't in the habit of holding crying roommates either.

Kaveh buries his face between the scribe's neck and shoulder. "I'll tell you what happened in the other reality some other time."

"Alright," says Alhaitham. He raises a hand to soothe Kaveh's neck, and the architect leans into his touch.

Kaveh sighs, body weighed by grief and exhaustion. He wants to cry again, the despair of the recent events refusing to spare his heart, but the tears won't come anymore.

Kaveh's grief feels endless.

At least he won't be grieving alone. Alhaitham will be with him, even if the scribe only has an inkling of Kaveh's pain.

With that thought in mind, Kaveh closes his eyes and sinks into his roommates's embrace.

When Kaveh falls asleep in his arms, Alhaitham lays the architect on the bed and covers him with a blanket. As the scribe leaves the room to prepare a meal for the blond, something on the floor catches his eye.

It is a lifeless Dendro vision, dull gray with a Snezhnayan frame.

It beckons Alhaitham to move closer. He picks up the Snezhnayan vision, and it flares to life.

A voice speaks in the scribe's mind.

"𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘒𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦."

The vision turns gray again. Alhaitham's eyes widen as he realizes who it belongs to.

FIN