Chapter Text
"Kaveh, you're being dramatic." The blond in question pouted, Cyno barely looking up at him. "You'll do fine tonight. Stop fussing."
"You don't get it. With Alhaitham as acting grand sage, my proposal is sure to tank," he whined, "I swear to god he does it to me on purpose. No matter what I say it's always a 'that's highly impractical' or 'bring the budget down and we'll talk'. Just what does he know about building plans anyway?"
"Stop moving," Tighnari chastised, pushing Kaveh back into place as he went about fixing his hairpins, "I don't think Alhaitham puts any personal stock in it. If it were anyone else, he'd still say no. Besides, we all know how you are with budgeting and funds hun."
"Don't remind me," he pouted, "I do my best but it's hard to get it down without completely trashing the concepts."
"Just do the proposal like you always do," Cyno said, "and tonight we'll have a dinner to celebrate regardless. Sound good?" Kaveh nodded, sheepishly grinning as Tighnari swatted him.
"There. You're done," the fox said, sitting back, "try not to mess it up alright?" Kaveh turned, launching himself at the other with a fond grin.
"You're the best Nari," he cooed, nuzzling into the other's soft hair, "I'll do my best to keep it as pristine as I can. But if a certain someone decides to ruin my mood then-agh!"
"Don't let it get in your head," Tighnari chided, "now go on. You'll be late if you keep fussing about like this."
"Alright, alright. I'm going," Kaveh said as he hauled himself up, "you two don't mind holding down the fort?"
"I'll keep Cyno away from the stove," Tighnari said, the General Mahamatra shooting him an unamused look.
"I'm not that bad," he protested, crossing his arms.
"You're better than Alhaitham at least," Kaveh said, ruffling the man's white hair. Cyno scowled, batting him away. The blond snagged his briefcase and proposal plans, waving back at them. "Wish me luck!" The pair chimed their well wishes as the blond bounded from the house and began his trip toward the Akademiya. He could get through this proposal and, with or without Alhaitham's approval, he'd get to have a nice night with his lovers. Nothing could go wrong.
"Come in." Kaveh took a steadying breath before pushing open the door leading to the Grand Sage's office. Alhaitham was sitting at the desk, one hand pressed into his temple and brow furrowed with annoyance. There was a tension in his shoulders that made Kaveh hesitate, mildly worried about his roommate's health. The man twitched, looking up with an annoyed glance before recognition seemed to hit him. "Kaveh. I wasn't expecting you."
"W-What? You didn't forget you had a proposal meeting at two did you?" Kaveh asked with a scowl, already feeling annoyed. Alhaitham sighed, setting the pen down and reaching up to tap at his earpieces, fiddling with a dial on the side. Kaveh couldn't help but watch him, curious more as to exactly how those damn devices worked and why Alhaitham never seemed to take them off.
"I didn't," Alhaitham said, almost sounding offended, "I just didn't realize you'd be presenting it." He settled back in his chair, crossing his arms and leveling his steely gaze at Kaveh. "Go right ahead." The architect straightened, already prepared as he launched into his well-practiced presentation. Alhaitham hardly moved, simply watching as Kaveh gave his spiel with likely more energy than he needed. By the time he was done, Kaveh felt wrung out and nervously exhausted, waiting anxiously as Alhaitham considered him and then his drawn-up plans.
"So?" he urged, "What do you think?" He was tense as he waited for the inevitable denial. Then he could head home to Tighnari and Cyno, drink himself stupid, and-
"Okay." Kaveh stared at him, wide-eyed and startled.
"Excuse me?" he squawked, a bit louder than intended. Alhaitham winced, tapping at his earpieces again.
"I said, okay," the man replied, "you have approval. Do I need to make that simpler for you to get?" Despite the jab Kaveh barely heard him, too thrilled with the outcome.
"Hah! You won't regret it Haitham!" he chimed excitedly, eyes sparkling. Alhaitham eyed him for a moment before waving a hand dismissively and signing off on the proposal.
"Don't look into it too much," he replied, "just take it and go." Kaveh snatched up the papers with a grin, pausing before he could take off.
"Oh. What do you want for dinner?" he asked, thinking already how to at least show his gratitude to Alhaitham for approving his proposal. The scribe twitched, looking a bit startled.
"What?"
"Dinner. You know, food?" Kaveh asked, "Tighnari's getting stuff. Figured I'd see what you wanted." Alhaitham huffed, eye twitching slightly.
"Anything's fine," he said, "I'm not picky." Kaveh nodded, deciding that whatever goodies Tighnari ended up cooking would have to be enough. He bid a goodbye and bounded off. He had work to do now after all.
He got home a bit late, tired but pleased with his work. Alhaitham had walked home with him by chance, the scribe quiet and seemingly distracted. Kaveh didn't bother trying to talk with him, too pleased with the day's events to be put off by the silence. He threw the door open and trotted in, immediately finding his way into Cyno's awaiting arms and pressing a kiss to the electro user's lips.
"Someone's happy," Cyno mused, the barest hint of a smile on his lips, "I told you that you'd do fine."
"You did," he said, careful not to crush Cyno with his weight as he settled into the General Mahamatra's lap. Not that Cyno was weak enough to be crushed under him anyway. "And you were right. As always."
"I am right dominant," the man quipped. Kaveh laughed, snuggling in close before he remembered Alhaitham. He looked up, startled to see the scribe already half way to his bedroom.
"Hey. What about dinner?" he asked. Alhaitham didn't respond, his door shutting with a soft click. Kaveh huffed, lips curling into a pout. 'What's with him today?'
"Should we talk again about you and Alhaitham?" came Tighnari's questioning tone.
"No," Kaveh replied, "I'm plenty happy with you two thank you. And besides, he'd never go for that."
"Have you asked?" Cyno questioned.
"Course not. I like having a place to live thank you," Kaveh retorted. Tighnari walked toward them, carrying their dinner in his hands. His tail swatted Kaveh lightly, making the blond pout.
"You're going to drive yourself crazy like this," Tighnari said, "We all know how long you've pined over him. You need to broach the topic before it keeps eating at you."
"Ugh, can you be less supportive of your boyfriend liking another guy for two seconds," Kaveh huffed, "I can't just..." He made a vague gesture, not sure what he was trying to say.
"I wouldn't mind kissing him," Cyno said suddenly, making Kaveh nearly choke on his tongue. The man doesn't even look ashamed. "What?"
"How long has that been a thing?" Kaveh asked. Cyno shrugged.
"He's hot," Cyno said simply as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "and I wouldn't mind the chance to pick him apart."
"Cy, behave," Tighnari chastised, "though...I wouldn't mind getting to see another side of him as well."
"You two," Kaveh said, flushed with embarrassment, "can I at least get a few drinks in before you start trying to wreck me?"
"Why are you so sure he'd be against it?" Tighnari asked, tail swishing.
"He's not a people person," Kaveh said, "he barely puts up with me, and last time he and Cyno met they tried to kill each other."
"Then let me take the lead," the fox said, "I have an idea." Cyno smirked, squeezing Kaveh in his grip as the blond groaned.
"I was afraid you might say that."