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He arrives late to their dinner appointment, but he doesn't expect his absence to be noticed. Though Kaveh will not be joining them, he's certain that the other two have already long since settled into a game.
However when he arrives at the table, there is none of the noise he expects as only Cyno waits for him.
"Cyno?" He frowns, "It's just you?"
Cyno nods and sets his cards back into their box. "Just me. Tighnari had to deal with something this afternoon. I told him not to worry about getting back in time. It's a long trip after all."
He looks up at Al-Haitham, "Kaveh's not coming?"
"Apparently something came up with his project." He takes the seat across from Cyno, leaving half of the table unoccupied. "It's just us tonight."
"Hm." Cyno turns his head to look at the empty seats, "Should we sit somewhere else then? I feel like we're wasting space."
"Let's move somewhere more private then."
In a few short minutes they are settled in a more secluded corner, where the sounds of their fellow patrons fade into a low hum.
"It feels a bit strange when it's just the two of us." Cyno says as he waits for their food. His finger slides along the rim of his goblet, eyes looking at the stained windows beside them.
"Is it? I'm sure it'll be quieter."
That illicits a soft laugh, "That's true."
Al-Haitham takes a sip of his wine. It's not what he usually gets, but if he doesn't have to worry about Kaveh stealing it in his drunken haze, he can go for something a bit better.
"You seem to be very deep in thought." Cyno notes, "Not what you expected?"
"Well," he swirls the liquid in his goblet, "there's a rather tart aftertaste. I was wondering if it's intentional."
"What, you think it's gone bad?"
Al-Haitham shrugs, "It's a rather expensive one. It wouldn't surprise me if it's been a while since anyone has ordered a glass." He takes another sip, contemplating the flavor. "But perhaps it's simply the intended flavor. I doubt Lambad would skimp on such a thing."
Especially when it was the two of them that were patronizing the establishment.
Cyno leans on his hand, studying Al-Haitham for a moment before taking a drink from his own goblet. "I never took you for a wine aficionado. Though, I guess I shouldn't be surprised you like the finer things in life."
Al-Haitham sets his goblet down, smirking at his companion. "We all have our vices, don't we? I don't see anything wrong with indulging in something once in a while."
His eyes flicker to the leather deck case resting beside Cyno's arm, "Small joys to a mundane existence."
Cyno's smirk mirrors his own and he raises his goblet, "We all deserve a break every now and again, don't we?"
Their glasses clink gently against another.
"That we do."
"You know," Cyno drawls as he leans his arms on the table, his face lightly flushed from alcohol.
"Kaveh complains about you all the time. It only seems fair that you're allowed to do the same."
"Cyno, I believe this is entrapment." He mirrors Cyno's position, as well as the smirk that slowly grows on his face. "And we both know that Kaveh would complain about it once he hears."
"You don't have to worry. I'll be sure to keep your secrets safe." Cyno promises.
He laughs at that, leaning back against his chair and taking a drink of his wine. "Persuasive aren't you?"
"It's not how I normally persuade people, so it's nice to know this method is also effective."
"Fine, I'll bite. I'll tell you all my complaints about him."
Cyno chuckles, "Hopefully your stories are less exaggerated than his."
Alcohol is known to loosen lips, though Cyno is surprised to find that such words also apply to Al-Haitham. Perhaps it's because it's just the two of them that Al-Haitham is comfortable enough to drink as much as he does.
There is nothing off in his voice as he speaks, which he does without reservation, and a bystander would assume Al-Haitham was perfectly of sound mind. Nothing but the light flush of red across Al-Haitham's face gives away his drunkenness. That, and his unnatural willingness to speak about someone else, even if it's a rant.
"Before I created these headphones, I would have to listen to Kaveh's incessant ranting." The man says gesturing to the devices on his ears.
"Now, I simply have to turn up the music or noise reduction and I can read in peace." He shakes his head, scoffing at the memory that comes to mind.
"Having to listen to his ranting is annoying, but talking back only encourages him further.
"So, much like a child throwing a tantrum, it's best to simply ride it out. He'll get tired eventually."
The words paint a vibrant picture, and Cyno hides a chuckle behind his hand. He knows he shouldn't encourage that kind of behavior.
"I can see why he complains about you so often." Cyno shakes his head, trying to keep the smile off his lips, "You two would get along better if you settled your differences like adults."
Al-Haitham scoffs at the suggestion, downing his drink before replying.
"He doesn't listen to my concerns, it only seems fair that I ignore his." He pours himself another glass. "Besides, he has a habit of blowing things out of proportion."
"Is that so?"
"Obviously. This is Kaveh we're talking about. Give him the slightest bit of information, and his mind will conjure up a ridiculous amount of garbage." Al-Haitham shakes his head, "Really, how does he even come to half the conclusions he does?"
"Perhaps he has information you do not." Cyno says diplomatically, "Different perspectives may lead to different answers, even when looking at the same information."
Al-Haitham shakes his head, "You're giving him too much credit. He's just a fool."
He pauses, correcting himself. "Actually, he's worse than that. A fool can be educated and learn, Kaveh is too stubborn to admit his mistakes. Assuming he ever accepts them as mistakes.
"For example, last week he..."
Cyno chuckles as Al-Haitham regales him with another tale about Kaveh.
He wonders how many people have had the chance to see Al-Haitham like this, speaking his mind without reservation or care, ranting about his annoyances. For a man who liked to pretend nothing bothered him, it must be nice to finally let those frustrations go.
He wonders if Al-Haitham would accept if he invited him to dinner again without the others.
It seemed like Al-Haitham was less reserved when it was just the two of them.
A beam of light hits his eyes and he groans as it stirs him from sleep. He shifts his head away from it and opens his eyes, finding himself staring at the ceiling.
That wasn't the ceiling of his bedroom.
He turns to his right and spots one of his blankets folded and draped over the arm of the divan across from him. It seemed like after dinner they had returned to his home and crashed in the living room.
He presses a hand against his head and groans at the dull throb of a headache.
It's good that today is his day off. No, it might be because of it that he was willing to drink as much as he had.
Honestly, his memories of leaving Lambad's Tavern were... murky at best. He's relatively certain he didn't embarrass himself. At least, he hopes he hadn't.
If he had, Cyno likely wouldn't spread the news around. Kaveh, however, would likely do it with vicious glee. Assuming he could even recall what occurred, which he generally didn't.
Of course, generally the person embarrassing themselves was Kaveh, so it wouldn't be too difficult to sway public opinion his way.
Where was Cyno anyway? Could he have already left?
There is a soft clatter of plates, and he looks towards the kitchen.
Making breakfast apparently.
He sits up and attempts to make himself look a bit more presentable, though maybe there's no point on doing that. He's sure Cyno has already seen him sleeping and found his bedhead quite amusing.
Quietly, he makes his way to the kitchen, pausing by the archway he watches as Cyno cooks.
Cyno walks around with purpose, as if he's already managed to familiarize himself with Al-Haitham's kitchen.
Belatedly, he wonders how long Cyno has been awake. Long enough to take a shower and dry his hair at least.
Cyno's jackal headdress rests on the kitchen island, away from the stove. It might be the first time he's seen Cyno without his headdress on.
It feels strange seeing him without it. Even more so since Cyno's clothes look out of place in his kitchen.
Perhaps he was so tired last night that he neglected to give Cyno clothes to sleep in. Then again, he doubted he had any clothes that would fit Cyno.
The whole scene feels strangely domestic and out of place for a reason he can't quite put his finger on.
He settles on the fact that Cyno, of all people, is cooking. He shouldn't be surprised Cyno can, yet the thought has never crossed his mind.
Cyno seemed like the type of person who would buy something at the market for breakfast rather than waste his precious time to cook.
Admittedly that might simply be personal bias, his own breakfast was often a simple cup of coffee. His lunch would inevitably be bought at the Akademiya's cafeteria or the Grand Bazaar.
"You know, we have an apron." He says in lieu of a greeting. He glances at the ignored red apron hanging on a hook by the cabinet. Another thing Kaveh had bought on a whim, and was seldom used as a result.
Cyno turns at his voice, "Good morning. I hope you don't mind me cooking us breakfast." He pauses before adding, "And using your shower."
"Not at all." Al-Haitham says as he tilts his head to look over at the stove. "You didn't need to cook."
All things considered he would have expected Cyno to leave as soon as he woke up, leaving a note at best.
Cyno tilts the pan, pouring its steaming hot contents onto a plate and setting it on the table.
"It's the least I can do since you let me stay over."
"Actually," Al-Haitham leans against the archway, "I don't remember much about last night."
Cyno doesn't seem to react, just nodding and turning back around to finish cooking.
"You did drink quite a bit. That doesn't surprise me."
"I didn't say or do anything embarrassing did I?"
"Hm. Not really." He notices the twitch of Cyno's lips as he answers. He probably did do something then.
"Mind helping my memory along then?"
Cyno pats the table, "Sit down. I'm almost done."
Cyno joins him a moment later with a plate of toast, adding to the simple breakfast between them.
"To be served breakfast made by the General Mahamatra himself."
"You should be honored." Cyno says with a teasing smile, "I don't normally cook for other people."
They lull into a comfortable silence as they begin to eat. It's a simple meal with no added frills, but it is warm and fills his empty stomach. Simple and practical, just like Cyno.
"So," he begins, taking a sip of his coffee, feeling more awake already. "What happened when we left?"
"Nothing much. I had to help you walk back home." Cyno takes a bite of his toast. "You're heavier than I thought you'd be."
Al-Haitham's frowns, "Please tell me you didn't carry me."
"No, you were pretty insistent that I didn't. I just lent you my shoulder."
"Hm." Well, that was better than the alternative.
"You know," Cyno says casually, "you're quite... chatty when you're drunk."
"I didn't say anything that would arouse the General Mahamatra's suspicion, did I?"
There's a glint in Cyno's eyes as he responds. "Not this time unfortunately."
"It looks like you can hold your liquor better than I thought." Though he didn't recall Cyno drinking too much, there had been several bottles split between them. "Matra training?"
"Matra training."
Al-Haitham hums, taking slow bites of his food, "Shame those two had to miss our dinner."
"It is, but I did enjoy it even if it was just the two of us." Cyno sips at his coffee. "I feel like certain things wouldn't have been said if we were with the others."
And maybe they wouldn't be here right now, having breakfast together.
"Cyno."
"Hm?"
"I like my coffee a little stronger than this." He says lifting his mug.
Cyno scoffs, "Of course you do."
"Just thought you'd like to know."
"What, for next time?" Before he can answer, a loud pounding at the door interrupts them.
"Al-Haitham! I know you're awake! Open up!"
He sighs, feeling the quiet serenity evaporate with his roommate's arrival.
"I'll get that." He says getting up, surprised when Cyno stands up with him.
"I should probably get going too." Cyno says as he reaches for his headdress on the counter.
He's not surprised at the scene that greets him when he opens the door; Kaveh stands with his arms crossed impatiently tapping his foot.
"Finally!" Kaveh says in exasperation, running a hand through his frazzled hair. "You took my keys, again."
He says that as if Al-Haitham had purposefully done so to spite him, as opposed to the plain truth which was that Kaveh had left them behind.
"It wouldn't be an issue if you noticed it before leaving."
"I can't forget something that isn't there!"
A cough interrupts their argument, Cyno sliding past him as he exits. "I'll be going now."
"Alright."
Cyno gives Kaveh a small nod in acknowledgement, "There's breakfast for you in the kitchen. Have a nice day, Kaveh."
Kaveh's eyes grow wide at the sight of him, watching Cyno's back until he disappears from view.
Once Cyno is gone, he whips his head around to stare at Al-Haitham. "Why was Cyno here?"
"He stayed over." He says simply.
"He stayed over?" Kaveh's jaw drops, "You never have anyone over!"
Kaveh gasps, "Did he stay the night?" The implications are obvious despite the innocent nature of the question.
He shouldn't be surprised at how Kaveh jumps to conclusions so easily, but he's still disappointed.
"We," he gestures between them, "meaning the four of us, were supposed to have dinner together. Something you insisted on. Since you and Tighnari were not there, Cyno and I enjoyed it by ourselves."
Kaveh is silent for a long time, and Al-Haitham wonders what strange connection he'll make next.
"You two actually had dinner together?" Kaveh asks, Al-Haitham nods in response.
"You didn't just get there, decide that you didn't need to be there and just go home to read your books?"
"Contrary to what you may think, I am capable of social interaction, Kaveh." He says with a scoff, "And I honor prior engagements, unlike some people."
Kaveh's brows furrow, and he places a hand on his chin in deep contemplation.
"And Cyno stayed the night."
"He slept on the divan." Al-Haitham says bluntly. Kaveh didn't need to know that he had also slept in the living room.
"And he cooked you breakfast."
"Yes."
Kaveh's eyes narrow, his eyes searching for something. "That's it?"
The question catches him off guard, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing else happened?" There's an inquisitive gleam in Kaveh's eyes, the look of someone who wants material to gossip about.
He sighs and heads back into the house, "Nothing. Now hurry up, breakfast is getting cold."
Despite Kaveh's attempts to pry more information out of him, Al-Haitham says nothing. Instead he returns to his room with his meal and resolves to sleep away his headache.
It was far too early for him to deal with Kaveh's nonsense.