Chapter Text
You were camping out in the outskirts of Lokapala Jungle, enjoying the lush greenery beneath your feet.
At least that's what you tell yourself you're doing, in order to avoid the fact that you're technically homeless.
You sit down beside a fallen log, resting your aching limbs.
You gaze endearingly at the foliage around you, eyes drawn to the golden petals littering the grass.
You start to pluck these small flowers without thinking, hands working at the delicate stems to slowly create an elaborate flower crown, just like you did when you were still young.
"woah... that's beautiful! ..how did you learn to do that?"
You sharply look up at the unexpected voice, seeing a tall, slender, man whose hair managed to match the flowers almost perfectly. Almost.
You stare at him with wide eyes for a moment, maybe a few in reality, before your gaze softens after realising there's no threat.
"...just something I did as a kid. Would you like to have it, sir..?"
"Have it? No no no, I should pay you... or at least give you something in return!"
You watch the man frantically pat himself down, seemingly trying to find items among his elaborate clothes which he now realised were not so practical. After a few moments of you blankly staring at him, he finally found a small object - a trinket of some sorts. He crouched down to get on your level - a kind gesture which you did not let go unnoticed - and stretched him arm out towards you to give you it, a nervous smile on his face.
"My name is Kaveh, by the way... I don't have much mora on me, but I did make this the other day if you'd accept this?"
Why was this strange man so adamant on purchasing this ring of flowers which were sure to wilt in a few hours anyways? You figured he must have some personal ideals he's upholding and didn't dwell on it.
Instead, you drew your attention to the trinket. it seemed to be an ornament, one that would fit nicely in a warm home.
You smile up at the man as you gently guide his hand away from you and use your other to hand him the flower crown.
"Thank you.. Kaveh, but I really don't need any sort of payment for this, it's just a flower crown. It will wilt soon anyways." You assured, gently.
You weren't a stranger to (ironically) strangers coming up to you and making conversation. It baffled you at first, "what makes people think I want to talk to them?" "Is it just pity?" but slowly you learned to enjoy these moments. Since you practically lived in these forests, human interaction was sparse. These random conversations reminded you that you were in fact human - whether that was a happy reminder or not. In turn, you've learned to give in order to hopefully share the same sentiment with these people.
"This ornament has no use to me anyways, I don't have a home to display it in."
You regretted your words almost immediately after speaking them, your eyebrows furrowing slightly in shame. You hate being vulnerable, there was no reason for you to say that. It didn't matter too much, though - It's not like you'd ever see him again. This interaction would just be one of the few that kept you up during cold nights.
The man, Kaveh, had widened eyes for a moment before composing himself. He assumed you were simply exploring, not surviving. He supressed his pity, knowing that was the last thing you wanted or needed.
"...I see. In that case, thanks for the crown!"
He gently took the crown from your hands, holding it as if it could break at any moment. You don't make eye contact with him, You simply hummed a soft "mhm" and smiled awkwardly while fidgeting with your fingers. He stands up and takes one more look at you - this time with a sense of sorrow and, strangely enough, determination - before walking away towards Sumeru city for the night.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · timeskip · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
The next morning you found yourself uncharacteristically focused on that conversation you had yesterday. Although, the more you thought about it the more your mind shifted focus from the conversation to the man himself. He was so kind and, retrospectively, was able to handle your embarrassing confession very well. If you had came across this man a year ago, you were sure you'd hunt him down and ask to be friends.
Unfortunately, your fantasies of a better life were crushed when that familiar ache of hunger rippled through your abdomen. You took this as your cue to stand up and start foraging for mushrooms.
Not long after the start of your search, however, you came across the same blond man - sat on top of that same log you were leaned against yesterday. He seemed nervous, his leg was bouncing, and he was holding something in his hands. You started to contemplate whether or not you should say hi when he turned to the side, noticing you.
You sigh and stride towards him, internally begging your stomach to calm down for the next 10 minutes at least.
"Hey! It's... uh.." He started, and ended just as quickly upon realising he doesn't know your name.
"Kaveh, yes? What brings you here - wanting another flower crown?"
You asked, voice and tone far more confident than your true self, but not at all faked. Simply an echo left behind by your past self.
You knew he wanted to know your name, but you would rather keep him at arms length. This is a stranger, after all.
"Uh, well... I was actually wondering if you'd like to talk for a bit? I... brought my favourite lunch as an ice breaker...?" He held up a small lunch box for you to see while his expression remained both apprehensive and hopeful as he waited for your response.
You weren't at all stupid, you knew he pitied you and wanted to make himself feel better by giving the homeless person a meal. Usually, you would decline these offers of food in fear of the worst, however his demeanour and, surprisingly, his endearing way of asking made you feel inclined to agree.
You sat down beside him on the log, keeping some space between you two for both your safety and for the lunchbox to be placed.
"Sure, I can talk. Is there anything you have on your mind?" You asked, turning your head to look up at Kaveh, your eyes attentive yet tired.
"Do you... like fatteh? I made too big a batch for myself."
You look down at the lunchbox, a beautiful serving of fatteh presented very purposefully - clearly he planned this and it wasn't simply leftovers. You look up at him and nod, a small smile on your lips.
"I do... well, ive never tried it, but it looks beautiful."
He looks at you as if you've killed his children for a short moment, surprised that someone from Sumeru has never tried it before. With that, he quickly handed you a piece which you hesitantly took. It was very nice, clearly care had been put into the dish. You nod while you chew, expressing how pleased you were as to not keep the (clearly nervous, for whatever reason) man waiting too long.
...
you talk about nothing and everything for maybe an hour while you shared the meal, slowly getting to know each other. This was mostly you listening to him talk about his annoyingly intelligent roommate and his annoyingly stupid clients - but you didnt mind, it was a rare form of entertainment for you.
Eventually the conversation died down, the sun started to set, and the lunchbox was empty. A small sigh escaped his lips as he stood up from the log, stretching. You look up at him, recognising this as the end of your interaction.
"well, its time for me to head back..." Kaveh announced, somehow simultaneously solemn and awkward.
"...could I know your name...?"
You parted your lips in slight surprise - you completely forgot you had a name at this point, it's been so long since anyone directly asked.
Nevertheless, you answer him. He seemed trustworthy. Hell, you could even say you liked the guys character.
He repeated your name, as if to test it, before smiling and waving you goodbye - walking down that same path he did the night before.
Hopefully this became a habit for him... especially if it involved that fatteh. God was that delicious.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · timeskip · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
To your surprise, it did in fact become a habit for him. He wouldn't always bring a meal, or have lengthy conversations with you - but he always showed up by that log at the same time.
One day he would simply walk past and wave to you, eyes clearly tired, while another he would bring an elaborate dish to share with you while you spoke. It was very welcome (and needed) company which you enjoyed as it became a part of your routine.
One day he was a bit later than usual, it was now around 7pm while he would normally show up at 6pm. You definitely noticed his absence and it worried you.
"did something bad happen to him?" "did he run into a rishbolanad tiger?" "maybe he's just having a difficult day.."
All of these thoughts dissipated as soon as you heard that familiar voice calling out your name from a distance.
"Hey! I want you to meet someone!"
Well thank god he's alive and well. Unfortunately so are your habits of overthinking and jumping to conclusions.
He was walking alongside another man, a bit bulkier than him but roughly the same height, that was clad in turquoise silks. He looked bored, quite frankly, or at least as if he was day dreaming about a nicer situation than this.
"Hello." The turquoise man greeted, voice monotone but soft.
"This is Alhaitham, the roommate I told you about!
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · · POV switch · · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
"...and what do you want me to do about that?"
"I'm saying, we have a spare room! You took me in when I needed a roof, they clearly need one too!"
"By that logic I should house every homeless person in Sumeru city, simply because I helped a friend one time."
The blond man groaned in frustration.
"Obviously you can't do that, but ive gotten to know them, they're a very well-mannered person... unlike someone."
He said that last part silently, but it didn't go unnoticed by the other.
"That doesn't mean anything. If we both knew them personally then maybe I'd consider it. And only if."
"Then come with me to see them! I'm sure you two will get along!"
The other didn't reply, not wanting to entertain such a lunatic, and instead continued reading his book.
Alas, a few days after that conversation, the scholar found himself thinking about this mysterious person that has gotten his roommate into such a pitiful state. He was curious, he couldn't deny himself that, but could he threaten to ruin his own household routine for barely a friend of a friend? He only had one way to find out, he supposed.
Kaveh was preparing a box of various snacks that he was quite frustrated with. Something was just missing. As he stared into the fridge to hopefully have something magnificent spawn in front of him, a hand brushed past him to grab a portion of malai dahi he prepared for himself earlier. Instead of walking away with it though, to Kaveh's surprise, he secured it and placed it beside Kaveh's snacks for you two.
Kaveh looked up at him, eyes rounded with surprise, excitement and confusion.
"Are you just... donating? Or have you decided to come with me?"
He asked, clearly in need of some verbal confirmation for the out-of-character behaviour.
"I'm merely curious."
And with that, the two set off to visit you.