~

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

He didn't usually make a habit out of this, but... well. If he were to give an example, it would be like the tides of the sea. No matter how much he tried to get away from you, just like the tides, he would always return to you, listening to what you had to say.

Finally, one day, he had his chance.

You were assigned to be his partner in the same class: a compulsory one that everyone had to take, much to his chagrin, but when you turned to face him with a wide smile, he found that he didn't quite mind this class that much anymore.

After class, you caught up with him and introduced yourself.

"Y/N L/N, your partner for this class!" You smiled, sticking a hand out.

Alhaitham shook your hand slowly, trying to savour the feeling. "Alhaitham. Aren't you afraid of the rumours around the Akademiya?"

"What rumours?"

"The ones that say I am someone cold and unapproachable."

You shrugged. "I don't put much stock in rumours. Do you?"

He was stunned for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't."

"Then what's the problem?" You smiled at him, pulling out a notebook and a pen. "Could we start planning out our meetings and schedule for the next few weeks? I'd rather not fail."

Alhaitham already had a schedule planned out, and you agreed to it as well. The next time he would meet you was three days away, and he had never felt the sluggish crawl of time as much as he did now.

You were his polar opposite, and even Kaveh wondered how Alhaitham had managed to get someone so dict to him to become his friend.

Somehow though, the two of you made it work. You were smart, so smart, and sometimes, Alhaitham found himself scrambling to keep up with you. It ignited something in him, to have to pull out books in the library instead of simply relying on what he had already read.

"Y/N." Alhaitham said one day, when the two of you were working in the library. It was the second last meeting, and he thought that you were sufficiently close to him that he could say that. "I see you as my equal."

"Your equal?" You replied, an amused smile quirking your lips.

"Yes. It's not often that someone can push me to reference new books constantly and upgrade myself, after all." Having said his piece, Alhaitham turned back to his written report, but he paused when he heard a quiet puff of laughter from you.

Your eyes were crinkled, and you were shaking with the urge to hold in laughter. A hand was clapped over your mouth, depriving him of that warm smile.

"Your way of giving compliments is so odd, Alhaitham."

"I apologise-"

"No, I didn't mean it in a bad way." You hurried to clarify yourself. "It's just... so you, I suppose."

"I see." Alhaitham looked at you. "Do you enjoy being complimented by me, then?"

That question seemed to catch you off guard, and your eyes widened. But you regained your composure quickly, and flashed a grin like quicksilver.

"Of course."

Ah. That sent a rush of liquid warmth through his chest cavity, as though he had drunk a warm drink on a cold day. He pressed a hand to his chest, a soft smile flickering on his lips.

But all good things come to an end. It was written in the very air, in the way you got warmer and warmer as the days went on. Just like the legend of the man who foolishly chose to drive the sun.

He just didn't expect it in this way.

"Alhaitham? Since today is the last day of us meeting up, I have a little gift for you." You pushed a box across the table, prettily wrapped in green and silver. "For luck."

"Oh. Thank you." He picked up the box and gently shook it. "I will treasure it."

"You'd better." You raised a finger as though you were threatening him, but your smile rendered your threat useless. "I spent a lot of time making that."

"I appreciate your gift. I must admit, I didn't think of good luck gifts for teammates, but I can go get one later."

Your smile faded, and Alhaitham felt cold water trickle down his back. Had he said something wrong?

"A teammate, huh," you murmured. "So is that what I am to you?"

"Yes." Alhaitham answered honestly. "It was a pleasure to work with you. I hope we will have other chances for such collaboration in the future."

You smiled, but it was empty and devoid of the usual brightness.

"It's okay. Um... about that gift before, you don't have to get me anything."

Alhaitham nodded slowly. Dissonance was ringing loudly in his ears, and he almost slipped up several times during the presentation. You didn't even glance in his direction, delivering your lines with an almost ruthless efficiency, bowing and rushing out of the lecture hall the moment the teacher dismissed you.

It was supposed to be a day where Ayato would finally be able to relax for one day and spend some time with you. That being said, he woke earlier than you, and he had prepared a meal for you before you even finished brushing your teeth.

In an attempt to make conversation with him, you asked him about the flower on the plate, and one thing led to another... well.

You stared down at the radish on your plate, then at the paring knife set beside it.

"I really don't think I can do it." You muttered. "Ayato, why don't you do it for me to see again? Slower, this time."

"Of course." He picked up the paring knife and with an elegant flick of his wrist, carved out a large piece of the radish. You watched as he tilted the radish this way and that, cutting out large chunks until it was unrecognisable.

"Now, look closely." Ayato started to thin out the pieces he cut, thinner and thinner until they were pratically translucent. In the blink of an eye, he was holding a perfectly shaped radish flower.

"You know, I know many chefs in Inazuma who would kill for a skill like yours."

Ayato carefully laid the flower on a plate, next to two others that he had carved for you to see.

"Well, most chefs in Inazuma are not expert swordsman either. It is perfectly fine to carve flowers out of root vegetables with a paring knife."

"Do another one for me?" You asked, pushing a carrot towards him. "It's almost like magic."

"Of course," Ayato said with a smile on his face. "Though... if I do remember correctly, it was supposed to be my birthday today?"

"I'll cook all your flowers in a hotpot. The nice ones, not the ones you make."

It was supposed to be a day where Ayato would finally be able to relax for one day and spend some time with you. That being said, he woke earlier than you, and he had prepared a meal for you before you even finished brushing your teeth.

In an attempt to make conversation with him, you asked him about the flower on the plate, and one thing led to another... well.

You stared down at the radish on your plate, then at the paring knife set beside it.

"I really don't think I can do it." You muttered. "Ayato, why don't you do it for me to see again? Slower, this time."

"Of course." He picked up the paring knife and with an elegant flick of his wrist, carved out a large piece of the radish. You watched as he tilted the radish this way and that, cutting out large chunks until it was unrecognisable.

"Now, look closely." Ayato started to thin out the pieces he cut, thinner and thinner until they were pratically translucent. In the blink of an eye, he was holding a perfectly shaped radish flower.

"You know, I know many chefs in Inazuma who would kill for a skill like yours."

Ayato carefully laid the flower on a plate, next to two others that he had carved for you to see.

"Well, most chefs in Inazuma are not expert swordsman either. It is perfectly fine to carve flowers out of root vegetables with a paring knife."

"Do another one for me?" You asked, pushing a carrot towards him. "It's almost like magic."

"Of course," Ayato said with a smile on his face. "Though... if I do remember correctly, it was supposed to be my birthday today?"

"I'll cook all your flowers in a hotpot. The nice ones, not the ones you make."