#ryk.fic

--------

Thursday:

It started with a sore throat, nothing a little swallowing couldn't handle. It wasn't uncommon for Kaveh to wake up feeling a little dry. Poor sleeping posture that left his neck tilted sideways and mouth open, it was bound to happen some mornings.

He didn't think much of it, stealing a toast from Alhaitham's plate before scurrying out of the house. He had a meeting with a client just under an hour later, and would hate to be late. This guy in particular had been giving him quite a lot of issues, from wanting a fireplace that close to the front door such that it was quite literally opening into it, to winding stairs with no railings to speak of.

Now, Kaveh knew he was getting paid good money to blueprint this house, but boy were some people who were just pure rich with no brains to back their wealth up.

It didn't help that he could already feel a headache building up.

-

Kaveh was going to pop a vein.

"I told you! My blueprint, my rules!" His client crossed his leg, leaning against back against the chair before taking a long drag of their cigar. After a pause, smoke fills the space between them.

Across the table, Kaveh presses hands against his forehead, partly because he was in utter disbelief, and partly because the smoke was messing with him.

"Sir.. what you are proposing is a fire hazard.. we live in a rainforest."

His sore throat wasn't going away.

-

Alhaitham was already at home by the time Kaveh got back.

"This FUCKING client.."

"Welcome home Kaveh, want some dinner?"

The architect stopped in his tracks, looking over at the steaming food on the table.

"..I'm not hungry."

"Oh come on," Alhaitham snapped his book shut, placing it on the coffee table before standing up. A few steps to reach the other later, he wrapped his arms around Kaveh's waist. "I waited for you to come home."

Kaveh felt a warm breath upon the back of his neck, sending shivers down his spine. Normally, he would've caved, would've turned back to devour Alhaitham in a deep kiss.

But tonight, just the mere thought of leaning that far back made Kaveh's head dizzy. Just the thought of having to swallow food through his aching throat made his appetite disappear.

"Not today Haitham, I'm going to bed."

-

Friday:

His throat felt like sandpaper, nothing a little water couldn't fix. Kaveh got out of bed, holding his head in his hands to make the world stop spinning.

Throwing a quick glance at his bedside alarm, Kaveh nearly got a heart attack. FUCK! He was supposed to meet the client in 10 minutes, and it took 15 just getting to the meeting point.

Wriggling out of his pajamas, Kaveh threw on yesterday's shirt and cape before grabbing Mehrak and bolting out of the door.

-

"I'm- ahem! -I'm sorry for the delay!" Kaveh frantically took a seat, his voice accidentally hitching an octave higher.

The client sighed, whispers of smoke surrounding him. "Please remember that I am paying you to be here."

"Yes, yes, of course of course!" Kaveh laughed nervously, opening his suitcase to remove the blueprints. "About yesterday's discussion.."

"Have you made the appropriate changes?"

"..Excuse me?"

"The fireplace."

"You can't seriously still want it that close to the door.. plus you're paying for a high-quality wooden doorframe."

"Enough." The client exhaled in Kaveh's direction, causing him to hide behind closed fingers yet again. "You're going to do up the blueprint for me by tomorrow, or I no longer require your services."

-

As usual, Alhaitham was already home by the time Kaveh got home.

"Dinner."

"Ahaha- sorry.. I'm not in the mood."

"Kaveh. You haven't eaten since yesterday."

"Ahaha.." HOW DID HE KNOW???

Defeated, Kaveh makes his way over to the dining table, collapsing onto the chair.

"Are you alright? You sound different."

"Ah.. is that so.." Kaveh mumbles. The client today cost him a lot, his voice was just one of those things.

"I'll feed you."

"H-Haitham!! There's really no need!

With that, Kaveh quickly took his spoon, eating the meal without a second glance at his roommate.

Alhaitham smirked, mission accomplished.

-

"Kaveh, come to my room tonight."

"I can't! I have to finish this blueprint for my client."

Alhaitham's eyebrows furrowed. "Come on, indulge me." He hugs Kaveh from behind, nuzzling into his neck.

"C-Can't!! Sorry!!"

So the Scribe stood alone in the hallway, dirty dishes on his left and no Kaveh on his right.

-

Saturday:

Kaveh had not slept. How could he, when he was up all night fixing every little detail of the blueprint to his client's demands?

He had taken a 40minute power nap though, so that was that.

Not that his clogged sinuses would let him rest in peace. Somewhere in the middle of the night, the annoyance of his sore throat had somehow made its way up his soft palette and into the confines of his nasal passages.

It was just his luck that all his tissues seemed to have ran out too.

-

"You're up early."

If not for his throat, Kaveh would've screamed.

"H-Haitham!!? I could say the same about you."

"I have to head to the office early. You?"

The duo stared at each other in silence, one seated and one standing.

There was no way in Hell Kaveh was telling Alhaitham what he came out for.

"W-Well we just happen to have very similar schedules!"

"Hoh-"

Eyeing Alhaitham's toast, Kaveh swiped one, wrapping it thickly with kitchen towels before leaving the house.

-

Kaveh sniffles against his wrist. He just- just needed to dash into an alley real quick to blow his nose.

He was thankful for the empty streets.

Leaning against a brick wall, Kaveh unwraps the toast slowly, pressing a tissue against his face. He blows productively, that was, until the congestion came back with full force. Inhaling, Kaveh used the wall as support as he tries again.

The effort leaves him gasping for air, head foggy. His left ear was blocked too. Just his luck.

-

"Finally." The client smiled at the new blueprint. "This is exactly what I want."

Kaveh didn't know if he should be relieved or terrified.

"Now, about those stairs I proposed-"

Terrified, he should be terrified.

-

The first sneeze came while he was walking home. It was late, Kaveh's voice was shot from arguing, and he was tired. There was no one around, but he still felt it necessary to stifle it between tightly pinched fingers.

Force of habit, he supposes.

Perhaps it was because of the relief that his next meeting with the client was pushed back to next week, or perhaps it really was this cold catching up to him, but Kaveh shivered harshly against the Sumeru wind.

Hold yourself together, home is just three steps away.

-

The moment the front door opens, Kaveh feels himself get enveloped with a pair of strong arms.

"H-Haitham??! You scared me!"

"You're shivering."

Kaveh felt him blush at the other pointing out the obvious.

"Have dinner with me." The warm breath breathed down his neck, making it hard for Kaveh to decline the offer. "I made your favourite."

"You did?" Kaveh whispered. He had been craving for something warm.

"Mm." Alhaitham hummed in reply, spinning Kaveh around gently to capture his lips in his. "I did."

Initial shock melted into bliss as Kaveh melted into the kiss. All his pent-up stress seemed to disappear for awhile before-

"Haitham wait- I'm sick, you can't-"

"Too late," Alhaitham mumbled, closing the distance between them once again. "Two days too late."

"You knew?!"

"You were trying to hide it?" He scoffed. "You suck."

"N-No you suck!"

"Mm, as you wish.." Alhaitham teased, dropping to his knees and fiddling with Kaveh's belt.

"H-HAItham!!" Kaveh blushed. Whether it was from this situation or his fever, he didn't know.

"Alright alright," the movements on his pants stopped. "Dinner first, then you're sleeping with me tonight."

Leaving little room for excuses, Kaveh was dragged to the table.

-

"Bless you."

"Ah, t-thanks.." Kaveh mumbled through the back of his fist. The steam from the shower they just had did wonders to clear his congestion, but at the price of-

He presses the back of his wrist harshly against his nose.

Before Kaveh could even begin hitching for air, he is startled out of it by the warm sensation of someone grabbing his arm.

Cracking open blurry eyes, he's met with Alhaitham's piercing stare. Alhaitham frowns, pulling Kaveh's arm away from his face before pressing their bodies together. He pushes Kaveh down onto the sheets below them, causing the other to fall onto the pillows with a soft "uff-!"

Alhaitham leans over him such that his hair was tickling Kaveh's collarbone. Tilting his head upwards, Alhaitham whispers in a low voice,

"Don't stifle. Let me here them, please."

Kaveh felt a chill run down his spine. "S-Sorry? I must have heard you wrongly," he stutters. "My ear is blocked on the left side.."

Alhaitham lets out a low laugh, collapsing on Kaveh's right side before pulling him in for a hug.

"Is that so?" He then lowers his voice to a volume barely above a whisper. "Can you hear me now?"

He was so close, Kaveh could feel Alhaitham's lips moving on his ear. Still, he remained silent, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

"I love you, Kaveh."

In response, Kaveh turns away, curling into himself, hands shooting up to cover his face in embarrassment.

"So you can hear me."

"O-Of course, you IDIOT!"

"Mm, that's good. So I'll kiss you on the Right." Kaveh felt Alhaitham yet again pulling him in, lips on his shoulder, tongue on his neck.

He shivers, but this time not from the cold.

-

Sunday:

Kaveh wakes up wrapped in blankets and Alhaitham. Last night was still foggy in his mind.

A second of peace passes, before Kaveh gasps desperately, snapping to the side as a fit of sneezes rush out of him. The morning sun streaming in from between the curtains luminated the fine droplets before they settled on white sheets.

"Good morning to you too.." Alhaitham nuzzled into his neck. "What a way to wake me up."

"I'm s-"

"Mm, don't apologise.." Alhaitham mumbled, leaning forward to kiss Kaveh on his cheek. "Turn around, want to look at you."

"But I'm a mess right now."

"Don't care." Alhaitham languidly climbs over Kaveh's body till they were once again facing each other. "Come on, don't be shy."

Alhaitham kisses him just above his lip.

"Mm, delicious."

-

The next time Kaveh wakes, Alhaitham had already left for work. He sits up, groggy from sleep.

There was a glass of fresh water on the bedside table along with a little box with words on it. Kaveh squints in the darkness, reaching for the box.

"4 in 1, 16 tablets. Suitable for colds, coughs, fevers, and blocked nose." Kaveh sighs. What is this?? A checklist for all his damn symptoms??

He flips the box around, pausing as his eyes dart over some words in ink.

"Get well soon Kaveh, I'll see you tonight."

Maybe this cold won't be that bad after all.

- end -

-------------

So, ig alhaitham has the kink here

tysm for reading, this fic was self indulgent af sorry :')

This was the inspiration for the stairs the client wanted btw, didn't know how to describe them :)

.

.

.

(the parts from Kaveh’s pov was very choppy since i wanted to try to make it seem like he was disorientated)

also kaveh’s snezes were mostly in smallcaps because hes tired

-

Alhaitham was already pissed the moment he came home. Dishes stacked up taller than him, clothes strewn all around the living room, blueprints scattered across the floor, the culprit nowhere in sight.

Speaking of which, where was his annoying roommate? It wasn’t like Kaveh to leave the house this early into the day since all he did was go out and drink, with Alhaitham’s money, no less, and the bar did not open until night.

Perhaps Kaveh had actually found himself some work to do. Alhaitham felt himself scoff at that thought. The day that Kaveh really went out and got a job would be the day that Alhaitham finally plucked up the courage to confessed to him — never; impossible.

It was how it was, how it will always be. Kaveh would always do something to mess with Alhaitham, they’d argue, Kaveh would go and drink for hours, but he would always come home. Even if Alhaitham had threatened to kick him out moments before.

He blames it on his horrible taste in men that makes his heart beat so fast whenever Kaveh is around him, blames it on the fact Kaveh shines so bright; “Light of the Kshahrewar”. 

He blames it on the fact he had let Kaveh stay at his house at all. But he wanted it, wanted that proximity for reasons he could not understand. It frustrated him, these feelings which he couldn’t quite put a name to.

Why he felt so strongly for Kaveh escapes him.

But back to the matter he had on hand, his roommate would never learn to pick up after himself if Alhaitham just did his chores for him. It was still early, he could wait all day for Kaveh’s return.

And that’s just what he did, propping a leg up onto the coffee table as he read a good book.

-

Kaveh just wanted to lie down.  

His head had been hurting for a few days, and his throat had started to feel off since last night after his arguing session with the most infuriating Scribe in the whole of Sumeru, who also happened to be his roommate.

He had left the house in the morning after adding a plate to the tall pile of dishes at the sink, partly to piss Alhaitham off, but also partly because he wanted to head to the pharmacy as soon as possible to get something for his head.

Trust Alhaitham to be the only person he knows who does not have a stockpile of medicine at home on standby.

But they could argue more about that later, for there was a bigger problem right in front of him. 

“...”

“Out of Stock? You’ve got to be kidding me..”

The shop assistant looked at him apologetically, having sold the last bottle to the customer before Kaveh. And so there he was, back onto the streets with nothing left to do. Kaveh remembers feeling the same way until Alhaitham took him in.

Alhaitham.. Kaveh didn’t even know where to begin when it came to him. Everything the man said made sense, but yet it also did not. Sure, patterned curtains made no difference when it came to fulfilling their purpose, but plain ones were just so.. unartistic. It had taken a week of arguing for Alhaitham to finally allow Kaveh to install some new ones in his own room. 

Just thinking about the whole ordeal made Kaveh’s head pound a little harder. While he would have opted to head to the doctor, the bill would have exceeded his budget. And he would rather die than let Alhaitham know he wasn’t feeling well when he settled the payment.

Then, a thought struck him: a friend did say that the nearby Liyue Harbor had a pharmacy that sold many different types of medicine. Not like he had much of a choice at that moment, though. Right, it was just a quick walk over and back, simple enough.

And simple it was, until it started to drizzle, the weather as unpredictable as Alhaitham during this part of the year.

Ah.. there he goes again, thinking of that stupid Scribe every second of the day. Truly, even Kaveh sometimes did not understand what went on in that brilliant mind of his and his. But still, he longed to hurry home, to be near the damned person that tormented him with every step he took.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky, making it appear darker than it should, even this late into the night. Unconsciously, Kaveh reached up to rub his nose a little, feeling a light breeze drift pass him.

“Heh- Nn..hHaH’ Hih-hAtchuu’! snf.. hAH’tchH!!” 

He was shivering now, stepping carefully towards his front door. The half-a-day walk had left him more exhausted than Kaveh would ever admit. Alhaitham’s shoes were already there, not surprising since it was already way past dinner time. What was surprising though, was the light that still streamed out off the window. 

Subconsciously, Kaveh frowns. It was late, judging by how far the moon had risen into the sky. He hoped Alhaitham wasn’t once again pulling an all-nighter. Those tended to leave him tired and irritable for the next few days despite how much he denied it. While Kaveh would definitely not want to deal with a tired-tham, he also wanted his junior to look after himself. 

How stupid of him, he supposes, since Alhaitham could care less about the people around him, much less himself. And yet Kaveh still kept running back to him everyday, sleeping in the same house with but a wall between them.

With a sigh he turns his key with a slight sniffle, the small lion keychain wet from the rain.

-

Alhaitham hears the lock, and he almost springs up to answer it. It was way too late for Kaveh to just come waltzing through the door as if nothing had happened. But instead he chose to remain as unbothered as possible, staring blankly at his book.

The dishes would not clean themselves, Kaveh would have to do them. Yes, that was the true reason why he had stayed up this late, to watch Kaveh wash plates, that was all, nothing more.

The door opened with a creak, but the head of golden hair did not pop out to start a shouting match.

Behind the short hallway between the door and the living room, Kaveh hung up his coat and kicked off his shoes, not caring where they landed. Now that he as home, the warmth and dryness of it all made all his pent up exhaustion catch up to him. 

Kaveh sniffled, softly, bracing a hand onto the wall as his head started to spin. When was the last time he ate? Lunch? He ate a small bread for lunch. Dinner? He spent most of the day traveling to Liyue and back didn’t he.. Maybe there was something in the fridge he could-

“Hitc’Hh!! hH.. eH’ Hih- tchiw!! hAtcH’ngXt!! ssnf-!” 

Quickly, Kaveh pinched those away, afraid that Alhaitham would be alerted by his arrival home. He would hate to be seen in this state. However, as if on cue, Kaveh heard the sound of a book being slammed shut.

“Kaveh.” 

The voice sounded impatient. Had he done something wrong? He couldn’t remember. Alhaitham sounded more angry than usual. What was it? Think brain, think!!

“Kaveh. I thought I told you to wash the d-”

Alhaitham rounded the corner, arms crossed, but stopped when he saw the small frame clinging onto the coat rack. Kaveh looked worse than when Alhaitham had picked him off the streets. The Kaveh he was looking at now was pale, hair and clothes soaked through and stuck to his skin. Had Kaveh always looked this frail? 

And for once, Alhaitham froze, not sure what to do. To reach out or to observe? Which would Kaveh want him to do, which would he be okay with him doing? His fists clenched in uncertainty. 

Maybe he should-

“What? D- Did you.. snff! say something..?” Kaveh struggled to raise his head, the ceiling lights looking brighter than ever that they shone straight into his skull. He just wanted to lie down, badly.

Alhaitham felt his insides tighten as Kaveh picked himself up. Suddenly, all thoughts about the dishes vanished from his mind. “It’s.. nothing..”

“O-oh.. alright, I’ll go s-shH! shower then..” Kaveh mumbled weakly. Talking hurt more than it should, and it took all his strength to stumble towards his room without falling all over the carpet.

Alhaitham watched as Kaveh’s shadow disppeared into the room. The door was swung shut but not closed, and he caught a glimpse of Kaveh gripping the side of his desk to balance himself. Drunk? Was he drunk? It wasn’t uncommon for Kaveh to come home like this, an absolute mess, clumsy on his feet.

“Hih’hAtchh!! hAH’ngXXt!! hH.. h’ snff!! hiT’Dchw!!

“hiH’tcHhuu!! snf! nh..”

But something was different, wasn’t it?

Alhaitham stared at the small crack in the door, at Kaveh, who removed a small cylinder from his pocket. He watches as Kaveh shakes it, removing two pills. Medicine? So Kaveh hasn’t been feeling well. But how long has it been? Days? Weeks? Why didn’t he say anything about it?

He remembers back when Kaveh just got off the streets, remembers when Kaveh came down with a fever on that same day, remembers how Kaveh had struggled for his life to swallow even the tiniest bit of the solid medicine that Alhaitham had to crush it down for him.

So Kaveh was feeling that bad that it pushed him to take not one but two? How had he not noticed? In his defense, Kaveh had been acting as usual for the past week. Their arguments flowed as usual, as did Kaveh’s irresponsibility with cleaning up after himself.

Lost in his thoughts, Alhaitham heard Kaveh panting softly. He imagined how Kaveh would be behind the door, a palm pressed against his throat, forcing himself to pretend that there was nothing but water in his mouth, just water, just swallow.

He heard Kaveh choke a little, and was overcome by the want to be by his side, rubbing between Kaveh’s shoulders to tell him that everything was going to be alright and that he was there. But Alhaitham couldn’t move, so he watched silently.

-

Kaveh’s eyes were watering. It was one thing to take the medicine, but it was another to take it quietly. After muffling a few coughs into his elbow, he shoved the bottle to the far end of his table, behind the stack of canvas, just in case.

He reached for a piece of tissue, holding it against his nose as he walked to the bathroom. He needed to bathe and sleep off this cold, for he was sure that Alhaitham would question him about last night in the morning. Kaveh liked moments like those, where his roommate would ask about him, making it seem like he cared.

Kaveh liked to pretend that he did.

“hiH’hAtchh!! hH-Hh.. ah’H.. ah..” he sighed, rubbing the tissue a little harder. “Hah’nnh.. snff- hH’! ugnn..” He needed to sneeze, the bathroom tiles felt cold to his feet, his clothes were suddenly too tight. He had to get them off, but they were wet and clung to him. 

His train of thought was messy; the water was warm on his back. Kaveh hunched over in the shower, arms pressed against the wall in front of him, helping him stand up straight.

He gasped, desperate.

“hiH’IHh- hHH!! Snnff.. hH’ hAH-zZchww!! hH’Tchh!! hhH-aH’dtcHhh!!” The mist from his nose mixed with the vapour from the water flowing down his back. He shivered; not hot enough. He switched it off.

Back in his room, Kaveh toweled himself down shakily. How long would it take for the medicine to kick in? How long has it been? Was it morning already? Has Alhaitham left for work? Was he once again all alone in this house? His nose was running again, Kaveh noticed but didn’t care. He pressed a sleeve of his pajamas against his face, tunneling under the blankets.

Still not warm enough..

-

The walls of his house were thin, Alhaitham knew, and he heard everything that came from Kaveh’s room despite moving to the kitchen. He had tried to busy himself with the dishes (the responsibility being entrusted now to him), but that didn’t stop the thoughts from creeping up on him.

Kaveh is sick. 

His hands stopped moving, fingers squeezing the soapy sponge. That idiot. Switching off the tap, Alhaitham moved to the other counter, prying open the drawers for ingredients to make soup. He doesn’t know if Kaveh had eaten already or not, he also doesn’t know if Kaveh would even accept it, but it put his mind at ease.

Two clicks from the stove later, the soup was starting to simmer. Alhaitham carefully placed the lid on top, allowing a small gap for the steam to rise. It would be done in a couple of hours. In the meantime, he would pack up the mess that Kaveh left the living room in.

He started with the clothes, the same white shirt that he wore everywhere. The collar line was far too low and exposing in Alhaitham’s opinion, but he wouldn’t say that he hates it, being able to see Kaveh’s chest. The only problem was that everyone else could as well. He picked it up, moving on to the red cape that lay draped over the couch. The first time he touched it, Alhaitham remembered being in shock at how soft it was despite its sturdy appearance. 

It’s iconic red color together with it’s pattern and broad tassels made the cape look so much more than just a item of clothing. Maybe that was why Kaveh was so proud to wear it; he loved to steal the spotlight, whether intentionally or not.

He folded them, and moved on to the floor.

“Haitham!! What do you think of these?” 

Alhaitham could almost hear Kaveh’s voice as he crouched down to pick up the blueprints. “It’s a rough sketch of what I think a school building should look like!” Alhaitham remembers what had sparked that project. The two of them were walking around the city when a couple of children ran into Kaveh. Kaveh laughed and brushed it off, before watching them disappear into the school.

Alhaitham remembers watching Kaveh’s eyebrows furrow when he took in the state of the budling, all the beautiful features on his face scrunching up in disapproval. “Really, they ought to take better care of a place like that.”

The moment Kaveh reached home that day, he whipped out his pencils and started working. And when he was done, he was proud. “Haitham! Doesn’t this look way better?”

And when Alhaitham had scoffed at his masterpiece,

“What do you mean ‘design doesn’t matter’? Maybe to you it doesn’t, but to those students, I think it will matter. When children are still young, they are so filled with curiosity, and that dull school building doesn’t boost that at all! Think about it Haitham, making sure that that creativity within each child doesn’t burn out, that’s what education should really be about.” 

Alhaitham remembers being at a loss for words, remembers looking into Kaveh’s eyes to see the sparks within them. Pride towards the future generation of students, the same pride Kaveh had when he finally graduated, only to become bankrupt in the following years after chasing his dream.

Don’t you ever learn when to back down? Alhaitham feels a smile creep onto his face. He supposes he isn’t much different.

The soup is finally done.

-

“Mmf..ah.. nnhH’! snnf- snff!! hhH..ihh!!”

Kaveh feels himself being pulled out of sleep. Everything felt heavy, too cold yet he was sweating. His head weighed a ton, and his nose.. his nose-

“Hih’tchh! heh’zchw!! eh-heH’tchzw!!”

“hh-! eh’tchw! huH’ hh..snf!..nghn”

..wouldn’t stop itching.

He lifted a palm to his forehead. It felt warm. Warm because of the fever, or warm because his fingers felt like icicles? He didn’t know. His stomach made a sound, and Kaveh feels the feeling of hunger for the first time that night. 

Using his other hand, Kaveh pushed against the mattress under him, but his body didn’t rise. He felt weak and shivery. Maybe the blanket was just too heavy.. But he had no trouble getting out of bed this morning, so what was happening now?

He was tired, and sleep was dragging him down once again. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he’d dream of Alhaitham. Alhaitham.. he’d be strong enough to lift Kaveh up from the bed, from under these heavy covers..

As if right on cue, Kaveh heard a sharp knock on his door. He wanted to respond, to call out, but everything hurt. A second passed, and the door swung open, the light from outside just barely any brighter than his own room. 

How considerate that the visitor gave a second thought to his eyes’ sensitivity to bright stuff..

“Kaveh-”

The visitor was calling for him. Respond.. Respond..

“Mmhyea..?”

“It’s me.. uh.. I made some... soup- ..food for you.”

“Haitham..?”

Kaveh started at the doorway. He recognised the voice but not the words spoken. Alhaitham made food for him? Right when he was just feeling hungry? Right when he was just thinking of dreaming about the man? Maybe he was..

“Yeah, it’s me.”

..Or maybe he wasn’t.

Alhaitham pushed himself further into the room. He felt weirdly hesitant. The Grand Scribe, doubting his steps, a new experience for him. ‘Everything with Kaveh is always a new experience’ was the excuse he gave himself.

“I’ll just.. put this-” 

“heH’tchh!! snff!” Kaveh swallowed quickly, blushing. The sneeze snuck up on him, and now Alhaitham was staring.

“The.. t-table.. snff- would be g- good..”

Alhaitham recovered from his startle in an instant, gently placing the tray onto the desk. Kaveh’s voice was soft, very much unlike him. Under the moonlight, he could see the reddish outline of Kaveh’s nose, and Alhaitham felt his heart tighten.

“Are.. are you okay?”

“I’m- hH..hit’chhw! haH’ngxxT!! F-Fine..snf- why..?” Kaveh scrubbed at his eyes, avoiding Alhaitham’s sight. 

“No reason.” Alhaitham felt the words leave his mouth before hie brain could process them. Running away. “I’ll come back later to.. get the bowl..”

When Kaveh watched Alhaitham turn to leave, he felt panic immobilising him. Wait. No, don’t go, please.. s-stay.. “I need.. need-”

“..Need?”

“shit.. Need you to help me lift the spoon.. I can’t..” Kaveh felt his blush returning, or maybe it was the fever. He had said that out loud?! ahh- what was Alhaitham going to think?

“Okay.”

Alhaitham quietly moved over to the bedside, pulling a chair over. He wordlessly but carefully pulled down the covers to Kaveh’s waist, flinching when Kaveh shivered immediately to the cold air, turning sharply to his side.

“hH!! H’haH’tCHhuu! s-sorryyhH’ tchHiww! snff-” Kaveh had his nose pressed firmly against his sleeve when he turned back, grateful that Alhaitham chose not to comment on it, instead helping to prop him up using some pillows.

Kaveh watched as Alhaitham reached for the steaming bowl, cupping it with his bare hands while the other stirred its contents.

“It’s not hot..?”

Alhaitham didn’t answer the question. Of course it was. But how else would he feed Kaveh? Feed Kaveh. It was Alhaitham’s turn to blush. Thankfully Kaveh had his attention elsewhere, sleeve pressed to his nose, rubbing softly. 

“hiH’tchhu!! ouwch.. snff.. hhH-”

“Here.” Alhaitham cleared his throat, holding out the spoon to Kaveh’s lips. From this distance, he can tell how puffy Kaveh’s eyes were, and how they were avoiding him. 

Kaveh is just as scared as he is.

“T-Thank you..” Kaveh mumbled, the stuffiness making it hard to talk. The soup was warm, not too hot, not too cold; “delicious.”

“Glad you like it.”

“I’m amazed you can cook. snff! It’s not poisonous, is it?”

“Unfortunately not.”

Kaveh smiled, a little, and Alhaitham did too. Despite the moment they were in right now, they always found a way to bite at each other’s throats. That’s how they were, everyone in Sumeru knew.

But what were they really, to each other?

The bowl was empty before another word was spoken, say for the regular sniffles (and sneezes) that Kaveh would take between each bite. It was all too soon, and Alhaitham was standing up, probably to leave.

Panic. 

Kaveh didn’t want to be alone, but he didn’t want just anybody’s company either. He wanted Alhaitham’s company. The house was too big and his room was too cold. And so he reached out. 

“Haitham-!”

Alhaitham turned around, tray and bowl clutched in his hands. Kaveh was calling him, Kaveh needed something from him. What was it..? What was it? If he could, he would give Kaveh the world.

“Yes?”

“P-Please stay?”

And there it was, the unspoken words that were finally said. Such a simple request. ‘Of course’ Alhaitham thought. ‘Of course I’ll stay.’

“I will. I will be back after I wash these, alright?”

“Always worried about the dishes aren’t you, Haitham?”

Yes, I am worried, worried, but not just about the dishes anymore.

-

Kaveh watched as Alhaitham padded slowly out of his room. The defined muscles of his back poking through the thin shirt, as beautiful as they were the first time Kaveh laid eyes on them. Strong arms that he hoped one day would hold him. One day, soon.

“I’m sorry for always being such a mess-”

(And that you always have to clean up after me.)

“It’s alright. It’s the way you are.”

(And it’s perfect, I love it.)

He hears the kitchen tap going off as sleep welcomes him once again. But this time, Kaveh doesn’t need to dream of Alhaitham. Because he might have just became a reality.

-

When Kaveh wakes up the next day, his fingers were cradled within Alhaitham’s sturdy palm, the man in question seated upon the bedside chair, head resting upon the blanket, against Kaveh’s thigh, their hearts beating as one.

(end)

.

.

.

tbh that felt more like a character rs fic then a snzfic but thats not rly for me to decide. 

i love these two so much and wna write for them abit more (when i stop being lazy)

-

It was late when Zhongli finally heard the jingle of keys from the front door. Childe has been due to come back more than four hours ago. Outside, he could see the shadows of the already rising sun, indicating just how late his partner was.

Appearing by the front door in seconds, Zhongli waited for the sound of locks turning, the door sliding open before he tackled the man behind it. Being the taller of the two, Zhongli’s chin naturally rested atop the head of messy orange hair, which he realised seconds later, felt warmer than usual.

Childe was also seemingly avoiding eye contact.

“Xiansheng.. I’m home!” The voice coming from under him sounded tired, relieved, like he had ran a marathon. But the Northland bank wasn’t that far away from their shared apartment, was it?

Zhongli shook his head, leading Childe into the house. “Welcome home, dear. How was work today?”

Childe breathed a sigh. Good, he didn’t notice.

“It was f- fine. Just some letters I needed to w- write. Documents to fill up, you know? Those kept me u- up all day.” Childe replied, still not willing to look Zhongli in the eye. 

He knew if he did, he’d get seen right through -- the wastebasket full of used tissues that still sat in his office was much more of an indication than anything else. But as long as he plays it smart, Childe thinks, he’d be able to fool the other.

He received a small hum in reply as the front door was re-locked. “Are you hungry then? There is food leftover from dinner.”

Childe nodded, raising his fist to hide a sniffle as he sat on the couch. Now that he wasn’t hunched over his desk with a pen in hand, exhaustion was starting to catch up. Smiling as he watched Zhongli head to the kitchen to heat up the food, he closed his eyes for a moment, thinking a light rest won’t hurt.

-

Zhongli knew something was wrong. How could ne have missed it? The way CHilde refused to look at him, the way Childe had not kissed him the second he came home, and the subtle sniffing that came from the couch. It was pretty obvious, if not confirmed when--

“Het- sHhw! HaHh- NgHt’ sh!” 

-- he heard a restrained double coming from the living room, followed by a sigh and a wet sniffle. Maybe heating up leftover dinner wouldn’t be such a good idea.. 

Opening the fridge, Zhongli took out some herbs and chicken, beginning to make a dish he hasn’t put together in years, tweaking it a little to suit Childe’s taste.

-

It was a little nudge that woke the sleeping one up. Stirring, Childe let out a stuffy sniffle, blinking his eyes against the sunlight. “Huh..? It’s mo’ning already?” He mumbled, voice thick with congestion. He shuffled between the couch cushions, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep. His eyes focused on Zhongli “H- How long was I out fore?” 

“Not too long.” The warm reply came. “You came home really late today, so the sun is already starting to rise.” 

“Ouh..” Childe’s eyes shifted to the bowl being pushed towards him. It was then he remembered that Zhongli was going to heat up some food for him. It looked like soup, liquidy and steaming. At that moment, Childe realised just how hungry he really was.

“C’mere, I’lll feed you.” Zhongli said, bringing a steady spoon up to the other’s lips. “Careful, it’s a little hot.”

Trembling lips wrapped around the ceramic spoon as Childe tried the food. He wasn’t going to admit it, but the warmth of the dish was exactly what he had been craving for the whole day. And despite how numb his tastebuds were, he could still tell it was really good.

A sniffle. “Xiansheng.. this is delicious! Where did you buy it from? ..snf- Chef Mao’s new recipe maybe? It’d tastes r’ly.. snf.. good!” 

Shit. He needed to blow his nose badly. It was going to start dripping if he didn’t.

Zhongli laughed softly, noticing Childe’s twitching nose but chose not to comment on it. (He wanted to see how long his darling could hold for). “Really Childe. Can’t even recognise your own boyfriend’s cooking,” he smirked, eyeing the other. “Something wrong with your sense of taste maybe..?”

He was replied with a little choke. “No..! Of course not, hahhha, my.. snff- senses work just fine! Heh- say, Xiansheng, how come you never.. snf- cooked this b’fore?” it was getting harder and harder to contain the dribble he could feel coming out of his nostril. It wasn’t quite showing right now, but it would if he continued to do nothing about it.

A quick swipe of his glove to the nose seemed to do the trick, but as Childe quickly realised seconds later, that came with its own drawbacks..

“Hh.. hEh- shHNght! Haah- sHXgnTt!!” He could feel the slight spray upon the uncovered part of his wrist. Childe cringed, but prepared himself for another -- “Hihh- nGHxt! Hh.. hih! ..snf.. s- Hah- HheH! HAhh- ShXnHT- ‘iiew!!” the last one, uncontained and a little louder than he had hoped.

Zhongli watched on in slight amusement. He never really had a thing for mortal illnesses, but seeing Childe in such a state made him feel very interested indeed. But his needs could wait. Childe should, and would, always come first.

“Bless you.” He answered carefully. “Well, the reason why i do not cook this dish often is because its ingredients contain many herbs that have medicinal properties.” he looked at Childe meaningfully. “Meant to treat common colds or a slight flu.”

The other instantly blushed, looking away. “I.. I don’t see w- why I would need that.. I’m fine.. really..”

“Oh? Then what were those sneezes just now?” 

Hearing the question made Childe feel called-out, as if he had got caught doing a bad thing, but he shook his head. “T- Those? Ahahh, those were just my uh.. my.. a- allergies, yeah..” 

Zhongli’s eyes widened with false surprise. “Allergies?” He said, amused. “Whatever are you allergic to?”

“I uh..” Childe hadn’t thought his lie would get to this point. Panicking, his mind whizzed with excuses and things to get himself scott free. Then, he remembers-- “Silk flowers! I’m allergic to s.. Sehh- eh..sHshew!!.. snf- silk flowers.. yeah!”

“Hm?” Zhongli raised an eyebrow, willing to play along. “You might not know this, baobei, but the daily perfume that I spray on has a strong extract of silk flower essence in it. From the way you cuddle and nuzzle at me all day, why are your ‘allergies’ only acting up now?” 

Childe’s eyes fill with panic. “Oh! Is that s- so..? Hhaha, I must’ve mixed up my f- flowers! heh.. it’s.. it’s Gaze lilies! Yeah, I’m hella allergic to t- tHho- hAh.. SscH’iew!! snf- srry..”

“Gaze lilies?” Zhongli asked, a small smile on his face. “I remember very clearly that we once went on a date to a place with many gaze lilies, you were even the one who suggested that we go there-”

“It’s Qingxin! I remember now! There, I’m allergic to Qinxin flowers!” Childe interrupted, proud that he had finally found a-

“But Qinxins are awfully far from Liyue Harbour itself, Childe. Surely if you had stayed in your office all day like you claimed..” 

His face falls. He’s been caught. Dragged up and backed into a corner by Zhongli. He knows it. There was no escape now. He might as well surrender himself into the arms of his partner.

Deep down inside, Childe had been craving to be cared by Zhongli when his cold had started catching up to him. Stifling into tissues within the cold walls of his office, suffering all alone. But it was.. embarrassing.. to say the least, being so vulnerable in front of anyone.

But he wasn’t with just anyone. He knew Zhongli would take special care of him until he was better. Weighing his chances, he figures it won’t hurt to just.. 

“Fine.” Childe said with a pathetic sniffle. “I’m sick, not feeling well, whatever..”

“No need to be so shy about it beloved..” Zhongli cooed, happy that his partner was finally willing to give himself up. “I’ll take good care of you alright? I promise.. Now come sit on my lap.. I’ll help you finish the soup I made.”

-

An hour and a dozen sneezes later, the both of them lay on their shared bed, huddled together, Childe’s overused nose pressed up against Zhongli’s warm body. They had long ran out of tissues, with the way Childe was going through them, sneeze after sneeze.

“Ssnuff.. ugh- what did you do again..?”

“Rub mint on my chest.” 

“Mmh.. snff- than’k you.”

“Welcome..” Zhongli whispered, trailing soft, comforting kisses down Childe’s neck. He pecked once at Childe’s warm forehead, and once on his flushed cheek. And with a cheeky smile, grazed his lips upon the other’s bright crimson nose.

The response was immediate.

“Ack! Hh- Zhongli! Wha- hIH- ssHie’w!! WHatcha do thaA- hh.. snGH- iew!! -that for?!” Childe pressed his nose into the crook of Zhongli’s shoulder, the sneezes breaking his sentence and frame.

“Just kissing the places I love kissing you the most..” Zhongli mumbled, a dumb smile on his face when he felt the strong, wet impact upon his shoulder as Childe let out a few rather.. unrestrained sneezes.

“Oh.. hh.. Hah- sHIEW!! ..ugh.. snuff- ..so’ srry Xiansheng.. I’m.. snf- being so g’ross..”

“You’re not.” Zhongli replied with a well-hidden shudder.

“Snf.. alright.. if you say so.. ahh.. Aw shit.. you’re gonna catch m.. my.. Hih- XxNghtt!! - cold.. snf..” This time, Childe directed the spray to the back of his hands, eyes squeezed shut and nose scrunched up.

“I w- won’t mind that..” Zhongli breathed, his wavering voice betraying some of his inner feelings.

Childe stared at his partner carefully, seeing an expression that Zhongli barely wore on his face-- a look of soft lust. Ah.. Zhongli.. of all people.. who would’ve thought.. a new excitement ran through his body. Maybe.. he’d be able to uncover a hidden part of Zhongli that only he would ever see.. 

One step at a time..

He began with a sniffle. “So.. Xiansheng.. I couldn’t help but notice you missed a spot just now.” Seeing his lover’s confused face, he continued. “You know? When you were kissing my cheeks and neck, and.. nose..” From the corner of his eye, Childe saw Zhongli blush slightly. So he continued. “You missed a spot.”

“...? “

“Between my legs..” 

“Ajax!!” Zhongli choked out, face as flushed as Childe’s (except he didn’t have a fever). “I.. I.. wHat?!” 

Childe bursts out laughing, burying his face into the folds of the other’s clothes, breathing in the soft scent of silk flowers. “I’m joking Zhongli! Well.. half-joking. We can make out when I’m better. Or..” He throws a sideways glance.

“Or..?”

“Or unless you’d want to make out when I.. Hh- hIH.. hAH- ZCHh’ HuU! ugh.. snff.. when I’m still sn- Hh.. sneezing non-stop..” 

“A.. Ajax!” 

“Hahhahh, Your choice!”

-

- end -

-

"Hih- Nghtt!" barely contained.

Diluc whips around slowly to see if anyone seated at the front row had noticed. But from the tipsy laughs, it was safe to say that non of the patrons ahd noticed.

He sniffles, hidding the handkerchief in his fist. Yes, something feels off tonight. If only his head wasn't pounding, he'd be able to know what it was-

Then it hits him.

Why hadn't Diluc noticed ealier? The lack of sarcastic remarks, constant orders, and loud annoying laughter. His eyes fall to the left-most seat in front of the bar. Kaeya's seat.

And it was empty. How strange..

Not that he was thinking about it, Diluc was sure that he hd not seen Kaeya all night. Why hadn't he shown up? It was getting too late. Kaeya normally showed up at the Angel's Share early at night, and only left at the crack of dawn.

He couldn't make sense of what he was feeling. Worry? Was that it? Was he worried for Kaeya, the very same Kaeya that he had been trying to (and failing) to ignore?

Maybe.. Diluc chalks his feelings up to his fever, giving himself the excuse for caring about Kaeya.

Luckily, the bar was about to close soon. Patrons were already starting to stream out, leaving their cups on the tables. Diluc sighs. After cleaning out the mugs, the only thingkeeping him away from sleep was his Darknight Hero duties.

Not that he needed it-

"Hih- hIkcHiew! ..snf-" Now that the bar was empty, Diluc allows himself to sneeze more openly. Hours of stifling before had caused him a bad headache.

He swiped at his nose, eyes travelling up to the 2nd story of the bar, where there was bound to be some left over mugs that hadn't been brought down.

Climbing up the stairs, Diluc's breath catches again. He grips the handrail, preparing himself for the impact-

"Hitzzchw!"

He just wanted to get this over and done with.

However, when Diluc arrives at the 2nd floor of his bar, his eyes fly open. There were the expected few dity cups scattered across the tables, yes. But there was something else as well.

Right in the corner, huntched over the table, sleeping, was Keaya.

Was he seeing things? He doubted it. Even so, Diluc rubbed his already itchy eyes. Yeah, it really was him.

Approaching the sleeping figure, Diluc could hear the soft breaths coming from Kaeya. Even though it was subtle, DIluc could tell the other was having difficulty breathing through his nose.

Before he could stop himself, Diluc reached out his foot, lightly kicking Kaeya.

"Hey."

Immediately, Kaeya stirred, sitting up. His hand flew to his nose, giving it an absent-minded rub, befre his eyes met Diluc's.

"Ah- Master Diluc." his voice sounded thick. Kaeya shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "How may I help you?"

"The Angel's Share had closed 10minutes ago." Diluc deapans - an attempt to keep the worry out of his voice. Kaeya looked awful, he looked tired. As much as Diluc tried to ignore it, he was conserned.

"Apologies, I shall see myself.. ou- Hih..- hiEtcHh!.. out.." Kaeya mumbled, motioning to stand.

At that moment, Diluc does something that Kaeya does not expect. He places an palm down on Kaeya's back, pushing him back down onto the chair.

"You're unwell." Diluc notes.

"Not doing too well yourself are you?" Kaeya replies, gesturing to Diluc's messy hair and blurry eyes.

Choosing to ignore Kaeya's statement, Diluc turns around, keepng his voice as clear as possible. "S- Stay here.. I'll get you something to drink.."

Kaeya's eyebrow raises as he watches Diluc shuffle back down the stairs. He hadn't meant to fall to doze off.

In fact, the reason why Kaeya had seated himself where he was right now was so he could watch Diluc from above.

The moment Kaeya had entered the bar, he had noticed Diluc's symptoms, and well.. depsite not feeling too well himself, Kaeya still wanted to keep an eye on Diluc. It had been awhile since they.. well.. been close to each other, but that did not make Kaeya care any less for the other.

Who'd thought he would have accidentally fallen asleep?

Back downstairs, Diluc skillfully porured the contents of the shamer into a mug. As much as he hated to admit it, a part of him still cares.. depply.. for Kaeya, despite all that had happened.

His Darknight Hero duties could wait.

=============================================================

my 1st snz fic for Genshin :D

As much as Diluc hated to admit it, he knew the day was coming from miles away. Kaeya’s birthday. Even before he caught wind of the Knights discussing the Calvary Captain’s birthday, Diluc had been subconsiously tracking down the dates anyway.

Kaeya always hated thunderstorms.

Diluc couldn’t blame him.

It was with silimar weather years ago when Kaeya first showed up at the Winery’s steps. Diluc still remembered back when he first saw the lost boy with blue hair.

He loved Kaeya, both as a brother and a friend.

That was until-

No. It wasn’t Kaeya’s fault. It wasn’t anyones fault, actually. Diluc promised himself years ago that he would stop pointing fingers. Whatever happened that day had passed. It had passed. 

It had been his own fault too, that they became what they were today.

He needed to get out. True, it was pouring outside, but the bed DIluc was in felt too empty, too cold.

Sighing, he shrugged off the heavy covers, pulling the heavy coat onto his shoulders. The rain never did bother him.

The air was misty and cold when Diluc stepped out of the Winery. Mind wandering back to the past, he let his steps carry him to the edge of the nearby cliff. The same cliff where he had sat with Kaeya one afternoon.

“DIluc, can I ask you something?” 

“What is it?”

“If one day something happens that will tear us apart-”

“That will never happen!”

Despite what he had said that day, it did happen. They were droven apart. Diluc stared into the distance, the familiar feeling of regret running through his body. Regret. Every time he saw Kaeya drink himself stupid. Regret.

He should have been there for his friend.

-

A rustle snapped Diluc out of his thoughts.

“Who’s there?” 

He stood up, hand positioned behind his leg, ready to summon is weapon at will. Yes, something was here. He was sure of it.

Another noise cut through the air, coming from below. Diluc crouched down, peeking off the edge of the cliff he was on.

His eyes widdened.

A Cryo abyss mage, its shield still fully up, was making its advance on a citizen. Through the sheets of rain, Diluc could not make out who it was, only that the person was injured.

The abyss mage lifted its wand, chating something in its own tongue.

Diluc gasped as its victim returned a few words in the same language, fist clentched as if he was ready to fight back.

The voice, despite not spoken in the langauge DIluc was familiar with, still held the same tone and smoothness as- 

“Auugh!”

Kaeya. It was Kaeya. The abyss mage struck at him, sending the blue-haired man flying backwards towards the cliff Diluc was on.

Without much hesitation, Diluc leapt off the edge, his claymore materialising between his fingers. Gathering his flames, his vision glowed a bright shade of red, and so did his the tips of his blade.

Landing between the two, Diluc swung at the mage, careful not to let his flames catch in Kaeya’s way for the second time.

The shield shattered in seconds, the creature inside vaporising into the air with his final swing, bright ashes bursting forth.

“Ah.. Master D- Diluc.. to what to I owe such a s- saving..?”

DIluc turned around, his claymore disppearing into thin air. Even in the dim light, Diluc could see the small shakes that broke Kaeya’s frame. Of course, it was cold. And there was no saying if the Cryo mage had hit Kaeya before DIluc stepped in.

“What are you doing here.” 

“H- Hm..” It was obvious that even talking was a chore for Kaeya. “I c- couldn’t sleep..”

The honesty shocked Diluc more than it should have.

“You’re hurt.”

“H- How obvserv- va- Hh.. hiH- sHkghh! observant..” Kaeya avoided eye-contact, struggling to stand up. “I’d be fin’e.”

Diluc didn’t miss the soft sniffle that followed. Even in the rain surrounding them, it was clear as day.

“You’re unwell.”

A strained laugh could be heard from the figure below Diluc as Kaeya stood up with the help from the wall behind him. “Conserned? I’m t- touched. Though.. I assure you I’m f- fi.. hH.. fine..”

That would have been more convincing if Kaeya hadn’t trembled as a light breeze blew into the crack that they were standing in.

Kaeya grinded his teeth, trying his hardest to hold himself together. He had always been fine alone. Fine when his father had left him, fine when Diluc had left him, and he will be fine now.

Diluc crossed his arms, watching.

Kaeya returned his gaze, his tired eyes staring into sharp red ones. He managed to hold it for a few moments, until another breeze caught him off guard, his vision turning blurry-

“Hh.. hiH- sHhch- iww! snf.. Heh- NgkHh!” Kaeya snapped forward, his hair flying over his eyes as he swayed in the wind.

DIluc acted immediately, hands shooting out to catch him.

Kaeya’s eyes rolled upwards, his breathing turning even. The last thing he heard before the darkness surrounded him was Diluc’s voice. It was sharp and harsh, but also with a string tinge of worry.

“K- Kaeya! You.. you idiot..”

-

Kaeya woke up 2 hours later.

"Hih-Hzzchuw! ..snf- heEhsnkk! eH- hieH.."

He had been at it for hours. Diluc could hear it from where he was seated behind the door.

He wondered if--

"Hehh- HizZchie-uw!!"

-- if he should enter the room.

Kaeya had always been one who was afraid to show weakness. If Diluc were to catch him in this state-

"eH.. heh? hEhh-zZcHe-iw!!"

..it would take Kaeya even longer to admit something was bothering him.

It was quiet for awhile and Diluc was almost certain he had fallen back to sleep.

Maybe this would be a good time to check on him.. As much as Diluc hated to admit to even himself, he was worried for Kaeya.

Wandering around the steets at night? Diluc wasn't going to question that choice. But Kaeya choosing to wander around at night when he was clearly unwell?

He'd just check for a second. After all, it was his house. And besides, he needed to get his coat which was draped over a chair in the room. He was definitely not going in just to check on Kaeya. Definitely not.

He pushed the door open quietly-

And stopped.

Right in the center of the fluffy white sheets sat Kaeya himself, eyes half-shut and fluttering in anticipation for... something. His mouth was slightly open, soft hitching breaths could be heard from across the room.

"SnGnkk.. snf-"

Diluc watched as Kaeya scrubbed at his chapped and reddened nose, head tilted upwards as he drew in a shaky breath.

A few seconds passed.

"Unghh.. snf-" Kaeya shook his head, blinking slowly. He pulled the covers down, patting in slightly as he cleared his throat softly.

"So y-you're just here to w'tch me s'uffer?" His voice was laced with congestion. Kaeya cleared his throat again painfully before snffling heavily through his nose. "Snngk.. w-why did you'd take me h- Hh.. hH-szZnGh!! .. h'ere?"

He was stifling now as compared to the previous open sneezing, Diluc noticed. Was Kaeya.. embarrassed?

"What were you doing there in the middle of the night?"

"I told you Master D'luc.. I couldn't sleep, must you ma'ke me repeat id' again?" Kaeya's voice cracked roughly as he spoke. "The real question should be w-why you were th-Hh.. there as well.."

"Darknight Hero duties."

"L- Liar.." Kaeya sniffed. "It was th- the r- Hh.. rain, wasn't it."

"I'm not the one who is afraid of a little storm."

Kaeya shifted in the soft bed, twisting his head to face away from Diluc. A moment of silence passed, and Diluc was worried he may have been a little too harsh. Sure, Kaeya often purposely tried to get on his nerves, but that didn't mean that-

Kaeya suddenly jerked forward, pressing a wrist against the base of his nose..

"Hih-hiHzZch-iew!! ..snf- i'b sorry.."

"It's fine. You can't help it.

"Noh.. not that..

"Then for what?"

"F- For making you worry."

"I'm not worri-" Diluc started, before catching himself. Not now. "It's nothing."

"Oh? So you were worried." Kaeya smirked. Or at least he tried to. With his blurry eyes and flushed cheeks, it was hard to hold any real facial expression.

Diluc sighed, pulling a nearby chair up to the side of the bed. "Just wondering if I'd have to change the sheets tonight. This is my bed you're lying on."

"Oh.. s-should i g-get off..?" Kaeya suddenly tensed up, his fingers ruffling with the blanket. "I t-thought this w-would be the g-guests r- Hh.. room.."

Had Kaeya really not noticed the wardrobe and dresser with Diluc's things? Maybe he really was feeling worse than he was letting on if he had even failed to notice the most obvious things.

"No need."

"Oh.. t-thank you then.." Kaeya sounded uncharacteristically sincere.

Silence followed afterwards, excpet the occasional sniffle that floated from Kaeya's direction. It was clear that he really needed to sneeze, but perhaps he was shy with the other in the room.

"Why couldn't you sleep?"

"Thunder still scares me, Diluc." Kaeya answered softly without a trace of sarcasm, which was unlike him.

"So I decided to take a little w-walk.." Kaeya continued with a sniffle. "It was really windy.. so I just let the breeze carry m-me and I suddenly was stepping in the Winery's soil. I saw t-the crystal flies and everything.. the ones w-we used to chase after when we were k-kids..

I turned to look at t-the Winery and I saw that the lights w-were switched on. And I suddenly feared that y-you would see me through the r-rain and that you w-would chase me away a-again.. so I.. I ran to the c-cliffs and the n-next thing I knew, a Cryo abyss mage h-had.."

"Kaeya."

"W- What?"

Kaeya sucked in a breath as Diluc suddenly sat himself on the edge of the bed, an un-gloved hand reaching for him.

"You're crying."

"Am.. am I..?"

Diluc's warm hand contrasted with Kaeya's pale cheeks as he swipped a tear away.

"Kae."

The old nickname caught Kaeya's attention, causing his eyes to snap up to Diluc's. Instead of the usual sharp red irises that stared Kaeya down in the Angel's Share, he was met with the eyes that used to comfort him years ago.

"Luc..?"

"I'm sorry too, you know?"

"For what?"

"For three years ago."

"Don't worry. I've forgiven you ages ago."

"Liar."

Kaeya held Diluc's stare, before a broken smile found his way onto his face.

"You're right. I have not."

Diluc pulled his hand away, eyebrows furrowing as he looked into the distance.

Kaeya shuddered, pulling the sheets closer to his body. He sniffed gently, before reaching a hand out to Diluc's knee.

"But perhaps, I could try. It was partly my fault too."

Diluc raised his head, a rare smile ghosting his face as he nodded. "We can talk about it when you're better. But for now, please. Rest."

"What about you?"

"I have some shopping to do."

"Shopping? You never fail to amuse me, Master Diluc."

"Not for myself, for someone else."

Diluc stood up, picking his coat off the chair. Shrugging it on, he nodded towards the bedside table.

"Tissues. Inside."

Kaeya scoffed, but his eyes shone with embarrassed gratitude.

Before Diluc left the room, however, he turned back once more, making sure the other looked him in the eyes as he spoke.

"Kaeya."

"Hm..?"

A pause.

-

"Happy Birthday."

Kaeya's eyes flew open, his pupils giving off a small spark. His mouth hang open in shock, before they curved into a smile.

"You remembered.."

"Of course I did. The whole city has been talking about it for weeks."

As the bedroom door clicked shut, a smile still lingered. As far as the both of them were concerned, it wasn't the town gossip that caused Diluc to remember Kaeya's special day.

Much rather, it was a connection that was yet to be severed despite the years apart.

Pulling the drawer open, Kaeya saw the box of tissues pressed up to the corner. Taking a sheet, something at the back of the shelf caught his attention

A photo taken when the two of them were barely considered adults. Kaeya felt a warmth grow in his heart as he studied Diluc's smile.

Yes, perhaps there was indeed a chance that it could be saved.

==================================

how was that? :>

this literally started out from a few bullet points in my head one day at night when i couldn't sleep.

hope you guys enjoy it thoo

AND HAPPY BITTHDAY KAEYAAAAAAA!

(and i sry for the lack of snz at the end i just wanted to focus on them)

for @selfindulgentsuffering ♡

also this would sort of inculde in game knowledge in the form of the Oceanid soo if udk whats that its kinda like a boss fight thats raining 100% of the time and also character fight water mimics (piccture at the end)

----

tartali established rs:

childe comes home one day, rather early, and is shocked to see that zhongli was already lying on their shared bed, pyjamas and all.

"xiansheng? hahaa- sleeping without me?"

childe goes over to sit down on the ledge of the bed, reaching out his hand to ruffle zhongli's long silky hair. was zhongli really that tired? i mean sure, they went to bed late last night, but it was barely 4pm in the afternoon.

"xiansheng.. wakey wakey.. im home.." childe ran his fingers down to cup zhongli's cheeks, sliding this thumb over his mouth. adorable.

right at that time, zhongli started to stirr. his eyes had a cute hazy sheen as he blinked against the light, slowly but surely focusing on his boyfriend.

"a- ah ajax.. you're home.."

zhongli let out a small and warm smile, before he turned sharply to the other side, rasing the soft blanket over his nose-

"heH- shiw!! heh- hA' shhnw!! snf-!! ..es'cuse me.."

a wave of panic washed over childe. partly because something might be wrong with his partner, and partly because.. well.. he had never heard zhongli sneeze before.. and it was.. everything he had ever dreamed of.

"a- are you okay..?"

zhongli sniffled against the blanket, his nose scrunched and eyebrows furrowed. putting the covers down, he gave childe a little nod, the smile reappearing on his face.

"snff..! yes baobei, im fine"

suddenly, zhongli's eyes lit up and he sat up in bed. flipping the covers off, he motioned to stand swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.

childe didn't fail to miss the tiny shiver that ran through the other as the cool air hit him.

"i got you something..snf-!! come"

zhongli stood up shakily, his fist wrapped around the bedstand as if his life depended on it. he waved childe over, sticking his hand into his pants pocket, producing something blue.

"i- got something for you.." zhongli said with a small smile.

childe's eyes widdened.

"cleansing hearts.. you- xiansheng.. you fought the oceanid for me..? b- but why? i could have easily paid someone else who had a more compatible vision to get it for me.."

"well.." zhongli sniffled wetly, "i- hH! i.. hAH' shhiw!! snf.. i love you.."

"that- i.. i love you too.. but- but thats not a valid reason!!" childe stared, exasperated, at his boyfriend

"you were.. snf!! ..complaining about how you could not get them yourself, with y-hH! heH' zZchw! ..your hydro vision.. so i.. helped you.."

zhongli's voice was getting weaker and weaker by the moment, each sneeze more forceful than the other. it broke childe's heart.

".. xiansheng.. you're not a god anymore.. you can't keep doing this to yourself.."

"s- says the battle-thirsty harbringer.. snf!! i had a shield, don't worry about me.."

"a shield that protects you from everything except a cold is pretty useless in my opinion." childe mumbled.

they stared at each other in silence, until zhongli's breath started to hitch once more.

"hH- haH' sshiw! i.. im sorry then.. hH' NgXxt! f- for making you worry.. hH-!! snf.." zhongli sat back down on the edge of the bed, his head tilted downwards.

childe felt his heart twist. maybe he was being a little harsh. he knew zhongli was a very reasonable person, much more so compared to him anyway. he wouldn't put himself in danger

kneeling down, childe took the materials gently from zhongli's hands, setitng them down into the table. then, he leaned forward, giving his boyfriend's knee a little kiss.

"despite all that, i still owe you my thanks, don't i?"

zhongli lighted up after hearing that, a cute smile replacing his guilty frown. he wriggled back under the covers, lifting the edge of the blanket to wipe his damp nose, before scrunching his nose yet again, aware that childe was watching as he let out a few rather unrestrained doubles.

needless to say, they shared more than just a kiss that night.. ;)

----

bonus:

zhongli: "ajax baobei.. you like this.. don't you.."

childe: "s- shut up and just s.. sneeze for me already..!!"

zhongli: "hH- hAH.. hhH.. hEH-!!"

----

grr bark woof woof i have no idea what to write for my boy luc's birthday........

Finally, the doors to the Palour came into view. Childe could barely contain his excitement as he ran towards the entrance, nearly smashing straight into the Ferrylady.

“Welcome back, Mr Childe.” she greeted.

“Oop, hahhHA.. sorry for that! I’m just in a rush to uh-”

“See Mr Zhongli?” she asked, a knowing smile on her face. “He’s in his office, trying to burry himself in paperwork for the past few days.”

“Busy week?”

“Nope. He requested more work from Director Hu to keep his mind off from missing you too much.” 

Childe rolled his eyes. “It was just a week.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t miss him too.”

Blushing, Childe mumbled a few embarrassed words, before he pushed the heavy doors open, keeping his head down as he sped-walked to Zhongli’s office. Was it that obvious?

As he pushed another set of doors open, Childe’s worries melted away as his eyes finally laid themselves on what he had came to see.

“Xiansheng!”

Jumping in his seat slightly, Zhongli lifted his head, eyes barely raising above the mountain of papers. The beautiful golden irises widdened, dilating as they flickered to Childe.

“You’re back.” Zhongli said softly, almost as if he was exhasusted from the long wait.

“Nothing could ever keep me from youu-” Childe laughed, stepping into the dimmly lit office. “Word has it that you barely left this musty room.” he leaned onto the table. “Wna get some dinner?”

As Childe tilted his head towards the other’s, Zhongli suddenly flinched back, clearing his throat lightly. “I.. have work to do, Childe..”

“You’ve been at it for the past week, I’m sure Hutao can let you off for a few hours. Besides, don’t you miss me..?”

Zhongli continued to keep his head down, eyes never meeting Childe’s.

“C’mon Xiansheng.. I just came back!”

Zhongli inhaled slowly, letting out a tired breath before he cleared his throat again. “I’m glad that you are back.. we can get lunch t- tomorrow, yes?”

“Fine.” Childe said, crossing his arms. He turned towards the door, motioning to leave. Just before stepping out of the door, he turned back, smiling cutely. “For the record, Xiansheng, I missed you very much too.”

The door closed.

Zhongli’s lips twitched upwards upon hearing his partner’s words. He knew that he had let Childe down by denying dinner, but he really couldn’t go, lest he gave himself away.

If he was being completely honest, Zhongli hadn’t been feeling like himself the past few days. Sure, it was because his other half was across the sea serving some other Archon, but there was something else bothering him that he just could not put a finger on.

Eyes darting to the bottom of the closed door to check if Childe was still standing there, Zhongli sighed in relief when he saw no shadow. He slumped over the messy table. He was happy that Childe was back, but why didn’t he feel happy?

Rather, he felt tired, and hot. Was it because he had skipped a few meals? Because he has not slept in a few days? But the last he checked, a body like his should still fuction normally without adequate rest, if only for a few days.

He felt.. weak.

The admission scared him. No.. He couldn’t let Childe know, he just came home. Zhongli didn’t want to worry him, not now, not when.. when-

His thoughts were cut short by a fuzzy feeling in his nose. The tickle traveled up and up until..

“Huh- hAisShu-U!..snff.. Hih-ShhIEw-U! ngh-”

His eyes were blurry when they opened a second later. The room suddenly felt cold, way much colder than Zhongli remembered. He shivered. What was going on? He swipped at his nose, which he noticed, left a patch on his sleeve.

It was harder to breathe than from before Childe had arrived. Something was stuck in there that was preventing air from entering.. Zhongli sniffled, rubbing at the sensitive spot at the tip of his nose.

Upon doing that, Zhongli felt his breath catch and hitched uncontrolably-

“Hih-TssHiU! uh.. sNgKk- hEh-HitSh-isw!” he shuddered afterwards.

It left a weird feeling in his throat. Blinking, Zhongli startled as irritaed tears started to flow down from the edges of his eyes.

What was going on? Zhongli didn’t understand what was happening to him. But whatever it was, he would hide it. He wasn’t going to let Childe worry.

He’d get through it himself, he was strong. Strong enough for himself and strong enough to protect Childe as well.

RIght?

-------------

-end of part 1-

-------------

yeah thats how the flowers look like^

--

diluc didnt know what to get kaeya for valentines day so was freaking out. then he remembers how good kaeya smells, and decided that he would get some beautiful flowers for kaeya, some nice feathery light purple ones.

he painstakingly goes to his house's nearby forest to pluck some before going on the valentines date. at the outdoor restaurant, kaeya notices diluc running towards him, holding something within crumpled newspapers.

"sorry im late k- kaeya.. i wantedto pick these for you! happy valentines day-"

diluc thursts the bouquet of flowers into kaeyas face, smiling as he waited for a reply.

kaeyas nose starts twitching as the mere sight of the feathery plant. despite being together with diluc for a few months, he had never before told his boyfriend that he was quite allergic to most flowers.

he was about to open his mouty to tell diluc, but the smile on the others face stopped him. he knew diluc would be heartbroken if he knew he had brought kaeya suffering, so kaeya stayed silent.

'they.. they are beautiful- just like the one who picked them for me--'

the rest of the dinner went well for diluc, not noticing that kaeya was gritting his teeth, trying not to let his nose run, ducking under the table every few minutes to 'tie his shoelace'

it was only when the wind picked up (outdoor restaurant), blowing pollen off the feathery flowers into kaeyas face that he couldn't take it anymore.

'e- hH! ..ehxcuse me..'

kaeya runs from the table, leaving diluc confused.

kaeya runs as quick as he can, eyes watering and nose leaking freely. he was a mess, he couldn't see it, but he could feel it. diluc probably thought he was trying to ruin the date. it had been difficult to get diluc to agree to take him out since his boyfriend was always so shy.

and how he has ruined it..

leaning against the concrete wall, kaeyas breath hitches-

'hH- snf.. hAH- ugh.. snf-!!'

great. it was stuc-

'hAH- sNgXxt!! heH.. zZchiw!!'

..maybe not..

kaeya let out a few more desperate sneezes before he flipped the sleeve of his shirt inside out, wipping his nose and flipping it back.

there was a damp spot on his sleeve, but he hoped diluc won't notice..

returning to the table, kaeya could feel his nose flaring as the flowers came into view.

"kaeya.. is everything okay..?" diluc asked shyly as his fingers played with the soft feathery petals of the flower.

'.. nothing at all dear.. i just.. needed to use the bathroom..'

it was a lie and kaeya knew it. what more, he knew that diluc knew it was a lie. he wasn't easy to read for most people, but kaeya knew diluc had the weird ability to see right through him.

"okay then.." diluc sighs, placing the flowers back onto the table, bringing the damned item nearer to kaeyas sensitive nose.

'hH- its.. really n- Hh!! .. no issue luc i.. i.. hH- hah.. NgxXt!! heh- ZznXght!! .. im fine..'

dilucs eyes suddenly snapped to kaeya, focusing intently on the other.

kaeya felt himself shift uncomfortably under dilucs glare. he knew that he'd been seen right through he.. he-

"you don't have to stifle in front of me you know?"

'what?'

diluc inched over to kaeyas side of the table, grabbing kaeyas hand and wrapping himself around it. diluc rested his head against kaeyas arm, right on the spot that was still slightly damp.

'..luc.. m- move.. i.. i needa..'

despite the warning, diluc stayed put where he was.

left with no other choice, kaeya pressed his free hand against the base of his nose, letting out a fit of restrained itchy sneezes. light spray had unfortunately managed to escape from his clenched teeth, landing gracefully on dilucs cheek.

unlike himself, diluc intertwined his fingers with kaeyas, letting out a sound akin to that of a purring cat as he snuggled deeper into kaeyas chest.

"happy valentines day kae.. you just gave me the best present i could ever ask for.."

--

well......... :D i was too lazy to make this into an actual fic (sry)