Chapter Text
Kaveh had expected all this. The stifling heat, his clothes damp with sweat, ready to be thrown away when he left the desert. The endless canteens that he emptied quickly, the gelid desert breeze when the moon rose overhead.
He looked forward to all that trouble, for it was all worth it for the temple that lay before him. They had recently found an opening in one of the oldest temples of the Scarlet King in all of Sumeru's history, and inside that temple were only wonders worth studying.
The papyrus that decorated the walls of the ruined temple. The preservation of its painting. The aesthetics of the columns that supported the roof of the temple. Rusty materials lying on the floor.
What would they be used for? What use would they be put to? Did they leave them there on purpose? Or did they forget them in that place?
Kaveh was prepared to face any danger. The sun. The cold. Dehydration. The sandstorms. Monsters.
Anything... except what he found when he investigated further inside the temple.
Leaning on one of those columns that Kaveh admired so much, was a man.
He was about his age. His clothes were elegant and majestic, although they were dirty and torn.
But what struck Kaveh most about this stranger was not that he was in this place. It was that he was with his eyes closed and a wound in his belly that did not cease to emanate blood.
''Fuck!'' hissed Kaveh, running towards the man. He tore off his sleek crimson cloak, using it as a tourniquet on the stranger's torso, the latter emitting an annoyed, pitiful groan as Kaveh had to squeeze hard ''Hey, hey wake up, I need you to wake up'' Kaveh urged him, slapping him gently but repeatedly on the cheek.
The man's eyelashes quivered, but his eyes still wouldn't open ''Shit. I need to know how long you've been here. How long since you were hurt.''
The man's eyes remained unopened, and his mouth followed suit. Kaveh sighed, dejected, touching the man's cold skin and with effort, placed him on his back, leaving the temple ''Mehrak, I need you to keep watch and defend me in case any monsters or eremites come''.
The briefcase that always accompanied him nodded with a happy electronic face, securing the perimeter.
Fortunately, the three of them were able to exit the temple with ease, Kaveh being careful not to stumble in the dense sand until they reached their camp.
He placed the man on his bed, so nervous he was about saving his life that he did not notice that no more blood was coming out of his wound.
He took out of a backpack the first aid kit he had brought with him, tensing his jaw when he saw the little material he had in front of such a dangerous wound. ''Shit... maybe... maybe some eremite clan can help us? Ugh, but I can't leave him alone.''
A movement appeared behind Kaveh, Mehrak panicking, trying to warn his owner ''I know Mehrak, I know you can defend him, but would you know how to stop his bleeding!? No, I can't leave him alone, but I don't know if I could carry him until I find an eremite clan. What if I end up getting lost in this vast wilderness?''
''That's probably what would happen'' sounded an unfamiliar voice behind him.
Kaveh threw the bandages and the alcohol prepared for the stranger into the air, panicking at the presence, drawing his sword ready to defend himself from this new intrusion.
He froze when he saw that the man he had saved was standing in front of him, looking as if he had never been hurt before.
The stranger looked at him in a way that Kaveh could not analyze. He looked bored, but at the same time, in those teal eyes there shone a spark of.... mischief?
''Wh... what... WHAT!? DON'T TELL ME YOU WERE FAKING IT!?'''
"Faking?''
''YOUR WOUND! YOU WERE... YOU WERE SEVERELY INJURED, AND YOU WERE BLEEDING!'' AND... AND YOU WERE... YOU WERE UNRESPONSIVE!''
"Ah, yes, that. Don't worry, I'm all healed up.''
''You've already... what!?''
The stranger sighed with irritation and opened his mouth, sharp fangs showing. Kaveh was still watching in shock and the stranger laughed as the blond finally realized he was ''I'm sorry for the disappointment. You thought you saved a person, don't worry, I was just leaving''.
The stranger turned around but Kaveh stopped him ''Wa...wait! Are you sure you're still okay?'' The vampire arched his eyebrow, confused at that question ''I...I mean, you don't look like you're going to die anymore, but you've been bleeding and you've been very pale, well, more than you already are. Shouldn't you... I don't know... rest, before you leave again?'' The vampire was still staring at him in disbelief, Kaveh letting go, scratching the back of his neck nervously ''Be...besides, wasn't the Sun dangerous for your kind? Haha...ha''
The vampire still said nothing, looking at him with that gawking face since Kaveh stopped him ''W...well, say something, will you!!?''
''Why do you care about me? I'm not a person. You shouldn't be worried about a mons... about someone of, as you say, my kind.''
''Well okay, you're right, you may not be a person, but... you are a living being, aren't you?'' The stranger opened his eyes, surprised at that ''I mean, you've bled, you're in front of me, talking to me and so on. I mean, you're alive so how... how can I ignore a life when it's vulnerable?''
''I'm not vulnerable'' snorted the vampire, indignant.
''Tsk! Well, I've already offered you my camp to rest after being wounded and wait for the night in case those rumors about the Sun being dangerous for you are true! Whether or not you want to accept my offer is up to you!''
Kaveh turned his back to him, Mehrak at his side, looking at the two confused and worried for his master.
Kaveh heard the vampire sit back down on his bed, emitting a long sigh. The two connected gazes, Kaveh nodding, grateful to him for listening ''My name is Kaveh. Architect.''
He offered him his hand, and after a few seconds of shaking, the vampire shook it, ''Alhaitham. Vampire for quite some time.
When Alhaitham told him that he was a vampire born in the time of the Scarlet King, the vampire almost lost his life, and this time literally, to the architect's blabbering.
''I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ACTUALLY LIVED THROUGH THAT ERA! YOU HAVE TO TELL ME EVERYTHING! HOW THEY BUILT THOSE TEMPLES AND PYRAMIDS! SOME IDIOTS AT THE ACADEMY SAY IT WAS CELESTIA'S DOING, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE IT! OH, AND WHAT ABOUT THE DANCES! THE ACADEMY ERASED ALL THE LEGACY OF AL-AHMAR, BUT I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY LEGACY REGARDING DANCES THAT NATION HAD IS THE ONE WE SEE FROM THE EREMITES. OH! AND WHAT DO YOU SAY TO ME-''
"Kaveh, enough!'' Kaveh bit his lip, embarrassed and apologetic ''You didn't even let me finish''
''But what else do you have to say about that? YOU LIVED THROUGH THE TIME OF ONE OF SUMERU'S MOST ENIGMATIC AND IMPORTANT FIGURES! As much as the Academy denies it''
''Can you repeat what I've told you?''
"Uh... We were talking about when you were a vampire and you told me that you were born in the time of Al-Ahmar's reign'' Alhaitham nodded and Kaveh shrugged, not knowing what he meant ''Born, Kaveh. I was born in the time of Deshret, but when I was a child, Deshret had already died and his entire reign fell. I did not have time to see any of his wonders or to experience any of that magnificent reign that the people of those lands praise so highly.''
"Your people...''
''Those people, this land ceased to be mine when I became a vampire''
''Oh, and then where do you belong?''
Alhaitham shrugged his shoulders, answering Kaveh with that resignation ''Oh, I see... I... I'm sorry... if you need to talk about it...''
''You're a stranger, why would I want to talk to you about it?'' Alhaitham cut him off, making the architect angry.
''I WAS JUST TRYING TO BE NICE, BUT DON'T WORRY, YOU'VE ALREADY LOST THIS SHOULDER TO CRY ON FOREVER!'' Kaveh got more pissed off when he heard Alhaitham laugh ''What are you laughing at now?''
''At you, offering me your shoulder to cry on. If you want to offer me something from your body, I prefer something else''.
Alhaitham laughed louder at the blush that appeared on Kaveh's cheeks, being tapped on the shoulder by the architect and then turning his back on him, looking like an indignant kitten.
After a few minutes after that joke that made him so embarrassed, the blond heard behind his back a ''But thank you''.
When night came at last, Kaveh waited for Alhaitham to get up and leave, but the vampire was lying on the other bed Kaveh had built for him.
Although this time he was not bleeding, his face was the same as when Kaveh found him ''Alhaitham?'' Alhaitham made a sound ''Are you alright?''
"Hmmm...''
''You don't look well... Do you need help with anything?''
''I need something, but I don't want to scare you.''
''Why I should be scar-oh... I see...'''
Alhaitham sighed in disgust, his eyes unopened ''I'm not going to attack you, relax.''
''I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT THAT! I was thinking about how to help you.'' Silence from the vampire ''Is animal blood good for you?'' Alhaitham nodded ''Well... I don't have meat but I could build some spear and hunt something for you... the question is, what will be around here?''
''The easiest thing to hunt for someone who has never hunted before would be a fennec.''
"A FENEC? YOU EXPECT ME TO KILL THOSE CUTE FURRY CREATURES?''
''You told me you were going to help me'' Alhaitham joked, opening one eye.
''But... but a fennec... aww.''
Alhaitham laughed, but his laughter showed how weak and tired he felt and Kaveh sighed in anguish ''Mehrak will stay with you.''
"Who?''
Mehrak answered for Kaveh, greeting Alhaitham with happy sounds, Alhaitham smiling at the briefcase ''And what do I need it for?''
''In case those who hurt you come back. So she can protect you'' Alhaitham gave him a bored look ''Or... or help''.
''Those people won't come back Kaveh, believe me'' the vampire laughed sadistically.
''And... and their colleagues?''
''Kaveh, I've been alive for almost 500 years, I doubt that some stupid Fatui are the cause of my death. Go hunt something, go on.''
Kaveh nods weakly, creating that spear quickly and leaving the camp, in search of those cute creatures that had to die so that the hot- EHEM, THE RUDE vampire that was in his camp wouldn't die of... of whatever it was that might be dying.
It didn't take long to find a fennec sniffing a small thicket. Kaveh knelt down, the animal unaware of his presence, and raised his spear.
The way he timed the throw, it would surely hit it in the head. If he did not kill it instantly, he would wound it enough to finish it off when it reached his side.
But the spear was not thrown. His hand did not tremble, but he was unable to kill the poor animal. Finally he let out a long and regretful sigh, where this time the fennec heard him and fled in terror, the opportunity to hunt him completely lost.
He could follow it. Perhaps there would be more fennecs and he would feel less pity. Maybe - ugh, who was he kidding, he couldn't do that.
He returned to the camp, defeated, the place looking quiet. Mehrak greeted him with happy whistles, looking worried when she saw her master's regretful face.
''No luck?'' the vampire asked with unexpected gentleness.
Kaveh sighed again, massaging his forehead, ''I've found one. They don't seem to be hard to find.''
''I told you they're not hard to hunt.''
''But I couldn't. I... I'm sorry, I couldn't hunt it'' Alhaitham looked at him with an expression that Kaveh couldn't decipher. Was it pity? Was it disgust? By Buer, let the bastard say something! ''I'm sorry, okay! I'm no good at this!''
Alhaitham sat up slowly, his face unhinged with pain, his hand on his wounded belly ''Life is unfair sometimes. You have to kill to survive, but don't worry, I don't hold it against you'' He struggled to get up, Kaveh stopping him, asking where he was going ''If you can't hunt, I'll hunt-''
''Wai... wait! You're still weak-''
"That's why I'm going to hunt.''
''But can you?''
''Ha, I don't know. I've relaxed my body knowing that you were going to come with a prey but since that's not the case, I'm going to have to do it to-''
''WILL YOU SHUT UP ALREADY! IF I CAME WITHOUT ANY PREY KNOWING ABOUT YOUR STATE, IT'S BECAUSE I WAS WILLING TO OFFER YOU MY BLOOD!''
Alhaitham fell silent at that, finally giving up trying to break free from the blond's grip ''... Excuse me?''
''You need blood. I... I can give you some, right? I mean, you don't have to kill me or anything like that.'''
''Do you really want me to... suck your blood?''
''If it means that I don't have to kill any poor fennec or you risk your life even more trying to hunt, sure... Then, yes, of course!''
Alhaitham stood in front of Kaveh, the architect feeling intimidated by how the vampire looked at him, how big he looked in front of him, how his fangs glistened in the moonlight.
''You're crazy.''
''Hahaha... maybe a little.''
''You don't have to do this for me.''
''I promised you I'd hunt you something and I couldn't do it. You said it yourself, you rested your body because you thought it would bring you blood. Let me help you.''
Alhaitham kept looking at him in that way that made him so nervous, Kaveh snorting at what he was waiting for, freezing when the vampire caressed his neck, opening the first two buttons of his shirt to expose his skin.
''You really are crazy if you're asking that of a vampire. What makes you think I won't suck your blood dry?''
Kaveh shifted his eyes, nervous, but his answer was clear ''Because I trust you. I don't know why, I've known you since this morning and I've always been told terrifying stories about your kind since I was little, but... but I trust you. You don't look like the kind of creature that kills for pleasure'' Alhaitham remained silent, caressing the blond's neck ''Be...besides, there's Mehrak hehe and she's tough as nails, I assure you''.
Mehrak appeared behind Kaveh, her eyes showing determination to protect her master.
Finally Alhaitham nodded, stopping touching the blond but guiding him towards the bed 'Lie down, you'll be more comfortable this way, and besides, I don't think you can move after this''.
Kaveh nodded, straightening the part of his neck that the vampire had left exposed ''It will hurt?''
''Obvious.
''I hope it's not like a prick. I hate needles hahaha'' laughed Kaveh, completely flustered, shutting up completely, his back tense as Alhaitham whispered in his ear ''Calm down. You being so tense is not going to be good for you or me''.
Kaveh nodded, unable to react to the vampire's caresses on his neck and near his torso. His breath felt very close to his lips. The vampire's nose rubbing against his lobe ''Mm.... You smell great'' Kaveh nodded quickly, his eyes closed in shame ''You don't say anything? That's odd.''
''You told me I should stay calm.''
''And talking makes you tense? Then I don't understand why you talk so much'' mocked Alhaitham, gently pinching the part of his neck where the vein was noticeable ''Good, good, you're doing well, Kaveh'' the architect suffered a gratifying shiver when he heard the vampire say his name ''I'm gonna bite you now, okay?'' Kaveh nodded again quickly ''I promise to be as quick as possible''
He felt the fangs rip over his skin, slowly and softly, the vampire's tongue licking his neck, the steam of the vampire's hungry breath moistening his skin.
Kaveh felt himself faint right there until he felt a strong penetration in his neck, which ran through his whole body. He could feel his blood being sucked out, the fangs penetrating his muscles and even his bones.
It hurt. It hurt a lot. But the caresses on his back and the back of his hand managed to calm him down, keeping the blond in a firm position but with a relaxed body, despite feeling how his body seemed to explode with heat and his neck was being impaled by two poisoned daggers.
The pain remained but was transforming into a more bearable one. A more... pleasurable one.
Alhaitham grunted in satisfaction, biting harder on the neck, causing a moan to rise from Kaveh's throat.
His face grew redder than the blood trickling down his neck, trying to avoid looking at Alhaitham's face as he felt those teal eyes burning into him. With what feeling? Mockery? Curiosity?
The fangs finally emerged from his skin, a cold sensation hitting those two round wounds that made him shudder. He patted the wounded area with his hand, feeling his palm become wet with blood, when Alhaitham grabbed his wrist, pulling it away from his neck and with his tongue, licked and wiped away the blood that kept gushing from that wound, closing the wounds immediately.
Kaveh trembled under the vampire's grip, unable to look up, "What have you done to me?''
Alhaitham cocked his head, confused ''Drink your blood? We had come to that agreement.''
''I don't mean that... I mean... ugh''
Alhaitham smiled, understanding what was going on, pulling his body closer to the blond's ''It happens when a vampire bites someone in a controlled manner. Keep in mind that we are bloodthirsty beasts that suck our victims dry. If I drink someone's blood in a controlled manner, well it seems that instead of killing you, what happens'' Alhaitham pointed amused at Kaveh's crotch ''Is this''
''You could have warned me this would happen'' Kaveh snorted, trying to cover the bulge that was visible behind his pants.
''I didn't think it would have any effect.'' Kaveh struggled to his feet, making his way to his bed ''If you want me to relieve you, I'd be happy to-''
''SHUT UP!!!''
Kaveh tried to go to sleep, with the vampire's laughter scratching his eardrums.
But his erection wouldn't go away, so, covering himself with a blanket, making sure that what he was about to do would not be seen at all, he began to massage his member.
Despite being completely hard, images of Alhaitham biting him came back to his mind, Kaveh hissing as he tried to get them out of his head.
He tried to think of the crushes he had at the Academy when he was only 14. He tried to think about his first boyfriend, who turned out to be a jerk. He tried to think of the beautiful student Lisa Minci, as beautiful inside as outside.
He tried to think of all the hot hookups he'd had throughout his life. But nothing could compare to what the vampire looked like. No touch or dust could ever match the sensation he felt when he bit his neck and drank his blood.
Fuck, if this was what it felt like when it was causing him pain, what would it feel like if it was causing him pleasure?
''If you want me to relieve you, I'd be delighted,'' his mind simulated Alhaitham's purr, achieving ejaculation as he imagined the vampire whispering that phrase against his ear as he stroked his groin all the way to his member.
Kaveh bit down hard on his arm, to stifle his moan, seeing his stained hand, sighing with irritation at the knowledge that he would now have to wash himself on the sly.
''Ugh... fucking Alhaitham'' he thought to himself.
The next morning, Kaveh was awakened by Alhaitham. He was still sleepy, for when he was sure that the vampire was asleep, he took the opportunity to find an oasis and wash the mess he had made, so he didn't get much rest that night.
The tingling in his neck continued, and he felt his member become erect again just by seeing the vampire. But fortunately, the tiredness he felt in his body prevented Kaveh from going through that humiliation again.
"What do you want?''
''You shouldn't have gone to clean your sheets. What you did is something natural and really healthy for you at the time.''
Kaveh's eyes widened, alerted to that, the hateful vampire smirking mockingly again ''I thought you were sleeping!''
''Vampires, sleep? Since when?'' Alhaitham knelt down, stroking Kaveh's eyelids, the latter pulling away as if his fingertips were burning ''Though you could pass for one. How long has it been since you had a good rest?''
"What's it to you!''
''From the noises you made last night, I don't think it matters much. Used to exhausting yourself when you should be resting?''
''YOU HEARD ME TOO!?''' he snorted, trying to cover his reddened face with his hands.
''I must admit that if I had human hearing, I wouldn't have heard you. Don't you know anything about vampires?''
''Forgive me for never taking an interest in a creature I thought I would never see in my life. They're common in Mondstadt or Sznehnaya, not here!''
''Hmm'' said Alhaitham simply, standing up and forcing Kaveh to stand up as well.
''Ugh, what do you want now!?''
''Reward you''
''Reward me!? I...I already told you I don't want to do anything with you!'' he snorted, upset.
Alhaitham smiled again with the same sneer ''Liar'' but his smile faded quickly, adopting a serious expression ''But that's not it. I want to take you to my refuge.''
''Refuge?''
''Of books''
"Of... books?''
''Are you going to repeat everything I tell you or are you going to get off your ass for once?'' Alhaitham snorted, his bored and bitter expression returning to him.
He started walking and Kaveh, seized by curiosity, had no choice but to follow him.
After several minutes walking in silence, Kaveh could not help but ask what he meant by his shelter of books ''Throughout the centuries that I have lived, I have been rescuing interesting books that could have been forgotten or worse, burned by people who did not care what they said in them. All these books I have accumulated in a subway chamber, a family heirloom. I'm sure some of them will be useful for your project. I remember that there were several books about King Deshret's architecture. I even remember one that talked about the architecture of Khaen'riah''
''FROM KHAEN'RIAH, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?'' A huge sincere smile appeared on Kaveh's face, jumping up to Alhaitham's level ''And you say showing me that is a thank you?'' Alhaitham nodded ''You could just show it to me and that's it, and not as a thank you, haha''
''It's a very important family legacy to me. I don't want strangers coming in'' replied the vampire seriously, Kaveh losing his smile ''Oh, I understand. Sorry if I offended you.''
Alhaitham looked at the blond, sighing with resignation at the architect's dejected gesture ''That's why I'm showing you, asshole. It's a way of showing you how grateful I am. And also... just as you trusted me to drink your blood, I trust you to enter a family legacy of great personal value to me.''
Kaveh nodded weakly, trying to hide his face from the vampire's gaze ''Oh, no 'thank you, Alhaitham' or a cheesy thank you speech.''
''Do you want that?'' snorted Kaveh, a small smile could be glimpsed in what little of the vampire's face the vampire caught.
Alhaitham replied with an amused snort, and the two continued on their way.
They came to a vast patch of sand, where nothing was visible in the surrounding area. If it weren't for Alhaitham being nearby, Kaveh would be frightened because this part of the desert looked like it was going to be his grave.
Alhaitham's hands rose, and his beautiful teal eyes turned reddish, strange runes appearing in front of him, as Alhaitham began to recite in a surely ancient language.
''His native language?'' thought Kaveh.
When he finished, a small tremor was born from beneath Kaveh, and a small stone door appeared behind the sand. Alhaitham, with a gesture, urged Kaveh to follow him, and so the architect did.
It was completely dark, Kaveh stumbling and if it were not for Alhaitham, he would have fallen down the seemingly endless stairs. ''Hold on to me, I'll soon turn on the lights'' said Alhaitham, who grabbed Kaveh, his hand resting on his waist.
Kaveh let himself be guided by the vampire, his heart pumping rapidly, his red face surely serving as light as a firefly's ass. How long would poor light of Kshahrewar suffer this humiliation?
The stairs finally ended and Alhaitham guided Kaveh a little to his left ''Stay here, I'll be right back''
Although the vampire's skin was cold, when he turned away from Kaveh, he actually felt an unpleasant chill.
The room lit up shortly after Alhaitham left Kaveh alone, revealing what the vampire promised.
A library. A dense one. Very dense.
''Wow, it's huge... Almost... almost as big as Daena's house.''
''Almost?'' asked Alhaitham, amazed.
''Daena's house is the national library of Sumeru but, damn, that place is almost as big as maybe a temple of the Scarlet King while yours is very small. And yet... look at this amount of books... unbelievable'' Kaveh looked around. Books piled in a forced pile. Books on the floor, some with pages torn out.... ''You could keep this a little tidier and cleaner, though.''
''Nah, I think I'll pass'' smiled Alhaitham, heading for a shelf while Kaveh continued to admire the amount of books he had.
He was looking for two books in particular, getting dizzy when he looked up to find the one on the shelf. He massaged his forehead, hissing from the pain ''Are you all right?'' Kaveh's voice sounded from behind him.
Alhaitham nodded, eyes tightly closed, searching blindly for the book he was trying to find. When he felt it touch him, he opened his eyes, making sure it was the one. After taking it off the shelf, he searched the floor, trying to pick up one that was open, with crumpled pages, but Kaveh took it first, trying to help Alhaitham up as his face had turned pale again ''Are you sure you're okay?''
''It was the sun, it made me dizzy. It's not fatal for us, or at least for me, but it's true that it weakens me a lot. I'll be fine soon, now that I'm sheltered'' Kaveh nodded, not very confident ''Here. This book speaks of the architecture of Khaen'riah and this one of one of the thousands of forms of construction that King Al-Ahmar made. Study them both at the same time, and you will see what similarities Khaen'riah had with the reign of the desert.''
"Are you giving them to me?''
''If you want I can lend them to you if it means I can see you again, but only if you want me to.''
''Ugh, what's up with that? Believe me you don't want to get to know me thoroughly, you'd soon find yourself disappointed at what a failure of a person I am!'' Kaveh snorted, taking the books and turning his back on the vampire, embarrassed.
The vampire was stunned at what he had just said ''You... You told me in your camp that you are the Light of Kshahrewar''
''That is what they call me, yes. But whether I consider myself worthy of that title is another matter.''
''You have told me of your constructions. They seem... I don't know, worthy of a genius''
''Have you even seen them to confirm them?'' laughed Kaveh sourly.
''No, but-''
''Then don't try to cheer me up. Ugh... look, thanks for all this, really, but you said it yourself. It's a thank you for saving your life. That's all there is to it. I saved your life and you saved mine by giving me these two books that will save my project. You don't need to try to fool yourself into believing that you are interested in me when I am just another unimportant and uncharismatic mortal for you to waste your time with''.
And with that said, Kaveh left, Alhaitham following him immediately as he did not want him to get lost.
When they both arrived at the camp, Alhaitham hissed dizzily, lying down abruptly on the bed, feeling Kaveh's gaze behind him ''You are still weak'' he said.
Alhaitham nodded weakly, feeling Kaveh sit down next to him, hearing him open his shirt ''It's not necessary-''
''You have given me two books. I still owe you one.''
''And the fact that you saved my life when I was unconscious?''
''Nah, that doesn't count.''
They both laughed, but the atmosphere was not as pleasant and humorous as it had been the day before. Alhaitham finally stood up, this time biting directly, no caresses or soothing words in between. His bite was soft and slower than the previous one, intended to hurt less, but Kaveh couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Although the first bite hurt, it also made him feel a warmth he had never felt before, his skin bristled like never before and his heart beat so fast that he felt like it was going to burst out of his chest.
This time... he felt nothing. He felt the vampire feeding on his blood, but nothing else. Neither that gratifying pain, nor that pleasurable sensation... his member didn't even rise up.
It felt... numb.
When Alhaitham licked his neck to close his wound, his body didn't even react to that touch, Kaveh turning his face awkwardly to smile at the vampire ''Are you feeling better?''
Alhaitham had better skin color, and his eyes didn't look unfocused, but he looked quite detached from reality. Sad, if such an adjective could be mentioned.
The vampire nodded slowly, Kaveh giving him a friendly pat on the back, urging him to rest.
Kaveh was quick to turn his back on the vampire to go to sleep, closing his eyes tightly as he felt Alhaitham leave his side.
''Good night, Kaveh'' sounded the vampire's numb voice, barely a distance from him.
Kaveh clenched his hands in the blanket, trying to silence the sobbing in his throat ''... Night, Haitham''.
The next day, the vampire was not in camp. Kaveh prepared breakfast calmly, just in case the vampire returned, but he was nowhere to be seen.
He sadly asked his loyal briefcase if she thought he would return and even Mehrak was sincere and logical, Kaveh nodding sadly to his machine, finishing breakfast and packing up camp, his two books tucked neatly in his backpack, ready to return to the Academy.
The feeling of satisfaction and relief Kaveh should feel at returning so soon to the citadel of Sumeru when he expected to be months in the desert and not a week and a half did not appear, his sadness at such a sour farewell with the vampire still inside him.
He hated how his mind punished him for how he spoke to the vampire, for not backing down, for not enjoying that last bite, when deep down he knew he was being honest with the vampire. When Alhaitham knew what he was really like, he would immediately lose interest in him. And what the blond felt for the vampire was so unique and intense in such a short time that he wasn't willing to risk his contempt and rejection.
It was better this way... Everything was better this way...
When he arrived at the Academy, requesting audience with the Grand Sage, even Azar's secretary was surprised to see him so soon.
To Kaveh's surprise, Azar did not take long to attend to him, the architect thinking that the Grand Sage would take much longer to have time for him ''Oh, light of Kshahrewar, come in, come in''.
Kaveh smiled at the man, surprised at how he spoke to him. Rarely did Azar speak that way to any academician, no matter if that academician was a star like Kaveh was.
''I hear you have returned from your expedition to the desert. To study the architecture of the Tyrant King.''
"That's right, Grand Sage.''
''But I expected you to take longer to arrive. You are the first person born in the citadel interested in studying that kind of architecture. We didn't expect you... so soon.''
''I think the same, sir, but between what I managed to find out plus two books I found, I think I already have everything I need to study your architecture at the Academy.''
''Mmm... Two books?'' Azar approached him while Kaveh took out the two books Alhaitham gave them ''Oh... they look like they are... very old''
''They probably are, sir. I found them in a subway passage that appeared in the desert. Eremite magic for sure. I stayed there, studying as many books as possible. About how Al-Ahmar's subjects lived, what they built, what they ate, their farming and herding... but suddenly that little library started to collapse, I got really scared and I could only rescue those two books, since I had already put them in my bag as soon as I saw their contents''
''Hhmmm...'' muttered Azar, with a mocking tone that Kaveh chose to ignore.
''At the same time, I was able to enter one of the oldest and largest temples in the desert'' he took out of his bag also a plan ''I've made some sketches about my theory of how they made those constructions. They look very difficult, but it's really quite easy. They used mathematics to calculate the plans to perfection-''
''HAHAHAHA, mathematics, those ignorant savages!'' laughed Azar, Kaveh sighing wearily, as he forgot the intrinsic hatred the elders of the Academy had for the people of the desert ''Everything you tell me is very interesting, light of Kshahrewar, but aren't you forgetting a very important detail?''
''Uh?''
''That vampire you met. Don't tell me you've already forgotten about him?''
Kaveh paled at that question, hiding his blueprint and books back in his bag ''I...I don't know what you're talking about.''
''What a bad liar you are, brat.''
''W-well okay, I met a vampire, he was wounded but he recovered right away and left. You can tell he wasn't interested in human blood hahaha''
''And do you know why he was injured?''
''Because he was attacked by some...'' At the same time Kaveh spoke, the door opened, Sznehnaya's elite soldiers entering the Sage's room ''F...fatuis...''
Azar nodded ''And do you know why the Fatui attacked him?'' Kaveh did not react or answer ''Because he was the grandson of the Scarlet King himself. Kaveh... Kaveh... You have been in the presence of the grandson of that tyrant monarch, cursed with vampirism to boot, and you have done nothing?''
''I didn't know who he was! He didn't tell me anything about it! Besides, what if he's the grandson of that king? Alh- That vampire is no danger to anyone!''
Azar's crabby grin made Kaveh recoil, realizing he had no escape ''Oh my, so that vampire has managed to conquer you. I guess the rumors that when a vampire bites a human, if not transforms them into another vampire, it manages to manipulate his mind.''
''He hasn't manipulated me into anything'' snorted the blond, turning to the Fatui ''Why are the Fatui here, Azar?''
Azar ignored him, turning around, one of his hands raised, snapping his fingers ''Azar, answer- AGH! Azar, what are you trying to do?'' Kaveh shouted as the Fatui seized him, his bag falling to the ground.
''That vampire, his blood and knowledge would have served us well, but I guess it's not too late.'' Azar seemed to speak more to himself than to Kaveh or the Fatui. ''Put the prisoner in the cells and prepare the pyre for tomorrow.''
''P...pyre? What pyre? Azar, you're going out of your mind, what are you trying to do?'' The Fatui were taking him out of the room, one of them grabbing his bag ''DON'T TOUCH THAT!'' but obviously the poor architect couldn't do anything.
Mehrak was also trapped, and the bag was handed to Azar, who was going through the books Alhaitham gave him ''LET THEM GO! THEY DON'T BELONG TO YOU!''
''I hope that stupid monster comes to reclaim his belonging.'' Azar muttered to himself, the Fatui finally taking Kaveh out of the room ''Have all the entrances to the citadel ready, in case that vampire falls into the trap!''
The architect was thrown roughly into the cells. He couldn't help but worry when he saw that there were hardly any matras when he was taken to the prisons. Not even Tighnari's friend, General Mahamantra, was there. Had Azar killed all the matra who frowned upon the inclusion of the Fatui in the Academy?
He did not know anything about Mehrak either. Had those bastards destroyed it?
The first tears fell as he felt that loneliness and uncertainty, Azar's last words echoing in his mind. Alhaitham trusted him to protect his family legacy, and now he was in the hands of someone who wanted him dead, who would use that legacy to lure him to his death.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, damn... I always... I always have to fuck everything up, damn it'' he whispered through tears all night long.
He spend a whole day in that cell. No food, no access to a proper toilet, the only accessible mattress was full of bedbugs. Finally, when the moon appeared in the sky again, the door was opened again by Fatui, who took him away again in a bad way.
He was being led to the platform just above the Teyvat scouting office. As he had expected, a pyre was ready. Hundreds of branches were piled up and in the center, a large pole with thick ropes that would be the last thing to burn.
Kaveh's legs trembled with the dread of the death that was coming. For the Archon, were they really going to burn him alive?
The square was full of people, all looking terrified, being firmly guarded by few matra but many Fatui.
As they put Kaveh to the center of the pyre, some shouts from the citizens of Sumeru began to be heard, asking, no, demanding the release of their light from Kshahrewar, the Fatui beating every person who did not want to see Kaveh burn on the pyre.
''Do you feel sorry for this man? Do you think he doesn't deserve it?'' Azar began to speak as the Fatui tied him to the post ''Let me tell you who this person is. This 'proclaimed' light of Kshahrewar is nothing but an impostor. All his achievements, all his merits as an architect are not born of his efforts'' Kaveh felt his blood boil at this pack of lies ''This wretch has known a vampire since we shall never know when. A vampire with a bloodstained legacy. And that is how he has built everything for which we have bestowed him that title. Port Ormos, the palace of Alcarzarzaray... are nothing more than constructions made with the knowledge of a bloodthirsty and immortal beast...''
THAT'S A LIE! ALL MY ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY ME! BY MYSELF!! I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ALHA-THAT VAMPIRE WHEN I STARTED THE PLANS FOR ALL MY WORKS!!!''' Azar approached him, with that disgusting smile ''Don't you dare attribute my merits to other people, you fucking bastard'' hissed Kaveh angrily, Azar laughing and turning his back on him.
''Sumeru must go through certain changes. And in those changes, people like 'the light of Kshahrewar' cannot enter them. They must be uprooted, like bad plants. We all know his views on prioritizing art over anything else. Before logic! And now we know that he has saved the life of a beast. A beast whose legacy belongs to that Scarlet King!'' Azar turned to Kaveh, the blond unwilling to show weakness or fear in the face of that corrupt leader ''How can we trust someone like him...''
Azar looked at a gold and brown-suited Fatui, he nodded and raised his weapon at the pyre. When he fired, the pyre burned immediately, the pain coursing through his body immediately, his feet inertia trying to move away from the flames, the bindings on his thighs and ankles preventing any kind of movement.
As he felt the fire scorching his clothes and licking his skin, soon his lungs filled with smoke, trying to get it out of his body through violent coughs that left him breathless, his eyes watering from the flames and smoke, slowly feeling as he lost consciousness.
Azar took out of a bag the two books that Alhaitham gave to the blond ''We'll see how much you value that rotten legacy you have, beast'' mumbled the Sage, throwing the books to the pyre, close to Kaveh.
Despite the smoke that seared Kaveh's eyes and blinded him, the architect reached for the books, trying to kick them to save them from the flames, his arms and ankles suffering as the blond pressed his skin hard against the ropes.
But the smoke was entering his lungs, making him flinch from the loss of oxygen.
Because of his coughing and his eyes watering from the smoke, it was hard for him to detect the din that suddenly formed. He saw in a blur as the Fatui became nervous, trying to draw their weapons but being defeated-no, killed outright.
The last thing he saw was a flash of green and black and Azar's terrified face.
And the last thing he heard was that voice he thought he would never hear again, screaming his name in desperation.