ꜱᴛᴀʀᴛ ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ ➳ Kavetham [SMUT INCLUDED]

4 ➳ Playing The Role

It was dark and quiet. Alhaitham adjusted his crown, waiting for his turn.

"Once upon a time," the narrator began, "there was a beautiful princess who loved flowers. She lived in a castle that was surrounded by a labyrinth of hedges. For years, she planted every rose and tree in it until one day, she was no longer able to see the way out of her garden. Every day she would look out her balcony, trying to find an escape..."

Cardboard cutouts of trees and flowers were pulled up on the stage, next to a castle backdrop. Kaveh climbed up the steps, standing in the make-shift balcony. The stage lights were centered on him, they were almost blinding.

"She would navigate the labyrinth of her own creation only to be pierced with the thorns of the very roses she planted..."

Kaveh slightly lifted his dress up. He walked through the hedge cut outs.

"But every night, she would return to her castle, lost. The princess was no longer fond of her garden because its vines were wrapping too tightly around her neck the more they grew and spread..."

A few strings of vines were lowered onto the stage and the lights went a dark shade of red.

"Unable to stand it anymore, she decided to burn it all down..."

Kaveh glanced around from the corners of his eyes, attempting to figure out his next move. He caught a glimpse of the director at the side by the curtains, who was waving at him. He was holding a large piece of paper in his hands that said 'speak'.

Kaveh cleared his throat and faced the audience. "Oh, my beloved garden...you were once my breath of fresh air, the sight of heaven. But we can no longer exist together. Tonight, it's either you or me..." He said.

Then, fire cut outs were brought out and the lights brightened.

The narrator continued, "with one last look around, she decided to turn her own creation into her demise. But alas, the raging fire of her heart was seen blazing from afar. A humble prince who was passing by noticed the flames and ran to her rescue."

The lights pointed at the side of the stage, suggesting for Alhaitham to step in. He walked between the hedges and stood in front of the balcony. "Uh...I have come to save you, my princess," he said, holding his hand out.

Kaveh tried his best not to roll his eyes, but he couldn't hide the disgusted expression on his face. He slipped his hand into Alhaitham's and climbed down the balcony stairs. Not being used to his dress, he tripped on it and lost his balance for a split second.

"Watch your step, you moron," Alhaitham said.

The audience burst out laughing and a few people shouted a 'boo'.

"I mean– careful, my darling~" Alhaitham quickly said after seeing the director glared at him.

The narrator picked up..."The prince who lived atop a snowy mountain had watched her garden grow. Before he knew it, he'd fallen in love with the creator of the beautiful sight he woke up to every morning. Seeing it burn down, he'd sworn to save it."

When the narrator stopped talking, he glanced to the side, noticing another sign that the director was holding. 'Improvise'.

"Step back, my prince," Kaveh said, "or else you'll get burned."

"I don't wish to see this beauty turn to ashes," Alhaitham said.

Kaveh's dress swung around as he turned to look away at the fire. "To you, it's a beautiful garden," he said, "but to me, it's the prison I have made for myself. If you have the slightest of love for me, you will save yourself and leave..." He took his place on the balcony again.

"My love for you is bigger than my fear," Alhaitham said. He had no idea where the story was going but he just looked into Kaveh's eyes and focused on staying in character. "So if your wish is to go down with this garden, then I will burn with you. No matter what hell you realize you've put yourself into, let me be your haven..." He offered a hand again.

Everyone was in complete silence, desperate to know the ending of the two lovers. Kaveh took Alhaitham's hand once more and descended the stairs. The director pointed to the front of the stage, so they began walking there as more fire was revealed behind them.

Still hand in hand, they approached the front of the stage. Alhaitham had unknowingly stepped on Kaveh's dress, causing him to tumble off balance again, almost falling off the stage. Alhaitham was quick to grab his waist and pull him away from the edge.

The narrator jolted in an instant, taking the opportunity. "As what once was a dream burned down to ashes. The two lovers held each other through the flames and they shared a kiss..."

They stared at each other in horror. Kaveh was still holding onto Alhaitham's shoulder so he doesn't fall.

"I said...they shared a kiss," the narrator repeated.

Alhaitham's heart pumped harder in his chest. How were they supposed to get out of this situation now? Before he could pull away, Kaveh was holding his face in place. Alhaitham held his breath. He wanted to step back but wanted to stay. He froze, watching Kaveh slowly lean in. He delicately wrapped his lips around Alhaitham's, curling a hand around his collar.

They gazed into one another's eyes in confusion. The audience let out a piercing cheer that startled them, making them flinch into each other's arms. Kaveh looked at him with wide eyes, not letting go. Alhaitham hesitantly raised his hand to Kaveh's face. He brought him closer until their lips met again. Lights were out, curtains went down. Kaveh was thankful because the darkness hid his blush and gave him time to collect himself.

Once their eyes adjusted to the dark, they carefully pulled away without a word. Kaveh left the stage first and Alhaitham followed him.

"Wonderful," the director said, clapping. "I knew you could do it."

Kaveh mumbled a thank you. It was starting to get a little too suffocating in the dress.

The director placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you don't look too good. Why don't you change and I'll grab your compensation?" He said.

He nodded and noticed Alhaitham standing a few meters away. He was clearly avoiding eye contact. Kaveh held on to the wall, feeling like he could fall down at any second. He took a deep breath in and approached him. "About what happened–" he began but Alhaitham cut him off.

"I was just playing the role..." Alhaitham said, looking away.

"Oh..."