Breaking His Concentration (Alhaitham x Kaveh)

Chapter 20: The Moon

Alhaitham' s POV

My head was exhausted and my mind was foggy. I felt like I hadn't gotten any sleep the last night. I spent the entire night staring out the window into the night, trying to process that the only living family member I had was dead. And Kaveh didn't leave my side all night. He just held my arm, looking into the moonlight as neither of us said a word. He didn't move at all, not even when my body slumped against his from exhaustion. My eyes were red from the tears and I was convinced my hands were permanently stuck shaking because of how much I shook that night. I woke up the next morning and yet again he was sleeping on me. But I was determined not to wake him. He had done too much for me, he deserved his sleep. I gently pushed him on my bed, trying not to wake him up as I scrambled to my dresser to get changed. Through the corner of my eye I saw something glimmering on my shelf as I tied my pants, a bo ttle full of clear liquid, but liquid I knew would help me get through the day.

"Fuck."

I whispered under my breath. I didn't want to be the one to drink when things got bad but it just looked so damn appealing. Only for a bit, I told myself. I wouldn't drink so much that I was drunk. But when I pulled the bottle off the shelf and downed about a shot of alcohol I knew I was going to need more than that. Maybe four shots later I finally thought I had enough. And then two more shots later I was finally forcing myself to put the bottle down because I had to go to work. Just as I was about to leave, I glanced through the door again to see Kaveh sleeping. This caused a smile on my lips, knowing he was always going to be there for me. And then I left.

The walk to work went very fast, but I couldn't tell if it was because I was drunk or it was a nice day. My mind was fuzzy and spinning as I walked up the staircase to the Akademiya but I needed to get through today. It was the last day I was the Acting Grand Sage, finally. I murmured hello to a few people and rode the s
elevator up to my office, trying to avoid everyone's looks and conversations. I was in no mood to talk to anyone. I sighed as I sat down for the last time at my desk and worked on the last few pieces of paperwork left. My grey hair fell into my eyes, I hadn't bothered brushing it since I chose to drink instead. Each time I looked down at the documents the words seemed to blur together, looking like one document. No matter how I squinted my eyes I still couldn't understand what I was reading. My head hurt and I was drunk. Not the best way to start out a Monday morning.

"So it's your last day?"

Someone's voice interrupted my silence. I jolted and looked up to see Cyno sitting on the edge of my desk, twirling his pole arm. I hadn't even heard him coming upstairs. I got way too loose when I was drunk, I really needed to pay attention to my surroundings more. He was the last person I wanted to know I was drunk, he could even arrest me.

"Can't wait to leave. Already have the paperwork signed."

"Shame. You really did make a good Acting Grand Sage. You're smarter than most of the scholars here."

"High praise from the general Mahamattra. Whatever did I do to earn it?"

"You know, I heard something interesting from Tighnari. He said that Kaveh came to visit him yesterday."

"Oh? And what exactly did Tighnari tell you?"

"The strangest thing. He was worried about what had happened to your sister. You know, I hadn't heard about your sister in a very long time. Not since I heard the Sages took her away."

I narrowed my eyes at him. What was he getting at? I was interested. He didn't seem like he was here for a social call. Usually we were friends outside of work, but when we were at work he didn't seem like the same Cyno in the slightest. He was very professional in the work setting, no mistakes.