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Kaveh gently caresses his flat belly, a possibility of him bearing a child again since he's already a month or so late with his period. He actually doesn't know how he should feel about it.
For years, he and his alpha tried for a baby. But Kaveh was close to not being able to conceive a child. One time they did manage to have a baby, but they were born as a stillborn.
Since then, the couple had given up on having little ones in the house because Kaveh's harsh pregnancy and labor left a scar in their heart, until they adopted their now 2 years old daughter.
And she is the light of he and his mate, but now they might have another little one coming. He really doesn't know how to feel about it.
-
His mate, Alhaitham is a junior from the akademiya. The young alpha was a Harvatat scholar, and he was a Kshahrewar scholar. They were friends for the long run. Kaveh being the loud one between them and Alhaitham being the quiet one. But the two were inseparable.
Until they had a fallout.
The argument overheated, and Kaveh walked out on the alpha from their then shared house.
They met again after two years. Kaveh was broke and homeless because he built the majestic Palace of Alcazarzaray, and was scammed by the very owner of the palace. Alhaitham took pity on his senior so he took the poor omega in.
He apologizes to the omega for the past, saying he was at the wrong for being inconsiderate towards his senior. He would rent a room in his house for Kaveh with a small amount of mora and Kaveh would be allowed to pay the rent later if he's low on money. Upon arrival, he noticed that the place Alhaitham's living was the same house that the two of them were given by the akademiya years ago for their excellent reports. Kaveh was moved by the younger man's action, his room was kept dusted and cleaned, and his bed mattress' still the same.
He happily hugs the young alpha, muttering a grateful thank you before preparing to move every single thing he owns in the bedroom.
Thanks to Alhaitham, he's able to have a roof above his head. The two of them still bicker a lot as always. Alhaitham will give a snarky retort at Kaveh, the latter will come out with comebacks that are unusable against the Harvatat scholar.
And as the days, weeks and months go by, Kaveh was leaving with his mechanical friend Mehrak to meet a client in the desert. He requested Alhaitham to temporarily scent and mark him as a protection against Eremites who pleasure themselves through any omegas they encountered. Whether they are desert, or forest children.
Alhitham stared at him for a few seconds before gesturing to the older to sit beside him. Kaveh did as he was told, he was then pulled into a hug by a pair of strong arms. The current Scribe brushes his nose against Kaveh's nape, taking in the smell of mourning flowers found in the desert.
A particular smell, but Alhaitham doesn't dislike it.
He licks on a small patch of skin slowly and gently, and then sinks his teeth right beside Kaveh's scent gland. The omega shivers and gasps at the sudden sensation. The bite wasn't deep per se, but the strong smell of spicy Harra fruit, which was another unusual scent, was enough to last for a few days.
After Kaveh had set off to the desert, the rebellion against the sages started. With a foreign traveler and fews of Sumeru's notable citizens. The dendro archon was freed from the ex grand sage's grasp. By the time Kaveh returned a lot had changed in the city.
Kaveh was confused, super confused and what the heck happened when he was away. The Akasha terminal he once knew was down, Alhaitham was suddenly the acting grand sage, and he was informed that Sumeru almost faced a national dread for a change of archon's power?
Nevertheless, what's done is done. He slowly lets the latest news settle in his head, as long as whatever happens in the city doesn't hurt his friends and family or his work, he just accepts the change that occurred during his absence. He's still salty that he wasn't part of the rebellion though, wouldn't it be cool to be called as one of Sumeru's heroes.
Kaveh was delighted that he even gets to meet the famous traveler who was said to be the core savior of Sumeru when Alhaitham brought them home, (the alpha only told him the traveler's greatness when said person and pet left) though the flying thing beside them is a little annoying.
After the traveler left Sumeru for a while, things started blooming between Kaveh and Alhaitham. Both of them confirmed their relationship with one another one night after Kaveh got drunk in the tavern.
The poor feeble scholar piggybacked his intoxicated roommate back home, he paid for the drinks though.
"...mmh…Haitham…"
"What?"
"....Hehe….Haitham…."
"...I said what."
"I like you."
Alhaitham stopped his track for a few seconds, before continuing.
" Do you not like meeeeeee?"
"You're drunk Kaveh."
"I'm drunk! But I'm drunk with wine and your scent!!!"
"Settle down Kaveh, it's not my fault if you fall."
"Will you… go ouuuuut…with meeeeeee…..!" Kaveh leans back on Alhaitham's shoulder, nuzzling the alpha's neck. "Pwetty pweaseee."
Upon reaching their house. Alhaitham threw the omega on the couch. He crawled on top of him, he looked calm, but his eyes were starting to fog with lust. "You're treading dangerous water here, Kaveh."
"Hehe… no worries." The omega wraps his arms around the alpha. He pulled the former down on him and whispered in his ear "I'm not going to remember anyways…" His knees are rubbing a certain bulge on the other's pants.
By the time Kaveh opened his eyes, he noticed he had quite a bad headache, and then when he tried to sit up he hissed at the pain on his lower back, then he noticed he's wearing nothing but a coat of a certain acting grand sage. The architect's eyes widened as the gears in his brain started spinning for an answer and by the time he remembered everything that happened, the door opened.
Alhaitham walks in with a mug in his hand. He did not say a word as he handed it to Kaveh, and then placed the emptied mug on the side table when he finished the warm water inside. Kaveh swallowed his saliva, the young alpha seemed furious in his eyes. He opens his mouth to apologize, but Alhaitham beats him to it.
"No need for apologies. I'm the one that should be apologizing for taking advantage of you when you are drunk." He said calmly. He sat down on the bed and gathered the smaller man in his arms. "But I am not apologetic for one thing."
Kaveh felt his heart racing through many paces. Face flushed in deep red when Alhaitham held him tightly in his arms. The scribe caresses his cheek, making him look at the pair of turquoise eyes. "That is, falling in love with you since our younger days."
He held Kaveh's hand in his leaning to kiss his knuckles tenderly. "Please go out with me, Kaveh. I promise to make you the happiest omega alive."
-
That's how the two of them became a dating couple. They are still the same, bickering and fighting over every small aspect in their life. The only difference is now the harmless bickering is nothing more than a lovers' quarrel. It was enjoyable from the others' perspective. They have shared the same bed since then, slept with each other and sometimes they are seen walking aimlessly in the grand bazaar hand in hand. A rare case occurs when those two start calling each other affectionate pet names like, habibi(my love according to translate) or azizam(darling according to fellow commenter) in public.
Alhaitham was able to successfully resign from the acting grand sage seat to be back into a normal scribe. The day his resignation papers were approved, he took Kaveh out for a fancy meal. Kaveh doesn't understand what's going through his lover's head since the majority of the academiya wanted the sage position except for a few people, but if Alhaitham's happy, he's happy. Besides, who is he to reject free alcohol?
A year and a half into their stable relationship, they decided to mate with each other. Becoming an official family together on paper, becoming husband and wife. They spend their rut and heat with each other, tying the knot. And after the mating session, Kaveh was joyful to actually plan on starting a family with his mate after he's done with the project he had in hand. He was giddy with joy at the thought of that, his hand sometimes wanders on his lower abdomen when he is alone.
Nonetheless, something was wrong with him.
Kaveh is having trouble conceiving. He noticed that no matter how many times he and Alhaitham did it on purpose, especially during his heat where ovulation is at its peak, he was never pregnant. Once or twice was nothing, but to go a full year without conceiving even after spending their heat together, he started to dread that he is infertile.
In secret, Kaveh went to Bimarstan alone. He met with Zakariya, the doctor. And after doing a few runs of tests, Zakariya gave a final verdict. He told Kaveh that his womb was too weak to hold a child. He is not infertile, but the chances of him getting pregnant is really low and if he's actually pregnant, the risk of miscarry during pregnancy is extremely high. He suggests informing his alpha about this matter because he has the right to know. The doctor also suggests not trying for a baby if they are not prepared to face the worst.
When night fell, Alhaitham came home on time as usual. He places the keys on a key hook by the door, and walks straight to the kitchen where he's sure he will find his mate cooking dinner. Sure enough, Kaveh has his back towards him, pan searing some pre-made roti and stirring the fowl meal green curry. The smell of the food is supposed to be delicious and mouth-watering, but instead Alhaitham was more affected that Kaveh was giving off a distress pheromone unknowingly
Making sure Kaveh has his hands away from the stove, he snakes his arms around his omega. The architect yelped in surprise. Turning around to see Alhaitham with his nose buried in his nape, the tip slightly touching their mating bite mark.
"Azizam! You're back!" Kaveh smiled softly at the gentle hug and tender touch from his alpha. Alhaitham nodded, kissing the mark on his mate.
"Roti?" Alhaitham asked. "Smells good, Habibi."
Kaveh booped his nose. "Of course! I'm the one who made it!" He takes the last roti off the pan and onto the plate, Alhaitham helps him by pouring the curry in a big bowl so they can share together. "Yeah right, if I remember correctly we bought it from a vendor. The curry's bought the day prior."
"Hey! I put some effort into the fowl meat!" Kaveh smacks Alhaitham lightly on the chest.
Alhaitham was unfazed by the smacking, he scoffs at the childish act as he sits Kaveh, who is still running his mouth, down by the table so he can set the table as usual. Kaveh was stressing about something, and he's sure about it. Eating roti is simple, you tear pieces off, dip it in the curry and eat it. But Kaveh's mind wandered off elsewhere, his hand mechanically kept tearing his food into smaller and smaller sizes. More like shredding it into pieces.
Noticing it, Alhaitham wipes his hands clean with the napkins they had on the table, then he places his hand on top of Kaveh. "Something on your mind?"
Kaveh snaps out of his daze, realizing the mess he made on his plate and his lovers' hand on his. He opens his mouth to say something but he closes again. His mind is spinning, he doesn't know what to say. The omega's silence and frowned face is enough for Alhaitham to take action.
He goes over to Kaveh's side and picks the older man up, placing him on his lap. He takes the napkin to wipe their oily fingers, when he's doing so he lets out a comforting pheromone for his mate.
"Talk to me, Kaveh." He whispered in Kaveh's ears. "I won't know what happened if you keep quiet."
Kaveh's slimmer body soon relaxes at the comfort of his alpha. He leans in the touch Alhaitham's giving. The younger slowly feeds Kaveh and himself their dinner, as he patiently waits for the older to talk. After a few bites of food, Kaveh starts talking.
"...You…remember the many times we did it… during our heat…?"
Alhaitham hums in reply.
"And I…ended up…you know… Not pregnant?"
"...Kaveh-"
The omega shoves a handful of food in Alhaitham's mouth to shut him up. "...I went to talk to Dr Zakariya at Bimarestan… He said my…womb was too weak. I…am not infertile but… the chances of having a baby is…really low. And even if I did end up pregnant, I would…have a really high chance of miscarry…" Kaveh stares down at his and Alhaitham's intertwined fingers.
They were silent for a while. Alhaitham's heart sank at the news. He and Kaveh had been trying to have a little one of their own for some time, hearing that having one for them is close to impossible and dangerous for his mate; he couldn't help but feel sad.
"...Let's finish eating first, shall we?" He said, hovering the food mid air for Kaveh to take it in his mouth.
He quickly finishes feeding the two of them, and then they both finish cleaning the dishes together. After that he kisses Kaveh on the cheek, pushing him to the couch so he can brew them some calming tea. While he was doing that, Kaveh nervously tapped his heel on the floor. He was scared of the alpha's reaction.
Will he disown him? Will he abandon him after knowing he's a useless omega? Will he find someone else that can provide him for what he wants?
A stream of negative thoughts took over the architect's mind. He did not realize that his distress pheromones were taking over the living room, nor did he notice that Alhaitham's already by his side placing their drinks on the coffee table. The alpha sighed softly at the sight, unlike Kaveh he is immensely observant. He can already guess his mate is fantasizing about all those negative thoughts of him abandoning his beloved for another omega.
He spoons his omega in for cuddling, wrapping the smaller man in his embrace. "I can hear you overthink." He runs his thumb on Kaveh's back to soothe his nerves.
"Haitham… I-" Kaveh was cut off by a pair of lips pressing against his. He slowly melts into the kiss when his husband licks his lips for entrance in which Kaveh compiles immediately.
Their make out session is filled with nothing but love and passion for each other. Pushing and pulling as if fighting for dominance with their tongue. Alhaitham has his hands on Kaveh's waist and the back of his head caressing every bit of the exposed skin until his finger trails up to Kaveh's bare nape.
"Ah…!" Kaveh has his arms wrapped around Alhaitham's neck.
"Remember Kaveh, you're mine…" He deepens the kiss. "And I am yours… No one will take me away from you. I'm yours forever…"
"Y-you…mean it?" Kaveh pulls away from him. Eyes glistened as tears started falling from his eyes. "Even i-if… If I'm… a defect?"
Alhaitham holds Kaveh's cheeks in his hand, resting his forehead on Kaveh's. "You're not a defect, you're Kaveh. The light of Kshahrewar, the renowned Sumeru architect, the light of my life. Even if you're infertile, I would never abandon you." He whispered.
Kaveh cried himself to sleep. Alhaitham's statement gave him the closure he needed. He was feeling insecure throughout the day, and when told the alpha, he was so stressed that Alhaitham would not want to be with him anymore.
The alpha gently picks up his sleeping wife, carrying him bridal style in his arms. He places the older man on their shared bed, changing him into his usual nightgown, giving him a kiss on the forehead before laying down beside him and hugging him tightly.
"Sweet dreams, my love."
-
After that confession, Alhaitham accompanied Kaveh to Bimarstan. They met with Zakariya, the doctor did further testing and examinations, and he prescribed a simple medication that can strengthen his womb. He also instructed Kaveh to take care of his body, which the omega never actually properly did in the past.
He listed out dos and don'ts for Alhaitham, telling the alpha to make sure Kaveh has to take the herbal drinks he prescribed three times a day, and has a more healthy lifestyle if they want little ones.
That means, no more all nighters, no more stress, less junk food, less spicy food, he recommends mild to no spice; and more balance of greens and meat in his diet. On top of it, the most important thing, no more wine.
Kaveh stoned at the fact that he has to keep his hands off wine. One of the very core of his inspirations. His side chick he goes to whenever he has lost a fight against Alhaitham. When they left Bimarstan, Alhaitham leaned beside Kaveh to whisper in his ear with a full smirk on his face, "No worries. I will occasionally describe for you how delectable the wine tastes."
Kaveh snaps. Throwing punches at Alhaitham while the other was yet again, unfazed by the soft hits. "I fucking loathe you!"
"Oh yeah?" He held a smug smile on his face. "Too bad, I love you to death."
The days pass by peacefully once again. The couple takes the baby thing slowly, starting off by actually taking care of Kaveh's health. One or two cheat days are fine, according to Zakariya. So Alhaitham will only allow Kaveh to touch wine only during special occasions like birthdays and their friends, Tighnari and Cyno first child's birth celebration(A/N: implied aqiqah celebration) in Avidya forest.
The party went wild, when Kaveh carries Tighnari's newborn in his arms he feels his motherly side starts to emerge while the child sleeps in his arms. Alhaitham was chatting with Cyno when he witnessed the scene, his eyes soften as he stares at his wife tenderly holding the baby like it's his own.
Cyno pats the alpha's shoulder. "You'll have your kids someday."
Alhaitham nodded in reply.
Sure enough, the herbs paid off. Kaveh was not feeling well for some time, and his period was really late. He felt sleepier than before, and the food smelled different for him. The blond would brush it off as one of his health problems he faced, until one day when he's on an excavation in the desert with his Kshahrewar juniors he suddenly collapsed.
He was brought back to Aaru Village where the team's resting spot is. Candace instructed Kaveh's juniors to inform Alhaitham immediately while she takes care of Kaveh. Upon waiting, a village medic was called to his side. The old woman's eyes brightened, then she whispered something into Candace's ears with the latter gasping in surprise.
By the time Alhaitham reached his wife's side, the omega's already awake and sitting on the bed. Grinning side by side with Candace, his hand resting on his lower abdomen. Mehrak also has a happy face on her screen.
Kaveh looks up at his husband. A wide grin plastered on his face said it all. Alhaitham kneels down beside him, the corner of his lips slowly curves into a smile when Kaveh guides his hand to his belly.
Candace leaves the room, giving the two lovebirds some space.
The announcement of an additional member brings joy to everyone. They went to Bimarstan to further confirm Kaveh's pregnancy.
The long list of restrictions' got longer when Kaveh's pregnancy journey started. For the sake of him and the baby. Although, the months of pregnancy do not go well with Kaveh because of his weak body, he managed to survive through his three trimesters.
When he's giving birth, it was painful and exhausting. Alhaitham has to wait outside of the labor room, tapping his heels in a fast rhythm as the scream inside gets louder as time goes by. He gets more and more impatient, his friends are there to provide him some emotional support but it barely helps when Kaveh's screams get even louder.
Mehrak was also distress, she's flying up and down, left to right, side to side as if she's showing that she is as restless as Alhaitham.
Inside the room, Kaveh huffs out in exhaustion as he feels the lump inside him left his body. He leans back on the pillow, waiting to see his baby being brought to his side.
The nightmare started.
One of the nurses gasped, "He's not crying..!"
The others look in fear when they watch the doctor work. "Come on child, let your mommy hear you." Zakariya yelled. His hand slapped the baby's butts. "Cry so you can breathe, child."
Kaveh slowly watches in horror when Zakariya and his nurses try to resurrect his unmoving son. His eyes widened and the tears started streaming down his face again. Alhaitham was let in the room, he quickly went to Kaveh's side as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.
Kaveh frantically grabs his husband's hand. "T-There's something wrong w-with…"
Alhaitham hugs him close, rubbing circles on the omega's shoulder. They watch Zakariya's team works, after an hour or so Zakariya calls off the resurrection process. He wraps the small body into a bundle, then places the baby in Kaveh's arms.
"I'm sorry…. He didn't make it." Zakariya has his head down. Kaveh's eyes are wide in disbelief, Alhaitham closes his eyes to cool off the screaming heartbroken alpha inside him. Kaveh started crying and screaming.
"Baby! My baby!" He cradles the stilborn in his arms. Shaking the bundle, he pleads for his baby to wake up. "Please baby, it's mommy! You move so much in mommy's belly! You're a good boy right? You move so much when mommy sings to you. Will you wake up if mommy sings? Your favorite aranara nursery. Please wake up my baby…"
Alhaitham's silent. He moved one of his hands on the baby's silvery hair gently caressing it. A single tear drops from his eyes. He remembers very well of the times where their baby boy would kick whenever he rested his hand on Kaveh's belly.
He was such a lively little baby, it's so cruel that he couldn't see the world.
When it is time for Zakariya to take the bundle from them, Kaveh hugs the bundle closer to himself, moving away from the doctor and his mate. He's hissing at them.
Alhaitham tries to cooes Kaveh to let go but the omega starts screaming again. "Let go of me! Don't touch my baby! Don't take my baby away from me! He's just sleeping! He's tired from working so hard!" Kaveh curls up with the unmoving baby in his embrace, protecting it from the others.
They couldn't settle him down after many attempts of taking the stillborn from the omega, so Alhaitham had to resort to violence. He hits Kaveh on the back of his head, making sure it's enough to knock him out but not damaging anything inside. Then, he gently takes the bundle from his fainted mate's arms. He placed a soft kiss on the baby's forehead.
"Safe journey to the afterlife my boy. Mommy and daddy will always love you." He whispered before handing the bundle to Zakariya.
-
After their baby boy's death Kaveh is no longer the same, it is like a part of his soul went with his baby boy into the afterlife. He had sunk into deep depression, but he doesn't seem to have any will to ask for help. He can't function normally like he used to anymore.
The omega would spend his days, sitting in daze in their bedroom, staring at the crib they made for their late son. He doesn't eat, he doesn't bathe, he doesn't know time is. Even at night, he would wake up from nightmares of his baby coming back yelling at him for killing him in the womb. He would be crying his heart out with his mate wrapping his arms around him.
"I-I failed him… Haitham…" Kaveh often choked out. "He… He hates me! Because I let- I let him die…! He c-c-couldn't… see the world because of me..!" After Alhaitham cooes him back to bed, he would always mumbles apologies in his sleep.
Alhaitham can't stand seeing his mate in this state. He felt helpless, seeing the sight of his mate. The alpha had lost his son, he couldn't bare losing his wife to depression. He requested to work from home from Nahida so he can take care of his depressed mate, which the archon approved and gave her blessing for the distraught alpha.
When he's working, Mehrak will be by the couple's side. With the minimum programmed strength she has, she is at least able to help around with the chores that the couple's not able to do. Mehrak's really concern for her owner's well being, but as a machine she couldn't do much except keep the house organized and tidy like how the omega would do throughout the years.
This continues on for 3 months, Kaveh shows no sign of recovering from his grief. Nahida tried to reach out to Kaveh in his dreams but his heart was too broken to be healed, he unconsciously blocked his archon's power of dreams. The depressed mother whose child was ripped from them at birth, the deep wound cannot be healed as easily as the archon thought.
Dehya, their other desert friend, suggest Alhaitham to adopt a baby from the orphanage she work with to heal the omega's heart. At least, she thinks this can call out the omega's motherly instinct to take over his depressed mind. The orphanage's home to many lonely children from the desert, and recently a small newborn baby girl was brought to the orphanage.
The baby girl's parents were killed by hostile Eremites in the desert while the family of three was on their way to Port Osmos. When Dehya and her company arrived, only a crying baby girl could be found.
Seeing it as another one of the opportunities to help his wife, Alhaitham agrees to it. He brings some of Kaveh and his used clothes for Dehya for the baby's so she can get familiar with both of their scents.
That night, Alhaitham has Kaveh on his lap as usual as he speaks to his mate. It had been a routine for him to talk to his omega, a little somethinh to keep Kaveh updated with everything going on. He explains about Dehya proposition, about the baby girl needing parents to care for her. Kaveh moves slightly, a sign that he is tentatively listening to his mate although he is barely responsive.
When Alhaitham finishes talking, Kaveh is still the same but his usual sour scent has now changed to a more calming one. An improvement in 3 months. He hugs Kaveh close to his body, he takes in a deep breath of his wife's scent. "Get better soon, Habibi."
Dehya came to visit them a few days later. The tired woman's holding a crying baby in her arms. Upon seeing the baby, Alhaitham's eyes soften as she's wrapped up with both his and Kaveh clothes he had given to Dehya. Kaveh is sitting in the living room quietly when Alhaitham answers the door, soulless eyes watching everything unfold in front of him. Alhaitham welcomes Dehya in the living room and she sits on the divan next to him.
Sensing Kaveh might not be prepared enough to hold the baby girl first, Alhaitham volunteered to hold her first. The baby couldn't stop crying because she was taken from a safe haven of the orphanage to the busy streets in Sumeru City where different scents were overwhelmingly mixed together. When Alhaitham tries to soothe her with his pheromone she's still crying. Not even Dehya, someone she's familiar with, can stop the tiny baby from crying her lungs out.
Kaveh couldn't take it anymore, so he got up from his seat, reaching out to Dehya to put the baby in his arms. The baby girl's crying so hard she started coughing. He brings the baby into his and Alhaitham's bedroom. He takes off his shirt, and he unbundles the girl from the layers of clothes. Then he lays the girl on top of him as he lays down on the bed. (A/N: Skin to skin contact. Google said it works on adoptive parents too.)
He slowly pats the girl's back, humming the aranara nursery rhyme which he would sing to his boy during his pregnancy. The baby girl eventually relaxes, her head starts moving around sniffing and nuzzling before locating one of his still lactating nipples.
Kaveh's depressed state was pulled back by his maternal instinct. When the girl started nursing from his chest he couldn't help but get teary eyes at the sight. It is as he imagines when he gives birth, a beautiful infant relaxing on his chest when he gently coos them. He hugs the baby girl tenderly as she's his own, he tries to soften his cries just so he wouldn't startle the child.
Alhaitham and Dehya watch from the bedroom door. The alpha wipes the corner of his eyes. He couldn't believe that his mate finally started to take a step out of his nightmare after 3 months. Dehya had a hand on his back, patting her scribe friend. She whispers calming words for Alhaitham, knowing he had been through a lot, losing his son and almost his wife in the process is a heavy weight on his shoulders. The alpha looks away, shoulders shivering as he lets out a silent cry.
By the time the baby became familiar with her new parents, it was already nighttime. Dehya has to head back out to finish up the adoption paperwork for the couple, and as she's about to take her leave, Kaveh spoke out to someone who is not his mate for the first time.
"...Dehya…" He said, in his arms he's still cradelling their baby girl. "Thank you."
"No problem. You two have been through a lot." She said, "I know grief is hard, but it's time to move on. You can do it together."
Kaveh leaned into Alhaitham's embrace, he nodded.
"When the time comes… I wanted to… apologize to everyone. Even to Lord Kusanali. I know I had been.. difficult." Kaveh said. "I'll try…to get better."
Alhaitham looks at the baby in Kaveh's arms, and then he looks at Dehya. "Can you give her a name?"
"Me?"
"Yes. If it weren't for you…" Alhaitham looks down at Kaveh. "We wouldn't have found a way to heal him."
Kaveh nodded. He smiles gently at the woman in front of them.
" Hm… For Sumeru City's children they are the children of the forest, but for children born in the desert they are the children of the sand. Maybe, she can be both." Dehya wrecks her brain for a name that suits the child. Then something clicks, "Mahin. The beloved child of the moon."
Both the alpha and omega smiled at the name given to their daughter. That day they welcome the newest member of their family, Mahin.
-
Mahin is a sweet baby girl, at the age around 2-3 months old she's a healthy baby. She has a more tanned skin than her adopted parents, similar to all desert residents, red ruby eyes, and she has beautiful curly black hair which would be a living hell to tend to in the near future.
At night she would wake up at the exact same time for milk, making it easier for the couple to adjust their bodyclock to care for her. She takes over their late boy's unused crib by Kaveh's side of the bed, giving him an easier access to feed her whenever she's hungry.
While he's feeding Mahin, Alhaitham would wake up to support his wife. He would stare lovingly when the girl had her meal, and she would always stare back, then giggle upon seeing her father. Then after feeding, Alhaitham would be the one to burp her while Kaveh cleans himself with a soft cloth he places on the nightstand.
While Kaveh is recovering from his depression, he would properly juggle between taking care of Mahin and brushing his artistic skill in architecture back up. When he's slowly getting his older self back, Alhaitham is able to leave for work at the akademiya.
The adoption paperwork was done after a few days of waiting. Mahin is officially Alhaitham and Kaveh's daughter. They wanted to host a small celebration with close friends. Knowing Kaveh's is not well enough to be approached by a large number of people, Alhaitham only invited a handful of people, the dendro archon included, for a house party.
He and Kaveh prepared some home cooked meals and some light wine for the adults to enjoy. Kaveh will not be allowed to drink. Upon their guests' arrival, they also brought some of their signature delicacies to the party.
The omega was able to apologize for the inconvenience he caused for his friends, the dendro archon and his mate. He promised them that he will do his best to recover from his grief and take good care of their baby girl. Everyone cheered, and Alhaitham gave Kaveh a tender peck on the lips. Of course, Kaveh's old pal Mehrak was given a big big hug for tending to the omega during his darkest time.
The party went by with them drinking, chatting but mostly playing with the star of the show. Mahin does not mind strangers, she could get overwhelmed by different scents than her parents like normal babies do but after she got used to the people around her she is a bubbly little angel.
When the party's over, Kaveh puts his sleeping baby in the crib, tucking her in. He placed a loving kiss on Mahin's forehead.
A pair of arms wraps around his slim figure. Kaveh leans in the embrace, sighing happily when he looks up to meet a pair of turquoise eyes. He reaches his hand up to caress his alpha's cheek.
"Thank you…"
Alhaitham tilts his head in questioning. "For what?"
"Everything." He kisses Alhaitham. "You have done so much for me…"
Alhaitham nuzzles both of their noses together. He gives a low chuckle. "It's my job as your alpha to take care of you. I promise I won't leave you alone."
"Azizam. My darling…" Kaveh tears up with a small smile. "I'll promise you that I will never leave you alone as well. No matter what."
They seal the promise with another kiss.
-
"Mahin dear～ Where are you～?" Kaveh calls out for his daughter.
Said two years old is playing in the pile of clothes Kaveh just finished folding. She gets up and starts toddling towards him. " 'ommy! Mommy!" Kaveh internally screams at the mess she made in the living room, his hard work at waste upon his daughter's creation.
Though his anger subsided when Mahin toddles toward him, her little dress swinging along with her. Mahin hugs his legs, "Mommy!"
The omega picks up the two years old, snuggling with her. "Let's visit daddy at the Akademiya."
Mahin throws her hand in the air in excitement. "Daddy! Daddy!" Kaveh brings her to their room to change her clothes and diaper. Then he prepped some toddler necessities in a bag while changing his own clothes to his usual outdoor attire. Mahin has her favorite aranara doll in her arm, hugging it close when she waits for her mother to finish his routine.
After he's done he slings the baby bag on his shoulder, a hand holding Mahin's and the other holding Mehrak who's in sleep mode at the moment. She should wake up in another thirty minutes fully charged.
They left the house, Kaveh remembering to bring his keys. Then they set off to find the scribe. On the way he's greeted by scholars of different kinds. Some from the darshan as his.
After adopting Mahin, Kaveh was inspired to rebuild a better orphanage for the children. A safe haven with wider space for children to play and learn, as well as for the volunteers working there.
Such a building still needed a decent amount of funds of course, but the orphanage couldn't afford it. So he proposed to hold a charity week to raise enough money with the rebuild. The location was at the Grand Bazaar where Zubayr theater hosts performances to entertain guests, there are also different vendors who are selling a range of different products like wood carvings, toys, clothes, fabrics etc, and of course food stalls with loads of Sumeru delicacies. All of the vendors agreed to donate at least 35% of their revenue for the orphanage.
The funds were more than enough to start the project. And so, the great Sumeru architect once again created another magnificent work. It may not be on par of the Palace of Alcazarzaray, but the final building turn out to be so great that people started stating that Sumeru has the best looking orphanage in all Teyvat.
Upon arriving at the akademiya, Kaveh lets go of Mahin so she can wander about on her own. He wasn't too worried about losing her since he had placed a dendro element on the girl's clothing with his vision; he can easily trace her whenever she's out of his sight. A close junior of his spotted him, the person stopped him for a simple chat and Kaveh happily socialized with the scholar.
The curious girl toddlers about the area, everything seems to impress her even though she had been in the Akademiya multiple times due to her parents' work. Scholars greeted the young girl politely, making sure they aren't too close since Kaveh's nearby. Not even an alpha is scarier than a protective parent omega. If the girl starts crying, they can only pray the scrib is there to make sure Kaveh won't rip that person's throat out.
Suddenly she was lifted in the air, she yelped loudly. A soothing scent quickly engulfed her when she knew who's carrying her.
"Daddy!" She chirped. "Kissy kissy! Can Mahin get a kissy?"
Alhaitham's daily stone cold face was quickly replaced with a smile. He lands a peck on his daughter's cheek which she returns with the same peck. Kaveh spotted his husband in his peripheral vision, so he quickly ended the conversation to go to the duo's side.
Kaveh walks over to them, Mehrak's already awake from her sleep so she's floating beside him with joyous beeping sounds. Alhaitham listens to his daughter's babbles about aranara and her day at home with Kaveh. When Kaveh wraps his arms around his waist, he leans down to drop a peck on the omega's forehead. He also takes the baby bag from the omega.
The family of four, Mehrak included, walks off to have lunch together at their usual coffee shop.
Mahin's happily playing with Mehrak and her aranara doll while the adults have their serious talk.
"You're pregnant…?"
Kaveh nodded. "I'm almost two months late…"
Alhaitham went silent. He doesn't want a repeat of last time. He placed his hand on top of Kaveh's. "...what do you want to do…?"
"I- I don't know. Part of me wants to keep it but…" Kaveh trails off. Alhaitham rubs gentle circles on his knuckles to encourage him. "What if… what if it happens again?"
"Then we'll go through it together. " Alhaitham spoke. His eyes stern, full of determination. "I will take great care of you, no matter what your choice is."
Kaveh looks at him with tears in his eyes. "Promise?" He asked, fully knowing the answer.
"Promise." Alhaitham takes Kaveh's hand in his, giving a small kiss on the knuckles.