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Kaveh is not amused.
It's already bad enough that he has missed the big showdown (and had to find the truth on his own), now Alhaitham is practically neglecting him.
Well, that might be too harsh but it doesn’t change the fact that Alhaitham hasn’t paid him enough attention. The alpha barely returns to the house anymore and it’s getting harder and harder to meet him. Either he has to stay awake through the late night or wake up as early as dawn just to get a glimpse of the younger man.
Objectively, he knows that Alhaitham has a lot on his plate. A few weeks have passed and the Akademiya have yet to find a proper candidate to become the Sages, let alone to fill the Great Sage’s seat. That’s why their Archon has asked for the alpha’s help to temporarily fill in the seat, because the Akademiya won’t be able to function properly otherwise.
Actually, he’s been offered to become Sage of the Kshahrewar, as Alhaitham has predicted before. However, just like the younger man, he’s quite hesitant to take the role. He just wants to make beautiful and artistic arts and buildings, not dealing with the high-wire politics and whatnot. So really, he understands that the Akademiya is short-staffed and probably needs their (temporary) Great Sage more than ever.
But still.
It's a crime to ignore him like this.
Him, the most sought and desired omega in the entirety of his Darshan and possibly, the Akademiya. Every alpha and beta on the premise are ready to pamper him hands and feet and yet this alpha of his is too busy to even spare him more than a glance and (bicker-filled) short conversations.
Kaveh hasn’t been scented or touched by Alhaitham ever since he went out to deal with the construction in the desert and he’s on his limit. Why does he have to be set aside, sharing his alpha’s attention with so many people when he barely gets any himself?
Ridiculous.
And so, that’s how he’s currently marching to the Akademiya.
(sometimes, Kaveh hates himself for falling for this alpha prick called Alhaitham)
.
.
It’s already late at night and inside the House of Diena is very quiet, with some Dasturs and Herbads milling around the area with books in their hands. Some of them are obviously sleeping while leaning on the table, or even on the chair with papers and books strewn around them.
“These people should’ve gone home.” Kaveh shakes his head as he walks towards the lift. It doesn’t take long for it to bring him to Alhaitham’s temporary office. The central orb makes gentle light amidst the granite flooring, making the quietness inside the office feel solemn and almost reverent.
The Grand Sage seat surprisingly fits Alhaitham well, although he’ll never admit it out loud.
And of course.
“Did you forget the way back to your house?” Kaveh scowls as he storms into the office with loud steps.
“Do you?” Alhaitham simply says in response without looking up to him. “Did you forget to bring the keys again?”
Kaveh scoffs loudly as familiar annoyance rises in him. “That's because you took both of the keys!”
“Did I?” Alhaitham says.
“Stop pretending to be innocent.” Kaveh huffs as he plops down to the seat in front Alhaitham. Silence then descends between them as the younger male doesn’t respond to his remark.
A sliver of anger passes through the omega as he twitches in annoyance. “Why are you ignoring me?” Kaveh asks hotly.
“I don’t think you’ve done anything to warrant my silence, Kaveh.” Alhaitham replies, eyes still fixated on the documents on the table.
“You are ignoring me now.” The omega exhales harshly as a small pout unconsciously appears on his face. Resorting to a rather dirty trick, he pushes out more of his sweet omegan scent, trying to entice the alpha to finally pay him the attention he deserves. He knows that Alhaitham has noticed his scent with the light scrunch from the younger’s nose and he pushes it further.
When it still fails to make the alpha lift his head from the papers, his annoyance erupts as his patience snaps. He stands up from his seat, slamming both of his hands on the table. “You arrogant prick, look at me when I’m talking to you.” Kaveh growls impatiently.
Instead of the usual emotionless or flatout ‘are-you-stupid’ expression, Kaveh is startled when he sees a smirk is adorning the alpha’s face when Alhaitham finally looks at him.
That’s also the second he realizes that the younger man has been pulling on his string.
Again.
“Do you miss me that much?” Alhaitham asks as he intertwines his fingers, leaning his chin on it as he smugly stares at him.
Kaveh scoffs loudly in disbelief as he beats down the urge to punch the alpha in the face. Taking a deep breath, he plops back to the seat. “You wish.” He scowls. “It’s just that we haven’t been doing anything, Archon knows you’re more insufferable when you’re pent up.”
“As tempting as your offer is, I’m too busy right now.” Alhaitham calmly says, but the teasing smirk is still present on his face. “Are you lonely, Kaveh?” He asks.
Kaveh rolls his eyes hard and about to retort back when he can smell the alpha’s addicting pheromones in the air. It’s been a while and been too long that a shudder involuntarily hits his body. It takes him another second to realize that the alpha is responding to his own pheromones that he released earlier and it makes him want the alpha more.
“Why did you bother to ask when you knew the answer?” The omega snappily replies, unconscious that he’s tilted his head to the side a little as if he’s baring his neck in offering. “Your arrogance has gone straight to the sky I see.”
“Well, I also miss you but I wasn’t lying when I said that there are too many things for me to deal with.” Alhaitham admits, eyes fixated on the expanse of covered neck.
Kaveh feels like choking up at the easy admission from the alpha.
“My pride is not as short as to admit that I miss my lover, Kaveh.” Alhaitham shrugs, sensing the other’s surprised reaction.
“Did you just accuse me of being prideful?” Kaveh quips back angrily at the implicit allegation.
“At least you should’ve brought me dinner and we can eat it together here.” Alhaitham sighs ignoring the other’s accusation before a thought crosses his mind. “Did you spend all the mora?”
“Who do you think I am?” Kaveh growls as he crosses his arms on his chest. “How could I blow all of that money in one week?”
Alhaitham just lets out a small smirk, while his eyes never leave the omega’s. “I was going to give you more if that’s the case. Since it isn't…”
“I didn’t spend it all.” Kaveh insists, recognizing the bait the younger man threw to him. “Don’t you trust me?” He huffs, throwing his face to the side.
“I do.” Alhaitham responds calmly. “I’m just making sure, I don’t want you to starve.”
Kaveh immediately snaps his head up to face the alpha properly again. The unexpected reply creates a warmth inside him, as the attentiveness touches his heart.
“Haitham-”
“After all, it’ll be very troublesome for me if you pass out on the floor. It’ll cost me more to take care of you.” Alhaitham adds.
Just like a droplet of water on a hot blistering sand, the previous warmth and soft feeling is swiftly evaporated into thin air, as annoyance and anger fills the omega once again. “You’re such an annoying bastard.”
Alhaitham glances at the clock on his table. “Since we have established that and you’re already here, should we grab dinner? Something cool and sweet should abate your moodswing, Kaveh.”
“I’ll get a stomach ache if I have to swallow my food with your presence-”
Kaveh stops his sentence when the hum from the lift echoes clearly within the huge room. He turns his back and it doesn’t take long for it to show Alhaitham’s newest guest. Upon recognizing that he doesn’t know the newcomer, Kaveh immediately scans her up and down. With her slim and overly petite figure it’s a no brainer that she’s an omega. Her long, brown hair is arranged neatly into a soft curl at the tip, making her rather cute face even softer and more adorable.
Kaveh won’t say that he’s an expert in Alhaitham, the alpha sometimes is too infuriating and too unbearable to understand after all, but he is pretty sure that he has been introduced to all of the alpha’s acquaintances and friends. Alhaitham is undoubtedly an efficient and effective man. He prefers either to work alone or work with people whom he knows he can depend on.
Which means, there are only a handful of people who can deal with him and vice versa.
Which also means, this girl is not one of Alhaitham’s lackeys.
“O-oh, senior Kaveh you’re here…” She trails off hesitantly.
That response immediately blares the alarm in his head and Kaveh narrows his eyes. “Yes, what about it? Who are you?” He interrogates.
“Ah, um…” The girl says before she takes a deep breath and bows her head lightly. “My name is Annisa, Dastur of Haravatat.”
“I see. Do you have any official business with him?” Kaveh says coolly, as he points his finger to the back.
“Ah, no.” She shakes her head. “I was going to offer if I can help the Scribe with anything, and also since it’s already late, I wonder if the Scribe would like to have dinner…” She sheepishly says. A tinge of red paints her cheeks and ears and it’s enough for Kaveh to grow completely hostile.
“Well, don’t worry about it, Dastur Annisa.” Kaveh says with a sharp smile. “ Haitham and I are going to get dinner, so you can go first.”
“Is that so?” She bravely asks, tilting her head to see the Scribe for confirmation.
The action grates on his nerves further and Kaveh turns his head to the alpha. Despite Alhaitham’s exterior expression, he has known the younger male enough to see the amusement bubbling underneath his calm face.
“That is so.” Alhaitham confirms.
“I see. Well then.” She bows once again, before walking back to the lift and leaves them.
“I thought having dinner with me will give you a stomach ache, Kaveh?” Alhaitham asks with a teasing glint on his eyes.
“Shut up.” Kaveh growls. “Do you want to go or not? Or would you rather have dinner with her?” His scowls get deeper at the reminder of the other omega.
“Well, since it is the light of Kshahrewar himself who has invited me for dinner, how can I refuse it?” Alhaitham denies as he stands up from his seat and puts on his discarded outer coat with ease.
Kaveh sourly scoffs, but still follows the alpha. “Stop calling me that. Also, you’re paying for it, Haitham.”
The annoyance in Kaveh heightens when Haitham only laughs lightly.
A few days later
.
Kaveh’s scowl and frown gets deeper and deeper as he reads through the report from his juniors. According to their… investigations, there have been several people who are trying to win Alhaitham’s favors. Their Archon has clearly favored Alhaitham to be the Great Sage or even a Sage despite his constant refusals for the seat and people are scrambling to get into his good side as a result. Especially the omegas, who are clearly trying to win Alhaitham’s other… favor. They’re trying to become the gray-haired male’s personal assistant or secretary but the alpha has indifferently rejected them all, so they resort to other ways to get his attention.
Annisa, is clearly one of the latter bunches.
This won’t do.
No one in Akademiya really believes that he and Alhaitham have something special between them. How could they, with nine out of ten they’re always arguing and fighting in public (and private). They haven’t officially mated as well and people have always thought his scent on Alhaitham and vice versa are simply because they live together (and constantly fighting). Furthermore, they haven’t been smelling like each other as of late, so of course these pests thought that the faint rumors of them being together are truly mere flukes.
Kaveh crumples the paper in his hand with great annoyance.
He has to amp up his effort to seduce Alhaitham so he will properly pay attention to him again.
Kaveh has just finished pouring warm milk into the mug when he hears the front door being opened. He immediately looks down to check his attire, before lifting the hem of his half-buttoned shirt and spreads the collar wider. It makes the too-big white shirt rise even further from his naked thighs and gives an ample show of his unblemished collarbone and neck.
Knowing that his ammo is ready, Kaveh takes a deep breath and prepares himself. The shirt is one of the casual shirts Alhaitham uses when he’s at home. Combined with his bare legs and exposed neck while he still smells like he has just taken a bath, any alpha wouldn’t be able to resist him.
“You’re back?” Kaveh coolly asks as he stirs the cocoa, turning the beverage into hot chocolate before taking a sip. He hides the winning smirk behind the cup as he feels Alhaitham’s intense stare on his body.
“I am.” Alhaitham answers calmly as he puts down his bag on the sofa.
“Do you want some?” Kaveh offers the mug, purposefully raising his shoulder a little. With the angle, his left nipple should be peeking from the corner of the half-opened shirt and no doubt provoking the alpha further.
His hypothesis is proven correct when Alhaitham immediately approaches him as if the alpha is on an important mission. What he doesn’t consider however, is being lifted unceremoniously like a sack of potatoes.
“Haitham!” Kaveh protests, feigning ignorance.
“Shh, it’s already late at night.” The alpha replies as he brings them into his room.
It’s not long before he’s thrown to the bed and Alhaitham’s musky and distinctive scent immediately assaults his sense of smell. Kaveh’s omega instinct is internally delighted being in his alpha’s nest and surrounded by his scent once again. His breath is slightly quickened as he watches the alpha strip his coat and take off his black top and other trinkets as well, exposing his well-built chest and arms while only clad in his pants.
“Haitham-” Kaveh takes a sharp breath as the alpha slips between his legs and kisses his mouth. Alhaitham soon breaks their kiss and wraps his arms around his waist, putting his head on his chest instead. The action promptly crushes him with the alpha’s weight and a satisfied purr escapes from Kaveh at the weight.
However, a moment passes and the alpha still stays in that position. Confusion seeps into his mind and Kaveh takes a peek on the alpha’s face. His jaw is dropped as a disbelieving scoff escapes from him upon noticing that the younger man has fallen asleep.
While using him as a bolster.
“What the fuck-” Kaveh growls. “Hey! Wake up!” He yells as he shakes the gray-haired man’s shoulder. When the alpha fails to wake up even with the ruckus he has raised, he tries to at least escape from his grip but to no avail, it’s futile as well. Alhaitham’s hold on him is as tight and as immovable as a mountain and Kaveh takes a very, very deep breath to calm his temper.
It irks him so much.
How dare he ignore his advances, even as far as baiting and using him as a bolster?
.
Suffice to say, this strategy turns out to be a failure.
.
.
When he wakes up in the morning, Kaveh sees a note on the nightstand.
“Just sleep in my room if you’re feeling lonely.”
.
.
The audacity of this alpha.
.
(Doesn’t stop him from slipping into Alhaitham’s room though)
(But this is NOT what he’s aiming for)
“This should work, right?” Kaveh mutters under his breath as he smells his wrist once again. He scrunches a little in distaste when the scent of another alpha assaults his nose.
His junior’s to be exact.
He has spent the night in the desert last night, assisting his junior with a particularly difficult piece and ends up having a sleepover with the rest of his team there. His junior turned out to be a cuddler and his scent ends up sticking to him. He was about to return to Alhaitham’s house and take a shower first before he visited the alpha, when the idea popped up in his mind.
As an alpha, Alhaitham wouldn’t like it when another alpha is leaving their scent on his omega, right?
Alhaitham will get jealous and possessive, then he’ll just need to taunt the alpha further by pointing out his lack of attention and then Alhaitham will get angrier and finally gives him what he wants, perhaps a mating mark too because damn it, it’s high time for them to be mated either way.
With that thought in mind, Kaveh walks into the Akademiya’s building.
.
.
It didn’t work.
That damn alpha didn’t take the bait.
Kaveh scowls when Alhaitham is still looking composed as ever as he stands across him.
“Haitham, did you listen to me?” Kaveh reiterates with a raised voice as his foot taps to the floor angrily.
“How couldn’t I when you are standing right in front of me, Kaveh? With such a loud voice too.” Alhaitham replies smoothly. “Also, the budget proposal from your Darshan needs another revision.”
“You’re just purposefully making things harder for me.” The omega snaps back at the thought of another night of revision with his juniors and seniors, momentarily forgetting about his main objective.
“I’m just stating facts.” Alhaitham responds. “Nice cologne by the way.” He adds composedly.
“You-” Kaveh is immediately reminded of his true goal, hissing angrily.
“Do you really think it will bother me, Kaveh? Or that it will make me jealous?” Alhaitham asks curiously, looking up at the bristling omega.
“You’re such a prick, you know that?” Kaveh hisses, turning around to leave the alpha’s office.
“Kaveh, there’s something on your back.” Alhaitham calls.
“Huh?” Kaveh whirls around to the younger man, before trying to feel his back for anything. “What do you mean?” He asks when his fingers failed to feel anything weird on his back.
“Come here. I’ll erase it for you.” Alhaitham motions him to come to his side.
“What is it?” The omega asks, but still obediently walks back to the alpha.
“Just some stuff.” Alhatiham says.
“Such a clear explanation, Haitham.” Kaveh dryly says as he stands beside the alpha, his back facing him. “Come on, we don’t have all day-” He’s startled when he’s suddenly manhandled to lay on the desk, with both of his wrists being tightly locked by the alpha’s hand.
“What the fuck Haitham-” Kaveh snarls as he tries to escape from the hold. “I’m filing a complaint about you Haitham, I swear by Lord Kusanali’s name-”
A chuckle echoes from the alpha. "You're going to file a complaint about me, to myself." Alhaitham dryly says. "Or did you forget that I'm the temporary Grand Sage for now?"
“So be it!” Kaveh yells. Before he can curse the younger male off, the alpha’s soft breath hits his exposed back, distracting him from his ire as his body involuntarily shudders in response. A quiet whimper then escapes from him when the alpha lightly bites the place where his scent gland is over his white top, before he leaves a trailing kiss on his exposed back.
“I should reward your cute attempt after all.” Alhaitham whispers. “We have seven minutes before Panah escorts my next appointment up here. We better make full use of it, right?” He hums.
.
.
This is how the story of him leaving the House of Diena with a huge ass hickey on his back. The worst thing is, it’s only when he’s walking past the mirror in his room that he realizes that the hickey is fully visible on his back window.
.
That goddamn alpha bastard
Kaveh blearily opens his eyes in confusion. The morning sunlight has brightened his room, but that’s not the thing that has aroused his consciousness. He’s pretty sure he has slept in his own room, so why does it smell like Alhaitham-
That’s when he notices the article of clothing that covers his shoulder.
His hand pulls it off of him, belatedly realizing that it’s Alhaitham’s outer coat. Not only that, his entire room actually smells like the gray-haired man.
Kaveh scoffs loudly as he pulls the familiar green coat to cover his head as well. “Not jealous, my ass.” He murmurs as the comforting scent of his alpha lulls him back to another peaceful slumber.
“Yeah, let’s fix this point. Haitham said that this is one of the major reasons why our funding was flat out rejected multiple times.” Kaveh says as he circles a number with a red marker. “And for this point, we should add additional reference because he can’t be bothered with artistic values but he will damn read the history of it.” He explains with a grumble.
“Alright, Senior Kaveh.” His junior says as he jots down his pointers. “I’ll go find some books for the latter.” He says as he stands up from his seat.
“Yeah, you do that. I’ll try to slim down the number.” Kaveh waves his hand. He’s about to do another calculation when his ears catch some faint ruckus from the direction of the lift. He curiously stands up and blinks when he sees a very familiar person. Having a hunch, Kaveh abandons his table, trusting that no one will bother their papers in the House of Diena and starts walking towards the lift. As he comes near them, Annisa’s and Panah’s arguments get clearer for him to hear.
“I’m going to help the Scribe take care of the paperworks.” Annisa insists.
“Well, the Scribe has instructed me that no one is to disturb him while he’s in the office.” Panah replies patiently.
Paperworks, Kaveh scoffs internally. He’s willing to bet his entire designs that it’s merely another sly reason from the Dastur to get close to Alhaitham. However, this is the first time he hears that Alhaitham is not allowing anyone to meet him.
Still scowling in displeasure at her relentless pursuit, Kaveh hastens his pace as a plan forms in his mind.
“Panah, is Haitham there?” Kaveh coolly says as he finally stops right beside the smaller omega.
“Yes, but he has instructed me to not allow anyone to disturb him.” Panah grimaces slightly, no doubt getting tired of having to explain the same thing numerous times. “Or do you have a prior appointment or any important business with the Scribe?”
“No, I don’t but I’m sure he’ll let me in.” Kaveh confidently says as he puts his right hand on his hips.
“But-”
“Just ask him.” Kaveh shrugs. “You don’t want to raise his ire if he knows that you’re holding me back from meeting him. Dastur Annisa, are you going to see him too?” He asks, pretending that he didn’t hear her arguments.
“Yes, I do-”
“Ask him about her too while at it.” Kaveh says as he gestures to her with his chin.
Panah shifts his head between the two omegas, before hesitantly says, “Very well. Let me ask him.”
As they wait for Panah to return, Kaveh glances at the omega Dastur, pointedly making a huge show to inspect her up and down.
“You surely meet him often, Dastur Annisa.” He comments idly.
“Yes, he often requires my help.” She says, trying to face him head on.
Which, makes things easier.
“Funny.” Kaveh smirks. “I’ve heard of Cyno, Tighnari and even Nilou but I have never heard him mention your name whenever he talks about his work.”
A satisfaction blooms inside Kaveh when he sees her getting red in embarrassment. “I should scold him later, he should’ve remembered your name as well since you have, ah, often helped him.” He says consolingly. He notices her clenched hands and about to taunt her further, when Panah returns to them.
“I apologize! The Scribe confirmed that you’re an exception, Sir Kaveh.” Panah says before turning to the other omega. “However, I’m sorry Dastur Annisa, the rule still applies to you so I can’t let you in.”
A victorious feeling erupts in his chest and Kaveh puffs up his chest a little. His alpha is an arrogant jerk and a prick, but he surely knows how to read the room. “I’ll go first, Dastur Annisa.” He says with a smile as he turns his head to the female omega. “Can’t let him wait longer, can we?”
He doesn’t bother to look back as he walks towards the elevator.
.
.
“You’ve become such a celebrity I see.” Kaveh dryly says as he ascends the stairs. “Unable to handle your fans, Haitham?”
“I’m just creating a conducive and efficient environment.” Alhaitham responds calmly.
Kaveh raises his eyebrow when he sees that the alpha is reading a book on his seat, rather than checking documents or other whatnot like usual. “You don’t even work. Why does that Dastur keep trying to meet you then?” Kaveh complains as he approaches the alpha.
“The same can be said to you, although your presence is certainly more favorable than her.” The younger male quips back.
Kaveh is half-annoyed, half-preening with the half-baked compliment, which makes him even madder, but he still plops down to the seat. “She sure is insistent though.”
“I can’t help it if she finds me desirable.” Alhaitham says, still focusing on his book.
“Confident, aren’t you?” Kaveh rolls his eyes. His eyes inadvertently fall to the other’s chest and he unconsciously blurts. “I’m tempted to write my name on your stupid abs.”
“And yet that doesn’t stop you from worshiping said abs.” Alhaitham responds in tandem.
Kaveh offendedly scoffs. “As if.”
“Right, you worships my cock more-”
“You vulgar, arrogant prick-”
“Setting your love for my cock aside, what brings you here?” Alhaitham cuts off as he closes his book with a gentle thud.
“I’m gracing you with my presence and you ungratefully complain?” Kaveh snaps back with a huff. “Take me to lunch.” He orders.
It’s now Alhaitham’s turn to raise his eyebrow. “I’m sure you’re old enough that you won’t get lost on your way to the cafeteria, Kaveh.”
“You owe me for helping you get rid of her.” Kaveh crosses his legs and raises his head coolly. “I’m pretty sure she’d have barged in if I didn’t interfere.”
Alhaitham lets out a small smile. “Are you sure it’s for my sake and not your possessiveness over me, Kaveh?”
“You wish, you matcha oaf.” Kaveh scoffs derisively. “If anything, I should charge you double because not everyone has the privilege to share a meal with me.”
“Letting you sleep under my roof and use my mora for your personal use should be enough payment.” Alhaitham replies.
“That’s just the interest rate.” Kaveh excuses with a wave of his hand. “Are you or are you not coming?”
“Very well. Let’s get an early lunch.” Alhaitham gives in as he stands up from his seat.
“That’s more like it. I want curry shrimp and Tahchin.” Kaveh hums, suddenly genuinely getting hungry at the thought of the delicious food.
“You’ve been eating unusually a lot for the past few days.” Alhaitham comments idly as they walk towards the lift. His nose subtly tries to take a deeper whiff from the omega to check. “Aren’t you still on suppressant, Kaveh?” He probes. The last time the omega ate this much was when he’s in his pre-heat and even then, it quickly subsided after consuming his suppressant.
“Yeah. My project is still in a critical phase, I can’t afford to have heats now.” Kaveh says. “It’s probably because I’ve been stressed out.” He lightly shrugs.
“And why is that?” Alhaitham curiously asks.
Kaveh scowls as he turns his head to the alpha. “Whose fault do you think that is?”
“Me?” Alhaitham blinks.
“If you didn’t reject my Darshan’s funding, I’d be able to have my off weeks peacefully, but noooo.” Kaveh complains earnestly as they wait for the lift to bring them down. “You decided to be an ass and continually reject our proposal.”
“Did I?” Alhaitham puts his fingers on his chin as his face gets pensive.
“Stop it. I can see through your acting, Haitham.” Kaveh sneers.
“Is that so?” Alhaitham puts down the pretense.
“You’re so insufferable, you know that?” Kaveh hisses as they arrive at the ground floor.
“You’ve told me multiple times.” Alhaitham chuckles lightly as they come out together.
However, Kaveh’s attention is already taken by the feeling of being watched as soon as they step out from the elevator. It’s not long before he finds the source. On the corner left, there are a bunch of people who are now watching them.
Or glaring at him, perhaps.
He’s about to wrap his arms around the alpha’s arm to aggravate them more, when a warm and rough hand touches his exposed back. Kaveh shifts his head to the alpha, who is still talking calmly to Panah, but firmly holding him by his back. His omega’s side preens under the subtle possessiveness and Kaveh turns his head towards that bunch of fools. He lets out a small smirk and allows the alpha to put his hand on his back until they leave the Akademiya.
.
Serves them right.
The next time he visits Alhaitham, he purposefully leaves things to remind people that he, Kaveh, is present there.
His hair pins.
His feather.
.
He also scents Alhaitham’s entire wardrobe.
.
.
According to Panah, after some good probing, the alpha rarely has unwanted visitors anymore.
“Haitham, why are you still bringing your work here?” Kaveh scolds as he stares at the arrays of books and papers in their lounge room.
He thought that since it’s Sunday and the Scribe’s workload has been slowing down to the point that he can enjoy his weekend at home, they can have some well-deserved quality time, but no.
This damn alpha still brings his work even on Sunday.
“It is my house.” Alhaitham replies coolly as he takes a paper from the low table. “Surely I have freedom to do whatever I want.”
“Details.” Kaveh waves it off as he approaches the alpha. The omega takes the paper from Alhaitham’s hands and then proceeds to sit on his lap.
He will get what he wants today, no matter what.
“Do me instead.” Kaveh says as he throws the paper to the back, his eyes are never leaving the alpha’s.
“Why, finally throwing yourself to me, Kaveh?” Alhaitham says as he puts his hands on the other’s waist.
“It’s not throwing when I’m the one who chose to take you, Haitham.” Kaveh snides as he sensually grinds his ass on the other’s slowly growing boner. “Aren’t you pent up after all of those tiring days?” He whispers in the younger man’s ears, noticing how the alpha’s eyes have gone slightly cloudy with lust as his pheromones turn denser and thicker in response to his provocation.
Hah, see, this jerk also wants it in reality.
“Alpha…” He breathily moans, purposefully baiting him as he takes one of Alhaitham’s hand and pushes it to his ass. “Don’t you want to tame me?” He taunts while he leads the other hand to slip under his oversized tee. A challenging smirk appears on his face as his hand lightly squeezes the alpha’s bulge. “Or should I milk you dry myself?”
.
.
The papers end up being abandoned for the whole day.
Kaveh thought the thing with Alhaitham’s omega fans have been solved.
Oh how wrong he was.
In his defense, he’s not trying to pick a fight.
While he is constantly bickering with Alhaitham, it doesn’t mean that he’s bad tempered with other people. If anything, Kaveh would like to believe that he’s actually quite a pleasant person.
However, Kaveh also knows his worth. He has the looks, the body and the brain, as well as extraordinary skills and senses in his field. He knows his worth, his influence and his power. He’s not someone to trifle with and his patience also has a limit.
If other people want to test his temper, it’s entirely on them.
.
He’s supposed to have a meeting with his junior regarding the continuation of their desert’s project in the cafeteria. He’s waiting for him peacefully with a glass of iced tea on the table, when he sees the same omega, the one who’s blasphemously and desperately latching to Alhaitham approach him.
The first thing he notices is how smug she looks.
The second is that he can smell Alhaitham’s scent on her.
His annoyance is internally raised as his omega’s side bristles at the blatant provocation.
“Senior Kaveh.” She bows her head slightly. “Fancy seeing you here.”
“What are you doing here, Dastur Annisa?” He smiles sharply, cutting through the fake-pleasantries.
“Oh nothing much.” She smiles. “The Scribe has requested for some coffee and light snacks, so here I am.” She laughs lightly.
“I see. Well don’t let me hold you back then.” Kaveh twitches, trying his best to not make a scene in the cafeteria. She’s still young and he’s the older, more mature one. He shouldn’t fall to such petty bait-
“It’s kind of hot, isn’t it?” She says as he fans her face, trying to spread the scent.
That’s also when Kaveh’s patience with her breaks apart. The thought of dragging her by her stupid long hair crosses his mind, but he suppresses down the urge. She’s from the Haravatat and a personal, cross-conflict is the least Kshahrewar needs.
It’s not like he can’t knock her down without touching an inch of her body.
“Dastur Annisa, I’m not sure why you’re doing this, but let me tell you.” Kaveh says as he unlatches his neck piece and sets his collar aside, where Alhaitham’s bites and hickeys from last weekend still litter proudly around his body. “I’m the one Haitham fucks and spoils in the end, so stop with your pathetic attempt. If you want to attract him, you should be on my level first, at the very least.” He shrugs haughtily. “That jerk might be infuriating but even then he still has high taste and class.”
“Wh-what are you-”
“I also don’t need to flaunt the faintest scent of Haitham on my body and vice versa because we are in a secure relationship. I’m not sure how you did your trick, but you and your cronies better choose another target or I won’t be as nice as I am right now, Dastur Annisa.” He threatens. “Scram, or I will follow through on my threat and let me tell you, it won’t end well for your barely-average face.”
.
.
“These cretins.” Kaveh grits his teeth as he stomps on his way to the House of Diena. Everyone immediately gets out of his way, perhaps seeing his anger-filled face and smelling his sour scent. As he waits for the lift to take him up, he takes the maroon lipstick he has just bought from the store on his way here from his pocket.
“Alhaitham!” Kaveh yells as he marches to the alpha.
“Kaveh? What’s going on?” Alhaitham says confusedly as he watches his omega barges into his office unannounced and looking all pissed off. The sour stench is very strong and genuine concern paints the alpha’s face.
“Shut up and stay still.” Kaveh growls as he shoves the alpha’s chair to sit sideways on his lap. He uncaps the lipstick and puts it briefly on his lips, before roughly kissing the alpha.
“Kav-”
Kaveh doesn’t give any chance for the younger man to say anything, as he holds the alpha’s chin and ravages the other’s mouth with his tongue. When he finally breaks the kiss, Alhaitham looks quite disoriented and definitely still very much confused.
But that’s not what he should be focusing on right now.
The lipstick is smeared on the alpha’s lips, but not as smeared or as red as he’d like. Kaveh rubs the tip of the lipstick on his thumb and manually applies it on the corner of Alhaitham’s lips.
“Kaveh, I have a meeting after this.” Alhaitham says as he tries to erase it with the back of his hand, but Kaveh immediately stops him.
“It won’t work, it's kinda permanent.” Kaveh smirks. He uncaps the lipstick again and starts writing his name on the alpha’s abs.
“Kaveh-”
“If they can read my name then it means they’re too close to you.” Kaveh growls. “You better not erase it or I’ll get genuinely angry, Haitham.”
The gray-haired alpha just sighs in resignation.
Alhaitham has just finished the meeting and goes into the restroom, when he walks past the mirror. He stops before he walks closer to it.
The lipstick is more on a deep maroon shade and thankfully has gone fainter as the day goes by. While it’s still a little bit too scandalous for someone like him with an obviously smeared lipstick on his face, no one dares to voice it out.
Being obviously favored by their Archon sure has its perks.
His eyes then fall towards the huge name on his chest.
Alhaitham chuckles as pure amusement blooms in his chest. It’s actually deliberate, using other omegas to aggravate Kaveh. It’s always entertaining for him to see the older man have an internal debate whether to possessively claim him as his, or to maintain his high pride and ego.
He has realized that omega Dastur would create trouble when she fake-faints into his arm when he was on his way into his office. However, he didn’t expect that Kaveh would go this far.
Also, it’s high time for him to stop provoking Kaveh. Anymore than this and the omega will get suspicious. He’s already got what he wants too. A (quite) public admission from Kaveh that he is the Scribe’s omega. All he needs to do right now is to let more people see Kaveh’s claim.
.
Now, isn’t it a good time for him to walk around the Akademiya and check each Darshans’ condition?
The news is spreading like a wildfire.
.
“The Scribe is not a man who will allow just anyone to make a fool of himself like that. The pride of the Kshahrewar himself has been going in and out in the Scribe’s office, even when the alpha has forbidden anyone to come in a few weeks prior. Surely it amounts to something, right?”
“Also, if it’s not true then Senior Kaveh should’ve been the first one to throw a tantrum and set things straight, but he has been suspiciously silent.”
“Well, they have been living together too. I wonder if they’re simply going public now.”
“But the Scribe has been rejecting Kshahrewar’s funding. Surely if they do date each other, he’ll give some leeway?”
“Pshh, this is the Scribe we are talking about. He’s very objective and rational. Otherwise, why would our beloved Archon let him fill the Grand Sage’s seat for so long?”
“Didn’t he also reject the Sage’s seat?”
“He did, but at this rate it’s just a matter of time before he caves in and agrees to be a Grand Sage. Or a Sage.”
“As far as I know, Kaveh rejected the seat as the Sage as well.”
“Are they concerned about conflict of interest within the court?”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“Seeing how the Scribe acted for Kshahrewar funding, I’m sure that they’ll be able to act professionally. I heard that Kaveh has been diligently trying to fix the proposal too.”
“True, true.”
“Then could it be that they’re not officially mated yet because we have yet to find Sages and Grand Sages to fill in the seats?”
“Oh no, that’s horrible.”
“We should inform Lesser Lord Kusanali that we are okay if both of them become Sages even if they’re a mate.”
“Yes, yes, we should quietly ask others' signatures and help them.”
Alhaitham is in a very good mood.
He genuinely doesn’t want the seat as a Sage or even a Grand Sage, but it seemed that some people mistook his and Kaveh refusals for the seats as another entire matter. Now the entirety of Akademiya is aware and gossiping about their special relationship and it serves as another form of entertainment for him, seeing those alpha who have been chasing after his oblivious omega throwing him envious looks.
Heh.
It gets better, because said omega in question has been holed up in the desert for his construction project during the outbreak of the rumors. Thinking of Kaveh's cute tantrums upon being the last one to be informed, again, gives him another bout of chuckle. It’s within his luck that Kshahrewar’s funding proposal has finally been approved (by him), so here he is, on his way to the construction site to tell the older male about the good news.
Without a shadow of doubt, Kaveh will throw a ruckus first, accusing him that it’s fake and whatnot before getting shy and embarrassed upon learning that it’s legit.
Looking up to the exchange, Alhaitham hastens his pace to the site.
.
.
Since the night has fallen, he’s informed by Kaveh’s junior that the omega is having his meal on the resting area. With some guidance from them, he manages to find the tent and has just flipped the entrance, when he’s greeted with such an unpleasant sight.
Kaveh is conversing, joking around way too close with another alpha.
Unknown alpha, who’s clearly into his oblivious omega.
It doesn’t help that the omega has discarded his neck piece, letting the collar of his white shirt to be opened. It gives an ample view of his unblemished scent gland and the unknown alpha obviously takes advantage of it, leaning way too close on the omega’s weak point.
His alpha instinct roars in anger upon having his territory being invaded by another alpha. Contrary to what Kaveh has believed after his failed stunt with another alpha’s scent on him, the only reason he didn’t react as the omega wished is purely because he knows Kaveh’s junior and the pup is absolutely not interested in Kaveh that way.
But this one?
This alpha better be a smart one or Kshahrewar will lose one of its members.
Kaveh is not sure what's going on.
He is having a good time and laughing at his newest junior’s joke when someone grabs the back of said junior’s collar and drags him to the back, before throwing him to with a loud thud.
“Hey, what’s-” He growls as his weapon starts to form on his right hand. His eyes widen in alarm when a hand is suddenly gripping the back of his neck firmly while another hand is squeezing onto his right wrist tightly, stopping him from summoning his weapon. His reflex to fight this stranger is automatically turned off and he instinctively lets out a whimper instead, as he belatedly recognizes the intruder.
Alhaitham in all of his glory, with his jaw and lips set tight as a sour and spicy scent is emitted from his body.
“Kaveh, let’s go home.” Alhaitham says calmly, but the displeasure is clear for anyone to see. He lets go of his wrist, but still keeps his other hand firm on his neck.
Putting down his authority as his alpha.
“No.” Kaveh growls back as he snaps out from his omega instinct. “What the fuck do you think you are doing, Haitham?” He snarls as he tries to unclasp himself from the other’s locking grip.
“Giving a warning.” Alhaitham says as he glances briefly towards the alpha on the floor. “I’m sure your ears are still working correctly, so I assume I don’t need to repeat it again.”
“Let’s go, Kaveh.”
“What the fuck, Haitham?” Kaveh snarls as he’s thrown into his temporary place in the desert. Since he’s the lead, he’s given a private tent to rest, unlike his junior who has to share among them.
“That should be my line.” Alhaitham growls. His anger is intensified upon smelling that there are other alpha scents within his omega’s room. “Why does it smell like a horde of alpha has been sleeping here?”
“What did you just say?” Kaveh yells. “Did you just insinuate that I’ve been sleeping around?”
“I did not.” Alhaitham sternly says. “However, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve been allowing random alphas to come into your room.”
“I’m the fucking lead, Haitham. As soon as your unreasonable alpha instinct is turned off, you can clearly deduce that it’s necessary because we often need to coordinate with each other.” The omega argues hotly.
“It doesn’t have to be necessarily within your private place.” Alhaitham angrily quips back.
“Said who?” Kaveh snaps back just as furiously. Well, the alpha has a point and he was actually going to prevent them from having a meeting inside his tent anymore but he’s not going to give the alpha the satisfaction of being right.
“Me, your alpha.” Alhaitham says as he pushes the older male into the bed.
“Last time I checked, I was still unmarked, thus you don’t have any right to tell me anything, Haitham.” Kaveh spats. “We’re just an alpha and omega who sleeps with each other, that’s it. Stop playing me around, you prick.” He hisses as he gets up on his elbow.
Alhaitham scoffs as he discards his coat and takes off his dark tee. “Good news for you then, we’ll change it tonight.”
Kaveh snorts, challenging the alpha with his face. “As if.”
.
.
.
Alhaitham is an arrogant bastard and a selfish prick, but he’s not a brute. He has never used his strength on him. He’s also never been aggressive when they’re sleeping together. But looking at his behavior now, it’s as if-
“Haitham- Ah!” Kaveh yelps when his hair is being pulled to the back, forcing him to bare his neck to the alpha. A whimper escapes from him when Alhaitham mercilessly bites on his neck, as a sharp sting immediately follows the action.
It’s as if he’s been holding back all of this time.
“Kaveh…” Alhaitham murmurs as he licks on the place where he has left his bite on the omega’s neck.
“Hai- ahh…” Kaveh mewls when his hole is speared open again to accommodate the alpha’s thick cock, hitting his prostate dead on. He sobs as he holds onto the alpha with dear life as his body is moving up and down in tempo of the harsh thrusts. “Too much, wait-”
“No.” Haitham growls as he flips him to his knees and forces his shoulder down, before mounting his body properly.
The change of position makes the alpha’s cock get deeper into him, as the growing knot hits his rim with each insistent slam of the other’s hips.
Kaveh whimpers pitifully when another body shudder hits him as the alpha’s breath hits the side of his ear, all while whispering his name in an almost reverence. It’s such a contrast with the rough and harsh treatment on his body, as the alpha forces a moan out of him with each thrust into his sopping hole. He can also acutely feel how his slick has been leaking out like a turned on faucet with each second passing by, with the way how thighs and cock feels absolutely wet and soaked with warm slicks and other fluids. The wet slaps of their coupling also sounds incredibly lewd, almost bordering evil as it only fuels his lust of being bred appropriately.
It feels hot. Too hot, too intense as Alhaitham’s weight feels obscenely pleasurable as it pins his omega body down, forcing him to take his cock no matter how oversensitive he has become. The alpha’s thick and dense pheromones also seem to envelop him fully, making him more delirious.
“Kaveh… Kaveh… My cute omega.” Alhaitham snarls. A merciless pull on his sensitive nipple soon follows, bringing a bout of filthy whimper from the omega as he comes again.
“Knot… I want your knot…” Kaveh begs as his hand futilely tries to reach to the back. “Alpha… Knot… please…” He whines pitifully as he tries to push his hips deeper into the cock that’s jackhammering into him. “I’m ready…”
“Will you let me knot you, Kaveh?” Alhaitham asks, never ceasing his pace but making sure that the knot won’t accidentally slip into the omega’s slickened and puffy hole. “Mark you as mine?”
“Yes, yes alpha please-”
The omega’s scent becomes so thick, so sweet and flowery that it fuels Alhaitham to finally force his knot into the willing omega. It slips in with another thrust, where Kaveh immediately comes again with another weak spurt of cum and a loud and hoarse whimper of his name.
The overly sweet scent has completely erased the last of his sanity and with a loud growl, Alhaitham bites the nape of his omega, permanently marking him as his.
“I’m still angry at you.” Kaveh hoarsely growls as he cuddles deeper into the alpha’s embrace. “You could’ve spent some time romanticizing it. Taking me to a fancy dinner, setting up candles with roses before you bite me but no. You don’t have any romantic bone in this stupid body of yours. We even did it in the fucking desert!”
Alhaitham chuckles as he pulls his mate closer. “I’m thinking of doing that, when you put a claiming bite on me.”
This piece of information immediately perks the older male up, as he lifts his head to face the gray-haired man. “You’ll let me bite you for real?”
“Why not?” Alhaitham throws the question back.
“Well… Alphas are notorious for not liking that, so it’s quite uncommon.” Kaveh replies hesitantly. “I thought I’d have to fight you first for it.”
Alhaitham shakes his head. “Kaveh, you are my mate. I want us to be on an equal standing. Why would I reject the idea? In fact, I’ll let you do it now if you wish for it.”
Kaveh only shrugs. “No, I still want the whole candlelight dinner.”
“Alright.” Alhaitham chuckles. “It also means that you don’t need to be jealous of other omegas anymore.” He gently kisses the other’s forehead. “I’m thoroughly yours.”
“As you should.” Kaveh huffs as he hides his face on the other’s chest to hide his embarrassment. “Fine, you have to prepare the most romantic date, if you want me to bite you.”
Alhaitham shakes his head fondly at the rather absurd logic, but he lets it go. “Very well, I’ll make sure it will be so good that you won’t be able to stop bragging about it to other people.”
“My silly chamomile omega.”