If it weren't for the foreign clothing Alhaitham recognized as fontainian, Alhaitham would've greeted the woman with Kaveh's name. She stood out in the streets of Sumeru City, her carmine eyes darting around with a sense of familiarity and fondness. She was pretty, but Kaveh was prettier in Alhaitham's opinion. Alhaitham found her by Kaveh's family home, the one he impulsively sold to complete that darn palace. A palace that wasn't even for himself.
Alhaitham didn't mean to eavesdrop, he was passing by when he heard the woman knock on the door and ask for Kaveh.
"Kaveh? Ah, you must be talking about the former owner of this house." The homeowner said, "He sold this place ages ago."
Alhaitham studied the shocked expression on the woman's face. It was the same expression Kaveh made whenever Alhaitham did anything he considered "nice" or was particularly offended. But the woman looked visibly older than Kaveh. If Alhaitham had to guess he would guess that she was in her fifties. He briefly wondered if that was what Kaveh would look like when he got older as well.
Fontainian clothes...Kaveh lookalike...
Alhaitham concluded the woman was most likely Kaveh's mother. He waited until the woman and homeowner stop making small talk to approach Kaveh's mother.
"Good afternoon." Alhaitham started.
She stared at him for a moment, "Hm? Good afternoon to you as well! Oh, this is actually great timing, have you seen a middle aged man, around twenty three and looks like me. His name is Kaveh, he's my son but I never told him I was visiting so..."
Like mother, like son, huh.
"Ahem..." Alhaitham interrupted before she could continue any longer. "I actually live with your son. If you need proof—"
"REALLY? You live with Kaveh?! The archons must be looking out for me today. Please, lead the way!"
Really? She's just going to believe me? ...Is this where Kaveh gets his gullible ways from?
Regardless, Alhaitham showed Kaveh's mother the way to his home. She kept her chit chat, leading to Alhaitham learning many things. He would've zoned her out if not for the little mentions of Kaveh as a child. It was amusing to think about the stories she told: Kaveh sneaking in his first blueprint into her work, his interest in arts and his first sketchbook, how he would cry when he was hungry and how she would have to comfort him, etc. Lots of material for Alhaitham to remember and haunt Kaveh with. On the subject of Kaveh, Alhaitham occasionally commented on things or asked questions. He also learned her name: Faranak. The rest of the stuff Alhaitham didn't care to hear.
It was almost terrifying how much Faranak reminded Alhaitham of Kaveh, both because of her appearance and her little habits.
Finally, they arrived in front of the house. Alhaitham unlocked the door and Faranak made a comment about the tiger key that Alhaitham had "accidentally" taken. It was no surprise that she called it cute.
How would she react if I told her I found her son cuter?
Alhaitham took off his shoes and stepped aside to let Faranak in.
Kaveh was organizing the bookshelf. The pretty blonde looked over at him, Alhaitham found it slightly frustrating how he was looking over him. His gaze lingering on top of his head rather than at him. Kaveh has been doing that a lot recently. Alhaitham didn't like it.
Kaveh's gaze shone fully on his mother, he made that adorable shocked face of his, and uttered a single word.
"Mom?"
The two practically flew into each other's arms, Alhaitham could even see tears in Faranak's eyes. Seeing the two almost made Alhaitham miss his grandma. Almost. Alhaitham decided he should give the two some alone time, they should go out to eat for lunch. But most importantly, he needed to make a good impression on his future mother in law.
___________
Kaveh missed his mother. He had always been afraid to intrude on her life in Fontaine. After his father died, his mother had to fight hard for her happiness. It has been a long time since he's felt her embrace, it made him feel like a child again.
"Oh Kaveh, I've missed you so so much." She told him, "I'm so sorry for coming unannounced. I tried to send a letter but it just got sent back to me."
Mom pulled away, and they sat down on the couch.
"I've missed you too, mom...I...A lot of things happened after you left so I ended up selling the house."
It wasn't really an explanation at all, Kaveh didn't want his mother to know what had actually happened and worry over him. She didn't deserve to have to worry over him after all she's been through...
Mom smiled at him, "I understand, Kaveh. The house was in your name anyways, I just wish you would've at least inform me of the address change. Getting mail from Fontaine to Sumeru is already hard enough."
"I'm sorry, mom. But, why are you here?"
"What? I can't have a vacation? Dealing with kids is hard work you know. Thank the archons my husband can deal with them while I'm gone."
Kaveh let out a little laugh at that. He knew his mother didn't mean it, she loved and handled kids with an ungodly patience. Kaveh listened to her as she talked about her life in Fontaine and his half siblings. Mom suddenly paused and gave Kaveh a comforting look.
"Anyways, I'm so happy to see that you've settled down in life. As long as you're happy I'll always support you." She hugged Kaveh while saying this.
Alhaitham walked in with a bouquet of flowers. Kaveh stared at the flowers and then Alhaitham.
Strange...he never does this for anyone...If anything, he would say flowers are a waste of mora!
He handed the flowers to Mom, "Have you had lunch yet, Miss Faranak?"
"Huh? Oh, thank you sweetie. Lunch? No, not yet. I suppose we should go out to eat, it's been forever since I've had any Sumerian dishes!" Mom replies cheerfully, admiring the flowers. Alhaitham smiles at Mom. Mom stares at him and said to Kaveh, "Awww, isn't he's so caring and sweet and handsome?"
Kaveh made a face, did his mother really just call Alhaitham handsome? And did Alhaitham really just smile at Mom?!
Speaking of Alhaitham, somehow his number kept getting higher even without Kaveh's presence. How was that even possible???
3072
Alhaitham sits down opposite of them, of which mom immediately tells him to sit with them instead. To Kaveh's surprise, Alhaitham actually obliged and sat down next to Mom. Kaveh felt goosebumps at the expression on Alhaitham's face, why was he smiling so much?! What is this horror??? Has he been replaced by aliens???
Mom chatted with Alhaitham, but Kaveh wasn't really listening. Alhaitham actually responded with laughs and smiling and all, engaging with all the attention in the world.
What in the...wait...does Alhaitham...
Kaveh stares at Alhaitham with abject horror. Alhaitham briefly meets his gaze and smiles at him.
[+4]
DOES ALHAITHAM WANT TO FUCK MY MOM?!!?!??
___________
Faranak was glad to hear and see Kaveh doing so well. She was worried about him, especially since they haven't been in contact for so long. Faranak was so worried when he heard Kaveh had sold the house, he did stupid things sometimes. But, as it turns out, Kaveh just found a boyfriend and decided to move in with him.
Ahhh kids, time really does fly by...
Faranak very much approves of Alhaitham. Not only was he handsome, he was also caring and attentive. The way he looks at her son does not escape her eyes. If that isn't a look of pure love and adoration then Faranak doesn't know what is. Maybe soon she'll receive a wedding invite. She giggled inside at the thought. This day would be remembered as one of her happiest days, that's for sure.
She tells Kaveh about her life in Fontaine and his half siblings. Then she paused, she should let Kaveh know she supports him, right? There are some homophobic people in teyvat after all.
"Anyways, I'm so happy to see that you've settled down in life. As long as you're happy I'll always support you." She hugged Kaveh. It was a different position now that Kaveh had gotten taller, but it was lovely nonetheless.
Alhaitham walks in with a bouquet of beautiful flowers and hands them to Faranak. He asks if she's eaten lunch yet and Faranak responds cheerfully. Then Alhaitham smiles at Faranak and she couldn't help but think Kaveh had really good taste.
Awww, he's so adorable.
Alhaitham sits down on the opposite couch and Faranak immediately tells him to sit with them instead. Alhaitham did and Faranak warns him in a cheerful voice, "Don't you ever hurt my son, you understand? You better treat him like the precious treasure that he is and make him the happiest person on teyvat."
Alhaitham let out an amused scoff, "Of course, Miss Faranak. I look forward to being your son in law."
"You have my blessing for marriage. And I'm sure that if Kaveh's father was still here...you would have his blessing as well."
Faranak smiled, it seems like she was worried over Kaveh for no reason. Her baby boy is all grown up now...