Chapter Text
Alhaitham can’t believe he’s doing this. He finds himself trudging through a desert storm following a rumor. Sand gets everywhere as if the wind was punishing him for doubting the integrity of his roommate. Kaveh has been coming home later and later these days; and sometimes not at all. He wakes up late in the day, still looking like he didn’t get a minute of sleep. From the Akademiya records, Kaveh hasn’t been reporting any ongoing commissions, nor has anything been built under the famous architect’s name. However, Kaveh has been paying his rent on time for the past few months. There has also been a rumor amongst the less savory crowd, that a new flower has bloomed in the desert.
Along the outskirts of Sumeru City, there is an infamous establishment meant for disgustingly rich patrons to indulge in life’s riches. A gambler’s den so to speak; a place for fine wine and even finer women. In this case, the latest uproar was due to mysterious rising star who showed up out of the blue. Introduced by one of the establishments very own founding fathers, Lord Sangemah Bay, a young dancer debuted and continued to capture the hearts and desires of men and women alike.
From what Alhaitham managed to gather, it was a fair man with striking blond hair and deep carmine eyes, with a body and a voice so alluring one could question if they have ever understood beauty before baring witness to his performances. The dancer keeps a veil on to hide his identity, but the mystery only arouses his admirers even more so. Alhaitham has known Kaveh for years but he’s never seen Kaveh dance, much less talk about being interested in that type of art. Sure, they watch their mutual friend’s, Nilou’s, theater performances but that was it.
Alhaitham sees the unassuming tent in the middle of nowhere. Only a single torch lit the entrance and a cloaked man guarded the entrance in company of a lone smoking pipe.
“What do you want?” the guard croaks and spits on the ground close to Alhaitham’s feet.
“I’m in search of a blue Henna berry,” Alhaitham observes the man peek from his cloak with a glint in his eyes.
“I’m afraid we only have red ones,” he offers Alhaitham a fruit from the crate he was sitting on.
“Very well, please give me the most ripe ones,” he takes out a pouch heavy with mora. The other man takes the bag and gives him a wide grin from ear to ear, “Pleasure doing business with you.”
He let’s Alhaitham in the tent. It was absolutely empty except for a wooden board on the ground with a circular handle. Alhaitham grips the rough metal and pries it open with a loud thud. He examines the entrance and cautiously makes his way down flights of stairs leading to the basement. Music started to play from far away. He follows the sound and soon cheering voices joined the noise.
At the end of a hallway, he was greeted by a very well endowed woman, “My my, a new face. We’ve been seeing a plenty. Might you be here for our new star?”
Alhaitham nods. She giggles and warns him, “I’m afraid there is a pack of hopeful fans tonight waiting to gain a private audience. If ever you get tired of waiting, you know where to find me,” she winks.
Alhaitham feels uneasy and adjusts his cloak to cover his face. The last thing he needs is rumors in the Akademiya talking about how the Acting Grand Sage was seen in this shady kind of establishment. Some of the other patrons feel similarly and others had even donned masks to hide their identity. The lady leads Alhaitham through rows of people engaged in betting games. She tells him he is also free to join them but Alhaitham repeats that he is only there for the dancers— or rather just one.
He wasn’t even sure what he’s there for. Alhaitham just wanted to confirm his suspicions that Kaveh was there. And then what? Did he plan to force Kaveh to leave and go home with him? Kaveh would probably tell him he didn’t have the right and to stay out of his business. Nonetheless, he was worried for Kaveh’s safety. Just how much can money buy at this place?
Just like the hostess warned, the room after the gambler’s space was packed. The lights were dimmed and booths with high backs littered the red room. The only focus was the main stage where several men and women dressed in shimmering and revealing costumes swayed and danced to the sensual music.
“The bidding will be after his solo performance,” she notes and then bows to leave Alhaitham in his own booth.
Bidding? Alhaitham felt wary. He didn’t want to entertain the thought, but much like the rest of the dancers, he shouldn’t be surprised if Kaveh was for sale as well.
The patrons hiding their faces wave to their favorite entertainer on stage and beckons to join them in their booths. This dancer, who Alhaitham suspects to be Kaveh, was no where to be seen yet. The performers dwindle and then slowly the music changes. The lights turn to a cold blue and a spot light shoots in the middle of the closed curtains. The crowds began to cheer and whistle. Alhaitham swallows nervously. He wants to be wrong. Please tell me it’s not you.
As if time slowed down, the curtains open and reveal a mysterious figure. The lower half of his veil obscured his face but the rest of his body was out on display. The dancer had a long chiffon headpiece fastened to his hair, and it trailed down cascading over his shoulders and down to the floor. His body was embellished with gold glitter, coins wrapped around a fitted belt on his waist, and his top contoured to every curve on his body. The harem pants were also sheer and cut open on the sides. He starts a slow dance while looking down timidly. He moves the fabric away from his shoulders and reveals more skin as he traces his own arms with the music. He sways his hips and turns around to show off the perfect curve of his waist and ass. Alhaitham forgot for a second that he was there to identify the dancer. His hair color, his height, and his form matched Kaveh. He still couldn’t be sure because the performer not only hid his face but also Alhaitham was unfamiliar with how he moved.
Alhaitham was not blind. He knew Kaveh was a beautiful man but he’s never tried to charm or allure Alhaitham intentionally. The way this dancer was capturing his gaze was not only obscene and captivating, it was also hypnotizing. The lights change and beat picked up; the dancer ripped off the long veil from his hair and let it fall to the ground. The audience waved their money around and loudly called for the seductive man on stage. It was not easy to impress the dancer and he continued to take off more of his clothing. Alhaitham focused on his hair which was tied up and braided along the sides. And as if on cue, the blond man releases his hair from the clips and let it drape wildly along his form. Alhaitham knew it then. The tips of Kaveh’s hair were colored brunette and the dancer’s matched that perfectly.
Alhaitham brought his hands to his face and slumped down the table. The wine goblet shook but luckily didn’t tip over. As much as he was tempted to keep watching Kaveh dance, he felt miserable after confirming that his fears had come true. Why did Kaveh felt the need to do this? Was he in that much debt? Knowing Kaveh, he could have been desperate for money or that he simply enjoys it. Alhaitham slams his hands on the table and grabs the wine and drinks it in one go.
“Wow, slow down, stranger.”
A familiar voice calls him and Alhaitham realizes that Kaveh was right in front of him. They both couldn’t see each other’s face but Kaveh’s presence radiated like the sun.
“Why are you here if not to put your eyes on me?” apparently, Kaveh felt offended that his audience had the audacity to ignore him mid performance and decided to approach him.
Kaveh places his leg on Alhaitham’s table and lets the slit of his pants slide higher. He exposed his neck and let his hair whip backwards as he flaunted a very skillful body roll. Alhaitham stare emotionlessly mesmerized by the sight before him. His lower half was reacting but his upper half stayed frozen. Kaveh continues to tempt him but he couldn’t get a reaction out of him. If it was anyone else in the crowd they would be throwing mora at him and would be offering all their assets just for a private audience with Kaveh. Why isn’t it working? Kaveh bit his lower lip.
Kaveh reaches his hand out and Alhaitham complies without thinking. He pulls Alhaitham to the edge of the booth and without warning grabs his knees and Kaveh drops his hips close to Alhaitham’s crotch. The wolves in the crowd whistle and holler, “Me next, baby!” Kaveh was giving Alhaitham the lap dance of his life. Well? How do you like me now? Kaveh spun around to check.
Alhaitham still didn’t show any reaction except for his cock twitching in his pants; if only Kaveh looked closer. His shorter veil was in the way, he pushes it away to reveal his eyes. He thought he must be doing something wrong if his patron didn’t even look interested. Kaveh meets the strangers eyes and then suddenly it was like both men were struck by lightning.
They recognized each other.
What. The. Fuck.