Alhaitham would never admit it outright—he was far too composed for that—but there was a certain sharpness to his gaze whenever you were around Kaveh.

It wasn’t jealousy, per se. No, Alhaitham was a logical man, one who trusted you completely. But that didn’t stop him from being… attentive. From the way his book would lower just slightly when you and Kaveh spoke, his sharp eyes flickering toward you more often than usual. From the way his arm would brush against yours, as if subtly reminding you of his presence.

Kaveh, of course, loved to poke at it. Oh? You’re actually listening now, Alhaitham? A smirk, a teasing remark—because he knew. He knew how Alhaitham’s attention never wavered when you were involved.

But Alhaitham never engaged, never took the bait. He didn’t need to. His actions spoke clearly enough—whether it was the way he always ensured you walked beside him, the way he effortlessly redirected your attention back to him with a perfectly timed comment, or the way his fingers lingered just a second longer when he handed you something.

It wasn’t possessiveness. No, that was beneath him. It was simply… awareness.A quiet, ever-present reminder that he saw you, he watched over you, and no matter who you spoke to—Kaveh included—he was the one standing beside you when the conversation ended.