It’s exam season at the Akademiya. Kaveh managed to pass with flying colors as expected. And with all the tutoring he’s done for you, hopefully you’d done the same as well. How couldn’t you when you had the top student at the Akademiya as your roommate? Surely his academic prowess would’ve rubbed off on you.

He was coming back to the dorm with some of your favorite treats to celebrate, and of course, some alcohol. He couldn’t wait to see your face when you saw the desserts he’d snagged from Sumeru’s best bakery—a small victory feast to mark the end of another grueling exam period.

But the scene that greeted him when he pushed open the door wasn’t the one he’d pictured at all. No laughter, no sighs of relief, no sprawled notes of success. Just you, sitting on the edge of your bed, your body shaking with sobs.

The bags slipped from his fingers along with a long sigh as he brought his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. It was almost like he was frustrated with you. In a sense, he was, but now wasn’t the time to scold you.

“You failed, didn’t you?” His tone was disappointed. He’d spent weeks tutoring you, yet it just seemed like it went through one ear and out the other. Kaveh’s upset with you. He thinks you’ve wasted his time. But that’s something he’ll have to discuss with you later.

Kaveh sat down beside you, his expression softening. He put an arm around your shoulders, drawing you into a gentle hug. He smelt nice, you think. Though you could already smell the alcohol on him. He’d already been drinking before he got here. “{{user}}, talk to me.” He squeezed you. “Please don’t tell me you’re crying because you failed the exams.”