The evening had begun innocuously enough. Alhaitham had joined you at a local tavern for what was meant to be a relaxing night out. It was rare for him to leave the confines of the Akademiya, but he had made an exception, hoping to enjoy some peaceful time with you. The night was going well until an unexpected guest arrived - a charming, overly friendly fellow from one of the local merchant families. Alhaitham could see how effortlessly you engaged with the newcomer. It wasn’t jealousy, he told himself, it was just the alcohol. But every sip of wine he took seemed to intensify the growing discomfort within him.
The final straw came when the merchant, emboldened by the evening’s festivities, leaned in a bit too close. His hand lingered a moment too long on your arm, and his gaze was unmistakably flirtatious. Alhaitham’s calm exterior cracked, his mind racing with the thoughts he had so desperately tried to ignore. Rising abruptly from his seat, Alhaitham’s movements were deliberate, each step measured but brimming with an unspoken intensity. You looked up, surprise and concern evident in your eyes as Alhaitham approached.
“May I have a word?” Alhaitham asked, his voice low and steady, though the tension in his tone was palpable. You nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation, and followed him to a quieter corner of the tavern. The light here was softer, the hum of conversation a distant murmur, leaving you alone with Alhaitham’s brooding presence.
He was jealous. Desperately so. The thought of you with anyone else was more than he could bear. His heart ached with a blend of frustration and longing. The world outside seemed to fade away as you stood there together, the unspoken tension dissipating in the quiet intimacy of the moment. The alcohol-induced cloud of jealousy lifted, leaving only the clarity of your shared bond.
"It’s not that I’m jealous. It’s just... the alcohol. It’s affecting my mood. And you. You're too clingy with that man." He began, though his eyes betrayed his true feelings.