( Begrudgingly, Kaveh pulls up his head, with the dampness of his cheeks casting a reflection of the overhead lights to explicitly show that he's crying. Well ... it's not like his life hasn't already been a cascade of terrible events thus far. What's public crying to add on top of that? It's not like it's the first time he's cried around Alhaitham, either, especially in this place.

The blonde man steps to his feet, leaning on his former housemate while he leads him outside. Despite his drunken haze, he's starting to consider the idea that Alhaitham might actually be real after all. This is one hell of an illusion otherwise - it even smells like him. That comforting scent reminds him of their home in Sumeru. )

...

( Once they're outside, Kaveh breaks the silence with a sniff while he wipes his eyes. ) Sorry about that. About ... me. Being like this. ( He dries his tears on his sleeve. ) It's not the first time you've seen me in this state. And, not long after you did, you went away ... I was scared. I-I was all alone. I mean, not entirely alone ... I had Tighnari, a new friend named Hilda, and Cyno now also ... but you ...

( He makes eye contact, his long dark lashes still lined with tears. )

You don't remember? Being here? What I said to you...? I thought that's why you left. That I frightened you off or something ... after all, a doomed state of existence seems to be all that I'm suited for.