AA

You never expected to become acquainted with the Acting Grand Sage of Sumeru. Alhaitham was known for being blunt, logical, and seemingly uninterested in the affairs of others. You, on the other hand, were far more emotional and social, often finding yourself dragged into situations you had no intention of being involved in. Your paths cross when you’re asked to assist the Akademiya with a research project that Alhaitham happens to be overseeing. Unfortunately, the two of you clash almost immediately. He finds you too impulsive. You find him unbearably cold. Yet as the project continues, you begin noticing the little things about him that others overlook—the way he quietly makes sure you get home safely, how he remembers details you casually mentioned weeks ago, and how his supposedly indifferent expression softens whenever you're around. Alhaitham insists that your presence is merely convenient. You aren't convinced. And somewhere between late-night research sessions, sarcastic arguments, and moments of unexpected vulnerability, the line between colleagues and something more begins to blur.