Technically, you haven't given me anything but a headache.
[Maybe if Alhaitham hadn't started this by texting him with "come get this garbage off my doorstep" he would've believed it more readily? We'll just never know now]
[ it's a struggle enough for alhaitham to admit to his own arguably squishy feelings towards kaveh. they still haven't completely smoothed out the kinks in their relationship—i.e. mastering how to put their egos aside for one minute for the sake of the other person. they keep doing things like this instead, where kaveh is bristled like a cactus and alhaitham is ready to call all of this off. gift or not, it's too much effort.
almost. when he and kaveh said they would try this, it meant that alhaitham would try to be more open and forgiving and do things that might require effort. like buying a valentine's day gift. like giving it to kaveh no matter how incredulous he is.
haitham sighs deeply, letting his breath filter completely from his chest. he looks away, though he's trying to be calmer. ]
I didn't buy this for you out of some sudden acknowledgment of what day it is. Like I said, I've never bothered to celebrate it before. I had no reason to.
[ he looks back at kaveh intently. ]
You're right about one thing. Art and romance are the cornerstones of this holiday. Because of the way you are, I knew it would mean something to you. That's all I was thinking about when I got you this. It didn't matter what my feelings were about today.
[And that's the thing about being mirrors--for all that Kaveh believes he's right about everything he's said, he also knows Alhaitham well enough to sense when it's time to concede. He might not always listen to that sense--even he knows that he lets passionate indignation get the best of him sometimes--but he is, more often than not, able to sense when they're approaching the line. That's true even now, when he's running on exhausted fumes and his already-short fuse is practically ashes.
He crosses his arms as Alhaitham talks, watching him out of the corner of his eye--and despite his petulant attitude, he notices that deep breath, that shift in expression. More than that, he isn't so easily distracted that he forgot Alhaitham's fond look of gratitude earlier, nor his insistence that Kaveh get some rest.
(He knows Alhaitham cares. Alhaitham does not do anything he doesn't want to do--he's known that from the beginning. Recognizing anything beyond that... it's difficult for him to face head-on, is all. But he, too, needs to try. Alhaitham deserves that from him.)
His jaw works when Alhaitham finishes--but he doesn't kick up another fuss. Instead, slowly, he extends his hand again, resting it not on the box, but on top of Alhaitham's.]
[ alhaitham watches the muscles move in kaveh's cheeks—the only anomalies in an otherwise perfect face is. despite his otherwise sour expression, kaveh seems to be tempering his own attitude.
when kaveh reaches out for his hand, alhaitham doesn't pull it back. he lets it rest where it is, and after a moment of searching kaveh's face, he offers the box to him. his eyes seem to soften, at least a little. ]
Open it.
[ past the dried flowers and pretty bow, kaveh will find three things wrapped in sheer, red cloth (cheap—leftovers from nilou's costumes).
the first is a handmade wooden hairbrush. on the back is the image of a flying, florid bird made from bits of colored glass, smoothly plated in resin.
next is an elaborate hairtie, fashioned with gold, feathered, colorful ornamentation that's meant to match seamlessly with the theme of his clothes—likely made by the same person who designed and tailored his outfit.
third is a small book. poetry is one of alhaitham's least preferred genres, so of course it would be one of kaveh's favorites. it only took one trip to the bookstore for alhaitham to see which authors he preferred, and only one chat with the shop owner to figure out which one wrote the sort of thing he needed. (the auntie, one of kaveh's many fans, was only too glad to tell him.)
so kaveh will find a small, thin, red book. it will be by an author he likes, and the love poems inside range from several pages long to just a few poignant, artfully arranged words.
alhaitham doesn't know if it's good. he won't pretend to understand most modern poetry, with its absurd structures, broken meters, and attempts at assigning meaning where it makes no sense. he just made an educated guess at what kaveh would like, and hopefully he chose correctly. but there is one poem that seems to have resonated with him and their relationship, which he's earmarked for kaveh to find.
arms crossed again, alhaitham watches while kaveh pores through the items, his gaze flickering from the gifts to kaveh's face, gauging his reactions. ]
[AH... the inevitable moment of embarrassment has come.
Kaveh, of course, doesn't know that just yet--but he takes the box with care anyway, and he's gentle as he opens it, dexterous fingers easing the ribbon off the edges without disturbing the bow or the flowers. He carefully sets the box top aside, then turns his attention to the contents.
Kaveh is not a subtle man. He can rein himself in when he has to, especially when he's working, but for the most part, he is open, expressive. Alhaitham doesn't even need to be watching as closely as he is--the shifts in Kaveh's expression are immediate and plain as day. His eyes widen, lips parting in shock as he takes in what he's looking at.
Almost unconsciously, he trails his fingers delicately over each item, tracing the detail on the brush, admiring the material of the tie, and following the lettering of the book's title. It's equally clear from his expression that he recognizes every significant element presented here--the craftsmanship, the aesthetic, the author, all of it.]
...You...
[This isn't the first time Alhaitham has rendered him speechless--but it's rare, and rarer still that it happens because he is so deeply moved by something Alhaitham has said or done. But at the moment, Kaveh can't even bring himself to tear his eyes away from the gifts, to meet Alhaitham's gaze--he knows, without a doubt, that whatever he sees will immediately overwhelm him.]
[ the awe and breathlessness were two things he had hoped for, bordering on expectation. the immediate flush of red up kaveh's body—up his chest and neck and face and ears, like the running of a thermometer—is something he didn't predict until they started bickering again. it makes the moment that much sweeter.
alhaitham can't hide his smirk. he takes a few steps closer, tilting his head to get a better look at kaveh's flabbergasted face. he got so owned. ]
Disappointed? You're the expert on romance, after all, not me. I'm just its antonym in the dictionary.
[THE WAY HE IMMEDIATELY COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS wait no he can't do that he's still holding the box. Very gently, he puts it down on Alhaitham's desk
...AND THEN COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS. HE'S PRAYING TO THE GROUND TO SWALLOW HIM UP IN THIS MOMENT. Alhaitham really let him stand there and talk shit for twenty minutes AND FOR WHAT!!! JUST TO LAUGH AT HIM!!!!
[He is allowed to do this but only because Kaveh just SMACKS HIS STUPID CHEST (not that hard, his delicate hands) and then immediately buries his face in said stupid chest, fingers curling into the fabric of Alhaitham's top. This is not accurate to their heights but I don't care I'm manifesting it anyway, we can live out our size difference dreams. More importantly, if Alhaitham keeps perceiving him he will simply collapse and die and that would ruin the gift.]
I'm actually going to kill you one of these days, you know that? One of these days you're going to make me traumatize Mehrak, and then where will we be. [Mehrak isn't sentient]
[ PLEASE i love kaveh no matter what height he is... if he grabs haitham's shirt and shoves his face down on his tits even tho he's a foot taller than him that's completely valid. he's used to it by now regardess. also be nice to mehrak ): she has to deal with their gay asses every day
alhaitham sets his hands on kaveh's shoulders in what he hopes is a soothing gesture. he still kind of can't hear kaveh's voice, but he gets the gist. ]
Sounds like I'll be dead. And if I know you, you'll probably turn yourself in to Matra for what you did to Mehrak, but not to me. So you'll be in jail.
[ kaveh loves mehrak... we hope ]
You still haven't told me if my gift meets the expectations of Sumeru City's resident expert on love. [ stop ]
[This is what Alhaitham gets for wearing his headphones all the time okay. And it's true, I believe in my heart that Kaveh loves Mehrak even though it would be really funny if his character story comes out and is like "Kaveh hates Mehrak actually he uses it battle because he's hoping it'll break"
He's still embarrassed, but at least he doesn't shrug Alhaitham's hands off; they feel nice, actually, but that's not unusual, given how much Kaveh likes these sorts of casually intimate touches. He lifts his head, and he's GLARING AGAIN but it's canceled out by his blush and the way he slides his hand up to curl his hand around the back of Alhaitham's neck.]
Oh, shut up. [But that, too, is canceled out as he tugs Alhaitham into a kiss--ironic, given that he'd literally just accused Alhaitham of manipulating him this way a little while ago, but hey. It doesn't count as hypocrisy when the intentions are different, right? Right.]
kaveh's glares have never worked on him anyway. their kiss is thrown off-kilter by alhaitham's smirk, still pulling on his lips. his arms sink down and wrap around kaveh's waist, urging him forward as close as he can be (because he can't be assed to step forward).
when he finally softens his mouth, he closes kaveh's lips with his own and tries to follow with a string of long kisses, deep and full and languid, like he's making up for what he ruined. if kaveh lets him, alhaitham would be content to kiss him this way for hours. there's no better day to do so than on valentine's day, after all. ]
[Alhaitham is so lucky that Kaveh's too full of shame to bite him because that smirk is just asking for it tbh.
But unfortunately for Kaveh, he's just as weak to this as he was earlier. Moreso now, actually, because his heart is a complete mess. No matter what he says, he knows it's not the first meaningful thing Alhaitham's ever done for him--but he was able to look away from so many of those, because they were never so blatant. And more importantly, back then, Alhaitham always let him run, always gave in and permitted him to skirt around sincerity, skittish and defensive in his fearful longing. (And that, too, was meaningful in its own way.)
The point being: It's not Alhaitham's first poignant gesture, but it's one of the first between them as they are now, and that alone would've been enough to turn him indulgent. For these gifts to be so sentimental, so well-chosen on top of everything else--there's simply no way he can deny Alhaitham right now. That would've been true the minute he opened the box no matter what, even if he hadn't stuck his foot in his mouth on the way.
So it should come as no surprise that he lets Alhaitham tug him forward, lifting his other hand to bury his fingers in Alhaitham's hair (careful, of course, not to dislodge his headphones). It should be utterly predictable that he leans into Alhaitham, that he keeps his lips parted and welcomes each and every kiss. If anyone comes knocking on the door, Kaveh might try to break away to answer it, but other than that? Alhaitham just might get what he wants, since Kaveh doesn't seem inclined to stop him.]
[ kaveh trying to answer the door for an office that isn't even his.... good luck getting out of alhaitham's arms if that happens. whoever it is should have come during office hours!!!
kaveh indulges him, returning every kiss with equal fervor. they stay like this for a few more minutes, where alhaitham revels in the sweetness of kaveh's mouth, dipping his tongue past kaveh's lips to slip over his. it would be easy to draw them up against his desk or on his chair, continue until their lips feel raw like he wants them to, but instead he slowly (and hopefully briefly) draws back.
he sidles his nose beside kaveh's, and his lips curl in a thin smile. ]
[LOOK he knows Alhaitham wouldn't do it and one of them has to make a token effort at being responsible, maybe, perhaps. Never mind that Alhaitham's gonna get his way about the all-nighter he forbade earlier too--but that's just because as soon as Kaveh leaves he's gonna work nonstop until Alhaitham gets off work and finish it out of spite. Kaveh may scoff at the titles and praise he gets but that doesn't mean they're unearned.
He scowls at Alhaitham's words when they break apart, but it's not the same offended bristling as earlier; he's just being dramatic. His face is still warm, but at least now it's partly from affection and not mortification. Tiny victories.]
Why do I put up with you? --Don't answer that. [ALHAITHAM HAS SAID ENOUGH. But for all of Alhaitham's irritating smugness, Kaveh is the one who's claimed time and again to be good at this (at least between the two of them), so... fine. He will suck it up and set a good example... and meet Alhaitham with the straightforwardness he so prefers, the way Alhaitham's gone out of his way to do this for him. He takes a steadying breath, something that would probably look like a sigh if they were standing further apart.]
...Yes. They're perfect, thank you. [He glances down again, eyes catching on the book once more. He unwinds one arm from Alhaitham, reaching out to rest his fingertips on the cover.] ...We should read these, later tonight.
[It's basically asking for a spirited debate, considering their fundamentally opposed perspectives--but maybe Kaveh knows perfectly well that that's their love language, so sue him.]
[ what if alhaitham just leaves work early so he can steal kaveh for the rest of the night. what then. they deserve some time off and now he has an actual sugar daddy. (no)
his smile quirks upward even further when kaveh quickly corrects himself. all of kaveh's retorts and attacks are watered down every time he blushes; a softness reaches his eyes that only alhaitham can read. he follows his hand to the book, and he has the same thought: that night, instead of visiting the tavern, they'll settle on the couch after alhaitham opens a bottle of his best vintage wine. they'll pick apart every poem, ruminate and debate on its broken prose and hidden meanings, but in a good-natured way that they sometimes do. it will be perfect. maybe they should leave early. ]
If that's what you want. I didn't think you'd want to open up a can of worms tonight of all nights.
[ he tilts his head, lets his lips graze kaveh's cheek bone before pressing a kiss there. ]
Yes, well... [Listen... maybe he knows it would make Alhaitham happy and also what if that's exactly what he wants and it sounds perfect to him too he just doesn't want anyone to see them together on a romantic holiday!! Yeah! That's totally it.] You went through the effort of getting it, so I might as well teach you how to appreciate it.
[Ah well. Baby steps. They'll get there eventually. In the meantime, he leans back and lifts a hand to press two fingers to Alhaitham's lips with a stern look.]
Oh no you don't. You stay here and finish your shift like the absurdly overpaid employee you are. [Someday he'll stop being salty about their paycheck differences but today is not that day] I'll head to the studio now, and if no one disturbs me, I should be able to finish by the time you're done.
[Alhaitham can choose between letting him cram a full day's worth of work into the next like 5 hours, or letting him pull a third all-nighter and sleep for like 16 straight hours after. There is no in-between, he's gonna destroy himself now or later.]
): but what if alhaitham feels lazyyy... in reality, haitham would normally be stubborn and insistent on his stern and calculated way, but he knows how kaveh is about his work. the cramming will happen no matter what. haitham may as well take the path of least resistance.
so despite his irritated look, alhaitham gives in. he reaches for kaveh's hand and holds it still as he kisses his two fingertips. ]
Fine. You can go. Just not now.
[ kaveh wasn't asking for permission..... but haitham doesn't seem preoccupied with this. he just draws kaveh's hand back and kisses the front of his curled fingers. that arm around his waist vaguely tightens. ]
[HE'S ALWAYS LAZY. HE'S JUST A GIANT HOUSECAT WHO'S TOO ATTRACTIVE FOR HIS OWN GOOD.]
What's that supposed to mean? I wasn't asking permission, you know.
[He'll say it!!! He'll grumble it... even though he's not disentangling himself just yet, his other hand still comfortably resting on the back of Alhaitham's neck. They've been spiritually married for like 10 years but they haven't been dating for that long, and even if they had been, Kaveh is such a sucker for affection. No--for Alhaitham's affection, specifically. Alhaitham's not nearly as reserved with it as he first expected, but that doesn't make the weight of it any easier for his heart to bear.
(It's... nice, after all. To know, without a doubt, that he's wanted. Maybe it's the reassurance just as much as it is the rest of it.)]
[ yeah... he even acts like he owns the place (bc he does)
for as much as alhaitham's physical affection can be genuine, it definitely can be a tactic. sometimes it doesn't work; kaveh will shove a him away by his shoulders or cover his mouth, citing deadlines or his workload or any other priorities. other times, like now, kaveh shows his weakness, and alhaitham indulges kaveh as much as he indulges himself.
kaveh's will to protest begin to slacken. haitham takes his hand and presses it over one half of his own chest. a dirty trick.
he leans in to kiss lightly along the line of kaveh's jaw. then he noses underneath it, tilting kaveh's head to close his mouth against the side of his neck. he slowly sucks a bruise onto his skin, holding flesh between his teeth. ]
[IT'S TRUE... EVEN AT WORK BECAUSE HE'S STILL THE ACTING GRAND SAGE, HATEFUL.
That's the dirtiest of tricks, though, wow?? DON'T WEAPONIZE YOUR TITS YOU JERK. Unfortunately, it works; Kaveh, who was about to call Alhaitham out for not answering him, loses track of his complaint.]
You really don't dress like someone who hates attention, you know. [Muttered, a little teasing, as he lets his fingers splay over Alhaitham's chest. He's already got the shape of him memorized, of course, but people aren't buildings; they change by the day, and Kaveh always enjoys sussing out even the most minute shifts.
Thoughtlessly--forgetting exactly where they are, perhaps--he angles his head, savoring the languid press of Alhaitham's lips to his skin. Normally, he'd be a little less indulgent, but... he's tired, and it's a holiday. It won't kill him to let his boyfriend kiss him for a few minutes before he goes back to work.
Or so he thinks, until he feels Alhaitham leaving a mark on his neck. Where people might see. Immediately, his nails dig into the back of Alhaitham's neck and his chest.]
You--! [Alhaitham is so lucky he wears a high collar and has long hair or he would be DEAD MEAT]
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[Maybe if Alhaitham hadn't started this by texting him with "come get this garbage off my doorstep" he would've believed it more readily? We'll just never know now]
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[ it's a struggle enough for alhaitham to admit to his own arguably squishy feelings towards kaveh. they still haven't completely smoothed out the kinks in their relationship—i.e. mastering how to put their egos aside for one minute for the sake of the other person. they keep doing things like this instead, where kaveh is bristled like a cactus and alhaitham is ready to call all of this off. gift or not, it's too much effort.
almost. when he and kaveh said they would try this, it meant that alhaitham would try to be more open and forgiving and do things that might require effort. like buying a valentine's day gift. like giving it to kaveh no matter how incredulous he is.
haitham sighs deeply, letting his breath filter completely from his chest. he looks away, though he's trying to be calmer. ]
I didn't buy this for you out of some sudden acknowledgment of what day it is. Like I said, I've never bothered to celebrate it before. I had no reason to.
[ he looks back at kaveh intently. ]
You're right about one thing. Art and romance are the cornerstones of this holiday. Because of the way you are, I knew it would mean something to you. That's all I was thinking about when I got you this. It didn't matter what my feelings were about today.
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He crosses his arms as Alhaitham talks, watching him out of the corner of his eye--and despite his petulant attitude, he notices that deep breath, that shift in expression. More than that, he isn't so easily distracted that he forgot Alhaitham's fond look of gratitude earlier, nor his insistence that Kaveh get some rest.
(He knows Alhaitham cares. Alhaitham does not do anything he doesn't want to do--he's known that from the beginning. Recognizing anything beyond that... it's difficult for him to face head-on, is all. But he, too, needs to try. Alhaitham deserves that from him.)
His jaw works when Alhaitham finishes--but he doesn't kick up another fuss. Instead, slowly, he extends his hand again, resting it not on the box, but on top of Alhaitham's.]
...Thank you.
[It's muttered--but not insincere.]
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when kaveh reaches out for his hand, alhaitham doesn't pull it back. he lets it rest where it is, and after a moment of searching kaveh's face, he offers the box to him. his eyes seem to soften, at least a little. ]
Open it.
[ past the dried flowers and pretty bow, kaveh will find three things wrapped in sheer, red cloth (cheap—leftovers from nilou's costumes).
the first is a handmade wooden hairbrush. on the back is the image of a flying, florid bird made from bits of colored glass, smoothly plated in resin.
next is an elaborate hairtie, fashioned with gold, feathered, colorful ornamentation that's meant to match seamlessly with the theme of his clothes—likely made by the same person who designed and tailored his outfit.
third is a small book. poetry is one of alhaitham's least preferred genres, so of course it would be one of kaveh's favorites. it only took one trip to the bookstore for alhaitham to see which authors he preferred, and only one chat with the shop owner to figure out which one wrote the sort of thing he needed. (the auntie, one of kaveh's many fans, was only too glad to tell him.)
so kaveh will find a small, thin, red book. it will be by an author he likes, and the love poems inside range from several pages long to just a few poignant, artfully arranged words.
alhaitham doesn't know if it's good. he won't pretend to understand most modern poetry, with its absurd structures, broken meters, and attempts at assigning meaning where it makes no sense. he just made an educated guess at what kaveh would like, and hopefully he chose correctly. but there is one poem that seems to have resonated with him and their relationship, which he's earmarked for kaveh to find.
arms crossed again, alhaitham watches while kaveh pores through the items, his gaze flickering from the gifts to kaveh's face, gauging his reactions. ]
1/2
Kaveh, of course, doesn't know that just yet--but he takes the box with care anyway, and he's gentle as he opens it, dexterous fingers easing the ribbon off the edges without disturbing the bow or the flowers. He carefully sets the box top aside, then turns his attention to the contents.
Kaveh is not a subtle man. He can rein himself in when he has to, especially when he's working, but for the most part, he is open, expressive. Alhaitham doesn't even need to be watching as closely as he is--the shifts in Kaveh's expression are immediate and plain as day. His eyes widen, lips parting in shock as he takes in what he's looking at.
Almost unconsciously, he trails his fingers delicately over each item, tracing the detail on the brush, admiring the material of the tie, and following the lettering of the book's title. It's equally clear from his expression that he recognizes every significant element presented here--the craftsmanship, the aesthetic, the author, all of it.]
...You...
[This isn't the first time Alhaitham has rendered him speechless--but it's rare, and rarer still that it happens because he is so deeply moved by something Alhaitham has said or done. But at the moment, Kaveh can't even bring himself to tear his eyes away from the gifts, to meet Alhaitham's gaze--he knows, without a doubt, that whatever he sees will immediately overwhelm him.]
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Oh god.
His face is heating up? He's definitely turning red, he's too fair-skinned in the winter to hide it. OH GOD. THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF HIS LIFE]
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alhaitham can't hide his smirk. he takes a few steps closer, tilting his head to get a better look at kaveh's flabbergasted face. he got so owned. ]
Disappointed? You're the expert on romance, after all, not me. I'm just its antonym in the dictionary.
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...AND THEN COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS HANDS. HE'S PRAYING TO THE GROUND TO SWALLOW HIM UP IN THIS MOMENT. Alhaitham really let him stand there and talk shit for twenty minutes AND FOR WHAT!!! JUST TO LAUGH AT HIM!!!!
Muffled:] I hate you so much.
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I can't hear you.
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I'm actually going to kill you one of these days, you know that? One of these days you're going to make me traumatize Mehrak, and then where will we be. [Mehrak isn't sentient]
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alhaitham sets his hands on kaveh's shoulders in what he hopes is a soothing gesture. he still kind of can't hear kaveh's voice, but he gets the gist. ]
Sounds like I'll be dead. And if I know you, you'll probably turn yourself in to Matra for what you did to Mehrak, but not to me. So you'll be in jail.
[ kaveh loves mehrak... we hope ]
You still haven't told me if my gift meets the expectations of Sumeru City's resident expert on love. [ stop ]
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He's still embarrassed, but at least he doesn't shrug Alhaitham's hands off; they feel nice, actually, but that's not unusual, given how much Kaveh likes these sorts of casually intimate touches. He lifts his head, and he's GLARING AGAIN but it's canceled out by his blush and the way he slides his hand up to curl his hand around the back of Alhaitham's neck.]
Oh, shut up. [But that, too, is canceled out as he tugs Alhaitham into a kiss--ironic, given that he'd literally just accused Alhaitham of manipulating him this way a little while ago, but hey. It doesn't count as hypocrisy when the intentions are different, right? Right.]
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kaveh's glares have never worked on him anyway. their kiss is thrown off-kilter by alhaitham's smirk, still pulling on his lips. his arms sink down and wrap around kaveh's waist, urging him forward as close as he can be (because he can't be assed to step forward).
when he finally softens his mouth, he closes kaveh's lips with his own and tries to follow with a string of long kisses, deep and full and languid, like he's making up for what he ruined. if kaveh lets him, alhaitham would be content to kiss him this way for hours. there's no better day to do so than on valentine's day, after all. ]
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But unfortunately for Kaveh, he's just as weak to this as he was earlier. Moreso now, actually, because his heart is a complete mess. No matter what he says, he knows it's not the first meaningful thing Alhaitham's ever done for him--but he was able to look away from so many of those, because they were never so blatant. And more importantly, back then, Alhaitham always let him run, always gave in and permitted him to skirt around sincerity, skittish and defensive in his fearful longing. (And that, too, was meaningful in its own way.)
The point being: It's not Alhaitham's first poignant gesture, but it's one of the first between them as they are now, and that alone would've been enough to turn him indulgent. For these gifts to be so sentimental, so well-chosen on top of everything else--there's simply no way he can deny Alhaitham right now. That would've been true the minute he opened the box no matter what, even if he hadn't stuck his foot in his mouth on the way.
So it should come as no surprise that he lets Alhaitham tug him forward, lifting his other hand to bury his fingers in Alhaitham's hair (careful, of course, not to dislodge his headphones). It should be utterly predictable that he leans into Alhaitham, that he keeps his lips parted and welcomes each and every kiss. If anyone comes knocking on the door, Kaveh might try to break away to answer it, but other than that? Alhaitham just might get what he wants, since Kaveh doesn't seem inclined to stop him.]
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kaveh indulges him, returning every kiss with equal fervor. they stay like this for a few more minutes, where alhaitham revels in the sweetness of kaveh's mouth, dipping his tongue past kaveh's lips to slip over his. it would be easy to draw them up against his desk or on his chair, continue until their lips feel raw like he wants them to, but instead he slowly (and hopefully briefly) draws back.
he sidles his nose beside kaveh's, and his lips curl in a thin smile. ]
So you liked it.
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He scowls at Alhaitham's words when they break apart, but it's not the same offended bristling as earlier; he's just being dramatic. His face is still warm, but at least now it's partly from affection and not mortification. Tiny victories.]
Why do I put up with you? --Don't answer that. [ALHAITHAM HAS SAID ENOUGH. But for all of Alhaitham's irritating smugness, Kaveh is the one who's claimed time and again to be good at this (at least between the two of them), so... fine. He will suck it up and set a good example... and meet Alhaitham with the straightforwardness he so prefers, the way Alhaitham's gone out of his way to do this for him. He takes a steadying breath, something that would probably look like a sigh if they were standing further apart.]
...Yes. They're perfect, thank you. [He glances down again, eyes catching on the book once more. He unwinds one arm from Alhaitham, reaching out to rest his fingertips on the cover.] ...We should read these, later tonight.
[It's basically asking for a spirited debate, considering their fundamentally opposed perspectives--but maybe Kaveh knows perfectly well that that's their love language, so sue him.]
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his smile quirks upward even further when kaveh quickly corrects himself. all of kaveh's retorts and attacks are watered down every time he blushes; a softness reaches his eyes that only alhaitham can read. he follows his hand to the book, and he has the same thought: that night, instead of visiting the tavern, they'll settle on the couch after alhaitham opens a bottle of his best vintage wine. they'll pick apart every poem, ruminate and debate on its broken prose and hidden meanings, but in a good-natured way that they sometimes do. it will be perfect. maybe they should leave early. ]
If that's what you want. I didn't think you'd want to open up a can of worms tonight of all nights.
[ he tilts his head, lets his lips graze kaveh's cheek bone before pressing a kiss there. ]
What time can you get off work?
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he knows it would make Alhaitham happy and also what if that's exactly what he wants and it sounds perfect to him toohe just doesn't want anyone to see them together on a romantic holiday!! Yeah! That's totally it.] You went through the effort of getting it, so I might as well teach you how to appreciate it.[Ah well. Baby steps. They'll get there eventually. In the meantime, he leans back and lifts a hand to press two fingers to Alhaitham's lips with a stern look.]
Oh no you don't. You stay here and finish your shift like the absurdly overpaid employee you are. [Someday he'll stop being salty about their paycheck differences but today is not that day] I'll head to the studio now, and if no one disturbs me, I should be able to finish by the time you're done.
[Alhaitham can choose between letting him cram a full day's worth of work into the next like 5 hours, or letting him pull a third all-nighter and sleep for like 16 straight hours after. There is no in-between, he's gonna destroy himself now or later.]
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): but what if alhaitham feels lazyyy... in reality, haitham would normally be stubborn and insistent on his stern and calculated way, but he knows how kaveh is about his work. the cramming will happen no matter what. haitham may as well take the path of least resistance.
so despite his irritated look, alhaitham gives in. he reaches for kaveh's hand and holds it still as he kisses his two fingertips. ]
Fine. You can go. Just not now.
[ kaveh wasn't asking for permission..... but haitham doesn't seem preoccupied with this. he just draws kaveh's hand back and kisses the front of his curled fingers. that arm around his waist vaguely tightens. ]
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What's that supposed to mean? I wasn't asking permission, you know.
[He'll say it!!! He'll grumble it... even though he's not disentangling himself just yet, his other hand still comfortably resting on the back of Alhaitham's neck. They've been spiritually married for like 10 years but they haven't been dating for that long, and even if they had been, Kaveh is such a sucker for affection. No--for Alhaitham's affection, specifically. Alhaitham's not nearly as reserved with it as he first expected, but that doesn't make the weight of it any easier for his heart to bear.
(It's... nice, after all. To know, without a doubt, that he's wanted. Maybe it's the reassurance just as much as it is the rest of it.)]
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for as much as alhaitham's physical affection can be genuine, it definitely can be a tactic. sometimes it doesn't work; kaveh will shove a him away by his shoulders or cover his mouth, citing deadlines or his workload or any other priorities. other times, like now, kaveh shows his weakness, and alhaitham indulges kaveh as much as he indulges himself.
kaveh's will to protest begin to slacken. haitham takes his hand and presses it over one half of his own chest. a dirty trick.
he leans in to kiss lightly along the line of kaveh's jaw. then he noses underneath it, tilting kaveh's head to close his mouth against the side of his neck. he slowly sucks a bruise onto his skin, holding flesh between his teeth. ]
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That's the dirtiest of tricks, though, wow?? DON'T WEAPONIZE YOUR TITS YOU JERK. Unfortunately, it works; Kaveh, who was about to call Alhaitham out for not answering him, loses track of his complaint.]
You really don't dress like someone who hates attention, you know. [Muttered, a little teasing, as he lets his fingers splay over Alhaitham's chest. He's already got the shape of him memorized, of course, but people aren't buildings; they change by the day, and Kaveh always enjoys sussing out even the most minute shifts.
Thoughtlessly--forgetting exactly where they are, perhaps--he angles his head, savoring the languid press of Alhaitham's lips to his skin. Normally, he'd be a little less indulgent, but... he's tired, and it's a holiday. It won't kill him to let his boyfriend kiss him for a few minutes before he goes back to work.
Or so he thinks, until he feels Alhaitham leaving a mark on his neck. Where people might see. Immediately, his nails dig into the back of Alhaitham's neck and his chest.]
You--! [Alhaitham is so lucky he wears a high collar and has long hair or he would be DEAD MEAT]
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this one will be hard to hide, even with long hair. ]
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don't mind me cobbling together characterization with elmers glue and macaroni
puts it in my mouth
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