[He's so lucky Kaveh is exhausted... Kaveh grumbles, but he brushes his thumb over Alhaitham's cheek, and he squirms a little before hitching his leg up to rest more comfortably. He's allowed a little groping, since Kaveh really does have to go bathe sooner rather than later.]
And who says I have to miss everything equally? Perhaps I spent the whole trip away hoping you were finally studying how to be charming and well-behaved.
[ The sweep of Kaveh's thumb weakens him a little. He starts carefully pulling the pins from Kaveh's hair, gathering them in his palm. He also leisurely squeezes Kaveh's ass. ]
You hope for that regardless of whether or not you're away. I have better ways of using my time and more interesting subjects to study.
[ He sets the pins on the table and cards his fingers into Kaveh's hair, sliding from root to tip. ]
[Normally, he would make some halfhearted gripe about how his ass isn't a stress ball, but Alhaitham's fingers feel too nice in his hair for him to do much more than sigh.]
On that we are destined to forever disagree, dear junior.
[More interesting subjects... WRONG
He groans softly, then, and pushes himself up with notable reluctance. As a reward for expending such monumental effort, he cranes his neck just enough to press a short string of kisses to Alhaitham's jaw, then sits back all the way, pushing his loose bangs out of his face.]
Bath first, I think. I'm sick of hotel soap. [Someone forgot to pack his own...]
[ Alhaitham closes his eyes and tips his head to receive kisses, heart fluttering under the attention. Even after being thrown around in airports and packed into a plane, Kaveh is still a gorgeous sight when he sits up and pushes the hair from his face. Then again, Alhaitham is endeared to him even when Kaveh is at his most exhausted and unkempt, all flyaways and eyebags and endless coffee mugs mixed with cups of paintwater.
Alhaitham missed him so much. One of his hands circles around Kaveh's waist and holds him in place. His gaze is fond. ]
[Distracted with fatigue, it takes him a second to catch on--but when he does, he softens immediately, a smile blossoming over his face. He can't even be bothered to go through the stages of cute aggression when Alhaitham's expression is so warm; instead, his heart simply feels full to bursting. Alhaitham's never been shy about demanding or providing physical affection, but it never fails to make Kaveh's stomach twist in ways he'd once been terrified to acknowledge.
He leans down, trusting Alhaitham to hold him steady as he rests both hands on either side of Alhaitham's face and presses their lips together.]
Gods forbid his spoiled majesty is left wanting. [Teasing, punctuated with another kiss--this one slower, lazier.] It's been a long day, you know. I can't remember everything.
[ Kaveh your boyfriend just made dinner for you and he's about to help you wash up, WHO IS REALLY THE SPOILED ONE HERE. Alhaitham would have brought up the question himself if he hadn't just seen Kaveh's smile for the first time in days. Of course Alhaitham supports him as Kaveh leans down, even lifting his chin and softening his mouth before finally getting his kiss.
His days-old longing finally eases out of him. His lips only briefly quirk before Kaveh kisses him again, and Alhaitham easily falls back into a slow line of kisses. Kaveh had tried to sit up, but Alhaitham slides his hands over Kaveh's back and lowers his weight back down against his chest.
Maybe Alhaitham is spoiled, wordlessly demanding cuddles like this. Kaveh likes the attention and he knows it. ]
If the Genius of Kshahrewar can forget something as vital as this, [ Alhaitham murmurs after another kiss, his smiling lips brushing against Kaveh's cheek, ] that means I need to do some course correcting.
[LOOK... HIM BEING SPOILED DOESN'T NEGATE ALHAITHAM ALSO BEING SPOILED OKAY!! Both can be true, in Kaveh's opinion, though he would argue that he deserves to be pampered for putting up with Alhaitham picking on him every day.
He doesn't, of course, as Alhaitham is distracted, which, in turn, means Kaveh is too. It's so sorely tempting to let Alhaitham coax him down, to stay just like this and trade soft, slow kisses until he dozes off in Alhaitham's arms. But he's already set his mind to a bath, so, with a sigh, he shifts a hand over and presses two fingers lightly to Alhaitham's lips.]
Intelligence is ineffective against gate changes and overbookings. [Tragic... really, if anything, Alhaitham should be glad he didn't have to wait an extra day after a text from Kaveh saying he agreed to change his flight for someone else's benefit. It wouldn't be the first time.] You can correct whatever you want later. I want that bath.
[Getting up is still a huge effort, but now that Alhaitham's put it in his head, getting clean and changing into comfortable clothes sounds extremely appealing.]
[ Kaveh keeps making it so painfully easy for Alhaitham to kiss or bite or lick his fingers when he can't actually do it... Cruel... and on the day of his birth
Ultimately Alhaitham lets him go with a quiet sigh, hands sliding over Kaveh's back as he gets to his feet. It's a small slog for Alhaitham to peel himself from the couch too; not only is he chronically lazy, but he's been waiting for Kaveh for some time.
He sets his hand loosely around Kaveh's waist, holding him still as he brushes past. ]
Go get your things from the entryway. I'll start running the water.
[Maybe Alhaitham should've thought of that before he reminded Kaveh to get up!! It's too late now, though, he's determined to swathe himself in the textures and scents of home. He's also reluctant to pull away and get back to his feet, but he isn't going to feel like he's truly settled back at home until he rids himself of the remnants of traveling, so it's a necessary evil.]
Huh? Oh, you can go back to your book. I can get it.
You-- [will?? Kaveh almost says, before he catches on, and. Oh. Well. That's what he wants, is it? That makes a little more sense.] You're ridiculous.
[YOU COULD'VE JUST SAID YOU WANTED TO BATHE TOGETHER gosh.
Shaking his head, Kaveh goes to deposit his things in the bedroom; unpacking and laundry and all of that can come later. While he's in there, he takes off his jewelry and his accessories, and, after a little thought, strips down to his undershirt and underwear. Leaving the rest of his clothes with his other laundry, he digs through the drawers, picking out a set of comfortable pajamas for each of them--Alhaitham can complain as much as he wants, but Kaveh is not going to eat dinner naked. NO THANK YOU.
With their change of clothes tucked over his arm, he pads back out of the bedroom, making his way towards the sound of running water.]
[ You haven't seen your gorgeous boyfriend in SO LONG and when he's finally home he refuses to be naked all the time... CRUEL... AN ATTACK ON ALHAITHAM SPECIFICALLY :(
Whenever Kaveh arrives at the bathroom, he'll find Alhaitham already stripped down, testing the bathwater with his fingertips. (His clothes have also been kicked off to the side of the floor.) The bathtub itself is mostly full, and a pair of fresh towels sits on the lid of the toilet. When he finally sees Kaveh in the doorway—still wearing clothes, for whatever reason, though Alhaitham will take care of that soon—he pushes back up to his feet. ]
Check the temperature.
[ Alhaitham can be picky about it himself, but this is Kaveh's bath more than his. He reaches out to take the pajamas and set them on the toilet tank. ]
[Imagine if he came in here and grabbed Alhaitham's ass like Alhaitham does to him... he won't, because he is not Yuul, but it would be funny.
That doesn't mean he doesn't look, though; no matter how many years they spend together, Alhaitham is just as beautiful as he's always been, and Kaveh would be a failure of an artist if he didn't appreciate that. He does as he's told, though, bending down to ensure the water isn't too hot; that done, he reaches over for the bath salts and a bath bomb. GET GLITTER'D.]
The temperature is fine, but you forgot these. [Did he forget or did he know Kaveh likes to pick them out himself... a true mystery.]
[ HE COULD but Alhaitham's reaction wouldn't be as funny as Kaveh's... He would just do it back.
He's tempted to do it now even, while Kaveh's bending over. That impulse poofs away when Kaveh decides to glitterfy their bathtub AGAIN.
Alhaitham stands directly behind Kaveh and crosses his arms. Menacingly. ]
It's interesting that you would create more work for yourself right after you returned from a business trip. I won't be cleaning the tub on your behalf.
[IT'S TOO LATE, MR. MENACING!!! Alhaitham can either change his mind and put his clothes back on, or he can resign himself to his fate of being a sparkly pretty princess.
Kaveh sniffs, dismissive, not even bothering to look over his shoulder.]
I can feel you looming back there, you know. And what does that matter? You never do that anyway! Half the time I have to nag you to put your own things away.
[ Kaveh is lucky Alhaitham loves his sweet ass and was looking forward to bathing together.... He'll be a sparkly princess but only tonight. He graciously doesn't bring up the fact that the glitter will get on the floor eventually too. ]
Again, you create more problems for yourself than need be. You didn't have to use that particular bath bomb. That was your choice.
[ But he lets it go after that. He unfolds his arms and walks up behind Kaveh, short of meeting his chest to Kaveh's back. If Kaveh lets him, he gathers the hem of Kaveh's undershirt to peel it up and off of his shoulders. ]
[LOOK Kaveh has to do his laundry anyway, okay, he can just wash the glitter off the bedsheets while he's at it. IT'S FINE.]
A little glitter is hardly going to make a difference in a chore I'll have to do anyway. And I expect a heartfelt thank you when you realize your skin is nice and soft later.
[But he's happy with these additions, the water warm, foamy, and gently scented--a little too mild for Kaveh's preferences, but he is nothing if not the king of unprompted compromise. He dusts his hands off and straightens up, and he's satisfied enough to let Alhaitham undress him the rest of the way. He lifts his arms, helping Alhaitham with his shirt and muttering to himself as he does.]
I'm going to have to wash these a hundred times to get all the sand out of them... maybe I should just take them to get cleaned...
[With a sigh, Kaveh gives in to the urge to lean back against him, just for a moment.]
I suppose I'll have to. There's no way I could get it all taken care of tonight anyway.
[Rather--he could, if he really wanted to, but it sounds incredibly unappealing. All he wants to do is lounge around with his lover and enjoy being home, so much so that if Alhaitham hadn't invited himself, Kaveh might very well have asked him to join him.
He pulls away as he steps out of his underwear and reaches over to turn the water off. That done, he sees no need to wait--using Alhaitham's arm for balance, he steps carefully into the tub, then nods in approval.]
[ Kaveh could try, but if he did, Alhaitham would eventually wrench the clothes out of Kaveh's hands and trap him on the bed until Kaveh gives up. So! ]
Good.
[ Alhaitham has a moment to watch Kaveh's figure as he enters the tub. Kaveh's skin is a little more tan in certain places, as expected. The muscles in Kaveh's back seem the slightest bit stiffer—a sign of soreness, nothing that a few hard grinds of Alhaitham's thumb can't unwind. More than anything, Alhaitham missed seeing him, his shape, the tapered waist and golden hair and red eyes. There was no way that Alhaitham wouldn't have followed him for the rest of the evening.
Alhaitham slowly steps in after Kaveh is settled, fitting himself between Kaveh's back and the lip of the tub—unless Kaveh decides to position himself otherwise. Alhaitham is clearly fine where he is, loosely winding his arms around Kaveh's waist and pulling him up against his chest. ]
Dehya said you tried to bring another animal home with you. Care to explain?
[Fortunately, that's a battle Alhaitham won't have to fight. He won't have to fight hardly any this evening, in fact--Kaveh leans back against him without complaint, sinking down until he's comfortably nestled against Alhaitham and warmed by the water.]
I did no such thing! [GOSSIPING ABOUT HIM, ARE YOU... NOSY... Kaveh would tease him, but he's honestly still kind of impressed Alhaitham has friends that he likes talking to, so he keeps it to himself.] We didn't realize there was a feral cat colony near the site until one of the construction workers discovered one of them had crawled inside the wall and had kittens. Naturally, we had to stop and get them out safely, and we couldn't very well abandon them to the elements once we knew they were there. I didn't have the materials to build them a better shelter, so I just offered to keep them inside until someone else could pick them up.
[ Dehya is as close to a gym buddy as he'll ever have when she's not home in the desert with Candace. She never expects him to answer when she texts him either, which is always a plus. ]
And the idea of bringing them home with you never crossed your mind?
[ He reaches to bring the shampoo a little closer, but otherwise he's just letting them soak. He ducks his head to kiss Kaveh's neck. ]
no subject
Alhaitham is THIS CLOSE to licking Kaveh's hand but it's got airport germs. Instead he takes it and presses Kaveh's palm to his cheek. ]
You're clearly exaggerating, but wouldn't it stand to reason that you missed that aspect of my personality as well?
[ Anyway. Slides his hand over Kaveh's butt, because Alhaitham missed that too. ]
no subject
And who says I have to miss everything equally? Perhaps I spent the whole trip away hoping you were finally studying how to be charming and well-behaved.
no subject
You hope for that regardless of whether or not you're away. I have better ways of using my time and more interesting subjects to study.
[ He sets the pins on the table and cards his fingers into Kaveh's hair, sliding from root to tip. ]
You can either take a bath or have dinner first.
no subject
On that we are destined to forever disagree, dear junior.
[More interesting subjects... WRONG
He groans softly, then, and pushes himself up with notable reluctance. As a reward for expending such monumental effort, he cranes his neck just enough to press a short string of kisses to Alhaitham's jaw, then sits back all the way, pushing his loose bangs out of his face.]
Bath first, I think. I'm sick of hotel soap. [Someone forgot to pack his own...]
no subject
Alhaitham missed him so much. One of his hands circles around Kaveh's waist and holds him in place. His gaze is fond. ]
You're forgetting something.
[ No bath yet. Give kiss. :/ ]
no subject
[Distracted with fatigue, it takes him a second to catch on--but when he does, he softens immediately, a smile blossoming over his face. He can't even be bothered to go through the stages of cute aggression when Alhaitham's expression is so warm; instead, his heart simply feels full to bursting. Alhaitham's never been shy about demanding or providing physical affection, but it never fails to make Kaveh's stomach twist in ways he'd once been terrified to acknowledge.
He leans down, trusting Alhaitham to hold him steady as he rests both hands on either side of Alhaitham's face and presses their lips together.]
Gods forbid his spoiled majesty is left wanting. [Teasing, punctuated with another kiss--this one slower, lazier.] It's been a long day, you know. I can't remember everything.
no subject
His days-old longing finally eases out of him. His lips only briefly quirk before Kaveh kisses him again, and Alhaitham easily falls back into a slow line of kisses. Kaveh had tried to sit up, but Alhaitham slides his hands over Kaveh's back and lowers his weight back down against his chest.
Maybe Alhaitham is spoiled, wordlessly demanding cuddles like this. Kaveh likes the attention and he knows it. ]
If the Genius of Kshahrewar can forget something as vital as this, [ Alhaitham murmurs after another kiss, his smiling lips brushing against Kaveh's cheek, ] that means I need to do some course correcting.
no subject
He doesn't, of course, as Alhaitham is distracted, which, in turn, means Kaveh is too. It's so sorely tempting to let Alhaitham coax him down, to stay just like this and trade soft, slow kisses until he dozes off in Alhaitham's arms. But he's already set his mind to a bath, so, with a sigh, he shifts a hand over and presses two fingers lightly to Alhaitham's lips.]
Intelligence is ineffective against gate changes and overbookings. [Tragic... really, if anything, Alhaitham should be glad he didn't have to wait an extra day after a text from Kaveh saying he agreed to change his flight for someone else's benefit. It wouldn't be the first time.] You can correct whatever you want later. I want that bath.
[Getting up is still a huge effort, but now that Alhaitham's put it in his head, getting clean and changing into comfortable clothes sounds extremely appealing.]
no subject
Ultimately Alhaitham lets him go with a quiet sigh, hands sliding over Kaveh's back as he gets to his feet. It's a small slog for Alhaitham to peel himself from the couch too; not only is he chronically lazy, but he's been waiting for Kaveh for some time.
He sets his hand loosely around Kaveh's waist, holding him still as he brushes past. ]
Go get your things from the entryway. I'll start running the water.
no subject
Huh? Oh, you can go back to your book. I can get it.
no subject
You're clearly exhausted, and this takes hardly any effort on my part. I'll be taking a bath as well, after all.
no subject
[YOU COULD'VE JUST SAID YOU WANTED TO BATHE TOGETHER gosh.
Shaking his head, Kaveh goes to deposit his things in the bedroom; unpacking and laundry and all of that can come later. While he's in there, he takes off his jewelry and his accessories, and, after a little thought, strips down to his undershirt and underwear. Leaving the rest of his clothes with his other laundry, he digs through the drawers, picking out a set of comfortable pajamas for each of them--Alhaitham can complain as much as he wants, but Kaveh is not going to eat dinner naked. NO THANK YOU.
With their change of clothes tucked over his arm, he pads back out of the bedroom, making his way towards the sound of running water.]
no subject
Whenever Kaveh arrives at the bathroom, he'll find Alhaitham already stripped down, testing the bathwater with his fingertips. (His clothes have also been kicked off to the side of the floor.) The bathtub itself is mostly full, and a pair of fresh towels sits on the lid of the toilet. When he finally sees Kaveh in the doorway—still wearing clothes, for whatever reason, though Alhaitham will take care of that soon—he pushes back up to his feet. ]
Check the temperature.
[ Alhaitham can be picky about it himself, but this is Kaveh's bath more than his. He reaches out to take the pajamas and set them on the toilet tank. ]
no subject
That doesn't mean he doesn't look, though; no matter how many years they spend together, Alhaitham is just as beautiful as he's always been, and Kaveh would be a failure of an artist if he didn't appreciate that. He does as he's told, though, bending down to ensure the water isn't too hot; that done, he reaches over for the bath salts and a bath bomb. GET GLITTER'D.]
The temperature is fine, but you forgot these. [Did he forget or did he know Kaveh likes to pick them out himself... a true mystery.]
no subject
He's tempted to do it now even, while Kaveh's bending over. That impulse poofs away when Kaveh decides to glitterfy their bathtub AGAIN.
Alhaitham stands directly behind Kaveh and crosses his arms. Menacingly. ]
It's interesting that you would create more work for yourself right after you returned from a business trip. I won't be cleaning the tub on your behalf.
no subject
Kaveh sniffs, dismissive, not even bothering to look over his shoulder.]
I can feel you looming back there, you know. And what does that matter? You never do that anyway! Half the time I have to nag you to put your own things away.
no subject
Again, you create more problems for yourself than need be. You didn't have to use that particular bath bomb. That was your choice.
[ But he lets it go after that. He unfolds his arms and walks up behind Kaveh, short of meeting his chest to Kaveh's back. If Kaveh lets him, he gathers the hem of Kaveh's undershirt to peel it up and off of his shoulders. ]
What's done is done.
no subject
A little glitter is hardly going to make a difference in a chore I'll have to do anyway. And I expect a heartfelt thank you when you realize your skin is nice and soft later.
[But he's happy with these additions, the water warm, foamy, and gently scented--a little too mild for Kaveh's preferences, but he is nothing if not the king of unprompted compromise. He dusts his hands off and straightens up, and he's satisfied enough to let Alhaitham undress him the rest of the way. He lifts his arms, helping Alhaitham with his shirt and muttering to himself as he does.]
I'm going to have to wash these a hundred times to get all the sand out of them... maybe I should just take them to get cleaned...
no subject
You can worry about that tomorrow.
[ Always fussing. Alhaitham hooks his fingers in the band of Kaveh's underwear and pushes them down until they pool at his ankles. ]
no subject
I suppose I'll have to. There's no way I could get it all taken care of tonight anyway.
[Rather--he could, if he really wanted to, but it sounds incredibly unappealing. All he wants to do is lounge around with his lover and enjoy being home, so much so that if Alhaitham hadn't invited himself, Kaveh might very well have asked him to join him.
He pulls away as he steps out of his underwear and reaches over to turn the water off. That done, he sees no need to wait--using Alhaitham's arm for balance, he steps carefully into the tub, then nods in approval.]
It's good. [Bath!!!]
no subject
Good.
[ Alhaitham has a moment to watch Kaveh's figure as he enters the tub. Kaveh's skin is a little more tan in certain places, as expected. The muscles in Kaveh's back seem the slightest bit stiffer—a sign of soreness, nothing that a few hard grinds of Alhaitham's thumb can't unwind. More than anything, Alhaitham missed seeing him, his shape, the tapered waist and golden hair and red eyes. There was no way that Alhaitham wouldn't have followed him for the rest of the evening.
Alhaitham slowly steps in after Kaveh is settled, fitting himself between Kaveh's back and the lip of the tub—unless Kaveh decides to position himself otherwise. Alhaitham is clearly fine where he is, loosely winding his arms around Kaveh's waist and pulling him up against his chest. ]
Dehya said you tried to bring another animal home with you. Care to explain?
no subject
I did no such thing! [GOSSIPING ABOUT HIM, ARE YOU... NOSY... Kaveh would tease him, but he's honestly still kind of impressed Alhaitham has friends that he likes talking to, so he keeps it to himself.] We didn't realize there was a feral cat colony near the site until one of the construction workers discovered one of them had crawled inside the wall and had kittens. Naturally, we had to stop and get them out safely, and we couldn't very well abandon them to the elements once we knew they were there. I didn't have the materials to build them a better shelter, so I just offered to keep them inside until someone else could pick them up.
no subject
And the idea of bringing them home with you never crossed your mind?
[ He reaches to bring the shampoo a little closer, but otherwise he's just letting them soak. He ducks his head to kiss Kaveh's neck. ]
no subject
[Fluffy hair, needy, constantly in his lap...]
no subject
[ Maybe Kaveh has Red Alhaitham wet dreams he hasn't told him about..... ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)