[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. ]
[This is how Alhaitham learns Kaveh is tired of his pillow princess-ing]
Well, one of them is much cuter than the other. He couldn't sass me, for starters. [Says a man who has clearly never owned a cat.] I thought it might be interesting to see if you two got along wonderfully, or if you'd be like oil and water. But if I took one, I would've had to take another, and... it just would've gotten a bit complicated.
[read: He would've felt guilty about whoever he ended up leaving behind, so it was safer not to go down that road at all. This way, he still feels a little bad about it, but he can trust the rescuers to know what they're doing.]
[ Um excuse? It's not Alhaitham's fault that Kaveh likes being a service top? :/ ]
It's better for cats developmentally if they're raised in pairs.
[ Finally, Alhaitham reaches for a bowl on a tiled counter beside them and uses it scoops up some water. He smooths back Kaveh's hair from his forehead, tips his head back, and pours the water over his head. ]
And how well I'd interact with an animal in our home depends on how well you would raise it.
Mm. In the end, I couldn't decide whether or not you counted as a cat yourself.
[Truthfully, Kaveh probably wouldn't bring strays home anyway, not unless there was truly no alternative--but he doubts he needs to clarify that, so teasing it is.
He sighs softly, tilting his head back with a rare display of quiet acquiescence. He isn't often in the mood to allow this, but Alhaitham's hands feel nice, and the warmth of the water is pleasantly relaxing.
Of course, that doesn't stop him from bickering, but even his tone is relaxed and content, so he clearly isn't truly offended.]
No, but I have no basis on which to assume you'd be a good one either. [ Kaveh hasn't brought an animal home before. But... ] You do seem to attract them for one reason or another, considering the desert foxes that have appeared on our doorstep.
[ It's only happened once or twice, and Kaveh insisted that there was no food in his pockets at the time.
Anyway, Alhaitham keeps wetting his hair before setting the bowl away. Since this is Sumeru and there's no shampoo or conditioner, there are instead some bars of soap lying on dishes, each made of lye and oils and different scented herbs—all handmade and sold by a couple in the bazaar. Kaveh picked them out, of course. ]
[ IT SURE IS. Alhaitham is already spoiling the hell out of him and enduring his glitter bath and Kaveh has the audacity to guilt him for more like hello
Also Kaveh's mouth is tickling his boobs. Enough of this. ]
If you're able to mope then you should also be perfectly able to say the word "please."
[ He deserves more words than that tbh.
Alhaitham's fingers twitch the barest amount over Kaveh's side. It's a warning. He'll do it. Even if they're in the bath. ]
[ HE WAS UP UNTIL NOW AND KAVEH TOOK IT FOR GRANTED ]
I don't think I'm asking for much considering what I've done for you so far.
[ Waiting for him, making dinner, drawing up the bath, etc. Tbf he's putting his life at risk here. Kaveh isn't above smacking him in the face and he knows it. He just decided it's a risk worth taking.
He skates his fingers over Kaveh's stomach. Just once. ]
[LOOK... LISTEN... now he feels a little bad, even though Alhaitham's fleeting touch is almost enough to cancel it out. BRAT.
But Alhaitham is right. Kaveh hasn't even asked him about his day, yet--it doesn't matter that he texted him all the way up until he boarded the plane. The least he can do is spare a little politeness.
He grumbles a little, because for as sweet as Alhaitham can be to him, he's still given him enough stress ulcers to warrant this degree of petulance--but then he twists enough to rest a hand on Alhaitham's chest, planting a kiss on his collarbone.]
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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...
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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. ]
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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!!!]
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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?
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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.
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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. ]
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[Fluffy hair, needy, constantly in his lap...]
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[ Maybe Kaveh has Red Alhaitham wet dreams he hasn't told him about..... ]
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Well, one of them is much cuter than the other. He couldn't sass me, for starters. [Says a man who has clearly never owned a cat.] I thought it might be interesting to see if you two got along wonderfully, or if you'd be like oil and water. But if I took one, I would've had to take another, and... it just would've gotten a bit complicated.
[read: He would've felt guilty about whoever he ended up leaving behind, so it was safer not to go down that road at all. This way, he still feels a little bad about it, but he can trust the rescuers to know what they're doing.]
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It's better for cats developmentally if they're raised in pairs.
[ Finally, Alhaitham reaches for a bowl on a tiled counter beside them and uses it scoops up some water. He smooths back Kaveh's hair from his forehead, tips his head back, and pours the water over his head. ]
And how well I'd interact with an animal in our home depends on how well you would raise it.
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Mm. In the end, I couldn't decide whether or not you counted as a cat yourself.
[Truthfully, Kaveh probably wouldn't bring strays home anyway, not unless there was truly no alternative--but he doubts he needs to clarify that, so teasing it is.
He sighs softly, tilting his head back with a rare display of quiet acquiescence. He isn't often in the mood to allow this, but Alhaitham's hands feel nice, and the warmth of the water is pleasantly relaxing.
Of course, that doesn't stop him from bickering, but even his tone is relaxed and content, so he clearly isn't truly offended.]
Are you implying I'd be a poor animal parent?
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[ It's only happened once or twice, and Kaveh insisted that there was no food in his pockets at the time.
Anyway, Alhaitham keeps wetting his hair before setting the bowl away. Since this is Sumeru and there's no shampoo or conditioner, there are instead some bars of soap lying on dishes, each made of lye and oils and different scented herbs—all handmade and sold by a couple in the bazaar. Kaveh picked them out, of course. ]
Too tired to wash your hair on your own?
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Thanks Kaveh]
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He wraps an arm around Kaveh, grabs the soap, and presses his lips to his temple. ]
Ask me properly.
[ Say pwease ]
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No.
[He's 5 now apparently]
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Alhaitham sets the soap down. ]
Then do it yourself.
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So cold... to cast your beloved aside without mercy... have you a heart of stone...
[He always has enough energy to be dramatic
It's a lot less effective when he won't pick his head up and he's surrounded by glittery bubble bath]
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Also Kaveh's mouth is tickling his boobs. Enough of this. ]
If you're able to mope then you should also be perfectly able to say the word "please."
[ He deserves more words than that tbh.
Alhaitham's fingers twitch the barest amount over Kaveh's side. It's a warning. He'll do it. Even if they're in the bath. ]
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[HE FELT THAT]
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[ Brushes his fingers in a little. ]
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[HE'LL KILL YOU]
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No escape. ]
You know what it takes to make me stop.
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You would torture me after I've been away for so long?
[SO MUCH FOR BEING CUTE AND SWEET, HUH]
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I don't think I'm asking for much considering what I've done for you so far.
[ Waiting for him, making dinner, drawing up the bath, etc. Tbf he's putting his life at risk here. Kaveh isn't above smacking him in the face and he knows it. He just decided it's a risk worth taking.
He skates his fingers over Kaveh's stomach. Just once. ]
As always, the one making it torturous is you.
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But Alhaitham is right. Kaveh hasn't even asked him about his day, yet--it doesn't matter that he texted him all the way up until he boarded the plane. The least he can do is spare a little politeness.
He grumbles a little, because for as sweet as Alhaitham can be to him, he's still given him enough stress ulcers to warrant this degree of petulance--but then he twists enough to rest a hand on Alhaitham's chest, planting a kiss on his collarbone.]
Fine. Please.
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