[Alhaitham could say yes here, because it is indeed not wrong, but it'd just give Kaveh even more reasons to do his worrying and fretting and fussing—and its not that Alhaitham is against that, it is just. Not really going to help him in this situation.
But he's far too compromised right now to think of any other excuse that might work, so he will have to settle.]
Yes. [Ugh, what else can he say here...] It is... contagious, so you need to— [Another pause, another heavy swallow.] —to leave. Before it gets onto you.
[...there's probably a far better excuse he could've made up but. Compromised. Thinking is not really in his forte right now and he's kind of really hating it.]
[The moment Kaveh grabs his wrist Alhaitham lets out a strangled sort of noise, and the entire couch jerks a little because Alhaitham's whole body has spasmed when he'd trued to fight back the way his hips have decided to jerk in response. His pants, already undone, get rumpled up even more, which reveals—
—a very hard and very prominent problem, purpling at the head and throbbing right between his legs.]
action; not ever. anyway gonna slap a mild nsfw warning on here now
[Well now that Kaveh has seen it the cat's pretty much out of the bag. Alhaitham groans in a mix of various frustrations, deeply regretting the fact that he'd messaged Kaveh at all. All of this could've been avoided if he didn't have such a lapse in judgement.]
Now you see why I wanted you to leave. [He grunts out as he bats Kaveh's hand away and uncurls, stretching back out since there's no real reason to hide his issue any longer.] We can— [Pause, deep breath, continues.] ——we can talk about this later.
What, are you planning to offer your help? [He's trying to keep the bite out of his voice but Archons its hard not to when Kaveh continues to be endlessly stubborn and frustrating.] As you've so kindly pointed out before, you don't exactly have any rent to pay me here.
[And has that not been the only reason as to why their previous arrangement exists? The only time Kaveh is willing to touch him in that manner? Now that they're here that reason no longer holds any water, and so Alhaitham has never brought it up—until now, that is.]
[Kaveh almost flinches. of course he'd bring up the 'rent'. It's a hurt of Kaveh's own making, but that doesn't make it sting any less. How can someone so smart believe in something so flimsy?
Why must he be honest with Alhaitham? With himself?
It won't be today.
Kaveh stares for a while in silence, swallowing down the hurt the same way he does every time they've ever done this, and searches for a way around this man's stupid pride.]
[A confused expression comes over Alhaitham's face at first upon hearing those words, but it clicks soon enough, and that same confusion changes into a vague semblance of incredulousness.]
Why would I have to pay rent when I could just— [Alhaitham cuts himself off with a groan this time, and he shifts the lower half of his body in a futile bid to get some form of relief. The issue between his legs is getting harder and harder to ignore with every passing second (pun fully intended).] —hah, move out and live here instead?
[Even as he says that though Alhaitham knows that its an empty threat at best. He can't bring himself to leave Kaveh alone again. He wants every possible reason he can have to remain in Kaveh's life here now that there is none of the usual things that they have both always known.]
[For once, Kaveh doesn't have a problem calling Alhaitham out on this, and he reaches out again, pressing his palm over Alhaitham's chest. He's starting to see how he reacts to touch but his chest, at least, is less forward than his...other option.]
Either swallow your pride and let me help, or pay me your rent, Alhaitham.
action; the real proof that love makes people stupid
[For what it's worth Alhaitham barely reacts to being called out like that. What he does react to, however, is the feel of Kaveh's hand right on his chest, and try as he might there is no way to stop the way his breath hitches at that blessedly cool touch to his now burning skin.
How long has it been since the last time they did this? His brain is too muddled to remember at this point. All he knows is that it's been long enough. Long enough for him to want, and the potion that burns through his veins has long shredded through any last bit of resistance he has to denying himself any further.
There is no warning then, to the way Alhaitham shoots his hand over to grab Kaveh by the front of his shirt, gripping tightly enough for his hand to tremble as he drags Kaveh down for a kiss that he deepens the very first chance he gets, devouring Kaveh's mouth with a hunger that makes no attempt to hide how much he wants this.]
[Kaveh is startled, of course, he just got yanked in for a kiss, of course he's startled. And he can't remember the last time he's seen Alhaitham this desperate. Once more, he wonders what exactly this man did to get himself in such a state, before he lets his mind fall blissfully quiet, only taking his hand off Alhaitham's chest to cradle his face in his hands.
Two and a half months, and all the weeks preceeding that. But for right now, he can pretend that this won't just be for today, that this is real and not something snatched in the moments they can come up with an appropriate lie.
Just for right now, he can let himself have Alhaitham. Which means kissing him until his lungs are screaming for air!]
Are you going to make it off the couch?
[He doesn't really care if they don't. But he's the one with a single working braincell, so he has to ask.]
[The press of Kaveh's lips against his feels as miraculous as having the first drink of water after days of having gone without. Alhaitham can't help but drink in each and every kiss that passes between them there after, and when Kaveh pulls away Alhaitham can't help himself from trying to chase after, shuddering at the sensation of Kaveh's hands that have come to cradle his face, his touch blessedly cool even as it heightens the searing heat that has overcome him.]
Not now. [He manages to say, staring at Kaveh with eyes that are already completely blown out.] Just want—you.
[The hand that'd been grabbing Kaveh's shirt lets go in order to start touching now, slipping underneath one side of the deep cut of his shirt to run his hand over the expanse of skin there, relishing the mere sensation of touch. It's been so long... he can't help but want more. More and more until he'd had his fill, but even then it'd never be enough.
[It's so unfair. How can he say things like that only now, when he's clearly out of his mind? Kaveh shudders at the touch, sensitive not from whatever Alhaitham's done to himself but simply from time. It's been so long, and he's always been sensitive to touch, he can't help it.]
Let me on the couch, then. The table won't hold us.
[It's not said out of concern for the table, to be clear. But having the table break out from under you is NOT a sexy experience.]
[Feeling the way Kaveh shivers ever so slightly underneath his hand strikes the back of his mind like a match to hot oil, and the fire within him burns even more. How long has it been since he could feel Kaveh tremble in his hands? Too long, far too long, and for all the logic and rationality that Alhaitham holds himself up to none of those play any part in the way Alhaitham all but drags Kaveh down onto the couch as soon as he's allowed to, managing to flip them somehow in the process so that now Kaveh is the one who is lying on the couch while Alhaitham hovers above him, hands braced at either side of his head, eyes dark and hungry and burning with undisguised want.]
Kaveh. [Its the only thing that he says, yet in that single utterance of that name it holds the weight of all the desire and longing that he'd been keeping within himself all this time. And he shows it, too, when he leans down, pressing their bodies together as he claims Kaveh's mouth in another deep and thorough kiss, licking over every inch with the intent to taste and take and devour.]
[Kaveh can't find any words himself, not just because Alhaitham doesn't give him any chance to speak. It's been a long time since they touched each other, but when was the last time he saw Alhaitham want him this badly? Need him this openly. Perhaps not since they were students. Perhaps never.
His mind almost feels numb, even as he leans up into that kiss, even as he tugs at Alhaitham's shirt, a coiling heat rising in him as an answer to the other man's desperation.
They never talk about it after. They didn't as students, when they didn't feel any need to name what they were, believing themselves invincible, and they don't as adults, their need and desperation a secret for the moonlight.
It makes Kaveh's heart ache. But he'll see this through, no matter what it costs him, when Alhaitham needs him this badly.]
[It is a fact that they never talk about it after, and it continues to hold true even now, when Alhaitham inevitably gets asked about his experience with the potion when he returns after all is said and done in order to claim his so-called 'payment'.
I do not remember much, is what he tells the somewhat shady healer when asked to recount his experiences, voice flat and his expression revealing nothing. Most of it was a blur.
The healer gives him a look and a toothy grin that only serves to irritate Alhaitham more, but all the same he still accepts the items that they pass onto him as his payment for having tested the brew. There is a bottle of the brew itself, which Alhaitham is incredibly tempted to just throw away but stops himself from doing so if only because it would be easier to show the proof of his mistake to Kaveh. And then, of course, there is the book, which'd been the main reason why Alhaitham even willingly subjected himself to this in the first place.
...to say how disappointing the book turns out to be even from a quick skim would be an entire seminar in and of itself. Just like with the brew Alhaitham is also just as tempted to get rid of the book now that he has seen how ridiculous its contents are, but—
The door to Kaveh's apartment clicks open, and Alhaitham steps through as soon as he can, closing said door with maybe a little bit more force than usual because there are no words he can use in this moment to describe the immeasurable disappointment and annoyance that he is feeling right now.]
[For once, Kaveh has been heeding the suggestion to rest, though he's not particularly amenable to discussing why. So he's on the couch, sprawled out, legs dangling over the arm as Mehrak holds some listings up for him to read, when Alhaitham comes home and--
hmm.]
I take it things went swimmingly.
action; ftb any% glitchless (or with glitch in this case...)
[Alhaitham simply grunts as he removes his footwear and places them aside (properly, this time), heading over to the couch after that to unceremoniously toss the book down onto his chest.]
Read it for yourself.
[If his gaze lingers on the array of marks that litter Kaveh's neck for a beat too long Alhaitham certainly does nothing to show it, simply turning away after that to walk over to the lone cabinet that exists in this tiny place and opening it up to stash away the bottled brew. He can talk to Kaveh about that later, when he feels less inclined to open it up an pour its contents down the sink.]
action; there's certainly a few glitches in their plans...
[Kaveh looks up at Alhaitham rather placidly for once. It's a little strange for their positions to be reversed like this, and he's kind of enjoying the absurdity of the situation.]
I'm going to go ahead and guess you won't be looking for the first book, then.
[Enjoy it Kaveh, because it will very much not be happening a second time.]
Why, are you interested in experiencing having intercourse with a dragon?
[He asks this with so much sarcasm that the words are practically dripping with it, gaze shifting over from the book to stare flatly at Kaveh while he asks that question.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
action; rubs hands in glee
But he's far too compromised right now to think of any other excuse that might work, so he will have to settle.]
Yes. [Ugh, what else can he say here...] It is... contagious, so you need to— [Another pause, another heavy swallow.] —to leave. Before it gets onto you.
[...there's probably a far better excuse he could've made up but. Compromised. Thinking is not really in his forte right now and he's kind of really hating it.]
action; Oh here we go
[Kaveh's leaned forward a little, trying to get Alhaitham's wrist to check his pulse. Which means his hand is right there by Alhaitham's knee.]
action; alhaitham's never gonna live this down
—a very hard and very prominent problem, purpling at the head and throbbing right between his legs.]
action; not ever. anyway gonna slap a mild nsfw warning on here now
[Kaveh has frozen in place, initially concerned he'd caused Alhaitham some pain but, well.
Well
That's not a response to poison, Alhaitham.]
What--what?
action; turn away little children the men are kissing (later)
Now you see why I wanted you to leave. [He grunts out as he bats Kaveh's hand away and uncurls, stretching back out since there's no real reason to hide his issue any longer.] We can— [Pause, deep breath, continues.] ——we can talk about this later.
action; they might even hold hands
[Kaveh puffs up a little, and then pinches the bridge of his nose.] No. No. You're going to explain to me how the fuck this happened, that--
[He gestures at the turgid problem at hand.] --Is not normal. What did you do?
action; holding hands... how scandalous....
I said, later. Now will you please leave.
[Is it too much to ask for some peace and privacy so he can just deal with this and they'll never have to speak about it again.]
action; they're so brazen
[Sometimes Kaveh says things that don't quite catch up to him until it's far too late.]
action; utterly shameless
What, are you planning to offer your help? [He's trying to keep the bite out of his voice but Archons its hard not to when Kaveh continues to be endlessly stubborn and frustrating.] As you've so kindly pointed out before, you don't exactly have any rent to pay me here.
[And has that not been the only reason as to why their previous arrangement exists? The only time Kaveh is willing to touch him in that manner? Now that they're here that reason no longer holds any water, and so Alhaitham has never brought it up—until now, that is.]
action; so stupid...
Why must he be honest with Alhaitham? With himself?
It won't be today.
Kaveh stares for a while in silence, swallowing down the hurt the same way he does every time they've ever done this, and searches for a way around this man's stupid pride.]
I don't, but you do, don't you?
action; the dumbest of the dumb
Why would I have to pay rent when I could just— [Alhaitham cuts himself off with a groan this time, and he shifts the lower half of his body in a futile bid to get some form of relief. The issue between his legs is getting harder and harder to ignore with every passing second (pun fully intended).] —hah, move out and live here instead?
[Even as he says that though Alhaitham knows that its an empty threat at best. He can't bring himself to leave Kaveh alone again. He wants every possible reason he can have to remain in Kaveh's life here now that there is none of the usual things that they have both always known.]
action; so smart yet so stupid
[For once, Kaveh doesn't have a problem calling Alhaitham out on this, and he reaches out again, pressing his palm over Alhaitham's chest. He's starting to see how he reacts to touch but his chest, at least, is less forward than his...other option.]
Either swallow your pride and let me help, or pay me your rent, Alhaitham.
action; the real proof that love makes people stupid
How long has it been since the last time they did this? His brain is too muddled to remember at this point. All he knows is that it's been long enough. Long enough for him to want, and the potion that burns through his veins has long shredded through any last bit of resistance he has to denying himself any further.
There is no warning then, to the way Alhaitham shoots his hand over to grab Kaveh by the front of his shirt, gripping tightly enough for his hand to tremble as he drags Kaveh down for a kiss that he deepens the very first chance he gets, devouring Kaveh's mouth with a hunger that makes no attempt to hide how much he wants this.]
action; they're doing their best
Two and a half months, and all the weeks preceeding that. But for right now, he can pretend that this won't just be for today, that this is real and not something snatched in the moments they can come up with an appropriate lie.
Just for right now, he can let himself have Alhaitham. Which means kissing him until his lungs are screaming for air!]
Are you going to make it off the couch?
[He doesn't really care if they don't. But he's the one with a single working braincell, so he has to ask.]
action; they really are bless them
Not now. [He manages to say, staring at Kaveh with eyes that are already completely blown out.] Just want—you.
[The hand that'd been grabbing Kaveh's shirt lets go in order to start touching now, slipping underneath one side of the deep cut of his shirt to run his hand over the expanse of skin there, relishing the mere sensation of touch. It's been so long... he can't help but want more. More and more until he'd had his fill, but even then it'd never be enough.
He can never have enough of Kaveh.]
action;
[It's so unfair. How can he say things like that only now, when he's clearly out of his mind? Kaveh shudders at the touch, sensitive not from whatever Alhaitham's done to himself but simply from time. It's been so long, and he's always been sensitive to touch, he can't help it.]
Let me on the couch, then. The table won't hold us.
[It's not said out of concern for the table, to be clear. But having the table break out from under you is NOT a sexy experience.]
action;
Kaveh. [Its the only thing that he says, yet in that single utterance of that name it holds the weight of all the desire and longing that he'd been keeping within himself all this time. And he shows it, too, when he leans down, pressing their bodies together as he claims Kaveh's mouth in another deep and thorough kiss, licking over every inch with the intent to taste and take and devour.]
action; hurtles into that fade to black.
His mind almost feels numb, even as he leans up into that kiss, even as he tugs at Alhaitham's shirt, a coiling heat rising in him as an answer to the other man's desperation.
They never talk about it after. They didn't as students, when they didn't feel any need to name what they were, believing themselves invincible, and they don't as adults, their need and desperation a secret for the moonlight.
It makes Kaveh's heart ache. But he'll see this through, no matter what it costs him, when Alhaitham needs him this badly.]
action; the real speedrun there tbh
I do not remember much, is what he tells the somewhat shady healer when asked to recount his experiences, voice flat and his expression revealing nothing. Most of it was a blur.
The healer gives him a look and a toothy grin that only serves to irritate Alhaitham more, but all the same he still accepts the items that they pass onto him as his payment for having tested the brew. There is a bottle of the brew itself, which Alhaitham is incredibly tempted to just throw away but stops himself from doing so if only because it would be easier to show the proof of his mistake to Kaveh. And then, of course, there is the book, which'd been the main reason why Alhaitham even willingly subjected himself to this in the first place.
...to say how disappointing the book turns out to be even from a quick skim would be an entire seminar in and of itself. Just like with the brew Alhaitham is also just as tempted to get rid of the book now that he has seen how ridiculous its contents are, but—
The door to Kaveh's apartment clicks open, and Alhaitham steps through as soon as he can, closing said door with maybe a little bit more force than usual because there are no words he can use in this moment to describe the immeasurable disappointment and annoyance that he is feeling right now.]
action; awesome ftb done quick
hmm.]
I take it things went swimmingly.
action; ftb any% glitchless (or with glitch in this case...)
Read it for yourself.
[If his gaze lingers on the array of marks that litter Kaveh's neck for a beat too long Alhaitham certainly does nothing to show it, simply turning away after that to walk over to the lone cabinet that exists in this tiny place and opening it up to stash away the bottled brew. He can talk to Kaveh about that later, when he feels less inclined to open it up an pour its contents down the sink.]
action; there's certainly a few glitches in their plans...
...It's volume 2, apparently.
[Just gonna put some salt in that wound.]
action; only makes it better
[Yeah, here's that dry voice you know and appreciate so well, Kaveh. Truly the most impressed that Alhaitham has ever been of all time. Not.
The brew stashed away, Alhaitham walks (stomps) back to the couch and snatches it back off Kaveh's hands, his expression exceptionally sour.]
action; they don't know what's gonna happen...
I'm going to go ahead and guess you won't be looking for the first book, then.
action; they will know... eventually...
Why, are you interested in experiencing having intercourse with a dragon?
[He asks this with so much sarcasm that the words are practically dripping with it, gaze shifting over from the book to stare flatly at Kaveh while he asks that question.]
action; it will be nice for them when they do...
action; yes... they will get there...
action; this one hurt me to write
action; plays the ukelele and sings 🎶 MISCOMMUNICATION 🎵
action; they're so...fucking stupid
action; the brightest minds of sumeru ladies and gentlemen
action;
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action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action;
action; 🎀