[He wants to laugh. For someone who has a reputation of being callous, blunt, unfeeling, and for someone who people automatically assume he has everything under control so they barely never ask, Alhaitham is asked how he is feeling exactly when he can't really put his finger on his own state. His mind is simultaneously blank, reeling with a clarity that he hadn't found even when he took care of himself to ease the tension in his body, to get his libido out of the way when the blonde decided to do something that, for some unfathomable reason, made Alhaitham stir. One time it was the way he tucked his hair behind his ear. Another was when he got a glimpse of his back muscles when arranging the light fixtures to some odd angle because it made the room look "better" somehow. It was the crease between his brows as he thought, the way he snapped his fingers, the way he snapped his teeth—
And said blonde is crawling back up his body, putting those thoughts again to a stop. He probably has no idea the power he has.
So instead of answering—he couldn't, really, give an answer that he wouldn't deem embarrassing for someone like him—he cradles the back of Kaveh's head, pulls him up to a kiss, the warmth he had previously felt and the taste of himself in his mouth just enough of an encouragement to rolling them over and thumbing at the crease of his hip.] Tell me what you want.
Then it just means that we need some more practice.
[But then again, based on what she already knew from him and what she knew now? She had a feeling this would be an ongoing problem. However, she won't push it. Instead, she'll focus on their dinner.
Now that it seemed to cool down a little, she grabbed a plate before attempting to grab some with spoon.]
Besides, you'll find that I am not one who is easily offended. Just call me Madam and I think you'll see I'm rather agreeable!
[..................................for the most part.]
[ nothing so strong or dangerous or debilitating as alcohol, but it will help nonetheless. once kaveh is in his robe, tighnari leads him out of the washroom again and back into the main living area, where he slips his hand into kaveh's to tug him toward the bed. it's soft, and very inviting, packed with pillows and a thick blanket. ]
[ The sound Kaveh makes, when Alhaitham pulls him into a kiss, is something closer to a whimper than anything else; he truly wasn't expecting the other to be comfortable with it, and yet he does it without any hesitation, draws Kaveh to him and captivates him the way he always does (and Archons, how amazed he would be to learn of the power the other sees in him, because under Alhaitham's touch he feels weak, has always felt weak).
He chuckles into the other's lips as he's rolled, pressed under him with a hand thumbing at his hip, and Kaveh's blink in response to the words is slow, the blonde almost dazed with the question. ]
What I want?
[ His fingers brush at Alhaitham's silver hair, pushing it back from his face in the same way the other did his gold before. Truthfully, what he wants most he's just made temporarily impossible with his own fervor— so he laughs again, nudges his nose fondly against the other's before kissing him again, a tender catch of their lips. ]
I want you. I don't care how, Alhaitham— it's enough that it's you. So... whatever you're comfortable with.
[It seems as though they're bound to surprise each other over and over like this, with small whimpers, sharp gasps, arched eyebrows and widened eyes. And it's all so new, the way he watches his thumb skim over hipbone, only to trace on the juncture where Kaveh's thigh meets torso, his fingers kneading tightly as he sighs into the architect's mouth.
And how unsurprising, and beautifully familiar, for Kaveh to not voice his wants and needs and nudge the spotlight to try and shine a light on Alhaitham's.
It's a good thing he's used to this, has perfected this into an art.] It seems we're at an impasse.
[He tilts his head into the touch of his hair, chasing after more of it.] I don't know what I want, or what I should be doing. So I guess you'll have to tell me. Where do you want me to touch you?
[ He watches her serve the dish for a moment, before realizing that he should do his part, grabbing the bottle he brought so that he can pour it into glasses for them.
And he laughs again at the statement she makes, his smile gently amused. Oh, he's well aware of the respect that she expects from her great many juniors— but as far as he's concerned, it's well-deserved. She has an understanding of a great many topics, and unlike most Haravatat scholars (at least in his opinion), she sees the value in machines. ]
I've never found you to not be agreeable, [ he admits with a smile. But perhaps that's because he's also the type to respect the relationship between seniors and juniors. ]
[ Despite himself, despite everything, a scowl darkens Kaveh's pretty face. He meant what he said when he told Alhaitham he'd be happy with anything—! It wasn't an invitation for the other to push or probe at him, even if he does it with a tilt of his head into Kaveh's touch, a look on his face so perfectly content that any other time the blonde would melt for it.
He's still trying to work out what to say in his own defense when the other continues, asks for specifics, and the noise the architect makes is indignant, a flush heating his cheeks as he squeezes his eyes shut, caught somewhere between aroused, embarrassed, and frustrated. ]
Alhaitham, you're joking— [ He's not joking, Kaveh knows that. He's being difficult. Stubborn. Proving a point. The blonde whines. ] You know where I want you to touch—
I certainly hope so. If I weren't, I would never be able to get any students now, would I?
[She gave a chuckle or two before looking wearing a proud smile. Even if she might not be able to understand what these youngers are into these days, the very least she could do was treat them nicely right?]
Although, I would say the same for you. You seem to be a rather agreeable fellow yourself!
[He'll add that to the numerous things he'll have to think about later, the thrill of seeing Kaveh flustered and flushed, cheeks trying to meet the crimson of his eyes, which scrunch closed in well-known, familiar frustration.
Well, not so well-known. Not when there's something equally as carmine begging for attention near Alhaitham's hand.
Instead, though, he settles his weight on an arm, brushes his roommate's hair back so he can take a closer look, and peer deep into those unruly eyes of his.] Oh? Would I joke at a time like this? You said you wanted me; I want to make sure you get what you want. After all, there are a lot of things I could be doing. [Fingers clasp around the curve of Kaveh's neck, a steady grip, a heavy pet; fingers splaying as much surface as he can in his as he thumbs over his Adam's apple, and then to the grove between his collarbones. He skims the back of his knuckles along the wing of bone toward a shoulder, and then feels and kneads at the flesh of a pec.] Well?
[ Kaveh's eyelids flutter, a breath of frustration of his lips as Alhaitham's fingers move over his neck, his collarbones, his shoulders, his chest. Of all the willful, frustrating— ]
Fine. You want me to be accurate with my words? Don't be so fucking difficult— [ The last word, ground between his teeth, turns into something of a moan as he cants his hips up against the other, rutting into whatever part of his leg he can reach. ] Come on, Alhaitham—
[ He's horny to the point of frustrated, and yet somehow still unwilling to speak to his own desires, although at this point it's hard to say (even for himself) if he's being stubborn or shy. More likely, it's a little of both— a fact perhaps a little ironic considering where his mouth has just been. ]
[ Yeah, that makes sense. Kaveh nods, letting Tighnari lead him out to the living area and tug him over to the bed. Another nod when his friend tells him to sit and rest, and then he curls up into the blanket and pillows, not just sitting but almost lying, absorbing the small comforts for what they are.
It's not his fault, Tighnari says, that his father died— he was just a kid, doing what little kids do— and Kaveh knows how easy it would be to say those words to someone else, even as he fails to forgive himself. Why can't he forgive himself—
He can feel the panic welling up again and bites down on his lip, fingers clenching into the blanket as he tries to calm himself down.
[ Immediately, Kaveh's eyes widen. Faruzan's choice of words seems to him to indicate that she has been successful in finding her first students, which is wonderful news— he knows that she's been having trouble for some time, what with her Haravatat name and her technological prowess.
He smiles, her own compliment going past him completely as he focuses on her. ]
[Yeah, about that? It was then her mood slightly soured. While she dared not to let her emotions get the better of her, she couldn't help it. With a sigh, she shook her head.]
No, I'm afraid not but it just means that I'll have to find out what these youngsters are into! Although, I have to admit, I would much rather teach them some of the things most do not know about.
[After all, someone has to keep that information going, right?]
[ it doesn't take tighnari long to do his work, to fish out the correct herbs and get the water boiling, and soon enough the tea is steeping, its medicinal scent filling the small hut. while he waits for it to fully infuse, tighnari moves to kaveh's side again, and pulls the blankets up over his body.
a warm smile curves his mouth, and he reaches to brush the hair from kaveh's eyes. ]
I'm proud of you. For telling me. I know it wasn't easy.
[ like as not it was one of the most difficult things kaveh has done in a long time. ]
[It all goes against his own rationality, how he leans in to kiss that 'please' away, as though it slips into Alhaitham's own palate, becomes part of him. He runs his tongue over his lower lip after nipping at it, aiming to soothe the hurt. A please as earnest as that isn't supposed to be said three times, but he feels like hearing a lot more of it now.]
I see. [He curls his fingers on Kaveh's hips, kneading none too gently, and then doing the same to the round of his behind as he rolls against his leg. He should be appointed Grand Sage just from how much mindfulness he's applying in a moment like this, when the Architect is underneath him so vividly wanting and needful. It would be, for sure, a lot more than any self-control Azar had ever shown.
Not that he wants to think about him right now. Instead, he gives Kaveh's cheek an experimental squeeze.] Is this it?
[ Kaveh's eyes roll back, lids fluttering, when his plea is answered not with what they both know he wants, but with Alhaitham's fingers curling on his hips and then his backside, as teeth and tongue bully and soothe his lower lip in turn. The sound he makes is somewhere between a whine and a groan, hips rocking up against his leg again, his hands coming to the other's chest to press, to scratch his demands (gently) into the skin. ]
Depends, [ he mutters darkly before he can stop himself, the sarcasm all too evident in his voice. ] How quick is your refractory period?
[ But even heady with alcohol, Kaveh knows that's a lot to ask. And so, stubborn to the end, he reaches for Alhaitham's wrist, pulling it between them, lowering it nearer to his aching arousal— all without a word. Then, a kiss to the other's sharp jaw. ]
[Nails. There's something he hadn't considered before, in the quick instance between imagining these actions as a possibility and the actuality of doing them. It's his shock at the unexpected laced with the grate on his skin, leaving gentle pink stripes and curves where Kaveh's fingers dig into. Adding that to the way he sounds and he's almost losing his mind—]
Take a look for yourself. [Instead of snapping back with something equally clever, Alhaitham's lip twitches, still delighted to keep their back and forth even when their breathing is growing labored, Alhaitham's mouth running dry, and he points out at the obvious. This, he had expected, anticipated. His head tilts, grey hair canting side to reveal his left eye.] Yes, I am aware you have an erection. What do you want me to do about it?
[ Alhaitham's response is met with a long, frustrated groan, Kaveh's frustration echoed in the way his hips rock up, seeking something the other is clearly intent on keeping from him for now. It's enough that it takes him several moments to process what the scribe actually said in the moments before that, answering a question that the blonde had only asked out of frustration. But when he does, he releases Alhaitham's wrist to reach for him instead.
Finding the other hard again demolishes any willpower Kaveh had left to keep fighting him. With another groan, he reaches up with both hands, cupping Alhaitham's face as he kisses him hard, an almost bruising pressure as he crushes their lips together. ]
Fuck me. [ It's breathed against the other's mouth, a tremble in his voice. ] Or— or let me fuck you, if it's what you prefer. I just... I want you. I wanna be with you. Please.
[ The scent filling the hut is already calming, not to mention the fingers gently brushing through his hair once the blankets are pulled over him. Along with Tighnari's voice, they help battle against the panic trying to resurface, quieten it until he can offer a weak smile in return, nod at the other through blurry crimson eyes. ]
I— No one else knows, [ he says eventually, the words thick on his tongue, something soft and pleading in the cadence of his words. ] Only Alhaitham and— and now you.
[ Kaveh sighs. He hates that she's having so much trouble. She's a lovely person, and she has so much knowledge to share—
He frowns. How is he meant to help someone in this situation? Of course he can make sure to spread her good name everywhere, but... ]
I know I am already a graduate. But... perhaps you would consider teaching me. I gained some small capability with ancient languages during an old research project, and I have to admit the subject was interesting.
[ Plus, he has a feeling it would irk the hell out of that guy to know Kaveh is learning linguistics from anyone other than him. ]
In return, I'd be happy to tell you more you want to know.
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