[ The cold night air is like a slap in the face, and it's enough to make him stop struggling for a split second; that's all the peace Alhaitham gets though before he starts up again, and the hitch in the other's breath is enough for him to smirk in twisted victory just before he's dumped back onto his feet. The suddenness of it has him swaying, lurching a step forward and grabbing a hold of the other man's arm to steady himself, a hold broken in the very next second when he lets go and turns away, once again refusing to look at him head-on.
Later, perhaps, he'll see the benefit in being dragged out of there by the other before he could make more of a scene... but even if such a time comes to pass, he swears he'll never say as much, or even admit that he was making a scene to begin with. If Alhaitham wants to accuse him of being proud, then he will be, end of story.
...Which admittedly lends some credence to what the other is saying, Kaveh watching from the corner of his eyes as Alhaitham's arms fold over his chest, and mimicking the action without even meaning to do so. ]
Shut up.
[ It's half-muttered to himself, half-said aloud, and if he cared to notice he'd realize that the cold slap of air has taken the worst of the slurring from his voice. But his ex-friend just keeps talking, and Kaveh feels his scowl deepening. Why can't Alhaitham just leave him alone for once? He feels his temper rising at the accusations, and perhaps it's a good thing that they're alone because his voice when he speaks is as usual too loud, high with indignation and frustration. ]
Has it perhaps occurred to you that I don't want to explain? I said I didn't want to talk about it, Alhaitham!!
[ To be fair, a tiny voice in his mind says— an almost reasonable voice despite the fact that he's drunk and upset— he never actually said as much in words. Of course, anyone with an empathetic bone in their body would surely have inferred it from the situation and the words he did choose... but empathy has never been Alhaitham's strong point, has it?
The thought makes him waver in place, a physical movement of his body echoing the hesitation in his mind and perhaps for a moment making it look like he's about to tip over before he corrects himself, eyes closing. When he speaks again, his voice is calmer. ]
no subject
Later, perhaps, he'll see the benefit in being dragged out of there by the other before he could make more of a scene... but even if such a time comes to pass, he swears he'll never say as much, or even admit that he was making a scene to begin with. If Alhaitham wants to accuse him of being proud, then he will be, end of story.
...Which admittedly lends some credence to what the other is saying, Kaveh watching from the corner of his eyes as Alhaitham's arms fold over his chest, and mimicking the action without even meaning to do so. ]
Shut up.
[ It's half-muttered to himself, half-said aloud, and if he cared to notice he'd realize that the cold slap of air has taken the worst of the slurring from his voice. But his ex-friend just keeps talking, and Kaveh feels his scowl deepening. Why can't Alhaitham just leave him alone for once? He feels his temper rising at the accusations, and perhaps it's a good thing that they're alone because his voice when he speaks is as usual too loud, high with indignation and frustration. ]
Has it perhaps occurred to you that I don't want to explain? I said I didn't want to talk about it, Alhaitham!!
[ To be fair, a tiny voice in his mind says— an almost reasonable voice despite the fact that he's drunk and upset— he never actually said as much in words. Of course, anyone with an empathetic bone in their body would surely have inferred it from the situation and the words he did choose... but empathy has never been Alhaitham's strong point, has it?
The thought makes him waver in place, a physical movement of his body echoing the hesitation in his mind and perhaps for a moment making it look like he's about to tip over before he corrects himself, eyes closing. When he speaks again, his voice is calmer. ]
I don't want to talk about it.