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𝒪𝓅𝑒𝓃 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓉 🏛️

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No, we can stop talking about it. This was always a diversion that I was entertaining since you wanted to talk about it so much, Kaveh.

[ If there was a moment for a record scratch to go off, this would be it. Alhaitham is about to make like a character in a certain genre of visual novels and, knowing that he's successfully debuffed Kaveh's fortitude by arguing him down on one topic, is about to reveal what his real agenda was all along.

He half-crosses his arms across his chest, leaning back in his seat and tilting his head forward — even his body language is getting aggressive here, so he's clearly planning to go all in. ]

After all, you've been deflecting quite impressively for quite some time now. But I still haven't heard a proper answer to the question that I've been getting at since the very beginning of this conversation. Why did you indirectly give me condoms, Kaveh? And before you say that you've already answered... let's not fall back on technicality or rhetoric here. The fact of the matter is that I still don't understand why, and you have done your best to maintain a certain level of ambiguity around your actions. That clearly implies that there's something you don't want to say.

[ Alhaitham's holding Kaveh's gaze in a way that suggests that if Kaveh tries to look away, Alhaitham is going to implicitly take it as an admission of guilt. ]

Given that you've been hanging on for so long, though, I don't expect that you'll give in just because I've returned to the point. So let me offer an initial hypothesis, and you can refute it if you'd like. You want to know who, if anybody, I'm interested in fucking.

[ He hopes Kaveh is so pleased that they've landed on this verbiage together. Alhaitham sure is going to weaponize each and every one of the "fuck"s that leave his mouth from here on out. ]

[ It's when Alhaitham changes topic, leans back with those half-crossed arms that Kaveh starts to realize that he's quite possibly walked himself into a trap. But it's not until the question is asked again that he recognizes what that trap actually is— and even now, there's enough indignation in his own internal response that he's yet to entirely piece together just how dangerous of a pitfall it is. ]

I— absolutely not—

[ The protest is hot on his tongue and under his skin. The accusation is completely, entirely unfounded; he has after all already explained himself, and just because Alhaitham doesn't understand his motive doesn't mean that it's inadequate. It was nothing more than a stupid prank, a way of messing with the scribe and trying to get under his skin, to somehow make him uncomfortable or uncertain. And just because he can practically hear the other man's voice in his head already, informing him in that infuriatingly calm voice that his emotion over the issue belies a deeper truth, it does not make it true—

Ah, fuck.

At this point, there's no denying it, is there? Not even to himself.

It's all he can take not to drop his eyes from the other's challenging stare. He already knows how Alhaitham will interpret it if he looks away. Instead, he keeps his own expression as steady as possible as he replies, trying to make it sound like it's no big deal at all: ]

An interesting hypothesis, to be sure. I'm not sure I can agree with you that it was my initial purpose, but let's work under the assumption for the time being that it was. It is, after all, an interesting question. Would you, hypothetically, blame me for my curiosity?

[ (and Archons help him because Alhaitham's casual use of the term "fucking" is no longer funny to him at all, and Kaveh is regretting every move he's made in the last several hours) ]

[ Kaveh's rejection of his hypothesis hardly bothers him — that's why it's only a hypothesis, after all. He's just picked what he thought was a good starting point and is now going to subject Kaveh to his preferred academic approach: a cycle of questioning and revising. ]

Your curiosity? No. But I would take issues with your methodology. If we hold my initial hypothesis true, then you could have resolved your curiosity much more efficiently by asking directly. I don't have any reason to conceal information from you on who I'm fucking or not.

[ Or interested in fucking, et cetera. Alhaitham will spare Kaveh from being totally overwhelmed with all the fucks that he has to (verbally) give. ]

That said... while you are impulsive at times, you generally act in a way that's consistent with your own system of beliefs. So I'm inclined to believe that you felt there was a good reason to take an indirect approach instead.

[ And that's true in general, not just in the moment — Alhaitham might have plenty of bones to pick with Kaveh's beliefs and values and the way he expresses them, but he can respect that Kaveh has beliefs and values that guide his actions. That's more than he feels like he can say about a lot of people, for whatever that's worth. ]

This is all assuming my hypothesis is correct, though. The bigger issue is whether it is or isn't. If you aren't interesting in confirming or denying it, then should I take this as more deflection, or are you open to disclosing your thoughts on the matter?

[ The first of Alhaitham's comments is very nearly met with an irritated little huff. Quite frankly, Kaveh had a very good reason for being indirect, and how dare he presume otherwise— never mind, he's acknowledging in the very next moment the fact that the architect must have had a reason consistent with his own beliefs.

It's actually reasons, plural, but for this particular discussion, only one of them is important. And he's about to make the argument around which that reason is centered when the question comes again, and Kaveh's arms fold across his chest, a defensive posture at best compared to the scribe's more forceful one. After all, he's essentially being needled on the topic at this point... ]

Seeing as we both know you're not going to let it go until I do offer a statement as to how correct you are, have it your way: your hypothesis is accurate.

[ He hates it when Alhaitham is right. ]

As to why I chose an indirect approach... for as much as you say it would be more efficient for me to ask you directly, I think we can both agree your answer would have been to look at me as if I'd grown a second head. My theory is that beginning the conversation in a more creative way lessened your inclination to ignore me on the topic.

[ The other reason is that he's pretty sure any answer will leave him jealous, and Kaveh has never been good at concealing his emotions. But that's one he doesn't need or want to say in this moment— or, preferably, at all. ]

Well, you're obviously wrong about that, because you still haven't heard an answer from me, even after all the trouble you've went through. If anything... your reason is clearly in contradiction with the rest of our conversation.

[ Alhaitham doesn't feel like playing with his food, so he'll spare Kaveh the agony of being jerked around with leading questions like, "Do you know what I'm getting at?" — he feels like he's pretty close to pushing Kaveh over the edge and forcing whatever mysterious thoughts in his head that he's concealing out. He's finally gonna get that brain sample he's wanted all along! ]

If you recall... you asked me something along the lines of, 'Would you feel uncomfortable talking about fucking someone, Alhaitham?' to which I answered that if we're discussing it in the context of it being an intimacy directly related to one of us, then no, I wouldn't have any issues with talking about fucking someone. At that point, it was mutually understood that I would be willing to disclose that sort of information. But you didn't ask. Why is that?

[ Alhaitham understands that Kaveh can be stubborn, but he's most often stubborn over ideals and values — and more than that, Kaveh is a quick thinker, pays attention to details, and is shameless enough to immediately revise his stance in the face of receiving new information, especially when it's for the sake of trying to argue Alhaitham down. All-in-all, Alhaitham can't help but think that Kaveh hasn't been considering things as clearly as he would have been if their conversation centered around any other topic — but that brings up a whole host of other questions. ]

I'll lay out another hypothesis. [ From his tone, Alhaitham is definitely treating this like he just said he'll play a round of chess with Kaveh and handicap himself by playing without a queen. ] You wanted to create a circumstance of information asymmetry. You'd like to know something about me... without revealing anything about yourself. That would give you an advantage in that you'd be able to make better decisions with a superior view of the overall situation. Am I close?

[ Alhaitham might have chosen to play without a queen, but he's still somehow brought Kaveh to a place where there's maybe only one or two ways of moving his own pieces without finding himself in checkmate— and right now, he's not sure he can see that path. He feels like his arms can't get tighter over his chest, and if it weren't for the fact that he's taken a seated position here, he feels like he'd be at very real risk of backing away. There's no doubt in his own mind that he hasn't considered any part of this nearly as carefully as he should have— But it's too late for that, and he can see from that calm expression that this isn't a discussion out of which he'll easily be able to extract himself.

Besides, as far as he's concerned, Alhaitham is being unfair. Would he like to know more about his closed-off, impossible-to-read roommate? Sure. Would he like to know those things without his own attraction to said roommate becoming part of their shared knowledge? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean that it's part of his reasoning on each and every single action he takes—

Never mind that this particular set of actions does seem to indicate as such.

His frown deepens. This whole thing is so frustrating. ]

I didn't ask because it would have been rude to stop mid-discussion to ask, Alhaitham. That's all. Or would you have preferred I do exactly that?

[ It's abrupt, the way he stands up and whirls around, all flair and drama, hands flat on the desk so he can lean forward, crimson eyes narrowed in an irritated glare at the other man's expense. ]

If that's what you want, why don't we pause the debate right now? Go on, Alhaitham. If you have no problem telling me who you want to fuck, do it.

I did give you the opportunity to lead with a new topic, but you tried to end the conversation instead.

[ Is this what Kaveh really wants? A life with a guy who's constantly giving off a vibe like, "Yeah, I know. I was about five parallel dimensions ahead of you this whole time."

Except really Alhaitham wasn't, at least when it came to what was debatably the crux of the matter. It doesn't take a genius to know that one has to be exceptionally cautious about changing your relationship with somebody who's as close to you as a roommate and a long-time ""friend"" (debatable), and so Alhaitham has been treating this all very, very carefully. In an indirect sort of way, it might speak to how seriously he's been considering all the possibilities that he's been able to press the conversation as hard as he has been.

It's in the way that Kaveh responds that he goes from being uncertain about the chances that Kaveh's done all this in an odd attempt to send some signals to thinking that he at least has gambling odds. Because if Kaveh didn't have a vested interest in Alhaitham's answer, then Alhaitham thinks that he would have simply denied it, said that Alhaitham was overthinking it, or questioned why Alhaitham posited that he'd want to create the circumstances in the first place. Alhaitham knows that Kaveh is the type who wears his heart on his sleeve and finds it difficult to convincingly misrepresent his true feelings, so the fact that he dodged entirely suggests to Alhaitham that his hypothesis is more or less true... and certainly, one reason you'd want to know if somebody has a crush without revealing anything on your own is to figure out if you've got a shot. Not the only one, but Alhaitham has eliminated enough competing explanations through the course of the conversation that he's willing to take a risk on it being the correct one.

All this to say: if Kaveh is perturbed that Alhaitham seems completely unruffled by his lurch forward, it's because Alhaitham's mind is already moving onto the metaphorical endgame. ]

Let's see if you can guess, then. He has a great deal of intelligence, but can be too impulsive to make good use of it. He's argumentative, but isn't skilled at arguing. And—

[ It's with equal abruptness that Alhaitham uncrosses his arms and mirrors Kaveh's actions, closing the gap between them without hesitation. At close quarters, Kaveh might notice a very, very subtle shift in his expression that just screams cat that got the canary. ]

He should think things through before putting his condoms in unexpected places.

[ He doesn't bother confirming Alhaitham's comment, or trying to deny it for that matter— they both after all know that it's exactly what he did. Has tried to do a few times today in fact, whether it's because he's trying to play his cards close to his chest or simply because he's stubborn... or maybe a mix of both. Either way, in all his concerns about not playing his hand too soon, he's let several of the key cards slip for Alhaitham's viewing pleasure—

(and at some point this became a poker metaphor instead of a chess metaphor)

—and unbeknownst to him the other man now knows exactly what he's holding. Information asymmetry indeed, and not in the way Kaveh intended... Or, somehow, even suspected.

And so he's really not expecting the way Alhaitham mirrors his movements across the table, telling him with a disturbing amount of confidence— smugness, in fact— about who he wants to fuck, and it's all Kaveh can do to stand there and take it, head reeling with the thoughts that this really, seriously, honestly would have been so much easier if he'd just asked the fucking question.

(But then again, if he had, he wouldn't get to see this look on Alhaitham's face now, would he?) ]

...You are such an asshole.

[ There's no malice in the words, said as they are with a slight smirk of Kaveh's own— or it's meant to be a smirk, even if it's outlined a little too intently with something akin to relief— and he lifts a hand, fingers curling around the cord of Alhaitham's headphones as if they'll somehow give him any leverage to pull the other closer. ]

How long have you known?

[ Because he knows the scribe too well to assume that he took a chance on this without being incredibly, almost doubtlessly, positive that it wouldn't turn into something awkward and uncomfortable between the two of them. ]

[ Alhaitham lets himself be pulled forward regardless, it seems fair to play along given that he did just subject Kaveh to the mental rollercoaster of a lifetime. Unfortunately, he is not yet done being himself. ]

Know is a strong word, and the answer to that would be "just now". [ But he's pretty sure the spirit of the question isn't literal, so... ] I did make it known early on that I was trying to figure out what to do with those condoms, which I'd thought would signal that it was a possibility in my mind.

[ In the future, Alhaitham is going to have a story to tell about how he gave Kaveh about 5 separate opportunities to admit, "I'm trying to FLIRT! Hello?!" and refused to take any of them, so Alhaitham performed an interrogation so thorough that the matra should hire him to give seminars. Then again, it's not as if he doesn't understand Kaveh's hesitance to commit without being fairly sure about the outcome, so maybe he'll save this one for well after the wounds have closed... ]

So, then, do you care to stick with your original answer?

[ Naturally, the response is met with a roll of Kaveh's eyes. Even like this, with the two of them so close that he can practically taste the scribe's words on his breath, Alhaitham is being an arrogant prick about the entire thing. It's all he can do to not just grab him by the stupidly-oversized collar of his and crush their mouths together in a kiss— but somehow that feels like conceding yet another victory to the other man, and quite frankly his pride needs him to win one round.

So he stays close, but doesn't move closer, doesn't draw Alhaitham closer either, just fixes ruby eyes on emerald and shakes his head, a slow, deliberate movement.

Does he want to stick with his original answer? Fuck no. ]

I put the condoms in your book— [ and his voice is lower than usual, deep and husky with a desire that has simmered unseen for a painfully long time now ] —because I want you to fuck me.

[ It's more than just that, of course. He wants to do a lot of things with the scribe, and getting fucked is just one of those things. But more words will just spoil the high tension of the moment, slow the fluttering pulse in his wrist and soften the breath he knows is just a little too hard. There's time for words later— and for Kaveh, that's saying a lot. ]

[ Alhaitham's almost tempted to quip that Kaveh seems like the type who'd not only want to be wined and dined but also had at least one deep conversation on personal values before slamming a home run — but on second thought, Alhaitham is constantly bankrolling Kaveh's sustenance and they probably have too many conversations on their wildly differing personal values. How efficient it is to skip the entire "getting to know you" process!

There's a pause before Alhaitham puts his hands on either side of Kaveh and lifts upwards, naturally leaning in towards him. For a second, it probably seems like Alhaitham's going in for a kiss, but then he tilts his face so that his mouth's right next to Kaveh's ear, so that his voice comes out in an intimate murmur— ]

Honesty is a virtue that should be rewarded, I think. [ There's an unspoken promise here that Alhaitham's willing to be obliging if Kaveh's willing to bare his thoughts out loud. But of course, Alhaitham will immediately open with: ] So for how long have you wanted it?

[ Alhaitham, unfortunately, still loves his words. But he also knows how to keep the tension from deflating — he presses his mouth just behind Kaveh's ear and slowly works his way inward, lips and just a hint of tooth ghosting along the curve of Kaveh's neck. Eyes closed, he's paying close attention to Kaveh's reactions and gauging just how much further he can tease before Kaveh gets truly impatient with him. ]

[ Alhaitham knows him well. Under any other circumstances, such a thing would likely be the case. But this is different; this is someone he's known for a long time, has wanted for a long time, so much so that his eyes glide shut in response to what he thinks is going to be a kiss— only for that low, sexy voice to murmur in his ear instead.

The shudder of pleasure that passes through Kaveh is almost visceral.

His eyes open again, his head tilting with a shaky exhale as Alhaitham's mouth travels along the skin, and one hand raises unbidden to coil fingers in the other's hair, a grip tight without aiming to be painful; the question for several moments is forgotten as the scribe's mouth finds a particularly sensitive point along his jaw, and the architect breathes out a husky-voiced curse or two.

How long have you wanted it?

The blink of his eyelids feels slow, detached from the world moving around them, so too the tongue on his lips wetting them in an effort to speak, because somehow Alhaitham has undone him with a ghost of his lips. ]

A while. [ Although he knows even as he says it that it probably won't be enough for the other to count as honesty, and so he's wracking his brain for a stronger answer, something more akin to the truth— ] I don't know exactly. It's been building for a while. At the very least I... [ A slight frown even as his breath hitches. ] I know I thought about it when I first moved in.

[ That reply gets something that's less a laugh and more the idea of a laugh out of Alhaitham, an exhale of breath right against Kaveh's throat — he pulls back, looking at Kaveh with his gaze centered right at Kaveh's eyes. ]

You really don't think things through at times. [ (affectionate)

...

Probably (affectionate), but then again, Alhaitham would probably not hesitate to say something like, "I want to make you doubt your entire life (affectionate)" to Kaveh if he existed in times with modern slang.

Anyway, Alhaitham imagines that Kaveh moved in with little thought to how that might change their intrapersonal dynamics — the roommate effect, proximity and attraction, the opportunity to see somebody from a new perspective. Or he'd considered it, and immediately ruled these out as issues because it's Alhaitham, end of explanation. If there's anything that surprises Alhaitham, it's that Kaveh has done an admirable job of keeping things lowkey for quite a long time, being somebody who wears his heart on his sleeve by nature.

But more importantly, the reward. Alhaitham brings a hand up to the side of Kaveh's neck where his mouth just was, fingertips curling loosely into the hair at Kaveh's nape as he leans in for a kiss. Kaveh's a romanticist, so he probably wants something that metaphorically makes his heart skip a beat; Alhaitham's not sure if he can actually deliver, but he has that thought in the back of his mind as he tilts his head to deepen the kiss — and just before he disengages to give them both a little breathing space again, he catches Kaveh's lower lip between his teeth, nipping without any real force as he pulls away. ]

The living room or bedroom?

[ The study is simply not an option he's going to entertain here, Alhaitham's habit of leaving books stacked wherever he pleases means it's too easy to knock things over or otherwise cause minor chaos that would mildly annoy him. ]

[ Of course he's met with a roll of his eyes, because even though he can read into the affection in the phrase (despite Alhaitham's classically straight-faced delivery), of course the scribe would tease him for that— even if he's not actually wrong, because Kaveh definitely did not give enough thought to how their dynamic would change when he moved into the other's house, outside of course from the embarrassment that he knew would come hand in hand with needing to learn to live out of someone else's pocket.

He won't bother, then, to tell the other man that he hoped it was just a passing fad that would fade over time. The logic behind that had been weak at best, but he still allowed himself to be convinced. He's sure the scribe would judge him for it. (Hell, he practically judges himself.)

Besides, there's no time for that or even room to think about it, because he's being rewarded for his honesty, his eyes falling shut and lips immediately parting into the firmness of Alhaitham's mouth, and he feels his pulse quicken under his skin, a sigh of content that has him canting forward, fingers loosening only to tighten once more. The attempt at romanticism isn't lost on him, is actually enough to win him over all on its own, and so when the kiss is broken with a tug of his lower lip, there's an unhappy, protesting sound on his mouth, a moment where he goes to chase Alhaitham until the scribe starts talking instead.

The living room is nearer, but Kaveh's too sentimental to want this to be on a sofa, which means the answer is easy, and his hand untangles from silver strands, a smile forming on his lips. ]

Bedroom.

[ And maybe it makes him too obviously eager, but as he pulls away to move in the direction of the scribe's room— it's the nearest of the two— he's already working to undo the brooch that holds his cape on his shoulders, to loosen the belt wrapped around his waist. ]

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