[He does need a moment to accustom himself to the extra weight and how it changes the way the bike balances. Luckily, he'd thought ahead, and managed to persuade his instructor to 'stand in' so he would have some idea of how to set off without tipping over.
For a moment his fingers linger on Kaveh's forearm, then he pulls his helmet back on and revs the bike a couple of times, setting off towards the quiet street.
It's still dark, with pre-dawn light barely touching the sky, and Alhaitham's course takes them through Amberfall, towards one of the higher points near their current home.]
[ Kaveh's eyes widen as they take off, the speed sending a shiver of surprise through his body as he clings harder to the other. He's traveled at speed before, but never quite like this, exposed to the elements enough that even with the helmet on he's almost a little frightened for the first few moments.
But Alhaitham knows what he's doing, gliding through the dark streets with all the air of someone who's practiced this a hundred or more times, even as Kaveh's arms tighten around his waist.
And, little by little, the air blowing against him starts to feel nice rather than scary, his eyes still wide with awe as they speed through the streets. ]
[It's cute, the way he clings around him, and maybe Alhaitham had set off a little quicker than he needed to so he could prompt just that reaction.
(He would never tell.)
He is a competent rider, keeping them both secure as they wind through the streets slowly gaining altitude. When they reach a known local beauty spot overlooking the neighbourhood, he pulls up and stops.]
[ Kaveh clings to him the whole ride, even as he starts to feel less afraid of the speed. It helps him feel safe as the wind whips past them, for one. For two, there's... just something nice about it.
There's no need for him to feel unsafe, though; Alhaitham takes them smoothly through the streets, a gradual climbโhe's grateful the other told him to wear something warmโuntil they stop, and...
Even without getting off the bike, Kaveh realizesโthey can see everything from here. ]
Alhaitham...
[ His boyfriend will no doubt hear the emotion in his voice. It's beautiful. ]
[He drops the kickstand and pulls off his helmet, waiting for Kaveh to dismount before he moves to do the same. The helmet is left on the seat of the bike and he pushes his hand through his hair, looking out over the view he brought them both up to.]
I thought you'd like it.
[And then, because even though he told Kaveh to dress warmly, he did only put on a cardigan... he pulls off his jacket to put it around the other man's shoulders.]
[ When Alhaitham takes his helmet off, Kaveh does the same, leaving it behind before turning back to the other man as he puts his jacket over his shoulders, telling him he'll be cold without it.
The blonde frowns, glancing down at the jacket before back up at Alhaitham, concern etched all too quickly onto his features. ]
[He squeezes his fingers lightly over Kaveh's shoulders, keeping the jacket there. And, for a change, he doesn't ruin it by quipping something bluntly practical afterwards.
Instead he just wraps his arms around Kaveh from behind, pulling the other man back against his chest.]
[ Before he can say much else, or fret about Alhaitham getting cold, the younger man reaches for him, arms wrapped around him as he pulls him tight against his chest, and Kaveh can't help but laugh, low and warm, as his boyfriend tells him that this should work. He leans back, head against the front of his shoulder, and peers up at him, away from the beautiful view for just a moment. ]
Mm, I see how it is. Bring the boyfriend, use him as a blanket, right?
[ He smiles up at him before turning his gaze back to the view spread out before them. ]
[It is, and it's why he brought him here, but in the moment Alhaitham is quite sure that nothing is quite so beautiful as the person in his arms looking out at the view.
That smile. He'd move mountains for it. Just when did he start feeling so strongly, anyway?
He tucks his chin lightly against Kaveh's shoulder, letting the warmth of him soak through the jacket and watching the horizon slowly growing brighter.]
... Kaveh. [Alhaitham says then, pronouncing the man's name slowly as if it slipped out without his realising. He shifts, briefly nudging his nose to the curve of Kaveh's jaw.] There's something I want to ask you, and I don't want you to overreact.
[ Kaveh is content to rest against him like this, just watching as the sun starts to slip over the orizon, spreading beautiful colors like a splash of paint over the sky. He's busy trying to catalog it all, trying to freeze the image perfectly in the frame of his memories so that he can re-create it later, but then his voice slides low and slow from Alhaitham's lips and his attention shifts, head tilting as he looks up at the other. ]
Mm?
[ A nudge of the other's nose against his jaw, and Alhaitham is telling him he doesn't want him to overreact and... something uncomfortable settles in Kaveh's gut. Usually, that kind of request from the other can only mean something bad is coming, something he doesn't want Kaveh to start freaking out about, but...
[He squeezes his arms gently around Kaveh's middle. Even without asking he knows the other man is trying not to spiral into anxiety already, expecting to hear something bad, and he's quite sure there is no way he could say what he's going to say next without a massive response on his partner's part.
Which... Well, he's expecting it, even with the warning.]
I want you to marry me. [Alhaitham murmurs, low and soft and just below Kaveh's ear.]
It doesn't have to be here, or soon, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
[ And just like that, Kaveh forgets about the sunrise.
His eyes widen and fill with tears, and he turns in the circle of Alhaitham's arms, staring up at him in shock for a long second or two, his heart pounding against his ribcage.
Alhaitham... wants to marry him. Alhaitham wants to spend the rest of his life with him.
And Kaveh realizes something that deep down he's always know: it doesn't matter if they're in this world or any other. As long as they're together, he's already home. And Alhaitham... Alhaitham feels the same way.
His lips tremble; his tears spill onto his cheeks. ]
Of course there are. He expected that. Someone so emotional and reactive as Kaveh could hardly keep from being like this.
Someone who has spent so long feeling lonely down to the core of his soul; that he would never be quite good enough for anyone or anything and that bad luck seemed to follow him around no matter what he did. That he would always find every dream unattainable because something always got in the way. Someone so helplessly gullible but always so ready to help, no matter the cost to himself, because what did he matter against the weight of everything and everyone else...
He could hardly keep from being like this, in the face of such a question.]
Would I ask if I didn't?
[Honestly. As if flaunting his anticipation he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and holds it up between them.]
You're the only thing in my life that has always managed to escape logical explanation. And I want you to be in it forever.
[A cornerstone of wild chaos. Kaveh has always been a foil to him, and he's always known it.]
[ Kaveh snifflesโand then laughs when his boyfriend pulls out a handkerchief for him, taking it and using it to dab at the corners of his eyes even as more tears spill. Oh, he's all over the place right now; he wants to laugh and cry more and maybe dance like an idiot on top of this very hill, and heโ
hasn't even answered yet, he realizes, sniffling again even as he leans forward, standing on tiptoe so he can rest his forehead against Alhaitham's. ]
I want you to be in my life forever too.
[ How could he not? Alhaitham has always been the one person who sees him, sometimes even better than he sees himself. Once upon a time, he hated it, but in the years since he's come to be grateful. That someone knows him so well and loves him anyway...
[A soft, warm sound of acknowledgement as he nudges his forehead down against Kaveh's then wraps both arms around him, pulling him in for a kiss. Who needs some dramatic display of romantic intention when all you really need is something like this?
When they part, he bumps his nose gently to the other man's and meets his eyes.]
I don't have a ring yet, and I would say that it was because I wanted to make sure you get exactly the one you'd like, which I do, but also...
[Sigh. He glances over Kaveh's shoulder at the brightening sky.]
This was completely impulsive and I am entirely unprepared.
[ Kaveh smiles, leaning into Alhaitham's embrace, returning his kiss with a contented hum. And he's just about to tell him it's okay, that they can go ring shopping together, when Alhaitham..
...admits that this was impulsive?
Kaveh stares. His jaw drops. He has never known Alhaitham to not have a plan. He's never known him not to have a backup for that plan. He even, sometimes, makes backup plans for his backup plans. To think that he didn't plan this at all...
Fresh tears well up in his eyes as he leans in, captures his mouth in another kiss. ]
I love you. I would marry you even if you already had a ring and it was the ugliest thing in the world.
[Alhaitham smiles a bit, has the good grace to look embarrassed at the scrutiny, then laughs a little at the blatant shock. Had he planned it he's not sure if it would have been too much different than this, but as someone who always has a plan... he knows that Kaveh will understand what that means.]
We'll go looking together. [He says, already strangely looking forward to the idea.]
I love you, too.
[Then, as he wipes a few tears off Kaveh's cheek with a careful sweep of his thumb...]
[ Kaveh leans into Alhaitham's touch, smile on his lips even though the tears continue to slip from his eyes. ]
It's fine. You'll warm it up for me.
[ He tells him this with a soft laugh, hands coming up to cover Alhaitham's with his own. Suddenly, all he can think about his how it might feel with metal here to brush against metal. ]
I'm looking forward to it. Going shopping, finding ringsโI...ah, I'm happy, Haitham. I know you said it doesn't have to be soon but..
I knew you'd get excited quickly. [Alhaitham replies, quiet amusement in his voice.
He's never been an overtly emotional person - it takes a lot to push him to those kinds of expressions. But this... He is happy, even if he's being very calm about it. Despite his demeanour his heart is still beating hard.
Even though he never for a moment thought that Kaveh would say no.]
But we don't have to rush anything. Just enjoy it for now. I'm taking you for breakfast and we have the whole day to spend together.
[ But there's no anger in his voice. He's smilingโand Alhaitham has seen him many times since they got together with genuine content on his face, but perhaps nothing quite like this: the pure, perfect relaxation, the genuine belief in his own joy.
And, speaking of that joy... ]
The whole day?
[ His eyes sparkle with warmth. They do spend a lot of time together, of course, but the idea of a whole, interrupted day sounds perfect to him, especially right now. ]
And it's entirely worth it all to see how Kaveh lights up with the thought of it, if he wasn't completely fine with spending the whole day with the man to begin with.]
It does.
[He slips his arms into the jacket still draped around Kaveh's shoulders, hugging him in close.]
And we can do anything you like. Money is no object.
[ Kaveh hums. A whole day... there are so many options open to them. And he knows that Alhaitham said they don't have to rush, but...
Well, he doesn't see it as rushing. He's just excited, and he can't quite help it, leaning back into his boyfriendโhis fiancรฉ with a smile. ]
What if we went ring shopping, and then treated ourselves to a picnic somewhere? We can even stop by the library so that you can read a book after we're done eating.
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indigently) wrote2024-07-02 08:49 pm
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For a moment his fingers linger on Kaveh's forearm, then he pulls his helmet back on and revs the bike a couple of times, setting off towards the quiet street.
It's still dark, with pre-dawn light barely touching the sky, and Alhaitham's course takes them through Amberfall, towards one of the higher points near their current home.]
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But Alhaitham knows what he's doing, gliding through the dark streets with all the air of someone who's practiced this a hundred or more times, even as Kaveh's arms tighten around his waist.
And, little by little, the air blowing against him starts to feel nice rather than scary, his eyes still wide with awe as they speed through the streets. ]
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(He would never tell.)
He is a competent rider, keeping them both secure as they wind through the streets slowly gaining altitude. When they reach a known local beauty spot overlooking the neighbourhood, he pulls up and stops.]
Here we are.
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There's no need for him to feel unsafe, though; Alhaitham takes them smoothly through the streets, a gradual climbโhe's grateful the other told him to wear something warmโuntil they stop, and...
Even without getting off the bike, Kaveh realizesโthey can see everything from here. ]
Alhaitham...
[ His boyfriend will no doubt hear the emotion in his voice. It's beautiful. ]
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I thought you'd like it.
[And then, because even though he told Kaveh to dress warmly, he did only put on a cardigan... he pulls off his jacket to put it around the other man's shoulders.]
Here. You'll get cold.
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The blonde frowns, glancing down at the jacket before back up at Alhaitham, concern etched all too quickly onto his features. ]
But... won't you be cold, without it?
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[He squeezes his fingers lightly over Kaveh's shoulders, keeping the jacket there. And, for a change, he doesn't ruin it by quipping something bluntly practical afterwards.
Instead he just wraps his arms around Kaveh from behind, pulling the other man back against his chest.]
This should work.
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Mm, I see how it is. Bring the boyfriend, use him as a blanket, right?
[ He smiles up at him before turning his gaze back to the view spread out before them. ]
It's so beautiful up here.
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[It is, and it's why he brought him here, but in the moment Alhaitham is quite sure that nothing is quite so beautiful as the person in his arms looking out at the view.
That smile. He'd move mountains for it. Just when did he start feeling so strongly, anyway?
He tucks his chin lightly against Kaveh's shoulder, letting the warmth of him soak through the jacket and watching the horizon slowly growing brighter.]
... Kaveh. [Alhaitham says then, pronouncing the man's name slowly as if it slipped out without his realising. He shifts, briefly nudging his nose to the curve of Kaveh's jaw.] There's something I want to ask you, and I don't want you to overreact.
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Mm?
[ A nudge of the other's nose against his jaw, and Alhaitham is telling him he doesn't want him to overreact and... something uncomfortable settles in Kaveh's gut. Usually, that kind of request from the other can only mean something bad is coming, something he doesn't want Kaveh to start freaking out about, but...
He nods, trying not to frown. ]
What is it?
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Which... Well, he's expecting it, even with the warning.]
I want you to marry me. [Alhaitham murmurs, low and soft and just below Kaveh's ear.]
It doesn't have to be here, or soon, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.
[A pause. He shifts slightly.]
What do you think?
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His eyes widen and fill with tears, and he turns in the circle of Alhaitham's arms, staring up at him in shock for a long second or two, his heart pounding against his ribcage.
Alhaitham... wants to marry him. Alhaitham wants to spend the rest of his life with him.
And Kaveh realizes something that deep down he's always know: it doesn't matter if they're in this world or any other. As long as they're together, he's already home. And Alhaitham... Alhaitham feels the same way.
His lips tremble; his tears spill onto his cheeks. ]
Really? That's.. you really want that?
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Of course there are. He expected that. Someone so emotional and reactive as Kaveh could hardly keep from being like this.
Someone who has spent so long feeling lonely down to the core of his soul; that he would never be quite good enough for anyone or anything and that bad luck seemed to follow him around no matter what he did. That he would always find every dream unattainable because something always got in the way. Someone so helplessly gullible but always so ready to help, no matter the cost to himself, because what did he matter against the weight of everything and everyone else...
He could hardly keep from being like this, in the face of such a question.]
Would I ask if I didn't?
[Honestly. As if flaunting his anticipation he pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and holds it up between them.]
You're the only thing in my life that has always managed to escape logical explanation. And I want you to be in it forever.
[A cornerstone of wild chaos. Kaveh has always been a foil to him, and he's always known it.]
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hasn't even answered yet, he realizes, sniffling again even as he leans forward, standing on tiptoe so he can rest his forehead against Alhaitham's. ]
I want you to be in my life forever too.
[ How could he not? Alhaitham has always been the one person who sees him, sometimes even better than he sees himself. Once upon a time, he hated it, but in the years since he's come to be grateful. That someone knows him so well and loves him anyway...
He's lucky. So lucky. ]
I want to marry you too.
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[A soft, warm sound of acknowledgement as he nudges his forehead down against Kaveh's then wraps both arms around him, pulling him in for a kiss. Who needs some dramatic display of romantic intention when all you really need is something like this?
When they part, he bumps his nose gently to the other man's and meets his eyes.]
I don't have a ring yet, and I would say that it was because I wanted to make sure you get exactly the one you'd like, which I do, but also...
[Sigh. He glances over Kaveh's shoulder at the brightening sky.]
This was completely impulsive and I am entirely unprepared.
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...admits that this was impulsive?
Kaveh stares. His jaw drops. He has never known Alhaitham to not have a plan. He's never known him not to have a backup for that plan. He even, sometimes, makes backup plans for his backup plans. To think that he didn't plan this at all...
Fresh tears well up in his eyes as he leans in, captures his mouth in another kiss. ]
I love you. I would marry you even if you already had a ring and it was the ugliest thing in the world.
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We'll go looking together. [He says, already strangely looking forward to the idea.]
I love you, too.
[Then, as he wipes a few tears off Kaveh's cheek with a careful sweep of his thumb...]
Stop crying, your face is going to get cold.
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It's fine. You'll warm it up for me.
[ He tells him this with a soft laugh, hands coming up to cover Alhaitham's with his own. Suddenly, all he can think about his how it might feel with metal here to brush against metal. ]
I'm looking forward to it. Going shopping, finding ringsโI...ah, I'm happy, Haitham. I know you said it doesn't have to be soon but..
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He's never been an overtly emotional person - it takes a lot to push him to those kinds of expressions. But this... He is happy, even if he's being very calm about it. Despite his demeanour his heart is still beating hard.
Even though he never for a moment thought that Kaveh would say no.]
But we don't have to rush anything. Just enjoy it for now. I'm taking you for breakfast and we have the whole day to spend together.
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[ But there's no anger in his voice. He's smilingโand Alhaitham has seen him many times since they got together with genuine content on his face, but perhaps nothing quite like this: the pure, perfect relaxation, the genuine belief in his own joy.
And, speaking of that joy... ]
The whole day?
[ His eyes sparkle with warmth. They do spend a lot of time together, of course, but the idea of a whole, interrupted day sounds perfect to him, especially right now. ]
That sounds like the perfect thing to enjoy.
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And it's entirely worth it all to see how Kaveh lights up with the thought of it, if he wasn't completely fine with spending the whole day with the man to begin with.]
It does.
[He slips his arms into the jacket still draped around Kaveh's shoulders, hugging him in close.]
And we can do anything you like. Money is no object.
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Well, he doesn't see it as rushing. He's just excited, and he can't quite help it, leaning back into his boyfriendโhis fiancรฉ with a smile. ]
What if we went ring shopping, and then treated ourselves to a picnic somewhere? We can even stop by the library so that you can read a book after we're done eating.
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[And they have their transportation ready to go. He plants a kiss to Kaveh's forehead.]
Do you want to go back to change your clothes, or are you warm enough like this?
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(And to think, there was once a time when he used to get annoyed at how the other man had ended up taller than him.) ]
I'm warm enough. But if you want your jacket back then... yeah, we might have to go change my clothes.
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I can just buy you another jacket while we're out.
[That's a quick and easy way of solving the problem, right? He leans down to kiss Kaveh on the nose.]
How does that sound?
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