[ the contact between them was broken almost as soon as it was initiated, but alhaitham doesn't think too much of it (except that it was likely kaveh was simply lying about the hangover - and that his skin was unexpectedly soft?). the image the pair of them must make right now - the scribe with a bruise blossoming across his jaw and the pale face of someone who hadn't slept in two days, and kaveh, red as a beet and ruffled in almost every way he could possibly be ruffled. dimly, alhaitham thanks whatever powers that be that this episode of the saga hadn't spilled over to the streets again, because there were several acquaintances who would be happy not to let either of them live their appearances down.

if cyno asks why his face looks that way, alhaitham's just going to tell him he fell down the stairs. evenly; ]

The only thing that's bruised is my ego, which I'm sure you're thrilled about.

[ subconsciously, he reaches up to touch the spot where kaveh had punched him last night. it had since started to turn purple and yes, perhaps hurt more than he'd let on - not that it particularly bothered him. the worst thing about it was that he can't actually remember anyone managing to land a punch on him in such a way before, but at least kaveh had been nice enough not to give him a black eye. ]

Turns out you're stronger than you look.

[ genuinely. and with the tension between them starting to ease just a fraction, alhaitham gives the blonde a weary but wicked smirk - an expression much more in line with his usual attitude. ]

How are you going to make it up to me? Pretty sure that decking a sage is a jailable offense.