[ Unfortunately, it's not until Kaveh's fingers are actually on Alhaitham's face, smoothing as gently as possible over the bruise on his jaw, that the architect actually realizes exactly what he's done, and recognizes in turn the danger in which he's just placed himself. It's weird, but it's also intimate in a way that he's never quite allowed himself to be— or, for that matter, that he's never believed the scribe would have accepted from him. And yet, here they are, because Kaveh's an idiot and now he has to pretend it means absolutely nothing. ]
I'm aware. [ And technically, he never even saw the inside of a cell— he was just temporarily exiled. But far be it from Kaveh to focus on irrelevant details like that.
A relevant detail, though, is the slight wince on that handsome face as he's rubbing the ointment into it, and the architect's touch falters for a moment, a frown creasing his brows. For as straight-faced as the other man has been about it, it looks like he hurt him more than he intended— a realization that sends another awkward jolt of guilt into his chest.
At any other time, Alhaitham's teasing questions might have been met with an eyeroll and a retort steeped in borderline irritation, but the new guilt holds back any kind of snarky rejoinder, and once again the blonde finds himself momentarily lost for words— a phenomenon that has happened all too often on this particular day, and one of which he is not particularly fond. When he does eventually answer, his voice is a little too strained, despite the fact that he's trying for a playful tone of his own. ]
I'll cook you dinner tonight, but that's it. The rest is made up for by the fact you tried to kick me out.
[ He finishes applying the cream before carefully pulling his fingers back, wiping the residue off on his pants without a second thought, a slight movement of his legs to indicate that Alhaitham should move now. And as all this is happening, his mouth keeps talking without allowing him to stop and think about the words or why he has the sudden urge to say them: ]
I didn't actually sleep with anyone last night, you know.
no subject
I'm aware. [ And technically, he never even saw the inside of a cell— he was just temporarily exiled. But far be it from Kaveh to focus on irrelevant details like that.
A relevant detail, though, is the slight wince on that handsome face as he's rubbing the ointment into it, and the architect's touch falters for a moment, a frown creasing his brows. For as straight-faced as the other man has been about it, it looks like he hurt him more than he intended— a realization that sends another awkward jolt of guilt into his chest.
At any other time, Alhaitham's teasing questions might have been met with an eyeroll and a retort steeped in borderline irritation, but the new guilt holds back any kind of snarky rejoinder, and once again the blonde finds himself momentarily lost for words— a phenomenon that has happened all too often on this particular day, and one of which he is not particularly fond. When he does eventually answer, his voice is a little too strained, despite the fact that he's trying for a playful tone of his own. ]
I'll cook you dinner tonight, but that's it. The rest is made up for by the fact you tried to kick me out.
[ He finishes applying the cream before carefully pulling his fingers back, wiping the residue off on his pants without a second thought, a slight movement of his legs to indicate that Alhaitham should move now. And as all this is happening, his mouth keeps talking without allowing him to stop and think about the words or why he has the sudden urge to say them: ]
I didn't actually sleep with anyone last night, you know.