True validation is internal, you know. [ because he's still not going to say it, as much as kaveh is angling for him to admit it out loud. alhaitham might be mildly besotted, but he was still obtuse. raising an eyebrow; ] I don't know why you need me to reassure you about your intellect.

[ and then he lets the other free of the cage he'd created around him with his body, sinking back into the mattress on his side - but pulling the blonde into his arms as he settles. alhaitham's words might be acerbic, but his touch was strong and gentle as his face presses into that crown of soft, golden hair, a sigh escaping his lips that sounds almost like contentment. ]

I probably still have some sway after my stint as the Grand Sage, [ a measured voice murmurs against kaveh, impossible to tell if he was actually being serious or not. ] Perhaps I could have a word with Kshahrewar - we could even come to some sort of agreement.

[ the midday sun was doing nothing to help fend off the encroaching fatigue, the warmth, comfort and proximity of his partner (if that's what they were calling it) a soporific combination. weekends were designed for self-indulgence, and alhaitham was exactly where he wanted to be.

idly, his fingers stroke down the small of kaveh's back in a soothing, repetitive rhythm. ]

They get you weekdays and I, weekends.