[ For as much attention is Kaveh has on him tonight, forcing his own to be largely attentive to those circled around, there isn't a moment that has passed where he hasn't been sure to keep Alhaitham within his periphery, kept a curious eye on what he's doing and where he's looking, his interactions with others. Againโ he knows he looks good, and he wants to be sure the other notices it too. His laughter might be a little more boisterous than usual, his smile more brilliant, something certainly in part designed specifically for that purpose; but unlike the night that led to him finally confessing his feelings, there's nothing fake about it. It's cheesy, but lately he feels like he's walking on clouds.
And maybe in a way it's not just Alhaitham that he wants to know that much, but everyone.
He's happy.
(He doesn't often get to be.)
So of course he notices the moment that Alhaitham peels himself away from the wall, a look on his face that sends pleasant shivers whispering their way down Kaveh's spine, a stalk to the scribe's movement that chases away the quiet doubts that like to surface unbidden in his mind, that reminds him without words that he's wanted, that he belongs to someone.
By the time the other man joins the group, Kaveh's smile is a little softer, a little fonder; his slender fingers reach to snag at the lightweight sleeve of Alhaitham's shirt, a small gesture of comfort for the scribe's benefit alone, head tilting slightly in acknowledgement of the statement. ]
You have to make friends to influence people, don't you?
[ It's not quite how the saying goes, but it will do for now. Kaveh's eyes light on Alhaitham's face for a moment, and his free hand gestures to the cluster of people now around the both of them, his expression shifting back into something persuasive, charming. ]
Gentlemen, you have of course been introduced to Haravatat graduate and grand Scribe of the Akademiya? Alhaitham, this is Sayf, Nasser, Kazem, Sherine, andโ [ he indicates the new Haravatat sage, his voice taking on a hint of something that almost sounds scolding (and he's playing with fire here perhaps, but he can't quite help himself) ] โof course you know Fairouz. Why have you never told me how much of a charmer your darshan's new sage is, hmm?
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And maybe in a way it's not just Alhaitham that he wants to know that much, but everyone.
He's happy.
(He doesn't often get to be.)
So of course he notices the moment that Alhaitham peels himself away from the wall, a look on his face that sends pleasant shivers whispering their way down Kaveh's spine, a stalk to the scribe's movement that chases away the quiet doubts that like to surface unbidden in his mind, that reminds him without words that he's wanted, that he belongs to someone.
By the time the other man joins the group, Kaveh's smile is a little softer, a little fonder; his slender fingers reach to snag at the lightweight sleeve of Alhaitham's shirt, a small gesture of comfort for the scribe's benefit alone, head tilting slightly in acknowledgement of the statement. ]
You have to make friends to influence people, don't you?
[ It's not quite how the saying goes, but it will do for now. Kaveh's eyes light on Alhaitham's face for a moment, and his free hand gestures to the cluster of people now around the both of them, his expression shifting back into something persuasive, charming. ]
Gentlemen, you have of course been introduced to Haravatat graduate and grand Scribe of the Akademiya? Alhaitham, this is Sayf, Nasser, Kazem, Sherine, andโ [ he indicates the new Haravatat sage, his voice taking on a hint of something that almost sounds scolding (and he's playing with fire here perhaps, but he can't quite help himself) ] โof course you know Fairouz. Why have you never told me how much of a charmer your darshan's new sage is, hmm?
[ The circle of scholars, of course, laughs. ]