[ luckily for kaveh, alhaitham has no preconceived notions about the when or if of saying those three words in a relationship, particularly when even a relationship as a concept is still relatively new territory for him. it's a genuine question which receives an appropriately genuine answer, and the taller man simply listens as his partner explains feelings (after all, everything with kaveh is feelings) that maybe he's glanced over in a text, or that he has a rudimentary understanding of.
perhaps one day he'll be able to reciprocate these sentiments in their entirety, at least on a more complex, nuanced level like those that the blonde's soft voice is describing. rarely in his life has alhaitham required to understand and convey emotion on a detailed level - usually, he keeps in his lane, acts how he likes, and because of his lack of desire for social immersion, he's never had to (or wanted to) look much deeper.
strangely, the architect is the only one that makes him want to undertake such a journey. ]
Hm. [ his deep voice hums in thought, the touch at his jaw somehow augmenting the weight of kaveh's words. ] I see.
[ - which in and of itself is a pretty basic response to the outpouring of emotion that he's just been privileged to hear, but at the same time? it's very him, choosing to chew over the concepts rather than reply in haste like a headstrong first-year student.
a large hand raises to cover kaveh's, fingers entwining inbetween in a motion that imitates what the blonde had done just a short time before (and alhaitham is nothing if not a quick study). his grip is strong, solid and reassuring, because even though the scribe realises he's knee-deep in unknown territory when it comes to returning any sort of social nuance on a natural level, he's at least reliable. always himself.
and for kaveh? he was always present, even in the early days when they'd first met. ]
As you may know, I only say things I mean - or rather, things I can define with certainty. [ the scribe murmurs, aware that no choice of words may be particularly acceptable in such a sensitive situation. but, as he always does, he continues anyway. ] That's not to say I wouldn't or don't want to return the phrase, but I'll be honest that it's not quite yet something I understand. At least, to your level of detail.
[ well, what do you say when you're asked to define something you've never felt before? ]
But, [ alhaitham adds, gaze never wavering for even a moment. ] I will say that I seem to have always been drawn to you, and probably always will be.
no subject
perhaps one day he'll be able to reciprocate these sentiments in their entirety, at least on a more complex, nuanced level like those that the blonde's soft voice is describing. rarely in his life has alhaitham required to understand and convey emotion on a detailed level - usually, he keeps in his lane, acts how he likes, and because of his lack of desire for social immersion, he's never had to (or wanted to) look much deeper.
strangely, the architect is the only one that makes him want to undertake such a journey. ]
Hm. [ his deep voice hums in thought, the touch at his jaw somehow augmenting the weight of kaveh's words. ] I see.
[ - which in and of itself is a pretty basic response to the outpouring of emotion that he's just been privileged to hear, but at the same time? it's very him, choosing to chew over the concepts rather than reply in haste like a headstrong first-year student.
a large hand raises to cover kaveh's, fingers entwining inbetween in a motion that imitates what the blonde had done just a short time before (and alhaitham is nothing if not a quick study). his grip is strong, solid and reassuring, because even though the scribe realises he's knee-deep in unknown territory when it comes to returning any sort of social nuance on a natural level, he's at least reliable. always himself.
and for kaveh? he was always present, even in the early days when they'd first met. ]
As you may know, I only say things I mean - or rather, things I can define with certainty. [ the scribe murmurs, aware that no choice of words may be particularly acceptable in such a sensitive situation. but, as he always does, he continues anyway. ] That's not to say I wouldn't or don't want to return the phrase, but I'll be honest that it's not quite yet something I understand. At least, to your level of detail.
[ well, what do you say when you're asked to define something you've never felt before? ]
But, [ alhaitham adds, gaze never wavering for even a moment. ] I will say that I seem to have always been drawn to you, and probably always will be.