sempiternals | Hang up all my fragile thoughts

[ For someone like Kaveh, who has always craved closeness, the shift in their sleeping selves is something more than welcomed, at least to his unconscious self. Alhaitham is not the only one of them who dreams; his own are laced with smiling voices, with the dark hair of a man for whom he's fallen and his coppered irises, mixed so smoothly in the dream with the emerald of his new roommate's eyes. Voices similar yet distinct whisper words of comfort and love in his ears, and Kaveh feels like he's come home.

Everything is perfect. He's not alone anymore— perhaps, truthfully, he never was.

His eyes open to the glimmering dawn, half-lidded and long lashes fluttering as he blinks slowly, peering at those eyes peering up at him, soft and smiling, and there's a strange moment where he understands that the two of them— Alhaitham and Euler— are the same, at least here in this world surely made up of his dreams, and Kaveh wonders how he could ever have questioned it.

When he wakes, he realizes, he'll have questions. In particular is the need to understand why his brain keeps linking Euler and Alhaitham like this. He knows his feelings for the former... is his heart really so attention starved that it will tie together the two men who have showed him the most kindness? Or is it something more complex than that? Those questions and more beg to be answered.

But for now, even though it is a dream, can't he just let himself bask in this a little while longer? ]

Hi. [ His voice is a soft, breathless whisper. ] Good morning.

[Gentle, his fingers trace the line of a jaw, to the corner of it underneath an ear. It feels real, to have him so close, that he can taste the acrid breath of a morning into his own mouth, coating his own tongue, and Alhaitham's lungs ache.

Somehow, everything got settled. Kaveh is seeing him for who he is, Alhaitham, Euler, himself. And he's telling him 'hi' with the softest of voices, is embracing him gently, looking at him like he's home.]

Good morning, [he whispers back, thumb stroking his cheek, before his mouth blooms against the architect's. Every other kiss they had shared had been needful, wanting, searching. This one is comfort, it's home. So slow and languid that makes Alhaitham himself sigh, tilting them so he can rest his head on the arm of the couch, and sink further into the dream.]

[ Kaveh's eyes flicker closed at the gentle touch of a hand over his jaw and ear; he meets the kiss with a soft mutter of surprise, yielding without a second thought. The bitter taste of morning in their mouths is barely noticeable to him, his attention focused instead on the sensation of the lips against his own, on the feeling of them being shifted so they're more comfortable against the couch.

His own fingers lift, carding into that silver hair, a sigh of content on his lips as he answers the kiss with one of his own, body canting and shifting closer. Like this, he feels loved, treasured... safe.

If his dreams want to be this pleasant, he thinks, let them go on forever. ]

[Wishing these dreams to go on, to keep going, to last until eternity, Alhaitham holds no illusions, no thoughts that it could be a good idea. Pragmatic as he is, that doesn't stop him from reveling on the softness of their embrace.

Tender, their lips brush, his hand slipping around Kaveh's back, his body melting at the feeling of fingers in his hair, softer than when he had it dyed, molding better into Kaveh's touch. And it's slow, the motion, and slower, and softer, lulling him into something golden and silent, until Alhaitham's mouth brushes on the corner of Kaveh's mouth, and rests still against his cheek.]

[ The pragmatist and the dreamer: one knowing that the fantasy cannot continue, one wishing it would, both allowing themselves to give in just for the moment. Kaveh's answer to Alhaitham's hand on his back is a soft sigh, a wordless whisper against his mouth, his hand coming to a rest against the other's cheek. And like Alhaitham, he lets the kiss lull him back into the softness of sleep, head tilting into that soft kiss at his cheek as he drifts back into full slumber.

It's a few hours more that pass before he starts to wake for real, stretching under Alhaitham's weight as he blinks into the sun-dappled light of the morning, the dream and his questions all but gone from his mind, leaving room for a confused fog as he blinks, a hand coming to the other's shoulder. ]

...Alhaitham? Ugh, we must've fallen asleep. What time is it..?

[ What day is it? He feels as if he hasn't slept so deeply in years. ]

[He's warm.

He is, in fact, too warm.

Comfortable but warm. Some parts of his skin are clammy.

And then he gets pushed, and the sand in his eyes budges.

He opens an eye.]

Hm? [Kaveh is laying next to him. Oh, right, the dream—

—what dream?

Ah, yes. They were watching a movie, and Alhaitham fell asleep. He was not expecting to have his legs tangled with Kaveh's, with Kaveh's voice so close he can almost feel his chest reverberating with it.

He stretches his arm, from behind Kaveh's back—oh, so that's, apparently, also a thing—takes a look at his watch.]

It's 9h30. [He stretches. Best to just untangle lazily without Kaveh realizing it and making a scene.] I need to get a cup of coffee.

[ Despite Alhaitham's best efforts, his response is met with immediate panic.

Not because of the way they're curled up together— somehow, Kaveh still hasn't noticed that— but because of the time. ]

Archons! Why didn't I set an alarm? I'm teaching a class at 10! I need to shower— no, I don't have time— oh gods— What time do you start? How can you be so calm?!

[ Kaveh practically tears himself off of the couch and into his room— and two seconds later bursts back into their shared space, a whirlwind of panic and confusion. ]

My clothes aren't unpacked—!

[Slowly, he maneuvers himself from the couch, and onto the kitchen.

Two espresso cups, two pods in. He pads over to Kaveh with a warm cup, slips it into his hands gently, places a hand on his shoulder.]

There's no class today. [A sip. He wishes he could still be in the warmth of his couch, tangled together with the architect. Never mind that he'd been internally complaining a while ago.] It's a holiday.

[ Kaveh pauses mid-rant, mid-panic, as a cup of espresso is pushed into his hands. He's about to explode at Alhaitham in his panic about how the other man doesn't get it— once again, how can he be so calm?!?!?!— but then he hears the words the other is actually saying, and he blinks.

And he stares. ]

I.

[ Of course. It's what made this weekend just past so great for moving. He's got plenty of time today to unpack more of his things before work starts up again tomorrow, and... ]

Oh.

[ He sinks onto the couch, a faint flush of embarrassment on his cheeks. ]

The coffee is good.

[He says, sitting down, sipping some more of it. Cute. Though nothing to be embarrassed about.] I bought a special edition brew this time. What do you think?

[ He takes a slight sip at Alhaitham's comment, not realizing the way that his leg seems to migrate to rest against the other's own, a natural— but unnecessary— connection. The taste is mild and rich on his tongue, not too bitter and with a gentle thickness from the crema.

He hums. ]

I admit I'm more of a wine connoisseur than I am coffee... I usually find espresso really bitter, and I only really drink it to help me stay awake when I'm running late on a deadline or something. But... this is really good.

[He doesn't move it. Not because he doesn't want to move it (not only because of that) but because Alhaitham knows that the moment he moves his leg away from Kaveh's touch, it'll make it more noticeable that he is removing it and that the touch has happened.]

There are ways we can make it less bitter. [More water, more sweetener, different blends.] If you're interested, I can make you some.

[ His head tilts in curiosity, his interest piqued despite having never really being curious about coffee before. It's certainly not a taste that he knows many actively enjoy, and yet Alhaitham seems to be one of those people. And... it's strange, but something about him trusts the other on it.

(Something about him right now feels like he'd trust Alhaitham on many things, but that's neither here nor there, nor something he really wants to dwell on in order to hunt for reasons.) ]

I'd be interested, yeah.

[ He leans back into the couch, taking another sip of the coffee. ]

Could I... ask you something? [ He'll wait for confirmation before continuing: ] Why do you wear headphones all the time at work?

Alright.

[So, maybe get some supplies. Some syrup, some sugar, maybe brown sugar. A new blend more driven to the aromatics than the strength of the roast. That's feasible.

The question has him tilt his head in return. He was not expecting it.]

I don't enjoy idle noise, it makes me space out. [And it makes people think he's not listening.] And I tend to use voice commands because I'm usually holding books or writing. Why do you ask?

[ Having asked the question, he listens for the answer, nodding slowly as Alhaitham explains. It makes sense; with his straightforward ways, he does give the impression of being someone who might struggle with things like that, and so Kaveh isn't really surprised.

He does, however, smile bashfully at the question, offering the other a slight shrug. ]

I guess I was just curious. I wondered if it might be something like that.. and, you know. If I'm living with you, that's important for me to know. I wanna be respectful of your space, that's all.

I can turn them on to be noise-cancelling. You don't have to worry about making too much noise.

[That's. considerate is one way of putting it. Alhaitham supposes he shouldn't be surprised. Did the conversation with Euler about himself help Kaveh see him differently? Did the conversation they had yesterday? Even in the little space of time, he's known him, Kaveh has always been someone who thinks about other people first.] I suppose you need to be aware of that, I may not hear you if I have them on. At least until you make it clear to me that you're talking.

[ Kaveh nods at that, and then his expression turns thoughtful when Alhaitham mentions that he might not hear him. He sips at his espresso, and by the time he turns back to the other again, there's a playful glint in his eyes. ]

Hmm... How should I make it clear that I'm talking to you? Do I wave? Poke my tongue out? Tweak your nose?

[ And with one hand, he does the last thing, a playful little pinch to the bridge.

Where this nicer, more conciliatory attitude toward the other has come from, Kaveh doesn't know. Something has changed in the way he sees Alhaitham, but he doesn't really understand what or why. ]

Well—

[He's about to just say that a wave and standing in his line of sight to catch his attention would be enough. But then those fingers are in his nose and he blinks.

Once, twice. He looks at Kaveh sitting beside him.

And pokes his side.] Sure, if you allow me to do this back.

H-Hey—!

[ The finger pressing into his side makes him yelp and squirm, and the look he gives Alhaitham speaks of his being completely and utterly betrayed.

Just like that, the other man has uncovered a powerful weapon:

Kaveh is ticklish. ]

For your information, I have a reason for tweaking your nose! What's the reason for you tickling me, huh???

[He's so happy with this new information.]

Who knows? I may find it necessary every now and then.

[And he does it again.]

[ He earns another yelp, a flailing of Kaveh's hands as he attempts to fend him off— and fails. ]

Al-hai-tham!! Explain under what circumstances that could possibly be necessary!

[Alhaitham merely smiles, and gets up, giving Kaveh a breather.]

I could need your attention, perhaps because you're too focused on something. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

I'm getting another cup. [He explains, headed to the kitchen and stopping in his tracks.] Want another? I'll make it mild.

[ He flushes at that, and laughs. Truth be told, sometimes he does get too focused on something... but he's not about to own up to that so easily.

What he does do is nod, turning around to peer over the back of the couch with a smile. ]

Yeah. Another sounds really good, please.

[He easily busies himself by making a sweeter, milder coffee for Kaveh first, padding over to him with a new cup and returning the old one. He places that one in the dishwasher, and then makes his own.]

Better? [He asks from the kitchen after a while.]

Thanks.

[ He offers Alhaitham a brief smile as he pads back to the kitchen, taking a slight sip of the drink and closing his eyes— the first one wasn't bad, but this one is that much nicer still, and he hums. ]

Much better, [ he confirms when the other checks, settling back into the couch. ] I mean, like I said there wasn't anything wrong with the first one, but this one is more to my palate... You're quite the talented barista.

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