sempiternals | Hang up all my fragile thoughts

[ 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.

[With his own, black, bitter, simple coffee, Alhaitham comes back and sits back down.] Well, if the academic career doesn't pan out.

[Nevermind it already has. Alhaitham could live comfortably without it, but still.]

I'm glad to hear it. There's nothing worse than drinking coffee that you don't like

[ For what feels like the hundredth time in two days, Kaveh finds himself laughing at Alhaitham's joke. For a moment, he thinks about reminding the other that he actually enjoyed the first coffee, too— but he refrains in the end. It seems to be a point of pride for the other man, after all, and after everything Alhaitham has done for him, it's the least he can do not to mention it.

So for now, he just sits back, sipping at his drink again, enjoying the mild, nutty flavor of the roast. ]

What are your plans for the day? It occurs to me I have no idea what you do with your free time.

[He looks outside, the sun is shining bright. It's warming up. It's the perfect weather to do nothing at all.]

I don't really have any.

[He finds his free time precious. So he will do exactly what he's supposed to do when he has free time and not do anything much.]

Do you need help with unpacking?

[ His eyes widen in slight surprise at the offer, and for a moment, Kaveh starts to shake his head— but then he stops, and considers it. ]

I was gonna message Euler and see if he wanted to chat with me again while I unpacked but.. I think I'd feel bad disturbing him on a holiday.

[ Truthfully, he doesn't even realize he's mentioned the other's name. ]

[Oh. Him again. Himself again, but this time it's Kaveh talking about Euler and not Pharos talking about Alhaitham. This is yet again, something he was not expecting.]

Euler? [It's rethorical. Or at least meant to be. Regardless of who that actually is, Alhaitham is the kind of person who'd naturally do the math.] Did he seem like he had any plans?

[ Meant to be, but Kaveh certainly doesn't take it that way. Even before Alhaitham can ask the question about Euler's plans, he finds a brief explanation on his lips: ]

The guy I told you about. Who gave me the necklace. Obviously it's not his real name—

[ In answer to the actual question, he shakes his head. ]

No. I mean, I didn't ask, because I didn't remember that we had a holiday somehow. But.. I dunno, he spent time with me last night, so he probably has other things he needs to do today.

You're assuming.

[His lip quirks before he takes another sip of his coffee.] Would it hurt to ask?

[ He pauses, and he blushes. ]

I... well, I guess not. But...

[ He stops, takes a sip from his own coffee. He should just ask, but something's still holding him back, and... ]

Well, it would be rude anyway, right? You offered to help.

It's your call, Kaveh. [He shrugs.] You can ask him to go on another unpacking date, or, if you feel better giving him some space, I can help you out. I won't be offended if you prefer I don't help.

[They only just became roommates after all.]

It's not that I'd prefer—

[ He cuts himself off though because truth be told he's not sure how to explain how he feels. Of course he wants to spend more time with Euler, but he's also genuinely been enjoying hanging out with Alhaitham, too, something he never imagined could happen.

After a moment, he sighs, and reaches for his phone. ]

I'll text him. If he's free, I'd like to chat with him. If not, then I wouldn't say no to the company, either.

[ He starts to key in a text, but then pauses. ]

...Did I tell you it was an unpacking date?

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