sempiternals | Hang up all my fragile thoughts

[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?

Very well. [A final sip. Alhaitham is about to reach out to Kaveh's cup and ask him if he's done with his coffee when he asks him that question.

... huh.

He snorts.] I guess I also can make assumptions. [He points to the cup.] Done with yours?

[ He laughs, bright and warm— but when Alhaitham tries to take his (empty) cup, he shakes his head. ]

I am, but let me. You've already made two cups for both of us, and I'm not just a guest. I just wanna send a text first, and then I'll put them in the dishwasher. Okay?

Alright. Thanks. I'll be taking a shower in the meantime.

[He gets up, slowly stretching. He may need to get away from Kaveh's sight to answer any texts. It's a good thing they have ensuite bathrooms in their rooms or it would be odd to take two cellphones with him.]

Have a good shower, Alhaitham.

[ It's said with a quick smile, and he puts his cup on the table with Alhaitham's as he reaches for his phone, taking a few minutes to send a quick text to Euler. ]

Hi, handsome
I was wondering if u had free time 2day?
I forgot it was a holiday
but i'm gonna do more unpacking if u wanna chat more
or maybe we cld meet up again 2nite @ the club
if ur busy tho it's no problem, was just thinking abt u

[ He hits "send" with a fond expression on his lips, and hums as he moves into the kitchen to pack the dishwasher with their used cups. ]

[Picking up his two phones, a change of clothes, and taking off his own, he realizes he needs a bath rug. Which is in the dryer, he believes. So he wraps a towel around his waist and answers the text first.]

Hey, baby. I do have some free time. Not sure if going to the club is a good idea, though. I have work early tomorrow and I know we'd get kicked out again. Chat soon?

[That done, he gets out of the room, heads to the drying machine near the kitchen.] There you are. [And makes to return to his bedroom for that shower.]

[ He can't help but laugh at the comment. As disappointed as he is, knowing that he can't see Euler tonight, he also knows that what the other says is true— if they were to go out, they'd stay late regardless of their plans. ]

I kno ur right
I wanna see u again soon tho...
but anyway lemme kno when ur free and I'll start a call for us.

[ And then, when he's done packing up the dishwasher and wiping down the counters, he sends Alhaitham a message too: ]

he says he's free
thx for convincing me to ask.
When I'm done unpacking i'll cook dinner for us
so think abt what u want.

[ And then he goes into his room, deciding to take a quick shower himself so he can look good for the camera. ]

I want to see you, too.

[An odd thing to reply, considering they are living together. But he knows the feeling, the idea of them meeting as Pharos and Euler again. Alhaitham has to will away an erection half on its way from the memory of their encounter.]

I need to take care of some errands, but I'll let you know when I'm ready.

[And he goes to take his shower, watching his other phone ping with a notification from Kaveh but only replying to that one after he finishes what he has to do.

Only then he replies, rubbing his hair dry:]

I'm glad to hear it. Steak sunshine sprat would be nice.

[ When he gets out of the shower, it's to messages in reply: from Euler, saying that he's got some errands; from Alhaitham, naming what he'd feel like for dinner. Kaveh sends a 👍 in reply to the latter and a ❤️ to the former, along with a note that he has a couple of errands as well.

After all, if Euler is going to be a little while, it makes perfect sense for him to duck down to the store now and get what he needs to make dinner for them later.

He calls out to Alhaitham as he goes, then again when he comes back, putting the ingredients in the fridge so that he has them for later before he goes to his room and boots up his computer, ready whenever Euler is.

While he waits, he opens a box of clothing and starts to pack it away. ]

[It's nice, to see Kaveh so easily come and go into the house, knowing where to go to get groceries, as though he's lived here for a long time instead of freshly moved. After a moment, Alhaitham knocks on his door, peeking inside once given permission.]

I think I'll be reading in my room. I'll be wearing my headphones, so in case you need anything, text me. [A pause, and his lip quirks.] Have a nice date.

[And he goes back to his room. This will give him at least some leeway to bring up his laptop to his lap, his headphones on, and a locked door to his room.

He texts Kaveh in Euler's number:]

Ready whenever you are.

[ His cheeks flush at Alhaitham's comment, and he makes as if to throw a pillow at him— but it's in jest, and he's smiling as the door closes behind the other. The truth is that he's very much looking forward to the date, even though he spoke to Euler only the night before. Plus, for as much as he worried about telling Alhaitham about it, his new roommate-cum-landlord seems... really supportive? Which is more than he can ask for, he knows, especially after everything.

...Still, knowing that the other will be wearing his headphones makes him wonder if he can't get away with being a little naughty.

After spending a few moments amongst his newly-unpacked clothes, he resurfaces with a sheer lace shirt, making sure that the necklace that Euler gave him is visible amongst the patterns. Only then does he affix his mask to his face and sit in front of his computer, starting a chat and putting the camera on as he waits for the other. ]

[He had absently wondered if joking about it would be odd, considering Kaveh is aware of his feelings (though he does think Kaveh is taking them too deeply, he only pegs it to their different perspectives), but he's glad that Kaveh is more busy being flustered than think really about it.

So when he is invited to the chatroom, sitting on his bed, headphones on, and he sees Kaveh—Pharos—the way he is, he has to give a double-take.

He hadn't been wearing that when he had peered into the room. Alhaitham licks his dried lips.]

user2.718: For a moment I forgot to breathe. user2.718: Hi, baby.

[ Reading what the other has to say makes Kaveh smile brilliantly, his eyes meeting the camera with a bright warmth. ]

Oh— this old thing?

[ He says it with a laugh, but the smile no doubt shows just how pleased he is at the compliment, and he bites his lip after a moment, leaning closer to peer into the lens. ]

Because I've unpacked a little, I wanted to dress up for you. You've been so patient while I've been going through this move, so... I guess it's kind of like a reward for you.

[Flirtatious, but in a sultry, intense way. It's so interesting to see the duality of Kaveh's affection when he feels playful, when he feels at ease. With Euler he's always layered his advances with seduction, with Alhaitham, an accidental nonchalance.

He snorts.]

user2.718: It looks very good on you. user2.718: But I don't think I did anything to deserve such a gift.

[A moment, and he types again.]

user2.718: Do you want me to turn on voice?

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