sempiternals | Hang up all my fragile thoughts

[His heart does a somersault. Kaveh's laughter, finally. He missed it. The will to hug him tight surges within him so fast that he almost can't help himself. And yet, Alhaitham just steps back into the room to get the candles.]

Fine, fine.

[He does find matches. Branded with the hotel's insignia, classy and matching the candles' aesthetic. He decides to bring those because he knows Kaveh would appreciate anyway.

Once he sets them nearby, the water is already steaming the bathroom with a warm and comfortable dampness. Alhaitham decides to close the door to keep it from escaping, and decides to pour the wine onto two glasses as Kaveh prepares the bath.]

[ He smiles as Alhaitham pads out of the room, and then goes about continuing to set up the bath. He starts with some low music over the speakers, a playlist of smooth, peaceful music. Then, with the tub almost full, he drops the bath bomb into the tub, watching as it bursts and fills the water with a faint blue color and myriad sparkles that glimmer in the light. By the time, the other is back in the room and closing the door, filling the wine glasses, so Kaveh lights the candles and turns off the electric lights, plunging the room into a comfortable, flickering warm glow.

(The tears still flow, on and off, and yet despite them he somehow feels... okay, for reasons he can't entirely explain.) ]

The scent isn't too strong?

[ He glances at Alhaitham briefly, wanting to confirm before he condemns the other to what could be a long time spent in the tub together with a smell he can't stand. ]

Edited 2024-10-12 10:28 (UTC)

[He leans against Kaveh's back, peeking over his shoulder and looping his arm to bring him the glass of wine to try. Kaveh is the expert, after all, he should ensure the wine is up to standards.

Meanwhile, he breathes in the scent of the bath bomb that rises with the steam.] It's fine. It's not too potent.

[ The other's lack of disagreement to the smell makes Kaveh smile, proud of himself. He wanted something that Alhaitham wouldn't mind, and he succeeded—and he feels good about it, too. Still smiling, he accepts the glass, sipping from it with an approving hum before putting it down again. ]

The wine's wonderful, too. Everything is perfect.

[ It would probably be easier to undress himself and get into the bath, but instead he turns back to Alhaitham, leaning to kiss him softly instead, hands lifting to work at the buttons on his shirt one by one as he does. ]

[The wine is perfect, especially mingled with the taste of Kaveh's mouth. The flicker of the candlelight paints his irises with sunset, and he's smiling when they're kissing, sighing at the softness of it.

He does reciprocate just as tender, stroking Kaveh's jawline as he tips his head sideways just an increment further to brush their lips together again. Though he feels those dexterous fingers across his collarbone, down the center of his chest, pulling his shirt apart with the same lightness as those kisses.

Celestia, this man is going to kill him. Ever since Kaveh decided to pause things with Euler, Alhaitham hasn't really made that much of a move, caution still weighing heavy on both their shoulders while they kissed for longer, they held each other tighter, they whispered each other's names. It's been soft, careful, and everything Kaveh needs.

Yet he can't help the deep breath he takes when those fingers unlatch the first button resting against his stomach. Alhaitham nudges their mouths apart with a jut of his chin as they kiss, nuzzling Kaveh's cheek while he unbuttons his shirt, too.] No need to rush, we're supposed to relax.

[ Everything he needs is in everything Alhaitham does: the soft sigh on his mouth when their mouths join, the deep breath in response to an unfastened button, the reciprocation even as the younger man breaks the kiss to scold him—so tenderly that Kaveh's heart does something funny in his chest as he shakes his head. His gaze is hooded, molten with the reflection of candlelight even as he smiles, one hand lifting to brush silver-glinting strands of hair back from the other's face. ]

Not rushing, [ he whispers. ] Not once we get in the water, anyway. It's just that the temperature is perfect—half you, half me—so I want us to get in. After that we can take it as slow and steady as we like.

[ "It" being—well, Kaveh doesn't exactly know. But as their time the last few weeks has worn on, he's started to feel more and more like he would give this man everything, Euler or no Euler. Perhaps that's why he was hesitant on his own at first, grateful for Alhaitham's patience. And even now he knows he needs to be careful, when there are discussions to be had, things to be worked out.

But surely they can rest together in the heat of the bath, share wine and cheese and slow kisses until the decadence of it all has them tumble into bed, satiated from touches and kisses alone?

He sighs, and his fingers work on the last of Alhaitham's buttons, reaching to push his shirt off his shoulders. ]

Is it okay?

More than. [Shrugging the shirt off, he does the same to Kaveh while he presses a kiss to his cheek, to his jaw, to underneath his ear. Alhaitham reaches for one of Kaveh's wrists and plucks a hairband looped around it, reaching to bunch and tie his hair in a knot on the top of his head, removing the pins that would snag the locks carefully. As much as Alhaitham desires Kaveh, his own skin already heated from the affection, the touches, the sight and feel of Kaveh undressing right in front of him in the half-light, whispering earnest and beautiful, he knows he's doing the right thing by pacing himself, by not acting on his baser instincts, on the want that he knows is reciprocated, just untimely.

He unfastens Kaveh's belt, and yet, he can't help but swallow something tight in his throat.]

[ It's... perfect like this, Kaveh realizes. Kissing slow and sweet, undressing one another by candlelight without any of the rush or desperation... It's never felt rough with Alhaitham the way it has sometimes with Euler, and yet it's also never felt as tender as this, as tender and unhurried, like it could go in any direction, sexual or not, and he'd be alright with it.

He sighs in content, fingers drawing absent little images over the other's skin as his hair is both freed and tied, and when fingers find his belt, he drops his head to the other's shoulder, pressing soft kisses into the muscle. ]

Me too.

[ It's a whisper, a contented sigh, as Kaveh's hands reach for Alhaitham's waist as well, working his belt open in the same way. ]

[Tugging the belt away from Kaveh's slacks and rolling it up patiently is the one thing he can do to try and distract himself from those gorgeous, treacherous hands. Alhaitham can't help the reaction of his body when a candlelit Kaveh is being so sweet, so eager, so pliant for him, so he's trying his best to at least be considerate for the context itself.

Yet, he can't help but be a bit put off by the fact that, when he tugs Kaveh's trousers down his hips, there's no sign of Kaveh being aroused by all of this, while he's already half-hard. He'll tack it onto his own relative inexperience and health, and move on.

So he steals a kiss on his temple, quick and playful, instead.] Step out of these, please?

[ He hums in low content as Alhaitham moves to tug his trousers off, not really noticing the other's momentary disappointment but instead just nodding, stepping out of his own clothes at the other's request and then toeing them off to the side, unworried about them being left neatly in the same way that his belt has been wrapped.

For once, he's not aroused. He could be, it would be a very easy flick of a switch, but for once he's allowing himself to enjoy this for what it is, this moment between them that is so intimate without needing to be about sex. And so when his own hands flit over the other's waistband, belt undone, to push his trousers over his lips, he pauses with a bitten lip, a slight flush to his cheeks as he peeks up at Alhaitham again. ]

Hm? I thought you said there's "no need to rush"...

[Alhaitham's ears tinge a deep red, the highs of his cheeks already flushed with the warmth of the bathroom air, the golden hue of the candles. He shakes his head, bowing it slightly and tucking a strand of Kaveh's hair behind his ear.]

Don't mind that. [He clears his throat, finding it rough from the embarrassment and arousal alike.] It's just a natural reaction to having you so close.

[A tip of his head and another press of a kiss on Kaveh's forehead.] We don't have to do anything about it.

[ Kaveh bites his lip.

Oh, but Alhaitham, when he's embarrassed like this... he's cute, isn't he? His head tilts a little, pressing a kiss to the bottom of the other man's jaw. ]

Mm.. maybe I want you to feel good, though...

[ And he slots himself a little closer, letting his body come flush against the other man's. ]

I don't wanna ruin the bathwater so soon, so... what if I sit in the bath, and you sit on the edge of it for now, hmm?

[Yes.

Yes.

Kaveh pressed close against him, eager and pliant and willful, wanting to please Alhaitham as much as he wants to reciprocate. This is what he's wanted, and he could so easily kiss him again, deepen it slowly with a stroke of his tongue, the want coiling around both their ankles and bringing them down further, his thoughts flicking to the splash of water created by their bodies colliding in the tub, the roll of gooseskin across Kaveh's shoulders despite the heat of him around Alhaitham's cock—

He wraps his arms tight around those freckle-dusted shoulders, and breathes him in, sinking his nose into the crook of his neck, his half-erection throbbing against Kaveh's thigh.] I'd rather save it for when we're both less exhausted, if that's okay.

[But he does draw back, his deep breath stuttering as he's reeling his own thoughts in.] But… Could you kiss me?

[ He smiles, head lifting from where his face presses momentarily into the other's hair, watching the expressions play out over Alhaitham's face, watching him stutter over his own breath, struggling over his thoughts before he speaks. And he bites his lip and he nods, pressing in closer, eyes closed as he tries to will his own body not to respond to the throb of the other against his thigh. ]

Of course I could.

[ His voice is a whisper, and there's something unspoken in the way he looks at Alhaitham, his eyes sweet and fond, speaking truths his own heart doesn't even fully understand yet. And then his mouth slots across the other man's, his arms circling his waist tighter, holding him as the blonde seeks to taste him, sighing into his mouth.

The water, perfect though the temperature may be, can wait just a little longer. ]

[Alhaitham hums into their parted lips, eyes fluttering closed in bliss. He sighs, deeply, and in a foreign land, he truly feels like he arrived home. This is it. This is the blessing that his grandmother bestowed upon him, the moment of peace and safety in Kaveh's arms.

And if it isn't something to fight for, then nothing is.

He kisses him again, and again, suckling on Kaveh's lower lip like it's something sweet.

And then he smiles.] Thank you. [Tender, reverent. Utterly smitten.

And yet he still pats Kaveh's behind.] Now let's get in the bath.

[ For a few more moments, his eyes forget to leak. No matter how tired he is, wrapped up like this in Alhaitham's arms, he feels like he could handle anything that comes his way. Like there's nothing truly as bad as his mind would make it out to be. Like he can breathe. Everything is easy, like it's meant to be. There are no complications, no secrets—

Kaveh thinks he could stay like this forever.

He answers each of those kisses, a soft sound on his lips for each, and when they separate again, it's too soon.

Admittedly, the look he gives Alhaitham in the next moment though is something bordering on quizzical, even as he moves to obey, stepping one foot and then the other into the warmth of the bathtub. Why.. ]

You don't need to thank me. [ It's a whisper. ] I would kiss you any time you wanted.

And I can show you how thankful I am that you would, can't I? [He argues, fond, only for the sake of arguing, holding his hands to make sure Kaveh is steady and following him into the bathtub closely, watching the sparkles ripple over the surface of the water as their bodies sink into the warmth.

He sits on the tub, settling himself against the tub at his back and reaching out for Kaveh to sit between his thighs.] C'mere.

[ He huffs—Alhaitham will recognize that he's on the verge of an argument, and yet he holds it back for now. Instead, he nods, offering the other a slight smile. ]

Mm, I suppose you're right. [ Even if he does think it's silly.

Still, he lets the other get settled, and then moves to sit between his thighs, back against his chest. And he has to bite his lip at the feel of that half-erection against his ass, a shudder down his spine, tempted beyond all belief to roll his hips back into it. It sends a spark of heat between his own legs, awakening him ever so slightly in turn.

And yet he remains obedient, leaning back into the other with a soft sigh.

He reaches for the wine, gives one of the glasses to Alhaitham. ]

Here.

[Alhaitham's forehead drops onto Kaveh's shoulder as he loops his arms around him. Pinned against the tub and the solid weight of his body, he feels trapped but safe, and the pressure on his groin soothes more than stirs him. Many times he's already sat on his lap, had his back pressed against his chest, enough that Alhaitham knows how he'll look like if he flares his ribs a bit wider with a deep breath, enough that he knows Kaveh's profile from this angle by heart.

So instead of the unruly thoughts of having him writhe on top of him, have him arch deeper against him for purchase of the powerful piston of his legs, Alhaitham presses soft kisses along his neck and wraps his arms around him like he's made of felt, only to peek at the glass of wine being offered. Which he gently clinks against Kaveh's.]

What should we toast about? [He mumbles, still somewhat muffled against the damp skin of Kaveh's shoulder.]

[ His eyes close, a soft breath as Alhaitham leaves kisses against his neck, Kaveh sighing and arching into the sensations. It's exactly what he needs, exactly what he wants, this connection between the two of them, undeniable and powerful.

They don't open again until he hears the soft clink, feels the breath of Alhaitham's voice against his skin as he asks what they should toast on, and Kaveh hums in thought.

He wants to say "us", but it feels too trite somehow. Wrong despite everything about it feeling right.

Twin tears slip from his cheeks, and all of a sudden, his throat aches. He swallows hard against it. ]

I... To time off? [ It sounds stupid, hollow, empty. ] To exploring. Adventures. Going new places. Something... something like that.

[ It isn't enough. He wants— ]

[Before the salt mingles with the rest of the water, Alhaitham's fingers find Kaveh's cheek, dampening it still with the wetness of his previously submerged hand, warming it with the remainder of the heat.

Kaveh still feels like an open wound, oozing the ache and purging the tension before he can fully heal. Alhaitham knows better than to stop him, no matter how much it seeps into his own skin and shapes the want to save him from the hurt he himself had caused.]

How about, [a soft rasp of his voice, this time skimmed over his cheek, as he nuzzles along the side of his face,]to baths and showers together?

[ Somehow, Alhaitham knows he's crying. There are fingers on his cheek, soothing away tears that Kaveh hasn't even fully processed are there himself, and he sniffs in a strange kind of ambivalent amusement. How does he know him so well? All this time, it's as if Kaveh has underestimated him...

He leans back a little more firmly into the other, grounding himself even as that voice rasps over his cheek, as that nose nuzzles into the side of his face. And he nods, because—because Alhaitham's words still aren't enough, but they're better somehow, less hollow, and— ]

Y-yeah. To baths and showers together.

[ And he lifts his glass, trying to ignore the way his hand trembles as he drinks—perhaps a little more deeply than he should in an effort to chase off the feelings of anxiety and nervousness determined to linger around him tonight.

And then he turns his head, catching those nuzzling lips in a soft, sweet kiss. ]

[The shaking reverberates into himself, and Alhaitham strokes the skin that he can reach. Touch to soothe, not to entice, unwanting to stifle but to ease, at least a little bit. Maybe with enough touch, he can transfer some of that restlessness, that nervousness, to himself. Kaveh does not need to bear all of it by himself.

So he lets him drink, and is about to sip on his own glass when he notices Kaveh turning toward him. And gravity pulls gravity, and Alhaitham sighs like he'd been untethered up until this point. It always feels final. It always feels like the flick of a page.

Fumbling to rest the glass blindly on the table beside the tub, he's quick to sink further in the water so it's easier for Kaveh to twist back toward him, especially when he cradles his cheek with his hand.]

Hmm, [a smaller peck, his eyes opening (he hadn't noticed he'd closed them) to smile,] the wine tastes good on you.

[ And help it does, easing Kaveh little by little, allowing him to relax into the pleasantness of it and not the anxiety. His own half-erection is still there, but starting to flag now as he relaxes and sighs, mouth meeting Alhaitham's with a sweetness he didn't know he needed.

To the compliment, he laughs, and reaches to put his own wine on the side table too. ]

Why do I have a feeling you'd say that about anything I'd eaten or drank?

[ It's said with a teasing smile, and as Alhaitham settles himself more deeply into the water, Kaveh turns, laying himself across the other instead of sitting against him. Like this, the waning evidence of his own attraction is a little too obvious against the younger's thigh, but he says nothing about it for now—it's not what they're here for, after all. He's exhausted, Alhaitham is exhausted.

He just wants this.

One hand lifts, long fingers stroking lazily down the side of the younger man's face as he smiles—and then he leans in again, kissing him softly, another sigh on his lips. ]

[Draped over him, Kaveh looks and feels languid, softened by the warmth of their bodies submerged, the sparkles shimmering across the surface making him look ethereal, otherworldly. If anyone were to tell him he's a descendant of something higher than humanity, Alhaitham would take a look at him and say that's enough empirical evidence.]

I would. [Said between kisses, one arm wrapped to prop Kaveh comfortably against him, the other stroking along his side, his arm, his hip. Both of them are too tired to hike the intensity of their need, but it's there, comfortable, though fatigued. For now he only focuses on the movement of their lips, on the way Kaveh's name sounds in his breath.] You taste divine.

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