escordvi | 🌱🏛️ quiz, vol. 07

[Kaveh's birthday has always been a tricky thing to navigate around, be it in the past when they were still students in the Akademiya or even now in the present, with the both of them having grown in maturity and understanding.

...if anything, Alhaitham supposes it is that growth that has granted him the ability to be more tactful about all of this. When they were younger all he'd seen was his senior's tendency for self-flagellation, using a day others typically would use to celebrate one's existence as a means to shame himself further, allowing the guilt to take away all the joy that he does not feel deserving of. He remembers how much that had frustrated him back then, not understanding why he would persist with such fruitless behavior until much, much later.

In some ways, its almost strange how despite all the differences that time has granted onto them, some things still fundamentally remain the same—and Kaveh's birthday happens to be one of those things. Though the guilt of his father's passing has long been resolved, it does not change the reality of what has happened, and as the days creep ever closer to July 9th, there is no way to miss the subtle shift in the other's demeanor.

Ironic, really, how despite the lack of sudden ghost hauntings this time, the spirit of Kaveh's father is still here to haunt his child all the same.

But Alhaitham, of course, isn't going to let something like that deter him. Birthdays are sentimental things, yes, but if there is one thing he has come to let himself be sentimental with, then it is with his husband without a doubt. For what else is he meant to do with the one he chose, but love?

So he makes the necessary preparations in their house, informs the staff at the cafe that they'll be gone for the entirety of the 9th, and instructs Mehrak to not disturb them unless 1) either of them calls for it or 2) there is an actual, world-ending emergency happening.

With all of that settled the only thing left to do is to celebrate the day itself, but Alhaitham doesn't wait until then to do so; for him, the celebration starts the night before, where he allows Kaveh his indulgences and lets the architect enjoy himself however he wants, and when they fall into bed at the end of the night Alhaitham makes sure to wrap Kaveh tightly in his arms—a tangible reminder that he will always be here for him, no matter what.

The morning of the day itself starts off slow and lazy, with the two of them trading drowsy, warm kisses that inevitably become something more. That in and of itself is nothing new, but what is different is when Alhaitham eventually rolls them over to press Kaveh down against the sheets, making sure that his husband has nothing else to do besides letting himself feel every inch of love and devotion that Alhaitham imprints onto his body, a reaffirmation of the promise that he made to Kaveh last June—that he has chosen Kaveh, and will always choose Kaveh, no matter the time and place and everything else in-between. There will never be anything more important to him than his senior, his mirror, his other half. His Kaveh.

Most of the day passes by in a blur after that—one that comprises of tangled limbs and shared breaths and the ever present warmth of the sun always right within his reach. It's only when the sky from the windows start to turn dusky does he finally let himself step away from his currently sleeping husband, if only because their food isn't going to cook itself (at least, for this particular instance).

Given what he's making, its not too much of a surprise that the smell of their dinner eventually comes wafting over from the kitchen. Alhaitham, at least, isn't too concerned, and when Mehrak informs him that Kaveh is about to wake up, he gets the toolbox to bring over a glass of water to the bedroom so that his husband can hydrate himself as soon as he wakes. Their activities for the day had been rather strenuous, after all.]

[Kaveh is warm.

This is not surprising in and of itself--it is early July, and this world has always trended to tropical. But more than the summer heat, it is the warm that sits in his chest and spreads languidly through his (tired, aching) limbs that really lingers with him as he stirs from his impromptu nap that afternoon.

As much as Kaveh tries, he cannot fully escape the grief and the lingering guilt that follows him--particularly two days out of the year. And this year is worse than others, knowing that his father never really made it past 32 years of age. To know every day he lives now is one more than his own father hurts in a way Kaveh doesn't know how to describe or explain.

He didn't need to say anything to Alhaitham, and as he never brings it up to anyone of this world, Kaveh hadn't spoken of it at all in the week leading up to the 9th. But Alhaitham still took it upon himself to provide a distraction, one that in retrospect started the previous night and lasted all the way to this evening...

Kaveh is warm. Warm, and achey, and very pleasantly sore. Thirsty, he thinks, and as he wakes up he is growing more aware he is hungry, but neither of these things are cause for alarm. He simply has to pull himself up to sitting first to solve any of that--it can't be hard. He smells something delicious in the house.

...But his husband isn't here. The bed still smells of Alhaitham, and so instead of sitting up, Kaveh has snatched the other pillow and burrowed himself in blankets, seeking that missing warmth and scent.]

[Alhaitham hadn't been too far off from finishing up when he'd sent Mehrak off on that errand, and by the time the toolbox returns to report its failure to get Kaveh to drink some water he's more or less done. The only thing left to do is for him to finish up setting the table—which he does in record time—and once that's settled its off to the bedroom to retrieve his husband.

Despite know the state in which he had left Kaveh in, Alhaitham still can't help but huff at the sight that greets him as he steps into their bedroom. He walks over to the bundle of pillows and blankets in the middle and reaches in, gently running his fingers through frazzled blonde hair that pokes out at the top as he murmurs just loud enough for the other to hear:]

Wake up, senior. It's time for dinner.

Haithaaammm...

[Kaveh makes a grumbling noise, whining at the fact he's being made to get up and not being cuddled by husband right now, but he does sit up, groggily rubbing at one of his eyes. He's sleepy enough still to not be connecting the fact Alhaitham probably had to make dinner and he's really very hungry--what Kaveh cares about is he is not being cuddled right this instant, which means he's definitely pouting.]

[Nothing about Kaveh's reaction is surprising—if anything, its pretty much expected—but its still more than enough to draw out a bemused huff from Alhaitham, and he can't quite stop himself from leaning down to kiss away that adorable pout.]

You already know that it'll be worth it. [He murmurs again after pulling away just enough for their gazes to meet, words and voice full of promise.] The bed will still be here after.

That's not the problem here...

[Kaveh harrumphs a little--what good is the bed if Haitham isn't in it!!!--but he leans into the kiss, only to pout more when Alhaitham leans away.]

I'll hold you to that promise.

Mmn. You won't be disappointed.

[That much Alhaitham says with easy confidence.

He does, however, give his husband one more kiss to placate him, one hand brushing through his hair to tame down the worst of that bedhead. Even if its the privacy of their own home he figures Kaveh wants to look at least a little decent for his celebratory dinner, after all.]

Drink this first. [He says, other hand now bringing over the glass of water Mehrak had failed to deliver earlier.] You should probably wash up a little too, unless you intend to eat while swathed in blankets.

[Not that Alhaitham really minds... but he'd rather Kaveh feel however he wants to be.]

Hmmm...

[Kaveh does contemplate this as he returns to a more wakeful version of himself, and takes the glass of water. It's true he doesn't necessarily want to eat dinner buck naked, but....]

...Might be a little tricky.

[He's still pretty boneless, here.]

[...well, Alhaitham can't say that he should be surprised by this development.

He gives a small, contemplative hum himself, and then—as soon as Kaveh puts the half-drunk glass of water back down, sweeps in to unceremoniously scoop his husband right into his arms, with blankets and all.]

Then I suppose we'll need to take a more direct approach to this.

[Which, again, is not really something that Alhaitham minds at all. Far from it, actually.

Its almost a shame that the bathroom isn't that far away from the bedroom.]

[Kaveh laughs, startled and delighted, and throws his arms around Alhaitham's shoulders. They're at home, so there's no need to even pretend he doesn't enjoy being carted around like this--being pampered and spoiled isn't half-bad, even if he still needs to tell himself it's because Alhaitham enjoys doing it so much.]

This is your direct approach, huh? Will this actually get me cleaned up?

Yes, because dinner will get cold otherwise.

[Says this with a huff as he brings the both of them into the bathroom and sets Kaveh down to sit at the edge of the tub. When he pulls back he takes the blankets along with him, revealing his husband in his full glory...

And as much as Alhaitham truly has no intention of doing anything, there's no way to hide how his eyes darken as he sweeps his gaze over the scattering of marks that are visibly prominent on his husband's body. He's never claimed to be anything less than selfish, after all.]

That look isn't very convincing, you know.

[Kaveh chuckles a bit, but he doesn't fluster or shy away from that gaze, only lifts his chin a little bit in challenge. He is really hungry, and he wants dinner...but he can't deny he likes being wanted this much.

It's humbling. Sometimes, it's a little scary. But the proof how much Alhaitham wants him is etched into his skin--Kaveh doesn't even want to deny it.]

[To nobody's surprise Alhaitham is not at all ashamed at being called out, and if anything stares with even more intent when Kaveh doesn't shy away either, the expression on his face clearly debating on the pros and cons of letting himself fall for his husband's bait.

...but no, they really do need food, and so with a sigh and a shake of his head Alhaitham steps forward and cups one side of Kaveh's face, keeping him steady as he leans down again for a deep, longing kiss that both indulges and placates—as well as promise.]

Later. [He murmurs it against Kaveh's lips when he finally pulls back, gaze still heavy with desire as he meets his husband's gaze.]

I'll hold you to that...

[Kaveh whines a little, but sighs and subsides, slipping into the tub contemplatively. If dinner runs the risk of getting cold...well. That's why they have an attachable hose and shower head for the tub in here, after all. One of Kaveh's cleverer moments, if he says so himself.]

Hand me the sprayer?

[A hum, and Alhaitham gives one more peck on the lips before he pulls away completely. He takes a second to get the sprayer as Kaveh asks, passing it over to him before finally making a move to step out of the bathroom (though not before dumping the blanket into the laundry basket—it needed to be washed after today one way or another).]

Call me when you're done. [He tells his husband before exiting entirely, taking this time to do any last minute set ups that he might've missed earlier.]

I won't be long.

[And true to form, Kaveh does his best to make this fast...he'll have to more properly wash and condition his hair later, but maybe they can save that for some together time in the tub...hmm.

As it is, he rinses himself clean and has Mehrak bring him more loosely fitting house clothes before peering out of the bedroom, still a little wobbly on his feet.]

Haitham?

Here.

[It only takes a second for Alhaitham to poke his head from the corner, the rest of him appearing right afterwards as he walks down the corridor to where the bathroom is. Kaveh has indeed washed up, choosing to dress for comfort rather than style, which is more than enough for him. The clothes are mostly meant to prevent messes while they eat anyway.

He hums once, approving, then goes to scoop Kaveh right back into his arms without another word, carrying him all the way over to their dining table, which has been decorated for the occasion. Its nothing too extravagant or fancy—just a nice tablecloth he'd seen Kaveh eyeing not too long ago, with a (unscented) candle set within a glass container (to contain the wax) placed at the center that's surrounded by a small scattering of petals. All in all, its a simple setup that can never really go wrong.

Alhaitham sets Kaveh down at his chair first before going over to his own side. A nicely plated steak with sides of potato and some greens greets the both of them, accompanied by wine glasses that are already half-filled.

He picks up his glass and holds it forward for Kaveh to do the same so they can toast.]

Happy birthday, Kaveh.

[Kaveh laughs as he's scooped up again, and then falls into a kind of awed silence as they reach the dining table. What Alhaitham's done isn't the fanciest, no, but for a man who values the pragmatic over the romantic, the effort he's put into this...is far more effective than an aesthetically perfect image.

He tries not to sniffle, heart overflowing, but Kaveh does smile, bright and overwhelmed with the sheer love. He clinks their glasses together, and tries to think of something eloquent to say, but all that comes out is--]

I love you.

[...well, he probably should have started with "thank you", but he's sure alhaitham understands.]

[Alhaitham smiles as Kaveh toasts and says those words, looking more than pleased at how much his husband clearly likes this.]

I love you too.

[It doesn't need to be said, not really, much like how he doesn't need to hear Kaveh's thanks—but he knows its also good to express these things, so that they will both know, without doubt.

He takes a sip of the wine before setting it aside, then promptly starts on his food because truthfully he's just about as hungry as Kaveh is, and the steak is just as much for himself as it is for the architect. Though, of course, he made sure that Kaveh's steak is blissfully free of any sort of spice, pepper or otherwise. This isn't the occasion for such teasing, after all.]

[Really, Kaveh's only complaint is a lack of cheese, but no singular meal can have everything, and he's not about to voice such a thing and spoil the effort Alhaitham put in to pamper him. And even as it is--the food is good, the wine is sweet, and Kaveh is hungry enough to eat a sumpter beast--for once, he falls fairly quiet to enjoy eating.

...It would be kind of nice if Alhaitham fed him, though.]

[He wasn't worried about Kaveh disliking the choice of food, but its still nice to see his husband enjoying it nonetheless, and watching that is more than enough to bring a small smile onto Alhaitham's face. Every amount of effort spent will always be worth it, if it means he can make the architect smile like that.

But while Alhaitham isn't a mind reader, he does pick up on the longing expression that flits over Kaveh's face, which has him frowning a bit.]

Is there something else that you want? [He asks after a brief pause, giving the other a questioning look. Normally he wouldn't be this nosy, waiting for Kaveh to voice out his wants and needs first before responding to them... but it is his husband's birthday, and Alhaitham is committed to making it a day that will bring him more joy than anything else.]

Huh--no, don't make that face! Everything's fine!

[Kaveh didn't realize he was making any kind of expression and he's subsequently turned beet red in response. He can't just ask to be fed like a spoiled little prince! ...Not that he doubts Alhaitham would do it, but it's embarrassing.]

[Well that's certainly quite the reaction, if Alhaitham has something to say about it. Not quite what he'd been expecting, but if Kaveh is acting like that then it can only mean a few things...

He raises an eyebrow here, giving the other a chance to explain himself before Alhaitham starts narrowing down the possibilities to figure it out for himself. Surely Senior Kaveh doesn't want to embarrass himself even further now, does he?]

Don't look at me like that!

[Kaveh's only getting more flushed by the minute. Oh, Archons, how does he get himself out of this one???]

[Well Kaveh apparently has no intention to disclose what has gotten him so flustered, so it's time for Alhaitham to figure it out for himself.

Not that it's really hard, to be frank.]

Oh? You want to move on from dinner already? I wasn't aware of how insatiable you've become.

[It's not going to stop him from having some fun in the process though.]

🏛️🎂

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