escordvi | [closed] 🌱🏛️ quiz, vol. 01

You're stalling.

[Kaveh's tone has a distinct edge to it, and his shoulders have raised with his irritation. All this and they're still going to have to come to blows? Because it's not as though he can imagine Alhaitham will actually agree to it.]

Sure.

[The agreement comes out from Alhaitham right after Kaveh's remark, the man himself having taken barely a second to think it though before giving his answer.

The bandit, at least, seems to be quite pleased with this turn of events, rubbing his hands with an too bright smile on his face. Come now, even your partner is being such a willing sport about this. Surely you're not going to deprive yourself the chance to be pampered in the way that you deserve?

Despite the question Kaveh doesn't really get the chance to answer, as all-too helpful workers have brought a new chair over for Kaveh to settle down upon while another gestures for Alhaitham to step up to the proverbial stage, as it were.

Alhaitham rolls his eyes at the theatrics but says nothing at the cooing noise that one of the seamstress makes at him as she presses a vial of oil into his hands. For the pretty boy in your hands, sir.

...Alhaitham says nothing to that as well, and simply pops open the vial to get it onto his hands while Kaveh prepares himself in turn.]

Ah--?

[Well, it's too late for him to protest now, although he does get in a mild argument about taking off his shirt, finally something he acquiesces too when several employees offer to 'help' with the process if he doesn't want to. It does take a moment to remove the cape and unbuckle the straps on his sleeves, but then Kaveh elects to pull himself out of the sleeves and let his shirt pool around his waist, where it tucks into his sash. Otherwise, he has to practically strip naked, and he will NOT be doing that on the Naughtilust, thank you.

He sits backwards on the chair, leaning on the back of it to keep his back exposed, and the tension and anxiety of this situation is visible in his spine. Alhaitham has a hard job to do here.

And, for the first time, can probably see that tattoo Kaveh has so staunchly hidden, the curve of the dendro symbol peeking out over the top of that sash.

...he's not gonna live this down, is he?]

[...honestly, Alhaitham had almost forgotten about the whole bit with Kaveh's tattoo until it comes back rushing to him the moment he sees that hint of it peeking right above his sash. He'd more or less figured it out, seeing as how he hadn't seen in on the entirety of Kaveh's front, but to actually confirm it with his own eyes after the last two months is a surprise that he hadn't expected.

...not a bad one though, all things considered.

For now, Alhaitham chooses not to remark on it seeing as how tense Kaveh already is. He steps closer once his hands have been coated, leaning in so that he can speak quietly to his senior without being overheard.]

Relax, senior. This won't work otherwise.

[Its the only warning Kaveh gets before Alhaitham places his hands onto Kaveh's back, wasting no time with starting on the requested backrub for the others to see.]

Easy for you to say, you got to keep your shirt on...

[Despite Kaveh's mutinous grumbles and how he initially tenses from the feeling of hands on him, he does try to relax, leaning his head on top of his arms where they lay on the back of the chair. He's...a little glad he doesn't have to look Alhaitham in the eye for this.

Kaveh carries tension in his body like some people carry their wallets. His shoulders are downright stiff with it. Honestly, the massage might do him some good.]

[There's a faint huff of bemusement at Kaveh's grumbling.]

I could take off my own shirt, if that makes you feel better.

[He's sort of halfway there already anyway, since he had to take off his gloves (and rings) in order to facilitate this massage in the first place. His cape is also gone for now, used to hold all of his discarded accessories in one place (the Vision has been attached to his hip in the same fashion as Kaveh's) so all he pretty much has left for his top is his shirt.

Regardless of Kaveh's response to his comment (or if he even gives one at all), Alhaitham turns his focus to the task of giving Kaveh that backrub. It's been a while since he's done this at all, but seeing as how Kaveh has been one of the two people he'd even given a backrub to before (in the past, when they were still students) a lot of it surprisingly feels like less of a blind fumble and more of a rediscovery of things he thought he'd forgotten but actually not, simply left behind to be picked up again when the time comes, such as right now.]

[Kaveh snorts at that question, even as he lets his eyes flutter closed.]

That'll be more for the benefit of the crowd than me, since you're standing behind me?

[But he goes quiet after that. Not maybe entirely silent, little huffs and hisses as Alhaitham works through the more difficult spots, but he has no snarky commentary, nothing he can say or do but trust himself under Alhaitham's warm, broad hands.

...It feels pretty good, honestly. He could almost doze off like this.]

[Despite all the years that have passed Alhaitham finds himself easily remembering the spots on Kaveh's back where the knots tend to form, working them out with a familiarity that feels both old and new at the same time. Despite knowing that they are surrounded by a while crowd of onlookers its easy enough for Alhaitham to put their presence aside and focus on nothing else aside from his senior, especially when he is so clearly receptive to his touch and is slowly but surely relaxing into the chair he's leaning against.

As he works on one of the more particularly difficult ones Alhaitham shifts, leaning in so that he can make sure a bit more of his strength and weight to get rid of the knot entirely. The position however does put him quite close to Kaveh, though Alhaitham himself thinks nothing of it at all as he grunts softly while he words, the act causing air to rush across the back Kaveh's neck.]

Mnnph....gentle, now.

[Kaveh's voice is low as he chides Alhaitham, but there's no heat in it, and he looks back over his shoulder, one closed eye opening just enough for a peak of crimson through his eyelashes. The backrub is proving quite effective in relaxing him, so he doesn't feel the need to fluster at this proximity, but every other soul in this room has gone dead silent watching.]

[All Alhaitham does is to let out a faint snort at the chiding.]

I seem to remember that you liked it harder.

[At least, that's what Kaveh would've always told him in the past, since back then Alhaitham hadn't quite hit the stride in his puberty that would lead him to the physique that he possesses now. His arms, for example, certainly had lacked the muscles that he does in the present day.

But nevertheless Alhaitham does lighten up as asked, lessening the pressure that he uses so as to not give Kaveh any unnecessary discomfort. That would defeat the purpose of this entire thing, after all.]

You've gotten a lot bigger, you know.

[Kaveh murmurs it, eyes already falling shut again. He should definitely be embarrassed by this, but it's been so long since he let himself feel comfortable, and even longer since his body didn't carry so much tension he'd grown used to it. He can hardly resist that relief now.

...He really might doze off here.]

That is usually what 'growing up' entails, senior.

[The words are said with a gentle huff and a light tease, voice coming out warm and almost fond despite the situation they are in. It's easy, somehow, for all his earlier irritation and annoyance to melt away when it means he gets to see and felt Kaveh relaxing underneath his hands, and that alone is already more than any other gift he could ever receive.

So he continues his work, probably even far beyond what has been asked of him, but Alhaitham doesn't mind at all. There after all is no use in leaving this half-baked, and if Kaveh actually gets to relax for once, then all the better.]

Mmn...don't get carried away...

[Because Kaveh is dozing, but they were supposed to be working, he's pretty sure. Not that he finds he cares very much right now, as he is slowly becoming a puddle of architect instead of a man here on a mission. Maybe he should get Alhaitham to do this more often...]

[Kaveh trailing off into a doze is perhaps for the best, as not long after that happens Alhaitham feels a tap on his shoulder, and he glances over to see their target, who is now regarding him with a rather knowing smile.

Been a while since I've seen something like this, he says, though rather than the playful tone from earlier he now sounds... almost wistful. I concede. I'll make the arrangements to have the goods returned, you have my word.

Alhaitham doesn't say anything in response then, though the look that he sends over is perhaps more than enough to convey the things he is not saying out loud. It's hard to say for certain, but the bandit huffs out a quiet chuckle and gives Alhaitham one more pat on the shoulder before taking his leave, waving a farewell as he vanishes into the crowd.

...and speaking of the crowd...

Some of them attempt to come closer now that the so-called 'showdown' is more or less done, but a quick glare from Alhaitham is enough to ward them off. Once he's certain that nobody is going to try and interrupt he returns his attention to his senior and runs his hands over his back one last time, coming to a stop at his hips as he leans in close once more.]

Kaveh, we're done. [He tells his senior in a quiet murmur. If that is enough to wake him up then its fine, but if he is too deeply asleep then that too, is fine, but Alhaitham wants to make sure first before deciding what to do next.]

Mmm...?

[Kaveh is truly out of it, not entirely asleep but body too relaxed for him to really rouse himself to much more than summoning out Mehrak, who chirps inquisitively. At least she'll be able to carry Kaveh's things out, if nothing else.

the staff themselves don't get closer but do comment they have some things the handsome young couple might want!]

[...yeah, Alhaitham had more or less expected that. Kaveh winds himself up tight, but that only means he's pretty much nothing more than a puddle when he finally gets the chance to wind down fully.

Alhaitham huffs but doesn't say anything more, only giving Kaveh's hips a squeeze before he lets go and pulls back, doing a good job of ignoring any and all comments from the crowd as he turns his attention to getting Kaveh dressed back up. At least that part is easy enough, since Kaveh didn't actually take off his clothes from his body, so pulling them back up is a simple enough task.

Still, with Kaveh the way he is, it does mean that Alhaitham doesn't quite manage to straighten his clothes back up wholly, but what he does manage to do is enough to make it work until they are back in the privacy of their house.

Once he's satisfied he commands Mehrak to pick up the rest of their items, then shifts to scoop up Kaveh into his arms without missing a beat, the action prompting another round of 'awwwws' going through the crowd. Look at how attentive and caring he is to his partner! some of them sigh out wistfully. Another remarks about how Alhaitham could take care her instead of the pretty boy in his arms, which promptly gets ignored by the man himself as he commands Mehrak to follow him as he starts making his way out of the establishment.

As he walks some of the more bold and daring seamstresses flit over to follow both around and behind, still attempting to get some form of business somehow even if Alhaitham is not interested in them specifically. But once again Alhaitham simply ignores them all in favor of looking over the man in his arms, making sure to continue holding him close all the way until they are able to finally exit and leave the whole place behind.

After all the time they've spent today investigating and then confronting their target for the goods it means that the sun is already on its way to set, casting their surroundings in tones of warm oranges and reds and yellows. Alhaitham watches the way the golden light of the setting sun gleams off Kaveh's hair and makes it shine even more than usual, the sight of it reminding him of spun gold.]

Kaveh. [He murmurs out his senior's name, voice quiet between the sound of the sea and the waves and the wind blowing in the distance.] ...I don't think I'll be able to carry you back the entire way.

Mnnrgh...

[Kaveh does whine, half dozed on Alhaitham, but turned to bring his hand up, where the ring of returning is. It's set to a plaza not too far from there home, and apparently he's decided to just use that instead of dealing with a boat ride back.

Which does mean he's chosen to stay like this while they are teleported near a cafe, but he'll wake up more soon, we promise.]

[Alhaitham actually did not anticipate Kaveh moving to use his ring of returning, but it does save them the hassle of having to take a boat back, which is something he can't exactly complain about given his continued issues with sea travel.

Still, given how he'd only had a second to prepare between realizing what Kaveh had been about to do before it actually happening, nobody can blame Alhaitham for stumbling a little at the disorientation that the abrupt teleportation ensues. It's not exactly his first rodeo with such modes of travel, but even after all this time it doesn't really get any easier to handle.

But for better or worse Alhaitham manages to catch himself before he does lose balance completely, though he does stagger for a second before managing to get his balance. He straightens back up as soon as that passes, Mehrak reappearing with a cheerful beep, their items floating alongside them with the toolbox's help. He casts a quick glance at their surroundings just to be certain that they have teleported back to the right place, which seems to be the case. They might have done this a few times already in the past but it still never hurts to be certain.

Alhaitham glances back down to Kaveh in his arms once more, huffing slightly at the way his senior is protesting even without words. Difficult as always, yet Alhaitham has never truly minded, in spite of it all.]

...could've warned me at least. [He says it anyway, mostly for the sake of voicing it out loud, but in spite of those words Alhaitham only gives himself a second to readjust his hold on Kaveh after his earlier stumble, making sure that his senior is firm and comfortable in his arms once more before he turns and makes his way back in the direction of their house.]

[The stumble does actually wake kaveh up enough that he's becoming aware of his situation, and he's rapidly starting to turn red, but it's far too late now to leap away and protect his dignity, so he simply huffs, turning his face away to pretend he's still mostly asleep. Of course, this won't work when they get to the house--Alhaitham's hands are full. Someone has to unlock the door.

So, deeply mortified, Kaveh finally stirs, trying to get his feet on the ground and dig his key out from his pocket.] What, did you want to find a ferry back?

[If Alhaitham has taken note of the fact that Kaveh rousing from his doze then he makes no mention of it, seemingly fine with the idea of carrying his senior all the way back to their house, where he does finally have to put him down since its not like he can grab his keys while both of his hands and arms are wholly occupied.

At least Kaveh is awake enough by then, and as he finds his feet back onto the ground Alhaitham huffs lightly at the given remark.] I did not say I was against it.

[Being teleported back, that is. As mentioned earlier he very much can't complain since being on a boat is still not great for him in general, so he does appreciate it.

Anyway, now with his hands free of one blonde architect Alhaitham quickly gets his keys out from his belt pouch and goes to open the door without any more delays, stepping in first once its open.]

You just wanted to complain, is that it?

[Kaveh huffs a bit, but since Alhaitham beat him to the door, he'll just simply follow inside.]

Go wash your face off. I'll start dinner. And yes, your request is noted and accepted, I already bought the groceries for it.

[He is so lucky he's cute.]

[Alhaitham's only response to all of that is a simple hum, even if a part of him is looking forward to dinner now that Kaveh said that his request for tonight's food is on the menu. It's been a while since he's had his favorite dish... one of the downsides of being in this place is very much the lack of the required ingredients, but that's not exactly a new problem for as long as one travels outside of Sumeru.

Either way, the thought of it is enough to whet his appetite, so its more than enough motivation for him to resist the urge to break out into one of their usual bickering and instead make his way over to the bathroom in order to wash up as told to do so.]

[The real problem had been finding a good substitute for the harra fruit spices. It's difficult for Kaveh to extensively test, given his sensitivity, but after four months he's pretty sure he can do this. And so, he sets about putting together this absolutely ridiculous stew pizza that Alhaitham prefers, humming faintly to himself in the kitchen.

Mehrak, for her part, has produced a...beautifully wrapped package to set on the coffee table? From the size and shape it's clearly a book in there, but one must wonder what...]

[Alhaitham takes his time with washing up in the bathroom, knowing how long the dish usually takes to make—but also because he is a little reluctant in removing the make up that Kaveh has done for him, even if the process itself wasn't strictly voluntary. For the many faults that his senior has he possesses just as many virtues, and his eye for beauty and detail is very much in the latter.

...still, even after having said that, it is still in the end a bit too ostentatious for his tastes, and after looking at it for a few more minutes in the mirror Alhaitham decides he's had enough of it for the day and proceeds to wash it all up.

Once he's done lollygagging Alhaitham is fairly fast and economical with washing up, so it doesn't take too long overall for him to be done, and once he's settled with the laundry that comes from his shower Alhaitham ventures back out towards the kitchen where he can already smell the tell tale aroma of his favorite dish. Of course, its not exactly the same given Kaveh having had to use alternatives for what is not available here, but its close enough and Alhaitham can already feel his stomach getting ready for it.

—before that, though, Alhaitham does spot the package that Mehrak has left on the coffee table (mostly due to the beep that the toolbox lets out to get his attention), so he wanders over to there instead and picks it up, blinking as he examines the wrapped gift in curiosity. Is this meant to be his birthday present? He can only assume so, judging by the wrapping and the fact that Mehrak called for him over here in the first place. A little strange, since its not as if Kaveh has been especially shy in giving him something when he feels like doing so, but Alhaitham isn't going to complain. If anything this will just be another thing he can use to tease his senior about.

Without thinking twice about it Alhaitham settles himself down on the divan and goes to open up the gift without any more preamble. Judging by the shape and feel he can surmise it to be a book, which does make him wonder exactly what kind of book Kaveh might have found to gift it to him—

...

...

...oh.]

Alhaitham? What, are you going to eat out here--ah.

[Kaveh had emerged with plates of the sabz meat pie in hand, but stopped, seeing that Mehrak had already handed over the gift. Cheeky little thing. In truth...

In truth, he'd only seen that particular book a few times, one of the few that Alhaitham was truly meticulous about keeping put away properly, downright protective of it's very specific place on the shelves. And Kaveh had never read past the inscription on the first page. But he knows, without having looked, what this book must mean to the man.

It's lonely, isn't it? To celebrate a birthday so far from everything you're comfortable and familiar with. For Alhaitham, who is a creature of habit and routine...

Kaveh couldn't think of anything better.]

...It is the right one, isn't it? I wasn't sure how specific anything fished out of the rifts could be.

eagle holding that entire ass bird of paradise in it's talons

big burd holding tiny burd...

like leetol hamburger....

smol burdburger...

carry him gently...

he will carry him like the most precious thing...

uwehhh

;3; wehssss

puts on the saxophone music

plays careless whisper

🎷

🎷🎵 🤲

🔥

💚🔥❤️

hunka hunka burnin' love

burnin' a hole where I lay

I don't actually know most elvis songs oop--

its ok i actually had to google lololol

we're great at this

shhhh we are the best

winning at gay

completely winning

just like alhaitham

winning in life... winning in not-boyfriend... winning on his birthday...

winning in dead parents--