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The soft hum of an evening settling over the house was accompanied by an unusual silence. Alhaitham, book in hand, had been glancing up every so often at the curled figure on the couch across the room. Kaveh, bundled in a blanket, lay with his back turned, knees tucked to his chest. His stillness was unusual—too quiet, too still for someone as animated as Kaveh.
Alhaitham lowered his book slightly, his sharp mind immediately beginning to churn.
Should I approach him? What if he’s mad? No, his shoulders aren’t tense… he doesn’t seem angry.
His gaze flicked to the kitchen.
Maybe I should bring him food? Something sweet? No, no, he’ll complain about the calories.
He frowned, drumming his fingers on the book.
Should I just sit beside him? Kiss him on the forehead? What if he’s not in the mood for kisses? But… what if he is?
A small sigh escaped him as he finally stood, setting his book aside. He couldn’t bear to see Kaveh like this, not when there was a chance he could help.
With cautious steps, Alhaitham approached the couch, lowering himself beside Kaveh without a word. The blond stirred, and to Alhaitham’s surprise, Kaveh’s face peeked out from under the blanket—teary-eyed and pouty, with a look that instantly made Alhaitham’s heart twist.
“What’s wrong?” Alhaitham asked softly, leaning in closer.
Instead of answering, Kaveh shifted toward him, inching closer like a cat seeking warmth. Before Alhaitham could process what was happening, Kaveh crawled into his lap, settling himself with his face buried in Alhaitham’s neck.
Ah.
He knew exactly what this was.
“I’m feeling down and need affection as soon as possible or I will actually die”
Wrapping his arms around Kaveh’s smaller frame, Alhaitham held him securely, one hand instinctively stroking the back of his head. Kaveh nuzzled deeper into the crook of his neck, his breath warm against Alhaitham’s skin.
“Did something happen?” Alhaitham asked after a moment, his voice calm and low.
Kaveh didn’t answer immediately, instead mumbling something unintelligible against Alhaitham’s neck.
“What was that?”
“…Kisses,” Kaveh murmured shyly, so quietly that Alhaitham almost missed it.
A rare, soft chuckle rumbled from Alhaitham’s chest. “You want kisses?”
“No!” Kaveh protested weakly, his pout audible in his voice. “I mean… maybe…”
Alhaitham leaned back slightly to look at him, and sure enough, there it was—the infamous Kaveh pout, his lips pursed and his cheeks faintly flushed. It was so utterly adorable that Alhaitham couldn’t help himself. He pressed a kiss to Kaveh’s forehead, then another to his temple, and finally one to the tip of his nose.
Kaveh whined softly, his hands clutching at Alhaitham’s shirt. “You’re so annoying…”
“You asked for it,” Alhaitham replied smugly, though his arms tightened around Kaveh in a protective embrace.
Kaveh huffed but didn’t pull away. Instead, he buried his face back into Alhaitham’s neck, muttering, “Haiyi…”
Alhaitham’s heart skipped a beat at the nickname, his lips twitching into a smile. “Yes, my little architect?”
Kaveh groaned dramatically, his voice muffled. “Stop calling me that! And stop being so warm, it’s making me sleepier…”
“Then sleep,” Alhaitham said simply, pressing another kiss to Kaveh’s hair. “I’m not going anywhere.”
For a moment, there was only silence between them, the quiet hum of their breathing filling the room. Then, Alhaitham broke it with a whispered, “I love you.”
Kaveh stirred slightly, lifting his head just enough to mumble, “Nooo, I love you more…” before sinking back into Alhaitham’s embrace.
Alhaitham chuckled, burying his face into Kaveh’s soft hair. “That’s debatable.”
“It’s not,” Kaveh replied sleepily, his pout evident even in his tone. His cheek was smushed against Alhaitham’s chest, and though his voice was muffled, the defiance in his words was crystal clear.
Alhaitham couldn’t resist a soft chuckle. “You’re awfully confident for someone who can barely keep their eyes open.”
Kaveh didn’t respond immediately, his lips twitching in what might’ve been another pout or the beginnings of a smile. “Still true…” he mumbled, curling closer as if to make his point even stronger.
Alhaitham looked down at him, his gaze softening. The way Kaveh fit against him, so perfectly and so naturally, never failed to amaze him. He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Kaveh’s hair, then another to the curve of his temple.
“Alright, if you insist,” Alhaitham murmured, his lips brushing against Kaveh’s forehead now. “But you’ll have to deal with this.”
“Deal with wha—” Kaveh began, but his words dissolved into a tiny, breathy laugh as Alhaitham began peppering his face with kisses.
A kiss to his nose.
One to his cheek.
Another just below his ear, where Alhaitham knew he was ticklish.
“Haiyi!” Kaveh whined, his sleepy pout quickly transforming into a sleepy giggle. He tried to wriggle away, but his limbs were too heavy, and honestly, he didn’t want to escape. “You’re so—stop—ugh!”
“Stop?” Alhaitham teased, pulling back just enough to meet Kaveh’s gaze. His turquoise eyes glinted with mischief. “I thought you said you love me more.”
Kaveh narrowed his eyes, but the effect was ruined by the lingering flush on his cheeks. “I do, but you’re so annoying about it!”
“Annoying?” Alhaitham repeated, mock-offended. “I think you mean endearing.”
“I mean annoying,” Kaveh shot back, though his words lacked any real bite. He was still too flustered, his face a little red and his lips twitching as if he couldn’t decide whether to pout or smile.
Alhaitham leaned in again, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of Kaveh’s mouth. “Whatever you say, baby.”
Kaveh groaned, burying his face in his hands—or at least attempting to, since his arms were still trapped between their bodies. “Ugh, you’re insufferable!”
“And yet,” Alhaitham murmured, his voice dropping to a gentle, almost teasing tone, “you’re not moving.”
Kaveh froze for a moment, his blush deepening. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he gave up entirely, flopping against Alhaitham’s chest like a defeated kitten. “Whatever. I’m too tired to fight you.”
“Good,” Alhaitham replied, his arms tightening around Kaveh. He nuzzled his face into Kaveh’s hair, breathing in the faint scent of his shampoo. “‘m not letting you go anyway.”
Kaveh grumbled something incoherent but didn’t move. Instead, he nestled closer, his body relaxing completely in Alhaitham’s hold. After a moment, he whispered, “You’re lucky I love you.”
“I know,” Alhaitham said, smiling against Kaveh’s hair. “And I love you more.”
Kaveh let out a soft huff, but his lips curved into a small, contented smile. “Still not true…”
“Mm, we’ll see,” Alhaitham murmured, planting one last kiss on the top of Kaveh’s head.
And as the evening melted into the quiet hum of their breathing, neither of them needed to argue further. In this warm, sleepy cocoon they’d created, love spoke louder than words.