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"What's that?" Alhaitham said with a point to the red bottle nestled in his senior's arms.
"It's a Fontaine vintage. I found it in a random cabinet in the house," Kaveh shrugged.
"My mom must have left it behind. Figured it would make things a little more fun for your birthday," Kaveh grinned.
They had climbed to the roof of an Akademiya building, not for the first time, to hang out and stargaze and make exciting conversation. Conversation between their two bright minds was always exciting.
Tonight was no different - or at least, that's how it started until the wine made its way to their heads and loosened their tongues. They passed the bottle back and forth and took turns taking swigs, each pretending they liked the flavor better than they actually did. Talked about their future as if they had a clue.
"Kaveh, you're an enigma," Alhaitham said with a soft chuckle, in good spirits. "Why'd you waste such a nice bottle on our rooftop hangout anyways?"
"Because you're my best friend!" Kaveh declared cheerfully. "Of course I wanted to make your birthday special!"
They were both tipsy by this point and slurring their words a little.
"By the way, Alhaitham, ummm... Can I ask?"
"Yes?" Alhaitham cocked his head. "Ask me anything. Why do you need permission now of all times?"
"Ahaha ... Well cus it's kinda weird... Kinda weird question... Promise you won't laugh... If it's too weird just forget I said anything, 'kay?"
"Promise. I won't laugh," Alhaitham said seriously. "I'm intrigued, so go on."
"Well see the thing is uh," Kaveh shook his head, blinked rapidly a few times. "It's just sometimes I look at you and I'm like. He's so... handsome... wow?! Your jawline, your eyes - it's all just so - you're gorgeous, Alhaitham. Like, super gorgeous. Yeah."
Alhaitham blinked too, a subtle flush gracing his cheeks that was mercifully concealed in the darkness. "That, uh... Wasn't a question."
Kaveh blinked pointedly. "OH, right. Hahaha! Umm so I kinda wanted to know like umm... You ever, like, uh, kissed anyone before? Hah, hah."
"No, I haven't," Alhaitham answered simply.
"Ok, well... do you want to? I mean like uh - it's something you'd uh, - theoretically - be interested in?"
Alhaitham fixed Kaveh with an intense half lidded stare. He was smart enough to put pieces together, and he was just tipsy enough for the thought in his head to simply tumble from his lips. "Wanna kiss me Kaveh?"
"... Yeah. If... you want ..."
"Ok. Do it."
Both Kaveh's hands came up to cup Alhaitham's face. "Close your eyes..." He whispered.
Alhaitham dutifully closed his eyes. He felt soft lips on his own once, then again, and one more time.
"... How was that?" He could feel Kaveh's whispering breath against his lips.
"Yes," Alhaitham said.
"? Yes..?"
Alhaitham blinked, face feeling a little hotter. "What was the question?"
"I asked how was it. The kiss. How did it feel?"
"Warm, I guess."
"oh."
"... Could I try?"
"O-oh! S-sure, Alhaitham..."
"... Close your eyes, senior."
Kaveh complied, and Alhaitham leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to his senior's. As best he could he simply emulated what he'd seen of people kissing around campus. He kissed neat and gentle, firm and with confidence - he was not one to be tentative or hesitant. After all, his typical reasoning was that it's always better to take the lead and seem like you know what you're doing, even if you don't.
Kaveh's reaction gave him more confidence.
*You've really never done this before?" Kaveh breathed into his lips between kisses.
Alhaitham shook his head. "Never."
"You... How is it you seem to already be so good?" Kaveh sucked in his cheek, tone accusatory.
"Observation," Alhaitham replied simply.
Kaveh's hazy eyes were fixed on Alhaitham's lips. "... Wanna keep going?"
"Sure."
They kissed again, lips pressing against each other's deeper this time, with more intent.
Alhaitham recalled more observations, students he'd seen making out around campus. A time he'd overheard a convo... if you really want to take your kissing to the next level, you have to taste them and let them taste you. Deepen the kiss and part their lips. Then slip your tongue in and rub it on theirs.
So Alhaitham worked Kaveh's lips to part, and confidently jammed his whole tongue in his mouth.
Kaveh jumped immediately and pulled back.
Miscalculation...?
"A-ALHAITHAM! WHAT- W-what was that??? Did you just -??? Did you seriously just -???"
Alhaitham blinked, caught off guard by the dramatic reaction.
"Y-you - t-that was -" Kaveh shoved Alhaitham's shoulder. "That was weird Haitham! NOT cool!!"
"So you didn't like it - noted. I won't do it again. There's no need to be so dramatic, Kaveh. Calm down."
But the alcohol intoxication stoked Kaveh's emotional side. "Ugh, don't tell me to calm down! You! You totally ruined the moment with that weird stuff!"
Alhaitham glared, his response a bit delayed by the same intoxication. "You're the one ruining the moment by making a big fuss over nothing. I told you I won't do it again."
"Why did you do it in the first place!!"
"Observation. This is new to me, Kaveh. I'm trying to figure it out, so some mistakes are bound to happen. Why can't you just have some grace and move on?"
"Just what have you been observing Alhaitham? A-are you some kind of pervert?"
Alhaitham's eyes darkened. "No, I'm not. You really think so low of me all because I made one mistake? You're impossible."
"That's it. I'm leaving. I'm going back inside," Kaveh stood and promptly stumbled back on his butt from the tipsiness, but made to stand again.
"Kaveh!!!" Alhaitham grabbed Kaveh's arm tightly to hold him steady, dead serious in his tone. They were on a rooftop!! "Be careful - don't push me away, I know you're mad at me, but please don't push me away right now - I'll let go of you when we're inside." He was genuinely scared at this moment that Kaveh was gonna fall off the roof and break his neck.
"Fine fine ok ok," Kaveh conceded mercifully.
They got back inside without incident, and Alhaitham let go.
Then Kaveh took Alhaitham's hand and led them both to the drinking fountain. They both drank water.
"Ah. Ah, archons I need to piss. Wait here a minute?" Kaveh said.
Alhaitham rolled his eyes. "Just go."
After returning from the bathroom Kaveh took Alhaitham's hand again and led his junior back to his dorm. It wasn't usual for them to hold hands like this, but with the intoxication it just felt so natural in the moment that neither questioned it.
In front of Alhaitham's dorm door they stopped.
Kaveh squeezed Alhaitham's hand.
"Alhaitham... About the kiss... We were just drinking for the first time, so let's forget it happened, kay?"
"Sure. Fine by me," Alhaitham said. Even as he felt himself swallowing a strange lump in his throat.
Kaveh flashed him a sleepy smile. "Thanks for spending time with me on your birthday. Happy birthday!"
"Sure." Alhaitham was just glad Kaveh wasn't still mad over the tongue thing.
Then Kaveh unexpectedly leaned into Alhaitham's ear, and whispered "forget this too-"
And kissed him softly, so sweetly on his lips. "Goodnight, gorgeous," Kaveh breathed with a smile against Alhaitham's lips.
Then he spun around and walked off.
Alhaitham watched his senior go and stood outside his door for a good while, thumbing his lip where Kaveh's soft lips had kissed him and for the first time in his life wishing it could be his birthday again tomorrow too.