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“Ok, now the back,” Kaveh turns his head swiftly, facing the vanity mirror with an expected look. He presents his hair to Alhaitham, brushed and styled into an over the top up-do all held together with 32 pins.
Frankly, Alhaitham finds himself impressed by how it managed to last the whole night.
“Bold of you to assume i’d help simply because you tell me to,” despite his words, Alhaitham’s hands grasp onto the gold locks, pulling at a pin.
“Ah- gentle! Gentle!” Kaveh hisses, gripping at his own hair. He leans back, following Alhaitham’s hand as if to try and ease the pull from the pin. Alhaitham doesn’t bother with a verbal response, but his movements slow, heeding Kaveh’s words.
Despite his best efforts, it snags a strand of hair or two along with it.
“31 to go.”
“Oh dont exaggerate. Theres only 13 pins in there,” Kaveh rolls his eyes at him through the mirror, massaging his scalp a little.
“If that’s how you react after one, can you handle the rest?”
“Quit the dramatics and get on with it,” Kaveh demands, pouting instead, “im tired as it is.”
Alhaitham hums, “I take it you’ll be sleeping early tonight?” He plucks out another pin, faster than the last. Warmth spreads through his chest and a faint smile wounds its way to his lips at the thought of having Kaveh close tonight.
It’s not as if sharing a bed is rare, it happens quite often. But not enough for Alhaitham’s liking — often having their nightly cuddle session interrupted by Kaveh’s sudden spark of inspiration, or Kaveh simply doesn’t show up to bed till it’s dawn and the birds are chirping and Alhaitham is due to wake up in the next hour or so.
Sometimes Alhaitham finds himself rather jealous of Kaveh’s clients. Sometimes he’s jealous of his study, the desk, the chair, the parchment paper, inks and charcoal. They get to see Kaveh more often than Alhaitham does.
“Of course, I wont be running away tonight, if that’s what you mean.”
Alhaitham smiles. Of course Kaveh deduced the words behind his question. His feelings certainly haven’t been a secret.
Another moment later, Alhaitham pulls out the very last pin. He watches Kaveh’s hair cascade down his back, uncurling themselves from the bun and falling rather elegantly, almost mesmerisingly.
“There were 15 pins.”
“Shut it Alhaitham.” Kaveh bites back, clearly not in the mood for his teasing. He picks up a hairbrush from the desk, setting to work through the knots.
“Oh? You won’t ask me to do it?” Alhaitham couldnt help but ask.
“I don’t trust you enough to treat my hair with the delicacy it needs right now. Go get changed instead.”
Alhaitham hums, stepping away from Kaveh and to the wardrobe. He’s right, Alhaitham should change out of these clothes.
“Your last client’s project has been completed correct?” Alhaitham asks, fishing out his sleep wear.
“Yes, but i do have a meeting tomorrow as well.”
“Oh?”
“He wants me to meet an acquaintance of his. You could say it’s networking,” Kaveh explains and sighs, shoulders dropping as he finally places the hairbrush on the desk. He stands from his chair, sauntering his way to Alhaitham. Eyes drooping, and body swaying slightly, Kaveh drapes his arms over his shoulders and leans into him. Alhaitham doesn’t hesistate to put a hand on his waist, steadying him as Kaveh rests their foreheads together.
Lips hardly apart, he says, “Come to bed, Haitham?”
That should be Alhaitham’s line.
He doesn’t bother responding, opting to leave a small peck on Kaveh’s lips instead, before manoeuvring to the bed so he could finish changing.
Naturally, he doesn’t take long, adjusting his sleep shirt and getting into bed. As he shuffles under the blanket, an arm wraps around his waist, pulling him closer. Alhaitham obliges, adjusting the two into a more comfortable position for the night.
“You’re ridiculously warm, you know,” Kaveh suddenly grumbles. He nuzzles further into him, shivering slightly as he hides his face in his chest, legs tangling together. It feels as though he’s trying to meld them together.
“But you seem to like it,” Alhaitham retorts. He gently cards his hand through his lover’s hair, massaging his scalp just the way Kaveh likes it. Their breathing evens, hearts slowing to a soothing beat — one which resembles the melody of sleep. He feels Kaveh’s lips move against his chest, breath hitting against the cloth. The words were muffled, but he could just about catch it.
“I just like you.”