featheradrift | Inbox (The City)

[Kaveh attempts to tip his head back and Alhaitham's grip flexes as he holds it still.] Which you know is not entirely avoidable in this place, and that's why we're warning him. If it does come down to it, Yuu is sure to be a better match against her. He has centuries more experience than either of us, right?

[ The last of the clips finally come out of Kaveh's hair, and he takes a moment to run his fingers through the locks to untangle them and smooth them out. There. He places the last clip on the table and steps back to give them room. ]

In the Abyss. You wouldn't even be able to imagine the creatures I've fought.

[ But that was when he still had his latent abilities, and the upgrades the Doctor had given him. As he is right now, he isn't sure he'd last more than a few weeks in the Abyss. Actually, he would do his damn best to last far longer. There is absolutely no way, even in this state, he'd allow himself to lose to that waste of space Tartaglia in strength. He has his pride as a former Fatui Harbinger. ]

You worry too much, Kaveh. Worry about yourself.

[ the last of the clips comes loose. the way yuu cards his fingers through his hair is gentle. gentle, much in the way he works the minute fragments of the forge, gentle, much in the way he sets down his dishes for a meal. in the abyss, he says, you wouldn't even be able imagine the creatures i've fought.

kaveh closes his eyes. the back of his eyelids burn. ]

You can't posit that I worry too much and that I ought to use that worry for myself. If you'd like me to reduce my overall worry, then stay safe, and preferably without a stab wound to your name. Or I will fuss, as you and Alhaitham like to put it, and that's both promise and threat.

[The clips are finally undone and Yuu cards Kaveh's hair. Alhaitham brings his hands down to Kaveh's shoulders, and then off completely.]

Speaking of that, I think it's time for us to properly deal with our own injuries. Surely anyone else can be warned by a call.

A promise and a threat. Must it always be both at the same time?

[ He rolls his eyes with a slight tinge of fondness. It's almost a catchphrase of his now. Like he knows how much of a menace he can be. How much he rubs the drifter the wrong way sometimes, with the overbearing consideration he has for him. ]

Need me to grab anything?

When I've stubborn fools to impress myself upon, why would I have anything less than both?

[ says kaveh, tart and right-quick. but it is also kaveh's way to open his mouth protest - ]

We have first aid at our apartment. [Alhaitham leans over to scoop Kaveh's clips up from the table, slipping them into his belt pouch.] I wouldn't have him ignore things this long if we needed anything more than that.

[ Hm. Too far for him to retrieve. They're not unable to walk. It would be simpler if they went home. ]

Okay. Let's go.

[ But he does intend on accompanying them, in case Kromer launches another ambush or if someone else has violence on their agenda today. ]

Let me? [ kaveh says, incredulous. and then, in that exact same tone: ] Let's go?

[ kaveh looks between alhaitham and wanderer as if he isn't certain who to get terribly annoyed at first. but he uses alhaitham's shoulder as leverage to stand, and then, holding back a wince at the gash in his leg, tilts his head out towards the exit. ] Well, I suppose I'd rather you come with us than not, Yuu, given that we don't know where Kromer is and there's safety in numbers. That's alright. You, Alhaitham - what makes you think you could stop me from doing as we needed to?

["Let's go" Yuu says. Alhaitham's gaze moves around the two of them and the restaurant as he considers that before he just shrugs. Kaveh winces as he rises first. Alhaitham narrows his eyes.]

Hmm, maybe this. [It's all at once the way he hooks his arm behind Kaveh's knees as he stands, lifting him right off his feet as the other catches his back and then he's tucked securely into Alhaitham's arms.]

Alright, let's go. [And he immediately walks for the exit, Kaveh in hand.]

[ Oh, how cute. He can already hear how Kaveh will squawk and protest but for all that he is a hurricane at times, other times, he is like a whimpering whisper who can be stopped by something as small as this.

The drifter jogs slightly ahead of them so he can turn around to face them, walking backwards, for one purpose. He whips out his phone and activates the Kamera function, holding it just still enough to get a clear shot of the pair. A couple of snaps later, he tucks away the phone and turns as if he didn't just do that. Time to be alert for danger. ]

Edited 2024-01-22 00:54 (UTC)

[ all of a sudden, kaveh's feet are no longer touching the ground. ]

Alhaitham! [ and then, in that self-same tone: ] Yuu!! [ as the kamera flash goes off and kaveh realises he's being ping-ponged between two irreverently rude juniors. how, kaveh thinks, with some measure of despair, how did it come to this? ] Delete that! The distance and angle is entirely wrong, I'm willing to bet you've half the building in that frame. Alhaitham, I can walk, put me down, you brute. As if you're not just as injured as I am - I saw her go for your arm!

[What Yuu gets within the frame: Alhaitham, looking at Kaveh in his arms as they leave the restaurant door to swing shut behind them. The slight tense in his grip to keep Kaveh in place as he flusters. The curve of his eyes as the amusement waxes and wanes across it.]

The wound on your leg is bothering you. [An establishment. And then, softer, a plea:] Let me.

[ The drifter laughs quietly at Kaveh's indignation but doesn't turn around to respond, only waving his hand to indicate that he heard the architect. The two of them could have their tender moment. Or, Alhaitham could try and Kaveh would probably continue screeching.

He monitors their surroundings as they walk. He doubted Kromer, or anyone else, would be foolish enough to attack them, but it never paid to be negligent. ]

[ 'let me', alhaitham says.

kaveh sucks in a breath sharp enough to cut. for a moment, there is nothing. and then: ]

... fine. [ he says. he says this with the breath of a man still living in that singular, frozen moment, hovering over a plate of liver with the odd power to decide the fate of five lives in the mix. kaveh's hand tightens where it's wound into alhaitham's collar. then, finally, he allows his arm around alhaitham's neck, so he can hold himself there. ] It's not that bad, really. It hardly hurts.

Of course, you're just indulging me. [It's a gentle murmur that speaks the motion he can't quite make. Let him, and Kaveh allows him to care.

His gaze lifts forward. Yuu handles most of the scouting.

Alhaitham doesn't falter the whole way back. Not once across half a district and up three apartment floors. It's a safe venture. There was little chance it wouldn't be.

They stop in front of the door. Alhaitham minutely shifts his hold.] Kaveh, do you have your key? Otherwise one of you grab mine out of my belt pouch, please.

[ The Wanderer looks over to Kaveh expectantly. Even if Kaveh confirms he doesn't have the key, he's not about to reach into Alhaitham's belt pouch and put himself way too close to the scribe. There's a reason his hat is as wide as it is. ]

[ the walk back is simultaneously the longest road taken and the shortest route chosen. kaveh looks up to see their apartment building loom. the elevator is a stifling silence cloistered in the warm cove of alhaitham's arms. there is nothing to say, and everything to say, and into the silence, kaveh casts his consternation. he is just indulging alhaitham, but they've always done so for each other.

their door is a mosaicked pattern, doorframe carefully wrought to resemble sumeran patterns depicting repeating moorish-style geometric patterns. kaveh looks to yuu, then to alhaitham, and grimaces as he slips his hand into alhaitham's pouch for the key. he tosses it to yuu so he can open their door, his head tipped against alhaitham's shoulder. ]

... sorry for this, Yuu. We came to warn you, but it seems you were on guard duty in this entire time. Would you like to stay the night at least? It's relative safety, in this city.

[Alhaitham waits until Yuu unlocks the door before striding in. Their conversation, he thinks, they can have while he carries Kaveh to the divan and sets him down on it.

Then he leaves for a couple minutes to retrieve the first aid from the bathroom. He sits down next to Kaveh, unpacking it before gesturing for Kaveh to roll up his pantleg.]

[ The Wanderer catches the keys without fuss and opens the door, stepping back to let the pair enter first before he follows. He gently closes the door behind himself, ensuring it's properly locked before setting aside his hat and leaning against the wall nearby the entrance. Ever vigilant against danger.

The Wanderer considers Kaveh's offer for a moment. If he mentions that he doesn't sleep at all, Kaveh is going to kick up a fuss, isn't he? And if he rejects the offer... he'll also kick up a fuss, won't he? Despite knowing that he is a puppet, and was created by a god. ]

...Fine.

[ But he doesn't budge from his vigil next to the door. ]

[ fine, says yuu. the word is a single, drawn-out, dragged out acquiescence. kaveh knows he is being humoured. the smile he offers yuu is all the same, gratitude and relief into one. he rolls up his pantleg to let alhaitham begin tending to the cut on his leg. the blood has dried, leaving it merely exposed, paper-thin scabs crusted like gems. it reminds kaveh, he realises, of oripathy crystals. the reminder is not a kind one.

instead, he tips his chin up to yuu. ]

I'll prepare one of the divans for you. Feel free to use our apartment as you need and as you like.

[Alhaitham pops upon the aid kit. He lines up gauze and cotton pads and disinfectant and a towel, and gets to work cleaning the leg wound first. Just enough alcohol to clear the blood and bacteria, not too much pressure.]

Kaveh will feel much better with you here. [He starts, without looking up. The gauze is unwound.] Maybe he'll even sleep tonight.

[Alhaitham knows he doesn't exactly plan to. He'll stare at the ceiling until the weight of his thoughts becomes too much and then set to pace around the apartment or drink his thoughts away. Alhaitham may not sleep either.]

[ It's at this that he pauses, and then gives Alhaitham a flat look. He's on to you buddy. He knows exactly what Alhaitham is doing. And worse, he's soft enough to let it work. Because it's Alhaitham making the request, no matter how indirect it is, and because he's not lying, Kaveh probably would sleep better knowing the drifter is safe and not about to run off to get himself in trouble.

Perhaps the most mortifying of all realizations is that Alhaitham thinks he would acquiesce because he cares. But Alhaitham has always been far too perceptive, especially if it stands to benefit him, and the Wanderer's affection for him and Kaveh is certainly something he would benefit from.

His ears burn with the knowledge of being seen by the scribe, which he tries to dispel with a loud exhale of displeasure. ]

I said I would, didn't I?? Leave me alone.

[ He pushes off from the wall and vanishes into the kitchen. ]

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