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Sightseeing, in accordance with the instructions we were given when we obtained the cards.

[Hmm... makes sense...]

So what happened?

The dragon's attack broke some of the trees branches onto the floor.
Roxana was wearing heels at the time, and she asked for my aid to walk around the broken branches underneath the tree. So I gave it to her.

[ which is... weird... considering that he doesn't normally help others for no reason or benefit. he didn't need to pair up with someone to complete the square. ]

Edited (fuck) 2023-05-25 06:56 (UTC)

[It is kind of weird, but Kaveh has no idea what to make of it, or why Alhaitham is telling him this with such bizarre gravitas. ...Then again, maybe Kaveh's overthinking it--he can't tell Alhaitham's tone over text, after all.]

...
Congratulations on your newfound altruism?

[It's not the most mature response, but he doesn't know what Alhaitham is expecting him to say.]

It wasn't altruism.
All I know for certain is that I felt compelled to act strangely.

[ ... ]

In short, when we were finished with our walk, the two of us kissed.

Edited 2023-05-25 15:54 (UTC)

[Oh. Oh.

Well. That explains all the weirdness.

The words are so foreign that it takes Kaveh three tries to actually process them--once he does, he very nearly drops his phone about it. It takes him even longer to figure out how to respond, which means it's his turn to leave Alhaitham on read temporarily.

If Alhaitham had phrased it any other way, Kaveh would... well. Not respond at all, maybe? Say something vague, hedging around any genuine conveyance with the full force of his denial. Conjure up a thousand different readings of this situation, none of which would be accurate and all of which he would internalize anyway, because that's just how he is. Maybe later, alone with his thoughts, he still might sit, and doubt, and wonder.

For now, though--Alhaitham phrased it perfectly, because Kaveh fixates on the right thing: That it was unnatural in a way that unsettled Alhaitham, insomuch as Alhaitham can be thrown off. Once he's over the initial shock and the swell of complicated, confusing feelings, he texts back with single-minded concern.]

Compelled? Then, how are you feeling now? Should I come over?

[And do... what, exactly, he doesn't know, but it doesn't matter. If Alhaitham needs help, he'll go without question.]

[ unfortunately for nats and pixis, there's no way that alhaitham wouldn't have been comprehensive with his explanation. that's just his nature.

if there was another part of him that sought to give context to kaveh for another reason, like avoiding misunderstandings about alhaitham's intentions... it's not one easily identified through text. as far as kaveh knows, he's only avoiding future awkwardness. there's no doubt alhaitham would have gotten an earful if kaveh found out about it later.

that pause, though. kaveh could be simply processing the awkwardness of the situation. the roommate you disdain just kissed your cousin. how would anyone respond to that? kaveh could also be busy, but his heart is too sensitive and his attention can be razor-sharp. he wouldn't be distracted from conversations like these.

alhaitham huffs through his nose. of course kaveh's immediate recourse would be to tend to him first and foremost. should i come over? alhaitham skims the line several times, unable to escape the implication that kaveh would be who he needs, like he would rush to him if alhaitham only asked him to. ]

I'm fine. My mental state seems back to normal.
However, after [ pause ] it happened, I suddenly succumbed to a dizzy spell. I waited until it mostly passed before returning to the dorms.
I've been eating lightly since then. I should be back to normal in a day or two.

[In another lifetime, this would be a perfect opportunity to tease Alhaitham. If the situation wasn't so unsettling, if their relationship wasn't... the way it is, it would be easy to say something light-hearted, like I didn't know my junior was so easily flustered or What, don't tell me your first kiss was under duress. But Kaveh's worry is genuine, and Alhaitham's words don't make him feel any better.

(And... well. They're not like that. Kaveh's thoughts and feelings about it are irrelevant in the face of facts, as Alhaitham so loves to remind him.)]

Are you sure? If you still feel affected even outside of that game world, shouldn't you check with a doctor, just in case?

[ two idiots, both influenced by their relationship being "the way it is." there's a quiver of feeling as alhaitham keeps reading kaveh's messages, concurrent discomfort and satisfaction. kaveh is attentive to everyone's needs, always, but the fact that kaveh still finds room to be like this with alhaitham reminds him of bygone days. ]

There's no need. Slight residual discomfort from a video game doesn't warrant a trip to the hospital.
It doesn't help that we experience this game and life "outside" of it in the same manner, with the same capacity for physical ailments.

[Well, when he puts it like that, Kaveh feels a little stupid for being concerned--which, of course, makes him grumble.]

must you logic your way through everything?

[WHY COULDN'T ALHAITHAM BE SMALL AND CUTE AND SAY "THANKS FOR WORRYING ABOUT ME SENIOR KAVEH"... tch...

...And okay, look, maybe Kaveh knows he's purposely focused on the wrong things here. But they are in a situation with a countless number of unknown variables, after all. Kaveh doesn't want to seem paranoid, but he also doesn't know what he'll do if something happens to Alhaitham because he didn't push hard enough.

(It doesn't matter that Alhaitham is a grown man, fully responsible for himself. It's never mattered.)]

...Just keep an eye on it, alright? And don't put off going to the doctor just because it's too much of a hassle. [Nag nag grumble nag. A short delay, but then--] I do think Roxana would be your best bet at getting answers about this flower dilemma of yours, but I can talk to her if you'd rather not.

[Even if Alhaitham isn't easily rattled, and is probably more concerned about the mind fuckery from the game world rather than anything to do with Roxana.]

Edited 2023-06-05 21:03 (UTC)

[ kaveh wouldn't be into him if he was all nice and he knows it... he needs someone who can kick his ass (alhaitham) (even if kaveh doesn't necessarily want it sometimes)

but kaveh isn't stupid for being concerned about him. alhaitham is left ruminating on it for a moment, thinking about their odd situation, the very few people they even recognize, the uncertainty in ever finding a way home. somehow the two of them are here together again. it's only natural to cling to what you know and want to keep it safe, isn't it?

except it's more complicated than that, he knows. at least for himself. if the tables were turned in this situation... ]

I'll contact Roxana. This is my issue to solve, and I've been meaning to meet with her again anyway.
And I'll visit the doctor's office if the problem somehow worsens, though I'll have to come up with a plausible explanation for what happened.

[ "i nearly passed out in my video game" doesn't really cut it. or maybe it will?

... ]

I appreciate your concern, even if it's entirely unnecessary.
Just be wary of this the next time you log in.

[DON'T POINT IT OUT... LET HIM HIDE AND BE BAD AT BEING TSUNTSUN

Like now, when he shifts uncomfortably, cycling through about 7 different responses in his head of varying levels of honesty, care, and sass.]

...Right.

[Probably the most pathetic response to land on, but anything else would feel too... telling. So he leaves it at that for now, but makes a mental note to check on Alhaitham in person later and judge for himself whether everything seems alright.]

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