[ Kaveh is a little more pleased than he ought to be, both about the tea and Alhaitham’s decision to let him cook. He likes to think he’s fairly decent at it, and while Kaveh doesn’t cook for himself a whole lot, it’s different having someone else to cook for. ]
What sort of food do you like? Savory, spicy?
[ There’s a similar enthusiasm that Kaveh has for his projects, or things he’s passionate about. Odd, because he isn’t particularly passionate about cooking, no more than most people. ]
[ Alhaitham can pick up the scent of Kaveh's enthusiasm and it makes him happy. He has to contain himself from letting out a soft, pleased rumble in response and instead just swallows it down and tries to be... cool. He can be cool. He wants to pounce Kaveh and scent him until he's delirious but he's also not an animal. ]
Savory. Spicy in moderation. I like things with a good divide between meat and vegetables.
[ Idly, he can't help but imagine what it'd be like to eat Kaveh's cooking. Maybe he can convince Kaveh to sit in his lap and feed him... probably not, but a man can dream, no? ]
[ Increasingly often, Kaveh finds himself forgetting about Alhaitham’s initial intention to court him, along with the complicated relationship of student-professor that he should perhaps be more mindful of. It feels like Alhaitham is a friend, and Kaveh is comfortable enough that he isn’t wary any longer of accepting gifts, or getting a little closer than he would with others.
He likes learning more about Alhaitham, too.
The kitchen opens to the living space, so they can still talk; Kaveh decides some kind of spicy stir fry might do well — quick and with a good balance, like Alhaitham says. It won’t take him long to prepare. ]
Do you enjoy cooking?
[ Smalltalk, but genuine. Kaveh likes to talk, as Alhaitham has no doubt come to understand very well. ]
[ With Kaveh moving about the kitchen and it being so close, Alhaitham decides to move. He takes his mug of tea and moves close to Kaveh, leaning against the kitchen counter as he sips his tea and watches Kaveh. He just... craved to be closer is all and so that's why he moved, even if he might be a little in the way now that he's here. ]
Mm, it's a bit utilitarian for me. I don't do it for pleasure, just to cook what I need to eat. When I move out of the dorms, I might feel differently.
[ Idly, he thinks when I move in with you and decides then to get a place with a nice big kitchen for Kaveh to cook all he wants in. It's probably a little presumptuous but Kaveh doesn't police his thoughts. ]
[ Kaveh tsks, a noise almost lost in the chopping of vegetables. Of course that would be the answer he gets. Cooking isn’t Kaveh’s favorite activity, but trying new things makes it fun — it shouldn’t be a utilitarian thing. ]
If I’m going to cook a meal, it will be something interesting. Although, I suppose I enjoy eating more than cooking.
[ But in order to eat the foods he likes, he has to cook them… when he feels up to it. A lot of the time, it’s takeout or snacks, when he’s focused on a project and can’t drag himself away from it.
Oddly enough, he finds that he prefers Alhaitham being closer, rather than sitting far away. ]
[ The slight offense in Kaveh's words just makes Alhaitham smile just a little into his mug of tea as he takes another sip. Kaveh is so... cute. Getting to know him has been great, has really made it even more definitive for Alhaitham. They're meant to be together, he doesn't care what anyone says, not even Kaveh. He'll let him drag this out as long as he wants, but they're going to be together in the end. ]
Then I hope to eat even more of your meals, professor.
[ He imagines it now — Kaveh will cook the meals and Alhaitham will wash the dishes. A healthy division of labor when they're living together. He thinks it'll be nice. Some alphas definitely prefer their omegas to do all the house chores but Alhaitham doesn't think that's very fair and it's definitely not his preference, so. ]
[ Kaveh, for one, believes in an equal division of labor when it comes to partners, no matter their designation. It's one of the reasons some find him 'undesirable', and other want to change his mind. He remains stubborn and steadfast in everything he believes, but somehow, that has not deterred Alhaitham from hanging out with him, as Kaveh had suspected it would. ]
You say that, but I could be a terrible cook, for all you know.
[ But the politeness, and the confidence, is cute. Somehow, Kaveh has come to find Alhaitham endearing, not that he's dwelled on that fact in the slightest. Ah... maybe a few nights when he's had a bit too much to drink, spilling his guts to his favorite bartender. But nothing sober.
The scent of cooking food quickly fills the apartment, and Kaveh is quite liberal with the way he spices things. How long has it been since he cooked for someone else? He's shared several meals with Alhaitham, but those had all been at restaurants. This... this is his own space. He won't think too much about the implications that might come from that. ]
[ It's all the things that make Kaveh undesirable to others that make him very desirable to Alhaitham. He can't imagine having an omega who was some simpering thing that did everything at his beck and call. No better than a servant. That's not what he wants. He wants a partner, as equal as they can be.
He likes the biological separations though. The scent of an omega. The heat they experience. The taste of their slick. He can't wait to be able to have Kaveh in all those different ways instead. In fact, the thought alone makes his scent a little warmer though he tries to get his mind off the more illicit thoughts. ]
You won't be. You put too much care in the things that you do for cooking to be something you're terrible at.
[ Said matter of factly, like it's a simple truth. Because for Alhaitham, it is. Kaveh is just good at the things he does, because he cares. It should be obvious to anyone with a brain, but unfortunately those are in short supply around here. ]
[ Undeniably, Kaveh is also attracted to alphas in the same way Alhaitham is omegas. Still, he does not believe that should trump feelings, and so Kaveh will fight against those urges if he feels they don’t suit him.
…although… it seems Alhaitham might suit him well, as much as Kaveh remains willfully oblivious to the fact. Kaveh raises a brow at Alhaitham’s words, but he is very visibly pleased at the comment. He has begun to not bother hiding his scent as much around Alhaitham lately. ]
Reserve your praise — though it is deserved — for after you try it.
[ Alhaitham catches Kaveh's pleased feeling on his scent and it's almost enough to make him smile. He doesn't though but it definitely make his own scent warm a little with pleasure. Ahh, he could bury his face in Kaveh's throat if he could but he knows better than to make that happen without consent.
Bah. He's really getting tired of holding back. ]
Then I will make sure it is effusive.
[ He takes a sip of his tea again, realizing he's finished the mug and moves around Kaveh to put the mug in the sink. As he moves around Kaveh, his hand settles on the small of Kaveh's back, set there for the moment as Alhaitham places the mug down. Then he pulls back and hovers behind Kaveh, hand moving from his back to his waist as he sniffs the air over his shoulder both for his food and his scent. ]
[ There’s a jolt of warmth up Kaveh’s spine when he feels Alhaitham’s hand on his back. Generally, he would never allow this sort of overly-familiar touching, but… he excuses it, warm-faced, and doesn’t comment. Nor does he shake Alhaitham off when that hand moves to his waist.
Kaveh can smell Alhaitham. He could before, but up close like this, it is more apparent than ever. It’s a scent he’s grown used to — fond of, even, if he lets himself admit it — and even the fragrant spices don’t diminish Alhaitham’s scent.
He suspects the alpha is not only talking about the food. ]
If you want to help, you can get plates.
[ Kaveh angles his head towards a cabinet door, figuring that’s likely a safe way to maintain space between them when everything in Kaveh is telling him to allow it. ]
[ Alhaitham doesn't want to pull back from Kaveh. He'd much rather stay right here and continue smelling him all he wants. But he knows a dismissal when he hears one and that's the only reason he has survived so far in his pursuit of Kaveh. So, he takes a step back, drops his hand from Kaveh's waist and nods. ]
Plates it is.
[ He'll move in the small space then to reach the cabinet with the plates, pulling them out with practiced ease even if he's never been in the space before. It just feels familiar to him, like this is his mate's den and he's just making himself comfortable in it. Which, to be fair, it kind of is and he kind of is too. ]
[ Kaveh instinctively misses the touch, though he's still trying to tell himself it's nothing. He's simply someone who enjoys physical contact, and has not enjoyed it in quite a while. No matter the fact that Alhaitham's scent makes his cheeks warm.
He fits so comfortably in Kaveh's apartment, too. Like he belongs there. He doesn't, Kaveh reminds himself, but... ]
Here.
[ He serves Alhaitham a generous portion, and a strange anxiousness settles on him. Like he's concerned with how Alhaitham will enjoy the food. Kaveh brushes that off, too. ]
Would you like anything to drink? I generally have wine with dinner.
[ A bit too much wine. He can make more tea, too. ]
[ Alhaitham is happy to take the plate of food, picking up both of their servings with his hands and nodding towards the couch. ]
Should I take these to the couch for us to eat or is there somewhere else you'd prefer to eat?
[ He notices the little dining table, but it wouldn't be as cozy as eating next to each other on the couch. In his heart of hearts, he wants to see if he can figure out a way he can convince Kaveh to feed him himself. ]
And wine is good with me, thanks.
[ Maybe if he gets a bit of wine in Kaveh, he'll be easier to convince into it. ]
The couch is fine. I'm not fussy about where we eat as long as you don't spill.
[ With that, he gives Alhaitham a pointed look. No stains on the couch or the rug. He paid a lot for that rug. It doesn't cross Kaveh's mind to examine how the couch seems preferable to him, where he'd normally select the dining table with anyone else.
In the meantime, he pours two glasses of wine. He will try very hard not to overindulge, not with a guest over, but Kaveh does enjoy a bit of wine. ]
[ There's the slightest quirk of Alhaitham's lips upward as Kaveh agrees to the couch and he'll bring both of their plates to the couch, setting them on the coffee table while he leaves Kaveh to bring the wine glasses and the bottle over, if he wants.
It's only when they're both settled on the couch that Alhaitham finally tries the food. He's sitting next to Kaveh, close enough that their shoulders are pressed against each other. Just happenstance, truly. But then he's picking up the fork and taking a bite of the stir fry and, huh, this is really good.
He takes a few more bites, making a pleased noise before looking at Kaveh. ]
[ Oh, he's certainly bringing the bottle. Kaveh never ends with just one glass of wine.
They're sitting awfully close, which Kaveh tries to ignore; he tells himself it's only because... because the couch isn't all that big, and he doesn't like it. But also, he doesn't hate it either.
He watches Alhaitham closely, and then beams when his cooking is given approval. ]
I don't cook often, so I'm glad I've still got it.
[ It's only then that he takes a bite of his own food. And then a sip of wine. ]
[ Alhaitham doesn't know how to subtly get Kaveh to feed him. He wants it to happen, can't stop picturing it in his head, but he also knows that Kaveh is still on guard around him a little bit. So, he eats his food and his eyes flicker over Kaveh, taking him in, considering.
He'll sip the wine too, slower though, not as interested in it as he is in Kaveh. For now, he's quite comfortable in Kaveh's company, at least. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
What sort of food do you like? Savory, spicy?
[ There’s a similar enthusiasm that Kaveh has for his projects, or things he’s passionate about. Odd, because he isn’t particularly passionate about cooking, no more than most people. ]
no subject
Savory. Spicy in moderation. I like things with a good divide between meat and vegetables.
[ Idly, he can't help but imagine what it'd be like to eat Kaveh's cooking. Maybe he can convince Kaveh to sit in his lap and feed him... probably not, but a man can dream, no? ]
no subject
He likes learning more about Alhaitham, too.
The kitchen opens to the living space, so they can still talk; Kaveh decides some kind of spicy stir fry might do well — quick and with a good balance, like Alhaitham says. It won’t take him long to prepare. ]
Do you enjoy cooking?
[ Smalltalk, but genuine. Kaveh likes to talk, as Alhaitham has no doubt come to understand very well. ]
no subject
Mm, it's a bit utilitarian for me. I don't do it for pleasure, just to cook what I need to eat. When I move out of the dorms, I might feel differently.
[ Idly, he thinks when I move in with you and decides then to get a place with a nice big kitchen for Kaveh to cook all he wants in. It's probably a little presumptuous but Kaveh doesn't police his thoughts. ]
What about you?
no subject
If I’m going to cook a meal, it will be something interesting. Although, I suppose I enjoy eating more than cooking.
[ But in order to eat the foods he likes, he has to cook them… when he feels up to it. A lot of the time, it’s takeout or snacks, when he’s focused on a project and can’t drag himself away from it.
Oddly enough, he finds that he prefers Alhaitham being closer, rather than sitting far away. ]
no subject
Then I hope to eat even more of your meals, professor.
[ He imagines it now — Kaveh will cook the meals and Alhaitham will wash the dishes. A healthy division of labor when they're living together. He thinks it'll be nice. Some alphas definitely prefer their omegas to do all the house chores but Alhaitham doesn't think that's very fair and it's definitely not his preference, so. ]
no subject
You say that, but I could be a terrible cook, for all you know.
[ But the politeness, and the confidence, is cute. Somehow, Kaveh has come to find Alhaitham endearing, not that he's dwelled on that fact in the slightest. Ah... maybe a few nights when he's had a bit too much to drink, spilling his guts to his favorite bartender. But nothing sober.
The scent of cooking food quickly fills the apartment, and Kaveh is quite liberal with the way he spices things. How long has it been since he cooked for someone else? He's shared several meals with Alhaitham, but those had all been at restaurants. This... this is his own space. He won't think too much about the implications that might come from that. ]
no subject
He likes the biological separations though. The scent of an omega. The heat they experience. The taste of their slick. He can't wait to be able to have Kaveh in all those different ways instead. In fact, the thought alone makes his scent a little warmer though he tries to get his mind off the more illicit thoughts. ]
You won't be. You put too much care in the things that you do for cooking to be something you're terrible at.
[ Said matter of factly, like it's a simple truth. Because for Alhaitham, it is. Kaveh is just good at the things he does, because he cares. It should be obvious to anyone with a brain, but unfortunately those are in short supply around here. ]
no subject
…although… it seems Alhaitham might suit him well, as much as Kaveh remains willfully oblivious to the fact. Kaveh raises a brow at Alhaitham’s words, but he is very visibly pleased at the comment. He has begun to not bother hiding his scent as much around Alhaitham lately. ]
Reserve your praise — though it is deserved — for after you try it.
no subject
Bah. He's really getting tired of holding back. ]
Then I will make sure it is effusive.
[ He takes a sip of his tea again, realizing he's finished the mug and moves around Kaveh to put the mug in the sink. As he moves around Kaveh, his hand settles on the small of Kaveh's back, set there for the moment as Alhaitham places the mug down. Then he pulls back and hovers behind Kaveh, hand moving from his back to his waist as he sniffs the air over his shoulder both for his food and his scent. ]
Smells good.
[ Which part? Both. Both, of course. ]
no subject
Kaveh can smell Alhaitham. He could before, but up close like this, it is more apparent than ever. It’s a scent he’s grown used to — fond of, even, if he lets himself admit it — and even the fragrant spices don’t diminish Alhaitham’s scent.
He suspects the alpha is not only talking about the food. ]
If you want to help, you can get plates.
[ Kaveh angles his head towards a cabinet door, figuring that’s likely a safe way to maintain space between them when everything in Kaveh is telling him to allow it. ]
no subject
Plates it is.
[ He'll move in the small space then to reach the cabinet with the plates, pulling them out with practiced ease even if he's never been in the space before. It just feels familiar to him, like this is his mate's den and he's just making himself comfortable in it. Which, to be fair, it kind of is and he kind of is too. ]
no subject
He fits so comfortably in Kaveh's apartment, too. Like he belongs there. He doesn't, Kaveh reminds himself, but... ]
Here.
[ He serves Alhaitham a generous portion, and a strange anxiousness settles on him. Like he's concerned with how Alhaitham will enjoy the food. Kaveh brushes that off, too. ]
Would you like anything to drink? I generally have wine with dinner.
[ A bit too much wine. He can make more tea, too. ]
no subject
Should I take these to the couch for us to eat or is there somewhere else you'd prefer to eat?
[ He notices the little dining table, but it wouldn't be as cozy as eating next to each other on the couch. In his heart of hearts, he wants to see if he can figure out a way he can convince Kaveh to feed him himself. ]
And wine is good with me, thanks.
[ Maybe if he gets a bit of wine in Kaveh, he'll be easier to convince into it. ]
no subject
[ With that, he gives Alhaitham a pointed look. No stains on the couch or the rug. He paid a lot for that rug. It doesn't cross Kaveh's mind to examine how the couch seems preferable to him, where he'd normally select the dining table with anyone else.
In the meantime, he pours two glasses of wine. He will try very hard not to overindulge, not with a guest over, but Kaveh does enjoy a bit of wine. ]
no subject
It's only when they're both settled on the couch that Alhaitham finally tries the food. He's sitting next to Kaveh, close enough that their shoulders are pressed against each other. Just happenstance, truly. But then he's picking up the fork and taking a bite of the stir fry and, huh, this is really good.
He takes a few more bites, making a pleased noise before looking at Kaveh. ]
It's good, I like it.
no subject
They're sitting awfully close, which Kaveh tries to ignore; he tells himself it's only because... because the couch isn't all that big, and he doesn't like it. But also, he doesn't hate it either.
He watches Alhaitham closely, and then beams when his cooking is given approval. ]
I don't cook often, so I'm glad I've still got it.
[ It's only then that he takes a bite of his own food. And then a sip of wine. ]
no subject
You do.
[ Alhaitham doesn't know how to subtly get Kaveh to feed him. He wants it to happen, can't stop picturing it in his head, but he also knows that Kaveh is still on guard around him a little bit. So, he eats his food and his eyes flicker over Kaveh, taking him in, considering.
He'll sip the wine too, slower though, not as interested in it as he is in Kaveh. For now, he's quite comfortable in Kaveh's company, at least. ]