Chapter 5: Sleep With Me

Overall, being boyfriends when they were already roommates didn't change much. In fact, Kaveh felt that he'd been robbed of something by already living with Alhaitham for a year before getting together. He didn't get to learn about his boyfriend's homelife in the cute way he'd always imagined, because it was a reality he'd been living, and Alhaitham's quirks often irked him.

However, he managed to find joy in the small changes. Before heading off to work, Alhaitham would kiss him. When he returned home, Alhaitham would hold him in his arms and sometimes say something nice (he couldn't expect to hear such things every day). Sometimes they'd cuddle just for the sake of it, because they wanted to be close to each other, and Kaveh feared that any day now Alhaitham would tire of it, so he was revelling in every moment. Then, at the end of the day, Alhaitham would kiss him goodnight, often accompanied by a look that melted Kaveh's heart (and if he was lucky, Alhaitham would run a hand through his hair before retiring to his room).

Once Kaveh was satisfied that Alhaitham actually, really, truly liked him, he tested the waters. He used Alhaitham's plate for lunch, and left it unwashed until dinnertime. Previously, this would have resulted in some sort of reaction from Alhaitham – either chewing Kaveh out with words, forcing him to wash it immediately, or staring him out until he realised his error. Today, Alhaitham took Kaveh's plate from the cupboard and said nothing, as if it didn't bother him in the slightest. He didn't mention it for the whole evening, or the next day.

So, Kaveh went further. He purposely took longer in the bathroom one morning.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham knocked on the door. Not a bang, just a polite knock. "How long will you be?"

"The door's unlocked," Kaveh called. "Just come in."

Alhaitham opened the door, eyes forward as he stepped towards the sink, not sparing a glance for the naked man in the tub (much to Kaveh's disappointment). He brushed his teeth, checked his hair, and turned to leave. It was too awkward to use the toilet – they weren't at that stage just yet – but with his own personal bathroom in the Grand Sage's office, he could let it slide. Kaveh couldn't believe he'd gotten away with it! But he also couldn't believe Alhaitham didn't even try to peek at him! Wasn't he even a little bit curious? Kaveh certainly wouldn't have had the willpower to keep his eyes to himself.

Kaveh thought a lot about that morning throughout the day. Was Alhaitham embarrassed to look at him? Or did he think he might pop a boner if he did so? Would looking spoil the surprise? Or was he really not interested?

He recalled the time they'd shared a bath in the hotel. Back then, Alhaitham had averted his eyes as much as possible, or maintained eye contact with Kaveh. Had Alhaitham known he'd liked him back then?

"Did you hear?" a researcher whispered as they organised the books they'd picked out. "The Grand Sage is seeing someone."

"Huh? You mean the Acting Grand Sage? Alhaitham?"

"Yeah. Reena saw him holding hands with someone the other night. He doesn't just hold hands with people, does he?"

Kaveh paused where he was before slowly moving to make sure he was hidden within the bookshelves.

"Reena said it was a blond man, just a bit shorter than the Acting Grand Sage, with hair just past his shoulders."

"Senior Kaveh?!" the other said in a hushed whisper. "I've only ever seen those two arguing."

"I know, right? I'd heard that the Light of Kshahrewar wasn't fussy, but the Acting Grand Sage? We all thought he was as asexual as they come."

"Yeah, that's true. I'd say Reena needs to get her eyes checked or invest in a kamera to prove it."

"Well, now I've told you, you can be on the lookout if you see either of them about."

The other researcher laughed. "You're just using me for gossip again. Come on, let's actually do some work."

Kaveh stared at the shelf in front of him. Right… Alhaitham had mentioned that once, hadn't he? When they'd been students and Kaveh had teased him about turning down a very pretty girl in his Darshan, Alhaitham had come out with a line about being uninterested in relationships and sex. Kaveh remembered patting him on the back and responding with something along the lines of 'you're still young, it'll come to you one day,' which Alhaitham did not seem impressed with, as if he had heard that before. He supposed it was a bit of a strange line to say to someone who wouldn't be a teenager for much longer, but maybe he'd been trying to hint that Alhaitham should explore same-sex relationships, because Kaveh's interest in him was beginning to bud around that time.

But if Alhaitham really was asexual, then it would explain his lack of interest of peeping on Kaveh in the bath, and his lack of trying to feel Kaveh up when they cuddled, and much more! Still, it didn't mean that Alhaitham wouldn't do things with him if he asked. He would simply need to be the one who initiated it, which was not ideal, but after this morning, he was confident that he could invade Alhaitham's personal space without backlash. Alhaitham liked to set boundaries, and Kaveh imagined he would want to be the one to get in first to make sure they were established, but if this was the boundary… Kaveh couldn't let it be without pushing himself right up against it to find out.

Kaveh ummed and erred over the timing of when to make his move, but in the end, it was handed to him on a plate.

"Sleep with me tonight," Alhaitham said.

Kaveh's breath hitched – the moment he'd been praying for! His patience was being rewarded! "Yeah, okay."

Alhaitham got up and Kaveh was quick to follow him.

"You're wearing that to bed?"

Kaveh paused. Oh. Right. Of course he meant sleeping, as in sleep for the purpose of rest. Unconscious sleeping. Not very much awake, active sleeping with each other.

"Unless you sleep in your underwear, which is fine."

Alhaitham had given him a free-pass here, and he was going to take it. "In this weather, yes, but I can grab one of the shirts I usually lounge around in if you prefer."

"Whatever you're most comfortable in."

Kaveh realised that actually he might want to have something on. What if Alhaitham also slept shirtless and they ended up spooning like that time at the hotel and he could feel Alhaitham's bare skin against his back? His bare nipples against his back?! Kaveh had to be the little spoon. There was a high chance he was going to get hard. He was already feeling a slight tingle in his groin just thinking about Alhaitham's arms around him, kissing his neck –

"Are you coming?"

"No!" Kaveh said, too caught up in his thoughts that he understood that to mean something completely different. "I mean yes!"

The lamp on Alhaitham's bedside table gave the room perfect mood-lighting, and Kaveh could feel his cheeks heating as he watched Alhaitham pulling his shirt off. It wasn't fair! Was this man completely oblivious, or was he doing this on purpose to torture Kaveh? The low light made all the contours of his body stand out, and Kaveh could only stare for a moment before remembering that he should also be undressing. He could only hope that Alhaitham took the opportunity to steal some glances at him, although he doubted it.

The sound of weight on the bed was enticing, but he had to be normal about this. They had shared a bed before; it wasn't anything special! Except, it was, because now they were boyfriends.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham threw back the blanket, inviting Kaveh to join him.

He climbed in, and Alhaitham gave him his usual goodnight kiss before pulling Kaveh into a comfortable spooning position. This time, Alhaitham wasn't shy about it, forcing a leg between Kaveh's as he wrapped his arms around the blond, hugging him tight, as if Kaveh might try to get away. They were pressed skin-to-skin, just as Kaveh had daydreamed about minutes before. It was a bit much to think he'd actually be able to feel nipples against his back, but what he could say with confidence, was that Alhaitham was not excited about this encounter. While Kaveh was struggling to keep his dick in-check as Alhaitham's hands roamed over his skin in search of the optimum sleeping position, there was no hard object straining in the space between them.

"Haitham…"

"Oh, right." Alhaitham left him to roll back and turn the light off.

And then Kaveh had to go through the whole thing again as Alhaitham touched him while he re-found the position. Which, he had to say, was worse in the dark.

"Haitham."

"Kaveh, I meant for us to sleep together, not to have a sleepover where we chat all night."

"Well, I thought you meant for us to sleep together like… Like…" Was he going to make him say it so plainly?

Alhaitham knew exactly what Kaveh thought this was, but he wanted to see how far he could get before addressing the issue. He had vaguely thought about what Kaveh might expect from a relationship, but this was one of those things he'd set aside as 'we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.' Whether they had a sexual relationship was of no importance to him personally, so why fret over it? If Kaveh wanted it, he would surely ask. For him, it was enough to simply hold Kaveh like this and let him know that he was loved.

"Haitham, do you want to have sex with me?" The darkness made the lack of immediate response feel longer than it was. "I don't mean tonight, I mean in general, one day."

"Is it important to you that we do?"

The darkness made this conversation easier in some ways, but gods he wished he could see Alhaitham's face so he could search for more clues. "I'm not sure," he said honestly. "I think it's important that we discuss it. You know, most couples do participate in those kinds of activities. And for me, it's something I'm interested in doing. With you. What are your thoughts?"

"I don't care if we do or don't, but if you want to, then I want to."

Kaveh found Alhaitham's hand on his chest, taking hold of it. "Don't you find me attractive? I…I've thought about us before."

"You're beautiful, Kaveh." Alhaitham placed a kiss on his shoulder. "But I don't lust over you for your looks. If, or I suppose when, we have sex, it will be because I want to love you how you want to be loved, because I care about your feelings."

"Haitham…" Did turning the lights off give him a whole new personality? How dare he say such lovely things?! "I want you to know that we don't have to."

"I want to. I know it will make you happy, and making you happy will make me happy in turn."

"Then…?" Kaveh slowly moved Alhaitham's hand down his body, wanting to show him the effect he was having on the poor architect.

Alhaitham let Kaveh guide him, but as soon as he felt the waistband of Kaveh's underwear, he put a stop to it. "Not tonight. It's too late."

Kaveh half-sighed, half-laughed. Typical Alhaitham. "I'll make sure to book next time. I'll shut up and go to sleep if you give me a goodnight kiss."

Alhaitham's weight shifted and the hand on his stomach moved to trace his jaw and guide his chin into the requested kiss. It was slow and sensual – more so than usual because they were in bed and all he could see was a vague outline of the man above him. Just when he thought Alhaitham was going to pull away, he felt a tongue pushing past his lips. Of all the times! Why was Alhaitham deciding that now was the time to start improving his kissing technique?! Kaveh couldn't deny him, but he wanted to! His tongue met Alhaitham's and he thought about how this was the proper kiss he'd been dreaming of. Yes, it was definitely worth the next half-hour he'd spend lying awake, waiting for the hardness in his pants to go down.

"Goodnight, Kaveh." He could feel Alhaitham's breath on his lips.

"Night, Haitham."

Kaveh woke to an empty bed, disappointed that morning snuggling wasn't the first order of the day. At least he could lie in Alhaitham's bed, inhaling the scent of the sheets. Sure, they used the same washing powder, but by this point in the week, it had taken on a musky smell that Kaveh probably shouldn't find appealing, but certainly did.

"Missing me already?" Alhaitham chuckled as he re-entered the room to find Kaveh hugging his pillow.

Kaveh was mortified to have been caught in the act. "I thought you'd left me for a book again."

"Nature calls." He climbed back into bed, resting his head on Kaveh's chest as he wrapped his arms around him. "I'd prefer to lounge about in comfort."

Kaveh's fingers gently toyed with Alhaitham's hair, and it seemed to be well-received as he listened to Alhaitham's breathing become slower and deeper.

"You like this?"

Alhaitham made a noise that wasn't quite agreement, but just acknowledgement that something had been said. "What?"

"Wait, did you fall asleep?"

"Mm, tired."

"What were you doing all night? Have we not slept in enough?"

Alhaitham was an expert at pretending to sleep. He had mastered the art of closing his eyes and insisting that he was resting, but even if his body was, his brain wasn't always. Yes, having Kaveh to hold all night had been a fun and novel experience, but ultimately he wasn't used to it. Every time one of them shifted in the night, Alhaitham would wake up and have to remind himself what was happening. Yes, he had invited this person to be there, and yes, he wanted it very much. Kaveh didn't snore, but just the sound of someone else breathing so close to him was enough to keep him awake a little longer. He'd get used to it, but the first few nights were never going to be considered a 'good night's sleep.'

He let out a yawn and curled closer to Kaveh. "No."

"I think you need your morning coffee."

"No. I just need you." Absolute rubbish – he needed Kaveh to leave him to get some undisrupted shut-eye for an hour, but this was nice. Being tired made him feel like he could get away with things he wouldn't normally let himself be caught doing or saying. Besides, if Kaveh was awake, maybe he could remain stiller for longer.

Much to Kaveh's credit, he did shut up for an hour and allow Alhaitham to doze on him. A few simple words were enough to melt Kaveh's heart and leave him smiling as he continued to run his fingers through Alhaitham's hair.

"Haitham," Kaveh whispered, rousing him gently. "It's my turn to need to pee."

Alhaitham let go of him and looked up at the clock – it was already past 9! Yes, he liked being lazy on the weekend, and laying in bed doing nothing was ideal, but not having breakfast by now was unacceptable according to his routine ways. He rolled off the bed and followed Kaveh out.

Ooo

"Kaveh?"

The architect was lying on the sofa with blueprints covering him like blankets, and an empty bottle of wine on the floor (and lucky it was empty, otherwise the contents would be staining the rug).

"Kaveh," Alhaitham repeated, louder.

"Uhh…yeah?" he murmured in a stupor.

Alhaitham started to collect the blueprints off of Kaveh, careful not to crease them.

"I'm not sleeping!" Kaveh announced as he realised he was meant to be working, or at least, that's what he last remembered doing. He tried to reach out for the papers Alhaitham was removing, but they were kept well out of his reach.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Kaveh." Alhaitham sighed. "Fine. Why did you drink a whole bottle of wine today?"

Kaveh couldn't keep his face in-check; the melancholy was evident. "Do you really love me?"

At least he knew who he was talking to. Alhaitham had brought Kaveh home more than once with Kaveh praising him as 'a lovely young man unlike my roommate.'

"Yes, Kaveh, I really do love you." It was so much easier to say it to a drunk man.

"Really, really?"

"Yes, 'really, really.'"

Kaveh leaned in for a kiss and it was sloppy and filled Alhaitham's nostrils with the smell of alcohol, but not in a pleasant way.

"I love you, too," Kaveh said when he gave up trying to kiss Alhaitham, who wasn't being very responsive.

Kaveh placed a hand on Alhaitham's thigh, squeezing it and watching for a reaction before experimentally moving an inch closer to his groin.

Alhaitham calmly intercepted his hand once it was too close to its target. Kaveh's face fell.

"You said you loved me. And you said you'd have sex with me."

"Yeah, but not like this."

Kaveh huffed. "Not late at night, and not now? When is a good time? I've been waiting all week!"

"Oh…" So, Kaveh had been waiting for him to make the first move? While he'd been waiting for Kaveh…? "You wouldn't forgive me if I allowed you to be drunk during our first time."

"Y-yeah… I've got to get sober!" He stood up and headed to the kitchen in search of water.

When he returned with a jug, he asked, "Haitham, do you really love me?"

And Alhaitham was justified in his decision to stop Kaveh.

He hadn't meant to make Kaveh wait this long, but he had needed a bit of time to prepare. Naturally, he had a pretty good idea of how things worked, whether his partner was male or female, but he'd never bothered to read much further into the art of pleasure. How exactly was inserting something into the ass meant to be pleasant? This was just one of several questions he felt he needed to research before giving Kaveh what he desired. He had used his status as the Acting Grand Sage to anonymously browse information the Akademiya held on this sort of thing, but actually, he found that Kaveh's romance books were probably more help.

He also needed a little more time to think. He'd agreed so readily when Kaveh had brought it up, but now that he was standing at the metaphorical bridge he'd been avoiding for years, he had to actually consider how crossing it would pan out, and how it would make him feel.

Being naked with Kaveh seemed like the easiest part; he didn't think nakedness was anything to be ashamed of. However, he was agreeing to let Kaveh touch him in places he'd always imagined would be for his hands only. It was going to be weird, no matter how much he thought about it and tried to make it seem less so. But the thing that brought the most heat to his cheeks was the thought of his reaction. No matter how odd he found it, his body was definitely going to respond positively to someone else's touch. Kaveh was going to see him turned on and needy…how embarrassing. Yes, he knew that was the point, but that version of him wasn't supposed to be seen. The way he moaned and bucked into his hand was meant to stay between him and the walls of his room. When he left the house, he banished those thoughts and the rest of the world was led to believe that Alhaitham had no carnal desires.

What if it transpired that he did desire Kaveh like that? He kept telling himself that he didn't care for labels, but after admitting that he liked Kaveh romantically, he'd suddenly found himself a bit lost with how to describe himself, and was desperately clinging onto his asexuality as something he knew about himself for sure. Kaveh was so confidently bisexual, and Alhaitham had admired that while he had still been confidently aro-ace. Now, however, it was very frustrating, mainly because Kaveh was the one that made him feel this way. Was he actually a closeted gay who hadn't figured it out yet? Would sleeping with Kaveh make him realise that? He supposed that was his biggest fear about sleeping with Kaveh; the loss of both of those fundamental aspects of himself. The fear that all those whispers that he hadn't 'found the right person' yet were true, and that getting laid would 'cure' his asexuality.

These were things he wouldn't dwell on in the moment – he truly wanted to enjoy his time with Kaveh, and he wanted Kaveh to enjoy it too. That wouldn't happen if he was concentrating on these deep thoughts. It was difficult to accept change, but he'd done it before, and he was willing to do it again. After all, accepting his romantic feelings had vastly improved his life these past few weeks.

"Sleep with me tonight," Alhaitham said the following day once Kaveh was completely sober.

They hadn't shared a bed since the last time Alhaitham had said this, because Kaveh didn't dare invite himself, and because Alhaitham assumed that the next time he said it, Kaveh would assume it meant more.

"You're going to bed this early?" Kaveh had predicted he'd finish the book he was reading this evening if nothing distracted him.

"Yeah, aren't you coming?"

Kaveh narrowed his eyes, but Alhaitham's expression gave nothing away. He sighed, "Should I bring my book?"

"I wouldn't bother."

Oh. Kaveh was off the sofa in a flash, perhaps looking a bit too eager to follow Alhaitham.

"Keep your clothes on," Kaveh said, when it seemed like Alhaitham was about to ruin the anticipation by stripping.

Alhaitham pushed the hem of his shirt back down, realising that his inexperience was already showing. Kaveh didn't seem to mind as he used the disturbed hem to pull Alhaitham closer into a kiss. His hands ran up that chiselled body in a way that they hadn't dared to before, and Alhaitham could feel the difference. Kaveh's hands gently groped his abs and pecs before sliding up his neck and settling over his earpieces.

"May I?" Kaveh asked.

Alhaitham nodded. Actually, Kaveh removing his earpieces seemed infinitely more intimate than any piece of clothing. These things were so personal to Alhaitham that Kaveh had never dared to touch them, even if he had daydreamed about ripping them off so he knew Alhaitham was listening to him. Being allowed to remove them felt like a great honour – a sign of ultimate trust. He was definitely right about that, he realised, as he noticed the way Alhaitham's eyes strayed from his face to the earpieces as he moved to set them down on the bedside table.

Alhaitham's hands had been on Kaveh's hips since the kiss, moving only to pull out the music player in his belt before returning, as if he was scared to stray. Now those hands pulled Kaveh with him as he backed up towards the bed, falling backwards and surprising Kaveh as the blond lost his footing and fell on top of him. There were no complaints; both more interested in locking lips again. Kaveh had been considering guiding Alhaitham's hands himself, but he seemed to have loosened up enough now. One hand slid lower to cup Kaveh's ass (and Kaveh was not going to get his hopes up that Alhaitham would give him a squeeze without prompting), while the other travelled higher to play with the skin exposed by his shirt's back window.

Alhaitham's fingers were ghosting over his skin, making him shiver. "Haitham, you can touch me," he said to encourage him.

"I am."

There was a small ass squeeze, as if Alhaitham thought that Kaveh couldn't feel his hand resting there.

Kaveh slipped his hand beneath the fabric of Alhaitham's shirt, caressing his way up Alhaitham's body. It was strange, but the way Kaveh touched him left an impression he found hard to describe. His skin tingled as Kaveh's fingers climbed higher, and Alhaitham wondered if this was what those romance books were talking about when they described touch like fire. It wasn't quite accurate, he thought, perhaps electric would be slightly better. Kaveh's fingers would press into his skin before moving on with a feather-light touch, nails drawing gently and inducing goosebumps in their wake.

"Oh?" Kaveh was amused to find that Alhaitham's nipples were already standing to attention as his hands finally reached their destination.

He gently brushed over one, earning a strange sound, as if Alhaitham wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

"Do you like it?" Kaveh asked as he pushed the fabric of Alhaitham's shirt as high up as it would go, baring his whole chest and causing Kaveh to bite his lip at the sight.

He didn't get a response, but Alhaitham was watching him, so he took that as a sign to continue.

Did he like it? Yes, he found that toying with his nipples was a fantastic way to get hard without touching himself. Did he want Kaveh to know that? Maybe later, but not right now.

Kaveh brushed his nipples a few more times before rolling the nubs gently between his thumb and forefinger, and he knew Alhaitham was lapping it up by the way he pushed his chest out, seeking more. It was embarrassing, and he could feel his pants tightening as Kaveh had fun, but that was the point, wasn't it? Kaveh was enjoying this. The blond was smiling in a loving way, not a mean way, as he touched the places he'd been dreaming of, and Alhaitham didn't want to deny him.

Kaveh shuffled backwards with the intent to use his mouth, but he hit upon the thing Alhaitham was hoping would go unnoticed a little longer.

"You really like it?" Kaveh asked.

He went to reach for the hard object he was sitting on, but Alhaitham was quick to reverse their positions so that Kaveh was below him. "I think it's time I saw to you." He whipped his shirt off first, aware that Kaveh would prefer that, before relieving Kaveh of his own.

Alhaitham repaid Kaveh in kind, gently circling a nipple before ghosting over it until it hardened. "Do you also find pleasure in this?"

"Mm, you can touch me anywhere and I'm sure it'll feel good." Kaveh wanted Alhaitham's hands all over him, but he seemed to need a bit more encouragement.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham laid down next to him, taking his hands so he didn't get distracted. "Sex can take many forms – there's oral, penetrative, non-penetrative, for example, frotting –"

"Haitham, I'm quite aware – please don't list them all."

"How did you envision our first time?"

Kaveh paused, realising what Alhaitham was asking here. "I don't have any expectations. All I want is for us to both feel good."

Alhaitham nodded, not adding anything, so Kaveh prompted him, repeating his question back at him.

"I've prepared for a variety of outcomes."

"That doesn't answer the question," Kaveh pointed out. "Do you want me to reword it as what do you want?"

"Whatever you want." Alhaitham put a finger to Kaveh's lips before he could complain. "I haven't thought much about it; as I said before, the physical act is not important to me. If you just want a blowjob, that's fine. If you want anal sex, that's also fine."

Kaveh broke free of Alhaitham's grip to stroke his cheek. "Haitham, I want you to feel comfortable with what we do. Up until now, I've not been sure. You haven't been very forward with your touches, and you were very quiet when I was touching you. Then it seemed like you were reluctant to let me touch your dick."

Alhaitham didn't say anything. He guided Kaveh's hand that was still in his grasp to his chest, slowly pulling it down his abdomen, but stopping when they hit his waistband.

"If you're not ready –" Kaveh started to say, but Alhaitham had moved again to press Kaveh's palm against his erection.

There was a pause where they stayed like that, and then Kaveh broke it by closing his fingers around the outline of the cock he was palming and giving it a squeeze. Alhaitham's breath hitched as he realised that this was fine. In fact, this was great. Why had he been apprehensive about this moment at all? He knew it was because he'd never touched someone else like this and he was still waiting for that moment that would shortly follow. But Kaveh had done this before and wasn't afraid to just grab him.

"Can I touch you?" Alhaitham asked. He wanted the moment over. He felt like if he could get over that hurdle, then he might relax a bit more.

"I told you, you're free to touch me wherever you want."

Kaveh knew what Alhaitham was asking, and he secretly thought that asking for express permission was very cute of the man who so often helped himself to Kaveh's things without asking. He watched Alhaitham's face, flushed, eyes down, as if he wouldn't be able to find Kaveh's crotch without looking, but knowing it was probably because Alhaitham couldn't bear to stare back right now.

He waited patiently, saying nothing, as Alhaitham inched closer, clearly wrapped up in his own thoughts. He ran a finger up and down the trail of hair that disappeared beneath Kaveh's waistband as he steeled himself. When he finally felt the bulge in Kaveh's pants, he found that the blond was almost as hard as he was, even though he'd barely given Kaveh any attention. There was no time to dwell on that because Kaveh was kissing him and massaging him through his pants, and he somehow found himself mirroring the motions. He seemed to be following Kaveh's lead tonight, so it was only natural he did the same here.

Kaveh was unbuttoning Alhaitham's trousers, but the other was too lost in thought to do the same. He knew Kaveh wanted him – he was the one that brought this up in the first place. But something about feeling Kaveh getting hard under his touch was enlightening and made him realise it was real. There was something intoxicating about feeling Kaveh's arousal that he couldn't explain yet, but he knew he wanted to keep touching to find out what further reactions he could draw from Kaveh.

Kaveh's hand slipped into his underwear and Alhaitham gasped when that hand finally got a good grip on him. Without layers of fabric in the way, things felt way more intense, but what got Alhaitham most excited was the fact that he had no idea what Kaveh would do next. The hand massaging him had a different hold and rhythm to his own and that novelty was making him painfully hard.

As difficult as it was, he brought his attention back to Kaveh. He had to get Kaveh's trousers off, or at least partially, so he could subject Kaveh to the same pleasant torture he was experiencing.

"Off," Alhaitham muttered as he pulled at Kaveh's trousers, reluctant to move to make it easier in case that resulted in Kaveh no longer stroking his cock. It was not lost on him that he had gone from one extreme to the other, and he felt like laughing at the situation he found himself in. He should read more Amurta literature – someone must have researched how hormones can severely impact actions in moments like these.

It was Kaveh who decided to laugh aloud first. "My, my, I've already reduced you to single-word sentences?"

"No," he denied, and Kaveh smirked, waiting. "I was thinking aloud." There, that was 5 words.

"I'll help you out." Kaveh's hand disappeared as feared.

What followed was worth it, though. Kaveh left the bed to stand in Alhaitham's eyeline, back to him, as he shimmied his trousers down his hips, slowly revealing his ass. Honestly, Alhaitham had never understood why so many people liked that part of the body, but he supposed that there was something alluring about it right now, like he was seeing something forbidden. Or maybe it was just the anticipation of what was going to follow once Kaveh was completely naked that made him enjoy the sight before him.

Kaveh turned and Alhaitham maintained eye contact.

"You can look," Kaveh said, placing his hands on his hips. "I want you to."

Alhaitham's eyes ran down Kaveh's body. The chest he'd seen so often, and the narrow waist he enjoyed holding, but they both knew what Kaveh wanted Alhaitham to behold right now. The cock standing to attention, the part of Kaveh that yearned for Alhaitham most at the moment. Alhaitham had never had any interest in seeing Kaveh like this, but now he was, he realised that there were specific circumstances when he was very interested. He was hooked back on those thoughts about how Kaveh was horny for him, and that was what made this sight enticing.

Before he could demand Kaveh get back on the bed, the blond was moving, as if he could hear Alhaitham's thoughts calling him back. He climbed towards Alhaitham, eager for another kiss before backtracking to free Alhaitham's cock. Kaveh didn't bother with removing his trousers completely, instead leaving them bunched around his thighs and restricting his movements. Kaveh realised he'd quite like to tie Alhaitham up and have his way with him, but that was probably too much to ask right now, so he'd settle for this.

"Kaveh – what are you -?!"

Kaveh's mouth on his cock was a gift sent by the archons. It was warm, it was wet, and – oh gods – his tongue! Kaveh knew how to give a blow job, and Alhaitham could tell. His initial reaction had been to say stop, but how could he say no to this? It reminded him of the first time he'd bought a sleeve toy – the new sensation of his cock being completely enveloped in something wet. He'd come in less than a minute that day, and actually, he was about to go the same way today if Kaveh didn't stop!

"Kaveh!" Alhaitham tried to convey the need to stop through his name alone, but it only seemed to encourage the blond. And why shouldn't it? Alhaitham was moaning so nicely.

He wanted to stop, but he didn't. He couldn't get the word out because he had always been the type to put his own pleasure first, and if he could come now, then why shouldn't he?

Except, Kaveh's mouth was on him, and he had to at least warn him. That was common courtesy as far as he was aware.

"Kaveh, stop –"

It was like a magic word, and Kaveh pulled off immediately, but before he could ask why, Alhaitham's cock throbbed as he released all over himself.

Perhaps his fun was over a bit earlier than expected, but the sight pleased Kaveh immensely. He'd dreamed of seeing Alhaitham spent like this for months, and now he was finally getting what he wanted, and it was even better than expected. Alhaitham's face was flushed, and Kaveh could tell that there was some embarrassment in there at how quickly he'd come, but mainly he could see that post-orgasmic relief. It was a good look on Alhaitham. Kaveh looked down at the mess he'd made; it had shot high up on his chest, and there was a considerable amount, making Kaveh wonder when the last time Alhaitham had got off was. Had he been waiting since Kaveh asked last week?

He'd had such a good view, but he wished he could see it again immediately as he stroked Alhaitham's cock to see if he could get anything else out of it.

"You're not disappointed?" Alhaitham said when he finally opened his eyes to look at Kaveh.

"No, are you?"

"I guess not. It was one of the best orgasms I've ever had."

"One of? I thought you said you'd never done anything like this. Are you telling me you've had better jack-off sessions?"

"Yes. Orgasms involving novel stimuli are satisfying, but not in the same way as ones built up over a longer period of time."

Kaveh sighed. "I preferred it a few minutes ago when you couldn't string a proper sentence together."

"Then allow me to find an occupation for my mouth."

Alhaitham grabbed some tissue and cleaned himself up before choosing to discard the clothes Kaveh had left awkwardly restricting his legs.

"You don't have to do this," Kaveh said as Alhaitham settled between his legs.

Alhaitham looked up at him, brushing his cheek against Kaveh's cock. "Why do you say that? Do you think I don't want to repay you in kind?"

"Ah, well…" Why did he think that? Only in his wildest fantasies did Alhaitham willingly suck his cock, and in those fantasies it was Kaveh forcing Alhaitham to be submissive, usually on his knees in front of Kaveh. To have Alhaitham laying between his legs like this, gently brushing his nose against his cock before giving the underside an experimental lick was unfathomable to Kaveh. But it was happening, and maybe he should be worried he'd come as quickly as Alhaitham had.

"I want to, Kaveh," Alhaitham said to reassure him when no answer came.

He barely tolerated licking his own fingers after eating, much preferring to wash them with a cloth or water if they were available, so the prospect of putting a dick in his mouth was not appealing to begin with. However, he knew Kaveh would like it, and Kaveh had just shown him how great it could feel, so he'd do it, no matter how much he didn't look forward to it.

Despite that, he hadn't lied; he did want to. He wanted to make Kaveh feel on top of the world, and he was quite looking forward to being the one to achieve that.

Perhaps it would have been easier if he was still waiting for his own needs to be met, but maybe it was better this way, where he took his time. Alhaitham dragged his tongue up Kaveh's shaft several more times, getting used to the taste and feel of it. Kaveh watched with dark eyes, biting his lip as he enjoyed the inquisitive expression on Alhaitham's face. If his cock was something to be studied, then he really didn't mind, but he was getting a little impatient. He wanted to say something – I thought you said you wanted to suck me off! – but he kept his mouth shut, knowing that this moment that felt like minutes to him probably felt like seconds to Alhaitham.

When Alhaitham finally deigned to close his lips around the tip and flick his tongue across the head, Kaveh let out a guttural moan of relief. It awakened something in Alhaitham – he wanted to hear Kaveh make more sounds like that, and suddenly the thought of taking the whole length in was less daunting.

He worked through the problems slowly – how should he make sure his teeth didn't scrape against Kaveh? What should he do with his tongue? How had Kaveh used his so expertly earlier? How could he stop himself from gagging as he tried to take more in?

It was slow and sloppy, but Kaveh enjoyed every moment. There was something special knowing that he was receiving the first blow job Alhaitham had ever given, which made it all the more sweeter that he was trying his hardest to get good at it. Kaveh could tell he was thinking hard about every action, because Alhaitham was focused more on his cock, only flicking his eyes up to gauge Kaveh's reaction.

"Haitham~" Kaveh's voice was laced with pleasure, and Alhaitham gulped around the cock in his mouth, drawing another moan from Kaveh.

So this is why the books always went on about moaning their partner's name. It was something he could definitely get used to. He'd never wanted to imagine it, thinking he'd hate it, but…now he'd found someone he didn't mind saying his name like that…he could certainly get used to it.

"Haitham, stop, I'm so close," Kaveh said, and his breathlessness was such a good sound.

Alhaitham had no intention of stopping, because he knew that Kaveh didn't actually want to stop.

"Haitham! I'm serious – I'm gonna –"

Alhaitham looked up at Kaveh as he almost pulled off his cock, but stopping so that it rested on his tongue, giving Kaveh a perfect view as cum shot into his mouth. Kaveh's eyes widened and he tried hard to keep watching as the waves of orgasm washed over him – he needed to burn the image of Alhaitham with cum dripping down his chin into his mind. Fuck, that was so hot.

Lips closed around his cock again as Alhaitham gently sucked the last drops out of him. And then Kaveh felt him swallow.

"Alhaitham!" Kaveh yelled in surprise.

"Hm?" He finally left Kaveh's cock alone, thinking that's why Kaveh had yelled.

"You – you -!" Kaveh's mind became a bit muddled because Alhaitham was casually thumbing the cum from his chin and licking said thumb clean! "You just – just did that! And now you're –!"

Alhaitham smirked. "What? It doesn't taste bad. And you like it, don't you?"

Kaveh felt like his face was hotter now than it had been at any point in the last half hour. Alhaitham swallows! his mind was screaming at him – something that he didn't dare to fantasise about!

"Mm, I thought so," Alhaitham answered for him.

Kaveh cleared his throat. "I enjoyed it very much, thank you. But how about you? Did the first time live up to whatever expectations you might have had? You must have had some, in general."

"I, uh, it was good, as I'm sure you could tell by my, uh, quick reaction. I assure you it won't be that easy to finish me next time." Alhaitham knew that Kaveh was trying to get the upper hand again, and in this instance he had to let him have it.

"Next time?" Kaveh mused. "So, there will be one?"

"Yeah," Alhaitham said without thought. He didn't need to think about it – he wanted them to do this again. He knew it, either in his heart or in his balls.

Kaveh was kissing him again and snuggling up close. It was a warm evening, and both of them were still hot from their encounter, but both of them wanted to stay in each other's arms, so they endured it for a while longer. Alhaitham was the first to pull away, saying that he couldn't sleep like that, but he still let Kaveh keep hold of his hand.

His thoughts the next day were all over the place. There was no doubt that he really, really enjoyed the oral sex they'd had, and he'd like to do it again, please. But if next time they did something different, he'd be interested in that too.

So. What had happened to him? He was currently likening this to finding a new dish whose flavours blew your mind – any normal person would naturally want to go back and sample it a second time. Once eaten enough times, one would become less obsessed with the dish. He could only pray that his intense desire to have Kaveh in his bed again would subside in the same manner.

This was just…like when he'd first moved in. After suffering several years of student accommodation, where privacy was not guaranteed (and he did not want to spend his savings on private accommodation when he had no family to financially support him should it all go pear-shaped), his libido had shot through the roof when he finally had a house for himself. He remembered thinking at the time that maybe he was growing into the 'late bloomer' that was foretold, but in the end, he was just making up for his late teenage years where he'd taken cold showers instead of letting his roommate know he did in fact have natural urges like other men.

So, hopefully this was just an extension of that. Now, he found himself with a roommate who wanted to deal with those urges together, so of course his libido would skyrocket again. He was clinging to his sexuality by a thread here.

But make no mistake, it was only Kaveh he was interested in. He forced himself to consider allowing another person to touch him as Kaveh had, and he recoiled immediately at the thought. He loved Kaveh, and he trusted Kaveh. He barely even acknowledged people he worked with on a daily basis, so how could he let someone he didn't know be intimate with him?

Ah, that was the point of dating, right? To get to know someone specifically for that purpose. It sounded like a lot of hassle. He turned his thoughts to people he knew – something he wasn't particularly comfortable with either. Of those he considered himself close enough to call a friend… Nope. No way. After Kaveh, he would probably say his next closest friend was Cyno (which only served to demonstrate how much closer he was to Kaveh than anyone else), and the thought of doing the things he'd done with Kaveh with Cyno instead made him want to move country and never see the General again.

Maybe there was someone else out there who could take Kaveh's place, but he certainly hadn't met them yet, and did not care to try and seek them out. If Kaveh left tomorrow, he'd be heartbroken, yes, but he'd (eventually) quite happily return to his relationship-less life.

Still, perhaps he could dig up a new word somewhere in the House of Daena to better describe his new position.