fablecottage | TDM #4

Entry tags:

!tdm

TDM #4

fable test drive meme #4

// away with the fairies

In your land, there may be stories of the Fae taking people away. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Fae at all, or perhaps you are more familiar with them than others. No matter how well acquainted you are with the Fae, everyone around you has experienced the same fate tonight: Being taken by them. Partially, at least. For they did not want to kidnap anyone from their home and take them away from the life they knew. In a small jar of fairy dust, part of your soul was taken in the night and brought to a magical village by the name of Fable.

On arrival, the Fae release you from the jar before waving their magic wands, and materialise this taken little part of you into a brand new you. From here onwards, your new life begins, shared among all sorts of magical creatures. Here, you will be allowed to grow, thrive and enjoy the bounties provided to you by these mysterious and wonderful creatures. In exchange, they ask for a share of the magical fruit that you grow in your garden, donated to their dragon overseer in exchange for rewards. After a briefing on your new life, you understand things as best as you possibly can. Now, it's time to settle into a brand new cottagecore life.

Welcome to Fable.

// arrival

Now that you are a resident of Fable, you have a brand new cottage, a garden, and a few tools to use! There's not an awful lot in your cottage, though: Just a cardboard box, a lamp, a cassette tape and a single bed. Fear not, though! By participating in friendly tasks, your cottage will look great in no time.

Something sparkly catches your attention before you realise it's a message board, advertising an array of tasks for bonus fruit. Did this thing appear out of nowhere just now? That must be the case, since you can swear it wasn't there a second ago. The board may inspire you to go out there and mingle. It seems that the monthly tasks are geared towards friendliness to welcome this new season!

april showers & pretty flowers

// treacherous thunderstorm

Around this time of year, the weather in Fable can certainly get hectic. While magic can only do so much to tidy the remaining fallen leaves off the ground, there's nothing like a doozy of a downpour to really sweep everything fresh and new. With all of the new flowers that have been growing in Fable, a lot of rainwater is certainly needed to give them all a drink. The dragons and storm spirits have been brewing up a torrential downpour scheduled to fall all over Fable and beyond - along with some strong winds. Are you prepared for the occasion?

From cottage to cottage, roof tiles rattle and leaves are swept away. It is advised to not go outside during this storm period, and if you're caught in the rain, to take shelter immediately! If you can't reach your cottage in time, there are other village landmarks to take shelter beneath. The thunder is very loud and the wind is strong enough to knock someone off their feet. It might be best to keep close to people in this weather - going out alone could be very dangerous. And if you're cooped up inside with a friend or a stranger, why not get to know them to pass the time?

It is important to be wary of the lightning. If someone gets struck by lightning, they will not die - but they will experience an injury and a magical feedback loop which swaps their personality! The cure for this problem is rainwater tea - a remedy which is advertised throughout the town's message boards as a precaution for any unlucky residents. The affected person will be lightning charged, causing them to receive an electric shock every time their hands are near water, which will make brewing tea impossible. Someone who has struck will need to rely on another person to brew the tea for them. A lightning-shaped scar will mark the person who got struck wherever they were affected.

After the storm ceases, there may be property damage such as collapsed gates, fallen fences, missing roof tiles and even an injury or two! Oh no! As compensation for enduring such a hearty storm - the realm's overseer, Prism, provides brand new repairing tools to those who had taken damage.

// flowers of kanshi

After enduring such a horrendous downpour, you definitely feel the urge to get out of town. The residents of Fable gossip endlessly about how stunning the cherry blossoms are in Kanshi this time of year, and the fairies practically insist that you go.

Upon arrival, you can see that Kanshi has received quite a beating from the storm. The winds and rain have blown cherry blossom petals all over the place - in the streets, rivers, and they're covering the buildings. You can see all sorts of tiny magical creatures making their best efforts to clean up, part of you wonders why they aren't using magic.

You feel a tap on the shoulder, and realise that it's a tiny sakura dragon sitting perched on you.

"Hi," they say, "I hope it's not too much to ask, but ... could you help us out here?"

You did come here to relax, so you may be a little bit hesitant at first. Still, you'll allow the dragon to continue.

"Kanshi normally has a dusting of petals here and there, but this is just too much for us to deal with on our own. If you help us gather petals, we'll offer you free access to our hot springs and restaurants. We'll even use the petals to craft furniture for you."

That's not a bad suggestion. Besides, it would be difficult to enjoy a trip here with petals covering the place. Once you agree to the dragon's request, you are given a fishing net to catch petals on the ground, in the water and in the air.

// sakura springs

Finally! It's time to relax. The sakura dragons were true to their word - in addition to the furniture gifted in exchange for the petals you collected, you have access to all of Kanshi's most favoured attractions!

There are incredible restaurants with shiba inu chefs ready to tailor to your every desire! The dining can be enjoyed in outdoor cafés surrounded by flowers, evening restaurants - and even an izakaya (alcohol & food bar) with food and drink available all night. It seems that the residents of Kanshi are very grateful for all the effort taken to clean up their home. If you want to spend the night here, even, the owners of the ryokan (traditional inns) will be glad to accommodate any guests. There are many beautiful wonders all across Kanshi, but one of the most renowned attractions are the hot springs. These incredible buildings feature indoor pools, outdoor waterways and rivers to bathe in which rejuvenates and uplifts anyone who steps in these waters. It's no wonder that creatures travel from all over just to bathe in them!

For every thread you write, you will receive cherry blossom furniture for your cottage! Feel free to leave a comment here to redeem these once you've written 5 tags in your thread! Since our TDMs are considered game canon, if you choose to app, these rewards will cross over with you when you join the game!

Let's see what the attractions of Kanshi have in store!

The Flower Cafés are sooooo cute! Situated outside, these charming cafés offer spectacular views of Kanshi's flower fields. All of the food and drinks arrive in incredibly charming pastel colours! (Even the savoury stuff!) Enjoying time in the café while surrounded by all of this pollen will cause a flower to bloom in your hair every time you smile! When they sprout, it's a very ticklish sensation - which might make you smile a lot. This ticklish pollen can be treated with a swim. Good thing there's a hot spring nearby!

The Restaurants have no shortage of incredible food! Whether you would like to order off the set menu, a conveyor belt or destroy all-you-can eat, every option is available. The more food you consume, the more you will feel the urge to open up and talk about yourself. Even things you might not normally be so inclined to tell strangers...!

The Izakaya Bars are the perfect spots for any adults who love good food and good alcohol. There are no innocuous effects from the food and drink ... apart from the house special - cherry plum sake! It is everyone's favourite drink in Kanshi and all-time best seller. Consuming the sake will cause any of the following effects: giggles, excessive compliments, tingly sensations, increased stamina and the urge to overshare your thoughts.

The Hot Springs are beloved by all of Kanshi's locals and beyond. These huge, towering buildings are crafted with wood and feature private indoor pools, outdoor waterfall pools and smaller pools which are connected by streams. In order to allow guests to bathe in peace, the mythological & animal villagers of Kanshi have granted their guests from Fable to have an area all to themselves. They have also provided care packages to the guests! They contain a variety of scented bath salts to choose from. Each salt type has an (undisclosed) effect once in use. The Rose Scented Salts will make someone feel warm, friendly and affectionate. The Vanilla Bean Salts will make someone feel confident and talkative. Their mood will also be enhanced - whether it's a happy kind or melancholic kind. And the Warming Lavender Salts, surprisingly, will give someone the tail and ears of an animal!

over the rainbow

// a rainsplosion

You were likely more than aware of the intense storm that happened earlier. Just when you figure that everything is settled, you are interrupted by a group of frantic fairies flittering through Fable's village.

"Quick! Quick! Come with us! You've gotta see it!"

See what, exactly? Once you have the opportunity, you ask these excitable fae why they're in such a hurry.

"There's gonna be an explosion! A magic explosion!" ... Is that even safe?

"You know the storm? The huge storm? Well - a lot of it was magic, you know! The storm spirits created something magnificent to tidy up winter and blow everything away. And then the dragons and unicorns got involved, and they all started playing in the clouds and had a magic fight! This one cloud is so full of magic - it's going to explode! You've got to come and see it! Nothing bad will happen ... we think! But if it does, we'll fix the problem right up with our magic! Promise!"

Can you really trust the fairies to keep their promise...? But a magical explosion does sound pretty cool. Perhaps against your better judgement, you agree to go.

On the mountainside, you see it - a huge looming storm cloud flickering with rainbow colours and streaks of lightning. There are a few dragons flying nearby, with a heavy layer of anticipation in the air. You can hear laughter from the creatures, which might reassure you that you aren't in any real danger. And then--

The cloud EXPLODES with a fantastic BOOM!

You have to admit - it does look pretty incredible! Just as you take a moment to admire the rainbow explosion, the magical shockwaves blast out and phase through you which causes an immediate effect...! Uh oh?!

Depending on which colour of the magical rainbow blast hits you, a different effect will occur:

Being hit with the colour Red will cause you to kiss the person you see next! Oh, my!

Being hit with the colour Orange will transform you into a merperson! Which is great, except ... you can't see any water around here! Maybe someone can carry you to water.

Being hit with the colour Yellow will give you an animal ears and tail of your choice. So cute! But you also feel the urge to follow the instincts and behaviours of said animal to some degree, too.

Being hit with the colour Green will summon enemies for you to fight! Yikes! From the shadows, monsters manifested out of your worst fears will come to life before trying to attack you - you've been given a weapon to defend yourself, but it would be better if you battled them with another person!

Being hit with the colour Blue will make you spontaneously burst into tears. It seems like nothing can stop you from crying, either - but comfort from another will ease the pain.

Being hit with the colour Purple will cause all of your inner thoughts to hover above your head in a thought bubble. Let's hope you aren't thinking of anything too strange at the moment ...

In a standard fairytale way, all effects end at midnight. Those cheeky fairies didn't keep their promise after all!

Welcome to Fable's fourth TDM!
We're excited to have you here, and hope you enjoy the prompts!
To familiarise yourself with the setting, please take a look at the arrivals & premise page!
We would also appreciate it if you could have a look at the rules as well.
As a general note, the TDMs are considered game canon!
Which means all rewards for fruit & furniture can be used in the game if you apply!

New arrivals have a cottage, a network device, the clothes on their back and a single item from home.
To view the locations, NPCs and more information about the game, please visit our full navigation!

If you have any questions that you have not seen answered in the FAQ, please ask in the FAQ post. Thank you!

(CODE)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Someone once told me that my sense of aesthetics couldn't be worse.

[ Alhaitham allows himself a little teasing as a treat after seeing that ghost of a smile. Some people might think that his remarks are malicious on purpose—he wouldn't blame Kaveh if he thought that, too. For what it's worth, it's never been Alhaitham's intention to hurt someone. ]

But I agree with you.

[ The scribe can't take his eyes off Kaveh's reflection in the mirror and that must mean more than his words. His hands that were cupping Kaveh's waist before have grown quite restless. One of them slides up, gliding over Kaveh's exposed chest while the other reaches for the already hard cock. With his fingers wrapped around the shaft, Alhaitham smirks while the tip of his nose gentle nuzzles one side of Kaveh's neck. ]

If you ever doubt yourself again, I will make sure that you know your worth.

Mm ... you make it easy for me to.

( A sweet admission in contrast to his lewd body language. His voice hikes up an octave or two when Alhaitham brazenly wraps his hand around his cock - a gesture that certainly catches Kaveh off guard and causes the most gorgeous sound to spill from his lips. A visible shudder runs through his body which causes him to wobble. Is he more than a little touch starved? Absolutely. How long had it been since he touched himself? Months.

To steady himself, he rests a hand on Alhaitham's shoulder, leaning into his body while he seeks out his lips for a kiss. A gentle moan glides across the other man's tongue, his hips churning against his palm. Normally, Kaveh is the one eager to give pleasure than he is to receive it, but even still - his hands are groping Alhaitham through his clothes, one hand mapping out his chest muscles while the other massages his crotch. )

[ As much as Alhaitham wishes that his validation wouldn't mean so much to Kaveh—ideally, he should never doubt himself as a person—the scribe doesn't deny that comment openly. It's a process that might take months or even years...

... and he's going to be here to witness it all. Not just witness, actually. He wants to actively take part in it, too. Being an observer is a very convenient role and it's something he indulged in back in Sumeru, but it also comes with certain limitations. It's quite ironic that his own logic prevented him from getting close to Kaveh, something he wanted for quite a while, yet at the same time he couldn't get out of his head.

At the same time, Alhaitham wouldn't have thought that being summoned to a different world would make things much easier either. And here they are. ]

I thought that I'm known for making things harder for everybody. [ While he doesn't pay attention to the rumors, the scribe has ears. ] Are you saying that you're going to be an exception?

[ Since Kaveh's lips have been chasing his own for quite a while demanding a kiss, Alhaitham is very pleased to oblige. Once their mouths are sealed in a deep and sloppy kiss, he doesn't shy away from stroking Kaveh's cock slowly, clearly intending to coax more of these sweet sounds past his lips. ]

( The blonde man's breath hitches as sweet, gentle moans draw out of him with every stroke, while he returns his housemate's kisses with slight desperation. It takes all of his strength to pull away from him in order to answer his query - it's somehow very on brand for them to have an intense moral discussion while on the cusp of having sex for the first time. As he speaks, he's slightly short for breath, keeping his body firmly pressed against Alhaitham's. )

That's very true, and at least you can admit it. ( Kaveh kisses Alhaitham on the corner of the mouth. ) But I'm not "going to be" an exception. I am an exception. ( He retorts this rather proudly. Kaveh has always felt that he knows Alhaitham better than everyone else - and he does. The architect has battled with endless frustration over how much his junior always rejected living as a more authentic version of himself - but this is an argument they've exhausted in the past. In the end, Kaveh understands that they work differently as people - for Alhaitham is a rational man uninterested in building connections, and Kaveh is a sensitive dreamer who wishes to please everyone. Still, there's some pride he feels in having a man who rejects the company of so many want to be with him. In an intimate manner, no less, from the way he's touching and kissing him. He sighs sweetly. )

And ... please. Less talking. ( Says the man who was doing most of the talking-- ) As I said before, I ... I-I want you to make love to me. If you're okay with that ... I promise you don't have to if the idea makes you uncomfortable. ( Someone get this poor man some confidence. ) Just having you here is enough ... ( Even though he's so explicitly aroused. Hasn't Kaveh learned anything about standing up for his desires yet? He has ways to go, but, he'll get there. )

[ That little show of pride makes Alhaitham scoff. Confidence truly suits Kaveh best, even if he's aware that expecting it from the architect at all times is unrealistic. Still, he's sure that they can both rebuild it, one step at a time. Kaveh being assertive about what he wants when they're alone is definitely a good start, though. ]

Less talking? You're doing most of the talking. [ Of course Alhaitham is going to tease him about it and start voicing some of his thoughts. ] Exception is a rather peculiar choice for your petname, but I can indulge you, my dear Exception.

[ As far as the scribe is concerned, Kaveh is the Exception. ]

Kaveh... I'm holding your dick as we speak. [ He even gives it a harder squeeze to make his point. ] And yet, here you are, asking me if I'm comfortable with the idea of making love to you?

[ Alhaitham's intention is to make him realize how ridiculous it sounds. ]

And... if you want me to shut up, maybe you should keep my mouth busy.

( His "Dear Exception" ... Archons, that's so corny it's almost embarrassing, and yet he can't help but love it. But all thoughts that Kaveh could've had concerning this unique pet name immediately perish once Alhaitham applies a tighter squeeze to his cock, which causes him to erupt into the most emasculated squeal, followed by a huff of protest. )

That's not what I—!

( With a bright blush, he frowns, preparing to lecture Alhaitham about his intentions. Should this be of any surprise? Not really. )

Gods forbid I act considerate ... it's one thing to touch a person with your hands, and it is another thing entirely to have full-on penetrative sex with them ... For all I know, you could really dislike the idea of having sex with me in that way and would prefer something more geared towards foreplay like this. I won't apologise for requesting your consent. ( So there!! Heavens above, he's such a soft man. )

I'm honored that you decided to give me a lecture on the differences between foreplay and penetrative sex. [ Being the cause of that bright blush makes Alhaitham smirk. ] I appreciate your thoughtfulness, too.

[ Even if that smug expression of his might say otherwise. After a moment, the scribe leans in and nibbles on Kaveh's ear before murmuring a question: ]

Am I supposed to request explicit permission to drop to my knees and please you orally or can I do it without it?

( And Kaveh's blush only gets brighter. Oh, he loathes (loves) this man so much. Why is he like this? Why does he have this rotten attitude during a moment when Kaveh is trying to be sincere?! But he can pick apart Alhaitham psychologically another day. For now - he's horny. Which is sort of a surprise, all things considered. )

Shut up...! You know I had good intentions by saying all of that!

( But - oh. He wants to ... perform oral on him? Now that's an act Kaveh rarely gets to receive. In previous acts of intimacy, it's normal for the blonde man to offer first. After all, he's generous by nature - and has a lot of unpacked trauma about receiving pleasurable experiences. Over the years where he was sexually active, he took a lot of pleasure in being deprived while giving pleasure to others. In many ways, it felt entirely deserved. Unfortunately, it was for all of the wrong reasons. Alhaitham's question causes his demeanour to shift, with him reaching up a hand to twirl one of his locks of blonde hair shyly. )

You, um ... are you sure? I don't mind pleasuring you for a little bit ... after all, you've touched me the most so far ... ( This good boy ... )

[ Wasn't it Kaveh who asked for less talking? He shall receive that, then. To achieve what he wants, Alhaitham has to let go of Kaveh—something the blonde man might not be happy about—and kneel down before him. It's done in a matter of seconds as Alhaitham doesn't want to give him enough time to protest or question his intentions. ]

I'll take that as explicit permission. [ As tempting as it is to just let his tongue glide along the shaft and tease him even further, Alhaitham wants his body to be washed with waves of pleasure, make him feel weak in the knees and hear more of the squeals and moans that might slip past his lips. ] I want this, Kaveh.

[ That's all Alhaitham has to say before he wraps his mouth around the tip, sucking on it lightly just to see how intense Kaveh reaction will be. ]

Well ... okay—

( And just as the Scribe's warm, wet mouth caresses the head of his cock - the blonde man erupts with a delighted squeak. Oh, wow. Kaveh walks back a step and allows the back of his knees to meet the bed's edge, before he sits himself down and spreads his legs. He reaches out a hand to stroke through Alhaitham's ashen locks of hair while he is situated between his legs, and he will notice that Kaveh's hand is trembling. )

A-Ah— ( He breathes out a soft series of moans, cursing under his breath, murmuring his housemate's name. He'll never admit it, but he's always fantasised about what sex with Alhaitham might be like, but ... this particular scenario never entered his fantasies. But now that he's experiencing it? He can't believe how wonderful it is. That mouth - which often speaks words which irritates the living daylights out of him - is pleasuring him in such a way that he could very well forget his name for a moment. )

[ These moans and curses mixed with his name shouldn't be so pleasant to listen to and yet, Alhaitham wouldn't mind keeping Kaveh in this state until his stamina runs out. Well, there will be time and place for everything. For now, they should probably take things slow.

His head keeps bobbing slowly but steadily, easing himself to the new sensation. Gag reflex is the last thing he wants to deal with now, really. Not when Kaveh is making these delightful sounds and enjoying himself. While Alhaitham isn't doing this to make it up for these past few depressing months, he hopes that his presence will make things easier for Kaveh. And, perhaps, more pleasant.

It's a weird thought to have while his mouth is full with the other man's cock, but he cares about him. ]

( It feels so good that Kaveh almost can't believe this is real. And whether the blonde man realises it or not, this intense pleasure is an amazing distraction from his intrusive self deprecating thoughts. There's no space in his head to think about how undeserving he is of this pleasure when it feels this good to receive it, especially from the man he loves above all others. If it were anyone else performing oral on him, he may feel a tad uncomfortable, but this is an act of trust that he can allow himself to enjoy. It's disgustingly sweet of him, but with his spare hand, he reaches down to seek out Alhaitham's own in order to lock their fingers together in a tight hold while his other hand continues to comb through his hair. His hips stutter and shake, moans pouring from his open mouth - he really doesn't think he'll last long like this. )

Alhaitham— ( He moans, rolling his head back. ) I-I can't— ( Hold it, he means to say - with a premature spill of cum pumping into Alhaitham's mouth as his cock pulses. The internal conflict is intense over whether or not he wants to chase this climax or wait until they have sex. With another sharp gasp, his grip tightens in the other man's hair, and he'll allow Alhaitham to decide whether or not he wants to bring him to orgasm so soon or not. At the very least, he offers a warning: ) I'm so close—

[ Not entirely aware of the internal conflict that makes Kaveh struggle with his thoughts—the scribe is pretty sure that the blonde man hasn't fully let go and is haunted by some thoughts still—Alhaitham keeps going, his tongue swirling around the shaft and the slit, his cheeks hollowing everytime Kaveh's cock goes deeper in. When the architect reaches for his hand, Alhaitham offers him a light squeeze.

The words that spill from Kaveh's mouth make him wonder about what his next steps should be. The precum on his tongue clearly indicates that despite his potential inhibitions, Kaveh is enjoying this. The last comment, however, helps with making the final decision. Doubling down his efforts, Alhaitham doesn't stop bobbing his head even for a second. His goal is to have the blonde man come in his mouth and finally forget about everything else, even if for a few moments. ]

—Oh!

( Ohhhh, fuck - when Alhaitham increases the momentum of his thrusts, Kaveh knows that he's soon to be a goner. His body tenses and twitches, writhing at the mercy of his housemate's mouth - until the pleasure is too much for him to take any longer and he crashes over the edge, announcing his orgasm with a very pronounced squeal. ) Unh-! ( It's too late for him to announce his release - he floods the other man's mouth with his spend - and there's a lot of it. Kaveh continues to moan and write, taken so aback by the intense pleasure that he forgets his name for a moment. Holy shit. No thoughts, head empty. )

[ Normally, Alhaitham wouldn't advocate for no thoughts, head empty, but Kaveh is an exception. The exception. Kaveh pumps so much of his cum into his throat that Alhaitham barely manages to swallow it in time—some of it spills from the corners of his mouth, but he can take care of that later. The scribe doesn't pull away until he licks Kaveh's cock clean and only then wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. ]

Not bad for my first time, I'd say.

[ Maybe in other circumstances, he wouldn't be so quick to announce that. Still, Alhaitham wants Kaveh to know that no one else before him had this kind of relationship with him. Hopefully, it'll serve as another ego boost if he's lucky. ]

( Kaveh is honestly one melted puddle - as much as he wants to deliver a comeback to challenge Alhaitham's arrogance, he resists. With every rise and fall of his chest as he composes himself, each passing moment grants him time to digest what he just heard. The bedraggled blonde man weakly pulls himself up into a seating position, visibly flushed while he quirks an eyebrow. )

Your ... first time? ( Wait, does this mean ... )

Alhaitham, are you ... a virgin?

( Not that there's anything wrong with that, but. They've never spoken about their sex lives before. This is brand new information!! )

[ To be fair, Alhaitham expected a comeback almost right away. The lack of it simply means that he did an outstanding job. Or, more realistically, it means that Kaveh is touch-starved. ]

I am. [ There's no reason for him to deny it, neither is he embarrassed by that. ] You're my first partner, if you want me to reiterate.

[ He's not sure why Kaveh seems so surprised considering that Alhaitham doesn't spend much time with other people to begin with. ]

( Of course he's surprised! How can he not be?! Although ... Alhaitham wouldn't get it, would he? No, he would not. )

Really? ( A possessive part of him is thrilled by this revelation. He may be a reckless disaster with his own sex life, but he's glad that Alhaitham hasn't been with anyone apart from him. And while he hates to stroke Alhaitham's ego, he just can't stop himself this one time. ) Mm. I know you hate being around people, but ... you have such high sex appeal, I guess I'm a little surprised. Honestly, the way you fight, and that tight fitted black shirt you wear that shows off all your muscles ... to think you haven't shared intimacy with another before is astonishing.

I wouldn't joke about it.

[ Kaveh's Really? probably doesn't require an answer, yet the blonde man is getting it anyway. What comes next brings a small smile to Alhaitham's lips—surprisingly, it has nothing to do with these smug smiles he's capable of pulling out. ]

Is it really that astonishing? I don't like complications and relationships like that tend to cause some inconveniences.

[ Kaveh being the exception. ]

( Along with everything else that mirrors about them, this is yet another difference. Alhaitham is people-avoidant, Kaveh is people-pleasing. Alhaitham is rational, Kaveh is emotional. Alhaitham avoids complicated intimacy, Kaveh seeks it - and the messes that come with it. In his case, it can be viewed as a coping method. Just ... not the healthiest one. Pursuing men for sex always made him feel like something. It validated him. Because no matter how much he hates himself, if he can be responsible for someone else's pleasure, then that's a plus. Right?

A sigh drifts out of his mouth. )

Only because you're aesthetically pleasing in ways beyond all measure. I know you have the social skills of a tortoise, but ... still. You're ... gorgeous, Alhaitham. Truly.

( He shuffles to the side, inviting the other man to lie down here with him. )

I'm sorry. If you don't want to have sex tonight, we don't have to. I-I just thought ... ( Sigh. ) You know. I mean, it changes nothing about how I feel ... and I would love to do it with you. But only if you do. Don't you even think about doing something just to make me feel better, because I'll feel so much worse.

[ The first comment receives a light nod—he's accepted it, but rather than continuing this topic, there's something more urgent Alhaitham needs to bring up. Once he's laying down on the bed, the scribe rolls to the side to look at Kaveh, his gaze and voice stern. ]

I don't understand the point of your apology. I haven't said that I don't want it. [ A pause. ] Well, I haven't confirmed it either, so maybe your concerns are valid to some extent. I want to make love to you and it's not to make you feel better.

... Okay.

( It's a fragile time in his life. His depression manifested into the worst spiral he's had in years, so he's a lot more insecure and tender than he would be normally. Something in his heart flutters when Alhaitham says "make love", and Kaveh can't stop himself from leaning up to tenderly kiss him with a hand cupping his cheek. )

If you like, I can ... show you what to do? But if you change your mind at any point, just say.

Stop assuming that I will change my mind. [ The words are murmured against Kaveh's lips once the kiss is broken. That tender kiss left Alhaitham's cheeks tinted pink in its wake, but it doesn't change how blunt he can be. ] I only have theoretical knowledge, so... your practical experience is valuable.

[ The scribe decides to ignore the brief yet sharp pain in his chest when he says that. It's too irrational to pay any attention to it, anyway. ]

( Between their kisses, he murmurs back: )

I'm not assuming you'll change your mind. I'm saying you're allowed to change your mind. There is a difference. Consent during sex is extremely important.

( And Alhaitham is right. Kaveh is experienced, which is useful. But he's never loved anyone that he's had sex with before, so ... this will be a first within its own right. ) I- mmm ... I need to see if there's any lubricant in this room. ( Excuse him as he leans over to the bedside table and - lo and behold, there is a bottle of lubricant oil inside of it. It seems that the keepers of this inn really spoil their guests. )

[ That response earns Kaveh a headshake. He's not being forced to do anything and Alhaitham won't shy away from reminding the architect that he wants to spend the night with him. ]

Have you seen me change my mind that easily?

[ This time around, it's Alhaitham who presses his lips against Kaveh's first while his hand traces the curve of his spine. ]

We should have checked that before having this conversation. If there's none, I'll go ask for some.

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