#hehehehehehe reuploading this today for a very special reason /lh

[screamingcrows]

Notes: Reupload of an ask box drabble for the prompt "a kiss out of spite". Steal for anything and I'm spreading Anobium punctatum in your home. Tags: Alhaitham x reader, established relationship, 700 words Minors DNI

Alhaitham knew it had to be his fault that you were currently huffing and puffing in frustration. Why else would you so angrily be collecting scattered papers and books, snapping thomes shut with no care for placing a bookmark first. You had been prone to such harmless, if petty, ploys of 'revenge' since he'd first met you.

Admittedly, your shared space had begun resembling the aftermath of an exam season, something neither of you had needed to stress about for years. When he shifted slightly in the couch it didn't go unnoticed, and his stomach churned at the scowl on your face. He hated this just as much as you, but there was nothing to be done really.

"I said I'd tidy up once I was finished working," he attempted to pacify, making his voice as neutral as possible.

"Not everything can be pushed around based on your schedule," you snapped at him, voice shaking slightly.

So this was about more than just the clutter then. Gently closing the book in his hand, Alhaitham considered how to proceed, letting his eyes drift towards your face. For a moment, he wondered if spring had finally set in before realising with a bleeding heart that your eyes were red for an entirely different reason.

You were evidently upset, holding his stare with a passion that was rare. It clicked into place far sooner than he'd have liked, he'd been horrible, hadn't he?

"I-.. I haven't been fair to you these past few weeks. This was precisely what I've wanted to avoid, and I'm sorry for not noticing sooner," he stood up as he spoke, hating the way you stepped back, placing a broom between the two of you. Another barrier.

"I've barely spoken to you since you became the Acting Grand Sage, barely even seen you, and- and I thought today would be different. I got so excited that you stayed home 'haitham, I cleared my damned schedule to stay with you,"

He took a deep breath, knowing now would be a bad time to point out that he'd never made any indication that he would have any free time today. That wasn't a conversation either of you needed right now. Before he could reply, you already made a verbal lunge.

"There's no partnership in this, and I'm sick and tired of doing everything without so much as a single acknowledgement from you and-"

"Sit."

"What? No."

Alhaitham did what he could to stop his hands from trembling when he reached out and pried the broom from you, immediately regretting having let it clatter to the ground, the sound doing nothing to break the tension.

With a firm hand, Alhaitham guides you to sit before taking the spot beside you. No amount of noise cancelling would be enough to drown out the thundering beat of his heart. How had he allowed himself to become so blind to the weight upon your shoulders?

If the broadest shoulders must bear the heaviest load, how had he ever let himself so carelessly neglect assessing the tired look in your lovely eyes? But your fingers remained intertwined with his, you were disappointed but not enough to loathe him. That by itself was reason enough to not overthink but act.

"The day isn't over, my work can wait. We could go for a picnic, it shouldn't be too warm and we have leftovers to bring. I can go to the bazaar and get fruit while you get ready," his mind was running as fast as possible, voice struggling to keep up.

"I don't want it to be forced, and that's exactly what you're doing right now."

His eyes widened slightly, struck by lightning when you pulled your hand from his.

"Tomorrow then, the entire day?"

He saw how your eyes narrowed, which only made the surge of relief he felt that much greater as you yanked his earpiece to the side to press a kiss to the shell of his ear. You were still scowling, arms crossed in front of your chest as a petulant toddler.

But now Alhaitham had no doubt that it was strictly for show.

"Three more weeks and I'm back to lazing around as much as you want. And ah-," he cleared his throat sheepishly, "handling my own clutter in a more timely manner."