#i wanna post screenshots so bad but i dont wanna expose my real identity wdfbjdb

[bl-inkstone]

as much as i love serious no-nonsense alhaitham, i like to imagine him engaging in silly little mock arguments in different languages with a haravatat or vahumana reader that he (privately) considers one of his dearest friends. he probably spins it as a learning opportunity for both of you ("conversation is a good way to properly grasp the nuances of conversation and the little linguistic gimmicks of a language, after all") but in all honesty? alhaitham enjoys just being able to indulge in what he'd normally consider "pointless" or "childish" behavior with someone he knows won't judge him for it, and will enthusiastically join in when he offers.

(and as a personal plus for him: not only does it give him an outlet for every niche tidbit of history he's accumulated over the years in order to create not only incredibly witty responses that are also factual and accurate to the time period, but also, your company is exactly what he needs after a long day at work. there's no better pick-me-up than hearing you try to hide your snort when he drops a particularly hard line. he's glad you think he's funny. your joy is a wonderful sight to see.)

he treasures the moments where he can sit beside you, trading light jabs and in-character insults at each other in your private corner of lambad's tavern. to alhaitham, it's moments like these that remind him that there's more to life than just his work, his hobbies, and himself.

good food, good drinks, and good company mark the end of most of alhaitham's days, and his heart always leaves the tavern full and content with the promise of seeing you again soon, safe and whole and happy, in the table you've always saved a seat for him at since your days in the akademiya.

(can be read as platonic or romantic! either way, alhaitham cares greatly for you and enjoys the times you can spend together, even when it's mostly spent trading insults in languages both of you have varying levels of mastery in lmao)