wfhaitham

[wfhaitham]

"And you're pretty," Haitham says, smirking. He leans in for another kiss, but is stopped by a firm hand on his shoulder.

"You're drunk," the stranger repeats. "We shouldn't do this when you're drunk."

An unfamiliar sort of petulance brews in Haitham's chest, and he pulls away. "Do you not want to kiss me?"

"I— I wouldn't mind kissing you, but—"

"Then what's the problem?" Haitham frowns, thoroughly disgruntled. "Is it the roommate thing? He's not home. And he wouldn't care if I brought someone back anyways."

Not-Kaveh blinks at him, nonplussed. It's cute, like a little cat. Haitham wouldn't mind making him mewl, if the mood was right... "Since when were we talking about your... roommate?"

Haitham heaves a sigh and turns away, sitting heavily in a chair and burying his face in folded arms. Mood ruined. "You look like him." He mutters, muffled. "And you act like him, and I miss him."

There's a lengthy silence. Haitham's hears the shuffle of clothing, moving away, and he almost thinks the handsome stranger has left him alone again, when—

"Your roommate... Kaveh?"

"Hmm." Haitham hums in agreeance.

"What about him?"

"What's not about him?" Haitham mumbles. It seems this pretty stranger is like Kaveh in more ways than one. Too considerate. Too willing to lend an ear to a stranger down on their luck. They could be kissing right now, if the stranger wasn't so fixated on Haitham's drunkenness and his roommate. The petulant part of Haitham mourns the lack of kissing, but the part whose lips have been loosened by alcohol continues. "Everything's about him. He's blond, you know. And pretty. Like you. He doesn't like when people worry about him, but I worry anyways. He doesn't believe me when I'm kind to him, so I have to pick fights and argue and—"

Haitham rubs a tired hand over his eyes. "Our ideals clash on a fundamental level. I think he is too generous with his time and attention. He thinks I am a cruel, emotionless monster." He peers up at the stranger. The light above shines through their golden hair, which frames their face like a halo. "...I'm sorry. I only propositioned you because you look like him, but it feels good to kiss you. Can we do it again?"

WFH Chronicles · I am not wasted but I asked Lambad what he put in my drink and he said it was something strong because it looked like I needed it. I don't know what he means by that I am perfectly fine. The alcohol tastes passable compared to other alcohols. I am very sober. Ask me anything.

[wfhaitham]

"A pretty drink for a pretty stranger, then," Haitham lets a small smile cross his lips, the one that Kaveh always said he liked—

No. Haitham shakes his head. The whole point of this was to not think about Kaveh. He raises his voice, calling to Lambad. "Boss! A drink for my companion, please."

When Haitham turns back to the stranger, they still hover awkwardly out of reach. Haitham's smile dims, and he reaches for the stranger's hand, tugging them onto the stool next to him. "Why are you so far away?"

Lambad passes by with the drink, giving the stranger a quizzical look that Haitham is too drunk to understand. The stranger shrugs, and Lambad sighs in response.

"I'll never understand you two," Lambad shakes his head. "Keep me out of your foreplay next time."

Not-Kaveh gives him another helpless shrug. Haitham doesn't really know what that was all about, but he's still got the stranger's hand in his own. It's warm and calloused in a way that reminds him of Kav— in a way that is familiar and pleasant. He stumbles off of his stool, pressing himself against the stranger's side. Closer. Closer. He hasn't felt touch like this in years. It feels... nice. Safe. A dull alarm rings at the back of his mind. Maybe he shouldn't be doing this. It's not becoming of the Scribe, of a public official, to be coming on so strongly to a stranger... But he's made it this far, and the stranger looks like Kaveh. The stranger feels like Kaveh. And... if Haitham is honest— the type of honesty that can only be found at the bottom of a cup— all he wants in this moment is Kaveh to care enough to find him and take him home. But Kaveh isn't here, and Haitham's not the same junior who Kaveh looked out for anymore, so... fuck it. Fuck it all.

"How do you like the drink?" Haitham says. His tongue feels thick in his mouth, and his head feels heavy. He rests it on the stranger's shoulder. "Is it... to your taste?"

WFH Chronicles · I am not wasted but I asked Lambad what he put in my drink and he said it was something strong because it looked like I needed it. I don't know what he means by that I am perfectly fine. The alcohol tastes passable compared to other alcohols. I am very sober. Ask me anything.

[wfhaitham]

Haitham blinks, squinting at the handsome stranger who had approached him.

"Kaveh? Is that you...?" The world wavers before Haitham's eyes. It is as if a fine blur covers the stranger's face, rendering it unrecognizable to his drunken gaze.

"He's not Kaveh," Haitham mutters to his near-empty goblet. The stranger comes closer, so Haitham raises his voice, speaking slowly and with great care not to slur his words. "You're not Kaveh."

"What?" The stranger sounds mildly offended, which, fair, Haitham supposes. He, too, would be put off to be compared to one of the most beautiful men in the world and to be found lacking.

Normally, Haitham doesn't partake in the practice of "flirting", or "courtship." He's satisfied with the companionship he has found in Kaveh. But... he hurt Kaveh, and now Kaveh hates him. If Haitham thinks too deeply on the subject, maybe Kaveh has always hated him, when all Haitham has wanted, even back in their Akademiya days, was the opposite. But this pretty, Not-Kaveh stranger reminds him so viscerally of his estranged roommate. Surely, it wouldn't hurt to pay for someone else's drink, just once...

"Can I buy you a drink?" Haitham says, blinking up at the stranger through his lashes. Kaveh told him once, when Kaveh was drunk, that this made Haitham look like a puppy. Haitham never understood— he is a human, not a dog— but he still hopes this small seduction would lure this handsome stranger to his side.

WFH Chronicles · I am not wasted but I asked Lambad what he put in my drink and he said it was something strong because it looked like I needed it. I don't know what he means by that I am perfectly fine. The alcohol tastes passable compared to other alcohols. I am very sober. Ask me anything.

[wfhaitham]

Red Letter No. 8 by Jen Mazza

[wfhaitham]

You are NOT firing me while you're drunk. Go home, Haitham. We can talk about it when you're sober.

- the secretary

I am sober. Very sober. The most sober man in Sumeru. My senses are sharp and I am more lucid than I have ever been. If one was to search the dictionary for the definition of "mental acuity", it would be my picture beside it. I am very sober.

[wfhaitham]

WFH Chronicles · I am not wasted but I asked Lambad what he put in my drink and he said it was something strong because it looked like I needed it. I don't know what he means by that I am perfectly fine. The alcohol tastes passable compared to other alcohols. I am very sober. Ask me anything.

[wfhaitham]

It is considerate of you to worry, but we have been on worse terms. We will be fine. It would be an unwise financial decision for Kaveh to move out, anyways. I do not think he knows that I have been discounting his rent for years.

Please send my regards to Bellpepper. I would be grateful for the opportunity to converse with him again.

Thank you for your company last night. Bellpepper and I spoke about many things. Your cat is quite the scholar.

I did end up making it to my office to sleep after our conversation. I hope you slept well.

@wfhaitham

You’re very welcome Haitham! I’m glad you and Bellpepper had quite the rousing discussion, and I do hope whatever it is that was on your mind works itself out.

I’m glad you made it safely to your office but try not to make it a habit of sleeping there! Your back will pay the price! And thank you, I slept quite well.

[wfhaitham]

I have never claimed to be your victim. I was simply stating that I found your comments particularly cruel. See? I disagreed with the nature of your comments and did not need to escalate further. Such things are possible between you and I, at least where I am involved.

I will be turning in early tonight. I know you are wont to drink when you are with friends, and even more so when you are upset. Please take care to enter the house quietly, and do not expect me to come and fetch you from Lambad's. I have already sent our address ahead to Nilou. I am sure she will be willing to assist.

That is all. See ya.

WFH Chronicles · Today was the first time I have done my morning commute backwards. Despite my greatest efforts to minimize my time at the office, I ended up sleeping there. I am counting that as overtime on my pay sheet.

@kavehmia There is sliced fruit under the cloche on the dining table. If you would still like to move out, let me know at your earliest convenience.

[wfhaitham]

Do not worry. Kaveh is stubborn, but even then he would not place blame upon you. He is kind to a fault. He prescribes malice to me as a form of catharsis. Thus, I am used to his comments.

If he turns his ire to you, simply tell mention my name, and I am sure he will fly into an impassioned rant and forget that he was ever angry at you in the first place. This has worked for many others in the past, if reports are to be believed.

Thank you for your company last night. Bellpepper and I spoke about many things. Your cat is quite the scholar.

I did end up making it to my office to sleep after our conversation. I hope you slept well.

@wfhaitham

You’re very welcome Haitham! I’m glad you and Bellpepper had quite the rousing discussion, and I do hope whatever it is that was on your mind works itself out.

I’m glad you made it safely to your office but try not to make it a habit of sleeping there! Your back will pay the price! And thank you, I slept quite well.

[wfhaitham]

Bellpepper has the makings of the next Akademiya valedictorian. They are well-spoken without being verbose, concise without being clipped. A skilled elocutionist. You should be proud.

I am glad to hear you slept well.

Thank you for your company last night. Bellpepper and I spoke about many things. Your cat is quite the scholar.

I did end up making it to my office to sleep after our conversation. I hope you slept well.

@wfhaitham

You’re very welcome Haitham! I’m glad you and Bellpepper had quite the rousing discussion, and I do hope whatever it is that was on your mind works itself out.

I’m glad you made it safely to your office but try not to make it a habit of sleeping there! Your back will pay the price! And thank you, I slept quite well.

[wfhaitham]

...That is cruel, Kaveh.

Good luck on your apartment search. Please let me know when I can expect your key.

Rotting grapefruit is not a pleasant smell to have around the house. I cut it for you, so it is yours. If you do not eat it, at least have courtesy to throw it away while we are still together.

WFH Chronicles · Today was the first time I have done my morning commute backwards. Despite my greatest efforts to minimize my time at the office, I ended up sleeping there. I am counting that as overtime on my pay sheet.

@kavehmia There is sliced fruit under the cloche on the dining table. If you would still like to move out, let me know at your earliest convenience.

[wfhaitham]

WFH Chronicles · Today was the first time I have done my morning commute backwards. Despite my greatest efforts to minimize my time at the office, I ended up sleeping there. I am counting that as overtime on my pay sheet.

@kavehmia There is sliced fruit under the cloche on the dining table. If you would still like to move out, let me know at your earliest convenience.

[wfhaitham]

Oh, okay just wanted to be on the safe side. My night’s been fairly pleasant so far. I don’t think I can complain too much. Been busy the past few days so today has been mostly a day to relax. Though, my body is feeling the affects of being busy. How about you? How has your night be fairing?

- @idezaireu

Hmm, having a work-life balance is important. It is good that you have had time to rest, though if you continue to feel badly, please visit the Birmarstan. It would be less than ideal for you to feel poorly.

My night was decent. I spent it out of the house, as my roommate and I are— how do the children say it—? "Beefing". Otherwise, it was perfectly pleasant. I took a stroll around the city. Spent time with people such as yourself. Ultimately, I went to sleep in my office. There is a very comfortable couch there.

[wfhaitham]

Hello Mr. Al Haitham, how are you? Just wanted to stop by and give my greetings.

- @idezaireu

Hello, Deza. Please, "Al Haitham" or simply "Haitham" is fine. There is no need for formalities out of the office. I am doing well. How is your night?

[wfhaitham]

Okay.

WFH Chronicles · Early to bed, early to rise. Feeble scholar seeks intimacy with another.

[wfhaitham]

Ah. Hello, Fawn. Thank you. Would you care for some company tonight?

WFH Chronicles · Early to bed, early to rise. Feeble scholar seeks intimacy with another.

[wfhaitham]

And yet one of us pays rent to the other. It is my house.

WFH Chronicles · Early to bed, early to rise. Feeble scholar seeks intimacy with another.