ιитιмι∂αтιиɢ✧.* ᵃˡʰᵃⁱᵗʰᵃᵐ ˣ ʳᵉᵃᵈᵉʳ

-'๑'- cнαρтɛя 11

ϰι. ɢяαƨρ

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Alhaitham had bent over you, his back nearly pressed flat against yours as he reached over your figure to grab the box, his mouth right behind your ear where his voice had sent shivers down your neck.

He placed his hands right above yours, guiding you to easily lift as he then brought it over you and took it from your hold, finally placing it down on the ledge.

While he did so, you were just shocked. It took you a minute to process what had just happened before your face began to grow red. You brought your hands to your face as the heat rushed to your cheeks.

Alhaitham looked at your blushing figure, smirking a little from his evident effect on you. He was about to comment on that, before Tighnari had interrupted.

"Is everything alright?" You heard Tighnari's voice come in play as you looked up to find the three of them just arriving.  Alhaitham felt himself get irritated before he looked at Kaveh, a little surprised and almost wanting to laugh. However, you immediately looked at Kaveh with a worried expression.

"We're fine! But, Kaveh — your nose. . ." You said, going up to him to take a better look. As you do so, Cyno and Tighnari both just give Alhaitham a dead stare.

"Just on time," Cyno says a bit dully, in which was an attempt to be sarcastic. "I aim to please." Alhaitham replies.

Meanwhile, you had gone up to Kaveh with a worried expression. "Why'd they punch you anyway? It looks nearly swollen. . ." You said.

"Ah, it's fine -- uhhh," Kaveh's eyes widened as you casually brought your hand on his face to bring him down to your height, making him bend forward a bit as you examine his nose. He couldn't help but blush slightly, but he falters immediately when you touched it gently, making him flinch in pain.

"Ow--!"

"S-Sorry!"

Alhaitham looked behind Cyno and Tighnari's figures to see you and Kaveh, who you were so closely holding his face near yours.

"Now I know you prefer to have your nose stuck in a book and you believe you're doing great, but sooner or later you'll be needing dentures and your eyes will betray you." Tighnari states, almost as if he was lecturing him.

Tighnari's voice went through Alhaitham's ears as he continued to look ahead. No thoughts, no expression on him, just looking at you and Kaveh.

"Perhaps it's a bit hypocritical coming from me to say something on this topic, but --" Tighnari keeps going, clearly oblivious to Alhaitham's zoning, but Cyno had interrupted him.

"Ahem." he clears his throat, Tighnari's ears straightening before he blinks at his friend. Cyno gestures his head towards Alhaitham, who was looking straight across. They both turn their heads to look at the two of you.

Kaveh had a nervous look on his face. His hands remained in mid-air since he had no idea what to do with them while you still had him bent to your height. "Haha, I-I'm fine, Y/n. Theres no need for -- ow!"

"Kaveh, your nose is literally getting swollen!" You said. You had quickly bought him a different ice pack, pressing it against his nose after somehow finding some extra mora in your pockets.

Tighnari and Cyno then glance at each other, before they returned to look at Alhaitham -- who as a matter of fact, already brought his attention back at them two. A rather off silence passed for a few second, before Tighnari speaks.

"Well. . . nevermind what I was saying then." Tighnari sighs

"I'm sorry, what were you saying earlier?" Alhaitham asks.

". . ."

While you were too focused on not applying too much pressure, Kaveh had looked at Alhaitham, before switching back at you, remembering as towhy everyone was here in the first place.

"Y'know what? I'll just take it from here," Kaveh nervously chuckles, putting distance between you two while he gently grabs the ice pack from your hold.

"Really? But," You try to reach your hands up again, but he backs up quickly, a little too quickly. You easily notice this, getting a bit confused and upset. He immediately composed himself, or at least tried to.

"Let's just head back to the others, yeah?" Kaveh tries to reassure you with a smile as he used his hand to subtly guide you by your back.

"Okay. . ." You said, still a little wary as you walked towards the other three.

"So," Cyno speaks up, not really knowing where to go from here. He looks at Tighnari, who also had nothing to say before they both look at Kaveh, since he was the one who planned everything after all.

"R-Right! So," Kaveh tries to think of something. To be honest, he didn't really plan much since it was at the last second. "Nilou's dance should be starting any second now. . ." He says awkwardly. Your face lightens up at just the sound of her name. "I've always wanted to see her live!" You said excitingly.

"Perfect!" Kaveh says, still holding the ice pack to his nose. "Why don't you two stay here, and we," He puts places each hand on Cyno and Tighnari's shoulders. "-- will go get drinks!" He continued, Tighnari's face contorting into slight disgust from the ice pack being near his face.

"Oh, uhm, okay." you replied hesitantly, you didn't really want to be left alone with Alhaitham, but you didn't want to miss a chance of the show starting either.

So the three of them left, again."Get that thing away from me." You could hear Tighnari say while they leave. You watch as their figures grow smaller within the distance, and you sigh. You then turn to look at Alhaitham, who then looked at you.

"Theres no shame in openly admitting you wanted to keep me company." Alhaitham said nonchalantly.

"Let's just go stand somewhere close quick!" You ignore his comment as you were way too excited to care, already going to find somewhere to stand.

The box also now leaving your mind completely.

"Hm." Alhaithaim hummed in reply, somewhat amused as he tried to stick close to your rushing figure. You tried to push past the others since you wanted to stand near the stage, you honestly weren't paying attention that much if he were caught up or not.

You gained some annoyed looks as you pushed against some people, still apologizing since you were aware of it. "Hold on." Alhaitham said sternly, trying to excuse himself politely as a different person got in his way for each step you took apart from him. Your eyes search in between bodies as they stop at a specific tiny open area, which was just enough for the two of you.

"Hurry up!" You said. However, the sight was blocked from your view as someone had accidentally stepped in your way, bumping into you as you lost somewhat of your footing.

Suddenely, two hands come up to grab the sides of your shoulders, steadying you before they reached out to lightly push others away. "Careful now," Alhaitham said. His tone was calm, and for once it showed that he was being genuine.

Your heart skipped a beat, from the way he held you, to how close his body was. He kept you in front of him as his hand remained on your shoulder. The lights on stage dimmed as the crowd got more rowdier. But this time, someone's arm bumped his back, causing him to get even more closer as his chest pressed against you, which was much closer compared to what had happened earlier.

"Just keep moving. We'll get you that spot." He said, his voice vibrating against you through his chest.

Your face grows red as you look up at him. He held a straight face per usual, but he was composed and focused.

'Maybe he really isn't that bad,'  You thought, as it was obvious that he had a more of a gentleman side to him, which was not good for your heart.

But those were your last good thoughts of him, before what would occur on the next day.

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