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..  i'm  sorry,  haitham.  i  really  am.  i  know  i  shouldn't  have  made  that  assumption.  [  he  falters,  before  nodding  slowly,  watching  where  the  other  sits,  hands  fidgeting  anxiously.  ]   ..   i  see.   so,  a  while,  then.  at..  least  it's  better  than  nothing?   [  he  winces  at  his  own  words,  glancing  down.  ]  look,  maybe  ..   maybe  you'd  be  better  off  without  me  just ..  barging  into  your  life  again  after  the  damage  i  did.   

@paradisaeas,    so  you  assumed  i'd  be  satisfied  with  one  visit  at  the  very  beginning  and  then  complete  radio  silence  for..    for  years?    (   alhaitham  takes  in  a  breath,   careful  steps  so  he  can  sit  on  the  bench  that  has  been  mostly  taken  over  by  kaveh's  things.   )   ..   eventually,   i'm  sure.   they'd  like to  do  another  reconstruction  sometime  down  the  line  that  would  stabilize  my  knee.  

..  i  owe  you  a  lot  of  apologies.  sorry  for  the  first  part  included.  my  ...  mother  remarried,  and  there  was  a  hospital  visit  along  other  things.  i  would've  noticed   sooner.  [   he  stands  once  more,  almost  hesitantly,  rising on  the  points  of  his  shoes  to  test  as  a  distraction.  ]   i  see.  do  they ..  expect  you  to  walk  properly  again?  or  –  or  dance?  i  ...  i  didn't  think  you  wanted  to  hear  from  me.  i  thought  you'd  hate  me,  or  at  least  resent  me  enough  to  be  upset  if  i  reached  out.  but,  that  was  an  incorrect  assumption.  i'm  sorry.  

/  !!  i'll drop once i wake up 

mm,  you're  forgiven.  if   you  kiss  me  to  make  up  for  it.

@paradisaeas,   then  i  will.   i  promise.   i'm..   sorry  for  not  waking  you,   hayati.   

hmph.  sleep  is  worthless if  i  may  feel  our child  is  healthy.  you  have  to  wake  me  up  in  the  future.

mm..  i  missed  you  too.  [   he  leans  down  to  kiss  his  lover  again,  slow,  wanting.  he  pulls  back  only  once  he  needs  air.  ]   you  look  nice  like  this,  you  know..

@paradisaeas,    and  i  missed  /you/  so  much..    

you  seemed  so  happy.  i  didn't  want  to  disturb  you.  [  a  smile  graces  his  lips,  hand  cradling  his  lover's  face  with  now  only  the  slightest  hesitancy,  growing  comfortable  as  he  indulges  in  the  languid  affection.  ]  i've   not  done  anything.  you'll  have  to  prove  it  to  me. 

@paradisaeas,   am  i?  if  he  felt  neglected,   he  could  have  said  so  earlier.   (   but  he  moves  either way,   slotting  himself  between  the  legs  of  his  boyfriend,  lips  pressed  together  in  a  slow  kiss.   )   ..   you  look  beautiful. 

perhaps  they  intend  on  keeping  you  on  your  toes.  you'll  hear  them  soon.  now,  come  here  –  you're  neglecting  the  mother  of  your  child.  hmph.

/  !!!

hm?*

mm.  [  he  turns  around.  ]   i'm  okay,  you  know.   what  are  you  worried  for,  hmv

@paradisaeas,   the..   recent  developments,   however,   are.  i  suppose  i'm  just  worried. 

[   despite  himself,  he  leans  into  the  touch,  reluctantly  raising  his  gaze  to  meet  teal  eyes.  ]   i  know  you  don't.  that  doesn't  mean  it  doesn't  happen  anyways.   please,  haitham.  be  careful.  i'm  not  the  only  one  for  you  to  be  safe  for  anymore.  

@paradisaeas,   kaveh..   (   he  reaches  out,   a  hesitance,   placing  his  hand  against  the  blondes  cheek.   )   look  at  me.   i  don't  mean  to  frighten  you.   ever.   there  are..   things  that  have  changed  in  my  life,  our  lives,  that  i  don't  want  to  miss.  

[  he  chews  on  his  lip,   fists  clenching.  ]   a  messed  up  turn  nearly  cost  your  life  before.  i  ..  don't  want  the  same  thing  to  happen  again.

you're  being  dramatic,  i'm  not  bleeding  out  –

@paradisaeas,     this  doesn't  look  /fine/,   kaveh!