Stolen Enchantment

Dancing with The Lion

The clock had struck seven PM, and all three of them enjoyed their drinks with bliss while conversing with one another. Kaveh at this rate had requested an abundance of alcohol from Alhaitham's end, for the sake of Javve he did so.
He quietly watched as he reached an intoxicated state, so much so that he took up the table with his sputtered chat. Javve was listening with patience as Kaveh went on about his works and other such topics, Alhaitham paid attention when he was babbling on about him.

"I'm surprised you both got along! Alhaitham's always a grump, but I suppose two opposites and a special interest go hand in hand right?"

Kaveh smiled brightly, a red haze moving over his face from the alcoholic influence. He spilled some of his drink over the table by accident. Noticing this he halted in the middle of his sentence and snatched a few napkins off the table, wiping it clean Alhaitham cleared his throat and smiled shortly at Javve.

"It was great to meet you, I plan on coming back here often. I'll make sure Kaveh stays on task with the reconstruction."

His voice was humble, smooth, and kind as he stood up standing beside the booth. Javve smiled back with a tired look, he nodded his head. Kaveh on the other hand didn't appear to like the idea of leaving, he practically hugged his unfinished drink. Javve noticed this and cracked up,

"Don't worry he can take it with him, you two return home safely. I appreciate this a lot, it's not often that I get to speak so freely with the youth."

He coughed and continued to sip on the alcohol he was given a few hours before, Kaveh finally managed to get himself out of the booth. Struggling to follow Alhaitham on their way out. The two straddled the stone paths leading into the markets, some just opening up for the late night.
Warm yellow light danced on their faces, and the Divine Tree swayed its branches overhead, sending down leaves by the carry of wind. A few landed in Kaveh's hair, he reached up and struggled to remove them.
Alhaitham shook his head with a brief sigh as he approached behind Kaveh, helping out with the situation. He nearly had forgotten the pencil he stole back in the restaurant. He pulled it out and began to gently pull his hair back up, entangling it around the pencil. Kaveh stayed completely silent during this, Alhaitham only became concerned when he leaned forward. He quickly reached out, his strong arm wrapped around Kaveh's waist to steady him.

"Hang in there, we'll be home soon, I promise."

He whispered, Kaveh was too out of it to care how he was being handled. He only briefly mumbled some words before continuing to walk his way. Alhaitham would let him go but was prepared to catch him at any second. He took a few moments to appreciate the beauty of light in the dark, and Kaveh suddenly turned around to Alhaitham.
They stood at the center of the market, eyes lingered on the duo, the Scribe escorting the honorary Kshahrewar. Kaveh swayed his hands to the left and right, with surprising elegance. Although his footing was a bit stumbled as he approached Alhaitham who was caught off guard.
Only when he took his attention off of Kaveh would he realize some musicians playing nearby on the street. It was a charismatic delivery, as Kaveh was approaching with his small dance he stumbled forward.
Alhaitham caught his waist out of reaction, Kaveh adjusted himself and gripped slightly past his wrists, pulling him closer to the music. A blissful smile singing over his lip, he appeared to be enjoying himself.

Alhaitham on the other hand was confounded by the gesture, but he couldn't just pull away. Who knows how Kaveh would react if he did, so he simply was led on. The two were the only ones dancing in the street. Kaveh laughed out of joy as he spun them both around. The musicians cheered at their paused parts at the duo, it created a small crowd that joined in on the fun.
These past few days were hectic, and that was true.

To be honest, Alhaitham hadn't had a chance to pick up a book and read in peace. That made him on edge, but at the same time, he couldn't deny that a part of him was having a lot more amusement than usual.
He then remembered an old flame conveying an important quote, one that he had never understood until now. 'Knowledge is nothing without the experience, otherwise it is never truly understood.' He hadn't grasped the feeling of dancing in a ballroom with a partner, hearing the things he does now. If he was being honest with himself, he hadn't felt a genuine connection to another person like this.
In years. At that moment Kaveh jumped up, wrapping his arms around his neck, one of his hands moving under the bright blue wire connected to his earphones.

They both smiled simultaneously, Alhaitham held Kaveh and spun him around in one swift movement. They were the center of the dance, their coats, and accessories wavered in the wind that flowed through their hair. The lanterns caressed their faces in beautiful orange light, once Kaveh landed on his feet.
His eyes sparkled in joy, and his head leaned forward and planted on Alhaitham's chest. Only after a minute would he realize that Kaveh had been completely knocked out for the night. He let out a long sigh, but it wasn't disappointed, or annoyed.
Relieved, he reassured the onlookers nearby. Carefully he picked Kaveh up into a bridal carry, moving along the streets where he finally managed their way home.

Upon arriving at the door, his brows furrowed in aggravation. He slowly let down Kaveh's legs, holding him at a stand so he could rummage through his pockets for the keys. Kaveh gradually opened his eyes, his strength coming back to his muscles while murmuring something under his breath.

Alhaitham gazed over as he emptied his pockets, an aggravated grunt leaving his throat. His keys were missing, and going back would be a pain, after all, Kaveh was drunk to hell and didn't appear to be sober enough to walk on his own. At that moment the man pulled away from his grip with peculiar strength, he heard a jingle of metals coming from his direction.

Alhaitham quickly turned his attention to Kaveh who was blatantly smirking, his right lazily holding up two pairs of keys. He nearly fell onto his back by a misstep of his feet, which Alhaitham dragged a hand down his face irritated. He reached his hand out to snatch them back, but Kaveh pulled them out of the way faster giggling.

"This is my reveeenge–! If you wanted them, then you better chase me."

Alhaitham appeared puzzled to his bitter core, honestly what kind of person plays ridiculous games such as this while they're drunk? He folded his arms stubbornly and cocked his head to the side, appearing solemn. Kaveh couldn't help but smile, placing the hand holding the keys over his mouth to hold himself back.

"If you believe I'll chase you over some keys, then you're foolish. Hand them over Kaveh, I won't ask again."

The lion's eyes shone bright like that of a blood moon, playful but dangerous. The crow narrowed his eyes with curiosity, but a play was not just something to take lightly. He foresaw it as a challenge, while the lion interpreted it as a simple game. To determine who would win is impossible.