[ Their kiss is broken for a thumb to be pressed against a stray tear, a gentle-soft murmur of assurance on Alhaitham's lips, and Kaveh sighs, head tilting into that touch even as he offers him a teary smile. ]

Nothing's bothering me, [ is his murmured reply, but even he recognizes that that's not entirely true, and after a moment he sighs again, his brows creasing just slightly. ] I'm just...

[ Kaveh bites his lip, thoughtful. How is he meant to describe it? ]

I feel like I've been blind this whole time... but not you. You've... always seen me, Alhaitham.

[ It's a statement more than a question, a belated understanding of the truth more than a search for confirmation. No matter what happened, Alhaitham was there to catch him, is still here even now, and...

He feels the fool. ]