Greetings Gern. I come baring gifts. It's a good idea to read this with a cup of something warm, like coffee. Kaveh gawaits.
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“You know you don't need to bring me this every morning.” Kaveh took a sip of the coffee blend, the flavor simmering on his tongue. Like always, it's what makes his day.
“Do you not want me to?” You asked, and he blinked.
Kaveh was never the type to plan his routines. He laid serpentine on linear graphs, and made due with it. You weren't a planned experience for him either. You found a way in his schedule without him noticing– and then he did.
He noticed the hallway greetings that made his heart skip a beat and his pulse caprizant. He noticed when you spoke you'd thrum your fingers against your own palm. Most of all, he'd notice the mornings you'd find him in the library, a coffee in hand specifically for him.
It was an accident the first time– “They got my order wrong,” you said. So he accepted the coffee you didn't like to drink.
But then it happened again, you had a different excuse this time. It continued morning after morning, and after a while Kaveh didn't question it– why would he? It was a kind gesture, and he didn't want to delve into the hypotheticals that would make his mind rush with a longing for answers.
“No-! No, I don't mind it, of course I don't. Just…”
But Kaveh could never stop himself from wondering if the cinnamon he tasted was something you specifically requested for him. That you might've looked through a menu to choose something he might enjoy. It made him swell with fondness.
“Why?”
You stilled, your index finger rubbed against your thumb. You hummed, “I always see you here early,” you met his gaze. “You seemed busy, I guess I just didn't want you to be too tired.”
Kaveh froze, the cup in his hand halfway to his mouth. How could you say that so casually–? Such a gentle admission of care felt so wrong in a place he's so used to.
Or maybe he was already too invested into the ‘ifs’, you were being a kind friend. As always.
But that still didn't help the warmth that filled his heart with your words. He placed the coffee down, one hand splayed over his mouth as you just watched.
And then finally, a response.
“This one was really good, where did you get it?” Perfect, subtle, a great opening line. Kaveh moved his hand to prop his chin. “How about we go there together sometime?” Yep. That's it, he just hopes you don't see the nervousness in his eyes.
He doesn't even know how he wanted his words to come across. Whatever your interpretation of him was in that moment– he just hoped you'd say yes.
At least, if you answered the first question he'd still have a reminder of you over spring break.