[ heine says yes. what it had taken, kaveh thinks, for heine to say yes. kaveh's heart warms for it. he gathers it, that warmth. he holds it. kaveh thinks, if this city moves to make a liar of either of them, kaveh will never forgive it. kaveh already will never forgive it.

in the interim, kaveh's skirts gather along his knees. he sits in heine's lap and leans back into the couch at an angle. it's not a particularly comfortable couch. the springs need work, the upholstery is mediocre, and there isn't enough give in the cushions. kaveh has not been this comfortable all day. one of his hands rest against heine's cheek. the other finally pulls his bottle back to him so that he can uncork it with his teeth. the sound is a resounding, hollow pop. ]

Seven years is a long time to walk the same path as someone. Well, a long time, and remarkably short, too, when compared to the span of a lifetime. [ says kaveh, and tips his head back as he drinks. he considers this. ] I've never asked, have I. How you and Badou met.