[ he had, at some level, expected such a response. he had seen such things in prisoners of war, in newly-minted slaves and in the dogs that they sent into the pits, ever hopeful for a kind hand or a kind word but flinching at the mere shadow of human touch. kaveh is like one such animal now. his body shifts, the long line of which turns from defeated petulance to an animal in flight within the span of a human heartbeat. alhaitham's hand should not have paused, but it does so. his fingers hover above the gold of kaveh's bracelet before he realises what he is not doing. the suspended beat is like a held breath - blink and its gone, and his hand is once more in motion, fingers curled around the gold band keeping kaveh's wrist under lock and key.
the key shifts from his pocket to his hand. alhaitham unlocks it, brisk clinical movements that leave nothing to the imagination, his fingers sure and aloof. his skin does not brush kaveh's. he works on his other wrist, next, and then, bending, leans down to work on his ankles. first the left, then the right. the manacles fall where they lay, golden baubles glinting in the room's bright torchlight. the chains pool like sundered snakes.
last, alhaitham's detached gaze lifts to the sole collar left, resting against the sharp jut of kaveh's collarbone. ]
no subject
the key shifts from his pocket to his hand. alhaitham unlocks it, brisk clinical movements that leave nothing to the imagination, his fingers sure and aloof. his skin does not brush kaveh's. he works on his other wrist, next, and then, bending, leans down to work on his ankles. first the left, then the right. the manacles fall where they lay, golden baubles glinting in the room's bright torchlight. the chains pool like sundered snakes.
last, alhaitham's detached gaze lifts to the sole collar left, resting against the sharp jut of kaveh's collarbone. ]
Lift your head.
[ he says, and reaches for it. ]