shellphones | text; follow up survey

Type: Text
Sender ID: vulturvolans (Alhaitham)
To: Public
Subject: Follow Up Survey
Warnings: Subtle unsubtle bragging, and Gay

This is Alhaitham.

I have a survey for people to respond to. Those who have filled up my previous survey from last year may consider this as a follow up of sorts to it—those who have not are free to respond to this one all the same. Regardless, there are similarly no restrictions or stipulations to the nature of the responder; the only thing that I request is for honesty when filling this in.

1) Are you currently in any sort of romantic relationship? (Arrangements made purely for physical reasons do not count.)
2) Does an institution of marriage exist in the world that you come from? Does it play any sort of significant cultural role? Feel free to describe as much or as little as you want.
3) Do you consider the idea of marriage important? What is the primary endgoal in any romantic relationship that you pursue?
4) What do you envision as your ideal future with a partner?
5) What does the concept of 'home' mean to you?

You are free to leave your answers in this post or direct them to my inbox. I will follow up on whatever answers that I feel are necessary.

Thank you for your time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Kaveh snorts very, very loudly.]

Felt like bragging, did we?

I'm simply learning from a broader circle, like you keep telling me to.

[This is not stopping Alhaitham from winding his arm around Kaveh's waist and pulling him in closer even though they're already cuddling in bed.]

Yes, I can tell you're very curious to learn about marriage from this lot.

[Kaveh is perfectly fine being cuddled closer, he's pretty much boneless right now.]

I should have guessed you're the sentimental type.

[Alhaitham hums, neither confirming nor denying, but the way he puts his Shellphone aside so that he can turn and use his now free hand to link their fingers together probably says everything, especially with how he runs his thumb over the ring that has stayed on Kaveh's finger for nearly a year now.]

Hm, I would have thought that a romanticist like you would have some interest in the subject yourself.

[Doubly so after all the... stuff... they heard from Joshua.]

When did I say I wasn't interested? Cite your sources, Haitham.

[Kaveh is curious--of course he is--but he also knows damn well what this is actually about.]

Though I think we'll find the answers depressing in many cases.

I guess we'll know soon enough.

[But regardless of whatever answers they get, it isn't going to change what the two of them already have.

Alhaitham doesn't really think much as he brings up Kaveh's hand and leans in to press a kiss to his ring. Even now, nearly a year later, it still feels like a marvel to be able to do things like these. That they have this, and will always have this for as long as they both desire it.]

Mmm...assuming they're cooperative.

[Kaveh goes quiet, watching Alhaitham fuss over the ring, and smiles, leaning up to press his temple against his incorrigible husband's. It's so strange to think, that a dream such of this still feels out of reach in Teyvat...that there, Kaveh has only just begun to entertain the dream he might be allowed to love Alhaitham in private, much less marry him openly.

Protecting this miracle...isn't that why they search for the relics so diligently? Kaveh will not give up this man for anything.]

[Kaveh's warmth is always a familiar and comforting one, and also one that Alhaitham cherishes deeply, as he feels it seep through him like so many other times; a precious sensation that he will never let any other have. Even back in Teyvat the feelings are already there, nebulous and untempered as they are. But with enough time, he knows that will change, much like how this place has allowed them to do the same.]

Hmm... I suppose most people are quite private about their love lives. [He muses out loud, but there's no hiding the bright, pleased gleam in his eyes as he looks at Kaveh with open fondness and affection. Of course, Alhaitham has never hidden any of his love from Kaveh, but though this past year he's come to learn so many more ways and means to express it, and he's sure he will learn even more of them in the time to come.

It goes without saying, of course, that he's looking forward to all of that. And their search for the relics will ensure that none of that will be forgotten.]

And I think Zack might have been banned from using the network for such things after last year.

[Kaveh snickers a little, in memory. He wasn't the only one who made a fool of himself that night, after all...]

[Now it's Alhaitham's turn to snort here, eyes half-rolling.]

Is that something I should be imposing on you?

[Not that it would be very effective since Kaveh has Mehrak on hand, but still. Its the principle of the matter.]

You wouldn't succeed.

[In the picture of perfect maturity, Kaveh sticks his tongue out at Alhaitham for the temerity of his suggestion.]

[Everytime Kaveh does that Alhaitham is always struck with the deep desire to kiss him, and this time is really not that much different.

But its one of the rare times that he refrains himself from doing so, if only because what he decides to do instead is to reach up and attempt to give that cheeky tongue a quick pinch. It doesn't quite work, since tongues tend to be quite slippery in general, but it doesn't stop him from doing it anyway.]

Mmmph!!!

[Well, now Kaveh's going to lean over and bite his cheek in revenge. Gently! But still.

Oh this will devolve quickly, won't it?]

[It never takes very long with the both of them. Especially when there's already pretty much nothing else between them. The only thing stopping them at this point are their own physical limitations.

Anyway Alhaitham twists his head after Kaveh bites his cheek, going for the earlobe himself that he can take between his teeth and give a small bite of his own.]

text; follow up survey

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action

action