He stared as Al-Haitham switched the song out for the last one on his usual playlist. Nobody else here would care, but Kaveh did. He always did, when it came to him. He made his way back over to Al-Haitham’s station. “Decided to give my words some thought?” he asked hopefully, breathlessly.

Al-Haitham did not answer him, which was as good as him rolling his eyes. “What, then? What was that all about?” “My shift ends in five minutes,” he says. “I’d rather not be stuck here for longer than necessary.” “Oh.” Kaveh’s heart fell. “So soon?” Al-Haitham hummed - a confirmation.