The sounds of the busy street had dulled into a calming background noise when Auri stepped out of the bathhouse. It was as if the world had paused to finally catch a breath after a long day.
Auri walked ahead with practiced ease, still feeling the warmth of the sun radiating off the stone path. Behind him, Hawad followed close with lazy strides. The accomplished smile playing on the man's lips stirred Auri the wrong way, but he said nothing about it.
"So, about tomorrow," Hawad started, catching up to him. "If you're up to it, let's install the roof early, before the sun starts cooking us alive. You already have something to use? I've got some spare cloth tuck away. I can give it to you."
Auri side-eyed the man, feigning consideration. "Spare cloth, huh? You sure you want to give it to me?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, I don't use it much anymore. Better to give it to you than let it rot in the corner."
