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Kalim Al-Asim was very used to his life being in danger. People seemed to believe it an incredibly valuable prize, like killing him or holding him for ransom would give them the riches everyone aside from him seemed to crave so badly. Attempts on his life were nothing special- he and Jamil had long since learned how to deal with them. The danger itself no longer stayed in his mind for long; it was the quiet moments afterwards when he and Jamil stayed in each other’s company, letting the adrenaline-filled tension drain away, that stuck out in his memory, soft as a candle flame.
There was a certain ritual they did every time that Kalim especially treasured. Neither of them really remembered how it had started, but at some point, Kalim had insisted on tending to Jamil’s injuries after a struggle and never stopped doing it. Eventually, what began as a desperate attempt to help turned into the one thing he could always count on being able to do for Jamil. This particular tradition wasn’t one they ever talked about in the light of day though. It was too fragile, too real. Somehow, Kalim and Jamil both knew that if they talked about this, the dam would break and they would be forced to acknowledge everything else too. And that just wasn’t something they would be ready for, not so soon after the painful revelations that had so drastically changed how Kalim viewed their relationship.
In the moments immediately following the overblot, Kalim played up the cheerful obliviousness, letting his usual persona hide the choking relief he felt, the bitter disappointment and foreboding that echoed through his bones. A part of him had always known after all, that Jamil had been using “Snake Whisper”. He’d kept quiet about it, refusing to acknowledge the truth because there was no other way forward. He and Jamil had always lived balancing on the edge of a knife, trapped right in the middle of a nest of near-constant backstabbing and murder. Jamil had let it sharpen him, had become the quiet, soundless blade striking down the dangers before they became fatal. He had adapted well, over the years, but so had Kalim.
The only difference was that they had different ways of hiding it, is all.
So, in the singular heartbeat of a moment between Jamil approaching him and the familiar trappings of his unique magic, Kalim only felt relief that his retainer had taken such care to conceal his intent. Otherwise he might not have been able to pretend so well and that road only ended in trouble for both of them.
Then came Azul and the Leech twins, ever at his side.
The careful balancing act Kalim had been playing fell apart.
(He couldn’t help the frustration that welled up in his heart whenever he thought back on that day.)
(Why did Azul feel the need to thrust the truth into everyone’s faces so blatantly?)
(Kalim would’ve been fine pretending for the rest of his life if need be.)
(And now… now that was impossible.)
‘There’s no need to lie- we already know what happened.’
Kalim swallowed.
‘You- you do?’
‘That servant manipulated you using his magic, didn’t he?’ Aaliyah Asim said.
Hamid Al-Asim shook his head, a dark look briefly visible on his face.
‘How disgusting. After everything we’ve done for him, that Viper boy dared to forget his place?’
Kalim looked at them in silent horror.
(What? What exactly have you done for Jamil? Put his life in danger? Made him act as my human shield?)
(You’ve never cared about what happened to me before. Why do you care now?)
(But he already knew the answer.)
(His family had tried to kill him countless times and everyone turned a blind eye.)
(Jamil had used his magic to control Kalim once and was about to die for it.)
(The only difference lay in their status.)
‘He and his entire family will face the consequences for this, don’t you worry, son.’
His mother and father looked at him, as composed and calm as ever. As if they were talking over a nice dinner and not deciding to end somebody’s entire existence.
For the first time in his whole life, Kalim Al-Asim found himself becoming genuinely furious.
The very next day, the whole mansion was in chaos as various members of the family screamed accusations at each other and the news, the internet and the world as a whole collectively exploded over the juicy secrets of the Asim family that had been anonymously leaked last night. Said secrets including enough evidence to get over half of the Asim three consecutive life sentences. (And that was not taking into account the sheer depth of trouble its head was now in.)
Kalim stayed in his room all morning, ignoring any attempts people made to talk at him through the door.
And then…
‘How long are you planning to stay locked up inside?’
Kalim’s eyes snapped open.
‘Jamil?’ Kalim called hopefully.
There was an exasperated huff.
‘Who else would it be? Let me in already.’
Heart bursting with happiness, Kalim went to unlock the door.
As soon as it clicked shut behind Jamil, Kalim threw himself forward, looping his arms around the other's neck and pressing himself close, close enough to feel his steady breathing.
Jamil stumbled backwards slightly, hands automatically going to Kalim’s shoulders to steady him.
He sighed, rolling his eyes.
‘Kalim I swear, if you-’
‘I’m so glad you’re okay…’ Kalim whispered into his neck.
Jamil stopped, the words dying in his throat.
There was a short silence.
The servant gently pushed Kalim away.
‘Do you regret it?’ he asked, looking directly into wide garnet eyes.
There was no need for him to say any more. Kalim understood.
(His mother once asked him a question that had, at the time, confused him.)
(Now, years and years later, he finally had an answer for her.)
What will you do to protect what’s yours?
How far are you willing to go, Kalim?
‘No. No, I don’t regret what we did.’
I would do anything to protect Jamil. Anything I needed to.
It’s what he always did for me.
Aaliyah Asim’s son stood in silence, thinking that perhaps nobody had really known him all that well after all.