Chapter Text
The next morning, when Jamil woke up, it was to the sound of an argument, so without even getting ready he shot up, and scrambled out of his room towards the lunge. He found a group of three students, first years, and Kalim, who was still in his own pajamas, hair a mess and none of his usual make-up. He paused in the entrance way to the lounge as he stared in confusion, Kalim was scolding the three first years, for down talking Jamil over his overblot. Jamil sighed and shook his head.
”He's dangerous, Housewarden! He used and betrayed you! What makes you think it won’t happen again? He could still be using you.” One of them said and Jamil shifted back, he wasn’t doing that, he in fact hadn’t used his signature spell once since winter break, but they didn’t know that. They couldn’t know that. “No he’s not! He is my childhood friend! The winter break situation was a combination of stress and being overworked, which was mostly my fault. I should have thought more about how my actions were affecting him! His overblot wasn’t even his fault!”
”His blot was building up for months before the overblot. Stress and high emotions cause a blot buildup, and because he was being overworked the blot continued to build up, by the time winter break came around there was no way for him to have not overblotted, and do you know what an over abundance of blot does? It manipulates the mind and makes it much harder to tell right from wrong. If I was the one to overblot you all wouldn’t be acting like this at all, you’d say it wasn’t my fault. So you will treat Jamil with the respect he deserves. He’s basically the only reason Scarabia remains afloat.”
Jamil swallowed and sighed before he stepped forward “Kal, that’s enough.. It’s early in the morning, what are you all doing awake to begin with?” The three first years squeaked and jumped back, he didn’t look at them, knowing that would likely make them freak out more. “Well.. I woke up early cause I was gonna try and get some early studying in.. cause you usually get rather happy when you find out i remembered to study without being reminded..” Kalim said and Jamil blinked “Wha- that still doesn’t explain much Kal..”
Kalim sighed and hung his head.. “You got so stressed over the headmage’s decision to switch around the Vice Housewarden.. I.. I wanted to show you that I’d be able to handle things even without you around Jamjam..” Jamil flushed red at the old nickname and sighed, bringing a hand up to cover his face.. “I.. appreciate that.. but you’ll ruin your sleep schedule doing that, and I know you remember how easily you used to ruin your sleep schedule all the time..” He said and then asked “How far did you get into studying?”
Kalim looked up again “Hmm, oh, I got through magical history and started on magical mathematical problems, but I got confused and was gonna grab some water.. when i overheard them talking about, not just you, but the others who overblotted as well. I just used you as a reminder since I know the most about your situation, compared to them..” Jamil shook his head “I’ll get you some water and make breakfast, since I’m awake now, grab your textbooks and meet me in my room, I’ll help you study Kal..”
“Yay! Thank you Jamil! Do you want me to grab anything for you?” Kalim asked, and Jamil shook his head “No, all my textbooks are already in my room.. although- Urg.. grab my braiding stuff from the bathroom.. since you woke me up and i thought you were being attacked.. I didn’t have the chance to get ready.. at all.” Kalim nodded “Of course! want me to grab the rest of your supplies?” Jamil nodded and Kalim hummed before he headed off to grab his text books. Jamil turned to the three first years, “Don’t ever mention Kalim’s nickname for me to anyone.”
They nodded and he turned away and headed towards the dorm mirror. He walked through the mostly empty campus towards the cafeteria, he ignored that he was still in his pajamas and barefoot save for his socks, he entered the kitchen, he slipped past the kitchen ghost and moved around the kitchen, he started with grabbing the ingredients for some flatbread. He kept them plain, letting them proof before he made a few M’semmen, laced flaky flatbread, some compared them to pancakes but Jamil had always found their taste to be more similar to flatbread.
While the dough for those proofed he began to settle into making a few jams, last time he made breakfast he had used the last of his jam supply, so he needed more. Pomegranate jam, orange jelly, lemon spread, apricots jam and even mango butter. He put the extras in jars in the fridge, the area of the kitchen that had been ‘assigned’ to him to be able to use, there were two stoves and ovens, multiple cabinets and draw space, and a rather large fridge. He set up a tray on some counter space, and put the different spreads into ramekins. He then checked on the bread doughs, found them proofed and began to bake them in one of the ovens.
He then began to chop a few vegetables, some sliced cucumbers, sliced tomato’s, sliced celery and even some carrots and then chopped up mint leaves, to add as a topping to other foods. He stuck the veggies into bowls on the tray, he opened his fridge to grab a few different cheeses, setting them up on the tray as well, he also grabbed some hummus from the fridge, putting it into a ramekin on the tray as well. He then set up two stew pots, into one he added fava beans, garlic, cumin and olive oil, as well as a bunch of other spices. He let the Foul Mudammes cook and began to work on Shakshuka, adding tomato’s, peppers, onions and a bunch of spices into it, letting that simmer while he prepared the eggs, when the sauce was done enough he began to lightly poach the eggs, like his Momma had taught him.
When those were done he plated them and then pulled out the shortbread and M’semmen from the oven, letting them rest and cool down on the tray, and then finally he began to boil a lot of water, he grabbed a large magically enchanted tea pot to keep liquids hot. He filled the tea leaves portion with mint leaves, and began to set up a few mugs. If it was a formal breakfast he’d use tea cups, but it’s just him and Kalim, so plain mugs would be fine. Plus Kalim hated doing things formally if he didn’t have to. When the water was boiled he poured it into the tea pot carefully and then set the tea pot onto the tray. He then added a ramekin full of sugar, some plates, a few bowls and some silver wear.
When that was all done he picked up that tray and carefully weaved his way through the kitchen again, dodging the kitchen ghost as he cooked breakfast for the rest of the school, as he left he passed Trey, who he nodded to when Trey waved. He made his way back to Scarabia, carrying the tray, he dodged his way through the just waking up students of Scarabia. He returned to his dorm, finding Kalim on the floor, laying on his stomach, feet in the air, kicking back and forth mindlessly as he struggled over his magical mathematical problems.
”I’m back.. sorry I took so long, had to make a bunch of jams from scratch, I’d forgotten I used the last of them yesterday for breakfast.” Jamil said, setting the tray down beside Kalim on the floor, he then grabbed his hair braiding products that had been left on his desk, alongside his make-up, he also grabbed his brush. He brushed his hair as Kalim grabbed his food, he then poured out the tea and grabbed his own food. He glanced over at Kalim’s textbook to see what he was struggling with, and did his best to explain it as he ate and brushed his hair.
He began to braid his hair as he began to help Kalim work through a few practice problems, explaining the concepts as Kalim worked through the project. When he finished with his four side braids, he pulled the rest of his hair into his signature Ponytail, he put up his hair products and then moved behind Kalim, using the brush to begin to tame Kalim’s messy curls. Kalim adjusted to sit nicely while Jamil did this, even as he kept focusing on eating and studying. Jamil would continue to point things out and help explain concepts to Kalim as he worked. When that was done they both finished up eating and then Jamil did Kalim’s make up.
It was his job to ensure Kalim was almost always seen perfectly, he wasn’t supposed to let people see Kalim messy from sleep, or anything at all really... Although he wasn’t so anxious as he would have been before, he knew Kalim wouldn’t mention this to either of their parents, before he would have done it, innocently, too innocent, unaware of the consequences that Jamil would face, now though? After his overblot, Kalim had learned to think about the stories he told his parents, to think about if his parents would think he was seen in a bad light and if they would blame Jamil for it.
“There, ready for the day, finish your tea.. I think we’ve done enough magical mathematics, we should work on Alchemy, your worst subject.” Kalim hummed “Oohh, yay! I love alchemy work, it’s so interesting..” He said, shifting around his text books to find his alchemy one. He finished off his mint tea and opened up to their current alchemy chapter. Jamil at his night stand, doing up his own make-up, he glanced over from time to time to make sure Kalim wasn’t struggling too terribly. When he finished up, he joined Kalim back on the floor, refilling both of their mugs, before he went over the alchemy work. After a while Kalim grew bored, but he tried to keep working through it, but his mind kept wandering.
”Alright.. I think that’s enough for now.. I’ve got to pack my stuff up anyways, I’ve got to go to Pomfiore tomorrow.. and we’ve got to pack up your clothes and stuff to bring to your new dorm room.. damn it.. I’ll have to teach Trey how to do your make-up, you can’t do it yourself, your hands are too shaky.. it’s fine.. I know where Trey is, or where he might still be.. go.. go wash off your face, I’ll go grab Trey, I’ll be back..” He groaned as he stood up, still in his pajamas, and headed back out to the lounge and then through the mirror, he headed back to the kitchens, Trey wasn’t there.. he shifted, great, now he’d have to go to Heartslabyul. He made his way out of the kitchen and cafeteria, a few students were trickling in. It's the weekend, so most of them are in pajamas or lazy clothes as well, so he didn’t stand out much.
He headed back to the mirror hall and heads towards Heartslabyul’s mirror, he slips inside he frowns, it was bright, almost as bright as Scarabia, but not half as hot, and without the desert dunes to bounce the light off of it.. he wasn’t found of it, he much preferred the sands to this.. would Pomfiore be similar to this? He hoped not, else he’d be uncomfortable for the next two months. He walked through Heartslabyul, most of the students were already dressed for the day, properly.. likely one of Heartslabyul’s ridiculous rules that Rosehearts enforces like the military.
He finds Trey sitting outside speaking to Cater, he internally groans.. but he walks over “Trey.. may we speak?” He asks and watches both of their heads snap toward him, Cater almost snarls, but covers it up with a bright and far too friendly smile, he nearly takes a step back, right. Cater was always on his phone, he had more than likely seen Azul’s livestream of him over winter break. Trey smiles warmly though and says “Of course Jamil, what do you need?” He raises a hand and offers Jamil a seat. Jamil stayed standing, “I assume you do not know all of my duties as Vice Housewarden of Scarabia, since my duties there mix and blend with my duties as Kalim’s sla- servant and closest friend. I hoped that you would be open to joining Kalim and I in Scarabia for a few hours to show you around and go over the things I do not only for the dorm but for Kalim.. since I will be in Pomfiore I will not be available to do these things myself..”
Cater blinked and glanced at Trey “He totes just almost said slave.. right? I deff did not hear that wrong, right?” Trey shushed him with a look “Of course, I’d be happy to, I’m sure that will help ease some of the anxiety anyways. Give me five minutes to inform Ridds, and I’ll meet you by the mirror, Cater, can we talk?” Jamil took that as his sign to back away back towards the mirror.
~~~
”Cater.. you shouldn’t have said that so blatantly.. clearly he corrected himself for a reason.. but… yes, you did hear that correctly, he did almost say slave. I do highly believe that he is in fact officially a slave, even if Kalim’s family refers to them as servants instead.” Trey said, frowning. Cater frowned too “Ooh. Hmm, welp that’s tots not cool. But are you really gonna go spend time in Scarabia? It’s like.. burning hot there from how Yu described it when we chatted..”
”I know how Yu described it, but I’m going to be in that dorm for the next two months. Being shown around by the vice of their dorm is probably a good thing. Plus, Jamil has to do a lot for Kalim, these two months will probably be like a break for Jamil, a break he’s probably never had in his life before. He looked dead terrified when Crowley announced his decision to swap us vice house wardens around. He only got more terrified when he said it would be for two months. He was pale and borderline shaking at the thought. If I can do anything to help, I will.” Cater sighed as Trey finished speaking.
“No, no, i guess you’re totes right.. that magicam live stream over winter break.. kinda ruined his reputation to be honest. Sigh.. I’m a call away if you need me though..” Cater said and Trey raised a brow, the two of them were walking through their dorm hall looking for Riddle. “You mean you’re a call away as long as you’re not with your boyfriend?” Cater sputtered “T-That’s different and you know it! I’m not on my phone when I’m with Mal.. he’s too cute to be distracted from!” Trey laughed and shook his head “Hmm.. I’d say I know the feeling, but Jade isn’t one I’d describe as cute… are there other words? Yes, cute is not one of them.”
Cater laughed and shook his head “I don’t need the deets between you too, that creepy eel is all yours.” Trey laughed again and they found Riddle in one of the study rooms, pouring over his text books.. it was on fae customs.. he looked like he hadn’t slept since the announcement yesterday that Lilia would be his Vice Housewarden for the next two months. Trey frowned and walked over, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder “Ridds.. c’mon, you should sleep, if you’re too sleep deprived you won’t get it right tomorrow..”
Trey didn’t partially think Lilia would care about the customs, but he knew Riddle cared, which is how he used it to get Riddle into bed. He left a note saying where’d he be and then he headed down to find Jamil, finding him waiting by the mirror, curled in on himself as if he was trying to avoid anyone seeing him.
~~~
Jamil was waiting by the mirror, he let out a breath when Trey finally walked over and Trey waved “Sorry about the wait.. Riddle hadn’t slept all night and I needed to convince him through his night routine and into bed.” Jamil nodded “No, trust me, I understand. Uhm.. let’s get going now..” He said, glancing down at the floor and remembering he was still in his pajamas, he flushed weakly and said “Sorry.. I’m only half ready- I woke up to the sound of arguing and thought someone was after Kal and so I rushed out- and I could only half get ready while Kalim and I did some studying..”
Trey let out a laugh “Don’t worry about it. Although how do you sleep in long sleeves and pants in such desert heat? That I don't understand..” Jamil weakly laughed and said as they walked through the mirror into the mirror hall “Well Kalim and I set up the dorm room you’ll be sharing and I placed cooling charms on all the bedding, and later tonight there will be a delivery of a bunch of sunscreen.. I’ve tried to do what I can to make this transition as.. as easy as possible..” They walked into Scarabia and Jamil relaxed a tad. They walked through the halls and Jamil pointed out what he could to help Trey learn the layout out Scarabia.. he lead Trey to his dorm, where Kalim was sitting on the floor, now dressed for the day, although the buttons and strings aren’t done up properly, if at all, having cleaned up breakfast but placing everything on the tray and setting the tray up on one of the desks in the room.
Jamil and Trey sat down and Jamil went over all the things Jamil did for Kalim, while he fixed up Kalim’s outfit, doing the buttons and strings up, cooking most of the food he ate, poison testing any food Kalim ate that Jamil didn’t cook, doing his hair and make-up every morning.. and how once a week they’d go into one of the communal bathrooms and he’s help Kalim wash his hair, how he helped Kalim study and would take Kalim’s homework and would copy it down onto a black sheet of paper in neater hand writing, and how he’d do up Kalim’s buttons and strings for his clothes after he was dressed, and went over all the stuff he did for Scarabia as well.. When they were done Trey sat back and asked “If you don’t mind me asking, but why do you help Kalim with his hair, make-up, getting dressed and even washing his hair?” Kalim glanced away and as did Jamil.
”You know Kalim is from the Aism family? Rich, well known nobles with lots of enemies?” Trey nodded “Many have tried to kidnap or to kill Kalim.. in one of those murder attempts he was poisoned, one of his toys was covered in a poison that seeped into his hands and has left him with.. permanent nerve damage that leaves his hands shaking constantly. It’s a miracle that he can eat on his own.. if i hadn’t been there when I was and had dunked his hands into the nearest liquid to rinse his hands off the pain would be worse and he likely wouldn’t be able to eat or write on his own at all. It’s why during tests he has extra time, so he can take as long as he needs to keep his handwriting as clean as he can. Normally handwriting counts towards grades as well, his does not count towards his grade at all. It’s why I copy his homework down neatly, so the teachers have an easier time reading.”
Trey paled a tad “I see. Thank you for explaining..” Jamil nodded “Of course. I will continue my job of helping him with his hair in the shower, since the day I do that is the same day I do my own hair wash day, so you won’t have to do that for him.” Kalim smiled and Trey nodded “That is good to keep in mind.” Kalim smiled and Jamil said “Let me show you how to do his hair and make up, he wears both the same every day…” Jamil then re-did Kalim’s hair, showing Trey how to do it, he then re-did Kalim’s make-up, being careful to describe what he’s doing and what colors he uses exactly. Trey nods along, and pays close attention.. When they finished up Kalim took Trey’s hand and said “C’mon, let me show you to the dorm we’ll be sharing! So Jamil can get dressed..”
Kalim and Trey left and Jamil got dressed, resmoothing out his hair and touching up his make-up. He then joined them in their new dorm for the next two months, standing in the doorway.. “It’s not much.. but it’s alright.. there’s plenty of space in your wardrobe for your things, but there’s a few Scalding Sands cultural outfits, things that will be much more comfortable in the heat..” Jamil said, pointing to the things on Trey’s side of the room.. “There’s room for your books as well.. being a third year and all, mine and Kalim’s books won’t be what you need to study with..”
“Thank you, much appreciated.” Trey said.. Kalim and Trey talked a bit about what they would start working on, and Jamil reminded Kalim of the party calendar they had agreed too, and then Jamil explained it to Trey, then Kalim mentioned his idea of an hour of mandatory study they were about to implement and how they were gonna have Jamil, and other students who wanted to join, cook food for during it.. Trey agreed it was a good idea and a good start, and that he'd be happy to do the cooking for that.. Jamil even said he’d let Trey borrow his cookbook.. as long as he swore never to show anyone else what was inside of it. Trey agreed.
Once they were done Kalim and Jamil walked Trey to Scarabia’s mirror, waving him off as he left, Jamil sighed and shook his head “c’mon Kal, we should start moving you’re clothes and textbooks and make-up to you’re new dorm.. we can sleep there for the night..” Kalim looked at him with puppy dog eyes, the eyes he knew Jamil had a hard time saying no to “Can we share the bed like we used to do growing up? Pleaseeee Jamjam..” Jamil flushed and groaned “F-Fine! But stop calling me that where people can hear you!” Kalim grinned and pumped his fist in the air “Great! When we’re done moving my stuff I’ll help you pack up you’re things to go to Pomfiore!”
”Oh-“ He swallowed, he had expected to have to pack by himself.. he smiled “Alright, thank you.” They moved down the hall, into Kalim’s room, they packed up his clothes, his bedding, his text books, his make up and other self care products and carried it down to his new room, they put everything away, organized and Jamil even labeled everything, he figured if Kalim’s things were labeled it would be easier for Trey to help him put everything away later when it eventually became messy. They then headed down to Jamil’s room, packing his clothes away, then his sentimental items, his textbooks and study guides, he left one of his cookbooks for Trey but packed the rest, his make-up, his hair products, his self-care products, and then his blankets and such, he’d much prefer to use the bedding he was used to compared to whatever expensive junk they would have in Pomfiore.
When they finished his room was as bare as it was when he first arrived at the beginning of this year.. he hadn’t expected to see it this bare until the end of the semester.. “This is odd..” Jamil said, “Huh.. yeah.. it is.. it’s gonna be odd, not being able to turn my head around and just be able to see you.. but this’ll be good for you! Other than on Sundays when we do our hair you’ll get an actual break!” Kalim said, smiling.. Jamil didn’t smile back.. the thought horrified him.. what if he was too busy not being near Kalim that something happened? Jamil then shook his head, reminded himself that Trey was a quick thinker and that he had agreed to call Jamil the second something ever seemed wrong.. He sighed and glanced at the time, it was about time for them to get ready for bed, so he headed to the kitchens of Scarabia, made calming ginger and mint tea, which always made Kalim sleepy, and then put together some snack foods, crackers, fruits, nuts, veggies and some jams and other spreads for the foods, he then carried the tray back to Scarabia and towards Kalim’s bathroom, usually they used one of the communal ones, but with the vice swap being tomorrow, Jamil wanted to spend some actual private time with Kalim.
Kalim followed after him and said “OHH! Are you going all out today or something? Since you’re going to Pomfiore?” Jamil sighed “Something like that, c’mon. They changed into swimsuits, as much as they had seen each other naked before, they both preferred not to be naked, especially since Kalim was dating Floyd, and Jamil did not want to deal with the eel mer’s jealousy. The tub in Kalim’s bathroom was set into the ground, almost like a hot spring or something similar. Jamil filled it up while Kalim grabbed the oils, they added them in and then Jamil worked on washing Kalim’s hair, Kalim was able to wash his own body, so this was mainly about their hair care. When Kalim’s hair was done and had conditioner and oils sitting in it, Jamil finally joined him in the water, they tray of snacks and tea settled near the edge, Kalim already snacking on some of the grapes, Jamil undid and then washed his hair, it being much longer than Kalim’s made it take longer.
The two of them chatted, about everything and nothing, usually Kalim would question Jamil if anyone had been bothering him about his overblot recently, but tonight, thank the seven, Kalim steered away from that topic, probably due to this morning and how he was woken up. Once his own hair was washed, twice, he added the proper conditioner and oils to his hair and bundled it up in a claw, and poured the fully steeped tea for them, Jamil pulled his knees to his chest, he was shirtless, his arms, hips and chest on display, his arms and hips had old scars, either from his own nails when he was desperate or worse, his chest was out since Kalim didn’t care that he was born a girl, he had a small chest size to begin with anyways, so he always got away without a binder.. but the thought of anyone other than Kalim finding out? He’d be in Pomfiore for two months, that would be plenty of time for something to happen and for someone to find out.
Kalim frowned “JamJam? You good?” Jamil shook his head “Yea.. I’m fine Kal.. sorry.. just spacing out.. What if someone finds out? You’re father said he’d only allow me to come so long as no one ever discovered that I’m… different.. he’ll revoke my ability to attend if anyone finds out..” Kalim bristled “No he won’t! I won’t let him, I’ll remind him that without you I would have nearly died like.. seventeen times this semester alone! He won’t be able to revoke your ability to attend! I also won’t let him, if you don’t attend, I won't attend.”
Jamil smiled “Thanks Kalim.. I appreciate it.. Urg.. I’ve survived basketball club and no one’s found out there.. I’m sure I can just lock my dorm in Pomfiore and no one will be able to come in..” Kalim nodded “Of course! And besides, you’re not the only trans student.. one of the mermen first years in Octavinelle is trans too, Azul is rather fond of them and making sure they’re not being bullied or harassed by anyone, Floyd mentioned it to me once..” Jamil blinked “I didn’t know the octopus could be considerate like that..”
Kalim giggled “You just say that cause of how long Azul was obsessed with trying to get you into Octavinelle..” Jamil nodded “True, True.. and gods am i grateful that he began dating Shroud, he’s left me alone since.. and what, that happened like.. a week or two after winter break?” Kalim nodded “Mhm..”
”Here, it’s time to rinse your hair, turn around..” Jamil said, grabbing the small glass jar they kept in the bathroom for rinsing out their hair, he filled it with the water and tipped Kalim’s head back, beginning to rinse his hair, running his hands through his hair and against his scalp to get all the product off, he then used a few stay in oils in Kalim’s hair, and wrapped it, before he rinsed out his own hair, he then used a few stay in oils himself and wrapped his hair up, they then got out and dried off, before getting dressed in their pajamas, Kalim was already getting sleepy, from the ginger and mint tea that he’d been sipping on, Jamil gathered up the tray and brought it to Scarabia’s kitchen, it didn’t have much, certainly not enough space for Jamil to cook in, which is why he used the cafeteria kitchen. He left the dishes in the sink meant for dishes that are supposed to be returned to the kitchen.
He and Kalim then headed down to Kalim’s new dorm, Kalim crawled in on one side and Jamil took the other, they were facing each other, they linked one hand with the other, and Jamil sighed “I’m sorry.. that i felt like i couldn’t be honest with you Kal.. you deserve better than that..” Kalim shook his head “Don’t even worry about it Jamjam.. you’re my best friend, nothing’s gonna change that. It’s partially my fault.. I made your life difficult and overwhelming, and I shouldn’t have, I should have known better.. i guess.. I just thought that if I made everyone happy.. it would include you too..” he yawned and Jamil smirked “I know.. c’mon, time to sleep now Kal.. tomorrow Trey becomes your new Vice Housewarden..”
Kalim nodded and fell asleep.. Jamil sighed and placed a platonic kiss onto the back of Kalim’s hand, he used his magic pen to set an alarm to wake them up on time, before he too fell into sleep, ginger and mint tea seemed to make him sleepy as well, even if he didn’t admit it.