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You can feel the cool Scarabian night air cling onto your form, effectively chilling whatever sweat that had glistened on your skin. The common room that was once calm had been tainted, the color red tinting the surrounding area. The sky, too, had been affected giving the effect of malevolence in the air.
A gloved finger effortlessly lifts your chin, forcing you to look into its owner's eyes — eyes that show sadistic satisfaction at what had occurred the very moment. You hold his stare, challenging it even, as the snakes that are strands of his hair hiss lowly at you. Inky black pupils that once held concealed jealousy has now turned into malicious glee. He thinks he's won.
Eventually, his mouth twisted into a grin.
"My dear jewel, you should have heeded my warning ever since the beginning. Now look at you, scared and alone without him," Jamil mocked before chuckling at how you seem to have cracked, remorse evident in your eyes, "But you don't have to worry anymore. It's just you and I together, forever. Isn't this what you wanted instead of that man? Don't lie now. You've always wanted me."
In a last-ditch effort of defiance, you grit your teeth as he taunted you, his snakes ever-so often nipping your skin, hissing as they feel your resolve shaking. You just can't utter any words as it all left when everything feels so futile now.
"(Name), it's been so many years since we know each other, and you do not know how much I wanted this moment to happen," he confesses morbidly which made your stomach twist, "You quelled my curiosity for I've read you for so long, but you just can't quell my liking towards you," he smiled as if he lacked any remorse, his hand absent-mindedly stroking your hair as he stared you down.
"...And it feels so great getting the things I want because I earned it. I deserve you, no?"
Everything here feels so wrong. He's wrong. You're wrong. But, it feels so right in a way that you just can't explain. You're sick, but he's even more than that. You're sinking far deeper than you should, but you just can't stop much like him.
/ /
You are the heir and only child to the (Last name) family in the Land of Scalding Sands. Your childhood, though more grandiose than others, can be summed up as lonely. The kids who you met were arranged by play dates, and, well, they don't really last and are only set up for the parents of the kids to build rapport with your one family.
However, there is this one boy who truly cherished his time with you. The Al-Asim family has a strong bond with your family to the point they would always hold banquets whenever they'd come to visit, even if it were for a minor cause.
That's where you met Kalim Al-Asim, the energetic boy who's curious of everything and everyone, you included. Though he may be a bit older than you by a year, that didn't stop his family from making sure you two bond well. At first, you were a bit startled by his caliber because you're more used to reserved and shy playmates, but he proves to be just a bundle of sunshine to be around.
You remembered the second time you two met, and it really was a sweet memory. It was just the two of you at the garden, save for some servants rushing about, spending time as you gradually warm up to him. The times you spent with other kids pale in comparison to him, honestly.
"Ah~! I really loved the taste of biryani especially the rice back at the party!" Kalim exclaimed as he kicked back and forth his dangling feet. The two of you are sitting on the garden's bridge with an artificial pond below, your clear reflections visible. You registered his reflection tilting his head to look at you.
"How about you, (Name)?" the white-haired boy asked as he slouched and placed his crossed arms on the lower railings of the bridge.
You hummed as you mimic his posture, "Not really the main dish, but I really liked knafeh," you mused to him, almost drowsily. Luckily (or unluckily), the boy's loud tone quickly pulled you back from closing your eyes.
"Really?! I liked that too, to be honest. It's so sweet," Kalim happily smiled as the water below caught his attention next. He sighed, not in an exasperated manner, but rather a content one, "It's really fun being with you, (Name)," he suddenly remarked causing you to fully sober up from your sleepy state to look at him, surprised.
"E-Eh... why me..?" you shyly asked. One thing to note from you is that you're far from the life of the party or the icebreaker at that. You're just more of a reserved child who really appreciates any company. Never have you ever hear someone compliment you in such a way.
He giggled from the reaction he's prompted from you, "I really don't know! But," he grins as wide and as genuine as he can, "There's something about you that makes me happy, and I hope it's the same for you when it's me!" he explained as he scratches the back of his neck, embarrassed at how sappy he sounded.
For the first time, your lips unconsciously twitch up at his sweet words. The genuinity of it warmed your heart, and it felt weird. No one has said that to you before. Not even those past playmates of yours.
Kalim gasped at the sight of your smile which caused you to feel conscious of your self and immediately drag it down, thinking that it intimidated him.
"S-Sorry! I didn't mean that! Erm... you should totally keep smiling, though. It's cute!"
Somehow his words made your lips lift up once again.
The Al-Asim family coaxed your family to visit them one day. Since it's pretty much an inevitable event your family's been expecting, your parents prepared gifts to give to everyone there with you holding a fine silk handkerchief as your own gift for Kalim. It's a deep shade of red with white embroidered patterns that depict the patterns of jasmine flowers.
"Look how excited our little (Name) is!" your mother clasped her hands in delight as you bounced in your chair while a servant quietly fixes your head accessory. It's the signature jewelry you'd wear when you're invited to something formal.
When the servant excuses themself after their duty's finished, your mother quickly bounds to your side, elated to see you so joyous as seen of her reflection in the mirror in front of you. She gushes over the fact that boy, Kalim, is the first one to ever worm inside your heart, excluding your own family of course.
"Marriage isn't even far off now... Of course, you're too young for such a thing, but do consider the boy as your suitor now, dear!"
Ah, marriage. The most inevitable thing your mother has been throwing in the air for quite some time. Even after your really uneventful play dates with the other kids your age, she's been automatically considering the option of marriage, disregarding your feelings in the process. She always says the same line of "do consider them as a suitor..." at kids you really only see as an acquaintance forced into a playmate.
But Kalim, though. He's different among the rest to the point you truly cherish your time with him — you are excited to see him at his place after all. Speaking of marriage, you remembered how he once bemoaned to you at the dull prospect of arranged marriage because of how his parents brought that topic once.
He sees it as something unnatural and said he's not ready to commit yet. Perhaps in the future, he'll reconsider the topic of marriage as a whole.
"Kalim said he doesn't want to marry anyone, though," you mentioned flatly which caused an unwanted effect of your mother interpreting your tone as a bitter one. You immediately regret it.
She cooed sympathetically at you as she hugs your shoulders, "Don't worry, my child. I'm sure he'll change his mind in the future, and you'll be happy..." she says as she rubs your back comfortingly as if she thought you were at the brink of crying.
But marriage shouldn't be in your mind, yet...
"(Name)!!!" Kalim quickly greeted you as you take your first step into their mansion with your parents just behind you. He surprises you with a tight hug that almost made you bend backwards, however you managed to stay still. Eventually, you hugged him back after recovering from momentary surprise.
"I have a gift for you, Kalim," you reveal the silk handkerchief you've been holding ever since. The boy excitedly bounced from his spot.
"Can you tie it to my wrist?" Kalim outstretched his wrist towards you to which you comply, neatly and securely tying the silk below some of his bracelets. Afterwards, he admires it and grins, "Thanks, (Name), for the gift! Although, hmm... I should give something back as well."
You blinked, "Y-You don't need to...!" you quickly said as you shake your hands to emphasize it. It's just a gift, and you don't expect anything in return, really.
The white-haired boy pouted cutely, "Aww... but I'll give one to you back someday! Just you wait!" he exclaimed before suddenly grabbing your wrist and dragging you away into the large hall. Servants and maids alike quickly scurry out of the way, confused as you quietly spill out 'sorry' to them.
The two of you navigate through the large corridors with large windows that tower the sides, sunlight pouring through the glass. You don't know how many times you had to adjust your head accessory from falling off with only one hand because of Kalim's constant dragging.
Even with you tugging your wrist back, you don't think he's noticed it and probably drags you even harder. Eventually, you decide to just sigh and endure it.
That is until a dark-haired boy stopped you and Kalim from progressing further in the corridors.
"Kalim, what did I say about you running in the hallway?" the boy with braided hair scolds as he adjusts his hold on some silk fabrics in his arms. You note that he looks to be the same age as Kalim which also means he's a year older than you. Is he a relative of Kalim? Like a brother or cousin?
"Oh, Jamil! Great timing!!" Kalim grinned as you feel him tug at your wrist once again. Oh no. You feel anxiety pool in your stomach as the white-haired boy coaxed you into stepping up. And so you do.
You come face-to-face with the dark-haired boy who looks to be scrutinizing you judging by how his eyes narrowed.
"That's (Name), Jamil. The friend I kept telling you about who's going to come visit!" the white-haired boy gushed out with a huge grin, unaware of Jamil's previous expression.
Jamil's face subsequently softened when you'd hurriedly nod to your friend's words, "I hope you enjoy your stay here, then, (Name)... Well, I have to get back to work," but before he could genuinely leave, he stops at your side and whispered into your ear, "If you tire of Kalim's presence, do come and find me."
And like that, he nonchalantly leaves casting confusion to Kalim's face. You feel your heart drop at his words. Why would he wait for you to get tired of your only true friend?
Kalim turns to you and smiles, "So, what did Jamil say to you?" he asked, referring to the part when he discreetly whispered into your ear. Your lips almost twists into a frown, however you mustered up a smile as if whatever Jamil told you is pleasant. It's not.
"He told me he wants to be my friend as well."
That lie never made you falter in the slightest.
/ /
"It's so hard to find time for me when Kalim is always by your side every second, minute and hour, isn't it?" Jamil rhetorically asked as he kept looking at the moon from the balcony, his back facing you, "But, I appreciate it that you still find such time for me, (Name), even if you do not know me," he finally turns to face you as a small smile forms on his lips.
You widen your eyes in surprise at how he surmised things. He's too observant which makes your skin crawl uncomfortably because he's just so... elusive in the first place — something you've never seen in a person before. While you were spending time with Kalim earlier, all you've been thinking was trying to pin what Jamil's personality is. It all led up to this, you stumbling upon him just at the balcony when Kalim went to bed early.
You admit that Jamil's mysterious personality just made you more interested in him, even if you plan on not being his friend. He's just so alluring even if he doesn't try at all... It worries you you're thinking like this now.
"So, shall we start introductions all over again?" Jamil suddenly asks, his gaze penetrating your anxious form. If he knows that you are anxious, he makes no mention of it.
You stiffly nod, "If you want, then go ahead..." you struggle to hold eye contact with him. He's too intimidating.
"Hm," Jamil snorts in amusement at your reaction, but nonetheless complied, "As you may have heard from Kalim, I'm Jamil Viper. My family has been serving the Al-Asim family ever since, and that is why we happen to have the chance to meet."
"Oh... I thought you were Kalim's relative..." you remarked out loud as your brain pieces together some context from before. So was the woman who stowed away the gifts from earlier given by your family his mother? They looked similar after all.
"No, of course not," the dark-haired boy stifled an amused chuckle as he turned to look at the dark sky again, "Although Kalim has been saying that he and I act as if we're brothers. I won't fault you for that confusion." His gaze quickly flickers to you, "It's your turn to re-introduce yourself."
'Eh?!' you sweatdropped but still mustered a nod anyway, "(Name) (Last name)... My family has been friends with Kalim's family since I was a young child, erm..." you stopped, not knowing what to say next. You don't want to blatantly flaunt your family's financial status or accomplishments. It just feels so wrong to you, and you're not like that.
"Then fate connected us, hm?" Jamil mused, looking back at you. From your position right now edging near the balcony's entrance, the glorious moonlight had bathed his figure, making him look like an ethereal and graceful being — almost like a deity. It rendered you speechless. Your hands feel even clammier now.
Despite how intense he is, you seemingly can't stop your feet from taking you to him. Every step felt like an odd resignation to you. It feels heavy. It's like an open embrace to a snake's den — a charmer charmed by the snake itself.
"Well," whatever trance you were put under had snapped when his voice piped up once more, "You should get going now, no? Your parents must be worried trying to find you, and it would be odd seeing you mingle with me so openly," he had a point. Even if you're a young and curious child, you believe your parents might be conflicted with your choice of a social circle.
"I'll see you next time, (Name)."
You don't know why, but your heart twisted in disappointment as your back turns to face him, leaving the balcony altogether. You want more.
/ /
As you grew older and matured into a young teen, you realize how the people around you haven't changed much. However, your friendship with Kalim has now turned into a relationship because he's concluded how infatuated he was with you, and his parents support it. Your mother was absolutely ecstatic when you announced the two of you are a thing now. The word 'marriage' kept floating around in your house for some couple weeks until you firmly said you and Kalim are too young for such thing.
Your visits to Kalim's mansion became more frequent, sometimes without your parents. His parents would greet you with open arms, immediately treating you like their own child. Kalim himself is more touchy-feely with you and really loves to display it openly like holding hands or hugging. You don't mind it, really. He's so adorable.
But that all means your pursue for Jamil has become naught. After your announcement to him one night at the same balcony that you and Kalim are dating, he turned tight-lipped, congratulating you before pointedly ignoring your presence. Tense jealousy is what you could feel during that night. Without a say, you left him, fearing that his mood might worsen.
Although it's tough, you moved on. You can live with only Kalim present in your life anyway. He's given you overwhelming love and affection that you can't cope without him... You try to not seem like the codependent one in the relationship.
A letter penned in gold ink had made its way into your room, it being specifically addressed to you. Night Raven College it said. As you read it, you digest the information that you're accepted to one of the most prestigious college in Twisted Wonderland, much to your confusion. It's a magic college, however you've barely done any magic for some time now, only doing it when your tutor tells you so and that was in the past.
Regardless, you tell the good news to your mother and father. They seemed relatively happy, probably because you can reach new heights now even without their help and influence. Your mother, though, immediately interjected something, her hands elegantly placed on her lap.
"I have heard the Viper family's son will be attending the college as well. It'd be nice to see a familiar face, don't you think, dear?" she says, unaware of the revived turmoil inside of you. She continued, "Unfortunately, I don't think your dearest lover will attend, however. I'm sure his parents will do something about it."
'Why?' your heart panged in guilt at the thought of leaving Kalim all by himself and you seeing Jamil all over again. You feel the letter in your hands slightly crumple due to your overwhelmed expression. Suddenly, the thought of attending such college makes you feel uncomfortable now. If you can't be with Kalim, then what's the point?
"I'm sure you could do well even in a long distance relationship, dear," your mother assured you when she senses how you're close to breaking down then and there, "It's your choice if you wish to not attend, however your father and I think it's a missed opportunity if you do so. You can see Kalim once again during breaks anyway."
"B-But... he'll be lonely... I'll miss him," you quietly said, your head bowed down and your emotions getting the best of you.
Eventually, your mother sighed while she exchanged a glance to your father who seems to have read her. She looks you in the eyes, worry evident, "We'll tell his parents to recommend him to the college then. We'll try, dear," despite her assurance, it's as effective as telling an empty promise. Nonetheless, you simply nodded, not really in the mood to add something else.
At the end of the day, you prepared to pack your things with the help of some servants who gladly folded your clothes. You really had no energy to pack the rest, so the they did it for you. The fact Jamil will attend, and Kalim is tentative for now just makes you so nervous.
If Kalim isn't able to attend, then you've no choice but to face the reality you're quite alone without him in the college. He would be sad to see you gone for so long, too. Ugh. You're helpless. You don't even know what to do at this point other than trusting your mother's words for now.
/ /
"(Naaaame)!! Look!! Look!!!!" your door was abruptly opened to reveal a familiar white-haired male, his hand waving a familiar letter. He sat on your bed to your side as you try to wake up, groggy. Without warning, he starts to pepper your face with kisses to wake you up quickly. And it worked.
"K... Kalim..?" you felt his affection cease once your eyes flutter open. His grin is so bright that you swear it could blind you if you opened your eyes even wider. You stifled a yawn as you sat up, almost bumping against Kalim's head.
"I got a letter from NRC! The same college you'll be attending!" his loud announcement of it immediately made you sober up, your expression astonished. What were you worrying about yesterday...? It's almost silly that you were anxious for nothing in the end.
"I-I'm.. so happy!" you blurted out suddenly as you attack Kalim with a hug that made him topple on your bed. You buried your face into his chest so he wouldn't be able to see your expression that is near to the brink of tears, and embarrassment at the same time.
Kalim laughed as he hugs your form as tight as he can, unaware of how truly relieved you were as if you were just simply happy for him, "We can still be together! Ah~ the thought of school life with you is making me happy as well," he paused, contemplating briefly about something until he gasped, "Jamil, too! All of us will have such a happy college life!"
Jamil... Your body stiffened at the mention of that name. Should you try to talk to him after so many months of avoiding him? Does he even care?
"We'll leave at night time, I think. Night Raven's opening ceremony is different," your boyfriend mentioned, his arms still wrapped around you. He hums, "Should I nap for the whole day? What do you think, (Name)?" he asked as his hand moved to pet your hair.
"Or how about I sleep in your room instead? I've already brought my stuff to bring to NRC here, so we can go together!"
You feel flustered as you look up to see Kalim who seems to genuinely want your opinion, "Y-You can, but how about... Jamil? Wouldn't he worry about you?" it feels weird uttering that name. Besides that, Jamil acts as Kalim's bodyguard, so wouldn't it be a hassle when they're apart?
The male simply grinned, "He's here with me, too! Right now, he's being tended to a guest room by your servants," he explained causing you to relax a bit, "Since you said I can stay here, I'll just..." suddenly his words died out as his grip around you loosened. He's asleep already!?
"Kalim...?!"
Ah, well. You don't have the heart to wake him up... It feels nice to cuddle with him, though. You warmly smiled at the sight of a familiar handkerchief that's wrapped on his forearm.
/ /
"Scarabia. This soul belongs to Scarabia."
Confusion and fear mixed in your face that's been concealed by this robes' hood. You don't know what had occurred. One moment earlier, an ebony carriage had arrived outside your house, the next an odd-masked figure forced you out of the cramped coffin, and now you're in a large room with students that are spread out.
Also, the mirror talks. In fact, there's an even more odd-looking mask inside of the mirror. It dictated your fate in the college — dorm arrangements, you mean.
Throughout all of that, you tried not to panic at the realization you've been separated from Kalim. What's worse is, most of the students have their hoods up just like you, and that made it hard to distinguish anyone present here.
Presently, like the other students who are to be sorted to Scarabia, you're facing the Scarabia dorm leader, a male with dark purple hair, sharp eyes and a cunning grin even with his hood up. He singles everybody out with an excited expression that basically spells out the word 'malice'.
"Aren't you all a bunch of seedlings? Fresh and unaware. How adorable~!" he mused out, ravishing the fact the students, including you, feel unnerved by him, "My name is Aconite, and I've no last name so don't bother thinking about that. I am a third-year student, and the Scarabia dorm leader so do follow my orders, lest you want something wrong to come in your future. Fufufu..."
How eerie of a person... how did he even become dorm leader in the first place? Even with that question in your head, it still doesn't distract the fact you haven't seen Kalim anywhere yet. Maybe you can see him when everyone's settled in the dorm? But what if he's not part of Scarabia—?
"Let us go now, little seedlings~! To your new semi-permanent residence until the day you graduate or die!" Aconite cheerfully says as he grabs a nearby student — you — to drag along with him. He acts oblivious to your sudden discomfort while he looked behind his soon-to-be dorm members with an annoyed expression, "Chop! Chop! Time is gold and should not be wasted here!"
What in the Great Seven is even happening?
After some time, and some rules and regulations Aconite recited once everyone is gathered in the dorm, you're now in front of your designated room. You open the door and are greeted with a basic room that is really different from your own room back home. It's so plain with basic furnishing such as the wardrobe and bed, but you suppose this is where the decorating part comes in.
You start unpacking the luggage you brought with you and start putting them to their designated spots. Clothes in the wardrobe, study materials on the desk, and makeup kit on the vanity. You also placed the linen blankets you brought with you from home on the bed together with soft pillows.
Now all you need to set up is the bathroom. Rummaging your luggage, you take out a small transparent bag that contained all the hygiene necessities. You enter the bathroom and are quite surprised to see that it has a bathtub! How nice! With that, you put your toothbrush and toothpaste near the sink, and the soap and shampoo on its provided plastic holder.
You surprisingly finished in quite a short amount of time! At least you're independent now from all those years being coddled and assisted by servants. Anyway, you undress the slightly uncomfortable robes to reveal the NRC uniform underneath it. You fold the apparel and put it in the laundry basket.
"All right, time to find Kalim," you told yourself with a determined look, closing the bathroom door behind you. Afterwards, you make your way to the room's door and exit it. Now in the corridor, you hazard a guess and take the right path in hopes to maybe stumble upon him.
As you do so, you slowly realized that it's nighttime now because of how the corridor's light began to slowly dim out. How did you not even notice it earlier? So that's why Night Raven has a peculiar ceremony. A part of you tells you to just wait for tomorrow to really look for him, however another part — a part that urges you so much — is to just continue.
And so you do the latter.
Your pace quickened while you ignore the sudden stares of the few students who are still loitering in the halls. They look at you as if you're weird, but you don't care. They should really mind their business, though. You ignore how exhaustion creeps in your system as you follow on the seamlessly endless corridor.
You ignore how you feel like bursting then and there when your goal in mind can't even be made—
"Calm down, (Name)," a soothing voice whispered into your ear, calloused hands firmly gripping on your shoulders causing you to completely halt, "What seems to be the problem with you?"
Your once unfocused vision has now sobered up upon the sight of the familiar male, his dark pupils fixated on you, "J-Jamil...!" you squeaked out as you tensed so much by his touch. Not right now. Please.
Jamil nods in acknowledgment, albeit a bit surprised. He lets go of his hands from your shoulders and placed them on his hips instead, "What's gotten into you, (Name)?" he asks as if he wasn't the reason why you feel so stiff around him.
"Kalim... where is he?" you asked, both hopeful (and wary) of his response. He is your boyfriend's closest servant, right? He should know of his whereabouts.
"Ah, him," he says in a distant tone that cannot distinguish whether he's displeased or otherwise. As if it were that night, you started to slightly shake at the silence between you. Jealousy again, perhaps? Almost immediately, he snapped back up and answers you, "Kalim's room is actually next to mine. Actually, you're standing in front of it right now."
Your eyes widen in delight, effectively washing away the dread you feel currently, "Thank you—" your hand that curled into a fist and is about to knock against the door was suddenly seized by Jamil who is giving you a hesitant look but quickly shook his head in disapproval.
"He's actually asleep now. I'd rather not if you come disturb him," he explained to you causing you to pout which is uncharacteristic of you when it comes to him.
"But—" you try to retort.
"Hush. It's curfew time, too, (Name)," he hasn't let go of your hand that he took ahold of, "I'll escort you to your room if you will," he, without you having an input, simply whisks you away from Kalim's door which made you narrow your eyes at him.
Why is Jamil like this now? It seems like he's already moved on from the past incident. Was it silly for you to overthink him so much? Either way, there's no denying he's just so hard to read.
After a few minutes, you're now at your door. The dark-haired male released your hand from his grip. He turns to look at you and nods, "You might as well see him tomorrow. It's unhealthy for you to rely on him frequently," he said which made your expression contort into confusion.
"What..." you furrowed your eyebrows, incredulous of his words. Unhealthy...? "Why do you think so?"
"You're emotionally relying on him, aren't you?" Jamil asked in a tone as if he's backing you to a corner. His burning stare isn't helping at all too.
"It's none of your business," you snapped defensively before entering your room, closing the door behind after without glancing back to his expression. What does he even know...? Why does he act like he cares?
"The two of you aren't children anymore, (Name). The two of you can't always be together 24/7."
And like that, his footsteps grew distant. His suffocating presence is gone, and it felt so liberating to you as you slump against the door and into the cold ground. As much as you wanted to deny his words, you really can't dispute them. When you and Kalim begun dating, your everyday schedule always has you visiting him.
He didn't really think much of it as instead he finds it sweet that your time is all for him. You found it endearing how he always welcomes you everytime.
Is it really that bad? None of you have hurt each other, actually. None of you found the energy to even try riling up an argument because of how detrimental it is. Besides that, Kalim truly is the sweetest person in your life. Your relationship with him is perfect.
"Maybe Jamil is reading into this with pessimism," you eventually concluded as you got up from the floor and made your way to your bed, not bothering to change into sleepwear.
Maybe he just wants to tear your relationship.
/ /
...But that was a year ago, yet it still stuck true. You weren't aware he's been brewing such morbid plans ever since, but it's all done now. He played well, and you were far too late.
The silent effort he goes through to just cut Kalim off from your life is outrageous. He's deranged. Somehow, his past insult of you being obsessive is just hypocritical of him. He's far worse than you which doesn't provide you any comfort other than that comparison.
And all you asked was normalcy for your second year...
"What's going on in your head, my jewel? Perhaps you're thinking of Kalim, are you?"
Jamil's hiss brought you from your long stupor, your knees buckling at the fact it's sore from your extended period of kneeling on the ground. He jerks your chin forward, a far cry from how he had delicately handled you earlier. He makes it clear he's jealous as it is reflected in his face and how his jaw clenched.
"Tell me, how will I make you love me once again, (Name)?" he narrowed his eyes when you don't answer, causing him to whisper something under his breath — snake whisper — as he locked eyes with you, "I... love... you..." his pronunciation is deliberately slow which made your half-aware mind confused. In this state, he's usually cocky wth his declarations, but he's just weirdly focused on something right now.
Your lips can't help but spill those exact words however, "I... love... you..." no, it feels foreign, yet it sounded so natural coming from your throat. The aching sore on your knees mattered little all of a sudden.
Jamil's mouth quirked into a slight smirk, relishing your blank expression with your eyes dimmer than it used to be. He knows you're confused, trying to fight whatever's happening inside your mind, so he simply stroked your cheek as he leaned forward, foreheads almost bumping against each other. Possessively, his snakes had wrapped around your neck, arms, and some long enough to reach your waist.
"Don't worry, my lovely jewel. My control over you is merely a temporary fix. Overtime, you'll obsess over me just like how you did in the past. I know you will."
His lips felt cold — so intoxicating — against yours.
...
You're craving for more.