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‘He tells me I’m pretty, don’t know how to respond.’
Every year, Kalim Al-Asim asks Jamil Viper to be his Valentine. It started when they were children and one Valentines Day, Kalim decided his servant should hold that honor.
An eight year old Jamil sat on ground of Asim park with Kalim, focusing on making his Valentine’s Day card for the heir and wondering what else he should add to it. Glitter? No, it’d make a mess on Kalim’s clothes. He could add some more color. Should he glue on fake flower petals? That’s not a bad idea, actually. He thought it’d be cute.
Jamil made some cards like these in his class earlier today. It was a class activity in honor of the holiday and he decided to make some for his parents and Najma. He hadn’t even thought of making anything for Kalim but things have been rather tense recently. Not between him and Kalim but more like he’s afraid of making a wrong move with Kalim again after his mother’s talking to. He still liked Kalim. He still thought of Kalim as his friend, after all. It was just hard to treat him like a friend if he had to be careful of how he talked to him. He thought what his mother said was stupid.
Jamil noticed that Kalim stopped working on his card and wondered if he was finished already. Except, when Jamil looked over, Kalim’s card looked half finished. He looked at Kalim himself and saw Kalim looking right back at him.
“…what?”
Jamil was met with a smile from Kalim.
“You look pretty when you’re concentrating,” Kalim laughed as Jamil’s face erupted into a blush. Was that even an okay thing to SAY?! Jamil looked around to make sure his parents weren’t around and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw nobody.
“You shouldn’t say things like that!”
“What? I’m only telling you what I think!”
“Well don’t!” Jamil pushed Kalim away from him in embarrassment. “Focus on your card! If you don’t then I’m gonna finish before you!” Jamil said but his blush didn’t calm down when Kalim listened to him. Kalim always just said whatever he wanted without thinking it through. Honestly, one day he’s gonna get himself into loads of trouble because of it. It’s a good thing he’s homeschooled. Jamil can’t imagine how Kalim would function in a school like his.
When they finished their cards, Jamil ended up loving Kalim’s card. Not because it was made well or anything but because this was his first card he got from Kalim for being his Valentine. It was their first Valentine's Day spent together. Jamil still kept it around his room, even after growing up. It reminded Jamil of the first time Kalim called him pretty.
—————
With every passing moment, I surprise myself…
Every year, Kalim Al-Asim asks Jamil Viper to be his Valentine. This year, they were pre teens, only around 15 years old. Jamil has already realized he hates Kalim, there’s no getting around that. But it’s almost become tradition at this point. He expects for Kalim to ask him to be his Valentine and of course, Jamil will say yes. He knows that Kalim could take rejection. He might cry or pout depending on how mean Jamil’s rejection is but, ultimately, he’d accept it. It’s just that Jamil doesn’t have anyone better to spend Valentine's Day with so why not?
This Valentine’s Day, Kalim decided to wait until night before offering to go on a magic carpet ride with Jamil, extending his hand to help Jamil onto the carpet. Was Kalim really trying to recreate the princess’ story? If so, why was JAMIL in place of the princess? Regardless, Jamil accepted his hand and let Kalim take him from his room.
Kalim ended up taking him to a firework show on the magic carpet. It was nice. The fireworks were pretty and Jamil enjoyed watching them. That was until he felt Kalim’s eyes on him again. He looked over at the boy, who smiled at him when he caught his gaze.
“What?”
“I have a gift for you,”
Jamil looked curiously as Kalim retrieved the gift from some sort of satchel he had brought along. Jamil was curious about that earlier but didn’t ask. Gifts from Kalim were common. It was the main way that Kalim showed love other than physical affection, which Jamil always disapproved of.
Kalim held the gift in offering to Jamil. It was a small black box and if they weren’t too young, Jamil would be afraid he was proposing. Despite that logic, Jamil’s heart rate picked up a bit and a blush was on his face again.
Kalim noticed and laughed again.
“Don’t laugh at me!”
“I’m not! I promise!” Kalim composes himself and offers the gift again. “You just look-“
“Don’t SAY IT!” Jamil KNEW what Kalim was about to say, he said it CONSTANTLY!
“Okay, okay! Just open it!” Kalim said and Jamil finally took his gift. He opened the small box and saw a beautiful hair accessory. It was one that he had been looking at in town a bit ago but decided against getting due to its price. And sure, he could’ve asked Kalim but he didn’t want to. Looks like Kalim knew though.
It wasn’t a dent in Kalim’s fortune but it still meant a lot to Jamil. 15 years old was the peak of Jamil’s hatred for Kalim and yet, he still found himself giving Kalim a hug while on that magic carpet, which Kalim eagerly returned.
Jamil still wears that accessory sometimes.
——————
‘Maybe I should run, I’m only *17’
Every year, Kalim Al-Asim asks Jamil Viper to be his Valentine. This year… this year was different. This year, Jamil overblotted. This year, their relationship was drastically changed forever.
Even with the overblot, Jamil expected to be asked. He expected Kalim to ask him to be his Valentine and got sorely disappointed when it was the end of the day and he hadn’t been asked ONCE!
He felt… upset.
It was confusing. He hates Kalim. He knows he does. And yet, these little, insignificant things that Kalim no longer does with him disappoints him.
What should he do? It’s well into the evening and they haven’t spoken once. Was Kalim avoiding him today?
This was stupid. What did he want to happen? For Kalim to ask him? Would he even accept this year? Would he have to ask Kalim this year? Would KALIM even say yes?
…Did Kalim find another Valentine this year?
Jamil started absent-mindedly messing with his hair as he thought of that. They’re not dating, Kalim has every right to ask someone else. Just like how he does. Kalim has every right to do what they used to do with someone else. He has every right to go on a date with someone else.
“…What’s with that scary look on your face, Vice Housewarden?” Jamil looked to his side to see one of the Scarabian underclassmen looking at him.
“Yeah, you got a mean pout going on right now,” His friend said from beside him.
“Pout? Looks more like a glare to me,”
“Both of you be quiet,” Jamil sighed as he rubbed his head. “I have a headache,” It wasn’t a technical lie, he was GETTING one from the nosey freshmen. “…Have any of you seen Kalim today…?”
“Kalim? I saw him with Silver this morning,”
Silver. Jamil took a steadying breath as he felt jealousy bubble up in him. Why should he be jealous? Again, Jamil was NEVER supposed to be Kalim’s forever Valentine. He couldn’t possibly have expected Kalim to keep that spot empty until Jamil’s ready to take it again.
But yes. That’s exactly what he was expecting. Unfortunate as it may be, he wanted Kalim to ask him again this year. He wanted to go on another date this year.
…They weren’t dates. He needs to stop referring to them as such.
Jamil’s attention turned to the entry way as Kalim entered. His eyes caught Jamil’s, giving a quick smile before retreating to his room. Absolutely not. That won’t slide. Not even a hello?!
They were better after the SDC competition. They were! Why is Kalim acting even more distant?!
For the first time after his overblot, he was afraid that maybe he really DID mess up. Did Kalim hate him just as much as Jamil said he hated Kalim? Kalim never hated ANYONE! Least of all him!
No, this couldn’t stand.
After night fell, Jamil went to the treasury room and called out for Magic Carpet, who flew over to him almost immediately.
“Hey, could you wait by Kalim’s balcony? We’re having another Valentines Day outing,” He’s NOT going to call it a date again. Magic Carpet understood and flew out of the room. Meanwhile, Jamil took a deep breath and walked to Kalim’s room.
He knocked on Kalim’s door, hoping that he was still awake. He didn’t have to worry for long as Kalim opened his door and looked to see who it was, almost suprised to see Jamil before smiling again.
“Hi. What’s up?” Kalim asked and Jamil figited. This was stupid. He should go back.
“…Did you want to be my Valentine…?” Jamil muttered quietly. Quietly enough that Kalim wasn’t able to hear him.
“…I can’t hear you, Jamil,”
“Did you want to be my Valentine?” Jamil asked, this time louder. It was silent. As each second ticked by without a response from Kalim, Jamil felt the dread of rejection. He was going to get rejected. But then Kalim spoke.
“Yes! I wanted to all day!” Kalim said, taking Jamil by surprise.
“…Oh. I thought you spent today with someone else…”
“What? No! Never! I just didn’t think you’d want to be my Valentine this year so I didn’t say anything,” Kalim said and Jamil smiled. Jamil entered Kalim’s room and closed the door, pulling Kalim by his wrist to the balcony. Kalim was confused for a moment before looking down below and grinning. “You got Magic Carpet!” Kalim said before jumping off the balcony, letting the carpet catch him before Jamil did the same.
——————
‘Got caught in a romance with him somehow…’
Every year, Kalim Al-Asim asks Jamil Viper to be his Valentine.
This remained true even once they started dating.
Jamil had started dating Kalim during their third year of highschool. He honestly didn’t think anything like that would ever happen for them. They’ve graduated and now they’re 21 years old. Jamil’s been everywhere he’s ever wanted to go and even brought Kalim with him a couple of times on his trips. Kalim took over his father’s position and immediately set all the servants free. Of course, those who enjoyed their jobs could stay and would get a pay increase but now it wasn’t obligatory.
Jamil’s parents stayed serving the Asims as they took pride in their servitude but Jamil and Najma decided to go the opposite route. Jamil always had the plan to travel but Najma stayed pretty much where she was. The only thing that changed was that she spent more time with her friends. That is, if their parents let her. Sometimes they could be super strict for no reason.
Regardless, Jamil was happy. He liked being Kalim’s boyfriend and he liked the life he was living. It was getting close to Valentine's Day once again and so Jamil was coming home from one of his trips. Jamil watched for his bag to come through on the bag line and grabbed it. He walked outside of the airport only to see Kalim waiting for him, nearly vibrating with excitement. Kalim’s face lit up as he saw Jamil and Jamil braced himself as he felt Kalim’s body crash into his and squeeze him in a hug, which Jamil returned.
“You’re back!”
“I told you I would be,” Jamil felt Kalim kiss him and tried to kiss back but Kalim pulled away too fast. Kalim grabbed his hand and dragged him to the car, letting Jamil put his suitcase in the trunk before starting to head home.
Jamil knew that Kalim had something big planned this Valentine’s Day. As soon as Jamil came through the doors of Kalim’s home, he could feel the energy was different than usual. Kalim’s never been good at hiding surprises and Jamil has a pretty good idea of what Kalim’s going to do. It made his heart beat faster.
Kalim was going to propose.
The thought alone had Jamil’s heart soaring and his face blush.
Jamil decided to say a quick hello to his family and, once he got there, his suspicions were confirmed. His mother and father were antsy and fidgety. Of course they’d be like this at the thought of Kalim marrying Jamil. It would’ve been beyond inappropriate beforehand but now, it was the new norm. Besides that, their son was marrying the heir of one of the richest families in the Scalding Sands. It’d make anyone nervous!
His sister, on the other hand, seemed to be almost teasing him about it. Dangling the answer right in front of him without actually saying it, making their parents start to scold her as if he didn’t already know. A knock came at the door and Jamil answered it to see one of the older servants of the Asim home there. She smiled at Jamil and gave him… a card?
“Here. This is from Master Kalim. Be sure to read it,” She left and Jamil closed the door, noticing that his family is oddly quiet. They’re looking at him. Is this the proposal? No, Kalim would do more than a card. Jamil took a good look at it. It reminded him of the cards they made as children. He smiled as he read it.
‘Habibi,
Do you remember the first time you were my Valentine?
I had the biggest crush on you. And I still think you’re really pretty!
You told me you did scavenger hunts on your travels
Time to see how good you are at them!
This card is a clue! Find my next note, Habibata.
-Kalim’
Asim park. It’s not hard to figure it out, rather easy actually. But Jamil wasn’t complaining. He loved the set up Kalim was going for.
~~~~~~~~~
‘Habibi,
You found my next note! You’ve always been super smart
When we were kids, I had a crush on you. You already knew that.
But I remember the day I fell in love with you.
Do you remember when we were fifteen? When we watched those fireworks?
You made my heart hammer in my chest and I was so nervous that Valentine’s Day.
I love you so much.
But you probably know where my next note is!
-Kalim’
Of course he did. He needed to find that magic carpet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Magic Carpet was NOT being cooperative! As soon as it saw Jamil coming, it started flying off!
“Hey! Come back!” It was probably giving Jamil a chase off of Kalim’s orders. Jerk.
He chased that damn carpet around for at LEAST 30 minutes before he was able to finally catch it. He sat on the carpet, not paying any mind to its squirming.
“Oh, quit complaining. This is your fault,” Jamil knows this carpet could easily lift off the ground with him on it, it was just being dramatic. He took off the note that was taped to it.
‘Habibi,
You found my note! Did Carpet give you a good chase?
Alright, last one!
I think our second year of highschool was a day that truly changed me.
I still stand by the opinion that you were justified. I don’t blame you at all and I had forgiven you a long time ago
Just like how you forgave me.
But I think you still loved me then too.
And you loving me is what got us here today.
I love you, Jamil.
-Kalim’
Jamil actually didn’t understand this one. That was, until the carpet suddenly lifted off the ground, making Jamil hold on to keep balance as it started flying off. Where was it taking him?
He didn’t have to wonder for long as he was taken to a balcony and dropped off there by Carpet, only to see Kalim knelt down already and presenting a ring box.
He knew this was coming.
He KNEW this was coming.
And yet, he couldn’t stop himself from covering his face with his hands and turning away, making Kalim laugh.
“Oh, come on, Jamil! Don’t turn away now!” Kalim said and Jamil took a deep shaky breath before turning to face Kalim again.
“I love you, habibi,”
Jamil could feel his heart pounding in his ears.
“I’ve loved you ever since I was a kid and there’s never been anyone else I’ve loved more!”
Kalim was doing a shitty job at making his blush lessen.
“You make me happier than anyone else in my life and I can’t imagine going one more day without calling you my husband,”
His heart wasn’t going to calm anytime soon. He felt that squeezing sensation in his chest and a lump in his throat.
“Will you marry me, Jamil?”
Jamil loves him. Jamil loves him so much.
And so of course he said yes. Of course he kissed Kalim with all the passion and love he could muster and of course he wore that ring.
Of course he stayed as Kalim’s Valentine year after year.