Chapter Text
1.
"Wow Leona,your flirting skills are shit."
Jamil said,chuckling.
“Shut up.He'll fall for me.You'll see."Leona said,crossing his arms.
“Sure...Even though you've been pursuing that freshmen for two months now and you've made no progress whatsoever."Vil said,with a smirk.
The prince pouted and grumbled.
“What?No"Shut up."for me?"
"The only reason I'm not telling you that is because you're dating Hunt and you can judge.Jamil sure as fuck can't."
“Look,relationships just aren't..."the young Viper began,before his gaze focused on...
Oh no.It isn't.No.Not now.Not here.Jamil quickly ducked under the table.Leona and Vil bent down,confused.
“Jamil what's going on?"
"Yeah,you look like you've seen a ghost."
"Don't ask.Just act like nothing happened and continue as if I was still there."
The two looked at eachother and nodded,before dragging their friend back out,despite his vocal protests.
"Ok,what is-“
"Jamil!"came that all too familiar,overly cheerful voice and moments later Kalim slammed into him,enclosing his arms around Jamils neck.
The servant returned the hug,without pulling him too close,but not rejecting the gesture.
"Oh my god!I missed you so much!It's been too long!"
"It's been two months."
Two beautiful,freedom filled months.
"I didn't know you were visiting."Jamil said as the two separated.
“Oh no,I transferred."Kalim breathed out,his whole body buzzing with excitement over the possibilities.
"Transferred?"Jamil repeated,blinking at him in disbelief.
"Yeah.I got an acceptance letter a day ago.It must've come late."the heir explained."We're gonna spend so much time together!".
The face of shock softened into an understanding,but disappointed smile.
"Kalim,we're probably not even in the same class,or dorm for that matter."
"Actually we are in the same class.See?"Kalim said pulling out the class list from his bag.
He handed it to Jamil and the brunette’s eyes darted down the paper.His grin was so wide it looked like it hurt.
“That's...great."
"I know,right!?","Still,we're gonna be in separate dorms.Which dorm are you in anyway?"
He might be in Kalims class,but surely,surely they can't be in the same dorm.
“Please don’t let it be Scarabia."the brunette chanted inside his head.
"Scarabia.You?"Kalim said cheerfully,that dumb smile on his face.
Jamil felt something tighten in his chest.His jaw clenched and he smiled.He had to,because if Kalims happy,he has to be.He thought his teeth might crack if he keeps it up.
"Me too."he gritted out.
"We're gonna be dorm-mates!I can't believe it."Kalim said,almost tackling him.
Jamil hugged him back tighter than usual,his nails digging into his neck.Then,a cough cut trough the air and the two separated.The blonde and the green eyed brunette were staring at them.
"Jamil,would you mind introducing us?"the blonde asked,raising an eyebrow.
"Oh,I'm sorry I should've introduced myself.
Kalim Al Asim."
"Vil Schoenheit.",
"The model!?I'm such a huge fan!I'm so glad to meet you."
"Same here."Vil said,a little bit taken aback,for whatever reason.
"And you are?"he said,turning towards the other brunette.
"Leona Kingscholar.",
"The second in line for the throne of the Afterglow Savanna?"
Leona smiled bitterly.
"Yeah,the second.I'm sure an heir wouldn't know anything about that."
Kalim bit his lip.Well,bringing that up was a bad idea.
"Sorry,I hope we can be friends though."he offered.
"Sure..."the lion boy drawled.
"Shouldn't you be unpacking?"Jamil noted.
"Darn it,you're right.See ya later,then."he said,rushing off.
"Thank God."Jamil breathed out,letting his head fall on the table.
“Kalim Al Asim!?"Vil shrieked.
"Yeah.So?"
"The heir of Hot Sands!"the model continued.
"How do you even know him?"Leona asked,almost interested.
"You know the guy I complained about?"
"That was him,wasn't it?"
The young Viper nodded.Vil hummed,turning in the direction Kalim left.
"I don't get what you're complaining about though.I mean he's obnoxious,but it's not unbearable."
"For a few minutes,try SEVENTEEN YEARS!"Jamil yelled.
"Calm down.What's so bad about him anyway?"
"It's all the parties and parades."
"Boo hoo.I throw parties all the time and you don't complain about them."Leona said.
"Because I don't have to organize them.Sometimes,the same day he tells me he has to make them.And the animals.Don't even get me started..."
"At least he didn't bring any this time..."Vil began and then,as if to give the servant boy another middle finger...
"Come back here,Mr Snuggles!"Kalim yelled,chasing a raccoon down the hallway.
Jamil groaned,his head falling on the table once more as Vil and Leona patted his shoulders.
2.
Jamil woke up with a skull splitting headache.
"What the hell..."he thought,rubbing his forehead.
He was probably hung over.From what he could remember,him,Vil,Kalim and Rook went to a party at Savanaclaw and got drunk...Well,at least him and Kalim did.Rook and Vil making out was a given,whether they were sober or not.
Then it all came back to him.Kalims mouth on his,the weight of the heir on his lap,Kalim grinding on him.The younger moaning against his neck.
"Fuck!"he hissed,his face going crimson.
What the hell was he...Did they?He still had his clothes on and while his hair was disheveled,all the accessories were still there.He should probably call Vil,just in case,since Leona was drunk for sure.At least with Schoenheit,it's 50/50.Jamil grabbed his phone,and some ringing later,the model picked up.
"What is it,Viper?"
"Vil,were you sober last night?!"
"Yeah."
"Did me and Kalim..."he started,unable to even finish the thought.
"Fuck?No,but you were close.If it wasn't for me and Rook,you probably would've."
The moment he heard those words Jamil breathed a sigh of relief.Thank God.
"I owe you one."
"Yeah I know,thank me later."Vil said,hanging up.
Putting his phone down,Jamil groaned,getting off the bed.All he can do now is pray Kalim doesn't remember.
Kalim stared out the window looking out at the desert.He's gonna act casual.He will.He'll do that,no matter how vivid the memories of last night get.With that decided,the heir nodded to himself and turned around to see Jamil walking in from the hallway.The moment their gazes met,Kalims face went tomato red.
"So much for being casual Asim!"he thought,chastising himself.Jamil sat down on the couch,and began.
"So..."
It was his"you fucked up"tone.He definitely remembers.
"We did that."
"We sure did."Kalim mumbled,rubbing his wrists.
He tried not to think about the feeling of Jamils hands pinning them above his head.Or the olders possessive hold on his jaw,the brunettes hands all over his body.Jamils teeth biting his lip.Marking Kalim as his and making sure the heir knew it.The young Viper was usually so stoic,and this was an...unexpected introduction to his...controlling side.Not an unpleasant one,though.The idea of belonging to him...His face warmed at the thought.
"Did we..."
"No,if Vil is to be believed."Jamil finished.
"Oh..."Kalim said,hoping his relief sounded genuine.
"That's good."
"Agreed."the brunette said,rubbing his temples.
"Did it...mean anything to you?"the younger asked in a whisper,his heartbeat seeming too loud.
It was quiet,but Jamil heard it.He's worried about rotting in a dungeon for "sullying" the heir and Kalim's thinking about that?
His head might be chopped off,and the Asims oldest son was worried about his feelings being returned?How can someone be such a...narrow minded,self absorbed,selfish brat?!His chest tightened as his nails buried into his palm and he tried to stay calm.
"No it didn't.We got drunk and did something stupid.That's all it was."
He wanted to yell it and add selfish bastard on the end,but this would have to do for now.
"Right,right.Same here.I think it's better if we act like nothing happened."Kalim said way too fast to be genuinely nonchalant. "Sounds good to me.I'm gonna go get changed."Jamil spat out,storming off.In disgust or anger the heir didn't know.
3.
"Listen up people.I have an important announcement to make.As you all know,this is my last year at Night Raven and I'll have to pick my replacement as dorm leader from the nominated candidates.I'm happy to say I've made my decision."Scarabias dorm leader said,in front of the entire dorm, an excited Jamil included.
And who could blame him?This was his chance to finally outdo Kalim.His chance to get his hard work acknowledged.For once he wouldn't have to play second fiddle.All he has to do is wait for the dorm leader to say the words and all the blood,sweat and tears that he put into this will be worth it.
"Your new dorm leader is Kalim Al Asim!"
The small smile the brunette had dropped as the name left the dorm heads mouth.What did he do wrong?How could the world be so unfair?Why Kalim?He's more troublesome than any person Jamil knows-
"Right,Jamil?"Kalim asked,snapping him out of it.
The older's mouth tightened as he turned towards the heir.The sour expression soon softened into a reserved,but reassuring smile.
"Right."Jamil muttered,quickly looking away from him.
Kalim furrowed his brows.He knew his friend had odd moments here and there,but this was different.It felt...forced,like Jamil wanted to say something else,but he just couldn't.
"Or wouldn't."he thought.
He disregarded the idea as soon as it came though.Him and Jamil have been friends since they could remember.He wouldn't lie to him.He'd have no reason to.Sure,that...incident made things awkward for a bit,but they could still tell eachother everything.Right?As the older started to get up the heir took his hand,prompting the brunette to turn towards him.
."Are you ok?"Kalim asked.
A look of surprise flashed on the others face,before he responded with:
”Yes,of course."
It was a painfully automatic response.
"You know you can tell me anything,right?"Kalim said,doubt spurring him on.
"I know."he said,all too flatly.
"So,is everything alright?"he asked.
The heir was worried now,his worldview fragile as he questioned every action Jamil ever did in his presence,every inflection of the Vipers tone.He looked at his and the brunettes intertwined hands,with a twinge of anxiety .Then,Jamil gently lifted his chin and gave him a small smile.
"Kalim I'm fine."
"Really?"
"Really.You trust me don't you?"
The question and the affectionate gesture caught him off guard.Is believing and trusting a person the same thing?Because he trusted Jamil with his life,but he didn't believe that he meant the words he said.He leaned into the brunettes hand.Why was Jamils gaze and the others hand against his face making it hard to think straight?Against his better judgement the heir nodded,not breaking eye contact .
"Good,I'm gonna go do something real quick.See ya later."he said walking out,as Kalim sat there,at a loss.
Of all the times Kalim had to use his brain,it had to be when he's in a rush!That idiot really doesn't get that he should keep his nose where it belongs.Luckily the heir was easy enough to placate.
"Give him a scrap of affection and he'll ask for more." his inner voice warned.
Jamil sighed.He probably went overboard and now Kalim will become needy and get ideas.He shook his head.For once,he has more important things than Kalim to worry about.He knocked on the door of the headmasters office.While the dorm heads chose their successors,it was an open secret that if Crowley didn't approve,the decision will be overruled.So really,it was the headmasters choice.
"Come in."Crowley said,sounding bored.Jamil took a deep breath and walked in.
"Hello sir."
"Oh,Viper.What do you need?"
The brunette swallowed.This is it,the moment of truth.
"Headmaster why did you make Kalim dorm leader?He isn't the most skilled wizard and he's only finished his first year.Besides we all got our hands full covering for his mistakes."Jamil spat out.
It was a bit too straightforward,but it's out now.Crowley rose from his chair and cleared his throat.
"At Night Raven it's not unheard of dorm leaders to be sophomores."
"But..."
"Viper,in order to fulfill the requirements you need a certain'something'.Asims family made a generous donation.My hands are tied here.I think you're clever enough to understand my position."
"Typical.Kalims wealth gets him everything he wants and you're left in the dust."his much older sounding inner voice scoffed.
Jamils chest tightened as he nodded and walked out.He's sick and tired of understanding.All he does is understand.He needs to get rid of Kalim.And soon.
Crowley smirked.It's all going to plan.
4.
"Will these two first years ever clear out ?"Jamil thought,annoyed.He's almost done with this book and soon he'll have no excuse to stay here anymore.
"Boss,my back is starting to hurt."Jimmy complained,prompting Jamil to look up.
Eric got up and sighed.
"Do you wanna go to my room?"he offered.Jimmy nodded and soon the two were out of the common room.
"Huh,for once things go my way."Jamil thought,surprised.
He got up and walked over to the kitchen and put some plastic gloves on.He checked his clothes.An old hoodie and worn out pants.Inconspicuous and nobody would blame Jamil if he never wore them again.No one would find it weird if those clothes disappeared out of his closet.He took two plastic bags and tied them around his feet.The brunette made his way to Kalims room and slowly opened the door.
"Kalim,you up?"he asked turning towards the heirs sleeping form.
He only got even breathing in response.Taking a deep,calming breath,the young Viper pulled the thin knife out of his hair.
He sat on the bed,next to an unconscious Kalim.Jamil played with the blade in his hand,glancing at the heir a few times.It didn't seem right to just stab him and run out like a coward.
If he was ever gonna spill his guts out,he should do it now.
"I really didn't want it to come to this."he muttered."But you force me to do dumb things,like always."he started.
Why was his voice breaking?
"Get it together Jamil."his inner voice scolded.
Right.He took a deep breath.
"Do you know how many bruises,cuts and scars I got that should've been yours?I got poisoned,beaten and bruised because of you."he said.
"For you."he added.
"I worked so hard to get the dorm leader position.I worked day and night,fought tooth and nail to get it.But all you had to do was show up.Because if you want the sun,moon and sky I should give it to you.I should be happy to!"Jamil almost screamed.It wasn't fair."I have to hold back for you in everything.Give you every victory I earn.Fuck,I'm surprised they didn't surgically remove part of my legs just so you can be taller."he said,before taking a deep breath.
"In short,I get nothing for everything and you get everything for nothing."he concluded.That should've been it,but the words just kept coming."I mean you must have at least an inkling.You have to know.So,do you just not care?"he whispered.
It was like having a drowning man right next to you,it was impossible not to notice unless you tried to ignore it.And Kalim’s awareness from months ago surely meant he at least has a clue about what's going on.
"He doesn't.He never did.After all you're just a servant in a sea of others.You're expandable.So,why should he bother?"his inner voice said.
Jamil took a shaky breath at the realization.He almost wanted to laugh at the irony that both of them have been lying to eachother for years,but he just couldn't find it in himself.Because, a long time ago,he did care for Kalim.He could honestly say he considered the heir his best friend back then.Before all the faked losses,intentionally bad grades and scoldings not to attract attention.He always thought Kalim still cares,that he never stopped caring,but apparently he never did.
All that concern,all that affection,all fake.
Jamil chuckled,his voice quiet and weak.
"Well,you sure fooled me.Congratulations."he said,turning towards the boy.Despite the fact the heir was sleeping,the lack of reaction just pissed the brunette off more.How dare he give him that innocent look?How dare he?!
"But that all ends today."he said,sucking in a breath.
"Just one swing and it'll all be over.One stab,and you're free."his inner voice whispered.He sat on top of Kalim and lifted his knife above his head.This is it.This is what he wanted.His freedom is close,just within reach.A few more moments and he'll have it.
He can almost imagine the heir’s blood staining the clothes and the white bedding.
His face becoming ashen and pale as he bleeds out.The thought made his throat hurt but he kept going.
"It's just nerves."he told himself.
Just nerves.And just as he was an inch from stabbing his chest...
"Jamil..."Kalim muttered in his sleep.
The young Viper froze.It's not as if it was the first time Kalim said his name while asleep.Jamil comforted him trough enough nightmares to know as much.But,seeing him say it completely unprompted was...different.
He slowly moved the knife away from the heir,stunned.A quick jolt of pain snapped the brunette out of his daze.Jamil hissed and looked at his hand to see a cut on it from his knife..
"Shit!"Jamil whisper/shouted,covering the wound to stop the blood from dripping,dropping the knife in the process.Then,Kalim stirred.Jamil tensed,and ran,slamming the door on the way out.
Kalims eyes shot open as he straightened in his bed."That was a bad dream.Just a..."he started before he saw a bloodied knife on the floor. Jamils bloodied knife.
The heir walked over to it slowly picked it up,turning it in his hand a few times.It wasn't a hallucination. Which only meant one thing.Jamil was in his room.Kalim swallowed.
Jamil rubbed his eyes.He’s so tired.All that scolding from his inner voice and him questioning why what Kalim did stopped him kept him up all night.Hopefully no one notices.Maybe if Mr Trein is especially lenient today he can sleep trough his class.
Maybe Vergas will let him skip if he acts sick enough.Jamil groaned.Serves him right for wasting his time thinking about something so irrelevant.
"Someone so irrelevant."his inner voice amended.
Honestly it was kinda pathetic.He has better things to do than act like a lovesick,insecure-
"Good morning Jamil."
And speak of the devil.
"Good morning ,Kalim.How did you sleep?"he asked back turned towards the heir.
"Well enough.Actually I had a dream."
"Was it about you riding a unicorn?Again?"
"No...It was about you saying how I never earned anything.How I don't care about you."he said,Jamils hand stopping on the way to the coffee mug as Kalim finished his sentence.
He saw the brunettes shoulders tense as he told him,sending icy doubt through Kalims veins.
"You don't actually feel like that do you?"the heir asked,gripping the handle of Jamils knife till he could feel his palm numb.
He needed something to steady him as he waited for Jamils response.
The brunette turned towards him,with a lopsided smirk.Almost like the idea was so ridiculous he could barely contain his laughter.He took the coffee and shook his head.
"Of course not.It was just a bad dream.That's all."he said,ruffling the heirs hair with his free hand .
Kalim scanned the Vipers face looking for any sign of deception and despite his best efforts he couldn't find one.He breathed a sigh of relief."You ok?"Jamil asked,concerned.
The heir nodded."Yeah,just tired I guess."he said,smiling at him.
Jamil sighed,walking behind the counter again."Do you want some coffee?"he asked.
Kalim shook his head.
“No.It's okay.But since that was just a nightmare...What was your bloodied knife doing in my room?"Kalim said,revealing the knife in his hand.
Jamil could feel his whole body go numb.
"Some assassin you are leaving the murder weapon behind!"his inner voice hissed,as the heir gave Jamil the knife.
Jamil had to agree,even if it was begrudgingly.If he wasn't distracted by Kalims sleep talking he would've disposed of it.
Then again,if he wasn't distracted,Kalim would be dead.
"Oh,I must've cut myself while checking up on you last night.I probably went to clean the wound and just forgot to take it back."he said,the lie easily coming off his tongue.
He didn't know the exact point when lying to Kalim became as natural as breathing,but here he was.And as always,he believed him,leaving to change a few moments later.Before the heir left however,he turned towards the Viper,his crimson eyes seeming to stare into Jamils soul.
"You'd tell me if you felt that way...Right?"he asked,his tone serious.
The intensity of the others gaze left the brunette speechless,but he managed a curt nod.Kalim smiled and went down the hallway,leaving Jamil alone with his thoughts.
"Wow.I'd never peg him for a liar,but he surprises at every turn."his inner voice scoffed.
Jamil barely even registered it though,preoccupied with the what if 's of the heir discovering his assassination attempt.
"You'd be executed on the spot."his inner voice said coldly.Jamil felt his chest tighten and blood freeze.
Kalim couldn't...He wouldn't.Jamil tried to kill him,but that's out of hatred.Kalim's indifferent and pretending to care.So why would he bother?
“Why not?It doesn't matter to him and he'd be justified in the others eyes.If your life doesn't matter to him,why not end it?"his inner voice concluded.
"Kalim's not such a monster as to..."Jamil told himself,before he realized something,a smirk creeping onto his face.
With little help from Snake Whisper, a private chat with Kalim will be his ticket to freedom.
5.
"So,I think that about covers it."Kalim concluded,finishing their dorm room meeting.
Jamil nodded,as he did in the past hour.On autopilot.His chest was tightening with nervousness at what he was about to do.He's never used Snake Whisper on Kalim before.On assassins that threatened the heirs life?Sure.But he had the element of surprise then.With Kalim knowing about it,he might be on guard.Then again,he'd never see it coming from his loyal servant,right?
He took a deep breath.He has to take a leap of fate,guard up or not.For his freedom.So,as Kalim is about to leave,he gets up and pins him against the door.He takes a deep breath once again and looks at the heirs surprised face .
"What are you..."
"You trust me,right?"
"With my life,but what does that have to do with anything?"
And with that simple sentence,he knows it's going to be worth it.
"The one you see before you is your master.Answer when spoken to,bow your head to their orders.Snake Whisper."he muttered,his throat tight.
There wasn't a groan of pain as Kalims eyes became glassy and dull.No struggle,as his wrists went limp in Jamils hands.As the servant let go of the heir,the youngers arms fell to his sides.A few moments pass and Jamil laughs,feeling lighter than he has felt in years.
6.
"Because,we're best friends!"Kalim yelled,finishing his desperate tirade.
Then,it finally snaps.In front of Kalim,the Octavinelle trio,Yuu,Grim and his dorm-mates,Jamil bursts out laughing.He doesn't really know what he's laughing at,but it feels so good to do so.
Maybe Kalims naïveté,maybe at the backfiring of his own plans,maybe the fact he can finally let it all out now.Perhaps this is his sanity letting out its dying gasps.So,as Kalim asks if he's ok Jamil lets the consequences fade into the background and tells him what he really thinks.
Every revelation feels like a stab and breaks Kalims heart.
Every time he thinks it can't hurt any worse.
That his heart can't shatter into any more pieces.
But it does,until finally Jamil screams that he's always hated him.The anguish and how viscerally it seems to rip his vocal cords making it undoubtedly true.And that breaks his heart yet again.
"Me,my family...I don't give a shit about what happens to any of it!"Jamil yells.
So what if he gets executed?So what if he gets disowned?Even if the people will scorn him and nobody will ever mourn him,he can say he's made a grab for his freedom.So,even when Kalim tells him to stop,he doesn't listen,sick of his orders.He uses his unique magic on the entire dorm and under the immense pressure of that task words,even his own,seem to become white noise.Then,he felt it.Something slimy and sticky choking him.He falls to the floor and pukes.And it's ink that comes out.
Kalim watches in horror as Jamil contorts in pain,ink coming out of his body and dripping onto him from the ceiling,consuming him completely.A scream builds up in the heirs throat,but nothing comes out,as the lights flicker to red and the Octavinelle trio tries to analyze the situation.They conclude it's an Overblot and as red smoke emerges from the ink to swirl around his best friend,the sound of thunder outside filling Kalims ears,he feels it.The will breaking terror of knowing that whoever emerges out of there will want you and the world dead.
As the wind went quiet and the ink falls of off him,Jamil doesn't feel dead.
Because a dead man couldn't feel the cold liquid dripping down his arms,the hardness of the floor or the power coursing trough his veins.
A dead man couldn't hear the snakes that were once his hair hissing next to his ear.
A dead man couldn't taste his own saliva.
A dead man couldn't see the terrified faces of the six people in front of him.
And a dead man couldn't throw them into a desert.
A/N Jimmy and Eric are my boyfriends OCs.Jimmy's based off of Abu and Eric's based off of Iago.The more you know.