Chapter Text
“Hey, Floyd! You guys have a basketball game tonight, right?”
“Sure do! Why? Don’t tell me Sea Snakey forgot to tell ya?”
Silence.
“...Hellooo?” Floyd called through the phone. “Sea Otter? You drop the phone in the toilet or somethin’?”
“No, no, sorry! I’m here… it’s just, uh… I think Jamil’s a bit…”
Kalim paused and looked over at where Jamil was laying in a prone position on the bed, arms wrapped tightly around a pillow, face buried inside, muffling his voice as he let out a frustrated scream.
“...Stressed?”
Kalim could hear Floyd’s amused laughter in response on the other end of the line. “Hey, maybe he’ll make more interesting plays tonight with that kind of energy on the court, hehe…”
Maybe Floyd was right. Maybe basketball would be a good distraction for Jamil right now! It was a physical outlet - and dancing always made both of them feel better, so surely basketball would have a similar effect. Maybe all Jamil needed was to play a really intense game with his supportive teammates, and he’d cheer up.
“Yeah, good point! I look forward to seeing you guys play. Are Jade and Azul comi-?”
Kalim’s question was abruptly cut off by another loud, angry, and strange combination between a sob and a shriek from Jamil against his pillow.
“Oh! Uh,” Kalim moved the phone away from his mouth and frantically turned around. “Sorry, Jamil! I was just asking Floyd about your basketball game tonight. You’re… still going, right?”
Jamil only responded with more muffled screams.
Kalim took that as his cue to leave, quickly hopping up from the edge of the bed and scooting towards the door. “Okay! I’m gonna let you have some alone time, and… Um, I'll come get you when it’s time to go to the game, alright?”
“Just GO!” Jamil shouted, lifting his head just long enough to get those words out before immediately flopping his face back down and resuming his wails of disgruntled anguish.
“Right! Got it! See you later!”
Kalim hurried the rest of the way out of the room and shut the door behind him. He sighed, and put the phone back to his ear.
“Sorry about that, Floyd. Are you still there?”
Floyd, again, responded with laughter.
“Sure am! Sounds like Sea Snakey’s definitely gonna play an interesting game. I’m gettin’ fired up just thinkin’ about it!”
Kalim sighed. “Man, I really hope it helps him feel better… How’s Azul holding up…?”
“Oh, terribly. But what else is new, right?'' Floyd said, though he did not sound particularly concerned about the matter. “I mean, he’s insistin’ it’s fine and all, but he’s an awful liar when it comes to feelings - especially feelings about Sea Snakey. He keeps pretending to be busy and holing himself up in his office, snappin’ at people that bother him too much.”
Kalim made his way down the hall and into his own room, flopping down onto his back on his own bed. “Oh no, really? That’s awful!”
“Ehh, he ain’t actin’ super different from regular cranky Azul, really. Probably most of the Mostro Lounge employees wouldn’t be able to tell the difference when he’s in ‘business mode’ on the clock. Me ‘n Jade see right through him, obviously.”
Kalim sighed and started fidgeting with the corner of one of the many pillows covering his bed. “Well, at least you and Jade are there to support him…”
“Heh, sure.”
A door could be heard opening on Floyd’s end, followed by what sounded like Jade’s voice.
“M’kay, I gotta run, Sea Otter. Jade and I’ll try and pull Azul out of his wallowing to the game tonight, but no promises!”
“Yeah, alright… See you later, Floyd!”
The line clicked and went quiet, and Kalim rolled over on his stomach to open his texts. He scrolled through the long list of conversations he’d had throughout the day, and tapped Silver’s name.
Hi silver! Wanna come to the basketball game w/me later? You can come over 2 my dorm and hang out til then if ur not busy!
Silver texted back a few minutes later.
Okay. I will be there in a few minutes.
Kalim’s face brightened, a feeling of relief washing over him at Silver’s prompt reply. He didn’t know who else would be at the basketball game, but at least he could count on Silver to keep him company in the stands.
Moments after sending the text, Silver arrived at Kalim’s room and took a seat beside him on the edge of the bed.
“I’m so glad you’re here, Silver!” Kalim exclaimed, rolling over to face Silver with a distressed pout. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do about Jamil!”
“Is he still having a hard time with his and Azul’s breakup?” Silver asked, straightforward as ever.
“Yes!” Kalim wailed. “He’s completely miserable, but he doesn’t ever want to talk about it when I bring it up, so I just don’t know what to do to help!”
“Perhaps he needs more time,” Silver lightly suggested. “I imagine heartbreak is not an easy thing to experience. My father often says that ‘time heals all wounds,’ after all.”
“Maybe…” Kalim sat back up and scooted over beside Silver. “I just want to help him feel better sooner, yknow?!”
Silver nodded in silent understanding.
“They were so in love…” Kalim continued. “Jamil smiled more after you all came back from that trip to Fleur City… More than I’d seen him smile in years. And… And I refuse to believe it’s truly over!”
Kalim stood up, followed by a confused Silver.
“What do you mean?”
“I think there’s still hope! And I think they’re still in love!”
Silver tilted his head. “Really? But then why would they break up?”
“I… don’t know!” Kalim sighed, furrowing his eyebrows. “But I do know it has to be a mistake. I think if they just gave each other a chance to talk it out, they’d understand each other better. Then maybe they could make up!”
Kalim headed to the door, Silver following behind.
“I have to find a way to help them. I don’t know how, but… Jamil is my best friend!” He glanced down with a sullen expression and sighed again. “I owe it to him to try and help him find that happiness again…”
Silver nodded again. “That is a noble cause, and really nice of you, Kalim. I’ll help you however I can.”
“Really!?” Kalim halted his stride to turn and face Silver, eyes wide.
“Yes. Jamil and Azul are our friends. I don’t want to stand by and watch our companions suffer if there’s something we can do to lessen their anguish, and you would know better than anyone if there was a way to help Jamil. I trust your judgment.”
Kalim’s face relaxed into relief and delight. “Oh, I’m so glad…Thank you, Silver! I don’t have a plan yet, but I’m sure you and I can figure something out between the two of us!”
Really, how hard could it be?