Work Text:
Kalim's POV~
Kalim was on his way to the music club room, humming softly and skipping along. He always enjoyed club days. It gave him a chance to see his friends and share fun stories and have fun. Kalim was overall in a good mood, as always. That is, until his path was blocked by three pretty tall guys. "Well, look who it is." One of them chuckled. The one in the middle. He had short black hair and ruby colored eyes. The other two had their arms crossed too make them look more intimidating. One with messy blonde hair and green eyes, the other with dark purple hair and lime green eyes. Their uniforms all suggested they were from Diasomnia.
"Oh, hello. Was their something you three needed?" Kalim asked, grinning at the three. "Where's your bodyguard? Did he finally leave you for the dust." The one with the blonde hair chuckled. "Oh, you mean Jamil? No, he's at the basketball club right now. If you need him I can-" before he could finish, one of them quickly denied his request. "No, I'm just surprised he's stayed with you this long, especially considering he hates you. The black haired one chuckled, fist bumping the other two as they glared him down. "I beg your pardon. He doesn't hate me, we've known each other for years, he's always been like that. That's just his personality." Kalim explained, startling to feel uncomfortable.
It was true, ever since the beginning, Jamil's been pretty cold, but never once turned down a chance to play with him or do anything with him. "Oh yea? Then how come he acts completely different around people he actually likes. He's not cold towards Ace, is he? What about Trey, is he cold towards him?" The one with the dark blue hair slated at him, a sinister grin on his face. Kalim thought about it and they were right, he did act differently, like he actually likes them. With him, he just kind of sounded annoyed all the time. "Well, maybe it's just because we've known each other longer. He's just got a different attitude towards me." Kalim nervously chuckled, trying to come up with a reason why that might be. Trying to prove them wrong.
"Face it, he doesn't like you. He just hangs around you for the money. He would leave you in an instant." One of them growled, slowly backing Kalim up until he was against the wall. "If you don't get that, you're even more of a baby then I thought." Kalim could feel his bottom lip quivering and tears forming in his eyes, still slumped against the wall behind him. "Alright Cody, you've had your fun. Let's scram before we get caught." The one with the blonde hair said, motioning them to leave, which the purple haired one followed. The black haired one took one last look at the shivering boy and grinned evilly. "He hates you, just think about that for now." He grinned one last time, walking off.
Kalim stood their for a minute, horrified. No way his best friend didn't like him. No way he just did it for the money. No way they were right. But the more he thought about it, the more things seemed to click and make sense. It was terrifying to him. He could feel his heartbeat in his ears and his legs trembling below him. He needed to get out of the hall. He needed to calm down. Without a second thought, he bolted in the other direction, making his way towards the bathroom, hoping he could get their before his legs gave up on him.
Jamil's POV:
"Floyd, quit messing around. We need to get this chart set up and roles assigned by the end of the week." Jamil grumbled, watching as the taller boy dribbled down the court. "Yea, what's the big deal? We've got time, lots of it." He chuckled, spam dunking the ball into the net, pumping his fist into the air as if it actually counted. Jamil sighed before hearing his phone ding, indicating someone had texted him. It was Lilia.
Lilia: Yo, you know where Kalim could be. He hasn't shown up yet and we're starting to get worried
Jamil shot up. Sure, Kalim was the type too wander off without telling anyone or simply be forgetful and go home, but he'd never miss club day. He brags about how much he can't wait all day, today being no different.
Jamil: I have not, but that sure is worrisome. I'll go look for him right now.
He responded quickly, standing up. "Yo, what's for you all riled up?" Ace asked, sipping his water bottle. "Kalim. Usually I wouldn't be this worried but it's not like him to skip club. I'm going to check on him." Jamil said, gathering his things and walking towards the door. "Aww, leaving so soon. But I didn't even get to flex on you yet" Floyd chuckled, tossing a half court shot and making it. Ace clapped for him as Jamil responded, "Don't wait up for me." And with that, he was gone.
As Jamil exited the court, he could hear fast footsteps running down the hall and into the bathroom. He didn't get a good look at who it was, but the jingling of his jewelry gave it away completely. No one else in this school wore half as much as him, especially not at school. Jamil looked around, checking for any hall monitors and once he verified their were none, ran down the hall too the bathroom and walked in. He could hear Kalim in one of the stalls, whimpering and hyperventilating. He's never freaked out at school like this though. Luckily it was only him in the bathroom so Jamil walked over to the door, shut it and locked it. Technically that would get him in trouble, but he felt Kalim needed some alone time and space to calm down. Kalim's breathing seemed to have stopped when he heard the bathroom door shut, alerting Jamil.
He quietly walked over too the stall door and knocked on it three times, his signature knock. "Kalim, up the door." He said in a gentle voice, leaning against it. "No! G-Go away!" Kalim yelled, still clearly gasping for air. This put Jamil on edge. Usually if Kalim was feeling down, he'd welcome Jamil with open arms, awaiting some form of comfort. And with the way he was sounding, it sounded like he was having a panic attack. Jamil needed to do something.
He gently knocked again, making sure not too alert and scare the boy further. "Kalim, please. I can hear you in their. At this rate, you'll pass out from a lack of air. "I-I-I don't c-care. I d-d-don't want t-to see you r-right n-now." He heard. Was it something he did? He couldn't tell, but he needed to get his breathing under control. Then he'd worry about why he didn't want to see him.
"Alright Kalim, listen to me. Focus on my voice. You need to even out your breathing. I can try to help you from behind the stall door, but you'll have to listen to me." He said in a stern but soft voice, hoping the boy would comply. "N-no! Wh-why d-do you e-even c-care. Go b-back to your f-friends!" He shuttered out, still struggling. Alright, it was clear Kalim was not going too comply, he needed in. "Kalim, either open this stall or I'm gonna go under myself. Either way, I'm getting in their." Jamil said, voice way more stern, sounding annoyed. Their was a silence, some shuffling, then the sound of the lock unlocking. Jamil wasted no time opening the door. He made sure not too close it again so Kalim didn't feel like he was suffocating in a small stall. Not like anyone would disturb them anyway.
Kalim was shaky, leaning against the back wall for support, hugging himself tightly. "W-what do you-" before Kalim could finish the sentence, Jamil placed his hands on his shoulders, staring him in his eyes, a look of genuine concern. "Kalim, look at me, we need to even out your breathing." Kalim shakily nodded. "Here" Jamil started, placing kalim on the toilet seat so he was sitting down and bending down in front of him. Then he took Kalim's hands in his and spoke again, "I need you to do the breathing exercise we did when you were a kid. You remember? In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4." Kalim nodded again, still struggling. "I c-can't.." he whined, tears slipping down his face. "Kalim, yes you can. You're strong. I know you. Here, I'll do it with you." Jamil said, giving Kalim's hands a few light squeezes, grounding him.
"Alright, inhale for four…" Jamil started, watching as Kalim breathed in, puffing up his cheeks like a chipmunk. "...Hold for four…" he continued, holding his breath, making sure Kalim was doing the same. "....And out for four " he watched as Kalim slumped down, exhaling all that air. "Good, a few more times" Jamil spoke again, not once losing eye contact with Kalim.
After a few more times, his breathing was finally under control, tears still slipping down his face. Jamil squeezed his hands again. "Kalim, I won't push, but I'm sure it would be helpful, what caused this to happen?" Jamil asked, watching Kalim's movements precisely.
"D-do you hate me?"
Kalim asked him with pleading eyes, straight at him, awaiting an answer. "Please answer the question, do you hate me?" He pleaded again. Jamil looked at him and shook his head. "Of course not. Who put that idea into your head?" "Lies!" Kalim shot out, pulling his hands away from Jamil's soothing hold. "You only tolerate me because you have to, just admit it. Stop playing with my feelings." He cried, burying his face into his hands. Jamil was shocked to say the least. He'd never acted like this before. It never once crossed Kalim's mind if Jamil's acts of kindness were genuine or not. Furthermore, Jamil never thought he'd have to explain the situation. But here they were. Jamil exhaled, sitting in front of Kalim, not knowing how else to comfort him.
"Kalim, I want you to listen and listen carefully. I care deeply about you. I may have been forced into this position because of our family's, I may have not liked it at all. Heck, I'm still caught up on the fact I'll never be truly free, but I care for you deeply. All the times I've saved you weren't just because I had too, I couldn't live with myself if you died. My heart dropped every time you passed out from food poisoning and I had to try and flush it out of your system. My heart still drops whenever I know someone's trying to hurt you. I do care, a lot more than I ever thought I would." Jamil sighed, watching as Kalim slowly lifted his head, wiping away his tears with his thumb. "What about my family forcing you to cook for me, or forcing you to come to school with me?" The poor boy sniffled, giving him a pleading look. "I don't mind, I like seeing your reactions to my cooking and I like knowing I can keep you safe. Sure you can be a bit much at times, but that's just because you're a child at heart. Nothing I can complain about." Jamil responded genuinely. Kalim smiled, lips still quivering and hugged him. Jamil took the opportunity to hug back, rubbing the boys back as he weeped.
After a few minutes, the crying had died down and Jamil was left with a weak Kalim resting in his arms. "So, you wanna tell me who put these ideas in your head yet?" Jamil asked, still playing with the boy's hair. "Some students from Diasomnia. They stopped me out of nowhere and like, backed me against the way saying how you didn't like me and-and I couldn't move and-" Kalim started, his once simple explanation turning into a stuttering mess. So it was some Diasomnia kids who were to blame. "Do you know any of their names?" Jamil asked, sounding calm when really he wanted to beat them all up. "The main one's name was Cody I believe. I don't know the other two." Jamil nodded, standing up, bringing Kalim to his feet with him.
"Alright, let's get your face washed up, then we'll head back to Scarabia." Jamil muttered, leading Kalim over to the sink. "But what about clubs?" Kalim asked, turning on the faucet. "We'll skip today, you need a break. We'll go home and fix your favorite meal, how does that sound?" Jamil asked, a small smile on his face. Kalim nodded excitedly and began splashing water on his face, washing away all those dry tears stains.
Lilia: Did you find him???
Lilia: Helloooo
Lilia: Is my adopted baby from
another dorm alright?
Jamil: yea sorry, I found him. He was
having a panic attack in the bathroom. Apparently this was caused by three students in your dorm. Do you know a Cody? Possibly travels around with two friends?
Jamil responded, looking back up to see Kalim turn off the faucet, drying off his hands. "Who were you texting?" Kalim asked. "Just Lilia telling him you can't make it today. Now, come here, I'll give you a piggyback ride back. You look exhausted." Jamil started, quickly sidetracking him, which worked. Jamil heard his phone ding again. He read it as he walked back down the school.
Lilia: Do I? They've been causing trouble all year. And now they made my baby cry. Unexceptable💢 You won't have to worry about them, I'll make sure they're taken care of
Lilia: also, tell Kalim the music club said hi😄👋
Jamil chuckled, shoving his phone into his pocket, noticing Kalim had laid his head down on his head as they were walking and was now softly snoring. Poor thing must be so worn out. Jamil made it his goal too find those three and make them pay himself as well.