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“Are you out of your mind?!”
“Not really? I really don't see why you think that!”
His brother is a total idiot… Well, Karim knew that from the beginning. Perhaps he knew that even before their birth. Though he didn't really expect Kalim to ask him to cover for his absence at a dorm leader meeting today. If he thinks about it for more than a few seconds, he should have seen that situation coming when he accompanied him to the nurse's office and Kalim was uncharacteristically silent – that's a sign his brain is working overtime. Good job Kalim’s brain, please never work ever again. Leave everything to Jamil because otherwise their family is doomed.
On one hand, he really doesn't want to. Why? Because he's not here to clean up his brother's messes. There are lots of things he wants to do after school today like… Do his homework (maybe). Clean his room (not really). Play with Jaleel (absolutely not). Point is, he doesn't want to replace Kalim. So what if there's a very important guest coming and the dorm leaders are supposed to greet them? What if Kalim messed up (again) in alchemy class and now has rabbit ears sprouting out of his fluffy hair, and it'd be bad to try attending a serious event like that? That's not his problem. Just because they're twins doesn't mean they can switch places whenever they want. (They did before but definitely not now.) Do people ask Jade and Floyd to imitate each other?
“I'm not doing it. Go yourself.”
“It's for Scarabia's sake! You don't want us to be made fun of, right?”
“Ugh…”
To be quite honest, Karim is a bit taken aback. It's not like he thinks Kalim doesn't care about their dorm. If anything, he cares too much about it and the people inside, to the point it's embarrassing to watch. But before, Kalim would have gone anyway, not thinking about the consequences of looking like the Queendom of Roses' famed white rabbit in front of everyone. Seeing his empty-headed twin mature just a tiny bit is a little… Weird for lack of better terms. Like watching a broken mirror slowly piece itself together. He'll give Kalim that – he grew up. Still, that doesn't mean he'll accept to do what is asked of him–
“And it'll be super weird if Jamil is here but not me, y'know?”
“What?”
“I said–”
“No, no, I got it the first time… I didn't know he'd be here too is all.”
“Yep, everyone has to come because it's super important!” Kalim nods (almost) thoughtfully. “If he's alone, he'll be super mad I skipped it–”
“I'm going.”
“Huh? Really? But–”
“I'm doing it.”
There's no deep reason for it. It's not like Karim wants to go there to spend time with Jamil without his brother or his servant around or anything. Really. He's not that easy, unlike a certain someone who's now attempting to drag him into a hug. He's doing it to help the overworked Scarabia vice. That's all there is to his sudden decision. Really.
* * *
It's the first time he's actually participated in a school meeting. It's no wonder though. He's a simple dorm student and there hasn't been a situation so far when both Kalim and Jamil couldn't attend, and he had to replace them. He could have been the vice dorm leader and probably should've been given the circumstances but Kalim was set on giving the position to Jamil and Karim had no reason to go against his brother's wish – in reality, he'd have preferred Jamil to be the dorm leader and him his vice, but life isn't that easy.
The ceremonial dress he's wearing is his, but the bandana is Kalim's and even the style of make-up is close to what his brother usually wears (thanks to a lot of effort from both twins to recreate it). Thanks to his whimsical servant, Karim often wears whatever Jaleel feels like it would suit him that day so it's a relief Kalim's wardrobe is so well-organized and codified.
The person reflected on the numerous mirrors hanging around the room is without a doubt Kalim Al-Asim, the firstborn of the family, not Karim Al-Asim, his shadow. With a click of the tongue, he looks away, forcing a smile on his face. He's done it before – becoming Kalim that is. Not for fun of course, but to keep up appearances. While Kalim is locked up in his room, surrounded by doctors, Karim is playing his role for the important ceremonies. It's been a while since they've exchanged places but despite doubting he can attempt it again, it comes to him naturally. Ugh.
The only good thing about this place is Jamil, standing beside him. It's been a while since the last time he's seen him wearing his ceremonial robes. He looks cool in it, even more mature than usual when he readjusts his ponytail. Jaleel should take his brother as an example and learn. How good would it be if Jamil were his servant instead of his brother's… Nothing the Headmaster says reaches Karim's ears as he glances furtively at Jamil. Kalim has asked him to make sure Scarabia would get represented well, but it's fine if he takes the occasion to look at Jamil, isn't it? Kalim does it all the time and never gets scolded (at least not in public) so why can't he?
The guest of honor is someone he can't remember and whose existence is nothing interesting, so Karim takes the time to watch Jamil. He's dutifully taking notes in his beautiful handwriting, and even from where he is, Karim can see how easy they are to read. Probably a habit he picked up from having to pass his notebooks to Kalim so he could do his homework. He'll never have another occasion to watch him work like this…
With a sigh, he raises his eyes, only to cross gazes with Jamil whose lips curve into a slight smile before he points to the Headmaster. It takes Karim a few seconds to react – when he looks away, his cheeks are hot. That's not good. Surely everyone can hear his heart thump loudly against his chest… How can a simple gesture send his mind reeling like that? Jamil is way too good of a magician because his every move is mesmerizing.
He tries focusing a little more, tries taking in some information about today's meeting so he can prove he was listening to Jamil, and maybe even get praised like Kalim when he does something great. But whatever the guest and the Headmaster are talking about is nonsensical or perhaps his brain simply refuses to accept anything that isn't Jamil-related at the moment. It's hard to say when his thoughts are that jumbled up. Kalim is an idiot that's for sure, but perhaps Karim is one as well since they're twins – maybe a few strands of their shared DNA is made up of idiocy.
When the meeting finishes, he doesn't get up immediately. It'd put an end to the moment and make him go back to reality and that's the last thing he wants.
“Kalim, what are you doing?”
Jamil's exasperated words are tinted with the most subtle fondness, like he's talking to a misbehaving child. He doesn't talk like this to Karim – he's more polite when it comes to his master's twin. It's all for Kalim and Kalim only. Karim's heart squeezes for a split second before he decides to get off the chair and follow Jamil to the dorms.
“Wait,” Jamil says, his eyebrows furrowed. “Your make-up is a little off.”
Karim doesn't have the time to explain that he did his best, but he's no servant and his skills are low before one of Jamil's hands is on his cheek, the other brushing against his eyelids. The familiar sound of Jamil's sigh echoes between them while he checks on his (pretend) master's make-up. Close, too close!
“What would you do without me seriously…” Jamil leans in, obviously irritated at the mess he's looking at, and he's so close that his breath hits Karim's lips… “Just kidding!”
“Hah?”
Karim shoves Jaleel away and makes a beeline for the door, not even pretending to be worried about his servant when he doesn't immediately start following him. He can stay there forever for all Karim cares – that way, he'll never have to go through this humiliation again. Unfortunately for him, Jaleel is quick on the uptake, and almost immediately, he's back by Karim's side, throwing his arm around his master's shoulder.
“Come on, I was pretty good, right? You totally thought I was Jamil, am I wrong?”
“Don't talk to me.”
“You're so mean to your best friend…”
“I'm not your friend.”
“Aww don't be shy!”
That was a total waste of time. Ah, how he hates being a twin.