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Kalim watches as Malleus and Cater walk past him.
They weren’t even supposed to be together today.
Kalim tried to invite both of them out today.
They gave excuses about being busy with their families and duties.
But here they are… in his home, wandering through the market hand-in-hand.
Kalim watches Malleus lean in and kiss Cater softly, softer than he’s ever been kissed by the man. He watches Cater smile mid-kiss, something that has never happened with him.
That’s when it hits him.
Those two don’t love him anymore.
Kalim straightens up and walks towards them.
Might as well get this over with.
He clears his throat once he reaches them and watches them notice him and promptly start to panic.
“Darling!” exclaims Cater in surprise, eyes going wide.
“Sweet Prince, when did you get here?” asks Malleus quickly, eyes shifting like he’s on edge.
“I knew it!”
Kalim turns to find Jamil and Silver standing there together, hand-in-hand. Both of them look disappointed beyond anything Kalim’s ever seen.
“You two didn’t invite Kali, you just turned him down to be together! What kind of bullshit is this?!” Jamil is angry, stepping forward despite the way Silver seems to be trying to hold him back. “You’re supposed to be his partners! What’s wrong with you?!”
“They don’t love me anymore, Jam,” says Kalim softly, understanding hitting with a clarity that has his voice cracking before he can contain it. He’s in the market of his home, he can’t be weak. “But that’s okay. Now, they don’t have to worry about turning me down or sneaking around to be together without me. Malleus, Cater, it’s over. I will remove myself from the relationship. Enjoy our market.”
Kalim turns on his heel, head held as high as he can hold it as he fights back tears.
He walks away, seconds away from breaking as he passes through the crowd that gathered.
It isn’t until he reaches Jamil’s sister’s shop that he breaks. He steps inside and rushes to the back, tears falling almost faster than he can move. He hides in her employee room, burying his face in his knees, not even able to make it to the couch.
“Kali?!” Jamil’s voice is loud and panicked, but Kalim can’t do anything but bite his sleeve as he sobs.
“Kalim? Where are you?”
That’s Silver.
He shouldn’t have left Malleus’ side like that.
“There you are,” Jamil’s voice softens like he’s heartbroken for him. “Oh, Kali. I am so, so sorry.”
Kalim doesn’t react even as arms wrap tightly around him, fingers gently wiping away the tears that just won’t stop falling.
“Do you want me to kick his ass? I can do it, I swear,” Silver’s voice is soft and protective, and it hurts as much as it helps.
“You can’t. You protect him, Silver,” Kalim says it softly, weakly, but he means it.
“I don’t give a damn,” Silver sounds really worked up. “He broke your heart, Kalim. I told him what would happen.”
“Silver, I’ll be alright,” says Kalim softly as he lifts his head to look at him. “Don’t go being violent against your King.”
“Fine, then I will. He hurt you, and it’s my right,” says Jamil decisively before moving to stand.
Kalim grabs his wrist, tugging on it when Jamil tries to fight back, and he says, “I forbid it, JamJam. Just go enjoy the market with your boyfriend. I’m going to clean up and return to the palace.”
“But Kali, this is your favorite market week. You can’t just—“ Jamil’s immediate response is to argue because of course it is.
“I’m not needed today, Jamil, so I won’t stay. It would be better if I didn’t make another spectacle in the market,” says Kalim quietly, knowing his role in all of this as he harshly wipes at his face, letting go of Jamil in the process.
“I don’t like this,” says Jamil in a grumpy tone.
“Neither do I,” Silver agrees which is surprising to Kalim as he furrows his brows at him.
“You don’t have to like it, but you do have to respect it," Kalim says it sternly as he uses magic to glamour his face, feeling grateful for the work he’s done with Pomefiore because it’s perfect. "Now, you two are supposed to be on a date. Go enjoy your market date. I’ll be able to get home safely on my own.”
“No,” says Silver thoughtfully as he tilts his head. “I think we should all just have a movie night instead.”
“Yes, a movie night sounds perfect!” exclaims Jamil brightly as he stands and claps his hands once. “Let’s do that.”
“You’re supposed to be on a date with each other,” says Kalim as his brows furrow into confusion. “I’m not interrupting any more than I already have.”
“It’s not interrupting when we want it,” says Silver with a shrug.
“Besides, you’re going to need to cry again by the time you make it to the palace. So, let’s turn this into a break-up movie night and drown your sorrows together,” Jamil’s already got a plan working, judging by the look in his eyes as he looks between Kalim and Silver.
“I’m not going to convince either of you that this shouldn’t happen, am I?” asks Kalim with a deep sigh that’s fonder than it should be.
“Nope,” replies Silver with a shrug.
“Not a chance,” says Jamil as he tugs Kalim up. “So, let’s go!”
“Alright,” Kalim gives in with a shake of his head, fighting back the urge to cry again.
He knows that when they get back to the palace, he’s going to shatter properly. There’s no way anyone will be able to help pick up the pieces, not yet at least, but Silver and Jamil will certainly try.
But Kalim knows, now more than ever, that this new semester is going to suck without Malleus and Cater by his side.