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Silver stares blankly at the petal on his desk, and he sees the recognition light up on Kalim's face.
"I know that flower! That's a Melati Arab, or an Arabian Jasmine!" exclaims Kalim loudly, the brightness diminishing into recognition. "Oh, my Sultan. You're in love with Jamil."
He watches Kalim collapse into his chair, brain clearly going a mile a minute.
"Don't say anything," says Silver seriously as he looks at him. "We broke up, and I do not want this getting back to Jamil. He needs to be by your side, and I need to be by Malleus' for as long as I can. If it comes down to it, I'll do the surgery."
"You will do no such thing!" yelps Kalim seriously as he glares at Silver like he'd just insulted his family's legacy. "I'm marrying Leona, and we told Jamil late last night that he is free from servitude! He even had a call with my parents earlier to confirm that I wasn't just spouting nonsense."
"It's been over for three months, Kalim," explains Silver softly because they hadn't announced the break-up when it happened. "He and Azul seem to be closer, and I won't allow anything to mess up the genuine smile he gives the other."
"Silver," Kalim starts like he thinks he can change Silver's mind.
"Three months since it ended and since the hanahaki started," he says it stiffly, needing Kalim to understand. "I've accepted it, Kalim. Now, you need to as well."
"And what if I don't accept it?"
Silver stiffens up so tightly even his lungs feel compressed enough for a cough to start wracking his body, forcing six petals up, one soaked entirely of blood.
"Silver, I'm in love with you, I've never stopped loving you, and I don't plan to."
Jamil's voice is so serious, almost reverent, and Silver wants to respond. But his body chooses that moment to completely shut down, eyes rolling back until all that's left is darkness.
Coming to is an experience, especially because he starts choking when he does, fingers flying to his mouth to get the obstruction out as best he can.
"Hold on, Silver," says Jamil as Crewel comes into view and takes control.
Silver's eyes fall closed again, and when he wakes again, he's sitting up, with Jamil's hand in his.
"Better?" asks Jamil softly as he leans in close, cheeks tear-stained.
"A lot better," replies Silver in a whisper.
"Good, I love you, Silver," says Jamil seriously as he presses their foreheads together gently.
"I love you too, Jamil Viper," whispers Silver almost breathlessly, his heart going a mile a minute in his happiness.
Everything else can wait because he's not dying anymore, he doesn't have to get the surgery, and Jamil loves him.