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He was rummaging inside Kalim's treasure room, searching for a specific item in the thousands of glinting gold.
Tomorrow was Azul's birthday and he knew exactly what to give to him.
He saw it before from the corner of his eye, and after learning a little fact about Azul, he knew it was the perfect gift.
He pushed things around, lifted chests full of jewels and moved priceless treasures until he found it.
He took it in his hand, making it shine in the light. Tomorrow it will find its purpose.
***
It was now the 24th, he acted as if it was an average day, ignoring Azul's expectant looks and the pout he, unfortunately, found cute.
The day went by slowly, a strange sense of anticipation making him impatient but he showed none of it outwardly.
He and Azul planned a study session that day after class, by a stroke of luck it fell on his birthday. The opportunity to give his gift without anyone around to bother them.
When he entered the library he searched for him. He found him in a corner of the room, books surrounding him already. His hand was flying across a notebook at breakneck speed while he stared at his reference book without looking away for a second.
It was almost impressive the efficiency he was witnessing.
He walked toward him and sat down, making the blue eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses look up to him.
A honeyed smile stretched his lips “Jamil, there you are, I thought you had forgotten me”
He, purposely, let out a sigh “Unfortunately, you are unforgettable Azul”
It made him chuckle “I'll take that as a compliment” Azul had the nerve to wink at him.
Nevermind, it was impressive how the hand kept writing neat lines as if possessing its own brain.
Not that he will ever tell him.
“Let's concentrate on our project before I start strangling you”
“Quite the bold statement, I would like to see you try” Azul laid his chin on his free hand, eyes daring him to try.
He let out a glare "If you keep it up it might happen sooner than you think” This guy could go under his skin so skillfully he should get a medal, or a punch in the face, he didn't know yet.
“As you wish~” Azul singsonged, making him purse his lips. Why did he even get a birthday present for him ?
He got his own books out, they started working in silence, the only sound came from their pen scratching the paper and the turning of pages.
Each time they had a partner project in the past, Azul kept saying they made a great team and he refuted it, this was their dynamic. But he had to admit that Azul was right, it was reassuring he was partnered with a top student. No need to babysit someone who has good grades in every class, except P.E., that was the only moment where Azul was absolutely pathetic and at his mercy.
He had to chuckle out loud at the thought, making Azul throw him a questioning glance he ignored.
An Azul thrown out of balance, metaphorically or not, was a sight to behold, he hoped to achieve it once more tonight with his plan.
Thinking of it, it was time to start. He searched inside his bag for the gift he prepared in advance. His hand knocked over a small box he knew was what he was searching for.
He took it out and put it on top of Azul's book, snapping his attention to it immediately.
“And what is that ?” Blue eyes switched from the box to the smug smile adorning his face.
“Happy Birthday”
“I almost believed you forgot about it, thank you very much Jamil” He had the audacity to clap slightly, he was so dramatic “I hope you don't mind if I open it now” The eyes went back to the small black box.
“Go right ahead”
He watched as he took the box carefully and opened the lid, he saw his expression go from curious to shocked in a second.
“Is t-that ?” Azul stuttered “No way” His jaw became slack and his eyes went wide. He never saw this expression on him before and didn't regret his idea.
“You got me an ancient Scalding Sands coin from over 300 years ago !” He shrieked softly in joy “A discontinued one with a special blend that was only produced for less than five years !” Azul was almost jumping in his chair, a giddy smile on his lips “I was interested in it for some time but the price asking for it was not worthwhile for me” He lifted the coin to his eye, watching it from up close “And it's in excellent condition ! Such pristine work from that time, only a master of craft could have made it” He looked like a child on Christmas morning, it was almost endearing.
He let Azul nerd over the coin for some time, hearing more information that he would like to know over currency from the past, before he coughed in his fist.
It made him burst from his bubble “I'm terribly sorry Jamil, I'm afraid my emotions got the better of me” A slight blush, that was strangely blue, appeared on his cheeks.
“Glad you like it”
“This is a perfectly chosen gift” A frown made itself know “Too perfect actually” The moment he waited for arrived “This is too good for a gift, I feel indebted to you now” Azul leaned forward, serious once more “What favor would you like in exchange ?”
He mostly gave the coin to Azul to see him sweat because of the imbalance of debt, the other part was so he didn't whine for the rest of the year on how “his favorite partner forgot his birthday, oh woe was he” He was petty enough he could repeat it until his next birthday.
Having Azul in his debt was entertaining, he could ask for absolutely anything, his smile stretched farther as a devious idea came to his mind.
“But it is your birthday Azul, shouldn't you accept it without a favor behind it ?”
Azul's lips thinned “I insist, I refuse to be in debt of anyone”
“Well” He tilted his head playfully “I don't know what I want”
He could hear Azul's teeth grind and he had to contain a laugh.
“Surely, you have something you desire”
It was so much fun
“Not really, no” Azul's right eye started twitching slightly behind his glasses “Perhaps…?” He started, wistfully. Hook.
“Yeeeeeees ?” He leaned farther, their noses almost touching across the table.
“How about a favor in the future ?” Line.
Azul blinked twice before answering “What type of favor ?”
“It hasn't been decided yet” He teased playfully.
“I-”
He cut him “And make it so you can never question what it is before I ask you to fulfill it” And sinker.
He made Azul speechless, an accomplishment he was proud of.
“Do that and I'll sign your little golden paper, after reviewing it from any possible loopholes you could have put there” He checked his nails without a care, as if he didn't just break Azul Ashengrotto in the last thirty seconds.
He gave him a minute to get a hold of himself, feeling proud of the outcome.
“This” He started carefully “Is not how I usually handle business”
He suddenly pushed Azul glasses up to his nose strongly, until he leaned his body back into his chair “This is how I want to do it, or are you too scared ?” He challenged him. The offended expression that appeared became thoughtful.
Azul stared at him strongly for some time before letting out a defeated sigh “Fine, you win, I will prepare a contract with your conditions”
“Pleasure doing business with you” He imitated Azul in a high pitched tone, which made him glare at him at the offence. They got back to their schoolwork, the silence surrounding them once again.
He couldn't help but want to tease him one last time.
“Perhaps I'll ask you to pass flight class with a perfect grade ?” He wondered out loud.
It made Azul snap his head to look at him, horror written all across his suddenly very pale face.
“Please don't” It was said in the most terrified voice that he couldn't control his laughter anymore and let it all out.
Teasing Azul was so much fun.