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Jade liked observing, it was certainly one of his favorite pass times. He adored watching people squirm because of Azul’s, Floyd’s or his own antics and appreciating the human world that he once dreamed of for its abundance of tea leaves and mushrooms. However, his new infatuation was a person, one named Kalim.
“Jade, you’re looking at me more than the book you’re supposed to be reading. Is something wrong?" Kalim said. Kalim wore a smile on his face but his eyes told a different story. They were watching him closely. Perhaps he was about to say something truly interesting. He certainly had a knack for catching people off guard. Kalim sometimes would make remarks contradicting his obliviousness that utterly bewildered others. It was an amusing sight. After watching him for so long it wasn’t difficult to see Kalim’s mask slipping ever so often, he would catch him all alone with his usual demeanour gone and staring off into the void, this was possibly due to Jamil’s overblot. Jade longed to see the real him more.
He smiled back at Kalim, “Your eyes can truly be intriguing sometimes Kalim. I don't think I've seen them display such... character.” Jade said slyly as a toothy grin slightly appeared on his face.
That got a reaction out of Kalim. His smile was falling a little and Jade was ever so curious at the response he was going to give. Jade wanted to know what it would take to break the pure hearted boy in front of him. To drag him with him into the sea. To his utter dismay Kalim stayed silent and stared.
This reaction wasn’t a complete loss to Jade. It did show him that Kalim was more prone to slipping up in his sunshine character. Oh and Jade could certainly have fun with this reaction.
“Oh, come now not even going to dignify me with a response.” Jade said with a tinge of sadness.
“I… I don’t know how to respond to that, Jade." Kalim said blankly with that sickeningly sweet completely still smile back on. Kalim was as honest as ever. “I should head back to the dorms soon.” Kalim added.
After Kalim got up Jade watched him leave. No matter, he thought to himself unlike his brother Jade’s interest wouldn’t be swayed so easily. He couldn't help but think about ways to push Kalim further into his emotions. He wanted to tear that smile away for longer in any way he could. He wanted to see if the other was capable of darker emotions. He wanted to do more than observe, he wanted to peel Kalim’s layers right off.
–
Kalim completely and utterly messed up. “I don’t know how to respond to that, Jade." What kind of response was that Kalim thought to himself? He couldn't let his smile falter, he needed to be like his parents, strong and unwavering. Kalim was used to people watching him, it wasn't too hard to identify those doing so but he truly didn't want to believe Jade had bad intentions. Then again look at where that line of thinking got him with Jamil even he could admit Jade eyed him like prey. However, a small part of him liked the attention he was getting from Jade. He eyed him with almost childlike interest, the looks he gave reminded him of his little siblings when they were gifted new toys. Don’t ask him how that was a good thing… He couldn't help but want to be closer to Jade. He wanted to see how far Jade would go because of interest in himself.
Which was why he was at Monstro Lounge after classes instead of back at Scarabia. He was for sure getting a lecture from Jamil later but his own curiosity was gnawing at him. He longed to see Jade.
"Sea Otter, what'cha doing here? Wanna order something?" Floyd popped in and asked.
"I'm good Floyd, I just wanted to know where Jade was?" Kalim inquired.
To which Jade appeared out of nowhere.
"I'm right here, It's good to see you again Kalim. Floyd, I'll close up for the night, you can go back to the dorm" Jade answered.
"Why do you get to serve sea otter?" Floyd said disappointingly. He eyed Jade, to which Jade tilted his head slightly while smiling. Floyd gave a knowing look and said "Fine, I'll go." changing his tune and smiling on his way out.
Kalim was a little curious if twins could really communicate telepathically. As he was so utterly bewildered at the interaction the Leech brothers had. Which maybe should have been Kalim's millionth sign to get out but he just had to stay.
"Kalim, perfecting timing, I made some food but went a little overboard, let me go get it for you" Jade said.
Jade went to the back to get it. He came back just as quickly and set the plate on the table.
Kalim eyed the plate in front of him as Jade sat down beside him. A dish filled with mushroom and yellow rice sat in front of him, a sweet smell filled him up. This was biryani made with mushrooms and not meat like how Jamil makes it, not something on the menu of Monstro lounge. It would be rude not to eat it right even if he didn’t have Jamil with him to try it. Kalim has to try something Jade made for him. Kalim felt Jade's eyes on him. It was a little embarrassing.
"It's just me Jade, won't you sit me as well?!" Kalim said sweetly
“Ah, where are my manners? It is just the two of us.” Jade replied
“What made you make a dish like this?” Kalim questioned.
“Hm, do I need a reason, it’s nice to take a break from Monstro lounge’s usual dishes” Jade replied”
Jade really did love what Kalim called his half truths. He didn’t really like calling people out when they lie to him and he did appreciate Jade’s efforts to somewhat say the truth.
Kalim wanted to choose his next words wisely but how was he supposed to say this? He realised a while ago but this dish was clearly poisoned or tampered with.
Kalim was smiling but he was at a bit of a loss on how to deal with this situation, Jade really did have a knack for making him feel this way. He didn't want to admit how poor of a poisoning attempt this was. If that's what this was, the mushroom in the dish wasn't lethal, it only caused headaches from what he remembered. With all the poison he had eaten anyways it wouldn't do him much harm. Whether or not Jade knew that it wouldn't hurt him well, Kalim didn't have an answer.
He sighed and said "You know I can't eat this, it's poisoned".
"Nothing really does get past your watchful eye, when it comes to poison." Jade replied.
“You know my intentions aren't pure Kalim, that I want something out of you, and yet you keep coming back. It truly excites me, watching how you'll react next." Jade added.
Kalim became quite flustered at that.
Was it Jade's goal to drive him mad? His mind was spiraling a bit, why did Kalim find Jade so cute when he was like this. Whatever the reason is, it was probably best to leave it, he really didn't feel like making some new discovery about himself.
The little logical thinking he had in his brain was going out.
Kalim took a bite of biryani and swallowed it. Jade's eyes went wide, he had to make Jade flustered, it was his little revenge and it was fun, he understood now why Jade liked doing it to him so much. His heart and mind were betraying him telling him to do something Jamil would in all honesty kill him for.
"Kalim, you.." Jade said
Kalim dove in for a kiss. It was short and it was sweet. Also the fastest way to get Jade to not ask any… uncomfortable questions about why he would put himself at risk like that but Kalim wasn't going to push it with the kiss as he himself didn't even completely understand his feelings.
Kalim pulled away. Jade was left stunned again. Until he started laughing. Others might have found this sight truly terrifying but this only excited Kalim further.
“Kalim, you even took a bite out of me as well.” Jade said sweetly and continued laughing. “
Kalim was in his room with Jade. He had told Jamil that Jade was there to study. Kalim wasn’t a good liar but it was late and he excused his already late arrival on wanting to wait for Jade to be done with his shift. He luckily bought it.
Which is why they were in Kalim’s room now.
“Kalim, you truly keep surprising me. I can hardly contain my laughter” Jade said while smiling.
“Was the sight of me lying really that bad? I’ve snuck out before without Jamil noticing! Remember when we went to Playful Land.” Kalim responded.
Jade then kissed Kalim. However, he took his sweet time with it unlike Kalim. He wanted to taste Kalim just as much as Kalim wanted to. He still couldn’t believe Kalim beat him to it. Which is why he was paying him back with this kiss.
Kalim squeaked a bit at the sudden kiss but quickly deepened it. Hands touching his teal toned hair.
Jade made a realization. Hands still on Kalim’s face while Kalim’s had pulled away.
“Kalim, I think I have you figured out. I know now that you’re no better than me. Have you not been playing with me just as much as I have with you?” Jade said slyly.
“Admit it, all of this is enticing to you, the poison, secretly meeting, and kissing. You wish to prob just as much as me.” Jade added.
Jade picked up Kalim's hand and placed it close to his face. “I wished you showed how you felt more. I can help fulfill whatever you desire, Kalim. Let me show you how far my benevolence can go.” Jade said.
Kalim visibly flustered at that. His eyes couldn't maintain contact. Which was odd as he never had that problem before Jade noted.
“You’re making me out to be some kind of evil mastermind. I just didn’t really think that hard when I came to the Monstro Lounge.” Kalim replied with a huff.
Kalim felt a little dizzy after saying those words. He got a splitting headache, so he pulled away from Jade.” Ah, right, the mushrooms, it was fine” Kalim thought to himself he usually powered through, it was his own fault anyway he should look at the bright side he got some time with Jade because of it!
Jade quickly took notice that Kalim was in pain but in his defence, he very much doubted Kalim would eat the dish. Kalim’s pained expression was certainly cute but he had a better plan in mind then just leaving Kalim like this.
“It seems you’ve bitten more that you can chew, no matter I have something to ease the pain” Jade said playfully
“Jade, I’m fine! You know I’ll be fine” Kalim responded.
Despite Kalim’s words, Jade took a vial of a potion out and put it in his mouth and Kalim was forced to drink the whole thing.
“There is a side effect to this potion well, to put it in layman's terms it may cause you to lose your filter for a brief period of time.” Jade said.
“Was this your plan all along there really is always a catch with you Jade?” Kalim replied.
“Oh my, it seems to already be quite effective.” Jade responded teasingly to Kalim.
“Your scheme isn’t very secretive at all Jade.” Kalim said.
Kalim was feeling the effects of the potion already. He felt a lot more relaxed as the pain subsided but the only thing he could really focus on was Jade. Eye contact was hard for Kalim due to some recent events… but in that moment all he could do was gaze into the eyes of Jade.
“My scheme? Come now, don’t make me out to be the evil mastermind.” Jade said teasingly.
“Isn’t that exactly what you are, Jade.” Kalim was quick to reply back.
Jade took this opportunity to kiss Kalim’s neck repeatedly while holding him ever so tight. Kalim had already unbuttoned his shirt which helped him devour his prey in kisses a lot faster.
“The truth is a hard thing to admit y’know.” Kalim admitted.
“That I was correct in assuming you enjoy my presence despite your head telling you you’re wrong for it.” Jade said. He added “I can see it from the looks you give. It's like a battle in your head whether you wish to relent to my whims or not but aren’t you enjoying yourself now.”.
“Jade, you're really good at reading people, I wish I had the same ability.” Kalim complained.
“Not a lot of people would appreciate the analysis like you do Kalim.” Jade said softly.
Jade guided Kalim to his bed and went on top of him. He dove in for another kiss, neither of them growing tired of each other's company.
“If Jamil saw us like he would accuse me of corrupting you.” Jade said.
“Maybe I should tell people, you’ve hypnotised me, not a lot of people know what your signature spell truly is, they may believe me!” Kalim exclaimed.
“You do a poor job at lying as is, I long to see you try and deceive people with that honest tongue of yours.” Jade teased.
“You’re no fun Jade! Won’t even entertain my idea.” Kalim exclaimed.
“Am I not showing you enough fun as is Kalim. Do you want me to ramp this up?” Jade questioned.
“I would gladly welcome it!” Kalim admitted.
Jade was feeling the purest form of ecstasy from this moment. He had never seen Kalim like this, he couldn’t even believe his plan worked, as it was half baked but he seemed to have underestimated Kalim's character. He wants to see if he can poison Kalim layers even more than he already has or maybe he will even take a bite out of him to find him rotten, wouldn’t that be a sight. However, For now he is content with either prey that came right to him.