Greatly inspired by "Eden" – Aqua Timez. Lyrics were translated by Magi wiki. Link: wiki/Eden

I wrote this fic when chapter 277 was out, so I didn't know what happened afterward. ((((((((((((SPOILER))))))))))): A lot of plot twists happen. I couldn't predict Ohtaka's mind at all.

This fic is beta-ed by Kokobeexx. Thank you so much for your help!

"Aladdin cannot use magic anymore."

Alibaba was shocked upon Judal's words. He grabbed the magi's arm in a tight grip, asking: "What do you mean by that? Why did it happen?"

The black magi leant against the wall, his hands were folded above his chest. He frowned, while saying: "The chibi has used too much power of rukh and even his own magoi during the last fight. Now he only has little amount of magoi left. Lucky for him, he did not die."

"Isn't magoi able to regenerate?" Morgiana asked, putting a hand on Alibaba's shoulder as an attempt to comfort him.

Judal shrugged. "That is how it is supposed to be, but I don't know. Something about the last fight is very fishy. For all I can see: the rukh doesn't love him like before, and his magoi is now as low as yours, redhead."

Alibaba didn't know what to think about the new information. He let go of the magi's arm, his hands dropped by his side lifelessly as he felt the energy was drained out of his body.

Everyone had been waiting in the hallway in the palace of Balbadd, after the Kou Civil War. Koumei and Kouha were pacing back and forth, ignoring their injuries. Kougyoku was sitting on the floor, trembling out of horror. She was still in shock after having been manipulated by Sinbad. Judal joined her side, trying to comfort her. He had become much nicer after the time he and Alibaba had been lost in space. The room was roughly divided between the Seven Sea alliance and the Kou family. Each of the two factions staying on their own side of the room, trying to ignore each other.

Alibaba knew that most of them were worried. But not the same reason as he was. Some of them might've been afraid they would lose a powerful magi. Others might've been worried that they would lose against Al-Thamen without such an important ally. Alibaba didn't care about that. He felt broken just to think of how Aladdin would react if he knew his power had been taken away. Alibaba knew how much his young friend yearned for knowledge of magic, and how he wanted to be stronger to help his king reclaim Balbadd. He was afraid Aladdin couldn't get over it. If there was anything he couldn't stand, it would be the magi's misery.

Yamuraiha walked out from the emergency room. Her face was bright red and her eyes were filled with tears. She gave Alibaba an apologetic look:

"I'm sorry, I couldn't do anything for Aladdin. I'm so useless…" Her voice was shaky from crying.

Alibaba gave her a reassuring smile, as if he was trying to tell her that it was okay. Right when Yamuraiha heard about Aladdin's injury, she had immediately rushed to his side. No one had seen her for a few hours, as she had tried to think of any possible ways of saving her dearest student.

"So that means shortie can't join the meeting." Judal suddenly spoke up, standing up as he put his hands on his hips: "Well, we should go now. The kings need to talk about how to rebuild the world after this war. And how we should fight against Al-Thamen, since the situation got worse."

The others agreed and left one-by-one. Few of them stayed to apologize and share some of their sorrow with Alibaba, which he didn't really care about. Judal helped Kougyoku to get on the flying carpet before giving the blonde a last glance.

"Are you coming?"

Alibaba shook his head. Morgiana tapped lightly on his shoulder to grab his attention. Her glance was directed towards her feet, her face was red and she seemed nervous over something. Just like the time she tried to stop him from seeing Hakuryuu after capturing Madaura.

"Alibaba, I'm also worried for Aladdin, but I have to go. Hakuryuu is in trouble. I cannot leave him alone. "

"It's okay, Mor." Alibaba grabbed the girl's shoulders, giving her a supporting look. "Hakuryuu is our friend too. Please take care of him for us. Aladdin will be fine with me here. We will see each other soon!"

After everyone else had left, Alibaba left the room to pay his friend a visit. He found Aladdin sitting up in the bed, facing the windows. His mind seemed elsewhere. His hair was loosely braided behind his neck, some few blue strands hanging loose on the back. His hands and face were covered with bandages.

Alibaba felt a twitch in his heart. He scratched his head nervously:

"Hey Aladdin. Did you wake up already?"

"Good afternoon, Alibaba!"

"Good afternoon. Hey, Aladdin, I have something to tell you…" Alibaba tentatively started.

"About me losing my power?" Looking at the shocked expression on the young prince, Aladdin smiled lightly. "I heard a tiny bit when Judal talked to you. And besides," he looked down to his hands, his smile grew darker, "…I can feel it. The feeling that rukh is no longer with me."

"Aladdin…"

The boy shook his head to interrupt him. "It is okay, Alibaba-kun!" His face fell after a moment before he continued: "But because of me you can't go to the meeting. Sorry to burden you like this…"

"No, it is nothing! I want to stay here and take care of you. It is not your fault. Don't be sorry!" The blond quickly said.

"Um… thank you so much Alibaba-kun." Aladdin smiled sadly.

"Ahh, I feel so tired." Aladdin suddenly yawned loudly. "I will go to sleep now. Good night!" He laid down, his back was facing Alibaba.

"Ok. Good night!" Alibaba said as he quietly got out of the room. It was clear to him that Aladdin did not want to talk now. Alibaba didn't know what to do. The only thing he could do was to stand there looking at his magi in pain, unable to help him. He suddenly felt so useless.

"Alibaba. Alibaba-kun?"

He slowly opened his eyes. The blue-haired boy sitting in front of him sighed in relief.

"You are alright!"

Alibaba quickly sat up in the bed, not understanding what was going on. He looked out to the windows, seeing that it was midnight. It might be only a few hours passed since he had visited Aladdin.

"Aladdin what happened?"

"I just couldn't sense your rukh and I thought that…" his words trailed off and Aladdin shook his head: "Nothing, really. Sorry for waking you up."

Now Alibaba noticed that there were tears in the corner of Aladdin's eyes. Ah that's right. After the fight with Hakuryuu. Alibaba's soul was sent to a different space. His rukh was gone even though he was still breathing. Those were the horrible days for Aladdin. He had heard from Olba and others that Aladdin went on three days straight looking for his soul, and he basically lost it when he had to let his king go. Unable to sense Alibaba's rukh now would be a nightmare for him.

The boy was still looking at him as if his king would disappear the moment he looked away.

"No, it's ok. Maybe you are just not used to it."

"I think I will be over it soon!" Aladdin nodded. "So, good night Alibaba!" He turned around to leave.

"W-wait." Alibaba suddenly got an idea. "Do you want to sleep here?"

"Huh? Here?" A pink trace spread across his face.

"Yeah. Didn't we sleep together all the time? Come here!" Alibaba gestured the space beside him, then lay down.

Aladdin reluctantly came and lay down beside him. The feeling was weird. They haven't been together like this since they were in Sindria. Aladdin's face heated up as he lay down next to the blond. It would take a while to get used to the closeness again. Still he felt so comfortable to be this close to him.

Aladdin tried to clear up his mind. No. I should not be thinking this way. He thought as he pretended to be asleep to avoid contact. But before he was able to set himself comfortable in bed, Alibaba swiftly adjusted himself, putting his arms around the young boy, pulling him close to him. Alibaba smiled softly:

"No need to be worried. I'm here. Now go to sleep." He closed his eyes. With all the stress and injury from the fight, Aladdin snuggled closer to his king and quickly dozed off.

But his king hadn't fallen asleep yet. He couldn't sleep after realizing how terrified and afraid Aladdin was if he had to lose him again. He wouldn't let Aladdin be terrified anymore. After a few moments, he opened his eyes. Glancing at the blue-haired boy, who slept peacefully, he wished it would last forever. He gently stroke the other's hair, as he quietly whispered:

"I will do anything to keep you happy. So please smile, Aladdin."

"...That magi boy has no longer magic

I've decided to make him smile..."