Pairing: Alibaba and Masrur

This takes place during end of Balbadd Arc/ beginning of Sindria Arc.

I'm planning on only a one-shot but may write a related sequel.


Masrur will admit, when he first met the trio he found Alibaba the least interesting. Compared to his companions, a Magi and a fellow Fanalis, the blond young man seemed so ordinary. He couldn't understand Sinbad's interest in the boy, despite his possession of a metal vessel and his role in the revolution in Balbadd.

He became curious about the boy after getting to know Morgiana. It was obvious she carried some romantic feelings for Alibaba, though he didn't really know what she saw in him. Yes, the boy was mildly attractive and seemed to be able to make friends with anyone, but there was nothing about him that made him stand out, especially in Sindria.

He began to learn about Alibaba after Sharrkan took him on as a student. The boy worked hard and seemed to enjoy being underestimated. Around Sinbad and the Generals, he was respectful and a bit star struck. When with his companions though, the boy flourished. He was animated and passionate, open and kind like he had never seen before. It almost reminded him of Sinbad when he was younger, though Alibaba was less confident and more awkward. He had barely spoken to the boy since meeting him, that is until the Mahrajan Festival.


Alibaba will admit, when he first met the trio he found Masrur intimidating. Compared to the star that was Sinbad and the river that was Ja'far, the man seemed like a storm. Although he was glad Morgiana finally got the chance to meet a fellow Fanalis, he didn't feel comfortable around the man. He dressed like a warrior, his strength and fighting abilities evident in every motion he made, and it made him want to avoid the man as much as possible.

After taking on Morgiana as his student, he seemed to be more approachable. As Alibaba listened to her talk about her teacher and the things about their homeland he had told her, a little warmth seeped into his bones. Though he knew the man couldn't be a bad person if he was so close to Sinbad, his apprehension about the redhead began to fade.

The man seemed less like a storm now, more like a cloudy night sky. Alibaba can see something in the man despite his emotionless expression. There's a fire there, the same one he admires in Morgiana, and he wonders what this man's life was like before he met Sinbad. Though Masrur still intimidates him, its less out of unease and more out of admiration for this man who is one of the 8 Generals. He would've never thought he would be able to talk to him, that is until the Mahrajan Festival.


Alibaba was overwhelmed by the lights, the people, the songs, the dancing, the food, but he can't help looking at every detail throughout the night. There's a sense of euphoria about partying with his friends and these incredible people. Deciding to take a breather before he did something embarrassing like passing out, he went and plopped down on a plush cushion at the seating area the group of them had previously been eating at. After drinking some water and getting his heartrate back to normal, he looked around at the seating area. Morgiana and Aladdin were still dancing, paying his departure no attention. Sinbad was making his rounds talking to his citizens, Ja'far at his side. Sharrkan was long gone, along with most of the Generals. The only other person at the seating area was Masrur, who Alibaba had failed to realize was in the seat directly next to him. The other man was staring out at the crowd pensively, and Alibaba quickly looked away as his face ignited into a blush. He can't believe he hadn't noticed there was someone else at the table before just planting himself in the seat right to a man who looked like he definitely didn't want company.

After calming down, again, he peeked at the man to see if he had any reaction at his presence. Masrur was still staring into the crowd, paying him no heed. He let out a sigh, relieved at not having disturbed the older man. Sinbad had formally introduced them to the Generals earlier during the Feast, giving them background information on the people that made up his friends. So Alibaba no longer felt uneasy about the Fanalis next to him, now admiring the man's silent strength more than his physical.

Turning his head to get a better look at the man, he studied him quietly. From his hair (it looked so soft), to his piercing (it glinted with his every movement), to his armor (he looked like a statue); Masrur was attractive. His eyes shifted back to the other's face to get a better look at his eyes, only to meet said eyes. And damn if those rubies didn't stare right into his soul.


Masrur wasn't much of a party goer, preferring to sit alone and watch in peace. As much as he cared for his friends, he couldn't deal with their nonstop talking and shouting. He liked watching people instead of talking, how they interacted and how they reacted. It was during this people watching session that someone fell into the seat next to him, startling him, though he didn't react other than tensing. Peeking cautiously to his side, he found Alibaba. The boy was flushed and sweaty from dancing, obviously taking a break for a minute and utterly oblivious to his presence. The boy gingerly sipped the water in front of him, his mind off elsewhere. Masrur took this opportunity to look him over. The prince's eyes stood out even now, shining like gold even in the low lighting. His fair hair was tussled, the rope around his neck was loose, and he looked even younger with the color in his face.

He looked back to the crowd, Morgiana and Aladdin standing out. As he watched them dance, he noticed Morgiana glance his way, her face falling slightly. She was clearly looking at Alibaba, hoping for something. Her moves turned slightly more aggressive, and she glanced over again but Alibaba still wasn't looking. Masrur was confused, wondering about the relationship between the two. The girl flirted with him all the time, and although he would blush at the attention, Alibaba would never respond in kind. Masrur knew the boy found girls attractive but from the way Alibaba looked at other men, he clearly wasn't straight.

When he looked back at Alibaba, the boy was looking at him. Well, more accurately, he was looking at his body, seemingly taking it in. Now, Masrur was no stranger to people looking at him, finding his Fanalis heritage exotic and his body attractive. He was used to seeing lust, and although there was definitely attraction in Alibaba's gaze, there was also something softer. Those eyes traced him gently, so different from the way others would seemingly undress him. Those eyes now trailed upwards, meeting his gaze. And damn if he would ever forget how those eyes showed every little emotion.


Alibaba looked away quickly, staring intently at the table. Masrur's eyes crinkled, amused as he watched red stain the other's face. The mortified expression painted on his face almost made him chuckle, though he refrained to allow the boy some dignity. An awkward silence settled over them, and though it didn't really impact the warrior, Alibaba felt it increasing like a hand around his neck.

"You must be very strong." Masrur's eyes widened at the squeak that seemed to suddenly force itself out of the prince.

"N-Not like that! Not physically, though y-you are obviously strong, I mean, look at you! B-But I meant inside," the blonde stuttered out, wondering why he just couldn't keep his mouth shut.

"What do you mean?" Alibaba quickly looked up at the words that rumbled out of the other. He had heard him talk to Sinbad and the others before, but he had never really got to hear his voice. And that voice was none like he had heard before. It was smooth and low, like thunder, but his tone was calm. It gave the boy shivers. He met Masrur's eyes before replying, wanting to have eye contact.

"Well, Sinbad told us you used to be a gladiator. I know that sort of life is hard, and that few choose that profession willingly. So you must've been strong, both to survive and to come out as the man you are now," Alibaba responded simply. Masrur tensed again, surprised at the openness in the blonde's eyes as he replied earnestly. He was astounded, to be honest. Few people had ever commented on his integrity, never being able to put themselves in the mindset to understand. There was definitely more to this boy than he originally thought. Not knowing how to respond, he nodded. He watched in amazement as a smile spread across Alibaba's face, directed straight at him. He let himself smile back briefly, a small half-smile that seemed to make the other's eyes sparkle and grin widen if possible.

After that, they settled into a content silence, both looking back at the crowd that had thinned to almost no one during the exchange. The band continued to play, though no one was dancing anymore. Morgiana and Aladdin were gone, as were Sinbad and Ja'far.

"I haven't been to a festival like this since I was a kid. As a prince, I was never allowed to attend. But before my father came and got me, my mom used to take me and my friends. We didn't have any money, so we couldn't buy anything, but we would still dance and watch the fireworks. I was going to take Cassim to a festival, but I guess I can't do that anymore." The boy was still looking into the crowd, a bittersweet smile making him look older. Masrur knew the blonde wasn't expecting a response, so he didn't offer one. After that, the boy talked. He spoke of his adventures, of his friends, of his favorite things, and Masrur listened, letting every word wash over him.

"You would make a great storyteller," Masrur spoke when the boy had fallen into silence once again. Alibaba laughed in return, feeling butterflies at the redhead's words. Neither noticed when the prince began to lean against the warrior, seeking warmth in the cooling night air.

"Do you like Morgiana?" Masrur turned his head to the boy, raising his eyebrow at the unexpected question.

"W-Well, I mean, you're both Fanalis and you've been spending a lot of time together. You seem to have a soft spot-" Alibaba was interrupted by lips falling onto his, shutting him up. It was over before the blonde had even realized what was going on. Masrur couldn't resist, giving the boy another chaste kiss as those eyes stared up at him in shock. Alibaba, upon rebooting, quickly reached up, grabbing onto the broad shoulders of the man. He pulled himself up, his lips following the other's as they pulled up. Masrur leaned down slightly so his forehead rested against Alibaba's, surprised by his own impulsiveness.

"I guess that answers that question," Alibaba giggled, basically sitting in his lap.


If anyone noticed the soft looks the two shared every time they were in the same area, no one brought it up.

If anyone noticed the warrior's protective streak over the blonde, no one did anything about it.

If anyone noticed Morgiana backing off, no one spoke of it.

And if anyone spotted a certain Fanalis General pinning a certain former prince up against a wall in a heated kiss, well, they turned around and tried to forget every detail of the encounter.