Before we start: I'll be compiling my future Magi drabbles in here, so each chapter will most likely be unrelated. There may be character deaths, spoilers and the likes (I'll note them at the start of each chapter), so be warned. Most of these will also be Sinja, with a smattering of other pairings from time to time if I feel like it.

*Set after chapter 110 with information from chapter 195. Contain spoilers.*

This fic is based off nodoka5927 tmblr's speculation about chapter 110.

Aftermath

"You let him get away." Ja'far seethed quietly, subconsciously controlling his breathing even when he was angry – oh no, angry would not suffice, more like extremely pissed off, at a certain violet-haired man, no less.

Sinbad gave a non-committal hum as he continued undressing himself and changing into a more comfortable nightgown. Things were hectic in the first half of the day – a surprise visit from Kou's high priest, the declaration of enmity between Sindria and Kou Empire, the return of the dungeon conquerors…He was in desperate need of a good rest to clear his brain, one which had been denied him by his advisor.

"Are you even aware of the gravity of the situation?"

"I am, now good night." Sinbad waved his hand in dismissal as he flopped onto his bed. Ah, those soft, inviting-

Instead of contact with the bed, Sinbad found himself hauled up by the collar and by a very put-off man. Perhaps his depiction of Ja'far as a fire-breathing, six-horned monster wasn't that far off.

"Sin, this is serious. I demand to know why you let the Magi escape just like that." The younger man gritted his teeth. "Things could have been different if we have prevented his escape."

Sinbad groaned. Despite his quick acumen in office work, sometimes Ja'far can be surprisingly stubborn on one aspect. "And what? So you could kill him?" He shuddered to think of the image.

"Yes. The Kou Empire would then lose a huge power force and Al-Sarmen would also lose their Magi. You should have just let me kill him on the spot."

"In case you haven't notice," Sinbad tried to pry Ja'far's hands off his collar with little success, "your opponent is a Magi, one who is loved by the rukh – even if they are black – and have an almost unlimited supply of magoi. This is a one-sided battle."

"You could have let me assimilate! If I can fully tap into my household vessel's power, Judal would not have stood a chance, Magi or no." Ja'far failed to understand why they had let another threat off the hook. As long as Judal lived, Sinbad's life would constantly be in danger.

"Stop."

The command was cold and very uncharacteristic of Sinbad. Rarely would the king employ such a tone unless he was extremely upset, which was never with Ja'far. That shocked the advisor into silence effectively.

Taking advantage of his momentarily shock, Sinbad surprised Ja'far further by pulling the petite man into an embrace.

"Never ever assimilate. Do you even know what you would lose once you complete this final step?" Sinbad murmured against Ja'far's hair after successfully nudging the keffiyeh off. "You would lose your humanity and your ability to walk about in public without being stared at."

Sinbad pulled apart the two of them and held Ja'far at arm's length, studying him intently. "Above all, you would lose an important part of yourself – your beauty. Those soft hairs, freckles and eyes that are beautiful as the darkest night sky," each feature was punctuated by Sinbad affectionately tracing over said feature. "I don't want to lose them. So please, promise me that you will never ever assimilate."

Ja'far allowed the words to wash over him, feeling him with unbridled warmth. Despite being angry with his king, just hearing those words melted away any prior frustration. He nodded hesitantly against Sinbad's hand to seal the promise.

For the sake of Sinbad, Ja'far would do anything, including non-assimilation as well.