Disclaimer: I do not own Magi: The Labyrinth of Magi

A/N: Here we go again folks and its an AU, how exciting is that?!


Ja'far stared at his own reflection in the mirror that completely covered the entire wall behind the counter, creating the illusion that the bar was much larger than it actually was. But in New York City nothing could be too big, then it got too expensive. Beer in one hand, chin resting in the other, Ja'far contemplated why he had chosen today of all days. He didn't usually go out on Sunday nights, simply because he knew work awaited him early the following morning, but tonight he had made an exception.

Due to a stroke of luck really, he happened to land a recently available position as the newest member of the Board of Directors at none other than Sindria Incorporated. Everyone south of Park Avenue was after the job, but somehow Ja'far was able to snatch it from the competition, which was ironic really since he had absolutely no desire to work there.

Sindria Inc. was established back when its well-known founder, Sinbad, made a few wise moves in the stock market at a very young age. After acquiring such sums of money so quickly, he was able to create his very own corporation that's business was to buy and sell other smaller companies. What started out as a small business that promised to "grant the wish of every client," soon grew and expanded to the multi billion-dollar company it is today. Rebranded and renamed, Sindria Inc. is the current owner of multiple companies with Sinbad himself as CEO.

Or so Ja'far had been told.

He was now working on his third beer of the evening when he really should've stopped at two, but he had decided he would take some painkillers and drink a bottle of Gatorade before heading off to bed that night since he had heard the combination was a possible hangover remedy. Not that he had ever been hung-over before, even in college he had been the model student throughout his entire experience at Columbia University and later when he attended their well-known business school right after graduating with his BAA.

The reason behind his sudden bout of rebelliousness was due to the fact that Ja'far was expected to arrive bright and early tomorrow morning to meet his new boss and coworkers. He rubbed at the crease between his furrowed eyebrows at the thought.

He needed a stronger drink.

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Six Weeks Earlier

When Ja'far had first heard of the available job opening at Sindria Incorporated he quickly dismissed himself from the running. He liked his job well enough even if some of his coworkers weren't the friendliest of people. It's not like you were expected to have actual friends at your job, right? Well at least Ja'far didn't. Friendships, or any type of relationship really, simply got in the way of getting any actual work done.

After the position had been open to applications for about a week or so, Ja'far received an email from his boss informing him that he was to come to his office that afternoon to discuss a problem with a client.

Ja'far raised his eyebrow at his computer screen as he reread the email. Well that was odd. When was the last time Kouen had asked him personally to come to his office? How about never, Ja'far thought with a sigh. Something was definitely up, but what?

Kouen, President of Kou Enterprises and Ja'far's boss, has been the biggest rival of Sinbad's corporation since the company's birth. Ja'far didn't know much about the man, but rumor had it that he has a very hands on approach on how he run his business and has no qualms with doing whatever job needs to be done with his own two hands. But what did he know? He couldn't even pick the man out of a coward. Who was he to critique his method of good business? But in comparison to Kouen who believes in using his assets to their greatest potential, which includes all his employees, Ja'far couldn't help but be a little biased towards the others method.

As the day slipped by, Ja'far racked his brain for the possible reason behind Kouen's obviously phony email. In the past, his boss had just approached him directly in his office if there was a matter he required assistance, with a slight knock Ja'far would be on his feet and out the door. Taking this into consideration, Ja'far became even more puzzled and when the time finally came for him to take the elevator to the top floor, which was solely reserved for the President's suite and office along with his assistant, he couldn't help but fidget with the sleeves on his white button-down shirt.

Ja'far exited the elevator as soon as the doors opened with his composure mostly restored. He strode with confidence and determination as he walked through the first room of many on his way to Kouen's office.

Just as his hand reached for the handle of the door leading to man who would hopefully answer the many questions buzzing through his mind, Kouen's assistant decided to scare the living daylights out of one unsuspecting Kou employee.

"Um, Ja'far?"

"Kouha, I didn't see you there," Ja'far whispered as one of his hands subconsciously went to rest against his chest and he attempted to slow the pace of his racing heart.

"What do you mean? I always sit here?" Kouha replied, ever the perky employee.

"Right, sorry, I didn't have coffee this morning, so I am a little under the weather." It was a lie, Ja'far didn't even drink coffee, but Kouha didn't need to know that.

"Oh, well that's alright I'll buzz him and let him know you're here."

"Thank you." Of course he couldn't just walk into his superior's office unannounced. It was probably for the best Kouha had stopped him from entering without permission, because if he was right about the integrity of Kouen's email he didn't have room to push his luck much further. With a deep breath Ja'far sat down in one of the chairs positioned opposite of Kouha's desk.

After he had spoken his thanks to the younger man, Kouha has swiftly hit the intercom on his desk phone and informed Kouen of his arrival. Now all he had left to do was wait. At least the chair was reasonably comfortable, but he was on the top floor of one of the biggest names in the city, the seat better be at least moderately comfortable. But not comfortable enough that you would want to spend the afternoon up here, especially if you didn't partially like heig-

"Kouha!"

Kouha swiftly picked up his phone's receiver as Ja'far kept tried to control the flinch that raked his body. Damn intercoms.

"Yes, sir. I'll send him in right away."

Could the man really not walk to his office door and invite Ja'far in himself? How lazy could his boss be?

"Ja'far, he is ready to see you"

"That's what I figured . . ." Ja'far grumbled, the disdain in his voice barely masked.

"Sorry, what was that?"

"I said that is quite an nice axe you got there," Ja'far said, recovering his polite demeanor as quickly as possible.

Just above Kouha's head was an axe that was almost twice the length of the young man's modestly sized desk mounted in the center of the plain white wall. The pink-haired man always joked he could wield the strange device, but looking at his size in comparison to the antique blade no one ever took him seriously.

"Well, thank you. It is one of my most prized possessions." The man smirked with a look of almost bloodlust in his eyes, which was quite different in contrast to his almost child-like appearance.

"Ah, well it definitely adds something . . . special to the room. I'll be heading in now. Thank you for your assistance."

Not wishing to stick around his boss's assistant any longer, Ja'far quietly knocked as he turned the handle to Kouen's office door the second time that afternoon.

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"So, word on the street is Sinbad is looking to turn his seven person circus into an eight. Were you aware?"

Ja'far now stood awkwardly in front of a large hand-craved agarwood desk. Upon his arrival, Kouen had barely acknowledged Ja'far's presence when he had first entered the spacious office. Instead his boss' eyes appeared to be glued to some paperwork situated in his lap, so the question took him completely by surprise.

"Uh, yes, sir I am aware." Ja'far attempted and probably failed to keep the quiver out of his voice as he addressed his superior as formally as he knew how.

Kouen leaned back in his chair and finally made eye contact with his subordinate.

"Good, that makes this easier."

Blinking at the man's reply, Ja'far shook his head slightly before responding.

"Makes what easier, sir?"

"I want you to be that eighth person."

"Excuse me sir, but I don't und-" Ja'far was sharply cut off as Kouen cleared his throat.

"Effective immediately, you no longer work at Kou Enterprises. Ja'far, you're fired."

Ja'far stared wide-eyed at the older man's words. He had been working at Kou Enterprises for the past five years and was a very trusted employee. Ja'far knew his work was appreciated, which is why he could not for the life of him understand what was occurring right in front of him. Swallowing and attempting to regain his bearings, Ja'far struggled to respond, but was cut off once more.

"I need you to be my eyes and ears inside Sindria Inc. and you can't be if you are still employed here. Understand?"

He couldn't be asking Ja'far what he thought he was askin-

"Are you asking me to s-spy on our biggest competitor, sir?"

"Precisely." The word slipped off the older man's tongue as if what he was implying didn't go against any sane person's moral code.

In an attempt to shed some reason on the current situation, Ja'far couldn't help but raise his voice with a hint of hysteria as he spoke.

"But would it not be suspicious if I were to apply for such a high ranked position at Sindria Inc. after getting randomly fired from its rival company, a company that I have been nothing but loyal to for many, many years?"

"Nah, not considered the fallout between you and your boss."

"We had a falling out, sir?" Ja'far couldn't keep the bewilderment from his words.

"Oh yes, it caused quite the scene on the top floor of Kou Enterprises."

Why was Kouen speaking in past tense?

"Sir?"

Kouen placed his hands on his desk and leaned forward slightly as he spoke in a barely audible whisper.

"Your goal right now is to get that position at Sindria Inc. at all costs. Don't disappoint me."

"Wait, you can't be ser-"

"I SAID GET THE HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE JA'FAR!"

Ja'far stood stalk still like a deer caught in headlights as the man he had known to be his boss was now yelling at him in quite colorful language. But the moment Kouen got up out of his seat Ja'far's feet couldn't seem to move fast enough. He knew when he wasn't wanted and he had no interest in sticking around to find out what his now late employer was capable of when provoked.

Even as he turned to leave he could still hear Kouen bellowing curse at his back, but he was in too much of a daze to fully comprehend what was being said.

Subtly avoiding Kouha's gaze as he passed the man's desk, Ja'far swiftly made his way through the room. He hastened his steps towards the elevator, but even half way across the corridor he couldn't mistake Kouen's voice as he addressed the smaller man from his doorway.

"I don't want that sorry excuse for a man within my sights every again!"

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Six Weeks Later

Determining that the booze wasn't sufficiently lessening his anxiety of the day to come, Ja'far decided that maybe a warm body would.

Ja'far turned his head slightly, surveying the room and its occupants as he took another swig from the half-empty bottle of his beer. As his eyes roamed over individuals dancing or just standing in small circles chatting amongst themselves, Ja'far's gaze locked onto a tall man who appeared to be laughing at a joke he had found particularly comical, as he was now heartily slapping the back of a slender yet toned white-haired man with unveiled mirth.

His eyes quickly scanned over the shorter man receiving the brutal sigh of affection long enough to determine the man was just not his type just by observing his apparel. A golden chain wrapped loosely around the tanned man's neck and trailed down hitting a golden belt to match. He wore a very revealing white top that did little to cover his defined shoulders and chest and with tight black shorts hanging low on his waist he looked more like a gigolo than a man of corporate business. Now Ja'far couldn't know for sure whether or not this man was indeed in the world of trades and stocks, but from frequenting this bar in the past Ja'far knew the vast majority of its cliental were indeed businessmen.

After another quick once over Ja'far turned back to carefully study the creature that had first caught his attention. With thick long purple hair tied at the nape and a broad chin, Ja'far was convinced he had never seen a more handsome man in all his life, but he was also slightly tipsy so he couldn't be held completely accountable for his theory in his current condition. The man turned slightly and grinned down at the tanned man standing beside him once more, flashing straight teeth and a devastating smile. Still dressed in a white button down shirt with dark grey slacks that hugged the man's perfect ass, he appeared to have walked straight out of a Calvin Klein commercial. His sleeves were unbuttoned and rolled to just below his elbows, which even from a short distance Ja'far could tell were quite muscular, and his matching jacket appeared to have been haphazardly tossed over the back of a chair nearby.

Ja'far took another sip of the bitter liquid he was currently using to calm his nerves, as he started his journey back over the gorgeous man's face again, but this time when his eyes traveled up a straight nose, bright hazel eyes caught his gaze. Coughing on the beer still in his mouth that he had yet to swallow, Ja'far turned back around in surprise as well as embarrassment of being caught staring.

How long had the man known he was looking? He probably thought Ja'far was some creepy stalker. It wasn't his fault the man was so attractive, it was basically impossible not to stare. You would have to be blind not to appreciate th-

Ja'far was brought out of his thoughts by a light tapping on his shoulder. With a heavy sigh Ja'far prepared himself for another old timer trying to press his luck and hoping to buy him a drink, which Ja'far would politely refuse like he always did. But when Ja'far actually turned around the tall purple-haired demigod was standing before him, not the chunky, short bald man he had been expecting.

Shocked into silence, Ja'far could do little more than gawk as he stared into those hazel eyes once more. Little flecks of gold filled the light brown irises and Ja'far found himself getting sucked into the man's heated gaze.

"Hi."

Nothing. Ja'far could not think of one logical reply as the man in front of him spoke the commonly used word of greeting with a smirk tugging on his lips. After another endless span of silence Ja'far took the last sip of his beer for liquid courage and couldn't have stopped the next words from tumbling out of his mouth even if he had tried.

"You wanna get out of here?"


A/N: Well there you go, chapter one is now officially complete. What'd ya guys think? You like? Let me know! Review, follow, favorite and all that jazz ;3