Disclaimer:/ I do not in any way, shape or form own Magi or Sinbad no Bouken/Adventures of Sinbad.

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Step Two: Indifferent Acceptance

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Contrary to popular belief, Sinbad wasn't even attractive. In no way did he physically or mentally appeal to her in the slightest bit. Who would ever like that long hair of his that he surprisingly didn't trip over half of the time, his warm, golden eyes that seemed like they were made of real gold, perfectly defined muscles that she could make out from under his clothes- no, he was absolutely repugnant.

Whenever they wandered into a city, she had to distance herself from the girls that fawned over his looks as to not get mauled on the spot. Were they blind? Did they not see the repulsive monster that she saw?

It didn't seem like it, because more than half of the time that he disappeared into the crowds, he would come back with a pleased smirk and ladies hanging off of his person like he was some sort of tree. When he came shuffling back to her, her arms were crossed and a frown was etched onto her face.

It was not as if she was jealous or anything, but they had things to do, and little time to do it. The least he could do was not waste their time flirting with strangers on the street. It wasn't like she liked him anyways; what was there to be jealous about?

She let out a sigh, trailing behind that idiot as he and his little horde of female leeches laugh to whatever. If only Dragul, or Saher, or Tamira, or anyone else really, had tagged along with her to get the supplies so she would at least have someone to complain to.

She suppressed a groan (they were already getting enough weird looks because of that little fanclub that guy had surrounding him), clenching her fists in annoyance. That dumbass should be kept on a leash, or he'll just go picking up every girl that he lays his eyes on.

They walked along together through the market (sort of), with her occasionally stuffing food and cloth into the basket that hung on her arm. That idiot. Leaving her to do all the work when it was supposed to be the two of them, and only the two of them, who was supposed to be gathering up supplies.

She was angry. Frustrated. With his handsome-ly disgusting face. (She coughed, diverting her eyes to the side; the merchant looked at her weirdly, and she cursed the teen in thoughts for her redden cheeks). How dare he let her do all the work? Her. For all it's worth, he didn't even bother to pick up the apple that dropped on the ground for her. Honestly. Has the chivalry died?

She stopped at a fish stand, hand hovering and she picked up a few swordfishes daintily, studying them silently. Perhaps she could make some steaks for the whole company. Or, even better, she could stab that bastard in the eye with it. She inhaled. No. She had to be the better person. And honestly, she wouldn't want blood on this dress of hers; it took too much work to clean it already.

Fishing a few gold coins out of the bag she always carried whenever they went into the city, she dumped them into the young female merchant's outstretched hand. And just as she was about to pull away, the merchant beckoned for her to come a little closer.

"Excuse me, but is that man your boyfriend?" The merchant said slyly behind the back of her hand, subtly pointing at the idiot himself. "You must be a lucky girl if you were able to catch the attention of a lad as fine as he is."

She had to restrain herself from screaming bloody murder, because honestly, she was surrounded by idiots. "No, no, you got it all wrong, miss, that boy is most definitely not my-" she scrunched her nose up, "boyfriend." Or her friend for that matter. She found it best if she just completely ignored his presence at times. Sort of. In a way. Not really though.

"Oh!" The merchant brought up a hand to her lips, in surprise. "I'm sorry. It's just that," she paused, "you kept looking at the girls around him like you were… jealous of something. And it looked like you were here together so... So I just assumed…"

She didn't need to finish her sentence, and Serendine got the meaning right away. Her cheeks turned a dark shade of pink- darker than the color of her hair. Not a good sign. "No, no, it's just that, we came here to gather supplies, but he's not what you would call 'helping' me so…" A flat chuckle.

The merchant let out a light laugh. "Oh well that's too bad. It would've been my pleasure if such a man devoted himself to me." She winked, eyeing the women (Serendine growled softly) that surrounded him. "No matter, you best be careful. It seems you have much competition."

Competition. For what, exactly? Sinbad's affections? Why would she want such a thing anyways? Did she not make it clear that they were just acquaintances- barely even friends? But of course she didn't want to start anything (she was already annoyed enough with just walking through the marketplace "with" him), so she reverted to simply smiling and nodding along with a hum.

"Right, yes, I'll take your… warning to heart." She didn't want to talk anymore. Was this woman was delusional? "Uh… Thank you."

She took a side glance at the idiot, only to find him staring back at her. He seemed to have stopped in his tracks, arms crossed as he waited. His little leeches still hung off his arms, but still he stared. This boy had no shame, did he? Staring at her like that. No wonder people misunderstood their situation.

He mouthed something to her. "Let's go back now.", it seemed.

She scowled.

How could she ever like a bastard like him, anyways? Her? Serendine Dikumenowlz du Parthevia? She would rather kiss a frog than let herself fall into his clutches.

He was rude, manipulative, completely idiotic, sort of cute if you looked at him from different angles, especially from the back- Her face heated up but she refused to look away.

His golden eyes shined brightly (in amusement?) when their eyes met, and he gave her a smile. Just a smile, nothing less, nothing more. (And no, she most definitely did not melt at the sight of it, because that would be just simply atrocious).

Perhaps if she listened closer, she could've heard the merchant giggle cutely, almost as if she was a school girl as Serendine moved towards him.

She did her best to ignore him for the rest of the way back to the company, no matter how many times he tried to pull his charms on her.

(And she did not almost crack under his smooth voice laughing such a melodious tune in her ear when she huffed and opted to walk with much distance between them.)

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note: hello it me. i'm here to bring you your monthly sinseren. :')) with more dialogue and also jealous serendine. also, it looks like this is officially an au? kinda? idk serendine isn't in the manga that much anymore so how am i supposed to tell lmao. /dissolves into crying/ petition to give her more attention.

xoxo

-suka-chan