The banquet remained mostly quiet the rest of the evening. Judal made his usual snide remarks and digs on Sinbad's choice of assistant, but Ja'far decided to let him have his fun, and ignored it. When most the food had been eaten, Aladdin and Alibaba politely excused themselves and slipped out the back door. Kouha was really only a child, and he had fallen asleep not long before, so Koumei took him and Judal upstairs to their rooms. The Magi protested it, but Kouen shushed him and he went obediently.

"I appreciate your conversation and company," Sinbad began slowly. He was looking at Kouen with a harsh light in his eyes. Ja'far felt the tension thicken again.

Sharrkan stood. "If you would excuse me, I am going to retire to bed."

Sinbad smiled at his general and the swordsman left. Sinbad and Kouen stood as well and talked for a few moments before they parted ways.

"Sinbad-" Ja'far said quietly. "I don't think Kouen was very impressed..."

Sinbad slowed and turned to his friend. "Why do you say that?"

"I just think he wasn't really listening to what we were saying. His eyes were..." Ja'far searched for the word he was trying to explain. "Distant. It seemed like he was trying to find loose links in us, or really tight ones he can use against us."

The King tilted his head, glancing up at the ceiling for a moment. "So you think he is here to find ways to get under my skin?" Ja'far nodded. Sinbad took a deep breath and set his hands on his hips. "... So what would you advise, advisor?"

The silver haired boy looked away from Sinbad as he smirked down at him. He prayed that his King couldn't see his blush. "Um.."

"Ja'far?"

"Y-Yes, uhm, sir, I believe it would be wise for us to play this safe. Extremely safe. If you want, I could monitor Kouen, and have some of the other generals watch Kouha and Koumei. Judal is room-jumping, so he would always be under watch as well. Maybe I should have someone on surveillance of Aladdin and Alibaba as well... And of course I will put Sharrkan or Masrur outside of your room-"

Sinbad grabbed the back of Ja'far's robe, and stopped him as he tried to scurry off in his ramble. Ja'far squeaked slightly as he was jerked back, right into Sinbad's shoulder. The King smiled.

And Ja'far's face turned red.

"Calm down. I would appreciate if you had some spies on watch of the others, but I won't need one."

Ja'far blinked. "Ah... What? Sinbad you are the King. You would be the target of any attacks or-"

Sinbad gave him a look that made Ja'far hush. "You can stay with me and that will be protection enough right?"

His voice was quiet, and Ja'far slowly nodded. Sinbad stood his assassin up and lead down the hallway. Ja'far felt his face blush again, still in Sinbad's grip, and tried to focus on placing one foot in front of the other instead of how good his friend smelled, or how good his hand felt, sliding into the small of his back, or...

Ja'far shut off his thoughts just in time to calm his expression before they had arrived at Sinbad's door. He opened it and swept his arm toward it, giving Ja'far permission to enter. The clerk did so nervously, immediately setting onto Sinbad's desk chair.

Sinbad locked the door after he shut it and turned to his window across the room. Once he had opened it, he stepped onto the balcony and watched the clouds below over the moon. It was particularly windy tonight, and Ja'far had an aching feeling it had to do with Judal's rukh not agreeing with Aladdin's and stirring around the weather. It felt nice though, and he was drawn out to stand beside his King.

"What do you think Kouen will do?" he asked quietly. "If he refuses the treaty we have called him here to read over..."

Neither of them finished the sentence. They both knew if Kouen refused, then Sindria would be at war with the Kou once again. Well, not war persay, but enemies; hostile and on edge. Though Ja'far had to admit that that meant Judal would no longer be in his palace and he wouldn't have to worry about him causing trouble. It was still astonishing to him that Aladdin and Judal hadn't ended up at each other's throats again at dinner, and he didn't want to chance it happening. "Sir, perhaps you and Kouen could work out a treaty together.. Instead of shoving one we made down his throat."

"Yeah and he'd shove something else down mine if we tried." Sinbad mumbled.

Ja'far blinked, quite shocked, and Sinbad choked as he realized what Ja'far had interpreted. "No, no, no. Much as I admit the Kou princes probably are all doing that to each other, I do not need or want it happening in my kingdom or my palace. And certainly not with me."

Ja'far allowed himself a smile. "You really are a homophobic man."

The purple haired king whirled on Ja'far quicker than the white haired man could think of why he had said that out loud. His eyes were wide, and angry. Ja'far dully noted the reaction and backed away a step. "Forgive me, your Majesty." he bowed low, hoping Sinbad would change the topic.

"Not at all," the King breathlessly answered. "Otherwise I don't think I would still let you be here, correct?"

No of course he couldn't let it go, that would be too easy.

"Of course, your Majesty would not want someone of that kind beside him if he can't stand them. Shall of dispose of them then if you don't want them here?"

Wait...

Sinbad raised an eyebrow at him. "Wait, ah... Forgive me, did you say me?"

"Well, yeah." Sinbad slowly responded. "I can tell you're into someone, it's pretty obvious.. And I have known you long enough to know it isn't a woman." Ja'far flushed, hoping the clouds stayed where they were over the moon.

"I-If that bothers you, sir, I will gladly remove myself from Sindria-"

Sinbad laughed. And Ja'far hated himself for blushing more. "Ja'far! You're my best friend and closest advisor! I've known you longer than anyone, I don't care who you chose to share your bed with." he smiled wider and added "As long as it isn't Kouen."

Ja'far shuddered at the thought and sighed. "Ah, yes, sir."

"So tell me who it is. You were kind of flustered at dinner." he continued, much to Ja'far's dismay. "It isn't any of the princes right?" Ja'far shook his head, willing away his own thoughts and hoping Sinbad's brain would shut off soon. "No? Okay. So... Is it Alibaba? I could see that, I guess," Ja'far groaned when he realized Sinbad was just going to go through every man at the palace until Ja'far said yes. But also because he couldn't believe Sinbad's curiosity had gone so far as to imagine him with everyone he guessed. "Aladdin is too young.. Definitely." Sinbad paused. "Wait..."

Shit...

"Ja'far!"

The clerk groaned again and growled "What? Okay, yes, that's who I am 'into' as you say."

Sinbad stared, and Ja'far glared back. "So it makes since... All the nagging, all the irritated glances..." Yeah, okay, Ja'far mused. We get it. "That's why you hate when he visits... Because you have to see him.."

Waaaait. What?

"Sinbad what are you-"

"Ja'far you're in love with Judal?"

Ja'far mentally punched the King. In real life, he slapped his palm up to his forehead, growling loudly in irritation. He slumped his shoulders and dropped both his arms, eyes scornfully directed at the sky. "NO. No."

"Then why did you-"

"Sinbad." The King shut his mouth and met Ja'far's eyes, which were now directed back at him. He could have been imagining it.. But Ja'far's cheeks looked really red... He also looked a little disappointed.

Typical.

"Sir, I loathe and despise that Magi." the clerk drawled out. Sinbad felt his heart jump a little. Not because of the obvious truth behind that statement, but because he was hoping...

"I was hoping you'd understand that I like you."

... Ja'far would say that.

He smiled and Ja'far blushed again. "Well, if you are going to be out here all night I think I will go inside and lock you out..." Ja'far muttered to himself mostly, turning to go. Before he could take one step, Sinbad grabbed his arm and spun him around. He held on to the small boy with one arm around his waist and the other still on his wrist. Ja'far was surprised into being here, and his face showed it. Wide eyed and flushed. Sinbad laughed a little.

"Ja'far.. It's okay. I like you too."

The assassin opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. He let himself relax (it did feel nice to be held like this..) and brought himself into a proper standing position. Which also meant his face was in Sinbad's collarbone if he were the move forward anymore. But at the moment he didn't really seem to care, and he swallowed uneasily. Sinbad's arm on his moved to pull around his lower back so they were touching more. The wind had mostly died by now, and in the back of his mind Ja'far wondered if Judal had gone to sleep finally. Sinbad pressed his cheek again Ja'far's, sighing contentedly, and starting to run his hands up and down his friend's back. Ja'far was sure that Sinbad could feel his heart racing, his palms sweating as they gripped his upper arms. "Sinbad?"

"Mm?" Ja'far pulled back a little and gazed up at the other man. He wasn't sure what he had been about to say, or ask, but it didn't really matter too much because the sight of Sinbad smiling down at him; with the moon behind his head, made his thoughts scatter. He pursed his lips, his heart pounding harder in his chest. "The, uhm... The others... Are already heaping-" Sinbad cocked his head, a confused look on his face. Ja'far shook his head quickly. "SLEEPING. They are already sleeping. You should go to bed too."

"This night is beautiful though.." Sinbad thoughtfully replied. "Wouldn't hurt to enjoy it a little longer, would it?" Ja'far knew he wasn't looking for an answer and would stay up as long as he wanted. So he didn't say anything. Or rather...

He couldn't.

When Ja'far realized that Sinbad was kissing him, he tensed as solid as a rock, his hands curled as if he was going to attack, just above where Sinbad's shoulders now were. His eyes widened evermore as Sinbad ran his hands up to hold his head by his hair, and his keifka fell on the balcony.

It finally settled over him, and he gave in to the older man. He hesitantly kissed back, his lips slightly parted and his eyes shutting tight. Sinbad made a pleasant noise, and turned his head further to the right to kiss Ja'far harder. It was surprisingly good feeling, and Ja'far closed his arms around his king's neck, while he was gently pulled up to his toes so they were closer in height. Ja'far separated long enough to take a slow breath before Sinbad brought him back. This time, he kissed his advisor faster, but delicate also. It was like electricity going up Ja'far's spine, and he shivered as he tried to figure out what he was supossed to be doing. He doubted that Sinbad knew he had never been kissed, and that thought alone was enough to make him smile.

"Ja'far," Sinbad breathed. Ja'far shuddered as his name escaped his king's lips. "Would you like to go to my bed?"

Ja'far jerked back so fast his hand practically hit Sinbad's face. He stumbled back until his back hit the open window, his fingers grasping at it by his sides. "T-The... The what?" Ja'far's breathing was heavy, and his face dusted red at the top of his cheekbones. His eyes were wide, his chest heaving. "Tha...huh? Why? Why would we... Uhm..." he clamped his mouth shut when he realized what Sinbad was really asking. "Sir... " Ja'far took a deep breath and stood up. "I assure you I would not make a very good bed mate. I have never done anything like that anyway."

Sinbad nodded, reaching Ja'far a hand. "I know. And I would still be happy to invite you into mine."

Ja'far flushed darker. "Why?"

"Because I like you." Ja'far could tell Sinbad wasn't lying. He was dead serious. What did that mean to him though?

"... You l... love me?"

Sinbad smiled when Ja'far took his hand and he carefully lead him inside. He closed the window, pulled the curtains to cover the outside world up. Ja'far nervously fidgeted as his King approached him once more and gestured for him to lay on the bed.

"Yes, I do."

They kissed again, as they fell onto the bed; Ja'far shifting uncomfortably under Sinbad's weight. Sinbad was impatient with untying Ja'far's robes and splaying them open underneath him. His arms were still inside, but it came open enough for his whole body to be shown. Sinbad kissed his friend's neck a few times before he moved to run his hands up and down his sides. Ja'far sucked in a deep breath, his face turning hot again.

"Sinbad... Why do you love me?" he gasped. Sinbad smiled and kept kissing his body. There was nothing that needed to be said. They both knew what they had kept in their own selves and they both knew they knew what the other felt in this moment. Ja'far let Sinbad lift his legs up as the King pulled his own robes away, and swallowed as his nerves began to bunch. The King whispered into Ja'far's ear to comfort him as he pushed inside his virgin assassin. Ja'far groaned with pain, so Sinbad waited for him to relax before he started to move. "Ahh," Ja'far moaned lightly, arching off of the bed. His gasps gradually gained volume and his face twisted more and more with pleasure. Sinbad didn't expect the shy, quiet man to be this way during sex, but he would be lying if he said he didn't like it. It served to only spur his passion forward. His heart beating with the love he held for Ja'far. The love he had hid for a good number of years. The love he had tried to hide by going out with others.

His thrusts had become erratic and ill-paced, as his stomach coiled further. Ja'far gasped loudly, almost broken, when his pleasure spot was struck and his eyes flew open. Sinbad grinned and pulled the boy close to lick his lips. He made sure to strike that spot repeatedly until Ja'far came with a soft whimper of his name slipping out.

"I love you Ja'far, " he gasped when he came as well. His vision blurred for a few moments, then they collapsed onto the bed.

Ja'far took a deep breath, trying to come down from the high he had felt. He swallowed slowly and said "Yeah... I know, sir."

Sharrkan whistled as he walked down the hall. He figured Sinbad would still be awake, if not with one of their guests for a late night negotiation.

He paused just beside Sinbad's door, surprised to hear voices from within. So he was negotiating?

Mid knock, he realized he wasn't hearing any of the princes' voices and they weren't talking. Whoever was with Sinbad was sleeping with him.

And they were very loud.

Sharrkan blushed as they got louder. Had Sinbad really brought in a whore while they had guests? He wasn't sure if he should go in and reprimand him like Ja'far would, or if he should just back away...

"I love you Ja'far,"

Sharrkan froze. Uh. What?

He stepped back to the side, trying to hear more. The other person said something, and then he heard footsteps go to the door.

"Oh hey," Sinbad greeted. "Did Ja'far have you watch my room?"

Sharrkan nodded carefully. Sinbad smiled. His cheeks were a little flushed and his hair was a bit messy. His robes were incorrectly adjusted as well.

"Well you could watch someone else, I asked him to watch my room tonight."

"Oh?" Sharrkan laughed. "Okay then."

Sinbad turned to go, and Sharrkan followed him, passing by his open door slowly and peering inside. Just like he had guessed, Ja'far was curled, half undressed, in the king's bed. His keifka was gone, and his robes were spread all over the mattress. The swordsman flushed again and followed the purple haired man away.