Title. Zillullah
Chapter title. What's Left After the Waters Recede
Authour. ~sushisama~
Fandom. Magi
Main pairing. Sinbad/Judal (more will show up later)
Warnings. Nothing really in this chapter, but sappiness and mood swings.
Disclaimer. I do not own any of the Magi characters or world, just playing around with it.
Notes. So, funny thing. Over half through writing this, I realised I forgot an entire chapter. I don't know how I did this, I guess I got excited about this chapter, but I was on a roll, and didn't want to back track. so, the thing that precedes this and is actually mentioned a couple of times will be in next chapter. I kind of like it this way, anyway, so.

Also, there's a mention here of some of the rewritten history, so no need to point it out if you notice it, it's intentional. And the timeline divergence stuff is about to start, so yaya.
Lots of fluff and cheese in this chapter. And Judal being slightly weird, that will actually be explained next chapter.


It wasn't until the office door was opening that Sinbad realised he hadn't responded to the knocking. He had a mountain of paperwork, diplomatic requests and trade commissions, and his mind fully focused, that the world around him didn't exist for a time.

He found the past three days had been like this, trying to find anything to distract himself with.

Sinbad regarded Ja'far with a small smile as he came in, setting down the document he had been reading.

"Morning, Ja'far," he greeted with a dulled warmth. "Is everything all right?"

The former assassin did not respond instantly, looking around the office first before he replied, "Morning, Sin. Yes, everything is fine, I was just..."

"He's not here."

Ja'far narrowed his eyes a little in disbelief.

Sinbad sighed, sitting back in his chair. "Just like yesterday, and the day before, I don't know where he is."

"You should be more concerned about that." His tone was flat, a precursor of the serious nature he would take throughout whatever conversation they were about to have. The king knew his friend well enough that when his arms were in his sleeves, stiff as a board, and his eyes that narrow, he was probably about to be lectured. He was sure the advisor wasn't in the mood for any of Sinbad's usual playful prattling or misdirection, feeling the topic at hand an important one that needed to be handled as such.

And Sinbad himself, he did find it important, but for a different reason. He knew his concerns were far different than the white-haired male's. And it wasn't something he was much wanting to talk about.

"It's fine, Ja'far. Prince Hakuryuu said this is quite common, and I've had guards keeping me up to date on if he's spotted or at least if he's causing any trouble."

Ja'far sighed. "You give him too much leeway, Sin."

"It's not leeway, it's knowing him well enough that if I didn't let him do a few things like this, it would just end up worse."

The advisor scoffed. "Yes, and how well you must know him."

"Ja'far," Sinbad said, his tone warning.

Ja'far opened his mouth, about to continue, but Sinbad's harsh stare stopped him. He shook his head, but gave up completely, excusing himself with some mutter that he would check back with him later. Sinbad was glad to be alone again, returning to his work, albeit with no real dedication.

He wasn't in the mood to have this discussion again. It had been one his friend had brought up several times since the Kou dignitaries had come to Sindria. Especially during the first few weeks, when Sinbad would disappear for several hours, or on the days the Magi wouldn't show for his duties, and Ja'far would later come to see if the youth had been spending the day with the king.

After the celebration over three weeks ago, when Ja'far had come for Judal because he wasn't at their appointed meeting, he had found Sinbad in his room, neither with intent to leave anytime soon, Sinbad had finally had a conversation with his advisor about what was really happening between he and the Magi. Well, mostly, seeing as Sinbad didn't always know himself where he stood with the dark-haired man, but he left that part out. He had also made it very clear his intent to keep the Magi after the year.

And Ja'far had made it very clear that he was against it. That it was all a terrible idea, Sinbad's feelings not withstanding, and all of it was going to end badly. He argued that no matter what, the Magi had fallen too far into depravity to be redeemed, that even if he 'played nice' for a while, he would turn around eventually, and be up to his usual tricks again.

Sinbad's only retort was that people can change. And he did believe Judal could, but he had to not just be given the chance to, but a reason to.

"And repeatedly accusing him of things he hasn't done yet won't help any," Sinbad had interjected.

Despite the argument, though, Ja'far had made sure to call Sinbad out about it.

But in the past few weeks, he had been left relatively alone about the subject. After the festival in Kou's honour, he had thought he was getting somewhere with the Magi. The way the man had acted that evening - though he knew some of the forwardness had been due to intoxication - he knew he had meant much of it. The way he lingered on some of his words, how he took his time, asking Sinbad to his room after what they had done in the kitchen... It was all sentimental, affectionate, in a way that Judal would never be able to openly announce.

And when he woke in the morning, the Magi still in his arms, he had been happy. Judal even seemed in a better mood than he had since he arrived, making no real move to leave or dismiss the king. Instead, he had held on to him, kissing him and murmuring, and Sinbad found in that moment how much he wanted this to be an almost daily occurrence.

He had already had wishes to see what it would be like, waking up with him, spending so much time with him, but he had kept it a little reserved, on the off chance neither one of them cared for it. After all, all he really had to go off of was their flitting moments, from the first they met to just before he was given to Sindria as a retainer. Those moments had been a full night at most, only glimpses of Judal's true self in each event. And only after their first intimate encounter in the Furfur dungeon, had each of their private moments been more about

satiating their need to be physically together, and that was when the Magi really began to be anything sort of open.

Over the past two years and some odd months, Sinbad had found himself wanting to be around him more and more, and he could put up a good argument that Judal felt the same way by the way he constantly snuck into Sindria or when they would disappear together after finding they had been on the same path out in the world. He wasn't sure when it had stopped being about lust, though, and simply about just wanting him around. But he thought it might have been the one rainy night over a year ago when Judal had been come to Sindria, no pretence of a celebration or to kill him, nothing, and just crawled into his bed, soaked and almost pathetic looking. Something had happened, he was sure by the look in his eyes, but the Magi had tucked himself into the king's arms, demanding him not to say anything as he had his way with him, slow and almost like love-making, and Sinbad had complied, his heart growing even more for the youth.

By that point, he had already been what would be considered faithful, though he had never been asked to do as such. But none of the men or women he came upon could please him the way Judal could, so he would just wait for his Magi to return to him before satiating his own needs. They simply did not have the fire he had, the spark that pulled Sinbad to him, and though he had been with a number of people after that first fateful encounter, it quickly died out when they could not placate him.

Sinbad didn't even know if Judal had done the same, with his constant jokes that he would find someone else were Sinbad to displease him, but sometimes he thought it was just a front, a way to distance himself from his own emotions. He hoped that was it. It would almost seem foolish to have put so much into this if the Magi didn't even feel a fraction of the same thing.

But he always came back to the king, didn't he? Judal could have whoever he wanted. He had no doubt the beautiful youth could seduce anyone he wanted to, even his generals could be swayed if he were so inclined to try. However, he didn't honestly look at anyone else. He didn't even flirt with anyone, except the closest it would be was Hakuryuu, and that seemed more because it made the prince uncomfortable, something the Magi enjoyed in an odd way to show his friendship.

His feelings for his Magi had certainly developed, but he still swallowed them down. He would ask him to stay in Sindria again and again, but there was always the possibility that Judal didn't feel the same, would one day stop coming to see him, or even that Kou or Al-Tharmen would drive a final wage between them. So he erected a wall, a hefty thing that would keep him from falling completely into his emotions with regard to the Magi, one that had a small window just to actually look at what it would be like to openly feel something. He looked through that window, even opened it and reached out on those nights that Judal had come to see him, but stole away behind it when he wasn't around, lest he miss him too much. In case he didn't come back or openly announced he had no returned affections, he could just board up that window and be done with it.

But since Judal had stepped off that boat, a year ahead of them to spend together, the wall had began to crack. With every moment unrushed and close to real time together, it weakened more and more. And the morning after the Kou celebration, when the Magi was still in his arms, returning his affections openly yet still closed in the way only he could, it fell down completely. There was no denying it anymore, how he felt, how badly he needed him in his life, how much he wanted him to stay and become fully his. And for a moment, he thought Judal had felt the same.

Until he stopped coming to him.

After then, Judal had completely withdrawn his attention from the king. He was focused on his duties (well, mostly, he still shirked them when he could) or spending time with his prince or in his library. He hadn't come to his office, just to sit on his desk and keep Sinbad company while he did work, he hadn't stolen moments away, kisses and touches when no one was looking, and anytime the elder looked like he was going to try for something like affection, he disappeared.

He had honestly hoped they were past this, where Judal seemed to go back and forth between whether or not he wanted to get close to the king. But apparently they weren't, he was still playing coy, and suddenly like he didn't want anything to do with him at all. Which, if he really had felt that way, Sinbad would reluctantly understand, but he at least wanted to know that's what was happening.

The only real connection they had was several days ago, where Judal had been waiting for him in his bedroom, and he had seemed affectionate in that moment, that he just wanted something like attention. And he was willing to comply, thinking that the night would turn something intimate. Something had happened, the mood shifted, and Sinbad wasn't exactly sure what he had said or done, but it had ended with Judal demanding they just go to sleep, though he didn't seem particularly upset about anything.

And that led to the most recent concern. Judal had been missing for three days. No one knew where he was, not even Hakuryuu, but the prince had done what he could to assure him how normal this was. That in Kou, the Magi disappeared all the time, and he had actually been surprised he waited a month to do it. He was sure the prince had meant the statement to be comforting, and it did feel very fitting as something Judal would do, but it didn't much ease his concern.

The worst part was, even if had an inclination to search for him, he had no idea where to start. It seemed that if the Magi didn't want to be found, he simply couldn't be found. A frustrating fact, but a fact none the less.

"I was expecting him to stay longer."

Sinbad jumped a little at the voice. His head whipped to one of the lower arched openings to the balcony where it had come from, and he was met with the upside down bust of his missing Magi, a grin on his face, and his braid draping all the way from the top of the carved arch to the floor.

"Judal," the king was calling, almost too eagerly, as he got up from his seat and approached him. The youth didn't move at first, letting the king take his face in his hands and kiss him awkwardly on the mouth. He savoured it, including the taste of mint that had seemed to linger on him most days.

The Magi made a sound almost like a snicker as he allowed the show of affection, even touching his cheek softly before pulling back. "It was only a few days, Idiot King," he teased. Sinbad backed away a bit as he turned himself right ways and landed just inside the room.

"Where did you go?" Sinbad asked.

Judal shrugged. "Out."

A violet brow rose. "Out?"

"Yes, out," he reiterated, stepping best the man and towards his desk. "But I got bored."

Sinbad watched him as he opened one of the wooden boxes on the corner, taking out a piece of candied fruit and eating it.

"Bored," the king repeated.

Judal nodded, chewing and swallowing before he spoke again. "Yes, bored." He smirked at Sinbad's impatient look. "I came back for some entertainment."

Sinbad didn't humour him this time.

The Magi shrugged, still grinning and taking another sweets from the box before returning to the king's side, fruit between his teeth. "So, entertain me, King of Sindria."

He eyed the youth, those crimson eyes full of an odd mix of mischief and something else. Something like... intent? But it was a little disarming, the eagerness he had.

"And how should I entertain you, Magi of Sindria?"

He had actually expected some resistance to the title, but if anything, Judal's smile became something more genuine.

"Surprise me."

::*~~*::

Judal had been rather easy to placate in his request, something that Sinbad wasn't sure if he should worry over or not. Well, maybe he would have if he wasn't enjoying the most energetic he had seen the Magi since he came to the island over a month ago.

They had travelled throughout the streets of the merchant district, Sinbad showing what his country did on a normal day. He knew Judal was somewhat familiar with it, it wasn't the first time the Magi had gone down the bazaar, but it was the first time the king had been with him. And his people always responded well to him, generally grateful to see the high king, and he interacted with every person that came up to him.

The dark haired youth was a little put off at first when Sinbad kept introducing him to every merchant as the Magi visiting from Kou, but after the first few, he seemed to settle, and actually began to interact. It seemed very foreign to him, having to mingle with people outside the palace, which didn't really surprise him. He always had the air of everyone was beneath him, royals just barely on his same level, and he could just assume it was drilled into his head so much that it became part of his personality.

It was obvious that he was having trouble with it, but surprisingly, he was trying. He shook hands with some of them, acknowledged them, spoke with some about their trade. He faltered here and again, obviously not sure what to say, but the king was quick to step in, giving more life to the conversation.

Sinbad did his best not to touch him much, if only not to give the wrong impression to his subjects. The few grazes were when he was leading him around and would put a hand on his back to direct him or touch his shoulder when he was introducing him. Judal on the other hand seemed a little more want for the connection, his fingers occasionally gracing Sinbad's hand when they were walking, or an arm sneaking around his waist when they were going an empty alley. Sinbad responded a little more when he did this, though a little confused by the Magi's behaviour.

Everything about it was odd it, honestly. He didn't know whether to enjoy this change or not. For a moment, it felt like he was conceding, that there would be a proclamation that he was really going to be Sindria's Magi. And more. All he had to do was say the word, and Sinbad would happily treat everything that way. Not say he was visiting from Kou, but that he was the island's. Not that he was a friend, but he was...

He was getting ahead of himself again.

Everyone had been eager to meet the Magi. They were excited to meet the member of Kou, sincerely and for business. They talked to him, showing off their wares, and offering him samples to take back home with him. Judal was accepting them at first, but soon he was turning to Sinbad, and actually asked if it was okay he was

taking these things. Sinbad told him it was okay, the merchants that were offering him things were well off, and could afford the try at foreign commerce.

The possibility of trade wasn't the only thing they were gawking at. Judal was already a beautiful exotic creature that could turn heads, but today he had an aura about him. If Sinbad had to name it, it was the same thing he had seen since he came from Kou, that glow he couldn't justly describe, but it was more now. People were openly gawking at him, and the king was caught between being proud of what was his and being protective of what was his. But he stilled himself, knowing there was nothing he could do without any type of subtlety.

Thankfully, the Magi was ignoring any advances: that eased him some.

They had stopped midday for a meal at one of the local cafés near a small park. He was grateful to see his Magi eat as much as he did, clearing two plates of meat by himself. He had been worried over the past month, not really seeing Judal eat that much, and knowing there were some days he had stomach problems. He had tried to ask him more about it, see if there was some ailment he needed to know about, but the Magi reassured him he was fine, time and again. He didn't believe him, but it wasn't something he could just force out of him. But he must have had his appetite back for a bit now, the little bit of weight he now had to him any indication.

There had been a delay in getting back to the stalls when a group of children excitedly ran up to their king and demanding his attention. Judal waved him off, staying in his seat on the porch of the café, watching as Sinbad spent some time playing with the kids, and whenever he looked back at the Magi, he had an odd sort of smile on his lips.

The rest of the afternoon, Sinbad finished his rounds with his people, ending with the merchants near the docks and just beyond, the ones that sold food stuffs. When it was obvious he was getting things for a meal, Judal asked for a bit more and something sweet, to which the king was happy to oblige. After he got everything together and packed into a basket, he led them down a side street that connected to a canal.

"The impression you're leaving, Idiot King," Judal teased, taking a plum from the basket and eating it. "There might be rumours."

"I am just showing one of our guests all the wonderful things of my country," Sinbad retorted as they came to an outlet, an alcove of smaller boats, there was a ferryman standing at a podium, writing in a ledger.

Judal made a thoughtful hum. "Whatever you say."

Sinbad chortled before he turned to the ferryman, speaking to him casually. After an exchange of coin, he boarded one of the boats, helping the Magi in down into it. He picked up the oars and began to row. Judal watched him as they started, before he rested a little, a bit of fatigue taking over his features.

"Where are we going?"

"There's a little inlet on the side of the island, you can only get to it by boat."

The Magi chuckled, digging for another piece of fruit. "There really will be rumours, Sinbad."

The king smiled at him as he continued his strokes. "Would they be wrong?"

Judal hummed. He turned his head, watching the ocean go by as the man rowed. "Some of them, who knows."

The rest of the boat ride was made in a comfortable silence and only lasted about twenty minutes. They passed under a green arch into a small cove. Sinbad brought the vessel to rest on the tiny sand barge, and as the sun was starting to hang low, they made their way very into the flora covered area.

"How do you know about this place?" Judal asked with curiously, his step just behind the king's.

"I know about every part of my island," he answered easily as he came to the edge of a small pond. He looked around, finding the spot that was cleanest and with the least amount of foliage before sitting down. Judal eyed the spot before he sat down next to him, taking in the spot.

The pond was an odd shaped body that fit just inside the cove, its waters a crystalline blue like the ocean. Around it were vibrant flowers that rooted into the surface beneath, colours ranging the rainbow. There were a few trees, some almost shrub like things that were only distinguishable by their height. The earthen walls around them were covered in clay and moss, a slick look to it that gleamed in incandescent hue in the fading light.

Judal was taken aback by it, staring at everything while Sinbad was pulling at a cloth and some of the food from the basket.

"Here I thought you would have been exploring when you were gone," the king said before biting into a piece of bread.

"There's only so much I can do without my wand." Judal was already taking one of the preserved meats, as if he hadn't eaten earlier. "I can do some wind magic, but not enough to get over to places like this." He clicked his tongue before adding, "And none of the boatmen would take me anywhere."

Sinbad laughed. "Did you think I wouldn't warn them about you?"

Judal narrowed his eyes at the king. "Did you really think I would go back to Kou by myself?"

"Who knows what you might try." His tone was joking, and the Magi just grinned back at him.

"You don't trust me?" he purred, leaning into the king's side slightly.

"Do you blame me if I don't?"

Judal chuckled. "No, I guess I wouldn't."

The conversation ceased briefly as they continued to eat, Judal taking most of the banquet to himself. He was smiling all the while, though he still looked a little in thought as he did. The sun was still setting, and with the approaching evening, the Magi mentioning they might want to leave soon.

"Not yet," Sinbad said, lightly putting an arm around Judal now that all he was focused on was the sweet bun in his hands. "Or we'll miss the best part."

The youth raised a brow. "Best part?"

Sinbad smiled. By the way the sun was almost completely gone and the light of the half moon was coming, it wouldn't be too much longer. But still a few moments it would be, so he took the chance to pass the short time in a more favourable manner. Sure that he was done with his dessert, Sinbad ran a finger under Judal's jaw, taking his chin to move his head just enough to place a soft kiss on his lips. The Magi made a soft sound before he tilted his head to perfect the angle. There was the sound of his bracelets as he touched Sinbad's cheek, adjusting some so he wasn't at such an odd position to continue the kiss.

It was Judal who pulled away, a sudden serious look in his eyes.

"Sinbad, about the other night..." He drifted off, his eyes shifting toward the pond. Sinbad followed his gaze, to the waters now alight with iridescent blue, white and green hues. He was silenced by it, staring intently at the glow.

"See? The best part," Sinbad reiterated, smiling.

"What kind if fish is that?"

"Jellyfish, actually," Sinbad answered as he leaned forward, reached into the waters. Judal watched, and his eyes widened when he retracted his hand, a white glow in his palm.

"What are you-"

"They have no stingers," the king interjected. "They were something left behind from when this area was under the sea, or at least that's what the scholars say."

He held it out, and Judal took the pile of mush with curiosity, slowly passing it between his hands.

"They have no more enemies here," Sinbad went on. "So they have no need for their stingers."

Judal was intently inspecting the invertebrate, looking over its curled up tentacles under its bell of a head. "But now they're defenseless against anything new," he commented as he leaned down to let the thing slide off his hand and back into the glowing waters below.

"Then it will adapt again. It could defend itself before, I'm sure there's a part of it that hasn't forgotten that."

Crimson was looking at him again, his brows knitted in thought. "Sinbad," he started again, but then he closed his mouth, jaw tight. With a sigh, he laid flat on the grass, his hands folding on his stomach as he closed his eyes. He thought he heard a growl, but he let him concentrate in peace for a moment.

But when the silence stretched on too long, he laid down on his side next to him and called, "Judal? What is it?"

Judal took a deep breath. He slowly opened his eyes half way, turning his head so he could look at the king.

"You haven't asked, but I know you still want your answer," he said in an even tone. "But it isn't an easy decision to make, there are just too many things involved, and I can't..."

Sinbad kept an even stare at him, not sure how this conversation was going to go. From all of the Magi's earlier actions, he far from thought he was about to be rejected. No, it sounded like a precursor to... well, he didn't know what, really.

"I understand it's not easy, Judal, but-"

"No, you don't understand, Idiot King," Judal snapped, eyes narrowed. "It's not just something as simple as I just don't go back to Kou, there is so much else, you can't even begin to know it."

"What else would it be? If you're still sorting through things, I know it takes time."

"Emotions are the least of my concerns," came the harsh words.

"Then tell me, tell me if it's Kou or Al-Tharmen, tell me, those things can be sorted out, there are things that we-"

Judal sat up abruptly, flipping him on his back and straddling his hips ao he could lean over the king, a hand on his throat, frustration in the growl that came forth. "You're not listening," he hissed, his fingers digging in just enough to make a point. Sinbad's eyes were wide, but he made no move. It wasn't the first of his Magi's outbursts, and this one he figured would be better for him to just ride out.

"It's not something as simple as that, it has nothing to do with them or feelings or anything!" His fingers twitched, but they gained no more strength in their grip. "It doesn't matter if I love you or if Kou will come for me, it has more to do with-"

Judal stopped in his tirade, brows narrowing dangerously. "What is with that look?"

He probably meant how Sinbad's eyes had gotten even wider, his mouth slightly agape.

"You've just never said that before."

"Said what?"

"That you love me."

Judal's face went from threatening to aghast in less than a second, before his cheeks took on a colour similar to his eyes. For a moment, his grip tightened, he half heartedly said, "T-that wasn't what I said, idiot!"

Sinbad smiled as he laid a hand gently on top of the one at his threat, giving his fingers a light squeeze. "It's what it sounded like to me."

His eyes narrowed again, though his voice couldn't quite recover the intensity from before. "It's not like you've ever said it."

"I would think I'm pretty good at implying it," he retorted with a smirk.

"S-shut up," Judal said almost too light. His body went slack, and Sinbad let out a forced breath when the Magi fell against him heavily. The king instantly put his arms around him, a hand in the base of his braid and the other at the small of his back. Judal's face was buried in his neck, and he couldn't help but feel his heart beating almost too quickly.

What was he so nervous about? Sinbad knew that it wouldn't be easy for him to make up his mind, that's why he wasn't pressuring him, giving him the whole year to think it through. Yes, he wanted an answer, but he didn't it right this moment.

"It's not the point, Sinbad," came Judal's voice.

"Then tell me what is."

There was quiet as a response for the longest time. Judal had gripped into the front of Sinbad's tunic, his fingers so tight they were as white as his skin could get.

Sinbad wrapped his fingers around that hand, and the Magi loosened his grip as he brought his knuckles close enough for a soft kiss. "What is it, Judal? Tell me, you know I'll do whatever needs to be done."

"...I know you will," Judal softly admitted. "And that's... That's part of..." He shook his head. "I'm... sorry."

Sinbad blinked. He had never heard an apology from the youth, especially not one so sincere.

Judal moved a little, so he was able to look Sinbad in the face, crimson meeting gold. "I thought I could, but I'm not ready." He leaned in to lay a quick kiss on Sinbad's lips.

"I still need time."

Sinbad smiled at his Magi, giving him a small nod. "Take all you need, Judal."

Judal stared at him a moment more before tucking his head back into the man's neck. They were quiet for a moment more, the evening truly starting as Sinbad continued to hold onto his Magi.

"Judal."

"Hmm."

"I love you, too."

"Of course you do, idiot."


May be a tick or two before I can update again, I actually have some commissions I have to work on, but hopefully it won't be too long. :)

Hiddenfanfics. I'll try updating as quickly as I can. Have to slow down for a bit, but it will still be done! ^-^
SunsetKitsune. Actually, someone expecting can have sex during their entire pregnancy, and during second trimester, you almost can't stop them from having it. They tend not to have much during the first because it's the time you feel the most 'ick,' and it's suggested to be careful with it in the last month because a really powerful orgasm can trigger labour. But there is no reason why they can't have intercourse, and it is encouraged as normally speaking, as long as they are fit and willing.
Tacitamura. Thank you! I love possessive Sinbad, too. And it hurt a little to write that part, but they didn't know the correlation between drinking and pregnancy until this past century, so there wouldn't be anyone to warn him not to. I'm going to do everything to keep it from happening from now on, I just needed it for the one chapter. ^^;