A/N: Hello all! It's been a long time and a lot has happened. I lost interest in writing and my heart got stolen by another character, making it more difficult to find the motivation to write about Magi. It wasn't until the author Claywind messaged me, encouraging me to continue the story that I finally got the motivation to do so. It took a while, but here it is, the next chapter! I owe a lot to Claywind for the beta work [hearts] I hope everyone enjoys it. I will be picking up the story again, so there will be another chapter in the future

Down on the docks stood the impressive figure of Sindria's King. No other man in the world shone as brightly nor had the same enticing charm and inviting aura. His features, manners and dress spoke volumes. It said-

"I'm~ an attention whore~" a familiar voice cut into the prince's thoughts with an overly melodic tone. "Just look at that idiot, waiting for us like some kind of..." Judal paused for a moment, tongue flicking out and over his lips as he searched for the right word to use. "...man-eating bird."

This word, along with the magi's tone caused Hakuryuu to stop mid-step, having been walking alongside the taller figure and deep in thought until just then. Bird... had Judal encountered that same crimson bird he had the displeasure of coming into contact with? Even after the incident of being bitten by such a flamboyantly looking fowl it continued to stalk him wherever he went then, strangely, disappearing after the vision of another curious creature.

"Just like that feathered fuck," Judal replied, his feet dancing in strange patterns above the cement. The rings in his eyes were washed in their usual drug induced glow as Hakuryuu peered into them. "You know?"

"What?" Hakuryuu genuinely asked, "...are you talking about?"

"Focalor. The djinn that bastard Sinbad stole from me." Judal paused to illustrate with his hands what the djinn he was speaking of looked like leaving Hakuryuu even more confused than before. "I thought since you were in training so much you saw that idiot king and Kougyoku fighting with their djinn equip."

...All this time and he had completely forgotten about it. No, not forgotten, he had just been distracted. The overflow of pure white rukh, Judal's antics, his training to become stronger and...Jafar. This country made it easy to leave the past behind. Perhaps that was Sinbad's intention; to build a beacon of hope against the darkness invading the world, a haven for depraved and abandoned individuals.

Hearing her name just then reminded Hakuryuu of how long it had been since he had seen Kougyoku. With Judal's interest suddenly shifting toward him she should not have been far behind. It would be unusual for her to be absent from something as important as Judal's departure and scanning the coastline he failed to see that bounce of auburn hair pulled up like a pair of rabbit ears.

"Ha~ku~ryuu~" A thin hand passed in front of Hakuryuu's blue eyes and he broke out of thought to meet bright, crazed crimson. "...Whatcha thinking so hard about?"

The magi hovered near Hakuryuu's left side as though he were about to whisper secrets to him. The prince merely pushed against the slender, exposed chest as gently as he could, gaining back his personal space. "The future, that's all."

"Yeah?" Judal once more drew close and was once more gently pushed back by Hakuryuu's hand. "You should leave that to me."

Hakuryuu snorted, but was actually considering that course of action.

"Say…" Judal began, "are you still mad I told Sinbad all the things you really wanted to do? The stuff you were leaving out. Stuff he already knew about. It's not like either of you were being honest, you just thought you were."

"That's a rude assumption," Hakuryuu retorted. "I was entirely up front with King Sinbad." He went on the defensive but Judal grabbed him by his wrist, leaning in close and softening his voice. There was no pushing him back now.

"Sinbad is never upfront, he's just going to take what he wants. Jafar too." And with that slow whisper, Judal let go, strolling away and leaving Hakuryuu to watch his back as though the conversation had never even happened.

Judal's words were a reminder of Hakuryuu's need to sort through his unspoken thoughts, feelings and desires. For now, however, the prince had a ship to board and a king to greet.

"Travel safely. I wish you luck within the dungeon." Sinbad smiled brightly as his hand gripped Hakuryuu's in firm greeting. "You're a talent fighter and I have great faith in you. Believe in yourself, as you have the means to overcome any challenge set before you." The king continued his speech for several more moments, his eyes paying rapt attention to the shift of uncertain cerulean. "I was truly hoping Judal would stay but it seems..." Amber eyes glanced at the magi's figure making obvious rude comments to several men standing on the docks. "...that he is intent on going with you."

"You seem a bit sad, considering he's not at all behaved and nearly impossible to deal with," Hakuryuu admitted, his tone softening to denote his honesty more than any dislike of the magi. "You have my gratitude for allowing him to stay, as well as an apology for any grief he's inflicted upon the country." Though the apology was likely unnecessary given the entire world knew of the magi's brisk, naive, and often reckless nature.

"I'm both sad and disappointed to see him go. You as well. I'd like to be someone you can trust and rely on. Know that you'll always be welcome here." Sinbad's tone softened, while still retaining its seriousness. "But more importantly, Hakuryuu..." just as he began a loud child-like voice chimed noisy into the air, drawing everyone's attention.

"Yeah, yeah. Good riddance to this rubbish of a country. I'll see you losers later~" Judal announced, walking pompously past Sinbad with a wide grinning smile. Sparing no pause or back glance the magi boarded the large ship and it wasn't until he was on board and had turned back to look toward Hakuryuu that he spoke. "Come on, Crybaby, you don't need to listen to that idiot king." And with a swirl of hair and rukh Judal left to undoubtable go make himself comfortable somewhere.

"Thank you for everything. Really. I...imagine it will be some time before I return, but I'll do what I can as far as researching the island and the dungeon itself." With a gracious bow Hakuryuu turned, boarding the large Sindrian ship.

Bright yellow hues gave way to grays and blues as another uneventful day turned to night. The sea's waves were lapping quietly against the wood and iron of the large ocean vessel as it continued its voyage toward the unexplored landmass located only days from the larger, more well-known island of Sindria.

As night swept over the sea, so did calmness. The crew - as well as the rest of the residence on board - settled down for a meal and a long night of drinks; but there was still one individual brimming with excitable energy. For the past few hours Judal had been using the rukh to bounce pillows, books and scrolls against the ceiling and walls.

"Ow~" Judal gave a loud outcry, offended that another of his not entirely controlled objects had become affected by the natural laws of gravity, nearly striking his face. Sure it was only a rolled up scroll case but he still didn't like the idea of the world's laws going against his personal desires.

Meanwhile, Hakuryuu was standing on the other side of the room, body leaning against the large circular window, eyes watching the sky, his thoughts inward and far away. Aside from the various noises and complaints, Judal hadn't spoken a word to him. Which was entirely odd for someone who made it their goal in life to cause as much of a ruckus as humanly possible. From someone who took a lot of joy in bullying, teasing and annoying others, this silence was somewhat unsettling.

While Judal was consistently eccentric in what he did, there was always a point to it. The magi set his own rules and Hakuryuu had come to the conclusion that Judal didn't do things just to "do them". Even if those things were beyond the laws of logic and common sense. Hakuryuu truly wanted to believe Judal was in control of his fate and wanted the same sense of unequivocal freedom and power to force his desires into fruition.

That said, he glanced over to the magi, still lying on the bed and messing with the entire room's content with his rukh. It was clear to both of them that Judal knew something the prince didn't. A something he was dying to tell Hakuryuu and, under any other circumstance, the magi would be playing a very passive-aggressive game about it. But he wasn't. It was as though they were both waiting for the other to broach the subject first.

As Hakuryuu had never had any serious or meaningful conversations with Judal before, he wasn't sure if it was even possible. This was Judal after all and anything the prince said or did could either be misunderstood or blown right over his head and Hakuryuu had a feeling that if he didn't ask, Judal would never say. So, he either let all of this go until after the dungeon or he confronted the magi now.

Glancing over, Hakuryuu was met with a bright, shimmering stare. Eyes alight like a knife's edge stained by the sanguine hue of blood. Lips lifted in a wild, pleased grin as Hakuryuu glanced over the magi's body lying on his bed, his posture a depiction of his depravity.

'Is this what it would take?' Hakuryuu questioned himself. Would he need - or must - embrace the same insanity to obtain his goals?

"Judal..."

"Yeah?" Judal answered in a lazy drawl, his grin widening as though he knew what his partner was about to say.

"There is something...you want to say to me. Likewise, there are things I want to talk to you about." Hakuryuu began, licking his lips. He was trying to start this off in the simplest way he could.

"Yeah. Something I know that you don't. And something Sinbad doesn't know either." Judal began, sitting up to better lock his gaze and rukh onto Hakuryuu.

"...And that would be?"

"No way, you have to go first."

It figured; Hakuryuu thought. He better sit down, as this may well be a long conversation. "Very well." Not a moment after he had settled himself down on the bed did Judal rush over and lean against him, lying his head against the prince's shoulder, fingers playing with the length of silken material hanging from his waist.

"First off..." Hakuryuu paused, taking a deep breath. As he did he caught the faint scent of flowers. Judal's perfume, something that would be consistent in an ever-changing world. "I can hardly imagine that I am admitting to this but…"

Judal tilted his head upwards as moments passed in silence; a beaming smile stretching from one attentive ear to the other.

"I think…" Despite the marked hesitation, Hakuryuu did not want his confession to be taken lightly. "That you are right to what you have been saying as of late."

The fingers that were fondling the material of Hakuryuu's clothes suddenly stopped and Judal's body stiffened, rising up like a steel rod. Clearly, this was not what the magi had expected to hear.

"I want to- no, I do - believe in you."

Judal slowly fell back onto the bed, a suspension of disbelief coloring his expression. "You're funny."

"I'm completely serious." The prince would have scowled but Judal's tone kept him from it. "You have my trust and…as you've told me a number of times before, if I ever wanted to change my fate we could do it together."

In a whirlwind of motion Judal rose up, pushing Hakuryuu down onto the bed. His eyes gleamed with a look of unadulterated bliss. "I-I still have more to say," the prince protested as an invasion of lips pressed hard against his own.

"Yeah, sure…" And Hakuryuu was released, but Judal made it clear there was no escaping him.

Flustered, the prince cleared his throat. "I…suspect something is going on, and as much as I had been hoping, things didn't go as I planned." Judal - for how inept at politics he generally was - knew how Hakuryuu had been treated by the King of Sindria. Being in the room at the time of Hakuryuu's proposals. "I'm aware, and I think you are as well, that Sinbad has...done something to me."

"Oh yeah! I completely forgot about what that bastard did to you. I was so ticked, you know?" Still sitting on Hakuryuu, Judal placed his hands upon the prince's chest, feeling for the spot where Sinbad's energy had once been. "He used Zepar's sound subjugation ability on you."

"...The illusion I saw." Hakuryuu began, thinking back to the incident in which Jafar had called to him after he had fainted. He recalled that odd, otherworldly looking creature standing on the window, singing to him. It had to have been Sinbad in djinn equip. "Was that a side effect of you fighting off Zepar's power?"

"Yup."

That meant... Jafar had played a part in Sinbad's plan, turning a blind eye and feigning ignorance.

"Heh." Judal chuckled softly, seeing Hakuryuu's eyes cloud over in ire. "I told you, they'll do whatever they want. That Ja'far kid knows you like him and what does he do? The same thing Sinbad does, leads you on with empty promises. Then..." Judal's soft hands stroked Hakuryuu's calloused ones, feeling the emotional shift that was taking place. "He'll ditch you. There's no fucking way I'll allow some idiot to steal you from me."

It was obvious from both tone and action that Judal took the matter seriously. This wasn't his usual 'you stole my toy and I want it back' mentality Hakuryuu had seen many times before. Judal was genuinely upset over the fact that Hakuryuu had been taken advantage of. It...honestly shocked him to hear.

"That means that you..." With Judal's hot-cold personality, Hakuryuu didn't think the magi would even bother with such feelings of companionship.

"That I like you or something?" Judal laughed. "'Course I do. It's taken forever for you to see things my way, but I knew you would."

"Am I correct in thinking you're also upset at Sinbad attempting to control me?"

Judal nodded enthusiastically, fingers running the length of Hakuryuu's chest and muscled arms, eyes bright within the fading light of the room. While the affectionate actions were nothing new, this was different from past times. Judal wasn't merely fulfilling a need or desire. There was no push for lustful actions; no possessive clinging that resulted from unspoken harm.

Even as Judal drew closer to Hakuryuu - daring him to close the gap with his lips – the feeling was different, like lovers exposing themselves for the first time and Judal tilted his head to the side, closing his eyes. A moan escaped the magi's lips as he felt Hakuryuu's rough lips against his softer ones and with a firm grip against slender shoulders, the prince brought Judal closer, deepening their kiss.

It was a long moment before they separated.

"Hey, Hakuryuu..." Judal grinned brightly as the prince's hands slipped away from his shoulders. He caught them before they could completely leave, lacing his fingers between the prince's shorter ones. "Why did you push me away before?"

"Well, there is a time and a place for such things." Hakuryuu began, pausing to moan as Judal's tongue slid along one of his fingers. "...A-Aside from the fact that public displays are improper... I-I prefer to keep my affections private."

"How come? Since you've confessed to me, you should let me do whatever I want." Judal replied, tongue still lapping against the tips of Hakuryuu's fingers. "Especially as we're together now. When you get into a relationship with someone, they give you whatever you want."

"...W-What!?" Between Judal's sensual licking and his reply Hakuryuu was unsure if he should stare, shudder or a little of both. "You're not serious, are you?"

"Yeah. Ithnan told me all about relationships. He said when you like someone you confess your feelings and when they agree it's a binding contract. So, like, you belong to me now."

"I'm fairly certain that isn't how relationships work." Hakuryuu gave a breath of relief as Judal stopped what he was doing to stare at him.

"How would you know? You never even confessed to that ugly Ja'far kid."

"As someone who wears makeup you have no room to talk about appearances. Also, you shouldn't be referring to someone eight years older than you a 'kid'."

"Haku-chan..." Judal began, placing his forefinger against the prince's lips. "As you confessed to me, you can't be in love with anyone else."

"I..." Hakuryuu fell silent. He couldn't say he wasn't in love with Jafar and despite the knowledge of what both Sinbad and Jafar had done to him his feelings were a little hard to dismiss at the moment. "This is a pointless argument."

"That's right, because you belong to me now." And with that Judal made himself comfortable in Hakuryuu's lap, sitting sideways and resting his cheek against the prince's warm chest, proving his point.

Hakuryuu sighed deeply. He wasn't sure how to respond to Judal's unrelentingly attitude. The magi was, however, right in the fact that he didn't know what it was like to be in a relationship or how they worked. Logically, he knew that any information Al-Thamen freely gave out was either incorrect, or meant to elicit a response in their favor.

The magi shifted his position again, swinging his legs to either side of Hakuryuu's body before shifting up to sit on his waist. "You have some other stuff to say, right?"

Hakuryuu nodded, watching as Judal rested his arms upon his shoulders. "I do, but not if you're going to sit here and distract me." The magi only grinned, more so at the prince's narrowing look. "It's hard to talk seriously when you're…arousing me."

"But I like being close to you." Judal purposely ran the edge of his nails against the exposed skin of Hakuryuu's neck, watching in fascination as the prince closed his eyes, chest rising and falling as he took in several quick breaths.

"…In your words, you are a fucking tease." Hakuryuu shifted the magi's golden bracelets upwards to grab his wrists lightly.

"Hey!" Judal pulled his hands back, but resolved to stay where he was. "I just want you and me to be together. Us against the world, okay?"

"That sounds like a confession." Hakuryuu teased, watching Judal pout cutely. "Does this mean I get everything you own?"

"No way!"

Hakuryuu's soft laughter filled the room, making Judal smile even more. "I've told you all that I can for the moment. Now it's your turn."

"Yeah...I guess I should explain why Sinbad wants you so much. But...there's a reason I stowed away to be with you. You see, there's a lot going on that no one knows about." Judal hesitated, placing a hand against his stomach, an indication of the torture he had to bear for his reckless actions back at the Empire. "Would you believe me if I said I was spying and got caught hearing stuff they didn't want people to know?"

Hakuryuu could definitely believe it. While he had a general idea of what Al-Thamen wanted, he didn't know the extent of it and suspected they had brutalized Judal on more than one occasion. "I do. But..." He knew well enough that Al-Thamen would stop at nothing to protect their secrets. Losing all but his sister proved that much. Judal being a magi only meant they wouldn't outright kill him. "...I want to ask why, but more importantly, what did you plan to do with what you found out?"

"Well...I figured you'd join me since you want revenge so much. We could crush them from the inside and take over."

"I don't believe that. There's no way you'd put yourself in danger to..."

"Help you?" Judal finished, eyes reflecting a pain Hakuryuu would never know.

"...Yes."

"I want to screw them over completely. And so do you. I honestly like you, Haku-chan. More than I like Kougyoku, and that's a big deal."

It was a big deal. Hakuryuu still found it hard to believe Judal was on his side and doing a lot more than he ever thought possible. It was also true that Judal was an arrogant brat with flawed logic who couldn't be told no, but that didn't make him a unlikable monster. The magi's attitude was the product of his environment, though he was pretty sure that if Judal was raised differently, he'd still be a brat. It was just how he was.

While Judal didn't have a lot of freedom in the way of life choices, Hakuryuu certainly did. He could follow in his sister's footsteps, settling disputes in just, peaceful ways - or - he could side with Judal and stain his hands with blood.

"Once we obtain Zagan for you we can talk about what to do next."

Hakuryuu agreed. This dungeon marked the beginning to a future he'd been dreaming of for years.