Chapter four:
Sin meddles in.
Ja'far took care of Sharrkan by bringing him to the couch and patching up his wounds. ''You could have gotten seriously injured, then how would you have come to school, or even be able to play upcoming Saturday.'' Ja'far scolded. ''Those staircases are old, we are bound to fix them one day. But try to keep them intact until then.'' Alibaba told him, looking at the jersey. ''What is that, anyway?''
Sharrkan smiled, as he held it up, ''Don't you recognize this, Ja'far? You should, if you love Sinbad that much.'' ''So there is something going on.'' Alibaba exclaimed. ''Sharrkan, if you keep babbling like this, the whole school knows by the end of tomorrow.'' Ja'far said, exasparated. ''Sorry.'' Sharrkan said cheesily. ''Can anyone explain this to me? I can help you to keep my brother's mouth shut.'' Alibaba said.
''Fine. As you mentioned before, I've got this thing for Sin. And as your brother pointed out, I'm hopeless, so he decided to help me for, I don't know, reasons.'' Ja'far explained. ''So, like a coach?'' Alibaba asked. ''Exactly.'' Ja'far nodded. ''Cool. I'll be there to help you two out.'' Alibaba said. ''Oh, hell no.'' Sharrkan reacted, before adding, ''You've your own school life, friends and love life. You don't have time for this. You need to maintain your grades.''
Alibaba hmpfed, ''I'm the mature one of us and know more about love.'' he said, making Ja'far stiffle a laugh. ''Your brother is right, though. But I'll accept your help saturday.'' Ja'far promised, before he looked at Sharrkan, ''I've never seen that jersey before. It looks weird.'' he said.
''Sinbad designed them when he became coach. The board and anyone with a right mind on the team rejected it, but he printed them anyway. I wore it once on the promise it'd be white rather than purple like he had intended. White looks good on you, and he made it, so he has to be okay with this.'' Sharrkan said. Ja'far held it up to study it closely.
It was a white jersey, with a number eight at the back, on the front was a very happy mini-Sinbad holding up a sign with said number. It looked weird, but the chibi Sinbad was adorable if you asked Ja'far. ''I can see why the board decided not to go with it. Sin will surely ask questions if I were to wear this. I can find another white shirt.'' he said.
''That's the thing. You should wear this to afterwards, when it's all chilly.'' Sharrkan said. Alibaba quirked his eyebrows. ''I'd get sick, this isn't something one wears to keep warm.'' Ja'far said. ''Yes, and you'd shiver. But, Sinbad loves helping you out when you get like that. So he'll take off his coat, you wear it, and he'll think you look adorable in his clothes. You'll see.'' Sharrkan said. ''Impressive, you actually thought this coaching thing through.'' Alibaba said.
Ja'far gave a small smile, before asking, ''What if this backfires? What will I wear? I don't want to get sick.'' ''In case it backfires, which is impossible, you can take my jacket. I don't get cold that easily.'' Sharrkan promised. ''Only at night?'' Ja'far asked, just to make sure. Sharrkan nodded, ''Wear your Halo shirt during the day. I look forward to seeing it.'' Sharrkan smiled, before yawning. ''Tired from thinking, big brother?'' Alibaba asked.
''It's late. We should go to bed. Wanna sleep here? In case the Fanalis siblings bake you more surprises?'' Sharrkan asked. ''I live close by, it'll be fine. Maybe some other time. Thanks for the chicken though, it tasted great.'' Ja'far said, before he headed to the door and left. ''Why did you offer to help him, nii-san?'' Alibaba asked. ''You want to know the real reason, or the reason I told him?'' Sharrkan asked. ''Obviously both.'' Alibaba rolled his eyes.
''As far he's concerned, I do it for you, and the junior team. As far as I am concerned, he was hopeless, and the king can't go without a prom queen and that shouldn't be someone random.'' Sharrkan said. ''I still think there is more to it.'' Alibaba crossed his arms. ''I don't like Sinbad getting all chummy with the new guy. I distrust him, and think Ja'far might get hurt.'' Sharrkan said.
''You are weird. I'm going to bed.'' Alibaba said, as he got up. ''Your crush is weird.'' Sharrkan retorted, before huffing as Alibaba didn't react. Soon enough, Sharrkan's head was filled with many interesting ideas to 'help' Ja'far, maybe because he was sleep deprived, maybe because he was insane, we'll never know. Alibaba figured it was the second one, when he heard his brother laugh maniacally around two p.m.
When Ja'far got up the next morning, he realised that the get-together was fast-approaching, and he had to admit that he was eager, almost to the point of giddiness, to go there. He hadn't approved of Sharrkan's fashion sense, but then again, it was something that Sin had designed. It'd probably amuse the so-called king, and otherwise, it was a nice shirt to sleep in.
Sharrkan was prone to have ideas like that, admittedly, the jersey's design was horrible, and he agreed with the fact that the school board had rejected the idea. But Sharrkan had had the nerve to wear it. Ja'far wished he had the same guts, then again, Sharrkan was stupid, and that tended to go with such kinds of bravery.
He smiled to himself, before he headed downstairs, only to find Sinbad and Masrur waiting for him in his living room. ''This is becoming a thing, isn't it?'' Ja'far asked, not even remotely surprised. ''I had a request.'' Sinbad simply said, as he threw an arm over Ja'far's shoulders. ''And you can't ask me at school?'' Ja'far asked. ''Wouldn't be as much fun, now would it?'' Sinbad asked. ''Masrur?'' Ja'far asked, making the red-head look down. ''Please don't comply with these requests.'' he added.
''His reason is good.'' Masrur said, making Ja'far raise an eyebrow. ''Oh, if you say it is then it must be true.'' Ja'far said. ''Ouch, you could have trusted me.'' Sinbad said. ''Shoot, Sin.'' Ja'far smiled, ignoring his king's whining. ''It's about Saturday, our usual guy that takes care of our wounds, is in fact, injured. So, would you mind helping us out? I mean, you were coming anyway, right? I trust you with important matters like these.'' Sinbad said.
''Oh, I see. I'd love to help out.'' Ja'far said. ''But why breaking into my house, that habit has to stop soon.'' he added. ''Because, I have barely seen you the past week. You're with Sharrkan nowadays. He's cool and all, but gives me a headache sometimes. He tends to have his own ideas and is so stubborn.'' Sinbad said. ''So are you, Sin. But I'm sorry, I'll try and get in touch with you more. I look forward to hanging out upcoming saturday.'' Ja'far said.
'So Sin does mind! Argh, I shouldn't have asked for help in the first place. How do I tell Sharrkan this has to stop.' his mind screamed at him. Masrur seemed to notice his dilemma. ''You needed to pee, right?'' Masrur asked Sinbad awkwardly. ''Oh yeah! Would you mind if I used your toilet?'' Sinbad asked. ''You know where it is, go ahead.'' Ja'far replied.
As Sinbad headed for the toilet, Masrur waited till he heard the click of the door, and then said, ''Don't stop with Sharrkan as your coach.'' Ja'far blinked a few times, before replying, ''You knew I wanted to ask him? I should have known that. Sin really doesn't seem to like it.'' Masrur shook his head, ''He's a big child at heart. And it may have been three days, but you're doing better.''
''I suppose you're right. Should I give you a key to my house? Saves you some trouble for the next time, assuming there is going to be one.'' Ja'far replied. Masrur nodded, as Sinbad returned and said, ''We should head out for breakfast, there is a little bakery near school with the most delicous cinnamon buns.'' as he took his bag. ''Only on the condition that you treat us, Sin. Or at least Masrur as a thanks for the trouble of getting into my house because you ordered him to.'' Ja'far told him.
''Awww, but 'mom', I don't wanna.'' Sinbad teased. ''Just who are you calling mom?'' Ja'far asked, raising one of his eyebrows. Sinbad winked charmingly, before saying, ''Kidding Ja'far. I'll treat you to one, you must taste them.'' Ja'far smiled, as he nodded, ''That would be nice, Sin.'' Masrur noticed how laidback Ja'far now was around Sinbad. He couldn't hold back the tiniest hint of a smile.
''Come on!'' Sinbad cheered, and Ja'far nodded, but Masrur shook his head. ''Oh, right. You probably have Morgiana waiting for you. I'll bring one of those delicious buns Sin's talking about.'' Ja'far said. Masrur nodded, before he left the house. ''So, the two of us are going. I missed us being together.'' Sinbad said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Ja'far blushed, before nodding. He hadn't been properly prepared for a situation like this. Sharrkan hadn't actually taught him anything up until now.
''S-Sure..'' he said, as he took his bag as well, before they made their way towards the bakery. What neither of them realised, was that they were being trailed by two giants and one idiot. ''It's good that you have left them, Masrur. They needed some time alone.'' Sharrkan whispered. ''He doesn't seem at ease at all.'' Hinahoho commented. ''..'' Masrur decided it would be for the best not to meddle further, he still didn't know how he got dragged into all of this.
''Not yet, one moment.'' Sharrkan said, as he took out his phone, and sent a quick text. Masrur raised his eyebrow, as he watched Ja'far slow down when the silverette reached down into his pockets. ''Should we really meddle?'' Hinahoho wondered, as the silverette looked on his phone and then behind, only to spot them. Sharrkan waved, as Ja'far nodded, and then returned his attention back to Sinbad. Masrur took Sharrkan's phone to see what he had texted, Hinahoho nodded as he read along. 'Remain calm, you're doing fine. I'm here to help you.' Is what it said. ''Good words, a man should be able to write down his feelings like that. My wife always appreciates it.'' Hinahoho said. ''I'll be sure to find out whether Sinbad is capable of that as well.'' Sharrkan replied, as they continued to trail after them.
''Everything alright?'' Sinbad asked, as Ja'far put his phone away. ''It was a text from work. They told me that my work yesterday was well done.'' Ja'far replied. ''You're very hard working, it's good that they give you credit as well. I'd want you working for me if I ever owned a company and an island like the guy in our history book. You'd my most loyal companion, and correct me when necessary.'' Sinbad told him.
Ja'far blushed furiously red, ''You shouldn't say things like that.'' he replied. Sinbad's eyes widened as he replied, ''The truth you mean? You just don't realise how precious you are yet.'' ''Neither do you. You're called the king for a reason.'' Ja'far said. This time it was Sinbad's turn to blush, causing Ja'far to panic a little. He never had seen Sin that flustered. It was then that his phone buzzed again. 'Don't worry, you're doing fine. Masrur caught what you said, Sinbad is a little embarrased, keep it up, but don't overdo it.' he quickly read the text, before looking at Sin, who was looking away. ''Are you okay?'' Ja'far asked. Sinbad nodded, before replying, ''Didn't expect you to say that. You are too kind.'' ''Only to those I like.'' Ja'far automatically said as they entered the bakery.
''He has got game. His confidence has improved. Maybe you aren't a bad coach.'' Hinahoho told Sharrkan. ''I am co-captain for a reason.'' Sharrkan said. ''I always wondered why, but there is more to you then it seems.'' Hinahoho said. ''Aren't we going to be late for school?'' Masrur wondered, when he watched the clock near the bakery, clearly five minutes before school would start. ''It's near school, we'll be fine. You can go ahead if you want, but I promised to coach the kid, and so help me, God of the Swords, I will.'' Sharrkan said. ''We'll go ahead, just so we can cover for you.'' Hinahoho said, as Masrur nodded.
''We're going to be late for school, Sin. I prefer to keep my record clean.'' Ja'far said as he eyed the clock. ''It'll be very quick, Ja'far.'' Sinbad promised. ''If you say so.'' Ja'far said, but he wasn't so sure. The elderly couple in front of them seemed to have quite a large order.