Chapter 9

"Sin, I'm going to go. Someone might see us,"

"Let them," Sinbad mumbled. His arm was draped heavily over Ja'far's torso. The chief advisor squirmed a little in a half hearted attempt to un pin himself but only his better sense wished him to go. Every other fiber of his being told him to stay. He realized Sinbad was watching him. The quirky smile he gave Ja'far completely crumbled his resolve.

"Just a bit longer," Ja'far said, resting back into the feather pillows. Just until he falls asleep Ja'far thought, studying Sin's relaxed face. He lingered over Sin's lips, smiling at the way they were still reddened from their recent kiss.

Ja'far sighed in content and let his eye's fall shut for a moment, enjoying Sin's body around him.

Ja'far opened his eyes only a second later, but when he looked down at his chest, he found the chain snaking from beneath his robes. He cupped the golden links in his palm and let them run through his fingers, tinkling and clanking as they slipped through his grip. He wasn't in bed any longer. He was standing amongst the stubby burnt fingers of the forest, a bright harvest moon hovering close to the horizon.

At least with the moonlight, he wouldn't have to tread so blindly after the chain. The dust and ash at his feet came alive as he walked forward, swirling and forming into ghostly shapes that sparkled when the silver-yellow beams hit them just right.

He could hear the cracking of fire in the distance before he spotted the clearing.

"Ja'far, you came," Sinbad said when Ja'far entered the oasis. "Isn't this fire amazing?"

The hearth was full to bursting with flames, the tips of the blaze reached taller than Ja'far. It's intense heat made his skin prickle uncomfortably. Ja'far skirted the edge of the clearing to keep as far from the broiling pit as he could.

"Sit," Sinbad scooted over so there would be room on the stone bench for both adults, "The ground was starting to frost earlier this evening, but I beat back the chill with this fire. We can keep warm here all night, and maybe even tomorrow night too," Sinbad said as Ja'far took a seat next to him. They were so close, Ja'far could smell the cinnamon on Sin's clothes and the sea water in his hair.

"I wouldn't have found the strength to build this fire without you, Ja'far," With languid motion, Sinbad reached forward and caught Ja'far's chin between his thumb and fore finger. Sin's lips were hot when they kissed and their gravity made Ja'far dizzy.

Sin pulled back casually and turned to admire the fire, eyes drinking the flames with pride.

Ja'far reluctantly looked away from Sin's profile and up to the orange, yellow, and red plumes as well. He frowned. "This is quite a bonfire, Sin, but where's your wood pile? However high you've managed to stoke these flames, they will eventually dwindle without anything to burn,"

It was teenage Sinbad who turned to regard him, a look of surprise on his features. The heat didn't seem to be bothering Sin but Ja'far was starting to sweat. He could feel the beads pooling at the nape of his neck and rolling down the space between his shoulder blades.

"It took me a long time to build this fire, you know. Nearly three days. I scavenged the burnt forest and found the bits of trees that weren't too badly charred. They're burning well enough." Sinbad gestured to the swaying flames. "but I've combed the whole forest, Ja'far. That was the last of it. All that remains is either black to the core, or turned to ash. This is the best I can do,"

Ja'far was becoming uncomfortable with heat. He pulled at the collar of his robes restlessly, jostling the chain at his breast.

"It's just not good enough, Sin," The look of disappointment on Sin's teenage face caused him to shrink even further until he was the 16 year old boy who Ja'far had tried to assassinate all those years ago.

"Why are you so hard on me?"

"I'm your Advisor. It's my job to-" Ja'far choked on his words, breaking off to cough a few times. His throat was growing too dry to speak. The heat was clinging to him like devil claws, scorching his pale skin and threatening to boil his blood. His keffiyeh was soaked and sweat was starting to sting his eyes. He tried to stand from the bench to move back from the flames but the clearings edge had become a solid wall. He was trapped and the world was starting to spin.

"Ja'far?" Sinbad rose from the bench, an adult once more. He frowned with concern and grasped Ja'far's shoulders to keep him from falling but the ex-assassin's legs were shaking and his breaths were coming in too-quick gasps.

Too hot, too hot, too hot The smoke chanted as it rose from the flames. Even Sinbad's arms around him felt like they were searing his skin. As if dipped into a forge, the chain links binding their chest together became white hot. His skin was starting to blister and melt where metal met flesh...

Ja'far woke with a start, his heart and head pounding and for a moment, he thought he was still by the fire pit. His mouth was dry and his face was sweaty and he was far too warm but as he came to his senses, he found himself in Sindria.

He was in the palace.

He was in bed with Sin.

He was laying just the way he'd dozed off, dammit.

Less gently than he intended, Ja'far squirmed out from under Sin's arm and the pile of blankets. The room's cool air felt like heaven on his skin.

Too hot, too hot, too hot

Ja'far rubbed the sweat out of his eyes and willed the whispering chants to shut up. Why do the dreams still haunt me? Ja'far thought frantically. Sin's on the mend, Yam confirmed it with her own eyes. But when Ja'far looked down he could tell something was not right.

Sin's face was flushed with fever.

Too hot Ja'far thought wearily, cursing how well the dreams paralleled real life. He strode to the far end of the room and pulled open the wooden medic wardrobe. He filed through the tiny glass vials until he found a tincture for fever.

"Sin, Sinbad!" Ja'far had to shake the man forcefully to wake him. Sinbad appeared groggy and slow to notice Ja'far standing over him when he finally did come to.

"Ja'far?"

The ceramic cup of water in Ja'far's hand shook as he shoved it at Sin along with the little shot of pulverized herbs.

"I'm sorry to wake you, but you've got an awful fever. I've half a mind to run for the medics,"

Sinbad propped himself before taking the two containers from Ja'far. He looked over to the dark window and frowned. "It's a little early to be worrying about a fever, isn't it? I was sleeping," Sinbad whined.

"You nearly smothered me with your body heat. Now stop complaining and take that medicine or else I run to fetch those healers you're so fond of," Ja'far growled.

Sinbad grimaced at the foul smelling herbs, but he took them down despite the fuss and washed it back with the water before handing both empty containers to his Advisor, a sly look on his face. "You decided to stay then?"

"I fell asleep," Ja'far muttered, gaining a laugh from Sin.

"You're keeping a brave face, but you're exhausted too. It looks like you haven't slept properly in days. How is my Chief Advisor going to give me advise if he's running on nothing but fumes," Ja'far scowled and sank down onto the bed.

"Maybe I could get some rest if you'd hurry up and get better. I told you I'd follow you to the end, but you might just worry me to death before we get there," Ja'far said, rubbing his eyes. Sin wasn't wrong, he really was exhausted. The dream hadn't left him feeling nearly as drained as some of the other's had, but still.

"It's just a fever," Sin said, draping his arms over Ja'far's shoulders, hugging him from behind. It was clear the older man knew nothing of the dreams, not that he would. Ja'far hadn't told him a word of them. It wasn't like he was actually meeting Sinbad in the clearing, no matter how real it felt.

"Why don't you lay back down with me and relax," Sin's breath tickled his ear as he spoke and to top it off, he nipped at Ja'far's lobe. Sin's hot mouth sent shivers up his spine.

"I wish it were that simple but I can't stay in bed with you all night. Someone's bound to come check in and now is certainly not an appropriate time to disclose our -whatever this is," Ja'far said with a vague wave of his hand.

Sin sighed. "You worry too much,"

"And you don't worry enough. That's why I'm you're advisor,"

"You're always so hard on me," Sin chuckled but his words made Ja'far's stomach clench, reminding him too closely of his dream. Ja'far cleared his throat and stood, untangling himself from Sin's arms. He found a chair and puled it up beside the bed. Sin pouted at him when he sat heavily and folded his arms.

"I'll stay with you but not in your bed. Now go back to sleep. The medicine should work to break your fever within the hour and I'll keep watch until it does,"

"Giving orders to your king?" Sin teased.

"You placed me in charge and as far as I'm concerned you're still on leave. Now go to sleep, you idiot,"

Sin obliged grudgingly but his fever didn't improve within the hour as Ja'far had believed, or the hour after that either. Ja'far sat by, worrying his lip while Sin slept fitfully, still flushed and damp with heat. If anything, his fever had gotten worse.

I should go get the medics, something's not right, Ja'far thought as he watched Sin roll over, moaning and shivering as he did. That display settled his resolve and he stood to leave but Sin chose that moment to murmur his name in a gravely voice.

"Ja'far.."

The ex-assassin turned to answer before realizing the truth of it. Sin's eyes were still closed. He was sleep talking.

Sin mumbled quietly, his brow furrowed. "Ja'far..the embers..."

Ja'far felt his heart skip in his chest as he made out those words. A wave of anxiety rolled over his insides. What the HELL.

"Sin, wake up, SIN!" His body was moving without his control, hands gripped around Sin's shoulders, shaking him awake for the second time that night.

Sin's eyes were glazed with fever when they came open. "What were you dreaming about!?" Ja'far demanded, but Sin just shuddered and grimaced, bloody tears spilling down his face with the motion.

"No," Ja'far said, panic washing over him like a bucket of cold water. "No, your magoi is on the mend, this isn't supposed to be happening," And then, just like before, Ja'far's chest screamed in pain as the invisible cord yanked at his breast. He doubled over and gasped as the wind was knocked from him lungs. The world jolted and his ears distantly registered the terrible choking sound escaping his throat as he tried to draw breath against the pain. He would have collapsed had Sin's arms not moved to catch him.

"Ja'far!" Sin's voice reached him through a fog. His vision was threatening blackness but he fought it ferociously, blinking it away and shaking his head to clear it. He found Sin staring at him when he managed to beat most of it back. His expression was that of bewilderment and concern.

"What happened Ja'far? Tell me what happened! Are you hurt?!"

"The bond.." Ja'far panted. His body was slackening against his control but Sin managed to pull him up onto the bed before he crumpled to the floor.

"The bond!? You know about that!?" He said, a frantic jitteriness to his words. "You feel it too, then?"

Ja'far bobbed his head in confirmation. "I've always felt it,"

"Of course you have," Sin said bitterly.

Ja'far nodded dumbly. "It's always been there, only now.."

"It's come alive," Sin finished for him. "Damnit, I can't believe I've ignored this for so many years. I'm an idiot for my negligence!"

Ja'far was too tired to do anything but blink up at Sin mutely. The bleeding had stemmed in Sin's eye's, but now Ja'far was crying and the tears trickling down his cheeks were too hot and thick to be merely salt water.

"Listen, Jafar, I think this strange bond between us has been siphoning your magoi," Sin pressed his hand heavily against Ja'far's chest over the spot where the cord pulsed and writhed. "I knew I shouldn't have lived that day in Magnosdtat but now I understand,"

"It was the bond?"

Sin nodded, "I reached for it moments before I lost consciousness but I had no idea-"

"It allowed me to lend my magoi when yours was used up," Ja'far said dazedly, understanding dawning upon him.

"Unbeknownst to either of us, yes, and lend is a generous way to put it. As far as I'm aware I haven't been giving any back."

"You did give some back. In my dream..." Ja'far said, his inhibition blunted by his stupor. The words tumbled out as easily as an exhale. "I've been dreaming about you every night. I follow the chain until I find you in the stone clearing. Your fire's always threatening to go out but I bring you kindling to keep it going," His sentences sounded broken and non-sensible in his own ears but Sin seemed to understand. He nodded, his frown troubled.

"It's magoi you've been bringing me, not kindling," Sin clenched his fists. "I've been sucking you dry and I didn't even know it,"

Sin looked so distraught Ja'far couldn't help but reach out and grab Sin's bloody face in his hands, pulling him down until their lips melded together.

Sin's body went rigid at first seemed reluctant at first but he eventually gave in and kissed Ja'far back, even taking control as Ja'far allowed Sin's tongue to slip between his lips and skate over his teeth and tongue. Sin's hands gripped Ja'far's hips painfully tight as he lost himself in passion. The kiss was sharp and coppery from the blood, but it tasted good to Ja'far. Another authentic human experience that not even his life-like dreams could capture.

Ja'far let out a grunt as the bond sent a stabbing pain through his chest once more but he kissed Sin through it, letting the older man's body press him heavily into the mattress, their hearts practically beating as one.

If we didn't have this bond, then Sin would be dead. Ja'far thought, a strange sense of pride filling him as their lips broke apart. He tangled his hands through Sin's hair and traced his finger over the king's exposed chest, electricity meeting him when his fingers danced over the invisible cord.

"If this is the purpose of the bond, I'm glad it's this way. It means you stay alive. I don't care if it's at my expense,"

"You might not care, but I do," Sin said gravely, gently pulling back.

"I told you I'd stay with you until the end, Sin. I've always been wiling to die for you," Ja'far found himself too weak to rise, so he remained scattered amongst the tangled blankets and pillows, watching Sin with bright eyes.

"I won't allow you to die for me Ja'far, I never asked for that," Sin's expression darkened as he stared down at his hands, raising them from his lap and flexing them open. "I've watched too many comrades fall for my sake and I won't let it happen again. Especially not to you. I've got to fix this," He said, focusing on his right hand. He studied his open palm as if trying to memorize the creases and folds.

"What are you doing?" Ja'far asked, finding the strength to lift his head and feeling like a damned newborn for all the effort it took.

"I'm putting an end to this now," At his words, Sin's open hand suddenly glowed with pale golden light. The brightness illuminated his face to cast eerie shadows over the hallows of his eyes.

"No, don't! Stop it!" Ja'far cried, not sure what Sin was even about to do, but if it meant an end to their bond he had to intervene. If only he could move! No matter how hard he tried, he could only watch as Sin raised his glowing hand to his chest, placing it directly over the bond. With gritted teeth, Sin pressed inward, forcing his fist against his breast until suddenly, his hand plunged through his ribcage. It was as if his flesh had turned to liquid.

"No!" Ja'far's yell turned to a gasp as the invisible cord in his chest started to buck and thrash. He curled his hand over his chest as if he could still the beast, "Please stop!" Ja'far begged, but Sin ignored him, the muscles in his forearm were taught and tense as he worked at the bond. His robes billowed out in a silent wind as power buffeted around him. The golden light was practically blinding. Sinbad cried in pain and so did Ja'far. The bond was screaming in agony, but with a final groan, Sinbad cringed forward, retracting his hand and as he did, the bond fell silent.

Utterly silent.

The glowing vanished and the wind-like power stilled.

"Wh-What did you do?" Ja'far asked in horror, scrabbling at the front of his robes in search of the invisible tie.

He couldn't find it.

Sin curled in on himself and coughed, raising a large amount of blood as he did. It overflowed his cupped hand and stained his white robes crimson. His eyes were waterfalls of red and even his nose had started to bleed. His breaths were heaving. "I couldn't sever the bond, but I've blocked it off. I won't be stealing from you any longer," He heaved up more blood. It dripped down his forearms and puddled in the sheets.

Ja'far pushed himself up. His body felt more lively than it had in days. The implication terrified him. Seething, Ja'far balled the front of Sin's shirt in his hand and pulled the larger man toward him. "What have you done!? You've doomed yourself,"

"Maybe," Sin shrugged. He was slowly weakening, Ja'far could feel him growing heavy in his grasp. "But at least I haven't doomed you. Besides, taking your magoi was only prolonging the inevitable. I'm not a magi. I can't truly utilize outside magoi. This bond has been letting us cheat, but we were bound to be caught eventually,"

"Don't talk like you're going to die! Don't fucking resign yourself, you selfish idiot!"

"Ja'far," Sin said, silencing his rage, "I love you and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to tell you that," It was the last thing Ja'far wanted to hear in that moment. It felt like a goodbye.

"Fuck, I love you too, Sin!"

Sinbad smiled before his eyes closed, breathing leveling into smooth unconsciousness.

"Don't do this to me, you bastard!" Ja'far cried. Sinbad didn't respond.

"Damnit!" Ja'far hunching low over Sin's limp form, rocking the broken man in his arms.

Damnit, Damnit, Damnit.