Hello.

So first off I wanted to apologize for not getting a chapter out for the main story. Things have been weird and I just haven't been in the right mindset for that, but I started the next chapter so hopefully it will be up soon.

Now I have a question for those of you who read this. Would you like for me to write about Vartan's life? It sounds odd, but he's an important oc who wasn't in the story much. I would write about him interacting with Badr and Esra, Kasim, young Sinbad (I have some really heartwarming stuff for that) and young Leila, and his time in Heliohapt.

There actually a lot I could write about…I could do a spin off for him, but I'd rather keep it to short excerpts. That being said I want to take what you all want into account.

I have a poll up on my profile page so you can vote there. Or leave a review or even private message me.

Also (sorry…I have a lot on my mind) I'm going to add stories about Leila interacting with her household's soon. The first will be for Maat, since she was the first one she met, besides Salena.

Please enjoy, I apologize for my rant, and let me know what you think. Thank you all so much, once again for reading this!

I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 13: Friends…?

—Salena's POV—

"No way," I say, hiding behind Leila. I watch as Rurumu sighs, seeming tired, but I don't want to.

"It won't be that bad," assures Leila, turning to look at me. "Besides, Masrur is a pretty calm kid. Ja'far will be there too."

"Now you know what I deal with," laughs Sinbad coming over. Leila turns towards him with a glare as he smiles. "You were the exact same way," he teases, pointing his finger at her.

"I had a good reason," she says knocking his finger away. "I was trying to not end up dead. And point that finger at me again and I'll break it."

He just chuckles, muttering about how she can't scare him away that easily.

"Same," I say, knowing the argument doesn't quite work that way. Leila rubs her forehead as Sinbad starts to laugh.

"It won't be that bad, Salena," says Rurumu calmly. "I need some time with Leila to make sure she's really okay, since she's a stubborn one and insists on starting to spar to recover."

"Besides, you only talk to five of us," says Leila. I frown knowing she's right. I've only really bothered to talk to her, Sinbad, Rurumu, and Sahel. I don't know if I'd even count Ja'far, since we usually just ended up in this awkward silence. "It's okay to get to know more people. No one here is that bad."

"You keep to yourself," I point out. There's a quick moment of hurt in Leila's eyes, making me regret the comment.

"Habit," she says quietly. She takes a deep breath, before looking serious. "One that left me lonely for a long time. I don't want that for you, and this is a safe place to step outside your comfort zone."

I bite my lip, really debating her words. I don't want to disappoint her. In the short time that I've know her, she's really become my older sister. She does everything my sister did for me. From teasing me to making sure I'm well and helping me when I'm not, and refusing to let me worry about her.

"I'll go, but I don't want to," I say quickly. It feels good though to see Leila smile at that.

"Want me to take you over then," asks Leila.

"I'll take her over," says Rurumu firmly. "You should go to Sinbad's room. It will be more private there."

"Fine," sighs Leila, stepping on Sinbad's foot to stop him from making a comment. It wasn't hard, but enough to give him pause. That's another thing I noticed about them. He loves to tease her, but will stop the moment he thinks he's going to upset her.

"Come on then," says Rurumu gesturing for me to walk with her. I quickly hug Leila who hugs back before going with the Imuchakk woman. "You'll have more fun than you think."

"I just don't like being around so many people," I say as she waves Ja'far over. "I was always scared that if I said the wrong thing they would take me away from my sister."

"Have you told Leila this," asks Rurumu.

I shake my head as Ja'far looks at me confused.

"She'll just worry," I reply. "She won't say it, but she doesn't feel good. Sinbad can't even get her to tell him."

"I tried, but she's so stubborn," says Ja'far frustrated. "She's always been like that. She doesn't want to be a problem so just keeps it to herself."

"But I feel bad talking to her about what bothers me if she doesn't tell me."

"While that's sweet, she'll open up when she's ready." I look up at Rurumu as Ja'far grumbles how that isn't true.

"Now, go and make some friends your own ages," says Rurumu stopping by where many of the former slaves are gathered.

I wait there with Ja'far as Rurumu leaves.

"I don't know why I'm doing this," I sigh. Ja'far looks at me, eyebrow raised, urging for more information. "Leila and I aren't going to be here permanently."

"Well, I have work to do," he says crossing his arms. "Besides I spend all my time trying to finish Sinbad's work. I don't have time to just hang out."

"We can't just go back though," I pout as Ja'far sighs. "Rurumu will get mad."

"I don't want to just do nothing though," he says being somewhat snippy. "I don't even know why we're standing here discussing this."

"Why don't we do something then," I say without thinking. I immediately regret it as Ja'far looks at me like I have two heads. "I'm sure we have to have something in common."

"Yeah, but what…"

"I don't know anything about a trading company," I respond. "You teach me about that and I'll teach you about the Rukh. Maybe then you can be even better with your Household Vessel."

"That's not a bad idea," he says, seeming a bit impressed. "I don't want to do it here though."

"Let's go to the office then," I say grabbing his wrist. He reluctantly lets me pull him along. I do want to get to know him since he's Leila's brother. "Rurumu's probably busy with the babies and won't know we're there."

—A Few Hours Later—

"Can we take a break," I ask with a yawn. Ja'far seems to be conflicted about this, so I pout as best I can. He lets out a sigh.

"Fine," he remarks standing up. "I kind of want something to drink."

"Can I come?"

"Follow me," he says casually. I do so as we exit.

Now that I've talked to Ja'far, I know that he's actually really nice. Kind of serious and a little short tempered, but more patient than I thought (probably from dealing with Sinbad). He's a lot like Leila in that way, but is a lot less protective. Leila's lost a lot of people, so fears that with who she had left. Ja'far just trusts that they can take care of themselves and will only step in if needed.

"Salena," says Ja'far loudly. I flinch a little as he turns towards me, brows furrowed together. "You zoned out just now. I apologize for startling you."

"It's okay," I say staying a little ways from him. "I was just thinking."

"Be careful," he sighs handing me a glass of water as he picks up a cup of coffee. "That can be dangerous."

"I know," I pout. "I just…this has all been a lot…"

"Well if you want to talk…"

I watch him, not sure if he's actually-

"Rurumu would be happy to talk to you about it."

I can't help but laugh at that comment. He raises an eyebrow, irritated.

"What's so funny?"

"I though you were going to offer to talk to me," I say with a laugh. "You don't seem like the type to like that stuff."

"I'm not," he replies going to walk away. I follow him down the halls quickly. "Ever."

"Okay," I say holding a hand up in defense, but I'm still laughing. "Hey! What about-"

We both stop as we hear a quiet moan.

"Was that-"

"I wasn't expecting that," remarks Sinbad confidently.

I watch as Ja'far pauses, both annoyed and hesitant. It takes a moment before something seems to snap in Ja'far's head. This results in him looking furious and shattering the wooden cup in his hands. I jump back as the scolding hot liquid hits the floor.

"Sin," speaks up Leila. She sounds…off. "What was-"

"Someone just dropped something," he assures. I giggle. That's not totally false. "Just relax and let me continue."

"Don't have to tell me twice," she sighs before lightly groaning.

"That idiot," growls Ja'far. I just look at him confused.

"Why? What are they doing?"

I thought Ja'far couldn't get any paler. I was wrong. All the color drains from his face. He stutters, so I go closer to the door. Pressing my ear against it, I can hear Leila moaning and humming quietly. Sinbad's talking to her quietly, but I can't hear him.

"Salena," hisses Ja'far. I glance at him before focusing on the two hidden by the door. "Get away from there."

"I want to know what they're doing."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"No, mother."

"Did you just…?"

"Yep."

"Now."

"Don't you want to know what's going on?"

I cheer internally as Ja'far pauses to debate this. Silently, he comes closer, pressing his ear to the door. We wait there for a few minutes, but it's kind of boring.

"They aren't even talking," I sigh. "This is boring."

"Sh. I'm trying to figure out if they're doing it."

"What?"

"My thoughts exactly."

I look at Ja'far who seems terrified before turning to see a furious looking Rurumu. I hear Ja'far swallow as she narrows her eyes at us.

"When I told you two to spend time with other children your ages, eavesdropping was not what I had in mind."

"I'm sorry, but-"

He's cut off by a moan. They both freeze. It takes a moment but suddenly Rurumu doesn't look happy. She urges us aside. I go to ask again what's going on, but Rurumu quickly slams open the door. I move away from Ja'far who tries to stop me, and peak into the room.

I find Leila, sitting backwards in a chair, leaned forward. Sinbad is sitting behind her, his hands on her shoulders. Leila has this mix of confusion and fatigue. Sinbad is trying to suppress a laugh.

"What…" I watch Rurumu pause, looking shocked. She shoot quick glares at Ja'far and me. Without warning she shoot a much fiercer glare at Sinbad. "What is going on in here?"

"Leila was sore," remarks Sinbad with a smile. "She wasn't going to be able to get to sleep easily. I was just massaging her back and shoulders to help her. Why'd you all burst in here? Did something happen?"

"You know exactly why," says Rurumu firmly. She goes over and smacks Sinbad in the head. "The two of you are not allowed behind closed doors alone with each other. Am I clear?"

"Wait," speaks up Leila. She moves to quickly sit up, but Sinbad uses his hands to slow her down. "You thought we were…?"

She looks between a slightly embarrassed Rurumu and a guilty looking Ja'far. Leila's cheeks start to get red as she hides her face in her hands. Sin just chuckles and shakes his head patting Leila's back.

"I'm still confused," I speaks up. Rurumu glances at me before sending a pointed look at Ja'far. He seems to shrink as Sinbad completely let's go and laughs. Leila seems a little horrified before looking at Ja'far. She's not happy.

"I'm not looking forward to this conversation," whines Leila. She leans back against Sinbad who offers her a sweet smile. She looks up as him and pouts. "It's your fault."

"How is it my fault you're noise," he replies smirking at her. She blushes and quickly sits up. "Could you imagine if-"

"Finish that sentence and you will be dealing with three very angry and powerful warriors," warns Rurumu. I look over at Leila, who's looks so embarrassed as might pass out.

"I don't know," I say. Rurumu gives me a suspicious look. "Leila looks a little overwhelmed."

"Ja'far," says Rurumu quickly. "You will come with me and help explain this. Now."

I don't argue as Rurumu grabs my hand and quickly leaves. Ja'far trails behind us, looking scared.

"Wait for me," sighs Leila. I turn and watch as she comes over. "There is no way in hell-"

"Language."

"Heck," corrects Leila, quickly. "I'm not leaving this to Ja'far. He's still a kid."

"I'm twelve, not six," he says snappily. Leila just rolls her eyes and ruffles his hair, earring a very harsh glare.

"And I'm sixteen," she replies back sassily. "Trust me. I'm not leaving this on you. This is going to be so awkward."

"It's your fault," whines Ja'far. "You should be handling it."

"Can we all just agree to blame Sin and be done with deciding who's at fault," sighs Leila.

"I heard that," yells Sinbad. Leila and I both try not to laugh. Rurumu and Ja'far…well…they definitely aren't laughing.

Rurumu lets go of my hand as Leila comes next to her. She quickly, but nicely grips Leila's arm and walks a bit ahead of us. I move next to Ja'far.

"Are you mad at me," I ask him. He glances at me before shaking his head. "Really?"

"It wasn't your fault," he says plainly.

"So…" I hesitate as he glances at me. I'm worried he won't answer how I think. "Friends…?"

"Clearly," he scoffs. "Why would you think otherwise?"

"It's just that your serious and well…"

"You're not," he finishes.

"Great," I say smiling at him. He smiles and shakes his head. "So what do friends do then?"

"Talk," he says flatly. "Go on adventures. Play games. Get in trouble."

"So does that mean we're going to eavesdrop on them again."

"No," says Ja'far.

"But think about it. You can make sure Sinbad's doing his work and find out if he's trying to flirt with Leila."

"They also do what you just did."

"I'm confused."

"Friends convince each other to do stupid stuff. Like you just did."

"Cool."

"Let's see if you're still saying that after we get scolded."