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traumxrei-archive · 2 years

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【 when the world stopped for you 】

summary: it's jamil viper's birthday and he isn't too enthused...until the prefect waltzes into his room, promising surprise and a magic carpet ride. and who was jamil to refuse such an offer?

author's note: welcome to my homage to jamil viper ! i did want to write a character study type of fic, but i thought he deserved some fluffy comfort for his birthday, so here it is, refreshingly late >:DD i hope you enjoy the fic ^^

characters: jamil viper x gn!prefect

word count: 2.5k

tags: happy birthday jamil viper !!, he's done w/ the prefect, but is he really if he likes them ?, they take a magic carpet ride "a whole new world style" (jamil is jasmine and prefect is aladdin lmao)

[ or read it on ao3 ! ]

Birthdays weren't something that Jamil celebrated. The memories of birthdays from his childhood were of his sister's small hands shaking him awake. The lamplight illuminating the kunafa his parents made, singing hushed songs before the work day started.

He would end up having one bite of the kunafa before rushing off to wake up Kalim for his morning lessons. The white-haired boy always had some magnificent gift waiting for him, which he always respectfully declined, no matter how much he wanted it. Because he was taught that 'it isn't polite to accept grand gifts from your master.'

Living in the Al-Asim household for so long, he had seen his fair share of birthday parties and banquets. It happened often each year, with each of Kalim's many siblings having their own parties every birthday. Even Kalim himself was known for hosting one of the most extravagant and beautiful parties for his birthdays back in Scalding Sands.

So it was to his surprise that he was the one getting the "birthday banquet" treatment at NRC. He knew how this went down. You get an outfit and a party after school was over. That was what happened last year. Yet he still couldn't get used to all the hustle and bustle.

Jamil stared at his own birthday outfit bitterly, the failures and mistakes of his second year stinging like a phantom wound. Certainly this was enough celebration. He already got enough birthday greetings to fill a jar, and he didn't even have to make breakfast. He didn't need a party on top of that.

Nonetheless, Jamil dutifully put on the suit, feeling the slide of cool fabric against his skin. Even if he didn't like the ritual, NRC had good taste in fabrics at least.

He had just slipped on the bolo tie when his door slipped open. He frowned, turning, "I thought I said no enteri–"

He froze when he saw the person standing at the door. Grinning widely, the Prefect waved, "Hey, birthday boy!"

Jamil winced, "Spare me, please."

"But I haven't seen you all day, senpai, and plus," They closed the door behind him before flopping next to his desk. "It is your birthday."

He rolled his eyes lightly as he fastened the rosette on his clothes, "It's not like I'm having the time of my life here."

"Right," They drawled, picking up one of the stray books on his table. "You're the type that hates when attention is all on you, huh?"

He stared at them pointedly before they laughed, "C'mon, at least appreciate all their efforts! They're kicking up quite the storm out there for your birthday."

Jamil stopped his movements, "Please tell me there aren't any animals."

"There are no animals."

"Prefect. Lying isn't good for you."

"Well, maybe I saw just one parrot–"

"That Kalim–"

They clapped, "Well, before you storm out, I have a proposal that I think you'd be interested in."

"A proposal?" Jamil huffed. "What, are you going to magically somehow make the party go away?"

There was a rustling sound that sounded awfully loud in the brief silence of the room. Jamil did a slow turn, seeing Kalim's carpet fluttering right next to the Prefect. There was a cheeky smile on their face as the looked at him.

"No."

"But I haven't even said anything yet!"

"Wait," Jamil held up a hand, effectively stopping their on-coming speech. "How did you even get to that? I thought I locked up it in the treasury."

"You see," They started, standing up to let the carpet wrap around them like a shawl. "I feel like Tassel has a sensor or something. It likes me quite a lot so it came to greet me when I was sneak— I mean, walking around."

"Tassel?" Jamil asked, watching as one of the carpet's corners shook in recognition. "You named the carpet?"

"Hey, Kalim liked the name," They pursed their lips as if offended. "Besides, the important part is that it likes the name. Now let's go already, or else it'll be too late."

"Late for what?" Jamil paid them no mind, instead reaching for his magic pen.

Which...wasn't there.

He let out a deep sigh, turning to see the Prefect dangling the pen from their grasp. He knew that they would go to great lengths to get things their way, using any trick that they could, yet...

"I guess Ruggie's lessons are working huh," They preened lightly at their achievement. "You didn't notice a thing!"

"That really isn't something to be proud of," He stood, approaching them. Well, it wasn't like he said 'no' in the first place. "So, where are we going?"

"Really? You're coming?"

Jamil looked away from that starry-eyed look of theirs, "Quickly now. Or would you like me to change my mind?" Now that got them moving, dragging Tassel into a prone position before helming the carpet.

"Before you ask, I got lessons from Kalim for this," They chimed in, patting the space right next to them. "So don't make this all for nothing." Jamil climbed on, reluctantly holding on to the flying carpet's edge.

With a few encouraging whispers to the carpet, the two set off into the darkening sky. The breeze that kissed his skin felt almost cool, heralded by the sun's dying light. And he couldn't take his eyes off the horizon.

"Hey, no looking!" They scolded over their shoulder. "It's no fun if you ruin the surprise!"

"Alright, alright," Jamil closed his eyes, holding on to the Prefect's shirt for purchase. "No need to yell." They really were something, asking him to ride blind on a magic carpet.

"You know, I feel like the thief from that story that Kalim told me about before," Their voice was closer, like they were sitting next to him." What did he say again? Ahem, 'Tell me, princess, when did you last let your heart decide'?"

"You're calling me the princess?" Jamil asked after a beat, confusing even himself when he indulged in their ramblings.

"I mean, I am playing the role of the thief, so naturally you're the princess," They snickered slightly. "Would you like me to serenade you too?"

If his eyes were open, he would've rolled them by now, "Just focus on getting us wherever we're going in one piece." And that was that, until Jamil felt their hand settle over his eyes as they came to a halt.

"Okay, ready?" They said, sounding like they were behind him now. "Take a step down, I'll guide you." Jamil could feel the heat of their hand at the small of his back, gently directing him as he took steps blindly on the sand.

"If sand ends up getting in my hair or this suit," He said in a warning tone. "You're going to be cleaning the Scarabia kitchens for a while."

"Yeah, yeah," They snorted; as if the possibility had never crossed their mind. "Just focus on walking, we're really close." The wind once again teased at his hair, ruffling the stiff folds of his suit jacket. He couldn't help but listen to the steady sound of their breathing, focusing on that and the yield of the sand underneath him.

And then he could see again.

His eyelashes fluttered as his world was set aglow once more, the sun's last rays clawing across the desert in a magnificent display. All above, the night sky desperately bled its colors into the day, as the night always yearns to be with its counterpart. At least that was what those fairytales told him. And now, he couldn't help but believe in it. He watched, entranced as the sun was swallowed by the horizon line, and as the moon rose, barely missing its counterpart by just a few seconds.

While the moment felt short to him, Jamil didn't know how long he stood there. He turned around, trying to find the shining shams to his muted qamar, and—

There they were.

Their face radiated with happiness, a delighted smile directed right at him. And just like how the sun's rays reflected off the moon, Jamil couldn't help but mirror it with his own smaller smile.

"Did you like my gift?" The words were spoken so softly that Jamil was sure it was the winds that carried them over to him; over the arm's length of space that valleyed between them.

"Wasn't it more like nature's gift to me?" Jamil couldn't help but feel the lightness in his shoulders as he bridged the gap, teasing on the tip of his tongue as he grinned.

"Hey, if I didn't convince you then you wouldn't have seen it!" They turned, and he followed entranced as they walked over the top of the sand dune. "You should give credit where credit's due." The last of the sun's light bathed them in petal red, making Jamil's heart beat harder against his ribcage as he realized that, oh. They were really that important to him all along.

"Let's go back to Tassel befo—"

The sand beneath them gave way, pitching their body over the edge of the dune. And Jamil lunged forward, his body crashing right into theirs and sending them both tumbling down the dune. He winced, drawing them closer to him as they kept falling at gravity's mercy, before finally slowing down to a slide.

A beat of silence spanned between them, punctuated by labored breathing.

"Jamil? Y-you good?" They coughed from where they were, still squished against his chest. He let go instantly feeling his face flame at their closeness.

"I'm...fine," Jamil groaned as pushed himself up on his elbows. They sat on their haunches, still halfway on his lap as they stared at him. His voice turned flat, "And you got sand in my hair. You got sand everywhere."

They laughed hysterically at that, throwing their head back, "Oh, man, I was thinking that maybe the roles got reversed, and you turned into the thief for a second, but...guess you're still the princess."

"This isn't funny," Jamil said, yet he felt the corners of his lips twitch into a smile. "I have a party to go to in a bit." He made no move to get up, finding the warmth of them comforting in the nighttime dessert.

"Well, isn't this celebration enough?" They asked, settling into a more comfortable position— now sitting on the sand, their legs monopolizing the space between his own as they faced him. "We've been celebrating you this whole time, after all."

His pulse jumped, "Since...since when have we been celebrating me?"

"Since I came to your room. The carpet ride, the sunset, walking up the sand dune, and even falling down the sand dune—while unplanned— it was all for you," They returned his stare unabashed. "Me being right here, right now...it's for you, senpai."

"...Thank you," The words were spoken in quiet, and this time the wind carried his words instead of theirs. It stirred up his loose hair and he couldn't care less at that moment. He had never seen such an earnest attempt at celebrating his birthday as the one that they had sprung on him.

"Hey, senpai..." They leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "Could I give you another present...?"

His gaze dropped instantly to their lips and he knew he was fucked. Oh Sevens. Oh Sevens, Jamil was absolutely ruined. He wanted to kiss them. He wanted them to give him a kiss. That was not good. He closed his eyes instantly when they leaned in a bit more. That was until he felt the press of something against his cheek.

His eyes flew open and he could see something that looked like a....snake plush right in front of his face. A snake plush. A plush. You had to be—

A shaky laugh tumbled out of his lips, "P-Prefect, I-I'm not...five."

"Hey, I thought it was perfect since it looks like you," They pulled the doll back making it nod. "Look, Little Viper, say hi to your predecessor."

"Did you just call that 'Little Viper'?" He stifled the fondness swelling in his chest even if the words weren't directed at him. Was it possible to feel envy for an inanimate object? Jamil really must've been going crazy.

"Would you rather I call it 'senpai' instead?" They were kidding, but Jamil was almost tempted to say 'yes'. Instead he took the plush from them, turning it in his palm. Okay, maybe it looked just a little bit like him. But he definitely wasn't going to admit it out loud.

"Now, let's get back before Kalim freaks out about you being gone," They held out a hand which Jamil immediately took. Tassel seemed to be floating just ahead of them, as if it was waiting for them to finish talking this whole time.

"And will you take responsibility for the sand?" He tugged at their entwined hands, drawing them just a little closer.

They blinked at him owlishly; strangely flustered, "Y-you mean the kitchen deal...right?" Sevens, what would happen if he leaned in and kissed them right then and the—

He patted their head, heat singing his neck once more, "Yes, I do. Now give me back my pen. I would like to maintain my reputation, at least amongst the other dorm members." They uncharacteristically handed him back the pen with no further gripes; something he attributed to their fluster earlier. He made quick work of the sand; the spell coming to him easily after years of practice, leaving them sand free in no time. He joined them on the carpet once more after fixing up his hair.

This time, he sat behind them, resting his chin against their shoulder as they drove. It was warmer that way, he decided to tell himself, trying not to notice how stiff the Prefect's shoulders were. Maybe he wasn't the only one who was...struggling with their feelings.

"Hey, Prefect," Jamil murmured lowly, his lips close enough to brush their ear. "Could I make a request?"

They flinched slightly before relaxing once more, "Mm? F-for your birthday?"

He clenched his fist as he spoke again, "In the future, I... Would it be okay if I..."

"I-If you...?" They asked, and Jamil could almost feel the quickening thud of their heart pressed against his front.

"Come with me on a trip in the future," Jamil decided. "I'll make sure you have fun." He settled for something simple. It would be too hard to voice those complicated feelings with careless words. And there would always be next time.

"Yes," They said quickly before letting out a short breath. "I mean. I would love to. As long as I don't have to save up too many thaumarks to go."

"It's a promise, sukkar," Jamil secretly smiled, hoping that they couldn't feel it from where he was leaning against their shoulder.

Maybe birthdays celebrated were not a waste of time. Maybe it was worth making a fanfare over for once. Maybe going on outlandish carpet rides with someone that makes his heart feel alive was exactly the way to celebrate those days. Maybe this was the way he wanted to celebrate his birthdays from now on.

All that he knew was that he would enjoy this moment while it lasted; before he was thrown into the party that would be thrown for him. And besides, if he needed a little break then...what was stopping him from stealing into the night with them once again?

tysm for reading ! i hope you enjoyed the fluff ^^ if you'd like to check out more jamil viper works, or otherwise, here's my masterlist :D

[ tiny factoids / translations for the fic !! ]

kunafa is a dessert that's made in many arab countries ! the dessert is comprised of a crispy layer of shredded pastry moulded around a cheese or cream filling. it's usually served straight from the oven with a healthy drizzle of sugar syrup :D writing this is making me want to eat it...but here's a link to a kunafa recipe for the curiouser !

qamar / shams : these two words mean 'moon' and 'sun' respectively in arabic. and as for the tale of the moon and the sun being lovers...it was a story that i heard when i was younger though i'm not sure of its origin (i'd love to know if someone does know ^^ drop by my ask box !!)

sukkar : haha. yeah, this basically means 'sugar' in arabic. it's jamil flirting with the prefect. arabic endearments are just 10x more romantic to me, especially from jamil <33

#/trau writes #jamil viper deserves more fluff #he deserves to have So Much Fun and happiness on his birthday #he deserves fun silly goofy fics #the title of this fic was from 'ballroom extravaganza' by dpr ian #i mean the lyrics are too good #'when the trees are all burning / and the stars will keep on turning / and i know i won't stop searching'#'for the moment when the world / stopped for you'#such emotions and feelings this song is #/trau fics #jamil viper x reader #jamil x reader #jamil viper #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #twisted wonderland fics #twst fanfics #twisted wonderland imagines #twisted wonderland

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