“Kouha-kun!”
It is an immediate response— so immediate that the young boy twisted his head to greet the familiar voice which he so delightedly was happy to hear (after all, being in an unfamiliar venue without seeing any familiar faces would be terrifying to any twelve year old boy). A bad decision on his part, for he fails to realise that the prince of Kou has held steadfast into the little braid of his. With the sharp turn of his head and the tight grasp of his braid, Aladdin stops himself before tears begin to well up in his eyes.
“Ow…” comes his feeble response, his hands gently massaging the area in which his braid begins. He, the mighty Aladdin taken down by a single pull of a braid—
But just as fast as this form of ache has come, he starts anew, once more upbeat as he usually is. “Kouha-kun! I didn’t think you’d be here as well!”
❋ "Ah, shit. My bad."
The male felt a smidgen of guilt for the boy's suffering. Perhaps handling the Magi's hair so abruptly wasn't the best initial greeting, especially with someone so spirited and sprightly. But just as Kouha was about to apologize, Aladdin bounced back with a smile.
"Yeah, well, it's not like I had a choice." he responds, releasing his braid as his eyes sought out the few loose strands where his hand had held tighter than expected. Clicking his tongue, Kouha placed his hands on the kid's shoulder and would have immediately started to mend the incident he caused by fixing his hair. However, Aladdin's gut protested. And soon after so did his own. Therefore, instead of holding the child steady, he patted the shoulder reassuringly and grinned.
"Listen, if I would do you the honor of treating you to a meal, then you should... or rather you will allow me to braid your hair to my liking. Are we clear?" No response was necessary. A slender arm glided across a frame smaller than his and drew him close all buddy-like. No ill intent whatsoever, and the two immediately fell into stride as the prince guided the magician to a nearby dine-in.
