In my opinion, leokali and jamikali are pretty similar because on a surface level, Leona and Jamil are not that different. But Leona is less of a loser than Jamil (he still is one though lol) and also has the maturity to back up his claims and observations so he wouldn't fumble things like Jamil does. His nonchalance is way less of an act than Jamil's who pretends to be unaffected by everything but will explode if you push his buttons (or something).
Like Jamil understands Kalim – or wants to think he understands him better than anyone – because he stayed by his side all these years and he's seen him go through a lot. And he's conscious of the social barrier between them despite all of this... But this point is what makes him feel a bit detached from Kalim; like in Book 5 when he tells Epel that if Kalim can talk about it normally, it's probably not a big deal.
While Leona understands Kalim probably because he can identify a bit more with his experiences. Of course, they didn't go through the same life or experiences but they're on the other side of the barrier where Jamil is. What Jamil has lived through until now with his parents and social status colors his perception of Kalim so it's a bit warped (they both don't get each other and it's very good I think) while Leona being more objective about Kalim makes it so he understands him more actually – see the Book 6 convo between Jamil and Leona.
Anyway! It's very moe of Jamil to not understand Kalim at all despite thinking he's the number 1 Kalim understander when an outsider like Leona actually understands Kalim more. I think.
Leokali cucking Jamil is very funny because I bet Jamil with every other Kalim romance option is like “well I’m better than that guy so it doesn’t matter” but leona? Leona is smarter, prettier, treats Kalim better and is a prince. Yeah sorry buddy. He basically showed you in book 6 that he’s you but better and more awesome I fear.
Jamil can’t even pretend to be cooler than Leona because he knows in his heart it is not true lmao
It's a Political Marriage But I'm Actually Falling In Love
AKA: Kalim's Misadventures in Maturing (a Bildungsromance) - Not a Real Fic Hahahaha
There was clashing of cymbals and thumping of drums as Ruggie pumped up the crowd at the head of this ridiculous farce of a procession. Leona, seated on top of an elephant, smiled and waved at the awestruck crowds of the Scalding Sands. To these strangers, he looked like a picture perfect prince - come to court the beloved Asim heir. To those familiar with him (and of those, only two were looking his way), they would see the agitated twitch of his tail, the constant flicking of his ears, and the strain in his cheeks to maintain the princely smile.
Of the two looking, only one cared to recognize his dwindling patience - to see Leona exactly as he was: a fraud, a conman, a villain. Leona fixed his gaze on the other one - the one whose ruby red eyes that sparkled with childlike mirth. He casually tossed a couple of coins into the crowds below, licking his teeth as the palace drew ever so closer. Soon. He told himself. Patience.
After the "Prince Ali" homage. In the Asim Palace foyer. Mr. Asim, father of Kalim and head of the house, sits on a grand, opulent throne-like seat. Kalim stands on his left with Jamil lurking behind Kalim. Leona is in front of them all.
"I had not expected you to enter Silk City in such a... Flashy manner. Does the Pridelands have such customs when announcing the presence of royalty?"
"No, sir." Leona makes an obvious show of his gaze drifting towards Kalim, before he returns his attention to Mr. Asim. "But I was advised that this would be a surefire way to impress you."
Mr. Asim raises an eyebrow. "I see... Well then." He claps his hands on his knees. "Consider me impressed... that you would take such advice. From what I hear of you, Prince Leona, second son of Kingscholar, you did not seem the type to heed another's words."
Leona's tail swishes once, as his smile widens. "If it serves its purpose, then I will take all advisement that I am given."
Mr. Asim hums a low note before barking out a laugh. He gestures at Kalim to step up. "Son, why don't you escort our esteemed guest to his rooms, ah? The road here was surely tiring. Make sure that he's comfortable."
"Yes, Baba." Kalim hops forward, easily looping his arm together with Leona's. "We prepared the nicest suite for you! C'mon, c'mon!"
Leona sighs, allowing himself to be dragged forward. "I highly doubt the suite is going anywhere.”
🦁🥥🦁
After Kalim gives him a tour of his new chambers, Leona wanders over to the balcony for some much needed fresh air. Kalim joins him and they both watch the sunset over the desert. It’s beautiful and peaceful.
"Everything will work out, Leona. You'll see."
"Huh. How come?"
"I believe it will. 100%."
Under the golden light of sunset, Leona's eyes transform from green to hazel. His already handsome features are emphasized not by the glow but by the shadows that carve into his face. He looks, to Kalim in that moment, like a masterpiece - a sculpture. And yet the heat of his gaze - radiating from his skin belies his living, breathing body. Kalim tried to clear his throat - abruptly as dry as the sands of his home.
Leona leans in closer, until Kalim's entire view is filled only by him.
"Save me from these idealistic fools. Because I'm starting to believe in you."
There's only a pinkie-finger's width between them now. And it's only natural - it's only expected of them, this sort of intimacy. And so Kalim allows his eyes to slip half shut, ready to close the gap.
"Dinner is served."
Kalim flinches, rocketing backwards to find Jamil at the doorway to the balcony. He's got a glare to shame a cobra, looking ready to spit venom at the slightest provocation.
Um...
Leona chuffs, his tail briefly sliding across Kalim's calf.
"Perhaps I should leave you two to talk."
Uhh....
Leona doesn't even look back - at him - as he saunters away. Jamil continues to glare but at no one in particular, holding tight as Leona passes him by. But the two don't touch - a careful distance between them even as their shoulders get awfully close to colliding. But they don't and Leona's departure is punctuated by the door clicking shut. Then it's just Jamil and Kalim.
"What were you thinking?" Jamil spits out. There's the venom.
Kalim tilts his head. "Hmm? Oh! You mean the parade? It worked, didn't it? Dad even said that he was impressed!"
"So you're going to go along with this - this farce?!" Jamil steps forward, standing as tall as he can. "That - that conniving bastard will backstab you at the earliest opportunity.”
"No room for two of you,” Kalim says, unable to help himself. “That sorta thing?”
Jamil flinches as if slapped.
Hmm. Maybe Kalim got the lines wrong. Jamil just reminded him so much of the cowboys in that one movie Silver showed him. It’s the way Jamil had his shoulders squared, and his feet planted wide. He looked exactly like those gunslingers in a dusty desert, facing off at high noon. This town ain’t big enough for the two of us, they said, or something like that.
Maybe Jamil didn’t get the reference. Oh well.
In the silence, Kalim continues. "I don't get why you're so mad? I'm doing exactly as I promised that I would. I'm changing my family for the better. And I found the best political match for that. Just like you told me to!"
"When?!" Jamil asks, finding his voice again and boy, he sure found it. "When did I EVER tell you to marry Leona Kingscholar???"
"You said that I should 'act as appropriate of my station as heir'. Those were your words exactly. I was Always going to have a political match, but this way, it suits our... How did Leona put it-"
Jamil grimaces hard.
"'If it serves its purpose', then its worth doing. Or something like that." Kalim smiles as confidently as he can. "It's going to be okay, Jamil. You can trust me!"
Somewhere in the distance, a bell rings. Kalim pushes himself away from the balcony.
"Oop. Can't be late for dinner. I'll... Uh... I guess I'll see you after?" Kalim reaches out to clap a reassuring hand on Jamil's shoulder.
Jamil twitches, dodging his hand. Kalim's smile falters but he amends his movement to an awkward wave. Jamil doesn't trust him, obviously. Kalim's plans aren't the most thought out plans in the world. But that's exactly why Leona is here. Soon, Jamil won't have to worry about a thing.
When Jamil refuses to even look at him, Kalim breathes out a bemused sigh. His friend is clearly in one of his Moods. There's no talking to him like this. So Kalim turns forward and walks away.
Kalim is rapunzel and was imprison in a tower because of his unique magic and his parents sale the water for a high praise.
Kalim would give water without getting money so imprisonment(Gold birdcage symbol). And because you can't imprisonment someone nobody knows Kalim is there and Kalim's parents say a magical artefact (crown maybe) makes the water.
Leona country needs good water because natural disasters/ water poisoning/curse(choice what you want) and breaks into the tower and finds Kalim.
Kalim says he give him the magic artefact if he help Kalim to get away form his family. Kalim doesn't tell him he makes the water because he is scared that he does the same as his family.
And if more angst is need make Jamil the person who took care of Kalim in tower and he now tries to get Kalim back.
Additional Tags: Dream Sex, Jamil Viper-centric, Jamil Viper is Bad at Feelings, Jamil Viper Being a Little Shit, Dreamscapes, Unrequited Love, Secretly Established Relationship, Top Kalim Al-Asim, Switch Kalim Al-Asim, Bottom Jamil Viper, Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Dubious Consent, since Jamil enters Kalim's mind without asking beforehand, One-Sided Kalim Al-Asim/Jamil Viper, among other things, Leona is OOC for dream related purposes
Summary: What about you, Jamil? Any weird dreams?
Surprise! We can finally reveal the works we did for Eat Your Heart Out, a Kalim-centric fic event. Why am I posting here and not on Twitter (yet)? Well that's because the person I wrote for was one other than the amazing @souriru. I hope this was to your liking
This collage of Kalim Al-Asim and Leona Kingscholar is part of my TWST ship collage series for Pride Month. I got the idea for this collage from them being fellow Housewardens and them being featured in three of the same events.
