Sniffling a tad, an old pickup line you learned rolls off your tongue without another thought.
“Speaking of blessings, how are you doing today?”
You say it nonchalantly, while still reading your book you nabbed from the palace’s library. It takes a moment or two of silence from Alibaba before you realized what you said. You look up quickly, and see him staring at you, trying to compose himself.
“I-”
He takes a second to regain his posture.
“I’m a lot better, with you here.”
It's adorable how he tries to hide how he was caught off guard- or maybe how he was flustered? The two seem so intertwined with him. He’s so used to being able to predict people, that being surprised by you- especially in, ah, in softer ways, like calling him a blessing- flusters him.
“I think that ought to be my line, Spymaster.”
“Do you now?” he asks, ears perking up.
You give him a ‘hm’, bookmarking your page, before setting the book aside. you finally make eye contact with him.
“Oh, absolutely.” you gave him a grin. “I rather enjoy your company, Alibaba.”
The words are genuine. It was nice, knowing he’s a little shy but in a lowkey way, but... the mood is getting a little less playful than you’re both comfortable with, so you decide to go heavier on the teasing.
“It’s not often I have company after all. And such handsome company, at that. I have quite the luck.”
If you weren’t staring him down, giving him your undivided attention, you might've missed a sharp exhale on his part. He relaxes his posture some, putting on a casual facade to match yours. You smirk just a tad. Flirting with him is always rewarding.
“You forgot smart.”
“And talented.”
“And quick-witted.” he says, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
You grin.
“Ah, my apologies, sweetheart. How foolish of me to forget some of your sharpest qualities. Whatever shall i do to make it up to you?”
He pauses, head tilted in exaggerated contemplation as his finger taps the chin of his mask.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Silence.
‘Sayakisssayakisssayakisssay-’ is the mantra swallowing your thoughts.
His head tilts back to its former position, and he looks at your, mischief in his eyes.
“Well, I wouldn't oppose to you taking me out to dinner.”
Oh.
Oh.
Ok!!! So it wasn’t a kiss, but you didn’t expect him to actually say a kiss anyways, but you definitely didn’t expect him to say dinner, either. That was like, a Date. You decide to just keep your grin up.
“But of course, it’s the least I could do to remedy the aftermath of such a heinous crime. Saturday at six sound fine to you?”
If he thinks you won't take him out on a date over him joking about you buying him dinner, he’s dead wrong. You refuse to back down. He doesn’t falter, however, and it surprises you. You shouldn’t be making assumptions about Alibaba, anyways.
“Sure.”
He didn’t back down either.
“Then it’s a date.”
Without another word, you stride out of the room, leaving Alibaba and your book behind.
Well, now you have a date to plan, don’t you? You put your head in your hands, hoping to cover your now visible blush.
I would be most gracious for some good fluffy cuddles with the birdmin
You barely feel the chill under the warm blankets and body next to you. Covers up to your chin, legs intertwined with his, and a tail wrapped tight around you has you locked in a warm hug. It’s comfortable. It’s cozy. And you snuggle deeper into his chest for more.
His tail wraps tighter around your ankle. The arm around your waist pulls you closer. Alibaba mutters under his mask before pushing his face further in the pillow.
You sleep again, lulled back by the sound of his breaths and the warmth surrounding you. There’s no need to get up. No reason to end this. It’s too cold outside to want to get out of bed. You don’t stir when he wakes up, a hand moving from your back to run through your hair. Quietly watching over you, holding you closer when you shift in your sleep, shushing you when you start awake and roll over to stretch.
“Finally awake?” he says. You think about it, arms out from the covers, glaring at the ceiling in confusion and exhaustion.
“Nope,” you decide, turning back over to burrow in the sheets. You hear him laugh at you but his arms come back to your waist.
Instead of asking dev for the sprites like a normal human being despite having the discord on speed-dial, I just made a guess with my sensitivity broken tablet and slapped them onto a chart
Based off the ask of the LI heights (Anka 5′6″, Noor 5′7″, Sinbad 6′0″, and Alibaba 6′9″ respectively)
My brother’s obsession with being taller than me as a kid inspired this. He would eat exactly everything I ate in hopes it would trigger the growth spurt
He only agrees under one condition--that you hide your eyes.
Heart dropping at the implications, you agree all the same. What is he so afraid of? Or worse, what could he be hiding? Still, the last thing you want to do is break his trust so you shut your eyes and wait.
In the darkness, you can hear your own breaths. A little more shaky than you’d like--nerves perhaps? or excitement? Your hands feel empty and for a moment you wonder if you’ve been had. The image of yourself standing alone in the hall with your eyes closed like some idiot only makes you even more nervous. You try to think of some funny quip--
Only for a hand to move over your eyes.
He kisses you then and relief floods your chest. Nervous to move, to touch, you merely revel in the lovely feeling of being close to him. Rough lips, a kiss softer than you’d expect, grip just as careful to not scratch you, and the forced darkness makes your head swim with emotions.
It’s not long before he moves away and the hand disappears over your eyes. You hesitate before opening them once more, blinking a little at the light and smile up at the familiar face.
You can tell despite the mask in the way, you always can. Alibaba smiles back.
