The night of his magic carpet ride was still fresh in his mind even two weeks after the date. The idea of it still left him giddy and feeling lighter than air as he danced about his room, humming soft nothings to himself. Seeing how Kava merely followed curiously, his head tilting now and then, only left Hassan in small fits of laughter as he made his way to his main entrance.
"Jasmine? Jasmine! Jasmine..." The prince peered from around the corner to see Rajah, Jasmine's tiger, rearing up in front of his father with a rag in his mouth. "Confound it, Rajah!" the sultan groused as he retrieved the rag from him. He then fumed when he got a good look at the fabric. "So! This is why Prince Achmed stormed out!"
"Oh, Father. Rajah was just playing with him. Weren't you, Rajah? You were just playing with that overdressed, self-absorbed Prince Achmed, weren't you?" Jasmine inquired as with a giggle as she stroked the tiger lovingly.
"Young lady, I have had enough of this! You cannot keep chasing away potential suitors."
"You're right," she admitted. "I can't chase away what I don't see!"
"Jasmine!"
Clearing his throat as he stepped into the hall, Hassan walked over to retrieve the rag as well as lower his father's accusing finger. "Why don't you head to your throne room, father? I'm sure there are more important matters to attend to."
"Nothing is more important than addressing how your sister keeps chasing away her suitors!" their father chided.
"I wouldn't need a suitor if it weren't for that stupid law!" Jasmine countered. "If you want me married that badly, why don't you let me decide who I marry?!"
"Now, Jasmine -!"
Getting between the two of them, Hassan put on a smile as he held up his hands. "Come now, you two." Both of them turned their backs to him before Hassan ushered his father down the hall. "Father, why don't you go get some air to cool off, maybe a nice cup of coffee? Or, perhaps, tea? You do enjoy your tea with those nice little cookies shaped like camels."
The sultan seemed to perk at that. " They do taste absolutely delicious with a fresh cup."
Seeing off his father, Hassan slowly looked over his shoulder to see Jasmine pouting with her arms folded. "Jas..." The princess remained silent until her brother held up the patterned material. "Are... these from Prince Achmed's...undergarments?" Jasmine continued to pout before Hassan continued to inspect the item. "Well, I will say, the pattern design is less outlandish than the previous suitors. At least he had some styling knowledge unlike the ones before him." There was a smile in his voice as he added, "They're softer too. Nice choice, Rajah."
The tiger raised its head in a proud, boastful manner.
Jasmine giggled at the reaction聽before cuddling her furry companion. "That man was pompous jerk. I wish father would understand already!"
Hassan frowned slightly before smiling as his sister pouted at him. "Well, if Rajah keeps taking their underwear, I'm sure you won't be left with many choices. Then again, he may have you keep Rajah in your room if this continues..." His frown returned when he noted the dejected look before he hurried over to take her hands into his. "Why don't we go walk through the gardens, hmm? How does that sound?"
"Can we visit the aviary?"
"If it gets your mind off the overstuffed, self-absorbed Prince Achmed then why not?"
Watching as her smile broadened, Prince Hassan allowed聽his sister to pull him down the hall and towards the gardens with their respective pets following close behind.
Lounging on the fountain's ledge, the prince watched as his sister played with the small colorful birds. Seeing how Rajah was trying to snag one of the strays, Hassan sent Kava over to keep the other cat entertained before turning his attention to the water. He lazily toyed with a few of the flowers floating along the surface until his thoughts drifted back to the magic carpet ride a few weeks back.
A gentle hum overtook him the longer he thought about it before he thrummed with giddiness. He was soon dancing to himself as he eyed the blossom he plucked from the fountain. He felt himself smiling as he recalled the arm that had wrapped securely, reassuringly, around his waist that night. He remembered the light yet sweet conversation, the kind words. His face then flushed as he recalled the kiss he had bestowed upon Prince Ali.
It had been unexpected, unplanned really.
He nearly lost his footing as his face burned brighter before being startled when he noticed Jasmine eyeing him curiously.
"Hassan?"
"Hmmm, y-yes?" he stammered as he collected himself enough to look his sister in the eyes. "Yes, what is it?"
Easing forward as she noted the blush, Jasmine gently stroked the bird聽in her hands before taking a seat next to her brother.
"Hass..." Her brother's mouth clamped shut before he plopped down beside her to return the blossom to the water. "Hey, you know, you've been dancing around... well, more than usual so I believe it's best to say you're in a good mood."
Hassan glanced back at his sister to see a smile slowly spread across her lips as he visibly became more frazzled. Perching the small bird on his shoulder, Jasmine took his hands and guided her brother to face her.
"Jas-"
"Your Highness, Princess Jasmine!" Both turned to see one of the attendants hurrying over. "Your father is looking for you. He says聽it is urgent."
"I doubt that highly," she murmured before stroking the blue bird on Hassan's shoulder. "Hass, do you mind putting聽Abi away for me?"
"Sure."
Watching as the princess departed, Hassan stroked the bird lovingly as he walked it back to its enclosure.
"Do you trust me?"
That simple question allowed Prince Ali to show him sights he had never seen before.
"Do you trust me?"
His trust in Jafar's interventions thus far had ensured that none of the pompous suitors gained enough of a foothold to disrupt the royal family's happiness.聽
Hassan brushed his fingers across his lips before sighing heavily as he lolled against the aviary. Combing his hand through his hair in frustration, he inhaled deeply before looking down at Kava who rubbed against his leg worriedly. Offering a smile as he fixed his headpiece, Hassan then stroked his furry companion prior to making his way back to the palace atrium.
Hearing bouts of laughter, the prince peered around a pillar to see the sultan flying around the vast room on what appeared to be a carpet before finally landing. After a bit of side talk with Jafar, Sultan happily made his way over to the newcomer.
"Oh, Jasmine will like this one!"
"And I'm pretty sure I'll like Princess Jasmine," Aladdin boasted.
Jafar was between them immediately. "Your Highness, no! I must intercede on Jasmine's behalf. This boy is no different from the others. What makes him think he is worthy of the Princess?"
"Your Majesty, I am Prince Ali Ababwa. Just let her meet me. I will win your daughter," he聽rebuffed.
Hassan watched the curtain sway from the other side of the room, overlooked by the squabbling men.
"How dare you!" The trio turned to see the princess glaring at them. "All of you! Standing around and deciding my future? I am聽not聽a聽prize聽to be won!" she snapped before pushing her way past the newest arrival to enter the atrium.
Sultan looked down momentarily. "Oh dear..." His attention the drifted towards the newcomer that was eyeing the curtain Jasmine had disappeared behind. "Prince Cairo, welcome! You've come earlier than expected."
"How could I not?" he replied as he brushed his hair from his face. "I've seen to come at an inopportune time?
"Inopportune time indeed," Sultan replied worriedly. "My daughter can be... can be..."
"Fiery," Cairo interjected. "I do enjoy a... fiery personality." His olive-colored eyes lazily passed over Jafar before settling on Aladdin. " Ah, you must be the other...聽suitor聽then. Rather scrawny thing, are you not? Not exactly聽suitable聽for a rare desert flower like Princess Jasmine. She would need someone that could protect and defend her and her honor. You look like you could hardly defend yourself yet alone my future wife."
"Pretty bold for a pretty boy," Jafar commented offhandedly. "How can you bolster such outlandish claims with such arrogance?"
Prince Cairo simply mused before chuckling, "Why not a... friendly duel then?"聽
"A duel?" Aladdin questioned.
"Surely, as a聽prince聽you have at least basic mastery of the art of swordplay."
"That would be most interesting to see," Jafar mused before mumbling, "and perhaps these two fools would kill each other." His attention then went to Aladdin. "If Sultan concurs, how about it, Prince Abubu?"
"It's Prince Ali," Aladdin corrected before clearing his throat as he turned to Prince Cairo, "and yes, the basics of swordplay is something every聽prince聽should know."聽
"Your Highness?"
Sultan looked between the two suitors then over聽at Jafar excitedly. "Oh, yes, yes. Guards, guards!" He clapped his hands summoning several before focusing on Aladdin and Cairo. "The first to unarm the other will be considered the victor."
"Why not do one better," Cairo offered, "and allow the victor a dinner date with the聽princess? She should only be dining with the best."
Hassan pulled a face. 'Great; another one so soon.'
Jafar stepped forward. "You impud-!"
"If it's a dinner with Princess Jasmine you want then you're going to have to defeat me first to make such a request."
The four men turned to see Hassan in the process of removing his royal headpiece as he聽observed聽one of the guard's scimitars.聽
"Prince Hassan, this is a matter between聽princes," Sultan stated.
"Am I not a聽prince,聽father?" he questioned as he eyed the presented blades. His gaze then panned over to the newest arrival. "You, Prince Cairo, take two swords."
Cairo eyed Hassan curiously before smirking as he grabbed two of the blades. "Why two? Surely, I would need only one."
Hassan simply hummed as if in agreement with the last statement. "The idea of this聽duel is to continue until the opponent is unarmed, correct?" Cairo agreed as Hassan selected his weapon to point at the man. "So, I would prefer this to be a challenge rather than over in less than sixty seconds." A smirk then pulled at the corner of his mouth. "My sister deserves the聽best聽after all."
Casting his cape aside, Cairo sneered at the prince momentarily before smirking. Both parties moved towards the center of the room before taking their stances. Cairo eyed Hassan up and down once then twice, taking in the smaller build,聽before surging forward once the signal was given.
Hassan dodged the first swing almost effortlessly before blocking the second blade. Repeating his actions, he rounded his opponent then blocked the blade coming at him from the opposite direction. Turning completely, he jumped back to avoid the blades thrusting at him simultaneously.聽
"Surely you can do more than dodge, Prince Hassan."
"If I do more than that, you won't last the full sixty seconds," he teased with a wink, "and what good is a man that can't last that long?"聽Noting the faint blush, Hassan smiled before dodging a swing aimed for his neck. The distance between them increased for safety. "Testy, aren't we? Been told that before, huh?"
"You're not taking this seriously," Cairo griped as he watched Hassan's smirk broadened.
"Oh, I'm just not taking聽you聽seriously." Increasing the distance between the two of them, Hassan rolled his shoulders.聽"I will take this duel seriously starting in fifteen seconds."
Lowering his sword, the prince inhaled deeply before putting on a gentle smile as he walked forward at a leisurely pace. It had seemingly thrown Cairo off as he lowered his sword until Hassan was within his space. With such an unassuming air, he hardly had time to notice shift in Hassan's grip before dodging the blade swung at him.
It offset his balance which Hassan wasted no time in dislodging the first sword. Snagging the prince by his garbs, he then pulled him down to the floor to pin his sword arm beneath his foot. He used most of his bodyweight as he聽knelt Cairo to point his sword down at the man's face, easing the blade forward slowly.
"Y...y-you...!"
"Bravo. Bravo!" Hassan quickly got to his feet as the sultan hurried over, clapping his hands. "That was a marvelous duel!"
Prince Hassan simply smiled at his father before offering his hand out to Cairo. "Congratulations," Hassan whispered as he helped his opponent聽to his feet, "you almost lasted聽two聽whole minutes."
Eyeing the jeweled scimitar on his wall, Hassan simply snorted as he recollected the earlier duel. Prince Cairo had hurried away so quickly that the prince had to do all he could to keep his collected composure in front of his father. Even Aladdin had humbly declined his offer though it seemed to take him a moment to do find the right words. Despite having to deal the overpompous prince, the events were still entertaining.
"Oh, Kava." The leopard lifted its head from its tufted pad. "You should've seen it."聽聽
Laughing to himself as he spun in place to look at his friend, he walked over to the leopard to stoke its ears as he began humming to himself as he started preparing for bed. His quiet singing only came to a pause when Kava's ears swiveled before a low growl was emitted. Hassan then faced the door to see Prince Cairo as Kava made his way over to his companion. As the leopard eased towards the door, teeth bared, Cairo held up a hand.聽
"Wait."
"Why should I?" Hassan countered. "You're in聽my聽room at the dead of night. Does anyone know you're here?"
"No." Hassan scowled. "I would have to request an audience and it wouldn't be granted until the following day."
"What could you possibly want at this hour that couldn't wait until tomorrow?"
Kava drew closer. "Could you call off your friend here?"
"Why don't you tell me what you want instead?"
聽Prince Cairo slowly withdrew a satchel from his side before holding it up. "A peace offering, alright? Now please call off your cat."
Hassan patted his leg to which Kava immediately came to sit in front of him. "Kava is a black leopard. Do not聽call him something a trivial as a cat聽lest you wish to feel his teeth around your neck."
"Right. Right. May I enter please?"
Dark eyes shifted towards the chaise nearby before watching the man make his way over to it. When Hassan looked expectant, Cairo reached into his bag to pull out a carefully wrapped parcel. Kava's ears perked when the newcomer unwrapped a slab of meat. The large feline then stalked over to sniff at the offering before snagging it and returning to its bed to devour it.
"Kava seems to enjoy your gift," Hassan mused as he watched his friend eat. "You're not getting any treats tomorrow or else you'd get fat mind you." His attention then returned to his guest when he heard something being poured.聽" What's are you doing?"
"Pouring wine."
"Oh." He held up his hand when a small, golden cup was presented. "I don't drink."
Cairo stared down at his cup before glancing at the prince. "Surely you know its rude to turn down a peace offering."
"Perhaps in a time of war but we're not at war and I don't drink," Hassan countered.
To that, Cairo eyed the other before a smile crossed his lips as he snapped his fingers. "You're a lightweight."
"I am not."
"It's nothing to be ashamed of if you're drunk in less than聽sixty seconds聽after just one cup."
Feeling his face burn at the accusation, Hassan glared at the wall as he heard the other laughing. The corner of his eye twitched after Cairo continued for several minutes after drinking his own cup. Fed up with it, Hassan growled under his breath before snagging the cup.聽
"Fine!" he hissed as he quickly downed the contents.
Floral and fruity notes surprised him when he had not tasted alcohol. Raising his eyebrow as he eyed the empty cup, he glanced at his guest to see him uncorking the bottle.聽
"Not bad, right?"
Hassan shook his head as his cup was retrieved to be refilled once more. Having it returned, followed by the clinking of cups, both princes partook in their drinks before Cairo sat his aside last minute to retrieve his satchel. Watching his host stare at the liquid thoughtfully, Cairo placed the bottle in front of him, allowing to pour himself another glass.
Hassan continued to drink the concoction of fruits before noticing Cairo lighting something. Being informed that it was peace offering incense, Hassan allowed him to light several as he enjoyed the provided drink. Deciding to cut himself off after his fifth pour, he got to his feet before swaying.聽
Finding it a tad funny as he never noticed the alcohol, Hassan swayed side to side before spinning as he felt giddy. Humming to himself as he began to dance, he twirled until he locked eyes with Cairo. From there, he decided to put on a bit of a show for his guest until he grew hot. Holding his stomach as the heat spread, Hassan slowly crumpled聽to the floor. His throat was soon parched when he went to voice his concerns though he made out the sound of heavy breathing.
Realizing it was his own, he tried to pick himself up but failed to do so. Slouching forward as heat radiated throughout his body, he was greeted by a face full of pillows before eventually being picked up.聽Being spun around his hazy room, Hassan struggled to use his legs which somewhat dragged behind him.
A heady smell permeating around the room made it hard to focus when it sounded like the other said something. Being dipped low, Hassan tried to sort through muddled thoughts as he was dropped onto his bed. His clouded vision then homed in on a fuzzy outline looming over him.
"How are you feeling, Prince Hassan?" Cairo questioned, simply to receive a series of pants. "聽You seem... a tad feverish." Hassan shivered at the hand splayed across his chest before his gaze slowly shifted towards Kava. "Oh, no. Your friend is sleeping and shouldn't be up until morning."
'B....bast...ard...'
His head swam as he tried gathering enough control to shout. A thumb swiping over his lips had him clenching his teeth when he mustered nothing but another series of pants. His head was then slowly tilted from side to side before he heard chuckling.聽
"I really wish you hadn't interrupted what could have been such an easy duel. I wasn't going to...kill Prince Abubu or whatever his name is but you..." Cairo ran a hand through Hassan's hair slowly. "You just had to intervene."
'...loser...'
"But even if you聽embarrassed聽me in front of the sultan, I will say that I still have full intentions of marrying Princess Jasmine." Clouded eyes shifted towards the one sitting. "However, that does not mean that we cannot聽get closer with one another."
Labored breaths were all he received in response.聽
'd...dam...mit...'
Hassan opened his mouth again before having a thumb placed inside. Biting down on it, he was met with quiet, amused laugh when there was no force behind the attack.
"Though I do enjoy聽rare desert blossoms, do you know what type I enjoy most? The ones with thorns." He tapped his thumb along Hassan's tongue before applying pressure to open it. "Once all its protection is聽gone, you're left with such a delicate and defenseless flower."
'M-m...move...' Hassan struggled to sit up before Cairo leaned close enough for the noses to touch.聽 '...don't k-kiss...'
Cairo then sat up to admire the light sheen of sweat on Prince Hassan's face. "While we are getting to know one another, I should mention some things about where I hail from. For starters, we have similar wares to Agrabah: jewelry, rugs and other fabrics, dried fruits,聽spices, and scents." He then slowly traced his hand down Hassan's chest, eyes following suit as he reveled in the shiver it earned him. "However, we also specialize in rarer聽commodities聽that can fetch a rather high price such聽as..." His dark green eyes snapped back up to view the prince's flushed appearance before drifting聽suggestively lower. "...聽sedatives and aphrodisiacs amongst other things of course."
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