Humming聽the melody playing, Hassan observed guests dancing to the music. He wagged a finger along to the tune before turning to greet yet another pair of women that came to send him birthday wishes. He returned the gesture with a kind smile, even pressing a kiss to the back of one's hand and bowing slightly at the waist to another. 345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌ITyj6dBK1h
This was well practiced by this point.
Their blushing faces brought out a small chuckle though disappointment was soon upon them when the prince declined to dance with either of them. An apology was offered but did very little to quell the women. He then noticed the flash of lavender before spotting Princess Jasmine as she made her appearance.聽
"I'm sorry but I would like to borrow my brother for a moment." She led the man away before giving him a pensive look. "Hassan, you already know what I'm going to say..."
Said person held up his hands as he gave a sheepish grin. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
His sister sighed before scowling, "You can't go denying everyone a dance on your birthday."
"I don't see why not," he mused. "I'm not exactly聽obligated聽to dance聽with anyone and, besides, it's聽my聽birthday. I think I'm allowed to pick and choose who I dance with if I decide to."
Jasmine snorted. "Hassan, as much as you like to dance, I'm starting to wonder if you have cold feet." 345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌5QewUzYLYl
The man looked offended. "I beg your pardon?"345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌iBvAeRAPMw
"If you are afraid to dance in front of everyone, just say so."
"I know what you're doing."
The princess feigned innocence before offering a hand out to her older sibling. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Rolling his eyes as he took her hand, Hassan allowed his sister to pull him through the masses聽until they were on the dance floor. As the music changed, the pair began to dance, ignoring the other dancers, much to the frustration of some female attendees that were vying for聽Hassan's attention.聽
Their dance, though formal enough, was almost a playful one. The siblings took the opportunity to twirl and sway in time with the music, laughing and chatting amongst themselves.
"Looks like someone has been practicing," Hassan teased as he twirled his sister back towards him.
"It is your birthday after all," Jasmine laughed as she stepped in time with her older sibling. "Are you impressed?"
"That you haven't managed to step on my foot yet?" He danced away from a jab meant for his chest. "Yes, I am."
Jasmine huffed before smiling as the man laughed at the end of the song. "Hassan, it's good to hear you laugh." The man tilted his head in a quizzical manner. "You seemed so out of sorts these past few weeks, you haven't eaten much and -"
The prince pressed a finger to his sister's lips before giving a gentle smile. "I appreciate your concern but I'm alright, Jas." He then fixed her jeweled headband before offering his hand as a new song started up. "How about another dance, hm?"
"Don't change the subject." She took his hand when he raised an eyebrow. "I suppose we could." A thought then popped in her head as the pair began to spin. "Hassan, it is your birthday."
"That it is."
"And you're the best dancer I know."
"Perhaps...?"
Jasmine snorted at the modesty. "Why not put on a show?"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Then again, you could be scared," she mused thoughtfully. "I don't think you've ever danced in front of so many people before. Do you think you could do it?" She shrugged dismissively soon enough when Hassan just stared at her. "Never mind. You were sick not too long ago. It'd be a shame if you got tired and collapsed. You're not as young as you were before after all."
"Did... did you just call me old?"
Narrowing his eyes at his sister, Hassan twirled her before rolling his eyes when Jasmine feigned innocence once more.
"You truly are a troublesome young lady," Hassan stated before chuckling at the pout he received, "but I'll show you what your聽older聽brother can really do after this song."
"I don't know about this, Genie..."
"Relax, Al, you got this," Genie said as he smoothed out his friend's jacket, "but I'm here to back you up. I'm here to be your wingman after all."
"Genie..."
"Stop worrying so much." Genie elbowed him as they entered the grand hall to see the room filled with attendees chatting or eating. " You ain't never had a friend like me, remember?"聽
"I guess you're right, but I didn't know what to get the prince for his birthday."
"From what you've told me, I don't think he was expecting you to bring a gift," Genie reminded him. "Besides, now you can finally show me and Princess Jasmine that fancy footwork you've been practicing."
"Genie..."
"I've seen you sneaking off to practice in private. Now's the time to show us what you've learned from the prince himself. I'm sure it's something."
Aladdin smiled nervously Genie before the pair mingled amongst the crowds. He stared in awe at the spread of food. He had eaten dinner with the royal family a few times now but, even then, he had聽never seen so much in one place before.
Amused by the concept that Abu would stuff his face at the sight of it, Aladdin set about plating some of the fruits and breads to pass off to his furry friend later as music ensued.
"Prince Ali Abubu, you made it!"
Genie turned to see Cairo making his way over before turning to see Aladdin rolling his eyes as he grudgingly set the plate aside. Taking it upon himself, the magical being cut in front of the prince with a scroll in hand.聽
"And you are...?" He ran his finger down the list. "I don't believe you have an audience with Prince聽Ali聽Ababwa聽this evening."聽 He peered over the document. "He is a very busy man so you'll have to request an audience which will take three to four business days upon receipt."聽
"Excuse me?" Olive-colored eyes looked Genie up and down before waving him off to dismiss him. "I do not answer to...to whomever it is that you are." His attention then darted towards Aladdin. "Call off your friend."
"I rather not," Aladdin admitted, "but what do you want? I'm kind of busy."
"With what, the food? Come on, they will be serving it all night!" The prince glanced at Genie then at Aladdin once more. "Do you mind?"
Patting his friend on the shoulder, Aladdin put on a smile as he stood before his rival. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your...聽company?"聽
"I just had to see how my friend was doing this evening."
Genie looked puzzled. "Friend?"
"But of course!" Cairo beamed at the men, making the others exchange looks. "We are in competition for the princess's heart but that doesn't mean we can't be friends."
"I rather you not call it a competition. Both Princess Jasmine and Prince Hassan have expressed they don't like it phrased that way."
Cairo looked puzzled before he snorted. "No offense, but do you not hear yourself? What else is this if not a competition between suitors? It's no fun if you don't look at it in a competitive way." The prince then draped his arm around Aladdin's shoulder. "Perhaps you don't think so because you already have it in your head that you've lost."
Aladdin shrugged off the touch. "Excuse me?"
"It's understandable," Cairo continued, "as you haven't had a whole lot of time with the Princess. I heard the two of you went on a nice little date, but it won't do you any good now. After all this time, it's kind of hard to make an impression now, but you are going against me after all"
Aladdin scowled. "It's not a competition. She's not a prize to be won."
"The desert flower of Agrabah? I beg to differ. The thorns just have to be clipped."
Genie placed a hand on his shoulder. "Prince Al-"
"You're a piece of work, you know that?"
Cairo brushed off his coat before smiling. "Ah, you've noticed?"
"It wasn't a compliment," Aladdin corrected, "and you're聽not聽marrying Jasmine."
"Oh?" Dark eyes glared up at the green pair. "Only competition can make such a claim."
"You-!"
"As much as I would love for you both to be at each other's throats, I must ask that you leave the festivities if you wish to cause such a disturbance," Jafar interjected as he dropped the snake-headed staff between the two men. Sharp eyes then took in the trio's reactions before focusing on the other partygoers that聽began to flood the dancefloor as music continued. "If you can show restraint, I would encourage you to mingle with the others. It is a party and there is much聽to celebrate this evening."
"You're right," Cairo agreed. "There聽is聽much to celebrate tonight and I'm looking quite forward to it." He looked at the older man. "Have you seen Princess Jasmine or Prince Hassan around?"
Jafar eyed the prince before turning his attention back towards the partiers. "I have not seen either all day."
"All day?"
The vizier glanced at Aladdin. "Tonight is a big event. It takes time to get ready for such an occasion, Prince Ali Abubu."
Genie made a face. "It's Prince Ali Aba-!"
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The men looked towards the crowds as the people had shifted back a bit at the sounding of a drum. The rising sound was soon accompanied by a single pair of hands clapping in time with the beat. That was then accompanied by the subtle clacking of claves.
Intrigued by what could have been special entertainment hired for the evening, bickering ceased as all four men eased forward to see what had captured the partiers' attention.
A single pair of arms raised themselves in the air as their owner's hips popped and shook to the beat of the drums. His hands dropped down to run across his chest before trailing back up into the air. A stomp of his foot commanded the attention of the onlookers while hands swayed fluidly in time with the music.
The turquoise silk trousers gave off a faint shimmer as the dancer twirled, making the tails of their coat spin ethereally as the light caught the golden accents. The golden chains at their neck and upper arms gently came to rest as the man stopped to bring their arms back to their side. Feet were soon kicking out to stamp along the ground as hips swayed and popped to the beat to the drums once more. The low-sitting trousers did well to emphasize the tantalizing cut of his hip bones as well as showcasing the mastery level of control the dancer had.
The man was thin, but muscle still held taut from dancing as he made his way around the vacated dance floor. The graceful movements accompanied with the colors reminded the men of water sparkling in a desert oasis, yet the level of confidence in the moves showed anything but delicate. Swiftly acquiring a golden scarf used by one of the hired dancers as the music slowed, he twirled it around himself while his gaze slowly drifted over the attendees, silently commanding all to watch. Contrary to how intently everyone was watching, his focus was not solely on any one person until his eyes past over the four men watching.
The dancer's controlled steps aligned with the drumming and claves until he was upon them.
Genie stood with his mouth agape until Jafar used the head of his staff to close it. His sharp eyes took in the effortlessly alluring moves, admiring the outfit selected as the other continued to dance by. Aladdin watched bewitched by the gentle sway of the scarf until the sheer fabric was draped around his shoulders to pull him in. His face flushed as the dancer leaned in, only to have the scarf pulled away soon after as the man eyed Cairo.
The dancer's direction then shifted at the last second at the change in pitch before the drumming quickened once more. They were soon back at the center of the circle, amongst the partiers, that watched with abated breath as scarf twirled in time with its wielder. A final stomp to the ground followed by a cocking of his hip and raising of his arms signaled the end of the dance as the music finally came to an end.
Silence filled the hall before thunderous applause erupted to which the dancer graciously bowed.
Jasmine was upon them soon after.
"Hassan, I've never seen you dance like that before!" she exclaimed as he adjusted the headpiece that had become slightly askew during his performance. "That was amazing!"
"Bet you didn't think an聽old聽person could pull it off, hm?" He smiled as his sister laughed. "Jas-"
"Prince Hassan!" Said person turned to see Aladdin hurrying over with the others in tow. "That... that..." His face reddened as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That was-"
"Wow."
Hassan snorted quietly at Genie's description before looking over at Cairo as he made his way to the front.
"That was quite the performance," Cairo interrupted before turning his attention to the princess. "Good evening, Princess Jasmine. You're looking lovely tonight."
She smiled at the prince. "Thank you, Cairo, but did you see what my brother just did?" Her gaze was upon her sibling as she grabbed his hands. "Hassan, that was amazing!"
"It was quite the performance, Your Majesty," Jafar said as he leaned down to be by the prince's ear, "but don't forget you're on a schedule."
Hassan glanced over at the vizier as he walked away before smiling at his sister still gushing over his performance.聽
"Would you excuse me for a moment, Jas?" She pouted until the golden scarf was draped along her shoulders. "Eat some food and mingle."
"I should be saying that to you," she huffed as she watched her brother depart.
Walking out into the courtyard, Hassan exhaled slowly as he sipped water from his golden cup.
Though it was a night of celebration in his honor, the man had turned down numerous offers of sweet wines and liquor.
He just needed a moment to get away from the crowds and celebrating to compose himself.
The rest of his night had to go according to plan.
It just had to.
Hassan had run through the plan in his head numerous times. He had worked through several outcomes and accounted for some of the possibilities before running them by Jafar.聽
The advisor had assured him that everything would work out and he had no need to stress himself out any further.
"Do you trust me?"345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌ZUC3OTFDXm
Jafar had no need to lie to him.
'Relax...'
Reigning in his thoughts, Hassan allowed himself a moment of reprieve as he drank before a gentle touch against his lower back startled him. A strong hand seizing his arm was the only thing that kept him from falling into the fountain before he whirled around to stare at the pair of olive-colored eyes.
Hassan willed himself to suppress the small tremor running down his spine as he looked the prince in the eye. "Can I help you with something?"
"I noticed you weren't at the party so I went I searching for you."
"Thank you but my presence shouldn't really be your concern."
"After that captivating performance you put on?" Cairo questioned as he watched the royal. He then smiled as he pulled him closer to be by his ear. "It would be a shame not to notice, especially if you were being a tease during the whole thing."
"Tease?" Hassan parroted before a flirty smile pulled at his lips. "Were you upset you didn't get as much attention? Jealousy can be an unsightly characteristic to have." He then went to take a step back before being pulled flushed against the prince. "What are you-?"
"You truly love to rile me up, don't you?" The hand dipped a tad lower. "Wearing such clothes and dancing the way you did."
"I did say I had to look my best for you, didn't I?" he asked as he looked elsewhere. "But the night is still young so wait a little longer."
Cairo grabbed his chin to redirect his attention. "You're starting to act like a bad host again. I think I've waited long enough." Tasting a tad bit of alcohol when the man kissed him, Hassan shuddered before pulling away from the prince. "I noticed that you hadn't had anything to drink despite it being your birthday. You need to relax a little," he chided as he released Hassan.
Flailing as he lost his footing, the prince gritted his teeth when Cairo snagged his arm before spinning him back against his chest. Dark eyes looked back up at the man before having a kiss stolen.
The position he was in prevented him from using any leverage to push the other away.
"C-"
Cairo wasted no time in deepening the kiss when the other went to object and didn't pull away until the other was a panting mess. "Let's go."
"I cannot just leave." Hassan pulled in the opposite direction. "We are at a party - my party. They will come looking for me and besides, that's just rude."
"So?"
"There are聽people聽around." Cairo didn't looked fazed by that fact. "Just wait, ok?" Hassan fought down the urge to vomit as he gently caressed the man's cheek before smiling. "Just wait a little longer, alright?" He leaned up to kiss the man before biting his lower lip as he went to pull away at the last second. "It'll be worth it, ok? I'll even let you unwrap your present."
Watching as Hassan hooked his thumbs into the waistline of his pant, Cairo watched earnestly before following after the man. Grabbing his hand to pull him back, Cairo gave went to give another kiss before stopping as Hassan shivered. Smirking when the prince looked surprised by the action, Cairo stole a kiss as his fingers carded through the dark tresses. He stroked his cheek in a pseudo-loving fashion as he guided him towards the other side of the fountain.345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌SUsT3tK1e9
The only thing that had him stopping was when he noticed Jafar walking over.聽
"Do you mind?" Cairo questioned irritably.
"I would say no if this was any other day; however, the sultan will be making an announcement shortly and Prince Hassan should be present." 345Please respect copyright.锛帮讥锛肌锛肌AJ7jA8u8q1
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind him being late."
"With all due respect, His Highness has an honorable reputation to uphold." The vizier then made his way towards Hassan to see him trying to regain his composure as he wiped a bit of saliva from the corner of his mouth. "Prince Hassan." Said person trembled slightly before his chin was tilted until his gaze met Jafar's. "Your presence is required, Your Highness."
Receiving a light pat on the shoulder, Hassan cleared his throat before smoothing out his clothing. "T-Thank you, Jafar."
The older man simply bowed his head as he watched the royal continue to compose himself as he made his way back to the party. He followed suit as Cairo was not too far behind the other.
The bustle of the party was in full swing when they entered the hall though it quieted at the sound of the royal procession.
"Everyone!" the sultan exclaimed excitedly. "Everyone! I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate a special night, my son, Prince Hassan's, birthday!" The man then looked about to see if he could spot the prince amongst the partiers. "Hassan, my boy, please come up here."
There were murmurs as the guests looked about for the man of the hour.
"Your Highness, you're being summoned," Jafar whispered in his ear as he gently nudged the prince forward.
"Jaf-"
聽"You're doing well. Hold your resolve and it will be over soon. I promise."
Nodding stiffly, Hassan exhaled slowly as he fixed his attire before he made his way through the parting crowd. He smiled earnestly at the attendees who watched and clapped, shouting birthday wishes to the prince as he made his way up to his father. Hassan then bowed towards the man prior to being pulled into a hug.聽
He chuckled due to the height difference but that didn't stop the sultan. Hassan leaned forward to have his face grabbed tenderly before smiling at the man.
"Good evening, father."
"Hassan, I remember you being such a small boy, not even my height, but now look at you!" He gripped Hassan's hands as he beamed proudly. "I have had the pleasure of watching this boy grow into a fine young man before my very eyes. A prince well versed in many talents to include dancing from what I've seen tonight." Hassan's face flushed at the mentioning of his earlier performance. "My son, you are a person indeed worthy of praise. You have managed to keep a calm and honest air, while handling your duties -" He nudged his son. "- to include looking after your sister and assisting with her antics." Hassan glanced at Jasmine who smiled sheepishly. "A desert flower would be nothing without its oasis." The prince looked back at the sultan. "Your mother would be so proud of what you have become."
Hassan bowed his head. "Thank you, sir."
"No, thank you, my boy," he replied as he squeezed his son's hands once more. "Your level of maturity and honesty would make you a fine sultan. Perhaps the best for our kingdom."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty, but no one can replace your years of experience. Agrabah has prospered under your reign." He then turned towards the masses. "Wouldn't you all agree?" There was a round of cheers and applause before he looked towards his father once more with a gentle smile at the thought of their late mother. "Mother would be so proud of what you have accomplished."
"Such modesty." The small man beamed at his son before clapping his hands together. "Hassan, you do not give yourself enough credit, my son." Hassan smiled at the man until he released his hands. "I have an announcement to make. You are now twenty and I have no doubt that you would make a fair sultan."
"Fath-"
"A great ruler would need an equally wonderful partner."
Hassan narrowed his eyes quizzically. "Fath-"聽
"I have been thinking about this for some time and I think now is the perfect moment."聽The older man turned towards the crowd. "As you all may know, there are two wonderful suitors vying for my daughter, Prince Jasmine's, hand in marriage and I am glad to inform you all that she has finally come to a decision."
Hassan looked towards his sister then his father. "What?" The young man then looked towards the vizier who seemed mildly surprised as well before looking at the sultan as Jasmine made her way over to him. "W-what?"
"It was her decision to tell you as your birthday present," he explained. "Now, as I had previously stated, a great ruler would need an equally wonderful partner. That being said, you will begin searching yours immediately after your birthday!"
Hassan opened his mouth at the declaration though his moment to speak was shadowed by the overwhelming sound of celebration. The droning sound of cheering blocked out any additional conversation as he was led to a cushioned divan to be seated with his family. His attention shifted between them and the crowd before he stared down at his lap.聽
He hadn't prepared for that kind of news.
"...you will begin searching yours immediately after your birthday!"
His mouth went dry at the recollection.
He was expected to find a partner now.
Hassan's nails bit into his palms as he worked to piece together the information he had been given. He raked his fingers through his hair, dislodging his headpiece before biting his nail.
"-san...?" A tap on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts to see Jasmine watching him. "Hassan, are you alright?"
"Th-the excitement of all the events just g-got to m-me for a m...moment," he stammered as he glanced at Jafar. He then gestured for an attendant. "I t-told myself I wasn't going to drink but, on second thought, I-I could use some w-wine."
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