(This is my first time writing a fanfic in a foreign language, but I hope you enjoy it. It will be a pleasant experience.)
(At the request of an artist. And based on her work. This fanfiction is sure to be cute.)
((A minor update. Due to the wealth of information and inspiration, I'm splitting this fanfic into several parts. They're already in development.))
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One day, Kalim began to suffer from insomnia. The nights dragged on endlessly, tossing and turning in bed, but sleep just wouldn't come. Anxious thoughts swirled in his head: about the future, about future responsibilities, about this or that, about anything, and about nothing at all.
And when Jamil saw those tired scarlet eyes and the barely noticeable bags under them, he didn't panic. He didn't even want to. None of them wanted to panic, because the entire mansion would be in an uproar. Medications, doctors. But everyone knows that insomnia doesn't last just one day.
There are several types of insomnia. Transient β ββlasts a short time, up to a week. Usually associated with stress, with sudden changes in well-being and routine. Acute β sleep disturbances persist for up to a month. They are associated with a specific cause: stress, illness, psychological trauma. Chronic β lasts longer than a month, can subside and periodically return.
And if Jamil's memory serves him correctly, this was the first time this had happened. But what was the reason? Kalim had always been an obedient boy and always went to bed on time. The bed was soft and large, as was the pillow. The light didn't fall on the heir's eyes. And the noise never caused Kalim any stress or anxiety.
Perhaps it was something deeper? On a psychological level? And Viper realized. Despite those warm and kind smiles, those cheerful laughter⦠Behind that mask hid pain and fear. These attempts on Kalim's life were the most horrific events in his life. And yet, he smiled. And even if these were just people, those people were also Kalim's relatives, which added fuel to the fire.
Anyone else would have gone mad, fallen into a deep depression, lost trust in people, feared the world, but Kalim Al Asim, who seemed to have stopped counting the attempts to kill himβ¦
And finally, this heaviness took over. This heaviness turned into insomnia. Viper only exhaled heavily. He'd been thinking about it, but he didn't know when this heaviness would break free.
Now, in Jamil's room, a quiet night reigned, and somewhere outside the window, the moon shone, occasionally obscured by clouds, Kalim sat on the edge of the bed. Those tired, scarlet eyes were painful to look at, as were the eyes themselves, which expressed several years of pain. Their faces were illuminated by the dim light of the nightstand. There was silence and the quiet breathing of two dark-skinned boys.
Jamil was no longer in the mood for sleep. And now he had to help Kalim. Not even as a servant, but as a friend. If this was just ordinary insomnia, then Viper knew how to help. He told Kalim to wait there, and then went to the kitchen to make tea. But not quite ordinary tea.
Jamil placed a small glass cup on the table and stood by the stove.
This tea requires a balance of ingredients, but his experienced and keen gray eyes could calculate the exact proportions without any extra tools, albeit with possible or even deliberate errors, but not now. He poured hot water and six spoons of loose black tea into a small saucepan and turned the tea on to heat for exactly one minute, then turned it off. Next, he added three crushed cardamom pods, a pinch of saffron, and sugar, and turned the stove back on for half a minute to allow everything to steep. While the tea steeped, he approached the cup, which had been sitting on the table all this time. Now Jamil added condensed milk to the cup and then turned the stove back on, but this time he waited for the tea to boil.
While he had a little time, Viper began to think that tea alone wouldn't be enough to cure Kalim's insomnia. What would help ease Al Asim's thoughts? For ideas, he could recall funny stories from his days at the College, but in a pinch, he could only turn to their mutual friend, who also lived in the Scalding Sands. He could certainly help, but he didn't want to distract him. He had too many responsibilities. But, as Jamil thought, that was only a last resort. Then it was time to dwell on those fun days at the College.
By this time, the tea was ready. A pleasant aroma wafted throughout the kitchen, and he carefully poured the fragrant tea into a cup, using a strainer, of course, to retain only the liquid. As the cup filled, the black tea turned a whiter color thanks to the condensed milk. Finally, he stirred everything thoroughly. But Jamil had to clean up all traces of the preparation, otherwise someone would definitely suspect something. And with a calm conscience and a cup of tea in hand, Jamil returned to his room.
As he had said, Kalim hadn't left. He was sitting on Viper's bed, lost in thought, but at the first sound of Jamil approaching, Kalim immediately looked up. It was obvious he was trying to look a little happier, even now. He felt awkward and even ashamed about it all, but Kalim understood that this was a very serious matter, something that could anger Jamil and upset his family.
Al Asim's slightly cold hands took the hot cup. A tiny glimmer of that former joy appeared in his tired eyes. Kalim always liked what Jamil cooked, and even these teas were no exception.
He took small, slow sips so as not to burn himself, but a wave of warmth and pleasant goosebumps ran through his body. Kalim felt his body slowly relax under the warmth and taste of the tea, like the most pleasant home remedy. But this was only physical. And so as not to miss this moment, Jamil immediately began quietly reminding Kalim of the funny moments in their lives and in the life of the College. Whether it was unsuccessful lessons with Professor Crewel, which were more funny than dangerous, but still dangerous. Or various get-togethers with friends, or maybe even entire small adventures that ended well.
Jamil noticed the scarlet eyes closing. This meant that Kalim had finally managed to relax. He carefully snatched the cup from his hand and, just as carefully, put his arm around Kalim's shoulders, leaning him against his body. It was surprising when Al Asim was able to immediately fall asleep. It only spoke to how exhausted he had become. Viper carefully picked up Kalim's sleeping body and, just as carefully, carried him to his room. Opening the door slightly, Jamil immediately laid Kalim on the bed, but before leaving, he made sure nothing disturbed his sleep. And, of course, he turned around once more to make sure his friend was asleep. And indeed. That face seemed more gentle, sweet, and peaceful. This made Jamil smile slightly. He watched for a few more minutes to be absolutely sure Kalim was asleep, and only then did he quietly leave the room. Very quietly, so as not to disturb his sleep.
But he knew this problem wouldn't be solved overnight, unfortunately. But Jamil would find other ways to solve it. And he already had a premonition that he would have to resort to extreme measures. With this thought, Viper closed his eyes on his bed, drifting off to sleep.
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