21 Years

Chapter 3

Sinbad woke up to see Judal still sleeping in his arms. He couldn't help but smile and watch him. After a while, Judal started to stir. "Dammit, Alula my wand is not a toy... " He said in his sleep. Sinbad raised an eyebrow then smothered Judal's face with kisses. "Stop~ I'll kick you..." Sinbad then started to kiss and nibble at Judal's neck. "Sin~ I will push you out of this bed..."

"Then I'll pull you with me~" Judal opened his eyes and glared at Sinbad. "You're mean."

"I am not~ Why is it bad to show my love to my lover?"

"Well..because I was sleeping!"

"Mhm... May I ask who Alula is?"

"Alula? That was a little girl I met in my village she kept trying to play with my wand, hair, jewelry, etc. How do you know about her?"

"You were talking in your sleep a second ago."

"Fucking whoops. Oh well." Judal stood up and stretched. "Have you thought about my offer of taking a vacation yet?"

"I'll think about it Judal. Just give me some time..."

"You could be dead in a week which means I could be a week away from crying."

"Judal..."

"I'm just saying~" Sinbad smiled lightly and kissed Judal's forehead. "I'm fine, Judal." Sinbad got dressed then wrapped his arm around Judal's waist. "Let's go eat breakfast with everyone."

"I would if you could let go of me!" Sinbad chuckled and let go of his waist then held the magi's hand. Judal smiled and walked with him to the dining hall where everyone waited for them. "Good morning Uncle Sinbad! Good morning Judal!" Aladdin said with a bright smile. Sinbad cringed at the nickname. "Good morning!" The lovers said in unison as they both sat down next each other. Sharrkan was next to Sinbad and Aladdin was next to Judal. "How did you two sleep?" Morgiana asked. "I actually slept very well for the first time in forever." Sinbad smiled.

"I had a dream about a kid stealing my wand so she could pretend like she was a fairy." Judal groaned.

"Oh, you're talking about Alula!" Alibaba said. Judal simply nodded.

"Alula?" Morgiana asked. "She was a little kid we met in Judal's village. She really liked playing with Judal's wand.

"Sinbad there was something I... well we wanted to ask you about." Ja'far decided to cut in. "And what's that?" The king looked up from his plate of food. He was smiling slightly as he felt Judal hold his hand. "Well, it's come to our attention that you've been acting a bit off while Judal was away. Are you okay?"Sinbad's smile slowly turned into a frown as he took a moment to think. "Can I also ask a question?"

"Uh.. yes?"

"Why do you all suddenly care?" Sinbad said as he sipped his cup of tea. Everyone's eyes had widened at his response. Judal had nearly spit out his peach and he started coughing. Sinbad pulled Judal close and patted his back. "Ack... sorry..." Judal said as he cleared his throat. "Are you alright Judal?"

"I'm fine, but are you?"

"Oh, I'm absolutely fine. I just want to know why they suddenly want to know about my well being. They never ask about how I'm doing. Well, except for Sharrkan and Spartos once every blue moon. Remember what I told you last night?" Judal thought for a moment as he recalled their conversation the night before. "Oh... I see now. Again... I'm sorry..."

"There is no need for you to apologize. I hold nothing against you. But anyways why do you ask Ja'far?"

"Well... Aladdin had told us about your black rukh. He said that... It has become darker and rowdier.