[Jamil has to listen. He has no choice. Kalim has his hand, he's a captive audience, he can't move unless he wants to slap Kalim in the face, and if he wanted to slap Kalim in the face that badly he would've pushed his luck when he had the opportunity and switch dorms. He didn't. Jamil still has something to prove in Scarabia.
He stands there, staring, listening, waiting, hating the fact that he has to lean on Kalim, hating the fact that Kalim is doing a good enough job that there's nothing he can call him out on. He's drying the cut carefully, is careful with the hydrogen peroxide, sparing with the antibacterial cream. He doesn't succumb to the temptation of too much, and he doesn't end up with one inch of bandages on his cut.
He tests the bandage, not quite looking at Kalim, and then.]
Don't underestimate me.
[This was said with an edge of anger as he goes for gloves, as...Kalim was right about that. Kalim was right about a lot of things. How was it that, even after saying he wasn't going to hold himself back, even after saying he was going to be Kalim's rival, after claiming that he could be better, do better...why was it that it felt like he had to try to catch up?
Jamil breathed. Exhaled slowly. It's fine. He can smother his anger, strangle his ire. He can have a normal conversation with Kalim about this.]
First: If I see any more of that mistletoe up anywhere, Kalim, I'm burning it. I don't care where it is and I don't care how much collateral damage I cause. I spent too much time rescuing our underclassmen and I'm tired, Kalim. And, if you feel like trying something like that again...tell me first.
[And now to quickly rinse off the knife and- fuck it, new cutting board. Same knife, new cutting board. Jamil is tired. He'll have to wash a cutting board twice regardless of his choices, so why not do the one that involves less vegetable maneuvering.]
Second. [And now here he is, angrily chopping a carrot.] My parents will be furious if they knew I kissed you. If you need to bring up the subject again, refer to it as...a conversation we had in the menagerie. I'll know what you're referring to and won't have to worry about others overhearing.
[Here he is, dicing an onion into furious little bits.]
no subject
He stands there, staring, listening, waiting, hating the fact that he has to lean on Kalim, hating the fact that Kalim is doing a good enough job that there's nothing he can call him out on. He's drying the cut carefully, is careful with the hydrogen peroxide, sparing with the antibacterial cream. He doesn't succumb to the temptation of too much, and he doesn't end up with one inch of bandages on his cut.
He tests the bandage, not quite looking at Kalim, and then.]
Don't underestimate me.
[This was said with an edge of anger as he goes for gloves, as...Kalim was right about that. Kalim was right about a lot of things. How was it that, even after saying he wasn't going to hold himself back, even after saying he was going to be Kalim's rival, after claiming that he could be better, do better...why was it that it felt like he had to try to catch up?
Jamil breathed. Exhaled slowly. It's fine. He can smother his anger, strangle his ire. He can have a normal conversation with Kalim about this.]
First: If I see any more of that mistletoe up anywhere, Kalim, I'm burning it. I don't care where it is and I don't care how much collateral damage I cause. I spent too much time rescuing our underclassmen and I'm tired, Kalim. And, if you feel like trying something like that again...tell me first.
[And now to quickly rinse off the knife and- fuck it, new cutting board. Same knife, new cutting board. Jamil is tired. He'll have to wash a cutting board twice regardless of his choices, so why not do the one that involves less vegetable maneuvering.]
Second. [And now here he is, angrily chopping a carrot.] My parents will be furious if they knew I kissed you. If you need to bring up the subject again, refer to it as...a conversation we had in the menagerie. I'll know what you're referring to and won't have to worry about others overhearing.
[Here he is, dicing an onion into furious little bits.]
You're the one who's been avoiding me.