Follow Your Passion: A Seamless Tumblr Journey
Spirit Perfil Pack feat. Kalim Al Asim and Idia Shroud from Twisted Wonderland.
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Twisted Wonderland Writings Masterpost
Prologue, Day 1
Prompt: When Kalim hears about Christmas from Lilia and Cater during a Pop Music Club meeting, he is so excited by the idea he goes to ask you more about the holiday- but he runs into your group of morons friends and they decide to recruit him to help distract you while the freshies enact their plan, now referred to as Operation 'Christmas Miracle!'
Reader: GN reader - They/Them pronouns and reader is called 'MC/Prefect.'
Included Characters: Kalim Al-Asim
Warnings: Mild Swearing.
AN: I should clarify that these are all alternate version stories, not some harem shit (not that anything's wrong with that). These are just different versions of the freshies finding one other person to help with their plan by distracting the MC aka you. Also, this series will continue until it's complete even if it bleeds into January so don't worry about it being discontinued or anything. I'm doing the full 12 days y'all.
~~~
"You... Want to go build snowmen?" You raise a brow at Kalim's cheerful words.
You just opened the door to Ramshackle, expecting one of your usual troublemakers to be the one frantically knocking at your door.
You even mentally bet money on it being Ace needing a place to crash to escape Riddle or something.
So you were decently surprised to see the radiant ray of sunshine that is the Scarabia Housewarden standing outside your door. Dressed in multiple thick maroon and gold layers of expensive-looking winter coats, thick white wool mittens, and a white and gold knit hat with a puff ball on top of it, he's also carrying a black and maroon backpack with the Scarabia dorm symbol on it.
All of this, you're sure, is due to Jamil being overly cautious so the young heir doesn't get sick. Then again, you've seen Jamil a few times too, and he was bundled up similarly. He told you they're not too used to snow in the Scalding Sands.
Who would've guessed?
"Yep! It'll be fun! We can make some at the main street so everybody will see them as they pass by!" Well, anything with Kalim is usually fun- mildly terrifying at times, but fun.
"Does Jamil know you're here?" It is the first question you need answered.
The last thing you want is a lecture from Jamil for playing in the snow with Kalim when he's meant to be doing something important.
"Of course! He wanted to come along, but I told him I just wanted it to be a 'me and you' thing, you know?" He says so sweetly, the words running through your heart like an arrow to your chest.
How could you possibly say no to him?
A cold wind runs past Kalim into the open doorway, and you shiver. You're still in your PJs, not really expecting to go out today since classes were canceled because of all the snow the night before.
"Uh, why don't you come inside Kalim? I've got to go get ready and it's freezing so I don't want to leave you waiting out here for me." You remark, beckoning him inside.
"So you'll come with me!? That's great! We can build the biggest snowman ever! And we can have a snowball fight, and-" He lists as he walks inside setting his bag down by the door.
"Slow down Kalim! Let's stick with snowmen for now and see how the day develops. Make yourself comfortable, I'm gonna go get ready, and tell Grim where I'm going." You smile, motioning to the couch as you head up the stairs towards you and Grim's shared room.
"Okay! I'll be waiting!"
When you get upstairs, Grim is rubbing the sleep from his eyes, with a big yawn that pins his ears to his head. You struggle not to coo at him like he's a normal kitten.
"Who was at the door, henchhuman?" He asks as you shuffle through your closet.
"Kalim, he wants to go out and build snowmen, will you be fine on your own for a while?" You ask, and Grim suddenly jumps up.
"He's here already!?" The little outburst startles you and you turn away from the closet to look at him.
"You knew he was coming over?" You ask and Grim suddenly looks nervous.
"Uuuh- he mentioned coming over yesterday, didn't he? You were right there when he did!" Grim laughs nervously, and you narrow your eyes.
That definitely didn't happen. Grim has been acting odd the last two weeks, sneaking off, avoiding you, and blatantly lying.
You have half a mind to have cornered him days ago and demand answers, but the odd thing is- all your other friends are acting the same.
And so you're curious. They're planning something. Something they clearly don't want you to know about. Something that you will definitely get dragged into one way or another.
You want to confront them all before that happens, but you can never pin them all down in the same room- like rats they seem to scatter the second they see you approaching. So it's something big.
"Hmm. So will you be fine or not?" You repeat and turn back to the closet.
You'll let it go right now since Kalim is waiting downstairs, but you're interrogating him once you get home.
"Yeah! I'll be great! Just leave me a can of tuna, got it!" He smiles, and you duck away into the bathroom to change into your school uniform, and the winter coat Crewel had to scold Crowley into getting you.
"Got it, I'll leave it on the kitchen counter for you." You smile to yourself and head back downstairs.
"Okay, you ready to go, Kalim?" You ask as you get downstairs looking around the living area, where he's happily shuffling through his bag.
"Yep! And I remembered Jamil wanted me to give this to you!" He smiles as he holds up a folded piece of paper.
"Oh?" You tilt your head, curious, and grab the note, carefully unfolding it, you see Jamil's neat handwriting.
MC, Make sure he's back by nightfall- seriously. If I have to stop and take time away from frantically deep cleaning the dorm before winter break to come looking for him, I will overblot again.
That said, don't let him come back before nightfall either please. It's easier to clean when he's not here. Thank you.
Also - I packed you both hot tea in a thermos, and lunch.
I trust you to keep Kalim from doing anything stupid. Have fun.
- Jamil
"Ah. Okay. He hopes we have fun!" You decide to keep the rest to yourself, smiling as you tuck the note into your pocket.
"Aw, that's nice of him! Next time I'll be sure to bring him and we can all have fun!" Oh, you're certain he'll hate that, but that's a future problem for future you.
"Well, we'll see, I'm not to sure Jamil likes the cold that much." You nervously stutter out the white lie, leading the way to Ramshackles entrance.
"Really? I like how different it is from the heat of the Scalding Sands and Scarabia dorm! The snow is so pretty, and everything looks so different when it covers the campus!" He declares, even as he shivers from the cold air rushing in when you open the front door.
"It is, but I don't reckon it's the snow Jamil doesn't like, Kalim, just the cold." You laugh, subconsciously reaching out and fixing the others scarf, making sure it's tied properly.
"Hmm, yeah, I can see why he might not like it, we're not used to this kind of cold after all. But I'm kind of getting used to it! If I just keep spending time outside everyday, then eventually it won't bother me anymore!" He adjusts his mittens as he speaks, and you chuckle once more.
"Just don't stay out too long, or you'll get sick. So what are you planning on doing over winter break?" You ask and he lights up as you ask.
The two of you walk side by side towards the main street of NRC, you can see the condensation of your breath puffing up in the icy air as you talk, and he tells you all about his plans.
"Well, Jamil really wants me to focus on studying over break and getting the homework done- and since everything that happened last winter break, I'm really trying to do as he asks more to make things easier for him- but it's so hard! How can I sit still and study when I could be having fun with my family?" He sighs and you cringe a bit.
"It's good that you love your family so much and want to have fun with them, but it's important to study. You have to set a good example for your younger siblings right? And all the students in your dorm. If they see that you're not working hard in school, they won't either." You tell him, and he makes that funny face he makes.
When his face scrunches up in thought, brows furrowed, eyes cast down, a slight pout on his lips.
It's adorable.
"You're right, I know, it's just so hard to focus sometimes."
If you were in your world you would tell him he should get tested for ADHD, but you've learned that Twisted Wonderland really doesn't have much mental health awareness let alone care.
This school would have a lot less problems if it did.
"Well, I know a few tips and tricks. Maybe you can stop by again before winter break and I can give you some." You tell him and he smiles, bright as the sun.
"Really? I'd love that!" As to how the entirety of NRC doesn't thaw from his warm presence alone is a wonder.
"Yeah, really. You can bring Jamil too, that way I can show him a few tricks on how to help you if you need him to." A solid idea.
You knew a few people with ADHD and other problems that made it hard for them to focus back in your old world- hell, a large majority of the population had trouble with their attention span. So by proximity, you know a lot of things that may help him.
And a lot of things that will help Jamil help him.
"Oh... Does Jamil really have to be there? You could just write it down for him." Kalim suggests with a nervous smile that doesn't at all feel natural or right for him.
"Why don't you want him there? You just mentioned wanting him to come out for a snow day with us sometime." You tilt your head curiously, and Kalim rubs his arm sheepishly.
"Well, I do, it'd be nice if he could have fun with us, but I also like spending time with you when it's just the two of us? That's pretty selfish though, isn't it? I mean, you're so fun, and amazing, and supportive, it's not fair to want to hog all your attention, but..." He goes quiet his gaze falling to the ground, an uncertain, guilty look in his eyes that makes your heart clench painfully.
"Oh, Kalim, that's not selfish at all. It's okay to not want to hang out with a whole group of people all the time. We can hang out just the two of us whenever you want- well, so long as I'm not busy." You assure him with a gentle smile just as you two reach the main street.
"That would be amazing, MC! We should hang out tomorrow then! And the day after that! And this weekend! And-" Well... At least he's got that smile you love so much back.
"Okay, okay, why don't we just focus on today? And we can make arrangements for tomorrow later." You giggle, fucking giggle, the seven help you, you are down bad.
"Okay- so... How exactly do you make a snowman?" He asks, a thoughtful hand on his chin as he looks at the snowy area in front of you both.
You're not far from the statues of the seven, a perfect spot to build some snowmen where everyone who passes will see them.
"Well, we've got to start with the base- we just make a simple snowball, and then make it bigger and bigger until we roll it around on the ground, and it's big enough to support the middle and head of the snowman." You explain, ducking down and gathering some snow in your hands and making a snowball.
Kalim mimics your movement.
"So, Cater was telling me about this Christmas holiday you have in your world, and it made em wonder about what other holidays you have that Twisted Wonderland doesn't- if you don't mind me asking?" Kalim asks as you both reach the point of rolling the snowballs on the ground.
"Oh, I don't mind at all... Well, you guys have a few holidays that are similar to the ones in my world- like Halloween, we have that in my world- you can stop there with that one, Kalim, we'll make that the body." You motion for him to stop rolling the snowball.
"Really? What do you usually dress up as? Scarabia dressed as kitsune- that has to be my favorite costume so far." He asks, a silly smile on his face that makes your chest flutter.
You two spend the next fifteen minutes talking about your Halloween experiences in your world, and what your costumes were, etc. Kalim tells you about his younger siblings about how one year, three of them decided to dress as ghosts with sheets over their heads, and he nor his parents could tell them apart as they were running around their home.
It's sweet, and you'd love to meet some of them one day. Though you're going to have to have a serious talk with Jamil about which of Kalim's siblings you need to avoid like the fucking plague.
"Okay, so these should all be good, now we have to stack 'em! Here, the middle one you rolled, can put it on the big one." You direct and he listens, focusing entirely on carefully lifting the large snowball and placing on top the even larger one.
Once he does, you place the smallest snowball on top.
"And there's the head. Now we decorate! I'm sure there's some sticks around here that we can use for the arms, and rocks for the eyes, mouth, and buttons." You look around on the ground- and Kalim follows your lead.
"Oh, here! Will this work for one arm?" He holds up a rather large stick that would make a decent arm you suppose.
"Yeah, we just gotta find another one like it. You look for that, and I'll find some stones." You tell him and go about looking around on the main street itself.
The stone path has some loose pebbles scattered about that you certain no one will miss, so you go about collecting the larger ones to act as your snowman's face and buttons.
You almost wish you'd stopped by Mr. S's for a carrot. But alas, you'll stick with a plain old rock for a nose.
Onc you fill your pockets with a handful of ideal rocks, you head back to the snowman to find Kalim looking really hard at two sticks on the ground.
"Didja' find another stick?" You ask, making your way next to him, breaking him out of his thoughts, he flashes you a bright smile.
"Yep! But it's way smaller- so I was thinking we should break the other one to make it smaller to right?" He says and you look at the sticks.
"Hm. Or we can use them as they are? It'd be kinda funny having a snowman with wonky arms." You chuckle at the mental image, and Kalim is quick to agree with you.
"You're right, it would! And it'll make people laugh on there way to class these last few days before break!" He picks up the sticks and hands you one, and you in turn hand him a handful of rocks.
"For his face- I'll let you do that bit, and I'll do the buttons."
It doesn't take long to give your snowman all his features, with Kalim dedicating extra time to it's large smile.
"Did you make snowmen a lot in your world?" He asks as you both back up to look at your work.
"Hm, a few times, yeah. I liked making snow angels too." You sigh wistfully, and turn to find Kalim's eyes on you.
Studying your face with a curious expression for a long moment before his eyes actually meet yours, and he looks almost startled out of... Whatever he was doing/thinking.
"What's a snow angel?" He asks, and you smile.
"I'll show you- over here." You waltz a little ways away from you two's snowman and turn to face Kalim head on.
"Step one, spread your arms out!" You show him, pointing your arms directly out on either side of you.
"Step two, fall!" You laugh as you let yourself fall back.
"Ah! MC!" Kalim shouts, startled by your actions, you even see him reach out to try and catch you.
When you hit the ground, the the soft thicker blanket of snow on the ground here softens the blow enough that there's not an ounce of pain. Just cold, creeping in through the cheap fabric of your coat.
But it's not that bad, so you press on.
"I'm fine, Kalim, it's part of the process! Now step three, swing your arms and legs back and forth like this!" You show him and he looks on with wide curious eyes.
Completely fascinated by whatever it is you're doing.
"And then, you get up real carefully- ah- can you help?" You sit up, and reach out to him, not wanting to put your hands down and ruin it.
"Of course!" He grabs both of your outstretched hands and yanks you up.
A tad to forcefully as you lift up off the ground you're pulled forward to much and tumble into him.
The first thing you note, is that he radiates warmth. The second thing you note, is that you're so close that every time you breath, your noses lightly brush together. His eyes are trained on yours wide with shock.
"Ah! I'm sorry- are you okay, MC!?" He asks, stepping back, you laugh, trying to will away the blush on your face.
"I'm fine, Kalim, uh- look! The final product! That's a snow angel." You turn away, making a ta-da motion towards your imprint on in the snow.
A perfect snow angel.
"Oh! It's like a lady with wings! A bird beastman?" He asks, his attention successfully redirected to the snow.
"Well, we don't exactly have those in my word, but we do have stories about human-like beings with wings, that act as guardians for human, watching over us and stuff. A lot of people believe their real, a lot don't. Either way, they're real fun to make." You explain, brushing the snow off the back of your coat and head as best as you can.
"It sure looked fun! I want to try! I just spread my arms like this, right?" He copy's your previous motions, a foot away from your snow angel.
"Yeah, just like that- make sure the snow is deep enough to catch your fall without hurting." You warn him and he nods looking back to assess and then letting himself fall just as you did.
He laughs as he plops into the snow, and swings his arms and legs back and forth.
You help him up just as he did you- though a bit more carefully, and admire his work.
"Perfect! A top tear snow angel. You're a professional, Kalim." You compliment with a wink, and he scratches the back of his head with a bright smile.
"Thanks! You're a great teacher! We should make more! Oh, and another snowman! So the one won't get lonely!" He suggests and you really do start to feel like a kid again as you both run around plopping into the snow, making snow angels.
And you end up making a few more snowmen- having to go out of your way and leave to find more sticks out by the Botanical Garden, stopping every so often when you find a good spot to make another snow angel.
You pass by several students during this who look at you both like you're crazy- but you really can't find it in your heart to care.
Not when Kalim is looking at you with that radiant smile, and his laughter is ringing in your ears like music.
"We should stop and warm up inside the garden for a bit Kalim, maybe have some of that tea and lunch Jamil packed us." You remark, flexing your fingers as they grow numb.
"Yeah, I am getting pretty hungry..." He trails off as you both enter the garden- the warmth immediately surrounding you both.
You shrug off your jacket and move to sit at one of the benches nearby, and Kalim follows, pulling his backpack off and in front of him to unzip and grab your lunches.
"Jamil made us some grilled sandwiches, is that okay?" He hands you a container with yours and you smile assuring.
"Of course it is."
You two enjoy a long moment of silence, enjoying your food, tea, and the warmth around you before Kalim speaks up again.
"You know, I've never wanted to hang out with people alone before." he says suddenly and you look up at him curiously.
"Ah- or well, what I mean, is that I never mind it when others join us. The more the merrier you know? I've never had the feeling of truly wanting to just... Hang out with one person and no one else before." He elaborates, and turns to meet your gaze.
"I don't really understand why, but it makes me really happy, doing fun stuff just with you, building snowmen, making snow angels, and even just eating lunch together... I'd like to do fun stuff like this with you all the time, if that's okay with you?" He asks, a little bashfully, head tilted down with a gentle, nervous smile.
"Kalim..." You murmur his name, thoughts suddenly very uncertain.
Yet your face flushes when he glances up at your voice, eyes meeting yours in a hopeful bloom of poinsettia red.
From the very day you met him- despite a lot of the initial poor circumstances, Kalim has always been one of the friendliest faces at NRC. Always happy to see you, always the first to go out of his way to try and help you, and always the first person you look for in the hallways when you need cheering up, or just to see his perfect, radiant smile.
"You, uh, might wanna be careful there, you might make me think you're asking me on a date." You chuckle nervously, rubbing at the back of your neck as you turn away.
Your face feels hot and you're really starting to miss the cold outside.
Kalim is silent for a long moment, such a long moment that it makes you glance back at him.
He's wearing a wide eyed expression, mouth slightly agape, as a flush paints his face. There is a slow creeping emotion in his eyes that you can't quite place, that leads them to dart around your face- looking for something maybe?
But then he meets your gaze directly and lets out a small gasp of realization.
End then he's tumbling forward out of his seat to grab at your upper arms.
"Ah! Kalim-"
"That exactly what I want!" He shouts and a wide smile back on his face, his eyes sparkling with joy.
"Huh?" Not the most eloquent response, but you're completely dumbfounded by the suddenness of... All of this.
If you weren't flushed before, you certainly are now, eyes wide, and jaw on the floor.
"I want to date you, MC! You're amazing, and smart, and kind, and fun, and-" He says with a brilliant smile, listing off the compliments like they're the most obvious things in the world.
"K-Kalim! Slow down, this is-" Everything you could have wanted. Wrapped up in a sparkling bow, with a gift tag that says 'to good to be true.'
"You don't mean that- I know we're good friends-" He's said it so many times, there's a permanent dent in your heart where the words are hammered in.
"Of course I mean it! MC, you're wonderful, and I wanna be able to hug you, and kiss you, and take you out on dates, and magic carpet rides so we can look at the stars together!" He interrupts you, eyes blazing with determination.
Oh geez, he's really serious about this, huh?
By the seven, of course Kalim would only realize he liked you when you pointed it out directly. He's just like that- not really understanding things unless you say them outright. He can't take a hint for the life of him.
"Please, MC? I promise I'll be the best boyfriend ever! And we'll go on the best dates! And we'll make snowmen and snow angels ever single winter!" He continues, grabbing your hands into his.
You note just how warm they are- or maybe yours are just still cold, but with how warm it is in the garden you doubt that.
It's just Kalim.
Warm, radiant, fun, and joyful Kalim.
You stare at your interlocked hands for a long, long moment as Kalim waits for your response, lost in a sea of emotion.
He likes you. He really, actually likes you.
"MC?" He squeezes you hands tighter, pulling your gaze back up to him.
"Kalim, you are so oblivious it's painful at times- of course I'll date you!" You smile, and watching as his whole face lights up like fireworks is a beautiful sight.
You laugh as he jumps forward, pulling you into a tight hug that you gladly return.
"Really? Thank you, MC! You won't regret it, I promise!" He vows and you pat his back gentle.
"I know I won't. Now we should get back to the snowmen, they probably look pretty silly just standing out there with no arms." You chuckle and Kalim pulls back.
"Yeah, you're probably right. You're always right." He sighs wistfully and you hold back an eyeroll, a smile permanently stuck to your face.
You both pack up pretty quickly, with Kalim pausing to look at you several times for long moments with a dopey smile on his face, before turning back to putting things back in his bag and putting his gloves and scarf back on.
When you two head back outside, the cold takes a moment to adjust to, and in the corner of your eye you can see Kalim try and pull his scarf tighter.
"Here, let me-" You move forward, grabbing his scarf, undoing it, and then tying it properly around his neck so it keeps him warm and stays in place.
It's a quiet moment, suspiciously so, and when you look back to the white haired boy his scarlet eyes are staring at you intensely.
You both are a lot closer then you thought, and you can see the fog of his breath mixing with yours.
"Kalim?" You ask, leaning further forward almost subconsciously, and his hands come to rest at your sides.
"Can I kiss you, MC? Please?" He asks, in a low whisper, and you give a gentle nod.
When your lips connect it's almost scalding how warm he is. But even more notably, he's so gentle.
Like he's nervous.
So you take the initiative. Pulling him closer by his scarf, and kissing him deeper, you feel him smile into the kiss, and you can't help but smile to as you pull back, but not far.
You noses still brushing together, Kalim giggles, his breath warm on your face.
"Can I do that again?" He asks, and you chuckle.
"Well, we're dating now, so you can do it whenever you want." You inform him and he jumps forward, holding you tightly as he kisses you, quick sweet pecks, over and over. Mostly on your lips, some on your cheeks and nose.
"K-Kalim!" You stutter between laughs and kisses.
"I can hug you too whenever I want, right? And come visit you, and get you gifts, and-" He starts listing and you have to put a cold hand over his mouth to pause him.
"Yes, yes, and only every once in awhile. I don't want Ramshackle overflowing with a sea of lavish gifts, Kalim. I don't need any gifts really. I just like being with you, that's enough for me." You tell him and he smiles, but it turns to a slight pout after a moment.
"Are you sure? You deserve nice things, and Jamil tells me you don't have many in Ramshackle." He asks, and you roll your eyes.
"I have what matters, Kalim. A roof over my head, clothes on my back, edible food, and okay roommates. Having an amazing boyfriend is the cherry on top. I'm not a fancy or extravagant person, Kalim, so please, don't go getting me anything extravagant." You tell him, and he sighs in defeat.
"Okay... I can get you a few things, right? Like flowers, and jewelry, and pretty clothes-"
"Flowers. You can get me flowers, and maybe some of those other things on special occasions only." You tell him firmly, even if there's still a smile on your face.
"Okay, I can do that! You have to tell me all your favorite flowers!" He asks (demands?) and you let out a gentle laugh, pulling away, grabbing his hand to hold as you both walk back to your snowmen.
You list some of your favorite flowers, up until you get back to the snowmen, and finish them off with their stick arms.
"There! They look great." You comment, backing up to admire the finished product.
Surrounded by snow angels all over the snowy ground, the snowmen actually look quite nice.
"Hm, we should get them some clothes- scarfs and hats, you know?" Kalim says from beside you.
"Hm, maybe we can swing by Sam's later and get some cheap ones, but I think we ought to call it a day, Grim will be wondering where I am by now." You check the time on your phone, seeing it's nearing early evening.
"H-huh? But we should go now so they don't get cold!" Kalim stumbles out, rushing to stand in front of you.
He has that panicked look in his eyes.
"... Kalim, they're made of snow." You say we an amused smirk and a raised brow.
"I- I know, but... Um, I wanna spend more time with you..." He comments, giving you the biggest puppy dog eyes you've ever seen, and you let out an defeated huff.
How can you say no to that face?
"Alright. But we gotta be finished by sunset, got it?" You sigh, and Kalim quickly steps forward and places another loving peck on your lips.
"Alright! And I can walk you home after." And he kisses you again.
And then again.
"Kalim- we should get going." You chuckle, putting a finger on his lips to stop him from pecking your lips again.
"Oh! Right, okay. I just really like doing that." He chuckles bashfully, and you smile, this time kissing him on the cheek playfully.
"I can tell. Now let's get going." You pull him along and he follows dumbly, a goofy smile on his face the whole way.
This is going to be an amazing Christmas. You can just tell.
~~~
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