Alibaba wakes up in his bed, a familiar face at his side. "Good morning." Sinbad greeted. "Or should I say good afternoon?"

"What about work?" He asked glumly, eager to rid himself of the man he had admired for so long. At least he wasn't naked this time.

"Your boss gave you some time off." Sinbad assured, holding up a glass of water. "Here." Alibaba sipped the cool liquid that sated his sore throat. "And said rather ominously that you should sort yourself out before you come back," Sinbad took the glass. "Don't worry, I didn't tell him anything."

Alibaba nodded, putting away his mother's quilt and throwing back his bed sheets. "You have a visitor though."

He barely dodged the fist of his visitor when he opened the bedroom door. "Morgiana!" Alibaba squeaked, ducking below a wide, sweeping kick.

Red eyes glowered at him, her words cold. "How could you not tell us?"

"Morgiana... I..." Guilt made his stomach jolt.

"No," She tned her head, her fringe obscuring her eyes. "It's alright, you didn't want to burden us with your problems didn't you? 'It's none of their business.' 'These are my problems.'" She mimicked, "I thought that at some point, you'd tell us. That you'd come to Aladdin and I for help when you needed it."

"But you don't need to push us away!" She snapped, focusing her intense gaze on him. "You didn't have to hurt Aladdin's feelings!"

Alibaba trembled. "Morg... I... You don't understand."

"You won't let us!"

She left, and Sinbad left soon after all his questions about Alibaba's well being were ignored. He stumbled back into his room and laid on the floor. He wished his insides weren't tearing themselves apart.

He startled when his door burst open. "Alibaba!" He stared between the broken lock and the red haired girl.

"Kougyoku." He sighs. "You're paying for that, you know."

The youngest Ren daughter winced. "Sorry, Alibaba." She said, fiddling with her long hair. "But we were all worried about you after Koumei said you weren't coming back with big brother."

"It's fine." He said with a patient smile, easing a hand. It really wasn't, but he didn't need to concern Kougyoku with that.

"Alibaba," Kougyoku began to protest. "We won't think any less of you. Aladdin and Morgiana admire you- my family respects you, Ugo respects you, and when you find out what you want to do." She took hold of his shoulders. "We'll support you." She leaned in close. "Especially if it's cutting up Big Brother's drivers license."

Alibaba laughed. It felt nice. Easier to breathe too. "Go sit down, I'll make us something to eat." He silenced any arguments with a look and resolved to apologize to Aladdin and Morg.

"Hey, Big Brother, how much does a door cost?" He heard her ask from the kitchen. "No. It's only the lock, but-" there was a loud crack. "On second thought, yes, an entire door. Including the lock."

For the tenth time in those few days, Alibaba face palmed.

Alibaba's hand hovered over the door. Ugo had let him in with an apologetic smile and a silent nod when he told Ugo what he wanted to request of Aladdin. Thankfully, Aladdin was a mind reader, a dn opened the door with a grin. "How much do I have to pack?"

Alibaba laughed. "In don't know. As much as you can."

So, Alibaba helped the younger pack, internally greatful the sixteen year olds term had ended for the year. Not that it would matter. Aladdin was a prodigy, and his friend's could easily catch him up in their classes. Besides, the teachers knew Motal Magnostuat would have wanted him to go.

Morgiana came later, leaving her luggage in Alibaba's apartment while they waited for Sinbad to arrive the next morning to check on Alibaba. He told them on Balbad. Of it's gorgeous ports and magnificently crafted buildings. He told them about his mother, and the slums. He told them of the good times with Cassim and Miriam. He told them about his time in the palace. He told them how he ran. He told them how it was when he came here.

In return, they shared small anecdotes with him. Morgianna about the country she came from, and how they wouldn't acknowledge the years of education she already took. Aladdin about his mother and father, and how he was adopted by Ugo until they fell asleep, bundled together, and confident towards the trials to come.

"Rise and shine," Sinbad's voice filled his ears. "I took all your luggage to the car, but you all can get ready at your own pace." He urged, tapping Morgiana awake and leaving.

They all shared a glance, laughing, from nerves or excitement, it did not matter.