Taking Chances by Princess of Agrabah
Summary: What would have happened if Razoul and the guards hadn't barged in on Aladdin and Jasmine during the first movie? Would they still have their happy ending? And just where does Jafar fit into all this?
Rating: PG-13
Categories: Aladdin
Characters: Abu, Aladdin, Jafar, Jasmine
Genres: Action/Adventure, Alternate Universe, Romance
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Published: 03/20/11
Updated: 04/09/11
Index
Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Chapter 2: 2.Chapter 2
Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Author's Notes: I had this idea in my head for a while thanks to a question raised by Meesh in the forums ^^.
Kudos to the first reviewer to pick up on the Slumdog Millionaire reference in Chapter 1!
Their lips met after what seemed like an eternity. The man’s hand brushed her cheek gently and she held it there, transfixed by his touch. She could feel him deepening the kiss and her heart began pounding. Like other girls she’d always dreamed of her first kiss but never imagined it to be like this. She began to lose all sense of control, even as his hands wove into her hair, pushing back the hood that accompanied her disguise. Her arms slithered their way around his neck, pulling him closer. Part of her mind screamed that this was going too far, after all they had just met. She barely knew him, and if her Father ever found out–
“Wait.” She said against his lips, pulling away reluctantly. “I’m sorry, I just can’t do this..”
“No, it’s my fault, I got carried away…” the young man replied sheepishly as he ran a hand through his messy hair. She could see the faintest trace of a blush on his cheeks, which made her smile. He was very much a man, but she found him both incredibly handsome and endearing, like a child.
“I’m Aladdin…by the way.”
“Jasmine.”
“Jasmine…like the flower?” Aladdin grinned charmingly before adding, “The flower’s not half as beautiful as you.”
“Thank you.” she answered, a smile gracing her features. He was very sincere and sweet, unlike those second-rate princes that her father had arranged to court her. And he had actually listened to her with a keen interest in what she was saying. He was so different than those suitors–why couldn’t she have him instead of one of those swaggering peacocks? It wasn’t fair. It’s also not fair that I’m keeping him in the dark about who I am, she thought suddenly, feeling a wave of guilt. “Aladdin, I have to tell you something…”
******
Oh, Allah…please don’t let her be married… He’d had enough of that sort of drama to last a lifetime. Besides, Jasmine was different. She was smart, and fun, and-
“I’m…I’m the Sultan’s daughter.
Wait…what? His mouth opened in shock at this statement. The Princess? After a few moments his brain kicked into gear and he lowered himself to a bow. “Forgive me, Your Highness…” he managed to say, the words causing a strange sensation in his throat. The Princess…I kissed–I might eve love the Princess. Commoners were forbidden to even look at the Princess, weren’t they? And he’d touched her–kissed her–and what a kiss it had been. She was the closest to heaven he’d ever get. He had wondered if this was all a dream…it had all been so wonderful. She’d been the only one ( besides Abu ) that had understood him, that knew what it was like to be trapped. But she’s the Princess. Whatever they could have had would never be. He supposed he’d get beheaded for this, or worse.
“Aladdin, stand up.”
“Your Highness?” Before he could do anything else she knelt down, took his hands, and pulled him to his feet.
Aladdin stared at the ground humbly, not sure what to say. His heart fluttered a bit when she lifted his chin so his eyes were forced to meet hers. Those beautiful eyes…no. He couldn’t think that, she was the Princess. He was a street rat. A nobody.
“Jasmine. Please, just call me Jasmine.”
“Your Majesty…might I be given permission to speak?” he asked, disregarding her request for sake of propriety–which, he supposed, was ironic, because he was anything but proper.
Jasmine sighed. “Yes.”
He refrained from raising an eyebrow and continued, “I–well, that is…why? Why did you kiss me?”
“Because I love you.”
“You…you love me?” he repeated, blinking confusedly at this. “Is this a joke?” he asked. He immediately wished he hadn’t when he saw the hurt in her eyes. She means it… “I mean–look at me.” He held out his arms and sat down. “I’m a street rat–a thief! A scoundrel, a public menace…” He was called those sort of names every day and he was beginning to think they suited him. “I’m nothing. What could you possibly see in me?” he questioned, staring up at Jasmine.
To his surprise, she sat down next to him and took his hands in hers. “You’re the only man I know that’s actually understood me. You saved my life, you were willing to help me even though we’ve only just met. You have a pure heart and a noble spirit. You’re everything I could ever want, Aladdin.” she said softly, lifting her hand to his cheek.
“Jasmine…I…” Without warning, her lips silenced him and he was flying again. When they broke apart he wrapped his arms around her protectively, not wanting to let go for fear she was a mirage. “I love you.”
“If you love me, then will you do something for me?”
“Anything.” he replied emphatically.
“Don’t ever cut yourself down like that again.” Jasmine ordered firmly. “You may think that you’re nothing, but to me you’re everything.
Aladdin smiled wanly and pressed his lips to her forehead. He frowned a little when he felt her trembling against him. “What’s wrong?”
“My father...he’ll notice I’m gone. He’s going to send the guards out to look for me.” Her expression changed, her eyes full of stubborn determination–a look that both scared and thrilled him. “I’m not going back. Not after finally tasting freedom.”
“You’ve never left the palace?” he asked, surprised. He supposed that if she had he would have noticed her, but then again, Agrabah was huge. Still, it was likely that he would have heard if the Princess was out and about in the city.
Jasmine shook her head. “Never. That palace is a prison. I can’t go back…not when I have to marry one of those fools.”
Aladdin was silent for a few moments, deep in thought. He was almost afraid to voice his opinion, as it was such a radical suggestion. But when he saw her staring up expectantly at him, he began, “What if we ran away?” At her surprised look he continued, “We could get away from all this. We could go anywhere, anywhere you’d like. Just you and me.”
“Wha?”
Their heads both turned at Abu’s protest. Aladdin chuckled a little at the monkey before adding, “And Abu. I guess I’m stuck with him.” Abu looked as if he was going to throw something at him, but Aladdin simply ruffled his fur affectionately.
Jasmine giggled at the monkey’s outburst, but then her radiant smile faded. Aladdin raised an eyebrow at this and she asked, “Where would we go? What would we live on?”
Without thinking he laid his hand over hers. “Love.”
Chapter 2: 2.Chapter 2
Jasmine awoke with a start. For a moment she was alarmed, as she was used to the soft cushions of her bedchamber in the palace, instead of the rough blanket and throw pillow on which she had fallen asleep. A smile crept across her face as she remembered the events of that day, and she looked across the room, expecting to find Aladdin sleeping soundly. However, she didn’t. She sat up a little and saw the moonlight shining through the huge window that left the hovel open to the elements. The young man was sitting on a step, gazing out over the city pensively. The moonlight enveloped him and made him seem almost dreamlike. To Jasmine he looked even more beautiful, like a finely chiseled statue of solid marble. She could have marveled at him all night, but she didn’t want to disturb him. She was about to return to her makeshift cot, but when she saw the dried tears on his cheeks she stepped forward involuntarily. “Aladdin?”His head turned quickly in alarm, but soon his eyes relaxed and he smiled weakly. “Good morning.” he greeted her, a hint of sadness in his voice.
“Morning? It’s still dark out…”
“I’m usually up around this time. Somebody has to keep watch in case the guards come. Besides, I’m not really a heavy sleeper…”
“What’s wrong?” Jasmine asked, laying a hand on his arm gently.
“It’s nothing. Go back to b-“ His eyes widened as if surprised by the harshness of his own words and his tone softened. “I’m fine.” he reassured her, his lips brushing her forehead.
She wasn’t going to take that. She knew something was amiss. If he loved her, then he’d tell her. “Aladdin, what’s wrong?” she repeated, softly but firmly as she lifted a hand to stroke his cheek.
“I-I had a dream…” he said quietly after a moment of silence. “It’s normal…every night I have the same dream. Or more like a nightmare.” He added bitterly. His eyes found hers and he smiled that wan smile that tugged at her heartstrings again as he took her hand. “I’m alright, really. You should go back to sleep. It’s a big day tomorrow and all.”
“Please tell me what’s bothering you.” Before he could protest again she continued, “I’m leaving my whole life behind and starting a new one with you–because I trust you that much.” She ran a hand over his well-muscled arm gently. “Trust me.”
He frowned and drew her into his arms. “It was about my mother. She died when I was five. I…I found her one day and...I’ve been on my own ever since.”
“Oh Aladdin…I’m so sorry...” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him comfortingly.
“It’s alright. It was a long time ago. I have you now.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand and she held it there. “We should both get some sleep. If our plan’s going to work we’re gonna need plenty of rest.”
She smiled and nodded in agreement. “Good night, my handsome prince.”
“Sleep well, Princess.” Aladdin murmured back before capturing her lips in a kiss.
******
Prince! She called me her Prince! Aladdin sighed amorously as Jasmine drifted off to sleep. How could his life have changed for the better so quickly? Just yesterday the only thing that had mattered to him was survival. Now she was the most important thing in his life. He watched her contently for a few moments before settling down in a corner.
Now, just maybe he could leave this life behind. If they left Agrabah, maybe he could find an honest trade and actually take pride in the fruits of his labor. He was a master thief, but he was ashamed of it. All his life he’d fought and stolen in order to stay alive. He had been treated like a rat, and had been an outcast for twelve years. Someday things are gonna change, he’d told Abu one night. Now they were changing–maybe not in the way they’d expected, but things were changing, and for the better. Because of her. Someone cared, someone accepted him, someone loved him. And a Princess no less! It almost seemed too good to be true, that an angel like her even noticed a pauper like himself. But she’d sat with him, listened to him, and comforted him. He pinched himself lightly to convince himself that she was here, that she wasn’t a dream. Smiling with joy, he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of his lovely Princess.