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[5.20.2022] Anonymous Requested: 

𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵 (𝘴𝘰 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩), 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘔𝘊 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘢𝘥𝘦’𝘴 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴? 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦!

• Jade is an enigma to almost everyone who truly looks at him and his actions, he's a man of mystery in an unpredictable way. Jade Leech has an aesthetic he keeps of a meek and reliable person, one that tricked Trey into thinking he was subservient to other's whims…
• But beneath the mask, there is a predator lying in wait. His thin and charming smile hides sharp, razor teeth. His eyes hide his feelings and are shaped so nicely for makeup. His clothes are so formal and properly worn because it fits his right-hand man status (and he genuinely likes being put together, make no mistake).
• He does as Azul's right-hand needs to do, and he's not afraid to crack his aesthetic to make a person get what he's laying down (most likelyーat that pointーit's threats)... But he felt his mask crack in the opposite direction with you for the first time…
• You had been in the Monstro Lounge to meet Azul, filling out your points card for something you didn't want to share, and Jade was curious as ever. You, in your uniform done up formally, drinking something from the specialty menu as you look at your points card had caught his attention… And like clockwork, he became nosey.
• "Oya… you're here again, drinking the same item, and looking at your ticket. My, whatever could drive you to drink like this?" Jade had come to a stop just within range of your table, and he smiles just as normally as always. His smile showed worry, but he felt mirthful at your patronage. "Are you alright?"
• You look from your ticket and smile at him, your smile guarded equally to his own masked smile. You greet each other and he truly does want to know why you need Azul's benevolence, and what concerns you so…
• … If you had only asked Jade, he'd do anything for you within reason. Surely, after all you've made him prove his friendship, he'd think you'd use it… ?
• You never seem to crack, but Jade has seen how you give into niceties and genuine wonder; the crew you have that follow you around secretly fear you for it, after all. When he gives you a wondering, wistful gaze and bats his eyes just right, he sees you sigh and finally give in. 
• "It's… for his opinion. Maybe I'll ask for help if it's near impossible alone, but I'm not key on giving up so easily."
• Oh, that is indeed interesting. Buying all this, for a question? Now he's curious. "If it's not personal, you don't have to answer, but… may I ask for what?"
• Jade, having leaned down to keep the conversation to yourselves, felt you turn slowly and into his ear, and speak quietly. "For love."
• Just those words, coupled with the warm breath against his ear and neck, had him flustered. Oh dear, excuse him a second! You might have cracked his mask enough to make his blush, and you have turned back to your card. You look so determined at it, and he looks so stunned you actually had an effect on him.
• His mask had slipped, and his feelings had been so open… ! It was frighteningly attractive of you to do that so easily, and then turn away like that. The tease! He didn't know you were that type of man, and he liked it. His favorite mask of causing fear and putting another in their place just didn't sound right for you, you deserve…
• … meek, subservient, and lovestruck… 
• And he really wants to use it upon you, as you make him feel strangely pleasant and he wants to be on your "level" of playing field. Land dwellers really like being on equal footing, if not feeling above another creature naturally…
• And oh, how the idea of having you feel the need to protect him, the poor and calm Leech twin, makes his smile widen and his face heat. Maybe he likes the thought of another man, a potential boyfriend, being his dear prince charming… or his bad boy protector; he really likes the thought of both! 
• … Maybe he likes that bad boy protector image a bit too much, he might have daydreamed about it more than once (Floyd obviously noticed, as well)...
• Everyday you come to fill out your ticket, you smile as he personally serves you (he did pull strings for you to be his personal customer), and he smiles back. Everytime you get it filled, he staples it with gusto as you hold it out, it's like clockwork. Everytime you come, he's ready with a new topic to ask you about and to drop hints he'd love to take you out (... romantically, he assured)!
• Everytime, you leave with a laugh or leave with a smile. Everytime, he's no closer to getting your heart…
• Until he finally staples the last slot, and you're practically vibrating in your seat! He teased you, of course…
• "My, you must have been waiting for this day for so long! It's been nearly a month since you told me what you wanted from Azul." He teased, before he straightened himself out to give you the news. "Thank you, valued customer, for filling out your ticket. I, as senior staff, have acknowledged your efforts and your eligibility for a meeting with the manager. At any given time, please specify when you'd like to meet with Azul Ashengrotto."
• And upon the time and day, Floyd allows for Jade to personally escort you in and give you (disguised) congratulations for your efforts in the Lounge, and even jokes you must be tired of their beverages at this point…
• And taking his stance with Floyd behind Azul, they stand at attention as Azul gets the meeting underway, and you bring up your reasons for coming here. They have not changed since you talked with him a month ago.
• Azul speaks rather frankly, but he still sounds pleased to be here (it'd be rude not to, as Jade had been noted by Azul to fancy you), "My opinions, and if needed, my assistance in love? I am glad you think so highly of my judgement, sir. But, love is a fickle and malleable emotion, it is not guaranteed to work or fail on simple whims alone." Azul warns. "But, it can be achieved, I assure you. Please, speak the name of the one your heart desires." 
• If Jade could feel colder than when icebergs hover and block the sun from the sea, and bleed out freezing whisps into the tides of his home…
• … It's when you name a name that isn't his.

Hello 🌻

I just wanted to say, I just found your blog and it's such a hidden gem!!

I love how you depict some of my favorite characters like Jade and Rook.

And I think your requests are open so I wanted to try and make one, if it's ok.

Could you do a continuation of the one where reader had accidentally led on Jade, but with a happier ending?

It's just that it totally broke my heart, and also I think it would interesting to read Jade's reaction onwards.

Like, maybe the perfect's crush didn't work out or something similar, would Jade make a move having realized his feelings?

Or maybe reader's crush wasn't deep feelings and in retrospective they realize Jade was special to them so they make the first move?

Azul's line got me thinking a lot as you can see xD

Sorry I think I'm rambling x0

But then again, don't feel pressured to write it, I'm very happy I got to talk a bit about it

Thanks again for sharing your work, its amazing, take care ( ◜‿◝ )♡

-🌻

• To say his heart was soured for a while would be an understatement, especially when he was with someone he would naturally need for company. Floyd and Azul had been his choices, naturally, but also honest types like Trey and Jamil get a peek at him. 
• Azul had been honestly shocked that day you said a name that wasn't Jade, because it honestly felt like a bad rom-com deep in his head. A pining flirt like Jade can't be easily ignored unless you're actively avoiding seeing everything he does, so that had been one huge slap to the face... and not to Azul.  
• Of course, he'll try and fulfill your wishes and attempt to get your crush to notice your efforts. They can't use magic that might be manipulative after all, so Azul does anything he can for you. Gets their full schedule on note, gets their favorite items written down, and algorithms their favorite topics to talk about. But it's your hard work that needs to use it properly, so he leaves that to you. 
• Floyd is also not pleased by any of this. He may be Jade's sibling, but as a co-worker and seeing Jade give you extra pops on your coupon because he's smitten with you makes his face turn downwards. At first, he didn't seem to register that you said a different name, because he zoned out. He thought this was where Jade and him would have to be sent out of the room as a "show of faith", because you'd fluster and not be able to say Jade's name right in front of him...  
• But that sounded a lot like someone else. And Jade looked, honestly, more hurt then he'd ever seen his brother hurt before. Of course, the look on Jade didn't last long and Jade became more cordial and flat afterwards, but Floyd looked cross. What? What was this? This just felt icky but he's not good with words, so he just pouts until their alone to ask what's up here.
• Later on, Floyd would look at you and ask Jade, "This guy! Look at him, all obtuse!" Jade doesn't stop him, because Floyd is entitled to feel as he pleases. And he's mostly out of it. 
• But Jade left almost immediately after you did, and only said, "It seems very late. I should go." Before he basically booked it out of there. Floyd wasn't happy about assisting with counting money, but he wasn't going to complain about Jade leaving at all. He can completely understand. 
• By the time Floyd got back to their shared room, Jade was already asleep. Youch.
• Jade, during all of this, will be honest with himself and say that it had hurt to hear anything that wasn't him said in your voice. The sinking in his stomach was like when Jamil threw him from great heights into the desert in Scarabia, and the cold feelings he felt afterwards felt very bitter and chilly to him. 
• He never thought he'd say this, but his heart hurt for you and he almost felt vicious about it. Why? What was this? What's so special about this rejection? He's been rejected before...
• And why does sitting next to you in class, because he had pulled strings a month ago to be near you in your shared class, make his heart flutter again? Your reading Azul's notes and messing with your hair as you stress about if this person will like you back, and this and that and this and that... ! 
• He honestly wanted to ignore this, ignore you... but as you lean into him and ask him what this sentence means (as Azul is a bit too eloquent sometimes), he can only help you. He can't really say no to you yet, and this was his job technically... 
• As he reads it and tries to process what it could mean, he pushes his hair on his right side back as it scratches his ear. As he does so, he doesn't catch you staring a bit too long at his profile. 
• He tries to leave class last, but you seem to linger as well alongside him. He really hoped you would leave while entranced by your notes, but you stayed next to Jade as he packs up slower than usual. It can't be helped, he thinks, you're still technically friends. 
• And definitely, he realizes very quickly how much time you both spent together on a daily basis as the next few days pass. The odd lunch with him and Floyd happens, you always share your breaks together after shared classes, and you usually join him at the café once all your duties are done elsewhere. And that's not counting passing each other in the hall or using a facility like the library at the same time.
• If Jade didn't know any better, he'd say he was trying to continue the hurt for himself, because this wasn't helping. And he definitely wasn't getting help from Floyd or Azul to get you to change your schedule somehow... your still special to him. 
• Maybe you could be friends. It'll take a while, but he'll manage. He's very good at making others perceive himself in a certain manner. 
• It wasn't long until he noticed that you weren't reading Azul's notes as long as you used to, especially since you often had him translate for you. The papers are not in direct sight for classes, so Jade assumes that you've studied them religiously and properly. 
• You seemed more downcast than usual, and he hopes that he doesn't hear about you getting together with your crush. That would be too much, especially barely a week past the request from Azul. 
• He doesn't notice, however, the many things that have turned towards him with you. He had taken to not really looking at you in the eye as much to help his heart stop racing, but it also only helped him not notice that your eyes are far more gentle for you. It seems, something may have changed...
• After about two or three more days, Jade's starting to feel more calm about potentially losing you. Of course, after the papers had disappeared he knew he couldn't let this hang him up any longer. It was unhealthy and he knew a week had passed with little change, so he tried to distract himself. Inevitable things are unimportant details, it's going to happen. Seeing you was inevitable. And so he decides to just try his best and try tending the bar again...
• ... Until he sees you slide up on the bar near after-hours. He hums as he thinks, it's inevitable. People need food, drinks, and socializing. It's inevitable.  
• While he begins cleaning the bar and menus, calling for Floyd to send the freshman home before the cleaning starts at closing, he starts to talk to you like it was a week ago. He knows he's been a bit withdrawn, but he won't fault himself. New situation, new faces. 
• "How are we doing tonight, sir." He greets with his signature hospitable smile, but it's simply a formality for you. "Did you come for drinks, food, or a meeting?"
• "Just to wait for your off hours, Jade. I want to tell you something, and hopefully it's not interrupted." You answer, and definitely, it is likely an interruption might happen. This school was full of surprises and chances. 
• Jade doesn't dare let his mind wander to thinking of anything you might want to talk about. All he knows is your calm, and you're here for him. Nothing else. "Certainly. I'll make an exception to the one drink for loitering rule, just for you."
• "Thank you Jade." He always does that for you, breaks an inconvenient rule just for you, but you always thank him anyway.
• As soon as the kitchen closes and Jade gets two people to mop the main floor, he finally realizes it's time to talk. Two people as your only potential witnesses is better than nothing. He tosses his towel over the sink and runs hot water to melt the remaining ice, before he's done. And it's time to talk. 
• "What did you need from me while I was at work? Usually, I hear about most things over text or in class." Jade inquired into what this might be about. 
• "Well... I would like to talk about what happened in Azul's office." You state, and then add. "Not as his employee! As Jade Leech, you know?"
• "... Go on." He really wished he had glasses to polish. Something to dust. Ice to refill. 
• You continue. "I was going over what I wanted as I read his notes and some of that information... well, it didn't sound like the person I crushed on. Was the person I was thinking of just a public face they had to look more appealing to a certain crowd. Maybe, I don't know..."
• Jade wants to laugh, is that not what he also does to a certain degree? Everyone has faces and masks, so what could it be that you found so strange? Of course, Jade didn't really know from his absence gathering information on this particular request, but he's sure Azul has files. 
• Jade actually feels a bit... calmer? A more natural serene peace, if you want to look deeply. It feels almost like when he hopes Floyd doesn't burn the kitchen and ruin equipment while experimenting in there, and then coming in to see an actual maintained kitchen. 
• "Well, it's complicated, but something happened and I just couldn't go through with asking them out... I know that my heart's not in the right place and there's just someone I need to be more honest with." You seem sheepish but no less determined as you lean forward on the bar. 
• "Well, if you've been dishonest the only things you can do are tell the truth and atone. The crime should fit the punishment after all." Jade gives you the push you need to finish what you started, as he will have time to fully answer you if you continue.
• And almost as soon as the mops hit the buckets and the two other students left for the back, did you finally confess. "I have been dishonest, Jade Leech. Who I really want to date, would be you, and not anyone else."
• He has all the humility of an esteemed host, and the grace of a predator. But it seems even the noble Jade Leech, can turn pink and lose his words.