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For the past week, you have been avoiding Jade, and for good reason. You had him help you with a hair styling demonstration along with Vil, and he said that you owed him for it. Jade told you that he wanted you to be his test subject for mushroom experimentation, or, in simple words, he wanted you to eat the random mushrooms he had and see what happened. You were less than enthusiastic. Last time you helped him with this, you turned into a human glow stick, and the effect lasted for two weeks! So, obviously, you avoided him.
Although you were reluctant to see Jade, that didn’t stop you from going to the Mostró Lounge to see Azul. You had been regularly going to the VIP Lounge to ask Azul for help with your Alchemy homework, but truthfully, you didn’t need help; you just wanted to see him. His schedule is always so packed, so that was the only way you could think of to spend time with him, even if you both were so absorbed in your own work. Though you still had to pay him for his help, it was still worth it in your eyes.
It was finally Friday, and this was the lounge's busiest day, so you would pass Jade with no problem, but you didn’t want to take any chances. As you quickly walked into the corridor leading to the VIP Lounge, you let out a sigh of relief. You approached the door and knocked lightly before you entered, seeing Azul signing off on some documents.
"Oh, are you still busy?"
Azul looks up from his papers and flashes you a small smile.
"It’s nothing too important, just some things I have to sign off on," he sighs. "We don’t have alchemy homework on Fridays, so what do you need?" He pauses for a moment, looking you over. "You seem a little out of breath; are you alright?" He asks curiously.
"I’m fine; I was just rushing over here trying to avoid Jade." You make your way to the couch and plop yourself on it, taking a deep breath. "And Floyd technically? I wouldn’t be surprised if he was trying to get to me too," you sigh, looking up at the dark purple ceiling.
"Are the twins causing you trouble?" He asks, grinning.
"Jade says I owe him a mushroom taste testing session since he let me mess around with his hair for a bit for a demonstration with Vil."
You turn your head towards Azul, seeing him smiling at your misfortune. You could only give a half-hearted chuckle at the sight.
"Save me, Azul," you tease.
He chuckles at your plea. "You want me to save you from Jade? That will take lots of convincing."
"Oh, come on," you groan, "can’t you be my knight in shining armor?"
A slight rouge creeps on Azul’s cheeks from your words; you take notice and let out a small chuckle. A grin appears on Azul’s face, and he plays along with your little skit.
"Oh, but, my queen, I'm a non-confrontational man."
"Well, maybe then I should demote you to a knight in rusted armor," you say playfully.
"Such hurtful words, my Queen; don’t say such things to your loyal subjects!" He says it dramatically.
"Are you a loyal subject when you can’t help your queen when she is in a plight?"
You both laughed for a moment at your ridiculous conversation. Although it was just for giggles, you couldn’t help but blush at him calling you his queen.
Azul looks at his watch, making note of the time, and stands up from his desk. He walks over to the couch and extends his hand. "Now, shall I save you from the evil monster called Jade?"
You look at him, trying to keep a straight face, but you can't help but smile.
"Thank you, my knight," you say, taking his hand.
Both of you exit the VIP Lounge hand-in-hand, walking down the corridor. Azul looks at you and says, "A beautiful queen such as yourself shouldn’t deal with such nonsense."
You almost physically stop yourself when hearing the compliment. You blush and jokingly say, "My dear knight, don’t say such things; what if the maids spread rumors about the two of us?"
Azul chuckles. "Who would say the rumors aren’t true?"
You’re unable to process what’s happening. Azul was flirting back with you, or was he just being his usual charming self? He really made you confused sometimes, and now wasn’t the best time for this confusion. He didn’t seem phased by his comment, so take it as his usual charm.
You smile and let go of his hand. "Come on, Jade and Floyd are at the bar."
You realized why Azul made note of the time; it was already closing time. When you came in, it was probably the closing-time rush you were seeing. Floyd was putting up barstools, and Jade was wiping glasses while talking to another.
You run over to the two, Azul trailing behind you.
"Jade!" you shout.
The two turn their heads in your direction, and Jade gives you a toothy smile. You shiver at the sight of his sharp teeth, but you continue over to them. He sets down the glass he was drying.
"Hello, I see that you brought reinforcements," he says, looking over to Azul.
Hello, Jade, Indeed, I have been called to my queen’s side. Azul’s voice is playful, with a smirk on his lips.
Floyd’s screeching laugh fills the restaurant after hearing Azul’s voice. Jade looks confused for a moment, but joins in on the bit.
"A queen should never go back on her word to her faithful people; your rescue party is here for no real reason," he says calmly while looking over to Azul. Floyd is still laughing his ass off.
Azul takes a small pause.
"I suppose you’re right, Jade. My Queen is faithful to her people and their mushroom testing." His smirk widens slightly, and there is a faint glint of teasing in his blue eyes.
You turn over to Azul and glare at him. "I thought you were here to help me with Jade?"
What am I to do?" The glint in his eyes turned mischievous. "I can’t fight your battles for you." He tilts his head slightly, his smirk continuing to play across his lips. "I suppose you’ll have to face your fate."
"That’s what a knight is supposed to do! Fight my battles for me!" you say angrily at him.
Jade smiled at his words and continued to dry the glasses that were left.
Without responding to you, he kneels down and kisses your hand. He gets up and makes his way back to the VIP Lounge, leaving you there with Floyd and Jade.
"My queen’s safety is in good hands. You do not need an escorting knight."
Despite your blushing face, you were upset with the supposed knight in shining, well-rusted armor.
"You’re a shitty knight!" You shout
Azul chuckles at your response and turns to look at you with a small smirk.
"And you’re a stubborn queen."