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It was almost with a feeling of relief that Azul locked the doors to Mostro Lounge behind the last customer of the night. Of course, closing up shop always felt like almost a relief. If he could, he’d keep the lounge open 24 hours in order to best serve the poor, positively famished students of Night Raven College and keep the thaumarks coming in. Unfortunately, even in human form, his body needed rest every so often, and there didn’t seem to be a demand for the lounge to stay open later. (Not to mention suckering wayward souls into working such dreadful hours…)
Despite everything, it was a bit of a pity that the lounge inevitably had to close this particular night, especially after how many students had come in and out of those doors during the course of the day. Azul had never seen the dining room so busy.
He’d give credit where credit was due. Floyd of all people was the one to thank for today’s massive success. His suggestion to run a special the day after final exams might have been an offhand comment in his own eyes, but Azul had immediately seen potential in it. No classes were being held, but the entire student body would still be on campus to pack their belongings and prepare to go home for summer break. What better place to enjoy a refreshing drink after a day of packing and spend a little extra time with one’s school friends before a break than Mostro Lounge? Giving every item on the menu a modest discount would tempt customers to splurge and, in turn, spend more than usual. Not only that, such a sale would help liquidate the kitchen’s ingredients and prevent waste. Truly a win-win.
The part of closing that did feel like a relief was Azul knowing he could soon rest his weary body. He’d stayed as busy as anyone else during all of the hustle and bustle of the day. Between meeting with students looking to make last-minute deals before summer vacation, managing the dining room, and even waiting tables when the lounge was at capacity, he’d more than pulled his weight. A few of his employees had protested, saying that they had everything under control, but Azul insisted that he pitch in. No task was too menial for a man who wanted to see his business succeed.
Everyone had worked hard today. Perhaps they’d brought in enough money for all of the employees to receive a bonus before going home.
Maybe.
With a sigh, Azul turned to head back to his office, but he was quickly stopped by a sharp pain in his foot. It seemed he’d been busier than he realized today. How long had it been since he last sat down?
He supposed it didn’t matter. The sooner he got to his office, the sooner he could nestle into his desk chair and review the day’s paperwork. Signed contracts to file and income reports to fill out. Azul couldn’t help but smirk at the thought.
That little smile quickly turned into a scowl as he took another step and felt the same jolt of pain in his other foot. He’d have to take things slowly in order to minimize his discomfort.
Even still, each ginger step made him wince ever so slightly. He was reminded of an alternative telling of the story of the Mermaid Princess he’d heard once as a child. In that version, not only did the princess give her voice to the Sea Witch, she’d allowed her tongue to be cut out in exchange for a potion that would give her human legs. Worse, every step she took on her new human feet would feel as though she were walking on knives. Despite the Sea Witch’s thoughtful warning, the Mermaid Princess drank the potion anyway.
Obviously that version of the tale was completely false and likely conjured by some young merfolk trying to sound edgy, but Azul could certainly empathize with the Mermaid Princess from that particular story at the moment.
After what felt like eons, Azul hobbled inside the VIP Room. Just a little farther and he could have a seat. His desk beckoned him like a lighthouse in the night, promising a comfortable place to rest.
But as he crossed the room, another piece of furniture caught his eye. Not only was his office furnished with a large, beautiful desk for him to conduct business at, it also had a pair of couches. Soft, pillowy couches. He didn’t have to walk as far to reach those, and their plush cushions looked far more inviting at the moment than his desk chair. Surely he could manage looking over his paperwork in a new location for one night.
Without a second thought, Azul marched over to the front of his desk as best he could, grabbed the stack of papers from it, and unceremoniously plopped down on the couch. Oh, sweet relief…
Azul sat perfectly still for a few moments, simply enjoying the sensation of not standing, before using one foot to slip a shoe off followed by the other. He might come to regret possibly scuffing his shoes, but that would be a problem for later. Once his feet were free, he hoisted his legs onto the couch and sat with his back against one of the armrests as if it were a chaise lounge. He flexed his toes with a smile. This was exactly what he needed.
However, there was still work to be done, and it wasn’t getting done on its own. Azul picked up his stack of papers and began leafing through them.
The first contract was for an Ignihyde student who wanted to improve the dexterity of his fingers. Something about wanting to top the leaderboards for some computer game. Such a simple request was hardly worth Azul’s time, but it was a net gain in the end. He’d sarcastically suggested that the student merely trade whatever change he had in his pocket, and it just so happened that one of the coins was a somewhat rare minting from the Sunset Savanna. Although Azul was unlikely to capitalize on its value by selling it, it would make a lovely addition to his personal collection.
The next contract was for a Heartslabyul student hoping to become more muscular and attract a ‘summer love.’ Azul scowled at the notion. How he loathed people who asked him to ‘enhance’ their physical appearances, especially people whose bodies already appeared flawless. Those people had probably never been teased about their looks. Never teased for not being able to keep up when playing childhood games, never teased for simply being different. He should have asked for far more in exchange than a year of free labor at Mostro Lounge. Perhaps he should let Riddle know that one of his dear students was cutting corners and not following the rules of exercise…
Azul was shaken from his thoughts by the sound of the VIP Room’s door opening, and he looked up just in time to see Jade enter with a tea tray perfectly balanced on one hand. The way he could do that so effortlessly never ceased to amaze.
Jade stopped in his tracks when he got a look at Azul, his usual grin fading into a look of confusion for a moment. Then that all-too-familiar practiced smile reappeared as he closed the door behind him. “My my, don’t you look comfortable.”
“I thought a change of perspective might be nice,” Azul lied. It rarely behooved him to keep things from the twins, but if Jade of all people knew how his body ached, Azul was sure that he’d find a way to torment him and make it worse.
“Of course. And are your feet on the couch to enjoy the change of scenery as well?”
Azul’s eyes narrowed. Leave it to Jade to find a way to tease him anyway. “It’s nearly summer. All of the lounge’s upholstery will be steam-cleaned in the coming days anyway.”
Jade chuckled. “You’d best be glad that I found you like this instead of Floyd. After all the times you’ve told him not to put his feet on the furniture, he might never listen to you again if he saw you breaking your own rules.”
With a little huff, Azul turned his attention back to his paperwork. “It’s always been you, Jade.”
The room suddenly grew quiet after that. So quiet, in fact, that Azul nearly forgot Jade was standing there. He glanced back up to find his assistant standing stock still with his mouth agape. Finally, Jade managed to whisper a single word. “What?”
“It’s always been you who brought me tea after work,” Azul explained. “There was never any fear that Floyd would see me.”
Jade’s lips twitched in what might have been amusement. He then cleared his throat, and everything was suddenly back to normal. “I suppose you’d like your tea on the coffee table tonight instead of your desk.”
“Yes, that would be preferable. I don’t plan to leave this spot for a while yet.”
Jade placed the tea tray on the table, its metallic feet delicately clinking against the glass tabletop. “Your unwillingness to move wouldn’t have anything to do with the way you were limping across the lounge, would it?”
Azul felt his cheeks puff out ever so slightly. Curse Jade and his guileful ways.
Then, to add insult to quite literal injury, that wretched eel had the nerve to laugh at him.
“For your information,” Azul said, putting his papers aside so he could reach for a teacup, “I stayed quite busy today.”
“I’m aware. I’ve had my eye on you.” Jade gestured to the couch. “May I join you?”
Azul’s legs only covered the middle seat of the couch, so there was plenty of room at the end for another person to sit. Still, he forced a sigh just to let Jade know how irritating he was being at the moment. “If you must.”
Jade’s smirk grew a little wider, which only meant one thing: he was up to something.
Before Azul could question him, Jade leaned down and scooped Azul’s legs up beneath the ankles. Then, as Azul sputtered and did his best not to spill his tea, Jade sat down, pulled a spare cushion onto his lap, and deposited Azul’s feet atop it.
“Jade! What are you-!?”
“Relax,” Jade cut him off. He took one of Azul’s socked feet in his hands and began massaging it.
Azul wanted to stop him. He wanted so badly to demand that Jade take his feet out of his lap and leave him be. He didn’t need to be coddled! He wasn’t so weak that he couldn’t handle occasional pain caused by overexertion.
But, oh, the firm pressure of Jade’s nimble fingers working their way over his aching muscles made him want to melt…
The contentment must have been apparent on his face by the way Jade smiled at him. “How’s that?”
Curse him. Curse that Jade Leech.
“That feels nice.” Azul’s voice came out far quieter than he intended.
Jade hummed as he rubbed a particularly sore spot. “In just a few days, you won’t have to worry about this sort of thing.” When Azul arched an eyebrow, Jade added, “We’ll be back home. I don’t believe I’ve ever had pains in my tailfin like the ones I feel up here from being on my feet for too long.”
He was right. By the end of the week, Azul, Jade, and Floyd would all have gone back to the Coral Sea for summer break. The ice floes covering their home were a good enough excuse for staying on campus in winter, but no naturally occurring or man-made obstacles existed in summer. Azul had no choice. He had to return to the sea.
He had to return to his mer form.
At least he would get to spend some time with his family. He did miss them during his time on land. And he’d still have the company of-
“What about you?”
Azul blinked out of his daze when he heard Jade’s question. “Hmm?”
“Do your tentacles ever ache from overuse?”
“Ah. No, not that I can recall.” Azul took a sip of his tea, taking time to relish its warmth. Yet another thing he’d miss while in the sea. “Gravity is unforgiving.”
Jade smirked. “Remember when Floyd first joined the basketball club? He used to complain after every practice about how much his feet hurt.”
This time, Azul chuckled. “You’d think he would have realized that before signing up. He had to have seen the upperclassmen playing to even know what basketball was. Surely he knew how physically demanding it would be.”
“We were all quite naive about land life back then.”
Azul picked up his stack of papers and began flipping through them again. “I still feel naive about land life,” he admitted. “But I believe my grasp on it gets a bit stronger every day.”
“I should say so.” Jade released Azul’s foot and, for a moment, Azul found himself longing for Jade’s touch once again. But his silent wish was granted when Jade took his other foot and began rubbing it. “Just how many contracts were signed today?”
“Twenty-seven,” Azul answered proudly. On a busy day at any other point in the school year, he’d see ten, maybe fifteen students. Twenty-seven was well over three times the average number of consultations.
The way Jade’s head turned, one would think Azul had said twenty-seven thousand. “Is that all right? You know Floyd and I won’t have a way to keep an eye on them over the break.”
“Of course. The contracts are magically binding. Should they fail to uphold their end of the agreement, the consequences will immediately take effect.”
Azul couldn’t help but feel a little smug as his assistant gazed at him wide-eyed. It wasn’t often that he took Jade by surprise.
Then Jade took Azul by surprise by laughing. Not his usual polite chortle, but a warm, smooth laugh. Something about it combined with the way Jade’s smile narrowed his eyes and the soothing pressure of having his foot rubbed made Azul feel fluttery inside. It was strange but… not entirely unpleasant.
Once Jade regained his composure, he gave Azul what appeared to be a sincere smile. “You’re amazing, Azul. In case no one has told you lately, you’re truly amazing.”
Blush prickled at Azul’s cheeks. It was one thing to be praised by his teachers for a job well done. That much was expected. But hearing such a thing from Jade… one of his peers, a fellow merman, and… a friend? What Azul would have given for that kind of positive attention even a few short years ago…
He quickly swallowed his sense of fulfillment and let his pride shine through. “Well, if we’re to reach our goal by graduation, I have to remain diligent.”
“Our goal?”
“Expanding the Mostro Lounge brand. Opening a second branch, venturing into other markets.” Azul paused as Jade’s words sank in. “You are planning on joining me in my future business ventures, aren’t you?”
Jade looked back at Azul’s feet as he continued his massage. “Is that what you want?”
What Azul wanted? He had never really thought about whether he wanted the twins to remain with him or not. Their presence had become somewhat of a given. As hard as he’d tried to get rid of them when they first met, they kept coming back. He knew Floyd’s outlook on the matter was that he’d stay with Azul ‘until he became boring,’ but Jade hadn’t provided any kind of stipulations for his loyalty. Would he leave if Floyd got bored? Did he plan to part ways with Azul after graduation no matter what? Was he already planning to find a fourth-year internship away from Azul?
The sudden realization that Jade could walk away from whatever it was they had at any time was making Azul light-headed. While he didn’t doubt that his shrewd business sense would take him far in life, the twins made all of his endeavors much easier. Floyd, who didn’t mind roughing people up and could put in a hard day’s work when he felt like it. And Jade who… who did everything. From the smallest tasks like waiting tables to agreeing to be Azul’s vice housewarden (and carrying out his duties phenomenally), Jade always gave his all to whatever Azul asked of him. Not only that, he often went beyond what Azul asked, collecting invaluable data on the students of Night Raven College, quietly promoting Azul’s wish-granting services, assisting with the granting of those wishes, bringing him tea every evening without fail.
And now, giving Azul a foot massage, even though his own feet probably ached just as much as Azul’s.
Of course Azul wanted Jade to stay with him. But that wasn’t Azul’s choice to make.
Azul’s lip trembled ever so slightly. Would their upcoming third year be their last spent so close to one another? When Azul finally responded, it came out as a whisper. “I want you…”
Jade glanced up from his work with a strange look—confusion tinged with what appeared to be panic—and his hands went still.
Azul forced a laugh, desperately trying to regain any shred of false confidence he could possibly have in such a ridiculous position. “I… Naturally, I want you to join me. You and Floyd both. But I know you’ll do whatever you want in the end.”
“Whatever I want?” Jade asked, his expression evening out.
Azul nodded, feigning nonchalance.
“Whatever I want,” Jade repeated. The way he changed his inflection immediately clued Azul in that Jade’s proverbial wheels were turning, but he couldn’t tell what he was planning.
Still, Azul nodded again. “Of course. You’re under no contract with me.”
Jade smirked, and Azul’s stomach turned. That look all but confirmed that he was up to something. “May I do whatever I want right now?”
It felt like a trick question, but Azul didn’t have time to carefully plan an answer. “I… suppose.”
Needing no further prompting, Jade picked up Azul’s feet and rose from his spot on the couch. So much for a selfless foot massage…
But to Azul’s surprise, Jade didn’t head for the door. Instead, he stepped closer and plucked the teacup from Azul’s hand.
“I was drinking that, you- hey!” The next thing Azul knew, Jade had taken his contracts and other papers away from him as well and placed them on the coffee table.
As much as Azul wanted to protest, his irritation was cut short when Jade placed a hand on the armrest that Azul was sitting against. He started to lean down, and before Azul could shrink away from him, Jade gently took Azul’s chin in his free hand. Then, after closing what little distance remained between them, Jade tipped Azul’s face upward and pressed their lips together.
Azul wasn’t sure what to do. He’d known Jade was plotting something, but he never would have expected a kiss. He was so taken aback, in fact, that he flinched and caused his hat to fall off.
And yet, much like the positive attention he’d received from Jade minutes prior, this wasn’t entirely unpleasant either.
The whole thing was over in an instant. Merely a quick, chaste peck on the lips. He supposed that was Jade’s way of testing the waters and seeing how Azul would react to such a thing. Or maybe that was all Jade wanted. Maybe all of it was a big joke to provoke some kind of response. Maybe-
“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” Jade said with a satisfied little grin.
Oh. So that’s how it was, then?
Before Jade could stand back up, Azul grabbed him by the lapels and yanked him down for another kiss.