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By the time Azul broke the water’s surface, his companion was already waiting for him on the coast. As usual, Vil cut an elegant figure as he put his book away and turned his eyes to the incoming merman. It took Azul’s eyes a bit of time to get used to the bright but warm sunlight and then he was gulping down the potion and making his way out of the water. Already, the bowl filled with water and the plants Vil needed was getting a bit heavy and he couldn’t wait to shove it into the human’s hands just to be rid of it. He was precisely on time, meaning Vil had arrived early. Hopefully, this didn’t make Azul seem unmotivated or not excited enough…
He reached the shore soon enough, leaning in to press a quick peck on Vil’s lips. He took care not to linger too long but also not to pull away too soon, staying just the exact same length of time as he usually did. Finally handing over his heavy burden, he patiently stood by as his partner checked over the contents of the bowl before casting a protective spell over it. He was dressed so well yet again, Azul couldn’t but internally scoff. Tall white stockings with black shorts coming barely to his knees, a dark blue coat with a short cape, an exquisite collar fitting to a man of his stature, and of course, his signature high-heeled shoes. Land fashion was always so pretentious…
“Shall we go then?” Vil smiled down at him, offering up his arm. And, as always, Azul took it with the most lovestruck expression he could reasonably pull. Markets like this were quite exhausting so he was rather lucky to have Vil here to do the talking for him. Especially when he would have to haggle with humans who judged based on appearances so much. It wasn’t that he looked poor but the Sea Witch wasn’t quite as well-known and respected on land as the Beautiful Queen was. He was much more likely to get scammed or targeted without proper company.
Spotting the first of the market stalls not too far ahead of them, he mentally prepared for the crowds that would likely come soon and put on a gleeful face before addressing the man by his side. “Dear Vil, how long do you suppose this will take? While I love spending time with you, today is not a very good day for a date for me. I need to hurry back and do some work as well.”
“Today doesn’t work for you either?” Vil raised a brow, looking just a tiny bit put off. “When was the last time it was a good day for you?”
Crap! He used that excuse so many times even Vil was catching on now. He would need to be more careful the next time he wanted an excuse to disappear early. Quickly, he wracked his brain for a response when suddenly, Vil spoke again.
“Though it’s not like today is the best for me either. I still have a few potions I need to finish so we probably shouldn’t spend too long in here, as happy as I am to see you again. Will you make more time for me soon?”
The bastard backed him into a corner with that question. He couldn’t just say no and being vague wasn’t a good idea when Vil was already being suspicious of him. He could only let out a nervous chuckle. “But of course, Vil! If I am not mistaken, there is a festival coming up in the sea not too long from now. Why don’t you come visit?”
At least, if the ball was in his park, he could be more in control. And it seemed to make Vil hesitate. Good. He usually didn’t want to get his hair wet too much, especially when it came to seawater. Maybe that would be enough to have him drop the subject-
“That sounds reasonable enough. Let me know of the exact date so that I may make sure no work will interfere with it.”
Right. Azul forgot that to Vil, they were two loving partners who wanted to spend as much time as possible with each other. Not perfect but there were worse positions to be in. Like in the middle of a crowd pushing through a busy street to get to all the desired market stalls.
There wasn’t much Azul could do as the flow of people all but grabbed him and dragged him along through the center of the venue. His only grounding point was Vil who stood like an anchor, already having started a conversation with the stall owner they were passing by. Embarrassing… To have someone else handling his deals went against Azul’s nature as both a person and as the apprentice of the Sea Witch. But, he reasoned with himself as he swayed in the current of passersby, it was alright once in a while, especially when that someone else could get him a better deal in the end.
He caught a glimpse of dark blue stones the vendor was showing off to his companion. He didn’t need those. Did Vil stop here just to buy some jewelry? No, there had to be more to it. From the way he focused and almost looked in his direction multiple times… Azul cleared his throat, getting the taller man’s attention. “Excuse me, Vil, I thought you were in a rush as well?”
A hint of annoyance flashed over the other’s face but he didn’t give a response to Azul. However, he did hurry his purchase up before turning to the octopus merman.
“I don’t recall saying you were the only one who needed anything here, Azul. Do you have an issue with me buying things I need too?”
“You could’ve simply mentioned it. Knowing you, I wasn’t sure you weren’t buying a present for me to make up for lost time~.” Offering up a smirk, Azul watched as Vil’s eyebrows knit together for just a moment before sighing as he handed the paper bag over.
“You really do see right through me.” And it was just a little too dramatic to be taken seriously so Azul took the gift, unwrapping an indigo-blue stone cast in a decorative silver frame and hanging on a thin string of black leather. “I was going to give it to you when we said our goodbyes today but it seems like you cannot be quite that patient.”
Vil was never particularly good at hiding his shows of affection to the point where Azul sometimes wondered if he was purposefully clumsy or perhaps just didn’t care enough to surprise him – but of course, he had to keep in mind that Vil was the real romantic between the two of them. Ah, but now he was expected to prepare a gift as well! And if he wanted to be a better gifter than Vil, he would have to brace the uncharted waters that were the endless crowd before him. How troublesome…
He was pulled out of his thoughts when a pair of hands covered his over the necklace as the Beautiful Queen’s apprentice took the necklace from him and leaned over to close it around his neck. He then let out a satisfied hum as he observed the merman with the new accessory. “Just as expected, it looks quite wonderful on you, dear Azul.”
Against his better judgment, Azul’s heart skipped a beat at the compliment. Paired with Vil’s charming smile, it was understandable why but still… He turned away quickly, hoping his blush wasn’t too noticeable. Of course, it was only to look slightly bashful. Definitely not because he was genuinely flustered! Quickly, he grabbed Vil by the wrist, pulling him away from the grinning vendor. “Let’s just go! We don’t have time to waste here anymore!”
The next few stops went without a hitch. Just as he expected, Vil’s position as the apprentice of the Queen was more than enough to get everyone to offer up most generous deals and discounts on everything he could possibly need for his spellcrafting. Magical inks, parchment, even rare dried ingredients were all presented to him on a silver platter and he could just pick and choose at his leisure. Although the information he could get out of Vil was severely limited, this alone almost made the whole arrangement worth it. Time flew by faster than he realized though. When he finally looked up from his stuffed shopping bags, satisfied with the haul of the day, the sky was dyed crimson, and the sun was coming down. Most of the market visitors were already gone and some of the stalls were closing. Only Vil still looked as dashing as ever, that perfection almost grating on Azul’s nerves. Weren’t people supposed to let their guard down and be comfortable around their significant others?!
“We should probably get going soon. You still have your work, don’t you?” As if he was reading his mind, Vil suddenly spoke up. Azul was about to agree when he remembered the stone still hanging around his neck.
He had to give him something back. If there was one thing he did not want, it was to be indebted to this guy. Despite Vil being nowhere near as crafty as he himself was, he couldn’t just assume he was safe if he let him have the upper hand. That and… Nothing. It most certainly didn’t make him feel happy when he imagined Vil appreciating his present! But he had to hurry before the whole market closed. And he had to get away from his companion if he wanted to score a better surprise gift than Vil did.
“Can you wait here for a moment?” He didn’t really have an excuse. After all, he did just remember that he even needed a gift in the first place. But Vil only gave him a questioning look before letting go of his arm. Good. Now he could at least search the stalls in peace.
It wasn’t easy, finding something for the Beautiful Queen’s apprentice of all people. A simple trinket could never satisfy him. Magical items and potions could hardly be better than what he already had available in the palace. Clothes, food, precious stones… There wasn’t really anything he could give him that he wouldn’t already have better.
As he was wandering around the market, a peculiar stall suddenly caught his attention. It was off the side of the main road but the old lady running it seemed to not be packing up yet. The reason Azul found himself intrigued was that several cages stood posted on and around her stand. Wooden, simple, but that wasn’t why he was interested. He knew how much humans liked fancy familiars. Even the Beautiful Queen herself owned a raven familiar, much like the powerful Witch of Thorns up north. The Sea Witch preferred her moray eels but Azul could understand the appeal of feathered companions.
In one of the corner cages sat a large bird with a dark pink-ish purple-ish color and a crown of the same hue, a black and white mask on the face, and a tail playing with greens and purples and blacks hanging out of the cage reflecting the last rays of sunlight that fell on its gorgeous plumage. It was a beauty surely worthy of the palace, and in a way, it did remind him of Vil for some reason.
He approached the woman, eyes still glued to the bird. “How much for that one?”
The woman laughed a little under her breath, voice hoarse and creaky. It freaked him out a little bit as his eyes flinched to her hooked nose and white hair just barely showing up from under her black hood. Ugh. He should’ve taken a closer look at the seller before approaching her. But that bird…
“That one’s twenty gold for you, young man.” She cackled. He was going to haggle but he honestly didn’t want to talk to her for any longer than necessary. Taking out his money pouch, she suddenly raised a bony hand. “Or! You could give me that pretty stone on your neck. That would do just fine.”
“No, thank you!” It was out of his mouth before he realized it. Feeling a little flustered by his sudden outburst, he quickly counted out the coins and slammed them on the stall. Once the old crone nodded in agreement, he grabbed the cage and she handed him a piece of black cloth to cover it with.
He hurried back, only turning around once he reached the relative safety of the main street. To his shock and disbelief, the stall was gone, together with the woman and her collection of birds. Azul just shook his head as a chill ran down his spine. He made haste back to where he left Vil before any other strange occurrence could happen. Finally, he reached him, looking bored off in the other direction. Azul gently cleared his throat, causing him to turn with a smile that almost felt too perfect.
“Here-! Thank you for accompanying me today.” He shoved the cage into Vil’s free hand. It was becoming awkward and he felt his cheeks heating up. No, no, no… stupid Azul! There was no reason for him to act like this!
“I… thank you?” Vil seemed more confused than anything but when he lifted the cover, a rare moment of genuine surprise on his face. He looked the bird over a couple of times before returning his glance back to Azul. “Where did you even get this..?”
“That’s- That’s a trade secret, of course!” A swell of pride rose in the merman’s chest at the quick-witted excuse he came up with. Vil almost looked like he was going to argue with him but then only smiled as he offered up his elbow again.
“Well, I would be lying if I said it isn’t lovely. Shall we go now though? It is getting rather late.”
“Right, my apologies for keeping you for so long. Though am I wrong to assume you didn’t mind at all?” He simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tease just a little bit more. As they walked down the mostly empty street, Azul felt himself lean just a little bit closer to Vil. People were supposed to let their guard down around their significant others, right? Then maybe it was alright for him to act a little more vulnerable just this once…
Just before he returned to the sea, he pressed a parting kiss to Vil’s lips. It was long. Longer than his usual kisses. He hoped Vil didn’t notice. With his clothes melting away and legs fusing together, he took his first real breath in the whole day as he sank under the waves. The stone around his neck glowed faintly as if it was filled with the light of the sun and now that it did, he could see what eluded him before – a small snail shell lodged in the center of the stone that shimmered faint green and gold.
+++++++
As soon as Azul disappeared from sight, Vil’s tender smile dropped. This day was so tiring… His arms hurt from carrying the water bowl and now also the cage. This Azul really, such a ridiculously expensive present, what kind of an idiot buys that as a date gift? But that’s just how Azul always was. So over the top and romantic… But so long as Vil could benefit from this, he didn’t mind. Though as he looked at the bird, he couldn’t but let a defeated smile slip onto his lips.
“I suppose having a pet does have its perks. And you will be useful too~.”