Chapter Text
Jack regulated his breathing as he continued his upward trek in the mountains, reveling in the slight, steady burn he felt in his thighs and calves. He was cautious in his footing, taking care to watch out for anything that could trip him up. The last thing he wanted was to twist his ankle or pull a hamstring.
He was just skirting a rather large and gnarled root network, when he caught a scent on the breeze that caressed past. Immediately, his body went stiff as the familiarity of the scent registered in his brain.
The reason for his sudden alertness was the fact that this scent was decidedly not human. It smelled salty, like the ocean. As far as he'd seen, there were only three people at Night Raven College that smelled like that.
Octavinelle, he thought, sighing in a put-upon sort of manner. He really didn't want to come across any of the Octavinelle leaders. Especially Jade.
Most people seemed to think that Azul was the ringleader, but as a wolf beastman, Jack had a lot more experience when it came to pack mentality. Jade Leech was not the dutiful but placating second-in-command he seemed to want others to believe him to be. Azul obviously believed himself to be the leader and at least in terms of title, he was. But Jade Leech was the true master-mind of the three.
Jack was impressed by it. But not in a good way.
So, yeah. Azul would be his best outcome, especially out in the woods like this. Jade would be his worst.
Unfortunately, for him, the closer the scent got—which meant the person it was attached to was also getting closer—the more certain he was that it was Jade.
He looked around carefully, finding a nice area of trees that would secure his large frame from view. He quickly made his way to them and had just gotten under cover, when a soft humming reached his ears. Jade soon followed it, onto the trail where he'd just been.
Jack was grateful that his hiding place allowed him a view of the merman, but he would have to be extra careful not to draw attention his way.
If he could see Jade, Jade most certainly would be able to spot him as well.
If I'm lucky, he'll just continue on and I can go back in the opposite direction.
Yet again, he found himself unlucky as the second year seemed to consider the area. When those sharp, two toned eyes glanced in his general direction, Jack inhaled as quietly as he could. Holding his breath, he kept himself still as he watched.
It became clear that Jade was not looking very deeply into the thickets of trees and foliage around him. If anything, he seemed to be scanning the ground closer to the road. Jack felt himself glancing where the merman had, wondering what Jade could even be looking at… or, maybe, for.
He hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary when he'd been in the very same spot Jade now stood.
Then something happened.
There was a soft, pleasantly surprised gasp that had Jack's amber eyes looking where he could see Jade focused.
What is he—oh!
As he watched, the Octavinelle Vice Housewarden knelt and reached out with something. There was a bit of sound as he did whatever it was he was doing. When Jade stood up again, he lifted his prize to better scrutinize it. It was then that Jack could finally see what it was.
A mushroom? What's he need with those? Can't he just buy them from Sam? Or the school kitchens should have plenty. Now that I think about it… doesn’t he grow some himself? I got into a lot of trouble when I accidentally threw away that rotten log he was usin’ for ‘em.
He pushed his confusion away to look at the other's face.
Golden-brown eyes widened as they took in the soft, fond smile that caressed a surprisingly gentle looking mouth—at least when it wasn't being used to threaten or manipulate. His breath caught in his chest as his clear gaze moved on to the other's eyes. They were filled with wonder, contentment, excitement, and happiness.
Jack found himself at a loss.
He never would have thought that either the Leech twins or Azul had an off-switch for their… themness. Yet, here the worst of them was, looking almost normal in a coat that was well chosen for the climate, and a beanie. He had a backpack and Jack could make out some tools attached to it, as well as the large water bottle secured in its strap.
Movement pulled him out of his thoughts and he focused again on the merman.
He leaned in as Jade grew excited once more, an unfiltered passion in his actions as he took care to properly secure the sample he'd taken. Then it was back to square one.
Jack didn't know how long he stood there, watching the other. He would later feel guilty, but for the time being, he was simply fascinated by watching Jade as he worked.
It became clear to Jack that any time the kitchen served meals with ingredients that weren't readily available at the school, Jade must have had a hand in the procurement of them. It also seemed that mushrooms were a favorite of Jade's.
More like an obsession, Jack thought to himself with a little chuckle, careful to keep the volume down. He couldn't keep from grinning though, his body more relaxed and his tail wagging idly as he waited for Jade to find his next sample.
As he watched, the teal-haired second year, scanned the area where Jack stood hidden. His eyes passed over, but stopped. At first, his heart pounding relentlessly against his chest, Jack thought he'd been caught. But Jade was already kneeling as he brought a hand to his chest. Jack didn't dare move to try to see what it was he'd found. It frustrated him, but it would be far more frustrating to deal with the guy.
“Why, isn't that quaint. It's a fairy ring.”
The first year watched as Jade withdrew his back pack again and pulled out a packet of… something. Even with his enhanced eyesight, he couldn't make out what it was.
He didn't have to wait long. Jade opened the bag to lightly dust a bit of its contents in a circle around the ring.
“There. The spells I’ve cast will help you grow, and I infused it with a mite of protection.”
Jack raised a brow. Jade shifted, his body now head on in Jack's exact location. He pulled up his phone, snapped a picture, and pocketed it once more. He then regarded the mushroom ring.
Jack took in the new expressions that seemed to blossom upon his face. Every single one was a look he'd never seen on Jade's face before that moment. At long last, the Leech boy bowed over it with a humble gesture.
“Until we meet again,” Jade said with a contented sigh. He looked up a bit more and the sun shifted out from behind some clouds, breaking through the branches to fall upon the trail.
To fall upon Jade Leech.
Jack could now see more clearly the brightness of his eyes, the softness of his mouth, and the shimmer of his hair in the late afternoon sun.
There was nothing wrong with any of those things. Not exactly.
There was something very wrong with Jack though. There had to be.
For in that moment, a thought that he would never in a million years have under any circumstances, took point in his mind.
Oh no, he's pretty!