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Riddle rose to his tippy-toes, stretching out before finally managing to toss the last bit of christmas lights onto the trees around the statue of the great seven.
A few students had proposed the idea of celebrating "Christmas" to the headmage, who had accepted, surprisingly. As long as the least amount of funds possible came from him, though.
Riddle sighed, dusting off his gloves. Snow was already falling, landing carefully on the trees, pathway, and even the statues. It covered the grass, and if not for the salt placed earlier, it would have completely buried the stone pathway. It made for cold climate, so on top of a warm sweater he wore a black winter coat and a red scarf. Headmage Crowley had called for decorating on the day off in order to fully get into the "holiday spirit", and selected students to help out. Riddle had been assigned to the pathway with the Great Seven, along with Silver, Sebek, Ace, Ruggie, Jade and Azul. That line up was almost asking for trouble.
Sebek was simultaneously fending off Ace, who was messing with him, and yelling at Silver, who had fallen asleep on a ladder by one of the lightposts and was tipping precariously. Riddle glanced over to Azul and Ruggie, who were chatting while decorating the Sea Witch's platform. Riddle honestly couldn't tell who was trying to swindle who. He also couldn't tell where Jade had gone.
Riddle stared for too long, looking at Azul. He took note of the mischievous glint in his eyes, the way he adjusted his glasses ever so often, the slight upturn of his lips—
Suddenly, Azul turned locking eyes with Riddle. Riddle could feel his face heat up, turning more red that the cold was already making it as he quickly broke eye contact with Azul, almost hiding behind the Queen of Hearts' statue. He rummaged through a box of tree ornaments, hoping to ever Seven above that Azul, or anyone else for that matter, did not notice and would not try and bring it up.
Unfortunately, the sound of footsteps told him that was a pipe-dream.
"Ah, Riddle. Do you need help with anything? I caught you glancing over at those two— I'm sure your height may make a few tasks rather difficult."
Riddle looked up, throwing an irritated look at the eel towering over his crouched form. Where Jade came from, or where he had been, Riddle had no clue. Nor was he keen on asking.
Standing carefully, and dusting off his jacket, Riddle swiftly addressed Jade.
"I do not need any help. And if I did, I certainly wouldn't request it from you— who knows what unreasonable deal you may conjure up," Riddle said, picking up the box of ornaments and moving over towards the trees near the far end.
"Oh, Riddle, I'm hurt!" Jade exclaimed, trailing behind him. "Even after I decided to extend my goodwill to you by delivering something?"
Riddle paused at that, placing down the box and turning to face Jade. "Deliver what?"
Jade's smile shifted then— a face that suggested he was plotting. He spoke louder, as if trying to catch someone's attention. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a gift meant to be delivered that hadn't quite found the recipient yet. I believe the sender— ah, what is the phrase?— 'chickened out'."
Riddle's eyes narrowed, only now taking note of Jade's hands, which stayed hidden behind his back. "And this is from... who?" He question cautiously.
"Oh, someone you know very well," Jade responded swiftly. "Well, without further ado—"
Suddenly, Jade's face was almost fully covered by a hand— Azul's hand, to be specific. The aformentioned man looked quite frazzled, cheeks burning a bright red that could rival Riddle's own complexion when mad.
Azul, collecting himself to the best of his abilities, turned to address Riddle.
"Ah, Riddle... If you excuse me for a moment, I need to speak to my vice-housewarden!" Azul said in a strained voice before dragging Jade behind one of the statues.
Riddle stared, confused, before picking up the ornament box and continuing his trek. It was best not to question the actions of the Octavinelle trio, after all, no matter how curious he was.
Riddle placed the box down by a tree, carefully picking out a red ornament before a sudden loud noise caught his attention.
He glanced over to the lightpost across from him, seeing Ace and Sebek who seemed to be— wrestling? Rolling? — in a pile of snow. Silver was next to them, continuing to wrap the post in garland, not sparing a single glance.
Riddle glared at Ace, who seemed to sense his gaze. He qucikly shot up, saluting, before rushing over to one of the undecorated statues. Sebek trailed behind, still yelling— something about manners, decorum, and Malleus.
"They salute you?" A voice asked from beside him.
Riddle looked over, coming face to face with Azul— who was pointedly not looking at him, staring instead at the general area around Ace and Sebek. He looked nice— a deep blue-black coat and a lighter blue-gray turtleneck. Riddle had to make an effort to stop the thought he knew was following, but it still lingered in the back of his mind—
'He looks nice'
Riddle sighed, hanging an ornament on one of the lower branches. "Only sometimes, though Ace makes a point of doing it very often— I choose to believe it's not in a superficial, mocking way."
Azul laughed at that comment, and Riddle ignored the way his stomach flipped at the sound.
"At least he listens to you," Azul said, smiling. "I could only dream of getting an inch of that attitude in Floyd."
Riddle rolled his eyes, fishing through the box for an ornament of a fitting color. "I think we have quite differing ideas of the definition of the word 'listening'."
The two feel into silence— one that was quite uncomfortable. Azul kept shifting beside him, looking as if he both wanted to say something and was desperately trying to keep his words under lock and key. Riddle noticed a box besides him— a small gift box, decorated in red with a white bow. He eyed it carefully, trying to discern it's purpose and what could possibly be hidden inside.
Eventually, the silence became a bit too unberable, and Riddle decided to speak up.
"I didn't know you were utilizing Jade's skill in delivery service," he said in a joking manner, reaching on his tippy-toes to hang an ornament. "I had believed you'd stuck your finger in each tart at the table, yet you still manage to find another."
Azul's cheeks went bright red, as he turned away, coughing and mumbling something about "those meddling tweels".
"I— ahem, well, it wasn't quite my idea, in a sense..." Azul began.
"I've never heard you sound this uncertain," Riddle said, a light teasing tone in his voice. "Has the cold gotten to you? Do I need do take you to the nurse?"
Azul stammered, facing Riddle and going even redder. At this point, Riddle was beginning to think he should actually check his temperature.
"What? No! I—" Azul paused, clearing his throat. "The Coral Sea has seen much colder temperatures. This is nothing."
Riddle let out a small chuckle, crouching down to search the box once more. He came across a candy cane— unbroken, suprisingly— and scrunched his nose. Who threw this into the ornament box?
Azul cleared his throat next to him, causing Riddle to stand and look at him quizzically. He now held the gift box in his hands, holding it as if it would shatter under the slightest bit of pressure. Without making eye contact, he held out the box. "This is a gift— ah, free of charge, of course."
Riddle stared at it before taking off his glove and placing his hand on Azul's forehead.
Azul sprung back, clutching his forehead as if the contact burned him.
"W— what are you doing?" Azul shouted incredulous.
"I should be asking you that!" Riddle responded swiftly, face clearly displaying his confusion. "Are you sure your mer-turned-human body has adjusted to this type of cold?"
Azul stared unblinking at Riddle. "Is— is this over this?" He said, gesturing to the box.
"Of course! Unless—" Riddle's eyes narrowed, judgemental. "Is this a ploy to get me in your debt? If you're plotting anything, I'll have you know it will be off with your—"
"Off with my head, yes, I know your catchphrase. Are you so suspicious of me that you'd believe I wouldn't give you something out of the good of my heart?" Gone was all the previous stuttering, any form of hesitance. Instead, Azul mocked a look of hurt— or perhaps he wasn't quite mocking, only trying to look so.
Carefully, Riddle took the gift from Azul— not as if it would shatter, but as if it would blow up. Looking into Azul's eyes, he found genuine hurt. He sighed, trying his best to school his expression.
"Ah... Well, thank you, Azul. I'll— uhm, cherish this."
Azul nodded, his expression softening.
The two stood there, staring at each other, before Azul walked away with a quick "That was all".
Riddle glanced at the box, inspecting it in his hands. He pointedly ignored the fluttering feeling in his stomach.
He looked around, making sure no one was looking at him, before he undid the bow, revealing what layed inside.
The first thing Riddle saw was a small white card. Picking it up, he read over the writing.
"Mrs. Georgina gave me assistance in picking this out. I wished to give you a gift out of the goodness of my heart. I do hope you enjoy it— I assure you, it is real, and is not bound by any contract or deal.
Sincerely, Azul Ashengrotto"
Hidden behind the card was something Riddle did not expect.
A small hairclip sat in front of him— a beautiful, round pink pearl encased in white coral. It was a stunning, unique gift— one that looked like it was quite costly.
Riddle carefully place the card down and closed the box, looking around the walkway. He no longer saw Azul, instead finding Floyd lingering next to Jade. The tweels looked over at him, Jade giving a polite wave while Floyd chuckled.
Riddle swiftly turned away, hiding his bright red face as he tucked the gift box very gently into his coat pocket, patting it twice to make sure it was safe. Then, he crouched down next to the box, hiding his face in his hands.
Perhaps... Maybe he could accept the fluttering of his stomach, the way he face heats up. Maybe it's better if he accepts it— he knows the name, he just doesn't want to give this a full identity. It feels like he's letting it win— he will not let it win.
"You're in love!?"
Riddle whipped his head around a dizzying speeds the moment that exclamation reached his ears. He fully expected eyes on him— though he only found Sebek and Ace. Sebek had his hand over Ace's mouth, looking flustered, before pulling it away with a disgusted look.
"Did you just lick me!?" Sebek shouted, aggressively wipping his hand on his coat.
"Maybe," Ace responded, shoving his hands in his pockets. "But, anywho, back to—"
"No! We will not discuss this, you gossip-driven rascal!" Sebek exclaimed, though his face was still very red. "You should be ashamed of your disorderly conduct, I'm sure your housewarden would be ashamed! Really, you—"
Riddle sighed in relief, tuning out the two's bickering. He delicately pulled the box out of his pocket, though he did not open it. Instead, he just stared at it, allowing himself a gentle smile.
'Love. Yes, I suppose that's what it's called.'
He stood up, glancing over at the statue of the Sea Witch.
'I suppose I'm in love... with Azul.'