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The Coral Sea was a very liberated place. Deep, empty waters provided very little shackles or chains, especially when most of their inhabitants’ bodies slipped through holes and cracks like it was nothing. But in close proximity to a predator, as some may call them, any creature could find themself rendered immobile by malicious hands.
Pinned. Jade had him pinned. Holed up within the confines of his pot, a place his parents had sworn off barging into, Azul was pressed flat as a pancake between a ravenous eel and his lovely friend, the wall. Cold fingers sharp as daggers bolted his arms in place as a frisky tail coiled around his waist.
How had he gotten himself in this position again?
Right. It was officially summertime in the wacky world of Twisted Wonderland, warranting all students of any arcane academy to take a blissful 90-day vacation. Night Raven College was no stranger to ‘unusual’ pupils, and Azul Ashengrotto was no exception. While most teens his age would be thrilled to go home after months of strenuous magical training, Octavinelle’s housewarden was different. It was not his sickeningly benevolent family he would prefer to avoid, nor the drastic change in temperature he was inevitably going to have to embrace; Azul simply preferred land. It was where his business was stationed, after all, but more to the point, he wasn’t particularly excited about existing beneath the same aquatic scenery he’d lived in since his tentacles were mere stubs around his torso.
Long story ridiculously short, he was irritable. So much so that he’d usually spend his dormsick days pooling over his old grimoires in an attempt to keep up on his education, much like how he had constantly done so as a child. Glued to the floor of his pot, cut off from everyone…It was mere coincidence that a sneaky eel slithered his way into his quarters this time.
Beneath his humble demeanor, Jade could often act less than cordial. It was certainly a shock when he had decided to crash against Azul with no warning, but in all honesty, the latter wasn’t completely surprised. This was the man who he had decided to court, after all.
Still, he could hardly breathe chest-to-chest like this. He dared not look Jade in the eye, but hesitantly, he spoke: “…Do I want to know what exactly you’re up to?”
As innocently as one could appear while restraining someone, Jade wore his signature sharked grin. “Nothing malicious, really. You and I are both aware of how you feel about the sea,” he adjusted his grip. “I want to help lighten your mood.”
And the sky was pink. Azul wasn’t stupid; he knew letting this happen wouldn’t lead to anything good. Even though his parents were off the chopping block, Floyd could still come in and witness whatever Jade was planning they do. Even so…
Not stupid, but not happy either. He’d certainly appreciate being left alone to his studies, but he had already let this one slither under his skin more times than he should’ve. What was indulging Jade’s whims one more time?
“How kind of you. Truly, you’re as benevolent as the Sea Witch herself,” by now he had relaxed his muscles. Through a snarky smile, “Have I ever turned you down?”
“Plenty of times, yes.” Jade leaned ever closer, tightening his tail’s embrace. Azul refused to flinch. “Now if you please, Azul,” his smirk not faltering for a moment, he bent down and hovered his face over the crook of his prey’s neck. “Just try to relax.”
A hitched breath.
And just like clockwork, the eel blotted tonguey kisses up and down what was probably Azul’s most valued organ. Those needled teeth didn’t scare him anymore, he’d known Jade for years and was no stranger to what lied in his mouth. Even so, he couldn’t help but wonder what had sparked this sudden desire in him.
He wasn’t going to pretend it wasn’t absolutely riveting. Not being constrained would be preferable, though.
The faintest of grunts escaped both of them as Jade’s canines grazed against slimy skin. Through drabbles of saliva, Azul could make out a pattern: he’d kiss high up, almost touch his collarbone for two, then place one right in the crook. It was like he was being delicately feasted upon, all vague cannibalistic threats considered. And Sevens, was it irresistible.
When he was finally satisfied, the eel delicately ran his tongue up to Azul’s ear, softly whispering, “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for that.”
The octopus actually found it in himself to make eye contact this time. Begrudgingly, “…You could have just asked.”
At long last, Jade released his hold on Azul, now placing his hands atop his familiar’s shoulders. He pressed their foreheads together, and there was no way in Tartarus either of them would be able to look away now. “You’re enjoying this.”
“I didn’t say that.”
Jade snickered. “Look down.” Strangely, he didn’t do so himself.
Down? When Azul’s gaze wandered south, he found all eight of his tentacles subconsciously wrapped around the eel’s slender figure.
Body language, right…
His eyebrows knitted as he shut his eyes. There was no keeping secrets from Jade Leech. Gradually unraveling his ligaments, “Yes, well…You know what I like. I really wouldn’t have agreed to be your suitor otherwise.”
His other simply hummed in response as he pecked Azul’s beauty mark, a unique show of affection he had recently picked up. Then, he smoothly unwinded his waving tail in a flash. During which, one touched a curious hand to the coal black skin of Jade’s fervent feast. Flinched.
It stung. Flaky and frayed.
So he was being nibbled on. Wonderful. The gouge wasn’t deep enough to bleed nor leave a lasting scar, but he’d rather overblot a second time than appear with it on display in front of his family. That little- big…you get the idea!
“I believe we are finished here,” spoke the eel through tainted teeth. He had now completely detached himself from the confines of Azul’s personal space and was turning to leave. “I’ll let you get back to your studies,” a pause, “for now.” And he started in the opposite direction.
No. He wasn’t getting away that easily.
Hastily, Azul grabbed Jade’s wrist from behind, and when the latter turned to face him again, he cloaked himself with a slightly pained expression. After a hesitative moment between the two, he suddenly pulled Jade into a hug, something the moray was definitely not expecting. He slowly reciprocated through widened eyes.
Resting his head on Jade’s shoulder, Azul murmured a faint “Thank you.”
To this, his other relaxed what tense joints he had and ran his hand through pristine earl hair. “With pleasure.”
A sweet gesture; much appreciated. With a faint snicker as a warning, Azul tightened his grip…
…And rammed his mouth against Jade’s neck. He quivered. From there, the cycle repeated itself.
Sevens, this food chain was getting wacky.