Chapter Text
“I found one.” Silver knelt to the ground and began sweeping the light dusting of snow away from the object of his search.
“Are you certain? There are several species that look similar…”
Silver shook his head and pulled the pale mushroom from the mix of snow and dirt, turning it to show the pale lavender underside.
“Only Faerunis mushrooms have this sort of iridescence. While they’re rare here, they grow in abundance in Briar Valley. I’ve seen many.”
Jade Leech tapped the crook of his finger against his lips thoughtfully as he observed the specimen. “That’s likely due to the fact that your homeland is saturated with magic. They require ambient magic to grow. The only reason they can be found on Sages Island is that it hosts two magic academies, after all. Truly fascinating.”
Silver's lips curled into a small smile as he watched Jade get excited over mushrooms. Silver had identified a rare ingredient in Alchemy class and mentioned that he and Sebek had spent a year training in the mountains. The Octavinille student had approached him after class, asking him if he knew anything about mushrooms. Silver had been happy to tell him all he knew; people often found him intimidating for some reason…after inquiring, he’d been informed by Cater that he had an affliction known as RBF, which made him seem unapproachable until one got to know him. Jade and his brother Floyd both seemed unaffected.
When Jade had mentioned he was seeking Faerunis mushrooms for a recipe, but had no idea where to begin his search, Silver had, of course, volunteered. He’d learned to seek them during a training mission when he was young. Faerunis mushrooms were high in protein and safe to eat…something he and Sebek had needed left in the mountains for a month with only a week's worth of food.
He had met Jade at the edge of campus at sunrise; both were dressed in clothing suitable for walking through the woods, nothing easily ripped or torn, and thick enough to protect them from branches and rocks. It was getting colder and colder out, but Silver enjoyed the chill; he found it invigorating. The walk had been quiet, but not awkward, and he was content with that. Silver had found that most humans raised outside of Briar Valley didn’t enjoy simply silently spending time together, but Jade didn’t seem to mind the fact that Silver didn’t talk much. He had pointed out several native fungi Silver hadn’t been familiar with and explained their uses, something he appreciated.
Jade seemed to enjoy his attentiveness as well; the small smiles he shot Silver made his face look softer than usual.
It had almost been a disappointment how quickly they’d found the first mushroom. Barely an hour after they’d begun, Silver had spied the familiar shape and confirmed it. They had carefully harvested the patch, leaving the underlying root structure in hopes that it would regrow. Silver had explained the fungus was fairly hardy and as long as there was enough magic in its vicinity, it was a nearly ever-replenishing food supply.
He almost felt self-conscious as he had placed his hand on the now bare patch, letting his magic trickle into the earth to help that process along. Normally, people thinking he was strange for the traditions he’d grown up with didn’t bother him, but for some reason, the thought of Jade’s judgment made him care.
“What are you doing?” Jade’s voice was curious, eyes very focused when Silver looked up.
“Ah…It is something fae do with magical plants. You return some of what you harvested to help it regrow. An offering of magic.” He pushed his hair behind his ear and waited for the scoffing, but Jade just looked intrigued.
“Merfolk do something similar when we harvest a type of magical algae…I guess certain things aren’t so different on the land.” Jade mused, and Silver felt his shoulder untense as he looked at the taller man in a new light.
Silver had grown up in Briar Valley, fairly isolated. Coming to Nightraven had been…very different. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to be somewhere so new and relearning how to move and walk.
“It must have been difficult.” Silver lifted the basket. “I guess we head back to school so you can cook now?” One advantage of showing very little emotion without effort was that he knew his disappointment wouldn’t show in his voice. He wasn’t sure why he was so disappointed.
“Oya… Are you tired so soon? I thought you were one of Disamonia’s knights?”
Silver turned, aurora eyes widening, confusion lacing his voice.
“I thought this was all you needed?”
Jade shook his head, mismatched eyes amused; he reached out to take Silver's basket, fingers lingering against the Diasomnia student’s warm skin.
“I came out here to collect several ingredients. If you need to head back, I understand, but I was quite enjoying your company.” He hesitated. “Not many enjoy hearing me speak about my passions….” His eyes flickered to the side, pulling the basket away, and Silver quickly reached out to grab his wrist, his heart going out to the Octavinille student.
“I don’t mind. I’d love to help.”
He didn’t understand why people thought they were so untrustworthy; he had never found them so. Azul and Jade genuinely seemed to want to help people, and he didn’t understand why people found Floyd intimidating. He just seemed impulsive.
Silver had known impulsive people his entire life; his father, Sebek….even Malleus. There was nothing wrong with it.
It was hours of quiet companionship later when they finally turned back to return to the school. Silver and Jade both were carrying baskets of various flora and fauna; primarily mushrooms, but Silver had been pleased to find a few herbs he was familiar with. He’d enjoyed teaching Jade about them, and the taller man had seemed truly interested. It wasn’t until they had reached the perimeter of the school wards that Silver realized this outing may have an alternative intent. They had paused to readjust their baskets, Jade having begged off being a little tired and needing a rest. Silver had been immediately contrite, Jade had only had legs for a few short years, and Silver had been wandering the woods and climbing since he could toddle.
Silver was leaning against a tree, watching the sky darken into the deep violets of twilight, when his view was blocked by Jade.
“Are you ready to make the last—” He was interrupted by the feeling of lips pressing against his own, slightly cooler than a fae’s body temperature, but not unpleasant. Silver’s eyes had widened in surprise, so he was able to catch the slightly mischievous look on the eel-mer’s face.
Silver studied Jade as he pulled away, a query in his gaze.
“I wanted to thank you for coming to assist.” The green-haired man’s voice was quiet, though there was amusement in his eyes, and Silver nodded slowly.
“You’re welcome…” He waited, because clearly the other had more to say. Silver knew he could be a little slow on the uptake, but kissing wasn’t normally something one did as a simple “thank you” for most cultures.
“I also enjoyed today. I was hoping perhaps we could do it again, but as a date?”
Silver blinked, his gaze taking on an almost assessing quality as it flicked over Jade. He tilted his head, meeting the man's bi-colored eyes.
“While I wouldn’t mind, I should probably let you know that I’m currently in a relationship.” Silver saw surprise bloom in Jade’s eyes before a look of understanding flickered into place.
“Ah. Zigvolt, I would assume? Had I known, I wouldn’t have kissed you.”
“Ah. Yes.”Silver's lips quirked into a small smile. “You don’t need to worry. He won’t be upset.”
Jade shifted to sit on the grass next to him, eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “You said you wouldn’t mind…”
Silver nodded. “I would enjoy it, but it was only polite to let you know that you would not be the only one I was seeing.” His brow wrinkled as he thought. “I do not know if that changes your mind.” Silver frowned as Jade’s eyebrows raised to meet his hairline.
“Do fae tend to have multiple partners?”
Silver shook his head. “It’s more that no one expects a default sort of relationship unless you’re one of the species of fae who mate for life. Father’s told me the question asked translates more to “Are you open to a date” rather than “Are you single.”
Jade’s tone said he was clearly intrigued. “But what if one partner is open to a relationship, and the other is not?”
Silver looked at him in confusion. “Then they discuss whether it is acceptable for one to date outside of it. If not, then they decline. What else would they do?”
Jade raised an eyebrow slowly, “And you simply trust that they have permission?” Silver nodded, his brow wrinkling in confusion. He couldn’t understand why one wouldn’t trust that. Jade’s other eyebrow joined the first along his hairline.
“Interesting”
Silver was about to ask him why he had made a face when he was distracted by a sharp chill on his cheek. He looked up, taking in the white flakes drifting from the sky.
“We should go inside. It’s starting to snow.” Jade’s hand settled on his arm. “And I have quite a bit of prepping to do on those mushrooms. I suppose I will see you tomorrow in class?”
Silver glanced over at Jade thoughtfully and shook his head. He’d enjoyed Jade’s company on this trip, and he wanted to spend a little more time with him. “Would you like some help in the kitchen?” His lips quirked into a wry smile. “I assure you my skills are far better than my fath…Lilia’s.”
Jade’s nose wrinkled at the memory of having to try the small fae’s attempts at cuisine in the last culinary crucible their school had held. “I…would be happy for your assistance. I hope it will be no trouble…”
Silver shook his head as they turned towards Octavinille, his eyes flicking over Jade as he thought over the possible date. He’d always found the man attractive. He couldn’t understand why people had difficulty in telling the twins apart; their mannerisms were different even without the physical differences.
Jade led him through the darkened Mostro Lounge. It seemed it was closed for the time being. “Floyd is supposed to be on duty, but it seems he may have gotten bored…” Silver could hear the slight exasperation in his voice, but it was tempered with fondness. “Azul is going to be quite irritated with him.”
“Does he do this often?”
Jade nodded as he headed towards the doors of the kitchen. “Floyd is either the most effective worker we have or the least reliable. It depends entirely on his mood. He has been like that ever since we were children…”
He trailed off as he opened the door to the Mostro Lounge's large kitchen. Though they had both registered that the lights were on, they hadn’t anticipated what they would find when they walked through the doors.
Silver snorted softly in amusement as he took in the scene; Floyd had Sebek pinned against the kitchen wall, cheerfully exploring his mouth with his tongue. Sebek himself was flushed, one hand raised and tangled in teal hair, and he didn’t seem to be objecting to the situation. He noticed Jade giving him a concerned look, but Silver found it entirely unnecessary. He knew Sebek would read the dry amusement in his tone even if neither of the brothers would.
“Sebek, really. In the kitchen?”
“Ehh? Kurage-chan? What are you doin’ here?” Floyd pulled away from the embrace, lips slightly swollen from the kiss, a tinge of red on his lips. “Me and Wani-chan were about to have a little fun…”
Sebek pushed Floyd away as his lips sought the half-faes again. “Silver, what are you doing here. Is everything all right with Waka-sama, or were you seeking me?”
Silver leaned against the doorway, eyes alight with interest. “Malleus is fine, He’s spending time with Father and the pop-music club. I’m here to help Jade cook.” Sebek’s eyes flicked to Jade, who still seemed unsure.
“Floyd challenged me to a spar and it…led here.” The flush on Sebek’s face deepened. Silver nodded as his eyes took in the slight bruises on both. “
“Who won?” He asked curiously, moving to take a good look at a bite mark on Sebek’s shoulder. There was a mirroring circle of pinpricks within it that he traced with a finger curiously.
“I did of course…Floyd simply distracted me!”
“Say it as much as you want Wani-chaaaan~ I got the better of you.”
“The spar had already finished when you…”
“As informative and entertaining as this all is…” Jade drawled from the doorway, clearly having decided that Silver wasn’t going to fly into a jealous rage, “I am here for a reason. Why are the two of you in the kitchen if Floyd found you to spar?”
Two sets of eyes, one fully golden and one mismatched, blinked up at him.
“I’m supposed to be watching the Lounge ,Jade. I came back here to watch it~. You won’t believe who we saw on the way here, though Jade~ We were lookin’ for somewhere less public because Wani-chan here didn’t want to get caught, and Rako-chan and Umihebi-kun were busy behind the greenhouses~. ” Floyd grinned as his hand started to move down Sebek’s thigh. “Umihebi-kun reaaaaally needed to get laid. Maybe he’ll be less uptight at the club.”
“Floyd, unhand me in front of your brother!” Sebek gripped Floyd’s hand tightly to keep it from reaching its goal, eyes wide.
“C’mon little crocodile… let me play with your tail~. Jade doesn’t mind watching…And maybe if you’re lucky, he’ll want to play too.”
Silver watched Sebek’s eyes widen and flash between the twins. He knew his boyfriend well, and Sebek was clearly on board for whatever was being suggested; he was just holding back for some reason. He circled the curious bitemark with the pad of his finger again, intrigued himself as to what had caused it, and leaned in to press a kiss lightly against the corner of Sebek’s mouth.
“Relax, Sebek.”
Jade’s voice came from the door, amused.
“ Floyd, stop teasing him. I have cooking to do, and he likely wouldn’t be able to keep up with the two of us.” There was an odd tone to his voice that the knight couldn’t place, and Silver looked up at him quizzically.
“Sebek’s stamina is fi-”
“Do NOT underestimate me, Merman.” Silver silently covered his face with his hand as Sebek’s competitive spirit engaged. Unless someone de-escalated the situation…
“What are you all doing standing around?” A quiet voice from behind Jade caught their attention to where Azul was frowning in the doorway. “If you haven’t noticed, Floyd. We have customers. Jade…If you’re here to assist, perhaps he won’t get distracted again.” The silver-haired man raised an eyebrow as he smoothed his shirt. “I do not like being called to the lounge when I’m in the middle of something.” He turned on his heel and walked towards the entrance to the main dorm.
“Awwww. I bet he’s tryin’ to get Hotaru-Ika Senpai to go on a date with him again, but he’s too much of a Brocon.” Floyd snickered as he pulled away from Sebek. “We’ll have to continue this later, Wani-chan.~”
With a mischievous glint in his eye, he reached over, eyes slitting lazily as he slid a hand around the back of Silver's neck, fingers gripping his hair.
“You keep looking at my bite’s Kurage-chan…If you’re curious,you should come too.”
Jade slid an arm around Silver's waist from behind, breath hot on his ear as he felt the hair on the back of his neck rise, even as heat suffused his cheeks.
“Oya Oya~ Floyd, It’s rude to poach…And it’s a little rude to invite him for sex when I already asked Silver on a date.”
“Jaaade. C’mon. It’ll be fun.”
Silver’s eyes met Sebek’s over Floyd’s shoulder, their long-time camaraderie speaking volumes in that look.
Sebek opened his mouth, but was beaten to it by Jade.
“That’s settled then. We’ll have a group date on Saturday after your usual training time. We can play anything else…” His lips met the shell of Silver's ear. “By ear.”
Suddenly, Jade's warmth was missing from his back, and the more cordial of the two was addressing Sebek. “What do you think? Unless you do not find me as attractive as my brother?” Silver could hear a hint of vulnerability in that question at odds with both twins' confidence that melted his heart, and he saw Sebek soften as well.
“Looks are not…You are very attractive, Jade, and I think Silver and I would be delighted to go on a date with you both!” Sebek’s earnestness seemed to placate Jade faster than Silver had been expecting, and Floyd’s snicker seemed out of place, but Silver found himself scooped up and swung around by him before he could question it.
“Wanna help us with the customers, Kurage-chan, Wani-chan? We can plan the date.” Silver was thrown, but he nodded.
“I came to help Jade cook his mushrooms, so I have time…” Jade’s hand caught his wrist.
“Silver can help me cook as planned. Sebek can assist you on the floor, Floyd. It’ll mostly be Hot chocolate and soup with the weather the way it is.”
“Fiiine~. Come on, Wani-chan. Let's see who can serve the cocoa the fastest.”
“You’re on! Ah…Perhaps the date can be at the ice rink that just opened?”
“ I love it! It’ll be so funny watching Jade flail and fall!”
Their voices faded as the door closed behind them ,and Silver felt soft fabric shoved into his hands.
“Put on the apron and help me cut the mushrooms. I’m thinking cream of mushroom and garlic soup. It was starting to snow fairly heavily when we came in.”
Silver nodded and tilted his head as he tied it on. “Are you bad at ice skating?”
“I am… Do you enjoy it?” Silver looked u,p catching his focused gaze again.
Silver nodded. “The pond near the cabin I was raised in froze over every winter. Father has taken me to skate on it since I was small…”
Jade smiled, eyes closing as it brightened his face.
“Then I think it will be a fun time regardless. You are beautiful when you smile.”
Silver paused in reaching for a knife to cut the mushrooms and turned to look at Jade, lips parted in surprise.
“Has no one ever told you that before?”
Silver nodded slowly. “Sebek is the only one who’s ever said that….”
Jade shook his head and pushed Silver's hair behind his ear. “They are truly blind then. Pomfiore is not the only house that can appreciate beauty.”
Silver turned to his task to hide the heat in his face and examine the jumble of feelings in his chest.
Today was certainly a strange day.
***
“I told you it would work, Floyd.”
“Yeah, Yeah. I still like my idea better.”
“Mine is more long-term. Have patience, Floyd. I’m glad Sebek brought up ice skating instead of one of us.”
“You got to spend more time today with Kuurage…”
“You got a fight, and to mark Sebek. We’ll be even by the end of Saturday.”
Two sets of mismatched eyes glowed in the low light of Octavinille, content that they would have their prey soon.