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"Azul."
"Yes, Jade?"
"I love you."
"...You're on it again?"
Silence hung between the two guys. Not uncomfortable, at least not for these two, even if it wasn't exactly soothing either. Azul looked at Jade more tired than shocked, maybe a little annoyed, judging by the slight frown and the way his fingers twitched around one of the contracts. Don't get him wrong, he had, of course, gotten back on the right path after his overblot, and he wasn't tricking poor unfortunate souls anymore... Well, at least not for their unique magic. He had reconsidered his behavior, really!
Jade, on the other hand, stared at him in surprise, which was a rarity. The moray eel blinked with wide-open eyes, as if his friend had said something genuinely weird. His hands weren't even crossed over his chest, just hanging by his sides. He had, after all, picked his moment. He'd even specifically made sure Floyd would be busy with something else by giving their "boss" an idea to keep his twin occupied so the two of them would be alone. Floyd had whined that it wasn't fair, that "Jade is always next to Azul, it's not fair... I'm bored, I wanna squeeze someone," to which Azul had just waved him off, sending him to work.
...But the fact is, Floyd wasn't wrong, though he might have meant it a bit differently. Because the truth is, yes, lately Jade had been practically glued to Azul, putting on a face of sheer disappointment every time he had to stray too far, even when following orders. He couldn't have been more obvious, could he? All that teasing, even though Azul was supposed to be his superior, and the way he still obediently carried out everything his friend wanted, making him feel like he was in charge, indulging him in everything. All the times he made sure other students were always aware of his presence and treated Azul politely enough, even though he didn't need protection. All the way he seemed magnetically drawn to his friend.
But Azul, it seems, just can't take a hint. He's always so busy with his lounge, his work, his contracts, his agreements, that he simply doesn't notice how the moray eel is bending over backwards for him. Especially considering it's getting closer to the end of the winter, and his merfolk instincts couldn't exactly behave decently, could they? He didn't feel it as keenly as he would in his merfolk form, and even then he didn't experience much discomfort because he isn't a real eel. But still, the clinginess, even subtle, was definitely there. Yet he figured if Azul was going to keep ignoring all the signs he'd been carefully showing for months, he might as well just come out and say it directly...
"That joke was only relevant once, and that was back in middle school, you know?"
...Ah.
Ah.
So that's the issue.
Jade's face settled back into its usual calm expression. He raised his hands, crossing one over his chest and resting the elbow of his other on its palm, wrapping his thumb under his chin and the rest of his fingers in front of it, putting on a slightly troubled look, but he still couldn't hold back a small smirk that bared his teeth.
"But Azul, I..."
"We don't have time for this right now. What do you think, if we try to get the prefect and Grim to work for us, would that play to our advantage? After all, it's not every day you see a monster serving students... Although his manners are horrendous, he'll make a huge mess. No, I suppose that's not the best idea..."
It really hadn't been a big deal back then, not at all. At that point, Jade and Floyd had recently met Azul and started hanging out with him. They were in their final year of middle school when Floyd, in one of his mood swings, teased Jade that he liked Azul way too much and might as well just confess his love to him. And Jade, finding the idea endlessly amusing, went for it, not intending to sort anything out afterward. All he wanted was to see how the octopus would react to the confession. And he can't deny that watching Azul change the coloring of his body and release ink was better than if it had happened on land, where he would have only blushed. No, in the sea, it looked so hilarious that he still reminds Azul about it from time to time. If not as leverage, then just to watch the other squirm under the weight of the memory. It must be in Azul's top three most embarrassing life events. His overblot bumped it down from the honorable second place, and first place firmly belongs to memories of his childhood self. He never got to see any other reaction beyond the ones mentioned earlier, because the scene was interrupted by Floyd, who was laughing so hard he definitely could have drowned. So Floyd also recalls it with relish and says every so often that he wants to see it again, earning constant reprimands from Azul. Nowadays, Azul gives no particular reaction except a slight clench of his jaw, tension in his shoulders, and the faintest blush on his cheeks, but back then, after that incident, he didn't talk to them for almost a week.
...Well, now Jade understands that sometimes he needs to be a bit more careful with his actions. But he never could have imagined that this would play a cruel joke on him so many years later. Fate has the best timing, hah?
Jade was even intrigued by this steadfastness, this absolute indifference to such intimate words. Azul didn't even bat an eye! And he had tried so hard to make the moment just right... At some point, he'd even considered dropping the whole idea. If it didn't elicit any reaction, maybe Azul truly didn't feel anything? In that case, now would be the perfect moment to write it all off as another joke and forget about it. But could a Leech ever refuse a challenge? Maybe Ashengrotto was just playing hard to get, or maybe he genuinely didn't believe that his words were truth. In any case, this only spurred him on more. Even Floyd noticed how his brother's smile had been glowing strangely for the last couple of days, and he was just about as full of energy as his twin. Jade hadn't told Floyd anything about his feelings for Azul, because he knew perfectly well his brother would blab it not only to the octopus himself but to a good portion of the college. And while Jade wasn't exactly against it, Azul would clearly not appreciate that kind of reputation. But apparently, Jade had gotten so caught up in the chase that he hadn't even noticed he was giving off a bit more pheromones than before. A byproduct of his origins, nothing more, and it still mating season playing with his mind amnd body. But it seems this amount was enough for Floyd, who was in one of his bad moods, to mutter something about "gross..." and "mating games...". Oya, is he really one to talk?
A couple of days had passed since the first confession attempt without any reminders of it. Enough time for the octopus to forget about it and assume it really was just an outdated joke. Enough time to try again, right?
Lunchtime is the best time. Sure, the crowd of students around them was a distraction, but it also provided excellent cover for their conversation. After all, no one dared to sit with them at their table, so no one would have the nerve to eavesdrop. Besides, everyone else was too wrapped up in their own conversations. So the moment couldn't be more perfect, right? Floyd was chewing disgustingly next to him. Azul was eating his absolutely healthy, calorie-, protein-, fat-, and carbohydrate-calculated meal. And Jade was staring intently at the housewarden across from him, unblinking and smiling, making the other squirm, even though he refused to acknowledge the persistent gaze. It felt like that healthy food might get stuck in his throat if he kept eating under such close scrutiny. He's no fan of eating in public, let alone under a stare like that.
"Azul?"
And if the octopus were honest, he was half expecting some teasing comment about having a smugle of something on his nose, crumbs on his clothes, or his portion today looking bigger than yesterday. So he decided not to look up from his food, just in case he needed to hide the twitch of his eyebrows before firing back something equally sharp. In fact, he already had a retort prepared in his head. Jade truly knew how to get under his skin.
"Mhm?"
"I love you."
At their table, motion seemed to freeze, while the cafeteria around them carried on with its loud existence. It felt like a dome had formed around their space, completely absorbing all sound. But only briefly, because Azul choked once he processed the words, lightly thumping his chest with his fist and reaching for a glass of water. Floyd's mouth, which had been stuffed full, fell wide open, and a half-chewed piece of food dropped onto his tray with a wet splat. Ugh, gross. But he never cared about manners, not when something more interesting was happening right in front of his wide-open eyes, which darted between his brother and his friend. Jade remained seated in the same pose, completely unfazed, as if he'd said something totally ordinary, that irritatingly polite smile on his face.
"Oh my, Azul, do you need help with that? You're looking pale," he drawled slowly, relishing the way the face across from him stretched in realization and how fingers twitched in irritation around the napkin dabbing lips. Jade's smile widened enough to flash a hint of teeth, arching his eyebrows on mocking sympathy, "Almost transparent."
That jab earned a barking laugh from Floyd beside him, which caused a few more bits of food to fly from his mouth as he resumed chewing, speaking with his mouth full and grinning from ear to ear, "Azul, you really did change color!"
"Floyd, chew with your mouth closed. There's more food on the table than in you," Azul said with a sigh, adjusting his glasses before crossing his arms over his chest. His previous surprise slipped from his face, replaced by something between embarrassment at his own reaction and irritation at the pattern, eyeing Jade with some weariness. He isn't planning on making a habit of this, is he?
Jade only returned a mysteriously calm smile, receiving no answer. Ah, no luck this time either?
Well, that didn't work. He should try again. Hmm, but when would the right moment be?
After that, Floyd had talked to him about it with a stupid grin. "Jade, what was that for? It was funny." But when he received only a mysterious little smile with a subtle warning underneath it in return, he was slightly taken aback before muttering, "Hah, you're no fun..." Oya, is that so? Well, as long as Floyd doesn't do anything too ridiculous, it's fine.
The right moment would surely come. But for now, he should get back to his duties as vice-housewarden, right? Which is why he should probably pay attention to the scene in front of him. Right now, they were in Azul's office. He was standing to the right of the sofa where Azul sat, and Floyd was to the left. On the sofa opposite was none other than Jamil Viper, looking like he'd rather be anywhere but here. Between them was a small coffee table with a contract lying on it. The truth is, the twins had practically strong-armed him into coming to Octavinelle, because Azul never loses hope of acquiring him for his dorm. Right now, he was using all his skills of charm and oratory, which were clearly not working on the Scarabia student, instead fueling his irritation and desire to get out of there as soon as possible.
Come to think of it, oya, Azul is really that interested in him, isn't he? Sometimes it seemed like after the winter break incident, he'd lost his mind, and 30% of his thoughts were consumed by how to lure Viper into his dorm. That seemed like an incredible amount, considering how easily one person could invade a mind usually filled with worries about the lounge and studies. Jade was almost jealous. Or envious. But by now, the scene playing out in front of him felt routine. It's the same thing over and over, isn't it? He couldn't let this push-and-pull become something permanent.
And looking at Azul's strained smile after another one of Viper's sarcastic comments, the best idea popped into his head.
"Azul?" Jade leaned toward his friend, placing his left hand over his heart, deliberately adopting a conspiratorial tone, as if about to offer a suggestion.
"Mm? Ah, yes, Jade?" Azul turned, all attention, his businessman smile and everything. A mistake, as moray eel's next words rang out loud enough for everyone in the room.
"I love you."
...
Silence. Oya, it seems regardless of the setting, the reaction remains the same? Jamil's face twisted into an expression of sincere discomfort and disgust, like he was watching someone love life and was NOT interested in it and Azul's expression completely collapsed. Floyd had the audacity to burst out laughing, loud and a little raspy, as always, unexpectedly coming to his brother's aid.
"It's true, Azul! He loves you so much he even glared at me! You're making him boring!"
"Oh my, was I? I think you must have imagined it, Floyd."
Azul's jaw clenched so tight it seemed like either his teeth would grind audibly or he'd break something in there. Turning sharply toward where Jamil sat, he began to speak, hoping the flush on his cheeks wasn't too visible? smilling tightly, "Please, pay no attention, he's..." But the clever Viper, trained by years of serving the main heir to the Al-Asim family, had perfected the skill of moving like a shadow, managing to vanish from the room without a sound within those ten seconds, "...Not himself," Ashengrotto finished, defeated, letting his smile drop into irritation.
Not the right moment?
Oya, maybe he should switch tactics? Hmm, but what could Azul possibly like besides a direct approach? Maybe he wanted long courtship, love letters? But he had recently given him a rare mushroom he'd found on his last hike in the mountains. He'd even specifically made a terrarium for it and decorated it. That's the highest form of courtship one could imagine... And what about those documents on that group of students and the forbidden stuff they were involved in on school grounds? (Of course, they only looked into it in order to stop that behavior)? That's better than any love letter... For the first time, Jade felt so clueless...
He must have been standing in place for quite a while, hands folded together below in front of him, sighing under his breath every now and then. His face was full of longing and torment, of course. It's just that for some reason, no other students were rushing to approach the bar today... It must be that the nearly two-meter-tall bartender, arching his brows, still smiling, and sighing to himself, didn't look any more welcoming than his usual expression.
"Jade, if you're planning to stand there and sulk, I'll replace you with Floyd."
Azul's voice came from the side of the counter. The guy stood there, giving his friend a disapproving smile, arms lightly folded across his chest, quickly scanning the lounge. By this time, barely any students were left, and those who remained were sitting far from the bar and that bartender with this aura. And Floyd wasn't in the mood today either. Jade, perking up, raised his eyebrows, straightening slightly and turning his whole body toward Azul in one motion. Ugh, creepy.
"Azul, I..."
"...Love you?" The sentence was finished before Jade could get out his second word. Now he was blinking, looking at Azul, who had apparently caught on to the rules of the game and was now planning to stop being the victim of this "joke." Or so he thought, because the moray eel's lips quickly spread into a playful, almost predatory smile, his brows curving up slightly again and his teeth flashing in the dim light.
"...Want to be your boyfriend."
Sevens, this deafening silence after his words had become almost predictable every time. Ah, disappointing...
"I agree."
...
Oya?
Well, it seems that it was now Jade's turn to make a surprised face, while the octopus smirked, even if he was blushing nervously.