#cw: shipping

[moxingaround]

Romance in the Raw roaster as of 25/11 (Survivor series special)

[twistmusings]

hi!! your floyd and riddle fic from a while ago was so cute :)) the banter over the tart? floyd's patience and their knowledge of each other's quirks????? Uncle trey and azul? Lmfao YES PLEASE that's so sweet😭😭 any gen relationship headcannons for these two? maybe how they got together in the first place, or how the other boys of their dorm reacted? (lmaooo imagine that) Congrats on the move! :)

Thank you so much! I have a really soft spot for a lot of twst ships so it's always a pleasure when I get to indulge and write for them a little bit! And thank you so much for the well wishes about the move!!

Just as a note, this one got kind of long and is largely a breakdown of how the two of them ended up dating.

General Relationship Headcanons - Floyd and Riddle

CW: Canon x Canon shipping (obvs), enemies to lovers but also idiots to lovers (? Its complicated), learning to communicate and some very touch and go parts, Trey Clover's prolonged migraine, Azul and Jade's meddling.

As is mentioned in canon, Riddle and Floyd first met during their orientation. Floyd was kicking up a fuss and well... Riddle kicked his ass. There was no two ways about it, he threw Floyd around like he was a bag of grapes before collaring him and he was pretty thoroughly outmatched by his magic.

Riddle unknowingly created a torment of his own making that day. See, Floyd has always really admired strength and, fortunately or unfortunately, Floyd was fascinated by him. He was so small and regal looking that Floyd would have never guessed that he was capable of magic that strong. He wants to see more-- wants to learn what makes Riddle tick and how he got so strong.

That means, while Riddle sees Floyd's pestering in a negative light (which is 100% valid, Floyd is really irritating and intentionally pisses him off) Floyd never has. His teasing and rough play are pretty common types of affection under the sea. Floyd has been just as abrasive toward Azul and Jade in the past, they just know better than to rise to meet his energy.

However, Riddle's reactiveness... feeds into Floyd's bad behavior. He becomes Goldfishie entirely because when Floyd says it, Riddle gives him attention, even if it's negative attention. He doesn't really examine his own emotions beyond that, he just knows that he really likes when his Goldfishie friend pays attention to him.

Now, as for how they got together... it was a very complex sort of domino effect, and had things not fallen into place the way they did, Riddle likely wouldn't have ended up dating Floyd.

So, the first thing that really occurred was that Floyd developed a crush on Riddle..... that he wasn't aware about. Floyd has such a hard time untangling his own emotions that sometimes things slip under the radar. He's always been this way about crushes, and because of it, he tends to be the last person to notice it. Instead, usually the first person to catch on is Jade, and then shortly after him, Azul.

It doesn't take much for Jade to realize it-- he recognizes the signs as soon as Floyd starts going out of his way to seek out Riddle. That's always the first, then followed by him noticing Floyd talking about his admiration for Riddle unprompted shortly after. He didn't realize it was serious though, until Floyd would start to slip up and call him Riddle. Just Riddle. While it wasn't even significant enough for it to be something Riddle noticed, Jade caught it immediately. Fish pun names were common, but actually sticking it through to learn and use someone's given name was less so.

Jade picked up on it right around their sophomore year, and he would take a few occasions to get a temperature read on how Riddle was feeling about his brother. He certainly was probing when he asked Riddle if he actually missed being teased by Floyd.

Needless to say, Jade's impression of Riddle's feelings... aren't hopeful. He can tell that Riddle really, truly resents him for the teasing and how volatile his mood is. He doesn't believe he will be heard out if he's the one to bring it up to Riddle, either, as he knows Riddle already sees him in a similar light as he does Floyd so he defers to Azul and asks him to assist in the situation.

Azul asks for a private meeting with Riddle, and when Riddle arrives he really wastes no time in laying things out as they were from his perspective: Floyd had developed feelings for Riddle and despite how much of a pest he could be, Azul wanted to request that Riddle go easy on him when he let him down.

Riddle was baffled. He can already feel the heat rising to his face as he feels his anger starting to flare. How dare Azul ask to meet him privately for this foolishness! It was such a waste of time to play these silly little games, and Riddle suddenly felt stupid for assuming that Azul would know better than to play these kind of jokes simply on the merits of being another housewarden.

"Really, Azul, this isn't funny." His expression is sour, and he stands smoothing his uniform jacket. Azul's eyes widen a fraction as he looks at him, eyebrows giving away his surprise. "I had expected better of you. I'm sure you think this is hilarious, but I never would have thought that you would stoop so low as to make a joke that I could see Floyd pulling."

He turns on his heels, and only makes it so far as the door when he hears the scrambling of Azul behind him as he stands from his desk.

"Riddle, hold on. This isn't a joke." Riddle freezes, hand lingering on the doorknob. He wants to be angry at himself for thinking that Azul sounds genuine. This is surely an elaborate scheme of some kind, but in spite of himself he turns enough to level Azul with a glare.

Except Azul looks sincere. Perhaps even worried-- like he's the one who couldn't believe this was a joke. Was it a joke? Riddle's suddenly unsure-- Azul didn't usually get roped into helping Jade and Floyd in their impulsive ideas.

"I'm being serious. I'm fairly certain that Floyd... has feelings for you." Azul clears his throat, adjusting his glasses with a careful coolness that seems to be an attempt to cover his prior unveiled concern. "I know that he has been nothing but irritating to you, and that you don't owe him any kindness after the amount of pestering he's done... however, dorm leader to dorm leader, I would like to request that you don't reject him too... intensely."

There's something there-- Riddle can tell. A genuine concern of some kind, even if he can't quite see what exactly for. He gives Azul a skeptical look, knowing it was unlikely for him to play all of his cards at once, though. There has to be something else-- he knows Azul well enough to know that much.

"Forgive me if I'm having a hard time believing that Floyd has a crush on me, Azul." He deadpans, frowning.

Azul mirrors the frown, dragging a hand down his face.

"Perhaps... there's been a misunderstanding of sorts. I know Floyd, and I have known him for years. I realize how counterintuitive this sounds, but the name calling and the encouraging you to play tag with him by taking your things, that's... that's his love language."

"That's his what?"

"Floyd isn't great at understanding his own emotions, let alone anyone else's. I'm afraid if you don't make your intentions incredibly, forcefully clear for him it can sometimes go over his head. He likely thinks that you're just as excited to play along with his games as he is."

"So his idea of flirting with me is to tease me and consistently disrespect me?" Riddle's lips pull into a thin, irritated line. He's starting to tip back in the direction that this is some kind of long-winded, cruel prank.

"Teasing, yes, but I'm afraid I can't say I agree on the disrespect front."

"You're joking."

"I'm not. Floyd respects you highly, even if he's not very adept at showing it."

Riddle can't help but to scoff. Azul rolls his own eyes, holding up his hand and beginning to count.

"Let's see, he talks about how you 'picked the biggest magic textbook off the shelf with tons of hard words' to study and then took a few minutes to explain it to him, how you're 'super dedicated and responsible for your dorm leader stuff', how 'Goldfishie broke up a fight with ten people like it was nothing', how 'Goldfishie threw him around like he weighed nothing with his magic and he wants to learn that too', how you're 'the only one around here who isn't afraid to stand up' to him, how--"

As the list grows longer, Riddle can feel himself growing red again, though this time he's pretty sure it's not from anger. Somehow despite the fact that Azul is surely paraphrasing, it's very easy to hear Floyd's voice saying these things. Hell, Riddle had often been too annoyed to realize it at the time, but he had said a lot of similar things to him directly.

"I see." Is all that Riddle can manage to think up to respond with. "You've certainly given me plenty to think about. Now... if you'll excuse me."

Riddle opens the door and slips out, and Azul stands a little dumbfounded for a moment. What kind of response was that??

"Riddle?" Azul calls after him, following. However, he finds the hallway empty when he walks out. "Riddle!"

But Riddle has already gone, and Azul can only hope that he hadn't just accidentally endorsed Floyd's misery for however long it took him to overcome the hump of realizing his Goldfishie didn't like him in the same way that Floyd liked him.

Riddle spends a while flipping back and forth between whether he thinks that Azul must be using this as some sort of plot and whether he genuinely believes that Floyd has feelings for him. He's more inclined to believe that Floyd genuinely has feelings for him, but he can't be sure if that's just him wanting to give Azul the benefit of the doubt that he wouldn't toy with his own feelings. (He wouldn't, but this is not about that.)

It was... strained on Riddle's part. He is pretty emotionally constipated in his own right, and him reexamining and recontextualizing the past interactions he has had with Floyd through the realization that he was largely just trying to instigate play with him sort of changes his feelings toward them. Of course, he still really, really dislikes the teasing and intentional irritation, but, as he realizes, it might be partially his own fault. He realizes that while Floyd gets on his nerves, he has never continued to do something after Riddle outright asked him not to do it or was explicitly clear that he didn't want him to do it.

Eventually he realizes that what Azul said made an unfortunate amount of sense, and that perhaps his irritation with Floyd was a matter of learning how to communicate with him instead of the both of them just being incompatible as people.

Now a big key to how the next step played out was that Riddle was aware of Floyd's feelings, but Floyd had no idea of his own feelings. Of course he did have romantic feelings toward Riddle, but he never clocked that he was catching feelings.

The situation ended up being that Floyd was irritating Riddle, as he did often, but it went differently than it usually did. To start with, Riddle was the one who got physical with him first-- he used his magic to throw him once again. He had been pushed to his absolute limit and was finding it hard to sleep because the thought of Floyd having a crush on him had been eating him. It definitely doesn't help that Riddle's starting to notice his own signs of attraction. Floyd was a little shocked, because to him he hadn't done anything to warrant it and he wanted Riddle to apologize, but before he could even open his mouth to say as such, Riddle was already starting to talk right over him.

"You are insufferable." Riddle says it, and it makes something in Floyd's chest tighten up when he does. His eyes widen a little, and he's starting to wonder what he did differently today to warrant that severe look in Riddle's eyes.

"Goldfishie?"

"Shut up and listen." Floyd would normally never let anyone talk to him like that, but something in Riddle's tone makes him actually shut his mouth. It feels serious. He watches, waiting for Riddle to continue. "I really hate it when you do this. Make me chase you around by stealing my things. And I hate it when you seek me out just to interrupt what I'm trying to do. I want you to knock it off."

There's no room for argument in his tone. So Floyd doesn't. Really, he wishes Riddle had said as much sooner, because this isn't something fresh and he can tell. And Riddle isn't even going red in the face-- this is a cold anger. Floyd has never seen anything like it and it's terrifying.

"Goldfishie...?" His voice is uncomfortably unsure.

"And stop calling me that. I hate that nickname." His tone is measured, and he steps forward, further into Floyd's space so that he has to look up at him. Floyd's stomach flips, and he doesn't know why. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." Floyd swallows around his heart in his throat. Riddle looks at him, and he realizes he's waiting on Floyd to speak his peace. He isn't sure what to say, so he settles on the words he first finds. "I didn't mean to make you actually mad, Riddle."

And something about Floyd saying his actual name makes Riddle snap. All of his composure is thrown right out of the window, and in spite of the anger and confusion he is feeling, he hauls Floyd up by the collar and kisses him soundly.

And Floyd is stunned. His thoughts become loud and chaotic in an instant-- Why was Riddle kissing him? Hadn't he just told him he hated everything he did? What had made him even think of kissing him? And why did it feel so good?

He doesn't have enough time to respond, body stiff and feeling heavy. He feels a bit like he's going to die with how much his chest feels like it wants to burst, and his stomach can't decide which way is up. And as if that all wasn't bad enough, Floyd can feel this strange hot, burning feeling in his face that's making his cheeks hurt. Riddle pulls back from the kiss, and it's all Floyd can do to just stare at him for several seconds.

And then instinct kicks in. Floyd's head is empty of thoughts as he scrambles to his feet, and he turns, and he flees. Eels are cowards, after all.

Riddle is pretty shocked at himself, too. He isn't sure what came over him-- he'd just felt kind of overwhelmed by the urge to just kiss him in the moment when to any reasonable person that should have been the last thing on his mind. Not to mention that it was a rather public venue where their little spat (?) had taken place, so the school was abuzz with the rumor within the hour.

"So... clearly you have feelings for him as well, then."

He's greeted by Trey a couple of hours later when he more-or-less breaks into his room with a "You did WHAT!?" It takes some explaining, but Trey gets a quick grasp on the situation and immediately lets out the biggest sigh and starts feeling a headache coming on.

"Huh?!" Riddle spits, flushing and looking a little offended. Trey does his best not to level him with his 'are you fucking serious' look, but he must not be entirely successful because Riddle seems to wince a little.

"Riddle, you kissed him. Even if it was on impulse you were having some kind of feelings."

"... I conceed that much."

"So, you probably still have some kind of feelings toward him. What are they?"

"... I feel like I shouldn't answer that on the grounds that you will ask me what's wrong with me, again."

Oh yeah, that headache was really coming on.

"First, I didn't ask what was wrong with you, I asked what you did. Second, I'm doing this to try and help you."

It takes a long conversation, but Riddle eventually lands on the fact that he does have some interest in Floyd. He suspects it might be romantic, but he can't put his finger on it, and doesn't think he would feasibly be able to unless he were to actually sit and be in Floyd's presence voluntarily for a while.

Jade and Azul assumed that Riddle had just rejected Floyd, and that's why he'd been in his room and moping for the last several hours. It takes Trey reaching out to them to talk about what happened for them to realize that it hadn't gone exactly how they had thought it had, and their response was more or less the same as Trey. "What did you DO!?"

Riddle learns from the two of them that Floyd likely needs the time to come to peace with his own feelings on his own time, and that he will need space to do that, so he stays back for the time being.

Meanwhile, Floyd is mulling over the entire scenario and doing his own consideration of their past conversations and realizing that yeah, he'd definitely kind of had a massive crush on Riddle without even knowing he had and that's why he'd gotten so flustered and unsettled when Riddle had kissed him out of nowhere. Well, that and because it had immediately been preceded by a verbal and physical lashing.

As much as I wish it was more interesting, the honest reaction of the people around them in both dorms was... shock. They would never have expected their typically antagonistic relationship to shake out like that, nor did they expect Floyd nor Riddle to be hit so hard by what happened. The only slightly interesting reaction would have been Ace who was likely prepared to tease the both of them until Trey made a few not-so-thinly veiled threats to his wellbeing if he did.

Riddle lets Floyd be the one to make the next move-- after all he'd kind of made a jackass out of himself by jerking Floyd in several different directions with that kiss. And eventually, Floyd does reach out again, though not in his typical fashion-- he sends a letter via Jade asking to meet.

It's definitely awkward when they meet up in person again, and Floyd seems very low and sober. Truthfully, he doesn't want to be having this conversation because he knows it's probably not going to end in a good way, but he also knows that he's probably going to just remain in his rut unless he does. Plus it was getting very annoying having Jade and Azul constantly on his back to do something.

They both end up apologizing to each other. Riddle for being so harsh and then just kissing him out of the blue, and Floyd for not keying into the fact that he was getting genuinely irritated with him. Floyd explains that he's really not good at picking up on subtle cues and he often needs to be told things directly or he will miss them entirely.

"One other thing..." Riddle huffs, glancing away from Floyd. "I suppose if you must, you may still call me goldfish. Just... try not to refer to me exclusively as that."

Floyd laughs-- not the normal bright, manic laughter Riddle usually hears from him. This is a more subdued contentment, and when he looks at him, Riddle notices the way that the corners of Floyd's eyes wrinkle a bit.

"Why did you change your mind on that?"

"Against my better judgements... it seems to me that it's a kind of endearment."

"Nah, I was definitely teasing you when I said it, but whatever you'd like, Goldfishie~." Floyd sing-songs.

Riddle feels stupid for it, considering what had ended them up in this situation in the first place, but he feels overwhelmed with the urge to kiss him again. He tamps it down rather aggressively, not wanting to damage whatever tentative thing they were working on here. Apparently he's not subtle enough, because in the instant he glances at Floyd's lips and back, the other is grinning toothily.

"You didn't learn your lesson the first time, did you?" Floyd challenges. Riddle can't quite place if it's intentional flirting or not-- feels like it must be.

"Perhaps you'll have to teach me again." The words leave Riddle's mouth before he can stop himself long enough to process what he's said. Then, rather flustered, he adds: "I've always found it most helpful to review the material a few times."

Floyd's eyebrows quirk upward toward his hairline, but he doesn't make to move at all. Ah, right, like they'd discussed-- he was trying to be better about their boundaries. Riddle sighed, despite this being something he specifically asked for.

"Floyd?"

"Yes?"

"Kiss me, you oaf."

"Sure thing, Goldfishie~!"

[artastic-friend]

'Nother buncha doodles from a HelloPaint Board!

I started a board specifically for Music Man enjoyers, I will be opening it to the public soon probably (I literally have a post set for it) I guess I'm just a teeny bit nervous about releasing it to the public just yet, but as long as people will be chill about it I'm sure things will be fine.

anyway! I drew with @ntls-24722 @wakebymoonsleepbysun @macaroniat3am and @akikothefuzzball on the board today and it was really fun!

Here are a bunch of the things I drew 💀:

Group Photo!!! including the DJMMs belonging to @macaroniat3am, me, @ntls-24722, and @wakebymoonsleepbysun! Drawn by me in my best attempt at mimicking the way they each draw him!

Some Fanart For Stereo Souls! A DJMM x Reader fic by @wakebymoonsleepbysun

And then some doodles of my Borrower AU DJMM! Still the same DJMM we all know and love, except now he's super teeny and an actual spider!!! (sorta)

Ok I am actually really proud of this drawing tho:

Some regular DJ doodles!

Also Vanessa and DJ, Both Trans and Gayy!??! SLAYYY!!! (really hope that NTLS posts the little comic he drew relating to this, the world needs to see it bahahahah)

OG MUSIC MAN LOVEEEE!!!!:

Love her so much! I need to draw more of her gRRAHRHARR

Finally, We have the Best Gay couple I've ever laid eyes upon!!

Borrower AU too!

Comet and Fritz belong to @ntls-24722!!!!!

[croyant]

I've yet to post muse bios. Sorry, I set up this blog from mobile while my laptop was broken. I'm getting there. But I write Finn as pansexual. He doesn't care what someone's gender or sexuality is, or whether they are human or alien. He just likes kind, honest people who connect with him. I love platonic, familial and romantic ships for him. Finn deserves love!

As for romantic ships, I'm open to all oc & canon hero ships ( finnrey, finnjannah, finnpoe, finnrose, etc ) as long as there is chemistry. I am personally very wary about hero/villain ships in the star wars universe because of the heinous crimes committed by most villains. ( This is not a commentary on other people's preferences. Ship what you want! ) While I'm totally open to shipping Finn with other ex-troopers ( i.e. Jannah who I adore. Or ocs ), I am not willing to ship him with villains like Phasma, Kylo Ren or Hux. I think Finn fully embraces choosing to switch sides & do good. But I personally don't think he could have a healthy relationship with anyone who has fallen so far into immortality before their change of heart.

[seenthisepisode]

no offence but the reason tumblr is “dying” is, well, yes, of course the cursed like/reblog ratio and the change in user behaviour (because of people being used to how instagram and tiktok work) BUT also the lack of weekly shows. i say it with my whole chest, they don't produce captivating and engaging stupid weekly tv shows anymore because streaming killed that so you have spikes of activity here when Something happens in general fandom or up to three days after a new season of whatever drops and then it's a wasteland. this is obviously an old woman yelling at a cloud missing supernatural and the vampire diaries and pretty little liars and all these other shows type of post but honestly give me back weekly tv shows where i have something to watch for 40 minutes almost every day of the week after work so then i can read and reblog it on tumblr give it back for the sake of my sanity

[overlymetaromantic]

Dungeon Meshi, or as I like to call it, Marcille's-increasingly-difficult-to-ignore-revelations-that-her-endless-devotion-to-Falin-may-in-fact-be-more-rooted-in-lesbianism-than-she-originally-thought

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for 'outing' someone for writing inc*st?

I (20F) am in a moderately large fandom that got popular during the pandemic. Most of the fic for this fandom is gen and platonic pairings, which is a rarity and fantastic. One of the most popular creators in the fandom puts out a ton of gen fics that I really loved. Unfortunately, I learned after that they write fics on a different account, and not just any fics, but inc*st. I'm not talking about found family. These characters are literal brothers in canon. I can't believe anyone would ship them together, much less this person. I unfollowed them and now, whenever I see anyone talking about how much they love this creator, I inform them about the alt account and their ships. Ignorance may be bliss, but I felt awful when I found out and realized I'd been supporting them for so long and I don't want anyone else to feel that way. But someone replied to one of my comments calling me the asshole, telling me I was outing the creator, and to mind my own business. AITA?

What are these acronyms?

[the-potpourri]

(That feel when you wanna do a ship, but there is no one on the mutual list who is both active *and* plays the other half of the would be ship. Just gonna go back to my corner and play with my bunny dolls. . . )

[aster-draws]

Danny: haha I am dead yes this is very funny

Tim: *literal, intense flashbacks*

Dick: :DDD

Chapter seven of Wanted: Dead and Alive is live and it contains this ICONIC scene so like... Check it out if you would ;-;

[kazehita]

im normal i swear

[canisalbus]

WOAH can we see the skull if thats ok?? that sounds so cool (also only 20€????)

Also since it's hollow you can stick led lights in there for this sort of effect (pardon the mushy quality):

[captainzigo]

Does Fluttershy think gay people are real?

tf you mean. she IS a gay people

do drugs responsibly

hooray for bearded women!!!

[twistmusings]

Navel-Gazing - Jade and Azul

CW: Friends-to-FWB/Lovers, Mentions of Alcohol, Assumes Twisted Wonderland's legal drinking age is 18 but that alcohol is prohibited on campus grounds, mentions of codependence (not in a romantic relationship), mentions of sibling bonds and family issues, feelings of abandonment, mentions of Floyd being in an off-screen relationship. Long as all hell, this is really more of a drabble than a headcanon list womp womp.

At the start of their “relationship”, neither Azul nor Jade were looking for a partner. In fact, the both of them were pretty solidly in the “I don’t want to be tied down when I have something else I have to focus on” camp because they were both preparing to graduate from Night Raven College at that point and are starting to figure out how to go and do their own things. They were both just confirmed for their internships and were planning how they wanted to move forward with their adult lives. They really didn’t have time for a full relationship.

What ended up driving them closer together was, surprisingly, Floyd starting to date someone. That might sound surprising, but the reality was that Jade wasn’t prepared for how different his life would be when his clingy sibling decided not to be around him nearly as much.

Jade would never admit it aloud, but he got lonely. Floyd and he had been together basically every day most of the day since they were fry. They shared a dorm room, even. Being that used to having someone around him at most times meant that when Floyd suddenly wasn’t there to spend time with (read: pester with his nonsense at all times of night), he found it harder to function in general. He often found himself going to say something to Floyd only to remember he’d gone out. He also found it harder to sleep when he was entirely alone-- as it turns out, his instincts had grown attuned to always having someone there he trusted to help keep him safe so now that there wasn’t, he’s on high alert.

In addition to that, Azul began to rely more on Jade for day-to-day tasks. Floyd was spending less of his free time at Mostro Lounge and Octavinelle, so of course Azul would turn to the other person he trusted to handle ‘delicate’ matters. This often led to jade taking on more of the errand-based tasks that Floyd would normally be sent on to work off his energy. 

Jade was… snippy. Or, truthfully, more snide than he usually was. Azul had noticed this, and this made the tension between them start to grow. Azul felt uneasy-- thinking this was a warning sign that Jade would be not long from abandoning him as well, and the thought of being entirely alone sets him on edge.

“I see.” Jade replies, though Azul notes the clipped sound of agitation in his voice. Really, Azul is positively sick of whatever had gotten into Jade, so he shoots Azul a glare. Jade acts like such a brat at times-- like Azul isn’t also struggling with Floyd not being there. For the sake of the Sea Witch, he was balancing his studies for finals, his business, preparing study guides, rearranging his workloads, trying to get in contact with high profile companies for the sake of his internship AND he wasn’t letting his attitude get the best of him!

"Is that a problem, Jade?"

"Hmm." However slight, Azul notices the way that Jade frowns as if he's got a bitter taste in his mouth. "I simply don't think it is the best use of my talents."

Azul sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Jade, you know I would never trust someone other than you with something so important, right?" Azul says, intending to continue that thought, but before he can continue Jade cuts in.

"That isn't true and we both know it. I’ve never been the person you’ve asked to do this before."

The implication hangs heavy in the air-- that Azul is replacing Floyd with Jade. Azul looks up at Jade, surprised, but Jade’s expression is entirely unreadable at the moment. Azul takes a moment to gather himself and brace for whatever argument Jade is trying to start though he really would like to do nothing more than to rise and meet Jade’s antagonism. That particular idea would be unwise. He’s not in his mer-form so he stands little chance against someone Jade’s size.

"What is this about, Jade?" He asks, measuredly, needing to hear Jade explain precisely what had gotten under his skin-- he's leaving no room for misunderstandings.

"This is something you would normally ask Floyd to do. I simply don't understand why it's necessary to ask me."

And that's all it takes for Azul to be at the end of his patience. Perhaps the situation was wearing more on Azul than he had thought.

“Jade, you can see as well as I can that Floyd isn’t here right now. I can’t ask him to do it.” Azul drops the pen that he had been holding unceremoniously onto the stack of papers in front of him, instead clasping his hands in front of him to try and squeeze the frustration out before he does something foolish with that energy. He levels Jade with a stern stare. “I wouldn’t be asking him to do this regardless. I trust your judgment and discretion in this situation more than I would Floyd’s. So what, precisely, is the problem? Do you want higher pay? A favor? What is it?”

Jade looks at Azul, eyes widening fractionally, then he seems to remember himself, taking a slow breath.

"I don't need more pay-- I certainly wouldn't say no, of course--" Azul rolls his eyes at Jade's aside. "--I simply fail to see why this warrants my attention. What you’ve asked me to do is, effectively, grunt work. You know I prefer not to get my hands dirty if I can help it, so whatever it is that has you so worried, I can’t understand why you need me to do it.”

Azul scrubs a hand down his face. 

“Fine.” Azul says through gritted teeth. “I suspect that some of the employees are skimming money from the lounge by not cashing things out properly. I trust you to keep a keen eye on your surroundings and report back to me. Not to ‘beat the tar’ out of them. I am trying to gather enough evidence to file a report to the Headmage.” Azul explains it carefully, almost as if he’s trying to break it down to a child. Jade might have felt condescended to were he not so shocked at the revelation that someone would be brave and foolhardy enough to try to cut into the profits of Azul of all people.

“The last thing I need is for Floyd to run in and get himself into trouble because of his temper.” Azul finishes. Jade nods thoughtfully, frowning, but seems unconvinced. Azul sighs heavily. "How about I reward you? Whatever you'd like so long as it doesn't cut into the profits of the lounge egregiously."

That seemed to perk Jade up.

"Anything?" Jade ventures, tentatively. He pauses to think for a moment, then asks; "Must I decide what I want now?"

"Whenever you'd like, so long as you give me the time to prepare the materials."

Jade watches Azul carefully, as if waiting for further stipulation before nodding.

"Very well. Give me three days, I will gather all the information you need."

Jade succeeds, of course. There’s no way he wouldn’t given the stakes. It’s rare that he has the upper hand on Azul fully and even rarer that Azul offers it willingly.

Azul, on the other hand, is cursing himself for that exact thing: he can’t believe he gave Jade full control like that. He might trust Jade with his life and his finances, but he doesn’t trust him with his dignity.

Azul steeples his fingers.

“So, Jade, have you decided what you would like?” Azul ventures, trying not to let his tension show through in his voice. He is, apparently, unsuccessful, as Jade smirks at him broadly.

“I have.” He replies, though he doesn’t expand on the thought, thoroughly enjoying Azul’s discomfort at what he doesn’t know. The silence extends longer, and Jade’s grin only seems to grow.

“Well, are you planning on sharing with the class?” Azul ventures.

“I would like…” Jade begins, though he pauses rather theatrically, drawing out the tension the way one might for a crowd at the circus rather than for the impatient cephalopod before him.

"...Yes?"

"For you..."

Jade attempts to pause again, but Azul preempts him.

"Get on with it Jade, I don't have all night for histrionics."

Jade sighs, feigning disappointment with a shrug.

"...I’d like for you to make me my favorite meal."

“...” Azul's guard drops for a moment, showing his unveiled surprise. However, within moments, it's back and he's eyeing Jade suspiciously. "That’s it? You're positive? You could have nearly anything you'd like and that's what you want?"

"Quite." 

Azul still seems to expect a trap.

"You just want me to make you Octopus Carpaccio? That's really it?" He asks, and Jade merely smiles broadly and nods. "...Why?"

"Why?"

"Yes, why? What's your angle?"

Jade's smile widens.

"I'd like you to take the night off and give me your company." Jade states, simply.

Jade gets the pleasure of getting to watch the cogs begin to turn in Azul’s head. Azul has always had a distaste for taking time off, no matter how ill or infirmed he may be. He always says that coming back to work will only make for twice the work to be done in half the time.

“It’s been quite some time since I’ve gotten a chance to fully monopolize your time for myself, and if I have a reason to get you into the kitchen I’d be a fool not to take it. You have exacting tastes, after all.” Jade explains, his brows lifting as he grins.

Despite him not being particularly keen on the arrangement, Azul can’t quite keep himself from preening at the compliment.

"You know me well." Azul replies, trying to fight the smile that threatens to curl the corners of his lips. "My mother would have nothing but the best, so of course I have a taste for good food."

“And that’s precisely why I would like to steal you for myself for an evening.”

"No... Fair enough. Far be it from me to tell you what to do with your gift. Consider it a deal."

Jade, for his part, is surprisingly chipper in the span between then and their dinner together. Dare I say he was even a bit excited. He doesn’t realize it, but part of that is because he is looking forward to not having to spend the night by himself in total silence.

Azul does set the time aside for Jade. In fact, he goes above and beyond what is asked. Azul never does things in half measures, and it’s good to repay kindness with kindness. That’s simply good business sense. Azul is a great cook, to put it frankly. He rarely utilizes the skill because he focuses more on the business aspects of the lounge, but he knows his way around the kitchen quite well. It is a rare treat, indeed, to get a handmade dinner by Azul.

On top of that, Azul reserves the private room of the lounge. (That one is mostly selfish-- he doesn’t want to be bothered if they are going to have dinner and a night off. Besides, if they were interrupted, Azul had no doubt Jade would leverage it into a do-over if the night isn’t perfect.) He even goes so far as to procure a bright, fruity red wine to pair with the main course. (He has to sneak it in; he highly doubts that the Headmage would be too keen on him having alcohol on campus regardless of the fact that they are of drinking age.)

Jade is… impressed. He had been sort of riding on the knowledge that Azul doesn’t know how to not take things to ten and he’s not disappointed.

Azul has some… realizations in rapid succession when Jade shows up. See, Azul has always been aware he wasn’t precisely what landfolk would call straight. He’s never really cared much to label it because that’s pretty uncommon under the sea. And he’s always known objectively that Jade was handsome. He’s tall, broad shouldered, has sharp features, and is charming. However, it wasn’t until right about then that he managed to piece together that the two things were even remotely connected. He very nearly drops the 24,000 Thaumark bottle of wine because he fumbles it when Jade walks in.

Azul files it away under something he’s going to deal with later (read: never).

What had made Azul fumble the bottle was seeing how Jade was dressed. Jade has a handful out outfits that Azul has seen-- the uniform for the school, the formal clothes he wears to work in the lounge, the climbing gear he wears when he’s preparing for a weekend excursion to go scale a mountain or whatever he does in his club-- but he can’t recall a time that he’s seen Jade dressed down. He looked as though he was ready for a date, really. It’s not even that different from what he usually wears, but regardless it makes Azul’s palms sweat. He’s got dress pants and one of his white button-ups on, but the cuffs of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows and the top couple of buttons of his shirt are undone just enough to show a bit of his collarbone.

Azul absolutely curses his attraction to people with their sleeves rolled up. He really tries to pin it entirely on that-- it’s not the first time he’s noticed it on someone but it is the first time he’s noticed it on Jade. There is no reason a silly shirt should be making him feel like this when he’s seen Jade without clothes entirely in their mer-forms hundreds of times. It takes him several seconds to get a grip on himself.

Their dinner has been nice. Jade is quite pleased to be able to eat Azul’s cooking, and Azul seems to have relaxed and unwound a little bit. They have both been nursing a single glass of wine all night, just enough to toast their upcoming internships.

“... I admit, I’m a bit surprised that you and Floyd decided to go to different places for your internships.” Azul says, humming at the thought as he sips at the wine. “You two normally come as a set.”

Jade glances toward Azul, wondering if he knows what a landmine of a topic he’d just brought up. He quickly diverts his gaze back to the remaining few ounces of wine as it swirls around the sides of the glass, attempting to distract himself. He’s uncharacteristically quiet for a moment.

They did typically come as a pair, didn’t they? Well, they had come as a pair-- after all, they were already beginning to grow more separate with Floyd spending more time making plans with his partner than he did in their own dorm. They weren’t going to be glued to each other for their entire lives-- they would have to learn their independence sooner or later, right? It simply made sense that they would go to separate places for a few months. Learning how to be by themselves would be healthy for both of them.

“...Jade?” Azul asks. His voice snaps Jade out of the thought that’s preoccupying him, and he looks over at Azul once more.

“Yes, well, it will be good for the both of us to learn to be more independent. It’s already starting to happen, you know? I get the feeling you’ll be seeing more of me on my own.” Jade replies, trying for an unaffected tone. However, Azul seems to see right through him, and for a brief moment, Jade feels uncomfortably seen. Jade wishes he wouldn’t look at him like that-- like he can see right through him.

“You seem lonely.” Azul begins, tentatively, as if he’s not quite sure how Jade will react to his words. “Floyd’s new relationship… has made you feel left behind, hasn’t it?”

Hearing it laid out plainly like that, Jade isn’t sure how he’s meant to respond to that. It feels… silly. Realistically he knows his brother is just excited to have a partner in his life who accepts him with open arms and who clicks with him. It’s not like he’s cut Jade off cold contact-- not anything of the sort. In fact, there would be little either of them could do to permanently sever the close sibling bond they’ve had for years, and Jade has no intention of trampling on whatever happiness Floyd has found or will find. That being said… It's certainly a change not having Floyd around to fill the silence or to be a sounding board for whatever thoughts wander into his mind.

Azul gives him a pitying look, and Jade decides that he hates that look infinitely more than he hated the look that made him feel like Azul knew him through and through.

“...I’m sorry, Jade. You deserve to be happy, too.” Azul adds, voice lowered, like he’s speaking to a scared animal. Jade wants to flinch, but instead he merely closes his eyes pensively.

“Don’t misunderstand, Azul, I’m not unhappy. I’m not particularly keen on the idea of a relationship right now, either. I don’t really have eyes for anyone at the moment who I think would reciprocate.” Jade replies quietly, voice measured but audibly uncomfortable at having to express the emotion out loud. “I always knew that Floyd and I wouldn’t be side by side forever, I simply wasn’t prepared for it to happen so soon. It’s… a difficult adjustment when you’ve been around someone since you were a fry.”

“That’s understandable, though I hope you know that he still cares about you. He is your brother, even if he is a bit… preoccupied with other things at the moment.” Azul attempts to comfort, though he seems just as out of his element with this as Jade is. It almost makes Jade want to ask him why he continued to press the matter if neither of them wanted to be having this conversation. His fingers scratch awkwardly at the back of his neck. “I know it’s not the same but I am still here for you, as well.”

Jade can’t help but to laugh, shooting Azul a wry smirk.

“Somehow I doubt that latching onto you in the absence of my brother wouldn’t be much of a solution at all.”

Azul flushes slightly, trying to keep himself from frowning and only earning another laugh from Jade that he reaches to cover a second too late.

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“I know what you meant. I simply suppose that I will have to learn to be more independent. And if that fails, then I’ll desperately fall back on you.” Jade says with a grin. Azul gives him a surprised look for a moment, and then laughs along with him. Azul hadn’t expected him to bounce back from his dour mood quite so quickly.

“Well, no, I suppose that wouldn’t help much. I’ll admit you’ve never really struck me as the codependent type, though. You’re not entirely reliant on your brother, are you?” Azul tips back the last of his wine.

Jade’s grin grows wicked in the way it always does when he’s about to say something to make Azul suffer.

"I don't suppose you would like to find out, would you?"

Azul chokes on his drink, and Jade can't quite hide his thinly veiled delight at being able to elicit the scandalized look that comes to Azul’s face.

"And what precisely would that entail?" Azul coughs

Jade feels like he must not have heard that right. That was not at all the reaction that he had expected-- he’d expected vehement denial. His eyes widened fractionally in realization. Surely that can’t be right, right?

"Oh." Jade replies, intelligently, the singular syllable being the only sound to pass between the two of them for a moment. Jade swallows thickly, having to quickly recalibrate and rearrange the thoughts in his mind. He looks down at the last of the wine in his glass, considering, before downing it in a single, large gulp. He clears his throat, setting the glass aside and using that as an excuse to avoid Azul’s expectant gaze.

 He replies, the singular syllable the only sound that passes between the two for a moment. Jade swallows thickly, again looking down at the last of the wine in his glass, considering, before he downs it in in a single, large gulp.

“I don’t sleep particularly well when I’m in a room alone.” Jade says it, then seems surprised by his own admission. He’s nowhere near inebriated enough for it to warrant the sort of unfiltered emotion to be pouring out of his mouth like this. It’s an uncomfortable thing to divulge, and the mere mention of it makes him feel sort of pathetic. “We’ve shared a room for years now. I find it hard to fall asleep now that I’m alone. It just…feels like something is wrong. Like something is missing. I think, perhaps, it’s my instincts putting me on edge because I have no one looking out for me when I’m most vulnerable.”

Azul blinks at him blankly, and then he is the one who gives Jade a shark-like grin, as if this is fun for him.

“Awe, what do you miss most? Waking up to Floyd looming over you at three A.M.? Or maybe it’s how he picks fights with people in his sleep? Oh-oh, or is it holding the pillow over his mouth when he snores?” Azul’s tone is positively tickled, earning a roll of the eyes from Jade.

It is decidedly less fun to be on this side of the teasing. For some that might have meant that they would knock it off next time, but for Jade it merely meant that he would be sure to be positively insufferable the next time Azul embarrasses himself.

Azul, seeming to have gotten his fill, trails off. For a moment, Jade meets his gaze, and Azul takes that chance to examine him thoroughly. Jade resists the urge to squirm, feeling like a lab specimen being examined. Azul is one of the only people he would tolerate that from.

“Do you need someone to be there with you?” Azul asks lowly, as if there’s anyone around to overhear him, tone entirely sober. Jade is surprised once again, looking at Azul in silence.

How is he meant to take that offer? Jade truly can’t tell if his suspicion is on base, but it feels like Azul is hitting on him, and as reluctant as he would be to admit it, the thought makes a heat creep into his stomach. He swallows again, though this time there’s no wine to try and cover it up.

“That would depend on what was being offered…”

"You know a good businessman never makes the first offer."

Jade considered his options carefully. Azul is a friend. This is not something he should be doing, he knows it would be foolish, but… if this is happening, he doesn’t think he can deny himself the chance. If Azul backs down he’ll have his answer, and hopefully if he does it will serve as a reminder for Azul not to toy with his emotions.

“Believe me, Azul, I’m well aware that you’re a sharp businessman. You’re incredibly persistent when you put your mind to something. I’d never underestimate you like that.” Jade’s tone is unfamiliar to himself, assertive, low, and dark as he rather shamelessly flirts right back with Azul. He lays an arm across the back of the booth that they’re sitting in and he leans closer into Azul’s space. “But a good businessman knows how to make the first offer when they need to. So, why don’t you try making me an offer I won’t refuse?”

It has the intended effect, and Jade feels a small thrill that maybe he shouldn’t as he watches the redness rise into Azul’s cheeks. In spite of that, Azul smirks.

“That’s what I like to hear. You really do pick up on the ins and outs of making deals when I use my unique magic, don’t you?” Azul laughs. He shifts himself, leaning into Jade, rather than away. “Tell me this, then, if you got whatever you wanted from tonight, what would it be?”

Oh dear. Well, it seems his intuition is right-- Azul seems surprisingly keen on this. He’s suddenly thankful for Azul’s foresight to reserve them the private room, because it means he doesn’t have to worry about someone barging into their conversation-- if someone interrupted them right now, Jade just might snap.

“I want a lot of things.” Jade admits, his voice practically a purr. There’s something almost possessive to his tone of voice. “I’m a bit torn, really.”

“Isn’t that a shame. Why not tell me? I’ll humor you. Maybe I’ll be able to help you sort your thoughts.” This time, it’s Azul’s turn to swallow, his gaze that has been holding steadily this entire time darts toward Jade’s lips as the heat in his face only continues to grow. It’s brief, but Jade doesn’t miss it.

“You want to kiss me.” Jade says-- it’s not really a question, nor is it a statement. It’s a realization, and Jade sounds a little giddy with it. “So what are you waiting for?”

The prompting seems to be all it takes, as Azul surges forward, closing the gap between them. Jade feels a flood of something warm into his chest as Azul kisses him, and something entirely different settles into his stomach. Azul’s kiss is eager-- borderline desperate, really-- and Jade allows him to squirm closer, encouraging him by placing his hands onto Azul’s waist.

It’s intense. Jade has had a few brief kisses in passing, but nothing that has felt quite like this-- nothing that makes heat creep along his skin and makes him itch with desire to pull Azul closer because he can’t get close enough. Azul seems to mirror his enthusiasm, adjusting the tilt of his head and deepening the kiss easily once Jade allows him.

It’s only once one of Jade’s hands creeps to the back of him, dipping a bit lower to--

“Jade! What--” Azul breaks the kiss abruptly, startling backwards from him with a squawk. His face is intensely flushed, a sight that Jade admires as he falters with his words. “Did you just goose me!?”

Jade giggles, a fond but impish wide grin splitting his face.

“Apologies. I’ve always found it rather cute, and I admit I was a bit curious how it would feel since it’s a rather recent development.” Jade is thoroughly amused. Azul merely scoffs, shaking his head, though he doesn’t seem too truly offended, considering he flops forward, attempting to hide his blush in Jade’s shoulder.

“You are a menace.”

[b1ttersweet-dreams]

ok ive decided - fuck it, v4v be upon ye this is my blog i do whatever i want around here additional v2 (& a bit of v1) sketches under cut bc well. favorite character

[theslowesthnery]

gently staples this thread to the forehead of the people going "ew why would you ship mohg with miquella when you could make an OC/self-insert to ship with him instead"

the answer, you'll find, is shockingly simple: because that doesn't interest me. because that does literally nothing for me. because i'd rather piss in my own eye than ship a canon character with my OC (or self-insert). i promise you, if i had any interest in that, i would do it without needing to be told, but i don't so i won't. you're asking a person who likes chocolate cake why they're not eating banana cake instead as if those two are even remotely the same

[bytebun]

my piece for @thecodywanzine! thanks to the mods who let me go completely ham and cheese on this bad boy. this one's about living longer than you ever expected and not knowing what to do with it