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unpredictable-probabilities · 4 years

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A Rival in Scarlet

Summary: Azul’s rival shows up at Mostro Lounge and he is presented with the opportunity to find out more about her and her famous café that could threaten his own.

Includes: Mature fluff; detailed descriptions of kissing

Word Count: 2,774

Author’s Note: A big thank you to @patchyegg87 for introducing me to the Twisted Wonderland fandom and answering my questions about some characters while writing this; and for being so supportive~

Thanks to @unbelievableholland for designing Scarlet’s dress and helping me describe it~

Scarlet Coldfire is an original character I created that I thought would fit well with the story I wanted to happen.

Enjoy~

art on the left by @unbelievableholland

art on the right by @patchyegg87

The sun had not even set and Mostro Lounge was already packed to the brim. When the Headmaster announced that Night Raven College would have an open house event to rake in more sponsors, Azul Ashengrotto wasted no time in putting out advertisements for his café.

He had anticipated this kind of traffic and thus had planned ahead; twenty additional students were now under his employment and helping with the customers. It wasn’t hard to seek out those in need and offer them help in exchange for their services.

Azul looked around, taking in the bustling crowd and thinking about his plans to expand his business. His gaze fell on a lady who just walked in, wearing a fitting red dress that ended in a black layered tulle with a red cape attached to a golden choker; a black band cinched around the waist.

Her graceful movements reminded him of the mermaid princess back home, the way she glided across the room and carried herself with a certain elegance.

“Fruit tart?” Ruggie appeared by his shoulder holding a tray. “I just made a fresh batch.”

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself,” Ruggie shrugged and ate one.

Azul frowned as he watched him walk away, but he didn’t really mind that the little Savanaclaw child ate from the food trays from time to time. Ruggie made up for it by being the most efficient worker in Mostro Lounge; he cooked well and no one served the customers as fast as he could.

Azul turned back to the doorway but the lady in red wasn’t there anymore. He scanned the room for a moment before wondering why he was even looking for her in the first place. He decided to take a break at the VIP area; managing the most popular establishment in school took a lot of energy.

He weaved through the crowds and almost bumped into someone; he looked up to see that it was the very same lady he had been looking for.

“Azul Ashengrotto,” she said mildly with a hint of surprise.

“Do I know you?” He was sure that if he had seen her before, he would remember.

“Probably,” she replied.

“How do you know who I am?” he asked again when she didn’t elaborate.

“The purple and grey ensemble,” she explained, “And the air of calculating arrogance as you walk around looking like you own the place. No, don’t be offended,” she said when Azul frowned, “I would expect nothing less of my competition.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You might have heard of Crimson Café?” she asked him.

Azul was taken aback, “You’re Scarlet Coldfire?”

Crimson Café was exceptionally famous outside of Night Raven College. He had asked Jade and Floyd to gather information on it so he could strategize his expansion plans accordingly.

“So you do know me,” she smiled pleasantly.

Azul thought for a moment. “Would you care to join me at my table?” He might as well take the opportunity to find out more about his rival.

“I would be honored.”

“Rook,” Azul called the attention of the student walking by with a tray. The blond hunter had agreed to work for him in exchange for all the information Azul had on Leona. “Bring a chocolate fondue sample plate to my table and two drinks; Aviation for me, and for the lady…” he turned to Scarlet.

“Vermouth, please,” she said to Rook.

“Right away, mademoiselle,” Rook tipped his hat and sauntered away.

Azul led the way to his table and tried not to think about how Rook all but ignored him and spoke only to Scarlet. He had more important things to focus on.

They reached the table and plush purple couch; Azul drew the curtains close as Scarlet sat down.

“What brings you to Mostro Lounge, Miss Coldfire?” he leaned his cane against the wall and joined her.

“Just doing a little reconnaissance, much like what you’re doing right now,” she smiled at him. “That is why you invited me here, isn’t it? To find out more about Crimson Café.”

The curtains opened and Rook stepped in, carrying a tray with their food and drinks.

“Ah, it seems you have seen right through me,” Azul smiled back at Scarlet. “And I do find it interesting how you knew who I was just from my wardrobe.”

“I’ve heard the stories of the impeccably dressed café owner who occasionally offers magical contracts.”

Rook set down the items on the table. “And you’re the only person I know who wears a coat like that, monsieur.”

Azul frowned at him, “Yes, thank you, Mr. Hunt.” He turned back to Scarlet, “Anyway, due to recent unfortunate events, I have had to discontinue those contracts. I give favors based on a different system now.”

“Your employee with the charming hat is right,” she said, “not many people wear their coats like that.”

“It would be too warm to also wear the sleeves,” Azul said defensively, “I prefer to drape it around my shoulders.”

“Je préférerais l'enlever de tes épaules,” Scarlet said as she took a sip of the Vermouth that Rook put in front of her.

“What?” Azul didn’t understand that, but he noticed Rook glance at Scarlet and smile knowingly.

Scarlet noticed it too and returned the smile. “Oh, you speak the language.”

“Of course, mademoiselle,” Rook stood up straight holding the now empty tray. “I like the way it rolls off the tongue. From what I just heard, you have a flexible one; je suis sûr qu'il serait d'accord,” he nodded his head towards Azul and kept smiling.

Scarlet laughed brightly.

Azul picked up his glass and swirled the drink around. “Shall I give you two some privacy?” He was getting increasingly annoyed at how his employee had bonded with his guest more easily than he had.

“Calmez-vous, monsieur,” Rook told him. “There’s no need to get jealous. I will take my leave now,” he took off his hat and walked backwards.

“I’m not jealous—” Azul started, but Rook was already gone; the curtain falling close after him.

“Your drinks are delicious, at least,” Scarlet set down her glass. “Who mixes them?”

“Why? Do you plan to charm away all my employees?”

“You think I’m charming?” she raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

Azul scowled and took a sip of his Aviation. This meeting was not going the way he intended.

“Relax, Azul,” he heard the smile in her voice. “A man whose business is doing spectacularly shouldn’t be so tense. People are practically lining up outside your door.”

He put his drink down and adjusted his glasses. “Yes, you would know the feeling, wouldn’t you? Crimson Café has quite a reputation across the cities; even the students here talk about it. I should consider it an honor that you think of me as a worthy competitor.”

“I tend not to underestimate people,” she replied, “If I get even the slightest hint of a threat, I observe them from a distance and find out their weaknesses.”

Azul found that stunningly familiar. “But you’re not observing from a distance now, are you, Scarlet?”

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Sometimes being up close is more fun, don’t you think?”

“I agree,” Azul moved closer to her. He figured out her game now; if she thought she could bat her eyelashes at him and walk away with all his secrets, he was going to use that to his advantage. “Though I wish you had shown up earlier, we could have had more time.”

“I have my own place to manage, you know. And unlike you, I don’t have twins at my disposal that I can trust to do my work for me.”

“You’ve met them?” Neither Jade nor Floyd had mentioned anything to him about meeting Scarlet.

“I’ve seen them a few times at my café, yes. Spying for you. While here I am, doing the work myself.”

“And I thought you actually wanted to see me,” Azul pretended to sound hurt. “But you’re just here for work,”

“Can’t both be true?” Scarlet looked right into his eyes.

He was caught off-guard by the intensity of her stare; almost like she was challenging him. “You tell me,” he put his arm on the backrest of the couch and turned his body to face her.

“Where’s the fun in that?” she tilted her head slightly. “I’d rather keep you guessing.”

“And that’s how you run your business? You focus on fun?”

“Don’t you? If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point? Be a little more daring and then maybe you won’t be so afraid of competition anymore.”

“I’m not afraid,” Azul sounded offended to his own ears.

She smiled at him in amusement. “I asked you a simple question about who mixes your drinks and you accused me of being a thieving temptress.”

“Why do you want to know?” Somehow Azul didn’t want to reveal even something as trivial as that; it felt like he would be giving up control. And he never gave up control.

“I was just going to ask what it would be like to mix Aviation with Vermouth. But since you won’t tell me who your bartender is, I guess I’ll have to find out in another way.”

Scarlet turned to face him and Azul suddenly realized how close they were to each other.

She leaned in closer and he felt his heart beat faster.

Scarlet Coldfire stopped inches from Azul’s face; she looked at him to make sure that he was comfortable with this. She was very attracted to the fashionably-dressed strategist in front of her, but she didn’t want him to do anything he didn’t want to. If he was uncomfortable―

Azul bridged the gap and pressed his lips to hers.

For a moment she was frozen, then her eyes fell close and she sensed something she had never expected: Azul Ashengrotto was nervous. His breathing was shaky and the air of confidence around him was gone.

She lifted her hands to his face and gently took off his glasses, putting them on the table. She flicked his fedora off his head and softly ran her fingers through his hair; something she had wanted to do since she saw those wavy locks peeking out of his hat.

She brought down her hands to his chest and up to his shoulders. As she pushed his coat off him, she remembered their conversation.

“I prefer to drape it around my shoulders.”

“I would prefer to take it off your shoulders.”

Azul didn’t understand, but Rook did.

“I like the way it rolls off the tongue,” he had said about the language. “From what I just heard, you have a flexible one; I’m sure that he would agree.”

Scarlet smiled to herself and lightly ran her tongue across Azul’s lips, burying her hands in his hair and tugging gently.

She felt his breath hitch, and suddenly his tongue was meeting hers, hesitantly at first and then with more urgency.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, pressing their bodies together. Then his hands moved to her neck and unclipped her choker, removing the cape from her backless dress. She felt the cold air for an instant before his hands were running up and down her exposed back. She sighed at the feeling of his warm skin on hers and realized he had taken off his gloves; his fingertips leaving behind trails of electricity that made her dig her nails into his shoulders.

His breathing was shaking again but it wasn’t from nervousness anymore. Every tremble and shiver was music to her ears; and soon enough she was joining him, her rational thoughts crumbling with her every exhale and every insistent stroke of their tongues.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Azul knew that the meeting was definitely not going the way he intended. Then Scarlet was gliding her fingers on his cheek, down his neck, and up and down his chest. His heart beat wildly as if determined to get as close to her hands as possible; her exquisite perfume made each breath he took precious.

When she had stopped so close in front of his face, he thought she was just teasing. But for the first time that night, the playfulness was gone from her eyes. He wasn’t surprised that she leaned in to kiss him, he was surprised that she didn’t.

He had expected her to be the kind of person who knew what she wanted and did whatever it took to get it. But when she looked at him, her gaze asked what he wanted. And at that moment, he knew exactly what it was.

When she touched his lips with her tongue and pulled at his hair, he almost gasped at the feeling. The next thing he knew, he was pulling her close and caressing her back. When did he take off his gloves? He barely remembered what happened to his coat and hat. Though he was grateful that she took off his glasses, because if she hadn’t, at this point he would have ripped them off his face himself.

Their bodies were pressed so closely together that he couldn’t tell whose heartbeat he was feeling and whose breaths he was hearing, but somehow he wanted to get closer.

He tightened his embrace and leaned further forward, relishing the feeling of her soft lips, her silky hair, her tongue exploring his mouth―

“Azul, we’re out of―”

The curtains opened and they both turned to look.

Jade was standing there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open.

Floyd appeared beside him, “What did Azul say―” he faltered and did a perfect rendition of his twin’s facial expression.

Azul was suddenly very aware of how they looked like; his arms around her waist, her arms around his neck, practically no space between them; Scarlet’s cape tossed carelessly on the couch and the both of them still breathing heavily.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that his hat had tumbled down to the floor. And he knew that his coat, which he always insisted be hung properly when he’s not wearing it, was most likely a wrinkled heap behind him.

To say that he was blushing greatly would be an understatement.

“Well,” Scarlet broke the silence, her arms still wrapped around him, “if it isn’t the Leech twins.” She smiled at them, “Good evening.”

“Is that―?” Floyd asked his brother, neither of them taking their eyes off Scarlet.

“Scarlet Coldfire,” Jade breathed. Then he smiled at her sweetly, putting his hand to his chest and bowing, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Coldfire.”

Floyd smirked, “I’m sure Azul feels the same.”

“Leave,” Azul finally managed, relieved that he at least sounded stern.

They snickered and stepped away, closing the curtains again.

Scarlet noticed that Azul’s face had turned almost as red as her dress, and his arms around her were tense and unsure.

She gently untangled herself from him. “I think it’s time for me to leave as well,” she wanted to stay but didn’t want to be the source of his discomfort.

He avoided her eyes and said nothing.

She took her cape and fastened the choker around her neck again, running a hand through her hair to make sure it looked decent.

She reached for Azul’s face and softly planted a kiss on his lips, brushing her thumb across the beauty mark just below them. She couldn’t help herself.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening, Azul,” she smiled and stood up.

Azul snapped back to his senses when he saw Scarlet walking away. He hastily wore his coat and glasses―his hat was too far away―and stood up.

“Scarlet,” he called to her just as she was reaching for the curtains.

She turned to look at him.

“Will you stay for a while? I can show you around the lounge, or around campus―” he sighed. There was no use pretending.

He tried again. “I enjoyed our time together. Even when we were only talking,” he added, “Not just when…” he felt himself blush again and he looked away.

She walked back and stopped in front of him. “I enjoyed spending time with you, too.”

He glanced at her.

She smiled, “Both when we were talking and when we weren’t.”

Azul cleared his throat and tried to fix his hair as much as he could. “Then, if I may be so bold, I would like to enjoy the rest of this evening with you.”

He held out his hand. She took it.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Part 2 -->

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unpredictable-probabilities · 4 years

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A Birthday with Scarlet

Word Count: 2,955

Summary: It’s Azul’s birthday party at Octavinelle and the twins have invited a guest that he was not prepared to meet.

Includes: angst, fluff, kissing

Author’s Note: This is the sequel to A Rival in Scarlet, I wrote it months ago for Azul and my OC, Scarlet Coldfire. It’s not necessary to read that part 1 in order to understand this sequel, but here it is in case you’re interested~.

Thanks to @patchyegg87 for helping me come up with the concept and providing the pictures.

“Karaage, Azul?”

“What?” Azul distractedly looked up at Jade holding a tray of Karaage fried chicken.

“No one should look that glum on their birthday,” Jade replied. “I had hoped your favorite food might lift your forlorn spirit.”

“I’m not forlorn,” Azul scoffed and took a sip of his tea.

“Yeah, Jade,” Floyd interjected from his seat on the couch behind Azul. “He’s not forlorn,” he pointed lazily to where Azul was glowering over his teacup, “he’s jealous.”

“Excuse me?” Azul turned to Floyd so fast that some tea spilled on the table.

“Ah,” Jade set the tray down and looked to where Floyd had pointed. A lady in an elegant red dress was conversing merrily with Cater at one of the tables. “Miss Coldfire does look ravishing tonight, doesn’t she?”

“Definitely,” Floyd agreed. “You can’t blame Cater.”

Cater moved closer to Scarlet Coldfire and held up his phone. Their shoulders were pressed together as they smiled for a photo.

“Why did you invite her?” Azul scowled and turned to look at the twins.

“I thought you would have liked to see her,” Jade replied. “You had a lovely time together when she first came here.”

Floyd nodded, “Exactly. You guys were totally making out in the VIP area—”

“Be quiet!” Azul hissed and looked around to see if anyone was within earshot. He took his cup and drank all the remaining tea in a single gulp. “I’m getting another drink,” he got up and walked to the bar.

The twins were right; he did have a wonderful time with Scarlet when she visited during their Open House event. With her being the owner of a rival café, Azul had wanted to lure her into giving him information to his advantage. But Azul found her much more interesting than any information he could have gained about Crimson Café.

They had walked around campus and found a quiet spot on a bench beneath a tree. Scarlet was as clever as she was beautiful, and Azul found himself immensely enjoying their conversations. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so relaxed.

Before she left, Azul had said he would be calling her. They had exchanged numbers, after all.

But each time he picked up the phone, he got nervous and unsure of what he wanted to say. What if she was busy running her café? He understood what it was like to manage such a popular establishment. What if he asked her to meet again and she said no? What if she hadn’t enjoyed his company as much as he had hoped?

A month passed and Azul kept finding questions and excuses not to call.

And now she was here.

When he saw her at that table, it felt like he had stopped breathing for a moment. He was not prepared at all to see her and while he was wondering whether he should approach her already, Cater appeared out of nowhere and started chatting her up like an old friend.

Azul sat at the bar and randomly chose one of the prepared drinks on display. He lifted the glass to his lips and stopped halfway when he noticed what he had picked up. Vermouth. The drink Scarlet ordered at Mostro Lounge all those weeks ago.

“Oh hey, Azul!” Cater appeared next to him and clinked his glass against his. “Happy birthday!”

“You’re here,” Azul said in mild surprise. He looked over to the table where Cater had been talking to Scarlet, it was now Rook who was sitting beside her and engaging in conversation. Azul wondered if the entire campus would work up the courage to talk to her before he did.

“Yeah, she mentioned you,” Cater noticed where he was looking.

“What?” Somehow Azul was curious and afraid at the same time, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what Scarlet had to say about him.

“I recognized her from MagiCam and asked what she was doing here. She said you guys met last month and Jade and Floyd invited her to your party. Have you talked to her yet?”

“Not tonight, no.” Not on any of the past several nights either. “You, on the other hand, seemed like you were having a grand old time talking to her.” Azul tried to keep the edge off his voice.

“I was!” Cater said cheerfully. “She even agreed for us to take a selfie so I can post it on MagiCam.”

“That’s why you wanted a picture with her? To post on your social media?” Azul didn’t know if that was better than if he wanted to keep it for himself.

“Yeah, and she’s really pretty,” Cater grinned.

“Why did you stop talking to her, then?” Azul took a sip of the vermouth but barely tasted it.

“Oh, Rook showed up and they started speaking in French. I had no idea what was going on so I just got up to get another drink.”

Azul remembered how Rook had spoken French with Scarlet last time too, how he made her laugh with his smooth words that Azul couldn’t understand.

“Well I’m glad they’re having fun at my party,” he glanced at their table again and saw to his horror that Jade and Floyd were there, too. Floyd was whispering something to Scarlet and then he pointed at Azul. Scarlet looked at him in surprise.

He stood up and quickly walked to them, forgetting about his drink on the bar. Who knew what the twins had been saying about him. He had to come up with an excuse to get them away from her, perhaps some minor emergency about Mostro Lounge.

“Monsieur !” Rook greeted him when he reached their table. “We are honored with your presence on this special night.”

“Jade, Floyd,” Azul wasted no time, “you’re needed in the kitchen,” he blurted out.

Floyd frowned at him, “What? Why?”

“We were just getting acquainted with Miss Coldfire,” Jade explained. “Certainly the other residents can handle the kitchen.”

“Yeah,” Floyd turned back to Scarlet. “Anyway as I was saying, when we were in elementary school, Azul—”

“Now,” Azul wanted to yank Floyd backwards by the collar. “Make sure everything is running smoothly.”

Floyd rolled his eyes. “Fine. Catch you later, Scarlet.” He stood up and walked away.

Jade held out his hand to Scarlet, “It was enchanting to have spoken with you tonight, Miss Coldfire,” he planted a kiss on the back of her hand and left to follow Floyd.

Rook looked across the room. “Ah, I think I see Vil and Epel over there. I shall go and join them. Happy birthday once again, Monsieur,” he tipped his hat. “And mademoiselle, remember,” he turned to Scarlet, “la mer est parfois froide mais elle est toujours belle.”

Scarlet smiled, “Je suis d’accord.”

Only when Rook was walking away did Azul realize he had been lured into a trap; the twins knew that if he saw them with Scarlet, he would immediately come over. They had most likely told Rook to leave too.

Azul looked at Scarlet, as nervous as he felt, he was relieved that he finally got the chance to talk to her. “May I join you?”

“It’s your party,” she pointed out with a slight smile.

He sat down next to her. “My apologies for not speaking with you sooner.”

“That’s alright, you can’t be expected to speak with every one of your guests.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he clarified. “I’m sorry for not calling when I said I would,” he adjusted his glasses and averted his eyes.

Scarlet didn’t say anything so he looked back at her, worried about what he might see.

“I appreciate the apology,” she was smiling at him with a curious glint in her eye. “Though I must admit I didn’t expect it. You’re more chivalrous than I thought, Mr. Ashengrotto.”

Azul blinked and noticed a fluttering feeling in his stomach. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that, either.”

“Floyd explained why you weren’t able to call,” Scarlet picked up her strawberry daiquiri, “I didn’t ask, but he explained all the same.” She took a sip of the drink.

Oh no. The thought of Floyd explaining anything to anyone was already troubling, but it was especially worrying in this case. “What did he say?”

Scarlet looked amused, “No need to be so panicked. He just said he saw you fidgeting with your phone a few times but never actually dialing.”

“Floyd,” Azul cursed under his breath, he had no idea Floyd had seen his nervous attempts at a call.

“He seemed to be under the impression that you were shy,” Scarlet tilted her head slightly. “He even pointed you out to me earlier and said you were jealous of Mr. Diamond.”

Azul’s blood rushed to his cheeks. He was already coming up with various punishments for Floyd later. “I said no such thing.”

A soft laugh escaped her lips. “You look absolutely adorable when you blush, I should have told you that last time.”

Azul cleared his throat and willed himself to focus. He still wanted to know what exactly the twins had done. “What about Jade? I refuse to believe he just stayed silent the entire time.”

“Oh, it was all Jade’s idea. He texted Cater to go to you at the bar so you’d look back at this table and see me talking with Rook. Then he and Floyd approached us and said you would certainly come over if you thought they were ruining your reputation.” She looked at him intently, gauging his reaction.

Azul furrowed his brows, “Why are you explaining all this?” He wondered aloud.

“Why wouldn’t I?” A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Besides, I don’t want you to worry about what Jade and Floyd might have done. You shouldn’t be so stressed on your birthday.”

Azul shook his head lightly. He should have known that the moment he left the twins, they would be up to their antics again. “Why would those two go to all that trouble…”

“Jade said he wanted to help you, Floyd said it was funny,” Scarlet smiled in amusement and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I see that Floyd is as kind as ever. How did they rope Rook into this?”

“Oh, Rook wanted to help me,” she said simply.

Azul wasn’t sure what to make of that; the music and all the people around them were distracting him. He felt paranoid that Rook or the twins might be watching them, and he wanted to be able to talk to Scarlet in private.

He had an idea. “Would you mind going out to the corridor with me? There’s something I’d like to show you.”

Scarlet raised her perfectly shaped eyebrows in interest. “I’d be glad to join you.”

They quietly left the party and walked along the blue and purple halls of Octavinelle until they reached a section where an entire wall was a glass window.

The lights from the corridor illuminated the sea outside; various coral reefs grew in a myriad of colors and a school of fish was swimming by. Azul grew up under the sea and this was nothing new to him, but he still always appreciated the view.

“It’s beautiful,” Scarlet breathed.

Azul looked at her eyes bright with wonder and her slightly parted lips. He wondered to himself how he was able to withstand not seeing her for weeks.

“Yeah,” Azul said, unable to take his eyes off her, “beautiful.”

“It’s incredibly marvelous,” Scarlet turned to him and smiled. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

Azul smiled back and looked out the window. “Floyd was right.”

“About what?” Scarlet asked.

“I was jealous of you and Cater,” he didn’t like at all how that sounded so he quickly added, “which is completely idiotic considering I have no right to be.” He hesitantly looked back at Scarlet.

She looked surprised at his sudden confession and thought for a moment before speaking. “Rook talked to me earlier, as you had seen. He recognized me and asked why I wasn’t getting up to talk to you instead of just stealing glances from across the room.”

Azul’s lips parted but no sound came out. He didn’t know what to say, knowing that Scarlet had been looking at him too almost made him feel lightheaded.

Scarlet smiled. “I told him I wasn’t sure if you wanted to talk, because you didn’t call me after you said you would. I was wondering if you had changed your mind.”

Azul shifted uncomfortably. “I meant what I said earlier; I’m sorry that I didn’t call you when I had every chance to. I was just… well, nervous. And then it only got more difficult to dial your number as the days went by because I wasn’t sure if you’d still want to talk to me when it’s been so long.” He wasn’t used to expressing such sentiments, but it felt right to be honest with Scarlet. He didn’t want to hide anything from her.

She stepped closer to him and caressed his cheek, “The sea is sometimes cold but it is always beautiful.” She ran her thumb lightly over the beauty mark under his lip. “That’s what Rook said earlier before he left. I told him I agree.” Scarlet put down her hand and Azul immediately missed its warmth on his face.

He realized what she meant and felt a stab of guilt. “I didn’t mean to seem cold.”

Scarlet nodded in understanding. “That’s what Rook said too, he was telling me that I should still try to speak to you even if I’m not sure that it’s what you want. He said you might just be nervous.” Her hair had come loose from behind her ear and Azul fought the temptation to brush it back.

“Rook Hunt does like to dabble in things related to romance and love,” he said without thinking. Then his eyes widened and he blushed furiously when he realized exactly what he had just said. “That’s not what I—I just meant...” he had no idea how to explain himself; he didn’t want to seem like he was confessing his love so soon and scare her away.

Scarlet laughed pleasantly. “Calm down, mon chéri. As much as I love seeing you blush, I would much rather that you be relaxed and comfortable around me.”

Azul had learned a few French words while he had been procrastinating calling her, and he wanted to make sure he heard her correctly, “Did—Did you just call me ‘my dear’?”

“I did,” Scarlet gazed into his eyes. “Don’t you like it?”

“I do,” Azul replied, inwardly cringing at how enthusiastic he sounded. “I like it,” he felt himself blushing again. This terribly honest side of his was going to take some getting used to.

She beamed. “See, isn’t that better? We’re asking each other about the things we’re unsure of, rather than being too nervous to talk at all.”

“Agreed,” he moved closer to her. “I, for one, do regret not having spent time with you for the past month.” It was true and he wanted to make up for it.

“And I don’t regret coming to this party at all,” she stepped even closer.

Their faces were so close now that their noses were almost touching. Azul swallowed. “Can I ask you something now?” He spoke softly.

“Of course,” she murmured back. Feeling her breath on his lips made his heart start drumming in his chest.

He delicately put his arms around her waist. “Would you like to go on a date with me? Perhaps on Saturday?”

“I would be delighted,” she smiled and slowly reached up to take off Azul’s glasses, making his breath shake in anticipation.

Azul barely noticed that she put it in the pocket on the side of her dress as he leaned in towards her.

She put her arms around his neck and leaned in to meet him, gently pressing her lips to his.

Azul sighed as his eyes fell close; Scarlet’s lips felt even softer than he remembered. At that moment, he was floating and nothing else mattered.

After weeks and weeks of longing for her, being so close now was like a soothing balm to his heart. The familiar scent of her perfume filled his senses, settling deep within him and unfurling into a desire to pull her closer.

Her tongue grazed across his lips and before he knew it, he had moved and pressed her back against the glass window, his own tongue diving deep into her mouth.

He could hear the crinkling of his birthday sash and ribbon from the way they were moving against each other, and his once perfectly-pressed suit must be wrinkled by now, but he didn’t care; the feeling of Scarlet’s hands on his collar and face and hair overwhelmed any other thought in his mind.

Soon enough they were both gasping for breath with their arms wrapped around each other. Azul slowly opened his eyes.

The majestic view of the sea was just in front of him, but all he could see was Scarlet. Somehow he still couldn’t believe that he was with her now.

He felt elated that there were no more uncertainties between them and they were actually going to go on a proper date. As he gazed into her warm brown eyes and she gazed back, he reveled in the feeling of their embrace and knew it was the best gift that he could have possibly received.

“The sea might be beautiful,” Azul said softly as he stared at Scarlet and felt each beat of his heart, “but not nearly as much as you.”

(Masterlist)

(Ko-fi)

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