Twst Azul X Reader - Tumblr Posts

Hi hi

May I request Azul with a reader who loves to take photos? Like they have a camera and love capturing memories of those around them with it

again if you have any questions about these let me know

Azul With A Reader Who Loves Taking Photos

Word Count: 946 Words

(A/N): I hope you like it! Reader was written to be Yuu/Player character. It’s, uh, also a little more hurt/comfort than intended. Oops.

Azul has a vendetta against you and your camera.

When you first arrived at Night Raven College, he hadn’t paid any mind whatsoever to your proclivity to photograph absolutely everything that moved with the ghost camera that Headmaster Crowley had bestowed upon you. Photography was a task that was placed upon you - supposedly - and he hadn’t known you as anything other than the magicless student from another world that had been moved into Ramshackle Dorm.

And then you were a sort of acquaintance that insisted on friendship with every sorry student that went through an overblot and the sight of you at Octavinelle with the ghost camera on a lanyard around your neck became a near permanent fixture of his everyday routine ever since he’d paid you back during the whole winter break incident. At first, he didn’t mind your constantly asking for photos. Having a tangible remembrance of occasions like the school festivals and events was something Crowley had asked of you, after all. It didn’t hurt to pose for photos when you were a natural at photography, either.

Lately, however…he could not seem to go more than a few minutes without you constantly calling out to him: “Azul! Hey, Azul! Let’s take a picture together!”

He simply could not wrap his mind around how it had become routine for you to photograph every little thing so incessantly. The constant sound of the shutter on your camera had set him so on edge that he’d even gone as far as banning photography from the Mostro Lounge for a full week, until the protests of the students that enjoyed being able to show off their meals on Magicam had done a hefty blow to his profits for the month.

Even today, during your near daily visit to Octavinelle, you photographed everything from the twins escorting you to his office, the tea Jade served you before exiting with Floyd in tow, to even him retaking his seat to resume working after greeting you. He could hardly focus on the numbers he was reviewing in the lounge ledgers in anticipation of what he knew you would inevitably ask him.

“Azul! Hey, Azul! Let’s take a picture together!”

Sighing, internally chastising the part of himself that could not bring itself to be terse with you, Azul set his pen down.

“Prefect. I am trying to work. You visit knowing that you can keep me company as long as you do not interrupt my work.”

“Yea, but,” you fidget and he decidedly does not smile at your pouting, “you should take a break now and then, Azul. I’m always telling you that. Besides, it’s bad for your eyes to be staring at such tiny numbers for so long.”

“And your suggestion to take a break comes in the form of asking me for yet another photo?”

You huff, as he expects. You fidget with the buttons on your camera as your pout deepens into a frown, which he also expects. He does not, however, expect you to curl in on yourself like a blown out candle, gaze dropping to the floor.

“I just want to have proof of the things that made me happy while I was here, Azul. I…hadn’t realized that I’d been asking you for so many pictures. Sorry.”

It’s such a simple, innocuous apology. Remorseful and definitely something that he did not want to hear come out of your mouth. The reminder of your temporary residence in his world, the realization that you treasured him more than he had thought and he’d belittled your feelings for him, hit him with the cold slap of instant regret.

“No,” he stood abruptly, startling you just as much as the instant regret left him reeling with the need to make amends. “No, there is no need to apologize. I’ve had a long day and I took it out on you.”

He beckons you to him, opting to walk to you instead when he sees how you hesitate with your camera in your hands.

“I hadn’t realized I was something that made you happy,” he sits beside you on the couch, adjusting his glasses to avoid eye contact. He clears his throat when you scoff at him. “Okay, yes, it’s very clear in hindsight how much you care about me. I am just…not well-practiced in things like this.”

You stare silently at him while he struggles to compose himself. He sighs and sits up straight when he sees that you’re not inclined to speak anytime soon, very clearly steeling himself for some sort of grand declaration.

“I’m…sorry.”

You don’t think anyone would blame you for gaping up at him as you do now.

“I really am. It was rude of me. I hadn’t even stopped to consider why you would take pictures of every little thing, even outside of what the headmaster had asked of you. I’ll take as many pictures with you as you’d like from now…If I could ask you to refrain from photographing every single object in the dorm every time you visit?”

Grinning, you press your shoulder up against his as you peer up at his eyes that now squarely look back at you. “Yes. I can agree to that.”

Smiling in return, Azul scoots closer to you so that the two of you can fit into frame as you lift the ghost camera up to snap a picture.

“Thanks, Azul.”

In the photo, Azul is focused entirely on you instead of the camera, eyes soft and full of adoration. If he asks you for a copy of the picture and keeps it framed on his bedside table from now on…well, quite frankly, that’s no one’s business but his own.

(A/N): I hope you enjoyed! Apologies that it’s not all that lighthearted, it just kind of ended up that way…

The Sea Calls Me Home

Twisted Wonderland

You are a witch who lives on the beach of a seaside village. You've always done all you could for the people of the village who gave you a home after you washed up on their shores ten years ago. This season should be no different.

Word Count: 5,037 ✯ AO3 Version

Character(s): Azul Ashengrotto x Reader

Tags: Gender Neutral Reader, Can Be Read As Platonic or Romantic (it's up to reader interpretation), Mild Horror Elements, Unedited

Inspired by this writing prompt list and my friend Ames's writing.

“I wish to go back. I want to forget everything.”

Cool gray eyes stared back into yours as you fought to keep your focus intact in the smoky haze of the cave you found yourself in. How did you get here, again? The thoughts were languidly coiling in your mind, unable to fully form, teasing you to distraction.

“Can you afford the price of ignorance?”

The sharp command of that voice snapped up your attention back to the present, the dampness of the cave a cool balm on your feverish skin, body shaking from the wild magic choking you. The very air was saturated with it and your body was rejecting it. Your focus lapsed against a tide of nausea that rolled over you. A hand touched your cheek, the brush of fingertips a whisper of relief as your eyes opened again. You couldn’t make out his face anymore in the haze that seemed to thicken the longer you stared in search of his eyes. You had to close your eyes again to hold onto the clarity he had returned to you; your voice cracked against the last dregs of your consciousness.

“I’ve more than paid all that you’ve ever asked of me.”

Townhall was always sweltering whenever you’d enter at the request of the villagers to come in for a meal, a welcome change from the wet cold that clung to every stone and building in the village you’d come to call home ten years ago. Cheers welcomed you as you waved a greeting to everyone, who used the town hall as both the place for hearings and gatherings of meals, a communal space where everyone endured against the storms that plagued this seaside village year round.

“Come, sit!”

“Take this coat, warm yourself, dear!”

“You’ve yet to eat, haven’t you? Here, take your portion!”

Laughing and exchanging greetings with the faces you’d come to know these past ten years, you sat among them, the bowl of oats and eggs warming your frigid fingers as their boisterous chatter warmed your heart. Resources in this village were always short, the land poorly suited to farming, while the mercurial shores made the primary way of life - fishing - difficult to maintain. Despite all this, the people of this village were always joyous. They did not shy from their hard life, they always shared as if they were as rich as the people of the plains. Among the round, smiling faces, it was easy to take note of the utter lack of children. Given that winter had begun to grip the village, it was not usual for the children to begin staying at home, yet there were no children present at all.

“How’re the children?” you asked the man next to you, who looked up at you with a smile sweetened with indolence.

He scoffed, shaking his head. “You need not worry about them, witch. Your miracle cures always work.”

“You’ve not done us wrong yet,” his wife, on his other side, giggled. They were just as the day you’d met them, bronzed by a life of fishing, hair grayed by hard labor. Their children came to them late in life, but they always were industrious, eager to help their parents.

“The potion hasn’t taken yet?”

If this was true, then it would be quite worrying indeed. It’d already been a week and a half since you made it for them, assured of its efficacy. You were no doctor, not by any means, but you knew the way of the land and sea enough to ask of nature how to spell together ways of healing to aid the body back to health. But the villagers tittered at you to not concern yourself.

“Please, you know how easy I worry over all of you. You all took me in when I washed up on your shore, gave me a home when I had none. I won’t be able to relax until I know how the children are doing. I don’t want to see any of them die.”

They hushed you quickly.

“Don’t speak such ill omens!” the fisherman’s wife's sweet voice squealed with humor. “We’ve endured no hardship since you came to our shores, don’t jinx it, dear witch!”

The other villagers laughed in agreement. Your lips pursed, your bowl of food cold and unappetizing now. Their positive outlook despite their dreary livelihoods endeared you most days, but when it came to serious issues like this, it truly irked you. Whenever they needed your help, they had become more trusting in your ability to seemingly wipe away all worries with a sweep of your hand over the years, to the point where you seemed to sit apart from them.

“My spellwork is only what any human can ask of the land and sea. I’m no fae or spirit. Please, won’t you tell me if the potion has taken?” But the crowd only laughed off your concerns, at ease and indolent from the warmth of the hearth and meal before them, assured that your potion would work just like every miracle you’d brought them before. You’d get no answer on the health of the children of the village from them.

Sighing, you took your leave to the raucous farewells of the villagers, a sharp shout of a brawl breaking out over your leftovers as you stepped back into the wet chill of the morning air. It gladdened you that even with the scarcity that winter would surely bring and the disease that was coming for each child, that the villagers were plump and without want for good clothes or good food. Still…the lack of concern grated at you. Of course, you’d never know their inner thoughts. Perhaps it was their way of hiding their stress and woes. But you wouldn’t be truly able to know how the children were doing unless you could see it for yourself.

You’d be unable to enter any homes to investigate without express invitation - it was only polite, after all - so you’d have to seek out the only people in this village who were always honest with you about the state of things. They’d come to this village at the same time as you, but had remained aloof from the rest of the village, which suited the other villagers just fine.

Petrichor and rotting sea gross stung at your nose as you followed the road from the town hall to the fringes of the village along the far side of the rocky cliffs that face the sea, over the cave system that snaked underneath the whole of the neighborhood. The wind coming in from the sea whipped and nipped at you, turning your fingers numb with cold even as you shoved them into the threadbare coat you’d been given that morning. It was hard to make out their forms against the near constant gloom of the gray sky and pale sunlight, but the twins who’d come to regard you fondly were fishing off the edge of the cliff, as they usually were every morning.

“Oh? I was wondering when you’d visit,” one twin grinned while the other jumped up to greet you, his fishing pole abandoned, “Shrimpy, you came by!”

You waved with a smile as you approached, unphased as Floyd ran over to scoop you up into a bruising hug, “Hello Jade, Floyd. How’s the catch this morning?”

“The same as always,” Jade dismissed, setting aside his things to pick up Floyd’s abandoned pole and tackle. “What questions do you have for us today?”

Floyd pouted, squishing your face against his chest as you limply let him hug you. It was usually best to just let him out of his system first. “Shrimpy could’ve visited us just to see us, Jade.”

“I actually did have questions,” you interjected quickly, wary of one of Floyd’s mood swings. “But we can have dinner together today, Floyd.”

He sulked, but put you down, somewhat mollified. “You’re worried about the guppies of the village, aren’t you?”

“You’ve always had a bleeding heart,” Jade mused, shaking his head. “Your potion hasn’t taken, it seems.”

You shrugged. “The villagers seem to think that I’m something of a miracle worker now.”

“They’d be worshiping Azul instead if they knew how much you went to him for his cures,” Floyd laughed, only to be cut off by Jade harshly elbowing him in the rib. “Sorry, Shrimpy. I know you just ask him to teach you stuff. Still, it’s weird.”

“Indeed. Azul is knowledgeable; it is odd that the potion hasn’t taken. There’s yet to be an ailment he doesn’t know a cure for yet.”

You swallowed down another sigh.

Azul the sea witch…

He was an enigmatic mer of the sea who’d been introduced to you by the twins one fateful night ten years ago, during your first winter in this village.

Once a deal was struck with him…

It was difficult to not seek out another one from him.

“Will you just tell me how the children are doing? Have any died?”

They shook their heads, relieving some of the tension from your shoulders. A roll of thunder had the three of you looking to the sky, which had begun to darken.

“They’re the same as when you first saw them,” Floyd turned to you with a frown, his golden eye seemingly to glow in the dimming day.

“None have been taken yet. Your potion has halted whatever haunts them. But it has not cured them,” Jade continued, his golden eye flaring brighter than Floyd’s.

You nodded, used to their matter of fact answers. You’d learned not to ask how they got these answers without ever leaving their hut ten years ago.

“He’ll arrive soon,” they said as one.

It was your cue to leave the way you’d come, following the cliffs down to the beach you had come to call home.

The horizon promised a storm the likes of which would continue to swallow the sky whole and flood the tide caves that were under the cliffs of the coast. The beach was always a disgusting thing to behold on the eve of a storm. Bleached coral, jagged and sharp, would dot the shoreline like spit-up bones, the rust of sediment thrown up by the tide always stained the sand like blood. Here, between the advent of a storm and the rejection of the sea, was the best time to harvest materials from the sea for spells and magic.

It was also the only time one would be able to exchange with the sea witch when he came to shore.

Despite having dealt with him since you’d arrived on this same shore ten years ago, shipwrecked and with no memory save your name and how to bargain a spell from the spoils of the sea and land, Azul was as unchanged as the ebb and flow of the tide itself. His skin was ashen, his tentacles a writhing mass that spoke of the abyssal depths he usually resided in, his hair neatly coiffed despite the waters he rose out of to offer his bargains.

“How quick you are to sell yourself for those who would sell you for half a loaf of bread,” he sighed in lieu of a greeting, towering over you as his tentacles pushed him up from the sea before he stepped down in front of you one human foot at a time, into the form of the bespectacled gentleman he always took when coming ashore. “Have you not heard of the tale of the fool who gave and gave until nothing of him was left? It’s been less than a week since you asked me to check over your potion.”

“You’re so cynical, yet you never decline a deal with me. Hypocrite, much?”

He scoffed, shaking his head at you. “It’s natural for a business man to weigh his risks against his potential profit. If you’re not in good condition, how am I to exact a price from you?”

You giggled as he walked away, already familiar with the path up the beach to the cottage the villagers had given you on the outskirts of the village proper. Despite the threat of the sea swallowing the ramshackle thing whole with the frequent storms that plagued the village, never once had it ever occurred to you to move residence, despite a certain sea witch’s snide remarks over the years. You would be loath to be away from the sea, and there was no home that could possibly be closer to the sea than your cottage upon the beach.

“So? What is the issue plaguing your helpless villagers this time? A charm for their nets for the season? A spell for the hearths to catch flame against damp wood? Grain for the winter?”

He looked about the single room of your home impatiently as he asked, scowling at the empty fireplace in the kitchen. It had gone out when you’d left that morning, the old window liable to drafts. The lumber in it caught fire with a single glare from him before he sat at the sad excuse of a dining table, nodding in satisfaction. You hid your smile behind the busyness of preparing tea for him, though it was really nothing more than some mint leaves and honey in tepid water.

“Medicine this time, actually. The potion I’d ask for your consultation on was for -”

“The villagers, I know,” he interrupted. “I’d gathered as much. It’s always for others, never for yourself, with you.”

You laughed, serving him the ‘tea.’ He took a long draw of it, setting it down with a huff, eyes lingering on every chip and fracture line of the cup. They mended themselves with a quiet slosh of liquid.

“The children have caught something that the potion isn’t helping. Floyd and Jade said that it’s halted whatever it is, but…it seems the children are in a stasis or sorts, it seems. None have died, thankfully. And I would like to keep it that way.”

He nodded slowly, summoning a style of fish bone as you brought out the paper you kept specifically for the deals you made with Azul. “Yes, let’s. I’ve no love for those villagers you care for so much, but the children hold no blame here. Describe the illness to me. Then we’ll see if I can grant what you ask of me.”

So you did, listing the symptoms as they had appeared nearly a month ago now.

Each symptom appeared three days apart.

The first sign was a loss of the legs. Useless and weak, the child would become bound to their bed.

The second sign was a hallowing of the body, until the child was little more than skin and bones. They lost weight and muscle mass in a matter of hours, despite no fluids being expelled from the body, in spite of any meals or medicines given to the child.

That was when you’d begun brewing your potion to give to the children, having dealt with a similar such plague harming the village some winters before, though the rapidity of the symptoms were starkly different from what had happened in the past.

Then three days later, the day you’d been able to administer the potion after consulting Azul on the efficacy of your potion, came the latest symptom in the children you were too slow to reach.

A loss of vivacity, a stillness of the chest and breath, eyes utterly dim and vacant; as if the child had drowned. Dead in all but reality.

Azul’s stylus paused from his note taking as you described the latest of the symptoms, inks pooling onto the paper and blotting out his neat, looping script.

“The price of this is too high for you to pay.”

You didn’t blink an eye.

“You know this disease.”

It wasn’t so much a question as it was a demand of Azul to honor your ten years of bargains to answer you.

The fire in the hearth flared bright and wide, stray sparks freckling your cheeks, kissing them with sharp burns. You sat unmoved. The fire shrunk back when Azul noticed the ash that fell from your skin.

“I’m not teaching you the cure for it. Wash yourself of this situation.”

“What happened to the innocence of the children? I can take the cost of you healing them in my stead.”

The fire roared long enough for the edge of your window curtain to catch flame before it snuffed itself abruptly with a hiss, in time with Azul pinching the bridge of his nose under his glasses.

“You cannot afford even that,” he hissed out from behind clenched teeth. “Must I spell it out for you? What a cost this high even means? This disease is inhuman. It is dark. Do not involve yourself in it.”

“Can’t I? You’re clever about your loopholes, Azul. Won’t you make one for me?”

He glared, standing and flicking away the stylus with a wave of his hand, the thing disappearing back to where it came in a cloud of ash, right along with the paper he’d been taking notes on.

“I’m not making this deal with you.”

Your brow twitched. “What? What do you mean you won’t? The children - “

He looked down at you, sighing out your name almost apologetically, the command effective immediately as you found yourself shackled to your chair indignantly.

“Azul!”

“Hush.” Your mouth clamped shut and you squealed your ire at him as he looked at you with pity. “You really are a bleeding heart. Know that I take no joy in the harm of children; I am an opportunist, not a monster. I will not make this deal with you. Nor will you make such a deal with any other. You will leave the humans be. If the children are not well another week from now...then I will come to shore for you. But you will leave the humans be.”

You’d be struggling in your seat against his command, but his order shocked you into stilled silence. After these ten years of knowing you, never once had he ever used your name against you like, not once, and now he used it against you in the cruelest way you could have ever imagined.

“Too sweet, you are,” he murmured, hardly able to meet your betrayed gaze. He glanced at the hearth, the flames gently leaping to life again, before turning to the door and stepping out with a look back. In a flash of lightning, he was gone, back into the sea from whence he came.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞𓆝 𓆟 𓆞𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The next seven days consisted of your anxious pacing along the shoreline, unable to enter the village proper, or even trek up the coastline to visit the twins and ask after the health of the children. You knew none of the villagers would come to see you, none of them ever entered your little beach, not once these past ten years. You wouldn’t be able to ask them anything because of Azul anyways, but it still disheartened you that no one even looked your way as you paced the shore, alternating between cursing at the sea and busying yourself with collecting the things that washed up on shore for spells that you could sell. You supposed it was just business as usual, for the villagers to not even check up on you, since you would disappear into your home for days at a time to work on the magic you used to help them each season.

The anxiety over the fate of the children was getting to you.

The minute Azul’s command lost hold on you on the dawn of the eighth day, you all but sprinted into town, anxiety practically choking you as you asked each villager how their children were fairing. Again, as they had the week before, they’d laughed and waved off your worries. Each villager you asked, the same lack of concern. Until you reached Ms. Spade, the widower who always made sure you had your own supply of grain and linens each winter before she went to visit her mother in the mainland with her son Deuce for the season.

She called out your name in relief upon seeing you, grasping your hands with such a grip that your joints ached. “I haven’t seen you in days! What happened?”

“I wasn’t able to leave my home,” you grimaced, “How is Deuce? Is he still okay?”

Ms. Spade’s sober expression was all the answer you needed.

“We were sure it wasn’t contagious, helping the Clovers care for their youngest alongside Trey, but three days ago, both Trey and Deuce lost the use of their legs. It won’t be long now before both of them…”

You squeezed her hands in turn as her voice cracked before reaching into your pockets to produce more of the potion you’d made before, pushing them into your hands. “This is what I gave the other children. It didn’t cure the other children, but it did halt the symptoms.”

She pulled you into a brief, fierce hug before bolting off in the direction of the Clover household, her speed enough to rival her own son. Exhaling slowly to calm your racing heart, you observed the village to gauge the moods of the people around you. The majority of the villagers were indolent and smiling, but after speaking with Ms. Spade, you began to notice the wary faces of some haunting the shadows of their doorways, looking on in contempt and weary compliance.

Thunder rolled in the distance.

“You’re back in town. I thought Azul would have commanded your banishment to be longer.”

You whirled around to find Jade carrying a cooler of his morning’s catch, observing you and your nerves. Floyd was nowhere to be seen, as was to be expected. He did not enter the village proper if he could help it, always preferring to be by the sea, much like you.

“The children.”

“Still in stasis,” he reassured, pausing as his gold eye flared briefly in a glow. Something about its glow nagged at a memory that would not catch in your mind. “None have died. More have fallen ill, though. It will not be long before all of them are affected.”

You sucked in a sharp breath, Jade’s arm shooting out to steady you as you wobbled at the news, a hot wash of anger towards Azul blinding you.

“Is the storm close enough for me to see him?” you managed to spit out, clinging to his arm as he steadied you. His concerned silence had you looking up at him, eyes narrowing. “You and Floyd know more about this disease than you let on.”

“Not anymore than you did, until Azul told us. It was after he’d visited you.”

You gripped the collar of his shirt, pulling him in until you were nose to nose, your voice rough with rage, “Tell me. Tell me all of it, Jade. I’m not some child, too naive to know about the consequences of dealing in spellwork! Why the footing around the issue the minute this disease is discussed? What is happening to the children?!”

He remained calm, shifting his arm to below your waist to hoist you up into a carry, hushing your indignant shriek with a whisper of your name to command your silence. The second time in ten years that they’d dare to use your name against you.

“You’re bringing unwanted attention to us. Come, we’ll go see Azul. I’ll explain as we walk.”

You were forced to sit in his arms in silence as he carried you through the village, the curious gazes of the villagers sliding off the two of you like water as their eyes glazed over and something else caught their attention. You squeezed his shoulder with your nails as hard as you could, irritated when he hardly spared you a glance.

“At first, Floyd and I thought it was like that illness you prepared for five years ago. That was why we fished for the memory of that potion you made at the time and helped you gather the ingredients for your potions. But then Azul came to us after he confined you to your home with the symptoms you’d described to him. You hadn’t told us nearly half of what you’d told him. Floyd was quite cross with you.”

You winced, aware that Jade was cross with you as well, even if he left it unspoken. He continued on, just as matter of factly.

“As Azul told you, the disease is inhuman. To be more precise, it is a dark, forbidden magic. It is drenched in the work of fae dealings.”

He glanced up at you, making eye contact.

“Unlike Azul, the fae deals in the way of an exact, equivalent exchange.”

He looked forward again, taking care as he steps onto the beach, so as to not drop you on the uneven terrain.

His command on you had lost its hold, but you were too tremulous to open your mouth. Azul was already waiting at the shoreline, in his human form, the tide creating a semi-circle around him as it ebbed in and out.

“The children are wasting because they are being traded for - “

You slapped a hand over Jade’s mouth, unable to hear the rest. He was unbothered, setting you down. Your knees gave up, but he kept his arm around you to hold you up.

Azul approached with sigh, taking you from Jade’s hold to support you himself.

“The children have not improved on their own, I take it?”

You could barely manage a shake of your head, a cold nausea rising up within you. Azul’s hand rubbing up and down your back slowly, soothingly, kept your focus in the moment.

“These humans are why I didn’t want you to leave home,” he sighed, easing you down to the sand so that you could sit together. Jade walked off in your peripheral vision, but your focus was on Azul and his words. He hesitated for a moment, removing his glasses and looking down at them for a moment, before looking up at you. “I am…sure you noticed that the humans of this village have always been the chipper sort, despite the harshness of the land they live on. It’s what drew you to them, after all.”

You nodded slowly, fighting against the urge to close your eyes and cover your ears.

“Have you not wondered why that is? Why their life is so plentiful, when their land does not take seed, when their shores are wracked by storms so often that their one means of sustenance is not sustenance enough?”

He paused, waiting for a response, then continued on while you remained silent.

“Did you not wonder why they were so eager to welcome you and give you a home out of the abandoned shack on the beach when you offered magic in exchange for nothing but a hot meal?”

You shut your eyes, refusing to open them even as his hands cupped your face and his thumbs stroked your cheeks.

“You’ve always been a bleeding heart,” he sighed, pulling away. The air grew damp, and it was becoming hard for you to breathe as the magic in the air began to concentrate.

When had the two of you moved from the beach? Where had Jade gone?

“Do you still wish to save the children?”

You opened your eyes to meet his, swaying as your brain fought against what he was telling you, what he was asking of you. You were beginning to gag on the magic in the air.

“I wish to go back. I want to forget everything.”

Cool gray eyes stared back into yours as you fought to keep your focus intact in the smoky haze of the cave you found yourself in. How did you get here, again? The thoughts were languidly coiling in your mind, unable to fully form, teasing you to distraction.

“Can you afford the price of ignorance?”

The sharp command of that voice snapped up your attention back to the present, the dampness of the cave a cool balm on your feverish skin, body shaking from the wild magic choking you. The very air was saturated with it and your body was rejecting it. Your focus lapsed against a tide of nausea that rolled over you. A hand touched your cheek, the brush of fingertips a whisper of relief as your eyes opened again. You couldn’t make out his face anymore in the haze that seemed to thicken the longer you stared in search of his eyes. You had to close your eyes again to hold onto the clarity he had returned to you; your voice cracked against the last dregs of your consciousness.

“I’ve more than paid all that you’ve ever asked of me.”

Azul caught you, cradling you to his chest. He sighed, stroking the top of your head with a frown. You were haggard and drained, your human form ill-suited to take in the untamed magic of the cave he’d brought the two of you to, away from the beach where villagers lingered at the edges, unable to actually enter the cursed beach themselves. He traced gentle touches down your face, your shoulders, your arms, undoing the spells he’d layered upon you ten years ago when he’d delivered you to the shores of this village.

The one deal he’d regretted in the past ten years.

He kept watch over you until your breathing eased and your body adjusted to the magic saturating in the cave, laying you down in the pool of water that’d begun to grow as the tide came into the cave.

Your true form was just as breathtaking as the last he’d seen it, before you’d left home to come onto land, to be with these humans you loved so much.

“To think I’d ever break my rule to never negotiate with the fae,” he murmured, taking in your peaceful, sleeping face.

He hated humans, yes. They made it so easy to prey upon their greed. He truly did not understand what you saw in them.

But he was still no monster.

Likes and reblogs are welcomed and appreciated! If you have any questions about this story and the elements that were left open ended and up to interpretation, please feel free to send me an ask!

In which (Y/n) punishes Azul with the silent treatment after he roped Ace and Deuce into a contract.

Of course, Azul won't let that sit with him and hangs (Y/n) above a shark tank.

Request by anon.

"Talk to me, or I'll feed you to the sharks."

You were currently hovering above a water tank that about three large sharks called their home. The predators swam in a neat circle beneath you, their upper fins peeking out from beneath the crystal-clear surface. And the only thing preventing you from falling right into their middle was the rope wrapped around your body and arms, preventing you from most movement. Right in front of you, the feared Octavinelle trio gazed at you intently, everything else within the closed off Mostro Lounge fading into darkness.

How it had come to this?

Oh yeah— you had ignored any of Azul's attempts to speak or interact with you after he had upset you by making your friends sign a shady contract. The silent treatment was harsh but effective, so much that Azul had been driven to such drastic measures such as tying you up above a shark tank to make you talk to him again.

But it wasn't working, much to his dismay.

"So you're really gonna play coy with me, prefect?" Azul grumbled under his breath and let the rope in his hand slip through his palm a little bit, causing you to dip a little bit deeper towards the surface.

Despite your little flinch, you still wouldn't let a single word escape your lips.

"Wow, Shrimpy is so brave! Those other guppies would have fainted by now already," Floyd exclaimed and clapped his hands together. "That's why playing with you is always so much fun, Shrimpy."

Unlike Floyd, Azul didn't look happy at all by your defiance, and merely furrowed his eyebrows in desperation. "Come on. I told you I'm sorry! But you still ignore all these presents and cards I sent you." His grip on the rope tightened, so much that his hand began shaking in frustration. "What more can I do? If sincerity and fear do not make you talk to me, what else will?"

Jade quirked an eyebrow. "I've never seen the boss so desperate."

"Your friends won't come to save you, (Y/n)," Azul continued with newfound confidence. "So will you still choose the sharks over me? Surely, you cannot hate me this much..." He looked at you expectantly, a hopeful shimmer to his gleaming eyes.

Still, you kept your lips sealed shut.

Floyd couldn't control his laughter anymore and broke out into a fit. "Oh, Shrimpy is cold..."

By then, the dormleader's shoulders were slumped forward, and a pitiful frown decorated his pale face. His grasp around the rope loosened as he croaked out in disappointment, "I... need some time for myself. Get the prefect away from the tank and untie them." His final act of resignation was handing the rope over to Floyd, who took it from him eagerly.

"Okie dokie!" The excited grin on the eel's face soon morphed into feigned shock when he lost his grasp on the rope. "Or... not so okie dokie..." he mumbled sheepishly as he watched the rope shoot up to the ceiling.

In return, you crashed down into the shark tank.

Upon making contact with the cold water, a scream escaped your lips, and your limbs began thrashing around violently. The vigour of your movement was further amplified by the fact that your arms were still restrained to your body, only leaving your legs to make sure you could keep your head above the water.

"(Y/n)! Don't thrash around!" Azul cried out, a look of horror and genuine worry plastered over his face. "Moving around too much will attract the sharks!"

Your legs tired from the frantic kicking to keep you afloat, and the sight of grey fins circling you didn't calm you down either. Eventually, you yelled out, "I— I can't hold out much longer!" Your head was already starting to dip dangerously deep into the water, and the kicking of your legs weakened, too.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" Without hesitating, Azul dove head-first into the tank and swam over to you as fast as he could, considering the heavy clothing that slowed him down. Blank concern occupied his face as he entered the circle of sharks and grabbed you by your shoulders.

Jade, watching idly, tilted his head to the side in fascination. "Wow, I've never seen Azul swim so fast."

"Get away from (Y/n), you guys," Azul growled while pushing his way past the sharks, on his way to the rim of the water tank again. And indeed, they seemed to respect him with the way they suddenly dashed away into the depths of the tank, away from you.

As he pulled you out onto the dry floor again, your face was a ghostly pale shade, and your eyes were ripped wide open in shock. "Wow... that was a close call..." you breathed out slowly, the water still dripping off your hair and clothes.

"Are you alright?" Azul fussed and looked you up and down. "Did you swallow any water? Did any of them bite you?"

You shot him a weak smile. "No... No, I'm fine. Thanks to you, Azul," you assured while he helped you out of your bonds. As you breathed in and out again, your face slowly regained its usual colour, and you calmed down again. Your weak smile soon turned into a little grin. "Honestly, I wasn't scared because I knew you would never drop me into that shark tank."

"You're right... I would have never dropped you into that tank." At the speed of light, Azul whipped around to point his finger at his fellow dorm member accusingly. "Unlike Floyd!"

"Hey, my hands were slippery because of the moisturiser I use."

The hand landing on his shoulder allowed him to calm down again, especially when you gave it a soft squeeze. "It's alright, Azul. I forgive you—" Your smile soon turned serious again as you continued, "But only if you promise to never rope Ace and Deuce, or any other friends of mine, into such horrible contracts again."

"Fine... I guess I can do that." Azul's chest still heaved up and down, but at least a weight seemed to have been lifted off his shoulders.

At once, you began laughing airily— in such a carefree manner as if none of this has fazed you. "See? That wasn't so hard. The whole drowning and getting eaten by sharks incident could have been avoided," you joked and wrapped your arms around him in satisfaction.

"But seeing Crabby and Little Mackerel in maid outfits was funny!"

"These maid outfits scarred Ace and Deuce for life!"

I'm ripping open the fabric of time a space with the sheer amount of joy this brought me. How fucking dare

How about 16 with Azul and a gn reader?

of course!! ty for the request! azul is quite popular lol

-

character: azul ashengrotto, twst

contains: gender neutral reader, fluff

for a random event - see link here

“Hey, let me take care of you today.”

You start, fixing the stressed Azul in front of you a look. He had been busy all day, doing something or another for an event at the Lounge - a profitable one, you were sure, but you couldn't help but hate how he sacrificed his health for these things.

He looks like he’s about to protest, expression screwing up in distaste, but you pose an interruption by continuing before he can.

“Don’t give me that look. I don’t want anything in return. Just let me take care of you. Please?”

Azul sighs in defeat, and just barely lets himself relax a bit. Barely. Exactly what you're looking for, and you know that you've won for today.

“Fine… if you really want to, my dear. You really don’t need to, though, you know. I’ve already gotten this far.”

“And? That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to rest every now and again.” You counter, giving him a look that tells him that he won’t be getting out of this. Especially not just after agreeing.

It’s with gentle hands that you coax him out of his office chair, trailing your hands over his shoulders and gingerly guiding him to the couch in his office. You sit beside him, and just as carefully, you prompt him to lay his head on your lap.

“Darling…” Azul lets out a lovely sigh when you start to brush your fingers through his hair, slowly but surely turning into putty in your hands. His eyes blink closed, and you’re satisfied as you see him visibly relax.

At least, for now, you can do something.

TW First years see female mc as their mother figure and literally call her "mom/mum/ma/mother dearest" and dorm leaders overhear and their reaction on it, please

Housewardens Reactions to MC Being Called 'Mom' by First Years

Riddle:

Was confused at first.

You and Riddle were sitting in the Heartslabyul lounge having tea, and all he hears in the back is Ace and Deuce going:

"Why is mom here?"

"Housewarden, why are you having tea with my mother?"

Is trying so hard not to spit out tea.

Questions why they are calling you their mom and finds it very weird.

Does not get used to them calling you mom but just lets it be. Eventually.

Leona:

"Mom, why are you sleeping with Leona?"

EXCUSE YOU WHAT?!

Jumps up from napping with you and stares Jack in the eyes.

Leona has never met Jack's mother, and doesn't want to.

And you answer so casually to it, like what?

Questions what the heck is wrong with Jack.

Is creeped out by the first years calling you mom, but doesn't want to know in fear of the answer.

Azul:

Was politely having a conversation with you, and Azul threw a few jokes in here and there.

"Stop flirting with my mother."

Freezes. Is so confused because you didn't give birth to anyone at NRC.

Asks about the name calling and it takes so long to get used to it.

Just- accepts it after knowing it's because they see you as a mother figure.

Kalim:

Just stands there with his mind blank of what Ace just said.

"Mother dearest, can I practice fire magic on Grim, he's being annoying."

Since when are you a mom? Fully believes it. Also, poor Grim, roasted cat probably doesn't taste good.

You have to explain. He finds it sweet after he gets it but calls you friend still.

Asks you "How are your children doing?" With complete sweetness every time he talks with you.

Vil:

You took care of his plants that he uses to make skincare products for three days since he was so so busy and couldn't squeeze in the time. You did such a wonderful job at it too, so he gave you a kiss on the cheek as a reward.

"Um, sorry to disturb you, but could you not kiss mom in front of me?"

Is this some type of joke? It is physically impossible that Epel is your child.

Ohh, it's because he sees you as a mother figure. That makes more sense now, that you 'adopted' Epel.

Doesn't really care, but calls Epel out for sass.

Idia:

Doesn't mind that the first years call you mom because he hears it so often. Ortho refers to you as 'sis' (for sister), so...

Refers to the first years as your children.

"Do your children want to verse us in duos?"

Is pretty chill about it.

Malleus:

Is confused when Sebek calls you 'mother', but has always known that you have a nurturing and very caring side to you.

Understands why Sebek and the other first years call you mom, and finds that the sentiment towards you is quite sweet of them.

Understands that you have no knowledge of this world, you're human, and that you couldn't have given birth to Sebek.

Is okay with it really, unless you get in trouble for something Ace did which had nothing to do with you.

thinking about azul who's face lights up the moment you walk through his office door. he scrambles over from his seat and wraps his arms around you, his oversized trench coat engulfing you. he presses the side of his cheek against your head, breathes in your scent and exhales, the tension leaving his body almost instantly. he starts murmuring about how much he missed you and how he's done so much work today and how the tweels have been bullying him again, countless ramblings to tug at your heartstrings so you'll comfort him by patting his head and cuddling with him

meaning the tweels just stand in the corner like 🤨🤨🤨 bullying him??? he's bullying us!! can you believe this guy jade ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ

The Little Mermaid AU w/Azul

Bonus sketches ^^

Tags <3

@a-very-werid-mirror @twistiraki @azulashengrottospiano @pianostarinwonderland @fjshii @cowboy-rowlet @femmefaeryboi @savanaclaw1996 @taruruchi @thehollowwriter @thefiasco-onyourblock @the-trinket-witch @@adorable-person

Hey hey! Is the request still open? If it is, can I request for How To Win A Heart Of Azul? I really love your fanfics!

How to win a heart of Azul Ashengrotto?

a/n: I gave the reader a job — since I can’t see Crowley organizing and checking any documents he’s responsible for, the burden of dealing with NRC organization plans will fall upon you, a very competent human being.

Also, I am terribly sorry, anon, for the long wait... A really long wait.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

1. Decline an offer.

„Is that a no?” Azul's hand drops a little before he shifts the contract he laid out on the table a few centimetres back.

"Does it sound like a yes?" Your reply makes Octavinalle leader retreat and sit back in his armchair. His brows bend in a subtle frown and you can almost see how he bites the back of his cheek, not to retort quickly. "Of course, it's a no! These terms are obviously ridiculous, and, what you probably didn't expect, I can read discerningly."

Azul would have doubted that statement two minutes ago when you first entered his office.

In awe, gaping at each decoration in this stunning room, he couldn't help but recognize that the intimidation of Octavinalle greatness and the stressful situation you have fallen into was having a big impact on your sense.

What he didn’t know was that it didn’t mess up your mind and ability to think clearly as much as he hoped.

To his surprise, you could actually read and think. Such uncommon talents between anyone, who Azul wanted to force a contract, once they entered Octavinelle grounds.

"Well then," Azul starts again. He almost can't resist adjusting his shirt cuff, but it would make him seem nervous. Is he nervous? "We can surely negotiate. From me, I can guarantee you having any request done if it’s in my power. Also, until the end of this semester, every day, you won’t have to pay for one item on your menu. Does it satisfy you? I think it is equal,"—if not more, his tone suggests,—"a glance at the plans for next school event Principal Crowley entrusted you."

The word spreads quickly or Azul Ashengrotto knows too much. Perhaps both—the fact that Crowley suddenly conscripted the organizing committee in the shape of you and one student from Ignihyde is a too big piece of information to keep for yourself.

Winning some kind of contest—what the contest was about? Azul tries to recall your profile he studied yesterday's evening. Creative thinking...? Art of manipulation? Getting on the nerves of Octavinalle students?—with your fellow Ignihyde colleague made you in charge of planning new events on the school's behalf. No one knew much, but from the brief introduction to the school's new year events, there was no one in the school whose interest wasn't picked by any of the festivals.

There is no doubt the events will interest many people outside of NRC.

And that's why Azul must have the plans.

"Forget it," you say curtly, getting up from your chair. You spare Azul last glance, just to see how his hands subtly shake in the irregular rhythm of frustration throbbing in his veins. A trace of a reluctant smile appears on your lips and Azul's expression goes blank for a second. "This time, you will have to try a little bit harder to get what you want."

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

2. Start a war.

Azul takes pride in touting people to sign a contract.

Most students of the campus, plenty visitors during NRC's events, commoners, royals... And it is usually them craving the opportunity. Not vice-versa.

“What is that you want?”

You don’t have to turn around to know who has been searching for you all day. Messages from your friends that Azul Ashengrotto was asking about your whereabouts, made you almost avoid him, just to irritate him more.

“I wish for love,” you turn on a heel to face him. The sigh that escapes his lips slowly makes you stop batting your eyelashes theatrically. “Joking. That's pretty cliché thing to say, you know?”

Azul lifts one unimpressed eyebrow. “What is it?” He repeats his question.

Finally, you fall quiet and he takes the silence as you ponder. “Hmm... I don't know. This trade can get any of my wishes to come true after all, no?”

“...You will know where you'll find me if you find your answer.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

3. Love the food.

“Here again, [Name]?”

The question welcomes you the moment you enter Mostro Lounge. You raise your hand as a quick “hello” before making your way to him.

There aren’t many students in the lounge, and that’s most likely because of the hour; it isn’t either early or late, and people just started to get hungry. It makes the atmosphere special with only a few tables being occupied and just by quiet people.

You can hear a jazz beat that always fades when people gather here at the evening hour.

“Don’t judge me,” a subtle smile plays on your lips as you sit next to him. Some days Azul just goes to Mostro Lounge (probably to collect information; people are often really cheery to share their thoughts and gossips once the food is served), and you just happen to join him.

Giving him the hope to get some news from you is a very tempting hobby you can’t deny yourself.

“I could never,” states Azul, politely shifting some documents to another side of the table. He doesn’t bother to hide them at all since you will be the one checking these in Crowley's place.

“Are you also taking guilty pleasure from eating sweets?” Azul jerks his head at you with emotion you can’t describe as surprise or shame. Perhaps both, but the latter is still increasing as Azul registers his reaction.

Your lips curve in a teasing grin.

“Wh- What?” Azul breathes the question at last, just after other Octavinalle student served your ordered drink. You are delighted whenever he’s in distress. Unwittingly playing with the straw, there is a noticeable shade of smugness on your smile. “No. I’m not that type of person you’re thinking of.”

“Yeah, right,” you take a sip of your drink, throwing Azul an unimpressed look. His papers are completely forgotten as other arguments form in his head. “Good luck with convincing yourself.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

4. Don't get manipulated.

Good luck.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

5. Befriend Leech twins.

"Nee~ Shrimpy~ Entertain me!" Floyd’s wails ring in your ears, as his thoughts are roaming through the room for the sixth time.

You exhale deeply. He is being difficult on purpose.

"I don’t really want to," you say resolutely, which doesn't stop Floyd's whines. His complaints lack, however, amusement from before and you start expecting the moment when his mood will snap. Before that could happen, a polite chuckle from behind makes you shift your attention to another Leech twin.

“Floyd and I were hoping that you will have a better idea to spend an enjoyable break,” Jade comments, and all you can do is give him a flat stare. When Leech twins suddenly try to get close to you, how could you not get suspicious?

The question is, are they doing it at Azul’s request?

“Well, what do you want to do?” At your question, Jade, without any special inquiries, looks at his brother who gives you a little hum in response.

“Do you wanna play a prank on Azul~?” Floyd asks. There is no threat in his voice, but you can feel being tested.

...But who are you to refuse to investigate Azul’s weakness with his close acquaintances?

“Sure.”

“I will join as well,” Jade says, a professional camera in his hands. The little mushroom sign on it tells you that it’s part of the club's equipment. “Azul’s reactions are too valuable to have not been saved in a photo.”

“It will serve as a blackmailing material, won’t it?”

“It will.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

6. Avoid PE together.

He opens the door.

"And what you might be doing here?" Azul shudders from surprise, and his head snaps in your direction. You wave in his direction and observe how his muscles relax once he recognized a familiar face.

You couldn’t blame him for his reaction. School’s storage filled with all necessary items for PE lessons is not popular enough for two people to meet up. Especially, if the said lesson hasn’t even started.

"...I don’t know,” he answers carefully and tries not to make any unnatural moves as his eyes scan your silhouette. Judging from your sporty attire and a broom that was unceremoniously tucked into the corner of the room, you were prepared for the next PE lesson. “And what are you doing here?”

“I don’t know!” A lot of frustration was put into your words. You pinch your nose to collect your thoughts, feeling a headache already forming at the back of your head. Your gaze returns to Azul. “...But I know that I don’t want to attend Mr Vargas’ special lessons.”

“That makes us two,” he says and crunches next to you. You couldn’t help but smile subtly at the thought that these words were his most sincere expression since your first talk.

“Right... Don’t you have any dorm-related duties that you can use as an excuse?” You ask, and his eyes flash at you, stars of sudden amusement making them twinkle. He clearly remembered something. Seizing a great opportunity, you decide to take it. “I can be your assistant! The idea was mine, and I am terrified about Vargas’ new tutoring program.”

“...I guess it’s fair enough.” He feigns the resigned sigh, and you reach your hand to help him stand up. Unconsciously noting that your hand is much warmer than his, he accepts it. “Let’s go.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

7. Be a help.

When Jade told him there is someone who would like to work half-time at Octavinelle, Azul didn’t expect them to be you. Don’t you already have a lot of work from Crowley? Better question: why? Do you urgently need money for something?

He decided to ask. “Will you be working for money? I believe it’s not a friendly help.”

There is a lot of lethargy in his voice, although his attention is fully focused on you. His eyes scan your appearance but find no sign of something going wrong. At least, at first glance, you seem healthy and well.

He lets out his breath now, hesitantly noting how stiff he has been since you walked in.

"I guess so," you give him an informative nod. “I am short on cash right now.”

“Why?” You give him a shrug as an answer. It always seems like you have less money than you think you have. There is a note of worry in his voice and it makes you somehow pleased. “Are you having financial problems?”

“Well, it’s good to have an additional coin in your pocket,” you chuckle. “People say that money can’t buy happiness, but you all Octavinelle students, are pretty hyped in general, you know?”

You can see how Azul holds back to roll his eyes.

“I think we are having a bad influence on you, [Name].” He adjusted his glasses, but blue eyes never left yours. He only breaks eye contact to search for a contract. “Either way, welcome. Jade will assign you your tasks for the next month.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

8. Remind him of his worth.

There will always be bad days in your life. In Azul’s too.

“Sorry for my appearance...” were Azul’s first words once you meet him at Mostro Longue, and by that, you already know that something is wrong.

Your brows furrow in concern, as you take a seat next to him.

There is only a menu at the table, no papers related to work are in plain sight. There is no particular reason for you two to meet up, but none of you points it out. The silence between you two would be comfortable if Azul wasn’t creating a depressing aura around himself.

“You look as always,” you start slowly, weighing your words. From the empty shade in Azul’s eyes, you read that this conversation enters a minefield where a bad word can lead to ruin. “Well... Are you going to order yourself anything?”

One just exploded.

“You-! You don’t understand—!” He raises his tone, students from the next table subtly start listening in. Sharply, in rigid movements, he leans on the table and hides his face in gloved hands. His tone is much more lowered, barely louder than a whisper. “I can’t! I really can’t... I can’t let myself get out of shape again, because I...”

He falls silent and you take a moment to form a sentence before speaking up.

“I don’t know,” you say in the most soothing voice you can bring up. At first, you aren’t sure if he listens to you. “But if you need someone to tell you how awesome you are, I can introduce you to my friends. Do you know what they told me? That you’re ‘a handsome gentleman, who knows his business. Maybe it’s a little embellished description.” The indifference was harder to keep up with increasing difficulty. “They never signed a contract with you, however, and I would say in addition that you can be a bit too stingy in terms of money.”

Azul was now sitting properly. Except for some paleness on his face (but it could just be light), he didn’t look as if he just had a breakdown. A momentary breakdown, but still...

Trying not to notice his gaze that is inexplicably stuck to you, your hand goes to the menu and shifts it closer. Only after briefly glancing over the list of desserts and drinks, do you dare to look up at him again.

“Besides, people who aren’t afraid to eat in front of people are hot,” you gesture generally around Mostro Longue. Most students here wasn’t afraid to order whatever they wanted and food filling their plates was a measurement of their palate, confidence (or indifference) and budget. “And that all food is waiting for you. And, Azul, you have impeccable taste in picking out treats.”

“...Allow me, then,” he takes a menu from you. He is really grateful for the blue lights in here, that mix up with the red on his cheeks. Just after receiving your order, he clears his throat, focusing your attention on himself and plates full of ice cream in front of you. “...If I will gain weight, you will have to join me at my training.”

You take a spoonful of your ice cream, winking at him when you catch his gaze. “Deal.”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

9. Give him hope.

“I will sign the contract,” you told him. “I will be at Octavinelle in the evening, so wait for me.”

He has no idea what to think.

He should be excited, shouldn’t he? Then, what’s wrong? Why something is eating him from inside? What is eating him from inside?

After all, he will finally have the plans. It won’t probably put much pressure on you from Crowley that will forgive you this time (since you do a great job). But other dorm students? Won’t they know about the deal? Will they start to mistreat you?

Something twists in Azul’s stomach.

“...I should worry about whatever I will have to trade for the plans...” He tries to shift his attention. It doesn’t work as he is antsier than a few minutes ago. Being in his office isn’t calming at all peace that haunts the room doesn’t distract him from unpleasant thoughts.

He sighs with frustration. He can’t even relax.

“There are few hours left...”

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎

10. Have him indebted and at your mercy.

“Won’t you be in trouble because of this deal?” He asks the moment you enter his office. You smile at the question and reply just after taking a seat in front of his desk.

“I asked my friend about it and they said that only Octavinelle is so fixated on this event,” you admit. So you also thought about other dorms, Azul notes. “There is no big loss for me.”

“I assume you came with an offer.” His tone is business-like. It does not fit his eyes with the voice, as they give you an impression of everything that Azul tries to hide at the moment; a little bit nervous, mostly concerned and quite... lonely?

You lower your gaze.

“I ask for a favour in exchange.”

“And what it might be?” Azul asks. “I can’t give you money if that’s what you-”

“Go on a proper date with me.”

“-ask for.” A moment of silence stretches through the room. Does he have auditory hallucinations? Is he dreaming? What? What? “What?”

“Will you go— on a date— with me-?” You ask slowly, but there isn’t as much confidence in your voice as before. The words catch up in your throat and with Azul’s shocked and confused eyes on yourself, you start to have second thoughts. You lower your lashes. “If you don’t want to, just say no, and I will think of something else. I think, however, it’s a pretty good deal for you,”

“No! I mean, yes!” He says in an indifferent-feigned tone and your eyes don’t fail to let go of his blue ones. Crimson colours burst on his cheeks. “Yes, well, I agree.” He repeats. “I agree.”