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The first thing Azul Ashengrotto told himself when he noticed his feelings was that he was not the sort of person who developed inconvenient crushes.
The second thing he told himself was that even if he did, he certainly wouldn’t allow them to fester.
The third thing—muttered into the privacy curtains of his dorm bed at 6 in the morning—was that he wasn’t comparing the sky at dawn to Silver’s eyes.
He was simply trying to get an early start on his day.
* ***|>< ((*>****
Azul adjusted his glasses and stared down at the ledger in front of him. The Mostro Lounge was bustling, likely due to the approach of Valentine’s Day; couples, hopefuls, and opportunists alike filled the tables. Jade glided between them like a benevolent specter, while Floyd draped himself over a booth seat, idly tormenting his Basketball club mates instead of cooking.
Azul was stationed behind the temporary counter they had set up to sell Valentine's Day treats. Special pastries, Boxed chocolates, Valentine's Day reservations for the Lounge. They would, of course, be hosting a paid reservation-only romantic event. But he wasn’t focused on the sales for once.
Azul prided himself on composure. Eyes on the bottom line. It was simply unfortunate that Silver had chosen today to grace his establishment.
Alone.
“Azul, can you taste this? I finished the Valentine's Day special drink.”
He barely heard Jade's question as he watched Silver, looking almost luminescent, like a moon jellyfish in the low light of the Lounge, as he tilted his head back to drink his tea.
He should see if he needed anything else—.
“Azul?” Jade’s far too amused voice startled him as he’d started to stand, causing him to stumble forward ungracefully. “You seem distracted today.”
Azul pushed his glasses back on his nose with a short, irritated gesture as he grabbed the glass jade had been holding out to him.
“I’m just thinking.”
“About our Diasomnia guest?”
Azul nearly choked on the drink, surreptitiously wiping his lips to make sure he hadn’t lost any.
“What makes you say that?”
Jade’s smile deepened in that insufferably knowing way. “He’s been here three times this week.”
“Yes. I have eyes.” Azul fussed with the cuff of his sleeve, a nervous tick he knew Jade would catch, but couldn't help.
Jade smirked.
“Floyd says he smells like sweat, but not horses. He’s likely stopping by after sword practice.”
“That is entirely unhelpful.”
“Is it? He’s never come by after practice before. It’s almost like he’s here for a reason.”
“He’s here for…tea. We’re an eating establishment if you hadn’t noticed, Jade.”
“Is he? I wonder~.”
Azul’s nails dug into the fabric of his pants as he looked away, not daring to give in to the bubble of hope.
Across the room, Silver picked up one of the small sandwiches he’d been given and studied it before taking a bite. His movements were unhurried, elegant in their simplicity. He wore his Diasomnia uniform impeccably—of course, he did— and he was looking up, duotoned eyes shimmering in the lamplight.
Azul’s stomach jumped into his throat as their eyes met. He couldn’t look away too quickly, but he couldn’t hold eye contact too long either. Even so, the little smile that flickered across the Diasomnia student’s lips made his cheeks warm as if it was for him instead of just an acknowledgement.
Silver came here for tea, not him.
Specifically, chamomile with honey, occasionally chai if he looked particularly tired. He tipped well. He thanked the staff with quiet sincerity, even when Floyd tried to bait him, or his occasional loud, green companion.
He simply existed. And that was enough to make Azul lose his head.
Azul had tried to rationalize it. Silver was beautiful, yes, but beauty alone had never been enough for Azul Ashengrotto. He appreciated aesthetics the way he appreciated rare seashells—valuable, interesting, but ultimately transactional.
This was not transactional.
This was…something else. Something he didn’t want to put to words.
Because he knew Silver would never look at him the way Azul wished he would.
Silver looked at him like—
A classmate, occasionally a server, and for one blessed week, that Azul would never admit he held precious, an Alchemy project partner.
Searching for Silver, irritation rising because he couldn’t find his project partner, only to find him asleep beneath a tree. His hair spread out around his head, lashes fluttering against his cheeks. Azul realized he’d forgotten to breathe when a butterfly alighted on Silver’s nose, and his gasp startled it into flight.
Unrequited feelings were not as romantic as stories would portray. And of course, he was a fool for entertaining them. Someone as pure as Silver would never be able to love a strange creature of the depths who dabbled in schemeing as a hobby.
“Azul.”
He looked up to find Silver standing right in front of the bar counter he’d been hiding behind.
His brain ceased functioning.
“Yes?” Azul managed, voice smooth and unbothered—or so he hoped.
“I was wondering,” Silver began, brow furrowed as if he was trying to find the right words, “if you might recommend something sweet for Valentine’s Day.”
Azul’s pulse pounded so loudly he was certain the entire Lounge could hear it.
“For… a gift?” Azul asked carefully.
Silver nodded. “Yes.”
And Azul's stomach dropped, the polite salesman's smile never leaving his face.
Of course.
Of course, there was someone for Silver that wasn’t him.
“I see,” he said slowly, tone professional. “I’m sure I can suggest something. May I ask what sort of tastes the recipient has?”
Silver paused, considering. “...I’m not sure. He has…expensive tastes. What would you suggest?”
Azul’s lips pressed together tightly before he turned to the case.
“Perhaps dark chocolate,” Azul stated, after a moment of thought.“With a hint of sea salt. The chocolate itself is refined for one with expensive taste, and it’s not as messy as the filled bonbons.” They were also his favorite; with luck, the person Silver was trying to give them to would dislike the bitter sweet.
Silver’s lips curved faintly. “That sounds fitting.”
Azul wanted to demand a name. Send the twins to deal with them. Make sure they never even looked at Silver again. Azul was possessive, greedy. He knew this about himself.
But Silver wasn’t his to possess.
Instead, Azul nodded and ducked down to produce an elegant box tied with a black ribbon and handed it across the counter.
“For your… recipient.”
As Silver accepted it, his fingers brushed Azul’s for the briefest second. The touch sang through his veins like lightning and lingered long enough that he looked up, wondering if there was something wrong.
“Thank you,” The words were spoken softly as he met Azul's eyes.
Azul thought he saw something in the shifting depths of blue, pink, and violet. Something warm. Something almost hesitant.
He crushed the hope before it could bloom.
“Of course, it was no problem,” he replied as he watched Silver turn towards the door. Azul watched him exchange a few words with Jade before he left, but the roiling in his gut didn’t leave him room for curiosity.
Floyd sidled up the moment the door closed. “Neee, Azul. You look like someone stole your wallet.”
“I do not,” Azul snapped.
“Do too! Why didn’tcha ask Kurage-chan to be your Valentine?”
“Why would I?” Azul turned towards the door to the rest of the dorm. “I’m going to… I have homework to do. Jade, oversee the gift table.”
Jade folded his hands. “Is it wise to assume the chocolates were for someone else?”
Azul adjusted his glasses, shoulders slumping slightly. “Silver explicitly stated they were for a gift.”
“Did he? Interesting.” Jade mused. “Did he specify the recipient?”
Azul opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Floyd grinned and opened his mouth to say something, only to be silenced by Jade’s hand.
Azul inhaled slowly. “I will not indulge baseless speculation.”
As he left, Jade pressed his knuckles to his lips thoughtfully.
“But we know you better than that. Azul.”
* ***|>< ((*>****
Azul cursed Jade for that, because of course, later that night, he did.
He imagined Silver presenting the chocolates to someone tall and elegant. Someone from his own dorm, perhaps. Someone as athletic as he was, someone who matched him in Equestrian or at swordplay…Azul despised the image.
He told himself that even if Silver’s affections lay elsewhere, that was FINE.
Silver was only a distraction, and he would likely be put off by Azul’s natural form anyway. Most humans would.
Azul threw himself into the preparations for the Lounges Valentine's event. The Lounge was decorated, and the lighting was shifted to something more romantic. They had come up with a special menu, and the thaumarks for reservations had come pouring in.
He tried not to think about the fact that one of the tables had been reserved for Silver and his plus one.
* ***|>< ((*>****
Azul could never swear he wasn’t a masochist.
He occasionally did some of the breakfast deliveries himself so he could watch Silver and Sebek at their early morning training.
And of course, today was one of those days. If Silver was going to spend a romantic evening with someone else, at least he’d get to watch this.
Azul paused from dropping off an early morning food order to lean against a tree, feigning—well, somewhat feigning—fatigue as the clash of swords echoed from the field next to the dorm. Silver moved like liquid lightning, his hair shining like a halo in the morning sunlight as he spun to block Sebek’s blow.
Azul's breath caught; the chill of the air was nothing for a deep-sea dweller, but he knew humans would be chilled in this type of weather, yet they still practiced. Azul could appreciate that type of devotion to one's craft, and it was just one more thing to admire about Silver.
He was pleased to notice that he was the only one watching their practice, though to be fair, not many would want to be out in this weather.
Silver’s mystery paramour clearly wasn’t here, Azul, however…
He tugged at the wristband of his gloves, freezing as curious aurora eyes met his just as Silver disarmed his tall friend.
Azul didn’t give Silver the time to approach. He left, heading back to the lounge as fast as he could go.
* ***|>< ((*>****
The knock on his door came around lunchtime. Jade had tactfully suggested he take a few hours to rest. Azul had been keeping himself busy all morning on purpose. They did have a big event tonight, though, and he couldn’t afford not to be at his best, so he’d caved.
He frowned. Jade would have texted, Floyd would simply have walked in. Anyone else would have gone through Jade.
Another knock.
“Coming,” he called, smoothing his jacket; if it was one of the other housewardens, he refused to look disheveled.
He froze as he opened the door.
Silver stood there, a bright spot in the dusk of the Octavinille dorms. Azul forgot how to breathe.
“Silver,” he managed. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” His eyes roamed the knight's figure, noting the well-cut suit. Clearly, someone had helped dress him for his date; he knew Silver wasn’t the most fashion aware people on the planet. “Is there something wro—?”
Azul’s stomach dropped, his mind reeling as he saw the familiar black ribboned box in Silver's hand.
“I wanted to speak with you,” Silver said softly. “May I come in?”
Azul stepped aside on autopilot, trying to come up with some reason Silver would be here, in his rooms, with that box.
Silver entered, gaze wandering briefly over the comfortable room, the hatch to the sea around the dorm set into the floor so he could return to his true form occasionally. Azul wondered if he’d ask, if he wanted him to ask.
“I hope I’m not intruding. Jade told me you were unoccupied.”
“Not at all,” Azul replied, voice faintly strained. “Though I confess I am surpris—-Jade?”
Jade had known Silver was coming. Had clearly directed him to Azul’s room.
But Azul’s phone had no messages.
“Was there something wrong with the chocolates? If so, I can exchange…them.” His words slowed as Silver gently grabbed his wrist and placed the box in his upturned palm.
Silver looked down at the box, then back up, brows drawing together slightly. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I thought I’d ask you to choose the gift. I still wanted it to be a surprise. Father says that could have caused a misunderstanding, though.” He frowned
Azul’s other hand came up to cover the box, cerulean eyes widening.
“They were for…me?”
Silver nodded, eyes watching him with an intensity that made warmth curl in Azul’s stomach. “They were for you,” he repeated. “I asked your recommendation because I thought you would choose something you liked.”
Azul’s mind reeled.
“For… me.”
“Yes.” Silver leaned forward and placed the back of his hand on Azul’s brow, leaning in, eyes suddenly concerned. “You’re repeating yourself, are you ill? I was surprised when you weren’t at the lounge.”
“No. I’m not. Just. For me? Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
“I was nervous,” Silver admitted quietly. “I thought if I asked directly, you might refuse.”
Azul stared at him. “You thought I would refuse a gift?” he asked skeptically, pale eyebrow raising. Azul was suspicious of gifts without a price attached, but on holidays where gift-giving was normal, that was different. He enjoyed receiving things.
“I believed,” Silver said, hesitantly, and for once his composure wavered, “that you might refuse. I noticed you’ve been watching me. Sebek said you smelled of desire, so I had hoped that you wouldn’t. But I was unsure…” He trailed off, a faint tinge of pink on his cheeks.
He’d been unsure if it was just physical.
The words hung between them as Azul’s cheeks darkened as well. It was mortifying how he’d been found out.
“I was under the impression,” Azul said slowly, “that your affections lay elsewhere.”
Silver’s expression shifted to something almost startled. “Why would you think that?”
“You’re…steadfast. Honorable. Kind…” Beautiful. The words fell from Azul's lips before he could call them back.
A small, almost shy smile touched Silver’s lips before his brow wrinkled again. “But why would that mean I would be interested in someone else?
Azul’s pulse thundered in his ears.
“You—” He stopped, recalibrated. “You are aware that I am not… uncomplicated.”
Silver tilted his head. “I never expected you to be.”
Azul laughed once, brittle. “Silver, I run a business built on contracts and leverage. I am ambitious. Manipulative.”
“You are hardworking,” Silver corrected gently, his hand coming up to cup Azul’s jaw. “Clever. Determined.”
“You make it sound admirable.”
“I think it is.”
Azul’s throat tightened.
“You deserve someone honest,” he said, the words dragged from somewhere raw. “Someone straightforward. Not someone who calculates interest on every interaction.”
Silver stepped closer still, until the space between them was as thin as paper, forehead pressing against Azul’s, wide sapphire blue eyes meeting the shifting colors of dawn.
“Azul,” he said softly, “do you think I don’t notice how you looked at me?”
Azul froze, hand gripping his sleeve as nerves rose, feeling a strong hand carding through his hair
“I thought,” Silver continued, “that perhaps I was mistaken. That I was imagining it.”
Azul flushed,
“You’re very transparent when you’re flustered.”
“I am not flustered.”
“You’re blushing.” Silver's smile, an amused smile and not the small, shy ones he usually favored people with, should be illegal.
Azul couldn’t think of anything to say, his quick wit failing him in the face of what he’d desired for so long. Normally, the more he wanted something, the quicker he thought.
All he could think of was that he didn’t want Silver to move.
But he did, and warm lips covered his own; he was glad for it.
The contact was warm, steady, and while the kiss itself was chaste, the soft nip at his lower lip as Silver withdrew promised more if he dared take it.
“I like you,” Silver said simply. “I have for some time.”
Azul didn’t feel the urge to search Silvers' face for mockery; he had watched him long enough to know he was above that.
“Why?” he asked, unable to stop himself.
Silver considered the question seriously.
“You listen,” he said. “Even when you pretend not to. You care about your dorm. You’re not as cold as you like to pretend. You’ve helped me when you could get nothing in return in the past. You work very hard to protect what’s yours.”
Azul’s heart clenched in his chest.
“And you’re beautiful,” Silver continued, voice softer,
Azul swallowed, old hurts rising like ghosts on the sea.
“That is ironic,” he murmured.”Considering you’ve never seen me as myself. I suppose this form I have crafted is attractive.” He looked at his hands, trying to pull his feelings back into a box. “But I’m sure you would find me without the potion repulsive.”
Silver’s eyes were steady. “I’ve seen you…”
Azul’s world came crashing down as he tried to figure out how Silver could have seen him as a mer. He, like many of the merfolk in Octavinille, went swimming in his true form. Potions weren’t meant to be used 24-7, but how, when would Silver have seen him?
“I told you, I’ve liked you for some time.” His arm slid around Azul’s waist to pull him closer. “I came to the Mostro Lounge to see you, but you weren’t always there. Jade took me on a tour a few weeks ago…He offered me a tour.” He tilted his head. “I think it may have been on purpose. He took me to one of the observation rooms that lets you look into the lake…You were amazing.” Azul could see nothing but honesty in his eyes, and he shrank from it.
“I…” he felt a finger at his lips to silence him, and his eyes narrowed.
“You’re beautiful no matter which form you’re in.”
Silver laughed quietly at the surprise on his face.
“I don’t mind your ambition,” he said. “I don’t mind you being sneaky.” He took a deep breath. “I just want you to try to be honest with me.”
Azul looked into his eyes and hesitated.
Honesty was expensive. Dangerous.
It made him vulnerable.
But Silver’s gaze didn't waver, steady and sure.
“I have been,” Azul admitted slowly, “infatuated with you for months.”
Silver’s eyes warmed, and Azul was thrilled to find that this close, the colors seemed to shift.
“I thought so.”
Azul narrowed his gaze. “You are insufferably calm about this.”
“Far from it, actually.” The smile was a little self-deprecating this time. “I asked Sebek to help me rehearse what to say…and I still didn’t stick to it.”
Azul stared.
“You… rehearsed?"
“Yes.”
Silver’s eyes flicked to the side. “You know I’m bad at…facial expressions. I didn’t want you to mistake my meaning.”
Azul felt something warm unfurl in his chest, remembering Silver coming to him for help with this very thing. Since them he’d realized that Silver was actually very expressive; he’d just been looking in the wrong place.
“Silver,” he took a deep breath, shoulders relaxing slightly. This was real. “If I accept this—if I accept you—this is not a trivial arrangement. I do not enter into partnerships lightly.” His lips quirked. “Unlike a contract, I stand to take a large loss if this doesn’t work out.”
Silver squeezed his hand, amusement in his eyes, though Azul could tell he understood. “Haven’t you ever taken a gamble when it’s worth it?”
The words struck deep.
When it’s worth it.
Was this worth it?
Azul breathed out, pushing his anxiety to the side.
“Then,” he said, “I suppose it would be foolish to decline.”
Silver’s answering smile was radiant.
Azul’s composure finally fractured when Silver leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
Heat flooded his face even though Silver had already kissed him once; the soft butterfly kisses trailing down his cheek to his lips were more… intimate, almost.
His eyes fluttered shut as those paused above his own again, hesitating.
Azul gripped the collar of Silver’s shirt.
“Don’t you dare.”
The chuckle that followed warmed him, as did the lips that finally pressed against his again.
The kiss was gentle at first—tentative, as though both feared the other might change their minds, but when Silver’s free hand on Azul’s waist, tugged him against his chest, something in Azul melted.
He had imagined this.
In fleeting moments, Azul had felt this in his daydreams.
He had imagined heat. Passion.
He had not anticipated safety and warmth.
When they finally parted, Azul’s glasses had slipped slightly askew.
Silver adjusted them carefully.
“You’re smiling,” Silver observed.
“I am not.”
“You are.”
Azul huffed. “If you tell Floyd, I will deny everything.”
Silver laughed softly.
“I won’t.”
There was a comfortable quiet then, threaded with something new.
“May I ask,” Azul said after a moment, “how long you’ve….felt this way about me?”
Silver’s expression turned thoughtful.
“Since you negotiated the deal with Malleus at the beginning of the year. You were very passionate.”
Azul blinked.
“That was about importing tea leaves from Briar Valley. He declined!”
“You looked happy. Like you were enjoying yourself.”
Azul felt heat creep up his neck again.
“I see.”
Silver’s smile turned impossibly fond.
Azul cleared his throat. “I suppose,” he said with forced dignity, “we should discuss terms.”
Silver raised a brow.
“Terms?”
“Yes. Expectations. Boundaries.”
Silver stepped closer until their foreheads nearly touched.
“My only terms,” he murmured, “are that you don’t swindle Malleus, and…you don’t push me away because you think I deserve better.”
Azul’s breath hitched; he knew the second was the more important. Silver knew that Azul wasn’t stupid enough to try to trap Malleus.
“That may be difficult,” he admitted.
“Then I’ll remind you,” Silver said gently.
Azul studied him for a long moment.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
“Very well.”
Silver leaned in again, and the slow, thorough kiss made Azul’s toes curl.
“Though… That’s for our relationship.”
Azul looked at him, blue eyes clouded in confusion.
“There are other boundaries we will have to discuss.”
Azul hadn’t realized Silver could look so evil, but he was fairly sure his face matched the Heartslabyul vests once he realized what he'd meant.
Silver just laughed softly.
“You realize,” Azul said, voice faintly breathless, “ That Floyd will be intolerable.”
Silver’s eyes glinted. “I don’t mind that. Jade already said he wants you happy, so he’d run some interference. He did say he couldn’t work miracles, though.”
Azul laughed—an unguarded, genuine sound.
“Very well,”
Silver brushed a thumb over Azul’s knuckles.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said.
Azul looked at him—at the steady warmth in his gaze, the quiet certainty.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he replied, feeling warm. “...You reserved a spot at the Mostro Lounge for us.”
“I did. I also arranged with Jade so you wouldn’t have to work tonight. You get to enjoy your event for once.”
Azul’s eyes widened. Silver really had thought this through.
He’d have to keep an eye on things from his table; he knew he wouldn’t be able to let it just ride. But it was thoughtful, and he’d enjoy it.
And when Silver kissed him again, he decided maybe it was worth it to take one night off.
* ***|>< ((*>****End****<*))><|*** *