Chapter Text
The longer Riddle thought about it, the more it made sense. During his time at Night Raven College, he’d seen enough evidence to prove that Jade and Azul got on well. When he’d visited Octavinelle as a first year in order to dry off by running around the student lounge, Jade and Azul had greeted him.
Floyd had arrived on the scene later to cackle and record embarrassing videos, but that was beside the point.
He’d also quickly come to understand that Jade enabled and sometimes orchestrated Azul’s schemes. Orientation day at the beginning of Riddle’s second year might have been the most eye-opening example; he and Trey had witnessed Jade delivering highly sensitive information about the newly matriculated students to Azul, and then the two of them had shared a sinister laugh about how they could use that information against said students.
Then there had been October, when they’d both served on the school’s Halloween committee. Plus, the week before Halloween, Riddle had spotted them shopping together in Foothill Town.
Then there had been Beanfest. Riddle recalled the way Cater had talked about how focused Jade had been on Azul all during the festivities. (Likewise, Trey had said Rook had behaved similarly single-mindedly regarding Vil, but Riddle’s pondering today wasn’t about that particular housewarden and his vice.)
And then there was the photo Floyd had shared of Jade and Azul in their pyjamas—their suspiciously similar pyjamas.
Riddle had always just assumed that Jade and Azul were simply… close. After all, the two of them (plus Floyd) had all undergone massive changes, both physically and culturally. It made sense that such an experience would connect individuals. Besides, Riddle didn’t have much experience in the way of relationships of any kind. How could he have seen all of these things and put the pieces together when he himself had only just come to understand Floyd’s feelings for him?
Now, though, he knew exactly what was going on between Jade and Azul, and it was rather silly for them to continue on in such a way. As a housewarden and as a classmate (and, according to Floyd, as a future brother-in-law), Riddle felt it was his duty to correct Jade’s behavior. If the attraction between he and Azul truly was mutual, and Riddle felt confident based on the evidence that it was, then prolonging things by faffing about was both inconsiderate and unnecessary.
you gonna talk to him today?
Riddle sighed and locked his phone to dismiss the text notification from his boyfriend. Floyd hadn’t stopped asking when he’d confront Jade ever since Riddle had first brought it up. While Riddle recognized the conversation as a necessity, he didn’t exactly feel rushed about it. Plus, finding the right time to broach the subject had proven challenging between homework and club activities.
Not to mention the fact that Floyd wanted to be present for it. Some part of Riddle wondered if Floyd was setting him up to be the punchline of some kind of joke.
“Oh?” Jade murmured by his side as both of them packed their belongings after class. “Is my brother antagonizing you? I shall have to have a word with him.”
Riddle glared up at his classmate. “Why would you assume I’m receiving messages from your brother?”
Jade chuckled. “I can’t imagine you reacting with such annoyance to a text from Trey or Cater, and I find it hard to believe you’d regularly text anyone else.”
Somehow, that observation felt strangely backhanded.
Riddle turned his attention back to his books. “I’ll have you know it was from Floyd, but he isn’t antagonizing me. Not right now, anyway.”
“And yet, you quite enjoy being at the center of his attention.”
That was… partially true, Riddle would admit. Did he enjoy Floyd’s pestering during inopportune times or teasing about things Riddle deeply cared about? No. Had he come to realize that he liked feeling unconditionally wanted and appreciated by someone? Yes, very much.
He wouldn’t give Jade the satisfaction of being right, though.
“I hardly have a choice, do I?” Riddle said with a scoff.
“You chose to become his boyfriend,” Jade pointed out.
Riddle couldn’t help but smile at that word. “Again, I hardly have a choice but to accept his attention. He’s an attentive partner.”
“Oh, my. What a sweet smile.” Jade’s lips curved into a far less sincere smirk. “Has my dear brother softened the embodiment of the Queen of Hearts’ strictness to such a degree?”
At that, Riddle frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. If I was worried that Floyd would impede my ability to fulfill my role as a housewarden, I never would have agreed to entering into a relationship with him.”
“Of course. My apologies for implying otherwise.”
He didn’t look sorry at all.
Riddle’s phone buzzed again. He held it up and watched as multiple messages popped onto his screen.
you talkin to him now?
without me???
:(
Jade chuckled, and Riddle’s eyes shifted toward his classmate once again. “As long as he’s having fun, I suppose.” With that, Jade picked up his bag and headed toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Riddle. Have a good evening.”
Riddle sighed once again. Floyd and all his quirks were one thing, but Jade’s brand of pushing others’ buttons annoyed in completely different ways.
He just left. We didn’t discuss the issue at hand.
Riddle paused after replying to Floyd. If he could just convince Jade to confess to Azul, perhaps he’d be too preoccupied with his own relationship to spare Riddle any thought.
The sooner that might happen, the better.
Are you available tomorrow morning before classes start? We could talk to him then.
yessssssssssssssss!!!
this is gonna be good lol
Riddle pocketed his phone with a little chuckle. Even though Floyd had told him how much he looked forward to seeing his brother under pressure, Riddle felt fairly sure that Floyd also wanted to see Jade happy. If it took an intervention to get Jade to confess to Azul, so be it.
Another vibration prompted Riddle to check his phone again, and he rolled his eyes at the message he’d just received.
jade just messaged me
said i was annoying you :(
And you believed him?
The next morning, Riddle waited rather impatiently for a certain trio of mermen to arrive in the mirror chamber. Typically, Riddle didn’t delay his early arrival to class, even if it meant not getting to see Floyd until after first period. Today, however, he and his boyfriend (and Riddle still couldn’t believe he had one of those in the first place) had plans.
Just when he started to wonder if this little scheme would make him late to class, a familiar face stepped through Octavinelle’s mirror.
“Ah, Riddle! Good morning!”
“Good morning, Azul.”
Moments later, another came into view.
A look of surprise flashed across Jade’s face for a millisecond only to be replaced with a wry grin. “Oh? I suppose this explains someone’s inordinately good mood this morning.”
Before Riddle could ask what he meant by that, the third member of the trio came through and barreled towards him. “Goldfishie!” Floyd wrapped his arms around Riddle, pinning Riddle’s own arms by his side, and lifted him up in a tight hug. “Good mornin’!”
“Put me down!” Riddle commanded, kicking his feet.
Floyd did what he was told with a little laugh. “Whaaat?” he drawled. “I’m just glad to see ya.”
“Yes, and I’m trying to keep you from wrinkling my uniform.” After Riddle made a show of straightening his jacket, he looked up and met his boyfriend’s eyes. “Good morning.”
He glanced around the mirror chamber and suddenly realized that neither Azul nor Jade had waited for them. Not wanting to lose his opportunity, Riddle grabbed Floyd’s wrist and pulled him along.
As they emerged from the chamber building, Riddle didn’t try to completely catch up to Jade and Azul—he didn’t want them to suspect anyone was plotting anything. Instead, he brought himself and Floyd a few strategic paces behind them on the walkway.
Floyd snickered, earning him a quick glare from Riddle. “What?”
“You’re just funny sometimes,” Floyd answered with a grin. “You’re funny a lot of the time.”
“And what exactly have I done that’s so ‘funny’ now?”
“You said no holdin’ hands ‘til you were ready.” Floyd glanced down at Riddle’s hand still wrapped around his wrist. “So I guess you’re ready now.”
Riddle released Floyd’s wrist as if he’d just found out it was covered in poisonous potion-making ingredients. That only made Floyd chuckle again.
It wasn’t that Riddle didn’t want to hold Floyd’s hand. He just… didn’t quite know how yet. Obviously, he knew physically how to hold another person’s hand. But he was Riddle Rosehearts: housewarden of Heartslabyul and top student in his class. He knew exactly how to be that Riddle. Riddle Rosehearts, the affectionate boyfriend and cherished friend… well, he was still getting to know that Riddle and figure out how he factored into his identity overall.
Thankfully, Floyd rolled with the punches (sometimes literally) and could be surprisingly patient. It was one of the reasons why Riddle had finally decided to give him a chance as a romantic partner.
Floyd also liked to test the boundaries that Riddle set forth, which is exactly what Riddle knew he was doing when he felt Floyd’s fingers interlace with his.
He flinched, but didn’t try to pull away. “What if a Heartslabyul student sees?” he whispered, more to himself than anything.
Floyd answered anyway. “Then I guess it’s ‘off with your head!’”
Riddle smirked. One of the other reasons why Riddle liked Floyd as a boyfriend: he fully embraced his temper and didn’t treat it like a flaw.
Riddle was shaken from that thought by Floyd’s elbow knocking against his own followed by Floyd pointing ahead. Sure enough, directly in front of them on the path, Jade and Azul walked side by side, just as they’d stood in the photo Floyd had sent of them from the washroom. Azul was chatting away as usual—probably laying out some wicked scheme, Riddle thought—while Jade occasionally nodded and contributed a word or two. Most importantly, Jade hadn’t stopped smiling.
Jade smiled often. In fact, it might have been rarer to see him without a smile that barely concealed some sort of ill intent. But the smile on his face whilst listening to Azul looked different. For once, Jade looked genuinely happy. Had he always looked like that when Azul was around? It wasn’t like Riddle had ever paid any attention to the subtle differences in his classmate’s facial expressions.
“Disgusting, ain’t it?” Floyd muttered. “They’ve been like that forever. The only reason Jade even wants to live on land is ‘cause of Azul.”
“Even in your dream,” Riddle pondered.
Floyd shrugged. “Who knows where those two were in my dream. I just sorta figured Jade was wherever Azul was. Y’know, because he’s always wherever Azul is.” He frowned down at Riddle. “You shoulda seen Jade’s dream. His brain turned me into some kind of crappy cartoon character, but the Azul he dreamed up was all handsome and goo-goo-eyed. Jade had his dream man fawning all over him. He even called Jade cute!”
“Cute?” Riddle raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Floyd groaned. “Even in his dream it didn’t seem like he’d made a move. He was just happy to have Azul calling him his ‘cute little subordinate.’ Sick creep.”
This really had gone on for far too long, Riddle thought.
Eventually, Azul parted with the rest of the group to make his way towards his homeroom. Only then did Jade wait for Riddle and Floyd to catch up to him.
“Ah, is Floyd joining us for class today?” Jade beamed at his brother. “I’m surprised you haven’t done so sooner now that things are official with Riddle.”
“He is not,” Riddle answered. “He has his own classes to attend, and I’ll not be responsible for him missing them.”
Floyd pointed a thumb at Riddle and flatly added, “Yeah, that.”
Jade just chuckled. “What a well-behaved boyfriend you’ve turned out to be, Floyd.”
Floyd scowled, and Riddle quickly added, “However, he will be joining us for a few minutes before class. Shall the three of us speak in the hallway?”
“Oh?” Jade tilted his head. “What’s the occasion?”
Riddle waited until they had gathered outside class 2E’s homeroom, Floyd and himself facing Jade, whose back was to the wall—exactly where Riddle wanted him.
“Jade, it has come to my attention that you’ve repeatedly failed to accept responsibility for your actions.”
Floyd immediately began to cackle, though Riddle wasn’t quite sure why. Jade, on the other hand, looked absolutely perplexed. “Pardon?”
“I understand that the Sea Witch was not a queen, thereby she did not have a loving king by her side like the Queen of Hearts, however—” Riddle paused to huff at Floyd. “What’s gotten into you!? I fail to see what would make you guffaw so!”
Floyd wiped a tear from his eye, although his laughter only slowed. “Oh, man! Oh… Oh, Goldfishie! You’re makin’ it sound like he’s got some kinda deep dark secret! But—” Riddle had lost him to laughter again.
Riddle did his best to return to his train of thought. “While the Sea Witch was not a queen, she is a highly venerated figure and would therefore have deserved a devoted partner, royalty or otherwise.”
Jade crossed his arms, a clear admission of guilt if Riddle had ever seen one. “That’s… intriguing,” he finally said. “I’m moved that you’ve taken an interest in tales of the Sea Witch, but I’m not sure what it has to do with me.”
“It has everything to do with you!” Riddle stamped his foot, frustrated with both eels he was trying to converse with. He glared at Floyd again, who he was certain would pass out if he didn’t take a breath. “Would you stop your incessant laughter!?”
He didn’t stop, but he at least slowed down.
Riddle turned back to Jade. “In much the same way that I embody the Queen of Hearts at this school, Azul is, in a sense, your Sea Witch. It is a disservice and an affront to him for you to fall in love with him and not act upon it.”
Jade flinched and his eyes grew wide.
“He got ya, Jade,” Floyd said with a smirk.
“I believe you’re mistaken.” Jade turned to leave. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I don’t wish to be late to class.”
Before Jade could get away, Riddle added, “It’s equally rude for you to ignore his affections as well!”
That stopped Jade in his tracks.
“Isn’t reciprocity Azul’s modus operandi?” Riddle asked. “If he wishes to bestow you with love, then it is your responsibility to either politely decline or return it in kind, is it not?”
Jade very obviously forced a smile. “Azul believes that attachment is an illogical sentiment.”
“Man, whatever,” Floyd groaned. “You and I both know Azul says dumb stuff like that to keep up his hardcore businessman image.”
“Floyd,” Jade warned.
Floyd promptly ignored that warning. “C’mon. You’re the first person he goes runnin’ to for everything. You’re his vice housewarden. You’re the one he makes sketchy potions with. Are you too scared to do anything about it, or are you just too stupid to see it?”
“To an outsider, you and your brother are total opposites,” Riddle added. “Even I’ll admit that I held that misconception at one time. However, you’re surprisingly similar in the way you show affection. Floyd used to drive me mad with his teasing and pestering. Now I know it was all just his way of expressing his interest.”
Riddle took a deep breath and continued. “Loathe as I am to admit it, Azul and I have quite a bit in common as well. If he truly did not care for you and your ways, he would have dismissed you years ago.”
Jade looked him up and down, as if scanning Riddle’s entire body for a weakness to exploit. However, Riddle held his ground and didn’t allow himself to be intimidated.
Finally, Jade said, “Regardless of how you wish to define my feelings for Azul, platonic or otherwise, he would never accept a confession of love from someone. Not from me or anyone else in Twisted Wonderland.”
“Like that’s ever stopped you,” Floyd quipped. “He rejected us every day for weeks when we first met him, but he eventually caved, and now we’re all here living on land together.”
Jade narrowed his eyes at his brother, once again looking like he might lash out at any second, even though Riddle felt sure it would take more than that to truly make Jade that angry.
“I’ve seen how the two of you act around one another,” Riddle said. “It’s quite obvious the attraction is mutual. I expect to hear some happy news someday soon. Do I make myself clear?”
Jade closed his eyes for a moment, and when he reopened them, his usual smile had returned. “I’m moved by your concern, Riddle. How fortunate I am to have such a sympathetic classmate.” With that, he took his leave.
Once Jade had entered the classroom, Floyd snickered again. “That was awesome. Thanks, Goldfishie.”
“Why do I get the feeling you merely used me to rile your brother up?”
Floyd snorted. “Nah. I mean, yeah, seein’ him get all freaked out ‘cause of you lecturin’ him was great, but he really does need to get over himself and tell Azul how he feels.”
Riddle sighed. He hadn’t expected the conversation to be that intense, but it seemed to have had its intended effect.
Suddenly, he remembered that Floyd wasn’t normally with him at this hour. “You have to go to class!” he scolded. “I’ll not be responsible for your tardiness!”
“Yeah yeah.” Floyd waved his hand dismissively. “Thanks for givin’ me somethin’ fun to think about all day.” He leaned over and planted a kiss right on the top of Riddle’s head before taking off down the hallway. “See ya later, Goldfishie!”
Riddle couldn’t find it in himself to tell Floyd not to run indoors. He merely smiled at the residual feeling of Floyd’s lips on him.
As Floyd rounded the corner out of sight, Riddle felt his pocket buzz. He removed his phone and smiled even wider at the text he’d just received:
miss you alreadyyyyyyyyyy <3
Riddle gave that message a heart.
you’re never gonna believe this lol
Riddle sighed as he picked his phone up off his bed. He’d just finished wrapping his dressing gown around himself so he could settle in for some nice, cozy reading to end his day. If he responded right away, it could eat into his quiet time before bed. But, if he didn’t, it might make Floyd feel neglected.
Or Floyd would continue to text him anyway. He might as well respond now and save himself the annoyance.
What is it?
i just saw jade and azul
smoochin
in one of the washroom stalls
lmao
Riddle’s eyes widened with shock. So soon? They’d just spoken to Jade about the whole thing that morning!
That didn’t take long.
i told ya already
azul likes jade too
has for a while
The way Floyd’s texts kept coming in rapidfire bursts, Riddle could tell he was happy. And, for that matter…
I’m happy for them. Maybe this will help them to both become better versions of themselves.
Riddle smiled at the thought. He certainly felt like he’d grown as a person thanks to Floyd’s affection. As the three dots appeared to show Floyd was typing a response, he hoped Floyd would say he felt the same.
Of course, just because he’d become a better version of himself, Riddle was still Riddle. Likewise, Floyd was still Floyd.
nah
they’re not gonna make anybody better
they’re just gonna make each other worse lol