Chapter Text
If there was one thing Azul Ashengroto loved, it was being the one in control. The second thing the Octavinelle HouseWarden loved was Idia Shroud. Why not combine the two the greedy mer thought one afternoon during board game club. He was currently winning the latest round of Uno he was playing with the anxious Shroud. Getting to sit across from Idia multiple times a week Azul was able to appreciate his unique appearance. Even though the gamer was very insecure about his unusual looks the Octavinelle HouseWarden found them quite alluring. The only change Azul would want to see on the Ignihyde HoseWarden is some more meat on his bones.
Although Idia always wore baggy and loose clothes whenever he could it didn’t hide the fact how thin he was, and Azul was going to make sure he filled out. The octopus mer had the perfect plan.
“Uh, Azul-shi, are you going to put a card down? You’ve been staring at your hand for 45 seconds. The future head of S. T. Y. X. asked concerned. “Or are you just trying to prolong your inevitable loss? Or perhaps Azu-shi.exe has stopped running and he needs to be restarted because your brain can’t comprehend my amazing strategy?” Idia bragged making his signature I am superior face.
“Oh, I was just momentarily lost in thought—no need to worry. The Octavinelle HouseWarden assured his opponent. “Also I’ll skip you and you draw 2.”
~
It was towards the end of the following club meeting Azul had his plan in motion. He just needed that blue-haired weirdo(affectionate) to take the bait.
“Idia, I have something for you,” Azul explained as was folding a game board to put it back in its box.
“What? And if it’s not good luck from the gacha gods then I'm not interested.”
“Oh? So, you’re not interested in an advanced copy of this year's most anticipated game?” The octopus-mer asked, pulling out a disc in a clear case that was previously hidden from view. “As I understand, the game isn’t officially being released in a physical format, so only a few of these exist.”
The Ignihyde HouseWarden gave no response for several moments. He looked like he was debating whether or not to grab the game and run. He was definitely not an athlete but Azul wasn’t either. Even if Idia did succeed in running away with the game Azul would no doubt sick the eels on him.
“What do you want for it?” Idia finally asked not making eye contact with the Octavinelle HouseWarden, instead playing with the ends of his sleeves. “Must be a big deal for you to go out of your way to get it.”
“Being as benevolent as I am, all I want in exchange is for you to visit the Monstro Lounge a few times a week and keep me company between clients,” Azul informed the blue-haired otaku. “I would also appreciate it if you participated in the occasional taste test for when we add items to our menu.”
“Fine, but I get to hang out in your office because no way am I going to spend time in a crowded place full of normies.”
“That was already my plan.” The Monstro’s owner said holding out the game. “I want you to come by this Saturday. It would be best if you came around five to avoid the dinner rush.”
“Also make sure to show up or I’ll have to send you a physical reminder,” Azul warned as Idia snatched the game and started to leave.
~
Later that evening Azul could barely contain the excitement he felt at the success of the first part of his plan. He couldn’t wait to see the effects of that game this Saturday, because unknownst to the gamer the game had been modified to contain a set of subliminal messages selected by Octavinelle’s HouseWarden himself. The subliminals were subtle. Not only because the mind would accept them easier but Azul wanted Idia to give in to his new urges on his own. the octo-mer was just giving him a little help to start. Azul fell asleep imagining how the weight would settle on the person of affection. Would mainly he carry the weight on his stomach? His hips and thighs? Or would it be more evenly distributed? Azul couldn’t wait to find out.
~
Meanwhile in the bedroom of the Ignihyde Dormleader was starting up a new save file on his new game. The graphics were much improved from the predecessor but it still had the charm of the original. The animations were also much smoother. The updated combat system was much more enjoyable. The story was ok. Idia thought it still had the potential to get better but he was going to hold out hope, so he decided to go to bed for tonight. The otaku was getting a bit of a headache anyway. He had been playing for several hours and it wasn’t that unusual for him to get a headache when his avatar moved around a lot.
~
When Saturday night came Idia was surprised that he wasn’t that anxious about it. Maybe it was because even if the Octavinelle Dormleader could be slimy, Idia was more comfortable with him than almost all of the student body. It could also be that the future Director of S.T.Y.X. was glad that his brother seemed so proud of him for going out on a Saturday. Azul-shi had sent him a text letting him know he was feeling generous tonight, so dinner would be free of charge and reminded him to bring his headphones. The idea was that the otaku would put on his headphones when clients came to make deals. Idia agreed because he was way too introverted to care about other people’s drama anyway.
When the Ignihyde HouseWarden arrived at the Monstro Lounge he was thankful that Azul-shi had been correct about the lounge not being too busy at this time. Idia knocked at the office hoping he wasn’t interrupting. Idia expected to wait at least a few seconds for the door to open but Idia hadn’t even knocked twice when the otco-mer opened the door with a pleased smile on his face.
“Oh good, you’re right on time,'' Azul-shi said with a smile Idia had never seen before. “I also had Floyd prepare you something to eat in advance in case you’re hungry.”
That’s when the gamer looked at the table in the office. It looked like there was enough food to feed Kalim’s whole family.
Seeing Idia’s shocked expression the Octavinelle HouseWarden explained that Floyd was in a productive mood and there was no stopping the eel when he was having a mood. The older Shroud agreed that it did seem like something Floyd would do. Glancing at the food again Idia suddenly felt very hungry. He chalked it up to the only thing he’d eaten today being a stale pop-tart and not his mind being subconsciously altered.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind trying some. I have heard that Floyd's great cooking skills may be on par with Cooking Mama.”Idia shared feeling hungry every second they stood in the doorway.
“Well then let’s get you dished up.” The lounge owner said, guiding his blue-haired future boyfriend to the table.
The first dish Idia started with was a shrimp scampi pasta at Azul-shi's suggestion. As soon as the otaku took a bite he decided that if this was in a video game it would definitely be a five-star buff. It surprised the older Shroud because he had always preferred sweet over savoury foods, but this could be the best thing he ever tasted. After finishing the shrimp scampi Idia still felt like he was starving, which was a strange feeling for him.
Idia didn’t normally have a large appetite or an appetite in general. Ortho always had to remind his brother to eat because he often forgot to. His body must’ve adapted to his eating habits from when he was younger. But currently, the Ignihyde Dormleader was confident he could consume at least 30% of the food on the table. Azul wasted zero time serving him his next plate. This time it was full of risotto and salmon. Idia didn’t waste any time shovelling the salmon in his mouth as soon as it was placed in front of him.
The gamer was too engrossed with the food to notice the very self-satisfied smile the octo-mer had on his face. Idia was also none the wiser to the fact that Azul had added some appetite enhancers to the first few dishes he served, as well as something to help Idia get a good night's sleep in some of the later dishes. Azul just couldn’t help himself. He wanted an excuse to have his blue-haired affection sleepover. The Octavinelle leader had planned to text Ortho that Idia would be spending the night after he fell asleep.
Azul was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of a fork scraping against a plate. Idia was just finishing up his second dish not leaving even a grain of rice on the plate. The octo-mer started getting the third dish of coconut mussel curry ready. Azul also decided he would pour his future boyfriend a glass of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. Azul thought his lovely little flame still had quite a few dishes left, so he would get thirsty at some point. If the beverage happened to make him burp occasionally then that was a bonus.
~
The Octavinelle HouseWarden noticed that Idia was starting to slow down half the way through, so Azul decided he would move on to the desert. He didn’t want his blue-haired affection getting sick and connoting eating with feelings unwell. When Idia was finished with his lobster Mac and cheese, Azul took the now empty plate and set it aside, before setting the cake in front of the older Shroud.
“Have room left?” The octo-mer asked Idia with a challenging smirk.
At this point, Idia was beginning to feel full, but the cake looked so delicious. It was a strawberry shortcake. It was a lighter dessert and the Ignihyde HouseWarden did like how much cream seemed to be in between the cake layers. Plus the face Azul-shi was making was annoying and he wanted to prove him wrong.
“I still have open slots in my stomach’s inventory, so bring it on” Idia challenged back.
The blue-haired otaku was three-fourths through the cake when he could barely keep his eyes open. He was falling into a food coma he guessed because he had never even imagined eating this much food. Idia took a sip of the cider and let out a small burp. Normally he would have been extremely embarrassed but he was too tired to react. The only evidence that he was particularly embarrassed was the slight pinkening of the ends of his hair. The gamer lay down on the seat cradling his bloated belly. Idia was shocked at how large his normally concave stomach was now. He fell asleep with his arms still wrapped around his stomach.