That Night:

  Yuu: …

  Azul: Is that… a cat that looks like Vil Schoenheit?

  Yuu: I laughed too. Here are a few more…

  Azul: The one resembling Dire Crowley certainly gets extra points, but may I ask, what is the point of this, Yuu?

  Yuu: I… couldn’t sleep.

  Azul: It is late.

  Yuu: And you seemed particularly concerned this afternoon. Everything alright?

  Azul: I see. Always an ulterior motive.

  Yuu: Not always. Not with me. But, you’re deflecting.

  Azul: I am perfectly fine. So far, you’ve fulfilled every pertinent part of our deal.

  Yuu: It’s not just a deal, Azul. We are friends. You know, you could have just asked me to help you. I’m starting to wonder, if that wouldn’t have made it easier.

  Azul: So you DON’T need the potions kit.

  Yuu: Oh, I still do, but I just wanted you to know. If you were actually going to be disembowled by someone because you were trying to do something selfless for your dorm, you wouldn’t have to bribe me.

  Azul: And how did you know about the lungweed?

  Yuu: Jade.

  Azul: Traitor.

  Yuu: Friend. He definitely put you in a good light. Is that so bad?

  Azul: What would be ‘bad,’ would be preying on your sympathies to get free services.

  Yuu: I see.

  Yuu: You know, Azul, if you let people see this side of you more often, you wouldn't have to go buying a girlfriend for a month.

  Azul: I am not BUYING you. And, that would be terrible for business. I’m not completely selfless, you know. I, too, have no intention of delaying my studies on account of a plant.

  Yuu: Understood.

  Yuu: I’ve been wanting to say this, and it’s awkward, so I’ll just get it out of the way. Sorry for kissing you today. You seemed absolutely disgusted, and that’s not what…well, it’s not what a friend should do. I apologize. Officially. Formally. Send me to the gallows and all that.

  Azul: So dramatic. I just overheated. I am part marine animal, you know.

  Yuu:...overheated, you say?

  Azul: Why do I suddenly feel foreboding?

  Yuu: Because it’s late. And we should sleep. Good night, O Scheming One!

  Azul: …Good night.

  The Following Week:

  (Azul was getting desperate. He could feel himself losing control of the situation, and Yuu wasn’t making things any easier.)

  Azul: You’re getting too comfortable with this arrangement.

  Yuu: And you’re not comfortable enough. The whole point is to sell it, Zul.

  Azul twitched at the nickname but remained composed.

  Azul: Perhaps a monetary incentive would keep you focused on the goal rather than... amusing yourself at my expense.

  Yuu: Oh? You’re offering to pay me to be your doting girlfriend?

  Azul: A stipend for services rendered.

  Yuu: Ah, so an allowance. You’re a sugar daddy now.

  Jade buried his face in a pillow. Floyd openly howled.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Azul: Never. Say that. Again.

  Azul: If all of you can’t manage to take this seriously, I would remind you, the future of Octavinelle is riding on our success!

  Floyd: Right, Boss! Your canoodling decides the fate of our worlds, blah blah blah…

  Jade: Perhaps then, we should focus?

  Azul: I can’t stand this. It’s all just so…. Plastic.

  Floyd: I dunno, I liked the last one. Do it again, Yuu!

  Yuu: Sure. I’m absolutely crazy for you, Azul. I can’t wait to spend forever in your perfectly organized office.

  Azul: Azul: (pinching the bridge of his nose) It's supposed to be sincere, not a joke.

  Jade: (snickering to himself) "Sincerity is a rare quality in this room, I’ll grant you that."

  Azul: Enough. Floyd, go and get Yuu's dress sorted. I’m not letting Madame Urinthe see us in the state we're in.

  Floyd: (enthusiastically grabbing the proposed dress and running off to another room) "Don’t worry, Boss! We’ll have Yuu lookin’ like a snack!

  Yuu: Metaphorically?

  Floyd: You bet! You’re gonna be the main course!

  Azul: (Seriously, as he watches Floyd run off) "I need all of you to get it together right now. This is an important business meeting. If we fail, it’s not just my reputation on the line—it’s everything."

  Jade: (Grinning, sensing Azul's rising frustration) Well, no pressure then. Just everything.

  Azul: (not missing a beat, his tone smooth as silk) Precisely. And since when are you so aloof, Jade?

  Jade: It is all in the plan. Azul, you do realize you’re much more charming when you’re exasperated.

  Yuu: Hold on, both of you. Azul, we’ve been all around town taking pictures. You’ve briefed me and re-briefed me on what to say. You’ve negotiated a hundred meetings, a hundred times. This is no different, and it’s going to be fine. What you need to do is take a break.

  Azul: (Turning red.) A break? A BREAK! Nothing is ready! We have one day left to prepare!

  Jade: (Snickering, leaves the room after Floyd, and returns with tea.)

  Jade: Not to worry, Yuu! He always gets like this before a big one.

  Yuu: We have prepared, Azul. It will be enough.

  Azul: I do pride myself on my professionalism. But I assure you, if I wasn’t so refined, I might not be able to deal with you so easily.

  Yuu: (Stares, mouth open. It’s either the biggest compliment she’s ever heard, or the worst insult.)

  Azul: We still have no chemistry, Yuu. This was a mistake.

  Yuu: Seeing as you formed this deal over a potions set, I’d say it started on chemistry, actually.

  Azul: (Downs a teacup in one swallow.) This is a disaster…this is…it’s…

  Yuu: Azul? Azul are you okay?

  Azul: Fine. Fine, I’m…. (Sways on his feet and sits down hard.)

  Yuu: Jade, WHAT is in this tea??

  Jade: Nothing, nothing. Just a little relaxer. Speaking of which, wouldn’t you say you’ve been relaxing a lot with Azul lately?

  Yuu: (narrows eyes.) Yeah, it’s almost like we’re fake dating or something.

  Jade: (smiling as he leaves them alone in the room) Mmm, yes. Fake. Such a fragile word, isn’t it?

  Azul, very calmly, grips his pen so hard it nearly snaps in half.

  Azul: I am still perfectly lucid. (He slurs)

  Yuu: Right. Um. Azul, can I help you get to your room or anything? It looks like you need the rest… and to get whatever Jade just gave you out of your system.

  Azul. I am perfectly fine, I am—(he stands and stumbles.)

  Yuu: Yep! I’m taking you back. Guide me, alright? I don’t know which of the dorm rooms is yours. I’m guessing the one with flashy doors?

  Azul: Slow down, Yuu, let me just…Just… (He holds her face and brings it closer to his where he is standing)

  Azul: When you are too far away, there are three of you.

  Yuu: Three of me. Great. And they’re all telling you to go to bed.

  Azul: Three to one. That’s bullying.

  Yuu: You should really have a talk with Jade about that in the morning.

  Azul: (Still holding her face steady.) Yuu…. forget the deal. I’ll help you with exams, just… forget it all. This was….a terrible idea.

  Yuu: It might have been, but I still don’t like the idea of you doing this alone. (Leans her forehead against his.) You’re allowed to ask for help. You are. And there are plenty of people who care enough to give it to you.

  Azul: Jade. Floyd…sometimes.

  Yuu: Me. Grim, maybe… your dormmates know that you take care of them.

  Azul: I thought you didn’t… but no, you do mean that, don’t you. How odd.

  Yuu: (huffs a sigh) I’m insufferable, and I’m odd? I’m learning so much with you, Azul.

  Azul: (Begins tracing distracting circles on her jaw.) Yes…yes, so am I.

  (There is a beat of silence, where neither says anything, before Yuu decides he needs to get to bed.)

  Yuu: Azul, we’ve got to go. Get some rest tonight. Be your usual, sharp, charming self tomorrow, and—

  Azul: You think I’m charming?

  Yuu: I think…that you think you’re charming.

  Azul: And you?

  Yuu: … you are. You are when you’re being yourself. When you’re not trying to manipulate, or scheme, or plot. When you just… are. The best you, Azul, I’ve seen it when you’re being genuine. And you are terrified of being genuine.

  Azul: So…now?

  Yuu: I suppose, now, sort of. I don’t know if you being under the influence counts, so really, let’s get you to—

  And then, Azul kissed her. There wasn’t much distance to travel. He didn’t push, or try to abuse her trust. If anything, he could have stumbled into it on accident, as wobbly as his knees seemed to be. It was brief. Very brief—enough for her to wonder if had happened at all.

  Azul: I’ll get myself upstairs, thank you, Yuu. (He said it more steadily, but she almost didn’t believe him.)

  Yuu: Right…just don’t fall.

  Azul: (Smirking sadly.) Ah… if only. Until tomorrow, then.