Letters to Ear

After sifting a comb through his hair to clear out any knots, you set it down and stroke his hair one last time before getting up. Thinking you were both about to head to sleep, Jamil looks up at you, confused. “Where are you going, baby? Washroom?” 

You fight back the smile threatening to appear on your face and maintain a neutral look, eyes meeting Jamil’s inquisitive ones, “Hm, no. I think I’m gonna head back to my dorm tonight.” Jamil cocks one eyebrow, but sighs, “It’s late. I’ll walk you to your dorm." Huh, that was easier than you thought. Still, you’re mildly disappointed that he accepted your excuse so quickly…

Nonetheless, you move on to the second phase of your plan! “No, it’s alright, I’ll call you if I need anything.” You move to gather your things, and slowly move to the door, waiting for his response. Looking from where he’s lying on his bed, “If you wish. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” 

You set your hand on the doorknob, and bid him goodbye one last time, “Okay, I’m off Jamil!” 

“Mm, take care. Quiet on your way out, you might wake Kalim.” He stands up from the floor to move to his bed, getting himself ready to sleep. However, you aren’t satisfied with his response, because you couldn’t even execute the last part of your prank! “Jamil, I’m going now.” 

“Are you forgetting something?” Oh, is he falling for your bait? You turn around and meet his eyes once again, “No, I think I have everything I need.” Despite your words, Jamil switches his gaze to his table, where your phone is lying. “You have no more need for your phone then?” He smirks, amused by your forgetfulness. You, on the other hand, are utterly…flabbergasted. No way I actually forgot something?? So he didn’t fall for anything then???

You still make an effort to look composed, but Jamil notices how red the tips of your ears are getting, “Ah, that, I didn’t need it, but thanks for reminding me.” He chuckles at your indifference, “So, how were you planning to ‘call me if you needed anything?’ Did you plan to send me a message by pigeon?” Jamil smirks at you teasingly, his handsome features making your heart skip a beat…but no! You mustn't lose sight of your goal! 

“Aha! I was just testing you, you know…” you walk over to grab your phone from his desk, “Okay, I’m going for real this time. See you tomorrow Jamil!” You send him a little wave bye, before facing the door yet again. “Be safe, see you.” This is the third time he’s telling you goodbye, and his usual “I love you” is missing. Pranks aside, you feel like you’re the one getting tricked because he genuinely just forgot to say it three times…or so you think. 

Deciding to give up on teasing your boyfriend, you fold, saying, “‘Kay see you, I love you Jamil!”

“Yes, sleep well. Don’t run into trouble on your way out.” 

“Mhm, love you~.“

This time, he doesn’t say anything, and only hums in response. Now you just feel like you played yourself. You’ve already said it, so why isn’t he saying it back! 

“Jamil, why aren’t you saying it back?” You walk to stand in front of where he’s lying on his bed. Your boyfriend sits up, his face holding a neutral expression. However…you notice a mischievous glint in his eyes when he speaks, “Hm? Say what back, baby?” 

Ugh, he knows! 

“How did you find out?! I literally just thought of pranking you minutes ago, right before I faked my exit!!” Exasperated, you violently sit yourself at the edge of his bend, arms crossed. Jamil is tempted to push your buttons a bit more, but decides to end this. “Prefect, I knew the moment you stood up that you were up no good. Might I remind you that you have no choice but to sleep here, since Grim blew up Ramshackle the other day?” Thanks to your blue-flamed cat, Ramshackle had to be closed down for repairs for a few days, and Jamil offered his room for you to stay in for the time being…so…how’d you overlook that vital fact again?

“Blah, blah, just say you don’t love me anymore!” You huff, move your head away from him in an over-the-top manner, playing up the theatrics to cover up your embarrassment. When you peak an eye out to look at him, he’s already sitting next to you. “Don’t act angry with me now, you started this. Now that you’ve had your fun, let’s go to bed, hmm?” 

You look away, continuing to ignore him, but the hand on your chin forces you to meet his gaze again. He sighs, clearly tired from the day's events, but still chooses to indulge you, “Won’t you come to bed now, baby? I love you~” he teases, crooning into your ear. 

Hm. You can always try pranking him next time if it ends like this. 

You: Jade, are u there?  I wanna make truffle pasta, do u have extra?

Jade: Hello, Prefect.  It appears I do have some at hand. If you’re free, I can drop by your dorm and give it to you tonight. 

You: YAY  You’re a lifesaver Jade!!

Jade: Fufu, it is no problem, my dear.  I’ll see you later, I love you ~

Seeing his last reply, an idea pops into your head. It’s rare for him to tell you he loves you in words, but the opportunity to prank him has already presented itself…is it so wrong to plot against the master schemer? 

You close your phone and begin prepping the ingredients to cook the dish. Unbeknownst to you, your phone buzzes. 

Jade: Prefect? 

It’s unusual for you to leave him hanging, seeing as you usually return his affections without another thought. It‘s no matter, Jade thinks, if you’ve forgotten, he’ll just have to get a response from you in person. 

He smiles to himself, thinking of the adorable expression you make whenever you tell him you love him. He finds that he looks forward to hearing it from you again. 

At the appointed time, Jade prepares the mushrooms and makes his way to Ramshackle dorm, unaware of the little scheme you’ve made against him…

Your plan was simple, pretend to forget to tell Jade “I love you,” and act clueless towards his affections. It shouldn’t be too difficult if you set your mind to it, you’ll just have to somehow muster the resolve to defend yourself from his attacks…(read: one pout from your eel and you fold).

Hearing him knock on your door, you welcome him in as usual, “Jade! Thank you again for the mushrooms–I can try a new recipe now, hehe.” Seeing as he makes no move to come in or be on his way, you tell him, “Well, I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll see you later.” You stand on your tiptoes to plant a kiss to his cheek, leaving him stunned. 

Eyes wide open, Jade composes himself and sets a hand to his chin. “My, Prefect, you’re acting rather bold this evening. However, there is one thing you’re forgetting,” he muses, taking a step towards Ramshackle’s lounge. “It seems you’ve left our last exchange…unfinished.”

Smiling to yourself, you look at him with innocent eyes, “Hm? Is there something I missed? I’m sorry, I got caught up with cooking the pasta…” 

“It is quite alright, it only presents me an opportunity to hear it from you now, fufu.” Jade hides behind his hand as he chuckles, looking at you expectantly. You didn’t expect him to be so direct, but that’s Azul’s right hand for you, you guess. “Hear what exactly? Do you want me to sing you something? Lalalalala–” you begin, but your boyfriend quickly presses a finger to your mouth. 

“Oh, how you wound me, my dear. It seems that you haven’t picked up your phone, I presume?” He takes a step closer toward you, “I love you, dear Prefect~.” 

“Aw Jade, that’s so sweet of you!” you smile, moving away and entering the kitchen, “I’m not sure what you want, but would you like to cook with me tonight?” you offer, placing the mushrooms on the counter. 

Somehow, Jade winds up at your side, acting as your sous chef for the evening. Using his skills from managing Mostro Lounge, you find that the truffle pasta is done without a hitch. Setting the food on the table, the both of you sit down to enjoy your masterpiece. However, by the way he’s looking at you, it seems like this eel still wants something…

“Prefect, wouldn’t you say that we’ve done quite a wonderful job this time? I myself am looking forward to tasting the fruits of our efforts. Don’t you think so?” 

“I know, this looks so good!” you twirl your pasta around your fork and feed it to Jade, “Here, try some!” Used to your antics, your eel opens his mouth to try the dish.

“Mm, I might have to tell Azul to add this to Mostro Lounge’s menu, fufu. As always, I do love your cooking, Prefect.”

“Hehe, I’m just glad you like it!”

“I must say, I also love the way you look tonight. I find you in your loungewear utterly adorable.” You don’t know how he’s saying this was a straight face, but it makes your heart race a little…

“And Prefect,” he adds, “I do have an appreciation for your skill. It seems I find myself falling in love with you more after this evening.”

You respond with a very elegant, 

“AHAK–” choking on your pasta, you look up to see Jade smiling down at you, leaning on his palm. Why is he being so honest this evening, did Azul make him drink a truth potion?!

He gently pats down on your back, handing you a glass of water, “My dear, are you quite alright? I apologize if I have burdened you with my confessions…I just simply love you, is all.” He makes an apparent effort to look pitiful, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes downcast, but you know better than to believe his act. 

Gulping down the glass of water he offered you, you breathe out, “Jade? Is there something you want to tell me?” you meet him in the eyes, and he smiles at you politely, “Why are you being so sappy all of a sudden?” 

His eyes crinkle up in amusement, “Oh, it’s nothing, my dear. It just seems that you’ve been forgetting something this whole time…” 

The jig is up, you think. Admitting defeat (or victory, seeing as how far you pushed him?), you sigh out, “Okay, okay. I love you too, Jade.” Hearing your words, his face visibly lights up, his smile widening by 0.676767 millimeters.

“Well I’m glad to hear that you still return my affections, Prefect,” he takes an obvious glance at the lounge’s grandfather clock and sees that it’s already half past ten, “It seems that I may have overstayed my welcome, I believe I should be on my way.” Standing from his seat, he smoothens out his uniform and gives you a little bow, “I shall see you tomorrow, my dear.” 

So, this whole time…Jade was stalling long enough to hear you say “I love you” back? And successfully baited you into it as well?! 

No fair…well, at least you know how desperate he is to hear those words from you, despite how collected he seems on the outside. 

Before he takes a step out of the lounge, you wrap your arms around his middle, “Jade, you always tell me this, but between the two of us, you’re the one who’s cuter here~” 

“I have no idea what you’re referring to, my dear,” Jade turns to you and tucks a loose strand of hair behind your ear, “Goodnight, I look forward to seeing you in the morning,” he smiles. He opens your door and makes his way back to Octavinelle. 

As soon as he steps out of your gate, however, his phone lights up. He looks at it to see a message from you:

I was just kidding the whole time, I love you too Jade!