Azul

I read from someone on here (can't remember who someone tell me if they know) that Azul would really be into the Forever Float tradition because of the prestige (and free advertising) it provide. He'd also show off how great he's become, which is a bonus, and I am inclined to agree because that feels very Azul, but also I really like the idea of Azul being a bit of a groomzillla lol.

Azul plans everything with such precision, from the catering to the outfits to the ship down to the last flower on the Forever Float. He's well aware that it's a rare event, the two of you are most likely the only couple that will hold the tradition this year! Not to mention that the invitees include both royals and celebrities. Which means eyes will be on you two!

He's honestly taken over the planning to the point that you're a bit on the sidelines, which may or may not be a good thing depending on how into wedding planning you are yourself.

If you're relatively chill, then you'll find yourself at your fiance's side most of the time as he takes care of wedding planning, turning to you to give a smile and ask if there's anything else you wanted (especially traditions from your home), even if it's been a pattern that you're happy with whatever he wants.

If you're someone who is much more involved, you might but heads a bit more. Azul is very much a planner and has no doubt been planning this wedding for ages. Whether that means he started the moment he started having a crush or the moment you agreed to be his partner is between him and the Sea Witch. In any case, it's going to be a bit of a give and take in a rather funny way:

"Of course I will be in charge of the catering, it's a given—" "Okay, but not the cake. I wanna do the cake!" "Well, I do believe any dessert falls under catering." "Nuh-uh, cake's it's own thing. And I'm the one who's friends with a baker anyways!" "Okay, then I'll take care of the venue." "Aw, but I wanna pick that too!"

It works out as you two divide and conquer the wedding planning, though you make sure that Azul is okay with having a photographer before reserving one. All these years, he's still not fond of having his picture taken, but he won't deny that he'd like to have physical proof of the way you look at him adoringly. Just don't mention that he does the same…

Both Mrs. Ashengrotto and Georgina Leech assist, the former mostly strong arming Azul into letting her help and the latter guilting persuading him into letting her organize the pre-wedding ceremony. It doesn't surprise him that she asked Jade and Floyd to play the role of morays once again. It surprises him even less that they accepted with eagerness. Your own friends also partake on boats of course, it actually almost caused a fight between everyone as they argued as to why they should be the ones to turn you and Azul (mostly Azul) overboard.

Ace, Grim, and Deuce of course were the ones you asked to participate, and were especially eager to find a way to tip over the float for revenge from the contract fiasco. If you get caught in the crossfire? Well, you're very good natured at least.

Even if it's technically good luck for the couple to have their boat successfully tipped over per the old fairytale, Azul really doesn't want to, one—give the twins and your friends the satisfaction—and two—get your guys' very nice and expensive clothes soaked in sea water.

"You know we're supposed to be whispering sweet nothings to each other, right?"

Azul hummed, eyes darting around the cove at every splash and sound, more focused on ensuring the boat stayed steady. Harder said than done when Jade and Floyd were still in the game.

"Azul?"

"Mm."

"Azuuul?"

"Mm-hm…""

"Zuzuuu?"

"Of course dear…"

You huffed as Azul absentmindedly nodded along to your calls, deciding that he couldn't ignore you if you simple tossed yourself into his arms.

"Ack!" Or tried to, seeing as both were preoccupied with rowing. The rowboat shook, titling slightly as all the weight focused in on one side while you turned over to lay against his chest with a cheeky smile.

"Oh finally. And here I though I wouldn't be fighting for my own future husband's attention on our wedding day!"

Azul sighed, looking down at you with a mix of embarrassment and fondness.

"Apologies, Angelfish. I am just making sure that we don't get go overboard."

"Isn't it supposed to be good luck if we do get turned over?"

Azul frowned, his lips thinning, as he replied, "Well, it's only a story, and I don't need lu—"

"Oh, so you don't love me then?"

"WHAT?" Azul's voice went shrill, boat shaking from his sudden movements as he grabbed your cheeks and squeezed. "How could you ever—"

"Noooo, no, no. You more worried about getting wet, you don't care about having a good marriage. A lucky marriage." You couldn't help but snort a laugh, fake pouting as Azul narrowed his eyes at you. "I see how it is."

"Dearest."

"Mm."

"Darling."

"Mm-hm."

"Angelfish."

"Yes, dear?"

"I don't need luck for our marriage. I know I will keep you content and loved until the day I let you go."

You raised a brow and clicked your tongue, "You plan on letting me go?"

Azul gave you a sly smile as he leaned down to brush his lips on your forehead in a soft, fleeting kiss. Then another on your nose. Then hovered over your lips.

"No."

His soft gray strands tickled your skin as he kissed you as you smiled leaned up just enough to return his upside down kiss with one of your own.

"Aw, ain't they cute Jade?"

Both of you whipped your heads up to look at the other end of the boat, now level as the twins rested their arms on the edges as they grinned and snickered.

"Adorable. What a sweet couple."

"I bet they'd be even cuter soaking wet, yeah?"

"Agreed, shall we?"

Azul could only let out a beginnings of a, "Do NOT!" before the twins promptly and giddily tossed the other end of the boat up, making the entire thing practically turn 180 degrees as you both fell backwards into the water, abandoned by the twins as they swam of cackling.

At least Azul can take solace that he'll have that extra bit of luck in the marriage.

Jade

"There aren't many merfolk who come onto land, much less marry a land-dweller... Heh heh, some merfolk have curious taste." And here he is marrying you. Look who's talking bitch!!!

Jade is the most excited of the three to have this ceremony, he definitely made sure that your float would be a gondola, decorated to the nines. Never did he think he'd be on the other side of the ceremony, but isn't it just exciting?

Jade has the luck of having his mother eagerly plan much of the wedding, in part because it needs to be perfect as many of the family's business partners and acquaintances will be attending, but also because she's already done so before. She did say that when moray merfolk conduct the ceremony, it's a highly formal affair. But now she's especially excited to be planning a wedding and Forever Float for one of her own sons!

It might be a bit surprising for someone like Jade, but he's rather content to let his mother and you take the reins of the wedding planning as long as he can get his gondola and force provide everyone with mushroom based dishes for the reception. In fact, Jade himself happily provides the cooks with mushrooms he sourced himself! From where? What kind? Oh, it's a surprise! Rest assured they're not dangerous to consume, he'd never forgive himself if he made you sick on your wedding day! Hm? Oh, yeah and the rest of the guests too, sure.

He's not kidding, by the way, everything has mushrooms in it. Crab-stuffed mushrooms for the appetizer and chicken marsala for the main (guess what the sauce has in it). Did you know that there are coffee, teas, and cocktails that can be made with mushrooms? If you didn't don't worry Jade is making sure all the guests know with a giddy smile. He honestly wouldn't have gone all in with the mushrooms if Floyd and Azul didn't make a comment.

"I don't care if it's your wedding, I'm not eating anything with mushrooms in it." "Is that so?" Que the weeks leading up to the big day: "Jade, what the FUCK, Mama said everything has mushrooms in it you bitch!"

"I know it's your big day, but please refrain as much as you can from taking advantage of us. I still have nightmares from our time at school." "Of course, if you'd prefer I could change the appetizer to carpaccio." "Oh, that sound delish—" "I do greatly enjoy octopus carpaccio after all, what do you think?" Azul does not think very positivily about it.

The only thing he doesn't manage to put actual mushrooms in is the dessert, though you do indulge him with fondant mushrooms and foliage on the cake and little mushroom shaped cookies. He thinks it's very cute and is quite happy for all his mushy themed cuisine, the glutton he is.

Happy or not, Floyd and Azul are now on the warpath and that path just happens to be your darling gondola during the pre-wedding ceremony. In Jade's defense, he thinks it's funny.

"I don't think Floyd and Azul think it's funny hon, I think they're actually gonna try to drown you."

Jade was still smiling as he rowed farther into the cove, the long strands of the willow tree blowing gently as if to curtain you from the outside world.

"They'll get over it. It's either that, or they get a scolding from Mother, and they do so hate to get her angry." His smile turned sharper as he glanced behind you. "Besides, I saw Azul's boat overturn on top of Floyd in his attempt to toss us over, I imagine they'll be preoccupied for a bit, and we'll be back at the dock by then."

You shook your head fondly, rubbing a petal from one of the many flowers wrapped around the gondola.

"You just like pushing their buttons, such a jerk."

Gasping, light and soft, Jade paused rowing to hold a (faux) scandalized hand to his chest.

"Why, how cruel. My dearest, darling, sweet pearl of my heart, calling me such names!"

He wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye as he pouted and batted his eyes at you.

"And on our wedding day, no lest. Why, I may simply never recover!"

Rolling your eyes, you played along, sighing as you clasped your hands together as if praying for forgiveness.

"Oh, my poor fragile husband-to-be, forgive my words" You leaned in close and cooed. "What does he need to make him feel better?"

Jade pretended to ponder as resumed rowing, eyes darting around at the sound of rippling water.

"Well, since you're so kind to offer…perhaps my pearl will grace me with a kiss?"

You chuckled, carefully making your way to Jade's side of the gondola, no help from him as he "accidently" pushed the oars too quickly, making you stumble. At your glare, Jade smiled and tilted his head in innocence, looking up at you as you hovered over him, balancing carefully. He looked expectant, and eager if you knew how to look at the way his eyes shone, and tilted his head up, eyes closing as you leaned in, only to dodge his lips and peck his cheek.

"There, do you feel be—eeAH!"

No, Jade did not evidently feel better, as he opted to free a hand to quickly, almost viciously, wrap around your waist and press your lips together in a passionate kiss. Dare you say it was almost longing. You couldn't help laugh and smile into the kiss, Jade's own quirking up at your mirth, wrapping your arms around him as melting into the kiss.

You'd almost forgotten the point of being on this boat, if not for the sound of a familiar eel gagging and letting out an, "Ewgh." That, and also Jade rapidly using the oar still in his hand to smack Floyd on the side of his head.

"OW! What the FUCK Jade?"

"Apologies," Jade murmured, barely moving his head to separate your lips as he gave his brother smile. "But I just couldn't have you interrupting, you understand, yes? Now shoo."

To no one's surprise, Jade had snuck his magipen with him, most likely planning this exact scenario. He casted small, harmless burst of wind magic to push Floyd away (who was cussing him out, specifically calling Jade, "a fucking cheat"), squeezing you tighter.

"Now then, I do believe I am still owed the rest of my apology."

Unfortunately for Jade, that apology would have to wait, as you both cried out as the gondola suddenly shook. Black and purple tentacles curling around the edges as you were lifted up in the air, and unceremoniously tossed out.

Luckily, Jade held onto you as you splashed into the water, still smiling and deciding to kiss you again when you surfaced. Much to Floyd's disgust.

Floyd

Floyd very excited to be getting married to you. He thinks all the land wedding traditions are so weird, especially if you share some from home. What do you mean some people smash a plate under their foot? He wants to do that! What do you mean there's a tradition where people who dance with you gotta pin money on you? Funny. Garter toss? If you don't wear a dress so he can launch a garter across the room into a crowd of people, he'll find a way to do it under a some pants don't worry!

It's both so strange to him and fun! He's totally down for whatever, except maybe the Forever Float. He doesn't think it's boring or anything, he just doesn't want to get his new shoes all wet :(

Yeah, Floyd's not into it as much. The idea of it is fun, sure, but you must remember that Floyd is a little fashionista! He does like his clothes and shoes, the latter especially, and despite how sloppy or relaxed he might dress, Floyd does take great care of his wardrobe. Getting them wet might ruin them! Floydie likes his things you know!

His mother is devastated, as is Jade but that's just because he wanted to toss Floyd out of a boat. Due to his nature, they're not really sure if they should convince Floyd to do it, as it might make him want to drop the entire wedding and just get eloped somewhere and sign the marriage certificate with some randos as witness. That's not a joke, Floyd decided a few days before the wedding to take you to the courthouse, grabbed two random people of the street, and signed the marriage license. He was impatient and wanted to heard you call him husband and call you his spouse. No, no one knows, they'll find out eventually.

If Georgina compromises with Floyd on switching the Forever Float attire to something he doesn't care about getting wet, then there are two ways that Floyd could be convinced to participate in the ceremony: 1) Floyd and you get to dip out from the reception whenever. Most of the people attending are business partners and acquaintances anyways, and it's gonna be a way formal affair. Not his thing, he had enough of that growing up. 2) You ask him reaaaaaaaally nicely after a sloppy make out when he's in bliss. He's still gonna dip out, but this time you're not gonna get a warning. There's a strong chance he might just pick you up and go.

There is a third, secret option: you will row while Floyd gets as many water guns and his magipen to fight back against the "morays". Now that's fun.

If Floyd is convinced, he will make a few demands. Like not letting Jade have any input on the food, he gets to pick the music (Floyd will let there be a few close dances, he does want to squeeze you close, but he also wants to just vibe to something fun), and he wants to be in charge of decorations. The more tedious stuff Mama and you can take care of. Do make sure to ask his opinions though, he does change his mind, and also likes to know that you care about his input (he will tease you though).

Thank the Sevens that his family is both influential and rich as hell, cause Floyd will be changing things to the last minute depending on his whims. But if you're marrying Floyd Leech, it's because you've fallen for him and all his ever changing whims. It is part of his charm after all! And it's what leads to him actually enjoying the Forever Float the day of.

You're glad you practiced rowing with Grim bouncing around the boat, because the way Floyd was moving had you wondering if part of the reason he made such a stink about the clothes is cause he knew there was a change he might overturn the boat himself.

"Ahaha! Your aim sucks Crabby!"

Floyd cackled as he dodged Ace's spells, aiming a well aimed ice spell to the front of Ace's boat, causing it to crash suddenly and trip your friend into the water. You could make out Ace's cursing as he scrambled to hold onto the ship.

It didn't take long for the others to also go overboard, even if Floyd was on a boat, he was in his natural element.

The only one left at this point was Jade. Floyd had aimed to take out his brother and Azul from the beginning, though the latter boat crashed into Deuce's and made him fall behind. But Jade was falling behind, squinting at his brother as you two turned a corner behind some foliage.

Unfortunately, the moment that Floyd noticed that all his playmates were far behind, he let out a whine and slumped onto the floor of your rowboat.

"Awe, you went to fast…now I got no one to play with…" Floyd grumbled, crossing his arms. "I'm bored now."

"Sorry babe, do you want me to stop and wait for someone to catch up?

Your lanky partner shook his head, comically curling into himself in a strange position between you and the other bench. The woes of being tall you suppose.

"Nah, that's no fun. Probably should've told ya to go slower…"

"Wanna go back?"

"…Nah."

Floyd was now blank faced, staring at the pattern of the wood as he shuffled up to press his head against your leg, his finger scratching pattern onto the toes of your shoe.

You pursed your lips, resting the oars down and running your nails into your husband's scalp as he let out a pleased hum. He was too cute sometimes.

"…You wanna make out until someone catches up?"

Floyd didn't give you a verbal answer. Rather, he immediately bolted up and crashed into you, cause you both to tumble out of the boat as it flipped over you. The brief gasp of air from under the boat was all you got when Floyd bursted out of the water, green and slimy, and smashed your lips together.

All you let out was a snort and laugh as you hugged his neck and shoulders as your anchor, one of Floyd's arms hooking under you butt like a seat and the other steading your back as his claws traced circles around the skin of your neck.

"Mmm…" Floyd sighed into your mouth, tugging your bottom lip as he squeezed you closer, tongue darting in to play with yours as you moaned into him. You shivered as the sounds of water against the wood, wet lips and tongue meeting each other, and soft breaths and moans echoed in your small world away from the world. If either of you paid attention to the knocks outside the turned boat from Jade, you chose to ignore it.

"Hmm, hey," Floyd pulled away with a grin and giggle, watching as you tried following his lips. "I kinda wanna stay here an' kiss ya silly. Let's ditch, yeah?"

You let out a half hum, half sigh, nipping at Floyd's chin as he laughed.

"I don't know Floyd—"

"Floyd. Who's that?"

"I don't know husband," You teased, biting him again as he shook from giggles. "Mama is really excited, plus don't you wanna dance?"

"We can dance in our room."

You kissed him again, barely separating to speak.

"Don't you wanna eat the cake? It's a bunch of surprise flavors mixed together."

"We can tell the caterers to save some."

Another kiss, longer and deeper as you let you hands wander, making Floyd groan.

"We got such nice clothes waiting for us, don't you wanna show it off?"

"Mh..we can…" Floyd knew what you were doing, pressing all close and distracting him with you mouth. He liked when you tried to be sneaky, it was cute. "we…can wear 'em another day…"

This time, when you pulled away, you fluttered kisses on his cheeks, his forehead, his closed eyes, and down his neck.

"Then we can't do the garter toss."

You snorted as Floyd pulled away and squealed.

"You're right! Let's go now!"

Is Floyd even the man you married if he wasn't ready to wreak havoc? Especially havoc involving throwing a piece of lingerie into someone's Riddle's face to laugh at their reddening face?

Poor Jade almost got smacked by the boat as Floyd flipped it back over and swam off with you on his back. No worries though, he found the signed marriage certificate while snooping tiding some documents Floyd left out. He'll wait for the right time to wreak his own havoc.

Floyd is an interesting case, being both a bit of a coward and very upfront about his feelings. He doesn't want to be vulnerable (ew yuck)! That's so not his style!

Unfortunately for you, his style is very middle school-like, aka: I'm gonna bother and annoy you but also expect you to know from this irritating special attention that I actually like you.

It makes for a really, quite funny sight for the others around you, as they can tell that you're definitely getting "special" treatment from Floyd, but due to his general demeanor and his role in Octavinelle, it's hard to tell if this is a good or bad thing.

Going back to my interspecies romance post (which might be due for a rewrite tbh I have more refined thoughts now) a few things from there apply to Floyd still.

He does bestow you with gifts, gifts that you don't really want because Floyd refuses to say what he wants in return. "They're just for you, take them." "I think I'm okay—" "I said. Take. It." You take them anyways because his expression is that unnerving one he always does when Ace starts annoying him in basketball and he's just about to start chasing him and throwing Ace into the hoop. Again.

They are the oddest little gifts. There are nice ones of course, an eel keychain that he insisted you take. A rock he found that Floyd though matched your eyes. He heard that for some reason, humans really like shells. Floyd learned the hard way that specifically empty shells, after gifting you one too many conches with the snail still in it. So Floyd brings you (empty) shells that remind him of you. They're fun colors, big, and usually pointy.

He also really likes to give you teeth. He gives you a lot of teeth, sharp ones, dull ones, ones with a little bit of blood still on them. You think the sharp ones might be his own, you heard Azul mention that growing up the twins would get into fights and lose teeth, only for them to grow back pretty quickly. Some of the teeth certainly looked big and sharp enough to be Floyd's. The others you're not too sure, but if you'd paid more attention to Floyd, you'd notice that he'd started a habit of following certain students that liked to push you around. All it takes is for one of them to mutter something about the "useless prefect" and you lack of magic, and Floyd is back with another tooth, smiling brightly like he did something trophy worthy.

Yes, he will "talk" to your bullies, in part because that's how you court and show love in the deep sea. A dangerous place like that means that you want to show that you are someone who not only can withstand the icy waters and her inhabitants, but can protect your beloved from her as well. The other part is because only Floyd is allowed to bully you.

This is more where the middle school behavior peaks most. Once again, if Floyd is pursuing you, it means you got is attention somehow. Most likely his interest started during one of the times you came into the Mostro Lounge, and probably did something like kick him in the shins, or the dick, and it's been love at first punch since then. Not many people can get the drop on him you know? And the other part of courting in the deep sea is making sure that your partner is also strong enough to protect you and fight for you. As such, he is antagonizing you daily with the sole purpose of getting you to fight, chase, and lovingly maim him.

Floyd is into you because you are exciting, more like a mantis shrimp with how you fight back when he bothers you. The pissed off look in your eye is just so thrilling when it's on him, and he wants to keep it on him. It's unfortunate that this aspect of eelmer courting is so conflicting with humans, because playing with you is his favorite way of courting. To him, it's obvious, all of his attention is on you and you on him, so it's going to be the quickest way to get you to confess to him first!

Oh, you think Floyd is going to confess first? Ha! No. He thinks that all his actions: the gifts, the protection, the "playing," is all an obvious enough sign of his courting. If anything, Floyd thinks he's practically shouting his intentions from the rooftops, and you're taking your sweet time. Honestly, the fact that you haven't caught on ("or," a voice whispers at the back of his head, "they aren't interested. They're ignoring you.") frustrates him to no end.

His mood swings ironically get a bit more predictable around you, just not in the way most would prefer. Floyd approaches you with another gift, after another "talk" with a bully, or tries playing with you again, if you don't react the way he wants his mood is dropping. He'll sulk, laying down in a booth at the lounge or at the bleachers during his club. Sometimes he gets antsy, wondering if he just squeezes you hard enough that you'll finally give in, so he'll stalk around campus to find something else to rough up, since humans apparently fragile little things. Jade makes fun of him for this, since when has Floyd cared about being gentle? Since when has Floyd become predictable—why even random students are clocking that Floyd gets moody after talking with the Prefect!

The fact that other students are noticing a pattern annoys Floyd even more; he doesn't need his business known by anyone but him. Alas, it continues on as you live on in ignorance and Floyd lives on in annoyance that you're not already sloppily making out in his room right now. He's ready to just do it anyways, if you didn't like it all then you would've told him to stop long ago. You gotta like him too!

But it's not the gifts or protection or attention he gives you that eventually catches your attention, but rather the rare, almost foreign sound of your actual name from his mouth. It's not often, as Floyd thinks that if you're gonna stay being a little shrimp around him then you can stay as Little Shrimpy. But sometimes, when it's just you two, and you play along with him, Floyd likes to feel the way the letters of your name leave his lips as you blink up at him with a cute, surprised expression.

"Ah!" Floyd rocked on his heels, looking down at you with a lazy smile as you pointed a finger up at him. "You do know my name!"

Floyd tilted his head and giggled, "Duh, why'd you think I didn't?"

A pleasant change of pace for him, usually you'd blanch at the sight of him and grimace at the latest trinket he'd gotten you. It pissed him off, Floyd reeeeeally wanted to just pick you up and squeeze until you finally gave in and agreed to go out. There's a fun spooky escape room in Foothill Town that he wants to try with you but it's not fun if you're gonna be clutching the wall with fear and not him. But Mama reminded him that humans were soft things, had to be careful with them if you liked one. And he really liked you.

"Cause you call me Shrimpy instead! Like, all the time! I thought you just didn't bother to remember anyone's name!"

He shrugged smile dropping into a pout.

"Only when I wanna."

He frowned as you huffed, rolling your eyes as you fidgeted with the rock Floyd had given you. More so plopped in your palm after cornering you at the end of a hall during his latest chase. It was…certainly a rock!

"Lovely, so you only wanna remember my name sometimes."

"Only when Shrimpy deserves it."

Floyd leaned back as you whipped your head up at him and held up your hands in a strangling motion, an also strangled sound coming from your mouth as you practically growled.

You had look in your eye, like you were on the last straw of you patience. Floyd would really love to see you lose it though, see how you'd jump him and rough him up. You'd look so pretty, breathless and flushed, like you would after making out, he's very sure of it.

"Why are you like this? And why me? Wasn't Riddle enough fun for you?"

A giant, full (sharp) tooth grin grew on Floyd's face as he giggled. A fond warmness filled his chest and bloomed on his cheeks.

"It's different with (Name)!"

Then, you slumped and half whined, half groaned as you ducked under Floyd and started walking away.

"But why?! What'd I ever do to you? Are you still mad about the first time I came to the lounge? I didn't mean to dick you down there! Everyone else started fighting and I was just trying to make sure I didn't get hurt!"

Floyd also whined, following after you like a lanky, looming puppy.

"Ugh! How come Shrimpy still doesn't get it!" He sighed, suddenly draping himself over you. You yelped, stumbling as you tried to steady yourself from falling. "I'm doin' everything like Mama said! But you're taking too long!"

You went warm and stiffened, Floyd's breath grazing the back of your neck as he murmured into you: "How come you don't answer me? Don't cha like me?"

"A-ah, Floyd you're being weird…"

It was confusingly pleasing and frustrating that you liked how Floyd practically curled over you as if he could merge you two into one.

"Don't want me? I want my (Name), and I think I'm gonna take you now."