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The twins could sense shifts in Azul’s mood like currents in the sea. Invisible to everyone else, they knew something was off when he retreated to his quarters too quickly after closing, barely commenting on the success of the day. He avoided the VIP room except for scheduled appointments, not bothering to lounge and socialize as he often would when something business related was on his mind. Even when it was on topics Floyd cared little about or what Jade already considered settled, they’d always perch on either side of him and listen to Azul brainstorm as he swirled ice around in a glass of his favorite drink of the week.
No. When Azul made himself scarce, it was always more personal.
“Thought he was gettin’ over some of his issues, yanno?” The last of the part time workers they recruited had just gone, eager to flee after Floyd had playfully snapped a dish towel at them. It left the twins alone to discuss what was really on their minds.
Floyd didn’t have to specify for Jade to know what he meant. Azul had departed the Monstro Lounge right at close, checking the till on autopilot before retreating. Jade sighed, finishing his mopping route.
“Something that bothers someone all their life isn’t going to evaporate within a few months. I expected this.”
“Heh. Not hoped for it?”
“Hoped?” repeated Jade. He put a hand on his collarbone, expression molded into one of concern and mortification. It didn’t fool Floyd whatsoever, which only made the act more insulting. Jade knew this, and enjoyed it immensely. “Why, what a thing to insinuate! Our Azul should never sink so low as to doubt his own self worth.”
Floyd cocked his head, leaning against the wall with a grin. “Yeah yeah, but it means we got every excuse to chase after him. Make some demands. Give ‘im what he’s too scaredy-cat to ask for.”
Jade grinned back. “Demands, you say? When he’s so down and out and vulnerable?”
“Yeah. Demand he admits he’s pretty.” Floyd laid his head down on the counter. “Demand he lets us be there with ‘im, especially when he’s down in the dumps.”
It had been awhile since either of them had gotten to be close and intimate with Azul. In retrospect, there had been signs something could be amiss.
“Of course, of course. It’s for his own good, after all,” murmured Jade, emptying out the mop bucket. “It’s been so long since we’ve shown him our deepest appreciation; I believe we ought to make it a point to make it more frequent. Anything else our little union ought to demand of our boss?”
Floyd thought for a moment, cheek still on the counter. “I hate the Sunday morning shift.”
“Vetoed. If I have to suffer it, so do you.”
Floyd stuck his tongue out at Jade, who only rolled his eyes.
“Come on.” Jade gestured at Floyd. “Let’s go have a little improvised negotiation session.”
Both of their yellow eyes shone with mischievous intent as they shut off the lounge lights and left, identical smirks on their faces.
-~-
Azul was curled up into a little ball of misery.
He couldn’t pinpoint why so many feelings he’d managed to tamp down had risen up again, bubbling to the surface no matter how much he wanted to suppress them. His energy had begun to wane as something more like fog replaced it, every day more draining than the last.
Two steps forward, one step back.
That remaining photo still irked him, no matter how he tried to forget. His greatest liability, existing out there. He’d put on a good show of self-acceptance, but the doubts swirled around him as as blot had flooded his magestone, questioning if he’d made the right choice, shame threatening to suffocate him when he remembered what he’d lost and who’d seen him at such a low point.
How could he show his face anymore, acting as if he still commanded respect? If he was a sham before, then now, with so much less power at his fingertips, what did it make him? Even living on land, he still couldn’t look at himself and see anything but a list of faults to hide.
He paced over the same echoing thoughts over and over, yet no conclusion he reached was able to lift the weight from his chest. Azul knew by now that he couldn’t get out of the maze of his own mind alone, but the same exhaustion that was eating away at him kept him too ashamed to voice it to anyone.
Disgust. That’s what anyone should feel when looking at him. He burrowed further under his bedding, wishing he could fall asleep instead of steeping in self-loathing. He set his glasses aside on his nightstand, sighing deeply.
How infuriating, to be able to grant wishes to everyone but himself.
Even the idea of wanting a shortcut simply made him hate himself more, sinking lower and lower…
“Hey boss!”
A couple of sharp raps against his door made Azul jump. He grimaced, not wanting the twins— his partners— to see him like this either. As if anyone needed more reasons to leave him. “Not now.”
“Has ta be now.” Then, cheerily, “We unionized!”
Azul blinked. What in the…? “That’s a problem for tomorrow. Goodnight,” he said, firm despite how much he longed for their company to distract him.
“I’m afraid it isn’t,” Jade replied, and with that the door gave, Floyd beaming as it swung open, a spare key in hand.
Azul narrowed his eyes at them, defenses back up. Jade shut and locked the door again with a click and the two leered down at him in the dim light of his bedroom with eerie smiles. “I’m not in the mood. You of all people ought to understand what that’s like, Floyd.”
“Heh. Moods change, now don’t they?”
Jade and Floyd were slow to flank the bed, circling like sharks. Under other circumstances, Azul would be eager to play along. He still felt a thrill go through him at the flash of predatory hunger in their eyes, but Azul curled in on himself more. “I… didn’t shower. You shouldn’t touch me.”
He wanted to beg to be touched.
To be held.
To be told he was everything they wanted, even if he couldn’t believe it.
He was absolutely pathetic.
They knew how much of him was an act, a front. Why hadn’t they left already?
That earned a chuckle from Jade. “Do sea creatures have to care about showering every single day? You’re just fine.”
Azul frowned. “I’m entirely unpresentable. You—”
Floyd flopped down on the bed behind Azul. He was instantly on Azul, slithering under the blankets and wrapping his strong arms around Azul, nuzzling at his neck while Azul squirmed. “Hey, you are showin’ signs of life!”
“I— I’m repulsive!” blurted out Azul. “Inside and out, don’t you get it!?”
“Well now,” mused Jade, unaffected by Azul’s outburst. Azul’s eyes were wide, silently screaming that he wanted to flee into the woods, never to be seen again. They weren’t going to have that. “Since Floyd is so kindly keeping you as our captive audience, it’s about time we laid out our demands.
“First— that you let us know when you’re feeling like this, so we can be with you.”
Azul stopped struggling, but his shoulders slumped. “It’s entirely unbecoming and shameful. You’re the last people I want to let see me like this.”
“We’ve seen like, way worse outta you,” pointed out Floyd. He kissed Azul’s cheek with a loud mwah. Azul blushed scarlet. “We don’t mind!”
Jade inclined his head. “What Floyd so tactlessly said. We know how hard it is for you to accept yourself, yet it’s easy for us. We already have.”
“I shouldn’t be—”
“Two,” interrupted Floyd. “We’re gonna get you to say you’re pretty.”
Azul outright struggled at that. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Are you going to order us to leave?” asked Jade, pouting as he flipped all of the covers back. He laid down facing Azul, sandwiching him between them. All three of them were pressed close together, Azul forced to stretch out his legs, only for them to become entangled with the twins’ knees and ankles. Jade stroked Azul’s hair, gentle despite the low threat in his tone. “You’re being awfully rude to yourself, our boyfriend, you know. Floyd and I won’t stand for it.”
Azul didn’t have it in him to make them leave. Of course, he could make a moray-shaped hole in the wall with one of them any time he wanted with magic, but he didn’t want to.
He craved being squished between them, their touch grounding him, their ravenous gazes making it clear he was desired so intensely he couldn’t deny it. It was a fantasy, a shameful one, but the pieces were all in place for it. Both of their lean, strong bodies radiated danger, and Azul couldn’t help stoking the fire.
“Oh? I am?” asked Azul, sounding a little more like himself already.
“Incredibly rude,” confirmed Jade. “We won’t be satisfied until you stop.”
Azul locked eyes with Jade. “Make me.”
Jade smirked. “We will.”
“Hee hee,” breathed Floyd, right into Azul’s ear. His hands roved all over Azul’s abdomen, slipping under his silky pajama top to palm bare skin underneath. Azul’s breath hitched, unable to wiggle away from Floyd’s bold touches that exposed his stomach to the air. “‘Make me’, he says. Didn’t know Azul wanted to be interrogated by us so bad, eh?”
Floyd pressed his hips flush against Azul’s ass to emphasize his words, already hard against him.
“Truly. Our employer could stand to have better communication skills,” teased Jade. Azul opened his mouth, indignant, but Jade kissed him before he could get any words out. Jade kissed hard, forcing his tongue inside of Azul’s mouth, keeping him pinned back against Floyd. The onslaught of sensation made Azul whimper, shivering as Jade unbuttoned his sleep shirt with their mouths still locked together.
“Get it yet?” cooed Floyd. “How helpless you are?” He pulled Azul’s top aside, revealing his shoulder, only to sink his teeth into the pale skin.
Azul moaned into Jade’s mouth, bucking his hips forward as the pleasure and pain mixed and simmered inside of him.
Jade broke their kiss. His hand went down to Azul’s waistband, chuckling as Azul tried to stop him. “That’s right. Be good, won’t you?” He grabbed Azul’s wrists and pinned them to the pillow above his head with one hand.
Heat swirled in Azul’s stomach as he tried to struggle, but being held down so firmly only made his sex swell with interest. “Ahh, hah. You two are nothing but a prey drive, are you?”
“Only when the prey is as tasty as you,” purred Floyd, giving his recently made bite marks a loving lick. Azul couldn’t get away, nor could he hide the way his eyes fluttered as chills went down his spine.
“Isn’t it more strange that our prey loves this so?” Jade dragged his fingertips just above Azul’s sleep pants, watching him twitch with interest. “You’re already quite the sight. Are you ready to admit your beauty, or do you need more convincing?”
Azul averted his eyes. “No. I’m… not.”
He was worried his honesty would ruin the mood, just as his thoughts were ruining him, but it seemed the twins had planned for it.
“More marks will make you even prettier.” Floyd pulled Azul onto his back, practically pouncing on him. His hands landed on Azul’s shoulders, mouth peppering Azul’s collarbone with kisses. His next bite was just as sudden as the first, making Azul gasp as sharp teeth broke skin.
With Floyd on top of him, Jade let Azul’s wrists go. It didn’t do Azul any good, as all he was still able to do was grab at Floyd, who wasn’t going anywhere. “You’re clearly enjoying yourself,” commented Jade, taking Azul’s calves in his hands and spreading his legs, eyes on the bulge in Azul’s pants. Settling between Azul’s legs, Jade wistfully snapped the band of Azul’s sleepwear. “Too bad you were so against me taking these off.”
Azul panted hard. His eyes screwed shut as Floyd bit him again. “Please, please—”
“No no, I respect your wishes,” intoned Jade, smirking as he lowered his head. He took Azul in his mouth through the smooth material of his pajama bottoms, coating the material with warm saliva. Azul yelped and tried to kick the pajamas off himself, only for Jade to grasp his thighs to keep him still. Jade kneaded Azul’s flesh as he licked and sucked, paying special attention to Azul’s inner thighs. He kissed the clothed tip of Azul’s cock. “Poor thing. Can’t you make him feel any better, Floyd?”
“Were I in merform, I’d strangle you two!” snapped Azul.
Floyd raised his head, eyes lit up. “You promise?”
“Augh!” Azul’s stubbornness wasn’t broken yet, even as he scratched and tugged at Floyd’s clothes and hair.
Despite his teasing, Floyd leaned down and kissed Azul’s chest, trailing kisses down to one of his nipples. He sucked it into his mouth, giving Azul a graze with his teeth that made Azul arch his back and groan.
“Gorgeous,” commented Jade, still massaging Azul’s thighs, not touching him where he wanted it most. “Agree yet?”
Arousal and shame both made Azul’s face pink. He didn’t shake his head, but he couldn’t admit it yet either. His silence was enough of an answer.
Floyd popped his mouth off of Azul’s nipple, moving to lick the other one. “Ha, that’s Azul. So greedy two lovers aren’t enough.” Azul couldn’t protest as Floyd went in for another harsh biting and sucking combo, whining instead as his sex begged for attention.
“Is that so? How many would it take to get it through to you that you’re beautiful, Azul?” asked Jade.
“I don’t- I don’t need more!”
Jade held Azul’s legs down with his own knees, leaving his hands free. He caressed Azul’s cock lightly through the fabric, tormenting him while Azul blindly squirmed. “Are you sure? Sure enough I can take these off?”
“Yes!” exclaimed Azul.
Azul’s relief at finally having his sleep pants tugged down enough to let his sex free was tainted by Floyd, as predictable as always. Floyd let Azul’s nipple drop from his mouth, back to kissing the teeth marks he’d given him. “That’s a shame, really. My vote would’ve been for Goldfishie to join.”
It was like he’d knocked the wind out of Azul. “You have a deathwish,” he gasped.
“What about Rook?” asked Jade, taking Azul’s dick in his palm, moving his hand up and down far too slowly for Azul’s enjoyment. “I hear he appreciates beauty of any kind. I’m sure he’d notice every little reaction you have and tell you allllll about it.”
Azul had never been more embarrassed in his life, and to his horror, a drop of precum leaked out of his tip at Jade’s mortifying suggestion. His skin was unbearably hot everywhere, and the eyes locked onto him only turned him on more. “N-no.”
Oh Sevens, he had some self-reflection to do later.
Azul whined again, struggling in earnest. Floyd kept him held down, grinning. “You know what to do~” he sang. “Just admit you’re handsome, handsome.”
They were getting through to him, but Azul wanted more.
“You’ve barely done anything to convince me,” he panted, clearly disheveled and desperate.
Like he thought, Floyd liked the challenge. “Yeah?” Floyd slid off the bed, only to grab Azul under his arms and reposition him, so his head barely hung off the edge of the bed. Azul licked his lips. His view of Floyd’s intimidating, unreadable expression was upside-down, but he knew exactly what was coming and obediently held his mouth open. “Guess if you won’t use your words, I’ll just take your cute throat.”
Azul’s mind buzzed at the use of cute, but his was pulled back into the present by Floyd’s cock being shoved into mouth, rough like Azul liked it. He grasped his fitted sheets in his fists and moaned around Floyd, closing his eyes as he took it. Floyd laid his hand over Azul’s neck, watching and feeling himself fuck Azul. “Uh huh, this is what you really wanted.”
Giving pleasure rather than only receiving it brought a heavy sense of satisfaction to Azul’s bones, relaxing as he did his best to suck and swallow around Floyd. He couldn’t argue he wasn’t benefitting his partner with the evidence of it heavy on his tongue.
Perhaps being forced to shut up also did something to him, but Azul did not need them to know that.
“How good is he being for you?” asked Jade, so conversational about it that Azul choked. Jade finished stripping Azul’s sleepwear and underwear off of him, leaving him bare except for the crumpled, open shirt he was laying on top of.
“So good,” praised Floyd.
Azul hummed, proud and burning with need everywhere.
Floyd’s hold on his neck tightened slightly, and Azul could hear the grin in his voice. “But he doesn’t get to finish yet.”
Azul choked again, which only made Floyd grunt and thrust harder.
“That’s the rule,” agreed Jade, between Azul’s legs again. “You’re such a sight like this, all ours to spoil and play with.” Jade leaned down and kissed the head of Azul’s cock. “But you should’ve agreed when you could speak.”
Jade took Azul to the hilt all in one go, undeterred by Azul’s muffled shout and attempt to vault off of the bed. Wet heat enveloped Azul and pleasure shot up his spine, sparks flickering in his vision. Jade was just as eager as Azul was with Floyd, bobbing his head and sucking hard, holding him still yet again. Azul could’ve lost himself entirely in the dual sensation were Jade not infuriatingly good at knowing when to pull off of him, stopping him from coming a couple of times before Azul was tearfully thumping the bed with his heels and fists.
Floyd pulled out of Azul’s mouth. “Got something to say?”
“Please,” rasped Azul.
“Nope.” Floyd took it upon himself to give his cock a couple final strokes, coming all over Azul’s chest. The possessiveness and sensation of his release coating Azul’s chest made Azul moan, even more heat flooding his cheeks. “All bitten up with my come on you, and you still don’t think you look good like this? I’m about to have my feelings hurt.”
Azul sincerely doubted that, but the realization that he was so marked, wanted, and had the entirety of their attention on him was the last push he needed.
To be desired, to be hunted, to be craved so badly it bordered on consumption— it was what he needed. Even better, it was what he had. He had it every day, with two attentive, infuriating, possessive, annoying, incredible boyfriends who couldn’t get enough of him.
“I- I’m beautiful like this.” Azul trembled, vision hazy as he looked up at Floyd, with Floyd’s hand gently petting his cheek.
“Do we count that?” asked Jade, hand wrapped firmly around the base of Azul’s cock to try and stop him from hitting his peak.
Azul wanted to wail, any last shred of dignity gone. “I said it!”
“You’re always beautiful,” corrected Jade.
“So pretty,” agreed Floyd.
“I’ll be even prettier once you let me come!” Azul snapped.
“Well.” Jade laughed. “Can’t argue there.”
Jade situated himself, undoing his slacks and pulling his cock out, taking both Azul and himself in his hand. “You were so good,” he praised, stroking them both together, friction sparking with every pass. “Come for us, Azul. Let us see.”
Azul’s stomach tensed and his limbs followed, elbows and heels digging into the mattress as he cried out and came, he and Jade coming together. He tried to throw Jade off of him to no avail as he bucked, his orgasm rippling through him. Stars floated in his vision as his chest heaved, all three of their releases in a puddle on his abdomen.
He trembled while he settled back down, letting someone clean him off while someone else guided him into a more comfortable position, fully on the bed. Azul moaned, resting back on a couple of pillows, throat aching and body generally sore.
It was perfect.
“You okay?” Floyd curled up to Azul again, comforting instead of trying to restrain him.
“Hmmhmm.”
Jade settled down on Azul’s other side. Azul blearily opened his eyes and noted that both of them had undressed down to underwear, while Azul was entirely naked. A blip of shame threatened to return, but Jade kissed him, sweet and gentle this time. “You don’t have anything to hide.”
Azul sighed. “You’re right. And… thank you.”
Floyd kissed Azul’s cheek. “You tell us when you need convincin’ again.”
Azul swallowed. “Well, I’m not opposed to you two offering when you simply want to either. I suppose I felt, in error, unwanted, when I was the one pulling away. I’m sorry.”
“We don’t usually need to go around saying that we’re sticking around, but maybe we should sometimes,” admitted Jade. “We like every bit of you, no matter your form.”
Floyd smiled, eyes half-hooded with lust. “Yeah. You got me wanting a go with your octopus form real bad.”
“Hey!” exclaimed Azul.
“I agree,” said Jade. “As I said— we like you. We’ll remind you as often as we need to.”
Azul reached for his bedding, pulling up the blankets and comforter not just around himself while drowning in the past, but around himself and his partners, feeling cared for in a way he couldn’t articulate. “Noted. We can schedule this more frequently.”
Floyd snorted, but Jade just smiled.
The physical and emotional relief was so immense that Azul wanted to drift off, but Floyd poked his chest. “Hey boss. The union had some other stuff.”
Azul groaned. “Such as?”
“I hate that Sunday shift.”
Both Azul and Jade reached for pillows, hitting Floyd as he giggled, spurred on by their joint shouting at him.
For a blissful night, Azul didn’t want to be anyone else.