A Fool's Guide to the In-Between [A Twisted Wonderland Fanfic]

Chapter 19

Y/N stared at the multicoloured counter in front of her as she sipped on her drink, the straw sucking out the last few drops at the bottom of the cup.  

"What did you say," Azul asked, walking over to Y/N and taking a seat beside her. "The Prefect is staying in Leona's dorm?"

Jade nodded as he wiped down a glass. The lounge had long since closed, and all the other Octavinelle students had gone to bed, leaving the four of them in peace. Now they could discuss what they wished without worrying about nosy first years or prying ears listening in on their very private conversation. 

"It seems that the client has somehow fallen into Savanaclaw," Jade said, setting the glass down on the counter and sliding it over to Floyd, who picked it up and put it away with all the other glasses.

"I see," Azul hummed. "That's a little out of our estimations..." He stared down at a napkin in front of him, which he had absentmindedly been doodling on. One of the little-known facts about Azul was that he was actually quite a talented artist. A fact that Y/N had been quite surprised to discover when she happened to walk in on Azul sketching something in his sketchbook. 

"What'dya want me to do," Floyd asked excitedly. "Squeeze 'em ~" He giggled maniacally, nearly dropping the glass that he had been cleaning.

Azul shook his head. "No. It's probably fine to leave Leona alone as well."

"Wouldn't it be troublesome if he became our opponent," Jade questioned. "Should we not make the first move?"

Azul shook his head again, the faint lilac locks swaying from side to side as he set his fedora down on the counter. "No. He's a slothful lion after all. His principle is to keep his neck out of difficult matters. This would count as something to avoid. And yes, he is a troublesome opponent, I completely agree, but I'm fairly certain he feels the same way about us." He smirked. "I doubt he would consider antagonising me just for fun."

Jade nodded. "I believe the saying is something like... don't kick the hornets' nest." He shrugged and threw the towel over the edge of the sink. "As you wish." 

He turned to his brother. "Come, Floyd, let us retire for the night."

Floyd was less than pleased with Azul's decision about patronizing the lion and Y/N could hear him grumbling as the twins left.

"But he seems like he would be so fun to squeeze~"

Azul sighed and pushed himself away from the counter, slipping off of the bar stool. He was tired too. He only had to do his final checks of the lounge and the VIP room and then he would be off to bed like the twins. But before he did, he turned to Y/N, who was still staring at the cup, her straw now hanging above the rim, twitching back and forth as she moved it around between her teeth. An ice cube was clinging to the edge and Azul chuckled as he noticed Y/N's cross-eyed expression.

"Y/N," the boy asked, approaching her and gently placing a hand on her back. "Will you be all right tonight?"

Y/N turned to look at Azul and stared at him for a moment, a strange look in her eyes. But eventually, she let out a sigh and reached up to pluck the straw from her lips, the ice falling back into her cup as she did so. 

"I think I'm gonna go to Heartslabyul again," she said in a soft voice, leaning over to Azul and tucking her head into his chest. She let out a soft noise as she felt the warmth of his chest and the beating of his heart in her ear. It was calming to hear it. That he was alive. Truly alive. 

Azul let out a quiet sigh and gently ran his hand through Y/N's hair, wrapping his other arm around her and giving her a gentle hug. "Just make sure that you're okay," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "But if that will help you sleep better then okay. I will tell Jade to come and get you tomorrow morning."