#jade leech x finn clearcove

Some Finn and Jade fluff :)

Aquamarine

Silence reigned over Mostro Lounge. It was well past closing time, and the once bustling restaurant was now empty and lifeless.

The light shining from the glass bordering the area cast a ghostly aquamarine hue over the polished wooden tables and floor, and the leather of the couches.

The neon pink, purple and blue lights danced beautifully alongside the aquatic colours, decorating the Lounge and giving it an almost ethereal feeling.

Finn Clearcove sat on one of the couches, hat and scarf placed neatly next to him, and watched the grand array of fish swimming about just beyond the glass.

It was so nice to do this after work. Sit down, rleax, and enjoy the peace. It brought about a feeling of nostalgia, brinnging him back to old times.

Surrounded by water, the current rippling his hair, the comfort of the pressure of the depths as he moved along the ocean floor. Hiding in the seaweed, chasing crabs, helping his father hunt and prep meat to sell to the Ashengrottos… a simple, but pleasant life.

The quiet was something to savour, as things were going to get loud for his birthday tomorrow.

“Still awake, I see?” Finn jolted and snapped out of his trance, spinning around to be met with the sight of Jade Leech smiling at him, sharp teeth barely visible through his lips.

“J-Jade- My apologies I-” “No need to apologise~” Jade purred. “I am simply here to let you know that I will be locking up soon. It would be rather unfortunate if you were trapped in here.”

“Ah…” Finn flushed. “Um, thank you. Sorry, I… I get distracted by the scenery.” Jade’s smile widened just a fraction. “I know. I’ve seen you here many many times. You look so… at peace.”

“Well… yes, you could say that.” Finn giggled nervously. “It reminds me of home.” “Ah yes.” Jade hummed. “You lived in rhe neighbourhood. Your father was the butcher. It’s a shame, you were always so shy. We could never find you in the kelp forest.” “That was kinda the plan…” Finn mumbled.

He was playing with his hands and staring at his lap with flushed cheeks. How cute.

A moment of silence reigned, until the moray eel had an idea.

“Come.” Jade extended a hand. “I would like to show you something.” One year ago, Finn would have fled for his damn life ar such an offer, but now… now he knew Jade a little better. They were not simply peers. They were… friends. He knew Jade had no ill intentions. Towards him at least.

Finn took his hand and allowed himself to be led closer to the glass. “Look.” Jade pointed, and Finn had to squint and strain his already sore eyes.

He followed the direction of Jade’s finger. Past the fish, past the kelp, past the rocks and the shrimp and the coral.

There.

There was a cave. And deep within the blackness of that cave was a light. An aquamarine and green light.

Finn was not unfamiliar with bioluminescence. Hell, he was bioluminescent due to a type of algae he ate. But the shape looked odd…

It took a minute or two to click.

“Are those… mushrooms?” Jade nodded. “Indeed. After many months of hard work, I managed to cultivate a species of mushroom that cam grow underwater. Of course, neither Azul nor Floyd would let me display them, so I hid them in that cave for me to look at.” He looked at Finn. “You are the only person to know about this.”

Both a statement and a warning. Finn knew better than to tattle anyways. “Of course.” He had no idea what else to say. It was a little awkward. Luckily, Jade was there to save the day.

“Oh. I must say.” He said, changing the subject. “I must thank you for getting that little piece of information. It helped us find the student who’s been cheating the system Azul worked oh so hard to make. You’re getting close to earning Employee Of The Month.”

“O-Oh. That.” Not quite what he was expecting, but Finn laughed anyway. “Thank you. For such a proud student, he sure caved in easy to the forgettable bartender.” His lips curled up just a fraction, revealing his own pointed teeth, and as such his cute mask slipped. “It was quite… funny.”

“Mm, I can imagine.” Jade moved Finn’s hair out of eyes and stared into those gorgeous aquamarine irises. Irises that glinted with slightly sadistic glee.

As adorable as Finn was, one did not get into Octavinelle without the dorm traits, and the little cookie cutter shark was as sly as they come. His birthday was sure to bring more customers.

“Ah, yes, before I forget.” Jade handed Finn a small woden box. “This is for your birthday tomorrow. Do not open it until you wake up. As much as I’d love for you to receive it during your party, this is something more… private.” He did not elaborate further.

Finn nodded slowly. “Alright then.” He held onto the box carefully and checked his watch. “Oh my! I need to get to bed! I’m sorry, goodnight, Jade!”

Watching he small mer scramble for the exit and handle the box like glass, Jade a smile. A soft, genuine smile.

Finn’s eyes slowly fluttered open as sunlight filtering in through the window forced him awake. He met out a little groan and covered his face with his pillow.

It was his birthday.

He was not against birthdays, but at NRC, they unfortunately meant interacting with a person who was going to interview him and then shove a pie in his face.

Not a very pleasant experience at all.

Just as the dread started to settle in, he remembered the box.

Finn sat up and gently took it into his hands. There was no telling what would be inside. This was Jade Leech, after all.

He delicately hooked his fingers under the lid and lifted it off, scared to even scuff it.

Finn looked into the box and let out a cry of surprise as he picked up what was inside.

A necklace.

A nautilis shell necklace to be precise.

It was the most beautiful shell Finn had ever seen.

Blues and golds of various shades decorated it, and it wasn’t painted on. This seashell was real. Colourful and fully intact, it was a true rarity.

After taking a moment to process it’s beauty, Finn’s face exploded into a rose red as he realised what had just happened.

He had received a courting gift from Jade Leech.

……………………………………………………………………….

A/N: So yeah I hc that merfolk give jewellery/shells as gifts to show they wish to date.

Also Finn is gonna self-destruct

Mermay Day Four: Family Business

The Coral Sea was a dangerous place. It was not for the weak or faint of heart. Nor was it for loners.

Under the icy depths of the sea, there was strength in numbers. Even if there were only two of you, you had am advantage.

Family works in tandem with this fact. Families were well coordinated and tightly knit, very rarely interacting with each other or getting involved in their private business.

Family businesses were common, since often you could trust no one else with your work. Some were ordinary, some were shady. Overall it didn’t matter. Your family was everything.

The Leech clan’s front was simple trade of valuable goods. So innocent. But if you dared to dig deeper, things would get much more complicated.

Simple trade does not make your name feared and respected.

Jade and Floyd Leech were definitely going to inherit the business. Their parents had not planned for twins, but it was a pleasant surprise nevertheless.

While Jade always seemed like the best candidate and the most reliable, he and Floyd are a pair. Separating them is a bad idea.

The Ashengrotto clan were restaurateurs. Mrs Ashengrotto ran one of the most famous restaurants under the sea. Her second husband was the Leech clan’s lawyer, and they were both well respected.

Azul Ashengrotto took after his mother and opened his own restaurant at his college. But he also used the knowledge from his step father to his advantage.

He was only seventeen, but business was was booming. With the help of Jade and Floyd, he lured in many poor unfortunate souls. He had an extraordinary amount of power.

The Clearcove clan were the merfolk equivalent of butchers. They lived on the edge of the city, hunting prey and prepping meat to sell to the Ashengrottos, Leeches, and other families.

Mr Clearcove was in charge of their small business. His husband had worked with with the Leeches before he died, and so he himself got a lot of support from Mrs Leech, a good friend.

Their family had a middle ground. They weren’t famous or rich or influential, but they were feared and respected for their species and connections.

Finn was the middle child, so it was more likely that his oldest sibling would be taking over their father’s work when he retired, so he was left to do his own thing.

Finn had a passion for art and music. Not only did he assist in the design of Mostro Lounge, but he also performed in the evenings, playing e such as the saxophone, piano, clarinet, and so on.

Fast forward five years.

Azul had opened a new and improved Mostro Lounge to the public in a seaside city. It quickly gained popularity and became one of the most famous restaurants in Twisted Wonderland.

Jade had taken over the Leech business and- while expanding in their trade of rare mushrooms- formed a partnership with Azul and sponsored Mostro Lounge frequently.

While Floyd handled the grittier bits of Jade’s work, he ended up working at Mostro Lounge too, as the head chef. It turned out he had quite a passion for food.

Finn was Jade’s fiance, land often assisted him and Floyd in their “work”. He had also become a musician, and continued with performing at the Mostro Lounge.

They four of them were a well-oiled machine, working together perfectly. One might even say they were… a family.

They were tightly knit, and did not appreciate outsiders getting involved in their business.

“ My my~” Said Azul, smiling at his newest client. “In trouble with the Leech clan, are you? Whatever did you do~?”

His client- a leader of a small gang, though he wasmore of a wannabe than anything- squirmed in his seat. “I stole a bunch of their stuff! Look, I know it sounds stupid, but they were planning on cheating me out on an important deal!”

“Really now? How unfortunate.” Azul tapped his fingers on his cane. “I can’t help but wonder why you came to me. I work with the Leeches after. What can you even give me in return, if I help you?”

They gnashed their teeth, frowning. “No one else would help. Listen, I know you went to school with the brothers ‘n all, but really, who’s to say they won’t cut you out of a deal too? They’re nothing but cheating bastards. My businesses is much more reliable. If you get the Leech twins off my back, I can be your new and much more profitable partner.”

Azul’s lips curled into a thin smile. “Hmm. Very tempting.” A lie. Azul knew this person was as reliable as Floyd in a bad mood.

“Alright. I’ll take you up on that offer. But first I need to ask you a question.” “Yes?” “You didn’t just steal cargo, did you?” Their eyes widened, and they looked almost offended.

“What?!”

“A mer with a reputation such as yours wouldn’t settle with something as petty as stealing cargo. I’ve heard many a tale about your methods. Tell me the truth, and I promise your life will be smooth sailing from here.

They shifted, going quiet before repenting. "I nabbed the parasite.” They mumbled. “…What?” They shrugged their shoulders. “I was caught by their Cookie Cutter when I broke in.” “Clearcove?” “Yeah. He’s a pretty big asset and seems real close to Jade Leech. I thought I could use him as leverage. Getting him wasn’t that hard. I’m a stonefish, you see. Ah, don’t worry, he’s not dead.”

Azul’s already cold blood froze. This… mangy street gangster took Finn? Nevermind revenge, he mustbe suicidal to do something as stupid as that. Who in their right mind would try that?

Azul straightened up and stared at his client for a minute or two. Not saying a word. Debating. Debating. Debating…

“I believe I’ve heard enough.” He said finally, and -as if on cue- two sets of laughs echoed throughout the room. One low and malicious, the other high-pitched and maniacal.

The client paled.

“Oya, so that’s what happened to my dear Finn~?”

“Ne, you’re got guts, hurting 'im like that.”

Two voices penetrated the sudden silence. The owners of said voices stepped out of the shadows of the room, joining Azul’s side.

“Y'know it was a pretty stupid move to come to Azul for help.” “You should know we are more than simply old schoolmates. Besides, both Floyd and Finn work here.”

The mer gulped. “Well I… just thought that was a part of your… your partnership.”

“So you’re stupid.”

They bristled at Floyd’s comment. “No! I am an incredibly competent-” “Ne, looking at your mess of a 'business’ at the moment, that’s pretty doubtful.” “Look I-”

Jade cut him off with a loud sigh and a shake of his head. “You’re very disappointing, I just say. Stealing whar was going to be a wedding gift, sabotaging our shipments, kidnapping my fiance, and now trying to trick poor Azio into betraying us.”

He clicked his tongue, looking the stonefish up and down with distaste. “You truly seem to be making a habit of meddling in family business.”

Azul chuckled. “You poor unfortunate soul. You’ve swum right into the shark’s den. Speaking of which…” He exchanged a look with the two moray eels. “You better tell us where you put ourshark.”

When the client didn’t say anything, Jade leaned forward and smiled, revealing every sharp tooth poking out from his gums. “I advise you to tell the truth. I would hate to force it out of you.”

They glared and Jade sighed. “Shock The Heart. Where is Finn and our cargo?” They squirmed and gasped, eyes bulging. “Down at the d-docks. Warehouse 16!”

“Mmm, thank you. Floyd, squeeze him all you like.” “Hahahahaha! Yes! Yes! C'mere, little fry!’

"No wait! I- Shit- stop! Why me?!Youbroke the damn deal!”

Floyd’s head tilted. “It’s your fault. We warned your before.”

“Don’t get involved in our family business…”

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A/N: I am… so late. I apologise haha. Anyways, I looked at this and thought: Well what about both family business (the business the family runs)andfamily business (the private family matters or events) so I had fun with that. @bakujho Here you go!