Tell me more about Jade and Ismund's love story 🥺
Hi again, Valencia!! Thank you for the ask! I would love the opportunity to ramble about my boys.
Ismund and Jade first met due to sharing their classes with each other. They're both sophomores in Class E, and their adjacent numbers (Ismund being No. 12 and Jade being No. 13) meant that they ended up sitting next to each other in the majority of their lectures.
Ismund wasn't really sure how to feel about Jade at first. He'd never encountered a merman in person before and, needless to say, he found Jade's sharp teeth and striking eyes to be somewhat menacing. However, his initial impression was quickly thrown aside when Jade proved to be very polite and courteous. He was also one of the few students to be neither intimidated or put-off by Ismund's cold demeanor, which piqued Ismund's interest rather quickly.
When the Club Fair eventually rolled around, Ismund knew Mountain Lovers Club was his ideal choice. His kingdom was practically surrounded by mountains and skiing was one of his favorite pastimes. It was only natural he'd be interested in exploring them further, given he didn't have much freedom to do so back home. It just so happened that Jade was the leader and sole member of the club, which led to the two of them spending a lot more time together outside of class.
Jade, of course, was happy to find someone else who appreciated the beauty of nature and the mountains almost as much as he did. Ismund seemed more than happy to indulge Jade's interest in the edible flora and fungi native to Sage's Island; he was eager to learn more, as well as offer bits of knowledge regarding the mountainous environment of his home.
The two begin taking hikes together almost every week and eventually, Jade brings Ismund to his favorite clearing: a lush, grassy area rife with native wildflowers and mushrooms. It's absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything Ismund could've found in the frozen forests of his home. When he glances over at Jade and sees the way the dappled sunlight plays across his smiling face, Ismund feels his heart tighten. As hard as he's tried not to get attached, Ismund is a hopeless romantic at heart, and so is quick to realize exactly what this feeling is: a crush.
Following this realization, Ismund begins trying to distance himself from Jade. He stops attending club activities and refuses to engage in conversation with Jade unless it is class-related. He's grown up believing that he is a danger to everyone around him and that the only way to protect the people he loves is to push them away, so it's only logical for him to do the same with Jade.
Later that school year (for reasons I won't get into in this post), Ismund overblots. Yuu and our typical band of heroes obviously must try to defeat him, but they're unable to figure out where he's gone, as he had previously fled Night Raven following an incident with his ice magic. Jade is the only one with a suspicion as to where he might be and, in exchange for the information, insists on accompanying the group. They find Ismund in the very same clearing where he realized his feelings for Jade, now covered in frost and snow, and are eventually able to subdue him.
Following his overblot recovery, Ismund finally decides to discuss his feelings with Jade. He's taken the time to realize that putting up walls to keep people out is exactly what caused him to reach such a fragile emotional state in the first place, and that fear is no reason to avoid forming close relationships with others. Apparently, a near-death experience is exactly the kick in the ass he needed to be honest with his own feelings.
Ismund, petrified of rejection after all the trouble he's put Jade through, steels himself and confesses to Jade the next time he comes to visit him in the infirmary. He fully expects for Jade to respond with disinterest or disgust; instead, Jade kisses Ismund's gloveless knuckles in a gesture of both trust and reciprocation. How could he not feel the same about someone so strong, beautiful, and willing to indulge his passions?
They've been dating ever since! This is basically their dynamic as a couple.
