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As he walked through the hallways he could hear the whispers coming from every student he passed by. On a normal day he would've ignored it but since the topic involved him it couldn't be helped that he's irked by what he's hearing.
He has no plans in feeding more into their gossiping and went straight for the Heartslabyul dorm. Greetings from his dorm mates were heard and he acknowledged them with a nod before bumping into Trey.
"Hey Riddle- oh."
"Yeah, oh."
Trey looked at him then ushered him into his office. "I already prepared you a cake and tea, courtesy of Cater's texts earlier, we can talk about what happened."
Riddle let Trey pull him, having his energy drained just from listening to different versions of the story all day. He sat on his chair and immediately sipped his tea. "This is frustrating, you know?"
Trey sat in front of him and just nodded, encouraging him to tell everything he wanted to say. He was startled when Riddle placed his teacup down with a lot of force. It was a miracle it didn't break but it seemed like the holder was the one that did.
"Why can't people mind their business?! We always met up at the greenhouse because Floyd said I haven't been eating well lately and he gives me lunch." Riddle crossed his arms before he stomped his feet. "I love his cooking, no offense Trey I love yours too, but every lunch I look forward to spending time with him."
Trey just nodded, understanding how Riddle felt before taking a bite of his own slice of cake.
"Earlier someone else was at the greenhouse. Floyd was about to go run after them but I stopped him. I was not going to allow violence happen especially around me! I thought they were just a passer by but when we went to our respective classes I heard students whispering about what happened."
Trey placed a slice of cake in front of Riddle and watched as he immediately took a bite. "You know, even if the means of what happened wasn't exactly in your favor it was bound to happen one way or another."
"I know! But I just didn't know it would happen so soon and so sudden!" Riddle exclaimed as his head started to ache. He massaged his temple and sighed from the stress he was going through.
"Why don't you just tell everyone about your relationship with Floyd? I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you did," Trey suggested with a hopeful tone.
"I would mind," Riddle answered softly. "Not because of my reputation. I don't care about that anymore. It's hard loving someone so much just to keep them hidden."
Trey suddenly remembered what the problem might be. "Is it because of your mom?"
"Yeah," Riddle whispered. "If word gets to her, who knows what she might do, not only to me but to Floyd too."
"It is hard when your situation is like that." Trey was about to refill Riddle's teacup but stopped when he saw the younger one already crying.
"Oh Riddle..." He immediately got up his seat to give the younger one a hug. "I'm sorry you have to go through this."
Riddle couldn't answer as he sobs into the older one's shoulder. He started taking deep breaths in order to calm himself but it just made him panic more. “I can’t lose him Trey.”
Trey gently rubbed Riddle’s back in an attempt to comfort the younger. He just listened to his cries, feeling bad that he has no idea on how to confront this problem.
After a while Riddle fell asleep on Trey’s shoulder. Trey then carefully carried him to his room so he can get the rest he needed after a long day. Somehow he was determined to find a way to help his best friend to get through this.
“I’d be broken if I ever lose someone I love again…”
Trey clenched his fist as he felt the pain those words held and left the room. If only the circumstances wasn’t like this then Riddle would’ve been happier.
Cater was waiting outside the hallways and lifted up his phone. “Already did damage control.”
Trey nodded before looking around. “How bad was it?”
“Not bad to be able to reach Riddle’s mother today but it’s only a matter of time before it starts again. There’s only so much I can do.” Cater checked his phone before showing Trey newly posted speculations about what happened earlier.
-
Floyd sat on his bed while Jade was nursing his wounds. “I understand that you’re angry and frustrated but it’s unnecessary to throw punches especially to first years.”
“Well they should’ve held their tongue especially they’re in Mostro Lounge.” Floyd spat out before hissing at the sting of alcohol that Jade sprayed with no warning. “Can you be more gentle to your own brother?”
“No, you totally deserved it after wrecking havoc outside.” Jade stood up and disposed the materials he used. “After everything that transpired today, you need to talk things with Riddle. You can’t fix this alone.”
Floyd let out a sigh but nodded. “I will, tell Azul I’m not in the mood to work anymore.”
“Too bad he’s looking for you in his office. I’ll be handling what happened outside so make sure you report to Azul right now.” Jade then left the room that made Floyd huff.
He did leave the room after a few minutes of composing himself. After arriving in front of Azul’s office he knocked thrice before opening it, not even waiting for an answer from him.
Azul’s chair was turned away from the door so Floyd took that as a sign to sit down while silence enveloped the whole room.
“I don’t need explanations.” Azul’s chair swiveled and faced Floyd. “I do need compensation for all the damages in the lounge.”
Floyd clicked his tongue and got ready to leave the office. “I’ll work weekends and cover up shifts. Just not this today Azul.”
“I didn’t mean that, sit back down.” Azul stared at him with an unreadable expression so he sat back down again. “Tell me everything as a compensation.”
Floyd stared at him with wide eyes. “Who are you?”
Azul just glared at him. “What? Am I not allowed to help a friend out?”
“Geez you’re being not you today. But since this is a rare chance I’ll take it~”
Azul just rolled his eyes and gestured for him to start speaking.
“So y’know that when I learned that Goldfishie was skipping lunches to do work I started bringing him lunches, right?” Floyd started then looked if Azul was listening. “We agreed to spend lunch at the greenhouse to avoid people. Personally, I didn’t really mind where we ate but Goldfishie has his reasons so I let him be.”
“I guess the greenhouse was a way too good spot for lunches that there was another person that saw us. I was ready to squeeze the person but it was too late since Goldfishie grabbed me by the arm. Unfortunately I never got to find who was that.” Floyd shrugged but he was obviously trying to control his urge to leave and look for the culprit.
Azul just nodded and waited for Floyd to continue the story.
“When we went our separate ways to class I already started hearing rumors in the hallways. I was close to threatening them y’know~?” Floyd whined while Azul just shook his head.
“But I realized it’ll make things worse so I just smiled at them.” He smiled at Azul as if mimicking the smile he showed the students.
“I’m guessing they ran away after?”
“You bet they did!” Floyd exclaimed happily but immediately frowned. “I don’t really care if they gossiped about me, it’s just free publicity. But once they try to dirty Goldfishie’s name then that’s a different matter.”
Azul leaned back on his chair and sighed. “I can’t help much since words fly faster than we can even hear. Since these are just rumors, for now, you don’t really owe them or anyone in general any explanation.”
“I know, but I can’t imagine the stress Goldfishie is going through because of people running their mouths.”
“Yeah, I heard from Cater that Riddle’s mother is way worse than we can imagine so once she winds up hearing that her perfect golden child caught up in rumors like these it’ll be a bigger mess than we can anticipate.”
Floyd nodded, already hearing stories from his Goldfish himself. “Yeah, thanks for this Azul. I’ll go back to help out in the lounge, I am responsible for what happened anyway.”
“Sure, whatever you want. Talk it out with Riddle tomorrow, whatever course of action you both decide to take let me know if I can be able to help.”
“Yeah.”
-
Riddle laid awake in bed surprisingly way ahead of his alarm. He always dreaded school days but this particular day made his blood run cold and his skin crawl. It was obvious that he will be lacking energy to make it through his day later.
He was startled when his phone started to ring and immediately answered the call. “Hello?”
“Goldfishie~! Why are you awake so early?”
Riddle sighed in relief hearing Floyd’s voice. “You woke me up with your phone call.”
“Oh, is that so? I guess I’ll just end this call so you can get more sleep~”
“Wait!” Riddle winced when he head how loud his voice was. “I was joking, I woke up earlier and had a hard time falling back to sleep.”
“I know~ Meet me in Mostro Lounge in an hour?”
“Mmm, sure. I’ll be there in an hour.” Riddle took a peek at his bedside clock and clicked his tongue as the bright red 5:33 AM glared at him.
“Alright, stay safe Goldfishie~”
The call ended signaling Riddle’s time to prepare for both school and his meeting with Floyd. He made sure to get ready as silent as possible but he jumped when his door opened.
He stood still and waited while holding tightly to his pen wand with the objective to collar whoever was awake and had the audacity to enter his room without knocking.
“Are you going to class already?” Trey’s voice was heard before he entered the room.
Riddle breathed in relief. “I almost collared you out of instinct.”
Trey just bit down a laugh before nodding. “I understand but are you not eating breakfast first before leaving?”
Riddle shook his head and grabbed his bag. “I’m meeting with Floyd in Mostro Lounge so I guess I’ll eat there.”
“Alright, be careful on the way there.”
“Wait how are you up so early?” Riddle asked while following Trey down the stairs.
“Cater and I didn’t get much sleep if I’m going to be honest.” Trey pointed to Cater laying down on the living room couch while Ace and Deuce were sleeping on the floor.
“Heya Riddle!” Cater sat up and grinned. “We’ll save you some of Trey’s pastries after class.”
Riddle nodded, still confused on what happened. “Why are you guys here when you could’ve slept in your own rooms?”
Cater rubbed his neck and smiled sheepishly. “Well, we tried to do damage control on Magicam so it won’t reach outside of NRC yet. The two first years wanted to help but fell asleep.”
“You guys didn’t have to do this…” Riddle’s grip on his bag tightened as he stilled himself not to cry from the warm emotions he felt.
“We couldn’t let the house warden’s happiness be trampled on by rumors and such, especially not from people who knows nothing.” Trey looked at the still sleeping first years. “Their words, not mine. But all of Heartslabyul shares the same sentiments.”
Riddle nodded and wiped his eyes immediately. “Thank you guys, for everything. I’ll make sure to tell everyone too.”
“With everything you have done for us this is still nothing.” Trey smiled as he saw how Riddle changed for the better.
“This is what friends are for right?” Cater then waved his hand. “I know you have someone to meet so you better be on your way.”
Riddle nodded then waved at them. “Thank you again.”
While he ran towards the hall of mirrors he had one thing repeating in his mind.
Friends.
It slipped his mind that he already had friends that has his back no matter what, so why does he still need to hesitate?
He stepped inside the mirror that took him to Octavinelle. It was still early so when he stepped inside Mostro Lounge it was just Azul and Jade talking at the bar.
“Good morning, Azul and Jade.” Riddle bowed before walking towards the two. “Sorry for intruding so early in the morning.”
Azul waved his hand in a dismissing way. “It’s not a problem, no one in Octavinelle wakes up this early except for us three.”
“Are you feeling well now?” Jade asked.
“Better than yesterday at least,” Riddle answered then looked around. “Where’s Floyd?”
“In the kitchen making breakfast. He said he wanted you to eat more since he didn’t want you to get sick.” Jade then was hit in the head by a flying spoon.
“Oi oi, don’t expose me like that.” Floyd placed a plate with pancakes in front of them, complete with fresh fruit slices and syrup. Then gave each of them a plate and cutlery.
“Goldfishie~ I missed you so much.” Floyd then wrapped his arm around Riddle’s waist and kissed the top of his head. “I’ll get your tea ready in a few.”
Riddle immediately flushed at the gesture, “yeah, I missed you too.”
Azul and Jade swore they saw steam coming out of Riddle’s ears.
“Can I get orange juice?”
“No get your own drink Jade.”
-
After breakfast it was almost time for classes. Riddle insisted to help with the clean up but Azul said he was a guest. It was close to opening time for the lounge anyway so some Octavinelle students are already present when they finished.
“I’m sad that you have to go to classes already Goldfishie~” Floyd whined as he walked the shorter one to the hall of mirrors.
Riddle turned to him with furrowed brows. “Are you not going to walk me to class?”
Floyd stared at him dumbfounded. “What?”
“Isn’t that what boyfriends do?” Riddle raised a brow, trying hard not to smile.
“Awww~ Goldfishie, are you sure about this?”
“Of course, what’s wrong with loving someone and wanting everyone to know anyway?” Riddle then raised his hand for Floyd to take. “Let’s go?”
Floyd happily held Riddle’s hand and proceeded to talk his ear off while walking towards Riddle’s classroom. He can feel everyone’s stares on them but he didn’t care.
This is what Riddle wants and he wouldn’t exchange it for anything in the world.