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“Goldfishe!~”
Ah, there it was: the sound of one of the people Riddle considered the bane of his existence. It was not Ace, who was digging into yet another piece of cherry pie. It was not Grim, who, along with the Ramshackle prefect, had yet to arrive. Instead, it was the third: Octavinelle sophomore, Floyd Leech. He came to stand before Riddle; the housewarden had to look up to meet Floyd’s eye, unfortunately. As usual, Floyd’s outfit was ruffled and unkempt, one hand shoved into his pants pocket while the other was placed on his hip. The smile upon his face was between excited and relaxed - an odd combination unique to this certain Leech twin.
“Good afternoon, Floyd.” Riddle greeted, as was the polite thing to do. “I thank you for coming to visit me on my special day.”
“Loosen up, Goldfishie!” Floyd accentuated his words with a playful shove to Riddle’s shoulder. It wasn’t too harsh, but it still caught Riddle a bit off balance. “This is a birthday party, not some boring school function! You don’t gotta act like such a stiff.”
Riddle quickly regained his composure, clearing his throat and straightening his jacket before he spoke again. “It would be unbecoming of me, the housewarden of Heartslabyul, to ‘loosen up’ just because of the occasion. I have indulged enough by eating so many sweets.”
Riddle mumbled the last part under his breath, but Floyd heard it loud and clear. A frown briefly crossed his face, Riddle’s mother coming to mind. Man, what Floyd would do to give that lady a squeeze for the way she made Riddle feel. For now, he put that thought out of his mind, that devil-may-care back in full force.
“So, you ready for your birthday present?”
“Did you bring me one?” The littlest of smiles crossed Riddle’s features; Floyd felt his heart flutter. “Well, thank you, Floyd. I am curious to see what you have brought me.”
“Oh, I didn’t bring you anything.” Just as Riddle’s expression turned to one of puzzlement, Floyd spoke again. “I’m bringing you to it!”
“Wha-?”
In one swift motion, Floyd grabbed Riddle and threw him over his shoulder. He held him by his waist as he began to walk out of the common room - Riddle kicked and yelled in protest all the wild.
“Unhand me, Floyd! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Taking you to your present, obviously.” Floyd replied. “Didn’t you hear me the first time?”
“Could you just bring it here?” Riddle continued to try and squirm out of Floyd’s hold, but the eel wouldn’t let him budge. “If not, then put me down and simply let me-!”
“Nope.”
With that simple word, Floyd kicked open the front doors of Heartslabyul. Riddle’s gaze went over to his fellow students, silently pleading for one of them to save him. Deuce looked ready to leap over the table, but Ace had stopped him, a sly smirk on his face as he whispered something in Deuce’s ear. To Riddle’s dismay, Deuce relented and sat back down, giving his housewarden an apologetic smile. Next, Riddle looked to Cater, who he realized was too busy recording the entire ordeal.
“Cater, I will have your head if you post that video on Magicam!” Riddle yelled.
That caught the third year’s attention. He gave Riddle a thumbs up, yet continued to record. “Fair! I’ll just have this for memory’s sake.”
He wasn’t going to be much help either. Just before Riddle lost sight of them as his assailant carried him away, his eyes landed on Trey: his last hope of salvation. Trey’s hazel eyes were already upon him, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with an apologetic, yet knowing smile of his own, he tipped his hat at Riddle. He, too, condemned Riddle to whatever fate Floyd had planned for him. So, with a frustrated sigh, lips pursed in pout, and arms crossed over his chest, Riddle finally stopped struggling. This better be a present most profound.
After a long walk Riddle thought would never end, Floyd put him down. His shoes hit the sand of the beach, located just outside the Royal Sword Academy campus. Riddle quickly straightened his clothes and hair, which had been rumpled and tossed by a combination of Floyd’s hold and the sea breeze. Once he was sure he looked presentable, Riddle turned his gaze up to Floyd; to say he was cross with the fellow was almost an understatement.
“I truly hope you did not drag me out here for a swim,” he said. “Did you even attain permission from Headmage Crowley for us to come out here?”
“Was I supposed to?” Floyd asked, though he didn’t seem to care too much about the prospect.
“Yes.” Riddle took a deep breath to quell the anger that boiled inside him. After he held it for a few moments, he released it as a frustrated sigh. “Well, where is this present you have for me? I would like to return to campus as soon as possible.”
“Aww, c’mon, Goldfishie!” Floyd elbowed Riddle - a bit more gentle this time around. “Do you not like being out here with me?”
Was that…concern in Floyd’s voice? No, of course not; Floyd looked just as carefree as ever. Even so, Riddle replied, “I do not like traveling off campus without going through the necessary permissions and paperwork. You could have just simply brought me to Crowley’s office, so I could attain it for us.”
Floyd simply shrugged, eyes now cast upon the sea. Riddle followed his gaze and took in the view of the Coral Sea. Its waters were a beautiful blue, the sun’s rays causing the surface to sparkle like jewels. Waves gently crashed upon the golden shore, sea foam briefly lingering before the sand absorbed it. Riddle had an idea of what might lay beneath the water - Floyd likely knew more than he did, however.
“Is your home far from here?” Riddle asked, breaking the silence.
“Nah,” Floyd answered. “Home’s up north, in the colder areas. The water’s gonna be frozen over where I live by winter.”
“I see,” Riddle mumbled, nodding to himself. “Even so, I’m sure it holds its own beauty.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Floyd shrugged again, heterochromic eyes focused on the smaller male once again. There was a fondness within them - certainly at the mention of home, Riddle thought. “Sure would like you to visit with me someday.”
“I don’t believe mother would be too fond of the idea, unless it were for some form of research.” Riddle’s expression saddened for a moment - then a small smile graced his delicate features. “However, if the opportunity were ever to arise, I would love to.”
How could one guy be so pretty? Floyd matched Riddle’s smile with a grin, neither mischievous or devious. It was fond - loving, even. Floyd fiddled with something in his pocket; Riddle’s curiosity was piqued by what could be inside. Then, as if to answer Riddle’s unspoken question, Floyd brought forth a…shell. It was one from a scallop, to be exact. Its surface was predominantly white, though it faded into a soft reddish pink color towards the upper edge. Riddle raised an eyebrow as Floyd held it out to him.
“Is this my gift?” Riddle asked.
“Partly, yeah,” Floyd replied.
Riddle took the shell in his hands and brought it up to his face to examine it further. His eyes traced the grooves, waves, and edges; his fingertips brushed the rough front and smooth back; he realized how big it was compared to his hand. After a minute, Riddle met Floyd’s eye again, the grin upon the eel’s face now turned into a soft smile.
“Thank you, Floyd. This is a very beautiful shell.” Riddle’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and slight irritation, once again. “But did you really bring me all the way out here just to give me this?”
“Yeah, sorta.” Before Riddle’s face could turn red with anger, Floyd continued. “Thought it’d be kinda awkward to give you a courting present in front of everyone.”
“Oh, of all the-!”
Wait, what?
The word ‘courting’ echoed in Riddle’s mind, mouth held slightly open as he stopped mid-sentence. Riddle barely even registered the small chuckle that rumbled in Floyd’s throat at the sudden pause - the quick realization. Riddle really was the cutest boy Floyd had even met.
“I…I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” Riddle stammered. Did he hear that right?
“Aww, c’mon, Goldfishie!” Floyd’s words were laced with a small laugh. “I know you’re smart enough to figure it out~”
Riddle supposed he did, indeed, already figure it out; he just needed some extra confirmation. His heart was beating so fast, and he felt a bit light-headed. Have his palms ever been so sweaty? The sudden boisterous laughter Floyd let out nearly caused Riddle to jump out of his skin.
“You’re shaking like a leaf, Goldfishie! Don’t tell me you’re scared.”
“I-I am not!” Riddle stuttered, beyond embarrassed at his current state. “This…I…this is just very sudden.”
“Mmn…might be for you, yeah.” A small giggle escaped Floyd. “I mean, I’ve been dropping hints that I loved you for a while, but you never caught onto them. Thought I was just going to have to snatch you up and kiss you before ya took the hint!”
Oh, Riddle’s face was red now - but it was out of embarrassment instead of anger. There was a bit of bashfulness mixed in there as well, Floyd could tell. Riddle now looked anywhere but him; Great Seven, if he got any cuter, Floyd could just eat him up! Riddle couldn’t even get his words out now, he stuttered so much! Somehow, though, the little guy finally managed to form words.
“You…really feel that way about me?” Riddle asked.
“Well, yeah!” Floyd giggled again. “Why would I give you one of my prettiest shells if I didn’t?”
Oh…Riddle had read up on this in the past, in his studies back home. Certain types of merfolk, beastfolk, and even fae would offer a potential mate something very precious to them. If that someone were to accept the gift, then the two would begin to court each other; often, the goal was marriage. Riddle didn’t think Floyd had thought that far ahead - but the offer still rang true.
“So, this is your way of asking me to court you?”
Floyd’s smile widened a bit, a peek of teeth poking through. “Duh! You can just say date, but that’s the goal.” Floyd then stooped down to meet Riddle’s eye. To make sure Riddle’s gaze was on him, he tapped his soft cheek with his forefinger. “So, what do ya say, birthday boy? You wanna go out?”
Riddle could not form the words to reply. He was so nervous, shy…he answered with a meek little nod.
Floyd’s smile was like nothing Riddle had ever seen upon the merman’s face. “That makes me real happy, Goldfishie~”
“Don’t call me that…” Riddle whined.
That whine was a little above a whisper, though. Just as Riddle got the final word out, Floyd’s lips met his. He handled the young man with an uncharacteristic gentleness, a small shiver running down his back at the feel of Riddle’s lips. Riddle, on the other hand, practically shook. His hands grasped Floyd’s vest, clinging to him as though his life depended on it. Before his shell could hit the ground, Floyd caught it and swiftly tucked it into Riddle’s jacket pocket. Riddle did not object when Floyd lifted him off the ground; in fact, Riddle’s legs wrapped around the man’s waist for extra support.
Something in the back of Riddle’s mind worried what his mother might think of his new boyfriend. That worry was quickly pushed aside when Floyd broke the kiss, those piercing eyes looking fondly into Riddle’s gray orbs. He giggled at Riddle’s reddened face, right before he nuzzled their noses together.
They were being a little too cavalier…oh, to hell with it. Riddle dove in for another kiss before he could think; Floyd certainly didn’t mind.