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You sat crying outside of Ramshackle Dorm.
Many had already tried to comfort you. Specifically Ace, Deuce, Grim, and even Malleus. But they simply weren’t effective.
You absolutely appreciated the help, that wasn’t the issue. They were comforting in their own charming way. Deuce Spade handed you a carton of eggs while mumbling something about them being his favorite (which made you giggle, something you hadn’t done yet that day), Ace Trappola rented 3 new movies for you and the rest of the Frosh group to watch over the weekend as you all usually do, saying, “Don’t watch these without us, kay?”, and Malleus Draconia had given some motivational speech using gargoyles as a metaphor.
But, it didn’t help.
Sure, it made you feel better for a bit. You wistfully admired the eggs in their box which you decided to lay out on your counter while thinking of the fun things you could bake with Deuce and your other friends. You couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling up in your stomach when you thought of the upcoming weekend and watching the new movies with Ace, Deuce, and everyone else. And, though you were lost partway, Hornton’s (made-up) story of gargoyles did somewhat cheer you up and left you with some wise advice. It was endearing how much they cared!
But you were still alone.
You were stranded in another world with no one else to help. You couldn’t deny the dull ache in your chest when you thought of the others at home. What are they doing right now? Do they remember you? Do they even know you’re missing? Were you erased from the minds of all whom you cared for?
These daunting questions left you confused and distraught. You were alone.
The only parental figure there for you was, quite honestly, more of a deadbeat dad. Dire Crowley never tried to bond with you, though he was your self-proclaimed guardian. He only called you for problems you were not qualified for. You were practically his errand runner, and many of the staff commented on his lack of care for you. You were fed up with it as well.
More than fed up. You were frustrated, angry, and tired.
Just a few hours ago, he called you into his office. You were hesitant to oblige, but it was a ‘formal request this important simply cannot be ignored!’ (quoted from Crowley directly). So, you had no choice. Strangely, he explicitly said he didn’t want Grim to accompany you. You parted ways with him, assuring the poor feline that it probably was nothing important. He cackled with his usually prideful laugh, agreeing with you.
Nothing important, you repeat to yourself while walking up to the doors of his office. You practically barged into the room and slumped down into his chair, a nervous look painting your face. Did he… find a way home for you?
“Ah, Prefect! Oh come now, don’t look so nervous. I haven’t even spoken to you yet!” The bird-man exclaimed, his eccentric movements never failed to annoy you. Though at this moment, you were more antsy than annoyed. You subconsciously bounced your knee.
“Well… what did you want to tell me?” You asked, hesitant but hopeful. The pit in your stomach felt like a heavy pearl lying at the bottom of the ocean. You silently prayed.
“It is simple! I would like to understand you.” Crowley announced confidently.
What the hell?
“Huh…?” You squeaked out, unable to keep the noise from coming out.
“As your benevolent guardian, I’ve seen how downcast you’ve appeared recently!” You lowered your head, opting to stare at your shoes rather than into the headmaster’s eyes. Ah. You had been a bit… sadder as of late. It was hard not to be. You were already far into the year as a student of Night Raven College. It felt like home. But it wasn’t. You were going to go home eventually. At least, if you ever could go home.
He stopped for a moment before continuing. “So! What seems to be the matter?” he intertwined his fingers together before sitting gracefully.
What was the matter? The matter was you were stuck, STRANDED in another world with no stable guardian to help guide you. You witnessed multiple overblots, and dangerous situations that were supposed to be RARE. And the whole reason you even were involved in such things was because of Crowley and his unreliable staff. And the worst part is that you thought you were going to go home.
You were convinced you were about to be sent home, and you still weren’t sure how to feel about it. So the fact that he practically dangled a carrot on a stick in front of your eyes was humiliating. You felt pathetic.
You couldn’t stop the tears from pouring out. You tried to catch your breath, but it felt as though it was out of your reach. Just like the other things in your life, you couldn't control yourself. You buried your face into your hands, trying your best not to break down.
You assumed Crowley’s ‘benevolent’ nature would reveal itself, and he would carefully pat your hair with reassuring words accompanied by each stroke. You were foolish to think he’d care for you like a father would his child.
“Ah, you cry because I’m oh so gracious!” He declared, standing up and practically throwing his hands on your shoulders. What the fuck? You almost immediately stopped crying, looking up at Crowley through the spaces between your fingers. What did he just say?
“Please, cease your weeping, my child. I know many others would not be so kind as myself to give you a space where you can freely speak your mind. Don’t be afraid to sing my praises!”
There’s no way he was serious right now. Did he seriously think you were crying because… he gave you an opportunity to talk about your feelings? You were practically in a shitty therapist’s office crying because you thought you were going to go home. You didn’t know if you were crying from pain or joy, because you weren’t sure if you were ready to go home.
But of course, you were nervous for nothing. Those scenarios you imagined where you would have to say goodbye to your dearest friends---- that's all they were. Scenarios. You psyched yourself out over NOTHING. Who were you kidding? You would never go home, and you weren’t sure if you were elated or heartbroken by this revelation.
“Shut up.” You mumbled, breaking the seconds of silence. Crowley looked confused for a moment, either not hearing you or not believing his ears. “Prefect-” He began, but you swiftly cut him off.
“Shut up! Shut up! Please, just shut up!” You screamed, still holding your face. You slowly removed your hands from your face to look up at your so-called guardian. Your ‘father’. How silly. Ace and others had teased you for being Crowley’s child. At first, you warmed up to the idea of considering him a father. You weren’t sure why as Crowley never did anything fatherlike other than graciously take you in and accept you as a student, even though he appointed you a job as a janitor.
Maybe it was because you had no one else. No other person to act as a parental guide. No one to hug you while you cry or even support you. So, you desperately searched for someone like that. Someone you could curl and sob into for all of eternity.
You could never find someone like that. Not in this world, at least.
“Who do you think you are… trying to act like you care for me!”
“Prefect, please…”
“You… you just treat me like trash! You are a sorry excuse for a guardian! You aren’t helping me!” You began to sob.
“I just… I want to go home… I miss them…” You quietly cried into Crowley's chest.
Damn. You cried into the one person you swore you hated. You were conflicted, but the way his clawed hand slowly swiped against your hair reminded you of someone who you loved. But… this was different. Crowley didn’t love you. He couldn’t. You were just a stray puppy he took in. He was going to give you away. He was going to find you a home and give you away and never look back. He can’t care for you.
You wish he could.
“Please… just stop.” You weakly murmured, pushing back Crowley. It seemed like he was going to protest, but he only whispered goodnight to you before you stormed out of his office.
And there you were.
You sat crying outside of Ramshackle Dorm. Alone, afraid, and scared.
Until you felt a tap on your shoulder.
You raised your head from where it lay between your folded arms and rubbed the tears that welled in your eyes. “Floyd…?” You called out.
“Hey, Shrimpy.” He said coolly.
Damn. He saw you crying.
You’ve had a crush on Floyd for a while. Ever since you dealt with him and his twin brother while trying to win back Ramshackle from Azul. Of course, you swallowed those feelings. No way you were going to tell the finicky Floyd Leech you were in love with him.
He doesn’t have a favorite candy because it changes based on his mood. He is spontaneous and fun--- a little dangerous too but that made him all the better. How could you keep up with his standards?
It seemed like he was obsessed with Riddle Rosehearts anyway. Always searching for his 'goldfishie' in the halls. It seemed when Riddle was in the room, Floyd's attention was all on him. Not like this would affect you much. Your paths never crossed. Floyd was a spontaneous, fun-loving, violent kid. His routine changed daily. You heard of some of his escapades, like him parkouring to class after he slept in or his daily torturing of classmates, but you were never around him much. The two of you never had the chance to spend time alone.
You thought it would stay that way forever.
When you were around him (usually in group settings), the drumming of your heart pounded in your ears. The two of you had fun, at least you had fun, but eventually, he’d move on. After the first few times he did it, you opted to leave the conversation first. It spared you the embarrassment of sitting there awkwardly while he relentlessly teased Riddle in the library.
Why was he here? At Ramshackle? Actually… stupid question. Why wouldn’t he be here? He’s Floyd. He does what he wants when he wants.
If he was in your situation, he would’ve demanded Crowley send him back. Maybe he would’ve already been home. That would spare him the pain of having to say goodbye to friends he knew he’d never see again.
Before you knew it, Floyd sat next to you. God, you knew he was spontaneous but you truly weren’t expecting that. “Floyd…” You called out again before softly sobbing into your hands. He only softly petted your hair.
It was different from how Crowley did it.
With the headmaster, it felt wrong to embrace his affections. With Floyd, it felt… right. The way his fingers delicately traced your scalp. Each stroke was strategic like he was unlocking a new part of your mind you weren't ready to share. If he kept this up, he would eventually know all of your secrets. But, that was comforting. His softness was something you never knew you needed, nor did you know he was capable of giving.
“Heard ya crying while out in the woods. You’re really loud.” He joked weakly, no laugh accompanying his remarks. It made the sentiment more authentic. It wasn’t just Floyd teasing. It was him trying to comfort you.
“You good?”
Oh.
That’s what you needed. That’s the help you wanted.
It was stupid. The most informal way of asking someone if they’re okay. But it was enough. More than anyone else has done for you.
No one ever asked if you were okay yet. Not Crowley when he witnessed you bawl your eyes out. Not Ace, or Deuce, or even Malleus. They tried their best, yes, but what made Floyd’s comfort real was that it didn’t feel like he was forcing himself to care for you. Of course, you knew better than to assume your friends didn’t care for you. Especially those three. But… It was verbal reassurance. You wanted--- no, needed someone to reassure you that they care.
You looked up at him, your eyes still watery. You obviously weren’t okay, but could you verbalize that? Could you look Floyd in his mismatched eyes and say, “No. I’m not okay.”?
You wouldn’t need to decide that. Floyd quickly rose to his feet. Your gaze followed him. Was he going to walk away? Did he suddenly decide he was in no mood to deal with a crying, whiny baby?
“Shrimpy, wanna go on a walk?” He asked with a lopsided smile that replaced his seemingly uncaring features.
You didn't answer, but you didn’t have to. You rising to your feet to join Floyd was enough. Thus, you began your late-night walk. It was a bit awkward, as you were still sniffling and your tear-stained face wasn’t completely dry. You also still weren’t over your earlier debacle with Crowley.
Nevertheless, Floyd eventually had you smiling and giggling. Your nose was still stuffed from earlier, but it felt normal. Huh. Maybe that’s what you needed? Normal? Or at least, the facade of normality. Whatever it was, you felt so much better.
He teased you while you only giggled. Then he went on about his day, his new shoes, the employees who are terrified of him at Monstro Longue, and whatever crossed his mind while you both briskly walked. Never once had he pressed you any further about earlier. He only spoke his mind.
You felt your fingertips graze over his multiple times, which only made you slightly embarrassed. There's no way he saw you like that... but the way he looked at you every time it happened suggested otherwise.
"Shrimpy, you're very resilient." He randomly said after rambling on about meaningless things. You tilted your head in confusion. What spurred this?
"Just sayin', if I was stuck in another world, I would be way more freaked out." He cackled, throwing his hands behind his head. Did he know your frustrations were because of your predicament? Was this his acknowledgment? You felt your heart warm.
"Yeah... you'd probably throw a tantrum once you got bored." You joked, and Floyd quickly wrapped himself around you.
"What was that? Did Shrimpy ask for a squeeze?" He playfully threatened before ever-so-slightly tightening his grip on you. You giggled while begging for mercy.
"Ah! No more! I'm sorry!"
"Mmm... not forgiven."
"How can I make it up to you?"
Suddenly you found yourself grounded on the floor. A little confused, you looked up at the tall boy. "Hang out with me again tomorrow. Then I might consider forgiving you."
Huh. Again? You thought this would be a one-time thing. He would get bored of you and toss you aside like a children's toy.
Floyd chuckled at the quizzical look on your face. "You're a lot more fun to hang out with than I realized, Shrimpy." he chided.
Ah. You were fun? In Floyd's eyes? There must be some sort of award for that. It seemed an impossible feat.
The throbbing of your heart only continued.
"Okay. Let's hang out again tomorrow." you said, deliberately brushing your hand against his.
He smiled and quickly interlocked his fingers with yours.
Your hands stayed glued together until the end of the walk.
Soon enough, you reached the gates of Ramshackle Dorm once again, having gone a full circle.
“Thanks, Floyd.” You said, your voice more cheery than before.
“For what?” He asked, feigning innocence. You lightly slapped his shoulder before laughing. “You know what!”
“Ow! Shrimpy, you’re so mean!” The eel then threw himself over you. “Bad Shrimpy!” He cackled, letting out his iconic, borderline psychopathic, laugh. It was too contagious, and the two of you began cackling together.
“Bye, Floyd.” You said, parting ways. He only smiled before waving.
You might have a new problem on your hands. You might be in love with Floyd Leech.
All because he was there for you when you sat crying outside of Ramshackle Dorm.