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One large misconception about your boyfriend Floyd – among many, but that’s a whole other topic – is that no one would expect him to be good at comforting. After all, he was the type of guy who up and left the scene when it was no longer of interest to him. How could he possibly be able to stay and listen for longer than three seconds?
But they didn’t know him behind closed doors, how much of a sweetheart he could prove to be. He was there when it counted, and that was all that mattered to you. Before him, finding reassurance was as simple as pulling up a fanfiction on the internet about your favourite character or binge watching your favourite anime again. You had no one to hold you like you so desperately craved, no one to run their hands through your hair or scratch your back until sleep. No warm, breathing chest to rest your weary head on when the world made it too heavy to hold upright.
It was lonely back in your home world; which is why, given the opportunity to return, you don’t know if you’d really want to leave. Somehow you managed to pull a super sweet, handsome eel boy who would do anything for your attention – there was no way you were letting him go now that you’ve had a taste of what constant physical affection feels like.
There were days when you were too embarrassed to ask for any of it, however; but he would know, and drag you away to either his room or yours, whichever was closer to make you admit how much you need him. Of course, he’s happy to indulge you anyway.
Today was one of those days where everything was just too much. Your period had started, your schoolwork was piling up by the second, and Azul was bugging you about working that evening. You ignored his texts and curled into yourself, trying to focus on making the cramps go away, since the pain meds hadn’t kicked in yet. On top of everything, some guys had been making fun of you for being magicless at a magic school while throwing your bag around. You were used to it here, but today was just a terrible day for bullying. You didn’t want to tell Floyd about the constant teasing in case he decided to become a criminal for a few years, so you kept quiet about it to everyone. It would surely just cause more drama, right?
Before you knew it, your cheeks were warm and wet with the bad thoughts continuing to build up in your head, overwhelmed and unable to unwind on your own. You wanted Floyd. You wanted him here to wipe your tears and kiss you and hold you so tight like he always does – but he was working and you didn’t want to interrupt him or get him in trouble, so all you could do is hide under your comforter while clutching your favourite magical kitty, Grim. He complained and grumbled at first, but once you started crying he relented and let you hold him. As much as he secretly enjoyed your attention, he couldn’t wait for Floyd to be here and make you feel better.
— — — — — — — — — — —
Back in the lounge, Floyd was doing some cooking, keeping up effortlessly with the orders with a professional’s confidence, something you were always distracted by whenever you picked up a shift at the lounge. His passion for such simple things like food, shoes and basketball just added to his charm, and it was especially a lovely feeling for you when you could relate to something normal in this bizarre world.
As he began some fried rice in a pan, he suddenly froze, dropping his utensil like he had just seen a ghost. The other cook in the kitchen at the time looked over, slightly worried.
“Senpai…? What’s wrong?”
“My Shrimpy senses are tingling. Sorry buddy, you’ll have to look after things for tonight!” He exclaimed before ripping his apron off and sprinting towards Ramshackle.
“Hey, Floyd! Where in the world are you going?! We still need you!” Azul yelled after him, ultimately sighing as he remembered it’s pointless to try and reason with Floyd.
“SHRIMPY!!!” Floyd yelled into the evening air, at no one in particular as students walking on the pavement outside cleared the way out of fear for their lives lest they be trampled.
When he reached your tattered residence, he didn’t even bother knocking. In fact, he literally kicked down the door — not very impressive with the state it was in, but still his strength is nothing to laugh at.
“Shrimpyyy~!” He called out, and you could hear his echoes from the hallway.
“Ahh… I miss him so much that now um hallucinating his voice…” you mumbled to yourself and Grim, still in your arms.
“Nah, I’m pretty sure that’s actually him.” Grim replied just before yelping when the door flung open.
“Floyd?? You scared me! What are you doing here?” You sat up, and he saw your red eyes still a little damp even though you had calmed down — for now.
He didn’t say anything, instead pouncing on you in a way that was reminiscent of a FNAF jumpscare. You squeaked when he landed on you, not hard enough to hurt somehow. That’s when you noticed Grim had slipped out of your arms in all the chaos.
“You guys have fun. I don’t wanna be here while you’re all lovey dovey.” He stuck his tongue out before darting out the window to find Ace and Deuce, who were most likely doing something stupid.
It was just the two of you now, and you looked up at him hovering over you.
“Mmhhh…. Shrimp… Why are you sad?” Floyd gave you the saddest puppy eyes you’d ever seen as he whined.
“I-I dunno… there’s too many things.” You replied softly as Floyd immediately pulled you into his arms, tight just how you like it.
“My Shrimpy senses alerted me that somethin’ was wrong.” He whispered and kissed your cheek.
“Huh…?”
He ignored your confusion in favour of rolling to pull you on top of him; it was more fun to keep you guessing anyway.
“Wanna talk about it? Do I need to kill someone?”
“No Floyd, no killing.”
“Why are you crying.”
“M’not…” You lied
His raised brow was enough to make you relent and burrow your face in his neck.
“It’s just a lot of stuff today. I don’t know where to start.”
“Just go one thing at a time.”
As much as Floyd was a complete goofball, somehow he also knew how to calm you down every time you were like this.
“I got my period and it hurts.”
“Oh, Shrimpy…” Floyd said and shifted to spoon you, his warm hand resting over your uterus.
It was a small touch, but it helped a little. Especially with the heat of his body against your aching back. You remembered how you had to tell Floyd what a period was, considering merfolk didn’t get them at all; he was so confused and worried, it was adorable. Ever since then, he seemed to be much clingier than usual when it was your time of the month, even if you were annoyed with him. To Floyd, your irritated grumbles directed towards him were more like a baby walrus whining, so it was ineffective in convincing him to leave you alone.
But deep down, you liked that he stayed no matter what – even if you wanted to kill him for it sometimes.
“What else?” He asked, his lips grazing the shell of your ear.
“Too much homework.”
“I can’t really help you with that…”
You giggled at that, knowing Floyd was even more hopeless than you with school.
“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here.” You sigh and snuggle even further into the covers.
He hummed in response and pulled you closer, his forehead pressed into your shoulder.
“There’s more on your mind.”
You bite your lip in thought, weighing the pros and cons of telling him about your bullies. On the plus side, you would never have to see the bullies again. On the downside, you would never see your boyfriend again because he would probably be in prison.
“Shrimpyyy… tell me.” He whined.
“Okay… promise you won’t get mad though?”
“Hah? Why would I be mad at you?”
“Just promise me.”
“Okayy~, I promise. As long as you tell me.”
“Well, um… I was being teased today by some guys. They were tossing my bag around and calling me weak and stuff. But it’s not really a big deal. It’s not like they hurt me.”
You turned around to look at Floyd only to be met with the scariest face you’d ever seen.
“Names.”
“Hey, you promised you wouldn’t get mad!”
“Names, Shrimpy.”
“No, Floyd! No hurting.”
“Heheh… I’m not mad, Shrimpy. I won’t hurt anyone. I’m just curious about their names and what dorms they’re in and what they look like-”
It was the lie of the century, but it was clear Floyd had already made up his mind about who his new play victims would be. He would find out one way or another, so you figured it was easier to just tell him.
“Fine… they were Savanaclaw students. I dunno their names.”
“Savanaclaw, huh? Oh Shrimpy~... don't you worry your pretty little head off. They won’t bother you anymore.”
Though his voice was soft and gentle, his eyes were glazed over with murderous intent.
“Yeah… I’m worried. Just don’t do anything crazy.” You murmured, knowing it was pointless to say to someone like him – but you still felt obligated to warn him.
“Don’t worry…” He whispered again; not any less ominous than the first time.
There was some silence now as you just enjoyed each other’s presence – his breath hitting your ear in steady intervals, arms wrapped tight around you and a knee resting between yours. It was incredibly comfortable, and your eyes were feeling heavy.
“Hey. Why didn’t you tell me you were gettin’ picked on? You know I would have protected you.” Floyd said suddenly, his voice more serious than you had ever heard it.
“Because I was afraid you would lose it on them and end up in jail…” You blushed, embarrassed as you admitted your (extremely valid) fears to him.
He just stared for a moment before bursting into laughter. His hand went over his eyes as he snickered, leaving you to marinate in your own humiliation.
“Oh baby, we both know they could never catch me~” He whispered in your ear before licking it, making you squeak.
“That’s not the point! I’m saying I don’t want a murder on your record at all!” You scold, your face still bright red as you wiped his saliva off of your ear with your wrist.
“Mmhh… just relax. I won’t kill anyone… for now.” Floyd responded and softly bit your ear in kind.
You relented, knowing this was as far as you would currently get with him – and great, now he was in a biting mood. He was always careful not to bite too hard when he got like this, but his teeth were still incredibly sharp and it tickled your sensitive skin.
“Floyd…” You whine, feeling him grab your hand to bite the side of your palm.
“Is anything else bothering you, shrimpy?” He ignored your grumbles in favour of more nibbling.
“Not really, I guess it’s just those things all together.”
“Want me to make you food?” He offered with a kiss to your reddened palm.
“You’d do that?”
“‘Course I would. ‘Cause you’re my Shrimpy baby~”
Your face turned bright red and you were reminded once again why you chose him, and why you were so lucky to have this eel’s attention all for yourself. Sometimes you felt rather greedy about it, but after all he was yours. Most people often forgot how you could be just as clingy and possessive as Floyd, including Floyd himself.
“Take me with you.” You rolled into his chest.
You swore you felt his heart jump a little, but that was something to tease him for later – until he brought it up, you realized you hadn’t eaten much today. You felt your body being lifted, blankets and all as Floyd took you both to the mostly-reliable Ramshackle kitchen.
Hoping you could rile him up a little, you whisper against his shoulder:
“I love how you’re so strong and handsome… and you take care of me so well. I love you so much~”
Floyd nearly tripped on a loose floorboard in the hallway before catching the both of you. When you looked up, you could see that his face was completely pink and he refused to look at you; but at least it gave you an excuse to admire his jawline.
“Floyd~~~ Why are you looking at the wall~?” You purred, trying to tilt his face back toward you.
He finally did, and you wished you could photograph this moment and remember it forever. You had never seen him this pink before, and you barely even did anything. Maybe you should praise him more often.
“S-shut up.” He grumbled before continuing towards the kitchen, his hold on you still tight as you giggled.
He sat you down on the counter, standing between your legs. Even while sitting on the counter, he still towered over you. You loved the way he had to duck under most doorways in Ramshackle; apparently they never had any six-foot students before.
“I want pasta.” You demanded, craving a warm comfort meal to make up for all the pain and stress.
“Yeah? I’m gonna need a kiss to get started~” Floyd grinned, already back to his usual self; his embarrassment was fun while it lasted.
Rolling your eyes, you lean forward and meet his lips halfway for a small kiss – quick and soft, but he didn’t let you get away with such a tiny thing. He kissed you back with an excited energy about him, like this kiss was really charging him up to make pasta for you. Before you knew it, you were already parting your lips for him without really thinking until you felt his tongue against yours, soft and warm. Honestly, this was already seeming to fix all your problems; being able to be close to Floyd like this, making out in your kitchen and hoping the ghosts won’t be around anytime soon. Your touch-starved consciousness leaned closer, taking your body with it; and if it wasn’t for him holding you, you would have tumbled off the countertop.
You gasp his name briefly before you capture his lips again, earning a soft sigh in return. His hands travel to your waist, fingers tracing gently on your skin under your shirt.
“So cute…” He whispered your name as well, teasing your skin with light circles of his thumbs.
You blushed and looked up into his eyes as you both caught your breaths, a lewd string of saliva breaking between you. He licked his lips with a smirk and gave you one last peck before he went to put the water on. The kiss had made you sensitive and a little melty, so you didn’t say anything else – instead opting to sway back and forth giddily.
While Floyd cooked, he would look over and see you silently pouting – even if you insisted you weren't – when you were all by yourself without his warmth; and when he had the time, he would come back over and snuggle you, readjusting your blanket until the pasta needed tending to. The time flew by while you watched him, fascinated by his speed and precision. At last, your favourite dish was complete and he presented it to you proudly.
“Here you go, sweetie~” He cooed, holding a forkful up to your mouth.
Normally you would refuse to be fed and do it yourself like an independent shrimp, but for now you thought you would indulge him. Obediently, you opened your mouth and when the wonderful taste and texture hit your tongue you hummed in contentness, rewarding his hard work with your adorable sounds.
“Good, yeah?” Floyd beamed with pride.
“Yeah…” You mumble, nearly asleep from all the love you’d experienced all at once.
“Tch… just made all this pasta for you and now you’re gettin’ sleepy on me,” He chided softly, grabbing your chin to look at the way your eyes were droopy, “At least have a few more bites. Eating good is important for your health, y’know.”
You nodded, eating as much more pasta as you could manage while staying upright – finally, he put the leftovers in your refrigerator and carried you back to bed.
“My sleepy shrimp… tired yourself out from all that worryin’, huh?” He asked, more to himself than you.
“Wish you would talk to me about it more often.”
And as Floyd laid next to you in your bed with the setting sun shining its orange light through the cracks in the moth-eaten curtains, you could feel his love even in your dreams as he held you closer to his heart than anyone else – both literally and metaphorically. One arm wrapped around your back, rubbing circles with his hand, and the other holding the back of your head to ensure your nose stayed put in the crook of his neck.
His revenge plans for your bullies could wait until morning, he supposed. For now, you needed his comfort more than you needed his fists. He breathed in the sweet smell of your hair as he let himself nap with you, forever yours and knowing that you were forever his.