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Jamil sits there on the locker room bench bewilder. How was it he was just realizing he’s feelings.. and how was he just NOW realizing how long he’s had these feelings. Was he truly so blindsided he didn’t realize something that took Ace a few weeks on the team to see? He truly doesn’t know what’s more embarrassing how oblivious he’s been this whole time or Ace knowing his feelings for Floyd before Jamil himself did. Who else knew.. did Floyd know?!!!.. was he making a fool of himself this whole time and how did he get here? He hunches over defeated. Pulling at his hair, cringing at his past self.
1. The other basketball player
In their first year while Floyd’s reputation was growing fast, especially considering his stunt at orientation, they still weren’t aware of all of Floyd twists and turns yet. Everything started off normal. He did his warmup and stretching with no complaints. In fact he was in the game for a good portion of the beginning. Hence why no one was ready for him to stop playing in the middle of a game. Why? He just no longer felt like. He said something about the other team boring him. The only people that found this amusing was Jade in the stands laughing her ass off, and Azul trying to keep it together. Irritated the most at Floyd mood swings was their coach.
“LEECH! WHAT ARE YOU? A FISH OUT OF WATER? GET BACK IN THE GAME”
..silence. Floyd’s complete still. Confused on how to respond. No one knows if they should move around him and keep going or try and get him to move. It was a stupid comment really. Jamil doesn’t know why he laughed as hard as he did. Just as everyone was gonna restart Floyd looks in the direction of the basketball coach.
“…but.. I am a fish out of water?”
It truly wasn’t funny, at least it wasn’t supposed to be, but the seriousness and pout Floyd held made Jamil crack. The other nrc students were stunned, they couldn’t believe it. There was no way Floyd’s dumb comment was enough to get Jamil to cackle like he did.. he had to be into him or something… ohh… maybe he was.. I mean the eel is handsome.. not enough for you to ignore that personality though.. maybe Jamil hadn’t had many conversations with Floyd yet? The team was confused about what made Floyd appealing, but to Floyd that cackle was enough to put his droopy grin back on and tilt his head to the side.
“Something funny sea snake?”
“Yeah, your funny looking face”
These actually seemed to be enough to spring Floyd back into action. Though it was not enough for nrc to win that night. This didn’t bother the two freshmen that seemed extremely proud of themselves for their team work, and by team work they really just tormented the rsa players.
2. Jade & Trey
Really Floyd was not important to the conversation at all. He was just standing around humming while swinging his arms back and forth waiting for Jade to get done talking to Trey. Being a new vice-housewarden Jade had many questions for Trey, at least that’s the excuse she gave to Floyd. He highly doubt that’s his sister’s only reason for her constant need to strike a conversation with her fellow vice-housewarden. At some point in this prolonged flirting session conversation, Jamil joins them having genuine questions of his own.
This was taking way longer than it has to be. Now tapping his foot impatiently, Floyd’s mood was quickly turning for the worst, but if he walked off now he wasn’t going to work, and if he didn’t go to work on such short notice Azul would be mad and making Azul mad was not worth it.
Perking up with a bright idea, he could just mess with sea snake! It will entertain him long enough that he won’t walk off, and if sea snake is in a mood today that will give Floyd enough energy for work later on. Fixing all his problems! He stalks over resting his chin on Jamil’s head and his arms out stretched over the shorter boy’s shoulders. Jamil’s shoulders tense up only relaxing when he realizes who it is. With his huffing and the tension in his body it was only natural Jade and Trey assumed the boys rouged cheeks were from being frustrated with the troublesome eel. So, color them surprised when all Jamil does is roll his eyes and keep talking.
With widened eyes Jade and Trey look at each other without trying to notify the oblivious boys, who now seem to be arguing? Well it was really just Jamil swatting Floyd away once he realized the taller boy was messing up his hair and Floyd insisting he stays.
The two stunned Vice-house-wardens slowly slip away into a more secluded area. Jade couldn’t keep it in anymore leaning on Trey so she can laugh. She only moves back when his hand meets her elbow so he can try to keep her steady. The older boy now sharing the sentiment of his own infatuation over an eel twin. He couldn’t figure out what was so funny but he’d like to know if it meant seeing her like this. Smirking amused at her.
“Would you like to share what’s gotten you so tickled?”
After her laughter dies down more.
“Oh nothing really. Except, my brother was the least interested in coming here. Wasn’t as interested in humans and your world as me and Azul, but now look at him. It seems he’s gotten himself an admirer. If you couldn’t tell he seems just as interested”
No, Trey couldn’t tell. Floyd looked at Jamil the same way Trey assumed Floyd looked at everyone, but maybe there’s something more Jade is seeing. She probably has a better read on every twist and turn of Floyd’s expression and words than anyone.
He wished he had a better read on her expression.. then maybe he’d know why she leaned forward so much only to pull back when he reciprocated a touch. Such as now she’s leaned on him, but took steps back when his hand meet her elbow. Had he over stepped? Should he not put a hand on her shoulder when giving advice like he did his underclassmen? Should he not help keep her steady when her legs wobble? Maybe, the pull back was just her way of telling him she was aware of what he felt for her and didn’t feel the same? He couldn’t tell with her and it was frustrating.
She wills away her blush. How dare Trey make her heart beat like this. He had the audacity to try and hold her. Not that she didn’t want him to. No, no she definitely did. It’s just she couldn’t help herself if he did. He’d turn her into a fool in broad daylight! And she couldn’t have that. It’s almost bad enough the day Azul caught her red in the face and a blubbering mess the one time Trey decided to hold her by the waist for not even two seconds. She had to beg her friend not to tell her brother, or her twin would have spent days making fun of her.
3. Ace
Truthfully, Ace admired Jamil. He really did until probably a few days ago. He was cool, good at a lot of things, such as basketball, cooking, dancing. He was just an all around cool, skilled guy. You may be asking, “then Ace what’s wrong? Is he a major ass or something?” Yes, but also so are half the guys in the school including himself.
No, the reason Jamil lost all of Ace’s respect for him is because the dude is hopelessly, horribly in love with Floyd! It’s pathetic! He’s hopelessly! The worst part is, Jamil is completely blind to it all!! Ace was truly losing his mind! He might actually go gray if he has to spend another waking day with those two ignoramus, blockheads dancing around each other! They were so into each other at this point he truly believes they’re already dating, but like to mess with people too much so they’re denying it. That has to be the case. Deuce thinks he’s crazy. That he’s just seeing things, but Ace insists that he knows what he’s talking about.
Look the other day at practice every thing started off normal, or well normal for practice at nrc. Ace had the misfortune of being Floyd’s victim for the day. Not that Ace really minded it as much as he complained. Getting to go against Floyd was like training against a wildcard. You don’t what he’ll throw at you ever, or when…
This activity required zero Jamil. Non at all, so how did he even get brought into this? Because Floyd and Jamil can’t go a single practice without each other. So now Ace was against them both! He’s still deciding whether or not to be pissed it’s 2 v 1 or that they’re too busy flirting to even go against him! He’s sure he could shoot through their defense right now because of how focused they are on each other.
He’s starting to feel a little sympathetic for the other teams that have to face these two. In the end though those jerks still won against him! He was for sure he had it..
“What’s wrong crabby? Did you think you could win?”
“Come on Ace where you even trying?”
He hates them. A true match made in hell. They deserve each other.
No one deserves to be on the receiving end of their torment. Especially not Ace I mean what has he ever done to deserve this!
He spends the rest of his night sulking. Making sure it became everyone’s problem. Refusing to clean up after practice, sulking at dinner just pushing his food around his plate, huffing through his bed time routine. All for deuce to finally given in and ask him what’s wrong so he can complain about those ass holes.
4. Azul + Floyd
Azul was already irritated before Floyd walked into his office. Yet, Floyd knew all the right buttons to make things worse. He leans over the back of Azul’s chair, laying his chin on the top of Azul’s head trying to squeeze the boy beneath him.
“Enough, go back to work or go take a break. Whatever you do don’t disturb me from my work.”
“Ehhhhh?? I don’t want to…I wanna bother you.”
Oh! couldn’t he just listen for once. There was no way Azul was gonna be efficient if he was being bounded like this.
“Agh… Floyd! I don’t have time for this”
Floyd gives up. Letting go, all whilst huffing and making the complaint that Azul was just boring. Though Floyd doesn’t leave making himself comfortable on one of the couches in Azul’s office. Defeated, Azul lets him stay there not having the time or energy to argue with Floyd about this not being the break room. Not even a few minutes later Jade comes in searching for Floyd. Needing help in the front, and even though he protests he gets up anyways following his sister out. They both could tell Floyd was in a mood. Which one was undecided but he still seemed willing enough to work, so was there really any point in trying to figure out what’s wrong?
At the end of the day the twins sit in Azul’s office. Whilst Floyd mood only seemed to worsen from working the rest of the night he has no complaints about letting his sister run her fingers through his hair. It was rare he allowed her to do so. Told her it made him too homesick, because mama used to it. The times she has been allowed to do it was when he’s already homesick, or literally sick. Which wasn’t often but a completely different experience on land. Making everything feel ten times worse.
“Me and sea snake were talking at practice. The topic of home got brought up. That’s all nothing to it really you can stop looking at me like that..”
Azul perked up at the mention of Jamil. Something on Jade’s face though felt off. Like she knew something they didn’t. Maybe something only he didn’t? Maybe Floyd knew as well? His face scrunched thinking about what it could possibly be. Taking notice of Azul’s reaction.
“Earth to zul, what I mentioned Jamil and that was all you heard?~”
“Parish that thought. I was simply thinking. You two aren’t keeping something from me?”
While he glares at them, he seems to just be confusing Floyd, and well Jade’s grin told him everything. She knew something, and she was keeping it to herself.
“Whatever it is Jade i doubt we have time for any games”
She just laughs. Now causing Floyd to pout at her.
“..what’s so funny??”
No longer laughing. She looks almost surprised.
“Oh. Don’t tell me you two really haven’t noticed. Men can be so oblivious sometimes~ I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you”
This only upset the two boys more.
“You know Floyd you and Jamil have been talking a bunch lately. Mhm? Something to suddenly change your relationship?”
“What’s this gotta do with sea snake? You’re just changing the topic to avoid whatever you’re hiding..”
It clicked. Maybe not for Floyd but for Azul. He got why she was being so smug. Jamil and Floyd really HAD been talking a lot lately. Floyd couldn’t hear himself. All he talked about lately was “sea snake”… the way he talked.. Jamil wasn’t brushing him off either. Thats what the was all about. Azul had lost before the game had started. There was no chance Azul had with Jamil if Jamil already had his eyes on Floyd. Now even more confused.
“…zul? Jade? Why are you looking at me like that? You’re being weird.”
“Azul, how our most unwilling bud has blossomed! Look at him now~”
“Blossomed?? What are talking about??!!! Also I’m not your child!??!”
“Yes, in love already? Oh, how fast they grow up Jade.”
“IN LOVE?? WHO TOLD YOU??”
They share a laugh at his confusion. It may have stung Azul’s first crush had fallen for someone else but he knew Floyd was in good hands and that’s what matters. Yet, he wouldn’t admit that out loud to the twins. He didn’t need to tell them he cared for them to understand.
“Oh dear brother of mine it’s obvious how close you two are now~”
“We’re just friends!! I can’t make friends anymore??”
“You can, but admit it you feel more for him than friends”
She was clearly trying to bait him into admitting his crush completely. He sighs leaning back to lay completely on top of her.
“Nah, doesn’t matter. Sea snake isn’t interested like I am. I’ve tired to ask him out okay? And he just rejects me every time. So drop it.”
Jade pushes him off. As Azul and Jade make eye contact.
“..Floyd what do you mean exactly by rejecting you?”
“Yes, because trust i have never seen Jamil more interested in someone, and trust me Ive tried millions times to win over his interest.”
“If he likes me, then why would he reject my courting gifts?”
They both look at him for a minute before coming with a conclusion. Azul finally gets walks over and joins them on the couch.
“Maybe he didn’t know? We have very different customs. What did you offer him anyways?”
His face goes red, avoiding eye contact with the other two
“Look is that really important? It was just some jewelry, maybe offering lunch a few times..”
Hes avoiding something, so obviously being the wonderful sister Jade continues to press.
“Mhm, and what kind of jewelry? Perhaps it has something to do with the missing scales on your face a few days ago~”
“FLOYD??? You gave him your scales??”
“It was only two! And it was on a hair tie.. and he I doubt he kept it! I’ve never seen him wear it.”
Azul sighs. Just now realizing how wiped Jamil is for Floyd.
“That’s because he doesn’t wear it as a hair tie. He wears it on his wrist, as some sort of back up hair tie, or bracelet. We had a joint flying class the other day. I saw something that resembled your scales but I didn’t think much of it because that was impossible, or what I thought to be impossible at the time.”
Jade is trying to contain her laughter at this point.
“Oh my, Floyd you’re as red as the heartslabyul rose bushes~”
“And of course you mention heartslabyul, so how are things with Trey?”
The twins now glaring at each other.
“I have no clue what you’re talking about. There isn’t nothing going on between me and Trey”
“Uhh sure, anyways back to the very important matters. Sea snake accepted my gift and he wears it. That’s got to mean something right?? Right”
The two laugh at just how excited he looks. They all quickly finish up their day. Still having a few matters to work through before closing up the lounge.
5. Kalim
After Jamil’s over-blot the two decided to take one-two nights out of the week that would be designated to spend time together. Either teaching Kalim how to make a dish, or how to complete a chore, such as dishes or laundry, or just playing a game without Jamil having to throw the game for kalim’s sake. It wasn’t perfect. Some weeks Jamil didn’t want to hangout at all. Kalim is surprised he got Jamil to agree to the schedule anyways. It wouldn’t erase everything that’s already done, but it would help clear a new path for them they didn’t think they could take before. Well until Jamil started to cancel EVERY week! It was getting excessive. At first, he thought maybe he did something that set them back. Though, Jamil wasn’t avoiding him, or looking bothered by his presence. Nope, in fact this seemed to be the happiest Kalim has seen him in a while.
He shouldn’t snoop. It may actually make Jamil mad at him!!! Yet, he was dying to know what or who was making Jamil so enchanted. He couldn’t help himself!! He needed to know who was making his best friend(yes he’s counting it!) happy!!!
So he did what any respectable, reasonable student of nrc would do. He followed Jamil to, what he’s assuming is, a date. They stopped in front of a little run down cafe, as Jamil looks around, then at his phone, and then back up again.
Now how he didn’t get caught so far is beyond him. Jamil was never this obviously about his surroundings, and Kalim isn’t THAT good at hiding. His luck did not last the whole night though, as when Floyd walked around the corner he immediately spotted Kalim tailing not so far behind.
“Oh hey, sea snake!~ you brought sea otter with you today?”
“Huh? Who?—-“
He whips around when he finally processes who Floyd calls sea otter.
“KALIM AL-ASIM!! What the hell do you think you’re doing? You followed me here??”
“Uhh.. surprise? I mean uh.. ugh you weren’t gonna tell me who you were seeing, so I decided to figure it out myself! I took initiative! You’re always telling me to take the initiative!”
“Why would have to tell you I’m hanging out with Floyd?”
Now rubbing the back of his next, awkwardly.
“Because you two are dating?”
Now suddenly interested in this conversation.
“Sea snake? We’re dating? That’s news to me~”
He glares at Floyd.
“That’s because we aren’t dating! And Kalim had lost his mind!”
He was so sure of it. No he is sure!
“No, I’m right! You two are way closer now! You just don’t want to tell me so you’re lying!”
“Tsk- what!!? Why would I need to lie! If we were dating and you figured it out ,like you think you have, I would have no reason to keep up some elaborate lie!”
Floyd knows he should stop them, they’re poking fingers at each other now, but watching them have a quarrel adjacent to siblings was way more amusing, so he lets it play out.
“Then why are you always coming back after canceling our afternoon hangouts blushing, twirling your hair, kicking your feet!”
“Ugh! I do not!”
“Yeah! Do too!”
“DO NOT”
“DO! TOO!”
People were turning their heads at the loud voices. This caused a little old lady to come out with a rolling pin in her hand, and swinging it at them till they started running back to campus.
+ Jamil
It had been a few days since Kalim had embarrassed him like that. Not only fighting in public, but also saying that in front of Floyd?!..he’s done his best not to talk to Floyd the past few days. It’s too much! He can’t even look at his stupid hair tie without getting all red.
This is all Kalim’s fault. Why did he just have to assume they were dating and open his big mouth!… and why did it make Jamil realize what he actually thought of Floyd. All this time he believed it was mere admiration at most. Maybe most wouldn’t call Floyd admirable at all, but they didn’t get it. All the things that made him annoying are what Jamil liked. His mood swings, or how spontaneous he was. All traits people complained about, but it was those things that made the taller male true to himself, made him free.
That’s what made him admirable.
Sure he got on Jamil’s nerves too, but he also made him laugh, he also helped him have a good time in basketball again, after Jamil thought all hope was lose when Kalim joined school, and Jamil didn’t even think his slight slump was noticeable to anyone else. He was also more caring and thoughtful than others saw. Jamil had witnessed on multiple occasions Floyd bringing in a homemade lunches for Azul, and his sister but that only because she’s through a fit if he didn’t, so the boy didn’t have any excuse not to have lunch. With how obnoxious Floyd was about getting Azul to eat, the house-warden had learned his lesson to eat the lunch before Floyd started to try and feed him making air plans and train noise. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from the doorway of the locker room
“Hey, sea snake? This a bad time? You’ve been sitting there for almost 30 mins now.. ugh.. I hate doing this..but we need to talk”
Great, the one person he didn’t want to talk to at all. Guess there’s no avoiding it now, so he scoots over and pats the know open space beside him. Both boys take a deep breath before trying to speak. They exchange a few “you go first”, and “no you” before Jamil wins with “you asked to talk so talk” paired with folding his arms across his chest. The merman bites at his lip, if Jamil wasn’t so nervous himself he’d scold the other man in fear the other will tear a hole in his lip.
“Sea snake, about the other day just forget about, okay? You’ll all in your head about it. Don’t say you aren’t because I can tell! You’ve totally been ignoring me. So what people think we’re dating. We aren’t so don’t let it affect you.”
If only life was that simple.
“Well it is a problem, so I’m not just going to forget about it”
“What so wrong with people assuming that we’re together huh? You don’t want to be with me?”
“What??? I never said that! Of course I want to be with you?! I mean wait no that not what it sounds like! I-I mean it’s not like I don’t want to be with you or I—“
He’s cut off by Floyd’s deranged cackling.
“You’re all red, sea snake!~ I want to be with you too, sea snake.”
“Wait what?? You do..this isn’t something you can just change your mind about later!”
“Yeah, yeah. I promise you Ive thought about it all already. It fact I came here with the intention of seeing if you’d go back to the cafe this time, no Kalim though? Hmm, what’d say sea snake will you be benevolent by accepting this poor souls invitation?”
Jamil cringes he sounds like a mix of Azul and Jade but worse.
“Yes, just please never speak like that again”
In true Floyd fashion this time he laughs loudly and wraps his arms around Jamil claiming he won’t regret this!!