Work Text:
Riddle’s week was peaceful. A little too peaceful.
His freshmen were chaotic and unruly, per usual. There was no surprise there when it came to the amount of daily chaos he had to deal with. Azul was being his sly self, irritating him whenever he mentioned scoring higher on a test or how easily he was able to understand today’s lesson. Cater had been slacking on his studies yet again, forcing Riddle to try to help him again. These were all normal things that were a part of his routine, but there was something missing throughout the entire week.
Floyd Leech had not talked to him once.
He should be grateful he hasn’t come to bother him lately, but it was nagging at him. Floyd usually always found him at least once each day to terrorize him. He hadn’t shown up at all this week. It was unlike the merman, and Riddle couldn’t help but feel a little bit hurt that he hadn’t come to talk to him at all.
As he sat in the library, he briefly thought about paying a visit to the Mostro Lounge just to make sure he was in fact alive, but he quickly dispelled the thought. He didn’t need Floyd knowing that he actually missed him. He was already insufferable enough when he thought Riddle wanted him gone. The housewarden could only imagine how the eel would act if he found out he actually liked his company.
“Lost in your thoughts, Riddle?”
The redhead nearly jumped out of his skin as he turned to see Jade standing over him with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Riddle let out a small breath as he set down his pen and closed his library book. “Good afternoon, Jade,” he replied. He briefly glanced around his tall frame. “No Floyd with you today?”
The merman chuckled. “We are separate people, though I guess your concern for his whereabouts is warranted. He hasn’t been attending class.”
Riddle tried not to let any kind of emotion show on his face. “He’s been absent from all of his classes?”
“Unforunately.”
“Why?”
Jade placed a hand on his chest. “Our contact that provides us with our shapeshifting potions hasn’t been able to meet with us due to some personal issues. Because of this, Floyd hasn’t been able to maintain his human form and has fallen ill.”
Something in Riddle’s body lurched. “He’s sick?”
“I’m afraid so. Azul has been covering his workload around the lounge. As you can presume, he’s not very happy about it.”
“How come I haven’t seen him in the infirmary?”
“His pride wouldn’t allow himself to be seen there.”
Riddle scoffed. “Of course.”
Jade’s smile widened. “I’m sure he’d love it if you visited. He has been complaining about how he doesn’t get to see you.”
“As if I’d want to see him,” Riddle replied, face warming up.
Jade turned around and pulled a book out of the shelf behind Riddle. “Well, I’ll tell him you asked about him. That’ll make him feel better.” He flashed one more ominous smile at the redhead. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Riddle.”
Riddle’s thoughts began to race as Jade left. Floyd was sick because of his shapeshifting potions? Or lack there of? Either way, he couldn’t help but be worried about him. The merman was already pretty reckless, and Riddle couldn’t see him just sitting there and resting like he should’ve been.
He let out an exasperated sigh and began to pack his things. He was probably going to regret this.
—
“Why, hello there, Riddle,” Azul sang sweetly.
Riddle already wished he just decided to stay in the library and study. “Good afternoon, Azul,” he replied, already feeling annoyed.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?”
He might as well just tell the truth. “Jade told me that Floyd was ill.”
Azul winced, humming thoughtfully. “Yes. It’s been rather annoying seeing as it all could’ve been completely avoided. But he’s still alive, and the Mostro Lounge is down a valuable employee.” His lips turned up into a smirk. “Are you here to visit him? He would be thrilled.”
Riddle could feel his face get hot. “I’m merely here to inquire about his wellbeing. And to make sure he wasn’t dying.”
“He is still very alive and well. Now, if you are not here to see him-”
Riddle stopped paying attention as a familiar, tall figure emerged from the back of the lounge. Floyd’s shoulders were hunched like he was in pain, and some of his turquoise scales could be seen all over his face and hands. On the subject of his hands, he had webbing in between his fingers, and his nails were longer and sharper. His chest heaved up and down in shallow breaths. His ears were replaced by fins, and his teeth looked like they’d been sharpened. What Riddle noticed the most, however, were how his eyes held this dull, tired look he rarely saw on the merman.
Realizing that Riddle wasn’t paying attention, Azul turned around and saw Floyd had escaped his room. “Floyd, go back and rest,” he commanded.
Floyd just rolled his eyes and got behind the bar. “I’ve been stuck in there for a week. At least let me just restock something,” he droned, very clearly annoyed. His eyes widened slightly when they fell on Riddle, but he quickly looked away and tried to do some work.
“Of course the only time you feel like working is when you shouldn’t be.”
“You’d want to work too if you’ve been cooped up in your dorm room for a week straight.”
Azul sighed. “Just get back to your room before you collapse again.” Riddle flinched at the word “again.” He almost asked what he meant by that when Azul’s hands came down on his shoulders. “You can even have a different face to accompany you.”
Riddle tensed. “Wh-what?!”
Octavinelle’s housewarden turned to him with a confused look. “You did come here to visit him, did you not?”
“I- I mean-” Floyd stared at him with those resigned, dead eyes. That was all he needed to make his decision. “I, uh, I did come to see you. Jade told me you weren’t well.”
Floyd just continued to stare at the redhead for a few moments before letting out a quiet sigh. “Fine. I’ll go back to my room.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m not doing it because you told me to.”
Floyd slinked back into the hallway he came out of, and Riddle didn’t even wait for Azul to tease him about his admission. He quickly chased after Floyd, his concern for him only skyrocketing after actually seeing him in person. He ended up trailing behind him until they got to his room.
Floyd walked in and immediately collapsed on his bed, choosing not to acknowledge Riddle’s presence. Riddle made a note of how much the room smelled of the sea. “You don’t look good,” he stated.
“Obviously,” he replied. He raised his eyes with a confused expression plastered on his face. “Why’re you here anyway? Figured you be enjoying your peace.”
Riddle flinched. “I was worried about you. You haven’t been around.” Floyd hummed in response and let his head fall back onto his pillow. Riddle walked a little bit closer. “How much longer until you get your potions back?”
“Azul was saying it’d be a few more days until he could get more for all of us.”
“Why is it only you who is out of potions?”
“I told Azul and Jade to take mine.”
Riddle’s eyes widened. “Why on earth would you do that?!”
Floyd’s ear fins twitched as he winced at the volume of Riddle’s voice. “They do more around the Mostro Lounge, and they’re the dorm leaders. It’d be bad if one of them ended up like this for this long.” Before the redhead could respond, Floyd continued, “It’s not like they wanted me to. They were very adamant about us just conserving our current resources equally, but it just made more sense for me to give mine to them. What’s a few missed classes?”
Riddle frowned and shook his head. “You really are reckless.”
Floyd flashed a toothy grin at him. “That’s me.”
Riddle sat down on the very edge of his bed. “How do you feel otherwise?”
“It’s pretty hard to breathe, and my legs feel like jelly. And I feel slimy. And before you ask why I am still kind of human you’ll have to ask Azul or Jade. They know more about the whole science stuff behind the potions.”
Riddle slowly reached out to touch Floyd’s hand. It was pretty slimy. “Interesting,” he whispered to himself.
Floyd went very still under the redhead’s touch. “Were you really that worried about me?” he asked timidly.
“I- Of course I was,” Riddle replied softly, glancing away nervously. “As much as I do find you annoying, I do look forward to seeing you every day.”
Floyd’s entire face lit up, and it made Riddle’s heart flip. “Really?”
His face warmed up. “Don’t make me say it again.” He suddenly felt Floyd’s arms wrap around him tightly and pull him down onto the bed. His entire body fought the affection at first. “Wha-! Floyd! Get off me!”
“You care about me,” he murmured.
Riddle scoffed, his heart pounding in his ears. “You’re so slimy.”
Floyd buried his head in Riddle’s chest, ignoring his comment. “Will you stay with me, Goldfishie?”
Riddle’s entire face was the same shade as his hair. “I can’t stay forever.”
His words seemed to satisfy Floyd well enough. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
A small smile bloomed across Riddle’s face as he let himself hug Floyd back. “I’m glad you’re here too.”