Inbox for duplicity

[chopoffyourhead]

Username: rosehearts

Comments

[chopoffyourhead]

[Yup, he expected as much.

Though... He can't help but blush at the sentiment. He gives a little smile, stroking Floyd's cheek.]

That's very thoughtful of you.

You said at the party it was custom for mermen to bring gifts, right?

[He tries his best to recall.]

What was it... doo-hickys and thingamabobs?

Either way, I'd love to see what more you could find in the ocean here.

[eelusive]

Mngh... yeah. Thingamabobs and dinglehoppers. They're way more impressive than shells and pearls.

[Not that a flower is either one of those things, but if they're special to humans, then they might as well be, right? It's the only reason he's given Riddle more flowers than he's ever given anyone... and he's never given flowers to anyone in the first place!

He buries his face into Riddle's chest again to try and keep his burning cheeks hidden.]

But the ocean here ain't as colorful as the one back home. That's why I'd rather get you flowers.

[After a beat he starts to idly play with the fabric of Riddle's shirt.]

D'you want any other stuff?

[chopoffyourhead]

[Cute...

He pets his head.]

Maybe not... [He pauses thoughtfully.] I do enjoy flowers, I've just never seen so many things from the ocean. So I'm curious.

[He grins, then leans over and murmurs into Floyd's ear.]

Just your company, my moray~

1/2

[eelusive]

[Aw, man. He’s just making this so much harder…

Floyd releases a quiet hum–]

2/2

[eelusive]

[–then mutters just barely above a whisper,]

How bad would I have to be before I’m not your moray anymore?

[chopoffyourhead]

[...ah...

Riddle's gaze softens. His hand stops and moves to settle against Floyd's cheek.

Gently, he encourages:]

What happened, Floyd?

[eelusive]

[Dammit, he actually heard him! This is especially difficult for Floyd considering he’s more prone to keeping his secrets than giving them away. But he wants to get better at it. It’s only fair… isn’t it?

Glancing away, he slumps and presses his cheek more firmly into Riddle’s palm.]

… Someone hurt Jade.

[chopoffyourhead]

[Oh... that's right. Jade had come in with that eyepatch. It's no coincidence, then, that soon after, Floyd wasn't able to make it to the lessons.

He gently presses a kiss to Floyd's head.]

I'm guessing... you wouldn't let them get away with that?

[Despite the question, Riddle remains calm and understanding. After all, he can emphasize with an extremely strong sense of loyalty— and all the emotions that come with it.]

1/2

[eelusive]

[Floyd wants to exclaim "Of course not!" in response, but with a deep breath he keeps his anger in check. The gentle kiss definitely helps in that regard.]

No.

[he grumbles, still not looking at Riddle's face.]

I don't care if that guy was under the influence of whatever when he did it. He still did it. And now Jade can't see right.

[Still wrapped around Riddle, his hands clench into tight fists.]

Dad always says our family comes first, that Jade and I need to work as a unit when we're on land... So whenever he gets hurt, it's like I feel it too. You take one swing at me, you'd better be ready to get three right back in your face.

2/2

[eelusive]

[Floyd carries on, incensed.]

Cocky piece of shit came right back to the scene of the crime. So I poisoned his drink and dragged him to the back to tie him up so we'd be extra sure he wouldn't get free. I wanted Jade to take his hits first, but I got so pissed off just looking at his stupid face I could've squeezed the life outta him and--

[With his tone rising, Floyd notices his hands starting to shake and abruptly trails off. He shouldn't get into details with Riddle. For all the other boy's toughness, he doesn't like violence. So he bites the inside of his cheek and turns his face even farther away, burying it partially into the palm of Riddle's hand where it feels the warmest.]

--I don't think I've been that angry before.

[chopoffyourhead]

[...Well.

Suspicion confirmed: don't fuck with the Octavinelle. Part of him thinks he really did get lucky with Azul not giving into the desire to make an example of him. ... even if he's not fully convinced he'd be able to manage it in a way that wouldn't get back to Jamil.

Riddle's about to try to calm him down, but Floyd manages to regulate himself. He lets out a woosh of a sigh, then kisses his head again.]

Understandably so. I think... were anything similar to happen to one of you, I'd do the same thing.

[Not want to do the same. Not might do the same.

Riddle, for all his understanding, gentleness, and usual kindness still very much has and embraces his darkness.]

[eelusive]

If dad and mama were here, that bastard would be sleepin' with the fishes.

[He'd be nothing but marine snow! Floyd hates that he wasn't able to do much more than the usual Leech brand torture, but it'll have to do for now. Anyway, he's fully expecting a verbal lashing for this and even seems to buckle himself in for it with a visible tense of the shoulders, but--

--wait what?

With a blink, Floyd finally turns his eyes toward the other boy.]

... You're not mad? Or freaked out?

[And he'd do the same? Blink blink]

... Really?

[chopoffyourhead]

I don't doubt it.

[At that baffled response, he raises an eyebrow.]

Is it all that surprising? I am a student of NRC, after all.

I may not tolerate deliberate dishonesty or a transgression of fundamental rules, but culprits still must be punished by the most effective means possible.

[Riddle grins.]

If it were up to me, it'd be off with his head.

[He doesn't seem to be referring to his Unique Magic.]

1/2

[eelusive]

I guess that makes sense...

[Riddle's big into following the rules and all that. And that guy broke the rules first, so it's only fair for Jade and Floyd to pay it back! Still, he thought his decision might have been too extreme for Riddle's standards... whatever those may be.

Ahh, but there he goes again, worrying about Riddle's opinion of him. It doesn't make any sense! Maybe he valued that a little bit back home, but here--]

2/2

[eelusive]

["Off with his head," he says.

... A-ah.

More blinking and this time when Floyd rests his cheek into Riddle's palm his eyes are wide, pupils blown like those of a curious cat. Maybe there's the slightest dusting of pink on his cheeks. Maybe. Just maybe.]

Would you let me watch?

[chopoffyourhead]

Of course, normally there would be a due order of process. But the evidence seems rather damning in this case.

[His free hand comes up to pet Floyd's hair.

Ah... cute.]

Hmmm... perhaps...

[A sly smile.]

If you behaved well and asked nicely.

[eelusive]

Aw, come on! Y’mean I haven’t been behaving enough already?

[Floyd pouts, defiant and increasingly restless. One would think Riddle made plans to lop someone’s head off within the hour with how impatient Floyd seems.]

And process schmocess! That part takes too long. I’d wanna see you do it right then and there.

[… But, ok, fine:]

… Please?

1/2

[chopoffyourhead]

[Riddle looks thoroughly amused by Floyd's impatience.]

You'll have to ask again when I actually plan to do it.

2/2

[chopoffyourhead]

[There's a pause before he looks to his ceiling thoughtfully.]

I probably would have been a lot angrier when I first arrived here. But...

[A frown.]

I realized just how crummy this city and its laws actually are. Far too much freedom and rights are taken from submissives, which puts their lives in significant danger.

In some ways, a land governed with corrupt morals is even worse than total anarchy.