Inbox for duplicity

[chopoffyourhead]

Username: rosehearts

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[chopoffyourhead]

[And then there's Floyd, handsome Floyd in his true form. Riddle lets out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and comes inside, closing the door behind him before he walks over to Floyd.]

Goodness, Floyd... I never knew you were such a romantic.

[He sits seiza in front of him, hand coming up to caress his cheek, unbothered by the mucus on his skin.]

[eelusive]

[He seems impressed. Truthfully, Floyd would be too if someone went through the effort of setting out nice things for him and, you know… they don’t usually do that.

Lifted above the water, very tip of his tail waggles a bit as Riddle approaches, and when he’s given that gentle caress it full-on shivers, tensed up and wobbling like a cat’s.]

Fufu~ Dunno ‘bout that. I just kinda did what felt right after all that stuff you mentioned.

[Even so, he rests his cheek more fully in Riddle’s palm and offers a little nuzzle.]

Sooo, does that mean you like it?

[chopoffyourhead]

That's all you need to do.

[He gives an amused look at his tail before looking back at Floyd, gaze softening at the affection.]

I do.

[He'll let Floyd lean into the hand for now. Meanwhile, the other comes up to curiously trace along a fin.]

Now it's time to properly appreciate you~

[eelusive]

Hehhh~? I can do more though~

[Floyd’s never known the meaning of “minimalism” in his life. He’s about to go on about more gifts and tricks, things like candy or strawberries or even bigger, brighter flowers tied up into those fancy crowns he sees humans wear… but the touch to his fin completely whites out his brain and causes the fins on Floyd’s forearms to stand on end.]

Ah… pffhaha~! Tickles.

[he chirps, a webbed hand instinctively coming up to lightly touch the back of Riddle’s palm.]

[chopoffyourhead]

I don't doubt it.

[It makes him wonder what he has to look forward to... and excited.

There's a little chuckle at that reaction.]

I'll spare you this time.

[He draws his hand back to press their hands together, raising them up lightly to get a better look. He gives a hum of approval at the claws.]

That's quite the arsenal you have there.

[eelusive]

Bahaha~! Goldfishie’s so merciful.

[Floyd continues to giggle even as their hands lift up. Wow. Pressed together like this, they couldn’t be more different. From the sheer size of Floyd’s fingers to the color of Riddle’s skin–

He curls both hands a bit, really putting emphasis on said “arsenal.”]

Right? I’m super good at using my teeth, but these puppies can do some real damage.

[Even so, Floyd’s delicate as he spreads Riddle’s fingers. That’s what Riddle likes after all. Being gentle.]

I can protect you from sharks and spiny lobsters and swordfish… or scratch your nose. Haha~

[And there he goes, trying to poke the tip of Riddle’s nose as he says it.]

[chopoffyourhead]

I don't doubt it.

[He watches the webbing grow taut as Floyd spreads their fingers, before his gaze returns to the mer.

The poke has his face scrunching up a bit with a smile, before he shifts to peck that finger.]

How chivalrous. I'll never have to fear the seas with you by my side. Or any wayward itches.

[A finger traces along the dips of Floyd's, pad smoothing over the webbing.]

[eelusive]

Right? There's not much that can beat me in the sea, y'know.

[Riddle's touch is light, his skin warm and soft, but against his sensitive webbing, it might as well be a third degree burn. Despite that, Floyd doesn't pull away.

Why would he when he's finally able to be this close?]

But there's tons of people who are stronger than me on land.

[As much as he'd like to slip his fingers between the gaps in Riddle's own, his current form won't allow it, so he'll just have to settle for the next best thing. He gently takes hold of his fingers and guides them close, close enough for him to brush his lips along the curve of his palm.]

Like you.

[chopoffyourhead]

Mmm.

[Riddle thinks he might like to see that, some day. Floyd showing the full extent of his strength in mer-form. If Riddle would be able to see anything at all. Wild animal fights often turned into absolute blurs of motion. Let alone what happens in the water.

His hand is pliant in Floyd's grasp, face darkening and his body shivering at the soft touch to such a sensitive part of his hand.

He smiles, fingers lightly stroking over his cheek and nose.]

Of course. I've been honing my skills on land far longer than you.

[He admires him for a moment, then says:]

Tell me about your home.

[eelusive]

[He'd still like to have a one-on-one spar with Riddle one of these days. Magical, of course, since it's fair... and maybe physical, though he doubts the other boy will want anything to do with that.

Point is, there are a lot of things Floyd hasn't done on land and a lot of things he still needs to discover. Doing all that with someone else sounds far more interesting.]

Oho~? That's a loaded question, Goldfishie. There's a lot about the Coral Sea I can blab about.

[He nuzzles Riddle's palm again and this time a low purr rumbles between his gills, stirring up the water and causing tiny droplets to dance on the surface. Along with the flapping fins and waggling tail, it's just another sign of a happy merman.]

Like how we're always singing and playing instruments and you'll probably never run into a single merfolk who can't keep a tune. Dunno if you learned this in history class, buuut~

[Another wag of his tail, then, mildly scandalized,]

There was actually a time when all music was banned in Atlantica.

[chopoffyourhead]

We've got time.

[There's a softened chuckle at the nuzzle, and his thumb runs over one of the markings on Floyd's cheek.

Hm... music's an integral part of their culture. Makes more sense why he seemed so distraught about it that one time. It clearly symbolized something important to him.

He raises his eyebrows at the last part. And then he shifts to settle more against the edge of the tub, clearly making himself comfortable for story time as he looks at Floyd, head resting against an arm.]

I didn't.

[eelusive]

[Music--sound--comes to merfolk as naturally as swimming. It's in their blood. It gives life and meaning to everything they do. It's tempting to hum something for Riddle, but Floyd holds off, not wanting him to lull him to sleep when they've barely started to chat.

Goodness knows passing out on the bathroom floor can't be comfortable regardless if he has Floyd for a pillow.]

Yuh huh. Dumb, right? It's 'cause the Sea King at the time lost his queen in a freak accident involving a music box, so after that he really, really hated music. Not fair to make the rest of the kingdom suffer on account of his woes though, if you ask me. That's--

["What you call a tyrant," is what he almost says, but decides against it. Floyd shrugs and continues on,]

Anyway~ I could tell you 'bout the place where we watch fireworks all the time, or the sea dragon skeletons you can find up north where my parents live, or how we all sleep in huuuge clam shells!

[Floyd puts emphasis on that last bit, backing away and rising up with his arms spread wide in the air. Naturally, there's a bit of splashing, but not enough to soak Riddle at least.]

[chopoffyourhead]

[He listens, a gentle smile on his face as he does. When Floyd suddenly cuts himself off, Riddle blinks.]

...that's...?

[Oh, well, there goes his pillow. It's fine, though. He looks amused by Floyd's gestures.]

I want to hear all of it.

[And since his hands are free now... he's going to reach out to run his fingers along the tip of that animated tail.]

[eelusive]

[Floyd belatedly realizes he’s taken Riddle’s comfortable pillow away, but before he can say anything about it– Ah. His tail…

Floyd’s a touchy feely merman and Riddle knows that extremely well, having been the subject of Floyd’s most incessant badgering for well over a year. Being handled like this though, especially by someone who otherwise wanted nothing to do with him at one point in time… It’s mesmerizing, to say the least.

His tail droops and shivers before reaching out to fit more fully in Riddle’s tiny palm.]

Ah… haha… I’m pretty slippery, huh.

[He’ll continue talking about the Coral Sea in a bit. It’s just–]

It doesn’t bother you?

[chopoffyourhead]

You are.

[This does not dissuade Riddle in the least as he tries to pet the tail with the other hand.

The question, however, makes him blink and look at Floyd.]

Why would it bother me?

[eelusive]

I thought people don’t like slippery slimy things.

[Or maybe that’s just some people. Floyd circles the tub but thanks to how long he is, his tail doesn’t stray from Riddle’s hands.]

[chopoffyourhead]

Maybe some people don't.

[His one hand comes up to get some slime out of his hair.]

Though I might need a shower before we go so it doesn't dry with my hair stuck together.

[eelusive]

Fufu~ You could give yourself one of those hairdos that make you look like a porcupine fish!

[Floyd giggles and points his tail toward the shower nearby.]

But you can use that one if you want. I’ll watch.

[… his aural fins flap with realization.]

Pffhaha! I mean keep watch.

[chopoffyourhead]

I'll pass.

[No weird hairdos for him today pls.

At the comment he balks and turns red... and then at the correction, he gives a sly smirk.]

Hm... well, I suppose I should.

[So, he steps away to wash his hands off in the sink, followed by getting as much slime off his hair as he can...

Before he turns his back to Floyd and slowly begins to strip himself of the layers.]

[eelusive]

[Floyd meanwhile busies himself with soaking the parts of him left out of the water the longest. It's not like he'll shrivel up and dry out after less than an hour, but the feeling of dry skin still isn't pleasant.

So down he does, head submerged while Riddle fiddles with the sink, but by the time he emerges, Floyd spots that bit of bare skin and decides to keep half his face hidden beneath the surface.

So small... Small and soft and vulnerable. That's awfully bold, isn't it? Turning his back to a predator...

The water rumbles when a deep purr shakes Floyd's chest once more.]

[chopoffyourhead]

[Riddle smiles, looking back over his shoulder at the merman.]

Enjoying yourself?

[Of course, Riddle talking to him means he's stopped stripping for the moment...]

[eelusive]

[No sense in trying to lie. Floyd wiggles his fins initially, but soon enough he grips the edge of the tub and pushes his torso up out of the water.]

Why’d you stop?

[He’ll slip out of the tub and get a closer look, so help him…]

[chopoffyourhead]

[He raises an eyebrow.]

Oh, you know... Just felt a pair of eyes on me. It's a bit distracting.

[He takes a teasing step away from the bath.]

There's no rush, right? We have plenty of time.

[eelusive]

[Oh, distracting, is he? He could take offense to that, but, to be fair, he didn't say he'd watch Riddle strip. He said he'd keep watch. Right? He shouldn't be watching him strip. That's rude... or something.

... And yet the moment he sees that step, his pupils narrow to slits, laser focused on Riddle's every last breath. Before long, the fins on Floyd's arms and spine slowly stand on end.]

Mngh... How much time?

[chopoffyourhead]

I can't have been here for more than fifteen minutes.

[Another small step...]

That leaves forty-five minutes... and it shouldn't take me more than ten minutes top to shower.