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[chopoffyourhead]

Username: rosehearts

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[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.

[eelusive]

[Forty five minutes?? Even after a ten minute shower, that's still thirty five minutes left to sit here and wait for Riddle to come back to his side. Floyd can only circle the tub so many times, you know!

Frustration is quickly winning out the longer the other boy tiptoes away in all his barely-naked glory. His claws scratch the porcelain, his jaw clenches, his gills flare-- Water spills over onto the floor when Floyd finally releases a sharp huff and dives sideways back into the tub.

His tail slaps the surface not unlike a couple of fingers tap-tap-tapping with wild impatience.]

Well, you can't shower with your clothes on.

[So take. Them. Off.]

[chopoffyourhead]

[Tut tut, what a mess!]

No, I suppose I can't.

[...step!]

1/3

[eelusive]

[You--!

Easy now, Floyd. Hackles down. He knows he's getting all riled up because he's excited and doubly so in his merform, but does Riddle know that? Does he want his precious clothes to be sliced to ribbons? Is he doing this on purpose?

More growling and fin wiggling--]

2/3

[eelusive]

[--until Floyd's restlessness can no longer be contained.

With a low growl, he rises up and out the opposite side of the tub, later sliding onto the floor so he can circle around and straight toward Riddle's ankles.

He won't grab him, no, but he will plant his hands on the tile and slither his way up so he'll be eye to eye with his cocky little goldfish.

A feral hiss escapes through his teeth. He could take a bite out of him, he really could. It'd be too easy. Like crushing sardine bones into dust.]

3/3

[eelusive]

[But in the end, Floyd catches himself and slowly sinks back toward the ground, annoyance giving way to a hint of embarrassment in his mismatched eyes.

He'll try to nudge one of Riddle's hands in a quiet apology.]

1/2

[chopoffyourhead]

[...oh.

To see Floyd emerge and come at him is absolutely breathtaking. When he rises up and hisses, for a brief moment, Riddle wonders if he's pushed the feral side of him too far...]

2/2

[chopoffyourhead]

[Until Floyd slinks back to the ground. He lets out a breath and smiles, kneeling down so he can wrap his arms around him.]

Silly merman. Terrifying and ferocious silly merman.

[eelusive]

[He half expects to be hit across the head or, you know… straight up beheaded. Thankfully it seems Riddle’s in a fair enough mood to spare him and, to Floyd’s surprise, wrap his arms around him while he’s at it.

His skin vibrates as he purrs and burrows into the crook of Riddle’s shoulder. It’s purely instinctive, regardless of his form, to find the safest little spot to curl up into and find rest. His tail untangles and coils, secure but not tight around the back of Riddle’s legs.

This is nice. He still expects to wake up at any minute, but… it’s nice.]

… Pretty Goldfishie.

[he mutters, clawed fingers resting along Riddle’s spine.]