A Special Shell ? ?? - Riddle + Floyd

"I like you."

I froze, those words... Even in the cool water, I'm heating up, my face, I'm making a weird expression, aren't I?

Wait... but why? Doesn't he just find it fun to poke fun at me? He's always everywhere I go, invading my personal space, breaking rules, calling me short, or a goldfish. All to get reactions from me.... so does he actually like me? Or is he messing with me again?

*sigh*

"Here, let's get up." Floyd reached out a hand.

Taking his hand, I got up muttering a thank you. Floyd turned his back and started going ahead of me following the edge of the water now.

A heavy silence fell over... I need to say something... Alright Riddle, just go for it!

"Floyd!" I stopped, calling out to him.
For some reason, he kept going, ignoring me, stupid eel!

Running up and catching him by the arm, forcing him to look at me.

"Floyd." Repeating myself.

Eh? Floyd's .. completely red.

Is he... serious?

"Mmh?" He replied, looking away.

"D-did, you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

Is he really playing dumb?

"What you said... that you, you know...
Like me?" I said, getting quieter with each word.

"Oh, yeah, I meant it."

This is the most serious I've seen him be. It's really throwing me through a loop.

"But why? Don't you just like toying with me?" Lowering my head, I ask.

"Huh?"

"You always poke fun at me, for whatever reason you can find. You enjoy my reactions, am I wrong?" I can't look at him.

"You're right, I tease you a lot. At first, it really just was to toy with you cause your reactions were funny, but I want to see your other expressions too."

"What do you mean by that?" I ask, finally looking up at him.

"Like when we were goofing off earlier, your smile, your laugh. That look you had on. That's my favorite. It makes me want to protect you, to hold you so no one else can have you."

I know I shouldn't ask... but.

"Are my expressions it? Just my reactions and face?"

Why won't I just accept it!!!???

"Eheh."

Why's Floyd laughing?!

Floyd leaned over, lifting my chin.

"Mmm, you really wanna know? You sound interested." He said, smirking.

I turned my head sharply to the side away from his grasp. My face, it's red again, arg! 

"Mmm, let me tell ya then, as long as you give me a response. Deal?~"

I gave a silent nod.

"You're dedicated and hardworking. You give your all to anything you do. You're really smart. You're a stickler to the rules, which is both admirable but also annoying. You're well skilled in magic, academics. You're also super cute, tiny, and-"

Reaching up, I covered his mouth with my hands, I can't take it. He keeps going on. I thought he'd just stopped with one or two things. The last thing I need to hear is an essay right now. This is already embarrassing as it is.

"I-i've heard enough."

"Mmm?" He cocks his head.

"What?" I say, removing my hands.

"Your reply?"

I believe these feelings for him are the same that he has for me, but what then? Do we.. date? Become boyfriends? I don't want to be public about it, though, if it gets back to my mother...

"Floyd. I uh." I'm not sure what to say.

"If ya can't reply, you don't need to right now." He says sulky.

"No, no, I can."

Taking a deep breath, I start again.

"I do like you, but if we do date, we need it to be in secret. Only a few people can know." I say strongly.

"Huh? Okay, is there a reason it needs to be a secret?" He asks, brushing a lock of hair from my face.

"I'm not ready to be out, and... my family wouldn't approve, at least I don't think so." I say.

"Mmm, is my goldfishie breaking some rules for me?" He asks teasingly.

Uh?! Freezing in slight shock. Am I breaking some rules? I guess hiding it is lying...

"Well, after my overblot, I've been learning how to be less strict, especially over the silly nonsensical rules. So I'm simply dismissing some that are overly silly, that's it."

Floyd smirked in reply, lifting me up into a tight hug.

"F-floyd!?"

Nuzzling his face against mine, he asks.

"Can I assume this means you're mine now?"

"As long as you're also all mine in return."

"Deal!!~~"

"It's late now. Let's head back."

With that, Floyd put me down, walking back hand in hand as a couple now. This eel is going to drive me crazy but I think that's okay for now.

An

Finally done!
Also, Riddles beach event outfit... fuxk I could've made him wear a crop top ! Darn it! Next time !
Anyway hoped you liked ♡

- Max