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NRC held an open festival. Many came, from family members to friends to students from different schools. Indeed, that includes the bane of Riddle's existence.
"Riddle!!"
With a sharp turn, he looks at the source of that obnoxious voice. Riddle feels very fortunate that he doesn't go to the same learning institute as that person.
"Who's that?" Deuce asked.
"That is an idiot we should avoid at all costs"
Before his freshmen could ask more, Riddle bolted away from the man nearing him. Of course, his stamina wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst either.
"Why are ya running goldfishie?"
Floyd ran beside him with ease. For a moment, Riddle thought of telling him that he didn’t have time for games. However, an absurd idea pops inside his head.
"There’s this guy I don't wish to interact with one bit. You're a fast runner, right?"
"Of course!"
"Mind carrying me away?"
Floyd held his toothy grin and nods. Riddle wasted no time and hops into the taller man's arms. As he was being princess-carried, he looked behind and was very satisfied seeing that person's figure getting smaller by the second.
"You know, Goldfishie. I was gonna ask you to spend time at the festival with me"
"People usually ask that the day before an event. However, I think it's safe to assume I will be spending the whole day with you today"
Riddle was no fan of PDA so Floyd considers this a great development for their relationship.
Running around the festival with his boyfriend in his arms is a dream come true. Riddle taps his shoulder and points towards a Scarabia stall selling their cultural dishes and refreshments.
Floyd stops in front of it, noticing how others were staring at them oddly. His goldfishie didn't seem to bother himself with them and ordered a mixed drink.
They continued their escapade with Riddle holding the straw near Floyd's mouth from time to time. "Scarabia might give Monstro Lounge a run for their money with how delicious this drink tastes" Riddle idly commented.
"Ehhh, I'll make even better drinks then so that one-day goldfishie would become our loyal customer"
"Hmm, technically I'm already loyal to you"
These two were in their own world. Entirely forgetting the crowded festival around them. They were near the Pomefiore stalls, and you know Pomefiore students. They love to gossip!
Pictures were taken as evidence, (sometimes people do that without the person's consent which is not ok) and it was practically a trending topic for NRC students.
This brings us to Cater and Trey. Both of them managed Heartslabyul stalls after Riddle ran to safety somewhere. Cater is always on the latest gossip and trends so you bet he'd see those pictures of his dorm head being carried by a certain Octavinelle student around the school.
He blinked, refreshed the page, blinked again, and refreshed it again a few times.
"Trey… did Riddle tell you anything about his plans today?"
"He'd overseeing the freshmen, then take a break since we agreed he can allow himself to let loose for once"
"I'm guessing this is a definition of letting loose"
"..."
Who's to say it isn't?
Meanwhile, Floyd set Riddle down as he tried throwing basketballs into the moving hoop.
"Riddle!"
The redhead flinches and looks behind to see the very man he avoided throughout the day.
"... Hello to you too…"
"I've been looking everywhere for you"
"You really didn't have to—"
"Nonsense. I came all the way here to see you after all"
The man took Riddle's gloved hand and placed a kiss on top of his knuckles. A shadow loomed over both of them. Standing behind Riddle was a very irritated Floyd squishing the plushie he won for his goldfishie.
"Hands off my Riddle!"
He was not impressed when Floyd snatched Riddle into his arms.
" And who might you be to dare and claim Riddle"
"I'm–"
"Floyd!" Riddle held the eel back before the situation got out of hand. Riddle knows he can't run away forever, and avoiding the man out of decorum just wasn't working anymore. So plan B it is!
"but goldfishie…"
The man scoffs, "Clearly he's only bothering you, Riddle. Why don't you reconsider who you choose to keep as company"
"I won't ditch my boyfriend if that's what you're implying. And the only one bothering me right now is you."
"Our mothers won't be happy to hear this"
"I don't want to care anymore"
Riddle knows his mother wouldn't approve of this. She had carefully selected someone of prestige but Riddle disliked him. They both held their mothers highly. Riddle wouldn't fault him for always crying to his mother because Riddle sort of envied that. He's followed the rules all his life, and as far as he's concerned he currently isn't breaking any.
"Now, if you'll excuse us. We have a date to continue", Riddle clenched Floyd's arm and dragged him as quickly as possible.
"So I am your boyfriend"
"There was no doubt about that. Now, carry me and run"
"Huh?"
"He's a persistent idiot! He'll come back to bother us in 5 minutes if we don't get away"
That was the original problem. No matter how many times Riddle tried to get him off his back, the man insisted that Riddle haven't seen his true brilliance. The man’s narcissism was worse than anyone he's met!
Riddle was great at planning but not when it came to that pest.
Plan A: Run
Plan B: Stall and Run
Plan C: Hit and Run
Plan C is just there but Riddle's never used it before. It'll break the no-violence rule that of which Floyd was about to break.
Sometimes he wished his mother had at least chosen someone less… obnoxious. The guy isn't even irritating in a cute way— like the boyfriend that's currently carrying him in his arms.
Riddle sighs and pats Floyd's head. "I'm sorry you have to run around like this"
"It's fun though, so don't be!"
Their next stop was a stall that required them to catch goldfish.
"... really?", Riddle deadpans.
"A goldfish for goldfishie!"
"You're lucky I love you"
"Love ya too!"
Azul sat on the side watching them in disbelief. With all due respect, he thought Floyd was pining one-sidedly while chasing Riddle away. It is also the fact that he wasn't the first to hold this information hostage.
Jade shrugs, leaving no comment on the matter. Floyd has always been unpredictable. It wouldn't surprise him if Floyd decides to elope one day.
The pair watched as Floyd lifted Riddle again and ran across the crowd to continue enjoying the festival. They didn't get to ask why Floyd is carrying Riddle around though.
Their next few stops had been to buy snacks and drinks to share. A white rose hair clip, the plushies, and the goldfish were safely secured.
"I should go and help them clean the stalls-"
"-no. Goldfishie promised to rest and have fun"
"...then, how about we head to my room?"
Floyd replies with a smile. Swiftly making his way around Heartslabyul dorms as Riddle showed the way.
When they reached their destination, Riddle placed the goldfish in a clear bowl by his nightstand.
Floyd's legs eventually gave out as he sat on the bed. "You overdid yourself"
"Mhmm~ worth it"
"You should at least change before sleeping"
"You'll let me stay the night?"
"...well you are in this state because of me"
A bit of banter was shared as Floyd insisted Riddle help him since he was so tired from running around all day.
They both snuggled afterwards, laying cosily in bed wrapped in each other's arms.
. . .
Trey had a very stressful day worrying about Riddle.
"Relax~ it's not like Floyd will hurt him or anything"
"He better not even think about hurting our dorm leader", the way he emphasised his words made them take a step back.
"...maybe this is why no one knew", Deuce whispers, which couldn't even count as a whisper since people could still hear him.
"Maybe the dorm leader just forgot to tell him?", Ace whispered back.
"Dorm leader isn't forgetful"
"Well he's not breaking any rules, right?", Cater joined in.
"Yeah, but Floyd's a rule breaker. I thought he'd rather pick a rulebook"
"Maybe it's his rebellious phase"
"Will you three please stop talking about our dorm leader and get back to work"
As Floyd joined them in the Heartslabyul kitchens the next morning, Ace leaned into Deuce saying, "Definitely a rebellious phase"
He did end up getting himself beheaded for that comment.