Work Text:
Floyd was happy for his brother. Really, he was. It was delightful to see the usually unreadable tweel so openly happy these days. Floyd knew that the bond between him and Jade would never break, it was impossible-right? But ever since Jade had started going out with Azul, Floyd had felt like something of a third wheel. Azul and Jade spent so much time alone together now that Floyd actually felt lonely for the first time. Of course, he did not really recognize his loneliness for was it was, and instead opted to believe he was bored, just in another one of his mood swings.
But Floyd's mood did not improve, and it got worse over time. Most students at NRC overlooked this, they either thought he was bored, or were simply too intimidated to ask if something was wrong. Who could blame them? The Leech brothers were notorious for being nothing short of terrifying, the whole student body feared them. Except-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Floyd? Are you quite alright?"
The Floyd in question came out of his dissociative state; he'd been staring at the library wall for the past ten minutes, not really sure why he was there. The surrounding noises of other students; turning of pages and scratching of pencils on paper, had not awoken him, but this voice had. How could it not? It was a rare- if not unique occurrence for Riddle to say Floyd's name with such concern, without the usual biting scorn.
"Hey Goldfishie~" Floyd made a weak attempt at his usual playful self, but the obvious facade was not lost on Riddle. Floyd's eyes were dark underneath, he looked almost a little sick.
"I couldn't help but notice your absence over the past few weeks- of course I know we don't always see eye-to-eye, but you're still my classmate, so I want to make sure you're okay." Riddle spoke very fast, as though wanting to get the sentence over with. His cheeks were just barely pink. An awkward silence ensued, in which Floyd simply looked at Riddle for a full ten seconds. And then something happened. Something unprecedented.
He cried.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riddle wasn't sure how to react, honestly he had expected to be teased for "missing" Floyd or something. Nevertheless he had wanted to at least make sure nothing was seriously wrong, just so he wouldn't feel guilty about not asking. Yet here he was, preparing earl grey for someone who seemed to take it upon himself to make Riddle's life harder.
He finished setting up the tea tray and brought it over to his bed, where a sniffling Floyd was sitting with a box of tissues and watery eyes. Riddle would absolutely never permit food or drink in his bedroom, much less on his bed. Why was he willing to break so many rules? Confused but sympathetic, Riddle offered a cup of hot tea to Floyd; "What on earth happened to you? I have never seen you like this, even on your worst days." Floyd had been quietly tearing up for the last fifteen minutes, but now he let out an unexpected wail.
"Jade doesn't love me anymore! He probably doesn't even wanna be my brother. He and Azul are always leavin me out of stuff now, I'm so bored of it."
That was a lot of information for Riddle take in, especially considering he had never dealt with anything like this before. But he had to at least try to help Floyd, he went soft at the sight of him looking so defeated.
"I'm...not so sure 'bored' is the way to describe what you're going through. But I can promise you that this is all in your head. Of course Jade will be eager to spend time alone with Azul, they're dating. But that doesn't mean Jade loves you any less, and he certainly still wants to be your brother." Riddle laughed softly at the idea that Floyd thought his brother, who spent nearly every second of his life with him, didn't want to anymore just because he also enjoyed being around someone else. Floyd didn't respond at first, instead he gave Riddle a small smile that gradually became a wide grin, displaying his rows of sharp teeth. It was not menacing, however. Suddenly, he wrapped his offensively long arms around Riddle's waist and pulled him in for a tight hug. "Thanks, Goldfishie." His voice was so abnormally soft and genuine that Riddle forgot to be angry at the affection. At least, that's what Riddle tried to convince himself. When they finally broke apart, Floyd decided now was an appropriate time to take a nap in Riddle's lap. Riddle chose to read a book while Floyd took his nap. He wasn't bothering Riddle in any way, so why should he send him off? Yes, Riddle was letting Floyd stay since he'd had a rough past few weeks and he felt bad for him, as he would for anyone. It was definitely not because he was enjoying Floyd's company. Preposterous.
After about thirty minutes, Floyd opened his eyes. Riddle hadn't realized he'd been absent-mindedly running his fingers through Floyd's hair until the eel stopped him, and took his hand in his own. Riddle felt his face burn as Floyd laughed. "You missed me sooo bad, huh~?" Riddle groaned. There it was. Of course. A peaceful moment with them both in the room would not last long. "Mmm I guess it doesn't really matter if Jade doesn't want me around anymore." Floyd gave a melodramatic sigh. Mildly taken aback, Riddle asked,
"what makes you say that?"
"Well~" Floyd gave a mischievous grin (that Riddle definitely did not find adorable)
"You'll still love me, yeah~?"
A series of incomprehensible sputtering and shrieking was all that could be heard from the housewarden.
And it was definitely because it wasn't true.