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"Ah, it's so nice out," Ace breathed and stretched his arms high above his head before dropping them with a swing. "We should go do something fun, Deuce!"
Riddle watched as his dorm's two trouble children put their heads together, certainly discussing plans that would lead to more mischief when they should be studying for their exams, and he was sure they'd come to him the day before, crying about unprepared they were.
He adjusted the pile of books in his arms, restraining a smile. He should call out to them and make sure they study early, but seeing their energy and exuberance, especially after the recent bouts of overblot, he decided to let them slide just this once. He could anticipate and prepare a set of last minute study notes for them after he completed his own studying.
"Heya, my li'l goldfish~" Floyd sing-songed, coming out of nowhere as he so often did, throwing his arm around Riddle's shoulders, making him stagger with the unexpected weight.
"Hi, Floyd," Riddle greeted, feigning exasperation as he adjusted his hold on his books. "Didn't you have a shift in the lounge today?"
Floyd started walking, guiding Riddle along the path towards campus. "Jade can handle it. I wanted to see ya," he pouted and Riddle couldn't help as his smile finally broke through. Despite everything that had occurred, Floyd still wanted to be with him, had chosen to be with him, and Riddle felt something warm spread through him. "Awww, you're turning red, just like my li'l goldfishie," Floyd teased.
Riddle rolled his eyes and tried to playfully pull away, but Floyd's grip tightened ever so slightly, and Riddle gave up the act, letting himself be led…he frowned. "Floyd, where are we going?"
"Surprise," his boyfriend deflected, stopping suddenly. "Hey, guppy!" A first year Heartslabyul student jumped, before turning to look at Floyd, then around at the lack of anyone else around, before pointing at himself. Floyd pulled his arm away from Riddle and grabbed the books he was holding.
"Hey!" Riddle exclaimed as Floyd dumped them into the first year's arms.
"Take these back to the dorm, or else," Floyd snarled, golden eye glinting in the sun's light. Riddle watched as the first year nervously nodded his head and took off back towards the mirror chamber at a run, presumably to return to the dorm.
"Floyd, I need to study," Riddle protested but Floyd shook his head.
"You're always studying. It's super impressive and awesome 'n' all, but there's somethin' else even more awesome." With that, Floyd grabbed Riddle's hand and pulled him back along the path.
Riddle followed along quietly for a few minutes, breathing in the fresh spring air, feeling the warm sun against his skin, smelling the blooming flowers, watching as students from various dorms milled about the campus. In fact, Riddle started noticing a pattern, and he couldn't help but look at Floyd in concern. "You didn't kidnap me from my study session to watch flowers blossom on trees, did you?"
Floyd's step didn't falter, even as he shot Riddle an incredulous look. "Watchin' trees blossom? That sounds booooooring, goldfishie. Nah, I got somethin' better, c'mon," and then he picked up the pace, Riddle almost having to break into a jog to keep up, hands still connected.
"Here we are," Floyd finally announced, bringing them to a stop on a cliff that overlooked the ocean. Riddle couldn't help but notice that no one else was around.
"Why are we here?" Riddle asked and Floyd ignored him, producing a blue blanket from his bag and putting it down on the ground. "Why do you have a blanket?" His eyes narrowed. "Wait, is that my blanket?"
"Found it," Floyd said distractedly as he smoothed it out on the ground. "'sides isn't that one o' your rules? 'Rule number six hundred ninety-eight. One must sit on a blue blanket if one is to partake in a meal on a cliff overlooking the ocean,'" Floyd recited with perfect memory, holding a container of food out to a stunned Riddle.
"Well, yes," Riddle started, blinking wildly. "But how did you know that?"
Floyd shrugged and flopped onto the blanket with his own container. "Ya had the book laying 'round yer room. I read it while ya were reaming out Crabby and Macky."
"That was for less than five minutes," Riddle pointed out, carefully sitting on the blanket next to Floyd. "Even Trey doesn't have the rules memorized, and he's a third year."
"Iunno," Floyd grunted around a mouthful of food, "Ain't that hard."
"It really isn't," Riddle agreed with a sigh. Remembering the container, he examined the contents, his stomach growling against his will causing Floyd to chuckle but thankfully he didn't comment. "You made this?" Riddle confirmed, scooping up a bite of rice and meat.
"Yeah," Floyd's face darkened he stared at Riddle with an expression similar to the one he'd used against the first year card soldier. "Jade was lurking around. Ya taste mushrooms, ya let me know so I can beat him up, yeah?"
It was Riddle's turn to laugh as he chewed his bite carefully. He didn't taste any mushrooms but couldn't help but say, in as serious a tone as possible, "Well, you know, I rather do like mushrooms, Floyd. Perhaps I should consult Jade for this recipe."
Floyd held his gaze for one second more before breaking into a laugh, shaking his head. "I thought ya were serious for a sec, but no, ya actually can tell jokes!" He sobered, considering the food in his hands. "Don' go ruinin' the mood. Mushrooms, ugh."
Riddle laughed harder, putting the food aside so that he wouldn't choke on it. "I promise I like your mushroom-free food. I will not go to Jade behind your back for mushroom recipes. You have my honor as a loyal subject of the Queen of Hearts."
Floyd shook his head and Riddle calmed, and they continued their meal together with Floyd chattering about his most recent antics in the basketball club. Riddle listened intently, both amused and horrified at his boyfriend's unruly behavior that surpassed even the problem children in his dorm. Not surprisingly, the picnic meal was delicious—and entirely mushroom free, even if Riddle wasn't able to pick out all of the ingredients. There were tastes that seemed like should clash, but instead melded together into a sensation he never would have expected. It was times like these he was reminded just how amazing Floyd was, himself.
"And then I said screw it and left, because they were gettin' so boring!" Floyd finished his story, letting out a huff. He glanced over to the water and sat up straight, mood switching instantly. "Oh! It's startin!"
Riddle blinked, following his gaze. The water was still, sparkling in the sun, and Riddle couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. "What is?"
Floyd moved close, draping his arms over Riddle and resting his chin on top of his head. He then pointed with one hand to a point in the distance, directing Riddle's focus. Riddle squinted—maybe all that reading was starting to get to him and he needed glasses, because he still wasn't seeing anything—and then he let out a gasp as a black figure broke through the waves, turning in the air to show its white underside, before falling back into the water. Again and again other whales glided through the waves, leaping into the air, crashing back down to create rainbows within the spray. The entire time, Floyd kept holding Riddle as they both watched in amazement.
Eventually the last whale had left and Riddle glanced up to find Floyd beaming down at him. "Cool, right? Heard 'em while I was on my swim this mornin' 'n' thought it would be more fun than studyin'."
Riddle nodded, his gaze going back out over the water. "I would have to agree that it was more fun than studying," he said, letting out a breath of air as Floyd laughed. "But now that it's over, we should probably head back to the library. I can still get a couple of hours in now if we hurry…" Riddle trailed off with a sigh as Floyd's hold around him tightened, though he didn't say anything to contradict him.
"Or," Riddle continued, taking a step towards the school, forcing Floyd to either follow along or let go. Floyd did both—he let go of Riddle and began to follow, a pout growing. "We can go back to the garden and have tea. I believe Trey said he made some tarts last night, and we can see if my card soldiers have left any behind. It is a lovely day, after all, and it would be a shame to spend it inside when we could spend it outside…together." Floyd's pout quickly turned to a wide smile as he grabbed Riddle's hand and pulled him along in a run back towards the mirror hall, Riddle laughing joyfully behind him.