The Taste of Ink - Floyd & Riddle

Chapter 11

Trey still wasn't speaking to him very often and it certainly wasn't the same as it had been before. On the rare occasions they spoke, it was short—like he couldn't wait to get out of the same room as him. His best friend's ability to avoid him had only been heightened by the fact that he'd been picked as one of the three Star Gazers and spent all of his time practicing the dance with Deuce.

Riddle pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to think of ways to get the other to sit down and talk with him. He could hear Trein telling the class they could leave, the students shuffling to pack up their things, but he couldn't bring himself to move just yet. It was only a matter of time before the Star Sending participants came for his wish, and as much as he wanted to see Trey, he didn't want him to be forced into it.

The weight of someone's arms pulled him out of his trance and a chin rested on his head. "Goldfiiiish, come on~"

And of course there was Floyd. In the days that had passed since he'd pseudo-confessed to him, things hadn't been made any clearer about their relationship. There hadn't been any clarification, though he also hadn't pressed it further—he was too afraid that the other would pull away from him again. "Floyd, what are you going to wish for?"

"Hmm~?" He paused for a moment to think it over. "I dunno, haven't really thought about it. Shoes, maybe?" The redhead couldn't help but let out a chuckle. The fear that the other would say something relating to the two of them had been eating away at him and any unnecessary stress to Trey should have been avoided. "Why?"

"I was worried you'd mention me in your wish."

It was the eel's turn to laugh. "Do you want me to, Goldfishie?" Floyd moved to nip gently at his earlobe, causing Riddle to tense up slightly. Blue eyes glanced around the classroom, only relaxing when he noticed that even Trein had left.

"I think it's best we don't."

"Hmm? Why not?"

Riddle began to gather his things, prompting the other to stand up. "I think Trey is still upset that I broke up with him. I think it's best we try not to make it any harder for him."

The Octavinelle student's brows furrowed slightly, a pout forming on his lips. "Hey, Goldfishie~" While his tone remained playful and his normal lazy smile returned to his lips, it didn't quite meet his eyes. "Are you trying to keep me a secret?"

That thought hadn't really occurred to him. Perhaps in a way he was. However, Riddle raised a brow and he glanced towards the other as he stood from his chair. "Is there anything to keep a secret?"

The taller boy stared at him, but his lips curled into more of a sinister smile, though he refused to answer the question that he was really asking: what are we? Despite the fact that the twin's antics had lulled slightly, Riddle couldn't help but notice he was still being dangled on a string by him. A part of him even wondered if he had simply relented so that he got to keep his plaything—it certainly wouldn't surprise him.

"Hey, Goldfish~ Speaking of the Star Sending, do you wanna spend it together?"

Blue eyes glanced up towards the other, his expression contorting into one of genuine surprise. He didn't particularly like the Star Sending performances, but it had always been his duty to show up and support whoever was participating. After all, it certainly would look bad on him as someone attempting to follow the Queen's rules.

But he'd also never been asked to go with someone. Riddle blinked a couple times, trying to force back the smile threatening to form on his lips. It certainly wasn't a secret that people asked those that they liked on dates there—the lights, the music, and the performance all leant itself to an admittedly romantic atmosphere.