Chapter Text
On the balcony of his room in Diasomnia, Malleus leans on the parapet, the nocturnal darkness bows before its future ruler.
The icy wind blows, ruffling the black hair, and brings with it the fragment of a sentence.
I wish everyone could see how protective Malleus-sama is like a gargoyle.
Words uttered with such innocence, but powerful enough to ingrain them in the prince's mind. Draconia is certain that he will not forget them even after a hundred years.
“Indeed, you are such a lovely child... and a poor simpleton.” He murmurs to himself, a soft smile on his lips.
The fae thinks Silver's analogy is not wrong, at least not entirely.
If it is to protect Lilia, Sebek, even that child of man from a mysterious world, and all his subjects, Malleus will become a gargoyle. He will use every last drop of his power so that not a single misfortune befalls them.
On the other hand, when Draconia asks himself if he desires to watch over Silver in the exact way he longs to risk his life for his master... The answer is no.
A raw, outright refusal.
At first he felt conflicted about such a contradiction. Silver is not just another knight who will one day fight on the front lines on his behalf, he is his dearly beloved, whom Draconia shares his most intimate affection for.
As he sought a reason within himself, searching every corner of his mind, the fae soon became aware of a fact that had always been in plain sight, but hidden.
Malleus' true form is a dragon.
Silver had also forgotten that small detail.
Gargoyles are beings that protect from malignant spirits. Similarly, dragons watch over their treasures. Nevertheless, both do so with opposite feelings in their hearts.
Gargoyles are guided by a pure and benevolent will to protect, while dragons are ruled by a possessive selfishness, for their riches belong only to them, and anyone who dares to steal them will suffer from their merciless wrath.
Certainly such draconian instincts reside within Malleus' heart, spreading throughout his being, inciting him to the desire to monopolize this beautiful knight.
His heartbeats go mad at the thought of having Silver all to himself, the green in his eyes becoming more animalistic as he grips the parapet with enough strength to crush it. His mind is already losing itself in delirious reveries.
The prince will grant Silver a gentle kiss, masked under a curse as soon those sweet lips touch his own, to make him sleep forever.
Malleus will carefully lay him down on a bed made of roses, interspersing white and green flowers, and he will use magic to manipulate his dreams, creating a radiant fantasy world in which only both of them exist.
A spell will preserve Silver's elegant beauty, so that it will survive through the centuries and more centuries that will fall upon him.
Not even Lilia and Sebek will be allowed to come one step closer to him, or to release him from his slumber. Malleus will not hesitate to declare them his enemies if they intervene.
Silver will become the precious jewel that only Malleus will have the privilege to behold. His one and most beloved treasure.
And even when the end comes for Draconia, after having lived for nine ages, he will use the remnants of his magic to dispose of his own flesh, and become a forest of thorns.
His sharp vines, a hostile harbinger of the suffering they are capable of causing, will wrap around the entire castle, locking Silver for eternity in an endless dream.
Malleus wonders if the Fairy of Thorns also felt that way when she cursed that sweet princess. Did she also wished to keep that girl all to herself? Is that why she imprisoned the prince so that he would never dare to steal her treasure?
“Malleus-sama…”
As he hears that whisper, the fae's thoughts cease and his heart returns to the usual rhythm, the same melodious voice that is capable of driving him insane is equally capable of calming him. Malleus closes the balcony doors silently, and approaches the bed where the young knight rests.
“Malleus-sama…” Still sleeping, Silver turns to the opposite side.
Is he looking for me while sleeping?
The fae's eyes widen for a moment at such thought. Even in his slumber, the boy still longs to be at the prince's side. A tender smile adorns Draconia's lips.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he reaches out to stroke the platinum hair. Almost touching him, what tries to caress Silver is the hideous, scaly claw of a dragon.
With a horrified look, Malleus' heart skips a beat, and he rushes to draw back his hand. As he closes his fist a spell is channeled, suppressing his instincts from taking control.
Before it took a single drop of his magic to keep the dragon sealed, but now it takes more, much more. Even someone so powerful has his limits, and he doesn't know how long he will be able to endure.
His rational side tells him he must cut ties with the young knight, go to extremes like banishing him from Briar Valley forever, but how to push him away when he has tasted Silver's warm love? Malleus would never be able to deny his feelings to him.
At the same time, such affection nurtures the dragon and makes him greedier.
Every now and then the thought of telling the truth crosses Draconia's mind. However, would the boy still look upon him with the same adoring gaze if he knew what his beloved prince wishes to do to him? Deprive him of his own life and turn him into a mere ornament? Malleus would hate to see those beautiful aurora eyes obscured by spiteful feelings, and above that, of fear.
His hand returns to human form, and he sighs in relief. Taking his space on the bed between the blankets, Malleus pulls Silver to lie on his chest as his fingers wander in a caring way through the silky strands.
All that he can hope for is that by the time the dragon trapped inside him can no longer be restrained, Silver has sharpened his blade enough.
And in the silence of the night, the beast's tail entangles the waist of his silvery jewel.