Chapter Text
“Good morning.”
Riddle tilts his head back, eyes meeting piercing vermillion framed by midnight tresses.
“Good morning,” He greets back, finding a smile curling onto his lips without a thought. Malleus has his own, softer smile.
“Have you eaten yet?” He asks.
“I have not,” Riddle shakes his head, “I just had to deliver some request forms to Mr. Trein before classes started.”
Malleus’ lips purse slightly, looking upset by his response. “You shouldn’t skip meals.”
“I hadn’t intended to, I’ll pick up something small from the cafeteria on my way to my first class,” He placates, though the worried glint does not leave his boyfriend’s eyes.
“That’s not necessary,” Malleus shakes his head, rooting around in his blazer for something.
Riddle tilts his head, only to jump when a packet is presented to him. He carefully takes it, flipping it over to read the label.
He finds a pack of assorted nuts, the various types listed on the side of the plastic in bright lettering, with a translucent section for Riddle to see the contents. He cocks a brow, looking up at Malleus.
“They’re from Lilia,” Malleus explains upon seeing his expression, “He gave one to myself, Sebek, and Silver, claiming we needed to eat more. I’d already finished my meal so I figured I’d save them for another time, but if you haven’t eaten yet, you can have them.”
Riddle supposes that’s plausible enough. Lilia does have a tendency to try and feed those around him, though whether it actually helps anyone is up for debate. It’s not odd that the bat fae would give Malleus something else to eat.
“Well, so long as you’re alright with it,” He smiles, “Thank you. This should be enough to tide me over until lunch.”
“I would love it if we could have lunch together as well,” Malleus smiles back at him, eyes gentle, “So long as you’re not busy, of course.”
“I don’t believe I have any prior engagements,” Riddle nods, “I’m certain we can spend the hour together.”
Malleus beams, or as close to it as Riddle has ever seen. He certainly exudes the same warmth and shine a ray of light would. It has something in Riddle’s chest feeling fluttery and light.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up from your class, then.”
Riddle bids Malleus goodbye and heads off to his classes. He waits outside the door of his first period, scooping up handfuls of the nuts so as to not bring food into the classroom. They’re a light snack, but Riddle appreciates the thought. He wouldn’t have been able to get a full meal with the little time he had left, so he’s grateful for Malleus going out of his way to give him something so he isn’t skipping eating in total.
The packet is swiftly emptied and Riddle tosses it in the trash before heading inside to go about his day.
His classes pass by quickly and before he knows it, his last period before lunch is finished. Malleus is easy to spot, both for his appearance and the fact that he was waiting right outside the door. He startled more than a few students.
“I hope you’ve had a nice day thus far,” Malleus murmurs to him, voice gentle as he tucks some hair out of Riddle’s face. Riddle leans into the touch with a hum.
“I have, I hope your day was just the same,” He smiles.
The look Malleus gives him is tender, eyes lidded and dancing with adoration. “Of course it has been, I’ve been able to see you.”
Riddle’s heart races in his chest and he hides his hot face against Malleus’ arm. The prince’s chest vibrates with his low chuckle and Riddle has to urge his ears to cool down.
“Come along,” Malleus guides him, taking his smaller hand in his own, “You only had a light snack for breakfast, I’d rather not keep you waiting for lunch.”
The cafeteria is slowly gaining a crowd as they enter, most students still making their way there. Malleus guides him to a more secluded table, one of the spots Diasomnia dorm members typically use. Despite Riddle’s objections, Malleus insists on getting a meal for him and disappears.
Strangely, Riddle cannot make Malleus out among the crowd but waves it off. Malleus isn’t the only tall student at Night Raven College. Riddle’s height doesn’t exactly give him much comparison. Nearly everyone is tall to Riddle, as much as he loathes it.
He seats himself at the table. He has to remind himself that it’s just a seat when several Diasomnia members eye him as they pass by. He drums his fingers against the surface of the table, unsettled by the negative attention. He understands that there is a certain… animosity between dorms. There is no outright hatred, more a competitiveness that branches out past sports and activities. Diasomnia especially is very disconnected from the others in a way that not even Ignihyde is. Approaching a Diasomnia student often feels like looking up onto a pedestal from rock bottom.
That’s certainly how Riddle feels anytime he’s with Malleus.
Though, Malleus has a very special way of making Riddle feel as though he’s much higher up than he really is. Malleus makes him feel like something unique and adored. It’s both a blessing and a curse.
One that Riddle selfishly wants to cling to when he knows he doesn’t deserve it.
Before his thoughts can delve too deep into the topic, he’s interrupted by Malleus sliding into place beside him with two lunch trays.
“I apologize for taking so long,” The prince frowns.
“You didn’t, you hardly took ten minutes,” Riddle assures him.
Thankfully, Malleus doesn’t look guilty at his assurance and motions to his tray.
There’s nothing outwardly notable about his lunch, though Riddle would be lying if he said he didn’t immediately pick up his fork to spear bites of the cut fruit into his mouth. It’s the sweetest thing he recognizes on the plate, and he’s sure Malleus is aware by the way his shoulders bounce with a muted laugh.
Riddle ignores his boyfriend, delighting in the cold texture of the fresh fruit on his tongue.
“Are you doing anything after classes?” Malleus asks him after a few minutes, lightly picking at his own lunch. Riddle gives him a look and the taller smiles before eating a forkful properly, satisfaction settling into Riddle’s chest.
“I was hoping to go over some practice tests I gave to my students,” Riddle answers, “Why? Did you have something planned?”
“I was just wondering if you’d like to join me for dinner as well, but if you’re busy then we can always do so another time.”
There’s something odd in the situation that Riddle can’t place. He promises himself to remember his partner’s words. He trusts Malleus, but there’s just a certain hint here that is telling Riddle something he doesn’t know.
“I would love to have dinner with you,” Riddle smiles, waving off the feeling for now, “I can keep my schedule free for tomorrow night?” He offers.
“Tomorrow is perfect,” Though his voice and demeanor remain the perfect image of calm, Malleus’ ears perk up and Riddle has to bite his cheek to avoid laughing at the obvious tell of his boyfriend’s happiness.
Lunch passes and though Malleus insists on it, Riddle walks with him to drop off his own tray himself. Really, he’s acting like Riddle will collapse if he steps even the slight wrong way.
They pause by the entrance to the cafeteria, staying close to the wall, behind the opened doors to stay out of others’ way.
“Thank you for inviting me to lunch,” Riddle says, his chest warm. Malleus’ expression is so painfully soft, eyes only seeing Riddle, like nothing else matters to him.
“Of course. It’s always a pleasure to have you, my love” He murmurs, taking Riddle’s gloved hand in his own. His thumb rubs a gentle shape into the back of the leather, their gloves getting caught onto each other. Still, Malleus does not look bothered, “I find that I may be unable to wait for tomorrow night.”
Riddle hides his laugh behind his other hand, ears hot. Malleus’ smile only manages to grow even softer, that much more tender and sweet.
His free hand reaches up and twirls the locks of red hair that frame Riddle’s face, “I suppose I have no choice, though I find myself feeling incredibly impatient.”
“I’m certain we’ll see each other at some point during the day tomorrow,” Riddle tells him, his chest stuffed with fluff and cotton, “Don’t say such dramatic things.”
“I’m afraid I cannot help but be dramatic when you are not by my side,” Malleus hums. The hand twirling his hair brushes knuckles against Riddle’s cheek before slowly sliding upwards.
A shot of panic strikes Riddle's spine when Malleus tucks his hair behind his ear, exposing the pointed and longer shape of his ears that all fae possess. A bucket of cold water rushes down his body at the reminder that they’re in public, anyone can see his ugly-
Lips press to his temple, and the world around Riddle stops.
Malleus separates from him just enough that Riddle can see the revering glint in his eyes while feeling his warm breath on his ear at the same time.
“I suppose I have no choice but to wait, do I?” He asks, voice low but carrying a tone that feels so foreign to Riddle. He can’t name it, but it quickly washes away the chill with a scorching blaze that spawns behind his ribs and rushes to every point of his body. To the tips of his fingers and toes, Riddle feels nothing but warmth .
“I will not complain,” Malleus continues, thumb caressing Riddle’s cheek, “I would wait millions of years for you without a single doubt.”
Riddle swallows, struck frozen with his feet rooted to the floor below him. He can hardly move even when Malleus pulls back to give him that same smile that has him turning to putty.
“Until then, my Rosehearts,” Malleus bids.
Riddle can only watch the prince back as he leaves, his body refusing to move.
It’s only when Malleus has completely disappeared from his view that control returns to his body. He sucks in a greedy breath, hand rising to the side of his face that Malleus had so tenderly caressed and kissed. He brushes his hand against his temple, afraid to directly touch it like his touch will erase the contact of lips on his skin.
A smile crawls up his cheeks and Riddle is certain he looks like a fool.
He’s able to coerce his feet to carry him to his next class, though he’s unsure how stable he looks because his legs feel like jelly that could give out at any moment.
Riddle can’t find it in himself to care.
He walks into class with a smile and a heart full of love.
He never even notices that his hair is still tucked behind his ear.
“You shouldn’t mess with people’s food, Malleus.”
Malleus ignores Lilia’s warning words, finding them to be hypocritical.
“You mess with our food all the time,” He rebuts, stacking the various packs of spinach and sweet potatoes in the fridge. The fruit follows swiftly, placed into a drawer. They’re all labeled appropriately, so that no one in the dorm would dare to try and take it.
“I’m in charge of looking after you,” Lilia says, appearing at Malleus’ side, “This situation is different. This isn’t someone you have a responsibility to look after. You don’t know if this fae has any dietary restrictions or something along the line.”
Malleus thinks Lilia is making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. Riddle had told him all the things he couldn’t eat prior to their dating, Malleus made sure he didn’t get any of the listed foods. It’s a short list. He can’t eat beans, onions, coconut, or chocolate. Common dietary restrictions for bird fae, as Malleus was able to learn in the short span of time after being told.
Well, Riddle claims he can eat chocolate, but not in large portions. Malleus is certain that Riddle just isn’t willing to part with the sweet treat even if it doesn’t agree with his body.
“I do, and I took care to ensure I had nothing that would hurt him,” Malleus assures as he continues stocking the fridge. He’d spent quite a while finding foods that would help Riddle grow quality feathers. Riddle had barely even noticed the odd combination on his plate, so distracted by the sweet fruit that he completely missed it as Malleus kept his attention with conversation while they ate. He hardly even seemed to notice what he was eating. He took the packet of nuts easily as well, and something in Malleus’ chest feels soft at the amount of trust Riddle has in him to so easily take food from him without worry.
“I meant he might be following a regime that he doesn’t want tampered with, Malleus,” Lilia sighs.
“Then he would have said something when I brought him the tray,” Malleus huffs back. Even if Riddle was following a diet, he doesn’t like it. He’s too thin, his wrists too boney. His nails chip easily despite bird fae having some of the stronger claws among fae subtypes.
Riddle is not weak but he is malnourished. Malleus recalls seeing the outline of his ribs the first night he preened him. He could see each divet between every rib with far too much definition and clarity.
Malleus doesn’t like it.
It’s precisely why he’s gone out of his way to gather so many things. They’re rich in nutrients and vitamins, just as Lilia said. He’ll ensure that Riddle gets everything his body needs.
Lilia sighs and gives him a look of exasperation, “Fine, fine. You seem to know what you’re doing, so I’ll trust you for now. But don’t go overboard, Malleus. If this fae is as touchy about his clipped wings as you’ve led me to believe, then you have to be delicate.”
Malleus nods, “I will be.”
He doesn’t have much of a choice.