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Malleus is alone in the lounge when Lilia returns. A rare sight, one that can only make Lilia assume means Malleus has evaded Silver and Sebek once more.
“Ah, what a fun time!” Lilia announces his return by calling out cheerfully. He flips over so he's hanging in front of Malleus, blocking his view of the book he'd been reading. Lilia wonders briefly if it was another one from Ortho. “So many interesting people at Pomefiore. I even saw your little prefect and the Heartslabyul children.”
Malleus set's his book aside and holds out his hand to Lilia instead. “You actually went?”
Taking hold of the hand offered to him, Lilia uses it as a balance he doesn't really need to become right side up again.“I did. It was entertaining, though I know I did not pass Vil’s auditions.”
Once he's back on even ground and sits on the couch next to Malleus, he notices the expression his prince wears. “Hm? What’s with that look?”
Malleus touches a finger to his chin, looking thoughtful. “Strange. I didn’t hear about a number of people suddenly falling asleep today.”
“Oh, hush now! I only put to sleep those that need it. I haven’t had to use my Unique Magic since Sebek forced himself to drink black coffee for the first time,” Lilia laughs lightly.
“I like your singing. When you use the proper voice.”
Lilia understands what he means. Malleus often complains about the voice Lilia uses when he's fooling around with Cater and Kalim, or trying to spook Silver and Sebek. Even today, he altered it.
“Hm. You did used to ask me to sing to you often. And you always lurked around the door when I’d sing to the children.” Lilia reminisces. He glances out the corner of his eye and sees Malleus start to pout.
“I did not lurk.”
“Of course you didn't,” Lilia laughs lightly. The subject brings up another memory to mind. “I wish you had come also. You have a wonderful voice.”
“It’s better I not.”
“Why? Do you think the same thing will happened like when you played that instrument?” Lilia asks. Malleus just looks away, refusing to answer. It makes Lilia sigh. “Really now. You can't let one bad experience ruin everything else for you. Such a stubborn prince. Whenever you don't succeed right away, you avoid anything related to it. So troublesome.”
“You compliment me, then criticize me right after.” Malleus leans away from Lilia, waving his hand in irritation.
“It's not my intention to criticize you.” Lilia pushes himself to his feet. Now he's done it. He should get Malleus out of this mood Lilia put him in before the children find them. “I just wish you'd branch out more. Today would have been good. Let people see another side of you.”
“By singing?” Malleus says doubtfully.
“Song can be a powerful thing. Music in general is built on connections.”
Lilia's always loved music. It's a part of his being, something he's always been drawn to. It was a comfort when he needed it, an outlet. Singing or instruments, he loved it. When Malleus had shown interest, Lilia would teach him when he wasn’t traveling.
When he had first heard Malleus sing, Lilia was drawn to it just as much. In hindsight, maybe that's was started to capture his attention.
Lilia moves to stand before Malleus, between his legs. He bends down and presses their foreheads together. Like this, he can feel the markings along Malleus’s hairline.
“Fine. If you won't let others hear it, then let’s make a deal. A trade.” Lilia says softly. Malleus smirks slightly. He hand takes Lilia's in a lose hold.
“Deals with you can be dangerous.” He says lowly. “Almost as dangerous as Ashengrotto's.”
“If that's what you believe, then it’s lucky I feel the way I do about you, so it’s a fair trade,” Lilia’s eyes narrow playfully. They both knew Lilia’s fondness of a person never increased their chances with his trades. But he was in a good mood today. “I’ll sing for you more often, the way you wish for me to, as long as you sing for me. It’s a shame to let such a voice go to waste. At the very least, you should let me hear it more.”
“Brave demanding something from your prince.”
“A trade, not a demand.” Lilia corrects. Malleus rolls his eyes. “So? Will you take it?”
“...it's a fair trade.” Malleus tries to sound dismissive, but Lilia sees the joy that sparks in his eyes. “Now you should answer a question of my own.”
“Hm? What's that?”
“How do you feel about me?”
“Such a one track mind,” Lilia laughs. He taps his finger against Malleus's lips and steps away. “That answer, my dear Malleus, wasn’t part of the deal.”