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It was the early hours of the morning in the Briar Valley, that a restless Malleus stood on the balcony of his private bedchamber. That night something felt heavy on his heart, and it kept him awake. He sipped a cup of hot tea, a small comfort he thought would help him sleep, but this was his third cup and he still couldn’t stay down.
He stared up at the moon, near full on this night, and let his mind wander. He thought of someone from his time at NRC. Someone whose wit he appreciated. Someone who he felt was smart and an intellectual challenger when push came to shove.
Someone who he once loved, even if he kept it secret.
“I wonder where Master Viper is…” Malleus whispered to himself. The fae had graduated, and Jamil was a year behind him and on his field work year. The two hadn’t talked in months at this point, perhaps even a year if Malleus’ math was correct.
This thought was short lived though, as suddenly a knock on Malleus’ door took him out of his head. He didn’t know why anyone would be knocking at his door so late, but it couldn’t be good.
“Enter. The door is unlocked.” Malleus said as he stepped back inside his room and sat his mug on his table. Through the door stepped Lilia Vanrouge.
“Malleus, I just got in contact with Kalim…” Lilia said with a frown. Malleus growled in return.
“I’m happy you two got to talk, but I don’t see why you needed to get me…” Malleus said.
“It’s about Jamil.” Lilia continued. “He and Kalim were doing their field work when they were attacked. Jamil was…” He looked like he had trouble saying the next part. “Jamil was attacked by a werewolf.”
Jamil laid on the bed, breathing in deep the scent of incense. It was a relaxing scent that enhanced his meditation, but… Jamil knew it was a fruitless attempt.
“How ironic… Years ago we played Werewolves for Halloween, and now… Now I am one…” Jamil whispered as he ran his fingers through his hair. He did his best to hold back tears and anxiety…
It angered him more than anything. To be so careless, to be so focused on Kalim’s own safety that he neglected his own yet again… And to get cursed by something that only ever targeted wolf beastmen… A rare infection for it to hurt a human. He wondered if, somewhere in his lineage, there was a wolf beastman in his family.
If only servants kept family lines as documented as the Asim line.
Either way, it meant tonight he was to be alone.
“Hey, Jamil~ You have a guest!” The voice of Najima came through the door to his room. He could hear the sound of the key in the lock, the sound of his isolation ending.
“I’m not allowed to have guests…” Jamil grumbled. “You really shouldn’t let anyone in.”
“But they’re special!” Najima said. The door clicked open and Jamil rolled away from it. He didn’t want whoever his guest was to see him in his shame.
“Viper. It’s good to see you again.”
“Draconia!?” Jamil shot up and looked at his guests. Indeed, it was his sister, along with Prince Malleus Draconia of the Briar Valley.
“Yes. Kalim informed Lilia of your condition and Lilia informed me.” Malleus said. The fae stood tall next to Jamil’s excited sister. Malleus was clad not in regal clothing, but the rough clothes of someone ready to work out. He had a bag over his shoulder, and it looked like it was stuffed.
“Why would— Nevermind.” Jamil grumbled and laid back down.
“I’ll leave you two alone~” Najima teased as she stepped back outside. Jamil heard the sound of the lock turning again. Now he was trapped inside with the fae… That was a terrifying thought.
“Why are you here, Malleus…?” Jamil asked, though he still didn’t look at the prince. “You didn’t need to come here… Are you here to gloat?”
“Quite the opposite.” Malleus said. “I believe that you need someone who has changed their form before, and as someone who can turn into a dragon I thought myself a ‘shoe in’ for the job, as you humans say.”
Jamil heard the sound of clasps as Malleus opened the bag he brought.
“I don’t think turning into a dragon is the same as a werewolf. Especially when you’re a fae and I’m…” Jamil trailed off and stared at his hand. He still questioned his bloodline even at this moment.
“The principles are essentially the same.” Malleus said as he dug into his bag and pulled out various objects, which he placed on a small side table. “You did start out well. Incense and meditation can help clear the mind.”
Jamil rolled over and looked at the table, and at the preparation Malleus had delivered. There was incense, a large container of what looked like water, a chain, and what looked like cloth.
“What are all those for?” Jamil asked as he rolled over to look at the treatment.
“The water is for hydration. Transforming and all the strain of losing control on your first shift… It takes a lot out of you. The incense, you already know. The towel and robe…” Malleus stopped and turned to look at Jamil. “I wouldn’t want you ruining your clothes. I highly recommend stripping and wearing a towel before your transformation starts.”
“...You can’t be serious.” Jamil said. “You really expect me to change in front of you?”
“Into a werewolf, yes.” Malleus said. “I’m here to make sure that you don’t hurt anyone else… Or yourself…”
Jamil looked out the window to see how close the sunset was. At the revelation, he sighed, stood up, and stepped behind a folding screen to change.
Jamil didn’t remember exactly what happened that night. He remembered pain. He remembered the feeling of his legs and arms and back stretching, growing. He remembered the flicker of fear on Malleus’ face. And he remembered the feeling of rage, violence, being overcome with anger that was beyond what even he felt on a normal day.
And then he simply woke up. As he slowly came too, he could see the sun rising through the windows. He felt his body wrapped in a warm robe, and on top of that a pair of warm arms were wrapped around him.
He looked up at the figure holding onto him, only to realize it was Malleus. The fae was lightly cut and bruised, but otherwise uninjured. His eyes were closed though, asleep after the rough night.
A night that had protected Jamil, and the few things Jamil cared about.
Despite the tiredness, despite the injuries, Jamil could see through the calm, somewhat cold facade on Malleus’ face. It’d been a while since Jamil felt loved, at least beyond what Kalim’s light hearted nature gave him.
But Malleus, this imposing, private man who was a force of nature… This was someone he didn’t expect to care about him.
Jamil turned slowly, leaned in, and pressed a kiss against the sleeping Malleus’ lips.
That was enough. For now he would keep up his rest. He didn’t want to leave the fae’s arms, after all.