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When Malleus opens the door, he isn’t prepared for two screaming blurs to cling to his legs, crying out his name.
Malleus blinks several times. It takes him a moment before he realizes there’s laugher in the mix of all the cries. With a sigh, he picks up both children, one on each arm. After kicking off his shoes, his makes his way to where the sound of laughter is coming from in the kitchen.
“Lilia, what did you do now?”
“Oh, don’t use that tone with me. Just a little Halloween prank,” Lilia grins. He places something down on the kitchen table. Malleus struggles not to roll his eyes when he sees it’s a fake skeleton hand.
“We are barely a week into the month.”
“Don’t worry, I’m keeping it to once a week.” Lilia walks over, waving a hand to gain his sons attention. “All is fine, right Silver?”
“No.” Is the blunt response. It only makes Lilia giggle.
“Li-Lilia’s hand changed!” Sebek cries into Malleus’ shoulder. Lilia now has to turn away, he was struggling to hold in his laughter.
“Well, it’s back to normal now.” Malleus goes to set both of the children back on the floor. It’s a struggle with how they keep trying to cling to him. Lilia somewhat gets over his giggle fit, and at least takes Sebek from him.
“See? All is fine, like I said, Sebek,” Lilia wiggles his fingers in front of the boy. Sebek looks sceptical, but after inspecting Lilia’s hand for himself, he seems to be over his scare.
Silver, however, is still staring at the fake skeleton hand.
“Are you afraid of it?” Malleus asks curiously.
With a too serious expression for a child, Silver says, “I’m hiding it.”
It’s been less than a month since Malleus started staying with Lilia more often. While not quite living together, Malleus does have his own drawer in Lilia’s dresser for the times he does stay overnight.
Not much changed with this new step in their relationship. Malleus had often stayed over, and spent much time here as it was. He knew of Lilia’s habits when he wakes up, his tendency to forget clothes in the dryer until he can’t find something. He knew to leave the coffee maker alone, and fell into a pattern of grabbing things from the top shelf cupboards so Lilia would stop climbing on the counters.
There were a few things Malleus learned about Lilia that he hadn’t known before. Not really. But thing he had been confident on was knowing about Lilia’s love for mischief. He remembers some of Lilia’s pranks back when he was a child. He just never realized how much of a menace he could be around Halloween, one of his favourite events.
“So, how long should I wait before getting that hand back?” Lilia asks when they’re getting ready for bed.
Malleus watches from the edge of the bed as Lilia pulls his shirt over his head. He briefly gets distracted by the mark on the back of Lilia’s neck. “You know?”
“Well, I knew you were distracting me for a reason when they suddenly decided to go play in the back. You don’t kiss me like that unless you have some kind of motive.” Lilia chuckles. “Also it’s two kids trying to hide a halloween prop. Not exactly difficult to spot.”
Malleus was impressed he picked up on all that. “Nothing gets by you.”
“If only that were true.” Lilia says ruefully. The mood of the room shifts, and Malleus’ sees something rare flicker in Lilia’s expression.He reaches out to grab his hand. He lets Malleus tug him close, even climbing onto the bed to straddle his lap. He places his arms lazily over Malleus’ shoulders. Malleus holds onto his hips, though his one hand moves so he can lightly trace the scar Lilia has on his lower back.
“That’s still on your mind?”
“Malleus, it’ll be on my mind until my deathbed. I really thought he hurt himself badly after he suddenly fell asleep like that.” Lilia sighs. Like this, he was slightly taller than Malleus. He tips his head down, pressing their foreheads together. “Truth be told, I was ready to forget about all this. Just do the basics. He dozes off more randomly. What if trick or treating is too much? But then he told me last week he can’t wait to do halloween this year. So if he wants to continue on as normal, I’ll carry on as usual also.”
Malleus remembers that phone call. A rare time Lilia sounded frantic, saying that Silver banged his head after suddenly falling asleep when Lilia left the room. It made both of them recall another time they thought Silver had been hurt when they first started seeing each other. That maybe there was had been more to that slip than anyone realized.
“He’s okay though. It was a bad bump on his head in the end.”
“And a bruise. I jump with every call now!” Lilia groans. He slumps against Malleus with a sigh, his chin resting on his shoulder. “I swear, as the years go by I only gain more worries with this child. When will I be worry free? A moments peace?”
Malleus runs his hand up and down Lilia’s back. He’s glad Lilia can’t see his expression. Though the dramatics were warranted considering the topic, Malleus is sure he’d get in trouble for fighting off a smile. “According to my grandmother, never.”
“Wonderful.” Lilia sits back up. He leans back, far enough Malleus has to hook his hands behind Lilia to keep him at a balance so he doesn’t fall to the floor. “Onto happier topics, think you have time tomorrow to help me put up some more decorations?”
Malleus frowns. “You bought more?”
The way Lilia smiles almost feels like a threat despite how cheerful it seems.
Despite how secluded this place was, Lilia decorates the outside as much as possible. Malleus would be impressed if he didn’t wonder where he manages to find half the things he does. When he asks what the point was when no one will see it, Lilia just shrugs.
“It’s always made me and Silver happy. Isn’t that good enough reason?”
And it’s because of that answer Malleus finds himself helping putting up stuff. They still do traditional things over the next couple weeks, Silver watching closely as Malleus carvessome lanterns from some wood they gathered. He even shows Silver what to do, though he gets a reminder from Lilia it’s too earlier for the child to carve anything out himself. Silver pouts, though it soon disappears when Lilia asks if he wants to help carve some pumpkins.
Time goes by quickly. Despite Lilia’s claims of keeping pranks to once a week, several times Malleus has heard Silver’s startled screams throughout the house.
“You’re a menace.” Malleus tells him when he finds Lilia laughing as he did early morning laundry after a night Sebek slept over.
“And yet you’re just as amused as I am. That makes you equally guilty, my dear.” he grins. Malleus can’t exactly deny it.
“Are you going to dress up this year? I’ve seen you helping Silver with his costume, but you haven’t said anything about your own. Do you not dress up anymore?”
“Hmm...” Lilia hums. He places the blanket he had been folding into the basket on the table. “I used todress up for the celebrations at the centre of town. When I came back,Silver was too young to do anything other than admire the lanterns. But this year is Silver’s first real trick or treating, so I want to help him with that.”
“You didn’t do it last year?”
“He wasn’t really interested in it yet like he is now. Last year I just made a silly ghost costume out of an old sheet and put it on him. He ran around the house giggling like mad, and every time he knocked on the door, I gave him candy.” Lilia’s expression softens. Malleus regrets that they hadn’t been together long enough to experience that with them. He can just imagine neither of them losing enthusiasm over doing the same thing over and over until Lilia ran out of candy.
“I’ll just make up for no costume next year. Maybe I’ll even get you to dress up properly, too.”
Malleus is suddenly concerned what Lilia could come up with a year from now. So he decides to focus on something else instead.
He catches Lilia’s hand, pulling him into his arms. Hugging Lilia from behind, he tips his head down to brush his lips over the shell off Lilia’s ear. “You think we’ll still be together next year?”
Because of how he’s holding Lilia, he can feel the shiver that goes through him. Lilia turns his head, the tip of his nose brushing along Malleus’ cheek.
“Well, I did say maybe I’ll keep you around,” he murmurs. Malleus turns him just enough so he can kiss him. It’s brief, mostly because Lilia was smiling so much. “Yes, I think I might keep you for awhile longer, my dear.”
“Just awhile?”
“Maybe longer if Silver still likes you a year from now. You need his approval too, of course.”
Malleus can’t help but laugh, a fondness stirring inside. “Of course.”
Malleus never did do Trick or Treating himself, so it was interesting to experience with Lilia and Silver.
Since Lilia doesn’t live around any neighbourhoods, they have to drive a bit to get to a good place.
The first several houses are simple. Lilia takes several photos on his phone, cooing over Silver’s dragon costume and praisinghimself on the face paint he did for his son. Things are going well until they come up to a certain house they skip over, as do the others adults with kids out tonight. It’s a well known spot that they know to leave alone. However, Silver may be young, but even he picks up on this.
Confused, he points at the house behind them and tugs on Lilia’s hand. “Why can’t we go to that one?”
Lilia and Malleus glance at each other. Lilia takes Silver’s bag, handing it to Malleus. He then picks up Silver, placing him on his hip as he turns to the house.
“Do you remember when I explained how I am allergic to iron metal?”
“Yeah.”
“And that Malleus and Sebek have the same allergy?”
“Yeah. And you said I don’t have it.”
“That’s right. For some reason, it’s a very common allergy within Valley of Thorns. It can be very bad for some. But there are ones, like you, who are lucky and don’t have that allergy.” Lilia points at the shining metals on the house’s porch. “The metal around this place is that same iron. That metal door is also made of iron.”
Silver’s eyes go wide. “Why would they have something like that?”
As Lilia explains best he can, Malleus looks around. It’s been awhile since he’s last seen a place so blatantly do something like this. To have an iron door says a lot about the home owners. From the time he was a child to now, the subject of iron was sensitive about it’s place within the Valley of Thorns. With so many people living in this country with that allergy, it was difficult to find a place for it. Building materials, vehicles, toys...it was something that couldn’t be avoided. Malleus recalls Lilia telling him about when the shift started to safely use iron as long as people didn’t make skin contact with it.
When Lilia sets Silver back to the ground, and his shirt rides up to reveal his back, Malleus sees a reminder of just how well that went over in the beginning.
When they get to the next house, Malleus expects Silver to do as he has until now, to run up to the house while pulling Lilia along to ring the doorbell for him. So it was much to his surprise when Silver backs away. Looking over to Lilia, Malleus sees even he is startled by the reaction.
“What’s wrong, Silver?”
“...I don’t like it.”
Lilia is completely baffled by this response. He crouches down to Silver’s height.
“What don’t you like? It’s no different fromhome. This one is safe to touch.”
Silver shakes his head. “It’s not the door.”
“What is it then?”
“I don’t like the halloween stuff.” he says unexpectedly.
Lilia only looks more confused. “But they’re like the ones me and Malleus put up.”
“It’s okay when you do it. I don’t like this one.”
“I see...”
Malleus frowns, not quite getting it at first. But when he does put some thought into it, he supposes it would make sense. Silver was familiar with how Lilia did things. Even if it scared him, he could still feel some kind of safety knowing it was his father setting things up. While similar on the surface, this was still something he didn’t know.
“What if one of us goes with you?” He asks. Silver looks up with wide eyes. Even Lilia seems taken off guard.
“Will Malleus come with me?” Silver asks. Malleus blinks, eyes widening slightly. He looks at Lilia, who nods towards the house. So Malleus holds out his hand to Silver.
“If you wish.”
When they go up to the house, Silver grips tightly onto his fingers. Malleus makes sure to walk on the side a creature jumps out from, though Silver still yelps when it startles him. They get the candy, Silver trying to raise his voice to show he wasn’t afraid. Walking back to the sidewalk, Malleus finally looks over to where Lilia is standing.
He’s watching them, a finger at his chin as he smiles, clearly lost in his thoughts. He only snaps out of it when Silver runs over. Holding out his bag, he proudly proclaims what he got and how he made it up with steps with Malleus.
“Look at my brave boy! I’m so proud!” Lilia grins widely. He suddenly picks up Silver, spinning around. Silver laughs, yelling how his candy is gonna fall. Malleus smiles, seeing how Silver simply glows when he’s set back on his feet.
They get more houses down. They spot some people they know, and see some interesting costumes. There’s a few times when Silver stumbles, making Lilia fret even when his son tells him it’s the tails fault and he’s fine. Malleus tells Lilia not to worry too much, but that just earns him an annoyed glare.
Since Lilia was keeping a close eye on Silver, Malleus did the same for Lilia. That’s why when they make their way uphill, Malleusnotices it. It’s subtle, someone who didn’t know Lilia wouldn’t notice a difference. But the careful way he steps, the way he touches his hip when he stands still speaks volumes. He’s positive it’s because of how he picked up Silver that last time that did it.
When they reach another house and watch Silver join the kids already there, Lilia’s weight is all on one leg. Malleus steps closer. He places an arm around his waist, pulling him closer so he can lean his weight against him.
“Is it your hip?” He asks quietly. Lilia goes stiff, then sighs.
“Guess you won’t believe me if I deny it.”
“Should we end things here?”
Lilia doesn’t respond right away. He waits until Silver’s at the next house.
“A little longer. His bag is almost full anyway.”
Malleus frowns. “Lilia-”
“Please Malleus. He’s having fun.”
But as it turns out, Lilia isn’t the only one reaching his limit. After a couple more spots, Silver has less enthusiasm to his step, his eyes starting to grow heavy.
“He’s tired already.” Lilia mutters. Malleus glances at him but doesn’t comment. He’s understanding why Lilia said it was something he’s always going to be concerned about. He does have to bite back some words when Lilia crouches down to Silver’s height. “Ready to head home, my sweet boy?”
Silver nods, already rubbing his eye. Some of his face paint smears. “Carry me?”
It’s because of the rare way Lilia hesitates that tells Malleus how bad it is. He knows what’s coming, so he finally does speak up.
“Here.” He picks up Silver. He holds his hand out to Lilia to help him up. He isn’t surprised by the tight grip on his hand, nor the grimace Lilia has. “Much higher than when your father carries you, right?”
“Yeah.” Silver looks around with wide eyes, his sleepiness temporarily startled away.
Making their way back to where they left the car, Lilia keeps hold of Malleus’ arm. At least Malleus knows his mood hasn’t gone down, since he laughs and teases him when Malleus fumbles with getting Silver into his carseat in the back.
“I suppose you’re driving also?” Lilia asks, eyes sparkling with mirth.
“I still drive better than you.”
“You really don’t, my dear, but keep telling yourself that.”
Silver sleeps soundly on the way home, never once stirring. Not even when Malleus takes a too sharp turn, making Lilia burst out laughing. Yet by the time they get back, Silvler’s ready to dive into his candy until Lilia scoops him up. Malleus bites his tongue, though he can’t quite hide his disapproval.
“Do you remember our rule we agreed on?” Lilia asks his son. He barley spares a glance for Malleus when he presses his hand to his lower back.
“No eating until father has checked.” Silver recites. Malleus has to hold back from pointing out the irony of those words.
“Good boy. Do you want to change into your pajamas yet?” Silver shakes his head. “Didn’t think so. How about remove some layers so you don’t overheat, and I’ll let you sleep in the face paint.”
Silver gives him a wary look. “You’re not gonna sneak in my room and scare me again, are you?”
Lilia laughs and puts Silver down. “No, I’ll give you a free pass for being so brave tonight.”
After silver goes upstairs, Malleus grabs Lilia’s arm.
“Malleus-”
“You can barely stand straight, Lilia.”
“I really regret sometimes telling you what happened. You make a bigger fuss about it than the doctors did back then.” Lilia deadpans. Malleus glares. “Okay, fine. Help me to the couch at least, so we can go through his candy.”
Once making sure Lilia actually was going to remain in place, Malleus sits next to him. He watches as he dumps the bag, scattering candy across the tabletop.
Malleus grabs a small chocolate. “What am I looking for exactly?”
“Anything suspicious.” Lilia shrugs. “Torn wrappers. Broken boxes. Tape.”
“Tape?”
“I was at Trein’s sometimes during Halloween. One year, I was helping his wife go through their daughters candy and founda lollipop that had...ah-ha, like this.” Lilia holds it out. Sure enough, regular tape was at the bottom.
“Would people really harm children in such a way?”
“If I’m honest, the chances of it are very low. Especially around here. Halloween this way only picked up in the last fifteen years or so. We didn’t have trick or treating in most parts of the Valley of Thorns when I was Silvers age.”
Malleus remembers some kids doing it when he was younger. But it was nothing like it is now. “So why check?”
“Because the outcome isn’t 0%. I’d rather be cautious than just assume.”
Silver comes down before they finish. Lilia has him sit in front of him, showing him things to look for and what to be careful about. Malleus is amused when Silver shoves all the sour candies at Lilia, while protectively hoarding his miniature bags of chips. He is surprised when Silver makes a tiny pile of sweets for him. He glances at Lilia, wondering if it was okay. Red eyes shine back at him as Lilia smiles at them. When he notices Malleus looking at him, he winks before opening one of the candies Silver gave him.
Seeing his father already eating some, Silver’s cheeks puff out. “Can I have candy now?”
“You may,” Lilia tosses a sour candy in the air, catching it in his mouth. “But if you sneak any later and give yourself a stomachache, I’ll laugh while I give you medicine for it.”
Silver’s expression scrunches up like he was the one eating the sour candy. “The bad tasting stuff?”
“The bad tasting stuff.”
When it comes time to put Silver to bed, Malleus is the one to help him brush his teeth and tuck him in. Lilia pouts, crying he was being abandoned by his two favourite people. Yet when Malleus looks over before following Silver up the stairs, he sees the relief Lilia has as he lays back on the couch, absently rubbing his leg.
He expects Silver to ask for a story as usual, but once he’s settled in bed, he tugs on Malleus’ sleeve and asks, “Is father okay?”
Malleus frowns. “Why do you ask?”
“He was doing that funny walk again. He does that when his side hurts here,” Silver points to his own hip. “He said he hurt it a long time ago. When he traveled.”
Malleus sits on the edge of the bed. He remembers how Lilia often brushes back Silver’s hair, so he does the same. “Your father is okay. Tired, but he’s okay.”
“Like how I get tired?”
“Not exactly.” Malleus wonders how much Lilia has told Silver. “But it is something that bothers him sometimes. It will most likely always bother him.”
“Can we help him?”
“Perhaps. If he stops being so stubborn.” Malleus taps Silver on the forehead, making the boy giggle. “But for now, sleep. Lilia will scold both of us if you stay up any longer.”
Back downstairs, Malleus is surprised to see Lilia isn’t on the couch. He’s about to look for him when Lilia comes from the kitchen, wiping his mouth with a grimace.
Malleus quirks a brow. “What’s wrong?”
“I took one of Silver’s chocolates.”
“And?”
“It was actually marshmallow covered in chocolate.”
“Pfft!” Malleus is quick to cover his mouth, but it does nothing to stop his laugh. Lilia gives him a dirty look. “Maybe it’s karma for teasing him so much this last month.”
“Be kind, I’m a man in pain.” Lilia pouts. Malleus rolls his eyes. Of course, now he admits it. At least now Lilia willingly go to the couch without any difficulty.
Laying on his stomach, his head pillowed in his arms, Lilia lets out a deep sigh. “Sad I won’t be able to join in with the celebrations this year in the centre of town. Just as well, it wouldn’t be as fun dancing around a plain old bonfire instead of a giant scarecrow.”
Sitting on the floor next to him, Malleus runs his hand up and down Lilia’s back under his shirt. He can feel how much tension he has there. “The scarecrows on fire apparently scared the children too much.”
“Nonsense. A healthy dose of fear is good for the soul.”
“That’s rich coming from you. You know what healthy is?”
“You’re awfully cru-ah!” Malleus presses down around Lilia’s lower back, cutting him off. Lilia groans, hiding his face in his arms.
“Do that again but harder, it feels good. Maybe I’ll get you to give me a massage later.”
“Last time I did that, your back cracked in several places.” Malleus says, though he still does as asked. Lilia seems content with it. “Silver asked about your hip. He noticed it was bothering you.”
“Ah, that child...he is too observant.” Lilia sighs. “Just before you and I got together, I was giving him a piggyback ride in the backyard. It was the first time the pain went to my leg, I was lucky I didn’t drop him.”
“Was that when you told him you hurt your hip traveling?”
“It was. Though I’ll wait until he’s older to tell him what lead up to it.”
“And this?” Malleus rests his hand on Lilia’s, where the scar was. “Does he know?”
“Well, I don’t exactly hide it. If people see it, they see it.” Lilia turns his head to look at him. “He knows it’s there. He asked questions as a curious child would. I’ve never told him how it happened. Just that I was a little older than he was when I got it.”
“Does he understand why it happened?”
Lilia shrugs. “He understands there aren’t nice people in the world. It was technically an accident, but one that never should have happened. I don’t want him to think iron is dangerous, but...”
“But it depends on how it’s used.” Malleus finishes. He thinks Lilia is being too kind to call it an accident, but there’s not much he can say about it. It’s not like he was there. He hadn’t even been born yet when it happened.
“Valley of Thorns has an interesting history. So much has changed from when I was his age. Even for you a lot has changed.” Lilia sighs. He rolls to his side, wincing slightly. “Things would be simpler if I could tell my son the world will always be a safe place, and have it be true.”
Lilia reaches out. Malleus tips his head down, closing his eyes when he feels Lilia push aside his bangs to trace along his hairline. The hidden birth mark there.
“You were good with him today.” He says, moving to lay on his back. Malleus places his hand on Lilia’s stomach.
“You think so?”
“Silver’s not a shy child. But he’s cautious. I’m glad he felt safe with you with that one house.”
Was that he asked Malleus to go with him? “It was just walking up with him.”
“Hehe, to us maybe. To a child, it’s a fear bigger than they are. Which doesn’t take much.” Lilia’s smile suddenly turns sharp. He grabs Malleus’ wrist when his hand starts to wonder. “So? Think you can do this year after year?”
“Still trying to scare me off?”
“Oh, I’ve given that idea up.” He lets go of Malleus, only to tug at his shirt collar. When Malleus leans forward, he kisses him lightly on the lips. “I’m too fond of you to let you leave now.”
With a smirk, Malleus rises so he can lean on his forearm on the couch, hovering over Lilia. “Just how fond of me are you?”
He likes this game they play, when they fall into a silly banter. And he knows Lilia does also, with how he can’t hide his amusement even when he rolls his eyes. Lilia traces along his jaw, his fingers tickling around his neck. He wants to close his eyes, but he also doesn’t want to miss a second of how Lilia is looking at him.
“Don’t fish for compliments, Malleus, it’s not charming.” Lilia says quietly. When his hand comes up to Malleus’ cheek, Malleus turns his head to kiss his palm.
“I’d believe you if you didn’t keep looking at me like that.”
Lilia huffs a soft laugh. He pulls Malleus down, finally giving him a long overdue kiss after their busy day.
Against his lips, he murmurs, “That’s only because I like you so much.”