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"Malleus, can you come here for a moment?" Lilia asked. Malleus was sitting in the lounge reading a book, while Silver and Sebek were out at Equestrian Club. This was the perfect time to ask him.
"I'm not in the mood to regress today." Malleus frowned, not looking up from his book. It seemed he wasn't in the best of moods today. Hopefully, Lilia could change that.
"That's alright, I just want to show you something."
Malleus looked up at him this time, suspicion showing on his face. "What is it?"
"You'll just have to come and see if you want to know. You're still young, don't be lazy." Lilia teased.
Malleus closed his book and teleported it back to his room. "I take it I won't be finishing my book today?"
"It's nothing like that! Will you just come with me and see if you're so curious?"
Malleus complied, and Lilia led him to his room. Once they were inside and the door was closed, Lilia gestured to his computer. "There's something I found that I thought you might like."
"I don't know how to operate that machine." Malleus said, glaring at the computer.
It was a bit funny if you thought about it, considering that he was older than Malleus and was fine with computers. Sometimes Malleus acted more like an old man than he did, but he wouldn't tell him that. At least, not today.
"Just take a seat, I'll handle everything."
Malleus sat in front of the computer with some hesitance. Lilia didn't know what Malleus expected to happen. He wasn't going to show him anything horrid, and nothing was going to jump out at him. He needed to have more faith in him.
Lilia moved his mouse causing the computer screen to light up. He had been looking for some toys for his little one earlier and had found what he hoped was the perfect thing.
They had reversible stuffed animals now that helped you show your mood. If Malleus didn't want to talk, he's hoping this could help him. Malleus also needed some stuffed animals regardless, so this was a great toy for him.
The plush that greeted Malleus now was a green kitten. It was smiling but when you turned it inside out it became a grumpy black cat that glowed in the dark. Lilia thought it was cute, and he had to admit the plush reminded him of Malleus a little.
"These are two cat stuffed animals?" Malleus asked in confusion.
"It's actually one stuffed animal. Let me show you the video." Lilia showed him how the plush worked.
"Stuffed toys have become more complex, it seems." Malleus commented, intrigued "Why are you showing me this?"
"It's not obvious? Of course, I'm going to order one. If you want one that is. Or if you'd like I have some different designs to show you."
"I said I didn't want to regress." Malleus complained, pouting.
"Would you rather we wait to look at toys until you're regressed?" Lilia hadn't been sure what would be best to do with their limited time. He wanted Malleus to be able to get things he liked, but he also wanted him to have time to play and relax.
"No, I'm curious to see what the other designs look like."
Lilia smiled. "Alright, I'll show you."
Lilia showed him a couple more designs. Malleus didn't seem to care for most of them. The turtle one was probably only because he didn't get the teenage mutant ninja turtles reference. He wasn't quite sure why he wasn't taken with the avocado. Lilia loved that one.
The last one Lilia showed him was a dragon plush. The happy side was a blue dragon with silver horns, while the grumpy side was a black dragon roaring in anger.
Malleus was instantly taken with this one, of course.
"Do you like that one?"
"I have to admit it's…decent looking."
"Do you want it?"
"I wouldn't object to having it." That was as close to a yes as he'd be getting from Malleus. Lilia counted it as a success.
"Alright, I'll order one for you then. You can go back to your book if you'd like." Lilia didn't want to take up too much of his time or overwhelm him with toys.
Malleus stood and Lilia hopped into his desk chair, putting in his information to order the dragon plush.
Lilia had expected Malleus to leave, but he stood by watching him. He picked up a gold coin that was in the treasure chest next to Lilia's desk and started fiddling with it. Lilia knew what that meant.
"Do you need to-"
"No, it's almost time for Silver and Sebek to come back. Not today." Malleus shut him down before he could even get the words out.
"Alright, I'll be here if you need it. Even after Silver and Sebek are back."
Malleus narrowed his eyes before teleporting out of the room. It seems Lilia wouldn't be getting his coin back.
At least now he knew what toys to buy next.
A few weeks later, Malleus had come to him to regress. They were currently in Malleus' room sitting on the bed, their usual spot.
"Your dragon plush arrived." Lilia said, materializing it in his hands. He'd taken it out of the box before giving it to him so Malleus didn't have to wait for him to open the packaging this time.
Malleus immediately grabbed it, thankfully not rough enough to break it.
He squished it a few times, testing out how it felt. He then changed the plush from a happy blue dragon to a grumpy black one. Was his little one upset? No, it seemed he was still testing out his toy, reversing the plush several times before settling on the blue happy dragon. He then looked at Lilia as if waiting for him to say something.
"Do you like it?" Lilia asked.
Malleus nodded, hugging it to his chest.
"I actually bought something else. It's not for you this time though."
Malleus puffed out his cheeks, about to blow out a puff of fire, before deflating and turning his dragon plush to the grumpy side. Malleus held it up and out towards him like he wanted to make sure Lilia could see it. He couldn't help but laugh.
"I know you're upset. But it's not for you, it's for your dragon."
Malleus raised an eyebrow, turning his dragon from grumpy to happy again and putting it on his lap.
Lilia snapped his fingers and a small toy treasure chest appeared, not unlike the one in Lilia's room.
Malleus looked at it curiously for a few moments before yanking the fake decorative lock that was on the chest. If he had used the slightest bit more strength he would've cracked the toy.
"Please be careful, love. I don't want you to hurt yourself." Lilia said, gently removing his hand from the chest. Malleus looked a little angry with him, but it was better that than him being upset over a broken toy.
"Lift up the top like this, alright?" Lilia explained, gesturing how to open it.
Malleus nodded, a pout on his face. At least the plush dragon's mood hadn't changed. Hopefully, it would stay that way.
Malleus opened the chest, gentler this time, and looked inside. When he saw there was nothing in there, he tilted his head in confusion. He then decided it would be a good place to store his dragon plush, placing it inside. He was so cute!
Lilia giggled. "Yes, that is a good place for him, but I have something else you could put in there if you want." He moved the chest to sit between them before materializing two drawstring velvet pouches.
Malleus stared at them in wonder, reaching for the bag in his left hand before changing his mind and reaching for the one in his right. He then looked to Lilia for help. It seemed he didn't know which one to take first.
"You take whichever one you want first." Lilia told him.
Malleus hesitated a little bit more before deciding on the left one, opening it to see a bunch of gems inside, in many different colors. They were all fake, of course. Lilia wouldn't use real gems for playtime.
Malleus decided the best course of action would be to dump them all on the bed. He picked up some of the gems, inspecting them. He pointed at the toy chest and looked at Lilia, a question on his face.
"They're for the chest, yes. You see, some dragons have a tendency to hoard things. They usually hoard whatever they consider to be precious to them. The stereotypical depictions of dragons usually hoard gems and the things inside this bag." He explained, shaking the closed pouch. Malleus seemed intrigued by the clinking sound it made. "I figured if my little dragon would be getting a little dragon, it'd need its own hoard."
Malleus most likely already knew about dragon hoards, but it wouldn't hurt to explain just in case. He still seemed interested in the toys, reaching for the next bag, so Lilia took it as a good sign. He opened it before dumping the contents on top of the fake gems. This time a bunch of fake gold coins came out.
Malleus got off of the bed and picked up the treasure chest, placing it on the couch. He then held his hand out to Lilia, who was still sitting on the bed with the fake treasures.
"Gold." Malleus ordered. Lilia handed him a gold coin. Malleus put the coin inside the treasure chest, taking his dragon out and setting it beside the chest on the couch.
"Red." Malleus said, holding his hand out again. Lilia handed him a red gem.
"Blue."
"Green."
"Purple"
"Gold."
"Red."
This went on for a while. Lilia was happy his little one was being creative and making up games. He would continue to slowly give him some more toys so he had more options for what to do with this time.
"Silver."
Lilia handed him a silver gem.
Malleus looked at it, before picking up his dragon and reversing it. Oh dear, it looks like they wouldn't be making it through the day without the dragons turning grumpy.
"What's the matter?" Lilia asked. He honestly wasn't sure what the problem was this time. Was he bored with this game? Did he need his pacifier?
"Silver!"
"The gem I gave you is indeed silver. The only other thing you could be referring to is your brother."
Malleus nodded with enthusiasm. Ah, so he wanted Silver. Lilia was afraid this would happen.
"He's at Equestrian Club, but he should be back soon."
"Silver. Sebek. Papa." Malleus said, pointing at the chest. He wanted them as a part of his hoard? Lilia was truly honored. Unfortunately, they wouldn't fit inside the chest, but he didn't think now was the best time to tell Malleus that.
"If you want to wait for them to get back, I'm sure they'll be happy to play with you."
Malleus shook his head and whined in frustration. "Can't."
"Why ever not? They care about you Malleus. I know they'll be delighted to spend time with you like this."
Malleus just shook his head again, tears in his eyes. Now wasn't the time to try to convince him, his little one needed comfort.
"Come here dragonfly." Lilia beckoned.
Malleus dropped his dragon plush and the silver gem on the floor. He rushed to the bed and crashed into Lilia's arms, almost startling a gasp out of him. Perhaps he should be firmer in teaching him to be more gentle, but now wasn't the time.
"I've got you. Papa's here." He soothed, gently rubbing his back. Lilia materialized his pacifier and Malleus gratefully took it, chewing on it harshly.
He needed to have a conversation about this with Malleus when he wasn't regressed. He knew Silver and Sebek would love to take care of him like he did, but Malleus couldn't seem to believe that. No matter what he said, he couldn't convince the little. He'd have to think of something. Still, this was the first time he requested Silver and Sebek. Hopefully, that meant they were getting closer to Malleus being comfortable enough to tell them.
If he doesn't end up wanting to tell them, Lilia won't force him. All he wants is for his son to be happy. He wished Malleus would allow that for himself.