Chapter Text
Yuu has had enough. Enough of the stares they think she doesn't feel. Enough of suppressed smiles, double meanings to words, and cutting off laughter they think gives away too much. She's had enough of all the boys pining after her, either too afraid to even try, or already convinced they have no chance. She's especially done with them sizing each other up, none too subtly trying to figure out how she feels about the others.
'Boys,' she thinks to herself, both annoyed and fond. 'Fine, I'll make the first move then.'
She starts with Malleus, because of course she does. Yuu paints her nails, an alternating pattern of a shimmering chartreuse and a glittering raven black. Then she sets out to find Silver.
. . .
He's in his dorm room taking a nap when she knocks. An offer is made to come back later that's quickly brushed aside. She gets straight to the point as she always does. "I wish to court Malleus and I know Sebek will be opposed, how do I win him over?"
Silver chokes on his water bottle for only a second before he composes himself. When he looks over at Yuu his mouth is set in a line, though his eyes are soft. "That's not a declaration to make lightly, in Briar Valley an-"
"'Offer of courtship is only made if the desired end result is marriage. Otherwise one should declare intention only to date.' I know what I'm asking."
"I thought you were trying to go home."
"I wanted to because I felt this world wouldn't have space for me. There is nothing in my home world that I care about more than the connections I've made here. I want to stay, and I want to marry Malleus someday."
Silver's expression melts and he chuckles softly. "I knew you love him, I didn't realize how much. Very well, you have my approval. As for Sebek, you'll need to challenge him to a duel."
"Oof. What weapon?"
"Oh it doesn't have to be a martial battle. It could be over anything you want. As the challenger you have the right to set the terms."
Yuu grins in response, a grin the sleepy boy knows means everything will likely go her way. "Well then, I know exactly what to choose."
. . .
She calls for the quartet to meet her in their dorm lounge at 7pm, when she knows most of their students will be there. 'Let there be an audience, the faster this spreads across the school, the better.' Sure enough, when she enters the lounge it's packed. No doubt the others heard about her summons, if the way everyone is badly pretending they're not paying attention means anything. "Well Yuu, we are here. What did you need to talk about?"
Yuu takes a deep breath and locks eyes with the housewarden. He can barely acknowledge the fire in her gaze before her words stun his mind into blankness.
"Malleus Draconia, I humbly request your hand in courtship."
The reaction is immediate. Shocked mutters spread across the room as the three that matter process her words. Lilia starts chuckling soon after. "Yuu dear, you must be more careful how you say things. In Briar Valley-"
"I know exactly what I said. Malleus, I wish to marry you someday."
The whole dorm turns completely quiet for all of three seconds, before chaos erupts. Sebek starts screeching out protests as the other dorm students devolve into whistles and hooting. Lilia is doubled over in laughter.
"You never fail to make things more interesting around here. I can think of no better candidate for Malleus' hand. Very well, you have my approval."
The man in question seems to come back to himself at that. His eyes are wider than Yuu has ever seen them, and his smile is larger. Before he can say anything however-
"I REFUSE TO EVEN ENTERTAIN THIS IDEA! KNOW YOUR PLACE HUMAN!"
The lounge is silent once more, this time because of mutual annoyance. Sebek, completely oblivious to the change in the room, steps forward. "To think you are anywhere near the level to even dream of Malleus-sama in such a way is the height of folly!"
Yuu simply nods along, grin firmly in place. "I figured you say that, fine then, I challenge you to a duel to win your approval."
"Oooooooo"
"Hmph, no matter what weapon you choose, I will not be bested by the likes of you."
"Well then, it's a good thing I'm not picking a weapon. The nature of the battle will be simple, 'who knows Malleus better?'"
"Ooooooooooh!"
"Y-you dare question my devotion to my liege?!"
"Not your devotion, your knowledge."
"Hmph, your folly knows no bounds it seems. Fine! Have at you!"
. . .
The terms are decided quickly. Malleus himself will ask the questions and judge who wins at the end. By the time the duel begins every member of Diasomina, and a few students from other dorms, are squished into the lounge.
"What's my favorite food?"
"Ice cream."
"What's my middle name?"
"Revan."
"Too easy huh? Hmm, what's the difference between a gargoyle and a grotesque?"
"A gargoyle has a function, a grotesque is a decoration."
"What's my greatest treasure?"
"A dragon tamagotchi."
"What's my favorite string instrument?"
"The cello."
"Maybe these are too objective, alright, last question. What one word would you use to describe me?"
Sebek's answer is an immediate, "powerful!" He proceeds to go on a rant about how great his liege is. Yuu sits in silence and lets him talk. Lilia and Silver notice a drop in her mood, only Malleus can identify it as melancholy. Once the half fairy is done talking, all eyes go back to her. Yuu answers in a whisper, but the room is quiet enough for everyone to hear her say, "lonely."
The reaction is delayed as the room takes time to process. For once, Sebek says what everyone (sans Lilia) is thinking. "How could you ever accuse such a great being of such a benign emotion as loneliness?!"
"It's not an accusation, it's a fact. Yes Malleus is great, and that greatness pushes people away. You push people away from him on that very basis. I'm sure it feels good to be powerful, and to be recognized for that power. But when that power puts you on a pedestal, that keeps everyone at arms length," and here she locks eyes with the fairy prince, who is struggling to blink back tears. "How could you be anything but lonely?"
The room stays quiet in contemplation, murmurs sprinkled throughout. Malleus breaks the silence with the clearing of his throat. "Yuu wins the duel."
"Oooooooo"
Sebek flushes a deep pink that Yuu mistakes for anger until he looks down. He is simply embarrassed at his loss. "Very well human. I concede, you have my approval."
She smiles at him, then jumps from her chair to run and launch herself at her Tsunotarou. He picks up on what she wants just in time to catch her and spin her around. The room erupts into cheers and more whistling. Malleus grins down at the girl in his arms before teleporting them away to Ramshackle dorm.
"You never fail to surprise me Yuu. Were you serious about-"
"Wanting to marry you? Deadly serious."
"I thought you were trying to get home?"
She grins at this. "You are home at this point."
Malleus' smile turns wobbly. "Are you trying to make me cry?"
"Is it working?"
"...Yes."
At this the fairy sinks to his knees, and sniffles. Alarmed, Yuu joins him on the floor. "Are you ok-"
"I'm fine, I just." He looks up at her, eyes sparkling like she hung the gargoyles on the buildings. "I love you. So much more than I thought possible."
She turns pink and her heart skips several beats. "Oh. I love you too. In case that wasn't clear enough."
He laughs wetly. "My grandmother is going to adore you."
"I'm sure I'll adore her right back."
Malleus takes a few deep breaths, then stands back up with Yuu. He wipes his eyes and lets his smile fall. "What about the others?"
She doesn't pretend to be confused. Yuu has always been very vocal about how she is free with her love, and refuses to be tied down to one person. She hoped openly expressing her being polyamorous would ease the worries of the boys enough that someone would confess to her. It did not work.
"What about them?"
"Polyamory is not unheard of in Briar Valley, but the royal family has never engaged in it before. I have no issue with you pursuing others, but if you were forced to stay with only me, would you be able to do it?"
Yuu looks down at the ground. She knows her answer, she is simply afraid of what the response will be. "...No."
"I see. Well, I don't intend to let you go for anything, so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
Her head shoots up. "Really?!"
Malleus scoffs. "Do not think you will easily get rid of me, Yuu. Dragons pair for life."
She blushes at his words, which compels him to act on the desire he's had since she requested his hand. Since the first time she called him that nickname of hers, really. He cups her cheek and leans down. "May I?"
"Please."
The kiss is soft, gentle, almost feather light at first. Yuu sighs into it, and tilts her head to deepen it just slightly. They stay connected for over a minute, just basking in the others presence. When they finally pull apart their matching grins give away just how smitten they are for the other. "So, who is next on your list?"
"How do you know there's a list?"
"Because I know you, and your nails are not as subtle as you think they are."
"Well, good thing they're not meant to be subtle. It's Ace and Deuce."
"Ah, that should be simple."
"It would be, if they weren't oblivious."
"Surely they've picked up on your flirting by now."
"No, not of me, of each other."
"Ah, that will be a challenge. Good luck."
"Thank you love."
. . .
A week later, when the previous colors have chipped away, Yuu paints her nails. An alternating matted rose red and black on one hand. A shiny navy blue and red orange on the other.
"Okay, let's go catch some idiots."