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Mother…
Father…
Even Silver…
I’m so sorry I was born too late and never got to meet you all…
Malleus felt his tears drip down his face, splattering on the album in front of him.
He loved to look at this album; Lilia always said how it was filled with people who loved him.
His mother and father hugging his egg.
Lilia drawing little bats on the egg.
Big brother Silver, as a baby, shared a cradle with him.
Big brother Silver looked so happy.
As Malleus flips through the pages, he saw how time changes and so does Lilia and big brother Silver.
Always cradling the egg and giving love.
Malleus wiped his face, looking at the ring the brother he never met wore in the picture.
The same ring that was hanging around his neck.
Malleus recalled what Lilia had told him:
o “Silver had wanted you to inherit his ring. He wanted his younger brother to know he was loved and cherished. How proud he is that you finally hatched.”
o The smile Lilia wore was tinged with fondness, love, and sadness.
o Malleus wanted to reach out and wipe that sadness away.
I wish…I wish I got to meet you big brother Silver….
Malleus fell asleep on top of the album, unknown to him, a haze of magic swirled around him.
Silver patted the egg in front of him before wrapping it with a blanket.
Nice and cozy.
He leaned his head slightly on it.
Father is working hard to find a way to make you hatch…I don’t understand how I can use love in making you grow…even so, I still would love to help.
Malleus-sama, I hope you know how loved you are. I hope you will hatch soon so everyone can meet you.
Silver turned, startled, at feeling a burst of magic coming from his father’s study.
Father isn’t home.
Silver grabbed his nearby sword, glancing at a white dove near the windowsill, who chirped before flying to relay his message to his father.
Silver used his magic to shield off the room, only with his death can anyone enter.
As if he would allow anyone to hurt his little brother.
Silver silently treaded across the hallway, using the shadows to keep out of sight of any potential dangers.
He was the personification of the Phantom General.
Silver opened the door, weapon ready…
…only to be surprised by the dragonling in front of him.
Silver watched as the little dragon fae ate the mushroom risooto he made him.
When the dragon fae had awoken, he had surpsied Silver with a hug.
Big Brother Silver! You’re here!
Silver had returned his hug just as tightly.
Said dragon tightly held his hand, as if he never wanted to let go
When his father had returned home, Silver had already put Malleus-sama down for a nap. He had promised him he wouldn't leave his side.
His father looked relieved at the sight of Malleus-sama, tears shining in his eyes. Silver knew exactly how he felt as he felt the same.
Lilia raised a trembling hand and placed it on the dragonling’s head. Malleus mumbled and continued to sleep.
Lilia and Silver couldn’t help but smile.
Malleus-sama loved as strongly as any dragon kin, fiercely.
He would pull Silver with him everywhere.
He would root for him against their father when they sparred.
o Lilia pouted, “Hey! Why don’t I get any support!”
o “Big Brother is cooler than you!”
o Lilia gasped in fake affront before chasing the little one.
o Silver laughed.
o He smiled as he looked on in fondness.
o His little brother was adorable.
Malleus-sama would always ask Silver to cook, not that he could blame him as his father wasn’t…the best.
Malleus-sama’s and Silver’s favorite part of the night would be when the three would share a bed. Silver and Lilia would take turns reading to Malleus, both using magic to make some of the scenes come alive. Malleus would giggle before they would all eventually fall asleep together, cuddling under the blanket.
o “Goodnight Father and Big Brother.”
o Father and son smiled as the fae unknowingly melted their hearts and brought more joy to them than he would ever know.
As time went by another issue arose…what to do with this young fae who belonged in another time?
They had both decided to convince Malleus to return home.
Though admittedly it was difficult to deny the young heir anything, especially when he loved so wholeheartedly.
It was decided that Silver would be the one to talk to Malleus.
After all, Silver was the reason that Malleus had come and it was for Silver that Malleus wished to stay.
Time would be kind to Lilia, but not as kind for Silver. Both Lilia and Silver knew that all too well.
For that very reason, Silver had chosen to talk to Malleus-sama.
Lilia watched from afar as Silver brought up the topic and watched as Malleus cried.
Maybe in another world or another time they could have shared a life, but in this life, this was the hand granted to them.
Which was all the more reason they cherished this time together they had with the prince.
Silver had to stop himself from retracting his statement.
Silver wouldn’t deny the fact that a part of him wanted to be selfish, wanted this little one to stay with him.
But he knew, he knew he could not do that.
The unhatched egg and his father in the future came to mind.
“Do you not love me Big Brother Silver?”
“Malleus-sama, I love you more than you know.”
“But then…why?”
Silver wiped the fae’s tears, “There are so many people who love you in the future and are waiting for you. Father misses you.”
“But you’re not there.”
“I know.”
“But I love you, Silver.”
Silver pulled his dragonling on his lap and rubbed his forehead with Malleus’, “I know, I love you too.”
Silver cupped the little one’s cheeks, “Malleus-sama, knowing you grow up to be such a good kid, knowing you grow up healthy and happy, has brought father and I more joy than you will ever know.”
Silver pulled at the necklace around Malleus’ neck and kissed the ring, “No matter what time you are in, I will always be by your side. My precious little brother.”
Malleus hugged Silver as tears ran down his face before he felt Lilia also joining in.
Lilia moved a stray hair away from Malleus’ eyes, “Time to go now, young one.”
Malleus nodded and hugged them both once more before he gradually disappeared before their eyes.
Silver and Lilia smiled as hope and love for the future grew.
Father and son watched the stars that night, with Silver’s head on Lilia’s shoulder.
Silver carried the egg preciously, remembering the precious child that will be born.
He kissed the egg, thinking of the tiny scales that were on Malleus-sama’s forehead.
Silver felt a surge of affection when, surely it wasn’t his imagination, the heartbeat from the egg grew just a tad bit stronger.
When Lilia took it from him, he allowed himself to peck it as well, thinking about the cheeky one that will eventually be born.
Lilia swore he felt the egg warm up a few degrees more and turned to Silver in excitement.
After all, it was True Love that would allow the egg to hatch.
Malleus Draconia awoke, feeling more joy and love than he could ever remember.
“Malleus!”
“I’m coming, Father!”
Malleus ran.
He knew without a doubt that he was loved.
He didn’t notice the green aura mixed with pastel pink around him, nor did he see how the ring around his neck shined.
I love you Big Brother and Father.
He ran towards his loved one, ready to tell him about his adventures.