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Even when the Diasomnia dorm seemed as quiet and normal as any other regular day, Lilia has been noticing that his son has been acting strange those past few weeks, well, more strange than what was usual for a teen like Silver. The ex-General was nothing less than an extremely powerful fae, but with advice from the other adults from the school, he was trying to let his boy have some of his own space… that and the fact that Silver was also his apprentice, which meant it wasnt so hard for the human to sneak past his father, maybe not always, but if the boy really wanted it was achievable.
The vice-dorm leader of Diasomnia tried to ignore all the rare occurrences and focused more on dorm activities and even his own games, after all, spending more time with his online friend did help him clear his mind out of every worry, that and having to do so much for Malleus thanks to his “invitation issue”. Overall the older fae was focusing all his energy in not thinking and not asking, which was starting to prove itself to be extremely hard, even when he has been on wars, having to slowly separate from his son and give him more space for him to “grow as an adult” was possibly one of the hardest thing Lilia had to do lately.
“My boy is growing.”
Was the first thing he thought to himself, a bittersweet smile adorning his face as he sat on the windowsill of his own room at the dorm. The moon looked gorgeous that night and he just didn't want to play, just ponder on his own life, his choices and everything… his own son and the life built for the young man that belonged to this new generation.
“Small… so small you once were… child of the moon and night…”
Lilia hugged himself as he said that, right before moving his hands and placing them like he was cradling a baby, smiling again and closing his eyes, imagining, remembering a very small human child with blond hair that was crying in a long time abandoned castle by himself. Memories of his first word, of his first training, the first meeting with the rest started to flood the fae’s mind. It was comforting and hurted at the same time. It happened in the past, but it happened, which is the really important thing at the end of the day.
“Silver… are you really leaving the nest?”
A question he dared not ask directly even if Lilia was the most straightforward person he knew, but people always say “don't ask anything you don't want answered”, and, for now, he didn't want an answer, everything was like this… and everything was fine like this.
The vice-leader didn't sleep that night, head full of thoughts that he needed to process, but it was fine for him, just one night wasn't going to actually hurt him, in any meaningful way at least. During the long years of his life he has lost many people, people he cared for, people he loved… but there was nothing in his life like those boys from Diasomnia, especially his boy.
The days kept passing as if nothing changed, even Sebek starting to behave strangely at times, it was starting to weigh a bit on Lilia, but he held onto his own senses, trying to continue with everything even when it was getting harder by the day.
“Mh?”
Of course he didn't expect that buzzing on his own phone, pulling it out of his pocket and reading the message on it: it was from Silver.
The fae immediately started levitating rapidly to the place of the meeting, the nerves making him forget for a moment that he could just teleport, he just wanted to see his boy, that message he read making him hurry more than ever.
When he arrived at the place set by his son he was surprised by his little family being there: Malleus, Sebek and… Silver. Their eyes met and Lilia felt as if he was about to crumble in place, it felt like an eternity since the last time they saw each other eye to eye. A faint smile adorned his sweet boy’s expression, Lilia tilting his head a bit before noticing he was holding a set of papers on his hands, the fae’s face turning into that of confusion, slowly closing in on the boys before Silver started talking.
“I know I have been distant these days, Lilia-senpai, but I had a lot of things to prepare for today. I hope I didn't worry you too much with my behavior.”
“Huh? What do you mean, Silver?”
Even Sebek was silent, as if everyone was giving Silver space to make the “stage” his own, although it was very noticeable that the younger of them all wanted to speak and was actively holding himself back.
“It can be pretty hard to do certain things when you have my age, but Malleus-sama and Malleficia-sama were of great help to ease the process”
Lilia was going to argue that he still didn't understand until he was handed the papers, reading quickly over it before his eyes opened and started rapidly filling with tears.
“Would you read it for us, Lilia?”
Malleus inquired, showing a rather satisfied smile on his side, but he was content with the outcome of things, watching his caretaker slowly compose himself and start reading.
“Certificate… of Name Change…”
“Go on.”
Malleus was teasing, but he was also sort of guiding Lilia through the process of taking in the new information, seeing the fae clean his own tears with his forearm before continuing.
“Silver… Vanrouge…”
Malleus smiled as Silver got close to his father, slowly wrapping the smaller man between his arms and hugging him tightly against his own body, closing both eyes and finally whispering in his ear, a voice filled with all the love he had for that fae.
“Father…”
The dragon fae nodded immediately in approval, smiling for himself in a more sincere way as father and son hugged each other, Sebek crossing his own arms, letting out a soft snort before finally opening his mouth
“You better make good use of that name, eh Silver?!”
The human slowly released Lilia from his embrace before smiling at his training mate.
“I will, for my sword.”
Sebek smiled widely, completely pleased with his answer, nodding again in approval of the change while Lilia still tried to compose himself from the news and the relaxation of finally having every weight of those weeks being lifted in an instant.
“I am going to scold you for making your old man worry!”
The older fae could finally speak again, Silver only smiling back at him and making an approving signal.
“I shall accept whatever punishment comes my way”
“Hm! That’s what I like to hear… son.”