Chapter Text
When one vows for their love at a wedding, they declare a promise that lasts for eternity. Quite weak, frankly, as either divorce occurs or their eternity is nothing more than fifty years spent together. My eternity lasts for centuries, a fire that burns through wars, the creation of kingdoms and both the start and ending of an era. How will I ever find a love strong enough to carry through all that time?
“Kingscholar,” Malleus spoke, hands folded behind his back as he politely waited for the lion to awaken. Leona opened a single eye, his face tensing up uncomfortably at the view of the lizard prince. “we have gotten paired up for the research project. I wished to make a plan of approach with you.”
Leona yawned, pulling down his legs from the desk. As he looked around the classroom, he realised everyone but the two of them had left the lecture and that it was long over. Cracking the sleep out of his neck joints, he started putting his unused books back into his bag. “You do it, Mr. top-five. I don’t care what grade we get.”
Malleus sighed, chewing the inside of his cheek in annoyance. He should have expected such a presumptuous reply, yet really hoped that Leona could behave this time. “Well, Mr. below-five, it is a compare and contrast assignment. We have to do our respective parts and then work together. Moreover, I would rather be asleep for a hundred years than fail this class.” Malleus knew he was supposed to be the better person, to remain calm and not throw back insults, although with Leona it was too tempting to let the beastman walk off without any consequences to his words. His childishness was what bothered Malleus the most, though. They would have no need to banter or fight the entire time if Leona had not decided to act as if his biggest joy was seeing Malleus get upset at him every time.
Once Leona realised this was actually important to Malleus, he turned smug. To have a small portion of power across the lizard, made his ears stand up in enthusiasm. “Fine, beg for it.”
Malleus took deep breaths, pushing back the urges to impulsively choke the air out of that lion if it wasn’t for his dignity being on the line. He adjusted his tie instead, just to keep his hands busy before they would move ahead of his sense of right. “I could very much threaten you, Kingscholar. We both know I may not be the one with a broken back laying uncomfortably in the infirmary.”
Leona chuckled lowly, laughing off to appear unfazed by the threats, “I was just kidding, don’t look so worked up. You know that book you gave me?”
Malleus remembered very well. The conversation held due to the magical dice was the one decent association he had with Kingscholar. Afterwards, the somewhat intriguing conversation died out between all the arguing, yet Malleus learned a lot about Leona that day. Perhaps even enough to not be as bothered by his insults anymore. “For your birthday?”
Leona nodded, “The one nice thing you have ever done for me. By now I’ve almost deciphered it and my brain is just itching for a new one. You wouldn’t mind getting me another one, would you? I’ll cooperate for it.” He put out his hand for Malleus to shake, hoping to seal the deal properly.
“Hmm…” Malleus' thoughts surrounded his head. No way the value of such books were even close to a high-school research project, but then again, Malleus had already read them countless times. Perhaps he could even get Leona convinced to actually discuss the contents together. When it comes to things he takes interest in, Leona can be quite talkative. However, the assignment should come first. If this truly meant Leona’s devoted efforts, Malleus would happily see such, even for personal curiosity.
He takes Leona’s hand in his, “How about we rendez-vous in the library tomorrow? We can work out our strategy from there.”
Leona got up from his chair, exiting the classroom with no reply but a silent wave. It made Malleus clench his fists, wondering why he would give such a vague answer. Although, it was decently safe to assume that he had no complaints. Perhaps that was just Leona’s sole way of communicating things without insults; without any words.
Malleus waited quietly until he was certain the lion had left. His gloved fingers traced across the desk he stood in front of, the pad filling with dust. He rubbed his thumb and index together, analysing it for no other reason but to have something to do with his hands as a storm of thoughts raged through the inside of his mind. Leona was always a special case, probably the only person he would ever come across that would openly and fearlessly express his hate for the fae. It was a conflict between wanting to hate Leona back - because he would be the only man in the world who wouldn’t be in despair after Malleus’ intimidating threats - or wanting to spend as much time with him, simply to get to know the lion better and make a friend that wasn’t one of his guards.
How special he is indeed.