Chapter Text
Most people liked you, or so you believe. You think you’re nice as you’ve saved most of them from overbloted attacks or just being overbloted themselves. You worked and studied hard and are also the parent to a fire cat demon that could burn down the dorm at any moment if he doesn't get what he wants. You are doing your best and that is what matters.
You also been talking to the prince of the Briar Valley and just so happened to start to catch feelings for him. It was scary at first but you have given up all hope of ever going back to your old world so why not try to ask your good friend Malleus on a date and maybe marry rich. It doesn't sound that bad when you're living in a place so broken down but there was just one very loud problem.
Sebek Zigvolt.
You are pretty sure he hates you more than for just being a human that dares to breathe the same air as Malleus. He seems to always catch you and Malleus when you are hanging out, about the ask the question. You want to strangle Sebek the moment you hear his yelling. "Human, get away from the young master!" He basically screams at you everytime.
You were sick of it, you tried to ask the question anywhere you could with Malleus. Library. Class. Outside. Inside. His own room. Yet somehow, Sebek comes rushing in like he knows that you are trying to ask Malleus on a date and not just another friendly hang out. You almost begged Vil to put a curse on him so he couldn't be near Malleus for a day. Every time, you build up to that perfect moment of confession and he just comes in to ruin the mood. He then just drags Malleus away even when Malleus tries to tell him that he is okay and he likes hanging out with you. You are just a human, you are no danger to Malleus but Sebek acts like you are a bomb waiting to explode.
It was annoying, infuriating even. You really do love Malleus more than a friend but Sebek will be the end of you before you get to ask the question. The worst part is the walk of shame you do when you leave alone, the worst one being when you tried to ask Malleus out in his room. Lilia tried to hold back his laughing but not his smile as he locked eyes with you when you left the dorm.
You didn’t want to just tell Malleus your feelings through a note or phone call, he should hear your feelings from you in real life but you are getting to the point that you just want him to know. Would it be too mean if you called Azul up for that favor and maybe just let Floyd and Jade distract Sebek for a little bit?
You were back in your room, at your desk as you looked over your notes. It was late at night and Grim was already fast asleep. You were about to go to bed yourself but then noticed the glow of fireflies outside your window. A smile made its way to your face as you watched them dance for a few seconds. You sat up from your desk, walking out the bedroom and down the stairs.
You exit your dorm, seeing the outline of Malleus outside the gate. It was cold out but it didn’t matter as you walked barefoot to the gate. “Hornton!” You call out as you open the gate, the fireflies floating around the two of you as you walk towards him. Just looking at him sets your heartbeat ablaze. He really is beautiful.
The glow of the fireflies lights him up perfectly; you know they are just an effect of his magic that you could never understand but it didn’t matter. “Child of Man,” He greeted back, a small smile on his face as he looked down at you. You stand next to him, leaning back on the small fence that went around your dorm. “How are you tonight?” You ask.
He seems to chuckle at your question, you know he gets joy from its simplicity. He explained before that he enjoys how you treat him like anyone else. He was so used to being feared that when you showed up one night, having no idea who he was, he used it as a chance to just be Hornton, the name you have given him.
“I’m good, you show up once again tonight. How can it be a bad night when you accept my invitation to talk?” He replied. That right there sent a blush and a brighter smile to your face. You wish you were lucky enough he would just confess his own feelings for you first but you know him, he wouldn’t do it unless he gets invited to share them like he is with everything else. It had to be you that said it first.
“You showing up makes it a great night, you know I wait for the fireflies to show up. I love talking to you.” The smile on his face got bigger and he turned to you. Maybe this was it, it was late enough that there was no way that Sebek could have known that Malleus had sneaked out to talk to you.
“I do enjoy our talk as well, they're nice to enjoy the nights that always seem to pass too fast for me.” He probably was so lonely when he went on his night walks before you showed up, it made you happy that you were able to make him happy. A wind passes by, causing a shiver to run through you. Malleus’ smile drops as he stares at you, an expression of worry painted on his face.
He quickly takes off his uniform jacket, warping it around you. It was a little big on you but it did help with the cold. The smile came back as he knew that he might have helped you from getting sick. “A human's life is too short, you should be more careful. I can wait a few more seconds for you to get a jacket on before coming to talk to me.”
“I just get too excited when I know you're outside, I’ll be fine.” You assured but you were happy for the jacket. It reminds you of the romantic movies that you watch with Vil. This might actually be it. “Malleus,” You said his real name, catching his attention. He was a little shocked that you said his real name, looking curiously at you.
“You know that I love spending time with you, I would really hope that I could invite you on a-” You were interrupted as the loud voice of Sebek was heard. “HUMAN!” You wanted to scream, you were so close. You hold Malleus’ jacket closer to you, looking down at the ground in defeat. “YOUNG MASTER!” Great sevens, you can hear his footsteps get closer and closer to the two of you.
You take a step back, knowing this song and dance for all the other times he had ruined your plans. “Human, you were stealing the young master’s clothes?!” You guess he now noticed that you were wearing Malleus’ jacket. He moves to stand in front of Malleus, causing you to get even farther away from your crush.
“He gave me his jacket, it was cold out and we were talking.” You tried to explain but you know Sebek wasn’t going to believe you. “Likely story! You dare try to hurt Malleus by bringing him out at night where anyone could get to him!” Sebek vehemently protested. You just wish he would stop yelling when he was so close to you, your ears probably ringing from the shouting..
Malleus even seems upset as he stares past Sebek and to you. “Sebek, it’s the truth. Humans get sick too easily by being out in the cold.” Sebek seems to have lightened, a smile quickly showing on his face as he turns to Malleus. “What a fortunate soul the human was to receive your kindness! Such a kind ruler you will be even when it comes to humans!” He basically sings the praise of Malleus at every chance he gets.
The mood was now ruined, you were once again blocked from expressing your feelings for Malleus. The fish mafia and Vil are looking really good for getting back at Sebek after all of this, you just wish you were actually mean enough to do it but Sebek was a friend to Malleus. Malleus seems to not pay any mind to Sebek’s words as he looks at you. “Child of Man, what were you going to ask me?”
You weren't going to say your feelings around Sebek, he would probably yell so loud that he would end your human life. “ I’ll try to tell you when we meet up for the Gargoyle Studies Club.” You know you had to be careful of your lying around Malleus as in your world, the stories told that fae could tell when you were lying and you didn’t want to risk it.
Malleus nodded, giving him a small smile. “Malleus it time to bring you back to the dorm or Lilia will get worried sick about you!” Sebek once again reminded the both of you that he was loud and that he was there.
“Goodnight Hornton.” You smiled as you started to take off Malleus’ jacket but Malleus shake his head. “Keep it, you may return it when you next see me.” He said, Sebek seemed grossed out at the idea of you keeping an article of clothing of Malleus.
“You’re lucky the young master is so nice, Human.” Sebek seems to want to fight more about you keeping the jacket but Malleus starts to walk off as he says goodnight to you. Sebek sends you a glare but quickly follows Malleus down the path and back to the school.
Malleus probably isn’t just teleporting back since Sebek would get more worried and upset if he couldn’t follow Malleus’ each step back. You stand there for a minute, gazing at the ruins of yet another chance to say your feelings but Sebek at least gave you a clue to his incessant madness. He said that Lilia sent him after Malleus, knowing full well that Malleus goes on night walks all the time.
You open the gate to Ramshackle, going back inside once the fireflies disappear with Malleus. Your best bet was to talk to Lilia about him sending Sebek, maybe he could even help you. You returned back to your room, not taking off Malleus’ jacket as you slipped under the covers of your bed. You were going to enjoy having his jacket as long as possible before Sebek comes back for it. You just hope you could meet Malleus once again in your dreams.