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Malleus had a problem. A problem named Leona.
Normally, Leona wasn't a problem. Okay, not a huge problem. But there was just one thing that Malleus found concerning about his boyfriend. He never wanted to look at him.
That's not to say Leona didn't look at him ever, but when they were relaxing together Malleus would want to rest his forehead against Leona's and look into his eyes. And Leona always closed his eyes, turning his head to lay it against his shoulder or chest, then give a rumbling noise of contentment.
And that was a bit of a problem. Because Leona wouldn't look at Malleus, wouldn't hold eye contact. That had been something Malleus knew about courtship, that when two people got together eye contact was important. It showed you valued the other, and had nothing to hide from the other. You trusted and loved your partner.
And Leona wouldn't hold eye contact.
That was something that had sent Malleus in a downward spiral: did Leona not trust him? Did he not feel comfortable around him? Was Malleus a… a… a bad boyfriend?!
It was why he was sulking in Lilia's room, deep thunder rumbling across the horizon while Lilia himself lightly patted the prince's head.
"There there, you're not a bad boyfriend, Malleus." he said gently.
"But he won't look me in the eyes!" Malleus repeated, sinking further into the chair he had claimed. Outside another crack of thunder sounded. "Lilia, he doesn't trust me."
"I highly doubt that." The other fae pouted, "I've never seen a lion so cozy laying next to someone."
Malleus kept quiet, but the storm outside told on his mood with a low rumble of thunder. Lilia, to his credit, did not tease the future ruler and simply sighed. “Malleus, may I suggest that you talk with Leona about this?”
“Why should I talk with someone who obviously doesn't have any trust in me?” The prince mumbled, and Lilia was struck with the reminder that Malleus was still far too young.
Leona wasn't an idiot. Something was up with Malleus.
The fae seemed to be more distant lately, not to mention the oddly intense staring that he'd been doing in the weeks prior. Leona had just about had it and was about to ask why when it all stopped. Leona didn't think much on it, until he realized that along with the staring, Malleus had started to seemingly drift away, not come around to hang out in the botanical garden. Not come find him in between classes, or even come bother him late at night for a stroll around the campus.
Leona was not a clingy person. He didn't need to have Malleus around constantly, and understood that sometimes you need time to yourself.
But Leona also was aware that he had become a bit more cranky and short with people, taking to sleeping more in an attempt to take the edge off.
So when he had found his favorite sunny patch, hidden off the path where no one really ventured, he was more than a little annoyed when he heard someone call out to him. And it wasn't Malleus, or Ruggie.
“I hear you've been having a few bad days.” Lilia spoke.
“You ever hear the saying let sleeping lions lie?” Leona asked, opening an eye and glanced over. Despite his smile, Lilia didn't sound all that happy.
“I may have come across it once or twice.” The bat giggled, “However, I do have a reason for coming to see you.”
“Yeah? And what's that?”
“Malleus has also been a bit down in the dumps, lately.” Lilia sighed, frowning, “I think it would be beneficial for both of you to come together and talk about your problems.”
Leona growled, feeling his hackles raise back. “I ain't got a problem!” he snarled. “If that damn lizard wants to talk he can come find me.”
“Leona, there's no need to shout.” Lilia glared, and the beastman was struck with how well the fae seemed to have perfected a disappointed dad look. It caught him off guard enough that he felt himself already calming down. “Malleus is unsure if you're willing to speak with him, and I can't seem to get through to him, so I thought I'd try my luck with you.”
“Why doesn't he want to come talk to me?” Leona asked after a moment, ears pinning back against his head.
“He thinks you don't trust him.” Lilia shrugged, “I suggest you go speak with him more on the matter. I’m just here to give you a bit of a shove.”
Lilia left shortly after, Leona still staring at the spot the fae had been standing, his words still echoing in his head.
Maybe, he should go and find Malleus.
Malleus was, surprisingly, difficult to find. Maybe that wasn't surprising, Leona was a creature of habit, and had just a few spots that he enjoyed curling up in. Malleus, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy roaming and finding new spots. However, Leona knew Malleus's favorite spots, and after a while of checking those areas, he found his boyfriend.
“Oi.” Malleus seemed to jolt in surprise, turning to look at Leona as the beastman stepped into the empty classroom that Malleus had seemed to claim as the Gargoyle club room. “You got some nerve, hiding from me.”
“I'm not hiding from you.” Malleus said, eyes blinking before the surprise faded and he frowned. “Why are you here?”
“Looking for you.” Leona walked over to him, tail flicking in irritation. “If you're not hiding from me, then why haven't you been around for the last week?”
Malleus didn't have an answer for that. Obvious in the way he turned his head, looking away. Leona huffed, then walked beside the fae. “Scoot.”
“I- what?” Malleus looked over and watched as Leona began to nudge himself beside his boyfriend. “What are you doing?”
“Taking what's mine.” The beastman said, before laying down, curling and twisting himself into a position that let his head lay in Malleus's lap. “Keep still.”
“That is my lap, Kingscholar.” Malleus frowned, looking down at the beastman.
“No, it's mine.” Leona scoffed, slowly opening his eyes and looked up at the fae. The two held eye contact for a moment, before Leona purposefully blinked slowly, turning his head to the side.
Malleus felt something sour bubble up as he looked down at his boyfriend. “Do you enjoy annoying and insulting me?” he asked.
“Annoying you has become my favorite pastime.” Leona mumbled into the fae’s thigh. “But how am I insulting you?”
“You refuse to look at me.”
There was a pause before Leona turned his head just enough to peel an eye up at Malleus. “What do you mean?”
“You don't trust me. You refuse to hold any eye contact, which proves that you don't trust me, or value my presence.”
“That,” Leona paused, thinking about his next words, “is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard.”
“Excuse me?” Malleus tensed, scowling down at the beastman. Outside there was a low roll of thunder.
“Mal, do you know anything about beastmen?” Leona asked, lazily looking up at the other man. “Specifically feline beastmen?”
“I…” Malleus knew a little about beastmen, but this felt more like a cultural thing. When he took too long to reply, Leona grunted and closed his eyes again.
“When we’re comfortable with someone, we let our guard down.” Oh. “We don’t keep an eye out for trouble, because we trust who we’re with.” Oh.
“So, you…” Malleus looked down, watching as Leona’s body seemed to relax as he laid in his lap. “Do trust me.”
“Obviously.” Leona grumbled, his tail carefully moving, curling around himself.
“Clearly not obvious,” Malleus huffed, beginning to pout. “You could have told me that in the first place.”
“You could have asked instead of running off to mope.” Leona replied, before letting out a loud yawn. “Now quiet. You’re being punished.”
“Am I now?” The fae smiled as he looked down, raising a hand to gently run through Leona’s hair.
“Yeah. You have to be my pillow for the rest of the day for being an idiot the last few weeks.”
“I guess I accept my punishment, then.” Malleus said, listening to the faint rumble that came from his boyfriend. “And I’ll be sure no one bothers us.”
“Good.” Leona’s voice was thick with sleep as he sank into the comfort of being able to finally be near his boyfriend.
As Leona slept, Malleus kept watch over him, making sure no one bothered either of them as they relaxed together.