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Malleus quite liked being a mystery for his Child of Man.
He loved the way that he could see their enchanting eyes light up as soon as they saw him outside of their Dorm, their ruin, their home. He loved the way that they immediately rushed out to greet him, no trace of fear in their eyes, just love and warmth and joy.
He loved the familiar cadence of their voice, calling out to him with that ridiculous name that they used that was the first nickname that they had ever received.
He loved the way that he was able to be anonymous, a mystery to them.
He loved the way that despite his fears, they had said that they would still be his friend when they learned who they were.
And he had learned not to trust that, because the idea of a completely magicless humans being friends with the Crown Prince of the Briar Valley Malleus Draconia seemed laughable to many because of the social difference between them, but it seemed laughable to him because of how much the humans and beastfolk and mer and even the other fae feared him.
But he loved that he trusted their words completely and utterly.
He didn't love them like one would love their partner, no.
No, despite Lilia's teasings, he saw them as merely a friend.
A cherished friend that he held close to his heart, who he loved but didn't Love, but a friend nonetheless.
Malleus was a mystery to them.
He was Yuu's Tsunotaro, their Hornton, the weirdo who liked gargoyles and kept showing up in the middle of the night in their garden.
He found that he rather liked those titles.
Far more than he liked being the crown prince of the Briar Valley, or one of the top five magicians in the world.
Malleus Draconia was the Crown Prince of the Briar Valley, son of the late Queen Maleanor and her consort Raverne, grandson of the present Queen Maleficia, raised by the Thorn General of Briar Valley, direct descendent of the Thorn Fairy.
Malleus Draconia was one of the top five mages in the world, was the one whom everyone feared and stayed away from because of their fear, the one who was alone and raised by a former general who had to learn how to be softer.
Malleus Draconia was the one who was always alone.
But Tsunotaro was Yuu's mysterious friend who showed up at night, away from any other people.
Tsunotaro was the one who rambled about gargoyles for hours, as Yuu listened with a fond smile on their face and an attentive look in their eyes.
Tsunotaro was the one with Yuu, his Child of Man, as a friend, and he couldn't be alone because he had them, didn't he?
So Malleus Draconia was the lone prince, the powerful mage, the terrifying fae.
And Tsunotaro was the mysterious night visitor who wasn't alone anymore.
And they were still separate, but he hoped that one day they could be the same.
But until then, he would enjoy being a mystery for his Child of Man.