Chapter Text
Loneliness is a scary feeling. So frightening even, that it can make people do terrible, terrifying things.
This, was a fact Lilia had most certainly, and most recently, had to learn. Seeing how the pain of loneliness had stolen every ounce of Malleus's rational thought from him. Sending the entire island into a sleeping curse, hadn't been how he had believed Malleus would react to the news of his departing.
Alas though, it had happened, it was over, and he was kept on at the school as a guardian of sorts for the dragon prince. A fitting title for himself he believes. There were no complaints about this task from him. He was permitted to continue residing in Diasomnia, and thus was still close to Silver and Sebek, a wonderful bonus of his position.
But, all of this aside, summer break is approaching, and following it, internships begin. He will retire to a cozy cottage in the Land of Red Dragons, as Malleus will be leaving the school back to Briar Valley to prepare him this coming year for his position of heir to the throne. All of this leaving Silver with only Sebek for close companionship. And Malleus exactly as what he hates most, 'alone'.
It hurt this old bat fae's heart to think of his ward as such. Lonely, solitary days of no one more than the castle court and his grandmother. None of which were all too compelling conversationalist. He, of course, is not allowed on castle grounds, a fact that still quite angered the dragon prince, but one he had not yet been able to resolve.
Without being in close proximity to either, Lilia couldn't help but to worry about his precious boys' happiness. Without his guidance, could he hope for either to reach out to potential prospects of companionship? He truly doubted this, and spring was quickly coming to a close.
"Ahh, I have to do something to ensure they are well cared for."
Lilia spoke with a sigh, finishing up on the quest he had been working on in his game while the boys attended classes. His room dark, with the curtains pulled, only the flickering light of his screen illuminating the still quite decorated walls. He had made some attempt to begin packing, but with close to three weeks of school remaining, he was in no rush.
"Pleaaaaaase~ just one? Then I promise, I won't bother you again till, like, the internship departure party? Okies?? Pls?"
You could practically hear the 'wink' in the ginger-haired boys singsong tone. Following close behind the taller, dark haired, horned prince. Both completely unaware to the attention they had grabbed from the small bat fae now peeking at their passing through the crack in his door.
They were almost touching elbows as Cater took excited, hop-like steps to bring himself afront the dragon prince. His single fanged smile bright and pleading. Golden waves bouncing just inches from his shoulders.
"How many times does this make that you have asked me today?"
Malleus questions of the ginger, warranting a small pout from him.
"Only like, three, well, maybe six, if you count the times I tried during Alchemy. But, I was totes just trying to get a pic of our cool stones we managed to make."
"From that angle?"
A cocked eyebrow, Malleus wasn't buying Cater's excuse. Though, Lilia had to admit, it took much restraint to keep from chuckling while watching the two of them. Droopy, begging green eyes, and a pale blush upon his ward's cheeks. A rare sight indeed, for Malleus that is at least.
"I may consider your request for a photo, if you would accompany me once more to observe the gargoyles on campus."
The fae prince proposed the idea with a calm air, a smirk beneath the faint flush on his cheeks.
"Another gargoyle date?"
There was a small whine to Cater's voice, but not a refusal.
"Hmm, the last pic got lots of likes on magicam, sooo, yeah, it's deal~"
Their chatter continued on down the hall, echoing off the walls. Mostly Cater's higher pitched, pleading tones. But what truly struck Lilia, was the smile pulling across Malleus's lips. How his green, slitted eyes followed the gingerhaired teen's movements. How the prince made no attempt to get away from his closer advances. Nor did he give indication of wishing for the other to part from their dormitory.
Wait.....why was Cater in their dorm hallway? Had he truly been so persistent in his want for a selfie that he had followed Malleus through Diasmonia's mirror portal? And, if so, what was keeping the young prince so tolerant of such behavior?
The bat-fae finds himself stepping out to follow at a closer distance. No longer required to don their dorm uniform, his slippered feet were much more silent than his boots. No draping coat to give away his movements as he takes cautious steps after the pair.
Down long, torchlit corridors, a familiar path to Lilia and Malleus, but also seemingly quite so to Cater. How often had the dragon prince welcomed him over as guest? Their conversation, moved on from begging for a selfie, seemed rather bright and cheerful. Producing a smile across the bat-fae's thin lips.
Reaching the lounge, the pair take a seat onto one of the smaller couches. A platter containing a silver pot of steaming liquid and two mugs placed out kindly for them by a fellow dormmember. The young man bowing to Malleus before taking his leave of them. As host, the darkhaired male moves to pour coffee into both mugs. Offering Cater his with a kind, soft smile that Lilia swore he had not glimpsed upon his face since he were a child.
The gingerhaired male takes the mug with a beaming smile. Sitting a bit to the side, casually having his knee rest against Malleus's as they sip their drinks and chat. Most of the conversation carried by the Heartslabyul student, but, Draconia hung on every word.
The elder bat fae could feel his heart thumping as he watched the scene before him. A new hope beginning to dawn in him as he watches their interactions. Malleus attentive and focused on every word and movement coming from Cater. And, he, speaking so freely. His carefully built walls seeming to crumble further down with each eye twinkling smile he recieves from the dragon prince.
'Could, this really be true?' Lilia's mind questions. Could he really be so fortunate as to be witnessing a budding romance betwixt his ward and one of his closest, most trusted friends? Would the great seven truly bless him in this way?
Another glance to the pair, from his position against the wall within the corridor, gave him his answer. Red eyes following Cater's movements as he nonchalantly moves closer to the prince. Effectively pressing his side flush against the other's. Malleus made no display of discomfort nor discontent in the other's touch.
The gaze upon them widening just as his smile does. Finding himself having to cover his mouth to keep from squealing with joy. Quite almost dancing in place as he twirls round to leave the two be, and allow them their privacy. After all, he had seen what he had needed to. There was most certainly an attraction growing between his darling prince and dear friend. Hope for a true chance of happiness and companionship for his ward filling every inch of his being.
Lilia found his old bones felt less rickety, and much more spry as he practically skipped back to his room. With his door shut behind him, he sighs against it. Now, if only he could guarantee such fulfilment for Silver as well. But not even this thought could dampen the excitement taking root inside him.