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The heat during Twisted Wonderland's summer months was definitely something else.
And it really wasn't helping that Yuu was wearing a thick black coat.
They sighed and wiped the sweat off their brow. "I look stupid...and possibly even more suspicious..." They grumbled as walked further down the street of the Queendom of Roses, map in one hand and a duffle bag and suitcase on the other. Because of course people would stop and look at the lone figure wearing a black cloak in the street in the middle of heatwave. But Yuu had little to no choice in their choice of garments, something something about being seen in Wonderland by their old friends and something something about dimensional rifts and continuity. They begrudgingly wore the cloak just to avoid another lecture from them and for them to finally let Yuu through the portal. But despite their precarious situation, Yuu looked up at the blue sky above them.
It was a clear day with only a few clouds scattered as the sun's heat blazed down on the Queendom.
"It's still beautiful as the day I left."
It had been seven years since Yuu had left Twisted Wonderland. After their year stay in NRC, Crowley had found a way to bring them back to their home world and Yuu excitedly accepted it. The goodbyes still hurt like it happened yesterday. The majority offered farewell gifts, some (read: The First Years) cried so hard that Crewel and Vargas had to pull them away. And some... one...
didn't even say goodbye.
Yuu shook their head. No need to dwell on it anymore, as they were back for the foreseeable future. For a vacation was what they said, that they would come pick up Yuu after some time but they never actually said when, and knowing them? It could either be a week or 10 years. But on the bright side, Yuu was set stay at a manor just outside of the Queendom of Roses, hence why they dropped them off here and why they required Yuu to "disguise" themselves incase anyone they knew from NRC recognise them here like Trey, Riddle, or worse, Ace.
"The only thing is disguise is helping is helping me get a heatstroke!" Yuu angrily grumbled as they stopped on the sidewalk and took the cloak off, their skin glistening with a thin sheet of sweat, ruining their outfit with sweat marks. "No one's going to recognise me after seven years! They're just being paranoid!" Yuu huffed as they opened their duffle bag to shove the cloak in, the heat radiating on them. "I swear this heat will-"
That's when they noticed it, the ray of light illuminating the store window right infront of it.
Apparently they had stopped Infront of a bookstore's window, which had books, tabloids, and magazines lined upfront in the display window looking out at the sidewalk. Yuu notices a cover of one of the magazines and immediately stopped, their arms falling down to their sides, not even bothering to wipe the sweat off their brows as their eyes narrowed, as if trying to see if it was just a trick of the light and the heat. And when they realized it wasn't, their eyes immediately grew wide as saucers as they grabbed their bags and opened the store door and entered like they were being chased.
"EXCUSE ME! Do you have a spare issue of the magazine with Malleus Draconia on the cover upfront?!"
Yuu practically shouted at the storekeeper who flinched at the volume of their voice and almost tripped on their laces. The poor kid, no older than Yuu was when they left Twisted Wonderland, pointed at a bookshelf to their left and Yuu quickly hauled all their bags there. Their eyes immediately scanned the entire shelf, focused on finding the one they saw upfront. Which they found on top of the shelves, to which Yuu immediately reached for and just stared.
The cover featured a photo of Malleus, in his royal regalia of blacks, and purples, the green and silver jewellery and details of his regalia glinting in the natural lights that the photo captured. He wore a silver crown encrusted with a single green gem adorning his head, climbing up his horns. Yuu's hand barely brushing over his still broken horn. The photo was a stolen shot of him, looking over what appears to be the Briar Valley castle balcony with a pensive expression. On all accounts, it was beautiful and managed to capture the grace and power the ex-Diasomnia housewarden had.
Yuu was rendered speechless, their hands shaky as they stared at the magazine cover with wide eyes. Their mouth was agape but no words came out as they brushed over the magazine again, as if checking if it was truly real or not.
"Malleus...?" Yuu whispered to no one in particular. They felt their legs shake as they stumbled back, luckily ending up in the store's couch. Yuu's hand once again brushed over the magazine with a complicated expression, as if almost unable to believe what they're seeing.
But it definitely was Malleus,
THEIR Malleus.
The same one who would appear on their lawn with the most dramatic entrance Yuu has ever seen. The same one who would talk their ears off when talking about gargoyles.
Their Tsunotarou.
The bookstore went quiet for a moment, the chirping of the birds outside and the sounds of people going on their with everyday lives can be heard in the silence. Yuu just sat there in pure disbelief for a second longer as a sound came out of their mouth, something akin to a laugh and a pained wheeze. Their hold on the magazine tightening until creases started to form on the edges where they were holding.
Disbelief was painted on Yuu's face was they continued laughing, their smile not quite reaching their eyes. "Color me surprised..." Yuu said, their voice dripping with uncertainty and something else. Longing? Sadness? Frustration? Yuu doesn't know. "You really manage to do it, you madman." They said as Yuu tried to keep their voice steady, despite the obvious shakiness to it.
"Do you think I will get a chance to be featured on one of these?"
Malleus had innocently asked Yuu who immediately choked on their spit and had to immediately sit up from their position of laying down in the Ramshackle lawn. Yuu coughed a few times as they tried to stifle their laugher by covering their mouth, and from the corner of their eye, they could see Malleus who has laying down besides them hold up a fashion magazine with Vil on the cover and they could feel him glaring at them, even if they couldn't exactly see his face from where they were sitting.
Yuu was biting their lips to stop themselves from laughing when they layed back down, staring straight in the sky, almost afraid that if they look to their left and have eye contact with the Fae besides them, they wouldn't be able to stop themselves. So Yuu wasn't even surprised when they received a kick to the side of their shin from a disgruntled Malleus, followed by an almost quiet growl.
"And what's so funny about being on a magazine, Child of Man?" Malleus asked, voice incredulous. "Is there anything funny about Schoenheit being on a cover of a known and popular publication?" Malleus kicked Yuu again when he heard Yuu stifling their laugh so hard that they had to roll over to their right, clutching their stomach. "I'd like to image that Schoenheit will not take it lightly when he is informed that you find great comedy in his occupation." Malleus huffed, as he rolled up the magazine and lightly hit Yuu on the shoulder with it.
"N-no! It's n-nothing! I just-" Yuu said in a defensive tone, but their response was immediately betrayed by the snickers that they were very glad Malleus' face was obscured by the grass because they're sure they were going to burst if they saw Malleus doing that pouty expression. "I think that's a wonderful dream to have Malleus!" Yuu tried to save themselves, as they bit down on the the smile creeping up. "Though it's a little weird that you're one of the most powerful beings in the entire Wonderland and is literally a prince and you're telling you want to be featured in a magazine of all places."
Yuu heard Malleus sigh and saw him flip open the said magazine someone had apparently left in Ramshackle, leaving it for the Diasomnia Housewarden to find and somehow realize his missing passion for the arts. Malleus slowed down as he looked through the pages where Vil was featured. "It's just... the attention and popularity one receives when they are featured in publications such as this one are... different." Malleus turned his head to look at Yuu, but Ramshackle's unmowed lawn concealed his expression as Yuu tried to meet his gaze.
"I think... I would enjoy it. Being on the cover of a magazine." He said, melancholy evident in his voice that Yuu didn't need to see his face to see his expression. "Because, somehow, magazine always seems to get people's best parts?" Yuu asked, their head tilting ever so slightly. "You... could argue that. But there's also something so... endearing and strange when seeing yourself in this format." Malleus continued. "Like seeing an entirely new side of you." Yuu finished as Malleus hummed in agreement.
"Do you think Schoenheit thinks the same as us?" He asked as he flipped through a centrefold page which featured Vil modelling a very expensive suit. Yuu inching closer to him to get a better look at said page. "Vil... he's probably seen every side he can see in the photos and covers he's been in." Yuu frowned as Malleus closed the magazine and brought it down close to his chest.
"Would you consider him lucky?" Malleus added.
Yuu didn't reply back.
They just stared at Malleus' direction, watching the grass swayed with the night breeze, granting them small pockets to watch the Fae. They closed their eyes and moved their head away, looking back at the stars that welcomed them to Twisted Wonderland.
"Who knows, Tsunotarou. Maybe one day you'll beat Vil in his own game and get featured in a magazine."
Yuu didn't turn but their mischievous smile was evident in their tone.
"But you bet that I'll be first in line to buy your issue."
There was a certain kind of fondness that could be found when Yuu talked about Malleus.
Whether it was talking about him to the first years in NRC, or when retelling their adventures in Twisted Wonderland to those who would listen. You couldn't miss how their tone would soften and their eyes would glimmer ever so slightly when he was mentioned. So people assumed, whether having met him personally or not, that Malleus was very, VERY dear to Yuu.
And one could find that fondness in Yuu's expression as memories of their time spent with the prince came rushing back to them. An awkward smile settling on their face. "Damn, Tsunotarou.... Still looking good seven years later huh?" Yuu let out a breathy laugh as a shakiness in their voice slowly became evident.
Because in all sincerity and as much as Yuu despised the thought itself,
They were slowly starting to forget what Malleus looked like.
Time had whittled away at their memories from Wonderland and left the people and their friends as featureless versions of themselves. Overtime, they had forgotten details such as confusing Deuce's eye color, mistaking Jack's height, and even once forgetting that Sebek was even a part of their friend group. Even the campus itself became shrouded in doubt and mystery, as Yuu started forgetting the names of the different staff and buildings.
Seven years passed and those seven years hadn't been kind to Yuu nor their memories.
All of this meant that seeing Malleus again, even just on a magazine cover, felt like a rush of nostalgia suddenly hit Yuu like waves crashing into shore. Yuu sighed, brushing against the cover for the nth time, before their mouth curled back up into their awkward smile.
"Tsunotarou... It's like I don't recognize you anymore...."
It was a bitter but truthful admission.
Because truth be told, Yuu came rushing in the bookshop wasn't because they immediately recognized Malleus, but because they needed to actually confirm that it was ACTUALLY him.
"Is it your smile that's different?"
It wasn't that what he was wearing was different, Yuu had seen him wearing that after he overblotted. Something so beautiful and regal, yet so painfully familiar.
"Or is it your gaze?"
But somehow, Yuu remembered stuff about him differently. Yuu would argue that they remembered Malleus' eyes being a shade lighter, that his horns didn't curve that far back...
Did he always had vertical slits pupils?
Did his hair always turned lighter at the edges?
Was he always that fair?
...
It's almost like Yuu didn't remember him at all.
"Everything about you seems so... different..."
And what was scarier was that Yuu didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Yuu let out a breath.
I hope... you remember me like how I remembered you...
They closed their mouth and smiled ever so slightly, their eyes glassy.
"That's my Tsunotarou... Finally on the cover of a magazine... like he always dreamed of." Yuu wheezed as they sniffled, their free hand wiping away the tears threatening to fall. "Ah, I'm getting emotional over a magazine damn it." Yuu shakily laughed as they reclined in their seat, magazine in their lap as they looked at it wistfully.
...
"You're probably not king yet." They mused. "But you sure do look like one. Even more when we were still students." Yuu smiled. "You always looked so... dignified and... proud. And even more now, like someone deserving of the Draconia name." They let out a pathetic laugh. "What am'I even saying? You always looked so dapper and handsome in my eyes."
Yuu hummed. "I wonder just how popular you are now?" They brought the magazine to the light as Yuu lounged further back in their seat. "You probably have one of those expensive cars now..." Yuu blinked a few times. "Who am'I kidding? You're a fae prince, a car is the last thing you'd need."
"But I'd like to imagine that you're where you want to be." Yuu grinned to no one in particular. "You probably have a lot of admirers and fans now. A lot of photographers and paparazzi wanting to take your photos for magazines." They sighed affectionately. "And your clothes... it probably costs more than my yearly salary... just the best for the prince of Briar Valley himself..."
Yuu glazed over the cover, deep in thought as if contemplating something. Before a small mischievous smile appeared on their face.
"I wonder why I didn't suggest that you participate in some sort of pageant..."
"You'd sure win..."
Because....
Because you've changed so much since the last time I saw you that I almost didn't recognize you...
It was the cusp between spring and summer as the air became arid and hotter enough for people to start ditching their blankets and comforters. But luckily tonight, the air carried a slight cold breeze to it, probably the last for the season, so Yuu took advantage of this as they sat down in the Ramshackle lawn and felt the wind in their hair.
The setting sun provided the best backdrop for the end of the season as Yuu stared at the same sky they stargazed every night since they arrived.
And tomorrow, they were leaving.
Crowley had announced it a week prior and to prepare for it, Yuu had spent their last week tying up their loose ends, saying goodbyes to friends, spending time with the rest of the student body, making plans on where Grim would be staying as their little boss couldn't come with them to their world, and making their goodbye gifts so they could atleast leave a part of them here. Yuu didn't expect to finish everything with an afternoon to spare so there they were, on the warm grass, letting the wind of Wonderland run through their hair one last time before their departure tomorrow before sunrise.
The air shifted ever so slightly, as Yuu felt the crackles of electricity from behind them, warming the cool air.
But they don't turn around,
Because they already knew who it was.
"Must you leave?"
But hearing Malleus' uncharacteristically soft voice was what made them turn around.
There he was, the prince of Briar Valley, housewarden of Diasomnia, one of the most powerful magic users of Night Raven College- no, the entire Twisted Wonderland. Hands clasped in his front, his eyebrows furrowed, and his mouth downturned with disapproval. Yuu sighed as they stood up, brushing off the dirt from their trousers as they went to face Malleus.
"Hey there, space cadet." Yuu gave Malleus a smile that didn't quite reach their eyes. "Nice of you to finally visit me."
It was true, as ever since Yuu had told Malleus of the news Crowley had given them, the fae stopped appearing at Ramshackle altogether. And when Yuu tried to reach out, it seemed like Malleus was purposely ignoring them.
And tonight, would quite literally be the last night Yuu would see him.
Malleus held a pensive expression as the wind blew his hair in a way that it hid his glassy eyes and downturned mouth, his question lingering in the air as Yuu returned his silence. "Tsunotarou..." Yuu started, reaching out his tongue hold his gloves hand, like they always did when he was visibly upset like tonight. Malleus let Yuu's fingers brush against his as he sighs, disappointment evident in Yuu's continued silence.
"Sit with me?"
Yuu asked, almost pleading as their hand found it's way to Malleus' gloves ones, intertwining their fingers as the sunset colored the sky in bright yellows and oranges. The wind blew right past them, making it so that Malleus' features to be hidden behind his hair as it flew as the breeze didn't seem to stop.
Yuu lips quivered ever so slightly as they reached out to cup Malleus' face in their other hand. It brushed against Malleus cheeks as the prince held up his own hand to hold Yuu's as he leaned in to their touch.
"Why..." Malleus said softly that Yuu almost didn't hear it.
"Why must you leave..." He asked pleadingly.
He pleaded.
Malleus pleaded.
Yuu found the words stuck in their throat as they opened their mouth only to close it again when they could only stutter. "I- I... need to-"
...
Yuu had a lot of reasons to go back to their own world;
I need to go back to my family.
I want to see my friends again.
I don't want to be the freak just for not having magic.
I don't want to deal with other's issues and not be acknowledged again.
I want to be normal again.
I just want to be happy again.
But all of them died down in their throat as Malleus held their hand tightly.
But it was almost like Malleus already knew what they were going to say as he brought Yuu's hand down from his cheek as he looked at them directly.
"Stay here, in Night Raven, with Grim and the first years, with everyone."
A quiet desperation leaks into his voice.
"Stay here with me."
...
Yuu didn't reply...
But they should have memorized Malleus' features right then and there if they knew how quickly he would fade from their memories.
Yuu bit their lip as they felt the tears prickling, their grip on the magazine tightening.
Iba na ang 'yong ngiti
(Your smile is different.)
A part of Yuu almost refused the idea that Malleus would change this much in seven years when they themselves have barely changed.
Iba na ang 'yong tingin
(Your gaze is different.)
But that's the truth isn't it? That even when Yuu left Twisted Wonderland physically, it's like they never left in the first place mentally and spiritually. Still clinging on their memories which is already proven to be untrustworthy.
How many more memories does Yuu have that they remember incorrectly?
Nagbago nang lahat sa'yo
(Everything about you changed.)
It was like Yuu was looking at an entirely different person. Wholly and positively different from the Malleus that would wait for Yuu on the Ramshackle lawn, the one who would send cryptic but somehow romantic letters, and the one who would geek out over gargoyles with them in the rain.
"Damn it. I wish I didn't notice it in the first place... or I wouldn't be like this..."
Yuu sniffled as they put the magazine to their side, wiping their tears as they pat their pants pockets once or twice. Their eyebrows furrowing when they couldn't pat down anything. They stood up and patted down themselves again. "My wallet-" They reached for their duffle bag as they started rummaging it. "I swear to the seven, that little-" Yuu looked under their cloak, their devices, and a few miscellaneous stuff in their bag. "It's always gone when I actually need it." They grumbled as they put their hands on their hips in frustration, Yuu's eyebrows furrowing as they bit the inside of their cheeks.
"Well fuck..." Yuu let out a disbelieving laugh. "I don't think I'll actually be able to buy your magazine issue, Tsunotarou."
So Yuu just stood there, hands on their hips, their mouth just a thin line as they contemplated on what they were going to do now.
I can't buy the magazine.
That much was obvious as they most likely misplaced their wallet when they were packing or something.
Even if I found my wallet, I don't have any thaumarks on me.
Yuu's expression soured further as they didn't want to leave the magazine, but they don't have the money to actually buy it. They ran a hand through their hair as they thought about their situation more. Eventually sighing in defeat as they picked up the magazine once more, looking at Malleus more deeply and intently.
Memorizing and committing his features to memory,
for real this time.
"I guess..." Yuu smiled softly. "I'll be seeing you around, Tsunotarou. Personally or not." Their posture relaxed and their eyes carried a certain weight to it. They hesitated before speaking again.
"I hope on the next issue, you'll be in the centerfold."
...
"I'll certainly buy it then."
Yuu sighed, as they let their arm holding the magazine fall to their side, almost like an unspoken weight has been lifted from their shoulders. They took a deep breath and closed their eyes.
"I miss everyone so much."
"I miss the student body."
"I miss my teachers, heck- even that bird brained Headmage."
"I miss Grim."
"I especially miss yo-"
Yuu brought the magazine up one last time, almost to say prepare themselves to say goodbye to their first love once more.
But Yuu noticed something.
"W-wait... the name of the magazine...h-huh?"
Their eyebrows furrow as they bring the magazine closer. For the first time since seeing the magazine from the store's window, Yuu actually noticed the details of the cover, aside from Malleus' cover photo.
The Night Raven Times.
"Isn't that... the school's publication?"
Yuu inspected the magazine and sure enough, it was NRC's own publication. They remember writing a few articles for it but never seeing the final paper due to 'budget constraints', but they would have never expected for it to be published as a magazine of this quality.
"Why would Malleus be featured here seven years later..."
Except...
It wasn't.
"H-huh...? Wha-what....?"
Yuu's eyes glanced at the top right of the magazine title to see the date it was published and their eyes widen.
"N-no... t-that can't be right...."
Their hands shake as they gasp in shock. The boy from earlier peeks out from behind the counter and notices Yuu and tilts his head towards them curiously. "Excuse me... uhmm... when did these get delivered?" Yuu asked, holding up the magazine. The boy thinks for a moment before answering.
"I'm pretty sure that issue was delivered just this morning since I just put them out earlier right before you came by."
The boy shrugged and just stared at Yuu, who was stunned silent.
...
"Do you know if a ferry leaves for Sage Island today?"
The boy raises an eyebrow. "There's one leaving at noon at the port north of here."
Yuu nodded. "I- th-thank you..." They bit the inside of their cheek as gingerly returned the magazine they've been holding since earlier back on the shelf, right besides the other prior issues of The Night Raven Times.
One issue having Riddle Rosehearts on the cover, drinking tea while Trey and Cater could be seen in the background.
Another has Leona Kingscholar posing in a field with Jack and Ruggie in the background.
The third issue has Azul Ashengrotto posing in Monstro Lounge, the spotlights shining on him.
Besides it was a magazine issue with Kalim Al-Asim, happily posing Infront of a desert mirage alongside Jamil.
Next to a cover of Vil Schoenheit, in all his beauty, sitting in the Pomefiore lounge, getting his make up done.
With the last issue of the Night Raven Times before Malleus being of the ever so elusive Idia Shroud. A stolen picture of him walking down main street with Ortho in tow.
...
Yuu gulped and nodded as they finally noticed the bigger picture.
Yuu finally noticed the entire picture
They bowed in thanks to the store keeper as they got their bags and left the bookstore quietly, the bell on the door ringing as they exited.
They stood outside for a moment, looking up to the sky in silence as they sighed.
"I hate magic so much."
With that Yuu immediately bolted down the street.
Not minding how heavy their luggage is.
Not minding just how hot the morning sun feels on their skin.
Not minding how emotionally unwell they are due to the realizations they had.
Because if the temporary pain meant another chance...
If it meant rekindling what they lost...
If it meant staying here with him...
Then you'll bet Yuu would be the first one in line for that damn ferry.
The sun had barely risen when Yuu met Headmage Crowley in the Mirror Chamber on the morning of their departure. They mostly decided on doing this at sunrise so there wouldn't be any unnecessary drama (read: The First Years all clinging to Yuu like a lifeline the moment the Headmage announced that he has found them a way home.)
"You know, this is just like when you first came to Night Raven College!" Crowley dramatically wiped away at absolutely nothing as Yuu stood to the side watching him, eyebrows quirked at their enigmatic Headmage. "Now, look at you! A fledging all grown up. Oh, how time passes!" Crowley continued his dramatic as Yuu shook their head and pulled all their luggage nearer to the mirror.
"Headmage, you remember your promise right?" Yuu asked, frankly. "Yes, yes. The accomodation for your familiar- I mean, Grim. It will be taken care of until he graduates with the rest of the first years." Yuu nodded as Crowley strode right besides them as they both stared at the Dark Mirror.
...
"I guess this is it Headmage..." Yuu started. "I admit that this had been one hell of a school year..." Their grip on their suitcase tightened. "But it was fun... and I'll miss it all."
Crowley hummed in agreement. "Yes, you'll find it that NRC offers a very unique student experience." Yuu smiled once more, but this time, it doesn't quite reach their eyes. "If I could stay... I would..." They sighed, the memories of last night weighing down heavily on them. Crowley noticed it but decided not to comment further, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"Don't worry so much, Yuu! If you change your mind tomorrow or even ten years down the line, Night Raven College will always open its doors to you!" He proudly proclaimed, which was met with a skeptical look from Yuu. "Uh-huh. So you mean to say that I can just waltz in here years into the future, even when my batch has already graduated?" Yuu asked, with a questioning look. "You probably just want me back for NRC to have a free therapist." They rolled their eyes playfully.
"Oh, but believe me my dear, Yuu. I promise that how many years may pass, you'll be warmly welcomed back here."
Halfway down the streets, the pieces finally clicked for Yuu as they abruptly stopped in their tracks as realization dawned on their face. Their faced colored by an expression of utter disbelief and annoyance.
"That stupid little bird-brained Crowley knew all this time..."
Their hands curl up and they continue speed walking to the port, grumbling and muttering.
"He knew that years would pass for me but only days would pass here, that little piece of shit."
"I'll turn him into fried chicken when I reach Sage Island."