Work Text:
Malleus wasn’t quite fond of physical touch— neither was Yuu. And maybe, just maybe, this was what brought them together.
He wouldn’t mind it though.
Whenever he was to think of the non-fae, that memory would reluctantly resurface though it wasn’t unwanted. For him, at least.
This human’s ignorance of Malleus’ identity was shocking to him, it was new. Normally people would be quivering in fear, shaking tremendously even. This was the standard for Malleus— he was an important figure, someone to be feared, the prince of Briar Valley to be exact. So why wasn’t this human scared of him?
He had heard while roaming the corridors about a student who came not from Twisted Wonderland but another place, alas it made sense for this human to be the topic.
The human was not of extraordinary appearance nor talents he presumed. The person stood about 160cm he must’ve thought before popping back up into reality.
“Hello? Who are you?” a voice called out. It wasn’t annoying or of the like, on the contrary it was soothing unlike many he has heard. It came from the person below him, the one who was not afraid of him.
Malleus smiled briefly for a moment, this situation being new to him. “I’m—” he paused. “You may call me a name of your choosing,” he continued. It was different from what he was supposed to say but this didn’t bring him distraught, it only intrigued the prince more.
Looking back at it, it was one of the blooming factors for their relationship. The hesitance that didn’t exist for Yuu and Malleus’ not-so-visible playfulness.
It was delightful to think that Malleus had the right to call this human his so-called ‘soulmate,’ his partner, his lover, his child of man. And he wished that his beloved thought this back.
It was time to stop dwelling on the past for now, it would be better to appreciate the moments to come. The experiences that are yet to happen.
Amidst this train of thought a hand tugged at his shirt, bringing him back to reality. A soft voice pursued the motion with, “What’s got you so interested?”— a usual tease he would face whenever he was with Yuu.
“Nothing, my dear,” he responded back. Soon finding the opportunity to nuzzle his face into the other’s neck. Yes, this was what he cherished, what he adored.
The heat that came from his partner was something he loved most. He was reminded that he wasn’t alone anymore, that he now had someone with him. Someone who loved him.
Unfortunately, the moment was shortly interrupted. It wasn’t horrendous yet he wished that the two of them could rest in silence, embracing one another.
“Shouldn’t you be heading back soon, huh?” the non-fae questioned. Indeed it was the dead of night, no voice to be heard. And it wasn’t an unprompted question but Malleus surely didn’t appreciate it as much.
Time flew by when he was with his lover, he admitted that numerous times even before they confirmed with each other about their feelings. He wished to spend every moment of his painfully exhausting life like this, yet he knew that he wouldn’t be allowed to.
The prince grumbled slightly, digging into his partner’s embrace even further. “Must you really ask that?” he retorted, his tone obviously that of an annoyed person.
“Yes, I must,” Yuu responded. Albeit being the weekend they were sure that Malleus had his hands full— whether it be his duties as housewarden or other predicaments requiring his assistance.
Yuu adored the time they spent with Malleus, they held those moments dear inside their heart in fact. But they couldn’t let Malleus ‘waste’ his time on them.
The figure let out a sigh, now sitting upright to face his beloved. “Child of man, I do not know what you are currently thinking of but I must let you know that I put my duties above all else,” he explicitly stated before taking a pause.
“Do you really think that I would be here, with you, among the numerous gifts I have given you, if I hadn’t made haste of the tasks I was assigned to do?” he added, a look of what could be deemed as anguish soiling his face.
The human followed the act of Malleus, acknowledging the fact and soon attempting to respond only to be faced with a finger to their mouth. A soft muffle replacing what they were trying to say.
“I reassure you, Yuu, that I would not sacrifice the time I have made for you for anything material,” he completed. His hands now cupping the other’s face.
His hands weren’t cold as he thought them to be, or maybe they were and this was what comforted Yuu in between all their struggles in this foreign world. Nevertheless, Yuu knew now that they should just enjoy the time they were to spend with Malleus, nothing else.
The once cold room now filled with adoration, maybe it always was but the pair just failed to acknowledge it. Or maybe it was because Grim just lit the kitchen of ramshackle on fire?