Chapter Text
It had been over a whole year since you were sent into Twisted Wonderland and taken away from your old life.
As the time stretched longer with each month, you were beginning to lose hope that Crowley or yourself would ever truly find a way for you to return home.
So when he called you to his office during class, you had simply assumed that Grim had done something while you weren’t looking and gotten in trouble. Instead, Crowley told you the great news of how he finally found a way back- stirring a cocktail of both happiness and regret inside of you.
Sure, you were happy that you could finally go back home and see your family and friends, but you had also grown a family here too.
Your feet felt heavy as you left the headmage’s office. A week- thats all the time you had before you’d be sent home. Only a week to say goodbye to everyone that had helped and cared for you during your time here.
At this point, the most you could do is just make the best out of your situation and make this week the best it could be.
——————
Leona found out you were leaving from an offhand comment Ruggie left while walking to lunch.
“Who’re you gonna nap on now? Better not expect me to do it.” Ruggie teased, his eyes meeting Leona’s.
Leona’s eyebrows inched closer together, judging the other student’s words. “Huh? What’re you on about?” he questioned, his tail swiping slowly behind him.
“Haven’t you heard? The prefects going home soon. Finally found a way outta here.” Ruggie quirked his head to the side, “You seriously didn’t know? I thought for sure they’d tell you, considering how close you two are.” he smirked, gaging Leona’s reaction.
“Knock it off.” Leona curtly responded, cutting the conversation short.
Why didn’t they tell him? Out of everyone, surely, wouldn’t they have told him? Maybe their relationship just wasn’t what he thought it was.
Leona’s heart felt heavy in his chest during the remainder of his walk to the cafeteria. The one person who viewed him as more than a waste of space for simply being born too late. The one person who treated him more than just a shadow. The comfort he had yearned for after countless years had finally be bestowed upon him, and now it was bring taken from his grasp before it was ever truly his.
Leona’s hands stuffed his pockets, begrudgingly walking to the cafeteria.
Seriously, what was he going to do? Here he was, thinking he had played his cards right and courted you enough to make a real move. But the harsh truth was always there to remind him- things weren’t mean to work out for him. His work would never pay off.
The rest of his idle chatter with Ruggie felt like white noise. While it wasn’t intentional, the news from Ruggie shook Leona more than he would ever admit out loud.
————
Leona bathed in the sunlight peering down from the glass enclosure of the greenhouse, his eyes feeling heavy. That was until his ears twitched, hearing a distinct set of footsteps that he knows all too well.
“Herbivore.” he calls, “Come here.”
Despite the obvious curtness in his tone, you knew him well enough to hear the underlying softness in his beckoning.
You sat beside him, heart feeling sorrowful. This would be one of your last times here together, wouldn’t it?
A slow sigh dragged out your worries, leaving you to focus on the moment instead.
“…I wanted to tell you that I’m going back home in five days. Your company has really meant a lot for me during my time here, and I just wanted to thank you.”
A box emerged from your pocket, being offered to Leona with an unsure look.
“I hope you like it. It might not be up to par with your princely standards.” you jest, hoping to lighten up the somber mood.
Inside the velvety box was a golden bangle. It glistened in the sun, almost as if it was sunlight itself- like how you were the sun that shown through his seemingly endless twilight of self loathing.
“I saw it while I was out in town a few weeks ago and thought of you. I didn’t know when it would be the best time to give you it, so I thought now was better than never.”
Silence washed over the both of you, causing you to feel more hesitant about even giving it to him. “You don’t have to wear it, y’know. I just thought you’d…“
You stopped yourself short once you saw his expression.
Just for a moment, even if it was just a split second, you saw the look of sorrow bloom onto his features. Just as quickly as it appeared, his heartache faded away as he smirked causally as if your sentiment hadn’t phased him in the slightest.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll keep it.” he assured. “You know I’m not one for grand gestures. I’ll appreciate it regardless.” He bit back the rest of his sentence— ’as long as it’s from you.’
————
The black velvet of the night’s sky was disturbed by the alluring glow of the moon lighting Leona’s room. He laid on his bed, thumb absentmindedly stroking the bangle he received earlier that day.
He had to do something. It couldn’t end like this. For once in his life, he had the control to keep something as his. However, the opportunity was slipping through his fingers like grains of sand. If he didn’t act hastily, then he would continue to be alone. The only person who had made him feel at home, like he belonged somewhere, was leaving for good.
He had to do something. He didn’t know what, but anything would be better than nothing. Anything to keep his love besides him no matter what. No matter how much wealth or fortune he possesses, nothing would matter if he was left without you; you who were worth more to him in his heart than any gold or money.
Worry began to slither itself into his mind- what if it lead to nothing, just as all of his efforts had in the past? He wasn’t meant to have a happy ending, he was meant to stay buried in the shadows.
But was that really true?
You had shown him otherwise. You showed him he could be loved, how he could still be cherished despite being second-born. Even if it lead to nothing, he had to at least try. Just this once.
——————
Your nightly walks with Malleus had grown into something of a heartwarming tradition. Even after you learned who he really was, even after he overblotted, you still treated him like he was normal. Like you weren’t scared of him just casually looking your way.
That simple normalcy caused you to sneak into his heart. He thought he would always be alone- sure, he would have Silver, Sebek, and other people there to guard him, but thats all they were really there to do. Guard him because he was the future ruler of Briar Valley.
————
You met Malleus outside, the midnight’s gentle breeze tousling both his and your hair. A gentle hand came up to your face, brushing away stray hairs obscuring your features.
“Child of Man,” he started, “I’ve appreciated the time we’ve spent in each-other’s company. You brought light to the desolate place of Ramshackle Dorm just as how you have to myself. I wish you well in your future endeavors.”
His hand intertwined with yours, its bigger size engulfing your manus. His adoring eyes met yours, any other words of his getting caught in his throat. Once you left, it would be just him again. No one to understand him in the way you did so lovingly.
“I’ll miss you too. You’ve really done a lot for me while I was here.” you smiled.
“…I was meaning to ask you something before I left.” you broke the silence, your eyes meeting his.
“Oh? And what might it be?” the fae inquired.
“I was wondering if you could check up on Grim occasionally. I think he might be lonely with me gone, but he’ll try to hide it. Just… get him tuna every so often. He’ll warm up to you.”
Even now, when everything you had known for the past year was being pulled away from you, you were still caring for others. Malleus’ heart clenched, wishing that you could stay, wishing that you were here with him.
“I’ll do my best to provide. Don’t worry about him in your absence.” he tried his best to comfort.
You grinned back at him once more, a tenderhearted expression painted on your visage. What he would do to keep you looking at him like that for eternity.
————
As the two of you adjourned for one of the last times, Malleus disappeared with a flash of green light. He paced around his dormitory room, being uncharacteristically panicked.
He knew he shouldn’t let his emotions get the better of him- he was the crown prince, after all. The epitome of refinement and dignity. However, that meant nothing when it came to you. You, who broke down the walls around his heart. You, who he yearned for just any bit of your touch. You, who was just a simple human, was making the most powerful fae’s heart blaze with a desire for your affection.
The door to Malleus’ room creaked open, showing just enough to see who had disturbed him.
“You should be sleeping, you know. It’s quite late.”
Malleus pouted, looking over at the door. “Lilia, do not treat me as if I’m a child.”However, he couldn’t deny that it was late. But isn’t it in his nature as a nocturnal fae to crave for the night’s comfort?
Lilia shrugged, smiling ever so casually. “Okay, okay.” he accepted Malleus’ request reluctantly.
The air shifted as Lilia walked closer to him, his tone more serious than before. “Fate is something that comes with a delicate balance. Our endings are already written in the stars. If you chose to dip one end of the scale into your favor, will the world ever end up the way it was meant to?” he inquired, “The choice of whether or not you want to claim the prize of the winner is up to you. Just make up your mind before the opportunity slips away, becoming just another memory.”
Lilia knew all too well what was happening deep inside of Malleus’ heart. After all, he had known Malleus for his whole life, along with knowing his parents. If Malleus weren’t to act on his infatuation now, his heart wouldn’t be able to heal no matter how many millenniums passed.