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Leona should have been sleeping better than ever. I mean, that was most of what he did anyways. So why did it feel like he was getting less sleep than ever? It was an almost idiotic question to ask. Of course Leona wouldn’t actually feel rested, he’d overblotted and then played his hardest at Magift. It wasn’t even for anything either, Malleus had won like always. What a monster. A dragon looking at a buncha helpless cats ‘n dogs, and sparing no mercy. Then again, Leona hated people feeling like he was so weak as to need a handicap.
–
Not like he’d stop dreaming about what it would’ve felt like if they did win. If they did manage to stand over a battered Malleus Draconia. But there wasn’t any point, was there? Leona hated being awake, all his thoughts went like this. A lion chasing its own tail. Pathetic. He never even had the energy to go to the botanical garden. He wasn’t even sure his homeroom teacher had given him a pass just because of the overblot. Riddle didn’t seem to stop comin’ to class, but then again, they were talking about Riddle Rosehearts. He’d worry about his academics even if the whole world was on fire.
–
Not like Leona cared. He could tell the whole world he didn’t wanna get held back another year, but he really wouldn’t care if he did. At least it’d mean he could stay away from those glares of the retainers and his parents. He wouldn’t have to look at the nephew who loved him so much - who he was avoiding like the plague. He didn’t want all his resentment to leak onto an innocent child. He didn’t want to see the physical reminder of his family pretending to love him whilst they mock him and act like they’re all better than him behind his back. Cheka didn’t understand what he actually was in Leona’s eyes, and avoiding him was the only way to keep it like that. He could barely fall asleep, yet hardly keep himself awake either. He’d barely stopped to look at the time, he’d just hoped Ruggie would come back with a meal, or that sleep could get to him before that. But it didn’t happen. He just laid there, thinking. Thinking. Why now, could his thoughts not just turn off?
–
Soon, a knock on his door. Finally, Ruggie had come back. Even if he came back empty handed, at least the yappin’ of the hyena would keep his mind occupied. At least, that’s what he thought. Much to the lion’s dismay, it was not the hyena. No, instead it was a dumb lizard.
“Greetings, Kingscholar. I heard you are recovering from overblot. So, I came to extend my well wishes,” Malleus had stated. This was the last thing Leona could have possibly wanted. Sweet King of Beasts.
“Is that it? You came all the way here to tell me ‘get well soon?’ Are ya kiddin’?” Leona thought he did a good job keeping his face from crinkling. Malleus’s expression may have said otherwise, but at least Leona thought he did a good job.
“No? I had no intention of pulling your leg, at least not today,” the sound of that from Malleus was the least reassuring thing in the world.
“Then what? You’re here on some pity visit? Gawkin’ at one of the ants ya crushed with your dumb green heel?” Leona tried not to sound too bitter, though it probably didn’t work.
–
As much as Leona wanted to be honest with him, the thought of dying at the hands of Malleus Draconia was a thought he’d hate to entertain. If Malleus had the sense, he probably wouldn’t be here, nor would he consider hurting him, since Leona is, too, a prince. However, Leona ain’t a prince anyone’d wage war over. No, the potential war between fae and beastman of the Savannah if Malleus killed him wasn’t at all what irked Leona about dying to the lizard. No, the issue was it would be absolutely pathetic. The great Leona Kingscholar, still not above the mighty Malleus Draconia. That thought angered him, he wanted to at least die having SOME big win - and a schoolkids game of Magift wasn’t really that. Especially since dying in a way that fully proves that someone else is better than him is his worst nightmare.
–
Leona’s fists clenched.
“Here I was, simply wanting to extend my well wishes to you, yet you insist on barking like you are actually serving a purpose to scare something away. Your silly tricks won’t work on me, Kingscholar.” It almost made Leona laugh. Tricks? As if the lizard’s Magift plays weren’t borderline unfair - how could he say something so cruel?
“Please. At least other animals can actually understand me. Ain’t nobody who’d be able to understand what you’re sayin’ when all you lizards communicate by getting touchy. ‘Sides, you came waltzin’ into MY territory, so ya better have somethin’ of worth to say,” Leona practically growled.
–
“Are well wishes not worth anything to you? Lilia had informed me that your overblot was in part due to all your Magift losses, and I suppose that I have to bear some responsibility for that, don’t I?” The look on his face said that Malleus did not actually have malicious intent when asking, but Leona couldn’t help but snarl.
“Tch. Not wrong. Though, the elusive old fart wasn’t completely right, either.” Leona’s face grew angrier, almost red. Malleus chuckled.
“Oho. Looks like I hit a nerve there, did I, Kingscholar?” The smug look on his face made Leona even angrier, but he knew that he did this to himself.
–
Leona couldn't look Malleus in the eye. He was right, he was right, and it infuriated him. Malleus gets to just walk on in and gawk at him like he's some sore loser who couldn't handle getting picked by a teacher last in kindergarten. He gets to act like he's superior to him, gets to act like everything he took from him, no, from his pride - means nothing. The worst part is, Malleus couldn't even comprehend that it was bigger than some game. At least, it was to his pack. The way they looked at him, wide eyed and hopeful, like he could do anything and lead them through any danger… only for this monster to take it away from them. From him. And it went past just the game. Malleus was a reminder that even at Night Raven, he'd still never be the best. Everything he'd built, gone in an instant. Gone because of him.
–
Leona hoped, maybe in vain, that his silence would send a message. That Malleus would realize he doesn't belong here. That after everything he's done, Leona did not want Malleus here. He turned away, shaking his head.
“You have no idea,” he scoffed. Malleus reached out to him.
“Apologies for upsetting you so, Kingscholar. But when you recklessly bark and bite, how could you be unprepared for someone else to do the same?” Leona scoffed. He hated that. Stupidly, he turned his head back to Malleus. And the look on Malleus's face was infuriating to Leona. It looked like he was confused and frustrated with him, the same expression and combination of emotions that Falena always, always wore towards him.
“Stop actin’ like you know me, like you're better than me. We all know how powerful you are, we all know it. You don't need to rub it in, you stupid, pompous lizard,” Leona sounded both offended and genuinely hurt, and Malleus stood there, even further bewildered.
“Kingscholar. I did not claim I knew you, nor that I was better. But if you truly feel this way, this angry and this bitter. Then tell me why. I don't wish to rub salt in your wounds or show off what I can do around you. I want you to get well, Kingscholar. And if you insist on not seeing that I really do, then I-” Malleus stopped. He didn't have any real threats, did he? No, Malleus wanted something else. Something softer. But why from Leona, of all people? He scoffed. Malleus's voice was too tender. Too kind.
“Why? Why do you care so much, lizard? Why didn't you just strike me down with lightning or something, why didn't you scoff and turn your back? You already know you're more powerful, you already know it wouldn't mean a thing to anyone if you just didn't care about me. So why do you?” Leona tried his hardest to still seem like he was angry, like he could just roar enough and Malleus - and all his thoughts about the man, would go away. But that didn't happen. Instead, his voice almost softened in turn.
–
Like a lost cat, Leona turned to his bed, flopping onto it. It was a pathetic sight. How could he let himself be this pitiful around Malleus Draconia? And yet, Leona didn't have much energy, or will left to tell Malleus to leave. Maybe a part of him, though he'd never admit it, wanted Malleus there. Hesitantly, Malleus inched closer to where Leona was. “May I-” Malleus didn't have to finish, before Leona responded with a “yeah, whatever, lizard. Just don't bother me.” This was not how Leona expected today to go. How could he betray himself like this? Admitting defeat to the great Malleus Draconia. How could he? But Malleus's gaze was soft, like a soothing balm. And, as much as Leona wanted to hate that, he couldn't find it in himself to do so.
–
“I want to understand you, Leona,” Malleus said, his voice gentle. There was silence, for a moment. Only a moment. Malleus had slid his fingers to touch Leona's, and he had no idea why, but he didn't move or flinch at all.
“You're gettin’ too comfy, lizard,” Leona murmured, his voice akin to a low growl. Malleus moved his hands away, eyes widening, as if he didn't even know he was doing it.
“Apologies, Kingscholar. But, there's something wrong, isn't there? It isn't just Magift, is it, Leona?” Malleus talked like he was comforting a lost kitten, and while part of him was infuriated, a part of his heart melted at the lizard’s words. To be spoken to so softly, so gently, like he was safe from the ire of anyone or anything. It was strangely nice.
–
“D’you even realize it is the absolute worst when you're right, lizard?” Leona scowled. Malleus almost let out a small chuckle, and nearly leaned closer to Leona without thinking, but stopped himself.
“So then, Kingscholar, what is it that troubles you?” Despite Malleus's echoing, reassuring voice, Leona couldn't bring himself to just admit his woes to the one who caused a lot for both him and his pride, who wounded the egos and dreams of all the people looking up at him with doe eyes and so much hope.
–
“Tch. You wanna understand so bad? You're dreamin’, lizard,” Leona growled. And yet, Malleus inched ever closer. “May I have this, Leona?” And despite how much his brain screamed to just kick him out, tell him they would never be friends, much less whatever this was, Leona stayed silent. Leona tried to convince himself he didn't want this, but deep, deep inside him, he really, really did. So he nodded, and Malleus slipped closer to him, the two lying down, close in Leona's very own bed.
–
Leona and Malleus seemed to have thought words weren't doing anything, that the silence of the room was louder and had more feeling behind it than any of either of their words could have in that moment. And both of them were okay like that. Before long, Leona felt himself relaxing, his weary bones from days or restless naps and sleeps - finally relieving themselves of their tension. And Malleus, reached his hands out to embrace him, which Leona gave a small nod towards. Soon enough, sleep came to the weary lion, and the dragon had joined him. For now, it seemed everything had evaporated, with the weight of the world and the heavy heart of the lion, all turning to sand, just in that moment. The weary lion, and the tender dragon, resting against one another. ’Cause a dragon does always sleep near their greatest treasure.