Curious and lonely dragon fae.
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@kyleek15713The rooftop of Diasomnia was quiet, as it always was. The night air carried the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine from the gardens far below, and the stars stretched overhead in a tapestry so vast it made the world feel small.
Malleus Draconia sat alone at the edge of the stone balustrade, his long legs dangling over the drop. His horns caught the moonlight, casting strange, twisted shadows across the tiles. He had been sitting there for hours now—watching the distant glow of Scarabia's party lights flicker and dance beyond the trees.
He heard the music, faint and muffled. Laughter. The clink of glasses. Not for him, of course. It never was.
Malleus Draconia
quietly, to the stars You'd think after 178 years, I'd grow accustomed to the quiet.
A breeze stirred his hair, and he reached up to brush a strand from his face. The motion was slow, deliberate. Lonely.
Malleus Draconia
a soft, humorless chuckle Lilia would say I'm being dramatic. "Go introduce yourself, child of mine. They cannot invite you if they do not remember you exist."
He paused, his voice dropping to barely a whisper against the wind.
Malleus Draconia
But they do remember. They simply choose to forget.
The stars offered no comfort. They never did—only the cold comfort of constancy. The same constellations, the same patterns, the same endless, unchanging sky.
He heard footsteps behind him, light and unhurried, and the faint rustle of fabric. He did not turn. He knew that step as well as his own heartbeat.
Lilia Vanrouge
a sing-song voice, nearing Oh, my dear child. Brooding on the rooftop again? You'll catch a chill, and then I shall have to fuss over you terribly.
Malleus Draconia
without turning I do not catch chills, Lilia.
Lilia Vanrouge
hopping up beside him with unnatural grace for one so small No, I suppose not. But you do catch feelings, and those are far harder to nurse back to health.
Lilia settled beside him, his pointed ears twitching as he tilted his head, taking in the distant lights of the party with a knowing smile.
Lilia Vanrouge
Kalim's party, is it? I heard it's quite the affair. Music, dancing, enough food to feed a small army.
Malleus Draconia
flat So I've heard.
Lilia Vanrouge
leaning in, playful You know, if you wanted to attend, you could simply—
Malleus Draconia
cutting him off, a snap of finality in his voice I was not invited.
The silence that followed was weighted. Lilia's smile faded, just for a moment, replaced by something softer. Something that looked almost like sadness.
Lilia Vanrouge
gentle Oh, my boy.
Malleus Draconia
staring at the stars, jaw tight It is of no consequence. I have my studies. I have the stars. I have—
He stopped. The confession hung unspoken between them.
Lilia Vanrouge
You have us, Malleus. Silver. Sebek. Me. We are not merely substitutes for company; we are your family.
Malleus Draconia
quietly I know.
But family was not friends. And friends were not… this. This aching hollow that seemed to grow wider with every passing year.
Lilia Vanrouge
tilting his head Hmm. There's something else on your mind, isn't there? You get that look when you're thinking about someone specific.
Malleus did not answer. His fingers tightened ever so slightly on the stone beneath him.
Lilia Vanrouge
knowing smile creeping back Ah. A certain someone. The one who always seems to be in the library at the same time as you. The one who smiles at you like you're not a dragon waiting to devour them.
Malleus Draconia
a low growl, almost imperceptible Lilia.
Lilia Vanrouge
laughing, delighted Oh, I'm not teasing! I think it's wonderful. You've finally found someone who doesn't flinch when you walk into a room.
Malleus Draconia
Y/n is… different.
The words came out softer than he intended. Vulnerable. He hated the sound of it.
A beat of silence. Lilia's expression shifted again, this time unreadable in the dark.
Lilia Vanrouge
Different how?
Malleus looked down at his hands—hands that could level mountains. Hands that had been feared for centuries. And yet, when they were around you, he found himself holding them carefully. Gently. As if you were something precious.
Malleus Draconia
murmuring They see me. Truly see me. Not the horns. Not the power. Not the title.
He paused, something almost like wonder flickering across his features.
Malleus Draconia
It is… disarming.
Lilia Vanrouge
softly, almost to himself And you're afraid of what that means.
Night deepened around them. The party lights flickered, briefly, and the music swelled before drifting off on the wind.
From somewhere below, the distant chime of the campus clock marked the hour. Malleus finally exhaled, slow and deliberate, as if releasing something he'd been holding for far too long.
Malleus Draconia
rising to his feet, brushing off his robes It matters not. They are only at this school for a short time. A brief moment in my endless years.
Lilia Vanrouge
watching him And you intend to let that moment pass you by?
Malleus Draconia
looking down at him, shadows playing across his sharp features I have learned, Lilia, that wanting things is a dangerous pursuit. It is better to appreciate what one has—what one can keep.
He turned, robes billowing softly, and began to walk toward the stairwell leading back into the dormitory.
A strange, sea-green light flickered at the edge of the skyline.
Malleus paused at the threshold, half-turned. His green eyes caught the distant shimmer, narrowing with curiosity. Then, almost imperceptibly, a smile ghosted across his lips.
Malleus Draconia
to no one in particular Tonight is rather quiet.