BluePurpz @bluepurpz-j - Tumblr Blog

Dating in a Dream - Malleus Draconia

SUMMARY: What if Malleus had caught you before you could escape Lilia's dream? What is his dream like? And how devastated is he after everything he caused?

CHARACTERS: Malleus Draconia x Reader 🐉🦐

TAGS: Fluff; GN Reader; In a Relationship (kinda); a little angst; Kiss

WARNING: Spoilers from Book 7 (Eng Server)

WORD COUNT: 6.970 words

COMMENTS: This was written as a companion piece to the original story, so the parts that are the same as the game are just summarized.

Just like with Lilia, I practically created a dream from scratch. And just like with Silver, I created a whole new scene in the castle.

A shout-out to Gemini that helped me with Malleus' dialogues since English isn't my first language. 😝

I hope you enjoy 🐉

Dating in a Dream: Idia / Epel / Rook / Vil / Kalim / Jamil / Floyd / Jade / Azul / Jack / Ruggie / Leona / Deuce / Cater / Ace / Trey / Riddle / Sebek / Silver / Lilia / (Malleus)

“There you are, Lilia.” Malleus reappears when you were all trying to escape Lilia's dream. “Whatever shall I do with you, hmm? Hahaha... Ahahahaha!”

The two fight each other with amused smiles on their faces.

“Now!” Lilia tells you as soon as he sees an opportunity for you to escape. “Get going, quick!” Still with a reassuring smile on his face.

“...I swear I'll wake you and everyone else from this slumber.” Silver says. “I have so much to tell you!”

“I'll hold you to that promise, Silver. See you when I wake! Night's blessings.”

"...Night's blessings!" He reciprocates, tears threatening to escape his eyes. “Those I've met and will someday... Meet in a Dream!”

While Silver's signature spell was still in effect, you heard a soft voice in your ear.

“Not this time... Not you...”

You felt like you were being transported through the air, like in the Dreamway, where Silver's signature spell always took you. But you weren't there. There was no blue sky and pink clouds, just darkness. Until you fall, luckily, onto something fluffy.

You open your eyes and realize that your fall was cushioned by a mattress. You look around, at first you thought you were in Diasomnia. Even the bed with the dark wood canopy and curtains where you were looked like theirs. But with a closer look, you realize that's not the case.

That room had the same gothic style and dark walls, but the decor and the bed itself looked like they came straight out of a royal chamber. The dark green damask comforter had a softness you had never felt before, the curtains made of a delicate, translucent silk, the faint moonlight streamed through the large windows. You were also able to notice that on the walls there were some paintings with ornate wooden frames plated in gold.

You sit on the bed with your legs hanging off the edge, and that's when you realize your clothes have changed too. Depending on your preference:

You were wearing a beautiful black dress with silver accessories. It looked almost like a copy of Meleanor's dress, Malleus's mother in Lilia's dream. But it seemed more modest, as if hers demonstrated her royalty, while yours seemed more like that of a princess, still lacking the power of a queen.

You were wearing a black suit with silver accessories that somehow reminded you of Meleanor's dress, Malleus's mother in Lilia's dream. But more modest, as if hers demonstrated her royalty, while yours seemed more like that of a prince, still lacking the power of a king.

You get up and look around at the paintings on the walls. Many were just landscapes or still life paintings, but there was one that was different. It was a portrait with five people, all with smiles on their faces: At each end were Silver and Sebek in black armor, next to Silver was Lilia in a beautiful dark suit, and in the middle were Malleus in clothes that, like Meleanor's dress, matched yours... And next to him there was you, in the same clothes you were wearing now, with one hand clasped in Malleus's while his other hand held you by the waist like... a royal couple.

Even though you were alone in that room, not knowing what had happened to the others or exactly where you were, the calm night somehow conveyed a sense of comfort. Another frame on the wall catches your eye, as it's just a frame for the The Vocal and Dance Championship ticket you gave to Malleus, as if it were some kind of important document to be displayed. It was cute enough to make you smile a little.

You go to the bedroom door to open it and step out into the hallway. It was somewhat dark, calm, and empty. It would be eerie if the green light from the candles didn't convey the familiar feeling of Diasomnia. Once again there were some pictures on the walls, but they weren't of anyone you knew. However, they all had familiar horns on their heads.

You walk down the hallway until you come across a painting of someone you practically met just a short time ago: Meleanor Draconia. She seemed so calm, so happy, looking at you the way Malleus sometimes did, with a friendly and affectionate smile. As if she were welcoming you, unlike in Lilia's dream.

You continue down the hallway until you turn a corner and come face to face with a painting so large it almost covers the entire wall. The image depicted two people dancing at a ballroom: Malleus and you, both in magnificent black clothes, smiling at each other. But these clothes had something special about them. (If you prefer dresses, you were wearing a beautiful black and silver dress with a veil attached to a tiara.) They seemed to be wedding clothes.

“Your Highness.” A soft voice calls. You look to the side and see a woman with pointed ears and vertical pupils in her eyes of an abnormally vivid color. A fae, wearing a long black dress with long sleeves and a white apron. “Your Excellency is already awake? You could have called me.”

You look to the other side, but you don't see anyone else. She was talking to you.

“Something wrong, Your Highness?”

You no longer had any doubts; that was a dream where you and Malleus were married and you were now part of the royal family of Briar Valley. Now the only question was: Whose dream was it exactly? Malleus's, or yours?

“No. Everything's fine.” You play along for safety. “Maybe I just haven't fully woken up yet.”

“MY LIEGE!” You suddenly hear Sebek's thunderous voice. You look in its direction, expecting to see Malleus, or just Sebek searching for him. But what you didn't expect was to see Sebek in a gleaming black suit of armor, like the one in the painting you saw in your bedroom, walking decisively towards you. “I ALREADY TOLD YOU... ahem... I mean... I asked Your Highness to let me know when you left your chambers so that I could escort you back into the presence of our King.”

You couldn't tell what was stranger: Sebek addressing you the same way he addresses Malleus, or how much he resembled the real Sebek, especially his reluctance to treat you, a human, in that way. Could it even be the real Sebek?

“Sir Zigvolt.” The chambermaid said. “I see that the King/Queen will be in good hands. Would you allow me to retire to tend to Their Highness's room?”

“Yes, you may go. Thank you.” As she leaves, Sebek notices you looking at him strangely. “What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

If he is the real Sebek, then he may somehow have forgotten everything and entered the reality of that dream. But if he is not him and it is darkness impersonating him, revealing that you know it's a dream could be dangerous. The best decision is to be cautious and play along for now.

“It's nothing. Sorry. I guess I'm not fully awake yet.” You laugh it off.

He sighs. "Dealing with Silver's sleepiness is enough, I don't need another sleepy human to take care of." “Funny, all that talk about escorting me made it seem like you were already taking care of me.” “I didn't' mean it in that sense. I... Grh... J-just allow me to accompany you... m-my Liege.” He wasn't annoyed at having to treat you like royalty, just frustrated at always slipping up and talking to you like a friend instead of the proper way.

“You look good in that armor.” You comment.

“Wha-?!” He feels genuinely flattered, but tries to hide it. “You... um... I'm flattered by the compliment, my Liege, but there's no need. It's not the first time you've seen me wearing it. “But it's always nice to see you wearing it. You really like it, don't you?” “OF COURSE! This armor serves as a testament to my station as Lord Malleus’s personal guard! To wear it is the highest of honors!” He declares with that cute, proud smile. “Now, would you allow me to escort you? I'm sure King Malleus is eagerly waiting for you.”

Sebek opens the door for you and you enter the throne room. A huge room with a black marble floor, green damask curtains, a ceiling painted with themes of dragons, fae and humans, and chandeliers lit with green flames.

At the back of the room, beyond the two tall thrones of carved wood bathed in silver, you could see three figures whose silhouettes were clear enough for you to recognize them: Silver, Lilia and Malleus. Silver and Lilia were dressed as if they were going on vacation: straw hats, floral shirts, shorts, and sandals.

Malleus on the other hand, was wearing a black robe with a subtle silver pattern, like his shoulder pads. His long tail matched his clothes so well that if you didn't know it was real, you'd think it was part of the outfit. He turns around when Sebek announces your entrance, and you see a corset, also silver like the crown on his head, which adorns his horns. His hair was combed, making the black draconic scales on his forehead visible.

All three smile when they see you.

“(Y/N)!” Lilia greets you cheerfully. “I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to say goodbye to you before the trip. That would make me so sad.” He pouts.

“Where are you going?” You ask.

“Sunshine Lands.” Silver answers. “More specifically, to Ultramarine City.”

Lilia picks up a pamphlet that he had folded in his shorts pocket and reads it aloud.

“An endless expanse of blue ocean, striking cliffs stretching as far as the eye can see and a brightly shining sun overhead. The view is positively riveting!”

“It does sound like it convey a certain dignity and vigor.” Malleus says. “A scenery sculpted by the overwhelming power of nature.”

“The region is said to have the world's most beautiful coastline.” Silver adds.

“Is that so? That's quite the claim.”

“That's true, but I don't believe it's false advertising.” Lilia says optimistically. “We'll find out about that soon anyway. It's almost time to leave. See you again in a month, (Y/N). Make room for more souvenirs!”

Lilia and Silver say goodbye to you, and Malleus asks Sebek to accompany them to the castle exit where a carriage awaits them.

“A whole month?” You say, as you watch them leave through the throne room door.

“They deserve it.” Malleus says, standing beside you. “And a month isn't as long for a fae as it is for a human. It's a good middle ground for both to enjoy time together.” He takes a step forward, turns to you, and extends his hand with a loving smile. “(Y/N), would you do me the pleasure of accompanying me on a stroll through the garden?”

You liked the idea, so you accepted, giving him your hand, which he took with great care and affection.

As expected, the garden was as sullenly charming as the castle. Thorny bushes, perfectly trimmed, with beautiful flowers in various colors, like a rainbow. The moonlight, along with the light from the cast iron street lamps and the few fireflies that passed by, made everything much more romantic and magical. He leads you to a large fountain where the water flows peacefully.

You could see part of the castle reflected in the water. You two get closer until you see your reflection and Malleus's, side by side, wearing clothes that seem to have been made to complement each other.

“You are beautiful.” Malleus says while you both look at each other's reflection.

“Thank you. You're very handsome too.” You take the opportunity to admit it. “These clothes are beautiful.”

“I wasn't referring solely to the clothing, my dear.”

You get flattered and he smiles amused. He turns, and you do the same, both of you now facing each other.

“And to think that both of our hearts share this same dream.” He caresses your cheek, his green eyes glowing as he looks into yours. “You are still awake, correct?” He says with a calm smirk that sends a shiver down your spine. “Do not worry, I kept you awake intentionally.”

You instinctively take a step back, moving your face away from his hand. He gasps softly. You've never moved away from him like this, nor have you ever looked at him the way you were looking at him now.

“What do you mean?” You ask. “What do you mean we share a dream? And why didn't you put me into a deeper sleep like you try to do with the others?

“I saw your dream, Child of Man.” He tells you with a sweet but smug smile. “I saw it in person because I was there. And I was there because you dreamed about me. About us. Unfortunately, it was a short and unstable dream, since somehow your dream and Grim's merged soon after. But I brought you here now, where no one can disturb your fairy tale. Our fairy tale.” Malleus approaches you slowly and gently holds your hands while his loving gaze is fixed on your eyes. “We share a dream because both of our happily ever afters are with each other.”

And so all the darkness in his gaze disappears. You can only feel his affection and love when he speaks.

“I was... scared. I shall not deny that to you. Never before have I experienced such a profound stir within my soul. It took me a great deal of time to comprehend the nature of this feeling. And when I finally did..." His smile slowly fades and his eyes seem to water slightly. "I was... terrified. I did not merely fall in love with a human, a being with whom I could never share the true span of my existence, since the entirety of your life is but a fleeting fraction of my own... I fell in love with someone incapable of wielding magic, someone remarkably fragile in this world. Beyond being an affront to my lineage, your presence in Briar Valley would render you even more vulnerable than you are within the walls of Night Raven College. And worse still... I fell in love with one whose home is not of this world. Someone who might, at any given moment, return to the place where they truly belong.” A couple of tears stream down his face, but he tries to smile a little and brings one of his hands to your face. "Such cruelty..." His voice almost cracks. "...to find that you love me in return."

You raise your eyebrows in surprise.

“Had you not harbored the same sentiments for me... I would have been utterly devastated. Yet, at the very least, I would have known that nothing could be done, that our fates were simply not entwined. But to know that our love is reciprocated... under such harrowing circumstances... it is nothing short of pure torture.”

“Forbidden love.” He continues. “I learned this definition one day when I was talking to Lilia about the romantic stories that humans write. There are countless such tales, it seems to be a popular theme or... hum... I believe Lilia used the term ‘trope’. I decided to read some of these works... however... I despised them all!” He says with his teeth slightly bared in an expression of fury.

“Why? Didn't any of them have a happy ending?”

“Many did not. One lover, or perhaps both, would eventually sacrifice themselves, succumbing to death in some way. Yet, some did have happy endings... however...” He gets angry again and a clap of thunder is heard. “They were all unrealistic! Did these authors intend to mock such a dire predicament? The sheer audacity to suggest that a joyous conclusion can only manifest within the confines of a fairy tale. Within a dream."

The storm calms down, but Malleus's new laugh manages to be even more terrifying.

"Hahaha... AHAHAHAHA! Very well. If our 'happy ending' is a prize only to be claimed within a dream, then so be it!" His hand quickly moves to your waist, and he pulls you closer to him. "I shall bestow upon you the happiest ever after. A millennium of blissful slumber. A thousand years of good dreams. With all your loved ones. I can also bring your friends from your world here, if you miss them. Perhaps even your family.”

“Tsunotarou!” You try to reason with him. “This is not what I want. I mean, I... I like you and... I'd love to be with you... but not in a dream. In reality.”

“I yearn for that as well, (Y/N), but such a reality is impossible. Even at this very moment, my age has already surpassed the greatest lifespan your kind is capable of achieving. But we need not concern ourselves with such trifles here. Within this realm, time does not flow as it does in the waking world. Here, we may exist as equals, and we shall never endure the agony of losing one another, or our friends and family.”

Suddenly you hear a familiar voice calling your name. You look to the side and see Grim running towards you, to finally jumping into your arms.

“I finally found you!” He says, on the verge of tears.

You hug him and notice he has a new bow, black and silver like your clothes, so you ask where he got it.

“One of the maids gave it to me and told me to use it. It's not bad. Pretty cool, actually. The pattern looks like dragon scales an’ all.”

“It does suit you indeed.” Malleus agrees.

“YOU!” Grim complains while using your arms to hide. “Who do you think you are, kidnapping my hench-human?!”

You instinctively turn your back slightly to Malleus, protecting Grim even more. He arrives in that dream after all that and still has the audacity, or madness, to speak to Malleus like that?

“Ahahaha. Well, I am currently their husband.” Malleus answers, amused.

“And ya think that's a good excuse?! The feast is about to begin and you two are out here. Everyone is waiting for you already! Go inside and let the party started. I'M HUNGRY!”

Feast? Everyone? What was he talking about?

“GRIM!” Two familiar voices shout in unison.

You see Ace and Deuce running towards you and stopping in front of you, needing to catch their breath. They were wearing their Heartslabyul dorm uniforms.

“I sincerely apologize, Malleus-senpai, I mean, Your Highness.” Deuce makes a very deep bow. “We couldn't catch Grim in time.”

“Yeah. You spoiled the surprise you moron!” Ace complains.

“Surprise?” You ask. “What surprise?”

“A feast with all your friends from Night Raven College.” Malleus says. “Though, I suspect Grim would not appreciate to wait that long before indulging his appetite, would he? Ahaha.”

Those Ace and Deuce could only be fake, and now you realize that this Grim in your arms, looking at you with those mischievous little blue eyes of his, was also fake.

“What's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost.” Ace jokes.

“Speaking of which, the ghosts of Ramshackle Dorm came with us too.” Deuce says. “They really want to see you and congratulate you on your wedding.”

“In the real world...” Malles leans in to explain in a low tone. “They wouldn't be able to leave Ramshackle Dorm. But here, there are no such restrictions. Isn't that wonderful, my love?”

But it was all a lie. That Ace, that Deuce, that Grim wagging his tail in your arms... that garden, the castle, the wedding, even your clothes... The only real things there were you and Malleus. And surely all those supposed guests were also fake. They were darkness feeding on your memories of them. The real ones were sleeping on the floor of Diasomnia, just like you, in their own dream worlds, unaware of what was happening outside.

"Would you be so kind as to grant us but a few moments more?” Malleus asks them.

“MORE TIME?!” Fake Grim complains.

“Very well.” Malleus addresses the false Ace and Deuce. “If anyone questions you, inform them that I have personally granted Grim my authorization to commence his meal at his own leisure. Even in our absence.”

“Myah hah hah hah!” Grim celebrates, jumps from your arms to the ground, and starts running back to the palace.

"What is it that troubles you, my dear?” Malleus asks you, while Ace and Deuce run after Grim with the same urgency as when they arrived. "I was under the impression that you would be overjoyed to be reunited with your dearest friends."

“And I would love to see them again...” You say. “But the real ones.”

“Do not worry. You shall see them all once more when you awaken a thousand years from now." He says with a reassuring smile, that doesn't work on you.

“A... T-THOUSAND YEARS?! Was that literal?!”

“There's no need to be afraid.” He gently takes both of your hands. “Give in to slumber, and a thousand years will pass in the blink of an eye.” One of his hands goes to your back to pull you closer to him. “Until that distant dawn, I shall remain by your side. I shall dedicate my every effort to weaving for you the most wondrous of dreams... my beloved.” His other hand goes to your chin, he tilts your head upwards and brings his lips close to yours.

“No!” You pull away before he can kiss you. “Not like this!”

He didn't try to grab you back, and you could see the shock and sadness on his face.

“Tsunotarou, you put everyone to sleep. You trapped them in their own dreams. I don't want you to be the villain.”

"Do you not comprehend?" He raises the tone in a frightening way. "If embracing the role of the villain is the sole path to ensuring I never lose any of you again... then so be it! I can bestow upon you every desire your heart has ever harbored! Everything you could ever possibly crave! I can make you the protagonist of your own fairy tales.”

“What kind of fairy tale?! A princess trapped in a castle by the dragon? Waiting for a prince to slay the dragon and save her? It's not that I don't want you to be the villain just for the sake of it. I don't want you to be the villain because the villain always dies in the end. Villains never have a happy ending. I want you to have a happy ending too. I don't care if you're the bad dragon in the story as long as no prince shows up to stab you in the heart with a sword.”

Malleus remains silent for a second.

"Your concerns are utterly senseless, Child of Man." He says with a smug smile. “Touching, and deeply appreciated, yet senseless nonetheless. I am the most powerful being in this school, perhaps even on this isle, and among the most powerful in all of Twisted Wonderland. There exists barely no one capable of defying me. That prince whom you speak of, able to stab me in the heart, does not exist. You fear imaginary dangers, but I possess the power to liberate you from the turmoil of your weary mind. Yield to my blessing, and all your trepidation shall dissolve into an eternity of warmth and devotion.”

A puddle of black goop forms beneath your feet, and you feel them sink as if in quicksand before hands emerge from the puddle to grab your legs and slowly pull you down.

“My dear Child of Man... My beloved (Y/N)... I shall ensure your happiness... by making you mine... forevermore."

“(Y/N)!!!” You hear Silver and Sebek's voices calling for you, drawing closer.

They were wearing their dorm uniforms and running towards you, casting spells against Malleus, in vain, as he managed to dodge them all and even prevent them from hitting you as well.

“Despite your boorish interruption, I find myself almost... proud." Malleus says with a smirk. "Like the gallant knights of old, you have arrived precisely in time to rescue (Y/N). A valiant effort, truly. Unfortunately, it is I whom you must face in this tale.”

While he was distracted with Silver and Sebek, a colony of bats flew past you and you felt someone grabbing you and pulling you out of the puddle of black goop on the ground, severing the black hands that were holding you.

Lilia had his long hair with red streaks and was still wearing his general's armor. He ran, pulling you by the hand as far away from the fight as possible, while Malleus roared furiously, and the weather turned into a violent storm. You couldn't say anything without risking losing your breath.

“OVER HERE!” You hear Grim's voice yelling, somewhere to your right.

Lilia uses his magic to change your royal clothes into the same clothes you saw the castle chambermaids wearing.

“Follow Grim.” Lilia tells you. “He'll take you to Silver and Sebek, and then you'll leave right away.”

You look to the side and see Grim with the fire in his ears glowing in the dark.

“Go! And hide your face!”

Lilia didn't let you waste time talking to him and quickly left in the opposite direction while you went to meet with Grim.

It was relatively easy to escape in the middle of that storm, everyone you passed was trying to save themselves, so nobody questioned another chambermaid running too.

As you ran, with Grim in your arms, wrapped in your apron to hide him, he gave you directions to the place where they had agreed to meet to escape that dream. He guided you through the interior of the castle until you entered a door and realized you were back in your bedroom.

“Smart, isn' it?” Grim said as he jumped from your arms to the floor. “Lilia said the best place for us to hide would be in the most obvious one.” He jumps onto the bed. “Ooooh. Sooo comfy...” He snuggles into the sheets. “Hey, why don'tcha ask Tsunotarou to get us these beds for Ramshackle Dorm? That would be the least for an apology, don'tcha think?”

Some time later, someone knocks on the door and you hear Silver's voice urgently calling your name. But before you open it, you approach Grim to ask him how you could be sure if those were the real Silver and Sebek.

“MRAH! Good question... I know, hide... aaaaaah... under the bed! I'll try to figure out if it's really them.”

You crouch down and hide under the bed while Sebek shouts your name. Grim opens the door.

“How do I know that you are the real Silver and Sebek?!” Grim interrogates them. Maybe it was expecting too much that he actually had a better plan than this.

“YOU FOOL! Do you really think the darkness would simply tell you that they were fake?!”

“We know you're the real Grim because we crossed paths with the fake one along the way.” Silver says. “But we don't have time to waste. Father is tying Malleus. We need to go! Where is (Y/N)?”

If they were the darkness, they would most likely have already gotten rid of Grim, so you decide to get out from under the bed and approach Silver while thunder rumbles outside, growing ever more violent. You all cling to him.

“Those I've met and will someday… Meet in a Dream!”

After all the terrible situation that Malleus caused is resolved, he has sent an invitation to all of you to attend a party at Castle Wildrose that he has prepared to apologize and thank you all for what you have done.

After the dance with the memories of Maleanor Draconia, Dawn Knight, and Queen Leah, Silver invited you to dance, and Malleus was watching you from afar.

“You know, that cowardly gaze actually looks cute on you.” Lilia tells Malleus, suddenly appears beside him.

“Cowardly gaze?” Malleus smiles slightly. “Only you would have the daring to speak such words to me with good intentions.”

“Actually, I think (Y/N) wouldn't have any problem doing the same either. Khee hee. Speaking of which, when are you planning on asking them to dance?”

Malleus looks at you again.

“I... Lilia... Do you believe they can forgive me? At least... enough to salvage what remains of our friendship?"

“You have that look of an abandoned puppy, as they say. No one can say no to that. Hah hah hah.”

“Abandoned puppy? What exactly does that mean? Do I appear like one devastated by desertion? Or is it that my face has somehow taken on the physical likeness of a canine’s offspring?"

“Haa haa haa! From what I understand, it is more related to a demonstration of deep remorse and a desire for forgiveness. A way of speaking, not a literal phrase. And anyone with genuine remorse fears not being forgiven. That is normal. But we are talking about (Y/N), they witnessed six other overblots and remained close to each one of them. Actually, it seems they are friends with many of them, if not all.”

However, despite Lilia's words, Malleus's gaze remained very sad and apprehensive as he looked at you.

“But... what if it's different for me?”

Lilia thinks silently for a moment.

“Malleus... that dream where you pulled (Y/N) in. That was your dream, wasn't it?” Malleus doesn't answer but Lilia continues. “We quickly discovered that you were dreaming about being married to them. I was already practically certain you fancied them, and that's why I feared it would be quite difficult, or even impossible, to rescue (Y/N) from that dream. However, and quite honestly, it was easier than I expected. Why was it?”

“I... I don't know.” Malleus lowers his gaze to the ground and thinks about what happened in that dream, before Lilia and the others arrived to rescue you. “(Y/N)...” He remembers your frightened and worried face. “They were not happy. They...” He remembers the way you looked at him. “...were afraid of me...”

“If you truly love someone, you let them go.” Lilia says. “That was the part of you that made our mission easier. The part of you that truly loves (Y/N) and wanted to see them happy, even if it meant being far away from you. Perhaps...” He thinks more deeply. “Your spell creates a dream based on what it understands the dreamer wants to be happy, correct? If the same applies to you... maybe what would truly make you happy at that moment was seeing (Y/N) happy. And the dream, or perhaps even yourself, understood that for that to happen they needed to escape.”

Malleus remains silent, lost in thought.

“The Malleus that imprisoned (Y/N) wasn't really you, it was your worst self. The real you wants to see (Y/N) happy, but that Malleus was being suppressed by the blot. I believe (Y/N) understands that. They are an understanding person, willing to listen to you and get to know you for who you really are, not for what others say about you. Isn't that why you started falling for them?”

Malleus’ expression relaxed slightly as he remembered the non-judgmental and curious way you had always looked at him.

“Furthermore, (Y/N) is human, Malleus. Even if they are only present in a fraction of your life, you are already present in a large part of theirs. I can see how important they are to you. We fae cannot afford not to cherish every moment we have with the humans we love.” He gives Malleus a reassuring and encouraging smile.

“Thank you, Lilia.” He says with a new smile and an emotional look.

You finish dancing with Silver and you both bow to each other.

“(Y/N)?” You hear Malleus's soft voice behind you.

You turn around and see the beautiful clothes he's wearing in more detail. The long black tunic with silver ornamental clasps and the low neckline that complements the thick, ornate black necklace. The details of the shoulder pads and silver corset further enhanced his figure. His hair was combed back, revealing the black draconic scales on his forehead, adorned with a silver crown that encircled his horns. One intact, the other broken.

"Would you grant me the honor of the next dance?" Malleus invites you with a bow and by extending his hand.

You accept with a smile, and his heart begins to feel lighter.

The center of the throne room, turning into a ballroom, is yours. A beautiful waltz began to play, Malleus gently held one of your hands and brought the other to your back, while your free hand rested on his shoulder pad or on the arm that was holding your back, if you’re too short (which you probably are).

“I must confess, in this moment, I would love to gift you a new outfit, much as I did for Silver and Sebek," Malleus tells you, while spinning you around and looking at your school uniform.

“I don't know if I'd be able to move very well in armor.” You say.

“Oh, no. I was envisioning something more akin to... my own attire.”

“Your attire?” What he was wearing was truly gorgeous. “Like, in matching outfits?”

"If it is your liking. I could manifest it with the same ease as I summoned those two suits of armor," He smiles sweetly. "Should it pique your interest, you need only speak the word. I have no doubt that you would look breathtaking in such raiment."

Your eyes sparkle as you imagine how you would look. You accept his gift, and as he spins you around once more, he casts a spell that transforms your school uniform into a beautiful black dress/suit with silver ornaments. You also felt your hair change to a different hairstyle and something more on your head. You bring your hands to your head and feel what seems to be a tiara, probably similar to the Malleus crown but without space for horns.

You hear the reaction of surprise and some amazement from the others around you. Including an emotional "Beauté!" almost as loud as the music. Malleus extends his hand again for you to continue the dance, and so you do.

"You may not know the joy it brings me to see such a smile upon your face." He tells you before his adoring smile turned a little insecure. "However, there is a matter I wish... no, I must discuss with you. Would you grant me the favor of your company in the castle gardens once this dance has concluded?"

You accept the new invitation, guessing what the conversation will be about. You two finish the dance with a bow, and Lilia starts the wave of applause around you. Malleus bends his arm so you can intertwine yours and accompanies you away from the center of the room.

He pretends to be just taking you to a corner of the room, but while the others have gone back to focusing on their own dancing and food, he discreetly leads you to the outside, illuminated only by moonlight.

That garden was once certainly as beautiful as the castle, but just like the castle without the effects of Malleus and Lilia's spell, it was desolately abandoned, with thorny vines and unevenly growing grass.

“My apologies. Our incantation is limited to the confines of the castle.” Malleus looks at his free hand, while his other arm is still intertwined with yours. “And my powers do not align with those required to recreating a colorful, flowery garden.”

“There's no need for that.” You say. “Look! Nature has already taken care of that on its own.”

You point to the fountain, which is tied in thorny vines but also by its flowers. It's spring, so many flowers have already bloomed or were about to bloom. There were other spots in the garden with colorful flowers amidst some weeds.

“You like abandoned places.” You continue to say. “Isn't this part of their beauty? To see how nature reclaims them?”

Your observation makes him smile fondly, and you feel his shoulders relax. With his magic, he diverts the thorny vines and clears the edge of the fountain so that you and he can sit side by side.

“(Y/N)...” He says in an apologetic tone. So much so that he can't look you in the eyes for very long and keeps looking away at your hands. “I... I had considered appending a formal apology specifically for you within your invitation. However, I realized that you deserved to hear my penance in person.”

He slowly brings his hand closer to yours, to see if you accept the closeness or not. His fingers touch yours and you allow your hands to join. This makes him smile slightly for a moment of relief.

"What I did was a cruelty I forced upon everyone. I never intended to inflict harm to anyone, but above all, I didn't want to hurt those I hold most dear. I saw your dream, and you saw mine.” He gently strokes the back of your hand with his thumb, which is encased in long black gloves. “To discover that our affections were mutual brought me a joy I cannot describe... but it also brought a frantic, selfish fear. I didn't... I didn't want to lose you too... So I... traped you. I kidnapped you for my dream. When you spoke of returning to your world, I felt a grief so profound it eclipsed my reason. I should have found happiness in yours, yet my heart only ached with the desperate urge to seize your hand and... beg you to stay."

You feel his hand trembling in yours and the indecision between squeezing or loosening.

“And worse still... you're human. Even were you to remain by my side, I would eventually be forced to endure the end of your days, while you could never do the same for me. The thought of being by your side fills me with great joy, but the thought of that ending terrifies me more than your rejection. I sought to... to preserve you, like a flower frozen in glass. But I see now that is not love."

He lets go of your hand as if his own had lost its strength.

"I am so deeply sorry for what I did to you. I am haunted by the specter of how I must appear in your eyes now. I understand if you no longer wish to remain friends with me. I understand even the reasons you may have to hating me if you do, but...” He collapses, kneeling on the dirty ground at your feet. He takes your hand again and finally looks into your eyes, tears beginning to stream down his face. "Can you find enough mercy within your heart to forgive me?"

Your heart drops. You've seen enough overblots to know that his regret and pain are genuine. And you've seen enough of his story to understand his fear. You throw yourself into his arms to hug him. You say that you forgive him and that your feelings for him haven't changed. What he went through was and is difficult, and that's why you wanted to be by his side to support and comfort him more than ever. You reassure him by saying that it's obvious you're still his friend and that you still adore him.

He starts to return the hug, but stops.

“I...” He says between sobs. “My powers... they have weakened. I no longer summon tempests with such effortless. And I...” He wraps his arms around you, the grip tightening gradually but without hurting you. "I find that I can... I can finally express the depths of my heart without bringing you harm." He buries his face in your shoulder and cries profusely. His dragon tail coils around and encircles the two of you.

You stay like that for a long moment, and when his crying begins to subside, you hear him say muffledly: "I love you."

You're astonished, but you manage to tell him you love him back.

After he starts to feel better, he loosens the embrace, straightens up, still holding you in his arms, and wipes his face.

“Whatever you choose.” He tells you, looking at you with the most loving green eyes. “Stay here in Twisted Wonderland or return to the world from whence you came... Choose only that which brings you the greatest joy. I shall find my own happiness in yours. Just as you have brought such light into my life this past year."

“What if I choose to stay?” You ask. “With you? What would happen then?”

“I would do anything to ensure your felicity. I would defy the ancient traditions of my lineage. I would dismantle the Senate itself if they dared to interfere. There is nothing I would not sacrifice to be by your side. And perhaps...” His voice loses some of its seriousness. “I should seek counsel from Sebek’s parents. If there are any who truly comprehend the intricacies of a union between a human and fae, it is surely them."

He rests his forehead against yours and laughs with you.

“You still approached me, despite the Overblot... I question how many people would truly feel no fear after seeing me that way.” He caresses your cheek, adjusts the angle of your head, brings his lips close to yours. “I love you, (Y/N).” And kisses you cautiously, but with the utmost affection.

Full list of characters: Dating in a Dream - Index

If you would like to read more from me, you can find it in my pinned post: INDEX

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

BluePurpz