The confrontation is anticipated. In fact some might argue that it was written in the stars from the very beginning, written the moment Leona laid his head down to sleep that first night. That night began the first chapter of their story, page after page sewn into a sturdy spine until both of their heartstrings were too entangled to separate without tearing the whole thing apart. Even now as Leona threatens to tear away from him, Malleus feels his heart unravelling at the seams. Nothing was ever going to make this encounter easy. No amount of time was ever going to prepare him for what lies ahead.
In contrast to Leona’s vibrant fury, Malleus remains placid & composed. They’re a faded echo of themself, face completely colorless as they let Leona manhandle them. The prince stays stock still, his expression empty save for pale green eyes. Those eyes stay fixed on Leona, betraying Malleus’ true feelings as they meet the other’s enraged glare with a melancholic gaze.
“ Because you love me. ” The answer comes simply & without any sort of mirth or malice. It would be all too easy to use this fact as a means of taunting Leona. Were they both closer to the beginning of their story Malleus would have used anything as leverage without hesitation. Back when all that lied between them was schoolyard rivalry & an endless chess game.
But now it’s different. Now this answer is given because it is the only answer to give. This answer is given because it’s true & they both know it. Leona loves him & in turn Malleus loves Leona as well. The unconventional & fantastical terms in which they came together does not make the statement any less true. It does not make their love any less real.
That love is palpable in the intensity of Leona’s grasp, in the hurt & betrayal that fails to be completely concealed from his eyes. It lies in Malleus’ stillness, in their willingness to accept defeat without giving so much of a fight. This encounter is a testament of their love, not a display of the absence of it.
Malleus takes note of Leona’s shaking hands & moves to gingerly take one in his own. He does this knowing full well the possible consequences of it. With their head high, & their heart unafraid Malleus steps further into the lions den knowing the king of beasts intends to slaughter him.
“ If putting an end to me will repair your broken heart, I will not discourage you. But you ought to know this fate for us was not premeditated. I did not personally weave your dreams into something that would please me. ” Tentatively Malleus squeezes Leona’s hand in his, a wordless affirmation of his continuous & true love. “ The purpose of the enchantment is to create a reality in which its inhabitants are safe & happy. What brings happiness to each individual is not my choice or control. If this version of time led you to me, that is not my doing. You should know better than most that magic has a mind of its own. ”
Malleus then decides to take a chance, a leap of faith that sends them hurdling deeper inside the belly of the beast. He raises their intertwined hands, pressing a reverent kiss to Leona’s knuckles. Were it not for the sadness still resting in the fae’s eyes, one could believe nothing had changed between them. Without another word, Malleus releases Leona’s hand, effortlessly stepping out of the prince’s steely grip.
“ I will not think less of you if you choose not to believe me, dearest. I’ve come to understand that trust is a fickle thing for humans. But my feelings for you have always been true, & I hope that at least at one point you were certain that your love for me was real. ” So long as he has that, Malleus will accept whatever happens next. He’ll die peacefully if it’s with the knowledge that for a brief moment he was in love & the one he loved cared for him too.
leona doesn’t react to malleus’s gestures of affection much, if at all — he feels off center and disoriented, his mind clouded and his body heavy. (some quiet part of him wonders if his understanding of the truth is making him more aware of his sleeping body in the waking world.) the anger has quickly cooled, leaving him shocked still.
“ quit actin’ like you’re doing something good, ” he says, his low voice quiet. he feels condescended to, even if he can tell that isn’t malleus’ intent. malleus just seems so certain that he’s right, that there’s no fault in his actions and leona ———
“ do i look happy, malleus?? does this look like happiness t’ you?? ” he stands with his fists balled at his sides, magic still dancing beneath his fingertips. he still wants to act, but it’s not fueled by that momentarily blinding rage; now he just knows he has to do something. “ because i can tell you: being stuck in a lie that you made has me feelin’ pretty pissed off.
“ so go on. tell me what’s going on in that lizard brain of yours t’ make you think any part of this is okay. tell me what about this makes you think you deserve t’ hear me say i still love you. because right now, standing here, i don’t think i do. i don’t even know you like you made me believe i did. ”
whatever else he might want to say catches in his throat, his jaw tensing as he swallows it down. malleus knew what they were doing the whole time. leona should’ve thought harder — he should’ve had some idea... his arms raise to cross over his chest, his vivid eyes glaring at malleus over the distance between them.
