Paladins Fics & Pieces

Requests: Open Current Series: Realm High Welcome to my blog! Here, I write fanfictions, drabbles, and the likes based on the game Paladins: Champions of the Realm. While most stories here are based off of the ship MalFern (Mal'Damba x Fernando), I do intend to branch off to other things at some point. Thanks for reading!

[toonsies]

One whole year and a year it was! Here we are back at it again with a SECOND Malfern Week for our veteran and new Malfern shippers! With new prompts and a little bonus as well! Challenges are below!

MALFERN WEEK BEGINS ON MARCH 18 AND ENDS AT MARCH 25

Keep reading

[paladinsficsandpieces]

omg that latest chapter!! no!!! strix and mal get bad ideas, that is a bad idea!! (im still wanting to see how it plays out lmao)

This is only the beginning of the craziness, just wait until you see what the future chapters have in store ;)

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Realm High - Chapter 4

Realm High is a High School AU fanfic series for Paladins, with a central focus on the Malfern ship.

This is Chapter 4. You can read the last chapter here, or start the series here.

Mal’damba awakens on his couch the next morning to the sound of his telephone ringing. He groans, throwing off his blanket and standing up with a long stretch. The sun outside had only just started rising, and Mal’damba only knew of one person who would call him this early: his mother, Wekono. He also knew that if he didn’t answer, she would just keep calling, so he moved at his own pace.

When Mal’damba finally makes his way over to the ringing telephone and takes it off the hook, he immediately hears his mother say, “Mal! How is my favorite child doing?”

Mal’damba smirks and wearily rubs his eyelids with his free hand. “I’m alright.”

He hears Wekono laugh from the other line. “Oh, that’s perfect. And how is your friend? What was her name?”

“Ying, mom. She’s just as… Ying as ever.”

“I miss her, but not as much as I miss you.”

Mal’damba feels a sting of guilt in his chest when his mother utters the line. “I miss you, too.” Mal’damba lets an awkward silence hang in the air for a moment before he clears his throat and asks, “Mom, how do you get a guy to notice you?”

A hearty giggle comes from the other line in response. “Oh, Mal, you were always one for romance. I love it. Well, I suppose I must ask, who’s the lucky fellow? What kind of a person is he?”

Mal’damba sighs. “His name is Fernando. He plays football and he’s a really kind-hearted guy. At least to my knowledge, pretty much everyone has a crush on him, so… how do I stand out in the crowd? How do I get him to choose me?”

Wekono thinks for a moment before responding. “I think you should try a little bit of flirting. Show him you care. Do little deeds for him and let him take the hint that you like him. After a while, if he says nothing about it, then you should just tell him outright. Understood?”

Mal’damba nods and sighs again. “Yeah, I got it. Thank you, mom. I love you.”

“Love you, Mal. See you soon, I hope.”

Mal’damba reattaches the phone to its hook. He ponders the conversation for a moment before walking to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee.

He had a long day ahead of him.

. . .

Tiny snowflakes fall around Mal’damba as he walks through the streets of his campus. The temperature outside had grown so cold that Mal’damba could see his breath when he exhaled. Bundled up in his sweatshirt and shoving his hands in its pockets, Mal’damba wanders back to the bleachers where he sat the day before. The only difference on this day was that both the football field and the bleachers were completely empty due to the weather.

Mal’damba blissfully smiles at this and takes a seat at the highest point of the bleachers. Using the sleeve of his sweatshirt, Mal’damba wiped snow from his desired seat and took the seat afterwards. The cold steel of the seat he sat upon sent several shivers through his body.

At the highest point of the bleachers, Mal’damba gets to see the the entirety of the football field in all of its glory. When covered in snow, it seemed to look like the most beautiful and breathtaking part of the entire area. Mal’damba sighs as he begins to imagine him and Fernando kissing in the middle of the football field. Snow would cover the pair and freeze them both near death, but they would keep each other warm with their love for each other.

When Mal’damba snaps back to reality, he pulls his notebook and a pencil out of his backpack. He turns to the page with the drawing of Fernando that had been ruined by the team’s football.

“It’s salvageable,” Mal’damba says aloud, referring to the lengthy line drawn through Fernando’s arm. He erases the line as best as he can, and it becomes near invisible, just enough to ignore. Mal’damba blows the eraser shavings created down into the snow beneath him. His pencil slowly traces down the length of Fernando’s arm, and when he draws Fernando a hand at the end to press against his hip, Mal’damba considers the drawing done and closes his notebook.

A loud, deep voice yelling from afar startles Mal’damba enough to make him jump. “Damba!”

Mal’damba looks to its source and finds Strix standing alone in the street he’d walked just moments ago. Strix wore a large, white-feathered jacket, with the hood up around his head making him look like an owl.

Strix throws his arms up, vaguely resembling a confused shrug. “The hell are you doing out here?”

Mal’damba throws his backpack around his shoulders and begins to walk towards Strix. “Needed someplace quiet to concentrate,” Mal’damba replies.

Strix nods his head. “Yeah, I get that, but it’s so cold out here.” Strix takes off his jacket and puts it around Mal’damba instead. Mal’damba immediately feels a surge of warmth and comfort flow through him.

“You don’t need to do this,” Mal’damba says quietly.

“My pleasure,” Strix smiles at Mal’damba. “Come on, let’s go get you some hot chocolate or something.”

. . .

Steam emanates from the cup of hot chocolate Mal’damba held. He sat across from Strix inside of the school’s cafeteria, still bundling in his friend’s jacket. Mal’damba takes a sip of his drink, and feels himself getting warmer almost immediately.

Strix takes a swig of his coffee in response. Afterwards, Strix clears his throat amidst the awkward silence. “Anything you need to talk about?”

Mal’damba thinks for a second. He figured if there was anyone he’d want to confide in, it would be Strix. “My mom called me this morning.”

“Oh?”

“I asked her for advice on how to talk to Fernando.”

Strix chuckles at this. “You could’ve asked me.”

Mal’damba frowns at Strix’s words. “I know, but… I didn’t. I know what I’m gonna do now.”

Their attention is shifted to the entrance of the cafeteria when the doors get slammed open by a few members of the football team. Their loud voices carry throughout the entirety of the facility. Mal’damba easily recognizes the few that came: Fernando, Khan, Barik, and Viktor.

Mal’damba hides his face in Strix’s jacket when he sees Fernando. Strix laughs at this. “Really? Is that how you flirt?”

Fernando, Khan, and Barik all pass by Mal’damba and Strix without a word, or even a glance, but Viktor decides to take a detour to their table. Viktor clears his throat to grab their attention. Mal’damba looks up at Viktor, but notices that Strix doesn’t.

“Gentlemen,” Viktor greets.

Mal’damba nods at him. “What’s up, Vik?”

“Just thought I’d come by and check out what’s up with you two.” Viktor’s eyes dart between several of the things presented before him: Mal’damba, who wore Strix’s jacket and held a cup of hot chocolate. Strix, who stared blankly into his cup of coffee despite their visitor. Viktor clears his throat again and asks, “Are you two on a date?”

Mal’damba’s eyes widen at the question. “What? N-”

“Yes,” Strix interjects. “In fact, I think we might be at the point of being each other’s boyfriend.”

Viktor nods and gives a short salute before speedily walking away.

Mal’damba grabs Strix by the arm and forces his friend to look at him. “What the hell was that?”

A cheeky smile covers Strix’s face. “You don’t win a man by flirting with him. You make him jealous.”

Mal’damba shakes his head in disbelief. “Wh-”

“Here’s my proposition,” Strix says, shaking his arm from Mal’damba’s grasp. “You help me with Viktor, then I help you with Fernando. We both walk away from this with profit.”

Mal’damba bites his lower lip while he considers Strix’s deal. After a moment, he says, “Fine. I trust you, Strix.”

Strix smiles at this. “Good man,” he says, standing up from his seat. “Well, I’ve gotta get to my first class. If I miss it again they’ll probably kick me out.”

Strix walks away before waiting for a response from Mal’damba. Mal’damba covers his face with his hands and groans into them. When he drops his hands back to the table, he looks up at a nearby clock. Seeing the time makes him groan again. Mal’damba gathers his bag, his hot chocolate, and both Strix’s jacket and the coffee he left and carries it all in pursuit of his first class.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Tattoo Drabble (Malfern)

Just a short drabble I decided to throw together using an old prompt. Enjoy!

Mal’damba scanned the room between the kisses he had with his lover, Fernando. The pitch black of the room was slightly offset by the lit candle placed on a nearby dresser. The bedsheets were scrambled and tossed around from the amount of time they’d spent on it throughout the night.

Mal’damba sits cross-legged before Fernando on their bed. Mal’damba noticed Fernando occasionally shivering from the cold of the harsh winter storm outside.

“Are you sure you don’t want this back?” Mal’damba asks, tugging on the sweater he wore. It was Fernando’s, so it was too large and covered almost all of Mal’damba’s body.

“Ah, mi amor, do not worry about it. I will withstand the cold for you.” Fernando says, a smile forming from his lips. Since his sweater was the only torso piece Fernando wore, he sat bare chested in front of Mal’damba.

Fernando’s rough palm cups Mal’damba’s cheek and forces eye contact, which Mal’damba likes only slightly more than staring at his lover’s chest.

“I love you, Mal.”

“I love you, too.” Mal’damba parts his lips as he waits for Fernando’s kiss.

“Have I ever showed you my tattoo?”

Mal’damba is taken aback when he hears the question. He blinks a couple of times to refocus. “You have a tattoo?”

Fernando grins at Mal’damba. He turns around and arches his back. Mal’damba sees the tattoo in the center of Fernando’s back; a large, metal shield with a snake curling around the top of it. Around the bottom of the shield, a flamethrower with a couple of sparks coming from its nozzle.

Mal’damba lightly presses a finger to the tattoo and watches Fernando wince at the touch.

“When did you get this?”

“Earlier today.” Fernando turns his head to get a look at Mal’damba. “It’s a symbol of my love for you.”

Mal’damba feels his cheeks heat up when he hears the words. His hands tilt Fernando back to give him a quick kiss, lasting but a moment before he parts from his lover.

Fernando sucks in a breath and exhales it loudly. “Do you… have one?”

Mal’damba smirks at his question. “A tattoo? Yes.”

Fernando turns his body back around to face Mal’damba, a dumb grin plastered on his face. “Where is it?”

Mal’damba tugs at the neck of his sweater, revealing his upper arm to Fernando. The tattoo he wore was of a small snake curled into the shape of a heart. In the middle of the heart shape was a blade with the name Wekono written on the blade.

“It’s beautiful,” Fernando whispers. His thumb rubs against the tattoo, not hearing any objection from Mal’damba.

“I’ve had it for a while,” Mal’damba admits. “I got it as a tribute to Wekono, but,” Mal’damba pushes forward and places his lips just inches away from Fernando’s, “I suppose it can be one for us as well.”

Fernando’s lips avoid Mal’damba’s and instead place a kiss on his tattoo. Mal’damba chuckles at this, watching Fernando kiss his tattoo several more times, each very short and in a different place.

Mal’damba tilts Fernando’s head back up and initiates a kiss, a loving one from his heart. He hugs Fernando close and falls backwards onto the bed with him. The two stay with each other for the rest of the night, keeping each other warm through the night.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Call of the Mermaid (Malfern AU)

My attempt at writing a Mermaid AU for Mal’damba and Fernando! I hope you enjoy.

Soft feet crunch against sand, carrying Mal’damba to the tide of water. Mal’damba crouches into the sand, shutting his eyes as water slowly gathers around his legs.

Everything is quiet. The sound of rushing water gathering around Mal’damba and his quiet contemplation fill the atmosphere, leading to a peaceful getaway for Mal’damba from his personal life.

Though, when a voice comes from the ocean, Mal’damba can’t help but open his eyes to look for the source. He stands up and scopes the water until he sees the source.

On a rock, somewhat far from his location, is a merman singing an enchanting tune. His upper half seems to be a man of beauty, a muscled torso with each ab telling a story of its own. His lower half is a simple tail, beautiful blue pattern flowing gracefully into the water.

“Excuse me!” Mal’damba calls out to the merman. The singing stops as the merman looks directly at Mal’damba. A faint “ah” sound can be heard from the merman as he splashes into the water, tail flapping above the water while the merman approaches Mal’damba by the ocean shore.

When the merman pokes his head above the water,

now close to Mal’damba, Mal’damba is quick to speak.

“Your singing is… beautiful,” Mal’damba whispers, a small blush forming on his cheeks, “What is your name?”

The merman laughs, returning a smile to the shorebound boy. “The name is Fernando. Charmed.”

Mal’damba lived in a home quite close to the shore. His mother wouldn’t allow him into the water, but Mal’damba decides to take a risk and go in anyways. Lifting his pantlegs slightly, he takes a dip into the water, his lower half submerged as the rest of him stays above to talk to Fernando.

“What are you?” Mal’damba asks.

“I’m a merman, which you seem to be attracted to,” Fernando says with a wink.

The blush on Mal’s face only seems to grow.

“Of course, who wouldn’t be?” Fernando adds, flexing his muscles to Mal’damba.

Mal’damba shares a giggle with Fernando’s booming laugh, and the two lock eyes for a moment.

“Mal, honey! Where are you?” comes a voice from the hill overlooking the ocean shore.

In a panic, Mal’damba grabs onto Fernando’s hands. “When can I see you again?”

“When fate allows it,” Fernando says compassionately.

Before Fernando swims back into the water, he leans up to Mal’damba for a kiss. Mal’s heart races as he leans in for the kiss, only to be interrupted by Fernando’s finger.

“Until next time~” Fernando coos, speedily swimming away back to the rock he once sat upon.

“Mal!” calls the voice again.

Mal’damba feels empty when he opens his eyes to realize Fernando had left. Though, the merman’s reassuring words left him with a shimmer of hope.

“Coming, mama!” Mal’damba yells out as he turns around and leaves the shore.

Before he leaves the shore, he hears Fernando begin his enchanting tune again.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Realm High - Chapter 3

Realm High is a High School AU fanfic series for Paladins, with a central focus on the Malfern ship.

This is Chapter 3. You can read the last chapter here, or start the series here.

Mal’damba lays limp in his bathtub.

After catching a glimpse of Fernando, he’d become a flustered mess, unable to function properly. 

Inaudible chatter comes from Mal’damba’s living room.

Mal’damba didn’t find it fair to hide from Skye and Ying, but he felt like he had to, so as to not embarrass himself in front of Fernando.

A knock comes from outside of the bathroom. Mal’damba bites his lower lip as he awaits the outsider to speak.

“Mal, you have company! Don’t be rude!” Ying says with her usual cheerful voice. “You promised,” she hisses in a lower voice. Afterwards, her loud heels click away from the door as she goes to continue conversation with Mal’damba’s guests.

Mal’damba freezes up for a moment, then forces himself to move. He flops out of the bathtub and crawls over to the locked bathroom door. Standing up and refurbishing himself, he unlocks the door and steps out.

Squeezing in the chair, Ying and Skye sit together. Being as small as they are, they make it work.

On the couch, Fernando sits alone with Coira who somehow got out of her box wrapped around his neck like a scarf.

“Blink twice if she starts choking you,” Ying instructs. The line gets a short chuckle of approval from Fernando.

“She won’t choke you,” Mal’damba states as he approaches the couch.

Fernando looks over at Mal’damba with a cheeky grin. “Saved a seat for you, friend!” Fernando pats the empty seat next to him.

Ying mouths “Do it”. Mal’damba obeys and takes a seat next to Fernando. He stares at the floor, his cheeks heating up from the man next to him. In the corner of his vision, Mal’damba sees Coira slither off of Fernando and onto him.

“What’s her name?” Fernando asks, referring to Coira.

“Coira,” Mal’damba says. Coira makes a pleased hiss sound and wraps herself around Mal’s bicep.

“I like that name,” says Skye, also giving a nod of approval. “Where’d you get her?”

Mal’damba smiles as he begins to recall Coira’s past. “My mother gave her to me when I was little. Coira was just a baby snake at the time.”

Fernando and Skye laugh at this. “You’ve both come so far,” Fernando says, “luckily, Coira got a good caretaker in you.”

Mal’damba feels his cheeks grow hotter and tries to cover his face with his sweatshirt. When he does, he hears Ying loudly clears her throat and yell “SO, MAL, GOT A CRUSH ON ANYONE?”

Mal’damba quickly drops the strings of his sweatshirt. “YING!”

Skye hollers in laughter. “ANSWER THE QUESTION!” She chimes in.

“SILENCE!” Fernando orders as he bolts to his feet. Silence is forced for a couple of seconds before Fernando clears his throat and continues. "He doesn’t need to answer if he doesn’t want to.” Fernando reaches down and ruffles Mal’s hair, making Mal’s cheeks flush red.

“Thanks,” Mal’damba says weakly.

“Maybe it’s you, Fernando?” Skye pitches in.

“Probably,” Ying says.

Fernando chuckles. “Ah, who doesn’t like me?”

Skye and Ying look at each other before bursting into loud laughter at Fernando’s statement. Fernando frowns, but laughs nonetheless.

“Well, I suppose it’s about time we got going.” Skye says. She jumps out of her chair and grabs Fernando by the hand. “C’mon.”

Skye drags Fernando out of the room. At the door, they both wave on their way out.

Mal’damba immediately looks over to Ying. “You know I hate you, right?”

Ying smiles. “#1 Matchmaker!”

“Ying, you didn’t matchmake anyone! All you did was make things worse!”

“Since you obviously can’t square up and tell Fernando you like him, I decided to plant that seed.” Ying clears her throat. "Maybe you could ask Strix out instead. He’d be all over you if he weren’t such an introvert.”

Mal’damba rolls his eyes. “Why don’t you go ask him for me?” He states sarcastically.

“Good idea!”

And just like that, Ying snatches her things and runs out of the room, leaving Mal’damba alone with Coira.

Mal’damba sighs as he pets Coira.

“What’re we gonna do?” Mal’damba asks the cobra.

Mal’damba takes a peek out of the window and watches as the sun begins to set.

With another sigh, he puts Coira back into her box and performs his nightly routine before laying flat on the couch and quickly falling asleep.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

The Cactus (A Malfern Drabble)

A short drabble I wrote for @yaboisnekboi in the Malfern discord

“On 3.”

Mal’damba squeezes Fernando’s hand tightly. Fernando winces and cries in pain.

“1…”

The two were sightseeing in the desert, and Fernando being Fernando, somehow tripped and got a back-full of cactus spines. He was currently in the process of laying on the cactus he’d tripped on.

“2…”

Fernando’s bare toes dig into the sand as he prepares to be lifted up.

“3!”

Mal’damba uses his full force to pull Fernando off of the cactus. A cry of agony wails out of Fernando as he gets completely free from the cactus.

Mal’damba points to the ground in front of the cactus. “Sit.”

Fernando obeys and plops onto the ground. His teeth grit together, and sharp exhales emanate from in-between them.

Mal’damba makes his way behind Fernando. He hisses in surprise when he sees the aftermath. “Oh, dear Wekono,” Mal’damba whispers.

Fernando tilts his head backwards to look at Mal’damba. “I-Is it that bad?”

Mal’damba decides not to answer, instead squatting down and pulling a cactus spine. Fernando cries out as Mal’damba pulls out an additional two spines.

“Quiet,” Mal’damba demands. “A doctor needs focus.”

“I am in pain!” Fernando cries.

“You’re going to be in pain for much longer if you don’t let me take these out.”

“Ugh.”

Mal’damba leans forward and places a soft kiss against Fernando’s cheek. “You’re doing good. Now, let me finish.”

Fernando quickly becomes a flustered mess, completely forgetting the pain of the spines.

After a short while, Mal’damba says, “Done. Just let me rub some healing on your wounds.”

Fernando feels Mal’s fingers run across his back for a moment. He arches his back with the cold touch of Mal’damba’s fingers.

Mal’damba, when finished, walks in front of Fernando and extends a hand to help his friend up.

Fernando grabs onto Mal’s hand, then thrusts his arm down to make Mal’damba fall onto him.

The two laugh for a moment before Fernando initiates a kiss. Mal’s eyes widen, but quickly close. The two don’t move for a while, instead just sharing loving, passionate kisses with each other.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Realm High - Chapter 2

Realm High is a High School AU fanfic series for Paladins, with a central focus on the Malfern ship.

This is Chapter II. You can read the last chapter and start the series here

After a few moments of walking and talking, Mal’damba and Strix finally arrive at the dorms of the campus. Mal’damba sighs to catch his breath.

“Well, thanks for walking me here. I really needed to vent,” Mal’damba says to Strix.

“No problem,” Strix replies, pulling a cigar out of his pocket.

“Uh, you aren’t-”

Strix immediately puts his hand up to pause Mal’damba. “Miss me with that. I don’t respect any authority,” Strix says, then sighs. “You know, we aren’t much different, you and I. Both getting too head-over-heels for guys that probably won’t give us the time of day, heh.”

Strix lifts up his cigar to take a puff, but grumbles and lowers it again.

“He got me hooked on these,” Strix whispers as he flicks the cigar to the ground.

An awkward silence lingers in the air for a moment.

“Do you, uh... want to come inside?” Mal’damba asks.

Strix silently nods in response. Mal’damba approaches the entrance to the dorm and lets the two in.

The dormitory is a huge building with several accommodations, like a spot for refreshments and a secluded place for studying or tutoring, all leading up to a hallway where rooms to house the Champions were.

Walking down the hallway, Mal’damba is easily able to pick out which room belongs to which Champion, just from his knowledge of being around the dorms for a while. Most Champions decided to share rooms, but some, like Mal’damba, had chosen to room by themselves instead.

At the end of the hallway, Mal’damba reaches his room and unlocks the door to let the duo inside.

“You chose the room the farthest away from anything?” Strix asks with a cocky smirk.

“Do you expect any different?”

Mal’damba’s room is small, simply holstering a living room with a kitchen attached, as well as a bathroom through the kitchen.

In the living room is a couch with an accompanying chair nearby, a long table in front of the couch, and a television.

The kitchen has typical appliances, such as a fridge, oven, sink, etc.

The bathroom was tiny, having enough room for a toilet, sink, cabinet, and a shower.

Mal’damba walks over to the couch and takes a seat, reaching for a box he left on the table. As he opens the box, he extends his arm into it and watches as his pet cobra wraps itself around his arm.

Strix, approaching the couch with his arms folded, watches the cobra in amazement.

“Ah, Coira,” Mal’damba coos as the cobra trails further and further along his arm. He presses a soft kiss to her forehead and begins petting her.

Strix takes a seat on the couch next to the pair.

Mal’damba stretches his arm out to touch Strix’s shoulder, watching as Coira obediently trails her way onto Strix. Strix laughs playfully with Coira, seeming like everything wrong with the world has suddenly vanished with her presence.

SLAM!

Mal’damba and Strix jump at the sudden noise. Looking up, the door is pushed wide open. In the doorway stands Ying, her foot in the air.

“MAL, HOLY HECK!” She screams as she walks in.

Ying speedwalks into the room, but pauses as soon as she sees Strix.

“Whoa, you got a boy over? Niiice, I should go back and tell Fernando he doesn’t have a chance.”

“Taken, I think,” laughs Strix.

Ying resumes walking over to Mal’damba, and sits on the corner of the table.

“What did you say to him?” asks Mal’damba. From the corner of his eye, he watches Coira slither from Strix’s leg to Ying’s.

“Oh, I just told him he has a very special secret admirer,” Ying says with a flirty tone in her voice. “He said he’ll keep an eye out~”

Mal’damba lets out a deep exhale he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

Ying turns to Strix with a wide smile. “See?! #1 matchmaker!” Ying laughs, pointing both of her pointer fingers up at herself. “Who's your special someone, Strix?”

Strix stands up and walks to the door. Before he leaves, he hangs his head to the floor and says, “There’s nothing you can do.” He exits before waiting for a response.

“Damn,” Ying mumbles with a frown. Ying watches as Coira crawls up her leg with a loud hissss. Ying watches Coira with a somewhat worried look. “Mal, your snake.”

“Coira.” Mal’damba reaches out a finger, letting Coira crawl back onto him. He gives her a kiss, then puts her back into her box and sets her aside.

Ying places her hands on her knees and leans forward.

“Now that Fernando knows he has an admirer, what’re you gonna do about it? I, for one, suggest flirting and seeing if he can put two and two together.”

Mal’damba sighs and shrugs. “Nothing.”

Ying gasps, a mix of offense and surprise packaged inside. “AFTER ALL MY HARD WORK?!” Ying cries.

Mal’damba throws his hands up. “I didn’t ask you to do anything!”

“AFTER ALL MY HARD WORK?!” Ying repeats, louder this time.

Mal’damba rolls his eyes with another sigh. “If I promise I’ll talk to him, will you let it go?”

“Yes,” Ying says. All grief she held just seconds ago is immediately gone.

“Fine. I promise that I’ll talk to Fernando the very next time I see him,” Mal’damba says, putting air quotes around ‘promise’.

Ying stands up from her seat on the table. “My work here is done!” Ying shouts. She quickly sprints to the door and hurries out.

But after about a second, Ying jumps back in the room.

“Hey, Mal, c’mere,” Ying laughs wickedly.

Mal’damba cautiously walks to the door and looks into the hallway.

Down the hallway, he sees two Champions walking towards his room.

For one, Skye.

Secondly, Fernando.

[paladinsficsandpieces]

Realm High - Chapter 1

Realm High is a High School AU fanfic series for Paladins, with a central focus on the Malfern ship.

This is the first chapter! Enjoy!

Mal’damba sits alone on the cold, steel bleachers looking out towards the football field. He tugs the strings on his sweatshirt as he feels a cold breeze sweeping by.

Pencil in hand, Mal’damba traces a picture into his small notebook. He continued to draw a picture of his current crush, Fernando. Mal’damba could feel himself getting flustered by watching the way Fernando moved, the way Fernando threw a football, thinking about the words they exchanged during passing periods, every time Mal’damba heard his loud, booming voice, just him.

Mal’damba could hear chatter around him, but he was good at tuning everyone out to focus on his drawing. The only thing he cared about right now was getting this sketch perfect-

THUD!

Mal’damba jumps a bit at the impact next to him and draws a line through Fernando’s arm. He groans loudly then looks to his right to see a football resting on the bleachers next to him.

“THROW IT BACK!!” yells a champion from the football field. Mal’damba can’t quite make out who said it.

Mal’damba reaches out to grab it, but freezes up and stares blankly at the football. He feels himself begin to sweat at the pressure put upon him.

Loud heels quickly click down the bleachers. A feminine hand picks the ball up and throws it back towards the football players.

Mal’damba hears a couple of slurs come from the field, but watches as the ball thrower takes a seat next to him.

The woman taking a seat was Ying. She wore a light green blouse and a flowing green skirt.

“Heyyyyyy~” Ying says with her carefree, sing-song voice.

“Ying,” Mal’damba nods towards her.

“What’re ya drawing?” Ying leans in closer.

Oh heck. Mal’damba hastily closes the notebook and throws it in his bag.

“Oh, just something for my art class,” Mal’damba laughs.

“Is the assignment to draw your bOY-” Ying starts raising her voice, but Mal’damba quickly cups a hand over her mouth and looks around the bleachers to ensure nobody heard her.

Mal’damba wasn’t exactly out there yet.

“I don’t see why you haven’t just told him already,” Ying frowns. “The worst thing that happens is he says no, which I doubt would happen.”

“That could go so wrong in so many ways that it isn’t even funny,” Mal’damba frowns back.

The pair sit in silence for a moment.

Ying bolts up in sudden excitement.

“I’ll tell him!” Ying exclaims.

“Wha-”

Ying tugs the strings on Mal’s sweatshirt and starts to sprint off the bleachers down the hill to the football field.

Mal’damba undoes his hood soon enough to see Ying hop the fence onto the field and scream something at the men tossing the football around.

Mal’damba quickly zips up his backpack and speedwalks away from the bleachers, heading towards the campus area.

Before the field is out of sight, he looks back and sees Ying dragging Fernando away from the other football players. Her mouth forms words that are out of Mal’damba’s range of hearing.

Mal’damba feels a sting of… something course through his veins.

While looking backwards, Mal’damba bumps into someone and falls face-first onto the concrete of the street. He groans as he props himself back up on his elbows.

Looking backwards, Mal’damba makes eye contact with Strix, who seems to be laughing at the situation.

Strix holds a hand out to help Mal’damba up, which Mal’damba happily accepts.

“Crap, sorry Strix, I wasn’t-” Mal’damba stammers hurriedly.

“Shhh,” Strix shushes Mal’damba, pressing his pointer finger against Mal’damba’s lips. “You’re fine.” 

Strix’s lips purse into a smile when he lowers his finger. Strix’s thumb wipes over a cut on Mal’s cheek. Strix wipes the blood off of his thumb using the hem of his shirt.

Strix looks towards the campus, then back at Mal’damba. “Is that where you’re headed?”

“Yeah.”

“I can walk ya over. Seems like you have a lot on your mind. People usually tell me I’m a good listener.”

Mal’damba ponders a moment, then starts walking with Strix.

“You know that feeling when a day is just going to be bad?”

“Of course,” Strix replies.

Mal’damba looks back in the direction of the football field.

“Me too.”