Too Little, Too late
summary ; (inspired by Laufey's song "Too little, Too late" !! <3)
You and Leona never had anything, not even a mere kiss was shared between the two of you.
Yet what the latter felt for you was everything but platonic.
When he gets the letter inviting him to the Heir of Briar Valley's wedding, he feels his heart burst from emotions he had thought to be buried for good.
author's note ; HIIIII hope yall enjoy this fic, and please do tell me if there are any mistakes!! The ending may be kinda rushed...maybe I'll rewrite it one day, if I'm bored....(lie)\ ENJOYYYYYYY
this is also posted on AO3!! @//sstarrrysky
much love xx
word count ; 3,425
tags ; unrequited love/crush ,, angst ,, references to depression ,, future timeline ,, Malleus Draconia/Reader ,, Leona's POV ,, reader is Yuu
The invitation was the first crack. A coffee brown envelope with the Briar Valley seal made of deep purple wax. On the back of the letter was Leona’s name in a gorgeous cursive. Leona knew this was coming, but still, holding the invite in his hands, he wished he could’ve simply turned it into sand instead of opening it, and go on with his day, hopefully get some sleep away from the Palace and be back in time for dinner.
But no, he couldn’t decline a royal invitation. He wasn’t king, but that would’ve ruined his family’s image nonetheless. Leona had never hated his status more.
He hid the letter for a while, scrunched up in his pocket, but at some point he had to open it. He knew what was written inside of it, but it hurt even more when he realized that it was your calligraphy. You had hand-written him his invitation to your wedding ceremony with the heir of Briar Valley.
Of course you picked that stupid lizard over him. After all, with Malleus you would’ve had a fruitful future as a queen; but with Leona? He wasn’t even sure if he would’ve known how to show you just how cherished you would’ve been. Plus, which girl wouldn’t dream of marrying Malleus Draconia?
The second prince stared at the letter till it got terribly dark outside. Your elegant cursive, the way you looped your o’s and a’s with such class. You were worthy of more than a simple crown or title.
“Leona?” came Falena’s voice from outside of his room. “We have been invited to the Heir of Briar Valley’s wedding. I’m assuming you also got your invite?” asked the king again, before opening the door to be face to face with his brother.
“Yeah, so? I’m not going, anyway.” scoffed Leona, his tail stilling behind his back. Obviously, the whole royal family had been invited.
“Yes, we are. Our relation with Briar Valley has been rocky for years now, and we need to re-weld it in case of any possible necessity.” Falena simply said, shaking his head at his brother’s unwillingness to cooperate. Seeing Leona’s unchanging face, Falena sighed. “Do it for Cheka, please? Our kingdom is in his hands and–”
“Whatever…” scoffed the younger prince, sitting up on his bed. Seeing his brother’s pleading face, he inhaled and exhaled sharply. “Okay- fine…” “Wonderful. We’ll get our clothes tailored in a few days…don’t forget, okay? I’ll send someone to remind you the day before…” Falena smiled victorious, closing the door behind him and leaving Leona to himself once more.
The lone lion stared at where his brother once was. Of course, he had already asked for tailors to come without even making sure Leona accepted the invite or not. Typical. Not like he could decline, anyway.
Just like Falena said, Leona had indeed been reminded of the fitting for the clothes for your wedding. As if it hadn’t been the thing to cloud his mind for the past few days.
Good grief. He had also been reminded how much he hated fittings. Leona hated being touched, measured and adjusted around; it put him in the spotlight too much, and as much as he had always dreamed of being king, he was frankly thankful–he wouldn’t have handled all the different fittings for the most basic things. Even as prince, he had to do fittings every once in a while, for similar events; but not as usual as a king.
But there was once a time in which…let’s not dwell on that. There was once a time, but there weren’t going to be anymore.
The tailor took a few measures around his arms and legs to make sure the clothes weren’t going to rip, but his mind was elsewhere.
During the past few days, he had tried getting his mind off of this whole wedding thing, going outside in the royal garden, climbing on a tree and laying on the bigger branch. He had even made the mistake of going outside in town. Safe to say, everyone was talking about that stupid wedding.
‘Can you believe it?’ ‘A fairy and a human!’ ‘Are we sure no love potion is in this?’ Leona felt his blood boil at every word. He wanted to defend you, tell them to keep their mouths shut. They didn’t even know you, how could they be so cruel?
But who was Leona to defend you? The two of you had never even shared a kiss, why would he make a fool, a jester, out of himself to defend the woman who he loved so dearly when she wasn’t even going to marry him? So he kept his mouth shut.
He had heard your name on everyone’s lips that day; he was so tempted to simply give a no-show to your wedding, but it would’ve killed him even more to never see you wearing that white gown, so he discarded the idea.
He cursed himself the whole way back to the Palace. Not like it mattered, anyway.
Anything he would’ve done now would’ve been too little, way too late.
Arriving at Briar Valley felt like a fever dream.
Leona’s suit was beautifully tailored to the dot, the warm gray blazer sitting gloriously on his shoulders, the lapel on his chest opening to the white shirt he wore underneath. His necktie was a deep violet, matching the embroidered blue violets on his torso’s lower back and around his sleeves’ cuffs, with some silver linings around their edges. His trousers matched in colour and texture his jacket, with darker stripes going down, alongside a pair of rather comfy Oxford shoes in the same deep purple as his necktie. He also had a small blue violet in the pocket on his chest.
He didn’t mind the clothes, but the necktie made him feel like he was choking, or drowning.. Or perhaps, it was this whole thing.
You and Malleus were greeting guests at the main entrance of the ball room.
As the Sunset Savanna royal family finally entered they were all immediately greeted by your gentle smile. “Your Majesty! Leona! It’s a pleasure to see you have all come!” You welcomed warmly, giving each family member a small hug. “Please do enjoy the night! As your family is quite numerous by itself, we have placed you all together at one table, over there!” You indicated somewhere on the other side of the venue.
“Your Majesty” bowed slightly Malleus, also having a gentle smile etching his usually intimidating features, “do forgive my spouse, she’s quite excited this night…we have different elemental fairies guiding guests to their seats, if you ask they’ll immediately come to help” explained Malleus.
But Leona didn’t hear a word of what he just said. No, his eyes were stuck on you and the way you stood by Malleus’ side, your arm intertwined with his in such an intimate manner. But mainly, you looked outrightly radiant.
You looked incredibly gorgeous, the light around the room seemed to quietly follow your every step. It looked like your very own golden hour.
“Ah! Don’t worry, Prince Malleus, Princess’ (Name) excitement is quite contagious I must say” chuckled Falena, also holding his wife by his side, with the now 10 year old Cheka standing by his other side. “Thank you” he smiled softly towards you both, before walking off towards some attending fairies.
“Kingscholar” formally greeted Malleus, that usual teasing smirk on his face the same as it was in their college days.
“I must say, for a scaled guy you are, you organised this place well, lizard.’’ smirked Leona back, trying to suffocate the sound of his heartbeat inside his throat. He was trying to give you no mind, instead focusing on Malleus.
“DO NOT REFER TO WAKA-SAMA THAT WAY, KINGSCHOLAR!” rang a rather noisy voice, which Leona could hardly forget. “Sebek, please!” you cried out, your face scrunching up at the unwanted looks the guests had given you four.
“I’- I’m sorry, lady (Name)! But this brute-” “Fufu~ I thought I told you to leave the welcomings to Malleus and (Name) alone, Sebek! Sorry to interrupt– ohohoh? I didn’t expect you to come around, Leona” appeared suddenly Lilia, taking a firm hold of Sebek. “Do enjoy the ceremony! I’m not sure you’ll be able to sleep much with loud music though!” teased further the bat fae, before dragging Sebek away.
“This is already starting to feel like a headache…” Leona whispered to himself.
“Don’t mind them, Leona. I’m really glad you came!” You smiled once more; that genuine smile that twisted his stomach in knots every time.
“Yeah yeah…of course…” he sighed, before heading off towards the rest of his family.
The floor shone under the glowy chandelier: the marble pavement glistened in a warm light, its chess-board like design highlighted in orange and yellow hues. The whole place basked in warm-toned light, the creamy decorations reflecting it.
Leona’s feet dragged him towards the table his family had been sitting at, his fairy attendant ahead of him.
Crossing the currently empty ball floor, his eyes darted towards you two once more, before quickly being distracted by the soft humming echo of the orchestra placed just by the side line. Malleus had prepared everything for you on point; the opera director, and probably the singer, were nowhere to be seen, but the instruments were already playing by themselves, powered by some hardworking fairies.
Leona couldn’t help the somewhat fascinated, yet melancholic smile that plastered his lips.
“Who would’ve thought that the lion had it in him to smile?” chirped a voice from behind him. Leona still remembered that condescending tone, and he wasn’t sure he was ever going to forget it given how much Vil Schoenheit had pestered him during their college years. Just like everyone else he had already met that night, Vil was also an ex-classmate from NRC. Was your wedding some sort of school reunion?
Vil still looked as sparkly as ever, as if shining by his own light. “Ha-ha, very funny, Vil” scoffed Leona drily, the smile disappearing from his face.
“I’m surprised you haven’t ripped open that necktie…I don’t even recall ever seeing you wear it in school. But I must say…your royal tailors did well…” examined the blonde man, his finger trailing curiously on the cloth on Leona’s arm, pinching the fabric on his bicep.
“The same could be said for you- I’m sure (Name) must feel honored you oh so kindly included her wedding in your schedule…” teased the beastman, a lazy smirk quaking up on his lips, his left eyebrow cocking upwards as his tone dripped with sarcasm. “I heard that the fae world loved your new film…don’t you have some autographs to sign instead of annoying me?” his tone quickly switched to irked once more. This whole ‘meet cute’ was making him even more irritable.
Vil lightly smacked Leona’s shoulder, gracefully so. “Oh, you truly think so low of me, Kingscholar?” hissed the blond “This is the Heir of Briar Valley’s wedding! I will personally decline any autograph request, obviously…plus, the spotlight hasn’t moved an inch from them…” Vil trailed off, his previously tense features relaxing, as he melted into a soft smile. His gaze had landed on you and Malleus, still greeting everyone with that kindness of yours that made the whole venue feel warmer.
Leona followed Vil’s eyes, now also glancing at you two, but mainly looking at you with regard. How could you still look so radiant? How hadn’t you lost your smile? You were a poor unfortunate soul who, a few years aback, happened to fall by mistake in their realm. Yet…you had always glowed in such a heartwarming aura, your gentle nature pouring out of your every pore.
Leona gulped guiltily. If only he had tried harder…maybe, just maybe, he would’ve been the one standing by your side now. ̶H̶̶e̶ ̶w̶̶a̶̶s̶ ̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶ ̶o̶̶n̶̶e̶ ̶w̶̶h̶̶o̶̶m̶ ̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶ ̶w̶̶e̶̶r̶̶e̶ ̶s̶̶u̶̶p̶̶p̶̶o̶̶s̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶t̶̶o̶ ̶b̶̶e̶ ̶e̶̶n̶̶g̶̶a̶̶g̶̶e̶̶d̶ ̶t̶̶o̶.
He hadn’t even heard Vil saluting him and parting ways with him, directed at his table, which was somewhere nearby the orchestra.
He snapped out of his trance when the previously low hums of the orchestra began being more accentuated. The first ball was about to begin.
In fae tradition, as he had read in some book, the wedding would ‘officially’ start just after the first dance of the groom and bride. He quickly looked around, before noticing the familiar faces of his family, and rushing at their table. He had also read that it would be considered extremely disrespectful to both newly weds if not every guest sat during said tradition. Leona felt bitter, but that didn’t mean he was going to act uncivilly towards set traditions.
As the song slowly began growing in volume, he couldn’t help but feel his body stiffen at the way the two of you swayed on the dance floor. Not caring about the whispers of ‘a human and a fae’. Not caring about anything, because if your love was doomed as ‘impossible’ because of your differences, the two of you had still found a way to make it work nonetheless. Because if there’s love, there’s will.
Perhaps, that was what Leona had lacked. He let other’s words get to him, portraying himself as the ‘lazy second born’ instead of actually trying to be there for you more. Leona had lacked the will to actually be more present, and persistent in your life.
As Malleus spinned you around, and your beaming smile blessed every guest, the two of you entered your own bubble, your own tiny dimension. As the final notes echoed through the venue, loud cheers were heard from every corner of the place. Cheering you both, shouting blessings.
After everything slowly quieted down, the two of you sat at your very own table, in the middle of the locale, on the opposite side of where the orchestra had been placed, with the ball room separating the two. The meals were shortly floating around the place, fluttering towards each table.
The orchestra began humming low tunes again, as everyone ate satisfiedly. But Leona’s stiffness was yet to be quelled. The food felt icky in his mouth, and his throat was gulping it down harshly, as if struggling against it.
As the courses were finished, guests began flooding towards the ball floor as music reached a higher volume once more, tunes of jazz flowing through the air like a fresh summer breeze, dragging their partners for a dance.
Leona took this as his cue to get some fresh air. He had no partner to grab him and swoop towards the dance floor.
As the colder air hit his nostrils outside, he noticed he wasn’t the only one who decided to take a break from the whole thing. There were people scattered everywhere around the gardens, some in company, some enjoying some champagne as they admired the different gargoyle sculptures placed between ornamental bushes of flowers.
As a waiter passed him, Leona grabbed a glass of rosé, tempted to gulp it down to soothe his sore throat, but pushing against it as he noticed a pair of familiar dirty blond ears.
“That place is so fucking loud…” complained the beastman as he approached said known figure.
“Leona-san!” jumped Ruggie, almost splashing the contents of his own glass on himself, his ears flattening at the sudden scare. The smell of alcohol had been so strong, not even Ruggie’s nose had picked up Leona’s scent.
Nor sound, considering the still very loud music booming from the inside.
“Don’t go scaring people like that!” complained the hyena, pouting at the remains of his glass, the previously bubbling champagne now half-spilled on the grass underneath them.
“Scardy cat” teased Leona, his signature smirk playing on his lips. “Scardy cat my ass…” groaned Ruggie, sipping down in one shot the champagne. “And yeah…the venue is loud as heck. But I mean, it’s a wedding, isn’t it? At least it’s not ‘noise music’, thankfully.” smirked the man. “I knew I could trust (Name)’s music taste~”
“Say, did she invite the whole school? Cause I feel like I’ve been bumping into every other classmate we used to have at NRC.” groaned in annoyance Leona, also taking a sip of his wine.
“Dunno…but I have also met Kalim and Jamil, they were both seated at my table. Oh! And Azul and the Leech twins were sitting nearby us aswell’” shrugged Ruggie.
Leona scoffed, eyeing their surroundings. Even the garden has been decorated gorgeously in creamy white ribbons hanging from almost every tree or bush, glowing in the same way you were. Fae magic, probably.
“How come you weren’t at the introduction ceremony? I saw your brother and his wife but not you.” asked the hyena suddenly. Fuck, right.
“Eh, I couldn’t be bothered.” shrugged Leona. That was a lie. A very big one, at that. He had come to the ceremony, but he couldn’t have brought himself to actually see you both say your vows, nor finally wear the rings that would showcase your blossoming love. He had stood outside, his ears still picking up on every word that had fallen from your lips, a cascade of sweet promises of love, and the way Malleus had replied to each and every one of them, promising the same if not more in return.
“Shishishishi~! You haven’t changed a bit.” chuckled Ruggie, before heading inside once more, not even checking if Leona would’ve followed.
The latter stood by idly, unsure of what to do or think. Has he really not changed? Sure, he may be older physically now, but he still felt very much the same as his college years. His mind began to wander aimlessly.
Everything had changed so much, in such a short lapse of time. Ruggie had quit following him around, Vil had become a top-class model and actor, and you had gotten married. Not to mention his other classmates, which had also more than likely begun a life of their own, creating families, businesses, corporations. But Leona felt so behind, like he couldn’t catch up. No matter how much stronger, or smarter he may have been, he was sure the outcome would’ve been still the same. He would’ve still ended up alone.
He felt so stupid for not cherishing his college years. He felt so stupid knowing how much time he had wasted sleeping instead of doing anything to bring him joy. But mostly, he felt sorrowful at the reminder of how his depression had eaten his best years away from him, eradicated from his hands simply because he refused to let anyone help him.
Leona knew he wasn’t weak for needing help, but there was this thing, gnawing at him from the inside…called pride. He was far too prideful to cave in and talk about his emotions.
But somehow, with your presence, during college years, you had managed to tone down his internal turmoil by just…being there. You two wouldn’t talk a lot, but it wasn’t unusual for you to go hang out in the botanical garden, mainly because of your interest in their other-worldly flowers, and end up getting used as a pillow by both Leona and Grim.
You never complained. Quite the contrary. You enjoyed basking in the sun: it was soothing, also considering your own inner spiral. After all, you did come from another fricking world. Leona could read the sadness on your face most of the time.
He didn’t pity you, but he did feel somewhat responsible for at least a bit of that sadness you must’ve felt. Getting thrown into another realm was a thing, but having to face dangerous situations most of the time, such as Overblots, without magic must’ve been hell on earth.
But after he finished college, he didn’t really keep in contact either. But he had seen the way your face brightened up whenever around Malleus, so he became prosecutor, judge and jury of the situation, and signed his own verdict by giving up completely.
Look where that brought him.
And now, he was crumbling into a self-pitying party he hadn’t even decided to host. As his eyes danced on the big shiny windows of the venue, warm lights dripping outside of it, he felt robbed. Robbed of his happiness, robbed of his not-his-to-begin-with lover, and robbed of any possibility. And he had no one but himself to blame for this.
more notes ; I liked to imagine Once Upon a Dream being played at the first newly weds dance ok....think of it as you may.... HOPE YOU ENJOYEDDDD!!!!! mwamwamwa love yourself and be safe!!
