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Usually Malleus would spend his free evenings at the Ramshackle dorm and admire the Gargoyles and maybe strike up a conversation with the otherworldly exchange student, Yuu. But tonight was special because it was… what did they call it again?
Date night. Tonight was Date night. A part of modern day courtship. Talking to them always gave him new insights. He was knowledgeable and well-versed in a lot of topics, but he had to admit that he lacked in the social aspects of life. The prince was grateful to have such a good friend.
A friend… the thought made him smile. But tonight wasn't about the friend he made. It was about the one who had captured his heart and about spending time with him.
Idia Shroud.
Back then they hadn't started on good terms. All because of a series of misunderstandings on the day of their orientation of this school year. One day, when Malleus had lost his precious Gao Gao Dragon-kun - the chain had broken without him noticing - the little Shroud happened to find it and brought it to his brother to care for it. He had thought his precious gift lost forever after searching for days until he saw Idia holding the virtual pet with a smile and talking and tending to it. Which is how they became friends… and at some point more than that.
A romantic relationship was new to both of them and both learned early on that they would have to communicate a lot to avoid hurting the other like it had happened in the past. However, tonight wasn't such a night. Almost endlessly long legs were gracefully crossed on Idia's bed. Green, dilated eyes were watching wild wisps of red dancing passionately, making the dragon's heart beat in excitement. His usually timid and easily startled boyfriend turned into another person, straightforward and determined, ready to get what he wanted, it made his skin tingle and his inner dragon roar. This feeling so unknown to him, yet welcoming and familiar, it could only be love that he was feeling, couldn't it?
"Let's see if you'll still be laughing and grinning once I'm through with you! I'll have you withering and winding on the ground as I look at you from above!"
This unexpected side of Idia made his blood boil in curious excitement. Where would he take this? Malleus watched long, skilled fingers move and twist, making him bite his lower lip and holding back any sound that could break the mood.
"How do you like this? Can't come up with any answer now, can you?"
The spark in those amber eyes and the smile stretching over his face that most call evil and eerie but to the dragon prince it was beautiful and cute.
"I'll teach you," his flaming red hair burned brighter and Malleus wanted nothing more than to hold it, "and break you!"
Others wouldn't understand why Malleus was drawn to Idia and in moments like these he was glad they didn't because it meant that it was all his. Mine, mine, mine, my beautiful Shroud.
Watching Idia getting lost in the moment and nothing else mattered but pouring his all into it. People could call Malleus crazy and weird for it, but he wouldn't stand for his beloved to be insulted. How could he not love all sides of him?
No one could probably understand why, but watching Idia playing games did that to him.
He couldn't see anything weird about it.
After almost two hours of watching Idia playing his online game the other's hair turned to its usual blue and calmer flames as he took his headset off. "'kay, that was a fun event."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
Only remembering now that his draconic boyfriend had been present and watching him the whole time, he jumped in his seat and quickly turned around towards him, yet avoiding all eye contact.
"A-ah, I-I'm sorry, I-I-I didn't mean to play the whole time during o-our… o-our d-d-date night. B-b-but t-this in-game event was really important as you can get ultra rare and limited armor only now and my online friend Muscle Red was counting on me to show up and help and I couldn't leave him hanging-"
"Shroud."
When Malleus got up to step closer to Idia the other stopped his rambling and shrunk in his seat. There was still a long way to go until that didn't happen anymore, but they did make progress compared to when they started to get acquainted. The shyer male wasn't trying to run or back away anymore like he did in the past.
Long, painted fingers reached for a hand, offering themselves to the other and waiting for the gap to be closed. When Idia did just that Malleus knelt down in front of him, his lips curling into a beautiful smile.
"Why would I be upset with you? It only shows your dedication and loyalty towards your companions. And that is a valuable trait that a friend and partner should have, in my opinion. Besides…"
The smile slowly turned into a smirk, which made the tips of Idia's hair turn pink. Stupid dragon boyfriend, making him feel less like a failure and looking so divine while doing so.
"... I love watching you crush and stomp your enemies to the ground with fervent wrath. My inner dragon is very taken with that side of yours."
By now Idia's head had turned completely pink and he didn't know how to feel. How the Malleus Draconia could be smitten by a nerd like him, he still had no idea how, but here they were.
"… I love you too…"
Idia was shocked by his own words and quickly pulled his hand away to cover his mouth, as if this gesture could undo what he just said. Stupid, stupid, stupid! Malleus didn't even say "I love you", why would he?! He only said he loved watching you, that's not the same as actually loving you!!!
Malleus only smiled at him, his cheeks taking on a rosy hue as well and unaware of Idia's inner conflict. The hair of his beloved spoke the truth to him when the other didn't know how to show it, that is something he has learned by now. As of now the tip of the flames were still pink and burning bright, so it meant he was flustered.
Threading through the pink and flaming strands Malleus brought one to his lips to kiss it. Their warmth spread through his body. Anyone would probably burn themselves on the flames except for members of the Shroud family and those with an immunity to fire. Through his draconic heritage Malleus is the latter and if he was asked then he would openly admit that he was glad about it. His inner dragon wasn't the only one who was possessive.
"Proclaiming your love to me makes my heart sing in joy, my treasure." Green eyes were gleaming at amber ones, making Idia unable to tear his gaze away, even though he could hardly ever look at others. This cool, ultra rare SSR real life prince had his eyes on a nerd like him who just wants to shrink away from the world. Then again it wasn't true, Malleus only seemed cool, in truth he is a nerd too - Idia might not be interested in Gargoyles, but he'd listen to Malleus rambling a storm about them any day if that meant he could see the sparkle in his eyes. And the dragon is an airhead and just as socially inept as him, just differently, an adorable dork and… he really loves him, doesn't he?
"… y-you don't mind…?" It took all the energy Idia had left to say it and to look Malleus in the eye as he did.
"Why would I mind? My kin take the greatest pride in it if the one they love returns their feelings."
That's it. This adorable dork of a dragon would land a one-hit K.O. on him one of these days and not even realize what the hell he did to him. Maybe today would be the day.
"Y-y-y-you actually… l-l-l-lo…! I-I can't say it again, I'm o-overheating, Idia.exe is crashing as we speak!!!"
"I don't think I can follow you." A small frown appeared on his face and he stuck his lip out in a pout. When asked he'd deny it, but it was obvious to everyone. The audacity of this adorkable noob, is all Idia could think whenever Malleus made that face.
"We both just proclaimed our feelings for each other, why would it be difficult to say it again?"
"... b-because… i-it…"
If his hair would stop flaring in pink then it would make Idia feel like less of a pathetic mess. Then again, he is just as much of a noob in romance as Malleus is. Although most of the time the dragon was just so suave in his actions that it was hard to believe that he had no idea what he was doing.
"I-it… makes me feel so… so h-happy that I-I could d-die at the spot." Only now did he uncover his mouth to reveal the smile on his face that he had been hiding.
I must look like the biggest creep, but I can't help it…
"Shroud."
It was all the warning Idia got before he felt a pair of warm hands against his cheeks and Malleus' face suddenly being so close that he could feel his breath against his lips.
"...!"
Nothing happened though.
"... My apologies, I should have asked fi-"
"K-kiss me already!"
There was no need for asking if consent was given, but Malleus always asked first because he wanted to respect Idia's wishes and not betray his hard earned trust. The dragon prince closed the gap between them and kissed the blue lips of his beloved human softly. It's not their first kiss, but each time it's like they are casting magic, no matter how long it lasts. After what felt like an eternity to Idia and the blink of an eye to Malleus, they broke the kiss reluctantly.
"… O‐oh… t-that thing happened again."
Ever since they started dating flowers would appear whenever Malleus became extremely happy. It was impractical at times, but it made him smell as sweet as Idia's favorite candy. Truth to be told, it was kind of cute too, if a bit messy.
"Did it?"
Nodding Idia reached carefully for Malleus' horns to pluck one of the small, blue-petaled flowers from his hair to show it to him.
"This time it's Forget-me-nots. How fitting the occasion." It made the prince chuckle to himself. Not only were the petals the same blue as his beloved, their meaning described his feelings for him just perfectly.
"I-I'm no expert on flowers, b-but I bet you'll tell me." Idia pulled his legs up on his chair to rest his head on his knees, twirling the flower in his hand as he looked at it. He still had a long way to go until he could look at Malleus without stuttering, or anyone for that matter. But he'd get there.
"It holds many meanings. For one it's a promise of remembrance towards the receiver. It also stands for faithfulness and devotion. However its most important meaning is that of true and endless love."
"T-time out, M-malleus!!!" Idia covered his face, regretting having asked in the first place. Great Seven, all that was missing was that the dragon would start to pop roses. Better not jinx it. His reaction only earned himself a chuckle and before he knew he was being nuzzled.
"I'll repeat it, for as long as I walk on this earth to the day we meet again in the Underworld… I love you, Idia Shroud," Malleus whispered close to Idia's ear and purred.
Cheater, he knows I'm weak to The Purr!
It was by chance that Idia had found out Malleus - or according to the Diasomnia student, all dragon fae - could purr when pleased, just like cats. How could someone who brought fear into most like the ultimate end boss he is, just be so… adorable?!
"M-malleuuuuuus…!"
"If you'd allow me, then I would love nothing more than to spend the night and hold you, now that we affirmed our affections to each other. You may pick the activity."
For a moment Idia was sure he would faint when Malleus asked to spend the night with him, the scenario sounding too close to the beginning of a H-scene in an Ero-game. At this stage of their relationship he knew that the meaning was literal and if his draconic boyfriend wanted more he would say so. It's what they agreed on.
"A-actually I-I found a show you might e-enjoy, it's about G-gargoyles protecting a c-city. M-mind t-that it's n-not historically a-accurate, it's f-fiction, b-but we can watch an e-episode and i-if you like it, c-continue watching." He had watched one season in order to see if it actually would be something Malleus would like. He was almost sure that he would enjoy it.
"Shroud…! I had no idea such a thing existed! Let us begin at once!" The dragon fae's ears perked up in delight and he immediately made himself comfortable on his flame-haired boyfriend's bed. Once Idia set up his big screen for watching movies, Malleus held his arms out to Idia with a bright smile, inviting him into his arms.
Made up for playing a raid and postponing their Date Night by a few hours and made his boyfriend happy. Hopefully. They'd have to see how he'd like the show.
For now they would take one step after another. Wrapping their arms around each other as they binge watched a cartoon.
Maybe this time Idia would see more sides of his dragon that were just for him.