splitmemory | can you keep a secret

Lilia truly means to use him as a seat? This seems... entirely improper, at his age! Malleus' face is uncharacteristically warm. In fact, all of this is warm, including Lilia, who sits on Malleus' lap like there is nothing at all unusual about this.

He is being teased, too. This is not at all what Malleus had signed up for when he'd come to urge Lilia to go to bed; now here he is, in this computer chair, with Lilia's back against his chest. Malleus sits very, very still, careful not to shift too much. Why? Because- Because that would be rude, obviously. Wait- Is this not rude of Lilia in the first place?!

...He smells rather nice. Familiar, nostalgic. No, Malleus is not sniffing the man who raised him; he simply has a rather sharp sense of smell.

"I do not think you'll find a game I am likely to enjoy." His voice is deadpan, distracted as he is by how soft Lilia's hair looks.

As improper as it may be to use his ward, his Prince as a seat, Lilia doesn't seem to care. No one was around to question it, to wonder what they were doing, to make them act proper. This was comfortable. That was all that mattered.

While Malleus attempted not to shift around at all, trying to keep very still, Lilia was the exact opposite. He squirms and shifts, seeming to do his best to get as comfortable as possible atop Malleus as he could. Glancing up to his face briefly, Lilia flashes a grin up at him.

"You think so? We will just have to see about that!"

On the screen, Lilia pulls up a chat that he seemed to have going with his friend 'Gloomurai'. The most recent messages are Lilia (Muscle Red) detailing that he may have to log off early for the night. Quickly typing another message, he hits send, not seeming to mind that Malleus would fully be able to see.

Muscle Red: Gloomurai, I am going to log off for the night after all. Something important came up. Have a good one, my friend.

The application is closed out completely, alongside the games that Lilia already had up. He pulls up a web browser, humming quietly to himself as he pulls up a specific website.

"This one is called 'Netpet'. You can feed them, pet them, play minigames to earn money and buy them fancy items, and more. It's similar to that toy I gave you, except you must log in everyday to check on them instead of carrying it with you. You can also raise multiple and blend their genetics," Lilia logs in, pulling up his collection of pets and showing them off. "This is not my preferred type of game at all. Some of the minigames are enjoyable, I play them on occasion on my phone."

Edited 2024-05-02 23:33 (UTC)

Malleus does wish Lilia would stop squirming. It's rather unbecoming, and also. Well. He'll allow himself to be distracted by the chat on screen. Malleus at least knows enough that this is like these 'messaging apps' on his phone, though he does not know this 'Gloomurai', nor does Malleus believe they are trustworthy. How would they be, if they are some stranger on the other side of the... screen? However these things work.

Hmph. At least Lilia has made it clear he has other things to attend to right now. Malleus will put it out of his mind for the time being, partially because he is actually a little interested in what Lilia is saying, and the bright colors on the screen.

If it's like the little creature Lilia had given him before, then it might be a worthwhile endeavor. On the other hand, his is so much easier to carry around and care for than this computer-thing.

Oh-

"You can play them on your phone?" Malleus thinks he would prefer that, for it to be in his pocket. Finally, something that small rectangle is useful for.

Unlikely that Lilia would ever stop squirming unless he got fully immersed in a game that he ends up showing Malleus, which... he really wouldn't, if they stayed on this game the whole time. Could he even consider Netpets a real game? It was nothing more than a few cutesy arts and little games. Ah, but if this was what he needed to introduce Malleus to for him to understand some of his world, then he'd treat it like any of the games he adored.

"Yes!" Lilia nods, shifting again to reach out and grab his phone from nearby, pulling up the web browser. He holds his phone at an angle so Malleus can watch him as he does, navigating to the web page.

"You simply go to the site here, see, and then I'll log in once more..." He mimics what he'd done on the large computer screen, and soon, he has the same gallery up on his phone as on the screen! "See? It makes it easy to play around with them even when you don't wish to use something like my computer."

Setting his phone back down onto the desk, Lilia focuses back on his screen. "I can help you set it up as an icon on your phone, if you wish."

There's a pause, before he looks up at Malleus again, beaming, "If you end up playing, we can become friends on it. I can send you materials, gifts, and we can have our pets play together. I haven't added anyone on it yet. It would be a great honor to have you as my first ever Netpet friend."

"You really ought to... try to sit still." Malleus' voice is slightly tighter than usual. He is less demanding with Lilia than he might be with other students, but while his personality is rather intimidating and off-putting, it's simply because that is how he's been expected to behave his whole life. Who in Briar Valley would talk back to Malleus? But Lilia, on the other hand. Their relationship is much closer than most. Which is why this feels so utterly inappropriate.

...Still. Malleus is interested enough in this idea of colorful jpeg pets to lean closer, and look at the image mirrored on the phone screen, only smaller. Fascinating. And just anyone can look at this at the same time? How does it get to all the computers and phones at once? Someone is casting powerful magic, indeed.

At the mention of becoming friends, Malleus perks up.

"Hm. I think this is something I can see myself enjoying. Yes, I will become 'friends' with you." First ever, too! An honor, indeed.

Was there a reason that Malleus' voice was tight with him? Lilia isn't used to many demands from the boy -- usually he was the one making the demands, though they weren't real intense ones. Simple, from the guardian to his ward, asking for nothing more than was expected of him.

Lilia's eyes are already on Malleus, so when that tight little statement is offered, his head just tilts to one side. A mischief glints in his eyes. Did he know? Did he realize, why Malleus might not want him to squirm around so much? Or, was he just being Lilia?

It's impossible to tell just from the one look.

"Mm, good," Lilia nods slightly, before grabbing his energy drink, sipping some. "And and and~! Why should I sit still? It isn't like this is that strange, is it?" The can is easily set down, before Lilia turns suddenly in his lap, straddling Malleus and lifting his arm to settle it over one of his shoulders.

"Are you worried that you're too old to cuddle up with me? Should I be worried that I won't ever to be held by you and hold you?" A false pout barely hides the mischief. Stupid little faerie loved to tease - never show even an ounce of weakness, for he'll exploit it.

Well yes, he is quite old for cuddling! Too old for this, for Lilia squirming in his lap. By far. There is nothing weird about it, of course; Lilia is the man who raised him, though, so maybe this is a bit unbecoming? Malleus, for once, finds himself at a loss for words, as he tries to form a thought as to why Lilia should sit still that would make sense other than the feeble it's strange.

At least Lilia chooses that moment to be the embarrassing guardian figure he has been for so long. Malleus' expression turns slightly sour, which would utterly terrify other students, but for someone who knows him well, it is nothing but a pout. Yes, there's a bit more fang than a normal person, but he is not truly angry. Oh, if he were angry, everyone would hear it.

...ah. Why has he turned around like that?!

"You should not concern yourself with holding or being held by me. I am a grown man," Malleus complains, reaching down to clamp his hands around his waist. "It is simply unbecoming of one such as you to use a lap as a seat, and inappropriate for me to be used as a chair."

That's it, of course.

Oh, if he'd said that aloud, declared just how old he was and that he was far, far too old to cuddle close like this, Lilia would have more than a few words for him. To claim that would be to suggest Lilia himself was too old for it, that he was acting childish, and Seven knew that there was nothing that would make Lilia pout and complain more than that suggestion from Malleus. Anyone else, anyone who didn't know how old he was, would get a pass.

At least Malleus was smart enough to conceal his words in a way that wouldn't suggest that. Putting the blame onto Malleus as being grown rather than too old for this. But, that little pout was enough to remind Lilia that this boy was still just that: a boy, still growing and learning about the world around them.

"You are still my ward, still someone who I care so much about. You've never complained in the past when I've asked for attention, when I've all but taken it from you without asking." His words ring as true as they do teasing, taunting, pushing those little buttons. "You might be grown, but that does not change any of the facts."

Tilting his chin up, Lilia practically looks down his nose on Malleus, despite still being so small in comparison to him, even in his lap like this.

"How is this unbecoming or inappropriate? You're not small enough to still sit in my lap, my dear Prince, though I wouldn't complain if you wanted to switch positions. Would that be more comfortable, more familiar?"

Oh. It makes Malleus' face slightly warm when Lilia says it like that, that he cares so much about Malleus, and he would like a moment to simply enjoy the way it sounds, but he is being called out. It's true, Malleus generally does not mind Lilia's antics. This is just- This is different in ways he does not want to try and explain.

Lilia is absolutely the only person who is able to give him such a scolding and such a look and live to tell.

Malleus doesn't break eye contact, far too proud and stubborn to do so - when has he broken eye contact out of embarrassment in his life? But he does inwardly acknowledge that the opposite position would be quite absurd. He is far too tall and heavy to sit on Lilia's lap these days. Which is sort of a pity; Lilia's lap was terribly warm.

"No. While I would suggest a chair is much more normal a seat, I do not wish to switch positions." But the fact of the matter is, Lilia can't keep squirming like that. "Sit still."

So Malleus didn't want to switch positions, but he also didn't want Lilia to be squirming in his lap? What reasoning could there be behind it? What was so different that Malleus would use such a demanding tone with him?

No, Malleus wasn't going to get out of this without Lilia teasing him even further, without Lilia pulling some other antics and making him get even more flustered. The heat to Malleus' face wasn't enough to be obvious, but Lilia could feel the shift in tone, with where his arms were resting.

Lilia has the most mischievous look on his face, with a wide grin to match.

Shifting in his lap, squirming again in the very same manner as before, although this time facing Malleus-- Lilia laughs softly, bringing his hand up and around to grab Malleus' chin. This was, absolutely, inappropriate of him at this point. Lilia knew it was. But... it was fun. He could tease Malleus a little longer before stopping.

"Must I? I'm just trying to get comfortable... besides, you said yourself you don't want to shift positions. Maybe you should help me get more comfortable, then, or make me sit still."

He's playing with fire, literally.

Finally, he lets his hand fall, another small laugh escaping the man as he presses his cheek to Malleus' shoulder. "You're too easy to mess with."

It is most unbecoming for a prince of Briar Valley to get red-faced and flustered, but here Malleus is, flushed, while Lilia grabs his chin. Oh, this is far beyond inappropriate; this would be reason for Malleus to truly lose his temper, but the relationship he has with Lilia is different than that of others. Lilia dares to touch him like this, and Malleus - having looked up to Lilia since he can remember - is simply shocked at the handling.

And he is still squirming!

The way Lilia suggests Malleus make him sit still has even the tips of his ears hot, but that shocked expression turns into something more sour, a glare if there ever was one. Being glared at by Malleus would have anyone else utterly terrified, but he knows Lilia won't care a bit. After all, he's been through enough of Malleus' tantrums.

...he's being teased. Of course he is.

"This is unbecoming," Malleus scolds, but his hands are firm only Lilia's waist, unwilling to move. Malleus will have him sit still. "Imagine if others saw you acting this way. What would they think?"

Who was here to see them? Anyone else wouldn't walk into his room unannounced, as if the very room belonged to them. Even Silver wouldn't come in without knocking, without first asking if he could enter, unless he'd heard something like a scream or shout for help come from this very room.

As it was, Lilia wasn't worried. When was he, really?

Comfortable where he is, Lilia only lifts his head back up at the scolding, with the firm hands on his waist. Smiling at Malleus with an air of innocence, he pretends not to know what Malleus was talking about, as he asks the question that's most prevalent in his mind.

"They would assume it's simply me being me," He starts, bringing one hand up. This time, instead of grabbing at his face, Lilia pokes his cheek lightly. It's a tactic to try and get Malleus to relax, by being even more foolish while speaking logically. "This is my room. No one will enter without my express permission aside from you. I can lock the door, cast a spell to keep sound from escaping... if I wish it, no one would ever see."

"It is only us here, Malleus. Just what are you worried about? Since when did you begin to worry about what others might think about the way I act with you, hm?"

That's... true. This sort of behavior is not shocking from Lilia, who delights in mischief. It's just that Malleus is not usually the one on the receiving end of things like... this. Never before has Lilia sat in his lap. Surely he must understand that Malleus is- he's a 'young' man, and as cold as he may seem, Malleus is not beyond certain physical... reactions.

But he can't explain that! Not to Lilia! It's less of what others might think, and what Malleus might think with all that movement, and the hand on his chin. He exhales when Lilia pokes him, and tries to look unbothered. Unconcerned. The same way he always does.

-Ah. Why in the world is Lilia speaking of locking doors and sound-proofing spells?!

"I am not worried about the way you act with me, rather-" No, how does he explain this. "...Show me more of this pet game."

"Right! The game!" Lilia gasps, as if he'd completely forgotten the game among their conversation. This was probably the more genuine of reactions he'd had, among all the teasing and taunting he'd been doing of poor Malleus.

He shifts again, this time to turn himself back around in his lap. He wakes up the computer with a small shake of the mouse. Almost immediately, as if nothing had even happened, Lilia was right back on track.

There's still some obvious squirming. Now, at least, it wasn't being done on purpose as he pulls up something on the website.

The hand not on the mouse grabs the can he'd left on the desk, shaking it lightly from side to side to see how much of his drink he had left. About half. That'd do just fine. "Mm, okay, so, you can see the little creatures on screen, right? That bar there shows how much hunger they have. That means I need to feed them. To do that, I collect supplies..." Lilia begins his ramble, before taking a small sip of his drink.

"Hmm... would it be better if I simply show you and don't explain?"

Edited 2024-05-11 05:12 (UTC)

Malleus relaxes slightly, trusting that he has thrown Lilia off the scent, though he is still a bit bothered that he is so reliant on these silly modern games that he would forget their conversation. Ah well; Malleus will just deal with the squirming, and try his very best to focus on the colorful pictures on the screen. Some of the pets are rather cute-

What is that unpleasant liquid noise? Malleus can smell the chemicals in it when Lilia shakes the can, and his nose wrinkles. Are these the things Lilia is ingesting these days? Malleus watches him sip the drink, and then reaches out and plucks it from Lilia's hand. The explanation is, for the meanwhile, forgotten.

"I see these around campus. What is this? It smells foul." He understands the other students consuming such garbage, but Lilia?

The drink is taken from his hand easily. He hadn't expected Malleus to pluck it from his hand like that. Making a face, Lilia looks back up to Malleus, reaching out his hand in an attempt to grab the can back from him.

"It is called an Energy Drink. They are, essentially, filled with caffeine, vitamins, sugar, and other ingredients to help someone stay awake for longer periods of time. This particular one is called 'Creature', in my favorite flavor," There he goes, squirming and shifting again, this time due to the drink being taken from him.

"Give it back, Malleus." It's his turn to scold, to lecture, if Malleus decides to mess with his drink.

Yes, Malleus is being a brat. For Lilia, this likely does not come as a surprise, but these days, he tends to behave at least a bit less childishly than he had growing up. Malleus keeps the can away from Lilia's grip, secretly pleased with the attention he's getting. Is this the way to get Lilia from his silly 'computer games'? Tsk.

"Why do you need this? Do you not think a healthier drink would be a better option?" The squirming is back, but Malleus does his best to ignore it.

Honestly, it is risky to ignore Lilia's demand to give it back, but Malleus does not particularly care.

Seven, what was getting into Malleus, to make him act like this? It wasn't new, of course, but that wouldn't keep Lilia from getting a little annoyed. Not in a serious way, no, he couldn't seriously get annoyed with Malleus over something so silly between them.

"I like them. The taste-- and it keeps me awake. You know, as you get older, staying awake becomes harder and--!! Give it!" Lilia declares, his explanation falling short, reaching up higher. He could easily move, use his magic to float up and snatch the can, and yet... he doesn't want to move. Even as he squirms, shifting their position again into that same one where he faces Malleus, straddling him, he knows Malleus will be able to keep the can up.

That is, unless...
Tugging on his sleeve, he pulls on Malleus' arm, leaning in and sinking his fangs in to the skin he manages to expose, to try and catch him off guard.

The prince of Briar Valley does not curse, because that would be entirely unbecoming. What he does do is hiss, a look of genuine shock on his face when he feels Lilia bite him. It hurts, obviously; Lilia's teeth are quite fierce, if he wants them to be, and it seems like at this moment that is very much the case.

Unfortunately, while it hurts, it's also not bad. The warmth of it, coupled with the way Lilia squirms in his lap, is leading to some... unforseen results. Malleus' whole body is hot, and he pushes at Lilia, intending to get up and- and what? Flee? Absurd; Malleus does not run away from things, but-!

Push and squirm as he might, Lilia's grip is stronger. He isn't pushed off; instead, his grip on Malleus' sleeve tightens, his bite worsens enough that he can feel a few drops of blood pooling in his mouth. Not good, not good at all... but Malleus had angered him. It wasn't the first time he'd been at the mercy of these fangs and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

Finally, his jaw releases as Malleus continues to push. Not due to anything Malleus himself did. No, he needed to breathe, and it was so hard to do that when the only thing he could focus on was the hot blood that'd dripped into his mouth. Panting softly, Lilia brings his free hand to his mouth, the back of his hand wiping at some of the few blood droplets on his lips, smearing it.

"My Lord," Lilia huffs the title out, "Can you see just how serious I am now? Give it back." It's only then that he begins to realize there's... definitely something else there, something growing between them both. Was-- did that--?

"Wait. Are you...?" Obviously, grinding down against him to try and see whether his suspicions were true was not the appropriate choice,but the choice he makes nonetheless.

Malleus would truly be angry, were it anyone else. Lilia is one of the very few people who would ever get away with something like this, but get away with it he does, and then some. There's a hitch in his breath when Lilia finally stops, and Malleus' face - normally so composed - is a brilliant shade of red.

Quite unbecoming of him, indeed.

...ah. He'd forgotten about the drink. It remains in his hand, can dented from the grip, as mortification floods him. Malleus is certainly not used to feeling such a thing, and when Lilia grinds down, he finally drops the can - onto the floor- and uses his forearm to push at Lilia's chest.

"Do not." And Malleus does sound angry, though anyone who knows him well will be able to tell the difference between true anger, and bone-deep embarrassment.

The drink is forgotten the moment it all clicks in Lilia's head. The reason Malleus didn't want him squirming around, the reason he'd attempted to scold Lilia in the first place, one of the reasons that bite really caught him off guard.

Lilia's own face takes on a shade of red that might rival the dye job of his hair several years back, or the very shade of his crimson eyes.

Malleus' forearm on his chest manages to push him back against the desk, Lilia's breath catching in the back of his throat. His soft panting doesn't yet stop, and, Seven, he must look a little pathetic himself right now.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed over," Lilia murmurs out, even through his own embarrassment. His hand releases Malleus' sleeve, instead grabbing his shirt, using what strength he has to pull Malleus in towards him, despite the forearm against his chest.

Close, but not close enough to press his lips to Malleus'. Enough to stare directly into his eyes, to be too close. His breath can be felt on Malleus's lips can't it? Can he see the equal embarrassment from the former General?

"What are you going to do about it, My Lord?"

Nothing to be embarrassed over?! It is everything to be embarrassed over. Malleus is not used to feeling utterly ashamed of anything, but that's what swallows him now, because he knows this is- It's strange. Lilia is far too important for him to sully with feelings like this. It's a fluke; it's an accident. He expects Lilia to be disgusted, or to perhaps, mercifully, let him off the hook and never speak of it again, to understand that this was not Malleus' intention at all.

Instead, he pulls Malleus forward. They are even closer than before, and it isn't helping matters in the slightest, because if they were just a little bit closer, he would know what Lilia's lips feel like.

Malleus has never kissed anyone before. Why would he? Ah... but at the very least, Lilia is not ridiculing him. That embarrassment, perhaps there is a way to save this after all.

"I... intend to take a walk." Malleus manages to force the words out, wanting to curl in a ball and die. Is he being a bit dramatic? Perhaps. But Lilia calling him My Lord is not helping.

Disgusted or merciful - neither of those were feelings that Lilia had in store for Malleus. A crimson gaze focuses heavily on Malleus, inspecting his face. Trying to read him, to figure out what the best option here would be. Does he kiss his ward, distract him with something else completely? Or, does he allow Malleus to leave, to never speak of this again?

This was complicated. Not only by Human standards - those don't matter to Lilia. If they did, he wouldn't even be considering what he was considering right now. By their own standards, it was complicated. Malleus was his ward, the one that Lilia had sworn to do everything to protect, to watch over, to make sure he was prepared to take over rule of Briar Valley in place of his mother, once his grandmother was ready to step down. He'd taken care of Malleus, loved him in place of his own parents, did what little he could to make sure this little Prince grew up to be someone as fierce as his mother had been.

It's different, though, with their long lifespans. It wasn't as if he was actually around enough to be considered more than Malleus' retainer, unlike his relationship with Silver, who he felt was his son. This was different.

"Malleus..." Lilia sighs out, "You don't need to run from this. Let me help you." With one tilt of his head, he presses their lips together. Would Malleus shove him away? That was an answer he'd accept, in the very same way he'd accept Malleus returning the kiss.

Lilia is often so playful that Malleus forgets the depth of that stare. It's... unsettling, sometimes, because Malleus is not used to being looked at so intensely, for such a long time. Others hardly want to make eye contact. Sebek makes too much eye contact.

All of this, Malleus would prefer to brush off, to never speak of again. Fae have such long lifespans that it would hardly matter in the grand scheme of things, just a silly, youthful mishap that perhaps Lilia will one day tease him over. But right now, Malleus just wants to leave and come up with a myriad of excuses as to why this happened, and take the necessary steps so that it never happens again.

After all, it would be completely inappropriate. And Lilia... Lilia absolutely would never reciprocate, of that he is certain.

...he is not given the answer he wishes for. Malleus' mouth is half-open in preparation of a reply, a demand that Lilia forget about all of this, when there is a warm sensation against his lips. Ah. So this is a kiss.

Malleus has no idea what to do. He's never been kissed before - obviously - and his first being Lilia is enough to make his thoughts dissolve entirely.

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