splitmemory | can you keep a secret

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.

Neither expected reaction happened. He supposes shock is better than being shoved away or rejected in some way, right? Compared to the harsh reaction he could have gotten from Malleus, the stillness was something that he could deal with. Something he could accept.

Without an answer, Lilia is left wondering if he should even push this further. His hand is tangled against the fabric of Malleus' shirt, his lips pressed carefully against his, attempting to lead Malleus in his first kiss. As it isn't returned, and as he isn't shoved away, Lilia slowly pulls back, leaning his back up against the desk behind him.

He's still very much pressed up against Malleus, still straddling him and still very much feeling the obvious arousal against himself, against his own half-aroused state. Hopefully Malleus wouldn't notice-- it's only in response to his, after all. That's what Lilia tells himself.

Taking in a sharp breath, Lilia glances back to Malleus' arm, trying to catch a glimpse of that bite.

"... I didn't bite you too hard, did I...?" It's his turn to try and distract, to try and redirect them.

It's... disappointing when Lilia pulls away, and that realization is yet another shock. Malleus stares - wide-eyed - at the man in his lap, whom he has seen in so many different situations, but never anything like this. Malleus is struggling to process this, but what he does know is that he very much liked the feeling, and he's still hard.

For the moment, as shocked as Malleus is, he does not notice Lilia's own arousal. He is not in the habit of staring at Lilia's crotch.

The bite has honestly been forgotten. Malleus' brain tries to jump-start as he remembers; there's a vague ache in his arm, but it is nothing serious at all. Healing magic would be able to solve it in hardly a moment. More importantly, more distressingly, is everything that came after.

Malleus looks away.

"No." His voice is tight, strained. "This is nothing."

All of it, he means. The bite, the kiss. Lilia squirming around in his lap. Can they simply forget about it all?

Malleus doesn't seem to have noticed yet, thankfully for Lilia. It's impossible, however, to not shift and squirm against Malleus as he reaches out both of his hands, carefully taking Malleus' arm. With careful hands, he pushes his ward's sleeve up again, looking over the wound. Blood still stained his arm, but he'd thankfully stopped bleeding at all.

One thumb brushes over the small wounds, his eyes focused down on them. The other hand moves back, enough for Lilia to lick his thumb before bringing it back down to his arm, wiping away the blood easily using his saliva as a solvent.

"You're right, it really is. I thought I'd bit down a little harder than that." Lilia murmurs. It's without his pen that he focuses his energy on the wound, thumb brushing over it again, this time infusing some of his own magic against Malleus' skin. The wound closes up within seconds. It wasn't like something as small as this would be too dangerous to do without his pen to soak up any of the little consequential blot and exhaustion from casting a spell. It's not as if this was a major spell, after all.

With that done, he releases Malleus' arm, lifting his hand up to tuck a stray hair behind one of Malleus' pointed ears.

"There! All better-- Hm. Maybe not all better, all things considered, but now you won't be dealing with that pain."

Malleus is stuck wanting to pull away, and unable to make himself do so. He has never rejected Lilia before, but he's also never been in a position to need to; right now, he needs to. Instead, Malleus is left watching as Lilia takes care of the bite he himself had inflicted, no indication that he feels bad about it in the slightest.

What the hell was that kiss????

"You had intended to bite harder?" Malleus finally speaks, his voice tight and incredulous.

The process of healing magic feels warm, something that would be simple for Malleus to do himself, but he has always been more than okay with Lilia doing it for him. Sort of like someone else bandaging a wound; it seems to feel better that way. And then the warmth of a hand tucking hair behind his ear.

Now he can leave, yes?

"I would say thank you, but you caused this yourself. I really ought to be more angry." Now, if you'll excuse him... "I'll let you get back to your... game."

And he waits expectantly for Lilia to take the hint and get off his lap, and for them to never discuss any of this again.

Oh, had he really gotten under Malleus' skin that much? Lilia could be really careless, never tending to think of other's feelings when he acted. Was that what this was? Had he been focusing on his own feelings over Malleus', then?

It's hard not to smile at the incredulous question. It doesn't need an answer, yet he still gives one: "But of course. You'd stolen something of mine, refused to give it back. What else was I supposed to do? A crime against another deserves a consequence, no matter what the standing of those who commit the crime may be."

As if that justified his actions in any way. Stupid little fairy, didn't know what Malleus really needed in the moment... and enjoyed teasing him far too much. His smile still falls, his expression becomes more serious, no matter how slight.

Lilia's thumb trails down Malleus' jaw from his ear, falling down away from his face.

"Must you go?" The soft question is followed easily by an added apology: "I'm sorry, Malleus. I shouldn't have teased you so thoroughly. Will you forgive me?" The apology is finally given. Only to him, only ever to him. Malleus was the only one who deserves his regret in any way, the only one who deserved that softer look in his eyes.

No, Malleus, you won't be let go until you either accept the apology or get back at him in some way.

"I know! You can bite me in return, to make up for it!" Lilia laughs, pushing his own shirt sleeve up and holding his arm up.

Stolen? Hardly! He'd been trying to look out for Lilia's health, and had... probably intended to give it back. Probably. It's not as though Malleus was just being difficult for the sake of it; he would never dream of such a thing. No little tantrums from him; he is no longer a child!

But the sudden shift in Lilia's expression makes him pause, and brings him back to the present. And then the softness of his voice, the genuine reluctance to let Malleus leave, makes his chest ache. No, he will never, ever leave Lilia alone, just as he wishes to not be left alone by Lilia. But this... this is different. This is something shameful that Malleus really must get in order, unless. Unless Lilia has completely forgotten about it?

It seems, perhaps, that he has. Then maybe if Lilia were to just agree to sit elsewhere, Malleus could pretend he is not in a state of duress, and stay. He opens his mouth to suggest as much, and the abruptly closes it again at Lilia's solution.

"...Excuse me?" Malleus is, of course, quite capable of biting. His teeth rival Lilia's own, but he hasn't bitten anyone in ages. "I do not want to bite you."

Malleus sounds truly baffled as to how that would solve any of the problems he's currently facing.

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