#baby malleus and crowley together.....😭

[mishkakagehishka]

”Conclusion: the other aspects of the pet name kind of go over his head, but he loves it all the same. Take his advice, call him “baby boy” in public. Make Lilia’s day.” 😭 Please I need this scenario in my life now

Ask and you shall receive <3 very late, but you shall receive

Post that the ask is quoting

Word count: 1651 Summary: Lilia and the rest of Diasomnia gang get first row tickets to seeing the heir of Briar Valley get babied. Warnings: none that come to mind. Hints of angst in the first few paragraphs tho Note: they/them pronouns used, established relationship. Also, it was a joy writing dialogue for Lilia, but just you wait until I learn Shakespearean English, then I'll truly have fun with him.

Seasons change, years pass, graduation comes and goes, and through all that, Crowley, in the end, never did find a way back home for the new Prefect of Ramshackle. The former Prefect of Ramshackle. Though they left a legacy, in reforming Ramshackle as well as in helping with a record amount of Overblots in such a short timeframe, the fact that it was impossible for them to ever return to their life before Twisted Wonderland weighed down their heart like a heavy rock. Every reminder of their old life, their old home and their old world served as a source of hurt and regret. Even having to think of it as their “old” life, and this as their “new” life broke their heart in ways that nobody in this world seemed to understand.

But, despite that, they managed to build a life for themselves in this world, in Twisted Wonderland. It wasn’t easy and, though fifteen years had passed since, they still sometimes found themselves waking up, expecting the last decade and a half to have been just a vivid dream, and that they’d open their eyes to their old room, living their old life. That they would awaken thinking it was all just a vivid dream. And, sure, they would feel sad to know all the connections they’ve made were just a figment of their imagination, but… Their heart ached for their home. On mornings like that, it was Malleus who was able to bring them some sense of comfort, of ease. His presence and kind words, as well as featherlight touch of support was enough to ground them, to remind them that everything was fine. That he was by their side, that he will always be by their side. That he was their home now.

And what even to say of Malleus and the former Prefect of Ramshackle? Nobody but he himself could say when exactly it happened, but the changes in his behaviour truly started becoming clear around the time of the VDC - even the students that usually took great care to avoid him started noticing it. Whispers and rumours flew around the campus of the Malleus Draconia falling in love, with a magicless human, no less. As if the heir of Briar Valley, a fae with such a dreadful aura and powers – both as a mage and as a figure of authority – that have made him stand above nearly everyone in Night Raven College. A fae as him wouldn’t fall for any of his fellow students, least of all one who doesn’t even have any powers to compare to his. But, well, those who didn’t believe the rumours were probably the ones who got the biggest shock when the two announced their engagement years later.

And though they now lived together in the Briar Valley, awaiting the date of their wedding, not much else has changed. Silver and Sebek were still knights employed by the palace, serving Malleus directly (although the years of service under their belts have promoted them on the order’s hierarchy), Lilia stuck around as his retainer and, given the Queen was still alive and kicking, Malleus could still enjoy a certain amount of freedom, remaining the heir of the heir. Freedom from responsibility, freedom to move as he pleased, and his betrothed still had time to get used to life in the Briar Valley - and to life as a future monarch well before they’d have to begin the life of a real monarch. It was a grace period of sorts, for which they were both thankful.

With all that freedom, the group of Night Raven alumni had more than enough time to spend time together, doing nothing but chatting and just hanging out, as they often did back in college. Their favoured way of catching up turned out to be weekly picnics - not taken far from the palace, in fact, oftentimes they just laid out a blanket in the gardens. But the true charm of those picnics was, of course, the informality, the lack of expectations for any of them. Silver and Sebek could sit at the same “table” as Lilia, as Malleus and his betrothed. None had to mind their manners or take care to choose their words carefully. They were equals, just a group of adults out for brunch, to catch up. In fact, even the food itself was always to be made by themselves, simple finger foods and sandwiches (though, rest assured, Lilia was still banned from the kitchen; his job was to find a spot and set up the blanket, the plates and whatever decorations he deemed appropriate) to truly make it feel as a moment for themselves, with no connections to their social statuses, to the palace life.

And so, they met up again on a sunny day, with a blue sky clear of clouds hovering above them. “Master Lilia chose a wonderful set-up today as well,” Sebek was quick to praise, taking not a second longer than was needed for the aforementioned retainer to set their replacement for a dining table. And with that said, he set down the beverages he was in charge of preparing and bringing that day, three pitchers that were no problem for a knight as himself, as he’d put it, to carry in one trip. “You say the same thing every time. Aren’t you tired of it?” Silver commented, setting out the small, bite-sized cakes flavoured of various fruits he’s brought on one of Lilia’s decorative platters. “Of course not! For it is true every time I say it, of course I would not tire of saying it!” Their back-and-forth once more devolved into a tense quarrel, another thing that hasn’t changed since their days of college. “Now, now, calm down, young ones,” Lilia tried his best to stop the argument from escalating. Floating between them, he placed a hand on each knight’s shoulder, gently, yet firmly, squeezing them in a fatherly manner – as a subtle warning. “We’ve come here to enjoy the good food and good ambience together, have we not? Hark, enough squabbling! Malleus and you, dearie, bring forth your offerings and let’s chow down!”

Malleus brought out the heaps of sandwiches, separating them into groups (depending on their ingredients) and placing them on different platters. Each sandwich was wrapped individually, so he made a note to point out which group had which sort. While he was being fed praises by Sebek, and while Silver was then starting another argument with his fellow knight, Malleus’ betrothed set down the foods they were tasked with preparing - which were the salads this time. One of greens, and one of fruit. “These look a lot better than last time, Malleus,” Lilia commented upon unwrapping a sandwich. Malleus hummed, and looked at them who were still preoccupied with setting up their bowls. “In truth, I received assistance this time.” “Can’t even make a sandwich on your own, huh? A true crown prince you are, little one,” his retainer chuckled, honey-sweet parental affection apparent in his smile. “Right?” and his betrothed chimed in. “I had to show him how to make them step-by-step. Multiple times, even!” “Is that so?” “It sure is. I’d even say I deserve to be thanked and lauded. Wouldn’t you agree, Malleus?” And with Sebek too busy arguing with Silver, he had nobody who would defend his honour. So, he accepted, with a laugh, “You’re right. You have my deepest gratitude, my treasure.” Lilia burst into laughter, earnestly enjoying the exchange. “My, my! Dearie, looks like you have him wrapped around-”

“You’re welcome, baby boy. Now, c’mere, let me give you some head pats.”

As Malleus leaned forward, careful to angle his horns away from his betrothed’s face, to accept his promised head pats, Lilia went silent. Not because he no longer found the situation funny, quite the opposite, it was rather that he didn’t know if he should laugh at this new turn of events. He quickly turned around, mumbling something about giving the couple privacy, trying to hide his increasingly reddening face. His shoulders shook and he felt like his eyes were going to pop out of their sockets from the force of his held-in giggles, but, still, he did his best to stifle his laughter with a hand firmly covering his mouth. And it was this that finally got the two knights to stop bickering, with Silver being in a similar state as his father - albeit less theatrical and better trained in his way of hiding his snickering. Sebek, being Sebek, immediately stepped up to defend his lord. “Have you forgotten your place, human?! To think you would dare call our prince such an… infantilising term!” “Oh,” Lilia inhaled, his hand resting on his chest as he attempted to calm down from the fit of laughter, “calm yourself, Sebek, I’m sure they didn’t- I apologise.” He started laughing once more, this time not able to hide it. “Kufufu, Sebek, child, you need to chill...” “It’s just a term of endearment, Sebek,” they defended themselves, as well, “you know I would never insult Malleus!” “Besides, it’s a term I like,” Malleus added calmly, but with a hint of sternness to it. “So, there’s no reason for you to get so upset on my behalf, is there? I may be your prince, but take care you don’t forget that they are your prince’s betrothed.” Sebek grumbled a bit, but ultimately had nothing else to say. “Can we start eating? I’m starving,” Silver interrupted, having laughed his heart out in the shadows of their conversation. “Right, right!” Lilia was too eager to change the subject by now, still feeling breathless. “Let’s eat, let’s eat… whew… baby boy,” he let his voice decrease into a whisper with the last words, and a last chuckle. He’s certain those kids are going to be the death of him some day.