║Malleus Draconia║ Eternity Without You Isn’t What I Want

Malleus Draconia x reader

Reader: Gender-neutral/not mentioned.

Warning(s): Can’t think of any.

Word count: 2.4k

—

Note: Continuation of this request.

—

Malleus had never gone through a night where he dreamt. His life, despite being a prince and heir to his kingdom, was frankly ordinary. That is not to say that it was gloomy, no, but just that there wasn’t anything that excited or interested him– aside from looking at gargoyles.. And perhaps, you know, you.

Faes were powerful creatures that can bestow gifts on others so it was truly a laughable scenario that they couldn’t bestow a gift upon themselves such as having dreams. Not that Malleus cared of having one. He never once had been envious of another for dreaming but he was, in fact, curious. What are dreams? What do you see? What do they mean? Is there any meaning behind any of it all?

These were the common questions he would ask himself but his thoughts never lingered on the topic to pursue it.

So when the day came to an end and when he went to bed that night and dreamt, you could just as well guess how surprised he was, though nothing clicked yet at that moment and remained oblivious to the fact that he was having his first dream. But despite having revealed that, O’ how cruel of a fact it was that his first dream wasn’t a pleasant one.

Blinking once then twice with a mind slightly confused about how he got to where he was, he looks around his surroundings and sees that he was in his room. No, not the one in Diasomnia dormitory, but rather, his room back in the Valley of Thorns. But how? Did he chant a spell in his sleep that brought him here?

“Malleus..?” He whips his head behind him and by the window, there sat an ethereal beauty. “[Name]..?” His eyes widened in surprise, obviously not expecting you to be in the Valley of Thorns. He became more confused. How were both of you there? You didn’t seem confused like he was so did both of you come to the kingdom? When?

“Malleus, why are you looking at me like that?” You huffed an airy laugh. “You’re making me feel awkward..” Malleus shakes his thoughts away and focus on you. Maybe someone has done something to him and he’ll get the answers and help from Lilia– assuming that he’s somewhere in the castle.

“Ah, sorry..” He walks over to you and looks down at you, waiting patiently for whatever is to come next.

You pat your lap, clearly an indication of something, but the confused Malleus tilts his head. You close your eyes and smiled, obviously finding his questionable face funny. “Come, hold my hand.” The way you directed him with that smile of yours almost seemed as if you too were much closer than what he could recall. By far– according to his current memory– he was still your tsunotaro and you dared not call him any other. You calling him “Malleus” so intimately begs another question that he should’ve asked himself earlier– when did that change?

Nevertheless, he does what you said; getting down on one knee in front of you, he takes your hand in his, almost instinctively. Has he ever done this before with you?

You beamed in delight, making his heart flutter. However, he can’t help look at you and notice that– despite your beauty– how much paler and thinner you are compared to the ‘you’ in his memory.

He opens his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Just then, your reflex kicked in and brought your hand to your mouth. You were coughing harshly and then Malleus saw it– blood were staining your hands. He widened his eyes in panic and fear and just as he was about to do something, a knock was heard at the door which directed both of your attention away from each other and to whomever it was at the other side of the door. “My lord, we’re here.” Ah, it was Sebek.

Having not answered him– still in a panic state– you opted to answer the door. He opened the door and came with him was Silver an Lilia.

“Good evening, Malleus, [Name],” Lilia smiles upon entering the room, a hand on his hips. But despite his happy-go-lucky attitude, Malleus does sense that he was forcing himself. Lilia took one glance at you and his eyes widened. “Oh, dear..”

A dreadful feeling came to him when he notice that they were coming to where you two were– specifically with eyes set on you. With this feeling, he moves aside and watch as Lilia held your hand and guided you to the bed. “My lord, could you please step outside for a moment?” Silver ask. If he wasn’t close to him, Malleus wouldn’t have heard him with how soft he called him.

When the three men got outside of his door, he could hear both you and Lilia talking but could not make out much words. After a while of apprehensive waiting, the three could hear Lilia beckon them in.

Malleus’ head whipped immediately to where you lie on the bed in a new white nightgown since blood stained the other. You strained a weak and small smile and beckon him over once more with your hands. Just like before, he knelt on his knee and held the hand closest to him.

Staring at you with worried and questioning eyes, he can’t help but sense that at each passing second, you were slowly slipping away from this world– from him. “Lilia.. “ He finally manages to use his voice. “What.. What is the meaning of this?” he asks, eyes not once leaving you in fear that what little light you have in you eyes that suggests life was still in you would fade away.

“I’m sorry, Malleus.. But there isn’t anything we can do.. This is the curse of any living being..” Lilia pauses, unsure if he should just straight up say it.

“Death.”

His heart sunk. His eyes widened and tears were rapidly forming, pricking the corner of his eyes. Tears? It truly has been a while since he last had tears. “Malleus..” You call him softly, bringing him back from his shocked state.

You opted to continue smiling despite him knowing just how much pain you are going through. “I know it’ll hurt.. But please, stay strong and–” you coughed, though this one had no blood coming out from your mouth. This was thanks to Lilia who alleviate the pain of going through the process of death. “And live for the both of us..”

Malleus got up and sat down at the edge of the bed and wrapped his hand around your head to bring it close to him. He places a kiss on top of your head and left it there. You chuckle airily. “It’ll hurt you, I know.. But after this period of grief passes, promise me that you’ll smile and continue smiling,” you said but received no answer from the fae. “Malleus..” You pull away from him to get a better look. “Malleus, please promise me that you’ll smile in the future.. That you’ll find something or someone that brings you as much joy as I did to you.”

You cup his cheeks and wipe away the ongoing stream of tears. He shakes his head and you frown a bit. But before you could say anything, he opened his mouth to speak, “You are the only one in my heart and I want no other..” he protest. “But, I will continue to smile.. If that means that you’ll always be watching me.”

This brought a smile of your own and closed your eyes, clearly happy to hear it. He places his forehead on yours and held your face between his hands. “Malleus..?” You call him once more and he hums. “It was truly wonderful to get the chance to love and marry you..” His heart clenched. Married? You two were married and he can’t remember anything that led up to it. He felt much more guilty in knowing that he can’t remember whatever joyous things you two have done together that led up to marriage.

“I love you, Malleus.”

At your dying words, the world around him vanishes into the void which promptly woke him up. When he opened his eyes, he was staring at his bedroom ceiling in Diasmonia. Feeling something wet on his face, he draws hand to his face and realize that he had been crying.

He sat up and recalled what just happened. You.. You were dead.. Right? But if that was the case, he should be at his kingdom– with you! You died in his arms so how come he was in bed? “Malleus?” His head turned to his door and see Lilia leaning by the frame. Lilia’s eyes widened and rushes over to his bed and take his face in his hand, though he did not force him to look at him. “Malleus, what’s wrong?”

Lilia had heard sniffling coming from his prince’s room and was concerned. Malleus? Crying? He had seen his prince cry, yes, but that was when he was still a child so it was a surprise to see him cry at that moment. “Malleus, you have to tell me what’s wrong.”

Malleus thinks to himself, finding the words to tell him. “I..” He goes on to recall what had just happened and by the end of it, he receives a sympathetic smile from Lilia.

“Malleus.. Take a look around you. Are we back home in the Valley?” he asks, pulling his hands away. Malleus looks around and realize that no, he wasn’t in his castle. He shakes his head. “You are still a student at NRC, Malleus. We haven’t gone home with [Name],” he states. “What you had was a dream and only a dream.”

The prince looks at him. “A dream?” That was.. A dream? Is this what people dream about? Lilia nods. “Though I would say you had a nightmare instead,” he said bringing his finger to his chin.

“If it helps calm you, why don’t you reassure yourself and see that they’re truly in bed?” Lilia suggest, crimson eyes looking over at the horned fae. And he did just that.

Malleus makes his way to Ramshackle, taking a walk to relax his mind and heart and tell himself that you are well. When he got there, he contemplated on what he should do next. How should he check if you’re alright and, you know, alive? He didn’t want to interrupt your rest but..

He teleports inside your room. Eyes seeing past the darkness, he sees a lump in your blanket and he lets out a half-relaxed sigh, but who’s to say that it was something else under you blanket? He walks over to your bed and was beyond relief when he sees your familiar strands of hair, your face covered by the blanket.

But still, he didn’t feel like this was enough to calm him so he reaches a hand towards you– to hopefully have your warmth comfort him.

And with that feeling on you, your eyelids flutter open to reveal your alluring, gem-like eyes. You look over your shoulder and see green, glowing eyes staring right at you. You were about to scream, totally freaked out, but you hear Malleus’ voice. “Shh, I’m sorry to have suddenly woken you up, child of man.”

Still with a racing heart, you called him by his nickname. “Tsunotaro?” “Yes?” he answers and you sigh in relief. “Great Sevens– You scared me!” You say in a loud whisper since Grim was sleeping not too far from you. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Anyway, why are you in my room?” you asked, sitting up on the bed. It took a moment, but he eventually answers, head resting on your shoulder. “I.. Had a nightmare,” he admits innocently, wrapping his arms around your waist. “And I was hoping if I could sleep with you..”

Malleus having a nightmare? That was something unexpected, though you are aware that people can get nightmares all the time. But a nightmare that made him want to seek you out at this dead of night? You know better than to ask him of this nightmare of his right now and will wait for him to tell you himself.

“Mn. I guess you can.. But I apologize beforehand since my bed isn’t as big or comfy as yours back in Diasomnia,” you said and pat his head. He shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

“Then, let’s lie down.” Listening to your orders, he lies down with you pressed up against his chest. He held you close and tight– but not too tightly– in fear of losing you.

“Would you like to know about my dream, child of man?” he asks in a much lower voice. “If it helps you, then I’ll listen, tsunotaro,” you said and snuggle up to him. And that’s what he did. He recalled his nightmare of you and him which just made you feel sad. He is truly afraid of losing you and you could tell from how his voice breaks and sounds as if he’s about to cry.

“Don’t worry,” you say as soon as he finished retelling. “I won’t go anywhere.” You both knew that it was a lie. Your lifespan was just too short to meet the end with him. But for now, you are here and that’s all that matters, He will cherish every moment he has with you and not forget a single detail.

“Child of man, can you say my name?” he asks after a moments of silence. “Tsunotaro?” you say questioningly, eyes looking up at the fae. “No, my real name.” His eyes glow faintly in the dark which made it easy to tell that he was looking at you.

You pause for a second before granting his wish. “Malleus?” Though he said nothing at first, you could tell that he was smiling. “Yes. Thank you.” He hugs you closer. Since you both were abruptly woken up, you two were surely tired. Feeling his warmth, you were the first to go back to slumber peacefully. Malleus stays up a bit and strokes your head or cheek and stare in awe at your peaceful state.

“I love you, child of man.. No– [Name]. And I promise that I will make sure that you won’t be leaving my side any time soon.”

“Let’s spend eternity together.”

~♡~

║Xiao║ Misunderstanding

Requested from Wattpad.

Gender-neutral.

Fluff.

Word count: 1.8k

---

A familiar sound of laughter could be heard coming from somewhere at the lower part of Wangshu Inn that had gotten the attention of the last surviving yaksha. A laugh that he found annoying, yet would miss if it weren't around. Your laugh.

He wasn't going to admit it, but he would always wait for you to come to meet him daily. He would rush in clearing the area for monsters, not wanting you or any other mortal getting hurt-- but you especially.

However, he notices that your laughter that grew closer from the stairs leading up to the highest part of the inn- where he was- was seemingly.. Too joyous, let's say. What were you laughing at? Were you talking to Verr Goldet on your way to him? No, she's always behind the reception desk during working hours; no way is she with you. And as rude as it may be, her humour was quite dry to have you cracking up that much.

The curious yaksha's golden eyes look towards the door, waiting for you to step on the last remaining stairs that'll finally allow him to see you and whatever- or whomever- was making you laugh. He knew that you weren't alone as he heard a second set of shoes. They were heavy. A man? Well, that was soon answered when he saw your figure peeking in his line of sight, along with the person you came with. Although he doesn't show it, what he saw was not a pleasant sight.

Who was the guy next to you?

His eyes narrow. Something in him made him feel.. Strange. He doesn't know what word (or words) to use to describe such mortal feeling but he knows that he hated it-- hated the sight with you laughing the way you did to another. You never laughed like that when you were with him.

You looked away from the person with who you had such a wonderful conversation with and to Xiao who was leaning against the railing. You didn't notice that something was off with him; he looked annoyed just like every other day you met with him so you greeted him with a smile. "Xiao! Hey, sorry to keep you waiting," you said. Xiao did not reply to your greeting and focused his attention on the taller male beside you. Then, "Who is he?" His head nods to the stranger, arms crossing. The guy seemed shady but nowhere in his perfect appearance could the yaksha pinpoint what was off with him.

"Oh, right. I should introduce you guys to each other. Xiao, this is Childe. Childe, this is Xiao-- the one I was talking to you about some moments ago," you said. "Hey, it's good to meet another of (Y/N)'s friends." Childe smiles, a hand rest on his hip. "Likewise," Xiao replies, although he didn't really mean it. All he wanted to know was what this Childe guy's relationship with you as you had never mentioned him in your guys' one-sided conversation before.

"Anyway, (Y/N), when are you finally going to accept my invitation?" Childe looks towards you with eager eyes. "What invitation?" You raised a brow at the ginger. "Eh? Did you forget? How could you, (Y/N)?" Childe dramatically clutches his shirt over his chest. "I thought you loved me!" Xiao's ears perked. "Just hurry up and tell me," you said.

He chuckles. "For our date, of course!" Childe leans closer to your face, giving you a close-eyed grin. Xiao, who had no choice but to listen, unknowingly tightened his grip on his arms. Date? So, you guys are..

Xiao clicks his tongue. "I need to go," he said briefly before disappearing into thin air with trickles of black and green smoke. You couldn't even ask where he was going. "Uh, weren't you gonna give him that?" Childe points at the tiffin in your hand. "Ah, you're right! Darn it.." You finally perfected how to make almond tofu and wanted Xiao to be the first to try your cooking so it was truly a shame that you weren't able to give it to him. "Well, since he left, can I have it?" Childe asks. "No! This is for Xiao only!" You glare at him. "And can you please stop calling our sparring sessions a date?" Childe only laughs at that.

"Well, I guess I'll leave this with Verr.." you said to yourself, eyeing at the tiffin. It was a shame that you won't get to see his reaction but you can always ask tomorrow. You wondered what it was that he needed to tend to but shortly concluded that he probably needed to take care of monsters around the area.

Tomorrow came but he didn't show up which was odd since even though he may look like he doesn't want you around, he never really pushed you away. In fact, there wasn't a silent agreement for when you two would meet up at the highest part of Wangshu Inn. You asked Verr if Xiao ever had the chance to eat your almond tofu but she said that he rejected it and that he would be turning in for the night.

A day turned to days until it was nearly a week. Again, you went to Wangshu Inn and again, Childe wasn't with you that day so it was a bit quiet. You didn't have anything else planned for today, wanting to spend today with Xiao since you didn't yesterday and the days before that.

It became the waiting game long ago and before you knew it, you could see the sun setting on the horizon yet again. Where was he? Yeah, he may be the conqueror of demons but you couldn't help but worry. After all, it was still possible for him to get hurt.

You waited a bit more until the sun was fully out of sight. Another day has ended and he still hasn't shown. Sighing defeatedly, you stood up from the chair that Verr had brought for you. However, before you could take a step away from the chair, Xiao appears before you at the centre of the balcony.

"Xiao!?" One look at him, you gasped at the state he was in. He still had his mask on and was covered in blood and scratch marks, using his spear as support. He was unaware of your presence, unable to focus as he was lightheaded.

You rushed to his side and that's when his head looks up from the ground to you. "(Y/N)? What are you doing here?" he managed to ask, sounding so weak and tired. "I was waiting for you.. But never mind that-- what happened to you?" You reached your hands for him and just when you made contact with his shoulders, he collapsed in your arms. "Xiao!"

Your voice was loud enough to alert Verr, Huai'an, and Yanxiao who rushed upstairs, all worried for the yaksha that protected Liyue quietly. "Xiao? What happened?" Verr asked, equally worried as you were. "Let's get him to his room first and patch him up. Save the questions after he's healed," Huai'an said. Agreeing, you brought Xiao to his room that was unoccupied for most of the time while Verr fetched the aid kit.

After giving you the kit, you were left with the task of bandaging the male, knowing that he would most likely refuse help from them. You sat on a wooden chair while he sat on his bed, things needed to patch him up were spread on the nightstand. It was quiet for the first couple of minutes since you were too busy cleaning his bloodied arm. It was only when you wrapped his upper arm nice and tight did you talk. "Uh, can you take off your shirt..?" you say softly that one would need to strain to hear, but not Xiao as he always had keen ears.

"Why are you here?" he asks coldly which caught you off guard. Sure he spoke with a seemingly cold tone but this time, it really sounded as if he didn't want you here. His eyes never once looked at yours when you were wrapping his arm.

"X, Xiao..? What's wrong?" You felt your heart squeeze itself. He remained tight-lipped. That day, when you brought Childe along, he felt a mix of emotions of jealousy, anger, and sadness. "Nothing is wrong. Just go.." he said. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Somewhere to be? No, I was waiting all day for you to come back," you said. "I was beginning to worry ab--" "I don't need your concerns. I have lived longer than you and fought many monsters. I can handle everything by myself," he cut you off, sharply. "Why don't you put those silly feelings of yours on someone else?"

"What wrong with you, Xiao?" you asked, not once raising your voice. "I told you, nothing is wrong with me--" He finally looked at you, but what he saw next made him stop and all those feelings he had previously dissipated. You weren't crying but tears were certainly threatening to fall as you bit your bottom lip. "I.. (Y/N).."

You shook your head, wiping the tears with your arms before you stare at him right in the eyes. "I was worried, Xiao. I was worried if you were hurt or worse!" you raised your voice, but not in anger. "What did I do to make you mad? Please, tell me!" Your eyes reflected desperation and sadness.

He looks away. He felt bad, knowing that it was wrong of him to lash out at you for something as stupid as feelings.. Feelings that you won't reciprocate.

"It's nothing.." he said, this time, in a calmer tone. "Why won't you tell me?" you asked, reaching your hands to cup his face so that he had no choice but to look at you.

He hesitated. He wasn't sure if it was right to tell you since you were with someone else, and he didn't want to ruin what friendship you two had. But the sadness in your eyes made it hard for him to keep it a secret. "I.. Was jealous.." He confesses, looking down at his lap, face feeling hot in embarrassment.

"Jealous? Of who?" you pushed on. He gulped before saying, "Your.. Boyfriend."

You blinked, confused. Then, "Boyfriend? But I don't have one.." you voiced. Xiao looks up at you, face showing surprise. "What? But that guy with you.. He said.." It took a while but you now soon know who he was referring to.

"Ah, we aren't in a relationship, I promise! When he said date, he was asking for a sparring match really," you explained. "A, and actually, I like you, Xiao.. I have always liked you."

Hearing the confession, Xiao did not wait for a second longer and put a hand behind your head, pushing you closer to him until your lips met with his. It surprised you at first but soon melted into the kiss, eyes fluttering shut. What felt like hours was actually just a few minutes and you two pulled away.

Looking at him, loving his golden eyes that were filled with love for you, you smiled. "Well, let's finish fixing you up."

---