Chapter Text
The last thing Cater remembered was Malleus showing up at Lilia's farewell party and making a scene, before everything faded to black. And now, he was in some weird place where he was the Dorm Leader of Heartslabyul, and, well.. everything was just weird. But so far, he had come to one plausible conclusion: this place he was in? It was very much akin to a dream in itself. No matter what he tried, he was unable to return to— what he was going to refer to 'reality' as of now— which would be the farewell party. He was stuck in this dreamy sequence for whatever reason.
He vaguely tried to put things together with what little information he had. He had tried reaching out to the other students in his dream, but either they were all still asleep, or they weren't his actual friends at all. The latter proved to be true real quick; when a random junior of his suddenly seemed to realize that Cater was acting out of character, and turned into this.. gooey black substance that reminded him a lot of blot. He was able to fend it off, and thankfully more didn't arrive to overwhelm him, leading to his next conclusion: he was playing a role here, and if everyone else here (who he now concluded were likely fakes made of this gooey substance too) where to realize that he were acting off.. well, he didn't know what exactly would happen outside of them attacking him, but it definitely wouldn't be good.
There was also a highly likely chance that Malleus was the one behind this— that was for sure. With what transpired back there at the party, plus assuming this was the effect of some sort of magic.. there was no one who could pull it off *but* Malleus.
That.. made things complicated. Because Cater's feelings towards Malleus were complicated. The heir of Briar Valley had Cater completely whipped somehow, just from the few interactions they had. It was different from the fleeting crushes he had on other people before, knowing that eventually he would just end up moving and move on to the next crush.. this was different. This was worse. He felt too much and got back so little. He knew he had no chance with Malleus, after all, this was the Malleus Draconia.. but still.
Cater sighed.
In any case, he needed to find an escape somehow. So, he began his search discreetly, whilst acting out his usual cheery persona (which came about all too easily for him).
It wasn't long until someone realized Cater was awake, however.
Perplexed, but amused lime green eyes watched on, as Cater explored his dream to figure out what the ordeal behind all this was. Because, of all students he expected to awaken-- Cater Diamond was most definitely not one of people he meant to actively look out for. Malleus was rest assured that Cater posed no threat, yet still, it amused him greatly how Cater had managed to awaken from his dream all by himself.
At first, Malleus thought of sending him into deeper sleep, as soon as he noticed Cater was awake, and perhaps change the content of his dreams too— because clearly the current prompt wasn't doing its job right. That would have been the safe choice; but Malleus was much to intrigued, because..
This was Cater.
The one student who never failed to shy away from Malleus, albeit he could get nervous every now and then too. The student who shamelessly asked if Malleus would take a picture with him, without deterring from the challenge Malleus posed in return. A close friend of Lilia's. Someone who always seemed within arms length— but never closer.
Malleus would be lying if he were to say he didn't seek Cater's companionship. Albeit eccentric in his own way, Cater's company was something he had come to enjoy and desire. He, selfishly, longed for more of it. And possibly keep it all to himself too. Dragon's from tales he read in his childhood, do, after all, have a tendency to hoard gems, and how different was that from wanting to hoard this dear Diamond of his for himself?
And so, against his better judgement (not that he cared much for it), he decided to check up on his beloved Diamond himself.
"Diamond," Malleus' voice called out, as the ginger-haired male turned his attention to him.
"Malleus..?" Cater's voice came out in a hushed whisper, his eyes widened, "What are you doing here?"
At the very least-- this sequences of events in this place weren't nonsensical, things that unlikely to happen didn't happen, and that included a visit from a certain Diasomnia dorm leader who Cater was highly suspicious and cautious of right now. It was most likely best to stay away from Malleus at all costs.
"Why, I came to speak to you, of course," Malleus responded with a small grin.
"Ah," Cater was quick to regain his composure, as he put on his cheery smile.
He reminded himself: Don't act out of character.
"Heh, Malleus-kun of all people, coming to speak to me? Well, I'm absolutely honored! What can I do for you~?"
"Thing's are running smoothly at your dorm. Proves beyond reason that you make a fine dorm leader. To that, I applaud you, but of course, that is not what I wished to talk about." Malleus said, inching closer and closer to Cater with every step he took, with a teasing expression, "Would you be open to 'hanging out'? In exchange, I will allow you one photo without moving at all."
"You make a mean deal, Malleus-kun!" Cater exclaimed with a small pout, but internally his gears were running at a million kilometers an hour, as he slowly inched away from Malleus, "But— ah, you know how it is, dorm leader biz and all— I'm swamped with work! #sobusy, so sorry Malleus-kun, gotta fly—"
"No, I think you'll do well to stay right where you are, Diamond."
Cater didn't allow his expression to morph into what he was truly feeling— fear. Fear of what may happen. Fear of the person Malleus might truly be. That Malleus cared so little for Cater, that should Cater get hurt, he wouldn't give a damn. That Cater was no more than just a speck of dust on the side of the road to him.
"Malleus-kun never usually approaches me this way.. what gives?" Cater asked playfully but cautiously.
"In truth, I came to visit because I seek your presence," With the snap of a finger, Malleus immediately teleported right in front of Cater, catching the latter off guard, "I missed my Diamond."
Was Malleus here to play games with him? To throw Cater off his tracks by using his own feelings against him? Did he know about Cater.. liking.. him?
..Was he really just toying with him..?
Heat creeped up Cater's cheeks. He still hadn't calmed down yet, but managed to play off his surprise and spread his lips into a grin once more, as he attempted to back away once more— only for his back to hit a tree. Just great! This was just what he needed! It wouldn't be a surprise if Malleus had been stirring Cater all this way just so exactly this would happen).
"Woah there, Malleus-kun, don't go all smooth on me! I might just fall for you, y'know~?"
Malleus' expression darkened slightly, making Cater tense up. Had he said or done something wrong..? Oh great seven..!
"Have you not already fallen for me?" Malleus questioned sternly, before his expression eased slightly. He shook his head, as his lips curled up into a smirk once more, "..None the matter. I shall make sure that you return my affections without a hitch. After making me fall for you so, it's only natural that I shall return the favor with equal fervor."
Cater's eyes widened.
Malleus.. liked him as well? He sounded sincere, and Cater doubted that he was that delusion, so there was no way he'd mistaken it..! Did Malleus Draconia, the almighty and all-powerful future heir of Briar Valley, to-be-king, one of the top five mages in Twisted Wonderland, like the basic, average, delusional, magicam addicted, faker Cater Diamond?!
"Ah, you.." Cater, for once in his entire time at NRC, was at a loss of words. He didn't know how to counter Malleus' words, and his brain was too shocked to find a way to change the topic of the conversation smoothly, "You.. shouldn't toy with my feelings like that.. how mean of you, Malleus. I may seem like a flirt, but I'm a pretty sincere person, I'll have you know!"
"I never insinuated that you aren't, my Diamond,"—again, with that 'my Diamond' thing..! It was driving Cater crazy how his name fell from Malleus' lips so smoothly, as if it were something to be cherished of sorts—"In fact, of all people, I know that better than anyone else."
Cater couldn't help but forget his position here: trapped. He couldn't resist the urge to poke and prod Malleus a little, to push his buttons, to challenge him— because he'd never seen Malleus.. this way before.
"Oh? Even better than Trey, a.k.a my best friend, who's also been my roomie during our freshmen and sophomore year?"
That.. clearly angered Malleus. Lightning struck down hard on the ground in the distance, as the weather began to grow colder and harsher. Malleus' brows furrowed as his lips curled into a frown.
"Yes, better than him. Whatever he knows, I'll find out myself, and whatever he doesn't, that'll be reserved for my eyes and ears only. Cater, do not tease me so if you wish not to face the dire consequences your words shall bring you."
"Thinking of punishing me, are we, Malleus-kun? How cute and ambitious~"
By now, Malleus had entirely forgotten his original purpose of coming here, which had been mainly to figure out how his Diamond had managed to awaken from his dream all by himself (and also to find out more about him in general and actually spend time with him, which he didn't get to do much in the real world).
"You're digging your own grave."
"Maybe I'm into that, you'd never know."
"I would like to know," Malleus whispered as he cornered Cater further into the tree, as vines began creeping up and slowly wrapped themselves around Cater to keep him in place-- mainly snaking around tightly by his wrists, raising them above his head nice and tightly, "And preferably also be the only one to know."
Cater still kept his composure, ignoring the way his face burned, both out of being flustered and also equally embarrassed by the fact that his survival instincts were failing him completely and that he was actually enjoying this. He should be running away right now, steering clear of Malleus because only the great sevens knew what had transpired between the events at the farewell party and Cater ending up in this place, knowing that Malleus could be very well (and most likely was) at the dead center of it all.
But oh, if not so much earlier, Cater was most definitely fucked now, right? So.. what was the harm in indulging, just for a little..?
...He was so going to regret this later.
"Malleus-kun seems so possessive. Are you the type to make your S/O unfollow every guy friend on their follower list?"
Malleus blinked in confusion, then smiled out of fondness. Only his Diamond could make him feel this way, the way he had no clue what Cater would be talking about, yet, enjoyed hearing his voice— being in his company nonetheless.
"I understand not what you say, my Diamond, but from what I can make out— I most definitely would burn any man that should approach you with signs of interest or affection to crisps and feed them to the thorned vines back in Diasomnia."
"..."
"Does that unnerve you?" Malleus asked with a smirk.
No, actually it made Cater embarrassingly hard.
"You.. really can't be allowed to say stuff like that..!"
"It seems I've managed to fluster my Diamond so, with but just mere words. I wonder how much more I can get out of you through actions instead."
"E-eh, wait—!"
But Malleus didn't bother to listen to his flustered pleas, only used his magic to tighten the vines grip on Cater further, before moving his hands to Cater's waist and inching his face closer, leaving but just a few millimeters of distance between their lips.
Malleus paused then, however. Despite his current state, he would never wish harm upon his Diamond, especially not such that was inflicted by himself of all people. Nor would he want to push himself onto the latter either.
"..Is it.. alright, if I kissed you, Cater?"
Malleus' whisper, the way his soft breaths fell against Cater's face, the way Cater's name rolled off his tongue— oh great seven, Cater seriously could not take this anymore, this was definitely targeted seduction and Cater was seriously falling for it, damn him..!
"Hnn.. Malleus-kun.."
"Your word is absolute to me," Malleus continued, his tone sincere, "I won't do anything to you against your will."
"I.. yes," Cater responded breathlessly, his gaze fixed to the ground, ashamed by this unsmooth, flustered, totally uncharacteristic behavior of his, "You can."