The Language Of Flowers

The Language of Flowers

☾ Genre: Fluff

☾ Warnings: N/A

☾ Pairing(s): Malleus Draconia x GN! Reader

☾ Notes: Entry for the event "new beginnings from @briarvalleyarchives. I think Diasomnia fans deserve a nice fluffy treat for all that's happening.

Malleus believed that humans were selfish, greedy, and annoying cowards. Throughout his long life, the Fae Prince has seen humans steal from themselves and others. Bring down their own kingdoms and destroy his people’s lands. He truly believed that most, if not all, humans were the most despicable things in the world. But even so, he could not deny that they were interesting.  

Even though they touch everything that they destroy, humans were able to rebuild as well. He has seen the gardens they have built. The families they created. The art that they made. He has seen them thrive no matter the circumstances they faced. Humans were abhorrent creatures, yes, but the select few were admirable beings.  

Malleus rarely took any time to research them. Yes, some humans lived in Briar Valley, but most kept to themselves and the families that they surrounded themselves in. They were rarely in the castle and although he had run into a few of them in the woods, Malleus never stayed any longer than he needed to. So, when he found himself falling for the Prefect of Ramshackle dorm—a magicless human, at that—he was not quite sure what to do. He was not well versed in human courting rituals and any advice he took from other humans did not seem good enough. The Prefect had captured his heart without him knowing, but as they were human, he was not sure where to go about courting them.  

How does one capture a human’s cruel heart? 

That was the first question Malleus had asked Lilia. He was the one to suggest that they attend Night Raven College so that the Fae Prince may expand his knowledge on humans and other species around Twisted Wonderland. He should be able to provide Malleus with the means of courting a human.  

“How about flowers?” his caretaker suggested.  

The pair sat in one of the black velvet couches in Diasomnia’s lounge. Green light emanated from the candles sitting on the brass candle holders that dotted the dorm, providing enough light to make up for the lack of windows inside. Lilia cradled a glass of tomato juice in his hands, sitting on the left end of the couch as Malleus held a mug of black coffee, sitting on the right end. The other residents in their dorm were fast asleep, leaving the two faeries to themselves and their conversation.

“That suggestion was given to me too many times to count,” Malleus stated. It was a repetitive proposition that was given to him by both Vil, Riddle, Cater and any other humans that he came across. He did not quite understand why giving them such a simple thing as a bouquet would make the Prefect happy. Flowers would not last as long as his love for them, but gold and gems would. 

Alas, the last time he tried to give the Prefect a wonderful emerald necklace, they rejected his offer stating that they could not possibly take something so valuable. “I still don’t get why the Prefect won’t accept the gems and gold that I have given to them.” He sighed, feeling an ache in his chest as he remembered his latest gift being pushed back into his hands.  

“Young Master, you must remember that the Prefect is a normal human,” Lilia chided, taking a sip from his cup. “Gems and gold are not the standard for them, not to mention it’s more inline with families like the Al-Asims.” 

“If I can’t give gems, nor gold, then what shall I give them?” It was how dragon fae courted each other. Showering each other with the shiniest gifts that they could afford was the way that Malleus was taught to court others; although, it was assumed that he would take a fae lover, not a human. “And I do have the intent of marrying them!” 

Malleus watched as Lilia sighed before placing down his tomato juice and snapped his fingers. A book appeared in his hands titled: A Guide to Floriography. Sitting up from his seat, Malleus leaned in closer as his caretaker flipped through the yellowed pages before stopping and meeting Malleus’s gaze. “I am well aware of your feelings towards the Prefect and flowers are a sure-fire way for you to properly confess your infatuation with them. It would help bring your relationship to the next level, so to speak.” 

The prince looked at the green book in Lilia’s hands. Floriography was something that he was not interested in, and although he may know the meaning of a select few flowers, it was not important in his eyes. But if something as simple as a bouquet would be able to reach the Prefect’s heart, then he would send them one.

“Very well, I’ll play along.”

Lilia clapped his hands together and with a grin states, “Splendid! Let us begin.”

It was late at night when you heard the doorbell of Ramshackle ring throughout its halls. Grim was already sound asleep in your bed, snoring and muttering under his breath. The ghosts had already retired for the night as well. You were the only one awake at that hour and knowing the headmage, he must have sent something for you to take care of. Again.  

With a heavy heart in their chest, you walked towards the front door. Upon opening it, a beautiful bouquet set in a green vase was the only thing left on the porch. Confused, you looked around the area, seeing nothing but darkness and the flicker of lights from the college. You didn’t know what this was for, but you did have an inkling of who might have given it. After all, Malleus wasn’t known as one of the greatest wizards for nothing. It wouldn’t be surprising for him to poof! into existence in front of your doorstep, drop off the flowers, and then disappear again. 

Picking up the vase, you noticed the thorny vines and flowers painted around the vase glinting in the moonlight. A yellow card caught your attention. A gust of cold wind hit you, and you quickly went inside to avoid the cold. Once the door was shut, you looked back at the card tied to one of the stems of the flowers and read it:

My dear beloved, 

For the last few weeks, I have been attempting to court you. I was not sure how humans started their courting rituals, so I started courting you in the way that I might court a faerie. I apologize for that as it seems that my intentions were not clear for my affections for you. 

I shall make them clear right now. 

My dear, since the night that we have met, I have been enraptured by you and your personality. I cannot say all that I feel through words alone, so I will let the flowers help me—as silly as that sounds. I will start with the ones on the vase. 

Briar Rose – I Am Wounded 

Initially, I was offended that you had rejected my gifts. Most people from my kingdom would be honored for such riches, but I forget that you are human and not of this world. So, while I am no longer wounded, I still feel the sting of rejection whenever I remember the returned gifts given back to me. Now, onto the bouquet.  

Carnations – Fascination  

The night that we had met, I admit that I was running from my guards. I had wanted to look at the beautiful gargoyles that sat atop the ledges of Ramshackle dorm and one such guard claimed that it was far too late for such a thing. I disagreed and went anyway. When you emerged from your dorm to see me, I was surprised that you had not known me, so I allowed you to give me a name. It took quite a while for you to find out my identity, but I still like the fact that you call me “Tsunotaro.” An interesting name and one that I cherish. 

Red Chrysanthemums and Forget-Me-Nots – I Love You and True Love 

I have loved throughout the years, but none as strong as my affections for you. Love is not something that is readily available for the fae, yet humans seem to have an affinity for it along with destruction. It’s funny. We are not able to lie so you would think that we would wear our hearts on our sleeves, but that is the farthest thing from the truth. We keep our hearts to ourselves, as close as we can, so for me to lay it bare before you and allow you to take it is something of great significance towards me, and I hope for you. 

White Heather and Orange Blossoms – Protection and Innocence  

You know nothing of this world, that much is certain, my dear. You have been moved from your home world to mine and knowing all the dangers that this world possesses, I vow to keep you safe. Innocence is something that is not common in this world, but naivety is. You have both and as amusing as it is, I know that if you were to leave these grounds and get hurt, I would never forgive myself for not being there with you. However, orange blossoms also represent eternal love; the love that I have for you. So even when you pass, know that I have loved you and will continue to love you until the day I inevitably pass as well.  

Jonquil – Desire For Affection 

If you are still reading this letter, I am sure by now that I have gotten my feelings across to you. Now all I yearn for is your affection in return. I wish to see you every morning with a smile on your face. I wish to have your arms around me, holding me gently. I wish to be with you, and I hope that you would allow me to be by your side. If you return my affections, please meet me tomorrow night outside of your dorm and give me your answer. 

Yours,

Malleus Draconia

🎀 Cosplaying with Leona 🎀

🌸: My entry for the @briarvalleyarchives “New Beginnings” spring event

🌸: During this spring season, with new beginnings blooming left and right, Leona learns about and enters the wonderful world of cosplay with his gn!reader S/O who is a cosplayer

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🍓 Characters: Leona Kingscholar x gn!reader who is a cosplayer. Leona and gn!reader are in an established romantic relationship. Other characters mentioned are Cheka Kingscholar, Idia Shroud, and Ortho Shroud.

🍓 Note: This headcanons + drabble post came to life because hi, I’m a cosplayer outside of Tumblr and if I was dating Leona irl, I would absolutely make him do couple cosplays with me >:)

🍓 Song rec I highly recommend: “SHOCK!” by Ayase

🍓 Other notes: Text borders used from the website Cute Kaomoji

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𓈒𓈊 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈉 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈊 𓈒 ┈ 𓈉 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈊𓈒

🌸 The first time Leona saw you in cosplay, he did a double take. He’s not one to be surprised easily, but for a second, he thought that a whole new and random person broke into Ramshackle (that’s how good your cosplays are ;)).

🌸 He’s not into animes, Webtoons/webcomics, books, or any fandoms really. The only “fandoms” Leona’s even remotely a part of are those of Pro Magift teams, so he’s not familiar with cosplay. You have to explain to him all the cosplay terms, like “cosplan” (your future cosplay plans/projects), “costest” (testing out a cosplay), or even “con-crunching” (putting together your cosplay near the date of/or even the night before the convention).

🌸 Leona’s also not one to care about clothes much in general, but he knows the time and dedication you put into your cosplays…from the hours you spend putting together your cosplay to angling your phone camera just right when you film your cosplay videos.

🌸 If you’re trying to film a video in cosplay for TwstTok or Magicam either in your room in Ramshackle or Leona’s room in Savanaclaw (Leona’s room has better lighting tbh), Leona’s just laying on the bed on his stomach with his cheek resting in his palm as he gazes at you the entire time with a smirk.

🌸 He kept showering you with a ton of one-worded compliments such as “Breathtaking,” and positively relished seeing you break character while filming as a flustered expression creeped up onto your face at his compliments.

🌸 “Leona, can you please go outside for a few minutes?” you mumbled, your cheeks warming.

🌸 “I don’t wanna miss a second of your creative process,” Leona winked, to which you responded with a loving eye roll. He’s so down bad for you. Whenever you post your cosplay videos, he watches all your videos, likes them, and saves them on his private, never-active TwstTok account.

🌸 When you feel more comfortable with filming cosplay videos or doing self-photoshoots in cosplay around Leona, he becomes your cosplay partner-in-crime.

🌸 For example, fixing cosplay wigs are a pain and for a while, you didn’t have a wig mannequin (they’re expensive and Sage Island isn’t the best place geographically to receive online packages via shipping). Thus, you had the brilliant idea of using Leona as your wig model (even though his head shape and your head shape are completely different). He found cosplay wigs weird at first, until you asked him to try on one of your long and fluffy wigs, and the soft material of the wig made him fall in love with cosplay wigs right then and there.

🌸 “Just gimme a few minutes, herbivore,” Leona patted your cosplay wig on his head and laid down on his bed, out like a light and sleeping with his hands folded together on his stomach like a storybook princess. The flowy and wavy strands of your long wig fanned out around his shoulders and arms, and for a second, Leona really did look like one of those storybook princess cursed into eternal slumber. You couldn’t help but laugh, leaning down to kiss him on the forehead.

🌸 Cheka, on the other hand, likes to use your cosplay wigs as disguises of sorts whenever the cub plays hide-and-seek with Leona.

🌸 Your and Cheka’s giggles filled Leona’s room as Leona turned around from facing the stone wall after counting to ten with one hand over his eyes. “Sigh…ready or not, here I come,” Leona indulged his five-year-old nephew in a game of hide-and-seek.

🌸 It didn’t take long for Leona to spot Cheka crouching down next to his bedside table. The cub took one of your long cosplay wigs earlier and wore it; the wig comically and practically covered the cub from head-to-toe. You tried your best to stifle your laughter as you sat on the right side of Leona’s bed, sewing a button onto your cosplay.

🌸 “Gee, I wonder where the furball could be,” sarcasm oozed from Leona’s voice as he sauntered over to his study desk just a few feet away from his bed. “Is he over…here?” Leona clicked his tongue and made a show of ducking under the desk to check.

🌸 Cheka’s adorable laughter grew in volume, to which Leona turned towards you. Leona winked at you, lifting a finger to his lips, before walking over to you. “I just can’t seem to find my beloved nephew anywhere,” Leona sighed. He perched at the edge of his bed, making sure he didn’t sit on your cosplay. “Where could he be? Got any ideas, herbivore?”

🌸 “Beats me,” you hummed, looping thread through the button’s hole. You and Leona were planning to attend a spring anime convention in Sage Island the next day (your first anime convention in Twisted Wonderland and with Leona), so you were officially “con-crunching.”

🌸 “Hm…” Leona rose from the bed and made his way over to Cheka. “What’s this? A furball?” Leona leaned down and scooped Cheka up in his arms.

🌸 “Oji-tan, you found me!” Cheka squealed, your wig almost falling off the cub as Cheka moved the strands of your wig away from his tiny face to look at Leona.

🌸 “Uh-huh, now it’s time for your nap,” Leona gently took your wig off of Cheka’s head. As if on cue, the cub let out a cute yawn and closed his eyes. After tucking Cheka in on the left side of his bed where your cosplay materials were well out of Cheka’s reach, Leona went over to you and gave you back your cosplay wig.

🌸 “We should do a family cosplay with Cheka someday,” you shot a soft smile at Leona. Leona went over to his study desk and plopped down onto the wooden chair in front of it. He sat backwards so that he faced you.

🌸 “Yeah,” Leona hummed, watching you secure the button in place on your cosplay. For the rest of that spring afternoon, you continued to work on your cosplay while Leona helped by handing you more thread, scissors, glue, etc. as Cheka napped.

🌸 The next day, you and Leona attended the “con” (short for “convention”). The two of you were decked out in a couple cosplay (you as a plumber and Leona as a princess from a popular video game). Even though it was barely noon, Leona was already annoyed by the con attendees who pushed past him or almost stepped on his toes in their cosplay heels and boots. He was intrigued, however, by some cosplayers’ extravagant props, and he appreciated their craftsmanship.

🌸 Leona’s usually not one to strike up conversations with strangers, but when you complimented fellow cosplayers’ outfits and props, Leona also chimed in with questions on how they made their props (and that just led to the cosplayers’ enthusiastic and lengthy answers about the materials they used and Leona listened with interest the entire time).

🌸 Leona found the Artist Alley and merch booths to be too crowded, and nothing really piqued his interest. Leona bought some prints and keychains of your favorite anime characters and fandoms for you. Artists gave you and Leona a lot of mini freebies like stickers and gushed over “how cute” you and Leona looked together in your couple cosplay (which Leona would respond with a grin and, “You got that right”).

🌸 Leona also couldn’t help but quirk a proud grin when a little kid with cosplayer parents ran up to you and asked you for a picture because you and Leona “looked so cool.” You noticed that Leona posed in-character for the picture with you and the kid, which made you love Leona all the more.

🌸 Leona took a ton of pictures for you at the con, both cool and professional-looking photos of you in cosplay (you taught him how to take better pictures lol) and off-guard derpy photos of you in cosplay when the two of you rested a bit in a tiny corner (Leona grumped about the lack of resting/sitting areas in the venue) after traveling around the convention venue for hours.

🌸 Even though this was his first con, Leona came to the con prepared (“Be prepared” is his motto, after all). Leona had a bag on his shoulder the entire time with your sneakers in it because he knew those uncomfortable shoes you wore with your cosplay would hurt your feet (for Leona, underneath his cosplay, he wore his everyday sneakers). After you changed into your sneakers and the two of you took a water break, the two of you traveled around the con some more.

🌸 The two of you even ran into Idia and Ortho, the former carrying multiple bags of merch (fan art, official merch, body pillows, what have you). You and Leona didn’t chat with the Shroud brothers long, since Idia scurried away to catch a panel hosted by his favorite anime voice actor and Ortho flew after him.

🌸 You and Leona returned to the Artist Alley near closing time, where there were thankfully less people. At a booth that sold more general trinkets than fandom-specific ones, Leona picked up some stuff like a donut keychain for Ruggie and a succulent keychain for Jack, and some other keychains or charms for other members of his dorm. You smiled to yourself; Leona always thought about others even if he wasn’t the best at showing it outright.

🌸 The last booth you and Leona went up to was a booth selling inexpensive rings (both fandom-specific and general rings). You noticed a pair of matching rings with a slim gold band. The rings’ gems were transparent water-drop ovals with teeny dried-up blush, marigold, emerald, and ivory flower petals inside.

🌸 “Leona, what do you think about getting matching rings?” The ring would pair perfectly with your spring outfits, and the dried-up flower petals in the rings’ gems reminded you of one of your and Leona’s favorite places: NRC’s Botanical Garden.

🌸 “Not too shabby,” Leona grinned as he leaned down to look at the rings with you. “Plannin’ on proposing to me already, huh, herbivore?” Leona then made a show of looking at his left hand, which made you laugh. He liked the rings too, and didn’t care that they weren’t made of real gold.

🌸 “Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s proposed to their partner at a con,” The seller, a fae cosplaying a popular blonde spy character from an anime about spies and families, chuckled as they rang up your order.

🌸 Leona thought about the seller’s words as the two of you left the Artist Alley and ultimately the con after you bought the rings. As the two of you made your way through the venue to the exit, Leona thought about how he couldn’t imagine proposing to you or you proposing to him in front of hundreds of people at a con.

🌸 Leona knew himself well, and he knew two things at the moment: 1. He values his privacy and 2. If he was ever going to propose to you, which he planned to do so in the far, far future, it would be a private, intimate, and special moment for just the two of you.

🌸 Leona’s head then filled with thoughts of his proposal to you in the far, far future. He wondered what the two of you would wear during the proposal, whether it would be fancy clothes, pajamas, or even a couple cosplay. The quiet yet gushy smile on his face was apparent as he thought about all this.

🌸 “What’re you smiling about?” You smiled at Leona before unleashing a yawn. After a whole day at the con, you were ready for dinner and rest.

🌸 “Nothin’,” Leona replied with sly nonchalance. “Just that I like the rings you picked out for us.” He held out his right hand, where he wore his new ring on his right pinky.

🌸 You held out your left hand with your new ring on your left pinky before intertwining your left fingers with Leona’s right fingers. “I like them too.” The gems on your and Leona’s rings cast tiny rays of multi-colored light from the dried petals in front of the two of you as the sun began to set and its golden rays made their way through the glass building of the convention venue.

🌸 Hand in hand, you and Leona left your first (and definitely not last) con together.

𓈒𓈊 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈉 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈊 𓈒 ┈ 𓈉 ┈ 𓈒 ┈ 𓈊𓈒

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Important:

🍓 I don’t own any of the characters I mention or write about; they belong to their original and respective creators.

🍓 All content on this blog is created by me, @thebettybook (excluding posts I reblog that aren’t my own posts and unless I state otherwise). Do not modify, claim, repost, or translate my work onto this platform and any other platform.

🍓 Reblogs are appreciated :). Want more Leona romance fluff? Check out my masterlist

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Sometimes the fact that Floyd is actually pretty smart but just chooses to not attend class or do class work because he finds it boring lives rent free in my head. He’s actually really cool when he’s being all serious and smart??

If we could get more serious, smart Floyd moments in canon that would be great thanks

Stares back Hello, fellow neurodivergent friend! 🥰

*finishes Sebek's robes vignette*

YOU TELLIN ME that at somepoint before knowing hornton is malleus or maybe even before knowing hornton at all, Sebek sat me grim and jamil down in diasomnia and made us listen to him go on about 'His Great Malleus' well at least there was tea BUT this means that either Malleus just so happened to not be there or specifically hid himself in his room or somewhere so I wouldn't see him and figure it out and I DON'T KNOW WHICH IS FUNNIER

I like the hc that says that Sebek is best friends with Epel's meemaw and regularly sends her letters and vice versa but I raise you this: Sebek Zigvolt is friends with EVERYONE'S parents