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Thinking of Lilia who had to hear thunder and cries and almost lost another so dear to him.

He hears rain and thunder and feels the past. He feels the aches, feels the echoes of fear and helplessness, but also remembers—the feel of mud and rain, determination as he hears one cries out to him, and the promises to love that one who waited so long.

He walks, as if possessed, to a door and the sounds of violin faintly passes through.

He opens the door and it’s Malleus playing, who stopped once he saw him.

“Lilia?”

“Khufufu~ playing the violin? It’s been awhile since I last heard you play.”

Malleus doesn’t question it nor make remarks at the slightly shaking hands he observes.

“Then by all means, join me and I’ll play you a piece I’ve been working on.”

“Gladly.”

Malleus’s presence and music warms Lilia’s chilled bones and heart as it always does when he’s nearby.

The heart that’s always connected to his.

Thinking of moments where Lilia would feel the cold of the rain and able to barely see beyond his hand’s length.

Lilia who would recall a child who ran away, in tears and snot, heartbroken by words he said in blasé.

The worry that stirs as he hurriedly goes back to his dorm, seeking—searching, until he’s in front of a door.

He opens it, and right in front of the TV is a silver-haired boy with a pink and blue sweater.

“Father? We had a game night tonight, didn’t we?”

“We did~ Club ran longer than expected.”

“I see.”

Silver hands him the controller, not questioning the strained smile on Lilia’s face.

As the night goes on, Lilia’s smile becomes genuine. Softer. As soft and sweet as the one who sleeps on him comfortably.

Thinking of moments in the rain when Lilia freezes. He can’t move. He can’t bring himself to move. Stuck neither to the past nor the present. He’s at a crossroads.

When you find him, he’s staring at the sky. The moon and stars covered; no light shining through.

You call out his name.

He can’t hear you.

You pull him back to your dorm. A part of him registers you. It would be you who found him. One who is lost and alone in another world, able to find another who finds himself stunted and alone—unable to choose a path.

The warmth of your hand thaws him, guiding him back.

When he comes to, you had already helped him undress and covered him in robe. His hair in a towel. He’s in front of the couch with the fireplace lit.

He’s not numb anymore.

“There you are, welcome back.”

You smile at him as you hand him a cup of hot chocolate.

“Dearest?”

“You got a little lost there, didn’t you? It’s okay. Happens to all of us.”

He feels warmth and a smile curves his lips as you kiss his forehead.

“We’ll always help you find a way back.”

We?

As if to answer his question, the Ramshackle Dorm’s door opens with a raucous.

His name called in various tones of worry and panic.

You smile at him knowingly, “I called the boys over before they destroyed the campus looking for you.”

He can’t help the laugh that shakes his frame.

How could he forget?

How could he get lost?

As the night settles, everyone crowds around him with various pillows, blankets, games, drinks, and snacks in array in the tiny living room. All in various states of sleep.

Lilia knows this.

No matter how many times he’s lost, frozen, and alone.

He’ll always finds his way back.

Should his steps falter?

They’ll always bring him back.

As they always do.

He’ll always return:

To His Warmth.

To His Heart.

To His Home.

Author’s notes:

This is the fic that I hurriedly wrote down right after my shift ended because I didn't want to lose the idea. Hit with so much love for Lilia (what else is new right?) and all the feels. I couldn't help but think about him and the rain and what he must think you know?

I was thinking about rain and thunder and everything Lilia went through under that type of weather conditions; from his time to the war to even during modern times.

Draconias have control over weather which Lilia knows well, but he’s also been through so much in that type of weather.

So I can’t help but think of Lilia, when it rains and thunders, those days when it he feels a bit more. When his wounds ache that much more. When he has his guards down. Vulnerable.

Remembering thunder and rain and treading through dark forest and mud, the fear and the determination to get to his destination. Lilia, who fell to his knees at clear skies because it means one thing, loss.

Lilia who had to face thunder and rain as a babe cries out to him from the cradle.

Lilia who ran out in the rain because his words hurt a child.

The coldness of rain.

I can’t help but wonder?? What does he remember?? During these moments. What does he feel.

But then, his boys are with him. That warm and loved he gave is given back to him tenfold.

He’s someone who has trouble finding things and gets lost, figuratively and literally, but that doesn’t mean he’s alone. There people who looks out for him. People who love him. People who guide him back.

The “there you are, welcome back” and “you got a little lost there, did you? It’s okay. Happens to all of all.” God this line ahhh how can I describe how much I love this line??

I think we all get a little lost sometimes you know? Life is just so vast with so many experiences. But, it can be lonely you know? It can hurt. But! But!!! It’s okay. It’s okay to get lost sometimes.

You’ll eventually find your way back. On the pathway that’s meant for you. And there’s people waiting, there’s people helping guide you, there’s people who love you. And I think that’s something we all need to hear and know, it’s okay to get lost sometimes but you’re not alone. You’re loved.

I feel this is what Lilia goes through. He makes mistakes. He gets lost. He gets stuck. He’s stubborn. He’s stuck to his ways sometimes. But that’s okay. He’s learning. Even if he makes mistakes and he loses his path or even if he’s stuck, he has people who love him. Who will guide him back home. He is loved.

….ahhhh I love them so much. I love him so much. 😭😭🥹🥹💞💞 I wish him all the love and happiness always 🥰🥰💞💞 Dearest love 🥹🥹💚💚