The Circle Gate Guardian

Malleus Draconia x Reader

1.04k words

A/N: on a roll w/ these. I think it's because I have so much schoolwork due. #procrastinator.

Malleus Draconia had lived long enough to measure his life not in years, but in the music that accompanied it. 

They had music in Briar Valley, of course they did.

But it was different than the sort of music that was popular among humans. It was older, more instrumental, and ethereal, in a way. It reminded Malleus of his childhood. Reminded him of dancing in the Great Hall with his grandmother when they needed a break, of being young and free, of being able to wander the Earth as if it were his little world, and of everything within it being his and his alone.

The music changed as he got older. It morphed into something slower, deeper, quieter, and focused. Measured and restrained.

It reflected what he was becoming.

A perfect heir.

A prince.

A future king.

There was less wandering and laughter. Days now overtaken by lessons in magic and diplomacy. Power, he learned, was not something he was allowed to wield freely. It was something he had to control.

Until one day, the music stopped.

As if something within him had been cut clean through.

He was surrounded by a college full of people, a place filled with life.

Yet, he had never felt so alone.

He noticed the absence of the music. The absence of warmth and rhythmic melodies being replaced by whispers of fear and judgment whenever he passed by. 

He had become accustomed to isolation long before this. But it was different. He could tolerate the whispers and the looks.

But what he could not tolerate was the silence.

The painful, deafening silence.

Without warning, you arrived. 

It took him by surprise. You were one of the first people (human or fae) to not be intimidated by him. One of the first to treat him as an individual. An equal. Not as a powerful mage to be feared.

It confused him. He thought you foolish. Who would treat THE Malleus Draconia as a simple man?

But he kept running into you. In the courtyard, in the halls, even on his nightly escapades.

It was then that he heard the faint start of a melody.

It was slow, very slow.

A simple smile sent his way during a passing period, a small “Hello” sent his way during lunch, and an accidental brush of shoulders in the courtyard.

He noticed the smaller things about you in these moments. The way your voice would lilt in change in the hallway, fighting to be heard against the ocean of voices. The way the sunlight would catch in your hair as you laughed with the first-years during lunch before your eyes landed on him. The memory of your scent as you quickly rushed out an apology after brushing shoulders.

All insignificant on their own became something soft and steady.

Something that sounded like the beginning of a song. 

Nothing like Malleus had ever felt, or heard, before. 

The music got louder the more he was around you.

It strengthened with every conversation, every fleeting interaction he had with you.

One night changed everything.

He had been walking, as he often did.

The grounds of Ramshackle were quiet, glowing under the moonlight. it was one place that he could go that felt peaceful.

Until

"Mind if I join you?"

He turned.

And there you stood, outlined by the shine of the night.

He should have refused. It would have been the sensible option.

But something tugged in his brain.

A small nod followed suit.

You fell in step beside him.

The silence was awkward at first, but Malleus didn't mind, and it seemed you didn't either.

You broke the barrier by starting a conversation.

You spoke about your day, your classes, and some small frustration with one of your classmates not pulling their weight during a group project.

You asked him questions too. Not about his power or his royal status. But about him. What he liked. What he thought. What he remembered.

And for reasons that he still cannot explain, he answered.

When the walk ended, he expected that to be it.

A one-off. A singular moment in his expansive life.

But the next night you returned.

And again. And again. And again.

What should have been a small, fleeting act of spontaneity turned into an unlikely friendship.

After that night, Malleus found himself drawn to you. 

At first, he tried (and failed) to keep his distance.

He would linger in places where he thought you might be.

He would watch you to make sure you got to your classes ok.

When asked by Lilia or Silver, he would find a lame excuse about needing to talk to one of the teachers.

He would watch and listen for you and your friends' laughter during lunch. Never fully listening to what Sebek was ranting about or Lilia's teasing comments.

As weeks passed, he got bolder.

He started walking you to your classes under the guise of convenience. Eventually not needing an excuse altogether.

He would escort you home at night, despite you trying (and failing) to convince him that you were fine.

He provided for you in small ways. You would find things you needed appearing before you had the chance to go to Sam's to get them for yourself.

You argued. You protested. You refused.

Of course you did.

It only made the melody lighter. Stronger. Warmer.

Soon, it was odd to spot one of you two without the other by your side.

“Best friends," Silver stated.

"A distraction” is what Sebek called it. 

“Love” and “fondness” are what Lilia claimed.

Malleus could not find it in himself to correct them.

He could not find words accurate enough to define what he felt.

He enjoyed your presence, your passion, your intellect, and your beauty.

But most of all, almost selfishly, he loved the music you put back into his life. The rising and falling, and the sweet sound of your voice, created a symphony so beautiful it would make the angels in Heaven weep.

You changed him.

With you by his side, Malleus was no longer alone, no longer feared.

He was gentle, patient, and kind.

But above all.

He was yours.

I never thought I'd actually finish this project anytime soon, so I kept it mostly under wraps for a long, long time.

And I cannot believe I'm finally able to say this but!!

My very own interactive fanfic!!

The characters in the game right now are: Riddle, Leona, Azul, Jamil, Vil, Idia, Malleus, Lilia and Floyd.

The reader is gender neutral.

Each character has 12 obtainable endings — 6 romantic and 6 platonic endings! (A total of 108 Endings!)

You get to choose if you want a romantic or platonic end!

5+ scenes for each character with some having hidden triggers to get to them!

Each route is about 12k-17k words. (A total of 144,155 words!!)

The endings depend on the choices you make!

A very few of my mutuals and friends knew what I was upto, and I'm extremely thankful for their presence!!!

Especially @charredcipher who helped me test everything thoroughly. I genuinely owe them my life, and he's the reason I was able to fix and polish this so quickly!!

Anyways!! I hope you guys enjoy it <3

The event basically is based on Cinderella.

People wears magical glass slippers that leads them to the dance floor where they would dance with their fated true love. However they also been enchanted by a face blind spell that will only disappear once the dance is over.

Here is the boys reactions when they see you as their fated true love.

🌹 Riddle Rosehearts

As the enchantment shatters like spun glass, Riddle turns with a calm breath—expecting decorum.

Then he sees you.

His expression freezes. For a split second, he doesn’t speak—he just stares, eyes wide and full of quiet disbelief. “You…?” The word is barely above a whisper.

Then the guilt sets in. How many times has he scolded you for things you did with good intentions? How many times did you show him kindness anyway? He takes a step forward, voice trembling. “I… I never imagined it could be you. But… I’m glad it is.”

---

♣️ Trey Clover

The moment the spell fades, Trey blinks slowly, turning toward the person who had just been laughing softly with him about his “two left feet.”

“Y/N?”

His smile comes easily—gentle, warm, a little shy around the edges. “Guess the stars were right—you are my perfect match.” He chuckles quietly, then takes off his glasses to clean them—nerves creeping up behind his calm demeanor. “Well, if you’ll have me… I’d be honored to keep dancing with you, glass slippers or not.”

---

♦️ Cater Diamond

He opens his eyes, expecting something MagiCam-worthy. But when he sees you, he just stops.

Like the music vanished.

His painted-on grin falters for a heartbeat, replaced with something real. His brows rise—he’s stunned. Then he lets out a small, breathless laugh. “Woah. You’re seriously my match?” And then softer, “I mean… wow. It feels right.”

Then he’s back to beaming. “Gonna need a selfie with you ASAP, babe~ This moment? Totally priceless.”

---

♥️ Ace Trappola

When the magic lifts, Ace looks around like “okay, let’s get this over with.”

And then—he sees You.

His entire face short-circuits.

“Wha—HUH?! You’re kidding, right?” He laughs, flustered, then rubs the back of his neck with a huff. “I mean—not that I’m complaining or anything, but seriously? You?”

Then, with a rare, genuine softness: “…Guess that explains why dancing with you didn’t suck.” He grins, cheeks red. “Don’t get used to the flattery, ‘kay?”

---

♠️ Deuce Spade

The spell breaks—and Deuce turns to look at his partner, expecting someone graceful, someone elegant...

Instead, he sees you. His eyes go huge. “Y-Y/N?!”

He stumbles over his own feet. “I—I didn’t… You’re my…? Oh man.” His hands hover awkwardly like he’s not sure whether to bow or apologize. Then, slowly, a sincere smile spreads across his face.

“I’m really happy. I can’t believe it’s you… but I’m so glad it is.” He gently offers his hand again—his ears pink. “If it’s okay… can we dance one more time? Just us.”

---

🦁 Leona Kingscholar

The spell lifts, and Leona exhales, impatient. He turns lazily—bored and ready to brush the whole thing off.

But then… he sees you.

His eyes narrow. Then open.

“…Tch.”

You. Of all people.

He looks away for a long moment, jaw clenched. “You?” he mutters under his breath. Not angry—afraid. Because someone like you is dangerous. You are the type that could slip under his guard and stay.

“…You’re really unlucky, you know,” he finally says, voice low. “Getting stuck with a guy like me.”

But he doesn’t walk away.

He stays.

Because deep down, maybe this cursed glass slipper finally fits.

---

🐶 Ruggie Bucchi

The magic fades—and Ruggie blinks fast. His face scrunches up as he sees who it is.

“Wait… huh?! Y/N?!”

He actually chokes on his own spit, then laughs out loud in disbelief.

“Nooo way. Seriously?! You got scammed by fate, huh?” But the laughter doesn’t reach his eyes. Because behind the joke is a flash of awe, a quiet flutter of something he doesn’t think he deserves.

“You… you sure this ain’t some fluke?” he asks quietly, voice softer than usual. And when you smile at him?

He grins, a little crooked.

“…Guess I better stop skipping out on breakfast. Got someone to impress now.”

---

🐺 Jack Howl

Jack feels the magic vanish—and his instincts kick in before his thoughts do. He turns and locks eyes with you.

“…!”

His mouth parts, stunned. “Y/N…?”

He’s completely still. Like someone punched him straight in the chest. His ears twitch, and he looks away almost immediately, the tips of them bright red.

“I—I don’t get it,” he says. “You… you’re always so kind. And strong. Why would someone like you be fated for someone like me?”

Then, more quietly:

“…But I’m not gonna reject it. I’ll work hard to be worthy of it. Of you.”

He gently, almost shyly, holds out his hand again.

---

🐙 Azul Ashengrotto

The enchantment fades. Azul brushes a hand through his hair, ready to paste on his usual pleasant smile—

—and freezes.

His glasses nearly slip off.

“Y/N?” he breathes, startled. His brain short-circuits—surely not. Surely fate wouldn't be so cruel.

Because you’re the one person who helped him, smiled at him, saw through him without demanding a single thing.

His heart sinks.

“This must be a mistake,” he says stiffly, guarding his voice behind a businesslike tone. “You deserve someone… far more noble. Someone better.”

But when you step toward him—soft eyes, genuine smile—his walls crack just a little.

“…I’ll protect this bond,” he murmurs, barely audible. “Even if it’s fragile. Even if it’s foolish.”

---

🍄‍🟫 Jade Leech

The magic lifts. Jade’s ever-present grin flickers into something still. Almost… unreadable.

“Well,” he says smoothly, tilting his head as he stares directly at her. “How utterly unexpected.”

And yet—his heart skips.

You are the one?

The gentle, intuitive person who treated even him with warmth? The one who brought him wildflowers once, just because?

He steps closer with deliberate calm, but there’s a rare glint in his eye—something almost reverent.

“…You do realize what this means, don’t you?” he murmurs. “You’ve wandered into very deep waters, dear Y/N.”

His smile returns—still sharp, but now laced with something tender.

“I hope you’ll let me keep you safe in them.”

---

🦈 Floyd Leech

The second the spell breaks, Floyd whips around in excitement.

“Oi~! Who’s my shrimpy fate—”

Then sees you.

Stares.

Eyes wide. Expression unreadable. For a long second, he’s just… silent.

“…Eh?”

Then it hits.

Like lightning.

A gigantic grin spreads across his face.

“EH?? SHRIMPY?? YOU’RE MINE?? AHAHAHA!! THIS IS SO FUNNY!!”

He grabs you, spins you around. “Now you can’t escape, y’know? Not from fate~!”

But even through the playful tone, there’s a weird softness in his eyes when he looks at you.

“…You really danced with me, huh?” he says, quieter now. “Guess you’re stuck with me forever, Y/N~ …That okay?”

---

☀️ Kalim Al-Asim

The moment the magic lifts, Kalim gasps—

“Y/N?!”

He beams, eyes shining like a child on Christmas morning. It’s not confusion—it’s pure, overflowing joy.

He clasps your hands instantly.

“I can’t believe it was you! That’s amazing! I knew you felt so warm—but you?!”

And then? He laughs. Bright and loud and full of delight.

He whirls you into another impromptu spin. The music may be over, but Kalim is still dancing.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world! You’re my destined one?! I’m gonna tell Jamil! We’re gonna throw a whole party just for this!”

But when things quiet down, he leans in close and says more gently—

“…I really hope I can make you as happy as you make me everyday.”

---

🐍 Jamil Viper

The spell breaks.

Jamil stares. His entire posture stiffens.

He looks at you like someone just told him the moon is in love with the sea.

“You—”

He stops himself.

His heart is racing.

Not because you’re unsuitable. But because you are everything he never dared imagine he could have.

Someone too kind. Too selfless. Too good.

And you are his?

He steps back slightly, gaze guarded, walls going up by instinct.

“…This doesn’t make sense,” he says. “Fate must be mistaken.”

But then he sees your eyes—that look—and his breath hitches.

You're not afraid. You are not second-guessing. You’re just there. Standing there with open arms.

And something inside Jamil breaks—in the best way. His arms wrapped around you.

“…Don’t disappear,” he says quietly. “If this is real… then stay.”

---

💄 Vil Schoenheit

The moment the spell fades and your face becomes clear, Vil’s breath halts.

His eyes widen just a little—barely perceptible to others, but a storm of surprise in his heart.

“…You.”

He says it softly. Like a revelation.

Not in disdain.

Not in disappointment.

But with a kind of reverence he didn’t know he was capable of.

“You’re… my fated one?”

Vil steps closer. He studies you—truly sees you.

Not just your softness or your sweetness—but your strength too. The quiet kind. The kind that shines brightest under pressure.

He exhales, then offers you a hand once more.

“Then I am lucky. Because to be paired with someone like you—someone so sincere… I must be doing something right.”

And though he hides it well, there’s a faint pink dusting his cheeks.

---

🏹 Rook Hunt

“Mon dieu…”

The moment he sees you, Rook presses a hand to his heart like he’s been shot.

His entire face lights up—thrilled, amazed, deeply enchanted.

“Quelle beauté, quelle grâce—! My dear, to think it was you! My heart knew your soul long before my eyes saw your face!”

He circles around you with practiced grace, admiring every gesture, every shift of expression. Not to make you uncomfortable—but like a painter taking in their muse.

“It must be fate. There’s no other explanation for the perfection of this pairing!”

He kisses your hand dramatically.

“I shall devote myself to uncovering every layer of your mystery, ma colombe. This is but the beginning of our story~”

---

🍎 Epel Felmier

“...Wait. Y/N?”

He freezes.

Stares.

His ears go red instantly.

“Wha—You—you’re the person I was dancing with?!”

It short-circuits his brain.

Sure, it felt nice during the dance. Gentle. Comforting. But You?!

He splutters. He’s embarrassed. He doesn't know where to look. His image!! What would Vil say?!

“…W-Well, it’s not like I’m upset or nothin’! I mean, you’re great! I just—uh—wow, seriously? You?”

Then, sheepishly, he mutters under his breath:

“…I guess I’m kinda glad it was you.”

But he won’t say it again.

Unless you asks. (Then maybe.)

---

💻 Idia Shroud

"..."

The silence lasts too long.

The second your face comes into focus, Idia freezes like a computer crashing mid-update.

No words. Just big, horrified eyes and visible internal screaming.

“Y/N?! A-Are you sure the spell's not glitching? Maybe it didn’t update—Did anyone patch-check this thing—?!”

His hair flares pink and blue in chaotic, panicked pulses.

Because out of everyone, it had to be you.

The person who brings food to his dorm, talks gently to Ortho, and—worse of all—smiles at him like he’s someone worth smiling at.

He flails for an escape route, mumbles excuses, nearly trips over the hem of his coat—

But before he can run off, he glances back.

You’re still there. Looking at him. Softly. Not laughing. Not mocking. Just… warm.

And he short-circuits again.

“...N-No way someone like you got stuck with someone like me…”

Yet maybe—just maybe—a part of him is happy.

(Ortho will never let him live it down.)

Ortho beams like a kid on their birthday.

Then, more seriously, he floats up a little closer.

“...Please be patient with Nii-san. He gets scared easily. But I think you might be the one person brave enough to reach him.”

---

🐉 Malleus Draconia

The spell breaks—and he blinks.

You.

You were the one he’d danced with. The one who laughed so gently at his awkward steps. Who offered their hand without hesitation. Who didn’t shy away from the magic in the air—or in him.

A long silence. His expression unreadable at first.

Then, a slow, blooming smile—one that feels like dusk melting into moonlight.

“So… it was you.”

His voice is deep, low, fond.

He gently holds your hand—carefully, reverently. Not as a prince, but as someone who’s been alone for a very long time, and now finds himself seen.

“I have never dare to dream of having someone that the stars sent for me,” he murmurs, “and yet here you are. A light that chose to walk with a shadow.”

He bows over your hand—no grandeur, no theatrics. Just genuine warmth.

“If you will allow it… I would like to remain at your side for all the dances yet to come.”

---

🦇 Lilia Vanrouge

“Oh ho~?”

The moment the spell lifts and he sees you, Lilia’s eyes sparkle with mischief—and something softer underneath.

“Well, well, well. I must have done something good if the stars paired me with you~.”

He takes your hand with a little flourish, still playful—but there’s a rare sincerity in the way his gloved fingers curl around yours.

“You were quite the enchanting partner. Even with the mystery magic... I felt it was you.”

His tone dips briefly, more honest.

“You remind me of the world I used to dream of. Soft, but strong. Kind, but never naive. Someone who could weather even the harshest of times with their heart still intact.”

He winks. “Looks like I just found a reason to stay here a while longer.”

---

⚡ Sebek Zigvolt

“…!!!”

Sebek freezes. His mouth opens. Closes. Opens again.

“Y-You—!? Y/N?!”

His face turns bright red.

He is absolutely malfunctioning.

“I- I mean— IT IS AN HONOR! A-AN UNEXPECTED ONE! TO BE DESTINED —TO YOU!”

He straightens up immediately, hand over his heart like he’s pledging to protect you in battle for the rest of his life.

(Which, let’s be honest, he might.)

“You danced… excellently! Yes! You upheld the decorum of the event beautifully! The grace, the dignity—! I was impressed! No—moved!”

He pauses. Lowers his voice, just barely.

“…You’re very gentle. Even to someone like me. That’s… I’ll treasure that.”

He bows stiffly, then softly says:

“I’ll guard you as if you were royalty.”

---

🌘 Silver

He blinks slowly.

“…It was you?”

He sounds… a little dazed. He hadn’t expected it. But as he looks at you, something quiet and peaceful settles behind his eyes.

“…That makes sense.”

There’s a slight flush on his cheeks, but his voice is calm—serene, like morning mist.

“You’ve always made me feel at peace. Even when I’m tired, I can hear your voice and feel safe.”

He gently takes your hand and holds it like it’s something fragile. Precious.

“I would like to keep walking beside you… if you’ll let me.”

And for a moment, just one moment, you swear the usually drowsy Silver smiles—a soft, open smile, like sunlight through clouds.

We must teach them the Lore of things,

When i hear complaints about gen x i say " did not gen x bear the brunt of AIDS and the creation of the 'inner city'? wasn't it gen-x marching for queer rights and women's body autonomy and a change in corrupt banking policies in some of the largest protests in the country's history?"

when i hear complaints about millennials, i say "have not millennials fought against and lived through so many 'once in a generation' disasters they should by all rights have given up by now? Are not millennials those who rally against the status quo? the industry killers, the cop protesters, they who live through unending hardship as the economic noose tightens, leading the charge for sustainability and socio-economic reform?"

when i hear complaints about gen-z i say "hasn't gen-z gotten involved younger, and been involved stronger, in the continuance of these noble traditions? Are they not living without even the broken pieces of the promise given to the generations that came before? haven't they had their childhoods derailed by the imminence of consequences for actions they were never even present for?"

when i hear complaints about generation alpha i say "HOW DARE YOU. How dare you malign these souls who will have to fix so much that they did not have a hand in ruining... or else die of these mistakes made before they were born. How dare you do the work of our shared oppressors and alienate our fresh blood. You are not to mistreat and mock the youngest soldiers in this fight, no! you point out to them the best targets, you share your rations, you show them how to stay alive, because anyone in the trenches with us is our brethren, our sistren. Our safety and our strength."

Summery: Every 100 years, the spirit of the Great Seven and their rival return. Sometimes, they attempt to right the wrongs of the past, get revenge, or relive the same story, but it all is the same - only one spirit gets their Happily Ever After.

Azul has always had a fascination with the human world, which only intensified once he met a human girl, Grace Trien. His desires to become a Great Mage of both Land and Sea and to explore the human world and all its wonders with the Tweels and Grace by his side, but Prince Rielle is willing to do what ever it takes to stop the little Cecelia from getting his Happy Ending.

Tags/Warnings (Subject to Change): Friends to Lovers; Bullying; Angst and Fluff; Body Image Issues (Azul); F!Oc is Trein's Daughter; Little Mermaid Au; Soulmates;

Chapter List:

Chapter 1: Friends

Chapter 2: Summer's End

Chapter 3: A Change in Tides

Chapter 4: To Capture a Heart

Chapter 5: The Deal

Tag List: @twistedcece @thisisafish123 @coffee-or-hot-cocoa

Notes - I have been working on this for a very long time, and I hope you all enjoy it! This is going to be part of a larger Great Seven Return AU. The Oc pairing for this story and "Prince Eric" replacement is Grace Trein. She is based off my Oc Grace Wilde so if you want to learn more about her click the link, but you can replace her name when reading if you want to read it as Yuu or another name.

Meleanor hated humans from the bottom of her heart. In part 5, she punished Silver, Sebek and MC for just looking at her by forcing them to kneel to the point they couldn’t breathe, she wishes for Malleus to be feared by all humans- not loved by all, loved by only fae and feared by only humans.

She never listened to anybody, not even Lilia who did everything he could to save and protect her.

Malleus now has formed a friendship with MC all on his own, he cared for Silver since he was a baby. He listens to Lilia’s advice and cares about what he thinks, and is always trying to connect with people better

The Knight of Dawn knew what he was doing to Meleanor and Briar Valley was wrong, he had enough sense to warn Lilia about what the Silver Owls were planning to do with the egg and give him room to escape, but he did not stand up for what was right.

The Knight couldn’t bear to go against the family that took him in, so he committed something awful simply because he was told to.

Silver, despite his fierce loyalty to Lilia and Malleus, stands up for what he knows is right even if it means going against their wishes.

Silver would never harm Malleus ever and actively works towards unity between fae and humans.

Most species are still delighted. But we are the Bybleotekar, the recorders of the spaceways, and we have begun to wonder. Our merry companions are… not different, but too much the same. They understand so readily, accept so quickly - most new species have trouble adjusting to dealing with aliens, to the realities of space travel, to the sheer bigness of the universe. But the humans are so adaptable, so ready for it all, they might be remembering something they’ve forgotten, not learning something new. 

Some of us, the Izaslanik of the Bybleotekar, the gatherers of information for the record keepers, began encouraging humans to join us, that we might study them more closely. They like the work - they are a curious species, delighting in new knowledge, and they make able assistants. My human companion is named Mira, a young female. She is a good companion, who sings sweetly and laughs often. 

When Mira struck the first blow against what I thought I knew of the universe, against illusions soon to shatter that I had thought were truth, we were attending the coronation of a lesser Netar of the Kktil, recording the customs and ceremonies and unofficially enjoying the colourful celebrations. Mira was watching the dancing, her mouth widened in a ‘smile’. “It’s so pretty,” she said, her hairless face sheened with sweat under the hot sun. “I love the turquoise jewellery.” She pointed to the bright blue stones that bedecked the dancers. “I should buy some. Our homeworld doesn’t have any turquoise, you know. Only a few pieces we brought with us when we came.” 

It takes me a little while to understand what she said. It is only later, during the feasting, that I turn to her again. “You said your homeworld doesn’t have turquoise. Only… what you brought with you. Do you mean turquoise you have bought offworld, since you joined the spaceways?”