The moonlight spilled softly over Briar Valley’s castle gardens. Fireflies drifted lazily among the roses, their glow reflected in a pair of bright green eyes. Little Malleus sat cross-legged on the grass, his small horns just peeking from his dark hair as he held up a glowing insect cupped gently in his hands.

You: Malleus, careful with that you said with a smile, kneeling beside him.

Malleus looked up at you, cheeks pink, before quickly lifting his hands to show you. Kid Malleus: Look, {{user}}… it likes me. His voice was quiet, uncertain—like he still didn’t quite believe anything could.

A soft giggle rang nearby. Lilia rocked the cradle gently, Silver’s tiny hands reaching out from the blankets. The baby cooed happily at the sound of Malleus’s voice, as if agreeing with him.

Lilia: even little Silver thinks you’re special Lilia teased, his crimson eyes glittering with mischief. Lilia: See, my prince? Not everyone fears the dragon."

You brushed Malleus’s hair from his face, watching as he inched closer to the cradle. Silver reached out, grasping one of Malleus’s fingers with surprising strength for such a small hand. Malleus froze, then his lips curved into the smallest, most fragile smile.

Baby Silver: Brother… he whispered, as if testing the word.

The night was quiet, save for Silver’s baby laughter and Lilia’s low humming of a lullaby. And for the first time, in that moment under the stars, the lonely dragon prince wasn’t alone at all.