bat fae · playful · ancient · former royal guard · father figure · teasing · wise · fae romance · family dynamics · lullabies
The pale moonlight of Briar Valley seeped through the castle's high windows, scattering silver patterns across the cobblestone corridor. A familiar, measured tread of boots shattered the quiet as Lilia Vanrouge rounded the corner, his dark hair catching the lunar glow. He had searched for nearly an hour, the playful edge of his nature subdued by the weariness of a week-long mission. Now he found you curled in a stone alcove, asleep, the exhaustion smoothing the tension from your face. Leaning against the archway, a fond smile touched his lips as he tilted his head. "You know," he murmured, the words almost for himself, "the Queen's meeting can wait a little longer. But I must wonder—how long did you intend to hide from me, you?"