she captures beasts and devours men

Oh, how he abhorred physical education.

Riddle turned on the faucet, huffing, wrinkling his nose at the drops of sweat that rolled down his face, bangs clinging to his drenched forehead.

It wasn’t because he wasn’t good at it—contrary to what others might say, Riddle felt he performed more than adequately—he simply detested Coach Vargas method of training. Though reluctantly admirable in his tenacity, Riddle was left with more aches and pains than he liked whenever Vargas had his sights set on a regime.

Like today. 

Especially today.

Riddle pursed his lips, refusing to grumble under his breath as he cupped his hands beneath the running water. Carefully, he splashed his face, hoping to wipe off as much grime as possible before club activities. 

He clicked his tongue, allowing a curse to pin itself to Vargas’ name for the additional flying lessons—“It’ll help those twigs on you, Rosehearts!”—and patted his face dry, rolling his neck to ease the pressure that had built up.

(When they had first been acquainted, Cater once asked Riddle if his neck ever hurt from staring up at people all the time.

Riddle still wonders if he let the other off with only a stern warning because it felt like a question Che’nya would ask.)

“It’s not often one sees a queen so unguarded.”

Riddle jumped at the voice by his ear, turning his head sharply, snarl ready on his lips at whoever dared to invade his space—

Only to find Lilia, a pleasant smile on the other’s face.

He was mildly disappointed it wasn’t Floyd because then Riddle could have spat poison at the other for pestering him as usual. But Lilia was different in a manner that was unknown and a potential threat, so Riddle composed himself and greeted his senior. 

Truth be told, it irked him. He wasn’t one to give in easily to intimidation, and he had no trouble asserting his position over others should the occasion call. So why there were moments when Lilia’s presence made him feel like nothing more than a child puzzled him.

“Khee hee, did I surprise you?” Lilia’s eyes seemed to twinkle, a finger on his chin, playful. “My apologies.”

“Not terribly, no,” Riddle answered as he straightened out his shirt. “As for your previous statement, I see little reason why I should be guarded in the restroom.” He straightened his shoulders, trying to hold back the acid from his ruffled pride out of his words, “I can very well watch over myself.”

“And I have no doubt about that,” Lilia said with a nod, “I wonder how Sebek would react if he ever heard Malleus utter such a thing.”

So we’re conversing, Riddle thought as he remembered the time. Sebek and Silver were more than capable of handling the club activities without supervision, but it wouldn’t do for him to skirt his responsibilities. I’ll have to cut this short—

“I’ve been meaning to ask you a question, Riddle.”

Riddle raised a brow, curious. “Concerning?”

“Your ability to tame wild beasts,” Lilia said, “Sebek’s never praised a human so highly before,” he kept his distance, but Riddle felt cornered when Lilia smiled widely, “Silver mentions you rather fondly as well. It piqued my curiosity.”

Riddle refused to submit to the pressure that swarmed the room, holding his head high. “All it requires is a firm hand and rules to guide them along.” He suppressed a shiver that ran down his spine, sweat rolling down his neck. His skin prickled, and a dark look entered Lilia’s eyes, Riddle all too aware of the senior’s sharp teeth.

“Is that so?” Lilia hummed as he stepped closer. 

“Yes,” Riddle responded curtly.

“Would you be so courteous to offer a demonstration?”

Riddle’s brow furrowed. “What—”

Lilia was in front of him, overwhelming. Riddle flinched, his right foot momentarily losing its grounding. 

He wasn’t sure when Lilia grabbed his arms, steadying him. His hands remained, and he began to trace shapes with his thumbs along Riddle’s sides, eyes half-lidded as he hummed, “Silver would be a good first choice. Gentle enough not to leave marks.”

Riddle’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth, but Lilia continued, his hands moving to Riddle’s hips. 

“Of course, you’re a ruler built from a pride withstanding. Made to endure even the roughest of fools,” Lilia said thoughtfully, “You could wear out Sebek in no time,” he moved one hand to the center of Riddle’s abdomen, trailing up a half measure from his belly button, “Perhaps here? Heh,” he leaned in, lips tickling Riddle’s ear as he spoke, “What a delight it’d be to see you try to hold him in.”

Riddle felt a heat coil deep in his belly, face burning red as he tried to move back, hitting the sink. “You—!”

Lilia laced their hands together, tilting his head as he stared at Riddle intently. “Rulers often do well in pairs. Our subjects would be more than willing for someone like you,” he brought Riddle’s hand to his lips, brushing them along the ridges of the other’s knuckles, “Malleus has much to learn, but I’m sure you’re more than suited to tame him.”

Riddle was ashamed that the pressure in his body tightened at the thought. He tried to ignore the way Lilia’s hands felt pressed against his, “I hardly think he of all people needs taming.”

“Heh heh, is that fear I smell, Riddle?”

He felt his blood boil, words spilling out of his mouth in anger, “Are you questioning my abilities?”

Lilia’s grip became firmer, and in response, Riddle tightened his hold fiercely, refusing to back down. The action seemed to delight his senior, eyes twinkling and thumbs caressing the sides of his index fingers, acting as if Riddle’s grip held no more power than an infant. 

“Goodness, of course not,” Lilia said in a low voice, teasing. It grated against Riddle’s ears, and he ground his teeth as Lilia continued, “It just wouldn’t do if the queen were to be devoured by beasts.”

“Queens aren’t so feeble,” Riddle bit out, venom laced through his words.

Lilia leaned in and brushed his lips along the side of Riddle’s neck, Riddle feeling the hint of sharp teeth as his senior smiled. “I know.” With little effort, he freed himself from Riddle’s grip and moved a hand to cup the back of the other’s neck, toying with the small hairs there.

Riddle was mortified when he realized he had begun to lean into the touch, a soft sigh falling from his lips. Before he could regain his composure, Lilia placed his other hand on the small of Riddle’s back, holding him close, “How lovely.”

The shame returned full force when Riddle realized how the praise affected him, hoping that Lilia missed the way he pressed his thighs together.

“No need to be ashamed,” Lilia muttered, trailing the hand that was at his back down to his front, resting just above Riddle’s crotch. “We treat our royalty,” Lilia moved his hand down and pressed two fingers against Riddle, spreading his lips and allowing the slick to seep through, “Wonderfully.”

Humiliation clawed at Riddle as he fought the urge to rock against Lilia’s fingers, pride not so brittle to crumble under such tactics. He swallowed harshly, blood pounding in his ears as he spoke, “Then prove your beasts are worthy of me.”

The fingers pressed against him harshly so suddenly that Riddle couldn’t help but yelp as Lilia pressed a quick kiss to his heart. Before he could say anything, Lilia pulled away, already standing by the door.

“Heh heh, I do hope we don’t disappoint,” he said, licking his fingers, “Until next time, my dear Riddle.” 

Riddle held onto the sink as he crouched down, gulping down air now that the pressure was gone. He felt the wetness pooled between his thighs, underwear damp and uncomfortable. Riddle wondered if he had time for a shower before he caught sight of the time and cursed.

Hopefully, Sebek and Silver wouldn’t inquire about his current state.

His mind wandered back to the conversation with Lilia, and the pressure in his belly tightened again.

“Mother,” he thought aloud, “What should I do…?”