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"What would you say have been the biggest change after getting married?"
"Probably the fact that I get to see Malleus every day."
Malleus takes note of the way Cater grins and answers the interviewer's question with a gleeful tone. He couldn't help smiling at the response as well, but he also notices how Cater addresses him.
It's been a few weeks after their wedding. Malleus was prepared for the many changes in their lives and the influx of things they had to do once they were married but he was duly unprepared for the amount of interviews they had to sit through. It was a given, since their union was an unprecedented event both for both fae and humans. Rather than letting people speculate about how and why they decided to be together, they agreed it was best to satiate everyone's curiosity by allowing them a chance to actually ask what they want to know.
And boy do the people want to know. Malleus is surprised at how nosy people really are. The questions were only short of asking which of them sleeps on which side of the bed.
He doesn't mind the questions, not really. Some interview sessions were more boring than others, the interviewer reading off questions from their cue sheet and barely meeting their eyes, most probably intimidated by Malleus. Some were overenthusiastic, but Malleus appreciates their honest zeal.
Cater does most of the talking anyway. He's more used to being in the public's eyes, and knows what to say to answer the questions in the most entertaining way that people want. Malleus occasionally answers questions related to the royal delegations and tasks, but mostly he's content to just hold Cater's hand while displaying their wedding rings and sit back. Today's sofa is very comfortable too, so he lets Cater take the lead.
There is something, however, that Malleus notices throughout the interviews that they had.
"... and Cater has been a very bright addition to your life, I presume?" the interviewer directs the question to Malleus.
Technically speaking, Cater is a Prince Consort now and has to be addressed as such, but he knows Cater doesn't feel too comfortable with the honorific. They'd have to work on it, but he lets it slide for now.
"Of course. My husband has been a breath of fresh air since the moment I met him, and he continues being so."
He turns to look at said breath of fresh air and he's proud of the soft, slightly flustered smile that he's met with. He's seen the videos that Cater shared with him, clips of them in interviews looking at each other like they're each other's world (they are) and he knows this moment would be added to similar video compilations as well. If people enjoyed seeing them display their affections, then Malleus has no problems showing it off more.
"How sweet. Are you used to these kind of poetics now?" the interviewer focuses back to Cater.
Cater laughs. "I'm still learning to accept them. His Royal Highness is a smooth-talker, I always trip up around his flowery compliments."
And there it is.
Malleus knows Cater doesn't view him as a higher ranking royalty and that the title was used teasingly, but that's how Malleus took notice.
Cater never refers to him as his husband.
It shouldn't be a big deal, but once Malleus realized it he couldn't help but notice every time Cater refers to him as just "Malleus" and occasionally "His Royal Highness." He wonders why Cater avoids calling him his husband, and if he didn't do it on purpose, he wonders if Cater is still not used to the fact that they were married. But it has already been weeks and they've been doing everything newlyweds would do, so Malleus doesn't think Cater hasn't been hit with the realization.
The interview wraps up and they move to the next agenda on their schedule, which was luckily just lunch.
Malleus is glad the interview was over, but he recalls one of the question that was asked, which was the biggest change after marriage. For him personally, meal time is one of the things that changed. In the castle, he usually eats by himself. Whenever Lilia was around or on the rare occasions that his grandmother wanted to meet him, he'd have company but otherwise meals were always a one person thing.
After getting married, he has a husband to share his meals with. He understands the saying "food always tastes better in good company" now, because he always looks forward to dining with Cater. Whether they were having dishes made by the best chefs in the valley or just buying snacks from roadside stalls, he savours them all equally when having it with Cater.
They're having lunch at a restaurant near the interview location and booked a private space, of course. People mostly keep their distance when they're in public and don't interrupt their space, but they didn't particularly enjoy being stared at.
Cater is talking about introducing something to the castle, one of the modern inventions that Malleus would have to learn about. He should probably pay attention to Cater's explanation, but he's too distracted by the warm hand holding his on the table. The glint of their matching rings catches his eyes, and he thinks about his observation.
"... are you even listening?"
Malleus snaps to attention at the question. Cater's knowing look to him meant that he was caught zoning out. Instead of acknowledging his inattentiveness, Malleus diverts the topic instead.
"May I ask you a question?"
Curious at the change of topic, Cater nods.
"What is it?"
"Why do you never refer to me as your husband?"
Cater's eyes widened a fraction of a second before he chuckles.
"What are you talking about? I always call you my hubby?"
That wasn't exactly a lie. Cater does call him that when they were in private, usually after having a few drinks.
"Not in public. Not even once in any of the interviews we did," Malleus presses on.
Cater blinks twice, and Malleus knows him long enough to know that he was trying to figure out the best course of action. Malleus waits for his decision.
"Okay you got me," Cater sighs, shoulder slumped in defeat. "You're way too observant Mal," he pouts.
"Is there something wrong? Do you regret the marriage?"
Cater immediately shakes his head, his wavy ginger hair swaying around with the action.
"Of course not! Marrying you has been the best decision I've ever made and I'd do it all over again if I have to."
Warmth blossom across the fae's chest at the honest admission. He wasn't actually worried that Cater had regrets, but hearing him actually declare it makes him glad.
Knowing their relationship wasn't the issue, Malleus waits for Cater to explain the reluctance of calling him his husband.
"It's just that," Cater retracts his hand from Malleus, then fiddles with a strand of his hair, a bad habit that he hasn't quite grown out of from NRC days, "I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that. That you're my husband."
Malleus couldn't quite understand what Cater meant. Has he not been acting like a husband? Was he not meeting Cater's expectations? He thought he was affectionate enough, more affectionate than before they got married. They hold hands whenever they could, Malleus always makes sure that he kisses Cater goodbye when they have to part, and he always tells Cater how much he loves him.
Unknowingly, a frown settles on Malleus' face. This wasn't missed by Cater, who waves his hand dismissively.
"I know it doesn't make sense, we've been married for weeks now and my brain knows that we're husbands. But it's just... I've never really had someone I could confidently call... mine."
That explains things. Malleus starts to understand the situation.
Growing up, Malleus has always had things given to him. The title of Crown Prince, future governance of Briar Valley, the castle and the gardens among many others. Those were things that are his, things that he owns which would not disappear. It extends to people as well. He had Lilia, his advisor and long-time friend. Silver and Sebek, his loyal retainers. His.
Cater did not grow up with such privilege. From the stories he told Malleus, his experience of constantly moving to new places made everything seem temporary. Houses, friends and feelings all come and go. His time in Night Raven College was the first time he actually got a sense of familiarity, a solid ground that didn't change. He met friends that he could depend on and ones that would always have his back. And he also met Malleus.
"I'm sorry, it's such a silly thought. I'll remember to refer to you as my husband after this," Cater shrugs, wanting to end the conversation.
"It's not a silly thought. I didn't know you feel that way, but I can understand why you do. There's nothing wrong with it," Malleus assures him.
He knows Cater tends to make light of his own feelings or think they're unimportant, silly. It's one of the many reasons he got hurt in the past, by ignoring his own feelings, so Malleus always lets him know that his feelings are valid. They've promised each other to be more honest about their feelings and Malleus is glad Cater is doing it now by telling him the truth instead of finding excuses.
He takes Cater's hand, intertwining their fingers again.
"It might take a bit of time for you to confidently say that I'm your husband, and I can wait. You don't have to call me that without meaning it."
Cater's eyebrows are still slightly furrowed, but he smiles and squeezes the hand holding his.
"Thank you."
"Do you like it when I call you my husband?"
Cater sits up straight, surprised by the question. "Of course I do. It always makes my heart flutter, and I can't help feeling so lucky to be called yours."
Malleus goes to hold Cater's hand in both of his. "Good. Then I'll wait for the day I can experience the same when you call me yours."
The furrow on his brows return. "Mal..."
"I'm yours as much as you are mine," he pulls Cater's hand and kisses the back of it, "just remember that."
The tint of pink that spreads across Cater's cheeks is a lovely sight to see.
"Damn Malleus if we're not outside I would've kissed you right now."
"Later, then."
"I love you," Cater pauses, as if wanting to say more, "...so much."
"I love you too."
The subject was never brought up again as Malleus respects Cater's feelings and didn't want to put pressure on him. Malleus even almost forgets about it as they go through more interviews.
After what seems like the longest week of interviews, they finally reach the final one. Fortunately this session is conducted in the castle, as they have other matters to settle there today.
The interviewer is a very bubbly person, and she did a lot of research on them, asking questions that were fun but not too intrusive.
"We've already heard all about how you met, a very romantic story by the way, so how about the future? Can we know what are the plans, will there be chances for us to see you both in the media again or will it be all hush hush private affairs from now on?"
There isn't a concrete plan, aside from them doing their duties as the Crown Prince and Prince Consort. Their duties vary and there might be occasions where they attend public events.
Just as Malleus was about to answer, Cater speaks instead.
"You know, I've always been a live-in-the-moment kind of person. I don't plan much ahead, and instead go with the current flow. And to be honest, the future used to scare me because I'm always worried that a lot of my current happiness would disappear."
Cater glances at Malleus for a second before redirecting his gaze back to the interviewer.
"But I'm not too worried now. I still don't know what the future holds, but I know I'll always have my husband by my side, and that's enough."
He turns to smile at Malleus, at his husband, as he answers and Malleus feels himself about to lose all his composure.
"Awww that's so sweet. So is it safe to say that we'll be seeing more of you lovely couple together?" the interviewer asks Malleus, but he doesn't notice as he's still staring at Cater and processing what Cater had said, or more precisely what Cater called him.
Cater meets his stare and lets out a small laugh.
"Yeah, you'll be seeing us together. My husband is a very clingy person," he answers.
Screw keeping the PDA at minimum for the public. They're married for heaven's sakes.
Malleus leans in and lands a solid peck at the corner of Cater's lips, deciding in a split second to not kiss his lips. Despite the overwhelming love he feels and the urge to kiss Cater senselessly, he still remembers that there's another person in the room.
The interviewer chuckles. "I can see that. May you two have a long and joyful married life together!"
Luckily she didn't make it awkward and wrapped up the interview nicely. She leaves alongside the production crew after exchanging pleasantries and excusing themselves.
"So," Malleus starts, resting his arm across the back of the sofa, right behind where Cater is sitting.
"So," Cater replies, pointedly not meeting Malleus' gaze, observing his nails, fingers spread out on his lap.
Malleus grasps his chin, turning his face to meet his own.
"Seems like you saw a glimpse of the future?"
"It's the future I envision. I'm afraid you're gonna be stuck with me, dearest," Cater laughs.
The sound of his laughter coupled with his bright smile makes Malleus' heart surge with overflowing affection. He lets out a chuckle of his own, leaning his forehead down to meet Cater's.
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
They stay like that for a while before Malleus notices Cater glancing at his lips.
"Ah," Cater suddenly exclaims. "You kissed me earlier, that's gonna be all over the media after this."
Malleus shrugs. "I can't help it. My husband is the cutest person ever."
Cater hums and closes his eyes, pretending to be in thought.
"I would have to disagree. I think my husband is the cutest," he grins, snaggletooth on display.
Oh, Malleus underestimated just how euphoric it feels to hear Cater call him that again.
Now alone in the room, Malleus doesn't hesitate to finally go for a proper kiss. He leans in, hand on Cater's nape gently pulling him close. Their lips finally meet, and Malleus revels in the soft and familiar sensation. Maybe it's because they're still in their newlywed phase, but Malleus doesn't think kissing Cater will ever fail to make him calm and content, make him feel like he can surrender his heart and leave it in Cater's hand, knowing Cater will cherish and take good care of it.
All too soon, they part to catch their breaths. Cater sighs as he wraps his arms around Malleus. "I'm so glad that you're mine."
Mine.
Cater might not consider a lot of things as his, but at least now he undoubtedly believes that Malleus is, which pleases Malleus to no end. He returns Cater's embrace, and kisses the top of Cater's head.
"I'm yours, love. Now and forever."