#and also kai being 'be mean to my sister so i can punch you freely'

[likeafairytale]

"I actually get that you want to protect your sister's softness. I do. Lyra is a lot like her. She used to crawl into my bed when she had a nightmare - if anyone noticed her she would've been exiled by now. We're trained to be ruthless, the ones that aren't are sent back to their other parent. Which is why I always insisted on being honest about all the cruelties of the world. She insists on staying soft, but I do my best for her not to be weak and blind. That's how you protect the people you love in this world. Otherwise, they'll get badly hurt. Or worse." - Aeron to Malachai

❛Are you judging my way to deal with my sister?❜

❛Maybe a little.❜

Even though Malachai did not like being judged, he couldn't help but chuckled a little to his last words, especially when he showed a little space between his thumb and forefinger to show his point. Although the merman didn't expect it, he ended up by quite tolerating –would he dare say liking?– his brother-in-law. He wouldn't have believed it sooner, but Aeron quite understood what it was to be a prince with so much responsibility, since it was quite obvious that he was his mother's favorite, just like Malachai himself was his father's favorite. It was easy to talk about those problems with him, even though he didn't want to admit it, he tried to pretend he did it unwillingly, but people could see that the merman appreciated the fae, and vice versa, which caused some argument between Malachai and Nathaniel most of the time –the poor siren thought his brother was replacing him, which was completely wrong, but Malachai didn't understand the fear.

Malachai wanted to go for a swim, alone, and as an annoying little brother –now Malachai could actually understand Nathaniel's fear– Aeron started to follow him, probably because he'd rather be with the crown prince of the oceans than with his own brother, which the merman understood, the fae's family was terrible in any sense of the word. At first, Malachai ignored him, like he often did, but like often, Aeron, who hated silence, started to ramble about everything, and the subject of their little sisters came into the discussion.

As stated previously, Malachai did not like being judged, even more when it was about his siblings; since his mother's death, he was the one who had to deal with them, and so raised them because most of the maids and servants were too scared of Triton to discipline them all the way it should. But the problem was that Malachai himself was a teenager, sort of, at the time, and having to be a parent when you had no experience in the matter was difficult, especially when you're expected to train in combat and politics most of the time. He knew he did wrong towards his siblings, especially Calypso, who was still a child of Lyra's age when their mother died, but he hated to admit he failed his siblings.

❛Some people need tough love to understand things. I think your sister requires it.❜ Aeron advised which was very wise of him; anyone would think it was out of character for him to say such a thing, but Malachai knew by now that the fae was actually a wise man, he was just hiding it very well.

❛I know she does.❜ He admitted while sighing. ❛Trust me, I try my best, but each time I do, she shut-downs and refuses to talk until I apologize. I know I should have done it way sooner, but try to raise five children by yourself when you are just as lost as them.❜

Once again, Malachai sighed, coming closer to the shore, and so to the fae. He stayed in the water, for it was refreshing, and he always loved being a merman better than being a human –but who wouldn't? Looking in the distance, Malachai was lost in his mind, asking himself if he should explain better why he was so protective and loving with Calypso, or if this should stay a family business, but once again, Aeron was his brother-in-law, and therefore, even though it was hard to admit, he was family too.

❛She almost died, did you know that?❜ He suddenly asked which visibly was something the fae did not know and wasn't expected to hear.

❛We don't really talk that much.❜

❛She was born prematurely, and almost died. Ironically, she couldn't breathe underwater at first, mother was so scared, father was unbothered. She had to be brought to the surface. Father told me I shouldn't bother to know her name because she was dying anyway. He didn't want to see her, for at least six months. Saying, 'where is the point of knowing her? She's weak, I don't need a weak child.' But then, she got stronger. That's when she started to be interesting to him. In his eyes she had no chance to survive, so seeing her getting strong was... fascinating, I suppose. He liked her, or pretended to, I'm not quite sure with him. Made her the Realm's delight, which became stronger after she received her power. Everyone loved her, the people, the maids, all of us. She was a little miracle. Because she had such a weak upbringing, no one dared being too harsh with her, except Father, maybe. Oh, one maid tried, she got fired by father, and it became an example. After that, she was allowed to do what she pleased, no repercussion, although sometimes she got some from father. All of that to say; this is why she is so... soft and blind to the world's misery. We sheltered her too much.❜

It was clear, at Malachai's look, that these memories weren't the most pleasant he had. And maybe he shouldn't have told them in the first place, especially to Aeron, for it was an intimate matter between the Blackwater family, but a part of him thought that his brother-in-law should know why his wife was so sweet, and soft, and, at time, borderline bratty and selfish. Because she was never told 'no' before. Of course, Malachai did not know all his sister's life story, even though he thought so, he did not know yet about his father's dagger, and how Triton loved to stab his youngest daughter, and this was the reason she was out for days in a row.

❛That's... sad. You all let her get away with her behavior just to spare her feelings. Now look at what she is. Even my little sister has a better knowledge of the world than her.❜ Aeron started while struggling, visibly unbothered by what he just heard, or maybe he did not process all the words yet, Malachai did not know which version he'd rather believe, and the merman prince sighed and rolled his eyes. ❛You smother her too much. Like I said, she'll probably get badly hurt or worse. And that'll be on you.❜

❛She is already married to you, what worse could happen to her?❜ Malachai said with amusement which made Aeron rolled his eyes. ❛But you're right... That's why you're her husband. You tell her the honest truth, and I still stay the good guy, and I got to punch you sometimes. Everyone wins.❜

❛What am I winning in this deal?❜

❛You can be as honest and mean to her as you wish. Should be enough.❜

On those words, Malachai splashed Aeron with his tail, before going back for a swim, letting the fae prince all wet in the shore.