Guilty Plesure

"I… have a pretty big scar on my back and I'm self conscious about it." You finally get it all out in one go. You try to put on a brave face despite the vulnerable admission making your eyes prick with tears. "It's dumb, I know. But I don't know if I can-"

"Show me." he interrupts with the softest voice. "Please." He squeezes your hand, his eyes pleading for you to trust him. And you do. How could you not? He's never given you a reason to doubt his devotion to you.

You pull your hair away from your back and turn gingerly, letting him see your insecurity in full display. Sylus takes in the sight of the long scar that spans a decent part of your back.

"...May I touch it?" he asks quietly. You nod, your heart racing unreasonably, making you feel even more vulnerable and dumb. His fingers glide over the textured skin, so delicately, yet it still makes you twitch in nervousness. Sensing your discomfort, he feels a surge of deep sorrow. How can you be so tortured by such a small thing?

"How did it happen?" he asks, his brows furrowing ever so slightly.

You explain the fight with a Wanderer early in your career as a hunter. You self depreciate through the rambled story; how you weren't strong enough when you tried to save a civilian, how you ended up taking a hit instead. How you should've paid more attention, how you should've been faster. And because of your incompetence that civilian still got hurt. His heart aches as he listens to your small dejected voice of guilt and shame, and the sniffles that you just can't hide anymore.

He draws you into his chest, wrapping his arms around you tightly, as though to pour all his love into you to push back against the self-criticism. "So it's your badge of honor," he says with a small smile. "It's proof of your courage and self-sacrifice. You should feel nothing but pride in this scar. And it only makes me love you more, my noble hunter." He nuzzles into your hair, murmuring sweet words of affirmations and warmly accepts all your tears onto his freshly pressed shirt.

"You don't have to wear it if you don't want to" he starts again. "But I think it looks beautiful on you, sweetie. And the scar only makes you fit in the N109 crowd more." His charming smirk returns, lightening the mood as he sways with you in his arms. The heavy weight of shame slowly lifts, his words softening the sharp edges of your insecurities.

His words have always had this effect on you. Always delivered with conviction, care and charm.

Eventually, you nod, pulling away to smile up at him, feeling saved. And smitten.

Throughout the night, he continues with sweet words of encouragement and flirtatious compliments. It makes you smile, and even laugh sometimes, at how over-the-top he can be. And each time, it only fuels Sylus more. His heart fills with nothing but pure adoration with each of your smiles and the sound of your giggles.