ꪶ 𝐄ʟɪᴢᴀ ꫂ

Sylus would burn the world, the organization, everything if it means that you would  be safe from the invisible flames of hell. But what use was his protection if you were to just throw yourself into the fire? He couldn’t understand you–the thoughts running through your head at this exact moment. Time and time again you’d asked him to take you along on this mission. It wasn’t like this was your first time tagging along anyway, however, Sylus calculated the risks and this wasn’t something he’d allow. 

“I am slow to anger, but you seem to be testing whatever little left I have with my patience,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he continued to take slow and deep breaths to keep him from exploding then and there. He was teetering on the edge of the cliff at this point, warning you to even dare push him this time. 

“I can take care of myself, you know that!” you retorted, moving towards his front with your hands balled into fists. Determination and courage flowed through your veins, but all he saw was some reckless fool who couldn’t detect the soft plea that mixed with his continuous warnings. 

The problem wasn’t in your ability to protect yourself in dangerous situations. Sylus knew you were more than capable of defending and thinking on your toes; after all, you were able to make your way to him with the help of your own sheer will. He just couldn’t let you go–not when this particular mission could end with one less person he’d come back with. He just didn’t tell you the odds though, knowing full well that the very reason for your possible death may fuel your desire even more. No one else would protect you if not him. 

Neither of you would budge from the stance you both took. Two contradicting opinions that were blind to reason. Frustrated from this back and forth loop of a conversation, it was evident that either one had to throw in the towel for both of your sakes. 

“You know what? Fine. Go on your stupid mission for all I care.” 

Sylus watched as you stormed off, getting a glance of your facial expression when you took one last look at him over your shoulder. Brows furrowed, a frown on your lips, and in your eyes he saw a fire burning within you from both anger and the pain that came with the feeling of being abandoned. Soon, he would know that pain would cut deeper than any knife that pierced through his skin. 

“I told you not to come,” he whispered through gritted teeth as he held your body closely to his chest. He knew that if he lost his grip on you, you would be gone forever. At that moment, he felt it–the fear of losing the person he wanted to protect more than himself. 

“Then who would save you if not me?” Using the small amount of strength you had left, you were able to form a small and weak smile. Breath growing shorter, more shallow and the blood from your wound began to stain his clothes. Sylus brushed a stray lock of hair away from your face, memorizing the way your eyes looked at him. 

“Shh. We’ll get you some treatment somewhere. We’ll watch the sunset together again.” He held you even tighter, your ear against his heart while he buried his nose into your hair, inhaling your scent once more and committing it to memory. 

“It’s gonna be okay. I’ve got you,” he whispered one last time. 

The night had long gone by and the early morning sun began to peek from the horizon, casting its rays upon the part of the earth that needs its sunlight. The room, however, only allowed a limited amount of light that gleamed beneath the curtains. Early birds began to rise to their alarms to get the day started, however, Sylus and his partner have yet to rise from the bed. 

Sylus hummed a quiet tune, not loud enough to wake his sleeping companion that hid beneath the blanket from the cold night. His arm propped up to get a better view, so peaceful and serene despite the drool and soft snores coming out of your mouth. He brushed stray hair away from your face, fixing the blanket, and wrapping his arm lazily around your waist. There was much to do today. The list could go on and that isn’t even considering the amount of time each task required. After all, a perfect plan takes its time. Regardless, how could one ruin such a pristine morning when their arms are occupied by a partner such as you? 

He heard a soft groan and a smile formed on his lips at the sight of how your eyelashes fluttered open. He compared the frown upon your face from waking up this early to a pouty little kitten. 

“Now look at who finally decided to wake up.” His low voice rumbled in a deep whisper, sarcasm dripping on his very tone as he watched you look up at him with half-opened eyes that struggled to stay open. A chuckle left his lips as he brushed the back of his fingers against your cheek, a silent urge for you to not go back to sleep. 

If looks could kill, Sylus would have taken your breath away in an instant and with his dangerous reputation, he could definitely kill a person as easily. That same man, deemed a villain to many, had his heart stolen like a piece of gold that was hidden behind the safe that a novice thief happened to know the code to. The road wasn’t easy and it will continue to have challenges ahead, and yet you were his as much as he was yours.