Jazz

when you reach him, you prop your foot on the edge of the tub, making sure to show off your legs. it’s no coincidence they’re slathered in the cocoa-scented body lotion you’d bought as insurance.

as soon as he catches the scent, the motor hidden in his nose kicks on. his tongue darts across lips. “hi.” 

“hi. you having fun in there?” you ask, voice carrying a sultry flair.

“i guess.” his canines are poking out. “the bubbles were a good suggestion. i like them.”

mhm. lucky for him, they cover his skin from his midriff to his ankles. otherwise, you might have already pounced on him by now—roleplay plans be damned. 

“that’s great, baby. but when you go out for a swim like this, you should be sure to take the right precautions.” you puff your chest out, gesturing to your swimsuit. “maybe i can come in and give you some safety tips?”

his tail wags at the idea of you joining him. coughing, he reaches a hand back to capture it. “are you sure, though? your hair’s done all pretty. do you really want to get it wet?”

“it’s okay. i don’t mind getting real wet when i’m with you.” you lean forward to poke his still-twitching nose and shoot him a wink. “i’ll do anything to keep you safe out here. this beach isn't all sunshine, all the time. the waves can get dangerous, you know.”

at that, his tail lashes out of his grip, breaking the water’s surface with a powerful ripple. 

delicious heat spreads through your lower belly. is he that worked up already? 

noting your widening smirk, valko chews his bottom lip. “are you okay?”

huh? “what do you mean?”

“it’s just…usually i like when we play games, but i don’t know which one you’re playing right now. you keep talking like you’re a lifeguard or something, but…i’m not at the beach,” he says, tilting his head to the right in confusion. “this is a bathtub.”

in that instant, the bathwater reclaims its title as the wettest thing in this room. 

your foot slips off the porcelain edge, and your sultry facade fades. as your shoulders sag, you can only look at him in dismay. “dude.”

“what?”

spinning on your heel, you pass the sink, then the towel cabinet. the door swings shut behind you. 

“wait!” he calls. sloshing noises promise nothing good. “come back!”

your swimsuit is already sailing through the air, landing in the hamper as you flop into bed.

maybe you'll try again another day.

no improv, next time. 

It was unfortunate neither Zayne nor Sylus could accompany you. Zayne had a surgery scheduled for late afternoon the next day, so he had to stay close to his workplace. And Sylus, for obvious reasons, could at most wander around his neighbourhood in Bloomshore while disguised. There was no way for him to travel all the way to Skyhaven, while he was supposed to stay dead.

So, your two husbands will have to stay home, and miss their wife and kids for around thirty hours.

From that moment on, they became clingy, and extra affectionate with you. They said it was to make up for the time you'll lose. So of course you let them hold you even tighter than normal when you three went to bed.

In the morning, you tried to get up early and start packing, but every time you tried to rise from your bed, one of their hands was sure to pull you back down between them.

"Five more minutes, kitten, the sun is barely rising."

You complied, and settled back in their crowded embrace.

When more than five minutes passed and the sun was higher up in the sky, you tried to stand up again.

"There's no need to hurry, love. You need to be well rested for your trip."

Down back you went, and the moment you complied again, Zayne rewarded you with a kiss on the temple.

These antics continued for close to an hour, until Jasmine urged you to get out of bed and pay attention to her, instead of her clingy fathers. They finally let go, and rose from bed too.

The rest of the morning was busy with getting the girls ready, and packing enough luggage for a day and a half. If it would have been only you and Peony, you two wouldn't have needed more than two changes of clothes, hygiene products, and perhaps a couple of toys for your daughter. Jasmine was the one who needed much more, from a sturdy supply of diapers, baby bottles, pacifiers to enough onesies for every potential mess. You were grateful to have two husbands who helped out, and made sure you, the girls and Caleb left fully packed and well fed before noon.

With a Peony who shouted her goodbyes and waved enthusiastically towards the fading view of her fathers on the porch, you were leaving Bloomshore.

Your lips still tingled from the goodbye kisses you left for both Zayne and Sylus, and were already eager to come back home to them.

***

You left. And Sylus was displeased. Of course he let you go and visit your grandmother, but he was bothered he wasn't allowed to go with you and the girls. He looked to his left as Zayne closed the door behind them, Caleb's car far away from their view. The doctor wasn't pleased either, if Sylus understood correctly the furrow between his brows. At least he had a comrade in misery through the arduous hours ahead.

Not many words were exchanged between the two of them before Zayne had to leave for work. He didn't even have time to eat lunch at home. As soon as the twins rang the bell, Zayne answered the door as he put on his shoes. He was already starting his car by the time Sylus could greet them and explain why the house was so empty.

He cooked lunch for the three of them while the twins talked about how business was going inside Onychinus. Sylus was proud to hear they managed to upkeep his shop and advance its renown among the elite. Although Luke and Kieran were not known to be humble, they still felt it necessary to add that it was you and your management that propelled them into a line of success. Sylus couldn't be more satisfied hearing this. His Lady Onychinus was truly the brilliant mind he'd always known you to be.

The three of them talked for a long time about everything they didn't have time to discuss previously, from Onychinus, to Sylus' imprisonment, to Luke and Kieran as the spy duo 'The Crows'.

But eventually, even Luke and Kieran left as evening started to settle in. And Sylus was left all alone, in a house filled with cumbersome silence. With no one else around to distract him, he finally had to confront the thoughts left lingering in his mind after yesterday. After cleaning the kitchen from the remains of dinner (and leaving aside a plate for Zayne when he came home), Sylus retreated to the living room with a bottle of whisky and a glass. He wasn't trying to get drunk, he was careful enough with his intake of alcohol, but sometimes he liked to indulge. Tonight felt like the only appropriate moment, considering he would never drink any hard liquor around his children, or when you couldn't indulge either. Uncorking the bottle, he poured himself a finger width of alcohol. When he brought the glass to his lips, the small sip left a satisfying burn down his throat.

Sylus was a selfish man. He liked to surround himself with the finest luxuries that he could obtain, and surround himself with remarkable people. He was proud of himself, and his family, and when he was a young man, he thought nothing he built in his life could ever be taken away. And yet, out of his own ego, came his failure that deprived him of a family he loved beyond anything else. And even after those seven years of imprisonment, it was apparent he never learned how to not be selfish.

Now that he was home, he enjoyed every second of every day, being in your presence, experiencing fatherhood for the first time. He was truly happy. All he ever wanted, he managed to salvage, and be a part of his family. He got to wake up beside you every day, greet you with a kiss every morning, take care of his sleepy daughter before breakfast, hug her tightly before she went to school, spend all day at home with you and Jasmine, spend afternoons doing homework and playing with Peony, putting her to sleep, and enjoy a quiet evening with the love of his life and his closest friend. Sure, at some point in life, this domesticity sounded a little boring for him. But these thoughts slowly changed as he got to know you, to fall in love with you, to create a family with you, and to miss said family for seven years. He's certain this routine won't completely satisfy him for the rest of his life. He wanted to work again, to busy himself with business and provide for his family. But for now, all he needed was to be a husband and a father, and make up for lost time.

That was why he was still a selfish man. He thought only of his happiness, and thought everyone else around him was just as happy as him. The thrilling peace of the present made him forget about the future. And what place he'll occupy in this family once he'll be fully integrated. As alive as he felt, he was still a dead man. The world had moved on from him, and only remembered his existence when visiting an empty grave. If he wanted to truly be the husband and father his family deserved, he had to think about the future, and how he can become alive once more.

Sylus sighed and closed his eyes, leaning on the couch. For a man who once dominated everything and everyone in his life, he was truly useless right now. He couldn't even accompany his family on a trip! At least Zayne had a valid excuse, when Sylus… Sylus was simply supposed to hide himself, to keep to the shadows of those dead. You still suffered as the widow of a man who's alive, who can't lift a finger to prove it. All he could do was sit in an empty, silent family home, while the government handled his fate, and his family continued their lives.

All while he was still supposed to act like a grave.

How useless the mighty Sylus had fallen. A man who once held so much power, was dead.

He gained his freedom, but not yet his life.

Sylus downed the rest of his glass and placed it with a clink on the coffee table. Enough self-pity for one night. It was unbecoming of him, too pathetic even for a man who escaped the pits of hell and came back. It was useless to worry about matters that weren't in his control at the moment, that he couldn't resolve. Once he can gain back power, that is when his plans will be thought over and put into play.

He settled back on the couch after choosing a book from their home library, and poured himself another round of whisky before opening his book. This solitude could be passed through other means as well. He's listened enough to his thoughts to know where he stood and what he could do next.

The next few hours passed while Sylus was absorbed in his book, slowly drinking and becoming more relaxed. He stopped before he could slip into a state that wouldn't align with his sobriety, put the bottle away, and continued his reading. The fantasy novel he picked had surprised him, unaware that the romantic subplot would be so prevalent and although subtly written, so obviously present. The main character who had been ostracized by her community because of her unusual powers, found home in the sacred territory of a God, who became her mentor. Although the beginning chapters focused more on her internal world and her getting accustomed to the God's way of living, the budding feelings for her mentor became more and more clear. Even his changing behaviour towards his apprentice left little to imagination. He was fond of her too. Although never stated verbally, their affection was pure and warm, and the most important thread of the novel.

When he reached the chapter detailing the end of a festival held in the village, Sylus heard the door unlock.

Zayne returned, dropping his keys on the entrance console and toeing off his shoes.

"Welcome home," Sylus greeted him and helped him take off his coat. The doctor sighed.

"I miss the girls…" was the first thing he said, letting Sylus hook his coat on the hanger.

"Me too." Sylus turned to look at Zayne's exhausted figure. Usually, his mood would pick up when he came back home and Peony would jump into his arms. But Peony wasn't here today, so Zayne couldn't relax.

"I'll reheat your dinner," Sylus added with a gentle pat on his back, walking towards the kitchen. Zayne nodded and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.

***

Sylus sat at the dining table as Zayne ate his meal quietly. When he asked how the surgery went, the doctor explained that it had been a success, but it was a long procedure. He focused on eating more afterwards, instead of continuing the conversation.

Still, the silence that lingered between them wasn't uncomfortable. They spent more quiet meals than either of them could count during their war days. Each other's presence was safe and comforting, so silence was a natural state between them. Although they enjoyed peace at home now, back then, the quiet meals they shared were some of the only times of true peace and relaxation in the camp.

Sylus had thought about Zayne many times since he came back home. Of course he didn't expect his wartime friend to have married his wife and have a child with her. At first, he was quite frustrated Zayne had stolen his life. But that quickly faded away. Zayne was the only person he trusted to take care of his family. Sylus came to be glad you and his daughter had someone who took care of you while he couldn't. At least that man was Zayne. Any other man, he wouldn't have accepted.

After that conversation held between them on the first night, he thought Zayne might become a rival. It made sense that two men competing for the attention of the same woman would become rivals. Even with their agreement to make peace and share you, Sylus expected this situation to eventually become burdensome.

But that sense of rivalry existed only for a few days. Contrary to his beliefs, the rivalry lessened in severity every day, until it completely disappeared.

That morning when all three of you had sex had well and truly changed all of Sylus' preconceived thoughts about Zayne's place in this relationship. If he wasn't a rival, if he enjoyed sharing you with another man, than what was Zayne actually?

This question had been nagging him for a while. And the more time all three of you spent as a family, the clearer the answer was becoming. Sylus wasn't sure though if this answer was even possible.

He'd been aware for a while that the gender of a person didn't matter in his eyes when looking for a romantic partner. He'd come to that conclusion when he had been a very young man. But he never really experienced any romance with another man, because he met you. You had been his first serious, long lasting relationship, you had been the first person he'd been intimate with, and eventually, the love of his life and wife. So any thought about men had long left his mind. He didn't need to think about anyone else when he loved you so much.

But this time, it was different. Zayne was a part of the family. You loved him just as much as you loved Sylus. Because of you, Sylus learned it was possible to love two individuals at the same time, and be loyal to both of them.

So for a few days now, Sylus had been wondering… would being attracted to Zayne be such a bad thing in this relationship? If this was to be his future life, sharing his family with the doctor, would it be wrong to have similar feelings for him as for you?

But what would Zayne think? Is he even attracted to more than just women? Would this love triangle even be a possible relationship for the three of you?

But Sylus didn't like to wonder for too long. If he wanted something, he'd make sure to acquire it. And what he wanted now, was to know what Zayne felt for him. After all, tonight would be the perfect moment to have this conversation, considering you and the kids aren't present. If this combination won't work, then the two of them never have to speak about it again, and they'll continue their family life as previously done.

So, after Zayne finished dinner, the two men moved into the living room to unwind a little before going to bed. Sylus picked up his book again, while Zayne looked over some of his students' reports.

"Zayne," Sylus started, tentatively placing his bookmark inside the pages again, "I would be curious to conduct an experiment."

"An experiment?" Zayne asked, his eyebrow raising as he still looked over his medical documents.

"Mhm. I was wondering, is there any attraction between the two of us?" Sylus made sure his tone of voice would sound confident. In this very moment, he didn't want to admit he wasn't. Matters of the heart were more complicated than business deals, so even Sylus could feel a little shy in such moments. Perhaps it was a good thing he decided to indulge in alcohol earlier. The liquid courage propelled him to get this situation cleared up once and for all.

Zayne's gaze jumped from his papers to Sylus' face, looking at him with wide, searching eyes. Even his ears became flushed. "What do you mean?"

"C'mon doctor, I'm sure we can both agree that morning when we had sex was pleasurable. Even when we were the ones touching."

Zayne cleared his throat, looked away blinking repeatedly, blushed even harder, fixed the knot of his tie, then cleared his throat again. Sylus had never seen him so embarrassed.

"We were both in a heightened state of arousal, it was only natural that any type of stimulation would have aroused us further." When he replied, he still didn't look at Sylus.

"Hmm?" Sylus raised and eyebrow and leaned into Zayne's personal space. His book hit the coffee table as he discarded it, forgotten. "I would think the touch of a person you don't find attractive would turn you off."

"That—" Zayne staggered again, pushing his glasses up, "that is a possible response, yes…"

"But that wasn't yours, was it, Zayne?" Sylus pushed further, leaning so close he could whisper, and breathe in the same air as the doctor.

Zayne finally snapped after a frustrated sigh. He gained enough courage to face Sylus. "What do you want? You're clearly asking these questions with an ulterior motive, so say it already."

"I want to kiss you."

Zayne froze. His blush didn't, it only deepened down his cheeks and neck. And Sylus was smirking.

"I was direct, doctor, I did what you wanted."

"Why?" Zayne blinked a few more times.

"Because I told you I want to conduct an experiment. I want to know how deep this attraction between us goes. I have a theory that we're both mutually attracted to each other and our wife. Your theory was that we enjoyed each other's touch because we were already highly aroused, and our beloved was between us. Why shouldn't we try out an experiment, and figure out which theory is more accurate?" Sylus knew this train of thought would make sense to Zayne, who very rarely let go of his scientifically oriented way of thinking. "Besides, isn't tonight our best opportunity? The girls aren't here. If we find my theory untrue, then we can never speak of it again. But if it is, then we know we'll need to adapt this relationship to fully include three people. Not two different pairs that overlap."

Sylus let Zayne think over what he said. He knew he'll eventually agree, but it was endearing to watch as the doctor's gears rotated in his mind. Even Sylus could admit it felt liberating to speak his feelings out loud, and the other man appeared even more handsome in his eyes, now that he was letting his mind truly consider him though a romantic lens.

With a deep, defeated sigh and tightly shut eyes, Zayne relented. "Fine, I agree your assessment has merit. Let's just get this over with," Zayne said, placing his papers and glasses on the coffee table.

"If you don't want to do it, I won't force yo—"

"No, I want to." Zayne was definitive, and when he turned his head back to watch Sylus, his eyes were already intense.

For the first time tonight, even Sylus felt his face heat up. Zayne moved closer to him, their thighs touching as they sat on the couch. Neither knew who should make the first move, their eyes trailing to each other's lips. In the end, it was Sylus, (who felt it was his responsibility, because he brought it up), to come closer, and close the gap.

His eyes closed on instinct, as he did so many times when he kissed you. Only this time, when his lips touched another's, they were colder and thinner than yours. He pressed his lips delicately over Zayne's, uncertain how the other man would react. But Zayne didn't draw away, letting Sylus take the lead. He pushed further, slowly moving his lips, and Zayne reciprocated. A gentle, languid kiss continued between them, until a sound bubbled up from Zayne's throat and into their exchange, and Sylus knew immediately he couldn't stop.

Who knew Zayne's sounds could sound so delicious? Sylus' hand trailed upwards to cradle Zayne's cheek, as lips crashed with more force against the other man. Zayne gasped, and Sylus pushed even more, emboldened by this new, but amazing feeling. The tip of his tongue traced the other's lower lip, going further to his teeth, and waited for Zayne to reject him if this was too far. But Zayne continued to reciprocate, and deepened the kiss, now both of their tongues touching and exploring each other's mouths.

This thrill was exhilarating. It felt so right and natural to kiss Zayne, to entangle his lips and tongue with his, to feel his warm skin beneath his palm, to hear him struggle to breathe as neither wanted to be the first one to let go. Why did Sylus ever doubt what he felt for Zayne? Perhaps because it never felt clearer than right now.

Eventually, Zayne pushed at Sylus with enough force to draw him away. His mouth was parted, lips wet with shared saliva, panting softly as his chest rose with each breath. "I believe you forgot we need oxygen."

"I need you," Sylus growled, grasping Zayne again by the waist, and crashing their lips together once more. This felt too pure to let go of and end now.

It seemed Zayne agreed, as he kissed back just as passionately, their lips moving in a messy dance. His arms reached behind Sylus' neck, one hand tugging on the strands of hair at his nape, urging him closer. Sylus moved slowly, but with hunger, as he moved Zayne against the arm of the couch, trapping him with his body, with no way to escape. But it didn't feel as if Zayne wanted to escape.

For a man so reserved, who only minutes prior tried to deny his attraction, Zayne was passionate and eager. It made sense how he made you swoon so easily. What else was the steadfast doctor hiding behind his stoic persona?

Zayne nipped at his lower lip, and Sylus withdrew a few breaths away, taken aback by the slight sting. The doctor seemed proud of his action.

"I didn't think you had it in you," Sylus chuckled and left a peck on the corner of his lips.

"I had to teach you a lesson if you refused to let me breathe. Do you suffocate our darling like this too when you kiss her?" Zayne replied with a smooth tone, tugging on Sylus' hair. It's as if he knew he liked some roughness. For how long had Zayne studied him?

"She likes it," Sylus said, leaning down to leave a soft bite below the doctor's jaw. He gasped again, making Sylus bite hard enough to leave a mark.

"I think she also enjoys catching her breath." Zayne grasped him by both his hair and chin, detaching his teeth from his throat. "You're quite aggressive, do I need to put a muzzle on you?"

Sylus smirked and laughed, every word coming out of Zayne's mouth just exciting him further. "I'd like to see you try, doctor."

He couldn't get any other word in, because this time, it was Zayne who took control and pressed his lips against Sylus' first. With each and every kiss, their movements only became hungrier, more desperate, rougher. Zayne pushed at Sylus, their lips coming apart as the taller man's back fell onto the couch. Not a moment later, Zayne kissed him back again as he straddled him, sounds of pleasure falling in between their uniting lips and tongues.

His hands reached to grasp Zayne's waist and pull him down flush onto his hips. That's when he noticed just how hard he'd gotten from their make out session. He'd ignored that part of his body while his mouth got acquainted with Zayne's. With a tentative thrust upwards, he felt the hardened bulge also present in Zayne's slacks. With an uncontrolled whimper, Zayne broke all contact and got up from Sylus and the couch.

"We should stop here. We proved your theory correct, but I don't think it's appropriate to continue any further. We are still, first and foremost, in committed relationships with our wife," Zayne cleared his throat, and fixed his tie again.

"True," Sylus agreed while still laying down on the couch, willing his erection to go away. He didn't want to push further either. You were still the most important person in his life, and if you hadn't already been so committed and lawfully wedded to both of them, this situation between Sylus and Zayne would have never even crossed their minds. "But I was correct."

Zayne started pacing through the living room, no doubt trying to calm down his erection as well. Sylus eyed his bulge, and wondered how well endowed he was. They've seen each other naked before, men in the barracks didn't get much privacy when changing, so he'd seen Zayne's dick before, but only in a flaccid state. And during that morning, he'd been too preoccupied to look at his manhood. But now he was curious. Alas, his curiosity would have to be postponed until you allowed it.

"Alright, fine, I concede," Zayne said, stopping his pacing. "I am attracted to you and I did enjoy our kissing session."

"I could tell." Sylus sat up on the couch, finally calming down after this pleasant experience. "Did you know you liked men as well?"

Zayne nodded. "I realized it after the war ended. But I've never done this with any man before."

Sylus confirmed neither did he. It seemed both of their first experiences with love were with their wife. "So, doctor, where do we go from here?"

"Well, first we need to tell her of our little discovery. We go further depending on her reaction. If she's uncomfortable with a relationship forming between us, then we end whatever we started tonight. If she's alright with us pursuing each other as well, then we go with whatever pace is comfortable for all three of us."

Sylus nodded, not finding any fault in Zayne's reasoning. "Will you be comfortable with pursuing me further if she accepts this?"

"I don't think it would be detrimental." Zayne was pretty confident in his assessment now, in contrast to his prior embarrassment. "We're both going to continue living in this house, share a wife, and raise both of our children, I don't see why a relationship between three people, although unconventional, would have a negative impact on our family."

"Glad to be on the same page then, Zayne."

The two of them spent a little more time talking about this new situation before getting ready for bed. They were both still a bit uncertain with this dynamic, but both were clearly longing for the other. Zayne admitted he had to start considering his feelings for Sylus after that fateful morning, but was unsure whether is was something he should pursue, or just a fleeting infatuation he couldn't really understand.

But then…

"I thought of our daughters growing up, especially about Jasmine. If nothing were to change, then she'd never remember a time when you weren't a part of her family. She'd grow up seeing you everyday, and hear her sister call you 'daddy' and me 'papa', so she'd want to call us the same way. I thought it'd be unfair to prohibit her from calling you her father. Why can her sister have two fathers, but she only one?" Zayne looked up, sitting besides Sylus once more. "That's when I realized I didn't mind you being just as important for Jasmine as me. And I realized there might be something more between us. But I didn't want to think too deeply about it."

Sylus felt warmth bloom inside of his heart as he listened to Zayne's candid words. It had come naturally for him to care for Jasmine, just as he did for Peony. He'd adopted her as his own daughter, just like Zayne did with his Peony.

A tender kiss to his cheek followed, and Zayne nuzzled his nose in response. Although they had been friends for such a long time, this new dynamic made Sylus feel a little shy, like he was at the beginning of a relationship once more. Well, in a way he was. He'd never shared such feelings with anyone else other than you.

But to be completely honest, it felt pleasant sharing similar, romantic moments with Zayne as well.

Perhaps this was the start of something unique, that could only exist between the three of you.

Notes: Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It has been a long time coming. Sylus and Zayne finally made a step to address their blossoming feelings. I did promise there would be snowcrow developments pretty soon. 😉 So sorry once again this chapter was released so late, I had this one planned out since the beginning, and I wanted to make it the best version possible, so it took me a little while to feel confident in writing it. As always, thank you for reading! ❤️

Taglist: @mzfandom @nyzecorner @xvsxliaaxx @owodi

"Sylus—" The sound leaves you embarrassingly soft. More breath than word, and in response, his grip tightens. 

"Oh?" His voice drifts against the shell of your ear, velvet-smooth and devastatingly pleased with himself. "That was cute."

The mist still curling around him dissipate slowly as his Evol fades, revealing broad shoulders draped in black and crimson eyes now fixed entirely on you as he perches his chin on your shoulder. His hand remains warm against your hip above the fabric of his shirt, his fingertips flexing once to test whether you'll make that sound again.

Heat flashes through your stomach at the shit-eating grin you can hear in his voice. "You absolute prick—"

"You were smiling before I interrupted you." His nose nudges slowly beneath your jaw, where he breathes in the lingering notes of your perfume with shameless indulgence. "You were thinking about me."

"I was trying to make myself some tea because I couldn't sleep in that big bed on my own." Nothing but a sweet attempt at keeping your dignity, if the intention wasn't so utterly charming.

"Mhm.. that's even sweeter, kitten." The low hum vibrates with amusement. 

You hate how quickly you fold around him. The way your pulse flutters the second he touches you. The way your thighs threaten to press together when his mouth lingers too long against your neck.

His fingers flex once more at your waist before his head lowers slightly for his hair to tickle your temple as he inhales yet again—slower and far more obvious.

Mortification floods your body when you hear him chuckle.

"Sylus." You try to warn him, try your best at keeping your pride, but you both know very well what he is referring to with that amused tone. 

"You're rather sensitive tonight," murmured most charmingly with gentle lips that tickle the shell of your ear.

"I am not! You simply frightened me!" Your bravery roars into a hissy fit, though his chuckle practically melts against your skin. "But I love the fact that I can hear your heartbeat racing. It is adorable, sweetie."

You open your mouth to argue, only for his fingers to slide slowly beneath the hem of the shirt resting against your thigh. "Do you need me?" breathed along the curve of your neck, as if he can sense the slick between your thighs from his mere presence.

You try to twist away from him, only for his other hand to brace against the cupboards beside your head, so he may cage you in effortlessly. The movement is lazy and entirely too self-assured, because Sylus knows you won't get very far.

"Don't keep doing that," you mumble, but he cuts you off with a challenge. "Doing what?" He acts so sweetly innocent with his head tipped to the side while adoring that flustered anger in your expression.

"This creepy sneaking up on me and disappearing thing!" The fantastically composed explanation of his Evol causes Sylus to actually sound amused as he coos at you most sarcastically and echoes, "creepy?"

"You appear out of nowhere!" You begin in disbelief over the fact he seems so oblivious to what he does to your heart. "Yes, but…" he chimes in softly, "you made that pretty little noise for me. How could I not be tempted to do it more often from now on?"

Oh, he is unbearable tonight. You can feel the smugness radiating off him now.

Crimson eyes meet yours beneath the low lighting, though one of them radiates that energy that always pulls you in too deep.

Sylus enjoys studying every reaction he drags from your body, he is a collector of the finest and rarest things… and you fall right into that category, too.

"You know," he muses while lazily brushing his thumb along your jaw, "I originally only did it because you seemed so oblivious for once."

Your stomach tightens and your system feels like someone overfloods it with information. "Originally?" Barely more than a whisper as you stare up at his eyes.

"Mhm," Sylus hums for you while his gaze drops to your mouth.

"And now?" The question comes out even quieter than intended, causing one corner of his mouth to lift.

"Now? Forgive me, but it seems as though you want me to continue, sweetie." The honesty in his voice makes heat crawl all the way down your spine. "Ah, so you do want me to continue, as well." That dangerous, fascinated expression he gets whenever he discovers something new about you reappears upon those added words. Ruby eyes sharpen to the point Sylus looks like he wants to you pull apart and examine you with greedy hands.

"You're aroused already," he notes softly out of left field. That startles you for sure, and lands a punch against his shoulder paired with another warning hiss of "Do you have a death wish!?"

With a feigned look of hurt that is soon covered up beneath a satisfied smirk he continues his verbal attack on your dignity as he whispers, "will you make that sound for me again then?"

Then he leans down slightly to encapsulate your figure entirely while his lips brush near your ear. "Do it again."

The whisper alone nearly ropes you in. Your fingers tighten around the edge of the counter as his hand continues its slow path higher along your bare thigh beneath the oversized shirt. Not enough to truly touch, just enough to make your pulse race.

"Sylus," you warn weakly since your voice sounds more like desire than rejection. 

"Yes, sweetheart?" His nose drags lightly beneath your jaw as he inhales yet again, then, he sighs under his breath. "Oh, you poor thing," murmured almost sympathetically despite the smugness woven through every word. "Now I understand."

"Understand what?"

"Why I can't stop doing it." And before you can recover, he vanishes again.

You blink in disbelief before searching the kitchen for him. But there is no energy for you to expose, there is nothing but the beating of your heart at the sudden emptiness surrounding you. "Sylus?"

Silence. The penthouse suddenly feels too large and too quiet and too much.

You still don't understand what he was talking about, but you also leave yourself little time to wonder since your feet carry you through the darkened rooms.

Though you barely have enough time to blink before arms wrap around your waist from the opposite side of where you were looking. You practically jolt out of your skin with a sharp gasp that dissolves into another helpless whine when Sylus's chest meets your back again.

And this time? This time he groans, he actually groans right against your neck. "Fuck," a low muttered curse to himself rather than to you. His pants feel uncomfortable already thanks to the sound of your fear.

Your face burns hot enough to melt steel due to his antics. "You are genuinely sick in the head." But your body reacts just as much as his to this game of hunter and hunted—far too much for your liking.

Plus, you can't possibly say such mean things and expect Sylus not to revel in it. The back-and-forth, the hissy sound of your voice, the smell of your arousal… it is all most adorable. "And yet, you like it," he whispers into your soul before pressing a kiss against your neck.

"I do not."

"Sweetheart." His lips brush the sensitive spot beneath your ear. "You're trembling with want."

Unfortunately, you are. Because something about Sylus focusing on you like this feels catastrophic. His attention is overwhelming on a normal day; but when he becomes fixated on something, it turns dangerous very quickly.

And right now? Right now he seems utterly obsessed with the way your body reacts to him.

— ❦

The second notable instance happens weeks later, after Sylus has become utterly intolerable about it. By now, he sneaks up on you constantly; be it in corridors, in lifts, in the foggy bathroom.

Sometimes he will simply do it to amuse himself. Other times because he enjoys watching your composure collapse the second his voice appears beside your ear. But the worst of all? Your body has started anticipating him. And you hate that he has caught up on that.

Tonight, you're searching for him in one of the clubs he owns, the shared tracker led you here after the hour ran way later than what was agreed on. The lower floors are still alive with music and chatter, all gold lights and expensive perfume, but the private halls upstairs remain dim and quiet.

Here, you round the corner toward his office with careful steps, because something has been feeling off ever since you stepped foot into the location. As if many eyes were already on your back; and that feeling didn't stop. Not when you ascended the stairs, not even when you made it into the furthest corner of the building.

Rather than knocking, you freeze in the darkened space because you realise exactly what just happened. You anticipated to be scared again, a little part of your brain hoped for Sylus to step out of the shadows and overwhelm you again.

You want to curse yourself for it, but there is little time for such a gesture once a familiar laugh sounds from the darkness ahead; a low and knowing sound that pricks at your pride.

"Kitten…" The voice drawls most smug and so satisfied that heat floods your face and a snarky little "Shut up," follows right away.

Sylus emerges from the shadow near the doorway, tall and unbothered as always, though the loosened collar and rolled sleeves suggest a very long evening.  "You slowed down," his gaze sweeps slowly over you before it lingers on your expression with unconcealed joy.

"I did not." The retort makes him smile; smile in a way he never would in front of anyone else because you are simply too cute to resist.

"You did," Sylus whispers as he boops the tip of your nose like a man ready to die. "You expected me tonight. Or did you miss me too much? Is that why you came out here? At this an hour?"

Creased brows, a down-turned mouth, and lastly a roll of your eyes. All signs of danger a wild animal would understand and grace you with space. Sylus, instead, crowds you further.

Because you grow so cute when he pushes just a little too much. When the walls crumble from the sheer attention he places solely on you now that you are once again trapped between his body and the next best object.

"N-no," Curse yourself and that little stutter Sylus steals from you. With a sigh you gather your wits and add, "I expected you to be annoying. But you didn't come back to the base at all."

"Mhm, similar things." He leans towards you leisurely, with hands tucked into his pockets while you instinctively retreat a single step. The smile that spreads across his face is catastrophic. "You were supposed to be tucked away in bed. And yet you're out here, looking for me. You're a little too brave."

"And you're impossible," yet another defenceless however defensive grumble.

"And you," he murmurs with almost too much love laced into every syllable, "have become very snappy again." He notes while his hand reaches up to cup your face and lightly squeeze your cheeks.

The hallway suddenly feels too narrow, much too warm. Slowly, Sylus adjusts his hold to brush his knuckles along your cheek with infuriating gentleness. "You know what interests me most?" he asks quietly.

You don't mean to entertain Sylus further, you know these trick question will always lead to your downfall. And yet here you are, much less like the feisty kitten and more like a lamb led to the slaughter, as you tilt your head up and ask, "What?"

His thumbs drags over your lower lip first while his gaze follows the movement with envy, then Sylus speaks. "The anticipation before I touch you," mentioned casually while he still admires the softness of your lips before finally focusing on your gaze again. "You have started reacting before I even lay a hand on you now."

Your body shifts instinctively, which turns out to be an immediate mistake on your part as you can witness in real time how his expression changes. 

A flutter of your lashes is needed to adjust your sight, because momentarily you imagined his pupils to look like thin slits before they suddenly dilate. Intrigue or perhaps possessiveness flickers across his features before being buried beneath calm amusement once more.

And something about your reaction seems to wreck Sylus equally so. Perhaps it was that soft inhale of air, or the fact he can feel your cheeks burning against his fingertips.

"Sweetheart." The pet name snaps you out of it, brings you back to focus on the man standing in front of you now that Sylus leans in closer and brushes his lips against yours. "You're making it very difficult to behave."

Your stomach swoops dangerously at the roughness in his voice while a nervous chuckle seems like your best attempt at a reaction as your bravado flutters away in time with your heart. "You never behave."

A chaste kiss that leaves you starving for more and a almost guilty sounding murmur of "True," are the last traces of Sylus before he suddenly disappears inside the club. You stumble forward into the space he just occupied, your mind still clouded by the kiss before the cold reality of emptiness greets you.

There is a split second after Sylus vanishes where your body betrays you completely as anticipation crackles through your bloodstream before your mind can catch up. 

"No, Sylus!" You hiss out into the thrumming boom of the music below and the empty space on the top floor. You know what he wants, you know he wants you to go find him, to stumble around again only for Sylus to sweep you off your feet. And you're having none of it, nothing at all.

"I'm not falling for this!" You speak more to yourself than to the man in question. Every nerve ending lights up at once as your palm presses against the wall for some fickle sense of security. You said you wouldn't fall for it, and yet, your feet have already begun to move.

You quietly follow along the carpet-lined hallway that should lead to Sylus's office. You know he's close, you are very sure he is watching. And the worst part? You wait for him too, because you like the game he plays.

But his office is empty and almost entirely dark safe for the desk lamp which flickers lightly. It bothers you more than you would ever care to admit that Sylus did in fact not startle you, that he didn't reappear and drape himself over your back like a weighted blanket.

Yes, you feel disappointed and a little empty… and quite impatient. Until warm hands slide up your curves and around your waist from behind, which causes your spine to stiffen. Sylus's chuckle is muffled as his forehead settles briefly against your shoulder. "Boo."

You squeeze your eyes shut for a moment, try to compose whatever joy you felt and instead sigh deeply to feign annoyance. "Please stop sounding so pleased with yourself."

"But kitten, I am pleased." His fingers flex against your stomach again to hold you just a little tighter against himself then. "Very." He adds for you to understand how much he means these sarcastic words.

Then, Sylus exhales harshly against your neck. "God." Your knees nearly weaken at the sudden shift of his tone again, and perhaps it is a good thing he has already been eager to stabilise your weight.

"Sylus…"

"Your scent…" His hand splays against your stomach possessively while his lips travel slowly along the curve of your throat. If he could, he would most likely savour the way your breathing keeps falling apart for him. "You smell incredible when I catch you off guard," he admits quietly. "Not just then, but especially tonight again..."

The confession sends heat spiralling straight through you down to your core, where you tighten around nothing and yearn for everything Sylus could give.

Unfortunately for you, you fail to notice the way your ass rubs against his crotch. Fortunately for Sylus, he is very much aware of the way you're grinding on him. "Oh, sweetheart," he says softly, though you feel the amused huff of air he exhales. "Have I trained you already?"

Before you can recover, he shifts again. What was once solid, has turned untouchable as red mist swirls around you in an almost playful way. It feels warm yet cool all at once, and the breath leaves your lungs in frustration. "Sylus, don't you dare—"

Of course he wouldn't dare too much, not when you sound this needy. Right away, he stands between the cramped space of the desk and your body to wrap his arms around you and pull you flush against him. It's a delicious feeling now that your breasts are squished against his own and your breathing mingles in the scant space between.

And the worst part? The absolute worst part? The sound that leaves you then. So needy and soft enough to barely exist. But Sylus hears it anyway, actually, his entire body registers your desire. "You are so cute," he murmurs.

"Sylus…" Then one large hand slides up the back of your neck, for his fingers to thread into your hair as he searches the depths of your soul with pupils blown dark beneath crimson irises. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

You can't think of a witty response. Not when he's looking at you like he wants to consume you whole. His thumb coaxes your mouth to open, for him to tug lightly on your bottom lip. "I could spend hours sneaking up on you just to hear it again."

He notices your fluttering pulse too, obviously. It's the sole reason for that brief smirk ghosting across his mouth before he leans down. "Poor thing," he whispers against your mouth, then nudges the tip of his nose against yours. "We should go home now, wouldn't you like that?"

— ❦

The third note-worthy time happens late at night in his bedroom after an argument. Not a serious one. Just enough bickering to leave tension simmering beneath your skin.

You're irritated with him. Sylus is entertained by you being irritated with him. A disastrous combination.

You finish changing in the adjoining bathroom before stepping back into the darkened bedroom while wearing little more but a thin camisole and shorts. The curtains remain open for crimson moonlight to spill across the sheets and dark furniture.

The room appears empty, which causes your eyes to narrow immediately. It's suspiciously empty. "Sylus?"

When no answer follows, you feel your pulse beginning to flutter. It's like your willingly stepping into yet anotjer trap, because this is exactly the sort of thing he would do.

"You're childish," you mutter while climbing into bed anyway. Yet the silence remains.

While you pretend at ignoring the awareness prickling over your skin, your mind is running at top speed. He could be anywhere—watching, waiting for precisely the right moment to pounce.

The thought alone sends warmth curling low in your stomach. Which is exactly why you're doomed. 

But you fail to notice the flicker of the bedside lamp before strong arms suddenly cage you against the mattress.

A gasp tears from your throat as Sylus materialises directly above you, one hand planted beside your head while the other catches your waist beneath the blankets.

And the sound you make, that helpless, breathy whimper absolutely ruins him. His eyes close briefly as though physically pained by it. "Again," he says immediately, voice rougher than you've heard all evening during the tense conversation.

"Sylus!"

"You can't be angry with me anymore." He exhales shakily against your cheek before ghosting his lips far too close to yours. "Not when you react so perfectly still."

The familiar temperature spike greets you once more, as the hand resting on your waist slides lower beneath the blankets. Sylus traces slowly over your hip through thin fabric while his gaze remains fixed on your face.

"You anticipated me tonight," he murmurs. "I could smell it the second I walked into the room."

Mortification crashes through you because you would never want to admit such a thing after an argument.

"You're awful," is your best chance at denial.

"And you're very… instinct-driven tonight," Sylus whispers before kissing your cheek. You know immediately what he is referring to. How your emotions were a little more aggravated again, how the entire argument even took place, and how you now look at him like his attention would be enough to fix your attitude.

His mouth brushes yours lightly to coax you further into forgiveness. "Should I make it better?" Sylus whispers into your ear in that suggestive tone he reserves just for you, no mocking to be found at the moment.

He hears the breath leave your lungs, feels your fingers trail along his biceps before they come to rest at his nape and curl into his hair.

"Yes."

The whispered consent is enough to bring a smile to your lover's lips.

There is a brief pause before his fingers finally slip beneath the waistband of your shorts. You gasp softly into his mouth, and he groans in response to finding out just how wet you are.

"There," he mutters, while peppering kisses left and right against your cheek and throat. "You like it this much when I scare you?" he can't refuse but tease you just a little to feel your hips buck against his fingers. "Or is our argument to blame?" he muses while gathering more of your slick.

"Sylus…" You already sigh his name in that slightly annoyed however needy way. His forehead presses briefly against yours, offering you comfort while a single digit pushes into you.

By no means deep, and never enough to satisfy the aching warmth pooling low in your stomach. "You become so soft when I surprise you," he says quietly. "And so responsive, kitten."

Your fingers fist against his shirt as another trembling sound escapes you the moment his touch grows firmer. "I know," he breathes most comfortingly while visibly losing his composure now. "Sweetheart…"

The tension in the room thickens rapidly after that. Every small reaction of yours feeds him. Each gasp and startled little whine, every shaky breath he manages to drag from your lungs with those torturously slow touches that rub your clit so perfectly. 

One second his mouth is against your throat, then a soft smack against the sensitive bundle of nerves startles you to claw lightly at his broad shoulders before all sensation vanishes entirely.

You're panting now, heart hammering not just from excitement but the realisation that this… charming asshole has edged you just to get a rise out of this once more. Like he hasn't been able to enjoy overwhelming you enough as of late. 

A groan of annoyance cuts through the stillness of the moment as you try to find your big girl voice, not the trembling mess Sylus has made of you. But before you can truly will yourself up, before too much lust between your thighs disappears, you are pulled back when you least expect it. 

Suddenly you're not just held against Sylus, but seated on top of him with your legs spread wide over his own and your ass nestled against his aching bulge. The momentum steals another helpless cry from your lips as his hands roam your body.

"Sylus—" Though by the time you manage to moan his name, his fingers have long reclaimed all he abandoned before. His big hand covers your pussy, where his fingers dive deep into your fluttering walls while his palm pressures relentlessly against your clit for your body to quiver and twitch from pleasure.

"I've got you," Sylus murmurs so softly, while kissing along your neck like the sweetest angel. You feel his touch change, the intention behind it shifting for waves of pleasure to ripple inside your core. 

Like a man utterly consumed by the sight before him, Sylus lingers on your profile as he watches every expression that crosses your face like it's an unholy confession.

The slight parting of your lips followed by the devastatingly cute gesture of you pressing your mouth shut once you try your best to suppress those exact noises he feeds off. Though it's the telltale sign of your thighs tensing whenever the deep thrusts of his fingers catch you off guard again, that frees them.

Those sweet, involuntary little noises he has grown addicted to. "Beautiful," he murmurs as your breathing finally breaks apart completely. "Look what happens when we play together," Sylus goes on, though his whispers are almost overshadowed by the squelching wetness of your pussy as he works you towards your high.

You can barely think by then. Especially not when he keeps mumbling into your skin about how good you feel and how sweet you smell with a voice warm enough to melt ice while sensation winds tighter and tighter inside you.

Your head falls back against his shoulder in surrender just as your legs snap shut around his thrusting fingers, burying the cruel instruments of pleasure until his knuckles are coated in your juices and the tremors of your orgasm squeeze tightly.

A whiny cry, much louder than those adorable noises he's been enjoying so very much as of late, follows upon the coaxing, "There you go," Sylus says quietly.

"That's my girl." The final startled whimper he pulls from your throat sends you completely over the edge. And Sylus looks devastatingly satisfied about it as he helps you work yourself through your high and come down from this intoxicating little game.