chasing stars

From your interests to your most miniscule of expressions and reactions, he observes it all and catalogues it deep in his mind.

So one day when you were getting ready to go to a gala with him, a really high end event he was invited to —because of course he was— he entered your bedroom in his N109 base and watched you lean ever so slightly over your vanity to apply mascara.

A smirk slipped into his features and with one hand inside his suit pocket, he sauntered over to you.

However, he paused when his ever perceptive gaze landed on the brands you're using. Or lack thereof.

A frown instantly replaced his smirk and his brows furrowed when after another look, he determined you were using, dare he say, cheap and duped products.

So before you could grab your lipstick, it was snatched out of your hands smoothly and held over your head causing you to jolt in surprise and whip your head around.

"Sylus! You scared me." You smiled up at him but then blinked when you noticed him looking down at you like some disappointed elder.

"Uh why did you take my lipstick?"

"Your so-called lipstick, sweetie belongs in the trash."

"Excuse me?" Your brows shot up at his blunt delivery and your mouth went agape. Why in the world was he in such a foul mood and targeting your lipstick?

"We're going shopping." Before you could protest, red energy disintegrated your poor lipstick tube and you gasped when it reached your other unbranded make-up and suddenly your vanity was clear of all your make-up products.

"Wha- Sylus why did you do that?!"

"For your own good sweetie. Come along now, we're going to the mall."

"The mall? But the gala-"

"The gala can wait. I will not allow my wife to use such cheap and low end products on her skin."

You blinked, utterly flabbergasted but finally understanding dawning on you.

You grew up barely using make-up, and when you did use them, it was always second hand ones you found at random street shops. You went by just fine with them, sometimes feeling your skin drying up or your acne flaring but you learned to live with it.

Now, married to your rich crime syndicate of a husband, you were still stuck with the same habit.

Never did you think he would catch onto it, much less grow irritated at the fact you were using cheap products.

The whole situation pulled a laugh out of you that you tried to stiffle behind your hand until Sylus's voice calling out to you downstairs had you fanning your face and quickly putting on your heels before making it downstairs to where he waited patiently for you at the door.

The car ride to the mall was short. Sylus offered his hand for you to take and escorted you out of the car with his other arm resting leisurely on your lower back which sent butterflies flying in your belly.

You kept silent as you walked side by side inside the mall, keeping an eye on the clock reading eight pm, when the event was starting.

"Sylus, where are we going exactly? This is a huge mall."

"Sephora."

"Wait don't tell me- Sylus you don't need to buy me such expensive make-up! I don't even use them that much!"

"Will you deny me my freedom of buying my wife actually safe products she can use on her skin?" He lifts an eyebrow, giving you a side glance before redirecting his gaze to the overwhelming size of the looming and popular make-up store.

His question left you totally speechless and in truth, a little flustered at how casually he addresses you as his wife in public.

Knowing he won't back down, you go along with his shenanigans and the sheer brightness of the store blinds you for a second when you take your first step inside. You feel like a stranger, not at all accustomed to going into such a popular brand's store with the idea that you will buy something.

The mere idea always seemed foreign to you. You worked in multiple stores inside malls just like this one in the past, and walked through them after and before your shifts hundreds of times, but you were too shy to enter such stores knowing you couldn't afford even a tube of lipstick. You were comfortable only passing them by while window shopping.

Now though, your husband was by your side, with an arm around your waist, gentle but holding firm in case you decide to bolt. Damn bastard knew you're an introvert at heart so entering such a crowded space like Sephora of all places, was bound to set your radars off.

You slightly twitch when Sylus's hand pats your shoulder to grab your attention and your focus is driven from the overwhelming cash counter noises and staff-customer conversations to Sylus' orbit, grounding you back down to earth as he leaned in to you.

"I'll be by your side through the whole thing. I'll call an employee to help us and you tug my hand if you need a moment." You nod with a timid smile now present on your face and Sylus kisses your temple and pulls back.

He calls over a staff nearby and you're greeted by a cheery lady that starts recommending you skin care and lipsticks shades that would make your skin glow and gradually, Sylus watches you unfurl from your tightly knit knot and open up, smiling and answering the lady's questions about your skin tone, dry or oily skin, and in return she walks you through most of the store while recommending you products.

There are two other staff that take the multiple full baskets to the cash area by the end of your shopping spree and a sneaky Sylus paying for you to have a skincare and makeover session at one of their VIP booths.

You're dragged away in a flurry of smiling employees and ushered to take a seat as they open up conversations with you while applying expensive skin care products on your face that you can't even pronounce.

Your skin is glowing by the end of the session and your smile is beaming as you check yourself over in the vanity mirror with bulbs decorating it all around.

"I presume you had fun?" A low but clearly smug chuckle rings out beside your ear and you roll your eyes and look at him through the mirror.

"Sylus you- yes I did." You giggle. "I never thought I would ever be sitting having a makeover session in Sephora, but here I am. Thank you." Your smile is bright as you turn around and smack a kiss right on his jaw, leaving a very clear lipstick mark on his skin.

For just a moment, you think you witness the Sylus malfunction but just as quick as you catch it, he brushes it away and his devastating smirk settles on his face just as fast.

"Good. My wife deserves to get only the best of brands. From now on, you use my card to treat yourself to anything you like once your products run out. Is that settled between us, sweetie?"

After you begrudgingly agree, he helps you out of the store, paying extra to get all your new bags of make-up and skin care products delivered to his base.

"Now, we can go to the gala. I'm itching to have a dance with you."

You don't think you will ever get used to him flirting with you and acting so gentlemanly in his own Sylus way. That said, you were utterly grateful to have ended up marrying such an observant and caring husband.

You can't wait until you come back home to show him exactly how grateful you are and surprise him with your red lace number that you picked out just the day before.