Peachlet

Love and Deepspace

➡️ Sylus

📂 A Duty Dyed in Crimson

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12 (End)

📑 Side Story - these are a compilation of ideas that I did not really think will fit in the main story.

Part 1

Part 2

🗒️Mini Story

➡️ Sylus

Before it becomes love, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

📚 Oneshots

➡️ Sylus

Just like this

Thirty Minutes to Midnight

Even if you break, I'll stay

I didn't want to be left behind

You chose you past, I chose my future

While you rushed downstairs, the twins and MC were already standing near the entrance. The three of them wore completely different expressions. The twins looked tense, shoulders rigid as if they were bracing themselves for something.

MC, on the other hand, stood off to the side, her posture stiff and guarded, her arms folded across her chest like a shield.

The sight of her only irritated you further.

You scoffed under your breath, marched toward the key tray by the door and grabbed the first vehicle key you could find.

You needed to leave.

Now.

Before you did something you couldn't take back. Before you broke down in front of all of them. Before you had to hear another word about Sylus. You reached for the door. Only for the twins to rush forward and stop you.

"Where are you going—"

One of them caught your arm before suddenly freezing.

"Wait... is that blood?"

The other twin's eyes widened.

"Your neck—"

You paused.

Your grip on the doorknob tightened until your knuckles turned white. Only now did you fully register the throbbing pain spreading across your throat. Your skin felt unbearably hot. Like a fever was slowly consuming you from the inside. Something wet slid down the side of your neck.

Blood.

A thin stream trailing along your collarbone before disappearing beneath your shirt. You understood their concern. You really did.

But right now none of it mattered.

You just wanted out.

“I’ll be—“

“Just let her go.”

MC interrupted.

As usual. The irritation that had been simmering inside you immediately flared hotter. The twins hesitated. Their grip loosened slightly.

Uncertain. Torn.

One of them glanced at MC before tightening their hold again.

"No."

The answer was immediate.

Firm.

"We don't know what happened between you and her, Miss Hunter."

Their voice remained respectful. But only barely.

"She's our comrade."

A pause.

Then softer.

"Our friend."

The words hit harder than expected. The twin swallowed.

"Right now her wellbeing is more important than whatever happened upstairs."

MC opened her mouth to respond.

A different voice cut through the room first.

“Let them be.”

The protest died instantly on her lips.

Everyone turned.

Sylus stood at the top of the stairs. Still. Unreadable.

His expression revealed absolutely nothing. Yet hearing his voice sent another wave of anger crashing through your chest.

Not necessarily...

The words echoed inside your head again.

Over.

And over.

And over.

You couldn't do this. Not right now. You yanked your arm free from the twins. Ignoring their protests. Ignoring their concern. Ignoring him.

You threw the door open and stepped outside. The cool air hit your face. It did nothing to soothe the fire burning beneath your skin.

The door slammed behind you with enough force to rattle the frame. You crossed the driveway in quick strides. Your vision blurred slightly.

Whether from anger, exhaustion or the pain in your neck, you weren't entirely sure. The motorcycle came into view.

Thank God.

You climbed onto it without hesitation. The engine roared to life beneath you. A familiar vibration. A familiar escape.

For a brief second, you glanced toward the house.

Toward the windows.

Toward the people inside.

Then looked away.

You twisted the throttle. The motorcycle surged forward.

And within seconds, you were gone.

Inside the base

Silence lingered near the front entrance long after the sound of the motorcycle had disappeared. The twins remained standing by the door, staring at it as if expecting it to open again.

It didn't.

Slowly, they turned around. Their eyes settled on their .

He was still standing at the top of the staircase.

Still staring at the closed door.

Still silent.

His jaw ticked once. A subtle movement.

But enough to reveal that something underneath his composure had shifted. Despite, the tense atmosphere MC spoke again.

“Couldn't expect anything less from her, to be honest—“

“Enough.”

The word cut through the room immediately.

Cold.

Sharp.

Final.

Sylus descended the staircase with practiced ease. Every step measured. Controlled. As though nothing about this situation affected him. Yet the atmosphere around him said otherwise.

He reached the bottom and stopped.

His gaze briefly swept over the twins. From the way they were standing, he already knew what they wanted. An explanation.

For once, he wasn't entirely sure how to give one. He inhaled quietly. Gathering his thoughts.

“What happened to Y/n, bossman?”

The question hung in the air. Sylus paused. Long enough for the hesitation to become noticeable.

"Y/N and MC had a bit of an argument."

His eyes shifted briefly.

"A heated one. I...had to intervene."

The twins exchanged a look. One of them frowned.

“Is that why her neck is bleeding, boss?”

Silence.

Sylus looked away. His gaze drifting across the room before eventually settling on MC. She met his eyes directly.

Unwavering.

Waiting.

“…Yes.”

The answer felt insufficient even to him. The twins didn't miss it. Neither did MC.

A heavy silence settled over the room. Then one of the twins sighed.

"You better fix this asap."

Sylus raised an eyebrow. The twin continued anyway.

"If we lose her..."

Their voice hardened.

"...we won't stay quiet."

The other twin nodded in agreement. With no hesitation. No fear. Just honesty. For a brief moment, nobody spoke. Then both twins turned and headed toward the hallway. Halfway there, one of them glanced back.

First at Sylus.

Then at MC.

Then continued walking. Leaving the living room behind.

The silence that followed felt significantly heavier. Sylus pinched the bridge of his nose. Exhaled. Then looked at MC.

“Come to my office now.”

His tone left no room for discussion. He turned immediately and walked away.

MC followed.

The moment they entered his office, the tension became impossible to ignore. Sylus pushed the door open harder than necessary. The impact echoed through the room. He walked straight toward his desk and sat down. He remained silent.

MC lingered near the doorway.

Uncomfortable.

Uncertain.

A feeling she wasn't accustomed to experiencing around him.

"Get in."

She immediately obeyed.

"And close the door."

The click of the lock sounded louder than usual. Sylus remained seated.

Hands folded. Expression unreadable.

For several moments, he simply looked at her. The silence stretched.

MC shifted slightly. Sylus noticed. Of course he did. Finally, he spoke.

“Care to explain why you felt the need to follow Y/n to her room and provoke her?”

MC looked down. Mumbled something under her breath. Sylus's eyes narrowed. His hand struck the desk. Not hard enough to damage it. Hard enough to make her flinch.

"I can't hear you."

His voice remained controlled. Which somehow made it worse.

"Say it louder."

MC swallowed.

"I said..."

She hesitated.

"...based on what you told me about her..."

Sylus remained silent.

"And the marks on your neck..."

Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric of her sleeves.

"I thought she was forcing herself onto you."

The room went still. Sylus stared at her for several seconds. Then slowly stood from his chair. MC immediately regretted her choice of words. Not because she thought she was wrong.

Because of the look in his eyes.

Disappointment.

Pure disappointment.

Sylus walked around the desk, stopping in front of her.

“And you thought it was okay for you to play my lawyer?”

It wasn't a question.

MC looked away.

"I was trying to help."

Sylus laughed once, without any humor.

"Help."

The word sounded foreign coming from him.

"You asked me about Y/N before agreeing to work with her."

His voice lowered.

“because I trusted you enough I answered…” He paused.

MC remained silent.

“You took pieces of information. Drew your own conclusions.”

Another pause.

"And decided confronting her was a good idea."

His eyes sharpened.

"All because you saw marks on my neck."

MC clenched her jaw.

"You looked uncomfortable around her."

Sylus tilted his head slightly.

"And?"

The single word immediately robbed her of momentum.

"And?"

He adjusted the collar of his turtleneck. Slowly. Deliberately.

"Did it never occur to you..."

His gaze locked onto hers.

"...that I allowed it?"

MC eyes widened.

"No."

The answer escaped before she could stop it.

“You…that’s impossible…you looked so awkward and uncomfortable around her—“

Sylus scoffed.

Of course. Of course it hadn't occurred to her.

"You and I share a connection."

His voice softened slightly. Not in kindness. But in exhaustion.

"I understand your concern."

MC's expression brightened briefly.

"What I don't understand..."

The warmth vanished.

"...is why you thought that concern entitled you to involve yourself in matters that don't concern you."

MC straightened immediately.

“It does concern me when it comes to you, Sylus.”

Sylus closed his eyes briefly. A muscle in his jaw flexed. When he opened them again, they were colder.

"What happens in my personal life..."

He stepped closer.

"...and the people involved in it..."

Another pause.

"...is not your decision to make. And it definitely doesn't give you the right to act the way you did today."

“Sylus can’t you see—“

“Enough.”

The word landed harder this time. But MC wasn't finished. She was frustrated now. Defensive. Trying to justify herself.

“Why are you defending her so much? Is she that important huh?"

The question burst out before she could stop it. Sylus remained silent.

That silence only encouraged her further.

"She's obsessed with you."

Nothing.

"She forces herself into your space."

Nothing.

"She's—"

"Careful."

The warning was quiet. Dangerously quiet. MC ignored it. Big mistake.

"She's just a bitch who spreads her legs for men—"

Sylus moved. Fast. His hands gripped her shoulders. Not enough to hurt, but more than enough to stop her.

"Quiet."

The room shook with the force behind that single word. MC stared at him. Stunned. Sylus's eyes burned.

"Y/N did what she had to do to survive."

His voice was low. Controlled. But visibly strained.

"Telling you about her past..."

A frustrated breath escaped him.

"...I shouldn't have."

MC shook her head. Still refusing to back down.

"You only keep her around because of that past."

Sylus released her immediately.

The accusation hanging heavily between them.

MC pressed on.

"You're afraid she'll leave."

A pause.

"After all..."

Her gaze sharpened.

"...your biggest source of income just walked out of your house."

Silence. Complete silence.

"That's enough, Miss Hunter."

For the first time that day, Sylus raised his voice fully. The office seemed to vibrate around it. MC immediately fell silent.

"You've been running your mouth for the past hour."

His eyes narrowed.

"And it's seriously beginning to irritate me."

A pause.

"You'll leave for Linkon immediately."

"Sylus—"

"I'll have one of the twins accompany you."

His tone became final.

"You're dismissed."

The conversation was over. And for the first time since entering the room—

MC realized she had lost.

The office door closed behind MC with a sharp click. Silence followed immediately. For the first time since Y/N had stormed out of the house, there was no one left for Sylus to address.

No one left to question.

No one left to correct.

Just him.

And the aftermath.

He stood motionless for several seconds, staring at the closed door. The anger that had carried him through the conversation slowly ebbed away. Leaving behind something far more unpleasant.

A heavy exhale escaped him.

He dragged a hand down his face before turning away from the door. The office suddenly felt smaller than usual.

Quieter.

His gaze drifted toward the large mirror attached to one of the walls. For a moment he simply stared at his reflection.

Then he walked toward it.

Slowly.

Thoughtfully.

As if he wasn't entirely certain what he was looking for. When he stopped in front of the mirror, his crimson eyes settled on his own reflection.

Unchanged.

Composed.

Controlled.

Exactly as always. Yet something felt off. His gaze lowered.

Toward the black turtleneck covering his neck.

A reminder.

A concealment.

A consequence.

His fingers rose to the fabric. Hooking beneath the collar.

He pulled it aside. The marks immediately came into view.

Faded slightly compared to the previous night.

But still there.

The scattered hickeys.

The bruising.

The distinct imprint of teeth against his skin.

Your marks.

Sylus stared at them quietly. His fingers brushed across one of the darker bruises. The skin was still sensitive. A faint sting greeted his touch.

The memory followed immediately after. Your hands gripping his shoulders.

Your laugh. The satisfaction in your eyes when you saw what you'd done.

"Yeah… it's like I've marked my territory."

His jaw tightened. Not in irritation.

Something else.

Something considerably harder to name. His fingers continued downward. Stopping where the bite mark sat. The deepest mark you'd left behind.

His thumb traced the outline carefully.

And for a brief moment...far too brief..

he could almost feel the ghost of your lips against his skin again.

The warmth.

The pressure.

The reckless possessiveness.

Then the memory shifted. The room.

Your expression.

The argument.

The blood.

The silence.

His hand dropped. The reflection in the mirror suddenly felt significantly less interesting. Sylus looked down.

Only now noticing the faint reddish stains that had dried against his fingers.

Your blood.

His eyes lingered on it. Longer than they should have. Long enough for the weight of it to settle properly. He had seen blood countless times before.

Spilled it.

Been covered in it.

Caused it.

None of that bothered him.

This did.

A muscle ticked in his jaw.

The image of the crimson Evol wrapped around your throat flashed through his mind again.

The marks left behind.

The look on your face.

The disbelief.

The hurt.

The disappointment.

He exhaled slowly.

"You really know how to make things difficult."

The words were barely audible. Almost lost to the empty office.

No answer came. Of course not.

You were gone.

Sylus glanced away from the mirror. His gaze settling on the phone resting on his desk. For a moment he simply stared at it.

Thinking.

Then he crossed the room. Picked it up and unlocked it.

Your contact was already near the top. His thumb hovered over your name. A brief pause.

Then he pressed call.

The line rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

No answer.

Eventually it disconnected. Sylus stared at the screen.

Waited.

Then called again.

Nothing. Again. Nothing.

The fourth attempt went directly to voicemail. His expression remained unchanged. But his grip on the phone tightened slightly.

Enough to reveal his frustration.

Not at you.

At the situation.

At himself.

At the fact that he no longer knew where you were. Another exhale. Then the familiar beep sounded. For several seconds, he said nothing.

Listening.

Thinking.

Choosing his words carefully.

"Pretty dove."

Silence.

The nickname sounded strange in an empty room. His gaze drifted toward the window. Toward the darkening sky beyond it.

"The twins are worried."

Another pause. Longer this time.

His thumb rubbed absently against the edge of the phone.

"Get your neck looked at."

The words came out calm. Matter-of-fact. As if they cost him nothing.

But he remained silent afterward. Because there was more.

Far more.

Things he couldn't say.

Things he wouldn't say.

Another breath.

Then—

"Call when you're able."

A pause.

"...or don't."

The corner of his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. Not quite resignation. Just acceptance.

"I'll know you'll be stubborn either way."

The line remained silent. He listened to it for another second.

Then ended the recording. The office returned to silence. Sylus lowered the phone. His thumb immediately moved toward your chat.

Waiting.

Expecting.

Looking for any indication that the voicemail had been heard.

Nothing.

No notification.

No response.

No message.

Just emptiness.

For the first time all evening, Sylus allowed himself to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth.

You weren't ignoring him to make a point.

You genuinely didn't want to speak to him.

His gaze drifted toward the mirror again.

Toward the marks still decorating his neck.

Toward the evidence of a relationship that had become significantly more complicated than either of you had anticipated.

The room felt quiet.

Too quiet.

And for once—

Sylus found that he didn't particularly like it.

A faint vibration broke the silence.

His phone. He glanced at it. No name. No notification.

Just system noise.

False expectation.

Nothing real.

Sylus stared at it for a moment longer than necessary.

“…Tch.”

Barely audible.

Not anger.

Not frustration.

Something more restrained than either. He walked past the desk and place the phone face down.

He did not make another call.

He did not send another message.

For the first time—

he chose not to pursue the variable.

Because pursuit implied certainty.

And for the first time,

Sylus didn’t have any.

And we're done 😇 Lemme know what y'all think.

You marched toward your bedroom and yanked the door open before slamming it shut behind you with more force than necessary. The sound echoed through the room.

Dropping your duffle bag onto the floor, you stood in the middle of the room, your frame trembling with an ugly feeling you couldn't quite name.

Anger.

Humiliation.

Jealousy.

Maybe all three.

What had just transpired between Sylus and you moments ago in his office was replaying in your head in a relentless, suffocating loop. The way his hands had locked onto you.

The heavy, desperate way he had allowed you to kiss him. The dark thrill of him kissing you back, his unspoken permission granting you the right to sink your teeth into his neck and mark his skin as yours... only for him to shatter the illusion by breathing her name.

A hollow, bitter laugh escaped your lips. You turned your head, catching your reflection in the dresser mirror. Your lips were still flush, slightly swollen from the bruising friction of his mouth, but your eyes…

It looked like a total stranger was staring back at you.

"I'm like a moth attracted to a flame..." you murmured to your reflection.

Your voice sounded tired.

"I know it'll burn me alive... but I'm still willing to go towards it."

Your fingers curled into your palm.

"To touch it."

A bitter smile tugged at your lips.

"To feel it."

The room remained silent.

You exhaled heavily before forcing yourself toward the bathroom.

A shower. Sleep.

Tomorrow would be better. It had to be.

Because if it wasn't...

You weren't sure how much longer you could keep pretending that none of this was affecting you. By the time you crawled into bed, exhaustion had already begun pulling at your eyelids.

Still, one final thought lingered.

Tomorrow.

Sylus would probably act like none of this happened.

Like he hadn't kissed you.

Like he hadn't held you against him.

Like he hadn't let you leave your marks all over him.

The thought made something ache painfully inside your chest.

Sleep claimed you before you could dwell on it any longer.

And because of that, you completely missed the knock at your bedroom door.

In the morning

You woke up to the sound of loud, animated chatter drifting up from downstairs. Glancing at the bright morning light cutting through the window, you let out a defeated sigh. It was going to be a long, exhausting day.

Reluctantly, you dragged yourself out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

A quick shower.

Brushed teeth.

Cold water against your face.

Just enough to make yourself presentable. Eventually, you made your way downstairs. The voices grew louder as you approached the kitchen.

When you walked into the kitchen, the entire household was already assembled. Luke and Kieran were gesturing wildly, talking animatedly with MC, while Sylus sat casually at the head of the table. He was slowly sipping his black coffee, watching the scene play out with an unreadable expression.

His gaze drifted toward the doorway.

Toward you.

The moment your eyes met, he raised a brow. Your stomach dropped.

He was wearing a black turtleneck.

The marks were gone.

Hidden.

Covered.

As if they had never existed at all.

Something unpleasant settled heavily in your chest. Ignoring it, you walked into the kitchen and took the seat adjacent to him.

“Morning.”

The twins paused their chaotic banter to greet you cheerfully before diving right back into their conversation. Across the table, MC smiled warmly and slid a stacked plate of food in front of you.

"Morning, y/n."

A stack of pancakes sat neatly on the plate.

"We wanted pancakes this morning."

She handed you a bottle of maple syrup.

"So Sylus made them for us."

Your grip tightened slightly.

"And he said we should save some for you."

She smiled warmly.

"Dig in."

You looked down at the food.

They smelled amazing.

Which only made things worse somehow.

“Thanks.”

You poured a small amount of syrup onto the pancakes. They looked perfect, and you knew exactly how good his cooking tasted, but with his heavy, intense gaze burning into the side of your face, the food felt like ash in your mouth. For now, you stubbornly chose to ignore him.

“What’s the occasion?” you asked.

MC beamed.

“For the success of our first joint mission.”

"Oh."

You stabbed at a pancake.

"Right."

You began eating slowly. A few moments later, Sylus spoke.

“Coffee or tea?”

You looked up.

He was already looking at you.

That stupid grin resting comfortably on his face.

"...Tea."

"Coming right up."

The grin widened slightly.

"English Breakfast or Earl Grey?"

Your eyes narrowed.

"Since when do we have a variety of tea here?"

Before Sylus could answer, MC eagerly interjected.

"Ah, that's because of me."

Your stomach immediately sank.

"I've been taking an interest in tea lately."

She smiled.

"So Sylus bought a few different blends for me to try."

Her voice faded into background noise after that.

Your brain completely stalled out on a single, repeating phrase: Sylus bought tea for her. He didn't do domestic errands. He didn't cater to whims. But for her, he did.

You looked away.

“Then coffee will do the job.”

You stood from your chair.

"I don't want to waste those blends on me."

“No. No. It’s fine. You can drink it.”

But you simply shook your head.

"It's okay."

You pushed your chair back.

"I'll just have coffee."

Making your way toward the counter, you reached up and grabbed your mug from the cupboard. The one the twins had bought for you months ago.

A white ceramic mug with Resting Bitch Face printed across the front in bold letters.

A joke.

One that had made you laugh so hard you nearly dropped it the day they gifted it to you.

You wrapped your fingers around the handle.

Comforting.

Familiar.

Safe.

Unlike everything else.

You reached for the coffee canister, but before your fingers could grip the lid, a large, solid shadow loomed over you. A heavy hand clamped down over yours, firmly stopping your movement.

You sighed.

"What?"

“Why are you acting like this?”

There it was.

The question you'd been expecting. You leaned your hip against the counter.

"Like what?"

A low groan escaped him.

"Acting butt hurt over tea."

His fingers nudged the coffee container further away from you.

"I’m making some for you and she’s willing to share. Why are you making this more difficult than it needs to be?"

You stared at him. Irritation immediately flared.

"Me? Making this difficult?"

You let out a short laugh.

"You bought those for her. Not me."

Your grip tightened around the mug.

"So let me drink my coffee and move on with my day."

"You don't even like coffee."

The response came immediately.

Matter-of-fact.

Certain.

Which somehow irritated you even more.

"So stop pretending that's the issue."

You blinked. Sylus crossed his arms. His gaze remained fixed on you.

"You hate bitter drinks."

A pause.

"You always have."

Your jaw tightened.

The worst part?

He wasn't wrong.

"Then maybe I've changed."

"You haven't."

The confidence in his answer made you want to throw the mug at him.

"Good to know you're suddenly an expert on me."

The corner of his mouth twitched.

Not quite a smile. Not quite amusement. Something worse.

"You make it easy."

Your eyes narrowed. For a moment neither of you moved. Neither of you looked away.

The kitchen suddenly felt much quieter than before. The twins had stopped talking. MC had stopped talking. All eyes were on the two of you.

You hated that.

You hated that everyone could probably feel the tension hanging between you. And you hated him most of all for looking completely unaffected by it. Slowly, you lifted your hand.

Toward his neck. Toward the black turtleneck concealing everything you'd left behind. You were just about to brush the fabric aside— When his hand caught yours.

Firm.

Immediate.

Not enough to hurt. More than enough to stop you.

Your eyes flickered to his. The amusement was gone. His crimson gaze locked onto yours.

Sharp.

Warning.

“Stop it, y/n.”

Your pulse quickened.

You tilted your head.

“Afraid she’ll see.”

His hand tightened.

“What are you trying to do?”

You blinked your eyes at him, wide and deceptively innocent, a sharp, mischievous smile stretching across your lips while he glared down at you, entirely unamused.

"Me?"

A slow smile appeared.

"Nothing."

Your eyes drifted deliberately toward his neck.

"I'm just trying to see something."

“Everything okay there?”

MC’s voice sharply broke the suffocating bubble between you.

Sylus immediately released your hand, his eyes narrowing at you in one final, lethal warning before he smoothly turned around to face the kitchen table.

The dangerous tension vanished from his face as if it had never been there, replaced by a calm, easy smile.

"Everything's fine."

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

"It's just y/n being her usual self."

You turned around slowly, gripping the edge of the counter. MC was staring at the two of you, her cutlery resting against her plate, a deeply pensive, calculating expression clouding her features.

“Are you sure, Sylus?” she asked, her eyes shifting from his face and lingering heavily on yours.

“Yes.”

The answer came effortlessly.

Too effortlessly.

You looked away first. Suddenly losing your appetite. You set the mug down.

"I'm not that hungry."

The twins looked up. MC blinked.

"I'm going back to my room."

You didn't wait for a response. You simply turned and headed toward the doorway.

"Y/n."

Sylus’s voice called out behind you, but you completely ignored him

You kept walking.

This time, you didn't stop when he called.

And for once—

He didn't follow.

Safe inside your room, you threw yourself onto the bed, grabbing your phone and mindlessly scrolling through it, desperately trying to drown out the pounding rhythm of your pulse.

But the peace didn't last long. Within ten minutes, a shadow cut across in your doorway, followed by a sharp, authoritative knock.

“Can I come in?”

MC.

You exhaled through your nose.

“Sure.”

MC walked into the room, her eyes briefly scanning your personal space before settling directly onto you. She didn't sit down.

“I won’t beat around the bush,” she said. “Were you jealous that Sylus bought some tea for me?”

You sat up slightly, leaning back on your hands.

“Why that question?”

She sighed, folding her arms.

“I can tell by the way you’re acting toward him.”

You let out a short breath.

“Okay. And?”

“I’m not trying to fight with you.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

MC didn’t rise to it.

“I’m just saying… since last night, things have been weird.”

You looked at her, expression flat.

“And last night,” she continued, hesitating slightly, “when he came to see me… he kept adjusting his collar.”

Your gaze flickered.

Subtle.

But she noticed.

“He said it was an allergy,” she added, watching you carefully.

A pause.

“But it didn’t look like that.”

Silence stretched.

“If he has a problem with my actions,” you said, your voice dropping into a dangerously calm register, “he has a mouth. He can speak for himself. And more importantly—who exactly do you think you are to come into my room and trying to lecture me?”

MC looked down her nose at you, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh.

“Is it because you’re in love with him? Is that it? You’re feeling threatened and jealous by our close proximity?”

“Close proximity?” she echoed, a cold smile touching her lips. “Maybe I’m blind then. Because all I’ve seen here is a man who looks incredibly awkward and uncomfortable whenever you’re in the room.”

You were about to cut her off when she stopped you.

“He’s told me things about you, y/n. When I arrived, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I guess you really are just that type of woman.”

You stood up from the bed, your posture entirely rigid, your eyes narrowing into lethal slits. “What exactly are you insinuating?”

“You’re the type of woman who leeches off a powerful man because you have nothing of your own,” she sneered, stepping closer.

“Sylus extended his hand to you and saved you from whatever pitiful, miserable life you were living before this. He gave you a job as his assistant out of pure charity. But you confused his pity for love, and now you’re desperately trying to claw your way into his bed just to keep your claws in his wealth—

“Shut your fucking mouth,” you hissed, a dark, dangerous aura flaring around you. “You don’t know a single thing about me, or how I earned my place here—”

“You think you’re special because he tolerates you.”

“MC—”

“No.”

Her voice cut through yours.

“You act like you’re entitled to him.”

A pause.

Then colder.

“And honestly? It looks like you’re just leeching off whatever attention he gives you.”

Silence.

The kind that doesn’t feel empty.

The kind that feels loaded.

“A man like Sylus will never fucking love a woman like you.”

That was it.

Something snapped.

You moved forward—

Fast—

But before you could reach her, something invisible coiled around your throat.

Crimson energy.

Instant.

Restraining.

You froze mid-step, a sharp sound leaving your throat as pressure tightened just enough to steal your breath.

Sylus.

He was there. Standing in the doorway. Expression dark.

“You were about to do what?” his voice cut through the room.

MC immediately stepped back.

Behind him.

“She was about to hit me,” she said quickly.

You tried to speak, but the pressure tightened again.

Your hands lifted instinctively to your throat.

“Because she was standing in my bedroom… spouting fucking nonsense about my life—”

“Quiet.”

The word hit harder than expected.

With a flick of his wrist, the vein-like crimson energy tightened significantly around your frame, completely squeezing the remaining air out of your lungs. Your knees buckled slightly under the pressure.

Sylus looked down at you, his expression entirely detached, cold, and ruthless. “I heard what she said. There was absolutely no reason for you to try to physically attack her.”

Your chest rose unevenly.

“So you agree with her?” you forced out.

A pause.

Just a fraction too long.

“MC,” he said finally, without looking away from you, “leave.”

Her hesitation was immediate.

“But Sylus—“

“Please.”

That softened nothing.

It just ended the argument.

A beat.

Then she left.

The door shut behind her with more force than necessary.

Silence returned.

Sylus released you. Air rushed back into your lungs. You stumbled slightly, catching yourself on the edge of the bed.

Your throat burned.

Your pulse hammered.

And he just watched you.

Calm again.

Like nothing had shifted.

“…What did I say?” he murmured, his heavy boots slowly walking over until they stopped right in front of you.

He crouched down in front of you, his large, fingers reaching out to gently brush a few stray strands of hair away from your face.

A pause.

“You let her words get to you,” he added quietly, “because part of you thinks she might be right.”

Your expression tightened.

“I told you before,” he continued, “little dove. In your pursuit of making me yours… you weren't going to like the way I behave.”

His fingers traced a slow path down your cheek, his eyes dropping to the sensitive skin of your neck. Where his Evol had tightly bound you, the sharp pressure had broken the skin, leaving small, perfectly round beads of crimson blood seeping out against your collarbone.

“If we keep doing this… we’ll hurt each other more than you’re prepared for.”

Sylus let out a long, frustrated breath, his thumb lightly sweeping over the wound, smearing the blood against your skin.

That made you laugh...small, sharp, broken.

“You think I’m a leech?” your voice shook slightly now, despite you trying to hold it steady. “You think I’m just some—a slut demanding you to be mine...because you have everything?”

Sylus froze, his thumb pausing against the column of your throat.

His silence answered too much.

Your breath hitched.

“When she said you told her things…” your voice dropped, quieter now, more dangerous, “did you tell her that? Am I just a slut in your eyes?”

“Y/n—”

“Yes or no.”

A long pause.

“...Not necessarily.”

That landed wrong.

Worse than anything else.

Your face went still.

“So that’s a yes then?”

“Y/n—”

“Don’t.”

A sudden, terrifying calm washed over you. The trembling in your limbs instantly stopped. With a swift, powerful movement, you violently slapped his hand away from your neck, breaking his contact entirely.

You forced your legs to stand, rising to your full height and looking down at him while he remained crouched on the floor. You reached down, deliberately grabbing your phone from the mattress.

Sylus stood up smoothly, his brow furrowing as he realized the heartbroken reaction he expected wasn't coming. He reached out, his hand catching your wrist in a firm grip.

“Where exactly do you think you’re going in this state?”

You yanked your hand free.

“Fuck you.”

You threw the door open and marched down the hallway, leaving the leader of the N109 Zone standing completely alone in the center of your room, staring at the small drops of your blood which stained his fingers.

And we're done 😇 Lemme know what y'all think.

As soon as Sylus parked the vehicle in the garage, you didn’t waste your time. You pushed the back door open and bolted out, ignoring the tightened gaze he held on you through the rearview mirror.

You hurried to the back of the vehicle and opened the trunk, grabbing your duffle bag while pointedly ignoring the two others stepping out.

As you retrieved it, you were about to head inside when you felt a presence behind you, fingers catching the strap of your bag, holding you in place.

“Not so fast, y/n.”

You felt your stomach churn. The feeling of being acknowledged by him once again elated you, but at the same time, you were pissed by the fact that he had allowed MC to sit in front with him and chose to talk only to her.

Sylus held onto the strap of your bag and pulled you back so that you were standing side by side with him. He knew you were ticked off by something he did, and he found your attempt at running away pitiful yet entertaining.

He glanced at MC, who was retrieving her own bag. As she did, he shut the trunk with a loud clack.

MC stood by the vehicle and stared at Sylus and you, clearly picking up on the tension.

“Everything okay between you two?”

You scoffed under your breath and looked away, while Sylus gave her a small smile.

“All good, kitten.” He glanced at you, then back at her. “Why don’t you go back to your room and take some rest. We’ll meet tomorrow morning to debrief.”

MC hesitantly nodded, giving you both another look before walking away.

You tried to follow.

Sylus didn’t let you.

“Jealousy is such an unbecoming sight on you, pretty dove.” He let go of the strap and caught your unoccupied hand and pulled you back.

“Demanding I’m yours, but then leaving me behind so cruelly….” He stepped closer, leaning down until his voice brushed your ear.

“That’s so harsh, no?”

Your breath hitched despite yourself, his warmth sending a shiver down your spine, but the irritation remained.

“Well this is what you get for purposefully ignoring my request of sitting in front with you.”

You backed away from him and snatched your hand from his grasp. You turned around to face him, irked even more by how clearly amused he was by all of this.

“You’re so full of yourself… aren’t you, bossman?” Sylus raised a brow.

“I’m glad you’re at least finding this situation amusing… while I’m the only one being affected.”

Sylus stepped closer.

“Oh?” His voice dipped. “Affected? You knew what you were getting yourself into. Didn’t you, my dove?”

He leaned into your space again. “Remember my words? Your love won’t move the way you think it will…”

He dragged the last sentence deliberately. He wanted to push your limits, push them so far that you'd realize, day by day, the grave you dug for yourself was starting to feel suffocating.

Sylus wanted to see how far you’d go for this obsession of yours. He knew it was a risky game, but he found genuine amusement in it. Your reactions. Your energy. Your words. He kept wanting to see it all.

You tightened your gaze at him.

“Fuck you.”

You threw your bag onto the ground and pushed him hard against the back of the vehicle. This action didn’t catch him off guard, it only made him look more entertained.

“You’re acting all mighty, taunting me as you go.” you snapped, gripping his shoulder and forcing him down slightly so you were eye to eye. “But you forgot something, bossman…”

Your fingers curled into his collar.

“I’m a freak… and you’re that freak who matches my energy so well.”

You reached up and cupped his face.

“You say my love means nothing to you…” You leaned closer. “And yet you hold onto me, seeking me out… sending her away…”

Sylus chuckled. You searched his crimson eyes once again, your lips hovered dangerously close to his.

“You’re encouraging me to carry on…you want to see how far I’ll go for you." Your breath brushed against him. “And being the freak that you are… you’re reeling into this, aren’t you, bossman?”

He brought his hands to your waist and tugged you against him.

His thumb pressed slightly deeper into your waist.

He didn’t deny it.

“You see y/n…I can be an opportunist sometimes.” His gaze flicked to your lips. “You’re offering yourself to me on a platter. At the end of the day… I’m a man.”

His gaze lingered on your lips.

His fingers tightened slightly.

“A man who’s liking the attention but feeling also put off by it… but because it’s you, and we have a deal…” His voice dropped softer.

“So go on…” his voice dropped, quieter now. “Go crazy… I guess?”

That was all you needed.

You closed the gap, pressing your lips against his, kissing him with a rush of emotions and pent-up tension. Sylus responded immediately, one hand cupping the back of your head, deepening the kiss.

You hummed into it, gripping onto him, your breaths mingling, your chest feeling too full.

You pulled back just enough to peck him again before trailing your lips along his jaw, down to his neck. You kissed, then bit into his skin.

He hissed—but didn’t push you away.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly, giving you more access.

You took it.

Mark after mark, slow and deliberate, humming softly in satisfaction.

Then suddenly—

You felt him lift you.

You instinctively wrapped your legs around his waist as your back hit the cold glass behind you, a sharp contrast against your heated skin.

“Careful.” you hissed.

Sylus hummed, leaning back slightly to look at you. His eyes were glazed, and his neck was beautifully adorned with your love bites and the sharp teeth mark from where you had bitten him.

You smiled.

He noticed. His grip on you tightened.

“Pleased by your work of art?”

You let out a small laugh, your fingers tracing the marks.

“Yeah…it’s like I’ve marked my territory.”

A pause.

“Even if you’ll pretend otherwise tomorrow.”

Sylus let out a low chuckle.

“Well….”

And you just knew whatever was about to come out of his mouth next was going to completely dampen your mood and ruin the moment.

You knew he was fully aware of it, too.

“That’s enough.”

A beat.

“I should check on MC.”

The moment cracked.

You unhooked your legs immediately, dropped back onto your feet, and shoved him away.

Grabbing your duffle bag from the ground, you walked off without giving him a single glance.

Sylus stayed and leaned back against the vehicle, not making a single move to follow.

Slowly, he brought his hand up to his neck, fingers tracing over the fresh, throbbing marks you’d left behind. A faint sting flared beneath his touch, grounding and unwelcome.

A quiet chuckle slipped from him—low, almost swallowed.

His gaze remained fixed on your retreating figure, sharp and steady as you disappeared from view.

“…You still fall for it.”

The words were quiet. Not meant to reach you.

Just stated.

His thumb pressed once more against the marks before his hand dropped. He adjusted his collar, covering the evidence, expression settling back into something unreadable.

Then he walked away.

And we're done 😇 Lemme know what y'all think.

On the way back to the base, you were seated at the back of the car, your head pressed lightly against the glass, eyes glancing at the passing landscape. The city blurred past in streaks of dull light and shadow, the rain from earlier still clinging to the windows in uneven trails. You focused on that, on anything that wasn’t the two people seated in front.

MC was talking non-stop.

About the mission. What went right, what almost didn’t, what she’d do differently next time. Her voice filled the car easily, light and animated, completely unconcerned with the tension you were sitting in.

Sylus indulged her. Occasionally a comment. Occasionally a hum. Just enough to keep her going.

You stayed silent.

Ever since MC had entered your daily lives, things had shifted.

Not loudly.

Not obviously.

But enough that you felt it everywhere.

In pauses that lasted too long. In glances that didn’t quite settle. In silences that now felt heavier than words.

And him...

You could feel it. Even without looking.

His gaze.

The rearview mirror was angled just right. If you lifted your eyes, even slightly, you’d meet it.

That familiar crimson stare.

Watching. Waiting. You kept your gaze outside.

Stubborn.

Fixed.

The mission had been…successful. More or less. You were paired with MC for this one. You loved working alone. It usually less risky. Less messy. Cleaner execution.

But ever since MC appeared, Sylus had insisted on pairing you with her. Teaching her. Keeping her close.

And you remembered exactly when it started.

He had called you into his office after your solo mission.

When you arrived, he was already there, seated behind his desk, posture straight, nursing a glass of bourbon in his hand. The laptop screen lit his face faintly. His expression was set, focused, slightly distant.

“You wanted to see me?”

His gaze shifted to you. With a slight tilt of his head, he motioned for you to sit in front of his desk. You made your way over slowly, dropping into the chair with a soft groan of exhaustion. He observed you silently.

“Yes. There’s a change in plans.”

You frowned.

“Okay?”

“You’ll be working with MC for the upcoming mission.”

You let out a heavy sigh.

“Any reason why? You know I prefer to work alone.”

His eyes remained fixed on yours. He took a slow sip of his drink, the ice clinking sharply against the glass as he lowered it.

“The N109 zone is a new territory for her. So you’re the best option to help her familiarize with the city.”

Your gaze sharpened.

“And the twins are no good for this?”

Silence.

“Are you refusing y/n?”

You paused.

“Yes.”

“And why’s that?”

You could see his jaw tick, a subtle flash of irritation crossing his features.

“I feel like you’re punishing me.”

His gaze didn’t move.

“Why?”

You huffed.

“Because I confessed my feelings to you.”

Sylus took another sip of his bourbon and set the glass down on his desk with deliberate force. The heavy thud didn't deter you.

“And you’ve rejected me saying it’s meaningless for you. That you have a destined partner.”

“Correct.”

“Right. So now you’re forcing me to work with your lover. Because I confessed?”

Sylus brought his fingers to his temple, tapping them lightly in a slow, rhythmic pattern.

“You’ve gotten bold, y/n. Must I remind you who you’re working for?”

“I’m perfectly aware that I work for you, bossman."

Your voice stayed steady.

"I’m just saying it’s cruel that you’re forcing your lover on me.”

Your feelings are the least of my concerns,” he replied coldly. “From now on, you work with her. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

That was it.

Anger flaring, you stood up abruptly. Your chair pushed back, the metal legs scraping loudly against the floor.

“Understood. "

A beat.

"And if she dies, I’ll bare no fucking responsibility.”

You turned to leave without waiting for a response, but before you could take a step, his hand shot out. His fingers clamped around your wrist, instantly halting your movement.

“Not so fast, y/n”

His voice was closer than it should’ve been. The pull was sudden.

Strong.

Your body stumbled back before you could stop it.

And then—

His chest behind you. Heat. Solid. Close. Your breath caught instantly.

You froze. Not out of fear.

And that irritated you more than anything.

A quiet chuckle behind you.

“You’re so tense…”

His voice dropped.

“You’re so angry that I rejected you, aren't you?”

You could feel his breath fanning against your skin, sending a violent spike through your pulse. You swallowed hard, desperately trying to maintain your composure.

“I’ve got no reason to be upset,” you forced out. “You rejected me. I moved on.”

A hum. Unconvinced.

His hand moved. Slow. Deliberate. Up your arm. Over your shoulder.

Then to your neck.

You stiffened.

His fingers settled there—not tightening yet.

Just holding. Feeling.

Then he tilted your head back.

Your gaze was forced upward. Crimson eyes met yours. Unblinking. Watching everything.

“Move on, you say…”

His thumb brushed your throat lightly.

“But the moment I’m close…your breath gets stuck.”

Your pulse betrayed you.

“…your body freezes.”

He leaned in slightly.

“Your heartbeat spikes.”

A pause.

“You become so docile.”

His voice dropped.

“You think I don’t see my effect on you?”

You tried to move.

He didn’t let you.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Sylus?”

“Mmh. Nothing you should be worried about, little dove.”

You once again tried to move but he wasn’t budging.

“What if MC walks in and sees us like this?”

You expected hesitation.

You got the opposite.

“Are you trying to scare me away, little dove?”

“Isn’t she your lover?” you shot back, sharper now. “I don’t want to be a home wrecker.”

Sylus let out a breathless, mocking laugh. His grip on your neck tightened just a fraction, anchoring you to him

“You’re adorable when you’re agitated,” he said. “It’s…entertaining.”

That wasn’t the reaction you expected.

If anything, it felt like you’d just given him more to enjoy.

“The ever so composed assistant of mine…losing her mind over the thought of being seen.”

Your jaw clenched.

Confusion mixed with something heavier. Something more bitter. You had been so sure. About him. About her. About the reason he rejected you.

And yet—

He was here. Touching you like this. Holding you like this. As if none of that mattered.

“Just what are you trying to achieve here?” you asked, your voice lower now. “Are you taunting me?”

“Taunting?” he echoed, almost amused. “What a strong word.”

His thumb stroked the column of your throat, tracing the rapid beat of your pulse. “I’m merely asking you to do your job.”

“By touching me so intimately?”

He laughed softly.

“You’re a good girl, y/n.”

Your breath hitched.

The words hit somewhere they shouldn’t.

“You’ll listen to me…won’t you y/n?”

You forced out a breath, trying to steady yourself.

“You’re playing dirty, bossman.”

“Mmh,” he hummed, pressing his nose briefly against your cheek. “If it gets you to comply…why not?”

“Pathetic—“

The word barely left your lips before his grip on your throat tightened significantly. The playful amusement vanished from his face, replaced by a dark, unbidden anger.

“Careful with your words, y/n.”

His voice dropped—colder now. Sharper.

“I’m being merciful right now.”

A pause.

“Don’t force my hand.”

The lethal edge in his tone reminded you exactly who he was. One wrong move, and he could snap your neck without a second thought. You swallowed your pride, lifting your hand to cover his, gently tracing his knuckles in a silent, coaxing gesture. A peace offering.

“If I agree,” you said, your voice steadier now, “to work with her…what do I gain from this?”

“Oh?” he murmured. “Now we’re talking.”

His hold didn’t disappear, but it shifted again. Less threatening. More…interested.

“You have the bargaining power. What do you want?” he continued. “An increase in salary? New weapons? Holidays? A new vehicle—”

“You.”

Silence.

Real silence this time.

Even his hand stilled

“...Me?”

You didn’t look away.

“Yeah. You.”

There was a flicker of something in your chest. Doubt. Pride. Something close to humiliation.

You ignored it.

“I want you.”

He let out a quiet laugh. Disbelief laced through it.

“Bold,” he said. “Even after saying I have a lover?”

His grip shifted again. Looser now, but still present.

“Are you asking to sleep with me, pretty dove? Because I can certainly indulge that desire.”

You shook your head.

“No,” you said, shaking your head against his chest. “Not just a physical arrangement. I want you. In your entirety."

Your gaze didn’t leave his.

“I don’t know what you have with her. And at this point…I don’t care.”

A lie.

A partial one, at least.

“But if you can hold me like this…touch me like this…” you continued, your voice tightening slightly, “then I think I have the right to assume you feel something.”

Sylus narrowed his eyes, studying your face, searching for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, a slow, predatory smirk began to spread across his lips.

“Is this a way for you to nurse your broken heart?”

“Sure,” you said, a faint edge slipping in. “Let’s call it that.”

You swallowed.

“If I agree to this…to working with her…”

Another breath.

“You belong to me.”

You knew you were playing with fire. You were standing in the den of the N109 Zone's most dangerous predator, demanding his submission. He could kill you right here and discard your body in an alley. But you wanted to see him squirm. If he was going to force you to watch him with MC, you were going to make him pay a price.

“You’re not asking me to belong to you,” he said quietly.

“You’re asking me to become something you can eventually call love.”

Your breath caught slightly.

He noticed. Of course he did.

A faint pause.

“…Interesting.”

Not mocking.

Like he had just agreed to study something unpredictable.

A slow exhale left him.

Then he spoke again.

“Alright.”

Simple. Clean.

“I accept.”

You blinked.

“…Just like that?”

“Yes.”

No hesitation.

But then—

his gaze sharpened slightly.

“You should understand something,” he added.

Your posture stiffened subtly.

“This doesn’t make me yours.”

A pause.

“It makes you involved.”

Silence.

Then, softer—but far more precise:

“And I don’t interfere with things I intend to observe.”

That landed differently.

Because it wasn’t rejection.

It was permission to continue wanting him.

He leaned back slightly.

Expression composed again.

“But I’m curious,” he said.

Your eyes narrowed slightly.

“About what?”

His gaze met yours.

Unblinking.

“How far you’ll go,” he said calmly, “before you realize love doesn’t move the way you think it does.”

A faint pause.

Then, almost casually...

“And whether you’ll still want me when you understand that.”

“That's up for me to decide.” you said, staring right into his crimson eyes.

“Good,” he whispered, his smirk widening. “Then we have a deal.”

Back in the present...

MC’s voice carried from the front again.

“…and then I thought I was done for, but—”

“You hesitated.”

Sylus’ voice cut in—smooth, but final.

“I—yeah. Just for a second.”

“You can’t afford that.”

“…Right.”

A pause.

“You did well regardless.”

That line lingered longer than it should have.

You felt it.

Even without looking.

“And you?” Sylus added after a beat.

Your fingers stilled slightly in your lap.

“How was the mission from your end?”

You didn’t look up.

“It was fine.”

A pause.

Too brief to be natural. Too deliberate to ignore.

“Just fine?” he asked.

You exhaled quietly.

“Yes.”

Before the silence could settle—

“She was actually really good,” MC cut in, glancing back slightly. “Handled most of it before I could even react.”

Your jaw tightened just a fraction.

Unnoticed. Or ignored.

A brief pause followed.

Then—

“I’d expect nothing less.”

Sylus’ response came easily.

Calm. Neutral. But not directed at her. Not entirely.

Silence settled again.

But it wasn’t the same silence as before.

Because now—

he had acknowledged you. And then let it go.

Like it meant nothing.

Like it meant everything.

His gaze found you in the mirror again. Like it always did.

Like it never stopped.

You shifted your eyes away. Back to the window.

Your reflection faint.

Unsteady in ways you refused to name.

You closed your eyes for a second.

And still—

You felt him watching.

The weather in the N109 zone had been unpredictable for days now.

Rain poured endlessly over the city, relentless and heavy, occasionally interrupted by low growls of thunder that rattled against the towering buildings. Even the timid rays of sunlight that attempted to pierce through the skyline were swiftly swallowed by thick, gloomy clouds, blanketing the entire city in a dark and melancholic atmosphere.

Sylus reclined against his chair, crimson eyes fixed on the storm beyond the tall windows of his office.

The base had been unusually quiet this past week.

Gone were the twins’ boisterous voices echoing through the halls, their constant bickering and laughter infecting every corner of the headquarters. And gone was you — the usual accomplice to their antics. The silence felt foreign. Oppressive.

Being his second-in-command, you had left for Goldwood City alongside the twins for a last-minute mission involving the delayed shipment of new weaponry and protocores.

You had called him before departure.

A week ago...

“An issue came up?”

Sylus’s voice had been calm over the line, though his attention sharpened instantly.

On your side, there was a flurry of noise, drawers sliding open, clothes rustling, the sound of items being tossed carelessly into a duffel bag while you balanced the phone between your ear and shoulder.

“Yup. The informant called me this afternoon. Said she was having a few issues with our new shipment.”

Sylus hummed softly, already running through possibilities in his mind.

“You’re taking the twins?”

More rummaging.

“Yeah. I don’t wanna send them alone.”

“They’re old enough to deal with this type of situation.”

A brief pause followed.

“Yeah I know. But I can’t help but worry…it’s a big city and the informant is new….”

Your voice trailed off thoughtfully.

Sylus exhaled quietly through his nose. He already knew there was no changing your mind once you settled on something.

“Alright. I understand."

A beat passed before he added,

"Will you need Mephisto?”

A small laugh crackled through the speaker.

“Oh my Mephie. Nah. Even if I'll miss his little beady red eyes, I’d rather want that he stays with you.”

Sylus cast a glance at MC, who was busy reviewing documents.

“And why’s that?”

“Well…" You zipped up the duffel bag.

“Your mission with MC should finish before ours. If we’re not back by then, the base is gonna be empty aside from the guards. So I’d rather Mephisto stays with you so you don’t spend the whole time brooding.”

Sylus scoffed immediately.

“I don’t brood, y/n”

“Uh huh. And I’m currently the Queen of England.”

“Tch."

Despite himself, the corner of his lips twitched faintly.

“Call me when you arrive. And for the sake of my sanity, turn on the location on your devices. All three of you.”

Your laughter spilled warmly through the phone.

“Will do. Anything else, bossman?”

His eyes drifted briefly toward MC again before he stood and quietly stepped farther away.

“Be safe,” he said softly. “And keep me updated.”

“Uh huh. Anything else?”

He paused.

“....no.”

“Okay. If that’s all—"

“I’ll be waiting, darling.”

Silence.

You laughed softly. Sylus gripped his phone tightly, trying to memorize the sound.

“Heh. Of course you will. Gotta go now. Bye… jaan.”

Click.

The line disconnected.

Sylus remained standing there for several seconds, staring at the darkened screen of his phone.

Jaan.

You had started calling him that recently. Randomly. Rarely. Almost shyly — like you were testing the word on your tongue before fully committing to it.

The first time you used it, he’d immediately realized it wasn’t English. When he asked what it meant, you avoided the question entirely, growing suspiciously evasive afterward.

And Sylus, surprisingly, never searched for the meaning himself. He could have.

But he wanted to hear it from you instead.

Wanted to wait until you were ready to tell him.

He already suspected it came from those Indian dramas and movies you’d recently become obsessed with.

Still…

The sound of the word lingered with him far longer than it should have.

He walked back into the room, expertly avoiding MC’s teasing gaze.

Present time…

Sylus sighed quietly and shut the lid of his laptop before rising from his chair.

Rain tapped steadily against the tall windows as he approached them, the city lights outside blurred beneath sheets of water. He pressed a hand against the cold glass, crimson eyes distant.

Another sigh escaped him.

A flutter of black feathers suddenly landed beside him.

“Mephisto.”

The crow tilted his head before hopping onto Sylus’s shoulder, rubbing the side of his head affectionately against Sylus’s cheek until the soft feathers tickled his skin.

Sylus absentmindedly scratched beneath the bird’s neck.

“For someone who claims he doesn’t see his crow as a pet…” a familiar voice drawled behind him, “this is a very interesting sight.”

Sylus turned sharply.

You stood there near the entrance, damp hair framing your face, exhaustion lingering beneath your eyes despite the teasing smile on your lips.

For once, he hadn’t heard you enter.

Mephisto immediately abandoned Sylus’s shoulder with an excited caw, landing directly onto your outstretched arm.

“Hellooo Mephie…" you cooed warmly. "My pretty bird. I missed you.”

The crow puffed up proudly beneath your attention while Sylus simply stood there watching the interaction in silence.

Then you started softly singing nonsense to the bird.

And to his absolute disbelief, Mephisto began cawing along like he understood every word.

A quiet chuckle escaped Sylus before he could stop it.

“I brought you a little something....”

You searched your pocket and held out a shiny gem.

Mephisto let out another delighted caw, snatched it carefully with his beak, and flew off immediately.

He stood there with his arms crossed, though the tension in his shoulders had already eased considerably.

You walked toward him slowly.

“Told ya,” you teased. “You were definitely brooding. Standing dramatically near the window while staring at the rain with a crow on your shoulder. You looked like the lead actor in a tragic melodrama.”

Sylus huffed softly.

Then, without warning, he pulled you directly into his arms.

One hand cradled the back of your head while the other settled firmly against your waist. The familiar warmth of you instantly chased away the unpleasant heaviness lingering inside his chest.

“Welcome home, sweetheart.”

You melted against him immediately, arms slipping around his waist as you buried your face into his shoulder.

“M’home,” you mumbled quietly.

Something inside him softened painfully at the sound.

After several long moments, he reluctantly loosened his hold and gently smoothed down your hair.

“Where’s the twins?”

“They’re really exhausted," you answered tiredly. "Went straight to their rooms.”

Sylus nodded before cupping your face carefully in both hands, his thumb brushing softly against your cheek.

“And you? Aren’t you tired?”

You leaned into his palm.

“Hmm maybeee. Wanted to see you—“

Your stomach growled loudly.

You froze.

Sylus raised a brow slowly.

“...Uh huh.”

“Staaap.”

A laugh finally escaped him.

“Go freshen up,” he said. “I’ll heat the food.”

You gave him a salute and walked away.

The kitchen soon filled with the quiet sounds of simmering food and clinking dishes while rain continued drumming softly outside.

Sylus had just begun stirring the soup when arms suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind.

“Careful,” he warned automatically.

You simply pressed your cheek against his back.

“Mmh. Smell good though. I’m starving.”

“Go sit down,” he said patiently. “Few more minutes.”

You pressed a quick kiss against his shoulder before obeying and hopping onto one of the stools near the kitchen island.

Sylus plated everything carefully before setting it in front of you.

You looked at it your mouth drooling at the sight of the food. Braised chicken, egg drop soup, mash potatoes, garlic cheesy bread and feta salad.

Your eyes widened instantly.

“Wow Sy. You truly outdid yourself.”

A small smile tugged onto his lips as he prepared your plate for you before sliding it over.

“Dig in, sweetie.”

And you did.

Without hesitation.

You practically inhaled the food like someone who hadn’t eaten properly in days while Sylus sat beside you taking much slower bites from his own plate.

“Slow down, y/n”

You only grunted in response before continuing.

Once you finally finished, you leaned back dramatically against the stool, pushing your sweatshirt up slightly while rubbing your stomach with satisfaction.

“Ouuuh that was good,” You groaned. “Might’ve eaten a little too much though.”

Then you burped loudly before immediately covering your mouth.

“Excuse me.”

Sylus stared at you for a second before laughing under his breath.

His thumb reached toward the corner of your lips, gently wiping away a streak of sauce.

“So,” he said casually, “I assume there’s no room left for dessert?”

The immediate spark in your eyes made him nearly laugh again.

You straightened instantly.

“There’s always room for dessert, jaan—”

You stopped dead.

Like a deer caught in headlights.

Sylus absolutely noticed.

But instead of teasing you immediately, he simply patted your head and walked toward the refrigerator, though inwardly his chest tightened pleasantly at hearing the word again.

“What’s tickling your fancy?” he asked smoothly.

“What do you have?”

He pulled out several small boxes and placed them onto the counter.

“After my mission with MC, I came across a new sweets shop. And guess what?”

“What?”

He opened the box, and you leaned forward curiously before gasping.

“Indian mithai?!” (Indian sweet treats)

Sylus nodded faintly.

“Yeah. I didn’t know what to get, so I just bought what looked good. Next time, we should—”

Your entire face lit up.

“Oh, Sy”

Before he could react, you hurried around the island and threw your arms around him tightly, peppering quick kisses all over his face.

“Thank you.”

He laughed softly under his breath before pulling you closer against him.

“So,” he murmured, “which one first?”

You examined the assortment carefully before pointing decisively.

"Kaju Katli" (cashew fudge/slice).

Sylus picked up the silver-coated sweet and held it near your mouth.

Instead of taking a bite, you gently pushed his hand back.

“Try it first.”

A brow lifted.

“Bossy.”

Still, he took a small bite.

The rich sweetness melted almost instantly on his tongue.

He hummed thoughtfully and you grinned triumphantly.

“It’s good right?”

Sylus’s eyes slowly drifted toward your lips.

“You know what would taste better?”

“What—"

He pressed his lips against yours. You could taste the sugar on his tongue. You deepened the kiss, chasing the sweetness as a small sound escaped your throat.

Fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as you instinctively pulled him closer.

Sylus groaned softly into the kiss before lifting you effortlessly onto the kitchen island.

One hand cradled the back of your head while the other began tracing the skin under your shirt.

You wanted more.

Needed more.

Your hands slid across his back, tugging him closer while the kiss steadily grew hotter and more intoxicating.

And Sylus clearly felt it too.

You could feel the restraint in the way his fingers tightened against your waist.

But eventually —painfully, he pulled back.

Another soft kiss brushed your swollen lips before he leaned his forehead against yours, slightly breathless.

“..who knew an Indian sweet could lead to such an enticing moment.”

Heat rushed instantly to your face.

You avoided his gaze immediately, pretending to inspect the dessert boxes instead.

A quiet chuckle vibrated in his chest before he kissed your cheek affectionately.

“Wanna eat more?”

You shook your head and reached for his hand instead, pressing a gentle kiss against his knuckles.

“Tomorrow,” you murmured. “We’ll share with the twins. M' full.”

Sylus intertwined his fingers with yours instinctively.

Then, after a quiet pause, he spoke again.

“If I ask you something…" His thumb brushed lightly over your hand. "Will you answer?”

His thumb brushed lightly over your hand. 

“Of course. What is it?”

For a moment, he seemed to reconsider.

Like he was debating whether or not he should leave the question alone entirely.

“What?” you prompted.

“What does….jaan mean?”

You stilled.

Clearly not expecting him to finally ask.

“If you don’t want to—“

“No,” you interrupted gently. “I want to.”

Sylus remained quiet, allowing you the space to continue.

You looked down briefly at your intertwined hands before speaking again.

“You always call me these sweet pet names,” you admitted quietly. “And I love them because I can tell you mean every single one.”

Your fingers squeezed his lightly.

“So I wanted something for you too. Something that actually… fit.”

A faint embarrassed laugh escaped you.

“Honestly, I spent days wracking my brain over it. Because I couldn’t just keep calling you ‘Sy’ or ‘Boss’ forever.”

Sylus smiled quietly but said nothing.

Then you finally looked back into his eyes.

“I heard the word while watching an Indian movie,” you explained softly. “The main character called his partner ‘jaan.’”

You hesitated briefly before continuing.

The direct translation is ‘my life,’ but really, it’s beyond that. It can also mean ‘my soul.’ And it fits you, you know? Someone precious enough that they become part of you. So I’ve been experimenting to see your reaction. I could tell you were unfamiliar with it, so…”

Sylus felt something tighten sharply in his chest.

Silence filled the kitchen afterward.

Not uncomfortable.

Just heavy with emotion.

Sylus lowered his gaze briefly, taking a slow breath while processing your words.

My life. My soul.

You had been calling him that all this time.

He gently rested his forehead against yours.

“That’s…” He laughed softly under his breath. “A terrifying amount of responsibility.”

You smiled warmly.

“Yeah?”

“You…sure about that?”

“Yeah.” Your hand slid against his cheek gently. “Because just like I’m yours… you’re mine too.”

That nearly undid him.

Completely.

“And I know,” you continued softly, “you’ll take care of it. You always do.”

For once, Sylus genuinely struggled to find words. His throat bobbed as he searched for the right words.

You noticed immediately.

“You okay?”

He nodded slowly, crimson eyes softer than before.

“I…yeah.” A faint smile tugged onto his lips. “Just didn’t expect you to hit me with something this devastating tonight.”

You laughed quietly.

“I know I don’t say it often—" he admitted after a moment. "I’m more of an actions-speak-louder-than-words type of guy, but—”

“You love me?”

Sylus chuckled softly.

“Yeah.” His thumb brushed your cheek carefully. “I love you, y/n.”

Your expression softened instantly.

“And I love you too, Jaan.”

He closed his eyes briefly at the sound.

Then you hesitated slightly before asking.

“Now that you know what it means…” You looked oddly nervous suddenly. “Is it still okay if I call you that?”

Sylus immediately pulled you against his chest again, arms wrapping around you securely.

“It’s more than okay, my darling,” he murmured against your hair. “I think I like it a little too much.”

A quiet laugh escaped you.

He tilted your chin upward gently until your eyes met again.

“Especially,” he added softly, “when it comes from you.”

Warmth bloomed inside your chest at his words. You smiled faintly before resting your forehead against his shoulder once more, fingers absentmindedly curling into the fabric of his shirt.

For a while, neither of you spoke.

There was no need to.

The rain continued tapping softly against the tall windows, thunder rumbling quietly in the distance while the kitchen remained wrapped in warmth and dim golden light.

And somewhere deeper in the base, Mephisto let out a loud caw — almost offended at being excluded from the moment.

You snorted softly against Sylus’s chest.

“Think your son is jealous.”

Sylus sighed dramatically, though the amused curve on his lips betrayed him immediately.

“He’s your son too, love.”

Another caw echoed through the halls.

You both laughed quietly this time.

And for the first time in days, the base no longer felt empty.

And we're done 😇