A little something I wrote about Sylus's Affinity 82 "Aged Wine" phone call, because it made me feel things and I love him.
(Implied that MC/Reader and Sylus are already in a relationship)
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You didn't believe in forever.
After all, your first and only forever quite literally went up in smoke.
He had been the only true constant in your life. More enduring than even your own memories. Your life as you knew it had started and ended with him.
Caleb had died, after all.
You didn't believe in forever.
He had returned. Changed, but alive. You were overjoyed—finally things could return to how they had been, how they should have been all along. The two of you, together, as promised.
He had been in Skyhaven this entire time... as you mourned him. Buried an empty coffin. And shattered. Your forever had been only miles away.
Caleb didn't die. He had left you.
You didn't believe in forever.
"Well, tell me what you think," the deep voice drawled. It wasn't new for Sylus to send you gifts (the extra display cabinet he had "thoughtfully" purchased for you was proof of that). But today he sounded more excited for your reaction than usual.
Confused, you stared down at the contents of the box. Admittedly, it was well-crafted. A regional specialty, perhaps? Useful, certainly.
"How should I put this," you began hesitantly, "it's surprisingly down-to-earth. I couldn't believe you were the sender at first."
"That... doesn't sound like a compliment. Are you saying it's not fancy enough?" His voice deflated.
"I didn't mean it like that," you hastily amended, "I'm very touched since it's from you." Not a lie. Even if you had never appreciated the finer things as much as Sylus did, his desire to spoil you was touching. You knew he always took your tastes into account when buying you gifts, whether gemstones or weapons. This newest find, then, was probably acknowledgment of your gushing over the practicality of Tara's Christmas gift to you.
You lifted up the donabe pot from its nest of bubble wrap to examine it, trying to think of a more specific compliment.
"I assume you want me to get back to basics like eating healthier food instead of ordering takeout?" you mused.
A moment of silence. Then his confused voice on the other end of the line, "I... had no idea I was implying that. Actually, I don't think my gift has anything to do with what you just said." He continued with dawning realization, "Did you mistake my package for someone else's?"
Your hands froze in their analysis of the cookware. A hurried glance at the shipping label confirmed that he was, as usual, correct in his deductions.
"Sorry!" you could only hope your flushed embarrassment didn't carry over from your cheeks to your voice. "I confused it with the souvenirs from my colleague..."
"I figured as much," at least he didn't sound upset...
"Ignore what I said earlier?"
His chuckle tugged a smile onto your own lips and eased the tension that had crept into your shoulders. "Alright, but aren't you curious about what's in the box you still haven't opened?"
"Oh, right! I'll open it right now." You collected the smaller parcel from the hallway and carefully cut the packing tape to reveal its contents... another box. Wooden this time, dark and decorated simply with a crimson ribbon. No logo or label hinted at its now thoroughly mysterious contents, so you opened the lid.
"It's a bottle of red wine?" you questioned.
"Correct," he breathed, smile still apparent. "Should I give you some time to do a review?"
You blinked. There it was again, that anticipation in his voice. But why? You stared at the bottle in your hands, wishing you'd taken that sommelier elective course in college so you weren't so lost on what made this gift from your lovely and generous boyfriend special.
Is it not fancy enough? You could never question the fanciness of anything Sylus gifted you. It was Sylus. By virtue of being a gift from him, the bottle was likely worth a small fortune.
Hell, you'd begun to wonder if the unassuming donabe was secretly an ancient relic for a few seconds back there.
"If you want to hear what I have to say," you chose your words carefully, not wanting to dash his hopes.
"Never mind," he huffed. So much for that. "Just look at the date on the bottle."
"Let me see..." you trailed off as you properly read the label. "It's... it's the same age as me?"
"There's nothing special about the wine. But I thought the year made it meaningful."
You were speechless. Even if any words came to mind, the lump that had quickly appeared in your throat kept them from escaping. You imagined Sylus, perusing shelves as he hand-picked something new to try at your next dinner date. His beautiful hands trailing over bottles, face neutral as they all failed to meet his expectations. He picks up the one currently cradled in your hands and you can see the small smile appear, his eyes softening as he thought of... you.
He'd never been shy in expressing his adoration, his thoughtfulness. "I pictured you in this and knew it would suit you perfectly," he'd say as you slipped into the new gown he'd purchased for an auction. Of course, you would think to yourself, a dress this stunning would suit anyone. "They complement your eyes perfectly," he would purr as you modeled a new pair of earrings. And you would roll your eyes, calling him a smooth-talker. But now you wonder if it had always been like this. If he hadn't just been showering you in well-mannered praise. If each time he had purchased a priceless item, it was because he had seen it and been reminded of you.
"With you, I look forward to unconditional trust." And his actions have always proven this. Never once, after obtaining it, had Sylus taken your trust for granted. Why had you never taken his words at face value when he had only ever been honest with you? How could it have taken so long for you to see that his words, his smile, his gaze, had never been empty gestures? To accept the simple fact that he saw you in all of the lovely, priceless items he lavished you with?
Because you couldn't let yourself believe in forever?
"The moment I saw it I knew it was the one," his serious tone brought you back to reality. You couldn't breathe. Couldn't read the label anymore as tears began to pool in your eyes. Did he even know what he was saying? How it affected you? Made you feel like you were flying and falling all at once?
How he made you want to believe in forever?
"This is the first time I've seen a wine my age," you responded quietly. You were sure he could hear your voice trembling and coughed lightly to compose yourself. "I wonder what it tastes like?"
"You can... pour yourself a glass right now?" your heart suggested.
"No!" This was far too special to drink alone. He should be there with you. "I want to store it until..." Images flashed in your mind. Sylus in a white tux. Your hands clasped in his as he slowly slipped a beautiful band around your ring finger. His beautiful garnet eyes staring into your own, as he promised you forever.
He made you want to believe in forever.
"Oh I know!" When had your voice become so high-pitched? "I'll keep it until my 100th birthday. Then I'll share it with someone I care about."
"100 years old... you like to think about the future, huh?" he quipped. "All right, you've made your choice." A pause as you tried to compose yourself and think of a witty response. But he wasn't finished. "When the time comes," he continued, sounding unusually hesitant, "I hope I'll be able to try that vintage wine with you."
You didn't believe in forever. After all, forever had only ever betrayed you. Your memories, your childhood home, your dearest friend. Your life had taught you time and time again not to believe in forever.
Sylus made you so badly want to believe in just one.
You swallowed again around the lump in your throat. "I'm going to hold you to that, you know?"
A sharp breath, then a chuckle from the other end of the line. "It's a promise, then, Sweetie."
The tears fell freely now as you smiled.
If it was with Sylus, you would believe in this forever.
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Notes: I've never written anything like this before (or really anything fictional for myself before haha). This phone call is one of my favorites though. If you read this far, thank you! Hope you enjoyed :)
(@zara-renata I did the thing!)