#l&ds reader

You had a hard time keeping a smile to yourself. “Okay fine. I suppose he is kind of cute, but I don’t think-”

“A-HA!” she screamed loud enough that it could’ve been heard in the N109 Zone for all you care. “So go after him!”

You didn’t have the heart to tell her you were already planning to get married to him.

The marriage was hasty, you’ll have to admit. A dark, secluded church abandoned and undesired by most, if not all of the citizens in the N109 Zone was the most romantic place you could think of. With only the twins and Mephisto as your witnesses and a priest willing to wed you both, you were finally together.

Beneath the darkness of the N109 Zone, two parts of a soul became one. 

Now, Sylus’s soft snores can be heard right behind you, his arms encircling your waist like he wouldn’t dare attempt to let you go. The coolness of his wedding ring bears into your skin, a stark reminder of this unlikely union that fills your heart more than anything else has. A reminder too of what had transpired between you two just hours before.

“Oh goodness,” you murmur into your palm, quiet laughter erupting out of you alongside a pesky blush.

“Hm?” 

The husk of your husband’s voice reverberates, waves of it crashing down on your skin as his lips touch your shoulder. There is softness in the way he does it, but then again, isn’t he always like that with you?

“Did I wake you up?” You turn around so you’re facing him. Red eyes meet yours, and his small smile shines with the moonlight’s help. 

“I wanted to know what made my wife so happy.”

Wife.

If you weren’t already beet red, hearing him call you his wife would’ve turned you into one of those roses he loves giving you. Or, better yet, a strawberry he was planning to surprise you with.

“It’s nothing,” you dismiss. “I was just thinking about our marriage, that’s all.”

“Happy thoughts, I hope,” he teases, but you notice a hint of fear in his tone. You’ve heard it many times before — when he first confessed his feelings, when he quietly proposed under Linkon’s starry night with the twins next to him, and when he married you. A fear of losing you, a fear of disappointing the only person who could make him move worlds and love like no other.

Lucky for him, you know exactly how to make him feel the love he believes he doesn’t deserve. “Very happy thoughts. Why do you think I was laughing?”

Sylus’s smile widens at that. He takes your hand and places tiny kisses into your palm, worshipping you with every move he makes. If devotion were a person, it would be the other half of your soul.

“I must be doing something right if I can make you laugh even while I’m asleep.”

“You’re doing everything right, Sy-Sy.”

It’s his turn to become strawberry red, and you have to resist taking a bite. Instead you cup his cheeks and giggle at the way his eyes fight to stay open, sleep willfully winning the match against your husband who yearns to hear more of your voice.

“Go back to sleep,” you tell him. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

“Mmm…” he hums. There’s something about the husk of his voice that makes you want to crawl into his heart and live there for the rest of your life. “You better be.”

“I will. I mean, who could leave a man that somehow convinced a priest to visit the N109 Zone?”

He chuckles, and you realize that you like being the only one who could do that to him. “Touché.”

“And aside from that, who could leave such a lovable, wonderful man?” You place kisses all over his pretty face, no part of him left unloved. His breath hitching is one of the loveliest sounds you’ve ever heard, and your name escaping his lips is even better.

“My love…”

“I love you. So, so much.” You pull away, only to place another kiss on his forehead the way he loves doing to you. “Sy-Sy. I. Love. You.”

Happiness engulfs him, and you can see it in the way his red eyes widen and the feel of his hand caressing your waist. Like your skin could ground him, like your existence makes him worth it.

“I love you too, beloved.” He presses his forehead against yours. “I can’t believe we’re married.”

“That’s what I was laughing about earlier! We’re actually married, Sylus. And we…” You look at your messy blankets and the clothes scattered across the floor. Button-ups on hotel chairs, your wedding dress beautifully sitting next to the door. “We…”

“Yes, we did.”

There is no love purer than his. He can read your mind and understand you like no other.

The moment is broken by his abrupt yawn, your laughter erupting when he nuzzles his head into the crook of your shoulder. I’m sleeping here, he murmurs. Comfortable.

You can only run your fingers through his hair as he falls back into slumber as quickly as he awoke. Peace settles within him, a rare occurrence, and it’s all because of you.

“I love you,” you whisper once more before sleep takes you as well, letting his soft snores and his gentle hug lull you to a tranquility you have always wanted. 

In this world and in every life, your soul will only belong to him.

a/n: I was blushing like a strawberry when writing this lmfaooo! Oh, to be able to marry this man and shower him with the love he so rightfully deserves

Thank you for reading! Any form of interaction is appreciated. Take care :)

“I’m home,” you call out as you flop onto the couch, not caring that you’re practically lying on him.

“Hectic day?” he asks, his voice low, a welcome balm to your weary mind.

“Not really,” you murmur, rolling onto your back and wedging yourself into the narrow space between him and the couch cushions. “I’d still rather be off fighting Wanderers than stuck doing paperwork, though.”

“At least you weren’t in danger,” Caleb replies, turning a page in his book before tucking his arm back behind his head.

You sigh deeply, staring at the ceiling. “I had another appointment with Zayne today. The results are steady, which is good. I just have to keep taking my meds.”

Caleb’s tone shifts slightly when he replies, darker somehow. “Is that so?”

You glance up at him, sensing the tension in his words. He’s staring at the book, but it’s clear his thoughts are miles away.

“Yeah…” you answer cautiously, tilting your head to catch his eye. When he notices your gaze, he snaps the book shut and tosses it to the floor with a thud.

“Does Zayne really need to be your doctor?” Caleb asks abruptly, his voice laced with something unspoken.

You blink, startled. “I mean, he’s the best cardiologist—”

“I know that,” Caleb interrupts, his words sharp but not unkind. “But that doesn’t really answer my question.” He reaches out and places a hand over your face, shaking your head gently, as if to dismiss the topic.

You bat his hand away and sit up, turning to face him directly. “Don’t I deserve the best there is?” Your tone carries a faint edge, one you didn’t intend, but it’s there nonetheless—a hint of hurt.

Caleb frowns, his expression clouding with something close to jealousy. “You do,” he admits, but the words come out like a hiss.

“Then Zayne will stay my doctor,” you say firmly, standing and blowing him a playful kiss as you make your way toward the kitchen.

Behind you, Caleb mutters under his breath, then calls after you, “Why him, though? Isn’t there some policy against this?”

You stop in your tracks and turn to him, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Caleb gets up and strides toward you, his smirk not quite masking the seriousness in his eyes. “You can’t have some sort of intimate relationship with your doctor—family, romantic, whatever. Maybe I should report him.” He chuckles, but the sound is hollow.

You close the distance between you, placing a hand firmly on his chest. “That’s not funny, Caleb,” you say, pouting as you meet his gaze.

His laughter fades, replaced by a look you can’t quite read. The tension lingers in the air between you, heavy and unspoken, but the warmth of his presence anchors you nonetheless.

“I’m joking. Since when can’t you take a hint?” Caleb ruffles your hair as he walks past you, heading into the kitchen. He’s trying to play it cool, but there’s an edge to his voice, something unresolved. “What should we have for dinner?”

You lean over the counter, your arms folded, watching him closely. The way his shoulders tense, as he opens and closes cabinets, gives him away. It’s painfully obvious that his mind is still on Zayne.

You can’t help but laugh softly to yourself.

Caleb freezes mid-motion, turning to face you with a puzzled expression. “Oh great, you’re probably thinking of a joke he said.”

You snort. “Zayne and jokes, really?”

Silence falls between you, heavy but not uncomfortable. The two of you lock eyes, a silent battle of wills. His expression falters for just a second, enough for you to see that even he knows how ridiculous his comment is. Zayne’s humor is notoriously flat, and everyone knows it. Caleb breaks eye contact first, turning back to rummage through the cabinets, feigning interest in their contents.

You rest your chin on your crossed arms, a smirk playing on your lips as you study him. You know Caleb like the back of your hand—better than anyone. He’s never been one to openly admit jealousy, but his actions scream it louder than words ever could. Caleb has a compulsive need to be the one who makes you smile the widest, laugh the loudest, and feel the most alive.

The thing is, Caleb’s never shown this kind of jealousy toward Zayne before. Back in the day, things were simple; everyone was friendly, and there was no room for these petty emotions. But ever since you became a hunter, with mandatory check-ups and more frequent visits to Zayne’s clinic, Caleb’s demeanor started to shift. Not that he’d ever outright forbid you from doing something—he knows better than to try that—but his subtle, possessive tendencies? Oh, they’re there, and they’re obvious.

You bite your lip, a mischievous glint in your eyes. You’re plotting now, deliberately trying to press his buttons.

“You’re so clingy, Caleb,” you drawl, dragging the words out just enough to poke the bear.

“Hm.” His nonchalant response is laced with tension.

“I mean, just last week, you did the same thing.”

That gets him. Caleb slams a box of pasta onto the counter with a thud, his palms splaying out as he leans forward, head tilting back toward the ceiling like he’s begging for patience. He inhales deeply before turning his head, not his body, to look at you. His eyes are sharp, and piercing, and there’s an intensity to them that makes your breath hitch.

“I said I was sorry,” he says, his tone eerily calm, almost robotic.

“Yeah, well, things escalated, and he heard us,” you grumble, leaning back for effect.

Caleb picks up the pasta box again, shaking it as he waves his arms dramatically. “Why does the upstairs neighbor even need to talk to you every time he sees you?” he complains. “What’s his name again, Xander?”

“Xavier,” you correct without missing a beat.

Caleb freezes mid-motion. His shoulders stiffen as he turns his head just slightly, his expression neutral but with just enough of a comedic edge—thick-framed glasses perched on his nose, his jaw set—to make you stifle a laugh.

You catch the faintest twitch in his bicep, a telltale sign that your teasing is working.

You press your hand to your mouth, trying to smother a grin and the laughter bubbling in your throat. You know full well that Caleb remembers Xavier’s name perfectly; he just deliberately got it wrong to downplay how much he pays attention. And now, judging by the look on his face, he regrets giving you an opening to correct him.

“He’s my work partner,” you say with a light chuckle, trying to sound casual. “We were talking about work…” You pause briefly for effect, watching his expression remain frozen. “A work gathering.”

The silence that follows is heavy with unspoken thoughts, but the way Caleb’s jaw tightens just enough lets you know you’ve gotten under his skin. You don’t mind, though—it’s all part of the game.

“And what? Did this Xavier complain?” Caleb sneers, dragging out the name like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. His exaggerated disdain is so obvious, it’s hard not to laugh.

“No,” you reply with a chuckle. “Worried, maybe. But honestly, how do you even explain that situation?”

Caleb rolls his eyes in mock frustration, the gesture exaggerated but not unexpected.

“And to answer your earlier question,” you continue, pointing a finger at him while puckering your lips for emphasis, “Zayne isn’t breaking any rules.”

Caleb’s gaze drops to the box of pasta in his hands as if seeking answers there. His silence speaks volumes, and you can almost see the cogs turning in his head. He’s not even trying to mask his annoyance anymore.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” you tease, leaning casually against the counter. “Zayne and I do have a personal connection, but that was way before he became my doctor. Besides, we lost touch long before any of that. So, technically…” you smirk, “no rules are being broken.”

Caleb tosses the pasta box onto the counter with the dramatics of a jilted soap opera star, the motion so over-the-top it makes you laugh.

His jealousy is nothing new—it’s always been there, simmering beneath the surface. But when it comes to Zayne, it’s glaringly obvious and almost endearing. What makes it funnier is that the jealousy is entirely one-sided.

He doesn’t speak. Instead, he just stares, his gaze unyielding but not threatening, more predatory. The intensity in his eyes sends a shiver down your spine, but you bite your lip to hide the thrill it gives you.

Finally, Caleb strides toward you with purpose. Your arms instinctively fling open as if welcoming his approach, and his hands grip your waist firmly—almost possessively. It stings, but not unpleasantly. Before you can process it, you hop up, wrapping your legs around his waist and your arms around his neck.

His nose brushes against yours, the warmth of his breath fanning across your lips as he whispers, “It’s not fair. He gets to listen to your heart, to be so close to your chest.”

You laugh softly, his childish complaint both absurd and hypocritical. Caleb spends more time listening to your heartbeat than Zayne ever could. Every chance he gets, he lays his head on your chest, claiming it’s his right.

“Zayne needs a stethoscope to hear my heart,” you tease, letting your voice drop into a husky, breathy tone. “But you don’t need that.”

In one swift motion, Caleb spins you around and lays you flat against the counter, his hands gripping your hips. His lips trail down your torso, his breath hot against your skin.

“I should be the only one listening to your heart,” he murmurs, his voice low and possessive. “I mean, I’m pretty sure I know every inch of your body better than any doctor. Why would you even need them?”

“Doctors can tell a murmur from a regular heartbeat,” you retort with a smirk.

“I’m done talking about cardiology,” Caleb mutters, his grin wicked. “I was talking about other doctors.”

He spreads your legs slightly, resting his head against your stomach, his breath fanning over your skin as he exhales deeply.

“Am I being punished again?” you ask, your voice laced with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

“Do you want to be?” he mumbles, his lips brushing against your skin.

You chuckle softly, biting your bottom lip. “No.” With a quick push against his head, you slide off the counter before he can pin you further. “I need to get out of these clothes. It’s been a long day,” you say, your tone dripping with sass.

As you move past him, Caleb grabs your wrist, his grip firm but not forceful. “Let me help, then.”

“No,” you reply, shaking his hand off with mock defiance.

He sighs, his voice dipping into a playful growl. “Be a good girl.”

“No.”

“Sit.”

Before you can process what’s happening, your knees buckle, and you find yourself on all fours, your hands bracing against the floor for balance. Caleb’s gravity control Evol pins you down just enough to make his point.

“Atta girl,” he teases, his tone light yet commanding. He crouches before you, tilting your chin up with a gentle but firm hand. “Let. Me. Help. You.”

“He’s going to hear us again,” you giggle, finally achieving the reaction you’d been aiming for.

“Then tell him to stop eavesdropping, pipsqueak,” Caleb retorts with a smirk.

Releasing his control, he effortlessly picks you up and tosses you over his shoulder. With a playful grin, he throws you onto the couch and towers over you, his overwhelming and intoxicating presence.

“Another word and I’ll have to keep you quiet,” he warns, reaching for his glasses.

You grab his wrists, your eyes wide and pleading. “No, don’t!” you gasp, as if what you’re about to say is of utmost importance. “I really like those glasses,” you pant.

He pauses, his confusion almost comical.

“I think they’re better than Zayne’s,” you add with a sly smile, exhaling deeply.

Caleb’s lips twitch as he suppresses a grin. “You’re so greedy when you want something, aren’t you?” Without waiting for a reply, he slips two fingers into your mouth, his touch teasing and deliberate, a silent dare for you to defy him again.

The wet, suctioning sound of your lips wrapped around Caleb’s fingers is maddeningly erotic, a melody of your surrender and his control. His fingers press harder against your tongue, sending a jolt down your spine. You gag reflexively, but instead of pulling away, your hands shoot up to grip his wrists, holding him in place, determined not to cough them out. His fingers glide in and out in steady, rhythmic waves, teasing and deliberate, while your chest rises and falls with labored breaths. Tears prick the corners of your eyes, but you keep them locked on his lips.

Caleb’s tongue darts out, wetting his lips before his teeth catch the bottom one in a fierce bite. His eyes, dark with intent, linger on the way your cheeks hollow with every movement of his hand. It’s written all over his face: this is a prelude to what he really wants. He’d rather have your mouth working over his dick than his fingers.

With a low chuckle, he pulls his fingers free, leaving your lower lip glistening with saliva. He holds his hand up, watching the way the wetness glimmers under the dim light. “You really enjoy using yourself as your own lubricant, don’t you?” he says with a teasing laugh, his voice dripping with smug amusement.

“It’s natural,” you pant, wiping the corner of your mouth with the back of your hand.

Caleb shifts, rising onto his knees as he peels off his shirt, tossing it carelessly onto the coffee table. His toned torso gleams, and he snaps his fingers at you, motioning for you to sit up straight. You comply without hesitation, adjusting your posture as he towers over you.

With one knee between your legs and the other planted firmly on the couch, he removes his dog tag, dragging the cool chain across your face. “You know the rules,” he says, his grin wicked.

You pout, rolling your eyes. “I gave you that as a gift, and you’re always using it for your twisted games.”

He smirks. “Then get me another one.”

“No way. It’s one of a kind.” You slide your hands up his torso, fingers tracing every dip and ridge of his muscles. “There’s no duplicate. It’s yours and only yours,” you murmur, cupping his face. Finally, you clasp your wrists together in silent surrender, signaling you’re ready.

Caleb places the dog tag between his teeth. He tugs at the hem of your shirt and in one swift motion, it’s off, discarded to the side. You unclasp your bra, letting it slip from your shoulders as he deftly begins wrapping the chain around your wrists.

“You could use your evol this time,” you suggest, your voice sultry and playful.

His hands pause for a moment, his eyes focused on the chain. “Yeah,” he mutters, though his tone is uncertain. “Last time I tried that, I used it on the bed instead of you. Snapped the legs and bottom planks clean off.”

A smile escapes you, breaking the tension. “That was your fault.”

“Fair,” he admits with a mischievous grin, “but with the way you were screaming my name and begging for more, I got… distracted.” He pulls the chain taut around your wrists, his eyes locking with yours. The tightness isn’t just around your wrists—it’s in the air, a tension so thick it makes your heart race.

Before you can say anything, he grabs his shirt that he tossed aside earlier. Caleb moves behind the couch, you tilt your head back to catch a glimpse of him. He’s smiling, a wicked grin that makes your pulse race. He steps closer, and gently pushes your head forward. “Let’s try something new,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing. The soft fabric of the shirt wraps around your eyes, plunging you into darkness.

Your heart stutters, a mix of excitement and apprehension swelling inside you. What does he have planned? Did you push him too far this time? The not knowing leaves you vulnerable, every nerve ending alive with anticipation. Bound and blindfolded, you realize the gravity of your position. Your hands are useless, your sight is gone, and as the shirt muffles the sounds around you, you feel the loss of another sense creeping in. You’re at his mercy, and the uncertainty is both thrilling and maddening.

You strain your ears, desperate for any clue to his movements. The soft padding of his footsteps echoes faintly, but you can’t discern their direction. Is he in front of you? Behind you? The muffled noise seems to come from everywhere and nowhere. You sit still, biting your lip to stifle a nervous breath.

Then, the sound sharpens—familiar and unmistakable. His shoes hit the floor with a soft thud. Your breath hitches as the faint jingle of his belt buckle follows, the metallic clink chilling you to the core. The slow, deliberate rasp of his zipper being pulled down comes next, and you swallow hard. You hear the rustling of fabric sliding against his skin before the faint sound of his pants hitting the floor.

Your pulse pounds in your ears. Caleb is naked. And you are completely unaware of where he is. From which angle he’ll approach, you have no idea. The suspense builds with every passing second, your senses heightened as your imagination runs wild. Every breath, every rustle of fabric, every shift in the air sends a jolt of anticipation through you.

In an instant, you’re pulled, your body shifting swiftly before you can even process it. You find yourself lying awkwardly on the couch, your legs raised high, teetering off balance. The soft plop of your shoes hitting the floor fills the room, and then his hands are on you—strong, purposeful. His touch slides down your calves, lingering at your thighs before settling firmly. It’s clear now—your legs are on his shoulders.

The faint sound of your belt unbuckling breaks through the haze of anticipation, followed by the slow, deliberate unbuttoning of your pants. You feel the cool air on your skin as he slides them down with excruciating patience, taking your underwear with them. The quiet thud of your discarded clothes hitting the ground feels final, leaving you bare and exposed.

Caleb lowers your legs gently, guiding you upward. His hand rests on your back, firm yet careful, directing you as you take a few hesitant steps. The walk is short, and before you can ask what he’s doing, he presses your back forward, bending your upper body over the armrest of the couch. Your belly rests against the soft fabric as he positions you, spreading your legs apart just enough to make you feel vulnerable, your feet planted firmly on the ground.

His hands are warm as they settle on your lower back, and then you feel it—the slow, teasing slide of him rubbing against you. The head of his dick brushes your clit with deliberate precision, sending sparks of heat shooting through you. A silent moan escapes your lips as he continues the agonizing tease, his movements designed to drive you to the edge of madness.

Caleb leans in, his breath ghosting over your ear. “As of now,” he whispers, his voice low and dripping with desire, “I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who knows how fast your heart is going.” With no warning, he thrusts into you, forcing a gasp from your lips.

“Nngh… Caleb…” you moan, your voice trembling.

His rhythm is relentless from the start, his hips driving into you with an intensity that leaves you breathless. Each thrust pulls a sound from you, your bound hands trapped beneath your chest as the chain lightly grazes your skin, heightening every sensation.

“Haah… fuck,” Caleb groans, his voice rough with pleasure. “Do you even know… ha… how possessive I can get?”

You’re silent, unable to form words as your face presses into the couch, your teeth biting down on the fabric in an attempt to stifle your cries.

“And to… ahh, fuck,” he chuckles darkly, his voice strained. “To edge me on like that… mmhn… you must like—” His words are cut off by his guttural moan as his body shudders.

Leaning forward, his teeth sink into your shoulder, the sharp sensation blending with the intensity of his thrusts. His hips angle upward now, hitting a spot that sends you spiraling, his warm breath fanning across your skin.

“Mmmh, Caleb…” is all you can manage, your voice raw and pleading as he consumes every part of you.

Caleb shifts his weight, pulling back just long enough to stand upright. With fluidity and strength, he flips you onto your back. The movement leaves you momentarily breathless, your body pliant beneath his control. He raises one of your legs over his shoulder, his fingers gripping your calf with a possessive firmness. The other leg, he adjusts carefully, ensuring your foot rests securely on the armrest, but not before gently pushing it outward, spreading you even wider for him.

His breathing is labored now, audible and heavy, and though you can’t see him clearly, you can imagine the sight of his chest. Broad, muscular, and glistening with sweat, rising and falling with each ragged inhale. It’s a sight that would’ve stolen your breath, if it hadn’t already been taken by the moment.

One of his arms snakes around the leg draped over his shoulder, locking it in place with a grip that’s equal parts firm and tender. His other hand anchors itself on your hip, steadying you as he positions himself. And then he begins again.

The first thrust sends a jolt of pleasure through you, his rhythm rough yet calculated, each movement hitting the spot that leaves you trembling. His hips snap forward with a force that feels primal, yet controlled, a deliberate effort to draw out every sound, every reaction from you. You’re soaked, your arousal slick against him. The lewd sound of your bodies meeting fills the room, every thrust accompanied by the wet squelch of your fluids mixing. It’s intoxicating.

He leans in slightly, his lips hovering close, his voice dropping to a low, husky whisper as he murmurs your name. The way he says it feels reverent, like a prayer or a plea, and it makes your chest tighten.

“Yeah…” you breathe, your voice soft and airy, surrendering to the moment.

“Let me be…” he pauses, “…let me be the only one… to make your heart—” His voice falters, replaced by a sensual chuckle, deep and rough. “God, let me be the only one to make your heart race like this.”

“Mhm…” your reply comes out sweet but low, carried on a sigh. “Okay…”

The air between you and Caleb is electric, every touch igniting sparks that threaten to burn you from the inside out. With your leg still firm on the armrest, you use it to push your body to the other side, forcing Caleb to adjust. As your leg drops off his shoulder, he moves instinctively, following your silent invitation to walk around the couch.

Before you can process his next move, he’s sitting in front of you, pulling you up with ease until you’re perched on his lap. His hands are warm and firm, one gripping his dick as he guides himself back inside you, the other trailing up your back in a slow, deliberate motion. His fingers rake through your hair, sending shivers down your spine, before tangling and tugging gently but possessively. The motion tilts your head back, exposing the curve of your neck to him.

His lips hover there, a breath away from your skin, teasing, promising. You can feel the heat of his desire, the way his breathing deepens as he restrains himself from biting down.

“Mine,” he breathes, his voice thick and husky.

“Yours,” you moan in response, your voice trembling, “always yours.”

The words seem to fuel him further. He releases your hair and leans back into the sofa, his strong frame supporting you effortlessly. You stay balanced on your toes, knees bent, riding him with an aching, deliberate rhythm. His hands grip your waist tightly, guiding you, pulling you down harder onto him as your hips sway back and forth.

He curses your name, his voice dripping with raw hunger.

“Just like that…” he groans.

Your knees finally give out, and you collapse forward, your body trembling. Though your blindfold keeps you from seeing him, you can feel his presence—his lips so close to yours, the warmth of his breath mingling with your own. You bite your lip, a soft laugh escaping through a moan. With your bound hands, you fumble to touch his face, brushing against the frames of the glasses he kept on.

Your frustrated laugh makes him grin, and before you know it, he’s shifting you both, rolling you onto your side. Spooning you, Caleb pulls your top leg back, hooking it around his own. His arm snakes beneath you, gripping your neck gently but firmly, while his other hand finds your bound wrists. You feel his fingers slide beneath the chain binding them, his touch deliberate.

“If I take this off…” he murmurs, his hips pressing forward as he thrusts deeper, making you gasp. “You have to promise to keep the blindfold on. Got that?”

“Okay…” you manage to moan.

“That’s a good girl,” he groans, his laugh dark and low. With a swift pull, the chain loosens, and your hands are free. Before you can react, he places the dog tag in your mouth. “Here, bite this,” he commands, his lips brushing your ear as his tongue flicks against the sensitive skin behind it.

His pace picks up again, rough and insistent, each movement sending waves of heat through your body. His hand on your neck tightens ever so slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to remind you that he’s in control.

His other hand moves to your breasts, squeezing and kneading, his grip leaving no doubt about how much he wants you.

Desperate to feel closer, you swing your now-free hand behind you, finding his face and pulling him down toward you.

“C-Caleb…” you choke out, his name a breathless plea.

“That’s it,” he chuckles against your skin, his teeth grazing your shoulder before biting down softly. “Say my name. Let me be the only name you call.”

His words are a command and a prayer, each syllable dripping with possession. He presses into you harder, his teeth grazing your skin again, his groans mingling with your moans.

The tension between you and Caleb is palpable, every motion from him driving you further into a realm where pleasure and desperation intertwine. His grip on your neck tightens, stealing your breath in the most intoxicating way, your vision blurring with unshed tears as your body reacts to his overwhelming dominance.

Your voice, broken and raw, escapes in a gagged gasp. “C-Caleb…” The dog tag tumbles from your lips, clinking faintly as it hits the surface below.

Without warning, he flips you onto your stomach. You barely have a moment to adjust before he pulls your hips upward, your breasts pressing into the couch. His thrusts are erratic, primal, and you claw at the armrest, arching your back deeply to meet him. His hand finds your hair, tugging harshly, while his other grips your waist with a force that leaves bruising promises. His silence, punctuated only by rough breaths and muffled grunts, speaks volumes.

You’ve witnessed this before—when his composure cracks and his evol flares, chaos is inevitable. Around you, the room trembles with his lack of control. Items crash to the floor, shattering against the walls. You gasp, instinctively reaching for the blindfold to tear it off, but Caleb’s hand leaves your hair and slams your wrist to the armrest.

“What did you promise?” he growls, his voice venomous yet dripping with that intoxicating edge of command. His fingers lace with yours, pinning your hand firmly.

His pace quickens, his movements losing all semblance of rhythm. You’re caught between gasping for air and choking on moans that feel too loud, too needy. Your head drops forward, but your body remains arched, submitting entirely to the chaos you ignited.

The destruction crescendos until it feels like the entire room collapses in a cacophony of falling objects and Caleb’s unrelenting presence. Then, it stops. Abruptly. Caleb pulls out and steps away, leaving you trembling, breathless, and straining to track his movements through the sound of his footsteps.

“Flip over,” he commands, his tone brooking no argument. You comply, lying on your back, your chest heaving.

He spreads your legs, his touch suddenly gentle as his fingers trace your most sensitive places. He slides them inside you, teasing, coaxing moans from your lips. It’s a stark contrast to his earlier ferocity, and it leaves you spinning.

Then you feel it—a cold, slightly heavy object placed on your chest. It vibrates softly, confusing you until you catch the faint ringing sound. A phone.

Your hand instinctively moves to grab it, but before you can pull your blindfold down to see who he’s calling, Caleb snatches the device away.

“Tch. You’re just not listening today, are you?” His voice carries a mix of irritation and amusement. “Invite him to dinner,” he says, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Confusion floods you. Who? But then the line connects, and you hear Zayne’s voice on the other end.

“Hello?” Zayne asks, his voice tinged with polite concern.

Your heart skips a beat as Caleb presses the phone to your ear and aligns himself with you once more, thrusting in with devastating precision. Your hand flies to your mouth, desperately trying to stifle the moan threatening to spill out.

“Zayne!” you yelp, your voice trembling. “W-would you like to… haaa… join Caleb and I for…” You trail off, unable to finish as Caleb’s pace intensifies.

There’s a pause on the other end. “I’ve got work to do, unfortunately,” Zayne replies, his tone shifting slightly, as if he’s picking up on something amiss. “Are you alright? You sound… in pain.”

“I’m okay,” you manage, your voice strained. “You sure… about dinner?”

Caleb chuckles softly, low enough that only you can hear, and it makes your cheeks burn.

“I’m sure,” Zayne says, his tone now skeptical. “Is it your heart? Is that what’s hurting?”

“What?” you gasp, your voice cracking.

“Is it your heart that’s hurting?” Zayne repeats, his voice calm but laced with something knowing.

“No! Of course… ngh… not,” you insist, struggling to keep your composure.

“Hm…” Zayne hums, his voice dropping as if the realization has hit. “Take care of yourself. Doctor’s orders.”

“I will. You too… and… haaa… doctors shouldn’t be skipping meals…” you add quickly, finishing in a rush.

Caleb pulls the phone from your ear, grinning like a cat who’s cornered his prey. “Yeah, the busiest man should at least join us for dinner every once in a while,” he says, his tone laced with taunting competitiveness.

“Hang up!” you insist, your voice tinged with panic.

Caleb smirks, clearly enjoying your reaction, but he obliges, ending the call. He pulls off your blindfold, his mischievous gaze locks onto yours, his dominance and jealousy radiating all around you.

You pull Caleb closer, your legs instinctively wrapping tighter around his waist as his hips snap forward, sending waves of pleasure through you. Your hands push his glasses up, and you kiss him—a gentle initiation that Caleb quickly turns hungry. His lips capture yours, biting softly at your lower lip, his kisses messy and demanding, speaking a language of unspoken need. Your arms wrap around his neck, nails digging into his back as your laughter mingles with soft moans, the sound a harmony of shared desire.

“Let me see,” you sigh, pulling away just enough to speak.

Caleb tilts his body slightly, granting you a glimpse of him sinking into you, his movements hypnotic. The sight drives you to arch your back, pressing your body further into his, making him reach deeper. You gasp, throwing your head back before kissing him again, your lips clinging to his as though he’s the air you need to breathe.

“Mine,” Caleb murmurs between kisses, your name falling from his lips like a vow. The rawness in his voice sends a shiver down your spine.

His rhythm grows relentless, each thrust drawing you closer to your peak. The pressure of his evol pins you firmly against the couch, intensifying every sensation.

“Caleb…” you whimper, your voice breaking, “I’m gonna come…”

“Hold on,” he growls, his voice strained and desperate, as though battling his limits.

“I… I can’t.”

The confession tears through the haze of pleasure, but it only drives him faster, his movements erratic and unrestrained. Your body tightens around him, and his voice grows hoarse as he whispers your name like a prayer.

The tension snaps, pleasure rushing through you in waves, your cries mingling with Caleb’s as he follows. The room shakes under the force of his evol—objects crashing and scattering as the world seems to respond to his intensity.

Breathless, you both collapse into the quiet aftermath, the weight of gravity settling once more.

“Fuck…” you both exhale in unison, voices harmonizing as you lie tangled together, your heartbeats racing in sync.

Caleb’s glasses slip off his face, landing carelessly beside you as he collapses onto your body, his weight pressing you into the couch. His breath is warm against your skin, uneven but soothing. With a gentle shift, he maneuvers you so that you’re lying on top of him, your head resting on his chest.

You listen to the steady rhythm beneath your ear, his heart racing but calm in its consistency. “Your heart’s going fast,” you murmur, a hint of amusement in your tone.

“That’s because of you,” he replies, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. He reaches for the dog tag nestled between you both, pulling it free as he tilts his head down to kiss the top of yours. “I want to be the only one whose heart you make beat like this,” he confesses, his words a vow and a plea all at once.

“You’re impossible,” you tease, your fingers idly tracing around his chest, circling his nipple in lazy patterns.

He catches your hand, his eyes falling to the blistered marks along your skin. His expression tightens with guilt as he lifts your hand to his lips, kissing each mark tenderly, as though his touch could erase them. “I’ve got to stop using this to bind you,” he whispers, his voice laced with regret.

“It’s fine,” you assure him, your breath finally steady. Sitting up, you straddle him, bending down to kiss him softly. His hands rise to cradle your face, his touch gentle, reverent. Your foreheads touch, the dominant air that usually surrounds him dissipating completely.

For a moment, it’s just you and him, hearts beating as one, and the world fades away.

Doctor Zayne had been sitting in front of the computer screen for nearly half an hour, his hands propped up on the desk and half his face hidden behind them. His intense concentration, even after his shift had ended, had startled Doctor Greyson when he entered the room.

“You’re right on time, Greyson. I need you to take a look at something.”

Doctor Zayne’s sudden words made Greyson feel a little uneasy. He instantly went over his recent work in his head to figure out where the problem might be. Instead, Zayne showed him a timetable filled with his own notes.

“Yes… Doctor Zayne? What is it?” Greyson asked. “This doesn’t look like your schedule, does it?”

“It’s hers,” Zayne replied. “I’m adjusting our schedules. She saw the message over thirty minutes ago and hasn’t responded yet.”

“Maybe she hasn't read it yet? After all, it's lunchtime,” Greyson replied.

Doctor Zayne checked his watch, then continued, “She should have gone to her usual lunch spot by now. Why hasn’t she replied to my text yet? Do you think I should recalculate her travel time?”

Greyson looked over Zayne's schedules on his screen for a long time. 6 AM: Wake up and workout… 12 PM: Lunch… 11PM: Bed time… Her schedule was written in pink, while Doctor Zayne’s was in blue. There were several additional notes as well. Despite Doctor Zayne's reputation for time management, Greyson saw that managing his girlfriend’s time in this manner was something to worry about.

“Can I tell you something, Doctor Zayne? You seem a little… controlling.” 

Zayne cast a quick glance toward Greyson. He added, "You even plan what she eats, where she goes, and what she does at what times. I  absolutely respect your ability to plan things out! But excessive control in a relationship? That’s not good..."

*

* *

Zayne picked you up promptly after your shift ended, always on time as if he was never late. He said nothing the entire way home, while you simply shared with him your day.

The drive ended in front of your house. But when you opened your phone to check your schedule for tomorrow, you were surprised.

“Doctor Zayne, where did your notes go?”

You turned to look at Zayne; his face was not very expressive, but you could see the slight waves in his eyes.

"I erased them."

“Huh? Why did you do that? I saw your text at noon. But my phone died. That’s why I couldn’t read it right away…”

Your fingers moved across the phone screen. Even though you both had only recently become boyfriend and girlfriend, you entrusted all the date planning to Zayne. He even helped you alter your schedules so that the two of you could spend more time together.

"Recently, I may have been too controlling of you," Zayne said. His grip on the wheel tightened subconsciously, as if he was suppressing his emotions. "So I thought it would be best to ask you before making any adjustment to your schedules first."

Your astonished eyes shifted from the phone to Zayne. Sometimes, it did feel like he was taking care of you like a baby, from your sleep to your balanced diet. Of course, at first, you were not used to it, as if you had lost some of your freedom. But you knew that Zayne always wanted the best for both of you, so you didn't mind relying on him a bit more. That was why you decided to have him as your personal planner in the first place.

After a minute of thought, you turned to Zayne and said: 

“Actually, you're always excellent at planning. But once in a while, I'd like to do things on a whim. It would be great if we could balance both, right?”

Hearing you say that, Zayne relaxed somewhat. He remembered the conversation he had with Greyson at the hospital. That man even portrayed a situation in which you were a puppet running away from Zayne’s strings. And he had been thinking about it the entire way home. Fortunately, your reaction revealed that he was not the control freak that Greyson had depicted.

Zayne was relieved. He put his hand on your head and softly caressed your hair. He then proceeded to give your cheek a gentle squeeze. 

“Well, you do have fascinating ideas, I must admit. So from now on, let’s plan things together. Is that good?"

The familiar click of Caleb’s door unlocking was followed almost immediately by the smell of buttered popcorn and something sweet baking in the oven. It was a scent you’d known for years, tied to countless afternoons and late nights spent curled up together, eyes glued to a screen while the rest of the world faded away.

Some things changed as you grew older - work schedules, responsibilities, the quiet weight of adulthood - but this? This stayed the same. “You’re late,” Caleb said lightly as you stepped inside, though the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed him.

“You say that every time,” you replied, slipping off your shoes and setting your bag down, “and every time, I’m only like… five minutes late.” He snorted. “Five minutes is still late.” You laughed, already moving toward the living room where the couch waited, blankets already folded neatly on one side of it - like they always were.

The movie marathon tradition had started when you were kids - one movie turning into two, then three, then an entire evening lost to laughter and shared snacks. Even now, when time together was harder to come by, Caleb always made space for it. It was something special to him, well to the both of you, reminding you of the good old days.

By the time you settled onto the couch, popcorn bowl between you, the movie playing quietly in the background, you felt yourself relax in that easy, familiar way you only ever did around him. Caleb leaned back, one arm draped casually along the back of the couch, close enough that you could feel his warmth without actually touching. At least, not yet.

You had decided to start with a comedy. It was a classic one you had already watched a few times, and yet the jokes and slapstick situations in it were still one of your favorites. Even Caleb couldn’t hide his giggles and you caught yourself not only once side-eying him whenever you heard it, being drawn to it. You just loved seeing him laugh and be happy.

Somewhere during the second movie, when the plot slowed down and the characters started talking more than acting, you found yourself rambling. It wasn’t intentional - it just sort of happened. “So, uh,” you began, shifting slightly, “I went out with Xavier the other day.” Caleb hummed in acknowledgment, eyes still on the screen. “Oh?”

“Yeah. We went to that little café near the river. The one with the outdoor seating and the fancy pastries?” You smiled at the memory. “He ordered three different desserts just to ‘sample’ them, then insisted we share.” You laughed softly. “It was actually really nice. He’s… attentive and funny in this quiet way.”

You didn’t notice the way Caleb’s jaw tightened or how his fingers curled slightly against the couch. “He walked me home afterward,” you continued, oblivious, “kept making sure I wasn’t cold, even though I kept telling him I was fine.” You finally glanced sideways at Caleb, only to pause. He wasn’t watching the movie anymore.

His brows were drawn together in a faint frown, lips pressed into a thin line. When he noticed you looking, his eyes flicked to yours. “…What?” you asked, confused. Caleb didn’t answer right away, instead, he shifted closer. Much closer.

Before you could react, he swung one leg over yours and straddled you, hands braced on either side of your waist. The sudden movement startled a small yelp out of you. “Caleb?!” “Oh, I see how it is,” he said, his voice low but unmistakably teasing, “you come over for our movie marathon and spend the whole time gushing about another guy?”

Your eyes widened. “I wasn’t gushing!” His lips curved into a dangerous grin. “Mm. That’s not how it sounded to me.” And then his fingers moved. They dug into your sides, light at first, then relentless - wiggling, pressing, finding every sensitive spot with terrifying accuracy. You shrieked, laughter bursting out of you before you could even try to stop it.

“Caleb! Hahaha! W-WaHahait!” Well, it hadn't been the first time you got tickled by him. Truth to be told, when you were younger, you even had tickle fights with him every now and then - you always lost though. But that was ages ago and yet, now that you felt these all-too-familiar sensations, it felt just like yesterday.

“That’s it,” he teased, hands sliding from your sides to your stomach, fingers fluttering there, “I think someone needs a reminder.” “A reminder of what?! AhHh!” “That I’m supposed to be your favorite,” he said with all the confidence in the world, his eyes focusing on you as if you were a puppy that could get snatched away from him if he wasn't paying attention to it.

You squirmed beneath him, instinctively grabbing onto his shirt as your laughter spilled freely into the room. “Y-YoHohu can’t! HahaHAha! Just-!” “Oh, I can,” Caleb replied smugly, “and I am.” His tickling grew more playful than punishing, fingers tracing small circles over your stomach before darting back to your sides.

Your legs kicked uselessly, the couch creaking beneath the movement as you tried - and failed - to escape. He had always had a hand for tickling just the right spot in the right way to drive you crazy. His fingers squeezed into your waist and you felt your entire body spasm.

“CaHahleb! I sweHehear! I’ll-!” “You’ll what?” he asked, leaning closer, his grin softening just a little. “Stop talking about him?” Your laughter turned breathless. “Y-You’re! Being! Ridiculous!” “Am I now?” he asked lightly. “It’s a habit.” You clung to him, your face warm and flushed, your laughter muffled against his chest as he continued to tickle you.

It was unfair how easily he could reduce you to this - giggling, helpless mess - but there was something comforting about it too. Familiar. Safe. Then, in a last-ditch effort, your fingers managed to slip free and they found his lower sides. Caleb froze. “…No.” You grinned, breathless but triumphant. “Oh. Yes.”

You tickled him back, fingers squeezing and fluttering at the sensitive spot just above his hips. Caleb let out a startled laugh, short and almost shy, his composure cracking instantly. “H-HehEhy! That’s-! Pfft noHohoHo!” You took advantage of the moment, shifting your weight and rolling you both until you were the one straddling him.

His laughter spilled out softer than yours had, a little embarrassed, maybe even a little surprised. “YoHou’re uHunfair,” he accused, laughing as you continued to trace light tickles over his sides. “Learned from the best,” you shot back with a smile and even dared to wiggle your hands up and into his armpits, causing another wave of high-pitched giggles from him.

You didn’t tickle him for long - just enough to hear that laugh, just enough to make his cheeks flush faintly pink. When you finally stopped, you rested your hands on his chest, looking down at him. Caleb looked up at you, still catching his breath, his expression open in a way he rarely let himself be.

You smiled softly. “You know… no matter who I go on dates with,” you said quietly, “you’ll always have a special place in my heart and that will never change.” His laughter faded completely. “…Yeah?” he murmured. You nodded, then leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead - slow, deliberate, affectionate.

The dishes are scrubbed with vigor as you take out your frustration on the poor plates. The cups, which say positive messages on them, lay upside down on the drying rack, courtesy of how you’re feeling inside. The soap keeps getting on your shirt. The water is obsessed with your face. Your exhaustion is the devil on your shoulder refusing to let go.

You have to blink to stop the tears from falling.

It’s just dishes, except it’s not. It’s the cultivation of late nights of having to soothe little cries, early mornings that arrive with no sleep to prepare you for them, and afternoons littered with endless chores. It’s so hard to see why you wake up at all.

But you feel arms wrap around your waist and a voice that has kept you afloat these past few days. Rafayel doesn’t say a word when he places his head on your hair, only humming a tune so familiar your nerves instantly calm down. You have to close your eyes to avoid having your irritation take over and ruin a tranquility so rare in this life of yours.

“Rafayel.” His name is said with so many emotions at once, for you cannot ever hide anything from him. “I’m busy.”

“You’re always busy,” he says, and you open your eyes when you realize there’s a hint of a whine in his voice. It’s amusing as it is irritating even though you know it isn’t his fault at all. It’s just life hitting you with its stick and asking you to bear the responsibilities it gives you, but it’s much easier to blame a person than a concept.

“If you weren’t always painting, then maybe I would actually have a chance to rest.”

It’s a jab that’s so sharp it stabs your heart as soon as it escapes your lips. You hear your husband’s breath as it catches, the sharpness of the blade stabbing him as well, and for a moment you’re too prideful to say sorry. Popcorn walls appear like stars, and insults appear like remedy to the exhaustion.

But to your surprise, Rafayel doesn’t let go of your waist. He doesn’t make a fire that burns you in order to retaliate. Instead, you feel his lips graze the skin of your neck and hear the soft breaths he takes, as if afraid he would burn you. 

“Is that what you want?” he asks huskily. “I’ll stop painting, then. I-I’ll help you out with the chores!”

You already do, you want to tell him. Your husband, ever since you both became parents, has dedicated more of his time towards maintaining this house with you. Seldom do you ever see him with a paintbrush in his hand anymore, and seldom do you ever see him complain about that. I’ve found my love in parenting, he once told you as he held you through tears of frustration, And I’m so grateful you gave me that gift.

“I’ll wash these dishes for you. I’ll cook and clean and run around with our baby-”

You already do, repeats in your head. 

“And I’ll make sure you don’t even have to lift a finger, my love!”

Rafayel says that with so much conviction, like a god backed by a devotee of unwavering faith or a father with so much love that even his heart can’t contain it. You turn your head slightly when his lips fall to your shoulder, relaxing like he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else besides your stained, soaked shirt.

You have to blink to keep the tears at bay, but they fall anyway. Not even emotions want to hide from such a lovely man. “Rafayel…”

He opens his eyes to see your tears, and immediately he falls into action. You find yourself spinning like a lover in a dance before you collapse, where he catches you and the tears that fall. Now his shirt is soaked from your tears and wrinkled with how hard you’re gripping it, but like usual, you don’t hear a word of complaint. Only a hum of that familiar song escapes his lips alongside sweet nothings laced in reverence.

“I know you’re tired,” he says, and oh, how much you long for him to understand the severity of the fact. “I’m here. I’ll be your shoulder to cry on.”

“B-but…” you sniffle. It’s gross and imperfect, yet your husband doesn’t mind. “But I’m mean. I-I said you should stop painting, and that you should step up and I… I don’t mean that.”

His hand now caresses your hair, painting you in his hold. “I know you don’t,” he whispers, and it sounds like music coming out of him. “I understand. It’s okay.”

“But I’m… I’m mean and ungrateful and-”

“Why are you talking about my wife like that?” he asks. You look up from where you were nuzzling to see the anger that matches the tone of his question. His bluish-pink eyes, reminiscent of the sunset, cloud with darkness even when his caresses on your cheeks are anything but. “You’re not any of those things, my love, and even if you were, I would understand.”

You shake your head. “You shouldn’t have to.”

“I want to,” he says. The conviction is as stormy as his eyes, prominent and all for you. “I would give the world to you. You should know that by now.”

Do I deserve the world?

“You deserve the world,” he says before you can even ask. Rafayel has a flair for not only reading your emotions, but also reading the thoughts you refuse to say aloud. You hold onto him with all of the apology you can muster. Maybe later, after a true good night’s rest, you can say the word “sorry” with ease. The anger will be at bay someday — maybe not tonight, but a day resulting from the monotony of the present — and the love that you once so freely gave will easily pour out of your heart and onto Rafayel’s.

“I love you,” you hear him whisper in your hair. “I appreciate all the work you always do, and I’m sorry I haven’t made it easier.”

“You have!” The protest is loud yet muffled by his chest and your tears. “Don’t say that!”

He merely smiles and continues humming while rocking you gently. The kitchen no longer feels like a prison; it is now a witness to the tranquility created by mutual understanding. 

And soon, it welcomes a new guest in its heavens. “Mama, Papa, are you dancing?”

You have been long asleep in Rafayel’s arms, and he’s in the middle of lifting you up bridal-style when your son runs over to you both. Shirt stained from painting with his sister, hair disheveled in different directions like a genius in the works. His eyes are just like yours, Rafayel thinks, and it takes him a few moments to answer.

“You could call this dancing, but Mama’s asleep, so I guess it’s more like swaying.”

“Swaying?” he asks, curiosity in his eyes.

“Mhm. Like the wind.”

“Ah.” 

By now, your sleeping form is in Rafayel’s arms, and he smiles at the sight. You’re resting after years of not doing so, and it makes his heart flutter.

“I’ll take Mama to bed, okay? I’ll join you soon.”

And the child, who sees the stars in his parents’ love, runs off to the studio and waits there with his sister.

a/n: Oh, to have someone who understands the words and intentions you can't say aloud 🥹

Thank you for reading! Any form of interaction is appreciated. Take care! :)