"I miss when dark romance was mafia bosses and didn't have rape in it."
Then you don't like dark romance. You like mafia romance. That is it's own thing.
A dark mafia romance is being kidnapped, trafficked, or coerced. It's painal in a puddle of your ex boyfriend's blood because he came to save you.
Mafia romance is when a rich man who does vague crimes kills your abuser and dumps him in a lake and then takes you shopping. That is not dark romance.
"I miss when dark romance was mafia bosses and didn't have rape in it."
Then you don't like dark romance. You like mafia romance. That is it's own thing.
A dark mafia romance is being kidnapped, trafficked, or coerced. It's painal in a puddle of your ex boyfriend's blood because he came to save you.
Mafia romance is when a rich man who does vague crimes kills your abuser and dumps him in a lake and then takes you shopping. That is not dark romance.
I swear to god why is every kink space full of minors anymore? We used to either wait or at least pretend to be mature enough to be there so no one knew. Why are you running a fetish account with "age 15" in your bio? We're just out here advertising to predators and risking getting adults into legal trouble not to mention the morality of it all
Yandere!Caleb putting cameras in mc's room and she figures it out after one too many coincidences where Caleb is caught humming a song she was singing when she thought she was alone
Finding out that no one has read the main story makes me feel insane because what do you mean you didn't know that Zayne is a serial killer or that Sylus and mc grew up together in a gladiator pit
Every day I wake up and remember that mc once ate an entire village of people to turn herself into a monster because she couldn't reach Caleb through the vale
And when that wasn't enough she started eating human souls trusting that despite it being Caleb's job to kill things like her that he would forgive her and take her home
They way I start chewing on the walls when someone calls Caleb mc's "childhood friend" We're erasing the core of their relationship because yall can't understand a complex literary device
Haunting Adeline is getting a film adaptation and I'll be honest, I haven't read it and I don't care to, but the conversation around how it's not actually "dark romance" is making me tear my hair out because yes. Yes it is.
There are industry standard definitions for books. No publishing house is releasing a mislabeled booked so easily. If it seems mislabeled to you, that's your own misunderstanding of what the genre is and that's okay. We don't all know the finer details of publishing.
The romance genre is defined as works where the central plot is based around a romantic and/or sexual relationship where the main character and their love interest(s) end up in a relationship by the end of the book, commonly called a HEA or Happily Ever After. The HEA doesn't have to seem so "happy" to the audience, what matters is that they're together (at least for now).
Dark romance is a sub genre of romance, meaning it has to follow the rules of what makes a romance a romance, but it also has to have "dark" themes. Obviously, what makes something dark is subjective and broad, but we'll come back to that.
Dark romance does not have anything to with supernatural creatures and it never has. Supernatural/paranormal romance is its own genre, it just happens to strongly overlap with dark romance.
Gothic romance is not exactly a "sub-genre" of romance in that it is partially exempt from the HEA rule. The overall plot has to be about a romance, but it's also perfectly acceptable if one or both main characters is dead or not human or otherwise not capable of being in love in the end. The "HEA" in a gothic romance is largely vibes. Are they both dead but they died obsessed with each other? Great, that counts. The gothic part of the genre centers themes that are dark, macabre, and even grotesque and yes those things are often celebrated and romanticized within the story.
Haunting Adeline is marketed as a dark romance and a gothic romance. Just looking at the trigger warnings list and the summary that seems like a fair assessment. It's dark, it's gruesome, and it's morally questionable. All staples of both genres.
Dark romance is not all mafia romances where the mafia boss is a consent king who kills your enemies for you. If anything, that's a pretty new transformation of the genre and it's great that women have reached sexual liberation to the point that they no longer need romance or erotica to feature coercion in order to enjoy it without feeling guilty, but that's not what everyone is looking for in a dark romance.
"Dark" themes are everything from violence to rape to torture. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you think something is "too dark" to be dark romance. It's called dark romance not gray romance. Dark is dark. There are no limits.
So, what's the difference between erotic horror and dark romance then? Firstly, the intent. Romance is written with romance being the central plot. Erotica is written with sex being the central plot. Romance can have all the sex that it wants as long as romance is arguably the plot.
A demon possessing a character's body and raping them then fleeing the scene? That's erotic horror.
A demon possesing a character's body, deciding this is now their body and they're not leaving, causing the character to develop a romantic obsession with the demon? That's now a dark romance.
It's okay if Haunting Adeline makes you uncomfortable. It's supposed to. Your discomfort doesn't change what genre it suits. If you like dark romance but not when there's rape involved, you're completely allowed to. It's become a big genre with a lot to offer since it first exploded.
Remember back in the femboy!Peter days when we were all stressed because mcu Peter would never dress like that? I'm so glad we've all finally been set free and that Peter has too
She doesn't know it, but sometimes Caleb can't help but touch himself when he hears her voice. What better way is there to relax after a mission? Good thing his pipsqueak loves to talk.
"Caleb! I'm so glad you called! Where have you been?" Her voice was music to his ears, drawing a sigh from his lips. Caleb smiled and leaned back against the headboard. He stretched his long legs out in front of him, finally relaxing after such a long and tedious mission. Chest bare, nothing but his sweat pants on, all he wanted was to hear her voice.
"Sorry, I was gone longer than I planned. I'll make it up to you the next time I'm in Linkon."
"You promise?" He could practically hear the pout on her lips. He pictured her, standing in the sun, phone to her ear, hip cocked to one side. He knew every detail of her face so well that she could have been standing right in front of him.
"Of course, pips. Don't I always? We'll do whatever you want." How could he ever deny her anything? It was only a bonus that her smile made him feel so warm, like he'd swallowed the sun.
"I'm gonna hold you to it. Guess where I am right now," she said. Caleb huffed softly. Judging by the sound of heavy traffic, Tara's social media status about a new boutique downtown, and what he was pretty sure was the sound of a heavy shopping bag, he didn't need to guess. He'd known before he hit call on her contact.
"Hmm. I'm gonna guess you're downtown. You probably just left Blue Moon Boutique. And by the sound of your voice, their grand opening sale treated you really well. Am I right?"
She huffed. "Caleb! Are you spying on me again?" The way she whined slightly like she was trying to hold it in, but she just couldn't... fuck he loved that sound. It always went straight to places it shouldn't.
"Yep. Look up. I'm flying over your head right now," he teased. She huffed at him again, making him chuckle.
It was absent minded that his hand wandered down between his legs. But since it was already there... was there really any harm in touching it? She'd ever know. So it couldn't hurt her, right? Besides, it wasn't the first time.
"You're so dumb, Caleb." Hard. He was so hard for her.
"Sorry to get your hopes up. Do you really miss me that badly, pipsqueak?"
"Of course I miss you."
Caleb's breath hitched. He pulled the phone away, hoping she wouldn't hear. His cock jumped beneath his hand. He tightened his grip from a loose open palm to something firmer. Something undeniably intentional.
"I'm all yours, pipsqueak. You have my undivided attention. Why don't you tell me about your shopping spree?"
"Okay!" She sounded so excited at the prospect. Her joy was practically a drug to him. "Well, Tara and I had been planning it for weeks so I kind of already knew what I wanted, but of course it was one of those things where once you get there you suddenly want everything so all the planning was for nothing. Not that I went too crazy or anything, but I did buy... kind of a lot, actually."
Caleb and hummed encouragingly while she rambled. "Uh huh... yeah of course... that sounds so fun, pips..."
He didn't miss a word she said even though he was having a hard time responding. Nothing sounded better than her voice. He'd been doing this for so long, jacking off to the sound of her voice. Often through the bedroom wall while she chatted on the phone with a friend. He'd told himself it wasn't about her, that he just happened to need to jack off at the same time he could hear her chatting and giggling, but he knew better. Especially these days.
"I picked out a new dress. It's a nice pale blue, kinda flowy and summery. It'll be nice to wear out when you come visit."
"That sounds perfect, pips. I bet it looks amazing on you."
You'd think she was teasing him as she described it. How it falls at mid thigh and it swishes when she walks. How she's going to wear it with those white sandals he bought her last summer. Caleb slid his hand down into his pants, gasping softly as his hand wrapped around his cock.
"Caleb? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I uh-" Caleb paused to catch his breath. As his chest heaved, the dog-tag caught his eye. He tucked the phone against his ear so he could it with his free hand and run his thumb across the letters. "I'm just a little sore from working out earlier."
"You should be more careful. At least put some ice on it. I bet you're just laying around ignoring your own injuries. You're allowed to take a pain killer sometimes you know."
Caleb's hand kept moving as she scolded him.
"Duly noted, Colonel. I'll get right on it," Caleb agreed, though he still sounded out of breath.
"You'd better. You sound awful. Should I come up there to take care of you?"
Caleb bit down on his bottom lip to hold back the moan threatening to escape. "You don't need to do that, pipsqueak. I feel great."
"You don't sound great. Just let me know if you change your mind. I have some free time. And... I really missed you."
It was still hard to let her take care of him, but he was learning what a great way to was to steal her time and attention. He wasn't above playing sick or injured if to got her to cuddle up beside him. "Come visit whenever you want. This is your home, too."
"Oh, by the way. Tara's birthday is coming up-" Distracted again, she rambled on about birthday plans. Caleb closed his eyes, letting the sound of her voice seep into his skin. He shoved his pants down, stroking his cock against his stomach. He thought about her perfect mouth and how he would love to make her stop talking... make her eyes water and spit run over her chin... in that pretty blue dress she's gonna wear with the shoes he bought her... and she's probably just as noisy like that as she is right now... whether he's in her mouth or in her-
"Pipsqueak..." he breathed. He didn't mean for it to slip out, but he didn't bother to panic about it either. She'd believe whatever he said.
"Huh? Am I boring you that much?" She asked, mistaking the sound for an annoyed sigh.
"You could never bore me." Caleb's voice was too husky, but he didn't worry about that either. He was too close to care. "I was just gonna ask, did you remember to eat today?"
"Yeah, of course I did." She didn't even flinch at the change in conversation.
"Good," Caleb said. Good girl, he thought to himself. "And you're gonna come see me?"
"If you really want me to." She sounded excited, hopeful, but as if she were diluting it so she didn't get her hopes up.
"I always want you," he said breathlessly.
"Then, I'll be there." Her tone was so firm and final as if he might dare to change his mind.
Caleb's whole body shuddered and the phone slipped off his shoulder. One hand squeezed the necklace into his palm. The other pumped his cock through the orgasm that ripped out of him at her unwavering obedience. Because fuck she often threw a fit about it, but she always did whatever he said in the end. Because she was his.
"Fuck... pipsqueak..." he panted, unable to hold it in. Her voice grew louder from the phone on the bed.
"Caaaleb? Are you there?"
He picked the phone back up. "I'm here. Sorry. Must have lost signal for a minute."
She sighed. "That's Skyhaven for ya. All that fancy technology and yet someone's always breaking something."
"Well, once you're here with me we won't have to worry about that, will we?" He dragged his fingers through the mess on his abdomen. If only she knew. If only she knew that this was for her. Would she lick it from his fingers? Would she like it?
"That's my Caleb. Always looking on the bright side."
He wished he could cum again. Instead he closed his eyes and burned those words into his memory. 'My Caleb.'
"Your Caleb wants you to hurry up and come visit. I'm sooo sore after all. I'm not sure I can even feed myself." Just imagining how she must have rolled her eyes at that made him grin.
"Alright, alright. You big baby. I'll be there soon."
"I can't wait." They hung up. Caleb took the necklace in his hand and pressed a kiss to it, whispering her name into the metal. Then he got up to take another shower.
Gaia's collision experiment was a success and from it two young children were born. Growing up in the lab, all they knew were experiments and misery. All they had was each other. And Sylus. On the day they were created, Sylus realized for the first time that he was incomplete. He had been born incomplete. He had felt a tug in his soul as it resonated with its eternal mate for the first time. Them and their shared soul. He promised them that one day they would see the true sun in a world without scientists and laboratories. But the day he finally freed them, everything went wrong.
Now, Caleb only cared about three things: her, him, and making sure Ever paid for what they did to them. He needed to keep her by his side. He needed to break down Sylus's walls. He needed to burn Ever from the inside out.
She couldn't remember anything that came before, but the ache in her soul knew the things she had forgotten. If she could learn to rely on her intuition, one day it would all make sense.
If Caleb knew the places he had taken her, he would have torn the roof off for sure. The thing was, she was a natural. Sylus had known without a doubt that she would fit in here. Sure, to the locals she stuck out, but after a few days of practice she handled herself like she belonged. He watched her from the next chair over as they sat around the table. She wasn't any good at poker, but she was good at reading people. If only she were a better liar, she might have a few chips left in front of her.
"We have to work on your poker face, sweetie."
She scowled at him and oh how he felt his heart swell every time. "It's your fault. You can read people's minds."
There were a few anxious looks around the table at them. Sylus ignored the others. "Is it my fault or do you wear your heart on your sleeve?" He picked up a token and flipped it between his fingers before offering it to her. She grinned as she took it.
"Last round. I'll show you how good my poker face can be."
Cards were dealt around the round table. She plastered what she thought was an expressionless face over her features, but of course he could see right through her. So could the rest of the table. Yet, how odd when they all folded, forfeiting their chips with sweat on their brows. Though, it wasn't so odd to anyone who could see the look Sylus gave them both as their turns came. Sylus sighed and laid down his hand.
"You did it, kitten. I'm truly impressed."
Grinning from ear to ear, she gathered up her winnings in front of her. "See, I told you-" She paused. Then she looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Was that sarcasm? That sounded sarcastic."
"What? Can't I pay you a sincere compliment?"
She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair. "I don't know. Can you?"
"Boss." Luke was at his shoulder. Sylus sighed. He'd told those two to interrupt them for one thing only. He reached over and grabbed her arm, ducking under the table if only so she'd go with him. She jumped back as he kicked it over in front of them. Sylus pulled her back against his side. The other two fled, chips left on the table, or rather the floor.
Luke sat down beside them as if it were a picnic. "They're not here for us but..."
Three gunshots split the air in rapid succession.
"Better safe than sorry," he finished.
"Are we safe here? This table is only so big," she said.
"Are you scared, kitten? Stay close to me. I'll protect you," Sylus said, half teasing. His arm tightened around her waist.
"I'm not scared. I'll be staring down wanderers soon enough." She raised her chin bravely.
Luke laughed. "Wanderers got nothing on some of the guys around here," he said. Sylus scowled at him and he shrugged.
"Back door's clear, boss!" Keiran called from the shadows of the hallway. As soon as he did, half the room made a break for it, pushing past him for the door.
"What's up with those guys?" She pointed at a pair still caught up in a card game across the room.
"Some of the N109 Zone's residents have nothing to lose. Besides, the gun fight is contained in the next room," Sylus explained.
"So, why are we under a table?"
Sylus looked at her. "Guess."
She crossed her arms over her chest. Did she mean to poke her lip out and pout like that? "I'm not made of glass."
"No, but your evol can't protect you. No one can touch me. Or Caleb. Luke and Keiran are... effectively immortal unless you know what you're doing. That leaves one who needs a bit of special care."
"Oh yeah? What about Mephie?"
"Mephisto can be repaired. I can't rebuild you out of metal and wires." Sitting on a shelf above them, Mephisto squawked at the idea.
"Alright. Now it's clear," Keiran called again.
Sylus stood, pulling her up with him. His evol wrapped around them both like a shield. It wasn't entirely necessary. He couldn't die, after all. But she didn't know that and he didn't want to scare her by walking away from a bullet to the brain.
They walked outside, hand in hand, the twins following behind them. Mephisto flew on ahead, circling back to keep them in sight. Inside, the gun fight grew more rowdy, but the night sky above was peaceful. This was about as quiet as it got in the N109 Zone.
"So, did you cheat for me, or not?" she insisted.
"You aren't going to let this go, huh?"
"I can beat you fair and square. I don't need you to cheat for me."
"What if I said I didn't cheat?"
She cut her eyes at him. "I'm sure you can come up with all kinds of word play to make it sound like something else but I know better than that."
Sylus smiled at the implication. I know *you* better than that, she might have said.
"Fine. I cheated. Is that what you wanted to hear? I did it to see you smile. Is that such a crime?" They stopped at his motorcycle where it rested by the curb. The only vehicle anyone dared to leave so accessible.
She blushed. He couldn't help himself. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She stood frozen, still blushing, still beautiful. Sylus picked up her helmet and placed it on her head, buckling the strap under her chin for her. He swung his leg over the bike and sat down, putting on his own helmet. She just stood there for a second as if she were processing like an old computer. Then she climbed on behind him and wrapped her arms around him. Sylus closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying her touch. Then he started the bike and carried her away from the chaos.
**********
"I'm glad you're having a good time, pipsqueak. You sure there hasn't been any trouble?" Caleb's voice came through the phone. Sylus glanced over at the screen to see Caleb already walking out to the runway. It was his first year getting to run practical test flights and he was over the moon. Yet, nothing could stop him from calling home before getting into the cockpit. The soul tie ached at the sight of him, at the reminder that he was miles away, somewhere high above Linkon on those pretentious floating islands.
"Do I look like I've been in trouble? Everything's fine. Pinkie promise." She held her pinkie up to the screen. Caleb grinned and held up a gloved pinkie to match. It brought back memories that made Sylus feel sick to his stomach. *When they take me away again, you'll be here when I get back, right? I will, I promise. Pinkie promise?* Two little voices said in his mind. Promises that too often turned into lies that she didn't remember.
"Alright. I'll call you as soon as I land. Love you, pipsqueak."
"Love you too, Caleb." He hung up first, getting back to his training. She set her phone aside and pulled her legs up to her chest.
"He seems happy."
"Really happy." Her tone was too glum for her words.
"Why are you frowning, kitten?"
She shook her head, turning her face away. Sylus waited quietly. His heart clenched as she wiped away a tear. "It's just... he loves flying so much. Sometimes I'm scared he'll take off and he'll never come back down."
Sylus gently took her hand. "That would never happen. If you really wanted it, he'd never fly again. The only reason he's up there is because you love him enough to let him go. One day, when he's able, he'll take you up there with him, too."
"I hope so."
"You've always been his anchor. Wherever you go, he'll always come back to you."
She looked at him in that way that always made him feel like he'd said too much. It was unpleasantly vulnerable. "Who's your anchor?" she asked, seeing through him as always.
"Mephisto," he said bluntly, but of course she couldn't drop it.
"Is it us?"
"You keep asking questions that I'm not supposed to answer."
"Come on. Surely that's not so bad. It's just a yes or no answer."
Sylus sighed. "Fine. Yes. It's always been you two." He held up a finger as her lips moved. "If you ask me why, I'll let Luke and Keiran eat the rest of your cake."
She pouted. "Fine."
In the corner of his eye he saw her press a hand over her ribs. "Can you feel him from this distance?"
She looked at him, another forbidden question on her tongue, but at the last moment she held it back. "It feels strained. Like I know he's there and he's alive and he's okay, but he's so far from me. Time is worse than distance, though. It doesn't matter as much how far away he is as long as he comes back soon. Any distance feels about the same." She wrapped her arms around her knees. "What does it feel like to you?"
"I've spent a very long time learning to ignore it. Ever since Caleb showed up, it's been impossible to ignore. It's not so bad when one of you is close. Otherwise, it's a constant ache and the feeling of being dragged towards something you can't see, pulled down into an abyss."
"So it's... better because I'm here?" The vulnerability in her eyes made him want to flee. He probably would have if she didn't look so fragile right now. Her soul aching for Caleb, her heart bruised from so many years separated from Sylus. Hesitantly, one hand left her knee to stretch across the little space between them. As if she knew he wanted to run. She always did know how to trap him. He reached out, not realizing he was trembling until her hand closed around his. "It's better like this. Right?"
Sylus inhaled and slowly let it out. "It is." He gently stroked her hand with his thumb. She moved closer. He couldn't help but chuckle at the way she looked at him. "You look like you're trying to coax a stray animal into your arms. Is that what I look like to you?"
She nodded, a small smile finding her lips. "You remind me of a cat sometimes. A feral street cat."
"Me? But you're the kitten here."
"Who's idea was that? I think you might be projecting."
Sylus laughed, his head falling back against the couch. When he looked at her again, her eyes were gleaming like she'd won a prize. She moved in closer, snuggling into his side. Sylus froze. Memories raced through his head. Holding her while she cried, the three of them snuggled together in the corner of the dining room, hiding under the bed with her for a moment of peace that the cameras couldn't see. He swallowed, jaw tight, and slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulders. She lifted her head from his chest.
"Your heart sounds like it's gonna burst." She sat up and placed a hand over his heart. Sylus squeezed his eyes shut. Don't run. Don't run from her, he told himself. Hold her, keep her close, the soul tie screamed.
"Sylus?" She pulled back slightly and he tightened his grip on her.
"Shh, just..." He struggled to clear his mind. His chest felt tight. "Just stay with me."
She laid her head back on his chest, tucking herself under his arm. Her arm wrapped around him chest. Sylus sighed, closing his eyes again. He fought to release some of the tension with every exhale. She stayed that way for a long time before finally shifting to make herself more comfortable, her legs thrown over his lap, her hand gently stroking his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her and leaned into her, burying his face in her hair. Beneath the scent of his shampoo was that familiar scent of hers. It had barely changed in all these years. His arms tightened. If he was crushing her, she didn't complain.
Her hand kept stroking him, down his chest then back up, in a steady even rhythm. It reminded him of the way he used to stroke her back when he held her. Did her mind hold some phantom memory of his comfort? His breath hitched and he fought back tears. His kitten. His heart and soul. The euphoria of their reunion was finally seeping into his bones, but it was also ripping his heart to pieces. All those years. All that time. If only he'd known that Caleb would forgive him. The separation was all his fault.
"I'm sorry, kitten. I'm so sorry," he whispered into her hair.
"Sorry?" she whispered. "What are you sorry for?"
He shook his head. "Don't ask me that. Please."
She inhaled slowly. "I know. It's more things I'm too fragile to know."
"You're not-"
"No, it's okay. I get why Caleb's so worried about it. Sometimes I don't know if I'm ready either, but... Whatever it is you're sorry for, I forgive you."
Sylus's arms tightened around her, pulling her fully into his lap and crushing her to his chest. Her breath hitched. His tears fell into her hair.
"It's okay... it's okay... shh..." She whispered reassurances to him. He barely heard her voice over the pathetic sounds he was making. She turned in his arms, straddling his lap. Her hands gently held his head, coaxing his face into his neck, cradling him. Just like Caleb did. He'd been the one to teach her how to love, how to comfort. Sylus's hands held her, resting on her back. He was hyper aware of every callus on his fingers and every drop of blood he'd spilt.
He should hate himself for those things. A better man would. But he felt proud. He'd done it for her, for them. Caleb could protect her heart and mind, but Sylus could protect her body and soul. And she knew the things he did. Maybe not all of it, but enough. And she didn't hate him.
"Don't I scare you, kitten?" he whispered, silencing her almost nonsensical murmurs.
"You did when we met, but not anymore," she admitted. She gently pulled his head away from her shoulder, holding it in her hands. Her thumbs wiped his tears. "I might not know everything and I remember even less, but I can feel you."
She grabbed his arm and pulled it around to take his hand. She placed it over her heart. "I believe there's nothing you wouldn't do to keep me safe. And if I'm wrong, then I don't want to know."
"Kitten..." Sylus breathed her name. Her eyes flicked down to his lips and he felt both their hearts ache, but it wasn't the pull of the soul tie. It was two human beings falling in love. When she kissed him it was entirely of her own free will without the influence of fate.
**********
Every corner he turned there was more fire. It consumed everything from the sterile white walls to the monsters in their pristine lab coats. As he ran, the weight in his arms grew heavier and heavier. He looked down to see them both, his angelic twins, sleeping in his arms. Beautiful and innocent and his to protect.
Sylus ran and ran. Smoke choked him, but suddenly it wasn't smoke. It was clear, tasteless, scentless, but just visible enough to know it was there. Sylus's limbs grew weak.
Caleb fell from his arms. She screamed his name, eyes still closed in unbreakable sleep. Sylus looked back, still running. Caleb screamed his name as the flames engulfed him. Sylus screamed back, but his voice was gone. He kept running. He grew weaker. On his knees he crawled with one arm cradling her to his chest. But he wasn't strong enough.
She fell. Down, as if the floor were no longer there. When she hit the bottom he heard a sickening crack. Then he began to fall, too.
A ragged, gasping breath tore down his throat and into his chest. Sylus sat up, clutching his ribs. He coughed and choked, curling in on himself.
"Sylus?" her voice came from the doorway where she let in a thin stream of silver-blue light. For a moment, he saw her as she was then: little more than 4 feet tall, in a thin medical gown with matching pale blue pants, her hair cropped short and her eyes ringed with black. He ran a hand over his face and reality came back.
"I'm okay," he rasped. "Go back to bed."
"The sun set already. You usually wake up before now." She closed the door and gently parted the curtain to let some moonlight in. She crawled into the bed beside him, completely ignoring his request. Her hand hovered in the air, unsure if she should touch him. He caught it in his and brought it to his lips.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay. I still have trouble sleeping during the day so I was already up. You have nightmares, too?"
He looked at her. The moonlight behind her cast a subtle halo around her form. "Did you have a nightmare?" He held her hand in both of his, one thumb stroking over her soft skin. He would always be grateful to Caleb for allowing her to be soft. And always disgusted with himself that he hadn't allowed Caleb to have the same.
"We're here to talk about you," she said, her voice light and teasing. He smiled softly.
"Come here, kitten." He laid down and opened his arms. She followed, laying her head on his shoulder and throwing her arm across his chest. "You're freezing. Get under the covers." He grabbed the comforter beneath them and pulled it up and over them. She seemed hesitant for a moment before snuggling into his side.
"Is this alright? I didn't mean to presume anything," he said.
She shook her head. "No it's okay." He felt her smile against his shoulder. "Certain things happen and I keep thinking of Caleb. How if you were anyone else, he'd find out about this and he'd take your head off. But because it's you, I'm allowed to be under a blanket with a man that's not him. I don't know when I'll get used to that."
"He's that protective, huh? He should be. Some men can be..."
"Monsters? You're not a monster, Sy." She pressed a kiss to his skin, just above the collar of his shirt. He closed his eyes in reverence.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness."
"That's not up to you."
"If you knew the whole story, I'm not sure you would forgive me."
"Did Caleb forgive you?"
Sylus sighed. "That's not the same." Not when he knew the part she would be angriest about. The part where he was a coward who stayed away, keeping his distance, stalking them. Five full years without a word. Caleb even struggled with that part, but he understood Sylus's reasoning because he had the same fear. That one day they would need to protect each other again and once again they wouldn't have the strength. She didn't share their weakness.
Sylus turned towards her and pulled her snugly against his chest. She tipped her head back to look at him.
"If Caleb says you're forgiven, then you are," she said.
"You have your own thoughts and feelings. The two of you can pretend to be a monolith all you like, but I know better."
"If I can't know the whole story, then I can't forgive you, but I also can't condemn you either. So, this time it's up to Caleb."
"I can't argue with your reasoning."
She grinned. "Good." She nuzzled into his chest and let out a long breath, melting into him. He stroked her hair.
"Are you going to sleep some more?"
She yawned. "Just a little. But you have to sleep with me. I'll protect you from the nightmares this time."
Sylus held her tighter. He pulled the blanket up, making sure it was snug around her. "Deal," he said, curling himself around her.
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