originally posted Apr 17th, 2026 on @headquarters90
Pairings found: Sylus x Nonmc, implied Sylus x Mc, Rafayel x Nonmc, implied unrequited Rafayel x Mc
Tags found: implied unrequited feelings, moments of angst, slight fluff, banter, 18+ MDNI & Ageless Blog DNI, undisclosed fights, not beta read, chances of ooc, mentions of past kidnapping
Summary: An unexpected meeting leads to an unexpected team up. Originally believing a buffer was needed between the two men, Emcee reached out to you for a meeting. Imagine her surprise when it became her and Sylus as a buffer but how long are they needed for that?
Words: 1k+
Now playing... friends don't by Alexander Stewart and Lauren Spencer Smith
Original Piece
Note: there is changes from the original idea and this piece but still similiar concept. will get longer as i don't wanna do too many parts.
Minors & Ageless Blogs DNI
Dividers by: @uzmacchiato & @pixopix
Your eyes scanned the restaurant as you stepped through the doors before they flickered towards the host who offered a polite smile.
“How many-”
"No need," you spoke, your eyes finally spotting her before you made your way towards the table. "Emcee."
Your name left her as her eyes flickered towards you, a soft smile tugging on her lips.
"Thank you for coming! This is Rafayel! Raf, this is-”
"Oh, it's you."
Your eyes finally turned towards the man, a short leaving you at the familiar eyes that stared at you.
"Don't sound too excited to see me again, pretty boy," you commented, taking the seat across from them.
"You know each other?” Emcee questioned, eyes flickering between. "...do I want to know now?"
"Intel, mainly. Only with me, however. They've never met."
Your eyes flickered towards the artist as he crossed his arms and a soft hum left you.
"Deals with them?"
"Who?" Emcee's eyebrows furrowed at the question.
"Yes," Rafayel answered. "You'll help. Will he?”
"Naturally."
"...here I thought you'd be a buffer for him,” she started and you chuckled softly, "but that's not the case, is it? He'll be the buffer."
“Have you ordered?” You questioned as you pulled out your phone. "It's on me."
"I invited you out. You can't just-"
"I'll-”
“Keep your money, pretty boy.”
sy: verdict?
dove: you should be sleeping
dove: deals with them, she knows fishboy, that's who's here
sy: have her send me the intel they currently have
sy: curious on why she insisted you, however
dove: thought I'd be a buffer, apparently she thought you and fishboy would go back and forth
dove: now, she fears it'll be me and him
sy: so, he hasn't told her the full story
sy: you have my card, correct? let me know when you leave them, dove
dove: melphie isn't watching?
dove: will do
"What is he saying?"
Your eyebrow raised at the hint of amusement in her tone as your eyes met hers.
"Send him the intel you have, Emcee,” you spoke, one of your hands fishing out the familiar black card. "Let's eat."
"So,” Sylus started the moment you walked into his office, crimson eyes flickering up to meet yours. " I had the boys look into the coordinates Emcee sent and it looks like a facility that’s potentially active, dove. Should you be joining us?”
"I’ll have you, wouldn’t I?” you commented, your feet taking you towards his desk. "Besides, Emcee is a good Hunter and it’s fishboy. Not the first time we've worked together.”
Perching yourself against the edge of his desk, your arms crossed as he turned his chair towards you.
"As you said, you'll have me. Always. You won't need their protection… nor do you truly need mine.”
"Nope," you mused softly, reaching out to put his cheek; his eyes rolling in response, "but it's nice to have. You should be sleeping."
"Wasn't fond of you meeting him without backup, especially without the knowledge of who he was."
Your eyes watched as he turned back towards the paperwork on his desk before a quiet laugh left you.
"Next time," you started, pushing yourself off his desk, "join us instead of watching from afar. She would have enjoyed it.”
“…and you?" Sylus questioned, watching as you walked towards your designated spot in his office.
You didn't have a desk - hated the confinement it felt like it had. He had known that - your hatred for confinement spanning lifetimes.
Caves with multiple areas for you to roam through, buildings the same way. Part of why he always ensured that places were big enough - the base, safehouses.
You always voiced concerns of the penthouses, the homes, that he bought them; never crossed your mind that he ensured your comfort in those safehouses.
"Me? I always enjoy your company, Sy.” You offered him a grin as you plopped into your chair, reaching for the tablet that rested on the end table beside it. "What's the plan for tonight?"
"A few deals are to be made.”
A soft hum let you at the statement.
"Am I needed?"
"Preferred."
"Yes, sir."
A quiet chuckle left him, his head shaking as your eyes flickered towards him with a grin.
"Go get some rest, Sy. I'll wake you."
"I'm fine, dove."
"Sy.”
The tone had him glancing towards you, watching as you stared at him before he heaved a quiet sigh.
It wasn't the stare down that got him - never did.
No, it was always the underlining emotions in your eyes - concern, worry, hurt, whatever was there.
And whatever you wanted, you got.
"Maybe for a bit,” he conceded and you raised an eyebrow.
"A bit," you echoed and a lazy smirk pulled on his lips.
"A compromise... if you move to the couch."
"You are a grown ass man."
"And?"
Your eyes narrowed at him as he watched you, smirk still on his lips, and your nose scrunched.
"You're spoiled,” you muttered, pushing yourself to stand before heading towards the couch. "How do you sleep without it? I swear you demand it every time."
"Restless.”
You snorted as you plopped down on the couch, eyes on the tablet as you sifted through the apps.
"I'm watching something then. Can’t get work done if I'm too busy babying the big bad boss of Onychinus.”
A chuckle followed your statement before weight appeared on your lap, your free hand instantly carding through white hair. A gentle breath felt against your stomach as he situated himself.
"Only you would dare to call this babying."
Tugging his hair gently, you tilted your head down as he peeked his eyes up.
"It is babying.”
His eyes closed as a chuckle left him again, an arm coming to wrap around you.
"Spoiled."
It wasn't until later, when you were sure he was asleep, that you released a quiet sigh, eyes falling onto his peaceful face. You gently pushed his hair back from his closed eyes before your fingers traced over his face.
"Indulging you takes so much from me," you murmured softly, fingers freezing at the corner of his lips. "It's only a matter of time before kitten takes you from me again... not that I can blame her.”
Your words stayed quiet, eyes watching him before leaning down, pressing the softest of kisses against his temple - lips just barely brushing against it – and his arm tightened slightly around you.
Your head fell back against the back of the couch without a second thought, the show you picked playing softly in the background.
Your fingers carded through his hair as your eyes closed, the familiar ache tugging at your heart.
It wasn't the first time his hold tightened in his sleep so, to you, it was nothing. Especially because it was the same story every time and you could never stop it. A story that repeated over lifetimes. Him and Emcee, with you by yourself - all because your heart refuses anyone else. Sylus had complete ownership of your heart.
Something you doubted he even knew - because if he did, these moments wouldn't exist. He wouldn't willingly hurt you.
And he would be upset with himself if he knew he was hurting you.
~
"Ah," Sylus spoke as the two of you came to a stop in front of the others. "I see why you referred to him as fishboy."
Emcee looked at you curiously at the statement before glancing at Rafayel.
"She knows that too?"
“Unfortunately,” Rafayel muttered, his arms crossed over his chest. "What does he know?"
"Everything,” you hummed. "Shall we?"
"I suggested splitting up but Raf shot that down," Emcee spoke, eyes glancing between the three. "It'll get this over faster."
“Yes, but it'll create a bigger risk of capture for pretty boy and myself,” you spoke, walking past the two before you.
You heard she scoff that Rafayel released but, upon walking in front of then, you missed seeing two things.
The stare of disbelief Emcee gave Rafayel and the flash of hurt that past through Sylus' eyes.
"Pretty boy?” Sylus questioned aloud and you blinked before turning to look at him over your shoulder.
"Uh, yeah. Just something I call him outside of fishboy,” you answered with a shrug. "Don't worry, you're pretty too, Sy.”
The words left you before you could prevent them, eyes widened as you turned your head away. After a beat of those words hitting ears, an almost delighted laugh left the other woman.
Footsteps soon approached you and your head turned, eyebrow raising at the lemurian beside you who stared at you.
"He's who you went looking for," he commented and you rolled your eyes. "A lizard."
"Watch it."
Murmurs were heard behind the two of you and you found yourselves both scrunching at the notion.
"You too, then,” Rafayel muttered and you gave him a dull look.
"Dove,” Sylus spoke and you glanced over your shoulder, watching him nod to the right.
Humming softly, you followed the direction, ignoring the raised eyebrow Rafayel gave as he stayed in step with you.
"Shut up."
"Didn't say anything."
Your eyes narrowed as they met his.
“That way,” you hissed, pushing Rafayel down a hall with one hand, gun in the other. "We need to find the security office or whatever is jamming our coms."
"And you have to push?"
"Now is not the time, pretty boy!"
Your eyes caught his before the two of you ducked into a nearby room, your back leaning against the door as your eyes bounced around.
Quick and sharp footsteps grew nearer and you cursed under your breath as you pushed yourself further against the door.
"Where did they go?" was hissed from the other side of the door and your eyes closed. "What do you mean you lost visual? We have cameras all over the damn place!"
No cameras, you thought, eyes flickering open to meet Rafayel's who was suddenly closer; his hands pressed against the door to help you, but still no coms. Melphie?
A growl of annoyance came before footsteps moved further away and you released the breath you'd been holding.
"We need to stay put until we're sure they're gone,” you spoke, nose scrunching at the thought.
"Great,” Rafayel muttered as he crossed his arms. "So, what's the deal with you and the lizard?"
"At least call him a crow," you spoke dryly, giving him a dull stare. "Lizard is insulting, even to me."
"Should I call you a dove then?"
"Only Sylus and the twins on occasion can.”
"What's the deal with you and the crow?" He repeated, watching as you looked around the room.
"There isn't."
"Right. Just like we know each other willingly,” he deadpanned and you sighed softly.
"It doesn't matter."
“… you love him," Rafayel concluded and you glanced at him. "Same boat as me then."
"Emcee?"
A hum sounded as confirmation as his eyes turned away, a look you recognized from your own in them.
"...maybe we should get together outside of work then.”
"Asking me out now?” Rafayel sent a sly grin. "I don't know. Don't lizards eat fish?"
"I regret asking. Never mind," you scoffed, picking up around item. "Just thought it'll be nice to try something new since, as you put it, we're in the same boat."
"Give me your phone," Rafayel spoke, reaching a hand out, and you stared at him. "Hard to do that if we can't contact each other, princess."
"Princess?" You echoed, pulling out your phone. "Where did that come from?"
Rafayel shrugged, grabbing the phone as a crackling sound was heard in your ear.
"Dove, where are you?” A slight panic grasped the edge of his voice as you reached up, pressing fingers against your coms.
"Safe, both of us. Currently getting ready to leave our hiding spot."
"Exit the building as soon as you can. Emcee and I have the intel."
"Got it, boss."
Taglist: @.maryy237 @.ixciv
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Note: due to the fact that the current taglist has already read this, i decided not to tag them for the repost.