She is UNICORN wanderer hunter who wants to be the best hunter. He is the infamous Onychinus Leader who is haunted by his past and hard to predict. A faithful night in the outskirts of N109 Zone brought them back together and their destiny is being written, once again.
“You are always forever bound to me, Sweetie”
Tags & Warnings : Spoiler!!, Soulmates, Opposite Attracts, Angst, Strong Language, Fluff, Humor, SLOWEST BURN (They’re both an idiot okay), Trauma, warnings would may changes as story progress, each chapter has its own individual warning
Taglist : OPEN
series playlist — moodboard
˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦ ˚ . ★⋆.
Chapters
Prologue — This Could Be A Dream
Chapter 1 — I Wanna Grow The Apple
Chapter 2 — Diagnosis : Too Serious, Needs Sweets
Chapter 3 — Van Gogh Would Beg To Differ
Chapter 4 — Me and The Devil
Chapter 5 — He Enjoys Causing Problems
Chapter 6 — Devil’s Advocate
Chapter 7 — One Woman Circus
Chapter 8 — Paint Your Nails with Your Enemy’s blood
Summary: Your husband is adamant about the two of you flying to the Gullet, insisting the battle will be over before either of you has the chance to worry. You can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong, but Jace promises everything will be fine.
The problem is that promises mean very little in the middle of a war.
Pairing: Husband! Jace x Wife! reader
WC: 3.7k
Warning: 18+, slight smut, s3 spoilers- ish, a few things were changed mentions of injuries, no deaths, fix it au!, targcest, reader rides Silverwing, slightly proofread, fade to black at the end.
As the war had continued to ramp up and tensions had rose, everyone was on edge. Lucerys was dead, Rhaenys and Meleys were dead, your father had spent an eternity at Harrenhall, and your mother wasn't listening to anyone.
It felt like the walls were closing in, like there was a chance that all of you would die— making the effort pointless.
Given the circumstances, your parents wanted to solidify things— leaving nothing to question. They had you and Jace get married, a small ceremony for just the two of you. Even in the midst of grief and fear, the two of you smiled with joy during the entire thing.
Your bubble of joy and time alone didn't last as both of you were always needed. Intimacy was rarely able to happen as the two of you would fall asleep when you were in the bed together. If the two of you didn't immediately fall asleep, then Jace was complaining to you about his mothers decisions or how he didn't trust the dragonseeds— which you agreed.
War was brutal and it always seemed like the price to pay was increasing daily, something no one had warned you about.
You wanted to keep your husband close to you at all times, a pit always in your stomach at the idea of something happening to him. He was always so eager to prove to his mother that he could fight for her, but you wanted him to be a coward. You didn't want him to get hurt or killed and truthfully, you couldn't imagine life without him.
Everytime he suggested that she send him or the two of you, your fingers would grip his tighter and your stomach would twist. Even though he'd get angry when she would ignore his suggestions, you felt relieved.
Relived that he would be safe, that you would get another night with him, relieved that you would also be safe.
Rhaenyra had summoned everyone for a meeting, you and Jace getting to the room before everyone else.
You stood there, a sigh escaping your lips.
His head tilted as glanced at you, watching you twist the rings on your fingers.
"Are you alright?"
You shrugged, your eyes flickering over to him as he walked closer.
"I'm sure that she has summoned us here to only tell us more bad news. As of late, there has been nothing positive about these meetings."
He grabbed your hands, staring into your eyes as he closed the gap between the two of you.
"My love, we will get through this— that I know. You can't give up yet."
You gave a half smile, one that didn't reach your eyes all the way.
"I'm not giving up, husband. I am just scared."
He smiled, not because it was funny— but he found you to be so beautiful, even when you confessed that you were scared.
"I too am scared, but this war is necessary. Our future, our children's future, and theirs depends on it—"
"I never said that it wasn't necessary." You interrupted.
He brought one of his hands to your face, caressing it.
"I do not wish to upset you or argue, I just want you to know that I understand— everyone here does."
Your eyes locked onto his, silence taking in over the moment as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against yours in a gentle kiss.
Your moment was interrupted as Rhaenyra cleared her throat, walking into the room with everyone else walking in behind her.
"Mother, I'm glad you finally came." Jace spoke, turning to face her as she walked to the front of the room.
Baela came to the side of you with a smirk on her face.
"There is something that I must inform everyone about—" Rhaenyra spoke.
Jace glanced at you.
"I met with Alicent a few days ago, she came here to visit me."
Your brows furrowed in disbelief, "you did what?"
Jace had a scowl on his face, his hand resting on the table in front of him.
"Mother, you allowed Alicent to come here?—"
"Are you mad?"
Rhaenyra watched as everyone around the table shared a look, the sunlight making your disappointed looks even more obvious.
"She made an offer to surrender King's Landing." Rhaenyra added.
"And you believe her? You believe the woman that helped bring this mess about?" You question, your voice raising.
Jace absentmindedly grabbed your hand as he could tell that you were getting upset.
"I have to believe that Alicent's offer was genuine."
Jace scoffed, "it is a ruse, cloaked in stale friendship!"
"The risk that she took in coming here is beyond question." Rhaenyra pointed out.
"I too would risk my head, if it meant that I could kill off an entire side by using old, fond memories. It is a trap, mother." You chided.
"What about the risk that she now asks you take? To fly to the greens stronghold, based on her word alone?—"
"It is a trap, Mother, to lure you and Daemon into Vhagar's jaws." Jace countered.
Rhaenyra moved around the table.
"No! Vhagar and Aemond are gone, they've flown to Harrenhall and Aegon is bedridden."
All of you stood there silently, everyone deeply frustrated that she's unwilling to listen to reason.
"I could take Aegon and the throne.. in a single stroke."
"No, you cannot. Please, do not trust her." Baela interjected.
"Surely, you're not considering this." Ser Lorent muttered.
"The greens know already that their defeat is written. Aemond flies on Vhagar to join Cole in the Riverlands. With him gone Alicent will open the gates to the Red Keep and surrender Aegon to me—"
"I will then take his head and the throne."
You scratched your brow, trying to come up with any explanation as to why she'd consider such nonsense. It was wildly unlike her and unexpected.
Mysaria tillted her head, her lips parting to speak but shutting quickly afterwards.
"What are her terms, your grace?”
"That she, Helaena, and Jaehaera are spared and that this war ends without further bloodshed."
"That is a very low price." Mysaria stressed.
Rhaenyra nodded and turned to Baela, "please get word to Corlys in the gullet. I require ships with fighting men enough to secure the city."
Jace sighed.
"Your grace, I protest this action with all my po-"
"And Daemon must return with haste, write to him." Rhaenyra demanded, cutting Jace off and ignoring his remark.
"We will fly to King's Landing in two days time and take the city." She smiled.
You stared a Jace, his cheeks reddened and his jaw tight with frustration.
Jace stormed off and you followed behind him.
"Jace." You spoke, chasing after him.
He continued to walk ahead of you.
"Jacaerys!" You yelled.
He stopped in his tracks, turning back to you. He grabbed your hand, bringing you into your shared chambers and shutting the door.
"Has she lost her senses?—"
"This is fucking.. nonsense." He stammered.
He paced around the room, his curls hanging in front of his face.
"I do not understand what's gotten into her, father needs to be here— maybe she'd listen to him." You suggested.
"I fear that she has gone past listening to reason." Jace mumbled.
You walked over to him, a smile on your face. His feet stopped and his mind began to clear.
You pushed the curl from in front of his face.
"We will figure this out, remember?"
He nodded, getting lost in your gentle eyes.
He kissed you, completely taking your mind off what you were talking about — wrapping his hands around your waist.
"I know, darling." He muttered against your lips.
Your kiss deepened, his tongue sliding into your mouth and a whine escaping yours.
"Jace, you didn't lock the door."
He smirked, "no one will come in, everyone will be focused on mother."
His lips traveled to your face leaving kisses, your hand rubbing over his growing bulge.
"I have missed this." He confessed.
He left soft, open mouthed kisses against your neck — causing you to moan.
"Fuck." You breathed.
"You're alway so sensitive here." He teased, licking the vein on the side of your neck.
His fingers moved to undo the laces of your gown as yours simultaneously undid the laces on his trousers.
His trousers loosened, your fingers sliding under the waistband— rubbing his hard cock.
He groaned, losing his focus.
"It's been too long.. since I've been able to have a moment with you like this."
You brought your lips back to his with a hum.
The two of you stumbled back towards the desk near the corner, his hand on the small of your back and guiding you.
Your body bumped against the desk, Jace's hand going under your ass— lifting you onto it.
"I love you, my sweet wife."
"I love you more." You breathed, gliding your tongue against his bottom lip.
He pulled at your corset, his hands groping your breasts.
"I want you." You whined.
He caressed your face, "you already have me and you always will."
You pulled up your gown, while he adjusted his trousers.
He lined himself up with your entrance, "don't get too loud, remember the door isn't locked."
You rolled your eyes, "I wonder why?"
He kissed you, a laugh escaping his throat.
The taste of his lips on yours was a taste that you could never get used to.
Jace slowly and gently pushed his cock inside you, making you gasp.
"Gods, you are so wet and tight." He groaned.
Jace was never a rough lover, he was always gentle and went slow making sure that you were okay. He wanted you to feel good, making your pleasure his top priority.
His fingers gripped your thighs as he thrusted into you, his cock stretching like it was the first time.
You brought your hand to the nape of his neck, your fingers curled around it— with pieces of his hair intertwined.
"That feels very good." You whimpered.
"Good, good. I want you to feel so good." He moaned.
His cock was deep inside you, your cunt clenching around him as his head dragged along your sensitive spot.
"Jace." You gasped.
It felt so good, being close with again— even despite the stress.
He brought his hand down, his finger circling your sensitive clit as he got closer to finishing.
Your chest rose and fell fast, moans falling from your lips— music to Jace's ears.
"Oh, oh." You cried out, clenching even harder around his cock.
"That's it my love, finish for me. I know you want to." He coached, his breath mingling with yours. Both of you on the edge and so close to going over together.
His name fell from your lips over and over, your eyes rolling back in your head and you reached you peak— Jace following you immediately after.
He pressed his head against yours, both of you reeling from the intense pleasure.
"I wasn't too rough, was I?" He breathed.
You shook your head, kissing his cheek.
"Not at all, my gentle prince."
A loud knock rang from the door, startling both of you— your eyes wide.
"Jace.. the door." You mumbled.
"Who is it?" Jace asked, his voice raised.
"It's Baela! I need to talk to both of you, there's a problem." She spoke from the hall.
Both of you rushed to get proper before opening the door, "one moment!" Jace shouted.
He tied the laces to your gown, hiding his smirk.
"I would say that was very good, maybe we can do it again tonight."
You laughed, "if you play your cards right."
Jace raced to open the door, an awkward look on his face— Baela eyeing both of you.
"What has happened?" Jace questioned.
"There have been an armada of ships spotted, a war in the gullet."
Jace looked back at you, "they have sprung their trap."
He left out of the room, Baela following him— but you stayed behind in the room.
The once sweet moment between you and your husband, now leaving and you instead are filled with dread.
Jace returned to the room a few minutes later, slamming the door behind him.
"What did she say?" You asked, a panicked look on your face.
"I had Ser Lorent lock her up in her room, with orders to not let her out—"
Your mouth dropped in shock, "you did what?"
"I will not let her get herself killed! She is not thinking rationally. If she gets killed then this was for nothing, we have nothing!"
He walked over to you in two strides, grabbing your hands.
"My love, we can do this for her—"
"We can give her this victory without her risking her life. We have Vermax and you have Silverwing, they won't see us coming."
You gently pulled your hands from his with a look of uncertainty, "Jace.."
He nodded, with that wild smile on his face — the one that he'd always have when he was determined.
"I promise that we can do this, just trust me— okay?"
Your heart thrummed in your chest, a feeling of nausea creeping up your throat.
You trusted your husband, more than anyone else. You just hope that he was right.
You gave him a kiss, letting out a deep sigh.
"Is Baela joining us?"
He nodded, grabbing his gloves from the table.
The three of you made your way to the dragonpit and prepared to leave.
You climbed onto Silverwing, unable to shake the feeling of doing this— worried about what could happen.
You rubbed her back.
"Please, obey me, Silverwing. It is crucial that you do, old girl."
She shrieked in agreement like she always does when you speak.
The three of you took off, flying to give aid.
ꕀ
That day the skies were clear and the wind was calm, the best thing that you could hope for.
"Dracarys, Silverwing." You yelled, flying low so that she could burn a ship.
The three of you seperated, all taking three different areas— burning the enemy ships as effectively as you could.
Unbeknownst to any of you, the bitchfist had a scorpion and with that scorpion they had a large rope attached.
Jace circled around while you and Baela burnt two ships together, Lohar firing the scorpion.
You heard the roar of Vermax, which cause you to look to their direction. Your stomach sank as you noticed the rope and Vermax inching lower towards the water.
"Defend Vermax!" You shouted in High Valyrian.
Silverwing immediately changed course, flying his direction as fast as she could. Baela and Moondancer trailing behind you.
You could hear Jace giving Vermax commands as you inched closer.
Thankfully, there was enough room below them for Silverwing to fly under and let you slice the rope— freeing them.
You felt like you could breathe again.
Your relief was cut short when you saw a different dragon had joined the three of you, burning Rhaenyra's ships.
"Kill the rider, Silverwing."
She flew towards the dragon, a dragon that looked rougher than any you had seen— it also seemed older.
That dragon breathed fire at you as you got closer, causing you to to adjust.
Silverwing circled back around, chomping her jaws.
You got a closer look at the rider, Silverwing scratching the dragon — making him bellow in pain.
"No, Silverwing!" You pulled the reigns, directing her away.
It was Rhaena. How did Rhaena get a dragon? and why wasn't her dragon listening? Why was she burning our ships?
Jace flew closer to you as he also evaded the dragon, the dragon now chasing Moondancer.
"That's Rhaena!" You yelled.
You were at a loss, trying to get away from her dragon and also trying to keep from being hurt by the scorpion.
You burned a few more ships.
They fired the scorpion again, hitting Vermax.
Vermax was going down a lot quicker that time and he seemed very injured.
"Oh, Gods." You mumbled.
Rhaena's dragon had not given up on Baela and Moondancer yet, so she couldn't help.
Vermax was almost touching the water, so you couldn't cut the rope. Silverwing has flown close to water to help before and she always followed your lead.
You watched as your husband struggled, giving commands and Vermax now flapped his wings in the water.
You flew as close as you could, unclipped your belt that held you in and jumped into the water.
The water was ice cold, sending a shock to your body.
You swam as fast as you ever have, pulling the knife from your belt and cutting Vermax's rope— almost cutting yourself in the process.
Cutting his rope was difficult, because he kept trying to move and break free on his— but you did it.
You watched as it seemed like he wouldn't be coming up, but within a second he flew from the water— a roar coming from his lungs.
The water thrashed against you as you came up, gasping for air. You wiped you eyes, staring at all the carnage around you.
You whistled for Silverwing, hoping that she could hear you in the water with all the chaos.
Rhaena was finally able to get her dragon to leave, giving Baela the ability to return her focus to the ships and the two of you.
Jace urged Vermax to turn back towards you to help, Silverwing creeping behind them as she heard your whistle
You grabbed onto a broken board, a sharp pain radiating in your back— making you wheeze.
"No!" Jace yelled, watching it happen as he couldn't get close enough fast enough.
You turned, somewhat disoriented— not understanding that you'd just been shot by an arrow.
Another one was fired off, hitting you in the stomach.
Silverwing screeched in agony as if she herself were being wounded, burning the ship on the way to you.
Your blood spilled out into the water, Vermax unwilling to fly low enough to get you.
Baela couldn't get Moondancer to either.
Silverwing flew near, her wings flapping against the water as she waited for you to climb on.
You winced in pain, raising your arm to climb on her back.
"Help me.. I can't." You wheezed.
She shook, helping your weak body onto her. You crawled into your seat, feeling like your body was on fire.
"Take me home, old girl."
ꕀ
When you got into the dragon pit, Rhaenyra was preparing to leave on Syrax as the three of you arrived. Ser Lorent released her as he began to worry that three of you could get hurt.
Jace rushed to get off of Vermax, running to Silverwing to help you.
You were limp and your breaths were ragged.
"Have you lost your fucking senses?—"
"Why would you ever disobey my orders that way?" Rhaenyra yelled.
Her anger immediately died in her throat when she saw jace running towards her with you in his arms.
"God's what happened?"
Jace cried, "she saved me and Vermax. Please, help her."
Rhaenyra's eyes flickered over the two arrows sticking out of you.
"Baela, get the Maester!" Rhaenyra demanded.
Baela raced out of the dragonpit.
Jace carried you into your shared chambers, commotion ensuing around you as the Maester rushed in to take care of you.
Tears welled in his eyes, seeing you in this state. He almost lost you and very well still could, he could’ve lost you because you had to save him.
Rhaenyra walked in, placing her hand on Jace’s shoulder.
“Are you alright?—“
“Look at me.”
Jace wiped his eyes, staring at his mother and feeling like a little boy all over again— feeling the same way when he heard about Lucerys.
Rhaenyra pulled him into a hug.
“The Maester will do everything that he can to save her, do not fret. She is strong, she is blood of the dragon and she will be okay.”
She took Jace out in to the hall, getting him out of the way while you were worked on. Although she was angry, she would save her scolding for another time.
The arrows did a number on you, the Maesters hoping for your sake that they didn't hit any internal organs.
Luckily, they didn't.
Hours had passed by before they came out of your chambers, Jace still pacing the hall alongside Baela and biting his nails.
The door to your room opened, the servants stepping out with bloodied bandages and bowls of dirty water.
They rushed over, the Maester standing in the doorway.
"My prince—"
"Is she alright? Is my wife alright?" Jace interrupted.
"Yes, she is doing well." He replied.
Jace sighed, the weight on his chest feeling lifted.
He was so glad that you were okay, he needed you to be okay.
"We removed the arrows and handled the bleeding. As of now, we do not suspect that they hit any internal organs. She was given some milk of the poppy and might be out of it for a while, but we expect a full recovery."
Jace hugged Baela in a moment of joy, both of them happy to hear the news.
Jace entered the room, shutting the door behind him.
You laid in the bed, bandaged up— still sleeping.
Jace pulled off his doublet and his boots before crawling into bed beside you.
He gently pulled you closer to him, his head pressed against yours.
"Ow." You mumbled.
He kissed your forehead, "I was worried about you.. so worried."
"I'm okay.. I just hurt, everywhere." You hissed.
He pushed your hair away from your face.
"I could've lost you." He admitted, his voice shaky.
He sniffled, wiping his tears.
"I cannot lose you too.. please, never leave me—"
"I won't. I will be yours until the day that I die, just like I promised." You reassured him, still trying to sleep.
He chuckled, his thumb rubbing against your shoulder.
"You make me feel like the luckiest man alive, my brave wife."
his nose is bruised and bleeding, hers is buried in a book. he’s constantly checking out a book (and her), she knows he’s illiterate. he’s stupidly in love with her — she just thinks he’s stupid. oh what could go so ever wrong
main masterlist
pairing: satoru x f!reader
status: ongoing
tags/warnings: reader keeps to herself, gojo is.. well gojo, modern au, black cat x golden retriever, characters are in their 20’s, he fell first she fell harder, opposites attract, lots of pining and yearning, smau, alcohol/drinking, crude humour, language, slightly suggestive, smoking, arguments, very slight angst buried under humor, probably will be out of character, please note warnings may change as story progresses, and to check each chapter for individual warnings
taglist: OPEN
official playlist
chapters with written portions will be indicated with a 🍀
I’ll attach the rest of the images as a repost- my friend sent me this and asked my thoughts on this as a Caleb-girlie, here is my PERSONAL thoughts:
1) I don’t like that Sylus and MC’s fated love is in the main story.
2) It makes me worried about our side of the fandom especially for the Caleb and Rafayel girlies.
3) I’d be a level of mad I don’t think I could explain and would probably 😤😤😤 🖕🏽🖕🏽🖕🏽infold if they make Caleb betray MC. - That “the people closest to you want to kill you the most” line that Sylus says- eluding that Caleb wants MC dead. Sylus better have been talking about MF grandma Josephine- Bro Caleb’s Myth was literally him sacrificing himself to save her and give her a chance at freedom. They are literally Romeo and Juliet. Let Caleb have a fucking happy ending or else.
Caleb is a better man that Adam so I’m not gonna compare them to Adam and Eve even tho he got elements that match the biblical references.
I just don’t think there should be an end game character in the main story line- it should take the otome route and you choose your own story. You should only get certain information if you play that character’s storyline. It feels like infold has favorites when they do that shit.
in another life, i would make you stay a gojo satoru (fix it) fic
pairing ⸺ reincarnated!gojo x reincarnated!reader
summary ⸺ you are a sorcerer, married to your husband who bears the burden of being the strongest. firsthand, you watch the love of your life fall apart, the world burdening him until, finally, he dies at the hand of sukuna. as you watch him through the broadcast, you blankly volunteer to be next and you die, praying to whatever merciful god out there that, in another life, you and satoru get the happy ending you both deserved—
until you wake up from your dream, gasping. why the hell was your dream so vivid? you were some sort of magician? with a smoking HOT husband? and why the fuck does the guy that's ten minutes late to the first day of lectures look EXACTLY like him?
warnings ⸺ eventual smut fluff and angst (the holy trinity of aashi longfics), hurt/comfort, reincarnation fic, basically you and gojo have a miserable life in canon and get reincarnated into a modern au where i fix everything and give you the romcom you deserve, canon typical violence, jjk manga spoilers, mentions of blood and injury, major character death, fem reader implied
a/n i'll see u at the end :3
December 23, 2018.
“How do you feel?”
The both of you lay, side by side on the grass as you stared into the sky. The only sounds that surrounded you were the occasional rustle of leaves, the hum of the late afternoon cicadas, and the soft, almost inaudible rise and fall of your breathing.
The stars were really bright that day.
The sounds of nature were even more tangible in the absence of traffic. After the culling games had roped in both non-sorcerers and sorcerers alike, no one went out, so the roads were all virtually empty.
Satoru frowns thoughtfully, in a way that makes his nose scrunch up. His fingers play through your hair absentmindedly as he comes up with a response. With the way he’s thinking, your heart aches to tell him that you want his honest feelings, his doubts and fears, not some fake image he perpetually paints on for the rest of the world. You temper the urge.
“Fighting Megumi is gonna be…weird,” he says finally, with a sigh. “I’m just glad the real pain in the asses are out of the way.”
You remember the day he had come back from killing the higher ups. There was still blood matting his face and hair, dried and flaking. His eyes had long lost their light, and when you had got him alone in your shared room, grabbed a washcloth to wash his face. While you made sure none of the blood was still there, he had asked: Did I do the right thing?
It had taken three face towels to clean it all. The others had gotten soaked too quickly.
He continues. “I’ve been walking toward changing the system for so long, I forgot how to want anything past it.”
You tilt your head to look at him. His eyes are on the sky, as if trying to memorize every cloud.
“You can still want things,” you murmur. “Even now.”
What is left unsaid from you is, You can run away with me.
It’s a pipe dream at best. He was born with the shackle of the six eyes, born in the prison called The Strongest. Running away from it all was as possible as it was for Sisyphus to escape the burden of rolling the rock forever.
At your words, he huffs out a laugh and turns his head just slightly, eyes meeting yours. The blue of them is softer in this light, dusk and gold turning them the color of worn glass. “I do,” he says. “I want a stupid house with a stupid yard and a dumb dog who only listens to you.”
You laugh, blinking against the sudden sting in your eyes. “The dog would accidentally eat your god-awful heap of chocolates and drop dead.”
“Okay, then maybe not a dog then,” he accedes. “I could do with a cat. Just don’t confiscate my chocolates.”
Your voice is a bit stuffy when you reply with, “I would never.”
“Good,” His smile is crooked now, warm. “If I had all the chocolates and the cakes you bake for the rest of my life, I would die a happy man.”
“You already have those, Satoru,” you laugh wetly.
“Yeah, but I want grocery lists and laundry days and boring Tuesday nights. Not endless mission reports. God, I’m definitely not going to miss the paperwork,” he groans, and his tone would sound petulant to anyone else; to you, it’s a reminder of how he’s been worked to the bone.
You roll closer to him, forehead brushing against his temple. “We’ll have all of it.”
There’s a beat of silence. The wind rustles through the trees again. He closes his eyes and breathes it in, like he’s trying to make a home of it. You can’t help but look at his serene face and think,
I love you.
It goes unsaid.
Then, “You’ll wait for me?” he asks, almost like a joke.
You turn to him, gaze softening as it lingers on the line of his jaw, the sweep of his lashes, the eyes you’ve loved in a thousand different lights. He’s so beautiful it aches—like something out of a dream or a poem scribbled by a lonely poet on a dirty street, staring up at a beauty wistfully peering out of a window of a high tower.
“Always.”
December 24, 2018.
He looks like he’s watching the sky again.
You are staring down at the shape of him broadcasted through Mei Mei’s crows. The ground is soaked, and the sky doesn’t seem to know whether to rain or just stay gray. His eyes are open.
But you know better. And still, you wait.
Around you, there’s chaos. Your students, in disbelief, are talking loudly but it’s as if everyone around you is talking underwater, none of their words comprehensible. You feel someone shake you, but you’re still staring.
His eyes aren’t closed, but he looks peaceful.
The air thrums with cursed energy, of people in utter shock, and with fear so thick it could choke.
But all you can think about is a stupid patch of wildflowers blooming in your yard. They would’ve been his favorite color—blue, like his eyes when he was teasing you. Like his eyes when he told you he wanted a dumb dog and boring Tuesday nights.
You were going to plant them for him every spring.
You were going to make him cakes every time he forgot his own birthday.
You were going to grow old together.
Instead, you’ll be the one laying flowers on his grave. Alone.
“I’ll go,” you say.
It’s too quiet. Someone protests. You don’t even hear who.
“I said I’ll go.”
You’re already stepping forward. The fight is miles away but it doesn’t matter—you’ll find it. You’ll find Sukuna. You’ll follow the stench of blood and ruin until it leads you to him.
You know your death is imminent, but there is nothing left to want anymore. Because a future without Satoru is no future at all.
As you make your way through Shinjuku rapidly, you can’t help but think of Yuji—his eyes wide and boyish, despite everything—as he shoved a flyer into your hand and told you to try that ramen shop with him once this was all over.
You remember Megumi’s ginger candies, the ones you had to keep hidden or Gojo would eat them all in one go. They’re still sitting in a dish by the kitchen window.
You remember Shoko’s voice when she said, “Just come back alive, okay?”
You remember Nanami, and Utahime, and Nobara. You remember every stupid, beautiful person you’ve ever loved.
You love them, but love doesn’t always save you; instead, it makes you walk straight into the fire.
Your life had begun when Satoru had saved you from that lonely, dark prison you were forced into; you remember how you had thought that he was akin to a glowing deity, descended from heaven to be your savior. A discarded animal like you, made to believe you were human again by this savior.
So it feels right, in a terrible, sacred way, that your life should end with him, too.
When you finally spot Sukuna, you put up a good fight, but anyone who watches you knows you are resolved, have accepted your fate and prefer death. You don’t scream or cry when it happens; you stare at his face when your body is cleaved into spilling your blood like an endless dam.
You just think: I kept my promise.
I waited.
Then, as you feel everything growing darker and darker, there’s only one thought left, just a silent prayer to whatever god that might still be out there:
Let us try again.
Please—let us try again.
…
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
You wake up from your dream, gasping.
The noise your alarm makes is an unfriendly wake-up call; in your furious effort to locate your phone—which has found itself nestled in your messy blankets—you notice your roommate, Maki, blearily shifting. You madly search to minimize the yelling you’re going to get from her later in the day (you’re already cooked by this point), until silence blankets the room once more.
It’s only until your phone is silenced that you register how fast your heart is beating. Then, when you trudge over to the personal bathroom you and Maki share and flick the light switch, you see that tears had flowed down your cheeks in your sleep.
What a weird fucking dream.
One to have on your first day of classes for the semester, too. You squint at your reflection, the fluorescent light doing your sleep-addled eyes no favors as you grudgingly get ready, brushing your teeth and washing your face and all that. You don’t know why it was so vivid.
From the dredges of your mind, you first recall the flashing light beams and carnal violence in the destruction of the city, and then you. Were you some kind of magician? It was kind of like…Winx Club, but you weren’t a cunty fairy in cute clothes. Something about sorcerers, so maybe Harry Potter? Hunter X Hunter?
You spit out the frothy mix of your saliva and the mouth freshener. So ridiculous. You couldn’t even blame stress for the weird fanfiction at this point—classes haven’t even started.
Memories of the dream ebb and flow as you try hard to remember what else had occurred as you wipe your face. Gazing upon the white of the moisturizer you’re dabbing on your skin, a flash of white suddenly resurfaces.
Gojo.
A violent feeling overcomes your chest at the name, and you think you’re having a heart attack with the way it clenches like you’re almost about to weep in longing of a beloved. You gasp, cupping the left side of your chest as you try to lower your heart rate.
What hurts most of all is the searing pain, like a spiral of thinly corded string has branded itself on your ring finger. In your rush to look up in the mirror to see what could be hurting you, you don’t notice the red glow it forms. What you see in the see in your reflection surprises you: you’re crying again.
Tears have fully started streaming down your face with the pain, carving wet valleys on your cheeks as they went. After your heart rate slows down, you frown while looking down at your hands. Why were they shaking?
You repeat the name numerous times in your brain, each time causing you to physically tweak. Gojo, Gojo, Gojo, and then resurfaces Satoru, Satoru, Satoru—
It’s after the tenth time you repeat his name that your body seems to calm itself down and get accustomed to whatever emotional shock that coursed through your name after you mentioned his name. His name originally came up because you remember the main person in your dream: the white-haired man. He was the reason you decided to confront that…three armed man? Or did he have four arms? Regardless, you basically offed yourself after he died because you loved him, or something. With the way your body seems to physically shake at the sheer thought of his name, as if the utter image of longing, love may not have been enough to describe what you felt.
Realizing that you’ve drifted off at reminiscing sleepily, you start, as if suddenly animated. You pat your skin, setting in the final step of your skincare routine. Then, you click on your phone screen to check the time.
And notice immediately that you are going to be late.
Then ensues you scrambling to your room, putting on your clothes, tripping on the floor in the process, getting a sleepy glare from Maki that has doubly certified that you are getting a scolding, and then finally making it out the door. The somewhat cool fall weather hits your face as you walk on the pavement, checking your clock repeatedly to ensure it hasn’t hit 9am yet.
When you make it into the lecture, you realize that it is packed. There aren’t many seats—it is a gen ed class after all, something on some ancient history, and you notice two empty seats, side-by-side, tucked away in the corner of the lecture room. You have to carefully maneuver yourself down the seats.
Navigating the maze of limbs and backpacks, you mumble a series of "excuse me’s" and "coming through’s" until you squeeze past two guys—a stern-looking blond with glasses that scream "salaryman thirst trap" and a loud brunet beside him. Reaching your target, you slide into the seat that leaves an empty one between you and the blond. You’re very pleased about the extra breathing room.
Maybe today won’t be so bad after all.
You prepare your supplies to take notes on the first (of many) syllabus reviews to come. In the meantime, you’re privy to hearing the mumble and grumble of people around you; it’s only when a throat clears itself at the head of the class do you see a man—probably the professor of this class, Yaga—who has the slides already up. Ancient East Asian History is branded on the big white screen in bolded, black Arial font. Clearly, graphic design was not his passion.
His voice projects through the mic and is fairly deep and resonant, so it’s clear to everyone, despite the number of people in the room, that class is starting. As expected, the next slide is titled “What is Ancient East Asian History?”
“Let’s delve deeper into what I mean by East Asian. Asia is a subcontinent that’s home to a diverse set of cultures, and even so in East Asia…”
As Yaga speaks, time ebbs and flows around you. The monotonous sounds of papers flipping, pens scratching on paper, and the clicking of keyboards surrounds you. You can’t help but think the fluorescent lights, harsh and white, had to be designed to keep students from falling asleep, because their intensity paints the lecture hall in this weird lighting. The mood created by it is something akin to the filter horror movies perpetually have on—vivid, but cold and dark. Like when you’ve been up for too long to the point that you don’t know if it’s night, or morning, because it’s still dark out. Then, dawn breaks, the sun enveloping the sky in its warmth.
Suddenly, the heavy set of doors that serve as your lecture hall’s entrance open loudly—louder than someone who is sheepishly entering late. Instead of the usual indifference reserved for a fellow student who had slept in, the room ripples with murmurs and giggles, shattering the silence that had settled—save for Yaga’s lecturing.
You don’t look at first. You look at Yaga, who is pinching the bridge of his nose as he mutters, “In Japanese culture, punctuality is a form of respect—something we are clearly still learning.”
You don’t turn. You don’t need to. But, like a current pulling you under, your gaze follows the crowd’s. And you see him.
Gojo.
Suddenly, your heart clenches violently, and you can only help but gasp hoarsely and shut your eyes. If you didn't, streams of tears would flow down your face once more. You couldn’t help but swear internally; you had thought you had conditioned yourself to be stable at the mention of his name.
But, almost as if it’s subconscious, you wrench your eyes open, desperate to view the boy. You’d assume something apologetic, maybe. Rushed. Someone with their hood up, mumbling an excuse as they shuffle into the shadows of the back row. But this—
This is someone who walks like he knows the sound of his own footsteps matters. His ivory hair is tussled, like he had just rolled out of your dream. He looks a bit younger than he did when you had seen him, but his eyes are the same unmistakable brilliant, cerulean color.
Now, he’s making his way down the stairs, skipping every third one with his long legs. Something leaves his lips, and it’s something humorous—depending on how girls and guys around him laugh, a shared sense of adoration in their eyes. You can only help but watch as he comes closer and closer to you, and you remember belatedly that the seat next to you is the only empty one in the whole lecture hall.
Yaga huffs and rolls his eyes, crossing his arms in barely concealed annoyance. “Nice of you to join us, Gojo.”
Gojo lifts a hand in a lazy wave. “Yaga, you ever tried finding parking on this campus?” The lecture erupts in barely muted half-sleepy giggles.
It’s only when a particularly loud high five he receives—by the brunet in your row—that you break out of your reverie and turn to your laptop, flustered. Any attempt to act nonchalant would be funny as if the thing that’s wrong with you—that invisible thing—hasn’t been rippling violently inside your gut the moment you laid eyes on him. Like your body has just been handed proof. Like a wound cracking open in slow motion.
He’s approaching, long legs trying to get through the sheer amount of people to where the empty seat next to you was, and when he’s there, right next to you, you shouldn’t look up.
But you do.
When your eyes meet his, something ancient and awful coils in your throat. A shiver, not of fear, but of recognition so buried it aches.
Pearly teeth and bright blue eyes glistening. A breathless, “Hi.”
And the invisible string, that had spiraled and corkscrewed itself into the jumble it was, pulls—until it is straight and wrung tight. You don’t know this boy. You’ve never seen him before.
So why does it feel like your heart just remembered how to break?
Your throat is dry, but you manage out a “Good morning.”
You turn back to your desk, your fingers quivering. By your side, he’s moving and rummaging through the contents of his backpack quite noisily, one that can be heard throughout the lecture hall if one were to tune out Yaga’s droning. In curiosity of seeing what was taking him so damn long to find, you turn your head slightly, and notice the heaps of wrappers—all pastel colored and bright, like candy and dessert wrappers—that his backpack is almost suffocated with. Then, he pulls out his laptop, opens it, and resumes the game of Run 3 he had paused beforehand.
Respectfully, what the fuck.
As if sensing your stare, he turns to you until meeting your eyes; you were caught. Like a deer caught in headlights, you helplessly stare back at him, heat creeping up your neck, and his gaze leaves your eyes to look at your lips, which you were biting.
Then, he leans in slightly—you also inching yourself back because why is he getting so close and why is your heart beating so fast—and whispers, “Do I know you?”
You’ve never seen him outside of the weird dream you had, and it would’ve been weird to admit that you’ve dreamed about him. “No, I don’t think you do,” you whisper back, voice hoarse.
His lips quirk in response, but, to your dismay, he doesn’t retract. His brows furrow while he stares at your face, as if deep in thought, and nods, flirtatiously saying, “Makes sense. I feel like I wouldn’t have forgotten you if I had met you.”
Despite the cheesy line, heat creeps up your neck, and you can’t help but bitterly look down at your desk after giving him a quiet, “No, I don’t we have. I’m sorry.” If he flirted with a stranger like this, dream you must’ve had a really hard time as his wife. Shameless.
And thus the lecture runs its course. Throughout, you’re tense, the heat of his presence never letting you relax. You feel every movement of his fingers, his forearms, as he played his games or typed miscellaneous things that you didn’t see because you were physically forcing yourself to stare at the lecture slides, back ramrod straight.
It’s only until his leg starts shaking that you start feeling…weird. His reaction is completely normal; you don’t blame him, because Yaga’s been going over the syllabus’ section of projects and how you can’t change project partners for over thirty minutes. But it’s the fact that a steady wave of nausea is building up inside you, until a sharp piercing sensation overwhelms your head.
Then, a vision.
It’s hazy, as if projected on cloudy water. A shaking leg, clad in what seems like uniform pants, underneath a small wooden desk. Then, a hand reaches out to yours, grasping it firmly, and you feel a weird sense of nausea once more. However, it’s not the same feeling you’ve been feeling since your dream—instead, it’s a stomach upturning feeling of being teleported somewhere.
A bed.
It’s a small one, in a room that resembles a dorm. The hand grasping yours isn’t simply grabbing your hand; it’s now trailing up your sock-covered ankle, up your calves, and then under your skirt—
The murky vision gets even murkier until you can’t register anything anymore. Then, you suddenly return, the fluorescent lights being the first thing you register after the weird deja-vu-memory thing. The feelings you felt from the vision linger, including overwhelming feelings of euphoria, lust, and sheer happiness that bloom in your heart warmly, like a flower in fresh spring.
You’re so distraught from the complicated jumble of feelings that have thrusted themselves upon you that you don’t hear Yaga say his concluding words. It’s the jarring, obnoxious screech! of the chair next to you—Gojo’s—that you jump to your senses and realize half of the students have left.
Thus, you hurriedly pack your things and book it the fuck out of there because you would rather die than be the last person to leave class, lest Yaga think you were staying behind to talk to him. You’ve had more than your fill of East Asian Studies today.
Maybe it’s best if you avoid Gojo, lest you slip up. The dream—and the weird reactions your body seems to be having in his presence—are too…peculiar. If something happened, you wouldn’t know how to recover.
In your haste, you don’t realize you’ve left something behind, nor did you hear the “Wait! You forgot….this” that Gojo had called out to you, staring at the object in his hand—and your retreating back—with a complicated expression.
next. the aftermath (soon!)
a/n short chapter, but this series is going to contain a mixture of: a lot of crack and fluff, yearning (as always, yall know me), and debilitating angst ("who did this to you??" oh i loved writing the angst) and crazy reunion sex. comment down below to be added to the taglist!!
to be clear, unless otherwise indicated, reader is getting these moments from the past as "migraines" / flashes / dreams.
Are requests open? May I request a sylus x wife reader (not the mc) where she is afraid of him and feels like he doesn’t love her cause of his cold and intimidating nature. Then mc arrives and she’s hurt and shocked with how he treats her. Now convinced that he doesn’t love her and hates her she keeps her distance and sits alone everyday on the rooftop. Barely eating anything nor sleeping properly she lost the will and strength to sleep next to him and sleeps on the couch or on the rooftop (after she saw him pin down mc onto the bed ya know that scene) . Even starts to think of packing up and leaving telling herself to “prepare” whenever he divorces her.
But one time she gets kidnapped for bait and injured yet sylus hasn’t come for days so she tells her kidnappers “ it’s a waste of time cause sylus won’t come for me, i mean nothing to him , he was already planning to get rid of me. so you might as well kill me right now and save your breaths.” Not knowing that her husband overheard her when he entered before she passed out due to lack of food and exhaustion.
Did You Ever Love Me?
The day you married Sylus was the happiest day of your life. You had been by his side for 3 years. It wasn't the easy life you had once dreamed of, but this was the reality of the N109 Zone. Nothing was easy, and everything had a price.
You still remembered the day you had first met, what a blood bath that had been. Your family had been one of the most influential in the area. Having long established their authority when it came to weapons dealing. Only supplying top-notch weapons.
From a young age your father had made sure you knew the business, drsminf of having you take over. He taught you everything he knew. From the making of the orders, to quality check, and even materials secured.
That day it was your parents 25th anniversary and a big party was thrown for them. Business partners and friends were all invited to the event.
The only thing your father had not warned you about, was the extensive dangers of the N109 Zone. He'd tried to shield you from just how dirty the world could be.
A rival family had crashed the party with a seemingly endless group of thugs. Before anyone had realized what was going on, gunshots filled the air. People started screaming and running in a desperate attempt to get to safety. Pushing and shoving others out of their way as they went.
A stray bullet hit your arm and blood immediately started pouring from the wound. You grunted as the pain slammed into you and momentarily lost your footing just a another bullet whizzed past the air where your head had been seconds ago.
You heard your father calling your name and pushing through people trying to get to you. You could see your mother sitting on the ground near one of the stairs columns. She was tying a makeshift bandage around someone's leg. Trying to staunch the bleeding.
You felt like your life was running in fast forward as you watched your father continue to push through the crowd and then he suddenly stopped moving as his eyes widened and he looked down. Blood was blooming across the white shirt of his suit and staining the black jacket. In the center of the stain was a hole. You felt sick seing that hole pierced through his chest over his heart.
"Father!" Your scream rang over the gunshots and panic as you tried to run to him. The long him of your dress got stepped on and you fell to the floor landing hard on your side. Pain zipped through your body at the hard smack to the unforgiving marble floor.
You desperately fought to get to your feet as it finally seemed like the crowd was thinning out. Thankfully no one stepped on you or your clothes again. Just as you reached your father the gun shots stopped and the following silence seemed to bring the air of dread.
The scent of blood was strong, making you gag as your stomach heaved. You push the feelings back and reach out to the injury, hands shaking as you try to staunch the blood flow. He grunts with the pressure and his eyes open slightly. You start muttering words but even you don't believe what you are saying.
"It's ok father, we can fix this. I'll get help, the doctor will fix you right up and then everything will be ok." Tears arr pouring down your face as he smiles weakly. He reaches for your face, trying to touch your cheek. Just before his hand can touch you a great force yanks you back.
You scream out at the pain, pulling you scalp. A heavy fist has gripped your hair, yanking the strands hardly and then a voice is in your ear. "I'll blast a hole in your head if you move a muscle." The voice growled near your ear as he tightens his grip on your hair. Your cried our in pain and he just tugged harder, you bit back the second cry as hot tears rolled down your face.
His arm grabbed your hand and forced you to your feet, perking you to face the way he wanted. He kicked the back of your knees forcing you to kneel in front of a man. Tugging your head back as he allowed you to stare at the man clearly responsible for this entire plot.
Fear stuck you as a cold, malicious smile stretched across his heavily scarred face. His eye was like flat steel. No luster or shine to its grey depths. A scar cut through his left eye and down his cheek, going all the way down to his mouth. Burn scars were also intermingled on his face.
His eye itself was an ugly milky color, it held no pupil or iris. On the right side of his face three long jagged scars could be seen stretching from his ear down to his chin. Little tremors went through your body. This man had an overwhelming presence and the sense of evil wrapped around him like a cloak.
"Well, well, well if it isn't the little princess. Your father was careful to hide you away from me. Protecting his biggest weakness. I must say I do admire him for that."
In contrast to his appearance his voice was smooth, a slight rasp clung to his words. Whatever had attacked and scarred him had obviously affected his vocal cords. He worked it to his advantage, speaking in a way that soothed you on the surface. Even if his words were unsettling or foul.
He reached for you, his fingers and thumb just barely brushing your face when a loud caw shattered the silence. With the bird cry black and red mist began pouring into the wide space and the air got heavy. As if gravity itself was pushing down on everyone and everything in the room. The mist covered and hid everything in its path. Blinking you realized you couldn't see the man in front of you.
A deep, suave, sexy voice seemed to come from no where as helped had seemed to arrive. "It seems you did not learn your lesson. I don't mind teaching it to you agiain, Osric." The mist wrapped around him, holding him still. Footsteps tapped across the floor, the occasional sloosh as he stepped in a puddle. Your body shuddered, knowing exactly what liquid he stood in.
It took a few minutes before you realized that the man who had been gripping your hair was no longer touching you, or even anywhere near you.
The mist began swirling into the center of the room, right next to you. Looking into the mist you could just make out a tall silhouette. As rapidly as the mist had spread it was now retreating.
A tall well built man was standing right beside you. Silver hair carefully styled. Red eyes piercing and promising danger. The right one seemed to be glowing.
"You have some guts, touching something of mine, I don't take kindly to thievery. The man, Osric, was hoisted into the air with the mist. He gasped and sputtered clawing at the mist to no avail.
Two men appeared by your side then. One offered his hand, bit you hesitate. Both are wearing black crow masks with subtle red lines on the face of the mask and a red tipped beak. Two red horns poke through the hoods they wear and a gold ring is on one of them. The two are slim and tall, you can tell nothing of their appearance. Clothing and masks make it impossible to discern any identifying features.
The first guy is still holding his hand out to you, he seems neither impatient nor upset that you haven't accepted it yet. Finally seeing no consequence to taking his offered hand you lightly place your palm in his. He gently but firmly grasps your hand and assists you in standing. He let's go after you are steady on your feet and positions himself at your side. The second does the same on your right. Like they are bodyguards.
"Screw you Sylus"! Osric sputters out, still trying to break free of the mist. His fingers are bloody from his efforts to free himself. "Luke, Kieran, see to it that she comes to no harm." The silver haired man says as he squeezes his hand. The mist constricts around Osric further cutting of his air flow completely.
One of the two lightly grabs your arm and spins you around just as a sickening crunch reaches your ears. This kind of thing happened a lot here. Those with power ruled over the weak. It was nothing new.
You had long grown accustomed to the way Sylua dealt with traitors and rats. He did not tolerate disloyalty and gave no second chances.
The events of your parents 25th anniversary party had happened five years ago. You often wondered how your life would have gone if you had never accepted his hand when he gave it. Your father had been supplying weapons to Sylus' organization for years. He'd apparently stuck some kind of deal with Sylus, that had involved your protection.
Sylus had married you, per your father's request and now he owned almost half of your family business. Haven acquired your mother and father's shares. He'd left yours to you.
At first you'd been absolutely terrified of him. His aura radiated danger, almost like he was a living grim reaper. He so often came back to the manor covered in blood. The twins were his direct subordinates. They followed his every command quickly and without hesitation. But at least they had a personality and could provide a sense of calm.
It had taken almost a year before you could approach Sylus without feeling nervous. You hadn't been able to understand your fear of him. He'd posed no restrictions on you, didn't make any ridiculous demands and had never threatened you with harm of any kind.
The turning point had been the day he'd come home injured and concern over his bleeding wounds had overrode the fear. Despite his insistence that he didn't need any first aide treatment, Sylus had not pushed you away or tried to stop you from cleaning his wounds.
After that he began spending time with you and talked to you. Before you knew it you looked forward to when he would come home and just talk to you for awhile. These little gestures and act of kindness had resonated in your heart and little by little you felt yourself falling for him.
He'd granted your request to be touched by him and he spent a night with you. Thinking that he too had given his heart to you, you lived your days believing that he loved you back. That was until she appeared.
In an instant his entire demeanor changed. He made her his top priority. Spending any and all time he had with her. Most nights he didn't even come to your room anymore. His side of the bed was often unspent in.
You hadn't officially met her yet, only seen her in passing. She was beautiful. Long dark hair hung in neat and straight lengths down to her very slender waist. Piercing eyes almost the shade of jade framed by thick dark lashes. She was on the shorter side, even you were taller than she was. This woman held some kind of connection with your husband and the knowledge that your place was very quickly being stripped away gnawed at you from the inside.
Wandering aimlessly through the manor one day you discovered the ladder that lead up to the roof. Even though it was cold outside, you still sat there on the roof. Wondering how long it would be before you were forgotten completely.
Despite the cold and the swirling snow, you dozed off hugging your arms to your sides. What seemed like minutes later you were woken up by a piercing light. The sun was beginning to sting your eyelids, squinting against the harsh glare of the sun's first rays of the day, you tried to sit up straight. Your whole body was numb and cold. It took several minutes to rub feeling back into your fingers.
Carefully moving away from the edge of the roof you stood up. Your legs shook from the movement. Having been in the same position for too long, they had gone to sleep.
You did some light stretches and gradually the shaking and numbing little stings subsided and you felt more sure on your feet.
Finally you made your way to the roof latch, having left it open all night there was a pile of snow at the base of the ladder and it was freezing cold to the touch.
You descended the ladder and walked around the manor. It was quiet, most everyone was asleep at this time. Feeling the desire to see Sylus, you turn around and head to his room. He was usually there at this time. You hesitate at the door. Whenever you'd come to his room he was usually accompanying you.
Just as your about to knock, a voice addresses you from behind. "He's not here, Sylus went out for work. I've been waiting for him to return since last night." Turning around, you see that woman. Feeling angry for a reason you can't quite grasp, you turn around
and storm by her. Purposely bumping into her on the way by. She stumbles but you keep going.
Your sour mood lingers throughout the day killing any appetite oyi might have had. Your wandering leads you back to the roof and you sit in the same spot from the night before.
From your spot on the roof, you can hear his motorcycle approach the manor and you sit their contemplating what to do. Finally after another two hours you head back to his room. When you get there the door is adjacent and you silently push it open. You feel your heart stop.
There on the bed is Sylus on top of her. She's pinned down and it's very obvious what is going on. His naked back is to you and her equally naked leg is wrapped around his waist. Their kiss is intense that you feel your heart break. His hand is twined with hers and pinned above her head. You back away and run down the hall and go to the roof.
Hot tears are streaming down your face as you realized that Sylus had never loved you. He'd just been indulging you for the last several years because you were useful. He could even hate you for all you knew. The one he truly loved was currently tangled with him on his bed.
You feel your heart break further as you realize that with no family or friends you have nothing. You had only ever been useful to Sylus because of you family's business. That was not love and never could be.
You cry yourself to sleep on the roof again, completely defenseless and unaware of the eyes watching you. When you wake up again, there's a dull ache in your head and a ferocious growl in your stomach, but you have no desire to eat or even move.
You sit there watching the stars for what seemed like days. Eventually the sky begins to lighten as the sun begins its ascent across the sky. You continue to sit, even as heavy clouds roll in. Another snowfall is coming, you remembered from the weeks forecast you had read a few days ago. But still you don't move.
It's only when the wind cuts through you, chilling you to the bone that you get up. Once again you rub feeling back into your frozen limbs and head down the ladder. You avoid your room and his. Just the thought of sleeping in a bed you had shared with him makes your stomach turn. Your entire body burns with the feeling if betrayal, but you can neither act on it or alleviate it. The feeling simmers in your stomach driving away the need for food.
Eventually you end up on the couch. The warmth from the fire burning in the hearth slowly warms you up and a drowsy feeling over comes you. Stretching out and pulling the throw down over you, you manage to drift off into a restless sleep.
After what feels like minutes, your body is shaken awake. It's that woman again, hate burns through your veins. You want to tear her apart and rip her to shreds. You glare at everything.
"Hey, the cook said you didn't eat dinner. So I brought you some food" She offers the plate to you. It's all your favorite things. A light fruit salad with beautifully cut fresh fruit and a stack of golden waffles topped with whipped cream and raspberries. Your anger overtakes you and you sit up and shove the plate away from you. She's so surprised at this action that she stumbles back, dropping the plate as she does. The delicate China shatters on the floor as the fruit scattered and the waffles sit there on top of the broken peices.
She looks at you with hurt on her face. "Why did you do that?" She asks just as Sylus enters the room. He looks annoyed at the mess on the floor. Concern overtakes him as he comes closer. Of course none of it is for you, she's the only important one in his eyes. A shard of the plate had bounced of the floor and put a cut on her arm. She had a line of bright red blood blooming out from the slice.
"Did you really think I would accept anything from YOU?" You spit the words at her like venom and stand up. "I know your not so stupid as to be unaware that Sylus is my husband." Your words are as cold as the ice outside. Red blooms across her face as realization strikes her.
You turn to leave the room and just as your about to step into the hall something grabs your arm and yanks you back. Your head whips around and your suddenly face to face with Sylus angry expression.
"She is my guest, you will treat her with respect. Don't lay your hands on her again." You rip your arm from his grasp. "You must think I'm an idiot. She's getting a hell of a lot more than hospitality from you. I owe her NOTHING. She is nothing to me but a sneaky slut that wormed her way into a married man's bed. Both of you disgust me." You storm from the room. As you leave, you take notice of the twins. They are also watching you, but you do not care.
You return to your room and begin to make preparations. You're almost certain now that Sylus hates you. "Divorce is pretty much guaranteed." You say out loud to no one. As you look around the room you realize that nothing in it is truly yours. Everything had been given by Sylus after your marriage. "What a joke I am. I must be the biggest idiot in all of the world. I never should have married him. He was a complete stranger. What a fool!" You kick the dresser in anger, the pain just spurs you on.
After ripping the sheets off the bed and throwing them to the floor your anger had only increased. Grabbing the nearest object, your hurl it to the floor. Feeling satisfied as it shatters. You begin throwing things all over the room. In minutes the neat, beautifully decorated room is in shambles. Glass, sheets, books, jewelry, makeup, and nick-nacks are all over the floor. You turn and leave the disaster you made, making sure to slam the door as hard as you can on your way out. The paintings on the wall tremble from the force.
You storm through the manor headed for the stairs again. You don't recognize the lightheaded woozy feeling that has over come you and you feel dizzy as you reach the ladder that goes to the roof. Halfway up, your foot slips. Before you fall, in a burst of adrenaline you manage to grab the ladder securely. Your heart is beating out of your chest as you cling to the rungs. "That was too close," you mutter taking deep, steady breaths.
Undeterred, you climb the ladder anyway, resolute in seeking peace on the roof once more. It takes a lot more effort to climb up than it had in previous climbs. Your huffing and puffing by the time you manage to get up.
As you walk to the ledge and glance at the snow covered ground below, you realize something is off. The footsteps in the snow are not yours and since it had been snowing for hours, the ones from earlier would have long since been hidden under more snow.
You whirl around ad your mind screams danger. You hands fumble through your layers of clothing to grab the knife you always kept with you. It was a custom blade and designed to attach to your bra. Although it was small, it was very sharp and could easily cut and stab in defense. As your hand manages to grab the handle a figure appears from the top of the roof. He easily jumps down to where you are.
"To think that the infamous wife of Onychinus' boss would be so easy to get to. No bodyguard?" He asks in a taunting tone. The man is dressed head to foot in black. His entire body is covered save for his eyes. Black as a blank night sky and soulless. He points a gun at you. "Drop the knife, or I'll put a bullet in you right here." He says his finger twitching on the trigger.
Having been taught how to fight from a small age, you fein dropping the knife as he moves closer. Just as he's within reach you spin it around and drive it into his upper arm. Unfortunately he was prepared for your tricks and fires the gun. The bullet burries itself deep into your thigh. You cry out and collapse to the ground clutching the wound. Blood seeps between your fingers and down your leg. Falling upon the snow.
"You're going to regret that." The man says as he pulls the blade out of his arm and flings it to the ground. He reaches out and grabs you. You're enveloped in a blinding light and then everything fades away. Sight, sound, and feeling are gone.
It feels like you're floating in darkness for a long time. You struggle to move, bit something is restricting you're movements. A rattling sound is the first thing you can hear as your senses come flooding back. The pain slams into you again and you groan. You realize that you've been blindfolded with a thick cloth.
"She's finally awake. I would really like to know about that blade she stabbed you with. It really did a number on your arm. It must have been very sharp.
"Shut up and just do your job. The boss needs information and she's going to have it. He said do whatever it takes to get it out of her. Just don't kill her." A gleeful cackle made you shudder and then footsteps came closer to you.
"Darkness makes the pain more intense. You will tell me what we want to know." The man says and then you can hear metal being moved around. Your heart begins to race. There is nothing for you to tell them. Sylus had always made sure that you knew nothing of his business and plans. You had only ever overseen the production of weapons. You didn't know their purpose or intended use.
"I imagine I'll get away with it if I do kill you though. Osric was his brother just so you know. Boss has a personal grudge to pick with you and Sylus. This is going to be delicious. Let's begin. We'll start with something easy." He said and then you could feel him standing at your side.
Hours had passed since the torture had begun, but no matter what question he asked the result was the same. You didn't know.
He had tried a variety of methods to break you. The first had been pulling you fingernails our. It had been excruciating and you nearly passed out several times. The he had tried whipping you. Your back was a raw bloody mess from all the cuts. That had made you pass out. His ways of waking you up again were resolute. Dumping ice water on you seemed to do the trick.
Your mind felt like it was going to snap if this went on much longer. Your voice was raspy and hoarse from the hours of screaming and crying. At first you had tried to hold back, but this maniac had taken it as a challenge. Several times he had said you were boring him with your instant responses.
"You're n-not going to-o get any.. anything fro-om me. I have nothing to tell. Even if I wanted to." This was not the first time you had said those words. It's just they fell on deaf ears. "Ju-just kill me al-ready. I I'm useless to yo-ou. He-e doesn't ca-are about me. Ju-just end it already. I-I don't kn-ow anything." This went on for days. You knew time was passing but you had no idea how much until finally a different person entered the room.
"Boss is fed up with you. He wants to know why she hasn't spilled her guts yet. He's tired of waiting for what he wants to know. Can't believe three days and she hasn't cracked once." His voice sounded disappointed and uninterested.
You'd lost count of all the methods they had tried to get you to speak. Several times you had begged him to just kill you but he'd only laughed in response. Sleep had been allowed a few times and sips of water had been given.
They had never removed your blindfold, and you were glad that you could not see what had been done to you. Even if you could feel every injury, being able to see them would have made it ten times worse.
Just as he was getting ready to start again, the door was blasted open. It sounded like it had been ripped right off the hinges. Chaos ensued with whatever had cause the door to explode, and the man started yelling.
"Who the hell are you? How did you get in here?" Crashes followed the words, and then a guttural sputter followed. Seconds later, you felt hands touching you, and you flinched, thinking that more pain would follow. To your surprise, the restraints on your arms and legs were removed, and then someone was carefully helping you sit up. A pair of hands touched the blindfold and then dim light hit your eyes. You screwed them shut feeling that it was painful.
Every part of your body hurt. Stinging and burning sensations were running rampant all over and you just wanted it to end. "We need to move." A familiar voice said in your ear. You open your eyes, ignoring the pain from the light and look at the voice. To your complete surprise Luke and Kieran are by your side.
"We've come to get you. Boss is so angry. I don't want to stick around here." The twins had their usual care free attitude as they watched you. "Why?" You asked looking at the pair. You could sense their confusion. "What do you mean why? You're Boss's wife. Of course he will take back what is his." One of them said as the other drapped a blanket over you and then carefully picked you up.
You grimaced and tried not to show the pain. "M-my leg is broken." You managed to get out between gritted teeth and gasps. They said nothing as they took you out the door.
Having never seen any of the place you were in, you were surprised at the twisting hallways and maze like route that you were taking. But the twins seemed undeterred and walked quickly. Before long there was a heavy metal door in front of you. It was all dented and it looked like an explosion had hit it. The door was already adjar and upon further investigation, you notice that it's hanging off the hinges.
Walking down another short hallway you come up into a large room. With a start you realize that blood is everywhere and there are bodies scattered through out the room. At the front leaning against a table is Sylus. He looks irritated and he has blood spattered on his face. He stands up straight when he sees you and the twins. His gaze hardens as he looks you over.
"Why did you come?" He looks at you blankly, his face giving nothing away. He just looks at you like he's staring right through you.
"Did you ever, even for one second love me?" You ask after several tense minutes go by. He still says nothing. Feeling the unsaid confirmation of what you had thought to be true now a reality you close your eyes against the tears.
A minute later and you open them again. "I am over this. I just want it to end. I don't care about anything anymore. I no longer want anything as I also posses nothing. You can have it all. I just want it to end." After letting go you feel like a weight has fallen off your shoulders. All the hate and resentment you'd felt several days ago has disappeared.
"Take her to the manor and contact the dr." Sylus finally says after many moments. The twins immediately move out. Despite their best efforts you get jostled several times and the pain makes you pass out. You surrender to unconsciousness, thankful to escape for however short a time it will last.
Over the next several months you are confined to bed to allow you injuries to heal. The scarring isn't as bad as you had though it would be, but it extends over most of your arms legs and back. The whip scars will never disappear and serve as a constant reminder to never show your back to anyone.
Eventually the day arrives that the dr tells you all of you injuries have healed and he discharges you from his care. Eight months have passed since that day and finally you are back on your feet. Having packed a bag with a few sets of clothes you grab the strap and the papers you had asked for a few days ago.
Without hesitation you go to Sylus' office and open the door. He is sitting at his desk reading some documents. You walk over and set two things down. One of them reads Transfer of Assets and the other says Annulment of Marriage. Placing a pen on top of it you say resolute "sign them and then you'll never see me again." You take a step back and wait.
He sets the papers down and looks at what you have placed on his desk with a raised eyebrow. "What is this?" You inwardly sigh. "Sinc you do not love me and I have no desire to play second fiddle to anyone else I am not staying. Clearly there is no place for me here. This is to repay the treatment I was given. You owe me nothing and I owe you nothing." You're confidant that with relinquishing your rights to your family's business and everything you endured being at his side will more than repay him.
He appears to be lost in thought as he reads over the papers. "You really want nothing in return?" The only thing you had asked for in the divorce agreement was that he not seek you out and that your paths never cross again. You nod and finally he moves to sign them. You turn on your heel and walk out of the door, out of his manor. This corrupt part of the city and out of his life forever.
A sense of peace washes over you as you get into your car and turn the ignition. Ready to begin your own life.
And thus ends another one. I did make some tweaks to the original plot line I was given because it flowed better in this way. I do hope you don't mind. I stuck to what you gave me as much as possible. I hope you enjoyed this one
sylus sees you for the first time since your escape at gaia reseach center and he learns how painful it is to stay away from you.
angst with comfort. inspired by shadowed past. spoilers for main story: death and rebirth. brief reference to valleydream bloom
also wanna share this lovely art to visualize this scene: x
Fate can be so cruel.
Is it a gift or a curse that you're standing just a few meters away from him right now?
For the first time in so long, Sylus found every part of him petrified except for his feet that was forced to take heavy steps forward, and his heart that started to pound at the second his eyes recognized your figure.
A cold flash struck him as you brush past each other like complete strangers.
As if he means nothing to you, after everything.
His steps faltered involuntarily.
He wanted to reach out to you.
To grab your hand, just so he can feel you, just so you can acknowledge his existence even just for a fraction of a second.
For all these years, he'd only been watching you through his eye that's empowered by an Aether Core. He'd only been in the distant shadow, making sure no harm comes your way that would take you from this world.
This is the first time he'd seen you right in front of him, close enough to touch you.
And yet, he fought every cell in his body to resist.
He couldn't.
Not yet.
Not until the time is right.
You deserve the freedom and independence that was stolen from you at your youth. You deserve to have a life purely of your own decisions, without him conflicting your path.
Eventually, you'll reach him.
As your souls are bound, you are destined to always find each other, so he will wait for as long as he must.
Ad yet still...
Being patient can be agonizing.
He never braced himself for the day when you'd look past him as if he's just another faceless individual, as if you've never fought side by side, through thick and thin, even before this world became the way it is now.
To him, you're everything.
To you, he's no one.
Sylus now finds his feet buried to the ground, unable to move forward despite your presence long gone.
His throat feels dry, and his legs are tingling with the need to chase after you.
But if he did, what would you do?
What if all this time, you do remember him but you'd rather pretend that he doesn't exist? What if all this time, you simply want nothing to do with him?
The thought of you hating him caused a burning feeling in his chest, making it harder to breathe.
The entire Deepspace could despise him.
But not you.
Anyone but you.
Even if you do end up detesting him... his heart and soul is yours. If he must, he'll stay in the shadows, as long as he can keep looking after you, even if it means watching you be happy without him.
And if you decided to take his life with your own hands....
He wouldn't have it any other way.
His life is yours.
"Sylus! You're still sleeping?"
It was like being pulled out of a portal.
From the moment he heard your voice, Sylus' eyes shot wide open. He slowly sat up and saw you close the door and walk up to his bed, wearing an outfit that you bought recently during a shopping trip together.
His gaze softened as he admires your face, brows furrowed and eyes glaring as you prepare to whack him with a pillow as his punishment for failing to wake up on time like he usually does.
"You said you'd wake up early! At this rate, we'll get to the castle around lunch time. We'll have to pack more food for the picnic. Oh, and we should also get cold drinks along the way because it'll be sunny! We also can't forget about what you made last night — actually I think we should bring a bigger basket..."
He was doing his best to listen to you, but he couldn't fully concentrate because his mind is in shock, still recovering from the nightmare he had.
No, it wasn't just a nightmare.
It was an unpleasant memory that he never liked to recall. Just now, his stomach was churning with discomfort and there's sharpness in his chest while he pictured the look on your face when you walked past him as if he was invisible.
He also recalled the look in your eyes during that day when you've finally reunited, only for you to be repulsed by him. He was reminded of the hopelessness that hit him at that moment. He didn't know what to do, and where to go from there. At that time, you really did want him out of your life.
What if things stayed that way? What if your feelings never changed? What if —
"Sylus."
He blinked out of his terrifying thoughts just as you gently cupped his face, sitting right in front of him with a soft, worried look in your eyes.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?"
Sylus lets out a breath he hasn't realized he'd been holding.
He couldn't help but chuckle, slightly amused that you immediately sensed that something was bothering him.
"Just had an unpleasant dream, that's all." He then took your left hand and planted a soft kiss on your palm.
For a moment, he closed his eyes to feel and appreciate your warmth. His fingers gently held you tighter, making sure that you're not a figment of his imagination.
After all, it wouldn't be the first time his mind played cruel tricks on him.
But as his thumb traced over your knuckles, as your other hand lingered on his face, caressing him quietly, Sylus is certain that this isn't a dream.
You're real.
This time, you're really here and you're holding him just as he always wanted.
This time, you're truly seeing him and accepting him as he is.
This time, you're not pushing him away but pulling him closer.
This time, he doesn't have to hide in the shadows.
This time, he gets to admire the flowers with you.
Pls pls pls write a brat tamer sylus fic with mc calling him daddy and some spanking at the start🙏🙏🙏
A Bullet a Day
Synopsis: Being bratty was one of Sylus’ biggest pet-peeves. But you know what was worse? Ignoring ‘doctor’s orders’.
Warnings: Mention of being wounded, Spanking, Degradation, Choking, voyeurism , brief mention of our face Doc.
Sylus had dealt with some of the cruelest, most evil, dangerous criminals as the Leader of Onychinus.
But nothing, nothing made him break his cool faster than the bratty girl bent over his lap.
Her ass was raw and red, tears springing to the corners of her eyes as he lounged in his leather armchair. He had lose count of how many seats he landed on her ass after 30. His phone was tucked into his cheek and shoulder, his fingers drawing shapes into her sensitive flesh.
“P-please Sy-“
“Silence.”
Thwack!
That tone sounded almost bored. MC choked back her sob, biting her bottom lip. She had pissed him off again, it wasn’t entirely her fault this time.
Sure, she took a bullet in the arm for him, but that wasn’t TOTALLY her fault!
But Sylus didn’t see it that way. The conversation on the phone had something to do with a shipment that had went missing in the N109 Zone. But MC was trying to ignore how the blood rushed to her skull from being folded across his lap.
He ended the call with a less than kind response. His phone was tossed somewhere on the side-table. His strong fingers tangled in the hair near the nape of her neck, wrenching her head back so he could lean down next to it.
“How does your arm feel now, Kitten?” In truth, her arm barely ached. Being the girlfriend of the Leader of one of the most dangerous organizations this side of Deepspace, had its medical perks.
So when she sniffled and she tried to give him her best puppy-eyes, he clicked his tongue.
“You can take a bullet shredding your flesh but you can’t take 50 spanks? You’re so pathetic.”
Sylus release her hair, letting her tip forward. She barely managed to catch herself on her hands and knees between his legs. Sylus was quick to grab her throat, guiding her lolling head against his muscular thigh that was bulging through his dark dress pants.
“Do you want to make it up to me?” His thumb stroked her trembling lower lip.
“Y-Yes! Yes I’ll be s’good Daddy!”Sylus bit back his chuckle. He wasn’t sure she had been good in her entire fucking life.
Sylus tsk’d down at that sweet face, lounging back in his chair. “Use that pretty mouth for something other than ‘bitching’, yeah?”
She didn’t need to be asked twice. She reached out for his bulge but Sylus let out a sharp whistle, a sound he had trained her to snap to attention for.
“No hands.”
Was he for real?
MC chewed her bottom lip before leaning forward. She gently grasped the edge of the fabric around the metal button, jerking her head quickly to pull the fabric away. Then with a delicate bite, she unzipped his pants, eyes never leaving his crimson orbs as she slid it down.
Sylus took pity on her enough to pull his aching length from his pants. The pure size alone never failed to make MC blush.
Many of Sylus’ enemies talked about the huge balls he had for many of the heist he pulled off.
They were wrong.
He had a huge dick.
A dick that was tracing wet precum across MC’s cheek. The pre-cum covered tip left a slimy snail trail under her mascara lines.
“Open up, Kitten. Nice and wide-good girl~.” He praised, tapping the leaking head once, twice-before pushing into her warm mouth. “Biggg stretch, Little One.”
Big stretch was an understatement. The burn from his cock filling her throat made MC tear up. Sylus had trained her well. With just a little resistance, he was snug in her throat. Her nose nestled against the neatly trimmed white pubic hair at the base.
Sylus held her head there, finger tracing over the bandage over her arm. “Now, you’ll stay right like this. Breathe through your nose. I have to make a call to your doctor.”
He grabbed his phone again, ignoring her frantic gags and choke.
At first, it started as a joke, a cover for "Skye the fruit businessman." He had to have something to offer when your friends unexpectedly visited, right?
Only problem was he sucked at peeling fruit of any kind.
Oranges? Slaughtered. Apples? Murdered. Melons? Exploded to smithereens.
This was not a man of fruitastic finesse, you learned.
So you started small, tried to teach him the basics.
Bunny apples, winged orange segments, dragonfruit bowls—each project had its challenges, but ultimately, he succeeded. It was admirable seeing his progress.
Until he started peeling fruit all the time.
You'd be waking up from a nap at his place, rubbing your eyes to get the afternoon crusties out, and you'd feel the slightest pressure against your lips.
He'd put a hand over your eyes, pushing the firm sweetness of a Korean pear? into your mouth, and you'd resist at first but then relent. Sighing into his touch, reveling at the gentleness of his fingers brushing your temples.
Takes you a bit to slowly bite through the flesh, your jaw still creaking from disuse after being plastered against a pillow for so long. You pretend to mull over the answer he's silently asking for.
And then you smile, wrap your fingers around his, the last bite finished, and kiss his palm in thanks.
"Thank you, sweetheart," your eyes are all soft and misty. The way he pushes the envelope of playfulness and care reminds you of the unconditional love you've missed from your childhood. Constant, present, there, adoring.
And then you hear the slightest of gasps, a breath rushing swiftly into empty lungs, and now you're the one shocked, asking for air.
He's blushing.
The kind that tinges his cheeks all the way to his ears. Slack-jawed, pupils blown wide, he can't stop staring at you. As if he can't believe you're still here, that he gets to share this moment with you.
You grin wider now, blindly grabbing another fruit from the kitchen counter and placing it in his palms.
"Again."
The way he lifts you off your feet and swiftly closes the bedroom door is enough to push away the last of your grogginess, giddy laughter coloring the darkest corners of his base.
content: sylus x afab!reader; use of Y/N; established relationship; caleb cameo; caleb acts like caleb; mentions of being drugged; general angst; mostly proofread
word count: ~3.4k
a/n: i’m a sylus girlie through and through but caleb intrigues the absolute shit out of me. including his perspective in this was very interesting and i hope i did his character justice. also, i feel that based on what sylus said in his main story, he knows that caleb is/has been alive and what he’s been up to, and caleb being involved with ever and knowing MC’s whereabouts in the N109 zone, know who sylus is. this fic operates under that assumption
The only person you’d told about your mission to Skyhaven was Sylus. And now, having returned from the harrowing journey—after being reunited with your childhood best friend Caleb, who you thought was dead—Sylus was the only person you wanted to see.
Your boyfriend had been keeping tabs on you the best he could while you were gone, using his contacts in Skyhaven to relay information. But he had to be careful not to tip off anyone from the Farspace Fleet lest it ruin your cover, or worse, get you hurt. The second you texted him you were coming home, however, he stopped everything he was doing, hopped on his bike, and sped straight for your apartment.
Sylus was there when you walked through the door, hauling you into his arms and hugging you so tightly you could hardly breathe. It didn’t phase you anymore to find him in your apartment, knowing he had no problem coming and going as he pleased.
“Miss me?” you teased, whispering in his ear.
He huffed. “Not in the least,” he said, hugging you tighter.
“Sy, I love you, but I can’t breathe.”
Finally his gripped loosened enough that you could breathe normally again. You pushed back, hands on his shoulders, and just admired his face after not having seen it for quite some time.
“Enjoying the view?” Sylus asked.
You smiled. “I always do.” You placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I did miss you though.”
He smiled that soft smile reserved only for you, and you melted at the sight. “I missed you too.”
“I have a lot to tell you, but I’d like to change first if you don’t mind,” you said. “Wait for me on the couch?”
“Of course, take your time, I’m not going anywhere.”
Reluctantly, Sylus lowered you to the ground.
You quickly changed into more comfortable clothes and joined Sylus on the couch, where he pulled you into his lap, the need to hold you far too strong for him to ignore.
“So,” he began, fingers brushing along your back, “where do you want to start?”
You sucked in a deep breath, the words weighing heavily on your tongue, as if saying them aloud will finally make the truth sink in. “Um, I don’t know how else to say this so, it turns out Caleb is alive. Has been this whole time.”
Sylus’s expression remained neutral. “You saw him while you were up there?”
You nodded. “He’s the Farspace Fleet’s Colonel, and he’s…not the same as I remember him.”
Sylus brushed a strand of hair out of your face, his fingers grazing your cheek. “Tell me.”
You launched into your story, detailing everything that happened, from investigating the bombing site undercover to the first interview with Caleb, the switch in personality from Colonel to best friend, to staying with him in his home, visiting Mia in the hospital and running into Zayne, finding Kevi and the Aether Core in his possession.
Talking about the night you were supposed to retrieve Kevi and bring him to Zayne, you got a bit choked up. Having to voice what happened, what you had been in denial about but knew you needed to admit, was perhaps the most difficult of all.
“I wasn’t feeling well that day,” you said, “and before I ‘went to bed,’ Caleb gave me some medicine to help.” You averted your gaze. “All of a sudden, I was so exhausted I couldn’t keep my eyes open, and I ended up falling asleep before I even realized it.”
Sylus tensed beneath you, the unspoken pieces slowly clicking into place.
“Sy…I think Caleb… I think he may have drugged me.”
The betrayal was still raw, maybe more painful now that you’d said it aloud for the first time since it happened.
Abruptly, Sylus removed you from his lap, placing you gently onto the couch before rising and heading straight for the door.
Confused, and perhaps a little desperate, you grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “Sylus, where are you going?”
Without turning to you he said with such lethal calm a shiver went down your spine, “I’m going to visit Skyhaven and have a chat with the Colonel.”
You snapped to your feet, wrapping both your arms around Sylus’s. “Sy, please, you can’t.”
He looked at you, fury blazing like an inferno in his red eyes. “He drugged you, Y/N,” he snarled. “That cannot go unpunished.”
While you greatly appreciated Sylus’s well-placed protectiveness, your feelings were still a jumbled mess when it came to Caleb. But you knew one thing, you didn’t want him to get hurt, and you certainly didn’t want Sylus to be the one hurting him.
You shook your head, voicing your thoughts aloud. “I don’t want you to hurt him. I know what he did was wrong, and please believe when I say I’m furious about it too, but he’s important to me, Sy. I thought he was dead and I just got him back, we both need to be a little more forgiving than usual, for my sake.”
Sylus was conflicted. The instinct to protect was near overwhelming, but truly the last thing he ever wanted to do was upset you. And killing hurting your beloved childhood best friend would do far more than just upset you.
So he tamped down his instincts and relaxed in your grip. “Fine.”
You breathed a sigh of a relief. “Thank you.”
“But if I have the displeasure of meeting him, I will be saying something,” Sylus said, leaving no room for negotiation.
“Okay, I can live with that,” you agreed. You pulled him back down onto the couch. “I have more to tell you, will you sit and listen this time?”
He shot you a withering look. “Yes, sweetie.”
So you finished your story, telling him about the strange man named Viper, how you found Caleb with the oddly-behaving Kevi and “the Professor,” and your departure that felt like you’d left with more unfinished business than when you’d first arrived.
Sylus kept his word and sat, giving you his full attention despite the fact that his anger still simmered in his veins. He certainly shared your sentiment regarding unfinished business, this was not the first or last time he was going to hear about Caleb. He just hoped he wouldn’t have to kill the Colonel should he cross that line with you, something he was wisely keeping to himself.
—
It’d be two weeks since you’d returned from Skyhaven. You’d spent a fair amount of it with Sylus, trying to make up for the time spent apart.
Caleb was always in the back of your mind, though, and the two of you had shared brief conversations over text during that time. You were still wrapping your head around the fact that Caleb was back in your life, albeit in a much different role than he’d once had.
You were eternally grateful to have Sylus by your side, he was the solid ground you so desperately needed to stand on right now, and he was more than happy to be that for you.
He was with you currently, the two of you settling in for a night-in at your apartment. You’d ordered take-out and were patiently waiting for the food to be delivered so you could start the movie you’d carefully chosen.
Lounging on the couch with your head in Sylus’s lap, you scrolled mindlessly through your phone, flipping it to show him silly posts every now and then. The sense of comfort that overwhelmed you, having such an innocuous night with your boyfriend, was a welcome reprieve to the constant anxiety plaguing you these past two weeks.
The sound of your doorbell cut through the tranquil atmosphere.
You and Sylus locked eyes, the same look of confusion on both of your faces. It wasn’t like the delivery person hadn’t shown up at your door before, but it was certainly unusual considering your instructions said to leave the food in the lobby.
Sylus lightly patted the top of your head. “I’ll get it.”
You lifted your upper body enough for Sylus to slide out from under you and promptly lay back down to resume your scrolling.
You listened as Sylus walked to, and opened your door, then felt rather than heard the pregnant pause before your boyfriend spoke.
“Well, if it isn’t the Colonel of the Farspace Fleet. Come to drug my girlfriend again?”
A myriad of emotions flickered in Caleb’s eyes. Surprise. Recognition. Fury. Regret. Guilt. But Caleb was well versed in handling difficult situations, and had no problem slipping on a mask of charisma, while inside he was positively seething.
You bolted for the door.
“Y/N didn’t mention having a boyfriend when she was in Skyhaven,” Caleb said cheerfully.
You skidded to a halt behind Sylus, panic icing your veins seeing your childhood best friend unexpectedly at your door, holding your bag of take-out in one hand, having a death-glare competition with your boyfriend.
“I didn’t exactly have the time to mention it, Caleb,” you said, trying to cut through the thick tension in the air. “You didn’t tell me you were stopping by, or that you stole our dinner.”
Caleb shrugged. “I was in the area, figured I’d drop in and see what you were up to.” His gaze flicked to Sylus before returning to you. “If you wanted pork ribs you know you could’ve just asked me, right pip-squeak?”
Sylus went rigid at the pet name.
You held back a groan, instead politely asking, “Why don’t you come in so I can properly introduce you?”
Sylus hated that you said that.
Caleb loved that you did.
“Sure, wouldn’t want your dinner to get cold standin’ out in the hall all night,” Caleb said.
You pulled Sylus away from the door to allow Caleb entry. Having the two men, both broad and tall, taking up the entryway made this situation all the more suffocating.
You swiped the take-out from Caleb’s hand, grabbed Sylus’s, and dragged him with you to the kitchen with Caleb following close behind.
Placing the bag on the counter, you whirled to face your childhood best friend, far more nervous than you should’ve been to introduce your boyfriend for the first time. Neither of you had had significant others to introduce before, in fact you pretended to be Caleb’s girlfriend in college so the girls would leave him alone. But since Caleb was gone, you could no longer interfere with each other’s love lives…
You cleared your throat. “Caleb, this is Skye, my boyfriend. Skye, this is Caleb, my best friend from childhood.”
Caleb’s eyes darkened in a way that was still unfamiliar to you but not foreign, and a wolfish grin spread over his lips. “Y/N,” he drawled, his voice dropping, “you know you can’t lie to me.”
You froze, Sylus’s fingers tightening around yours. “What are you talking about?”
Caleb looked languidly at Sylus. “You know as well as I do his name isn’t Skye.” The dark look vanished from his eyes as they settled on you, instead reflecting a deep concern. “Can we go talk, pip?”
“Absolutely not,” Sylus snarled. “She isn’t going anywhere with you.”
You gave Caleb your back to face Sylus who was glaring menacingly at the Colonel. You reached up and cupped his cheek. “Sy.” His gaze snapped to yours, softening slightly. “I’m going to go talk to him.”
He would never deny you anything, nor tell you what you could or couldn’t do. You were your own person, who could make your own choices, even if he emphatically disagreed. He knew you could handle yourself, but this supposed childhood best friend had already drugged you once, and Sylus did not want to find out what else he was willing to do.
Sylus’s brow buckled. “Sweetie, please. I don’t trust him.”
Caleb scoffed.
You shot him a glare over your shoulder.
“I know you don’t,” you said to Sylus, stroking his cheek, “but I need you to trust me.”
He did, wholeheartedly.
With a resigned sigh, Sylus dipped his head, brushing his lips along your temple before whispering in your ear, “I’ll be watching, just call for me if you need help.”
You turned your head and kissed his cheek. “I will, I promise.”
Squeezing his hand and flashing him your most reassuring smile, your attention shifted to Caleb, who stood there looking as murderous as Sylus had when he’d opened your apartment door.
“Caleb,” you snapped, breaking him out of his trance. “Let’s go.”
—
You and Caleb didn’t go far, opting to sit off to the side on the steps leading into your apartment complex. Perched on the branch of a nearby tree was Mephisto, his ruby red eyes trained intently on you as Sylus watched from inside.
“Okay,” you said, “what did you want to talk about?”
Caleb angled his body toward you, grabbing your hands as if they were the most delicate things in the world. “Y/N, what are you thinking?” he asked, that same concern from earlier bleeding into his voice. “You know who he is, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” you said.
His gaze hardened slightly. “You know and yet you’re still with him? The leader of Onychinus? Do you have any idea the things he’s done, the things he’s capable of?”
You snatched your hands away from him, your temper flaring. What right did he have to question you like this? He didn’t get to come back into your life after almost a year of thinking he was gone forever and just tell you what to do.
“I am well aware of what Sylus has done and what he is capable of,” you nearly growled. “But I know who he is at his core and in his heart. That is what’s important to me, that is the man I fell in love with.”
Love. You were in love with this guy?
Caleb’s face fell and a wave of guilt crashed over you.
You took his right hand in yours, saying much softer, “Just because someone does bad things doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. You of all people should understand that.”
“I was just trying to protect you,” Caleb whispered, the pain in his voice clear as he stared at your hands. “All I want is to make sure you’re safe.”
“I know Caleb,” you murmured, trying to catch his gaze. “I’m safe with Sylus.”
Caleb shook his head, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, because he couldn’t believe it. He was the only one who could protect you and keep you safe. He was the only one you were supposed to love. How could he let another man—the leader of Onychinus, no less—come into your life and take you from him? He knew he was gone for a year but he was back now, who else did you need but him?
But Caleb also knew that eliminating this new threat in the form of your current boyfriend wouldn’t be as easy as he wanted it to. You clearly cared for this guy—loved him even—so he’d have to continue playing the long game lest he ruin any chance he had left to be with you.
You sucked in a deep breath, then blew it out slowly. “Look Caleb, I want you in my life, you’re my best friend, but we need to have some boundaries, okay?”
“Boundaries?” Caleb echoed, his brows pinching. “Since when have we ever had boundaries?”
“Since now,” you responded firmly. “You can’t just show up at my door without saying anything. I’m happy to have you over, but we have to plan it first.”
He nodded, a spark igniting in his eyes. He could do that. If it made you happy, then he would do it for you. “Okay, easy, done. Anythin’ else you got for me?”
You couldn’t help the small smile lifting the corners of your lips. It was so much easier with him when he acted like his old self. You missed this Caleb.
“I need you to get along with Sylus, for my sake,” you said, squeezing his hand. “Put aside whatever pissing contest I know you two already have because I don’t want my best friend and my boyfriend hating each other’s guts.”
Caleb’s expression didn’t falter despite the rage he felt boiling in his blood. “That goes both ways ya know,” he said with a rather disarming grin. “You’ll have to talk to your boyfriend about that too.”
It physically hurt Caleb to call Sylus that cursed word, but he had an award-worthy performance to put on if he ever hoped to replace the Onychinus leader as the only thing he’d ever wanted to be to you.
You rolled your eyes. “Please don’t start.”
He laughed, and though it sounded genuine, it was far more forced than he led on. “Okay, okay,” he conceded. “That it?”
“You sound like you want me to give you more boundaries.”
“You can give me whatever you want, pip-squeak.” Preferably your undying devotion, but he’d work on that.
“Caleb,” you admonished but he merely grinned wider in response. With a sigh, you let go of his hand and pushed yourself to your feet. “I’m glad we had this talk.”
He rose as well, towering over you. “Me too,” he murmured. “I’m happy you want me to be in your life again.”
“I never wanted you to leave it,” you told him earnestly. “And as much as I hate to say this, you better go. My dinner is probably cold by now and I need to go talk to Sylus, alone.”
“Didn’t mean to interrupt dinner,” Caleb quipped. “Seriously though, next time you want pork ribs, just call me, okay?”
You laughed. “All right, all right.” You started pushing him down the steps. “Now go, go. Text me when you’re home so I know you’re safe.”
Caleb’s chest tightened. Despite everything, you still wanted him safe, you still cared about him. He would cling to this like a lifeline.
“Text me when you get upstairs so I know you’re safe,” he shot back, meaning to be playful but coming across more hostile than anything.
You frowned. “I told you already, I’m safe with Sylus.”
He smiled to ease the tension and was relieved when it worked. “Just humor me, ‘kay?”
“Whatever.” You gave him one last shove. “Don’t be a stranger, Caleb.”
“I won’t, pip-squeak, I promise.”
And he had every intention of keeping that promise and then some.
—
Sylus flung open the door before you could even reach for the handle, checking you over with a careful precision, making sure not a hair was out of place.
You patted his shoulders. “I’m okay, Sy, we just talked.”
“I don’t like the way he speaks to you,” Sylus grumbled, not stopping his thorough inspection. “It’s like he thinks you’re his possession or something.”
“You say all the time that I belong to you,” you teased.
He cut you a fierce glare. “That’s different, I don’t treat you as though you’re an object for me to claim. You’re a person, Y/N.”
Maybe you were naive, but you didn’t think Caleb thought of you in such a way. You weren’t going to argue about it though. Your date night had been ruined enough, adding a fight into the mix would only further sour your mood and his.
“No, you don’t treat me like that,” you said, knowing he was looking for your reassurance, and you were more than happy to give it because it was the truth.
Sylus visibly relaxed. “You look exhausted.”
“I am exhausted.” You pouted. “I just wanted to spend a quiet night in with you.”
He smoothed your hair as he tucked you close to his chest. “The night’s still young, we have plenty of time to do just that.”
“Our dinner is cold.”
“We can heat it up.”
You wrapped your arms around his waist and peered up at him. “Nothing’s going to change between us just because Caleb’s back. We can talk more about it tomorrow, but I need you to know that.”
He nodded. “I know, sweetie, I wasn’t worried.”
No, Sylus was not worried about you, he was however, incredibly suspicious of what Caleb had in store.
But that was a tomorrow problem, tonight he would give you the date you wanted with no more mention of your childhood best friend.
You nuzzled your face into his chest. “I love you, Sy.”
Sylus kissed the top of your head. “I love you, Y/N.” He drew back, bracing his hands on your hips. “Shall we go warm our dinner?”
You smiled. “Yes please.”
As you trailed behind your boyfriend to the kitchen, you quickly pulled out your phone, firing off a text to Caleb letting him know you were safe.
Still outside your apartment complex, Caleb stared at the notification on his own phone. He kissed the necklace clutched tightly in his hand as a sense of victory washed over him.
amanda𓂃𓈒𓏸 @cherrrieskitten - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
