Pause. Breathe. Stay.
10 business days and 2 weekends.
That's how much time has passed since Sylus last saw you.
He's been counting the days, and he knew he was reaching another week without you. At first, he charged it to you being quite busy with work. It happens. He memorized when the influx came in and when your downtime was. But this was a first for him.
He didn't mind the short messages as he started his day. At least he knew you were still there. Priorities shift every single day. He understands that there are things you need to focus on. While he would love to help with everything you're working on, he also knows you want to handle it. You can handle it. You got this.
This was much different, though. Since the start of this... odd behavior from you, there have been no short messages. No calls being picked up. Not even Mephisto's records have you in it. All he would see are closed blinds on your windows (when typically, you have them slightly open for him).
[18:00] Morning, kitten. [20:30] Are you busy again? I haven't heard from you. [21:10] I respect your autonomy and independence, but even I get worried, kitten. Please tell me you are there. Unless the association sent you away? [21:30] Wherever you are, you know I'll come get you. If you're in trouble, speak. Say the word. I'll be there. [23:00] If you see this, I'm coming over.
Throwing his phone at the passenger seat of his Cadillac, he shifts gears and guns it. He couldn't take another week without seeing you anymore. He needs to be sure; he needs to see with his own eyes and hear with his own ears that you're alive and breathing.
Hours have passed, and he has finally reached your apartment. Mephisto reappears from the shadows and flies down to his shoulder. He caws softly to his master as he hums.
"So...nothing still?"
The mechanical crow gives another caw, as if he were conveying a sadness deep within his system. Sylus sighs and instructs him to go back home. Mephisto hesitates but eventually obeys, taking off to the night sky.
Meanwhile, his master makes his way through the courtyard and into the building. It was easy to get past the security if he was also part of Onychinus. But of course, he won't tell you that.
As he reached your apartment, instead of keying in the code he knew by heart, he knocked on the door.
"Kitten?"
No response.
He knocks again, a bit louder.
"Kitten, if you're there, please open the door."
Nothing.
Driven by the need, he relents as he keys in the code. The machine beeps and unlocks the door for him. His grip on the doorknob tightens, he takes a deep breath to stop his heart from spiking up again, and he steels himself as he tries not to entertain the worst-case scenarios his mind was generating.
He steps in...and is confused at the darkness and the state of your apartment. You'd think he entered a near-horror house with the amount of empty ramen cups on the coffee table, bundled up tissues, throw pillows in various places, and the multiple cans of energy drinks and coffee littering the floor. He peeks at your kitchen, and there are dishes piled up in the sink.
One thing's for sure, he knows you're in here. That at least eases the tightness in his chest by 2%.
He surveys the area, and he can see the light—albeit a very faint one—peeking through the crevices of your bedroom door. As he walks closer, he can hear the furious clicking of the keyboard and your deep breathing and sighs.
He opens your bedroom door and his heart shatters at seeing you; back hunched, sitting on the floor with your laptop set on a makeshift table made out of books pulled together, and a ton of papers strewn everywhere.
You were clearly focused, as not once did you raise your head to acknowledge his presence.
As silent as he could be, he crouches down next to you and lightly taps your shoulder.
"Sweetie?"
The sudden contact and deep voice definitely made you jump. It rattles your makeshift table, and the laptop moves just a bit away from you. Your eyes widen as you immediately look at the source of your scare.
The 2% tightness in his chest came back in a thousand waves. Underneath the hoodie you were wearing, he sees how stressed you are. You had dry tear marks down your face, eye bags which indicated you haven't slept at all, your right eye involuntarily twitching, and he can see your hair ruffled in different directions; likely from you pulling or rubbing it out of frustration.
"My god, Sylus! What the actual fu—"
"You weren't answering my texts and calls. Mephisto and the twins have been sulking."
You sighed, more in frustration at yourself. Another failure in your books.
"They won't take it against you. They're just worried."
"And you are too?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"..."
"Can you tell me what's going on with you? You don't seem like...yourself."
"Yeah, well, corporate won't care if I'm myself or if I'm the sorceress of another world."
You bite back, but he doesn't take it personally. Something is up, and he wants to know. The silence is deafening, and you know he doesn't deserve it. He was just worried. It's all your fault anyway...
"...Sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. Just tell me."
You throw back the hoodie, sigh in exhaustion, and rub the temples of your head to soothe the headache that you have.
"It's just...lately, every single thing I do at work is nothing but either a mistake or a failure. It's like I was struck with a streak of bad luck, and it doesn't feel like it's ever going to stop. The reports I sent in were either incorrect or got lost along the way for some reason, my missions were sub-par, I got yelled at by a superior that I never worked with before on a miscommunication and unclear plan in front of a group of people, someone got injured under my—"
"Wait. Someone yelled at you?"
The sheer audacity to raise a voice to his beloved, when you were and still are one of the best the association has had the pleasure of recruiting. This makes him frown as you shake your head, as if you were dismissing the rude action away.
"I did not anticipate it to be honest, but...I guess I deserved it. I was not clear at all with what I shared with him, and I—"
"It doesn't matter. Whoever that superior is, he should have no reason to yell at you for mistakes that could easily be corrected. You don't deserve it at all."
This stops your rant, but it doesn't really ease the pain in your heart.
"...It already happened, Sylus. There's nothing I can do."
"Is this what's been keeping my kitten hidden away from me? Are they mounting a ton of work on you?"
You stare at him, and he can see the exhaustion.
"I don't have a choice. It's the job. I have to get all of these things corrected, and I'm being expected to learn concepts and gain knowledge quickly before the next wave of missions come in. We're lacking the people right now and no one can take it on."
The anger inside him was boiling like lava overflowing at the way the association was treating you. You did not deserve this at all. You worked so hard, you were dedicated to the work you're doing, and you accomplished every single task with passion.
But this? This was clearly killing you from the inside out. You need to get away. You have to get away.
He says nothing as he pulls out his phone and starts typing away fast.
You've seen this before and this makes you anxious.
"What are you doing?"
He finally stops typing away and pockets his phone. You hear a ding from your laptop; a notification tone that was a 'friend' accompanying you the past 2 weeks.
Good day! Your 2-week leave has been approved. Your work has been turned over to the next available hunter. We wish you a restful break!
Your eyes widen in panic.
"Sylus!!! What did you do?!"
"Congratulations, you're now on vacation."
You were speechless. Then your mind catches up.
"Sylus, you can't do this!"
"I already did, kitten."
"I cannot believe you would do this! I had it all under control! I was going to finish everything and I—"
Before you can vent out your annoyance at him, you feel his hands cupping your face. This surprises you, and he looks straight into your eyes. You see pain, frustration, and worry. For you.
He runs his thumb softly on your cheek, as if he were trying to wipe away the dry tear marks.
"When you didn't answer for 2 weeks, I thought you just needed the space to focus. I know how you cherish your independence, your strength, and your resilience against the difficulties you are facing. I respect that, sweetie. I truly do. However, you must know that even the strongest walls can crumble down due to the fierce elements of nature. But they can be rebuilt again, stronger than ever. Let me be the one to pick up the pieces, sweetie, and build you back up again. You can lean on me, let me help you. I want to help you."
His words pierced something through you, and the tears just escaped. You haven't felt this supported, this cared for, before. He breathes a sigh of relief as he finally wipes away those tears. Your head dips down, afraid of completely breaking down in front of him.
"...I'm so tired."
"I know."
"He didn't have to be so mean."
"I know."
"Sylus..."
Just his name alone carries the weight of what you want to say to him. And he gets it. He wraps his arms around you, and he feels you finally go limp, surrendering to the exhaustion and support he was offering.
"I got you, sweetie. I got you."
A/N: Being vulnerable here for just a bit. I had a horrible October, and some elements here are...let's just say based on my experiences. 🥲 I'd take Sylus' offer to be part of Onychinus in a heartbeat if it means I don't get yelled at again 😭
If you're still reading this, thank you, and I hope you are doing well! 🖤
