Soul-Searching

♡ artist ♡ 28 ♡ welcome to my little blog

[sailor-stormy]

I'm Stormy ♡

▪︎Age: 28

▪︎Follow me on twitter and bsky for more art (MDNI): sailorstormy

Tiktok: stormys.art

insta: sailor.stormy

▪︎Fave Fandoms: Love and Deepspace, Genshin Impact, Jujutsu Kaisen, Gintama, Fruits Basket, Attack on Titan, Ouran High School Host Club

Dividers by petalpxl

[xenosaga]

yall ever be losing your fucking mind but chilling at the same time

[mlnho-deactivated20180414]

[natalieironside]

Line cooks and the weed man do more for the human race every day than any CEO has ever done in their entire life

[ginkgo-bilobas]

I was born in the late nineteen hundreds

[emryses]

listen to me. this is my final message to you. when you are at your lowest a fictional guy will come to you and when that happens you must start putting them in situations. this is the meaning of life.

[jennijwoww]

may every ice agent bleed out in the street

[catchymemes]

[sailor-stormy]

I think domestic kuna would heal me

[sailor-stormy]

Another sukuna drawing 🥰

[spoil-mynight-deactivated201909]

Our little stupid conversation means more to me than you think

[garpen]

"you already left kudos here"

And??? Let me like it again??? Clearly it deserves more??

[simena]

Anastasia Yarygina

[sailor-stormy]

Innocent Birdcage: After the Frenzy

Pairings: Qin Che | Sylus x reader

Tags: Slow burn, eventual smut, second person,third person limited, Continuation of Sylus’s Innocent Birdcage card, Angst, ptsd, Sylus is in heat

Link to ao3

Summary: What happens after you manage to save Sylus from permanently turning into a Praedator? Sylus is suffering from the long term effects and your scent makes it increasingly difficult to keep his distance from you. You devise a crazy plan to go public with your immunity. Sylus thinks it's too dangerous and is afraid he'll hurt you again.

Sylus drawings by me c:

Honestly, this is my first time sharing a fic online so im kinda nervousss. Just wanted to expand more on Innocent Birdcage as I quite enjoyed it. I couldn't help but think about the complex feelings that might have come with it? Also, I might change the title lol. I love reading fanfics and engaging in the community and writing my own fic sounded kinda fun too! Also Im now wondering if I should explain the world a bit from Catch 22? For those who aren't familiar with it? 🤔

Chapter 1:

If you don’t act now, if you hesitate for even a moment, you will lose him. The man you knew as level-headed and composed is slipping through your fingers by the second. He’s being replaced by something feral, something reckless with an insatiable bloodlust.

If I can find his activator...I have to bring him back.

Sylus breaks his left arm free from the handcuffs you chained to the top of the birdcage. He huffs with a smirk as you realize he's about to break out of the other handcuff using pure brute strength. Your hand reaches for your holster as you prepare to dodge his attack. Sweat gleams from your brow; his movements are unpredictable.

Slowly, he takes 2 steps forward, and you pace backwards.

"Sylus, please. You aren't yourself!" Your heart thumps loudly against your chest, time is of the essence. If you don't find the activator before he fully turns into a Praedator... he'll be lost forever.  With dilated black eyes, he hungrily licks his lips,

"Come closer..."  Then, he surges forth in one stride and leaps for you in his red hazy mist. You manage to evade his attack easily. The man you’ve known for years would never be this careless. Another quick lunge, you side step to the right, and to your dismay, trip over a large rusty chain inside the birdcage. Sylus grabs a hold of your wrist from behind you, pulling you into a tight embrace and pinning your back against his chest. His right hand snakes up your torso and closes around your throat. He's too strong, and his larger frame has you trapped.

His left arm circles around your upper body in a tantalizing motion, moving up and down your arms. He feels your waist then, his hand moves down to your thighs. At the same time, you feel his lips trace your jawline to the crook of your neck. Sylus inhales your scent.

"Mine—Every inch of you." he growls before taking a nip at your ear lobe as if part of him is trying to hold back from devouring you.

"Sylus wait!" You gasp as you try to wriggle out of his grasp, but your strength is failing you. You should be terrified, but the adrenaline races through your veins while your neck is inches away from innocuous fangs.

Sylus laughs and says in a low whisper, "Feeling hot, are we? Lose yourself in me," He commands.

He's right, you can feel your face burning up, and your breathing is heavier.  Your vision sways when he tightens his grip on your neck; his thumb presses on an artery just enough. The surge of excitement, laced with adrenaline and raw need—makes you dizzy. Sylus tilts your head up, exposing your neck to his fangs that are already pricking flesh. Beads of blood dapple the skin where his fangs tease you.

"I can smell your desire," He growls.

"Shut up," You say breathlessly. God he pisses me off sometimes.

"I can give you what you want," He huffs. 

"Not like this," I say in between short breaths.

"My little bird..." he croons.

"Stay here with me, and I'll make sure your last moments are pleasurable. Sylus’ voice drips with temptation—but there’s nothing human behind it. You should be terrified of him. Instead, you can’t help but feel an odd thrill, and it sends a shiver down your spine. For years, you’ve felt utterly drawn to him like this.

It started as innocent curiosity, but overtime, that feeling turned into hunger. The desire to trace his jaw with your fingertips. Noticing the way he looks at you when treating your wounds or how his muscles swell after sparring. You like the way his veins prominently lace the back of his hands up to his biceps. However, he's always kept a distance between you two. You figured it was because he thought of you as an abandoned kitten. Years have gone by since he took you in, and at 22, you were wishing he'd take the hint. Then, one day he mysteriously disappeared after the facility got bombed. A mission you know for certain he was involved in. You sank to your knees as you watched the news broadcast the destruction. You wait anxiously for his return or any sort of communication that would let you know he is alive. Still, there would be no such communication, and your hope dwindles as time passes.

Nearly four years later, you've become an outstanding Linkon detective and now reside in a penthouse in the city. Thanks to his funds that I'm sure he wouldn't mind considering he was my only guardian. Right?

"Wheres the activator?!" You manage to headbutt him in the chin. His expression darkens.

"How insolent" he snarls, and then his mouth crashes against your neck, dragging a helpless moan from my lips. Sylus sucks and licks the area where blood drips from the marking. Strangely, the spot where he bit begins to feel numb. There’s a warm feeling spreading throughout your body.

The Association’s scientists warned you about these peculiar symptoms, The scent of Frenzy enhancers should only heighten senses in Praedators. So, why am I feeling this way? Pain and pleasure blurs your vision. Your heart beats loudly in your chest and ears. Sylus kneels on both legs, then he grabs your waist forcefully pulling you tight into his embrace. A tingling sensation courses through your spine as he grazes the shell of your ear with his teeth.

"Oh? Look at that" he says feeling amused at the sight of you arching your back. Asshole. In response, you take this moment to elbow his side as hard as you can muster, and with a grunt, Sylus releases you. With a rapid swing, you send a fist towards his face making direct contact. Horribly offended, he brings a palm up to his face over the area where you punched him, and oddly enough his left eye begins to glow.

His eye.

That’s it. That has to be it!

"You will pay for that!" Sylus screams. His anger reaches a boiling point. This time he brings you down to your back with a hard thud to the metal base of the birdcage.

"Ugh!" You feel the air knock out of your lungs. Then, he stares at the other side your neck, baring teeth and begins to lunge forward. He pins down your left wrist while your right hand is pushing against his shoulder. Using all the core strength you can muster, you rise up using his shoulder. Your face inches from his ,heart pounding, lifting your chin up, you generate your Resonance evol and you gently press your lips against his eyelid. Golden ribbons of energy ebb and flow around your faces. You feel his hold on you relax. A silent kiss imbued with your evol, which effectively triggers the activator, the only way to bring Sylus back. In that moment, time comes to a halt.

The sound of your breathing remains. His frenzy finally yields. His grip on your wrist loosens. The darkness clouding his eyes slowly clears. Revealing his true vermillion eyes.

Frantically, Sylus' eyes dart across your face before locking onto yours, looking for any serious injuries. He exhales, a broken, desperate sigh of relief. Our hurried breathing slows, the nightmare at last receding like a fading storm.

"If I had turned into a monster, what would you have done?" He asks, his voice hoarse from overuse.

"I would have...locked you up in this cage and never turn back." You manage to say, your voice thin.

The words barely making it past the lump in your throat. You remember him teaching you to never hesitate to shoot when facing an enemy. That would've certainly been a last resort decision, one that you're grateful you didn't need in the end.

"Impossible" He murmurs as he lowers his head, delicately nuzzling your nose with his. He knows very well how stubborn you can be. You both remain like that for a few moments, suspended between pain and relief. In the silence, tears flood your vision. You turn your head away from Sylus’s gaze.

"Are you hurt?" He says while patting down your body. You shake your head, ignoring the dull, persistent throbbing in your arms and legs.

Sharp pain from the wound on your neck causes you to wince. Sylus wraps one arm around your waist, and gently supports your head with the other. He lifts you into a hug and gently pats the back of your head. Reassuring himself that you're real and alive. After all, he hardly has any recollection of his frenzied state.

"Sylus, I'm fine. But...we should tend to your wounds. Let's go." He is covered in cuts and bruises from head to toe.

Before opening the cage, he was slamming his body against the metal bars like a wild beast. Together, you walk back to one of his nearby hideouts. A spacious 2-story abandoned house with overgrown hedges and grass. It was there that you were able to take care of each other's injuries. You're both seated on the marbled floor of the walk-in shower. Sylus carefully cleans the sore, bitten areas on your neck. His face winces as he takes in just how much he has marked you from his nightmarish state. And you've been wrapping compression bandages on his forearms. Sylus can't hide his shame as he eyes the large, faint bruises around your wrists.

“I'm so sorry,” He pleads. He softly runs his thumb over the markings. He looks frustrated with himself.

“Sylus. You've apologized several times already… It wasn't your fault.” You lift a hand to his cheek, tenderly rubbing the purple bruise under his right eye where your fist made contact earlier.

He closes his eyes and exhales softly. “I remember pieces, like waking up from a nightmare. Not everything, but it’s more than enough.” He whispers while staring past your face at the crook of your neck.

He ghosts the area with the back of his hand over the bite marks once again.

“Sylus, I’m not just any hunter, you know that. I knew I could beat you".

You force a smile to your face and cross your arms in defiance.

"I'm just happy you're back to being Sylus again. I...was afraid I'd lose you aga—” You stop midsentence, as the weight of your words overwhelms you so much your voice breaks.

Biting your lip, you try to flash him a small smile to show strength, but tears cloud your vision, and you're unable to stop them from falling. For a moment, Sylus hesitates before he pulls you into his arms. You lean into his hold as you gasp for air, and your body trembles.

He will hold you all night if he has to, whether that is more for you or himself, he is unsure. Your muscles ache all over as the emotions get the better of you. You're not sure how long you sat in his lap, hugging him and crying into his leather jacket. But eventually, adrenaline ebbs from your veins, leaving a heavy exhaustion behind. He’s just so warm. Steady. Grounding in a way that makes everything else fade.

Ch. 2

[sailor-stormy]

Okay just adjusted the text a bit. I didn't realize that the dialog wasnt broken up into smaller lines! It was in my notes but I guess that didn't actually paste well into Tumblr.

[wonting]

[sailor-stormy]

Seeing the way Coco falls in love with a pen and magic, reminds me of how I felt when I held a staedtler pencil in my hand for the first time. I had found my dad's old art supplies. And was looking at a bunch of tools and pencils, it was so cool! And I immediately started testing them out and looked up videos to teach myself.

And the way I'd compare the weight of different pens and the amount of paper I'd go through trying to make my sketches perfect. God, I love the show so much. I wonder if the animators feel something similar?

And I used to feel like Agott too. I remember being obsessed with improving my art. I would spend so many hours studying and feeling so cocky thinking I could take on these bigger projects. Like I was ready for any challenge. I really miss feeling this way.

Now, I'm terrified of failing. The risks feel so much bigger and I have so many responsibilities.

[sailor-stormy]

Innocent Birdcage: After the Frenzy

Chapter 2

Tags: Slow burn, eventual smut, second person,third person limited, Continuation of Sylus’s Innocent Birdcage card, Angst, ptsd, Sylus is in heat, sylus x reader,

Summary: After the incident in the birdcage, Sylus is bruised, exhausted, and running on suppressants. He tries to keep his distance but you ask him to stay. Unspoken feelings rise to the surface.

Ao3 link

Ch. 1

Sylus

Sylus takes a warm washcloth nearby to clean her tear-stained face. In a princess carry, he takes her upstairs to one of the bedrooms. He makes sure to take each step carefully to keep her from stirring in her sleep. Quietly, he enters the dim room, slowly lowering her onto the bed with deliberate care, one hand cradling her face while adjusting the pillow beneath her. He pauses for a moment to look at her. A pained expression settles over his features.

He knows it'll only be a matter of time before the suppressant she gave him wears off. Already, his scent is starting to permeate her clothes. Just as he's about to leave to sleep in the room across from hers, small fingers grab a hold of his. His breath stills.

Sylus tenses. He places his palm on her cheek and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I don't want you to have nightmares because of me.” He says softly. And yet can he really say no to her right now? He really wants her to rest. He doesn’t know the full extent of how much she’s endured, but he knows how much she’s downplaying the situation. Sylus sits on the edge of the bed.

To his surprise, the woman is half awake.

“Why? Just stay.” She squints, trying to get her eyes to adjust to the light coming from the hallway.

“I already told you, I don't fault you for what happened”. Her voice rises in volume. He can tell she’s starting to wake. Sylus gives her a puzzled look. Before she became a hunter, he always thought she went downstairs after a nightmare to escape from him.

"But it’s not like I’m entirely in the clear just yet." He says in a low voice, avoiding her eyes.

“You're fiiiine” She says with a yawn. Sylus thinks back to the past when they were relocating constantly. Back to when Linkon was a never-ending city of lawlessness. As much as he tried to keep her out of harm’s way, but eventually the danger followed him home. He couldn't let that happen again, not when he already knew what she was and what her immunity meant. At the time, she didn’t even know it herself. Even then, she was both a massive threat and key to EVER's plans.

So he taught her how to survive.

Sylus is a man who comes from the shadows and finds comfort in darkness.

“You know I can get more suppressors. And we now have a fighting chance before the election,” She says determined to ease his worries. “I spent years trying to find you, Sylus.” Her voice trembles slightly, her tough façade slipping.

He knows.

He always knew that she was looking for him. He lowers his head remorsefully; he had to stay hidden for her sake. The day of the Linkon Research Facility explosion, it had already been too late. EVER exposed him to radioactive substance and turned him into an insatiable beast. The initial effects were much too unstable. The first few months were unbearable for him and for those tasked with watching him. Well, they couldn’t stand a chance. EVER lost so many of their good men. All he remembers is darkness, a recurring nightmare. When he was fading in and out of consciousness, memories of her smile were the only thing that could briefly ground him.

“You're not usually this honest.” His nonchalant smile appears. Her eyes widen. He notices the way she fidgets with her pajama sleeve.

“Don’t get used to it.” She mumbles under her breath and looks away. Sylus chuckles. He has learned all of her nervous quirks by now.

Then, he lifts the comforter to join her on the bed. He shifts closer and draws her into his arms. She tucks her arms in and places her hands on his chest. Sylus loves the way her face fits perfectly under his chin as he draws gentle circles on her back. He watches the way her muscles relax, easing away the last of the tension.

“Alright,” He murmurs. “I’ll stay here as long as you need me to. Would you like me to read you a bedtime story?” He says while grabbing a book from the shelf behind his head. She settles into his embrace and playfully grabs his chin in response. And he takes her hand and holds it against his heart as he rubs the back of her hand with his thumb.

He loves the feeling of her pressed against his chest and gently rubs her back He can feel at home anywhere as long as she’s there with him. He’s hoping she will feel the same after some time. Sylus wants to regain her trust after today’s events, or perhaps more so, trust in himself. She's so stubborn and reckless. It’s a quality he has always loved about her. She’s always been brave.

“Gosh, you're like a furnace. I don’t think we need the comforter anymore,” she purrs and shifts impossibly closer. His eyebrow raises at her remark.

“It wouldn’t be the only thing you’ve used me for.” He says wryly.

“Just be grateful, you’re useful to me.” She smirks. But this makes his eyes darken with passion.

Sylus lowers his voice. "Of course, Sweetie. Use me, however you want.” He places a kiss on her temple. He watches the way sleep is tugging at the corners of her eyes. The faint crease between her brows has eased. Her breathing has slowed, warm and even against his chest. Something in him softens. He reaches over her, taking his reading glasses off the nightstand and places them over the bridge of his nose. While laying on his side with her, he reads peacefully in the night for hours. 

A sharp pain cuts through his body, and he winces. Every muscle in his body has been protesting since his frenzy. Normally, Sylus can heal in a matter of seconds, but the beatings from earlier had taken more out of him than he wants to admit. He abhors his weakened state. Her scent is wrapped around him, and her body tucked against his makes him a bit tense. He knows the coming days will test the limits of his restraint. For now, the suppressors should be able to keep his symptoms at bay for about a day or two. After which, he will head back to his main hideout. She'll be safer, away from him. This gives them just enough time to enact their plan. The mayoral election is drawing dangerously close. The weight from tonight brings in fatigue at last, and he finally allows himself to sink into the mattress and rest.

----

The sound of OTTO's peppy alarm jingle wakes you out of bed.

Opening your eyes to dismiss the alarm, you stop instantly when you feel a broad shoulder beneath you.

Memories of your confession last night flood your brain all at once, and embarrassment fills your stomach. You were half asleep when you asked him to stay in the same bed. You feel the weight of his hand softly on the back of your head. You feel the vibrations from Sylus' chest when he groans from your movements.

You eye your phone on the nightstand. You hover over Sylus to reach for it. Bringing the phone over to your side, you see several missed calls from Jenna and Tara.

You are to report back to the LCBI (the Linkon City Bureau of Investigation) on your secret mission in capturing Tartarus (who you now know is actually Sylus). With a reluctant sigh, you grudgingly leave Sylus’s side to get ready for the day. Just as you're sliding on your sandals, you turn to study his sleeping form for a few seconds. Your heart skips a beat. Sylus is still sleeping, one arm thrown loosely over his abdomen. His face looks softer than you have ever seen it. Your eyes scan the taut muscles that peak against his shirt. And the way his veins prominently lace his hands. Your mind goes back to the way his hand felt on your lower back. Or, when you were both in the birdcage, and how he whispered in your ear after kissing your neck. You always read how Praedators can kill in an instant. They have fangs, claws, and an incredible sense of smell. Yet, with Sylus, you didn't feel all that scared of him. Instead, you felt the thrill. More importantly, you remember the feeling of something hard against your back. It nearly took your breath away when you realized.

A few strands of his hair fall on his brow as he shifts slightly. His nose twitches, and he takes a sharp inhale.

Then, you tear yourself away. C’mon. Focus! Your encounter with Sylus the night before rekindled something in you.

After showering and changing into your hunter uniform, you're grabbing your water bottle to take a sip when Sylus appears downstairs.

He's still incredibly worn out, his movements slower than usual, but he looks at you with a warm grin. "Have breakfast with me." He says with caring eyes.

"I...have to head back to the LCBI soon. Raincheck?"

"I see." He looks away.

Your heart aches. His bandages peek through his robes. He must be really sore. His Praedator-self had no care for his body. You sling your bag around your torso and head for the door with Sylus following behind. The air between you feels different. And now, your future with him feels somehow more fragile. Your pulse quickens, unsure what to do or say. Unsure of whether your feelings have been reciprocated.

"Thanks for…last night.” You say before rambling. “I was helping you with your wounds, and… I was really tired when I said—"

"Stop.” Sylus’ voice is quiet but firm. “You can’t take back what has already been said." He smirks. "I’m here, if you need me, sweetie." He says softly. You clear your throat before speaking.

"I'll check in with you later" You tiptoe to touch his forehead with the back of your hand, then you find yourself softly touching the bluish purple bruise on his cheek.

Sylus smirks. “Worried about that? It’s just a little scratch from a kitten." His hand closes around your wrist and turns his face to the inside of your palm. Then Sylus places a kiss on the inside of your wrist.

"I suppose. Hey you feel really warm." you say breathlessly as he plants one last heated kiss on your knuckles.

"It's just the after effects of the frenzy" he says in a low voice. When he lifts his head, his half-lidded, dark, and impossibly vivid red eyes linger on you. There is a quiet heat in them that pulls you in before you can stop yourself. Your breath catches. For one dangerous second, you feel yourself leaning toward him without meaning to. Your thighs clench together. It takes everything in you not to pull him into a kiss right there.

His gaze drops to the discolored bruise on the top of your wrist, and for a second, you catch the regret in his eyes. Then, he just as quickly hides it. Sylus lets out a sigh and lowers your wrist.

“Once you’re back, we’ll go over the plan Miss Enforcer.” he says.

You nod. “Good. Let's meet at my mine.” You turn for the door and head to the LCBI headquarters.

Sylus has been to your condo before. It was shortly after you were told to question the leader of Nighstrix, a notorious gang, for intel. Upon your meeting with him you were stunned to find out that very man has been—Sylus the entire time. The one you spent years searching for was just under your nose. At first you were angry with him, for keeping such a low profile for so long. But in that conversation, you realized he knew you had become one of Linkon's top enforcers. And he unfortunately knows you cleaned out his safe and signed him up for a massive life insurance policy. You smile to yourself at the memory. Of course, you were only thinking if your future.

----

LINKON CITY BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS HEADQUARTERS

As soon as you arrive to your department office, everyone turns to look at you from their desks.

“You’re back!” Tara yells and runs across the room to embrace you in a hug. “Mmm! I was so worried!” Your heart warms and you fight back the tears welling up in your eyes. She looks at you, her eyes look as if they're asking ‘what's wrong?’. If only it was safe to tell her everything.

“Took you long enough,” Connor asks, one of the other enforcers from your team.

“Shut up! She just got here, give her a break!” Tara says. You rub the back of your head.

“Uh, sorry… We’ve all been really worried about you.”

“Have you had enough time to recover? We weren’t expecting you to be back so soon?!”

“It’s okay, guys. I’m okay. Promise” You avert your eyes, smiling nervously. Where do I even begin?

Together, we walk towards the center table. Eventually, Jenna, leader of the Alpha team, came from her office to greet you and hear your debrief of the mission. You tell them about how you encountered Tartarus, the SSS-Class Praedator. You narrowly made your escape but managed to gain some intel from CHAOS, the infamous nightclub in the Southern District. You learned that the mayoral candidate, who is leading in polls, has connections to the assassinations linked to Tartarus. Obviously, leaving out the part where Tartarus, aka Sylus, heads back home with you and tends to your wounds.

“Hmm. This is…extremely concerning. So the mayoral candidate has dangerous connections.” Jenna says.

“Right. And based on my scans, there’s an activator located in Tartarus’ body. The same one found in a few other high-level Praedators. I sent one to Nero for data analysis and should receive word back any day now.” You explain.

Jenna thanked you for all your hard work and told you to take the next few days off.

Hours later, you’re finishing up your report at your desk when Tara walks over.

“Do you need anything? Please don’t try to do everything on your own. I mean look at you!” She says motioning to the bandages on your arms and neck.

You sigh, “Tara it’s just a few bruises”

“Yeah?! And you look exhausted.” She yells, placing her hands on your shoulders, scanning you. You sigh. “Girl. You nearly died. Hello?” She’s right. It was a really close one, but there’s still so much left to do.

“And thankfully, I’m okay. I actually slept really well last night.” You say with a masked smile. Tara gives you a knowing look.

“Well you do seem… a bit—wait,” She thinks to herself. “Did Tartarus give you a hickey or something?” Tara’s eyes sparkle as she points out the marks peaking out from under the bandages. You quickly cover it with your palm and adjust your collar.

“No way. That’s insane, Tara!” You try to laugh it off, but your face heats up.

“You’re blushing! He must have been real hot,” she giggles. You try to stop her.

“Shh! Shut the fuck up right now!”

“Ohh, so I’m right!” She sings, looking at you smugly. “You better tell me aaaaallll about him later” She says before hugging you goodbye. You sigh, not sure how you’ll even begin to explain yourself out of this one.

After leaving the office, you quickly head over to one of the science labs. Looking for the familiar filing cabinet, you open it and your heart sinks. There are only two more vials of suppressants.

Slipping them into your bag, you head back towards the exit.