“Some wounds are invisible, but touching them still hurts ”
SylusxReader fanfic 1920's-30's Prohibition era mobsterxsecretary
trigger warnings for: domestic abuse: both emotional and physical, manipulation, murder, misoginy, talk of abortion and more.
If you are interested feel free to read further <3
Minors do not interract please.
Masterlist for the fanfic here
Divider is from here
Prequel
Before the Quiet
The club doesn’t announce his presence. It doesn’t need to. Sylus prefers it that way: no grand entrances, no eyes snapping up all at once. His mere quiet presence carries immense power, something he has learned since he was young. He is born into this; it is his life, his very core. Power. He takes notice of things, notices that power lives in habits: in the way men straighten when he passes by, in the way the music dips half a beat lower without anyone touching the dial.
He takes his usual seat at the back table, like always, watching and observing the people in the dimly lit joint. Smoke curls slowly between his fingers as he watches business happen like usual. Money moves hands. A man leans too far into a laugh; another leans away. He notices both. When he finally speaks, it is brief. His words are instructions rather than discussions. A nod here. A pause there. The kind of language that doesn’t require raising a voice.
By the time the club begins to empty, his work is already done. He gets up slowly, throws some cash onto the table, and heads upstairs. As usual. At the top of the stairs, in a small room, a girl waits for him, restrained and ready, exactly as arranged. Just like usual. She doesn’t ask him questions, and he doesn’t talk to her.
Sylus touches her like he always does women: confident, careful, never lingering too long on anything that might feel intimate. He undresses her, lets their skin touch, and allows the illusion of closeness to exist. He blindfolds her, never meeting her eyes during the act. When he finishes, he doesn’t stay tangled in sheets with her. He doesn’t stay for conversation. He dresses, leaves money on the nightstand, and leaves the room before she can thank him for the night.
He heads out of the club and into the night, where the city and the darkness swallow him as he makes his way home. As usual. He arrives home, pours himself a glass of gin, and slumps into his armchair in front of the fire, lighting a cigar like usual. He runs a hand through his silver locks and looks up at the family portrait hanging above the fireplace; his mother’s tired eyes stare back at him, as if she is judging him.
His heart clenches, and Sylus turns his gaze to the other person in the portrait. His father. The gaze is harsh, heavy on his shoulders, mocking him even from beyond the grave. With an annoyed grunt, he downs the gin, tosses the cigar into the fire, and heads upstairs into his cold, dark bedroom for a fitful night of rest.
It's been years since i made this blog and I'm finally gonna use it for what it was intended for, attempting to write fanfiction, and here is my first piece.
SylusxReader fanfic 1920's-30's Prohibition era mobsterxsecretary
A Quiet Kind of Violence
Be advised if you read further that this is not a finished fanfiction, just my plans for it basically collected into bulletpoints for me to use later on. Further down you will read the basic idea for the story and its progression, the information I collected of that era, the personality traits of the main characters and why they are the way that they are and of course some speech patterns and ideas I'll try to integrate and use in the story.
Also if you read further, some trigger warning, this isn't the usual mobster + secretary = sexy fic. No hate to those, those are hella fun love them, but I wanted something more I suppose deeper and harsher. So trigger warnings for: domestic abuse: both emotional and physical, manipulation, murder, misoginy, talk of abortion and more.
If you are interested feel free to read further <3 Please do not steal my ideas thank you! Minors do not interract please.
Divider is from here
Thats all, happy reading <3
Fanfiction planning:
Title - A Quiet Kind of Violence -“Some wounds are invisible, but touching them still hurts ”
3 Act fanfiction
Act I: The Quiet Kind
emotional abuse, silence, restraint
Act II: The Violent Kind
physical abuse, murder, sex born of desperation
Act III: The Gentle Kind
care, parenthood, breaking cycles
Act I: The QuietKind
Includes:
emotional abuse
silence
restraint
longing without language
politeness as survival
It applies to:
Ed’s manipulation
MC’s self-erasure
Sylus’s emotional distance
society’s expectations
Act II: The Violent Kind
Includes:
physical abuse
murder
desire crossing boundaries
desperation
consequences
It’s loud, messy, and irreversible.
!VERY IMPORTNAT! - In this part I do not want to glamorize violence, nor domestic abuse only exposing it.
Part III — The Gentle Kind
This is the most dangerous title emotionally — because gentleness is earned.
Includes:
provision without possession
care without control
parenting as repair
love that waits
breaking the cycle on purpose
!VERY IMPORTNAT! - Gentleness here is hard-won and earned.
1. Story Overview: Three-Act Structure
ACT I: Foundations & Slow Burn
MC approaches Sylus for work; he reluctantly hires her
She proves herself useful, intelligent, and resourceful
Sylus begins noticing her value; she doesn’t see it herself
Uncanny, quiet companionship develops - no prying, no confessions
MC falls for Sylus privately, burdened by guilt over Ed
Ed’s abuse escalates, still hidden
Sylus notices subtle signs of abuse (clothing, makeup, behavior)
Flashbacks reveal Sylus’s childhood and his mother’s suffering
Sylus’s feelings begin shifting from detached interest to emotional conflict
ACT II: Escalation & Rupture
Sylus increasingly brings MC along to meetings, different events under flimsy professional excuses
Mutual tension and near-misses: neither acts on them
MC slowly gains some confidence due to her doing good at her work, begins standing up to Ed
Ed grows suspicious, volatile, and violently jealous
Severe beating – during it MC dissociates - then seeks refuge at Sylus’s house
Silent, intimate care scene (NON SEXUAL VERY IMPORTANT): bathing, tending wounds, protection
MC returns to Ed despite Sylus’s unspoken plea !VERY IMPORTNAT! This is the first rift between them
After this Sylus follows her discreetly, torn between restraint and obsession
MC leaves Ed secretly after saving money
Ed attacks again; Sylus intervenes and kills him
Sylus “abducts” MC to safety, ashamed and terrified she’ll fear him
MC thanks him; feels attraction, not fear
They have sex born of desperation, grief, and repression
This part of the story ends with emotional fallout unresolved
ACT III: Consequences, Pregnancy & Healing
Both pull away, misinterpreting each other’s distance
MC discovers she’s pregnant, shes conflicted about abortion vs. societal pressure
She decides to keep the baby, largely out of fear and judgment
She tells Sylus !VERY IMPORTANT! first honest conversation between them
Sylus promises provision, protection, and involvement - without coercion
MC lives alone, Sylus supports her through pregnancy
Societal judgment intensifies, Sylus proposes she move in with him
Pregnancy and guilt overwhelm MC, she hides her struggles
Birth of child (or children maybe twins? Can’t decide yet), MC develops postpartum depression
MC flees, believing she’s unfit and undeserving
Sylus raises the children, determined not to repeat his father’s sins
Months later, Sylus finds MC and confronts her gently
Confession of mutual love and shared brokenness
MC returns; they rebuild slowly, imperfectly
Cycle of generational trauma is consciously broken
2. Not so fun facts - Prohibition Era (1920-1933)
Mob & Bootlegging
Alcohol illegal under the 18th Amendment
Bootlegging = illegal production, transport, and sale of alcohol
Common fronts: laundromats, bakeries, bookstores, import companies
Speakeasies operated secretly; often protected by mob connections
Police and politicians frequently bribed
Violence was strategic and often quiet - disappearances over shootouts
Mob bosses cultivated “respectable” public personas
Women & Society
Women did work, but mostly in:
secretarial roles
factories
domestic labor
Unmarried women living alone were heavily judged
Domestic abuse was considered a private matter
Marital rape and spousal abuse were not legally recognized
Pregnancy outside marriage carried immense stigma
Abortion existed but was illegal and dangerous
Postpartum depression was not medically acknowledged
Undergarments: Corsets still around but looser styles emerging; stockings with garters.
Hair / Makeup: Bob cuts, finger waves; bold lips, thin eyebrows, pale skin. Heavy makeup often signaled both fashion-forward and social danger.
Shoes: Heels 1–2 inches, often T-strap or Mary Jane style.
2. Cars / Transportation
Cars were luxury items, not everyone had one. Gangsters often owned cars for both status and mobility.
Common brands: Ford Model T (earlier), Ford Model A, Chevrolet, Dodge, Packard, Cadillac, Lincoln.
Colors: black or dark colors were preferred (practical + stylish).
Gangsters sometimes used armored cars or cars modified for quick escapes - extra gas tanks, reinforced bumpers.
3. Guns / Weapons
Handguns:
Colt M1911 (.45 ACP) - very common, semi-automatic.
Smith & Wesson revolvers (small, reliable).
Tommy Guns: Thompson submachine gun - iconic 1920s gangster weapon. Often carried for intimidation and raids.
Shotguns: For close-range intimidation.
Concealment was important - trench coats helped hide weapons.
4. Classic Mob Hierarchy !VERY IMPORTANT INFO!
1. Boss / Godfather
The head of the family / operation.
Makes all major decisions, controls territory, and handles alliances or rivalries.
Often keeps a front business (books, laundromats, clubs) while secretly running illegal activities.
Sylus fits here.
2. Underboss
Second-in-command.
Oversees day-to-day operations and enforces the boss’s orders.
Sometimes handles the “dirty work” or mediates disputes within the family.
Can step in if the boss is unavailable.
Luke and Kieran fits this.
3. Consigliere
Advisor / counselor to the boss.
Doesn’t necessarily command troops, but has the boss’s trust and gives strategic guidance.
Often the most neutral and wise member, someone the boss can rely on for honest opinions.
MC in the story could become this, not officially but Sylus will value her and her opinions.
4. Caporegime / Capo / Captain
Leader of a crew of soldiers.
Reports to the boss or underboss.
Manages specific operations (like a warehouse, speakeasy, or bootlegging route).
Can issue orders to lower ranks.
5. Soldiers / Made Men
Fully initiated members of the mob.
Carry out assignments, enforce rules, and handle operations.
Must follow orders from above and maintain loyalty.
Usually the people who do the “hands-on” work: collecting money, guarding shipments, intimidation, etc.
6. Associates / Runners / Low-level Thugs
Not officially part of the family.
Do small jobs: delivering packages, collecting debts, running errands.
Could aspire to be “made” if they prove themselves.
Often expendable, disposable if they mess up.
Ed is a low level thug, trying to muscle his was up the hierarhcy, another tension point for him and MC this time its external, bruising Eds ego as well.
5. 1920s-30s Slang & Lingo (Useful for Flavor)
Broad – woman
Dame – woman (often dismissive or flirtatious)
Doll – affectionate term for a woman
Gams – legs
Palooka – stupid or weak man
Wise guy – mobster
Big shot / Big cheese – powerful person
On the level – honest
Take a powder – leave
Hot – stolen or dangerous
The Feds – federal agents
Joint – club, bar, or establishment
Make the rounds – visit multiple places
In a jam – in trouble
See? – sentence-ending emphasis common in mob speech
6. Main characters and their stuff -
1. Sylus: Background & Personality
Inherits a mob/bootlegging empire during the Prohibition era (1920–1933), fronting as a legitimate businessman (laundromats, bookstores, etc.)
Raised by a cold, ruthless father who ran the business with discretion and brutality
As a child, he was a mama’s boy; his mother shielded him from the worst of his father’s violence
His mother was abused by his father, her eventual “disappearance” was actually murder, though Sylus never witnessed it nor did he witness the actual abuse, just the aftermath of it usually.
Sylus grows up knowing his father was responsible, even without proof
As a young adult, Sylus kills his father, publicly framing it as a necessary business move, privately as vengeance and self-fulfillment
Develops a guarded, emotionally closed personality, especially toward women
Has no trouble with sex (including rough or transactional encounters), but avoids emotional intimacy
Deep fear of becoming his father, especially in romantic or domestic contexts
Values people the way he values assets: he “collects” those he deems useful, competent, or rare
Loyal to his inner circle; sees capable people as his responsibility
Cool, restrained, controlled exterior, not because he lacks emotion, but because he fears losing control
His possessiveness and jealousy terrify him, as he associates those feelings with his father’s abuse
With MC, his aloofness shifts from self-protection to deliberate restraint to respect her boundaries
Ultimately views MC as his most valuable possession, though he never wants to treat her as one
How Sylus Talks - Core Rules to follow for me later
He speaks sparingly
He rarely asks direct emotional questions
He states observations instead of feelings
He gives options instead of commands (even when he’s in control)
When he’s emotional, his sentences get shorter, not longer
He almost never raises his voice
!VERY IMPORTANT! He does not reassure verbally instead he acts.
1. Early Sylus (Aloof, Professional)
No praise, no cruelty, he corrects behavior without belittling.
“Sit. You don’t need to stand every time I look at you.”
“If you’re going to apologize, make sure it’s for something that matters.”
“I don’t hire people because they’re desperate.”
“You’re quieter than most. I don’t mind that.”
2. When He Starts Noticing Her Worth
Still restrained, but more attentive.
“Next time, bring it to me before it becomes a problem.”
“You don’t ask unnecessary questions. I appreciate that.”
“If anyone gives you trouble, you tell me. That’s not a request.
3. Quiet Companionship / Uncanny Friendship Phase
This is where the slow burn lives.
“You work better at night. I’ve noticed.”
“Stay. I’ll be finished soon.”
“You look tired. Eat.”
4. When He Notices the Abuse (But Doesn’t Name It)
!VERY IMPORTANT! he never says “Are you being hurt?”
“You bruise easily.”
“You don’t need to explain yourself to me.”
“If you need time, take it.”
“You’re not in trouble.”
5. Jealousy / Inner Conflict (Still Controlled)
!VERY IMPORTANT! He won’t insult Ed. He won’t compete openly.
“He doesn’t strike me as careful.”
“Does he know where you are?”
“I don’t like unpredictability.”
“You don’t belong in places where you’re watched.”
!VERY IMPORTANT! The jealousy is coded as concern.
6. The Night She Comes to Him (Silent Care)
!VERY IMPORTANT! Very few words. Every line lands. No comfort speeches. No apologies.
“Come in.”
“You’re safe.”
“I’ve got you.”
During bathing / tending wounds:
“Tell me if it hurts.”
“Look at me.”
“Easy.”
7. After She Goes Back to Ed (First rift between them)
This is where his restraint strains.
“Are you going back to him?”
“That wasn’t an accusation.”
“You don’t owe me an answer.”
“I won’t watch this happen twice.”
!VERY IMPORTANT! The last line hits because he doesn’t explain it.
8. After He Kills Ed (Ashamed, Afraid to Look at Her)
His voice is flat, almost hollow.His sentences are short. Broken. !VERY IMPORTANT! Uncharacteristic apology.
“Get in the car.”
“We’re leaving.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“I should have waited.”
9. When She Thanks Him (Cracks fully form in his psyche)
This is where his control nearly goes.
“Don’t thank me for that.”
“You don’t know what I am.”
“You shouldn’t look at me like that.”
“This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.”
10. Pregnancy Conversation (Protective, Absolute)
No romance. No judgment. He frames commitment as fact, not promise.
“You’re not alone.”
“You won’t need to worry about money.”
“I’ll be involved.”
“That’s not negotiable.”
“I won’t disappear.”
11. Reunion Scene (The Only Time He Begs)
Still quiet. Still controlled. But vulnerable.
“Tell me what you want.”
“They need you.”
“…I need you.”
!VERY IMPORTANT! That last line should hurt. Almost painful for him to say.
Sylus’s speech at intimate/romantic moments
“Tell me this is what you want.”
“I won’t take what isn’t given.”
“You don’t have to be quiet.”
“If you want me to stop, say it.”
“You’re doing this to me.”
“You shouldn’t trust me like this.”
“Stay with me.”
“I won’t hurt you….I swear.”
“I don’t know how to be gentle.”
“This isn’t how I planned it.”
“You make it difficult to think.”
“If I lose control -” (cuts himself off)
2. MC / Reader: Background & Personality
Daughter of a man who worked first for Sylus’s father, then Sylus himself
Grew up in a household marked by emotional abuse, not physical
Witnessed her father gradually destroy her mother’s self-esteem
Her mother died, leaving her emotionally isolated with her father
Develops severely low self-worth, internalized guilt, and apologetic behavior
Learns early to stay quiet, accommodating, and invisible
Begins dating an older man (Edward, Ed for short) as a teenager: a relationship defined by power imbalance
Falls deeply and quickly due to emotional deprivation and longing for safety
Ed emotionally abuses and manipulates her, mirroring her parents’ dynamic
After her father’s death, she moves in with him: abuse escalates to physical violence
Social stigma prevents her from seeking help, shame keeps her silent
She is intelligent and perceptive, not naĂŻve, just conditioned to minimize herself
Knows exactly who Sylus is and what he does so she seeks him out strategically, not blindly
Works as Sylus’s secretary: professional, capable, overly polite, constantly apologizing
Struggles to recognize her own competence and worth
Craves safety, stability, and quiet rather than romance or grandeur
Pregnancy intensifies her feelings of inadequacy and fear of repeating generational trauma
Postpartum depression leads her to flee, not out of cruelty, but belief she’s unfit and undeserving
Ultimately learns to want something for herself - Sylus, her children, and a life she chooses
How MC Talks - Core Rules to follow for me later
1. Early MC (Apologetic, Small, Hyper-Aware)
This is survival-mode MC. She speaks like she’s always bracing for punishment.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“If that’s alright with you.”
“I’ll do better next time.”
2. At Work with Sylus (Professional to a Fault)
She overcorrects constantly. She mistakes neutrality for kindness and clings to it.
....It's a sad feeling when you start to loose hope in your own words....when you have been telling yourself for years that "everyone finds love"...... "just be patient"...
..... Sometimes it's hard to accept yourself as you are... when everyone tells you to change.....how to live your life, because they think you will be "HAPPIER"...
