***This is my first Imagine. Unnamed LaDs LI (written with Valko in mind) x gn nonmc
Summary: You try to game the System but the System games you. Trigger Warnings: none that I'm aware of but please let me know if I missed something.
Comments, reblogs, and likes are all appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Imagine you ran away from MC and the LIs because you knew you couldn't fight the story the system was writing.
Imagine you find someone you connect with. You take a chance because you never heard his name in the story before, it seems like a safe bet.
Imagine for a long time everything is wonderful. The two of you get married and are happy together. You have even decided it's time to grow your family.
Imagine one normal day, out of absolutely nowhere, everything around you goes black. It's a darkness so deep and dark that you dare not move because you can't see or even sense anything around you anymore.
Imagine in the blink of an eye it's over and everything seems normal again. You go to find your husband to make sure he's ok and see if you can figure out what happened.
Imagine you find your husband but he is no longer the man you remember. There's a coldness in his eyes that you've never seen before and he greets you like an employee. You think this must be some terrible prank but when you try to snuggle up to him and ask him for reassurance, he pushes you back.
Imagine it's then that a sick kind of despair starts to creep into your heart. He no longer has the tattoo on his ring finger that matches yours. In a panic, you glance down and realize yours is gone as well. You begin to spiral.
Imagine he advises you to adjust his schedule because he has a new meeting that needs to be added in as soon as possible. You are no longer his spouse but his Personal Assistant.
Imagine you leave the room and run. You don't know where you are going but you know you can't stay there. You need space to breathe and time to think. You turn your phone off and get on a train, not caring for the final destination. You keep moving all night to get as far away from him as you can from him. You finally fall asleep in a hotel room in an unknown city, hoping that all of this is just a giant nightmare. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Imagine you open your eyes and you are sitting at a desk and MC is in front of you. She's here for her meeting. You want to throw up.
Imagine you are his NPC sidekick. You have joined the ranks of Greyson, Gideon, Jeremiah, Thomas, and Luke & Kieran. You are trapped in his story and forced to watch his love story with MC develop right before your eyes.
I’m still pretty new to the LADS fandom but yall hear me out. (This is gonna be angst obviously because that’s literally my whole personality at this point LMAOO) THIS IS JUST AN IDEA SO DONT ATTACK ME🥲
LADS x Obsession with non mc!!
Non-Mc who is in love/likes the lads guys but their eyes are set on MC while they view non mc as just a friend/close friend.
Okay stay with me now
Non mc comes across this strange store which is where she then comes across the one wish willow
(STAY WITH ME NOW DONT GET DISTRACTED)
Non mc sees this and at first thinks it’s a joke, she buys it just for shits and giggles blah blah alr fast forward to non mc seeing the Lads guys being head over heels for mc (she’s a bit oblivious or maybe not?) anyways, non mc gets sad, she goes home, throws herself a pity party as she sits in her living room eating her feelings away.
Anyways she sees the one wish willow on her coffe stable (she’s doesn’t even remember it being there) and for a second thinks….should I?
Boom she makes the wish, it’s quiet, nothing “magical” happens and she just sits there as she realizes what she did and just cry laughs.
This is literally one of the most pathetic things non mc has ever done.
Fast forward to the next day and non mc notices something weird.
They woke up to a text from the lads guys asking if they can come over, two hours ago.
Okay
Non mc texts back and after hitting send, she gets a reply almost immediately.
Alr walk with me now!!
Lads guys text back, asked if they can come over, boom non mc and lads guys are chilling in her living room. She listens as the lads guys rant about moving on from mc and that it felt like a sudden switch when they realized mc doesn’t feel the same blah blah blah
WEIRD?
Non mc is baffled. I mean seriously? This is the number one guy who is DANGEROUSLY and FOOLISHLY in love with mc. Like they would do ANYTHING for her.
And now they gave up? Moved on?
And when the lads guys look up at non mc and gives her this almost soft and warm look. Their pupils are blown wide as they look at you weirdly.
The same look that was always for mc
Anyways fast forward
Non mc tries to avoid the boy at first, doesn’t work because somehow he always knows where she’s at or appears where she’s at.
Then they start talking
Sometimes she sees a flash of betrayal in his eyes when they’re out but it quickly vanishes as it appeared. Lads guys continue to pursue non mc and even asks her to be their gf but every-time she tries to respond back it’s like something in her head stops her.
When they cuddle, for a splint second the guys jolt or even pushes her away before quickly changing up and grabbing her to cuddle closer.
One time while they were hanging out in her room, she doesn’t know how or what happened but it’s like the lads guys snap out of something before quickly yelling out “THATS NOT ME” And then returning back to “normal”.
Non mc is startled. And slowly grows terrified as it continues.
By now, non mc remember about the wish and what happened that night. She also figures out that this isn’t them. That whatever is controlling the boy she loves isn’t actually the real thing.
Which breaks her heart
She does research, tries to repair everything and to get him out of this curse. She even tries to go back to the store where she bought the cursed thing but when she reaches the destination where that small store stood, it was an abandoned building.
She decides to call the number from the back of the box, and as the man on the phone says there’s nothing else she can do to take back that wish, she grows more and more desperate.
The lads guys continue to pursue her, takes her out on dates and even tries to give her a kiss but she always dodges it, disgust crawling up her skin as she knows everything is fake. That this isn’t them and that they don’t really feel the same way.
She watches as hurt flashes across their eyes when they go out for just a split second as Mc moves on and starts dating a different guy (#bringbackvalko)
But it quickly goes away as the other version of them takes her hand and kisses it. As “he” declares his “love” for her as he again, asks her to be his gf.
She feels sick
Then one night, she calls the number again. Desperate for answers. Desperate for a solution.
And she gets one
Just, she realizes that this is all her fault, if only she didn’t let her feelings get in the way.
That night as the lads guys continue blowing up her phone asking her where she is, she gets ready to break the wish.
You can decide whether she 💀 herself or does something else to break the wish but GUYS pls…
I need this like someone needs to write this
Or maybe ILL write it🫠 drafts are ready.
and heavy angst pls…like pls 😭
This is just a fic idea so don’t attack me if you hate non mc related things😭
Someone pls grant me this one wish🥴 I would write it but as I said, I’m still new to the fandom and have other fics I need to work on at the moment. ANYWAYS THATS ALL THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO MY LIL RANT.
You’ve known Caleb Xia for years. He was the new kid in your second grade class who talked up his little sister to anyone who’d listen. That was how you met him—them. They were always a pair: Caleb and Emmie. Emmie and Caleb. Where one went, the other followed.
You got close to the pair because it was easy. You shared the candies your friends gave you with Emmie—because if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s her horrendous sweet tooth—while Caleb complained that you never gave him half as much attention. You always waved Caleb off, saying he didn't even like sweets as much as Emmie. One White Chocolate Day, you opened your locker to a flood of chocolates. It was mortifying as you shoved them all into a bag. You went home that day with a bulging bag, but not one chocolate from the boy you liked.
Huh, you forgot to mention that, didn’t you?
As the three of you got older, you developed a crush on Caleb. It was a small, harmless thing at first. You honestly thought it’d go away after a few years of unrequited affection.
But it hasn't.
So now, as you sit in your car outside of the restaurant where Emmie’s birthday gathering is taking place, you wonder what the hell you’re doing. Caleb is bound to be here. The One Wish Willow box sits heavy in your hands. You bought it on a whim when you went to buy Emmi’s birthday card. You tell yourself it’s a gimmick, one you can try later. Your best friend’s birthday comes first.
You slam the car door shut as you walk in. Emmie is clad in a beautiful satin red dress with her boyfriend—tall, handsome, white hair, red eyes—on her arm. You give her a hug, wish her happy birthday, and add your card + gift to the growing pile. Most of them are from her boyfriend, but a couple on the outside of the pile are from other friends. Suddenly, you feel like your gift isn’t up to par. She’d been talking about this sweater that reminded her of one of her favorite games—something “sky children”—so you found a crochet pattern and made it. Looking at the pile, your crochet sweater feels cheap.
You slink off to the corners of the booth, ordering a Coke and slouching in your seat. You didn’t necessarily come for the music or dancing. You came for Emmie, and Caleb, but mostly Emmie. Caleb saddles up to your side, quiet as a mouse. Speak of the Devil and he shall appear, right?
“Look who crawled out of their hole,” he jokes.
You deadpan, retorting, “My apartment is hardly a hole. And you can’t be talking, Mr. DAA Pilot. At least I texted.”
“Aw,” he whines, “I already apologized for that.”
You snort, “Not enough,” and take a sip of your soda.
It gets quiet between you two. Lucky Emmie dances with her boyfriend as her playlist blares over the restaurant speakers. Apparently, the guy rented out the whole restaurant for today.
“What d’you think of him,” Caleb asks, breaking the silence.
You hum, swirling the soda in the cup. Eventually, you answer, “He seems okay. A little weird, but not bad.”
Caleb hums, watching the pair like a hawk. You sigh out of your nose. It’s always been like this. Caleb’s focus has always been Emmie, excluding anyone and everyone else. It was always them against the world. Even when you tried to change that, it was them against the world. There was just barely room for you in their dynamic.
If you had one wish—
Caleb breaks your train of thought with a question: “Any new guys hanging around you?”
You jolt up in your seat, nearly spilling your soda.
“Damn Sweets, is there a guy?”
“No,” you cough because of the funny feeling in your throat, “there’s no guy.”
“Wasn’t the last time you dated in high school?”
“Why do you suddenly want to know my dating life?”
Caleb shrugs. “We don’t talk as much. I miss my best friend.”
There it is. You think back to those trio friendship necklaces you saw in the store when you picked up Emmie’s birthday card.
Someone you know once said, “There doesn’t need to be a third person, see? The two on the outside can always complete each other, but number three will always be unfinished.”
You stand up abruptly. Caleb looks a little shocked, but he doesn’t comment on it. You tell him you have to use the bathroom and flee the table. You lock the door to the gender-neutral bathroom once you’re inside. You feel like a fool. Your chest is squeezing itself to shreds while you hunch over the blurry bathroom sink.
You shouldn’t have come.
You shouldn’t have come.
You shouldn’t have come.
You shouldn’t have come.
You shouldn’t have come.
You shouldn’t have—
“Hey Sweets, you okay? Was Caleb being mean?” It’s Emmie.
She’s knocking on the door.
“N-no! I’m not feeling super great.”
“Oh, well, are you going to leave?”
“Maybe. I-I’m gonna be in here for a few more minutes.”
“Let me know if you need anything.”
She’s so kind. You feel like an asshole for doing this. Emmie deserves better than your dramatics. The One Wish Willow box hangs heavy in your pocket. You pull it out, read the instructions, and consider your wish. There’s two you can think of.
“I wish …”
Thank you divinyae for the wonderful banners <3
I was inspired by this post.
Lemme know what you think.
Hi @inuiiwonderland, thank you for ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧ the inspiration. Of course, I couldn’t just tie everything up in a neat little bow ₍ᐢ. ̫.ᐢ₎ I leave the ending to those who read. What would you wish for?
⋆.ೃ࿔˚ summary ‣ [ prompt! ] "I think I love you." ⋆.ೃ࿔˚ you and valko reunite after years because your life is in danger
⋆.ೃ࿔˚ pairing ‣ valko x nonMC! gn! reader
⋆.ೃ࿔˚ warnings ‣ a bit of angst
⋆.ೃ࿔˚ word count ‣ 571
⋆.ೃ࿔˚ author's note ‣ had an idea and just ran with it
masterlist!
You knew he had ulterior motives, you hadn’t spoken for so long and now he wants to meet up. You were waiting for him to spit it out. “There’s something I need to ask of you,” he finally starts. “And what that might be?” He slides a folder towards you. In it, photos taken of the same three people on different days, some outside your apartment, workplace, cafe you frequent… “What is this? Are you stalking me?” He ignores the question. “You’re being followed by EVER. I’m not sure why, yet.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I know we didn’t end on the best terms but I don’t like people I care about being in danger.”
“Awww, you care about me? How sweet,” you couldn’t hide your sarcasm. “Did you keep the ring?”
“You want it back. You sho-”
“Wear it,” you were sacred, he knew that. EVER was never good news. He told you of their experiments. “Wear something nice when I pick you up tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, why?” Instead of answering he got up, paid and left. He could be so secretive sometimes, one of the reasons you left him. When was he picking you up? Does he know you have a life outside him? Was this too fancy? Not fancy enough? You finally just decided to just send him the photo of what you’re wearing. His only reply is a thumbs up emoji. Putting on the ring again was difficult, bringing back so many memories you left behind. It is beautiful. You started reminiscing on your decision.
It happened right after your biggest fight. Five months before your wedding. The most stressful time in your life, he was spending more time with her then you, his fiance. You just couldn’t take it anymore, being the second choice. They’ve probably been living their best lives together. Good. For. Them. Why is he asking you to wear your engagement ring again then? Valko has some explaining to do.
He finally turns up at your door. Suit slightly ripped, bruises forming on his knuckles, hair askew. “You come pick me up when you’ve just been in a fight.” Instead of leaving with him, you pulled him inside your apartment. He sits down on the couch. “This is new,” you ignore him as you grab what you need to treat his bruises. “I missed you.”
“Are you also drunk?” You press the cloth a bit harder and he hisses. “Meanie,” once his eyes find the ring on your finger they don’t leave. “What’s your plan? Get beat up, so I can take care of you and fall in love again?”
“Something like that,” you pull the cloth away. “Those guys won’t be bothering you anymore but it’s not safe here. I have a place where you can stay until it’s safe again.”
“And when will that be? We both know they don’t just give up,” you start pacing, worried for your and his safety. “I think I love you.” This stopped you in your tracks. “What?” You look to him only to see he’s unconscious. He’s more injured than he let on. “You can’t die on me, idiot.” His ears twitch. His ears?
You punch him in the chest. He starts coughing. “You fake fainted.”
You had an argument, and in the heat of the moment, you took on a secret mission—disappearing without a trace or warning for six days.
He won’t let that slide, will he?
(⚠️ Warning: Slightly angsty and dramatic)
🔥 UPD: Guys, I hear you loud and clear about Xavier, and I'm already working on his full story. Let me know if you want more about the others (or any specific one).
🖐️💥😈 Sylus
You don’t even make it home.
One second—you’re stepping toward your door. The next—you're grabbed.
A sharp yelp leaves your lips, but it’s already too late.
One hand clamps down on your shoulder, the other hooks around your legs, and suddenly—you're airborne.
"Cargo secured."
A second voice. Muffled. Hollow.
You twist wildly.
Two figures in black masks, sharp beaked visors, curved horns on their hoods.
Luke and Kieran.
You thrash. “Put me down—”
"No can do, Miss," Kieran hums, flipping you upside down just slightly.
"Our Boss gave very strict orders," Luke murmurs.
Your stomach sinks. The car door swings open—
And you’re shoved inside.
Kieran and Luke plop down beside you, silent as shadows.
Then—
Luke sighs. Long and exaggerated.
"Such a shame," he muses. "She was so pretty."
Kieran hums. "So full of life."
Your eyes narrow. “What.”
They tilt their heads in unison. Luke’s fingers drum against the seat.
"He was so worried."
Kieran exhales. "On the first day, he simply waited."
Luke nods. "Second day, he sent people out. Checked hospitals. Crime scenes."
Kieran’s head tilts. "By day three… well, we all knew something had to bleed."
Your stomach drops.
Luke stretches, relaxed. "Four syndicates fell in one night. Just in case one of them had you."
Kieran sighs. "On the fourth day, he realized that wasn’t enough."
Luke hums. "So he started getting creative."
Your breath hitches. "Creative?"
Kieran taps his chin. "That warehouse in N109 Zone? The one that burned to the ground?"
Luke leans closer. "Day five. Still no sign of you. He collapsed an entire district."
Kieran shrugs. "Nothing personal. Just a message."
Luke tilts his head. "And then day six came."
A beat of silence.
Kieran chuckles. "You know, Miss… If you hadn’t shown up today, N109 Zone would’ve been repainted in blood by sundown."
Luke sighs dreamily. "It still might be."
Your blood turns to ice.
And then—Luke’s head tilts toward you.
"Now…?"
Kieran completes it, a beat later.
"Now he has you."
The car slows. Your chest tightens. And then—you realize where you are.
N109 Zone. His estate.
The car door swings open—
And you’re hauled out like luggage.
"Handle with care," Luke hums.
“I am handling with care," Kieran murmurs.
They carry you inside. Set you down with eerie gentleness. Smooth out your jacket. Brush imaginary dust off your shoulders.
Then—they step back. Bow, deep and slow.
“Welcome home, Miss.”
And then—they’re gone.
You whirl after them. “HEY—”
A quiet sound.
Fabric rustling. A slow, deliberate exhale.
You freeze.
And then—you turn.
Sylus is standing across the room. Calm. Collected. Expression unreadable.
But his eyes. They burn.
You swallow.
“What the fuck was that?” you snap, motioning toward the door.
Silence.
He just… watches you.
Then—slowly, smoothly—
He shrugs off his jacket. Lets it fall onto the chair. His fingers move to his cuffs. Undoing them.
One. Then the other.
Rolling his sleeves up, inch by inch.
Your stomach twists.
“Sylus.”
He doesn’t answer. His hands move to his belt. He unbuckles it. Pulls it free.
And you—
You fucking run.
You BOLT.
Straight toward the door. It’s locked.
You curse.
Behind you—he clicks his tongue.
“Oh, Kitten,” he murmurs, voice low, almost amused.
You spin, darting behind the desk. He follows. Casually. Slowly.
“You disappear for six days,” he murmurs, voice smooth, mocking, deadly.
You sidestep. He matches you.
“You ignore my calls.”
You swerve left. He steps right.
“I tear this city apart looking for you.”
You dodge back. He adjusts effortlessly.
“And now,” he exhales, tilting his head, smirking lazily, “you’re running.”
You hurl a stapler at him. He catches it. Drops it. Sighs.
Then—his patience snaps.
A sharp pulse of red energy explodes outward. The desk flips. The chairs crash against the wall.
And suddenly—
You are out of places to run. Before you can move—
He has you.
A sharp yelp rips from your throat as he grabs you, spins, and drops into his chair—
Bringing you down over his lap.
Your breath catches. “Sylus—”
"Ah, ah, ah.”
His palm glides down your back. Teasing. Amused. Smug.
"You made a very poor choice, Kitten."
Your heart pounds. His fingers hook into your waistband. And in one sharp motion—
He pulls your pants down.
Your entire body jolts. “Wait—”
The first smack lands. Sharp. Stinging.
You jerk violently.
Then—the second.
Then—the third.
“Sylus—you absolute bastard!”
A low chuckle vibrates through his chest.
“Six days, Sweetie.”
Another smack.
“You think you get away with that?”
You snarl, thrashing. “You—I’ll kill you!”
"Oh?" His hand presses against your lower back, keeping you pinned.
Then—lower now, smooth as silk, dripping with mockery—
“You sure you can handle that right now?”
You growl.
And then—
You bite him. Hard. Right on the thigh.
His breath hitches. Then—a slow, dangerous laugh.
He grabs you. Turns you over, setting you between his legs, hands gripping your chin—forcing you to look at him.
And then—
You see it. The rage is gone.
And in its place—
Something raw. Something wrecked. Like he’s aged years in just six days.
His voice—when it comes—is low. Hoarse. Unsteady.
“…I thought Ever carved you up for spare parts.”
Your stomach drops.
"You really think," his fingers twitch against your skin, "I was just waiting?"
His eyes flick over your face, scanning, memorizing. And then—softer now, almost broken—
"If you hadn’t come back tomorrow, I would’ve wiped them off the face of the earth."
Your eyes sting. Your hands reach for him, trembling.
You slide forward, onto his lap.
His breath stutters.
And then—you kiss him. Hard. Desperate. Unyielding.
He shudders.
Then—his hands clench around your waist, crushing you to him. When he pulls back—forehead pressed against yours, breath uneven—
“…Next time you disappear,” he murmurs, lips brushing your cheek, voice shaking with something terrifyingly real, “I’m not looking for you.”
Your heart cracks. You shake your head. You cup his face. Hold him there.
“…You won’t have to.”
Silence.
Then—
His grip tightens. And just like that—
He is never letting you go again.
❄️🩸💔 Zayne
You already know where he is.
Zayne isn’t home. Of course, he isn’t.
So you do the only thing that makes sense—you head straight for Akso Hospital.
By the time you step through the pristine glass doors, you’re already talking.
“I know how this looks, but I can explain—”
And then—you see him.
Standing near the nurses’ station, uniform crisp, posture rigid, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat like he’s carved from ice.
For a second—just a second—his breath catches.
But then—
A switch flips. His entire presence shifts.
Cold. Professional. Untouchable.
His eyes meet yours. And he says nothing.
No relief. No anger. Nothing.
Just pure, hollow emptiness.
You swallow hard. Force yourself to continue.
“Zayne—”
“You need medical attention.”
His voice is calm. Impersonal. A doctor speaking to a patient. Not the man you know.
Your stomach twists.
He doesn’t ask where you’ve been. Doesn’t ask why you disappeared. Instead—he starts listing symptoms.
“You’re pale. Have you lost blood?”
You inhale sharply. “Zay—”
“Concussion?”
“No—”
“Fever? Infection?”
His eyes flick to your scraped knuckles, the dried blood on your sleeve.
And you realize—
He’s not angry. He’s protecting himself. He’s shutting down. Like he already convinced himself you weren’t coming back. Like he already mourned you.
And something inside you breaks.
Your legs wobble.
You sway—
And then—
You collapse.
The reaction is instantaneous.
A sharp inhale. A rush of movement. A sudden, firm grip catching you before you hit the ground.
Zayne’s arms lock around you. One around your back, one under your legs, holding you effortlessly. His breathing is uneven. His fingers tremble against your skin.
“Hey—!” His voice is no longer detached. It’s urgent. Terrified.
He tilts your face up, eyes scanning for injuries, pupils blown wide with panic.
"You—" His breath shudders. “Shit, you're—”
But you don’t answer. Because you keep your eyes closed. Because you know exactly what you’re doing.
And for a moment, it works. For a moment, he’s yours again. For a moment, his walls are completely, irreparably shattered.
Then—
His steps slow. His breathing evens.
And suddenly—
He stops. And you feel it. That one single, damning second of realization.
Your eyes are closed, but you can hear it. The sharp, cold click in his mind as he figures it out.
His arms loosen. Too loose. Too fast.
And suddenly—you're falling.
You gasp sharply, hands instinctively grabbing at him—
But he catches you at the last second, lowering you onto the cold, sterile floor of his office with just enough control to keep you from truly getting hurt.
But barely.
His jaw is tight. His nostrils flare. His hands press into his thighs like he’s physically holding himself back from losing control.
Then—flat, quiet, lethal—
“You lied.”
Your stomach drops. You open your mouth—and then you feel it.
A sharp, aching throb in your knee. It hits all at once—the pain, the exhaustion, the weight of everything that happened.
Your throat tightens.
And then—before you can stop it—
Tears prick at your eyes.
Your voice comes out small, weak, broken.
“Zayne… my leg hurts.”
Everything stops. The air in the room shifts.
And suddenly—
The rage is gone. His walls crumble.
His gaze snaps to your knee—swollen, bruised, torn fabric revealing skin already darkening with a deep, painful contusion.
And just like that—he’s on his knees. The doctor in him takes over.
His hands tremble as they press to your leg, fingertips ghosting over the bruised flesh like it physically pains him to touch.
He leans down. And presses a soft, lingering kiss to the bruised skin.
Your breath catches.
His forehead presses gently against your knee. And then—a whisper, barely audible, like he’s afraid of his own voice.
“…I lost you.”
Your heart cracks wide open.
He inhales sharply, his fingers tightening against your leg, like he’s still trying to convince himself you’re real.
You slide off the chair. Sink onto the cold, sterile floor. Your hands come up, cup his face.
His breath stutters.
You press your forehead to his.
Hot. Unwavering. Eternal.
“Only death could take me from you.”
His eyes squeeze shut. And when they open again—
There’s nothing left but raw, agonizing devotion.
Then—
His hands reach for you. And this time, he doesn’t let go.
🪑🍎🎖️ Caleb
The door clicks shut behind you.
Something feels wrong. The air is too still. Too perfectly controlled.
And then—you see it.
The chair.
Placed dead center in the room.
The apartment is spotless. Too spotless. Like someone scrubbed it raw, wiped away every trace of warmth, every sign of life.
Your stomach tightens. And then—a voice.
Cold. Measured. Absolute.
"Sit down."
You turn sharply—
And there he is.
Colonel Caleb. Not your Caleb.
Not the man who kisses your forehead every morning. Not the man who makes you breakfast even when he’s running on two hours of sleep.
No.
This is the soldier. The commander. The man who could level entire cities with a single order.
And you are his captive.
Your jaw tightens. “Caleb, what the hell—”
"Sit. Down."
Your spine stiffens. “No.”
A flick of his fingers. The chair scrapes forward, slamming into the back of your knees.
You stumble, cursing—
But before you can react—a force clamps around you. G-forces shift. Gravity bends. The chair drags you back to the center of the room.
Then—weight locks around your limbs. You can’t stand. Can’t move. Your pulse spikes.
His face is unreadable. His eyes—stormy, dark, endless.
Like he hasn’t slept in six days.
A tablet activates in his hand.
Several floating screens appear around you, flickering with surveillance footage.
And then—his interrogation begins.
His voice is calm. Clinical. Devoid of warmth.
"In the hours before your disappearance, this man entered your building. Do you know him?"
You blink. “What—?”
He gestures at the screen. A blurry security cam shot.
You squint. “That’s—a fucking courier.”
"Interesting."
A swipe of his fingers. Another screen appears.
"You placed an order at a bookstore six days ago. Three books were delivered. For what purpose?"
You stare. “...For reading?”
His brows twitch.
"Curious. You spoke to the courier for over five minutes. What was discussed?"
Your hands clench into fists. “How the hell would I know?”
A beat of silence.
Then—softer now, dangerous in its evenness—
"You really expect me to believe you don’t remember?"
Your blood boils. “Are you seriously doing this right now?”
He swipes again. More footage. More records. More evidence that means nothing.
And you snap.
"You are losing your fucking mind."
His jaw tightens.
And then—
The gravity releases.
You lurch forward, finally able to move—
But before you can get up—
he’s already there.
A single step. One hand gripping the back of your chair, tilting it back—
His face is inches from yours. His gaze burns.
"Are you fucking someone else?"
Your breath catches. Your pulse thunders in your ears.
And then—
You laugh.
Sharp. Bitter. Furious.
You gesture at yourself—the dirt, the bruises, the blood still crusted on your sleeve.
“Look at me, Caleb.”
He doesn’t move.
“Does this look like a woman having an affair?”
His fingers twitch against the chair. His voice drops to a whisper.
"I’m on the edge of it."
Your chest tightens.
“I don’t doubt that, you psychopath.” You shove against his arm, but he doesn’t budge. “Now let me up so I can strangle you.”
His fingers loosen.
And then—
"Six days."
Your breath hitches. His hand moves. Curls around your jaw, firm but careful.
"Six days. Eight thousand six hundred forty minutes."
His thumb brushes over your cheekbone.
"I couldn't breathe without pain."
Your throat tightens. Your rage collapses into something else entirely.
“Caleb—”
"I searched. I traced every lead. I turned this country inside out."
His voice wavers.
And then—softer, rawer, almost desperate—
"If you hadn’t come back, I would have burned everything to the ground."
Your chest aches.
“…I had a mission. It was classified.”
His jaw twitches.
"Then tell me—" His voice turns sharp, edged with something almost pleading. "Tell me you weren’t running."
You exhale shakily.
“You’re so obsessed with losing me, Caleb—maybe that’s why you always do.”
Silence.
Something in his face breaks. He straightens. Turns away.
Leaves.
The door slams.
And you collapse to your knees. Your hands come up—cover your face—
And finally, finally, the tears fall.
But then—
A soft creak. A shift in the air. Warmth.
Arms wrapping around you, pulling you into a crushing embrace.
You freeze.
His voice is hoarse, quiet, trembling with something raw.
"You’re the only one who can destroy me without lifting a hand."
Your breath shudders. His grip tightens.
"One word from you," he murmurs, "and I’m gone."
You shake your head.
“Caleb…”
His forehead presses against your shoulder.
"I tried. Every day. Every second. I tried not to hold on too tight." He exhales shakily. "But I can’t."
Your heart clenches.
“Caleb, I always come back.”
He flinches.
You pull back just enough to cup his face. His eyes are stormy, desperate, flickering with pain.
"You have to trust me."
His lips part, but no sound comes out.
Then—barely above a whisper—
"I can't lose you."
Your fingers tighten against his jaw.
"You won’t."
Silence.
Then—
He kisses you.
It’s not gentle. It’s desperate. Devouring. Starved.
His hands tangle in your hair, holding you to him like he’ll die if you pull away.
A single tear escapes down his cheek. And you catch it with your lips.
“…I’m sorry,” you whisper. “Caleb, I’m so sorry.”
His breath shudders. He shakes his head.
“No.” His voice breaks. "You don’t apologize to me."
Your brows furrow. “Caleb—”
He swallows.
"If you’re better off without me—"
Your hand flies up, slaps over his mouth. He freezes. Tears well in your eyes.
“Don’t. Say. That.” His chest rises sharply. You lean in, press your forehead to his.
“…You are my universe,” you whisper.
His hands shake against your back.
“No matter what we do, no matter what happens—” You press your lips to his, slow, deep, endless. “I will always come back to you.”
His breath shudders against your lips.
And then—his voice drops, quiet but unshakable.
"You will never disappear on me again without warning. Not now. Not ever."
🗡✨🌥 Xavier
The door clicks shut behind you.
You barely take a step inside before a voice cuts through the air—
Calm. Measured. Unshakable.
"Ah." A quiet exhale. "Look who finally remembered they have a home."
You freeze.
Xavier is already there.
Sitting in the living room, one leg crossed over the other, a book balanced in his hand—like your sudden reappearance was nothing more than an interesting plot twist.
He doesn’t look up immediately. He finishes the sentence he’s reading first.
Then—calmly, unhurriedly—he turns the page.
And finally—his gaze lifts to yours.
Cold. Slow. Too calculating.
"Six days."
Your stomach tightens. "Xav—"
"Mm. No." He holds up a single finger.
The room falls silent. And somehow, that’s worse.
You watch as he closes the book. Carefully. Precisely. Then—without breaking eye contact—he sets it aside.
And then—a small smile.
Soft. Almost friendly.
Which means you’re in deep, deep trouble.
"You look tired," he murmurs, tilting his head. "Traveling, were you?"
You exhale. "Xavier—"
"Oh, no. Let me guess." His fingers tap idly against the armrest. "You were simply busy."
A pause.
"Too busy, in fact, to answer a single message."
Your jaw tightens. "It wasn’t—"
"Ah," he interrupts softly, as if realizing something.
His eyes flick over your torn sleeve, the faint bruises on your arms. Then, slowly—he smiles.
"Or," he murmurs, "did you lose your phone again?"
Your stomach drops. Because he knows.
You inhale sharply. "Xav—"
He shakes his head.
"No, it’s alright. I understand." He leans forward slightly, resting his chin against his knuckles. "I’m sure you had an excellent reason."
A beat of silence. Then—mild amusement, carefully laced with steel:
"Would you like to tell me what it was?"
You hesitate.
Because you were on a mission. A classified one.
Because he wasn’t supposed to know. Because you work together.
And yet—he knew nothing.
You try anyway.
"I had a—"
"A mission?" His brow lifts, a polite flicker of curiosity. "Fascinating."
His tone is smooth, unbothered. And that—that is when you know how angry he really is.
He gestures vaguely toward the stacks of reports on the table.
"Tell me, darling, which mission was it?"
You swallow hard. "I can’t—"
"Mm. Right. Classified."
Another small nod. A slow, deliberate blink.
"As are all major operations within the Association."
His fingers drum lightly against the armrest.
"And yet, strangely—" He tilts his head. "Not a single record of your assignment exists."
You say nothing.
Xavier exhales through his nose—almost disappointed.
"And here I thought," he murmurs, "we were supposed to trust each other."
You flinch.
His gaze softens. Not with kindness. But with something far worse.
Pity.
"You must have had your reasons, of course," he muses.
A small sigh, like he’s humoring a child.
"I imagine you thought it was necessary. Sensible, even."
His fingers lace together.
"Just as I found it necessary to send out a search party on day three."
Your breath catches.
"You what?"
He hums.
"By day four, I expanded my resources. You'd be surprised how quickly information spreads when you know where to look."
Your hands clench.
"Xavier—"
"Day five, I began considering alternative outcomes. Some of them, admittedly, rather unpleasant."
A flicker of something colder in his expression.
"Ever been forced to sit in a room full of people trying to convince you that your partner is dead?"
Your stomach turns.
"Xavier, I wasn’t—"
He clicks his tongue.
"Day six, I received word that you had finally resurfaced."
He leans back. Folds his arms. And then—a soft chuckle, utterly humorless.
"Imagine my relief."
Silence.
You exhale sharply. "Xav, I—"
"Did you know," he interrupts, voice light, conversational, detached, "that people tend to avoid looking a grieving man in the eye?"
Your throat tightens.
"Not that I was grieving, of course." He taps a finger against his chin. "I don’t make a habit of mourning people until I see a body."
He tilts his head slightly, studying you.
"But I imagine it must have been quite the inconvenience, being dead for six days."
Your chest tightens.
"You think I wanted to—"
"Oh, I know," he murmurs. "You didn’t want to disappear."
His voice lowers.
"But you still did."
And for the first time—he is no longer smirking. His blue eyes bore into yours, steady, sharp.
"You made a decision that left me in the dark."
A long, slow breath.
"And I need to know," he says softly, "if you would do it again."
Silence.
You don’t have an answer. You don’t think there is one.
He exhales.
Finally, he leans back. Gazes at you for a moment longer.
Then, calmly—he stands. Smooth. Effortless. Precise. And then—he walks past you.
Your heart slams against your ribs.
"Xavier—"
He doesn’t stop. You push to your feet.
"Xavier, you’re coming back, right?"
Finally—he pauses. Turns his head, just slightly.
And then—
"Ask me again in six days."
The door closes behind him. And this time—you’re the one left behind.
🧜🏻♂️🧑🏻🎨🌊 Rafayel
You are exhausted.
Every part of you aches. Your body demands sleep, warmth, peace.
Instead—
You come home to chaos.
Loud music. Laughter. The scent of wine, perfume, candle wax, and indulgence.
And then—the sight of him.
Rafayel.
Lounging near the pool, half-leaning against an ornate chair, a glass of red wine dangling lazily between his fingers.
His shirt is unbuttoned just enough to hint at toned muscle beneath, his sleeves rolled up, his perfectly tousled hair falling over his forehead in an effortlessly careless way.
And surrounding him—beautiful women.
Drinking, laughing, leaning toward him like he’s some fallen deity of temptation and excess.
Your stomach twists. A tight, burning rage coils in your chest.
And then—
He sees you. His eyes widen—just slightly. And then—a slow, almost lazy smirk.
"Ah." He lifts his glass dramatically, tone dripping with sarcasm. "Look who's finally returned!"
You tense.
He rises to his feet, arms spread as if welcoming royalty.
"My muse. My inspiration."
His voice carries over the music, over the murmurs of people starting to notice the tension.
"The very heart of my art!"
A sweeping gesture.
And then—
He motions toward the canvas-lined walls.
Your breath catches. Because they’re all of you. Dozens of paintings.
But—ruined.
Slashes through the canvas.
Paint smeared and splattered over your likeness like an artist in rage, in agony, in heartbreak.
The fury in you erupts. Your voice cuts through the music.
"What the actual fuck is this?!"
He gasps, mock scandalized.
"Oh, you don’t like them? What a tragedy!"
He downs the rest of his wine in one smooth gulp, tossing the glass aside with a careless flick of his wrist.
Then—he grins.
Crooked. Reckless. Infuriating.
"And here I was, drowning in sorrow, channeling my unbearable suffering into art."
A sigh.
"But alas." He shrugs dramatically. "Seems the muse herself has returned."
You march toward him. He tilts his head.
"Careful, cutie. You seem upset."
"You’re a fucking disaster."
He laughs.
"You’re six days late to that realization."
You grab his wrist, yanking him toward the exit.
“We’re talking. Now.”
His body moves, but his feet don’t follow. Instead—he pulls against your grip.
His smile widens.
"Oh?" His voice drips with amusement. "Dragging me away already? Jealous, cutie?"
Your jaw clenches.
"This is pathetic."
Another laugh, lighter this time.
"Ah, but it was all I had!" He places a hand over his heart. Theatrical. Overdramatic. Perfectly insufferable.
You snap.
And shove him into the pool.
He barely has time to react—water crashes around him, drenching his white shirt, dragging him under.
And for a brief, glorious second—silence.
Until—
His hand grabs your wrist. You yelp, but it’s too late.
He pulls you down with him.
Cold water engulfs you, shocking your senses.
When you resurface, gasping, furious, he’s already brushing his hair back, blinking at you through wet lashes.
And suddenly—
The playfulness is gone. The crowd has vanished. Thomas made sure of it.
And now—it’s just you and him.
And for the first time tonight—he’s quiet. His voice is lower, slower.
"You storm into my house. Onto my estate. Into my party. And then..."
He gestures lazily toward the water.
"You throw me in my own fucking pool?"
You pant, teeth gritted. “Your—house? Great! I’ll leave you in your fucking house—”
You turn to climb out—
And he grabs you again. A firm grip. Unshaking.
His eyes—darker now. Sharper. Focused.
"Make another move, cutie." His voice is dangerously low.
"And we’ll have problems."
You glare. "Let. Go."
He doesn’t. Instead—he pulls you closer.
“You’re not walking away from this.”
Your pulse spikes.
"Rafayel—"
"Do it," he whispers. "Say it to my face."
Your breath catches.
"You want to leave?" His hand slides to your waist, pulling you closer, forcing you to feel the heat radiating from his soaked body.
"Then say it."
Your hands shake. You flick water into his face, desperate to break the tension.
He doesn’t even blink. Instead—his eyes drop.
To your clothes.
Soaked. Clinging. Revealing everything.
His pupils darken. And then—his jaw tightens.
"You left me for six days," he murmurs.
Your breath stutters.
"I left for work, not you, you hysterical maniac."
He tilts his head.
"That’s the same thing. And your phone?"
"A Wanderer shattered it!"
He lets out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"Ah, yes. And I suppose you were also too busy fighting for your life to send me one. Single. Fucking. Message?"
You exhale sharply. "Raf, you’re insufferable. A party? Seriously?"
"How else am I supposed to handle soul-crushing heartbreak?"
His voice drops.
"Tell me, cutie." His fingers skim your waist, trailing fire in their wake. "How else was I supposed to drown my suffering?"
He leans in, breath hot against your lips.
And then—
He kisses you. Desperate. Possessive.
Your legs wrap around his waist, instinct taking over.
His grip tightens.
"You threw me in a pool," he whispers against your lips.
"You deserved it."
His fingers dig into your hips.
"You waltz in after six days and just—throw me?"
"Maybe I should throw you again."
He grins against your skin.
"I should make you pay for that."
"Raf—"
"Mm. Shh."
His hands travel lower, pressing you harder against him.
Your breathing turns shallow.
"Your paintings," you murmur.
"I’ll paint more."
"You hated me for six days."
"Endlessly." He kisses your throat, voice dropping further.
"You didn’t want to see me again?"
He grins against your collarbone.
"Try leaving me again, cutie."
His grip tightens, unshakable.
His breath is hot against your ear.
"And I promise—"
His hips press forward, slow and deliberate, sending a sharp jolt of heat through you.
Canon divergent from main story! No Ever involvement included!
Caleb loved her more than anything.
The once shy girl who looked at him with round rimmed glasses and rosy colored chubby cheeks.
She was sat across from him in the high school library as he was cramming for his finals that were coming up that next week. The very tests that would help determine whether or not he could get into the Aerospace Academy and thereafter the Deepspace Aviation Administration based on his educational merit.
He needed to get in. It was both a dream to become a pilot and a life-long goal to make a fine living for his adoptive sister MC and adoptive grandmother Josephine.
Rather than hang out with his friends who'd rather party their worries away on their last year of high school, he chose to study diligently in the quiet of the library on the third floor during a random Tuesday afternoon.
And oh, was he glad for making that choice.
Caleb had seen that familiar girl before, usually in passing. She was a quieter sort, the kind who read beneath trees that lined the outside walkways of the school.
The first time he had seen her was when he was playing out in the basketball courts, his eyes catching onto her sitting there cozily with a book on her lap. Her backpack leaning against the tree had a few cute bag charms, something similar to what he'd seen other girls get from arcades and such.
Even if she wasn't anyone particularly extraordinary, it was the fact that despite her recluse personality, her eyes would drift away from her book to the world around her.
She watched when girls giggled away with their friends to head out somewhere after school or the track team making their rounds for practice. Even smiling to herself when she sees a group of guys laugh at one of their friends accidentally slipping in a silly manner against a concrete step.
Just observing everything with an eye of curiosity.
She wasn't always alone in these moments. A friend or two would join her at her cozy spot, enjoying her quiet presence while they bantered with their snacks and homework.
He didn't even realize that his own observations after many weeks of doing so would be his downfall when her gaze finally landed on him across the school one day, causing him to freeze on the spot at the basketball courtyard.
His neck almost pulled a muscle with how fast he looked away to focus on the game he was currently playing with his friends, his heart lurching from having been caught staring.
Or so he thought. By the time he found the courage to look back, she was already opening her book back up to read.
Oh. So maybe he was just imagining things then.
Caleb never understood why he was so nervous to begin with. He was quite the popular guy, with guys begging to be his friend or girls wanting to date him so badly. And yet, despite all his previous encounters with other people, this was the only time he was truly afraid to make a bad first impression for someone.
He had hoped to forget that moment like it was nothing, but it only came back to the forefront of his mind when he saw her at one of the library tables with her stack of books and papers.
Even with her back turned from him, he still recognized the color of her hair and the familiar backpack by her feet. You could say he was a bit... too aware of everything about her at this point.
It didn't help that with finals week, the library was quite packed with other lingering students, leaving a choice between a seat further down or one right across from her. A dilemma he wasn't expecting when he first arrived here to actually study.
The courteous thing would be to pretend he didn't know her and head off to the furthest seat. But if this might be one of the last times he could see her before going on with his life after graduation, would he really be okay with knowing that he missed this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
Somehow, that pained him more than anything else. He wanted to learn more about her, even if was just her name. Something to give himself to remember when they'll inevitably part.
Luckily, despite how stiffly he crossed over to sit at her table, she was too immersed in her own studying to notice him. He wouldn't' deny he was a little sad that she didn't even lift her eyes for a quick curious glance.
No, no, he couldn't act sad when he doesn't actually know her. That would be weird.
With a quiet sigh to himself, he got out everything he needed from his backpack. As much as he appeared to be a popular guy, he was actually quite the studious one. A nerd in a hot body, if you will.
After some time, he eventually laid out all his flashcards, highlighted written notes, and a few sour lemon candies to keep him alert for the next hour or two he'd be there.
With every question he got right on his printed-out practice test, he rewarded himself with a momentary flicker of his eyes up to her just to see what she was up to.
Each time, he focused on something different. The light shining against her glasses, the occasional jotting of notes from her sparkly pencil... His favorite moment quickly becoming how she would bite gently into her bottom lip when she was super focused.
It was difficult to not think she was cute. He was probably long past understanding how he felt about her, even if he found the idea of having a tiny crush on her a little embarrassing.
An unexpected thing probably in the eyes of his friends or anyone around him.
Choosing the bubbly girls who always wave him over during breaks, offering to hang out after school? No.
How about the ones who worked part-time at cafes, offering him a free pastry and a compliment to his looks as the reason they did? Nope.
But the girl across from him right now? Definitely.
Yeah, he knew he was acting like an idiot, pining for someone who didn't know he existed apart from what everyone seems to know generally about him.
Caleb tried not to think too hard about it, focusing on a particular study topic that was stubbornly not sticking to his brain.
His confused frown only grew with time as he stared at his paragraph heavy textbook, his only escape from giving up altogether being his hands habitually reaching for the wrapped sour candies and popping them into his mouth every so often until it melted completely.
At one point, he simply crushes the candy between his teeth in mild frustration, letting the lemon shards disperse with a muffled crunch.
Nothing was working. The topic was simply not retaining for him at all.
He was usually so quick to understand his studies, picking it up like nothing. But for once, he was stumped.
His hand reached habitually for another candy, only for his fingers to feel empty wrappers and the wood grain of the table. He blinked from his stressed stupor, looking to the table corner in shock.
That never happens. He was used to at least having one or two candies left after a long study session, but now he had none..? How was he supposed to continue like this? He had at least another hour before he'd finish up and pick up MC from her afterschool club activities.
Before he could spiral into an abyss of his own making, a hand with sparkly nails slides over a half-opened, brightly colored bag of apple flavored sour gummies to his side. His eyes stared dumbly at the offering, lifting them up to see the hand belonged to the girl who looked angelic even beneath fluorescent library lights.
"Here." She whispers, picking out a gummy of her own and slipping it between her lips to eat.
Caleb was completely dumbfounded, the ringing in his reddened ears getting worse the longer he kept his gaze to her crinkled eyes and plush lips moving with each chew.
"How did you..." He manages, his voice close to cracking in an embarrassing way.
She tilts her head in a painfully adorable manner, her eyes gesturing to the empty candy wrappers.
"That."
"A-Ah, right. Thanks."
Caleb gives a stiff thumbs up in response, the action so obviously awkward that she has to bring a hand up to her face to stifle a giggle. Oddly enough, being the one laughed at wasn't so bad if he got to hear even a tiny piece of that wonderful sound.
"You're welcome." She answers back softly, her gaze going back to the book in front of her.
His momentary joy of interacting with her fizzled out just like that. He didn't want that to be their only thing. It was no more than strangers talking.
"...Nonmc." He eventually mutters out quietly, making her head lift up with raised eyebrows, "That's you, isn't it?"
"You... know my name?"
"Uh, Sorta. You're always in the library when I come to study. Sorry, I didn't want to put you on the spot knowing I've seen you a lot."
"Oh. It's okay. I didn't want to bother you either."
He shakes his head immediately, his eyes rounding into something like a puppy begging to be thought of as friendly.
"You're not a bother."
Nonmc blinks rapidly at that sudden statement, her hand coming up to adjust her glasses.
"Well... That's good to know. Um... Caleb, right?"
Caleb nods far too fast to be normal, making her surely think he was going to hurt himself that way.
"Yeah, that's me. I..." His hand reaches behind his neck to rub at it nervously, "I'm glad you know my name."
Her smile widens, somehow endeared by this actually nerdy guy she previously thought was a jock. It made it easier for her to sit more comfortably even when they finally went back to studying in their own silence, taking another gummy here and there.
He, of course, took his own share of the gummies readily, his heart doing somersaults from knowing that this had become their little thing.
But after he guiltily took the last one by the next half-hour, he decides to tap his fingers gently onto her side of the table to get her attention.
"Hey, um... After finals week is over, can I treat you to something? Anything you want."
"Huh? But... all I gave you was some candy..."
He huffs a quiet laugh, his eyes crinkling happily.
"Nuh-uh. You also have been giving me company too. I've been stuck on this subject the whole time I've been here, but now I'm starting to get it because of you. So, won't you think about it... please?"
Nonmc purses her lips, jutting them out slightly. It was clear that she was contemplating it, probably even reluctant to outright say yes since this was the first time they've really talked together.
"...Is there something happening with your friends or..?" She muses, making him shake his head again.
"No. Just you and me. Anywhere for dinner. We could eat somewhere or I could make you something..."
"You and me..?" She repeats, raising her eyebrows in confusion, "Is this a..."
"It doesn't have to be!" He blurts out, only to quiet down when someone shushes him nearby, "It... I wouldn't mind if you did. But you don't have to, uh..."
He brings his face into his hands, muffling a bashful groan into them.
At first, nonmc could have had the suspicion that he was asking her out on some kind of dare that was planned by his friends, but... how could ears turn such a deep shade of red like that on a whim?
After an agonizing few seconds that he wished would end, she clears her throat softly.
"...Do you have a preference?" She asks, leaning closer to the table.
He finally uncovered his face once he heard her voice, his expression unable to mask into something charismatic in front of her.
Was she reciprocating to a date? Or maybe just testing out the waters?
Well, either way, he wasn't going to refuse her.
"Oh. Then... just anything without cilantro." He notes, getting that sweet giggle from her again.
That moment would change the trajectory of everything he had set up for his life.
What once was a plan to get into the DAA for his grandmother and sister, became one that included her in the picture. The girl that he crushed on that, after months of dates and 'will they, won't they', became his girlfriend on a random night they were getting gelato during the summer after graduation.
Caleb felt like he was on cloud nine once it happened, enjoying every day with her after like it was something special. It made it even better knowing she eventually came over to his house for his cooked dinners almost every night since getting together, knowing his grandmother and sister were just as happy to see her too.
It made him especially proud to see how his family fawned over her, telling him how he needed to do everything in his power to keep them together. And he took that to heart.
When he had to dorm in Skyhaven for the AA and eventually DAA, he made it clear to her that she could visit his family home in Linkon whenever she wanted, even going as far as to give her permission to use his room to live in while he was away.
No matter how far he was, he called and texted her everyday, and when his temporary leave got accepted, he took the first flight back to see her.
Everything seemed to be going well for those past few years. Nonmc was finishing up college in that time and he was steadily climbing the ranks. It wouldn't be long before he could finally pay for a nice two story house that they could live in together, even taking over fully for his grandmother's medical bills without worry.
Not to mention that he already proposed to her already, a bunch of times actually. There was an official one he did, when he took them to a spot they used to go to when they first started dating, but since then he's mentioned it every chance he get.
His 'fiancée' this, his 'fiancée' that... It was so close to being official.
He just needed to take one last mission at DAA to really solidify his standing with the superior officers and get that nice bonus at the end for his paycheck. Just like when he first graduated from high school, this was his chance to prove himself to everyone.
"How long will you be gone this time?" Nonmc asks during their video call, finishing up on drying her hair before getting some sleep.
Sleep in his old bed, to be exact.
She was staying at his family home more often now that he's been away at the DAA for longer. It was definitely a stark contrast to the dingy grays and beige that made up his dorm. The only color on his walls being the letters and polaroids he received from her and his sister.
"Two weeks." He states, his tone far too strained to be truthful.
She hums into a pout, dragging the towel through her scalp one last time before letting it drop down her shoulders.
"...It's really a month, isn't it?"
Caleb sighs dejectedly, nodding and leaning further back into his desk chair.
"Yeah. Sorry, honey."
"It's okay. I've gotten used to it now."
He frowns at the nonchalant statement, even if she truly wasn't bothered by it. He hated being separated for long periods of time. Sure, he enjoyed getting a week off afterwards where he could fly back and sleep the days away with her in his arms, but he wanted that cycle to eventually end.
He wanted something permanent for her.
"I wish you didn't have to." He brings up anyways, knowing it'd make her match his expression in turn.
"Caleb..." She starts softly, throwing her towel away into a nearby hamper and sitting closer to the phone resting on the nightstand, "We've been together for so many years, why get impatient now?"
He sighs, shrugging as he got up from his desk and headed over to plop unceremoniously onto his hard mattress.
"I guess that's true, you've always been my patient partner-in-crime."
Her bright chuckles filter through the phone's speaker, making him smile blissfully.
"We'll get the paperwork for our marriage certificate done when I get back." He continues, "Then we can spend as much time as we want to get the wedding plans started."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Nonmc sighs in dramatic relief, giving him a big smile through the camera.
"Well, we've got a lot to do, you know! The celebratory party for your sister getting a promotion at the Hunter's Association, your birthday that's coming up, oh and my parents want to meet up with us again..." She lists, making him hum along, "So call me as soon as get back, okay?"
"You know I always do."
"Yeahhh, but I want to be the first to say hello to my soon-to-be husband!"
His own smile widens into a toothy grin, a boyish chuckle leaving him.
Being at the DAA was nothing short of tough. It had its moments of stress he usually kept secret from her, not wanting her to worry when he's all better by the time she sees him anyways. But every time he sees her and hears her voice, it makes everything worth it.
"Of courseee, my soon-to-be wife!" He says with equal enthusiasm.
Their laughter syncs between the phone call, their heart full even when far from one another.
"Get some sleep, honey. I don't want to keep you up all night."
"Okaaay. Good night, I love youuuu." She playfully whines, making kissing sounds at the phone.
He barks out another laugh, shaking his head as a blush that still shows up because of her makes an appearance.
"I love you tooo, silly girl. Sweet dreams."
Caleb never imagined that would be the last time he heard her voice before the mission would go awry just three weeks into it, the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor and air suctioning into machines becoming his everyday.
An explosion caused by his plane colliding with another in their unit that had blew out its engine. An accident of the worst kind where he was desperately trying to save them both.
They were lucky enough to get his body out from where the cockpit of his plane was sinking into the vast ocean they had been flying through. But calling it lucky seemed like a joke.
Caleb was barely alive. Through tests and theories, it was suspected he had a split second chance to use his evol to dampen the explosion's effects but it left him with his right arm blown clean off and deep tissue scarring from the burning fire.
For that reason, his superior officers suggested that he be promoted, though not through the DAA. For the Farspace Fleet.
While he was in a coma, barely living on his last breaths at the Skyhaven military hospital, the Farspace Fleet took an interest in his case. His evol was outstanding to them, his intelligent mind worthy of value. There was prowess to him that hadn't been quite tapped in the DAA, something they wanted to seek out into fruition.
The superiors at the Farspace Fleet were willing to pay the big bucks to fix him up into something better, as long as they got to make him a colonel for the Fleet instead. The DAA had no choice but to accept the terms, the Fleet had more power over them after all. And in any case, seeing a good fighter pilot go down like this did not seem fair in the first place.
So, after some paperwork was filed and hands were shaken, Caleb was taken into the Fleet's custody and their facilities.
What should've been a month where he would have returned from his DAA mission, turned into half a year of being repeatedly fitted into various types of cybernetic arm prosthetics and thereafter tested on his bodily functionality to see if he could be reintroduced into society once more.
Caleb started out like a caged animal those first two months, startled awake constantly in this unfamiliar location. Medical equipment against every white wall of the room, an IV attached to his arm, a beeping heart monitor that drove him insane.
The nurses and doctors were almost frightened by him when they showed up to take his tests, hearing him repeat like a broken record how he wanted to see his family and his wife. Especially his wife.
Taking pity, they tried to do as he asked in hopes to placate him.
They didn't find any record of marriage, which made him angrily correct who he was speaking of. After some days, they were able to inform him that this 'nonmc' he spoke of was alive and well, though like anyone else, would not be allowed to know of his existence until he was fully healed.
When they spoke of his grandmother and sister next, it took a turn for the worse.
His grandmother, Josephine, had passed away in the time that he was on mission and subsequently injured. His younger sister, MC, had taken over for the funeral proceedings with the help of nonmc. It was logged that nonmc had tried to call his phone repeatedly for days after his mission was to be concluded until finally stopping after receiving no answer.
The assumption was there... After Josephine passed, they all thought he...
Upon hearing that, he felt like his world was crumbling down onto him.
Caleb couldn't imagine how devastated they were, being left behind to pick up the pieces. A brother lost, a fiancée vanished...
He wanted to let his evol go wild, to destroy this white box of metal walls and antiseptic so he could free himself from this place. But then... where would he go? He didn't even know where he was or the consequences of attempting to find out.
How could he think to put his family through that?
No, he couldn't. So he bided his time, gave in to the whims of these doctors, scientists, and whatever other personnel they had in hopes they'll finally let him free. That's what he was promised, and that's what he'll follow.
It ate away at him every day he couldn't see them, but soon months of testing became weeks of preparing him for his role as colonel.
Colonel Xia of the Farspace Fleet.
He found the idea laughable, something he hadn't even dared to assume was something he could strive for. He wanted to stay in the DAA, where his friends were, where the people he bonded with were despite their friendships being surface level at best. Yet that... was a distant dream now.
Finally after many grueling months of silence and strangers sharing empty sympathies to his plight, he was ready to don on his colonel uniform. The black leather and Farspace Fleet accent colors felt far too constricting, as though not of it was truly suited to him.
The boyish charm, the unrestrained smile and laughter... All of it was gone in favor of cold, apathetic stares to counter the superior officers who were far older than him.
They didn't understand how someone as young as him got into the position he was, but he showed them. His evol brought his subordinates to their knees, his words calculating their every move openly.
'A shell of a man', they called him in murmurs and whispers.
Caleb heard it all, but that did nothing to stop him from his goal of getting to see his family again.
That day would eventually come, where he was given the approval for visitations at the Fleet base. He had them call nonmc and his sister, which in turn he received word that they would arrive at different intervals. Such was the issue of his sister working for the Hunter Association and currently on a highly sensitive lead.
He could accept that, he'll see them both eventually at least.
As for nonmc, a part of him had been worried about what would happen when she received the news. How would she react to knowing her fiancé, that she thought was dead this whole time, was actually still alive? He was afraid to know.
But he had to persevere, to see her in the flesh and know that she was real. To know that all that he went through was worth the price.
He waited in one of the visitation rooms that afternoon, pacing back and forth with a posture still stiff in 'colonel mode'. It had become habit to walk like he was machine-made, even if only partly. He had to in order to keep himself sane in this place.
His pacing would immediately stop as soon as he hears the whoosh of the metal doors sliding, a pair of footsteps arriving through.
One sounded like leather and rubber, the other... clicking softly like heels.
He felt the air in his lungs leave him, his heart thumping nearly out of his chest as he stayed facing one of the metal walls. Turning to see whoever it was felt like it would take the strength of moving mountains to do.
"Colonel Xia? Miss nonmc has arrived." The subordinate states, making Caleb turn his jaw slightly their way in response.
"Take your leave. Let no one else enter this room after you." He orders curtly, leaving no room for back talk.
"Yes, sir."
He hears the turn of the subordinate's boot, their steps receding past the metal doors until they finally closed and sealed them away from prying eyes.
All that was left was silence and the whirring of the military facilities beyond this room, devoid of warmth. At least not until...
"...Caleb..?"
That familiar voice, that soft inflection he craved to hear for months. It was like receiving fresh water after miles of being in a desert.
He swallows roughly, a noticeably parched feeling in his throat, before slowly turning to her. And, oh, was she a sight.
Everything was there. A mirage turned real. Except... it wasn't all the same.
Caleb remembered she started wearing contacts after their first year together, yet now she wears those rimmed glasses again.
He remembered her cheeks still round and plump after giving her lovingly-made meals and going out on wonderful dates, yet now there was a dark hollowness underneath her eyes.
Her stunned gaze was dreary with a noticeable lack of sleep, even her lips looked slightly chapped as she took gradual steps to him.
Her hands trembled upward, unsure if touching him would make him crumble away. She too could not believe he was real.
"I..." He stammers out, "...I'm sorry, they wouldn't let me tell you what happened. I shouldn't have left you all alone--"
The words stop immediately as her arms went around his middle, clutching onto him desperately. Her body started to shake with her trembling sobs, her tears dampening the front of his coat.
"Y-You're alive... I'm so glad you're alive..." Nonmc manages between hiccupped cries, her fingers digging into the dark material like deep claws.
His own breath felt faint, nothing he could have said to earn this didn't matter anymore. He clenched his eyes shut, fighting past the sting of tears as he brought his left arm around her back.
Real. Warm. All of it was the same underneath her sweater. This was her.
Caleb didn't dare bring his right arm around her, the prosthetic far too foreign even with the synthetic skin and layers of uniform as a barrier. She didn't deserve that, not something that wasn't him.
After that day, it took time for everyone to adjust.
MC was clearly angry about the whole thing, even going as far to give him some silent treatment the first month despite obviously missing him too this whole time.
It was... a lot to process. She had lost a whole family.
And Caleb knew that. He wouldn't force them to act like a normal family again after everything. With time, he'll have to make it up to her and to the grandmother he never got to say goodbye to.
He expected the reaction to be the same from nonmc's end, but instead she was more grateful than anything to have him back.
Her eyes that seemed lost on that day they met were now alight with something new everyday. Surprise, astonishment, brimming joy...
This was her, the nonmc in his memories. The one in that video call they had before everything went wrong.
He should be happy that nothing's changed, but he was scared to think this was all an act. Some kind of trauma response to shove away all the bad feelings she's had since his disappearance.
It's what made him distance himself, perhaps not physically but mentally. He couldn't imagine being away from her now that he had her here.
When nonmc stated that she wanted to move somewhere in Skyhaven to be closer to him, he offered his 'home' there that was given to him with his colonel status.
Much of it was pre-furnished, and even before she moved in, many of the gloomy gray rooms collected dust over time. That made her believe it was her mission to create something livable once she arrived.
Myriad of colors sprouted from her decorating decisions, a lot of which came from his family home and her own in order to bring some nostalgia and familiarity back into his life.
Once she had fully integrated herself there, he refused the idea of her working at some menial job to get by. He didn't want her to pay rent for staying with him and he would not let her decline the savings account he set aside solely for her benefit.
He surmounted it to being his way to give back to her for time lost, but she knew this was always how he wanted it to be once he got back from that DAA mission. Simply providing for her in every way he could.
But it was then that nonmc only wished that his eyes, just like his words and actions now, would hold the same light as they used to.
Caleb still acted caring and loving in what he would do for her, but its as if there was a line he wouldn't cross. Anything beyond far more affectionate gestures.
He hugged her each day he left for work, kissed her every night before bed like she was his world, but never would the touch linger. The right side of his body was especially kept away from her, something that became far too apparent with time.
It wasn't as if she was unaware of the general circumstances of his injuries, she knew how much work had been put into him by the Farspace Fleet so he'd appear as though he was fully whole.
This didn't, however, stop him from facing such things like phantom pain or muscle aches, only that he would hide these facets of himself from her with a practiced smile.
He would've kept it that way, but the synthetic skin that enveloped the metal of his right arm eventually started to flicker after a few months time. It never usually acted up, the scientists and engineers revered the project as being multifunctional and resistant to many things, yet during his whole shift around base, it never reappeared for longer than a few seconds.
Caleb complained profusely to an almost threatening degree, and still nothing from their diagnostics and experimentations fixed it. He simply had to go back to work with his coat and glove on, never taking it off in front of others.
The biggest issue was when he returned home, his ears listening in to where she was once he arrived back. Luckily, she was busy in the kitchen, the smell of something delicious almost diverting him from his task.
"Caleb? You're earlier than usual! Dinner's going to be ready in thirty minutes!" She yells aloud, her joyful voice echoing down the hall.
"Ah, okay!" He answers back, tugging off his boots swiftly at the front door, "I just, um, need to look over something from work. I'll be there when I'm done!"
"'Kay! I've also got us some milk tea too!"
He hums loudly for her to hear before quickly heading off to the secret room deep within the house where all his repair tools and devices were. If those highly paid people in the Fleet can't fix it, then he would do the job himself.
To his dismay, he spends an unproductive half-hour doing scans that read nothing as wrong despite the clear malfunctioning taking place. His mind couldn't will the skin back and the low whirr of his metal arm was starting to get to him.
He felt queasy, in the same way he did when he first woke up in that hospital with the new prosthetic. The limb wasn't his. It wasn't what nonmc knew.
This machinery wasn't him. He wasn't himself.
He hasn't protected anyone. He hasn't been there for anyone.
What is he now? What purpose does he serve anymore?
How can he ever dare to still be with her--
"Caleb..? Oh. I thought you were in here."
Her sweet voice startles him, his head swiveling behind to look at her with crazed eyes. Her slippers patted their way over to where he was sitting on his makeshift hospital examination table, her steps light and steady. Not fearful.
How was she so unfazed?
"H-How... did you find..."
"Hm? Ah, I was cleaning around the house a few days ago while you were at work and happened to elbow the wall over there when I was brooming. Sorry, I wasn't sure if this place was a secret or anything."
Caleb seemed to shrink in on himself despite his massive size when she stepped into the space like nothing, taking a gander at the various screens hovering around and tools that were placed within reaching distance for him.
He didn't how to broach this topic now that he was essentially cornered with it.
Her gaze eventually flits back to him, her eyebrows raising at his metal arm.
"Whoa... I've only seen the schematic that the Fleet was willing to give me. To see this arm for real is..."
He clears his throat in a poor attempt to ease the feeling that it was seemingly closing in on itself, his left hand trembling terribly before clutching onto the cold metal of his right.
"The... synthetic skin is malfunctioning."
Nonmc hums in understanding, pushing her glasses up her nose as she goes to stand at his side to get a closer look. He could feel himself go clammy with her presence, fighting back the urge to hide the arm behind himself.
"That's okay. How's it feeling right now? Any pain?" She asks with an innocent tilt of her head.
"It's... manageable."
"Hmm. We don't do manageable here, Caleb. Is the thermostat too low in here? Is it causing aches again?"
"Wha... You know about that..?"
She snorts and easily scrunches her nose cutely at him, too reminiscent of the spry girl she once was when they first started dating.
"Duh, of course I do! Especially when it rains. The metal must be shrinking around your arm." She shakes her head playfully, clicking her teeth a few times, "All right, time for a little diagnosis."
Caleb was quick to pull his arm away from those hands reaching out with such eagerness, his eyes looking guiltily away from her.
"Don't." He merely says, quick and to the point.
Far too cold.
Her hands pause mid-air, a small worried pout reaching her lips.
"What's wrong? Does touching it hurt you?"
"No. No, it's not that. I don't feel anything there."
"Then what is it?"
"I... I just shouldn't be touching you with this."
"Huh? What do you mean 'with this'? Your arm? Do we need to keep it sterile or something?"
"No."
"Then... why? You've been acting strange for months now. What gives?"
He huffs exasperatedly into the room, more at himself than at her, before turning to face her head-on with a stern look.
"Nonmc, look at me. I'm not the same one you fell in love with before. I'm... broken."
"Caleb... What are you..."
"Why aren't you angry with me like MC was, huh?" He persists, stating the question that he was too fearful to speak of before, "You should've yelled at me, hit me, did everything you could to show how frustrated you've been with me for not learning the truth up until now. Doesn't it bother you?"
"Well, of course it did. But if the Fleet stopped you from telling me, how could I say it's your fault?" She retorts, her tone reaching a shaky octave.
"...Why? Why are you vouching for me? Look at me!" He pleas in desperation, gesturing with his left hand to himself.
"I-- I am looking at you!"
"Then how can I expect you to walk around with someone like me?"
"Stop saying stuff like that! You're you, Caleb!"
Caleb shakes his head, shifting himself further away from her view to stir in his anguish silently. Both of them were breathing heavy with frustration, tears gathered over their waterlines... It was probably the first time they ever fought like this.
Even when they were young and carefree, just thinking that they had the world between their two hands together, it never had ever gotten to this breaking point.
It would be so easy to say enough was enough and that this relationship of theirs couldn't be fixed, but is that what they wanted? Could they live with that?
"...You haven't asked me anymore." She speaks up, sniffling around her runny nose.
He furrows his eyebrows, his face angling her way. It was already heartbreaking enough to hear her held back tears, but he couldn't avoid the way her voice sounded so defeated.
"...What?"
"You... You never propose to me like before. How you used to always..."
A choked sob from her makes him turn back fully, his expression completely devastated to see her wiping around her wet cheeks and underneath her glasses.
"I..." He croaks out, unsure if he was allowed to open that wound up.
Caleb knew what she meant. How even after he official proposed to her long ago and had them set aside the paperwork to be filed for later so they could be legally married, he always took any opportunity he could where he was spilling with love for her to just blurt it out.
Whether they were doing laundry together, walking down a sunset path, or laying in bed... He said it as easily as saying 'I love you'.
But since the accident and reuniting with her, he hasn't said it once.
Because in his heart, he felt he had no right to marry her. Why tie her to someone like him?
When he doesn't respond, she coughs around more tears, her sweet angelic face now red and scrunched together.
"Do you... not love me anymore..?"
Hearing her even question him on that was what halted his continuous spiraling, his eyes widening with how appalled he was to think such a conclusion could ever exist. Why was he so blind to her own suffering?
His left hand had a mind of its own, reaching around her back and bringing her to him even if it meant she stumbled into the space between his legs. He gasped as he took a sudden inhale, immersing himself in a scent he held so dear as his tears started to stain the front of her sweater.
"Please..! D-Don't say it-- I would never think that! I love you more than anything in this world."
"Then why... Why..." She pleaded weakly, her arms held loosely at her sides.
She wanted to hold him now that he was so near, but she didn't know what right she had anymore. She didn't know what this conversation would lead to.
Caleb took that chance to lift his red-rimmed eyes up to her, his chin pressed against her stomach.
"I... I don't deserve you! I want you to be happy, so you could proudly talk about your husband to anyone. Your friends, your family... How can I..."
Nonmc sniffled loudly again, blinking rapidly as she took a moment to really take in what he was saying. Repeatedly, he's been downplaying who he was to her, deflecting with self-doubt.
She hated every word of it.
"You think you're not worthy of me..?" She huffs an empty laugh, a sense of spite blooming in her heart, "You want to know why I wasn't angry all this time? Because all I ever wanted was to have you back."
His lips parted, ready to respond back, but she counters him by gesturing a hand up to his metal arm. His eyes flit to her face and hand, his head shaking subtly in a subconscious manner.
"Give me your right arm."
"Nonmc--"
"No. You will listen to me, Caleb."
It was clear there was no other choice, this was an ultimatum. Give in to what she wanted or lose her forever.
With little effort, he tossed aside his pride, slowly bringing his arm up to her.
Nonmc lets out a quiet sigh in relief through her nose, her gaze softening as she brought her fingers over to cross the rest of the distance. The tips of them press tentatively into the curvature of the metal wrist, causing a startled jolt from him that he couldn't help.
She watched his expression, waiting until he nodded for her to continue.
"You said you don't feel anything here."
"...I don't. Sorry, I just... got scared, I guess."
"Mm-mm. There's no reason for you to be sorry."
Her voice and touch was gentle, almost far too much for him. To be honest, he felt embarrassed with how she was coddling him like a stray animal. It reminded him of when she would drag him along to feed the stray puppies and kittens in his old neighborhood.
No matter if she got scratched up or dirtied by them, she had a wide smile as they crouched down together to watch them eat and sleep.
She was a sweet and kind soul. Perhaps it could have meant that the embarrassment he was feeling right now actually stemmed more from how he quite enjoyed being pampered as such.
He hums lowly in response, resting his forehead against her stomach to hide the flush that was burning his cheeks. He did leave one eye peeking out just so he could watch her fingers trace random paths down the wiring and divots.
"Should I be worried about snagging on something or..?" She asks, finding a particular round bolt on his elbow fascinating.
Caleb shakes his head against her, twisting and shifting his arm to let her explore more.
"No, it should be fine."
Nonmc nods along, letting out a soft giggle as she squeezed the shaped bicep between her index finger and thumb. That made him raise his eyebrows, an uneasiness settling within him at such a random reaction from her.
"What's so funny?"
"Hm? Oh, no, it's nothing."
"It's not nothing. Tell me."
She could hear the edges of a particularly petulant tone he used to have when they were younger, especially when he was too jealous than he'd like to admit. She wouldn't tell him, not yet at least, but it gave her some hope that not all was lost of her Caleb.
"Fineeee. I was just thinking that this arm makes you like a superhero."
"A superhero..?" Caleb repeats incredulously, making her purse her lips tightly to stop her laughter, "You can't be serious."
"I am! And your colonel uniform is actually quite..."
He narrows his eyes up at her, definitely ready to judge her opinion.
"Mysterious and... um, a little sexy."
He groans at that, giving her the most dramatically judgmental face he could ever muster that she couldn't possibly hold her laughter in for.
"What..? Why..?"
Nonmc was full on belly-laughing by his confusion, her previous tears becoming ones for an entirely different emotion. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her middle as she was close to toppling over, secretly relishing on these amused bodily shakes of hers.
"Oh, Caleb..." She breathes out, trying to catch her breath, "You've known me for so long and yet you don't even believe me when I say nothing's changed between us?"
Her own arms find their way around his neck, hugging his head closer to her chest with a happy hum. Caleb utters out a flustered noise at having his face squished into an intimate spot, his hands that were clutching at her sweater now starting to twitch as other deeper feelings he had tried to dampen since reuniting with her were making itself known.
"W-What're you--"
"Here. Tell me how my heart feels like."
He blinks into her for a moment, getting his bearings together before shifting his ear to get a better listen.
Quick, fast thumps reached him. Like she's run a marathon.
Such a soothing sound was taking him to a place that was quite vulnerable. Many nights of them curled up together, practically fused as one while they slept. Her heart was a lullaby he never got to enjoy since recovering.
The very realization made him long for such a small joy again.
"...Your heart is beating really fast. Very fast, actually."
"And what do you think that means?"
"Hm. You could be scared of me."
Nonmc huffs a quiet laugh, one hand moving up to brush lovingly through his scalp. He was clammy, the oil and sweat having built up into his neglected strands, but she didn't care one bit.
"Honestly... Do I really seem scared to you?"
Caleb makes a small grumbling noise in reluctant thought before muffling a 'no' into her chest. She smiled to herself in accomplishment, curling inward to kiss the top of his head.
"Exactly. Because I love every part of you, Caleb. Every single one."
He hides a choked swallow from her, his arms tightening around her body even more. Metal and flesh, both arms needed to keep her near.
She let him have his moment, continuing to pet his hair while he held her. Finally, it felt like she had him again. Completely.
"Honey..." He murmurs, shifting his head to keep his voice clear.
"Hm?"
"...Marry me, please?"
Nonmc's smile wobbled, her laughter accompanied by wet hiccups as she guided his head up so he could see her nod profusely.
"Of course I will! I kept the paperwork and everything!"
They both chuckled at her cheeky answer, their eyes crinkling with fresh tears.
His hands decidedly tug her body down, letting her settle onto his lap as he helped her take her glasses off and brought her in for a long awaited kiss. Their eyes fluttered shut simultaneously, their lips locked together despite the salt they could taste on one another.
But that didn't matter right now.
To them, this was the sweetest thing they could ever have.
Hello!! I hope all is well with you! I was wondering if it could request a story where Non-mc is in a relationship with the Lis (separately) and has an overprotective sibling, (doesn't matter if its a twin, an older sibling or a younger sibling, you can choose) who has a rocky relationship with the Lis because they're worried the Lis will break Non-mc's heart and go back to MC. That's all, I really like your stories btw!!❤️
(No pressure tho, you don't have to write this if you don't want😅)
Author’s Note: So, although I have siblings, we're not very close, and I've never been protective of them - or them of me - in that way. So, I hope I did this request justice. 🫣
Also, I hope you don't mind, but I excluded the in-game MC from Zayne's and Rafayel's drabbles (as in, she's not mentioned) because she just didn't fit into them. 🫠
Synopsis: a collection of Love and Deepspace drabbles where your protective siblings puts your relationship under the microscope.
Pairing: all the LIs separately, including Valko x reader
Trigger/content warnings: established relationship, fluff, protective siblings, family dynamics, domestic
THE FAMILY APPROVAL ARC
XAVIER (word count : 490)
This has to be the most awkward family dinner you’ve ever had.
You sit beside Xavier, while across from you are your two older brothers and Jeremiah.
Jeremiah looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.
Your brothers are openly sizing Xavier up with unmistakable disapproval.
Jeremiah is a close friend of both you and your now-boyfriend Xavier, who owns Philo. The business that he eventually needed help and hired you.
He was impressed by your knowledge of flowers and your natural ability to connect with customers, and the two of you quickly became close friends.
Through Jeremiah, you met Xavier.
And immediately developed a crush on him.
You did everything you could to get to know him better, spend time with him, and eventually confess your feelings.
When Xavier rejected you, you tried not to let it show how much it hurt. You laughed it off and agreed to stay friends.
To your surprise, things didn’t end there.
One night, in the middle of the night, Xavier teleported into your bedroom.
He confessed that the reason he had rejected you wasn’t because he didn’t feel the same.
He was afraid of moving forward.
Afraid of being selfish.
Afraid of letting go of the past.
The past he spoke of involved his home planet, Philos, the mission of the Backtrackers, and the woman he had once loved: MC, the queen of Philos.
For a brief moment, he believed he had found her again on Earth, in this timeline.
But eventually he realized that the MC of this world was not the queen he remembered. There were similarities, yes, but they were not the same person.
After a long and honest conversation, the two of you decided to give your relationship a chance.
Unfortunately, that led to your biggest challenge : your brothers.
They had hated every boy you had ever dated. Their overprotectiveness had sabotaged more than one relationship by driving your partners away.
And now they sit across from Xavier, interrogating him like he is a criminal.
Xavier, however, remains calm, soft-spoken, and completely unbothered.
“Alright, that’s enough!” you snap, slamming your fist against the table.
“I’m not a child anymore,” you glare at your brothers. “I don’t need your approval - let alone your permission - to date whoever I want.”
“I mean… he doesn’t seem that bad,” one brother mutters.
The other sighs.
“I was still hoping you and Jeremiah would end up together. You two would make a cute couple.”
Jeremiah chokes on his drink, coughing violently.
“We’re just friends,” he wheezes, waving a hand dismissively.
Beside you, Xavier turns his head toward Jeremiah and gives him a perfectly level, icy stare.
A stare you recognize as jealousy.
“Starlight is right,” Xavier says at last, taking your hand in his.
“I didn’t come here seeking permission,” he says calmly.
“I came here to tell you that your sister is important to me, and I intend to stay by her side.”
Hoping this would be a chance for your ten-year-old sister to bond with your boyfriend, Zayne, you brought them both to the park.
Instead, your sister clings to your arm, wedges herself between you and Zayne on the bench, and glares at him so intensely that you’re convinced that, if she were a cat, she’d be hissing.
She hasn’t liked Zayne since the day you introduced them.
At first, you assumed it was because of his cold, stoic, unapproachable demeanor. Then you figured she was simply shy.
Eventually, you asked her directly why she dislikes him.
“He’s a doctor,” she huffed.
“Doctors are mean. They poke people with needles, make people take yucky medicine, and act all bossy. What if he scolds you when you’re sick?”
You stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. The reasoning was so ridiculous that it was impossible not to find it adorable.
“I’m going to get us some drinks,” you say, gently prying her off your arm and standing up. “I’ll be right back.”
Before she can follow you, you add, “Stay here and go play.”
She watches you walk away, then turns to Zayne, pouts, and trudges toward the playground.
Zayne can’t help the faint smirk that tugs at the corner of his mouth.
He keeps a discreet eye on her, and the moment he sees her trip, he’s on his feet and beside her in seconds.
She sits on the ground with a scraped knee, trying not to cry.
“Does it hurt?” Zayne asks, crouching beside her. “Let me see.”
He gently takes her leg, pulls an antiseptic wipe from his jacket pocket, cleans the scrape, and carefully places a colorful children’s bandage over it.
“All better,” he says, his expression softening slightly.
Then he opens his palm to reveal a wrapped candy.
By the time you return, balancing three iced teas, you blink in confusion.
Zayne is pushing your sister on the swings.
When she spots you, she hops off and grabs one of the drinks.
“I was wrong, sis,” she announces between sips. “Doctors aren’t so bad. At least not Dr. Zayne.”
You lean closer to Zayne and lower your voice so only he can hear.
“So,” you murmur, “how many candies did it take to bribe her?”
You stand in front of a painting at Flux Arts, admiring it while your teenage brother lingers beside you.
“All that fuss… for this?” he says, gesturing toward the artwork with a dismissive click of his tongue.
About a year ago, you landed a job as an assistant to Thomas, Rafayel’s manager. You were a fresh college graduate and already knew Rafayel, having been lucky enough to have him as your art professor during your final semester.
Thomas had been desperate for extra help after he and his wife welcomed a baby, and you were thrilled. You thought you had landed your dream job.
However, you quickly learned that Professor Rafayel and Artist Rafayel were two very different people.
The man was dramatic and an absolute handful.
So every day, you came home and complained to your teenage brother about the “dramatic fishie,” as you affectionately call him.
Eventually, though, you learned how to navigate Rafayel’s complicated personality. Somewhere along the way, your frustration turned into fondness, and the time you spent with him became something you genuinely looked forward to.
Which eventually led to the two of you becoming a couple.
Much to both your brother’s and your own disbelief.
The problem was that your brother only remembered the countless complaints, the exhausted sighs, and the endless stories about Rafayel driving you crazy.
So naturally, he wasn’t exactly Rafayel’s biggest fan.
That was why you brought him here today - to one of Rafayel’s exhibitions. You wanted him to see the Rafayel you have fallen in love with.
It will also be the first time the two of them are meeting face to face.
“Give him a chance,” you say, glancing at your brother.
Your brother gives you a pointed look.
“You literally called him unbearable last year.”
Before you can respond, a familiar voice cuts in.
“Unbearable? Cutieee, I’m wounded.”
You turn around to find Rafayel standing behind you, clutching his chest dramatically and pouting.
“So this is the little brother I’ve heard so much about,” he says, straightening as he looks him over.
Your brother narrows his eyes.
“And you’re the guy I’ve heard way too much about.”
Rafayel’s pout immediately turns into a grin.
“So you’ve been talking about me this whole time? I knew I was always on your mind.” Rafayel tease you.
Your older sister sits across the dining table in a fancy restaurant, opposite Sylus, who lazily swirls the wine in his glass.
“If you think you can bribe me into accepting you - or throw money at me to keep my mouth shut - you’re mistaken,” she says, glaring at him.
“You’re the one who requested this meeting,” Sylus replies smoothly, taking a sip of his wine.
You huff.
“All rich people are snobs,” you mutter under your breath just as the waiter places your meals in front of you.
Your sister spears a bite of food with her fork. The moment it touches her tongue, her eyes widen, and she lets out a satisfied hum.
When she looks up, Sylus is smirking at her.
“Don’t look so smug,” she snaps. “A sharp jawline, endless zeros in your bank account, and excellent taste in food are not enough to sway me.”
A low chuckle rumbles from Sylus’s chest.
“I can see where your sister gets her feisty attitude from.”
Your sister sets down her utensils.
“My sister is an outstanding hunter in the Hunters Association,” she says seriously.
Sylus hums in agreement.
“It’s bad enough that, as a hunter, she risks her life every day for strangers,” your sister continues with a sigh. “But she loves her job.”
Her expression hardens.
“Being associated with you - the leader of Onychinus - not only puts her in greater danger, it could also destroy her career.”
That’s right. Your sister knows Sylus’s true identity: the leader of Onychinus, ruler of the lawless N109 Zone, and one of the Hunters Association’s most wanted criminals.
The only reason you became involved with Onychinus in the first place was because your colleague, MC, had confided in you and asked for your help researching a rare energy source known as the Aether Core and the organization EVER.
She still can’t understand how you, her little sister, ended up dating Sylus. Now she finds herself constantly worried every time you step into the N109 Zone.
“And what about MC?” your sister asks, narrowing her eyes. “My sister made it sound like you were… interested in her.”
“I have no romantic feelings for MC,” Sylus answers evenly. “Consider her a business partner.”
Your sister studies him skeptically.
“Your dislike of me is valid,” Sylus admits calmly. “In fact, I’d be far more disappointed if you were indifferent.”
His gaze turns intense, unwavering.
“But no love is purer than mine,” he says, “and I swear I will keep your sister safe.”
You stand in front of the couch, brows furrowed, one foot tapping relentlessly against the wooden floor.
Your boyfriend, Caleb, and your older brother, Gideon, sit side by side in complete silence, looking like two guilty children being scolded by a parent.
Gideon presses a bloodied tissue to his nose, while Caleb holds an ice pack beneath his eye, where a dark bruise is already beginning to form.
When you came home, the last thing you expected to find was your boyfriend and your brother engaged in a full-blown fistfight.
“You two are unbelievable,” you snap.
“He started it,” Caleb mutters under his breath.
You shoot him a glare, and he immediately sinks farther into the couch.
“This has gotten completely out of hand,” you continue. “You’re supposed to be friends.”
“He stopped being my friend the moment he started dating you,” Gideon says, throwing Caleb a pointed side-eye.
Caleb and Gideon have been close for years. They met at the Aerospace Academy and later became DAA pilots together.
But ever since you and Caleb started dating a few months ago, things between them had been strained, to say the least.
“Friends don’t date their friends’ little sisters,” Gideon declares.
You roll your eyes.
“The punch you threw tells me this is about more than me dating your sister,” Caleb replies, lowering the ice pack. “What’s this really about, Gid?”
Gideon glances at you for a moment before looking back at Caleb. His shoulders sag as he lets out a long sigh.
“You spent years pining after MC,” he admits. “Longing for her. Hoping for something that never happened. So how am I supposed to know you’re not using my sister as a replacement?”
“As her big brother, it’s my job to protect her,” he adds.
Caleb slowly pushes himself to his feet.
“You’re right,” he says.
“Our childhood trauma and growing up together made me cling to MC in a way that blinded me. It wasn’t until I entered the Academy - until I had some distance from her and the chance to figure myself out - that I realized what I truly felt.”
Caleb turns to look at you. You give him a small, reassuring smile; the two of you have already had this conversation.
Caleb faces Gideon again and extends his hand.
“Let’s make a deal,” he says, flashing his signature boyish grin. “If I ever hurt Y/N or make her cry…”
“…you have my permission to beat the hell out of me.”
Gideon snorts a reluctant laugh. He takes Caleb’s outstretched hand and shakes it firmly.
You sit beside your boyfriend, Valko, glaring at your sister across the booth.
She looks completely unbothered and utterly unapologetic.
“What were you thinking?” you huff.
“Aren’t you going to apologize?”
“It was just a prank,” your sister says with a shrug.
You and Valko had made plans to meet at one of your favorite restaurants, but when you arrived, you found your sister sitting there instead.
She is wearing your clothes, and her hair was styled exactly the way you usually wear it.
The two of you are identical twins - Mary Kate and Ashley identical - to the point where most people struggle to tell you apart.
Valko, however, had seen right through her, much to her disappointment.
Beside you, Valko lets out a quiet chuckle.
“I found it amusing.”
“Don’t encourage her,” you mutter.
“You’re not a prankster. What was your real motive?” you demand.
“It was a test,” she replies nonchalantly.
“I wanted to prove whether he’s good enough for you.”
You stare at her, mouth agape.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she says.
“Your dating record is not exactly something to write home about. You always manage to pick the worst men.”
You can’t even argue with her because, unfortunately, she’s right. Years of terrible relationships have made your twin incredibly protective of you.
“And...,” she continues, turning her attention to Valko.
“...you broke up with your girlfriend of two years only a few weeks before you started dating my sister.”
You want to set the record straight and tell her that MC - your college upperclassman and Valko’s ex - isn’t nearly as innocent as she makes herself appear around campus, but it doesn’t feel like your place to say it.
Your sister crosses her arms and slumps back into her seat.
“Whatever,” she sighs.
“Seriously, though, how could you even tell us apart?”
Valko answers without hesitation.
“You may look identical, but your scents are different.”
“Scent?” She raises an eyebrow. “What are you… a dog?”
“A wolf, actually,” he replies matter-of-factly.
You immediately kick Valko under the table and shoot him a sharp warning look, silently telling him to shut up.
First, you need your sister to accept human Valko before you can even think about introducing her to wolf-hybrid Valko.
Author’s Note: I just wanted to say how grateful I am for every single request you guys send me. I genuinely love reasing your creative ideas. 😍
That said.. I never expected to receive so many. 😅 So if it takes me a while to get to your request, thank you for being patient with me. 🙏
I usually answer requests in the order I receive them (oldest to newest) because I think that's the fairest way to do it. However, sometimes a request is shorter, easier to write, or simply sparks inspiration in the moment, so I might post that one first even if it's a little out of order. 🫢
Please know that unless I send an answer declining your request, it will get written eventually. Thank you all so much for your support, your patience, and for trusting me with your ideas. ❤️
Tag list : @cordidy @thehyperfixationgirly
If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my other Love and Deepspace fanfiction.
your dog used to run and hide under the table or the couch when it thundered, but ever since sylus started coming around more frequently, they always sprint to his side for safety. nothing can hurt them when a big, powerful boss-man is there to protect them, after all.
they're practically glued to him until the storm is over. he doesn't mind in the slightest, proud to have earned the trust of your closest companion. he slowly strokes their flank until they doze off pressed against his warmth, soothed and content. and if he's lucky, you're on his other side, fast asleep as well.
aizawa is horrified when you reveal that none of your past partners ever provided you with quality aftercare.
it makes his blood boil - the thought of a partner neglecting your needs, disregarding the vulnerability you were hesistant to offer and tossing you aside like garbage. at the same time, he felt honored to be the first man who would reciprocate the pleasure and patience you gifted him during the act of lovemaking.
the bare minimum according to him consisted of cleaning you up at first and prioritizing your comfort in the bed you shared. a heating pad came in handy if he really fucked you into oblivion and the palm of his hand never left your tummy, keeping the warmth centered where your muscles ached the most.
"feels alright, yeah? nice 'n warm i bet." his cock was so damn huge, you're surprised he hasn't bruised your poor cervix by now. "my tummy hurts, sho. cramps." with a reassuring hush, he gently pats the area over the hot pad. "we went pretty hard, no? you did so good for me, my angel. rest here with me for a while."
when tears fell from your lashline one night, shouta instantly became worried. "hey, pretty girl. what's wrong?" and don't think he won't notice those tears, the ones that only fall when you're reminded of poor experiences. "nothing, it's just. no man has ever done this for me."
the confession shattered his heart - his first instinct wanting to beat any man who made you feel unworthy to death. he set the emotion aside, understanding that you needed his consolation and affection more than his anger. "i'll hold you, as long as you need. you're not leaving. not ever. got it?" with careful motions, he dries the tears streaming down your cheeks and captures you in his embrace. "don't want you to cry, princess."
shouta made it clear that no favor was too big of you to ask of him, especially in the bedroom. the bitter and resentful memories buried in your psyche began to wither away, in favor of creating new memories only a man like shouta could make reality.
pairing: fem! non mc reader x zayne, xavier, rafayel (all seperate)
warnings: none
a/n: this is my thank you to everyone who supported this series. revisiting the stories and seeing how much everyone enjoyed is why i do this. i love bringing these ideas to life. anyways this part will include zayne, xavier, and rafayel!
if you havent already read the stories the link to those is here!
part 2 with sylus, caleb and valko is here
zayne
a year had passed again. but every year, on this day, time slowed. the little bell above the café door chimed softly as another customer stepped inside.
"morning."
"good morning," you greeted with a smile, already reaching for their usual order.
the café had become a fixture in linkon over the past year. warm lighting spilled through wide windows, the scent of fresh pastries drifted onto the sidewalk every morning, and a handwritten sign near the register explained that a portion of every purchase was donated to AKSO hospital and relief funds for families affected by wander attacks.
most customers simply smiled when they read it. some dropped extra bills into the donation box. few asked why. you never offered an explanation. the answer wasn't something that could fit onto a wooden plaque.
as the morning rush settled, you wiped down the counter, eyes lingering on the framed photograph tucked beside the espresso machine. it wasn't a portrait. there wasn't one. instead, it was a pressed white flower—a jasmine beneath glass. simple. unassuming. beautiful.
"i hope you'd like this place," you murmured.
there were days you wondered what might have happened if fate had unfolded differently. the two of you hadn't exactly been friends. circumstances had never allowed it. yet sometimes you imagined another version of the world where you argued over trivial things instead of destiny. where you were simply two women trying to find your place in the world. maybe you would've liked each other. the thought no longer hurt the way it once had. it simply stayed with you. a quiet possibility. a life that could never be.
the bell chimed again. you looked up instinctively. zayne stood in the doorway, still dressed in his hospital coat, the white fabric catching the afternoon light. the exhaustion in his posture was familiar now, softened by the gentle smile he reserved for her alone.
"i thought your shift ended later."
"it did." he stepped closer, setting a small paper bag on the counter, "you forgot lunch."
you stared at him, "i did..."
"you've forgotten three times this week."
"i've been busy."
"you've been avoiding today."
you opened your mouth to deny it before letting out a defeated sigh, "maybe..."
his expression softened. he reached across the counter, his cool fingers brushing against yours.
"we don't have to go."
you looked at your joined hands, "no." you squeezed gently, "i want to."
you closed the café early that day. you didn't need to explain why. the regulars who had come to know you over the past year simply smiled, wished you well, and left with gentle understanding. some days were meant for business. some days were meant for remembering.
you locked the door, turned the sign from OPEN to CLOSED, and stood there for a moment longer than necessary.
the passenger door of the car opened before you could reach it. you climbed into the passenger seat as zayne reached over and buckled your seatbelt, giving you a small kiss on the forehead in the process. the drive was quiet. the city slowly disappeared behind you. the roads grew emptier. snow replaced pavement. the world became colder and quieter with every mile.
you rested your head against the window, watching the scenery pass. you had taken this journey alone once. back then, you had driven toward the unknown. toward a fate you didn't understand. toward a light you thought would be the end of everything. you remembered the fear. the loneliness. the certainty that your life had never truly belonged to you. but this time...you weren't alone. this time, you were sitting beside the man who had saved you from that fate. the man who had chosen you. the man who had lost someone so precious and still found the strength to love again. the man who had made your second chance possible.
the arctic was exactly as you remembered. zayne walked beside you as you entered the chamber. the familiar cold surrounded you. and then—the memories came rushing back. a flash. you standing alone. the emptiness around you. the feeling that something was waiting beyond the light. zayne's voice behind you. the warmth of his presence. the first time you realized you weren't facing everything alone. a kiss. a confession. a promise. then—her. the woman whose life had been tied to yours long before either of you understood why. memories of moments you had only heard about. choices that had echoed through time. the weight of everything she had carried. and then—the final moment. you and zayne on your knees. tears falling freely. the impossible grief of knowing that someone had chosen to disappear so you could remain.
your breath caught. even after all this time...even after everything you had built...it still hurt.
a hand gently found yours. you looked over.
"are you okay?"
zayne's voice was quiet and careful. the same voice that had found you when you thought you were lost.
you swallowed, "yeah..."
your eyes remained on the chamber. a small, sad smile touched your lips.
"this just never gets easier."
for a moment, zayne said nothing. because he understood. there were some losses that didn't become smaller. they simply became something you learned to carry.
his thumb brushed over your hand, "no." his voice was soft. "it doesn't."
the honesty surprised you. but it shouldn't have. zayne had never tried to convince you that pain could simply disappear. instead, he had always stood beside you through it.
you stood before the memorial stone that you had placed there in honor of mc. it wasn't an elaborate monument. no grand inscription. just a name. enough to remind the world that she had existed.
for a long while, neither of you spoke. words and choked out sobs had felt necessary last year. now silence understood you better. you knelt first, placing a small bouquet of white and blue flowers at the base of the stone.
"i wasn't sure if these were your favorite," you admitted quietly. "i never got to ask."
a small laugh escaped you, "i guess there were a lot of things we never got to ask each other."
the wind stirred the flowers, "i used to feel guilty." your voice was barely above a whisper, "like every happy moment i had belonged to someone else."
you lowered her gaze, "but...i don't think you'd want that." you smiled faintly, "so i opened the café." your fingers brushed lightly against the petals. "i wanted to create something that was mine. something that still carried a little piece of you and zayne told me all about how you loved coffee and pastries. i hope you can have as much as you'd like wherever you ended up."
behind you, zayne remained silent. listening with a hand on your shoulder. just as he always had. you stood, giving him space. he stepped forward after a moment.
"i've spent this past year wondering what i would say if i ever stood here again."
his voice was calm and measured. "i thought i owed you an apology." his eyes rested on the name carved into stone. "but that isn't what you wanted."
a faint smile touched his lips, "you always had a habit of making impossible decisions."
his hand settled gently atop the cool marble, "you entrusted her to this world."
his gaze drifted toward you waiting a few steps away, "and she has given me every reason to keep living in it."
you felt tears sting your eyes. not because they were fresh. because they weren't. the grief had changed. it no longer felt like drowning. it felt like carrying something precious. heavy. but no longer unbearable.
when zayne stepped back beside you, you slipped your hand into his without thinking. his fingers intertwined with yours immediately.
"you've been trying to comfort me all day." there was the smallest hint of amusement in his voice. "you keep forgetting..." his thumb traced gently across your knuckles. "i'm grieving with the woman i love."
you looked away, embarrassed, "i just thought..."
"that today would be harder for me?"
you nodded and he didn't deny it.
"but when i think about that day..." his eyes met yours. steady. certain. "i don't remember only what i lost."
the corners of his mouth lifted into a quiet smile, "i remember what she wanted me to protect."
you couldn't stop the tears this time. nor did you try. he brushed one away with his thumb before leaning down to press a gentle kiss against your forehead. no dramatic promises. no declarations. just the quiet certainty that had carried them through every difficult day over the past year.
"let's go home," he said softly.
home.
you smiled, "okay."
a year ago, you'd believed you'd lost everything. instead, you'd been given the chance to build a life that belonged only to you. not as someone else's replacement. not as the heroine of a story. simply as yourself.
the café stood because one woman had believed every life was worth saving. your heart continued beating because another had taught you that love was worth choosing, every single day. you hoped, wherever fate had carried you, you knew that neither gift had been wasted.
beside you, zayne squeezed your hand once. you squeezed back. together, you continued walking toward the car. back to linkon. back to zayne's home. well, now your home. and for the first time since that fateful day a year ago, the anniversary no longer felt like an ending. it had become the beginning of everything you would spend the rest of your lives building together.
xavier
one year later, the little brass bell above the shop door chimed for what felt like the hundredth time that afternoon.
"we'll see you next week! don't forget your tournament on saturday!" you called after the group of children as they hurried out, each carrying a newly purchased deck of trading cards.
the door swung shut behind them. silence settled over the shop once more. well...almost.
"you let him win."
you glanced toward the back counter where xavier was carefully reorganizing a display of board games that had somehow become crooked over the course of the afternoon.
"i did not."
"the eight-year-old beat you in five moves."
"he was improving."
"so you did let him win."
xavier looked up with an expression of complete innocence, "i simply encouraged his confidence."
you laughed, "you're terrible at lying."
the shop wasn't large, but it had become one of your favorite places in the city. shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, packed with board games, puzzles, plush toys, model kits, and novels. a corner near the windows held several tables where customers gathered every weekend for tournaments and game nights, while another was dedicated to children's story hours every sunday morning.
it had started as an impossible dream you joked about over late-night takeout. then, somehow...it became home. you watched xavier finish straightening the display before stepping back to inspect it.
"satisfied?"
"it was uneven."
you smiled to yourself. some things never changed. you wouldn't have wanted them to.
"ready?" he reached for the light switch.
"ready."
the familiar melody of the arcade greeted you before the doors had fully opened. bright lights blinked overhead. machines buzzed. children darted between games while teenagers crowded around rhythm cabinets, cheering whenever someone managed a difficult song. xavier paused for just a moment. not because it overwhelmed him anymore. because he still found himself quietly taking it all in.
you grinned, "come on." without waiting for an answer, you grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the racing games.
twenty minutes later, "again." you held up four fingers triumphantly, "four to zero!"
xavier stared at the results screen, "i believe my controller is defective."
you burst into laughter, "you crashed into the wall six times."
he accepted his defeat with remarkable dignity, "one more race."
"i knew you were going to say that."
the two of you left the arcade carrying two matching plush keychains you'd somehow convinced him to try winning. he'd won both prizes on his second attempt—naturally no longer being able to use his evol.
the evening air was cool as you wandered through the shopping district, stopping outside a convenience store to share a carton of strawberry milk. you caught him looking around again. not searching. just...looking. at families laughing together. friends arguing over where to eat dinner. a couple struggling to carry too many shopping bags. everything was ordinary. wonderfully ordinary.
"you're staring."
"i'm observing."
you smiled, "is there really a difference?"
"there is."
"so..." you took another sip, "what are you observing this time?"
he thought about it, "how ordinary happiness can be."
your smile softened. a year ago, you would've expected him to say something poetic. now...the simplicity somehow meant even more. you resumed walking and ater a while, you spoke again.
"can i ask you something?"
he squeezed your hand in response. the question had lived quietly in the back of your mind for months.
"do you ever regret it?"
his gaze shifted to you
"leaving your world."
silence lingered between you.
"you gave up everything."
you looked down at the plush keychain swinging gently from your hand.
"your home...and her."
the word barely escaped above a whisper.
"the girl who was meant to be by your side."
xavier didn't answer immediately. instead, you continued walking beneath the glow of the streetlights. finally, he spoke.
"i miss everyone i couldn't save."
there was no hesitation. no attempt to hide the truth.
"i wish there had been another path."
his voice remained gentle.
"if there had been a way for everyone to live...i would've chosen it."
you reached for his hand without thinking. fingers intertwined naturally.
"but there wasn't." he looked ahead his thumb brushed against your knuckles.
"i'm tired of wondering what might have happened."
his eyes met yours, "i'd rather spend the life we have wondering what comes next."
your chest tightened. not from sadness but from relief.
"that's..." you smiled, "very romantic."
you laughed together. the sound felt easy. comfortable. like home.
"you know..."
"hm?"
"it's funny."
"what is?"
"you crossed dimensions." he nodded. "defied fate." another nod. "and somehow..."
you held up the little plush keychain, "we still met because of a video game."
a genuine chuckle escaped him, "it appears games have been remarkably effective."
by the time you reached your apartment building, the city had begun to quiet for the night. you fished the keys from your bag while xavier carried the small shopping bag filled with snacks you'd impulsively bought on the walk home. as you unlocked the door, he lingered in the hallway for just a second longer.
"what?"
he looked at you, "i was thinking." he was quiet for a moment. "the story kept changing. so did the world. so did we."
his gaze softened, "but somehow..." he stepped closer, "you were always waiting at the end."
you smiled, slipping your hand into his once more, "i was waiting for you."
for a heartbeat, neither of you moved. then xavier leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead before opening the apartment door. home. not a palace. not a distant planet. not another timeline. just a small apartment cluttered with board game prototypes, plush toys waiting to be stocked on the shop shelves, and the quiet life you'd built together one ordinary day at a time. once, you'd thought stories ended when the credits rolled. as xavier laced his fingers through yours and led you inside, you realized you'd been wrong. the best part had only just begun.
rafayel
the small flame-shaped pendant rested against the white fabric of your wedding dress, catching the afternoon sunlight as you stood before the mirror. someone behind you—one of the bridesmaids—tilted their head.
"that's the necklace you're wearing?"
you looked down instinctively, fingertips brushing over the familiar pendant.
"i thought you'd wear something more... extravagant."
rafayel certainly could have given you one. anyone who knew him expected diamonds or jewels worthy of an exhibition.
instead, you smiled softly, "this was the first promise he ever gave me."
you closed your hand around it for a brief moment, "and it's still the most precious thing i own."
the ceremony was held on the beach just before sunset. rows of white chairs lined the sand, seashells and lilies decorating the aisle leading toward the ocean. the waves rolled gently against the shore, the breeze carrying with it the scent of saltwater and summer. it couldn't have been anywhere else. the sea had always belonged to rafayel. today...it belonged to both of you.
you stood at the end of the aisle, heart pounding so loudly you were certain everyone could hear it. then you looked up and rafayel was already watching you from the other side. there was no teasing smile. no dramatic reaction. just quiet adoration and love pouring from his gaze.
you made your way to him and couldn't help smiling when you got to his side. "you okay?"
his laugh carried softly over the wave, "i had something witty prepared."
"you did?"
"yeah well i forgot it." the guests laughed and awed. "so this is entirely your fault."
"my fault?"
"i saw you." he gestured to how stunning you looked and shook his head with theatrical disappointment. "and suddenly the words left my mind."
you laughed, feeling the last of your nerves melt away. some things would never change. thankfully.
among the guests, you caught a familiar face. mc. no longer the heroine. simply...herself. she offered a warm smile from beside the man sitting next to her. he caught you looking and gave an awkward little wave before the heroine gently nudged his shoulder, laughing under her breath. the sight made something inside your chest settle. there had been a time you'd believed happiness could only belong to one of them. you had been wrong. life had found room for everyone. and somehow... that made today even more beautiful.
when it came time for the vows, the ocean seemed to quiet.
you took a slow breath, "a long time ago...i thought this world was somewhere i could visit for a little while before going back to my own."
your eyes found rafayel's, "i spent so long believing i was borrowing someone else's place."
your fingers found the flame necklace resting against your heart, "i was terrified that one day i'd wake up and realize none of it had ever been mine. but somewhere between a ferris wheel..."
his lips curved into a knowing smile.
"arguments over your paintings..."
a few of your friends laughed knowingly.
"the way you always managed to find me...and every time you looked at me as though we'd already known each other for a lifetime. i realized i wasn't borrowing anything..." tears shimmered in your eyes. "i was finding my way home."
you reached for his hands then, "they say home is where your heart is. i never really understood what that meant because no matter where i lived before...i always felt like something was missing."
a tear finally slipped free, "i may not have been born into this world." you smiled through your tears, "but if loving you brought me here..." you squeezed his hands, "then i think this is where i was always meant to belong."
for a moment, the only sound was the ocean. then rafayel blinked, holding back his own tears.
"you're making this very difficult."
you laughed through the tears, "your turn."
he sighed dramatically then looked at you, "the first time we met..."
his gaze drifted briefly toward the ferris wheel standing proudly along the distant boardwalk.
"i remember thinking you looked terribly lost." his smile became softer than you'd ever seen it. "the funny thing is...i think i was the one waiting to be found."
you felt another tear escape before you could stop it.
"i've spent my entire life painting things i couldn't explain. searching for colors that didn't exist. trying to capture feelings that disappeared the moment i touched a brush."
he reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.
"then you arrived and suddenly...i stopped searching."
the breeze lifted around them.
"i don't care how many worlds exist. i don't care how many versions of fate there might have been. if every path led me back to this moment..." he smiled, "i would choose every single one. i choose you...in this life...in every life...every time."
by the time the officiant pronounced you husband and wife, neither of you cared that everyone was watching. rafayel kissed you like he'd been waiting years to do it. maybe...in some ways...he had.
the reception was already in full swing by the time you managed to escape the endless stream of congratulations. you laughed, slipping your hand into his as you made your way toward the refreshment table. before either of you could reach it, a familiar voice stopped them.
"i was wondering when we'd finally get a chance to steal the newlyweds."
you turne and mc stood a few steps away, dressed in a pale blue gown that fluttered gently in the sea breeze. beside her, her date offered an awkward smile before raising his glass in greeting.
"congratulations."
"thank you," you replied warmly.
for a brief moment, the four of you simply stood there. ayear or two ago, the silence would've been unbearable. now...it felt strangely comfortable.
mc turned to you, "i've been meaning to tell you something." her expression softened, "for a long time, i wondered if i'd ever be able to come to something like this."
she glanced toward rafayel before looking back at you, "but i realized something...i wasn't mourning him."
she reached for her man's hand, "i was mourning the future i thought i was supposed to have." he intertwined their fingers without hesitation, "but life has a funny way of surprising you."
"it does," you agreed quietly.
mc looked between you and rafayel, "you know...i really am happy for you."
there wasn't the slightest trace of bitterness in her voice. only sincerity.
"thank you."
rafayel smiled, his expression gentler than usual, "so am i."
mc blinked, "for us?"
he nodded toward her and her date. he knew who he was. some ceo of a tech company—valko.
"you two look good together."
as music drifted across the beach, mc stepped forward first wrapping you in a brief hug, "take care of him."
you smiled, "i will."
the music called everyone to the dance floor and you watched as mc and valko disappear into the crowd hand in hand, some stories ended in heartbreak. some ended in sacrifice. and sometimes if you were lucky enough...they ended with everyone finding exactly where they were meant to be.
the celebration continued well into the evening. friends laughed as glasses clinked together beneath strings of warm lights. at some point, unnoticed by everyone else, the two of you slipped away. barefoot, you wandered toward the shoreline, shoes abandoned somewhere in the sand.
the reception slowly faded until only the sound of the waves remained. fireworks burst overhead. brilliant colors reflected across the water. you leaned gently against his shoulder. neither of you spoke. not at first.
he took your hand, "can i ask you something?"
you looked up.
"if you hadn't started that game..." he gestured toward the endless horizon. "do you think we would've ever met?"
you considered it. for a long moment until finally, he answered his own question
"i would've painted you eventually."
you blinked, "what?"
"i didn't know your face."
his thumb brushed across the back of your hand.
"but i think...i'd been looking for it anyway."
the fireworks painted gold across the sea.
you smiled, "do you remember our 'accidental' first date?"
"the ferris wheel?"
in the distance, the ferris wheel slowly turned against the night sky, its lights reflecting over the ocean. rafayel followed your gaze before offering his hand.
"one more ride?"
you looked back toward the reception, "we're abandoning our own wedding?"
"they'll survive."
he took your hand and led you back toward the boardwalk, the fireworks still blooming overhead. once, you'd believed you'd accidentally wandered into someone else's story. standing beside the man you'd just married, the flame necklace warm against your heart and the ferris wheel glowing in the distance, you realized you'd been wrong. you hadn't interrupted fate. you had found the place where it had been waiting for her all along.
hey so i am going to start my first series and i am very excited about it! please be patient with me while i write it out. and please let me know if you want to be tagged when each story comes out:)
concept: you (reader) are the player of lads and you somehow get transported into the game as an npc. once you are there you already know to look for your li but theres a problem...mc. oh and the metaflux flunctuations that have happened since you arrived. now i'm not trying to villianize mc in anyway its just for plot purposes. shes a hunter after all so of course shes going to be a bit sus of you.
genre: self-aware li's not at first but eventually with a mix of isekai (i just learned what that word meant).
warnings: reader might seem a bit parasocial i guess at times but its only bcs she has played the game and feels like she knows them. if there is anything else it will be included in the fic itself when released.
a/n: anyway i created some teasers/introductions to each of the li's plots so you can kinda get more of a feel of what im going for. these ideas might be subject to change as this is just brainstorming so the final product may look a little different. i also don't think this will be smut focused but i am still working out all the details. without further ado enjoy the sneak peeks.
zayne
you wake up injured in a world you were never meant to touch, and the first face you see is zayne. his hands are steady, clinical but something lingers in his gaze, like recognition buried under years that never happened.
at AKSO hospital, your existence becomes a quiet anomaly. records don’t align. your injuries don’t match any known incident. and yet, he feels tied to you in a way he can’t justify.
then she appears, the one who was always meant to stand where you are not. his partner, the constant in his life. her presence sharpens everything. her instincts are immediate, precise, and unrelenting. the more she watches you, the more the world begins to feel unstable.
and somewhere deep in zayne’s past buried beneath ice, research logs, and forgotten expeditions something begins to surface. not a memory. a fracture.
read full story here!
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xavier
you shouldn’t have survived the first night. the only reason you do is because xavier finds you before the wanderers finish the job. he brings you to the Association, where everything is measured, recorded, analyzed. you fail every category. your origin doesn't exist.
and yet, you keep reappearing. in places tied to him, in routines he never shared with anyone but one person. to him, coincidence is a myth. patterns mean something and you are becoming one.
the girl who belongs here notices too. where he sees irregularity, she sees intrusion. but unlike her, he understands what it means to not belong to this world. because he doesn’t either. the question isn’t who you are — it’s why the universe keeps placing you in his orbit.
read full story here!
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rafayel
the story was supposed to begin with her. instead, it begins with you standing on the shoreline, where rafayel was meant to meet someone else. from that moment, everything shifts. his attention locks onto you first, his curiosity, his interest, it all redirects and something subtle but catastrophic unfolds beneath the surface. because the world notices.
events begin to misfire, timelines hesitate, encounters happen out of order. and somewhere within the system of this reality, the one who was meant to find him feels it immediately —a disconnect.
you weren’t written into this moment but now that you’re here, the story doesn’t know how to correct itself and rafayel doesn’t know how to stop his shifting feelings.
read full story here!
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sylus
you fall into the worst place possible and somehow ironically in your circumstances — the safest. the n109 zone isn’t meant for survival, yet it’s where you remain unseen. hidden within a fragile routine, protected by people who shouldn’t trust you but do anyway.
luke and kieran become your cover, your silence, your proof that you exist. but sylus knows from the beginning. not how you got there but that you don’t belong.
unlike the others, he doesn’t question your presence he accepts it as a problem to solve. while the world above reacts to the massive metaflux disturbance your arrival caused, he works in the shadows to understand it —to understand you.
and when she’s assigned to uncover the truth, the balance fractures. because for the first time, he withholds something from her. and you become the reason.
read full story here!
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caleb
you arrive too early. before the explosion and the version of caleb the world remembers. at the aerospace academy in skyhaven he’s still becoming someone sharpened by discipline, shaped by expectation, but not yet broken.
and you meet him there as something unexplainable that slips past every system unnoticed. nothing flags your arrival —no alarms, no containment. your presence doesn’t disrupt a system, it rewrites a possibility. he gravitates toward you without knowing why. just an instinct that feels almost like a choice.
somewhere else, the version of the story that was meant to unfold starts slipping out of reach. the one who was supposed to be with him since they were children feels that absence. and for the first time his future is not inevitable. because if he chooses you he never becomes the man shaped by loss. he never walks the path that leads to ruin. he becomes someone else entirely. someone the world was never written to hold. and that makes you more than an anomaly. it makes you a fracture in fate itself.
pairing: fem! non mc reader x sylus, caleb and valko (all seperate)
warnings: none!
a/n: welcome to pt 2! again thank you for supporting the series i really enjoyed reading all the comments and feedback and i hope this can provide some happiness to those who were really looking for happy endings (especially for sylus and caleb's stories)
if you haven't already read the stories the link to them is here!
part 1 including zayne, xavier and rafayel here
sylus
the mountains were quieter than the n109 zone. that was the first thing you noticed. it was the kind of quiet where the wind moved through the trees and birdsong replaced the distant hum of machines. where the sky stretched endlessly above you, untouched by city lights, and the horizon seemed large enough to hold every possibility you had never dared to imagine.
the house sat at the edge of a valley, surrounded by forest and open fields. it was beautiful. and somehow, unmistakably, sylus.
"you do realize," you said, standing beside the moving truck with your hands on your hips, "this is the most dragon thing you've ever done."
sylus, who was carrying a box that probably weighed more than you did with one hand, glanced at you.
"choosing a house?"
"choosing a mountain!"
"i appreciate the privacy."
"you found the most isolated place possible."
"that was intentional."
you narrowed your eyes, "you wanted a lair."
"i wanted a home."
the answer came so naturally that you paused. a home. not a fortress. not a territory. but somewhere to live.
the two of you had left the old house behind. at first, you hadn't understood why. sylus still had everything he had built. his influence in the n109 zone remained. onychinus was still his, and he was still the same man everyone feared and respected. he hadn't abandoned his name. he hadn't abandoned his lifestyle. but he had abandoned the place where everything had ended. the house where blood had been spilled. the place where he had realized the anchor that had tied him to countless lives was finally gone. at first, you thought he was trying to escape the memories but you realized you were wrong. sylus didn't run from the past. he simply refused to let it become their future.
"this one goes in the kitchen."
you placed a box down carefully. a moment later, sylus set down an entire bookshelf beside it. you stared.
"you carried a bookshelf by yourself."
"yes."
"and somehow my dishes are still too heavy?"
by evening, most of the house was unpacked. mostly. there were still boxes scattered everywhere, despite sylus insisting they had made excellent progress. you opened one labeled BEDROOM and immediately found it full of books.
you looked over your shoulder, "sylus."
"yes?"
"why are your books in the bedroom box?"
"because they belong in the bedroom."
"and where are the blankets?"
he paused, "another box."
"which one?"
he looked away avoiding your harsh gaze.
you smiled, "you don't know."
"i have people for organization."
"the only one you have here is me."
"exactly."
you shook your head, "you are hopeless."
"and yet you moved across the world with me."
the words were teasing but something about them made you quiet. across the world. across realities. across everything you had.
the sun was setting when you finally stopped working. the valley below glowed orange and gold, the mountains casting long shadows across the fields. you sat together on the grass behind the house. for once, neither of you had anywhere they needed to be. no battles. no enemies. no fate waiting to interrupt.
you leaned back on your hands, "it's beautiful here."
"it is."
you looked at him, "you don't miss it? the old house?"
sylus was quiet for a moment, "i do. it was a part of my life."
his gaze moved toward the mountains, "but it was not the life i wanted to spend with you."
your heart tightened, "you moved because of me?"
"no." he looked at you, "i moved because of us."
a gentle breeze passed between your bodies, "i could have stayed there. i could have continued living as i always had."
his voice lowered, "but every room would have reminded you of what you lost."
he looked away. "and you deserved better than a life built around surviving."
you didn't know what to say. because somehow, sylus had understood something you hadn't been able to put into words. you had lost your world. your parents. your old life. and even though you loved him, a small part of you had always wondered if you were only existing in the aftermath of tragedy. here...in this valley...you weren't. you were starting over.
"sylus." you called his name softly
"hm?"
"sometimes i forget their voices. my parents." you looked down at your hands. "i remember things. their faces. places we went. but sometimes i try to remember my mother's laugh, or my father's voice, and..."
your voice grew quieter. "i'm scared one day i'll forget completely."
for a long moment, he said nothing. then, "tell me about them."
his eyes met yours, "so i can remember too."
your breath caught, "you don't have to."
"i know...i want to."
that was sylus. he couldn't bring them back. he couldn't return you to the world you lost. but he could carry what remained.
you stayed there until the stars appeared. talking about a world he had never seen. about people he had never met. about a life that no longer existed except in your memories. and somehow...that was enough.
later that night, you found yourself standing outside the house again. the air was cool and the valley stretched endlessly before them. sylus stepped onto the balcony beside you.
"you should be sleeping."
"so should you."
"i don't require as much rest."
"you still need it."
he looked amused. "you've become very demanding."
"you like it."
he smirked to himself. "perhaps..."
you smiled then, after a moment turned to face him, "do you regret choosing me?"
his expression changed slightly. a mix of slight hurt and guilt formed.
you almost regretted asking until he spoke.
"for centuries. i spent my existence believing i was meant to endure. to survive. to keep going."
his gaze softened. "then you came along."
you held your breath as his hands reached for waist pulling you closer.
"and suddenly, i wanted something different."
"what?"
his hand reached to intertwine his fingers with yours.
"not forever. but a life. this one."
the quiet between them felt warm and safe.
then you laughed softly as you realized something.
"we've been living together for a year." you spoke
"yes."
"and we've fought monsters, and survived things that should've been impossible."
"correct."
then as you looked at him a hint of shyness flushed your cheeks, "and you've still never kissed me."
sylus was quiet, the protocore in his eye slightly shining, "i was waiting."
"for what?"
he lifted his hand, brushing a strand of hair away from your face.
"for you to believe that now was possible."
your expression softened as you remembered a conversation much like this one taking place. "that sounds like a 'not now'." those words that drew a careful boundary. now left far behind.
"you spent so long wondering if someone would take it away."
his thumb brushed gently across your cheek.
"i wanted the first thing you chose for yourself to truly be a choice."
for once, you had no clever response. no teasing remark. no argument. just the overwhelming realization that he had been waiting for you. so you closed the distance yourself. the kiss was gentle. nothing like the chaos that had brought you together. no desperation that this would be the only kiss you would ever get to have with him. no fear or uncertainty. just a drop of control.
when you pulled away, you smiled, "worth waiting for?"
sylus pretended to consider, "i think we will have to do that a few more times to reach a conclusion."
your eyes widened, "you—"
he caught your hand before you could hit his arm and he reached forward to place his lips on your again.
the next morning, there were still boxes to unpack. the house was far from perfect. but as you stood beside sylus on the porch, watching the sunrise paint the mountains, you realized something. for so long, they had both been haunted by endings. your old life and his lost lives. everything they couldn't return to.
but this...this was not an ending. this was a beginning. sylus of onychinus would always exist. the dragon would always be part of him. but now, he had something beyond survival. a person who chose him. a new anchor. and as he wrapped an arm around you looking out over the valley that would become theirs, sylus finally understood something he had spent lifetimes searching for. forever was never what he wanted. not really. he had only ever wanted a life worth staying for. and now, he had one.
caleb
one year later, life had settled into something ordinary. the mornings were no longer heavy. you still visited the cemetery every now and then, fresh flowers in hand, but the conversations had changed. they were no longer desperate apologies or questions that would never be answered. instead, you found yourself talking about your week. about the café you'd discovered around the corner from your apartment. about the promotion you almost didn't believe you'd earned. about the stray cat that had somehow decided your balcony belonged to it.
you smiled more now. the ache never truly disappeared. you didn't think it ever would. but it no longer consumed every quiet moment. you had learned something caleb had tried so desperately to teach you. moving forward wasn't the same as leaving someone behind. it simply meant carrying them differently.
your phone buzzed as you stepped out of the grocery store. you balanced the paper bag against your hip before glancing at the screen.
love and deepspace
your breath caught. the icon stared back at you. it shouldn't have. you had deactivated the game nearly a year ago. frowning, you unlocked your phone. the notification was painfully simple.
i miss you.
below it sat another.
a new update is available.
against your better judgment, you tapped the notification. it redirected you to the app store. you had no intention of downloading it. still...your eyes drifted down to the patch notes.
love and deepspace – new companion story available!
character adjustments - fixed an issue where caleb retained memories from unintended story branches. improved dialogue consistency. fixed bugs and other issues.
it was patch notes. just lines of text written by developers. but you knew what they meant. the game had corrected itself. the caleb everyone else would meet...would never remember you.
a tear slipped down your cheek before you could stop it. you shouldnt be crying. you had moved on — or so you thought you had. but somehow, hearing that the game no longer needed to fix him felt like proof that he'd finally submit to the fate you fought so desperately to change. you locked your phone, slipped it back into your pocket and continued walking home.
it started happening not long after that. little things. a familiar laugh drifting through a crowded train station. a broad pair of shoulders disappearing around a street corner. someone whose silhouette looked achingly familiar before vanishing into the afternoon crowd. the first few times, you blamed your imagination. then you blamed coincidence. by the tenth time...you stopped trying to explain it.
"you really are losing it," you muttered to yourself one evening.
you'd just left work, headphones around your neck as the city's evening rush buzzed around you. across the street—there he was again. hands tucked into the pockets of a dark jacket. watching you. your heart lurched. you blinked and a bus passed between you. when it moved... he was gone.
you laughed weakly, "right. i am definitely imagining things."
a week later, it rained. not enough for an umbrella. just enough to leave the sidewalks glistening beneath the streetlights. you ducked into a small bookstore to wait for it to pass. the bell above the door chimed and without looking, you stepped aside and ran straight into someone.
"I'm sorry." the words came automatically before you looked up.
then a familiar voice answered, "still apologizing for things you can't control?"
everything stopped. slowly...you turned around. he stood there. exactly as you remembered. the same warm eyes. the same gentle smile. the same impossible familiarity that somehow made the entire world disappear.
"caleb?"
his smile widened, "hi."
you stared. your mouth opened. closed. opened again.
"you're..."
"i know."
"how?"
"i wish i had an interesting answer."
"you don't?"
he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "i woke up here."
"...that's it?"
"that's it."
before you could think better of it, you reached forward and poked his arm.
he frowned, "ow!"
"so you're real."
"i certainly hope so!"
a laugh escaped you. half disbelief. half relief.
"i can't believe that's all you have to say!"
"i've been looking for you", he confessed
your heart skipped, "you..."
he laughed quietly, "turns out earth is very large."
despite yourself, you laughed too, "i suppose it is."
the sun had already begun to set by the time the two of you found yourselves walking through the park. neither of you seemed eager to say goodbye. there was too much lost time to make up for.
"so..." you glanced at him, "what happened?"
he looked ahead, thoughtful, "i remember everything. the fleet. the laboratory. the experiments. you."
his smile softened, "i remember letting you go."
you swallowed, "i remember telling you to."
"i know. i remember watching you disappear."
a breeze stirred the trees overhead.
"and then..." he shrugged lightly. "it gets kinda confusing. it felt like a part of me was gone while the other was trying to hold onto what they wanted me to be."
you frowned remembering how you used to log into the game and hearing the sadness in his voice.
"then something happened. i'm not sure what but i woke up here."
"just like that?"
"just like that."
"that doesn't make any sense." you muttered to yourself before pulling your phone from your pocket.
"i got this today."
you handed it to him. caleb looked down at the patch notes in silence. his eyes lingered on one line.
fixed an issue where caleb retained memories from unintended story branches.
a small laugh escaped him. "so..." he looked up. "i'm officially a bug."
you couldn't help smiling, "i guess you are."
"i've been called worse."
he handed the phone back.
"does it bother you?" you looked at him. "the other version of you?"
he was quiet for a moment then he shook his head. "no."
"why?"
his gaze drifted toward the city skyline, "because he'll protect his world."
he looked back at you, "and i get to stay in mine."
the words settled somewhere deep inside your chest. not linkon. not love and deepspace. not the place where the two of you had met. his world...was wherever you were.
you reached for his hand. he took yours without hesitation.
"you know..." you smiled. "i guess i can show you my world now."
for a moment, caleb only looked at you. then a familiar smile tugged at his lips.
"our world."
the correction was gentle. natural. like it was the simplest thing in the world.
"how hard can it be?"
before you could answer, he leaned closer. the kiss was gentle and familiar. not the kind of kiss shared between two people afraid of what tomorrow might bring. not a goodbye. not a promise or confession made in the middle of chaos. just a kiss between two people who finally knew they had time.
when he pulled away, you laughed softly. "that confidence is going to get you in trouble."
"if i can teach you airspace engineering i can handle anything."
you scoffed, "you make it sound like i was a terrible student."
there was a pause. a very deliberate pause.
your eyes narrowed, "caleb."
he looked away for half a second, "well..."
you immediately reached over and lightly hit his arm.
"wow!" you rolled your eyes, but you couldn't hide your smile. "fine."
you squeezed his hand, "then consider this your first lesson."
caleb glanced at you, "already? i'm listening."
you looked ahead as the two of you continued walking beneath the city lights.
"i am teaching you what a normal life looks like."
a normal life. something neither of you had ever expected to have. no missions. no fate. no worlds pulling you in different directions. just this.
caleb looked at you, "with you." he gave your hand a small squeeze, "that should be pretty easy."
as you continued walking, your phone buzzed once more. you glanced down. the update notification had returned. quietly, you held the power button until the screen went dark. then you slipped the phone into your pocket without another thought. you didn't need the game anymore. not because it meant any less. but because the boy you'd once searched for through a screen was now walking beside you beneath an ordinary evening sky.
once, you believed some stories ended the moment you closed the game. now, as caleb intertwined his fingers with yours and smiled like he'd finally found the place he'd been searching for all along, you realized some stories were simply waiting for the right world to continue. and somehow, against all logic, against fate itself...your caleb had found his way home.
valko
the first thing valko ever learned about this world was that everything had a place. the keys went in the bowl by the door. the dishes belonged in the kitchen cabinet. the laundry did not, according to you, belong on the floor. he had argued that one - briefly and lost.
years later, the apartment was only a memory. a precious one. the house in the woods was everything the apartment had not been - spacious, quiet and full of sunlight. it sat between towering trees, far enough from the city that the nights were filled with crickets and wind instead of traffic. it was not extravagant. it didn't need to be.
the workshop behind the house was his favorite place. you called it his 'man cave'. he insisted that was disrespectful to the amount of engineering happening inside. the inside was filled with everything that made him valko. tools. machines. things he created simply because he could. not because someone ordered him to. not because he was trying to prove his worth. but because he wanted to...because he was allowed to.
your son loved the workshop, which was both adorable and concerning.
"dada."
valko looked up from his workbench. your son stood in the doorway, wearing pajamas and holding his favorite toy.
"what are you doing?"
"working."
"on what?" he titled his head curiously
valko looked down at the device in his hands, "a project."
"is it scary?"
"no...probably not. but don't tell mom."
you appeared behind your son. "that's not reassuring."
valko looked offended. "i am very careful."
"you once tried to fix the washing machine and created a smoke alarm situation."
"it was an unexpected reaction!"
"it reacted strongly."
you laughed at the memory. some things never changed. including the fact that valko was still terrible at admitting when something had gone wrong.
your son walked closer hugging valko's leg. "mommy says dada came from the moon."
valko immediately looked at you, "that is not an accurate explanation."
"it is a child-friendly explanation."
"i appeared during an eclipse."
"exactly."
your son looked amazed. "so dada is magical?"
you glanced at valko. for once, he didn't immediately argue.
instead, he smiled. "maybe."
your son seemed satisfied with that answer and you weren't sure if you had ever seen anything more precious.
that night, after your son was asleep, you and valko sat together outside. the forest stretched endlessly around you. the same stars that had watched the eclipse years ago now watched over the life you had built. valko's hand rested over yours. you looked down then smiled as his hand moved lower, resting gently over your stomach. your daughter. still small. still waiting to meet the world.
"you know..." you spoke quietly. "sometimes i still worry."
valko looked at you. "about what?"
you hesitated, "the company."
his expression changed. it wasn't filled with anger or fear but...understanding. he would be lying if he said he hadn't experienced similar thoughts.
"they wanted to send you back. they thought you were something that belonged to them."
your fingers tightened slightly. "sometimes i wondered if they would find another way. if they would still take you away."
for years, even after he stayed, a small part of you had waited. for someone to appear at the door. for someone to tell you this wasn't real. that he wasn't yours to keep.
valko was quiet then he covered your hand with his. "they can't."
you looked at him. moonlight shining as brightly in his eyes as the first time.
"they can't erase this." his hand remained over your stomach. "our daughter." then toward the house. "our son." then back to you. "you."
his voice softened. "they can't take my life away because i chose it."
your eyes burned with tears threatening to spill. "valko..."
"i spent so long believing i was something unfinished."
he looked toward the workshop then toward everything around him.
"but look at this." a small smile appeared. "i built things. i learned things. i became someone."
his thumb brushed over your hand. "they created a story. but you gave me a life."
you shook your head. "i just made room for you."
"and i filled it."
the answer was so simple. so completely valko. you laughed softly through the tears.
"you're right."
"i usually am."
"you were doing so well."
"i had to ruin the moment somehow."
later, when the night grew colder, you stayed outside a little longer. you remembered the girl you had been years ago. the girl who had been devastated when a character she loved was taken away before she could ever meet him. the girl who had wished, without knowing if the universe was listening, that he could have a chance. back then, you never imagined this. you never imagined the character who was never released would become the person standing beside you.
valko had spent so long believing he was someone who was never supposed to stay. but now...there were little shoes by the door. a child's laughter inside the house. another heartbeat waiting to join them. a workshop full of things he created with his own hands. and a woman who chose him long before the world did.
he wasn't a cancelled story or a forgotten possibility. he was valko - a husband. a father. a person. and he was home.
things my dogs do that remind me of valko | random headcannons
pairing: non!mc reader x valko
warnings: none
a/n: for reference i have rescues — a husky and a doberman both are girls and are still young like they are both turning 2 this year. yes my house is kinda crazy but i love my girls and i love valko. i also have cats and a bunny so i kinda want to do this with sylus/zayne and xavier.
☆ nudges you — if you're working, reading, or paying attention to literally anything else, valko will bump his forehead or shoulder against you until you acknowledge him. he won't say he wants affection, he'll just keep nudging you until you finally look up. the second you do, he looks at you adoringly while you ruffle his hair.
☆ paws for attention — instead of a paw, it's his hand. he'll rest it on your knee, your thigh, your wrist, or cover your hand completely. if you ignore him, he'll lightly tap you over and over until you sigh and give in.
☆ lays behind you with his head on your shoulder — if you're sitting on the couch, valko loves laying behind you rather than beside you. he drapes himself across the back cushions, rests his chin on your shoulder, and occasionally wraps an arm around your waist. it's equal parts affectionate and possessive.
☆ "screams" in your face — okay maybe not actual screaming (usually). if he's excited or wants your attention immediately, he'll get way too close and dramatically call your name. sometimes if you are in the other room he will yell your name over and over until you go and see what he wants.
☆ plays with your hands — if your hands are dangling off the couch or table, they're fair game. he'll poke your fingers, flip your palm over, compare hand sizes, absentmindedly trace your knuckles, or intertwine your fingers just because they're there. sometimes he brings them up to his lips giving them a sweet kiss before.
☆ puts his hand in his mouth while thinking — when he's deep in thought, embarrassed, or trying not to laugh, he'll absentmindedly rest his knuckles against his lips or lightly bite the side of his thumb. it's a habit he doesn't even realize he has until you point it out.
☆ hides little treasures — instead of toys, valko has a habit of "borrowing" your things. hair ties, hoodies, books you're currently reading, chapstick, even one sock from a pair. he swears he was "keeping them safe," but somehow they always end up mixed in with his belongings.
☆ steals things he shouldn't have — if something smells like you; a sweater, blanket, pillow, or even your perfume bottle, there's a good chance he'll quietly take it. when caught, he'll insist he wasn't stealing it, just "holding onto it."
☆ you have to take things away from him — valko has a terrible habit of picking up random objects while talking. half the time he isn't even using it. he just likes having something in his hands. you constantly have to rescue your belongings from him.
☆ brings you gifts — like a dog proudly presenting a toy, valko occasionally shows up with snacks he thought you'd like, a cool rock he found on a walk, a flower growing through a crack in the pavement, or some random trinket that reminded him of you. he expects genuine excitement every single time.
☆ gets way too excited when you come home — valko always knows when you've walked through the door. before you can even set your bag down, he's already there. he wraps you in a hug so tight your feet barely touch the floor, buries his face against your neck, and peppers your cheeks, forehead, and temple with quick kisses like he's making up for every minute you were gone.
☆ interrupts you with kisses — if you're talking for too long especially if you're rambling about something he finds adorable, valko will suddenly lean in and kiss you mid-sentence. when you pull back with an offended, "i was talking," he'll just smile and say, "i know."
☆ on the flip side uses kisses as a distraction — the moment he realizes you're about to scold him for something, he'll cup your face and press a quick kiss to your lips before you can finish your sentence. it works more often than either of you would like to admit.
☆ acts like you were gone forever — it doesn't matter if you left for five hours or five minutes. in valko's mind, any amount of time apart deserves an enthusiastic reunion. "you're back," he'll say with the biggest smile, as if he'd been counting the seconds.
☆ dramatic about wanting to play — if you're busy for too long, he'll become increasingly theatrical. he'll sigh loudly, flop dramatically onto the couch beside you, lean against you with his full weight, and eventually ask, "are you done yet?" with the most impatient expression imaginable.
☆ always wants you involved — whatever he's doing; cooking, fixing something, playing a game, or even just watching a movie, he'll call you over to join him. it's less about the activity and more about wanting your company.
☆ gets excited over the smallest things — mention going for a walk, grabbing coffee together, visiting your favorite bookstore, or even just running errands, and his entire demeanor changes. he's already grabbing his jacket before you've even finished your sentence.
☆ head tilts when he's curious — whenever you're explaining something he's never heard before, telling him a story, or using a word he doesn't recognize, his head instinctively tilts to one side. he doesn't even realize he's doing it until you laugh and tell him he looks adorable.
☆ keeps an ear out while relaxing — even if he's half-asleep, the slightest unusual sound has one eye opening. once he realizes everything's fine, he'll settle right back against you like nothing happened.
☆ protective without being overbearing — he isn't the type to hover, but he's always aware of your surroundings. if you're walking together at night, he'll naturally take the side closest to the street. if someone makes you uncomfortable, he'll quietly step closer, letting his presence do the talking before a word ever has to be said.
Hiii! Love your work and was wondering if I could get a LADS men w/ a girlfriend who’s going through family issues or just a comfort fic in general. There’s been so many fights I just need a comfort fic 😭
lads men comforting their girlfriend going through family issues
pairing: fem! non mc reader x xavier, zayne, rafayel, sylus, caleb, valko (all separate)
warnings: mentions of family fights & toxic family dynamics, self-doubt/low self-esteem, running away from home
a/n: hi lovely thank you so much for supporting my work and i am so sorry you may be dealing with issues and fighting. i understand how terrible that can be so please remember to take care of yourself. and to anyone who may be struggling i hope things get better and you can find some peace.
xavier
☆ doesn't push you to talk. simply starts spending more time beside you—quiet company. shared blankets. holding hands.
☆ when you finally tell him what's happening, his expression softens with unmistakable sadness.
☆ family is something he's never truly had in the ordinary sense, but he understands longing better than most.
☆ gives gentle reassurance instead of advice.
☆ if you blame yourself, he immediately corrects you.
☆ loves wrapping you in oversized hoodies and pulling you into lazy naps after difficult phone calls.
☆ on especially bad days, he'll quietly ask, "can we pretend the world doesn't exist today?" then spends the rest of the evening reading beside you or tracing lazy circles on your hand until your breathing finally evens out.
──────────────────────────────
the apartment was quiet when you came home. your keys barely made it into the bowl by the door before your bag slipped from your shoulder with a dull thud. the phone call replayed in your head, every word sharper now that there was nothing to drown it out.
"you're so sensitive."
"we're only trying to help."
"after everything we've done for you..."
you'd hung up before they could hear you cry.
"you're home."
xavier's voice was gentle, almost sleepy as he stepped into the entryway. his hair was still tousled from his nap, and he smiled when he saw you—until he really looked. the smile disappeared. without asking, he crossed the room.
"what happened?"
you tried to answer. instead, a sob escaped. everything you'd held together during the drive home unraveled in seconds.
"i'm so tired," you whispered. "i don't know why i keep thinking maybe this time they'll understand."
xavier said nothing at first. he simply wrapped his arms around you, pulling you against his chest while your tears soaked into his shirt.
his hand moved slowly through your hair. "i've got you," he murmured.
the words weren't meant to fix anything. they were simply true. by the time your crying eased into exhausted sniffles, your eyes burned. xavier brushed a thumb beneath one of them.
"come with me."
too drained to argue, you let him lead you into the bedroom. he pulled the blankets back, helped you settle beneath them, then tucked them around your shoulders with surprising care.
"you should sleep."
"i don't think i can."
"you can." his fingers found yours. "i'll be here when you wake up."
the steady warmth of his hand, the quiet rhythm of his breathing beside you...somehow it was enough to make your eyes closed. when you woke, sunlight had softened into gold. for one blissful second, you forgot. you shuffled into the living room to find grocery bags scattered across the kitchen counter. your favorite chips. your favorite chocolate. the strawberry gummies you always claimed you didn't need. even the expensive tea you only bought on special occasions.
xavier looked up from arranging everything, "oh." his face brightened, "you're awake."
"did you buy all of this?"
"you've had a difficult day."
as though that explained everything. maybe...it did.
"you remembered."
"i remember everything you like."
heat bloomed behind your eyes again, but for an entirely different reason.
"you didn't have to."
"i wanted to."
later, the two of you sat on the couch beneath the same blanket, snacks spread across the coffee table. the television played some movie neither of you was paying attention to.
you leaned your head against his shoulder, "they're still my parents. i keep wishing things were different."
his answers were never rushed. never dismissive. just patient.
after a long silence, xavier spoke, "can i tell you something?"
you nodded giving him your undivided attention.
"my family wasn't like yours."
his fingers traced absent-minded circles over the back of your hand.
"but they still wanted me to become someone i wasn't."
he let out a quiet breath.
"there was always a path laid out for me. expectations. responsibilities. people deciding what my life should look like before i ever had the chance to. they weren't cruel in the same way," he continued softly. "but... it still felt like i belonged more to their idea of me than to myself."
the confession hung between you.
"so..." you whispered, "you understand."
"i understand what it's like to love people and still feel hurt by them."
his gaze drifted toward the window, where the last streaks of sunset painted the glass.
"i also learned something because of it."
he turned back to you, a small smile touching his lips.
"family isn't only the people you're born to."
his hand squeezed yours. "it's the people who let you exist exactly as you are."
the words settled deep in your chest.
"i chose my own family." his smile grew warmer. "the people i trust. the people i'd cross galaxies for."
then, after the briefest pause, he added quietly, "and you were never a difficult choice."
your breath caught as fresh tears welled in your eyes.
"you've been my home for a long time."
"but what if i never stop wishing my parents were different?"
"you probably won't."
his thumb brushed away a tear before it could fall.
"and that's okay. you can grieve the family you hoped for while still embracing the one you've found."
he shifted closer until your foreheads rested together.
"you don't have to stop loving them. but you also don't have to let their expectations decide your worth."
your shoulders finally relaxed. for the first time all day, the tightness in your chest eased.
"i don't know what i did to deserve you," you admitted.
xavier smiled—that soft, unassuming smile that always made you feel seen.
"you don't have to deserve me."
he pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead.
"you already belong with me."
maybe home had never been a place at all. maybe it had always been a person.
zayne
☆ notices stress physically before you mention it—lack of sleep, elevated heart rate, headaches, you're barely eating. finally asks, "has something happened at home?"
☆ when you explain everything, he listens with complete attention. doesn't interrupt or immediately offer solutions. validates your feelings first.
☆ helps separate what you can control from what you can't.
☆ encourages healthy boundaries because chronic stress has real health consequences.
☆ if your family constantly calls, he'll gently suggest silencing notifications for a while.
☆ comfort from zayne often comes through care rather than dramatic words—he makes tea. reminds you to hydrate. ensures you're sleeping enough.
before bed he'll quietly kiss your forehead. "you don't have to solve everything tonight."
☆ his parent's call zayne often to ask about you as they think of you as their daughter
──────────────────────────────
zayne had noticed long before you admitted anything was wrong. you insisted you were just tired. work had been busy. you'd skipped breakfast because you overslept. the headaches were "nothing."
but he'd watched the pattern build over weeks. dark circles beneath your eyes. shoulders that never seemed to relax. meals left half-finished. a resting heart rate that stayed higher than normal whenever your phone lit up with your family's names.
tonight was no different. you stared blankly at your dinner until you finally whispered, "i'm not hungry." you hadn't eaten much all day. zayne quietly took your plate before setting a mug of warm tea in front of you instead.
"you don't have to force yourself."
you smiled weakly. that somehow made his chest ache even more.
the next afternoon, during a break at the hospital, zayne found himself doing something he hadn't expected. he called his parents. his mother answered almost immediately.
"zayne?"
"hi, mom."
she sounded pleasantly surprised, "you don't usually call this early. is everything alright?"
he hesitated, "it's...about her."
there was no need to explain who. his parents adored you. his mother had insisted you stop calling her "mrs. li" months ago. his father never let you leave their house without sending leftovers home. they'd quietly accepted you into their family long before you realized it.
zayne explained everything. the arguments. the constant criticism. how every phone call seemed to leave you smaller than before.
"she's exhausted," he admitted.
"i can treat the symptoms."
he looked down at the patient chart in his hand.
"i don't know how to treat the cause."
silence lingered for a moment, then his father spoke.
"you love her."
"of course."
"then keep reminding her she deserves to be loved."
his mother's voice softened, "when someone grows up believing affection has conditions, they forget that healthy love isn't something they have to earn."
zayne closed his eyes briefly. "...i don't always know what to say."
"you don't have to say everything perfectly," she replied. "just don't let her face it alone. and tell her she's welcome here whenever she wants."
his father chuckled from somewhere nearby.
"tell her we've already decided she's family anyway."
for the first time all day, zayne smiled. "i will."
when he returned home that evening, you were asleep on the couch. your laptop sat open beside you. a half-finished email. tissues scattered across the coffee table. he sighed quietly. another difficult phone call. carefully, he draped a blanket over your shoulders. the movement stirred you awake.
"...you're home."
"i am."
your voice cracked, "i'm sorry."
"what are you apologizing for?"
"being like this."
he sat beside you. "you've apologized for crying three times this week."
your eyes dropped, "i know."
"you've never needed to."
his hand gently found yours. "i spoke to my parents today."
your head lifted, "you...did?"
"they were worried about you."
a flicker of confusion crossed your face. "worried?"
"my mother asked whether you've been sleeping."
a tiny laugh escaped you.
"my father wanted to know if you're eating enough."
"really?"
"they also wanted me to tell you something." he squeezed your hand. "they said you always have a place at their table."
your lips parted, "they...said that?"
"they've considered you family for quite some time."
the composure you'd been desperately holding together dissolved. fresh tears spilled down your cheeks.
"i don't understand why they're kinder to me than my own parents."
zayne reached up, brushing them away with practiced gentleness.
"because kindness isn't determined by blood."
his voice remained calm. steady.
"the people who love you should never make you question whether you're worthy of that love."
you leaned into him, finally allowing yourself to rest. he held you without another word, one hand rubbing slow circles across your back. after a while, he spoke again.
"you've spent so much energy trying to earn acceptance from people who should have given it freely."
his forehead rested lightly against yours, "you don't have to earn it here."
the words settled over you like a warm blanket. for the first time in weeks, your breathing slowed. zayne pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead before standing.
"i'm going to heat up dinner."
"i'm still not very hungry."
"i know."
a small smile tugged at his lips, "so we'll start with soup."
"and if i don't finish it?"
"i'll be proud of every spoonful."
you laughed quietly through your tears.
"that's the first real smile i've seen all week."
he reached for your hand once more. "i'd like to see more of them."
and with him along with the family who had already opened their hearts to you it finally felt possible.
rafayel
☆ at first he notices because you start pulling away due to stress and anxiety which immediately concerns him.
☆ he knows what loneliness feels like, even if it's different from yours.
☆ doesn't pretend to fully understand family dynamics he never experienced. instead he says, "i don't know exactly what that's like... but i know what it feels like to want somewhere to belong."
☆ lets you cry while absentmindedly playing with your hair and rubbing your back.
☆ distracts you whenever everything becomes overwhelming—midnight drives. painting together. ocean walks. watching terrible movies until you're smiling again.
☆ if you apologize for "being too much," he looks genuinely offended.
"you're not a burden. you're just hurting."
☆ once it is the right time he loves to talk about the possibilities of having your own family with him someday and how even though difficult things like this happen they shouldn't stop you from wanting to have your own life and future.
──────────────────────────────
rafayel noticed the distance before you ever said a word. he noticed everything. the way your replies became shorter. the way you stopped sending him random pictures throughout the day. the way you laughed less at his dramatic complaints and playful teasing. at first, he tried to pretend he wasn't bothered. maybe you just needed space. but then you canceled plans for the third time that week. and rafayel stared at your message for a long moment before typing back.
"you're avoiding me."
the three dots appeared almost immediately. then disappeared. then appeared again.
"i'm not."
"you are. and before you tell me i'm imagining things, remember who you're talking to. i can tell when someone looks at my paintings for too long and doesn't like them. i can definitely tell when my girlfriend is sad."
that finally got you to admit it. not over text, but when he showed up at your door with your favorite drink and that worried look he tried so hard to hide. the moment you saw him, your expression crumpled and rafayel's heart broke.
"i don't know what's wrong with me."
those were the first words out of your mouth. rafayel immediately frowned.
"excuse me?"
you looked down, "my family just...they make me feel like i'm never enough."
the anger that flashed across his face wasn't directed at you. it was the kind that came from caring too much.
"what did they say?"
everything came spilling out after that. the comparisons. the criticism. the way every achievement somehow became proof you could have done more. how you started wondering if maybe they were right. maybe you weren't special. maybe you weren't worth being proud of.
by the time you finished, your voice was barely a whisper.
"and i guess i started thinking...maybe if they see me that way, everyone else will too."
rafayel went quiet then he reached for your hand.
"look at me. do you really think i'd spend all my time with someone who isn't enough?"
your eyes watered, "rafayel—"
"no." he squeezed your hand gently. "i'm serious."
"you think i don't notice how kind you are? how much you care? how you always remember the little things about people?"
his thumb brushed over your knuckles.
"your family might have made you feel like you have to prove your worth. but you never had to prove anything to me."
after a moment, rafayel leaned back against the couch. his voice became quieter.
"i don't really have the kind of family you talk about. i don't have years of memories with parents who know everything about me. i don't have a childhood home full of old photographs and embarrassing stories."
those were lost to the seas. lost to lemuria. but there was no bitterness in his voice. just honesty.
"but i know what it feels like to want somewhere to belong."
his gaze met yours. "to want someone who chooses you. and maybe that's why i understand a little."
he smiled faintly. "everyone wants a place where they don't have to pretend. you have that with me. you know that, right?"
your throat tightened. rafayel was quiet for a moment before he continued.
"sometimes i imagine what my future looks like."
"your future?"
"yes."
he looked almost embarrassed admitting it, which was rare for someone as shameless as him.
"i imagine a lot of things. a home. you cooking something and insisting it's good even though you definitely burned it."
"rafayel."
"what? i'm being realistic."
you laughed softly. the first real laugh he'd heard from you in days.
his fingers brushed your cheek. "i imagine waking up beside you. i imagine annoying you until you tell me to stop. i imagine us building something that's ours."
your expression softened as you thought about it too. "a family?"
"yeah." his answer came easily. "maybe."
his eyes warmed. "one we choose. one where nobody has to wonder if they're loved."
your breath caught as he moved closer.
"and i need you to understand something. don't let the way they see you decide what kind of life you're allowed to dream about."
your eyes filled with tears again.
"you deserve a beautiful life. you deserve people who celebrate you. you deserve a home where you're not constantly trying to earn your place."
he smiled as he kissed your cheek lightly. "and i want to be part of that."
that night, you didn't magically forget everything your family had said. healing didn't work like that. but when the doubts came back, you remembered rafayel's words.
you deserve a beautiful life.
and for the first time in a while, you let yourself imagine it.
sylus
☆ doesn't sugarcoat things. the second he realizes your family manipulates you through guilt, he recognizes the pattern immediately.
"they're counting on you believing you deserve this."
☆ never speaks badly about your family just because he's angry. instead, he teaches you how to recognize manipulation.
☆ helps you make actual plans for your future—budget, apartment hunting, emergency contacts, important documents.
☆ very much a "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" person.
☆ if your family shows up unexpectedly, he's already standing between you and them before you even think to ask.
☆ despite his bluntness, he's incredibly gentle afterward. runs his thumb over your knuckles while saying, "you're allowed to choose peace."
☆ doesn't expect you to stop loving your family. just wants you to stop sacrificing yourself for people who won't do the same.
──────────────────────────────
you had always promised yourself you wouldn't run away. no matter how bad things got. no matter how many arguments ended with slammed doors, cruel words disguised as "concern," or nights spent wondering why it was so difficult for your parents to simply...like you.
you endured it because that's what they expected. because every time you tried to leave, the guilt pulled you back.
"we're your family."
"you're really abandoning us?"
"after everything we've sacrificed?"
so you stayed. until one night...you couldn't.
sylus opened the door before you had the chance to knock a second time. his eyes found yours first. red-rimmed and exhausted. then they dropped to the suitcase at your feet. the cardboard box tucked awkwardly beneath your arm overflowing with mismatched belongings you'd grabbed in a hurry.
"can i stay here?" your voice was barely audible. "just for a little while."
sylus didn't ask what happened. didn't ask how long. didn't ask whether this was a good idea.
he simply stepped aside. "come inside."
the words were immediate like there had never been another answer.
you didn't speak until nearly an hour later. by then, he'd made tea, found you one of his hoodies and ordered dinner because he'd noticed your hands shaking too much to eat anything you'd have to cook.
you sat on the couch with the mug cradled between your palms, "it was my parents."
sylus nodded once, "i figured."
"they found out i was looking at apartments."
you laughed bitterly. "they said i was selfish. ungrateful. they said if i left, i'd regret it."
"and then..." your voice cracked. "my mom told me nobody else would ever put up with me."
sylus's jaw tightened as he listened to you.
"so i packed a bag." you looked at him nervously. "i know i probably should've figured this out on my own."
"you don't have to figure it out alone."
his answer came so quickly it stole the apology that was weighing on your chest.
"you came here." he met your gaze. "that was the right decision."
the next morning, sylus was already awake when you wandered into the kitchen. a notebook sat open on the table. several pages filled with neat handwriting.
you stared. "what's all this?"
"our plan."
he slid the notebook toward you. "apartment listings. a budget. a checklist of documents you'll need."
he tapped another page. "if they have access to your bank account, we fix that first. the rest follows."
you looked at him in disbelief. "you...did all this?"
"you needed a place to start." his expression remained calm. "so i gave you one."
for the first time since leaving home, the future didn't feel like an impossible cliff. it looked...manageable.
the phone rang that afternoon. you didn't even have to look you knew. mom. your stomach dropped.
sylus glanced up from where he was reading.
"you don't have to answer."
"...i should."
he nodded once, "then put it on speaker."
you hesitated before pressing accept. your mother's voice was sweet.
"there you are! we were worried sick."
sylus raised an eyebrow and you almost laughed.
"i'm okay."
"oh, sweetheart, don't do this. we know you're emotional. just come home and we'll forget this ever happened."
you looked down at your hands. for a second...it almost worked. then came the next sentence.
"you know you can't survive on your own."
sylus quietly reached across the couch and took your hand. grounding you. keeping you there.
you swallowed. "i don't think i'm coming back."
there was dreadful silence. then — "so that's it? you're choosing strangers over your own family?"
the sweetness had vanished. there it was. the voice you knew. the one that always came after you said no.
"you've always been so dramatic. you'll come crawling back once reality hits."
tears stung your eyes. before you could answer—sylus held out his hand.
"the phone."
you looked at him closely. he didn't look angry. he looked... finished. slowly, you handed it over and he lifted it to his ear.
"this is sylus."
his voice remained perfectly even.
"she isn't coming back tonight. you don't get to spend years convincing someone they're impossible to love..."
his gaze flickered toward you. "then act surprised when they finally believe you."
whoever was speaking on the other end raised their voice. but sylus didn't.
"if you actually want a relationship with her someday, you can start by respecting the boundaries she's setting."
there was another interruption but he cut them off cleanly.
"you're not entitled to her simply because you're related."
his expression hardened. "and if your only response is guilt and insults...then don't call again until you're capable of speaking to her with kindness."
he ended the call before they could respond. the apartment fell silent once more, thick with tension. your hands were shaking.
"i've never heard anyone talk to them like that. they're used to people letting them control the conversation."
sylus set the phone on the coffee table. "i'm not one of those people."
you buried your face in your hands. "what if they're right? what if i really am selfish?"
sylus carefully moved closer and pulled your hands away from your face.
"look at me. you left because they were hurting you."
he spoke slowly, making sure every word landed.
"removing yourself from a situation that causes you harm isn't selfish. it's survival."
fresh tears spilled down your cheeks. at the sight his expression softened just enough. then he reached for your suitcase, setting it beside the hallway instead of near the front door. A small gesture. But one that said everything.
"you're with me now." his hand found yours. "and as far as i'm concerned..." he gave your fingers a reassuring squeeze. "you're not going back."
for the first time since you'd walked out of your parents' house, the thought of tomorrow didn't fill you with fear. it felt like freedom.
caleb
☆ notices something is wrong long before you admit it. you're quieter on calls, your smile doesn't quite reach your eyes. doesn't pry. instead, he'll casually ask, "want me to come over?"
☆ when you finally break down and explain the situation, he listens without interrupting.
☆ caleb comes from a family-oriented mindset, so it genuinely hurts him to hear that the people who should make you feel safe are the ones causing you pain.
"family isn't supposed to make you earn love."
☆ gives practical advice without forcing it—set boundaries. don't let guilt make your decisions.
☆ constantly reminds you that loving someone doesn't mean accepting how they treat you.
☆ if your family starts insulting you over the phone while he's nearby, he'll quietly take your hand to keep you grounded rather than escalating things.
☆ starts inviting you to family dinners or holidays—not to replace your family, but so you don't have to spend every important day feeling alone. secretly hopes one day you'll think of his family as yours too.
──────────────────────────────
birthdays had never really been your favorite. you'd wonder if this year would be different. maybe your parents would remember without being reminded. maybe they'd ask what kind of cake you wanted. maybe they'd spend the day with you instead of arguing or forgetting altogether.
you checked your phone more times than you wanted to admit. you tried to convince yourself you didn't care. you almost succeeded. caleb knew something was wrong the second you answered his video call.
"birthday girl!"
his grin was bright enough to make you smile automatically. but that lasted all of two seconds.
his smile faded. "what happened?"
"nothing."
"you've got your 'nothing's wrong' voice."
you sighed, "they just... forgot."
he frowned he knew who you were talking about.
you laughed quietly, though it sounded closer to heartbreak.
"i guess today's just another day."
caleb's expression changed in an instant. not to pity. to resolve.
"i'm coming to get you."
"caleb, you don't have to—"
"i know." he smiled again, softer this time. "i want to."
twenty minutes later, you were in his passenger seat. the drive was familiar. when he turned onto a quiet street lined with old maple trees, realization slowly dawned on you.
"we're going to josephine's?"
he nodded, "you don't mind right?"
before you could say another word, he had pulled into the driveway and the front door opened. josephine stepped onto the porch with the brightest smile you'd ever seen.
"there you are!"
she crossed the yard with surprising speed and pulled you into a hug before you could react.
"happy birthday, sweetheart."
her embrace was warm and comforting. the kind that made your chest ache because it felt so natural.
"you must be freezing," she fussed, rubbing your arms. "come inside."
the moment you stepped through the door, caleb's sister appeared from the kitchen carrying a gift bag.
"there she is!" she beamed. "i was starting to think caleb got lost."
"i have an excellent sense of direction."
she rolled her eyes before pressing the gift bag into your hands.
"happy birthday!"
you blinked confused. you were not expecting this. "you...got me something?"
"well of course i did it's your birthday."
the simplicity of her answer nearly brought tears to your eyes. dinner was loud in the best way. josephine insisted your plate wasn't full enough every five minutes. caleb and his sister argued over who had stolen the last dinner roll.
josephine pointed her spoon toward them. "both of you, behave."
they exchanged identical sheepish smiles, and you couldn't help but laugh. caleb noticed immediately, smiling to himself. 'mission accomplished' he thought.
later after dinner, josephine disappeared into the kitchen to clean up while caleb's sister chased after her to help. you and caleb wandered onto the back porch, each carrying a mug of tea. for a while, neither of you spoke.
finally, you broke the silence. "thank you...i didn't realize how much i needed today."
you stared down into your mug. "i know they're my family." your voice was quiet. "so why does it feel like...like i'm grieving people who are still alive?"
caleb didn't answer immediately. instead, he rested his forearms on the porch railing.
"when i was adopted..." he smiled faintly. "i used to wonder if i'd ever really belong."
his laugh was soft. "it's funny, isn't it? even when people love you completely, insecurity still finds a way in."
you listened quietly as he spoke.
"it took me a long time to realize something." he turned toward you. "family isn't the people who make you question whether you're wanted. it's the people who make you forget you ever had to ask."
your throat tightened at his words.
"i know our situations aren't the same," he continued. "i wasn't forgotten. i was chosen. and every single day after that, my family kept choosing me."
inside, you could hear josephine laughing as she scolded his sister for trying to sneak frosting from the birthday cake. the sound made the house feel alive.
caleb reached over, gently taking your hand. "i wish your family had done the same for you."
a tear slipped down your cheek. "i keep wondering what i did wrong."
"nothing. you did nothing wrong."
his answer was immediate.
"you don't forget someone you love because they weren't lovable. you forget because you failed them."
you wiped your eyes with the back of your hand. "i feel guilty for how comfortable i am here."
"don't." he smiled. "josephine made enough food for eight people."
he glanced toward the kitchen. "you know why?"
you shook your head.
"she says a home should always be ready for one more person."
as if on cue, the back door slid open.
"there you two are," josephine called. "cake's ready."
then, with a smile so full of affection it nearly undid you, she added,
"come on, sweetheart. we saved the first slice for the birthday girl."
not because they felt obligated. not because they pitied you. simply because, somewhere along the way, they had made room for you without ever asking for anything in return.
caleb smiled as he stood, offering you his hand.
"i told you. there's always room."
this time, when you followed him back inside, you didn't feel like a guest. you felt like someone they had already decided belonged.
valko
☆ takes your situation personally. he's deeply loyal to the people he considers family, so seeing yours hurt you leaves him frustrated on your behalf.
☆ doesn't immediately jump to anger, though. he asks questions first—"has it always been like this?" "what do you want to happen?"
☆ gives surprisingly thoughtful advice because he's seen firsthand how families can survive hardship—or fall apart.
☆ encourages therapy if it's available.
☆ if you're considering cutting contact, he won't pressure you either way.
☆ the first time you cry in front of him over your parents, he simply pulls you against his chest and lets you cry until you're exhausted.
☆ makes sure you eat afterward because emotional breakdowns usually mean you've forgotten to take care of yourself.
──────────────────────────────
valko knew something was wrong before he even stepped through the door. he set his things down, his eyes immediately scanning the room. then he saw you. curled up on the couch. wrapped in one of his shirts. your knees pulled to your chest, your face half-hidden in the sleeves as you sniffled quietly.
for a moment, he just stood there. not because he didn't know what to do. because seeing you hurting always made something in him ache.
your head lifted at the sound of footsteps. and the second you saw him, your expression crumpled. valko didn't hesitate. he pulled you into his arms, letting you bury yourself against him.
"let it out."
you held onto him tightly tears falling. "i'm sorry."
his brows furrowed. "for what?"
you gestured weakly toward the shirt you were wearing.
"i took one of your shirts."
he looked down then back at you. "that's what you're apologizing for?"
you looked away sheepishly. "it just smelled like you. it was comforting."
something in his expression softened immediately. he tipped your chin up gently. "you never have to apologize for wanting comfort. besides, i was wondering when you'd finally admit you like stealing my clothes."
despite everything, a tiny laugh escaped you. that was all he wanted. a little bit of you back.
valko didn't ask what happened right away. he knew better. instead, he sat beside you, one arm around your shoulders, letting you settle.
when your breathing finally evened out, he spoke quietly.
"family?"
you froze then sighed, "yeah."
you told him everything. the argument and the familiar feeling of being too much and not enough at the same time.
valko was quiet for a moment then he stood. "put on your coat. you're coming with me."
"valko—"
"no." he looked back at you. "you're going to sit here and replay every word they said until you convince yourself they're right."
you opened your mouth to speak but he raised an eyebrow.
"am i wrong?"
you closed it, "...no."
"exactly."
his hand reached for yours, "so we're leaving."
you ended up at an ice cream shop ten minutes later. you stared at him across the counter.
"you brought me here?" because i had a breakdown?"
"because you had a bad day." he corrected before he accepted the ice cream cups from the cashier.
"and because everyone deserves ice cream after dealing with people who make their life harder."
that earned him another small smile.
the park was quiet in the evening. the two of you sat on a bench beneath the trees, your ice cream slowly melting as you watched people pass by. for a while, neither of you spoke.
then valko leaned back. "you know, my family was never really just about blood."
you looked over as he watched the children playing nearby.
"my pack was raised differently. the women in my pack were the ones who taught me that. strength wasn't just fighting. it was caring for everyone around you. they raised the young together. fed each other. protected each other."
a small smile appeared, "if someone had a child, that child belonged to all of us."
you listened quietly.
"there were always different kinds of families. some parents were strict. some were gentle. some weren't there at all. but the pack made sure no one grew up thinking they were alone."
he looked down at his ice cream.
"i remember asking one of the elders why everyone cared so much about children who weren't theirs."
"what did she say?"
valko smiled faintly, "she said, 'because they are ours.'"
the words stayed with you. they were so simple yet carried so much meaning.
"that's how i learned family isn't just about who brings you into the world."
his gaze turned toward you, "it's about who chooses to stand beside you after."
your eyes stung, "i wish my family thought like that. i feel like i'm always trying to prove i'm enough."
valko's expression shifted. sadness trying to make it's way through but he held strong.
he nudged your shoulder lightly, "you know what my pack taught me? everyone has a place. everyone contributes something. no one is expected to be perfect before they're cared for."
a small smile tugged at his lips as he took your hand in his. "so stop acting like you need to prove you're allowed to be here."
your eyes softened, "here?"
he squeezed your hand. "with me."
when you returned home later, you changed back into his shirt without thinking. valko noticed. he didn't tease you this time. he just smiled.
"keeping it?"
you looked embarrassed. "maybe."
"good."
"you don't mind?"
he shook his head. "not even a little." then he pulled you close again. "next time you feel like the world is too much..." his hand rested against your back. "come find me. you don't have to carry everything alone."
you relaxed against him and for the first time that day, you believed him.
Hi, uh...yes. I had a dream of mean dom!mc destroying my pussy and then we have an awesome aftercare session.
Oooh.
She also likes to record you when she in this type of mood and shows it to you the next time she's being mean again, while giving you the biggest strap in the collection stretching you out. Her hand on your jaw locks you in place so you have to watch the screen and take her backshots.
She is so condescending about it too. When you cry from feeling an overwhelming amount of pleasure to the point you're shaking a little constantly, she still won't stop until you literally tap the bed three times, bending down to kiss that lonely little tear trailing down your cheek and licking the salt from her lips.
"Aww, do you feel too good you can't even speak? Aren't you a little crybaby. Shhh listen."
You're not even sure what you're supposed to pay attention to -The video of her pounding you through the bed and your helpless little whimpers coming out so clearly over the speaker or the filthy extremely wet noises from the toy that's thrusting in deep and measured strokes.
Then those telltale tremors start, not the subtle shaking you've been going through from overstimulation. The ones that have your body spasming as muscles jolt uncontrollably. MC pulls that thing out and leaves you on the edge
"Who said you're allowed to come without begging me?"
You can't stand her!!!! But you're throbbing. You've been creaming and squirting and creaming and you need to finish. But she keeps denying you. Until finally she has mercy.
So so mean. She also has this little trick too that helps you come down.
Her tongue presses flat and she slowly licks up and down your entire slit, cleaning up all your juices, sucking the clit and lips into her mouth with a gentle pressure that she won't rush from building up. Orgasm is not the goal, although usually thats what happens. Not the intense one from before where it is all frayed nerves and quivering muscles. This one is a soft wave lapping at the shore on a warm spring afternoon. It makes you breathe a soft sigh of relief, melting away all of that previous tension with each leisurely warm and wet swirl around your sensitive flesh. She can always feel it, the way your body goes so pliant under her hands that have been slowly caressing along your waist and thighs while she ate you out for the last time in a night.
Naturally, the aftercare is gonna be top tier after driving you insane on a random Tuesday night for vibes.
Ice cold water. A fresh warm towel. Your favourite snacks she personally hand feeds you while telling you how amazing and pretty you are and what a good job you did taking all of it. She'll help you get dressed on the softest pajamas ever that feel like a cloud on your skin and cuddle you to sleep while scratching your scalp and making small talk.
You sleep like a dead woman! Then next week do it all over again.
Canon divergent from CS myth! Using various parts mostly for inspo!
[Part 1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The sitting room was quiet that evening as Sylus and nonmc concluded their findings to his parents during their private meeting, all of them seated on the couches in deep contemplation.
The documents were laid out across the coffee table in front of them, the conclusion absolute. Faust and the others corroborating with him had to suffer the consequences for what they've done, but the question was how.
Sylus's father is the first to break up the monotony of the fireplace crackle and rain pattering against glass windows, his sigh heavy with guilt and dismay as he leaned his elbows over his knees.
"....This is far dire than I imagined."
"Yes, it is. It's why we can't stay here any longer, Your Majesty. Not with what we know." Nonmc speaks up, her hands wringing together subtly on her lap, "We have to take the fight back to Velmure."
His parents' lips set into firm thin lines almost simultaneously, the worst of the answers that could be presented to them now treated like the only solution they could possibly have. And truly, it was.
"But... to send you both into the fray, how could I tell the others-- even your parents, that I've done this to you both in good faith? To our very children?" His father expresses in a clipped, solemn tone, his worried eyes flitting between them both.
Even in his father's older age, Sylus and nonmc will always be the young children who played together in the Velmure castle during his family's visits.
His mother was no different. She remembers their laughter and cherished bond, the young girl that followed her son happily...
Those were distant memories that had to be left behind in order to send off their son, the one who will be considered a monster by those who know nothing of his fiendish secret, and the daughter of her life-long friends, the descendant to the Purest Saintess of legend.
Sylus mirrors his father's expression, albeit more restrained for the sake of appearing strong in the face of danger.
"There's no other way, father. We're prepared for the consequences."
"It is also my duty as Saintess to protect the innocent and the Divine Tree, Your Majesty." Nonmc adds, making his father shake his head towards her.
"Even if we have believed in the power of the Saintess for generations, I never once wanted you to be used as a martyr for our sake."
She offers a kind smile in turn, understanding his father's frustrations.
"I know. And I won't let my life be used in vain." She turns to Sylus, her hand reaching for his that was closest to her, "Not if I have him at my side."
Sylus softens his eyes to her, squeezing her hand before looking over to his father once more.
"No matter if she is the Saintess or not, I am protecting her as my wife. That is my promise."
That seemed to lighten his father's shoulders, even if by a little. With a short nod, his hand reaches beneath his jerkin and tunic, tugging a golden chain out from around his neck and tussled hair.
Nonmc's eyes widen a fraction, the recognition of the pendant hanging off from it becoming palpable.
It was the Tarus family insignia, a winged serpent and crow encrusted together in gold and red rubies. The symbol of the kingdom and embodiment of the current leadership.
The gold necklace, heavy in authority and weight, was presented up to them. An offering in the highest honor that has not been done in over a millennia.
"Then you must take this. Rally as much support you can in the Velmure terrority before presenting yourself to the royal court."
Her lips part, eyes blinking rapidly. Such a thing was as close to saying that their word would be that of the King of Tarus. If it was anyone else or any other time, one could imagine it meant that they killed him in the midst of war.
"But, Your Majesty, this is..."
"It won't be mutiny if I have my spies and leaders of commandment send word to our allies." His father reassures, gesturing to Frederick to take the necklace from him to handle the exchange, "A code only one would know if I was still alive and willing."
Sylus takes the necklace into his free hand as given by Frederick who stepped over to their side, his eyes discerning the pendant as it now rested atop his palm. No one held this in his family besides his father, not even his other siblings since they've all been born.
"...Thank you, father. Your trust in us will not be unfounded."
His father huffs a tired laugh through his nose, a crinkle in his eyes showing a hint of amusement.
"You were always a stubborn one, not wanting to take any claim over the throne for Tarus from your older brothers. It looks like you'll have no choice but to try the crown on for size."
Sylus scoffs around a smirk, the tone lighthearted at his father's teasing.
"Well, it never mattered to me. At least, I don't think it would've made a difference for this dear princess to turn her eyes to me any more than it already did."
Nonmc's eyebrows rose as she was suddenly brought up in conversation, her head whipping over to him.
"You..!"
She raised their joined hands, trying to tug herself away from him but he continued to hold them together in an iron grip.
Laughter was found from his parents' side of the room at the childish behavior between the two of them, encouraging hope into an otherwise hopeless situation.
With nonmc pouting at his antics, Sylus took it upon himself to place the golden necklace over her head and let his knuckles linger over the pendant that hung over her dress and sternum.
The action does give her some pause, her heart tightening at the significance of it.
He, who was given temporary authority over Tarus, gave its symbol willingly. A King offering true power to his Queen.
Sylus doesn't let the moment stay for too long, his eyes finding his father's to get back on task.
"We're ready to depart at the earliest. Can a carriage be scrounged together with what we have?"
His father hums, nodding along before rubbing his bearded chin in thought.
"Word has reached out to some of our neighboring provinces. I'm sure they can part with one of their better ones. In terms of protection, however..." He sighs, furrowing his eyebrows, "A few knights are willing to meet us here and accompany you both on the journey."
Nonmc looks down at the carpet as soon as she hears that, a small frown forming on her lips.
'Accompanying' them was describing the knights' task poorly. They were in actuality risking their lives in order to make sure they both reach Velmure in one piece.
With word surely reaching nonmc's kingdom of her not having fallen ill by her supposed plague-riddled childhood friend and instead being married to him peacefully, Faust was sure to redirect plans so that they are unable to return safely.
The knights would be their shield, their fodder. It was a grim thought.
"Taking the main road won't be possible." His father continues, "Knowing Faust and his deep connections, he'll surely anticipate that."
"Then even the backroads through the mountains won't work either." Sylus muses, a quiet grumble rumbling in his chest.
Clearly, no matter which route they take, Faust will stay posted for their traveling carriage. An ambush of sorts waiting at every corner.
"...We take the main road." Nonmc concludes, getting them all to look to her, "We have to take that chance. We don't want to rouse Faust's suspicions by letting him know that we hold the evidence of his crimes."
"He'll try and kill you both." His father reasons in a pained whisper, one hand clenching into a fist.
Sylus decidedly threads his fingers with nonmc's rather than keeping their hands together in a loose hold, gesturing his support as he spoke next.
"Then we fight back. Away from civilian casualty."
"It's... It's a daring move and a risky option."
"I know, father. But nonmc is right, Faust has to believe he has us cornered and none the wiser. Taking the bait is the our only chance."
"I..." His father trails off, sighing in resignation, "Very well. We'll make the preparations."
And just as that depressing day of recognizing where their paths would lead passed, the cloudy morning where Sylus and nonmc were finishing up traveling preparations at the castle gates had finally arrived.
The chilling breeze wisped their heavy travelling cloaks, the ghostly howls of wind accompanied by the jangling of metal armor from their escorting knights making the last checks to their carriage and horses.
His family, in spite of their still weak constitution, waited at the entrance to see them off. Their faces showed an underlying grief, knowing this may or may not be the last time they will see Sylus and nonmc.
His father is the first to find the courage and cross that small threshold of space the others were almost afraid to walk, as though in fear of breaking this moment of calm before the storm.
"Do you have everything?" He asks as he approaches them, keeping his voice even.
Sylus nods as he was helping secure the leather satchel that sat diagonally over nonmc's chest, where the metal capsule containing the documents of evidence was held in.
"Yes. Whatever happens, we'll just need ourselves."
His father hums in approval, even if it only lessened his worries the slightest bit. He knew his own son would protect her with his life, or at the very least take her far away from the fray of battle if it came down to it.
Nonmc pats around her patted coat after Sylus finished, making sure she could feel the golden royal necklace beneath her inner tunic. Everything seemed to be in order, down to the clothing and her staff held tightly in her gloved hand.
Her eyes flit toward his father as he stepped closer to her side, his mother slowly coming over to meet with them as well.
"Your Majesty." She greets with a cordial nod, only for his father to shake his head.
"Please, I am not a king in the eyes of a daughter." He states, reaching a hand up to her cloaked shoulder to squeeze it gently, "Since meeting your family, you were always one of ours even if not by blood. And because of that, the very idea of your power and the day you'll need to use it, has always frightened me."
"...Please come back safe and well. We wish to see you both when the sun finally splits these cloudy skies."
Despite feeling her heart squeeze in reaction, she offers a widening smile, wanting to bring the mood up.
"We hope for the same."
His father then takes his hand away from her shoulder, allowing his mother to come by wordlessly to bring her in for a tender hug. Sylus watched on as his parents doted on his wife, knowing the bond of her existence was beyond how he felt.
She was just as much loved by them. Especially when he notices that his siblings were inching their way next with held back sniffles and somber frowns.
Sylus couldn't help the slight smirk as his younger siblings looked at her with wide, teary eyes, their small hands reaching for the edges of her cloak to cling to her like helpless baby birds.
"Big sister..." One young sister whines, clutching onto the material with shaky fists.
"Don't leave us..." Another chimes in, one of his brothers with a reddening nose starting to burrow into her side.
Nonmc huffs a quiet laugh, patting them all with her free hand not holding onto her staff.
"I know, I know. Please, don't cry."
"Big sister needs to come back!" A middle sister pleas, turning to Sylus with a petulant frown, "Brother, you must protect her!"
Sylus sighs lowly in slight dramatics, reaching a hand over to his sister's head to placate her.
"I would never dare to do otherwise."
His older brother smacks his upper back right after, a sense of playful roughness in the sudden motion.
"She's right, you know. It would be a shame if you don't bring her back before you've started your own family."
Sylus groans, rolling his eyes to showcase his annoyance.
"We're barely starting our path to possibly stop this plague. Aren't you all thinking ahead too early?"
His other older siblings snickered at the banter, finding amusement as he swats away their teasing hands. Nonmc, on the other hand, coughs bashfully into her hand.
"I hope to return so we can celebrate with a big ball." She diverts, getting a chorus of gasps from his younger siblings.
"With many sweets?"
"Yes, of course. With my many sweets."
Nonmc was reluctant to leave the laughter brought on by his family, yet they knew their time was short. With deep longing in her eyes, she gazed at the Tarus castle through the carriage window, his family becoming a speck in the distance.
Eventually, she would tug the curtains close once wrought iron gates became lines of dense forest trees, keeping them contained in their darkened carriage cabin.
Sylus did his best to keep her from burying herself in melancholic thoughts, making idle conversation about everything and nothing to guide her by his voice. It worked well for the time, her head resting on his shoulder becoming a necessary anchor with each passing hour.
That morning then became a few nights, the travel long and arduous.
She felt guilty for the small band of knights that directed their carriage or followed by horses nearby, knowing they were just as much disheveled as they were after a week on the road that was dense with chilling fog and endless rain.
But when she voiced her concerns, they stopped her explanation before she could finish. This was their oath to them, to take most of the burden for this journey from day to night. Even with Sylus sleeping very little so she could, the knights did just as much to account for both of their safety as they rested within the walls of the carriage.
They still had a week and some days until they would reach the borders of Velmure. Not wanting to waste time, they decided it would be best to continue traveling throughout the night. With them getting closer to province boundaries, Faust has likely prepared what he needed in order for an encounter to occur.
The current torrent of the heavy storm did not give nonmc enough quiet to let her eyes droop completely for a nap, the seeping cold settling into her limbs not helping either in that regard. Sylus knew the rough weather was getting to her, his hands clasped around hers to keep the heat around their gloves.
His lips were pressed against her temple in hopes of soothing her, but the moment wouldn't last long as his ruby eyes flickered open with abrupt alertness.
"...They're here."
His statement pulled her away from the lull of sleep, her head lifting up from his shoulder to focus on the hardened expression of his profile.
"Now? Where?" She whispers, her heart climbing up to a frantic rhythm.
"On the path in front of us... the cliffside to our sides... They're everywhere."
"Then we need to warn them, before it's too--"
The harsh whinnies of the carriage horses has them both stiffen, her staff and his cane that had been placed by their sides now gathered into their hands to keep them from sliding off the seat.
Everything jostled to a rough stop, his arm going around her shoulders to stop her from launching forward.
Metal clattering against one another cut through the muffle of harsh rain, orders from the knights and others they don't recognize accompanying right after.
"Sylus... what can we..."
"There's nothing we can do." He admits, looking to her with a stern gaze, "You know what must be done."
She purses her lips, clenching her eyes shut as the visualization of the bloody carnage right outside the barriers of their carriage was becoming clearer in her mind. Mindless slaughter... why did it have to be this way?
He tugs her cloak's hood over her face in that time, leaving one lingering kiss to her forehead.
"I'm sorry."
It was clear that his apology was for a multitude of things. To their situation, to the horrors that trail them, to the knights that they will have to abandon now...
She lets out a breath to steady herself, fighting back the tears threatening to fall.
"...Me too."
As his lips fall away from her skin, he pulls her up from the carriage seat, his arm securing itself around her waist.
"Be ready." He warns, making her hold herself tightly around him.
With her head now buried into his neck and cloak, a rumbling growl emanates from deep within his chest, channeling the fiendish side of himself.
In a burst of crackling and splintering wood, his red and black mist breaks through the top of the carriage roof before launching them up into the air in a flurry of leathery white membrane that made up his towering wings.
She could barely hear anything around the heavy rain, the shouts of the mercenaries muffled down below. The sharp icy water droplets were soaking into their clothing, as though slowly immersing them in frigid water on a winter's lake.
"There! Shoot them down!" One mercenary yells out, making the others towards the tree line ready their crossbows.
Sylus was able to hear them with keen awareness, his wings billowing upward to fight against the storm's unforgiving force.
Nonmc gasps as a few arrow swishes past them in those few seconds, her eyes shutting close as he barely twists their hovering bodies away. It didn't stop him from getting grazed, the sharp metal tips creating red lines of blood over the thick hide of his wings.
She could hear the momentary grunt from deep within his chest as he was inevitably hit, her head lifting up to his more scrunched expression hidden beneath his own cloak. Despite his strengths, pain could not be hidden.
He fights past it all, continuously carrying them higher into the sky before sharply flying them north towards the mountains. The destroyed carriage and battle was becoming a distant memory, the focus now on keeping themselves awake before hypothermia would take hold.
It was quite the dilemma to squint and blink past torrents of rain, but eventually Sylus could feel a sense of relief when he could make out a cavern hidden behind walls of grey stone and dark tree trunks. With a lack of grace, he floats them downward, his knees giving out from under him.
She grunts as she had no choice but to collapse with him, her shivering arms clinging to him to support them both.
"S-Sylus, stay with me..!" She pleads between chattering teeth, heaving tiredly as she tried to hold up the hefty man, "Please!"
A hiss leaves his lips in response, his boots scraping against the wet stone and gravel beneath them. He takes that moment to let his wings dissipate into thin air, finding the strength to straighten back up in order to alleviate her burden.
"...I'm here. I won't leave you." He huffs, slipping his arm around her back and guiding hers to cling onto his cloak.
Her fist gathers around the drenched material she's able to find purchase around, both of them dragging their legs towards the entrance. Their grunts and labored breath echoed into the vast cave as soon as they reached the threshold, yet all that mattered in that moment was that they were finally sheltered from the pelting storm.
He lets her slip down onto the cavern floor first, watching as she sighed in relief at being able to finally rest. The wall behind her was a bit sharp and rough against her back even with her cloak cushioning her, yet it would have to do.
She didn't even realize her eyes had slipped close until the crackle of fire woke her up, startling her from all senses.
Her eyes shot open immediately, a sharp gasp escaping her. She was only able to relax when she saw him crouched not that far in front of her, his back shadowing a bit of the flames painting across the rock canvas.
Sylus gradually turns his head over his shoulder, a softened smile on his lips despite the wet cold clinging to his clothes and hair. He was no longer in his cloak, merely donned on in the inner layers that made up his tunic and trousers.
It made her aware that she was fitted in the same manner, probably having been helped by him while she had passed out.
"Had a nice nap?" He teased, shifting himself down to sit at her side.
She scrunches her nose at him, her hands lifting up to pick at her damp tunic that was sticking to her skin. It didn't help that the satchel with the capsule of documents was still attached to her chest, though she supposed he must've known that would have been truly frightened to not have it on her person.
"I'm surprised you weren't scared that I fainted." She notes, making him hum lowly as he reaches an ungloved hand to push back wisps of hair that covered her face.
"I'll admit you worried me there for a second. But then again, your heart was still loud and clear in my ears. Though sleeping for nearly for an hour while I worked in silence seems hardly fair."
Nonmc huffs a quiet laugh, shaking her head and looking over at him with an apologetic look.
"...I should have been awake with you."
"Don't. I prefer it being like this than it having happened the other way around."
She could acquiesce to that sentiment. Knowing him, he'd probably hold it against himself knowing she was fending for herself instead. Not that it wasn't obvious that he trusted in her strength, he just didn't want to put her in a situation like that where he couldn't be there for her.
"But you're hurt, aren't you? The arrows, they..." She murmurs, her eyes rounding in thought.
"I'll be fine. The arrows might have had poison, but--"
"Poison..!" She cuts his explanation off, pushing herself up from the cave wall frantically.
"Relax. I can take poison, remember? I won't die that easily."
"That doesn't matter. You're still processing it slowly while it festers inside. How can you treat yourself so poorly?"
Sylus blinks a bit blankly as she huffs and puffs angrily, her hands tugging open the leather strap that held the satchel to her chest and tossing the whole thing aside to scoot closer to him.
His eyebrow raises at her fumbling with her gloves, practically seeing her eyes inwardly curse at them for clinging to her fingers.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm healing you, that's what. Now sit still." She orders sternly, appearing very much like a scolding wife.
He couldn't help the snicker that slips out, making her give a burning glare his way as she raised her arms and summoned the golden light of her powers.
His own hand raises up to placate her, surrendering himself to her whims. As much as he masked his pain, the warmth of her magic was actually quite nice, like bathing in spring sunlight.
When an involuntary groan in appreciation happens to leave him not long after she began, she smiled to herself and brought her hands up to touch his skin from underneath the collar of his tunic. It wasn't necessary for this detoxification and healing process, but she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to touch her husband.
And he didn't seem to mind, at least based on the half-lidded ruby eyes that followed her every movement that brought her closer to him.
Her own heated gaze made him chuckle, his own hands coming up to hold her sides.
"I didn't know the healing magic of the Saintess could be so... intimate."
Nonmc huffs a small laugh of her own through her nose, her fingers moving aimlessly over his collarbone and the upper side of his pecs.
"Your skin is cold so I thought I should warm you up while I'm at it. It's efficient, don't you think?"
His smirk only widens, eyes dilating into little rings of red the longer he stared at her.
"It could be more efficient. Your skin is cold too."
They ended up in a fit of giggling and short kisses as he peeled the clothing off of them, taking great pleasure in knowing her hands were essentially tied from assisting. It didn't help that she ended up on his lap, having no choice but to accept his bold behavior.
Nonmc had to allow the playful bites of his fangs to newly exposed skin, his tongue dragging a trail wherever he felt like with the excuse of 'warming her up'. Not to mention, his hands that were unfairly squeezing at her curves just to hear her helpless yelps and gasps at his audacity.
Eventually they were both as naked as the day they were born, with the exception of one of their semi-damp cloaks wrapped around their bodies to shield them from the rest of the world.
Her magic soon dissipates after sufficiently detoxing the poison from his blood, her head resting against his shoulder in comfortable silence.
Although there was finally peace on this rainy night, a shiver went through her body, reminding her that this wouldn't be the last of their troubles.
"What's wrong?" He asks quietly, his lips pressed against the top of her hair.
"...Nothing. Just a chill."
"It's more than that. Go ahead, speak your mind."
She lets the silence linger for a moment before sighing heavily against him, knowing her worries won't settle until she speaks about it.
"This is... more than just corruption, Sylus. It's an all-out war for greed." She explains meekly, her tired eyes dissociating between them, "Faust means to kill us without remorse, Sylus. My family... they're surely next to face his wraith at the next council meeting. Will we be too late before we..?"
"We won't let that happen." He answers resolutely, his arms wounding more tightly around her as though to protect her from the torment trying to claw its way into her.
"...What can we do then? I doubt this will be the last of them that we'll face."
"I will fly us there going forward. We'll hide within the brush of the woods when possible. We cannot risk going through the roads again."
"But you'll be tired..."
"I'll be fine, I promise."
"How? What of our supplies? We barely had any in the carriage to begin with."
"We may not have anything but ourselves and that satchel, but we can manage. We'll find berries and a clean river stream for you if we have to. It'll be like when you made me play 'pretend fairies'."
"Sylus..."
"I'm serious. I'll take the majority of the tasks when I don't need to feed. There's no need for you to worry."
She lifts her head, staring up at him with a chastising pout.
"Hmph, well of course I'll worry. Especially when it involves my husband."
He huffs an amused laugh, his hands creating absentminded circles over her back and waist.
"I can't let you have all the fun and glory. I have to protect my dearest wife, the Saintess."
"...Oh, shut up." She mutters, scoffing halfheartedly before faltering her annoyance into something more vulnerable, "I was worried for you just now, you know. If I had lost you here, I don't know what'd I..."
"You won't ever lose me. I will follow you even in death."
"Hah... You're dramatic."
"Only for you."
To emphasize his point, he leans closer to her face, peppering her lukewarm skin with gentle kisses. She grumbles like a defiant kitten, but very well pushes into the touch with secret joy.
His affections, reminiscent of the boy who hugged her tightly when she cried from being frightened by woodland creatures somehow appearing in the gardens, made her heart steadily calm to a simple thumping beat.
Even with the weather that was mere feet away from them causing the winds to howl and forest branches to shake violently, she felt comforted in his embrace.
"...Sylus?" She mumbles, making him hum and pull back to give her his attention.
Nonmc uses that innocent obedience of his to lift herself slightly up, her hands that were on his shoulders now holding the back of his neck to tug him forward. There's a brief moment of surprise in his eyes as she locks her lips firmly against his, feeling her part every so often with light smacks to angle the kisses differently each time.
His smirk was gradually felt after the first few times, his own hands now greedily bringing her closer to him so she was completely flush with his body. Much of their naked selves were touching, indirectly and otherwise, causing even more panting breath and inklings of heated moans.
He was the one to draw his lips away, taking delight in how she huffed petulantly with reddened, glistening lips.
"Why... did you stop me?" She breathes out, her chest heaving in small sways.
"Well..." He chuckles dreamily, licking his lips right after, "As much as I'd love to drown in pleasure with you, I'd rather keep you safe right now."
Nonmc blinks a bit in realization, her flushed cheeks taking a more deeper red. He made it sound like she was the only one in a certain mood after a heartfelt moment!
Though, his eyes held a burning glow to them that didn't exactly scream 'pure thoughts' either. Even still, she rolls her eyes to hide her growing embarrassment.
"Hmph. You make me sound like a deviant..."
"Hah. In that case, that makes me one too."
"You are." She admonishes with a mild tug to his long locks of silvery hair, earning a playful gasp from him in response, "I don't know how that sweet, reclusive boy I used to know became like this."
"It's because he had a cute yet timid girl constantly hold onto the hem of his shirt. Though... she isn't so timid anymore from the looks of it."
"Wha..! Well, who else made me that way--" She starts, but he cuts her off with another kiss, this one much more tender this time.
She was quick to simmer down, her eyes fluttering a bit when he places another to the corner of her mouth. With a long exhale, he slowly looks up at her reverently, his hand reaching up to hold her cheek.
"My love and desire for you will always be here, you know that. So for now... I want you to rest, my dearest wife. There's much for us to do once the rain lets up. Maybe then, when it's calmest, I'll show you what I said is true."
Nonmc hums quietly in reluctant understanding, letting her face be guided to his shoulder. He adjusted them so she could lay more comfortably in his lap, waiting for her breath to become even.
"...I love you, Sylus." She whispers last into his skin, making him smile and lean his head against hers.
