cw: MDNI. suggestive themes, insecurity, hurt/comfort, too many metaphors, quiet!reader, reader is implied to be the antithesis of Sylus; unlike him in almost every observable way.
w.c: 850 words.
notes: this is purely a vent, to be honest.
 Many a times, Sylus watched as the flurry of diverging shapes adorning your fragmented form dissolved into the shadows. Face overcast, strands of hair flowing over your cheeks, weaving your visage into an enigma; countenance unreadable as you, akin to the plentiful stars, faded beneath the crowdâs gleam. Â
You were used to living in shadows. Used to being a wallflowerâattaching yourself to a dull corner, climbing the darkness and eyeing the crowd from above.Â
âI find people more interesting than myself,â you had murmured, expressionless as your gaze traversed beyond the crowd, bleeding into their souls, âIâm merely a reader.âÂ
Your inquisitive stare bore into all but Sylus, but if you had bothered to cast him a glance, you wouldâve seen the frown etched deep into his face. Why would you yearn to disappear, when he had spent half his life preparingâpreparing to flaunt you, to blind himself with your shine, to hold you to the world and revel as they seethed at what they could never have? Â
âDonât you see?â His voice nudged, firm, unrelenting, breaking you out of your trance. âYou shine the brightest.â And yet, his words had never reached you. You only smiled, nodded, and returned, as if it were merely a compliment bestowed out of necessity, to play the part of love-struck mates. In your ignorance, his heart clenched. How could you ever see? Youâwho had veiled all mirrors, refusing to stare yourself in the face. You, who had refused to look into his eyes. You, who always retreated, stepping back as a crowd surrounded himself. And he would reach, lift his arm, call out your name, but you did not turn back.Â
The wind would not carry you to his arms, but in every lifetime, strip you away. And in this universe, you did not fight it, did not oppose the direction of its flow.Â
The nights you withered in silence, bubbling like an overflowing pot; he held you ever so gently. He would still the moon, silence the buzz of life if it had meant you would feel safer in this world. It was amidst the melancholy of these nights that he would whisper to you, thumb rubbing soothing circles into the dip of your palm, pressing gently on your vein, relishing in how it throbbed in sync with your heartbeat: âWe are kindred spirits. We are one and the same.âÂ
But at his solace, you would only respond with a soft smile and a bundle of words wrapped with your insecurityââWe are not alike. You and me, we are worlds apart.âÂ
Oh, how his eyes burned with tears at your upsetting ignorance. How your lover yearned to merely encompass you in his heart, to drown you beneath his ribs and let you peer into his writhing bag of flesh. For if you had, you would know: kindred spirits can be two souls so unalike; their only tether is their unbridled love. For adoration blossoms only amidst hearts that are kin. Â
âWe are wrong.â His heart would break at your words. âWe are not meant to be. You detest philanthropy, and I detest immorality. How could we have ever come to be?âÂ
âWhy have you chosen me? Why me, and not someone more like yourself? I am a bird who will never fly. I am the dove who will always choose the cage.âÂ
Sylus pushed his mouth up to yours, threaded through the strands of your hair, and reassured: âThe ways of the heart cannot be explained. It does what it wills, and cannot will what it wills.âÂ
And amidst some nights, when two bodies intertwined, moving against each other in a cocktail of bliss and sorrow, of sweat and stray tears, you would respond to him in agreement, tears bulging from your eyes, dripping down your lashes, curling in its path down your cheek; âBecause what is love if not discrimination?â A soft, trembling smile would adorn your face.Â
And in response, Sylus would cradle your cheek, kiss your tears away, and hold you up to the small world the two of you built upon your love. âNobody is a paragon. We are all selfish in our affections. Because a stubborn heart does what it wills.â A chaste kiss captured your lips, the devotion seeping into your tongue like bleeding watercolor. âBut bearing a heart is not a sin.âÂ
In each otherâs arms, you would unwind, unravel, and come undone a thousand times and over. You would bleed, laugh, wail, and love. Love is discrimination. Love is selfish. But the act of loving is not a transgression. Even if you fled from his unbridled adoration, Sylus would trust in your return. If you dissolved into the darkness, Sylus would stand as the object casting the shadow. For you to step outside your cage and spread your wings, your lover would perpetuate an eternity, and throughout that endless stretch of time, he would await the first whites of your feathers soaring in the sky.Â
âWe are kindred spirits,â Sylus smiled, âOur hearts will always beat in rhythm.âÂ
Clingy!Sylus who swears you're the clingy one, but always hugs you when he's sleeping, unwilling to let you out of his grasp. You try to wriggle out of his hold, feeling a little too warm from the heat radiating off him, only for him to hold on a little tighter. He pulls you back into his chest, successfully caging you in again.
Clingy!Sylus who sometimes uses his evol to teleport him to you when he hasn't seen you in a long time, which has landed you into some sticky situations. Even with you reprimanding him countless times to not just teleport himself to the Hunters Association just to see you, he doesn't take any of it to heart, more focused on being in your vicinity.
Clingy!Sylus who seeks you out everytime he returns home. If your sitting on the couch, he's plopping next to you and wrapping you into a hug. His face pushes into your breasts, savoring the softness of moments like this. If you run your hand through his hair, you might even be able to coax out purring.
Clingy!Sylus who doesn't know the concept of personal space. While he would never dream of stepping over your boundaries, if you give him an inch, he'll take a mile. If you're cooking, he'll be right behind you, hugging you as his head is nestled into the crook of your neck. If you're outside, Sylus holds your hand tight in his own, physically unable to not be touching you at all times.
Clingy!Sylus who embraces you as he thrusts his cock into you. He slams in deep and slow, desperate to feel the way your walls addictingly squeeze onto him. You moans reach his ears with every movement, gasping out pleas for more. Your soft voice calling out for him drives him insane.
Clingy!Sylus who presses kisses onto every inch of your skin, needing to mark you any way he can. Your body is littered with small bruises and soft bites, his tongue smoothing over them as a small apology.
Clingy!Sylus who lives for the way your arms are thrown on top of his shoulders, nails digging into his back. It helps to keep even a sliver of your sanity intact from Sylus's hips incessantly ramming into you. He hisses slightly everytime your nails tighten their hold on him, the sting burning his skin. Even so, he still encourages it, he would never refuse any type of physical touch.
Clingy!Sylus who so overwhelmed with the feeling of you milking him with your orgasm that he cums hard. You can feel his biceps shaking around you as he rides out both of your climaxes, small breaths of thank you's escaping his lips. When he gently pulls out, he cradles you in his arms as he coos you to sleep, only tearing himself away to clean you up.
an: wrote this instead of studying for finals (â„ïčâ„)
summary: in which you (jokingly) tell the lads boys that they're not your type.
ft. xavier, zayne, rafayel, sylus & caleb
notes: established relationship (!!!!) for all of them bc it felt a little angsty to do it pre-relationship LOL, xavier is a little cutie, zayne is cocky, raf is strange, sylus is reader enabler no. 1, caleb is also...strange. no explicit mentions of gender!!! only tiiiiny suggestive mentions in sylus's texts (i need him can you tell), that's it (i think) ^^
a/n: i actually had to try to make AND post this smau three (3) separate times because my power went out three (3) separate times so that is sooooo fun !!!! (spare me i can't make it a fourth i'm terrified as i write this...)(not rlly but yk)(anyway) ty for reading (- -)(_ _)
Capture my heart and frame it, won't you? by @memephi
cherry wine by @mythblossoms
Your trash, my treasure. by @peascribbles
Love Letters, Sylus by @rcvcgers
I see you by @terriblesoup
.°âąâđŁđđđáŻàŒÂ·Ë
how to accidentally catch feelings while baby-sitting a man-child by @shaiyasstuff
Broke Sylus??!!? by @thesylenttreatment01
.°âąđžđđđ€đ„áŻàŒÂ·Ë
the weight of the wind by @abyssyby
to be devoured, to be held by @abyssyby
Sylus - Five Years Later by @aleksatia
A Gentle Touch by @always-just-red
Under the wings of a dragon by @colonelkaboom
Blooming Daturas by @glitch-but-ya
through the fire by @shaiyasstuff (series; sylusxreaderxzayne)
into the flames... by @souliloqui
black velvet by @sysjuicebox
.°âąđđ»âđ đđđŠđ„áŻàŒÂ·Ë
YOUR LIPS, MY LIPS by @atxchiphxbix (mdni)
Power Play by @deepspacenova (mdni; sylusxcaleb)
Ma Meilleure Ennemie by @dijayeah (mdni)
sweet dreams by @fiendsgf (mdni)
runner's high by @humanjarvis (mdni)
A Practical Demonstration by @janumun (mdni)
third tempo by @knightjpg (mdni)
The Mate in the Mountains by @kissandtellus (mdni)
Dragon Tamer by @leighsartworks216 (mdni)
streetracer!sylus x streetracer!reader by @luvinbloom (mdni)
avoiding sylus' kisses prank...gone wrong by @wetforsylus (mdni)
calling him 'husband' during sex by @wetforsylus (mdni)
in your hand. from my heart by @sylure (mdni)
Sensuous Little Thing. by @sylure (mdni; suggestive)
The Marionette's Dance. by @sylure (mdni)
frenetic by @sysyjuicebox (mdni)
sylus when he can't stop kitten licking you... by @thewrldx (mdni)
.°âąMiscáŻàŒÂ·Ë
coat by @blessdunrest
Take Your Time, Miss Deer by @borkunlimited (series; suggestive)
a soul cast in shadow by @deepspacenova
Error 404: (Self!Aware!AU, Sylus Edition) by @ittybittyfanblog (series; suggestive)
Only You, Darling (Only You, Babe) by @ittybittyfanblog
OUT OF BOUNDS by @novthirty (series ongoing)
blackjack by @peachylynnie (series ongoing)
Elysium by @starmocha (mdni)
Rinse, repeat. by @terriblesoup (series)
Silence is a Virtue by @thechaoticarchivist
ginny's note: this is definitely the biggest list yet đ a HUGE shoutout to @/blessdunrest, @/deepspacenova, and my other amazing moots who gave me so many wonderful recommendations!! this list would not be possible without you all đ«đ
as always, if you have any recs and/or authors to share, pls let me know! i'll have to make a part two since the number of links maxed out on this post, but that is a-okay đââïž (just give me time LOL)
.. that one sex and the city scene.... slightly suggestive ;D
"kitten." you looked up from your flute of champagne, turning your head over to where sylus was looking at you, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
"yes?"
"would you like to wager on a bet?"
you cock a brow, looking at him in intrigue, "what bet?"
"i bet you a hundred dollars... that i could kiss you without ever touching your lips."
"kiss me... without touching my lips?" your brows furrow in confusion. "how?"
sylus chuckles, deep, hearty, loud enough to make your insides flutter.
"that's the point of the bet, sweetie."
he had a point.
"okay." you say, perking up in your seat, already giddy at the thought of having a hundred dollars for doing nothing. "show me the hundred."
he huffs out a laugh before placing his black card down. "let's raise the stakes."
you say nothing, guarded by his arrogance. you take the black card from him, keeping it in the garter that wraps around your thigh, and your body turns to face his.
"alright... how?"
sylus looms over you. his body invades your personal spaces as he leans down.
you can feel his eyes stare down at your waiting lips,
without saying anything else, you feel sylus' soft lips meet yours, a noise of confusion escapes you, yet sylus doesn't pull away as one of his hands settles on your back.
you let him control the kiss, pulling away for half a second only to dive back.
his kisses tasted of the wine he drank, your nose was flooded by his expensive cologne, and his hands were splayed on your back, as if not willing to let you go.
the two of you pull away, breath unsteady as you try to catch it.
the mechanics of the bet were still unclear to you, not knowing how sylus would've planned to kiss you without touching your lips, you were about to ask, but the smirk on his face only answered the question.
"worth every penny."
note/s: stop being a sly loser sylus just kiss her you're so annoyiiiiing
rationally, sylus knew he had no reason to worry. you were his partner, had been for a while, and you had promised to love each other through everything.
still, revealing the fact he was a dragon to you had the possibility to break everything in his mind. you were so human, so mortal.. it would be understandable if his existence would terrify you should you ever come to find out.
it had been on his mind for quite some time. but anytime he even thought about bringing it up to you, he would chicken out, which was so unlike him it made him even more stressed out. everyone around the base knew to tread lightly around him recently.
he needed to tell you, but how?
"-lus? sylus?" he snapped out of his thoughts at your voice, red eyes blinking as he looked down at you. you had a smile on your face, a hand held behind your back as you waved your hand in front of his face. "you okay? i've been calling you for a while!"
he could feel his heart swell at the adorable look on your face, a hesitant smile on his lips as he nodded. "i'm fine, sweetie." he tugged you close, kissing your forehead while trying to peek behind you. "but it seems someone's hiding something, hm?"
"ahh, it's not much!" you smiled, holding the bag out to him with sparkling eyes. "it's a gift!"
"a gift, hm?" he took the bag, opening it before freezing at what was inside. it was a watch he had mentioned to you offhandedly, and based on the proud look on your face, you had bought it with your own money. "honey, you didn't have to.."
"but i wanted to!" you beamed, watching as he pulled out a new red gem, also bought with your own money. "you spoil me so much, i thought it's only fair to return the favor!"
and oh, how his heart ached.
"thank you, swee.." he didn't realize he was shifting forms, pupils dilating, claws shifting, fangs sharpening, horns, tail and wings growing as he stared at you in reverence.
and all you responded with was wide eyed terror.
"i-i- um-" you stepped back, and he merely tilted his head, still oblivious to his change in form. "s-sylus, what are you?-"
"hm?" he glanced in a nearby frame, and his reflection had his eyes widening. "shit. dearest, i didn't-"
but looking up, he found the space you once stood in empty.
and with that emptiness came a heartache he hadn't known in years.
you didn't text him until later that night, telling him you would talk about it later. the reassurance you were still willing to face him had him more than relieved, but he was still shaken.
as the days passed in silence, sylus was only more and more on edge. the twins were the only people that could get near him without him biting their head off, and onichynus' enemies trembled in fear throughout the week.
his room saw the worst of it, his pillows and blankets thrown all over the place, a mess made in a sorry attempt to calm his aching heart. he struggled to keep a human form for the first time in years, his horns and tail a constant on his being.
and finally, blissfully, you arrived to onichynus' base. the twins practically sobbed in relief, rushing you towards their boss' room before they ran off to give you both space.
there was a commotion from inside, and your knock caused it all to stop. "sylus?" your voice was soft, quiet, and you heard a careful shuffle. "may i.. can i come in?"
a moment passed before the lock clicked, and as you pushed the door open, you could only gasp at the state he was in. curled up on the floor, his wings wrapped around him like a protective cocoon as he peered up at you, red eyes surprisingly filled with tears.
"if you wish to break up with me, i wouldn't blame you." he muttered, lowering his head once more. "i'm nothing but a monster, after all."
his fists clenched, and he sniffled, trying to hold back tears. "i was going to tell you about this, really. but i was so afraid of scaring you off that i kept holding it off, and now here i am, doing exactly that. you don't have to accept this, or even accept me, but.."
he looked up at you, tears fully falling now. "i love you. i love you so much, but i understand if you don't.. if you can't love me like this. you deserve the best, and i'm certain a monster like me couldn't provide that for you-"
"sylus.." you were careful in your approach, kneeling before him but keeping space between you both. you hesitated before reaching a hand out to him, and he flinched briefly as your fingers brushed his wings. "i don't want to break up with you."
"you.. you don't?" for the first time since that fateful reveal, a hint of hope swelled in his chest.
you shook your head, gently cupping his face with a smile. "i promised to love you no matter what, didn't i? you're my one and only, and this," your other hand cupped his face scales, "is simply a part of you."
his lip trembled, and before you could say a single thing, he tugged you into his arms, wings wrapping around you protectively. you gasped, smiling and not saying a single thing on the wetness on your shoulder as you hugged him back. "shh, it's okay." you kissed his head, right between his horns with a smile, "i love you."
"i love you too," he gasped, gentle even as his claws threatened to tear at your shirt, "so much." he peered up at you, smiling through his tears. "thank you for accepting me."
summary: while preparing to attend another auction with sylus, you experience intense, weirdly familiar visions courtesy of the auction's dress code
pairing: sylus x reader
rating: teen+
word count: 650
tags: gn!reader, reader's hair is styled in a bun, pre-relationship tension, allusions to beyond cloudfall, past lives angst
note: also available in my love & drabble-space collection on ao3
Another auction, another cover identity, and another seemingly absurd dress code. This time: belladonna lilies. Each guest must wear a single bud on their personâ a lone pop of noxious red on an otherwise monochromatic canvas.
Your flower is tucked in your bun, placed there by Sylusâs own hand, and his is pinned to his lapel, crooked. As he goes to reposition it for the second time, you intervene.
âHere,â you say, plucking the boutonniĂšre from his grasp and stepping in front of him so you have better access to his suit.
He grins, amused, but lets you have your way.
How chivalrous. Perhaps heâs coming down with a cold.
You slide your fingers beneath his lapel, and as you poke the needle through several layers of silk, the foyer falls away. Walls become air. Ceiling becomes sky. A sea of red surrounds you, and the scent of flowers mingles with that of ash as a sunset bleeds gold into the horizon.
This placeâŠ
You know this place.
A hand covers yours, gentle and calloused. Comforting. Beloved.
Your gaze snaps to the point of contactâ to armor, black as ink. To the fingers veined with carmine. No, not fingers. Claws. A beast is caressing you, only you know thatâs not right. Others may think of him as such, but you know better. He is no more a beast than Mother Nature is a villain.
You try to pull the scene into focus, but it keeps slipping away, keeps blurring.
A crack of lightning cleaves the air, and in its wake, a weeping void ripples outward like a woundâ a yawning, lifeless gash of nothing. But then you blink, and youâre caught in a storm-churned sky, the clouds pressing down on you like boulders and the thunder rattling your bones.
And youâre plummeting.
Down, down, down, the world streaking by in cold, grey hues of sorrow. It canât end like this. You wonât let it. A rush of wind tears at your skin, hot as a lash, cruel as a blade, and you clutch at something in your arms. Warm. Heavy. A body? Butâ
The vision splinters, and youâre vaulted back to the present, back to the foyer. Sylusâs hand is at your jaw and a look of concern is in his eyes. His mouth moves, but you canât hear him over the dull ringing in your ears.
âWhat?â you say, disoriented and overwhelmed by the urge to bury your face in his chest, to hold him close and feel the steady thud of his pulse.
He pulls backâmaybe to give you space, maybe because youâre unsettling himâbut your fingers tighten on his lapel and keep him from moving away. That seems to confuse him. Even so, he doesnât fight you. Instead, he sweeps a thumb over your cheek and nearly causes a well of unshed tears to spill down your face.
Why are you on the verge of crying?
âNot getting cold feet, are you?â The deep timbre of his voice reaches you this time, grounding you. A beacon amidst the turmoil of your thoughts.
You shake your head. Swallow to wet your throat. âIâm fine.â
Sylus looks unconvinced.
âIâm fine,â you say again and belatedly release your hold on him. The flower you pinned to his suit wobbles, bright red petals wreathing yellow stamen. Itâs so easy to imagine an entire field of buds just like it, albeit a few shades darker.
Hallucinations, you decide. Belladonna lilies are toxic, and when you were fixing Sylusâs boutonniĂšre, you must have inhaled some of the pollen.
Yes. Thatâs what happened.
Sylus watches you for a moment, his expression unreadable. âIf you say so,â he finally replies and offers you his arm. When he next speaks, itâs with the rich confidence youâve come to expect from him, though his smirk doesnât seem quite as smug. âShall we?â
Note: Fic 2 of 5k and Latte! Written for @tokoyami-bestboi. The smut ended up being almost romantic. I'm sorry girl, I know what kind of kinky shiz you had in mind, but there is BDSM and nipple play, it's just SOFT. I had fun planning their dates and imagining their banter. I took inspiration from Sylus's Grassland Romance card, where he says he used to be able to call anywhere home, but after meeting MC, he now has the condition that she needs to be there too. PS, kudos to those who were able to decode Sylus's phone number!
Shoutout to my awesome betas @victor-page and @reilemon for giving this story a thorough lookover and bringing it to its best form! I cringe every time I look at my old fics and see how many errors there are, so I'm grateful for their efforts and feedback in making my writing stronger.
Order: americano + croissant, $8, cafe menu
Pairing: expat! Sylus x seconded worker fem! reader
Warnings: MDNI, sex, PIV sex, casual sex, nipple play, nipple clamps and bondage, handcuffs, clit play, some mild angst
Synopsis: A chance meeting in a foreign city leads to an exciting, sweeping romance that changes you forever.
WC: 10.4k
A pleasant breeze ruffles your hair as you lean back and take in the beautiful views of Seoul from the rooftop restaurant. A bokeh of city lights flickered in and out of your eyesâ periphery as cars and busy skyscrapers began amping up for the daily evening rush.Â
Being chosen to spearhead the opening of a new branch in Seoul was the pinnacle of your career, if you did say so yourself. After years of dedication, the promotion your boss had been dangling in front of you â like a carrot motivating a ravenous bunny â had finally come true.Â
The promotion not only came with an amazing bonus package but also meant you would spend a month in Seoul onboarding the new employees and understanding the Korean market and clientele. Feeling content, you raise your glass of champagne to the dark, star-strewn sky, toasting yourself silently in your head.
âDo you always toast the sky, or is someone late to celebrate your success?â A rich, masculine voice cuts through your thoughts, and your pulse quickens when you see its owner.Â
A tall, broad-shouldered man holding a glass of whiskey grins at you, and it was all you could do not to stare at his perfectly chiseled face, the firm jawline and slightly crooked nose all adding to his charm. Garnet eyes, resembling those of an observant dragon, were squinting in amusement at your muted gesture of success.Â
âNot all celebrations need an audience,â you manage to say, and the stranger moves closer to your table, flawlessly classy in his tailored slacks and well-fitted shirt. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, and you glimpse corded, toned forearms as he gestured to the empty chair.Â
âYou know the rule, right? If you toast the sky, the sky sends someone over.â
You laugh, deciding it wouldnât kill you to let a handsome man indulge you for a moment, and motion for him to sit down. Celebrations were more meaningful with someone else after all.Â
âWhat are we toasting?â He asks, bringing his glass to clink against yours, the sound merry and satisfying.Â
âA promotion,â you say proudly and sip, relishing the bubbles that burst on your tongue.Â
âCongratulations.â The man takes a swig from his glass. âI take it youâre new to Seoul?â he asks, and you bite your lip, unsure about how honest you should be. Seeing your expression, the man raises his hands in a gesture of peace.
âI only ask because Iâm an expat. This is the go-to place for most people experiencing Seoul for the first time.âÂ
You grin at him. âAll right you caught me. But itâs Googleâs fault. It recommended this place to me.â
âI see. And what were you looking for?â
âBest place for a foreigner celebrating a promotion to get a drink,â you say sheepishly, ducking behind your glass.Â
The man laughs, a deep rumble like the opening thunder preceding a rainstorm, his chest trembling from the force, and it hits you how ridiculously attractive he is. Not just good, old-fashioned, attractive, ridiculously attractive. The kind depicted in cartoons where women floated in the air with hearts in their eyes as the male heartthrob passed by.Â
âI suppose that would have done the trick.â He sets down his glass. âIâm Sylus, by the way.â He offers his hand, and you accept it, a tickle of exhilaration running down your spine at the contact. You give him your name, and he lingers, letting your hand rest on his palm beyond what was considered typical for a handshake. Your questioning gaze has him smiling, and he runs a calloused thumb over your knuckles, sending your heart into a frenzy.Â
âIs the promotion the only reason you moved?â Sylus asks, letting go of your hand and you feel the loss of contact keenly, wishing you could reach over and grasp it once more. Instead, you focus on his question.
âOh, I havenât moved here,â you explain. âIâm here to help set up my companyâs new branch. Iâm only in Seoul for a month.â
You thought you saw a flicker of disappointment on his face (had you imagined it?) before you continued. âWhat do you do?â you ask politely, and Sylus drains his glass before replying.Â
âIâm an independent market analyst.â Seeing your inquisitive expression, he adds, âI help people understand the market theyâre looking to expand into.âÂ
âIndependent?â you lean back in your chair. âThatâs impressive. Iâm guessing you were fed up with a 9-5?â
âThatâs one of many reasons, yes. I value my time and my life. It was the best way for me to hustle while also having a personal life.â Â
You respected that. Working as an independent contractor sounded nice, but you knew you could never get over the fear of having a dry month and being unable to pay bills. It felt like extra effort, networking to find clients for work.Â
âI wish I had that sort of confidence. I like knowing thereâs money coming, even if Iâm on someone elseâs clock.â You shoot a (hopefully subtle) admiring look his way, before asking, âHow long have you been in Seoul?âÂ
âA few years now.âÂ
âAnd do you like living as an expat?â
âI do. It enables me to understand what people are looking for, which in turn makes it easier for me to help my clients.â
Fascinated, you lean forward and rest your arms on the table. âHow long have you been away from home?â
âHome?â Sylus looks thoughtful before replying. âI donât think Iâve ever considered anywhere my real home. I can make a home anywhere.â
You consider his words. âI can see the appeal in that. However, doesnât it get lonely?â Your question catches him off guard and his eyebrows knit together in confusion, like he hadnât considered this a possibility, and you hasten to clarify. âAll I meant was that kind of freedom requires a tolerance for solitude.â
âYes, it does,â he says measuredly. âBut I like to think of it as maximizing the lives Iâve lived within a short human lifespan. Itâs certainly not for everyone, but it doesnât get boring.â His eyes glitter as he recalls his experiences. âWhether itâs Tokyo during cherry blossom season, Zurich at Christmas time, or Mardi Gras in Rio De Janeiro. Thereâs too much to see to be content with staying in one place forever.âÂ
Thereâs passion and excitement in his words, the allure of all the freedom in the world, and the confidence that there was nothing to be missed outside this lifestyle. It was fascinating to see how fulfilled he was, yet you were already aching for the comforts of home, almost like him talking about his ways as an expat only highlighted how much you yearned for a place to call your own. Â
âSo whatâs a seasoned expat doing at a newbie hangout?â you ask and this time, itâs unmistakable; Sylus pauses and his features morph into confusion, as though he himself isnât sure. He taps the side of his glass, wondering.Â
âItâs been a while since I last came here. Perhaps, I was feeling nostalgic. Wanted to relive my first time coming to Seoul. Or maybe, the universe saw a young woman toasting herself and decided she should have some company.â His authenticity resonates deep within your bones, a little hum of acceptance.
âOr if youâre superstitious, maybe we were meant to meet. After all, who better than a market analyst to help a professional learning the Korean market?âÂ
Your heart thumps in your chest as you consider his words. Heâs quiet, patiently waiting for you to respond, ball entirely in your court. Your mind was warning you against trusting a stranger, but something hung in the air, a spark, a feeling of kinship, whatever the poets called it. Â
Suspicion was your default state. Though you werenât alone on this trip (the company had sent a representative fluent in Korean) you werenât thinking about texting them your location in case things went awry. There could have been plenty of reasons to listen to the alarms going off in your head and taking your leave now.
But with SylusâŠyou werenât nervous. You werenât discreetly reaching for your phone pretending to check a text. You werenât even scoping the bar to see if there were other women you could run to for safety. Instead, you wanted to lean further over the table and kiss him, to get a small experience of the freedom heâs been accustomed to his entire life. This was not a man you needed to exercise caution with. Your brain was screaming logic, but your heart, your intuition, was telling you this wouldnât be a mistake. You purse your lips, weighing your options.Â
Perhaps you werenât as discreet as you thought you were because when you glance at Sylus, heâs gazing at your lips, and it sends a thrill of delight through your system, realizing heâs thinking the same as you. The notion makes you shiver despite the warmth of the evening.
âAre you cold?â Sylus asks and you shake your head no. âAre you sure? You can have my jacket.âÂ
âIâm sure.â you flash him a smile, wondering if you could get his phone number, but delay the moment to keep the conversation flowing. âBesides, Iâd have to give it back to you when I leave. Then Iâd be cold all the way back to my hotel.â
Sylus chuckles. âI wouldnât mind walking you back to your hotel.â
âBecause itâs gentlemanly?â
âBecause Iâm fond of this jacket.â
Now itâs your turn to laugh, and without missing a beat, Sylus shrugs out of his jacket and comes around to drape it over your shoulders, and youâre enveloped in his scent before he offers his hand and helps you out of your chair.Â
âLead the way,â he says, and you do so without trepidation.Â
The walk back to the hotel wasnât long, but every step caused an odd tension to coil in your belly. You werenât reckless like this. You never allowed unknown men to escort you back to your hotel room. Hell, you werenât even sure what you wanted to do after heâd walked you back to the hotel. Was he expecting something? Could you give in to your desires and give him that something? The something that you were sure you also wanted to happen?
All too soon youâre at the doors to the lobby of the hotel, and you fidget with the collar of his jacket, reluctant to take it off.Â
âOh dear, youâre not planning on stealing it, are you?â Sylus remarks, observing how you were lingering by the door, unwilling to part company. âAs charming as you are, weâre not quite at that stage.âÂ
You shake your head; youâd never brought back a man to your hotel room before. It was a first. How did one signal interest for something more?Â
âUmâŠwould you like toâŠâ you gesture aimlessly at the cheery, well-lit lobby. âCome up?â Tongue-tied, you try to gauge his expression, then fumble when you see a look of surprise on his face.Â
âIâŠ! All I meant wasâŠI mean, I wanted toâŠIf you donâtâŠâ You gasp as Sylus takes a step forward and presses a finger to your lips, towering powerfully over you, yet his touch was gentle and unthreatening, silencing your incomplete thoughts.Â
âKitten,â he says huskily, and the endearment shoots right into your sex, heat gathering in your belly as the blood rushes to your ears.Â
âItâs ok to want someone without a reason. Not everything has to make sense,â he murmurs, his voice low and tempting. âYou donât have to explain yourself.âÂ
Seeing the look of relief on your face, he subtly drags his finger down, over your bottom lip, waiting for you to make a move, and it was all you could do to not give in and kiss him on the spot.Â
âLetâs go up.â You manage to free the words from your throat, exhilaration brewing in your veins of what had just been set into motion. Sylusâs eyes sparkle and he politely holds your hand as you lead him into the lobby and towards the elevator.
You punch in the floor number, trying to remain put together, to hold off until you got to your room, but the pull of the moment hits a crescendo once the doors slide shut. Damning it all, your control snaps and you pull Sylus towards you by the front of his shirt, your lips crashing onto his. Stunned, his eyes widen as he yields to you with a groan.Â
Remnants of whiskey lingered on his tongue as you tiptoed, angling your head and pressing your body against his, feeling hard muscles underneath his clothes, pressing him against the side of the elevator as you greedily satiated your primal instinct. The elevator dings, signaling youâd reached your floor and you moan against Sylusâs mouth as he scoops you up and out of the elevator, arms firmly holding you under your thighs as his mouth devours yours. Your legs wrap around his waist, holding firmly onto him as you break the kiss to check your surroundings.
âLeft, go left,â you say breathlessly, and he complies, your eyes barely keeping track of the room numbers, giddy from being carried in this intimate way. âHere, this one.â You point to a door then fumble with your clutch to pull out the keycard, tapping it to the lock and Sylus enters, the door clicking shut behind you.Â
No time was wasted. Your clothes slipped off easily and you unbuttoned Sylusâs shirt and pulled off his slacks with no hesitation. Both of you fall onto the bed in a heated tangle of limbs, teeth clashing, tongues mixing, and hands everywhere, flesh squeezed, teased and licked until you are a slippery mess of desire.Â
You whine in protest when he rolls off you to fumble for his pants and notice him pull out a small square packet. Your hazy brain silently thanks him for having the presence of mind to remember something like this, and when he returns, heâs sheathed and ready. He hisses as he enters your tight wetness, the clench of muscles intoxicating around his hard shaft. Your nails scratch at his back, as though determined to keep him there, whimpering as his thrusts, long and deep, stirred up a torrent of pent-up desires you werenât even aware had been lying dormant inside you.Â
Wrapped up under his warmth and passionate movements, you let yourself feel with abandon, breaths syncing and eyes locking onto each other as you drive each other to the peak, his thumb steadily working on the swollen bundle of nerves between your folds.Â
When you finally orgasm, you trigger his own, and his fingers indent bruisingly into your soft flesh as he empties himself into you, mumbling your name like a prayer over and over again.Â
Bright sunlight was streaming through your window when you woke, and it was with a pang of disappointment that you saw Sylus was gone, his side of the bed cool when you touched it. Feeling a little foolish that you had hypothetical expectations of a stranger, you roll over and see a note placed on the bedside table next to your charger. You reach out to free and read it, heart fluttering at the message.Â
664-249-6879.Â
I left my jacket for you in case it gets cold but Iâd like it back at some point. Call me when you want to meet.Â
Sylus
With a smile rivaling the Cheshire Cat, you look over at the sofa, and sure enough, Sylusâs jacket was draped over the arm. You hum leisurely as you get ready for the day, and once you are dressed, you save Sylusâs number in your phone before calling. Â
He answers after a few rings and your pulse quickens at the sound of his voice.Â
âSooner than I expected. But I wonât pretend itâs unwelcome. â
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âHow have your first few days been?â
Sylus leans back in his chair as you peruse the dinner menu, eyes landing on the bibimbap immediately. The all important jacket was now slung over the back of his chair, finally back in the hands of its owner.Â
âBusy,â you respond, setting down the menu and focusing on him. âIt was back to back meetings and I met with a few of our clients. They have very specific ideas for their marketing and I feel like none of my experience applies here. Iâm an alien, navigating a new world.â
âWhat I hear isâŠyouâre learning,â Sylus supplies, turning his attention to the waiter. âYour best soju, please.â He glances your way and you nod in approval, and the waiter bows his head before stepping away.Â
âIf you find yourself lacking in inspiration, I always suggest looking at art. Itâs the best way to make your own impression about what speaks to your local audience.â
You look at Sylus thoughtfully. âThat makes sense. Art is a universal medium, open to interpretation. I could scheme up some ideas.â
The waiter returns with your drinks and you place your food order, Sylus following suit. He sips the soju and fixes his eyes on you, and a liquidy pull of heat begins in your belly before spreading to your extremities, like invisible puppet strings had attached themselves into you.Â
âWhat?â you ask, trying and failing to suppress an awkward giggle under his intense stare. He merely smiles mysteriously and takes another sip of alcohol.
âNothing. You just make learning look very endearing. Itâs a quality lost on most. They fail to see it as anything other than homework. Beneath them.âÂ
A familiar tingle starts at the base of your neck and crawls down your spine, pleasantly electrifying and causing you to flush with pride. Reminding yourself not to get swept away by basic flattery, you refocus on his suggestion.
âDo you have any suggestions on where to visit?â You sip your own drink and are surprised at the fruity flavor that erupts on your tongue. Sylus looks amused at your expression.
âI always tell newcomers to try the flavored soju first. If you can handle that, then move on to the unflavored version.â
âTesting if Iâm a lightweight?â you ask shrewdly before taking another swig. Sylus chuckles at this.
âTruthfully, yes. Iâve seen promising evenings collapse into nonsense because people donât know how to pace themselves. I donât want to waste this one, so Iâm keeping you fully operational.â
âOh? Am I not worthy of wasting an evening with the great Mr. Sylus?â you tease, noting how the drink had loosened your tongue. Perhaps he was right in his observations.
He laughs out loud, shaking his head. âOh, youâre definitely worth wasting an evening on, kitten. But Iâd prefer if you remembered the details the next morning.â He leans back in his seat, and youâre at a momentary loss of words, trying to deal with the jolt that shook your being from his last sentence. Youâre relieved when he brushes past the silence.
âCircling back to your question about where to visit, I recommend Changdeokgung Palace. The secret garden is beautiful this time of year, and because it underwent restoration through several different historic periods, you can see the fusion, as well as the original elements unique to Korea.â
You pull out your phone and look it up, and are immediately impressed by the sheer size of the palace. âItâs beautiful,â you remark, scrolling through the photos. âThank you for the recommendation.â
âItâs no problem at all. If youâd like, I can pick you up from the hotel and we can get there a little early to beat the crowd.â
You pause, then look at him quizzically. âPick me up? Sylus, at any point, did we discuss you coming along with me?â
Unruffled, Sylus recovers smoothly from your question, but youâre sure you saw a flicker of realization in his eyes. âYou didnât. I assumed you wanted the company. I apologize if that wasnât the case. I can tell you which train to board instead.â
The waiter reappears with your food and Sylus thanks him before tucking in, completely nonchalant, but your insides are squirming, dying to address the elephant in the room. You loved the idea of Sylus accompanying you, but what you couldnât understand was why he was behaving so naturally, like there was no question of him driving you to Changdeokgung Palace. Was he being friendly? Or had he planned a date on the spot?Â
âFood not up to your expectations?â Sylusâs voice cuts through your thoughts as he notices youâve barely eaten any of it. You bite your lip uncertainly, and just like that, all of his attention was on you.Â
âIf youâre wondering why I assumed Iâd join you⊠you can just ask.â Heat rushes to your cheeks but there is no point in hiding it now.
âYeah. That. Iâm not mad or anything; but why?â
âWhy not?â he quips back. âIâm not doing anything this weekend.â
âThatâs beside the point.â Your hands fidget with the napkin youâd laid out on your lap before gathering courage to voice your growing concerns.Â
âSylusâŠthat night was wonderful.â
âWonderful?â He quirks an eyebrow, accompanied by a devastating smirk of satisfaction, and immediately, all the tension you thought youâd put behind you was back, butterfly wings beating wildly in your gut. âYou never actually said anything âtill now.â
You take a deep breath, collecting your thoughts before continuing. âHowever, Iâm not sure I understand what your intentions are.â
âMy intentions?â Sylus lays down his cutlery and gives you an appraising look. âIs it wrong to accompany an attractive woman to a well-known architecture site?â
âNo. What I mean isâŠâ You take a moment to sort the words in your head into cogent sentences, and swallow some more soju for help. Feeling a little less on edge, you try to sound logical. âWe donât know each other. I like you as a person, and the other night wasâŠmemorable.â
âMemorable and wonderful. You certainly have a lot of compliments for me.â Sylus grins boyishly and it wrecks your heart, the little strings thrumming like a guitar being played. You hedge on, ignoring the pounding that was now echoing in your ears.
âBut what I donât understand is why youâre doing it. Is it because Iâm a foreigner in Seoul and you somehow feel responsible for me? Are you attracted to me and are planning dates? Or are you just the friendly, local expat trying to widen his network?â
You hold your breath and wait for an answer, clenching and unclenching your fingers around the napkin as you wait.
Sylus looks taken aback, and crosses his arms. âWhat if itâs all the above? But especially that I find you attractive and that I was planning a date?â
He says it simply, like it was the most obvious answer.
âOk thatâs a problem.â You drum the table as you mentally wade through his admission.Â
âWhy, exactly?â Sylus stretches out his long legs under the table. âIs there some sort of line Iâm crossing?â
âNo, butâŠâ you sigh, trying to explain. âIâm only in Seoul for a month. I wasnât looking for a date or handsome strangers to visit historic places with me. IâŠI donât like starting things that end in disappointment.â
âOh, so youâve already decided this will be disappointing.â
âNo!â You embarrassingly squeak the word but when you look at Sylus, heâs amused rather than put off. âI just meantâŠI didnât come here for romance. Things will inevitably end when I leave.â
Sylus hums thoughtfully, and empties his glass of soju before straightening and leaning forward in his seat. âKitten. Stop rationalizing everything. I swear I can see the cogs turning underneath that pretty head of hair.âÂ
You blink, unsure how to respond. Sylusâs voice remains calm and even, lacking any trace of irritation. âLook, far be it from me to tell you how to spend your time in Seoul. However, Iâm not saying something has to come from this. Consider it an adventure. Is it really so awful to spend time with someone whoâs openly admitted he finds you attractive?â
âYes it is.â You pinch the bridge of your nose. âWhat if you end up having feelings for me or I get them for you?â
Sylus pauses at the vulnerability in your voice. âAh. I see. Youâre worried about this turning into more.â
âYeah.â You wrap your arms around yourself, fingers digging into your elbows. âI donât want to carry that guilt if you end up having feelings for me. And I donât want to be in doubt over the what-ifs.â
Sylus nods, acknowledging your feelings. âMay I suggest something?â
âGo ahead.â
âInstead of worrying about where this could go, how about we focus on the now? One month, weâll make the best of your time here. And when you leave, weâll be nothing more than acquaintances. To paraphrase, what happens in Seoul stays in Seoul.âÂ
You mull over his words in your head and feel the tightness in your chest loosen. He had made it sound so easy. And truth be told, it was a positive way to look at it. You were on an adventure after all. Why not make the most of it? There were certainly worse ways to spend it than with a handsome, experienced expat.Â
âAnd youâre ok with that?â you ask, needing reassurance. He huffs, clearly finding this adorable, and nods.Â
âYes. It doesnât need to be more than you need it to be.âÂ
Feeling like a bag of rocks had been thrown off your shoulders, you give Sylus a bracing smile, but are unprepared when he reaches out pat your cheek, like calming an overwhelmed child.
âHow does Saturday sound? 8 A.M?.â Â
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Changdeokgung Palace was every bit as beautiful as the photos had described it. Traveling in Sylusâs car was definitely more comfortable than taking the train and you were fortunate enough to see the outer grounds under the peace of the early morning. Birds had perched and chirped as you made your way around the richly detailed structure tracing the weathered wood and stone as you waited for it to open to the public. The interior was spacious and airy, and the secret garden was worth every syllable of praise it received, with its impressive plants and neatly maintained shrubs.Â
The unexpected surprise, though, had happened at the beginning of the trip. Now seated in a teashop as Sylus filled a teacup, you gesture at the richly embroidered hanbok you were wearing.
âWhen were you going to tell me you had arranged to borrow this?â you ask as he pushed the teacup towards you.Â
Dressed in a ruby and gold shaded menâs hanbok and looking as attractive as ever, Sylus puts the teapot back onto its delicate coaster and folds his hands on the table.Â
âWearing a hanbok while visiting a palace is the most authentic way to experience Korea. It doesnât feel the same when youâre wearing jeans.â He pops a dumpling into his mouth and you sniff the freshly brewed, fragrant tea appreciatively before sipping.Â
âBut if you had told me, I would have looked into renting one. This feels expensive.â You carefully put the teacup down, wary of getting anything on the hanbok.Â
âIt was no big deal. I happened to know a designer who owed me a favor. Sheâs testing a new material and needed a guinea pig, so donât fret.âÂ
You werenât the least bit offended for being a guinea pig at this time. The cloth was soft and flowy, with vivid flower embroidery and hummingbirds flitting about the sleeves. It had come with a matching hairstick, and youâd made a quick bun with it, matching the rest of the crowd that had been visiting the palace.Â
âWell tell her itâs beautiful. I feel like royalty.â You place your hand under your chin and strike a regal pose, and Sylus chuckles.Â
âHow do you intend to spend the rest of your day, your highness?â he asks indulgently and your eyes shine with enthusiasm.Â
âI need to go through the hundreds of photos Iâve taken today, and start working on my presentation for Monday. My inspiration is raring to go after everything I saw today.â You glance at the traditional, circular window near your table, and see Changdeokgung Palace in the distance, streams of tourists entering and exiting from its main doors. âThank you Sylus, for suggesting this place, and for driving me. And for the hanbok.â
Suddenly, youâre shy, feeling like a little girl who had experienced princess treatment for the first time. Everything felt so fresh and new with Sylus, walking the untrodden path so to speak. It was his attention to detail that impressed you. He could have easily chosen to not bother with the hanbok or the teashop, but youâre grateful that he had. It almost felt like a private tour, tailored just to your liking.Â
Sylusâs features soften at your thanks, the sharpness melting away into a look of fondness. âYouâre very welcome, and as I said, people visiting Seoul often donât know how to experience it. Iâm merely ensuring your time here is well spent.âÂ
When your eyes dart to his hands on the table, he shakes his head, chuckling. âYouâd make a terrible poker player,â he remarks, offering his hand, and you flush instantly.Â
âI wasnât-!â you stutter self-consciously, and his chuckle morphs into a snicker as your insides turn into jello.Â
âYou were staring. I figured Iâd make it easier for you. Although, I donât understand why youâre being shy now after you spent all morning hanging off my sleeve.âÂ
âWhat?â You stare at him perplexedly. âNo I didnât!â
âSure you did. You didnât think twice when holding my hand or grabbing onto my sleeve when we were walking around the palace.âÂ
âI did that so we wouldnât get separated!â You become engrossed with your teacup, observing the brown liquid inside and wondering if you could drown yourself in it. Heat crept up your neck under his keen gaze, heart beating in your chest like a drum, so loudly, you wonder if he could hear it. Even though more intimate things had happened, bare flesh and sweaty bodies somehow seemed less vulnerable than holding hands in public.Â
âEven when we were outside, in the early morning, when no one was around?â Sylus asks slyly, clearly enjoying the way you were squirming under his scrutiny.Â
âYes!â it comes out defensively, and, finally regaining control of his mirth, Sylus nods his head patronizingly.Â
âOf course. Kittens get lost quite easily, especially in large open spaces. You were following your natural instincts.âÂ
That did it. The icing on the cake. Your cheeks were so rosy you felt like youâd burst into flame, and feeling a small stab of pity, Sylus relents, taking your hand in his and resting it on the tabletop. You sneak a peek and notice Sylus is looking out the window, realizing heâs giving you a moment to gather yourself. Taking a deep breath, you relax, curling your fingers around his, feeling the warmth of his palm against your skin.Â
The charged atmosphere between you two calms down, and when you finally make eye contact, itâs without that embarrassing feeling of being x-rayed down to your bones.Â
âFor the future, you donât have to ask,â Sylus says softly, and you feel ridiculous at having made such a fuss over something so trivial. But then again, if you had done this with someone else, there would have been a discussion about why youâd been holding their hand. Sylus didnât take things beyond their present meaning. If it made you comfortable, you could hold his hand, and he would accept that without any further questions.Â
âRight,â you murmur, feeling abashed at your behavior. âIâm sorry.â It falls from your lips like a reflex, and Sylus squeezes your hand consolingly.Â
âThereâs no need. Next time, just take it. I promise I wonât bite.â He raises his hand to catch the attention of the waiter for the check. As he pays, you recognize that familiar feeling of need building inside your stomach, the delicate little throb that seemed to start behind your bellybutton and ease its way downwards into your sex. Was this because of the handholding, or from the overall romance of today?Â
As Sylus prepares to stand, you take a bold step.Â
âSylus?â
His garnet eyes focus on your face. âHmm?â
âWould youâŠlike to come up? When we reach my hotel?â
There it was again; that look of brief surprise followed by delight, like you had done something unexpected.Â
âIâd love to, kitten.âÂ
The drive back was filled with a different kind of tension than the one at the table. Sylus navigated the roads with ease, one hand resting on your knee, almost like a protective gesture. Even more so was that you didnât mind it there. You werenât on the lookout for it to start creeping higher up your thigh, or wondering when you should push it off. No, it remained there, hardly moving, save for the occasional drumming of his fingers on your kneecap, which made you drowsy, courtesy of the early morning youâd had.
âAre you tired?â Sylus asks. âWould you like a rain check on me coming up?â
That rouses you and you shake your head no. You knew you didnât want to postpone this, not when you had been thinking about it in the background all week. Not when you had finally started to become less inhibited with your wants.Â
âWeâre not too far away.â He gives your knee a gentle squeeze, and your eyes open fully, currents of heat flowing through your body at the contact. The remainder of the journey whets your appetite even more and by the time you reach your hotel, your nerves are jangling with anticipation as you remembered the last time.Â
But Sylus calmly holds you against his side this time, his arm languidly draped around your shoulders as the elevator ascended. When you get to your room, you turn in his arms, but instead of the raw desire youâd expected, Sylus kisses you patiently, his fingers combing through your hair as he seats you onto the bed. He removes your earrings, massaging the lobes and sending pleasant shivers through you before he lightly nips at the tender flesh.Â
Next came the hanbok, as he unfastened the ties and buttons one by one, the act so tender that almost felt too much. His lips caress the back of your neck as he helps you out of it, draping the garment with care over the sofa. His final act was the hairstick, carefully unwinding it out of your hair and letting your locks slide free. His eyes seemed to glow as he feasted on your skin before unhurriedly undressing himself.
By the time he slips in to (slips into you or slips in you or slips it you) you're swollen and wet, unable to think about anything else, your sighs mingling with the balmy air as your bodies entwine and flood your system with pleasure.
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Youâre amazed at the changes you saw in yourself over the duration of your stay. The visit to Changdeokgung Palace had pushed your abilities into ultrasonic mode, and you were putting out ideas that pleased the Korean investors immensely. Additionally, you were now more outspoken, standing firm on suggestions you knew would be beneficial than doubting yourself. Your boss had praised you for all the initiative youâd taken during your stay, reviewing the additions to the portfolios and greenlighting all the proposals you had brought forth.Â
Perhaps Seoul was the kind of break you had needed in order to reinvent yourself. You werenât really different, but you knew you werenât the same. In the blink of an eye, you had already spent 3 weeks here, and were captivated by the cityâs charms.Â
You worked during the mornings and the evenings were spent with Sylus. It was unbelievable how a stranger had become the thing you looked forward to the most at the end of the day. Heâd taken you to all the best restaurants, booked tickets at a momentâs notice (thanks to all the contacts heâd racked up over the years), and patiently snapped photos for you at all the tourist attractions.Â
You finally had the privilege of visiting his residence (a rented penthouse not too far away from the hotel), and had spent a lovely time playing with his record collection, helping him cook, and entertaining each other with stories about your lives and hopes for the future. Sylus had said heâs not sure where he wanted to go next, but he was positive he wasnât staying in Seoul forever. He was too accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle to put down roots anywhere, and though it made you melancholic whenever he said that, you always reminded yourself that he hadnât lied about who he was.Â
Wasnât that the reason youâd set that boundary at the restaurant? Whatever happened in Seoul, stayed in Seoul. But you find yourself thinking about him during the day, sending him photos of stray cats and what you had for breakfast that day. And Sylus would reply to each of them, not immediately, but when he found the time to do so. You wondered how it would be when you returned back home. Perhaps youâd send a text in the morning and Sylus would reply whenever, because you know the man didnât have a set sleep schedule; he worked when he felt like it, slept when he felt like it, and all the time in between was his.Â
And who knew? Perhaps he might meet someone after you left and thenâŠYour stomach would knot uncomfortably when these sorts of thoughts came into your head and you firmly booted them out when they did. You had no right to be upset over things like that, especially when you knew you wouldnât be able to handle anything more than what you already had.
So you allowed yourself to soak up all the moments you could with him, not missing any opportunity to spend time with him, even if it was for mundane tasks like grocery shopping, or tagging along with him when he met clients for work. You tried to convince yourself it was a networking excuse, but you could see Sylus didnât quite buy it when you told him the same thing.Â
Now with less than 10 days left, you found yourself dreading the inevitable; that you would leave, and Sylus would become a memory, a happy remembrance of your past.Â
âKitten.â Sylus flicks your forehead and you come out of your reverie, glaring at him as you rub your forehead.
âWhat?â you ask annoyedly. âI was listening, there was no need for that.â
âWere you though? You were distracted all throughout dinner.âÂ
You ignore his observation, even though it was true. You had definitely been unfocused tonight, head muddled with reports, and the coiling reality that you would have to say bye to Sylus soon.Â
âYouâre imagining things.â You wrap your fingers around his arm as you wait for the crosswalk to change lights. You hadnât been to this part of town yet, and bright neon signs flashed everywhere as you followed Sylus to the dessert shop heâd been talking about for the past few days. You tried to keep track of them, reading them as you passed.Â
Cafes, bookstores, clothing boutiques, a sex shopâŠwait what?
You halt in your tracks, and the tug on Sylusâs arm stops him as well. Following your gaze, he sees the blinking sign that boasted a pair of handcuffs and a lacy bra. He grins.Â
âDo you want to go in?â he asks your nervous self.Â
âIâve neverâŠseen one before,â you admit, laughing self-consciously.Â
Sylus leans towards your ear, purring persuasively. âCuriosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Come on kitten. Youâre on an adventure. Are you sure you donât want to look?âÂ
You moisten your lips, heart pounding at the idea. âWonât we be late for dessert?â
âThe shop stays open pretty late. Besides, I think weâre about to discover something sweeter, donât you think?â He steps towards the shop, and you have no choice but to follow him.
You werenât unaware of toys and other paraphernalia relating to these practices, but you had never thought about buying something for yourself. Rows and displays of unique items were categorized throughout the shop and you found yourself browsing, and subconsciously imagining what these toys may feel like.Â
âAnything pique your interest?â Sylus asks, and you let go of him to wander over to a row of handcuffs, ranging from cute ones with fluff to professional black leather sets.Â
âOh, have you been dreaming of being tied up and at anotherâs mercy?â Sylusâs deep voice flows into your ears like silk on skin.Â
Mouth dry and your tongue clumsy, you force yourself to look at him and admit the dirty little fantasy youâd harbored for years but hadnât dared say out loud to anyone.Â
âYeah, Iâve always wanted to try handcuffs. AndâŠâ you falter, a thrill running through you at the idea of spilling the beans.Â
âAnd?â Sylus prompts, waiting. âThereâs no shame in having a kink or two, kitten.â
You swallow. âI wondered how clamps would feel.â Your face burns after saying it out loud, but Sylusâs eyes glitter with interest.Â
âI see. ThenâŠdo you trust me to pick something for you?â he asks and you nod, firecrackers exploding in your stomach as he turns away to peruse the shelves. After paying for the items, you walk out, feeling like you were doing something indecent by carrying all this around in a plastic bag. The dessert shop was a few blocks away and Sylus quickly orders a few things to go.Â
The train ride back felt like forever, your pulse leaping erratically each time Sylusâs body brushed against yours, the impulse to kiss him senseless right here mounting with every passing second.
When you reach the hotel, Sylus puts away the desserts in the minifridge, and takes out the toys from the bag, along with an antibacterial cleaner heâd purchased as well. He breaks the packaging and cleans them up in the bathroom as you wait, a throbbing ache forming between your legs.Â
He returns, placing the toys on the bedside table and pulls you into his arms, soothingly stroking your back. A mixture of excitement, anticipation, and pure, unadulterated lust comes alive under your skin, filling the space in between your bodies as Sylus tips your head back for a kiss, his tongue coaxing your lips open and possessively laying claim.Â
You yield, body turning soft and pliant against his even as darker desires blossomed in the pit of your stomach. His hand brushes back your hair, and when he breaks the kiss, heâs a little unsteady as he cups your face.
âKitten, you need to tell me if itâs too much, or hurts in a bad way. Remember the word red, ok?â He strokes your cheeks with his thumbs. âIâll stop immediately.â
âRed.â You nod and Sylus pushes you onto your back, his powerful body covering yours. His hands slip off your blouse, eyes darkening at the edges as he reaches behind you to snap the catch of your bra. The garment slithers off you and he carelessly lets them fall to the floor.Â
The ache between your legs was now almost uncomfortable, nipples hard and perked under his observant gaze, eagerly awaiting to see what he had in store. He palms your breasts, kneading the soft mounds, enjoying the flush that creeps into your skin as you bite your lip to suppress the moan of longing that wells up from your throat.Â
He tweaks and tugs, his mouth trailing down the column of your neck and leaving wet kisses in his wake, pleased when you tremble and anchor your hands against his back in need, nails digging into his skin. He nips your collarbone, the frantic tattoo of your heart audible inside your chest as he licks the valley between your breasts, his fingers unrelenting in their sweet torture of your sensitive buds.Â
One large hand closes on both of yours and holds them above your head, and he sees the submission clouding your eyes, the transition clear as crystal, basic instincts winning over rationality. The defenseless and trusting way you lay beneath him was intoxicating, filling him with the desire to wreck you until the only name you remembered was his.Â
Reaching towards the nightstand, he takes the handcuffs, soft and padded on the inner rims, and secures your wrists, the quiet click echoing in your ears. Truly helpless now, you couldnât do anything except lay there in suspense as he strokes down your body, tracing lines all over your limbs and your belly which quivers under his tickling.Â
Your muscles are tense under his tender ministrations, and you canât stop the little whimpers that keep escaping your throat, his little songbird, content to play whatever tune he wants. When he finally closes his mouth over your nipple, you arch. The handcuffs clink above you as he feeds the growing ecstasy taking over your body.Â
âSylusâŠâ you whine his name as his teeth scrape the edge of your bud, just enough to send a zing of pain through your breast. He glances up at you as he suckles, his eyes glowing with primal desire, and your breath catches in your throat. Youâd never been looked at like that before, not with such ravenous eyes that looked like they were savoring every inch of skin you could offer, laid out like a buffet for his gratification.Â
He finally releases you and your breasts are heavy and swollen, pulsing with raw want. He runs the pads of his fingers over them and you suck in a breath at the sensitivity.
âPerfect,â Sylus rasps before taking the object of your fantasies off the nightstand.
You feel your core clench hotly at the sight of the clamps. Sylus deftly loosens the screws on one, and runs the rubber tipped arm across your nipples, a teasing sample of what was to come.Â
âWhat do you say if it hurts?â
His question catches you off guard, and you blink, trying to remember through the haze in your brain.Â
âRed.â You manage to whisper and he growls, low and feral in his throat.
âGood. This will pinch. But it shouldnât be unbearable.âÂ
You train your eyes to the ceiling, too shy to watch what is happening, then gasp as you feel the clamp close over your nipple, blood rushing into the pinched flesh as Sylus repeats the motion on its twin.Â
Your clit reacts immediately, pulsing hotly under what felt like too many layers of clothes. Your hands uselessly grab the headboard as you try to ground yourself from the persistent pressure of the clamps.Â
âOh kitten, if you could see yourself right now.â Sylus kisses your bellybutton, dipping his tongue into the crevice and chuckling when your hips buck in reaction, moaning when the motion causes the clamps to shake, tugging on your nipples delightfully. âAll laid out bare and sweet for me to sample and taste. And knowing you did this willinglyâŠthatâs the cherry on top.â
His hands move to your jeans, unzipping them and dragging them down your legs with care. Your panties are stained, a wet patch of moisture visible on the gusset. You blush and look away as Sylus presses his nose into it, inhaling deeply.
âYou smell delicious.â His voice is a sinful purr as he rubs circles into your hipbones, pushing your legs apart with his shoulders. A soft noise leaves your lips as he removes the final piece of clothing and youâre left bare and exposed.Â
Sylus parts your sex with his fingers, licking a long stripe along your slit, and a strangled cry spills from your mouth, arms pulling the handcuffs taut, your chest rapidly rising and falling from the burst of euphoria. The clamps sway as you pant, trying and failing to keep still, each movement only pushing you closer to the edge. His tongue finally laves your clit, the swollen little nub throbbing and radiating heat as he takes his time teasing and building up a promising expectation.Â
Your voice keens and you involuntarily thrash, knees clamping around his head, only for him to hold them apart, fingers indenting into the plush flesh of your thighs to hold you in place. Your eyes squeeze closed as you desperately try to focus on the coil that was winding tighter and tighter in your stomach.Â
Daring to look down, your heart skips a beat as you see Sylus looking straight back at you and it was unbearably intimate. With a snap of heat, you climax, body arching off the bed as dizzying prismatic colors pop behind your eyes. Sweat mists on your body as Sylus guides you through the confusing blur of feelings that knotted together under his precise touch.Â
When you finally float back to earth, Sylus is removing the clamps and massaging your breasts to restore the circulation. You wince as he removes them from the delicate flesh, soothing them with his hands.
âAre you ok?â he asks and you nod your head, then expectantly wait for him to unlock the handcuffs. Seeing your look, Sylus smirks and shakes his head.
âI think weâll leave those on a little longer.â He undresses and covers your body with his, his erection grazing your thigh as he kisses you deeply, until you feel like you could drown. He breaks the kiss to dip into the nightstand and rip off another condom.
âI love it when you canât run away from me.â He moves in between your legs, positioning you to hook your ankles over his shoulders as he notches into your moist entrance. âYou finally learned how to relinquish controlâŠgood girl.â
He pushes and you split apart around him, the stretch making you see stars, the position driving him deeper than youâd ever felt him. The breath tears from your throat as your mind fragments, each thrust only pushing you into the abyss. Your fingers clench and unclench, nails digging into your palm as Sylus fills the empty space, the wet schlick of his movements filling the room as he paces himself. Your walls clench around him, sucking him in deeper until you feel him angling himself to brush against your gspot, little spots of light filling your vision with each delicious stroke.Â
âKitten.âÂ
You whimper as he folds your knees and brings them to your chest, bundling you as he continues those long, torturous strokes. He groans at the sight of you, flushed, hair fanning out on the pillow as you yield to him, lost in the shared experience of lust.Â
âYou take me so wellâŠSuch aâŠgood kittenâŠâ he grits his teeth as tingles start at the base of his spine, creeping upwards as he chases his high. âYou look so pretty like thisâŠâ He huffs and leans forward to kiss you again as his movements grow sloppy, hips stuttering as he buries himself into your warmth, spasming as he reaches climax.Â
He stills, and after a few minutes of heated silence, he undoes the handcuffs, panting from the exertion. You donât remember how you got the energy to get out of bed, but youâd clung to him as you showered, before he laid you onto cool sheets and pulled you to his side, soothing you to sleep.
When he was sure youâd drifted off, Sylus kissed your temple, watching you as you slept. Knowing you couldnât hear him, he whispers, âIâll miss you kitten. I wish it wasnât like this.â
=^..^= Â =^..^= Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=
Your last few days in Seoul were thankfully calm. With the Korean investors satisfied, there was little for you to do except bask in the pleasures that you wouldnât be able to access so easily back home.Â
Sylus had accompanied you to a hair spa one day, where both of you had lain down on massage tables while experienced aestheticians had taken notes about your hair and scalp, then washed and massaged you, melting away your troubles. And though Sylusâs control was great, even he was no match for the aestheticianâs skilled hands, letting out little groans of joy as she massaged his scalp; you had giggled quietly at the noise, tucking it away in the little box of your heart, a priceless, precious keepsake that only you possessed.Â
Another day, Sylus had taken you up the winding slopes of Bukhansan on his motorcycle with you clinging to his waist as he confidently navigated the inclined paths, breathless at the scenery, snuggling into his side as you watched the sunrise after youâd made it to the top. You kissed him as often as you could, unapologetically.Â
And in those rare moments when you werenât in his company, when you were packing your suitcase, tracking down items that had scattered all over the hotel room that had become your home, when he had fallen asleep next to you when you were still awake, you allowed yourself to admit the hard truth.
You were in love.
It was the most inopportune set of circumstances. Sylus had told you countless times he never wanted to settle in one place, build up roots, and remain content with domestic life. And it was the exact opposite for you. Despite being your freest self right now, there was still a part of you that yearned for home comforts; the knowledge of knowing which step creaked on the staircase, or which kitchen drawer stuck when it was being opened, or the secret stash where you kept extra bandaids and candy.Â
It was that fundamental difference that sometimes brought you to tears. Sylus was perfect in every way, except on the one principle that mattered most â that you wanted a home. And why should he change for you, anyway? He had been doing this most of his life, and you almost felt like an impolite intruder for wanting to ask him if he would change his mind. After all, he hadnât asked you to stay in Seoul, nor had he suggested you change your way of thinking. If he understood you enough to not demand this of you, then what grounds did you have to ask that of him? Â
So youâd swallowed your questions and allowed yourself to indulge, and to be spoiled by him. Youâd taken so many random photos of him that your camera reel was now full of his face.Â
âI promise I wonât look different within a few hours kittenâ heâd teased you when he saw them, and youâd snatched your phone back, muttering something about invading peopleâs privacy.Â
On your last night, Sylus had taken you to dinner at Bicena, a Michelin-star restaurant which had a months-long waiting list. His only response to your question about how heâd gotten the reservation was a cryptic, âI know a guy.â
High above Seoul youâd watched the sun set, the little twinkling lights so far below crowning the fair city like jewels. Heâd taken you in his lap as you sipped champagne, looking out of the ceiling-to-floor window, and you were painfully reminded of how this was the same thing youâd been drinking when you first met him. Life seemed to love bringing things to end in a full circle. Â
You sigh and curl up against him, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat, his hands adjusting on your waist to hold you more securely in place.Â
âAre you looking forward to going home?â he asks, his breath ruffling your hair.Â
You nearly said no. You almost let everything youâd been mulling over in your mind spill out of your mouth. You almost said you love him.Â
But instead, you swallow, and nod. âI will miss Seoul. But home is where the heart is.â
He kisses your hair, and you squeeze your eyes shut, chest tightening at the knowledge that tomorrow, youâd be on a flight back home, and youâd never wake up to Sylusâs face again.Â
âIs it only Seoul youâll miss?â he asks, and a heavy silence falls between both of you. You blink, thankful your face is hidden in his neck, before responding.
âIâll miss you too.â It was all you could manage to say. Your throat was already closing in on itself, a lump forming in it. Your voice wavers, and you sniffle.Â
âSylusâŠSeoul was the most amazing thing thatâs happened to me. And Iâm glad I met you. YouâŠyouâŠâ your words are choked in your chest, and Sylus shushes you, his index creeping up the side of your face to press against your lips.
âDonât say it if it hurts, kitten. I know.â
âYou know?â you turn away from the window, inhaling the smell of his skin, trying to soak up the heat of his body.Â
âI do.â He cradles the back of your head tenderly.
âRed,â you whisper against his neck.Â
Overwhelming, too much.Â
âItâs red?â he affirms, and you nod; he hums, embracing you tighter.
Red like his eyes, red like all the sunrises and sunsets youâve witnessed, red like the blood running through your quietly breaking heart.
âI canât stop what youâre feeling, kitten.â He squeezes you against his chest and you take a fortifying gulp of air. âTrust me, if I could, I would.âÂ
Your tears blur the blinding lights of the city that had given you so much. Sylus waits until you stop crying, discreetly offering you a napkin and you dry your tears as best as you can.Â
Your hotel room was pristine now; all your belongings were packed, the suitcases neatly lined up near the door.Â
And you made love for the last time. You touched every line on his palms, kissed the little crows feet at the corners of his eyes, memorizing every last feature of his body as he kissed away your tears, refusing to stop even when your muscles ached, to have him imprinted on you in any lasting way possible.Â
Sylus wakes you up the next morning with a kiss, and although you were still heavy with melancholy, your mind was clear. Youâd gotten ready, and said goodbye to the room.Â
âThis is for you by the way,â Sylus says after your baggage had been put away in his car. He hands you a large gift bag. âSomething to remember me by.â
âYou didnât have to,â you say as you accept the bag, feeling touched. But then again, it was a very Sylus thing to do.Â
He caresses your face, then kisses you softly on the lips.âDonât be a stranger after going home.â
You manage to laugh. âI promise.â
The ride to the airport was filled with reminiscence, and talks about the future. Sylus briefly mentioned something about a stint heâd found that put him a little closer to your time zone and youâd encouraged him to pursue it.Â
Heâd helped you with your suitcases, and given you a final hug. He cups your face tenderly, resting his forehead against yours, and you savored these last few moments.Â
âThank you Sylus. For everything.â
I love you.
âNo, thank you, kitten. Seoul was the closest thing Iâve experienced to having a home, because of you.â
Your heart clenches as he lets go, pushing back a stray strand of your hair.Â
âDonât make yourself late, kitten. I promise not to ghost you once you walk through those doors.âÂ
You nod, gather your belongings and walk to the revolving doors. You glance back over your shoulder, and within a blink, heâs gone as you enter the airport.Â
Security went smoothly and after getting to the gate, your curiosity gets the better of you, and you finally open the gift bag to find a large box tied with a satin ribbon. You carefully lift the lid, then bring a hand to your mouth as you see the hanbok youâd worn at Changdeokgung Palace. The little card inside was written in Sylusâs loopy, slanted script.Â
Hummingbirds may migrate, but that doesnât mean the flowers lose their sweetness. They remember each bloomâs unique nectar even as the seasons change. Likewise, the bouquet of memories we have will never lose their taste. Distance canât make them wither, and I will never forget.Â
âOh SylusâŠâ you whisper, tears falling onto the note. You press your fingers to your eyes to stem them, but itâs impossible, and you allow yourself to succumb as your heart breaks open and pours out your laments.Â
=^..^= Â =^..^= Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=Â Â =^..^=
You arrive home, and itâs like youâve never left. Your best friend had been house sitting, so the place is clean, and she had been thoughtful enough to leave takeout for you on the kitchen counter.Â
Exhausted, you eat, shower, and sleep. Your bed was familiar and warm, but you canât stop remembering how it felt to fall asleep on Sylusâs chest, wrapped up in his scent.Â
Youâre not sure how long you slept, but youâre woken by your loud ringtone. Groggily, you reach for it and connect the call without opening your eyes.
âHello?â
âKitten?â
You jolt awake, rubbing your gritty eyes.Â
âHi.â Youâre not sure why you sound breathless.
âHow was the flight? Are you home?â
âYeah. It was great. Everything was great. Iâm home now.â
It doesnât feel like home without you.
âRemember that potential contract I was planning on taking?â
âYes! So, how much closer to my time zone are you now?â
âHmâŠa 0 hour difference.â
âHuh?â Stumped, you rack your brain for far too long wondering which time zone that was until it hits you.Â
âYouâŠyouâre transferring to my hometown?â
âTook you long enough,â he teases and you tsk impatiently.
âBut why?â
Thereâs a pause before Sylus continues.Â
âKittenâŠI can make a home anywhere. But nowâŠit appears I have a condition.â
âA condition?â your heart hammers in your throat as you wait for him to finish.
âYes. I need you to be there.â He says it openly. âUnlessâŠyouâd rather I donât?â
Stunned, you laugh incredulously, shaking your head.Â
âYes!â Enthusiasm floods your voice, your happiness unbridled and tumbling from your mouth like a waterfall. âAre you serious?â
âVery much so. I take itâŠyouâre pleased about this?â
âPleased? Oh my god Sylus!â Tears of joy slide down your cheeks and finally, finally, you say the words you had been hiding.
âI love you!â
Now itâs his turn to be stunned into silence, but you hear the little note of delight in his otherwise calm voice. âWhat a coincidence. Now I donât have to feel foolish for saying the same thing.â He sighs, the noise sounding content.
summary: in which you prank the lads boys by calling them bro.
ft. xavier, zayne, rafayel, sylus & caleb
notes: suggestive (sylus and caleb LOL), xavier is kinda giving puppy, zayne is concerned, rafayel wants to kill himself again, sylus is #notamused, caleb is a minor crashout, explicit mentions of fem!reader in sylus's, brief reference to this smau that i did for sylus's hehe, that's it (i think)
p.s. THIS IS BASED ON ANOTHER REQUEST thank u @chrub3yes i hope u enjoy especially hehe
a/n: this one could've been better maybe idk i found it hard the more i got into it bc i was like...i've called all my partners bro and it's so natural LOL but hopefully this is even like 3% accurate maybe...ty for reading (- -)(_ _)