imagine li's getting jealous over non!mc reader iii v2
warnings: (not proofread sorry!) mc referred to as 'miss hunter' in both ,reader referred to as "madame" (sylus part). slight yan!raf ? also raf's panic may resemble an anxiety attack. his pt is so short im SORRY i promise ill make it up in the followup (i had more but felt like i had to save it so this pt wouldnt be excessive). sylus slightly possessive! and implied good end..?
tags: @r1e-ann @asakiyu @xsammijoanneex @noxus123 @cordidy @nm4565natty @alphasavage555 @huuvu @3xv5s @userjunhuii @annicishana @ni3rdem1se @liz9898 @pepperushia @fantastucbaby @hi-im-v @milumier @michexoxo
having an artists' eye meant not missing a single thing in the name of drawing inspiration from any and everything.
rafayel knows this, to some extent, yet finds himself sitting on his ladder, staring at yet another blank canvas, tapping the end of the paintbrush against his chin as if waiting for the image to paint itself.
he's found himself in yet another art block.
though, something felt different about this one compared to the others.
usually, he'd have someone accompany him in the midst of his artistry, namely a miss hunter, blaming his most recent block on being away from her for far too long, singing her praise and joking that when she was around, his paintings came easy.
though, this particular block is not like the rest: it's persisted for weeks now, and didn't dispel after going on several walks or soaking in the bath (both of which usually help, in some way or another).
no, this was something deeper, he felt it in the dull ache of his chest that he had simply decided to ignore for far too long.
. . .
the quiet of the studio wasn't helping today.
he groans in frustration, twirling the paintbrush between his fingers idly before setting it down on the easel completely.
despite his better judgement (and the fact that he sets special ringtones assigned to certain people on his phone) he checks his messages, only to be left disappointed at no new notifications.
miss hunter was sent out on a mission a couple of days ago in a nearby city, and wouldn't return for several days.
he already knew of this, and yet, a longing sigh escapes his lips as he shuts his phone off, slipping it back into his pocket and staring back at the canvas in front of him.
aside from miss hunter, there was another presence that seemed to be lacking these days.
his chest bloomed into warmth just thinking about them.
about you.
it's been too long since he's seen you, he suddenly thinks, though he isn't sure why that is. you were usually the one to send check-in messages, ask about his paintings, or initiate a hangout.
though, thinking back, he can only recall himself rejecting or inadvertently ignoring your invitations and messages since he's strengthened his relationship with miss hunter.
his brows furrow, frowning at the thought.
well, surely you understood, right? after all, you also began rejecting hangouts when she'd invite you, and it would result in just the two on their own.
yeah, you were also at fault here, he thought.
(he wasn't doing a good job of convincing himself).
at some point, he's slipped his phone back out of his pocket, and finds himself mindlessly clicking open the moments app.
perhaps something would spark his interest on here, if nothing else.
and spark his interest it did.
it's almost as if the universe was listening to his thoughts, since the first post at the top of his feed was from none other than you.
rafayel's eyes widen slightly, heart jumping at your familiar username.
when was the last time he saw a post from you? he often interacts with miss hunter on here, though, he can't recall the last time you'd commented something witty on one of his posts, or vice versa.
pushing the thought aside, his eyes trail down from your username to the image you shared.
his eyes trace over a slice of cake on a plate (definitely your taste, he thinks, why didn't you ask him to join?) to one of your hands forming a little peace sign next to it (when did you get that color on your nails? you usually ask him for suggestions, though when was the last time he offered one?).
he then notices another pastry towards the top of the photo, (he knew you liked trying new sweets, though, that didn't look like something you'd particularly order, he should know-) then towards the grey-sleeved arm, revealing a hand holding cutlery.
his heart feels like it drops to the pit of his stomach.
he could recognize that plain cardigan sleeve anywhere, hell, its like the wearer didn't bother to wear anything else (seriously, what kind of fashion sense even is that?)
out of everyone, why were you out with thomas?
now that he thinks about it, the last time he'd seen you was when both thomas and miss hunter were at his place.
he recalls seeing the both of you chatting, but didn't think much of it.
not until the both of you had left together, a small smile on your lips.
everyone was well aware of thomas' marriage, rafayel more so than anyone, there was no way anything was going on between the two of you, and yet—!
and yet....
why was rafayel's chest so heavy? why did it feel like his heart could fall out at any second, giving him the displeasure of watching as it plopped straight onto the floor any second now?
surely, there was an explanation for this.
he could feel the unpleasant way his heart hammered in his chest, the way his thoughts spiraled to the thought of you hanging out with a man that wasn't him, the explosion of the feelings he'd been ignoring for months now.
his mind flashed with images of your bright smile, your laughter ringing through the air, your teasing remarks all aimed at someone else—
he thinks he's going to be sick.
had he really done such a poor job at showing his care for you that you had to seek refuge in none other than thomas?
for a split second, he has half a mind to have a talk with thomas himself, imagining the way in which he'd tell him to back off from you and hang his job over his head if it meant keeping him away from you.
the thought leaves him quickly.
surely, you wouldn't be too pleased if you were to learn of it.
it doesn't stop his desperation, his mind running a million meters a minute at the prospect of you slipping away from his grasp, and the fact that he didn't even realize it was happening in the first place.
he feels like he can't breathe as he switches open his messenger to text you when he happened to skim over the most recent message: almost three weeks ago, from you.
hi rafayel! there's a new exhibit coming soon that i was curious about, would you like to come with me?
he never answered.
he can't breathe.
he clutches his shirt over his chest, suddenly feeling as if the room were closing in on him.
since when was it so hot in the studio? it's so stuffy he thinks he might be faint.
he clicks off his phone, running a hand through his hair before hopping off of his ladder.
this was something much better said in person, anyway. he'd just go to you, and you could explain everything.
he nods to himself. such a genius i am, he thinks, running another hand through his hair before racing out of the studio.
he wouldn't lose you.
he couldn't.
sylus always notices.
it was part of his job description to notice the smallest of things, sure, but something like reading people and noticing things tended to come naturally to him regardless.
even despite his skill however, he thinks it'd be obvious to anyone, the way that you seem to be pulling away from him these days.
the thought alone ticks him off.
he likes to think he uses his time wisely, planning out what to do each day, who he's meeting, what business he's carrying out, and what to do with any spare time.
though, with a certain miss hunter now having entered the mix, things seemed to have... changed.
these days, its accompanying her for a mission, or her tagging along with him to yet another auction or otherwise.
he didn't think much of it, not at first. after all, it wasn't like it was meant to be a permanent thing, just a little change to the schedule and a little give-and-take, both having clear motives in mind.
what he hadn't anticipated was just how often they would partner with one another, nor did he consider the amount of time they'd inadvertently spend together because of it.
even if he worked hard to finish the job swiftly (something he'd always done regardless, not one to waste his time on things that didn't deserve it), he'd always be disappointed that by the time he returned, you'd be fast asleep, the twins nowhere to be found, and some kind of sweet treat carefully put away in a container resting on a clean countertop.
such an occurrence seemed to be the case once again tonight. sylus stepped through the door of the base, boots clicking heavy on the clean floors, door clicking shut behind it, locks automatically beeping into place.
the first thing he notices is the scent of something fresh, sweet, and warm enveloping him. despite the lack of seeing you anywhere at first glance (something his heart sinks at every time, having grown used to your simple greetings of "welcome back" whenever he'd return from a mission, no matter how long it took) his curiosity eggs him to follow the scent to the kitchen.
he slips his boots off, kicking on the slippers as he steps in, making long strides towards his familiar kitchen. upon approaching, he sees a lamp on.
odd, he thinks, though his heart picks up a bit at the thought that maybe, just maybe, its you in the kitchen.
he feels himself deflate, however, at the sight of the twins sitting on the bar stools, giggling as they scroll through social media, a plate of cake sitting beside either side of them.
at the sound of footsteps, the two swirl around, both putting one hand up each in a short wave.
"welcome back, boss!"
he nods, eyes trailing to the piece of cake held up by a fork in luke's hand.
"what's this?"
"you want some?" luke offers, holding the fork out when kieran smacks him upside the head.
"ow!"
"in what world would the boss eat from your fork???"
"sorry boss!"
he sighs, eyes trailing to kieran.
he straightens up lifting the hand that previously smacked his brother to gesture at the cake.
"its a crow cake!"
"courtesy of us!" luke adds.
"and the madame," kieran notes.
"..mostly the madame," luke mutters before shoveling the piece of cake into his mouth, munching away happily.
sylus scoffs.
"the madame, huh? and where might i find her at this hour?"
"uh..."
"she did say she was headed to bed..." kieran trails off.
"how long ago?"
"not long!" luke says, muffled.
"don't talk with your mouthful, idiot!"
"sorry!"
"it must've been an hour or so, boss. she's been sleepin' early these days."
they both knew why, it wasn't a secret, but kieran decided to avoid saying it directly, and sylus doesn't know if he was grateful or irritated by that fact.
sylus turns towards the hallway.
"make sure to clean up when you're finished."
"yes, boss!" they saluted in unison.
his footsteps echoed down the hall. when he was out of sight, luke spoke up.
"you liar."
"i don't know what you're talking about," kieran pouts, clicking open his phone.
"the madame hasn't retreated for that long. wasn't she making plans with someone?"
"do you really want to see her with someone who isn't bossman?"
a moment of silence passes between them.
"you think they'll make up?" luke's tone was somber, a little serious.
kieran sighs.
"i hope so. though, the boss has a long way to go..."
neither noticed a certain crow perched in the corner, nor did they hear him fly after the onychinus' leader down the hall.
. . .
you weren't sure you really wanted to do this.
somehow, someway, during your nightly baking session with the twins, the conversation of sylus came up, if only briefly.
they were smart boys, though despite knowing this, having them call you out on your "crush" for their beloved boss caught you offguard.
surely you weren't that obvious?
(you totally were, and they let you know of that fact).
without saying too much, not wanting to impede on their perception of him (and because its not like you held any ill will toward him), luke blurted out an absurd idea.
"well, why don't you go on a blind date!"
the suggestion left you stunned into silence for a full minute, and because kieran took this as displeasure, he smacked his brother for suggesting something so ridiculous.
(what you didn't know was that this was for two reasons: one, for your sake, and two, because kieran, as selfish as it was, didn't want you to move onto someone else who didn't deserve your time- he couldn't imagine the two people he admired so much to be caught up with different significant others, nope, never!)
despite moving on from that conversation quickly, you kept that idea in mind, retreating to your room and leaving the twins to enjoy the cake as you mulled it over.
it's not like it was a bad idea, per se. in fact, maybe its exactly what you needed. maybe it was the ultimate solution to move on from your inevitable heartbreak, your unrequited love.
you thought of sylus and miss hunter, and your heart ached.
even if you hadn't even gone through with the idea, you decided to dress yourself up, to plan in advance, you told yourself.
getting dolled up did always seem to brighten your mood, after all.
you stare in the mirror, swiping on a pretty tint you had yet to try.
what kind of person would you meet, anyway?
you smacked your lips, cleaning the edges.
what kind of person did you hope to meet?
you paint it over with a sheer gloss, smiling at the result.
the only person who kept coming to mind was—
"oh, what's this?"
you nearly jumped out of your chair at the words ringing through the quiet air.
"sylus!"
as if you willed him to the present with your mind, there he was, in all of his glory: dressed in that dark leather that made your jaw slack and your cheeks warm, hair barely tousled out of place (despite just returning from a mission), leaning against your doorframe (how the hell did you miss it clicking open?) with that familiar smirk, mephisto perched on his shoulder.
he drinks in your surprise, taking a step inside of your room.
"the twins said you'd retreated to bed an hour ago, yet here you are, ready to go out," he scoffs, folding his arms over his chest.
"where are you headed off too, dolled up like that?" he doesn't mean to sound as stern as he does, chin lifting to make it even more like he's scrutinizing you rather than mildly (extremely) curious.
"what.. are you doing back already?"
he laughs once, but humors you.
"the mission wasn't as difficult as miss hunter anticipated," he took a step closer.
"now, answer."
you blinked dumbly, mouth working quicker than your mind.
"on a date."
the silence is deafening.
sylus thinks time stops.
"you... what."
when you realize what you've said, you almost smack yourself, but at the same time, he wouldn't care, right?"
"i'm.. going out. is there a problem?"
"yes," he answers, all too quickly.
your brows furrow. you feel confused, yet decide to push further.
"what.. might that be?"
"its much too late for a kitten to be wandering the streets, don't you think?"
"you think i can't handle myself?" you ask, folding your arms over your chest— a challenge.
he laughs again, amused.
"of course you can, though, i'd rather you didn't."
"what? sylus, thats—"
"whats he like?" he takes another step forward, almost closing the distance.
"that's—"
"is he safe?" another step.
"is he secure?" another.
"can he hold himself in a fight?"
suddenly he's looming above you.
your heartbeat is going crazy, you can feel his warm breath brushing against your cheek.
he slowly reaches a hand up, pointer finger reaching out and brushing the slightest bit over your cheek.
gentle, much too gentle for the words he's spewing right now.
"you're much too good for him, sweetie," he mutters, almost fondly.
"sylus..." you breathe.
"so, why?"
"i..."
"stay." his command is soft, almost pleading.
you lean into his touch ever so slightly, breathing in his scent, his words invading your brain.
"okay."
as foolish as you feel for giving in, you think maybe, just maybe, you can give into him. just for tonight.
just for tonight....
a/n: how i've missed this...... its been far too long and i needed this part released so i can get back to more parts. i wanted to write soso bad but uni had been kicking my ass + my pt time job & i didnt have energy to write even if the desire was strong...... im on break rn so aside from work ,im hoping to write a lot more esp for other fandoms aswell ! im a little sick atm though i actually had a lot more for raf but am saving that for the next part aka the 'confrontation' part in a sense.... i also wanna write smth more fluffy since its almost christmas so i hope you'll look forward to it :x
dividers by cafekitsune
