#nonmc reader

[snoozer-crow]

Intro | Chapter 1 >

You open LaDS to a completely silent game. No loading screen, no UI, just Sylus in Destiny Cafe. He stares directly at you for a few seconds, and right when you're about to restart your game to fix the bug, he walks closer and leans down. His right eye is glowing brighter than you've ever seen it before, with the bloom from its glow nearly obscuring your view of the eye itself.

"Take my hand."

He extends his hand, a circle on screen prompting you to tap it.

Something makes you hesitate. You feel your heartbeat pounding in your throat. You haven't seen anything about this mentioned online. Is it a new event? But if it was, then why did nothing have to download beforehand? Are you dreaming?

"Don't be shy, sweetie. It's rude to keep people waiting."

Something feels incredibly wrong here. You try to rationalize your instinctual unease, reasoning that it must be because you're worried something hacked your phone. You're starting to feel a bit dizzy.

Surely you'll find other LaDS fans freaking out on social media, right? You turn to check your computer, when you realize the screen has gone completely black, despite being plugged in. You hold down the power button, but no dice. A lightbulb in the hallway outside flickers and pops, shattering.

You startle and attempt to turn off your device, but nothing happens. Sylus raises an eyebrow.

"I don't mind a challenge. I'll stay here for as long as you like. Take my hand."

You hesitate for a few moments. Surely this is just a dream, none of this makes any sense. And if this isn't real, there's nothing wrong with taking the risk, right? You hold your finger over the screen, deliberating. Sylus's smirk widens.

You tap his hand. Everything goes dark.

[tranquil-turbulence]

i don't know you (not at all)

FANDOM: Love and Deepspace

PAIRING: Caleb & Non MC Reader, background Caleb/MC

RATING: T

WARNING(S): Offscreen character death (yours), NonMC Reader, heavy angst, hurt no comfort, grief/mourning, MC's horrible mental health, past unrequited love, implied hospitalization (MC’s)

Notes: Aha, hey, I'm back. Wanted to round out the trilogy. I'm not as happy with this one as I was with the original, but oh well. That usually happens. The beginning is mostly the same, but it branches off after scene 1 (because that's where the endings changed originally).

(I also wrote some for Sylus and Xavier, but I honestly have no idea if and when I'd ever finish and/or post them. My original plan was to make versions for all five LI but I stalled out after I finished Caleb's this summer.)

For context, please read Part 1.

Quick taglist: @kingraspberry12-blog @vysial @aiycnlyme

There was a bloodstain on the floor.

It was faint, yet it was there - dark and splattered and stubborn. On the floor beside your bed. Right there. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine you hunching over as blood and bile hit the hardwood.

In the stale silence of your apartment, your bedroom was the loudest. Pictures lined the mirror above your dresser. Photobooth strips of you and her and him, Caleb and MC cuddled up while you smiled awkwardly from the fringes. A card from your physical therapist tucked in the corner, outlining post-op recovery and exercises. Trinkets scattered about your desk, crowded around your laptop, some figures of some show you and MC watched, one or two Lego planes you’d remembered he liked. A string of lights above your bed, a string of lights he remembered you buying. It was during the winter holiday a year or two ago —a year or two ago?— and you and MC had squealed over the dripping beadlights in soft hues of your favorite colors.

The ghost of the girl he barely remembered permeated each corner of the empty bedroom. Awards hung on the wall from middle and high school, things he didn’t remember you mentioning. A poster and ticket were framed, though he didn’t recognize the movie until MC reminded him that it was the blockbuster they’d all gone to see during their high school years. Now he remembered; he had invited you to go with them, and your face had lit up like a warm hearth. Stuffed animals sat in your bed, your chair, on top of your closet - he recognized the gilded apple plush in the center of your pillows, and something in his chest ached. Now he remembered; he had given it to you when MC was frustrated that it wasn’t the little apple she needed for her collection. You’d kept it all these years later?

Your closet, full of clothes and boxes. Some of them were labeled “Bedroom”, still full. Inside one was a black-and-white shoebox (had you and MC bought matching shoes?) full of old notebook pages with doodles and written conversations and photographs, among other miscellany. He pulled out one of these conversations, recognizing his handwriting; it was dated back to 2037, your fading childish scrawls mapping out a discussion about what to get MC for her birthday that year.

How much of you - their friend - had he forgotten? How much had he never bothered to remember?

The journal MC had taken home from your hospital room offered very little clues: apparently you hadn’t written in it very often, as evidenced by some entries spanning a several years back.

June 2038. MC and I got matching journals! This is my first entry. She already made hers look really cute. I wanted to decorate mine too, but Dad didn’t want to “waste money” on washi tape or stickers… (Here, there was an old sketch of you and her holding hands and smiling. Next to it was a cutesy sticker, undoubtedly one of MC’s.)

July 2038. MC invited me to go swimming. Caleb’s gonna be there, so I should look my best!

August 2038. Caleb shared an apple with me. Well… he gave me a slice that MC didn’t want. But he shared it with me!

Several pages followed, dated from June to December of that year, full to the brim of gushing over little things you remembered about him or things you’d done together. His heart sank deeper in his aching chest. He couldn’t remember how you sounded back then. He didn’t remember what you looked like.

May 2042. I can’t believe I’m graduating. I’m so nervous. MC’s pouty that I’ll be in university for her final year, but I can’t do much about that. Dad was thrilled when we got my acceptance letter. Linkon U, here I come!

September 2042. I’ve been really busy so far, but it’s a good busy. I’ve already made a few friends in my courses. Dad said Grandma’s real proud of me for getting in. I’ll make you proud!

February 2045. Finally got my own place closer to the university. Mom’s not happy about it, but I hate commuting. Plus, it’s going to be nice having my own space.

September 2046. Just talked with MC. She’s doing fine. Caleb’s still busy with the Fleet.

13th June 2048. Josephine is dead. Caleb is dead. MC is distraught. I still can’t believe it. He was alive. We actually texted for the first time in a while. I was going to meet up with them for lunch the day after the explosion. Happy birthday, Caleb. I’m sorry that I couldn’t hype myself up enough to—— (here, something was viciously scribbled out.)

January 2049. Caleb is alive. I can barely believe it. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time.

September 2049. Got slashed by a Wanderer yesterday. I’ll need surgery to get some shards out of my back. Hurts like hell. Mom visited me in the hospital since she was already here to see my uncle. It was nice. I missed her.

October 2049. Caleb and MC got together this summer, I guess. I’m trying to be happy for them but it’s hard. I’ve been sick lately too, which is just what I needed.

30th November 2049. Hanahaki. Stage three. Not quite stage four. (This page was speckled with blood.)

1st December 2049. I’m going to die.

… Caleb closed the book.

He sat on your bed for a few moments, looking around the room, breathing in the quiet. The barely-there wisps of your favorite room spray. The hum of the fairy lights. The plush of your comforter. MC had left a little while ago to get cleaning supplies from her apartment to finish wiping down the windows in the living room, leaving him to wander through the memories of a friend.

No, not a friend. Her friend. His own words echoed back at him from the night you were hospitalized.

“Caleb!” She’d exclaimed, offended.

“You know what I meant,” he implored.

“It’s not like she’s trying t’seduce you, for heaven’s sake.” MC huffed. “I can’t believe you. It’s a good thing she didn’t hear - that was so rude! She’s our friend!”

“Your friend,” he corrected.

MC had gone stone silent at that, expression wavering between outraged and appalled.

“She mourned you, Caleb.” She said then, quiet, voice simmering. “Just as hard as I did. You didn’t have to see her fall apart. Be grateful she’s even still here at all.”

The unspoken, the bitter undertow of her words had made his stomach lurch then. Remembering it wasn’t much easier.

Nausea roiled in his guts, tickling his throat with shame and sickness. Why had he said it? He knew MC was fiercely protective of you; you were her anchor when he was trapped in Skyhaven. And if he had to admit it, he liked your presence. You played off of her energy well and you made him laugh. You were sweet. Easy to talk to. Good company.

She mourned you.

Had he lost that smile — that laugh — you — forever?

MC had given him the silent treatment for two days. In the aftermath, even though he hadn’t remembered what was said, she remained silent until he showed up with food and an apology.

“It’s not me you owe an apology to,” she’d snapped. “The next time we see her, you’d better explain yourself.”

And he promised her he would. But when MC saw in the group chat about your hospitalization, they rushed to see you— and the words would not come.

You looked so frail, shivering under your blankets. There was a pallor to your skin, eyes glassy, that made his guts churn. That was not the face of someone with hope. That was the face of someone with nothing else left to lose.

The words could not come.

Hanahaki. That was what they said you had. He’d researched it a little in the train ride over, and what he saw didn’t soothe his nerves. Yet you lay there, trying to smile, trying to pretend everything was fine. Like you weren’t on your deathbed.

MC cried over you. She couldn’t stop. “She can’t die. Yin can’t die. Losing you almost killed me. I can’t lose her too, Caleb.”

Even now her brave facade broke, lips wobbling, eyes watery, as she walked about your room almost reverently; touching the mirror and trying to smile at the old pictures, hugging your plushies, going through that box of memories and huffing shaky laughs at its contents.

Seeing her so desolate was killing him.

Caleb had spent a long time without you. Yet now, for the first time, he realized he didn’t want to imagine a world without you in it, smiling and laughing with MC as you both teased and pulled him from shop to shop. He didn’t want to imagine a world without your voice, lilting and bright. He didn’t want to imagine a world where your name was immortalized on a headstone, spoken only by those who loved you. You had always been there, a support pillar, even when EVER tried to rip the trio apart through death.

For what wouldn’t be the last time, he bitterly wished he hadn’t taken you for granted.

—————

The world turned slowly. December gave way to January, turned to February, melted to March. Life in Linkon went about its path. Caleb returned to Skyhaven, trying not to think about the sickly face and tremulous voice that haunted him in sleep.

Now he was visiting again, taking in the fresh buds of green in the trees and the heady floral sweetness permeating the air.

The bell jingled as the bookstore door opened. The owner greeted him from the same old desk eternally overflowing with books. The few customers in the store briefly glanced at them before going back to their perusing. The thick smell of dust and old bindings was nostalgic, comforting.

He flittered around, picking at this or that, peeking into one book and squinting at another. He didn’t really know what he was looking for, if anything; he simply felt like taking a quick look for old time’s sake.

That was what he told himself. He knew the real reason. And as he gave the owner a nod of hello, he faltered for a moment at the dark circles under her puffy eyes. There was a vase of flowers on the counter, one of those sympathy bouquets. There was a ribbon of your favorite color wrapped about its delicate neck. Or— he figured it was your favorite. It was the color you wore most often. And had you liked those flowers? He was numb when he realized he just couldn’t remember.

The aging woman noticed his gaze centered on the flowers and her own smile dimmed into something more solemn. “A gift from a good friend of mine,” she explained, gingerly running her thumb across one of the petals. “Her niece was one of my employees. A real good girl, she was. She was my brightest worker.”

Caleb’s throat tightened. His nonmetal hand clenched. “I’m… sorry for your loss,” he answered quietly.

She nodded, gaze unfocused. Far away. Like she was remembering something she’d wanted to hide. “Thank you.”

—————

The cemetery was as quiet as it always seemed to be. Walking past memorial stones never sat well with him, especially after his own near-death. It never failed to remind him of all that he had lost - of all that they had lost.

He stopped before one stone, flowers trembling in his unsteady hand. His throat grew tight again as he gingerly placed them into a vase, joining the white lilies already inside.

Your name was the only thing left of you in Linkon. All that remained was the graveyard of your childhood home. Your apartment had been carefully cleaned out by your family, your friends, and by MC, and every time he stopped into his girlfriend’s room, your plushies stared back at him from her bed, silent, accusatory. A piece of you that persisted.

“Hi, Yin.” He was almost wary to break the quiet. “Sorry I’m late. Uh… I got sidetracked talking with Mrs. Zhu. Y’know, your old boss? Welll, maybe it’s rude to call her old, but… y’know what I meant.”

Silence. The wind brushed past him, cold but not cruel. Even now, he couldn’t help but try to imagine your snort of laughter.

“I— we miss you.” He continued, fidgeting with the chain that hung from his belt loops.

December 20th. Your sick complexion. Your chapped lips parted for breath.

“MC… she’s, uh, doing better now. Zayne says she’ll be cleared to come home by the end of the week.” He bit his lip for a moment, eyes darting to the ground and back up. “It’s a good thing. She’s been so stir-crazy. She’s… well, she hasn’t been the same for a long time. Heart issues aside. I can’t blame you for that. She’d hit me if I even tried to… and Zayne would hit me for making her condition worse. Maybe. You think he’d hit me with a clipboard?”

He let out a quiet, drawn-out sigh, one that seemed to bleed the tension from his shoulders.

“Out of the three of us, I never would have believed it if you told me you’d be the first to go.” A wry laugh. His fingertips trailed the stone. “I guess I kinda beat you to it, but… we both know you’d insist it didn’t count. You were always pedantic about the details like that.”

December 20th. Your trembling fingers. Your blood-stained gown.

“The world is… so quiet without you in it.” He glanced up at the trees, noting the buds and the evanescent sweetness. “It’s quiet without you two.”

“Isn’t it funny? I… I can hardly remember what you sounded like, anymore. I’m starting to forget your face. I had to ask your mom what your favorite flowers were.”

A laugh, bitter and quiet. “But… I never really did know you at all, did I? I forgot you so easily. If you never forgive me, wherever you are… well, I can accept it.”

December 20th.

“Wherever you are… wherever you end up… please, don’t forget me. I know I’m being selfish. But… if you would rather die than… than confess to whatever jerk caused your illness, then please… grant me at least this much. I’m sorry. I just— I couldn’t listen to you. Not this time.”

December 20th.

“And if we meet again, in the future - whatever form we end up taking, whether it’s this life or the next… I…” he choked on his own words, trailing off as hot tears threatened to fall. “I… I hope we can meet under better circumstances.”

Your fault.

Caleb shattered in the quiet, gripping onto the memorial stone with all of his failing strength. Hot tears dripped down his face and darkened the stone beneath, falling into the grass, dampening his hands.

20 December, 2049: I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore. Mom, Dad, please forgive your selfish daughter. MC, Caleb… please forget me. I love him too much to let him go.

[muvaginger]

Boyfriend!SylusQinXGN!NonMc!Reader

TW: HEAVY on the Angst/No Happy Ending

NOTE: Non Mc reader. The bestfriend mentioned is Mc

You haven’t been yourself since the fight and he knows that you’ll never be.

He couldn’t deny what his motive was when he said the things he said to you. He wanted his words to hurt, wanted them to land. But he never wanted them to stick. No, he never wanted them to completely destroy you but they did. He thought that you would like you have always done, let them roll off your back and come back at him harder. Say something twice as hurtful or witty. But instead, he was met with a stunned silence. There was no yelling, no screaming, not even a slap to the face. Nothing but stunned silence and hot tears slowly falling down your face.

When was the last time you cried? Have you ever even cried around him?

No, because he up to this point had always made you smile and laugh harder than anyone you’ve ever known. She’s a tear? Sure, when he’s making you die of laughter at two am but never this. This? This was new and this was serious. Your sudden silence, your painful expression, your eyes. All of it was foreign to him and the immediate feeling of regret started growing rapidly in his chest.

He’s never seen you look like that. Ever.

And he never thought he would. He could have sworn that he would end anyone if they made you feel and look this way once upon a time. But here he is, staring at you and you staring back at him with the very expression he swore to never have you make. This was far from just being hurt, he went entirely way too far and he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t even remember what you both were fighting about.

What were you both fighting about?

Right, about his bestfriend. His overbearing, line crossing, “I knew him longer” bestfriend. The friend that had made you, his partner, uneasy since the day you met them. The friend who constantly disrespected every boundary you tried to place and then when confronted, would make themselves the victim. Didn’t help that he as your partner didn’t back you up but instead made excuses for why this friend acted this way. That majority of the major fights you both have are because of her and how they treat you. This fight was just like those but worse. So much worse.

He didn’t just defend her, he insulted you.

Insulted you by calling you jealous, envious and overly possessive. Yeah, he went there. When you countered he simply said that maybe if you were more into the things he cared about, you wouldn’t be so insecure around his bestfriend. Insecure? Insecure. The cherry on top? He proceeds to say that if he actually wanted her, he would have never approached you and just went with her because then he wouldn’t have to pull tooth and nail to get her to do something he wants to do and that’s when you completely shut down. He said so much more but what he said last was what put the nail in the coffin. “Maybe I should have listened to everyone and just gave her a shot.” And before he could stop himself, it was already said.

Theres no stopping it. The end is near and he knows it.

After that, you shut down and just stare at him. You couldn’t hear anything else afterwards and it was as though your ears no longer heard anything he was saying. Everything he was saying sounded like he was underwater and you couldn’t hear and by the time you came to, he was attempting to hug you in which you gently push him away and walk out. He knew he fucked up. He knew that he basically destroyed any trust that was left. It’s been a month and his once vibrant partner has now become detached. No more cute texts, no more rambling about your day or about the new show you found and now are obsessed with it. Nothing. See he could try and work around some stuff but no longer feeling your touch? Hearing your laughter? Seeing you smile? No, that was too much.

But there was nothing he could do.

He tried everything. Yes he apologized but it changed nothing. It was as if you were on factory reset, a shell of yourself and he no longer has access to the bright, radiant part of you. You sleep on the edge of the bed, push away any and all physical contact and when asked to go anywhere with him, you decline. His friends have noticed the decline of your presence including his bestfriend and have started asking questions. You were Afterall the life of the party. He would just say you were either busy with work or sick but everyone pretty much knew what was happening and unlike him predicted the end.

It was on his birthday and you only left your house key and the half of the utilities you both split. No letters nor notice, just gone.

At that point, three months had passed and without notice, you left. He was at work and came home early because he didn’t hear anything from you. Up till this point, you at least gave him one to two sentence responses so when he heard nothing, he was worried. When he opened the door to see the key and letter packed with money on the counter, he completely lost it. He was blocked everywhere and later found out everyone else was as well. You really were gone and you really left without saying goodbye and why. He felt ridiculous for thinking that you were over it. How could you be?

In the end, he broke the person who was the only one who truly cared for him and as he sits there on the couch you once shared with him, he goes back to the day of the fight and how malicious he was and how you looked. He should have listened. He should have protected you like you did countless times. But he can’t now and that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

[starry-stay-s]

Hold on Tight

☆Sylus x non!mc reader who's terrified to get on a motorcycle

☆fluff, comfort

☆authors note; Im writing this cus I can't be the only one whos lowk terrified of getting on a motorcycle. Like i trust him ofc I just am a scaredy cat deepdown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Yeah, no im okay, I'll just stay home." You say, staring at Sylus like he had grown two heads. He was seated comfortably on his favorite motorcycle, helmet halfway on as he waited for you to take your seat behind him, your helmet in his extended hand.

"Dont tell me you're scared, kitten?" He chuckles, thinking you're just joking. Surely you know he would never let anything bad happen to you, especially when hes present, right?

"Tsk, and if I am?" You say it's a huff, sending a glare his way, your lips pursed in a pout. He would've loved the sight if it weren't for the circumstances. He gently puts down the helmet, taking his off and getting off the bike. He stand in front of you, leaning down a bit and gently grabbing your chin with his finger. Looking up at him now, your eyes meet his searching ones. You shift your weight as you wait for the teasing remark with his smug grin, but it never comes.

Instead he leans down more, touching his forehead to yours gently, keeping eye contact and he talks softly.

"You know you can trust me, right? I wont let anything happen to you, sweetie. But if you really dont want to, we can always just go in the car. But I know you, kitten, and I know you can, it'll be fun once the initial fear wears off. You tell me which one, I want you to be comfortable." His voice velvet soft as he searched your eyes.

You look up into his crimson eyes, then shift your gaze to the motorcycle standing behind him. You gulp, and your thoughts wander. Of course you wanted to go on with him but there was just a nagging voice in the back of your head, whispering into your ears how terribly wrong it could go. You look back at Sylus, who's been watching you the whole time with those soft eyes of his. You gently shake your head and Sylus gives you a soft smile.

"Go pick what car, sweetie." He says, his expression showing no judgement and you nod. You make your way to the wall full of all the keys to his various cars, picking one and heading back to him. You two meet halfway and head to your chosen car. He opens the door for you, like always, before heading to the drivers seat.

"Good choice, kitten, it's been a while since I've used this one." He says and he starts the engine, the low purring echoing in the vast garage. He puts a reassuring hand on your thigh as he begins driving to your destination.

⏤⏤⏤⏤☆⏤⏤⏤⏤☆⏤⏤⏤⏤☆⏤⏤⏤⏤

For the past few weeks you've been silently gathering the courage to go with him on his motorcycle. You know how much he loves the thrill, and how much he wants to share that joy with you. With that in mind, you finally were able to tell him that the next time you were with him.

he had never pushed you to do it, anytime you two would go anywhere together, he'd bring one of his cars. He hadn't even asked if you wanted to try again, leaving it to you to tell him when you were comfortable enough for it.

That day came sooner than expected.

You two were in his home in the N109 Zone, getting ready for a date. You check the mirror one more time, before taking a deep breath and readying yourself to tell him.

As you head on down to where he was waiting by the door, he smiles at you and holds out his arm for you to take. You smile and take it, taking one last deep breath as you walk into his garage before telling him.

"Sy?" You say softer than you wanted too."

"Yes, kitten?" he responds, stopping in his tracks as he looks down to meet your eyes.

"Uhm, I've been thinking and... and I think im ready to ride your motorcycle." You say, looking up at him.

He raises a brow. "Are you sure? You dont have to if you're not com-"

"Im sure!" You say cutting him off. "Now let's just go before I change my mind." You say smiling and continuing walking.

He chuckles and grabs the keys, leading you to one of his motorcycles. He grabs yours and helps you put it on, leaning down and staring intently at you before grinning. "Comfortable, kitten?"

You nod, the heavy helmets soft plush inside surrounding your head, the visor popped up so you can see each other clearly. He smirks, popping the visor back into place before putting his on easily, getting on the vehicle before holding his hand out to you. "Hop on, sweetie."

You take his arm and carefully get on behind him, settling into his broad back. You wraps yours arms around his waist tightly, hand lightly holding onto his shirt. You swear you him a quiet chuckle before he starts the engine, the roaring loud as you feel the motorcycle thrum to life under you.

"Im guessing you dont need me to tell you to hold on tight, do you, kitten?" he says as he begins driving out the garage, you leaning deeper into him, arms tightening as you lightly shake your head against his back.

He starts off slow, well for his tastes, but you feel like your world is spinning. The city lights blurring as you pass them at the fast pace, but after a few minutes your racing hearts calms down, no longer beating loudly in your ear. Sylus feels the shift in your demeanor, your arms tight but not as much as before, your body leaning into him not as tense. He smirks to himself as he kicks it up a notch, going at a much faster speed than before, his usual speed when hes getting around. He hears you let out a sound of surprise before you cling to him tighter.

You can tell hes enjoying this, hearing the faint chuckle he lets out over all the noise around you; cars honking, people chattering, the wing whipping against you. You huff but slowly relax, realizing it isn't that bad, and may actually be, well, fun.

Once you arrive at the restaurant, he parks and helps you off, your legs slightly trembling from the adrenaline rush. He smirks as he watches you. "if I didn't know better, I would've thought you were a newly born fawn, not a kitten."

You huff as he helps you take your helmet off, fixing any stray hairs. "Well not everyone is an adrenaline junkie like you."

He chuckles, rich and low as he begins leading you into the restaurant, your arms wrapped around his. "Well, you were a very brave kitten, I'll have to reward you later and give you a different reason to have trembling legs.

You gasp and hit his arm, looking up at his smug expression with wide eyes. "Youre crazy, keep saying things like that and you'll have a new charge of public indecency."

"Worth it."

[tinybeetiny]

Don’t Flatter Yourself: Rafayel

The finaalll one!!!! @scentedrebelcat I kind of strayed away from your prompt a little bit idk it just made more sense for this. ALSO i need everyones help. I read a fic a while ago about Caleb you and mc being best friends and you love Caleb but he's honestly just using you then when mc begs you to be part of her movie project thing you meet Sylus. Then during a thunderstorm, you get lost on the beach or something and you try to call Caleb but he's busy comforting Mc but then sylus finds you and yeah... i need to find it again... i've spent so much time trying to find it but i've been weaving through so many things THAT AREN'T NON MC SHIT IM TIRED OF IT.... anyways, can someone help. please.

->Starring: Soulmate!RafayelxMc, Soulamtes!RafayelxSoulmates!non!mc!Fem!Reader, non!Mc!Fem!ReaderxCaleb, XavierxMc ->Genre: Angst, with a little comfort??? ->Words: 2.17k ->Cw: Explicit language, rejection, almost cheating, Raf is reeeallllyy shitty, Xavier mentioned, mentions of drinking (just wine), Mc is besit girl fr

Masterlist

Xavier | Zayne | Rafayel | Sylus | Caleb

You loved being a hunter. Ever since you were young, you dreamed of defending your city from the Wanderers that lurked beyond the walls. The Hunters’ Association had become more than just a workplace; it was like a second home, filled with people who understood the same hunger for danger and the same desire to protect.

At the center of that new life was Mc. She had been the very first person to welcome you, her grin wide and warm as she all but dragged you to her side. From that day on, she insisted on being your partner. 

The mission that morning had been smooth, pretty easy. Nothing but a low-grade wanderer on the southern perimeter. Now, the sun was shining brightly overhead with a comforting breeze flowing through the trees. The two of you walked side by side down the sidewalk, silence resting comfortably between you. 

The buzz of Mc’s phone cut through the stillness. She glanced down, smiled faintly, then lifted it to her ear. A few short words later, she tucked it back into her pocket.

“Hey,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “do you mind if we make a quick stop? My boyfriend needs something from his studio.”

You shook your head with a smile. “Yeah, that’s no problem. I’ve got nothing to do for the rest of the day.”

Her face lit up in relief, and the conversation between you sparked to life. She told you about a movie she wanted to drag you to this weekend, and you teased her about her awful coffee addiction. She nudged your shoulder playfully as you walked the rest of the way.

But the second you stepped over the threshold of the studio, a searing pain flared along your wrist, sharp enough to make you hiss. 

You clutched at it instinctively, hoping that you could rub the pain away.

“Hey, are you okay?” Mc asked quickly, turning to you with concern lacing her voice.

But before you could even open your mouth to answer, Rafayel emerged from the far side of the room, brushing his hands on a paint-smeared rag, and the moment your eyes met, the world seemed to shatter into silence.

Your lungs forgot how to work. His gaze sharpened, widened, then dropped to the inside of his wrist. You followed the movement in disbelief, only to see a pearly mark blooming across his skin, identical to the one searing into yours. Your soulmark.

Mc’s gasp filled the room. Her head whipped from him to you and back again, her expression folding into shock, confusion, disbelief.

Rafayel scoffed. He tilted his head with an almost bored sort of disdain, like this was little more than an inconvenience. “Oh, don’t think this will make me want you,” he said, voice smooth and sharp as glass. “Please. You can clearly see I’m taken.”

He gestured casually toward Mc, who stood frozen, her mouth parted as if the words were lodged somewhere in her throat.

“I don’t think you could ever compare to my cutie.” His lips curled into something like a smirk, “So please, don’t flatter yourself.”

The words hit harder than any Wanderer ever had.

Your chest tightened painfully, the floor tilting beneath your feet. Tears blurred your vision before you could stop them, hot and humiliating. Every instinct told you to stay strong, to not let him see how much it hurt, but your throat burned too much to speak.

“Sorry,” you choked out, the word small and strangled. You turned on your heel and ran before anyone could stop you, 

The sound of your boots against the pavement echoed, but not as loudly as the rejection replaying in your head.

Behind you, Mc’s voice cut sharply through the air, her anger trembling. “Rafayel! What the hell was that? You didn’t have to be so cruel!”

“I love you,” he replied simply, with a careless shrug, as though the soulmate bond was nothing more than a trick of light. “Nothing, not even a soulmate, will change that.”

Mc’s expression hardened, a mix of disbelief and fury. “That doesn’t give you the right to treat people like dirt,” she snapped, shaking her head before rushing out the door.

But when she stepped into the street, you were already gone.

The week after was torture in its own quiet way. You buried yourself in paperwork, volunteered for missions with anyone except her, and ducked into side hallways whenever you caught sight of her. You couldn’t stand the thought of seeing pity in her eyes, or worse, disappointment.

Every time your phone buzzed, you prayed it wasn’t her, and every time it wasn’t, the relief was tangled with guilt. But Mc wasn’t stupid. She noticed.

So when you rounded a corner in the Hunters’ Association, your arms full of files, and found her leaning against the wall like she’d been waiting for you, your heart sank. There was nowhere to run this time. 

“Why are you avoiding me?” she asked. Her voice was firm with just enough softness to make it clear she wasn’t here to fight.

Your grip tightened on the files. You couldn’t bring yourself to meet her eyes, staring instead at the floor. “I figured…” You swallowed nervously. “I figured you didn’t want to talk to me. After… that whole thing.”

Silence stretched for a beat. Then her footsteps approached, slow and deliberate.

When you finally glanced up, her expression wasn’t angry or pitying. Her eyes held warmth and softness.

“That wasn’t your fault,” she said gently. “It’s not like you went looking for him; it just happened, and it doesn’t change anything between us.”

The weight you’d been carrying all week slipped, your shoulders sagging as relief washed over you. Still, the words tumbled out in a whisper,  “I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“I know.” Her lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. 

Everything seemed to go back to normal after that. Until a knock at your door startled you from the quiet of your evening. 

You froze, frowning. No one ever came by unannounced. Cautiously, you made your way across the room and opened it.

Rafayel stood on your doorstep.

His dark eyes were restless, ringed with exhaustion. He looked nothing like the composed, cold man who’d dismissed you that day. Instead, he looked like someone unraveling.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said, voice low, hoarse. He stepped closer, too close, and your pulse spiked.

“You’ve been on my mind every day since we locked eyes, and I can’t take it. I need to get you out of my system.”

Before you could move, he leaned in. It was as if he were moving in slow motion. His lips hovered inches from yours, and the soulmate bond roared to life, pulling at your senses, clawing at your willpower. Your wrist burned, your breath stuttered, and for one terrifying moment, you almost let it happen.

Clarity soon snapped back to reality, and you shoved him hard in the chest. “You’re a sleezy ass-face, Rafayel,” you spat, your voice shaking but firm. 

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” 

He stands there speechless 

“Get the hell out of my house.”

The look on his face twisted, half-surprise, half-scorn, but you didn’t give him the chance to answer. The door slammed shut with a final, echoing thud.

Your heart thundered, hands trembling as you locked the door. 

For a second, you just stood there, listening to your ragged breathing. Then, as you reached for your phone with shaking fingers, tears pooled in your eyes.

“Mc?” Your voice cracked as soon as she answered. “I- I’m so sorry. He came here. Rafayel was just here.”

You explained everything: his words, his attempt, your refusal.

Silence hung for a beat on the other end, and your anxiety spiked. Her voice came out low and angry. “I’m sorry,” she said, fury barely restrained.  “Thank you for telling me. You’re a good friend,” her voice gentler. 

She quickly hung up, and you were left sitting in the silence. Disgust and shame bubbled within you, and you didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

The next day Mc wasn’t at work, and you sent her a text asking where she was. She replied that she was taking a personal day and that she’ll see you later. You frowned and asked if there was anything you could do but she told you no, that she appreciated you so much.

That night, she was at your door. Her eyes were red, her smile fragile but determined as she clutched a bottle of wine, a bag of snacks, and two pints of ice cream.

You quickly step aside, motioning for her to come in, while she gives you a sheepish smile

“I broke up with Raf,” she said simply, dropping onto your couch.

“Oh! I’m so sorry.” You say while going to the kitchen to grab two wine glasses.

She shrugged, “It’s whatever. Couldn’t stay with him, especially not after you… and me. But it’s okay because we’re going to have a girls’ night.”

You set the glasses out, but before you could respond, her lips curved into a mischievous grin. “Also… you remember Caleb?”

You blinked. “Caleb?”

Her grin widened. “Yes. Caleb. The one I told you all about. The one I grew up with.”

You look at her quizzically “I guess. What about him?”

“Oh, nothing. I swear you two would be perfect for each other.” She paused for a second

“Please let me set you up.”

You stare at her, surprised, and then laugh nervously, shaking your head. “Mc-”

“Please,” she begged, clasping her hands dramatically. “Just one date. You’ll love him, I promise.”

You resisted for an hour. She countered every excuse, every doubt. Finally, with an exasperated sigh, you caved.

“Okay, fine, if it gets you stop,” you huff out dramatically.

She squealed triumphantly, grabbing her phone. The phone, on speaker phone, rings a couple of times before a voice answers

“Hey, pipsqueak. Whatcha doing?” His tone is casual but cheerful.

She completely disregards his words, “Caleb! You’re going on a blind date. No excuses.” She demands.

You could hear his laugh through the speaker, warm and amused. “Alright. Sounds fun.”

“Good. K byeee” She laughed as she hung up.

The rest of the night was filled with cheesy rom coms, a few tears shed, and lots of glasses of wine.

The day of the date came, and your nerves had you pacing your room, changing outfits three times, and smoothing down your skirt until you thought you’d wear out the fabric.

The café buzzed with the hum of chatter and the clink of coffee cups when you finally walked in. You look around, scanning the room, trying to find the man who fits the description Mc texted you.

You found him right away. Brown hair, sunset eyes, and a boyish smile.

With a deep breath, you made your way over to him. Your footsteps felt too loud as you approached, but when his gaze lifted and he smiled at you, something inside you eased.

He greeted you with a wide smile, shooting up out of his seat to pull yours out for you. You breathe out a small thank you.

Conversation flowed effortlessly. He told you about growing up with Mc, how she was basically his little sister, how he’d always kept an eye on her. You told him about Raf, about the cruel rejection, the desperate visit to your door.

Caleb’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “You know. I never liked him,” he admitted. “I’m glad Mc’s done with him.”

You nod in agreement, “She’s better off without him.”

He blinked when he finally glanced at the clock. Two hours had passed like minutes. He sighed softly. “I have to go. But I’d love to see you again.”

Your chest fluttered as you nodded. Numbers were exchanged, phones buzzed with confirmation.

When you arrived back home, you stood in your living room for a moment before letting the breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

On Monday morning, Mc was practically vibrating with energy the second you walked into the Association lobby. She bounced on her toes, eyes gleaming.

“Tell me everything!” she squealed, catching your arm.

You laughed, trying and failing to hide your grin. “It was… good. Really good. We talked for hours.” You lowered your voice, “We’ve been texting nonstop since.”

She clapped her hands together, her excitement contagious. “I knew it! I knew you two would click! Okay, okay, listen, double date. Me and Xavier, you and Caleb. It’ll be perfect.”

You looked at her like she had grown a second head. “Since when were you and Xavier seeing each other?” You questioned. Of course, you knew your fellow hunter had a crush on your best friend, but you didn’t think he would actually make a move.

“Since like… 4 days ago,” She shrugged like it was nothing. 

You slowly nod and hesitate for half a heartbeat, but her hopeful grin melted away any doubts. “Alright,” you said.

She squealed again, already pulling out her phone.

The night of the dinner, the restaurant was cozy and softly lit, filled with the scent of sizzling food and the quiet murmur of conversation. You smoothed your hands over your lap as Caleb held your chair out for you.

Mc and Xavier sat across from you, bickering playfully over the menu, their laughter filling the space. Caleb leaned close, murmuring a small joke that made you stifle a laugh into your wine glass. The night was light, warm, and easy.

Until the air shifted.

Your stomach dropped as you saw him, Rafayel. His sharp features, his restless energy, the way his eyes immediately found you like magnets snapping together. His face darkened the instant he saw Caleb’s hand resting casually near yours on the table.

He stormed over, stopping at your table with his arms crossed. Conversations around you stuttered to silence.

Xavier leaned back in his chair, his posture loose but his gaze sharp. “Can we help you?”

That single question lit the fuse.

Rafayel snapped. His voice rose, words spilling fast and jagged, a tirade laced with venom. He ranted about bonds, about betrayal, about how ridiculous this was, how ridiculous she was, sitting here pretending with someone else like they hadn’t been together for 2 years. His words tangled into nonsense, desperation bleeding through his anger.

Every pair of eyes in the restaurant turned toward your table. Heat crept up your neck, shame pressing against your ribs even though you’d done nothing wrong. Caleb’s jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, his hand brushing yours under the table in a quiet reassurance.

Finally, Rafayel’s rage zeroed in on you. His eyes burned, his voice dropping low. “You think you can run from this? You think a mark can be ignored? You’re mine whether you want it or not—”

The words sent a shiver down your spine, your pulse spiking.

But Caleb’s chair scraped back slowly, the sound slicing through the tension. He rose to his full height, his presence steady, commanding. The restaurant seemed to hush around him.

“Leave, now.” he said calmly. His eye twitched slightly when Rafayel stayed in his spot, almost challenging, “You can either leave willingly, or forcefully.”

The challenge hung in the air.

Rafayel faltered. His mouth opened, then shut again, his rage stuttering against the wall of Caleb’s composure. For a long moment, silence stretched. Then, with a scoff, he looked away.

“Whatever.” His shoulders jerked as he spun on his heel, storming out the door, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.

For a beat, the table was silent, the echoes of his outburst lingering. Then Mc exhaled sharply, muttering, “What an ass.” Xavier reached over to squeeze her hand, his thumb brushing comfort into her skin.

Caleb sat back down, his hand finding yours again. 

The laughter returned slowly, and the rest of the dinner smoothed into comfort again.

After the dinner, you and Caleb built something real, not based on marks or fate. Mc and Xavier did too, their bond deepening now that the shadow of Rafayel was gone.

For the first time in a long time, you were happy.

[someonestopsoren]

FINDING A FIC!!!

Hey lads community!! I recently made this new acc and im trying to find this non!mc x caleb fanfiction called "Iris". I read it maybe 2(?) weeks ago but i absolutely fell in love with it and its my favorite caleb angst that ive ever read. If anyone finds it, please put in the link in the comments!!

[lael1yn]

I think when i said i really like non!mc reader is because i like being an observer of the situation. I like it, when i can see from 3rd person pov and i do like it too when i can understand the situation the other person pov.

[snoozer-crow]

🍎 caleb remembers your birthday 🎂

gn, nonmc, lonely, touch-starved reader + stalker caleb (borderline yandere?) wc: 700

You spend the day before your birthday focused on being productive, fully expecting to spend it all alone again. Exhausted from maintaining focus for so long, you fall asleep by accident, earlier than usual.

You wake, half asleep and confused, to the sensation of the mattress shifting beneath you. It smells faintly of apples? And you don't remember turning the lights off. You let out a soft noise of confusion, and you hear a vaguely familiar voice gently shush you in return, leading you to turn to face the sound. You don't feel as scared as you probably should.

You look up with bleary eyes, finding your relatively new friend Caleb climbing into bed beside you. You do have a crush on him, yes, but you've only known him for a couple of months. Why is he here...?

"Caleb? What...?" You try to sit up, but a gentle flex of his Evol keeps you in place as he settles in, his purple eyes gazing into your own with a stare so intense it felt like he could see straight through to your skeleton.

"Shh, hey, no need for that. I didn't mean to wake you." He shifts a bit closer. You can feel his breath on your face as it leaves behind a faint scent of mint. He cups your face in his palm, moving slowly to give you a chance to pull away if you're frightened. You don't. His hand is warm and soft against your cheek, and you find yourself leaning into it.

"I was plannin' on surprisin' you, since you're usually up pretty late. I figured I could be the first one to wish you a happy birthday." His voice is steady and calm as he explains, almost making it seem as if what he's doing is completely normal. You've never told him your birthday. "But you're all tuckered out, huh? Y'know, I brought your favorite snacks and everything." You've never told him your favorite snacks. "I guess I still am the first one to wish you happy birthday, though, huh? It's past midnight."

Alarm bells should be going off in your head, and yet you don't pull away from his touch. He's always incredibly friendly and kind to you. What reason could you have to distrust his intentions? You find yourself nodding dumbly along with his words, earning you a chuckle from his soft lips.

"But why...?"

"You deserve to have a happy birthday, honey. Were you really gonna have one if you were all alone?" His eyes look kinder, gentler than before.

You hesitate for a few moments, but unable to come up with a rebuttal, you just shake your head no. Caleb hums, snaking his hand from your cheek around to gently caress the back of your neck. He's never touched you like this before, and it feels nice.

"Do you really want me to leave?" He whispers, leaning a bit closer. You shake your head immediately this time. He smiles a bit wider than before as he begins to lightly scratch at your scalp, testing the waters.

"Then c'mere, yeah? Let me hold you." You melt into him as he carefully pulls you closer, wrapping his arms around you and guiding you to tuck your face into the crook of his neck. His body is pleasantly warm against your own, and you can hear his unhurried, calm heartbeat thumping in his chest.

He starts to rub your back in slow, steady circles, dissolving away whatever tension was left in your body as you go boneless in his grasp. You feel more content now than you have in a long, long time, maybe even years.

"If this is a dream, I don't wanna wake up," you mumble, your voice losing its coherency as you begin to drift off. But Caleb understands you nonetheless.

"You're not dreamin'. And to prove it to you, I'll still be right here when you wake up, alright?" You nod sleepily, not quite fully comprehending what he means, but still knowing he's speaking sincerely.

"G'night, 'leb," you yawn before your eyes fully droop closed, sleep following soon after.

"Good night, honey. Happy birthday. I promise you'll never spend it alone ever again."