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The Call was finished and he closed his phone, severing the connection with a disgruntled merchant from another section of N190. He exhaled slowly, the cool recycled air of his lavishly appointed base doing little to soothe the lingering frustration. Another negotiation concluded, and another victory was secured for Onychinus, his dominion over the N109 Zone.
He turned from the large painting on the wall he recently bought that was more valuable to him, a large portrait of Himself standing behind Mc his arms wrapped around her as she held Two cute twins. He found his gaze drawn to a vision of domesticity that was both utterly out of place and yet perfectly right in his world. His lover, his “Miss Hunter” as he sometimes amusedly called her, was walking towards him, a twin-sized burden in her arms.
MC’s shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of Liam and Adeline, his tiny heirs, both bright-eyed and babbling like a chorus of miniature, excited magpies. Her usually vibrant face was touched with the weariness of a sleepless night, and her lips were turned into a pleading line.
"Sylus," she sighed, "Please, just take them for a bit. I'm running on fumes and Liam is already greedy like you when it comes to taking toys I held him for nine months and he looks like a mini you" the twins certainly got his hair color and eyes but Adeline had slightly lighter eyes uniquely so because of Mc genes. they had some of MC's features too, but oh when they are a pain they look 100% like Sylus.
He raised a brow "Like me? Kitten, I only take what I know belongs to me" he smirked. Mc rolled her eyes in annoyance and pouts cutely now. "come on help me besides you're not doing anything important."
His heart softened instantly. He was a ruthless leader, a man who commanded fear and respect, but those same hands that could crush a man’s windpipe also knew the delicate art of holding an infant. He knew the weariness in her voice; he knew the exhaustion that came with the 2 am feedings and the unending stream of tiny demands could start to take a toll.
"Of course, Sweetie," he said, his voice dropping to a lower, warmer register. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his muscular frame, reaching for the twins. he noticed Liam was wearing a crow onesie while Adeline wore a dove onesie they looked adorable. As soon as their tiny bodies were nestled against his chest, he could feel the tension leaving MC’s frame, the relief palpable.
"Thank you," she breathed, running a hand through his messy silver hair, her fingers lingering a little longer than needed. He leaned into her touch, his red eyes, normally sharp as a predator's, softened to a molten amber as he looked at her. She tip-toed and kissed him softly before walking away yawning cutely.
He didn’t need to ask further, he knew she needed some sleep. He watched her retreat to their private quarters, a faint smile playing on his lips, before turning to his Table and seeing his phone buzz with the notification that the meeting was soon. A flicker of irritation returned as he saw a reminder for a meeting with local business bosses. It couldn’t be helped, he had to secure the deal by today.
“Mephisto,” He called, and the mechanical crow landed on his shoulder with a soft landing cawing which drew the attention of the twins as they tried to reach for him giggling. “Stay close, These two may get restless.” He told him before stepping towards his meeting room with Liam and Adeline still cradled against his chest.
He walked towards the meeting room, Luke and Kieran were standing guard outside the door, their crow masks giving them an unnerving appearance. They bowed slightly as he passed, the twins trying not to snicker at the odd sight.
The room was a stark contrast to his comforting private quarters. It was a long, polished table surrounded by intimidating, leather-backed chairs. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and the nervous sweat of the businessmen already seated, their faces tight as they waited for him to arrive.
He took his place at the head of the table, his presence immediately commanding the room. Luke and Kieran flanked him, silently observing the businessmen. Sylus settled into his chair, adjusting the twins so they were even more secure. Liam was resting his face against Sylus' chest, a small, soft snore escaping his lips. Adeline was blinking owlishly, her small hand gripping a strand of Sylus' silver hair.
“Gentlemen,” he said, his voice calm and smooth, “let us begin.”
The business went smoothly; Sylus dictated his terms with a precision that left no room for argument. His mind was sharp, analyzing every clause, every nuance of the contracts. He was a master of negotiation, a tactician in every sense of the word. Yet, his focus hadn't wavered from the tiny lives nestled against him. He periodically looked at them to ensure their comfort. by then the son, Liam woke up again the baby looked as bored as his father and Mephisto flew back with a cute toy for him while Adeline was slowly nomming on his suit jacket.
"I Believe with the deal we just made I can create more protocores that can trick-" one of the bosses said ouch when a toy angry crow plushie was thrown right at his head. which the twins Luke and Kieran chuckle low while sylus looks at his business partner and then his son. "Well the deal is off, one of my heirs spoke." the man gasped softly.
They were about to wrap up when one of the businessmen, a portly man with a florid face, tentatively cleared his throat. "About the deal you canceled Sylus… I am not entirely convinced this benefits us fairly," he stated carefully.
"Yes, and I also agree. Why should the deal be canceled because of a baby" Another one spoke, his voice rising in volume. Voices began to rise, the gentleman started to protest his decision.
Sylus's jaw tightened, a flash of annoyance crossing his face. The noise of the protesting businessmen was beginning to make his twins stir against his chest. Liam let out a small whimper, his face scrunched up in displeasure along with his sister Adeline who gripped her father's shirt.
Before it escalated any further, Sylus' right eye began to glow a faint, menacing red. The glow was subtle, but the power it exuded was unmistakable. He reached out a hand and a sleek, black gun materialized on the table with a soft sigh. The polished metal gleamed under the harsh lighting of the room, an undeniable promise of violence.
The shift in the atmosphere was immediate. The murmurs died down, replaced by a stunned silence. Sylus' voice, when he finally spoke, was low, each syllable laced with a cold, dangerous edge.
“You wake them up," he said, his gaze sweeping over each businessman in turn, "and I’ll put you to sleep. Is that clear?”
The words weren't a threat; they were a stark, unflinching statement of fact. The businessmen paled, every argument they’d been about to make dissolving into the fear that emanated from the leader of Onychinus.
The portly man, who'd been the loudest just moments before, swallowed audibly. “Crystal clear, Mr. Sylus. we can make a new deal that will be acceptable.”
Sylus's red eye dimmed, the dangerous glow fading away. A small smile played on his lips, his eyes returning to their normal shade.
“Excellent,” he said, keeping Liam and Adeline close, placing a soft kiss on their foreheads. “Now, let’s conclude this meeting. I’m sure you all have better things to do, and so do I.”
Just as sylus was about to leave the other business partner decided he would not back down even after it was settled. "I will not accept this, I won't be taken lightly because your Litt-" he was suddenly lifted into the air, and red and black energy mist surrounded the man tightening its grip on his neck. and everyone heard the little ones whimpering because of the sudden noise again.
"rock a bye baby on the tree top," as he sang the lullaby he shifted his hand back and forth making the man in the air sway side to side while singing. when he finished-
"Down Will Come Baby, cradle and all" The twins were fast asleep and the man suddenly dispersed into tiny particles of red that seemed to come back to Sylus's hand.
after that display, the rest of the meeting passed in hushed tones and hurried signatures. The businessman was visibly shaken, desperate to leave Sylus' presence and not risk waking the two sleeping infants. As soon as the last contract was signed, Sylus rose, his movements composed and elegant, despite the sleeping twins held in his arms.
"Luke, Kieran, escort these men out," he said, his eyes never leaving his twins. "And ensure they remember their place."
The twins, oblivious to the power dynamic they’d just influenced, were cooing in their sleep, their soft breaths filling the silence that he knew would soon be replaced by the bustle of his base.
As he walked back to his private quarters, Mephisto perched on his shoulder, cawing softly. Sylus gently adjusted the twins in his arms. He was the feared leader of the N109 Zone, a man who commanded power and respect. Yet, at that moment, cradling his sleeping children, he was just a father, fiercely protective and utterly enchanted. And that was more than enough for him.