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Much of my life had flipped itself when I became entangled with Sylus Qin.
My job was thrown on its head. My closet was slowly but surely emptied and replaced. My apartment became a stopping point, rather than my home. Spotify became less a collection of various musical artists and instead carefully curated playlist made together in quiet moments.
Even my appetite had been shifted, turned into something Caleb would mockingly call boujee in some horrific French accent.
We had the most difficulty shifting my sleep schedule.
Between early meetings at UNICORNS, and late nights hunting wanderers, I never had much of a schedule in the first place; but aligning it even slightly with Sylus' was difficult. Waking up at seven pm felt like pulling on an old pair of jeans, uncomfortable, unfitting, and just altogether unrealistic. My day, or night, would drag by slowly; my body crying to return to its warm fancy mattress. Even if Sylus planned an entire day for us, rather than a day of going to auctions and meetings endlessly, I'd still end up dragging my feet or yawning discreetly into my hand. When we'd finally return back to whatever house we were staying in, (always something over the top and expensive, somehow always owned by Sylus), I would collapse in to the bed and fall into a fitful sleep. Despite the blackout currents and white noise machine, my body knew it was daytime, and that I was squandering it by sleeping.
Today had been no different. Sylus had spent a week planning our date day, promising no work interruptions or wanderer appearances.
We spent the morning, or dusk, at a restaurant in Linkon. It had been something fancy and lively, promised to keep me awake and fueled for the rest of our night. A short joy ride followed by a short hike, revealing a beautiful view between the edge of Linkon and the N109 zone; stars painting the sky alongside the warm glow of the moon. We stayed their talking the night away until a yawn forced itself from my lips before I could stop it. A frown had slid over Sylus' face as he observed me closely.
"You don't have to warp yourself around my skewed sense of time, Sweetheart," he murmured into the silence of the night. I waved his concern aside, promising that my schedule was a mess anyways and I just needed to get used to it.
Shortly afterwards we hiked back down, his sharp eye sight preventing me from taking any falls. The ride home, to his home, was a slow one. Leisurely in the deepest sense of the word, as if we had all the time in the world to take in the feeling of biting cold air and the slideshow view of the world around us. The view shifted as we drove into the N109 zone; the empty fields and grassy hills on the outskirts of Linkon slowly gave way to the bustling streets of nightlife.
When we pulled up to the towering mansion that I had come to love, I was more than pleased to hear the greetings of the boys; exuberant and noisy per usual. I let Luke distract me with an update about his most recent run in an old video game, while Kieran explained something to Sylus in low tones. When they were finished Sylus dismissed the boys, a sharp look being the only response needed when they hesitated, requests to play games or hangout sitting on the tips of their tongues. I smiled at them as they sulked away, promising we'd hangout tomorrow.
Sylus and I made our way through the door, arm in arm as Mephisto greeted us. That wasn't the end of our night as we slipped upstairs and changed into more comfortable clothes before reconvening in the kitchen. With practiced ease he made a simple dinner while I setup the living room for movie night. Eating in the living room wasn't something we did often, but on our quiet date nights in, it was nice to curl up next to each other and eat quietly. Just absorbing the presence of each other and enjoying the rare peaceful moments in our lives. The movie was a particularly bad one this evening, (something I'd picked after Xavier had recommended it to me), leading us to mock it and rip apart the action scenes without a hint of mercy. Towards the end I found myself practically sprawled atop Sylus, eyes fluttering as I fought the urge to give into a dreamless sleep.
Eventually a deep chuckle from Sylus pulled me awake enough to blink sleepily at his warm smile and loving eyes. I moved to hug his torso, unflinching as his hands slid around my body before he stood up. We'd both already changed into pajamas and a clean sweep of his evol had the TV turned off and the lights dimmed. Somewhere in the back of my mind a calm voice reminded me that Kieran or Luke were likely on watch, assigned by Sylus to keep watch over the house while we rested.
Sylus slid me into the bed with a gentle touch that'd I'd grown to desperately crave, shivering at the smooth slide of his fingers against my arm as he pulled away. He smiled softly at the sight of my bleary smile and wandering hands, the warmth so open and vulnerable in his eyes, even as I blinked sleepily at him. He pulled the lush covers up to my shoulders before walking to his side of the bed and sliding into place beside me. Without a moment of hesitation I reached for him, my arms tangling around him as I nuzzled into his chest, a sleepy but content hum slipping from my lips. When I tangled my feet around his legs, a soft laugh escaped me at his sharp intake of breath; forever unprepared for the ice cold feeling of my feet against his warm calves.
He murmured something about having heated flooring and getting me socks, but sleep pulled me under before I could respond.
5:56 a.m.
The air had begun to chill with morning frost, though I could only feel it against my shoulders, I still shivered against the cold air. While I had started the night with the sheet pulled up to my chest, it had shifted in the short amount of time that had passed, leaving my arms and shoulders uncovered, along with Sylus'. I attempted to worm my way further into Sylus, pleased when he unconsciously pulled me closer, wrapping more of his larger frame around me. I reached sleepily for the sheet and pulled it around us before deciding to pull the feather light comforter over us as well. Usually Sylus was a heater at night, keeping the bed and my body warm, but as fall was beginning to give way to winter the extra layers were appreciated by both of us.
I hummed softly before falling back into the sleepy dazed state and slipping under the watchful gaze of sleep.
7: 32 a.m.
I shifted restlessly, desperate to fight the need to use the bathroom. It was cold outside the warmth of Sylus' arms, and even colder outside of the warmth of the blankets. As if responding to my resistance, Sylus pulled me closer, slotting my back against his front so there wasn't a point our bodies didn't meet. Unfortunately he pressed on my desperate bladder in the process, pulling a startled gasp from my lips. Left without a choice I began to extract myself from his arms silently, wincing as his grip tightened and displeased growl escaped his throat. I patted his arms gently, turning to whisper in his ear: 'just going to the bathroom, I'll be right back my love.'
Despite not being awake, his grip loosened reluctantly, allowing me to slip away from his warmth. A barely withheld hiss tries to escape my chest as the biting cold instantly consumes me. My hand reaches for my phone on the nightstand out of reflex, but otherwise my body is darting towards the bathroom, my mind still bleary with the desire to sleep and in desperate need to return to the warmth of Sylus' arms. I'm just as quick to take care of business, barely sparing a moment to glance at the time and the few notifications floating on my home screen, before I'm darting back to the warmth.
It takes a little bit longer to fall back into the lull of sleep this time, briefly interrupted as I press every point of my body against Sylus in a needy desire to be warm once more. A small smile graces my face as he grumbles at the sensation of my cold feet, before wrapping himself around me once more.
9:21 a.m.
A bright beam of light penetrates my slumber, pulling me from sleep. I fight the urge to groan at being awoken again. I blink against the harsh light for a moment, disoriented by the liquid light of the sun angling directly into my eyes. An irritated groan rises in my throat as I attempt to block the beam of light. Sylus remains unmoved, untouched by the light except for a slim strip across his shoulder. As my eyes adjust to the darkness of the rest of the room, I can't help the small smile that graces my face at the peaceful expression resting across Sylus' face. I force my gaze away towards the currently offending window, only to catch a glowing red eye watch from a perch in the corner of the room. A rare smile for the feathered menace rises to my face as I hold up a finger and whisper softly for Mephisto.
The mechanical crow flies with a quiet ease, perching on my finger and ruffling his wings smoothly.
"Dearest Mephie, I will keep Sylus from working on you for a whole week if you close the blinds properly for me," I whisper quietly to the bird. He tilts his head at me, as if considering the question deeply; the bird never fails to pull an exasperated sigh from my lips. "Okay, for two weeks and I'll let you follow me without complaining for a month." He lets out a triumphant but quiet squawk before lifting himself from my finger with a delicate flutter of his wings. With ease that would shock most, Mephisto shuffles the curtain closed before returning to his perch. I send him a thumbs up and a murmured, 'thanks mephie', before shifting back into my previous position.
A distant pang of hunger reminds me that morning is time for breakfast and the start to my day, but I shove an exhausted middle finger at that part of my brain and settle back in for sleep.
11:44 a.m.
I flinch out of my slumber with a startled breath. My heart beats rapidly against my chest and sweat dots my forehead. I barely register my shaking hands or clammy palms as I rapidly try to place where I am. The familiar fear melts away as I take in the recognizable room and constant warmth of Sylus. A nightmare. It was just a nightmare.
I can't even remember what horror I'd seen that had jolted me awake, but whatever it was, whoever it had been, wasn't here. I repeated the words to myself mentally till I felt my heart settle and the nerves fade.
At some point during the nightmare I must've shifted away from Sylus considering I'd woken up outside of his arms. A glance revealed his own face still pulled in the clutches of sleep, shockingly. He was usually the one to pull me from my nightmares, but the soft pinch of his brow betrayed that he'd been on the brink of waking up because of me. I heaved a silent sigh, relieved I hadn't disturbed his rest, before pulling myself into a sitting position with my knees pulled up to my chest.
Mephisto still sat on his perch, eyes ever watchful even as he charged quietly. The cold bit at my shoulders and neck without the blanket around me, but now I welcomed the cold, hoping it'd chase away my dream and the lingering sweat and fear on my skin. Another soft sigh escapes me as I wrap my arms around my knees and settle my cheek against them, turning my gaze towards Sylus once more.
Though I couldn't remember this nightmare, I knew there were plenty that involved watching the life disappear from Sylus' glowing eyes. Too many nightmares where it was my own hand wrapped around a gun and pointed at his chest, too many misfires in battle against wanderers that resulted in Sylus whispering 'it's not your fault' as he lay in my arms. I attempt to shove the thoughts away, focusing on the soft sound of his breathing and the steady rise and fall of his chest. I would never be so sloppy; he would never let me.
Before I can spiral further my stomach decides to remind me once more that it would normally be nearing brunch time. I hesitate to feed into the thought, though. I'd gotten a few hours of sleep, sure, but Xavier had asked me to go on another hunt with him tonight, and if I show up sleep deprived and sluggish he'll send me home in an instant, disappointment painting a puppy dog expression of sadness on his face.
The evil part of my brain, that I so lovingly refer to as the Caleb Infected portion, reminds me of the summer nights spent sneaking around the kitchen piecing together atrocities in a brain fuzzed state. I'd picked up the habit from Caleb when he'd been going through puberty and was constantly an endless pit of hunger. Waking up to the sound of the fridge rattling or the microwave beeping, I'd quietly shuffle out to find Caleb rummaging around for ketchup while a half assembled piece of bread and peanut butter sat on the counter.
He always flushed red in embarrassment before offering to make something for me. Though disgusted by his odd combinations, the sight of the peanut butter had the desire for a sweet treat sparking through me like fireworks. Caleb would always hesitate at first, reluctant to give me sweets so late at night, but an easy threat to tell grandmother had him rushing to make whatever I asked. I discovered my love for peanut butter banana toast that night, and honey toast the next week. Before we knew it the unplanned late night meet ups became a regular thing. Not constant, just the occasional moment where we found ourselves moving silently through the kitchen, only to end up giggling a little too loud when we made eye contact while eating; our little secret.
A warmth settled in my chest at the memories. I'd never quite out grown the habit, but when Caleb had gone off to College, the routine felt a little too lonely; and even more so when I'd moved into my own apartment. A distant ache reminded me that I needed to visit home more often; to visit Skyhaven and familiarize myself with the place Caleb called home now.
A sort of resolution filled my body as I blinked the sleep from my eyes. After thinking about it, the distant desire for food became a raging tide, and I found myself unwilling to hold it back. Slipping from my warm indent on the bed was easy, a smooth flex of the muscles I'd gained while being a Hunter allowed me to move with little disturbance to the bed or Sylus. The cold wrapped around my mostly bear legs and arms, but a few silent steps towards the closet had my hands wrapping around one of Sylus' shirts, slipping it on with familiar ease. The gentle scent of him floated around me for a brief moment as I stepped back towards the door, glancing back to make sure I hadn't disturbed his sleep. When I found his gentle expression remained I slipped out the door, knowingly holding it open as Mephisto followed after me.
The mechanical bird squawked as I began my journey through the house, hushing him quietly as we got further from the bedroom. The soft sound of my padding feet and the delicate flutter of Mephisto's wings were the only sound that announced our entrance as we descended the foyer, before making our way to the kitchen.
Mephisto is quick to make himself at home on the counter, watching as I turn towards the pantry. A quick browse reveals that Sylus, unsurprisingly, is lacking any sort of sweet junk food. My groan of despair is echoed back to me by Mephisto before he lets out a squawk that sounds annoyingly similar to a laugh. I move quickly towards the fridge, hope still floating in my heart and most importantly in my stomach. The infuriatingly fancy fridge seems to mock me as I pull open its doors, peering behind fresh produce and various containers for anything that could even somewhat resemble a junk food.
I'm reaching into the freezer when I hear the amused clearing of a throat behind me.
"It is not what it looks like," I say, head still shoved in the freezer. "If I were going to rob you guys, I wouldn't go to the kitchen first I swear. I'm way smarter than that." A familiar laugh answers me as I turn around to look at Kieran. He'd ditched his usual uniform but still donned Onychinus' staple dark clothing.
"Miss Hunter we both know even if you did rob this place you'd just end up taking Luke and I with you. Were apart of the deal when robbed," he intones cheekily as he leans on the counter, head tilted curiously. "If you're not robbing the base what exactly are you doing in the middle of what is supposed to be the night for you?" I sigh and rub my forehead for a moment, mentally arguing with myself over whether this was embarrassing. When my brain answers with a 'fuck it' I end up explaining my old tradition with Caleb; though a disappointed gesture towards the cabinetry betrays my disappointment. Kieran has the audacity to laugh, almost choking when Mephisto starts laughing with him. When he finally pulls himself together he moves towards the pantry.
"When Sylus first brought us here the house was filled with all that health shit, not even the fresh stuff he keeps on hand now. Luke thinks that before we started staying with him, he would eat as a form of obtaining energy and nothing else. We managed to sway him towards the light a little bit and got him to keep fresh stuff and payroll the chef we have now, but he still seemed reluctant to indulge in any of it unless we were actively hounding him to." Kieran pauses, glancing back at me before returning to rummaging in the pantry. "It was weird. Before you were around Boss seemed to have this single focus drive that he refused to be distracted from... it was like watching a predator hunt endlessly in search of something. But then you started appearing on our radar and Luke and I were often forced to give reports on how you'd coincidently ruined a long standing plan or the like.
"Usually these reports would leave Boss fuming, but over time he stopped getting mad and adopted this totally alien look of amazement; it was like he couldn't quite fathom how you'd manage to step into his carefully laid plans without even realizing it." He comes out of the pantry with his hands hidden behind his back, surely smirking behind his mask before revealing a load of squishy white bread and a half empty jar of peanut butter. Mephisto and I let out a similarly shrill shriek as I darted forward to retrieve the items.
"Thank you very much! You are now my favorite sibling!" I hummed happily, already pulling plates down for both of us. Kieran laughed, well aware I'd said the same thing to Luke just yesterday when he'd decided to clean my motorcycle for me. "It's weird though, I've never seen Sylus skip a meal. I also didn't know I was ruining plans of his for so long, but between you and me that just gives me satisfaction, a job well done if you will." Kieran laughed again before hesitating.
"Sylus doesn't skip meals anymore... it's interesting. He doesn't eat any of that meal replacer stuff or brush off his lack of energy. When you showed up it's like he started caring about himself more." A gentle silence fills the kitchen as my gaze locks on the plates in front of me.
A part of me knew that Sylus had a tendency to follow my whims and changed so much of his life to fit around me, never forcing me to feel uncomfortable or out of place; merely adjusting everything he could so it suited my needs. I tried to give him that same kindness when I could but he seemed so unwilling to compromise the life I'd established before him. It made my heart ache slightly, the thought that if he were to suddenly disappear there wouldn't be a change in many ways; as if he refused to leave a permanent mark on my life. The thought twisted through my gut like a knife, pulling the nightmares the often plagued my mind back to the forefront. I turned my gaze hesitantly towards Kieran, whom had fallen silent as I weighed his words.
"If I were to suddenly vanish tomorrow do you think Sylus would keep eating?" The words leave my lips before I can think of the unintentional weight behind them. Kieran flinches back as if I'd hit him, but before he can say a word Sylus' familiar evol wraps around my hands, pulling the butter knife and bread from them whilst turning my body towards the entry to the kitchen. He crosses the space between us before I can blink, his hands instantly sliding to my cheeks to cradle my face. It takes me a moment to read the fear and panic lacing his expression, too stunned from the sudden appearance of him.
"There's no need to find out what I'll do if you ever vanish, right Sweetheart?" I blink at his tone, thrown by the soft whisper of his words and the tone of his question. Sylus doesn't ask questions. He tells or says, because before you can answer he already knows your answer. When he does ask question its more out of a rare attempt to be polite rather than the likelihood that he doesn't know the answer. Pulling myself out of my shock I slide my hands around his waist, pulling his lower body flush against mine as I gaze up into his eyes.
"No Sylus," I murmur. "I have no intention to vanish, and I hope you don't either." His eyes scan my face, whether he's searching for a lie or looking for a promise, I'm not sure but I do my best to display the sincerity in my words. His gaze searches mine for a moment longer before he drops his hands from my face and pulls me into a hug. I allow myself to sink into his hold, body suddenly deciding to remind me that I'm running on too little sleep and this was only supposed to be a brief trip for a snack. With a final inhale of his scent, I pull myself back slightly to look up at Sylus again.
"What are you doing awake?" He huffs out one of his disbelieving laughs before stepping back slightly to rub at his eyes.
"I should be asking you that Kitten. I woke up to the bed cold and Mephisto missing, it's only natural that I would go searching for my other half. The day is still young, which means we have a few more hours of sleep to catch," he answers, peering behind me to spot what I'd been so focused on before he'd arrived.
"I wanted a midnight snack and I was finding the grocery's kind of lacking but Kieran helped me find my favorites, though I am missing honey..." I trailed off as I glanced around the kitchen, noting that Kieran had disappeared; likely at the sight of Sylus appearing in such a state. Sylus chuckled behind me before moving to open a cabinet above the fridge, pulling a fancy bottle of honey down and presenting it to me with a smug smile. I huffed before grabbing it from him.
"Of course you would keep the best ingredients up high where no one can reach them but you... Anyways do you want a piece of toast? Kieran seems to have changed his mind about a midnight snack." Sylus moved so his weight rested on the counter while he faced me, watching astutely as I assembled the familiar treat.
"I think it's more of a midday snack if anything, and while this particular combination of items baffles me, I guess it's only polite to indulge with you. If only so we can get back to bed quicker." I stuck my tongue out at him as he pretended to yield to my 'weird whims' as he'd once called them.
Assembling the bread is quick, as is sliding it in the oven to toast slightly. The honey would get all warm and caramelized while it warmed up, the thought had me shifting impatiently in front of the oven. I belatedly realize some of the honey had gotten on my hand while I had been pouring it on the bread, but Sylus seems to realize at the same moment.
He pushes himself away from the counter with ease. My eyes can't help but follow the muscles in his arms rippling at the motion as he moves to stand in front of me. His gaze is locked on mine once more as his hand wraps around my wrist before pulling it up to his mouth. He hesitates for a moment, watching my reaction, listening to my breath hitch, before sliding is tongue along the trail of honey on my skin. He hums softly as he gets to the tip of my pinky before popping it into his mouth. A shudder runs down my spine as his tongue delicately traces the digit, clearing any traces of honey, before pulling it from his mouth and kissing my knuckles. He releases my wrist with a smirk curling around his lips.
The sudden desire to taste the honey on his lips pulls the breath from my lungs, but before I can act on the thought the oven dings behind me. My gaze flips towards it like I've just been caught in the most scandalous act, but when I turn my gaze back towards Sylus he's leaning against the counter once more, a satisfied smirk still pulling at his lips. A resigned but embarrassed sigh escapes me before I turn to pull the toast from the oven. With quick movements I slide the toast onto the same plate before marching up to Sylus and grabbing his hand, already dragging him back towards our bedroom.
Mephisto lets out a offended squawk as the kitchen lights are flickered off, offended that we would even think about leaving him behind. Sylus and I snicker as his exaggerated shrieks echo behind us as he fights to catch up.
When I open the door to the bedroom I find myself somewhat relieved to see the space exactly as I left it, sans a Sylus cozy in bed. I wordlessly pull Sylus back towards his spot, pushing gently against his firm chest and holding back a giggle when he collapses like I'd put any pressure behind my push. He catches on quickly to my thought process as I climb into the bed next to him. He quickly shifts himself to the center of the bed and crosses his ankles so I can sit in his lap. I can't contain my smile as I find myself shuffling into the spot on his lap. The entire exchange is done wordlessly and the thought sends a happy shiver up my spine. I push the thought aside and bring the plate up between us.
"Okay. Are you ready to eat the tastiest mid-day snack you've ever had?" He hums in response, pretending to think on his answer.
"We'll I can't say I've had many of these mid-day snacks. Or midnight snacks for that matter... so we might have to try a few so my judgement isn't biased. As the leader of Onychinus I have to make sure I'm only having the best, after all." I laugh softly, a warmth bubbling through my body at the idea; an old habit brought back to life with someone new. Instead of answering with words I lean forward and press a soft kiss to his lips, expressing my gratitude and love with all the softness I can. He returns the affection with a low laugh before returning the kiss. When I pull away he smacks his lips as if tasting something unknown. "Now I'm not sure the toast will measure up- your lips might taste bett-" before he can finish his sentence I pick up the toast and shove half of it in his mouth as a blush warms my cheeks. He laughs once more before conceding and crunching down on the toast.
A swell of smugness fills me as his eyes light up slightly, glancing at the toast before taking another bite. I smirk before following suit, welcoming the flood of memories and nostalgia, but also admiring the newness of this moment; of sharing it with Sylus in the place we find ourselves most vulnerable. As we each eat our toast, I realize that if Sylus truly vanished suddenly, my life would change so much. Though he refused to make permanent marks on the world I'd built for myself, he'd long carved a place out in my heart. The other half of my soul.
When we'd both finished eating and sleepily licked the honey from each others fingers, we found ourselves shifting under the blankets with warm smiles and the taste of honey and peanut butter on our tongues.