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Everyone who resided in the dark and tenebrous corners of the N109 zone knew that the first unspoken rule of survival was never to cross the elusive yet feared leader of Onychinus. Children whispered different variations of the urban legend amongst themselves in the desolate alleyways during their free time- stories of the man who could grow horns and consume your very soul just by looking you in the eye.
Adults always maintained proper business etiquette when participating in a business trade relating to Onychinus. Whether it be weapons or protocores, nothing could be spared regarding Sylus’s involvement.
Therefore, it was only natural that when the rumors of the fearsome crime syndicate’s leader taking a lover, she was off limits by default. If there was anything the N109 zone held in abundance, it was unspoken rules, unofficial laws of survival that everyone must follow to ensure their own safety.
The whispers of Sylus being in love were already puzzling to most. How could a cruel, barbaric monster like him be capable of caring for another human being? Nevertheless, everybody knew better than to pry into the personal life of the King of Onychinus himself; If there happened to be a (metaphorical) queen by his side now… well then, so be it.
It wasn't until a few years later that the real shift in the white-haired man's behavior started to really manifest. The men who had the balls to enter the base of Onychinus for an illegal weapon trade found themselves surprised. They had all imagined different variations of the boss man's lair, and those visions certainly did not include finding the legend himself looking like hell (at least not in the way that they expected).
His button-up shirt, which he usually took extra care to keep perfectly clean and ironed, was wrinkled to oblivion. His hair was disheveled and tousled about as if he had just gotten out of bed… which seemed very unlikely judging by the bags under his eyes that almost looked heavy. It was clear he hadn’t slept in days… and what kind of crime syndicate kept baby gates at their base?
Word spread like wildfire that the N109 zone had not only gained a Queen, but a Princess as well…
There were two moments that Sylus considered to be the happiest of his life.
The first, blinking back tears as he watched you, his beloved, looking breathtaking as always, finally, finally walk down the aisle to meet him at the altar, your friends and family watching. They knew him as Skye, but it didn't matter. You were the only person who mattered to him. You were the only person to truly see him.
The second moment when he considered himself to be the luckiest man alive was the first time he held her in his arms. She had him whipped from the moment she opened her eyes, a deep ruby hue that held all the stars in the sky. Her tiny, chubby hand wrapped around one of his fingers, the small digits barely managing to wrap all the way around. He shot you a glance from the hospital bed.
Beautiful.
Despite hours of strenuous labor which should suck the life out of anyone, you still were glowing; the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He knew at that moment that he would move mountains to protect his family.
His girls.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
The grimy crook's heart pounded in his chest as he found himself pressed against the floor of a musky hotel room. Black and red mist held him in place, binding him like chains. It was a foolish idea. Possibly the most brainless idea the world had ever seen. He really thought that it was possible to try and sell Sylus a faulty weapon… and to oversell it at that. He felt the rough sole of a boot press against his neck, which only added to his panic. He had never been a religious man, but he started praying to anyone who would listen. Sylus clicked his tongue in faux pity, applying more pressure to the man's jugular.
“I thought you were smarter than this... and you know how much I despise being wrong.”
His deep voice was the epitome of bark and bite rolled into one ruthless package. The crook beneath him closed his eyes, preparing himself for his impending fate…
…and then Sylus’s cell phone rang.
Much to the soon-to-be-dead man's shock, he actually answered the call. His voice softened tenfold as if whoever was on the other line had tamed the beast.
“Yes, love? Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
The air shifted in the hotel room. Somehow, what was about to be a crime scene seemed lighter.
“Yes, I know you're nervous, but I trust them. They'll take care of her. We deserve this. You deserve this. Can you put her on for me?”
The crook just lay on the floor like a limp piece of roadkill, wondering how long this would take.
Sylus’s voice changed yet again.
“I miss you too, my precious gem. You know I always do.”
The white-haired man pressed harder, the sole of his boot flattening his throat as if he wasn't speaking words of affection into the phone.
"Don't worry, Daddy will be home soon.”
Crimson eyes bore into the soul of the man beneath him.
“This won't take much longer.”
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
He barely stepped inside the base before he found himself ambushed. A crushing weight wrapped around his leg, leaving him temporarily immobile. A small girl wearing a gray onesie with a puffy white collar and big beady eyes with a beak on the hood: a crow, her favorite animal, just like her father.
“Daddy!”
The little voice squealed happily from below. She always knew how to melt his heart, even though she had no idea of her effect on him.
“Well then, it seems like there's a particularly feisty kitten greeting me tonight.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled in delight, a warm smile painted on his lips as he reached down and scooped up his precious gem in his arms. She giggled and squished his cheeks with her grubby hands as if to trap him.
“Daddy, can you do it? Can you do it? Pleeeaaassseeeee?”
His voice was slightly muffled from his cheeks being manhandled.
“That depends, have you been good for Mommy today?”
As if on cue, his breath hitched in his throat as he saw you make your way down the hallway of Onychinus's base in your (so by default, his) favorite evening gown. Your makeup and hair were done perfectly.
“She's been great for me today.” You answered Sylus’s question before he could even ask you. The small girl in his arms shot him a smug look of pride.
“Alright, but just because Mommy said.”
Suddenly, black and red mist surrounded the small girl enveloped in the onesie that resembled the Mephisto plushie that she adored so much. She squealed and giggled as the mist held her in the air as if she were flying, spinning her upside down three times.
She pouted when it was over, but you knew better. You didn't want her getting dizzy.
Sylus set the girl down and strutted over to you, wrapping her arms around your waist and pulling you into a passionate kiss. You giggled against his lips.
“Sy, control yourself!”
You smiled and gently pushed him away as if he were a pesky fly.
“Can't, not when you look like that…”
The small girl on the floor pulled the hood of her onesie over her eyes to save herself from the sight. An exaggerated gagging sound left her throat, sticking her tongue out.
“Yuck!” she exclaimed, which only made you chuckle some more.
Sylus let out a mock sigh of defeat as he started to make his way to the bedroom.
“I suppose I should get dressed as well; I like to be on time for my reservations.”
You leaned against the wall while you waited for him to finish dressing himself when you heard it.
“Mama?”
You squatted down to her level, heels be damned. You couldn't help but smile at the sight of her. She shifted closer to you and buried her face into your chest. You were alarmed at the wet sensation around the neckline of your evening gown. Taking her face in your hands, your eyes widened as fat tears ran down her rosy cheeks.
“Sweetie? What is it?” you asked her, your voice laced with concern.
The little girl’s bottom lip trembled slightly as she sniffled and hiccuped her words through her tears.
“D-do you really got to l-leave?”
Your stomach sank. Being shot directly in the heart would probably hurt less. You had never left her completely alone without at least one of you at home with her. This would be her first time without her parents, her entire world.
Sylus emerged from the hallway, now dressed in one of his finest suits when he heard the commotion. He knelt down in front of her and took both of her hands in his.
“Oh, sweetness, don't cry…” he cooed, his voice a soft and comforting timbre.
“Mommy and I will be home before you know it. We're going out to dinner because today is a special day. It's our anniversary. Do you know what that means, my love?”
The girl shook her head, taking one of her hands out of his to wipe the snot from her nose.
“It means that today is the day that Mommy and I got married. You know, like at the end of the Cinderella movie?”
The wheels in her head started turning. Yes… this was making sense.
“Usually we stay at home, but we're going out to celebrate this year.”
Her tears were gradually subsiding. Sylus always knew how to calm her down.
“Will there be cake and balloons?”
You tried your best to stifle a laugh while Sylus shook his head.
“No, sweetie. This is a boring celebration for boring grown-ups.”
She turned to face you again.
“When are you leaving?”
“Well, honey, that depends on when-”
It was uncanny how perfect the timing played out. As if on cue, the front door of the base busted open like it was about to be raided.
“All aboard the fun train…”
One of the men donned in a mask depicting the sharp curve of a crow's beak, exclaimed, holding a shopping bag containing some toys and games.
Without any time for pause, a second voice finished his thought.
“... your faithful conductors are ready for duty!”
You playfully rolled your eyes at the spectacle. The twins always knew how to make an entrance. The little girl jumped up in surprise, her sadness suddenly melted away.
“Uncle Luke! Uncle Kieran!”
You locked eyes with Sylus. Suddenly you felt slightly better about leaving your beloved daughter alone for a couple of hours: the key word here being slightly. The boys had been loyal to Sylus long before you even met him, and although they could be a bit much, you trusted them with your daughter's life.
After a long drawn-out goodbye (more for your sake than hers), you finally made your way out the door and made your way to the romantic dinner that both of you deserved.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
A string quartet provided the background noise to your special night. You were trying your hardest to enjoy yourself - and you were! You really were - but you couldn't shake the nagging worry that lingered in the back of your mind.
Your husband could sense your anxiety as he watched you take another sip of red wine. He reached across the table, placing his slightly calloused hand over yours.
“I know, love. I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't the slightest bit nervous too, but she's with the boys. I trust them enough not to burn down the base while we're gone.”
You playfully scoffed at his teasing, which made him flash a smirk that made you melt.
“Just relax, sweetie. The night is ours. If anybody deserves this, it's you.”
Your mouth watered as your entrees were finally served to you. You had heard of fine dining before, but never like this. You had half a mind to ask him how expensive this place really was, but you stopped doing that years ago.
Smooth wines, tender steaks, decadent desserts that looked as if they had been crafted by gods. Sylus really loved to spoil his girls.
You ate and chatted and it felt like you had just started dating again. The butterflies… the sparks… they had never left of course, but tonight they were especially amplified.
After you made your way to the center of the restaurant, an open space for couples, Sylus took your hand in his and brought it up to his lips.
“May I have this dance?”
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
It was well past midnight when you and your husband made your way back to Onychinus's base. Your heart still felt warm from the night of dancing and romance in the air… or maybe it was the wine. Either way, you couldn’t have asked for a better anniversary.
You would have been a bit later due to Sylus ravishing you with hot open-mouthed kisses against your neck as soon as you both were inside the car (he had insisted on driving one of his best cars instead of his bike for the special occasion, even though you told him you would be fine either way).
One of his hands found its way to its favorite place, squeezing your thigh over your dress as he nipped your earlobe before soothing it with his tongue.
“I think we should give our precious gem a sibling… don't you?”
You weren't opposed to the idea, but you couldn't wait any longer. You had to get home to make sure your daughter was still in one piece… so, with the willpower of a nun sworn to celibacy, you denied your husband's advances and hurried home.
You let out what could probably be considered the world's biggest sigh of relief as your eyes found your daughter, Luke, and Kieran sitting on the floor of the living room as they played a board game. Despite this, there was still quite a commotion going on. You raised an eyebrow as you noticed Luke and Kieran’s appearance. Both of the boys were garnished in cheap plastic jewelry. Each with a beaded necklace around their neck, two clip-on earrings attached to either side of the hood that covered the backs of their heads, and a ring with what could be considered an impressive diamond if not for the fact that it clearly took no more than a dollar to make.Your daughter, also wearing a necklace but not the full set of bling, sat and watched calmly while the boys in front of her played tug-of-war with another flimsy little thing shaped like a crown.
“You cheated! I saw you move your piece one more space!” Luke grunted while pulling the crown to his side.
“Nuh-Uh! I moved the number of spaces I was supposed to! I’m the Pretty Pretty Princess fair and square!”
Kieran strained through his teeth as he struggled to claim what he believed was rightfully his. Sylus cleared his throat, officially making the boys aware of your presence.
“Boss..!” The twins called out in unison while they scrambled to remove the tacky jewelry they were flaunting so proudly only a few seconds before. You knew that they would never live this down.
Your daughter beamed brighter than the sun when she realized you had returned home.
“Mommy! Daddy!”
She exclaimed, kicking her feet excitedly as Sylus scooped her into her arms yet again.
“Somebody is up way past their bedtime.”
Her ruby-red eyes squinted with conviction.
“So are you.”
A low laugh rumbled from his chest. She believed that everyone went to bed when she did, and he wasn’t about to break her illusion.
“Touché, my precious gem”
She yawned, clearly tired after staying up hours past when she was usually in bed. The hood of her crow onesie enveloped her little head like a blanket.
“Well,” Sylus inquired, “I’m interested in finding out who truly won this… ‘Pretty Pretty Princess’ game.”
He rubbed her back soothingly as he shot a glance at the twins. You knew that if their faces weren’t concealed by their masks, they’d be about as red as their boss’s eyes. Suddenly, the little girl in your husband’s arms shifted. She placed the plastic crown that she had managed to grab as Luke and Kieran shed their jewelry in embarrassment, and placed it on top of her father’s head. The corners of your lips turned upwards at the sight of the crown that was far too small for Sylus struggling to fit on top of the head of white locks. You heard a strained noise from across the room. Kieran was folded over like a lawn chair, gripping his knees for support as Luke was audibly gulping down large gasps of air to mask the tsunami of laughter that threatened to escape from his gut.
“I guess you did, Boss…”
Kieran reached a hand under his mask, probably to wipe tears from his eyes. You looked at your husband who now donned a tacky plastic crown.
“I don’t know… are you a pretty pretty princess, Sylus?”
Sylus cocked his head to the side teasingly, starting to walk down the long corridor to your now-sleeping daughter’s room. It was time to put her to bed.
“The prettiest.”