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Life has gotten to be too much, and your mental state is quickly starting to fray. To your knowledge, Sylus is out on a business call that would last a few hours. You decided to head to one of his strongholds so that you don't have to be in your apartment, surrounded by reminders of everything you're supposed to be doing. He's busy, so by the time he gets to your side, you'll be composed again. You won't have to trouble him with your frequently volatile emotional state.
You get off your motorcycle, choosing to keep your helmet on to avoid your meltdown being caught on camera by the doorway. You just hope you masked your shaking hands well enough when you pressed your thumb on the scanner to be let in.
You picked this stronghold because you know it doesn't have any interior cameras, decreasing the likelihood of being caught sneaking away like this. Once you step inside and remove your shoes, you take off your helmet, eyes already watering as you wander over to the sofa to sit with your head in your hands.
Glumly, you realize that a change of scenery wasn't quite as helpful as you had hoped. After becoming lost in your thoughts for a little too long, you can start to feel the panic build up in your system again. You try to swallow down a lump in your throat, but the fear burying itself in your chest won't abate, and is only growing worse.
Almost mindlessly, you rise on shaky legs to begin pacing, wrapping your arms around your torso and pointing your unfocused stare at the ground as your thoughts grow more and more panic-driven. Your vision blurs as you tighten your grip on your shirt, your heartbeat pounding through your skull as the world starts to fuzz out around the edges.
You whimper, burying your face in your palms as you try to steady your thoughts. Your cheeks are wet. Everything's going downhill and there's no way out and it's your fault, you did this to yourself and everyone knows it and if you had just worked a bit harder then you wouldn't-
You jolt as you walk straight into a warm, solid body, almost stumbling backwards if not for the steadying hand pressed to the small of your back, holding you close.
You go rigid against him as a flash of panic bursts through your system, and your thoughts nearly begin to spiral again before Sylus carefully coaxes your hands away from your face, guiding your head to rest against his chest. He doesn't force eye contact; he just holds you against him, handling you incredibly delicately.
"You're alright, sweetheart. Breathe with me."
You take a rushed, shuddering breath, trying to remain in sync with his easy, deep pace. After a few more attempts, and Sylus beginning to run his hand in circles across your back, you're able to focus enough to match his pattern. You can feel the ribbed texture of his sweatshirt beneath your cheek as his chest rises and falls, taking you with it.
Once you feel ready, you sneak a glance upwards, finding red eyes gazing down at you with concern and not a hint of anger. He doesn't tease, he just cups your face in his free hand and gently wipes away a stray tear with his thumb. You lean into his touch.
"What's wrong?" He murmurs, his voice just a quiet rumble in his chest. He doesn't push or fret, making it clear without words that the amount of information you tell him is your choice.
"I'm scared," you mumble in response, your voice wobbly and thick in your throat. You barely push down a whimper that's been building up.
He hums, thoughtfully stroking your cheekbone with his thumb. "Are you in immediate danger?" When you shake your head no, he's unable to completely mask the expression of relief that crosses his face as he unconsciously holds you a bit tighter.
"Would you like to lie with me?" he asks, studying your expression. You nod, and he presses a long, tender kiss to your forehead before reluctantly parting from your skin, leaving the lingering sensation of his lips behind. You don't protest or squirm as he lifts you easily into his arms, carrying your poor, trembling body into the bedroom.
He doesn't lose contact with you the whole time, using his Evol to pull back the sheets, climbing into bed with you still tucked into his arms, helping you stay grounded. You settle against him with your head snuggled into his chest and his arms keeping you close, your legs tangled with his. He's warm, like there's a small fire always burning in his chest. You feel it gradually begin to melt you into pliable goop.
You look up at him, finally voicing a question that's been on your mind since he first arrived. "Aren't... aren't you supposed to be out on business?"
His voice is soft and incredibly sincere as he replies, slowly tracing his fingers up your jawline as if he's admiring the most beautiful work of art he has ever witnessed. "My men have it handled. And even if they didn't... You are much more important to me than securing a deal."
His hand reaches the bottom of your scalp, and his fingers thread themselves into your hair as they begin to scratch in gentle patterns. Your vision gets a bit fuzzy as you lose yourself in the sensation.
"Rest," he whispers, holding you just a bit tighter. "Nothing you fear will come to pass, not while I'm by your side. Take all the time you need, sweetie. I'm not going anywhere."