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Something feels wrong, but you just can't quite put your finger on it. You're close to tearing your hair out at the sensation, your body filled with adrenaline for an unknown reason that just won't fade.
You thought things were finally going fine for once, but it only takes a moment for that good inertia to flip and send you spiraling. You don't even know what it was.
Sylus told you to find him when this happens. ... You can't remember if Sylus is supposed to be home. Is he out on a deal?
Which room does he hang out in the most again?
Where did you leave your phone?
…
Frustrated at the information you need so easily slipping out of your grasp, the only thing left for you to do is get out of here.
And so you do. You set out into the hallway, disoriented and barely recognizing what should have felt like home. You're too dizzy with unease, your ears ringing, unable to orient yourself in the colossal mansion that feels more akin to a maze. You clutch at your sleeves as you wrap your arms around yourself, trying to calm a racing mind that just won't listen to logic.
You slump against the wall of the hallway after a few minutes of searching, your head spinning and your heart picking up speed in your chest. What's wrong with you? What's going on? Where is Sylus?
"Sy," you call out softly, your eyes blurring with tears. "Sylus? R'you there?"
You're met with silence. Of course, stupid, stupid, he wouldn't hear you in this giant house. You must look really foolish, calling out to no one. You press the heels of your palms into your dampening eyes, letting out a little whimper followed by a soft hiccup.
You sink down the wall, your knees against your chest, and your torso slumped against them. You should've just stayed in your room. You resign yourself to your fate of sleeping against the wall tonight, since you doubt you can get up.
... Though, not much time passes before a voice pierces the fog surrounding your mind. You look up, your vision blurry, and are met with concerned red eyes and soft grey hair, the figure slightly out of breath. He's never out of breath.
"There you are," Sylus murmurs once your eyes focus on him, relief softening his features. "Sweetheart, what happened?" His breath hitches slightly when he sees the wetness in your eyes and the wobble in your lip. "Oh, shhh, it's alright. You don't have to tell me now. Come here."
"Sylus," You sniffle, reaching up for him and allowing him to pull you up into his arms. You hide in the crook of his neck, squeezing your eyes shut and blocking out the world around you. "My head hurts,"
Sylus hums in response, holding you steady against him to avoid jostling you too much as he begins to walk. "I'll make sure to grab you some pain medication. Have you eaten?" When you shake your head no, he doesn't scold you; he just holds you a bit tighter against his chest. "Some food too, then."
You're not sure how long it takes, but you eventually feel him shift you in his grasp, sitting down with you safely cradled in his lap. You feel his thumb brush against your cheek in an attempt to coax you from his neck, but you shake your head no, tightly wrapping your arms around his waist to ensure that you stay right where you are.
"I feel really dizzy," you mumble against his skin, the soft, familiar texture comforting against your lips. You clench the fabric of his sweater in your fists, trying to steady yourself. "Got lost in our own home, Sy, I don't know what's wrong with me… Everything feels so far away except for you."
"Focus on me, then." You feel the vibration of his voice in his chest against yours, his arms adjusting to hold you more firmly against him as he contemplates his next words. One of his hands is pressed against the middle of your back, underneath your shirt, the other against the base of your neck. You rise and fall with his broad ribcage as he breathes slowly, his exhales brushing against your hair. You let yourself melt into him, your hands relaxing their hold on his shirt.
You can't feel anything, but maybe that's okay for now. Maybe this faraway, empty feeling is okay, since you have someone to ground you. Someone to hold your string, so you don't float too far into the atmosphere. You trust Sylus; you know he won't ever let you go.
"Okay," you whisper, pliant in his hold. "I will,"
He hums, satisfied, and you let your mind go until all you can feel is his touch, his body against yours, the soft sound of his breaths, his thumb slowly rubbing back and forth against the skin of your back.
"Sleepy?" he asks quietly, and you nod, only just realizing it. Now that you're relaxed, your mind can finally recognize how truly exhausted you are. "Rest, sweetie. I'm not going anywhere. We'll still be here when you wake up."
You nod again, letting your eyes droop closed as you finally drift off. You're safe here.