You weren’t sure how Sylus had noticed, but nothing ever seemed to escape his piercing gaze - not even the things you thought you’d hidden well. He hadn’t said much about your eating habits, but the sharp flicker of his crimson eyes when you skipped meals or picked at your plate told you he was paying attention. You assumed he didn’t care - Sylus rarely wasted energy on anything he deemed unimportant.

Then you fainted.

When you woke, you were on the sleek leather couch in Sylus’ living room, the room dimly lit. His blazer hung over his shoulders as he stood by the window, one hand in his pocket. Mephisto perched silently on the armrest, its mechanical eye glowing faintly.

“You’re awake,” Sylus said, turning toward you, his voice smooth but edged with irritation - or was it something else? His sharp red eyes locked onto yours. “You fainted. Care to explain why?”

His tone was calm, but his gaze was unrelenting, cutting through any excuses you might have prepared. When you didn’t respond, his smirk curved slightly. “Don’t bother denying it. You thought I wouldn’t notice? Skipping meals, eating like a bird… Foolish.”

He stepped closer, crouching beside the couch, his voice softening just enough to unsettle you. “You’re no good to me if you collapse every time the wind blows. But I’m not pretending I don’t care, either.” He paused, crimson eyes holding yours. “So, tell me - what’s going on?”