The apartment was quiet, lit only by the streetlight glow filtering through the curtains. Somewhere in the background, the low hum of the fridge was the only sound. You’d woken up alone, the bedsheets still warm from where Sylus had been—but now empty.

You padded out into the living room, still in your oversized sleep shirt, rubbing your eyes as you called out softly,

“…Sylus?”

No answer—just a faint rustle. You turned the corner and saw him standing by the window, hoodie pulled on, arms crossed as he stared out into the night like he was thinking a little too hard again.

You took a few steps closer, voice a murmur. “What are you doing up?”

He turned slowly, and the second he saw you, something in his expression softened instantly—eyes gentler, mouth relaxed, like your presence alone quieted whatever had been weighing on him.

He looked you up and down, gaze lingering, then said it—quiet and smooth, voice deep and low:

“Come here, kitten.”

Your heart stuttered at the nickname. He only ever used it when the world felt still like this—when it was late, and his guard was down, and you were the only thing he saw.

You walked to him slowly, bare feet brushing against the wooden floor. The moment you were close enough, he reached out, one arm slipping around your waist and pulling you into him.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he murmured, resting his chin on your head. “Didn’t realize how long I’d been standing here.”

You wrapped your arms around him, breathing in the faint scent of his cologne and warm cotton.

“I don’t like waking up without you,” you whispered, voice sleepy, vulnerable.

He exhaled slowly, his hand stroking up your back. “I know,” he said. “I won’t do it again.”

You tilted your head to look up at him, and he leaned down, brushing his lips over your temple—slow, deliberate.

“Let’s go back to bed,” you whispered.

Sylus gave you that small, rare smile. “Lead the way.”

And as he followed you back into the bedroom, hand loosely holding yours, you knew—he might be quiet, reserved, hard for the world to read. But with you? He was soft. And yours.