It had been a long, brutal day. The type of day that drained every last bit of energy from your soul and left you hollow, raw. You had just wrapped up the final stages of a grueling project, the kind of work that left you feeling like you were barely holding yourself together. Normally, you'd power through it-your public image, the persona of a cold, unbreakable star, didn't allow for weakness. But today... today was different.
You needed something-no, someone.
The drive home felt endless. The soft hum of the city passed by in a blur as you gripped the steering wheel, your mind already fixated on what you knew you needed. Him.
As the car pulled up to the house, you barely registered the quiet as you stepped out. Your heels clicked against the pavement, your pace quicker than usual, but determined. You marched through the front door, not caring that you didn't even say hello to the staff or take off your shoes. The air in the house was still, except for your hurried footsteps as you made a beeline for his office.
You didn't knock. You never had to.
Pushing the door open, you walked inside, your heart pounding in your chest. There he was, Sylus, sitting at his desk, reading through some documents. His head lifted at the sound of your entrance, a curious, mildly concerned look crossing his face as his sharp eyes focused on you.
You didn't say a word. You didn't need to.
Without explanation or hesitation, you crossed the room in long, purposeful strides and broke down right onto his lap. The motion was calm, almost controlled, but it was the tremor of emotion behind it that spoke volumes. Your body collapsed against him, your arms wrapping tightly around his neck as you buried your face into his chest.
Sylus stiffened for only a brief moment, clearly surprised, but he recovered quickly, his arms instinctively curling around you, holding you close. He didn't ask questions, didn't demand an explanation. He simply wrapped you in his warm embrace, his hand slowly moving up to cradle the back of your head as you trembled slightly in his arms.
You didn't cry, but you felt like you could. The weight of the day-the stress, the exhaustion, the constant pressure-had finally broken you down to this moment. And all you needed was to be held.
Sylus rested his chin gently on top of your head, his hand stroking your hair as the silence in the room stretched out. He knew you well enough by now to understand that words weren't needed. He knew when to give you space, and when to simply be there, solid and unwavering, like he was now.
You pressed your face deeper into his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart beneath your ear. The sound soothed you, grounding you in the reality that for once, you didn't have to be strong. You didn't have to pretend or hide behind the icy walls you'd built around yourself for so long. Here, with him, you could just be.
And he didn't ask for anything in return.
Minutes passed, maybe longer, but you didn't care. The world outside his office could wait. Right now, all that mattered was the warmth of his arms around you, the comfort of his quiet presence. You felt the tension slowly start to leave your body, the tightness in your chest easing as you melted into him.
Still, you said nothing.
Neither did Sylus.
His thumb traced slow circles on your back, a quiet reassurance that he was there, that he understood. That you didn't have to explain yourself or justify the vulnerability you were showing him now. You weren't ready to admit it out loud, but something deep inside you knew that he was what you needed all along. Not just tonight, but in a way you hadn't been able to fully recognize before.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, you shifted slightly, pulling back just enough to look at him. His gaze met yours, calm and steady, a flicker of warmth in those dark eyes that you couldn't quite ignore.
For a long moment, you just stared at each other, the silence between you thick with unspoken words. Then, slowly, you lowered your head again, resting it on his shoulder, letting out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.
Sylus pressed a gentle kiss to the top of your head, his voice soft in the quiet of the room. "I've got you."
And for once, you allowed yourself to believe him.
