Something In The Way-SYLUS X MC X ZAYNE

Chapter 19 "Love and All It's Flaws"

I watched him walk away, his figure strong and sure, like he was walking out of my life and daring me to stop him. My heart pounded, every step he took pressing on me like a weight. Before I could second-guess it, I was running after him, the morning chill cutting through the thin fabric of my robe. The desperation in my own steps startled me.

He turned just before I reached him, eyes flashing with something unreadable, but before I could say a word, he was already shrugging off his leather jacket. Without a word, he draped it over my shoulders, like he could protect me from the world—even from myself.

"Don't you dare," I snapped, pulling the jacket around me even as I pushed his hands away. I felt the warmth of it, his scent clinging to the leather, steadying me in a way I didn't want to admit.

He watched me, that infuriating smirk playing at his lips, the same one that always made me want to kiss him or push him away. Maybe both.

"You arrogant ass," I managed, my voice sharper than I intended, cutting through the quiet dawn. "Do you even realize what you're doing to me? You push and push, and it's like—God, it's like you've ripped the ground out from under me. I can't get you out of my head, and it's maddening. I didn't even know someone could make me question everything, make me feel this—"

I stopped, swallowing the rest of my words. I could feel the emotion rising, and I hated that he could see it.

"Sylus," I whispered, the anger slipping as I finally met his gaze. "This is all I have for you right now." The words caught, a confession that left me more exposed than I wanted. "I can't give you more."

He was silent, his gaze unwavering as he took me in. The intensity in his eyes was overwhelming, like he was absorbing every broken, conflicted part of me and holding them carefully, silently. And then, without a word, he stepped closer, his hand lifting to touch my face. His thumb traced the line of my cheek, and I felt myself leaning into him without even thinking.

Then he leaned down, pressing his lips to my forehead. He lingered there, holding me like he could anchor me in place, like he knew that words would only shatter whatever fragile connection we'd built in this silence.

His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as the world faded, leaving only the warmth between us, the sunrise casting everything in a soft glow. For a brief, impossible moment, I let myself sink into it, my head resting against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, steady and calm.

Finally, he pulled back, his fingers brushing a stray hair from my face. His gaze held a softness that tore at me, a tenderness I wasn't sure I deserved.

"Rest," he murmured, his voice almost a whisper. "That's all I wanted, just to see you."

I watched him as he turned, every step pulling him away, but somehow, he left a piece of himself behind. Clutching his jacket tighter, I stood there, unsure of what to do with the ache he'd left in his wake. He was walking away, but his presence lingered, settling over me like a promise, something unspoken that tied us together, even as he disappeared into the dawn.

I turned to go back inside, but froze. There, a few feet away, stood Zayne, coffee cups in his hands, his expression unreadable. My heart plummeted, every possible excuse or explanation evaporating into the morning mist. I hadn't even noticed him, and now he was here, watching me in Sylus's jacket.

He took a step forward, clearing his throat, his voice soft but steady. "I worked an overnight shift. Thought I'd surprise you with coffee." His gaze flicked down, taking in the jacket I clutched tighter around me. "Didn't expect you'd have company."

I panicked, shaking my head, words tripping over themselves as I tried to form a coherent sentence. "Zayne, it's... it's not what you think. I... I mean, he just... I was..."