𝐢𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 • sylus x reader

03 | 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐝𝐨

• - -⋆⁺₊⋆ 𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆- - •

iii.
h o w  l o v e r s  d o

• - -⋆⁺₊⋆ 𖤓 ⋆⁺₊⋆- - •

After a well-deserved meal in the Bloomshore District following a chaotic day battling Wanderers and enduring the surprise attack in Zayne's office, he drives you back to his home. The faint hum of the city fades into the quiet suburban night as he parks his sleek black sedan outside the closed garage. Without missing a beat, he walks around to your side of the car and opens the door for you.

"Thanks," you say softly as you step out, the cool night air brushing against your skin. He clicks the lock on the car with a soft beep. "But seriously, how did a Wanderer even get into the hospital? Is Akso Hospital's Flux Stabilizer broken or something?"

"I have no idea," Zayne replies, his tone calm but edged with the weight of the day.

"I can't stop thinking about it," you press on, your thoughts racing. "What if that thing had appeared in a patient's room? The damage it could've caused..." You shudder at the thought as he brings you inside his house. "I'm just glad everyone's alright."

He hears the concern in your voice but chooses not to dwell on it. Tonight, he wants nothing more than to escape the chaos of work—for both your sake and his. You'd already filed your reports: first to the hospital's security team, and later to Captain Jenna. She had promised to send a team to inspect the hospital's Flux Stabilizer, but until then, there was nothing more either of you could do.

Inside, the warmth of his home wraps around you like a comforting embrace, the minimalist design offering a familiar sense of calm. Having spent so much time here, the space feels second nature to your senses. You sink into the grey sofa, the cushions and pillows soft as though molded just for you, and begin scrolling through the movie options on his flatscreen. In the kitchen, Zayne moves quietly. He prepares a bowl of popcorn, its buttery aroma already wafting through the room, and pours two glasses of red wine.

"Thank you!" you say, your lips curving into a small smile. "So, what movie are we watching?"

"Anything but a medical drama," he replies, sitting close enough for his arm to press gently against yours. "I see enough of that at work, and they're always ridiculously inaccurate."

You scroll through the sci-fi options, knowing it's the only genre that won't lull him to sleep. "Oh, how about this one?" you suggest, pausing on a title. "Dark Matter Nexus. It's about a guy named Markus who gets caught in some intergalactic conspiracy that tests his loyalty and challenges him to redefine what it means to be human."

"Sounds good enough," Zayne says, more interested in spending the evening with you than the plot.

As the movie starts, Zayne tries to focus, but his mind wanders. Today's events weigh heavily on him, leaving him drained. Still, he doesn't care much about the film's plot; what matters is being here with you.

While the movie unfolds, you react to every twist and turn with wide eyes and animated gestures, completely missing the moment Zayne leaves to refill your wine glasses. He steals glances at you, captivated by the way you express yourself so openly and so comfortably around him. It's moments like this that remind him how safe you feel in his presence—a reassurance he cherishes deeply.

You gasp when the tension heightens, your hand flying to tug on his arm when the action reaches a peak. Meanwhile, Zayne watches not the screen but you, noting every flicker of emotion that crosses your face. A quiet battle rages within him as he resists the overwhelming urge to pull you closer, to capture your lips in a kiss that leaves no room for restraint. But he knows that if he gives in, there will be no turning back.