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ironandglass · 11 days ago

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The Descent - Chapter 4 - Claws on the Marble

Silco x female reader - Dark Slow Burn - Modern Au - Stalker Silco

A strange man moves into the apartment across from yours, he likes to watch and you start to like him watching. What could go wrong?

<<<Go back to Chapter One

Warnings: stalking, obsession, veiled threats, and unsettling power plays, romanticized toxic behavior, alcohol use, toxic relationships, power dynamics, classism, unwanted physical touch, implied sexual exploitation, physical abuse, threats, psychological abuse, violence, mental health probably, class based power dynamics, swearing, bad editing (notsorry), evil Silco, dark Silco, cold Silco. He’s not gentle and sweet ya feel? No jinx.

Chapter four

Claws on the Marble

You thought innocently that you deserved a self indulgent night out, to feel beautiful, to be admired and desired. Well you got exactly what you wanted, but your own desire is like blood in open water, and every shark in the room caught the scent. Did you forget what happens to pretty things left unattended?

Finn’s hand tugs on your arm like an iron shackle, dragging you deeper into the maddening crowd. You sip your champagne awkwardly as you walk, as if the bubbles might settle your nerves. They don’t though. If anything, you know it will probably just make things worse.

You're still trembling slightly, trying to breathe, trying to still the storm inside you.

Your exit had felt like abandonment just as much as it felt like a rescue.

You let Finn pull you up alongside someone he seems to know, pausing in a quieter space along the edge of the ballroom, leaving you feeling like a parked car for him to lean against and show off while he chatters away.

“Well, you know what they say? When in Shurima,” a woman says, laughingly at something Finn just said. He grins, and you notice the creases at the corner of his eyes seem more genuine now, his mood lighter.

“Don’t forget that Shurima fell,” he counters, raising his glass. “All great empires do… it’s only a matter of when.”

The woman hesitates, then clinks her glass to his. “Bold. But undeniably true.”

You're not really paying attention to their blithering, your eyes still distant as you keep a polite smile plastered on your face, content to present yourself simply as bimbo arm candy for the moment.

Your thoughts are still back at the staircase, replaying the scenes out of order and scattered across your mind like buckshot. Silco’s ribbon, how his disappointment carved into you, the way he stood before you, the way his eyes sunk into your own, the curl of his lip as he critically appraised your ballroom attire and apparently found it distasteful, if not entirely offensive. But worst of all is the ribbon, that damn ribbon... even though you aren't supposed to be here. Does that mean he wore it for himself? Or perhaps he knew you would be here? Both options seemed awful. Your stomach churns as you take a slightly desperate swig of the remaining champagne in your glass.

You hope you haven’t fucked it all up completely, whatever strange thing existed between you and Silco. Even though you aren’t his. And there are no rules or promises between you. You certainly aren't in a relationship with him. He just... watches you.

So... why did it feel like a betrayal? Why did you feel so small and ashamed to be caught like this? Seeking comfort on a night out away from the madness. Why did it feel like it mattered so much that you’d been caught red handed arriving on another man’s arm?

The woman Finn had been speaking to turns away with a laugh and a clink of crystal.

Now Finn pivots back to you.

“Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?” he asks, reaching out to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear. It feels so sudden and unexpectedly, wildly invasive.

You give him a polite smile, if not slightly forced.

“Even your smile… gorgeous.” He adds. He doesn’t care if it’s fake, apparently, so long as it looks the part.

His wicked green eyes flicker between yours, reading your face with that infuriating cockiness of his. Then he tilts his head like a friendly puppy.

“You looked like you were going to faint when you saw him.”

Your heart thuds. He knows? No, he's just fucking with you, how could he know?

Your thoughts are derailed further when he suddenly steps into your space, his lips hovering just over yours. His arms snaking lazily around your waist.

“Do you want me to make you forget him?” he murmurs, the words brushing over your skin, unwanted.

Your hands grip his forearms reflexively in an attempt to keep some space between you, but he leans in closer still. You feel is warmth and the scent of alcohol, his cologne and something else, maybe shampoo?

“I can help…” he whispers his words soft and intimate, filthy with mock generosity.

You had wanted to feel desired, tonight was supposed to be something easy. A night to enjoy and forget all your troubles but … but not like this.

Nothing about Finn was attractive to you, he was too slick, too sleazy, too cold in a way that felt dangerous and not in the fun way. You'd go home to your massage wand before you'd bed him. If you arrived with him tonight, you'd prefer not to go home with him, you knew that much for certain. No amount of champagne was going to shift that sentiment.

You turn your face away, pushing gently at his arms.

He chuckles and for some reason it feels like a slap, even though you were the one who refused him.

He hesitates for a beat and you look carefully up at him to see something sharp glinting behind his eyes but then he steps back smiling like nothing happened.

“I need… a moment,” you say gently, desperate to get away.

“Of course” he says, still smirking lazily and he lets you go.

As you walk away, you feel Finns eyes on your exposed back like fishhooks in your skin.

Outside in the crisp fresh air, you lean on a stately stone balcony, overlooking the grand estates main garden. Moonlight pools generously over the greenery below. Sharp hedges and patterned formal plantings create an interesting geometric feast for the eyes made more mysterious by the half light. A man and a woman exit the building from the floor below you, walking out some distance into the garden. Thinking themselves hidden under the shroud of darkness, despite the brightness of the moon, they fold together into a passionate and deep kiss.

It goes on so long you're about to look away when they suddenly tear apart, panting, staring into each other's eyes for a charged moment before continuing up the garden path, hands clutched together, giggling and laughing till they disappear into the large, distant hedge maze, now truly out of view. In the wake of their absence, you feel a longing squirm inside your gut, you try to brush it aside but it twists there, gnawing and clawing at you in discontent. "You envy them" Comes a woman's voice, rich and deep with a light accent that you can't place. You turn your head just slightly to see her, watching you from nearby. A tall, elegant woman with a square jaw, her eyes sharp as knives, wearing brilliant emerald green that catches the moonlight as she considers you. She's clearly amused, her lips tilted into a gentle smirk, not unkind but not gentle either.

"Excuse me?" you blink, caught off-guard.

She doesn't explain herself, casually striding closer, joining you at the balcony railing, her champagne glass swirling in an elegant hand.

"Don’t bother denying it," she leans her hip against the balcony, her eyes drinking you in, curious and appraising, as if you were a stray she was considering sheltering. She's close enough that you can smell her perfume, sharp and beautiful, like flowers cut by steel.

"It’s human nature, to see something that looks reckless and free and then desire it for ourselves." Her eyes flicker across your face. "Even if it will never truly nourish us." Her voice drops lower, almost a warning.

She holds herself like a queen, easy confidence, as if she's never doubted herself before, indomitable.

A breath of silence.

"Quite a dangerous game" Her last words are softer, almost a whisper.

Your heart races, this feels like a warning, like she's trying to tell you something but right now it merely sloshes against all the champagne bubbling in your hazy mind.

Her sharp eyes crease slightly at the corners as she studies your reaction. She sips her drink, gaze not breaking from yours, holding the moment for a long, pregnant pause before she seems satisfied and grins. Without another word she turns away, disappearing back into the bright lights of the ballroom. You are left standing there, confused about exactly what just happened.

Wes approaches a few moments later, giving you a polite moment of respite before breaking the silence. "I see Lady Rin has made herself known to you." He says gently as he approaches.

"You saw that" you mumble, turning to look up at him, his eyes confirm your question.

"You're not Finn's friend, are you" You say to him, it's not a question. "You work for him." He nods without hesitation, without trying to lie or feign looking guilty. You respect him for that.

You sigh. "Is everyone here a predator?" You ask as you stare into the night, feeling drained. Wes looks down at you for a long moment, then he looks out at the garden, shoulders sagging slightly.

"Probably" he admits. "They're definitely all dangerous."

You purse your lips but you appreciate his frank honesty, he was like a grounding breath of fresh air in all this madness. You didn't trust him, but for some reason you felt more at ease around him than the other glittering beasts that stalked the ballroom floor. Their long sharp claws tapping against the cold marble with every step. You both stood there for a moment longer, thoughtful and calm in the fresh air, until Wes finally turns towards you. "Let's go check on Mia, before she ends up in a scene from "Eyes Wide Shut" or something." He mutters dryly.

You laugh at the very real possibility of that when it comes to Mia, and follow him back into the glittering chaos of the ballroom, where monsters masquerade as man. --- When you reach the bar you find Mia laughing with a handsome man in heels, sporting immaculate eyebrows and a black sequined suit. "-and then HE explained what exsanguinate actually means so our man's just standing there with a face like a slapped ass!" Sequin suit guy's story has Mia nearly in tears laughing so you eagerly take a chair and join them all at the table. Mia introduces you in-between gasping breaths as she recovers from laughing way too hard. "Jules" The man who had been telling the story introduces himself warmly in return, his bright eyes skimming over you in hasty evaluation. "So THEN what did he do?" Mia slaps the table demanding Jules to continue, her expression intensely curious.

"So our man, obviously he excuses himself, because... what else can he do right?..." Jules continues and everyone laughs in disbelief. Even though you missed the start, the laughter is so infectious that you giggle along, enjoying the story. You feel cozy here for the moment, feeling like you're taking refuge, sipping a tall glass of whatever Mia handed you, vodka lime and soda maybe? You don’t tell Mia what happened with Finn and you're grateful that she's so engaged in her repartee with Jules that doesn’t seem to notice anything off in your return, so you feel like you've nailed your "I'm fine" act. Until Wes catches your eye across the table, by the look he shoots you, immediately you know he's clocked your unease. Gratefully he doesn’t make a scene but instead waits for an opportunity to covertly lean in.

"You alright?" He asks it softly, so only you hear.

You nod and wave your hand dismissively, making sure not to draw Mia's attention. He gives you a small nod but his sharp eyes linger on you for a moment longer before turning back into the conversation.

As Mia turns to chat with someone else you're surprised when Jules leans in to your space his eyes fixed on something behind you. "Don't look now, I just said DON'T look" he says as you start to turn. "Theres a man in the distance there, with a grey suit, he wears the sigil of The Ascendancy." "Okay... now, quickly take a look" Jules prompts and you do you best to turn casually and steal a glance.

You see a man wearing a grey suit, nobody stands too close to him, people near him seem to all look stiff and uncomfortable. He stands still in the centre, smiling as he talks, holding a small glass. You turn back to Jules. "Who is he?" "He's a diplomat, he represents The Ascendancy. His name is Archan, stay well clear of him. Don't even look at him, you do not want to be on that mans radar, okay?" You nod absently turning to sneak another look but Jules grabs your face by the chin and turns it back towards him. "Nonononono, I was not kidding honey, Don't even look at him." Jules says, deadly serious. You sigh exasperated and narrow your eyes up at Jules in defiance.

"Joykill" You grumble, it was frustrating that he warn you about something so intriguing and dangerous in your midst only for you to not be allowed to even look at it. It was like telling someone on a safari to not look at the lions.

"I'd rather kill your joy now than see your feet poking out the bottom of a rolled up carpet." Jules jabs back, tipping his glass towards you before knocking back the remains and leaving the table.

You roll your eyes and smile at his dramatic warning but silently decide to heed it for now.

The music stops and an overly enthusiastic voice makes an announcement on the other side of the room saying something would be happening in the main stage.

You look up and laugh to see that Mia is already rushing into the crowd towards the excitement and decide to follow after her.

As you cross the ballroom floor in between little cellular gatherings of people you wade through the sea of unknown faces when you think you recognise someone unexpected and familiar. "Echo?" You ask making the awkward scrunched, unsure face that everyone makes upon recognising someone from a lifetime ago. His face breaks into a brilliant smile confirming your suspicions and he draws you into a massive bear hug. You hadn't seen him since high school. "What the hell are you doing here?" He asks chucking "This is the last place I thought I'd run into you." "Oh I was invited with a friend by a guy called Finn" you shrug a gesture of "isn't this crazy?" Echo's smile falters for a second and concern creeps into his features. "Did you say Finn? Like... yellow suit Finn?" He asks his warm brown eyes widen slightly. "Yeah I don't really know him, he invited my friend and I along. It's fine, it's just a party." You shrug and smile trying to assuage his concerns but he just doubles down. "He buy you that dress too?" He asks pointedly, his tone more serious now. "Well... yes but-" Echo sighs. "You know that yellow? That's Tetrad yellow, Finns crew. This charity ball is practically a networking event for all the biggest players in the undercity, hosted by a the Kingpin himself. This isn't just a party." Your brows furrow in disbelief but as you look around the room, everything suddenly seems to align with what he is saying. The way everyone has been talking in riddles and half truths, the woman who kicked you out of the hallway talking about your dress, this fucking obnoxious yellow colour. You even watch a man, just a few meters away subtly pull a thick envelope out of his suit jacket and subtly slip it into another mans pocket as they shake hands, thinking nobody saw. Only you saw it, and so did Echo, who catches your eye now pointedly. "You see now?"

You resign a nod and sip your drink letting it sink in, adjusting your perception around this new information as best you can.

It was a lot.

"What do you know about Silco?" You ask suddenly, the words tumbling out of your mouth before you can help yourself. Echo's eyebrows shoot up in wide eyed horror. "Please tell me you have nothing to do with Silco" he begs you stepping backwards. "He can't be that bad, he's just a man." You say trying to minimise. Echo laughs in disbelief. "He's more like a monster." Echo says. You're about to reply when a body slams into yours.

You hit the marble floor hard, the breath knocked out from your lungs for a moment, you feel something cold and wet across your side and a glass shatters further away. What the hell just happened? You try to sit up, spying another person sprawled the floor nearby, a waitress. She must have knocked you over as she fell but... but the force at which you had fallen didn't add up with her slender frame. People rush in, some nearby gentlemen assisting you both to your feet.

You look up to see Echo backing away from you into the crowd. "I'm sorry" he mouths as he retreats. The girl who ran into you looks ready to cry. She’s helped up by another man in a dark suit. You catch her whispering "I was pushed." You take a hand offered to you, thanking them earnestly as they pull you to your feet. Wes pushes through the crowd,

“I saw you fall, are you hurt?” He asks with stern professional concern. “How did this happen?” You wave your hand. “I’m fine.” You explain. “Someone knocked a waitress into me and we fell, it was an accident.” Wes’ eyes sharpen and his brows furrow slightly as he looks down at you. You follow Wes' gaze to your dress, the yellow flourish was entirely transformed, every inch of it stained deep red. Not a single speck of yellow remained.

You marvel at this as one of Finns other men approaches Wes and softly tells him something you can’t hear. Wes gives a tiny nod and the man peels away as Wes scans the crowd briefly before looking back at you and sighing gently. "He's not going to be happy."

Finns face sours for a split second as he eyes your dress when you approach, escorted by Wes.

To his credit it's a subtle flicker, only a moment but you had been searching for it, so you recognised it distinctly.

You feel guilty for a split second, then remember his predatory behaviour when he'd just tried to kiss you earlier and you instantly feel significantly less bad.

You apologise and explain what happened and upon hearing the story he laughs.

“Well would you look at that?” He grabs a glass of champagne and raises it to the crowd around you.

“To unpredictable nights and unforgettable women.” Everyone laughs and toasts their merryment.

But when the moment passes he pulls you aside subtly, walking you off the ballroom floor so you’re alone in a small room just off the main hall.

After his attentions earlier you feel very vulnerable being in the room alone with him now.

"I think maybe I should go home, the dress is all wet from the wine and-" you start to explain.

He smiles and steps close suddenly, halting your words and you find yourself stepping backwards away from him.

“You’re supposed to be my guest, all you had to do was look beautiful and wear a dress.” He leans in, eyes scanning yours. “You can't even managed that. Disappointing” He curls past you and starts to circle you slowly.

Anger unfurls inside you at this unjust treatment.

“You can’t be mad that someone knocked me to the floor and spilt wine on me.” You retort bitterly.

At this he snaps towards you, wrapping his large hand under your chin and grabbing your face, lifting it up to his. You grasp at his wrists uselessly as he squeezes. His pale green eyes like toxic fire.

“You let it happen.” He hisses sofly. You look up at him, he’s hurting you. Lifting you up just slightly so you struggle to gain purchase in your high heels, making a pathetic sound as they scrape awkwardly against the floor in the tense silence. That and your heavy stilted breathing.

He's so strong that it's easy for him, which is all the more terrifying. His eyes are so cold and merciless, that you see it now, you are nothing to him. A part of you’d suspected this but you didn't understand the extent. Couldn't fathom the severity of it. Like he could slit your throat, look into your eyes as you died and then have a nice night out and sleep like a baby. Guilt free, no remorse.

You honestly had not seen Finn as a real threat till this very moment, and now?, now you were very afraid.

After a beat his eyes flicker and he loosens his grip, you pant a sigh of relief, as you feel your feet plant down on the ground properly.

“I am a generous man though” he smiles, stroking a thumb over your cheek before pulling away and resuming his menacing circle around you. “Maybe I could buy a ticket for one of your friends or family so they can take a trip? Somewhere nice, somewhere they’ve always wanted to go. A long one, maybe they won’t come back for a very long time.” He smiles at you sweetly as the threat sinks in. “Would you like that?” He asks as he trails around behind you.

You feel breathless, so you shake your head. This wasn't happening. No no no.

His sharp eyes catch it and he mocks hurt surprise.

“So ungrateful, tch, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I knew you were difficult from the start. A leopard can’t change its spots, unless you skin it... or spill wine on it.” He laughs coldly at the last comment shooting you a glare.

“So difficult girl, let me make myself crystal clear.” Finn finishes circling to stand in front of you, looking down at you so he blocks the light above him casting you in his shadow.

“You play nice, you smile on my arm. You wear MY dress, and if you disappoint me again,... before you can even apologize, I’ll buy a ticket for Mia and she'll be on the first flight out.”

All the blood drains from your face, it was one thing to be reckless with your own safety but the burden of responsibility for your beautiful, innocent friend? That chills you to your bones. Your mouth goes dry, the room feels too small, your guts flip.

Finn looks pleased as he smirks down at your horrified face. Watching the dread sink in, savoring it.

“I’m glad we understand each other.” He says stroking the side of your cheek with his fingertips. You almost flinch away before you stop yourself out of fear for Mia.

Disrespect was such a vague term, who knows how far he might decide it goes.

Finn notices, of course he does, and his smug smirk widens to show more of his shark like teeth.

“I’ll leave you with some time to think, and then l expect you to join me for the rest of the night.” His voice is smooth and smug as he turns towards the exit.

“Oh and… before I forget" he pauses in the doorway turning back to face you. "Don’t even think of running to Silco. If you do, I’ll know. The old mans power is waning, his people aren’t as... reliable as they once were.” he drums his fingers once on the door frame giving you a final grin before he's gone.

You found an empty powder room nearby and now stood in front of the mirror staring at yourself.

You looked immaculate, facing yourself in the mirror surrounded by flowers, which made this feeling rising inside you feel so much more alien.

Without the thick event makeup you might look pale, but it was all hidden underneath layers of powders and foundation and whatever else. A perfect mask of beauty, to hide all the ugly truths buried underneath.

Beneath the exterior, it feels like the room can't contain your stress and frustration as you stand there struggling to hold back tears. All that had happened in the last few hours felt like you had spent it receiving blow after blow of new and unique problems stacked heavily on top of each other. All you had wanted was a fun night out, instead you had been granted a nightmare, one that you can't wake up from.

You'd placed your friend in mortal danger, been dragged into some stupid criminal pissing competition. You'd spurned the one man you actually wanted, who you should also definitely not want or be with ever.

Your eyes fix on the red stained patch of your once yellow and black dress. It felt wet and sticky against your skin but the silk material betrayed none of your discomfort, it looked immaculate even now, not even wet. It still looked nice, the deep red could even pass as intentional the way the colour and design worked. It would have been better if the dress had been more obviously ruined or damaged, then you might have an excuse to leave.

The strange itchy feeling suddenly sparks and ignites now, into white hot fury. You want to tear the damn dress off, discard it and burn it. Shed the damn thing like a snake sheds it's skin and is renewed, restored. The feeling of it against your bare flesh is unbearable.

You very strongly consider smashing the vase in front of you, but the soft beauty of the flowers slowly eases your rage. It's not the flowers fault you are angry, they should not have to suffer for it, and it's certainly not your fault that you find yourself here and now.

You just needed one night out with your friend to let off some steam. A few drinks, a warm body, to dress up, to feel desired, beautiful even, a moment to feel like a normal person. You didn’t ask for any of this. You didn’t want any of this. It's not your fault, none of this is your fault.

You take a deep inhaled breath through your nose and draw yourself together.

It's just a dress, it looks beautiful, I can wear it for the rest of the night, and then cut it into one million pieces and burn it later. You take a few more deep breaths, looking into your own eyes and composing yourself in the mirror till you feel ready to return to the Ball.

For Mia.

-- You smile distantly and try to laugh at the right time, but mentally you’re a million miles away while your body is here on parade, on display. Finn hands you another glass of champagne that you accept gratefully, numbing yourself to your rage can only help in this situation you've decided.

The men chatting to Finn laugh in a rumbling chuckle, but something about their tone feels off, so you tune back in. Finn seems to notice your eyes sharpen as you enter the present moment with awareness.

"There she is" he smirks and the men laugh again.

"Sorry, did I miss something?" you ask with your forced smile laid on thick.

"No matter dear, we were talking about you, not to you." a gruff old man drawls.

You feel your hackles rise so you take a measured sip of champagne and smile.

"All good things I hope." you chirp playfully.

"Finn was just telling us you're a good sport." says one of the other men, in a way that makes you pause. Your eyes turn to Finns as uncertainty and fear flicker inside you. He looks down at you grinning.

"She's a good girl, always on her best behaviour, and always treats my friends with respect. Isn't that right babygirl" Finn says pulling you closer to him by the waist. You hesitate for a loaded moment as you look into Finns eyes and consider clawing them bloody but remembering Mia's safety you smile wide and lean against him.

"That's right Finny" you say adorably, hoping he hates it.

The men around him laugh and you feel sick to your stomach.

You held no ire for the girls who did this kind of thing wilfully, but to be forced into it was grating on your raw nerves. "Stand up and do a little spin for us." He gently pushes you forward and your spine stiffens. Finn was clearly toying with you, seeing how far he could push you.

You shoot Finn a brief look and he simply raises his brows, waiting. Mia's smiling face flashes through your mind and your heart aches. So you rise, pushing yourself up to your feet and indulge your audience in one slow, elegant, single spin before sipping your champagne and batting your lashes. Finn stands to join you and places one firm arm protectively around you.

"She is a lovely thing." One of the men says wistfully to Finn, never addressing you directly you notice. You tilt your head and smile at him like a vacant doll.

"I'm glad you agree, she's very special." Finn lifts your chin forcing your eyes to meet his as he says "It's hard to find well behaved girls like this."

You've been on Finns arm for a while and you'd drank multiple glasses of champagne in that time so it's not unreasonable when you need a moment to use the restroom.

When you try to pull away and excuse yourself he holds your arm tightly and you hesitate, turning back to meet his brilliantly cold, green, smirking eyes.

"Don't forget my promise." He says. With that, the hairs rising on the back of your neck feel like cold needles prickling against your skin.

You force a smile.

"How could I forget" you say, a sickly sweet little jab.

"Good girl" his words land like a pat on the head, and it makes your blood boil. You hold your smile though, as he loosens his grip, dismissing you.

Unmoored from Finn and wandering through the crowd alone now you realise that you're quite a bit more tipsy than you'd intended. All those glasses of champagne were starting to add up.

You walk slowly on your way back from the restroom, unwilling to return to Finn but forcing each step as you turn back towards the hall that leads back to the ballroom.

Before you can get more than halfway back a soft spoken waitress approaches.

"Excuse me ma'am, a moment?"

You blink and nod, slightly bewildered as she leads you through to an alcove room, a small curtained lounge off the main floor.

She waits for you to enter before she pulls the curtain shut, closing the ball room away and dampening the noise, the effect made the space feel private. This room was darker, and you blink as your eyes adjust to the dimness after the dazzling ballroom.

"Are we having fun?" Comes a familiar smokey voice. Your surprise is interrupted as the waitress pulls a seat out and gestures for you to sit at a small table, you hesitate for a moment, your brows furrowing, but you do so.

"You're drunk." Silco's eyes slither over you in obvious disgust. You feel your cheeks heat slightly as you sit there, cold and sticky in your wine stained dress. He was of course, infuriatingly correct.

You open your mouth to say something but Silco raises his hand and cuts you off as the waitress delivers a silver tray and places it before you, lifting the silver dome to reveal a variety of small pastries, tiny sandwiches, meats, olives, even a small serving of soup.

"Eat." He commands in a tone that leaves little room for argument.

You'd never heard him use such a tone with you before. It was so ruthless and sharp that you could probably cut stone with it.

You consider arguing but when your eyes flicker between the food and his and he narrows his own eyes at you in a dark humorless scowl, you decide it's probably not the time to test his patience.

You reach forward and pull the soup towards you and start spooning it into your mouth. It's rich and warm and comforting in a way you were not expecting.

You finish the soup quickly, the spoon making a gentle sound as you place it down the and move on to the sandwiches, cut into silly little triangles. The bread was soft and fluffy and the variety of fillings were delicious.

Silco was silent as you ate, which strangely was not uncomfortable. In fact you got the sense he was pleased and contented to sit there and smoke a cigarette in peace while you quietly ate.

You were already starting to feel much better, sharper, more refreshed.

You reach for the glass of water, it was ice cold, flavored with cucumber and lavender. The taste was delicate and refreshing in a way you'd never experienced. Your eyes widen in surprise at how good it is as you shamelessly chug more of it.

"You're not supposed to be here" Silcos voice cuts through the silence unexpectedly and you put the glass down to look at him.

He doesn't turn towards you though, instead he continues smoking and staring straight ahead as if he is deep in thought.

Clearly he's talking at you and not asking an actual question. Typical behaviour of someone "very important". You valiantly resist the urge to roll your eyes.

You wait a polite moment and he gestures annoyed for you to keep eating before you select another delicious little sandwich and bite into it.

He's silent for a while longer as you continue to nibble silently at the meal before you like a rabbit.

"Something happened." He says, turning towards you now.

You look at him annoyed because you'd just taken the large final bite of a sandwich and your mouth was much too full to talk. Did he do that on purpose? It feels like it takes a long time to chew and swallow. In your rush you now need a drink of water before you can respond.

You explain how you were knocked over, pointing to the now red flourish over your hip.

Did he just smile at that? You swore the corner of his mouth quirked up.

He waves his hand dismissively and shakes his head.

"No no no... I know about that."

You frown at him, waiting for him to continue. You're holding a sandwich but not game to take another bite till you know what he's going to say.

"Something else happened. You look pathetic... scared... Did he threaten you?..." He searches your face, those sharp eyes judging your reaction. You hesitate, because Finn had said if you told Silco he would know and Mia wold suffer. Shit, shit, shit. Maybe being in here right now was not such a good idea. You need to find a way to leave, and soon.

"No that's not it... Hmmm" he pauses tapping a finger against his lip thoughtfully.

"The friend, he threatened her" he counters, sharp eyes fixing on you again.

You try not to react but that in itself apparently gives you away.

"Ahhhhh... I see, much harder to risk someone else's life. Hmmm silly girl, playing around drunk in the lions den. What did you expect?" He laughs gently and cruelly stubbing out the remains of his cigarette in a polished brass tray.

"Did he lay a hand on you?" He now asks cooly, his eyes sharpening.

You pause, the thought of Finns hand around your neck, lifting you slightly off the floor flashes through your minds eye and your shoulders curl just a fraction. He see's it.

"He did..." Silco's eyes flicker and he looks away for a moment, just jaw tensing, his hand clenching and unclenching.

"Interesting." The single murmur like ice.

Not sure what else to do with yourself, you take another absent bite of the sandwich.

The silence stretches and becomes full of something uncomfortable, you feel ashamed and embarrassed suddenly. You'd gotten drunk, you were way in over your head in a very bad situation, and here he was making you eat to sober up, like a naughty delinquent. He may have been rude and harsh and chiding but the act itself betrayed care.

You want to apologize, you want to thank him for the sandwiches but the words won't come. It happens so quickly, Silco shoots to his feet and strides out, leaving nothing but the swaying curtain in his wake.

You stare at the curtain till it stops moving as you sit there, utterly alone and bewildered, with a half eaten cucumber sandwich in your hand like an absolute twat. ----

—

Thanks so much for reading Chapter 4! 🔪📖🖤

Thanks for your patience and kind words of encouragement! I know this chapter was slow to update, I rewrote it SO MANY TIMES y'all, so I hope you enjoy it. Seeing a villain crash out while I sit there nibbling on tiny sandwich triangles that he demanded I eat is life goals for me personally goals tbh. Hope you can relate.

<3 Iron

VIP AREA @mistershotz @manicmauve @deviantgamergirl @oceansssblue @eeveep1ays @wh1msyk1tten

If I missed anyone, or you want to be added to the tag list, please let me know! <3

>>>Chapter Five TBA

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