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everparanoid · 10 months ago

Text

Soft Universe Sylus x F! Reader

word count: 5.4k

tags: fluff, angst

cw: reader is MC from love and deepspace, minor hades and persephone vibes, Canon typical violence, Canon Compliant, No use of Y/N, minor spoilers for Sylus's secret time Midnight Warmth and Lost Oasis, inspired by the Sylus's event story in Adventure Above Clouds

This was written before his official myth.

AO3 link: Soft universe

"With a scream, you bent back as a beam of brilliant light shot out of your chest, illuminating the sky with crimson stars. Each one bright. Each one filled with memories you knew were yours but couldn’t recall like lifetimes come and gone. Or universes born and destroyed."

Ever since you resontated with Sylus you have been having weird dreams. Or a story in which you are bound to Sylus again and he becomes clingyier than usual.

You dreamt of red mist encasing you in its warm embrace, licking at your heels, and trailing its ghostly lips along your body. Leaving in its wake skin the shade of sunset and a heart so full it could burst. You dreamt of it traversing the surface of your soul, gathering the embers of your evol and moulding them with its own before huddling into the open void in your chest.

A groan left you as the mist disappeared under your skin. Despite the initial discomfort, you didn’t hate the oddly familiar sensation of being whole.

You took an unsteady step forward. Beneath your feet, you could no longer feel the ground. Above you, the starless sky loomed. You blinked refocusing your eyes, believing they were the issue, not the lack of starlight. But nothing changed.

You heard the caw of a crow. In the darkness, you saw its ruby eyes watching you, piercing through your skin, and staring straight into your soul. Your heart thumped, beating faster, harder, growing hotter with every passing second. You keeled over, clutching your chest.

Your power, you heard the mist say. Yours.

You felt the bird's keen eyes as light burst through the cracks between your taut fingers. With a scream, you bent back as a beam of brilliant light shot out of your chest, illuminating the sky with crimson stars. Each one bright. Each one filled with memories you knew were yours but couldn’t recall like lifetimes come and gone. Or universes born and destroyed.

The dream dissipated and your eyes fluttered open to see fire dancing in turbulent strokes in the fireplace, charring the wood that fuelled it. In the distance you heard the quiet murmuring of a film on the flat screen. You slapped your lips tiredly, rubbing your cheek against the warm, unusually hard cushion you clung to.

“This movie is boring. You should go back to sleep,” Sylus said, brushing your cheek gently. The tender touch was scolding on your skin.

You nuzzled your head further into the hard cushion. A deep chuckle shook through it.

“What are you thinking about, kitten?” Sylus asked.

His heart raced against your ear, burning through its beats as though it were chasing death. It must have been night, you reckoned. His heart was only ever this fast in the dark.

“Sylus…” you whispered groggily. Your focus locked on the familiar necklace resting on his chest—an empty aether core? A Protocore? A simple crystal? You yawned, blinking once, twice…three times. Wait Sylus!

You shot up, attempting to pull away. But finding your movement restricted by an inhumane force, you fell back on top of him.

“Surprise. We’re not going anywhere anytime soon.” He lifted his arm and yours lifted too revealing the glowing crimson evol link cuffing you to the renowned Onychinus leader. “Were you thinking of getting rid of me again?”

The amused smirk on his lips told you he wasn’t angry, but rather entertained.

“No,” you responded.

“Being quick to respond only confirms your guilt, sweetie.”

You tugged your arm, pulling his too.

He grunted quietly. “Your defiance is getting old.”

“Maybe if you stopped putting me in awkward situations it wouldn’t,” you responded.

He sighed and squinted at you.

“What? Nothing to say for yourself? ” you teased.

“Silence is also an answer.” He lowered his head closer to yours. “And I like to think that actions speak louder than words.”

Sylus was a gorgeous man; breathtaking to say the least. Just being close to him made your heart betray you in ways you hated. You let out a gasp. “Sy—,”

His phone buzzing on the coffee table interrupted you. He grabbed his phone and put it on silent.

“What time is it?” you asked. You tried to peer at the screen’s reflection in Sylus’s frameless glasses but failed.

He turned his screen to you. “Nearly two am.”

“Why are you here? Don’t you have some gang to bully? Or some notorious deals to strike?” you asked. It had been a coincidence, your bumping into each other whilst you were taking a three day vacation from Linkon in one of the outskirt islands. A pure innocent coincidence—according to Sylus. You struggled to believe that, however, as it wasn’t the first time Sylus had conveniently appeared at the same place as you. Seemingly with nothing to do but be mysterious and strange and there.

He shook his head. “Have you forgotten?”

You had forgotten but only because of your dream. It wasn’t every day you had a nightmare so vivid that it tore you out of your sleep. It hadn’t always been every day. Only since you made the mistake of resonating with this unlikely ally.

“You got injured snowboarding with your colleagues. And I happened to be returning back to the resort when they saw me and pawned you off. Apparently they wanted to do another few rounds with the people they met.”

You frowned. You only vaguely remembered the incident. More so the tree that you had wiped out against. Everything else was a blur. You knew sylus had no reason to lie, so you chose to believe him. It wasn’t like Sylus and your colleagues didn’t know each other to some degree. Sharing a karaoke booth with Sylus was enough time for anyone to develop a trauma bond. It was like war��without the bloodshed. “Doesn't explain where they are now.”

“I used your phone to tell them I’d watch you for the night—ease their minds.”

“How valiant of you,” you ad-libbed.

“I did try to leave after making sure your condition wasn’t critical but you asked me to stay,” Sylus said. “Then you pulled me onto this couch with you and this happened.” He gestured to the link.

You looked away flustered. “Must have slipped my mind.”

“You’re so air-headed, kitten,” Sylus tutted.

The depth of his voice rattled you; made your skin feverish and a sudden flush spread through you. You noted your sudden reaction to his voice as an after effect of your accident. You straightened hoping fixing your posture would disperse the settling arousal. And in some pseudoscientific way, it did.

Mephisto squaking in the corner snapped your mind back to the crow in your dream. “Sylus, can I ask you a question?” you asked. You were being abstract but with this burning question fresh on your mind you didn't care.

“You just did.”

You rolled your eyes but asked anyway: “Do crows have dreams?”

“Is that seriously what you are asking me right now?” he responded.

“I’m being serious.” Your voice remained steady as your head lifted high. “Does Mephisto dream?” you asked motioning with your eyes to the mechanical bird.

Sylus’s gaze followed.

Mephisto lifted his wings in response.

“Whether Mephisto does or doesn’t dream is beyond me. He is a mechanical bird after all. Dreaming isn’t something I programmed into him. If he were to dream, I suppose it would be recounts of recorded data or lines of code,” Sylus said.

Mephisto cawed again.

Sylus looked back at you. “Does that answer your question?”

You shook your head.

He sighed and cocked his head. He didn’t appear too surprised by your lack of satisfaction, more so by your inability to believe hard fact. “Then enlighten me, do you believe doves dream?”

Remembering the dove you had saved a few months back, you nodded. “Yes.”

“So, why would crows be any different?”

“Okay, sorry for not thinking things all the way through, Mr philosophical,” you muttered.

He chuckled. “I was just answering your question, sweetie.”

You yawned.

“You should get back to sleep,” Sylus whispered. “It’s still late for you. And I’d like to be free sometime soon.”

“I can’t,” you said.

His phone buzzed in his hand taking his attention. “Nightmare?”

“Nightmare,” you agreed.

He hummed listlessly as he scrolled through his phone, typing and swiping. “Am I allowed to ask what it was about?”

“It’s nothing really.”

Sighing, Sylus placed down his phone. “You still should rest... Do you want me to sing you a lullaby?”

“Oh no, please God no. I’d rather have Mephisto sing to me.” You physically cringed.

Mephisto squawked in protest.

Sylus ignored your dread. “Do you want me to tell you a story then?”

“No.”

He glanced at you. “I thought you quite enjoyed the last one?”

“I don’t know what Kieran and Luke told you a story is, but I think you have it misconstrued.” You wanted to cross your arms but remembered the link binding your arm to his.

“Oh?” He quipped. “It has a beginning, middle, and an end. Perhaps also a little filler to transition from plot point to plot point. That’s a story, sweetie.”

“And the demonstration?” you asked.

“Audience participation.”

“I think you'll find that serves the opposite effect of telling someone a bedtime story.” You recalled the bites that had stained your skin pinks and purples the day after his ‘story.’ Which, much to his enjoyment, resulted in you having to extend your trip as there was no way you could go back to work in that state. Not unless you lied. And as good as you were, you knew no one would believe you had been attacked by a Wanderer.

Not Tara, who was obsessed with the idea of you and Sylus being more than friends ever since she met him. Nor Nero in Data Analysis because he was a bit of a freak when it came to anything concerning Wanderers. So you imagined a lie of that sort wouldn’t slip past him. And if it somehow did, you didn’t want to end up in a heated conversation about the potential mating rituals of Wanderers. Nero’s fascination was weird enough as it was without going anywhere near that topic.

“You fell asleep, didn’t you?” Sylus said.

You had… eventually. And unfortunately, when you had fallen asleep—exhausted from his playful bites, you’d slept the most soundly you had in years. Right in the arms of this criminal. You stomach churned at the memory. A hunter and a wanted mob boss…how unprofessional. “Because you were relentless.”

“Don’t act so innocent. You were actively enjoying our little roleplay. And as I recall you were the one who said I looked like a vampire.”

The tips of your ears burned. You stared up at the ceiling to avoid his gaze.

The empty ceiling stared back at you like a starless night; an endless void…a pit of nothing.

Your wrist tingled with the heat of the link binding you to Sylus. You felt a strange familiarity spreading up your arm. One that followed you out of your dreams. “Sylus…”

“What is it?”

“Do you dream?” you whispered, staring into the darkness. You could hear his quiet contemplation from beside you.

“Not often,” he responded.

“Really?”

“You sound so surprised…” Sylus said. “Dreams aren’t for those without hearts, sweetie.”

“You keep saying that,” you said.

“I keep saying—”

You could feel his stare. Slowly turning your head, you looked at him. “That you have no heart. I don’t believe it. Someone without a heart wouldn’t take care of me when I hit my head and listen to me when I ask them to stay.” You paused. “Okay...hypothetically, what do you dream about?”

He slipped his free arm under your shoulder and pulled you back toward his chest. “Why are you suddenly so curious about my dreams? Is it something to do with this nightmare?”

“No, I just—” you lied. The words fell out of your mouth like vomit.

He chuckled. “I don’t care for dreams because everything I could want I can get. And nightmares—well, you already know that there isn’t much in this universe scarier than me.”

“Must be nice to have the means to buy whatever you want.”

“You clearly don’t know me if you assume everything I want can be bought.”

“Can’t it?” You searched his gaze for some kind of answer, as if by searching those red pools you might see his desire. But instead, it stared right back at you; soft, unwavering, beckoning.

Come to me.

You looked away.

“No,” he said.

You dreamt of laying on the top of a hill dressed in a gown of white silk. You didn’t know how you arrived here, or why you were dressed in such finery. Flowers surrounded you, red-stained daisies and carnations, swaying in the gentle night breeze. You plucked one and held it up to your nose. It smelt of fresh pollen and mint. You hummed in approval, not questioning the oddity, and picked another, and another, till in your arms you held a bundle of red flowers.

You smiled warmly at your beautiful collection. A bundle of love and devotion, picked by you—for you. You decided then that you liked this place. This starless night haven of endless flowers. And thought, if this dream was the place you would be stuck forever then eternity didn’t sound too bad.

Just as the thought passed through your mind something spawned in the bundle. A pomegranate. You’d never seen one spawn from flowers. You didn’t know one could do so. It was so beautiful, however, that you didn’t think to question it.

At the sight, your stomach rumbled. You weren’t hungry until then. Or rather you hadn’t noticed you were hungry until the opportunity to eat arrived. It was like this place had read into your soul and presented you with your desire before you could even desire it. Was this paradise or a paradise lost?

Dropping the flowers, you lifted the pomegranate. With a twist, the ripe fruit split in half in your hand. You’d never seen a pomegranate so easy to split; usually, you would need a knife.

The juice stained your white dress in droplets of blood-like splotches. It dribbled down your hand leaving a sticky trail. You licked the mess off your skin before you picked up some of the fallen seeds—three to be exact—and ate them. They were sweet in your mouth.

Ravenous, you ate another, and then one more. And after that one more.

You only ate six. You knew because, at that moment, a red shackle appeared on your wrist and a hellish scream tore through the air. Your head shot up in wonder, like a prey alarmed by the snap of a twig. In the distance, a volcanic beam of light erupted into the sky. You recognized it by the familiar ache that resonated through you, but you didn’t know why. You shielded your eyes as you watched crimson stars fill the empty sky, covering the expanse in colourful noise, and leaving in its wake a hole in space and time.

Forgetting your flowers and pomegranates, you wiped your hands on your stained white silk dress. You reached up with a single hand toward the tunnel. You didn’t know why you did it. You didn’t understand what this feeling was that you were chasing. You only knew that you longed for it. You needed it like you needed air to breathe and eyes to see. Perhaps this was love?

Crimson shone between the gaps of your fingers, blinding you of anything but the tunnel. It gaped and shrivelled in intervals as if it were alive.

Come to me, said a voice from the tunnel.

Its coo guided you to your feet. But even on the tips of your toes, you were no closer to the heavens than you were before.

Come to me, it said again. It beckoned to you… calling your name. Its voice was clearer, familiar.

You knew that you knew it.

You reached further. Biting the inside of your cheek, your strain began to show on your face. If you reached anymore you were going to fall. But you were so desperate, you didn’t even care. You needed this—needed it.

The hole stretched and a mangled inhuman hand pushed through. Its long-scorched fingers reached out to yours.

Just when your hand was about to touch it, you pulled back. “No,” you said in a moment of hesitation. “I must go home.”

The mangled hand recoiled before shooting forward to grab you.

You evaded it, losing your footing.

Come, it said again. Come to me.

Terror claimed you. It burnt the sky around you from night-to-day and scorched the flowers beneath your bare feet.

Stay with me.

The earth shook.

Losing your footing, you rolled down the hill, tumbling in cartwheels through the bleeding flowers. Daises and carnations filled your mouth. Red paint dyed your dress. You sealed your eyes shut. You couldn’t tell if it was the earth shaking or just you.

You wished the dream away. You prayed for the familiar darkness. You prayed for ignorance—for the you you lost to knowledge. But most of all, you prayed for the cold.

You awoke in a king-sized bed covered in dark silk sheets. Sylus’ bed, you thought. He must have moved you when it had gotten closer to his time for bed. But Sylus was nowhere to be seen.

You sat up and looked around. The night light beside the bed lit the room showcasing the extravagant dark furniture. The sound of water running through the foggy glass doors to the en-suite bathroom, and the off-key hummed rendition of some jazz he had on loop informed you of Sylus’ location.

“He’s showering,” you whispered to yourself.

Mephisto cawed from where he was perched.

When you stared at him, he lifted his wings and cawed again.

“I don’t speak crow,” you responded.

“And he doesn’t speak human,” Sylus said, closing the door to the bathroom. Steam pulsed off his wet body as he emerged in only a fluffy white towel.

You gulped, closing your legs under the covers. Not that it would do anything for the feelings that arose from the sight of him. Not even disgust could repel your natural desire for someone so physically alluring.

“I thought you were showering,” you said tightly.

Sylus scoffed. “And you were asleep. I guess we were both wrong, kitten.”

You frowned.

Sylus approached the dresser and lifted the hairdryer. Slicking back his hair, he began to dry it with the dryer.

You shuffled to the edge of the bed and held out your hand for the hairdryer. “Let me do that.”

Catching your reflection in the mirror, he turned to you. “What? You want to do this for me?” he asked, switching off the hairdryer. His damp hair fell onto his forehead.

You flicked your hand impatiently. Your eyes actively avoided falling below his collarbones. “I’m trying to be nice… since you didn’t wake me when the link untangled and all. Thank you for that by the way. And sorry I took up your entire night.”

His brows furrowed. “You’re the only person I’d excuse taking up my time. Besides, that’s just common decency, sweetie.”

You blushed and gestured again for the hairdryer. You couldn’t fall for his pretty words. You weren’t that stupid. Halting your thoughts, you cleared your throat and corrected your posture. “Still—I feel like I owe you and this will make us even.”

“Okay, deal.”

You half expected him to counter your statement and ask for more. You wouldn’t have faulted him if he had. You knew what you were suggesting wasn’t an even repayment for the time he lost, but for a man who had everything this was the only thing you could do on the fly.

His tall frame casted a shadow over you as he approached; all damp skin and wet hair. He handed you the wireless hairdryer. And then sitting on the ground at the foot of the bed, he sighed. “I didn’t know all I needed to do to get you to be nice to me was let you sleep.”

You rolled your eyes and shuffled back a little after feeling the heat of his wet body on the inside of your thighs. You tried to keep a small amount of distance not wanting to accidentally touch him. You leaned forward and cursed inaudibly at the difficult angle.

“I don’t know what hair you’re going to be drying from back there,” he cooed. Wrapping his hands around your ankles, he pulled you closer to him.

“Hey!” You yelped, sliding forward till you inner thighs pressed against his wet shoulders.

“That’s better,” he said, letting go.

“You’re crude.”

“I was just making your job easier, kitten,” he purred.

You nudged his shoulder with your thigh and turned on the dryer. Your finger ran through his hair as you watched the water dry out and the soft greyish-white return.

Sylus closed his eyes and leaned his head back till you could see his face.

You paused. “You’re not making this easier for me,” you said, peering down at him.

He chuckled deeply. “I can’t help the fact that you have magic hands, I’ve never been so relaxed.” He lifted his arms and rested them atop your knees like armrests. “Have you ever thought of changing careers?”

You snickered. “Are you sure you’re rich? Surely, you’ve had much better treatment than this.”

Sylus laughed with you. The sound called you broke in every way but with words. It reminded you of aged wine and expensive cuff-links, two things you had never associated with a voice until him.

You turned off the dryer and placed it on the bed.

“Why did you stop?” Sylus opened his eyes. He stared up at you from your lap. And for a man so good at being invulnerable, he looked extremely soft.

“Your hair is dry.”

“So it is.” Sylus lifted his head. “Thank you.”

Mephisto cawed loudly and swooped out of the room. Taking Mephisto’s departure as your sign to escape too, you began to shuffle back,.

“Where are you going?” Sylus wrapped his hands around your ankles once again stopping you.

“Mephisto is gone,” you stated as if the answer was obvious.

“And? He’s a bird, it’s not good for him to stay in one place. You’re not a bird, are you?”

You could see the hurt in his eyes.

“But it’s morning. I have stuff to do. And you should get some sleep,” you said.

“What stuff?” he asked.

You shrugged. You didn��t have many plans—maybe meet up with your colleagues. Not that they were concered about your whereabouts. Your phone hadn’t rung once.

“Since you don’t know, why don’t you stay? Your flight back to Linkon isn’t for a few days yet.” Sylus suggested, letting go of your ankles.

“Stay?”

He stood from the ground and by some will of the gods his towel stayed on. “Yes, stay…with me. It’ll be just us.” He placed his knee on the bed.

Your spine stiffened as you backed away. “I can’t lay around all day.”

“So, it’s okay that I did? Come on, sweetie, that’s not fair. Stay..” He placed his hands on either side of your head, caging you. He leaned down, his lips brushing the shell of your ear. “I promise, I’ll make it worth your while.”

You pushed his chest gently—not exerting any real effort. “I dried your hair.” As much as you wanted to leave, you weren’t opposed to being stuck under him. Any sane woman wouldn’t be, especially when he was like this.

He caught your wrists and pinned them to the sheets by either side of your head. “Come on, kitten, we both know that was wasn’t an even deal.”

“What if Tara comes looking for me? Or the rest of my colleagues?” you spluttered.

“They know you’re with me. They won’t disturb,” he purred.

You pursed your lips. You knew he was right. That didn’t mean you wouldn't stop trying. “What about Mephisto? He might—“

“No one is going to disturb us, sweetie,” Sylus interrupted. “Just say you’ll stay. You were restless the entire night.”

“And you’re the one who is restless now,” you retaliated. In the settled silence, you could almost hear the thump of his heart. “Besides, I’m not tired.”

“We can fix that. Come on, sleep with me.”

You gave him an unimpressed side-eye.

“What if I said I wanted to hear a story? Would you tell me one?” he asked. He let go of one of your hands and trailed his fingers down the side of your face. Tucking them under your jaw, he guided you to look at him. His darkened gaze fell between your eyes and lips, dancing caution. Like you were a deer caught in headlights ready to disappear with any sudden movement.

“Why are you suddenly being so clingy?” you asked.

He hummed. “Am I?”

You nodded. “And you’re being too nice.”

“Are you saying I’m crass, miss?”

“Yes,” you breathed.

His eyes narrowed playfully. “Let’s say for your sake that I’ve learnt not to scare an easily startled kitten.”

“How kind…”

With his fingers still under your chin, he guided your head off the sheets, bringing you closer to him. “So, what do you say. It is a simple yes or no…sweetie?” He peered at you through thick eyelashes.

“Why should I?”

“I can hear your heart beating in sync with mine,” he said, bringing you closer.

“You’ve got me pinned to your bed—of course my heart is racing.”

“I can see the desire to stay in your eyes.” He brought you closer.

You scanned his face, barely millimetres away. “Still not good enough,” you said.

He let out a low scoff, looking directly into your eyes. “Because I need you,” he whispered against your lips.

And then he kissed you.

When you closed your eyes, you saw an expanse of dark teal grass dusted with withered, red-stained daisies and carnations. You looked around, first at the red silk dress draped over your body, and then at the tail of mangled dark scales trapping you. Beside you rested the head of the dragon-like creature, protecting you in its slumber. Your eyes traced its surface, taking in its shape and appearance—the long forked tail, wanderer-like body, and large horns. It was like nothing you’d seen before. And yet, you weren’t afraid of it.

You followed its scales with your hand until you reached its face. It stirred beneath your touch. Its deep, unconscious breaths halted as you stared into the giant red eye of the creature. Its pupil slit as it watched you, unmoving, as if waiting for your reaction—the screaming and shouting.

You dropped your hand. You hadn’t meant to wake the beast.

A low grumble reverberated through the creature’s body, one of disapproval.

You crawled slowly toward its face, watching its reaction for any signs to stop.

It stared at you, unblinking.

“Hello there,” you said, stopping beside its high cheekbone and deep crimson eye.

It didn’t respond, continuing to silently observe you.

“Do you have a name?” you asked.

Silence.

A sharp squawk made you look up as a crow flew in circles over the two of you. In the star-sprinkled sky, the crow was a black shadow with beady red eyes passing in flashes. Its speed caused feathers to flutter off its body and cascade down to the ground.

You lifted your hand and watched as a single dark feather landed on your palm. A smile curved on your lips as you admired the large feather, bigger than any crow’s feather you’d seen before—about half the length of your arm. You lifted the feather to the creature.

“For you,” you said to the creature, unsure of whether it could understand you or not. You knew you should have been afraid of the monster. You knew you should have run when you had the chance. But something about it seemed defenseless—tired.

It glanced down, motioning for you to place the feather on the ground.

You put it close to the creature’s jaw. “Where did you come from?”

It didn’t respond.

“What is this place?”

The creature moved its head closer to you, offering its snout.

You placed your hand on the creature’s face. “I suppose you don’t speak human,” you said. Out of the corner of your eye, you noticed a wound oozing thick blood. Your hand moved to it, blocking the hole in its chest.

At the added pressure, the creature grumbled. Slowly, its eyes closed as if to sleep—or perhaps even to die.

“Did you get this whilst protecting me?” you asked. You knew the creature needed healing, or some kind of regeneration. But its core was shattered. Under your fingers, you could only sense how weak it had gotten. It was not strong enough to keep the creature alive, let alone save it.

The creature blinked slowly.

You took that as a yes. “You shouldn’t have done that. You don’t even know me.”

It blinked again, slower this time as you felt its soul slipping from its body.

“I can help you,” you said.

You could help it. It was an ability you had, a one-time bonus that came with having your resonance evol. And you would use it—even if it cost you your power. Even if it bound you to this creature for eternity.

The creature made a sound of disapproval. And with its little strength, it moved away.

You froze so as not to anger it further. Movement was only making the creature’s wound worse.

“I promise I won’t hurt you. Think of it as repayment—common decency, if you will.” You waited for it to move again. When it didn’t, you approached it, lifting your hand. “May I?”

The creature didn’t respond, its breaths deepening.

“Thank you,” you smiled, placing your hand over the wound again. The tips of your fingers glowed as white mist gathered the embers of his evol and molded them with your own before sealing itself in the hole in his chest.

“Don’t close your eyes,” you said, mostly to yourself. “Stay with me.”

Sylus’s hand under your chin brought you back to reality as it moved to rest on the base of your throat, over your chest bone. His other hand, still holding your other wrist, unravelled. Trailing up to your palm, his fingers caressed the smooth skin before he intertwined your fingers with his. He didn’t exert any force. No, he was careful. His body wishing, pleading, begging with yours for something beyond your awareness. Something only your soul could answer.

You could hear it promising you everything…the world, the universe. At the small price of…you. You knew he meant it. You knew this feeling. You’d felt it in your dreams. Or were they visions? Or perhaps memories from a different you.

Somewhere in the back of your mind, you remembered the mangled inhuman creature and the sweet, damning taste of pomegranate seeds. And you wondered if this was how you would lose your soul—without ever being told it was on the market.

You broke the kiss. Instantly, you missed the minty taste of his lips.

“Was I too rough?” Sylus asked. Dishevelled. Searching.

You had never seen him so disgruntled. Not since he was told you were disgusted by him after you’d met.

You shook your head.

“So, it’s something else then?” Sylus began to pull away. His hand slipped from yours, taking the connection with him.

You wanted to be thankful for your freedom…but it was too late, you already resigned yourself to your feelings.

You missed the heat.

You missed him.

Stay with me.

Was this delirium? Or some kind of Stockholm Syndrome? Loving a creature so twisted—so different from you. One who only wore the skin of a prince to lure in and devour the heart of a princess.

“Sylus,” you said. Sitting up, you caught him around his neck before he could get too far away. And with the strength you had left, you pulled him back to you. And kissed him. Silently telling him that you wanted this—you wanted him.

All of him.

And whatever that choice brought with it.

You knew he wasn’t perfect. In other lives maybe you hadn’t chosen to stay—to remain with him and his promises of grandeur amongst the destruction he sought. Maybe this time you’d chosen the path least trekked with the monster whose intent was only ever written about in the annals of history as that of the slain and evil. Ultimately, you didn’t care. You supposed that thought alone was immoral.

Sylus moaned into the kiss. It was quiet, guttural, and just enough to make you want more. You let him guide you back onto the dark silk sheets, your lips moving together all the while.

“I will,” you said between kisses. “I’ll stay.”

He didn’t say anything in response. He didn’t need to. His actions spoke louder than any words either of you could have said.

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my ao3: Everparanoid

#lnds sylus #lads sylus #l&ds sylus #love and deepspace #sylus x you #sylus x mc #sylus x reader #sylus imagine #sylus love and deepspace #sylus fanfic

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fanfickittycat · 5 months ago

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Gimmie, Gimmie, Gimmie

Part Two

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Synopsis: When you and Sylus come across a pair of Aether core necklaces, dreams and reality start to blend together.

AKA a necklace makes you both star in each other’s wet dreams

Rating: Explicit

Fandom: Love and Deepspace

Pairing: Sylus x MC/Sylus x Reader

Read on AO3 | Part One | Part Two | Part Three

A dreamless week passed and you wondered if you really had astral projected into Sylus’ dreams. Had it really been that intense? Your body recovered relatively quickly, and you began to chalk the whole thing up to tiredness. Surely the sore throat was the result of the cold air and the bruises on your knees were from fighting Wanderers? There was no way that you had physically manifested the effects of a spicy dream.

The bigger issue at hand was that you hadn’t heard from Sylus, which, granted, wasn’t unusual, but for some reason it was grating on you. No doubt he was engaging in his regular nefarious affairs, but he had always found a moment to text you, so why not now? You kept finding your eyes falling on your phone as if you were willing it to ring. You contemplated sending him a message but every time you opened up the app you found yourself chickening out. The thought of even saying ‘hi’ made you cringe, but you were drawn to the device all the same, so much so that it was being noticed by your coworkers.

“Has he texted you yet?” Tara asked over lunch. Whilst she didn’t know Sylus - Skye, to her - that well, save for the time he had randomly joined you for karaoke a couple of months ago, she had often asked you about him.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Are you kidding?” Simone asked, raising an eyebrow at your slumped form. You groaned in response.

“This is so pathetic” you mumbled, poking at your lunch half heartedly “I haven’t felt like this since I was a teenager.” It felt silly to be so forlorn at your big age but you couldn’t help it.

“I think it’s sweet” Tara said.

“I think it’s sad” Simone countered “who even is this guy?” Simone was never one to mince her words.

“Ugh Simone this is what happens when you miss group karaoke” Tara tutted, earning an eye roll from Simone in response.

“I was busy that night!”

“You’re always busy!”

“Well I’m free tonight” Simone insisted, jutting out her chin in defiance. Tara cheered up considerably at the statement. The two of them were quick to argue but equally quick to forgive and move on. It always made for an entertaining time.

“Well what about we go out tonight then? We could go to that swanky new bar that opened up the other week?”

“I could go for that, this week has been a lot.” Simone nudged you “what about you? Or are you too busy yearning?”

“Ha ha” you said humourlessly. A girls night did feel like a good idea though; an opportunity to get out of your head a bit and relax. Work had kept you so busy that your social events had been limited to quick trips to the arcade after missions with Xavier, or begging Zayne to play cards with you, which to be fair, he often indulged you in. Still, you hadn’t properly hung out with Simone and Tara in a while.

“I’m in.”

And that’s how you found yourself in one of your only suitable skirts at a bar on a Friday night.

“Jeez, this is a lot shorter than I remember” you muttered, tugging the hem of the black leather skirt. You had bought it as a set with a matching cropped jacket, but in between Wanderer slaying, moonlighting as a bodyguard for Rafayel, and volunteering for the odd day at the hospital, you hardly had any time to go out, let alone wear an outfit that wasn’t your uniform. It felt borderline unnatural.

Once you had gotten over the initial unease you found yourself relaxing into conversation with your colleagues over cocktails. You traversed work gossip, astrology (Tara), pop culture, and work again (Simone), before approaching the topic of romance.

“The way you fight is so intense” Simone said “you so clearly need to get laid.” You almost choked on your drink.

“W-what?!” you stumble over your words, feeling the way the alcohol loosened your tongue and thoughts “since when was that a thing?”

Simone shrugged non chalantly, much to your frustration.

“I can just see it in the way you move and the way the adrenaline hits you after a fight.” Her eyes leave your annoyed face and look around the room “maybe someone here can help with that?”

“No way!” Tara interrupted “she’s already got Skye.”

“Not officially!”

You winced like salt was being rubbed into your wounds but this didn’t seem to deter the other two.

“It’s a hook up, Tara, she doesn’t need to get married!”

Tara didn’t budge “she’s literally found the love of her life” you actually choked on your drink at that statement “why would she bother looking elsewhere?”

“There are so many guys here. I’m sure one can basically do the same thing.”

You drain your drink ‘the perfect man would get me another drink.’ You think to yourself, about to slide out of the booth to get another round when a hand places a bottle of wine on your table, stopping you in your tracks. The gesture was enough to even stop Simone and Tara from squabbling over your love life - or lack thereof.

“Your glass looked empty.�� Sylus’ silky voice immediately made your cheeks flush, and you failed to make eye contact with him.

“What are you doing here?” You asked quietly, electing to look at the way he uncorked the bottle. You could still feel his eyes on you though. It made your heart hammer.

“Business.” He said simply, not choosing to offer you any additional context. He poured three glasses, offering your friends a glass and greeting them cordially.

He made easy conversation with them while you sat there like a lemon, unable to look up at him or meet his obvious gaze.

“You should join us” Tara insisted, gesturing to the empty spot next to you. You almost balked at the invitation.

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt your evening.”

“No, no, we insist.” She unsubtly kicked you under the table, much to your dismay and Sylus’ amusement.

“Only if you’re free” you finally said, looking up at him through your eyelashes in an attempt to still avoid as much eye contact as possible. As suspected though, his eyes were fixed on you, giving you an immediate flashback to last week’s dream where you’d watched his face with rapt attention as he bucked, and groaned, and cursed whilst you took him in your throat. His eyes had seared into your own during the dream and it was hard to shake off, even several days later.

“Of course. I’d love to join.”

You were almost surprised by how easily Sylus found it to speak to normal people. If you hadn’t seen him interact with your other colleagues before, you would have seriously doubted his abilities. After all, the leader of Onychinus was more often than not snapping necks or giving orders. Pleasant conversation just seemed like something beyond him. But here he was, indulging your friends - and perhaps you too - by answering their questions and pouring them wine liberally.

“Do you live far from here?”

“No but it’s not the most convenient commute.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a small business owner.”

“How did you guys meet?”

“Miss Hunter ran into some trouble near my house and I stepped in to help.” You resist the urge to roll your eyes.

Unfortunately for you, the girls seemed eager to keep questioning him.

“Maybe you can help us?” Tara said, eyes sparkling with mischief “we think someone at the table” her eyes look pointedly at you“has been single for too long. Any advice for them?”

“Tara!” You whine, trying to swipe her glass of wine from her but she manages to be quicker despite the alcohol fuelled flush in her cheeks.

“And do you know anyone single for said person?” Simone added, earning her an angry look from you.

“I’m never coming out with you guys again!” You groan, half meaning it. It was bad enough that Sylus was present, but the fact that he was right next to you made things even worse. You could feel his thigh against your own, and even the smallest movement made your skin break out in goosebumps. Even the scent of his cologne felt like it was engulfing you in a smoky, seductive embrace.

“I guess I’d recommend just going for what you want” Sylus said, sounding thoughtful despite how obviously pointed the question was “sometimes it’s worth giving into your desires. And you never know” you could practically hear his smirk “they might just correspond with the other person’s.”

The night ended not too long after that. It was clear from Tara’s unfocused gaze that the alcohol had well and truly claimed her, which led to her hanging off Simone’s arm.

“Are you sure you guys don’t want me to come with you?” You asked worriedly as Simone deposited Tara in a taxi.

“It’s fine, we live close to each other so she can crash at mine.” Simone offered you a smile and a hug “good luck tonight” she whispered in your ear.

“Simone, not you too. You’re meant to be the level headed one.”

“Well my official assessment as the level headed one is to have fun and promise to give us all the details.” She looked above your head to Sylus, who, after hailing the cab had chosen to stand a few paces away to let you say your goodbyes.

“And you!” She narrowed her eyes at Sylus “you better get her back safely or else!”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing anything but.”

You both watched as the taxi pulled away, and you suddenly became hyper aware of the fact that it was just the two of you.

“Sorry you had to sit through that” you said, fiddling with a strand of hair as you both turned to walk down the pavement. Despite the late hour, Linkon City was far from asleep, and you passed several groups of people still eager to seek out the city’s nightlife.

“No need to apologise, it was fun. And it’s nice to see you like this.”

“Like what?” You make the mistake of looking at him in the corner of your eye, only to see him looking at you too. There’s a softness in his gaze that makes your heart thump.

He smiles “like… not a Hunter. Just a normal person.”

“Well, you looked like a normal person tonight too.” You countered “I was surprised. I didn’t know you had that in you.”

“When I’m with you, I feel like a normal person. Just Sylus.” He’s being so honest with you that you’re unsure of what to say. The joke on your tongue suddenly doesn’t feel right to say.

“Can I see ‘just Sylus’ more often then?”

“Maybe. If you’re good and invite me out again with your friends.”

“I don’t know if I even want to go out with them again. That was so embarrassing.” You huff at the memories.

“I think it was funny” Sylus teased “I look forward to hearing how the person at the table fares in their love life.”

“Ugh don’t remind me!”

“Why not? I think I gave them some pretty solid advice.”

“Y-“ you yelp as you’re cut off by Sylus suddenly wrapping an arm around you and pulling you close to him, stopping you from narrowly avoiding a collision with a tipsy bar hopper who hiccups an apology.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, sorry. I should have been looking where I going.”

Sylus’ arm doesn’t immediately remove itself from your body and you realise that you don’t mind. You’ve both stopped in your tracks, and you feel your breath hitch in your throat as his hand suddenly traverses away from the safe zone of your arm and up to your throat.

“You’re still wearing this?” He asks softly, and you feel a tug at your necklace.

“Of course, aren’t you?” You hadn’t taken it off since you put it on, and it had gotten to the point where you hardly noticed it.

He removes his hand from your pendant to fish out his own from under the collar of his black shirt.

“Of course. This is much better than the energy linkage.” Your twin gems glow in the darkness of the evening. You feel relieved, and cradle the stone in your palm, enjoying the way his own mimics it.

“Good. I’m glad.” You look at his face properly for the first time in a week. He was still attractive as ever. Maybe even more so, if it was possible. He had a warmth in his eyes that you had spied more and more during your time together, and you were eager to see it again. Being with him once more just felt right and you felt a twinge of sadness as you nearer your home.

“Thanks for walking me home, and for hanging out with us tonight. I…” you cleared your throat, feeling pricks of nervousness sting you “I was happy to see you again. I know you’ve been busy this week and all” you finished lamely.

“You do know you can text me if you miss me?”

You frowned “who said I missed you?”

“You did” Sylus smiles, poking your forehead “don’t scowl kitten there’s nothing wrong with that. I missed you too.”

“You could’ve texted me too then.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry sweetie. Let’s promise to text each other more then.” He offer an outstretched hand and you take it gingerly.

“Deal.” You shake hands but Sylus doesn’t let go.

“I’ll see you soon, kitten.”

He had been true to his word because not long after you parted, you felt your eyes become heavy as you replayed the night in your head. His garnet eyes were the last thing you thought of as you drifted off to sleep.

You had never invited Sylus into your place, partly because it felt too personal, and partly because you weren’t sure he would even be able to fit in your house. And honestly? You were right. He looked comically out of place on the futon you’d set up for him in your living room.

“Do you want an extra blanket?” You had been fretting over making his stay as comfortable as possible.

“You’re worrying too much” Sylus said, smiling whilst shaking his head.

“I’ll get you another pillow-“ you jolted in surprise as his hand reached out to grab your arm.

“Come here.” He tugged your arm again, and pulled you in, turning you so that your back was flush against his chest. You could feel the firmness of his body behind you, and you were worried he could feel how hot you had suddenly become from the proximity.

“I think I do want something” he rasped against the shell of your ear.

You shivered in response “w-what is it?” You suppressed a gasp when you felt his lips ghost the side of your neck.

“You, of course” he teased, sweeping your hair to your other shoulder before pressing his mouth against your pulse point. One hand grazes the front of your pyjama top, whilst the other snakes its way around your waist to hold you against him. His lips continue to pepper kisses against the delicate skin of your neck and jaw, and you whine when his hand finally makes its way under your shirt to fondle your breast. His thumb circles your nipple gently, sending bolts of desire down your body.

“Hmm you’re so soft” he murmurs nuzzling into your neck “and warm. Maybe I should have you here tonight instead of a blanket. Although…” his tweaks your nipple between his thumb and forefinger, making you whine. “Do you deserve the position of keeping my bed warm? You were so adamant about not looking at me tonight. Such a cruel kitten.” He sighs and lightly bites the skin below your jaw, sucking on it to leave a mark.

“Sylus…” you try and turn your head to kiss him properly but he stops you.

“All week I’ve wanted to see your pretty face but you denied me” his voice is soft but it has an edge to it “don’t you think that deserves some kind of punishment?” Before you can answer you feel a piece of material cover your eyes. The familiar feeling of his evol slides by you, as it ties the material to your face. You swallow. He had blindfolded you.

You almost jump when his hands resume their ministrations, as your senses immediately heighten to compensate for the loss of sight. He chuckles softly at your reaction.

“So sensitive” he sounds amused “I wonder how sensitive you are?” His hands delves down, stroking the softness of your belly and the planes of your abdominal muscles before reaching down further to the waistband of your pyjama shorts. He teases a finger below the waistband, running his digit along the hem of your underwear before withdrawing his hand. Your hips twitch by their own volition and you once again hear him coo.

“I haven’t even started yet and you’re already whining. So needy.” His hand ends up cupping your core over your pyjamas and you instinctively buck into his hand. His grip on your waist becomes tighter.

“What do you want sweetie?” He drawls, experimentally pressing the palm of his hand against your clothed pussy. You wince, grinding your hips against his hand in search of an ounce of pleasure. The friction from the fabric does help, but having Sylus this close feels like an opportunity missed if you don’t have his fingers in you.

“Use your words” he presses, easing the pressure of his hand on you, much to your annoyance.

“Sylus please” it’s embarrassing to beg him to touch you, especially when you can’t see his reaction.

“Please what?”

“Ugh…” you swallow to lubricate your increasingly dry throat “please touch me.”

“Hmmm not good enough” he clicks his tongue and you huff “try again and be more specific this time.” Again, he eases his hand away, instead electing to trace patterns on your thighs. His digits skim your skin, never quite going where you need them to.

“I need your fingers.”

“Where?”

“You know where.” You’re growing weary of his games, but he doesn’t let you off the hook.

“Here?” He touches the area above your knee.

“Higher.”

“Here?” His hand rests at the bottom hem of your pyjama shorts.

“N-no, higher.” You try to bend your knee and encourage his hand to move to your core faster but he doesn’t take the hint. Or if he does, he deliberately ignores it.

His hand sits on your waist “surely not here?” When you groan in frustration he repeats his earlier request.

“You’re going to have to use your words, kitten.”

“Please play with my pussy” you mumble, practically squirming in your seat “i want you to rub my clit.”

“Ohhh” Sylus’ mock surprise is eclipsed by his smugness “like this?” His hand finally makes its way under your panties which are shamefully soaked through and towards your clit. He mimics his movements from earlier on your nipple, rubbing tight circles into the wet flesh. Your head falls back onto his shoulder and you moan louder than you anticipated, making you clap a hand over your mouth.

“Not allowed” Sylus chides, moving his free hand up to discourage you “I’m only blindfolding you tonight, not gagging you.” You don’t need even have the mental capacity to process the statement. You’re too busy trying not to cream yourself from the way he expertly massages your bud.

“Need your fingers” you whimper.

“You already have them don’t you?” He punctuates his point by tapping your clit, making you roll your hips.

“No…. In me.” He seems pleased by your openness and rewards you by slipping his index finger into you. He slides in easily on account of how wet you are.

“So tight” his voice is practically a purr now “and so wet for me too. How long have you been thinking about me doing this?”

“Fuck…. Since I met you.” You draw your knees up, adjusting the angle of your hips. It wasn’t a lie technically. When he bet you that you couldn’t locate his - now your - broach, you found yourself hating him for what he did and for how he made you feel. Having to search his near naked form for the item had taken all your willpower and focus as to not salivate over him.

“Mmmm me too” he kisses your jaw with surprising softness, and you moan as he curls his finger in you while his thumb presses down on your clit.

“More” you urge, your words come out so desperately that you’re practically slurring them but you don’t care anymore. You can feel the tightness in your lower stomach form - a tell tale sign that you’re going to cum.

“God, the way you’re clenching around me right now” Sylus’ voice is ragged and your walls quiver around him as he adds a second finger.

“Ah, Sylus!” The stretch is deliciously raw, toeing the line between pleasure and pain seamlessly.

“Cum on my fingers” he orders “I want you to soak my fucking hand.” You try to move away from him, the sensation and his words stoking an overwhelming fire in you, but his hand refuses to let you move away from him.

“It’s too much!”

“You can handle it” Sylus insists “come on kitten, be a good girl and show me how much you love it when I finger fuck you like this.” It doesn’t take long before your back arches, and you cry out. You cum so hard you vaguely feel yourself squirt all over his hand as promised, but you’re too lost in your own pleasure to concentrate on it.

Sylus withdraws his hand, and you shiver as you hear him suck his fingers. He removes the blindfold from you gently. The dim lighting in the room is suddenly harsh on your eyes, and you shut them again, turning your body to nuzzle your face into Sylus himself. He obliges you, wrapping his arms around your frame and pressing several kisses to your head.

“Fuck” you curse “Im definitely going to have to get you new sheets.”

Sylus laughs, stroking your hair “worth it.”

You pull away, and regard his lust filled eyes. They look at you with such admiration you almost want to look away, but you don’t. He tucks the sweaty strands of hair behind your ears and you press your forehead against his.

“Oh” you look down, hearing the click of the gems on your necklaces touch. They seem to shine brighter than you’ve ever seen them do before.

“Remind me to thank that salesman for these.“

“What?”

Sylus smiles and finally leans in to press a proper kiss to your lips.

It’s the last thing you remember before you open your eyes.

#fanfic #fanfickittycat #love and deepspace #love and deepspace Sylus #sylus #lads sylus #lnds sylus #sylus x reader #sylus x mc #sylus x you #sylus smut #love and deepspace fanfic #love and deepspace smut #love and deepspace headcanons

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oddeyevibes · 10 months ago

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There needs to be more Yandere Love & Deepspace fics. You mean to tell me a story where all of the of the love interests are CANONICALLY obsessed with you and being by your side so badly that one of them seemed to have traversed timelines while another is literally putting his health at risk for you and the yandere fics for them are barren AF???

…..

WTF?????

#lads #love and deepspace #Love & Deepspace #Yandere lads #Yandere love and deepspace

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my-soul-sings · 2 months ago

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the champion's prize: epilogue

Fandom: Love and Deepspace Characters: Sylus/Reader

Summary: The Champion will marry the chief’s daughter. That’s how it’s been traditionally, as least. And as the next Champion, you know how Sylus’ story will end: one with no room for you, the daughter of a traitor, in it.

What you don’t realise is that he’s long had his sights set on a different prize altogether.

AU inspired by Sylus’ Grassland Romance date.

ch 1 | ch 2 | ch 3 | ch 4 | ch 5 | ch 6 | ch 7 | epilogue

*See replies to this post for the AO3 link.

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It takes thirteen months to reach the place that the warriors found.

Sylus’ descriptions of the place had been spot-on. You see rolling hills in the distance, plains that stretch as far as the eyes can see, and a waterfall leading into streams of rivers in the valley below.

It’s perfect.

You hear the sounds of relieved sighs, cheering behind you, but it all drowns out as background noise when you turn around to find Sylus next to you on his horse, gazing out at the same view.

“It took a while, but we finally made it.”

Satisfaction and relief is written all over his face. There was never any doubt that he’d be able to lead everyone here, but the journey had been a long and difficult one, and you know he’s looking forward to finally being able to rest now.

Unfortunately, that’s not on the cards. Not yet.

“Sylus.” Your eyes remain on him, watching as he turns to face you.

“Yes?”

“I’m ready now.”

He pauses then, taking a few moments to process your words.

It doesn’t take long for him to understand, and then his lips curve into the biggest smile you’ve seen yet, as he nods in agreement.

“Alright. Let’s go.”

+++++++++++++

A year later, Sylus fulfills his promise to you.

The fields before you are filled with blooming red flowers, spanning for miles and as far as your eyes can see, appearing to stretch all the way to the distant horizon. It’s a piece of heaven amidst the wastelands that you’ve crossed and traversed for months to arrive at.

The sight steals your breath away, and you hesitate to blink, wanting to soak in as much of this into your memory as possible.

“Happy?” Sylus asks, and from the corner of your eye you could see him turning to get a glimpse of your awestruck expression. The satisfied curl of his lips has you trying to press your lips into a straight line, though it’s to no avail.

“I guess this will have to do,” you say, turning your nose up as if it’s no big deal.

You’re about to walk off to explore the flower field, when you feel his arm curl around your waist, drawing you back towards him. Your palms land against his chest with a light smack, barely able to protect your nose from knocking straight into his pecs.

When you look up, you see a smug expression settled on his devilishly charming face.

Apprehension sets in; it’s never a good sign when he smiles like that.

“I think I deserve a reward for keeping my word,” he says, leaning in with a crafty grin. “Don’t you think?”

“Greedy,” you chide, not at all surprised as he comes closer to you, nose nuzzling against yours.

But just as he’s about to lean in closer to kiss you, you stop him with a finger to his lips.

Sylus’ eyes flash with annoyance, just for a brief second. Your grin widens.

“Fine, I’ll give you your prize. Follow me.”

You step back, tugging on his arm. Sylus remains still as a statue, his eyes boring into your form as if to say, really?

But at your insistent tugging, he eventually relents and ceases his silent tantrum. He trudges along after you, but not without squeezing your hand tightly in his as he follows your lead.

You come to a small clearing amidst the sea of red flowers, and plop right down on the soft grass. After patting the empty spot next to you a few times, Sylus eventually sits down as well.

“Now, close your eyes.”

The moody man stares at you skeptically. “What for?”

“You’ll see.”

You wait for a moment, but his eyes remain wide open. Seeing as he’s being stubborn about this, you take matters into your own hands, reaching out to cover his eyes with your palm.

Sylus doesn’t resist, and you feel his eyelashes moving against your palm each time he blinks.

“Just keep them closed until I say you can open them.”

“If you’re asking someone for a favour, maybe you should do it more nicely.”

“Please?”

Sylus folds his arms across his chest. Petty.

You remove your palm slowly, revealing his red eyes focused on yours. His brow is arched, silently demanding for more.

It’s not hard to guess what he wants.

“Come on,” you whine, lower lip protruding in a little pout. “I won’t take long. Promise.”

“One minute.”

“Five!”

“Three.”

“Fine.”

You feel his lashes flutter as he closes his eyes, and then you remove your hand, waving it in front of his face to make sure he’s really not looking.

“If you’re planning a sneak attack, you should come closer.”

As if you’ll fall for that trap again. Always pretending to be harmless at first, then attacking you as soon as you have your guard down.

Well, he won’t be getting his way so easily this time.

Withdrawing your hand, you stick your tongue out at the blissfully ignorant man. He doesn’t react.

Satisfied that he’s not going to peek, you get to work, picking several flowers within arm’s reach. Then you get to work, carefully stringing the thin stems into delicate but secure knots. With each slip of the finger you mutter a curse under your breath, and every now and then you peek over your shoulder to make doubly sure that Sylus isn’t looking.

“I need a bit more time,” you eventually tell him, exasperated by the number of times the thin stems slip from your grip.

“Fine, go ahead.” His voice is lower now, words coming out slower too. It seems having him close his eyes for a while has made him a little sleepy.

You look up, the sun in the sky already starting to set. No wonder; it’s the perfect temperature for an afternoon nap.

Taking advantage of this, you hum a soft melody to yourself while linking the flowers up together, stem by stem. Minutes go by as they slowly come together to form a circle, and by the end, you have a brand new flower crown sitting in your lap.

You glance over your shoulder again, and realise that Sylus is now still, save for the soft breaths that you can hear, and the minute movement of his chest moving up and down as he breathes.

You wish you could take a picture of this moment; it’s rare to catch Sylus while he’s defenseless like this.

But there’s still something missing from this.

Carefully and as silently as you can, you get to your knees, inching closer and closer to his sleeping figure. With the flower crown in hand, you raise it to gently place it atop his head.

You hold your breath, waiting for a sign that he’ll wake up, but he doesn’t budge. Sylus remains fast asleep, but now, bearing a lovely flower crown on his head.

Leaning back slightly, you admire your work for a moment, proud by how well the crown fits him.

And it’s when you have your guard down that suddenly you feel a hand on your waist, pulling you forward.

You barely have any time to react, let alone scream, before you find yourself being yanked down by gravity straight towards the ground. Except, when you open your eyes again, you find yourself lying atop Sylus who is very much awake, and grinning at you.

“You fall for it every time,” he laughs. In return, you yell his name, punching him in his chest for the heart attack he’d nearly given you.

Unaffected by your attacks, he reaches up to take off the flower crown and examine it.

“So, this is my reward? Flowers?”

“A flower crown,” you corrected, snatching it from him and placing it back on his head. A satisfied smile plays on your lips at the sight of this big, scary champion, surrounded by delicate flowers. A beautiful contradiction. “It suits you.”

“Is that so?”

Sylus reaches to his side then, picking a few flowers with one hand and tucking one behind your ear. You stay still as he does it, a light chill running down your back at the ticklish contact against your skin.

Once the flower is securely in place, he pulls back, taking a moment to admire his handiwork.

“It suits you more.”

“Always stealing my lines…”

You try to get off of him, but Sylus is quick to wrap his free arm around your waist, trapping you in place.

“I think I deserve a little more than this,” he says, tipping his chin up with a mischievous smirk.

“What, the flower crown I painstakingly made for you isn’t enough?”

“Not at all. Like you said, I’m greedy, so this much won’t be enough to satisfy me.”

You roll your eyes. Him and his glib tongue.

Feigning reluctance, you lean down and leave a quick peck on his lips.

“There. Happy?”

“Not so fast,” Sylus protests, before you feel his hand on the back of your neck, pulling you back down towards his inviting lips.

This is a kiss. His lips move against yours passionately, his hand on your neck keeping you in place lest you attempt to run again. Not that you would have; you’ve been holding back just as much as he has.

You smile against his lips, enjoying the way he’s holding you tightly, legs intertwined in the grass, leaving nothing in between.

The world around you is quiet, peaceful, and in this moment it feels like time has stopped, and only the both of you exist in this time and space.

Of course, that’s until you hear someone calling your names in the distance.

“Luke, do you know where they went? Dinner’s ready but I can’t find them anywhere.”

“Huh? No… You look there, I’ll take that side. Maybe they snuck off again.”

“Do you think there’s a chance they left us behind? Are we orphans now?”

“Nah. Don’t overthink it. They should be somewhere nearby.”

“I hope they didn’t abandon us…”

You break the kiss, much to Sylus’ immediate displeasure. But you cover his mouth with your hand before he can pull you back in again for more.

“The twins are looking for us,” you whisper, struggling to get up.

Despite your explanation, his arms refuse to budge, leaving you with no other option than to stay where you are, glaring at him.

“Sylus!” you hiss.

“Let them wait,” he tells you casually. “We’re busy here.”

“No, we’re not. Didn’t you say you were hungry? I want to eat too.”

“Not yet; let me have my fill first.”

You feel something warm and wet slide against the crevice of your fingers. Horrified, you pull your hand back, wiping his saliva off against his arm band while your cheeks turn flaming hot.

“Sylus, you’re so gro— Mmph!”

Without warning, his lips capture yours once more, silencing any further protests you have.

His hold on you is unyielding, and it’s only when you’re just about out of breath that he finally pulls away, giving you a second to recover.

“Shh,” he hushes, after leaving you breathless, “just a little longer. Then we’ll go.”

It’s just like him to keep pushing the boundaries, to ask for more.

But well, you’re not really one to talk either.

After all, you can’t help but indulge him every time.

The seconds stretch on, and minutes fly by.

Beneath the setting sun, you lay in the grass with him, surrounded by the fragrance of flowers. All sense of time is lost as your mind goes blank, registering nothing but the heat of his kisses and the sound of his heartbeat pumping in sync with yours.

Eventually though, you have to end the surreptitious rendezvous when you overhear the twins threatening to cook Sunny if you don’t show yourselves soon.

Sylus is anything but pleased when he’s forced to let you go, which you find nothing short of amusing.

Taking his hand in yours, you lead him back towards where the twins have set up a fire for dinner. The smell of food greets you, and the twins are quick to spot you while you’re still far-off. At first they’re cheering, until they see your arrow that’s aimed at them, in response to which they immediately place Sunny down, a safe distance away from the fire.

You spot the yurt that’s still being set up a short distance away. Everyone’s belongings are still sprawled out on the ground, and the place looks like a mess.

But, it’s home now.

You glance at Sylus who’s walking behind you, and he returns your smile with his own, lips still pink and kiss-bitten.

Your home.

-end-

#love and deepspace #sylus x reader #love and deepspace fanfiction #love and deepspace sylus #sylus fanfiction #my writing #sylus #the champion's prize

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shiningsuki · 1 year ago

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The First Promise

.｡༅:*･ﾟﾟ･ Book 1 of the STARRY WITNESS Miniseries

full series on AO3. xavier x mc. your first life together.

SYNOPSIS: You meet a boy like light itself who brightens your darkest days. He makes your last days outshine the rest of your short life by light years.

Chapter 1 Preview *:·ﾟ✧*:·ﾟ✧

Mornings in Philos, especially in the early spring season, are never really quiet. There is a buzz in the air—if one listens close enough, one feels the vibrations, life tingling all around. Evol, the energy that makes the universe and the source of your power, hangs everything in the balance. You feel it humming beneath your skin as you walk to school, waving your arm in the air. Your fingers wiggle slightly with the movement. With an absentminded awareness, you sense your Evol connecting with the air around you; your body and nature are always in harmony.

This all passes as fleeting thoughts. As soon as you pour your energy into the connection, you feel it draining just as fast. You drop your arm and make a sweeping glance around the market you pass through to get to school. The Academy’s campus lies in the heart of town, and your dorm is just under a ten-minute walk from school.

It’s a rare sunny day. Philos’ frequent storms and cloudy days finally break into a cool, spring morning. The streets begin to wake up. Older men and women set up their stalls. More cars start to pass you on the sidewalk. The humming you sense begins to amplify, ever so slowly, an exponential rise that you’ve come to recognize as second nature. As the world wakes up, so does its resonance, the one that connects your Evol to everything.

You adjust your backpack on your shoulders. Then you tuck your hands underneath your armpits, your hoodie’s thick material providing a little more warmth from the chill. It’s still cold this early in the year, but you try to make up for it by layering your uniform accordingly.

You calculate that you’re about five minutes from school when an entourage of large black cars zoom past you. Since the sidewalk is so close to the main street, the sheer speed makes gusts of wind blow toward your body. It makes your hair fly around and you instinctively hug yourself tighter. The added draft doesn’t help with the morning temperature.

Curious, you eye the line of cars and wonder who’s important enough to ride in them. They turn towards the school’s direction. You eventually follow into the same street, and the Academy’s gates greet you several feet ahead.

History teaches all of Philos’ citizens that the Academy is a stepping stone for the best and brightest students to utilize Evol in its various ways. They could study it in research labs. They could become Lightseekers and protect humanity from Wanderers and other universal threats. They could even become explorers, traversing the Deepspace tunnel into the vast corners of the universe. Discover whether or not you all are the last living organisms in this plane of existence.

None of it appeals to you. Granted, you can’t see so far ahead in the future. This is your first year at the Academy, yet even after the break, your prospects seem dim at best. Everyone tells you that you have time to figure it out. But time has never been your ally.

You subconsciously rub your chest as you approach the gates. They’re wide open for an hour before the start of the school day. In the circle drive, you see the black cars from earlier all piled up one after the other, parked in front of the main building. Outside each car, a large man stands guard, sunglasses covering their eyes and an earpiece tucked behind their ears. They scan their surroundings. You make eye contact with them, though you can’t really tell. They don’t spare you another glance.

As you approach closer, one of the car doors opens. A flash of silver hair glints in the rising sunlight then disappears just as quickly behind a pair of guards. They flank this person on all sides as they enter the school.

Strange, you think. Someone important is visiting? It’s after break, but you don’t remember hearing news of a welcome-back assembly or important announcement anytime soon. Then again, you don’t pay too much attention to what happens outside your classes. You follow a group of students entering the doors. You catch a bit of their conversation. They too wonder what the mysterious entourage’s presence means at the school.

Read the full chapter here ✧·ﾟ: *✧·:*

© shiningsuki on Tumblr and suki_dreams on AO3. all rights and permissions belong to the author. reposting without permission is prohibited. all depictions of love and deepspace are inspired and unaffiliated with official storylines and characters.

#love and deepspace #love and deepspace xavier #xavier #fanfiction #ao3 fanfic #my fics #NEW SERIES ALERT!!!#it's been two years since i wrote something in the fanfiction realm #it's good to be back #is it annoying to make people read on tumblr and AO3...#if it is oh whale #ENJOY!!!!!#leave feedback in my ask box pls #or just reblog with ur tag thoughts that would be Fantastic #loving you thank you for reading my stuff #shiningsuki #shiningsukifics #ao3

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itsyourgirlavys · 1 year ago

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Love and Deepspace | Exclusive Tutorial Trailer

Trailer of New 5-Star Memory [Zayne: Exclusive Tutorial] Is Coming!

┈┈┈┈┈▾Giveaway▾┈┈┈┈┈

Follow @Love_Deepspace and Repost for a chance to win Zayne's Badge (5 winners in total) and $50 (5 winners in total) before May 2.

Let Doctor Zayne show you how to "use" a cue rest.

■ 5-Star Limited Rate UP Pool

From 5:00 A.M. on Apr. 30 to 4:59 A.M. on May. 10 (server time), the drop rate of the limited 5-Star Memory [Zayne: Exclusive Tutorial] will go up drastically.

*After the event ends, this event limited 5-Star Memory will not be obtainable through other means and will not enter the permanent Wish Pool, Xspace Echo.

■ Download Now: loveanddeepspace.onelink.me/AJaA/9vtegoh2

■ Love and Deepspace has been officially released!

■ Traversing Deepspace, Be With You.

#LoveandDeepspace #Zayne

The smirk

S-sir!?

#l&ds #lads #love and deepspace #lads zayne #zayne #zayne lads #zayne love and deepspace

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hananoami · 1 year ago

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Secret Times: Starry Witness

Memory: 4☆ Xavier: Starry Witness (Emerald/☼) Obtained via: Oracle of Stars / Traversing Deepspace

𝑯𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒕�� 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓.

What’s wrong?

It’s fine. The snow won't melt that quickly.

There's no rush. Take your time.

Are you curious about what’s going on outside?

People are making snowmen.

Looks like there’s going to make a snowman as big as that statue in front of the neighborhood.

Are you also interested?

…

Don’t worry. With my strength, it won't be hard to make a snowman bigger than theirs.

Mmm… There are also kids having a snowball fight under the pine trees. They’re already covered in snow.

… you sound eager to try.

What do you want to bet on?

The loser buys the winner milk tea for a week?

All right. But.. can I phone a friend?

Okay, I guess I can’t bring along my Snow Helper robot.

When you started wishing it would snow more often, I bought one.

Sure, I’ll bring it along.

Huh?

It’s nothing. I saw the kids outside stopping to get something.

They’re now… each holding a baguette.

I don’t get kids these days.

Do you also want to eat baguettes?

Then we can go the bakery nearby after we finishing building the snowman

Ready?

Oh? Are we missing something?

Hand lotion?

That’s a bit too much.

I don’t need any.

All right… Ugh, it’s so sticky and oily.

It smells different from the ones you used yesterday.

…

So you use freesia-scented lotions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and the chamomile one on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. What about Sunday?

You give your skin a break on that day…

Sundays are for resting anyway. It’s okay to relax.

Is this how you apply it?

Like this? On the back of my hand, my palm…

Did I miss a spot?

When you rub my hands like this… It tickles.

Okay, I won't move. Keep going.

Your hands are small.. But they’re very warm.

Do people with big hands waste a lot of hand lotion?

…

Doesn’t that depend on how hard you squeeze the bottle?

…you want to compare our hands?

Or do you want to see who uses more hand lotion?

The person who uses less wins?

Is there any point in winning or losing…

All right.

What happens if I win?

I get your favorite hand lotion?

I don't need that…

But since you want to do it, let’s do it.

You squeezed a lot for yourself and not a lot for me. You’re cheating, aren’t you…

So you just wanted to give me hand lotion?

All right… then I lost.

You’re giving me your favorite hand lotion just like that. Won't you miss it?

You won't as long as I use it “well”?

Hmm… how do I use it “well”?

Mmm, you squeezed this much onto the back of your hand.

Apply it evenly.

Massage in a circular motion…

Then rub your hands together.

I get it now.

But.. what’s this scent? It smells like snowy pines.

What a wonderful fragrance.

I understand why this is your favorite now.

Don’t you want to test me to see how well I do?

Keep your hands there.

It tickles?

I told you it tickled. Now do you believe me?

Don’t move.. You’ll get used to it soon enough.

Mmm… apply it evenly, make circles, rub your hands…

See, didn't I do a good job?

Are you satisfied with the results?

All right… I’ll make sure to follow your instructions and use it well.

Thank you for the hand lotion.

All right, let’s go.

Wait…

Don’t forget your scarf.

Does the scarf smell like hand lotion?

…

You’re right.

Ah, I got some lotion on it?

But your hands smell the same as mine.

You used less lotion than me, so the scent is stronger on my hands, huh?

…

Let me take your hand. There. Your hands should smell the same now.

Let’s go.

#love and deepspace #xavier #seiya #shen xinghui #shim seonghun #oracle of stars #traversing deepspace #by your side #xavier:secret times #沈星回 #セイ��#심성훈

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love-and-deepspace-wiki · 10 months ago

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DPSC FM

Type: Radio broadcast

A Linkon City morning radio broadcast. This is the voice/broadcast heard in the very first chapter of the story. The full transcript of the broadcast is included below.

Details:

Hello Linkon City.

DPSC FM here to greet you on this early morning. Did you sleep well last night?

Weather's nice today with winds at 5 km/hr. Certain areas have a higher Metaflux index due to the Deepspace Tunnel. Expect Wanderers to appear more often. We would like to thank the hunters in the city for allowing us to live a normal, peaceful life.

Next, a detailed report for each district. Areas that are at "high risk" of being attacked by Wanderers-

All medical personnel, please get ready. Today is going to be another busy day.

We now have a message for all the new hunters who recently passed their exams. Now that your journey is about to begin, we want to express our deepest gratitude and wish you all the best as you face the challenges ahead!

And... that's that's for today. But before we go, please enjoy this gift we received from Deepspace 14 years ago: Love and Deepspace.

These electromagnetic signals have traversed time and space. A miracle of the ages. One day, we will be able to evolve from our current limitations, transcend the boundaries of life, and reach the stars. At a certain moment in the future, we can pass through the Deepspace Tunnel and discover the future awaiting us.

#love and deepspace #lads linkon city #linkon city #lads #lads zayne #love and deepspace zayne #lads akso hospital #linkon central hospital #love and deepspace akso hospital #akso hospital #lads xavier #lads rafayel #love and deepspace rafayel #love and deepspace xavier #lads dpsc fm #lads radio

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beansproutsong · 1 year ago

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[Proxy / Group Order] Love and Deepspace

Paperfold Tmall just added some new goods on their website. Early bird pre order will be accepted until 27th May.

Line up:

Veiled Whisper

Can badges: 600JPY

Standee: 1800JPY

Film strip keychain: 1200JPY

Heartbeat Ripples:

Can badges: 500JPY

Collota (acrylic block): 2100JPY

Shikishi: 1080JPY

Traversing deepspace

Can badges: 500JPY

Acrylic standee: 1500JPY

Movie Time series

Chibi Acrylic standee: 1080JPY

Pouch: 1080JPY

Cassette keychain: 1300JPY

Memo + acrylic stick: 900JPY

About shipping,

Currently paperfold do not specify the exact shipping date, but I assure you this is quite normal for CN preorder. Some of them can take up to 90 days (3 months). The rafayel birthday goods has not been shipped yet

DM me here or at my twitter (angelic1408) to place your order

#love and deepspace #lads #Lads goods #Lads merch #lads zayne #lads xavier #lads rafayel #lads rei #lads seiya #lads homura

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aeria-arc · 4 months ago

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[LoveAndDeepSpace Translation Review] | Main Story | Under Deepspace CH 01 To Begin: 00 Singularity Echo

It's the next day here but I want to wish all the LADS girlies a happy valentines! Hope those banner pulls are kind to y'all~

Started re-reading parts of the main story again. It's always nice to revisit early chapters once in a while and maybe discover new things along the way. Reviewing xavier related chapters for now unless I have time for others. ♡🐰

*contains spo!lers up to Main Story: Voyage of The Outcast & Xavier's Silver Polyphony Memory

Disclaimer: I'm southeast asian chinese (english/chinese speaking). Not from China. Not a language expert. Just a lore and Xavier girlie who's way too invested. My reviews are opinions, not facts. - More Details: HERE

Key: (i keep changing the colors but this is the last time i swear!) Purple = official EN version Pink = official CN version « » = my version (based on CN's script) Blue = external links [Scene] = context [EDIT] = notes added after initial draft ★ = bullet points ◤/◢ = start/end of my thoughts

★ [Scene] Traceback II Message

Day 1326 Attention: 第1326个航行日记播报 «1326th voyage journal entry broadcast»

--Target anchor lost. No response from base. Traceback II is about to pass the event horizon and enter the black hole.--

We are stuck in this loop... This never-ending journey... 我们将停滞在这尚未结束也永远不会结束的旅程当中 «We have come to a standstill on this journey that's yet to end and will never end.»

◤ This "message" from Traceback II is a journal/diary report. This is the 1326th entry so it is presumed that 1326 days have passed since the start of the voyage. This is confirmed in EN where it clearly states "Day 1326".

After Voyage of the Outcast (Main Story) we now know Traceback II is Xavier's spaceship. What we are seeing here is the ship preparing to enter the blackhole and passing through some kind of time warp/closed timeloop curve* (deepspace tunnel) which would send them back in time to the past Earth where the game takes place.

The current year in-game is 2048 and from his promo video we know Xavier has been here for 213 years (214th year is where he meets adult mc). This means Traceback II arrived in the year ~1834.

Fun Trivia: In real life, the year 1834 on Earth is during the Victorian era (1820-1914), or Qing Dynasty in China (1644-1912). I dun think the game follows the same eras tho it makes you wonder what the backtrackers had to do to blend in during those times 🫠. ◢

*Regarding space science terminologies and concepts, check out these links for some bite-sized info:

➜ Black Hole Anatomy ➜ Are Black Holes Time Machines?

★ [Scene] Radio Message

EN: | And...that's all for today. But before we go, please enjoy this gift we received from Deepspace 14 years ago: Love and Deepspace. These electromagnetic signals have traversed time and space. A miracle of the ages. | CN: 好了，今天概况就介绍到这里。最后，请继续欣赏14年前来自深空的礼物，这首《深空传说》。这些电磁信号历经万年抵达我们的世界。被视为奇迹 «All right, that's all for today's overview. Lastly, please continue on to enjoy this gift from 14 years ago that came from Deepspace, this song, "Legend of Deepspace". These electromagnetic signals have taken thousands of years to reach our world. It's regarded as a miracle.»

◤ I've always wondered what exactly this "Love and Deepspace" is, and why the radio presenter says it's a "gift". Well I found out and now I feel like an idiot coz the clues were there all along.

In EN, we are not specifically told what "Love and Deepspace" is, but they did give us the info that it's some electromagnetic signals from Deepspace. My initial thoughts were, since the signals have waveforms and this is some kind of radio broadcast, "Love and Deepspace" is a track that's just filled with a static-like sound.

In CN, the presenter says he is leaving us with "这首《深空传说》". Just based on the brackets 《》 and measuring word (首) used, and without any other context, this can mean it's either a song or poetry. The next line let's us know it's referring to electromagnetic signals, and similar to my line of thought for the EN ver, this is more likely to be a song rather than poetry. In CN the title of this song is "Legend of Deepspace", not "Love and Deepspace" as written in EN ver.

So we figured out it's some kind of track/song. With the release of Xavier's "Silver Polyphony" Memory, we can now confirm it is most definitely a song/instrumental. In that Memory we got to hear how the raw signals from outer space sound like (an unsettling hum). Xavier also says there are ways to convert the signals, which we later learn it can be converted into a piece of music. ⬇️

But what does this song, "Love and Deepspace" or "Legend of Deepspace" sound like? ...Take a closer look at this screenshot in Xavier's promo vid. ⬇️

On the CD is the title "Deep Space Legend". I didn't translate it exactly the same way but this has to be the song the radio presenter was referring to in CN ver! In smaller print it's written: beyond the universe.

Xavier plays the CD and we get to listen to it. ⬇️

youtube

Yeaaa.. so this "song" is an instrumental version of the game's first theme song. A slightly muffled version of the song sung by Sarah Brightman was literally playing in the background of this chapter's cutscene and it completely flew over my head. I thought the EN title misled me, until I went back to check... ⬇️

"Love and Deepspace". It's not just the title of the game, but also the song title in the official EN ver... 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

As for who transcribed this music in the game's universe, I'm not sure and I doubt it's Xavier tho I have a feeling it's a former backtracker. Or it could be EVER. We are more accustomed to labeling them as the "evil" group, but some of their tech actually benefits Linkon. Just like how they also made the cute OTTO robots 😣. ◢

#love and deepspace #love and deepspace xavier #love and deepspace lore #en translation #translation review #happy valentines to lads #enjoy this gift love and deepspace ♪#a miracle of the ages ♥#main story #lads #lads xavier #xavier #恋与深空 #沈星回

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theasiaverse · 4 months ago

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youtube

250207 | Love and Deepspace Instagram update: "Love and Deepspace | Tainted Cuts · Showcase

“Are you doing this out of pity? Then, when this night is over… Will you stay with me?”

■ Download Now: https://loveanddeepspace.onelink.me/AJaA/9vtegoh2 ■ Love and Deepspace has been officially released! ■ Traversing Deepspace, Be With You.

#LoveandDeepspace#Caleb"

#20250207 #youtube #game #app game #app #love and deepspace #tomorrow's catch-22 #caleb

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annerly-san · 6 months ago

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Till Death do we Part, my Ass! - Chapter 8 - "i only desire to protect you"

Summary:

Caleb pulls big brother ghost shenanigans to fend off any men within a 5 km radius of his little pipsqueak

A love and deepspace fanfic for Caleb

Chapter Navigation: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Alternative AO3 link:

Caleb gently stroked her hair while she laid in the back seat of the moving car. As it traversed the bumpy road and terrain, the vehicle rocked back and forth while the driver cursed on the phone in exasperation for driving around endlessly with the girl who had the Aether core in her possession. Caleb watched with concern as she twitched and squirmed under the effects of the neurotoxin in her veins. His face twisted with worry as his hand phased through her, unable to offer her any comfort.

He tried his best to convince himself that she was alright- that he didn’t need to worry. He saw how she had already taken an inhibitor, everything a part of her plan. But he couldn’t help but fret and fuss regardless.

“I-It’s alright, pip. Hang in there-” he whispered, touching her cheek gently.

Her eyelashes fluttered, eyes opening as she seemed to stare straight up at him.

Caleb offered her a soft smile even though he knew she couldn’t see him; he’d smile at her regardless - forever and always.

A string of curses tore Caleb from his focus on her; the car rolled to a grinding stop, its engine breaking down on the road.

The driver stepped out, opening the door of the rear violently as a hand darted out and grabbed her.

Caleb’s fist clenched up into tight balls, vision flashing red with rage as he fought the urge to tear the man apart with his evol for how he treated her so roughly. She was awake, so he resisted the desire to tear the man apart for handling her in such a careless fashion knowing that interference would hinder her plans to gather the information she sought. The faster she gets it, the faster she can get out of the N109 and back to the safety of Linkon. He gritted his teeth, trying to remain cool-headed. He scrambled out of the car, helpless as the driver dragged his pipsqueak into the abandoned yard.

A dilapidated chapel towered over them in the abandoned yard, the lone thing against the clouds of the night sky as a lone crow cawed in the distance.

The surroundings made Caleb uncomfortable. He had been in many dangerous places before within his line of work, but this place was foreboding. Caleb could sense that something was coming: something dangerous.

The silence was broken by a pair of voices echoing in the otherwise eerily quiet atmosphere.

“Kidnapping Onychinus’s prey without letting us know… that’s not exactly polite.”

“She’s ours, by the way. We called dibs a long time ago.”

Two young men with black and red masks materialized out of the red and black energy, kicking down the driver and disarming him deftly.

“You’re pretty bold for releasing information about the Aether Core in The Nest like that.”

“Explains why boss is interested.”

As the masked duo approached her, their tone and mannerisms brimming with dark curiosity, the man who had kidnapped her interrupted with a cold laugh.

“I see… Sylus sent you…” he sneered, his voice sharp and grating. Without hesitation, he drew a gun, the barrel glinting in the pale moonlight as he pointed it at her. “But the Aether Core is mine—!”

Caleb felt his heart drop, his chest tightening as panic surged. The man’s finger hovered over the trigger as Caleb lunged forward, his evol flaring to life as he summoned a gravitational barrier to shield her. But there was not a need for it.

The gunshot shattered the silence of the night, deafening in its finality, but it never reached her.

Only inches away from the barrel, the projectile froze mid-air, trembling as if caught in an invisible hold. Crimson and black energy spiraled around it, tightening with each passing second. The air grew heavy, crackling with unnatural energy, as the bullet warped and twisted before shattering into dust.

The man who fired it let out a strangled gasp, his body lurching backward as the same crimson-black tendrils snaked through the air, wrapping around his limbs. His feet left the ground as the energy hoisted him skyward, his screams echoing into the void. The tendrils constricted, crushing his form with an eerie, deliberate slowness, as though savoring his demise.

Caleb’s breath caught, his chest heaving as he watched the man writhe, the life choked out of him by an incredibly powerful and unknown evol. And then, without warning, he was gone. No body, no trace—just dust swirling in the oppressive stillness.

A single bell tolled in the distance, its chime reverberating through the night as if to harken the passing of the man like a requiem and welcome in the arrival of someone far more dangerous.

The sky above shifted, blood-red hues bleeding into the darkness like spilled ink. Caleb’s gaze snapped upward, his chest tightening as he spotted the figure atop the chapel - the boss of Onychinus: Sylus.

The shadows seemed to bend around him, coiling at his feet like loyal beasts. The crimson spirals of his energy pulsed in the night, casting an otherworldly glow that illuminated his form in stark relief. A crow cawed sharply, breaking the silence as it descended to land on his shoulder, its mechanical eyes blinking with scarlet light.

Sylus’s gaze swept across the scene, his expression unreadable, but his presence was suffocating. The air itself seemed to bow beneath the weight of his power.

With deliberate ease, he extended his arm, crimson-black energy swirling from his fingertips like smoke. The crow cawed again, its wings spreading and slicing through the air as Sylus stepped from the edge of the chapel.

For a moment, Caleb thought he’d fall, but the figure dissolved into a plume of smoke mid-air, vanishing entirely.

The tension in Caleb’s chest grew unbearable—until Sylus materialized before them with predatory grace, the crimson spirals of his evol curling around him like tendrils of billowing smoke. His boots landed softly on the cracked ground, the faint crunch of debris the only sound as he straightened to his full height.

Caleb’s chest tightened, his breaths shallow and quick. His eyes darted back to his pipsqueak. She was still bound and at risk of danger. And now there was this… monster was closing in on her.

He was more dangerous than the deceased man that kidnapped her. Caleb’s senses were on high alert, a rush of adrenaline soaring through him as he firmly placed himself between her and the approaching man. Caleb wouldn’t let this man get any closer to her. He’d protect her.

The tension in the air was suffocating as Sylus paused in his stride, a smirk coming up on the man’s lips as he stared straight into Caleb.

Silence fell across the yard again, the whistle of the wind and the ominous toll of the bell echoed before Sylus spoke. “Quite the guard dog you’ve got there, sweetie. He looks upset.”

Caleb froze. His head turned towards his pipsqueak who was staring straight through him at Sylus with confusion in her eyes. His eyes followed Sylus’s gaze to realize that the man was not staring at her, but him. Caleb’s eyes widened, his mind stumbling over the impossible. The man can see him, or at least, he was aware that Caleb was there.

Sylus chuckled softly, a sound devoid of warmth. His right eye, glowing faintly with a brilliant crimson, locked onto Caleb’s spectral form. “So angry. So possessive. You burn so brightly, but I suppose that’s what happens when desire consumes you.”

Caleb’s breath caught. The man’s words hit like a blade to his gut, piercing through the confusion and landing on something raw and unspoken.

Sylus took a slow step forward, his gaze steady and unflinching. “I can see it—your desperation, your fear, your anger. You’re so loud, it’s a wonder she doesn’t hear you screaming for her every second of the day.”

Something about the man’s words and awareness of him snapped something in Caleb. A surge of anger at the man and tense fear of having his presence pointed out overwhelmed his senses as Caleb darted at the man, evol pulling at the air around him.

This wasn’t Caleb—the happy, sarcastic boy who teased her endlessly and tried to make her laugh.

This was something else. The fighter pilot. The soldier. The part of him trained to act on the instinct of danger to eliminate the threats. The part of him honed to kill.

And every part of his being screamed for Caleb to tear the man in front of him apart.

The first blast of Caleb’s evol hit Sylus square in the chest, throwing him back a few steps. Caleb surged forward, evol crackling around him in an unrelenting storm. His movements were sharp, calculated—each telekinetic burst aimed to keep Sylus off balance.

Sylus responded with measured steps, his crimson energy swirling defensively. He parried Caleb’s next attack with a flick of his wrist, the gravitational shards dissolving into nothing as they met his energy.

“Not bad,” Sylus murmured, his lips curving into a faint smirk. “For a specter.”

Caleb didn’t respond. His focus was absolute, his body moving on instinct as he pressed the attack. Shards of earth erupted from the ground in rapid succession, forcing Sylus to sidestep and deflect. The force of Caleb’s Evol fractured the earth beneath them, sending cracks rippling outward.

“You’re precise,” Sylus said, his tone calm even as he swiped another burst of energy aside. “Disciplined. Trained. A military dog?”

Caleb’s jaw clenched. Each word that came out of this man’s mouth sent a rage of unadulterated anger boiling up in him.

He summoned another surge of gravitational pull, the air around them distorting as the force wrapped around Sylus like invisible chains. Caleb’s hands trembled with effort, his spectral form flickering as he pulled harder. The ground beneath Sylus cracked and buckled, shards of earth rising to spear him.

For a moment, Sylus’s smirk faltered. He raised his hand, the red and black energy coalescing into a shield that absorbed the shards. But the force of Caleb’s attack pushed him back, his feet skidding against the fractured ground.

“Now we’re getting somewhere,” Sylus said, his voice sharp with amusement.

Sylus’s crimson eye glowed brighter, the spiraling energy around him intensifying. With a sudden burst, he shattered Caleb’s gravitational pull, the backlash sending cracks rippling through the air like shattered glass.

Caleb stumbled, his spectral form flickering violently. He gritted his teeth, his hands clenching as he summoned another burst of energy.

But Sylus was faster.

In a single motion, he surged forward, his crimson energy spiraling into a wave that slashed through Caleb’s next attack. The force of it sent Caleb flying backward, his form phasing through a crumbling wall before he managed to stabilize himself.

“Loyal to a fault,” Sylus said, his voice low and mocking as he approached. “What a good dog. Loyal to your owner even when you’re already dead.”

Something about the man’s mockery hit a part of him that made Caleb abandon all semblance of rationale. Caleb growled, lunging forward with another telekinetic burst in a fit of anger. This time, Sylus didn’t dodge. He stepped into the attack, his crimson energy flaring around him as he absorbed the impact.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Sylus asked, his tone dripping with condescension. “How disappointing.”

Caleb’s chest heaved, his spectral form trembling as his energy began to waver with the instability of his emotions. But he didn’t stop. He couldn’t stop.

He sent another burst of gravitational force toward Sylus, the air around them vibrating with the sheer intensity of it.

Sylus sidestepped the attack with infuriating ease, his smirk widening. “For someone so desperate to protect her, you’re not very effective, are you?”

Caleb roared, lunging at Sylus with renewed fury. His hands glowed with telekinetic energy as he aimed to shove Sylus back, but Sylus caught his attack mid-air, his crimson energy coiling around Caleb’s hands like a vice.

Sylus leaned in, his voice a low murmur. “Look at you. A little puppy, barking at the world, so desperate to protect what’s already out of your reach. You’re dead. A ghost. You can’t even touch her, let alone save her.”

The energy around Caleb surged, his eyes blazing as he fought against Sylus’s grip. But the red and black energy tightened, constricting his movements.

Sylus tilted his head, his smirk fading into something colder. “Let me put you out of your misery.”

With a wave of Sylus’s hand, the crimson energy around Caleb flared violently. His spectral form twisted and flickered as the energy coiled tighter, compressing his presence until it began to crack.

Caleb’s eyes widened as a surge of pain burst echoed in his senses. As Sylus closed his fists, commanding the surge of red energy to collapse against him, Caleb’s form shattered-- spectral presence exploding into a burst of light before dissipating into the air. The faint echoes of his energy lingered for a moment, he saw his pipsqueak’s face and wide eyes momentarily before he faded away. He reached out, his hand phasing through hers one last time. “Pip…” he whispered, the word lost as he dissolved away into nothing.

#caleb love and deepspace #lnds caleb #love and deepspace caleb #lnds fanfic #till death do we part my ass #lads caleb

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