Archive of Our Own ^beta

You weren't a rich woman, at least, in the materialistic sense. You had your flat with a reasonable rent, a job with a reasonable salary and enough money to go out every once in a while or treat yourself with something a bit more expensive after a bit of saving. Yes, compared to some, you lived well, compared to others, you was a poor rat - or kitten, as an annoying, handsome Onichynus leader would call you. 

Frankly, you were surprised your distaste for him waned the more you got to know him. However, who could begrudge you the grudge after your disastrous first meeting? At least Sylus was honest enough to have admitted that it had been far from welcoming. He does have some redeeming qualities, you wouldn't deny that. 

When you had visited his base for the first time, the wealth had made you dizzy. The carpet underneath your feet probably had been more valuable than your organs combined. Sylus had noticed your discomfort and teased you about it, naturally. It wouldn't be Sylus if he had let the chance slip through his fingers. You would have loved to wipe that smirk off his stupidly handsome face. 

Now, you were an emotionally mature woman and you could - albeit somewhat reluctantly - admit to yourself that the infamous head of Onichynus might have grown on you more than anticipated. You chided yourself for the silly little crush. Calling it ‘love’ was probably an exaggeration - and made it much too real -, so a ‘crush’ it was. 

Your plans of telling Sylus? Nonexistent. You had too little proof whether he reciprocated (that man was hard to read sometimes), so if he didn't, it would be a humiliating affair. Besides, you were from two worlds, in more ways than one. You lived in Linkon, he in the N109 zone. That was the first world. The second was more class-based. You were regular middle-class whereas he lived in unfathomable wealth. 

You almost pitied Tara. Your friend was so eager to see you get together with ‘Skye the Fruit Vendor’ - one of his worst lies, in your opinion - but you were a realist. Different social classes didn't mix and wealthy men often had countless girlfriends and mistresses. No way would you be one of them, no matter how much you might like him. You deserved more than being a plaything for some rich man.

If only Sylus were to get the memo. 

—

“You are mad.”, you said when you saw a familiar, gorgeous motorcycle standing in front of the Hunter's Association. 

“Hello to you too, kitten.”, Sylus smirked, leaning against the vehicle. “Your taxi is here.”

“And why is my taxi in the middle of Linkon? Does the driver have a death wish?”

“Such a feisty kitten. Come, I packed you new clothes. We're going out for dinner.”

“Are we now? Who said I have a free evening?”, you asked and crossed your arms, but Sylus was unperturbed. 

“You never have plans on a Wednesday evening.”

“Did you have that crow spy on me again? I told you to reduce that!”

“And I did. I am a man of my word. What can I say, Mephisto seems to have grown used to you.”

Noting your disbelievingly arched brow, Sylus walked up to you.

“I promise I did not send him to spy on you. Even though I wish you hadn't asked me to reduce the surveillance. How am I supposed to know whether you need help?”

“I’m a tough girl, Sy - Skye. A trained Hunter.”, you grinned and flexed your arm. “I'm not so easily in danger.”

Sylus arched his brow, but said nothing. 

You let yourself be driven to the restaurant and were positively surprised to discover it being a…normal pizzeria. You had half expected another luxury establishment where you had to be dressed to the nines. 

Sylus saw your surprised expression and was pleased with himself. He had a hunch you were craving pizza - your exasperated message had revealed so much. He also knew his kitten craved something fat or fried whenever you were stressed. Perhaps that would finally get through that daft woman's head. Sylus was startled out of his inner preening when you grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. 

He barely tasted his pizza, too focused on the delight on her face.

“I'm in heaven.”, you sighed. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

“Don't look so smug.”

“Can't a man be pleased his plan worked?”

“Plan?”, you asked and finished another slice. Sylus smirked and you weren't sure what to think of the gleam in his crimson eyes.

“Seeing you fed and happy after an exhaling day, of course.”

Your heart jumped in your chest. It was considerate. It hadn't been your goal when you had written him the message in a bout of frustration. But Sylus had rented a table in a simple pizzeria, had driven to Linkon and picked you up from work to treat you to dinner. 

Through a romantic lense, it might indeed be considered an act of wooing, and if Sylus were another man, you might have looked deeper into it. 

Stay rational, you reminded yourself. Sylus arched a brow when you didn't respond. 

“Kitten?” 

“You have strange delights.”, you said and Sylus tilted his head.

“Is that so? I'd say it's reasonable, be it for a friend or…lover?”

Sylus, you idiot, you sighed. You swallowed the bite and shoved the plate aside. One pizza slice remained. You folded your fingers and Sylus wondered what awaited him, and not without a pinch of apprehension. 

“And is this a friendly outing, or one of your romantic rendezvous?”, you asked seriously and Sylus stared at you, his slice of pizza falling onto the plate. In a different situation, you would be proud of yourself to render the silver-tongued man speechless.

“...I'm not sure I follow.”

“What is-”

“‘One of your romantic rendezvous’?”, Sylus interrupted indignantly. “What am I, some lowly womanizer who dates a different woman every week? Who changes women like clothes?”

You looked at her folded hands on the table. I might have hit a nerve - and stepped into a faux pas.

“I didn't mean to…question your honour.”, you said, attempting to appease. 

“And what was your intention?”, Sylus asked dangerously low. 

“Staying rational.” 

“Kitten, what are you talking about? You're not making sense.”, Sylus sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose. His demeanour softened when he noticed you growing uncomfortable. 

“I…assume there are romantic intentions behind this evening?”

“You assume correctly.”, Sylus said just as softly. “If that bothers you, it doesn't have to be that. We can just enjoy the food as friends.”

“It doesn't bother me, far from it, to be honest.”, you admitted. “I have grown fond of you, Sylus. And I have acted on prejudices and stereotypes concerning rich men.”

“The other romantic rendezvous.”, Sylus said. You nodded seriously. 

“A rich handsome man like you has countless women waiting for an opportunity. Rich women, decked in jewellery and beauty.”, you explained and clicked your tongue. “I am just a Hunter. You've seen the building I live in. It's normal, unassuming. Sylus, what are you doing? My pizza!”

“Kitten, stop talking.”, Sylus said and addressed the waiter as they left. “We'll be back in a minute.”

You were pulled out of the pizzeria, Sylus’ grip around your hand tight and warm. The cool night air was refreshing against your heated skin. You hadn't realized how stuffy it was in the pizzeria.

Sylus stopped a few metres behind the building. His large hands framed her face and he looked at her with such soft eyes you thought your knees might buckle.

“Kitten. My sweet, feisty kitten.”, he sighed and kissed your forehead. “The mere thought of anyone else but you being by my side is unfathomable. There was no one before you, there will be no one beside you and after you. I don't care that you don't drip in gems and gold. I have enough money for both of us. Whatever you need, it's yours. Be greedy.”

You were speechless. Oh, you had done him a disservice. For all his reputation, Sylus was a man of his word and you knew that.

“Don't look so guilty, kitten. I understand your way of thinking, but please don't question my loyalty again.”

You sank against his chest and hugged him. 

“I'm sorry.”

Sylus merely hummed and kissed the top of your head, breathing in the smell of your shampoo. Now, he knew why you hadn't been as receptive as he had wanted to his courting. Granted, he hadn't explicitly stated his intention, but his kitten was a smart woman. 

“My kitten.”, Sylus whispered against her forehead. You smiled weakly.

“My…Sylus?”

“Smart kitten.”, he grinned.

You stood outside for a few more minutes, your head tucked under his chin. After you went back inside and Sylus paid, he took you back to his base. As if you would be leaving his sight tonight.