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With steam radiating off of him and a towel around his waist, Sylus stepped out of the shower and walked to where his partners were. "Caleb, it's your turn." He called out, slumping himself next to Zayne, who already dressed comfortably for bed and had his shower before Sylus, on the couch.
"I still don't know why we didn't shower together." Caleb commented, striding over to the open door of the bathroom, his face immediately getting hit by the warmth of the steam. Sylus could only huff a chuckle at that.
"If we were in my mansion, sweetie, then that could easily be arranged. But cut Zayne some slack for his tiny bathroom." He replied, ruby eyes with snake slit pupils looking pointedly, teasingly, at the aforementioned man sitting next to him. Zayne took little offense at the jab, but glared at him anyway.
Caleb let out an almost apologetic laugh. "Sorry, Zayne." Were the last words he said before slipping into the bathroom fully, the sharp click of the door ending the exchange. There was a comfortable silence between Zayne and Sylus. Well... comfortable to the latter. Zayne had some things he needed to say, questions itching to be asked. He picked up the towel he used earlier and shifted closer to Sylus, draping it on his hair and gently rubbing it against him to squeeze the excess water out. Sylus hummed contently at the act of service, closing his eyes and letting Zayne do his thing.
"... Sylus."
That made him open his eyes again, eyes drifting to the bearer of the voice. "Yes ?"
Zayne seemed to hesitate. Just a tad. He imagined this exact scenario in his head, he mentally noted the things he needed to say and ask, and yet this conversation always had to come out of the blue. It never bloomed naturally in the usual talks they had together. Because it was about one thing... and it was Caleb.
Zayne took a breath, slipping the towel off of Sylus' head so that both had their full attention on each other. "How has it been lately... with Caleb ?" His tone was careful, almost as if he was tiptoeing around something bigger. Zayne and Caleb were boyfriends long before Sylus joined as an addition to the relationship. There was a charm in Sylus that broke even Zayne's glacier walls, the latter taking interest in him which is when the conversation about polyamory happened. Sylus had nothing negative to say about the move, but Caleb... needed more time to adjust. Understand it in a way only he could.
For he was extremely possessive.
Sylus let the question linger in the air for a bit, like a dark cloud of smoke puffed out from a rich cigar. He lightly chuckled as he tilted his head, the damp, silver strands of his hair framing his face elegantly in a way only Sylus could pull off. "He is an interesting one, isn't he ?"
The response made Zayne's posture less stiff, instead relaxing in curiosity and coaxing Sylus to elaborate on what he meant by interesting.
"He's your typical good boy type, a reliable and dependable demeanor topped off with those gorgeous violet, puppy-dog eyes..." Sylus paused, his mind vividly picturing those eyes he described and he almost felt blessed to look into them every day. "... And yet they're hiding so much." His attention flicked back to Zayne, a knowing smile creeping on his lips. "Isn't that right ?"
Zayne's mouth pressed into a thin line, his gaze fell to the hands resting on his lap as they gently stroked through the fibers of the towel. "I didn't say anything before... because I didn't want you to think he's always his worst self. He's so caring, and amazing, and-" A finger pressed on his lips, shutting him up immediately before he went on a tangent about how good Caleb was.
"I know, darling. I know all his redeeming attributes that make him such a dreamboat." Sylus chuckled and pulled his finger away from Zayne. "I appreciate the concern, kitten, but I don't think you should worry so much. Honestly, I find his obsessive tendencies to be highly entertaining."
Hearing that, Zayne sighed softly. "So it's already started with you ?"
"Oh, yes. It's been a month or so now. The phone calls asking where I am, accidentally appearing in the same places I'm in... I even happened to see his adorable journal on a page spread with my full week schedule on it." Sylus laughed to himself as he recalled the memories. Zayne noted how he didn't sound disgusted, nor judgemental, but... intrigued.
Adoring.
Seeking more of Caleb's rotten core.
"But, to answer your earlier question properly... we're travelling steadily uphill. I love his carefree and playful side just as much as his obsessive side. And, since he's so obsessive, it's more than safe to assume he likes me too, hm ?" Sylus smiled reassuringly, reaching his hand out to tilt Zayne's chin up and cup his cheek, his heart swelling at the sight of him leaning in to his touch. "Does that ease your worries ?"
"Yeah..." Zayne muttered into his hand, but he heard a nagging at the back of his mind, a beat of unease. "Sylus..." He looked up at the other man through half-lidded eyes. "You're not plotting anything, are you ?" He asked that damning question. Sylus' face twisted into a faux expression of innocence, smiling at him.
"Care to elaborate ?" He asked, purely to keep up the façade and mask his schemes.
Zayne huffed and lifted his head out of Sylus' touch, straightening his posture. "What I meant was... you're not thinking of making Caleb's possessive behaviour worse ... are you ?" His eyes narrowed as he uttered the last two words.
Something rumbled out of Sylus' chest and up his throat. A rich and strongly entertained laughter that even surprised Zayne when it reached his ears. It was rare to see him laugh so boisterously, so cunningly... so evil. "Oh, Zayne... my arctic fox... what did you expect ? I don't think it's commonplace to be in the presence of one so innocent looking tied in red ribbon." Sylus chuckled further, his joy eventually simmering as he huffed a breath and ran his fingers through his damp hair. "I've mulled over so many ideas... how does pretending I'm talking to a person of interest sound ?" He hooked a finger on his chin in thought, a sly smile on his lips as he glanced at Zayne.
Zayne's eyebrows shot up and his hands immediately went to grip on Sylus' broad shoulders. "Don't." He whispered dangerously, the look in his usually calm eyes shaking with worry. "Sylus, don't even think about it. You're doing more harm than you think."
Sylus' smile dropped, replaced with a curious pout. "And why's that ? ... Don't tell me." The smirk creeped up on his lips again, his grin bearing a bit of his gums and those sharp fangs.
"I did not do it deliberately !" Zayne whisper-shouted, his grip on Sylus' shoulders tightening. "It was a big misunderstanding, Caleb took it the wrong way and... went too far." His eyes fell to the gap between them.
"Oh ?" Sylus sat up straight on the couch, sinking himself deeper in the cushions as an arm snaked gracefully around Zayne's waist, pulling him to sit on his lap. "I'm sure you have enough time to tell me more before our puppy's done cleaning, hm ?"
Zayne knew there was no way out of this now, not when he said something that obviously left a lot to be speculated. He sighed and removed the tight grip he had on Sylus' shoulders, draping his arms around his neck instead and opening his mouth to speak.
"Fine... it was in high school. I went to the school library very often during my free time, so I was well acquainted with one of the boys volunteering his help there. I suppose I came off as too nice that the boy eventually asked to start a relationship with me. I said no, of course, because I was already with Caleb. But he was a bit insistent." As Zayne recalled the memory in his usual cool tone, he idly brushed his fingers through Sylus' hair, keeping his hands busy.
"I didn't know until Caleb reluctantly admitted it that he saw the whole thing from one of the windows. He didn't hear anything, so he made the jump that the boy was harassing me. I didn't see that boy until 3 days later with healing bruises and plasters on his face. He never talked to me again after that. And Caleb hid the evidence in his pockets the whole time... his bruised knuckles told me all I needed to know to piece it together." From how it sounded when Zayne recounted the event, there was no venom or malice in his tone, having long forgiven Caleb for what he did. He said it like it was a normal thing between couples. Because that was his normal.
Sylus knew he couldn’t laugh as the story ended, instead smirking while a hum dripping with intrigue rumbled from his throat. How enticing, he thought to himself as his smirk widened to bear teeth, how very, very enticing. If Zayne could accidentally make Caleb crash out that easily, then he could only dream of how erratic his behaviour will be with whatever he was planning. It was too sweet to think about, too delicious to merely let it swim in the confines of his mind. Sylus just had to know.
To see it with his own eyes.
To bear witness to all its glory.
To experience how far Caleb was willing to sacrifice for him.
The silence made Zayne uneasy, as if it was weighing down on his shoulders. He looked into Sylus' crimson eyes and noticed they weren't looking back at him, but somewhere far away... somewhere dangerous. Zayne sighed, knowing full well that whatever darkness Sylus is stepping into, there would be no point pulling him out. He could only watch from a distance until his figure is consumed with shadow. Those eyes were struck with a raw passion and desire for how far a human is willing to go for love. It was sick, visceral, twisted, yet it was love nonetheless. It was Caleb's love.
The sharp click of a door opening cut through the tension in the room, along with a carefree sigh. Steam rolled out of the bathroom as a tall, broad figure emerged out of it.
"Caleb, did you use all the hot water in the tank ? The steam coming out of there are starting to look like clouds." Zayne huffed, sounding annoyed, but he was more relieved that him and Sylus could move away from the conversation they just had.
"I did not ! That was all leftover from Sylus' shower I bet." Caleb pouted as he stepped over to the pair with a towel draped around his waist and the scent of apple shampoo. "So what were you two talking about ? Anything interesting ? Pretty sure I heard you laughing, Sylus." He leaned against the back of the couch casually, staring at them with curious eyes.
"Not really-"
"Oh, no. It was extremely interesting." Sylus cut in, giving Zayne a sidelong glance as the latter held his voice. The look almost felt chilling. Caleb, none the wiser, broke out into a wide smile.
"Well, go on, tell me ! I wanna know, too." He grinned, the pair on the couch could definitely see an imaginary dog tail wagging behind him.
Sylus hummed. "I don't know if hearing about consumer rates from my fruit business is your thing." He smirked, the lie coating his tongue in sweet nectar. Caleb chuckled lightheartedly.
"You're probably right. Maybe you can tell me about it next time." He straightened his posture and started walking to the bedroom. "Well, I'm gonna throw some clothes on... Sylus, you comin' ?"
Sylus looked back over at Zayne with a soft smile. There was nothing innocent about that smile. His fingers tapped on the latter's thigh, signalling him to get off his lap which he did. Sylus breathed a quiet chuckle in thanks, standing up and walking to Caleb. "Coming."
Zayne quietly watched the pair as they walked deeper into his room, disappearing from his view. He could only look down at his hands as the thoughts spiralled in his head and a pit started to form in his stomach. All-consuming, waiting to swallow him whole. How did he get so entranced by a pair of men who only brewed trouble ? He hadn't the slightest clue. Caleb, his childhood friend and high school sweetheart, wracked with insecurity and a constant need for validation that it stirred up into his creepy behaviour and tendencies. Sylus, an imposing figure at first glance with confidence billowing from his shoulders, plotting a twisted desire to force the rot out of Caleb as if he was ripping his heart out. Perhaps they were made for each other just like how him and Caleb were. Perhaps this was another form of love he'll have to swallow with his eyes closed. Perhaps this would make the relationship more... interesting.