You're crying only crying. Everything hurts, and you never felt so unwanted before in your life.

You just came from a briefing at HQ and your hunter squad agreed to go together to an outing in a bar. You thought it would involve you too, but it didn't.

The way the other hunters from your squad gave you side eyes and cold gazes as you enthusiastically grabbed your jacket and bag to escort them. It was clear they didn't want you to go with them. You didn't even need to hear the hurtful whispering they shared with each other.

It hurt so much and broke your heart. But you didn't want to show them how much it bothered you, didn't want to let them know how much it hurts — The negligence, the abandonment from people you think they're your friends.

So you faked a smile at them, told them to have fun and that you are too tired from your last mission anyway and took your leave.

And now you're sitting on your sofa in your apartment, knees close to your chest and your arms wrapped around your legs. You don't even know how long you've been in this position, sobbing and bawling your eyes out.

It's already dark outside and your apartment is too, just the moon and some streetlights in the distance throw some weak lighting in your living room.

Your feelings are still in an inner turmoil. Your rational part is still fighting with your hurt emotions. Did you overreact, interpreting things that weren't there? Or did your gut tell you the truth?

All you wanted was to make some friends in this new environment. Leaving hunters academy and joining a whole new squad with people you never saw before has made you anxious and all you wanted was to befriend your new hunter colleagues.

But soon you've gotten the feeling that you didn't have the same connections that they share with each other, and you felt more and more left out, unwelcomed, uncomfortable. You tried your best to be accepted by them, but now it seems you've failed.

And it feels devastating, to say the least. You don't know how to deal with this loneliness inside you, the darkness almost feels overwhelming.

And as you finally decide to drag yourself to bed and try to get a little sleep, the bell to your home rings.

You're not sure what to do, not expecting anyone at this time of the day. But that could only mean one thing: it has to be him. The man you have had a crush on since you first met him. You two are dating for a while now, and you always feel safe and comfortable around him.

Maybe he is able to lighten up the spirits with his proximity alone? And so you open the door.

Zayne enters confidently, some plastic bags in his hands that smell heavenly.

"Hey. I hoped you were at home at this hour and bought some take out. I'm certain you didn't eat properly today." As the doctor that he is, he knows your eating schedule isn't always the healthiest. And with an observing glance in your direction he placed the bags on the kitchen counter. He hesitates for a split second in his movements, still watching you as you didn't greet him and just closed the door. "Are you alright? Did something happen?"

You snivel loudly to regain some of your composure and slowly walk over to him.

"Hey Zayne... I-I'm, sorry. Thanks for coming over and bringing some food." As you arrive besides him, he takes you in a gentle embrace, his strong arms cradling you softly against his broad figure. And muffled through his clothes you add "I'm not in the mood for talking yet."

"I understand. We can just sit and eat together."

And like this he prepares everything and soon you two are cuddling on the sofa. You relax in his embrace and enjoy his warmth and closeness as he massages your scalp and upper back with soothing movements.

"Still don't want to talk?" Zayne asks quietly, and you look up at him, his hazel-green eyes filled with tenderness.

And so you told him what happened today and your feelings, and he just listened. With his presence and calm demeanor your inner voices come to a halt, and soon you dozed off, still cradled to him.

The artist enters with a boyish smile, dressed in his most casual clothes as soon as you open the door. But soon he becomes fully aware of your appearance and his expression changes into something more soft. His attentive gaze noticed your puffed checks, your red nose and teary eyes.

With a last wipe with the back of your hand to get rid of the tear stains, you try a little smile. "Hey Rafayel. What are you doing here?"

"Don't tell me you forgot our date today. How should I survive a nightly stroll at the beach if my bodyguard isn't there to protect me from any danger!" he exclaimed dramatically, not without a little playful wink in your direction.

And in a blink of an eye he had coaxed you to drive to the beach with him and his luxurious sports car covered the distance in no time.

As soon as your bare feet touch the sand beyond your feet and the warm sea breeze tousles your hair, you feel better.

"See?" Rafayel smiles at you, guiding you over the shore with your hand in his „the crabs are afraid of your presence alone, miss bodyguard!"

You can't help yourself, but you laugh quietly at his antics, and be rewarded with an even brighter smile from Rafayel. His bluish-pink eyes sparkling at your relaxing figure, and he pressed your entangled hands lightly.

"Thank you, Rafayel. I really was in a bad mood today, and I'm glad you persuaded me to come here with you." Indeed, you feel a lot more relaxed now, the soft winds swaying away the negative thoughts in your head and the presence of the Lemurian beside you leaves no doubt that you are cherished.

The purple haired artist comes to a halt beside you, guiding your entwined hands to his mouth and placing a gentle kiss at your knuckles. „Good ol' Rafayel at your service. You know, you can always be yourself around me, yeah?."

Xavier stands in the doorway, shyly rubbing his neck with one hand, dressed in comfy clothes instead of the hunters uniform. "May I come in?" he asks in that calm voice and gazes at you with his innocent blue eyes.

Puzzled, you let him in. "Aren't you with the others?" you ask him, not sure how to weigh his visit.

"No." he just answers as he strides beside you into your apartment. „I saw you leaving."

As always Xavier makes no big words, and you invite him to take a seat on your sofa.

"You look sad, did something happen?" as he gets himself comfy at your place.

You sit beside him, not sure if you should be truthful to him or just make up an excuse, but before you can open your mouth, he continues.

"I'm here for you if you want to talk. But if you don't want to, it's okay. We can just watch a movie and cuddle."

You look up at him, thankful that he's so gentle towards you. You didn't expect him to show up here, afraid that he would rather spend time with your colleagues. Having him here with you instead of knowing he's with the others... that your hunter partner prefers you over the others—this feeling alone is able to erase all the negative ones you had before. And so you just nod and make yourself comfy in his strong arms.

Sylus didn't need to ask what happened, he already knows. Mephisto isn't around you 24/7 without a reason.

And he immediately pressed you against his broad chest, closing the door behind you. Crimson red eyes scanning your face thoroughly as he caresses your puff cheeks.

"Tell me to kill them and nobody will ever find their bodies, sweetie." he whispers into your ear as he bends down.

A startled gasp escapes you, throwing you right out of your dazed mind. "No! Sylus, don't!"

As a response he just chuckles, engulfing you even more into his tall figure. "They dare to hurt, what is mine." he growls. „They better not do it again, if they want to live."

It somehow makes you smile. You know it's crazy but the thought alone of Sylus avenging you for hurt feelings, sends tingles through your whole body.

"Thanks for the offer, but violence should be used strategically." you throw him back his own words, not without a small giggle.

"That's my kitten." and with that smug smile of his, he kissed you until you have forgotten why you have been so sad in the first place.