Sylus keeps a little purple bandana folded in his jacket pocket. I know there’s a napkin specifically for suit pockets, but this piece of cloth is definitely a bandana. White paisleys danced across the fabric. He’s used it far more often than I’d care to admit to wipe blood, both spawn and my own, from my face.

It was getting worn. Small holes and stains marred it’s weave. He needed a new one.

I dragged him into a nearby town. Being around people wasn’t exactly something he enjoyed. It was overwhelming and upsetting for him. I promised to stay by his side which apparently made it all okay.

The air was hot. The pavement was even hotter. He looked out of place in his three-piece suit, but the heat barely bothered him anyway. Haze hung in the sky obscuring the sun. It felt like rain could break at any moment. It was a rough day to be out and about, but apparently it didn’t phase anyone else. People were everywhere. Living their lives as if it wasn’t 100 degrees out and an alien invasion wasn’t happening all around them. That’s because they didn’t know. Only those of us with the Sight could see what was becoming of the world. Dalafaem, the Void called us. A blessing and a curse all at once. I was lucky to have Sylus. Sometimes the things I saw challenged my sanity, but he always kept me grounded.

We wandered around, hand in hand, window shopping through the wide variety of stores that lined the main street. He’d squeeze my hand when he needed distance from the crowds and I’d take him to find someplace to calm down.

As we were walking along, he broke our woven fingers and darted into a small shop. I waited outside, curious but also mildly concerned. That wasn’t like him.

He came back with a small black box and offered it to me. Smiling, I took it from him. Inside was a small amethyst rose mounted to a silver hair pin.

I’d told him ages ago about how I missed my mother weaving flowers into my hair.

My breath hitched in my throat as he took it from the box and pinned it to a lock on the side of my head.

I cried a little and he held me. No words were needed as I embraced him back. Every day he did the smallest things to remind me of why I fell so deeply in love with him in the first place.

We continued on. I’d reach up and run my fingers over the flower in my hair and smile. He was so much like her in ways it was hard to describe.

We finally found a store that had bandanas in the window. Felt strange there hadn’t been more, or maybe there had been but I was too caught up daydreaming about the man by my side.

The store had it’s door propped open. Inside was dark and cluttered. I knew Sylus wouldn’t want to go anywhere near it. His proportions aside, clutter was among his more upsetting triggers.

I shook his hand. “Wait here for a second?”

He turned to the store we stood outside and cringed. “Don’t be long?”

I smiled and patted his cheek. “You know you can always reach me.”

His gaze narrowed. “It’s dangerous.”

“But we’re strong, remember?”

He sighed and nodded.

“I’ll be right back.” I scritched his chin before heading inside.

It wasn’t long before a bolt of discomfort shot through my mind. I turned to find some young women had approached Sylus. Good looking girls probably around college age. They were just chatting with him. I sent some comfort back down our bond to let him know it’d be okay.

The store was a cluttered mess and full of people. All kinds of things filled the shelves and racks. I wondered if the owners even knew what they had in their inventory.

It reeked of patchouli. Sylus definitely wouldn’t have lasted long here.

I found a pile of bananas and sifted through them. Weird patterns and colors that didn’t agree with me. I kept searching. More bandanas were scattered around. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt.

Another pang of discomfort.

I turned back and moved until I could see outside. They’d gotten closer to him. Only two things happened when people got close to Sylus when he didn’t want them to. And since it wasn’t me, there was really only one option. I told him I’d be there soon, just stay strong.

He opened the conduit and I could hear their conversation. I froze with a bandana in my hands.

I snorted. They were flirting with him and he knew he wasn’t even remotely their type so he was very very confused.

“I’m taken.” He replied to them flatly.

“Lucky lady.” One of them sighed. “You sure you don’t have room for more in your life?”

What do they want what do they want what do they want Sylus’ mind was reeling.

Through his eyes, I watched one of them look him over again and again. I laughed.

Sylus looked incredibly well off. I mean, he was, he had all the money in the world through what I could only describe as eldritch banking, but he dressed the part of someone loaded with cash. Silk suit, custom silk shirt, leather shoes, silver accents, custom iris-shaped buttons… The man reeked of wealth.

They want your wallet, Sy. I replied to his panicking thoughts.

They don’t look like muggers…

“Oh my god.” I sighed as I looked down at the piece of fabric in my hands. Purple with white paisleys. Perfect. I went to the register and paid for it.

“Come on, big guy, let’s-“

I’d never weavewalked so fast in my life. I was instantly by Sylus’ side, holding his hand.

“Can I help you?” I snapped, pulling Sylus’ arm against me.

“Wha-where…?” One of them stammered.

“Sylus are these ladies bothering you?”

“I think they were just leaving.” A look of “leave or die” came across his face.

“Y-yeah.” The other one cleared her throat. “We were just asking for directions.”

“Pub’s that way.” Sylus pointed down the street.

They both nodded before turning tail and briskly walking off.

Our conduit closed as a sigh of relief burst from his lungs.

I patted his belly. “You did a good job, big guy.”

He smirked. “I was so close to panic eating too…”

“I know. Here.” I offered him the brown bag the bandana was wrapped in. “For being such a strong little squid in the face of temptation.”

His face flushed violet as he took the bag from me. He unfolded it and gently reached inside. He took out the bandana and smiled.

“For me?” He croaked.

“Well I know the old one’s getting a bit worn out.” I reached for his coat pocket and pulled it out. “Oh god it’s worse than I thought! How can I let you out in public with something so full of holes! What would the neighbours think!”

He guffawed before folding the bandana and placing it into his pocket.

“Here.” I stuffed the old one in his pant pocket. I slid my thumbs into his belt loops and pulled him closer to me. “Now, shall we get something to eat.”

“I am hungry.” He sighed.

“Saw a pizza place that smelled pretty good.”

“Francos?”

I nodded.

“Their meat-lover’s pie is ace.”

“We’ll get two.”

He pouted.

“Three and we’ll take the third home.”

“Four. Larges. We’ll take two home. I’ll be civilized and eat only one in public.”

I laughed. “Oh, Sylus.”

He hugged me gently before we got on our way.

“Thank you.” He breathed.

I stood up on my toes and kissed him on the nose. “Anything for you, big guy.”