Your coughing fit stole Syntax's attention from his work. He tilted his head at first, then threw you a glance over his shoulder.

"I thought I told you to rest."

You rubbed at your right eye sleepily.

"That's the pot calling the kettle black." You scoffed lightly.

Syntax set down his tools.

"In a manner of speaking, I am somewhat nocturnal." He took the first aid kit from the table and walked over to you. "You, on the other hand, are not."

"Oh did I thrash too much again?" You inquired with a guilty frown as he knelt next to your cot and began to replace the bandages on your arms.

"Mhm." He pulled his goggles over his eyes to remedy his far sightedness. "You kept apologizing as well. I was tempted to wake you, but then you went quiet. I assumed you had passed the worst of it."

"And my coughing gave me away?"

Syntax gently pressed your chin up to inspect the bandages around your throat.

"Indeed."

"What time is it?" You glanced around the room looking for a clock but found none.

"It's almost 4 in the morning." Syntax responded casually packing up the kit again.

Fatigue slammed against your senses forcing you to lay down.

"Syntax?"

He hummed over his shoulder as he put away the kit.

"Thank you." As your eyes slid closed you heard his light chuckle.

"Sleep well, y/n."

Some time later.

You awoke to a light tapping sound. You blinked slowly and sat up. The room's appearance was slightly brighter, but not much due to being in a cave.

"Morning." Syntax greeted as he walked over. "May I check your bandages?"

You nodded and allowed him to check each.

"No blood is seeping through, that's a good sign." He muttered then reached for something behind you.

A mental image of your father reaching for you flashed behind your eyes and you flinched. The movement was slight, but Syntax caught on to it.

He paused and studied you a moment. Then he retracted his hand and stepped around you carefully. Still he kept himself in your line of sight knowing you couldn't stand people standing behind you.

Guilt pricked you. His adjustment had been minor, but you hated to inconvenience him nonetheless.

"Syntax, I'm really sorry." You apologized as he walked back to his desk.

"For?" He glanced back at you curiously.

"Being annoying." You mumbled rubbing your upper right arm.

Syntax rose an eyebrow.

"I don't see how you have been annoying in any sense of the word."

You weren't sure how to explain what you meant so you simply let your gaze drop.

Syntax studied you and opened his mouth to speak when the lab doors opened suddenly.

Your heart felt as though it stopped in your chest at the sudden movement.

"Y/n! How's my sweet niece doing?"

You fidgeted on the cot glancing at Syntax who has taken a knee at the Queen's entrance.

"U-Um I'm ok." You mumbled wincing at how your voice broke.

"Aw I know you're still shaken up, sugar. But don't worry. That father of yours can't hurt you anymore." She spat the word 'father' as though it disgusted her. "Huntsman handled it effectively. Right, Huntsman?"

The Huntsman grinned at you and nodded.

"Yes, my queen."

Horror swept through you at the reality of never seeing your father again. Never leaving this cave.

"He's-" you couldn't bring yourself to say it. Of course he'd hurt you. Many times. And you hated him for that, but he was all you had.

"Oh don't worry, sugar." Spider Queen soothed. "You can stay here. And Syntax will make sure you get fixed up properly."

Panic tore through you. What if Spider Queen attacked you? Syntax couldn't defend you from her. Infact, he'd likely side with her. You didn't know these tunnels well. You were basically trapped here.

Air became scarce in your lungs and you began to gasp as the world blurred around you.

When your senses returned, Syntax was leaning over you.

"Y/n I need you to breathe." He instructed gently helping you sit up.

Your memory slammed back into you at the sight of Spider Queen. Her features broadcasted shock, but it didn't ease you any. Fear rushed through you again and you hugged Syntax's arm.

A blush burned across his features but Syntax coughed into his fist.

"My Queen, I believe she requires time to take in the information."

Spider Queen stared at the both of you. But when you refused to meet her gaze, she slowly nodded.

"Alright. You rest easy, sugar. Come along Huntsman."

You watched them leave and relaxed slightly at their absence.

Syntax smiled when your muscles laxed.

"Don't worry, I won't let Huntsman hurt you." He assured.

Relief flooded your heart and tears filled your eyes.

"You mean that?"

Syntax looked taken aback by your tears.

"Well...Of course."

"Thank you." You mumbled quietly.

Slowly over the weeks, you began to relax.

Syntax seemed to be endlessly patient and kind to you. He'd often help you sit on his desk so he could examine your injuries. Today was such a time.

"You look better rested." Syntax mentioned approvingly. "I take it you had better dreams?"

Your heart raced as the last dream you had of him flashed behind your eyes and your cheeks flared red.

"Yep!" You chirped quickly praying he didn't ask much more about the subject.

He rose a brow inquiringly, but didn't say much until he noticed a bruise on your cheek.

"What's this?" He asked gently cupping your face. "This wasn't here yesterday."

"Oh." Your hand flew to your cheek. "I was training with Huntsman."

Syntax scowled.

"Is that so? I seem to recall you telling me, you disliked those sparring matches."

You wrung your hands nervously.

"He cornered me while you were getting material."

Syntax took a deep breath.

"I should have known. Forgive me, I should have initiated the traps." Syntax pressed up his sleeve revealing a touch pad attached to his wrist.

"Oh no, I don't want the Queen to trip them." You stopped him by placing your hand on his.

Syntax's head snapped up and you froze. It had been the first time you had done anything even remotely contrary to him.

After a long pause Syntax dropped his arm.

"You have a point. I will leave the traps down, for now." He sighed. "But we will have to work on your ability to say, 'no'."

Your gut churned. People pleasing was a bad habit, but it was so difficult to break.

"How?"

Syntax grinned at you.

"Well I have a few ideas. We'll start off with something simple." He leaned against the table only a breath away from your face. "May I kiss you?"

Your pulse went wild and your face ignited into a scarlet blush. What kind of a test was this?! You were surely going to fail.

Syntax smirked at your reaction but waited patiently for your answer.

"Don't be shy, princess. I'll wait."

Your heart felt like it might explode with how face it was beating.

"Yes?" You asked finally.

Syntax rose an eyebrow at you but his smirk never faded.

"That isn't the right answer, princess. Try again." Despite how smug he looked, his tone was sincere and gentle.

"Am I supposed to say no?" You asked trying to breathe normally.

"Your answer depends entirely on what you want." He explained simply.

Only it wasn't simple.

"What if I want to say yes?" You asked quietly feeling your face burn brighter.

Syntax's smirk turned into an amused smile.

"Then say yes."

It took a few minutes to work up your courage but eventually you mumbled the word.

"Yes."

Syntax swiped a kiss on your lips that was sweet but swift and then gave you your space.

"That's... Not what I was expecting." You admitted dazed as you touched your fingers to your lips.

Syntax chuckled.

"Well, we don't want to make you hyperventilate again, now do we?"

You smiled at his tease and pressed a kiss on his cheek.

Syntax blushed and tossed you a smile.

As the weeks passed you did grow better at saying 'no' and get more comfortable with your surroundings.

And after what felt like forever Syntax finally asked you to be his. And once you agreed, the lair finally began to feel like home.

*This feels a little out of character, but I did try so that's worth something. I hope you enjoy!*