Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

She thought she'd finally gotten herself together, but the tears came anyway-hot and heavy, spilling out everything she'd been holding back: her child, her past, her entire world.

She sniffled, voice trembling. "Uncle Rupert..."

"I'm not your Uncle Rupert," Rupert said, frowning in annoyance.

"Uncle Rupert..."

He rolled his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fine. But cut it out with the runny nose, or I can't kiss you."

"Wha-"

He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers before she could finish.

Sylvia froze, her hands instinctively rising, but he caught them, fingers lacing through hers. Her hands trembled in his.

The room was quiet, save for the soft sounds of their breathing, the whispers between their lips.

Sylvia tried to push him away, but she was too weak-she could only stare up at him, wide-eyed.

For a second, she thought she saw something flicker in his dark eyes-a hint of tenderness, gone as quickly as it appeared.

Then he pulled back just a little, voice rough. "Sylvia, who am I?"

Her mind was blank, but his name tumbled out anyway. "Rupert."

smiled, just a little. “That's

her to say anything else he kissed her again, hands moving over her with a gentle insistence, touching every place Warren ever had,

cold moments

and just when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, Rupert finally let her

himself, then reached over and flicked

in days, so

one to waste food, but she was no fan of oatmeal. She

her mother's face, grimacing over

a mix of

save the dad jokes," she muttered. "Call me by my name," Rupert said, stirring the

"Oh,

on.

Since when

care

we

over here? We're not in China or something-everyone calls each other by

out a spoonful, eyes

her mouth, grumbling,

low. "You called out

between them felt charged, full of

rubbing her stomach. "I'm

knock at the

opening

stepped inside and stopped dead, staring at Rupert as he fed