“Hey there, little guy! You lost?”

You’re delicately perched on the edge of a stone wall, and are completely taken off guard when Axel Syrios appears behind you with a wide grin across his face. He leans over you and before you can react, he’s snatched you into his arms and is holding you out in front of him, examining you with sparkling blue eyes. He immediately puts you onto his shoulder, gently rubbing your head as he looks around the street for something unknown to you.

“Hmm…dunno where you could have come from, but you sure are cute!” He grins at you, and you find your mouth pulling into a smile as he begins to walk the streets of Elysium, gently scratching your scalp as he does. For a man who looks like he’s always ready to spring into action, his hands are surprisingly gentle even as his boot slam against the stone beneath him. You stay like this for what feels like hours, in which he shifts your position so that he’s cradling you in his arms while running his fingers across your head.

“…ah, shit, it’s getting late. You wanna come home with me for the night? We can get your set up in the morning, no problem!”

You quickly nod with wide eyes, not wanting to let go of this warm sensation for a single moment. Your enthusiasm is noted by him, and he gives you a cheeky wink before setting off towards the Tempus guild hall, humming a song that seems vaguely familiar to you for the entire journey.