I'm Really Uninspired To Write Atm, But Have Some Fanart Of My Latest Obsession

I'm really uninspired to write atm, but have some fanart of my latest obsession

(The post many people were waiting for! 😄 This time, I even managed to do it somehow close to Christmas, so I hope this snippet lifts your spirits for the cold season! 🥳🖤 You can find the link to part one underneath! 💫)

#7 - Cold (part 2)

(❗TW: Mentioned past torture❗)

[Hero] was fairly sure they had comitted at least a sub-category of high treason, when they had picked up [Villain] from the snowy streets.

God.

They would betray the internal law, their colleagues and - that was by far the worst factor - their boss, if they followed through with their impulsive plan. [Hero] could only imagine the turmoil that was about to happen, if anyone found out that they were coddling up one of the most wanted criminals in their cheap apartment; not to achieve anything business-related, but to save their fucking life.

Well, there certainly was no return now. [Hero] had made their decision and now they would face the consequences of it.

In for a penny, in for a pound, they say.

"Oh, man...", [Hero] sighed and took a look at their unexpected guest:

[Villain] was still unconscious. After passing out in the streets, their breathing had become even more shallow than it had been before. It wasn't surprising, though: Three of their ribs had been broken and now failed to stabilize their lungs. With their lack of medical equipment, [Hero] could only hope that there was no internal bleeding. Luckily, the other wounds were not as severe: Either small lacerations, bruises or frostbites. [Villains] nose was a different story, but it wasn't as urgent and also not something [Hero] could handle without professional help.

What worried them most, was the hypothermia.

They had not dared to move their nemesis too much after carrying them into their flat, not willing to risk that [Villains] cold blood spread even further into their ragged body. Cautiously, [Hero] had cut off the criminals' outfit (which looked like it was worth more than [Hero] made in a month) to wrap them in every single blanket they could find.

[Hero] had tried to look away when they had removed the clammy clothes: It was wrong to invade [Villains] privacy like this, even if it was necessary to get access to the wounds. It also didn't help that their enemies' body was fucking covered with scars: [Hero] had tried to shake off the nasty question of how many they had inflicted there by themself, but they were not quite successful.

Either me or my boss..., [Hero] had thought and cringed.

They'd finished the procedure as fast as possible. [Hero] couldn't afford questioning their occupational choices right now.

Not while bandaging my fucking enemy.

After that, they waited. For what exactly, they weren't even sure. For an idea to get themself out of this mess? For [Villain] to wake up and laugh at their enormous stupidity? Only heaven knew.

Agitatedly, they threw a second glance at their nemesis. Still sleeping.

[Hero] rubbed their temples. It was very likely that [Villain] survived. They had been adressable when [Hero] found them and had no severe internal injuries. The attackers probably thought that making the criminal immobile and leaving them in the snow would be enough to do the job.

What the hell was even wrong with people?

Just shooting [Villain] would've been more merciful and (ironically) far more effective. [Hero] snorted without a trail of humor in their laughter. The cruelty of their attackers had been [Villains] luck - and [Heros] possible downfall.

Fuck.

[Hero] wasn't stupid enough to think that this situation was going to end well, no matter the possible outcome: Either [Villain] would attack and kill them on the spot after waking up or they would get caught for betraying [Company].

I surely hope it's the first one., [Hero] thought and snorted cynically. [Company] had never been known for patience with traitors, let alone mercy.

God... They really had dug their own grave.

To divert themself from the depressing defeatism that was occupying their mind, [Hero] checked their flat for more blankets. Focusing on the predictable present was far more comforting than worrying about their already damned future. When they passed a window, [Hero] got caught by the mesmerizing sight outside: The twinkling lights of the city were completely covered by a heavy coat of snow by now.

They clutched the blanket in their hands.

If [Hero] had left [Villain], they would be dead by now. Lost in the cold and only found after the blizzard had finally vanished. Without wanting to, [Hero] shuddered at the thought of frozen blue limbs, hidden underneath a merciless cover of ice.

They turned to look at [Villain] again: If it wasn't for the bruises and the criminals' unnatural wheezing, one could think they were simply asleep. The warm light made them look just like every other ordinary person. Like one of [Heros] friends, maybe, staying over for the weekend...

[Hero] shook their head.

What the fuck?

It sure as hell wasn't like that.

[Villain] was a criminal who had scarcely cheated death, because [Hero] had been in the right place at the right time. Because they had been too fucking soft to do what would've been expected from them.

At least, that's what their boss would say.

Killing is a part of your duty, whether you like it or not., they would say, This scum isn't worth saving.

But in the moment [Hero] had decided to carry their nemesis home, they had also decided, that no, the idea of human lives having a variety in their holistic worth was not something they could accept as a virtue.

Because [Villains] life was a life, after all.

And because killing wasn't a fucking virtue.

[Hero] sighed.

...

Hell, they didn't even hate [Villain] the way they were supposed to. Even though arrogant and sharp-tongued, their nemesis had never inflicted unnecessary pain upon the innocents that weren't their targets. [Villain] was a criminal and possibly dangerous, but they weren't sadistic.

"They probably have a smaller body count than [Company].", they thought and didn't quite know how to feel about that.

[Hero] jumped violently, when all of a sudden, a hoarse voice behind them rose to a whisper:

"Where- Where am I...?"

Oh, fucking hell.

Fucking hell.

Slowly, [Hero] turned around.

[Villain] was looking at them from across the room, gaze still dazed.

"Um... In my apartment.", [Hero] said after staring at their foes' pale face for a little too long. They nervously cleared their throat.

Why the fuck were they already awake?

"I- I found you."

[Villain] didn't answer. It was visible how much the aftermath of their condition must've ached: The criminal was pale as a ghost and trembled heavily beneath the sheets.

It only took [Villain] a few seconds to recognize their saviours' features: "You're... You're [Hero].", they breathed, eyes going wide.

"Yeah... Yeah, it's me.", [Hero] answered and awkwardly scratched their neck, "...What a coincidence, right?"

The criminal stiffened. A tense atmosphere unfurled itself the whole room and [Heros] heart sank even further into their boots.

This had been a bad idea.

"Well, just start then.", [Villain] murmured after a few moments of silence had passed. The criminals' voice sounded too weak to match the contempt it was filled with.

"Start..?", [Hero] repeated with a frown.

"What the fuck should I start?"

[Villain] refused to look at them.

"Stop the shitty games. What does [Company] want to know, huh?", they asked lowly and [Hero] could see them grow tenser with every passing second (were they shaking?).

[Hero] shook their head in visible confusion.

"What..- What makes you think of [Company] right now? I don't-"

Oh...

Oh god.

Grave realization hit them, when [Hero] finally comprehended [Villains] words. The way their enemies' body had instinctly reacted after finding out [Heros] identity. How [Villains] gaze had become hollow after seeing who was standing in front of them.

Dissociating.

They think I'm gonna question them.

"I- [Villain], it's not like that!", [Hero] said, too baffled to hide the shock in their voice, "You were attacked, so I picked you up to bring you somewhere safe!"

"Being with your kind isn't safe...", [Villain] answered with an unnervingly blank gaze.

[Hero] scratched their neck. Fuck, they hadn't even thought about how damn threathening all of this would obviously be. [Villain] had found themself in a foreign environment, had awfully painful injuries and the first thing they saw after regaining consciousness was the face of their fucking enemy. Of course, they had instantly gone into a fight-flight response.

"Look...", [Hero] started lamely, not even sure what they could say to possibly fix this, "It's really cold outside and you would've frozen to death, if I had left you. All the hospitals are closed and- Yeah, whatever, you're in my apartment now. I'm not going to hurt you or anything, I'm going to give you some meds and painkillers to better your condition and then you can leave, okay?"

[Hero] cringed internally, when they looked into [Villains] alarmed face. God, this really rang hollow.

"Look, I won't... I won't torture you, [Villain]. I'll just patch you up and you can go."

The criminal visibly needed time to process this information. Their eyes wandered through [Heros] shabby flat and eventually stopped on their saviour again. Their gaze was clear enough to make [Hero] wonder how they managed to stay so alert despite the pain they must've been in.

Practice makes perfect., [Hero] thought somberly and couldn't wrestle down a certain amount of self-contempt at their own notion: [Villain] had probably developed their survival skills underneath the hands of the very people [Hero] was working for.

The good people, as they assured themself.

"You... saved me...?", [Villain] asked.

[Hero] sighed.

"Yes. I saved you."

"Why... Why the fuck would you do that?"

Besides the deep exhaustion that seemed to creep into their eyes, [Villain] looked honestly confused. A seldom sight in their otherwise confident features.

[Hero] kneaded their hands. Vocalizing this wasn't exactly soothing the unease they felt about the whole thing.

"You know...", they started, "It simply felt wrong to let you die... So I helped you."

[Villain] scoffed in disbelief.

"What, like the good samaritan that you are?"

"More like the stupid idiot who just saved your fucking life, asshole!", [Hero] shouted and glared at their patient, who looked equally belligerent.

"Okay,", they tried again after internally counting to ten, "I know how this sounds. Blame it on the fact that I'm stupid or that it's fucking Christmas, but I couldn't stand the thought of leaving you to die out there." [Hero] pressed their lips together. "It would've been wrong and so I saved you. That's the best answer you're gonna get."

The last words came out with a bitterness that was acrid enough to shift something in [Villains] expression.

"I know you have every reason to think that this is some kind of trap.", [Hero] said firmly without breaking eye contact, "Honestly, it probably should be one. But I wouldn't have made you tea and wrapped you in the blankets that my mom knitted me last year, if I wanted to capture or torture you, [Villain]. You're not my prisoner."

Their nemesis didn't answer, but to [Heros] surprise, the openly hostile expression on their face was fading just the slightest bit. [Villain] didn't exactly look calmer, but... Weary. Weary and dead tired. [Hero] guessed that despite the dubious enviroment they had found themself in, their foe was simply too exhausted to stay alert for much longer; especially, if they had the slight but hopeful chance of temporary safety. Besides, [Villain] was too hurt to do anything right now, even if [Hero] would've had foul intentions.

[Villain] closed their eyes and let their head softly fall back onto the pillow. [Hero] thought they were already asleep again, when the criminal suddenly mumbled: "You must either think really high of me or really low about the people you're working for..."

[Heros] brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Their enemy pondered a little. "Everyone who's in your field would've left me. Should have left me. It's anticipatory obedience. With this...", [Villain] sloppily gestured around, "You betray everything your shitty organisation stands for. You will be killed for this... Provided that you're telling the truth, of course."

"I am telling the truth!", [Hero] snapped, more irritated by [Villains] distrust than the rest of their baleful forecast.

The criminal smiled. "Then you are as good as dead."

"Well, thank you, [Villain], that's fucking reassuring."

"Must be either because you don't like the way your business works... Or because you've grown really fond of me..."

The smile on [Villains] bruised features grew a little bit wider. "Personally, I think it's the last one."

[Hero] rolled their eyes. "Shut the hell up...", they grumbled without any venom behind the words.

They turned their head to look out of the window again. The snow was still falling.

Oh, man...

Only a few hours ago, [Heros] only problem had been internally debating if they wanted to visit a Christmas Market. Now, they were actively risking their career, their reputation and - according to [Villains] more than convincing assumption - their very life, if someone found out about this.

"What am I supposed to do now, huh...?", [Hero] asked despondently and turned to face their guest. [Villain], however, had placidly drifted off into the depths of sleep again, leaving them alone with the chaos of their own confusing thoughts.

God...

What kind of mess had they gotten themself into?

(I have never written animals, so here I go with my first snippet! 😁 I always thought there was way too less phobia-whump, so please enjoy.😄 Also, can anyone guess the dog breed?🙈)

❗(TW: Panic Attack, Severe Cynophobia, Humiliation, Blood)❗

#10 - Beg

"Fuck, get this thing off me!!", [Hero] screeched, trying to push themself further into the cold stonewall behind them.

"Goddamnit, [Villain]!!", they sobbed, eyes searching frantically for something like mercy in [Villains] face.

[Villain] just looked at them with raised eyebrows and was seemingly not the slightest bit interested in whistling their companion back. [Hero] grew desperate. "Get it off!!"

The amorphous shadow growled, ready to attack whenever it got the deadly command. "Get it fucking off, [Villain]!!"

[Hero] hated dogs.

German ones in particular.

The one in front of them was only held by the thin leash in [Villains] hand and pulled heavily into their direction. It would shred [Hero] into pieces, if their enemy let go. They just knew that.

[Villain] looked unimpressed. They made one step towards [Hero], who whimpered from fear. "I will, when you talk."

Desperately, [Hero] turned their face, blinking away the tears that started to rise in their eyes. The dog pulled ever so strongly.

"I can't talk!! I don't have anything!! I-"

Barking. Saliva. Teeth.

[Hero] squealed. They were gonna faint.

"Out!"

And it was quiet. The only thing audible was [Heros] heavy breathing. They sank against the wall with shaking legs; cold sweat was covering their ashened face.

[Villain] looked at [Hero] with a strange kind of fascination. "Your record says that you have a problem with dogs, but I never knew it was this severe.", they said, eyeing their enemy with a calculating curiosity.

[Hero] said nothing. Apart from the fear, the hot feeling of mortification rose in their chest.

They knew it wasn't rational.

Even though the fleabag [Villain] brought was a realistic thread, they shouldn't be standing there with quivering legs and tearing eyes.

[Hero] could handle worse forms of torture. All of them painful and degrading, but they could stand it. They could always stand it.

But dogs...

"You were attacked by one as a child, right?", [Villain] drawled and grinned when [Heros] eyes lowered in shame. "Funny that something so silly can drive you nuts now..."

[Villain] snickered and lightly pulled on the leash. "Up!" A deep growl emitted from the dark mutt that obeyed instantly. [Hero] could not avoid the cold shudder that ran down their spine.

"To be honest, [Hero], I didn't think you were such a wimp!", [Villain] mocked. The criminal saw the impact of their words in [Heros] abashed face and continued with a nasty smile: "For real, how did you even get so far in your fucking job? Probably slept yourself up, huh?"

"Fuck off...", [Hero] hissed and balled their fists. They felt the heat creeping up their cheeks. A huge clumb formed in their throat, making them want to vomit.

It wasn't rational.

It wasn't fucking rational.

[Hero] was strong.

Had the abilities to finish this in less than a minute.

Shouldn't even bother about [Villain] and their grilling, should've just turned and left this fucking situation.

It didn't work.

Didn't work because of those teeth viciously gleaming in front of them.

Paralizing.

[Villain] grinned and looked at their watch leisurely, unfazed by the trembling human in front of them. "You know, even though I love chatting with you, I need to hurry. My boss wants that info really bad."

[Hero] shook their head wordlessly. They had nothing. They couldn't talk, even if they wanted to.

The criminal ignored them.

"And also...", [Villain] casted a look towards their dog and looked back to [Hero] with a wolfish grin, "...she's getting hungry."

It was visible how [Hero] tried to collect themself. To force themself to keep calm despite [Villains] teasing and the growling of their companion.

[Villain] saw [Heros] fight for control, even though they were loosing more of it with every passing second.

"Well...", the criminal drawled and gestured towards the dog, "I guess we have a solution to that..."

They let go of the leash.

[Heros] eyes widened.

"[Villain], don't-!!"

"Sick'em!"

Brown-black fur was flashing into the light and [Hero] jerked up their hands with a desperate scream.

"NO!!"

The monster sank its' sharp teeth into [Heros] forearm. Crimson blood.

They violently tried to shake it off, but it didn't let go.

Wouldn't give up its' prey.

"Call it back, [Villain]!!"

It bit down again.

"Call it back!!!"

Oh god, it would kill them, if [Villain] didn't do something!

It would tear them apart.

Oh god, their arm.

"[Villain], do-" [Hero] choked on the words.

Docked tail.

Sharp teeth.

They couldn't think straight.

Listed dog.

Dangerous.

Their brain filled with black mist.

Couldn't breathe.

They were going to suffocate.

[Villains], voice, ringing in their ears: "Tell me what I want to hear."

Had nothing.

Gone in the abyss.

"I-I c-an't, I-"

No air.

They were suffocating.

Didn't [Villain] see that they were fucking suffocating?

[Hero] only shook their head. They couldn't breathe. There was no air around to fill their lungs with. Underwater.

A cold hand harshly grabbed their collar, pulling them up. "Calm down, you useless piece of shit!"

[Hero] yelped, when [Villains] fist connected with their ribcage. The crack was clearly audible.

"It's not that hard to talk, you fuckin' wussy!"

They dumped them on the ground.

Cold concrete. The smell of trash and piss in the run-down part of the city no one would search [Hero] in. Dirt that mixed with [Heros] own tears.

...And [Villains] voice, sharp as a knife.

They couldn't take it.

Couldn't take [Villain] standing nearby, as they gasped for the air that didn't seem to enter their lungs. Couldn't take it when [Villain] knelt down and grabbed their face with a cruel grin.

Where was the dog?

[Villain] only gave a chilly laugh.

"I sent her away." Then, sneering: "I can get her back if you want."

[Hero] frantically shook their head.

"I don't have anything!", they wheezed against the hands that had grabbed their wet cheeks. "Please, I don't have anything!"

An awfully triumphant grin formed on the criminals face. They pulled [Hero] closer.

"Huh...? What was that word?", [Villain] crooned in an almost gentle tone of voice.

Only now, [Hero] noticed what they just had said. Blood shot up their face.

"Say it again for me, come on. Or do you want one more round..?", [Villain] purred.

[Hero] sobbed.

No.

No more.

They couldn't take more.

Eventually, the need for survival pushed away the last bit of dignity inside of them, when they whispered:

"I-... P-please don't get it back... Please, [Villain]..."

The criminal pondered for a moment before shrugging their shoulders with a wide grin. "Hm. I guess you really are as useless as you claim. Still... Hearing you beg was worth the shot."

They stood up and gave [Hero] a last painful kick in their stomach.

"Tell me, does your team know what a sissy you are?"

[Hero] remained quiet.

The words hurt.

Hurt more than the kick, the broken rib or the arm.

Hurt, because they were true.

"If you were one of my henchmen, I would've killed you for being such a disgrace. You're lucky that your team is pitiful enough to keep you..."

[Villain] turned to leave, stepping out of the alley and whistling to get the dog. A last aspersion to put the boot in:

"Your weakness is really disgusting... You're pathetic, [Hero]."

[Villain] was long gone when [Hero] finally got up. Cold wind blew on their wet cheeks and their shaking body. Only too slowly, they managed to stop the wheezing. Took too long to get aware of their surroundings.

They were safe.

They were safe now.

With a pang, [Villains] voice echoed through their head:

You're pathetic, [Hero].

They let out a dry sob.

[Villain] was right.

It was true.

It was true and [Hero] knew it.

...They knew it wasn't rational.

I think Iroh is the perfect example of a person that radiates opportunism and moral flexibility:

Just as @lbibliophile-atla says, he adapts accordingly to any situation given to him and strives for the biggest personal benefit the particular context can provide him with. He's a Fire Nation Royal? Okay, big military-career, expanding social status, climbing the hirarchy. He's declared traitor by said nation only a few years later and is on the run with his nephew? Alright, fleeing to the city that's most secure at that time, it is. The war is tipping to the disadvantage of the Fire Nation? No problem, Iroh already took precautions for that by joining the White Lotus and playing on two sides a long time ago.

Iroh doesn't seem to be tied to any deeper loyalties or ethics, allowing him to adapt to every circumstance that his life is throwing him into. This makes it possible for him to take on any moral code and behaviour that's fitting the context: Joking about burning Ba Sing Se to the ground and being emotionally invested in liberating it years later isn't that inauthentic, if Iroh sees it as two seperate situations that each needed different behaviour from him.

He doesn't care about Fire Nation ideology. He doesn't care about Ba Sing Se. He cares about things that benefit him in the respective situation.

But does that mean that Iroh, former Fire Nation General, war criminal, teashop-owner and White Lotus member is free of any moral compass? Is everything he does solely for his own - and only his own - benefit?

I'd say, not exclusively.

His opportunistic behavior is immediately stalled when his family is involved: Iroh instantly stopped the invasion of Ba Sing Se when Lu Ten died. He sailed together with Zuko into exile when Zukos own father had mutilated and banished him. Both of these actions were really contraproductive from an opportunistic point of view, but Iroh chose them anyway.

Why?

Because the people he cares about outweigh his ambition to gain the highest personal profit.

Iroh didn't care about soldiers and civilians dying in Ba Sing Se, but he drew the line when his own son became one of the many people who lost their live in the battle. Only then he saw the invasion as a mistake. Not because thousands were killed under his command before, but because Lu Ten became a victim to the war he had greatly contributed to. He doesn't care about the cruel ideology of the Fire Nation, just until his beloved nephew falls victim to it.

Irohs morale is not tied to right and wrong. It's tied to himself and the people he cares about.

So yeah, @gaylord-zuko, I think he didn't really redeem himself or was a good person in general. He was smart, a good strategist and highly capable of adapting to his enviroment. What makes him morally grey is the fact that the love for his family outweighs his Machiavellism and leads him to some of the right decisions.

Hot take: Iroh didn’t actually get a redemption arc in ATLA.

Zuko’s redemption required him to admit that his previous actions were wrong and to do whatever it took to make up for them.

Iroh did a lot of good things to help the protagonists, but we never saw him take ownership of the damage he caused as an imperialist. The way he switches gears once he’s living in the Earth Kingdom and starts valuing the people he was trying to destroy without any acknowledgment of the change makes it seem like…maybe he knew what he was doing was wrong the whole time. Which kind of makes it worse? To me, anyway.

I don’t know, I’m just suspicious of his “redemption” because, unlike Zuko, he never took responsibility for the suffering he inflicted on others despite the fact that he’d been going at it for much longer than Zuko. He admits that the Fire Nation has done terrible things, but he never takes personal responsibility for his own actions. Just because Iroh is a kind and loving person doesn’t mean he’s absolved himself of his crimes.

I’d love other peoples’ input on this if you feel like it!

(Long time no see, huh? Welcome back to everyone who’s still here!! 😊🖤 I was in a pretty awful headspace last year and couldn’t bring myself to write anything. But here I am, back on track with the goal of being more active and doing what makes me happy!! ☺️

This prompt is for @chaosgoose! 🤗 It took me an awful lot of time to write it, so I hope you’re still on board to see it! 🥺 Please enjoy! 🖤)

(❗TW: Blood, Explicit Physical/Emotional Violence, Sadistic Behaviour❗)

#11 - Unmasked

[Hero] could only stare when [Villain] collapsed onto the concrete pavement, their ragged body not being able to hold them up for longer.

Is this possible…?, they asked themself.

Had they finally defeated them?

It didn’t seem real, but the crimson light of the evening poured down mercilessly onto the broken figure and, indeed, illuminated every ounce of [Villains] defeated body.

It proved that [Heros] dream had finally come true: [Villains] existence was ending right here between shattered glass, splatters of blood and wasted ammunition. This was the end of a fucking eternity. A violent and bloody game of cat and mouse.

And now, [Hero] had won.

They had won and [Villain] was stripped off every dirty achievement they had worked for in their entire useless life.

It felt so unreal. Here they stood, their own personal hell finally coming to a halt and [Hero] still couldn’t believe it. They had nearly lost their mind while hunting this piece of shit down; had rejected friends and their family. Everything to finally put this to a stop. There weren’t enough words to describe what [Hero] had gone trough to get to this point. To finally defeat [Villain].

And now, they’ve fucking won.

Victory.

Sweet, liberating victory.

Euphoria.

Triumph.

Relief.

All at once, these feelings befell them and reduced [Heros] previous numbness to nothing.

It was fucking over. [Hero] had disposed [Villain]. They were still standing while their enemy was bleeding out on the dirty pavement, as helpless as an infant. Defenseless and alone.

[Hero] felt lighter than a feather.

Satisfaction.

The recent memory of every blow [Hero] had delivered, every bone they had broken to get to this point made them feel dizzy with triumph. Hell, [Hero] had enjoyed breaking this piece of shit down into a useless pile of human flesh, ready to be eradicated from life.

[Villains] breathing was slow and shallow, probably from the ribs [Hero] had broken. Every breath must’ve pained their nemesis to an unimaginable extend and [Hero] bathed in that knowledge.

Because the worthless asshole deserved it. They fucking deserved it.

[Hero] knew they shouldn’t like this. Seeing [Villain] in pain shouldn’t feel so damn good. They should be neutral. Impartial and non-commited.

This was supposed to be a job, nothing more.

It always felt like those doubts weren’t really their own. Like it was only the influence of their friends, of [Best Friend] in particular, that made [Hero] hold back their violence. Their social environment was the barrier between them and the overwhelming urge to hurt those criminals as much as they hurt other people.

If it weren’t for their friends, [Hero] would loose the control over the anger inside of them.

The seething hatred for scum like [Villain].

Because these assholes deserved to be treated just the same way as they treated their victims.

They were evil and never cared about the damage they did to the people around them.

They hurt other with no prior motive but their own sadistic needs.

And that’s why [Hero] hated them. Everything about them.

Their narcicisstic manner, their ruthlessness, their cruel and corrupt actions. [Hero] hated the way people like [Villain] talked and hated the fact that they were able to run away for so long. Hated that [Villain] hid their true identity behind the fucking mask they wore.

That damn mask.

It was a simple black coverage above [Villains] actual face. The people that had encountered the criminal never got to see who was really threathening, hurting and murdering them. Even the mugshots only showed the blank piece of synthetic that covered their face, as if to underline the inferiority of the forces.

The sheer inability to look behind [Villains] façade was something that had kept [Hero] up at night.

Because every stranger could potentionally be the enemy. People who passed them on the street, people who waited on tables, people that led normal, civilian lifes. Everyone and no one could be [Villain] and it had been driving [Hero] insane, because they weren’t able to tell.

Well, until now.

You’re on the good side.

[Hero] shook their head.

No. They simply lacked the fucking empathy for people like [Villain] that kept investing all of their time to make this world more miserable than it already was.

It felt good to give this trash some of its’ own medicine, because they sure as hell did enough damage to everything they put their filthy hands on.

You shouldn’t see it like this. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Yeah, that definitely was the voice of [Best Friend]. [Hero] had often told them that they should’ve become a priest instead of working in the same hellhole of an organisation that [Hero] did their duty in.

It wasn’t made for people who thought it was possible to give criminal trash like [Villain] a chance of redemption.

They just didn’t deserve it.

[Best friend] was a good person, but too naïve to understand.

They don’t deserve to be seen as humans.

A weak cough brought them back to reality.

Right… [Villain].

They had managed to turn onto their back and faced the sanguineous sky, their features still hidden behind their mask.

New anger flooded [Heros] veins at the sight: [Villain] shouldn’t be able to move. They should squirm in angony.

Spitefully, they made their way towards them.

“You’re not so brave now, huh?”, [Hero] jeered and closed the distance between themself and [Villain].

When they saw the twitch in their enemies body, they knelt down, grabbed them by the collar and pulled them up harshly. [Villain] groaned in pain. God, they hoped it hurt.

“Took me long enough to get you.”

“L-let go…”, [Villain] hissed, trying to move away from [Hero], “You’ve got what you want. Call your pimps and… F-finish it.” Their hoarse voice was slightly static from the mask.

“Why the hurry?”, [Hero] asked, lit with a so far unknown kind of destructive energy, “You’ve got the rest of your life to rot in a shitty cell. Let me enjoy my victory first before they lock you up.”

[Villain] wanted to say something, but [Hero] dumped them back on the pavement. Broken bones hit hard concrete and [Villain] gasped violently for air. It felt like justice.

“The fact that everyone left isn’t so bad anymore”, [Hero] said chattily and put their feet onto [Villains] chest, pressing hard enough to compress their fractured ribs, “It’s just you and me.”

“You…-! You fuckin’ asshole!”, [Villain] wheezed. They hadn’t got the strength left to struggle. In the dying light, [Hero] saw the blood that colored [Villains] mask darker around their mouth. It sputtered out with every move they made with their foot.

“It surprises me that you haven’t bothered to take that stupid thing off…”, [Hero] said and leaned down to let their index finger wander over [Villains] mask. They took in their enemies’ angry hiss with indifference.

“Now that I think about it: I never knew what you looked like… Don’t you think it’s unfair that you know everything about my identity, while I don’t know shit about yours?”

The shocked gasp of [Villain] was beyond satisfying. [Hero] pushed their fingers underneath the black mask and [Villain] vainly tried to turn their head away.

“N-no…!!”, they managed, but it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to possibly stop [Hero] from taking their sweet revenge.

“You’re so emotional”, [Hero] mocked, “What, are you so ugly? Or do you have a family to protect?”

When [Villain] didn’t give an answer, they just laughed and gripped the mask in their fist. “Well, whatever”, they purred, “Let’s see who fought me for so long.”

[Villains] desperation was intoxicating. When they pulled the fabric down with a slow tug, their enemy writhed violently.

“No [Hero]!!”, [Villain] screamed and it sounded like fucking music in their ears, “Stop!! Stop it, [Hero], pleas-”

They didn’t get to finish the sentence. With a last and satisfiying pull, [Hero] ripped the mask off and-

And looked into familiar eyes.

“Wha…-”

A familiar face, covered in blood.

[Villain] tried to quirm away but [Hero] grabbed their chin and turned the criminals’ face towards themself.

“W-What is this…?”, they stuttered, carelessly letting go of the mask in their hand.

The silence was deafening.

They looked into blazing eyes. Eyes that [Hero] had always associated with light and kindness.

Eyes [Hero] thought they knew.

“Tell me what the fuck this is”, they demanded, tightening their grip on [Villains] chin.

The blood was already starting to dry.

The sun was gone beneath the horizon.

The city empty, hollowed.

“Tell me what this is…”, [Hero] repeated, not at all interested in their victory anymore.

“…[Best Friend].”

(This one is for @saidainabook! 🖤 To be honest, I struggled for a fairly long time to come up with something for your request, but here we go! 😄 I’ve split the snippet because I’m still missing a few pieces for an ending I feel satisfied with, so maybe the title might seem a bit confusing for now. 😅 Anyhow, please enjoy the first part! 😊🖤)

(❗TW: Explicit Language, Explicit Physical Violence, Loss of trust❗)

#8 - Sacrifice (pt. 1)

Dusk. The day ended with glistening streaks of ruby and amber, bathing everything in a grave erythrean light. The firmament looked like a painting created by someone who never saw the dark sides of life; never got to know that after day and dusk the only thing that followed was darkness.

Someone who knew nothing about anger, fear, disappointment or loss. About emptiness. Hatred.

About betrayal…

They were sitting in front of [Villains] estate. [Hero] had slung their arm around [Villains] shoulder and mumbled sweet nothings into the other ones’ ear. Both were watching the last light of the dying sun that slowly sank beyond the horizon.

It would have looked like a tawdry love scene, if [Villain] wasn’t behaving so passive: The criminal did not move, their darkened eyes remained firmly on the ground. Even when [Hero] playfully nudged them and placed a warm hand on their back, [Villain] stayed still.

It had been only a few days since they found out.

A few days since [Villain] knew that their lover was playing a foul game: Apparently,[Hero] was a turncoat. Spied for the scurvy assholes that tried to hunt them down since the very first moment their relationship had started.

It were only a few days to ruin everything that had ever mattered to [Villain].

Only by accident, one of their observers had seen [Hero] with [Sidekick]. Talking amiably. Exchanging information.

When they’d told their boss, [Villains] first reflex was to rip their minions’ throat out: ‘What do you mean, you saw them together?!’, they had hissed, their anxious spy firmly pinned against a wall. 'You think this is a joke?!’

How could they even say something like that? [Hero] was with them now. They had abandoned their old life and all of their self-righteous friends. [Hero] had chosen them.

[Villain] had nearly suffocated their lackey before coming to their senses. 'Where did you see them?’, they had asked, calmer this time. 'Show me.’

And so, things had taken their course.

The only reason [Villain] had listened in the first place was the sheer ridiculousness of the accusation: [Hero], a fink. Hah. They were their lover and nothing else.

But then, reality had painfully dawned on [Villains] utopia and all the little things that seemed to be so meaningless before suddenly moved into the cold light of [Heros] surveillance: Their lovers’ absence, their excuses and their oh-so-many questions. The childish innocence of their relationship was gone in a second, just as [Villains] trust.

“That can’t be true, right..?”, [Villain] had asked [Henchman] just after seeing [Hero] and [Sidekick] talk with their own two eyes.

“They… They love me!”

But [Hero] hadn’t loved them.

Not for a single moment.

Slowly, [Villain] had to realize that [Hero] never was the kind, tolerant and sympathetic enthusiast they portrayed themself as: They were a hard-bitten spy, ready to go to any lenghts to harm [Villain] and their doings.

Well, [Hero] had succeeded.

They knew everything about [Villains] plans. About their base, their subordinates and anything else that could be relevant to take them down. Only because [Villain] was dumb enough to fall for [Heros] bullshit. Dumb enough to fall in love with their fucking nemesis.

[Villain] could only scoff at their own idiocity. Their blindness. They were too naïve, always had been. And [Hero] had unhesistantly used that.

Had used them like a damn toy; utilized their feelings to crusade against the entity of their fucking existence. It was humiliating, threatening and enraging, but above all it was painful.

So damn painful.

Even though [Heros] lie had been more than predictable, it hurt. It hurt so fucking much and that was the thing [Villain] hated the most about this situation.

They hated it, because they shouldn’t be bothered. [Villain] was supposed to be calm and collected, already planning ahead the next steps to down this arrant infiltration. Instead, they were like a love-struck and heartbroken teenager, only because they had been stupid enough to believe every single lie [Hero] told them:

I will stay with you, [Villain].

You are so important to me.

I love you.

Those words… Nothing had given them more peace in their entire life.

[Villain] knew that deep down, their soul had begged for those gestures of love, affection and kindness. Endearment that was a death sentence in the violent world they grew up in.

“Between asphalt and steel is no place for kindness.’, one of their old bosses always used to say. 'Emotions make you vulnerable. And vulnerability makes you a target.’

It was true. It was true and [Villain] hadn’t listened. They had given up their common sense to feel safe in an enviroment that had never given them safety.

To feel like they were wanted by someone. Belonged somewhere.

What a fatal mistake.

Before [Hero], [Villain] had always acted on the words of their boss: No matter what they did, they never allowed themself to feel pity or remorse. They had blackmailed, assaulted, tortured and even killed others and hadn’t cared. They’d been ruthless. They had epitomized criminal efficiency.

For their own survival, [Villain] had locked up anything that would’ve hindered them to become the perfect and error-free tool: Things like sympathy, altruism and kindness had been rotting so long in the depths of their soul that [Villain] had even started to believe those things had stopped existing inside of them.

It was [Hero] who came and proved them wrong. [Hero] who had convinced [Villain] that it was okay to show others mercy and kindness. Simply, because they did the same for [Villain].

Slowly, they had started to see their world from a different perspective. [Villain] had opened up, because [Hero] connected with them with reality. Made them feel whole for the first time in their life. Understood. Accepted.

…Hell, it sounded so stupid, but even loved.

[Villain] would’ve done everything to keep this feeling. They would’ve quit their crimes, spent their money to charity, apologised to everyone they had ever wronged. Hell, they would’ve even sold their fucking mansion, if [Hero] had told them to.

They only had to ask and [Villain] would’ve done everything.

But [Hero] hadn’t asked.

They’d never wanted [Villain] to become better. They had lured them into the trap of false safety and trust only to benefit from their credulity, not to make them a better person.

[Hero] had been a ghost light.

A light that was ceasing more with every minute, making space for the usual gloom in [Villains] soul. Their anger.

Slowly, they turned around. It was already difficult to make out [Heros] face in the crimson sunset.

[Villain] shook off the hand that was stroking their back the entire time. A soft kiss was placed on their neck, followed by the words that had once meant the world for them:

"I love you so much.”

Hah.

They balled their fists.

[Hero].

Why shouldn’t they just kill them? Kill their useless friends and everyone they had ever loved. Show [Hero] what it meant to be fucking hurt like this.

“[Villain]…?”

“I heard you.”, they answered and avoided to look into [Heros] seemingly aggrieved face.

Why should they keep playing this shitty game? Why should they keep making themself a fucking joke?

Hands ran down their arms, taking their own fingers and pressing them gently. It felt like acid. “What is it, [Villain]?”

Quit the fucking masquerade.

“You don’t mean it.”, they said, voice filled with an emptiness that made [Hero] look abashed with false confusion. After a short moment of hesistance, they cupped the criminals’ cheek. [Villain] stiffened distinctly.

“What are you saying? Why shouldn’t I?”, [Hero] smiled and caressed their tense face with their thumb. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Fucking lies.

Sharply, [Villain] turned their head away. It was visible that [Hero] was starting to become irritated.

“What’s wrong with you today?”

[Villain] stood up. They needed the space, couldn’t bear [Heros] presence anymore. Every touch was pure mockery, every word so fucking humiliating.

Their back was turned towards [Hero], who stared at them with an atrabilious incomprehension.

“Huh? What’s wrong, [Villain]?”

“…Just answer me one thing, [Hero].”, they said almost quietly, trying their hardest to keep their voice from breaking. “Would you ever have told me?”

“Told you what?”

[Villain] turned around. Their face was blank.

“That you used the relationship to spy on me.”

“That I- What..” It was visible how the meaning of the words sank into [Heros] mind. How their eyes widened as they looked into [Villains] cold features, hardened from the anger.

Grave realization, followed by fear.

“[V-Villain], I-”

Before [Hero] could say anything else, [Villain] had already slammed a hard punch into their face.