Snippet - Tumblr Posts

Hello! i love your cat villian one so much maybe do more??????

but ignore if not (AMAZING BLOG EVER)

The protagonist was dying. They were sure of it, they could feel it, this all consuming terror and in the way they couldn’t draw a full breath into their lungs, like it was funneled through a straw and it was killing them–

Their vision went blurry and they crumpled against the wall, curling into a half-hearted ball over their knees against the baseboard. There was blood splattered over their hands. They just–if they could just–a tiny bit of air–

A hand, warm and gentle, appeared at the nap of their neck, tipping their head up to look at their face.

The protagonist blinked, and the villain was there, and they were watching them die, and oh god they were going to get fired–

“Breathe,” the villain said, and it sounded like they were under water. A million miles away. Point Nemo. Their sister had told them about that once, in the middle of the night as they sat on the roof.

It must be so lonely, she had said, head tipped to the stars. To be so far from everyone else.

The protagonist had wanted to say, I don’t need to be far from everyone else to feel lonely. I’m Point Nemo, can’t you see? But they hadn’t, had just hummed something in agreement, and the villain was telling them to “breathe,” again.

I’m trying, the protagonist wanted to sob. I’m trying, I’m trying, I’m trying.

“Protagonist,” the villain cupped their face in their hands, and through the blurring of the protagonist’s vision, they looked absolutely terrified.

Which didn’t make sense, because the villain always knew exactly what to do in every situation. It was comforting to be in the shadow of someone who knew exactly how they fit into the world.

The villain said something, and the protagonist blinked.

“What?” they managed. The villain snapped their head to look up at them.

“I said, I’m calling your mom.”

Abruptly, terror was flooding their veins again, and they slammed the phone out of the villain’s hand and onto the concrete.

The villain just watched them, concern stark on their face.

“Protagonist–”

“You can’t call her,” they gasped out, chest tight. “She’ll worry and–I can’t do that to her, not after my sister, she can’t do that again.”

Point Nemo. One million miles away.

Really, though, just six feet down.

It felt the same.

“Okay,” the villain said, low and soothing, like they were a scared child. They were. “Okay, I won’t call her, but I need you to breathe,” they emphasized.

“I’m trying,” the protagonist bit out, sucking in air that didn’t seem to be doing anything. How could it not be doing anything? This was one of the worst things that could be happening to them, let alone in front of their boss. They were supposed to be stronger than this, they were stronger than this, so why were they shaking against the baseboard in the hallway of their base. Idly, they looked down at the blood coating their arms, and couldn’t remember whose it was.

“I don’t know how to help you,” the villain admitted, voice breaking.

The protagonist couldn’t get their hands to stop shaking.

If they could just draw a breath–

Blood is harder to get off than you would expect. It clings and clings and clings–

The villain followed their gaze down, and a moment later, they had a wet wipe in their hand, wiping down the protagonist’s hands with an efficiency they could never hope to imitate.

They flinched away from the cold of it a second too late, and the villain frowned.

“You’re okay,” the villain promised, and the protagonist wanted to believe them.

They still choked on the next breath they tried to take, and it hurt and was miserable and the protagonist just wanted it to stop.

The villain said something that sounded like their name again, and they wanted to respond but felt the words get caught in their ribs, and the villain vanished and–

They were holding a cat.

Their shoulders untensed immediately, hands curling softly into the fur, as softly as they could manage while shaking, and they bit their lip to keep from crying at how useless they felt. How could they not figure out how to use their own hands? They bit back a sob, because nothing was working and they couldn’t bear to hurt a cat.

The cat curled itself further against the protagonist’s chest, tucked into their arms in the hollow between their knees and their abdomen.

The villain was–oh.

Oh, the protagonist was so stupid.

The villain was kind, kinder than they deserved, probably, turning into a cat just to make the protagonist stop having a meltdown in their hallway.

The protagonist just needed to get their legs to stop being numb, and then they could stand up and go hide in the bathroom until their body remembered how to do its job, and stop bothering the villain with their stupid problems and panic.

And then, abruptly, the villain began to purr, rumbling into the protagonist's chest.

Some knot deep inside of them that they hadn’t realized existed uncoiled, and they sucked in a breath so deep they thought it would never end. They choked on it on the way out, but the villain simply kept purring, so they tried again, and again, until their vision unblurred and the ache in their lungs had vanished.

“Okay,” the protagonist murmured to themself. Sometimes, they could trick themself by talking in the tone they used on frightened children when out on patrol. “You’re okay, I’m okay, everything is fine.”

They moved to set the villain down, but the villain dug their claws into the protagonist’s arm, nudging their face into their bicep.

Are you really okay? They seemed to ask, and the protagonist didn’t have an answer to that. They could breathe, and feel their toes, and they could remember–oh.

They could remember.

Blood on their hands.

The villain started purring again, and the protagonist burst into tears, burying their face into the villain’s fur. The villain let them, nudging the side of the face every so often in a reminder to breathe.

They stayed like that, until the protagonist’s tears had dried, and their heart only panged a little bit when the villain jumped down out of their arms and onto the floor in front of them.

A blink, and the villain was in front of them again, eyes filled with concern as they grabbed onto the protagonist’s elbows.

“You’re okay,” the villain breathed, and then the protagonist was pulled into a hug so warm they never wanted to leave. “You’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” the protagonist agreed, face tucked into the villain’s chest.

The villain simply hugged them tighter.

Point Nemo had never felt further away.

Please write a chef! Villian who adores to cook for their people, literally. They even cook for their sidekick and their henchmen. But never ever for their oh so devilishly beautiful and just as infuriating hero. (whom they have SWORN to never cook for)

But once when hero's parent falls ill, villian is the one who cooks for them so they can get better. However, they are unable finish all of the food, thus ask their kid (the hero) to have the leftovers

Hero, (who unbeknownst to villian was literally starving for days as they were busy) loves the little bits food they had and when they tell that to their Villian, their faux cold demeanor breaks down completely..... And fluff happens next?????

I really hope you don't mind writing on this! Cooking for someone is willingly wanting to nourish them. I just wanted to see that in an enemies to lovers dynamic...

“You’re looking less terrible,” the villain noted as soon as they stepped into the living room. The hero blinked up at them owlishly from the couch, a mangled crochet project clutched in their hands. It was all so horribly mundane.

“Thanks,” the hero said dryly. “Just what I needed to hear.”

Truly, though, it hadn’t been a dig. The hero did look slightly better: there was color in their cheeks, that exhausted sheen had vanished from their eyes. Their hands weren’t shaking around their crochet hook.

“Your mom is out of the hospital?”

A shadow of that tiredness passed over the hero’s face. It was gone in a blink.

“If you don’t already know the answer to that, I'll be disappointed.”

The villain raised their hands, drifting through the living room. They peered down at a childhood photo of the hero, all toothy grin and smeared ice cream. “Just making conversation.”

The hero sighed.

“She’s home on bed rest, now,” the hero said, quietly, like they were trying not to wake her up. “She’s doing better, she is, it’s just not…” they trailed off.

“She’s still sick,” the villain supplied. The hero nodded when the villain turned back around.

“I don’t know why I expected her to be better as soon as she came home.” The hero sounded so small, in that moment. Like they were still that little kid in their childhood photo album, and not someone who saved the city on the daily.

The villain shrugged. “Because you’re human. Human’s don’t like it when the people they love are hurt.”

“Maybe,” the hero agreed.

The villain slid their gaze over the room once more, snagging on an empty tupperware container balanced on the edge of the coffee table.

Their tupperware container.

Which shouldn’t have come as a surprise, exactly. As soon as they had gotten word that the hero’s mother was in the hospital–which had been as soon as it happened–they had gathered a week's worth of meals and sent it over. And then, they had done it again the next week, and it became just one of the things the villain did. They cooked for themself, their sidekick, their henchmen, and now, the hero’s mother.

They knew the hero’s mother had figured it out, but she had known better than to say anything. The villain didn’t swear on much, but they had sworn to never cook for the hero. Even their mother was cutting it a little bit too close to that.

The hero followed their gaze to the container and blushed.

“Sorry, I meant to clean that up–”

The villain cocked their head. 

The hero stammered for a moment in the resulting silence, “Someone’s been sending my mom food. She can’t always finish it, because she’s…” they trailed off, like they couldn’t bear to say the word “sick”. “She gives me the leftovers,” they finally finished.

The villain had nothing to say to that.

“Hm.”

“Yeah, um,” the hero looked down, tossing aside their terribly failing project. “Normally I get by just fine, you know, I’m not incompetent,” the hero added quickly, like they were worried the villain would judge them for it.

The hero swallowed, and again, that yawning and endlessly exhausted look loomed over their face. The villain wanted to never, ever see it again. “But there was patrol, and then the agency wanted me to do publicity, and then I was with my mom at the hospital whenever I wasn’t working and I just–I’m just really tired.”

Seeing it on the hero’s face, in their posture as they slumped against any available surface when they had even a second to rest, in the bruises from hits they should have been able to avoid easily, was one thing.

But hearing them admit it–

“Get up,” the villain said. Something inside them felt raw at the look on the hero’s face.

“Why?”

“I’m making you food,” the villain said easily. It was anything but.

The hero froze, a deer in headlights, before glancing down at the tupperware and back to the villain.

“You’re the one sending the food.”

Even sleep deprived out of their mind, their hero had always been quick.

“And the one cooking it,” the villain added, and the hero gaped at them.

“Why,” they managed a moment later, hand clutching into the armrest of the couch like it was the only thing keeping them upright.

“I like your mother,” the villain picked up the tupperware, hero watching them the entire time. “And you’re not entirely terrible.”

The hero barked out a surprised laugh.

“I’m not entirely terrible,” they repeated.

“No, you’re not,” the villain agreed. “Now, get up.”

The hero got up.

Before the hero could do something stupid, like ask again what they were doing, or a trip over their own discarded crochet, the villain hushed them.

“I’m making you food,” they said, and the hero’s mouth closed. The villain sighed, looping their hand around the hero’s wrist. “Now shut up, and let me take care of you.”

The hero looked at them like they had never had someone do that. Like they hadn’t even considered the possibility that they might need help as much as the people they took care of did.

The villain had enough of their idiot face, turning to drag them to the kitchen.

The hero went.

That terrible, awful look never showed up on the hero’s face again.

The villain made sure of that.

Hi! If it's not too much to ask, could you do a mermay snippet? Points 5, 7 and 8. I was thinking of a human that for some strange reason transforms into a merperson, and while they're still getting used to it they hurt themselves, and they get rescued by another merperson. Write whatever you want tho, I don't want to force you to write something you don't like! Thank you <3

Hi Anon! It’s not too much to ask at all! Thanks for requesting this, here you go!

The water was a shimmering blue color except for the stark trail of red that swirled just below the surface. Whumpee didn’t know why they became a merperson every time they touched water, all they knew was that they needed to get used to it, which is what they were trying to do when their tail got caught against a rather sharp piece of coral. Now, Whumpee tried to find their way back to the beach, but the current was carrying them farther out to sea. At this rate, Whumpee would bleed out before they could reach the shore. Whumpee’s vision, though enhanced as a merperson, was starting to blur at the edges. Whumpee was finding it harder to swim against the current; it felt as though all their energy was being sucked out of their body. The last thing Whumpee saw was a shadow descend upon them before everything went black.

…

“Hey,” a voice echoed.

Whumpee stirred but didn’t open their eyes.

“Come on,” the voice said, “don’t leave me now. Wake up.”

Whumpee’s eyes fluttered open. Their surroundings started out blurry and unfocused. Eventually their vision cleared enough for Whumpee to see that they were in some sort of cave, the water lapping at their fins.

“There you are, you had me worried for a minute,” the voice said.

Whumpee turned to the side to see a stranger smiling down at them. This stranger, like Whumpee, had no legs, but rather a shimmery fish’s tail. Whumpee’s eyes grew wide. They had never seen another merperson before, they thought they were the only one. Whumpee propped themselves up on their elbows and got a better look at their own tail. It was wrapped in thick, green seaweed, and Whumpee noticed that the pain had subsided to a dull throb.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” the merperson said, “what were you doing in such shallow water in the first place? Coral reefs can be pretty dangerous.”

Whumpee thought about how to answer. This was a real merperson in front of them, not some human that had gotten turned into one. Whumpee didn’t know how merpeople felt about humans, much less about humans that got turned into merpeople.

“I, um,” Whumpee started.

Whumpee trailed off. They didn’t have a good answer. Something seemed to glint in the merperson’s eyes.

“My name’s Caretaker, what’s yours?”

“Whumpee,” Whumpee blurted without thinking.

“Ah, that explains it. Whumpee is a human name, isn’t it?”

Shoot. They were busted. Whumpee’s breathing grew quick. Caretaker knew they weren’t a real merperson, and they knew their name. Whumpee had to get out of here fast. They were just about to try to drag themselves back into the water when Caretaker put their hands on their shoulders.

“Woah, woah, take it easy, Whumpee,” Caretaker said, “I’m not going to hurt you. I just wanted to know why you were in shallow water, and now I do. Come on, take a deep breath.”

Whumpee did as they were told.

“Good job, now let it out.”

Whumpee exhaled shakily.

“Now breathe in again.”

Whumpee took another deep breath. Caretaker walked them through the exercise a few more times before they were satisfied. When Whumpee had finally calmed down, Caretaker let go of their shoulders.

“There, see? There’s nothing to be scared of.”

Whumpee nodded.

“Do you have a place you can dry off and revert to your human form?” Caretaker asked, “I’d hate to make you recover in a cave.”

“I have a house near the beach,” Whumpee answered.

“Got it. I’ll take you there.”

“How?” Whumpee asked.

“You’re not the only one with the ability to transform into other things,” Caretaker replied, “granted I haven’t become a human in quite some time, but no matter, it could be fun!”

…

Caretaker carried Whumpee out of the water and onto the beach. They hadn’t used their human legs in some time, so they were a little shaky at first.

“So, Whumpee, which house is yours?”

Whumpee pointed to a little white house with a blue roof. Caretaker tightened their hold on Whumpee and walked to the front door. Once inside, Caretaker laid Whumpee down on the couch and set about finding towels to help Whumpee dry off. Once Whumpee was fully dry, their tail severed into a pair of legs.

“Now, I’m not sure what humans eat these days, but the last time I surfaced I got to learn how to make a really good sandwich.” Caretaker turned to Whumpee, “Do you think you can eat one?”

“Oh, you don’t have to-”

“Hush,” Caretaker said, “I’m happy to help you. Besides, you need the energy. Now, ham or turkey?”

“We talking bout practice!”

-Allen Iverson

Just a little neosoul typebeat as I practice on my Akai_Pro mpc.

#1 - Mind control

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” [Hero] screamed as they desperately tried to push [Sidekick] away from them.

What had happened in the past few hours? Why would their best friend try to attack them? After years of working together, after years of trusting each other!

But [Sidekick] didn’t answer and went for another punch into [Heroes] face. This time, [Hero] was prepared enough to catch the fist that was flying towards them.

After some moments of struggling, they managed to get hold of [Sidekicks] wrists, pinning their partner on the wall. [Sidekick] only gave a painfilled gasp and tried their hardest to get rid of the firm grip that hold them in place.

“Let go, you fucking bastard!” [Sidekick] hissed. The plain disgust in their voice shocked [Hero].

“Why are you doing this?!” [Hero] could not hide the pain in their voice. “Why are you fighting me?!”

But when they looked at [Sidekicks] face, all they could see was hatred.

#2 - Traitor

[Villain] started to tremble when [Supervillain] approached them. God, the plan had gone so horribly wrong… They should have never even thought about helping [Hero] to overthrow their nemesis! It was a huge miscalculation from the start.

And now they were the one to pay for it.

[Villain] couldn’t suppress a shiver when [Supervillain] started speaking.

“So…”, their voice was calm, bored almost.

“My inferiors are getting cheeky again, huh? Don’t you remember the last time I had to end one of your little revolts?” [Supervillain] was not bothering to look at [Villain], who did their best to hide the quivering.

They remembered damn well. The only difference was that they stood on the winners’ side back then.

“Tell me…”, [Supervillain] started pacing around them with leisurely steps, “What made you think, it would be different this time?”

[Villain] did not dare to look up. They felt the bile rising in their throat. Their hands started to shake.

Even though they did not see [Supervillain], [Villain] felt the derisive grin that formed on their captors’ features as they saw the physical impact of their words.

When [Supervillain] talked again, their voice had turned into a low whisper, far too close to [Villains] ear. They could not avoid flinching.

“What made you think, I would have more mercy with traitors like you now than I had the last time?”

[Villains] blood turned to ice. They knew [Supervillains] ways of dealing with disloyalty. They saw enough of it in the years they had to work for them. Hadn’t they sworn it to themself back then? To never allow themself to slide in this kind of situation?

…How had they fucked that up so badly?

[Supervillain] stopped, only inches in front of their face. [Villain] lowered their eyes hastily, trying to avoid looking at their old bosses’ cold gaze.

They could hear their own heartbeat. The tremor was taking all over their body.

“Besides…”

[Villain] let out a terrified whimper as a gloved hand harshly grasped their chin, forcing them to look up.

“How does someone like you merge with such an outstanding personality like [Hero]?”

[Villains] eyes widened. How could they know about them? That had been a top-secret information. Even their own people knew nothing about their doings with [Hero]! They had done everything possible to cover the information [Supervillain] seemed to have such easy access to.

“Supporting the enemy is even worse treason than just turning against me…” The grip on their jaw got firmer. [Villain] squealed in pain. “Tell me, [Villain]”, [Supervillains] voice turned dangerously low.

“…What shall we do with a traitor?”

#3 - Withdrawal

[Hero] felt horrible. They could not think straight since they were “rescued” by [Villain]. They should not be here. They should go back to [Supervillain] and apologise for their disappearance. They should go back soon enough so their supplier would give them what they needed.

But [Villain] was eager to keep them until [Hero] “came back to their senses again”. Whatever the hell that meant.

It was five days since [Villain] got them out of [Supervillains] grip and things had turned more shitty every day. Not that it would have been a surprise. [Hero] did not have a single shot since Monday morning.

Even though they knew that [Villain] was just trying to help, [Hero] could not prevent feeling irritated. They did not ask for help, neither did they want it.

“Hey, are you alright?” [Villains] voice echoed through the hallways of their home. They were always keeping an eye on [Hero], not letting them alone for more than a minute. [Hero] couldn’t stand it.

“What the hell else.”, they just mumbled back, not sure if [Villain] had heard them.

If they weren’t so fucking weak. They would just get up and leave this whole circus! Maybe drop over at one of [Supervillains] handymen, supplying themself already with some syringes and then go back to were they got what they wanted.

[Supervillain] always welcomed them, always rewarded them if they did as they liked. And if coming back to them was not the most loyal thing they could do, [Hero] had no idea what else to go in for.

As long as they got what they needed, they would do anything. Even to for a prat like [Supervillain].

Of course, their team was missing them. They were searching frantically for [Hero], but they could not bring themself up to come back at the moment. They were tired. Of course, they missed their people too, wanted nothing more than to be with them, but right now, their team could never provide them the way [Supervillain] did.

They needed their injections.

And if the person who gave them to [Hero] was [Supervillain], well, so be it. Even if they were corrupt to the core, manipulative and simply dangerous, they were still a better option than any symptoms of withdrawal.

All the symptoms [Hero] experienced now.

They clamped their sweaty hands together. Why could they not just be left alone? The world would be just as shitty without their heroic deeds as it was before.

“Hey…”, [Villains] soft voice interrupted their thoughts, “I know, you don’t really want to be here…”

What an observation.

“…But I thought of something to help you to get better very soon.”

[Hero] could not supress a cynical snort. “And what would that be? A perfumed candle? Meditation? The power of love? Sorry, [Villain]. You can’t do anything for me. Only one person can.”

They did not see how [Villains] face deformed with wrath. [Hero] gave a languished sigh, “You are useless for me.”

[Villain] did not believe what they just heard. Who did [Hero] think they were?! Their hands formed to firm fists.

[Hero] made a pejorative gesture. “Now hush… I don’t want to hear your slipslop.”

[Villain] could not withold it any longer. “You… You ungrateful piece of shit!! Don’t you fucking see what [Supervillain] did to you?! What you had become because of all the bullshit they pumped into your system?!”

[Hero] had never imagined to see [Villain] get loud. It was intimidating. They were so composed and polite all the time, never screeching, never cursing. Even when they were fighting.

“You are nothing but a pet to them!”, [Villain] spat the words like they were something poisonous. “They did not keep you to make your shitty life great, they kept you so you won’t be able to cross their sick plans! They kept you so they could disable everyone else who might be a threat to them! And you…” [Villain] gritted their teeth, “You just stood and delivered!”

[Villains] angry facade started to dissolve. What [Hero] saw underneath was something else. A strange sadness that gave [Hero] goosebumps. Why would they look at them like that?

“I did not intend to tell you so soon… But we need you on the battlefield and not in some drinking hole, giving yourself shot after shot!”

“Tell me what so soon?”, [Hero] asked, feeling somehow queasy. They weren’t used to always cold and calculating [Villain] being so angry. Being so emotional.

[Villain] sighed. “[Supervillain]… They achieved many of their goals while you were gone, you know?” They made a pause.

“When I said that they took the time to eliminate other threats… It also included the murder of many people. The murder of many of your people… The murder of your team.”

[Hero] froze. “What?”

#4 - Drugged

When [Villain] opened the door of the cell, they saw nothing. The small room was pitch-dark, only letting the dull light of the corridor inside.

“[Hero]?”, they whispered lowly, not daring to speak any louder. “Where are you, we need to talk.”

It had been a real helltrip to sneak inside [Supervillains] mansion. [Villain] prayed to all gods they knew that nobody had seen them. If someone had, the aftermath would be fatal.

They did not want to think about it; just the mere idea made them shudder.

When there was no answer from [Hero], [Villain] stepped inside. It was safer anyways, because the sequence in which the guards controlled the cells was unknown to them. The risk of getting caught was much lower if they hid with their enemy.

After closing the door softly, [Villain] needed a moment until their eyes eased into the gloomimess of the cell. There were many dark splatters on the floor (probably blood, they thought) and a huddled figure, miserably crimped into the corner. [Hero]. [Villain] could not suppress the wave of pity that washed over them when they saw in what wretched condition their nemesis was. They knelt in front of them, putting a hand on [Heros] shoulder.

“Hey…” [Villain] whispered, “You need to get up, I will bring you out of here.” They gently nudged them. “Come on, we don’t have the time to dally.”

But [Hero] did not move. [Villain] frowned and inspected their body. There were no deeper injuries severe enough to cause this comatose state.

A distant noise halted their thoughts and made them look around nervously.

They shook [Hero] again, this time fiercer. “Get up. I don’t know when one of their minions comes past!”

[Hero] gave a faint murmur, twisting their head a little bit to the side.

They were adressable.

…Well, at least a little bit.

“Come on, we have to hurry. Can you walk?”

[Villain] grasped [Heros] arm to pull them up and frowned when they touched the bare skin. [Heros] body temperature was far too high. “What has happened to you?!”, they hissed, irritated by [Heros] dullness. “I don’t see any wounds that-”, [Villain] froze in the middle of the movement.

There were several punctures in the crook of [Heros] arm, fresh and old ones. When [Villain] twisted their arm to get a better look at the red dots, their foe gave a painful moan.

Oh…

Oh no.

They slapped [Hero] in the face. That could not be true.

[Villain] looked at the little wounds again, making sure they did not hallucinate. But the small entries to [Heros] veins were still there, some also inflamed and festering.

Hot anger was slowly rising in [Villains] chest, mixing with the cold fear that crept up their spine. [Supervillain], that bastard. They had drugged [Hero]. They had made them completely helpless, not able to do anything to defend themselfes. [Villain] felt nauseous.

There was a noise again -this time nearer- that cut harshly into their thoughts. The guards had to be checking every cell, also looking inside them.

Fuck.

The panic started rising in [Villains] body. “Come on, wake up! I need you here!”, they begged, shaking [Hero] violently by the shoulders. “Fuck, I can’t carry you all the way back!”

Oh god… What if [Hero] did not wake up at all?

“…’s that… you… [Villain]…?”

They jumped at the sound of [Heros] slurred voice.

“what…’re you… doin’ here…?”, they breathed. Every word [Hero] said was articulated with a huge difficulty. But they were awake and adressable and that was all [Villain] needed.

Never had they ever felt such a strong sense of relief like the one that washed over them right now.

“Yes! Yes, it’s me! I will get you out of here!”, they exclaimed euphorically, “You need to stand up.”

“Why would you… help me…?”, [Hero] asked, eyelids fluttering. They nearly slipped back to unconsciousness again, but [Villain] grabbed both of their cheeks, forcing them to keep eye contact. “Hey, you stay with me! I will explain you everything.”

They grasped [Heros] wrists and pulled them up, laying an arm around their shoulder.

“But first… I will bring you out of here.”

#5 - Recorded

[Sidekick] frowned when they looked at the tape they found in the doorway this morning. It was wrapped in blank paper, no notes or mailing adress added. Just an old cassette, already rewinded to be watched.

“What even…”, they murmured to themselfes, slowly turning the VHS video in their hands as they were sitting over a steaming cup of coffee. Was this some kind of commercial? A new and creative way to advertise?

They decided to take closer look at the video later. It was probably just some silly gimmick or a joke from one of their teammembers.

Right now, [Sidekick] had business to do.

They rose and shuffled to their phone. After dialing the number they could recite in their sleep by now, they waited for [Hero] to pick up. It was a call of importance: Just the day before, their boss had managed to collect useful information about [Villains] whereabouts, which may have been the biggest success since they had started hunting them down. They only needed to make up a plan and the thing would be off the table tomorrow.

Seconds passed and [Sidekick] impatiently tapped their foot on the floor. [Hero] hadn’t picked up yet. Normally, they were really fast on the telephone, but today seemed to be different.

[Sidekick] hung up and tried again after a couple of minutes. Still, nothing.

“Come on! We agreed to phone at this time!”, they murmured into the reciever, slightly annoyed already. What was so difficult about being punctual? [Sidekick] strolled around in their apartment, still waiting for their boss to answer.

They hung up again. What a prat.

Well, [Sidekick] thought defiantly, if [Hero] had the nerves to keep them waiting, they could also niggle around for some time and let them wait for their call. Such a game could be played by two.

But what was to do? They looked around, eyes landing on the video tape.

…Better than nothing.

They pushed it into their old recorder, already thinking about the tongue-lashing they were going to give [Hero], if they dared to complain about the delay of their planning session. [Sidekick] scoffed, shaking their head. How could someone be so frowsy?

The tape whired in the VCR, only producing a static contact noise for a few moments. Then, there was a picture:

A sparsely illuminated room, only offering concrete walls and a chair that stood in the middle.

What the-

[Sidekick] had not even time to be confused. After a couple of seconds had passed, someone started speaking, lightly tapping on the camera a few times: “Test. Test. Alright, we seem to be recording! Bring them in!”

Although [Sidekick] knew that tone instantly, they couldn’t classify it in the first moment. Only when two people dragged someone towards the chair and chained them on it, they were able to recognize the smug voice: [Villain]!

The delay of the telephone conference with [Hero] was forgotten instantly.

What had [Villain] in mind?

When [Sidekicks] gaze wandered to the person tied on the chair, their stomach turned violently. The captive was badly injured, head hanging lowly between their slumped shoulders. Barely concious.

The floor was covered in blood and vomit.

“You sadistic asshole…”, [Sidekick] murmured.

With unhurried steps, [Villain] entered the picure. When they stood directly in front of the camera, they flashed [Sidekick] an amiable smile, sending chills down their spine.

“I heard you guys were looking for me?”

[Villains] voice was far too mild for a situation like this. When the person on the chair noticed their captors presence, they struggled violently against the chains. [Villain] didn’t even blink.

How could someone be so cold?

“I have the information from a good source, you know? You guys are going to hunt me down in the next couple days…”

They started pacing around thoughtfully and casted a pityful glance into the camera. The pity did not reach their eyes.

“…I am sorry to tell you that this plan will come to nothing.”

After circling the room, [Villain] placed themself closely behind their captive, putting both hands comradely on their shoulders.

“My special guest here will ensure it.”

They grabbed them by the neck and whispered something inaudible into their ear. [Sidekick] saw the heavy shudder that ran through the abused body.

This sick bastard.

[Villain] hummed and a menacing smile appeared on their features as they kept on caressing their now shaking victim.

“They will keep your silly team quiet for a long time…”, [Villain] murmured and suddenly grabbed a fist full of their convicts hair, yanking their head up harshly.

“…Won’t you?”

[Sidekicks] eyes widened in sheer horror, as the dull light finally revealed the face of [Villains] captive:

“[H…Hero]?”

(#6 is for @annalisemarlene56 who sent me the very first request for this blog! Thank you so much, I hope you enjoy! 💕)

#6 - Captured

“Let go of me, you fucking bastards!!”, [Hero] snarled, struggling heavily against the firm grip of the two strangers that dragged them out of their flat.

What was happening here? Had they been found?

[Hero] glanced up towards their kidnappers. They were pushing them through the stairway without any emotion on their faces. As if things like this were part of an everyday-job. “Listen:”, they tried to reason, “I don’t have any money or rich family members to blackmail. I can barely afford my own apartment! So please let me go!!”

“We don’t care about your money.”, one of them stated bluntly. [Hero] looked at them again and noticed the really expensive-looking suits that both of their abductors wore.

Yeah, money seemed to be one of the last things these guys had to care about.

They were pushed through the door and towards a parking lot, farther away from the streets. “H-Hey…”, [Hero] began, gulping. “You don’t have to do this…You know, I have a good friend who can help you to get out of this kind of business and-”

[Hero] flinched when one of their captors pulled out a gun. “You say one more word and I’ll shoot you right here.”, they menaced and looked [Hero] dead in the eye. “You want that?”

Numbly, [Hero] shook their head, quivering hands lifted in the air. Their abductor gestured with the gun. “Move.”

After some minutes of walking, the group approached a big car in the far back. They stopped in front of the vehicle.

“Get in.”, one of the captors commanded.

[Heros] face ashened. “What?”

The lackey lifted the gun: “I said: Get in.”

Without farther protest, [Hero] obeyed. It was senseless to fight. Neither had they a weapon nor an opportunity to flee. Preparing themself for the worst, they softly opened the back door and took in a deep breath before entering the vehicle.

The first thing [Hero] noticed was the cleansiness of the obviously new car. Unintentionally, they thought about their own vehicle in which the rests of their two-weeks-ago-trip to McDonalds were still rotting on the backseats.

For a brief moment, [Hero] nearly felt amused by the comparison, but a smooth voice catapulted them back to reality:

“Please put on your seatbelt.”

They jerked around and met a face too familiar from crime reports and mugshots: [Villain].

Dressed in fancy clothing and jewellery.

…Weren’t they supposed to be in prison?

[Hero] was too baffled to understand the order, so the nationally wanted criminal repeated it for them: “Please put on your seatbelt.” [Villains] voice was polite and steady, not in any way how [Hero] imagined it.

Numbly, their fingers fumbled for the cold piece of metal on their left side, plugging it into the clip shakingly.

“Thank you, safety is important.”, [Villain] stated and turned to the driver. “Let’s go.”

[Heros] head spinned. They were getting captured. They were getting captured by one of the most delinquent individuals in the world and had no idea what to do. Even as the car started, the only thing [Hero] could do was stare at [Villain], who seemed to be the only one enjoying this situation.

“So…”, the criminals voice oozed into [Heros] mind, “First of all, let me thank you for your cooperation. I hope, my people were not too harsh to you?”

[Hero] looked at them dumbly.

What kind of sick game was this?

They tried to read anything from [Villains] smug features, but there was nothing.

[Hero] ignored their captors question. “Why am I here?”, they asked instead, trying to collect themself.

“…Are you… Are you going to kill me?”

To their surprise, [Villain] raised their eyebrows and let out a little snicker. “Kill you? Oh no.”, they laughed, “If I wanted to see you dead I wouldn’t have bothered to get you here.”

“What the hell do you want then?!”, [Hero] asked currishly. They’ve had enough of this fucking guessing game.

[Villain] just smiled and held out their hand: “To be honest: I need your help, [Hero]. You are on my radar since a fairly long time now and the powers you posess are beyond everything I have ever seen.”

[Hero] stared at them in utter disbelief.

…How did they know about their powers?

“Aw, don’t look at me like that! You know what I am talking about.”, [Villain] stated cheerfully, still extending their hand. “No false modesty!”

So, they had been found. And of all things by a varmint like [Villain]. [Hero] glanced out of the tinted window, past their captors head. They had not even tried to remember the route the car was taking. Shit.

Unimpressed by [Heros] silence, [Villain] kept looking at them with this unnerving friendlieness. When it was clear that [Hero] wouldn’t answer, [Villain] just shrugged and put down their neglected hand: “You are not good at taking compliments, huh?”

“Just tell me what you want.”

[Villains] smile grew wider. “Well...” They made a dramatic pause. “You are the key… To help me defeat [Supervillain]!”

…

What?

“Come on, a little more enthusiasm, please!”

[Hero] shook their head, face expressionless. “I won’t help you.”

What did they even think?

Strangely enough, [Villain] looked at them with a pityful sympathy. “Sorry, but I think you will.”, they said. The confident tone made [Hero] frown.

“If you know my abilities as good as you claim, you will also know, that you can’t force me to help you with your craving for power.”, [Hero] replied. They grew irritated with their captors strange serenity.

[Villain] gave them an ominous smile. There was something sinister in their eyes that [Hero] hadn’t noticed before. “I can force everybody to help me with my craving for power.”

Before [Hero] could say anything, [Villain] grabbed them by the neck and harshly pulled them towards their face. [Hero] yelped in surprise.

“You will be working for me sooner than you think, my friend.”, [Villain] murmured. “I have the resources to make you my lackey in less than a week.”

[Hero] could not surpress a shudder. “L-Let go of me!”, they hissed, turning their head away. “I won’t do this! Not for you!”

[Villain] removed their hand, leaning back into their seat. “We’ll see soon enough.”

A really bad feeling started rising in [Heros] chest. They shifted uncomfortably, forcing themself to look away from their captor.

Even though they tried to resist it, [Villains] words echoed through their head.

‘I have the resources to make you my lackey in less than a week.’

[Hero] clenched their fists.

No. They would not help them. Never.

They would be strong enough for everything [Villain] had in store for them.

Wouldn’t they?

(This prompt spooked around in my head for a really long time. 🤣 I know the season does not quite fit, but compassion and the spirit of Christmas are always valid, no matter the time of the year! 🌲 Please enjoy! 🖤)

#7 - Cold

[Hero] walked through the snowy streets, trying to take in everything that their eyes registered. The change in weather had been so sudden that no one in the city had taken precautions against the surprising winter. Only one week ago, the news had reported about “A surpassingly long term of really mild temperatures” for this autumn.

…How far that was away right now.

They looked down to the ground. It must have been already five inches. And it continued steadily. No busses, trains or taxis would drive this evening, maybe not even tomorrow. The whole city was astonied.

Rationally, [Hero] had every reason to be pessimistic about that. Everything was chaotic, locomotion was limited and their flat was isolated like shit eversince, allowing the freezing air to creep directly inside of their home.

Still, it felt peaceful. It seemed like everything was set into slow motion. The usual stress was muted by the tons of frozen water that sailed down the sky, making everything quiet.

[Hero] wondered when they had seen snow the last time. It must’ve been years. They didn’t know they had missed it so much.

Maybe, [Hero] mused in their thoughts, they would even go to one of the Christmas markets tomorrow, just for the feeling of it.

Their eyes glid over the white alleys and a silent smile appeared on their features. Yes, they would go. They would go and enjoy themself. Take a break from their busy job and let their soul rest for some time.

They took a few more turns and just decided to go home, when they noticed something strange.

A shadow, only a few feet ahead of them. [Hero] approached with slow steps and frowned.

Their eyes widened when they recognized what the bulky umbrage in the white snow was: A person. Not moving and in a curled up position.

“Hey!”, [Hero] called, hastily making their way towards them, “Hey, are you alright?” They kneeled next to the figure and gently shook them by the shoulder.

“Are you conscious? It’s far too cold here to-”

The words got stuck in their throat, when they turned the stranger around and the shadows revealed who was laying in front of them:

[Villain]. Bloody and bruised.

[Hero] took in a sharp breath, instantly jerking away from the criminal. Their hand glid automatically to the place where their weapon would normally be, but there was nothing. They must have left it at home. Shit.

They looked around frantically.

Was this a trap?

Were [Villains] henchmen still here?

“D-Don’t worry…I-I’m alone…”, a faint voice murmured. It belonged to [Villain].

[Hero] looked down. Their actual nemesis had turned their head around, hazy eyes looking at them in a disoriented manner.

“A-Are you.. M-my guardian Angel…?”

Now that the lights shone onto them, [Hero] noticed the bruises that were covering [Villains] pale face. Their nose was broken too. All around were footprints and crimson splatters in the shuffled snow.

Paying closer attention, [Hero] also saw the little shudders that ran through [Villains] maltreated body.

How long had they lain here?

“[Villain], what-…What has happened to you…?”, [Hero] asked hesistantly, still scanning the street for unwelcome attackers.

The criminal simpered blearily. [Hero] had never seen them smile, only grinning and sneering. Like this, [Villain] nearly looked like a decent human being. “I-I… didn’t t-take care… of m-myself…”, they murmured. They looked up to [Hero] with misty eyes. “..w-was s-so..stupid…”

[Hero] was astonished. Did [Villain] even know who was kneeling in front of them?

They looked around once again. It could be such a perfect way to lure them into their enemies claws. No one was approaching the streets and the snow would silence any kind of fight or action. They would be gone within a second.

[Villain] just had to make them feel pitiful enough to forget their cover.

But what if it was not a trap?

[Hero] was at loss. They could not just flee and let [Villain] be perished by the cold. They would never forgive themself, if there was even the slightest chance that their enemy was actually in danger.

All the time, [Villain] kept their mellow gaze on them, their fluttering eyelids already sprencled with frost.

“Goddamnit.”, [Hero] chuntered. Their voice filled with frustration. “Why didn’t I go home one alley ealier?”

They were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. But they had to do something.

Swallowing their fear (and probably all of their common sense), [Hero] decided to take a closer look at [Villains] state. They cautiously approached their nemesis and gently pushed a hand into the collar of their shirt, still looking out for any attacks.

[Villains] skin was terribly cold. [Hero] gulped when they found the pulse: Far too low. “Can this be true..?”, [Hero] questioned themself before removing their fingers carefully.

Was [Villain] really howering between life and death?

“T-they.. attacked m-me..”, [Heros] nemesis breathed suddenly. Their gaze told [Hero] that they were only moments away from falling unconscious. “I c-can’t m-mo..ve.. m-my legs… i-i’m..s-so col…d..” [Villains] eyes flickered and finally, their head sank down onto the pavement.

Oh god… This really wasn’t staged.

What the hell should they do now? Nobody would be able to take [Villain] prisoner in this snowstorm. Nobody-

Suddenly, [Hero] froze. No one knew that they were here. No one knew that [Villain] was here.

The realization of the perfidious plan slowly perlocated through [Heros] mind: Someone had attacked and purposely dumped [Villain] here to let them die a slow and lonely death. The weather was perfect to avoid unwanted spectators and killed everyone who stayed too long within only a few hours. [Villain] had been made immobile and was left without any chance for rescue.

There was only one unforeseeable factor that could still cross that plan: [Hero].

What were the odds that someone else would find [Villain] in time? All the way through the streets, [Hero] hadn’t seen a soul. It was a tight time slot, exclusively open for them. [Hero] shuddered.

The choice about their enemies’ life laid in their hands.

Looking down, they noticed that [Villain] had stopped shivering. Their skin was slowly starting to turn blue.

One more hour and they were dead.

[Hero] had to make a decision. Now.

…Rationally, [Hero] knew that they should just leave them.

No one would suspect a thing. Hell, authorities would even be glad, if [Villain] was gone. There wouldn’t be any further investigations that could damage [Heros] reputation and mark them as a criminal. They would be save and sound.

Also, if [Hero] saved them, everything [Villain] did in the future would automatically redound upon them. No matter if other people knew it or not, [Hero] would be at least partially responsible for [Villains] crimes.

They had to think about leaving them here.

But [Villain] was a human being. They were a person. A fucking criminal, a pain in the ass and an arrogant slug, but still: A person.

[Villain] was just as human as [Hero] and their team were.

God, what should they do? Wasn’t [Hero] on the good side? Shouldn’t they help others whenever it was possible? Even when the person in misery was [Villain]?

“[Villain]. Who robs, blackmails and threatens other people. Who brings nothing but trouble. You really think they are worth saving?”, a sharp voice in [Heros] head asked. It sounded just like the one of their boss. “They are trash, nothing more.”

“Trash…”, [Hero] echoed silently.

Yes, that’s what [Villain] was for their company. Not a person: Trash. A disruptive factor.

Taking a decision, [Hero] turned away and took a few steps.

It was true. They had to leave them. Everyone would be better off without [Villain]. Everyone would be safer.

…This was the right thing to do.

…But…

“Goddamn it!”, [Hero] cursed and shook their head, hastily walking back to [Villain].

No. They couldn’t do it.

They couldn’t fucking do it.

Never would they forgive themself, if they extradited someone to death. Maybe their bosses were like that, but [Hero] wasn’t. They couldn’t just let someone die because it was easier. Or because that person was in the way. Because they didn’t conform [Heros] moral standards.

They didn’t care if it was weakness, but [Hero] was not like this.

They couldn’t let [Villain] die.

They just couldn’t.

Crouching down again, [Hero] moved closer towards their enemy and tried to sit them up. [Hero] took off their own coat and wrapped it tightly around [Villains] chilled body.

They would help them.

[Hero] wouldn’t let their enemy die in the snow.

When they lifted them up, [Villain] murmured something inaudible before their head fell down onto their saviors chest. Half-dried blood smeared into [Heros] shirt.

They gulped nervously. Doubts, anxiety and guilt were rising up in their chest.

This was insane… This was so fucking insane.

“Don’t make me regret this!”, [Hero] hissed to their foe before struggling up their feet.

“Don’t make me fucking regret this!”

(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.

(❗TW: Character death, Blood❗)

#9 - Over

The stars don't care about us.

[Villain] smiled deliriously, bloody teeth blazing up at the dark sky. The silverish lights glinted down without any judgement or interest.

They've witnessed so many crimes, so many tragedies. And still, they don't care.

[Villain] would die here. Two shots were enough to end their useless life underneath the clear firmament. Well. Every action had its' consequences, right?

"[Hero]...? Are you there...?", [Villain] wispered and stretched out their hand. Broken fingers brushed over the ones of their enemy, hesistantly asking them to return the touch. [Villain] felt how alien blood bedewed their fingertips.

[Hero] was bleeding out too. [Supervillain] had been cruel enough to make sure their life was ending right next to [Villains]. They didn't even know something.

They shouldn't have helped. Why had [Hero] helped? This had been [Villains] business, not theirs.

"Answer me... Please.", they huffed and lightly squeezed the other ones' hand. "Are you there?"

Only cold light.

"I am here, [Villain]." [Hero] answered and gently took the other ones injured hand into their own shaking fingers. "I am here."

Miles, miles and miles away.

They were breathing together, slowly and stertorously. It was over soon. They were laying on the hard concrete and waited for the minutes to pass.

Waited for the inevitable.

And the stars shine ever so brightly.

"I don't want to die, [Hero]."

"Me neither."

A single tear rolled over [Villains] cheek. They weren't sure, if [Hero] was crying too. "Thank you for being here. For... Helping me...", they mumbled and closed their eyes when the darkness started to surround them entirely. They pressed [Heros] fingers one last time. "Thank you... I-I never wanted to die... alone.."

[Hero] smiled weakly before closing their own eyes.

"...It's been a honour, [Villain]."

(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.

Snippet Saturday

from Kingdom of Bumalia

"...you and I share a different relationship. You have given me a job that… I want to fulfill as best as I can; however, that entails working closely with you and being sure anything you do doesn’t affect what I have to do.” She paused. “Think of it this way, it’s true people my age don’t view you as a major authority, we see you as someone we can relate to and with that comes a level of dismissal.”

Leigh looked off. “So my words will never hold against you? That seems to be true for everyone around me; if not this, then it’s my age and if not my age, it’s my standing.”

Cassie’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t want to be rude, but can I say something?”

“Go ahead.”

“You keep up such a bright smile, but have feelings like this. I think it’s completely fine that you’re sometimes upset or hurt by the words of others. I feel you should embrace those feelings and grow from them, because that hurt you’re feeling is a part of who you are.”

He looked back at her. “What do you mean?”

“I’ve heard tales of you being bested in battle or screamed at for an inability to work and yet in those moments your smile never wavered. This shows those problems don’t phase you, but these do. Working to remedy these problems should be at the forefront. Above all else, you should think, how am I going to make myself feel better?”

Leigh’s eyes watched her face intently, so much so that Cassie had to avoid his gaze. She reached to adjust her book below her and when she looked back up Leigh was sitting upright again.

“How do you have such wise words?”

“Because I have lived my life instilled with fear from an early age. My nature dictates I am very fearful of anything that comes my way and instead of allowing it to control me, I found a way to cope with it. Writing, reading, drawing and painting; anything expressive has helped me to mitigate my feelings and develop a fondness for what I do now.”

Leigh then looked to the top of her head. “I always forget what you are because you hide your bunny ears. However, maybe that bias should be avoided and I should learn this look of yours.”

A child sat on the floor, staring up at the copy of the painting of lucifer. All naked flesh and muscles. She started to pray, as she was taught.

“Have you heard of that song, Me and the devil.”

A timely pause for the instruments in her head.

And then again, “walking side by side? It's kinda fun. People use that song to symbolise that they're doomed. How do you feel knowing that you're the bringer of doom to the mediocre?”

Sister Prissca told the class that prayer was conversing with God. So, she always wondered if talking to others worked the same. It must be. She concluded in the end. You can talk alot with someone you really like, after all.

“I sang it in my head today, when I walked down here. Because I'm not allowed here. So everytime I come here, I'm making it more likely that I'll come here again, until I get caught y'know. I'm doomed like that. It's badass, for a kid. Sneaking into old, abandoned buildings. Maybe not for you. You probably tempted bigger people for worse things. Like the war. Do you think I'll grow up to be evil? I hope not. I'm too lazy. Maybe I can be your next mascot of sloth.”

The room smelled of fungus and lung cancer, with hints of dust, mould, and ink. She first used to wear a mask here, until she got too lazy to wear it too.

Masterlist:

April 2019 - Snippet.

The Contract

The party had decided to regroup in a tavern,  outside of the ruins of Augustia. Everyone was downstairs, murmuring to each other. Maponos, in a room upstairs, heard his name mentioned more than once. He was too preoccupied in his own thoughts to bother with listening.

Perhaps, if they were faster, they could've done something to stop the destruction. Perhaps if they didn't take that one rest, they've would've had time to see something was wrong and started an evacuation. Perhaps if he was able to do something besides shoot a damn gun and play with poisons he might've been useful.

For once, Maponos wished he had magic of his own. The irony of the thought didn't escape him, but he knew magic might've been enough to save atleast his sister.

Menala... His hands started to shake at his sides. He hadn't said her name since...the incident. Even just thinking about her or what happened made far too many emotions bubble up inside him.

Yet, how could he not think of her? She was his entire reason for anything worth doing and -

...and now she's gone.

He felt his legs give out from under him, collapsing to his knees, as of the near unbearable weight of the terrible truth was too much for him.

She's been gone for nearly a half a day and only now does the reality of it hit him hard. His chest ached, and morbidly, he wondered if this pain was anything compared to when Contra broke a man's ribs.

No - this pain was definitely worse.

"I...I am sorry I couldn't save you." He whispered. "I'd do anything to bring you back." He hadn't even realized he had been crying, until he felt the tears on his face.

"I think we may be able to help each other." A voice reverberated in his mind, the presence behind it felt warm, and ancient.

Quickly, Maponos swiped away tears, fully alert, standing upright. "What do mean? Who are you?"

"I believe we can make a deal of sorts. A contract if you will."

"You didn't answer my other question. I'm in no mood for cryptic riddles. Get to the point."

In his mind, the presence seemed to chuckle. "I see why he wanted you as his vessal."

"The fuck does that mean?" Maponos snapped. "Enough of the pronoun game."

The air shimmered in front of Maponos, and like the sun rising with a new dawn, a man materialized. His hair was a golden blonde, wearing white and gold clothing and Maponos recognized the face all too well, for it was his own, perhaps an older version of him yes, but he had seen the statues.

"Lathander." Maponos laughed bitterly. "Of course it's you." He shook his head. "What do you want?"

"As I have said before, I want to make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?"

"I need a vessel to channel my power when the time comes, seeing as my first choice  is no longer an option I am going to you. In exchange you will have the power to bring your sister back from the dead."

Maponos scoffed angrily. "Are you saying you had this kind of power the whole time? The great Lathander could just resurrect people? We prayed to nearly every god of healing we could think of...so where were you when she was sick?" His fists balled at his sides.

"Nothing could be done the clerics said. Fucking magic couldn't heal my sister. I was the one to keep her stable enough to give me time to find a cure." Maponos' gaze fell to the floor. "And now...she's gone." He looked back up at the god. "You said you wanted her to be your vessal. So where the fuck were you when she died?"

Lathander's expression dimmed. "I cannot interfere in mortal lives in that way, though, if it means anything to you, I am sorry for your loss and the heartache you have because of it."

Maponos was quiet for a moment, unsure what to make of the situation. The flash of rage he had was gone,, in its place, was the tiniest sliver of hope. This was an opportunity, he'd be an fool to not hear the god out. "What are the terms of this contract?"

The god produced a glowing piece of parchment and a quill."If you sign the contract with me, I will grant you a portion of my power, in exchange for your soul. It will take time for you to fully be able to handle the magic needed to resscurect your sister. All I ask is that you follow my guidance."

Maponos narrowed his eyes. My soul..This contract sounds similar to the kind that devils make. "Why do you need my soul?"

Lathander raised a brow slightly. "You aren't exactly a devout follower. This is the only other way that I can lend you my power."

Perhaps if Maponos was in a lighter mood, he could have laughed at the god. Instead, he focused on the details of the contract. "When does the contract end?"

"The Contract will have been fulfilled when Vo is defeated."

Maponos glanced at the quill in Lathander's hands, hesitated for a heartbeat.

Fuck it. I have nothing else to lose anyway.

He signed his name.

Warlock Maponos because I've been thinking of random AU things for him.

wrote on a flash prompt after so long

ngl it's been ages since i've actually written an irl friend encouraged me to get back into writing

she asked me to start simple and challenged me to write on the prompt "ocean" within 50 words here it is:

blue. blue, blue, blue. riding the tides, meeting the sky. deepening, broadening into the horizon. unending, unrelenting, unforgiving. as if, the looking-glass of nature itself personified. ancient, primordial, pure. it creates, it destroys. it tears asunder all that it is not. the majestic, merciless blue, with guttural a roar, rages.

My Gods, sometimes I just look at you

And I think to myself

How did we end up this way?

Where did love

Die and turn into hate?

How did everything burn into bitter ash?

A snippet from a future chapter