#antagonist prompt

[abrokenherocomplex]

(prequel) before the dawn

prequel to in the dark

The villain stirred awake, blinking to adjust their eyes to the darkness before they clicked on their bedside lamp. Illuminated opposite them, the hero thrashed in their bedsheets crying out wordlessly. The villain shook their head as if to be sure it was not a dream. When was the last time they’d seen their roommate in their own bed?

The villain had assumed the hero had been sleeping somewhere else. Chez some paramour or other – the hero certainly wasn’t lacking in that department. This was different. And certainly not a dream.

Their feet hit the cold floor before their brain could keep up. They approached the hero’s side of the room as the hero thrashed again with a wordless cry.

Wincing, the villain shook the hero’s shoulder. At the touch, the hero gasped awake, sitting up with such force that the villain stumbled back a step. The hero looked around wildly, trying to take in their surroundings.

“It’s okay, you’re alright,” the villain’s first instinct was to sooth, approaching softly. “Uh, you’re in the dorm,” they tried.

Sweat slicked the hero’s brow. They trembled, though the rise and fall of their chest slowly evened out after a moment.

“I-” they managed. “I was dreaming, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” the villain replied cautiously. “Are you… alright?”

“I’m fine,” the hero replied, rubbing a hand over their tired eyes. “Really, you can go back to bed.” They pointedly didn’t make eye contact.

The villain raised their eyebrows. “So, you can wake me up with another nightmare?”

“I don’t need you to sooth my nightmares.”

“Fine. I take it you’ve been sleeping well, then?” The villain pushed.

“Oh, shove off.”

“I’m just asking. Since I never see you, you know, actually sleep.”

The hero was silent.

“Do you want to talk about it?” The villain asked against their better judgement.  

The hero gave them a half-hearted glare.

“No soothing nightmares, I got it.” The villain replied, their hands up in surrender.

“You’re mocking me.”

“I’d never.”

The pillow hit the villain’s face before they could react. Even at – they glanced at the clock – 4 in the morning the hero had impeccable aim.

“Fine,” the villain said, shoving the pillow back towards the hero. “Good night.”

The hero turned over, grumbling something about roommates and minding their own business.

It wasn’t ten minutes after the villain had switched off the bedside lamp that the hero was awake again, jolting up in bed and gasping for air like it was their lifeline.

“What the fuck,” the villain said, switching the light back on and sitting up in their own bed. “What is going on?”

The hero pointedly ignored the villain’s stare as they forced breaths in and out.

“Fine, don’t tell me. Just interrupt my REM cycle why don't you - ” the villain deadpanned before they caught the hero’s gaze slide to the bedside lamp. “… Do you want me to keep this on?”

“That-” the hero caught their breath, nodding. “That would be good.”

The villain laid back down, studying their roommate. “Huh. You know everyone’s afraid of something. Nothing to be ashamed of.”

The hero squeezed their eyes shut, as if willing themselves to be anywhere but here. “Ah yes, the dark. Terrifying.” They attempted a light joke. It fell flat. “What are you afraid of, then?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

If anything, that seemed to snap the hero out of their semi panic. They glared at the villain; a challenge posed. “I would, actually.”

“I’m sure you’ll find out.” The villain turned over. “Go to sleep.”

Surprisingly, the hero did.

~

@excessive-vampires kind of what you wanted?

@written-by-jayy a tag for you <3

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 79

A mysterious figure plotted alone, surrounded by screens flickering with scenes of chaos and destruction. With a smirk on their lips and a gleam in their eye, they muttered to themselves, "Looks like I'll have to handle this myself."

Across town, whispers spread like wildfire about the sudden surge in crime and unrest. Shops were ransacked, buildings defaced, and fear gripped the populace. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the tide of lawlessness seemed unstoppable.

In an underground lair, a group of heroes gathered, their faces etched with determination. "We've got to put an end to this madness," one of them declared firmly.

"But how?" another asked, frustration evident in their tone. "We've tried every trick in the book, and nothing seems to stick."

"We can't wait for someone else to step in," the leader of the group asserted. "It's on us to bring justice back to this city."

[bebx]

From pet_foolery

[liberandi-causa]

Warmth

"Most absurd is," Hero scowls, "you cuddling me to sleep on the basis of a fever—do you really have a fever?"

"Mmhm, all thanks to you." Villain craddles Hero closer, full lips settling to the top of Hero's head.

"Then, why are you the big spoon?"

"The sick one gets a pass, now hush and sleep."

And they did, a blissful one — surprisingly even to Hero, who has been suffering from recent episodes of insomnia.

Little did Hero know, aside from controlling the flames, Villain can also regulate his body temperature freely.

[thewriteadviceforwriters]

Villains vs. Antagonists (Guide For Writers)

Hey there, fellow writers and wonderful members of the writeblr community! 📚✍️ It's Rin here and...

Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to many writers' hearts: villains and antagonists. These characters often steal the show, driving our plots forward and giving our heroes something to push against. But here's the thing – while these terms are often used interchangeably, they're not quite the same. So, let's unpack this, shall we?

First things first, let's break down the difference between a villain and an antagonist. It's a distinction that can really elevate your storytelling game!

An antagonist is simply a character (or force) that opposes your protagonist. They're the obstacle, the challenge, the thing standing in the way of your main character achieving their goal. Here's the kicker: an antagonist doesn't have to be evil. They could be a rival love interest, a stern parent, or even nature itself.

A villain, on the other hand, is a specific type of antagonist. They're the bad guy, the evildoer, the character with malicious intent. All villains are antagonists, but not all antagonists are villains. Mind-blowing, right?

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer:

In "Romeo and Juliet," the feuding families are antagonists, but they're not villains. They oppose the protagonists' desire to be together, but they're not evil.

In "Harry Potter," Voldemort is both an antagonist and a villain. He opposes Harry (making him an antagonist) and he's also evil (making him a villain).

In "Cast Away," the island and the challenges of survival are the antagonists. There's no villain in sight!

Now that we've got that sorted, let's dive deeper into how to create these characters and use them effectively in your writing.

Creating Antagonists:

Define their opposition: What specifically does your antagonist do to oppose your protagonist? This could be physical, emotional, or ideological opposition.

Give them a reason: Why are they standing in your protagonist's way? Even if it's not justified, there should be a reason that makes sense to the antagonist.

Make them strong: Your antagonist should be a worthy opponent. They need to pose a real challenge to your protagonist to keep things interesting.

Consider their perspective: Remember, your antagonist is the hero of their own story. Try writing a scene from their point of view to understand them better.

Create contrast: Your antagonist should in some way contrast with your protagonist. This could be in values, methods, or personality.

Creating Villains:

Establish their evil: What makes your villain "bad"? Is it their actions, their beliefs, or both?

Develop their backstory: How did they become evil? A compelling villain often has a tragic or twisted history.

Give them dimensions: Pure evil can be boring. Give your villain some complexity – maybe they love their cat or have a soft spot for classical music.

Create a strong motivation: What drives your villain? Greed? Revenge? A twisted sense of justice? The stronger and more relatable the motivation, the more compelling your villain will be.

Make them smart: Your villain should be clever enough to pose a real threat. They should be able to anticipate and counter your protagonist's moves.

Now, let's talk about how to use these characters in different genres. Because let's face it, a villain in a romance novel is going to look very different from one in a fantasy epic!

In Romance: Antagonists in romance are often rivals for the affection of the love interest, or perhaps societal norms or family expectations standing in the way of true love. Villains are less common, but when they appear, they might be abusive exes or manipulative friends trying to sabotage the relationship.

Tip: In romance, make sure your antagonist's motivations are clear and relatable. We should understand why they're opposing the main relationship, even if we don't agree with their methods.

In Fantasy: Fantasy is ripe for both antagonists and villains. You might have a Dark Lord seeking to conquer the world (classic villain) or a rival magic user competing for the same goal as your protagonist (antagonist).

Tip: In fantasy, world-building is key. Make sure your antagonist or villain fits logically into the world you've created. Their powers, motivations, and methods should all make sense within the rules of your fantasy realm.

In Mystery/Thriller: In these genres, your antagonist is often the perpetrator of the crime your protagonist is trying to solve. They might not be evil (maybe they committed a crime of passion), or they could be a full-fledged villain if their crimes are particularly heinous.

Tip: In mysteries, your antagonist needs to be clever enough to challenge your detective protagonist. Leave subtle clues about their identity or motives, but make sure they're smart enough to almost get away with it.

In Literary Fiction: Here, antagonists are often more abstract. They might be societal expectations, personal flaws, or even time itself. Villains in the traditional sense are less common, but morally grey characters who oppose the protagonist are frequent.

Tip: In literary fiction, focus on the nuances of your antagonist. They should be as complex and flawed as your protagonist, with their own rich inner life.

In Sci-Fi: Science fiction offers a wide range of possibilities for antagonists and villains. You might have alien invaders, oppressive governments, or even well-meaning scientists whose creations have gone awry.

Tip: In sci-fi, make sure your antagonist or villain is consistent with the technological and social aspects of your imagined world. Their methods and motivations should make sense within the context of your sci-fi setting.

Now, let's dive into some tips to make your antagonists and villains the best they can be in your novel:

Make them believable: Whether you're writing a mustache-twirling villain or a morally grey antagonist, their actions and motivations should make sense within the context of your story and their character.

Give them a personal connection to the protagonist: The conflict becomes much more engaging when it's personal. Maybe your antagonist and protagonist used to be friends, or they're fighting over the same goal.

Show their impact: Don't just tell us your antagonist is a threat – show us the consequences of their actions. Let us see how they affect your protagonist and the world of your story.

Give them wins: Your antagonist or villain should have some successes along the way. If they're always failing, they won't seem like a credible threat.

Humanize them: Even if you're writing a truly evil villain, give them some humanizing traits. Maybe they have a pet they dote on, or a tragic backstory that explains (but doesn't excuse) their actions.

Make them adaptable: A good antagonist doesn't stick to one plan. When the protagonist foils them, they should be able to come up with new strategies.

Give them their own character arc: Your antagonist or villain should grow and change throughout the story, just like your protagonist does.

Use them to highlight your protagonist's strengths and weaknesses: Your antagonist should challenge your protagonist in ways that force them to grow and change.

Consider their presentation: How do other characters react to your antagonist? How do they present themselves to the world versus who they really are?

Don't forget about henchmen: If you're writing a villain, consider giving them some underlings. This can add depth to their character and provide more challenges for your protagonist.

Remember, whether you're crafting a dastardly villain or a complex antagonist, these characters are crucial to your story. They're the ones who push your protagonist to grow, who raise the stakes, and who often drive the plot forward.

But here's a gentle reminder: while it's important to make your antagonists and villains compelling, be mindful of the impact your writing might have. If you're dealing with heavy themes or traumatic events, handle them with care and sensitivity.

Now, I know we've covered a lot of ground here, and you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's okay! Writing complex characters is a skill that develops over time. Don't be afraid to experiment, to try different approaches, and to revise and refine your antagonists and villains as you go.

One exercise I find helpful is to write a short story from your antagonist's or villain's point of view. This can help you understand their motivations better and ensure they feel like real, three-dimensional characters.

Another tip: watch movies or read books in your genre and pay special attention to how they handle antagonists and villains. What works well? What doesn't? How can you apply these lessons to your own writing?

Remember, there's no one "right" way to create these characters. What matters is that they serve your story and engage your readers. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to push boundaries or subvert expectations.

As you work on your antagonists and villains, keep in mind that they're not just there to make life difficult for your protagonist. They're an integral part of your story's ecosystem. They shape the plot, influence character development, and often reflect themes or ideas you're exploring in your work.

And remember, writing is a journey. Your first draft of an antagonist or villain might not be perfect, and that's okay. The beauty of writing is in the revision, in the gradual sculpting of characters until they leap off the page.

Lastly, don't forget to have fun with it! Creating antagonists and villains can be some of the most enjoyable parts of writing. Let your imagination run wild, explore the darker sides of human nature, and see where your characters take you.

I hope this deep dive into antagonists and villains has been helpful and inspiring. Remember, you've got this! Your unique voice and perspective will bring these characters to life in ways no one else can.

Happy writing! 📝💖 - Rin. T

Before you go, why not join us at The Write Right Society? We're a supportive Tumblr community where writers lift each other up. Whether you're a newbie or a pro, we'd love to have you! Share your work, get feedback, and connect with fellow wordsmiths, writers and aspiring authors. 

[whump-in-the-closet]

“You had the world at your feet and now the world is going to watch you kneel. They saw you in your pride and glory, so it’s only fair that they see you now, chained and pathetic. They thought you were a fit ruler? The only thing you’re fit for is laughing stock.“

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing Worksheets: The Antagonist

Worksheets & Templates Antagonist; Villain; Fighting

ANTAGONIST

Treat your antagonist as a real person. Their sole reason for existing should not be to act as a foil to your protagonist.

It is the framework of your story that sets the antagonist in opposition. What happens when the antagonist becomes the protagonist?

Have you imbued your antagonist with some of your own good & bad characteristics?

Use a real-life antagonist for inspiration, and give them some love too.

My antagonist wants:

Why they want it:

They will sacrifice these to get what they want:

Others judge them too harshly because:

But they act like this because:

I can sympathise with my antagonist because:

They could change if:

They can't change because:

They are good at:

They are bad at:

Who else loves/loved your antagonist?

Why do/did they love your antagonist?

Antagonist - works against the goals.

Villain - a “bad guy” in the story, often working for evil purposes to destroy a heroic protagonist ⚜ Writing Notes: Villains

While there can be villainous protagonists, villains are antagonists when they’re not the main character of the story, but instead the main source of conflict for the main characters.

VILLAIN

Defining characteristics:

General mood/disposition/outlook:

Motivation/s:

Do they consider themselves a villain?

Do they feel mistreated?

Who or what do they blame?

What is their aim?

How do they plan to achieve it?

How does this cause conflict with the protagonist?

Why does the protagonist dislike them?

Why do they dislike the protagonist?

What advantages do they have?

Are they isolated?

Do they have henchmen?

Do they change? Do they succeed?

How do they...

Treat their subordinates?

Unnerve others?

Try to manipulate others?

Try to hurt others?

Try to antagonise others?

Pursue their victims or wait for them?

Create a contrast with the protagonist?

Change the course of the story?

Create drama and suspense?

What made them a villain? Was it...

An event?

A person?

A belief or world view?

Their environment?

Something else?

FIGHTING

Who gets involved in the fight?

Why do they start fighting? Who starts?

What is at stake for each party?

What is the aim of the fight for each party?

Do all parties fight fair?

Why couldn't the problem be solved without fighting?

Are there any onlookers or arbiters?

Is the fight pre-planned or spontaneous?

Does anyone try to flee? Why or why not?

How does the fight end? Is there a clear winner?

What do they do after the fight? How do they feel?

Does the fight end the conflict between them?

Physical Elements

Do they have weapons?

How does the method or choice of weapon influence the fight?

Is the fight part of a ritual or rite of passage?

Where do they fight?

Does the fighting ground play a role in the outcome?

Is anyone injured or killed?

Are they evenly matched in skill? In strength and stamina? In resources?

Do any other factors come into play?

How does the fight play out?

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Worksheets & Templates ⚜ Writing Exercises: Antagonist Fight Scene ⚜ Hate ⚜ Word List: Fighting ⚜ Morally Grey Characters

[stars-obsession-pit]

(Another) Ghost in the Machine

DP x Hellblazer (the original John Constantine comic)

Ritchie Simpson continued to search frantically for the connection out of the computer and back to his body as he begged John to explain what he meant by saying “Goodbye.”

Had John disconnected him? He knew John’s sense of humor wasn’t the lightest, especially after Newcastle drove them all a bit insane, but that felt too far even for him. Nah, he’d probably just gotten himself a bit lost in the wave of energy he’d experienced in the Tongues of Fire network and was accidentally looking for his body in the wrong spot.

He pulled himself back and let his mental connection to the digital world expand outward, probing the rest of the machine for the connection. He knew he was in the right system, so as long as he looked thoroughly he’d definitely fi—

Everything flashed a surge of blinding white and then was replaced by pure darkness. He thought he screamed, but he couldn’t hear his own voice. Couldn’t even feel his own thoughts. Trapped in one single instant that stretched for indeterminable eons. Then, eventually (or was it immediately?), awareness began to trickle back.

He was still in the computer, though it felt… different, somehow. His thoughts still weren’t entirely in order. The first possible hints towards his location he found were the sound voices trickling through from the outside world. Voices he didn’t recognize. Young voices.

“I’m happy to help, Tuck, but I’m not really sure what you expect me to do here. You’re way better than me at this computer stuff than me.”

“By all means, feel free to keep complimenting me, but this has been frying my brain, man. I got this thing secondhand, and the system should be quite powerful, but there’s something using up a ton of its processing and I can’t figure out what. I was hoping you could do your ‘enter into the computer’ thing and see if you see anything.”

[eloquent-edits]

🗡️ Stop looking for monsters under your bed

you are the monster 🗡️ villain/anti-hero prompts 🗡️ based on MNQN’s “What Have You Become?”

“I don’t know who you are anymore.” “Then you never knew me.”

“Care to watch the show? You can’t stop it, so you might as well enjoy it.” B grinned, sparks in their eyes and the air.

“Oh be quiet dear, this will all be over soon.”

“You say that we’re doing something different, that we’re making the right changes to protect people, but all I see are more corpses.”

“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

“Oh god, oh fuck…” A crumpled to their knees, helplessly watching B’s blood pool on the floor. “What did I do?”

“I… I think we’re the monsters here.”

“Did you actually think you could save them?” B laughed in disbelief.

“People die all the time, why would you be any different?”

A looked at the sky, avoiding B’s gaze. “The night is in everyone. Hope dies like stars, happiness crashes like meteors. The night remains.”

“If you do this, heaven will not know your name.” “They will know it, and they will fear it.”

“You asked for a savior, not a saint.”

Their face was carved from the malice of millions.

“They chose me. I must carry out my duty or thousands more will die.”

“That’s enough A! We’ve tried everything, hell, nearly lost everything too. One of us will die if we keep going...” “And we let them win?” “It’s the only way we get a happy ending.”

“I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time.”

“Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to deserve this?” “Don’t be naïve. You know exactly what you’ve done.”

“You should’ve seen the look on their faces. It was delicious.”

A collapsed, thoughts swirling in a mess of confusion and betrayal. Their arm stung. Their bones ached. Their heart hurt. “What happened to you?” “Nothing happened. You became weak.”

“I don’t want to do this. But it’s the only way out.”

[purble-turble]

Not sure if requests are open still or not so this can just be treated more like an ask if not

Nezha talking/comforting Mk after the fact of s5.

When you think about it both have "sacrificed" themselves for the sake of there loved ones, not to mention both are prophesied beings of Chaos. I feel like nezha would have a deeper understanding of mk's feeling on that particular topic. And it might be easier to for mk to talk to him about some of the doubts and thoughts connected to that event.

What do you think?

Im also just interested in hearing if you have any nezha related hc or thoughts on him in general.

Dang, this is such a great prompt that I went a little overboard with it :U

[enchantingepics]

Story Prompt 57

A figure lurked in the dim light, its silhouette shrouded in mystery. This figure was no hero; rather, it embraced the darkness, reveling in the power it wielded over those who dared to cross its path.

One fateful evening, as the moon cast its soft glow upon the landscape, the figure found itself drawn to a reflective surface—a mirror. Peering into its depths, the figure beheld a visage so captivating, it was as if time itself had stopped to admire its beauty.

"You are magnificent," the figure murmured, tracing the contours of its reflection with delicate fingers.

The figure became enamored with its own image, spending hours lost in the depths of the mirror, entranced by the allure of its own gaze.

As days turned into weeks, the figure's obsession grew, consuming its every waking moment. It spoke to its reflection as though it were a lover, whispering sweet nothings and professing undying devotion.

"You are the embodiment of perfection," the figure declared, its voice tinged with longing.

But as the figure's love for itself blossomed, so too did a darkness within. It became possessive, unable to bear the thought of sharing its beloved reflection with anyone else.

[selfloathingpoet]

No good deed goes unpunished.

Smoke filled the Hero’s lungs as they stumbled forward, legs moving shakily under them. The only thing that reassured them that they were still alive was the pounding beat in their chest and the blood seeping through the fingers. There was fire, everywhere, for as far as they could see. They flinched as they heard something smash to the ground, snapping them out of the shock. The city, their city, the one they had worked their entire life to protect was now crumbling underneath their feet. They looked around briskly, trying to see if they could find any face they would recognize, Superhero, Sidekick, Other Hero, someone! They fell to their knees, crying out in pain as the held their hand up to their face. All they saw was red. They could see fire reflected back to them in their own blood. It was all around them now, in their lungs, in their eyes, in their hair, their curls now frizzed out and blowing around them, tickling their face and waving around like a flag of surrender. They could feel it in their heart to, that burning voice telling them to “keep fighting!” or “get up!”

As they knelt next to the steps of the now burning town hall, they wished again that someone, anyone would come and help them. Come and save them so that for once could finally get just a moment to rest. Their prayers were soon answered in the most paradoxical way possible because when they looked up again they saw none other than Villain themself.

“Well well well…look at what we have here.” The villain drawled, their voice calm despite all of the chaos around them. But, the Villain thrived in chaos, the Hero supposed. Why shouldn’t they feel anything but serene in this tumultuous climate?

The hero tried to speak, but all it did was send them into a coughing fit. They pushed themself up onto their feet, catching their balance.

“St-stay away from me..”. The Hero choked out, sounding less like an order and more like a plea.

The villain winched, a false look of pity etching their face. “That’s quite the scratch you’ve got there.”

Hero gripped their side tighter, sneering up at their arch enemy “Why are you doing this, Villain?”

“Oh well you know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished.” Villain smirked as they made their way down the steps, careful to not slip on the Hero’s own blood. “And besides, wouldn’t want to miss that look on your face for the world..”

“No that’s not..you can’t just do this Villain.”

“Oh?” The Villains eyebrow raised “I cant?”

“You… Please Villain, don’t do this.” The Hero breathed out the words. They’d hardly ever begged for anything in their life. They knew it wouldn’t get them far, especially with the Villain. But..what else could they say?

“Oh! This is my favorite part!” The Villain laughed, clapping their hands together gleefully. “What will you beg me for, Hero? To spare your life? No…you’re much too selfless for that. Perhaps the lives of your team? The lives of the “innocent civilians” you’ve fought so hard to protect?” The Villain was mocking them, that much was clear. Although they couldn’t really tell with the ringing in their ears and their vision starting to fade. What would happen if they just…

“Please Villain, stop this! I’ll…I’ll do anything..Just please, leave them alone..” The Hero trailed off, their knees were now on the ground again, aswell as their hands. They were bracing themself, why was the world spinning so fast?

The Villain clicked their tongue, shaking their head. “Always the Heroics with you, Hero.” The Hero could feel a hand, gently petting their hair. “But, since you’ve asked so nicely..”

The next thing the Hero knew there was a hand under their knees and a hand on their back. They were being hoisted up right into the villains arms.

“It seems that you’re coming with me, dear Hero.”

And that was the last thing Hero knew before everything faded to black.

[dengswei]

@asiandramanet creator bingo — antagonists — yingliang x guisheng | snowfall (2024) episode 11

[liberandi-causa]

Stress Baiter

"You're angry," Villain hums softly, "so, so much anger contained and," His pale hand creeps to Hero's forehead, "tension. This stress isn't good for you, darling."

"You literally kidnapped me, which pretty much should explain the whole thing." Hero says, nodding along with eyes darting around the interior of what seems to be an elegantly decorated bedroom.

Villain snorts, "This? This is called a vacation. Why else would I brought you to my villa?"

Hero almost can't believe what they're hearing — mouth opening agape as they struggle to decipher what hidden meaning would that imply.

"Well, an indefinite one until we have a change of plan." Villain shrugs.

[i-am-trans-gwender]

Has this been done: a villain who is pro respectability politics.

Think about it: A villain who puts down their own community by abandoning and punishing those who don't fit their standards. All in an attempt to get acceptance from those who will never accept them. That's some good villain material.

Also I hate respectability politics with every fiber in me. There ain't nothing respectable about it.

The most menacing villains to me are the ones who represent real life evil people. Like Frollo for fundamentalists and Tighten for incels.

There's probably an obvious example i'm missing. Please give me any villains who fit my idea. Also don't list real life examples because that would be too easy.

[creadigol]

Hey y’all! Here’s a little snippet of something that was rattling in my mind. Hope y’all like!

It can be complicated to make sense of family. Hero knew this. Hero had always known this. With how their life was growing up Hero doubted there were many who could understand this concept as well as they did.

But this was just ridiculous.

“The answer is still no,” Hero tried very hard to keep their voice level and calm.

“Seriously? I don’t understand what your problem is!”

The voice over the phone held the tone of one who had already decided they were right and there was no chance of changing.

“It’s not that I have a problem…which I don’t,” Hero ground out. “It’s that I just don’t feel like inviting him.”

“And why not?”

Hero resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of their nose. One, it was a bad habit which showed how frustrated they were; and two, it would loosen their mask. God, couldn’t their sibling have called earlier? Hero really didn’t feel like having this conversation on the roof of a bank at 11pm.

“I don’t need a reason. It’s my call and I don’t want him there. End of story.”

“No, not end of story! This is completely unfair! Why am I always the one trying to hold this family together? You think it’s easy being the responsible one when…”

Hero let the rant commence as they held the phone a few inches from their ear, Sibling gradually getting louder and more hurtful with each word. They looked up at the star bedazzled sky and tried to tune them out until they could jump back in again.

It’s not that Sibling was wrong, it’s just that Hero could only take being called absent and holier than thou so many times. It was the same speech every time a major event happened in Hero’s life. And at the end of every speech, Hero always caved and let Sibling invite the whole family…well not this time.

‘...and out of everyone, you of all people should take the high road on this…”

That did it.

“Me of all people? Why? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Dammit, I’m tired of being the one to take the high road! For once would it kill him to apologize? Or better yet, clean up his fucking act?!”

Sibling was making sputtering noises on the line when another voice joined Hero on the roof.

“Well, I must say I’ve never heard words like this before coming from our fair Hero.”

Hero froze, their sibling yelling into the receiver, and turned.

Villain stood, arms folded, looking incredibly smug.

“I’m going to have to call you back,” Hero said softly. They hung up before Sibling could protest.

Shit, they would hear about that later.

Villain sauntered closer, “Having a little domestic are we? I’ve never seen you that agitated before.”

Hero glared, “Coming to rob the bank?”

Villain chuckled.

“I was, but this is so much more interesting. Come on, what’s happening in the world of the Golden Hero?”

“None of your business,” Hero stood tall. “Now are you breaking the law or not? I have a long patrol tonight.”

“Oh yes, I heard you were taking the long shift tonight. Something about needing time off…wait…that couldn’t be what you were arguing about on the phone was it? Vacation plans gone wrong?”

Hero felt a vein popping in their forehead.

“Why must you alway insist on being a prick? And why do you know my shift schedule?”

Villain shrugged noncommittally, “I have people.”

They walked right into Hero’s space, doing their best to intimidate with their towering stature. Hero refused to move and met their gaze head on.

“You’ve never taken a break before.” Villain stated.

“Never needed to until now,” Hero responded as if Villain had asked a question.

Villain gave them a once over.

“What’s the need?”

God, was Villain always this infuriating?

“Like I said, none of your business. I’m sure you’ll survive a substitute hero for the next few weeks.”

Villain frowned, “Few weeks? That’s a lengthy time.”

Hero rolled their eyes and nodded. They weren’t falling for Villain’s way of fishing for information by not actually asking a question.

“A few weeks and a family member who’s not welcome…if I’m to interpret that phone call correctly. My, my, what do you have planned?” Villain finally took a few paces back to lean on the wall, “Can’t say I’m too thrilled. Other Hero’s are such tight-asses.”

“If you mean that I’m lenient then, yes, they’re not as nice as I am,” Hero smirked.

Villain outright laughed.

“I would describe you as many things Hero, but straight up nice has never been one of them. Seriously, why the vacation? Family reunion or something?”

If Hero’s Sibling had anything to say on the matter it would be.

“Not as such,” Hero relaxed their stance now that Villain was a few paces away. That and it seemed Villain was more in a talking mood tonight. It was rare that they just talked rather than taking on their usual ‘Hero vs Villain’ roles. Rare, but it had happened a handful of times over the course of the last four years. Whether this was professional or not, Hero chose not to think about.

Villain folded their arms in thought, “Birthday? No, yours is in March…A celebration for another medal from the Mayor? No, he’s out of town until next month…” Hero tried hard not to smile as Villain ticked each possibility off their fingers, “Oh I know! You’ve finally graduated high school!”

Now Hero did laugh. It was a running joke with them and Villain’s Henchman that Hero must be younger than they seemed due to their young sound voice. Of course there was no way to tell due to the mask, but Hero estimated they were about the same age as Villain. Something they were sure Villain had put together as well seeing as the Hero Agency didn’t employ anyone under the age of 21.

It didn’t stop the quips though.

“Afraid I did that long ago,” Hero supplied.

“Well then I’m at a loss,” Villain got up and leaned into Hero’s space once more. “Other than medical leave I can’t think of anything else. And I assume you wouldn’t be fighting about invitees if convalescence was your goal.”

“Guess you’ll just have to live with uncertainty,” Hero shrugged and turned to leave the roof. Before they could take a couple of steps a hand was on their arm.

“You really not going to tell?” Villain asked softly. “You seemed upset and not the kind of upset like when you're on the job.”

Hero felt their heart rate increase and their cheeks warm. Why did Villain have to go and ask like that? How could they go from the city’s terror to a caring person with humanity and feelings? Perhaps Hero could tell them…the event was happening down in the Bahamas anyway. Not like Villain could figure it out…

It would be nice to talk to someone not expecting anything from them.

“I have a celebration happening and I don’t want my father to be there…it’s caused rather a ruckus in my family.”

Villain’s hand remained on Hero’s arm. “Well, if it’s your celebration it’s your choice. I don’t see why anyone else should be involved.”

Hero laughed and patted their hand. “And you’ve just summarized the entire argument I’ve been having for the past month.”

Villain released their arm. “I’m smart like that.”

Hero nodded with a warm smile. They turned towards the fire escape.

“Seeing as how you don’t seem to be robbing the bank, I have places to be,” They turned so they were facing Villain while standing on the ladder. “Thanks Villain. I’ll see you in a few weeks if you manage to keep yourself alive.”

“Say that to your replacement hero.” Villain hesitated, “Hero?”

Hero popped their head up from their descent, “Yeah?”

“What is the celebration?”

Hero smiled softly at them.

“I’m getting married,” they whispered.

And then they were gone. Down the fire escape and into the night.

Villain stood stunned, not knowing why the words made their heart freeze and their eyes water.