#hero x Vigilante

[immortaladrien]

stubborn hurt/comfort dialogue ☕️

tws: blood, injury, panic attacks, angst, mild allusions to religion & godly levels of sass

1. “Is that your blood, or someone else’s?” “Is this trivia? I’ll take ‘both’ for 200.”

2. “You have to tell me what’s wrong.” “No, I don’t! I don’t take orders from anyone anymore.”

3. “Breathe.” “Don’t– gasp– tell me what to do!”

4. “Do you know where you are?” “Can I have a hint? My best guess right now is… hell? No?Huh… Purgatory?”

5. “You showed up at my door, of all places?” “Trust me, it wasn’t my first choice either.”

6. “It’s not like I’m just going to let you die!” “Really? That’s uh. News to me.”

7. “Don’t you dare pass out right now.” “I’m not passing out! Just… really didn’t sleep much last night.”

8. “Why are you looking at me funny?” “When’d you grow two heads n’ get all blurry? I’m not saying s’ a bad look or anything, but–”

9. “You’re bleeding out, will you shut up and save your energy?” “Aww, come on, you know you’d miss my voice.”

10. “I thought I lost you.” “Well, I mean, you did technically loose me. I just didn’t di– too soon?”

[chaotic-orphan]

Whumpuary No.1

Sacrifice // headache // “This will hurt”

Vigilante worried their bottom lip as they got closer to Villain’s lair. Hero walked determined beside them, not a break in their stride. How were they always so cool? So confident… even in circumstances like this? Vigilante silently resented them for it, but there was a large part deep inside them that was jealous that Hero could be so calm and determined. It was the difference between Hero and Vigilante, the certainty that Vigilante could never find, so matter how deep down they dug inside them.

Some people were Heroes, but most people were like Vigilante… or at least, that’s what Vigilante told themselves to sleep at night.

Once they got close enough, Hero grabbed Vigilante’s arm and stopped them.

“You’re going to have to make it look real,” Hero said, “otherwise Villain won’t trust you.”

“Hero… are you sure about giving yourself up?”

Hero looked at Villain’s lair, their fingers opened and closed into fists, squeezing and repeated the process. “If I don’t Villain will kill my friends.”

“But he’ll…” Vigilante began but shivered as they remembered what Villain did to his enemies. “Hero… he’ll—“”

“I know, Vidge,” Hero said. Vigilante swallowed at the nickname, their heart started beating a little faster. Determined brown eyes met Vigilante’s and oh… that look told them everything they needed to know.

Yes… Hero knew exactly what Villain was capable of, but they were walking into enemy lines openly and willingly to save the people they loved.

Would Hero do it for them, they wondered, a pang of envy slicing their heart. They were friends, Hero and Vigilante, sometimes… sometimes it felt like there was something�� tangible between them but maybe that was just Vigilante’s imagination running away with them.

A hand on Vigilante’s arm snapped them back into their body. “You have to give me your word, Vidge,” Hero said, squeezing Vigilante’s wrist. “Tell me you’ll do as I’ve asked. That you’ll bring me to Villain. That you won’t do something stupid and heroic and try and save me.”

Vigilante’s mouth went dry. They glanced up at Villain’s lair, their eyes searched for an answer in the air. Something to tell them that they wouldn’t do the stupid, selfish thing they always do which was save Hero.

A hand on their cheek and Vigilante’s breath hitched. Hero’s fingers gently tilted Vigilante’s head down so they were looking at Hero. There was something desperate in them, something broken and Hero… oh god, Hero looked scared. Their bottom lip trembled slightly.

“Promise me!” Hero said in a breath.

Vigilante didn’t think. They leaned down and pressed their lips to Hero’s. Hero didn’t push them away, or pull back or recoil, their hands instead went around Vigilante’s neck, fingers laced into Vigilante’s hair as Vigilante kissed Hero with everything that words couldn’t say. They only stopped when a drop of rain fell onto their hand that cupped Hero’s face.

Vigilante pulled their head back, breath mixed with Hero’s in the small tree covered area. Hero retracted their hands to cup Vigilante’s face again.

“Promise me,” they whispered. “I know the sacrifice you’re making—”

“The sacrifice I’m making?” Vigilante demanded. “I’m not the one that’s going to be Villain’s new chew toy!”

“I have to,” Hero said quietly. Another drop fell onto Vigilante’s hand, but it wasn’t rain, they realised bleakly as they stared at Hero.

“I promise,” said Vigilante. “I promise I’ll do as you say. And I promise I’ll gain Villain’s trust. And I promise,” they continued as they thumbed away Hero’s tears. “That I will rescue you one day. I will save you from him.”

Hero let out a wet gasp. “Don’t promise that,” they moaned, shaking their head. “Don’t say that.”

“I will,” Vigilante told them. Something shifted inside of Vigilante. Something fundamental had clicked into place when they said those words aloud. Suddenly the uncertainty and doubt they always felt was replaced with a warm, certainty, and they knew what they said was true. They knew it would fuel them until they had Hero back in their arms. “Just hang in there for as long as you can, you understand?”

Hero sniffed. Tentatively they nodded. Vigilante nodded too. “Okay.”

Vigilante stepped back, then kissed Hero again and stepped back again.

“Okay. This will hurt,” they said, shaking their limbs.

Hero nodded. “Make it look real.”

Vigilante swung. Darkness descended on Hero and the world swam around them. Vigilante swung again and Hero fell limp to the ground.

“I promise,” Vigilante whispered. “I’ll save you. Just hang on.”

[puddleslimewrites]

Coffee Shop (Part 5)

Vigilante

Part 1 (Hero) / Part 2 (Civillian) / Part 3 (Villain) / Part 4 (Superhero)

"Vigilante." Superhero breathed a harsh sigh.

Vigilante bumped their shoulder and grinned. "In the flesh. Relax, what are you so wound up for?" They were all too chipper for Superhero's taste. As per usual.

Superhero frowned and went back to watching the store. They couldn't let the wannabe hero distract them.

Undeterred, Vigilante leaned on the wall and remained where they were. "So? What's up?" they tried again, tone ever light and friendly.

Superhero tried not to grind their teeth. "What's up," they bit out, "is confidential. Now be quiet."

"Awww, mean as ever I see."

Superhero made note of two more people entering. Civillians by the looks of them. But then again, everyone who came and went appeared as such. Even the known villains were hard to spot. Was that another effect of the strange energy surrounding the place? Did it provide anonymity as well?

"Maybe you're just losing your edge, hm?"

Superhero ignored the voice in their ear. Vigilante's presence was irrelevant right now. Hero still wasn't out yet. Had they run into trouble? They hadn't ruled out that the place was a front for underground activities. If Hero was in trouble, they'd have to decide if they should go in or call for-

"They're probably just enjoying a drink. You should try one."

No, calling for back up wasn't necessary. It'd draw too much attention, too. Sidekick was away on another mission-

"-nice Chamomile might calm your nerves. Give you a break for once-"

Movement caught their eye. Superhero's focused shifted sharply...only to see a squirrel sifting through the trash. They checked their phone. Still no word from Hero.

"-eriously, the mocha I had last week-"

Superhero closed their eyes and tried to concentrate on the invisible force. It encompassed the whole building, hovering just on the surface, like background noise they would only hear when they listened for it.

The chatter in their ear died down. Superhero opened their eyes and was disappointed to see that the thorn in their side was still there. Vigilante had a curious look on their face, like they were tasting something they couldn't describe.

"You can actually feel that? Huh," they said quietly, more to themself than to Superhero. Then they looked up, their friendly smile brighter than before. "Find anything out about it?"

Superhero grit their teeth. They took a deep breath and made sure they made a show of clenching and releasing their fists. "How many times," they said slowly, softly, "must I tell you to mind your own business?"

[random-writing-thoughts]

Thought #220

"Make sure you lock your doors tonight. They said that the burglar ran down the alleyways and might be back."

Hero nodded as their neighbor told them about the burglary that happened last night.

"I will definitely make sure my house is locked up. Thanks for the warning."

Hero closed the door and locked it. They walked to their back door and made sure that was locked.

They sighed and walked upstairs to their living room. They grabbed the remote and dropped to the couch.

"Have to be careful in a neighborhood like this." A voice said from Hero's right.

They jumped to their feet. Vigilante walked out with a large smile.

"How did you-"

Vigilante held up their hand. "No questions. I just need a place to hide for a while. Are you going to be a willing participant or an unwilling one."

Hero ran towards the stairs.

"Unwilling it is." Vigilante grabbed Hero by the arm and pulled them back.

Hero shrieked and pushed against Vigilante.

"Just be-" Vigilante threw Hero over their shoulders. "More willing and this will be so much easier for you."

Hero pounded at Vigilante's back.

Vigilante chuckled. "I would have expected more from you Hero."

Hero froze.

"Oh yeah, I know who you are." Vigilante continued through the house. "Guess my luck just keeps getting better."

[bookished]

( a collection of sentence starters. adjust phrasing as necessary.) feel free to make edits to better suit your muse, but please don’t edit or add on to the original post 💛

"It doesn't feel so monstrous after a while. I was being killed slowly, drowning in all the things I needed and how little anyone seemed to care. Unlike them, I'm a professional. I make it quick. Survival, THRIVING, isn't a sin. Why should I fear the light of day? It was the dark that held me in the night."

"I was once a man, a human just like you. I killed for my Lord. Sacrificed my all. Now, look at me. Look at us. Fighting against each other. Me for myself, and you for those who once employed me."

"I have found as much beauty in the Dark as I have in the Light"

“I must say, I am… surprised, you found it so easily.”

“One might think you had been to my house before.”

“Do I… occupy your thoughts?”

“I will make a new contract with you. I will give you any reward you desire, within my power to grant, if answer me that one question. Otherwise, punishment is in order for violating a term of our contract and betraying my trust.”

"If this is really the last time we're seeing each other, don't you have anything to say?"

“You can’t. You can’t kill me, love. It’s okay, I already know.”

"Why do you suddenly want to dance?" "It feels like a good opportunity to hold you close"

"Don't call me a monster when you're the one who made me into one."

"I am no sinner and you are no saint. Darling, tell me, what are we?"

"Don't worry, you'll be back to pushing me away and hissing threats in no time."

"Miss me already?"

"For someone that hates me, you sure stare at me a lot."

‘‘This isn’t how you avenge someone, darling. Make me fall for you deep and hard, have me totally swept by your tides, have me head over heels for you and then crumple up my feelings like they are made of paper, make me take you to all my favorite spots and make you listen to my private playlist. Leave your marks on everything I treasure before leaving me so that I never get over you even after you’ve done me the worst. And finally, when I am at my highest, shatter me into pieces and scatter me like powdered glass.’’

[prompts-by-anjali]

“Don’t make me hurt you.”

“I think you’ve already made up your mind.”

[writersagony]

Writing Prompt 83

Vigilante glided their hand over the sleeping Superhero, not touching them but still close enough to pretend - if only for a moment- that they could.

They pulled their hand back, swiftly and silently, and with a small smile on their lips placed a dagger pointed downward over their sleeping Superhero's heart.

[one-lonely-whumperfly]

(Part 3! Continuing from here)

Hero was acting strange, and Sidekick knew he was hiding something.

It all started almost a month ago. Hero had gone out on a mission in the middle of the night, one that he assured Sidekick that he wouldn't need help on. Sidekick thought nothing of it, and went back to sleep. When he woke up the next morning, Hero's car was in the driveway, but he couldn't find him anywhere. It wasn't until hours later that he emerged from the cellar, locking the door behind him. Sidekick asked how the mission went, and received a smile.

"It went perfectly."

Then Hero started going into the cellar every day. Sometimes several times a day. Sidekick wasn't really concerned at first. He honestly just assumed he was working on a new suit or some plans or something. But... then he saw Hero with blood on him one day. Not just blood, but brass knuckles too.

"Hero! Are you okay? What happened--"

"I'm fine, Sidekick. Don't worry about it."

"But, there's blood on your hands. Did you hurt yourself down there? Is there anything I can do?"

Hero glared so harshly at Sidekick that he immediately falls silent.

"Don't. Worry about it. Understood?"

Sidekick nodded quickly as Hero walked away, towards his room. "And get ready, we're going out to find Villain."

--------------

Sidekick waited in the car after knocking Villain down. He was anxious, not because he was worried for Hero's safety, but because something felt so wrong. So lost in thought, he didn't even see Hero approaching and jumped when the door opened.

"How'd it go?"

Hero grinned. "I think my little talk got through to Villain." He said simply as he started to drive off. Sidekick looked out the window, trying to just zone out, but his eyes immediately locked onto a figure in the alley they'd all just fought in. It was Villain, collapsed to the ground and sobbing while clutching something close to his chest. Sidekick's eyes widened.

What did Hero do?

--------------

For another two weeks, everything was good. Villain hadn't tried any type of "evil plan" since their last encounter. And Hero was infinitely happier than Sidekick had ever seen him before.

He was always very happy when he came back up from the cellar... or even going down. Sometimes he'd even bring food and water with him, along with blades and other weapons.

Sidekick couldn't stand it anymore. He had to know what the hell was happening down there. He waited until Hero went out for the day, and snatched the key to the cellar from his office.

It took him half an hour to build up the courage to actually go down there. He'd never disobeyed Hero before, but he just knew something was happening. Something bad. Did Hero have an animal kept down there? Was he abusing it? The thought made him sick.

The reality made him even sicker.

Sidekick moved carefully and quietly down the stairs, trying to calm his nerves. The first thing he noticed was an odd sound. Like a... whimpering. It was coming from a closed door towards the end of the cellar. As Sidekick walked towards it, his gaze flickered around the various areas of the cellar. Most of it looked like a normal cellar, some storage and even a section specifically for wine. But he also picked up on some unsettling things. Like the chains attached to the ceiling. And a blood trail that led towards the door. And a camera station set up pointed towards a wall, where there was also a large puddle of dried blood.

The quiet noises continued as Sidekick approached the door. It... it didn't sound like an animal. He opened the door with a shaking hand, pushing it open, and froze as soon as he saw what was in front of him.

It wasn't an animal. It was a person. A person tied up and lying on a ratty, stained cot. He was covered in bruises, blood, and wounds that were haphazardly bandaged. He'd been stripped of whatever clothes he had, minus a pair of boxers. A cloth gag kept him mostly silent, besides the tiny whimpers of pain. His curly red hair was stuck to his face with sweat and blood-- wait, curly red hair?

"Vigilante?!"

He opened his eyes, looking at Sidekick. He looked so pained, so scared-- but he looked absolutely horrified when his gaze shifted to something behind Sidekick.

"Sidekick. I thought I told you not to come down here."

Hero's voice was far too calm, and... almost playful.

Sidekick spun around.

"Hero! What the FUCK is this?! What are you doing to Vigilante?!"

"He's here for an important reason. As an insurance policy."

Insurance-- Sidekick couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

Hero stepped forward, and Sidekick flinched when he heard the noise of fear from Vigilante.

"Come now, Sidekick. You're smart. Open your damn eyes! Villain hasn't tried anything in almost a month! If we keep Vigilante here, Villain won't even attempt to do anything. It's the ultimate insurance policy to keep him docile."

"But why are you hurting him?! He didn't do anything wrong!"

"It doesn't fucking matter that he didn't!" Hero's yell caused both Sidekick and Vigilante to tense. "Vigilante is completely innocent but that doesn't fucking matter! I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I'm the hero! If I want to kidnap and torture the weak-ass Villain's little boy toy while Villain is aware and unable to do anything, then I will!"

Sidekick couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Could hardly breathe. How could a hero be so cruel and heartless?

"Now," Hero walked forward and grabbed Sidekick by the throat, "I think you should take a few days off. And when you come back, we'll pretend nothing ever happened. Our little guest will still be here, but you'll ignore his existence. Got it?"

When Sidekick finally nodded, the hand on his throat was released. He wasted no time in leaving, not even glancing back at Vigilante, who let out a broken sob. Sidekick left the cellar, then the house, and took off as fast as he could to Villain's house.

He wasn't going to let Hero get away with this.

(Tag list! If you want to be added, just ask!

@generoushelpingofwhump

Hope you enjoyed!)

[ladyathenawisdom]

Don't Let Me Down ♔♕ pt. 4

Warnings: Past Trauma, Eventual Smut, Mature Themes, Violence, Language, Dark Themes Kinda, betrayal, cheating.

@talkingsperm @urmyhopeeee

..........

Supervillain stared at her.

She looked so peaceful, so innocent and kind. But he knew it was a lie, he had heard of her extraordinary powers. It was why his father had picked her.

This marriage was being forced on her as much as it was being forced on him. He didn't want to marry anyone, he was better off alone without someone to stop him. Much less a hero.

Plus, he didn't need some type of weakness.

He was in the comfort of his limo, the young hero laid on the other side of the seat. She was out of it, being injected with something that will knock someone out for 72 hours. The heroes were smart to create something like that.

They were heading to the airport so they can leave for Venezuela. His stepmother and people had probably all heard the news, along with the rest of the world. Amazing, he thought sarcastically.

He picked up his tablet where Hero's information was set up, he read through all of it.

It was impressive. She was impressive.

She was brought to the Organization when she was 3 by Superhero mysteriously. Her powers were like no other, on top of that, she could control people if she trained hard enough.

She had the potential to become the most powerful women in the world. And yet, the industry were probably holding her back.

He glanced towards her, noting her chestnut colored hair and pink lips. He narrows his eyes at her, he could tell she was also an innocent in this, seeing as she was forced to marry him. He wouldn't blame her.

But he wanted too, even though it wasn't her fault.

His father was an idiot. What good would this do? Nothing. The hero industry was stupid, really stupid and idiotic. The level of selfishness they had was beyond any villains selfishness. Atleast Villains actually did what they wanted too, the heroes only wanted fame, glory and money.

He looks up when he sees them approaching the airport. He puts the iPad down, looking at Hero.

.....

Hero blinks, feeling a headache coming on. A groan escapes, her hand going to her head. She slowly sits up, ignoring the stiffness of her back and neck.

"About time you woke up,"

Hero jumps, squealing. She turns towards the side to see......

Supervillain staring at her, his face emotionless.

She swallows hard, trembling slightly. This couldn't be possible, she couldn't be in front of history's most ruthless killer. The last thing she remembers is...being tranquilized by Superhero.

Supervillain tilts his head, watching as many emotions pass through the little hero's face. Confusion, pain, sadness, betrayal and fear.

Hero hesitatinly look at Supervillain, her hands shaking. "Where am I?" She asks, surprised that her voice didn't waver.

Supervillain walks away from the her. "You are on my private jet and we are on our way to Venezuela, in case your wondering, Superhero darted you." He tells her with a shrug.

Hero only stares at him.

Reality of everything set in. Superhero had really just given her away, like a mare. Like she was something to be bought over. Like an object or thing. He had given her to the villains.

All because she was the best, but she didn't think so. The only good thing about her was her powers, that's probably why he picked her. Why give her away? Because of her powers.

All because of her damn powers.

She should have run away.

Supervillain leans back against the side bar, his eyes still on her. "If your gonna run or try to stop this marriage, don't. I've already tried," he grumbles.

"Mastermind..." Hero trails off.

"He's still with Superhero and the others. He needs to clear a few things, maybe get another hero." Supervillain shrugs.

"Than why pick me?" Hero frowns.

"Why not pick you?" Supervillain raised an eyebrow. "I didn't pick you, my father and Superhero did."

Hero looks away, crossing her arms. She trembles, shivering. "Is there no way out of this?" She asks quietly.

"I'm afraid not," Supervillain rolls his eyes. "I tried to stop it, but they are hellbent on this marriage. Consent or not." He scowls, glaring out the window.

"Why would you agree?"

Supervillain scoffs. "You think I agreed to this? I didn't. Mastermind is making me do this, little Hero. I don't have a fucking choice in this," he scowls, glancing at her with his cold eyes.

Hero flinches.

"I've accepted this as a business proposal, nothing else. It's about time you probably do too." Supervillain says. "It there was a way to stop this, I would. However, the hard drive is really...valuable." He trails off.

"Your not gonna give them the real one." Hero realizes, "Your gonna give them a copy."

Supervillain turns to her, a smirk growing on his lips. "Superhero was right, you are intelligent. You must be the first hero I have met who isn't dumb and only out for glory."

Hero narrows her eyes at him, clenching her fists.

Supervillain eyes her, looking a bit impressed. "And your not scared unlike some people..." he hums. "Superhero also said you could think like a villain to catch the villains and criminals, I'm wondering if it's true or not."

Hero clenches her jaw.

"Because to be honest. I don't see it," He moves closer towards her. "I wonder, how did you figure it out?"

"I'm not stupid." Hero says, almost quietly. "When Mastermind first proposed the idea I had an inkling of what might happen. Your villains, your not loyal to anyone but yourselves. Plus, trading a hard drive that may just help you win this stupid war?" She raised an eyebrow. "You guys aren't stupid to give it away for one measly hero."

Supervillain stares at her.

Hero gets up, standing in front of him. Her eyes were like a raging fire as she glared at him. "I'm not marrying you, it's not gonna happen." She hissed.

Supervillain continues staring at her.

"Did you hear me?" Her angry eyes were lit like a forest fire, delving deeper in the woods to destroy everything. "This is not gonna happen."

Supervillain smirks.

"What? What are you so smug about?" Hero crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at him.

Supervillain moves closer towards her, causing her to falter slightly. "You must be the first person in the world, other then my father..." he hums, looking her up and down. "...to threaten me and look at me like that."

Hero pauses, breathing heavily.

He walks around her in a circle, humming and eyeing her like a predator does to his prey. "I kinda like it. You have fire," he states, stopping behind her.

He leans in to whisper in her ear. "I love fire." He states.

Hero swallows hard, digging her nails into her palms. She hates this, she hates this so much. "It's not happening," She grits out.

Supervillain snorts, walking away from her. "Yeah. Of course not." He rolls his eyes. "Sweetheart, we don't have a choice."

"But your Supervillain, can't you stoo this?" Hero frowns.

Supervillain shoots her a look, a ironic smile on his face. "I appreciate the fact that you think I'm powerful. But refusing my Father? Yeah, no thank you."

Hero frowns, hugging herself. She's never felt so alone then she has now.

"Besides. It's not we like each other, and it's not like we'll fall in love or something." Supervillain snorts. "We'll just stay out of each other's business. You'll be moving in my Villa for about 3 months and then we have to go back to the Hero Industry for the engagement and the wedding."

Hero lisens keenly, feeling numb. This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to be with...with...Other Hero.

No.

He had cheated on her. With Vigilante of all people, she wasn't even that special! Sure, she had been competing with Hero for best heroic skills and beauty (Which Hero won, both of them) but that doesn't explain why he cheated on her.

She pauses. She remembers his earlier statements. Did he really mean all those hurtful words? Did he really just give her up so he cane number one? What would Sidekick? What would he do without her?

"Then you'll move in with me in my villa," Supervillain starts explaining. "We'll live there with the rest of my family. But don't worry, we won't have to see each other at all." He sighs. "You'll meet my stepmother seeing as you already met Mastermind. You'll meet my half siblings and my little sister."

Hero stays silent.

"Now, let me make one thing clear." Supervillain starts in a low tone. "This is only a marriage of inconvenience, and I'm sure you agree." He looks at her.

Hero nods once.

"Good. Because just like the deal, this marriage is not important." Supervillain scoffs. "And despite what Mastermind wants, it's not happening." He was choosing to not directly say something about the...grandchildren.

Hero agreed. No way, no how. It's not happening. It's never happening. She wanted to ask why he called Masterminds by his name but she wasn't that stupid.

This was still Supervillain. The most dangerous criminal in the world. She wasn't gonna take her chance.

"Now." Supervillain sighs, going to take a seat near the window. "Do you need anything?"

Hero shakes her head, opting to not use her voice.

"Alright. You might wanna sleep for a while." He tell her. "The flight will take a few more hours."

Hero nods silently.

Well, it seems as if her life was beginning to take form. And not in a good way.

[notthehero]

The vigilante passed out on the couch bleeding after a fight. They forgot their unknowing longtime partner, the hero, just moved in with them.

[multifandom-disaster]

Prompt #27

To the poor soul of a villain that decided to kidnap the hero's baby. No for an angry hero, no no no, for their spouse that as a former villain is not afraid of anything you may do to them. So please give the baby back!

[immortaladrien]

A private detective encountering an old colleague they always had a crush on as a rookie

okay this… but what if it’s the vigilante they’re investigating that turns out to be that old crush? :)

tws: corrupt governments, angst, tension, ambiguous ending

The Vigilante had a mask on the entire time.

In all of the security camera footage, in all of the files; no one had ever been able to successfully capture their face. Voice. Nothing but a vague silhouette, usually shrouded in darkness at the very edge of CCTV footage.

This was the first time they’d slipped up.

In a daring escape from a group of officers, their disguise had slipped. Though they scrambled to retrieve it, their eyes were visible for a split second on the officer’s body camera.

Was that enough to figure out their secret identity? No, not to most people; but as the Private Investigator zoomed in on their face, they sucked in a sharp breath.

Those piercing blue eyes, double-lash line, perfectly plucked eyebrows…

“It’s you,” The Investigator whispered, slumping back in their seat. 2 long months of detective work, crime-scene chases, and sleepless nights… they’d all led to this.

They carefully shut their computer, glancing over their shoulder to ensure no one had seen the tape; the footage had been trusted to them exclusively, anyways. Perks of being the best in the field.

Please say I still have their phone number.

–

The nightclub seemed near-empty upon the Vigilante’s arrival. Despite their civilian attire, they still carefully scanned the premise before entering. Spared a glance at their phone.

PI: i’m here

With a hum, they stuck their phone into their pocket and approached the bar area, where an old friend awaited.

“Miss me that much?”

The Private Investigator practically jumped, whirling to stare at them. With a coy smile, the Vigilante slid into the seat next to them.

“I wasn’t sure you’d actually show.”

“Of course! Did you really think I’d stand up an old colleague like that?” They waved a bartender over with one hand, who dutifully approached. “Chardonnay, please. So, what’s this about?”

After clearing their throat, the PI mumbled their order and the bartender retreated to serve them. “Aren’t I allowed to want to see an old friend?”

“Sure, but you were far too shy to ever do that while we worked together. What’s changed? Someone boost your self-image?” Their counterpart choked, looking away. “I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. Even when you were a rookie, you showed potential. Someone needs to stroke your shockingly small ego.”

The Vigilante laughed a little at the glare they received, a grateful nod offered at the bartender as they served the drinks and left once more. The Private Investigator sipped their drink, a shade redder than before.

“Why’d you quit?” They finally managed, swallowing and keeping their eyes on their glass.

Weird question. “Personal reasons.”

“You loved your job.”

“I loved the idea of my job,” The Vigilante sighed. “I wanted to help people. There just came a point when I realized I was doing far more harm than good.” They spared a glance in their acquaintances’ direction, who’s darkening gaze was fixed on their drink. “Are you having issues with your job?”

That seemed to startle them out of their stupor, eyes snapping up. “No! No, everything is– that is to say, I’m the best in my field by now.”

“Better than me?” They teased, watching the PI redden.

“You’re not in the field anymore.”

“If I was, you’d probably have surpassed me by now.”

“Don’t– …Don’t say that. No I wouldn’t have.”

Quirking their eyebrow, The Vigilante studied their former friend. Something was wrong. The fidgeting. The way they worried their lip, looked away at any opportunity they could.

“What is going on with you?”

“H..hm?”

“No, seriously. What’s on your mind? The gears in your brain are turning so hard that I can practically see smoke coming from your ears.”

There’s a moments pause before the Private Investigator tightens the grip on their glass, jaw stiffening. “While you were on the job, did you ever find out something that you wish you didn’t?”

A hum. “Sure. I got into things the city was trying to keep under the rug. Stuff that made me sick. There was a point when I couldn’t keep quiet. They didn’t like that.”

“But anything about… What about something about someone you cared about?” Two doe eyes fixed on them, glancing through lashes.

Oh. That’s where this is going.

“I suppose so.” It was the Vigilantes turn to sip their drink, curiously peering back.

“What did you… do, with that information?”

They frowned. “What is this about?”

“Seriously, just- answer me?”

“I quit,” They replied bluntly, setting their drink down to cross their arms.

There was silence, and then a tiny nod. The Vigilante watched as the Detective pulled out their wallet, producing a small wad of money, and standing from the table.

They stood in turn. “Where are you going?”

“I have a lot to think about. Thank you for getting a drink with me.”

“Hey–”

“There’s enough money there for both of us, plus tip. Take… take good care of yourself.”

With that, they were gone, leaving Vigilante sitting alone at the bar with half the mind to go after them.

Before they stood, they noticed a small tape under the wad of cash.

Police Bodycam Footage #2182: Confidential, Original Copy.

—

a/n: the way i could make a whole series out of this… they’re so… 😍 sorry for the cliffhanger! hope you enjoyed! @soggiestofsocks i went a different direction but thanks for listening to me panic

[chaotic-orphan]

Could you please continue ‘The Stranger’ it’s my favourite series on this app

The Stranger (V)

Read part one here // Continued from here

OHHHHHH IT’S ANGSTY YOUR HONOUR?!!!! WOWUH!!! To whoever wanted the stranger continuation!!! sorry it is a day/two late!!!! I hope you enjoy!!!! dedicated to @ehobep

*~*~*~*~*

Vigilante was a ball of nerves. His ears ringing in his skull as Karma drove him into the city again to Hero who was waiting for him on the roof. Karma was singing along to the radio, in a better mood than he had seen the monster in… maybe ever. His finger drummed along the steering wheel, humming when he didn’t know the words, the perfect image of peace and ease.

Vigilante wanted nothing more than to pull the steering wheel and let the car spin out into a ditch. A branch going through the driver’s seat lancing Karma through the chest. Or the skull, it really didn’t make a difference. As long as he died.

At least Hero would be safe.

If Karma hadn’t compelled him to behave like a fucking dog Vigilante could do that! He could save Hero, he could stop Karma— he could— he c— he couldn’t do a thing to stop him, except glare from the corner of his eyes and worry about his great mood. Vigilante had to be smart. He had to be smart or who knows what Karma might do to Hero?

“Ah, here we are,” Karma said turning the key in the ignition and smiling at Vigilante. “Come along, Vigilante. We have a hero waiting for us.”

There was no compulsion in his words but Vigilante obeyed anyways. It unnerved him when Karma started walking towards his and Hero’s rooftop, something so sacred and safe for the two of them.

“How did you know I’d be up there?” Vigilante asked.

“Hmm?”

“On the rooftop, the first time we met. How did you know I’d be up there?”

Karma smiled. “I have eyes everywhere, Vigilante, or haven’t you realised that by now?”

Vigilante glared at him. “Besides, when I saw you save the Mayor’s kid you got on my radar and I followed you until I could intercept. When I saw you go up to that roof, well, I knew it was my chance to speak to you, and then, who comes up after me, but the number two Hero in the city? I could sell your scandalous story to the media if I wanted to.”

Vigilante felt his cheeks flush. “That’s not— we’re not— there’s nothing going on between us.”

“Who cares?” Karma said with a shrug. “It would be juicy gossip, a media circus, and, in the pandemonium I could probably kill the mayor and it would be page seven news.”

Karma beamed at the blushing Vigilante, holding the door to the roof access open. “After you,” he said with a sweeping gesture of his hand. Vigilante swallowed the lump in his throat as he passed, taking the stairs up to the roof where Hero was waiting for him. Unbeknownst of the threat that was waiting for them.

If he could scream, maybe warn Hero, he could— he could maybe save them. That’s what he’d do. Without warning, Vigilante started sprinting up the stairs not caring if Karma was following or on their tail or anything. They ran up the stairs to the roof access and climbed the ladder to get the roof in record time and there—

Across the roof he saw Hero and he screamed: “Hero! Run!”

Hero frowned, rushing towards Vigilante, but Vigilante shooed them away. “Run! Just go! It’s a trap! It’s not me. It’s a villain, Hero! The suicides you need to—”

A hand clamped over Vigilante’s mouth, a razor edge pressed into his throat and yanked him back into Karma’s hard chest. Karma’s chest rose and fell quickly, tired from the exertion, but he chuckled darkly in Vigilante’s ear, freezing their struggles.

“Naughty, naughty Vigilante, Hero’s going to have to pay for that.”

“No!” Vigilante yelled through Karma’s hand but it was muffled as Karma’s grip turned bruising, wrestling Vigilante’s head back and dampening any hope of Vigilante calling out to warn Hero.

“Oh yes,” Karma hummed. “Just be a good little hostage.”

Vigilante’s wide terrified eyes found Hero’s who was still here. Why were they still here?! Why were they being a hero right now? Of all the people Vigilante had to try to save, they had to save a fucking self-sacrificial idiot who got payed to be risk their lives for others?!

It was all some cosmic joke.

“Hey, we can talk about this,” Hero said, hands out placatingly, their eyes going between Vigilante’s and Karma’s. “Just… just let Vigilante go and we can talk, right?”

Karma dug the knife deeper into Vigilante’s neck, pricking it lightly and letting Hero see the bead of blood he drew just for funsies.

“I think we can talk perfectly fine like this, Hero. You, me, Vigilante. I’m sure we can come to some arrangement.”

Vigilante grabbed Karma’s hand covering their mouth and tried to dislodge it but Karma didn’t budge, pressing his lips beside Vigilante’s ear he whispered: “stop struggling, Vigilante. Unless you want me to unmask you here and now in front of Hero.”

Vigilante froze. Karma chuckled. “Ohh… they don’t know either, do they? Interesting. That was a stab in the dark, Vigilante, you need to stop being so readable. It could get you in trouble.”

“Hey! Look, I think you need to release Vigilante right now, or else—“”

“Or else what?” Karma asked. “You’ll fight me? What if you hit poor Vigilante here?”

Vigilante told Hero to do it, to take the risk, but Karma smothered the words until they were just spongey syllables that got lost on the wind. Karma chuckled.

“Tell you what, Hero,” Karma said. “You’re right. I want to chat. So if I let Vigilante go, we don’t have to come to blows?”

Vigilante’s struggles renewed as they tried to shake their head, visions of Karma telling Hero to jump off the roof returning tenfold and making them want to throw up.

“Nngh! Nngh!” Vigilante protested, wishing he could scratch Karma’s eyes out but that fucking command was still lodged in his stupid brain that he couldn’t hurt himself or Karma; his struggles in vain.

Hero swallowed, eyes going between the pair before they nodded. “Deal.”

“Good,” Karma said. “When I release you, you will fall to your knees and remain silent.”

“Nngh!” Vigilante protested, frustrated tears gathering behind his eyes as he pawed uselessly at Karma’s hand. Karma removed the knife first, making a show of taking it from Vigilante’s throat and lifting it away.

Now.

Vigilante had to move now.

Karma’s command was conditional. If Karma released Vigilante, Vigilante would have to obey, but if Vigilante broke free… then nothing.

Vigilante shot forward like a bullet. Karma’s attention focused on Hero allowed his brain to stutter as Vigilante barrelled forwards, throwing themselves ahead and fell to the ground, rolling on the rooftop until they came to a stop beside Hero. Hero’s hand was on him, helping him to his feet, but Vigilante didn’t take his eyes off of Karma the whole time.

Karma threw his head back and let out a booming laugh at the sky. It didn’t sound like a proper laugh, it was chilling, crazed, the kind of laugh anime villains do when they’ve captured the hero or revealed their master plan. It made the hairs on the back of Vigilante’s neck stand on end.

“Vigilante, you slippery little fucker,” Karma bellowed, his laughter dying down to manic little chuckles as he tilted his chin down to stare at Hero and Vigilante again.

“Vidge?”

“You need to get out of here, Hero,” Vigilante said, pushing them behind his back. “He’s a charmspeaker you need to run, he’s the cause of all the suicides and—“”

Vigilante ducked to the left, dodging the knife that was hurled straight for his head.

“Spoilers, Vigilante. Come on, at least play fair.”

“Play fair?!” Vigilante sputtered as he started backing up on the rooftop, Hero behind him. “Nothing’s fair with you, you fucking psycho!”

Vigilante kept pushing Hero back. “Vidge, I’m not leaving you here with him. We can go together!”

Vigilante’s heart hammered against his chest, his blood rushing fast in his ears like a waterfall. The pressure and sound of the spray deafening everything else around him. He wanted so badly to get away, to run from Karma, but if he got his hands on Hero, who knows what he’d make Hero do.

Vigilante shook his head, eyes narrowing as Karma advanced slowly towards them, pushing them closer and closer to the edge of the roof.

“Vigilante~,” Karma sang, tutting him for his defiance. “Didn’t I tell you to behave when we met with Hero?”

“Go fuck yourself!” Vigilante snapped.

Karma smiled at Hero, as if he was Karma’s bold child that just disturbed Hero. “Sorry about him, he’s so spirited, isn’t he?”

“Just who the hell are you?” Hero demanded, their voice hard after they realised that Vigilante wasn’t about to go running with them.

Karma sighed, running a theatrical hand down his face and grabbed his chin as if he were pondering something. Then his lips stretched across his face as he held a finger up in the air, pointing towards the sky. “Ahah! I have a good idea, Vigilante, you come back over here now, and your punishment won’t be severe.”

“Punishment?!” Hero yelled now, stepping protectively in front of Vigilante. Vigilante grabbed Hero’s wrist, feeling their power thrum under their skin and pulled slightly. Hero planted their feet and let out a soft grunt of discomfort as Vigilante pulled on their ability. “You’re not getting anywhere near him.”

Karma smiled, exposing every tooth in his mouth, his half-lidded eyes amused, smirking a little at the pair. “Vigilante, I’ll give you to the count of three to surrender. Three.

“Hero we have to run,” Vigilante told them quietly, pulling at their shirt. “Trust me, please. I’ll explain when we’re safe, just please.”

“If this is the maniac who’s ordering all the suicides Vidge, I can’t just leave him free.”

“Two!”

“If we don’t leave him free, then he’ll take me back and do god knows what to you, Hero. Please!” Vigilante hissed, yanking Hero back. Hero fell back the step, and Vigilante’s hand tightened on Hero’s arm as Hero turned and they started running to the end of the roof towards a shop roof over.

“One!” Karma sang as Vigilante jumped. The sound of Karma’s fingers snapping rang over the wind of the roof, carrying to Vigilante’s ears like the sounds of church bells, deafening and dread filled. The moment Vigilante landed he turned and saw Hero on the edge of the rooftop on their knees.

Vigilante’s eyes blew wide, tracking Karma who was walking slowly towards Hero. “No! No, hero! HERO! GET UP!”

Karma chuckled, reaching into his grey duffle coat and pulling out a packet of cigarettes. He nodded at Vigilante as he walked towards the little step he sat on when he first took Vigilante.

“They can’t get up, Vidge,” Karma said, his words like a spear in Vigilante’s guts. “But I’ll grant you grace and give you five seconds to be by my side on your knees, grovelling, maybe with some tears, I don’t know yet, surprise me,” he continued conversationally, shrugging as he took a breath and light his cigarette between his teeth.

When he looked at Vigilante again it chilled him to the core. “Or this time, Hero walks off the roof and you won’t stop them. What’s another suicide in the city, hmm? Poor Hero, their heart couldn’t take that kid killing himself in front of them.”

Vigilante snarled at the air, his eyes on Hero’s bloodshot ones like the Mayor’s son, willing them to stand up. To get up! To laugh it off and say they were just fucking with Vigilante and that they were about to fight Karma with all the fury that Hero could muster, but Hero just stared blankly ahead at Vigilante, like a marionette with its strings cut, knees perched just before the ledge.

Oh god, if they had been faster when Karma did that Hero would have fallen to the pavement below.

“Five~” Karma sang and Vigilante ran across the roof to get a running jump onto the ledge. It was going to be harder than the initial jump because the usual rooftop was maybe a foot or two above the one Vigilante was on.

“Three!” Karma boomed. Vigilante wanted to scream at him and fight but he didn’t have time. If he wanted Hero to live he’d have to obey everything Karma said. Vigilante jumped and the minute he did a pit opened in his stomach. He realised after his feet left the ledge that he wasn’t going to make it cleanly.

His hands found ground on the rooftop’s ledge but his body slammed into the brickwork, robbing the wind from his chest. Vigilante gasped, fingers white knuckled, his feet doing tiny sprints on the bricks below as he tried to gain purchase on something to boost him up.

“Hero,” Vigilante said, his voice quivering with the effort. His foot found the ledge of a pipe and he wrapped his forearm around the ledge as he pushed himself up. Then his foot slipped and he was dangling. His bodyweight yanked him towards gravity and he cried out, his shoulders screaming at him to get up!

A sole pressed into his fingers and Vigilante cried out but he couldn’t even swing at Karma the bastard. He shifted his feet towards the pipe again and launched off it until he had two hands back on the ledge and—

His eyes widened. Hero stood with Vigilante’s fingers under their boot. “He… H-Hero?”

Karma stood beside them, eyes twinkling dangerously as he exhaled a plume of smoke from his lungs. “Mmm, what do you think, Hero? Should we let him up?”

Hero stomped on Vigilante’s hand. Vigilante lost their grip from the shock and the pain and now only one hand held them up on the ledge. With the momentum Vigilante swung, his eyes locking on the thirteen story drop to the street below. The world seemed to zoom in and out of focus as panic and his laboured breaths clogged every rational thought in him.

He glanced up again to see Hero’s foot hovering above Vigilante’s over fingers, Karma drinking in the chaos. “You’re right, Hero. I did give him a chance and he directly disobeyed me, what to do, what to do.”

Karma took another drag as Vigilante wrestled his hanging hand back up to the ledge, scrambling desperately. “Hero! Please!”

“Hero?” Karma echoed and Hero’s foot came down on Vigilante’s wrist. Vigilante screamed out a grunt of pain and he shook his head.

“Karma! Karma! Please! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! Please! Fuck!” Hero ground their heel into Vigilante’s hand until he almost lost his grip again and screamed.

“Alright,” Karma said with a shrug. “Let him up.”

Vigilante barely registered the words before Hero bent over, foot still on Vigilante’s hands and yanked him by the back of his shirt over the ledge and onto the roof. He didn’t have a moment to catch his breath before Hero yanked him up, marching him back towards Karma who had sat against the raised concrete where Vigilante first met Karma.

Hero shoved Vigilante to his knees in front of Karma who looked down on him as if he were a king on a throne and Vigilante a traitor to the realm. A peasant, nothing more than the dirt on his shoe.

“H-how?” Vigilante demanded. It was the only thing he could say. His mind racing back to the first night on the roof, Karma told Hero to forget him and forget meeting Vigilante. Karma had to use eye contact or at least… that’s what Vigilante thought.

Karma took another drag of his cigarette, Vigilante watching the white burn away down to the coffee coloured butt. “I called them,” Karma said.

Vigilante frowned. “But— don’t you need to do that weird shit with your eyes?!”

Karma let out a startled laugh, nodding, smoke stuttering out his nose into the cool air. “Yes,” he said, grinning. “I do.”

Vigilante’s frown bled away to a picture of confusion. “Then how—”

“Face time, idiot,” Karma said fondly, waving Vigilante’s phone in his face before their gaze went to Hero holding Vigilante down. “The wonders of the modern world, hmm? Poor dear thought you were in trouble, when they answered they were so concerned. I think they really like you, Vidge.”

“But— we had our backs turned,” Vigilante protested, desperate. Karma grinned leaning down until he was crouched in front of Vigilante. Vigilante could do it, he could use Hero’s power and leave a hole of light burned through Karma’s chest but then he would hurt Hero too, and he wasn’t prepared to do that. Hero was innocent.

“It’s like a magician’s command,” Karma told him, eyes glinting with cruelty. “When I snap my fingers, you’ll sleep and when I snap them again, you will believe you are a chicken. All premeditated commands, I just wanted to see the look on your face.”

Vigilante swallowed.

“Yup,” Karma hummed, tapping out the ashes of his cigarette. “It was worth it. A little planning never killed anyone, did it? Maybe if you thought of that you wouldn’t have tried to run and Hero would be blissfully unaware of having to hold you down, against your will while we chat. Didn’t I say I was going to punish you for that, too?”

Vigilante squirmed in Hero’s grip, pushing back away from Karma who tipped forward and pinched Vigilante’s cheeks in a bruising grip, yanking his face towards Karma.

Karma raised his cigarette and pushed the burning red eyed tip towards Vigilante’s eye. Vigilante’s eye watered immediately and he widened it so his eyelashes wouldn’t catch on the smouldering ember. He stiffened, struggles ceasing, his breath coming out in sharp, stuttered pants.

“Karma… d-don’t—”

“Don’t?” Karma asked, inclining his head. “Didn’t I tell you to behave? Didn’t I give you a chance to repent? To avoid this nastiness? And what did you do? Oh yeah, that’s right. You didn’t.”

Vigilante threw his weight back but Hero kept him locked in place and Karma kept his face close to the butt. Karma smiled. “But hey, I’m a forgiving sort of guy, so for now, I won’t burn your corneas out of your skull.”

Vigilante released a sigh too soon after Karma retracted the burning butt from his eye. It got swallowed into a scream when Karma forced the burning ember instead to the tip of Vigilante’s cheekbone and Vigilante thrashed, the cylinder sizzling against his skin, the hear burning his eyes as he tried to move back but Hero wouldn’t let him so Vigilante didn’t think. He just let the power in him flow.

Only it wasn’t Hero’s power he had.

It was Karma’s.

Vigilante hissed, barrelling back, tippling feet over head with Hero across the roof until they got Hero under them and forced them to look into Vigilante’s eyes. Hero went to punch them but Vigilante caught it, their cheek burning from the wind pulling at the wound and he half-shouted: “HERO WAKE UP! SNAP OUT OF IT!”

Hero tried to punch them with their free hand and that one caught Vigilante in the jaw. Shit! It wasn’t working and they could hear Karma’s footsteps getting closer and closer. Fuck! What was it! What was it?! What did he say?!

His eyes widened as they locked on Hero’s again. “I release you!”

Hero blinked up at Vigilante, melting under them, resistance leaving their limbs as they stared up at Vigilante.

“Vigilante? What’re you… oh, shit, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, I didn’t— I couldn’t control it, I—” Hero reached their hand up to Vigilante’s face, their thumb ghosting over the burn, but not touching it. Tears sprung to their eyes. “Vidge, I’m so… I’m so sorry.”

A loud, slow clap sounded from the other side of the roof drawing the pair’s attention. Vigilante looked up to see Karma standing at the door to the exit of the roof.

“How touching,” Karma said, hand on his heart. “But I didn’t even show you my command for you Vigilante.”

Vigilante’s blood ran cold, not moving from where they were straddling Hero to the ground. “What?” A whisper more than a word.

Karma’s eyes glimmered even from the distance with a malevolent delight at Vigilante’s plight.

“You know, the one that makes you do whatever I say. The one that turns you into my perfect little murder machine, all those special skills, Vigilante, you are a terror.”

Vigilante’s eyelids fluttered, trying to comprehend what Karma was saying behind his words, trying to make out the threat he was making because there was always a threat.

“Vidge?”

Vigilante looked down at Hero, his heart breaking with a small oh leaving his lips. If he didn’t go with Karma, Karma would make him kill Hero.

Hero who answered the call because of him.

Hero who was concerned when they saw Vigilante’s name flash across their phone.

Hero who was innocent in this, just another one of Karma’s victims.

Something hollow took root inside Vigilante’s chest as he stared down at Hero. Something protective and so unselfish that it threatened to swallow him whole. He placed his hands on Hero’s cheeks, tears pooling in his eyes.

“I… I’m doing this because I—” no, that was too much, too much for a time like this, so Vigilante swallowed and started again. “I’m doing this to protect you, Hero,” he whispered.

Hero stared, not quite comprehending yet. Not until Vigilante leaned down a little more, a stray tear hitting Hero’s cheek.

“Don’t, don’t do this, don’t go with him,” Hero pleaded, grabbing Vigilante’s wrists. “I won’t— I won’t give up. I won’t stop looking for you.”

“I know,” Vigilante whispered, his bottom lip trembling. “Which is why I have to do this. Hero, you’re going to forget me. You’re not going to—” his breath hitched, “look for me or worry about me anymore.”

“Vigilante please,” Hero cried.

“It’s okay, it’s okay. You’re okay, we’re okay.” He said, leaning down further, keeping Hero’s eyes in view, keeping them ensnared in his swirling gaze. Then he whispered: “you don’t know where the idea came from but you know that there is a villain out there with charm speak who is behind the suicides, someone from the wealthy side of town and you will find him and bring him to justice.”

Hero was stupefied beneath him as he retreated slightly. “And you’ll forget this too,” and Vigilante finally, for the first and possible last time ever, pressed his lips to Hero’s and wept as he pulled back, strangling his emotions into submission he rose from Hero’s body and walked towards Karma whose glittering eyes never left Vigilante.

“You made the right choice,” Karma said, patting Vigilante on the back. His breath reeked of smoke and cold, and Vigilante wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face, but he just walked past him and down the ladder before making his way back down to Karma’s stupid van, leaving the only person who he ever loved on the rooftop without any memory of him.

[puddleslimewrites]

Ok so ive been thinking of a ship dynamic and its polyamory. Hero x Anti-hero x Villain. You can do it however you want! I dont think this is an original idea but ive not seen anyone else do this so far

Oooo that's an intriguing trio

I've never seen this written before either, but I'll give it my best shot. Thank you for the ask! ^-^

~

"Calm down, love."

"They're late."

Villain stopped Hero mid-stride to interrupt their pacing. They took their partner in their arms and gently guided them to the couch to restrain them in a hug. "Anti-Hero is always late. You know them. They'll be home soon." Villain smiled down at Hero sweetly. "And if they aren't, I'll make sure to remind them how to keep track of the time."

Hero sighed, reluctantly relaxing in the hold. "I might want to 'remind' them with you, if you don't mind."

Villain looked down at their partner with a raised brow. "Is that a threat, love? Careful now. That doesn't sound very heroic of you."

"Loving either of you isn't very heroic of me," Hero huffed. "...Do you think they're okay?"

"They better be."

~

By the time the front door clicked open, all the lights were out. Anti-Hero slipped through the entrance as quietly as possible. Which meant their partners heard every attempted tip-toe as they crept past the living room. A shadow fell over them and they froze.

"Back so early?"

Slowly, Anti-Hero turned to face Villain. "Oh. You're still up? You didn't have to wait for me, darling." They chuckled nervously, fingers twitching for the weapon pouch on their hip. They were tired, but if Villain wanted a fight, they'd at least try their best before giving in.

"Darling," Villain repeated with a thin smile on their lips. "Dinner went cold hours ago."

Anti-Hero tensed as Villain stepped closer, but their partner only laid a gentle hand on their arm. "You're hurt, aren't you? Let's get you cleaned up. Hero already has the first-aid kit ready."

Anti-Hero sighed, shoulders sagging in relief until the grip on their forearm tightened. "But don't think we won't be talking about this." The softness in Villain's tone was anything but kind. "Even my schemes have a curfew on date night."

Anti-Hero swallowed and nodded, feeling numb. They were in for a long and exhausting lesson later.

[random-writing-thoughts]

Thought #216

Hero took a deep breath and walked through the ballroom.

They nodded nicely to an old couple and made their way to the side of the room. Their eyes scanned the room. Looking for...

"At least I'm not the only one who hates to be at these types of events." Someone said to their right.

Hero jumped and turned to face the stranger.

"Who are you?" They asked stepping away from them.

"Just a party guest." Stranger took a sip from their glass. "Why are you so stressed about being here?"

Hero crossed their arms. "Why would I tell you? I don't even know you."

Stranger shrugged. "Will you dance with me instead?"

Hero looked around the room and sighed. "Sure."

Hero grabbed Stranger's hand and followed them to the center of the room. Stranger wrapped their hand around Hero's waist and started swaying to the beat.

"I actually think I know what's bothering you." Stranger said softly.

Hero looked at them quizzically.

"I think you're nervous that someone is going to figure out who you are."

Hero's breath hitched.

"I think you're Hero. I think that there is a bounty on your head. And I think it's pretty high."

Hero struggled against Stranger's grasp. Stranger tightened their grip and pulled them closer.

"Come on now. Enjoy the dance. I'm sure Superhero will love to talk to you later."

"Who are you?" Hero said through gritted teeth.

Stranger Vigilante chuckled. "Just some hired help. And man this job pays really well."

[bookished]

( villain x hero starters. adjust phrasing as necessary.) feel free to make edits to better suit your muse, but please don’t edit or add on to the original post ♡ if you like, please consider supporting me through tips. tag me when you use any!

"They say you either die a hero or live to see yourself become the villain." "So what happened?" "I refused to die."

"You can still turn back from this path, Villain. There's always a choice." "Choices are for the weak, Hero. I've embraced my destiny."

"You underestimate me, hero. I've studied your every move." "And I've learned how to defeat you, Villain. It ends tonight."

"I see a glimmer of doubt in your eyes, Villain." "Doubt is for those who fear the unknown, hero. I fear nothing."

"You and I are two sides of the same coin, hero. One cannot exist without the other."

"You've chased me across the world, hero. But you can't catch what you can't see."

"You always had a weakness for compassion, hero. It's what will be your downfall."

"Goodness is overrated, hero. Power is all that matters."

"Justice is subjective, hero. I've redefined it to serve my purpose."

"You'll never understand the power I wield, hero."

"Join me, hero. Together, we could rule this world."

"You're a prisoner of your own darkness, Villain." "Darkness is freedom, hero. I've embraced it."

"Redemption is a fantasy, hero. I've chosen my path."

"Monsters are born, hero, and I was born to rule."