#4 - Drugged

#4 - Drugged

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They were adressable.

…Well, at least a little bit.

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

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

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

Oh…

Oh no.

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

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

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

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

Fuck.

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

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

“…’s that… you… [Villain]…?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#7 - Cold (part 2)

(❗TW: Mentioned past torture❗)

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

God.

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

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

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

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

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

What worried them most, was the hypothermia.

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

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

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

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

Not while bandaging my fucking enemy.

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

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

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

What the hell was even wrong with people?

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

Fuck.

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

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

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

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

They clutched the blanket in their hands.

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

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

[Hero] shook their head.

What the fuck?

It sure as hell wasn't like that.

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

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

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

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

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

And because killing wasn't a fucking virtue.

[Hero] sighed.

...

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

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

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

"Where- Where am I...?"

Oh, fucking hell.

Fucking hell.

Slowly, [Hero] turned around.

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

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

Why the fuck were they already awake?

"I- I found you."

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

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

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

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

This had been a bad idea.

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

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

"What the fuck should I start?"

[Villain] refused to look at them.

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

[Hero] shook their head in visible confusion.

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

Oh...

Oh god.

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

Dissociating.

They think I'm gonna question them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The good people, as they assured themself.

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

[Hero] sighed.

"Yes. I saved you."

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

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

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

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

[Villain] scoffed in disbelief.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Heros] brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, man...

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

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

God...

What kind of mess had they gotten themself into?

#1 - Mind control

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let's all just appreciate @evilbuildingsblog for giving the best inspo for Villain mansions! 😎🖤

I mean...

Just look... 🙄

...At this! 😍👌

You are so helpful to write a setting with a glowy, dark and powerful atmosphere! 😁🖤

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

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

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

#11 - Unmasked

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

Is this possible…?, they asked themself.

Had they finally defeated them?

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

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

And now, [Hero] had won.

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

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

And now, they’ve fucking won.

Victory.

Sweet, liberating victory.

Euphoria.

Triumph.

Relief.

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

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

[Hero] felt lighter than a feather.

Satisfaction.

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

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

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

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

This was supposed to be a job, nothing more.

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

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

The seething hatred for scum like [Villain].

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

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

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

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

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

That damn mask.

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

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

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

Well, until now.

You’re on the good side.

[Hero] shook their head.

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

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

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

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

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

They just didn’t deserve it.

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

They don’t deserve to be seen as humans.

A weak cough brought them back to reality.

Right… [Villain].

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

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

Spitefully, they made their way towards them.

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

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

“Took me long enough to get you.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And looked into familiar eyes.

“Wha…-”

A familiar face, covered in blood.

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

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

The silence was deafening.

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

Eyes [Hero] thought they knew.

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

The blood was already starting to dry.

The sun was gone beneath the horizon.

The city empty, hollowed.

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

“…[Best Friend].”

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

#7 - Cold

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

…How far that was away right now.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Villain]. Bloody and bruised.

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

They looked around frantically.

Was this a trap?

Were [Villains] henchmen still here?

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

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

“A-Are you.. M-my guardian Angel…?”

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

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

How long had they lain here?

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

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

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

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

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

But what if it was not a trap?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Was [Villain] really howering between life and death?

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

Oh god… This really wasn’t staged.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

One more hour and they were dead.

[Hero] had to make a decision. Now.

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

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

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

They had to think about leaving them here.

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

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

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

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

“Trash…”, [Hero] echoed silently.

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

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

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

…This was the right thing to do.

…But…

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

No. They couldn’t do it.

They couldn’t fucking do it.

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

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

They couldn’t let [Villain] die.

They just couldn’t.

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

They would help them.

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

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

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

This was insane… This was so fucking insane.

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

“Don’t make me fucking regret this!”