#5 - Recorded

#5 - Recorded

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

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

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

Right now, [Sidekick] had business to do.

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

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

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

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

They hung up again. What a prat.

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

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

…Better than nothing.

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

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

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

What the-

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

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

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

What had [Villain] in mind?

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

The floor was covered in blood and vomit.

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

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

“I heard you guys were looking for me?”

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

How could someone be so cold?

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

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

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

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

“My special guest here will ensure it.”

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

This sick bastard.

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

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

“…Won’t you?”

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

“[H…Hero]?”

#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.

it be like that

(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?

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

#6 - Captured

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

What was happening here? Had they been found?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Heros] face ashened. “What?”

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

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

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

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

“Please put on your seatbelt.”

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

Dressed in fancy clothing and jewellery.

…Weren’t they supposed to be in prison?

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

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

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

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

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

[Hero] looked at them dumbly.

What kind of sick game was this?

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

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

“…Are you… Are you going to kill me?”

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

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

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

[Hero] stared at them in utter disbelief.

…How did they know about their powers?

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

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

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

“Just tell me what you want.”

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

…

What?

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

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

What did they even think?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Hero] clenched their fists.

No. They would not help them. Never.

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

Wouldn’t they?

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