'failure' is inability to fulfill directive. human has no programmed directive. human evolutionary directive is to live. you are alive. everything else is bonus.
"You look tired," the hero whispered. They put a hand on the villain's shoulder and let it snake down their enemy's chest. They leaned in. "So tired."
The villain grabbed the hero's wrist before their hand could reach the villain's stomach. They squeezed their eyes shut. Their ears turned red.
"How did you escape this time?" the villain asked.
"I kicked in the door. So, I think I need a new room," the hero purred. They pressed a wet kiss to the villain's neck and the villain swore they saw stars. "Preferrably closer to yours."
The villain was going to lose their mind.
Originally, it had been a simple plan: kidnap the hero, force the city to give them a bunch of money in return for their saviour, go on a nice vacation.
However, the hero wasn't one to sit still in a room.
And they were pretty successful with seducing the villain. For the umpteenth time.
"Relax, hm?" the hero said. "We got interrupted last time. Maybe we can try out some new stuff..."
The hero's hand found the villain's stomach again and this time, for some reason, the villain didn't stop them. The villain's heart started pounding in their chest relentlessly.
How much longer? How much longer could they resist this troublesome hero? They'd break in the next ten minutes again, they just knew it.
"I told you that was the last time," the villain whispered. They swallowed, took in a deep breath. If this was a work relationship, then the both of them were definitely getting fired. "It had to be."
They had already slept with each other on multiple occasions and the hero didn't seem concerned about it in the slightest.
Truth be told, the villain wasn't exactly...good with intimacy. They wanted it, they yearned for it. But they were extremely awkward. Too shy to ask for it. Too unsure to insinuate anything.
They could feel their heart beat fast and mercilessly.
"Look at me," the hero said. The villain obeyed and looked down at them, although they couldn't look them in the eyes for long. The hero put their palm against the villain's cheek. "I want you again."
"You are using me," the villain said.
"For what exactly?" the hero asked. "I could have escaped already if I wanted to. I could have arrested you. I could have gotten information I didn't know I needed."
They leaned against their enemy and pressed their knee between the villain's thighs. The villain's eyes widened, almost as if they had been stabbed.
God have mercy.
"I never asked for anything whenever you were inside me. I never forced you—"
"Please." The villain grabbed the hero's arm. Embarrassment crept up their back. The hero could be brutally blunt. They took in a breath. And then, softer this time. "Please…don't torture me. Don't break my heart."
"I know you are very delicate when it comes to those things," the hero said. Their voice was sweet. So very sweet. Their lips brushed the villain's neck again. And the villain couldn't help but be reminded of the hero's naked skin on theirs. "But, my, you are starving for it, don't you agree?"
"Please," the villain whispered. "Have some mercy. Please, stop torturing me."
"I am not trying to," the hero said. They looked up at the villain. Lashes jumping up and down innocently. Their eyes dropped to the villain's lips. "Fine, maybe a little. Because you are so adorable."
"You are cruel."
"No," the hero said. "It would be cruel to walk away now."
They brushed the villain’s bottom lip with their thumb. Less than ten minutes. The villain cursed themselves.
"We are not done here, though," the hero said. "If you want me today, you have to ask for it."
The villain didn't want anything from the cafe itself. They were looking to get into the office next door through one of the walls in the backroom. Having hostages was simply collateral damage and good insurance should the pesky hero try to intervene.
While the villian's henchmen worked on the wall in the back room, villian sat at a table beside the hostages, legs proped up, and civilian's book open.
"It doesn’t make sense. Why would the princess risk everything for some villager they just met?"
There was silence, their hostages unsure if they were meant to respond.
"Well?"
"At first, it's because of a sense of duty to her people," Civilian responded when the other hostages looked at her with wide fearful eyes. "But as the story goes on, it's because of something more."
The villian rolled their eyes, "Love. How terribly cliché."
"And what's wrong with cliché?" Civilian muttered.
"Excuse me?" The villian's eyebrow quirking up.
"I... I said, and what's wrong with cliché?"
The villian stood and began to answer when they were interrupted by one of their henchmen.
"The explosives are set and ready when you are."
The villian nodded while dropping the book into their bag.
"Lock them in the fridge. They'll be safe from the blast and intervening."
The henchmen nodded and began ushering the hostages up and towards the back.
Civilian froze when they felt a hand tighten around their elbow.
"Except you my dear."
"What? Why?" Civilian tried to pull away with no success. They could feel their heart pumping in their ears.
"Hero can be quite bothersome if they don't have a visual reminder of what, or who, is at stake if they intervene. And, as a bonus, I don't have to worry about you hearing details you shouldn't."
With their free hand extended and gesturing to give, "Don't worry, I'll keep them safe."
Welcome to the coziest, most colorful corner for your little Sims, filled with everything they need for naps, playtime, and daily care.
This custom content pack includes 30 items to help you build a functional and adorable daycare setup, whether it's a public center or a warm home nursery. You'll find a working puzzle mat where toddlers can nap, a base game-compatible changing station, and a toddler-sized chair that's perfect for snack breaks or storytime.
There's also a cute dresser with tiny hanging coats and sweaters, plus functional toys like rainbow puzzle blocks and a maze toy. To complete the space, the set includes soft pastel storage bins, playful wall art, a crafting table, and more details to bring the room to life.
Everything was designed to feel cheerful, comforting, and full of personality—just like a real daycare should.
PERFECT FOR:
🍼 Home nurseries
🏫 Public daycare centers
📖 Storytelling builds
🎯 Toddler challenges
👨👩👧👦 Family gameplay lovers
Whether you're building a nursery, a daycare center, or just want more toddler-friendly pieces in your game, I hope you enjoy this set as much as I enjoyed making it.
Let me know your favorite item, and tag me if you share your builds!
▶ ABOUT THE CC PACK
This CC pack includes 30 items
Activities: Toddler maze toy, Rainbow puzzle blocks toy
Build: Solid color paint, Cartoonly Wallpapers
Comfort: Baby changing station, Crib, High chair, Loveseat, Mini sofa chair for toddlers, Sleeping mat for toddlers
Decorative: Clothes in hangers, Drawing kit, Play Doh, Toddler drawings posters, Rug with classic puzzle design, Storage container, Wooden hangers
Retail: Business wall sign
Storage: Dresser, Dresser without clothes, Storage combination set (6 pieces with and without plastic boxes, one and two levels)
Surfaces: Rounded center table, Decorative crafting table
As you may know the Data Bill is currently going through UK parliament, and Conservative amendment would force agencies to record sex/gender as birth sex only. As if this doesn't go far enough to humiliate and discriminate against trans and intersex people, this amendment would also require all state agencies (DVLA, Passport Office, etc) to revert and purge all sex data that doesn't correspond to sex at birth within 12 months. This would mean that trans people with corrected documents could see these being voided and replaced, leaving them open to being outed, discriminated against, and in many cases, putting their lives at risk.
T*rf organisations like S*x Matters have already mobilised and are encouraging their flying monkeys...I mean supporters to email their MPs about this bill. While it is unlikely that it will go through (Nadia Whittome received assurances that it will be voted down by the government), the support it receives has a high chance of encouraging Labour to put a similar amendment through in the future. We need to show that we stand together as a community against this.
It's probably safe to say that almost everyone here knows and loves a trans and/or intersex person, or in fact is a trans and/or intersex person. Rights are at risk. We can't just say we love and support our trans siblings, we need to take action. Write to your MP and tell them why this bill is wrong and that trans people MUST be protected and supported.
Please do not be rude to your MP or send them verbal abuse (even if it's tempting). This is not the time for that. Use clear, polite and firm language to make your point. As a community, we must be mindful of how we approach this, as lives are at stake.
While you are writing about this issue, please also consider mentioning the detrimental effect the Supreme Court ruling has had. Many trans people find themselves banned from public bathrooms all together as organisations struggle to meet the unrealistic aims of the EHRC.
On the 6th of May 1933, the Nazis looted the Institute of Sexology. Do not let them do this in 2025.
More information: https://www.reddit.com/r/LabourUK/comments/1kd4s9m/shadow_technology_minister_adds_amendment_to_data/
Find and write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com/
"Come on, Villain, come on," Supervillain said as they used the scanner.
"No sign of life," a mechanical voice came from the handheld attached to the gun. "No vital signs detected."
"NO!" Supervillain shouted as they set the gun down. "YOU'RE WRONG."
"Supervillain, I don't think--"
"You do rescue breaths. Every time I tell you," Supervillain ordered as they pressed their palm to Villain's chest and began to pump.
"We don't do rescue breaths unless someone has drowned, Supervillain."
Supervillain continued their compressions. They weren't going to give up on Villain. They couldn't give up on Villain. "Then figure out what made their heart stop so we can undo it."
Right Hand nodded solemnly and picked up the scanner. "Come on, Villain. Come back to us. Come back to us, please," Supervillain begged as they pumped.
Villain's head jostled with the movement, their whole body moving with each compression on their chest. But they did not cough and take a breath. They didn't begin to move again on their own.
Supervillain paused a moment to press their ear to Villain's chest. "Please," they begged as they listened for anything that would show Villain was still alive.
But Villain did not wake up. Did not take a breath. Did not spontaneously regain a heart beat. They remained lifeless and limp on the table before Supervillain.
Warnings: head injury, unconsciousness, unclear character status
"Right Hand! Right Hand!" Supervillain as they raced along with Villain in their arms. "HELP!" They roared when their henchman failed to appear.
"You called, boss?" Right Hand poked their head out from the med bay. "Oh! What happened?"
"I don't know. But we need to figure it out!" Supervillain deposited Villain carefully on a bed in the med bay. Villain continued to take loud, wet, gasping breaths.
"Did they say anything to you? How long have they been unconscious? Who did this?"
"They said their head hurt." Supervillain scrubbed their face as they tried to remember everything that had come to pass in the short time since Villain sat down next to them. "They passed out only a few minutes ago. Hero...I don't know what Hero did to them."
"Help me get the scanners. Since we don't know what's happened, we have to run full diagnostics."
Supervillain nodded, their eyes not leaving Villain's slack features. "What do you need?"
"Get the scanners from that wall. I'll take this wall."
Supervillain quickly busied themself with finding something, anything, that could help Villain. Right Hand was clearly doing the same thing on the other side of the med bay. Both the villain and henchman were so busy trying to gather supplies that they failed to notice the room had fallen silent as Villain stopped gasping for air.
Superhero publicly comes out as trans and their archenemy sends a message sincerely congratulating them for their bravery and finding themselves. The message ends with "I will be honored to know that when I kill you and destroy everything you stand for, it will be the real you."
We stan the representation. Villain might despise hero as a person but they have more than enough common sense and respect to appreciate their nemesis' real them.
“Brown eyes are so plain and ugly you can’t even compare them to gems like emerald and saph-”
Stop.
Carnelian
Cairngorm
Cassiterite
Smoky Quartz
Zircon (brown)
Citrine
Diaspore
Dravite
Enstatite
Hessonite
That’s not even all of GORGEOUS BROWN GEMS THAT EXIST IN THIS WORLD. Just like there are a lot of beautiful brown gems they’re a lot of BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES. BROWN IS A GORGEOUS COLOR. Start treating it like one.
Could you write a hero who's broke af but is at the villians mansion taking care of them and despite being broke af they get every medicine every grocery villian requires and villian just breaks? Also, vil calls hero 'love'
The villain was where the hero had left them - on the couch, staring at the black screen of their TV.
"Did you know — this will blow your mind — that you can actually turn that thing on?" When the villain turned their head to look at them, the hero pointed at the hilariously large screen. "Or so I've been told."
"Is that so?" The villain's attention came back to the screen and the hero couldn't help but wonder if the villain's misery was growing from day to day.
The hero knew their nemesis loved to be active. They loved exercising, they loved causing trouble.
But ever since the house arrest and the ankle monitor was put on them, they had acted nearly depressed. If the hero hadn’t known them, they would have guessed it was due to their injuries.
A very messed up clavicle and a horribly cracked ankle were just two components of the entire cruel picture of bruises. According to the city, the hero was "the only person strong enough to detain" the villain.
Which didn't really bother the hero as much as the media wanted the public to believe. Hell, there were even petitions for people to sign to "protect" the hero from this incredibly dangerous mission that felt more like a vacation than anything to the hero themselves.
"You look tired," the hero said. "Would you like to take a nap?"
They left the groceries in the dining room and walked up to the couch but the villain was silent. Their eyes were still staring at the dark reflection of themselves. Without hesitation, the hero sat down next to them and debated if they should try to put their hand on the villain's thigh to comfort them.
Against their better judgment, they decided not to.
"You've been looking at that TV for like…30 minutes?" the hero said instead. "Have you eaten the breakfast I made for you?"
They hadn't. The hero had checked - but it didn't seem to matter. The villain didn't say anything.
"Look, I understand this isn't what you wanted. But I am trying to take care of you as best as I can. If you have any problems with your shoulder or if there's something else..."
Suddenly, the villain turned their head and looked at the hero. Under their eyes, the spreading dark circles were a little too visible to the hero.
"I..." The villain sounded absolutely exhausted. "I had this nightmare again."
"The one with me?"
"Yeah, but it was different, it's...ah, forget about it, love. It's stupid," the villain said. They leaned back against the pillows of the couch and closed their eyes as if they were concentrating on something.
However, the hero did notice the soft blush on their cheeks.
"That's for me to determine."
"It's really stupid." The villain looked at them again and when the hero looked into their eyes, they were sure they would have missed the villain's next words. Almost embarrassed, they stared at their own hands. Getting lost in the villain's eyes came a little too easy to them. It wasn't like the hero wanted or provoked it. It just happened. And there was nothing they could do about it.
After all, this was their job. They were getting paid to be here, even though it left them with a really bad aftertaste. Somewhere deep down, they wished they could have done this without receiving payment in the first place. For the sake of compassion.
"Stupid is okay," the hero said. "I think talking about it could help, I think...I think you carry a lot of stuff around and never got to share it with anyone. That's why it is gnawing on you. Especially now that you're injured and rely on someone else."
"You're my enemy, so I shouldn't tell you in the first place," the villain argued.
"Your dream was about me, so technically-" the hero raised an index finger "-I have the right to know about it."
The villain narrowed their eyes. "That's not how it works, love."
If the villain didn't want to talk, the hero supposed they couldn't make them. Obviously, they were familiar with a lot of interrogation techniques but the villain was neither a suspect nor a threat at the moment. The hero sighed softly.
Work occupied their own mind to a nearly worrying degree. Money was a big issue, big enough to give them troubles with falling asleep at night. They guessed that was their own little package to carry around.
But they didn't think it was comparable to the villain's. What they had read in the reports about their childhood...eventually, the hero had stopped reading because it was too painful to even grasp.
"I, uh...got you some stuff. Some medicine, some cookies. Nothing big, really."
The villain's eyes widened.
"Did you pay with the cash I put on the table for you?"
"No, I used my credit card," the hero said. "Wait, just let me..."
They stood up, grabbed the grocery bag and sat down on the carpet of the living room, right in front of the villain. They unpacked every single item carefully and explained how heroically they had fought for the last box of chocolates (which wasn't nearly as dramatic as they framed it to be) or how they nearly died of a heart attack when their card got declined the first time (they merely sweated a little bit more).
"You bought all of this for me?" The villain stared at the chocolates, the painkillers. It seemed like their fingers were shaking a little.
"Well, I wouldn't mind if you shared."
And then, finally, the villain smiled gently.
"You're so stupid." Before the hero knew it, their enemy's fingers pushed hair out of the hero's vision. "You should have used the cash, love."
The hero stared up at them, one of their arms still in the sling, the other still hovering there, their fingers brushing the hero's jawline.
"I wanted to buy this for you. With my own money," the hero said. No. They admitted it. "I know it's not much, but I wanted to make you a little happier."
"I'm not unhappy here with you," the villain said. "You don't make me unhappy. This dream was just a lot and my shoulder really fucking hurts. That's all."
They pulled away and suddenly, the hero felt a little colder. Once again, they feared this wasn't all there was to it.
But it also wasn't their place to poke around.
"Tell me if there is anything I can do for you, though. Okay?"
"I will," the villain said. The hero stood up, not entirely sure if they were actually helpful. They were good at tending wounds but the villain had problems with asking for help. They were good at cooking but the villain didn't seem to have any appetite. They took in a deep breath and before they could reach for the groceries, the villain grabbed their hand. "Okay, I...I kissed you in my dream."
The hero's eyebrows jumped up. "Oh?"
"And it's scaring me. I can't afford those feelings. I can't...I shouldn't want you."
"Shouldn't?"
"I shouldn't." The villain let go and stood up. They cleared their throat. "Eh...do you need help with the groceries?"
i'm a huge fan of simple yet stylish furniture and ikea does it for me every time! this collection is based on a few items i've added to my cart (and never purchased) over the years lmao i hope you like it! 💛
all items are base game compatible (unless stated otherwise!)
this collection includes 51 decor and functional buy items!
uppland armchair - 19 swatches
uppland loveseat - 19 swatches
uppland sofa - 19 swatches
poang armchair - 19 swatches
jules dining chair (wooden) - 11 wood swatches
jules dining chair (plastic) - 19 swatches
nordli bedframe - 11 wood swatches + black & white
vikagrevsta dining table (1x1) - 19 swatches
vikagrevsta dining table (2x1) - 19 swatches
vikagrevsta dining table (3x1) - 19 swatches
malm dressing table - 11 wood swatches + black & white
malm dressing table (with mirror) - requires sp09 vintage glamour, 11 wood swatches + black & white
malm dresser - 11 wood swatches + black & white
lack side table - 11 wood swatches + black & white
lack tv stand - 11 wood swatches + black & white
lack coffee table - 11 wood swatches + black & white
lack wall shelf - 11 wood swatches + black & white
olivblad plant stand - 11 wood swatches + black & white
jattesta shelf - 11 wood swatches + black & white
ekenabben shelf - 22 wood swatches + black & white
lappland tv shelf & storage - 11 wood swatches + black & white
aurdal closet unit - 11 wood swatches + black & white
ikornnes floor mirror - 11 wood swatches + black & white
enhet cabinet (with mirror) - 11 wood swatches + black & white
lindbyn mirror - 11 wood swatches + black & white
bondskaret coat stand - 10 swatches
brogrund corner wall shelf - 1 swatch
tridsno floor lamp - 13 swatches
ledsjo wall light - 5 metallic swatches
bettorp led mobile lamp - 19 swatches
blasverk table lamp - 21 swatches
tvarhand table lamp - 19 swatches
flottilj desk lamp - 20 swatches
klunka laundry bag - requires sp13 laundry day, 1 swatch
So, Scary Villain (you are absolutely amazing at writing those btw chefs kiss) but vs someone who is Into That (hero or civilian) and so this scary big bad who thought they were being intimidating and downright terrifying (which they were... for a normal person) is just like ":D?!?"
I just love the slight inherit goofiness of an intimidation/scare tactic producing a VERY different result than intended towards the receiver.
(Hope you have a lovely day/night btw)
"Are you enjoying this?"
The villain stood with one hand outstretched as their telekinetic abilities wound around the hero's limbs and splayed them against the wall like a specimen beneath a microscope.
"Enjoying is...a word," the hero replied. "They said you'd be able to see me, or sense me or whatever, but man. I was sure that was bullshit."
Invisibility was a useful gift in many a situation. It didn't matter how strong or fast their opponent was when they could never see the hero coming. It didn't matter how many enemies there were when the hero could sneak past them with minimal effort and the right pair of shoes.
They'd been doing their usual, sneaking past the villain too, when the villain's hand lashed out. They hadn't bothered to even look up. The hero had gone flying as surely as if they were wearing a neon sign that screamed 'here I am!' at regular intervals.
"You might as well show yourself," the villain had drawled. "Unless you'd prefer I make an abstract painting of your organs against the ceiling."
The hero had let their invisibility drop, heart pounding.
The villain had rose, slow and predatory, to their feet. The hero hadn't been able to take their eyes off them.
The villain's head tilted at the hero's words. They took several steps closer, and all the hero could do was twitch their fingers uselessly against the wall. There was no hiding. No slipping away. The hero's breath hitched as the villain stopped less than a metre away, close enough to touch, though they didn't. Their gaze raked over the hero like a physical thing, leaving no detail spared.
"Because I can see you?" the villain asked. "Even when you don't want to be seen? Must be a novelty for someone like you."
"Because that thing you just did hurling me against a wall was bloody hot."
The villain blinked. Startled. Their eyes turned dark and molten. Their head tilted the other way.
The hero swallowed.
"But, I mean, we can call it being seen," the hero said. "Probably more professional."
"Do you know who I am?"
"Duh."
"But you are not frightened?"
"I have a peculiar reaction to danger."
"Indeed." The villain curled their finger and the pressure at the hero's throat tightened and left them choking. The villain watched it all. They might have seemed dispassionate, except...
"Enjoying yourself?" the hero rasped.
"You're a delightful surprise. Stupid, but delightful. New?"
"It's one of my many charms."
"The other being how pretty you'd look writhing and bloody with tears in your eyes? What are you doing in my lab?"
"Spelunking."
"Excellent hobby for a budding danger addict."
"I know, right?!"
The villain snorted. They loosened their telekinetic grip on the hero's throat, before they could get too dizzy. "What are you doing in my lab?"
"I was curious about you."
"Have I satisfied your morbid curiosity?"
"Morbid?" The hero wet their dry lips, but held the villain's gaze. "You haven't killed me yet. Wouldn't be as fun without the screaming and sobbing, would it?"
"There's still time." The villain paused, clocking the hero's reaction to that. "Oh, you weren't kidding. You really are a little freak, aren't you?"
"It's all in the line delivery. Do you practice?"
"No. Would you like me to practice on you?"
"I mean, I should point out I don't actually have a death wish."
"You broke into my lab."
"And for all you know I could have a cunning escape planned!"
The villain flicked their hand and the hero dropped down off the wall with a thump, landing on their knees, hands twisted behind their back. Chin tilted up by an unseen force.
"Then escape," the villain said. "Or I'll assume you want to stay like this for me."
"Most people buy me dinner first."
"We're not most people."
The hero considered them a moment, before they switched their invisibility on and then some again. Focusing. Phasing from the villain's grip.
The villain's eyes grew impossibly darker.
The hero straightened, giving a little bow.
A smirk curled the villain's lips. "I know how to keep people alive when I want to. I think I want to right now."
"Dinner? Tonight?"
"You can break in at seven."
It was the start of a beautiful new...not friendship. But they both enjoyed themselves very much.
Villains I dont see very often; mute. Mute villains are the best, nothing can convince me otherwise.
One idea thats been on my mind is a mute villain confessing to the hero, either through sign language, or a perfectly executed scheme. You’re choice :))
Not sure if this counts, but I ran with it. Might try this again after I gather some ASL knowledge. Hope you enjoy :)
A Silent Movie
It wasn’t exactly easy to get Hero sat in front of the cinema screen. In fact, the planning for this trap had taken over sixth months. Not to mention the money it took to buy this building off foreclosure, and the multitude of investments into Hero-proofing the location.
It was even harder to get said hero to stop yelling long enough to pay attention to the image being projected from the back of the room. Not that their sense of hearing was needed for this experience, but Villain imagined Hero would appreciate the lack of noise-based distractions, including sounds they themselves were making.
The theater was notably large, probably the most expensive showing room of its day. That is to say, the upholstery was a little outdated. The popcorn had been swept off the floor, the swirling carpet surprisingly clean. The velvet of the seats did not appear stained, and the cupholders were absent of any discarded snacks or tickets.
The glow of the emergency exit lights were the only thing illuminating the room, and they revealed a dim image of the hero situated in the center of the third row, which was optimal seating in the villain’s opinion.
Clearly, Hero did not agree, considering how hard they were pulling at the restraints to try and exit their carefully selected theater chair.
It was futile, of course, and the hero finally stopped straining when the villain appeared a row below them, quiet as a mouse, standing with a finger pressed to their lips.
Villain retreated when the hero quieted, letting their attention shift to the screen and this special showing. Images flicked past, and Hero became engrossed in the story unfolding on the screen.
Shown was a news reel Hero recognized as the time Villain had crashed their Election Day speech. A zoomed out map of the city, marking City Hall with a red square. Grainy footage of two figures dancing around next to a dumpster. Once again the map appeared, now with two squares pasted on top. The pattern continued, and Hero was amazed.
It was an agglomeration of every moment they had spent together, every public battle, every nighttime-shady-alley encounter.
There was only one reason to collect these momentos, these reminders. It had all meant something to the villain.
The complete lack of kernels on the carpet certainly pointed to a level of dedication and commitment to this scheme.
Maybe, they were hoping it meant something to the hero, too.
Another scene zoomed out a final time, revealing all the markers spread across the city. Only, now, Hero noticed, a rather distinct pattern had formed.
Villain moved like a phantom, appearing again, this time at the hero’s side. The ropes at their wrists fell away like magic while Hero gazed at the awkwardly hovering villain. They presented the hero with a glittering object hung from a chain held loose around their fingers. It was a large ruby gem, expertly cut into the shape of a 3-D heart.
Stolen, no doubt, Hero suspected possibly from the large jewelry exhibition that had just entered town.
The screen flashed bright, and lit up the hero’s face as it contorted in surprise. They processed the scene as fast as they could.
A heart of red markers, a heart of ruby, a heart fluttering in their chest, a heart laid open in front of them.
“Oh,” Hero breathed, “Oh.”
Villain sucked in a breath.
This was it, this was the moment they got rejected because they couldn’t-
“I had no idea.”
Of course they didn’t know, it’s not like Villain had ever spoken about it.
Preparing automatically for the rejection, Villain started to withdraw their hand, cold-as-steel demeanor returning to them with all the familiarity of a security blanket.
It was so stupid of them to think that they deserved any kind of reciprocation, so stupid to think that the hero could possibly-
The hero snatched the charm from their fingers before they fully withdrew.
“I didn’t say no,” they spoke softly, and the villain’s heart skipped a beat.
They reached out their other hand, wrapping their fingers over the still-outstretched hand of the villain. Instead of elaborating, Hero pulled the frozen criminal closer, connecting their lips in a gentle proclamation.
guys guess what!! little villain guy has a name!! it’s Jasper and we love him dearly. also team leader’s got a name too, it’s Miguel, but we don’t really care about him because he’s a bitch. plus new character reveal: Chase, a teammate. he is also, unsurprisingly, a bitch.
Content: ex-villain whumpee, hero/leader whumper, manipulative whumper, collars, electrocution (for realsies this time), implied referenced abuse of a minor, referenced bullying, bad team dynamics, adult language
in which Miguel gets worse. takes place probably a few months after "preventative measures"
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Jasper's back was sore. And his arms. And his everything.
He sat kneeling on the kitchen floor, determinately ignoring the pins and needles that pricked at his calves. He couldn't stop, couldn't take a break till the floor was spotless. Chase had once again threatened some mixture of violence and telling on him to Miguel for insubordination if he didn't do the man's chores.
Big man-child, Jasper thought bitterly.
So, here he was, scrubbing well past midnight, after having spent the day straining his powers in the lab and doing his own chores.
Jasper sat back to indulge a long, dramatic yawn. He nearly jumps out of his skin when an impatient ahem cuts through the previously dead silent kitchen. His bleary eyes take several long moments to focus on Miguel, leaning against the doorway. The hero would look casual if it weren’t for the peeved look on his face. Jasper’s stomach does a somersault.
Sheepish, Jasper drawls, “Heyyy, Miguel…”
Miguel is not amused. “What the fuck are you doing out here,” he snaps.
Jasper squeezes his hands into fists to quell the tremors. He stutters, “J-just cleaning.”
The villain can hardly finish the statement before the unsettling and painful electricity of the collar arcs through him. His muscles seize and ache and burn and it feels like death and he can't breathe—
Just as quickly as it began, the electricity stops. He gasps and collapses to the side, just barely able to catch himself on his forearm. Small, choked-off whimpers escape him as he tries to catch his breath and keep his volume to a minimum. His father never liked to hear him whine.
Jasper continues to shudder as his powers go haywire. The typically comforting restless skittering of his own electricity under his skin now burns as it travels across the newly fried neurons. More than that, it feels wrong for such a core part of his being to cause him pain. The feeling is everywhere, from the tip of his nose to his toes, and it is everything. Little sparks and crackles of energy fly from his shaking hands as it becomes too painful to completely contain his powers. Simply existing—not to mention actually using his powers—will be painful while his body tries to recover from the unnaturally strong current, engineered just for him.
As his body gradually backs down from its state of panic, ire at the punishment surges within him. The hero didn’t even let him explain. It was Chase who ordered him to do his chores; ordered him to not leave this room until it was spotless.
“I was just following orders!” he bursts.
Oh shit.
A quick glance at Miguel and his quirked eyebrow lets him know just how badly he just fucked up. And even if it didn't, the second burst of electricity from the collar definitely spells it out for him.
A guttural groan escapes his clenched teeth as he feels the current worm its way through his neurons, igniting them. The burning, all-encompassing pain is all he knows. Spots cloud his vision. Seconds feel like minutes, feel like hours, feel like eternity, until he wonders if that's all he'll ever feel. Nothing but the gut-wrenching pain of his greatest gift, so deeply intertwined with his being, turned against him and ripping him apart from the inside out.
And then, it stops.
Jasper’s body fully gives out this time, his chin bouncing off the tile and teeth clacking painfully. He's a pitiful mess of useless limbs. His muscles feel like jelly and yet are still forced to endure the waves of aftershock, twitching and spasming irregularly. Each movement is agony.
He gulps oxygen, having still been out of breath from the first shock. He can hardly hear his own moans and whimpers bouncing around the kitchen with each breath over the ringing in his ears, and he has zero energy to control them this time.
A hand lands on his shoulder, and he can't help the delayed but violent flinch that ripples through him. But the hand is soft, gentle, as it pulls him to lie on his back. It guides his hand to rest on someone's chest, to follow as it rises and falls rhythmically. He latches onto it, using it as a guide to breathe and bring himself back to reality. Another hand gently cards through his loose curls as he works to steady his breathing and his vision clears. If he eagerly leans into the gentle touch, well, he can blame it on his delirious state.
When Miguel's face finally comes into focus above him, a shiver runs through him, and he averts his gaze. He'll blame that on his still-spasming muscles.
Miguel’s soft voice calls for his attention again. He focuses back on his leader’s face, haloed above him by the bright kitchen lights.
“There you are. You're alright, it's okay,” he soothes.
The hero lets Jasper relish the contact a moment longer before gently returning his hand to his own chest.
Jasper swallows the whimper at the loss.
Miguel lets out a long-suffering sigh. It gives Jasper whiplash how suddenly the familiar weight of anxiety settles back in his chest.
“I don't like doing that, man. You know better than to be in the common areas after your curfew, and you definitely know better than to talk back, bud. I don't wanna have to punish you, but the rules are rules for a reason. Yeah, they're to protect the team, but they're also to protect you. What if you'd had another episode with your powers?”
He decidedly doesn’t think about the ‘episodes’ Miguel is referring to. Still, the disappointment in his savior's voice hurt almost as much as the electricity. His eyes flood with tears as guilt settles like a rock in his stomach. The hero was right. He knew the rules, and he agreed to them. Anything to stay. Anything to be good.
His voice breaks, small and shaky, as he says, “I-I'm really s-sorry, Mig-guel.”
The villain’s not one hundred percent sure what exactly he's sorry for, but, fuck, is he sorry.
“Okay, that's alright, don't cry. I think you've learned your lesson. You're fine.”
The words should be comforting. The edge to his tone, however, is not. Jasper blinks hard to clear the tears, not wanting to annoy him. That was another thing his father didn't like.
Miguel brings him back to the present, asking, “Why are you cleaning the floor anyways? That's not on your list for this week.”
Jasper swallows hard past the lump still in his throat. He’s afraid of what Chase will do to him if he tells Miguel and Miguel decides he doesn’t like that. However, he’s more “Chase s-said I should be busy all the t-time to k-keep me out of trouble…”
Miguel hums in thought, ever casual as Jasper trembles on the floor below of him.
“I actually like that idea. We wouldn't want you getting bored. You'd be helping the team out a lot too, taking some work off our plates so we can train more. I'll work on the new chore schedule in the morning.”
Jasper bit his lip. He could read between the lines.
“A-and, my training?”
“We can reduce it some,” Miguel says, thoughtful. “I know you've been struggling to keep up.”
He makes it sound like a kindness, voice full of sympathy. No matter how gentle the tone, Jasper has to blink the tears from his eyes again. He knew he wasn't the strongest or the most capable, but that was the point of training. He'd never be good enough to redeem himself without the chance to train.
Miguel sighs again and stands. He suddenly reaches towards him. Jasper has to carefully control the urge to flinch, not knowing what to expect from the movement. He never knows what to expect.
Miguel simply holds it out towards him, however, expectantly. It takes Jasper a moment to realize he's trying to help him up. He takes the hand after that moment's hesitation and wavers on unsteady feet as the blood finally rushes back into his legs. He blinks spots from his vision, gripping Miguel for dear life until he's sure he's not going to pass out.
The hero gives him an easy smile, clapping a hand on his shoulder just a bit too hard. He nudges him in the direction of the bedrooms.
“You look tired, man. I think it's time for bed,” he all but coos.
It sounds like a caring gesture, or at the very least a joke. Jasper knows it's an order.
He dutifully mumbles, “Goodnight,” before making his way to the door slowly. He knows he probably looks like a newborn fawn as his jittery body tries to carry him to his bed.
“And Jasper?”
A slight jolt of anxiety stops him as he turns back to his leader.
“If I catch you out past curfew again, we're going to have an issue worth more than a little jolt, understand?”
“Yes, sir,” the villain says, too tired to bite back the honorific once totally engrained in him.
He doesn't notice the way Miguel preens at the submission.
“Attaboy, Jasper. Goodnight.”
The praise rings hollow after the night's events, but as he makes his way back to his room, dead on his feet, he allows the praise to warm him.
He'll take what he can get.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
jasper doesn't deserve this :( but he will get more >:)
tags!! lmk if you wanna be added (or removed, I added some extra people)!!
Curiously enough, it was quite easy to get into the villain's lair.
On their way in, the hero had made sure to dress as their civilian persona - simply, to avoid as much attention as possible. Additionally, (they weren't proud of this) they had asked some of their colleagues to stage a bank robbery, with their best friend even wearing their suit.
It was a necessary measure, even though the hero felt horrible. Everyone included was just acting; heroes and civilians alike knew that it wasn't real. So, they hoped no one was actually getting hurt by accident.
Once the hero was in the villain's lair, they followed the dark hallways and hoped they wouldn't end up being cut into pieces by hidden lasers. They looked behind themselves every now and then to make sure they were alone but their paranoia was unfounded.
It was just them.
Eventually, they came to a stop in front of a giant metallic door and prepared themselves to somehow break through it. However, it opened immediately, without them having to lift a finger. They hurried through the door and found themselves in a giant hall with several workingspaces - one looked like a lab filled with several ongoing experiments, one was clearly for machine construction and the last one, full with monitors and here, the hero found them.
They were watching the live footage of the "bank robbery," but they didn't seem to be invested.
"...hey," the hero said. They couldn't believe their voice was shaking.
The villain turned around in their chair and looked at them, brows furrowing.
"That's quite a bit of trouble you went through to see me," the villain said. They stood up but the hero's eyes were still on the screen, following their friend's moves. It wasn't until the villain came to a stop right in front of them that they looked up at them.
"Oh, yeah. I...I really needed to speak with you in private. Thanks for letting me in." It would have never been easy to get into this place if the villain hadn't observed them the entire time. The villain gave them a once-over and it was almost comical how the both of them looked like two normal people.
Both in jogpants.
As if there was anything normal about this relationship.
"My pleasure." The villain stared at them, their gaze boring into the hero with curiosity. "You look a little pale."
"Yeah, sorry. I..." God, the hero didn't know where to begin. It was so embarrassing, so stupid that they were here. They supposed it was a mistake to bother the villain with something this trivial, this unnecessary. "I...fuck."
The hero let their gaze wander to the ceiling, desperate for the uprising tears not to drop.
"Hey, easy," the villain said. Their voice was gentle and the hero felt - even though they shouldn't have - so incredibly save in here. Wasn't that stupid, too? That the hero felt save with the villain?
"This is so stupid," the hero whispered under their breath. They hadn't expected to get this emotional. They usually never did when they talked about it. They closed their eyes and pressed their palm into their eye socket, taking in a deep breath. "I kinda need your help with something."
They took out their phone and showed the villain the picture.
"This person is stalking me," they said. Their voice was thin. They swallowed. "It's creepy. It's weird. They somehow got a job within the agency last week and it's been getting worse. A month ago, I saved them from, I don't know, something and ever since they have tried to get closer to me. Now, they know my identity, where I live, my friends, my pet, they know stuff from my past and they follow me around, they take pictures of me, I can't-"
The villain's gaze on the picture hardened.
"I can't get rid of them. I can't really defend myself. If the public finds out that I was rude or even aggressive towards a fan..."
"Do you want me to kill them for you?" the villain asked and the hero blinked a few times.
It dawned on them that they didn't really know why they were here in the first place. Sure, they wanted this problem of theirs to be gone, but they didn't know if they wanted this person to be eliminated.
"I don't know, I...I just can't do this anymore. I have talked to the agency and they told me they can't do anything without evidence. And I can't kill them, I can't...I'm just so tired of it. I am scared they will leak my identity or my address. Or they will take pictures of me when I am not careful enough. I've never felt this powerless in my entire life."
"This charade-" the villain pointed at the footage of the hero's friend with their thumb "-is to distract them, I presume?"
"Yeah, I've asked my friends and they are willing to help me, but they can't do anything either. I don't want them to get into trouble."
The villain was quiet for a moment. They stared at the screen where the hero's friend announced heroically that the danger was over.
"I understand if you don't want to get involved. Or if this is too much trouble for you. I don't expect anything," the hero clarified. "But if you have an idea or a suggestion on how I could deal with this, I'd be more than grateful."
"They think the both of you are friends, right?"
"Something along those lines," the hero said. It was actually more than that but they didn't want the villain to know about the repulsive flirting. The hero took a step towards them and reached for the villain's forearm.
Something to hold onto. Something to stabilize them.
"I'm...I am sorry," they said. They looked at the ground, embarrassed, and turned towards the door. "I shouldn't have come here."
The villain grabbed their hip.
"If you truly think I will let you walk back out there after everything you've just told me..." Their eyes were boring through the hero, demanding attention. "...if you truly believe I will let you be exposed to such abhorrence, you're truly dumber than I ever anticipated."
The hero stared at them, eyes wide.
"I...I can't ask you to kill someone for me. It's not right, it's not, it's-" The hero swallowed. They truly didn't want to cry in front of the villain. "What kind of hero does that make me? Some fucked up hero who asks their nemesis to kill people they don't like?"
"Do I look like I need to kill someone to get my point across?" the villain asked. They smiled gently. "Let me take care of it. You can stay here if you want to. For as long as you want to. I'll pick up your cat. I can get some stuff from your place."
"Don't you think that's pathetic?" the hero asked. "That I can't deal with this? I mean, I'm supposed to be one of the most powerful people in the city and sometimes I feel like I can barely breathe when I see this person."
The villain made a grimace, almost as if the hero had just asked them a question that deserved a slap.
"You tend to forget that you're human. Power doesn't replace fear. Most people think it does. But power only fuels anger. Or in your case..." The villain had never looked softer. "...kindness."
Silence.
"I believe it takes great courage to ask for help. And you being here means it's really bad," the villain said. They touched the hero's cheek, careful not to make any quick moves. "I won't kill them because it's your wish. But I will take care of this."
Villain dragged themself through Lair. They were exhausted. It felt like every inch of their skin was covered in bruises. They were pretty sure Superhero had broken their ribs when Superhero kicked the shit out of them earlier that day.
"Oh, darling, you shouldn't be up yet," Supervillain said as they saw Villain walk into the briefing room.
Villain waved Supervillain off. "I have too much to do. I need to write up the mission debrief. I need to plan tomorrow's mission. And I need to make a training list for our new recruits. I probably should also--"
Supervillain placed their hand on Villain's shoulder delicately. "Don't think about those things right now, darling."
Villain very much wanted to think about those things. It distracted them from the pain. But they were so tired. "But I need to--"
Supervillain delicately took Villain in their arms, holding Villain close. "I almost lost you today, darling. I can't get another one of you. I don't care if the missions aren't ready. I just care about you."
