this is going to be a small series because I can’t help myself but hear me out
part one, part two here , part three, part four, part five
—
Villain was barely conscious in the back of the alley. Their hands had long fallen to their sides, letting the blood from their wound pool around them as they sunk into oblivion. They were only now dragged back to the surface by the sound of voices above them.
“We can’t just leave them, Hero!” Sidekick’s voice was anxious, even through the voice modulator they used.
“And why not, Sidekick? Wouldn’t they do the same to you?” Hero’s voice was scornful.
“Well, yes, but they’re a villain. We’re supposed to be heroes! We can’t leave them to die!”
There was a light smacking sound. “We can and we will, Sidekick. Unless you want to join them.”
A slight pause followed, and Sidekick murmured out, “no, Hero.”
“Then this will be the last I hear about it. Let’s go.”
And the footsteps faded away, along with Villain’s consciousness.
Villain woke up to a soft weight beside them. They realized immediately how very not dead they were, because everything hurt and their mouth tasted like dirt and blood. Then they realized how very not in an alley they were. Everything around them was warm and soft, even the bandages wrapped supportingly around their torso. They cracked their eyes open, blinking against the thin light. They were swaddled in a bed, a complete stranger slumped over in a chair pulled up beside them, their head resting on the bed beside Villain’s prone form. Their face was blank and peaceful in their sleep, but Villain could see the dark circles under their eyes, signs of stress from having to care for someone who had been on the verge of bleeding out.
Curiosity and amusement flitted through them. What kind of an idiot would knowingly save a villain?
As if they could feel Villain’s cold gaze on them—maybe they could; Villain’s eyes tend to have an affect on people—the stranger lifted their head from the mattress, sleepy eyes finding Villain's. Then they froze, brief fear flashing across their face.
“You’re awake,” the stranger breathed.
Villain arched a brow. “I’m awake. Gotta say, I wasn’t sure if that would happen again.”
The stranger stared at them. It was increasingly obvious that they had no plan as to how to proceed. “You, um. What happened?”
“After I lost consciousness?” They tilted their head. “I was hoping you could fill me in there.”
The stranger shuddered at Villain’s voice. Even in this weakened state, they were having the same disconcerting effect as always. “I found you half dead in the back of an alley. Who in their right mind would leave you there?”
“Who in their right mind wouldn't?” Villain allowed a small smile to touch their lips as they studied the tense person beside them. When they didn’t reply, Villain continued. “Come to think of it, what was a little thing like you doing in the back of a dark alley in the middle of the night?”
The stranger shifted uncomfortably, looking away. “Last time I checked, you aren’t in a position to be interrogating me.”
“Would you rather me kidnap you?”
They wrinkled their nose, but Villain didn’t miss the flash of fear in their eyes. “You’re not really known for kidnapping civilians.”
“There aren’t many who catch my attention. But you,” Villain said, baring their teeth in a smile, “you’ve managed to do just that.”
The stranger held their hands up. “Fine. Interrogate me all you want. Just stay in bed while you do it. I didn’t save your life to have you overexert yourself in some vain attempt to seize power.”
Villain rolled their eyes.
“And I feel like I should mention that your interrogation skills are somewhat lacking. I mean, you haven’t even asked me my name, Villain.”
“Fine. What’s your name?”
“Civilian. Who did that to you?” Civilian gestured towards Villain’s bandaged torso.
Villain huffed. “Comes with the job, sweetheart.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Civilian momentarily deflated. “But you don’t almost die most of the time. How did that happen? You seem to be able to hold your own in a fight.”
“Because you would know so much about that,” Villain scoffed.
Civilian shifted. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“Defensive, aren’t we? What are you, about to go out and avenge me?”
Their face flushed and they ducked their head down. “I’m just curious."
Civilian’s hands shifted slightly to cover them, which was a mistake, since it only served to draw Villain’s attention. Their knuckles were raw and slightly bloody—the hands of someone who gets into fights often. Villain had the same hands underneath the gloves they wore.
“The soup should be warm by now,” Civilian said almost shyly. “I’ll go get you a bowl. You’re probably pretty hungry.”
Villain was, though they hated to admit it. They ate the soup Civilian brought them, and drank the water given too. Whatever pain meds Civilian had given them had started wearing off, so they took some more as drowsiness started turning the edges of their vision fuzzy.
Civilian reached across Villain to straighten the blankets, which was such a parental gesture that Villain almost laughed. Then Civilian’s sleeve rode up slightly, and Villain’s gaze caught on a smattering of bruises and cuts around their wrist.
“Seems like someone has their own fights to worry about,” Villain murmured.
Civilian froze and looked at them like a deer caught in the headlights, but Villain’s eyes were already closed.
A week later, Villain had enough strength back to walk around the house in short bursts. Unfortunately, Villain was also starting to grow fond of little Civilian. They had wormed out of Villain their favorite books, movies, foods—and given them all of them. Villain had been significantly less successful with getting information out of Civilian, which irked them.
It was the sixth day in a row of Civilian coming home with new bruises. They weren’t even trying to hide them from Villain anymore.
“Hey, Villain,” Civilian called when they got home from work, shutting the door behind them. “I had a long day so I just got some take-out.”
Villain set down the book they’d been reading on the couch, following Civilian to the kitchen. Civilian was faced away from them, getting out plates for the food.
“Wanna talk about it?” Villain asked, and Civilian cringed slightly, noticeably not turning to face them.
“Talk about what?”
“Your day, Civilian.” They took a step closer, watching Civilian’s shoulders set slightly. “I know you’re not still afraid of me, sweetheart. Loosen up.”
Civilian’s laugh was forced. “Nothing much happened, Villain, I’m just tired.”
Villain stretched out their arm to put a hand on the counter beside Civilian. The latter almost dropped the plates, fumbling awkwardly and dipping their face down. Villain's hand shot out, catching Civilian’s chin and turning it towards them.
Red, still-forming bruises and welts studded their face and traveled down their neck, continuing below their sweater.
Villain’s jaw set. “Who is doing this to you?”
“Leave it alone, Villain,” Civilian muttered, going still in their grip.
“I’ve left it alone for long enough. How many days are you going to come home looking like you've been through hell?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“If you can grab me off the streets because I was injured enough I can well enough take interest in whatever situation you’re in. Because this isn’t some one-off thing, Civilian. Someone is continually hurting you. Who?"
Civilian’s jaw set, and they met Villain’s eyes with a steely look of their own. “The food’s getting cold.”
Villain’s eyes flared, but they released them and grabbed a plate. “I’m not going to let this go.”
I officially open an ask blog with the introduction of the main two gems Chrysocolla and Melo Melo Pearl. Join in the fun of getting to know these two personalities. More gems to be added later.
Make sure you type the name of the gem you’re addressing if not I (Shady - The Creator) will answer.
My gemsonas Red Jasper (Jazz), Red Pearl (Red), Rose Gold Pearl (Rosie), and Pink Kunzite (Kit).
A little about their story:
Jazz was assigned to Kit as a bodyguard while she healed gems during the rebellion. When on the frontlines Jazz risked her gem to save Kit. She was so grateful that she ask Pink Diamond if she could gift Jazz her own personalized pearl (Red). Pink happily granted her request. Not only that but she was so moved by their story that she also gifted Kit a pearl too (Rosie). While reluctant at first she grew to love her pearl and her savior too.
Nora is just super weak physically. Steven's the one that got Rose's gem which more than makes up for what he lacks in human...stuff. Which is why I think Steven almost dies without his gem. Nora is just unlucky.
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