#caring villain

[sunnynwanda]

Trouble of Mind: Part 1

Part 2

It's been a week. A week since Hero did something unacceptable. It wasn't exactly forbidden, more like a rule they imposed on themselves for ethical reasons. No matter how much they needed information reading Villain's mind was always out of the question.

They did it a week ago. Amidst the battle, for no particular reason. A thought had flickered behind Villain's gaze only to disappear in the dark pools. And Hero followed. Unconscious at first, an impulse that drew them in. That was the biggest mistake they had ever made. And it backfired.

Villain had no idea why they jerked away so quickly and accepted defeat just so they could escape. The contents of Villain's psyche traumatised them. The things that Hero saw inside their consciousness were disturbing, but what they found deep in Villain's unconscious mind sent reverberating waves through their body. Hero hasn't been able to sleep ever since - countless nightmares served as their only companions for seven long and lonely nights.

Hero sighs, brushing their hair back from their forehead. The sleepless nights were taking their toll on them. Dark bags had settled under their eyes, heavy with the knowledge of the secrets held in Villain's mind.

They hadn't attended to any of the challenges presented by their enemy in the week that ensued. It was not because of the lack of proper rest but rather rooted in their inability to face them after discovering things meant to be hidden. They hadn't left their house at all for the risk of running into someone they knew. Hence why the knock on their door didn't surprise them. They remained quiet for a long moment, waiting for the person to leave, and when the knocking seized, exhaled in relief and returned to their couch for another attempt of rest to turn into torment.

Except it did not. Hero lets out a content sighs, turning so that they are now lying on their back. They yawn, stretching to snap their muscles in place. It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted off of their shoulders. It's only when they try to open their eyes, that they realise something is off.

"What the f..." A hand on their chest prevents them from sitting up, then presses them back down. What the hell?

"Shh, it's just a compress," a familiar voice fills their ears, only increasing the panic. "Don't freak out."

"Villain?" Their throat goes dry. They reach for the cloth that's covering their eyes and forehead. Villain is seated by their bed with a glass of water ready.

"Drink this," Hero shakes their head, propping themselves up against the headboard. With a sigh, Villain takes a sip. "See? It's not poisoned. Just drink it, it'll help."

"What are you doing here?" And what am I doing here? They could bet they were on the couch a few minutes ago. How did Villain get into their apartment and move them without them waking up?

"Helping you deal with the consequences of your own actions," despite the sarcastic tone - Villain seems genuine in their concern. "You shouldn't have done that."

"Pardon?" They jolt, almost jumping in place. No one knew Hero had that ability. Villain couldn't possibly know. Right?

"You shouldn't have read my mind, babe." Hero's eyes widen in shock. Villain shrugs nonchalantly, taking the cloth from their hand. "My past is too much to handle even for myself."

"How did you..?" A million questions are circling in Hero's head, yet they cannot form a single full sentence.

"Gosh, for a mind reader, you are quite dense," Villain shakes their head, then presses a palm against Hero's burning forehead. Their fingers are gentle and cold, Hero almost leans into their touch. "Did you think I wouldn't feel you in my head?"

"I-I'm sorry," their heartbeat is accelerating, which doesn't help the fever, so they take a deep breath, attempting to steady themselves. "I really am. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"I know." Villain dips the compress into a bowl of ice water, then brushes Hero's hair back, wiping their forehead and temples. Hero lets out a content sigh, allowing their eyes to fall shut. "Why didn't you come to me?"

"What for?" They can feel the cloth against the bridge of their nose, then right behind their right ear.

"Help, obviously," Villain tilts their head for better access. "When was the last time you slept?"

"You know the answer to that," is all they can muster, their body relaxed under gentle touches. Villain nods, ignoring the fact that Hero's eyes are closed.

"Put a cold compress on your forehead and ice cubes on your pulse points - that helps." They stop their manipulations, and Hero has to stop themselves from huffing in complaint. Instead, they open their eyes to look at Villain. "I use essential oils and sleep in complete darkness when it gets bad."

"Do you have them often?" Hero's voice is barely above a whisper, but Villain hears.

They nod with a heavy sigh and focus their gaze on Hero's ear, which is crimson red. They wonder if it's a reaction to the cold or their touch. "That's what failed brainwashing does to you, babe."

Hero freezes for a second. When they finally speak, their voice is coarse. "I'm sorry."

Villain offers them a quiet smile before getting up. "Come find me if you still can't rest," they say over their shoulder and vanish before Hero has a chance to thank them.

Hero knows they've made a mistake. A mistake that makes it hard to breathe and almost impossible to sleep. One that led them into the dreams and nightmares of their nemesis. One that gave them a chance to repair the damage they've unearthed and - potentially - heal Villain's troubled mind.

They know they've made a mistake, so when the sun begins to set on the horizon, they knock on Villain's door.

Part 2

Masterlist

[promptspa]

Random prompt #64

TW: implied injury, implied transformation, freezing mention, whump (aftercare)

"Hero, darling, it's okay," Supervillain cooed, taking a few hesitant steps forward with their hands raised in front of them as if approaching an upset wild animal.

The battered hero scurried backward, hand still pressed to the injury on the side of their torso. Their state was horrible; drenched in blood and littered with bruises, cuts and gashes. And judging by Hero's constant shivering, freezing.

They snarled, baring teeth that were much too sharp from what Supervillain remembered vividly. That shining grin was replaced with something more predatory, animalistic even. The sight made the master villain's stomach drop, anger simmering in their blood.

What had Supervillain done?

Hero had always been fragile, as much as they hated to admit it. They panicked over mistakes they made years ago, some much more intense than others. They weren't able to save every person, they knew that, but that didn't mean it didn't sting. It only got worse when they knew deaths of innocents were their fault.

They never wanted to be a monster. They didn't want to be a monster.

"Oh, Hero..." The criminal took a few steps forward before dropping to their knees on the cold cement floor of the holding cell. They held out their arms in a silent invitation.

Hero startled back a bit more before growing still, their eyes - different. Too different. - scanning the human. A glint of realization sparked their expression and they all but launched themselves at Villain, letting out a dry sob of relief but also pain from the sudden movement.

"I know, I know, darling. Just stay still," Villain murmured, one hand carding through Hero's hair in gentle motions. "I'll get you home, and I'ĺl keep you safe. I promise, Hero."

[gingerly-writing]

Prompt #3203

“-and don’t forget to eat before you go out on patrol! Anyone would think your powers let you subsist on coffee alone. Which, I’d like to remind you, they certainly do not.”

“Who died and elected you my guardian?”

“I’ve killed a lot of people, so probably one of them." They searched the area, then lifted up on tiptoes to press a kiss to their nemesis' cheek. "Be careful, alright? I worry."

[letteryplanes]

prompt by @avvail

The hero didn't say a word. Not when they were hurriedly hauled into an ambulance by the paramedics, not when they were practically pleaded to emit some sound about how and where and why they hurt, neither when they felt a bone sparking burn in their back or when their wounds screamed in soft, flesh bleeding agony.

Not like they had anything to say with how mushy their brain felt. As if all the wires melted and they couldn't put two plus two together, as if they were still stuck midst alternating between jumping in to help the remainder of the mob stuck in the pit or whisk off the others they had saved to a safer location.

God they tried their best, for the sake of everything, hoping there weren't any casualties for seriously, what use would the sinking feeling of the ground beneath them -breaking into splinters- would have? What was the use of them feeling so huddled into suffocation for God knows how long was, if they couldn't save everyone while getting themselves into such a mess?

They didn't scream or call out for help, they were simply too exhausted to and no matter where they were stuck -in the thick concrete mess of a rubble or the walls of their mind that refused to leave them alone- not one shred of their exhaustion felt solid. So omnious, so vaporized, numb, numb all over. Alone, shivering even in the lightest bounce of wind, the dream-catcher in their room tinkling it's metallic leaves as if trying to hum their fears into little beads that could vanish.

Trying, trying, trying...they were trying.

They inhaled, closing and opening their eyes slowly only to gradually notice the soft thump of steady footsteps heading towards them and creak of doors opening, a familiar silhouette reaching them before clicking the side lamp on and assessing their condition.

The hero sat still, stuck in a daze as if they were placed on a beam so high, as if moving an inch would lead to a fall deeper than in the pit they had fallen a few days ago except something happened and they unknowingly nodded at the villain in affirmation, giving them the permit to walk on the same beam they were stuck on.

And so they fell.

Down in the pit, waiting for the ground to hit and knock the breath out of them before another thunderous rubble would fall on them except this time instead of them reflexively gnawing at their flesh and pulling their hair in anxiety, they wrapped their arms around the villain who was on the verge of taking them in.

Just the right moment when the villain held them close to their chest, an arm wrapped around them keeping all their frame so closely huddled in warmth and perhaps, that is when their plight to the ground stopped.

Slow..still..steady.

A gurgle of help urged out of their lips, soft sobs of how they were so confused. Not angry, not sad, but confused beyond means. Of where they were and what they had to do and if anything they did till today was ever right, they were a mess, a mess collected in a safety nest, getting their time to break apart as they wished to, safely.

"H-how do I get up tomorrow? In this state..h-how?" they muttered in their sobbing frenzy, only to have their tears wiped gently. Villain soothingly rubbed the nape of their neck as they got seated on the bed, willing to make promises they knew they would keep.

"You don't have to push yourself into getting better, love. You of all people should know how slow that process tends to be."

"B-but-"

"You're allowed to take time, hero," they whispered while gently pulling the hero's entire frame in their arms, their voice accompanying the tinkles of that of the humming dream-catcher, "you're allowed."

"It's okay, right?"

"It is, absolutely, okay."

The hero curled into the villain's arms, a wave of shivers coursed their body before settling in for gentle sobs finally trying to release all the pent up knots of frustrated ambiguity. Their body covered in warmth, soothing hands resting on their back: finally a little okay with falling, knowing they would be caught and held.

Finally be held.

---

[nuttynutcycle]

Prompt 362

"Wait... Why is that criminal letting the children leave?" The sidekick squinted at the bank robbery occurring below. Thank God for skylights. "You said he had a hard heart."

A ghost of a smile echoed on the hero's face. "One made of gold."

[shadowthing250]

I love villains that r super evil and trying to take over the world and stuff, but they also care about the hero’s mental health and is basically just their best friend.

Like “Mwahahahah! Foolish hero! You’ll ne- whoa hey u good, bestie? U look like ur about to cry. Ok, how about u just go home and destress. We can do this some other day.”

[booberryfun]

Cold

Soft and warm… cozy blanket… Wait.

Hero’s eyes fluttered open as she shot up from the bed. Ow. No one should sit up so suddenly like that. Circling her fingers on her temple and blinking a few good times, the view of a small bedroom decorated with simple furniture came into view. This was definitely not her room. Looking around, there was a heater next to the bed, a bowl of water, a towel neatly folded on the desk table as well as a bottle of water and a thermometer. Wait, a thermometer? She held her hand up to her forehead and- whose hoodie is this?? Agitation soon consumed the girl, causing her head to hurt even more while trying to recall the memories of what happened before… all this. The last thing she remembered was running back to her dorm under the rain and-

Knock knock

“Oh, you’re awake.”

A soft voice echoed the room as a tall man walked in, holding what appears to be some clothes and a bag of medicines. A chill immediately went down her spine and she started shivering and coughing vigorously, trying to rout out the phlegm stuck in her throat. The man hurried over to her side, placed the clothes and medicines on the chair and grabbed a few pieces of tissues out from the drawer. Hero could feel a warm hand caressing up and down her back as she forced the sickening green glob out of her.

Oh that’s right. She had been sick for a few days now but she was so immersed in the finals that she brushed it off as a common cold. After finishing the last subject yesterday, she came down with a high fever. The fact that she forgot her umbrella in her room only made matters worse because it was downpouring when she left the school building and running in the rain wasn’t exactly a bright idea either.

“You’ve really got to stop passing out randomly on the campus like that,” the man sighed as he stood up to dispose of the used tissues. Hero tilted her head as she stared at the broad back in confusion.

“What do you mean passing out ran- have you been stalking me??”

“I wouldn’t say stalking. More of caring and worried,” he frowned, drying his hands. “Cause someone certainly hasn’t been taking care of themselves properly. How do you even expect to fight me in this condition?” He sat down next to her on the bed, placing a hand on her forehead. She could hear him mutter “Still hot” as he reached for the bag of medicine. Efferagal, Oresol, coughing syrup and some other typical cold medications.

“Here. Drink this and we’ll check your temperature again.” A bottle of orange-flavoured Oresol.

“Villain-”

“Stop talking or you’d lose your voice,” Villain growled. “Can’t you hear how hoarse your voice is already?”

Not knowing whether her cheeks were burning up because of the fever or blush, Hero quietly accepted the opened bottle and took a few sips of the drink. A little fizzy and a hell lot of flavours. If it weren’t for the fact that this drink was a type of supplementary drink that provided electrolytes, she would probably drink this for fun or as an energy drink of some sort. A small sigh escaped that immediately turned into another lung-ripping cough, although this time there wasn’t anything to force out.

“There there,” The soft voice had returned along with the warm hand on her back. “Take it easy and lie down, alright?” The burst of flavour definitely made her feel better, but her entire body was still sore and aching. As she slowly delivered herself down on the bed, Hero caught sight of Villain’s eyes when he turned from her to the table. Concern-filled. It’s funny how Villain had always been the poker-face type, rarely ever showing any emotions and yet here he was, practically fussing over sick Hero. The girl let out a smirk at the thought, though it felt nice having someone care about her. When was the last time someone checked on her when she was sick? In fact, when was the last time anyone asked her how she had been?

None of that mattered now that she found her head leaning towards the warm touch and wanting to hold on to that soothing feeling. Even if it was from the last person she had expected, even if this moment would only last for so long, at least, someone cared.

“Please stay…” were the last words Hero murmured before her consciousness slipped away into darkness.

Still having his hand on her forehead until he was sure she was asleep, Villain simpered at the view of the girl sleeping soundly. There was a whisper so faint as if it wasn’t meant to be heard before a gentle kiss landed on where his hand was a moment ago.

“Of course.”

[avvail]

writing snippet #18

tw: blood, knife wound, graphic threats

Living outside the city walls was a death sentence.

Not in the way that there were dangerous creatures lurking outside, or that the air was a lethal poison — life outside the walls was a bloodbath, a running battlefield. The standard of living was horrendous.

People killed, just to survive. Most born outside the walls were only expected to live to their thirties, and that was almost generous. So when Civilian, a seemingly normal human being who worked at odd hours of the day, had been banished outside the walls, Hero had disappeared too.

They were knocked out, tied up, and tossed past the city gates before they even had a chance to blink.

Of course, the city didn’t know they had banished their own Hero, but who would believe them when they were the most ordinary civilian, who only just had enough money to put food on the table?

The horrors outside the walls were worse than what Hero expected. No amount of make believe films, history lessons, and blurry black and white textbook photos could prepare them for the guttural world they would live the rest of their short life in.

But that was three years ago. Hero was gone, and Civilian crafted their own persona. Vigilante was an infamous criminal that lived in the outlands, leaving a bloody trail of dead behind their heels and raiding villages for food and money. Some people believed Vigilante was a ghost, with the way they could appear and disappear out of thin air when they wanted.

The masked vigilante twirled their knife between their gloved fingers, the other hand pressed against the vital knife wound deep in the side of their stomach. It had only been a clip, but fuck, did it hurt like hell. Sweat beads formed across their skin, the material of their hood shadowing their mask. If they didn’t get a move on, that group of ravengers would find them, and tear them apart.

Vigilante heaved, stumbling on trembling legs. A wave of nausea punched through them, and they toppled down their knees almost instantly. They could hear footsteps. Panic spiked, frantically twirling their knife and gripping the hilt, ready to strike if they needed.

“Hero?”

Their head perked up, ever so slightly in recognition, eyeing up the figure through their masked eyes. “It would be in your best interest to leave, before I gut you.”

Villain’s face was illuminated by the sun spilling through the trees, and Vigilante couldn’t help but notice their sly smirk. “Come on, little hero, you can cut the act. I know it’s you.”

The knife flew from Vigilante's fingers, slicing through the air. Villain’s eyes briefly widened as they stepped out of the way, the sharp edge nipping the skin of their cheek, before imbedding into the tree behind them with a thud. Vigilante was already charging towards them by the time they looked back, slamming them into the floor and pressing their second knife to their neck.

“I only kill those who get in my way,” Vigilante snarled, digging the knife edge into Villain’s skin. “Stop calling me that, or I'll slice your throat open. I’m not against getting my hands dirty.”

“Oh, this new life quite suits you,” Villain chuckled, seemingly unfazed by their compromising position. “I just now realised how much I’ve longed for you to threaten me like that, much better than your justice inspired monologues.” They clicked their tongue. “Please. They bored me.”

Vigilante winced, swallowing the lump in their throat. “...how did you know it was me?”

This made Villain grin. “Your knife work is too recognizable. I fought you many times, I should know.”

Hero. Vigilante hadn’t heard that name in a while, and they didn’t particularly enjoy hearing it again. They opened their mouth to retort, but the words quickly died on their tongue as a wave of agony ripped through their stomach. The pain of their knife wound had suddenly become very prominent, and they couldn’t help but let out a strangled cry. The knife fell from their fingers as Villain gently pried them off, eyes trained on the blood stained shirt stuck to their skin.

“You’re just as stubborn, though,” they remarked grimly, their eyes clouded with concern. Vigilante huffed, groans spilling from their lips. The villain glanced at their masked face, before they wrapped their arms around Vigilante’s figure, and cradled them to their chest.

“You don’t belong out here, Hero,” Villain whispered, all jokes forgotten, and they tried blinking back the black spots invading their vision, chest rising with stuttered panic. “I’m sorry I didn’t find you earlier. Your reputation really does precede you.”

Vigilante hissed quietly, before letting their head rest on Villain's chest, and drifting off into an uncomfortable slumber.

part two