CW: reference to being stalked, implied past sexual harassment.
The hero couldn't move. Part of them was terrified at this sudden, utter vulnerability, another part was humiliated, furious, crushed as they replayed every snide jab from their mentor about being weak. But neither shame nor terror were enough to get themselves up off the ground where they'd collapsed mid-fight into a helpless huddle. Not even the soft whoosh-thump that could only be the sound of another super arriving. The hero could guess which one.
The villain's voice rose and fall in a half-panicked babble: "...never touched them! It was just something flirty-"
"What did you say?" came the unmistakable rumble of Supervillain's voice. The hero clenched their eyes tighter.
They could hear the villain swallow. "Um. 'Nice costume. It would look great on the floor of my lair.' Boss, that's it, I swear."
"I'm not your boss," Supervillain sighed, like they'd said this a million times before. "I'll take it from here. Say nothing to anyone else. I'll call you - and we can discuss your pick up lines too."
There was a scramble of boots on gravel, fleeing away. And then there was Supervillain, the criminal mastermind himself of this city, crouched over them. The hero managed to raise their head enough to give them a defiant stare.
"Hello, little hero," Supervillain said with a sour smile. "I've been meaning to have a word with you. Sorry it has to be under such unpleasant circumstances. Ginger candy?"
The hero blinked at the little pocket tin of sweets in Supervillain's hand. They shrugged. "It's a bit of a gag at this point," they said, popping one into their own mouth. "My minions think I'm ridiculous, but I swear, it really does clear the head, settle the stomach. And while I do appreciate a healthy amount of fear, this is the welcome wagon conversation and I'd rather not do it while you're cowering on the ground."
"Go to hell," the hero snarled.
"Rude," said the villain. "But then you're from [Grimdark] where they don't teach their heroes manners. We do things differently in my city. I'm here to give you the rules of engagement."
The hero braced themselves for the strike... But the Supervillain sat back on their heels, held up a finger. "Rule one: We fight to incapacitate, capture, or arrest. No maimings, no beatings, certainly no murder. And no nasty psychological tricks."
The hero gaped. "What? I don't... What d'ya mean, nasty psychological tricks?"
The Supervillain gave them a look that seemed to penetrate to the hero's soul. "The kind of tricks that leave somebody trembling when they hear the second cheesiest pick-up line in the world," they said with a cool eyebrow lift. "Rule two: no civilian injuries or death will be tolerated. Targeting unpowered family and friends will be met with extreme prejudice. And I expect property damage to be minimized, though I'll make an exception if said property belongs to a corporation with at least one overseas tax shelter."
"Stop. Wait. What is happening?" The hero pushed themselves up to sitting, sheer confusion drawing the heart-stopping panic down. "You're - Villains don't have rules!"
Supervillain rolled their eyes. "Of course we do.. There are always rules - how far we go, how much we do before there are consequences beyond a simple arrest. The difference is in this town, I enforce the limits. On both sides," he added with a hard look to hero. "This isn't the kind of place where you dangle henchmen off roofs and still call yourself a hero."
The hero dropped their eyes. Supervillain tilted their head. "Nor," they added more gently, "is it a place where aggressive stalking behaviors are tolerated or dismissed as harmless, or just the cost of playing the game."
For a moment the two sat in silence as the hero continued to stare at the ground. The Supervillain slid over to sit beside them, still a polite distance away. They held out the candy box again. This time the hero took one.
"You really are good," the hero said through a shuddering breath, studying the sweet in its wrapper. Drugged? Poisoned?
"I did my years in [Grimdark,]" Supervillain said. "Great town for a super to make their name in. Not so great if you just wanna go get a coffee or some groceries. I'm sure [Mentor] told you I left [Grimdark] cause I couldn't handle it, had to go somewhere softer?" They cut their eyes sideways to hero. "Perhaps he said the same to you?"
The hero sighed, dropped their head back against the cinder block wall. They unwrapped the candy and popped it in their mouth. It was a burst of tart and sugar. "Fine," they said. "I understand. I'll play by your rules. Not that I'm going to last long after tonight," the hero couldn't help adding.
The Supervillain smiled slightly and stood. "You mean this little foible? Exploiting that falls solidly until nasty psychological tricks. I don't intend to spread the word - though you may want to stay out of the sky until you have some kind of coping mechanism..." the Supervillain added, pursing their lips.
The hero's fists balled up. "[Villain]'s gonna blab?"
"No, because half the little chaos gremlins in this town seem to think I'm running some kind of singles bar," Supervillain sighed, rubbing their temples. "No one cares about a good world domination plot anymore, they just want to pin each other against walls and... Look, I'll put out a word you're not looking for that kind of nemesis, but unless I get real specific why, somebody's gonna shoot their shot at you. And I do mean that euphemistically."
"Oh," said hero.
"Just say no in a firm voice," Supervillain said, standing and pulling hero up too with effortless strength. "Anyone gives you any guff, you come and let me know." Their hand tightened on the protagonist's elbow. "Fair warning: our next conversation won't be so friendly. And if you break my rules..."
"Yeah, no tolerance," the hero said, still a bit unsteady on their feet. "Fair enough. Um. Thank you?"
The Supervillain smiled and leapt up into the night sky. Hero stared after them - they weren't at all what Mentor had deridingly described.
Maybe that meant Mentor was wrong about the hero too.
With a whistle to themselves the hero headed home. Something in their heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. They had a feeling they were going to like their new town.
