#ilnprompt

[ironladnerdom]

Prompt #2

“Shut up.”

“Villain--”

“Shut up! Shut up! Just shut the fuck up, okay?!” 

Dead silence hung in the air. Hero didn’t even dare to breathe. 

Villain’s eyes were squeezed shut, hands over their ears. Tears stained their dirty face. “You’re lying,” they whimpered quietly. “It isn’t true, you’re lying.” The hero watched, heart aching, as the villain trembled under the weight of the truth. “It can’t be true.” 

[ironladnerdom]

Hero & Villain: Affection is Confliction

Evade. Adjust. Attack.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. 

Hero knew this unplanned choreography like the back of their hand. It was more than simple predictions, it was muscle memory. 

Combat with Villain always seemed to have a certain flow, a rhythm, like they were dancing. Their weapons would clash, they’d use their powers, dodge, throw some dirt-talking or teasing in the air and ignore all else. When Hero and Villain fought, it was like they were the only ones around. They were like birds playing in the sky. 

Hero recognized a bated breath from Villain, knew they were about to attack. A flicker of the eye gave away the next stance. A smirk, light flirting followed. 

It was all familiar.

“God, you are quite slow today. Did last night take a toll on you, baby? You need to sit down?”

Their voice was like heaven. Hero’s heart fluttered as they threw a few punches in a vigorous succession. The villain, of course, dodged them all. Frustration -- or was it flusteration? -- made the hero’s attacks all lightning-fast, but sloppy. 

Villain moved backwards, smirking. Just that was enough to set free butterflies in Hero’s stomach.  

Hero knew Villain was baiting them, waiting for them. They moved forward anyway, unsheathing a slim, light grey staff that extended with the press of a button. It was nearly the same height as Hero. 

“Oh, so you want to use toys? Excellent idea.” They drew out a blunt weapon of their own, which was felicitous for discapacitating, but not for severely hurting. “I’ve got all kinds.” 

It’s all a game. An act. That’s what Hero told themself. A ruse for the villains enjoyment -- they probably found it amusing when their quips caused reactions on Hero. That’s what villains did, isn’t it? Prey on the embarrassment of others, create distractions for their opponents. It should seem only like empty banter. 

Yet, even shoving all thoughts into a mental chest and locking it tight doesn’t work to keep Villain from infiltrating the Hero’s mind. It was frustrating.

“Your passion for me is flattering.”

Hero grit their teeth and put more effort into fighting. Villain got whacked hard in the leg by Hero’s staff and yelped. They blocked Hero’s attacks and saw the oncoming sweep of the leg, jumping back. 

They wiped sweat from their forehead, grinning despite any injuries. “Your concentration is adorable. Your stamina, however, is enticing.”

Hero searched for some affable undertone in that sentence, but none turned up.

Doesn’t matter. Villain can be flirtatious all they want. Hero wouldn’t allow their feelings to become a profound distraction. Affection is confliction; Hero had enough of that already, anyway. 

[ironladnerdom]

The villain was a mistake that had conquered a fool.

How could Hero have let their attraction distract them? They were so stupid! The villain had no care for them at all, no sympathy for using the Hero to get what they want. Villain lied with their pretty mouth and manipulated Hero. All those days they’d spent teasing each other, unanimously having a silent agreement to avoid the actual situation and battle each other just to be together; the times when Hero would glimpse civilian Villain on the street and smile... Villain would always, always smile back. And to think — Hero actually believed Villain liked them, too. A noose of shame encircled their throat.

They were pathetic.

No, Hero decided, their pacing coming to a halt. They looked at the note crumpled in their fist. Remembering the words of betrayal inked on its surface, a burning feeling they hadn’t felt in a long time rekindled.

They were angry. 

[ironladnerdom]

Hero & Mentor: Mentor Scolds Hero for Not Using a Rest Day.

“Seeing the new generation of Heroes full of vim and vigor gives me hope. Your youthful minds have so much to learn, but your hearts are fresh and big. And that’s a rarity. It deserves to be savoured, so savour it. Give it room to expand, but also to break. Never give up, but know when to ease off. You can only endure so much, and if you tire yourself out, it might dis-encourage you to return.”

“I will never stop doing this,” said Hero with fiery determination.

“Good. The city will always have a need for a hero, and you’re becoming a strong one.” Hero stood taller, gaining confidence in their mentor’s appraisal. “However, they also need a Hero who can function with full performance. That means not abusing rest days. They’re given to you for a reason.”

An impatient, slight sigh escaped Hero’s lips. “Respectfully, Mentor, I just can’t stay dormant for that long; my body itches to get back out, to swing from building top to building top. I have too much energy — too much ‘vim and vigor’, as you said, yourself. I’m perfectly capable to rest while also being productive in my training; I need to impress the League; I need to pass the final exam.” They nodded to themself, eyes distant. “I will pass.” 

“And you’re absolutely sure that this is what you want, what you can handle? That you’re ready to put the job first and everything else second?”

The Hero hesitated. “Everything else second?” They turned to their Mentor. “I don’t think I understand.”

“That’s what’s expected when you join the ‘A’ Team. Full and undivided devotion.” A hint of bitterness mixed with their answer, followed by a definitive silence that oddly seemed to convey a feeling of resentment.

The young Hero frowned. 

“Well, I’ll still make time for my friends and family,” they said. “I won’t just ignore that part of my life in trade for the League. I mean, that’s kind of the whole point, isn’t it? Less hours are required to be put into the work as long as the work gets done with good quality, right? It’s like being promoted; I’ll have a more flexible schedule.”

The Mentor smiled sadly. Their days getting beat as a superhero were over, but scars remained. Like oblivious civilians, young Heroes glorified the League. They saw them as the ultimate team, as the endpoint that they’d been striving to reach their whole life. In a sense, it was. But their views on the League being this unstoppable team with superb physiques and powers were so unrealistic, so warped by media and meticulously curated excuses. The Mentor looked down as unwanted memories of the cold, unforgiving League came back to them.

“There’s a lot you don’t yet understand about the duties of a superhero. You may not understand today, but you will eventually.” With that ominous statement, the Mentor shakily pushed up from their chair, standing near-upright with aid from their cane. Standing in front of the Hero, they were nearly the same height, even with their whopping age differences. They put a hand on the Hero’s shoulder. “You’ll be a fine League superhero one day, [Name].” 

The sentiment felt more intimate with the Hero’s human name.

“Thank you, Mentor. Your training means a lot to me — it’s done a lot for me. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” 

Mentor chuckled. “You’d be here if you wanted to, even without me. You’re too stubborn for that.

“And might I let you in on a little League secret? You’ll have to promise not to tell anyone, though, especially not your classmates who are taking the final exam.”

“Does it count as cheating?”

The Mentor shook their head, knowing the young Hero’s desire for a pure success. 

“Then I won’t tell a soul,” they grinned.

“There’s been rumours that a recruitment decision is already in the process of being made, and the exams are all that’s needed to finalize it.”

The Hero’s eyes widen. “Already? But that’s so soon! Isn’t it not due to start until March?”

Mentor just winked. 

Presently, the Mentor looked at their watch, then back at Hero, giving them a clap on the shoulder. “Well, I better be off, kiddo. My wife told me to be home by five for dinner or I get cold pet food. And you,” they added, “should head down to eat as well.”

“I will, eventually. I’m close to finding out where Villain’s secret lair is, though, so I might work on that for a while.”

“Good. See? That’s something productive you can do during rest days right there,” Mentor called over their shoulder.

Hero shot them a dry glare, saying, “yeah, thanks for the tip.” Before the Mentor could leave, Hero added, “And say hi to your wife for me!”