Hero sat quietly on the roof of the building, a place where no one could see them above. The gust of air passed them, cape tugging them gently from behind.
The wind whistles across the city, the view stretches wide beneath them. Neon lights flicker, the faint laughs and the music, it all felt beautiful and lively. Every sound came from different distances, hearing all at once. They could stay like this and watch the world glow, it's envious to see people live such a peaceful life.
If only Hero could feel the same...
A tear finally falls free on their chin, realizing they've been holding back for so long. Hero gave so much for the city and yet the kindness and gratitude they've been yearning for has never been given, they wonder how long they could keep playing as a protector... If they're still as one.
It's all too much... too unbearable.
Hero wasn't given time to train their full potential and was immediately sent on the field. The agency mostly assigned them to chase criminals much bigger than them, especially Supervillain. The most dangerous, cunning criminal, the mastermind of evil schemes.
Supervillain's crime is off the charts and no higher-up heroes want to take the case, simply because petty thieves and criminals are easier to get rid of. Meanwhile, taking down the mastermind criminal requires "effort" and their ego is way bigger than cleaning the real problem. They decided a low-class hero was the best pawn for this, knowing Hero is an orphan no one would notice if they died from the villain.
Hero hugged their own knees and lowered their head, making themselves look small. The moon shines the night sky. Looking down upon Hero, silently watching their muffled cries, the city below couldn't hear them.
They've been beaten, tortured, taunted by Supervillain and Hero always have no chance, it ends in failure and it's humiliating. Whenever Hero returns to the agency with tattered suit and bruised skin, Superhero punishes them strictly to 'get better' next time. Their side efforts of cleaning the city criminals weren't seen, only failures from Supervillain.
Hero knew they weren't treated right, because the punishment was more brutal and nearly lost their life. Compared to their teammates that were given 'encouraging speech' whenever they make a mistake on mission. Hero assumed the team simply hated them, Superhero is more obvious with their murderous intent and even didn't try to hide it.
Many villains saw them as a joke. Hearing the news of a Hero always serving themselves to Supervillain like a free meal on a silver platter, but Hero didn't have a choice. They were tasked with the impossible win, their dignity and reputation wasn't relevant, and their life wasn't meant to last long in the field.
They aren't meant to be remembered...
Hero looked up at the night sky, wondering if they could just... float in an eternal space where the world couldn't reach them and pull them back to an endless pain and suffering. They hope to close their eyes and never be open again.
Their mind slowly sinks at the bottom of the void and Hero embraces it. They drown themselves in deep sorrow, no longer caring for everything else. Hero rose on their feet, standing at the top of the building, tears stopped pouring and smiled at the world one last time.
Hero shifted near the edge, arms spread like open wings. Slowly, they let go... the world tilted before their eyes, the gravity pulled them down and Hero accepted it.
Hero wished they could've done more, that was their final thought.
...
..."NO!!"
It wasn't a solid ground that Hero felt. Instead, something struck them in mid air, preventing their intention to slip away from the world. It was so close! Hero didn't meet their end, they crashed at a glass plain inside the building and bumped into an obstacle. Their whole body hurts, probably because they hit something too hard.
Darkness filled their vision, barely any light travel inside, silhouettes of remnants of what it seems to be an old office are left forgotten in the past. The wall has cracks, the floor is stained layers of dust, the air is thick and suffocating. As expected, the building should be left untouched as it was abandoned, however the atmosphere isn't empty, Hero knew they were not alone.
Someone next to them slowly stood up and walked towards Hero, as if they weren't affected by the collision earlier. Hero couldn't move, nor did they care what was happening, their ears ringed loud–their mind lucid. Hero still couldn't fathom why they're still breathing...
The figure stood above Hero for a moment, then crouched down and grabbed them. Hero struggles to identify the person's face, it all happened so fast. Fortunately the reflection from the glass shards gave them a slight glimpse of the figure, a small detail is enough for the Hero to recognize...
"What were you thinking?!"
...Heh, to think that someone will look for them is quite absurd. More shockingly, Hero didn't expect one of the Supervillain's right hand. Who contributed to their pain and suffering is the one who looked for them at the end. Could the Hero ever escape this humiliation?
"Answer me, Hero!" Villain felt hurt and distraught, they needed to know why their hero could have done this. Did Hero not want to be a crime-fighter anymore? They don't have a clue, but forcing the question will make things worse.
Villain sighed after long silence, they gently reposition themself and hold the sad crime-stopper into their arms. Hero didn't seem to mind, but their eyes were dull and lifeless.
"...why did you do it?" Villain asked gently this time. Hero didn't respond for a moment. They closed their eyes and leaned closer to the criminal's chest, and murmured a few words, barely a whisper. Villain didn't quite catch that but they don't need to hear it again. Because they noticed a silent tear, knowing the answer might be difficult for the Hero to express...
Villain gently cradles Hero and holds them close for who knows how long. Hero needed this comfort, someone who understands them just for a short moment. Villain may not be a good person but they're not a monster to someone who's given up in life. They need their nemesis to get back on their feet and fight again.
Hero is quite special to them. No other heroes wanted to fight Supervillain, but the crime-stopper in their arms was brave enough to face them. Villain was fascinated by their confidence and cherished their every banter and fight, it's what keeps them going. But they don't understand why the Hero felt not the same, or why they need to give up...
Villain sense the Hero relaxed in their hold, as if they were about to sleep. The criminal felt in awe of how small they are. Hero needs time to heal, and they will take care of it.
Villain carries them in bridal style, ignoring the shattered glass beneath them and leaps off the abandoned building.
"...Where are you taking me?" The hero finally opened their eyes and looked at them, but remained dull and lifeless.
"Somewhere safe" Villain felt lost inside, they wished they could see Hero's spark and fire once again.
They'll make sure to bring Hero back to their senses. They'll deal with the Supervillain later.
Ron: You ruined my life.
Percy: You have one of those? Can’t relate.
Ron: Just stop-
Percy: I didn’t think I was important enough to ruin a life.
Ron:
Percy: I’m rather flattered.
A lot of women struggle with how they compliment themselves or other women, because it always turns into either self degradation or tearing the other woman down. There’s rarely any middle ground. It’s like women can’t just compliment beauty without turning it into some weird comparison or insecurity spiral.
Certain people in my life might not change, but I can. By change, I mean shifting the habit of not liking myself, of hating my body, of suppressing my deepest desires and the truths of who I am.
