Recent events in Japan had seen a rise in villainous acts. Searching for his target, he spotted a woman... a hero defeating a known member of the Chess Sets. He knew of Banshee. Her abilities and their cost. She looked extremely distraught and nervous. It was not his place to interfere but she was a hero and admired her. Patting his pockets, he had an idea. From the rooftop above her, he dropped a box of ammo, tied shut with a red bow made from cloth torn from his costume. (Valentine❤️-SV)
profanehero
Banshee was distraught and for good reason. Bullets were her life-blood in combat situations. Her rifle, Broomstick, worked as everything from a quarter-staff, a club, a mode of transportation… And of course- Broomstick was also a gun.
A gun that gave her the ability to stave off the use of her quirk.
Unless she was in a fight with another gun-slinger.
Alloy had apparently responded accordingly by bringing on more long-ranged Pawns. Ones that were probably more familiar and less unwilling to maim and kill.
At this point, even if she did use her quirk- she was at a huge disadvantage. One well-placed bullet and no amount of tears or depression would ever bring her back.
She thought back to her mentor- caught in the cross-fire meant for her just months ago. Perhaps this was Karma’s way of telling her she was past her due-date…
She shook her head, trying not to cry and panic. Katherine needed to-… No. Banshee needed to find a way out of this. For her son, for her two other mentors- but…. Damn she didn’t even have bullets and-
“GA-WHAT THE HELL?!” she asked, rolling away and behind better cover- ready to fight and strangle her way away from the ambush… Only to be met with what she needed. Literally wrapped up in a little bow (sort of) for her to use.
No time to look a gift-horse in the mouth. She took the ammunition box. Small as it was; she could probably lay down surpressive fire- find a way to get to a better vantage point. Another shot and the half-destroyed wall above her rained a small cloud of drywall… It was now or never.
She loaded the bullets and pulled her coat closer over her face. This should keep her relatively safe… Not uninjured, but safer than she was before as she darted to the next spot- taking a pot-shot towards the location of the enemy sniper and darted away- seeking refuge underneath a new set of rubble.
What were Numb’s rules about using a gun?
“Never aim a gun at someone unless you’re doin’ one of two things; intentin’ to maim them permanently, or kill them.”
So she couldn’t do that. He was needed for questioning. Banshee wracked her brain and then thought of something else. Something she had learned all on her own from her elective class.
“… Building materials when damaged are more likely to become unsafe…” she said to herself as she cocked and loaded Broomstick- a bit of newfound resolve blooming in her chest as Banshee steeled herself once more and rolled out into the open– this time; shooting the flooring above her sniper enemy.
A couch, some insulation and a good section of floor fell down on top of her enemy as she stood and dusted herself off…
She made a glance down to the strip of red she held on her hand, immediately wondering who she knew who wore red and carried ammunition in Japan of all places.
But she wouldn’t deny the press the luxury of seeing her neck covered with the red strip of fabric as she brought in the newest pawn for questioning.
Despite trying to focus on his mission, he kept finding himself thinking about Banshee. Maybe it was her avoid the press while wearing the ribbon he made or that as he read the activity reports he was impressed by the way she handled herself. No, it was what he saw earlier that day at the park. Wanting to show his admiration, he sent her a letter. ✉️ There are many ways to be a hero. To be a Mother is the hardest. Please accept the enclosed Yen with my respect ~ Red Valentine ❤️ (¥50,000)
“Red… Valentine?” She asked aloud once she found the package in her mailbox.
Now, this was when the hero left the letter on the table and stepped far back.
There were a handful of people she knew who had red in their costume. A few of them she’d even like to receive Valentine’s gifts from, but she expected they’d approach her after some time.
But “Red Valentine” knew several things about her and she knew next to nothing of him (or her {or them}). That was the scary part.
He knew about Hiroki, he probably gave her ammo… And he knew her address and apartment number.
Banshee took a notebook from her class and began listing out things he seemingly knew.
“… Okay, maybe a coworker? Vlad king or Snipe?”
((Katherine high-key has a corkboard in her bedroom and has been staring at it trying to figure out who this Valentine’s guest is and if they’re a hero, or a villain.))
Slumber - One muse has a sex dream about the other ( Valentine❤️) I know we are not there yet if ever but let's see. Who will she imagine or will she not be able to see the face?
((I…. Okay. There is a reason why Banshee is the “Profane” hero. I’ll just leave it at that.))
Katherine sits back and stares at the cork-board with a grumble lines of various colored yarns are strewn about connected to different post-it notes of various neon colors.
She sighs and scratches her hairline. This little foray was beginning to become stressful.
The last time she had been asked out; she had been stalked and cased by a criminal leader. Deep down, Katherine wanted to be happy someone was looking out for her, but her mind was sending her red flags left and right.
There was someone in Japan that had given her a great sum of money for being a parent; there was someone in Japan that had given her bullets. They may even be the same person. At best; it meant someone she knew was looking out for her…
… She checks the lock on her windows and her front door one more time before collapsing down on her bed… Just to be sure. A simple note should not have sent her into feeling so preyed upon. The world was filled with kind, brave people who would offer her assistance in any way possible.
Katherine sighs and pulls the lamp-chord and closes her eyes, thinking of someone who maybe, just maybe… Genuinely didn’t want to hurt or use her.
… Maybe someone with her style of humor… Someone who got what she was going through…
Banshee ambles, holding her side as she keeps her free arm around the person– the man– who is helping her into the dark, abandoned hospital. Katherine’s throat is parched; thick dust in the air making it uncomfortable to breathe as her joints and side protest with every small movement.
He’s got an arm around her- he’s panting, but he trudges forward anyway. His other hand holds up a flash-light that grazes an upright gurney. He says nothing as he fixes his light on it again. Their destination is quietly agreed upon- for Katherine is already releasing him when they approach.
“You okay?” he asks in a nondescript voice as she sheds her heavy coat.
The near sixty-pound set of body-armor falls to the floor with a thud as she turns around to sit down. Her injuries feel warm; but not wet. At least not wet enough for her to feel the squelching of an open wound against her rubber-like costume.
“Am I?” she asks as he puts his flashlight on the shoulder of his utility vest. Moments later he descends on her top, unlatching the metal clasps just underneath the edge of the black stripe to her front and unzipping what remained.
After a groan it feels like she can breathe again. Blood or not; her costume kept function over comfort.
She notices just how dirt-ridden he is, too as his warm hands touch her sweaty side, prodding her ribcage with worn fingers. No blood, but there would be bruises forming… At least nothing broke the skin. Not that she could tell anyway.
Her partner diligently presses his fingers along her rib cage, first going up the front, and then down the side before… “AH!”
“Right there?” he asks, pressing again on the same spot as before- although not as hard it still hurts enough for Banshee to instinctively jump away from the hands that seem to explore her with such care. “That’s going to hurt like shit in a few hours, Jesus Christ…”
Her partner takes a step back and looks down at the blue coat at his feet.
“Remind me to thank whoever it was that made that. Four automatic bullets to the side and you aren’t even unconscious? No wonder you’re so careless.”
Katherine scowls at him and his bright-ass flashlight. “Says the man who-” but before she finishes the statement he reaches down to his leg and shoves a canteen into her naked chest.
“It’s water. It’ll help… At least you can stay hydrated.”
She gives him a wary look before taking the canister with one hand, closing herself off with the other. Her current state of nakedness had only been out of necessity, but she wasn’t exactly eager to sit tits-out in a run-down, shoddy hospital…
Not while they were still technically fighting.
Her partner still gives her that courtesy not to be too voyeuristic and turns his full body to point his light at various places in the hallway- keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
“We should go soon,” she informs him before unceremoniously chugging the bland liquid- admittedly though she can’t get enough of it. Water pours down her chin and neck and Katherine feels almost human again. “They’ll leave us for dead if we stay here.”
She hears his heel turn and blocks the flashlight with the hand holding the canteen.
“No they won’t. You’re too valuable… They loose you and the UN looses their precious reformation program.”
He stops though, for a moment and there is nothing said.
“… You having fun over there?” he asks, crossing his arms as his voice changes in tone slightly. No longer stern and borderline callous but teasing.
“Fuck off,” she says wiping her chin off with the back of her free arm. “I was thirsty.” He goes silent and she can practically feel his grin from beyond the high-beam on his vest. “And that’s not a statement for you to enjoy.”
“Little things,” he points out, turning off his flashlight.
For a moment she only hears his footsteps coming towards her, but she’s not adjusted to the near pitch blackness, but she definitely feels his hands brush up against her shoulders.
“Get comfy, Banshee. It may be a while before they find us.”
Despite all the smug her partner was sending her way he had made two very good points. They did need her; need her enough that they’d certainly send a search party to find her here… And if you wanted to get found the last thing you wanted to do was leave where you were. It may take hours with the fighting outside, but they’d find her… That or someone else would find them… It was better to just relax.
Then she feels his lips on her neck, pushing against the capture device around her neck as he took his sweet time drawing out a squeak of protest. “Mm… I’m glad you’re okay.”
In the dark she presses against his forehead and tries to look him in the eye– or where his eyes would be. “HERE? Seriously?” she asks. “We could get caught!” Either by their superiors or by the enemy… She had literally no idea which one was worse.
“You see a better way?” he asks- he sounds irritated as he presses his forehead against hers. “I just saw you get shot. By something that kills people- and you got the fuck back up again.”
Her brow crinkles as he places a reverent, gentle kiss on her lips. Right now she’s the only thing on his mind but he’s not being unwantedly forceful. He’d stop if Katherine told him no.
And there are about a-thousand-and-one reasons to say no.
“I risk my life every day,” she goads as she kisses him back. He takes this as an invitation to move a leg between hers and actually put his arms around her. It illicits a perhaps not entirely intentional groan from the injured woman. “What makes today any different?…” she asks and he stops for a moment.
Then like a hound he bites down on her shoulder, making her moan as he gingerly licks the injury he caused. Pain be damned, though- that hurt.
“I don’t like how they look at you,” he mutters.as his hands slide around to her front. At this point there are no holds barred- he plays dirty and presses his full palm onto her bruise, pressing into the knot with his thumb as she sees stars and shivers. “The suits can’t take their eyes off you and it drives me crazy.”
Ah… So that explains why he’s not so upset by the prospect of being caught or heard. Still, the prospect of him being jealous is… Entertaining, to say the least.
“Oh?” she asks leaning back on both of her hands. “Go on…” she says. Now she’s the one sounding coy. “It sounds like you need to get this off your chest.”
His free hand palms at one of her breasts, letting her feel the full texture of his fingerprints as they stare each other down in the dark.
“Hardy-har…” he returns dryly as all pretenses are dropped. “I see them sizing you up… Staring at your ass when you’re not wearing your coat… Watching your cleavage when you cross your arms…” But he goes on, rubbing his crotch not so subtly against the meat of her thigh as he leans into her. “When you lean over a desk to type something… When you bend down to pick something up in front of them-” he stutters and pulls her closer to the edge of the worn out hospital bed. “Oh fuck me…” he says, tilting his head back, silence filling the air as they both come to terms with the fact that; yes. Here.
He takes a deep breath before Katherine can think of anything witty or meaningful to say and backs off, tearing off his jacket and tossing it behind her.
“Lay back,” he instructs and she’s eager to comply, she takes a moment setting out the inside of his jacket behind her as she hears the familiar sound of fumbling with his belt buckle. A few seconds later the tinkering stops and he’s pulling down her leggings and pushing up her utility belts and pauses. “… Condom.”
“We’re having sex in a dirty hospital and you want to use protection?” she asks. “Motherfucker, there is probably more polio here than there was in Alaska before Balto, okay?… I’m on the pill, just…” She feels her panties getting pushed aside by a few fingers, jumping the gun when a slick tongue makes it’s way across her womanhood and a smile graces the man who made her shiver and lay all the way down.
“Damn, you’re already wet,” he comments huskily as she hears him stand. “Didn’t take much to convince you. Maybe mission sex should be a thing…” he utters as he slides his length between her folds and pushes her knees apart.
“Just be jealous more often…” she mutters. “Or tell me how much I actually mean to you, you a-ah~”
A slow thrust shuts her up as he burries himself inside her. “Yeah, yeah. I’m an asshole.” He punctuates the loving insult with another thrust. “But fuck them if they think I don’t see.”
“Fuck them~” she sighs, rolling her hips against him.
“Hah…” she can feel him grinning. “You’re really enjoying this.”
He certainly wasn’t wrong. She’s panting and desperately wishes that they had been in a more private place than where they were. Gosh the things she could scream… He liked her screaming.
“Also;” he says. “Really like your new lipstick… But wear it on your off days~” He punctuates his please with another particularly hard thrust.
She lets out a huff of amusement. “Make me orgasm more often and I’ll see what I can do~”’
Elation. How long had it been since they had been on such an equal romantic field. How long had Banshee felt like she was past her prime? Too long, but it didn’t matter now.
Their pacing sped up as more quiet, ever-so-loving swear words graced each other’s mouths.
Each insult marked with a double-meaning as their pace got rougher and rougher; a string of litany that showed how close they were to each other. The words meant something- like bookmarks in their life together. The time Katherine had surprised him with a new bra from overseas, that time he couldn’t stop sending her dirty texts at one of her meetings…. The time she returned the favor… The time he chased away the nice delivery man because he could.
Finally words could do it no justice. Their swears became howls of devotion and admiration as they lost the ability to form coherent words. Her partner’s head found it’s home in the crook of her neck while she held onto his shoulders, blinded only by the immense joy they felt and not the fact it was still dark as hell in this hallway.
Then just as quickly as it had gotten amazing- he pulled out. A smattering of white Katherine couldn’t entirely see splattered across her middle.
Both of them were shaking for a good few moments before either of them could even process what to do next.
“You okay?” comes her partner’s voice in a low rumble as he bends down and kisses her shoulder again- gently this time.
Still without words, Banshee gives him a nod, trying to re-position herself to a better sitting stance but coming short when a hand presses to her chest.
“No. Take a breather…” he says gently as he lays something across her chest and fits her… Everything else back into place. “Shit…” he utters as if he’s looking around for the first time. “I see what you mean,” he says. “Place looks like it could fall apart at any moment now.”
Almost as if on cue the building shakes and she feels the gurney tip towards him. Katherine braces for an impact-
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And wakes up to feel her blanket being tugged. Two large eyes are poking over the edge of her mattress as Hiroki continues to wiggle his way up to his mother… his mother who is laying on her side and is very confused about what she just experienced.
Was that a premonition? A hope?
“Bwahhhhh….?” Hiroki asks her. “Diggy-dig?”
Katherine sat up and pulled Hiroki onto the bed, happy he had decided to see her first before wandering off to find more sugar… The last thing she wanted was a repeat of the Sugar incident.
Did Banshee turn over the money to get superiors or did she keep it? If she kept it what did she do with it? I hope you don’t mind the daily interaction. I know we were only expected to exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day but I instantly liked your oc and wanted to know more. I am enjoying this greatly. If you wish less interaction I will gladly respect your preference. Just let me know. ( Valentine❤️)
((ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I LOVE IT!))
Despite her apprehension with even having the money; Banshee kept it… Although she didn’t spend it. The money stayed in it’s envelope along with the note.
She had thought she was getting closer, but now… She wasn’t so sure.
Especially when Rally and Joint showed up at her door looking rather scared by how much she had been thinking about it. For once, Rally seemed to take Katherine’s side on things, furrowing his brow and finding little humor in this at all.
But Joint? The ex CIA agent? The designated Horseman of Famine? He was positively smitten with the work she had put into this.
“Statistically speaking red is a primary color that is popular among heroes, especially public ones. It’s flashy, and is linked to positive thinking. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if it belongs to a hero,” he confirms, almost proud of the cork-board of paranoia. “The fact that it is torn indicates it’s something they wear.” He takes a moment to tug on it, examining the coarseness of the fabric. “Certainly not your Cloak, now, is it?”
Rally is sitting down on the floor with Hiroki bouncing happily on his knee. He’s contemplating stepping in, but lets his husband continue on.
“And I LOVE the use of the purple thread. I love how it points to all villains. Good girl, crossing your t’s and dotting all of your i’s.”
“Thanks, Joint…” she said smiling a little easier with the compliments and reassurances her teammate and mentor gave. “So… I shouldn’t be too worried?”
Joint laughs. “Oh, I never said that.” He smirks and clicks his tongue when Katherine’s face falls. “Oh, Curs-… Banshee… You didn’t think I’d just build you up, did you?” he asks, handing over the torn fabric.
“Red is also a popular color for villains. Since Villains often are not supported well off financially; they wear whatever they can get that suits their purposes and fits their budget.”
“Something that’s cheap and tears easily…” her heart sinks and a knot forms in her stomach. “… They’re a villain, aren’t they?”
“Looks like it…” Rally says, giving Joint an over-the-sunglasses glare.
Joint merely shrugs. “ Now now. It’s entirely probable it belongs to a hero as well. Companies often sponsor heroes here in Japan, it may be possible their costume was made to be replaced.”
But Katherine couldn’t… She couldn’t do it again.
She had just been saved from Alloy. Numb had just died from Alloy– what was next? Her life? Hiroki’s?
“Luckily for you, we’re here,” Joint said, standing. “Hero or villain, it seems you have a bit of an admirer!”
“Details, honey… Anyway;” Joint stands, posing with a hand on his hip. “They best way to lead out either is to jazz up routine! I bet you anything; they started keeping a closer eye on you since you started wearing that red scarf.”
Katherine sighed and raised her head to look at him. “So… What’s the plan?”
“You’re going to set a trap…” Rally sighs as he hears the next few sentences.
“Let’s go get some shoes~!”
The more he tried to not think of her, the more she was in his mind. He wasn’t ready to meet face to face. Not yet.
((Hello. Yes. I can hear your theme-song from here.))
((Also, whoever this is; you’re gunna have Alloy come after you.))
The path to the snow festival was lit up as bright as day. Hundreds of lanterns hung from the trees. He came to see the snow sculptures and grab some food. It was nice. Normal. Part of the crowd. Long coat, scarf and hat, no one would recognize him. Which was good because there she was. Blond hair like sunlight. Smiling and laughing with her son as she pointed at the lights overhead. Their eyes met. Held. Inclining his head in respect as he passed. A bouquet of roses in her bag. ~❤️
((But what did the banshee SEE?!))((Lol, also, I’m not sure if you saw nonny, but I proposed an idea where I could post a picture of a would-be ship child… And you could tell me how wrong I am.))
((Okay. I’m lying. I’ve been trying to find out for days who you are.))
Katherine had gotten out of the house with Hiroki. She needed to get put with Hiroki and leave the bullets and chocolate and cork board behind.
So once Hiroki was safely pulled into his squishy soft baby parka and vaguely resembled frosty the snowman, they took off.
There was hardly any snow, but it didn’t matter when Katherine discovered there was a recent viewing for the snow festival. She had largely avoided it because of work… But now it was a good thing. Crowded, lots of stalls, lots of light.
Hiroki made a jeer of excitement in response to some of the lanterns, clapping his hands with joy as a few of them changed colors.
“Ohhh, who’s a happy squeaky baby?~” she crooked, earning a happy little wiggle from her son in her hands. “Whose a squeaky-squeaky squeaker?”
“Bah!” Hiroki threw up his falsely padded arms in sheer delight.
“That’s right!” She cheered him on. “You’re a squeaky squea-…”
She felt eyes staring at her.
She looked up, then up the path. Someone stood bundled up very tightly; perhaps someone simply a little older. He seemed to walk with a slouch of some sort, if she had not been mistaken and took heavy steps as he walked by.
Someone had been staring.
He gave her a nod of respect and she just…
Watched him leave, unsure if she had even truly seen him to begin with… But she could feel her heart pound with anxiety she had tried to escape.
“Let’s go up the path, Hiroki,” she said, bending down to get her bag… When she picked it up the sound of paper crumbling under her knuckles shocked her entirely.
“… Let’s… Let’s go home, actually.”
A few days later a large package is delivered to her work. Inside are two beautifully wrapped boxes. The larger gift was a wood Jewelry box. The design is a cherry tree branch covered in blossoms. The other a pull toy made to look like a spider, its legs moved. Both are hand carved and polished. “Moushiwake gozaimasen deshita. It was inexcusable for me to have frightened you. Our meeting was purely by chance. I saw the opportunity to give you joy but was poorly executed. Forgive me ~Red (❤️
Katherine sat in UA mostly alone in the staff-center. All packages were thoroughly examined before they even got past the front gate… So Banshee hadn’t been too… Too worried about opening it… Even upon seeing the letter and who it was from.
She mostly just felt tired.
It appeared this person didn’t want any ill harm to come to her or Hiroki… But even so, this was… A fairly voyeuristic sort of affection. She knew nothing about him… Hell, she didn’t even have a good way of contacting this person… And yet, this person knew of the difference between the Profane Hero and the person beneath her.
She cried knowing this was probably a villain. Knowing this villain knew more about her than even the people she wanted to know more about her.
She cried because she was just a product to this person.
Something to ogle, and admire from afar. Not someone to be approached or spoken to like a human being… Even… Even Alloy did that. EVEN the manipulative monster who wanted her to be his human meat-puppet for his extremist ideals spoke to her as a person.
She swallowed and grabbed a new notepad.
Whomever this was saw her less as a hero, and more as a mother. Someone who deserved to have nice things simply because of her matronly status… Someone who deserved nice things like jewelry, and who shouldn’t have to worry about providing for her own child… A more… “Classical” sort of stalker.
She took a deep breath once more, took a moment to pick up her smartphone from not too far by and held it to her ear.
“… This is United Nations War Hero Banshee. ID code 1257-222-2564.”
“… Hello miss Banshee. What can we help you with?”
“… I need to speak with Alloy.”
Listening to the fight a few streets over, he recognized the sound of Banshee’s gun but suddenly it went silent. He felt cold. That last shot didn’t sound right. He found her on the ground huddled around an old woman, the building behind them half destroyed. She was out cold and the old woman was rattled. The medics couldn’t get close with the fight. Scarf secure, he hefted the woman onto his back and Banshee in his arms. Handing them off to the medic. Unaware of the trail of blood ❤️
When Katherine woke up she was in the hospital. Not an unfamiliar sight to be seen as a pro hero, but nothing would ever prepare you for seeing the laminated white ceiling after you had been there for hours.
Her throat was dry, and she looked over.
Rally was nodding off and Joint was busy trying not to do the same, but Hiroki was making it difficult, trying to stand or move every once and a while.
When he saw his mother’s eyes open he let out a pleased squeak and held out his three-digited fingers; rousing the two.
“Oh my god,” Rally said, stirring. “You’re up…” he stood, stretching before coming to the bed. “How… Do you feel?”
Katherine blinked and pursed her lips. She thought for a moment.
“Oh. Good. I guess your nerves are working then,” Rally couldn’t help but shrug. “And your humor! That’s great!”
Katherine smiled. “Oh, fuck off,” she said with a giggle as she reached out to touch Hiroki- frowning when she saw her hands were encompassed in bandages. “… What happened?”
Joint held Hiroki towards her while the spiderling came to terms with why his mother’s fingers were all rough and covered in white now.
“Balistics say you were firing inappropriate bullets from Broomstick,” she said. “You misfired.”
Katherine let out a sigh and lowered her hand back to the hospital bed as Hiroki was placed between her and the edge of the bed.
Joint shook his head. “Not… Not too bad…” he said, tone growing dark. “But-”
“Kat, that was too close,” Rally said. “You need to stay off the roster for a bit.” It was so strange that this was coming from Rally of all people- but she got it. Joint could tune out his emotions for his job- but had a much harder time considering himself and the emotions of others. Rally? Rally was all feeling- just like her. “This secret-stalker-valentine… Thing… It’s gone on too far. It’s affecting your job.”
Katherine bristled. “I’m fine,” she said. “This… This isn’t getting to me.”
Joint let out a sigh and shook his head. “Katherine, you have a new jewelry box and Hiroki has a new toy… As far as we can tell whoever is doing this isn’t causing any harm on purpose…” he said. “But he is causing harm… And whether or not you’ve been unwilling or just unable; you cannot for sure say who it is.”
Rally turned away, trying very hard to not… Not blurt something out of frustration as Joint reached forward and grabbed her hand.
“Please… For the love of… For the Love of Hiroki. For the love of anything… Please… Just stay low… We can’t… We can’t loose you, too.”
Thanks to his nurses talking as they set up to remove the bullet he took, he now knew Banshee was recovering. It was time to leave. Any minute someone would recognize him. Grabbing everything from the tray, he slipped out of the ER. Outside her door, he heard what Joint said. He never meant to put her in danger. Grabbing a nearby chart, he wrote a note and slipped it under her door. "I never wanted to hurt you. You are too important, a true Hero, to be distracted by me. Goodbye. ~ Red" (❤️
From outside Rally watched the note slipped under the door but said nothing. He didn’t want the ruin the moment Banshee was fine, and so she deserved a break.
Rally’s heart sank when Banshee noticed. “What’s that?” She asked and he had no choice…
He did read it before handing it over.
“… I can’t believe he just left!” Came the shrill voice of the Nurse from outside. “He took the medicine and ran!”
Joint stood, opening the door.
“Someone missing?!” He asks and Banshee is scrambling to her feet.
She… She could catch him.
“It was the man who brought in Banshee and the old lady!” The nurse said. “He had a bullet in his shoulder- I…”
“What did he look like?” Banshee asked.
Rally looked at her, then shook his head. “Katherine, you’re grounded, I swear to-”
“I-… I need to know!” She told her mentor. “The last time it happened I… I need to know.”
The Nurse looked between them and swallowed. “I… I…” She swallowed. “He didn’t want to take off his scarf… He was mostly concerned for you, miss Banshee.”
He had every chance to kill her, harm her and yet…
“… I’ll pay for the equipment he stole,” she said. “Please. Let me pay for it.”
Rally and Joint looked to each other then back to the nurse.
“I… I’m not sure…” The nurse stammered.
“Everything will be paid for by the United Nations,” Rally said. “This man saved our team-mate…” For the first time in a long time he cracked a smile. “We can’t be too mad at him, can we?”
“If it would please you…” Joint smiled. “Banshee has been saved by him. Can you trust her in confidence to perhaps identify him?”
Banshee felt her shoulders lift a little.
“W-well, you are… Heroes on duty…”
He needed a place to rest, pull the bullet out and sew himself back up. He was leaving a trail. Keep going. His arm was almost useless. Home was a long way off. Passing a dumpster, he pulled out a notebook and threw it in. Only his aim was off and it bounced off the side. Leaving it there, he moved on. It was poems he wrote and useless sketches. It would be best not to have anything to remind him of her. Spotting a club, he slipped inside and locked himself in a dark, private room. (❤️)
((Sorry, man. Thissss is what happens when you flirt with death.))
Katherine had made her way into the surveillance room with Rally and Joint.
“He seemed very scared for you, miss Banshee. He kept saying you had a son and some relatives in town… I hardly believed him.”
Katherine watched the camera with almost utter disbelief.
Joint and Rally merely blinked.
“… Why though?” She asked. “He’s not dumb. He knows what my job entails… I don’t think I would…”
She lowered her head and looked to the nurse. “How bad were his wounds?”
"Bad. If he pulls the bullet out himself he could bleed out or even lose the arm if not treated right away. Or he could be fine." On the screen, the man in question did his best to keep his scarf up around his face. He seemed to know where the cameras were and managed to keep his head turned or down so they wouldn't get a good shot of him. While the nurses were gone he wrote something but tossed it in the trash after listening at her door. He wrote another note, left it and was gone. (❤️
“He’s very calculated,” Katherine pointed out.
“He’s done this before…” Joint said with a grumble as he crossed his arms. “… And he is out of our jurisdiction.”
“He’s not out of mine…” She said quietly, then looking to Rally. “I can’t let someone die because they saved me.”
To hold you in my arms was everything to me. For that to happen again I would do just about anything you asked of me. I have no right to even speak your name. I saw you on the battlefield, hair like molten gold. Blue fire in your eyes. Goddess of death you hold back. Endanger yourself to protect others. Even those who harm others. I was drawn to you like a moth to the flame. Holding you was also my greatest fear. You were so lifeless. Please be well Goddess or my heart will die with you. ~Red❤️
“AUGH!” Joint shrieked in disgust as he pulled the note from the trash can. “Ew. Ew. Ewwww.”
“Honey, it’s just paper trash.”
“In the hospital!” Joint pointed out, still visibly shaken by the ordeal.
“Any. Way…” Banshee said, taking the note and looking it over.
Something uneasy settled in her stomach. They were words of admiration, sure, but… But this didn’t feel like… This didn’t feel like love or attention she deserved.
“… He’s not well. We need to find him.” She sighed. “Set him straight.”
“Agreed, but…” Rally sighed. “Kat, you have skin in the game. I don’t think you should be the one to do this.”
Katherine frowned. “So what? This is just going to go to the police?”
“Oh, no…” Joint interjected. “By all accounts: he saved your life. That makes this an international affair. I can respond accordingly.”
“But you will go home and rest.”
He woke to the sound of the lock being jimmied. A strong leap and he was out the open upper window. It wasn't perfect. He should have caught the edge but his arm was useless. The fall didn't hurt too much. But it didn't help. It was a long walk home but he made it to his loft. Flopping down on his mattress, he heard Nana coming up the stairs. The din from the shack city below seemed peaceful. He hoped he didn't bring trouble home to them. "I told you not to get hurt." Nana scolded (❤️)
As the door creaked open Joint stepped through cautiously, chanting. “Please not another BJ, not another BJ. Not another-” He peered through one eye as he kept the other shut tightly, and he took a moment to take in the room.
“Oh, thank god,” Joint visibly said- a few more human shades returning to his face as he took a hand-held light device from inside his jacket. He flicked the trouble-some switch and scanned the ground around him.
This was how he had managed to find the blood trail- even after the bleed seemed to vanish and seem less and less. Flecks of blood still made their way to the unknown observer’s shoes, his hand and certainly his arm.
Well, thank goodness the staff seemed to know how often to clean their private VIP section. Sans the obvious blood on the doorknob, the floor and a few occasional flecks of white on the wall he found the trail he had been looking to find.
A pair of tweezers, a stray bullet, some bandages and a huge smattering of dried blood lay on the sofa. It was a crap-shot, but damn if the mess hadn’t remained almost entirely contained… And yet…
“No sign of a victim…” her murmured, glancing to the open window. Photo-florescent lights glinted like the sun outside. It had been a few hours since he had left the Hospital, gathered his gear and made pursuit of a man who- plainly didn’t want to be found.
That was primarily the reason why he was here.
Not for the safety of his new team member. Not to set her mind at ease… There were a thousand ways to make Katherine feel safer in her own home. Pursuing a potentially dangerous stalker; not one of them.
So then why steal all that medical equipment? Why not just leave and go to another hospital if he was too embarrassed to confront Katherine… The answer; the man had something to hide… And Joint was the Alice who was going to travel down this rabbit-hole until the end.
Journal~ Maybe if I write this down, I can get her out of my head. I know I am not wanted or needed but I find I cannot stay away. I am drawn to her. I know I should work but she is on my mind. So much so I can't think. I need focus. But there is only this heart-wrenching feeling. She is so beautiful. Hair a golden river. I want to touch it. Is it as soft as I think? Her eyes are the brightest blue. Piercing but there is laughter in them too. Will those eyes ever look on me kindly?❤️
Katherine got home, escorted very carefully by a groggy Rally. Hiroki was sleeping like a rock in his car seat. This would have almost felt like a normal return home if not for the very disturbing context.
“Alright,” Rally says to her. “Let's get you and Hiroki to bed,” he said, trying to sound as supportive as possible.
“I…” she sighs. “I haven’t eaten, yet.”
Rally forces a smile and looks around. “You uh… You want me to cook?” he asks, sounding desperate.
Katherine sighs and shakes her head. “Well, I have cereal. The big thing is that I can’t do dishes with bandages on my hand.”
She sees the disbelief in Rally’s face. “I’ll uh… I’ll try cooking,” he says, looking warily to the kitchen. “Can’t be that hard can it?” Oh, this should be fun.
She sighs and extends her hands to the car seat and Rally didn’t fight it. Once she got Hiroki’s seat into their bedroom she started to un-latch him, earning a small whimper of recognition.
“Heyyy squeaker~” she cooed. “You ready to go nap?”
Without any protest at all Hiroki’s face hit his mother’s shoulder when he was picked up, and moments later she was happily being covered gently in a blanket cave. The sound of a pan clattering on the stove stirred her from her thoughts… Y’know what? She didn’t want to know. It was best she just… Get dressed to fall asleep.
Hiroki had fallen asleep willingly, Rally was in the next room… Her stalker had been injured… What had she to fear? As she pulled her nightshirt over her head she gave her neck a good stretch and looked at the cork-board on the side of her room.
… Well, as creepy as the stalking aspect had been she didn’t want… She didn’t want her stalker to die or be permanently crippled because of her. She hadn’t even… Been badly hurt.
No. No, Joint was taking care of this.
With a sigh she reached out a bandaged hand to take down the various pictures, untying certain chords and notes.
She paused, unhooking a few twines of red yarn.
“… It couldn’t have been Vlad King, he’d have told me by now… Same with Snipe, I think.” Would have recognized them.
She thought of the image of the man who had been in the hospital room, thought on how the Nurses described him.
“No, too tall… “she said taking down a photo. “Besides; I could have sworn he never liked me… And not…” she ripped off another. “You. You would have stayed at the Hosptial…”
She kept pairing down and down her possibilities- basically ridding herself of anyone too far outside of his body type.
The blood trail leads to an abandoned factory. Around and in the decrepit building was a village of tents and shacks. People went about their lives farming, crafting ect. They eyed Joint suspiciously. All had a disfigurement or monstrous quirk. The dregs of society. A tiny girl crept over to joint. She was filthy but underneath her hair, tail and the fur on her legs and arms were pure white. On her neck, a heavy collar. She tugged on his leg. Blue eyes begged. "Pweeze.. help.. aba?" ❤️
Joint had scarcely gotten there and he was already feeling uncomfortable. Washington, where he had grown up, had always left him feeling uneasy because of how Joint had grown up. He hadn’t missed the judgment or the power disparity.
Or the bargaining, or the prying, or the feeling of being less than human.
“Help?” he asked, bending down, trying to keep an eye on things. “… What is it you need help with?” he asks.
Poor thing. She was so small, so young. A twinge of guilt clung to his chest as he thought of the first time Katherine had met Hiroki… She couldn’t have known how bad he had felt for trying to convince her it wouldn’t be the smartest idea to come.
“… Actually,” Joint said. “I’m looking for someone…” he said. “I think he’s hurt.”
"Aba! Pweze halp!" she struggled over the words. Wrapping her tail around his arm. People moved for them, but they were shaking their heads. "Where were heroes when... Saving the rich! When will all people matter?" the voices shouted over each other. The little girl hissed at the crowd. “Aba n...n... Halp!" Up in the loft, an old woman, stained with blood blocked the way. She looked Joint in the eye. Your word that you'll not take him, here. He's all that prevents war between them and you ❤️
Furrowed his eyebrows and held up his hands. “Look. I’m here to just guarantee my student is safe.”
He swallows and looks around. Must have been popular, this guy. “It’s nearly daybreak. I won’t keep you annnny more than I need to.”
The old woman eyed him then moved out of the way. The child clings to his leg, hiding her face as she babbles ba ba ba over & over in a distressed tone. The loft is more barren than the shacks below. Only an old couch & table. His long legs stick out over the end. Shirtless, his shoulder is red and inflamed. Despite the stitches, blood trickles down his arm from the wound. His body is muscular & scarred, his face & hair covered with bandages. Fevered brown eyes watch. "..here to arrest or k.." ❤️
“Kill?” Joint asks raising a hand to his chest. “Please. Don’t be gauche. You saved my team-member…” he said, scanning the entirety of the wound. “Provided; you stalked her, but you don’t deserve to die… Maybe a good slap on the wrist for this trouble, but… Maybe not with that shoulder.” It wasn’t a bad job, per say, but for a wound that large and so close to an artery it made sense that any stitch less than perfect could just exacerbate the problem.
He knew it would be bad… He didn’t know it would be…
“You’re running on adrenaline,” Joint pointed out, trying to think of the various smatterings of red and viscera. “… You should have stayed in that room…” Joint said. “Saved your blood.”
God, get a grip on yourself, Saul… You’ve been at war. You’ve seen men get up after getting cut open. This shouldn’t be anything.
Joint had wanted to ask questions, but now there… There was nothing more he could do but just… Think of what Patrick would do.
Call Rally. Get them out here. Get a tourniquet. Elevate the wound.
Joint pulled out his phone- his hands were shaking and his free hand covered his mouth. “… Someone cut open his stitching and get… Get something to use as a tourniquet…” he hit one on his speed dial. “… And get… Get a pillow under his shoulder.”
A ghost of Numb’s voice echoed in his mind.
Get Curse out here. I’ve shown her how to take care of gunshots like this.
But was that really… Wise?
“Julian, I need Banshee here,” Joint said.
“… I’m guessing you’re either being threatened or things went south really fast?”
“Things went south…” Joint grumbled. “It’s bad. He needs Numb.”
There came a certain form of communication between the pair of them since they had gotten together. A certain unspoken flow of knowledge. Numb may have been gone, but Banshee was alive. She was the next best thing.
“Where are you? I’ll wake her up and get an uber. Do we need anything?”
Joint looked to the mangled man.
“… Something high-alcohol.”
“The drinking kind or the rubbing kind?”
“Okay, Fireball and stuff it is then.”
“Not my in..tention to stalk her... park was... chance... should have left..." he tried to sit up but Nana pushed him down. He growled but stayed down while the old woman went to work on the stitches as ordered. That is until he heard Banshee's name. "hnnnn… no.. don't bring her here... nneeds her rest... I'll be finnn.." he struggled to rise but the old woman wasn't having any of it as she pulled hard to tie the tourniquet. "What now sonny? she asked turning to look at Joint. (❤️)
“I-…” Joint looked warily down at the apparently accidental stalker. “I don’t know.”
Moments, after Katherine had gotten herself dressed again, was when the location had been sent; and when Joint soon called her directly.
“Are you on your way?” he asked. He sounded… Shaken.
“Yeah,” Katherine gave him a white lie. “I just… I got in the uber. I’ll be a few minutes.”
Joint continued to talk. “W… What can I do? Are… Is there anything I can do? There’s… There’s so much blood.”
“Uhhhh…” she stopped in her living-room as Rally handed her a first aid kit, looking rather frustrated by this whole ordeal. “Send me pictures,” she said.
“Of him? Kat, he’s covered in bandages and I-”
“No. Of the room, of his wound, I need…” I need to know more about him. “I need to know more about this situation…. I’ll be there in a bit. I’ll hang up and send you texts.”
Katherine waited for Joint to hang up before she gave Rally a look of worry. Rally just seemed unsurprised. “Do what you have to do,” he said. “And then… Then come back. I’m not sure I trust him, yet… Make sure Saul stays with you.”
“Okay,” she says as her phone rings. An image made it’s way to her as she walked out into her uber… Instantly she saw a few things that would help.
Don’t elevate the wound like that. Have him sit up reclined. We don’t want him blacking out, but we also don’t want to keep the wound open in exposed air.
Loosen the tourniquet. I’m not there yet.
Wash your hands and put gentle but firm pressure on it.
Joint made a face, looking at the would-be-stalker and cringes. “… We need to get him to sit up slightly. Anyone got more pillows?.. Also.. Um… someone… Press on the wound.”
Joint’s phone rings again, hoping for an eta… What he got was… Less happy.
“… Oh no… Um…” he cringed. “Uh… Did… Did you remove all of the bullet?” he asks. “Did you check?”
To Banshee's face but only when we are alone, I call her all sorts of nasty names and she gives it right back to me. In front of the kids, it is Honey or Beloved. Sometimes I annoy her with something sappier like My love or My Lady. She pretends to hate it. In my thoughts, she is my Siren. Her sweet voice entranced me and I never got free. Umm... Not that I want to be free of you, Darling! Love of my life. Dearest? I am a dead man, aren't I? (❤️)
“Augh, you dick. That makes me sound like a cougar.”
Like it had been intentional… It wasn’t, not at all… But his pursuit had been. She wasn’t an easy person to get along with, but… He stayed all the same. Even when she swore he would have every want to.
Rolling her eyes at Joint, she went to do the things needed to be done. He was almost asleep when pain woke him. Nana was pressing down on the wound. Hearing Joint's question he shook his head. "No.. I can.. something.. is still in there." It was a struggle to stay awake. "I.. I never meant.. meant to scare.. her..." his thinking was sluggish and he kept falling asleep only to jerk awake at every sound. "Hnn should clean up.. don't want her to see... she hates me doesn't she.. let me die.." ❤️
Joint waited patiently, biting his lip as he soon could hear the sound of running footsteps.
“Just… Try to stay conscious…” He says as soon Banshee- no Katherine on her off duty- comes running in. She says nothing as she skids to the side of the woman at the wound.
“Okay… She says. In here,” she tells them. “I’m here.”
'She is so beautiful.' was his first thought when he saw her appear on the stairs. 'I am such a fucking mess. I don't want her to see me like this.' He struggled to sit up but was too weak & Nana was holding him down. He shivered. Why was she here? Shouldn't she be ... home? He couldn't think. If he was going to die, he would die watching her. / Nana looked up at Banshee. "He has gone cold. I'm a pressing but his blood don't wanna stay in. There is a bit left inside. You gonna help him? ❤️
“Well, he’s conscious,” she says as she takes his good arm and feels for his pulse. After ten seconds she sets it down. “Should have stayed in the hospital…” She tells them as she re-tightens his tourniquet.
This was… A lot of swelling.
The bullet likely nicked a bone or fractured. She nods to herself. “Okay,” she starts. “I need some alcohol and some clean gloves. Then we need to disinfect the wound and the forceps…” She says to the woman. “Can you help me?”
"Banshee." his voice low, almost a purr. His hand slid into her silky hair, forcing her head to tilt. Slowly he caressed down the length of her neck with his fingertips, watching her shiver. Leaning close, he could feel the heat from her body. Languidly, his lips just barely grazing her skin, his breath breaking against the taut muscles of her neck. When he got to her ear, he played along its curve and gave it a little nip. A promise for later at home. He pulled away. Their chase was on. ❤️
Banshee let out an absolutely surprised squeak as she dropped the clipboard in her hands.
“Darlinweareatworkwhatthe-?”
She turned around only to be greeted by his back as he sauntered off.
Were the cameras even out of view? Ah. They were. Okay. Thank god.
But that didn’t stop her from feeling flustered. How was she going to top that?
Best to just be the bigger person and not engage. Best to ignore him.
But when had she ever made good decisions?
She took out jer phone and sent him a text.
“Hope you weren’t planning on staying in for Valentine’s day.”
"Sorry... didn't know. Never been shot before. Burned... stabbed... I can handle that.. " his words were slow. As the tourniquet was tightened he did his best to stay silent but couldn't help the grunt of pain. His sight was going dark. / Nana didn't want to leave her boy alone with Heroes but there was no helping it. He needed help. This was beyond her skills. "Sanitized by fire, boiling, acid or alcohol, Miss.." Nana hissed. "Tsk, your poor hands. What can I do to help you help my boy?"❤️
Banshee paused. “Fiiiii- no? No. Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol.”
Her eyes wandered to the matron beside her, then back to the man. “… This is going to hurt, I’m sorry.”
She blinked a few times, tapping his face. “Hey, hey. Stay with me.”
"Ok. I'm awake. I know. Don't worry. Can't hurt worse than doing it myself." So he wouldn't pass out, he focused on memorizing each of her features, even her freckles. "Thank you for doing this. I thought I could take care of it myself." When Nana went to get the rubbing alcohol, he reached over to touch Banshee's arm. "I never meant to scare you. The park was a chance thing. I turned around & there you were. I wasn't gonna bother... but when I heard your gun misfire. I was so worried. ❤️
“You should have left me…” She solemnly lets him know.
What comes out of her mouth is truth, but not something she clearly was thinking about. It was like a script prepared she had memorized.
“It’s my job to lay down my life if need be.
"No!" he said as he sat up, instantly regretted it. Falling back onto the pillows he reached out to her. "No. You are too important. Not me." he explained catching her look. "Your son. Don't make him an orphan twice. Besides if it were a civilian you would have saved them no matter the cost. Any True Hero would. How could I do less, when my life is less important than yours. How could you be so selfish by saying leave you? Any good death, isn't! Not to your son. Not to them. And not to me." ❤️
“I don’t think we get to decide that,” Katherine murmurs. She seems to regret just talking for a moment then sighs.
“Okay,” she says. “Let me level with you… I’m not the hero you seem to think I am.”Katherine cuts the bullshit entirely and looks him square in the eye.
“I’m a War Hero. I show up when a country’s soldier breaks the geneva conventions. I kill them; often very quickly but very violently. I drag the body back to the UN, and I let the war go on…” She crosses her legs and tells it to him straight, the whole “banshee” persona was as much a front as it was a defense mechanism. “To top it all off: I never… I never wanted to be a hero. I wanted a normal life, but was strong-armed into it… Now I’m a hero to support my son, and to help stop villains like Alloy, but I… I’ve always wanted a family of my own, to stop feeling self-conscious of my quirk.”
Katherine figured it qas best to lay it out as nicely as possible. This man… Had no idea what he was getting into.
“I’m sorry… But the Banshee you seem obsessed with…” She swallowed. “… Doesn’t exist.”
