Our Little Secret
The Villain's behavior had been strange, as of late.
Not nefarious, or dangerous, just... strange. Strange in a way Hero couldn't quite put their finger on it.
"Why did you save me?" Hero asked, voice strained from pain, despite their efforts at keeping it grounded.
The Villain seated beside them, focused on bandaging the injured Hero, paused. "I believe the word you're looking for is 'thank you', Hero."
"Don't change the subject," they gruffed. No, Villain was definitely acting strange. To think they'd save Hero, their archenemesis, from Other Villain, when it'd only make their job easier- bandaging them, treating them with such gentle care... something was wrong, really wrong, and Hero was not about to back down without answers.
"I mean, I didn't see you for weeks! You just... disappeared, and the next time I see you you're risking your own life to save- Ack!"
"That's what happens when you distract me." Villain said, loosening the bandage around their arm.
"You did that on purpose!" To that Villain smiled, a soft, rare smile, and Hero almost forgot what they set out to do. Almost.
"Just- just tell me, alright? Where have you been? Why did you save me?" Oh, to hell with it. "I... worry about you, y'know? Even though we're enemies."
Villain stopped and gave Hero a blank, wide eyed stare. Hero, flushed from embarrassment, scrambled to try and explain themselves when they were cut short by a crushing hug from Villain.
"Ow- V-Vil'n-"
"Oh, Hero, you care about me! That makes this so much easier!"
Before Hero could ask them what the hell they were talking about-
Click. Followed by a cold weight on their neck.
Their blood ran cold.
A collar.
"Do you like it?" They asked, finally letting go of their embrace. The glee in their voice, their mania, rooted Hero stiff. "I spent weeks on it, specially made for you," Hero could only stare at this recent development, mind blank.
"It has a tracker. I'll have your location with me at all times. You don't have to worry about anyone else hurting you from now on, I'll keep you safe."
That made Hero snap out of their trance. "You- you fucking psycho!" They grabbed and pulled at the collar, the pain of their injuries forgotten, "get this off- AAAH!" They lurched forward, vision going white. Their senses escaped them until the only thing that remained was the prickling pain that seized their entire body. Breathe, breathe, breathe. A shock collar, Villain, that bastard-
"So reckless," Villain tutted. "I knew I was right." They rubbed the heaving Hero's back, the action doing little to help. "I didn't want to do this to you. I know how much you like your little...freedom. I liked your carefree, willfull nature, believe me, I did... until it became a threat to your safety,"
"When I found you unconscious on the ground, bleeding out- I-I thought I'd lost you! I thought I was too late- I could barely find a pulse a-and all the blood-" They sighed, regaining their composure. "No. It won't happen again. I won't let it happen again. Never again."
Hero watched, wide and teary-eyed, as they rose to leave. "You can go back to that Agency of yours once you've healed in a few weeks. Until then, rest. You've had a long day today." Villain headed towards the door, until they paused at the entrance, and turned to leer down at the shaking hero.
"Oh, and Hero?" They flinched. "Do take care to hide that collar when you return, would you? I don't want your friends getting silly ideas on how to remove it. You can't. Foolish attempts will only hurt you further." Though nothing could hurt Hero more than the sheer betrayal they felt.
"Oh, don't look at me like I'm a monster, Hero. Atleast with this, I'll never be late to your rescue, ever. Freedom never suited you. Be thankful I'm still letting you leave, despite everything." The obsession everpresent behind their eyes made Hero realized they never truly knew them at all. To think Hero ever felt anything for them made bile rise up their throat.
"So unless you want that to change, let this just be our little secret, hm?"
