BigBadIvy

The guard's drunken footsteps were heard from afar.

Not too far from her, Hero felt Villain freezing from anxiety. He held his breath and moved even farther to his corner.

She decided to keep pretending to sleep, hoping that their cell will be too boring for the guard.

"Here's the lady!"

The man cheered. Hero cursed under her breath. She could hear him unlocking the cell's door, chuckling. Unfortunately, he was sober enough to handle the key rather fast.

Hero stood up, knowing that ignoring him away won't help.

Maybe she can make herself enough of a trouble to not be worth the effort.

The guard smiled wildly when he finally opened the cell. He stared right at Hero. Missing the other man sneaking to his side.

Villain striked the guard's head, then made an attempt to grab his weapon.

"Run!"

However surprised, the guard came to his senses.

He pushed Villain, who fell on the ground, and hit him.

Villain barely had any meat, not to mention strength, and took blows like a ragged doll.

Hero ran towards the guard, but he grabbed her arm before she managed to do anything and started dragging her away.

He took her away out of the cell before Villain even managed to push himself up.

She saw his face only for a split second before the door was shut and she was too far; he seemed terrified.

“HERO!”

She was moved through always, trying to get free. She pushed and cursed and held onto each door she managed to grab. The guard’s grip never waned, and he pulled her up every time she almost fell.

She could still hear Villain yelling to her, his voice filled with more emotion than she ever heard from him.

Perhaps it was just her habit, but she worried about him. Just a few days ago, he had given up on his life. What would he do, if he’ll remain alone?

The guard, who abandoned his drunk act completely, brought her outside. It Hero passed through a small door, almost too lost in thought to see-

“Hero!”

Her mentor.

“We have to go.”

Said the guard, after letting the women hug for a moment.

Mentor nodded, still holding onto Hero.

She lead her to a car and got inside, motioning Hero to sit in the back. But Hero froze.

Villain.

Hero looked into Mentor’s eyes, hoping that she’ll see how much she means her words;

“We need to go back.”

“What?”

“My friend is there, he’s… he…”

“Hero. We can’t go back for a criminal. Get inside.”

Desperate, Hero turned to the ‘guard’. He seemed sorrowful as well.

“Please, get him out, too.”

He shook his head.

“I can’t. My alibi only holds for you, I am sorry.”

Mentor was far less sympathetic.

“Both of you, get inside, NOW. We are not weeping for some random man.”

The ‘guard’ obeyed, tugging Hero softly. He sat next to Mentor after making sure she got inside.

“He tried to save her, that man from her cell.”

He explained, glancing at Mentor as she started the car.

“He tried to fight me when I came to take her.“

Mentor stayed silent. Hero wished she could see her face. She HAS to convince her to rescue Villain, as well. Despite her upcoming freedom, she could only look back.

I won’t abandom you.

Hero closed her eyes, seeing him in her mind; his gaunt body and tired eyes.

Live.

She thought.

You must fight to live.

As long as you are alive, you have a chance to be free.

Part 3 :

The floor felt warm. Almost like a bed.

At least that was what Hero told herself.

She sat up to stretch, letting her blanket fall-

She had no blanket.

It was no blanket.

Hero's head snapped to the cell's corner; Villain was still there, back leaning against the wall.

There was no sign he moved at all after their coversation last night. No sign, except for his missing shirt.

Touched, Hero held onto the cloth.

It had some holes, and clearly hadn't been cleaned for a while, but it was all that he had.

Slowly, she made her way towards Villain. She tried to gently place it back on him, but the slight touch was enough to wake him up.

He blinked several times, and looked at her.

"Good morning, glad you're not a corpse yet."

Groaning, Villain came to terms with returning to reality.

He put his shirt back on without saying any word. But Hero wasn't going to let him get away with it so fast.

She smiled at him earnstly.

"Thank you."

Villain merely nodded, avoiding her gaze.

Her smile grew into a grin.

"You're sweet."

Villain froze for a moment, scoffed, and looked even farther away.

Satisfied, Hero rose up to stretch.

She haven't found a way to break free, yet, but she better prepare herself for the opportunity.

She should exrecise. They should exrecise.

"Get up."

Villain crooked his head, already looking amused.

"We can't just sit around. We'll get weak."

"I am quite comfortable as I am."

"That's the problem."

"My comfort does seem to irritate you."

"You've been sitting in the dark there like an emo-14-year-old for who-knows-how long.

You're probably already as grumpy and stiff and shaky as an old man."

"Hero, your lovely company would turn anyone into an old grumpy man."

"So grumpy they'd give me their shirt at night?"

Unfortunately, Villain no longer seemed amused. But Hero's brain didn't catch up to her words.

"You've already gone weak at heart. Let's at least give the rest of your body a chance."

It took Villain too long to reply. Long enough to make her a bit worried.

"As convincing as your cheer is, I am fine as I am."

Perhaps she's going too far.

Her quips didn't convince him to eat as well, but rather...

"I'm sorry."

Villain seemed surprised, mostly.

"I know we practically only banter, and I don't know how to say it without sounding like a cheesy 20-year-old homeroom-teacher, but..."

Hero shook her head.

"I'm thankful you cared for me. And I just want to help you, too. I mean it."

She looked into his eyes, hoping he saw her sincerity.

He didn't seem reluctant; he seemed afraid.

Hero stretched out her hand towards him. Villain stared at her palm intensely, almost animal-like, but then took it. He didn't let go until she did.

Beaming, Hero started to go over the movements she knew by heart.

As expected, Villain was creaky, and thus both embarassed and frustared; even gentle moves hurt him.

And yet, Hero has managed to bide her tongue. No jab, however deseerved, was said.

"Not bad at all, Villain. Specially' for first time."

Villain rolled his eyes as he leaned on the wall, silently desperate for support.

"I mean it.

You know that when I have something judgemental to say about you, I just spill it."

"Hero-"

"Long hair looks awful on you."

"I-"

"And short hair too. Actually it's probably your face."

"Hero, I am not a citizen-in-distress. You don't have to pretend you care about me."

Exhausted, he returned to the dark corner.

"I don't pretend."

Hero protested. Though, saying 'I do care' felt like too much.

"I'm a 'bleeding-heart', remember?"

He simply signed.

"I could be anyone else and you would act the same."

"Hey, I wouldn't laugh at anyone else's face as much."

No glint of amusement returned to his features. He seemed to sulk even more.

Hero shifted her weight on her feet. She really did try to cheer him.

Before she managed to say anything else, Villain glanced up at her, and seemed to calm down by himself.

"Hero, it's okay. I just..."

He shaked his head.

"I had a foolish thought and made myself bitter, that is all. Do not let me spoil your spirit."

He smiled at her.

He looked nice when smiling. Although a bit sad, too.

It wasn't an honest smile, she realized. But neither completely insincere; he was trying to comfort her.

Hero smiled back, wholly honest. From his dark corner, as far as the room let him be, she could swear that Villain was blushing.

Part 2 :

The silence that followed the meal was peaceful, at least for Hero. She might even have easier time falling asleep than she thought.

"You know,"

Villain started, before she got a chance to lie down.

"you seemed rather 'malnourished' yourself, earlier."

"You're not exactly a romcom-love-interest yourself, either."

Villain wheezed, dropping his serene facade for a moment.

"Looks like I hit a mark."

"I mean- god, Hero.

I meant that you seemed rather hungry."

"So?"

"So would it not be cleverer to save both meals for yourself? You would have twice the energy for your daring escape."

Hero bit her lip. How could she explain this? These rules she chains herself with. These childish ideas she holds on to.

"This... this is how I was raised."

Villain stayed quiet for a moment, not even looking at her. Hero took the oppurtunity to lie on her back, arm under her head for some comfort. However, she kept her eyes open. She could sense that his curiosity was bubbling.

"Many people were raised in many ways."

"True."

"You choose to be as you are."

"As I am?"

"A bleeding-heart."

"A bleeding-heart-!"

To this, she rolled over towards him. Eyes glinting with humor.

"Don't you mean nice? compassionate? Angel-like graceful?"

His eyes sparked with humor as well, and he held back a smile.

"Your ego is overflowed as it is."

"And rightfully so."

"Debatable."

He shifted his legs slightly, to sit more upright.

"Do you even know why, then?"

"I want to answer,"

Hero started, with thoughtful voice.

"..but I need you to be more specific."

It took him a moment to gather his courage.

"You are a kind person, Hero."

He said softly, eventually.

"When I first heard of you, I thought it was an act."

"And then?"

"And then, one driftless night- you purged into my uncle's basement, bearfoot, armed only with a small gun and a rather foul mouth."

"Gosh, you heard of it?"

"My uncle has been cursing you for months."

A wide grin appeared in Hero's face, despite her best efforts to remain serious.

"What did you think of me then?"

"That you were mentally ill."

"Welp, at least I proved you otherwise."

"Not really. I do not think you are crazy, but I find you rather... irrational."

Hero sensed no insult in his words. Only honesty. So she let him continue.

"However you were raised, you were hungry today. You clearly wanted my plate, but you willingly, and quite stubbornly, gave up on it. Just for...

...

And that's what you always do. No matter how much you suffer for your foolishness. And you except me to believe it is all because at five you were told that 'sharing is caring'?"

Finally, she understood his curiosity. She hardly ever understood those parts of her herself.

"Well, it is rather dumb. Or irrational, as a soft-heart like you would say,"

Hero looked down at the floor, embarrassed.

"When I was a kid I wanted to be a hero. I mean, almost everyone wanted, but I guess never got past that."

Villain's eyes shone with humor, but also... his expression seemed soft. He was quiet for a long time.

Tired, hungry and worn-out, Hero closed her eyes.

As her thoughts drifted, she heard one last voice, barely audiable;

"I am glad you never changed, Hero."

Part 1 -

The cell was dark. Dark enough for Hero to not see she that wasn't alone.

She has been walking back and forth, trying to see what there is beyond her cell. But there was nothing out except for a seemingly endless corridor.

"Can't you stand still for a second?"

Startled, Hero realized someone was sitting in the shadows, his head towards her.

"You'll get their attention."

The man was Villain. Mostly. He looked nothing like how she usually sees him.

He lay his arms and head on his knees, almost childishly. His clothes were dirty and torn, and it might have been just because of his position but… he seemed smaller.

For a brief moment, she felt sorry for him.

"I'm not afraid of these bastards."

Hero could imagine Villain rolling his eyes.

"We'll wait and see."

And wait they did. For what felt like a whole day, the two were completely alone. No sound or movement seemed to occurr out of their cell.

That only changed when a guard, seemingly tired and drunk, threw their meals at them. Hero quickly grasped her plate and shoved the weird 'soup' into her mouth. She finished it all in a few seconds, still feeling hungry. Villain remained in his corner, as far away from as possible. And from his own plate… Heros do not act out of gluttony. We take only as much we need.

She decided to encourage Villain to get his plate. The longer it will take, the more likely she will give in to her craving.

"You should eat… it's… it's not better when cold, is it?"

His head turned towards her. It was a small movement, and she realized he was completely still for all these hours.

It's up to her, then. Hero picked up Villain's plate, and moved towards him, slowly. There were barely three meters between them, but it felt like crossing a long, unruly bridge.

"Villain, you need to eat."

His gaze was intense.

"Why so?"

"Because you are a biological being that gets energy from calories. Now eat."

She placed the plate in front of him, almost violently- Hoping it would set the issue as settled. It looked like he almost smiled.

"And what should I bother storing energy for, Hero?"

"To handle me bothering you. Eat."

"There is not enough energy in the galaxy for that, I'm afraid."

She could swear that now he really is smiling.

"Finish this meal, and I will leave you alone for as long as you want."

His smile faded.

"Do as you wish. It makes no difference for me, or for anyone. The only thing we will get from torturing ourselves with this excuse for a meal is living longer in this misery."

"No. If you are malnourished, and an oppurtunity to escape comes, you lower your chance of suceeding."

Hero moved the plate a little closer to him, holding his gaze.

"As long as we can survive, we can escape."

Villain did nothing but stare at her. There no change in his expression that she could see, but something in his eyes told him she got to him.

After their long silence, Villain signed and picked up his plate. Muttering something about the path of least resistence.

As he ate, Hero did her beat to suppress a self-satisfied smile.

Part 2 -

Just a little longer

Hero took it step by step. Trying to ignore the pain in her leg. Trying to ignore the dread of being weaponless.

Sleep. You will sleep soon

She could already see the campus dorms.

You just need to get in and not get caught or get followed.

Everything was dark. Too dark to tell if she left blood on the floor. Signing, she started taking the steps to the common rooms.

When she reached the top, ever closer to her heaven, she saw a light.

Someone sat on one of the dusty chairs, reading by a lamplight. She doesn’t know how well she’d handle another bout with Villain right now. “Nice of you to come, Hero.”

Never mind. I prefer Villain

“Civilian.”

“Are you limping to your dorm at midnight?”

“Are you sitting alone in the common room?”

“One of these questions is more urgent.”

Hero tried to walk slower, hoping to hide her injury.

“Just go to sleep. We have a morning class.”

But Rival stood up and walked to her.

“Morning class is the least of my worries now.”

Both of them were almost completely in the dark, but she could tell he was sincere. His voice was rarely devoid of any cynicism or playfulness. He took her silence as a breakthrough.

“You don’t need to tell me anything, but if you’re hurt, I can help.”

“R-”

“Look, I know you’re tough. Everyone knows. That’s why I hate you. You have nothing to prove. So if…”

He cleared his throat, and turned his look from her. Despite hardly even seeing her face.

“If some bastard needs to learn a lesson, I can help you. I won’t tell anyone.”

Just barely, she could see his honey eyes shining. But the aching pain that constantly throbbed her leg reminded her of the dangers that follow.

Why can no one else know of Villain

“Hero?”

Rival asked, she could imagine the anticipation in his features.

“I’m fine, Rival.”

“H-”

“This is none of your business.”

Her tone wasn’t as harsh as it could be, but rather heavy-hearted.

But he didn’t push it longer, just stood as she at last continued walking towards her room.

She didn’t hear him move or speak until she almost closed her dorm door, his voice barely audible.

“I’m here if you need me, Hero.”

There were about three more seconds of silence.

Rival’s heavy footsteps filled the silence. And following them, much quieter, slier steps. These steps were coming towards her dorm.

“Wh- HERO RUN”

She heard Rival spurt back to her dorm’s way. 

Cursing, she hastily thrust her door open, fearing there was no time even for getting her hidden gun. Disastrously, she was right.

Villain held a dagger.

He held a dagger above Rival’s throat.

“Leave him.”

Villain smirked at her. 

His grip on Rival’s arms and the dagger he kept on his throat remained indifferent, both to her threat and to Rival’s struggles.

“Care much?”

“You know this will be a fight to the death, Villain.”

Hero answered, unleashing her own hidden blade. “And you know I will slit his throat way before you limp one step,”

She did her best to not show her dread. Not to imagine the light leaving the honey, radiant eyes she knew.

“But there’s a way to make this less bloody, is it?”

His message was clear. Hero glanced at Rival, his message was clear too. Ever so slightly, he shook his head.

“You are going to leave him, and we will take this outside, civilly.”

“H-”

Villain gripped Rival’s chin.

“Perfect.”

He threw Rival to the floor, almost cutting his jaw in the process.

“YOU PIECE O-”

Villain caught his face again.

“Shhh… we don’t want to make this harder for your girlfriend, do we?”

Rival seemed enraged, like he would murder Villain right here if he could, but before he tried to fight again, Hero got to him.

She pushed him away, hugging him, burying her head in her neck. Just below his ear.

Bewildered, Rival froze.

“under the bed”

She whispered, and let him go.

“Oh ~ it almost makes me regret I’ll kill you ~”

Grinning, Villain moved aside and gestured to the stairs. “Ladies first.”

Hero signed, giving one last look at Rival, who seemed disturbed, but determined as well.

As she walked down the stairs, feeling Villain creeping ever closer behind her, loudly thinking of just pushing her down, she hoped she heard Rival searching her room.

Soon later, when she could feel Villain breathing at her neck, a bang was heard. Villain’s grin froze on his face as he fell. Hero moved aside and looked up, meeting with radiant brown eyes.

I might prefer him over Villain

The next day, after dealing with the police, and after the noise from the tired yet curious students died down, Hero slept like a rock.

When she did wake up, slowly realizing that her morning class is long over. 

Signing, she got dressed and tried to calculate how many library search hours she’d have to go through.

But when she stepped towards the door, she saw something that was sled to her dorm.

They seemed to be, neatly written, detailed lecture notes.