(靡)

He braced himself for the pain of surviving, but it never came. Instead the warm thing tightened around him until he realized it was arms. “I’m sorry I broke my promise. I never meant to make you wait so long.”

Wreck shot upright, the melodic voice pounding through his skull. There was no way he’d heard that right, was there? But then why did it sound like-

Wreck tore his eyes open, only to find the world twisting and swirling in colors. One moment, it seemed far too sharp and jagged, then the next it dripped and bled together. Sometimes the colors were dizzyingly vibrant and sometimes they were practically black and white. What was this? How was any of this possible? And how did it relate to the man who-

“Oh, Wreck.”

And just like that, nothing else mattered. Wreck twisted himself around and clung on for dear life. “Nice!” he sobbed. He knew that voice. Not just in sound, but in tone. The same as he knew the warmth that enveloped him as they hung midair. “You’re alive. You're really alive.”

“I’m so sorry.” Nice’s voice cracked and choked through his tears. “I wanted to tell you earlier. I never meant to abandon you or leave you to find out like this. I only wanted to keep you safe until I could steal you away.”

The world settled into something so crisp it was almost uncanny. The rocks he’d summoned still pierced the sky with jagged spikes, but Moon and the fraud were nowhere to be found.

“We planned it after Smile’s…” Nice choked and Wreck pulled him in tighter.

“He came to me after the incident and asked if I wanted to help. He offered me a chance to set right all that I’ve done wrong.”

Wreck’s chest ached. He didn’t dare ask who “he” was, but the thought of anyone trying to offer Nice redemption after all he’d been through felt wrong. Nice was the victim here. He shouldn’t need to redeem-

The world flickered again until it was vibrantly blurry once more. But now, a third man stood beside them, riding what appeared to be a cloud. His crisp white suit and hair stood out against the dizzying backdrop.

“X?” Was that what this was all about?

“I’m glad we finally get to meet. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Nice.”

Wreck felt his cheeks flush, but fought the warmth down. Now wasn’t the time to imagine what might have been said.

“Are you the one he planned with? The one who told him to fake his death?” He tried to keep his voice steady so no hostility could escape, but he must not have fully succeeded, for X flashed a smirk at Nice.

“I see why you like him. I’ll think he’ll be a fantastic addition.”

The world swirled in on itself before shifting sharp and dark. He jolted as X appeared before him with an outstretched hand. “I’ve been gathering heroes if you’d like to join us.”

Nice smiled encouragingly, but it did nothing to ease the pit that formed in Wreck’s stomach. “I’m no hero.” Did X really not know what he’d done? “I’m not even a proper villain. I’m just an extraneous prop for a stale narrative. And even if I tried to change, my powers were all fear based. Without them, I’m just-“

“Every bit the hero I ever was.” Nice’s eyes flashed with anger and his grip grew tighter. He shifted Wreck around so they were face to face and stared directly into his eyes. “If you’re not a hero, then neither am I.”

“Of course you’re a hero.” How could Nice be anything less?

“Then you are too.”

There was a certainty to his voice that Wreck hadn't heard in years. A determination to his jaw and steadiness to his eyes. But more than that, there were a few strands of silken hair hanging out of place and a small crease to his vest that Nice didn’t seem to notice. A vest he hadn’t worn now for years.

“Your OCD.” But how could it be cured if Nice was still flying? How could he use his powers without his trust value?

“It’s not completely gone.” Nice pressed his forehead against Wreck’s and closed his eyes. “I had the condition even before my trust value warped it, but I’d forgotten just how different it was back then. I can hear my own thoughts again, even when I close my eyes. And when I open them, the rush doesn’t overwhelm me.”

His voice cracked. “I was always so scared of falling, I lost sight of how caged in I became. And there’s nothing I can do to undo the harm I’ve already caused, but now I’m finally free to try again.”

He pulled away so he could resume staring directly at Wreck’s soul. “I’ve made so many mistakes in my life, but you’ve done nothing wrong. It’s time you finally get to shine as the hero you always were.”

“A hero.” Hadn’t he just declared the dream long gone? Was it really safe to hope with such a being looming over them? Surely his powers wouldn’t be granted without a price. But if Nice chose to pay it, then Wreck would too. For better or for worse, he’d follow him to the ends of the earth.

“Deal.” He turned to X. “If there’s a way to make me into a hero without hurting Nice, then I agree to your proposal.”

X took his hand in a firm shake. “Excellent. Then welcome aboard.”