Glitter and Dust

🌺 Snippet Request 🌺

Hi Anon. *peeks out from behind a pillar* I know you sent this request a super duper long time ago. Whoops. Hey I finally got around to it! Thank you for the request! Hope you like it.

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“Sweety pie, could you pass me the hot sauce?” Sidekick asked Henchman as a person came crashing down across the long restaurant table and slid to a stop in front of them. 

“Of course, honey bunny.” Henchman reached over Villain’s body and picked up the bottle of Cholula hot sauce. Sidekick and Henchman sat together near the far end, chairs subtly pushed closer towards each other. Someone screamed in the distance as Villain somersaulted off the edge of the table. Pleasant sunlight streamed through one of the broken floor length window panels Hero had just shot Villain through. 

“No not that one, the Tabasco please.” Sidekick informed Villain over the noise of the breakfast dinner. It had erupted into chaos as parents scrambled to get up and grab their children. 

Henchman’s eyebrow raised in question “Really? I thought you liked Cholula better?” 

“Oh I do, I just thought I would try something new for a change. It’s important to keep things exciting.” Sidekick sighed. 

Henchman nodded in solemn understanding, “As always, you are incredibly right my darling. It does get rather boring around here.” They handed Sidekick the correct bottle. The entire party had deserted the table by now, and the restaurant was empty of people save the Villain and Hero brawling in the background. 

Sidekick drizzled a generous amount of hot sauce over their pancakes. They cut into the stack and offered Henchman a bite. Henchman’s eyes scrunched in fond registration as they accepted. 

Sidekick smiled and took their own bite, turning towards the spectacle. “Maybe we should set the kiddos up on a date,” They mused just as Villain picked up a centerpiece of lovely blue flowers and smashed the vase over the Hero’s head.  

“Hm. Mm hmm.” Henchman agreed around a mouthful of bizarrely spicy pancake. They didn’t bother to look up, already familiar with the routine. 

“Oooh! We could be godparents to their future kids. That would be so cute.” Sidekick daydreaming, already lost in some imagined scene. 

Villain had dropped on their knees next to the unconscious Hero, whose head was drenched from the vase. Villain gingerly removed a stray blossom from their eye. “Hey,” they poked Hero’s cheek. “Hey, you alive?” 

Hero swatted their hand away, mumbling “Wha…What happened?” 

“I got you flowers!” Villain informed them cheerily. They gathered up the stem from among the shards of glass and presented the Hero with the wilted blooms. Henchman nodded in approval from their seat. 

Hero eyed the hasty makeshift bouquet dubiously as they shifted to a sitting position on their elbows, “You did?” 

“And they invited you to brunch!” Sidekick chimed in. Villain and Hero both turned to look at the duo sitting at the table. 

“Sidekick?” Hero asked at the same time Villain squeaked, “Hechman?” 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

So. Still haven't named any of the characters. Open to suggestions!

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Five Months Ago

Villain paced across the ornate rug in his office, feeling strangely giddy. Light poured in through the large glass windows and burnished the room in a lovely glow. Truly, a perfect day. A firm knock sounded on the door.

Villain immediately stopped pacing and moved to face the glass panes. He brushed off a nearly invisible piece of lint on his silver epaulets and cleared his throat. “Come in.” 

A soft click sounded as the handle turned and the oak wood was pushed in.

Villain tried to ignore how hard his heart sped up at the sound of Hero’s voice murmuring a quiet thank you to the guard that had opened the door. Instead, he focused on the garden outside. The plumeria flowers of late spring were in full bloom, the color of soft ocher like Hero’s hair. 

“Commander.” Hero was cordial. Strictly business.  

“Hero.” Villain turned back as if noticing him for the first time and gestured to the small seating area beyond his desk. As Hero moved to sit, Villain took the time to study him. It had been almost an entire month since he had last seen Hero. Granted, the times they got to meet after their university days were few and far between and rarely not across the round table of some negotiation.

His hair at gotten longer. It was tied at the nape, a few messy strands escaping to frame Hero’s face. He wore a causal tunic and breeches, his ceremonial sword carelessly tied to a simple leather belt like it was a piece of scrap iron.

Hero was never one for flashy uniforms. His posture was relaxed, but the small tapping of his fingers against the armrest didn’t escape Villain’s notice. So Hero was anxious. Good. 

Villain often had a gnawing voice whispering in the back of his mind that Hero had forgotten him. Nobody forgot Villain. Those in his social circle simpered at the merest morsel of attention from someone of Villain’s pedigree.

Back when Hero’s ire was directed in his direction in competition, he had reveled in the feeling of being alive chasing challenge after challenge. Their glory days were at the forefront of daily gossip constantly. 

Villain hated Hero’s current indifference so much it made his bones ache. It felt like Hero moved on and Villain was still there in that same spot, searching for that rush. Worse still, Villain could admit Hero was brilliant, and it was infuriating. Villain had tutors, training, riches beyond fathomability at his beck since childhood. Yet Hero still managed to keep pace. 

Villain took his seat across Hero, who was making a pointed effort to avoid eye contact. He gazed out at the view Villain had been admiring only moments before. Villain knew Hero was itching to ask why Villain had called him here today. 

It wasn’t like Hero could refuse a summons from the Khalan Commander either way. Hero naturally had better things to do. No doubt he’d rather be off galavanting across the countryside saving every wretch he came across. “Golden Heart” the peasants called him. And secretly, some of the nobles too. A small, hidden part of Villain was disgruntled. Why did everyone else in the world deserve Hero’s kindness, and not him? 

It didn't really matter anymore. Soon, Hero would be at his mercy. And Villain would finally have the upper hand.  

“Before I inform you why I requested your presence today, let us have some tea first,” Villain told Hero amiably, taking ahold of the cup directly in front of him. Villain tamped down the corner of his smirk as Hero’s head whipped towards Villain in a look of uncharacteristically adorable confusion. 

“Tea?” Hero dubiously eyed the cups of enchanted china he had barely given thought to when he had sat down. The liquid inside could stay warm for hours on end, as evidenced from the steam still rising off the surface.

“I never took you as someone who enjoyed tea,” Hero couldn’t resist quipping, “It suits your fine sensibilities.” When it became clear that Villain would provide no further explanation aside from a polite smile, Hero mirrored Villain’s movements and picked up his own cup with a small sigh. 

Villain likes to stay low key. They’re so powerful that they’ve become desensitized and bored by the world. They choose to join the villain’s league because there’s nothing better to do, really. Despite Villain not trying all that hard, Supervillain’s recently noticed Villain’s competency and assign Villain to work closely with them. This care is new to Villain, and they start to enjoy Supervillain’s company. 

However, Supervillain is the total opposite of Villain. Always in the limelight, super charming and engaging. Other villains, civilians, and even heros flock to them like moths. It’s so annoying. Villain is jealous of the people constantly taking Supervillain’s attention away. Why? Do they want that power to sway the room too? Unable to understand the complicated new emotions roiling inside them, Villain decides the only solution is to stage a coup and takes over Supervillain’s position. 

Only when Supervillain is dragged before them, glaring with hatred, does it finally click in Villain’s dense head. It was never Supervillain’s power that they wanted. It was Supervillain. 

Hero has a sterling sliver reputation, and everyone loves them. So when they start dating Villain in secret, no one suspects a thing. Villain loves Hero, they truly do, but all this hiding is getting overwhelming. They’re tired, and they want to leave behind the life of being a villain and fade into a civilian identity. Unfortunately, that means leaving Hero behind. And Hero doesn’t want to be left behind. They frame Villain for a particularly destructive crime and then volunteer to watch over Villain on house arrest out of the goodness of their heart. No other alternative motive, of course.

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“Y-you can’t do this.” Villain stutters out the cliche line, still reeling from the shock of their Hero placing handcuffs on them.

Hero’s arm is now around Villain’s shoulders, assuring the group of reports with flashing camera lights below the podium that they’ll make sure to rehabilitate Villain, as the Superhero agency hopes to do with all of their convicts.

Hero’s not looking at Villain, but they tilt their head ever so slightly until their lips are hidden by Villain’s hair. “I can, darling. Watch me.” They reporters don’t hear the whispered words, and they go wild when Hero flashes a signature grin, their grip around Villain tightening imperceptibly.

Villain didn't choose their career path out of a particular zeal. They were just forced into due to circumstances, and to this day they try to follow a moral code as much as they can. Hero sees this, and they fall in love with Villain. Hero is gentle, understanding, perfect. Someone who Villain feels they don't deserve.

Hero is saddened but respects Villain's choice to not be in relationship despite clearing having feelings for Hero too. However, something that Hero and Villain both don't know is that Hero is just a human reincarnation of a powerful deity, Supervillain. They awaken their memories during an intense battle.

Hero and Villain come from legacy families. Against all odds, they fall in love. Villain tries to make Hero understand that their family is not like Hero’s. They’re not warm and happy. It’s hard for Hero to understand because of the way they’ve been raised. They have a blinding naivety. Do no violence, commit no harm. A hero’s creed.

One day, Hero is captured by the Villain’s family. They watch on in horror as Villain’s parent tells Villain to punish Hero. And Villain obeys. Hero screams all the hurtful things they can think of.

I should have listened to my family.

I never should of trusted you.

You really are a monster.

After years of working together, Hero and Sidekick fall in love and get married. Sidekick is a gentle soul and Hero is all for fighting in the name of justice, a perfect golden couple. During one fateful fight against the villains, Sidekick sacrifices themselves to save Hero.

Villain doesn’t hold many grudges against Hero and understands it’s a job to them too and nothing personal. Because of this Villain and Hero are able to have some pretty honest and open conversations. One day, Hero very nonchalantly suggests going on a date. Nothing high stakes, no big deal. Just causal and only if Villain wants to. Villain is surprised at first, but agrees. Why not? However, on the planned time of the date, Villain gets overworked and accidentally crashes on the couch. They oversleep and miss the date. They wake up to Hero brushing a lock of hair out of their face. Hero. INSIDE of Villain’s highly impenetrable and secured lair. Kneeling by their couch. Villain stares up frozen in shock.

Hero’s voice is gentle and expression relaxed, but there’s a darker emotion behind their eyes.  “You missed our date, my darling. I got worried.” 

Love your writing btw!

Dear Anon, thank you for your snippet request. I know I you sent this a while back. I finally got around to finishing it. I really liked your prompt. It was very unique and gave me a lot of inspiration!

Prompt: [Garden, Tears, and Cage with fluff/hurt and comfort vibes]

The sound of footsteps clicked against the singular marble pathway that led to Hero’s cage. Hero shuddered, curling in on themselves in the furthest side of their prison. It was like a giant birdcage, gilded and ornate gold. And Hero, like a little bird, displayed for Villain’s pleasure. The enclosure that surrounded Hero was meant to be a replica of their home world, giving the illusion of a forest. 

Trees with rough russet bark and flowering foliage in all shades of blue grew to the crystal dome ceiling high up above. Purple vines were woven in the canopy and entwined in the bars of Hero’s cage. A gentle article waterfall burbled somewhere behind, falling into a lazy stream of cerulean waters that ran throughout the glorified garden.

Small white flowers dotted the shrubbery like stars, and glowing orange moss climbed the scattered rock fixtures. Maybe to a stranger, the likeness to Hero’s home would have been astounded. To Hero, it was a mockery. Everything was too well maintained and manicured. It was nothing like the wild beauty of a true native forest. 

The worst part was the stillness. No birds twittered or insects chirped, no breeze blew or leaves rustled. Everything was just wrong. It was terrifying. Hero would have preferred a windowless basement room over this death-like silence. 

Click. Click. Click. The footsteps drew near, rounding a huge flowered hedge into the cage’s line of sight. Hero didn’t look. They braced themselves for Villain’s saccharine sweet voice and disgusting honied words of love.  

“Hello, Hero.” 

Hero’s head snapped up. That wasn’t Villain’s voice. Hero gaped at the person standing just outside their birdcage. Supervillain, dressed head to toe in finery. And covered in blood splatter. They walked right up to Hero, sword clattering to the floor. They fell to their knees and gripped the golden bar with one hand. 

Hero was frozen. Trapped in Supervillain’s dark magnetic eyes. Supervillain smiled and held up the object in their other hand, something that sparkled brilliantly in the artificial sunlight. Hero tried to process what they were seeing. It was gorgeous. Hundreds of crystal tears welded together in a crown, almost as many as Hero had shed in their lifetime. 

“How? I thought Villain had sold them all.” Hero couldn’t resist asking. 

Supervillain smiled at that, the gentle expression so out of place on their beautiful face that it caused Hero to shiver. “I know. I tracked them down.” 

Hero inched closer to the front of the cage, mirroring Supervillain’s kneel. “You didn’t use them?” they questioned. Hero’s people rarely shed tears, and the power contained in them could lead people to wage war. It was the reason Villain had captured Hero, no matter how they liked to pretend otherwise.  

“I never wanted you for your tears,” Supervillain said. The bar in their grip started to glow. Hero watched in silence as the glow spread around the cage, disintegrating the vines and melting it down around them.

“I wanted you for you,” Supervillain finished in a hushed whisper. Slowly, reverently, they placed the crown on Hero’s head with both hands. Finally returning what was stolen so long ago. It was very stupid, Hero supposed. To feel touched. Kneeling here, face to face with Supervillain. Wearing a crown made of tears and kneeling in a puddle of gold with someone who they had considered an enemy a lifetime ago.

Tentatively, Hero reached up and cupped Supervillain’s face. Supervillain leaned into Hero’s palm as Hero wiped a thumb under their eye, smearing away the blood. 

“If I leave now, will you stop me?” 

“No.” Supervillain responded simply. And Hero believed them. They felt the bud of an unknown emotion bloom in their heart, something they long thought had withered away.