Prompt: You are a villain who kidnapped the smart guy on your nemesis team, but they tell you that nobody will come for them and that the hero doesn’t care. You didn’t believe them at first but it’s been a month and nobody shows up and after once again hearing them cry at night you had enough.
Their hands grip tightly to the white porcelain skin, trying to block out the terrible, soft sounds coming from down the hall. Zeplin glares at their reflection in the cracked mirror. They know the face staring back at them, the dark sunken eyes, the sharp jawline, and hollowed cheeks. Their thin and cracked lips perpetually in a scowl, the face of the villain. They recognize this face, they know who this face belongs to, but they do not know this face. It’s like they are seeing their own face for the first time or their insides do not match what they see looking back at them. But they blink, clear their head, and it’s gone.
The sniffling from down the hall brings makes Zeplin take in a deep breath. They clench their teeth and walk out of the bathroom. They knock on the door, politely, and enter the guest bedroom. The room is simple but nice enough. A queen-sized bed sits in the center with a fluffy white comforter on top. Two dark wood nightstands sit on either side of the bed and a small dark wooden desk sits under the windows. Contrary to popular belief, Zeplin does not throw their prisoners into the dungeon. They don’t even have a dungeon.
Their captive lays on her back on the floor with her arm spread out by her sides. Tears slide down the sides of her face and she sniffles loudly. Zeplin sits gracefully on the floor next to her and offers her the handkerchief from their pocket. It’s an offer of comfort, an offer to listen and the captive takes it.
“I knew that Strong Man wouldn’t come for me, I’m replaceable after all. But I thought that my parents would at least look for me. They haven’t even filed a police report! I’ve been looking for one to show up for weeks but nothing.”
Zeplin raises their eyebrow at that, not quite sure how she would be finding this information.
“Oh, yeah. Winston gave me a computer the second week I was here. But don’t worry, no one can track me from it.”
Zeplin offered to let her go the first week she was here. They never intended to keep her here for long. They were just hoping to lour out Strong Man but he refused to come. Frankly, they didn’t even think that he noticed she was missing. How someone could ever not notice her, Zeplin will never know. She is a spitfire, all fierce determination and strong-willed arguments, wrapped up in a girl with endless smiles and beautiful laughter.
She was never supposed to stay, but it has been a month now and Zeplin cannot seem to get rid of her. Not that they would ever admit to not wanting her to leave.
She sniffles one more time and wipes the tears from her face with Zeplin’s black handkerchief.
“Anyway, it’s just got me down today. It’s been a month since I’ve been here, since I’ve been missing. It just hurts to know that nobody cares.” Her voice breaks on the last bit and she covers her face with both hands.
Zeplin’s heart breaks for his captive. Even they have someone that would care if they went missing. Winston would search high and low until he found Zeplin. Winston is practically the father that Zeplin never had.
Zeplin gently raises her shaking hands and holds them tight in their own. They pull her up into a sitting position so that she is sitting cross-legged across from them. She looks a little shocked by the touch but does not pull back.
“Delilah,” Zeplin says with an air of reverence, “Clearly they are all assholes who don’t have a kind or caring bone in their bodies.” Delilah laughs softly. Caspian continues, “They don’t deserve you. And you deserve better.”
Caspian tucks a stray piece of her strawberry blond hair behind her ear and lifts her chin up so that she meets their eyes.
“I care, Delilah. I don’t know if I can give you better but I can start by offering you a job if you want it. You are clearly brilliant with computers and I am sad to say that I am still stuck in the dark ages so I could definitely use your help.”
Delilah stares with her mouth slightly agape, “You just offered me a job.”
“Umm, yes? I mean you don’t have to accept of course-” Before Zeplin can finish, Delilah is jumping into their arms and hugging them tightly.
Zeplin does not remember the last time they received a hug, if ever.
“Yes, of course, I accept! I would love to work for you!” Delilah screeches into their ear.
Zeplin wraps their arms a little tighter around her waist, soaking in the pleasure of her warmth and affection.
Delilah pulls back but does not leave Zeplin’s embrace. Their faces are close when she asks, “Does that mean I can’t stay here anymore? I mean since you are now my boss and all.”
“You are welcome in this home as long as you want to be here, little sunflower.”
Delilah smiles brightly, all thoughts of her tears long gone. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“I have to go tell Winston!” Delilah shrieks and stands up abruptly, running out of the room. Leaving Zeplin sitting on the floor.
