queen of the scars

disorder will only bring the world into chaos

[ ✦ ] SCARREDROYAL. ⋯ a look into survival, sacrificial heroics, bittersweet failure, and the pain of responsibility. Liu Yuwei ; Queen, Rank #2, from To Be Hero X. Canon-compliant but headcanon-influenced. AU / multiverse / multiship. ( mun is 21+ , indie , semi-selective. follows from @timeislikemusic )  affiliations: tbd.  blog roll: lc mumu (main) , tbhx mumu , tbhx hero x , bsd mumu

‎‎‎‎‎‎‎     more info under the cut . . .

Naturally, this mindset carries into her hero years. She is both self-sufficient and self-reliant. There’s a reason she set her plan into motion so young, and why she felt it was impossible to wait as her father instructed. The world wasn’t going to lend her a helping hand. If she wanted to succeed, she had to take charge of her life.

It’s really no wonder she suffers from gifted kid burnout. Meeting Cyan and Ah Qiang helped her recognize the fatal flaw in her plan. Being a superhero doesn’t necessarily require being superhuman. They are still burdened with immense trust, though, and so the concept is… hard to grasp. With countless lives placing faith in her, she feels she can’t afford to rest.

She plays a dangerous game. We see what happens when heroes lose sight of their individuality. It happened most notably with Nice and Yang Cheng. While she does not believe herself infallible, she holds the belief that she can become that type of person once she obtains the title of X. Little does she know that the current X is anything but a workaholic. She could learn a lot from his approach to heroics. Hell, she could learn a lot from him about life in general. But she won’t like the process of learning it.

She tries to lean into Luo Li’s carefree words. “ Cool, yes. ” Her gaze shifts to the crowd, but determination brings her back. “ I could tell you were strong before, you know. ” In a storm that cruel, that unrelenting, Luo Li managed to fight. She did not surrender. She did not succumb. But— Queen tilts her chin, raises her shoulders, and chances an honest admission. “ You are even stronger now. ”

It’s true in more ways than one. Queen has watched her evolution from a distance, always observant of those around her… perhaps to a fault. The point being: Luo Li has improved. Technically, skillfully, emotionally. It has nothing to do with the suit and everything to do with her as a person. Admirably resilient.

What was it that Cyan mentioned weeks ago? She was always encouraging Liu Yuwei to make more friends. Even now, trying to conjure methodologies in her mind, she knows she overthinks it. Trust isn’t easy to give. That’s why she’s so honored for all she has. Yet, she’s not the only one deserving. Perhaps even the smallest gestures can help alleviate the strained feelings of competition that women in their field face.

Queen approaches and rests a hand on Luo Li’s helmet, doting for a fleeting moment with the lightest of pats. Her smile is soft. “ I am excited for you. ”

Bitterness blooms within her ribs regardless. Little Johnny is such a dear friend of hers. Now is hardly the time to dwell on the past, however. She exhales — slow, steady — and redirects her attention to the foe they face. No matter their ambition, they are both public figures; they have a duty here that must go beyond her petty suspicion.

Besides, E-Soul is prepared to fry the suspect’s equipment, and that is enough of a cooperation for her.

“ Then, I will hold him steady. ” She releases the command she’d uttered. Projectiles blast into the road behind her. Surprised, the enemy halts his assault, but only for a moment. She uses the opportunity to instruct him. “ Freeze. ” With one word, he is struck by an inability to move, to run, to speak. Gold symbols ripple around him and her alike in waves.

Looking over her shoulder, Queen gives E-Soul a meaningful nod. “ Go ahead. ” Pinning down a person so consumed by fear that they are this strong, of course, is no easy feat. Yet, she stands unbothered by so much as the gusts of debris at her feet. This is the strength she possesses.

They may be on poor terms, but she can get along when she must. Perhaps, they can learn to move past their odds someday. She makes a mental note to consider it when all this is over. It depends.

From a young age, Queen swore against trusting others. She remembers her father’s words, she remembers her uncle’s promises, and she knows they meant well. With forced independence, she has become stronger. Reliance is a weakness. She does not wish to be exploited. She does not wish to have her image ruined. 

X ruined it. It took months for her to recover from her defeat. If not for Cyan, she wouldn’t be surprised if she remained in her depression. She lost. And now, the victor is here offering his hand, ready to call them equals for reasons unfounded. Liu Yuwei’s lips twitch in some kind of frown. She’s already pulled herself back to her feet. What, does he want a handshake? 

Reporters and gossips do little to highlight how odd the number one hero is. They know so little. Mysterious, but not cold? Distant, but not unkind? Even Micky, who assigned researchers to this profiling task alone, hadn’t perfected a single theory. But X, in all his glory, is inviting her out to drinks.

And instead of saying no, Liu Yuwei stares, the lines of her features suddenly drastically less harsh. Surprised. “ You drink…? ” she asks. For some reason, the concept never crossed her mind. He doesn’t seem like the type to enjoy alcohol. Then again, he doesn’t need to have anything alcoholic. …Not that she’s considering this. Is she? 

Liu Yuwei shakes her head to disrupt such thinking. “ We are not even. ” Not on emotional grounds. “ But… ” She takes his hand in hers; fingers lissom but firm, a delicate reminder of her strength. “ If you pay, I suppose I have no reason to decline. ” Discussion may be long overdue after all.

prompted. status: accepting

— ✦ BEFORE QUEEN CAN STOP TO THINK OF A GENUINE ANSWER , she shakes her head. “ I’m… ” fine, she wants to say. This time of year is rough for every hero. Lin Ling doesn’t yet know. He’s new. Green, though not in an unhealthy, sickly sense. Rather, in him, Liu Yuwei is reminded of spring days and sunlit foliage: hopeful new beginnings. His naivety is awfully pure.

She wonders if he means to lift her spirits, in which case, he’s aware how far she sank. With situations like these, she should turn him away. He doesn’t deserve to crumble with her. Besides, she’ll stagger to her feet eventually; she always does, no matter who’s there to support her, or who isn’t. 

Except, she thinks of Cyan, of Little Johnny, and of his mischievous cat-like son. Friends. She could use them. They’re away at the moment, occupied on missions elsewhere, and… Might that be the reason she feels so low? It seems silly — so silly she wants to dismiss it. 

“ I’m tired, that’s all, ” she says. It is a half-truth. Better than a lie, she supposes. Tucking strands of hair behind her ear, she sighs. “ Thank you, though. It’s kind of you to check on me. ” She seems to take a moment, contemplation causing her to twirl silvery white around her fingers. 

Could she allow another person into her life? Do the benefits of friendship outweigh the risks? As high up in rank as she is, danger may come for her loved ones any day.