#addicted sidekick

Day three felt even worse than day two. Sidekick had been told generally Morphine withdrawal wasn't usually life-threatening, but he was sure if this burning need got any worse he was going to tear in half. If it was safe to go cold-turkey, then it certainly didn't feel like it. He was stuck lying on his bed, unable to move, sweating profusely, and taking rapid shallow breaths to try to keep up with his racing heart. He knew he had a fever, but half the time he was too disorientated to even notice. He tried to keep himself in an almost hazy semi-consciousness to drown out his cruel symptoms. He shivered in the darkened room, and the smell of vomit that hung in the air made his feeling of nausea even worse.

That was how he remained for hours at a time until he heard a loud bang, immediately followed by a crash. He was too tired to react, and his muscles ached far too much for him to even want to raise his head unless he had to. He tried to ignore it and closed his eyes.

The silent air was ripped apart by the jangling of keys, then a click as a key turned in the lock. Sidekick worked on sitting up, trying to stay on all fours, but with his violent swaying, it felt near impossible. Nausea wrapped around his torso and threatened to make him vomit yet again. But if this was Hero showing up, he had to at least try and stay alert. Hell, he was ready to beg for relief. Now he'd let Villain down, there was no point in trying to resist the need, right?

The door finally opened, only Hero was not stood in the doorway. Instead, it was Villain. They coughed at the overwhelming smell and turned away for a moment. "Agh, bloody hell!"

Sidekick choked out a sob before he lost his balance and fell to the floor from the bed. Villain wasn't able to hurry forward in time to catch him. He mewled, and slowly began the process of getting onto all fours again. The pain in his arm, the whole reason he was addicted in the first place, flared up again with a blinding potency.

"[Sidekick]?! Oh, shit, hey, hey, easy. You with me?" Villain rushed.

"I'm so sorry!" Sidekick cried, but his voice was hoarse; his throat burned. "I'm so sorry. T.This, it.it's all my fault, and-"

Villain crouched down in front of him and cupped his cheek, easing him into looking up at them. They wiped his watery eyes

"Shhh. Easy... there's nothing to be sorry for. You're okay, [Sidekick]. I've got you."

Sidekick wasn't able to hold back his sobs and he fell forward, clinging to their arm. Villain sat him up carefully and held him close. "Shhh, breathe. Try to take some deep breaths, okay. I need you to tell me, has [Hero] hurt you?"

"N.no. Please, I just need-" Sidekick stopped himself and let out a strained growl. "No... No. No more drugs. I. I shouldn't. They're the reason I've been so fucking useless."

Villain hugged him a little tighter.

"You’re not useless, I promise… What happened, [Sidekick]? You're not in trouble, I promise."

Sidekick's speaking began to get faster ad faster as the anxiety ravaged at his logical thoughts, made him terrified of what Villain might do. What might they do? Would they finally give up with him and wash their hands of him for good? Sidekick gulped and managed, "H.he knows. He. he pinned me down. I tried, [Villain], I really did, but it was right in front of me. It. it hurts. I’m so sorry."

Villain stroked his hair and very gently rocked him back and forth. "I know you’re sorry, it’s okay, just please tell me what happened so I can help."

"I told him y.you were planning on killing the mayor. I shouldn’t have. I messed up, and. And-"

The stress made him vomit yet again, but Villain didn't care about the mess they were sat in. "Let's get out of this room, hm? I think you'll feel a little better." Villain picked him up and managed to carry him out the cell. It was a relief to get out of such an airtight feeling room and finally feel a breeze against his sweltering skin. "[Sidekick], I stopped that plan the moment you went missing, buddy. I've told you it's okay for you to tell [Hero] if he's putting you at risk."

"Y.you should’ve just done it anyway…" 

"And risk him hurting you?! Listen, [Sidekick] you are without the slightest doubt the most important thing in my life, okay? Nothing, nothing at all, not even the greatest scheme is more important than you."

"B.but... the mayor..."

"Is a scumbag, and will get what's coming to them, just not yet," Villain reassured him.

"I've let you down again," Sidekick mumbled, leaning against Villain's chest, savouring the comfort of Villain's strong arms.

Villain was patient with their insisting that they’d done wrong. "You held out for two days all on your own and I’m so proud of you for that. You haven't let me down, I swear."

"Y.you're proud?.."

"Of course I am, buddy. You still haven’t had any Morphine by the looks of you, and that makes three whole days. Let’s keep that going, okay? I'll get you home, get you cleaned up, and I'll help you with these symptoms as best I can. I think this time we can really get you off it. That’s if you want to try?"

Sidekick nodded weakly. He was sick of being so vulnerable, so easy to manipulate no matter how strong his willpower was.

“Good... Good. I’m glad to hear it.“

Villain carried him back to the car without incident. They put him in the passenger seat and tried to put his seatbelt on, but Sidekick wouldn't move his hands from Villain's neck.

"I. I'll make it dirty..." Sidekick said, arching his back to try to keep it off the expensive material.

"And it will wash," they soothed. They eased Sidekick's hands down onto his lap and reached into the back for a bucket. ”I told you you’re more important. Besides, I came prepared, don’t worry.”

Sidekick smiled weakly at them, and Villain ruffled his hair gently. "Not long now, okay?"

Sidekick was about to nod but suddenly gasped and tensed. 

"[V.villain]," he whimpered, looking ahead of the car. Hero was standing with his fists clenched.

"Don't be afraid," Villain whispered. "You're okay. Stay here while I pulverize their face into mush, will you?"

Villain closed the car door and Sidekick could only wait.