Recent events in Japan had seen a rise in villainous acts. Searching for his target, he spotted a woman... a hero defeating a known member of the Chess Sets. He knew of Banshee. Her abilities and their cost. She looked extremely distraught and nervous. It was not his place to interfere but she was a hero and admired her. Patting his pockets, he had an idea. From the rooftop above her, he dropped a box of ammo, tied shut with a red bow made from cloth torn from his costume. (Valentineā¤ļø-SV)
profanehero
Banshee was distraught and for good reason. Bullets were her life-blood in combat situations. Her rifle, Broomstick, worked as everything from a quarter-staff, a club, a mode of transportationā¦ And of course- Broomstick was also a gun.
A gun that gave her the ability to stave off the use of her quirk.
Unless she was in a fight with another gun-slinger.
Alloy had apparently responded accordingly by bringing on more long-ranged Pawns. Ones that were probably more familiar and less unwilling to maim and kill.
At this point, even if she did use her quirk- she was at a huge disadvantage. One well-placed bullet and no amount of tears or depression would ever bring her back.
She thought back to her mentor- caught in the cross-fire meant for her just months ago. Perhaps this was Karmaās way of telling her she was past her due-dateā¦
She shook her head, trying not to cry and panic. Katherine needed to-ā¦ No. Banshee needed to find a way out of this. For her son, for her two other mentors- butā¦. Damn she didnāt even have bullets and-
āGA-WHAT THE HELL?!ā she asked, rolling away and behind better cover- ready to fight and strangle her way away from the ambushā¦ Only to be met with what she needed. Literally wrapped up in a little bow (sort of) for her to use.
No time to look a gift-horse in the mouth. She took the ammunition box. Small as it was; she could probably lay down surpressive fire- find a way to get to a better vantage point. Another shot and the half-destroyed wall above her rained a small cloud of drywallā¦ It was now or never.
She loaded the bullets and pulled her coat closer over her face. This should keep her relatively safeā¦ Not uninjured, but safer than she was before as she darted to the next spot- taking a pot-shot towards the location of the enemy sniper and darted away- seeking refuge underneath a new set of rubble.
What were Numbās rules about using a gun?
āNever aim a gun at someone unless youāre doinā one of two things; intentinā to maim them permanently, or kill them.ā
So she couldnāt do that. He was needed for questioning. Banshee wracked her brain and then thought of something else. Something she had learned all on her own from her elective class.
āā¦ Building materials when damaged are more likely to become unsafeā¦ā she said to herself as she cocked and loaded Broomstick- a bit of newfound resolve blooming in her chest as Banshee steeled herself once more and rolled out into the openā this time; shooting the flooring above her sniper enemy.
A couch, some insulation and a good section of floor fell down on top of her enemy as she stood and dusted herself offā¦
She made a glance down to the strip of red she held on her hand, immediately wondering who she knew who wore red and carried ammunition in Japan of all places.
But she wouldnāt deny the press the luxury of seeing her neck covered with the red strip of fabric as she brought in the newest pawn for questioning.
Despite trying to focus on his mission, he kept finding himself thinking about Banshee. Maybe it was her avoid the press while wearing the ribbon he made or that as he read the activity reports he was impressed by the way she handled herself. No, it was what he saw earlier that day at the park. Wanting to show his admiration, he sent her a letter. āļø There are many ways to be a hero. To be a Mother is the hardest. Please accept the enclosed Yen with my respect ~ Red ValentineĀ ā¤ļø (Ā„50,000)Ā Ā
āRedā¦ Valentine?ā She asked aloud once she found the package in her mailbox.
Now, this was when the hero left the letter on the table and stepped far back.
There were a handful of people she knew who had red in their costume. A few of them sheād even like to receive Valentineās gifts from, but she expected theyād approach her after some time.
But āRed Valentineā knew several things about her and she knew next to nothing of him (or her {or them}). That was the scary part.
He knew about Hiroki, he probably gave her ammoā¦ And he knew her address and apartment number.
Banshee took a notebook from her class and began listing out things he seemingly knew.
āā¦ Okay, maybe a coworker? Vlad king or Snipe?ā
((Katherine high-key has a corkboard in her bedroom and has been staring at it trying to figure out who this Valentineās guest is and if theyāre a hero, or a villain.))
Slumber - One muse has a sex dream about the other ( Valentineā¤ļø) I know we are not there yet if ever but let's see. Who will she imagine or will she not be able to see the face?
((Iā¦. Okay. There is a reason why Banshee is the āProfaneā hero. Iāll just leave it at that.))
Katherine sits back and stares at the cork-board with a grumble lines of various colored yarns are strewn about connected to different post-it notes of various neon colors.
She sighs and scratches her hairline. This little foray was beginning to become stressful.
The last time she had been asked out; she had been stalked and cased by a criminal leader. Deep down, Katherine wanted to be happy someone was looking out for her, but her mind was sending her red flags left and right.
There was someone in Japan that had given her a great sum of money for being a parent; there was someone in Japan that had given her bullets. They may even be the same person. At best; it meant someone she knew was looking out for herā¦
ā¦ She checks the lock on her windows and her front door one more time before collapsing down on her bedā¦ Just to be sure. A simple note should not have sent her into feeling so preyed upon. The world was filled with kind, brave people who would offer her assistance in any way possible.
Katherine sighs and pulls the lamp-chord and closes her eyes, thinking of someone who maybe, just maybeā¦ Genuinely didnāt want to hurt or use her.
ā¦ Maybe someone with her style of humorā¦ Someone who got what she was going throughā¦
Banshee ambles, holding her side as she keeps her free arm around the personā the manā who is helping her into the dark, abandoned hospital. Katherineās throat is parched; thick dust in the air making it uncomfortable to breathe as her joints and side protest with every small movement.
Heās got an arm around her- heās panting, but he trudges forward anyway. His other hand holds up a flash-light that grazes an upright gurney. He says nothing as he fixes his light on it again. Their destination is quietly agreed upon- for Katherine is already releasing him when they approach.
āYou okay?ā he asks in a nondescript voice as she sheds her heavy coat.
The near sixty-pound set of body-armor falls to the floor with a thud as she turns around to sit down. Her injuries feel warm; but not wet. At least not wet enough for her to feel the squelching of an open wound against her rubber-like costume.
āAm I?ā she asks as he puts his flashlight on the shoulder of his utility vest. Moments later he descends on her top, unlatching the metal clasps just underneath the edge of the black stripe to her front and unzipping what remained.
After a groan it feels like she can breathe again. Blood or not; her costume kept function over comfort.
She notices just how dirt-ridden he is, too as his warm hands touch her sweaty side, prodding her ribcage with worn fingers. No blood, but there would be bruises formingā¦ At least nothing broke the skin. Not that she could tell anyway.
Her partner diligently presses his fingers along her rib cage, first going up the front, and then down the side beforeā¦ āAH!ā
āRight there?ā he asks, pressing again on the same spot as before- although not as hard it still hurts enough for Banshee to instinctively jump away from the hands that seem to explore her with such care. āThatās going to hurt like shit in a few hours, Jesus Christā¦ā
Her partner takes a step back and looks down at the blue coat at his feet.
āRemind me to thank whoever it was that made that. Four automatic bullets to the side and you arenāt even unconscious? No wonder youāre so careless.ā
Katherine scowls at him and his bright-ass flashlight. āSays the man who-ā but before she finishes the statement he reaches down to his leg and shoves a canteen into her naked chest.
āItās water. Itāll helpā¦ At least you can stay hydrated.ā
She gives him a wary look before taking the canister with one hand, closing herself off with the other. Her current state of nakedness had only been out of necessity, but she wasnāt exactly eager to sit tits-out in a run-down, shoddy hospitalā¦
Not while they were still technically fighting.
Her partner still gives her that courtesy not to be too voyeuristic and turns his full body to point his light at various places in the hallway- keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
āWe should go soon,ā she informs him before unceremoniously chugging the bland liquid- admittedly though she canāt get enough of it. Water pours down her chin and neck and Katherine feels almost human again. āTheyāll leave us for dead if we stay here.ā
She hears his heel turn and blocks the flashlight with the hand holding the canteen.
āNo they wonāt. Youāre too valuableā¦ They loose you and the UN looses their precious reformation program.ā
He stops though, for a moment and there is nothing said.
āā¦ You having fun over there?ā he asks, crossing his arms as his voice changes in tone slightly. No longer stern and borderline callous but teasing.
āFuck off,ā she says wiping her chin off with the back of her free arm. āI was thirsty.ā He goes silent and she can practically feel his grin from beyond the high-beam on his vest. āAnd thatās not a statement for you to enjoy.ā
āLittle things,ā he points out, turning off his flashlight.
For a moment she only hears his footsteps coming towards her, but sheās not adjusted to the near pitch blackness, but she definitely feels his hands brush up against her shoulders.
āGet comfy, Banshee. It may be a while before they find us.ā
Despite all the smug her partner was sending her way he had made two very good points. They did need her; need her enough that theyād certainly send a search party to find her hereā¦ And if you wanted to get found the last thing you wanted to do was leave where you were. It may take hours with the fighting outside, but theyād find herā¦ That or someone else would find themā¦ It was better to just relax.
Then she feels his lips on her neck, pushing against the capture device around her neck as he took his sweet time drawing out a squeak of protest. āMmā¦ Iām glad youāre okay.ā
In the dark she presses against his forehead and tries to look him in the eyeā or where his eyes would be. āHERE? Seriously?ā she asks. āWe could get caught!ā Either by their superiors or by the enemyā¦ She had literally no idea which one was worse.
āYou see a better way?ā he asks- he sounds irritated as he presses his forehead against hers. āI just saw you get shot. By something that kills people- and you got the fuck back up again.ā
Her brow crinkles as he places a reverent, gentle kiss on her lips. Right now sheās the only thing on his mind but heās not being unwantedly forceful. Heād stop if Katherine told him no.
And there are about a-thousand-and-one reasons to say no.
āI risk my life every day,ā she goads as she kisses him back. He takes this as an invitation to move a leg between hers and actually put his arms around her. It illicits a perhaps not entirely intentional groan from the injured woman. āWhat makes today any different?ā¦ā she asks and he stops for a moment.
Then like a hound he bites down on her shoulder, making her moan as he gingerly licks the injury he caused. Pain be damned, though- that hurt.
āI donāt like how they look at you,ā he mutters.as his hands slide around to her front. At this point there are no holds barred- he plays dirty and presses his full palm onto her bruise, pressing into the knot with his thumb as she sees stars and shivers. āThe suits canāt take their eyes off you and it drives me crazy.ā
Ahā¦ So that explains why heās not so upset by the prospect of being caught or heard. Still, the prospect of him being jealous isā¦ Entertaining, to say the least.
āOh?ā she asks leaning back on both of her hands. āGo onā¦ā she says. Now sheās the one sounding coy. āIt sounds like you need to get this off your chest.ā
His free hand palms at one of her breasts, letting her feel the full texture of his fingerprints as they stare each other down in the dark.
āHardy-harā¦ā he returns dryly as all pretenses are dropped. āI see them sizing you upā¦ Staring at your ass when youāre not wearing your coatā¦ Watching your cleavage when you cross your armsā¦ā But he goes on, rubbing his crotch not so subtly against the meat of her thigh as he leans into her. āWhen you lean over a desk to type somethingā¦ When you bend down to pick something up in front of them-ā he stutters and pulls her closer to the edge of the worn out hospital bed. āOh fuck meā¦ā he says, tilting his head back, silence filling the air as they both come to terms with the fact that; yes. Here.
He takes a deep breath before Katherine can think of anything witty or meaningful to say and backs off, tearing off his jacket and tossing it behind her.
āLay back,ā he instructs and sheās eager to comply, she takes a moment setting out the inside of his jacket behind her as she hears the familiar sound of fumbling with his belt buckle. A few seconds later the tinkering stops and heās pulling down her leggings and pushing up her utility belts and pauses. āā¦ Condom.ā
āWeāre having sex in a dirty hospital and you want to use protection?ā she asks. āMotherfucker, there is probably more polio here than there was in Alaska before Balto, okay?ā¦ Iām on the pill, justā¦ā She feels her panties getting pushed aside by a few fingers, jumping the gun when a slick tongue makes itās way across her womanhood and a smile graces the man who made her shiver and lay all the way down.
āDamn, youāre already wet,ā he comments huskily as she hears him stand. āDidnāt take much to convince you. Maybe mission sex should be a thingā¦ā he utters as he slides his length between her folds and pushes her knees apart.
āJust be jealous more oftenā¦ā she mutters. āOr tell me how much I actually mean to you, you a-ah~ā
A slow thrust shuts her up as he burries himself inside her. āYeah, yeah. Iām an asshole.ā He punctuates the loving insult with another thrust. āBut fuck them if they think I donāt see.ā
āFuck them~ā she sighs, rolling her hips against him.
āHahā¦ā she can feel him grinning. āYouāre really enjoying this.ā
He certainly wasnāt wrong. Sheās panting and desperately wishes that they had been in a more private place than where they were. Gosh the things she could screamā¦ He liked her screaming.
āAlso;ā he says. āReally like your new lipstickā¦ But wear it on your off days~ā He punctuates his please with another particularly hard thrust.
She lets out a huff of amusement. āMake me orgasm more often and Iāll see what I can do~āā
Elation. How long had it been since they had been on such an equal romantic field. How long had Banshee felt like she was past her prime? Too long, but it didnāt matter now.
Their pacing sped up as more quiet, ever-so-loving swear words graced each otherās mouths.
Each insult marked with a double-meaning as their pace got rougher and rougher; a string of litany that showed how close they were to each other. The words meant something- like bookmarks in their life together. The time Katherine had surprised him with a new bra from overseas, that time he couldnāt stop sending her dirty texts at one of her meetingsā¦. The time she returned the favorā¦ The time he chased away the nice delivery man because he could.
Finally words could do it no justice. Their swears became howls of devotion and admiration as they lost the ability to form coherent words. Her partnerās head found itās home in the crook of her neck while she held onto his shoulders, blinded only by the immense joy they felt and not the fact it was still dark as hell in this hallway.
Then just as quickly as it had gotten amazing- he pulled out. A smattering of white Katherine couldnāt entirely see splattered across her middle.
Both of them were shaking for a good few moments before either of them could even process what to do next.
āYou okay?ā comes her partnerās voice in a low rumble as he bends down and kisses her shoulder again- gently this time.
Still without words, Banshee gives him a nod, trying to re-position herself to a better sitting stance but coming short when a hand presses to her chest.
āNo. Take a breatherā¦ā he says gently as he lays something across her chest and fits herā¦ Everything else back into place. āShitā¦ā he utters as if heās looking around for the first time. āI see what you mean,ā he says. āPlace looks like it could fall apart at any moment now.ā
Almost as if on cue the building shakes and she feels the gurney tip towards him. Katherine braces for an impact-
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And wakes up to feel her blanket being tugged. Two large eyes are poking over the edge of her mattress as Hiroki continues to wiggle his way up to his motherā¦ his mother who is laying on her side and is very confused about what she just experienced.
Was that a premonition? A hope?
āBwahhhhhā¦.?ā Hiroki asks her. āDiggy-dig?ā
Katherine sat up and pulled Hiroki onto the bed, happy he had decided to see her first before wandering off to find more sugarā¦ The last thing she wanted was a repeat of the Sugar incident.
Did Banshee turn over the money to get superiors or did she keep it? If she kept it what did she do with it? I hope you donāt mind the daily interaction. I know we were only expected to exchange gifts on Valentineās Day but I instantly liked your oc and wanted to know more. I am enjoying this greatly. If you wish less interaction I will gladly respect your preference. Just let me know. ( Valentineā¤ļø)
((ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I LOVE IT!))
Despite her apprehension with even having the money; Banshee kept itā¦ Although she didnāt spend it. The money stayed in itās envelope along with the note.
She had thought she was getting closer, but nowā¦ She wasnāt so sure.
Especially when Rally and Joint showed up at her door looking rather scared by how much she had been thinking about it. For once, Rally seemed to take Katherineās side on things, furrowing his brow and finding little humor in this at all.
But Joint? The ex CIA agent? The designated Horseman of Famine? He was positively smitten with the work she had put into this.
āStatistically speaking red is a primary color that is popular among heroes, especially public ones. Itās flashy, and is linked to positive thinking. It wouldnāt surprise me at all if it belongs to a hero,ā he confirms, almost proud of the cork-board of paranoia. āThe fact that it is torn indicates itās something they wear.ā He takes a moment to tug on it, examining the coarseness of the fabric. āCertainly not your Cloak, now, is it?ā
Rally is sitting down on the floor with Hiroki bouncing happily on his knee. Heās contemplating stepping in, but lets his husband continue on.
āAnd I LOVE the use of the purple thread. I love how it points to all villains. Good girl, crossing your tās and dotting all of your iās.ā
āThanks, Jointā¦ā she said smiling a little easier with the compliments and reassurances her teammate and mentor gave. āSoā¦ I shouldnāt be too worried?ā
Joint laughs. āOh, I never said that.ā He smirks and clicks his tongue when Katherineās face falls. āOh, Curs-ā¦ Bansheeā¦ You didnāt think Iād just build you up, did you?ā he asks, handing over the torn fabric.
āRed is also a popular color for villains. Since Villains often are not supported well off financially; they wear whatever they can get that suits their purposes and fits their budget.ā
āSomething thatās cheap and tears easilyā¦ā her heart sinks and a knot forms in her stomach. āā¦ Theyāre a villain, arenāt they?ā
āLooks like itā¦ā Rally says, giving Joint an over-the-sunglasses glare.
Joint merely shrugs. ā Now now. Itās entirely probable it belongs to a hero as well. Companies often sponsor heroes here in Japan, it may be possible their costume was made to be replaced.ā
But Katherine couldnātā¦ She couldnāt do it again.
She had just been saved from Alloy. Numb had just died from Alloyā what was next? Her life? Hirokiās?
āLuckily for you, weāre here,ā Joint said, standing. āHero or villain, it seems you have a bit of an admirer!ā
āDetails, honeyā¦ Anyway;ā Joint stands, posing with a hand on his hip. āThey best way to lead out either is to jazz up routine! I bet you anything; they started keeping a closer eye on you since you started wearing that red scarf.ā
Katherine sighed and raised her head to look at him. āSoā¦ Whatās the plan?ā
āYouāre going to set a trapā¦ā Rally sighs as he hears the next few sentences.
āLetās go get some shoes~!ā
The more he tried to not think of her, the more she was in his mind. He wasnāt ready to meet face to face. Not yet.
((Hello. Yes. I can hear your theme-song from here.))
((Also, whoever this is; youāre gunna have Alloy come after you.))
The path to the snow festival was lit up as bright as day. Hundreds of lanterns hung from the trees. He came to see the snow sculptures and grab some food. It was nice. Normal. Part of the crowd. Long coat, scarf and hat, no one would recognize him. Which was good because there she was. Blond hair like sunlight. Smiling and laughing with her son as she pointed at the lights overhead. Their eyes met. Held. Inclining his head in respect as he passed. A bouquet of roses in her bag. ~ā¤ļø
((But what did the banshee SEE?!))((Lol, also, Iām not sure if you saw nonny, but I proposed an idea where I could post a picture of a would-be ship childā¦ And you could tell me how wrong I am.))
((Okay. Iām lying. Iāve been trying to find out for days who you are.))
Katherine had gotten out of the house with Hiroki. She needed to get put with Hiroki and leave the bullets and chocolate and cork board behind.
So once Hiroki was safely pulled into his squishy soft baby parka and vaguely resembled frosty the snowman, they took off.
There was hardly any snow, but it didnāt matter when Katherine discovered there was a recent viewing for the snow festival. She had largely avoided it because of workā¦ But now it was a good thing. Crowded, lots of stalls, lots of light.
Hiroki made a jeer of excitement in response to some of the lanterns, clapping his hands with joy as a few of them changed colors.
āOhhh, whoās a happy squeaky baby?~ā she crooked, earning a happy little wiggle from her son in her hands. āWhose a squeaky-squeaky squeaker?ā
āBah!ā Hiroki threw up his falsely padded arms in sheer delight.
āThatās right!ā She cheered him on. āYouāre a squeaky squea-ā¦ā
She felt eyes staring at her.
She looked up, then up the path. Someone stood bundled up very tightly; perhaps someone simply a little older. He seemed to walk with a slouch of some sort, if she had not been mistaken and took heavy steps as he walked by.
Someone had been staring.
He gave her a nod of respect and she justā¦
Watched him leave, unsure if she had even truly seen him to begin withā¦ But she could feel her heart pound with anxiety she had tried to escape.
āLetās go up the path, Hiroki,ā she said, bending down to get her bagā¦ When she picked it up the sound of paper crumbling under her knuckles shocked her entirely.
āā¦ Letāsā¦ Letās go home, actually.ā
A few days later a large package is delivered to her work. Inside are two beautifully wrapped boxes. The larger gift was a wood Jewelry box. The design is a cherry tree branch covered in blossoms. The other a pull toy made to look like a spider, its legs moved. Both are hand carved and polished. āMoushiwake gozaimasen deshita. It was inexcusable for me to have frightened you. Our meeting was purely by chance. I saw the opportunity to give you joy but was poorly executed. Forgive me ~Red (ā¤ļø
Katherine sat in UA mostly alone in the staff-center. All packages were thoroughly examined before they even got past the front gateā¦ So Banshee hadnāt been tooā¦ Too worried about opening itā¦ Even upon seeing the letter and who it was from.
She mostly just felt tired.
It appeared this person didnāt want any ill harm to come to her or Hirokiā¦ But even so, this wasā¦ A fairly voyeuristic sort of affection. She knew nothing about himā¦ Hell, she didnāt even have a good way of contacting this personā¦ And yet, this person knew of the difference between the Profane Hero and the person beneath her.
She cried knowing this was probably a villain. Knowing this villain knew more about her than even the people she wanted to know more about her.
She cried because she was just a product to this person.
Something to ogle, and admire from afar. Not someone to be approached or spoken to like a human beingā¦ Evenā¦ Even Alloy did that. EVEN the manipulative monster who wanted her to be his human meat-puppet for his extremist ideals spoke to her as a person.
She swallowed and grabbed a new notepad.
Whomever this was saw her less as a hero, and more as a mother. Someone who deserved to have nice things simply because of her matronly statusā¦ Someone who deserved nice things like jewelry, and who shouldnāt have to worry about providing for her own childā¦ A moreā¦ āClassicalā sort of stalker.
She took a deep breath once more, took a moment to pick up her smartphone from not too far by and held it to her ear.
āā¦ This is United Nations War Hero Banshee. ID code 1257-222-2564.ā
āā¦ Hello miss Banshee. What can we help you with?ā
āā¦ I need to speak with Alloy.ā
Listening to the fight a few streets over, he recognized the sound of Bansheeās gun but suddenly it went silent. He felt cold. That last shot didnāt sound right. He found her on the ground huddled around an old woman, the building behind them half destroyed. She was out cold and the old woman was rattled. The medics couldnāt get close with the fight. Scarf secure, he hefted the woman onto his back and Banshee in his arms. Handing them off to the medic. Unaware of the trail of blood ā¤ļø
When Katherine woke up she was in the hospital. Not an unfamiliar sight to be seen as a pro hero, but nothing would ever prepare you for seeing the laminated white ceiling after you had been there for hours.
Her throat was dry, and she looked over.
Rally was nodding off and Joint was busy trying not to do the same, but Hiroki was making it difficult, trying to stand or move every once and a while.
When he saw his motherās eyes open he let out a pleased squeak and held out his three-digited fingers; rousing the two.
āOh my god,ā Rally said, stirring. āYouāre upā¦ā he stood, stretching before coming to the bed. āHowā¦ Do you feel?ā
Katherine blinked and pursed her lips. She thought for a moment.
āOh. Good. I guess your nerves are working then,ā Rally couldnāt help but shrug. āAnd your humor! Thatās great!ā
Katherine smiled. āOh, fuck off,ā she said with a giggle as she reached out to touch Hiroki- frowning when she saw her hands were encompassed in bandages. āā¦ What happened?ā
Joint held Hiroki towards her while the spiderling came to terms with why his motherās fingers were all rough and covered in white now.
āBalistics say you were firing inappropriate bullets from Broomstick,ā she said. āYou misfired.ā
Katherine let out a sigh and lowered her hand back to the hospital bed as Hiroki was placed between her and the edge of the bed.
Joint shook his head. āNotā¦ Not too badā¦ā he said, tone growing dark. āBut-ā
āKat, that was too close,ā Rally said. āYou need to stay off the roster for a bit.ā It was so strange that this was coming from Rally of all people- but she got it. Joint could tune out his emotions for his job- but had a much harder time considering himself and the emotions of others. Rally? Rally was all feeling- just like her. āThis secret-stalker-valentineā¦ Thingā¦ Itās gone on too far. Itās affecting your job.ā
Katherine bristled. āIām fine,ā she said. āThisā¦ This isnāt getting to me.ā
Joint let out a sigh and shook his head. āKatherine, you have a new jewelry box and Hiroki has a new toyā¦ As far as we can tell whoever is doing this isnāt causing any harm on purposeā¦ā he said. āBut he is causing harmā¦ And whether or not youāve been unwilling or just unable; you cannot for sure say who it is.ā
Rally turned away, trying very hard to notā¦ Not blurt something out of frustration as Joint reached forward and grabbed her hand.
āPleaseā¦ For the love ofā¦ For the Love of Hiroki. For the love of anythingā¦ Pleaseā¦ Just stay lowā¦ We canātā¦ We canāt loose you, too.ā
Thanks to his nurses talking as they set up to remove the bullet he took, he now knew Banshee was recovering. It was time to leave. Any minute someone would recognize him. Grabbing everything from the tray, he slipped out of the ER. Outside her door, he heard what Joint said. He never meant to put her in danger. Grabbing a nearby chart, he wrote a note and slipped it under her door. "I never wanted to hurt you. You are too important, a true Hero, to be distracted by me. Goodbye. ~ Red" (ā¤ļø
From outside Rally watched the note slipped under the door but said nothing. He didnāt want the ruin the moment Banshee was fine, and so she deserved a break.
Rallyās heart sank when Banshee noticed. āWhatās that?ā She asked and he had no choiceā¦
He did read it before handing it over.
āā¦ I canāt believe he just left!ā Came the shrill voice of the Nurse from outside. āHe took the medicine and ran!ā
Joint stood, opening the door.
āSomeone missing?!ā He asks and Banshee is scrambling to her feet.
Sheā¦ She could catch him.
āIt was the man who brought in Banshee and the old lady!ā The nurse said. āHe had a bullet in his shoulder- Iā¦ā
āWhat did he look like?ā Banshee asked.
Rally looked at her, then shook his head. āKatherine, youāre grounded, I swear to-ā
āI-ā¦ I need to know!ā She told her mentor. āThe last time it happened Iā¦ I need to know.ā
The Nurse looked between them and swallowed. āIā¦ Iā¦ā She swallowed. āHe didnāt want to take off his scarfā¦ He was mostly concerned for you, miss Banshee.ā
He had every chance to kill her, harm her and yetā¦
āā¦ Iāll pay for the equipment he stole,ā she said. āPlease. Let me pay for it.ā
Rally and Joint looked to each other then back to the nurse.
āIā¦ Iām not sureā¦ā The nurse stammered.
āEverything will be paid for by the United Nations,ā Rally said. āThis man saved our team-mateā¦ā For the first time in a long time he cracked a smile. āWe canāt be too mad at him, can we?ā
āWellā¦ I suppose notā¦ā
āIf it would please youā¦ā Joint smiled. āBanshee has been saved by him. Can you trust her in confidence to perhaps identify him?ā
Banshee felt her shoulders lift a little.
āW-well, you areā¦ Heroes on dutyā¦ā
He needed a place to rest, pull the bullet out and sew himself back up. He was leaving a trail. Keep going. His arm was almost useless. Home was a long way off. Passing a dumpster, he pulled out a notebook and threw it in. Only his aim was off and it bounced off the side. Leaving it there, he moved on. It was poems he wrote and useless sketches. It would be best not to have anything to remind him of her. Spotting a club, he slipped inside and locked himself in a dark, private room. (ā¤ļø)
((Sorry, man. Thissss is what happens when you flirt with death.))
Katherine had made her way into the surveillance room with Rally and Joint.
āHe seemed very scared for you, miss Banshee. He kept saying you had a son and some relatives in townā¦ I hardly believed him.ā
Katherine watched the camera with almost utter disbelief.
Joint and Rally merely blinked.
āā¦ Why though?ā She asked. āHeās not dumb. He knows what my job entailsā¦ I donāt think I wouldā¦ā
She lowered her head and looked to the nurse. āHow bad were his wounds?ā
"Bad. If he pulls the bullet out himself he could bleed out or even lose the arm if not treated right away. Or he could be fine." On the screen, the man in question did his best to keep his scarf up around his face. He seemed to know where the cameras were and managed to keep his head turned or down so they wouldn't get a good shot of him. While the nurses were gone he wrote something but tossed it in the trash after listening at her door. He wrote another note, left it and was gone. (ā¤ļø
āHeās very calculated,ā Katherine pointed out.
āHeās done this beforeā¦ā Joint said with a grumble as he crossed his arms. āā¦ And he is out of our jurisdiction.ā
āHeās not out of mineā¦ā She said quietly, then looking to Rally. āI canāt let someone die because they saved me.ā
To hold you in my arms was everything to me. For that to happen again I would do just about anything you asked of me. I have no right to even speak your name. I saw you on the battlefield, hair like molten gold. Blue fire in your eyes. Goddess of death you hold back. Endanger yourself to protect others. Even those who harm others. I was drawn to you like a moth to the flame. Holding you was also my greatest fear. You were so lifeless. Please be well Goddess or my heart will die with you. ~Redā¤ļø
āAUGH!ā Joint shrieked in disgust as he pulled the note from the trash can. āEw. Ew. Ewwww.ā
āHoney, itās just paper trash.ā
āIn the hospital!ā Joint pointed out, still visibly shaken by the ordeal.
āAny. Wayā¦ā Banshee said, taking the note and looking it over.
Something uneasy settled in her stomach. They were words of admiration, sure, butā¦ But this didnāt feel likeā¦ This didnāt feel like love or attention she deserved.
āā¦ Heās not well. We need to find him.ā She sighed. āSet him straight.ā
āAgreed, butā¦ā Rally sighed. āKat, you have skin in the game. I donāt think you should be the one to do this.ā
Katherine frowned. āSo what? This is just going to go to the police?ā
āOh, noā¦ā Joint interjected. āBy all accounts: he saved your life. That makes this an international affair. I can respond accordingly.ā
āBut you will go home and rest.ā
He woke to the sound of the lock being jimmied. A strong leap and he was out the open upper window. It wasn't perfect. He should have caught the edge but his arm was useless. The fall didn't hurt too much. But it didn't help. It was a long walk home but he made it to his loft. Flopping down on his mattress, he heard Nana coming up the stairs. The din from the shack city below seemed peaceful. He hoped he didn't bring trouble home to them. "I told you not to get hurt." Nana scolded (ā¤ļø)
As the door creaked open Joint stepped through cautiously, chanting. āPlease not another BJ, not another BJ. Not another-ā He peered through one eye as he kept the other shut tightly, and he took a moment to take in the room.
āOh, thank god,ā Joint visibly said- a few more human shades returning to his face as he took a hand-held light device from inside his jacket. He flicked the trouble-some switch and scanned the ground around him.
This was how he had managed to find the blood trail- even after the bleed seemed to vanish and seem less and less. Flecks of blood still made their way to the unknown observerās shoes, his hand and certainly his arm.
Well, thank goodness the staff seemed to know how often to clean their private VIP section. Sans the obvious blood on the doorknob, the floor and a few occasional flecks of white on the wall he found the trail he had been looking to find.
A pair of tweezers, a stray bullet, some bandages and a huge smattering of dried blood lay on the sofa. It was a crap-shot, but damn if the mess hadnāt remained almost entirely containedā¦ And yetā¦
āNo sign of a victimā¦ā her murmured, glancing to the open window. Photo-florescent lights glinted like the sun outside. It had been a few hours since he had left the Hospital, gathered his gear and made pursuit of a man who- plainly didnāt want to be found.
That was primarily the reason why he was here.
Not for the safety of his new team member. Not to set her mind at easeā¦ There were a thousand ways to make Katherine feel safer in her own home. Pursuing a potentially dangerous stalker; not one of them.
So then why steal all that medical equipment? Why not just leave and go to another hospital if he was too embarrassed to confront Katherineā¦ The answer; the man had something to hideā¦ And Joint was the Alice who was going to travel down this rabbit-hole until the end.
Journal~ Maybe if I write this down, I can get her out of my head. I know I am not wanted or needed but I find I cannot stay away. I am drawn to her. I know I should work but she is on my mind. So much so I can't think. I need focus. But there is only this heart-wrenching feeling. She is so beautiful. Hair a golden river. I want to touch it. Is it as soft as I think? Her eyes are the brightest blue. Piercing but there is laughter in them too. Will those eyes ever look on me kindly?ā¤ļø
Katherine got home, escorted very carefully by a groggy Rally. Hiroki was sleeping like a rock in his car seat. This would have almost felt like a normal return home if not for the very disturbing context.
āAlright,ā Rally says to her. āLet's get you and Hiroki to bed,ā he said, trying to sound as supportive as possible.
āIā¦ā she sighs. āI havenāt eaten, yet.ā
Rally forces a smile and looks around. āYou uhā¦ You want me to cook?ā he asks, sounding desperate.
Katherine sighs and shakes her head. āWell, I have cereal. The big thing is that I canāt do dishes with bandages on my hand.ā
She sees the disbelief in Rallyās face. āIāll uhā¦ Iāll try cooking,ā he says, looking warily to the kitchen. āCanāt be that hard can it?ā Oh, this should be fun.
She sighs and extends her hands to the car seat and Rally didnāt fight it. Once she got Hirokiās seat into their bedroom she started to un-latch him, earning a small whimper of recognition.
āHeyyy squeaker~ā she cooed. āYou ready to go nap?ā
Without any protest at all Hirokiās face hit his motherās shoulder when he was picked up, and moments later she was happily being covered gently in a blanket cave. The sound of a pan clattering on the stove stirred her from her thoughtsā¦ Yāknow what? She didnāt want to know. It was best she justā¦ Get dressed to fall asleep.
Hiroki had fallen asleep willingly, Rally was in the next roomā¦ Her stalker had been injuredā¦ What had she to fear? As she pulled her nightshirt over her head she gave her neck a good stretch and looked at the cork-board on the side of her room.
ā¦ Well, as creepy as the stalking aspect had been she didnāt wantā¦ She didnāt want her stalker to die or be permanently crippled because of her. She hadnāt evenā¦ Been badly hurt.
No. No, Joint was taking care of this.
With a sigh she reached out a bandaged hand to take down the various pictures, untying certain chords and notes.
She paused, unhooking a few twines of red yarn.
āā¦ It couldnāt have been Vlad King, heād have told me by nowā¦ Same with Snipe, I think.ā Would have recognized them.
She thought of the image of the man who had been in the hospital room, thought on how the Nurses described him.
āNo, too tallā¦ āshe said taking down a photo. āBesides; I could have sworn he never liked meā¦ And notā¦ā she ripped off another. āYou. You would have stayed at the Hosptialā¦ā
She kept pairing down and down her possibilities- basically ridding herself of anyone too far outside of his body type.
The blood trail leads to an abandoned factory. Around and in the decrepit building was a village of tents and shacks. People went about their lives farming, crafting ect. They eyed Joint suspiciously. All had a disfigurement or monstrous quirk. The dregs of society. A tiny girl crept over to joint. She was filthy but underneath her hair, tail and the fur on her legs and arms were pure white. On her neck, a heavy collar. She tugged on his leg. Blue eyes begged. "Pweeze.. help.. aba?" ā¤ļø
Joint had scarcely gotten there and he was already feeling uncomfortable. Washington, where he had grown up, had always left him feeling uneasy because of how Joint had grown up. He hadnāt missed the judgment or the power disparity.
Or the bargaining, or the prying, or the feeling of being less than human.
āHelp?ā he asked, bending down, trying to keep an eye on things. āā¦ What is it you need help with?ā he asks.
Poor thing. She was so small, so young. A twinge of guilt clung to his chest as he thought of the first time Katherine had met Hirokiā¦ She couldnāt have known how bad he had felt for trying to convince her it wouldnāt be the smartest idea to come.
āā¦ Actually,ā Joint said. āIām looking for someoneā¦ā he said. āI think heās hurt.ā
"Aba! Pweze halp!" she struggled over the words. Wrapping her tail around his arm. People moved for them, but they were shaking their heads. "Where were heroes when... Saving the rich! When will all people matter?" the voices shouted over each other. The little girl hissed at the crowd. āAba n...n... Halp!" Up in the loft, an old woman, stained with blood blocked the way. She looked Joint in the eye. Your word that you'll not take him, here. He's all that prevents war between them and you ā¤ļø
Furrowed his eyebrows and held up his hands. āLook. Iām here to just guarantee my student is safe.ā
He swallows and looks around. Must have been popular, this guy. āItās nearly daybreak. I wonāt keep you annnny more than I need to.ā
The old woman eyed him then moved out of the way. The child clings to his leg, hiding her face as she babbles ba ba ba over & over in a distressed tone. The loft is more barren than the shacks below. Only an old couch & table. His long legs stick out over the end. Shirtless, his shoulder is red and inflamed. Despite the stitches, blood trickles down his arm from the wound. His body is muscular & scarred, his face & hair covered with bandages. Fevered brown eyes watch. "..here to arrest or k.." ā¤ļø
āKill?ā Joint asks raising a hand to his chest. āPlease. Donāt be gauche. You saved my team-memberā¦ā he said, scanning the entirety of the wound. āProvided; you stalked her, but you donāt deserve to dieā¦ Maybe a good slap on the wrist for this trouble, butā¦ Maybe not with that shoulder.ā It wasnāt a bad job, per say, but for a wound that large and so close to an artery it made sense that any stitch less than perfect could just exacerbate the problem.
He knew it would be badā¦ He didnāt know it would beā¦
āYouāre running on adrenaline,ā Joint pointed out, trying to think of the various smatterings of red and viscera. āā¦ You should have stayed in that roomā¦ā Joint said. āSaved your blood.ā
God, get a grip on yourself, Saulā¦ Youāve been at war. Youāve seen men get up after getting cut open. This shouldnāt be anything.
Joint had wanted to ask questions, but now thereā¦ There was nothing more he could do but justā¦ Think of what Patrick would do.
Call Rally. Get them out here. Get a tourniquet. Elevate the wound.
Joint pulled out his phone- his hands were shaking and his free hand covered his mouth. āā¦ Someone cut open his stitching and getā¦ Get something to use as a tourniquetā¦ā he hit one on his speed dial. āā¦ And getā¦ Get a pillow under his shoulder.ā
A ghost of Numbās voice echoed in his mind.
Get Curse out here. Iāve shown her how to take care of gunshots like this.
But was that reallyā¦ Wise?
āJulian, I need Banshee here,ā Joint said.
āā¦ Iām guessing youāre either being threatened or things went south really fast?ā
āThings went southā¦ā Joint grumbled. āItās bad. He needs Numb.ā
There came a certain form of communication between the pair of them since they had gotten together. A certain unspoken flow of knowledge. Numb may have been gone, but Banshee was alive. She was the next best thing.
āWhere are you? Iāll wake her up and get an uber. Do we need anything?ā
Joint looked to the mangled man.
āā¦ Something high-alcohol.ā
āThe drinking kind or the rubbing kind?ā
āOkay, Fireball and stuff it is then.ā
āNot my in..tention to stalk her... park was... chance... should have left..." he tried to sit up but Nana pushed him down. He growled but stayed down while the old woman went to work on the stitches as ordered. That is until he heard Banshee's name. "hnnnnā¦ no.. don't bring her here... nneeds her rest... I'll be finnn.." he struggled to rise but the old woman wasn't having any of it as she pulled hard to tie the tourniquet. "What now sonny? she asked turning to look at Joint. (ā¤ļø)
āI-ā¦ā Joint looked warily down at the apparently accidental stalker. āI donāt know.ā
Moments, after Katherine had gotten herself dressed again, was when the location had been sent; and when Joint soon called her directly.
āAre you on your way?ā he asked. He soundedā¦ Shaken.
āYeah,ā Katherine gave him a white lie. āI justā¦ I got in the uber. Iāll be a few minutes.ā
Joint continued to talk. āWā¦ What can I do? Areā¦ Is there anything I can do? Thereāsā¦ Thereās so much blood.ā
āUhhhhā¦ā she stopped in her living-room as Rally handed her a first aid kit, looking rather frustrated by this whole ordeal. āSend me pictures,ā she said.
āOf him? Kat, heās covered in bandages and I-ā
āNo. Of the room, of his wound, I needā¦ā I need to know more about him. āI need to know more about this situationā¦. Iāll be there in a bit. Iāll hang up and send you texts.ā
Katherine waited for Joint to hang up before she gave Rally a look of worry. Rally just seemed unsurprised. āDo what you have to do,ā he said. āAnd thenā¦ Then come back. Iām not sure I trust him, yetā¦ Make sure Saul stays with you.ā
āOkay,ā she says as her phone rings. An image made itās way to her as she walked out into her uberā¦ Instantly she saw a few things that would help.
Donāt elevate the wound like that. Have him sit up reclined. We donāt want him blacking out, but we also donāt want to keep the wound open in exposed air.
Loosen the tourniquet. Iām not there yet.
Wash your hands and put gentle but firm pressure on it.
Joint made a face, looking at the would-be-stalker and cringes. āā¦ We need to get him to sit up slightly. Anyone got more pillows?.. Also.. Umā¦ someoneā¦ Press on the wound.ā
Jointās phone rings again, hoping for an etaā¦ What he got wasā¦ Less happy.
āā¦ Oh noā¦ Umā¦ā he cringed. āUhā¦ Didā¦ Did you remove all of the bullet?ā he asks. āDid you check?ā
To Banshee's face but only when we are alone, I call her all sorts of nasty names and she gives it right back to me. In front of the kids, it is Honey or Beloved. Sometimes I annoy her with something sappier like My love or My Lady. She pretends to hate it. In my thoughts, she is my Siren. Her sweet voice entranced me and I never got free. Umm... Not that I want to be free of you, Darling! Love of my life. Dearest? I am a dead man, aren't I? (ā¤ļø)
āAugh, you dick. That makes me sound like a cougar.ā
Like it had been intentionalā¦ It wasnāt, not at allā¦ But his pursuit had been. She wasnāt an easy person to get along with, butā¦ He stayed all the same. Even when she swore he would have every want to.
Rolling her eyes at Joint, she went to do the things needed to be done. He was almost asleep when pain woke him. Nana was pressing down on the wound. Hearing Joint's question he shook his head. "No.. I can.. something.. is still in there." It was a struggle to stay awake. "I.. I never meant.. meant to scare.. her..." his thinking was sluggish and he kept falling asleep only to jerk awake at every sound. "Hnn should clean up.. don't want her to see... she hates me doesn't she.. let me die.." ā¤ļø
Joint waited patiently, biting his lip as he soon could hear the sound of running footsteps.
āJustā¦ Try to stay consciousā¦ā He says as soon Banshee- no Katherine on her off duty- comes running in. She says nothing as she skids to the side of the woman at the wound.
āOkayā¦ She says. In here,ā she tells them. āIām here.ā
'She is so beautiful.' was his first thought when he saw her appear on the stairs. 'I am such a fucking mess. I don't want her to see me like this.' He struggled to sit up but was too weak & Nana was holding him down. He shivered. Why was she here? Shouldn't she be ... home? He couldn't think. If he was going to die, he would die watching her. / Nana looked up at Banshee. "He has gone cold. I'm a pressing but his blood don't wanna stay in. There is a bit left inside. You gonna help him? ā¤ļø
āWell, heās conscious,ā she says as she takes his good arm and feels for his pulse. After ten seconds she sets it down. āShould have stayed in the hospitalā¦ā She tells them as she re-tightens his tourniquet.
This wasā¦ A lot of swelling.
The bullet likely nicked a bone or fractured. She nods to herself. āOkay,ā she starts. āI need some alcohol and some clean gloves. Then we need to disinfect the wound and the forcepsā¦ā She says to the woman. āCan you help me?ā
"Banshee." his voice low, almost a purr. His hand slid into her silky hair, forcing her head to tilt. Slowly he caressed down the length of her neck with his fingertips, watching her shiver. Leaning close, he could feel the heat from her body. Languidly, his lips just barely grazing her skin, his breath breaking against the taut muscles of her neck. When he got to her ear, he played along its curve and gave it a little nip. A promise for later at home. He pulled away. Their chase was on. ā¤ļø
Banshee let out an absolutely surprised squeak as she dropped the clipboard in her hands.
āDarlinweareatworkwhatthe-?ā
She turned around only to be greeted by his back as he sauntered off.
Were the cameras even out of view? Ah. They were. Okay. Thank god.
But that didnāt stop her from feeling flustered. How was she going to top that?
Best to just be the bigger person and not engage. Best to ignore him.
But when had she ever made good decisions?
She took out jer phone and sent him a text.
āHope you werenāt planning on staying in for Valentineās day.ā
"Sorry... didn't know. Never been shot before. Burned... stabbed... I can handle that.. " his words were slow. As the tourniquet was tightened he did his best to stay silent but couldn't help the grunt of pain. His sight was going dark. / Nana didn't want to leave her boy alone with Heroes but there was no helping it. He needed help. This was beyond her skills. "Sanitized by fire, boiling, acid or alcohol, Miss.." Nana hissed. "Tsk, your poor hands. What can I do to help you help my boy?"ā¤ļø
Banshee paused. āFiiiii- no? No. Alcohol. Rubbing alcohol.ā
Her eyes wandered to the matron beside her, then back to the man. āā¦ This is going to hurt, Iām sorry.ā
She blinked a few times, tapping his face. āHey, hey. Stay with me.ā
"Ok. I'm awake. I know. Don't worry. Can't hurt worse than doing it myself." So he wouldn't pass out, he focused on memorizing each of her features, even her freckles. "Thank you for doing this. I thought I could take care of it myself." When Nana went to get the rubbing alcohol, he reached over to touch Banshee's arm. "I never meant to scare you. The park was a chance thing. I turned around & there you were. I wasn't gonna bother... but when I heard your gun misfire. I was so worried. ā¤ļø
āYou should have left meā¦ā She solemnly lets him know.
What comes out of her mouth is truth, but not something she clearly was thinking about. It was like a script prepared she had memorized.
āItās my job to lay down my life if need be.
"No!" he said as he sat up, instantly regretted it. Falling back onto the pillows he reached out to her. "No. You are too important. Not me." he explained catching her look. "Your son. Don't make him an orphan twice. Besides if it were a civilian you would have saved them no matter the cost. Any True Hero would. How could I do less, when my life is less important than yours. How could you be so selfish by saying leave you? Any good death, isn't! Not to your son. Not to them. And not to me." ā¤ļø
āI donāt think we get to decide that,ā Katherine murmurs. She seems to regret just talking for a moment then sighs.
āOkay,ā she says. āLet me level with youā¦ Iām not the hero you seem to think I am.āKatherine cuts the bullshit entirely and looks him square in the eye.
āIām a War Hero. I show up when a countryās soldier breaks the geneva conventions. I kill them; often very quickly but very violently. I drag the body back to the UN, and I let the war go onā¦ā She crosses her legs and tells it to him straight, the whole ābansheeā persona was as much a front as it was a defense mechanism. āTo top it all off: I neverā¦ I never wanted to be a hero. I wanted a normal life, but was strong-armed into itā¦ Now Iām a hero to support my son, and to help stop villains like Alloy, but Iā¦ Iāve always wanted a family of my own, to stop feeling self-conscious of my quirk.ā
Katherine figured it qas best to lay it out as nicely as possible. This manā¦ Had no idea what he was getting into.
āIām sorryā¦ But the Banshee you seem obsessed withā¦ā She swallowed. āā¦ Doesnāt exist.ā
