#promptfactory

Villain suffers from depression, so the only thing that keeps them going is their little theatrics and evil schemes where they and Hero spend some time together. Villain focuses all of their remaining energy on planning and plotting, not really caring about the outcome, whether they will succeed against Hero or not.

Hero knows about it. Sometimes Hero can sense Villain haven't been able to put too much thought into it: a robbery without a getaway plan, a hostage situation where Villain hasn't thought what to ask for in return beforehand...

But Hero plays into it nonetheless. Even puts some theatrics too, letting Villain have their fun for a bit. Hero then will finally "succeed" in catching their enemy and putting them behind bars. And unbeknownst to many, Hero will also make sure Villain gets the most comfortable cell, and the easiest escape opportunity from it, too. Of course, it will all look like a huge coincidence...

In the small village, people always feared Villain, a mischievous being who loves to terrorize kids, steal crops, and paint silly doodles on the houses' walls. Hero always has to come and get the troublemaker and remove them from whatever mischief they had caused, throwing them back into the woods where Villain actually lives.

One day, though,

Villain stops appearing in the village, and everyone grew uneasy, thinking they might be in actual trouble. Hero walks into the woods to search for them, stumbling upon their makeshift wood cabin.

It starts to rain and pour, and a terrible storm falls upon the area. Everyone is safe inside their homes, except Villain. Hero finds them outside the Town Hall and lets them inside under one condition.

The kids are playing by the river, and Villain witnesses one of them stumble. The kid would have fallen onto the rocks if Villain hadn't saved them last minute. The next day, Hero appears in the woods, calling Villain's name. Villain hides behind a tree, scared. They didn't do anything this time!

There is a big masquerade in the village, and everyone is invited except Villain. Hero, dancing and having fun with the other townspeople, discovers Villain hiding under a costume and decides to let them have fun as well, but keeps a close eye on them.

Since captured, Villain hasn't left his cell at all, not even when "yard time". Hero usually is stalking around the prison to gather information from the inmates' conversations. So, one day while hidden in the shadows, he hears two cellmates comment about Villain's late behavior.