#tmwib

Recovery had been painful. Eret had to help you change your bandages, since your arms and back were still sore. He also offered to spoon-feed you soup, but you shot him a withering glare and he shut up.

You were finally allowed to resume your job. It helped you not to go stir-crazy, but you had...enjoyed the days off. Your friend had made you laugh until your stitches nearly burst, and you could never look at pineapples the same way again.

With some effort, you managed to strap yourself into your armour.

You’ve had time to reflect.

Blood God had saved you. Eret had his number saved on his phone.

“Didn’t wanna deal with the hero replacing you.”

What could that imply? Did he like you more than other heroes? You weren’t after his approval, but it did feel nice to be acknowledged. Maybe he had gotten used to your mannerisms and quirks? You tended to talk a lot during your fights. It was super fun to bicker with Calydon, who was super chatty. He did take care not to reveal anything vital about his identity, but you had heard enough after how he told you he ordered his coffee. Disgusting.

You knew the Syndicate, but Blood God especially, hated the hero system and did everything within their power to topple the empire of heroes. Were you just another soldier to him? And why did you care so much what he thought of you?

And what was Eret’s role in all of this?

--------

The rain was just pouring straight down. Harsh, cold wind jutted through your fairly thick clothes. Just a horrorful Wednesday night. Your shift had started a few hours ago and the weather kept growing worse. You wished you were home and it reminded you of your latest failed mission. Look, it was nice to rescue people and save the day, but at this hour? Your bed called your name.

At least the radio was quiet. You really weren’t looking forward to fighting another villain today. Globsputter (yes, really) nearly set you ablaze just an hour ago and you had to file an incident report. So much paperwork, you should’ve become an accountant instead.

Loosing a sigh, you looked down at the alleyway before you. You had picked a random, isolated spot to relax in, so you were surprised when movement caught your eye.

Your heart seized, cold terror flooding your abdomen.

Blood God was here.

Hunched over something, he seemed to not have discovered you yet. What was he doing here?! Carefully, you inched backwards from the ledge of the building and listened.

While you were used to him mumbling under his breath, this seemed to be more directed at...something.

You strained your ears, and under the white noise of the rain you could make out soft meows.

Fuck, were there kittens? How had you not heard them sooner? Were you spacing out that much?

You risked a quick look to the alley. Three tiny, fuzzy creatures were gathered in his big hands. Hands that had been stained with so much blood in the past. He cradled them close to his chest, the babies leeching off of his warmth.

You could all too clearly hear the pleased chuff that Blood God made as he turned on his heel and walked away.

Shit, he was out of your sight. What would happen to the kittens? Should you follow him, risk a confrontation? You were all healed up, yes, but you weren’t keen on re-injuring yourself. While you could take on the Blood God, you preferred being more prepared than this.

But the cats.

You followed him. Who knows what he had in mind for these poor fuzzballs. What if he was sacrificing him to an evil god?

...You might’ve been theorising a bit too much about his hobbies while you were at work.

It was a winding path through L’manburg’s streets, You were turning at every other corner until you were in front of an … animal shelter? Was this some mob front?

Blood God paused in front of the door. Shuffled awkwardly. Looked around.

“Uhhhh. Here goes nothing, I guess?” he muttered to himself.

He gingerly put the kittens on the ground, rang the doorbell, and booked it.

You watched the door open, a horned woman stepping out and taking the kittens inside. Huh. Guess it was the real deal?

In your dumbfounded haze, you missed the Blood God disappearing.