“What surprise awaits me today?” Hero leans against the bars of Villain’s cell, smiling. It’s their daily ritual, something Villain hates to admit they always look forward to. Hero is kind to them.
“You have such high expectations of me. You guilt me delivering them.”
“And you never disappoint.” Hero drops their head to meet Villain’s eyes from outside the cell. Villain smirks like they’re sharing a secret.
They hate that this is the happiest they’ve ever been—behind bars, swooning at the attention of the hero who put them there.
Villain retreats to a small desk in the corner of their cell. It’s littered with graphite drawings, a privilege granted for ‘good behavior.’ Villain scoffs at the irony, but decides not to challenge it.
They return to the bars, slipping a choice drawing through. Their fingers brush against Hero’s as the drawing is passed along. It’s calculated, Villain knows it. Just like the visits—a prescription to keep them from going off the rails and trying to escape. Villain swallows the medicine.
“Beautiful. As always.” It’s a landscape. A recreation of something they sketched years earlier. Hero seems pleased.
Emboldened by their reaction, Villain tests, “When do I get a surprise from you?”
Hero is nothing if not generous. They play along. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, would it?”
“Give me a hint?” Villain sets a hand on the bar, They shift their weight so the motion is hidden from a security camera in the corner.
Hero isn’t phased by the gesture. “What would you want from me anyways?”
“Hm…” Villain trails. “Something genuine. Something beautiful. That’s what my art is to you, isn’t it? You should return the favor one of these days.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
For a moment, Hero’s hand finds Villain’s against the metal cell before they leave. Villain knows their routine by heart. They know Hero will never return their affections unless they need information or expertise out of them. But they’re content to play along, bask in a bit of that attention.
Villain believes Hero is kind. But at night, Villain does everything to squash the fractional piece of their heart that believes Hero cares for them.
Hero appears outside Villain’s cell late one afternoon.
“Where’ve you been?” Villain asks, approaching the bars. “It’s nearly dark. I thought you might’ve forgotten about me.” They keep their voice light, agreeable.
“I’d never. I just needed to prepare something.”
Villain crosses their arms. “And do I get to know what that is?”
Hero is beaming. “Of course. I tell you all my secrets.” Liar. “Come here.”
Villain indulges them and steps forward. Before they know it, Hero grips their arms and pulls them close. They embrace through the bars of the cell. Villain’s stomach plunges and their eyes dart towards the security camera.
“I’m looping the footage. We should have about five minutes before it goes back to normal.”
Villain focuses on Hero. “Are you crazy? What the fuck are you—“
“You wanted a surprise,” Hero interrupts. They grip Villain’s side, steadying them. “How’s this for one?”
Hero’s lips crash against Villain’s before they can comprehend the fingers lacing through their hair. They can’t believe this is happening. They give into the desire they’ve been fighting since their first battle with Hero.
They part slowly. Villain keeps their gaze low. “Why did you do that?” They mutter.
“I’ve been thinking about doing it for a while.”
Rationally, Villain knows it’s not the best idea to trust a hero. “We’re enemies. You put me in prison.”
Hero grins. “But, you have to admit. Now we get to see each other more often!”
Despite everything, Villain can’t deny the gesture. “You’re insane.”
“You know, we still have four minutes. Care to do it again?” With a nod from Villain, Hero takes the lead and connects their lips again.
Villain supposes they can figure out what this means for their relationship tomorrow.
tangentwithtanner
stormborns
blakekathryn
2087
