Four-Four Time

(NOT A PROMPT)

Overly exhausted villain passing out in Hero's arms... caretaking?

******

One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

Keep running. Keep going.

Hero’s home was so close, so close. Villain could see the porchlight, illuminating very little besides the front door, but bright enough to spark Villain’s hope. She needed to make it somewhere- anywhere, although hopefully she’d make it to a safe place. Hero’s was the safest she could imagine. Anyone else would push Villain away- or maybe they would scream. Either way…

Villain threw a glance behind her just in case she was being followed. She didn’t imagine she would be- not when the crash she got herself into looked so fatal. Still, Villain had every right to be nervous. Her opponent was a doubtful one; he didn’t quit a pursuit until he knew his victim was dead, and well, as close as Villain was to death, she wasn’t quite there yet.

What if Hero did turn her away? He was virtuous and Villain was…she was virtuous too, just not in a way others wanted her to be. Not wanted, Villain thought. I’m not virtuous in a way they understand.

It was amazing that Villain was even capable of thought with a leg as busted as her left one. If Villain were to look at it, the pain might smack her tenfold. She’d collapse- never make it to that light of a hopeful safe haven.

Right now, adrenaline pushed Villain forward. Adrenaline…and her counting of steps. It was the beat of her steps which helped, kept her at a consistent speed, kept her from focusing on how badly she wanted to ‘sleep.’

One, two, three, four.

That distance, Villain thought, rather musically, what is it? Six more measures in four-four time?

One, two, three, four.

Five more. -three, four.

Why was it taking so long? Couldn’t she just- couldn’t she just appear at Hero’s door? Why all these steps? Why did she have to run for so long?

Question after question formed in her mind, and her last one was this: Do I have the strength left to knock?

The answer, as I’m sure you’re wondering, was this: No.

But Hero most definitely noticed the noise which came from Villain collapsing fully against the door. And he wasn’t so shocked as he opened the door, only to find Villain falling on his feet. “Woah, hey there”- Hero gasped- “Villain, oh my god. Oh my god, what happened to you?” Her leg…

“Need yer help,” Villain slurred. Wow, her voice was so much clearer in her head than in person.

“Yeah,” Hero huffed, placing his hands beneath Villain’s armpits, and pulling her up, “I can see that. Come on, come on.” His voice was gentle despite his confusion. Villain was…Villain was untouchable, wasn’t she? That’s how it seemed on the television, at the very least. Hero knew, personally, how difficult it was to even reach Villain, and yet here she was, at his feet, asking for help.

“’m leg hurts.” It was now that Villain had the realization. Now, since Hero was dragging her, with her heels dragging along the ground.

Hero didn’t know what to do. Everything below Villain’s left knee was coated in blood. “I know,” he acknowledged softly. “I’m gonna take you to the couch, alright?” Villain didn’t know where the couch was; she was delirious, so why did Hero say it? For himself, most likely. “Can you tell me what’s going on?”

Usually, Villain was all cooped up, hidden behind an entire system of security guards and cameras. She wasn’t one to be ‘out on the field’ fighting her own battles. At one point, before she gained her own little army, she did fight for herself. Not now- not when she was in control of the whole city.

“Ever- ever wonder why…why I- why I had you let go?”

Yeah, actually, Hero did wonder about that. The number of times he’d been caught was…it was embarrassing most of all, but it was also confusing. However confusing, Hero didn’t care for an answer to that right now. “Why is your leg bleeding? What happened?”

“Tryna,” Villain coughed, “tell you that now.”

“You’re telling me about your own motives, not what happened to your leg.” Hero laid Villain on the couch, hurrying to set some pillows beneath her feet. Elevation. That was part of having an injured leg, right? Oh god, he didn’t know. What if the blood just…rushed back to her stomach or someth- “Oh my god. Um. Oh god. Hold on, I’m going to get bandages- oh my…”

A piece of…Hero knew what happened to Villain. Not exactly, but there was obviously some sort of vehicular crash if the shards of glass and the shred of metal poking out of Villain’s leg said anything. “Dammit, I know the bandages are in here somewhere. I didn’t run out, did I? Shit.”

Hero didn’t wait another moment. He practically ran into the living room, shoved his arms beneath Villain’s back and, regrettably, her knees, before he lifted her up.

“What are you-”

“Hospital. I don’t have the things to take care of-”

“No!” It was perhaps the first time Villain had been fully coherent since she arrived. “H-Hero, no. If you go there-”

If I go there? She should be more concerned about herself than me.­­ “What’s wrong with the hospital?”

“Tried to tell…” Villain took a deep breath. “Tried to tell you earlier.” This time Hero knew not to interrupt, and he stopped in his path to the door, simply cradling Villain close to his chest. “I’m not the…the enemy you think I am. I- I know it won’t sound believable, but- but there’s someone out there. Supervillain, he- he’s been trying to take control of the city since before…before me.”

“Supervillain? I don’t know who that-”

“No one does. He’s not from”- Villain took a deep breath. Was she losing too much blood? She couldn’t be- not if…the pieces were still attached to her leg. There couldn’t possibly be any room to bleed past them. “He’s not from around here. I- I knew him back in school. He wanted to be a politician, Hero, and he became one.”

Deep breath. Villain blinked slowly and swallowed before reopening them. “I took over this town because nothing I do will…nothing I do…will…ever be worse than what he has planned.” Another deep breath. “The only way I could stop Supervillain, Hero, was to beat him to the punch.”

Hero didn’t want to believe Villain, but he did, especially as he felt that warm trickle travel from his forearm to his elbow. He looked down at Villain, whose eyes were now closed.

“The possession of the city is slipping from your grasp,” Hero said aloud, though it was obvious Villain was unconscious. “The hospital too. It’s okay,” he assured, more himself than the sleeping villain. “I’m taking you with me to buy bandages in the next city over. I’m going to fix you up.”

Recognition

“Other Hero. Awarded with Aiding in The Great End-”

Yeah, hardly, Hero thought. They showed up. I don’t exactly call standing on the sidelines aiding, but whatever.

Leader continued, calling name after name- in alphabetical order. Finally, they got to Hero’s name after an hour of announcing others’ awards. “Hero. Awarded with good sportsmanship.”

Hero laughed bitterly, albeit quietly. Good sportsmanship? That is what they want to call saving lives? They began the walk down the center aisle, shook Leader’s hand with a vice grip before they took the certificate and gave a firm ‘Thank you,’ finally heading back to their seat and listening to every other hero in the academy earn greater awards, ones Hero deserved more than they did, or ever would.

After the ceremony, Hero walked out back, behind the building- a place where no one would find them and start questioning them- thinking to themselves how angry they were, about how they deserved so much more than a piece of paper that simply said ‘Sportsmanship’- as if they could be proud of themselves about something deliberately required in order to pass the training program. They were more than a damn team player. They made the team.

Standing outside wasn’t going to do them any good, wouldn’t give them any proper recognition. They needed to go home, mope about their pitiful award there.

Turning, Hero’s shoulders slumped.

“It’s disappointing, isn’t it? Sweating your pits enough to quench a poor country’s thirst only to get a piece of paper and a handshake even sweatier than your put-through-Hell body?” Villain huffed a laugh, pushing themselves off the wall in order to face the poor, poor hero. “You deserve better attention than that, you know?” They corrected themselves, “I already know you knew that. A rhetorical question, it was.” They dazzled Hero with a smile, taking slow and feline steps forward.

“Everyone’s gone. If you had a plan to sabotage the ceremony, it’s over. You’re late.”

Villain’s eyebrows pinched and they frowned. “Now that I thought you knew better about.” They sighed, disappointment pouring off the sound onto Hero’s entirely still feet. “I’m never here to sabotage your little academy. I’m here to sabotage-”

“Me,” Hero finished for them, causing Villain to nod with a close-lipped smirk. “If you want me to join you so badly, perhaps you shouldn’t try winning me over by admitting it’s a sabotage.” They shook their head with a quiet and demeaning chuckle. “Any fogginess my head might possess is wiped clean when you deliberately say you’re trying to take advantage of me.”

“Noted.” Villain, now within arms’ reach of Hero, placed their fingers on Hero’s slouched shoulder, dragging across as they neared their back. “To be fair, though, you still act rather foggy despite my constant admittance.”

They elaborated, fingers still delicately tracing over fabric-covered shoulder blades, “Letting me stand behind you like this...I could stab you right now if I wanted- and you wouldn’t see to stop me. Could stick a needle in your neck and bring you to headquarters where you might as well be tortured- as if I can’t get into your academy myself.” A scoff followed their latest statement.

“Seems like you need a reprieve as much as I do.”

A wicked expression took over Villain’s face, and although Hero couldn’t see it, they already knew they’d said the wrong thing.

“You do agree with me, then?”

Hero shook their head, stepping out of the villain’s touch and turning their back on them. “Never.”

A reprieve, Villain thought. “I don’t think you realize what you just admitted, dear hero.”

“I didn’t admit to any-”

“You want to be a bad guy.”

“I don’t.”

Before Hero could process it, Villain had flown forward in a quick step, fist connecting with Hero’s chest- not enough to send them a step backwards, but it enough that it stunned them for a moment. “How much longer are you going to shroud yourself in that annoyingly fake righteousness?”

“I’m not-” Hero groaned, not even bothering to finish. “When are you ever going to leave me alone? Why do you- Mm!” This chase, this game, was getting old.

Hero’s questions and aggravation were ignored. “You crave recognition, Hero- I know you do. And you know it, too. We already established this. What you haven’t considered...” Villain trailed off for effect. “What you haven’t considered is that there’s plenty of recognition in a hero-turned-villain.”

“That’s not the recognition I want.” Breathless. Hero was breathless, chest tightening with a panic they had never felt before- never allowed themselves to feel before.

“You don’t want to want that kind of recognition,” Villain said, “but you know it’s the only kind you have a shot at receiving, don’t you? That’s why you’re miserably sulking out here. You don’t have a choice left, Hero.”

Yes, they did. I do. I have to have a choice.

Hero couldn’t flip the switch- they were a good person.

They were good.

“What point is there in being good,” Villain asked, and they laid a hand caringly on Hero’s shoulder for another time on this fateful night, “if no one appreciates you for it?” They waited for Hero’s eyes to zone out in thought before they said gently, “I’d appreciate you, Hero- for helping me...for saving me. So, what do you say? Will you let me recognize you the way you deserve?”

Almost in a daze, Hero nodded barely. “Okay,” they said, “okay.”

Prompt #23

"People don't tend to bury their enemies with dignity."

Feel free to use with credit!

Oh no. I made myself cry with this one.

Thank you @gingerly-writing for this heartbreaking prompt!

“Look away,” the villain said softly. “There’s no saving them now, but I can make it quick.”

"No. No, I can't." Hero hiccuped on a sob. Something in her chest was breaking. Her body fell to the pebbled ground and she reached a hand towards the little boy in front of her- her boy. That was her boy. She gripped the ground as much as she could, pulling herself to her baby, but her efforts didn't last.

Villain picked her up, holding her close, arms wrapped around her front, her back pressed against his chest. She just wanted to be near her baby boy; he was writhing on the ground- dying. She needed to be there with him. "Hero, I promise you don't want to see this." She thrashed in his hold, screaming at him, crying, but he wouldn't give. Villain's eyes changed as he whispered in the hero's ears, "Close your eyes."

And she did. She had no choice but to close her eyes, all because of Villain's command. Now, if she couldn't be in her little boy's presence in his dying moments, it would be Villain's fault and not her own. That was all Villain could ask for as she continued crying and thrashing in his grasp.

"Now stay here," he whispered again, and the lightness in his voice carried through Hero's veins, pumping towards her mind by her heart's pulses. The command settled around her brain like a fog until it was all she could understand. "Hold still. It'll be okay."

"It'll be okay," she said almost robotically, and her body stilled. Her shaking hands became stone. Even being calmed, Hero had a conflict within herself. Relaxed as she was now, she knew she should be screaming. Her son was going to die. "It's not okay, not right now. It's not okay even if it will be. It's not okay right now, Villain. My baby's- he's-"

"Shhh. It's okay. I can make it quick." Villain whispered one last thing. "Plug your ears as tightly as you can. I'll get you when it's finished."

"It's okay," Hero wanted to nod, but Villain already commanded her limbs to be still. She did plug her ears like he said though. It's okay. And she believed it. "You'll get me when it's finished."

She felt Villain's arms slide away from her. She barely heard as his footsteps became more distanced. Her son's pained screams were still audible, but more muffled than when her ears were open. It didn't matter anyways. Everything was okay. Her mind said everything was okay. Yeah, maybe it was because of Villain's power, but that didn't matter. Her brain told her with full confidence that it was okay. And Villain would get her when he finished.

"It hurts!" Hero heard her son scream. "It hurts so bad! I want my mommy!" A part of Hero's mind felt like it lurched at her boy's last statement, but Villain's command was stronger. She wanted to be pissed at Villain for making her so still, for not letting her see her baby boy, but she couldn't- because it was okay.

Snap. Hero's heart rate increased at the sound. A single tear fell down her face. A whimper rose in her throat. Her eyes were still closed, ears were still plugged. But it wasn't enough. Her ribs were collapsing in on her. Everything hurt. More whimpers and groaned escaped her, but then there were hands on her shoulder, a voice in front of her.

A hand swiped away the stray tear on Hero's face. "Your emotions are too strong for my ability. I need to think of a stronger command." A pause. "I'm so sorry, Hero."

"Wha- why are you apologizing? It's okay." Her voice was breaking away from its numb tone, breaking in spots. Still, the command was still ever present.

Villain began whispering after a single deep breath. Hero could only listen. "Hero, you never had a son. You never even had a husband. All of these years, you've fought alone, and you've done so well at it. Supervillain is a tough opponent, but you found a partner who is willing to help you bring him down. Your partner's name is Villain; that's me."

Another deep breath. "You never knew the young boy in front of you. He was an unfortunate causality that neither of us could prevent. He passed quickly and with little pain. The boy's family has already received the news. Their grievance period might be long, but they'll be okay, just like you and I will be." Villain took a hand off of Hero to wipe at his own tears. It was becoming difficult to refrain from sniffing.

"Although there was much destruction, Supervillain left very injured. We both think if he returns at all, it'll be with a permanent leg injury, which will slow him down. We can truly best him next time."

Villain sighed. "I release your body from my command." He never would have imagined siding with Hero like this, never would have thought he'd commit himself to being her partner. But...he couldn't be on Supervillain's side anymore, not if- not if he did things like this. Children had no place in war. And parents didn't deserve to suffer for it when it did- unfortunately- happen.

Supervillain was a monster, and just like Villain told Hero, he was hurt. Villain would kill him next time.

"Have any authorities been called?" Hero asked.

Villain cleared his throat and stepped back. At a normal volume, he said, "Yeah. Yeah, you can hear the sirens, actually. You go back to my base. I'll give the reports."

"You sure?" Hero gave a sympathetic smile- if you could call such a thing that. She glanced at the boy's body- the body which wasn't her son. She didn't know that boy. "You seem...more affected by this than usual. I thought you were supposed to be the tough shell to crack." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. That was insensitive. I can do the report, Villain, if you need to take some time to yourself."

He shook his head. "I'm alright. You head back, okay? I got this."

Hero nodded in acknowledgment, and without another word, she began walking away.

Villain felt a heavy weight settle on his body. He'd never live happily remembering he erased a mother's son from her own memory. That was unforgivable, even if it was necessary.

This doubles as an entry for my bthb! @badthingshappenbingo

Original work

Dragging Themselves Along the Ground

Love Potion/ Love Spell

Original work

Love potion/spell

******

"Oh my god; I'm in bed with Villain," Hero said as she jolted straight up upon seeing the body beside her. She looked down at herself. She was still clothed and she found herself being somewhat disappointed. Still, Hero muttered again, slightly happier than before, "I'm in bed with Villain."

There was a shuffle in the bed. Villain turned onto his other shoulder, peering at Hero, only able to see her because of the moonlight which flitted just between the blinds. "That sounded less concerning than the first. You almost seemed to be scared of being in bed with me. Should I be worried?"

A chuckle slipped from Hero. "No, I just- we- I'm- and you-" She laughed again, this time due to her spluttering mess of words. "I can't believe I'm here with you. I feel like...like this is something I've wanted for so long, and now- I mean, I'm- I can't believe I'm in bed with you now. It almost doesn't feel like I should be here."

Villain reached out, took her hand, and brought it to his lips. "Believe me, dear, you're exactly where you are meant to be." He asked, "Did you have a bad dream, my sweet? You seem offset."

"I- well, I don't know actually." Her eyes became squinted. She left her hand in Villain's. It felt warm there. Comforting. How had she never thought of holding Villain's hand before? "I can't remember how...How did I get here?"

"Is there something wrong? Should I have one of the medics come down and-"

"Medics? No. No, I'm fine. I just-" Hero took her hand back so that she could hold her head, as if that would help her sort out the puzzle which was her mind. "I don't understand what's happening. The last thing I remember...we were fighting and- and I don't know what else. That's all I remember."

Villain hummed, scooted closer to her, and took her back into his arms and chest. "I'm going to go make you some warm tea. How does that sound?"

She nodded. "Tea sounds good." She leaned her head against his shoulder. Hero couldn't say why she felt so comfortable with him in this moment, especially seeing as her last memory was of the two of them fighting. But being warmed by what heat he put off now, being held by him, and having him kiss her hand...It all just somehow felt right, like they'd always been like this with one another. Maybe it really was possible that she dreamt the fight.

But then why didn't she remember anything before then? Why couldn't she recall laying in bed with Villain before? Why could she only remember throwing fists at him that he easily caught? She didn't remember taking a liking to Villain. But it was clear to her now as she let herself be embraced by him in a bed they obviously shared that they liked- maybe even loved each other. Hero felt guilty, not knowing why she loved him. Something was wrong with her. There had to have been.

What happened next both shocked and delighted her. Villain grabbed her chin lightly, despite his always-calloused fingers- and turned her head so that he could capture her lips. He didn't force the kiss on Hero. He gave her time to pull away, but she didn't. Hero wanted the kiss. She leaned in and let him kiss her, just as she kissed him.

Villain released Hero and began scooting off of the bed. "I'll be back with your tea. Honey, not sugar, right?"

"Yeah. Lots of honey." She smiled at him, but before he walked through the door, she asked, "Did something happen to me?"

"What do you mean, darling?"

"My memory. Why don't I remember anything?"

Villain sighed and gave a mock smile before coming to the foot of the bed and sitting just in front of Hero's feet, which were still beneath the comforter. "I was hoping you wouldn't ask so soon, but I guess it makes sense you would. Missing memories is a hard thing to miss." He looked towards the window and Hero swore she saw tears glimmering in his eyes.

"Supervillain, he- uh- finally managed to capture you." A broken, aggravated laugh. "Wiped away nearly all of your memories until you were just this- this vessel without any purpose." Villain swallowed, put a hand over where Hero's feet were. He looked into Hero's eyes and she felt her heart throbbing faster. "Supervillain left the ones where you and he fought but- but he-"

Did Villain sniffle just now?

Hero listened as he continued to explain. "He replaced every image of himself with me. Made it so that you could never fully adjust back to your old life with me because...because every time you look at me, you'll see this- this absolutely abhorrent monster that tortured you. But I would never do that. Okay, Hero? I would never hurt you."

"Have I ever- Have I ever tried to attack you before? Because of my messed up memories?"

Solemnly, Villain nodded. "But it's okay. I know why you do it, and I don't blame you."

His hand squeezed Hero's feet. In a reassuring way, she thought, Not a cruel one. Hero hated that she had to tell herself this. Did he ever do that and Hero think he was going to hurt her? She hoped not.

"I'm going to go make you your tea now, alright?"

Hero nodded after a deep breath. Tea fixes everything. It seemed Supervillain let her keep that bit of knowledge at least.

While Villain went to get her tea, Hero began pondering. Memories were flipping through her mind, all of which being how Villain said; he was the enemy in them all, and he always hurt her in the most brutal of ways.

A part of Hero considered Villain actually was an enemy. How could he not be with all of these memories? Well, that was easy, really; Hero loved him. And she wouldn't love him if he'd been the enemy all along. Maybe she couldn't remember how she came to love him, but it was evident in the way her heart sped up when she realized she laid beside him, and even more when he began to speak to her.

But what if the increased heart rate was because of an embedded fear? Not from Supervillain, but from herself. Wasn't it possible that Villain was responsible for her loss of memories?

No. No, because then why would he leave such horrid memories of himself? To make a story.

No!

Hero couldn't make up her mind. It was being pulled in so many directions, producing so many thoughts at once that she couldn't keep up. She needed to think about what she knew.

So what was that? What did Hero know that was concrete? The only thing that came to mind was how much she loved laying beside Villain, how she loved the warmth he put off, the way he gave her pet names, the way he held and kissed her hand. She loved Villain. That was true. Which meant that his story had to have been true about Supervillain.

But what if-

The door creaked open and Villain stepped in with a mug in hand. He came to Hero's bedside and nearly set the tea on her nightstand, but he seemed to notice Hero's distraught face.

"It's happening again. I can see it."

Hero hummed her confusion.

"You're questioning things again. It's okay; I get it." His feet shuffled for a moment and Hero could tell he was trying to think of what to say next. "Listen, I'm going to leave you to your thoughts, but if you have any questions, or you need reassurance or whatever, just- shake me awake or shove me or something. I'm here for you, Hero. Alright?"

"Okay." Hero nodded for what felt like the tenth time this night- or day. It has to be at least 4am right now.

"Oh!" Villain exclaimed quietly, holding the mug. "Go ahead and have a taste real quick." He handed the mug to Hero, explaining, "I wasn't sure if I added enough honey or not. Or maybe added too much. The water was an amber colour after I was done squeezing that bear." He chuckled and Hero took a sip.

"That's- wow. Yeah, no. That's good. That's- gosh, it's perfect. Remind me to always have you make my tea."

Villain smiled. "I would be happy to. I'm glad you like it." He rounded the bed, sliding in under his side of the blankets.

Hero whispered rather sleepily after setting her tea on the nightstand, "Goodnight. I love you, Villain."

"I love you, too, my doll." He pressed a delicate kiss to her forehead as she rolled over to face him. When she closed her eyes, he satisfyingly closed his own.

Aw shucks! Thank you; glad you liked it! It was a little less training and a little more surviving ;) Very long, but I think it's appropriate to be so. Slight gore warning: animal attack, can see the bones, mention of blood, survival (in the woods) situation- whump of minors

Continuation of this

******

"I'm thirstyyyyyy," one boy complained as the group continued walking.

Villain wondered how long it'd been since they'd been outcasted. He recalled the way Hero's face changed; from worried and scared to...to stone cold, emotionless. He didn't think he'd ever forget that face, the face of indifference, as if Hero didn't even care about him anymore.

How could that happen? How could they have been so close, been so happy being brothers, all for Hero to just...abandon him? Walk him out in the woods with a group of other kids and say 'Fend for yourselves. And if you live through two weeks, you can come back'?

Villain couldn't understand why his older brother suddenly didn't care at all. He knew Villain wouldn't survive out here in the woods like this. He'd been housebound for several months, taking care of their deteriorating mother. Any muscle Villain once had was nearly gone. He wasn't skin and bones per say, but he couldn't wrestle a bear, that was for sure.

"Quiet, now. I'm going to teach you all something." It was an older boy, maybe sixteen, whereas Villain was fourteen. This boy had been a captain's son. Guess he wasn't living up to the Captain's standards. "Sh, sh. Listen, alright?"

The boys went silent. Most of them were under the age of ten. It was ridiculously unfair they had been sent to the woods. It was unfair that any of them had been, but who could send a child to fend for itself in the woods, somewhere far away from civilization, far away from help? 'Strength in numbers' Hero had said before setting them off. 'Stick together and more of you will live as opposed to if you split up'. A true soldier's lesson. These boys weren't soldiers though. They were just boys.

"You hear that flow of water?" A collective nod of heads. Villain stood nearby, but also a little separated from the group, leaning against a tree. "Which direction do you think we need to walk to find the water?"

One kid began humming in question, but the eldest put a finger to his lips, whispering again, "Listen. You have to be quiet in order to listen."

Another boy raised a hand.

"Not yet. Let the others think of an answer themselves." The oldest hummed himself, and the boy from before nearly corrected him before the former finished, "When everyone has thought of an answer, put a thumb up, alright? Then we'll all point where we think."

"You're really good with them," Villain said. "The younger boys."

The sixteen year old shrugged. "Thanks, I guess." He gave a small laugh. "I'm not used to interacting with them in that way. I guess it's just the way I always wanted to be treated."

"In any way, you're good at it."

He nodded, muttered another small 'Thanks'.

They were on their fourth day. Villain considered the sixteen year old a friend. He was closer to his own age than anyone else. He was kind and he was a good leader. Villain aspired to be him in some fashion. Not entirely, because Villain liked his own identity, but he wished he was stronger, more capable like Friend.

It was night now, and Villain couldn't sleep as everyone else did. He kept thinking about Hero, about how much he missed his older brother.

They had always been so close. When Father returned home, Hero would always take Villain out to the cliff edge. There, they would forget about the day's stress and aggravations. Sometimes they'd throw what little sand they could find at one another. Villain smiled at this memory, smiled at remembering the way they laughed together and the way, when he began to tire, Hero would lie down and Villain used him as a pillow. They'd watch the sun set over the waters then walk home.

There was a groan, and Villain looked over at the group of boys with raised brows. Friend sat up and Villain nodded, having figured out who it was.

Friend stretched before asking, "Have you slept at all?"

Villain shook his head. "Restless mind, restless body."

"You haven't been sleeping very much. It's going to catch up with you." He stood, stretched, and walked over to Villain before slinking beside him against the trunk of a tree. "What would help you sleep, huh?"

Villain shrugged at Friend. "Nothing that can actually happen."

"What is it?"

"I want my brother to be here with me."

Friend hummed. He did that a lot. "I could be your brother. Wouldn't be quite the same, I know, but if you think it would help..."

Villain huffed. "Don't force a relationship on my behalf. I'll get over it."

"You're angry," Friend observed aloud. "Your brother let them take you away, didn't they?"

Now Villain laughed. It was an ironic laugh, one that presented his anger further. Really, he didn't know he was angry until Friend said it. But it was true. He was angry with Hero, not just saddened by him. "My brother is the one who led us out here."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Several more days passed and Villain was struggling. His thirst was quenched; the boys traveled upstream, always having water on hand as long as they could make a fire, and they could. The lands were dry, though not so dry as to start a forest fire. A general campfire was easy. It was the hunger, though, that dug at Villain.

There were seven boys in the group, including Villain and Friend, and it was only those two that were successful in capturing rabbits, squirrels, and fish, but it happened so seldom that Villain hadn't even had anything to eat. He gave it all to the younger children. Friend did the same, except he had one fish for himself, in the middle of the night once, to maintain his strength.

Another day. Another night.

The boys were walking, all of them a bit tired from the journey, but persevering nonetheless. They were going to settle in a bend of the river, a 'comfy spot' the younglings said. Villain knew it was because it reminded them of the hugs they missed from their mothers.

Friend held a hand up, shushing the group. There was a howl somewhere in the distance, but if they could hear it, it meant it was too close. They'd never had to fight a predator before, even after a full week.

"Wolves," Friend said. "They don't travel alone; they travel in packs, like us." Villain liked this comparison. They weren't boys, were they? They were all wolves, too. But which pack was stronger?

The boys scrambled about, crying with worry of death. Friend did his best to calm them down, but ultimately it was Villain who succeeded in doing so.

"You don't want to be wolves, do you?"

Some still crying, the majority shook their heads. Others just listened.

"Did you ever hear about these creatures called monkeys?" They nodded. "They don't live around here, but we can make them exist. You want to?" Again, they nodded. "Good," Villain smiled. "Good. Monkeys climb in trees, alright? So that's what we have to do."

One boy, the youngest, asked, "What noise do they make?" He was one of the few who hadn't been crying. He seemed to not understand what was going on around him. He played with a twig in his chubby hands.

"Noise? Oh no. They don't make any sounds. That's a myth."

The boy squinted, but accepted it.

More howls sounded. They were getting closer. Villain looked to Friend. He felt very terrified all of a sudden.

Friend said, "Up you go, in the trees." The boys began jumping for branches, but weren't able to reach. Before helping them, Friend said to Villain, "Genius thinking, brother." He clapped Villain on the back before helping the smallest up a tree first.

That hollowness Villain felt as his fear increased settled just the tiniest bit. He smiled at Friend. Not a forced relationship, after all. They were brothers and they would continue to be after this second week was over.

Villain moved to help some of the others as well. They'd nearly all gotten up, except for the middle child in the group of five younglings. And, of course, Villain and Friend were left as well.

Helping the last up, Villain heard a low rumble. At first he thought it came from his stomach, but then the rolling continued, and a quick snarl made itself heard. Slowly, he turned his head, and as he did so, his eyes stung. There, between the trees crouched a beast of grey and brown fur. Villain froze. He wasn't even sure that he was breathing. Could he breathe? Would it trigger a fight response in the wolf?

Friend, having already finished with his group of kids, tiptoed as slowly as he could manage to Villain. He whispered, and it made the pit in Villain's stomach double in size and despair, "Get him up there, slowly, quietly. No sudden movements, you hear me?"

Villain said nothing, but began to nerve strikingly push the child up through the air. The wolf howled and Villain's shoulders and arms tightened. He felt tears building up in his eyes before they slid down his cheeks. He didn't bother wiping them away, afraid- again- that the action would cause the wolf to attack. I don't want to die. Please don't let me die.

Another howl. The wolf was calling the rest of the pack, telling them that it found food. A shudder traveled through Villain and he flinched. I thought wolves stuck together at all times.

"Go up the tree, Villain. You're going to be okay. We'll get out of this."

Villain's watched the wolf's ear twitch as it heard. It began taking slow, cautious, and predatory steps closer to them. Every time Friend spoke, it would approach faster. Their voices were a taunt to the beast.

Nodding, Villain reached up, grasping a thick branch before pulling himself up, but he wasn't strong enough. His body jerked down as his arms gave. The wolf let out a startling bark, pounced forward a bit.

"Shit," Friend spat out, grabbing Villain under each arm. "Grab it," he said, panicked. "Grab the branch!" Villain did as he was instructed, and this time Friend helped push him up.

Several howls followed Villain as he climbed up. He spotted the boy he helped up as he tried looking for whatever wolves were approaching. He'd forgotten it wasn't just him and Friend who were facing death.

Villain looked down just as the first wolf lunged at Friend. "No!" Thankfully, Friend had rolled out of the way before the wolf's teeth could sink in.

"Come on! I'll pull you up! I'll pull you-" Friend's hands grasped one of Villain's while the other held the branch he jumped up to grab. Not in time, though. The wolf clenched its jaws on Friend's calf, yanking him with one vicious pull to the ground.

"Friend!" Villain could hear the grunts, the hollers, the snarls, and the rips. Villain couldn't watch. He couldn't watch. There was blood and- and no. No, that's not a bone. Friend screamed again and again, sometimes at the wolf, sometimes at Villain.

"Stay in-" Scream. Punch. Thrash. "Stay in the trees!"

Don't die. Don't die. Don't die, don't die,don't die-don'tdiedon'tdie. Please don't die. Villain couldn't handle both of his brothers disappearing from his life. And not like this. Not like this.

A massive wave of fury struck Villain in the next moment. If it weren't for Hero- he let out a holler of frustration. If it weren't for Hero, he wouldn't be in these woods. Friend wouldn't be in these woods. None of these kids would be in the woods, hiding in trees to avoid being eaten by wolves. Villain was willing to bet Hero had never seen a wolf before, much less fought one.

The screams stopped. Villain screamed, cried, punched the branch he sat on with both fists until they felt swollen and bruised. And then he fell asleep, exhausted, and not willing to think of the horror he just witnessed.

The boys slept in the trees. The wolves left. After Villain had fallen asleep, the other wolves arrived, scratching at the trees, whimpering that they couldn't reach the delectable bags of flesh and meat stowed away, hidden behind leaves.

When Villain woke, he saw two piles of clothing, each stained with blood, both containing hard and thin objects called bones. Two piles- so one of the children had fallen prey, too.

Villain threw up in the stream over and over, pouring himself out, tears and stomach acid alike. "I can't do this," he gasped. "I can't do this."

But he could. And he would. Because Hero needed to pay, and Villain would be the one to collect.

******

Part 3 here

Hey guys!

I do appreciation posts often enough, but here's another because...

150 followers!

When I tell you guys I'm just...in awe of that number. I never imagined I'd have so many strangers looking forward to see my little- and rather large- spastic drabbles! Seriously grateful for every single one of you, even my ghost followers- you're just as appreciated!

There are plenty others that I'm struggling to think of- I wasn't expecting to reach a milestone today! But I also wanted to give a special thanks to:

for- the first- sending in the request that led to my new eight followers, which led to the 150, and- the second- for reblogging so many of my works, both the other day and today! As the latter said, reblogging is so important to undiscovered writers! Likes are great and we appreciate every note, but it ultimately doesn't help us get discovered.

Either way, ghost or not, every follower, every note, means SO, SO much! You guys keep me going and make me enjoy writing so much more than if I only ever did it for myself!

Thank you for 150!

Please feel free to reblog and feature other writers!

As always, I'd like to remind you that my ask box is open and you can stop by it anytime about any subject (keep it appropriate!).

Can Only Move the Eyes

Original Work

Can Only Move the Eyes

@badthingshappenbingo

Small Description: an immortal sorceress is trying to rid herself of immortality by taking the life of the one she loves.

******

You're strong, the lady's voice said, but not strong enough to counter my powers.

If Tysin could growl, he would have, but he couldn't move. Even his breaths were controlled by the sorceress at his side.

Have you had training? Defense against magic? the sorceress, named Giladiasana- Sana, for short- asked Tysin in his head. He could answer if he wanted, think a response loudly enough that she would hear, but he didn't care to talk to a woman who was about to bleed him dry.

Sana pushed a hard barrier on his mind, causing a sharp sting, one that would have made Tysin take a sharp intake of breath and even hold his head, but all he could do was squeeze his eyes shut. That was meant to happen differently, she whispered in his head.

When Tysin opened his eyes again, he glanced around, head unmoving, but eyes darting about. There was glass everywhere. Mostly bottles full of discoloured liquids. Other pieces of glass- colourful ones- dangled about on strings. Tysin assumed it was sea glass. The sorceress's hut was an alcove by the beach so it made sense.

You're ignoring me. Very nice. Sana purred in his mind and it felt to Tysin like it wrapped around his brain. He felt dizzy despite being entirely still.

Shot with an Arrow

Original Work

Shot with an Arrow

@badthingshappenbingo

I present to you another royal whumpee, folks!

Requests are accepted!

******

Sighing, the lord threw a hand in the air. A signal to his archer. "Shoot him," he said.

The archer obeyed, losing the arrow from his bow and sending it into their captive's shoulder. Said captive staggered for a moment, but continued running.

"Again."

This arrow landed in their lower back, close enough to the spine that if he weren't muscular, it might have killed him right then and there.

"Easy, killer. I need him alive. Take out his leg."

Another arrow whizzed through the air, and this one successfully made it into the captive's calf. He hollered loud enough that both the lord and archer could hear from the guard tower.

"One more for extra measure?"

The archer said, "I shouldn't unless you want to drag him back. If I may suggest it, I say make him walk. It'll hurt like a blow from the gods and it might be enough to teach him a lesson."

With a nod, the lord stepped away, making his way to where his captive was running. Right now, he was walking- no, limping- further away, but he wasn't even fast enough to match the lord's leisurely pace.

As the lord approached, the captive grunted, pushing himself further away with a sort of relentlessness. The lord only laughed, grabbing the puny man's collar and yanking him back.

"Do you know that if your commander hadn't put you through so much training, that second arrow," The lord paused, grasping the arrow so close to the captive's spine and pushing it slightly, earning many disgruntled noises and whines. "It would have killed you."

Then, he pulled the arrow, but not hard enough to tear it out, only enough to separate the skin from his captive's bones before he released the arrow again. The captive's breathing was quick and shallow, though the lord could tell he was attempting to take deeper breaths.

"What do you want from me?" The captive spoke slowly, nearly breathlessly. He swallowed back another cry of pain as the lord jostled him.

"Princes and kings are known to be honoured warriors, whereas lords are stuck in manors, reading paper after paper of stupid requests," the lord explained, then gave an example, "'My mother died and the rest of my family has struggled to stay motivated with the fields. Might we keep what little crops we get this season?' Stupid, am I right?"

"You've tortured me," The captive- the prince- actually gave a small laugh. "Because you don't want to be a lord." His next sentence came out harsher, no longer amused. "And you thought that kidnapping me, shoving knives beneath my skin, and shooting arrows into my backside would convince me to hand over my title? No."

The lord shrugged, beginning to drag the prince back with him and saying, "You'll walk on your own," before releasing the prince's tattered shirt. He added, "I kidnapped you because I know my request isn't simple. You would never hand over the authority used to command an army if I walked into the halls of the palace and only asked. You would need convincing, and if my convincing doesn't work then you're just another obstacle for me to eliminate. Having said that, prince, I kidnapped you because it's my way of presenting you a choice. Life or Death?"

The lord was walking away, but the prince could see the archer on the tower, their bow still drawn. The scenario was clear. If the prince ran, the archer would shoot him, and this time he wouldn't be left staggering; he'd be left in the dirt, dead, and the lord would claim his title then and there.

Or, he could stumble back to the lord's manor and let himself be tortured until he finally gave.

Maybe it was arrogance, but the prince believed he was strong enough to endure the tortures, especially if it meant they'd take the arrows out first. He began limping, several feet away from the lord, following him to his prison.

******

Banished

Original Work

Banished

@badthingshappenbingo

This seemed like a perfect trope for some royal writing ;D

TWs: branding, lady whump, sex- mistress- implication (just mentioned once)

******

"Get out." The prince pointed to the closed door. He didn't look at his lover; he was too furious to.

"You are joking," she said quietly. Her hand fell onto His Highness' shoulder gently, but he knocked it off with a quick swipe of his own hand.

The prince shook his head. "You've betrayed me. You need to leave."

She huffed, and took a seat at his desk, crossing an ankle over her leg, before propping an elbow on her knee. It was the prince's own clothing that allowed her to do this. Lover could never sit in such a position as this in the obnoxious dresses the servants and maids made her wear. "You know I love you," the prince's lover said, but he didn't believe her. Not anymore.

The letter in his hand was crumpled and wet with sweaty palms. "You don't love me. You love some northwestern widowed lord! How do you even know this man?" He shook the letter in her face before crumbling up and holding it over the flame of a candle on the desk behind her.

At first she'd thought he was about to give her an angry, yet passionate kiss. That's what lovers did, right? They got angry with one another and then they made up- or made out. Once she realized what the prince was actually doing, she squealed and pushed his hand away, sending the wadded paper flying. She scrambled for it, trying to blow the flames out before they caused too much damage. "How insecure are you that you believe I would cheat on you!" she screamed at him.

It was somewhat shocking that the guards hadn't stomped in yet, after hearing the prince's lover yelling. Then again, he hadn't ordered them to intervene, so why would they? They never acted without hearing his word first. Lover tried to advise them differently, for someone could sneak in and begin fighting Prince, and he might be been killed before he could yell for help.

"This letter means nothing, Prince. Nothing, okay? It's just...it's something I'm trying to figure out."

"Something?" he asked. "Like what? Whether he is worth abandoning a prince over?"

"Why don't you trust me?" Lover's voice turned pained. "Why are you making such cruel assumptions? You know me better than to hurt you like this."

He snapped, "I'm not hurt."

It wasn't true, she knew. If he weren't hurt, he wouldn't be angry. But he had no reason to be hurt. She didn't love the lord. He might have loved her, but she didn't him. If Prince would just listen to her... "He's a friend. Nothing more. Never more. I promise you. I promise you are the only one I love. Say something sweet to me. Please. Tell me it only shocked you and- and that you love me back. Don't let a pesky letter get in the way of us."

"How long have you been sending letters to him?"

"Prince-"

"How long?"

"Prince, he's just a childhood-"

His words came out as harsh as a whip. "How. Long."

Lover opened her mouth, ready to avoid the question again; it wasn't important, but Prince pinned her with a deadly gaze and a set jaw. She swallowed. "Since I came to [Prince's Kingdom]." She quickly tried to excuse herself again. "His words meant nothing beyond a brother-sisterly love, Prince. He's always told me he loves me. And he's told other friends as well."

"So you are his mistress."

"What? No. That is ridiculous!" Lover suddenly lost her breath at the accusation. She didn't even know what to say. No, she wasn't Friend's mistress! She was his friend! She wasn't lying; she would never lie to Prince. "Listen to me, please. Look me in the eye. Let me prove to you that it's you I love. Please, Prince. You are looking too far into this."

"Leave. Now."

She stood, reaching for him again, but he spun, gripping her arm in a grip he only used against other soldiers in training.

Her breath caught. It didn't hurt; he wasn't squeezing, but his hold was tight. "Prince," There was a whine in her voice. A single tear prickled in Lover's eye before gliding down her cheek. "I'll tell him not to say it anymore. I'll tell him that he should- must," she corrected, seeing the prince's eyes darken with shadows as he titled his head down further at her. "He must tone it down, or else I will not return his letters."

Prince nodded, and for a moment, Lover thought all was well. His grip loosened, but then he grabbed her shoulder and shoved her toward the door. Lover tripped on her own feet, landing with a loud and painful thud.

"Guards!" They stepped in seconds after their prince's call. "Strip her and set her into the woods."

Lover's lips parted and eyes grew wide as she gasped. "What?"

He ignored her shock. "I banish you until the first days of spring. You will not go to [Northwestern Lord]. You will not even enter his domain. You will not enter the kingdom he belongs to, and you will not step into my kingdom until your term is up." Lover listened with rushed breaths as she still sat on the floor. "If I find out you sent even one letter to him, I will have you executed for treason. Am I understood?"

"Prince, you can't- this isn't you. What are you saying?" Her voice was higher than ever before because of her mad panic.

"You had plenty time to tell me about this supposed friend of yours and yet you never did. I'm not hesitating to admit I find you untrustworthy at the moment. For all I know you're spying on me for a kingdom planning to take my own. So I banish you, and if you can prove you have no alliance with [Northwestern Kingdom] then you may come back and we will marry as we planned."

How can you think I want to marry you after this? Lover thought. She didn't dare say it aloud, for fear of him carrying out an execution right then and there.

Prince nodded to her guards. "Strip her, and let her be seen by the people. You will leave her in front of Haggar's Inn, but not before she bears my signature."

"Signature?"

If her heart rate hadn't been insanely fast before, it was now. His 'signature' was a brand used on criminals to let others know to be wary of one's presence. It also served as a symbol of return. Those with visible brands were meant to be returned to the palace immediately. Each category of criminal would be given a brand on a specific body part. If Lover was being banished, the guards would brand the heel of her foot- to make it harder to walk as she wouldn't be given boots.

"Prince-"

"Go. And not another word to anyone of my kingdom until it is time for your return. Goodbye, Lover. I shall hope to meet you again after the cold season."

******

Lost Their Voice from Screaming

Bingo!!!

Original Work!

Lost Their Voice from Screaming

@badthingshappenbingo

TW: needles/syringe

******

"Sh, sh, sh," Villain cooed. Hero was whimpering, begging, as she lay on the metal table Villain had strapped her to. He hovered above her, a needle in hand.

His hand came closer, and Hero could feel sweat forming on her hairline. She jerked a shoulder, a last attempt to break away before the mystery-filled syringe would be plunged into her arm. "Please. Don't- don't do this."

"My dear, I haven't even said what it is. What if I told you it was a liquid candy?" Villain held the syringe up to the light, flicking it and watching as the air bubbles escaped. It was important that he didn't kill his precious subject. She hadn't been repaid for torturing a close friend of Villain's.

"Of course you wouldn't believe me," he said to her, bringing the syringe to eye level. He glanced at Hero, smiling. "It's fascinating to see how fearful you are of a sharp point. I wonder if you'd feel the same way about a knife?" He cocked his head to the side. "A dull blade is funner, more painful, but if you don't like needles...I can accomdate for that." His lips split like stage curtains, showing his teeth, proving how wicked he was. "I think I have an idea. How about instead of stabbing you with a knife, I do it with the needles?"

Hero apologized, to Villain's surprise. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what happened. We shouldn't have taken [Villain's] Friend. We could have done things differently. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Your words are empty," he told her. "I won't consider them until you understand how Friend felt as you tortured them."

"I didn't do it," Hero tried to use as an excuse. "I never agreed to it. I stepped away while it happened. Villain, I didn't stand for it." Her voice rose with panic as he came closer. She jerked and jerked against her restraints without use. "Villain, please. Please let me go."

He shook his head. "You'll want to stay still, or else I might accidentally poke you more times than necessary- and I don't think you want that."

Hero's breathing picked up, and a trail of chills ran up and down her arms. The needle wasn't even an inch away from her skin. She cried out, now kicking against the restraints. "Please!" Hero screamed, and she said more, but even she couldn't tell what. Her mind was in a frenzy, not understanding anything beyond the crashing waves of fear that were drowning her.

The needle sunk in, and Hero screamed something horrendous. A vicious 'No' escaped her lips one last time before half of her body fell slack just below her neck. The left side tingled for a second before going completely numb, completely still. "Wha-" she tested her voice first, happy to know it still worked- unlike her fingers which she now tried to clench into a fist. "What is this? What did you do to me?" Villain ignored her, moving to her other side, sticking the needle into a small jar with whatever he had already injected Hero with. "No, stop. Stop! What are you doing!"

"A numbing serum- to some extent. You won't feel light touches, see?" Villain reached across Hero, dragging a gloved finger down her arm. He was right; she didn't feel it at all. "Notice I said light touches. You'll feel what I do to you later, and it will be all you feel. It will hurt tremendously." His hand retreated, but he leaned forward, lips on Hero's ear. "You'll wish you were dead," he whispered. Hero felt his lips curve against her.

A small whine rose in her throat as Villain retreated once again, only to return with the needle. She hadn't expected it, and therefore had no time to pathetically fight. Hero was thankful, at least, that her face remained with feeling. "Villain, I didn't do anything to them. Please, please, let me go. I'm not-" I am his enemy. "The others are brutal, and I don't agree with their methods. I don't-" She screamed with freshly sprung tears. Her thigh stung and burned, and the pain...it radiated, as if it had grown roots. The pain was an invasive, spreading plant, throbbing where it went. Hero screamed, cried. Her throat was going raw with just the one stab that Villain gave. "Stop," she shrieked "Stop, it hurts!"

"You said you disagreed with your team's methods, and I believe you. That makes you better than the rest, and that's exactly why I chose you over the others."

Her leg lit on fire once again, like Villain poured gasoline over it. Hero let out a pained holler again, wishing she could grasp her leg, hold it. Was it bleeding? Did he stab her? Was that what this pain was? She couldn't see. She probably didn't want to. But it hurt. It hurt so bad, so irrevocably bad. "Please," she keened. "It hurts. It hurts, it hurts, ithurts, ithurts."

"You're kind, purer than the rest."

"Ah!" Hero's head banged roughly against the table as she gritted her teeth. Her arm was lit on fire now and it spread to her shoulder, nearly into her neck. She stretched her head away from the pain- as if her brain being further away from the source of pain would allow her to just forget about it.

"And in being purer, you don't deserve this."

Another bout of pain and demise blossomed, lower in Hero's arm this time than last. She wanted to ask 'If I don't deserve this then why are you doing it?', but Hero was in so much pain that she couldn't form a single word. All she could do was scream and groan and whine and cry. Her throat was sore on top of it all.

"Did you know that my friend is still in physical therapy? After a whole damn year. Your team wrecked him."

Another plunge of devastation bloomed in her knee. That was the worst stab of them all so far, but now when she screamed, nothing came out except for a wheeze. Her throat was scratchy, her voice gone.

"He'll be in therapy for at least another six months is my guess. He'll heal. You, however," Villain chuckled lowly. "You, I intend to return broken beyond repair."

Hero blinked slowly as Villain seemed to be giving a break. Still, she groaned in immense discomfort and pain. Her breaths became caught in her chest. Please stop. Please stop. She couldn't say it, could barely even think of opening her mouth, in fear that it would tighten the wrong muscle and make the fires ignite all over again.

"Think it's about time to skewer the other knee. What do you think, Hero?"

Somewhat unfortunately- since her words wouldn't matter anyways- she had no voice to oppose. A new fire was struck.

Over-the-Shoulder Carry

Original Work

Over-the-Shoulder Carry

@badthingshappenbingo

One prompt away from a bingo! Who's ready for some more hero/villain action?

******

Eyes rolling back, Hero crashed down to the ground. She'd been trying so desperately to stand, but...it hurt. Everything hurt. And her chest- her lungs felt like a rope had been tied around them and someone was tightening the coils. Hero couldn't breathe.

A struggle larger than standing was keeping her eyes open. The lids kept falling heavily and Hero had to blink wildly to stay awake. If she passed out, she was as good as dead. It was only a matter of time before Villain found her.

It was a sick game Villain was playing with her. He overpowered her, beat her, and then told her to run as far away as she could in the next thirty minutes. Thirty minutes. If Hero looked behind her, she could probably still see him. After all, most of this time had been spent crawling because of her inability to stand, and walk or run.

The field was on fire, and Hero could even feel the heat of a flame near her face, but she was too exhausted to move away. It wouldn't have made a difference anyway.

"In thirty minutes, you could have ran six miles, Hero. I'm disappointed."

Hero barely had the energy to shake her head in fear. She used that small bit of energy to claw at the dirt and pebbled ground, hardly inching forward. She groaned, and gave a high whine as she did so. It looked and sounded pathetic, Hero knew, but she didn't care. Get away, get away, get away.

"Come now, you know you're defeated." Villain clenched his fist around a handful of Hero's shirt, and pulled her up just a few inches off the ground where she was laying.

She cried as he did so, her limbs falling useless in front of her as her body practically hovered.

Fight back, she pleaded with herself. Fight him. But she couldn't. Her limbs were too heavy, and they ached too strongly. Not even her head could lift up. In fact, it was probably the most heavy part of her body.

Her voice came out in a whisper, one that even cracked. "Please."

The villain hummed, laughed, and yanked her up further roughly. She was a rag doll. "After all this time," he whispered gloriously, astonished even by himself and the sight he was able to produce. The hero, under his palm, beaten and bloodied. Useless. Nothing. He'd won. "You're finally mine."

There was a bit of resistance. Hero's shoulders stiffened like she was going to throw herself at Villain to shock him, but it didn't work. Of course it wouldn't. Hero was weak and helpless.

"Kill me."

Villain only heard her voice because of the otherwise silent field. He could hear the burning, but Hero was closer to him than those flames. He heard her, and he chuckled lowly. "Begging for death, is it?"

She made a sound in her throat. Another cry, maybe? Or was she so worn out now that she couldn't even whisper?

"It would be so horrendously boring for me if you were dead." Hero didn't see it, but Villain looked about the field. "All of these people, the people you swore to protect are dead. You failed, Hero. There ought to be a punishment for that."

"Please," Hero keened.

So she could speak.

Effortlessly, Villain grabbed Hero with another hand, tossing her roughly over his shoulder after flipping her so her back faced away from him. One arm remained at his side, while the other held the backs of Hero's knees.

Upon being tossed, Hero hollered a broken scream. Tears swelled in her eyes and her nose stung like it'd been punched. Her ribs settled uncomfortably on Villain's back while her hips rested on his shoulder. Arms dangling with blood rushing to her fingertips, she remained silent, world fading to black between each step Villain made.

Kill me, Hero said again, but only in the confines of her mind did she actually say it. And soon after she didn't have the chance to try and say it again, for the world was gone. It was dark and nonexistent as she passed into unconsciousness.

*****

BTHB Bleeding Through the Bandages

Original work

Bleeding Through the Bandages

@badthingshappenbingo

******

"What the hell are you doing?" Teammate yelled, walking briskly into the training room as Hero threw punches at a makeshift dummy. Their knuckles were bleeding, but that wasn't the worst part.

Hero grunted, before practically falling into the dummy with an arm to hold themselves up. Their other hand held their side, where they felt their palm and fingers becoming wet. They didn't say this, but instead began huffing and puffing harder as if they were more winded than they actually were. They were fine. Teammate would have a fit if they knew Hero reopened their wound, though. It needed to stay hidden. Hero would deal with the bleeding later, when they were done training.

"What's it look like I'm doing? I'm practicing a few punches." Hero clenched the fist that held their side and hit the dummy on the shoulder with a pathetic thud. "See?"

Teammate shook their head, stepping further into the room. "Well, stop."

"Listen," Hero said sternly, and nothing they were about to say would be an act. "I'm not letting another person overcome my abilities. I was weak. I need to become stronger."

"You're young. You have time to improve on yourself, but right now, you're injured and need to take time to heal. In fact, I think it's time we change your-"

Hero snapped quickly before Teammate could come to their side, "I'm fine, okay? I feel fine and I am fine. Lay off a bit, would you?"

"Take your arm off the dummy."

"What?"

"Your arm," Teammate repeated. "You're using it for support. Take it off the dummy. I want to see how badly you're lying to me."

Hero rolled their eyes. "I'm out of breath. I've been working out for several hours."

Teammate knocked Hero's arm away, not waiting around for a compromise. They watched as Hero's eyes went wide and they began swaying, trying desperately to grasp the dummy again, but just as their fingers came near brushing it, they began to fall back. Teammate was there before Hero could tip passed their heels.

"I wonder," Teammate said, "if you're nearly passing out because of pain or..." They rounded Hero, peering at their clothes- at the growing dark spot. "Or the loss of blood." Teammate sighed. "We're running out of supplies and Villain is on the prowl. I have enough to bandage you once or twice more before we have to resort to strips of cloth." They shook their head. "Come on. Let's go get you patched up again."

******

Being muscular doesn't mean Whumpee doesn't feel the pain of punches and beatings.

Okay, I want the whump community to know how badly it actually hurts to be punched when you have abs.

I did weightlifting and core training for about four months in track & field- worked out enough that I got abs. Pretty great, right?

Problem was that all of my friends wanted to poke my abs because "Oh my god, your stomach is like stone." Even when someone pokes your abs, it feels like they just poked a dang bruise.

If you think about it, the skin is tighter- because there is less fat and therefore less cushion- so all of your nerves are right there on the surface. Pokes hurt. Punches probably feel like absolute hell.

All of you, tighten your core muscles (we all have them. Just some of ours show more than others and both is fine) and just poke it. Once or twice. Flex, and poke. Now imagine a real bad guy really wacking those muscles.

Having said that,

Punch your muscular whumpees and let them show the pain. It hurts. Believe me.

(If anyone wants to write about a muscular whumpee getting hurt, you can tag me. ;) )

Darling, I Did It for You Part 17 (previously known as Hero x Caretaker x Villain)

Part 16 here

There is a chapter written below, but first I wanted to clear some things up!

I wrote it in a past post, but that title up there ^^ is the new title. I don't imagine myself changing it anytime soon so have you eye out for it!

Also mentioned before, I have named the characters. I want this story to be as authentic as possible so it has a title and the characters have actual names, not just reputations!

Villain: Carson

Hero: Malory/ Mal

Caretaker: Dakota/ Kota

Brother and Sister have yet to be named, but I will have the key posted in future chapters!

Tag list: @silverwhisperer1 @whatwhumpcomments @whump-me-all-night-long (Still have trouble tagging the last person who requested be added, sorry! Maybe your Tumblr needs an update if you're on mobile?)

******

Carson jolted awake with a gasp. His eyes were wide, but he could hardly process what he was seeing. All he knew right now was that his chest ached as if it were bruised. On top of that, it also tingled. He breathed okay. That was good.

Finally taking in his surrounding rather than his state, Carson realized he was outside- in his own yard, and Malory was beside him.

"Are you okay?" Her voice was raspy, like she'd been screaming for minutes on end. Has she been? Carson wondered.

"I don't remember...I'm okay, but I- I have no idea why I'm out here."

A Guide to Walking in the Woods on New Year's Eve and Halloween:

P16 Darling, I Did It For You

NOT A PROMPT

Part 15 here

Tag list: @silverwhisperer1 @whump-me-all-night-long @whatwhumpcomments

@catsandhotchocolate16 , for some reason Tumblr isn't finding your blog when I try to tag you, but I'll keep trying to tag you in future updates. Sorry!

******

It was night and every light in the house was off besides the light coming from the open fridge. Hero could have turned the kitchen light on; she knew where the switch was now, but- well- when she touched what was on island, the room might light itself- hopefully not on fire.

Was this a good idea? Villain asked her in the car if she used her powers since she'd been in his home, and the answer was no. She almost did in the garden, almost touched the hook meant for a hanging basket. That was when Hero was indisputably angry. That was when she was still hooked on the idea of escaping. Now things were different.

Villain wasn't the enemy.

Caretaker was.