#i forgot how to tag the tags

Hero’s shift was almost over.

Thank god for that, she thought, if I have to walk one more time around this damn building I swear I’m going to-

Oh.

There was blood in the alley. Blood. Someone was bleeding, a civilian no doubt. Hero’s eyes snapped up and she caught the tell-tale glint of metal. Try as they might, it was impossible to completely rid the city of criminals. Could this have happened for something as trivial as money?The thought almost made her blood boil. But first-

Oh god, there was so much blood.

It wasn’t even a conscious thing - her legs acted faster than her brain, and suddenly, she was next to the man’s side in no time.

Sweat plastered hair to their forehead, eyebrows scrunched together in obvious pain. The man wasn’t even conscious. Hero was relieved when she saw the rise and fall of their chest, having feared for the worst. Not that the knife in their side was any good.

Hero pulled out her communicator, calling for an ambulance. Even in the haze of panic and rambling, she couldn’t help but feel a pull of familiarity, somehow.

“Hello, hello sir? Can your hear me?” Hero lightly tapped their cheek, when she’d been reassured help was on the way. Subconsciously, her eyes flitted over each of the man’s features. “I’ve called the ambulance. They’re coming as fast as they can. You’re going to get help as soon as possi-”

She stopped. Rubbed her eyes. Did it again.

Oh.

She recognized those ocean blue eyes, though they were always filled with cruel delight. Recognized those thin lips, though they were always fitted into a snarl. Recognized the straight black hair, now greased with sweat and pain.

Villain.

Villain was sitting in an alley, clothes torn and bloody. Villain was there, mask off, and vulnerable. Villain was bleeding out right in front of her.

Hero snapped herself out of her shocked stupor. Now was not the time. It didn’t matter if they were the one who scarred her and hurt her, who tormented a city full of innocents. At the end of the day, they were still a citizen of the city - her city - and now they needed her help. She can entertain thoughts of arrest later. When they’re alive enough to even bearrested.

She tore his shirt where the knife stuck out, making sure not to jostle the wound any more than needed. Nevertheless, Villain let out another moan, and she couldn’t help but apologise. Bundling her hands in cloth so as to not risk infection, she pressed down on the wound. She’d never been good at being the medic and this time was no exception. More blood seemed to spill out at her attempts of getting it under control.

Hopeless, hopeless, hopeless.

“Don’t die- urgh, don’t die on me yet, Villain. Who… who am I supposed to stop if you’re gone? Huh?”

Stop being so damn hopeless.

Her eyes suddenly stung, and she had to blink back tears. Mentally, she chided herself for the onset of emotion. This wasn’t the time, she reminded herself.

Villain’s eyes fluttered open, and the sigh of relief that escaped couldn’t be helped.

“Hey, hey Villain? I’m here… I’m here for you, and help is on the way. It shouldn’t be long now, so just stay awake for me. Okay? Villain?”

Villain’s eyes widened, just for a moment, before returning to its usual sarcastic gaze. “Oh, the stories they’ll tell if I fall asleep here, in your arms,” they smirked, then groaned at the movement.

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at that. “Of course, we can’t risk tarring your oh-so-perfect reputation, now can we?” Still, she clasped their hand, and flushed at the affirmation she felt when they gripped back. Her eyes felt wet again and she just needed one last thing from them.

“Just, just promise me that. Promise me you won’t leave me, not now. All great villains have to go out with a bang, don’t they?”

“Who said…who said I was dying today,” Villain croaked out, before their hand finally let go.