~Chapter Nine: Black Hat~
Black Hat didn't know how to feel about the fact Flug had fallen asleep on him. The number one villain of the world shouldn't be allowing this. But here he was.
Unlatching the other slowly from his shirt, he laid him down against the bed covers. Flug didn't stir and sunk into the quilt gently. Black Hat stood, brushing himself down and reorganising his shirt. Collecting his coat and cuff links, he redressed slowly.
He needed more from that gun Flug had found. The one that was giving him back his powers little by little. It did not help that his engineer was down for the count because of the brash hero.
Just what had made Jack play up like that? It must have been something to do with Flug discussing the cuffs the heroes wore. He'd question Flug when he woke up.
Stepping out the cell and closing the door behind him, Black Hat quickly looked up at the clock. 15:40. This was definitely turning out to be an almost unbearably long day. He wondered if Brevity and Danila had returned. As though on cue, he spotted the hacker across the room heading towards him. Danila was nowhere to be seen but Brevity seemed to be in deep conversation with Kaida. Black Hat grit his teeth as she caught his eye and flashed a devious smile. They finally stood before the number one prisoner. Brevity held out the sheets.
"All authentic, I watched them sign it myself and checked them over no less than three times there and then", the Brit nodded proudly as Black Hat took the documents.
"Good work" the villain folded the papers and held them behind his back.
"Where is Danila?"
"In the prison, if that's what you mean. They didn't take him hostage or anything".
"Better question is where is the bagged kid?", Kaida piped up, a hand under her chin, her elbow in the crook of her arm folded around her front. Her wicked smile never faded.
"Flugzeug is resting"
"In your cell", Kaida purred.
"What of it?", Black Hat hissed.
"You fuck him yet?"
Brevity choked.
"No I haven't fucked him", Black Hat rolled his eyes.
"Yet", her tail swayed in a slow, playful manner. Short sharp canines visible as she grinned.
"Kaida"
"Oh fuck off BH, you telling me you don't wanna lay down some of that old fashioned bonding between a villain and their...sidekick?"
"I'm rather different from you Kaida"
"Bullshit. God are you not spilling the details because the nerd is here?" she scowled, looking to Brevity who blinked.
"What?" he managed. Kaida rolled her eyes with a growl, shoving him to one side.
"Go and play with the others Brev, be a good boy", she barked a short sharp laugh and the hacker sighed. Soon enough he left.
"He's one of the few in here that doesn't pick a fight. Though to be honest, if he had his computers he could do a lot worse to ya".
"If we're on the subject, why don't you go and fuck him".
"Oohh", she cooed, slinging an arm around the back of his shoulders. Black Hat was briefly surprised she even managed it considering the height difference.
"Didn't think I'd hit such a nerve" she finished.
"You haven't bothered me in the slightest"
"So what is up with the kid? His circumstances are odd...and Besky told me what happened with the hostages".
"I don't know. But there's definitely something up with Jupiter".
"He fucking lost it. A hero wouldn't pull off that kinda shit with a good guy. So you know Flugzeug isn't a saint. But how long has he been a part of the dark side?".
Black Hat fell quiet.
"Between you and me", Kaida leant in closer, "I think it's a recent development".
"What matters is that he is on my side right now, I don't care what he was 24 hours ago, whatever that even is"
"Ahh, I thought you didn't have your rose tinted monocle on right now?* I still think the eye-patch suits you more", she cooed, tapping against the black material covering his face. Black Hat immediately shoved her away.
"Just because we've been in here for a while Kaida does not mean you can't start getting touchy with me of all people".
"You're no fun BH".
"Good. I don't intend to be a source of fun to anyone. Least of all you".
"Be a good sport and be a source of fun for Flug at least. He looks like he could do with his cherry popping. But even though I'm all for some villainous bonding, don't fuck 5.0.5, then it gets weird"
"Kaida! I swear to-"
But Kaida had already gone, strolling off with a steady swing of her tail. Black Hat didn't make any attempt to follow her. Instead, he headed back to the cell with long strides, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Who did she think she was?! Time in this prison was making him soft and those around him far too bold. Then again...it was Kaida. Shaking his head, he slid open the cell door and closed it behind him as he stepped in.
Of course, Flug was still exactly where he had been left, eerily still in his sleep. Black Hat briefly contemplated fetching one of the villains with some medical knowledge. But decided against it.
There was something simmering in his gut that suggested he didn't like the idea of anyone else helping Flug on the intimate level it would require for a doctor to do so. His healing venom hadn't failed him yet and it wouldn't fail the villain now. Sitting on the bed next to the other. The urge to lift up the bag rushed over him again. Maybe it was to do with the creeping doubt in his mind as to the loyalty of the man before him or maybe it was his constant need to have control over everything. Either way, he fought the urge for now. The villain stood and moved away.
The group shuffled their cards together and brought them to their chest quickly, eyes averting as Black Hat strolled over to where they sat in a circle in the corner of the main room. Black Hat rolled his eyes.
"This is Kokytus, why would I care if you are gambling?".
The villains seemed to contemplate this before nodding to one another with shrugs. The villain then looked to one of those in the group specifically. A burly man, 30 years of age. All you could see of him was his dark hair as he looked down at his set. Seemingly uncaring that Black Hat had arrived unlike the others in the circle.
"David. Here".
The man finally looked up. Eyes dull.
"¿Qué deseas señor?"
"Ahora ".
Now standing away from the group, Black Hat took prisoner 11, David Dolores, down the corridor toward the holding cell. David kept his eyes downcast, irritable that he hadn't been informed of the situation but he knew better than to start nagging for answers. Finally, they stood outside the door. David's eyes widened momentarily when he saw another inmate waiting there, looking distinctly disgruntled. Even more so when she laid eyes on Dolores.
"Why have we been called here Black Hat?", number 6, Madame Cobra questioned. Tone cool and arms folded across her chest. The villain ignored her, instead speaking to David.
"I need you to check the handcuffs on the heroes for me", Black Hat spoke to David, never looking to him.
"Why me?" he tried quickly.
"You used a range of shackles in your fighting ring. I assume you have basic knowledge of the right materials for the... right people".
Dolores seemed to glow excitedly for a moment.
"You visited Nivel Siete?"
"Once or twice".
"I never saw you?"
"I don't like to be associated with the masses", Black Hat drawled. His languid words did little to depress the manic joy in prisoner 11.
"You are here to stop them if they kick up a fuss", Black Hat then directed Madame Cobra who sneered.
"You were unable to find someone else to assist you?"
"You are of inhuman strength are you not?" Black Hat challenged.
The other villain paused, rising up a little to her remarkable height of 8'1ft.
"As are you".
Black Hat just shrugged.
Black Hat opened the door and stepped through soundlessly. Madame Cobra and David followed reluctantly. The two heroes already had their eyes up, as though aware they were going to receive visitors.
"It's been a long day, so let's make this quick. Who shackled you?"
"...Don't remember, awfully hard to make solid memories when you're constantly in and out of consciousness", Solaria snarled. Black Hat quirked a single eyebrow.
"Señor...why don't you just ask the other inmates?", Dolores stepped forward, speaking hushedly.
"Reasons. Now, Madame, if you'd be so kind as to enter the holding cell and make sure Solaria here doesn't squirm".
"Hmm, at least you have the decency of allowing me to restrain the young heroine".
"I didn't care for the formalities of sex, Madame. You were available".
The villain made a low, serpentine hissing noise but followed the directions nevertheless. Permitted to use the keys by Black Hat who threw them to her, she walked in. Ducking slightly in the entrance.
"You'd be wise to not have a go at me", she said with a strange softness to Solaria who stared up at Madame Cobra in frightened awe.
"What is this about, Black?"
"Ah, thought the pain had rendered you silent Jupiter. Well, I'm just doing some research", he smirked quickly before the expression faded back to that of a poker face.
"Dolores, go in and see what you find".
Madame Cobra had to do little in the way of restraining either hero as David peered at and touched the cuffs shackling Solaria. Jack simply looked down whilst Solaria kept her eyes tightly shut, not moving. Now outside of the holding cell room, the two villains turned to Black Hat who still maintained a sour expression.
"Dolores?"
"It's a slot lock, the metal is simply a steel alloy but with a very clever graphene lace on the edges. It basically means that whoever got them, couldn't afford full graphene but wanted some strong handcuffs. But the only thing that gets me is how heavy they are. I couldn't lift them. Graphene is known to be very light, steel isn't nearly as heavy as that in the layer density those cuffs had".
"What does this mean?"
"No lo sé, señor...it must be new technology? I've been in here for a while, improvements could have been made to metal that I don't know about".
"It would explain why Jupiter couldn't lift them?" Madame Cobra quipped, shrugging slightly. Black Hat contemplated this for a while.
"I will work on this. Thank you, both for your assistance".
He spun on his heel and began to walk away. But the next thing the villain knew there was a hand on his shoulder.
"Black Hat, something is wrong. What is it?"
"They didn't hire a therapist in Kokytus for a reason".
"Flugzeug is injured".
"Common knowledge".
"Has he been treated?"
"He has been treated enough".
Madame Cobra took a step back as Black Hat spun around to face her properly. His eye seemed so much darker than usual.
"I'd suggest speaking to Rena".
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Madame".
"I will voice whatever opinion I wish in the interests of you not going berserk thus endangering myself. Even under the suppression of PureTech, you can do some damage".
"You flatter me".
"I'm serious Black Hat. You should get into contact with Feller".
All of a sudden the number one villain stepped forward with a vicious hiss. Madame Cobra actually stepped back once more at the flurry of angry radiating off Black Hat.
"I don't know why everyone has suddenly become obsessed with him. Yes, he's new. But we were all new at some point. It happens to be under unusual circumstances but I would have thought the formidable villains in Kokytus would spend more time looking out for themselves during the makings of a mutiny. Instead, they're gossiping like neighbours not to mention spending far too much time getting involved in my decisions, whether that's to do with how I treat Flug or otherwise! He doesn't need the help of anyone else; not that he would even want it considering how he's been treated in here. Did the inmates in here become school bullies? Picking and beating on the new kid? If I hear anyone else laying a finger on him, I will personally see to their punishment myself. Make your words useful Madame and relay this to the others in this godforsaken prison!".
Talons cut through the ends of his gloves and Madame Cobra felt a sense of sickness at the sight of tentacles writhing beneath his clothes. Since when had he had the ability to do that in Kokytus? Saying nothing at all, she simply nodded once and Black Hat turned around fast and stormed away.
Black Hat immediately regretted slamming the cell door shut. There was a startled gasp from the bed and the villain realised that Flug had been shaken awake by his noisy actions. He couldn't bring himself to apologise though.
"S-sir"
"Stay lying down Flug, there's no point getting up with your injuries still recovering".
"Oh...okay".
Black Hat hadn't actually looked over at him yet. He was still staring at the cell door he had just closed. He had to get control of the situation again. Turning he saw Flug watching him cautiously from the bed, still lying down in the plush of the quilts but the strange animatic eyes of his goggles indicated he was...worried.
"Well if you insist on remaining awake, you can assist me without getting up".
"What is it?"
"The cuffs on the heroes, I had someone with a better knowledge of shackles and the like look at them and he told me that they're made of a mix of steel and graphene. But bizarrely enough they're ridiculously heavy for their design. You've been on the outside the most recently. Do you know about any kind of new technology in restraints?", Black Hat stepped over, hands clasped behind his back (he was uncomfortably aware of how he'd damaged his gloves and intended to get a new pair ASAP).
"...Hmm...those are very light materials...I don't see h-how they could have been made to hold back a-any hero with weight. Especially someone like Jupiter...", he trailed off thoughtfully. Black Hat finally resigned to sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Have you asked any of the inmates a-about who is responsible for the heroes being hostages in the first place, boss?"
"No, it would only highlight my lack of awareness regarding the whole situation thus make me look out of control. That's the only thing holding this plan together is my confidence in everything happening, Flug".
"A-Actually, if you don't mind me saying, I think it might be worth doing some spying...to at least figure out who...because...oh I don't know..."
"What?", Black Hat properly faced Flug now and he could have sworn he saw the skin of the other flush dark above his collar.
"Ah-I...I think there's something more to it. But I can't make any assumptions just yet, boss".
Black Hat opened his mouth to press the subject but decided against it, instead he just shrugged. Folding his arms and tipping his hat down. He sat there silently for a while.
When Flug spoke up again, his words took the villain by surprise.
"D-Do you think I could go back to the s-storage, sir?"
"Why?"
"I...kind of had a go at Demencia, and I don't feel right leaving it like it's been left. I know that she has a...h-hood of some kind of storage she wants. I wondered if...I could go get it?"
Black Hat blinked at the bagged man. What kind of villain would do anything like that? He almost wanted to laugh at the very idea of doing something so kindly all in the name of forgiveness but he didn't press it.
He was being far too lenient with Flug at the moment.
"Fair enough, I will come with you".
"Sir! I don't want to bother you like that!"
"You'd bother me more limping through Kokytus in your state. At least if I come we can get this over and done with".
Flug didn't seem to have an answer for that. He'd probably decided Black Hat was right (which of course, he was).
"If you insist, boss".
"I do". The villain stood up as Flug sat up shakily. Black Hat rolled his eyes.
"Get on my back".
"Boss-"
"Flug. This day isn't going as I planned. I'm not in a good mood. Just do as you are told". Despite the harsh words, his tone never raised to anger. He felt an unusual sleepy slur within his body. He couldn't be bothered with confrontation right now, least of all with Flug.
The other nodded coyly, not really knowing what to do with himself. Black Hat turned around, near where Flug sat and his tentacles slunk out from around his shirt, sliding around the man's back and torso, lifting him. Black Hat still wasn't quite strong enough but Flug didn't weigh much and he was close enough that if his extra appendages did fail him, he could probably catch the new villain.
Flug let out a short gasp followed by a chuckle. The sound made Black Hat go very still. Was he ticklish? That was...weirdly endearing. Ignoring it, he simply made sure that the other was secure on his back, he moved his arms back to hold him in place beneath his legs and the other jumped slightly.
"Are you alright?"
"F-Fine, are you sure you're okay carrying me?", he muttered. His voice was so close to Black Hat's ear it was off-putting and the villain bent his head forward slightly to evade it; not to mention to stop the brim of his hat at the back dig into the face of Flug. His arms were slung over his shoulders, his hands not quite knowing what to do with themselves. So Flug settled with clasping them together against the chest of the villain.
Once Black Hat was happy he could move properly, he headed for the door. Flug's arms tightened around him and Black Hat actually felt him lean forward into the back of his neck, as though hiding.
"Won't people s-see, boss?"
"So what? You're injured", was the villain's response. With that, he used his leg to slide the door open and step out.
Flug wasn't wrong in that they were seen by multiple other villains as they wandered across the main room. Black Hat instinctively grasped the other tightly to him, especially when they were approached. It was a young woman. Flug looked up over the shoulder of the villain, making a quiet 'oh' sound. It looked like he recognised whoever this was. It made Black Hat grit his teeth.
"Please tell me you are here to comment on this situation. I could really do with sinking my claws into something", Black Hat growled and the prisoner's eyes widened, she shook her hands in front of her in defence.
"I-I wouldn't even dream of it!", she had a deep southern American accent.
"Sorry to disturb you but a few of us were wondering about tonight. Is it going to be safe to sleep? We don't know what they're planning on the outside", she questioned.
Black Hat straightened, pausing.
"You're going to be fine, 207. You can assure the others of that too".
Flug's body seemed to soften at his words. Did he actually have the audacity to feel calm around the other? The villain didn't think much more of it and just watched as the woman nodded. She left rather briskly afterwards and Black Hat was grateful.
After being unbothered by anyone else and making their way down the corridors. Black Hat and Flug found themselves at the door that had locked them into the icebox. Black Hat felt Flug shudder.
"It's deactivated but it still freaks me out", he explained without prompting and the villain simply shrugged. He used his tentacles to keep Flug in place whilst he let go to open the door. Despite Flug's words, there was a low thrum of anxiety that the torture trap could have been reactivated. It hadn't been of course, and they entered the storage room with no issues. Black Hat reversed into a shelf to let Flug sit on it whilst he went to look for this hood. Flug insisted he was more than capable of walking but the villain didn't care and told him to stay put. It actually made the bagged man chuckle. Black Hat decided he didn't mind hearing the other laugh.
"Do you know what you're looking for, boss?" Flug tried as the other scanned the lockers for Demencias number.
"Of course. I've known Demencia far longer than you have", Black Hat quipped. Finding number 3 and opening it with a flick of his claw. Peering inside, he blinked at the familiar clothing folded within. Such bright and garish colours that suited his henchman so well. Sure enough, her hood was tucked at the back. The buggy lizard eyes staring up at him as he took it into his hands and closed the safe.
"Oh wow, that's really something", Flug commented, stifling further laughter. "Not unlike Demencia herself", he added and the villain nodded. He handed the headwear to Flug to inspect further.
After a few moments, he gently took the hood from Flug who just blinked at his slow motions. It was placed to one side and Black Hat slid his hands either side of the masked man's hips. Staring at him directly through those owlish goggles. He was the same height as Black Hat where he sat.
"So. Those injuries. Got any names for me?"
Flug inhaled sharply, trying to shuffle away but there was nowhere for him to go with the wall behind him.
"N-no?"
"Liar"
It was quite obvious that Flug was more alarmed by the softness of Black Hat's voice that he might have been if the villain was actually enraged. His breathing was becoming more rapid and his eyes were constantly averting.
"It doesn't matter honestly. It's over. I'd r-rather let them live in constant fear of m-my, my revenge", he tried to joke but all that escaped him was a strangled laugh. Black Hat raised an eyebrow.
"I suggest you tell me now. I don't intend to chase you around any longer for answers".
"B-boss please-"
"Please what, spare the cowards that attacked you?", now Black Hat felt anger creeping into his voice, "Let me guess, they probably thought it would impress me. Some kind of 'kill your way to the top' mentality. Well, I don't appreciate anyone messing around with important members of my plan. What good are you to me as a nervous, wounded wreck?", he hissed. Black Hat leaned back enough to look around, his words becoming louder as though he could be heard by those who had hurt Flug.
Though speaking of, Black Hat saw how the others fingers weakly twitched at what the villain had said. Flug had been hurt by his words just now. How weak.
How painful it was to witness.
"Flug I didn't mean it like that...ugh...I don't...really...well it's not great seeing you like this", Black Hat snarled at himself for the stammering in his speech. Flug seemed brighter for what he had said though.
"Th-thanks I guess", he managed and Black Hat smirked. The expression faded however when Flug didn't continue speaking. Black Hat hadn't been joking. He wanted names.
Splaying his hands out against the surface of the shelf, his thumbs brushed against the side of Flug's thighs and the other man definitely noticed. Black Hat stepped forward and slotted his own hips in between Flug's knees; they parted almost instinctively and the villain could hear the masked man gulp.
"S-Sir"
"Flug, I want. Names".
He leant against Flug, his chest a bare inch from the others and his words muttered directly next to where Flug's ears would be beneath his bag. The effect was immediate. It was as though the villain had injected him with valium or some other drug leaving Flug boneless.
"Just think about it. No one would mess with you again", the villain drawled. With a single, fluid motion he slunk one hand to rest against the lower back of Flug when the man slumped against the wall. At the touch, Flug's hands immediately shot up to hold onto Black Hat's shoulders. Fingers weakly curling into the material of his coat. A mewl escaped Flug.
"I'm sure you're as keen as I am to convince those low lives that there is no worth in a kill to climb method of villainous status in my eyes".
With every word, Flug's nails dug in deeper and his breathing quickened. The villain could have sworn he heard a few unintelligible mutters. But the real prize was in the sudden cry from Flug when Black Hat drew out his extra appendages to slither under the shirt of the other. Tracing the bruises on his stomach, a few creeping from his collar to touch against the bruising on his throat. Flug couldn't stop trembling.
"These were awfully painful, weren't they? Such unfair injuries...you wanted to hurt the ones who inflicted them, didn't you?"
"Y-Yes", a whimper from Flug. A confession. Black Hat almost paused when he felt something tug at his innards at the sound.
"You still have a chance, I just want to know who did it". The villain let himself press against the other lightly. Felt the rattling of Flug's heart at close quarters. Black Hat feared for the masked man's fragile rib cage as the heartbeat only sped up.
"O-Okay...it...it was Solstød...and that Aurum..."
"Perfect. That's wonderful Flug".
Black Hat sunk his face against the crinkling brown bag, closing his eye. A small smile subconsciously worked its way onto his expression. It was satisfying having the masked man like this. His scent was sweet and his body was so, so warm. The little noises he was making were unbearably cute.
"Oh god what have I done", Flug managed, his voice breaking a little and in the moment of madness overwhelming Black Hat, the villain's heart lurched at the sadness in his voice.
"No, you've done nothing wrong, Flug. You didn't deserve what they did. You don't deserve it".
"Y-yeah?"
"I wouldn't lie to you", Black Hat purred. His arms winding around the other tightly; he felt Flug's fingers relax and his own arms curl around his back. The villain wasn't lying. He didn't want anyone to go anywhere near the man against him ever again. Black Hat was almost desperate in his need to ward any offenders from this masked prisoner.
God, he wanted to bite Flug.
They were back in the main room, Flug tucking his bagged face into the back of Black Hat's neck soundlessly. No one said anything.
The only thing Black Hat told Flug as he let him go to sit on the bed in the cell; Demencia's hood in his hands, was that he had some business to attend to shortly. Flug watched him leave with a lurch in his heart and the clench of fear in his fisted hands against the sheets.
Black Hat rubbed the blood off his knuckles against the deep black of his coat. He licked his lips, savouring the tang of copper on his serpentine tongue.
5.0.5 followed him with soundless, curious obedience. They'd moved to a more private area of the prison, away from the main room. A corner in a corridor. Black Hat didn't waste time. He'd called the bear here for a reason.
"5.0.5. What do you know about Flug?"
The bear didn't move, his expression didn't change but Black Hat knew better than that.
"Don't play dumb with me bear, I've figured it out".
5.0.5 still refused to confirm anything and the villain sighed. Pacing away, chin held up as he looked to the ceiling, he spoke softly. Maybe he thought that the bear couldn't hear him.
"He's not a villain. I don't know why he's helping us but he's no villain...you don't get villains like him in Kokytus".
Silence ensued, uncomfortable yet expected.
Finally, the bear let out a soft grunt and Black Hat turned to him slowly. 5.0.5 mumbled and growled some things in his unusual language and the expression on Black Hat's face never changed. When the bear finished, the villain closed his eyes and inhaled slowly.
"I knew it".
A/N: *For those who may not be familiar with this saying, this suggests that the monocle Black Hat would be wearing would be 'rose tinted', this is a metaphor for 'rose tinted glasses' which implies Black Hat is in love with Flug and ignoring any of Flug's flaws.
Credit to the fantastic new OC's in this chapter:
(Villaneous):11. David Dolores. Name: Beloved, Mary of Sorrows. Nationality: Hispanic-USA.
I just wanted to mention something about the comments. I honestly wake up every day squealing at the wonderful reviews and I completely intend to reply to all of them when I've finished my story. I have this odd little thing where I don't like doing replies mid way the story because in my eyes there's then an 'inaccurate" amount of comments from others because it also adds mine into the total. Of course I've answered to a few due to urgency Etc. But that's why I'm not replying just yet! Thank you!
-LAW09
