So I initially came up with this story back in 2018, I decided to rewrite my original story and so this is what I came up with. This is the second HD story I post here. I don't see too many Veronika stories so here's to another to that list. Hope you enjoy.
It was late at night. Everyone in Swellview had settled in for the night and although the citizens had wrapped up for the day, the hero's of Swellview and their friends weren't ready to turn themselves in just yet.
Below the infamous Junk-N-Stuff shop, the Headquarters of Swellview's very own Captain Man and Kid Danger sat very under. At these hours the whole gang was in attendance to watch the new episode of Dog Judge. They all gathered around the rim of the couch. Popcorn bowls being passed around, some snacks and sweets, and sugary drinks and punch. They waited patiently for their awaited program to air.
"Look guys it's starting!" announced Charlotte as she pointed to the screen.
They all quiet down and the theme of the program begins to play. They sing along dumbly and the group chomp down their food and refreshments. They end the episode with a high note.
"Alright guys I think it's time we hit the hay, it's getting pretty late." informed Jasper, the comedic type of the group.
They all nod in agreement and let the night be its traveler.
Four hours go by, a ding sound comes from the monitors. Although it doesn't awaken the rest of the group, Henry is a light sleeper and is awoken by the sudden sound.
Henry rises from his resting place and makes his way to the monitors. The cave itself was dark and the monitors were the only thing illuminating the place. He squints from the hard light, his eyes finally focused out of the blur to see a message plastered onto the screen.
With one look at the digital clock, Henry eye's the time 1:09 AM.
Henry sighs whispering to himself, "Really at this hour?"
He seats himself and opens the impending message, what he reads hits him like a heavy blow,
Dear KD,
"You might not remember me but you know who I am. I am still in love with you. You might be able to recall me after reading this. We met three years prior. The first time we met we had our own little argument but with just one small peck was able to shun you. Kissing you as you pleaded with denial will remain intact within me for the rest of my days. We were once happy together but I was taken away. In those three years that went by I never stopped longing for you, never once stopped thinking about you since that very day. Meeting you each night beneath the city sign was the highlight of each of my nights and I bet it was for you too. You'll know what I mean when we meet again. Meet me under the Swellview sign at 2 am exact. No later then that. Don't tell Captain Man or anyone else where you're headin'. I'll be waiting for you. Come alone…"
Unfortunately it didn't click who had written this message to him. Who had he met three years ago as Kid Danger? Kissed? He had kissed many girls...
Admittedly, everything was a blur due to still being half asleep. Henry took one more look at the time, 1:20 am.
'Might as well.'
He took a look back at the gang sleeping the night away. Henry had to investigate this, who knows if it could be a threat and if so, better to take them out now. He'd have to do this quietly.
He rises from his seat and pulls out his gumball tube from his back pocket and blows a bubble to turn into the infamous Kid Danger. He quietly makes his way to the tubes and takes one more look back at the group.
'It's okay, they won't know. I'll be back before sunrise.'
He finally makes it onto the platform and quietly whispers,
"Up the Tube."
Kid Danger approaches the city sign. He takes a quick look around but doesn't seem to find anyone. He goes to check his watch,
'2 am. I'm here but there's nobody. Maybe this had to have been some prank.'
The kid discards his thoughts and shouts hoping for a reply, "Hey! Anyone here!?"
Silence follows. He shouts again.
"Helloooo? I got your message and I'm here! I swear no one followed me!."
There wasn't a response for a few quiet moments until somebody appeared behind a large bush and started walking towards him. As they near he finally is able to make out who it is,
"Veronika?!", baffled. Mouth agape.
She bestows a small smile,
"Hey Kid Danger..."
Kid Danger stood there stunned. Veronika was the last person he was expecting to see again, especially the last person he could've thought would send him a message at this hour but he wasn't surprised she chose to meet here of all places.
"You?! What are you doing here? You went to Jail!"
"I was, but I escaped."
He scoffed, "What? Wh- why?"
She let out a sigh and started to walk circles around him, "To see you."
The kid was left even more baffled.
"I've spent the last three years in jail trying to escape just so that I could see you again. Let me tell ya behind those walls was nothing but misery. The other Walldogs that you and Captain Man also put in jail alongside me blamed me for their capture and refused to protect me from anyone who tried to hurt me; I was on my own for those years. They reminded me everyday for that matter for betraying them when it wasn't my intention to. As much as I have been wanting to hate you for what you did, for betraying me I-I just can't. I can't hate you..."
The fellow hero stood there trying to comprehend her reason for escaping. It was dumb love that got her caught in the first place so why risk it all again for it? Veronika continued,
"I thought about you everyday for those three years, not one day went by that I didn't. I wanted so badly to see you again and I'm willing to risk it all for you, for us.", Veronika grasped her love's hands cupping them into her own.
"Some time has passed and I don't know if- if you found yourself another girlfriend or lost feelings for me, but I truly am hoping that you haven't for both matters. Please, I ask you to not tell Captain Man or the Police where I am. The Police have been searching all over for me and I was originally going to hide out at the Old Maple Grill but when I arrived they were already there searching in and out of the place. Under the sign is the last place I know they'd look, the only place where I feel safe. You're the only person I trust, that I CAN trust for that matter. I'm terrified I'll be found so soon, I can't let those three years go to waste. I still have feelings for you Kid Danger which is why I put you and I in this situation and I can only hope you still do too."
Kid Danger stood there with a loss of words. Although Veronika still had feelings for him, those feelings for her faded the moment she was placed into cuffs and put into the back seat of a police car. Beyond that, Henry hadn't been in a relationship since Bianca left him to join the reality series Kids in the Woods alongside Chloe. All the girls were leaving him…
After a long silence with tension in the air, the hero broke it and it pierced like a knife. He pulled away from her grasp, closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.
"How long has it been since you escaped?"
"Five days... So, do you still have feelings for me?"
He didn't know how to respond. Kid Danger questioned her again.
"Why didn't you contact right after you escaped."
"You didn't answer my question, just be honest do you still have feelings for me?"
He stared into her longing eyes. The answer was on the tip of his tongue but he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud. He looked down at his boots.
"It's a simple yes or no question dude. I'll ask again and I want an answer this time. Do you still have feelings for-"
"Veronika", the hero interrupted. "I-I'm sorry. When they put you in cuffs and they took you I really thought that was going to be the last time I would see you. I had to move on."
Veronika's eyes were glossed over, biting her bottom lip drawing it to become red. "S-So you didn't even have any hope for us?"
"T-that's not what I meant-", he stuttered.
"No I get it, I'm a criminal in your and the system's eyes. I want you to know I'm an artist! I'm also a girl who believes in true love and I'm allowed to love any boy that I chose and that boy is you. You might've not had that hope for us but I do! That's what matters and you refuse to accept that. You refuse to admit you still have feelings for me."
"I'm not in denial if that's what you're thinking. I know my feelings and I know how I love and that love, I'm sorry Veronika died a long time ago.", he looked away unable to keep staring into her puppy eyes.
She leans in, nose's nearly touching. One hand is on his flushed cheek and the other behind his neck. Kid Danger watches her actions and the next thing he knew, their lips touched one another's. Their eyes slid in reaction, the hero lays his hands on the slides of her hips and Veronika sets her arms over his shoulders. It was the type of kiss that you'd never want it to end. It had passion and endearment imbended. A few seconds after, the sidekick realized his actions and pulled away suddenly and hesitantly. He put his hands on the sides of his head as he was shaking it.
"No- no no no no what did I just do?! VERONIKA!"
She scoffed a smile and started to walk towards him, "Well, we kissed and we kissed like we've never had before."
"Veronika I already told you-"
"I know what you told me but that kiss, that kiss was not a "I don't love you anymore" kiss. That was the kind you give when you truly love someone."
He continued shaking his head. What if the rest of the group found out about this? He promised he wouldn't pull this again and look where he's at.
"You know I'm right. Now please, you have to believe me now that I still love you and truthfully Kid Danger, will ever find love like this especially in your line of work?"
He looked at her briefly and looked away. He gazed beyond the city lights, he shut his eyes and let the cold breeze allow him to gather himself.
'She fell in love with Kid Danger not Henry. What if she's right?"
The sidekick looked back at her, Veronika awaiting an answer.
"Maybe you're right. Maybe deep down I still love you somehow. Maybe that day when they took you away I lost hope for myself. Every girl I meet and I become close with and the next thing together, will leave me in the end. I didn't want to have false hope for myself that I would be able see you again so I buried it down the hatch. How do I know you won't leave me again?"
Veronika had her hands on his cheeks, "Because this time we're going to be there for one another. You're going to protect me as I will too and make sure that nobody discovers about our relationship. We'll see each other every night just to make sure of it."
Looking up at the sign, "You want us to meet here?"
Veronika nods, "I want to see you, but if you have an emergency I'll understand."
"How will I contact you if that were to happen?
The vandal pulled out a phone from her jacket's inner pocket and handed it to him, "Through this phone. Use it as a burner"
He took it with hesitation, "Where did you get this phone?"
"I stole it out of an oldie's purse."
The sidekick's eyes widened, "Veronika!"
"I had to! How else will I contact you?
Kid Danger scoffed.
"Whatever, take this phone number and write me down on your contacts. Make sure to have me under a different name. Don't use my real name."
He looked down on it and hid it away in his pocket, "Alright I will, I have to head out now before anyone finds out I'm gone. I'll message you when I get home."
"I'll be waiting here tomorrow tonight."
He nodded and just before he was bound to leave, Veronika grabbed his arm and pulled him in one last kiss. They parted and the kid fled.
Veronika watched him flee and when he was out of sight, she went behind the sign and covered himself in old rags and blankets that she dumpster-dived for warmth as she slept.
After three long years, Veronika and Kid Danger were finally once more. Nothing could go wrong at this point. It had been far too long.
When Henry finally arrived down to the Man Cave in his regular attire to his shock he found everyone else asleep in the same spots he last saw them at BUT Ray. Instead of previously sleeping at his bedroom, he was down here in the head area seated near the monitors, one of them playing an episode of Drake & Josh. As of current he dozed off at some point leaving the episode running with no one watching but coming down earlier he must've noticed Henry's absence. Henry can only stand there unsure of what to do. He's been caught.
Still undecided of what to do he thought he should just return home. He can't be discovered missing and then return and act like nothing happened. He wouldn't have a good excuse to cover if he decided to pull it. Henry would be disbelieved. Henry turned to the tubes once again and left hoping this time no one had caught him again leaving for a second time. He would tell Ray an emergency had occurred back home.
The following morning, Henry made his way down to HQ's and found Ray again seated near the monitors. Charlotte and Jasper had left earlier questioning Henry's whereabouts but assumed he must've left early before they had awoken. Schwoz was back at his grind working behind the door of secrets. When Ray hears one's presence he turns and finds Henry forming a small smile to him.
"Hey bud, where've you been? Missed ya last night. Woke up having the urge to watch some late night TV and didn't see ya."
Henry cringed, he stuttered his reply.
"Well, uh, my Dad he, uh, messaged me last night asking me to come home. S-something had happened and I didn't want to wake you all since you were all sleeping so soundly." Henry hoped Ray would buy his excuse, he hated lying to his friends especially to his boss but he didn't have a choice. He wasn't given one.
Just by the stuttering itself and the hesitant reply Ray knew he was fibbing. There was also the fact he knew Henry had returned sometime later after he intentionally left, he had heard the tubes when he came and left once more but he'll keep that to himself for now.
"What was the emergency?"
Now that left in him a tough spot, he wasn't expecting him to question him again.
"Um, just a recent passing of a relative."
Oh great, now he just condemned death on one of his relatives.
'Oh God I really just wished death on someone nice going Henry. Great excuse!'
Ray's eyes had widened, he was certainly not expecting that kind of reasoning.
"Oh Henry, I'm so sorry bud. If you need anything or just want to talk you know I'm here for you pal.", Ray told him sincerely
'I really just played that card."
"It's alright, I didn't know them too well anyway."
"Well my offer still stands kid."
He nodded, "Thank you anyway."
Ray turned back to the monitors and Henry did his part for the rest of the day.
It was late and the moon was illuminating the night sky with the stars sparkling covering the heavens like a blanket.
Henry laid awake in his room on his still covered bed. The moon shined through his window, his only light. He couldn't stop thinking about Veronika. He lied to his boss' face and would have to continue to do so if he wants to keep Veronika safe. His mind and heart were at war. His head tells him to do the right thing and tell the crew the truth, the consequences wouldn't fall on him. The other hand his heart warms as it tells him to keep her safe, hide her away. Henry had never felt love like this, not even towards Chloe or Bianca. He felt loved in the dumbest way possible. It was hard to form words to describe it.
His burner buzzed in agitation. Henry pulls it out from his back pocket squinting at the high brightness of the phone. It's a message.
"Hey, you gonna see me tonight love or what :P?
A smile formed and was extending itself from ear to ear. He wanted to see her. He had to see her. He got up from his bed, locked the door, grabbed his gumtube and went out his window.
As he arrived, he spotted Veronika waiting for him, wrapping herself in an old blanket. He ran up to her and greeted her with a kiss. They break when they need air for grabs.
She let go of her blanket and held Kid Danger's hands in her's. They were keeping them warm on the chilly night. She stared into his eyes longingly at the silence then being broken.
"I love you so freakin' much"
Kid Danger smiled.
"And so do I.
They kissed the night away.
Something was wrong, or rather off… Ray could sense it.
Ray never trusted his gut as it had the tendency of being wrong but this was the one time where he truly believe something was wrong with his sidekick. He doesn't believe it has to do with the deceased relative.
Henry had been leaving work rather earlier nowadays and he never shared where he was going. All Ray knew is that wherever Henry went, it wasn't home.
An emergency had occurred the other day and tried to beep Henry but to no avail. He called Charlotte and Jasper about his whereabouts and too also had no clue of his whereabouts. He ended up having to call the Hart household with Henry's sister picking up the phone. She had stated Henry hadn't been home all day since he left for work in the morning.
Ray ended up having to go to the mission alone with no assistance.
An angry Ray confronted an awkward Henry. He stuttered his way through the situation stating he had been at the library studying for an upcoming test and had to turn his watch and phone off because of course, it was a library.
Ray wasn't sure if it was paranoia or just wanting to keep track of Henry but still, it didn't change the fact he still felt this linger of worry for the kid.
The hero had finally decided to confront his sidekick about it.
Henry had his eyes plastered to the screen of his phone as he was about to get up and head out to meet his favorite vandal.
"Hey, uh, Henry, can I speak with you for a sec?"
He looked up from his device and put it away in his pocket as he walked back towards Ray for some questioning. "What's up big dog?"
"Well, I've noticed as of late that you've been leaving work oddly much earlier than you usual. Is there something you'd like to share?"
Henry's face had become dumbfounded, his poker face slid up.
"What do you mean exactly?"
"I mean bud you've been leaving at random hours and going everywhere but your home I mean what are you doing?"
Henry scoffed, "Ray I'm a 17 year old who can go anywhere I want. You're not my parents to ask where I go each day."
Ray stared blanking at Henry. He wasn't sure what kind of response he was expecting from him but it certainly wasn't that kind of response, especially in such an agitated way.
"I'm your boss Henry. You leave work to go do whatever else you're doing. So actually I can ask and will need to know where you head to each day.", Ray snapped back.
Henry walked up closer to him, noses nearly touching. He twisted his mouth. "You don't need to know anything Ray. You hired me to be your sidekick and nothing more. If my sudden early departures bother you, then find somebody else but as long as I work under you for sidekick duty and just that, you don't need to know what I do when I leave these walls."
Henry heads for the elevator and before he presses the button to take him upstairs, "Oh but thanks Ray anyway. You don't have to worry. Trust me." The elevator doors closed.
Ray bit his lip. Something is wrong. He'd have to share his suspicions with the rest of the group…
Henry was lying to him.