Sci-Fi September - Dialogue: "Tell me who did this to you," the villain growled as they held the barely conscious hero in their arms.
Assignment 4 - Survival Skills - Task #11: Safety and Protection: Write about someone protective of something/someone.
Becoming the Marauders
Moony is Padfoot's nemesis. Every good Supervillain has one. But when another villain comes along and almost kills his superhero, Sirius vows revenge.
Sirius studies the latest newspaper article about his latest defeat at the hands of 'Moony'. The shapeshifter man-wolf. His adorable Moony. The picture isn't that flattering, having been taken mid-battle with Moony, but he's still adorable.
Sirius looks good in this picture (of course). One for the scrapbook perhaps? He laughs. They all go into scrapbooks. He loves looking back at the pictures and remembering the epic fights and battles. Headlines about how Moony brings justice to the town. Sirius is proud of him.
He examines his outfit. It's ruined, of course. They do get a bit carried away in their fighting. He tosses it and gets another identical outfit out of the cupboard and hangs it up, smoothing out the creases as he considers his next big plan. He'll give it a few days, of course. Moony might be hurt and he doesn't want to overdo it.
He's just fixing himself a sandwich when he feels it. There's something happening. He pushes the sensation away, frowning. He rarely gets this feeling, it means someone is doing something bad. It's usually when his parents are out on jobs that he feels it, or when his cousin is terrorising.
But it's usually really faint, because this is Sirius' turf. He's the villain in this town and they have their own preferred areas.
He sets the butter-knife in the sink and puts the half-made sandwich and tuna into the fridge, not bothering to stop and cover them with clingfilm. He rushes into his room and grabs his outfit, quickly changing.
He goes out of the secret door in his home, not wanting the neighbours to see him leaving.
oxo
He's late. Whatever happened, happened really quickly and he sees the fire-trucks pulling up and he sees the police-cars, though they're hesitant to approach as he runs over. He transforms from a black dog to a human when his eyes fall on Moony.
He reaches up to check his mask is in place as he looks at the unmoving figure. There's blood. He's hurt, and Sirius feels sick.
"Move away," someone shouts through a megaphone, but Sirius ignores it. It's not like they can hurt him. In fact, this is the only thing that has hurt him in years. Only Supers can hurt other Supers. So a Super did this to his Moony.
He checks Moony's pulse, just gently pressing his fingers against his neck and there's a pulse. There's a faint one, but it's there. He lets out the breath he hadn't realised he had been holding. He reaches for Moony, lifting him carefully.
Moony has always been a strong force. A stark contrast to this frail body in his arms. Sirius has never been so scared in his life as he is at that moment.
He never thought he'd call for his old friend again, but there's only one person who can heal Moony and Sirius needs to protect him, because he's been in enough fights to see that whoever attacked only set out in order to kill Moony and nothing else.
"Let me past," he says, as people move to block him.
"He needs a hospital," a woman says, reluctant to move.
"He needs a proper healer," Sirius tells her. "Only I can get him to one."
She's joined by another woman and a man, all blocking him from leaving with their precious hero.
"Why would you want to help him?" one of them asks.
"In all the time I've fought Moony, I've never once tried to kill him, but sure, let's stand here and discuss this whilst he dies."
They start to move and Sirius runs. In his mind he calls for James. He removes the block he built up to stop their psychic connection and hopes that James hasn't blocked him too. He pushes against the link and feels a pulse back. They're linked. 'Please. He's hurt. Come and save him. I'll do whatever it takes.'
Once upon a time he'd get a long message back from James. But the four words fill him with hope.
'I'll come to yours.'
Sirius moves past the crowds and he melts into the shadows, unseen, unheard. "Wake up. Tell me who did this to you," he growls, holding his unconscious Moony in his arms. "I will tear them to sheds."
Moony doesn't wake up.
oxo
James takes his time to heal Moony. He's healed Moony before, but those are smaller wounds. Just general fighting injuries. Sirius has never hurt Moony too much, in fact, sometimes James wonders if his old friend held back.
Sirius is beside himself in panic though, and James trusts Sirius with Moony. After all, if Sirius wanted to kill him, he could have just left him in the street.
Maybe things are frosty between the pair, but it goes to show James that Sirius isn't as bad as he wants people to think.
"Lighten up, no one died!"
The joke doesn't go over well and for a moment, James thinks that Sirius might punch him. "He needs to rest," James adds quickly. "Rest and food. I know his personal contact and will let them know he's alive and safe, just healing. I can stop him dying, but the rest he'll just have to deal with on his own."
"When he's better, I'll let you know," Sirius confirms, leaning against the door frame and twisting the mask in his hands. "Why was he out there alone, protecting the town?"
James chuckles sadly. "Because the only threat here is you, and he always wins," James points out. "Your heart isn't in the fight and you'll never beat him. We assign our heroes elsewhere, where they're needed more." He glances back towards the door. "Though we'll have to put someone a lot more powerful around here. Just in case there's another attack. Kingsley, perhaps?"
"He's safe here with me," Sirius confirms.
"I didn't ask," James replies. "Because I know you. I know you won't kill him or cause more harm. Plus, I think he's safer here than at headquarters. There's… a situation."
"What kind?"
"Sorry, can't tell you. But don't trust anyone but me, okay?"
Sirius snorts. "Like I'd trust anyone else," he replies with a laugh. "I'll keep him safe."
"I'll send some of his belongings over." James hesitates. "It's good to see you again."
"I won't deny that it's really good to see you too," Sirius admits. "Moony… Moony… he matters so much to me, James. I haven't got the words to explain."
James smiles. "It's easy to put into words. You love him, don't you?"
Sirius hesitates. "We can't talk about that. There are rules. Why do we fall in love so easily?"
"Because Moony is a beautiful person," James insists. "So you look after him and don't break his heart, okay?"
"I'd never do anything to hurt him."
oxo
When Remus wakes, everything hurts. He feels like his body is on fire, but it's better than the feeling of his life seeping from his body.
He looks around. He's laying on a very comfortable sofa. "Hello?"
A minute passes and someone walks in, eyes full of concern. "Moony?" the figure asks. Eyes dart over his face. "Wow, you're as beautiful as I imagined."
Remus reaches up and realises his mask isn't on, he begins to panic and sits up, only for his arm to give way as he tries to push himself. He falls back in pain, but arms wrap around him, gently helping him into a sitting position and he turns his head and looks into beautiful, mesmerizing eyes.
Familiar eyes.
"Moony, you were really hurt," the familiar voice says. The gorgeous and somehow familiar stranger watches him in concern. "James came to heal you. You need to be looked after for a bit, but I'll keep you safe whilst you get back on your feet."
"Where am I?"
"You could call this heaven, because I'm your own personal angel," the stranger says, lips twisting into a smirk. He moves a little closer and Remus sees the moon necklace hanging around this man's neck. That familiar necklace that Padfoot the villain is always wearing.
"You? You saved me?" Remus asks, realising that this gorgeous stranger is in fact his charming nemesis. He's never been lucky enough to see him twice in a week before. He's lucky that Padfoot was out and about to come and help him. "Padfoot, I've never been more glad to see you."
Padfoot reaches out to stroke his cheek and Remus leans into the touch. They've flirted and Padfoot always finds a way to press up against him somehow, whilst they fight - but without the masks, they don't have that one barrier anymore that they both needed in order to keep a distance from each other.
"Whoever hurt you… whoever did this to you, I'll rip them to shreds," Padfoot tells him darkly. "I'll destroy him with every ounce of my power for daring to lay a hand on you."
Remus tries to smile, though the memory of the battle haunts him. He knows he's not the most powerful hero there is, but he does well against Padfoot. He doesn't even have to use his full power - he always holds back when fighting because he doesn't really want to hurt Padfoot. At first it was because he didn't need to, then over time, it was because he didn't want to cause this cheeky, charming villain actual harm. As long as Remus won, that's what mattered.
Fingers caress his cheek.
"He's too powerful for even you," Remus murmurs instead.
"Moony," Sirius whispers. "My Moony."
"Remus. You've seen my face so… Remus."
"Sirius. Like the star."
Remus nods. "You're as beautiful as one. You look amazing."
Sirius just watches him with a softness in his eyes that Remus never thought possible. "Everything hurts," he admits. "Can you help me up?"
Every touch is so gentle as Sirius helps him up. "James wants you to stay here. Something is up, he thinks. He said your headquarters isn't safe. I think he's trying to work out if this was a personal thing or not."
"Are you sure you're not just saying this to get me to stay longer," Remus says, his legs shaking.
"I'd be straight with you," Sirius assures him, pulling him close and offering him support in standing. Their bodies are so close. "When you're better, you'll have me trying to talk you into staying anyway. This place is great, you'll be really comfortable and happy, and nudity is entirely optional."
Remus laughs softly. "You do seem like the sort that'll walk around naked."
"I've only got clothes on right now because you're hurt. I'll strip them off, just say the word." The saucy tone fades into something softer and less playful. "Remus, I've wanted so long to find out who you are - for us to reach the point without masks. But I'd gladly have waited longer than to find you almost dead. I was so scared. Don't scare me like that again."
"You sound like you care," Remus tries to laugh. He's sure he'd feel the same if anything ever happened to Padfoot. Fighting Padfoot are all of his best moments, his best memories.
"Love, you have no idea how much you mean to me. I'd give my life to keep you safe."
He leans in, pausing for a moment in case Remus pulls away. Remus doesn't. He's not sure if Sirius is leaning in for the kiss they've been dancing around for so long in their alter-egos.
"I feel safe around you, I always have," Remus tells him, and then lips cover his. It hurts to move his arms, but he still manages to wrap them around Sirius because he's not going to let this kiss end anytime soon.
Fighting is fun, but this is so much better. It feels somehow like all the fighting was a build up to this, and he's sure by the way Sirius is holding him so, so gently and kissing him with such need, that he feels the same.
"We can't tell anyone about this," Sirius says, as the kiss ends. "I'm scared what they'll do to you if they find out."
"They already tried to kill me," Remus points out. He's scared now. He thought this was the start of something real. He doesn't want to be this dirty little secret, like Sirius is ashamed or something. "What more can they do? You know what…" he trails off. He almost suggested that they don't bother with this at all and go back to their previous relationship but he can't bring himself to say it because he's certain he's in love.
"Yeah, I know, you want to do that thing where we're arguing and fighting, but then suddenly it's like, 'Whoa, this is hot,' and we start making out. Dream on! Or, whatever, fine, let's just do it."
"No. We should talk about this. I don't want to have to hide that I love you," Remus admits gently.
"Still. I don't want to put you at risk, my love. I'd do anything to keep you safe." He stares at Remus and Remus can almost see the wheels in his head turning. His eyes brighten as he registers Remus' words. "Just until I come up with a way to make this work. Just for now. You'll be staying for a while. Maybe we can come up with a way before we step back into the world? Because I don't want to hide that I'm falling in love with you either."
Remus understands the risks of a hero and villain falling in love. Sirius has given a time-frame and that's something. Hopefully they can make this work. Even if Remus had to retire as a hero to do so, though he hopes it doesn't come to that because the last thing he wants is to turn his back on everything he believes in.
No. That's the second to last thing he wants. The last thing is actually losing Sirius.
"Nothing is impossible. We can figure this out."
oxo
Sirius looks at his suits before gathering them up. One by one, he takes them off their hangers and packs them into the suitcase.
"What are you doing?" Remus asks, slowly moving into the room, watching him. "You're not retiring are you?"
Sirius shakes his head. "James made me an offer years ago," he admits. "The heroes don't trust me because of my family. At least I found acceptance on the dark side. But now… how can I fight on a side that tried to kill you?"
"You'd change sides for me?" Remus asks.
"Of course, my peerless paramour," Sirius murmurs, grinning his way. "I could have taken over this town at any time, but I like what we had. Unfortunately… or fortunately there's no going back to that. I'd give my life to protect you, and the only way to protect you from that again is to stand at your side as you fight."
"Your suits…"
"I need to replace them. I need something to show that I'm part of your team now," Sirius insists. "Maybe we could make up a logo?"
"We'll work something out. I actually prefer the idea of fighting with you rather than against you."
"Yeah. We get ourselves worked up with fighting and then come home and work it out another way." He winks at Remus. "Do you want to come with me? I have a car."
"I'd love to," Remus agrees. Sirius holds the case with one arm and offers the other to Remus, and slowly they make their way out of the house. "I just don't understand what I've done to deserve this."
"Everything," Sirius tells him. "I have this crazy… urge."
"What urge?"
"I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad. Whenever you think about us hiding this, it makes you sad. This way… we can be together. I know they won't truly accept or trust me… no one thinks that much of me."
Remus pauses and Sirius stops too. "I would go to hell and back for you," he tells Sirius, meaning every word.
oxo
People stare at the villain as he shoots a beam that causes pain in the two heroes patrolling the city. They hide behind curtains, they watch in fear as their saviours scream.
The city is used to violence, but nothing to this scale. They saw the same man tear through their beloved Moony only weeks ago, and this time he's back to fight the new heroes.
There are gasps and relieved murmurings as Moony finally makes an appearance. Cameras are pointed that way and videos are being recorded. News-vans follow.
Moony rushes forward to fight and the town waits with bated breath. A second figure appears to assist, and people watch in shock as Moony's nemesis (and saviour), Padfoot, stands side by side with Moony, Prongs and Wormtail to protect the city. It might be a new suit, but it's very much like it was. Though the colours now match with Moony's suit, like it was designed that way.
There's a champagne coloured phoenix pin on the breast of the suit, the newscaster reports on the television.
The town feels safer with Padfoot on the side of good. He saved Moony and that helps insure the first bit of trust in the man who has fought against them for years.
Moony throws up his hand and an invisible shield appears, blocking the attacks. The light hits it and sparks appear. Moony raises the other hand, holding the shield as Padfoot reaches down to help each of the other heroes up from the ground.
They stand together and prepare their abilities, and when Moony drops the shield, they move forward together and fight.
The people watching all cheer. They cheer for Moony, for Prongs and for Wormtail.
They cheer for Padfoot.
They cheer for the group of four heroes who will soon call themselves, 'the Marauders'.
3000 words
Auction - Wolfstar
Ultimate Battle - High Tier - Write about a dream come true. / (trait) Determined
Quarterly - Treasure Hunting - (action) Cheering
Seasonal
Days of the Year - 24th July - Pioneer Day (Mormon): Write about someone finding a safe haven
Unlucky Month for Weddings - 5. (trope) Enemies to lovers
National Ice-Cream Month - 7. Neapolitan: Contrast
National Indoor Plant - 15. Bromeliad: (plot point) replacing something
Colours - 7. Champagne
Flowers - 4. Buttercup: "You look amazing!"
Crystals - 2. Bloodstone: (word) Justice
Tarot Reading - 4. Eight of Pentacles (upright): Write about someone who is respected in their trade/craft/skill/etc
Gryffindor Challenge - Stage One - A kingdom is under a curse: (spell) an Unforgivable Curse
Writing Club
Character Appreciation - 5. Trait: Smooth talker
Record Collection - Unorthodox Jukebox - 5. Moonshine: (action) kissing
Eras - 15. Dialogue: "My peerless paramour." (my sweetheart)
Time Machine - 13. Spell: The Shield Charm (Protego)
Book Club - Sonia: (emotion) fear / (emotion) concern / (object) necklace
Showtime - 8. I Won't Say I'm in Love - (word) Deny
Elizabeth's Empire - 19. Try - P!nk / Alt. "Why do we fall in love so easy?"
Liza's Loves - 22. Dialogue: "I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad."
Bex's Basement - 5. Temple Of Mayhem: (word) Mayhem
Lizzy's Loft - 18. (au) Superhero / Alt: (fandom/au) Marvel
The Ultimate Martial Artist - 8. (trope) enemies to lovers
Scamander's Case - 9. (emotion) fear
Film Festival - 26. (dialogue) "Nudity is entirely optional."
Lyric Alley - 14. Gotta let a little color back into your eyes
TV Spree - 17. Dialogue: "Yeah, I know, you want to do that thing where we're arguing and fighting, but then suddenly it's like, "Whoa, this is hot," and we start making out. Dream on! Or, whatever, fine, let's just do it."
The Forecast Says - 30th. Rain: Cheering
EnTitled - 24. The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion - Write about someone struggling to see someone they care about get hurt.
Build a Better Breakfast - 17. Coffee: (trope) First Kiss
Pick a Wick - 2. Baking Cupcakes: (genre) fluff
Like a Skyscraper - Floor One - 6. (word) mesmerizing
Gobstones - Blue Stone - Trust / Accuracy - (action) kissing / Power - (dialogue) "Nothing is impossible. We can figure this out." / Technique - (genre) romance
Founder Says - 9. "No one thinks that much of me." / "I would go to hell and back for you."
Fortnightly -
Newsies - 12. "Lighten up, no one died!"
In Memoriam - 14. Ted Tonks - How can the dead be truly dead when they still live in the souls of those who are left behind? - Task: Write about star-crossed lovers.
1000 prompts - 524 - Genre: Sci-Fi