It's been a while since I stuck a quote at the beginning of a story. Here, have this one...

"Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." -Oscar Wilde

As Metro Man flew him away, Megamind spotted the cops lurking at the back of the mob. As a parting shot, he flung the garbage can lid at them.

Metro Man dove for it and caught it. His arms were full of super-villain, the de-gun, and the plastic lid, holding Megamind around the chest instead of by the collar like he usually did because it was so ripped up. He scowled at Megamind. "What did you do that for?"

Megamind had to wait for his stomach to stop trying to come out of his mouth before replying. "Rev-ahnge," he croaked. "Those cops didn't do a single thing to stop that mob."

"You gotta be fair, little buddy, they were outnumbered."

Megamind sneered. "Oh, sure, take their side. I don't have to be fair, I'm the bad guy."

It was the Fourth of July and a balmy 82 degrees Fahrenheit, but Metro Man was flying fast and the wind chilled Megamind. He had to press his lips together to keep his teeth from rattling. He tried to stop shivering.

Metro Man touched down in the shade between some buildings and let go of him.

Why had Super Bozo come here, into the damn shade? Megamind thought. He looked around in confusion at the dank alley, wondering what the game was now.

He wrapped his arms around his chest. "So w-w-what are we doing back here?" he said through chattering teeth. "Are you lost? Cons-s-s-spicuous lack of reporters."

Metro Man shrugged. "Eh, I'm gonna skip the press conference. Who needs it?" He gave Megamind a critical look, then he swept off his white cape. "Here. Put this on."

Megamind stepped back. "Why? What for?"

"Well, what do you think? I could feel you shaking. I can practically feel you shaking from way over here."

"S-s-so what? A mere...psychoso-mah-tic reaction."

"I don't think that's what psychosomatic means."

"How would you know?"

"Just put it on."

Megamind glared at the white furry collar and golden stars lining the edges. "I am not touching that thing."

To be seen in the hero's cape! He'd be the laughingstock of every criminal in town. If he saw one of his rivals in such a ridiculous get-up he sure knew what he'd say. He could think of half a dozen cutting remarks about sexual orientation without even trying.

Metro Man scowled in exasperation, then he narrowed his eyes. "Actually, body heat is probably just as good. Come here, let me give you a hug."

Megamind took another step back. "You're crazy!"

"Little buddy, you're on the verge of going into shock," Metro Man said, walking toward him. "You're shaking, your pupils are dilated..."

"It's a f-f-fricking alley. It's dark," Megamind snapped.

"...you almost upchucked when I dove for that garbage can lid and you usually have an iron-clad stomach. And under all that blood your face looks kind of grayish."

"My face is n-n-no concern of yours."

Metro Man advanced. "You got two options," he said cheerfully. "I can I give ya a great big hug 'til you feel better..."

Megamind collided with a metal garbage can as he backpedaled. He grabbed the lid and held it in front of him. "Keep away from me!"

Metro Man waved the cape at him. "...or you can put this on. Oh, come on," he said, as Megamind hesitated. "What are you scared of, cooties?"

Teeth bared in a snarl, Megamind yanked the cape out of his hand. "Lunatic. Pushy, overbearing..." he muttered, swinging it over his shoulders. He snapped the hook closed at the neck with shaking fingers. The heavy collar settled onto his shoulders and the cape pooled around his feet. "I f-f-fully plan on bleeding all over it."

"Lots of worse things get on it," Metro Man said, waving a hand dismissively. "If you puked, it wouldn't have been the first time. All the folks I rescue, people are always getting airsick."

Megamind looked down at the cape suspiciously. At least it smelled okay. Multimillionaires had the best cleaners, he supposed. Or perhaps Mister Goody Two-shoes just acquired new capes every time one got dirty. His shivering was slowing down. "Making everyone sick? I am not surprised," he said.

Metro Man chuckled. "Good one, little buddy. Hey, how 'bout we stop in here for a minute. Just so you can get yourself together. How's that sound?"

He gestured at a gray door with the words 'Silk Road Cafe, Service Entrance' stenciled on it in red paint. "I know the owner. He'll close up if I ask. Let me buy you a coffee."

"Is that a joke? The last thing I need is a caffeine spike," Megamind said.

Metro Man said, "Oh, right. The caffeine thing. Well, how about a hot chocolate?"

Megamind glared at Metro Man's open, guileless face. Niceness made him uneasy. Nobody did favors for him unless they wanted something. Only Minion could be trusted.

But the aftereffects of nearly getting pummeled to death by a howling mob was catching up fast, and he was unable to come up with a suitable retort. The gash above his eyebrow stung, and he ached from dozens of contusions on his head, face, and torso. His arms hurt from fatigue and more bruises.

At the end of the alley, cars traveled down the street and life went on as usual under the sun. No doubt the cops and the media were swarming over the crash sight by now.

He glanced at Metro Man. Maybe I am going into shock, he thought, because that actually sounds like a good idea. At the very least, it would mean a few more minutes of freedom. He nodded. "Very well. Hot chocolate. And I expect marshmallows."