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If someone told Jongin five years ago that he’d be where he was today he’d have called them delusional. Five years ago he had a scholarship to the most prestigious tech university in Korea and an internship with SJ Support, the best Hero Support Agency in all of Asia. Everyone considered him a genius. “Kim Jongin is destined for great things” they said, “Kim Jongin’s inventions will revolutionize the world”. And Jongin himself would have humbly denied any such claims, saying “I just want to help people”. And he did, he still does, but Jongin has also discovered that he's very selfish.
Which is how he ends up where he is now, hiding in a Wendy’s parking lot in a spandex bodysuit and a halloween mask waiting for the Heroes to show up. Specifically, the hero known as Ace.
Ace is one of Seoul’s most beloved Heroes, and even though he never quite made it into the top 10 on the Billboard Hero Chart, he’s been steadily climbing the ranks for the last four years, and is currently sitting at number 12. Ace also happens to be the reason Jongin gave up everything five years ago and became a villain.
After what feels like hours Jongin finally hears what he’s been waiting for and peers around the car he’s hiding behind, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ace before the Hero notices him. And when he lays his eyes on him, the world slows down to a crawl. Every tiny movement Ace makes is forever immortalised in Jongin’s memory. Even with a mask covering the top half of his face, and dressed in his loose fitting white superhero outfit, Jongin can tell he’s beautiful. Stunning. The most gorgeous person Jongin has ever laid eyes on. Jongin would write sonnets about his beauty if he was able, he’s that perfect. It’s not just physical beauty either, Jongin is sure that Ace is as lovely inside as he is out.
Five years ago, Jongin was an aspiring Hero Support student. He wanted to make gadgets and safety equipment for Heroes to help them help people. Now, he uses all that he’s learned to fight them instead.
Now, Jongin is considered the most incompetent villain in Seoul, never once succeeding in his villainous goals. They call him Kai the Cockroach because no matter how many times you defeat him he always limps away only to appear a few days or weeks later with another plot. The only thing he's good at is escaping after his plans inevitably fail.
If anyone knew who Kai really was, they’d be scratching their heads in confusion. How could someone as smart as Kim Jongin be that incompetent? The answer is, he isn’t. Kai always succeeds. His definition of success is just... Different. Every person that escapes when Kai shows up is planned. He never wants to actually hurt people. No, Kai’s goal is much simpler. All he wants is to be close to Ace, even just for a few minutes. Jongin remembers every time he's looked at him, every time he's spoken to him, and especially the few times he's touched him. And he craves more. He hungers for even the tiniest scrap of Ace's attention. But he’s a coward and was never able to talk to him as Kim Jongin when he had the chance.
Five years ago Kim Jongin was taken hostage by a villain who attacked SJ Support’s laboratory hoping to steal some of their prototype tech. Five years ago Kim Jongin was rescued by Ace, a rookie hero not long debuted, and will never forget the way he burst into the room in his original black costume, took down the villain before they even had a chance to react then gently asked Jongin if he was okay. And when Jongin was unable to answer him he spent the next 20 minutes talking to him about random things (He likes One Piece and has two dogs and a cat and covers his mouth when he laughs and has the most adorable smile and Jongin has never been in love before but he thinks this is what it must feel like) while they waited for the police and rescue services to arrive.
Jongin’s feelings have only grown since then, despite never having had a proper conversation with the beautiful Hero. But Jongin thinks actions speak louder than words. And Ace has to be the kindest soul Jongin has ever seen.
He gets flustered by all the reporters and fans, yet never turns them away. He always takes the time to sign any autographs, even when he’s injured after battles with more dangerous villains than Kai. He will stop mid patrol to help the elderly cross the street or carry their groceries, even though it’s not part of his job description. He takes the time to play with the children in the park for a few minutes when he passes by, even though he was awkward at first. Jongin has watched over the years as he learns how to interact with people under his hero mask, and the one thing that has never changed is his unfailing kindness.
Taking a deep breath, Jongin steps out of his hiding place. If being the villain is the only way he’ll ever get to interact with Ace, then that’s what he’ll be. He’s a coward, and he’s selfish. But he’s also head over heels in love with the hero known as Ace, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.