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Guitar Villain had stepped out to go to Weredad’s bakery for gingerbread dough, having promised his kids that they make gingerbread cookies. They plan on having a movie night since Lady Wifi had managed to get them connected to a few channels from Paris; most don’t use it since they found other ways to entertain themselves but sometimes it’s just nice to sit back and not do anything.
Reflekta has been the one to recommend baking something.
It was a hard sell to Captain Hardrock and Silencer but the two end up agreeing in the end.
Hardrock and Guitar Villain had an okay start – both having vague feelings from their Counterparts but not knowing why – and over the past few months have grown to become friends. Not like Guitar Villain has many friends.
Troublemaker and Desperada want nothing to do with him and Guitar Villain doesn’t force them to interact with him. Both were caused by his counter anyways. Why would he make them go through unnecessary stress because he wanted friends? It’s not like he’s alone or anything, he has…does he have them?
Guitar Villain was cutting through the park to get back to his apartment when that thought hit him. A pink box of treats is in his hands but it felt heavier than a moment ago. He set it onto a park bench before taking a seat next to it; staring up at the void above though the snow that’s starting to fall breaks it up a bit.
That’s the issue, isn’t it?
He has been pushing the thought to the back of his mind when Reflekta called him Dad, especially when Captain Hardrock came into the picture. Guitar Villain had backed off and allowed the Rocker to take over parenting her daughter – though Reflekta will always be his daughter too even if he never said it out loud – but Reflekta is a stubborn one.
Silencer was a different story; showing up at his doorstep – similar to his sister but not because of a broken heart – and made himself at home in Guitar Villain’s apartment. It took a bit to understand one another but the two had taken up conversation quickly and Guitar Villain really enjoyed the boy’s company.
The trio had basically made Guitar Villain’s apartment a second home. A home away from the pirate ship that had come through with Captain Hardrock. At some point, Guitar Villain has a hard time remembering the times before the trio – dinner in the evening, music filling the rooms, conversations lasting longer than they probably should for someone like Guitar Villain.
Every time he pictures the future, they are right there with him.
“There you are,” Hardrock said, coming out of nowhere. The only difference is the purple scarf wrapped around her neck. In her hands is a red scarf which she held out to Guitar Villain. “The kids got bored and decided to play Clue, I got stuck playing the corpse.”
Guitar Villain couldn’t help the laugh as he took the scarf from the Captain. “I don’t think they know how to play Clue.” The last time he played Clue was with Simon Says, Rogercop, Dark Blade, and Pharaoh; none of them were willing to listen as he explained the rules and the game turned into chaos very fast. “Actually, I don’t know how to play Clue either.”
Hardrock chuckles; motioning for Guitar Villain to move which he does.
The children decorated the park earlier in the week; lights have been popping on as the ‘sun’ goes down. Sometimes Guitar Villain would sit on the balcony and look out at the city to remind himself just how far they have come.
“You’ve been quite harsh on yourself lately.”
“Just holding myself accountable.”
Guitar Villain isn’t the only Akuma to have caused problems for others and probably won’t be the last. However, he would rather hold himself responsible for anything to come than for someone else to. Just in case it’s something that he can’t fix thanks to his counterpart.
“And when will you learn to forgive yourself?” Hardrock question. “Things are going to happen and as long as Hawk Moth is still around, nothing will change.”
She looks at him with this look that makes him fold into himself. Hardrock has always been able to read him like some book. It’s not the worst especially since Guitar Villain views her as his closest friend but that doesn’t mean he wants Hardrock to worry so much about him.
“Do you think the kids should hold themselves accountable for every little thing their Counterparts do?”
Guitar Villain straightened up and spoke without thinking. “Of course not, they'll make mistakes but will make amends where they can.” And just as quickly realized that he fell right into Hardrock’s trap. “I know I shouldn’t be so hard on myself but it’s not that simple, Hardrock.”
He wants to be a better person for his the children.
“You know, Reflekta and Silencer are your children too.” Hardrock didn’t say it begrudgingly but stated it as common knowledge that everyone should know. “They can tell how much you want to make up for what your Counterpart did but what he did or will do is not on you to fix. You can only worry about yourself.”
Hardrock pats her legs before standing up and grabbing the box of treats.
“Come on, the kids probably made a mess of the living room by now.”
Guitar Villain stays sitting – unsure if he should follow or not – before a hand is held out towards him. He looks up at Hardrock and takes the offer hand; instead of letting go, the Captain drags him along back towards the apartment.
…
The living room was destroyed but nothing that can’t be fixed tomorrow. Reflekta and Silencer had dressed up for the part of detectives while trying to solve the ‘murder’ of their mom – and promptly added the disappearance and reappearance of her ‘corpse’ to their game as well. Guitar Villain was quickly dragged into the game to help them not only clean up but also as the final suspect.
Fang was the guilty party and went to ‘jail’ shortly afterwards.
Guitar Villain and Hardrock had taken a seat on the couch with Reflekta and Silencer finding their own spot with the Akumas. Fang had found his way into the apartment to lay down behind them; enclosing the group so he could keep them safe.
With the soft glow from the TV, Guitar Villain takes a second to look at the others.
And decided that he wanted to be better for his family; not because he wanted to make up for his Counterpart but because he wanted to be a better person. Hardrock was right about that like she tends to be sometimes. He needs to focus on himself and the life he’s leading here in Anti-Paris not outside where his actions have no bearing.
Guitar Villain startles when Hardrock suddenly ends up leaning into his side; passed out since the beginning of the second movie. Silencer is on the other side of him with Reflekta on the other side of Hardrock. Both kids are also fast asleep meaning that Guitar Villain is the last one still up. He doesn’t know what to do but ends up placing an arm around the Captain.
Yeah, he wants to be someone that the trio can rely on that’s what he wants.