Chapter Text
"Will... she really be okay? Will 𝘸𝘦 be okay?"
Waves painted in a desaturated blue, rocked back and forth gently. The cruise ship wasn't moving as fast is it usually did in the day. Due to the fact that- the visitors were sleeping and probably most of the crew as well. The moon however was wide awake. A full moon shone. It was wide awake and watching over Challeve. But... the full moon couldn't be admired as the grey clouds surround in the sky, threatening to rain down a vicious storm... just like the predicament the couple was currently in. A quiet hum of the wind weaving through her black hair.
Just a few days ago, Challeve was in the shared apartment of the Eastwing Villains, playing with Korie; the half-sister of one of her colleagues/friends- Mel. That morning was peaceful. Cheerful. How'd things change so drastically in just a few days? How could such a carefree and warm smile be replaced with a soulless and blank stare?
Ace took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. Challeve turns her head, her vision that was the nearly still sea now replaced by her boyfriend. The familiar brown eyes full of love comforting her a little.
"Let's go inside. You'll freeze here. We'll talk inside..." he hesitates, his words caught in his throat. "I know we can do this. Together, Challeve." his voice beckons her, trying to sound as calm and controlled as possible. Even if Challeve knew herself how Ace only faked that smile... that she knew he was only this level-headed so she wouldn't freak out... it didn't make it any less painful to see her lover's gaze so... worried. Without protest, she follows Ace's pull, leading the way from the front deck to the inside of the cruise ship. She stared at his back. He had broad shoulders... For someone who looks like a bookworm, it always baffled her how built he looked. He mentioned it was for health but some part of her doesn't quite believe it's the dominant reason. His tan skin also glowed underneath the moonlight. Gosh, an attractive man with a beautiful heart? And she only caused hurt, trouble and harm to him... 'What kind of girlfriend am I?'
As soon as they enter the inside, the warm air embraces them; like it also wanted to comfort the couple of their worries. It was silent as they walked together to their room. His hands never leaving hers and he tries to slow down a little, matching her pace. It didn't feel awkward for both of them, the silence alone was a comfortable conversation between the two. But of course, silence isn't the resolution to an aching problem in both of their hearts.
"Korie's asleep, isn't she? That's why you were searching for me?" Challeve speaks up as Ace begins to unlock the door of their room on the ship.
"I wanted to find you sooner. I couldn't bare to leave her alone awake or bring her along... she'd cry even more seeing you cry." It swung open slowly as to not disturb the kid on their bed; the curtains had been drawn shut, blocking all light except the faint light near the door. The couple stares at eachother, the faint light illumaniting just enough light.
"Has she eaten?" Challeve asks as she takes off her coat, Ace instinctively taking it to place it on a peg.
"Yes. Have you?" They both take off their sandals and Ace pulls her (not forcefully) by the waist to the couch. Challeve sat down on the couch beside the bed that laid a sleeping Korie... her dead friend's step-sister. Quite a confusing dilemma.
"I've eaten... enough." She slowly places her head on his shoulders, sighing. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her into a comfortable hug, his thumb gently caressing her bare arm. She's glad to have someone caring by her side. To think that... he could've chosen an easy way out of this... He could've just not dated her, a villain. He could've called outs when she asked of him to run away together. He didn't have to take care of her or take care of Korie. But... he did. 'I crashed all of his hard effort just so we could start a life together far away from EastWing..?' Her thoughts would never help in these type of situations. 'I'm so selfish.'
Her train of thoughts were disrupted when Ace replied.
"That's good. I was worried you'd get sick." He also leans his head on top of hers and exhaled, basically melting into her. She felt at home in his arms. So warm, caring, loved... "Do you want to say what's on your mind, my love?"
"You said that it's worse to surpress, so... I'll tell you the contents of my heart." she sighs, looking to Korie who was sleeping soundily but her expression was still in a frown-way. Her stained cheeks with leftover tear marks still visible. "To think I have had my family taken away from me twice... Everyone I loved is dead and I couldn't help. I... ran away. Like a coward."
"You're not a coward."
"...Mel died and all I could do for her was to run away with her sister.."
"You can't-" Ace stops talking. He rethinks his words and tries to take more of an understanding approach. He knows he's too rational and logical at times. It wouldn't help Challeve at this point. "Tell me what you're thinking of right now. Let me take the burden off your shoulders. I'll listen uninterruptedly and give you... guidance for what we could do in the future?.....Do... I sound insensitive?"
His question was genuine. And that only made Challeve's heart ache more. Previous times before this, of course... they had fights. Not full blown out ones, normal couple fights and of course not frequent as well. He must've remembered the very few times Challeve mentions that he never listened to what she was saying or tried to resolve her problems without fully understanding the contexts within the story. What he said just now was just like a therapist but... she knew he cared and maybe its what she needs. She had been intoxicating herself with tears and thoughts. Maybe a logical and a rational boyfriend that is willing to listen would be the best option for her as of right now.
"You're not insensitive..." she chuckles lightly with a sad smile. Challeve exhales, glancing to Korie before speaking again, "So... where to start?"
₊ ⁺ ✦ ₊ ⁺
The clock struck 7:00am. The apartment is already lively. In East Wing, all villains are living in one complex. It was easier for meetings and such. It would be dangerous for heroes to know though, an ambush would have loads of setbacks. Challeve didn't live in the apartment/cpmplex despite having a room reserved for her since she was pursuing college and already had a dormitory of her own close to her school. Since she wasn't a frequent fighter in the front lines for the villains, the leader, Nyte, approved for her to be in her dormitory which was a little far.
In this apartment, there was Mel and Vionette (who was also the vice leader of the villains) that lived there. That morning, odd enough, Vionette was not there. Of course Challeve didn't think much of it. The sweet 8 year old Korie with half black half white hair and the most beautiful blue eyes Challeve had ever seen, was over at the apartment visiting her big sister whom she adored so much. Korie's home wasn't far away from the apartment of the villains so she frequently visited. Of course, to see Mel. They didn't share the same mother but their bond even made Challeve envious, she was an only child though.
"Big Sis! Look what I drew!" Korie waves around a coloured figure sticks drawing that represented a family.
"Oohh.. Who are they? Is that me?" Mel pointed to the stick figure with white bangs covering the eyes and had hearts around it, probably signifying she was Korie's favourite.
Korie nods to her question, continuing to point to the other stick figures, "This is Big Bro Tin... This is mom and Big Sis Challeve!"
Challeve's ears perks up as she hears her name. "You drew me, Korie?" Korie yet again confirms with an enthusiastic nod.
"Big Sis Challeve makes the best pancakes!" Korie shouts happily. Challeve admired the drawn picture.
"It looks beautiful Korie. Let's pin it up in the fridge?" Mel suggests and Korie dashes to the kitchen to pin it on the fridge with an elephant magnet. She was extremely proud of her drawing. "Should I make those pancakes Korie??" Challeve grins as she sees Korie lighting up at the word 'pancakes', nodding with a huge smile.
Who... would have thought that such a domestic, carefree morning turn into such a life-altering evening?
Challeve sat on the couch. She was texting her boyfriend, Ace. The sun was turning into a beautiful orange alongside purple hues in the sky.
"Should I come over to you after I'm done?" he texts. They had been dating for 10 months now. Even if it had technically been a fairly long time, Challeve always felt butterflies for every small things he does for her. She also loved every big gesture he does once in a while. When will the 'honeymoon phase' pass? Probably long overdue.
"I think I'll sleep back in the dormitory tonight. Just pick me up is fine!"
"Is Korie visiting? What about Mel and Vionette?"
"Vionette hasn't been here since this morning and Mel went out at like 11am saying she had to take care of something. So I'm babysitting Korie alone right now."
"Oh. Alright. Is she not going back home?"
"Mel said I should wait for her instructions. And you know how much Mel doesn't trust Korie's mother."
"Hm.. yeah. Ok Im on the way. See you soon challeve."
"I'll be here waiting! Drive safe, love you babe!"
"I love you too darling."
Challeve adored his pet names. She had never took him as a romantic. Not just pet names! He always takes her on dates every week, whether it be a sophisticated romantic date in a restaurant, a calm and refreshing walk by the beach, or just watching something in TV. It's like he was ripped out of a book and formed into a beautiful man. A work of art.
Challeve hops up the couch and scourages the kitchen, finding something for a snack. If they were going to be waiting, at least have something to eat while talking. She made some strawberry smoothies and ice cream sandwich. For him, cookies and cream and hers was fudge. She stores it in the fridge again to prevent it melting (or for the smoothie; to keep it cold). Not soon after, Ace rings the doorbell.
"Challeve?" his voice echoes from the intercom.
"That was quick." she opens the door for Ace with a gentle smile, happy that and he was holding a bag. She opens her mouth to say something and was then interrupted by his voice. "You're so beautiful."
What? That was so sudden! So unprompted for! Challeve's droopy bat-like ears turns red and her eyes widened. Again, her words were interrupted when Ace's hands grab her jaw, pulling her in as he walks forward, closing the door behind him. "How have you been?" he asks, a slight upturn by the corner of his lips and a soft gaze.
"I'm... I'm doing okay. What about you?" Her shocked expression turns into a small grin. Her arms embrace him by the waist.
"Splendid. I brought some cookies. Korie likes the double chocolate ones, right?" Challeve pulls him slowly by the waist, the tug enough for Ace to understand to walk forwards himself.
"I'm surprised you remember."
"She rambled about how in every bite there was chocolate delight. How Subway's cookies had the BEST ratio." they both chuckled at the statement. That was definitely the Korie she knew. "I made some ice cream sandwiches too... we're going to have a sweet tooth." Challeve gestures to the fridge.
"Before that, I want a kiss from yours truly." Challeve grins, stretching her body a little upwards but not enough to be on her tiptoes.
"I wouldn't say no to that." Ace leans down a little, his hand that was previously on her jaw sliding to the back of her head- pulling her in gently. His other hand wrapping around her waist whilst her hands were still around his waist. They shared a soft, romantic kiss that didn't last that long but that didn't matter to them. Being carefree, young and in love was already enough to fulfill their hearts.
The evening was spent on the couch with hearty laughter and food on the table. The sun dived into the horizon, disappearing from sight.
Suddenly... Mel appeared in front of the couple, a force field surrounding them three as the everything else seemed to just... slow down. They were both aware she could do this; stop time around her, but what was concerning was... the scars and blood on her clothes and body.
"Mel?!" Challeve hopped down with a concerned yell. "Are you okay? What's happening?"
"I saved some time to be able... to talk to you..." She coughs while clenching her stomach. "Listen uhm... I'm gonna die. There's just no way I won't. Even if I flee from the fight, I won't make it."
"What fight? Mel- lets just go to the hospital now!" Challeve hurries. Ace places his hands on Mel's arms to help her up but Mel refuses. "I'd rather die fighting than in a hospital bed. It'd only add more costs and worry. Tin is dead. Vionette is dead. Rhydia is really close to dying. I'm... going to die. I will make sure Nyte is behind prison bars. But I want you two to take Korie. Her mother cannot care for that sweet child." Mel continued to ramble with tears in her eyes, obvious she was holding all of the emotions. Challeve on the other hand, didn't know how to cry- all of this was too much! What did she mean by all of her 'family' are going to be dead? Why were they fighting?? Take Korie? Challeve and Ace are naive young adults that had only just been legalised to drink! No way could they financially, physically and emotionally be able to support a child!
"No- what? Mel!"
"Just please listen... All of my savings and money is saved with that awful hero, Felix. Just sell everything me and Tin have. Leave this place and live a normal life outside the mainland. Talk to those heroes that are close to that Albercht if it's about money. Leave as soon as possible, I've told everything to Korie in a letter ... Please just care for her... Leave her to other foster parents, I don't care! Make sure you and Korie are safe." Finally, Mel breathes and the tears had all dropped from her cheeks and on to her lap. Her breath sttuters. Distraught. Her future was no more but she knew that if she were to leave her loved ones, at least... leave them with a more promising future. She had rehearsed this before going to the battle.
"There's no way of convincing you otherwise, is there?" Ace spoke for the first time. Of course, he wasn't close to Mel but it didn't make it any less sad to see this situation playing out in front of him. He knew what he was going to involve himself in when he started dating Challeve; a villain. He knew he'd run into messy problems like these. Yet, he accepted them. Life wouldn't be the same without her. Even if full of chaos and loss... it's an even greater loss to leave the love of his life of 16 years... No way would he leave after all of that.
"Sorry. I... already thought about this. There'd be no other outcome. I... hope you don't hate me for this. I love you so much Challeve. You're such a bright, kind and beautiful kid." Mel caresses the brunette's cheek that was soaked with tears now. "I want to say that I don't have regrets taking you under my wing. You were a little sister to me. I'm so sorry I have to leave you. Not to mention that... Im leaveing you with a big responsibility. But you're a big sister to Korie. I support any choice you will do for... yourself or Korie." Mel kept caressing Challeve's cheek, wiping away any tears that fell down near Mel's thumb. Challeve kept quiet. Frankly, she didn't know what to say. Her body was trembling. Her mind tried to comprehend everything that's happening right now.
"Is it okay for me to ask of you to take care of Korie?"
Challeve looks at Mel through the tears in her eyes. She nods slowly.
"And... Ace, take care of my little sisters okay? I'll curse you from the pits of hell if you mistreat Challeve."
"Of course. I won't." Ace slowly rubbed his hand on Challeve's arm, attempting to comfort her even for a little bit.
"I'm... going to go back now..." Mel's hand leaves Challeve's cheek, standing up.
"Wait! Mel!" Challeve trembles in fear and despair.
"Yeah?"
"...I love you. I promise I'll take care of Korie." Mel wearily smiles, herself crying.
"I love you too, Challeve. I'm sorry it had to be like this." the next second, she disappears and the clock started ticking again.
The world just... resumed. The couple was left with silence... heartbreak. What... were they to do now?
In this... once filled apartment of happiness... now a sad reminder of the memories. It was still sunset. The sky was still bright. The moon had just come out.
"Ace... what... what do we do?"
"Tonight..? Nothing. We're not doing anything yet. You've just gone through a lot. I know you want to cry challeve." she instantly fell like a domino into his arms. He instantly embraced her into a warm hug, letting her cry on his shoulders. His heart broke for both Korie and Challeve. Not only that, he was sad seeing her like this- distraught... hopeless.
"Ace... Don't leave me... Please."
"I won't go anywhere."
That was all she needed right now. The night drowns away in tears... regret... This was the night that changed everything.