Snow's Labyrinthine Library {oneshots and snippets 2021 +}

Gone

He was always gone during the middle of the night. It left the bed cold. It often felt as if his job left no time for her. Of course, she was proud of her lover. One of the best heroes in the history of this city. Nevertheless, she felt neglected on some days. He'd be gone for hours at a time, perhaps even days. She'd grow sick with worry, wondering if her beloved was injured or not, hell, she'd even wonder if he was alive or not when he was gone for weeks at a time.

Was it too much for her to ask him to stay? Was it too selfish for her to keep him for a while?

Sometimes, it'd sprout arguments between the two. It'd leave both of them exhausted, and to fall asleep separately. She'd still wake up to an empty apartment.

Other times, it'd lead to tears and embrace. The wounds on his arms, back, chest, face. It'd break her heart to see her lover this injured. He'd always excuse it, by saying some junk as "I've had worse". 

She never believed him.

Hours would go to healing him, keeping him in bed, and assisting him. Sometimes, those were the only days and nights she could keep him to herself. Neither of them wanted to have time together if it meant he'd constantly be in this injured state. Both of them hated it. 

Villain's plans only got more dangerous as more of the crew would attempt to take him down. Her beloved husband would come home after long periods of time of being gone. He'd come back home more injured. It hurt her so much to see him like this. 

Sometimes she tried to convince him not to go. 

"You said that I'd get to have you all weekend. Why can't you just tell them you can't go?"

"Because it's my job and it's important?"

"And I'm not?"

He'd linger for a few minutes, before kissing her forehead and leaving for a few days. It took him weeks to heal up, and as soon as his wounds were just about good enough, he'd be off again. A repeating process she was, unfortunately, getting used to. She'd brace herself for him to come back with more injuries than last time.

This time, however, he didn't return. 

The whole city mourned, and she hated it. They were the ones who took him away from her. They were the true villains.