Gloves

Chapter One

Hiroko Ren Hinata was used to this. The grind, the thief-in-the-night routine she played whenever she was sent out alone. Her father had taught her a long time ago how to get a lock to crack under a bobby pin, and had taught her what common materials she could use to get past a lock. She knew how to stick to the shadows, her body a pancake against a wall, how to avoid being seen. Turning invisible was helpful, but she also knew how to avoid most of the infrared trigger systems that banks and museums used.

It was the lonelier part of the job, but also simpler. She usually didn't have to fight anyone if she didn't trip any alarms.

But she was also used to the show of power and strength, the narrow escapes whenever the League sent their best. She inhaled, her fingers gathering into tight fists. If she weren't wearing black leather gloves, they would be making moon-shapes in her palms.

The day had been long, longer than any day had the right to be. All she wanted to do was go home, and soak in a hot bath for as long as she could before someone else needed the bathroom. Her shoulders ached from these escapades, from standing still as a guard walked obliviously past, on high alert, and from the regular fights with the League.

She tapped her foot. Hitoki was waiting for her, she knew. She had promised she would be home as soon as possible, and she frankly didn't have time for this. Mom's going to get home before I do at this rate... At least Hitoki would cover for her.

Baaaaaaaa-ding-ding-ringa-ding-ding-dong, bada ba, ba da da! Baaaaaaaa-ding-ding-ringa-ding-ding-dong, bada ba, ba da da! Baaaaaaaa-ding-ding-ringa-ding—

Hiroko looked down. She paused and then grabbed her phone from her back pocket. "Yes?"

"Hiroko!"

Hiroko balked. "Hitoki?! What are you. . ? I'm on a job right now!"

Her younger brother's voice was silent on the other end of the phone.

"Oh. . . Well, I was just calling to see if you could come. . . uh, home early? I needed some help with my algebra homework, and I—"

"Hitoki," Hiroko said firmly. I can't be seen on the phone! Cimmerian won't have it. "I can't right now."

"I'm sorry," Hitoki said apologetically. "I didn't know."

"It's okay," Hiroko sighed. "You didn't know. Listen, I've gotta go. Cimmerian will be here, soon." She started to hang up and then looked suddenly down at her phone. "And, listen, Hitoki. I'll help you when I get home. Bye-bye."

"Bye," Hitoki said, and then Hiroko hung up.

She sighed and teleported the phone away. Wouldn't want it to get broken in a fight. She crouched back down, her eyes studying the city from behind her mask.

"Defiance." She balked, surprised by his voice. She looked, left and up, and Breaker looked down at her. He was only a year and a quarter older than she was. "You okay?" His mask made his face entirely black, his eyes glowing white slits. The September air was crisp through her suit, and she shivered.

"Sure, I guess. Isn't he supposed to be here soon?"

Breaker shifted. "I don't know. Let's just wait a little longer." He put a hand on her shoulder. "You know what Cimmerian says. Wait for him. If he doesn't show up soon, we'll split, but we still have to wait."

Irritation rolled through her. "I have to get home. How many times a week does he think I can do this without my mom noticing?"

Breaker side-eyed her. No one but she would be able to notice, what with his mask and all, but Hiroko had known Breaker for years. "Don't be stupid," he said harshly. He always got harder when he put on that mask; when he stopped being Koryn Nott and became Breaker. "You know what'll happen to you if you're a no-show. You know what happened the last time. Besides, as far as he's concerned, that's not his problem."

That was just it. Hiroko did remember. She remembered his hands, big as they were. Those were hands who had killed before, she had seen it, both times. She remembered that way her whole body had gone cold. She remembered the pain he caused with them—how could she forget? He wasn't subtle about it. Pain and fear were how he operated, and Breaker had been his apprentice longer than she had. He had felt the pain those hands caused, too. She rubbed the side of her mask. Still. I don't have all day.

The night was coming, but the sun was still up, although falling, and Breaker and Defiance were both barely shadows on the city skyline. Waiting on the top of a building for him to arrive. She crouched down, her foot bouncing a rhythm when she jumped at the sound of a voice.

Author's Note:

I hope you like my first post! I'm trying to get big in some fandom spaces, but I love writing original stories as well! Check out my page and follow for updates!