— — ONE SHOT — —
There will always be conflict in a world that’s only morals are drawn in a clear black and white.
Those who side with their family and friends.
Those who side with the government.
Those who side with their heart.
Those who side with none.
Villains and police alike tended to side with either of those four, it was the public view that determined what side they were on. That or their actions but Fundy was perfectly content being viewed as a villain so he had no complaints about it.
“Vixen!” One of the officers called as he skirted around a pipe that was currently emitting smoke that he could use for his escape. Footsteps continued following him and he mentally cursed as he continued sprinting across the rooftop, looking for a place he could hide. Stupid Soot and his forgiving “I believe you can be a hero, come join me” attitude.
He jumped across another rooftop, swerving into the shadows of a nearby door jutting out that would lead into the building. He didn’t have time to see if it was unlocked. He was running out of options.
A small click of heels on cement caught his attention and he paused, boots struggling to grip the shingles as he stopped himself from falling off the roof. He gazed down to see a small group of coworkers leaving the building, separating right in front of him. The blonde waved as the brunette and ravenette turned toward the left while he stayed in place beside the alley between the building Fundy was perched on and the one over, looking up at the growing twilight and taking a deep breath, eyes fluttering closed. Hmmm… I wonder if…
Officer Soot’s rapidly approaching footsteps made his decision. He jumped off the roof, grabbing onto the gutter pipe to slow his momentum. The sound of something falling caught the blonde’s attention, soft green eyes widening in shock before the civilian took a couple steps toward him
“Oh my gosh.” He breathed the moment Fundy landed on his feet, both of them now standing in the mouth of the alley. “Did you jump off the roof? Are you okay?”
“Just fine.” Fundy purred moments before recognition flashed across the other man’s face. He watched with satisfaction as green eyes flicked from his sharp brown eyes to his vibrant red hair to his masked face to the gun holstered on his belt, color draining from his already pale skin. He’ll work.
The helicopter’s blades grew unmistakably louder as blue and red lights began flashing overhead and he could hear Officer Soot shouting instructions as he landed on the roof Fundy had just been perched on. He lunged forward, pushing the civilian against the alleywall, before wrapping his hands around his shoulders. The blonde’s breath sped up as he tugged his face mask down and leaned into a kiss, freezing the civilian’s hands on his chest like he’d been about to push him away in shock just as the brunette policeman slid down the gutter the same way he had moments ago.
“Hey there!” He greeted them, brown locks messy and plastered to his forehead, a friendly smile spread across his face that didn’t meet the sharp look in his eye. “Have you perhaps seen a villain known as Vixen around here?”
Fundy allowed the kiss to linger a little longer before pulling away, raising an eyebrow in Officer Soot’s direction. “We’re a little busy here sir.”
“My apologies. It’s dangerous to be out right now, Vixen just hit another jewelry store. He was coming in this direction, have you perhaps seen him?” Color immediately rose to the police officer’s face at the implications but he stayed firm, his embarrassed tone slowly fading into something curious, something dangerous. “You kind of look like him actually.”
“I don’t like what you’re implying.” Fundy frowned, his heart rate spiking. Crap.
“I thought I heard something earlier.” The blonde offered quietly. “I think something dropped into the alleyway but I didn’t ever see anything. If it was Vixen he must’ve left another way.”
“Right.” Officer Soot nodded bashfully. “Thanks for the information. Sorry again for interrupting you.”
He turned on his heel, the flashing lights and sounds of the helicopter following him as he hurried down the other way, pulling his walkie-talkie up to his mouth to shout something into it.
“P-please let go.” His shoulders shook under Fundy’s hold. The redhead immediately took a step back, pulling his mask back up to cover his face and nose, a threatening aura rising from him as he glared at the innocent.
“Why did you do that? You could’ve turned me in right there.”
“I-i don’t know…” He admitted, a sliver of anxiety threaded into his voice, lip trembling slightly. Fundy frowned deeply under the mask before reaching into the pouch he had tied around his waist and throwing the first thing his hand closed around at him.
“You never saw me.” The blonde flinched violently as the pendant hit him, clattering to the floor. He looked up, green eyes still as large as ever, gaze focused on Fundy as he narrowed his eyes once again in warning before turning and melting into the night.
Fundy hadn’t honestly expected to see the blonde ever again. The next time he did it was technically as a civilian, in the only public library in the city of Memphis. He’d stepped inside to do some research to see if he could find some blueprints for a bank that had gotten away with a few cases of fraud and in his opinion had become very greedy. So he was going to… assist in the problem.
He’d just been pulling up the building and construction plans from the city hall catalogs when he’d caught sight of blonde hair. He wouldn’t be able to tell anybody what possessed him to look up.
His eyes immediately focused on the faint shimmer of silver around his neck, a thin cord that cut off at his collarbone where a piece of orange tourmaline was set and inlaid in a similar band of silver, the gemstone almost the same shade as Fundy’s hair. It had swung into view as the blonde crouched down to hand a little kid a book from a higher shelf with a smile. The stone clashed terribly with his bright green eyes. Oh. That’s the guy from last week. He kept it?
The blonde waved as the little kid shouted something thankfully before scampering away and straightening again. The pendant hit his chest and his eyes widened before he quickly snagged it and tucked it back under his lime green hoodie, gaze darting around nervously before snagging on Fundy.
He saw in slow motion as the civilian recognized him, color once again draining from his face as his fist tightened around the necklace through his hoodie before he took a slow step back. Oh crap.
Fundy stood up smoothly, striding quickly over to him and managing to snag his bicep right in time to stop him from entering the main entryway.
“Hello again~” He smirked as the blonde immediately froze in his grip. There was still terror visible in his gaze but a mix of frustration as well. “Funny we keep running into each other like this.”
“If I didn’t know better I’d think you were stalking me.” The blonde muttered pensively, eyes focused firmly on the floor.
“I may be a renowned villain but I’m not a stalker.” Fundy frowned at the probably unintentional jab. It was still offensive. “That’s a bit rude.”
He just offered a meek shrug, not moving to look at him. Fundy found himself deflating slightly, the brief fire in the blonde’s spirit apparently vanishing. “I noticed you still have something of mine.”
The civilian stiffened, hand twitching faintly before he twisted abruptly, yanking his arm out of Fundy’s grip. “Stop touching me.”
There it was. He raised his hands over his head in mocking surrender. “My bad. Just making sure you wouldn’t run.”
“And there’s no reason for me to do that.” The blonde rolled his eyes, green gaze still darting around for a possible escape route.
“True. But you didn’t expose me when you could’ve.” Fundy leaned forward, withholding a smile when the other man startled at the suddenly close proximity. “So I’ll make you a deal.”
“A deal?” He questioned skeptically.
“A deal.” The redhead confirmed. “I’ll leave you alone if you promise never to say anything to anybody else.”
The blonde barked out a dry laugh, startling him. “That’s it?”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I thought it was pretty clear I wasn’t going to expose you last week with the run in with the officer. You could’ve asked for the necklace back or threatened me to do some work for you or forced me to give you some information… but all you’re asking for is to keep a secret that I’d be in trouble for if I told anybody?”
“Well-”
“Relax.” He smirked, the lingering fear vanishing from his brilliant gaze. “Though next time you should take me on a date before you go in for the kiss.”
“I-” Fundy paused abruptly as he processed his words, brain short circuiting. “Wait… what?”
What? He internally screamed, nerves frazzled as he was suddenly struck with just how attractive the young man standing next to him was. The warm library lighting and cozy atmosphere made him seem gentle and accepting, though the teasing sparkle in his apple green eye warned him otherwise. His lips were a pale pink and Fundy was suddenly vividly remembering their chaste kiss in the alley. What!?
“Just something to consider for next time.” The blonde winked before heading toward the book checkout. “Nice seeing you again Vixen.”
He stared after him. Did he just use my own game against me?
“Hey, so-”
“Oh my gosh!” The blonde jumped, hand clutching at the pendant as he whirled around in the darkened street, startled.
Fundy ran his hand through his hair sheepishly, dressed up in his villain attire again. “If I were to take you on a date I’d need a way to contact you.”
Green eyes stared at him like he was insane. Which, to be fair, was probably valid in this situation considering he’d used him practically as a hostage and left with a kiss, a warning, and a gift in the middle of the night only to return a week later with a very badly worded threat.
“Are you serious?”
“I mean… you suggested it.”
“Vixen, you’re like one of the city’s top criminals.”
“So?”
The blonde let out an exasperated sigh, the corners of his mouth twisting up in a disbelieving smile as he shook his head. “Alright. When?”
“Malco Powerhouse Cinema, 6 o’clock PM on Thursday, Theatre 2. If you give me your number I can pick you up in a public area since you probably don’t want me to know where you live.”
“You…” The other hesitated before shrugging. “Sure, why not. XXX-XXX-XXXX.”
Fundy tried to prevent the excited beam from spreading across his face. He’d been challenged, he was just proving he could be a normal guy and have a fun date night with somebody.
His memory flashed back to the shared kiss and he was suddenly discovering that the stranger looked very pretty under the moonlight outside his work office. Okay, so maybe I’m lying to myself.
“And your name?” He looked up from his phone screen, trying not to raise his hopes too high. If the other didn’t want to give that away, he’d understand. His green gaze clashed against Fundy’s brown ones before the blonde seemed to find whatever he was looking for.
“Dream.”
“Dream…” The criminal repeated under his breath.
“See you tomorrow Vixen.”
“Treasure Planet.” Dream snickered as they stepped into the cool evening air from the exit of the movie theater. “Of all things we could’ve seen you picked Treasure Planet.”
“It’s a good movie!” Fundy protested as the blonde’s giggles only doubled, clutching his stomach as their shoulders brushed.
“Hands where I can see them!” He snarled, gun in hand as he stalked up to the cash register and its desk attendant of the Flying J gas station he’d decided to rob at whim. “Nobody moves! Everyone on the floor!”
Several anxious murmurs rippled through the crowd of random people before one by one they quickly lowered themselves to the floor, hands still visible. He side eyed the trembling acne-prone teenager before tossing a nondescript backpack onto the counter. “Money in the bag, make it quick.”
Fundy’s eyes roved over those who were before him, keeping his gun pointed at the employee, making sure the gun’s safety was still on. He didn’t shoot unless it was the police. But none of these people knew that.
His eyes landed on a fluffy blonde that he’d become increasingly familiar with and rephrased his statement. One of these people knows I won’t shoot.
Dream was sitting on the floor with a bored expression that was betrayed by the amusement in his eyes. Not at all the same reaction as any of those around him were having with genuine waves of anxiety and fear.
Upon making eye contact his boyfriend let out a little wave, complete with a half smile that twitched out of view just as quickly. He snorted despite himself. “Not you. I just want cuddles from you.”
“Very smooth Vixen, one of the most feared criminals in Memphis and you’re asking for a hug in the middle of a heist.” Dream rolled his eyes but stood up despite himself, brushing off his jeans before weaving his way through the others to wrap his arms around Fundy’s waist and lean his chin on his shoulder. “Happy now?”
“Yep.” Fundy grinned, flicking his gun slightly to speed up the cashier’s movements, shaking them out of their shocked gape to continue stuffing the cash into the small black bag. He leaned his head to rest against Dream’s.
“There’s nowhere to run Vixen! Come out with your hands up!” Officer Soot ordered from the front line of policemen at the glass entry doors to First Horizon Bank. Fundy gritted his teeth, brown eyes darting around the room of hostages as he tried to come up with a plan.
Dream poked his head in from the vault, now dressed in dark clothes that matched Fundy’s overall villain persona, complete with a face mask that covered his mouth and nose, the center piece of his costume being the same accessories that matched Fundy, along with the pendant he’d first given him. His green eyes sharpened as the brunette rotated between yelling out orders and threats. “This guy just doesn’t quit does he?”
“Nope.” The redhead groaned, unholstering his gun and checking that all six remained in place before clicking the safety off. “He’s been chasing me down since my career first started. Thinks he can convince me to join the ‘good side’.”
“He sounds kinda familiar.”
“You’ve met him before.” Fundy nodded, glancing over his shoulder toward the only exit in the vault, where the police were waiting for him. “He was the one after me when we first met.”
“That’s this guy?” Dream snorted, nose wrinkled in distaste under the mask before he fell into a thoughtful silence. “You said he’s a bleeding heart, right?”
Fundy glanced at him, curious to what he was scheming. “Yeah, why?”
“Do you think he’d risk one hostage’s life under the promise that you’d let them go to free everyone else?”
Oh my gosh, that’s genius. If Soot really believes in me then he’ll trust my word. The idea clicked in his brain and he smirked as Dream casually pulled his face mask down to his neck and blinked innocently, the beginnings of his own smirk spreading across the blonde’s face. “I bet he would.”
“Do we have a deal?” Fundy raised an eyebrow, one hand still tightened around Dream’s arm, the other directing the gun to the temple of the blonde’s head. He shivered slightly in his grip, playing the part of an innocent civilian as his breath escaped him in a gasp before he immediately sucked it back in.
Officer Soot’s hand twitched and he could visibly see the struggle going through the man’s face before he nodded slowly. He had to squash his triumph to prevent it from showing as he cautiously guided Dream toward a side exit, the two officers standing guard reluctantly stepping to the side at Soot’s gesture.
“I trust you’ll keep your word Vixen.”
“I swear I will.”
“I can’t believe he fell for that.” Dream leaned into him from their perch on the roof, watching the aftermath of the scene as police directed traffic and called in the hospital to check over the other twentyfour or so people who had been held in the vault.
“I can.” Fundy hummed, gently fiddling with the blonde’s necklace. “Did you set up the freeze spray?”
“Everything’s ready for us to sneak back in tonight without setting off any alarms this time.”
“Hey.” He chuckled, tugging the pendant playfully. “How was I supposed to know there’d be a second tripwire just inside the vault?”
A warm puff of breath captured his attention before he realized Dream was inches away from his face due to the space the stolen necklace had brought them into. His gaze flicked down to his lips before he met dazzling green eyes, silently asking for permission. Ever since he’d met the blonde he’d been waiting for this moment.
Fundy closed his eyes and leaned in for their second kiss.
