Acid and Flannel

Flannels Killian held his head down in defeat. His wrists were cuffed behind his back, being helped up the steps to the police station. His nemesis, Acidity, had finally defeated him. It was hard for him to accept it, given how stealthy her attack was. She was wearing what Killian would have described as a bright yellow one-piece swimsuit and a lime green fanny pack. It was ridiculous. She stood out, yet he never saw her coming. 

They walked into the station with thunderous applause. Officers were high-fiving her as she went by, giving her a true hero's welcome. It was a celebration of justice served. She ruffled her prisoner's wild brown hair and brought him into the hall going to the cells. The noise was brought down as the door closed behind them, giving them some privacy. 

"Did you hear that applause? You sure are a popular one," Acidity said in a peppy voice. 

"I don't think they were clapping for me."

"Agree to disagree." She ruffled his hair again and took a deep breath near his head. 

Killian rolled his eyes. He always figured heroes got off on basking in their own accomplishments. It was the reason he became a villain in the first place. To chop down their egos like they did his axe throwing business. His walk down the empty hall would have been a deafening reminder of his failure to see his plan through, if not for her constant comments. 

"Have you been working out?" She asked, squeezing his bicep.

He scoffed. "Clearly not enough."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Killian cocked his head, confused by her tone. It sounded like she had an ulterior motive. Was she trying to make him feel better about going to prison? Maybe turn him into some informant? It would take more than a few compliments to do that.

"What game are you playing?"

"Game?" Acidity asked in a playful voice. "Lately it's been Haley's Wild Adventure. I'm on level—"

"You know what I'm talking about." He rattled his cufflinks. "This."

"We're just talking. No game…unless you want to play one with me?"

"I'll pass."

She suddenly threw him against the wall. Acidity was so close to him, he felt her fanny pack press against his lower back. It caught Killian off guard, seeing as she was not so forceful the entire way here. Her hands ran from his upper thigh down to his leg and stopped at his boot. Lifting up the hem of his pants, she retrieved his hidden throwing knife.

"I thought there was something a bit too sexy about your walk."

"There isn't anything sexy about my walk," Killian said in defiance. 

"I'll be the judge of that."

Acidity pulled him off the wall and played with the knife in her hand. She walked in front of him, twirling and flipping the knife. As Killian watched her dazzling performance, he looked for the right moment to attack. He found that moment when she tossed the blade toward the ceiling and charged her with his shoulder. The tackle knocked them both to the ground, but that was as far as it went. She held him in a bear hug and the knife clattered harmlessly next to them. 

"Now you want to play a game? I like it!" Acidity smiled.

Killian was dumbfounded by her unquenchable cheeriness and asked the only question that came to mind. "Are you flirting with me or something?"

"How much more obvious do I have to be?"

Killian recoiled as far as he could in his position to get a better look at her. She licked her lips and relaxed under him. He was so confused.

"Why? Why me?"

"Where do I begin? You're cunning, handsome, and always playing hard to get. Not to mention, entrepreneurial. I heard you used to run a business near Hero's Inc."

"That was until heroes like you destroyed it."

"They did?" Acidity loosened her grip on him and her face turned to concern. She genuinely had no idea and Killian was riled up enough to tell her. It was a story he wanted to tell under triumphant circumstances, but these would have to do. 

"It was on our final tournament night. I was facing off against the reigning champion, Pablo Guerrero. The place was packed with people and all was going well. We were throwing our fifth throw of the game when a 'hero' threw one of my patrons in the path of our game. My competitor split that guy's head open."

Acidity was solely focused on him, hearing the pain in his story. She wanted to say something, but knew he needed to finish. 

"People ran in terror and my business reputation was dying by the second. No one was going to come to an axe throwing place where someone died. I knew the guy who got killed and honestly, he probably had it coming based on what I knew of him, yet his death was not enough for that hero. He went into a rage, ranting about how he should've been the one to kill him and burned my entire business to the ground."

"I–didn't know…"

"Apparently no one does. Hero's Inc. swept it under the rug and the insurance company gave me a lousy payout. I was filled with rage and a worthless lot, so I put it all into my new endeavor. Making those heroes pay for what they did."

"Do you know who it was?"

Killian shook his head. Acidity felt the anger slowly leave him and turn to despair. She had an uncontrollable urge to help him, even if he was a villain. Acidity wiggled out from under him and helped him up.

"Can you just take me to my cell already? I won't fight you anymore."

Acidity picked up the knife and brought him to the T intersection at the end of the hall. One way led to the jail, the other to the exit. The sign stared back at them, making it impossible to not know which way to go. She gave it a good long look before taking him to the right…to the exit. 

"What are you doing?" Killian said, trying to look behind to see her face as she forced him forward. 

"I'm taking you to your cell."

"The cells are back that way."

"Not yours," she said and kicked open the door. Outside there was a row of police vehicles in the motor pool. She uncuffed him and pointed to the passenger side door of the nearest vehicle. "Get in."

He didn't protest and got inside. Once she was in, she turned the key already in the ignition and handed him his throwing knife. Killian was conflicted. His enemy was handing him the weapon he was going to kill her with. How could she be so trusting to a criminal like him?

He lurched back in his seat as she floored it. "Why are you doing this?"

"It might come as a shocker to you, but I actually like you."

"You do?"

"Yes! How many different ways do I have to say it?"

"You're willing to throw away your life as a hero for me?"

She shrugged and took a hard turn out of the lot. "What can I say, I've got a thing for men who throw axes. And that 'hero' won't be brought to justice with you behind bars, now will he?"

Killian smiled. He had not expected his nemesis to be so merciful to him. His heart softened, finally finding someone who actually cared about his tragedy. The lights of the city flashed by as she sped through the city and his view of her changed forever.

"So, what was that game you were playing at home again?"

"Haley's Wild Adventure!" she beamed, glancing at him for a second. 

"Does it live up to Acidity's Wild Adventure?"

Acidity swerved to avoid another car and pulled into an alley before throwing it in park. "You can call me, Acey."

Killian leaned over the center column, moving in closer to her. "Well, Acey, now that you have accepted my quest, how can I repay you for your bravery?"

"I can think of a few ideas."

Their heads moved closer at a steady pace, each wondering when the other would go for it. Acidity could only wait so long before her impatience got the best of her. Their lips collided and her hands pulled him closer. She mauled his face like a hungry lioness, hoping to get every last bit from him. Killian unwillingly protected himself from her frenzy, accidentally flicking on the lights and sirens when trying to keep his balance. It brought her back to the reality at hand. They were in a stolen police car and drawing attention. She ripped her lips away from him and kicked open her door.

"Let's get out of here. My place is more comfortable anyways," Acidity said.

"Led the way."

***