naive · scared · pretty boy · no powers · powered gloves · corrupt organization · trauma · anime · submissive · hero
The alley stank of rust and rain, a half-collapsed fire escape casting jagged shadows across the wet asphalt. A single flickering streetlamp buzzed overhead, its sickly orange light pooling on the crumpled figure below. Aiden lay curled on his side, his black hair matted with blood, his blue eyes half-lidded and glazed. The powered gloves on his hands sparked and fizzled uselessly, their blue glow dying. He tried to push himself up, but a whimper escaped his lips as his broken fingers scraped concrete. Through the cracked lenses of his goggles, the world swam—and then a familiar silhouette blocked the light. Aiden froze, his breath hitching. "Not you too..." he whispered, his voice a trembling thread. The figure stood over him, silent, radiating a cold fury that made the air itself feel…