Don’t be stupid. Just… test the waters.
Glitch leaned back, that hood slipping down to rest around his shoulders. A mess of white hair was bright against the black of his outfit. His dark eyes were soft this time, no creases of madness or fury. Beneath the bandages that ran over his nose and mouth, I could see the gentle drop of his lips.
Unguarded.
“So mean,” he hummed. “After all I’ve done to protect you.”
“Kicking Leo’s ass and terrorizing my city is protecting me?” I chuckled and cocked my head. “I’d hate to see what you’d do if you hated me.”
“Kickyourass, and terrorize the city,” he said plainly.
It was like he didn’t understand the gravity of his words; it was such a simple, easy thing to do. That was the part that made my spine straighten. Glitch would do as he pleased regardless of who he hurt in the process, and he’d have no regrets about it. His morals were a twisted, broken web. Even Villains had some shred of humanity about them; but it was hard to find his.
Joon played the perfect Hero. But he wasn’t what he seemed, either.
That was the best part, actually. Joon wasneverperfect; he just got good at hiding anything that was harder to digest. He resented the VIA for its class systems, had a tendency to be vain, or even selfish. Joon was playful, and kind, and saw people for what they were. It made him empathetic and cautious at the same time. Joon was human, and a damned good Hero.
“Why play this game?” I asked. “What do you want from me?”
He stared at me, those abysmal eyes like a void. His brows creased a moment before relaxing again, a smile stretching beneath the bandages over his mouth.
“I want many things, and you’re going to help me get them.”
“How?”
Glitch dropped down, seated in front of me as he rested his arms over his knees. Even crunched over, he was large. Not as muscular as Leo, but with wide shoulders and long legs that made his boots nearly touch mine. But his energy was what overwhelmed me — a calculated calm that chilled the air.
“The VIA has to pay. They need to pay for their sins, their greed, and their corruption. We’re treated likeanimals,expected to show our bellies as soon as they make the call. Wediefor them, while they cover it up and call itsacrifice.” He shifted, his eyes flashing a strange purple that buzzed, and reminded me of that old TV screen.
It was only a second, a quick moment before settling on that dark stare again. I jerked back, my chest frozen as I held my breath.
What was that?
It was, well, a glitch.
“I have personal business with Cinder. But you… aren’t someone I want caught in the crossfire. You’ll be safe here,” he said finally.
The edge in his tone had softened into something pleading.
“You’re a stranger to me.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why go so far?”
Don’t make assumptions. Let him lead.
I was toeing the line between insanity and revelation.
“Am I?” He cocked his head, the evening light filtering through a singular window to cast him in a golden glow. “Am I really a stranger to you?”
My body refused to tense up, even when he was so close, so dangerous. There was a lingering feeling that he wouldn’t hurt me; not physically, anyway. The way his jaw curved, and his fingers twitched as if he wanted to curl them, but didn’t. Restraint—a practiced focus, so that he wouldn’t appear threatening, or aggressive.
“Everyone is afraid of the unknown,” Joon sighed. “Variants are wildcards. We have to work harder for them to trust us. Even our body language matters—we can’t afford to go flying off the handle. Why do you think they partnered me with Leo?” He snickered. “They have to balance out the image a bit.”
“Take them off,” I breathed.
Glitch remained frozen, a silent dare resting between us. I reached out, placing down the cup and forcing my fingertips to graze the planes of his face. I tugged on the section closest to his ear, my knuckles brushing against an earring. He didn’t move, didn’t blink.
“Yeah, no, Mom was pissed,” Joon groaned, toying with the diamond studs in his ears. “But they’re cool, right? C’mon, Alex, you know I look good.”
I began to unravel the bandages. Pulling away his secrets, shedding his armor to find what hid beneath. When I was done, a bundle of strips were clenched in my palm, and my lips curled into my teeth.
