The Bad Guy's Doctor

ONE

"You're looking as gorgeous as ever--" I tighten the bandage suddenly and he winces, cursing under his breath. The people in the shop laugh aloud, the small space cramped with burly men. I wrinkled my nose, before wrapping another circle around his arm.

When did this all start?

Running an underground clinic for villains? Yeah, who's brilliant idea was that? Every night was spent patching up bloody adults. The good part that came from this was the fact that I was always in business.

The bad part was that I was always in business.

"That's the ice-cold doll for you!" They laughed, banging hands against tables and shoes against the floor. I glance up at the guy I was patching up, ripping the bandage.

"Doll? I thought it was doc?" I furrowed my eyebrows, tilting my head to the side. I guide his arm up, squeezing his bicep to see how tight the bandage was. Arsenio Helios, that was his name. I happen to see him every night, no matter how small of a wound it was. But today, he had a gash on his shoulder. Luckily, it wasn't as deep as I thought, so it would close on it's own without stitches. He leans back, running a hand through his inky black locks. His gold eyes turn to rest on me.

"Well, you don't exactly have a business card," He quirks his lip at me. "News through the Underworld travels through word of mouth, so... doc to doll, my dear." I narrow my eyes at him, nodding slowly. I slide the roll of bandages against the counter, waving the next patient along.

"Althea!" I glance up, quickly.

"What?" I snapped, my cold tone sliding in quickly.

"You're out of soup!" I groaned, before nodding at the patient to wait. I head toward the back, followed closely by Arsenio. No one's allowed back here, but he's always followed me like a lovesick puppy.

"So, are you free tomorrow?" I turn on the light for the back room, ignoring his words.

"Grab the pot. It's hot, so be careful." Arsenio holds it by the handles, picking it up with ease. The muscles along his arms ripple in fluid motion and I wave for him to leave the room first. He winks at me as he passes and I roll my eyes. He sets down the pot where I have it every day. The villain spins around to me, expectantly. I sighed, extending my hand. "Lower your head, you giant." He tilts his head for me and I ruffle his hair, before patting it down gently. "Good boy."

He grins, before grabbing my hand and kissing my palm. I slap him with the same hand. "Ow, come on," Arsenio whines, rubbing his cheek. I push his face away, giving him a warning glance. "Is my love too much for you, Althea? Is that it?" What a playboy.

"Yeah, it's so much, it makes me want to ban you from my clinic altogether." I grumble, before pointing toward the other side of the counter. "Out." He obeys, sulking slightly. I sigh, before glancing at the patient. They haven't been here before. "Do you have an ID?"

"W-Why?" I sighed, rubbing my temple.

"I only treat ages 18-25, kiddo. I don't have a degree, I can't operate on minors or elderly." He looked around 16, way too young for me to help. He's dressed in a cloak, the hood pulled over his face. Also, minors usually came to steal supplies--The boy slams his fist against the table and I don't blink. I don't react.

Because I'm the ice-cold doc--well, doll, now. "Listen, bitch, you give me--" The kid is slammed to the counter, a hand at his throat. He struggles, shouting muffled gibberish against the hood of his cloak. I raise my eyebrow.

"Say that again, I dare you." Arsenio pulls him up and the kid claws at the hand on the back of his neck. I've never thought that Arsenio was terrifying. Intimidating, yes, but terrifying cut close to exactly how the kid saw him. He was tall and built, with a naturally dark look and eyes that gleamed a brilliant gold-bronze.