Nothing left to safe

5

"That is good then.", he says, smiling still, as he starts on his own pancakes.

"So, Veles, what happened? Why did you show up at my door with a stabbing wound?", Zepherus starts. "Huh?" "Why are you hurt?"

"I- uhh- I was on patrol?" "Don't lie. Yesterday-" "I don't remember what I said yesterday!" "Veles, stop lying, please." "I'm not-" "Veles", Zepherus says and you accept he isn't buying into your lie.
"I can tell the wanna-be heroes don't like you. And I know you had to be at work, just not out on patrol. So please, dove, what happened?", he asks again, and suddenly you feel so guilty for trying to lie to him. "Sorry.. I just-.. It was my fault. I said something I shouldn't have. And someone got upset. Then it got bad and I-.. What happened doesn't matter. I provoked her and well-"

"Veles! It's not your fault! Not matter what you said. No-one has any reason to fucking stab you! What were you even talking about, to make someone this upset?" "Do I have-" "Yes" "Well.. Don't you call me crazy! I believe not all, if not none, of the villains, you included, were born evil. And just maybe, we could try and- uhh.. maybe have you to be able to live a normal life." "And because of that you were stabbed?" "Yeah.."

...

"Who stabbed you?" "What?" "Who stabbed you, Veles?", Zepherus repeats.
"Veles, I know where you live, I know how old you are, as well as your birthday. I know your work schedule. And no, I don't stalk you, I've found most of it online and just saw you randomly enter your flat. But trust me, I'll find whoever hurt you, even without you saying their name." Zepherus explains, seemingly upset.

Should you tell him the name? Then you would be backstabbing the heroes. But if you are honest with yourself, you are scared Zepherus might hurt you to get her name.
He is a villain after all.

And you saw it happen once, why should it not happen to you? You shouldn't trust him. Why didn't you just go home yesterday?

You couldn't go to the hospital. The heroes are heavily influencing the hospitals. They couldn't have helped. But why did this villain come to your mind first, while you were on your way?

The others are right, you are stupid, a terrible hero, maybe you should quit.

And not just your job, but your life as well. The hero always dies, so why not speed it up even more! Trust the villain for a few more months, and have him backstab-

...

"Veles? Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to threaten you. I don't know what just happened, but I promise, I won't hurt you.", Zepherus says, stopping your thoughts from trailing off. You avoid his meeting his eyes, instead looking at his not yet finished pancakes.