It Started With a Ransom

Honesty's the Worst Policy

X-Ray groaned in frustration as he stared at the long list of marked off locations. Vav and Ash were scoping out where the robber had been killed, and Mogar and Rusty were checking out where they were meeting Mad King tomorrow. Hilda was working on gadgets, and X-Ray was looking at a map. And thinking about you. He knew he did a shit job hiding he had a crush on you, so he knew you knew. But he had never said it to you. He regretted that. He laid his head on the table. "We'll find you, Y/N." He whispered. "We'll save you."

About ten minutes later, everyone else returned. X-Ray turned to them. "Anything?!" He asked desperately. Vav shrugged. "Nothing big. We saw some blood splatters leading to a building, but it stops before we can figure out which one." X-Ray sighed. "But there was blood spots on the opposite side of the robber's body, and away from the knife." Ash finished. "So? The Mad King could have gotten hurt." X-Ray huffed. "He used his crown, X-Ray." Vav reminded him. "The police think he knocked him down then slit his throat. He probably didn't get hurt." "Then who did?" X-Ray asked, though he paled a bit. "You don't think..." "It's possible Y/N tried to escape. Maybe the robber thought we were around and was gonna hurt her. The Mad King killed him before he could... badly." "Or he did get hurt." X-Ray said hopefully. "I... really hope she wasn't hurt..." Vav put a hand on his partner's shoulder. "We do as well. But if she did get hurt, that at least means she's trying to escape." X-Ray nodded. "We have to try harder to find her." He said. He grabbed the map and pointed at places. "We have to check out all of his known hideouts."

You were laying in your bed, thinking about what to choose.

You loved Mad King. Despite better judgement, you did. But choosing him would mean never seeing your friends again.

But choosing your friends would mean, not only would the Lads lose their powers, but you would never see the Mad King again.

It surprisingly took you five minutes to come to a decision when you put it like that; choosing your friends would have two bad consequences, while choosing Mad King only has one. And he could probably think of something to fix you not seeing your friends.

Without thinking you ran out of your room and into his office. His eyes widened. "Y/N?" He said. You ran into his arms and hugged him. You kissed him, his eyes still wide. "You." You breathed when you pulled away. "I choose you. I'm sure I can find a way to see them; but I'll never be able to see you if I choose them." You kissed him again. "I can't deal with that." He chuckled and pulled you more comfortably into his lap. "And what made you come to the conclusion?" You wrapped your arms around him. "If I go with my friends, two bad things will happen; I'll lose you, and the Lads will lose their powers. But if I stay with you, I'll just... never see my friends again. But we can work something out... maybe..." Mad King tilted your head up and kissed you. "We'll see." He said softly with a smile. "I'm glad you chose me." "How could I not?" You whispered. "I love you..." You kissed him, and you heard him moan. "Are you sure you don't have any powers?" He mumbled between kisses. You looked up at him, confused. "Yes?" He chuckled. "Because I swear you seem to control my mind every time I'm around you." You smirked. "Aren't you the one with mind control?" You were smiling, but as you said that a dark thought hit you. "No." He growled before you could even finish your thought. "I have not used mind control on you. And I promise. I will never use it on you." He looked you in the eyes. "I promise." You smiled at him. "I believe you." You reached up and kissed him. You both sat there for a while, until he pulled away. "As much as I would love to be able to kiss you all day, I have actual work to get to." He stood, grabbing you by the hips and placing you on the ground beside him. You nodded. "Right. Your 'secret identity.' Do you trust me enough to tell me yet?" You asked, He bit his lip. "I trust you, yes. But... who I am could... get you hurt." "Even more than being with the Mad King?" You asked. He laughed. "I suppose you have a point." His eyes went to your neck, and gentle hands touched the bandage. "It needs to be changed." He thought out loud. "I can do it." You said. "Go to your job. You don't want your boss to get angry." Mad King let out a chuckle. "That won't be a problem. I'm the boss." You smiled. "That's good." You sighed. "Can I at least know your first name? 'Mad King' is a mouthful." He laughed again and gave you a kiss. "Ryan." He whispered. "'Ryan'..." You repeated. "But when we meet with your friends tomorrow, it's Mad King." He warned. You nodded. He grabbed your hand gently and pulled you into the bathroom. He removed the bandage and growled at the sight underneath. "What?" You asked. "It's better." He stated. He grabbed the peroxide and poured a bit on to a rag. "I'm just... so unbelievably angry at that robber for doing this to you." You smiled. "Well... you took care of him." You shivered at the memory of seeing the man's throat being slit. Ryan sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't think of how it would scar you. I was angry." "Don't be sorry. You saved my life." You told him gently. He smiled lovingly. "How the hell does an angel like you love a mad man like me?" You chuckled. "How could I not?" Ryan grabbed your hand and kissed it. "I don't deserve you." He gently pressed the rag to your cut. You hissed, and he gave you a sympathetic look. After disinfecting it he grabbed fresh bandages and placed them on your wound. He leaned in lightly and kissed it. You smiled. "You're not as evil as you make yourself out to be." He laughed and kissed you. "Don't you dare tell anyone that." He joked. "I have an image to keep." He stood up and held his hand out. You took it, and he helped you stand. He led you to your room. You sat down on your bed and he gave you a kiss. "I love you." He said. "I have to go to work. I'll be back soon." He laughed. "I never thought I would say that to someone. Especially not a girl." You chuckled. "Well I never thought I'd be in love with the Mad King." Ryan smiled and gave you one more kiss before leaving.