DC Scenarios (Villains)

Hanging Out With The Bookworm

It wasn't long till Y/N got a hang of her job. Frankly, it's wasn't too hard but at the same time, it wasn't exactly what she expected.

Her days usually consisted of scoping out places to 'visit at a later date', according to her boss. On occasions, Y/N would be stuck getting lunch for her fellow henchguys and boss. She would also accompany Mr. Scarlet but that was only because he said she needed to learn the ropes of their business, and even then, those educational trips were rare.

Of course, Y/N couldn't say she hated her job. She had stuck around for a while and learned quite a bit, especially considering the fact that her coworkers not the physically inclined type. While she wasn't exactly rolling in dough, she had earned enough to rid herself of her pesky college debt. She no longer worried about whether or not she'd have to sheepishly call her parents to help her out.

Not to mention, her coworkers, albeit extremely dorky and inapt at fighting, were men of culture and intelligence.

Her boss, Mr. Scarlet, was also a mystery. He was really high strung with the exception of whenever he received good news from his men or whenever he saw Y/N. Y/N noticed this and was a bit perturbed by it until one of her coworkers politely let her know that Mr. Scarlet 'appreciated the presence of pretty women'. He also mentioned something about a Ms. Limpet but by then, Y/N had stopped listening.

Regardless, it definitely beat sitting outside some pretentious rich guy's office and listening to his dumb jokes.

That day, Mr. Scarlet had brought Y/N along to the harbor. He had some business with some shady antiques dealer and honestly, Y/N was the only person he trusted to protect the goods. So there they were, the two of them waiting at the harbor.

"So, Miss L/N, how are you enjoying your employment here", asked Mr. Scarlet as he speed-read a book he packed for the wait. While Y/N kept a lookout for their business partner, the Bookworm would occasionally spare glances her way.

"I like it very much, sir. Honestly, this isn't what I expected after graduating college, but I'm very happy nonetheless." She looked away from the expected entry point in the lot to smile cheerfully at him. He smiled- barely.

It was a start, though.

"I'm glad to hear so. What do you think of your fellow benchmen so far, my dear? Have they been treating you alright? I don't want you to think this our little syndicate is some kind of boys club." Again, Scarlett glanced Y/N's way but his eyes lingered just a bit. She just looked so...out of place at the harbor.

"Oh, no, not at all. They've been treating me well. I really can't complain." Y/N shrugged. Her E/C eyes focused on an incoming car in the distance. "Mr. Scarlet, they're here."

As the black car came to a slow halt, Y/N gripped the briefcase that contain the goods tight with one hand while her other hand laid steady at her hip. She steadily examined the two men that emerged from the car and the briefcase they carried. "Sir, I don't know if you know this, but this is my first 'business exchange'. Do you trust them", Y/N whispered.

The Bookworm lifted his gaze from the thick book he nursed in his arms to the two men that approached them. He quickly glanced at the briefcase in Y/N's hand, Y/N, and finally, he shut the book. "We're paying the highest tribute you can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple."

"I know that one", Y/N murmured. "To Kill a Mockingbird."

"Correct, my dear", Bookworm whispered. "We can trust them.

"Hello, Mr. Scarlet", exclaimed a large, bulky man dressed in black. "How lovely it is to see you again." He nudged his partner before 'discreetly' signaling his attention to Y/N. "I don't believe we've met before, Miss. I'm Mr. Caner. This knucklehead over here is my partner, Mr. Lewis. I'm assuming you're Miss Limpet's replacement." He gave the Bookworm a thumbs up.

The Bookworm cleared his throat uncomfortably. "You'll see that Miss Y/N is handling the antique. Surely, you'll want to finish the deal and not waste anymore time. After all, time is money."

Caner glanced at the briefcase in Y/N's hand and had Lewis open their briefcase. Inside the briefcase was the money that they'd exchange for the antiques.

"Miss Y/N, if you will", Lewis asked, his briefcase extended to her. Y/N took his briefcase and handed over their own briefcase.

An awkward silence loomed over the four of them until the Bookworm spoke up.

"Well, gentlemen, it was a pleasure doing business with you again. We will be taking our leave but do feel free to contact us again. Best regards." Scarlet took Y/N by the elbow and dragged her away. Once they were inside the Bookmobile and out of earshot, the Bookworm crosses their names off a list he had written within the margins of a book. "That could've gone a tad bit smoother, my dear, but it went without a hitch. I'm quite proud of you." He gave Y/N a smile that could only described as dissonantly sweet.

"Thank you, Mr. Scarlet. I'm quite happy you are but I have a question." Y/N turned on the car and began driving out of the harbor's lot while the Bookworm continued speed-reading his book. "Who is Miss Limpet?"

This seemed to catch Mr. Scarlet off guard. Y/N had worried about his neck snapping considering how swiftly he turned to look at her.

"Miss Limpet", his sharp glare softened as he saw her E/C eyes grow slightly fearful. "And I were romantically involved. She also worked for me. It's nothing you should worry about, I assure you." With that, he shut himself off in the confines of the book he read.

"Oh." Y/N nodded. "Anyway, thank you for bringing me along. It's great to learn more about what you do."

He didn't reply and Y/N didn't say anything, but she saw the small smile he had hidden behind the book. It was enough for her.