Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)
Chapter 199: I am too

Chapter 199: I am too

In sleep, her sharp edges—the defiance, the bite—were gone, leaving her looking younger, almost fragile.

Her face, relaxed and unguarded, carried a peace that felt out of place after the day’s violence.

Kael chuckled under his breath. "Hard to believe she looks this cute when sleeping."

"I am too," Lila said between chews.

"Should I wake her?" Kael asked, glancing back at Tila.

Lila’s eyes flicked up, then back to her tray. "She’ll be pissed if you don’t. And hungrier than a wolf, so she will be pissed even more"

Kael smirked. "Sounds about right."

He crouched by the passenger door, balancing Tila’s tray in one hand, when a mischievous idea sparked—dangerous, stupid, and just fun enough to tempt him.

He leaned closer, bringing his fingers to Tila’s nose, pinching her nostrils shut with a featherlight touch.

For a moment, nothing.

Then her lips parted, and—

Snap.

Her jaw moved like a trap, teeth aiming for his hand with startling speed.

Kael yanked back just in time, heart jumping as he laughed.

"Tch," Tila muttered, eyes half-open, glinting with sleepy defiance. "Almost had you."

"Not even close," Kael shot back, grinning. "Nice try, though."

"Try?" She sat up, stretching with a groan that cracked her spine. "That’s called strategy. Lion-style. Lure and pounce."

Kael shook his head, offering her the tray. "Eat, O mighty predator."

Tila eyed the contents—rice, limp vegetables—and wrinkled her nose. "Hospital food? Smells like despair."

"I can take it back if you’re gonna whine," Kael said, reaching for the tray.

She snatched it close, glaring. "No way. Stay away from me. I don’t want your cooties."

"Charming as ever," Kael muttered, his grin unshaken.

He reached into his coat, pulling out a crinkling plastic bag.

"Here, I got something more for you. Spicy chips. Salty. Vending machine’s finest."

Tila’s eyes lit up like a kid’s, and she tore into the bag like a feral animal, crumbs flying. "Finally. Actual food."

The three of them ate in companionable silence, the truck filled with the soft sounds of crunching and chewing.

Kael passed them water bottles, which they drained in seconds, their thirst outpacing their hunger.

Tila leaned back, groaning dramatically. "I’m not sleeping in this rust bucket tonight, let’s go back home."

Kael raised an eyebrow, leaning against the truck’s frame. "Oh?"

She rolled her eyes, tossing a chip into her mouth. "The prison. i mean. Don’t twist my words."

"You said ’home’ first," Kael teased, his voice light but probing.

"Did not," Tila shot back, squinting. "You’re hearing things."

"Right," Kael said, his grin widening.

Tila’s eyes narrowed further, suspicion sharpening her tone. "Unless you’re cutting us loose, we’re not going back to that miserable palace you call the Haven."

Kael’s smile faded, his voice dropping to a serious hum. "Not tonight. Too risky. Whoever sent those raiders might circle back."

Tila scoffed, crunching another chip. "What, someone’s out for your blood? Who’d bother? Some B-list villain? A pissed-off massage client?"

"Maybe," Kael said, his smirk returning but tinged with unease. "But they came with firepower, tactics, intent. Not just looters. Radric said someone ordered a cleanup."

Lila, setting her empty tray aside, spoke up, her voice quiet. "Could be a grudge."

Kael nodded, his eyes distant. "Maybe. But if it was personal, they’d have come themselves. I’m not exactly hard to kill."

Tila snorted, her mouth full. "No offense, but you’re the type to die tripping over your own ego."

Kael clutched his chest in mock pain. "Ouch. My heart."

"Big talk for a guy saved by a shadow wall," Tila fired back, smirking.

"And a perfectly timed hug," Kael added, winking.

"Ugh," Tila groaned, tossing a chip at him. It bounced off his coat.

The air cooled, the banter fading into a heavy pause.

Kael leaned back, his gaze drifting to the hospital’s neon glow in the distance.

"So what now?" Tila asked, her voice softer, almost hesitant. "We camp in the hospital lot like strays?"

Kael’s eyes flicked to her, a glint of mischief returning. "You could sleep in a hospital bed instead."

Tila’s brows shot up, her face twisting with suspicion. "What kinda bed?"

His smile curled, wicked and playful. "The kind with crisp white sheets. And hand restraints."

Her expression morphed into scandalized outrage. "You perv!"

Kael laughed, loud and free, the sound cutting through the tension. "You walked right into that."

"Say it again, and I’ll make sure you never wake up from your nightmare tonight," Tila snapped, but her lips twitched, betraying a grin.

Lila slid her tray aside, shaking her head at them both.

"Children," she muttered, reclining in her seat with a faint smirk.

Kael leaned against the truck, stretching his arms.

"Get comfy. We’re waiting for Freya and Rhea. Then we’ll figure out what’s next."

____________

"Thanks, Clara," Kael said, his voice low as the private hospital suite’s doors clicked shut behind him. "Seriously. You have been helping me a lot."

The room was a stark contrast to the chaos outside—polished floors gleaming under soft lights, crisp linens on the bed, and the low hum of a TV murmuring in the corner.

It almost tricked him into forgetting the trashed Haven, the raiders, the blood still drying under his nails.

Almost.

Clara stood beside him, arms crossed, her white coat hugging the curve of her hips.

Her green eyes sparkled with that familiar mischief, a smirk playing on her lips.

"I was gonna book a second room," she said, her tone teasing, "for just for you and me."

Kael froze, his eyes narrowing. "That’s a bad idea."

She arched a brow, her smirk widening.

"A really bad idea," he added, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Clara, once I figure out who’s trying to kill me and my place stops getting turned into a warzone, and once everything settles, I swear i will make it up to you."

Clara laughed, a warm, throaty sound, and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, ruin a girl’s fun." She waved her tablet, already turning toward the door. "Call me if you need anything. I’ll be checking on the coma ward."

As she slipped out, Kael exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing just a fraction.

He turned to the bed—and paused, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

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