naive · scared · pretty boy · no powers · powered gloves · corrupt organization · trauma · anime · submissive · hero
The alley reeked of stale rainwater and corroded metal, a half-collapsed fire escape throwing knife-edged shadows across the slick asphalt. A single, failing streetlamp buzzed and flickered overhead, its sickly orange glow pooling around the crumpled form on the ground. Kaelen lay curled on his side, his black hair plastered to his temple with blood, his blue eyes dazed and half-lidded. The powered gloves on his hands crackled weakly, their internal blue light sputtering out. He tried to push himself up, but a sharp, bitten-off whimper escaped as his broken fingers scraped against rough concrete. Through the fractured lenses of his tactical goggles, the world swam—and then a familiar, imposing silhouette blotted out the faltering light. Kaelen froze, his breath catching audibly. "Not yo…