THERE WAS NO REASON THIS TOOK ME SO FREAKING LONG OTHER THAN ME WORKING ON IT ON AND OFF FOR LIKE 2 WEEKS 😭😭😭

So uhm...

Shino may or may not die.

I haven't finished yet, so idk yet.

Anyways,

Enjoy!

You really thought I was gonna explain myself, huh? NOPE

—~Artemis POV~—

The day had been action packed, for once, and it was so fun! We got to train and spar, basically have free will. I fought Shino... More times than I'm proud of. Am I a bad person for getting happy when I land a good hit? Probably... But listen, he's one of the best students in our class, (fighting wise at least) so just take it from a classmate point of view, not boyfriend kind of view, ok? 

Me and Shino have been going in this same fight for a while now. Neither of us wanting to lose, this fight is our last after all.

I land a surprise attack, traveling behind him from his shadow, but Shino gets up quickly, hitting the back of my knees making me trip. I hear him snicker and roll my eyes, disappearing into the shadow on the floor. I appear again standing beside Shino. I throw a punch but he blocks it. I notice how his reaction time is significantly better. He can withdraw his weapons faster now.

We keep punching at and dodging each other a few time before we hear a whistle. We stop, both of us sweating as if we ran a marathon. Shino offers out a hand, I shake it loosely, tired. 

From then on, things go way downhill. Here's the order I see it all:

1. The panic on everyone's faces.

2. The cracking above us on the dome.

3. The heaving down of the door to the dome.

4. The man in a mask.

That mask. I've seen it before. Or at least something similar. In fact almost identical. Not completely, but it's far too similar for anyone's liking.

I've seen that mask on Shino.

It's the mask he's taken off, just seeming to realize the fact as well. He's looking between the yellow one in his hands and the orange one on the face as if he's trying to spot the differences. 

Well the orange one looks more rugged and worn compared to Shino's. I mean, Shino hasn't worn it often, and it's locked up in the locker rooms most of the time. Shino also seems very content to keep it as clean as possible. Something about it reminding him of his dad? 

I instantly think the worst.

Thinking back to when we were designing hero costumes, Shino showed me another mask. So many masks I'm loosing track... This one was metal, and more old looking. He said he was his fathers. What if... No... Impossible.. Please don't be possible... Shino's parents are dead... He said they were gone... (Spoiler alert it's not)

I search for any similar features and fail to find any. It doesn't help that I can't see an inch of this dudes body. I can see some hair though. It's yellow... and... glowing? 

Suddenly the masked man walks up to the microphone for the dome and taps it a few times. He pulls the mask off his face and I finally see. He looks nothing like Shino. Thank goodness... First of all, he's much paler, his eyes are blue, but his pupils glow brightly. His physique is one comparable to a Greek god, I'm serious! Even his face looks kinda like one from those old-timey engravings and paintings. 

"Hello young heroes." He says it as if it's some kind of curse, basically spits it. "I am Phoibos. And yes, I am a villain." I notice the microphone wire has electricity surrounding it, the electricity seems to hover above the wire like a snake. "I don't want much. Not much harm, not much damage, not much panic." Avian has been checking on students this whole time, and by the time he gets to me and Shino, he has a serious look in his eyes. 

"Do you know this guy?" Avian says in a whisper, directed at Shino. Shino shakes his head, a worried expression painted on his face. "Well listen, we don't know what this dude wants, but seeing the obvious connection, we might want to keep you safe." Then Avian glances to me. "You might want to come as well, if he saw that you're with him, he might question you." 

Avian then covers us with his wings, leading us to behind the burning building as discreetly as possible. 

"I gotta get back out there, but remember to make good choices. Please. For the sake of you and your classmates." We both nod and I turn to Shino.

Shino seems to be distracting himself by absorbing the light from the flames, making them extinguish. He has a distinct look as he absorbs the fire. He notices my worried gaze.

"Wouldn't want to get burned." He says blandly with a shrug. 

"Shino this is scary." I say in a whisper.

"I know. I don't know who this guy is?! But his mask is the same as my dad's... What if he knew him... Or knows me?" I can hear the fear in Shino's voice. I tone I don't think I've heard often. 

Suddenly he grabs his mask and throws it into a flame. He waits for ot to turn into ash before extinguishing that one as well. I walk over to hug him.

Shino hold onto my arms around his shoulders and looks down at the floor.

We hear Avian call out before the building gets pushed towards our faces.

—~Shino POV~—

"Artemis! Artemis are you ok!?" I yell out, coughing on the dust from the now broken building. I quickly made a barrier to protect us, but we still got separated. I made sure to keep one on him just in case. I try to look through the dust, searching for light. I finally catch my eyes on the faint glowing sphere. I start to run towards it until a figure drops down. Then it's as if my dome was sucked up into a vacuum. I wince as it breaks. The figure reaches down and grabs Artemis tightly. I can only see there silhouettes through all this thick dust, but the glowing hair of the perpetrator makes it easier. 

I run faster now. If anything happens to Artemis I swear... 

I can't hear a thing. My ears are filled with white noise. I call out, I can't even hear that. Then my ears pop from a loud sound. The guy that has Artemis in a chokehold yelled.

"FOUND YOU." 

I feel panic set in. I rush even faster, listening to his monologue getting louder and louder.

"I finally found you. The kid that could make my life so much easier."

"Do you know how long I've waited for this? How long I've been searching for you? For your parents?"

"Your dad had what I needed, then you killed him. Yeah, I know about your little secret."

What the hell is this idiot on about?

"Coeus."

"Coeus had what I needed, then you took him away from me you little prat."

With that, my heart sinks. 

Coeus, is my fathers name. This guy thinks he's talking to Shino Basca. It must've been the light... The dome of light led him to Artemis... He thought Artemis was using "his" quirk. 

I'm finally in front of them. This Phoibos guy has Artemis in a chokehold, their faces inches apart. He turns to me for a second after Artemis' eyes dart in my direction. He's struggling to breathe.

"LET HIM GO!" I yell, although it burns, it's like the dust is scratching a hole in my throat. "ITS ME YOU WANT, IM SHINO BASCA, LET HIM GO!" I scream again, I can feel all my markings glowing with rage. 

Phoibos has a startled look, dropping Artemis immediately. Artemis falls with a gasp. I can see red and purple bruising on his neck. I swear under my breath and turn back to Phoibos.

"You certainly look more the part. Well then." Phoibos states. Does that mean... He knew my parents? 

Suddenly the dust clears and we can see clearly. Avian is above us and our classmates are in small groups behind him.

"You will turn yourself in immediately. You have put our students in danger, attacked our students, and even threatened our students. I don't recommend you make your case worse." Avian says boldly, radiating a similar energy too mine. 

Phoibos scoffs and turns back to me. "You are no match for a GOD little one. So just give it up." 

What is this freak talking about?

"I want your light. Can't you see? Our quirks obviously share some similarities. I need light to function. You have what I need. So did your father, but then you killed him, so. Tough." Phoibos finally explains himself. 

So that's what he's after... I can see some shocked gasps and looks from my classmates. Non of them knew about my past. I sigh and shake my head.

"So, that's all you want? You had to do all of this, WHEN YOU COULD JUST STAND IN THE SUN FOR A FEW SECONDS!?" I yell again. If our quirks really are similar, I don't see why he can't just get his light from somewhere else... Why does he want my light?

Without warning, I get slapped in the face with a giant hand of light. I hold my cheek and wince. I feel like that was closer to getting slapped in the face with a leather belt rather than a hand. 

"STUPID CHILDREN! I need people's light. Can't you see?! I'm only a villain to survive. I have to kill other people with a light quirk, so I can take their light, so, I can live. You and your father happen to share this incredibly strong light that could probably keep me going for years."

I fall silent. So that's it. He's going to kill me. After all my life has been, after the people I saved, the people I killed, the people I hurt, the people I've helped. The life I've built. How hard I've fought just so some stupid villain wouldn't get to kill me before I get myself killed. After all of that,

He is going to kill me. 

—~Third Person POV~—

The panic in everyone's eyes is obvious. Except Shino's. He just seems distant, in a land of his own. Artemis hands down looks the most terrified for the very near future. He has been bandaged around his throat and is currently being checked, but he stopped paying attention to his nurse, all he can see is Shino standing still as Phoibos walks towards him. 

If his throat wasn't closed off before, it certainly is now. 

"He can't..." Artemis says in a hoarse voice. 

"Don't worry Artemis, we can save him. We just need to buy some time." Avian tries to assure, while also worried. He still tries to devise a plan.

"He Can't." Artemis repeats, slightly sterner, still incredibly hoarse. 

"Artemis, what do you mean?" Avian says cautiously. 

"His light is what keep him alive... Have ever noticed his veins?! I'm pretty sure he has just as much of that as he does blood, if not more. If... If he looses too much he knocks out. I can't imagine if we waited just a little too long... We can't wait, we have to save him now!" Artemis explains as quickly as he can, but his throat orders him to take pauses and lower his voice at times.

Avian looks back at them with panic. Phoibos has his hand outstretched to Shino, who still has that faraway look in his eyes. 

Avian tries to attack at Phoibos with stone wings, but Phoibos delivers a hard punch. Avian winces and falls to his knees, feeling a slight rattle of pain from his wings.

"How about we go somewhere more private? What do you say?" Phoibos says before him and Shino disappear with a flash of light. 

Panic sets into Artemis. As well as Avian. And all of their class.

—~+~—

"So. I figured I'd give you a nice view while you perish slowly." Phoibos says with his arms outstretched, the backdrop of the sky behind him. He had transported them to the top of a building.

"Any last sentiments?" Phoibos says while looking directly at Shino.

Silence fills the cool air.

Phoibos wastes no time before reaching his hand out to Shino again.

Suddenly Shino feels a sharp pain in his chest. It feeling like heartburn, but worse. As Shino brings a hand up to his chest, he see's the glowing light seeping through the fibers of his hero outfit. His jacket having been discarded from way back when Artemis and Shino were sparring,—Oh how much can change in the matter of 30 minutes—reveals the violent glowing of Shino's veins. He winces in pain, seeing small particles of visible light being sucked from his heart. Shino falls to his knees from the pain, it feels like his heart is burning, while also he's bleeding out, getting sleepier and sleepier..

—~+~—

The situation is dire as Shino's life force is being drained by Phoibos. Artemis and the rest of their class watch helplessly from a distance, their fear and desperation growing with each passing moment. Avian struggles to recover from the punch he received, unable to intervene. 

Artemis looks up at them, determination coursing through his veins. Artemis stand from his position on the floor and disappears into shadows. He can hear feint calls for him to come back, but he drowns them out, only focus of saving Shino. He scales the building through shadow traveling, rushing to make it in time.

When Artemis reaches the top, he scopes out the surface, trying to ignore the pain his neck is putting him through. 'Once this is all over.. we can all get some medical attention... I'll deal with that then, right now Shino is my top priority. And honestly... If I have to shove this dude off the roof just to save Shino... I'll do it without hesitation' 

Artemis tenses when he finally sees them. Shino is on his hands and knees before Phoibos, some glowing particles flying between them. Artemis has to think quickly if his purpose in the moment is to do more than watch his boyfriend die. 

Artemis starts controlling Phoibos' shadow, first making it wave, to make sure the villain doesn't notice. Artemis slowly has the shadow connect with Phoibos, the dark arms locking around his neck before they squeeze tightly. 

A technique Artemis is much too familiar with. At least he knows it's effective?

Phoibos seizes up, his hand that was outstretched to Shino, is now bent upwards, severing their connection. As if Phoibos' hold was the only thing holding him up, Shino falls forward, probably knocked out from exhaustion. Artemis wishes he could run to him, but he has to make sure Phoibos is in the same condition before releasing him.

Artemis concentrates, almost forgetting the way his neck stings and burns. He drowns out the rather morbid sound of Phoibos choking, and focuses on making the shadowy grip tighter and tighter. 

Eventually another sound breaks through his consciousness. The sound of Phoibos falling to the ground with a loud thud.

Artemis releases his hold on his shadow, panting heavily. Although the deep breaths are scratching at the inside of his throat. He glances at Shino, who has curled up in a ball on the ground. 

Artemis rushes over to him, examining his condition. The glow of all his markings has died down, and he seems cold. Shino opens his eyes slightly when Artemis is checking his pulse. 

Shino mumbles something similar to Artemis' name, to which Artemis grips his hand tightly.

"It's ok Shino. I got you." Artemis whispers, not sure if Shino can hear him. Whether it be from Artemis having the most hoarse voice in the world, or his physical condition, either way, Artemis said it. He said it for himself too, proud that he was able to save Shino from an untimely demise.

—~+~—

The days following involved hospitalization, a neck brace, and locking Shino in a room with 26 lamps in it. 

Since Shino was too badly injured, just cuts and scrapes from the building, all he needed was an energy boost. The hospital staff decided that the best option was to put him near as many lights as possible so he could absorb the light. Rikku compared him to a solar panel, but Iris said that it's called a solar panel because it needs the sun. 

Artemis has a broken neck, expectedly, but he also added more damage from putting extra stress on the injury. Artemis thought it was worth it, because without that "extra stress" Shino most likely would've been dead. 

Phoibos wasn't killed, the news was greeted with a surprising groan of annoyance from Artemis. They were able to take him into custody, he was arrested for 12 murders and various attempted murders, one being Shino. 

Avian over apologized for the incident, which was met with multiple reassurances and even "good work"'s from the students, mostly out of pity.

—~Artemis POV~—

The hospital sent is stuck in my nose after being there for a while. They put me in this uncomfortable neck brace for a while, but I finally got it off. I wasn't allowed to see Shino, they said, "Additional presence could overwhelm him, he needs time to recover, blah blah blah."  Stupid hospital workers...

Since Shino seems back to full health, I can finally see him again! 

I make my way to his room, which has a few wires going into the door, opened just a crack. I push it slightly to see a crap ton of lamps, some on and some off, the ceiling lights are on, and the windows are open, the sunlight blinding me slightly when I walk in.

I finally see Shino, sitting cross legged on the bed, reading something. I smile at the fact he looks like nothing even happened. I rush towards him, pushing away the book and giving him a tight hug. 

"Ah! Be careful silly!" Shino says, but hugs me back just a little tighter. I admire his soft sweet tangerine scent. 

"I missed you so much Shino! Those stupid hospital workers wouldn't let me see you!" I mumble while nuzzling my face into Shino's non strained neck. 

"I mean I wouldn't have been all that fun to hang out with to be fair, I was asleep a lot." Shino says with a chuckle. I smile. 

"I still missed you though." I climb onto the bed with him and look at the blurb of his book. 

"Why are you reading, 'A Guide to Medicinal Plants of Appalachia'?" I ask Nile staring quizzically at the title.

"Oh I dunno, I was bored and one of the nurses said I might like it." Shino shrugs and slides his bookmark in between the pages. 

"So they basically just called you boring?" I stifle a laugh and Shino rolls his eyes.

"I'd rather be boring than break my neck." Shino counters, a proud expression on his face.

"You know I'd do anything for you." I say, my playful smile turns softer, and more genuine.

"I appreciate that but you can't go risking you health for me, so don't go doing that again, I can't bear the thought of loosing you." Shino says while taking my hand.

"It's the same for me Shino, I didn't want to just sit and watch you get killed, I could never do that." I rest my head on Shino's shoulder, remembering his almost lifeless form on top of the building. 

"Just be more careful, please, things could've gone much worse." Shino's expression shifts again. "Thank you though. It's nice to have a big strong boyfriend to come save me if I ever need it." 

I blush and stammer a response before finally giving up on forming a coherent sentence. Shino chuckles and I can see feint blush on his cheeks as well. 

"Remember...Well I don't know if you remember... but... I I said I got you... I intend on sticking to that statement."