ˢⁱⁿᶠᵘˡ ⁱⁿᶠᵃᵗᵘᵃᵗⁱᵒⁿ

໒꒰ྀི'🐍‧｡⋆

[ helping hand ]

𝐒𝐨, 𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐤'𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬. You clearly didn't have any good luck due to the fact that the moment he looked away to try and scold you, the creatures suddenly began charging after shouting in a random language.

Gunshots rang through the area as you ducked behind a car, quickly grabbing your guns, aiming it at one of the creatures. You've had your fair share of slasher films, so you shot directly at the head after witnessing one of the humanoid's only drop down after a merciless round of ammo by a soldier. The creature fell to the floor as its head exploded, leaving nothing but charred flesh in its wake.

Harley joined your side, and you found yourself back-to-back with her as you walked sideways, each honing to one another as you shot the creatures. You wanted to gather Deadshot, K.C and maybe the fire guy, and you didn't even bother with Harkness, knowing damn well he was probably halfway across the city at this point. 

You leaped forward, dodging a bullet before swiping your leg, causing the humanoid to fall to the ground. You stomped pettily on its face, sinking to the floor when its head was nothing much broken mush. 

You leaned down, retrieving the gun and... an axe? Where the hell did it score one of these? Holding it up, you admired the shining metal with a glint in your eyes, completely ignoring the battle going on around you. 

"Eyes up, Viper!" you heard Deadshot call, causing your attention to snap back and immediately began fighting with the newly acquired weapon. 

"Get off me!"

The yell was curt, and it sounded from close to you. Turning around, your eyes latched onto Rick, who was being dragged away by a small group of the creatures. The colonel's hits were futile, given the humanoids gave no reaction and continued pulling him away. 

You found yourself spinning back around, ignoring his shouts as you continued fighting. 

Just think about yourself. He wouldn't do the same for you.

"Flag!" GQ screamed, shooting at the captors. 

"Good riddance," Harley grinned at you, causing you to chuckle and shake your head, although the action had you locking eyes with Deadshot. 

"Y/N! He dies, we die!" he yelled.

You sighed, pinching your eyes shut before shouting, "Fuck!" 

Spinning around and leaping forward, you wrapped your legs and groaned at the feeling of the orbs rubbing against your thigh. Bashing your fists, they split through the head of the humanoid creature, before you aimed your gun at another.

GQ managed to kill the other two by firing, and you wiped your lip as you held out your hand. Rick took it, allowing you to help him up as he muttered, "Thanks."

"Kiss my ass, you prick."

His mouth parted in exasperation as he watched your figure running forward, shooting at another humanoid that nearly harmed K.C.

Deadshot moved forward, and with each push of his finger against the trigger, each creature that was on the other side of his gun met the same fate. Bullet after bullet, the humanoids dropped to the floor. The hitman climbed up onto an abandoned cop car, discarding the larger gun for his pistol and arm gun.

The other soldiers lowered the guns, eyes wide in shock, awe... and fear as they watched Deadshot kill the dozens of creatures.

Finally, the gunshots were nothing but an echo as Floyd caught his breath, turning around and hopping off the car with a sneer.

As he passed Flag, who had the decency to lower his head, he muttered, "That's how I cut and run."

You offered a lift of your lips as Deadshot walked towards you. "Nice shooting," you complimented, and he huffed slightly with a nod as you both turned and ventured towards Harley. 

"Hey," he called, the woman looking up from the creature who she had continuously smashed her bat into. "Hey, come on."

"What? I saw it move," she defended, performing a kick to it's body. "See? It flinched. I think."

"It definitely flinched," you agreed, Harley grinning at you. You liked feeding into her delusions. It was amusing.

"Hey, you were some help, princess," Harkness said, eyeing Diablo.

"It's better this way," the man stated, swaying his hand where a trail of fire followed. Within the flames, a burning skull was found but Harkness merely gasped in mock understanding.

"Oh, yeah, you're the fire bloke, eh?"

"Yeah, I was. Yeah."

"Right, yeah. Hey." Harkness lifted a lighter in his hand, flicking over the lid where a small spark ignited. "Well, looky here. Whoo! It's fire. Whoo!"

"God, would you shut up?" you snapped, already growing tired of his voice. "You weren't any better, Mr. Boomerang. You were running scared with your tail in between your legs."

"At least I came back," he glared.

"For Pinky, right?" you questioned, watching as his eyes widened and an annoyed muttering of curses leaving his lips as he crossed his arms.

"The brief said terrorists," GQ spat out, coming face to face with Flag who stood near Harley and yourself. "You wanna start explaining this?"

"If I told you, would you believe me?" he asked.

"What are they?" Harley wondered after a moment.

"I don't know."

"That's bullshit," Floyd said. "Thing has on a $3,000 watch." The statement caused your gaze to move to Harkness, who was holding up a silver watch, covered in grime. "Is that a person?"

"It was," Flag confirmed. "Now it's not." Turning around, he looked down at Boomerang, who was listening to the watch to see if it was still working underneath all the dirt. "Hey, don't!"

"What?" he asked innocently, standing up to face Flag.

"We got a job to do." At the sudden growling coming from his side, he looked over at K.C who watched with a venomous gaze in his beady little eyes. "We're moving. Get your boy's moving," he ordered GQ, who sighed but proceeded the demand nonetheless.

As the soldiers moved, you looked up, finding K.C's gaze on you and the newly acquired weapon. "What? It's a souvenir," you shrugged, smiling down at the axe.

"It suits you," he gruffly complimented. 

"Thanks, big guy," you grinned, patting his shoulder.

Walking through the city was boring and quiet, so count on Harley to smash a window to grab a gold purse she thought was cute to spice things up. Rick and the soldiers spun around, guns held high whilst you simply watched the girl walk into the display and grab the bag.

"Seriously? The hell is wrong with you people?" Flag questioned.

"We're bad guys. It's what we do," she replied with a roll of her eyes.

Sighing, you found yourself mulling over your thoughts, gaze trained on the ground as you twirled the axe over your shoulder. You wanted to know what the point of this entire operation was. It definitely wasn't terrorists, from what you gathered at the fight with those humanoid aliens. The government wasn't telling any of the team what was happening. What's new?

"Hey."

Your ears perked at the sound of the southern drawl, and you looked up, finding Rick slowing to a stop to match your pace. You were irked by his presence, and the way his eyes sought out your own with effort. 

"What?"

Flag sighed, fixing his gun in his grip as he glanced around the street. "I wanted to thank you."

"For?"

"Helping me out," he answered. 

"Oh. That," you remembered. "All good." After being met with silence, you spoke with a tiny curl of your lips, "That apology must've been a bite at your ego."

"I'm tryin' to be nice here," Rick scoffed.

"What, you want a prize or something?" you asked with a pinch of your eyebrows, coming to a stop, the colonel following your halt in movement. "Look, Flag, you and your little squadron don't have to pretend like you want us here. But you damn sure need us. I saved your life, and if I have to do it again, I want much more than an apology."

His eyes widened at your demand, and he was quick to run his gaze over you. "And that would be?"

"I want out," you answered after groaning. "The moment this mission is done, I want to leave a free woman. No more Belle Reve."

"That ain't gonna happen," he chuckled, shaking his head. "You know, you got some nerve asking for that. You're a villain. You're the Viper; the woman who sinks her teeth into anyone who crosses her path."

"Enough with the promo," you glared. "You and Waller haven't even told us the reason as to why we, a bunch of villains and thieves, are here at the command of the government... But I know. You're picking society's criminals so that good men and women don't die in what can only be described as some mythical shit after those things I just saw."

"There's a line, and you're crossing it, Lockwoods," Flag stated, stepping closer to you. 

"Fuck that line," you spat. "And fuck you too."

"God damnit, get off your fucking high horse," he exclaimed with a scowl. "You're nothing more than a conniving snake who kills for a living. You're damn right, Y/N; if it was between you and your ratpack of supervillains, and the fine soldiers of the American government, I sure as hell would be picking the people who do nothing but torment the world."

"I'm gonna shoot you," you threatened with a tilt of your head. 

"And I'll blow your fucking brains out," he retorted. 

"Woah, okay. The hell's going on here?" Deadshot questioned, stepping forward and moving you backwards with his arm. 

"This prick-."

"She's acting-."

"Man, shut up!" Floyd interrupted with a shake of his head. "Y/N, hang with Harley."

"What-?"

"Flag, step up and move with your ragtag assholes."

You glared at Rick, venomous as ever before reluctantly sighing and walking towards Harley, who greeted you with a wave and her shoulder wrapping around your own. 

Rick scoffed, shaking his head as he walked, glancing at Deadshot when he paced beside him. It was quiet between the pair as the colonel pondering your words and the argument that followed. 

He couldn't figure you out. He had read your brief, knowing everything from your birth to your latest crime, and all the bad things that happened in between. Rick knew that you had murdered your father at eighteen, and then went on to kill your little sister only a year later, before turning to a life of crime and becoming the supervillain known as the Viper.

Flag was intrigued. Much like Harley, you were drop dead gorgeous, save for being a psycho. Though, after reading your file, you weren't mentally insane in the way that Harley portrayed herself to be, but... Jesus, some of the things you've done had him sighing out in disbelief and running a hand through his short, buzzed hair. 

He remembered when Waller had called him in. She had explained the entire mission, and he was more than willing to comply with her rules to get his little sister back. But then she had revealed the other objective. 

"Villains? You're joking, right?" he questioned, staring down at the large, stacked manila folder the woman had just placed in front of him. 

"Do I look like I joke?" Waller asked. 

He stared at her with a clenched jaw, before taking the file and opening it. With each flick of another page, his brows furrowed, and his frown deepened. "Crocodiles? Walking matchsticks? Hitmen? What is this, Waller?"

"Your new teammates," she shrugged, leaning further into her chair as her hands rested atop her stomach. Upon the look of utter disbelief, Waller continued, "They're expendable. The public don't know the extent of this new attack, and if a group of criminals die, they won't bat an eye. Hell, they'll be ecstatic. But if an esteemed faction of highly trained soldiers perishes... That'll spark some talk."

"I don't understand. Why these villains? Deadshot?" he read out the names, "Harley Quinn? The Viper? She's a fucking snake. Literally."

"Meta-humans are interesting creatures," she said. Waller was quiet as she watched the colonel sitting down before her. She took notice of the way he hadn't flipped the page he was currently on for about three minutes. "That was Superman's girl."

"What?" Rick questioned, looking up. 

"The Viper." He didn't respond, nostrils flaring as he closed the folder, folding one arm over his chest whilst his other hand palmed his chin with a sigh. "Even the most commendable men can fall for a simple sway of hips and a smile." Leaning forward, she threaded her fingers together with her usual stern look as he glanced at her. "Flag, these criminals are going on the mission whether you like it or not. After all, they're going to help you save your sister. Isn't that reason enough?"

Rick sighed, shaking his head at the memory before looking over at Floyd. "Hey, Deadshot. I've been thinking. If we don't come together, no one's walking out of here alive."

"Hm. And?"

"These people respect you. You got influence."

"Alright. What's your play right now?" Floyd questioned.

"You're a man of your word, right?" Rick recalled, causing Deadshot to scoff out a chuckle. "I want my mission. You want your life and your kid back. You help me keep this Mardi Grads parade in line, and I'll hook you up."

"Waller is the puppet master," the hitman said. "You ain't got shit to hook me up with."

"I got plenty of my own strings to pull. You just get them to the top of that target building and get my rescuee on that extraction halo."

"And you're gonna make sure I get paid?"

"And you get paid," Rick confirmed. "You get paid, and you get your fresh start."

You came to a stop when Flag and the others halted. They bent down to their knees and began speaking to one another in low voices. You didn't like that you and the rest of the squad were getting left out of the important information they were giving to only each other. Especially Floyd. 

As they finished speaking, the group continued walking and you followed after them, glancing over your shoulder when the bleached woman didn't continue. 

"Harley, you coming?" you called over your shoulder.

She looked away from the abandoned motorcycle on the side of the road, looking at you with a slow nod of her head in response to your question. You were walking alongside Floyd whilst Harley traipsed towards K.C who was a little ways in front of you and the hitman. 

She tilted her head as she came to her side. "Why do you eat people?"

He snapped his head to her with a deep growl before answering, "Gives me their power."

She grinned, spinning around in front of him. "Would you like to eat me?"

"Hell no."

"Aw, why not?"

"I don't want your crazy," he answered.

"Says the guy who lives in a sewer," Harley countered.

"At least I know it's a sewer," K.C said, now that she had moved to his other side.

"Oh, I get it," the woman breathed out, pointing her bat at the stores lining the large street. "Cause like, this is a sewer too, only with nice shops and restaurants, right? Mmm. You hate mankind much?" Patting his shoulder, she pouted mockingly. "Let me guess. Mummy didn't take you to Chuck E. Cheese on your sixth birthday. I can recommend a good therapist."

He suddenly reared his fist towards her face, the woman unflinching as he paused just at her cheek. Harley simply giggled with a wide grin as he walked ahead. 

"Why?" Diablo simply questioned after watching the interaction.

"Because I'm bored," she drawled out. "I need a victim, a mind to pry apart and spit in."

"Just leave it, mate. She's a rabbit hole. Don't fall in," Harkness advised with a roll of his eyes.

Harley hissed in retaliation at his retreating form, before glancing to the side. There, her eyes found Katana, and with a smile, she pointed her bat at the woman. 

"And here's one now." Katana looked over with a scowl as the woman listed, "Japanese, female. Mid-20's, 5'5", good health, athletic. And... an only child. With deep-seated father issues." The women came to a stop as Harley looked down upon Katana. "Daddy wanted a son, so she has to hide behind a mask."

Katana lifted her hand to the white and red mask resting upon the top half of her face. She slowly removed it, revealing a stricken face covered in scars. 

"I am not... hiding."

"Now that was gangster," Harley complimented, before a hand on her shoulder seized her away. 

"Harley, why don't you stop acting like a drunken stripper?" Deadshot asked.

"You wanna tell me what the hell is going on, then?" she questioned in refute, glancing at you who stood by his side. "Tell us at least. Cause..." She sniffed at the air in front of his face. "I smell a rat."

"If they don't blow our heads off, we'll have to fight our way out of this city," Floyd said. "I need you to place nice with the other children."

"And quietly return to my cage," she murmured. "Hey, that's okay, sellout. I get it. I get it. I know how the world works, okay? And when it comes to the heart, everyone for themselves, right?"

She ripped the bat from his hands, strutting away as you breathed out through your nose. 

"What's she talking about?" you questioned, facing him.

"Not you too," he muttered. "Nothing."

"I hate being lied too, Floyd," you glared, scoffing and shaking your head as you walked off, keeping a distance from Harley purely because you wanted to be left alone. 

Too much was happening for you to comprehend or even have another second to think about. You hated the way Flag was all self-righteous and was clearly hiding something from not just you, but the entire team. Even his own squadron. And now, the one person who you (stupidly) thought you could rely on was now hiding something from you as well. 

Bastards.