The Life of a Villain Healer

*A few hours ago*

I woke up with a start, the stillness of the night pressing against my senses. The clock on the bedside table blinked 3:40 AM in soft, pale numbers, and for a moment, I just stared at it, trying to shake off the grogginess.

The house was completely silent, save for the faint rustling of blankets and soft breaths in the room. It took me a second to realize I wasn't alone in the bed.

When my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I looked toward the center of the bed and saw Leon still nestled between Brianna and me.

The sight stopped me in my tracks. Brianna was hugging him, her arms wrapped protectively around her son.

I noticed how they seemed so perfectly still, both of them asleep, their faces relaxed and peaceful. The sight was tender, and a strange warmth spread through my chest.

Then, as I blinked in the dim light, I realized something that made my heart race. My arm was draped over Brianna too, in a way that could only look like I was hugging both her and Leon.

It was an innocent enough mistake, but panic flared within me. What if they woke up? I had no idea how they'd react to this awkward moment.

In a flurry of motion, I quickly withdrew my hand, pulling it back and freezing completely. I held my breath, watching both Brianna and Leon carefully.

Thankfully, neither stirred. The soft sound of their breathing continued, almost in perfect unison, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

I turned my gaze to Leon, my eyes studying his peaceful face. His short black hair was tousled, and his features, even in sleep, were so much like Brianna's.

He had inherited her eyes and the same delicate yet strong jawline, but there was something more about him, something that made him appear distant. Cold, even.

I wasn't sure if it was just how he looked or if it was something deeper, but in that moment, I knew something about him. Despite that chilly exterior, I could see he was shy.

I smiled softly to myself, the realization making me chuckle quietly. I had only known Leon for less than a day, and yet, I felt like I understood him.

It was strange. I could relate to that feeling of being misunderstood, of coming off as cold when, really, it was just a shield against the world. Shy, quiet, but not really distant or uncaring.

I couldn't help but laugh at how similar Leon and I were. It was almost like a little joke between the two of us.

People probably assumed he was distant, unapproachable, just as they assumed the same about me. But I knew better. We were just shy, both of us. It made me feel oddly comforted, like I wasn't alone in that regard.

And then, just as quickly, I realized I was starting to feel something else for him—a deep, affectionate fondness. It wasn't romantic, of course. No, nothing like that. I shuddered at the thought. What I was feeling was more familial, like a deep connection to him as if he were my son.

I had always wanted to have kids, even though I hadn't yet. The thought of raising a child, of nurturing them and guiding them through the world, had always been something that tugged at my heart.

Maybe that was why I felt this strong bond with Leon already. I didn't know much about him, but I felt like I could protect him. I wanted to protect him.

I quickly shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts and focus on the present. My eyes drifted over to Brianna. I couldn't help but admire her.

She was beautiful, no question about it. Her long purple hair, her perfect features, the way she seemed to glow in the dim light of the room. But there was something more to her than just beauty.

People saw her as this mysterious woman, with an air of mischief about her, like she was always up to something. It made her seem untouchable, even cold, and I'd bet that's exactly how people saw her.

But I knew better. In this room, she was the cold one. I didn't mean that in a harsh way, but there was a certain distance to her that I could feel.

Maybe it was because I'd known what it was like to carry a burden, to hide parts of yourself from the world. She didn't need to show it.

She didn't need to reveal everything about her to the world. It was just who she was.

I chuckled to myself, mentally shaking my head at my own thoughts. It was so easy to get wrapped up in trying to understand people.

Sometimes it felt like the more you tried to understand, the more complicated they became. But I wasn't going to get lost in that now.

Despite not knowing Brianna, Serena, and Valerie for very long, there was a sense of kinship between us. It was the strangest thing.

We were all "heroes," as the public liked to call us. I didn't know if we'd ever be able to get used to that title, but it stuck. We were all part of something larger, something that had marked us in ways we couldn't shake.

Brianna, like me, had awakened at a young age, just like Valerie and Serena. We were all seen as prodigies in our field. Geniuses, as people liked to say.

It felt almost absurd when I thought about it. Here we were, all S-rank hunters—Valerie, Serena, Brianna, and me.

The whole lot of us, under the same roof, all in one place. It was like some kind of safe haven. A cottage full of powerful people.

Me and Serena joked about how this might be the safest place in Elaris, but there was truth in it. All of us had been through so much and survived, and we were still standing, stronger than ever.

But, in truth, I had met Brianna before. We crossed paths at a raid party years ago, before any of this.

At the time, I don't think she even noticed me. She was too focused on her boyfriend.

That night, she seemed so happy, so full of life, but after the raid, she disappeared. I didn't hear from her for a long time.

When she reappeared, it was different. She was no longer with that man, and I knew something had changed.

I had heard rumors. The man she'd been with had been much older than her—six years older, to be exact. Brianna was just 13 at the time.

I suspected she had gotten pregnant and left to live a different life with him.

But when she returned, she wasn't with him anymore. Something had happened, something I could only guess at.

It was heartbreaking. I had been through my own struggles, but to be that young and to face the world alone like she had? It was tough. But that was the reality in our world.

Many young girls fell into relationships with older men, thinking it was love. They followed their hearts, even if it wasn't wise. And people judged them for it. But they shouldn't have.

People needed to understand that those girls were just trying to live their lives. They weren't always making the best choices, but condemning them didn't help.

Brianna, though, had always had this strength about her. She was resilient. I could see that in her eyes now, even as she slept.

A strange thump in my chest reminded me of something, but I quickly dismissed it. I couldn't afford to think about that now.

I quickly moved to the bathroom, trying to shake off the lingering emotions from my thoughts. After taking a quick shower and dressing in a black t-shirt and denim shorts, I padded downstairs to the kitchen. Coffee. I needed coffee.

Valerie and I had planned to go to the mall later today to buy some furniture. I was looking forward to it, even though I knew Valerie would take her time getting ready.

I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, imagining her getting distracted with one thing after another. My ship, Valerie and Serena—on top, as always. It was funny, but it was true. They made the perfect pair.