Since then, five years have passed.
Juno just finished her Hero Training and is a fully registered hero for the Agency. However, she mainly focuses on building gadgets for other heroes to use. Her knowledge in science and technology has paid off and she is fairly happy in life now.
Maybe a bit lonely, but everyone's been there at least once.
She was currently in her room at the headquarters when she got a notification.
She put down her latest project and picked up her phone.
"Villain attack on fifth street; it's the new one. You will handle it solo."
She sighed and turned off her phone. Placing it on her desk.
"Here we go again…"
Juno got up from her seat and went to get ready for the fight.
…
Damien was rather bored. Sure, he had a lot more power and influence now, but it was no fun waiting around for a hero. He got all dressed up for her and she's not even here!
His shoes, polished. His hair, well styled. His mask, securly in place.
He sighed dramatically as he sat atop his giant monster companion. Which, he brainwashed to do his bidding. Surprisingly, a large monster bear was quite comfortable to sit on.
"Why must the hero always be late?" He questioned. Practically pouting.
"Why are villians always early?" He heard a familiar voice call out.
He instantly perked up. She's here!
"Ah! Red-eyes! My-
"Don't call me that." She interrupted. She found it insulting that he wouldn't call her by her hero name, but rather a simple nickname like "Red-Eyes".
He placed a hand to his cheek. Smirking lightly.
"My, such hostility… and here I thought heroes were supposed to be friendly." He teased.
"And here I thought villains were supposed to be more serious then that." She snapped back.
He raised his hands in mock surrender.
"I got it, I got it! Geez… I'll stop." He paused and then sat up on the beast.
"You know Red-Eyes, I'm curious. Humor me for a second."
She rolled her eyes, gadget already in her hand.
"Fine. Make it quick."
"Okay- hear me out: why does the Angency always pair you up with me for fights? Weird, right?"
Juno's eye twitched.
"You can't be serious." She said annoyed.
"Oh you'll find I'm very serious."
Juno sighed and rubbed her forehead with her free hand.
"It's because the agency likes to keep things consistent. I don't know the specifics."
He crossed his arms and clicked his tongue.
"That is quite the half-assed reason."
"I told you: I don't know the specifics!"
"Woah! Okay okay! I get it. No need to be so hostile!" He said defensively. "I was just asking…" he mumbled.
They fought like usual. Rough, long, and with a lot of side comments from Damien. However he is called "Azure" as a villain.
At some point Juno got the upper hand and cornered him at gunpoint in a back alley. The police cleaning up the scene. She held it against his through.
"Don't you dare move!" She hissed.
He smirked, his hands up in surrender.
"My, always so quick to violence. Huh, Red-Eyes?"
She pushed the gun closer to his throat. Making an indent.
"Okay! okay! I'll be serious!" He corrected himself quickly.
She noticed the edge of his mask coming up. She got curious.
"Oh?"
"'Oh' what?" He replied. Seeing her get off topic.
She stared intently at the mask. Debating between ripping it off or just throwing him in prison. She decided to have a little fun. Why not? It could be a little reward after a job well done.
He suddenly realized what she was looking at. His eyes widened in panic.
"Oi, what are you looking at? Red-eyes?-
She teased him, slowly peeling away the edge of the mask.
"Red-Eyes, NO!"
She smirked at him. That mischievous look in her eye.
She kept the gun to his throat as she ripped the mask off him in one swift movement.
Her eyes widened.
Damien looked down at her. And then he started to smirk slowly. His voice slightly lower.
"Ha, what's with that look, Red-Eyes? Am I as ugly as you imagined?"
She was stunned. Juno never thought that the one she was fighting would be the one she had a crush on back in middle school. Damien Hugo. The person who was everything Juno wasn't. Was now a world class villain…
His smirk transformed into a gentle smile. His eyes softened. More genuine. He slowly reached up and touched her cheek. Then reached up more and pushed her goggles up to the top of her head.
"Hello, Juno…" he said in a soft and gentle tone. Low and deep with genuine warmth as opposed to his usual villain persona.
"H-how…" she stuttered. Trying to wrap her head around the brick of information thst just hit her in the face.
He continued to look down at her with those gentle blue eyes.
"I have a lot to tell you, Red-Eyes. But I'd like to not be at gunpoint first." He said pointing to the gun at his throat.
She looked skeptical, trying to remain professional.
"Why? I still have no reason to trust you…"
Damien sighed, looking exasperated.
"I promise I'm not going to do anything. I just need to know you won't shoot me to death. Is that so much to ask from you woman?"
"'Woman'?! Is that what your calling me now?!" She scoffed. "Never mind. I think I like 'Red-Eyes' better… even if it is a stupid name."
He looked offended.
"How dare you. It's a lovely nickname. And it fits your whole hero identity aesthetic."
She rolled her eyes
"Sure…"
"Hey, you'll thank me in a few years for being recognizable due to the aesthetic!"