Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 179: Who isn’t?

"What?" Tila’s voice sharpened, her blindfolded head tilting, her cuffed hands twitching behind her back, suspicion flaring despite her exhaustion.

"She told me to cure your phobia of the dark," Kael said, his voice steady, the bed creaking as he shifted. "That’s why she helped me build the training room, she wasn’t just running errands because I asked her. It was our deal—her request, Tila. I’m doing this because she wants you to be free of it. The one thing, you are the most afraid of that you even sleep with an eye open."

"No, you’re lying," Tila snapped, her voice raw, her blindfold skewing slightly, her body tensing. "Lila wouldn’t—"

"I’m not lying," Kael cut in, his tone firm but gentle, his powers still calming her pulse. "I don’t need to. This is my job—helping you, both of you."

Tila’s breath hitched, her voice breaking, a desperate edge.

"I can’t take this torture anymore. Take this damn blindfold off, you creep." Her words were harsh, but the fight was draining, her shivering faint, the collar’s hum a quiet reminder of her limits.

"Fine, you went through a lot already." Kael nodded, his grin softening, and reached for the blindfold, untying it gently, the black fabric slipping away.

Tila blinked, her eyes squinting against the dim light, her black hair a messy tangle, her gaze sharp but weary.

"Now get away from me, you creep," she said, her voice rough, leaning back on the bed, her cuffed hands shifting.

"Okay," Kael said, his voice friendly, his powers dimming as he stood, stepping back from the bed, giving her space, the room’s stale air easing. "So, where was the cockroach?" she asked, her eyes narrowing, scanning the floor.

"Oh, I stomped it," Kael said, pointing to a faint wet mark near the bed, his grin sly. "Probably stuck to my boot. Look, right there." The mark was just some drool from Tila’s curled-up panic, but she didn’t need to know that.

"Hmm. Fine," Tila muttered, her eyes flicking to the spot, her shoulders relaxing slightly, the blanket slipping off her lap.

"No thanks?" Kael teased, his grin widening, leaning against the wall, the Haven’s creaky silence settling around them.

Tila glared, her lips twitching. "You gonna take these cuffs off if I say it?"

"Yes I will," Kael said, his tone light, his hand resting on the cuff key at his belt.

"Then... thanks," Tila said, her voice grudging, her eyes rolling, her cheeks faintly pink, the word dragged out like it pained her.

"That was the most unthankful thanks ever." Kael chuckled, stepping forward to unlock the handcuffs, the metal clinking as they fell away.

He sensed her fear spike as the cuffs came off, her hands trembling slightly, her breath catching.

"Let’s not pounce on me now," he said, his tone joking, stepping back to sit on the floor in front of her, his grin easy.

"I’m not stupid," Tila snapped, rubbing her wrists, her glare sharp, but her voice softer, her guard still up but cracking.

Kael tilted his head, his grin playful. "You know, now that I look closer, you’re kind of cute when you’re not trying to bite my head off and yelling crude words which don’t match those pretty lips of yours."

"What?!" Tila’s cheeks flushed deeper, her eyes widening, her voice a mix of outrage and fluster.

"Shut up, you creep! Don’t get any ideas, you pervy weirdo." Her hands balled into fists, but her lips twitched, a spark of amusement betraying her scowl.

Then she licked her lips, they glistened.

Kael laughed, leaning back on his hands, the floor cool under him.

"What? It was just a compliment. Got to admit, you’ve got that fierce vibe going. Makes you stand out."

"Stand out?" Tila scoffed, her eyes narrowing, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Save your lame pickup lines for someone dumb enough to fall for them. You’re not charming me, hero-boy."

"Hero-boy?" Kael grinned, his voice teasing. "That’s new. Keep it up, and I’ll start thinking you like me."

"Like you? I’d rather kiss a cockroach," Tila shot back, her lips twitching into a smirk, her arms crossing, the collar glinting as she leaned forward. "You’re lucky I’m not punching you right now."

"Lucky me," Kael said, his laugh warm, his eyes glinting. "But seriously, you’re tough. I have got to respect that, even if you’re a pain in my ass."

"Tough?" Tila snorted, her voice dry, but her flush lingered, her guard softening. "You’re the pain, creeping around like a wannabe shrink. Go flirt with your bimbos."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head, the banter lightening the room’s heavy air, Tila’s sharp jabs hiding a flicker of warmth, her defenses not as ironclad as before.

"By the way, are you hungry?" he asked, his tone casual, standing to stretch, the creaky floor groaning under his boots.

Tila glared, her eyes narrowing, suspicion flaring. "Why?"

"Why’re you so suspicious of everything?" Kael said, his grin wry, leaning against the doorframe. "I’m just asking if you want food, not plotting to poison you."

"You’re the suspicious one," Tila retorted, her voice sharp, her arms still crossed. "Scheming, pervy, lecherous creep. Bet you’re planning something gross."

Kael laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, if you’re not hungry, I’ll leave you be."

"Hey!" Tila snapped, her voice rising, her glare faltering. "I didn’t say I’m not hungry."

"So, you are hungry?" Kael teased, his grin sly, his hand on the door.

Tila’s eyes rolled, her voice grudging. "Depends. What’ve you got to eat?"

Kael thought for a second, his grin mischievous. "Cucumber."

Tila’s face scrunched, her voice flat.

"Cucumber? Seriously?" Kael burst out laughing, waving it off. "Kidding, kidding. Got leftovers from last night or—popcorn, chips, some soda."

"Popcorn with butter," Tila said, her tone firm, her eyes glinting, a spark of interest breaking through her scowl. "No cheap stuff."

"Deal," Kael said, his grin warm. "Wanna watch TV? Got some scary movies rented, figured you might like ’em."

Tila’s eyes narrowed again, suspicion flickering. "Why?"

Kael sighed, his voice playful. "Thought you loved TV. Don’t you? Or are you too tough for horror flicks?"

"You got horror movies?" Tila’s voice lifted slightly, her interest piqued, her arms uncrossing. "For me?"

"Yeah," Kael said, his grin easy. "But you’re on my watch. Don’t want you getting any funny ideas. I know I’m cute and handsome—last thing I need is you trying to violate me."

Tila cringed, her face twisting, her voice dripping with disgust.

"Violate you? Gross, Kael, you’re delusional. I’d rather wrestle a skunk." But her lips twitched, a reluctant smirk breaking through, her flush faint but there.

Kael chuckled, gesturing to the door.

"Come on, tough girl. Let’s make popcorn." Tila hesitated, then followed, her steps cautious, the collar humming softly, the Haven’s creaky halls echoing as they reached the kitchen.

Kael grabbed a popcorn bag, tossing it in the microwave, the hum filling the air.

Tila snatched the butter, pouring a generous stream into a bowl, her movements competitive, rivaling Rhea’s love for excess, the rich, salty aroma rising.

"Got any flavors for this?" Tila asked, wincing at the plain popcorn, her voice sharp, her hands on her hips.

"Nope," Kael said, his grin teasing, leaning against the counter. "Gotta make do with what we got, princess."

Tila’s eyes rolled, her voice dry. "Princess? Lame. Guess I’ll survive this sad excuse for a snack." She grabbed the bowl, piling it high, the butter glistening, her hunger from all the yelling clear.

Kael led her to the living room, the TV’s glow casting shadows, the Haven’s worn couch creaking as they sat.

"Which horror movie?" he asked, flipping through rentals, the remote clicking.

"’The Loungering,’" Tila said, her voice firm, her eyes glinting with anticipation, the popcorn bowl balanced on her lap.

"Nice choice," Kael said, starting the movie, the eerie soundtrack filling the room, the screen flickering with ghostly figures.

Tila laughed at the first ghost, her voice loud, mocking the jump-scare, her popcorn crunching.

"This is supposed to be scary? Weak." Another scare flashed, Kael flinching slightly, his hand gripping the couch, and Tila cackled, her laugh sharp, her eyes glinting.

"What a pussy," she teased, tossing a popcorn kernel at him, her voice smug. "Jumping at that? You’re pathetic, Kael."

"Sicko," Kael shot back, his grin wry, brushing off the kernel. "You’re just twisted, laughing at ghosts like they’re clowns."

"Clowns are scarier," Tila said, her smirk wide, shoving more popcorn in her mouth, butter smudging her fingers. "You’re a wussy, hero-boy. Bet you sleep with a nightlight teddy bear, oh wait, you got those bimbos for you now."

"Keep talking, tough girl," Kael said, his laugh warm, grabbing a handful of chips to keep up, the salty crunch loud. "I’ll see who ends up with a teddy bear first."

Tila snorted, her eyes on the screen, laughing through every jump-scare, her bowl emptying fast, chips piling up beside her, her competitive junk eating matching Rhea’s.