"This sends 400 volts through your body every twenty seconds," Amp explained as she tightened the restraint. Shadow masked his anxiety with an unceasing scowl. How had this happened? He was fine just a few seconds ago. Now he was here. 

"No way out, kiddo," She laughed. Shadow slammed his wrist against the restraint. It didn't move. It was times like this when he wished that he could teleport.

Amp sat across from him. Watching like it was a show. Shadow's stomach lurched.

It started as a tingle at the base of his spine. Then the 400 volts she had been talking about tore through his body. He grit his teeth. A scream rose in his throat.

He hadn't realized it had stopped for a few seconds. The room spun as he gasped for air. None of his body would move. Everything was tense.

There was a crash. He couldn't find it in him to focus on it. He didn't register what happened until Inferno stormed past him.

Just as it faded the shock came again. It was worse than he remembered. Like a blender set on puree.

Inferno grabbed Amp by her neck and slammed her against the wall. Shadow screamed. Inferno resisted the urge to run to him.

"How do you turn it off?" Inferno demanded. Amp smiled. Mona Lisa smile. 'I know something you don't' smile.

"Wow. They were right. The rumors are true. You two. A villain and a hero..." Amp giggled. Inferno bashed her into the wall again. Blood tricked past her right eye. Shadow screamed. Infernos winced for a second. Just a second

"How?" He shouted. Amp just smiled. Perfectly straight teeth stained with blood. Inferno glared at her, his hand starting to smoke. A glimmer of fear passed across Amps face.

"Tell me before I burn a hole through your neck," Inferno growled. Sweat beaded down Amp's face. She hesitated. Shadow screamed again. Infernos hand started to glow hot red.

"Okay! Okay! You can't turn it off. You have to get him out." She shouted. Inferno dropped her. Amp slumped against the wall, defeat in her eyes.

"I swear, if you even move I'll melt you on the spot," Inferno threatened. Amp nodded, her hand ghosting her neck. Inferno dashed to the chair.

"I'm sorry. I'm here. I'm here," Inferno whispered as he knelt down by the chair. Shadow nodded. His breath was ragged.

"Twenty seconds. Twenty seconds between," He gasped. Inferno nodded. Only twenty seconds. He has to work fast.

Shadow felt the light buzz. He tensed for the shock, resisting the urge to grab Inferno's wrist. Five-second shocks, he had found. It hit him. He tried not to scream, but it was useless.

Shadow rested his head against the seat. His ears buzzed. Infernos fingers twisting at the restraints. It clicked. One down. One to go.

Inferno slid to the other side. "I got you. I got you." He muttered. Shadow nodded. He placed his finger on the lock and focused. His finger started to glow. The lock smoked.

He risked a glance at Amp. She was still sitting where he left her. The lock popped.

Shadow counted. He felt the lock click. Three seconds. Inferno's hands wrapped around his wrist.

Two. He tried to push up, but he couldn't move.

One. Inferno dragged him up. The tingle started, but he was already up. Inferno pulled him into a hug. He was safe.'

"I've got you. I've got you," He whispered. Tears burned in Shadow's eyes.

"Thanks," He breathed. He wrapped his arms around Inferno. His arms felt heavy. He focused on not passing out in Infernos arms.

Amp giggled with a lightness that made Inferno want to break every bone in her body. He draped Shadow's arm across his back and shot her a glare. More important things to focus on than some shallow piece of trash.

"I'll be back. You better be long gone by then," he threatened. Amps eyes widened. Inferno walked out, taking the bearly conscious Shadow with him.

Shadow opened his eyes. He was in his room. Darkness clouded his sight.

"Just a dream," He breathed, pulling his blanket tighter around him. A laugh came from the darkness. It was tinged with sadness.

"I'm afraid not," Inferno said. Shadow shot up and immediately regretted doing so. Pain shot like lighting through his back. He flopped back on the bed. Inferno stood, his mess of brown hair barely visible from the angle Shadow was at.

"Inferno?" He whispered. A small flame flickered in response, reflecting off of tear stained eyes. Shadow nodded, too tired to do much else. Silence.

"Why are you here?"  Shadow finally asked.

"Because you just endured 400 volts, not once, not twice, but six times," Inferno growled. Shadow winced. Infernos voice softened until it was nearly inaudible. "I had to make sure you'd wake up." Shadow smiled. Inferno leaned over and planted a kiss on the crown of Shadow's head.

Shadow gingerly pushed himself up. Inferno shoved another pillow behind him to keep him from falling.

"Stay?" Shadow suggested weakly. Inferno frowned. Shadow could see that there was something in his eyes. Worry and something else. Something... undetectable.

"I have to be gone by morning, okay." Inferno settled himself beside Shadow, carefully placing his arm around his shoulder. Shadow rested his head against Infernos ribs. He remembered a time when the act would have made his heart hammer.

Not anymore. Now, everything was slow, everything was perfect. Everything was perfect in this tiny apartment, where no one, not the people, not the media, could see them.

He is perfect. Inferno realized as he watched his chest rise and fall in a steady rhythm. His warm breath seeped through his cheap shirt. No fancy outfits here. No masks. Just them.