Dray is...Technus? What? Why...why would he... Amirah's thoughts were a mess. Feelings of betrayal, anger, disappointment, and fear coursed through her. All her memories of Dray suddenly bore new terrifying meanings, perhaps out of ways to fully understand what was in front of her. But...Dray's not like Technus. The Technus? The cocky, self-absorbed, and cunning Technus? Dray is...is just some shy nerd why would he- Amirah stopped herself, not wanting to ridicule her husband any further. And yet...why? Her husband is a criminal. A big-time criminal with a bounty on his head. A criminal who stole millions, created a makeshift army and wiped out a rival group for their own gain. Why should she care if she made fun of him?

"Did you find it?" Dray called out from the other room.

Amirah panicked. The costume and weapons in the box in front of her were enough to completely implicate Dray and send him away for good. She had her chance right in front of her. To take down one of the country's most wanted criminals and rise to the top. Dray couldn't stop her. No one could. She was strong enough. She could accomplish her dreams right that very moment.

In a moment of weakness, or perhaps whatever love she had left, she closed the box.

"Uh...nope. I didn't find it." She replied with a sigh. I need time to think. Dray walked back into his room and stood in front of her. "Hm...It might be back at the old house." Amirah just nodded in reply. Dray fidgeted on the spot for a moment before fixing a bit of Amirah's messy dirty blonde hair. Wearing a wig for the 'Talon' costume allowed her to experiment from time to time.

"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll find it somewhere...eventually." Dray assured with a laugh. Amirah smiled back but caught herself, swallowing the build-up of saliva in her mouth. I...I think I need time alone. Why she couldn't tell Dray this directly was exactly why she needed to get her feelings in order. In a desperate attempt, she pulled out her phone and pretended to check her messages.

"Ah crap...work is calling me. I have to leave." Let's hope that's enough...

"Oh, well I was about to say the same thing haha. ... Uhm...continue this later?"

"...Yeah. Of course."

"Okay." Dray leaned in and upwards, giving Amirah a light peck on her forehead. "Take care."

And with that, Amirah left the room and the brand new apartment altogether. But, not without bringing her box containing the 'Talon' costume she held dear. Whenever she needed time to think, she used the luxury that really only a flying hero like her has. She went into an alleyway nearby and slipped on the costume, carefully folding and hiding her home clothes. She took a moment to take a deep breath before once again crouching down and launching herself up high in the air spreading the wings she hid from everyone for as long as she was called 'Amirah'. She was Talon; for at least the next couple of hours.

Amirah took a few more moments to push herself higher into the sky using her wings. She never once regretted having the Hero Association build her some functioning wings. During her starter days as a hero, she would dress like a bird to fight bad guys but the goofiness of the clumsily homemade costume paired with the fact she couldn't fly and could only kick made her a subject of ridicule for a while.

But, as time went on, she proved herself as a force to be reckoned with. Despite not being born with noticeable powers, her unparalleled strength and speed paired with her cunning made her a force to be reckoned with. Soon enough, the Association would give her anything she asked for. She was their best performer after all.

Soaring over all the civilians and buildings below her, she settled down at a nearby hotel, sitting on the edge of its rectangular rooftop. There she calmed herself and closed her eyes, only focusing on the strong wind blowing against her face. It was strangely calming for Amirah. To have the world around her drown out and deafen as the wind takes over her senses, letting her think quietly.

...My husband is a supervillain. He was one before we even met. He never once thought to tell me apparently...ugh...but who am I to say...

Technus is a villain that was named about 8 years ago. If Amirah was to follow Dray's age, he had been active as 'Technus' ever since he was 17 years old. 'Technus' was originally just another cyber-criminal. Leaking out classified documents and hacking into random bank accounts and websites. It was apparent to Amirah that Technus' early days were just a publicity stunt. A way to get his name out and maybe get some profit in the meantime. She never considered him a threat at the time as she was more focused and less confused with the physical world and the crimes that happen within it. But soon, Technus started becoming a real threat. More and more money and assets were stolen from targeted attacks, new and upcoming technology was being raided and reverse-engineered on the black market, and more villains suddenly started being active but all under the same banner of a fox head.

It wasn't long before Technus became a widely known threat. Both physically and digitally. The Hero Association started taking the name 'Technus' seriously. Especially since after all this stealing and raiding, it never seemed like he was done. In fact, what made Technus so scary to the Hero Association is how it always feels like he's planning for something bigger. Amirah could see it herself. More money was stolen, more dangerous villains under his employ, and more technology in his hands than ever before.

It also didn't take long before Amirah realized she started referring to Technus as a 'he'. Amirah clenched her fist. Dray...he said he was going off to work too. Does that mean... Amirah steeled her resolve. If she was going to make a decision, today would be perfect. Maybe, after seeing 'Technus' in action, she could make up her mind on 'Dray'.

Amirah loved Dray to death. Yet she didn't know if she could love 'Technus'.

~~~

Dray carried the box with his costume inside to the dingy old computer shop close by to his new apartment. Of course, it wasn't any old computer shop. He waved hello to the cashier who hurriedly waved back. He then went straight to the staff room and took a hidden elevator down and straight to his hidden base. Building an underground facility was not cheap but Dray had the money. He always had more than enough. Dray sighed inwardly to himself before putting his costume on during the elevator ride down. Once he reached the facility, he quickly walked through it and straight to his office. The facility itself was a simple place. Long corridors with intersecting rooms for training, rest, and development. Overall, it was the size of maybe an average office building with multiple floors to boot. His office was on the top floor all the way to the end. Dray entered his office to be immediately greeted by his secretary.

"Oh? I didn't think you would come in today Technus."

"Just...call me Dray for today Emi, I'm not in the mood."

Dray sits down at his comfy office chair that's just a poorly disguised expensive gaming chair. His habits and personality never really left him the more successful he got which he is forever grateful for. However, one of the main reasons he stayed the same was crumbling before him.

Mirah...Mirah was Talon the entire time? Did she know I was Technus? No...that doesn't make any sense. She would shut me down instantly...

Why didn't she tell me?... Well, I guess I'm in no position to judge.

Dray dropped his helmet on the desk and buried his head in his hands, resting it on his desk. His secretary, Emi, looked over at him.

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"Wife troubles Dray?"

"You don't have to say it like that."

"Ah, so I'm right."

"Ugh...alright fine. It's wife troubles. But it is none of your business neither do I want to talk about it with you"

Emi let out her signature condescending laugh. "Of course Dray. Whatever you say."

Dray sighed yet again for what seemed like the millionth time that day. He can't exactly fight back against Emi, her being Dray's only real family left after all. An older sister, taking care of Dray since he was a kid. But, that was not the focus of today. No, Dray had more important things to think about.

Talon was the hero to worry about. She wasn't the number 1 hero nor was she even really in the top 10. But she was ruthless. Having started out with a simple homemade costume, going around kicking and punching criminals, she never really garnered much respect in the villain community. Dray didn't even need to worry about her in the slightest since his crimes were out of her range. 'Talon' was just another wannabe hero with plain, mediocre powers. Her powers are essentially just abnormally strong legs and impressive speed. She wasn't even really noticed too much by the Hero Association due to this.

However, she persevered nonetheless. After years of countless arrests, she eventually encountered an entire villain group. Dray remembers them very faintly as, to put it bluntly, they never lasted very long. 42 total people with 17 super-powered individuals. All taken care of by Talon. Alone. Using extensive knowledge of the villains' powers, movements, organizations, resources, and allies which Dray could only assume she obtained by herself due to the lack of support she had.

That entire incident put her name on the map. She wasn't just some wannabe superhero. She was ruthless, efficient, and driven by ambition. She had honed her skills to the point that very few could even think about fighting her one on one. She could take out entire groups of people by herself without breaking a sweat. Once she got recognition from some of the higher-ups in the Hero Association, this efficiency only increased exponentially. She got the funding for better equipment and it was clear to the villains she's faced that the Hero Association's R&D department had been working overtime for her specifically. Once she got her wings, she was virtually unstoppable.

Unfortunately for Dray, it was around this time that he had become more ambitious in his robberies as well. 'Technus' appearing in the physical world was now a risk as even a single failed operation at the hands of Talon would mean a definite end to his organisation. An end to his plan of conquest.

An end to his plan of revenge.

And yet, in all his caution, Talon was right under his nose. And next to him. And behind. And on top of him sometimes when they cuddle.

Dray ran his hands through his hair. I need to stop thinking of her like this. And yet he couldn't. For all the evidence in front of him and for all the issues 'Talon' has caused him, Amirah is still his wife. He loves Amirah to death. The sweet, unbelievably kind, and energetic Amirah. The same Amirah would hug and kiss him at any opportunity she had. The same Amirah that stays awake overnight just to keep him company while he codes. The same Amirah that was there for him at his lowest moments and tries her best to push him higher at his highest moments.

Dray loves Amirah and it was abundantly clear to him that Amirah loves him too.

After calming down, Dray made his decision. Today, he was going to need to go on a supply run. A big shipment of specially treated plastic was coming into port and he needed to bring his team to intercept it. And then after that, he had something more important to do.

~~~

Amirah checked her phone periodically. Dray's phone had a tracker on it set up by him. Dray gave Amirah access to track his phone, "in the off chance that he was to go missing or something worse happened". At the time, Amirah didn't understand why he had such worries if he was usually in an office all day so out of respect she hadn't looked at it yet. But now she understood. Soon enough, Dray's phone started moving very quickly away from his stagnant location. Amirah could only assume that Dray and his team were in a moving vehicle. And thus, she went in pursuit.

After about 45 minutes both Dray's team and Amirah stopped at a shipping port. Amirah, looking down from the sky could very clearly see Dray, or Technus, move out of his vehicle together with his team and beastman. There was no doubting now with Dray's phone tracker that Dray is Technus. That fact made Amirah's heart ache but she pushed forward, opting to perch on a crane nearby for observation purposes.

Technus and his team moved quickly and efficiently. After finding the crate they were looking for, Technus silently ordered his grunts to incapacitate the guards and workers around them which they efficiently pull off with their stun guns. Technus himself then pulled out a blowtorch and melted the lock on the crate the workers were with. The grunts in Technus' team then began unloading what looked to Amirah to be some expensive-looking material.

Amirah looked at this operation in quiet respect. For all of Technus' faults, he never made a conscious effort to hurt people. Amirah had seen it all. Murders, dismemberments, and various forms of assault. Raids like this one with any other group would usually lead to severe injuries to workers and almost guaranteed death to any security. And yet, she never had to worry about it for any of Technus' crimes.

I wonder if it was my influence...We started dating very close to when Technus started appearing in the real world... I hope it is my influence because if it is...

Amirah snapped out of her trance. What was she thinking? A crime was being committed right in front of her and yet she was doing nothing about it. She clumsily stood up to rectify her mistake but stopped herself yet again right at the edge of a fatal drop, unable to move. In her moment of hesitation, Technus and his crew upped and left, not a single traceable piece of evidence left behind.

Why can I not just...Urgh! Amirah cursed to herself. She still couldn't bring herself to hurt her husband. At the end of the day, Technus was still Dray. The Dray she loved so dearly. The Dray that stayed with her even when it was out of his comfort level. The Dray that she knew would be by her side no matter what and had been at her side for 5 years now.

I just...I can't do it. After cursing her own powerlessness in what should be a trivial matter, Amirah left the scene, unsure of how to continue. We just bought a nice house too...

After taking her time to enjoy what little alone time she had left, Amirah returned home. She changed back to her home clothes in the same alleyway she stored them and headed home. She walked in to find Dray still not at home. This is just delaying the inevitable she thought to herself. Didn't Technus already get whatever he wanted? Why is Dray now so late?

And so, Amirah waited on the small couch they still owned. She tossed her phone to the side, not wanting to know about Dray whereabouts for the time being. She knew she was being irresponsible by letting a villain run amuck but it was evident to her that she couldn't think clearly at that moment. Soon enough, too soon maybe, Dray walked through the apartment door. He looked tired.

"Hey Mirah, sorry I was late. I had a lot of trouble at work."

You seemed to have a perfectly easy time to me... "Oh, is that so?" Amirah replied while looking at Dray expectantly.

"Oh right, you also had work haha...hm...want a shoulder massage?" Dray asked bluntly.

Amirah was a little bit taken aback by the gesture. Technus giving me a shoulder massage? I never thought I would see the day. Amirah tried her best to stay how she usually was. Thus, she smiled.

"Ooh, that would be nice."

Dray moved behind Amirah and began her massage. Amirah noted that Dray's massages never felt too strong or painful but he had good technique. This time, however, she couldn't bring herself to enjoy it. Her mind was still filled with doubt and, even though she felt completely safe in his hands, she didn't really feel like staying in them for too long.

Suddenly, Dray wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Amirah panicked. She slipped up. She let herself be too vulnerable against a villain. As if accepting her fate, Amirah braced herself for whatever was about to come next. But there was no pain. Amirah slowly opened her eyes to Dray gently wrapping her old flower necklace around her neck and clipping it at the back.

"See. I found it."

Amirah turned around and saw Dray, her Dray, smiling back at her with all the love he had to offer. It felt genuine. So painfully genuine. Ah...so now I know. She can't bring herself to hate Technus. She can't bring herself to hate Dray. She loves him, how could she even doubt that? It's not like he was getting in the way of my ambitions. In spite of everything, I don't want to lose his support... I want him with me.

~~~

Amirah looked back at Dray and smiled back. Dray felt giddy inside. Even with the knowledge of Amirah being Talon, he couldn't bring himself to hate her. After thinking about it even deeper, he didn't want to take advantage of her either. How could he? Amirah has been nothing but supportive of him. It's not like I'm above manipulation but...how could I do that to someone I love so much.

He trusted his employees enough to not try to manipulate them. He couldn't even fathom trying to manipulate his own wife. After the raid, he made a quick pitstop at his old house. He turned it upside down and searched high and low to find Amirah's necklace. He remembered feeling so relieved when he found it. Not because he could escape Amirah's wrath or anything, but even after knowing Amirah was his sworn enemy, he would do anything to see her happy again. His heart ached when he saw her pained expression that morning after losing that necklace and that face made his heart ache even now.

He knew at this point he was powerless against Talon. He knew also he was even more powerless against Amirah. He couldn't bare the thought of making her unhappy. Thus, he made a promise to himself.

~~~

The two of them sat silently next to each other, once again leaning against one another for support.