Saga 3 Episode 63: The Bermuda Triangle Pt. 1

## Participants

Miranda YuriSteven TorresKathy ScottDonnie YunKirei YuriGuadalupe Torres
## Narration

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3E0lmXIJVs )

Narrator: (Previously on Dogs of War, Steven Torres and Miranda Yuri were cut short of their first date and that has actually come to be the normal scene for these two! For the past few days the young teenage couple has tried to start and end a date but Steven’s duties as a vigilante hero to the city has always come between the two of them. Even though it bothers her to always get her dates cut short, Miranda tries to keep that to herself because of her own stubborn tendencies. Equally at fault on the other side of the spectrum is Steven being oblivious to his girlfriend’s subtle signs that his double life is starting to bother her. It doesn’t help either of them to know that this is their first real relationship and can’t really communicate as well as older people. Tonight the two of them find themselves in yet another mix up of priorities. Miranda has been able to get the condo all to herself since Donnie and Kirei are out celebrating their engagement some more. But where is Steven one might wonder? Well he is out fighting the crime on the streets of district one! Let’s join the two of them now!)

I

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py-UO6NlrW8 )

The moon shines high over the Kasaihana Skyline where millions of lights make it impossible to see any stars that are in the heavens. Thousands of cars flood onto the streets as people continue to try and leave work or go out and enjoy the town. While many are enjoying themselves and following the laws that are set in place, there are some who choose to go against the grain. That is where Steven currently locates himself. Inside of an old broken down halfway house of an apartment complex where there is a group of men who are running drugs out of one of the kitchens here. In his miniature form he is able to walk across the floor boards undetectable by any of the men. While he walks he keeps his right on close to his cheek where he is holding a cell phone.

Steven: Yes, I understand you had a romantic night planned out for the two of us but I found the drug ring that I have been spending the last few days trying to hunt down.

Steven lowers his head a bit and he actually walks underneath the door going into the apartment where the drugs are being made. He looks up from his shrunk position to see multiple topless women wearing white latex gloves and medical masks. On the stoves are boiling pots with drugs scattered all across the counter tops. On the tables are small and large crystalized forms of meth and Steven simply shakes his head. Each girl walks back and forth from where they are standing like mindless drones only doing what they are told to do. While he observes he tries to see who is in charge here and he quickly finds out when he sees a tall lengthy person smack one of the girls on the ass, wearing a silver suit; clearly someone who gets high on their own supply.

Steven: Look, I will be home as soon as I can. But right now I have to say hello to my new friends for the evening.

Without so much as a warning, Steven uses his shape shifting abilities to grow back to his normal height and with his right hand he completely clocks the man in the suit right in his jaw. With the increased density of his punch, Steven’s fist shatters the man’s jaw and sends him crashing into the wall behind him. The drug leader’s back creates a large hole in the wall before he falls to the ground unconscious. The girls begin to scream at the random sight of Steven in his gold and navy blue armor. The guards quickly react and they come running towards him to try and stop Steven! With pistols in their hands they begin to open fire on Steven but they are unaware of his metahuman capabilities. Steven shrinks down once more and as he does it this time he leaps towards one of the tables, sprinting against the wooden top. His parkour techniques come handy in this moment as he vaults over the crystalized meth pieces as if they were obstacles on a course. Bullets hit all around him but the guards have no idea where to actually shoot! As he reaches the end of the table, Steven leaps into the air with his right leg kicked out forward. Once he catches some height he regrows and the bottom of his right boot smacks one of the guards right in his chest. The added force sends him flying right into another guard which buys Steven a few seconds. The young vigilante lands on his feet and he quickly turns around when he hears the sounds of footsteps coming towards him from the hallway. His left hand reaches out towards one of the pots and just as one guard comes running out, Steven splashes the boiling hot water onto him and the guard instantly yells out in pain! Not wasting any time, Steven uses the same pot to smash over the guards head and the impact releases a loud PPPAMMMM sound. The guard tumbles down onto one of the tables, launching the drugs up into the air and Steven is quickly covered in the white powdery substance. As the drugs slowly fall to the floor like millions of snowflakes, Steven looks around to see all the guards and the leader of this drug apartment unconscious on the floor. With a shrug of his shoulders he is able to lift some of the powder off of him. The girls all run out of the apartment, Steven lets them go. He isn’t here to attack women who were probably forced into this business. Knowing how these rings work, based on what he has seen on television, he doesn’t have long until the cavalry arrives. So with the few precious moments he has, he alerts the KPD of what happened here so they can get these men arrested. But in the meantime he also walks around the apartment to see if he can’t find clues as to what the bigger game here is. Steven walks into the back room where the man in the suit sleeps and he sees nothing but a broken down bed that smells like week old cum. In the bed is a nasty meth head who probably just got dicked down before the man even walked out.

Steven: How do people get to this point?

He whispers this to himself as he watches the girl scratch at her nose while her legs are just wide open with her panties covered in only god knows what. But what catches Steven’s eye is a cell phone that is placed on a charger near the wall. His left hand grabs the phone and when he turns it on he sees there is a text message waiting to be opened. Opening the phone up he sees that it is from a contact named “Cesar.”

Steven: Shipment at The Barnyard. 1200.

Steven raises a brow underneath his hoodie and looks rather puzzled.

Steven: (The fuck is The Barnyard?)

But his time runs out to figure out anything else as the footsteps get closer and closer. Steven looks at the door and just as the door is kicked open from the KPD officers they enter the room only to see the whore layed out on the bed. Steven’s body has seemingly disappeared from sight and as they look around the room they’d find that there isn’t a cell phone attached to the charger anymore. The cops flood the entire building and like a ghost in the night, Steven avoids being seen at all by the officers. That sounds like a good day of hero work.

Miranda passed by the large sectional couch in the living room of Donnie's home for the third time as she paced back and forth slowly. One arm was crossed just below her full chest while the other was bent upwards with her hand holding a cell phone up to her ear. Miranda looked particularly unhappy tonight in the empty home.

"They've already been gone for over an hour. We could have finished a movie date in that time! There would have been zero interruption." It was easy to hear the irritation in her voice. She would have continued on if it wasn't for the background noise of a scuffle going on. With a huff, the temperamental teen would hang up the phone call.

"So much for a successful date night." Miranda froze. Her eyes were wide as she came to realize that she's broken down and finally called their get together 'dates'. This seemed to only cause more frustration. Miranda lightly tossed her phone onto the couch cushion and brought her hand back up to pinch at the bridge of her nose. "This is so...ugh!"

With not much time left alone, Miranda would turn her back to the couch and flop onto the plush cushion behind her. The tv was stuck on a menu screen for a new movie that had recently been rented for this night. The music was faint as the volume was turned down for the phone call that was made moments ago. The girl eyed the tv for a minute or two, wondering if her feelings for Steven were real or just a fluke from being saved by him and the events after. Ad she sat on the couch deep in thought, Kirei's cats Helena and Burton jumped up onto the couch. They seemed to know she was upset; a different sort of upset than usual. Helena, the large, fluffy American Curl whose fur was pure white and had beautiful sky blue eyes, climbed into her lap purring loudly. Miranda's hand moved to pat the sweet kitty's head while Burton, the large, short haired tuxedo cat climbed up the back of the couch. The full grown male meowed behind Miranda's head and pawed lightly at her hair, but she was too deep in her own mind to react.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dmDpqunPbU )

A few minutes after getting away from the scene, Steven appears at his normal height while standing on a rooftop that creates a great view of the city. While he stands there with the wind blowing against his back to push his hoodie forward, his left hand holds the phone. His thumb moves against the screen to see what kind of information he can get. There isn’t much on the phone, not even a few gaming apps to pass the time. This is clearly the phone of someone who meant business. At that moment a notification pops up. It’s a text message and when he opens the message he raises his right eyebrow at the words that appear on the screen.

“You should not have taken the phone.”

His eyes widen a bit and just before he can do anything, the sound of gun shots instantly catch his attention. Bullets impact the ground around him and he barely gets the time to look to his right to see a mass of men shooting at him from the next rooftop over. Some men are running towards him while others try to take him out from a distance. The gunfire causes him to stumble and begin to fall off of the building! Thankfully for him he falls into the separation of two buildings. This allows him to use his feet to jump from wall to wall like a donkey kong character. His feet lightly touch the ground after being knocked off of the building and with his heart pounding he tosses the phone and makes a mad dash away from the scene. Running out into the middle of the street he places his left hand on the hood of an oncoming car and slides across of it with both legs up in the air. With precision and timing on his side, Steven pushes himself forward off of the car and he breaks out into a sprint. Vaulting over the middle divider he gives it everything he has to try and create some distance for him with an alleyway across the streets being the goal to reach. As he continues to run, men reach the corner of the roof he was knocked off of and have their weapons pointed right towards him. The gunfire erupts once more but the bullets impact into the wall just as Steven gets out of sight! One of the men standing at the corner of the rooftop yells out in frustration. Placing his rifle on his left shoulder he uses his right hand to make a phone call.

Shooter: He got away…

Back in the alleyway Steven runs until he doesn’t hear any of the men coming for him. His left shoulder crashes into a large metal dumpster and the impact creates a loud BANG sound. Steven hits the dumpster and tries to catch his breathing, using this as a moment to really gather himself. His heart is pounding and he looks back towards the entrance to the alleyway as if it were his one saving grace.

Steven: Just keep running, Steven. They can’t catch you if you keep running.

And just like that, Steven hops back onto his feet and his feet begin to pound into the pavement on his way back to where he knows he will be safe.

Almost an entire hour later

Late into the night Steven reaches her fire escape, going up all the floors needed to get to where her room is. The window is open so without even hesitating, Steven hops right in. His fingertips lift up his goggles onto his forehead, blinking his eyes quickly to let them adjust to the non-gold lenses. He looks into Miranda’s bed to see that she isn’t in there so she must be out in the main room still. His body is covered in sweat, brick dust, and meth; not a great combination. When he walks out of her room Miranda would be able to hear him but her joy to see him might be nonexistent at this point. Steven doesn’t know any better so when he sees her, he acts as he normally does when he comes home to her at night. Lately the two of them have been in the same bed together, not having sex, but it counts for something. Steven makes his way over to her and even the cats can feel how pissed Miranda probably is.

Steven: You would not beelliievvveee the night I had. I think I’ve had enough guns pointed at me for one week.

His tone is a little tired and filled with paces of him having to breath as if he just ran a marathon of some kind. That’s when he tries to lean forward and give Miranda a kiss. But knowing her and her anger, Steven might not even get this far. With his body covered in a mess of powders, his skin covered in sweat, and to top it off he missed their date tonight; Steven’s night isn’t even over. By the time Miranda is done with him he will be wishing for the bullets.

II
--

The smell of buttery popcorn wafted through the dark, quiet house. As the credits rolled, Miranda could hear very light shuffling coming from her room. The noise was feint, but she knew who it was. No one else dared to climb through her window. Especially at this time of night! The visibly upset teen shot a quick glance his way before popping the last piece of popcorn into her mouth and setting the clear bowl on the coffee table in front of her. Kirei's cats, Helena and Burton, seemed to be able to feel the increase in tension in the room and jumped off of the couch to roam as if to give them time alone. As Steven moved towards her, she'd rise from the couch and dust off her shirt and skinny jeans. She suddenly looked calm. Throughout the whole movie she'd been contemplating what she'd say to him. Would she let herself stay mad or would she just be happy that he was back? Well, for some reason it didn't feel that simple. She was excited to see him. So much so that her heart leapt with joy at the sight of his dirty face. However, her blood boiled with so much frustration that she felt like she was going to explode. His words were met with hesitant silence and when he leaned in for a kiss, she'd turn her head so that his lips would press against her cheek instead of he didn't stop. Miranda's nose wrinkled as she got a whiff of everything that had collected on him and she stepped back.

"Woah! You wreak! What have you been rolling in?!" Like every time before, her words came off more harsh than she expected. "Go take a shower!" The girls hand was suddenly pinching her nose shut as she stepped further away from him and over to the light switch to flick on the main lights. The once dark room was bathed in bright, clean light and she frowned at him. "Holy shit, you're a mess! What the fuck is that white shit on you? Crack?" The girl huffed quietly, unable to control herself as she grabbed the empty bowl and moved to the kitchen. "The movie was great, by the way! It's too bad I had to watch it all alone." She'd say over her shoulder. Both cats would meow and peek around the corner at her as if to show their annoyance at her after having sat with her through the movie. Miranda merely ignored them and placed the bowl in the sink before turning to look back at Steven, a scowl darkening her once angelic features.

As he leans in his eyes widen when instead of a taste of her sweet and full lips, his lips press against the smooth skin of her cheek. What follows is a quick flurry of insults of him being smelly and dirty. Steven looks down at himself and can see why she’d yell at him for that but her words hit with that angry venom that she has, digging deep under his skin. The lights come on and Steven raises a brow when he sees her exaggeratingly holding her nose towards the comment of him stinking. The comments didn’t stop when they talked about him. Miranda’s little feet pound against the ground as she makes her way to the kitchen while her voice continues to smack him across the face with harsh words. Steven pulls back on his hoodie to now reveal his whole face to her with his goggles still resting on his forehead. Some of the white substance falls onto the hard wood floor as he does so but instead of kneeling down to her with obedient words, Steven actually fires back to fight with her.

Steven: Are you serious, Miranda!? I have been punched! Kicked! Shot at! Covered in drugs! And that shit still doesn’t compare to coming home to you!

His words might strike a nerve with her as she’d see his angry face for the first time in their very young relationship. His red eyes glow, not with a hot brightness like some sci-fi character but an intensification around the iris’ of his eyes. His personality is the kind that will always do the right thing and to help anyone. This leads him many times to be under Miranda’s thumb with many of the things she wants to do or asks of him. But one of the few things he really takes pride in and does for himself is be a hero. When he puts on the goggles and the hoodie he is a completely different person and for a change in the night he can feel like he is on top of the world.

Steven: I do anything you ask me to do! The only time. THE ONLY TIME I do something that makes me happy, it bothers you!

At this point Steven can feel his blood boiling and he runs his left hand through his hair. The cats that are in the house slowly creep away as if they know where this is going. Steven walks closer to Miranda as well, not caring if she thinks he smells or is dirty.

Steven: I have been with you EVERY night since the attack. I am sorry I have had to leave early on a few of our dates but do you know how many people I have saved because of that!? Out there it is dark and gritty! And I come in here hoping that my GIRLFRIEND is happy to see that I came back without any injuries. BUT NO…She’s pissed because I didn’t watch her movie!

As he comes to the end of this rant, Miranda would be able to look and see Steven practically on top of her with his chest out and his eyes down on her hazel hues. Clearly this is not where Steven saw the night going and after all the gunfire and fighting, Steven isn’t ready to just roll over again for Miranda’s sake. In his mind he didn’t even see where he had messed up with leaving early on his dates because he left to go save people, not meet up for something dumb. With those thoughts in his mind he wonders where this argument will roll towards now that he has clearly amped it up to another level.

Shock crossed her face. The two hadn't been together long at all, but Miranda thought she had him pegged. He never fought her sass. Not a single time did he ever seem to have the gall to talk back. But here he was with his chest puffed out, his hood down, and his eyes locked on her small form. The tone he had made her little body tremble with anger and...fear? The night was already getting out of hand and she was too far into it to stop herself. Her blood was boiling as she held her tightly clenched fists at her sides.

"Your girlfriend?! Is that what I am, now? I'm not just something you use to pass the time by until you get to do what really makes you happy? Because I OBVIOUSLY don't make you happy, do I?" She couldn't control the tone in her raised voice anymore and she'd even raised herself into the balls of her feet so that her face was a little higher than his chest as she looked up at him.

"I don't care if you're saving people, Steven. But why should I be put on fucking hold? Do I not deserve time with someone I actually ca-" She cut herself off abruptly, refusing to admit to him that she deeply cared about him... And also refusing to admit that at this point she knew she was wrong. She'd argue any point she had once the point was made and that's proven dangerous for every situation she's been in. Miranda turned her back on Steven, crossing her arms over her chest. She could feel her heart pounding from the stress of all the emotion she was feeling, but she chose to ignore it.

"I think you should leave." Her voice was low, a little shaky, in fact. Whether he heard it or not didn't matter to her. "I need to be alone tonight. They'll be home soon and I have to clean up the fucking mess you made." Miranda cringed on the inside.

'Why...why am I like this? I can't stop. I'm hurting him...' The angelic voice in her head was soothing, but....

'He doesn't care. He'll never understand me. Why am I even trying to do this? Love is fake!'

Miranda could feel tears welling up in her eyes and that lump in her throat as she choked back the smallest of sobs. She was overwhelmed with emotion and it was taking its toll on her.

Their argument gets amped up multiple levels with each time the two of them go back and forth with one another. Her words spit out like hot fire that singe his skin as if she is aiming to hit him right where it hurts. If it wasn’t for them fighting Steven would have found it cute the way she gets up on her toes to try and get a little taller to him. Her yelling comes to an abrupt stop in the middle of her argument and that catches Steven a little off-guard. His mind was guarding itself from whatever low blow she might have tried to hit him with and then as quickly as the argument started, it seemly came to an end. Steven looks rather baffled by that and he shakes his head a little out of confusion. The next thing he sees if her back facing him. Had he hurt her? Thoughts run through his mind and that anger he has quickly fades away out of concern that maybe the two of them went a little too far with their words. Finally she says the one thing that can ruin his already bad night. Telling him he should leave feels like a stab in the chest because that has to mean he hurt her. There hasn’t been a night where the two of them are apart from each other since the attack and now she asks him to leave her presence. Steven’s face slowly loosened to a sad expression with a frown growing across his lips. His eyes soften and that red intensity disappears. He lifts his right arm up to try and softly place it on her shoulder.

Steven: Miranda, I…

With her being so cold to him, before his hand could even touch her, Steven actually balls his fingers together before pulling his arm back down. There is so much he could say in this moment, a simple sorry even to try and fix what had broken here in the argument they were having. But Miranda is a stubborn mule and her mind won’t change no matter what he says. His hands lift the hoodie back over his face before they also pull the goggles back down over his eyes. His jaw is clenched through all of these motions and without speaking he begins to make his way towards her bedroom door. Just as his right hand comes to be pressed against the doorway, he lightly looks over his left shoulder to catch a last glimpse of her as she stands in the kitchen.

Steven: I do care…

That is the last thing he says before his body scurries out of the condo and back out onto the city streets. Miranda would be left in that large condo all by herself with nothing but the cats to keep her company until the family gets back from their night out.

Thirty minutes later

Steven finds that long walk down the neighborhood block to be one much longer than anything he had ever walked before. Because his family doesn’t know about his nightly activities he has had to change over into normal clothes while stuffing his uniform in the stolen book bag. His eyes look up at the apartment where he lives and at the sight of all the lights being on in his apartment, he looks over quickly to look at his friend Jamal’s apartment windows.

Steven: (I bet he is loving the shit out of his new powers.)

Reaching into his pockets he grabs his keys and unlocks his door to walk into the apartment his family has lived in for years. What he walks in on is what might come to surprise him even more than Miranda kicking him out. The moment he walks into the room he sees his mother sitting at one end of the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of her. He can’t see the other end of the table but it looks like she is with someone.

Steven: Hola Momma. I came back earlier than I…Well…Than I would have wanted too.

Guadalupe: It’s about time! We’ve been waiting all night for you!

Steven: (We?)

At that time, the head of an old friend peaks out from the other side of the table. Leaning to where Steven can see her, it comes into view that it is Kathy Scott. Her long blonde locks fall over her shoulder and her full lips curl into a bright smile at the sight of him.

Kathy: Hey there, Weirdo.

Guadalupe: You’ve been coming home late, sneaking out to see that GOD AWFUL girl, and keeping secrets from me! What was a mother supposed to do!?

Steven: So you called Kathy over here to do what exactly?

Steven’s tone comes with a little snap at the end as if he could be bothered by his mother trying to dig into his life, prying into things she doesn’t need too.

Guadalupe: Don’t give me any attitude, young man!

Steven looks at Kathy before nodding his head to his mother.

Steven: Yes, Ma’am.

Guadalupe: I called Kathy because she has always been a great friend to you. Helped keep you out of trouble. Jamal is yet another bad influence on you…But this “girlfriend” of yours keeps you out all night. Some days I wake up and you aren’t even here! You’re lucky I called Kathy and not the Pastor! Now you got my blood pressure all worked up!

Steven’s mom gets up out of her seat and heads to her room, leaving Kathy and Steven alone. He flashes a soft smile before he walks over and places his book bag down on the table.

Steven: It is nice to see you, Kathy. It feels weird going a whole week or so without talking to you.

Kathy rolls her eyes a bit before getting up out of her seat and walking over to him.

Kathy: Yeah, getting into a near death experience and then going right out to get yourself a girlfriend might do that.

Before he can even react she pulls him in for a hug. His eyes widen but she quickly wraps her arms around hie shoulders with her face pressed into his neck. After going through what he just went through Steven could really use the hug. Out of his own reflex really his arms slide down her waist and hugs her tightly. His right cheek leans rests against her head and they hold each other with warmth that Steven isn’t used too.

Kathy: You scared the crap out of all of us! You almost die and you don’t even bother to call me!

Her voice breaks a bit and he can practically feel the tears welling up in her eyes. Steven looks down a bit because he can only imagine what his actions and how he has pushed everything that used to be important to the side could have affected others.

Steven: I’m sorry, Kat…

She pulls away from the hug a bit, only just enough to where her emerald eyes could stare up into his newly christened crimson eyes. Her right thumb comes to lightly comb across his left cheek, wiping away some of the dirt that is on his face. The two keep their arms wrapped around one another, a feeling that comes so natural for the two of them.

Kathy: Where have you been all night?

Steven: Oh you know, saving the world and all.

Kathy lightly smacks at his shoulder and it knocks some of the hair on his head out of place. Looking up at him she uses that same hand to push the hairs back with her fingertip. The same hand ends up cupped around his cheek and a silence breaks between the two of them. Steven’s eys gloss over a bit as he gazes down into her emerald hues and for a second, just a second, there is something felt between the two of them. Both of them realize this and they quickly pull away from one another.

Kathy: Should we go out for a walk? Maybe catch up a bit.

Steven: Y-yeah! Yeah! That sounds fine…let me uhh, I’ll meet you out there. I just gotta put my bag away.

Steven comically reaches for his bag multiple times before finally grabbing it and as he walks towards his room he trips on a power cord that connects his tv. Tripping on the cord he stumbles forward a little bit and that brings Kathy to giggle a bit to herself before walking out of the apartment. She waits outside on the sidewalk for Steven. Throwing his bag onto his bed, he wipes his face with his left hand.

Steven: (What the hell was that!?)

The young hero quickly shakes it off and before he knows it he is outside running down the stairs to meet up with the gorgeous blonde who he has been friends with and lab partners with for years.

Steven: You ready?

Kathy lightly nods her head with a smile and the two begin to slowly walk down the old neighborhood, headed into the direction of her own house that is a few blocks away.

## III

The last thing Steven said before leaving rang in her ears. Her fists tightened at her sides and her body continued to tremble with intense emotion as she stood in the middle of the living room. Her mind was instantly recounting their argument and she felt her heart drop as she recalled her harsh words and equally harsh tone. Did she ruin it? Would he still care after tonight?

Miranda let out a gentle sob as she brought her fists up to her eyes to use the backs of her wrists to wipe away the tears that threatened to roll down her reddened cheeks. Along with guilt and sadness and confusion, she felt, well, angry. Such pent up frustration had to be released. The emotionally confused teen let out a loud scream of frustration before whirling around and storming off to her bedroom, following Steven's exact footsteps until she was able to close herself up in her room so she could let it out in her own private space before anyone came home.

Elsewhere

Kathy waited outside in the dark on the smooth sidewalk for a friend she'd known for quite some time. Someone who had recently given her a heart attack when he had a near death experience and then another when he stopped contact with her. She recalled worrying every night for him as she finished her homework and did her nightly chores.

Where has her lab partner gone? He was always busy. Never home. His mother was always telling her that he didn't forget about her, but the day she heard about his new 'girlfriend' Kathy felt crushed. For the longest time she'd had this little...thing for him. He was like her; the same interests, friends, classes. It was only until that one hug just moment ago that she realized just how big that 'thing' she had for him was. That spark, a spark that she only ever read about. It was something every girl at least thought about and she was no exception.

When Steven came out to meet her, a wide smile stretched across her pale features. He was still filthy from being out and about doing whatever he's been doing with that...girl. But she didn't seem to care.

"Of course I'm ready." She'd say with a nod as they began to walk in the direction of her home, which happened to be nearby. "Glad to see you're actually still coming around. Every time I come to see you, you seem to be out." She laughed softly, her eyes on the night sky. "How have you been, Steven?" She'd ask, sounding genuinely curious with a caring tone to her voice.

A little time after Miranda had cried her eyes out in her room, The Yun family makes their way back home. The sound of the front door being opened would be easily heard from her bedroom and the many footsteps that followed would just make things even louder. As they come in Donnie is holding a bag of the togo boxes from their dinner, Kirei holds Dinah’s hand with the giant engagement ring still shining brightly on her ring finger. Dinah releases herself of Kirei’s grip and quickly scurries on towards the bathroom. Placing the bag of food down on the countertop of the kitchen he looks around to see the now unlit candies that have burned all the way to the bottom of the stick. He’d motion to Kirei for her to also take note of the many signs of a bad night that might have occurred here while they were gone.

Donnie: Looks like things didn’t go so well for our little girl, huh?

He’d have a slight frown on his face as he says this and looks towards her shut door.

Donnie: Let’s go check on her.

If Kirei agreed the two of them would then walk over to her door knocking twice lightly on the wooden frame before Donnie slowly creeps the door open. If Miranda bothered to look up from her position she’d rise to see two very concerned parents coming to make sure she is okay. Donnie is still reeling back from that “dad moment” from a few days ago when he walked in on her and Steven in the same bed so he looks down at Kirei to lead the way on this one. If she didn’t lash out at them, the two adults would be able to get deeper into her room to turn the light on and try to have a family talk. From here Kirei would be able to lead the conversation to whichever direction she chooses.

Back at the neighborhood

Steven and Kathy begin their walk and she quickly points out the fact that she has visited before to only be met with yet another encounter with his mother or no one because he is never there. He feels bad for dropping all the things that were important to him in his life before powers. One of those things is Kathy. She had always been there for him through thick and thin and like nothing he completely dropped her from his life. He didn’t mean too, he had just been succumbed by the life of being a vigilante.

Steven: I’m sorry we haven’t had much time to talk…I’m not out partying or doing drugs if that’s what my mom wanted you to try and pry out of me.

He flashes her a soft smirk and reflecting off of the moonlight she’d be able to really see how bright red his eyes have become.

Steven: And I’ve been…Well I have been doing okay honestly. Since the accident nothing has been the same. If it were up to my mom she’d keep me wrapped in bubble wrap and masking tape for the rest of my life. She means well but after a while the ‘how are you doings’ and the ‘are you okays’ become really annoying…I know that is terrible of me to say but I am alive. I am alert. I feel great. The accident is something that should be in the past where it belongs. Even if it does make a big part of what I am now…Ya know?

His eyes remain on her and he can’t help but feel so at ease. Just like when they were kids Steven can talk so effortlessly with Kathy. None of the stuttering or fumbling of words out of fear of being punched after saying them. It is rather relieving to be able to have a conversation with someone without anger or anxiety getting in the way. This is something he didn’t know he missed. And that might be something he comes to hate that he realized.

Steven: Enough about me? How have you been? I know you told me you have been focused on your studies and getting into college. Have you tried looking at any internships around some of these corporates yet? Mine with Ryoji Tech sadly came to an end…I might be able to come in with Yun Corp…Well…Maybe not anymore after tonight…

His face gets a little softer when he brings up Yun Corp because of Miranda. Depending on the effects of tonight, his whole life might be turned upside down again. He hopes Kathy quickly answers the question to get the conversation on her and no longer about him. If she does answer Steven will be able to listen closely and keep his mind off of Miranda and everything that has gone wrong with their relationship within the last three hours.

Hours of fun came to an end when the three returned home. It was late and their bellies were full, but they still decided to bring home leftovers in case anyone got hungry later. As the door swung open, six year old Dinah released Kirei's hand and rushed to the bathroom. The woman couldn't help but laugh as she stepped in and closed the door behind them.

The smell of heavily buttered popcorn still lingered in the house and Kirei got quite a whiff as she passed the oiled pot in the stove. Her hazel hues searched the living room for her daughter or the boy she'd been bringing over recently, but neither could be seen. As her gaze shifted over to Donnie, she'd also see the freshly burnt out candles and the mess that Steven left behind on the carpet. Her brow furrowed as she came to realize that tonight might not have been a success for everyone. Though it warmed her heart to see Donnie already treating her daughter as his own, she couldn't shake the nervous and saddened feeling she had for her daughter. The teenagers outbursts had lessened quite a bit at home in the few days she'd known the boy. Were they not happy?

"Lead the way, papa bear." She'd say as her gaze followed his to the bedroom door of Miranda's bedroom.

Miranda's Room

She was unaware of how long she'd been crying. Minutes? Hours? Teats still flowed from her as she lay on what had recently been decided to be her side of the bed. Miranda was on her side with her knees pulled up towards her chest and her arms wrapped around the pillow he used.

'Why is he getting to me so badly? Why does it hurt like this?' She'd think to herself as her face came to be buried in the firm pillow. The sound of the rest of her family coming home from their dinner interrupted the silence that she was beginning to find comfort in. 'Please let them think I'm sleeping...'

To her dismay, Miranda heard her door being slowly swung open. Her body tensed and she felt her face get hot all over again, but it was dark in her room and she knew they'd have a hard time seeing her red face and slightly swollen eyes from all that crying. Miranda used an arm to raise her upper body while she turned her head to look back at them. With a sigh, she rolled her hips to the side so she could sit up properly.

"What do you want?" Her words weren't nearly as harsh as they could have been, and anyone that knew her would hear it. Kirei felt her heart sink. Her daughters first heartbreak and she hadn't even been prepared for it. The older woman moved past Donnie so she could sit on the very edge of Miranda's bed.

"What's wrong, love? You seemed excited about having a movie night. Why isn't Steven here?" Miranda's gaze dropped from their figures to her bright white socks. The silent pause caused Kirei to look back at Donnie with a bit of worry on her face. She didn't want to pry, but she wanted to know. She wanted to help.

Elsewhere

Kathy silently listened to him as he assured her that he ain't up to anything illegal or shameful, giggling at the idea of Steven even thinking about that type of activity. It wasn't in his character. It was unnatural, to say the least. The blonde haired beauty turned her head to look at him only to have her emerald green gaze be met by his red tinged one. The odd color was enough to make her mind fill with millions of questions. Though the sight was interesting and she longed to see how the eye color shift worked, she kept the conversation out of the science realm.

As Steven recalled life after the accident that almost took him away from her- everyone, Kathy would nod. She understood where he came from. Well, as much as she possibly could since she'd never experienced such an accident. Kathy broke eye contact to look ahead, a wide smile on her face as she prepared to answer his questions.

"I've been....ok. Lonely, since my lab partner hasn't been spending time with me. As for internships, I've been looking, but I want to be picky. I want to be sure that I'll like it and won't be wasting my time." She laughed a soft, sweet laugh and lowered her gaze a bit.

"Yun Corp, huh? Does that have anything to do with that Miranda girl?" Kathy turned to look at him a again, noticing that he looked uncomfortable with where the topic was heading. As much as it bothered her for him to think about that witch of a girl, Kathy chose to steer their conversation elsewhere.

"I missed this." She'd say with a sigh, her attention turning to the night sky once more. "We used to hang out all the time together. I never realized how boring everything was until you stopped coming around. I'm....I'm glad I got to see you tonight." Her cheeks were a soft shade of pink as she spoke.

It always killed Donnie to see Miranda and Kirei not have a strong mother-daughter relationship. Sure she hadn’t been here long but most kids who get adopted welcome the fact that there is a family who is trying to love them. He isn’t the softest of men in the world but he knows better than most how much it can suck to not have a family. As a father of his own kids he continuously tries to better them and give them things that he didn’t have as a child growing up in a much worse Kasaihana atmosphere. Kirei’s expression when she looks at him breaks his hardened heart. Caring for the future mother and wife of his, Donnie walks to where he is behind Kirei and his right hand lovingly massages at the back of her neck. He looks down at her and flashes her a soft reassuring smile to try and ease her nerves, letting her know that she is doing great. He then turns his red eyed gaze over to Miranda as she stares at her white socks.

Donnie: We already saw the mess out there, Miranda.

His tone is stern but caring, something both of the girls would be able to hear.

Donnie: Your mother has some experience with some asshole guys. She used to date a douche who would get angry over every little thing and blow up on her for it.

He looks down for a moment laughing to himself slightly hoping she’d get the joke that he is talking about himself from their first relationship.

Donnie: She could really help you with whatever happened here. I’m no stranger to bad nights as well. I can also tell you that bottling in your anger or sadness never goes well with anyone. You could easily talk things out and have a resolution to a problem. But if you bottle that anger, it will only explode and take out everyone in the way of that erupting volcano.

His hand stays on Kirei hoping she feels good about Donnie trying to be so fatherlike towards her daughter. He’s come to genuinely care and love the girl as his own, the same way she has come to be with his kids.

Donnie: Talk to us, Hun. We are only here to help.

At the old neighborhood

Steven listens to Kathy and the small comment about Miranda brings Steven to laugh softly just for a second. He can tell she is trying to get information but what he doesn’t know is that Kathy’s true feelings on the matter aren’t to get info to see what he is doing with his free time but out of her feelings for him. She looks up into the night sky and mentions how much she misses this and Steven can’t help but feel the same way. And the realization of how comforting and anjoyable it is to talk to Kathy makes him get a small nervous feeling in his stomach. Talking with Miranda is fun but every conversation is like pulling teeth at certain times. She is so closed off that even some of their conversations lead to a fight or Miranda hitting him. Peeling back those layers to his girlfriend always make the moment more enjoyable but is that worth the trouble of having to jump through the hoops she puts him through? All these thoughts pass through his mind and he just can’t help but wonder.

Steven: I never realized how much fun it is to just talk to you.

The two of them walk towards the old playground where they used to play as kids and Steven makes his way towards the swings that are still up and in good condition. If Kathy followed, the two of them could sit down next to each other on the set of swings. Steven slowly begins to push himself forwards and backwards to get a little swinging motion going.

Steven: After everything I’ve put myself through lately…I guess I didn’t know how bad I really needed just a relaxing night.

Kathy might wonder what he means by “put himself through.” It’s such an odd statement to make in relation to what everyone probably THINKS he does on his free time. Kathy is a smart girl so she might be able to catch a small inkling as to what he is talking about. For those who know him, they can see the change that has taken place with him. In one night he goes from skinny to ripped with muscles that could put him on the cover of a magazine. His eyes are red like something out of a sci-fi movie. No one has really stopped and asked him what really changed about him after the accident.

Steven: I’m glad I got to see you too…I shouldn’t have let it go so long without spending time with you. We are lab partners after all.

Steven catches the sight of the light pink hue on her light colored skin with the moonlight helping enhance her appearance and Steven’s eyes widen a bit at the curiosity of what would make her get that look on her face.

Steven: I made the mistake of leaving a lot of my old life behind to embark on something I thought I needed…But maybe…What I needed was always there and I just didn’t see it before.

His swinging slowly stops and Kathy would be able to see how carefully Steven keeps himself to keep his eyes on her. His tone is soft, a kind of tone she had never heard him use before. What could he have meant with that? Does he even know? Steven opens his mouth slightly as if he were going to say something else but he catches himself and stops before he can dig himself any further into the hole he is putting himself in. After a few seconds he looks away slightly and wonders what Kathy might say or what she is thinking for that matter.

Having Donnie standing right there with his hand on her shoulder gave her a bit more confidence. Hearing him tell Miranda that she could be a big help in regards to the teenagers relationship troubles made her feel very good about herself and she had hope that her daughter would feel like she could open up to them. Donnie's mentioning of a 'previous boyfriend' brought a small smile to her lightly glossed lips. Kirei knew exactly who he was talking about. There was only one man with such a temper and attitude that she'd allow herself to put up with and he was right there with her showing her how wonderful a dad he was. If someone had come up to her back then and told her about this more mature and very caring and loving version of her Donnie, she'd probably laugh and ask if they were out of their mind!

Miranda was listening to them closely as she kept her puffy eyes gaze on those socks of hers. The big guy was really stepping out there and showing off his quality parenting skills. Well, the parenting skills that many of the other kids openly dreamed of. Those big, bright eyes of hers turned to the duo and lingered in them for a moment.

"Fine." She'd begin with a gentle sigh, frustration still apparent in her voice. "Steven..." Another sigh. "It's my fault. I got angry. We haven't been able to finish anything together and..." The teenager turned her head and rested her forehead against her knees. Kirei frowned. Without a second thought she reached over to gently rub her daughters back. It was moments like these that she wished she could have always been there for.

At the Park

Her cheeks held that soft pink hue as she sat on the swing beside Steven's. Seconds after he began to swing himself, Kathy walked a few steps back, hands gripping the chains, before sitting on the flexible seat and letting herself slowly begin to swing with him.

The first thing he said after getting on the swings had confused her a bit. Just what had he been getting himself into? What kind of things could Steven possibly be into that he needed to relax after? Kathy wanted to ask if it had anything to do with the awful girl his mother hated, but figured now wasn't the time. They were finally together again. She wouldn't waste such a thing. Kathy kept her eyes on the dip in the ground that her toes dragged around in. She could feel Steven's eyes on her and it made her smile a wide, pearly white smile.

"Lab partners." She laughed softly. It hurt a bit; the thought of being just that. Lab partners. Only lab partners. The time she had away from him kicked up feelings that were once very feint. With those same feelings being amplified hundreds of times, it was safe to say that being just lab partners wouldn't be enough.

Just after that thought, Stevens next statement caused her to slowly stop swinging as well. She'd seen many romance movies and read several novels of the same genre and the subtle hints were suddenly so big to her! Kathy's little heart pounded in her chest as she watched him in the midst of his sudden silence. He looked like he wanted to say more but he turned his head away. This brought a bit of a frown to Kathy's face.

'If he won't do it.... Then...'

With that, Kathy stood from her swing and slowly moved around to stand directly in front of his. She felt like she could barely breathe as her heart pounded all the way up into her throat. Her cheeks seemed to darken as they burned hotter, but that didn't stop her. A second of hesitation passed before she leaned down, her hands holding onto his knees for support and to gently hold him in place as she puckered her lips. The girl leaned in, intending for her lips to press against his. If he didn't move away, she'd be able to angle her face just enough to deliver a very delicate and sweet kiss.

Donnie watches and listens as Miranda finally gives them a little bit to work with. For all of his parenting he still has a very low tolerance for patience. It might become a trend for this family but Donnie can see how bothered Kirei is for her daughter and so he tries to see if he can’t get the information for himself. His eyes slowly fill with that black appearance, showing him activing some of his magical abilities. The same way he was able to pull the information about what happened to her and Steven on the first night together, he quickly learns about the events that played out to leading her to her bedroom. Once the puzzle of the night comes together, Donnie sighs. It might catch Kirei and Miranda off-guard but after he does it he moves to the edge of the bed and sits down. Kirei keeps herself close to her daughter and Donnie looks at the both of them.

Donnie: That’s the life of dating a Vigilante, Miranda.

His thoughts come to memories of what it felt like to a superhero alongside The Dark God well over fourty years ago. The statue of The Armored Warrior still stands in District Two. It had been so long that the park the statue originally was built in is now part of the Yun Tower Park.

Donnie: When I was dating your mother I wasn’t just a Yakuza Aniki. In secret I put on a power armor that I designed, you might recognize the new Armored Warrior Dez Wilson. He wears a much more advanced version of the armor I created. When you are a hero you have to make tough choices. The nights are filled with loneliness because heroes don’t get to live the normal life. The Night time is our working hours. Your mother had plenty of nights where she slept alone because on one side I had to be a criminal and the other, a hero to the City.

His eyes wonder over to Kirei because this would be the first time that Donnie really talks about the hardships and the many obstacles that they had to go through in their first relationship. As rocky as it was, they had that love that no fire could put out, but hearing Donnie talk about it like this might make her heart melt and be overjoyed that even deep down Donnie was always a sweet guy.

Donnie: I can understand your anger towards him, lord knows how many nights your mother hated being with me. She is too loyal and loving for her own good. But think about it from his side as well…There were plenty of nights where all I would really want to do is come home to your mother and just watch a movie. I never told her that, but many nights came conflicted with thoughts of quitting to be closer to her.

He flashes Kirei a soft smile and a wink as he says this, knowing what this might do for Kirei.

Donnie: Being a hero isn’t something that is always fun. They are long and rough nights where EVERYTIME he puts that mask on, it could be his last. I bet you he feels the same way I did when I was younger. He would love to be here with you and spend every moment he can with you…But a hero is a responsibility that isn’t taken lightly. He puts his life on the line to save those who can’t save themselves. Honestly, I actually like this kid. I keep an eye on him because well…you’re my daughter and he’s a guy…

Donnie’s tone gets stern and fatherlike with that last sentence.

Donnie: But every night since the night you both met, where has been? Here. If you ask me, you could do a lot worse, hun…

At the old playground

Kathy gets off of her swing and as she does, Steven raises a brow of curiosity and watches her with each small step she takes. The next thing he sees is her standing in front of him and now Steven looks a little confused. A few seconds pass and the moment that Kathy begins leaning forward makes time feel like it is moving in slow motion. He can feel the grip of her hands on his thighs and Steven knows what is coming next. His eyes slowly widen as his nose catches the sweet fragrance that she has when she gets this close and he swallows some spit at how intoxicating it really is.

Steven: Kathy we can’t…

He sees what it is so soft that it doesn’t even stop her motion to him. His mind is trying to get his body to move because he knows this is wrong. But nothing happens. His body remains still in the seat of the swing and then it happens. Their lips meet. Steven’s eyes slowly shut as their soft lips touch and for a moment the entire world around the two of them melts away. Every memory and every laugh the two of them had ever shared passes through his mind. All the years of the two of them dancing around each other and Kathy now finally goes for it. The boldness of her attempt is met with supreme success as she’d be able to finally get her lips to press deeply onto his. Out of reflex with little thought in it, Steven’s right hand begins to rise up to meet the soft and smooth left cheek of hers. She’d feel how his hand sensually places itself on her face to cup her cheek. The feeling is so tender and filled with kindness that she might be taken over the edge with how sweet Steven is being with his touch. At that moment his lips part and his tongue would slip out of his mouth to try and slide into hers. He takes charge of the situation and without any other thought in his mind but Kathy, he’d let his tongue swirl around with hers; getting every little bit of her sweet taste on his tongue. The words he spoke before about this not being able to happen are completely thrown out and Kathy would be able to easily feel how that conflicted side just broke down the moment their lips met. The feelings she has for him are confirmed and she can know in her heart that somewhere deep down Steven feels the same way because of how passionate the kiss becomes. The longer the kiss continues the more that thought could solidify and leave the realm of wonder and enter a state of fact. But what would happen next? Where will the two end up now? It only looks like things are getting just started not just for Kathy and Steven…but with Miranda as well.