Saga 3 Episode 57: Beauty and a Bug Pt. 4

## Participants

Miranda YuriSteven TorresBroderick Pearson
I

Miranda's round eyes widened. She wasn't expecting Steven to get as angry as he did. He'd been playing the good guy for so long during their time together that an explosion like this was the last thing she thought he'd do. Then, her eyes narrowed. The longer he yelled those things about he basically being alone without him and his sarcasm were adding fuel to the fire that burned deep inside of her. Along with the fury that raged inside of her, a great sadness grew. There was a thick and almost painful lump forming in her throat that wouldn't go away no matter how desperately she tried to swallow it back. This only frustrated her more.

So much pain and anger at once was always catastrophic for her. This time, however, was different. Normally she'd be firing right back with reckless abandon, but she was too busy trying to make sure her tough girl exterior didn't crack in front of him. Her narrowed eyes watched as he redressed himself and gathered his things before heading to the door. It was looking like her was about to leave when he turned to look at her, his tone a bit softer but still hurt sounding.

Miranda so badly wanted to reach out and stop him. Something in her just wanted to wrap her arms around his beaten form and make things right, but she found herself stuck in place. It was like she was glued to the floor, unable to move anything but her eyes. When the door slammed behind Steven, the temperamental female turned her back to it and closed her eyes tightly while taking in a shaky breath.

Moments later, the sound of that same door swinging open scared away some of that sadness. Her heart pounded happily as she turned, hoping to be able apologize. But Miranda would jump and gasp out of pure shock as her shimmering eyes locked on....

"Broke dick?!" She choked out while taking a step back. Flashes of him laying in the ground and bleeding profusely flew through her mind as she continued to slowly back away. There was no where to go. The thrift shop was crowded. Hard for him to move through? Yeah, probably. Hard for her to move through? Also yeah. She was forced listen as he talked about how badly she treated him and how she basically crushed a big dream of his. Instantly her shoulders fell and her eyes lowered to the floor. The guilt was already eating away at her. It was an unpleasant feeling.

"Come quietly? Listen, I may have hit a rough patch tonight, but I'm. It just going to give myself up to you and some weirdo pedos who can't fight a 17 year old girl. Fuck you and Brenda!" She jabbed a finger towards the man and his bat as he came closer. Knowing there weren't many places to go, Miranda would bend her knees so that she was crouching slightly before throwing herself in a rather clumsy dove to the left and through a rack of clothing. Most of the shirts stayed on the rack as she passed thorough them. When she hit the floor, her small framed body would roll further away from her original spot.

When she dives to get away, Broderick quickly follows her movements until he is able to find her moving across the ground to try and get away from him. But as she does this she would feel a firm grip on the back of the dress that is two sizes too big for her. That grib is the strong hold of Brodericks free hand grabbing her to a still halt. With a swift reaction he pulls her back, forcing her up into the air and launching het five feet backwards into one of the racks of clothes. Her back would hit the weak metal of the rack, knocking all of the clothes down once she crashes into it. Making sure not to let her go, once she gathers herself,  she'd once again feel brodericks large hand upon her body. This time grabbing her by the throat he forces her up against a nearby wall. Just like the rack, her back slams into the wall with Broderick pressing himself up against her firmly. She could squirm or try to fight back all she wants but Broderick would keep his hand clenched around her throat and his body pressed against her to keep her from running. She could see how his eyes haze upon the fine details of her face as if she were being analyzed by him.

Broderick: I have a talent. I may be young but I have a keen sense of understanding the human mind. Call it a gift or whatwver, I can see inside the small things people do and exploit them. And I can see why that loser likes you...The way he spoke. The way his body languaged shifted once you belittled him. The poor chap only wanted you to like him. See losers like him their minds work for acceptance. Everything they do is because they want people to like them or appreciate them. Usually that spans only to friends and family but with you... after that little kissy moment you decided to give him... he thought maybe that he finally could get a win from all the shit he probably takes in a day. And what did you do? Pushed him right back down where he belongs...with the rest of the trash...

outside of the store

Steven keeps walking down the street with his hands in his pockets. The silence of the night eats at his thoughts, letting them run rampent with negativity about himself. After getting a few hundred feet away from the store he stops walking. He sees a pebble on the ground and lightly kicks at it before sighing heavily.

Steven: (I should probably go back...Yeah, she's bitchy but I still should see that she gets home. Just because she doesn't like me doesn't mean I shouldnt help.)

Turning around He begins to make his way back to the store.

inside of the thrist shop

Broderick: There is something else I noticed, Love... You lied to him. You do have those little butterflies of affection for the bug...yet you pushed him away. Either you are the worst person with emotions or you just get a kick out of pain and suffering. Whichever poison it is, you really do have some problems.

Broderick would then pull her down from her position, throwing her over his shoulder and making his way towards the back of the store. For all her struggling she'd only be met with his physical discipline to keep her from trying to escape.

Just outside of the shop

Steven places his hand on the handle of the store and before walking in he looks down towards the ground. The thoughts about what he should or shouldnt say come through his mind and he takes a few seconds to get his words together. Finally he comes to open the door and when he does, the sight before him leaves his heart to sink to his chest. Not only does it make his heart sink to see the store empty but when he sees sign of a struggle as if a fight took place here, he begins to worry. Fumbling into the shop he searches each corner he can get too.

Steven: Miranda! MIRANDA!

His running takes him to the back of the store where he finds the back door completely shattered off the henges. On the corner of the door is a small piece of white fabric from Miranda's dress and it finally hits him. Steven’s right hand reaches out for the fabric slowly. Once he wraps his fingers around it he clenches it tightly. The anger of her being taken causes his blood to boil and his face forrow into one of seriousness and determination.

twenty minutes later

Inside of the bar of the Black Dogs, Broderick comes walking into the front door where Tony and his guards are already waiting for him. With Miranda over his shoulder, He roughly throws her down onto the floor in front of Tony's desk. She'd hit the ground with a painful sting and Broderick would look at Tony while leaning his body against his baseball bat.

Broderick: I believe I have delivered on my side of the deal. Now how about yours...

Tony nods his head which is an order for one guard to slide Broderick a suitcase. He opens it up to see the fifty thousand dollars that had been promised to him. A smile breaks on his face, showing emotion for a change at the sight of money. Broderick takes the briefcase in his hand and flips the bat across his shoulders.

Broderick: Thank you...You know who gets the job done if you need another hunter...

Tony gives him a confident nod before the young teen walks out of the bar without even a second thought towards Miranda and her safety. Tony walks around his desk to now be standing in front of Miranda.

Tony: Well Well Well...it is a pleasure to meet the delicate flower of Kirei Yuri...I have spent a lot of money to see you, dear. Its time for the two of us to have a chat.

Miranda let out a panicked cry as she felt his grip on her dress. She couldn't wiggle away this time and she knew it. All her mind could bring up was Steven. Visions of his gentle smile and his eyes in both states. He was gone and not only could he keep her safe, but she'd probably never see him again. Just that thought alone hurt.

As her body flew across the small store and into an unstable and old clothing rack, she'd scream a bit. Terror was enveloping her and trying to fight him like the others would be an impossible task. This hunter definitely had good experience with beating and possibly killing people that fought back.

A chill rolled through her small body as she felt his hand clamp around her throat. His tight grip caused her to choke softly and her face to redden as she was lifted up into the air and forced against the wall. Everything in her body told her to kick and fight, but it felt pointless. Her eyes closed to avoid eye contact as Broderick started to talk again. It was as if he was trying to kill off any fight that she had left by layering more guilt over the guilt that already lingered inside.

She hated this guy. Not just for his persistence and the fact that he's pinning her to the wall, but because he was right. And he was forcing her to see that he was right purely by saying it to her face in a harsh but true way. Her heart pounded heavily in her ears and she tried to swallow back the lump in her throat, but it was firmly in place.

For years, pushing people away was all Miranda ever did. No one could get close and she felt...safe. Lonely, but safe. She saved all of her heart for her real mother and the thought of even giving a piece of it to Steven....it scared her a little. She'd be wondering into untraveled territories of her heart unaware of how to comprehend feelings of love and adoration towards a male.

The relentless hunter pulled her from the wall and draped her over his shoulder like a flimsy piece of fabric. Pure reflex had her kicking her legs and slamming her dainty fists into his back, but it didn't have any effect on him.

"Please, don't do this." Miranda could no longer hold that sob back as she was carried out of the thrift store, leaving the old wooden back door shattered and the hinges completely busted to the point that they'd have to be entirely replaced as well.

20 Minutes Later

Miranda's head hung low. Her whole body was limp as they approached the bar, but she was awake. The usually tenacious female fell still a little more than halfway through the journey. None of the streets and alley's they passed or traveled down looked familiar. Whatever part of the city this was, it was dark, it was dirty, and it was scary. A place that most people would never visit unless packing heat or in a very secure vehicle.

The parking lot they crossed through was pretty full, showing that wherever they were going was very active for this time of night. A single tear formed at the corner of her eye before falling to the filthy door mat that came into view verify before Broderick stepped inside with her hanging over his shoulder. As they entered many men rejoiced at her capture while others silently and bitterly bragged that they could've brought her back sooner. Among those words were words that made her cringe. Comments about her ass end and what they'd like to do to her.

As Broderick pulled her off of his shoulder and threw her like a piece of trash to the ground, Miranda would let out a surprised little scream. The impact of her body against such a cold, hard floor made her yell out a bit and groan. While Broderick mentioned doing his part, Miranda writhed a bit on the ground until she could sit herself up. Her legs were tucked to the side but kept close to her body while her hands remained planted on the ground to hold her body up. There was the sound of something being slid past her on the floor to the hunter behind her. And like that, she was left with who she could only believe to be the man behind it all; Tony.

There were footsteps before that sudden feeling of someone invading your personal space as Tony stood close to her.

"Don't you read the news?" She'd finally say. "I was adopted, genius. Kirei isn't my real mother. Just my mother on paper." Miranda knew it would hurt the woman if she'd ever heard her say it, but that's how she felt. The teenager had already promised to do a lot of digging to find the woman that left her at that orphanage. Even if it meant walking out of her 'new' family. "And don't you dare call me delicate.... Those fucking junkies were an example. I'll gladly do the same to you." There was a bit of a growl to her tone, but she wasn't nearly as wily as before.

\_At the thrift shop Steven holds the fabric closely and he wonders what on Earth he can do to get Miranda back. There are no thoughts about him being a loser or weak, there is only the goal to get her back to safety. But how can he even begin to do it? After thinking about it for a few seconds it finally hits him. Pulling the fabric closer to his face he takes a whif of the torn dress into his nose. His sense of smell absorbs the fregrances that has been placed in on the dress. Like his sense of hearing, his sense of smell has been amplified by the change to his physiology. Instead of simply smelling a concoction of smells, his mind can seperate each smell within the fabric. Steven catches the scent of the owners who had this dress before Miranda, even the scent of metal from the racks of the store. The defining auroma that hits his nose is the sweet mint scent that he caught earlier in the night when their lips locked and when she spoke to him. Able to look out and see the trail of the scent that she leaves behind, Steven finally comes up with a plan.

Steven: Im coming, Angry...Just wait a little bit longer...

In a montage style scene, Steven throws his bag down onto the counter, and pulls out everything he needs to get back into gear. Placing all of the ruined and torn clothes to fit his vigilante appearance allows him to feel a little more confident. The last piece of clothing to come over him is Steven lightly tightening the broken goggles around his face. Finally lifting his hood over his face, Steven runs out of the building to follow the trail that Miranda has left behind.

At the club

Slowly walking around Miranda, Tony keeps his hands across his back. The guards that surround him keep their guns on the ready if anything were to happen.

Tony: I can hear the words but I don't wuite feel the venom sting. You don't sound like the fiery bitch that I heard over the walkie. You must have been through something tramatic to lose that fire. For that, I apoligize. You see you are just a pawn in a bigger game.

Tony comes to squat down in front of her, his stone grey eyes staring into her hazel hues. She'd come to feel his left hand trace the tining of her jawline softly.

Tony: Adobted or not, you are family to The Yuri-Yun family. There is anythinf your family wouldn't do to get you back to them. One of those things being her entire lack of involvement in the adult industry. Petty as this plan is, effective is its equal. Your mother is a mother at heart. She would quit anything I tell her to just to get you back. And that is exactly what I am going to get. But first...in order for your mother to see how serious we are, we must undertake some not so humane ideals.

Tony stands up and looks over to his guards. He snaps his fingers at a few of them.

Tony: Bind her arms and place a gag in her mouth. Its time we make a video for our favorite Yuri to enjoy...well...Both of them will...

Twenty minutes passed

Standing on the roof of the bar of the Black Dogs is the young hero vigilante that has been scouring the city for the young Yuri. Resting on his right he sniffs the air a bit more to get the final location that Miranda is in the upstrairs office. Walking over to the air vents that lead into the building, Steven quickly leaps into the air and allows his body to shrink small enough to pass in between the metal fans. His body disappears into the building with no intentions of turning back now.

inside of the bar

Miranda now finds herself tied to a chair with her hands bound by fabric behind her back. In her mouth is a red ball gag that would keep her completely quiet. Surrounding her are the guards that protect Tony and in the middle in front of Miranda is the man himself. He is still wearing his white zuit suit and his left hand lightly rubs up and down her right cheek.

Tony: Such a shame. Wasted beauty. I hope you didnt plan on getting by with you looks.

Tony lifts his right hand up ready to strike her with a powerful punch. But just before Tony can lay a hand on her, Stevens body hits the ground in a miniature form. Instantly returning back to his normal form, he appears leaning on his left knee with his right leg extended outwards and his left hand placed on the ground. With Steven entering the fray of the club, every guard lifts their weapon up to be aimed right at Steven. The young warrior shows no fear in this moment. He simply rises up to his feet and keeps his eyes placed strictly on Tony. The mobster also looks up towards Steven and the two come to a heated staredown.

Tony: Bold strategy here, Kid...

Steven: You're going to let Miranda go and we are going to walk out of here. NOW.

Tony and the guards begin to laugh histarically.

Tony: And why on Earth should I just release her to you?

Even though she can't see him because of her seated position, she'd be able to hear the sincerity and care in his voice from what he says next.

Steven: Because I owe her a dinner...

The leader of the Black Dogs grows irritated with the answer Steven came back with.

Tony: So the hero has a crush on the girl he saved...how quant. Too bad, Kid. You should have came with a better plan...SHOOT HIM!

With two simple words each guard with a gun begins to open fire with a wall of hot lead headed straight towards Steven! Miranda would he forced to hear nothing but the aound of bullets being rainded down on Steven who is only a few feet behind her!

II
--

Just before being grabbed by Tony's goons, Miranda made eye contact with the determined man. He looked to be enjoying his 'victory'. But he didn't seem to be satisfied with just her capture. As more than one pair of hands grabbed her by the arms and yanked her to her feet, Miranda would begin to fight, again. She tugged left and right, but the men were stronger. Especially combined. Her dainty hands curled into tight fists as she tried to break herself free, but they only mocked her.

She was brought to a single chair; the focal point of the room, it seemed. Unaware of the plans made for her, Miranda became more panicked than before. Her bare feet kicked around wildly until the chair was toppled over by a stray kick. One of the other thugs moved to fix it and she flung her legs relentlessly at him.

"Watch it, you bitch! I gotta beer in my hand!" He held the beer bottle up high in the air to ensure its safety while he pulled the chair upright. The men holding onto her were quick to shove her down in the chair, taking what little of a beating she could give while being strapped down.

"Dammit! Let me go!" She'd grunt as she fought against the strong bindings. Her head was turned with her eyes on her wrists as she tried to pull free, but a teasing whistle brought her eyes up. Immediately after getting her to look at him, the thug smiled a wide smile and his friend jammed the red ball gag in her mouth and pulled it tight so he could secure it in the back. Her grunts and defiant screams were extremely muffled now and any and all ideas and escape plans faded from her mind. There was no getting out of this one. Not in her own.

Suddenly, she felt alone.

Memories of her childhood filled her mind. It was as if she was watching a documentary about herself. Just clips and clips of her younger self trying to control her anger and failing. Clips of her sitting in her separate room on her little twin bed with her back pressed into the corner and her knees hugged to her chest. Her anger issues and obsession with her real mother proved to be an effective repellent against the other children of the orphanage.

'He was right.... I'm alone...'

20 Minutes Later

It felt like a lifetime of sitting and waiting for them to be ready for...whatever Tony had planned. Miranda would fight against the cloth restraints for a moment, then stop to build up more energy. But it had been too long. Too long without food, water, or sleep and it looked like she might have to go longer until Tony got what he wanted.

The man, himself, was standing right in front of her with armed guards close by and ready to tear into her if she tried anything. That was the only thing keeping her from kicking him right in his balls. As his hand lightly caressed her jawline, Miranda would pull her head back and to the side. Her eyes remained on him, glaring. If looks could kill the whole bar would go up in flames.

Tony didn't seem to care about her animalistic growl. He pulled his hand back, balling it up tightly, and she close her eyes as hard as she could. Miranda braced herself for a hell of a beating, but it wouldn't come.

Instead of being thrown into a flurry of pain and fury, she was hit hard with immense happiness and relief at the sound of Steven's voice. In a frantic attempt to look back at him and simultaneously break herself free, Miranda squirmed and bucked against the chair and her bindings. The tone in Steven's voice sent an awkward chill through her body and she felt herself beginning to melt a bit. Hearing his reason why he was doing what he was doing for her? Well, it made her cold little heart explode with warmth and a happy fuzziness. Miranda could feel tears welling up in her eyes as she realized that she was never alone, regardless of his harsh words. Not only was she happy he was there, but she was realizing that she had to give people at least one chance...maybe. At least the people she had right now.

In the midst of her happiness, Tony would shout for his men to take aim and fire! Miranda screamed behind the muffling ball gag as bullets began to fly. And she continued to scream and cry with all of her might, more than she ever had when it came to anyone but her mother. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she heard nothing but gunfire zipping around her tense and shaky body.

'No, not him! Please, not him!' She'd think desperately.

The bullets fly towards him and with quick reaction, Steven shrinks his body down to remain out of normal eye sight. He can hear the bullets zoom by him as they rip right through the floor boards and walls behind him. Sprinting forward Steven sees his target in front of him. Leaping up like a track star he gets his small mini feet off of the ground. In doing this he grows back to his original size with his rigjt hand cocked back. In mid jump he thrusts his right hand forward and smashes his fist into the guards black face mask! The casting of the mask shatters under his high density punch and the guard flies back into the wall behind him. Being back to normal size makes it easy for the guards to shoot at him so he is forced to jump back into the air while shrinking his body again. This time he descends through the air up at head level to the guards. Using expert timing he is able to actually land on the rifle barrel of the next guard in the line. Running up the barrel of the gun he swiftly sprints across the weapon to reach the buttstock. Once he reaches this portion of the rifle he leaps into the air so his hands can be placed over his head, interlocking his fingers together. With a swing of his fists he cracks the second guard with a powerful double axe handle attack that sends him toppled over to the floor. One by one Steven uses his ability to seemingly disappesr from sight to keep himself from being shot by the guards. Before the men can even finish one round of firing from thirty round magainzes they are met by the high density attacks that Steven can deliver on them. Tony runs over to his desk to grab an item to help even the playing field now that his men have been taken out of the fight. Once the men are taken out and Tony busy trying to find his weapon, Steven's full form body reappears behind Miranda. His hands begin to pull on the fabric that binds her to release her of her situation.

Steven: Did ya miss me, Angry?

His tone has a slick sacastic tone and if she looked to her left she'd see the sly grin of his. But that happy moment doesn't last long as Tony reappears with a gun in his hands. This gun looks highly advanced with blue glowing orbs on the side and no magazine of bullets inserted. Before Steven can get Miranda free, Tony pulls the trigger and reveals that the amall hand cannon actually fires high frequency soundwaves! Stevens body is hit with the soundwaves and he is shot back towards the back wall and hits the floor with a rough smashin sound. Miranda would have minimum effects from this gun because of the fact that it is focused on hitting steven. Miranda would also notice that as Steven came to be shot with the soundwaves, his grip around the cloth actully ripped the restraints off of her and freed her of being bound to the seat. Tony keeps his finger on the trigger, walking passed Miranda, not giving her any attention to see that she had been freed.

Tony: You have been a pain in my ass this whole night! I take great pleasure in killing you now!

with the soundwaves keeping him on the ground, his hands are pressed up against his ears while he groans in painful agony. Tony's back is facing Miranda and now is the chance for her to be the hero of her own story! Being freed from the chair and Tony focused on killing Steven she has the opportunity to end the nightmare that has been this night!

Little by little the gun fire calmed. Miranda could hear grunting and the sound of bodies hitting the floor. At first, she was confused. Confusion didn't last long, however. There was only one reason more than one body would drop when every weapon was aimed at one on the other side of the room. The pure excitement and relief that flooded her was almost overwhelming. Her eyes opened and she watched as one after one the men dropped like flies while Tony fumbled around at his desk.

After the last thug was taken down, Miranda could feel hands messing with the cloth around her wrists and she heard that familiar voice behind her. She could hear the smile in his words and turned her head a bit to look at him. She was right. Being able to see that smile of his in person again made her heart skip a beat.

Her words were entirely muffled but her happy and relieved laughter was enough for him to catch on that she was glad he was there. But Tony made sure to put a damper on the reunion with his weird looking gun aimed their way. Miranda's eyes narrowed at him and she squirmed against the restraints. Whatever it was, it was very intimidating. The man pulled the trigger and Miranda turned away quickly, expecting herself or Steven to be hit with a bullet. Instead of a bullet, however, there was some sort of sound waves. Steven was sent flying far back into the wall behind her, but Miranda really hadn't felt a thing. She could barely hear it, in fact. It was just a slightly annoying screech that she could easily down out of she wanted to.

As Tony passed by her, Miranda felt that her restraints were loose to the point where she could pull out of them. Once the man had completely passed her up, the teenager would quietly pull her hands out from around the chair and raise to her feet. She unwrapped her wrists and threw the cloth aside before pulling off the ball gag. Although she was overjoyed about being free, her eyes stared daggers into the mans back. That ever so familiar feeling of her blood heating to its boiling point flooded her. Without a second thought, the teenager quietly stepped closer and closer until she was just feet away from him. While he had his attention in Steven, Miranda would bring her foot back as far as she could before swinging it forward. Her foot would fly up between his legs if he hadn't noticed her behind him. She left very little time for him to react if he did notice her as her foot was aimed between his legs at his genitals. She needed to take him down fast. And that was the only way she knew of. If her foot did connect with his privates, the impact would be devastating to such sensitive body parts. The result would be crippling pain that would take him to his knees if not the floor. The effects of such a violent attack in a man's genitals could cause intense trauma to him, visiting, and possible unconsciousness.

Miranda takes full advantage of the position she is in and gives that swift kick everything she has. Thencomical sound of eggs shattering can be heard the moment that her foot comes to ram onto his balls. Tony screams out in pain to fall down onto his knees. His grip around the gun is lost, forcing him to drop the weapon all-together when he falls to his knees. Underneath the mask his eyes begin to water up from the pain of his genitals being hit so hard. Down on the floor, Steven shakes his head and is able to gather himself. His vision and his senses return to him and when they do he looks up to see Tony on his knees with Miranda standing proudly over him. At that moment Tony practically heaves for oxygen but still able to reach his right hand into his jacket reaching for something. Steven doesnt wait to see what he is grabbing for. From his position on the ground he charges forwars towards Tony! As he charges towards the man, his right hand is cocked back and with full strength of his high density creating a heavy anchor at the end of his fist he swings the arm forward like an uppercut! The impact of the punch nails the bottom of Tonys jaw! The power sends him flying upwards towards the ceiling of the room. Crashing through the ceiling head firsr, half of his body is punctured through the building to leave his legs dangling in the two kids view. Tony had finally come to be taken care of and the room is covered in unconsious guards. Steven lifts himself to full height to stand in front of Miranda. If she tried to be her angry self and blame him for her being caught or what took him ao long, Steven would simply smile and make a B-line movement straight to her. Without any hesitation of fear of being hit again, Steven places his right arm around the small of Mirandas back. With that arm around her, at the same time, he'd pull her closer towards him. She'd practically be lifted off of her feet if she didn't resist him. What comes next is her body becoming roughly pressed against his chest and she could feel his heartbeat through all their clothes. Steven’s lips press against hers and the surprise of this moment might take her back. Unlike their first kiss that came to fruitiom from an accident, Steven holds nothing back now and fully takes the teenage girl in a passionate kiss. The sweet taste of her bubblegum lips fills his entire soul and Steven doesn't turn back. His tongue would slide inbetween the full bodied lips of hers ao their tongues could wrestle against one another. This would be a whole new sight of Steven, taking her completelt instead of the nerdy shy guy she had come to meet. After about a minute or so of the room getting hot and heavy from their kissing, Steven would slowly pull his lips from hers. He keeps his face close to heres however, letting his forehead rest against hers. A smile curls up across his lips and their eyes become locked once more.

Steven: You yell too much...

With the addiction of her taste becoming more prominent for the young teen, he bites down on his bottom lip after saying this. His grip around her is tight and protective, she could feel safe in his arms. If she had anything to say or yell for that matter, Steven would take all of it. He feels no regret in this action and will remember it for the rest of his life.

Steven: Let's get you home. We've had enough of Tony and his gang for one night.

With a gushing smile across his face he waits to see how Miranda will react to all of this before the two of them finally come to leave.

Tony dropped like a sack of potatoes and watching him drop filled Miranda with pride and satisfaction. A devious little smirk pulled at the corners of her lips as she watched the man going through all sorts of agony on the floor. His pain was like music to her ears! Miranda's eyes moved off of Tony's body to watch Steven as he moves around. She didn't even notice Tony was digging for something in his jacket until Steven charged at him. The heroes gist connected with so much power that as the mans head was snapped back from the blow to his jaw, but his body was launched up into the ceiling. Miranda couldn't help but laugh at the way his legs dangled down from the hole in the ceiling his body created.

When her eyes lowered back onto Steven, her smile faded a bit. Everything seemed to slow and all was quiet. Miranda's heart beat loudly in her ears as she struggled to think of something, anything to say.

"What took you so long?! I've been waiting for ages!" There was a bit of a playful look on her face, though he tone seemed serious. And she would have continued, too. Had it not been for Steven's quick thinking. He closed in on her so fast that there was no time to really prepare herself for what was to come. As his arm looped around her waist and she was pulled so close to his body that her round breasts were pressed tightly against him, Miranda's train of thought would suddenly fall right off of its tracks. Her lips parted as if she was going to say something else, but his own had quickly cut her off with a kiss so passionate that she felt her knees weaken. The thought of losing her balance because of this kiss wasn't very appealing at all. Her arms lifted to wrap around his neck as she allowed herself to completely melt against him and into the kiss. Her cheeks were burning a deep shade of crimson. Not only did she feel strongly for him, but she noticed that this embrace of his actually made her feel safer. She felt like she could relax in his arms and not worry about any one of the thugs waking up to attack because he'd keep her safe.

The kiss intensified as his tongue pushed past her lips. Letting herself run on autopilot, Miranda's tongue would twist and twirl around his. Minutes of this went by before his tongue slipped away from hers and his lips pulled back. Miranda hadn't even realized she closed her eyes until she opened them to look up at him slowly. She almost even forgot where she was! The girl held still as he rested his forehead against hers. This moment was one she always read about and it seemed completely impossible that it would happen to her....but here he was. Proving her wrong. His playful comment about her yelling too much made her laugh softly.

"Can't handle the heat?" She'd almost whisper as she kept her glimmering gaze on his. There were no words to express just how immensely happy she was. That devious little smirk of hers returned to her face, but was a bit softer than before as she ran her fingers up the back of his neck to play with his hair for a moment while she thought about their kiss and her feelings for him. When he mentioned taking her home, she felt her heart sink a little. She didn't want the moment to end, but she knew she had to go home or her mom and step dad would have an army searching for her.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." She'd gently say, while looking away for a moment. Her eyes returned to his, wanting to take in everything before they left.

## III

A little ways down the hour

With no one hunting them down or trying to kill them, Steven is able to get Miranda home safe and sound. Donnie’s house is part of a large towering complex of condos, taking a vast majority of floors within the building. Miranda’s room is located on the fortieth floor. With the time of night she can’t simply go through the front door because it would alert the building and her parents that she is coming in super late and covered in blood and dirt from the night she has had. Taking it upon himself he actually carried her small petite frame all the way up to the outside of her window on his back. With his physiology it wasn’t even a struggle to get her up here but now comes the point where the two would be forced to go their separate ways. Placing her down next to her open window to her bedroom, Steven kneels down onto his right knee to help her in if she needed it. Once she is inside he’d take a squatted position at her window, making sure she is well enough to call it a night. Part of him doesn’t want to see it come to an end, especially after his ballsy move to kiss her with such a fiery passion as he did earlier tonight.

Steven: You have my number…So maybe…I mean if you still wanted too…It’s no biggie…

His tone going back to that nervous geek even after sharing a legit kiss with her. The aura that she gives off is so intimidating that even someone of his strength can become humbled by her beauty.

Steven: You could…text me or call me sometime…I still owe ya that dinner…so you know…I mean…I’d be down for something like that.

Raising his right hand behind his neck, he gives her a bright geeky smile with his cheeks beginning to change with a crimson red hue of embarrassment and nervousness. This is still the same guy that took her in his arms like a man with all the confidence in the world. But in the heat of that moment he truly felt that confidence with her. She brought out that side of him in the moment that she was in danger. With her life on the line Steven felt something different inside of him come out. Now that the two of them are safe and all he wants to do is kiss her again, his mind continues to mess with him on what he can or can’t do.

Steven: If there isn’t anything else though…I uhhh, I guess I should be going then.

Light fingertips tap against the window pane as his words say that he should leave, but on the inside he aches to do anything but that. It would be a point where Miranda can say her farewells to him and see where the two could go from here or some other plan that she might have come up with for the bug wonder. In his chest his heart is practically ready to burst from his chest, wanting to just take her and kiss her again. The taste of the bubblegum she has will forever be something he needs to have but his body remains still in that squatted position waiting to hear what she has to say back. His crimson eyes remain on where she is standing, still very much alive as they were earlier tonight. A few seconds pass and even though he said he should be going, Miranda would notice that lingering feeling and she’d be able to easily know that he doesn’t want to leave. The only question that remains is, will she let him?

Within the hour the pair was able to make it to the Yun residence. The two took their time with the walk, both participating in a happy sort of silence. A silence that spoke a magnitude or words. Miranda could feel the air around them and it was so much lighter. The teenagers gaze lifted, leaving her eyes to linger on the dark window of her bedroom....on the 40th floor of her step fathers large home. She swallowed hard, not just because she'd be barraged with frantic questions by her mother and her step father if they were awake when she walked in but because she was closer to having to part ways with a guy that she felt so strongly for. Even now it still felt odd that this guy she'd just met became someone she wanted to always be around....not that she'd really admit it.

As if his mind had been in sync with hers, he pulled her onto his back. Using his strength, he bravely climbed up the building with her tightly wrapped around him. She clung to him for dear life with tightly closed eyes and her face buried in his clothing. Miranda became lost in his smell. She nearly melted against him all over again. Soon, she was able to smell her bedroom; that clean, perfume, and a hint of mint smell. Mint was her favorite. She had a single mint plant growing in a cute little pot next to her window. It grew stronger the closer you were to it. Miranda took in the peppermint and a small smile crawled across her lips. She was home.

As Miranda slowly maneuvered her way around the few nicknacks and the good smelling plant, she felt a sudden urge to turn back and wrap around him again. As her bare feet touched the dark wooden floors, she took a moment to look around.

'Yep....this is my room. My home...' Her eyes ended on Steven and lingered as he squared in her window. There was something about him. He didn't look as happy he was moments ago. But it was subtle. She could even just barely hear it in his voice as he spoke. Aside from the normal nervousness to his tone, there was a gentle sadness lurking.

"Dinner...." She smiled a bit and looked away for a moment. So much eye contact and all of these feelings were overloading her. "I'd like that." The teenager bit her lip softly, insure of what else she could say. Him mentioning that it was time for him to go made her heart stop. This was it, wasn't it? Would they follow through? Could they? They'd part ways and she'd be forced to sit and wonder. Left to be driven insane by all of the what if's and could be's.

"Wait! Wait..." Her eyes widened after blurting out that word. She didn't even know where she was going with this, but...she wanted him to stay. "You're job isn't done, Super Scrub." The name was said in a teasing and playful manner. She placed her hands on her hips. "I need over night protection. Just in case we were followed." She turned her back to him and began to walk over to her queen sized bed. The mint green comforter was neatly aligned on the mattress with large pillows in white pillow cases. She became increasingly nervous as she climbed into her bed and scooted herself towards the wall so he could take the spot near the edge of the bed....if he wanted. As Miranda buried her feet under the comforter, her gaze lifted to watch him. Her heart was pounding so violently that she feared it would rip out of her chest. Though she panicked about what she'd do if he actually climbed into bed with her, she desperately didn't want to be alone.

The moment that she yells out for him to wait is like a moment of relief that can finally let Steven breath from the breath he didn’t know he was holding. His eyes brighten up when she stops him as he practically hangs on the edge of her every word just waiting to hear something to melt his heart once more. The comment that follows gets him to lower his head with a slight laugh, for once enjoying the nickname that she has placed upon him. As she comes to mention that she will need overnight protection, his face shoots back up to look at hers with his cheeks instantly being filled with a warmth to match the crimson hue under his eyes. Red eyes follow every little movement her body makes and time actually slows down around the two of them. He can feel every beat his heart pushes against his chest as he watches her crawl into her bed; getting under the mint green blanket that drapes over her queen bed. Part of his mind is telling him to just leave, get out while he still can before it all becomes too much for him to handle. But the way she scoots over for him to have room on the bed becomes the final nail in the coffin.

Steven: (I can’t turn back now.)

His body slides into the room as quiet as a mouse. Each step he takes towards her bed increases the strength of his heart beat and the butterflies within his stomach. He had just come to have his first kiss tonight and now he is going to be in the same bed as the girl who was on the other end of said kiss. With all the gear he wears, Steven obviously has to take some of it off to even get comfortable. Pulling the harness, jacket, and under armour shirt off of him he once again comes to reveal the muscular upper body he has. Even though she isn’t facing him it would be worth noting that the injuries he sustained earlier in the night have almost all but disappeared. The dried blood is still present but the gashes themselves have come to close and already scar over with new skin. Taking in a deep breath he slides into the bed with his back on the surface of the mattress looking up towards the ceiling. She remains a good ways away from him and he lightly turns his head to see her back towards him.

Steven: (Come on man. She already got you here, just take the leap. Don’t be a chicken. Just do it!)

Trying to pump himself up and muster some courage, Steven finally turns towards her and with everything he has left inside of him, he finally takes a step towards being confident and somewhat suave.

Steven: Just an idea. Uhhh…Maybe it might be smart if instead of being so far away from each other…I uhhh maybe uhhh, should keep you close to me. That way if someone DOES try to take you…moving you away from me would wake me up.

Sure, it sounds a lot dumber than it should. But Steven has no game. If anything she might find it cute the way he tries to win her over, trying to hide the real fact that he just wants to hold her. If she didn’t resist it she’d come to feel his hands softly be pressed against her hips. With a simple pulling motion she’d be pulled towards the center of the bed and he sliding his body forward to meet her in the middle. From this his hands slide forwards across her body to hold her tightly against his body and his face being placed just behind hers. His face remains red as a color palette but if she didn’t cut him off, she’d feel the comfortability and safeness that this has. Even though he had never done anything remotely close to this with another girl, he can’t help but feel every little emotion that comes from being able to hold her so close to him like this. A small smile curls up on his lips as the hint of her mint fragrance hits his nose. If it were up to him the two would stay like this. Even for a teenager his age, one would expect there to be heavy sexual urges. With the perfect situation opening up for a chance to lose a certain v-card, Steven doesn’t even think about it. His mind and his heart is so far melted at just the way Miranda is as a person and how much just being here with her feels to him that he doesn’t even think about sex or all the things that come from being a teenager. To him, the moment is already perfect as it is. From a night of simply fighting and constantly at each others throat, somehow, the two of them ended up here. Steven can easily say.

Steven: (This was the best day ever…)

It wasn't clear just how tired she actually was...until she laid her head on one of the five plush pillows that were neatly arranged on her bed. As soon as she felt her head sink lightly into the material, her body suddenly felt heavy. It felt so good to be able to lay in her bed. The comforter instantly warmed her and she began to slowly rub her soft bare feet against each other. She was in a relaxed state that most would never get to witness. For a moment, Miranda faded out of reality into a blissful dream world. Surprisingly, there were lots of flowers and a healthy amount of summer sunshine. Her secret happy place that she's never admit to shrinking into. This was a place she tried so many times to go to whenever she felt the anger building up within, but she could never get in on the spot. It was a place that she had to slowly transition into.

As she fell deeper into this bliss, she felt weight being applied to the other side of the bed. This ripped her right back into reality. She didn't even know her eyes had closed until they flew open.

'He actually stayed! He's...in my bed!' The situation was so new, so surreal. Miranda kept her back to him, not wanting him to see her pale cheeks become rosy red. His voice broke the increasingly awkward silence. It took him a few seconds to spit it out, but once her did she could feel the butterflies multiply in a frenzy in her stomach and her heart raced in her chest.

"Huh...Good idea." Was all she'd say before his hands grabbed her hips gently and pulled her in towards the middle of the bed. Her back met his chest at the center of the expensive mattress and she felt her body tense a bit. Discomfort fought with comfort as she remained tucked against him. Miranda hadn't cuddled anyone before, either. Tonight was just full of firsts for her. Eventually, she felt her body slowly relax and become heavy yet again. Her eye lids closed and she could feel herself slipping back into that blissful place.

'So this is what cuddling is like.... It's....nice..' Was her final thought as she became enveloped in sleep and let exhaustion win.