Saga 3 Episode 58: Beauty and a Bug One-Shot

## Participants

Miranda YuriSteven TorresDonnie YunKirei YuriDinah Yun
I

The sun shines high in the city with birds flying into the heavens to paint a wonderful picture that comes straight out of a Bob Ross show. Inside of District Two there is a large towering building that houses some of the cities richer businessmen and women. Within a large portion of that building is the Yun family. This is where Donnie Yun, CEO of Yun Corp, has moved his family too. Coming from Seattle where he built up the city as a utopian style of a city, he has come back home to Kasaihana to continue to try and bring the magic that once lived in the city. Since returning back to the city he has rekindled a relationship with his first love, Kirei Yuri. Along with falling in love with her all over again came the connecting of two separate families. Donnie had already been given the wonderful gift of two children from his late wife and Kirei bringing in her newly adopted daughter to the table. The two families live under the same room and even though Miranda is not his blood daughter, he has grown to love her just the same as any of his other kids. Where that family is now is with Miranda asleep in her bed, which has been accepted as the normal behavior of the young teenage girl. Even with the time almost at noon, no one has forced her awake for the day. Especially since the schools are currently on break both Kirei and Donnie see fit to let the girl sleep in. What is different about today? Today marks the first time that Miranda will be waking up to someone else laying in her bed with her. With the sun shining through her opened window there is a second person in her bed; a boy. That boy is the young hero who worked tirelessly to see Miranda brought back home after a local gang tried to abduct her. Last night the two of them slept in sweet bliss as if it were something they had always done together. Some positions had changed throughout the night but now as they begin to wake up, their current pose is one that would surprise the both of them.

In the center of the bed, the mint green blanket covers them from the waist down to their toes. Her right leg peaks out from underneath the blanket; wrapped around his waist holding him . Her left arm holds him close to her from underneath his right arm while her right hand is wrapped around the back of his head. Even in her sleep her fingers slowly caress through the soft black hair of his. On the other end of the spectrum Steven has both of his arms wrapped around the small of her back; firmly pressing her body against his. From where they are laying, Steven’s face is actually buried into her large and firm breasts. In their current post his face is actually unseen with only his cheekbones exposed from his face so effortlessly relaxed in between her breasts. Once he begins to wake up, his eyes don’t open just yet which gives him a moment to let his senses adjust. The hint of a mind fragrance hits his nose and it gives him flashbacks towards kissing and holding Miranda. In his mind he completely spaced out about spending the night here and not realizing that he is face deep into her breasts. With the enjoyable scent filling up his sense of smell, he releases a groan of pleasure as if this were the best way he could possibly wake up. He finally pulls his head from her breasts, thinking he is pulling his head out of his pillow, and comes to lightly open his eyes. Vision is blurry and takes a moment to adjust but when they do the image of Miranda’s adorable sleeping face is the first thing he sees. If she had woken up he can only imagine the type of awkwardness that would follow waking up like this. Once their eyes come to meet in this pose, Steven flashes her a bright smile with his cheeks turning red.

Steven: Good morning?

Meanwhile at the dining room table in the house

Donnie and Kirei are both seated with breakfast all finished and Donnie drinking a cup of coffee. Looking down at the watch on his left hand he sees the time and then looks over towards Miranda’s door to see it still closed from the day before. Small pitter patter of tiny feet bounce across the hard wood floor and it is revealed that the little six year old Dinah runs out of her room to head straight for her father. In her right hand is a small paper with drawings on it and her left hand lightly smacks at her father’s thigh.

Dinah: Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Looks!

When he looks down he sees that Dinah drew a picture of her and Miranda holding hands in stick figure artwork. Next to them is Donnie and Kirei holding hands with Damian in the background running in circles.

Donnie: That looks great, Dinah.

Dinah: Can I shows, sissy!?

Donnie: Sure, let’s go wake her lazy butt up. It’s almost noon and she’s still knocked out.

Dinah gets picked up by Donnie and placed over his shoulders so the two of them can make their way to Miranda’s room. Turning the doorknob he opens up the door and the first thing he sees is Miranda and Steven cuddled up with one another. The sight of the large muscular male would bring fear and shock into both of the teens whole existences while Dinah just begins laughing hysterically. Donnie’s eyes burn with a red hot passion as he looks at a Shirtless Steven who is still completely connected with his adopted daughter. Dinah lifts up her artwork to show Miranda.

Dinah: I has to add anosser one! Hello duuuuddeee!

Steven slowly tries to maneuver himself away from Miranda to avoid the death glare that is being given to him by Donnie. The large Yun slowly turns around to look at Kirei.

Steven: Kirei. Do you know anything about the teenage boy in your daughters room? Or can I just snap his neck now and call it a day?

Dinah gets all excited, bouncing up and down on her father’s shoulders not really understanding what is going on because of her age.

Dinah: Snaps! Snaps! Snaps!

By this time Kirei would have already made her way to the room and now with all the eyes on the two of them, Steven inches lower into the bed to where the blanket covers every part of him but his eyes and his hair. With a higher pitched voice filled with fear and nervousness, Steven tries to calm the situation down.

Steven: uhhh, Hey Everyone.

Instantly, before anyone else can say anything, Donnie shoots his left index finger up to Steven with his jawline clenching.

Donnie: You. You don’t talk. I don’t even want to know your name. Right now it’s “Guy about to get my foot up his ass if he talks again.”

Steven nods his head out of pure fear and continues to try and sink into the bed to just disappear all-together. Donnie turns his attentions to Miranda now and even with all her glares and bitchyness, nothing compared to the angry stare that a father Donnie gives to her.

Donnie: I want an explanation and I want it yesterday.

Dinah can hear the anger in her father’s voice and she lifts her hands up to her face to muffle her laughing.

Dinah: ooooo sissy in twubbleee….

Steven looks down towards the ground to see his gear all staged on the floor. His crimson hues looks down at his gear then back up to Donnie over and over again.

Steven: (If I can make it my gear I can totally escape this with my life.)

With the morning quickly turning into a near death experience for the young teenage boy he wonders how Kirei or Miranda will react to either make it worse or better. But to make sure he keeps his head in its current place, Steven just stays quiet like a mouse.

The bright sunny rays of the afternoon sun bathed the large bedroom. Every corner was lit up from ceiling to floor. Well, not every corner. The queen sized canopy bed was perfectly out of the brunt of the rays of light thanks to the Suns positioning compared to window positioning. This would allow Miranda to be slowly awoken rather than blinded through her eye lids. The girl took in a deep, content breath through her nose and tightened the grip she unknowingly had on Steven as he slept with his face between her round breasts. Her eyes remained closed as she felt his body stir and she wondered when her mothers make cat, Tim (Aka Tim Burton or Burton), got so large. With her mind still on a fog, she thought nothing of the very human groan that followed. However, as seconds passed the more aware she became. She felt something being pulled from between her breasts. Something that left the skin between them very warm. Her dark lashes fluttered open slowly and were suddenly locked on a pair of very familiar and very nervous looking eyes. Hearing him say good morning in a nervous tone confirmed that she was, indeed, awake and not dreaming even the slightest bit. Before Miranda could rip herself away from him and make up an excuse as to why she was cuddling him so intimately, her bedroom door flung open. The large, muscular male that stood in the doorframe looking utterly shocked and extremely pissed all at once sent her heart in a frenzy. The teenager panicked and quickly ripped herself away from Steven when she felt him trying to pull away, as well.

"The one place I can have privacy and you don't even \*knock\*?!" She threw her arms up in the air, still clearly flustered by how her morning was turning out. Coming in behind Donnie was a very excited looking Kirei. The woman practically danced into the room after Donnie asked her if they knew Steven.

"Teenage boy?! My baby is sexually active! Oh my goodness I've been waiting for this moment!" The woman's lips were curved into a very wide smile. This instantly made Miranda's cheeks turn red before she buries her face in her hands to try and hide her embarrassment.

"Seriously?!" She'd shout as Kirei gushed about how her beautiful daughter was finally a woman and whatnot. Donnie also continued on his own path in the moment and demanded and explanation. Miranda kept her head low except for when Steven greeted the family awkwardly. She felt the urge to punch him for not staying quiet.

Kirei's eyes rested on Steven and she laughed a bit. Seeing how nervous he was made her pity him a bit. The woman stepped closer to him and the bed, causing Miranda to cringe harder.

"Oh, don't be scared of that big ol' bear! He's such a cuddle bug at night!" Kirei looked over her shoulder at Donnie and would wink flirtatiously at him. The teenager groaned loudly and shook her head before finally giving Donnie his answer.

"It's a long story, Donnie." It might not have been the answer he was looking for, but it was the only answer she'd give for right now. "It's been a rough night and a hell of a morning and I'm ready for breakfast!" The teenager boldly slid out of bed, still wearing the worn out dress from last night. On the outside, she looked calm. But inside was complete chaos in terms of emotion.

When Kirei comes in excited and actually overjoyed to see her daughter engage in what they think was sexual activity, both Steven and Donnie look at her with extremely confused faces.

Donnie: How are you excited for this?

Dinah just laughs, always enjoying when Kirei gets into her gigglefests of happiness.

Dinah: Mommy happy!

Donnie looks up to see Dinah giggling and by all of it, the man couldn’t really stay pissed off. Even though he loves her, Miranda isn’t his blood daughter. So if Kirei isn’t bothered by this, Donnie really doesn’t have a place to be judgmental over how Kirei raises her daughter. Once Miranda gets out of bed he quickly takes note of worn dress and the comment about last night being a long night. Dinah and Donnie’s eyes both squint as they see something really fishy about that. Kirei and the others don’t know what Donnie’s family is truly capable of. Sure he’d eventually have to tell them what they are since he and Kirei are planning to have a child together, but for now they are sworn to secrecy. That doesn’t mean Donnie will remain out of the loop because Miranda wants to keep things to herself. With his eyes squinted the whites of his eyes slowly lose their color and are replaced with a black void. Dinah’s do something similar though instead of black they actually glaze over with a star bright white color. These little things might go unnoticed by most but what the two are doing is actually peering into the memory that Miranda has. Because she doesn’t have any mental restraints placed on her it is as easy as reading a book. Within the span of those few moments in between the conversation Donnie is able to see everything that went on last night. His facial expression changes as he is a little surprised that this happened to her and she be so well off considering everything. His eyes revert to their normal red iris once he is able to see everything. His jaw is lightly down, leaving his mouth open with surprise. He turns to look at Steven who hasn’t moved an inch from being told to shut up. Dinah crawls on top of her father’s head so she can look down at Donnie.

Dinah: Daddy sees pain?

Donnie lightly nods, knowing that Dinah is feeling the emotions that he grabbed from Miranda’s memory. Because of her power set there are many things she can do that she doesn’t even know or can control. With someone in his mind, Donnie looks down towards Kirei and with his jaw clenched he can feel the rage burning inside of him. This rage is not towards the kids but rather towards the individual that put them in their hellish of a night prior to him gaining this knowledge.

Donnie: Let them get dressed…We can discuss this at the dinner table…There is something I must do first…

Turning around he is the first one out of the room and Steven can’t help but inch his way out of the bed. Once he does so his body is revealed to Kirei who might have a comment about the way he looks physically as either a good catch for Miranda or a bad one. Either way would get Steven to have an embarrassed look on his face.

Steven: I’ve followed his work ever since I was a little kid…Never realized how intimidating he is in person…Then again…I don’t think I ever planned on meeting my hero in his daughters bed.

Donnie walks into the other room with Dinah still on his head. His arms reach up to place her down on the floor and with a stern eye he keeps his glare on her.

Donnie: Stay here.

Dinah: Yes Daddy.

With no one else in the room, Donnie waves his right hand across the wall to open up a large black portal. Inside of the portal reveals the same bar that Steven and Miranda were in last night. Without any hesitation he comes to walk through the portal and appears on the other side inside of The Bar of The Black Dogs. Where he is standing is right next to the chair that held Miranda down. The very same chair that Tony planned on beating his step-daughter to a bloody pulp. In front of him, Tony is rubbing the back of his head with his hand on his desk looking over some of the papers of what it will cost to fix the bar. Around him are some guards who have yet to notice that Donnie has forced himself into their lair of business. Donnie turns his head from left to right to see everyone in the room. Finally he clears his throat to attract every eye in this room onto him. Guards reach for their weapons both rifles and pistols in some hands with the intent on firing at Donnie. Tony turns around slowly and when he sees Donnie he can’t help but laugh.

Tony: You know, I had a feeling I’d be seeing you. I know the actions I took come with some form of consequence but I honestly didn’t expect for you to be stupid enough to come to my house…alone…and unarmed.

Donnie simply smirks at Tony with his crimson hues beginning to glow with a fiery passion behind them. To the public people think Donnie Yun is just a depowered Super Soldier who now lives out his days as a normal human running one of the most profitable businesses in the world. No one but a select handful on this planet know what he truly is. And this is where people like Tony regret the words they choose.

Donnie: You attempted to kidnap a member of my family…Your men attempted to rape her…You attempted to ruin her physically…This…I will not forgive.

Tony: Don’t speak so highly as if you have the power here. I have enough bullets on you right now to send you back to that piece of shit wife of yours and her whore of a daughter into pieces.

Donnie looks at each man holding a weapon on him and Tony continues to release a chuckle as if he were in control. At that moment Donnie’s eyes once again become filled with a black void that blots out the red glow of his eyes. When Tony sees the eyes of Donnie’s become darkness he finally begins to feel the fear that Donnie can truly instill upon a person. Coming along with the change of his eyes is one of the powers that Donnie possesses. Before the men can even react, their bodies descend downwards into the ground as if the floor they stood upon turned into a liquid. Slight screams are heard before they are snuffed out completely once their bodies become one with the floor! The matter within the ground had weakened, allowing their bodies to fall into it like quicksand before Donnie hardened them once more to have their bodies morphed in with the hardwood. Tony looks at the ground to see legs and hands twitching from his men still being alive as they suffer in their slow killing predicament. Tony backs onto his desk and his breathing becoming heavier as he tries to understand what the hell just happened.

Tony: Please! Please! Don’t kill me! I’ll give you whatever you want!

Donnie’s laugh erupts through the room and it strikes fear into Tony’s soul because it sounds demonic. Multiple voices fill the laugh and it bounces off the walls of the bar like something straight out of a horror film.

Donnie: You were already dead when I walked in here…But now that you insult the woman I love and the daughter she brings to my family…Your price will be heavier.

The sorcerer lifts his left arm up to Tony using his telekinetic abilities to rip the black mask off of him, revealing the fear induced face that he has. Tony’s body shakes but Donnie could care less about the fear. Using his spells, Donnie begins to muffle some words together, conjuring up a spell that begins to create multiple shadows on the walls. Tony looks around to see dozens of shadows beginning to appear and they all have the shapes of demonic style monsters. Dozens of screeches and groans escape through these shadows and Tony falls to his ass, trying to keep his eyes closed from seeing these things form.

Donnie: My spirits will take you now. Usually I don’t explain where I take people like you…But I want you to suffer. For your crimes against my family you will live in purgatory. There my spirits will torture you, mutilate you, and treat you the way your men would have treated my daughter…

From below the floorboards one of the shadows hands reaches out and takes hold of Tony’s foot.

Tony: NO! NO! PLEASE! NO! NOOOOOOO!!!!

His body becomes encased in the bodies of Donnie’s spirits and for the next few seconds his body descends down into the depths of the realm that Donnie has sent him. After his body is taken away, Donnie turns his back and waves his right hand to re-open the portal back home. After coming through the portal the first face he sees is Dinah’s waiting patiently for her father in a criss cross applesauce position. Feeling her Father’s presence return to the house, Dinah looks up with a smile on her face.

Dinah: Daddy make bad man go bye byes?

Donnie: He sure did, Sweetie.

His large hands reach down to pick Dinah up once more and he makes his way out to the Dining room table where the others are already waiting for him. Reaching the table he places his young daughter down on her chair and looks up to Steven.

Donnie: Thank you for what you did. I am in your debt for what you did for my daughter.

The statement would confuse all of them, especially Kirei. Steven and Miranda could assume that Donnie somehow figured out what happened and that he is thanking Steven for protecting her. But Kirei would have no idea what he means by this because the story of their night hadn’t been told yet. If Steven and Miranda didn’t already piece things together, Donnie comes to make it crystal clear once he turns to face Miranda.

Donnie: Tony has been rightfully punished for his misdeeds towards my family…

Steven’s eyes widen once he hears that and the serious tone that Donnie speaks with continues to keep the young teen on his toes. For now Steven is safe, so long as Kirei’s questions about their night keep going. So far this morning has proven to be one of the weirdest the young teenager has ever experienced. It seems that there is never a dull moment with Miranda.

While Donnie seemed to be lost in thought, Miranda would pat her dress a bit, releasing some dust into the air. The dress was far too dirty and torn to really salvage, but it didn't seem to bother her. Kirei weaved around her love and moved to stand closer to her daughter and the boy that sat in the bed. She flashed a genuine smile at him before turning her gaze to Miranda. Her brow furrowed a bit as she looked the dress over.

"That's not the dress you left home with, darling. I don't even think Randall would make such an old fashioned thing on a whim. And it's so dirty!" Kirei reached out to touch the dress, but the sound of Donnie's slightly agitated voice shifted her attention. The women watched him leave the room with a brow raised and sighed softly. She hoped he wouldn't be too hard on them at the table. Steven mentioning that Donnie was both his hero and very intimidating made the two women turn to look at him; Kirei with a pleased smile and Miranda with her brows raised in a bit of confusion as disbelief.

At The Table

Kirei had been gushing since both teenagers met her at the table. The fact that Kirei was excited about Miranda's possibly sexual encounter made the teenager feel extremely awkward. Along with that, she was annoyed. The woman talked about Miranda the way a real mother would. It was annoying because Kirei had adopted her. Signed paperwork and everything to bring her into her life. And here she was acting like they'd always been together.

"I'll have to go by the store and pick up some condoms. What size are you, Steven?" Miranda's eyes lifted from the cup of hot chocolate Kirei had prepared for her before they came out of her room. She'd been stirring around the mini marshmallows a bit when the question tore through her train of thought.

"KIREI!" She'd shout, her eyes on her mother and her jaw wide open. Never before had anyone been so out there with questions like that. Miranda hadn't ever heard anyone even bring up sex and safety so casually. It was always hushed and very obscure. The teenagers face was bright red as Kirei laughed softly.

"What? I don't want them to slip or squeeze him. I'm just trying to help, dear. And please, call me mom." Her tone shifted briefly, becoming more serious for just and instant before shifting back to a more playful one. "With a body like that I don't expect you to be any less than the average medium size." Miranda shouted an unintelligible shout and placed her head in her hands again as Kirei continued on. "You know, I heard that mood music is great for keeping a good rhythm."

Just before she could go more in depth and drive Miranda to slouch deeper in her chair, Donnie reappeared with Dinah. He didn't sit but rather placed Dinah in a chair, letting her stand on the seat as he turned his attention to Steven. Miranda's eyes moved from one male to the other nervously. There was no telling what he was thinking or what he planned to say. Just as she expected, Donnie's statement was a complete shocker. However, it wasn't what they thought. He was actually thanking Steven. But how did he know? How could he know? Nothing was said and everything that happened was kept pretty quiet.

"How...?" Miranda sat up in her chair, eyeballing Donnie curiously. He was a resourceful man and she was just mind blown that he seemed to be able to figure anything out.

"What are you talking about, darling? You were just upset about him being in bed with our daughter." Kirei was genuinely confused at his change in attitude towards the boy. It was like a full 360. "Tony? Who's Tony?" The woman's hazel eyes moved over each face in the room including Dinah's. Being left out of the loop drove Kirei crazy. Both of the teens seemed completely and utterly in shock over this and the whole room gets silent for a short time.

\_The questions that Kirei ask all embarrass Steven to no end. Miranda makes it more than known that it bothers her to see Kirei acting so calmly about everything. The young male gets bright red in the face when asked about his dick size and what kind of condoms he wears. From the outside looking in it is understandable where this would seem funny, but not for the teens in the conversation. Even though he would never admit it with Miranda in front of him, the questions do actually make him laugh on the inside. Not that the questions are funny but he never thought he’d be in a situation that would come off like this. Sex is something parents for the most part try to stay away from but Kirei is more than happy to use her experience and enjoyment of sex to help the young kids out where they need it. By the time Donnie comes out from doing whatever it is he was doing, Steven and Miranda are already in a world they wish they can escape from. The red in Steven’s face slowly disappears once Donnie thanks him for everything he did to protect Miranda last night and that Tony had been “taken care of.” Steven raises a brow and as he does so, Kirei asks who Tony is and what exactly Donnie is talking about. The young hero looks across the table to meet her hazel hues and the two of them have no idea what to say. Finally, Donnie crosses his arms and the sight of his large muscles tightening sends chills of fear down Steven’s spine. Seeing the large monster of a man be so close to him like this forces Steven to swallow a ball of spit that had been building up in his throat.

Donnie: He was in bed with our daughter. But they didn’t have sex. As uncommon as it is, this one here was just looking out for her…Can’t actually blame the boy for having a crush on our daughter…

Kirei may be even more confused as Donnie comes out with these words about protection and that the two of them didn’t have sex. Taking a deep breath, the hero finally steps up to the plate and actually speaks. The tone he uses is confident even though the fear seeps through at certain points.

Steven: Ma’am…uhhh…Last night your daughter…well we…I mean, she…uhhh.

He takes in another deep breath, trying to keep himself pieced together enough to talk about what happened last night to Miranda’s parents.

Steven: Last night a rival gang tried to take your daughter. I happened to be in the right place and the right time and I was able to stop them from taking her…Tony is the name of the leader of the gang that tried to take her.

Donnie: WAS the leader…

Steven staggers back in his chair hearing Donnie say that Tony being the leader is a past tense phrase.

Steven: Well…some things led to another…And your daughter and I…We…Kissed.

Steven looks back towards Miranda and a small smirk curls up around his face when he brings that part of their night up.

Steven: A lot of things went back and forth but we ended up getting here safe by the end of it all…Miranda didn’t want to be left alone so I stayed…If you want to blame anyone for me being in bed with her like that, it’s my fault.

Steven’s voice rises at the end of it, clearly showing how afraid he is when he mentions that their positioning that they got caught in this morning was his fault. His hands shake a bit and his eyes find it hard to stay looking any direction that Donnie is in. Hearing him admit to being the culprit behind snuggling up to his daughter, Donnie looks over to Steven with a raised right eyebrow.

Steven: S-so I-if you w-w-wanna b-be ups-set w-with some-one…It s-should b-be m-me…S-sir.

Donnie lowers his arms down to his sides, glaring a hole into Steven’s eyes and the tension in the air could be cut with a knife. The father of the house begins to move over to where Steven is sitting and like an anime character, a dark shadow appears over his forehead and it covers his eyes all-together. If Miranda or Kirei didn’t stop Donnie then Steven might be in some serious danger to be thrown out of the fire and into the frying pan. But with how much courage it took to even stand up to Donnie, with his body shaking from fear, is still something of worth. It shows how much he felt towards Miranda to be able to gladly talk about their kiss and that he owns up to being responsible for them being in bed together. Steven is willing to take the blame for everything if it meant getting Miranda off the hook. Now he wonders if doing that is going to get him killed!

Donnie's explanation still left Kirei rather confused. Along with confusion, she was also a little disappointed. Her daughter hadn't lost her virginity. One less thing they had in common and it kind of made her heart sink. Was it kind of wrong for her to be excited about such a thing? Maybe. But she desperately wanted to become close to the girl, whether she knew her dark secret or not. The woman bit her lower lip and smiled, looking a bit bashful.

"Well, I suppose my questions weren't needed at this time." She'd laugh a little. The smile didn't stick around, however. Kirei listened closely as Steven began to explain the events of last night and she could feel her happiness being melted away by rage. Her baby? Someone tried to take her baby and harm her?! Kirei's naturally bright hazel eyes darkened and she shot a look at Donnie just as he was correcting Steven of Tony's status. His correction was easily translated in Kirei's mind as 'Tony is gone, gone'. She didn't even realize how hard her muscles were tensed until she relaxed herself. She could always count on Donnie to keep them safe. "Go on." She'd say as she now looked at Steven who looked a little surprised at Donnie, but he seemed to understand as well. Miranda sat quietly, her eyes locked on Donnie with a wide and shocked stare and her jaw dropped open.

As Steven shifted from talking about the thugs to their kiss and the last portion of the night being all his fault, Kirei felt that spark of excitement. There might be hope, yet! The woman jumped to her feet from her chair and giggled while clapping her hands excitedly. Donnie was already moving past them and over to Steven.

Seeing Donnie closing in on the poor guy, Miranda would jump from her chair, as well. Hearing him take the blame for it all seemed absolutely crazy. Borderline suicidal! But that fact that he risked his physical health (and maybe his mental health, as well) was enough to prove to Miranda that even in the face of a very large and scary papa bear, he still had feelings for her. The girl stepped close to Steven, holding an arm out in front of him protectively while shooting a deadly glare at Donnie. She knew that she probably wasn't very intimidating to him, but she wanted him to know that Steven was important enough to her for her to get between them.

"Oooookayyy everyone, let's just take a step back. How about you and I take Dinah to the park and let these two have some time to sort things out. I'm sure their still shaken over last night. This mornings heart attack probably made things worse." Kirei stepped around the table towards Donnie and she'd place a gentle hand on his muscular shoulder. "We could get lunch and have some ice cream. Dinah would like that, don't you think, Love?"

When Kirei gets Dinah’s attention and dangles the idea of getting ice cream, the young six year old practically loses her shit to the idea of having something sweet given to her. Her hands clap together while she stands on her chair and a bright smile appears on her face. Once she smiles she looks up towards Donnie and God help him there is no way even a man like him can remain angry once he sees her adorable little face light up with excitement. Donnie’s face cracks a smile through the intimidation and he finally backs away from Steven. The young teen lets go of a breath of air he was holding onto for dear life and he flashes Miranda a soft smile. He didn’t have to say it but the two teens would know that their feelings for each other were stronger than they had already come to admit. For them to stand up together as a team against someone like Donnie Yun, well there could only be a fire that burns brightly in between the two of them.

Dinah: Daddy! Scream! Scream!

That is her way of saying ice cream and seeing her jump for joy brings the father of two too pick her up in his arms and use his free arm to bring Kirei closer to him. Holding the two of them he looks back at Miranda and Steven.

Donnie: Your mother and I will give you two a chance to relax. You know you are a part of our family…Kirei and I want nothing but the best for you.

He looks down towards the future mother of his child, taking a moment to see if he wants to use this opportunity to open this problem up here. Taking his future wife’s opinion on the subject into consideration, Donnie looks back up to Miranda and his bright red eyes stare a hole into her hazel hues.

Donnie: You can come to us about anything. Your mother wants to be a part of your life, someone you can go to for anything if you needed it. It wasn’t until Damian’s mother passed that he finally opened up about things…If you asked him…He’d give anything to have his mother again and to be able to just talk to her…Even about the little things. I know it’s hard, but I don’t want you to grow up and look back to wonder about what could have been or what you wish you could change. Just keep that in mind, okay?

For once in the smallest of moments, Donnie actually sounds like a human being. For all his darkness and stern parenting this would be one of those rare sights to see him try and connect. The way he raises Damian and Dinah, he shows emotion to the two of them on a level where they understand his ways. But for Miranda, she has only seen the kind of man who treats his kids fairly and loves the mother that has come to adopt her. This would be one of the first times he has tried to really instill some guidance to her and be a father to her. Whether she’d take it and accept him for the role he is trying to be or completely throw what he says out the window is completely up to her at this point. After saying this, Kirei would have a moment to add on or do what she wants to do in this moment before Donnie comes to begin pulling the group towards the exit of the condo.

Donnie: Come on now, Love. Let’s go get some ice cream for our little sugar head here.

Dinah: Yeah! Scream! I wants scream!

Steven watches as the three of them leave the condo and he can’t help but be blown away a bit. He lost his father very young and he has only lived with his mom. She never dated so he grew up without any father figure. He’s heard stories about his father, about the hero and the great man he was. But he’s never actually seen what a father can do by just talking with a stern yet caring tone. Even if Miranda didn’t accept it, Steven would feel something from it as well. He lowers his head for a moment, feeling the weight of Donnie’s words on his shoulders. Afterword some thought he looks back up to Miranda and whether she was happy or bothered by what he did, Steven has his own opinion on it.

Steven: Even though he was like two seconds away from ripping my heart out of my chest, I can’t help but like the guy. You hit the jackpot with a step-dad and a mom like Kirei. I mean, yeah she’s a little weird with the whole sex thing…But…They seem to genuinely give a crap about you. I’ve never received one of those kinds of talks from my dad cause…well…It’s hard to get parenting from someone who is dead. I guess you never know what you missed out on until you see it happen to someone else.

He flashes her a soft smile to make it seem like growing up without a father didn’t leave him scarred in some way but she’d be able to see the pain behind the crimson eyes of his. There is a slight glisten in his eyes from the moisture build up as the thoughts of his father run through his mind. Steven finally tries to change the subject to something else, keeping his eyes on her while he lifts his right hand to push back the black curls that are currently over his forehead.

Steven: So what a morning right? I didn’t expect to wake up how we did…but it was a good thing. Right? Like, you weren’t weirded out or anything by it? You liked it too? Right?

Miranda would be able to hear the wonder in his tone, hoping she agreed with im on the fact that waking up that way was a good thing. His right fingers tap against the table hoping she could say the words to make him feel more at ease with the situation. They hadn’t even come to know each other twenty four hours and yet they have made out, slept in the same bed, cuddled, and he’s come to meet her family. These are all things that would come to happen months into a relationship. That is a word that he doesn’t even know he can even use yet for the two of them. Are they in a relationship? Can he call it that yet? These are the kinds of thoughts that pass through his mind in the short amount of seconds that are in between his words and her response. With her words she would have all the power in making him feel better or worse about the morning he is currently experiencing.

Kirei's suggestion resulted in an irresistibly cute recruit out of the youngest member of the family. Little Dinah's gleeful clapping and cheering seemed to deescalate things quickly. Thankfully, Donnie's expression relaxed and he moved away from the teens. Miranda's tensed body slowly began to relax as she let out the deep breath she'd been holding. Her knees were wobbly from jumping into such a situation. For the most part, Miranda tried to avoid Donnie. He was intimidating without even trying to be and she mostly stayed in her room or outside anyways. Kirei flashed a wide smile at them before turning to look at Donnie who was now holding Dinah. She seemed pleased that her tactic to calm her love down had worked. Her smile brightened as she felt his arm curl around her slim waist and she allowed herself to gently be pulled close as he spoke to her daughter. He was such a good father.

Miranda blinked. Without having a father figure before Donnie, it was odd to be talked to the way he was talking to her. As she kept her eyes on the large man, her arm slowly dropped to her side.

"I'll keep that in mind." She'd finally say. Her voice was soft and her eyes were still a little wide, but the fact that she was happy to have them was sinking in and it was kind of hurting her heart. There was a connection she felt with Kirei the moment she saw her, but she'd been refusing to act on it for fear of forgetting to look for her real mother.

As Donnie turned away and began to guide the others out the door, Kirei would turn a bit and wave at the two. She'd also give a little wink, knowing that the two had some sort of feelings towards each other. When the door closed and Miranda and Steven were left to themselves, Miranda let out another long sigh. It wasn't even that far into the afternoon and she was already wanting to go back to bed. Not just because of her 'parents' and the situation, but because she was still kind of tired from the night before. The silence didn't last long before Steven talked about Donnie being a good dad and about his own home life. The brief string of information he fed her was enough to make her feel sad for him. She'd only had Donnie as a father for a short time, but Steven had no one at any time.

"Well, at least you have your real mom. I'm going to find mine some day." She looked at him for a moment, then looked away. If he'd been paying attention he'd notice similarities between Kirei and Miranda; their identical eyes, similar face structure, nearly spot on body type. At the mention of their morning cuddle pose, her face burned a deep rosy red. Not wanting him to see, she turned away from him. "No....no. You were just...keeping me safe." She stammered a bit, unsure of what else to say without sounding too direct about how much she actually enjoyed it.

II
--

Just as Kirei begins to leave with Donnie, Steven can’t help but catch a sense of familiarity between Kirei and Miranda. The mannerisms of their body language, the way they both have similar physical appearances, and their eyes are almost exactly the same; these are things Steven comes to notice with his intellect. Raising a right eyebrow as the three of them leave, Steven keeps a close eye on Kirei until the door slams shut behind the family.

Steven: (If I didn’t know any better…I’d say that Kirei is…)

But before he could finish his thought about the subject, Miranda comes to answer his question about their morning cuddle. The response that he hears from her is one that practically makes his heart sink down into his chest. The eyebrow that was raised quickly falls back its position and he turns to face Miranda once more. The words ring through his ears like an arrow through the side of his head. Instead of a happier expression of waking up happily or more comfortable than she had ever been, she just says that he was protecting her. Steven doesn’t catch the context clues of her statement, only able to take the words for their face value. He lowers his head a bit and small strands of black hair fall back down across his forehead as if the life and volume of his hair died down from hearing her words crush him.

Steven: You’re right…

His tone is almost glass shatteringly quiet, all the vibrant energy he has seemed to have been sucked out of him and only a sense of frustration replaced that void. He clenches his jaw a bit before laughing a bit out of the hilarity of the situation. After a few seconds of being in his own thoughts he returns his gaze to meet Miranda’s.

Steven: I guess there is no need to stay here and linger about then…I guess I can just change into the clothes I stole last night from the thrift store and head out…

The young teen stands up from his seated position and begins to make a walk towards her room once again. As he does so he turns to look at Miranda.

Steven: I’m a little hungry. I could use some food. I know this little spot about five minutes from here. It’s a southern style chicken place called The Fleming House of Chicken and Grape Drank. I still owe you a dinner so maybe lunch could make that square?

If she said yes the two would have the time to change their clothes and get all their stuff together to be back to their normal appearances. Within this time Steven is able to fit everything into the unbeatable overpowered bookbag of doom to fit all of his gear inside of it. Once he comes out of one of the bathrooms, because Miranda rightly kicked him out of her room, he reveals himself to be in the clothes of the normal people. With the white t-shirt and red flannel on his upper boy, the sleeves are folded up to his forearms. The white neck line comes down to reveal the muscular neck that he has. His long black hair is pushes back over his forehead to create a wonderful and glorious high volume comb over hairstyle. On his feet are black and white converse that are hidden lightly under the jeans that he wears. As he walks out of the bathroom he uses a comb to push his hair into place, making sure not a single hair is in the wrong place. However long it takes Miranda to get ready, Steven would wait. Once she finally does come out, Steven is sure to react like any geek seeing the hottest girl in the school and probably make a fool of himself with his jaw dropping or just completely being lost for words. When he does however get out of this trance whether a snarky comment or something else Miranda can come up with, he’d shake his head like a dog and get his mind back.

Stevem: You ready? Let’s hurry and get outta here.

Fifteen Minutes later

Donnie, Kirei, and Dinah would be sitting outside of a high end Italian ice cream shop in district two. Donnie is grabbing the ice cream for all three of them with Dinah sitting on Kirei’s lap enjoying herself. When Donnie comes back with his left hand holding Dinah’s Rainbow Sherbet ice cream, her little hands reach out for the ice cream and instantly starts devouring the sweet delight. Donnie hands Kirei her ice cream on the cone while holding onto his cookies and cream ice cream cone. With the sun down on them Dinah makes a little mess of her ice cream, getting it all across her cheeks but she couldn’t enjoy it more. Her giggles make Donnie laugh with a vibrant smile on his face and without having to use his powers he knows what questions will come as they sit here at the table. Kirei is no fool. She comes from a background very similar to Donnie’s and she knows when something is fishy or being hidden from her. Donnie has been well enough to keep his powers hidden from her for all this time but now that he so recklessly used them out of anger for what happened to their daughter, his lying may come back to haunt him now. It all depends on where Kirei wishes to take the situation. Does she want to know? Donnie will soon find out because now there is no one but the two of them to really dig into the issues of what happened.

Hearing that down tone of his as he talked made her frown. She knew she needed work with communication and properly acting on her feelings, but it would take some time. For now, she turned to look at him with her eyes narrowed.

"I told you the next time you turned all Debby Downer on me that Id clock you, Hero." Her right hand balled up tightly for a second before she released it. She didn't want to hit him, again. Not right now, at least. Especially not after he mentioned a food place. Miranda watched enough movies to know where he was going with this. "Lunch would be awesome right now." Her hands moved to lightly pat her growling stomach. Her eyes lifted to linger on his face for a moment before they both moved towards her bedroom to get ready.

Miranda allowed Steven to be in her room long enough to grab his things. Then, she'd practically push him out the door, not wanting him to stay in the room while she changed. After swinging her door shut, the teenager would rush over to her dresser. Her dainty hands grabbed at each knob to frantically yank each drawer open. Clothing flew over her shoulder in colorful handfuls as she searched for the perfect outfit. After tossing nearly every piece of clothing in that drawer behind her, Miranda would jump to her feet and rush over to her wardrobe. Just like her dresser, she'd fling open her wardrobe and begin to dig around. Minutes of searching and Miranda found what she was looking for. The girl pulled the hanger off of the rack and brought the clothing out of the wardrobe to admire her choice for a moment.

The doorknob to her bedroom door turned slowly. Behind the door stood a very nervous Miranda who hesitated for a moment before pulling the door towards her. It creaked on its hinges, making every second that much more torturous as she revealed herself to him. The teenager wore a light blue dress with a low cut neckline to show off her cleavage. The skirt barely touched the skin above her knees. With some layers of white fabric under the main skirt portion, this made the skirt fairly 'poofy'. Enough to lightly bounce with every step. Her designer heels were pure white and so clean that they looked fresh out of the box. Those long locks of brown hair had been pulled up into a thick, messy bun with slightly curled strands hanging down. The girls makeup was light, but noticeable. Her rose petal soft lips glistened with clear lip gloss and her hazel eyes were enhanced with black eye liner that curved out into small but sharp 'wings', black mascara, and a bit of eyeshadow. Peeking through the light pink blush she'd applied was her own lovely shade of pink as she fidgeted with the little blue purse that she held close to her sternum. Miranda could feel his eyes on her and could feel her cheeks darkening.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." She'd finally say, her voice a little shaken. This seemed to pull him from whatever trance he was in so they could head out on the date that Miranda would never admit made her heart pretty happy.

Elsewhere in D2

Kirei had a content smile plastered to her face as she sat at a small, round table in the warm sunlight. Her step daughter, Dinah, was in her lap being her playful self. Kirei was keeping herself occupied by playing with the young girls hair, braiding and unbraiding it slowly. She hummed lightly to herself until Donnie returned from the counter with three ice cream cones. The woman reached out to take her butter pecan ice cream cone in her right hand while Dinah was already digging into hers. A few slow licks into her own ice cream, Kirei would look at Donnie, ignoring any ice cream that dripped onto her from Dinah. She hadn't forgotten how they went into this afternoon, but her mind wasn't on Steven and Miranda. Her curiosity lies with Donnie's strange knowledge of the situation. Kirei couldn't help but feel like something was going on and she didn't like to be kept in the dark. Well...that and she had something to tell him, as well. So getting out of the house with him was perfect, even if Dinah tagged along.

"Donnie, love." She'd call out to him in her soft tone. If and when he turned his attention to her, she'd flash him a smile and raise a brow. "So how did you know? About the kids and that..." She paused for a moment to search for the name, "That Tony, guy? Are you keeping secrets?" Curiosity blanketed her entitled expression as she began to lick at her ice cream cone again, waiting for any sort of response.

## III

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Before the two of them leave the condo, Miranda responds to his admiring by telling him he should take a picture. The joke gets him out of being lost in a trance at the sight of her but it also brings him to laugh with a light tone that practically flows off of his tongue like a stream. His hand lifts up to comb his hair over once more and he nods his head along with her statement.

```

Steven: I might have to, Angry. No one is going to believe I know you let alone go to lunch with you. I might need that visual proof for my friends back home.

The two teens leave the condo and one short walk later lets them arrive at the Fleming House of Chicken. Steven holds the door open for her to enter the restaurant first like the gentleman that he is. Once the two come inside, Miranda would be a little surprised at the welcome they are given. An older southern woman with grey hair, dark ebony skin, and an apron on comes walking out from behind the counter.

???: Oooooo look at Lil Stevie. I haven’t seen you in about a week, boy. What on Earth have you been doing?

Steven smiles and places his right hand on the back of his neck before giving an awkward embarrassed laugh towards the woman.

Steven: Hey, Lucille. I’ve been doing okay; you know how my mom is.

Lucille: That’s rigghhht. I’m surprised she even let’s ya out of the house after that accident. Your momma was ready to jump into the afterlife to try and bring you back. She called me up that night hysterical thinking she was going to lose you. After losing Big Steve, yo momma ain’t ready ta lose ya too.

Steven: I know. I know. I actively try to avoid any situations that put me in danger.

Steven: (Sorry for lying.)

At this point Miranda would get a little insight to Steven, seeing a little bit about the life he has before being a hero. It had been a few weeks since the accident that technically killed Steven and turned him into this new version of himself. At that moment of the conversation, Lucille turns slightly to look at the girl who is now just awkwardly standing there waiting to figure out what is going on.

Lucille: Boy I thought yo momma taught you some manners, introduce me to this gorgeous girl you come in here with!

Steven’s face gets a light hue of red across his cheeks ones Lucille makes a small scene about meeting Miranda. Steven nods his head and allows his eyes to slide over to meet Miranda’s.

Steven: Aunt Lu, this is Miranda…She’s my gi…well uhh…She’s aaa.

And for the life of him Steven didn’t know what to actually say in describing what Miranda is too him. If he says friend does it ruin a chance of what they could be? What if he assumes that they are together? Does that assumption seem promiscuous and kill the feelings she might have for him? There would be a slight pause in the conversation for Miranda to chime in to help him out if she wanted too. But to help make things even more awkward, Lucille gives her two cents as well.

Lucille: She’s aaaaa, out of your league! Boy this girl is something, you betta put a ring on this quick before some beach hunk comes and tries to snatch a from ya.

Steven’s face slowly recedes into a blank look when Lucille mentions that Miranda is out of his league. He knows it; he just didn’t want her to realize it too early into this. Steven already feels like he has one leg out the door because of the fact that she is way too pretty for him. Miranda would be able to see the change in his facial expression once Lucille talks about someone taking her from him. Even with his geeky nature and his lack of confidence, he is still a guy. His testosterone reacts at the mention of a hunk stealing her and he kind of gets a different aura about him. That might make her feel a little better, seeing him react so territorially even though he has never said it.

Steven: Ahywho! Ha. Miranda this is my Aunt Lucille. She is a longtime friend of my mom’s, they have known each other longer than I have been alive. She also cooks some of the best fried chicken you have ever had in your life. Think we could get a table, auntie?

The last question he asks comes with a high pitched young child voice and a bright smile from him. This is something he always tends to do with his family, trying to win them over with how much they love him and his adorable behavior.

Lucille: Come on then. I got a booth empty.

Lucille walks the two of them to a table where they can sit across from one another. Once the two sit down, she places menu’s down on the table.

Lucille: Gina will be your waiter today. She’ll be here in a few minutes.

Steven: Thanks Auntie.

The two of them are left at the table and after the awkward introductions and the comments that his aunt made, Steven places the menu down on the table and looks over to Miranda with a geeky smile on his face.

Steven: Still think it was a good idea to come to lunch with me?

At the ice cream shop

The moment that Kirei calls for his attention, he knows what it is going to be about. He takes a small lick of his ice cream before slowly lifting his red eyes up to her, meeting those hazel eyes of hers and melting at the sight of them. She had probably never come to notice it but Donnie can never actually look at her when he lies. Not that he lies often to make a habit of it, but in those moments when he does; he can’t see her. If he did then he wouldn’t be able to do it because of the love he has for her. It kills him when he has to keep his secrets but he thinks it is the right thing to do. The stab into his heart is when she asks if he is keeping secrets from her. He forces himself to look towards the city street, keeping his eyes away from her.

Donnie: I…I don’t keep things from you that you need to know about…

That answer is by far the worst kind of response he could come back with. Not only does it not help him any but it might get Kirei to think there is more to his lying than just what she already thinks. At that time Dinah looks up at her father and her face slowly breaks from her giggly self to one with a frown. She can feel her father’s inner battle with himself and how much it kills him to keep things away from Kirei. That is when it takes a small six year old child to solve the problem that he has. Dinah looks up to Kirei and with a giggling smile returning back to her face she drops the confusing bomb on her.

Dinah: Daddy fight fights wemons!

Donnie’s head snaps back towards Dinah and his face paints one of anger and shock.

Donnie: Dinah!

The sentence would confuse Kirei more than anything else now and by this point she might be annoyed by all the beating around the bush Donnie is doing. This brings the sorcerer supreme to sigh loudly and place his free hand to pinch the bridge of his nose out of frustration. After a few seconds of gathering his thoughts, Donnie lowers his hand and returns his gaze upon her.

Donnie: Kirei…I don’t lie to you. But there is something I have been keeping from you…Some time after we broke up I…You’re going to think I’m crazy…I was struck by a lightning bolt. That bolt was an ancient power that has been passed down from the beginning years of the human race. I have been chosen as a protector of the universe…I police this entire universe from threats that are of the mystic and magical nature. I’ve killed demons. Slayed monsters. Fought side by side with Gods. I am one of the most powerful beings in the universe… With a simple thought I can banish a living being out of existence. With a few words I can warp the reality we live in. And with a few hand gestures I can conjure the energies of the entire universe to be at my disposal….I know it sounds crazy but it is true…I kept this from you simply because I didn’t know how you would take it…

Donnie extends his left hand across the table, palm facing the sky in the hopes that she would take his hand.

Donnie: You remember me as a Super Soldier who lost his powers and became a normal person…I am anything but normal. I do things…horrible things…In the name of what protects this universe. I’ve killed entire species of beings that would see them take over this world. I’ve saved this universe more times than I should ever have to remember. That’s my real job…I kept it from you because I love the way you look at me now. You see me as a father who loves his kids and a hard working businessman who wants to see this world be better…I didn’t…I didn’t want you to see me how you did when we first met. That rabid Super Soldier who broke your knees just because he could…What I do now makes that Super Soldier seem like child’s play…I already lost you once because of enemies and fighting…I can’t lose you a second time because of the same thing.

Dinah leans her head onto Kirei’s chest after Donnie gives this large speech of what he really is. The whole magical supreme being of the universe would be a lot for Kirei to take in at one sitting. She had never really seen the things that Donnie could do and the monster he truly is. The nicest man in the world who loves his kids with his heart on his sleeve goes out and destroys entire civilizations that seek to destroy them. The number of lives that Donnie has taken in the span of his time as this role is damn near uncountable. His greatest fear because of his job isn’t death, but having to live a life without Kirei because of what he does. After giving this brief overview into his work it might be a little clearer now as to why he knew what happened and the inevitable punishment that Tony received. Her mind can only imagine what happened to Tony and if she asked, Donnie would tell her in the truth of everything that occurred and where Tony is at now. Now the story is in Kirei’s hands. Where the two go from here is completely up to her once again.

Miranda's cheeks continued to burn under her lightly powdered skin. He was so awkward and geeky around her, but there was something about it, something about him that kept her focus on him. The girl smiled a bit.

'Wait, why am I smiling?!' The thought tore through all the others and she turned away from him to start heading out the door.

The walk was actually shorter than Miranda thought, which was good because she was wearing those heels! Her curios gaze took in the unfamiliar building as Steven moved ahead to hold the door for her. This was the first time she'd be eating with a boy. The first time she'd be one on one with a boy, too. She felt so lost. So uninformed. So not ready. The teenager hesitantly stepped through the door frame with her hands still clutching her purse close to her torso while letting her eyes roam the inner interior. The small darker skinned woman with hair that showed her older age lit up at the sight of Steven as he stepped in beside her. Miranda wasn't expecting the woman to know him.

The girls' body relaxed as the woman came closer, talking to Steven with a sweet smile on her face. At first, it was just a normal 'hey how are you?' conversation, but it shifted quickly. The older woman revealed a bit about Steven's recent past and the word 'accident' made Miranda's head turn quickly to look at Steven.

'Accident?' She made a note of it in her head to bring up later. When Steven follows up with how he avoids danger, the girl smiled. She wanted to laugh at the lie, but this wasn't the time. The conversation died for a second as Lucille let her eyes rest on Miranda's dressed up form. Her outburst was enough to make Miranda's eyes get wide and her cheeks to burn noticeably.

"Oh, I-" She began, but Steven, thankfully, cut her off. Though he told the woman her name, he seemed at a loss for what to call her. A friend? A girlfriend? Miranda could hear her heart beating in her ears over everything. What was she to him? What could they even consider themselves right now? They've kissed, they've cuddled, they're about to eat lunch together just the two of them. Her heart rate increased at the idea of having a boyfriend and that boyfriend being him.

'Life was so easy before these feelings!' To avoid letting him stammer on for too long, Miranda's voice would chime in softly, but she was nervous.

"We're still trying to work that part out for ourselves. We seem to be doing everything backwards." She'd laugh a little. The woman did some light mocking of Steven's previous loss for words before claiming Miranda was 'out of his league' and that he should 'put s ring on it'. That alone Made her want to shrink away into the shadows. The teenager's gaze shifted back onto the guys face and watched as his once nervous expression turned blank. The air suddenly felt different and Miranda knew that he was probably just a tad bit upset.

Such a moment only lasted a few seconds before he snapped back to his semi original self to finish introducing the two. He also claimed the woman made amazing fried chicken, which brought the smile back to Miranda's face. The childlike voice he used when asking for a table made Miranda raise a brow before they were taken to a booth. Miranda slid into the seat across from Steven and set her little purse on the table. As Lucille walked away, Steven's voice pulled her eyes off of the front portion of the menu as she lifted it.

"I thought the reunion was sweet. She seems like a very nice old lady." Miranda's eyes dropped back down to the menu as she opened it to look over her choices. She'd never been on a date and the thought of him being able to watch her eat made her a little nervous...but God was she hungry. "Now, what do you recommend, wonder boy?" She looked over the menu at him with a smirk on her face and a brow cocked.

At The Ice Cream Shop

Kirei noticed that he broke eye contact just before speaking, taking a sudden interest in the road beside them. But it wasn't just his actions that made her suspicious. It was also his answer.

"So what don't I need to know?" She'd ask, a bit of irritation in her voice as he fell silent. Her ice cream was beginning to melt and drip down her cone and onto her hand, but she didn't take her eyes off of Donnie. She didn't even want to finish her cone until she got some answers. Good ones. And it seemed that Dinah could feel the tension slowly growing because the girl quickly thought of an answer for her father and blurted it out seemingly without thinking.

"Wemons?" Her gaze dropped onto Dinah's messy smiling face before lifting to stare at Donnie with a confused look. Mostly because of the defensive way Donnie reacted. As if it was true. There was a few seconds of silence aside from the big guys deep sigh as he pinched at the bridge of his nose. Knowing that he was going to have some sort of explanation, Kirei straightened and set her cone on the table to give him her full attention. He was looking right at her now. His voice was low. The first few things about not lying but keeping things from her irritated the normally calm woman, but the more he said, the more her irritation was replaced by disbelief and confusion. A lightning bolt? Ancient powers? Being chosen as the worlds protector? It was like a plot straight from a movie! Kirei looked around at the few people at the other tables, some snapping candids of them and others completely ignoring them, before returning her hazel hues back onto his. His arm was now resting across the table with his hand out waiting for her to take it. Most would probably hesitate, but this was the man she loved. She'd been through so much with him that even if he was actually crazy or if he actually was this amazing magical being that reaching out to hold his hand was second nature. And she did just that. Kirei lightly rested her dainty hand in his big one and gently gripped it. Though her mind was a bit scrambled, she continued to listen to him. Still images of what he was like back when they were younger flashed in her mind. He was very mellowed out compared to those times. At least what she saw of him. When he finished, Kirei remained silent for a few moments. She had to take it all in. Then, it clicked in her mind. The woman smiled a bit and even laughed softly for a second before she started to speak.

"Donnie, this is absolutely crazy. You having such incredible power seems like something written in a best seller that quickly made it to the big screen! But let me tell you something, our world isn't even normal anymore. Before I moved in with you I was living with a Killian. Her boss isn't normal, either, from what I hear. So much has changed. I mean, back when we were kids that Super Soldier serum was crazy! Now it's nothing and the creatures that wonder around don't seem so crazy anymore, either." The woman tightened her grip on his and laughed a little again. "I believe you, Donnie. And just because you're not some normal guy doesn't mean I'm not going to look at you any differently. You're still a loving father. One of the best fathers I've ever seen! You still work hard to make the world a better place, but it's much more literal, from what I understand. Nothing's changed, love. And you have much better control than you did back then. You're nothing like that, baby. You have aged well." She teased him a bit with the last part, but let her gaze drop to their interlocked hands. "I just...don't want to lose you again. Those years without you were so empty and lonely and I don't want that again. I want to be loved. I want to be loved by you. I want to be held, but I want it to be you that holds me. The same goes for drying my tears and helping me through the frustrations of having a teenage daughter that has the shortest fuse in the world. I want you to be there. With that being said..." She took in a little breath and her smile widened. "If you die on the job I will find a ouija board, summon your spirit, and I will exorcise you in the most painful way I can because I can't physically slap you for leaving me." Donnie would be able to hear the joking tone in her voice, though there was something in her eyes that would hunt around to her being semi serious.

For the first time he gets called by a pet name that isn’t one that insults him. Steven is almost blown away by that and laughs softly to himself. His fingers flip through the menu and he comes to the specials. Some of the popular food gets pictures while others just have the names and what is in the order. Steven places his menu down on the table and points towards their most popular menu order.

Steven: The Chicken Crossed the road is really great. It’s got a couple of wings and a you can get two sides from the sides menu. The sides are the real money maker here, the chicken is the best in the city, but the choices of sides can vary from French fries all the way to fried zucchini. I am partial to the barbeque ribs here. I’ve been getting them ever since I could walk. My mom took a job here for a little while after…

His eyes trail off and he looks towards the right. What Miranda may or may not be able to see is that hanging up on the wall behind the counter is somewhat of a small memorial. Hanging up on the wall is a picture frame of a family of three. In the middle is a Latino man in his early twenties holding a small boy in his right arm. On his left arm is a Latina woman with flowing straight brunette hair. The picture is a perfect moment captured by a camera. All of their faces are smiles and filled with love for one another. It wouldn’t be a huge easy task to see that the little boy in that picture is actually Steven when he was younger. Underneath the picture is a small wooden board with a shot glass on it. The glass is filled with tequila that hasn’t been touched in years. A golden plaque is on top of the picture frame and it reads out something that if Miranda really focused on it she’d be able to read it.

“We’ll drink to you when se see you again. Until we all are together again in the clouds.”
Steve Manuel Torres
Killed in the line of duty
Till Valhalla

After a few seconds of silence as he looks to his right, he snaps out of his hypnosis and moves back to look down at the menu he placed on the table.

Steven: Those are just a couple of the really good food that my aunt has here.

As they look through the menus, Gina finally comes walking up to the two of them. She is a younger female than Lucille, just a few years older than he and Miranda. She works here part time to help give her an income while she goes to college. She is also of darker skin tone with long black curling hair that flows down her ears.

Gina: Hey Steven, it’s been awhile. Nice catch.

She says this jokingly as she playfully smiles towards Miranda, aka the Nice Catch.

Gina: What can I get for the two of you to drink?

Steven looks up to Miranda to let her order first before he gives his order. After Miranda gives her response on what she wants to drink, Steven shifts his eyes to look at Gina.

Steven: I’m just going to take a water for now.

Gina: Okay, I’ll get these drinks right out for you in a jiffy.

The table becomes the two of theirs for now and Steven looks down at his menu even though he already knows what he wants. A small sigh escapes from his lips a bit before he looks up to Miranda once again.

Steven: I’m sorry about how I introduced you…I just, I don’t know what you and I…what we…you know? It really is like we are doing everything backwards. But…

The tips of his fingers begin to touch and his thoughts bring him to get a slight reddish hue on his cheeks once more.

Steven: Is it a bad thing that…I did want to introduce you to them…as…as my girlfriend…

After saying that final word, his face grows with that reddish hue to where most of his face is now covered in that appearance. His fingers twiddle back and forth and he can feel the butterflies in his stomach get bigger and bigger until he feels like they are about to burst through his body. He never once before had said something like this to a girl and with everything they have been through in the short time they have known each other, Steven takes the leap of faith and tells her what he’s feeling with one choppy sentence.

AT the Ice Cream Store

Kirei’s words flow out of her mouth like music to Donnie’s ears. He had always feared her response to finding out what he is but her words make him so comfortable with their relationship that he can’t even understand why he didn’t tell her sooner. Their history has had many ups and downs, many crash and burns. But the way she supports him and explains that he can be the only guy to do the things that he can with her makes him feel on top of the world. The thoughts of the other men that have been in her life always make him worry or feel like he has to prove he is the right one out of them all, but hearing her speak about her love for him is something that throws out any doubt he can have about her. Together the two of them are trying to start their own family and it seems like something that is just far long overdue. The grip on his hand gets tighter and he meets her grip, letting her know that everything she is saying is the same for him. Even though he was once married before, Kirei continues to hold a special place in his heart. She is Donnie’s first love and will come to be his last. Kirei knows just how to end things with a final joke that makes Donnie crack up a bit. Dinah begins to laugh as well, her own enjoyment growing with the aura of her parents getting back to their normal rhythms. With all the dark secrets that Donnie has kept from Kirei now out, Donnie pulls his hand away from hers for a moment. This might seem a little strange but Donnie quickly speaks so she can’t interrupt him.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMl8cQjBfqk )

Donnie: I love you, Kirei. More than words can describe. But there is something still being kept from you.

His tone is calm and she might get a little worried once he brings up the fact that there is another secret being kept from her. Donnie gets out of his seat, grabbing Dinah by her sides and placing her down on the chair he just left. This allows him to get in front of Kirei.

Donnie: This has been something that I wanted to tell you the first time I saw you again inside of that charity event….Many years have gone between us and those are years lost, memories that couldn’t be made because of things that kept us apart…But now, I have you back in my life and I won’t go another day in a bed alone. Or…A day without you knowing what you were ALWAYS meant to be…

Donnie slowly gets down on his right knee and holds out his left hand so that his palm is facing up towards the sky. She could look down at his hand and see it being empty and her first thought might be that he is trying to take her hand. But Donnie continues his little talk, still yet having got to the point of what he is hiding from her.

Donnie: We’ve both made mistakes…Today I hope to fix the biggest one I have ever made. A mistake of something I never did and now have been given the chance to do it all over again…

At that moment a white snow like energy begins to appear on the palm of his hand. The snowflakes that his palm create spin around his hand in the form of a blizzard within his small space of the palm of his hand. A few seconds pass and she could now be able to see that these flakes are actually forming together to create something. Starting from the bottom up each flake comes to take the shape of a circular object that floats just a few inches in the air above his palm. Before her very eyes she would see that the flakes all form into a beautiful large diamond ring! The ring is covered beautifully in some of the clearest and sharpest pieces of diamonds ever created. In the center the main diamond has been cut and shaped into the form of a heart and she’d be able to see every fine detail that Donnie put into creating such a work of art.

The ring spins around in its levitated position for a bit before Donnie grabs it with his index finger and thumb. Holding it up to Kirei he flashes her that million dollar grin of his and comes to reveal what he has been hiding from her.

Donnie: My biggest mistake was never asking you to become my wife. We will have our child and I want him or her to be welcomed into a world where every bit of our lives finally becomes one. Your daughter is my daughter and my children are your children. You have always been meant to be a Yun mother…Kirei Yuri…Will you marry me?

IV
--

Steven began to list a few options that his family enjoyed, but she really wasn't paying attention. The way his voice trailed off as he turned in his seat to eyeball something behind him. The girls eyes followed his gaze and she didn't see anything out of the ordinary...until she spotted the picture. Then everything else slowly came into view. A small and personal shrine complete with a meaningful plaque and a small shit glass filled with a clear fluid that she could only assume was some type of alcohol. Miranda felt her heart sink a bit as her shoulders slouched. She could see where this was going and decided to stay quiet while he lost himself in the picture.

The silence sat there for a brief time before he turned himself back around. His eyes rested on his open menu and hers returned to her own what could she say? She was at a loss for words. Miranda didn't have any recollection of what her parents looked like or how they were let alone a picture, but she couldn't imagine the unbearable pain of being told stories while looking through photo albums of a parent that had long since passed. Though her eyes skimmed the options, her mind wandered to other things. Steven, the puzzle of his life that was slowly being pieced together for her to kind of understand, her own mother whom she still couldn't dig anything up on.

Before Miranda could sink any deeper in quiet thought, a younger woman approached their booth. She had a pen and a small pad of paper ready, so she assumed it was time to order. The teenager closed her menu and lightly placed it down on the table. While the waitress briefly greeted Steven and indirectly complimented her, Miranda could feel her cheeks burn a very faint pink. She flashed a pearly white smile at the woman.

"Lemonade for me, please."

When the waitress slipped away, Miranda heard Steven sigh before he began to speak. He started by apologizing and slowly made his way to the point he was making. The pink tint to her cheeks darkened and she quickly broke eye contact.

'Oh no.' She'd think to herself, feeling her heart racing a mile a minute. She wasn't prepared for this type of conversation. She was so new to it all.

"No...it's not a bad thing." She'd begin, swallowing hard. Miranda kept her gaze off to the side and bit her lip. Finding any words at all was becoming extremely difficult. "I mean...we...we've kissed. Twice, technically... We've slept in the same bed and even woke up cuddling... We may as well be a couple. But..." She paused for a moment. Suddenly she was out of breath and trying to catch it. She stole a glance at Steven and looked away again. "I've never been so afraid in my life..." As soon as the words left her mouth, her eyes widened. Though her words were barely a whisper, she knew he'd hear them. The words that were supposed to remain a thought had slipped from her lips. As fear took over, she raised her eyes to lock onto Steven's.

At The Ice Ice Cream Shop

Kirei raised a brow, but her petite body frame filled with worry. There was more?! As Donnie stood and moved around the table, Kirei straightened, preparing herself for the worst. Not that Donnie delivered bad news of any kind often, but she was better safe than sorry. The large male lifted his young daughter from the woman's lap and set her aside before kneeling down in front of her. Suddenly, worry melted into disbelief which seamlessly shifted into glee. Men weren't kneelers and Donnie was no exception. The more he talked, the more he gave away his intentions.

While his little speech didn't go unheard, Kirei's glistening hazel eyes had fallen into his open hand. In the center there seemed to be some type of flurry going on. As seconds passed, the flurry began to build something. From the bottom up, the flakes of what she thought was snow formed a diamond ring that rivaled even the most expensive and sought after rings on the market. In fact, Kirei had never seen a ring like that and her male fans were always proposing to her whenever her company did the occasional meet and greet for picture signing. Well before he even asked her that life changing question, the woman began to cry. Tears rolled down her cheeks one after the other and her face reddened from blushing like crazy and from the heavy emotion she was feeling. To top it off, he smiled the way he knew could make her melt in seconds. Without missing a single beat, the woman leapt from her chair, arms wide open, and practically pounced on Donnie. Her arms tightened around him as she cried into his shirt, little yes' and sniffles could be heard, slightly muffled, before she started to do some light sobbing. After so many long years of loneliness, so many years of watching him live his life without her, and so many years of just wishing to be able to go back in time she could finally have her knight in shining armor. She was so, so much closer to her happiest ending.

Miranda pulls his heart on a string when she says that they “might as well” call themselves a couple for how much they have already done. The feeling of her agreeing with him sends his heart fluttering, ready to puncture out of his own body because of how joyful he feels towards the prospect of being in a relationship with her. Then she practically rips it out of him in a heart shattering way when she says the simple word of “but.” Time practically freezes in between “but” and the sentence that she whispers. Hearing her speak about how much this scares her actually comes with its own portion of relief for the young teen. He releases a light sigh of relief which follows up with a soft laugh. If she wondered why he thought that was funny, he’d quickly stop her from unloading her rage on him.

Steven: You can’t lead that phrase with a “but”, Angry. You almost gave me a heart attack.

If she got what he meant she might also find her choice of words funny before he continues talking. She’d be able to see the look in his eyes, the light relaxed state his face is in, and how calm his tone in when he begins to speak again. She could feel the emotion coming from him even though it would seem like an odd thing to be able to sense.

Steven: I get afraid too…There are a bunch of things that make me afraid just when I think about you…But I think it’s a good fear.

A light smile breaks across his face once he says that last portion.

Steven: We just met but…I think I am more afraid of losing you than afraid of taking a chance…w-with you.

At this point in their conversation she could tell he is pushing the boundaries of what his geekiness will allow him to go. His uncomfortable level is at an all-time high because he is forcing himself to try and find the words to say to her that will make her be at ease with all the things that are happening between the two of them. His right hand shakes nervously on the table a bit, his fingers tapping against the menu paper.

Steven: I just know…I…I really like you…And…

His face quickly becomes bright red when he takes the risk and comes to finish his sentence.

Steven: I want to kiss you more…

Not even two seconds after Steven says that does Gina come back with their drinks. She places the lemonade in front of Miranda and the water in front of Steven.

Steven: T-thanks, Gina.

She looks down at Steven to see his face red and she laughs.

Gina: Oh lord, I wonder what you two were talking about to get his face like that. Are yall ready to order or do you want me to come back?

Steven almost slinks into the seat when Gina makes fun of him for looking embarrassed. He looks over at Miranda again and waits to see if she will order or ask Gina to come back. Steven is raised as a gentleman and knows better than to try and order before her.

At the Ice Cream Store

Donnie easily catches what he would call his New Fiance when she jumps into his arms. The whispers of her saying yes cause the large Yun to smile uncontrollably like a kid in a candy store. Donnie wraps his free hand around her, pulling her closer to him as she practically wraps around him like a koala on a tree. Donnie actually comes to pull her off of him just enough to where he would be able to look at her. He free hand lifts up to her left cheek and wipes away the tears that are falling from her eyes. She’d see the bright smile that is on his face, looking at her like no man could ever look at a woman.

Donnie: You’re such a goof.

He laughs at his own statement and lifts his left hand which holds the ring up towards her.

Donnie: You gotta let me put the ring on you, silly.

If she extended her left hand out to him, he’d slowly slide the metallic-diamond covered ring through her ring finger. The ring comes to slide right onto her hand with such ease and perfect fit because of his own hand crafting the ring to fit only her that the feeling of it on her might bring her to cry once more. After placing the ring on her finger, Donnie would lift both hands up to cup her cheeks and without waiting any longer his lips would be pressed onto hers with a very passionate embrace. The kiss is filled with an explosion of love and passion, something new to it as well. Never before have the two of them been so close, no more secrets between the two of them (HA!) and they are finally one. After kissing her, Donnie slowly tucks on her bottom lip with his teeth playfully. Dinah claps her hands with the happiness that her parents are feeling and subconsciously allowing her to see.

Donnie: Kirei Yun. Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it?

Kirei would have a moment to speak before everyone in the ice cream shop starts to clap and snap pictures of the wonderfully overperfect family that is Donnie, Kirei and Dinah. Donnie keeps Kirei in his arms and she’d feel so safe and warm under muscular mass. For the first time in her life, she is now engaged to the man she has always loved. Donnie, now being as happy as he has ever been in his life. The two lovers who have been through thick and thin through years of separation now come together and show everyone that true love knows no distance or time.

He laughed. It was a small one, but he still did it. Miranda began to feel annoyed. Why would he laugh at such a thing? The one time she actually opened up a bit and he acts like it some joke? The teenagers face reddens and she can feel the venom on her tongue....until she hears what he says. His statement is basically an apology for laughing at her word choice, at least that's what she gathered. Relief flooded her. Thank god she wouldn't have to recede back into that spiked shell of hers! The more she though of her poor choice and placement of the word 'but' the sillier it became, though it was funny that he actually was afraid when he heard it.

While Steven continued, Miranda opened her menu again for a last look around. She was an indecisive young girl, after all. However, all food thoughts would come to a screeching halt as she registered everything that had just come from his mouth in a matter of seconds.

"You can't just...not want to lose someone you just met. This isn't a fairytale, Steven." Her tone was a bit rough, and she caught it before it could escalate. With a sigh, she continued. "I mean...real life couldn't possibly happen like that. True love at first sight? No. Never. True lust at first sight? I believe that comes first always and that love is built up to." There was a quiet pause as she kept her eyes on the menu. Not only was she thinking about how he didn't want to lose her already, but...she was thinking about how he admitted to wanting to kiss her, again. Miranda recalled their last kisses and instantly felt like she could almost feel his lips over hers. Like a phantom kiss as her imagination ran wild. A deep blush rolled across her cheeks and she bit her lower lip. "As for...t-the kiss... Not here... I...I don't want to do any of that...in public." Her voice grew quieter and quieter throughout the sentence. It was a little embarrassing. If he didn't remember that she was the only virgin Yuri left, then that sure would remind him. Before anything more can be said, Gina reappears completely outbid no where and is setting their drinks down. Miranda can't help but sigh at Gina's comment and Steven's reaction to it. She'd only known the kid for a day and a half and she was already really enjoying his company. So much so, in fact, that she didn't want to be without him, either.

When asked if it was time to order, Miranda nodded and smiled a wide smile.

"Since my date, here, is paying... I'd like an order of ribs, a steak; medium rare, and I'd also like to try your Chicken Crossed the Road. Oh! And a side of fries, too~!" The girl giggled softly and pushed her menu to the middle of the table, ignoring any weird looks that may be given to her. "It's my first time here. I want to at least try the three most important things."

At The Ice Cream Shop

As Donnie lightly pulled her away just enough for their eyes to meet, Kirei would find herself actually starting to giggle. She was just so giddy! Without any hesitation, the woman lifted her left hand and held it with her fingers splayed apart enough for the ring to slip on smoothly. It fit like it was made just for her! The best part? It was. He'd created it somehow out of thin air and it was a gorgeous symbol of their love that would only come second to their beautiful and growing family. Then, as if scripted by some master writer, Donnie's big hand cupped her soft and slightly wet cheeks so he could gently hold her face still as he went in for the kiss. The explosion of emotion that came with that kiss brought every butterfly out of its dormant sleep to flutter wildly and happily in her stomach. Their lips remained locked for what felt like ages, which was long enough for several candid snapshots by nearby onlookers and paparazzi that had been given a tip and made it to the scene right on time. Though the kiss was full of deep feelings of love and passion, he threw in a flair of lust as he bit at her lower lip and tugged on it gently. Her cheeks burned a gentle hue of pink as she giggled some more. The cheering and clapping was the only thing to remind her that this moment was not nearly the same as anyone else's and that it wasn't exactly a private moment, but she could care less. She was engaged! There were more pictures and clapping and the woman knew it would be all over the magazines and morning news. She could only imagine what it would be like if their attempt to get pregnant actually worked.

Miranda talks about how it is an impossible thing to not want to lose someone they just met. Can you have true love at first fight? Steven is just a teenager, there is no way for him to properly say if that is or isn’t possible yet. Lust before love seems to be the philosophy that Miranda understands and maybe knows all too well with the family that she has. The words she chose don’t exactly come to make Steven feel any better about the situation that the two of them are in. He’s taking leaps and bounds to try and break down the layers that Miranda puts up but with each time she strikes back it makes him nervous, afraid even to try and keep coming back to try. Even the talk about kissing again didn’t exactly go his way and it is a good thing Gina came at that time. Who knows what could have happened if that conversation came to continue. Miranda orders her food but what she orders is anything but a conventional meal. Ordering almost four different food items with multiple coming with sides and other items to eat; Steven can’t help but widen his eyes in disbelief. The young teenager can actually hear the emptiness of his wallet just become a canyon of dry funds once this date is over. Gina writes the order down on her pad and slowly turns to Steven who has a stoic shocked expression plastered on him.

Gina: And what about you, Steven?

Steven: I think I’ll go with a Chicken Crossed The Road. Can you put some of the special curly fries in there too? Thanks.

Gina is able to get the two of their orders with ease and she releases a bright smile before walking off to place that order. Steven looks back over at Miranda, actually surprised she has the eyes to think she can take down all these meals in one sitting. Now the curiosity is setting in to see if she has the stomach big enough to do so. The image of her scarfing down all that food in a very comical fashion enters his mind and he begins to laugh slightly to himself. But it does finally hit him after a few seconds that she called him her date. That has to be a good thing right?

Steven: So I guess this would be where we try to get to know each other right? I mean…I’ve never been on a date before so I kinda don’t know how one goes. Do I …Do I ask what your favorite color is?

The unfortunate yet adorable truth is that Steven is not trying to be funny or condescending in that moment. The young teen has really never been on a date and cannot begin to fathom how one goes. He hangs out with people like Jamal and Tyrell. They aren’t exactly the prime examples of OG experiences in the relationship world. He’s hoping Miranda could help him out here. With there being sometime before their food comes it will be just the two of them in their own thoughts and in a conversation to keep them entertained. Last night’s pressure doesn’t begin to approach the level of pressure that sitting at a table with Miranda is giving him.

At the Ice Cream Store

The flashes from cameras and the claps from everyone watching seem to be something normal for the two of them. Dinah on the other hand isn’t a big fan of it at all. Her arms reach up to cover her face as she releases an angry groan at all the people staring at her parents. Donnie takes note of this and reaches down towards her with his left arm. Like a tree trunk he wraps around her small frame and lifts her up into the air so he can hold her. Like any adorable six year old she slinks around towards his chest and buries her face into his neck. With his left arm he keeps Kirei pressed towards him with her body resting on his. The pictures snap the three of them but instead of showing the cameras any attention, Donnie keeps his crimson eyes locked onto her hazel hues as if she were the only woman he could ever find himself looking at. His words now come in the form of a light whisper to where she could hear him but she’d know that these words are for her and not some public headline.

Donnie: This is our family. I can’t wait to see what memories we make.

He then leans down to where his lips just barely miss from caressing her next to her right ear.

Donnie: Not to mention the kids we will have as well.

After saying this, he lightly presses his lips against her cheek before returning back to his normal height.

Donnie: now if my FIANCE would have it so,

He says while extending his left hand for her to take with her right hand and allow their fingers to interlock with one another.

Donnie: I’d like to walk my favorite girls back to OUR home.

Once more Donnie flashes that grin of his and if Kirei did come to hold his hand, the three of them could walk out of the shop and onto the sidewalk where paparazzi snap the picture of the perfect family walking away in complete and total happiness.

V

Elsewhere in the Unknown

The landscape of this place is an all-black void with a glowing crystal ball in the center. Inside of the crystal ball is the images of the current time that Donnie and Kirei are walking away from the ice cream shop. Around the crystal ball are two beings dressed in black garbs and robes that keep their identities hidden. One is much taller than the other, towering over the crystal ball. The tall mystery person is the one who speaks once Donnie and Kirei leave.
Tall Mystery: It is as I foreseennnnn. The time of your reckoning is at handhhhhh. Will you have the strength to do what needs to be doneeeeee?

Short Mystery: My hand will not be swayed…They will suffer and I will be there to enjoy every second of it…When do we strike?

Tall Mystery: All things must fall into placeeeee. The pawns are just now opening the holes we need to enter the sanctuaryyyyyy.

As the tall one speaks, arms are lifted up to the crystal ball, revealing very pale skin tones on its extremely lengthy hands. Black finger nails are the only contrast to the extremely pale color of its hands. The appendages move over the crystal ball and the images change. Instead of seeing Donnie and Kirei, the images come to portray Steven and Miranda as they sit at the table of their date. The tall one’s left hand curls to where only the index finger is pointed outwards and it comes to point at Miranda.

Tall Mystery: She is the key. You will win her trust and use her to gain access into the sanctuaryyyyyy. It all begins with heerrrrrr.

Short Mystery: Very well…She won’t even see me coming…

VI
--

The look on Steven's face brought a smirk to her own. The teenager sipped at her drink that had just been brought out. The ice cold drink flowed smoothly down her throat and she patted her lips to sigh quietly. Most never realized how thirsty they actually were until they actually got something to quench their thirst. While Steven ordered his meal, which was considerably smaller than her own abnormal choice, Miranda gently bit down on her straw and began to move her head around to bit to spin the ice cubes around a little in her clear cup. She needed something, anything to help slow the intense beating of her nervous heart. The butterflies weren't leaving, either, but she refused to show more weakness in this moment.

Again, the two were left to themselves. The waitress had what she needed to get their orders properly made and their table fell silent again for a moment. Proving that Steven, like her, had no experience in this general department, the young hero began to openly question the basic questions and conversation a first date would involve. He'd even admit to being new to the dating scene and the fact that he admitted to it made her giggle softly into her ice cold drink.

"I mean... I wouldn't know. I guess... Well...." She dug deep into her brain, trying to remember every romance movie she'd ever seen, but none of them compared to their own story. Not at all! "My favorite color is pink." She'd begin to say, her tone low and embarrassed, "What's yours...?" She stole a glance at him, instantly committing every detail of his face to memory. Just in case she ruined things for herself.

Ice Cream Shop

The camera flashes seemed to double as people began to spread the word of the celebrity engagement via social media and text message. Reporters were also on the scene to get something written up about the engagement for tomorrow's news. Even with all the commotion going on around them, Kirei and Donnie continued to look deep into each other's eyes and it was like they were the only ones there. Though the paparazzi was getting to someone. Kirei's attention focused on Dinah at that moment and she frowned a bit. The girl seemed uncomfortable with the invasion of privacy, but before Kirei could do something about it, Donnie was pulling her in against his chest. The sweet little 6 year olds face buried itself into his shirt and Kirei could feel a wide smile forming on her lips.

'He's such a great dad...'

As she was pulled against him, Kirei's arms tightly wrapped around his torso. Their eyes met again and all she could hear were the wonderful words that he'd only say loud enough for her and her alone.

'Our family.' 'The kids we will have next.' His gentle breath against her ear sent a shiver down her spine and she smiled. The kiss to her cheek deepened the lingering blush and she couldn't help but giggle. Not a second thought was given as she interlocked her slim fingers with his. Kirei was in a state of total bliss as they began to leave behind the crowd to return to their quiet home for family time.

Steven laughs a bit when she mentions that her favorite color is pink. He laughs at how nervously she speaks and it reminds him that he isn’t the only one trying something new here today. His eyes remain on hers as she begins to collect the details of his face. He doesn’t know what she is doing exactly but her interest in being able to gaze at him keeps him in the realm of positive thoughts.

Steven: My favorite color…

Placing a finger on his chin he wonders what his favorite color would actually be. Such an easy question that usually requires little thought but yet here he is, puzzled on an answer for her. After a few seconds, he places his hand back down on the table and finally has an answer for her.

Steven: Surprisingly, even though my uniform is blue and gold…Gotta say my favorite is a nice bright Red.

After answering her question he shoots her a bright smile and for the looks of things it actually looks like the two of them are getting along. From the night prior any moment the two of them had together came with a mixture of pain and fear. There was never really a time for the two of them to actually get to know one another.

Steven: So I know it might be kind of overstepping my limitations here…But how does a girl as pretty as you not have a dating life?

His tone seems a little nervous with the question but he genuinely wishes to know. Being the daughter of a multimillion dollar mother in Kirei Yuri and the daughter multibillion dollar Donnie Yun, it would only make sense that people would be throwing themselves at her just for the time of day. How is it that some geek like Steven ended up being the lucky one who is given the privilege of being on a date with her? There is time for her to answer but just before Steven can say anything to keep that conversation going, there is an explosion a few blocks down the way from where the two of them are eating breakfast. The explosive cloud lifts high into the sky with a black cloud and red flames. Steven looks out the window to see that explosion and all the screams that follow. People run away from the scene with fear in their eyes and Steven quickly reacts by looking down into his book bag to see all of his gear. His eyes shoot back towards Miranda’s and wonders if she can grasp what thoughts are going through his mind.

Steven: I’m Sorry, Miranda. I have to go!

And without even realizing that he does it out of impulse, he leans his body over the table and she’d feel his lips press against hers in a very passionate embrace. His lips come to enjoy being firmly pressed against her soft and sweet lips, even getting some of her lip gloss onto his own lips. After a few seconds he pulls away from her, still not realizing what he has done, and keeps his eyes on her.

Steven: I promise I will call you later. Wait up for me?

He flashes her a geeky smirk and after she can answer that question she’d watch his body disappear as he uses his shape shifting powers to get so small that he is out of normal eye sight. Steven disappears to go play hero and with perfect luck on Miranda’s side that is when Gina comes walking towards the table with all the food that the two of them ordered.

Gina: Where did Steven go?

Little did she know Steven has already left the building to go save the lives of complete strangers. Miranda would be left with a table full of food all by herself with nothing but her thoughts to occupy her. Would she be worried with Steven? Or Angry with him? So many thoughts can come up from this, but one thing is for sure, that kiss that he placed on her was filled with a passion that she knows she will not be able to deny. Even knowing so little about her, Steven’s kiss is filled with emotional ties to her. That might be what stands out the most.

Miranda smiled a bit wider, letting a small laugh escape her as she heard his answer.

"I'll admit that I expected it to be blue or gold. But I guess the world could live without another red super suit." Again, she laughed. The teenager could feel her body beginning to relax. Was she this tensed up all the time? Feeling her muscles loosen up was an amazing feeling. Just as amazing as the fact that she was on a date with a guy she barely knew and wasn't tearing his head off already. Maybe this was a step towards bettering her temper and attitude. A life with a less sassy Miranda? That would be a miracle!

Just when Miranda was just starting to feel herself getting used to this situation, Steven asked a bit more of a personal question. The warmth on her cheeks returned in the form of a faint shade of pink across her cheeks as her brain fumbled for an answer. Not only had she devoted a good portion of her time to desperately wanting to know her real mother but she never knew how to express herself. Boys that she thought were cute were often given bloody noses and talked down to until none of them would even go near her. Miranda's eyes would look from his to her drink as she mustered up the strength to say something.

"I never allowed it. I've been trying to find my real mother for a long time. Kirei adopting me wasn't part of the plan, but I able to do better digging." Though it sounded like she was making some sort of progress, in reality she still had nothing. Not a name, not an age, nothing. It was incredible how hard it was for her to find even the smallest breadcrumb that could bring her closer to finding her birth mother. Before anymore can be said, a nearby explosion rocks the neighborhood. The restaurant shakes from the blast and people scream and are visibly uneasy as people outside begin to run away from whatever was happening. Miranda's heart rate increased as her gaze darted up to look at Stevens face. He was already looking into his bag and she knew why. Not only was she bummed out about him having to go, she was also a little worried. Could he handle it by himself? Would she see him again after the fact? Miranda opened her mouth to say something but Steven's lips were suddenly pressed over hers. At that moment, all thoughts stopped. Passion flooded through her and she was sure that's what it was because that's the only thing that came to mind. The girls eyes closed slowly as she felt time slow for a moment. But when their lips parted she felt herself yanked from bliss. As he ran out he mentioned calling her later and it made her heart flutter as he shrunk out of sight. Miranda placed her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm and sighed. She thought she was alone and free to begin daydreaming, but her eyes locked on the waitress who was already starting to set the table. 'Where did Steven go?' The question replayed in her mind a few times before something clicked. Suddenly, Miranda was furious. She could almost see red as she pinched the bridge of her nose softly.

"STEVEN!" She'd growl angrily, the shout being able to be heard well outside of the building. It was very apparent that being stuck with the bill on their first date had ruffled her feathers.