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You never thought your life would turn out like this, but you wouldn’t complain at all. If someone had told you months ago that you would be with Marcus Moreno, the leader of the Heroics, you would have laughed and called them crazy. But after a chance meeting at the laundromat, you both left with each other’s numbers and a new friendship quickly turned into something more. Feelings grew fast between you and Marcus, and soon neither of you could imagine your lives without the other.
His daughter Missy also quickly became a big part of your life. The two of you hit it off just as quickly, and you were just as fond of her as you were her father. You found yourself at the Moreno house more nights than not, even if Marcus wasn’t home. Nights alone with Missy were just as fun as the nights the three of you spent together. Everything just felt right, and you felt like you belonged to a family for the first time in your life.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and you stood outside of your car and leaned against it as you waited for Missy to get out of school. Marcus had called you and said he wouldn’t be out of headquarters in time and frantically asked you to pick Missy up. You didn’t hesitate, and you were more and happy to get her.
Missy called your name as she bounced up to you, surprised but still happy to see you. It wasn’t the first time you picked her up from school, but this time it came unexpectedly.
Marcus also had insisted that even though Missy was to join the Heroics in the future, school was still important for the time being. When he had asked for your opinion, you were taken off guard but you agreed with him. Missy gave you both a pout, but she realized that there would be plenty of time in her life to be a hero, and for now she needed to enjoy her time as a kid.
“Surprise kiddo,” you gave her a hug when she ran up to you with open arms, “I’m your chauffeur today.”
“Dad couldn’t make it?” she asked as he set her backpack in the backseat.
You nodded as you held the door open for her, “Yeah, he got caught up at headquarters so it’s just you and me for now,” the two of you stood at the side of your car as you planned out your afternoon, “How about we get a little after school snack, whatever you want, and then we can make something together for when your dad gets home?”
Missy’s face lit up, “I think you should pick me up from school more often!”
“Don’t tell your father that,” you laughed, but you enjoyed the sentiment. She was more than just your boyfriend’s kid to you, and you cared for her as if she was your own kid.
But your light mood was quickly brought down when a distant explosion rocked the ground. Luckily for you and Missy, it was further down the street and on the other side of the car from where you stood. You quickly grabbed her and ducked you both down so that your car served as a shield. Screams ran through the air as people ran, and you and Missy both peeked around the hood to see what the cause of the commotion was.
“You ok?” you whispered to her, and she nodded in response.
Missy stepped forward a bit to get a better view, despite your protests. In the distance, she saw a large, towering man, and you both could feel his heavy footsteps in the ground as he quickly approached you.
“Titan…” Missy breathed as she recognized the new foe.
He was someone who had gone head to head with both Missy and Marcus on missions in the past. However, they were never able to get the upper hand, and he always slipped away at the last minute. Titan’s power was super strength, and he was aptly named as he tossed cars out of his way like they were nothing. The muscles in his arms were bigger than Missy’s entire body and Titan towered over nearly everyone he encountered. She was right to be afraid, as were you.
“I think it’s time to call your dad now,” you suggested as you tried to hide the panic in your voice.
“Yeah,” Missy snapped out of her daze and ducked back down as she tapped at the device on her wrist.
“Moreno!” Titan shouted, which caused you and Missy to freeze in terror and look at each other. He was after her, and this was a deliberate attack since Marcus was nowhere near.
“Missy? What’s going on?” Marcus’ voice rang through the device, but it did not bring as much comfort as you would have liked.
“Dad! It’s Titan… He’s here…” she sounded braver than you felt.
On the other end on the line, Marcus jumped to his feet as he said both of your names. You could feel the panic in his voice through the communicator, “I’m on my way,” he spoke without hesitation.
Just as the words left his lips, Marcus summoned his swords, ripped off his glasses and grabbed his tac vest. His face was stoic as he tried to keep a level head while he ran out of headquarters as fast as he could. The two people he cared the most about were in danger, and he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself if anything happened to either of you. He kept the communicator on so he could talk to both of you as he grabbed a hoverboard and dashed out toward you and Missy.
But he wouldn’t be fast enough. Titan quickly found where you and Missy were hidden behind your car, and he was able to lift and toss your car aside with ease. You gasped and grabbed Missy and tried to run away, but it was useless. His long arm reached out, and before he could grab her, you pushed her aside so that he clutched onto you instead. Although both Missy and Marcus were heroes, you still made a promise to Marcus that you would always look after and protect Missy when you were with her. So, even as scared as you were, you didn’t even hesitate to step in the way.
You let out a scream as he pulled you away from Missy, and you could hear both her and Marcus shout your name. Missy tried to lunge forward in an attempt to get him to let you go, but he knocked her back with a dark chuckle. Marcus grit his teeth as he listened to the scuffle. He hadn’t felt this helpless in a long time and he absolutely hated it. All he wanted to do was keep you and Missy, his family, safe.
“Hang on,” he mumbled under his breath, “I’m coming… I’m coming…”
“Marcus Moreno,” Titan threatened, “I know you’re listening,” Titan stared Missy down as he spoke with you trapped in his grip, “I’m taking something you love… So come and get me.” With that, he turned to leave, and easily blocked Missy’s attempt to attack him again.
Marcus was too late to do anything, and he sped up just in time to watch his nemesis walk away with you in his arms. You struggled and tried to break free, but it was useless. His heart dropped at the sight, and it only got worse when he saw his daughter on the ground.
“Missy!” he called out as he rushed over and scooped her up in his arms.
He inspected her for any wounds, but other than some bruising, she was ok. Tears streamed down her face, however, and Missy buried herself in her father’s chest, “He… he took…” she said your name as she sobbed.
“Shhh,” Marcus wrapped his arms around Missy tightly, “It’ll be ok,” he tried to hide how worried he actually was as he promised Missy that they would get you back no matter what.
You didn’t remember passing out, but you must have at some point because you woke up in what looked like a dungeon. Your arms were shackled to the wall above you and your legs barely touched the floor. With a grunt, you tried to wriggle free, although you knew it was useless.
A dark laugh from the shadows called your attention, and you held your breath as you watched the large figure emerge from the dark corner of the room, “It’s pointless to struggle,” Titan mocked you as he stepped in front of you, “Not even the Heroics could break out of those, what makes you think you can?”
“Go screw yourself,” you spat, not ready to give in to him completely.
That only made him laugh harder, “You’re a feisty one aren’t you?” he cupped your chin to make you meet his gaze, “And good looking too. Moreno sure does know how to pick them.”
“What do you want?” you jerked your head to the side to get him to let go of you.
“I need some leverage, and that’s what you are my dear,” his tone was icy as his fingers trailed down your neck, and it made a chill run down your spine, “Let’s see how well he fights now.”
You grit your teeth as a surge of anger washed through you and temporarily overtook the fear. As Titan hovered over you, you noticed that your legs dangled free and you took full advantage of that. With a deep breath, you kicked your leg up and hit him right between his own legs.
He let out a grunt, but you soon realized it was more from surprise than pain. Titan growled as he grabbed your face, “I appreciate the spark, sweetness,” his voice was low and threatening, “I’ll have to deal with you later.”
With that, Titan turned and left you alone in the room. He slammed the door loudly behind him before he locked it.
A defeated sigh escaped your lips as you rested your head back against the wall. You didn’t know how long you hung there, but you felt your arms start to go numb so it had to be a good while. The room was silent save for your breaths and occasional sob until you heard a loud commotion from down the hall. You lifted your head and fixed your gaze on the door although you couldn’t see anything.
You could hear though, and it sounded like a heated fight not too far from where you were held. You heard several crashes and shouts, although you couldn’t quite make out who the voices belonged to. If you were to take a guess, however, you were sure that one of the voices belonged to Marcus. Your heart pounded in your chest as you helplessly listened to the battle just on the other side of the wall and you could only hope that the Heroics would finally defeat Titan this time.
When it suddenly got quiet, you held your breath and stared at the door. You were afraid to breathe or even blink as you heard a faint shuffle of movement on the other side and you balled your hands into fists since that was all you were able to do. Then, you heard a creak and a bang as the door suddenly flew off its hinges. You shut your eyes tightly and turned your head into your arm in an attempt to protect yourself as best as you could.
The sound of your name in Missy’s voice made you look up, and your shoulders dropped in relief when you saw her and Marcus in the doorway. Their eyes welled up with tears at the sight of you, and Missy instantly bolted towards you. Marcus raised his arm and used his powers to pull the large shackles that bound your wrists out of the wall.
You dropped down to the floor and immediately sank to your knees. You were about to fold over onto yourself when Missy crashed herself into you and wrapped her arms tightly around you. She didn’t even bother to fight back her tears as she cried into your shoulder and held you as tightly as she possibly could.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Missy repeated over and over as her tears dampened your shirt.
“I’m ok, Missy,” you reassured her in a soft voice as you held her back. You could feel her tremble in your arms, and you would have been more shocked about her reaction if you hadn’t just been rescued, “I’m ok,” you repeated as you stroked her back and your own tears fell down your cheeks.
Marcus stood over the two of you and his face finally relaxed when he saw you were unharmed. Your eyes trailed up to meet his and you saw his shoulders visibility drop in relief. After the two of you shared a soft smile, he dropped down to his knees and embraced both of you. His swords clattered to the ground beside you. Marcus wrapped his arms around both you and Missy and brought you as close as he could to his chest, unwilling to let either of you go for a good while.
“Are you hurt?” he finally asked as he pulled away just enough to get a better look at your face.
You shook your head, “I’m ok,” you took a shaky breath, “I was more scared for you two… He said I was leverage and I…” you drifted off as you felt Missy squeeze you even tighter and you didn’t want to think of what could have happened.
Marcus felt his own tears well up in the corners of his eyes as he studied your face. It was then that he truly realized how much you meant to him, “I was scared too,” he admitted in a hushed tone, and from your arms Missy muffled in agreement, “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you. You and Missy…” he took a deep breath, “You’re my world,” he was quiet for a minute as he squeezed your arm tightly, “I love you.”
Your eyes went wide. This was the first time Marcus had said the words out loud; you both decided to wait until you were sure and ready to say it, even though it was obvious how much you each cared about each other. But before you could open your mouth to reply, you were cut off by Missy.
“I love you too,” she said your name as she looked up at you and finally pulled away.
You laughed as you caressed the side of her face, “I love you too, Missy,” you placed a soft kiss to the top of her head before you turned to Marcus, “And I love you, Marcus.”
Marcus let out the breath he held since his confession and leaned in to place a tender kiss to your lips. He smiled into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around you and Missy again and just held you both close to his heart where you were both safe, “Let’s get out of here.”
“Please,” Missy added as he helped you both stand.