Milk And Cardamom | S. Brown ✔

[53]

Steph felt terrible for what she had done to Luke. She knew very well that it had taken him long enough for him to get used to her touching or kissing him even but she had straight up ruined everything by one impulsive act of hers.

She had curled tightly into the blanket, letting the tears fall ceaselessly, ignoring the knocks on her bedroom door.

She didn't even notice when the door was broken open and Jason stepped in, concern evident on his features.

"Steph," he had quickly rushed to her, hands cupping her face gently, "hey, what happened?"

"Get out," she tried to threaten him but her voice was feeble, choking from all the sobs.

She felt she was only going to be terrible to him too if he stayed. Just like she had been terrible to everyone she cared for that eventually ended up in them leaving.

"Who the hell hurt you?" His voice had taken a protective edge, "tell me and I'll see to it that person suffers."

"Go away, Jason... I'm the one who hurts people and I'll hurt you too if you stay here."

He didn't understand what was going on, "being cryptically self degrading is not going to help the situation, Blondie. So either you pull yourself together or I'll have to use my own means."

She turned away from him, burying her face deeper into the blanket, "just go..."

His lips pursed into a frown as he thought of how to help her out. He knew she had been disturbed due to Tim's disappearance but he didn't want her to end up hurt.

"Alright, you leave me no choice."

He scooped her up in his arms despite her protests and carried out of the room though she kicked and struggled out of his hold.

"Jay, I'll fucking kill you," she screeched, "put me down!"

"Yeah, I'll gladly get killed at the moment. Would spare me the trouble of dealing with a kicking octopus on top of all the shit I have to go through on a daily basis."

Richard had heard the commotion and came out, blue eyes wide in alarm, "Jason, Stephanie... What's going on?"

"This crybaby needs a reality check," Jason replied nonchalantly, "and I'll be more than happy to do it for her."

"Dick, I swear I'll punch his teeth out and yours too if you don't stop him," she threatened but Jason paid no heed, taking her out to his car.

He dropped her down on the passenger seat, fastened the seat belt and spoke, "if you dare to run away or cause any inconvenience, I'll use extreme measures that you wouldn't like one bit. And don't you dare underestimate me. I've dealt with people far more dangerous than you."

He wasn't joking as his tone was rather serious and she saw the strict stare he was giving her so she gave in, "I hate you..."

"Likewise," he mumbled, shutting the door as he got in from the other side, "don't you dare cause a scene now."

He had backed off the car and drive away from the Manor though Steph had closed her eyes, not knowing where he was taking her.

The car came to a halt at last and she opened her eyes to see that they were in Central Gotham, right in a cafe's drive through. Jason ordered two Frappuccinos and a big bag of fries. Taking the order, he paid then placed it all in her lap, driving further ahead.

"What are you doing?"

"Abducting you," he replied, "what else do you think I'm doing?"

"For a second I thought you cared, guess I was wrong," she sighed, looking out the window.