Chapter 14
Kiss Me

"That was amazing, Maxy," said Zulia, watching as their ship slowly rose up from Nectaranius's surface. She desperately didn't want to leave, as it was such a place to see, but she knew she had to. "I don't think I've ever met someone so full of surprises."

"People do say that about me," said Maximus, flirtatiously.

Zulia laughed. "I really want to keep this up," she said, holding onto his arm, "I hope I'll see you soon. Perhaps we can meet for lunch again sometime next week."

"That sounds delightful," replied Maximus, "I'm certainly in."

He looked over at her with a smile, and was surprised to see a tear running down her cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh...nothing..." said Zulia, "It's just...this last week, I've felt so happy. And I just don't know what will happen to us. Because I don't want to be away from you...ever." She held his arm tightly.

Maximus hesitated. To be honest, he hadn't thought that far.

"We don't have to tell anybody yet," he said, taking her hand in his own, "Nothing will happen to us. I promise." He pressed his finger to Zulia's cheek, wiping away the tear.

"Thanks," she smiled.

For a moment, neither of them knew what they were doing, but their faces seemed to come closer, reducing the space between them, and before Maximus knew it, his lips were touching hers.

At his lips' touch, she blossomed like a flower. Nobody had ever kissed her like this before. And his mouth was so soft. It was magic, the way his lips connected with hers, like the last piece put into a jigsaw puzzle. His mouth was so warm, the caress of his lips softer than she could imagine. A deep feeling of warmth spread through Zulia's lips, all the aches and pains of heartbreak dissolved by this tender moment. A single tear of joy slid down her cheek and splashed onto his. Feeling this, the supervillain slid Zulia out of her seat, claiming it as his own as he set her down on top of him. She resumed the kiss, her lips begging to feel his again as they both came into a deep embrace. And that was when he knew it. As a supervillain, in the past Maximus had only wanted to destroy. But now he wanted to protect. He promised himself, right there, right then, that he was never going to let anything happen to her, not now, not ever. She was the one.

Maximus deepened the kiss and let his tongue graze her lips. She tasted sweet, like honey or maple syrup. A swimming bliss flooded through Zulia's body, and she subconsciously moved her hands to his shoulders, clutching the velvet collar of his robe tightly in her fingers. Never breaking the kiss, Maximus reached up and caressed her soft green cheek. His hand skimmed her long pointy ear, then fingered a lock of her beautiful white hair, twiddling it round his finger as his hand explored her fluffy locks. He felt a purr of ecstasy growing in his throat, and Zulia felt his lips quiver as he purred into her mouth.

"Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..."

It was a heady bliss, feeling the emotions in lips so full of love. They felt like they never wanted to be anywhere but here. Together.

They eventually let go, but didn't want to. Their lips parted and they resumed their positions in the seat.

"That was nice..." murmured Zulia, looking at him out of the corner of her eye and smiling shyly.

Maximus felt indescribably good. So that was what a kiss felt like. He had to say, he liked it. He just wished he could have experienced that the first time. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Their eyes met. Reaching over, he caressed Zulia's face in his hands, bringing her to his lips again. She surrendered.

...

"Admiral DeGill, I am pleased to report that Infantor and his milk-draining scheme have been thwarted," declared Betty, "Infantor has been arrested and we have returned all the lost water to its original places."

"Excellent work, Atomic Betty!" declared Admiral DeGill, "You've saved us again!"

"I couldn't have done it without Sparky," replied Betty, looking at her green co-pilot. Sparky folded his arms, chuffed.

"Ahem!" hmphed X-5.

"And X-5, too, of course," smiled Betty, "Now take me home, guys. If I don't get back soon I'll be late for my afterschool guitar practice."

"Aye, aye, chief!"

And with that, their starcruiser took off like a bullet and vanished into the stars.

...

A while later, Maximus returned Zulia to Neutropia. They parted, promising they would see each other again very soon, and Zulia stepped out of Maximus's spaceship onto Neutropia. She gave him a little wave, which he returned, and then watched as his spaceship rose up and vanished from Neutropia's atmosphere.

He is so dreamy, she thought, as she stepped in through her front door.

"Oh Sparky, dear!" she called, striding into the house, "Are you home?"

"Mamoolah!" exclaimed Sparky, happily, running down the stairs to hug her.

"Hi, honey," Zulia said, striding up to him and kissing him on the cheek, "How did it go?"

"Pretty crazy," Sparky replied, "So where did you go? I've been home for ages. You never go out. Where were you?"

"Oh, nowhere important," Zulia said, dismissively. She quickly changed the subject. "So what happened to you today? Anything exciting?"

"Infantor was up to his old tricks again," said Sparky, "He was using this lazer to..."

Zulia was only half listening. While Sparky talked on about Infantor and his milk-making scheme, her mind drifted to Maximus again. Her lips could still feel the kiss.

"Betty and X-5 woulda died if I hadn't landed the ship safely," bragged Sparky, proudly.

"Well done, sweetie," Zulia said, fondly. She pinched his cheek.

"Aw, stop it, mom," said Sparky, embarrassedly, "What about you? How was your day?"

Zulia smiled, dreamily. "It was perfect."

...

Maximus's lips tingled from the kiss as he strode down his landing pad towards his front door. He pushed it open. With the velocity of a bullet, Minimus instantly shot to his side. "And how was your day out, master?" he asked, eagerly.

"Pleasing," replied Maximus, striding inside with Minimus hot on his heels.

"I tidied your chambers and dusted your ceramic ducks while you were gone!" said Minimus, with an obsequious smile on his face.

"How considerate," replied Maximus.

"And this time I didn't break any!" Minimus added, happily.

"Well done you." Maximus patted Minimus on the head. Minimus felt so happy, he almost screamed.

"Oh, thank you, master!" he squealed. He kept up the pace as Maximus strode through the corridors. "I also ordered Chef Bernadette to cook your favourite dinner," he said, cheerfully.

"You are being so thoughtful today," said Maximus, giving Minimus an appreciative look.

Minimus's face split into a grin so big that it didn't even fit on his face. But somehow he managed it, as he was feeling that happy. "Nothing but the best for you, master," Minimus said, obsequiously, then slightly extended his head, hoping that Maximus would pat him again. He was not disappointed.

Oh, how Minimus craved attention. All those years of being ignored, unappreciated and abused, Minimus was finally being given the praise he deserved. And even though this "Maximus being nice" period was probably only temporary, Minimus was determined to get the absolute most out of it.

A/N

For those out there who are wondering if Maximus and Zulia get busted, then here's a spoiler for you. Tomorrow both Sparky and Minimus find a clue to Maximus and Zulia's secret. Read on!