On an island nearby the country, the G.U.N HQ buzzed with tension. In a researching room, a man walks anxiously, waiting for something.

"Colonel Andrew!"

He looks back and see an agent walking at him nervously. Colonel Andrew sighs. "What do you want, 321?"

"The researching area got Steven's location!"

Andrew widens his eyes. "... Proceed."

The Agent clears his throat and shows some documents to Andrew. "Steven was arrested some weeks ago in Las Nevas, city of Nevaska."

Colonel Andrew snatched the documents from Agent 321's trembling hands, his sharp gaze scanning the pages with precision. Each line of text seemed to fuel the tension in the air.

"Las Nevas, Nevaska…" Andrew muttered, narrowing his eyes at the highlighted details of Steven's brief incarceration. "And yet, here we are, still chasing him like a ghost. What happened after his arrest?"

The agent hesitated, fidgeting with his badge. "Sir, he escaped. Local authorities reported he bent the bars with his hands and right after escaping paid his bail to get free. As always, the footages were missing. But locals said they saw a weird guy with a horn on his head.

Colonel Andrew's jaw tightened, his grip on the documents white-knuckled. He turned a glare sharp enough to cut steel toward Agent 321.

"Let me get this straight," Andrew said, his voice cold and measured. "Steven not only escaped custody by bending steel bars but had the audacity to pay bail after escaping? And yet, no footage? No leads beyond 'a guy with a horn'?"

Agent 321 swallowed hard. "Y-yes, sir. The locals are... unreliable. The descriptions are inconsistent, but—"

"But nothing!" Andrew snapped, slamming the documents onto the table. "We've been hunting this anomaly for years, and this is the best our resources can manage? A half-baked sighting and hearsay?"

The room fell silent, save for the hum of the machinery monitoring endless streams of data.

Andrew paced the room like a caged tiger, his mind racing. He stopped abruptly and turned to the agent. "Get me a team on the ground in Las Nevas. I want every contact, every camera, every witness, leave no stone unturned. If Steven so much as breathes in Nevaska, I want to know."

"Yes, sir." Agent 321 said, hurriedly saluting and backing out of the room.

Andrew turned to face the large monitor dominating one wall of the room. A series of images flashed across the screen, grainy photos, blurred security footage, and scattered reports about Steven's abilities and encounters. His fingers tapped a rhythm on the steel surface of the console as he stared at the screen.

"Steven," Andrew muttered under his breath. "What are you planning, you living clock-bomb?"

Some hours later, Steven wakes up inside his place. He stretches and takes a quick shower before dressing up.

He takes his phone to check his messages, opening the home screen and showing the background as a picture of Fionna.

Steven stared at the glowing screen, his thumb hovering over his messages, but his eyes lingered on the background photo—Fionna mid-laugh, probably caught off-guard by one of his jokes. The corners of his mouth tugged upward for a split second before the vibration of his phone snapped him back to reality.

Unknown Number:
"Steven"

"GUN found u"

"Get outta there"

"NOW"

Steven's expression darkened at the messages, realizing it was his informant.

"...G.U.N."

He paced the small, cluttered apartment. It wasn't much, bare walls, a couch that doubled as a bed, a flickering lamp, but it was safe. Or at least, it had been.

Steven ran a hand through his black hair, his fingers brushing the diamond on his forehead. This wasn't the first threat, but something about this one felt different. Too direct. Too close.

His eyes flicked back to his phone. For a moment, he considered calling Fionna, warning her. But what would he say? "Hey, the government's hunting me down, so maybe stay inside?"

No. He couldn't drag her into this.

Steven grabbed his jacket and slipped it on, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders.

But before he could head to the door, his phone buzzed again.

Fionna:
"Hey, Stevo. I'm free today. Meet me at the café near campus if you're not too busy being a delinquent. "

Steven stared at the screen, thumb hesitating.

Steven:
"Yeah"

"Ill be there"

If G.U.N. was closing in, he needed to think fast. But for now, acting normal was the best cover.

He slipped out of the apartment, hood up, blending into the morning crowd. But his mind was already racing.

Steven moved swiftly through the crowded streets, every shadow feeling heavier than usual. The morning air was crisp, but it did little to cool the rising tension in his chest. His eyes scanned the sidewalks and passing cars, searching for anything out of place—an unmarked vehicle, someone lingering too long, a figure watching him from a distance.

But everything looked normal. Too normal.

"Act natural."

Steven tightened the hood around his face, his steps steady as he headed toward the café near the campus.

Inside a nondescript black van parked near a busy intersection, one agent sat in front of a wall of monitors. The screens flickered with live feeds from various street cameras. One feed focused on Steven, blending into the crowd.

"Target acquired." The agent muttered into his headset.

"Maintain visual. Do not engage until I give the order." Colonel Andrew's voice crackled through the comms.

The agent adjusted the camera zoom, locking onto Steven's hooded figure.

"Let's see where you're going…"

At the café, Fionna sat at a small corner table, idly stirring her coffee, the steam curling lazily into the air. Her eyes flicked to the entrance every few seconds.

When Steven finally walked in, she spotted him immediately. Hood up, shoulders tense.

"Subtle as always." She muttered under her breath.

Steven slid into the seat across from her, his eyes scanning the café before settling on Fionna.

"You look like you're about to rob the place." She teased, sipping her drink.

Steven forced a smirk. "What can I say? Fashion statement."

But Fionna didn't miss the way his eyes kept darting to the windows.

"Steven, are you okay?" She asked, more serious now.

Steven hesitated for a beat. "Yeah. Just… didn't sleep much."

She didn't buy it but didn't press.

"Well, you're here now. So chill, okay?" She leaned back, trying to lighten the mood. "Unless you want me to quiz you on analytic geometry for fun."

Steven huffed a quiet laugh. "Pass."

Their conversation carried on, light and casual, but Steven couldn't shake the prickling sensation on the back of his neck.

As Fionna continued sipping her coffee, she noticed Steven's unease wasn't going away. His gaze flicked between the windows, then down to the table, his fingers drumming anxiously against the surface.

"Alright," She said, leaning forward slightly, her tone turning more serious. "What's going on? You've got that look on your face like you're about to bolt."

Steven looked at her, his eyes heavy with the weight of something he wasn't ready to say. "Don't worry, Finn. It's nothing."

Fionna looks at his face carefully. She takes his hand into hers, brushing her thumb against his palm. "Steven, please. You can tell me the truth."

Steven glances fixedly at her hand in silence for o moment. He sighs and looks up. "... It's G.U.N…. They found me."

Fionna's hand froze in his, her thumb stopping its reassuring motion. For a long moment, there was silence, thick and suffocating. The noise of the café, clinking cups, quiet chatter, faded into the background. Steven's words echoed in her mind.

"You're serious?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"Yeah… Dunno how, but they did. My informant never misses this kind of info…" He sighs heavily and shakes his head. "I just came here to say goodbye or something like that."

Fionna's heart skipped a beat. The gravity of Steven's words hit her all at once. The carefree moments they had shared over the past few days, the laughter, the teasing, it all seemed to pale in comparison to the reality he had just revealed.

"You can't just..." She stammered, trying to grasp the enormity of what he was saying. "You can't just leave, Steven. You can't—"

"I have to." He cut in, his voice more resigned than she'd ever heard it. His gaze shifted towards the window, but his thoughts were clearly far from here. "They'll keep coming for me, and I never stuck with anyone for so long, and I don't know what they might do to you if they know you're my friend."

Fionna tightened her grip on Steven's hand, her eyes narrowing.

"Friend?" She echoed, her voice quiet but firm.

Steven blinked, caught off guard by the weight in her tone.

Fionna leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Steven, do you really think I'm going to let you run off and deal with this alone? You should know me better than that."

Steven's throat tightened. He wanted to argue, to push her away for her own safety, but the determination in her eyes made it hard. He grits his teeth and made his best aggressive tone. "Then tell me, what could you do? You're just a normal person. If I, a powerful being that not even me understand fully, couldn't get rid of them what you think you can do?"

Fionna's eyes flashed with something between frustration and hurt. She didn't back away, her grip on his hand tightening as her other hand reached out to touch his cheek, forcing him to look into her eyes.

"You think that's what I am? A normal person with no power? Just because I don't have some mystical abilities doesn't mean I can't do something. I may not have a diamond on my forehead, but I have a brain, and I can help you figure this out. You're not alone, Steven."

Steven's chest tightened, the words she spoke cutting through the heavy fog in his mind. He had spent so long trying to keep people at arm's length, to protect them from the danger that followed him everywhere. But here Fionna was, unwavering, her eyes filled with a determination that made his heart ache in ways he hadn't expected.

His mouth opened, but the words didn't come. What could he say to that? How could he explain to her that this wasn't something she could just "figure out"? That G.U.N. wasn't something he could fight on his own, much less with someone who had no idea what kind of power they were dealing with?

He clenched his wrists and teeth and huffs. "You want to stick around? Fine. Here are your options: Run with me and probably die, or you stay here and live another day to breathe. There ain't a 'fighting' option."

Fionna stared at him, her face a mixture of disbelief and resolve. For a moment, the weight of his words hung in the air between them. Her hand still rested on his cheek, her touch grounding him at that moment.

"You think I'm going to run from you?" She asked, her voice calm but fierce. "You think I'm going to turn my back on you just because it's dangerous? That's not how I work, Steven."

Steven stares at her and sighs. "... You're goddamn stubborn…" He shakes his head. "Fine. Come with me." He grabs her arm and pulls her to his arms, carrying her totally.

As Steven pulled Fionna into his arms, her body stiffened for a moment, surprise flashing in her eyes before she found herself securely nestled against him. He was strong—stronger than she had realized, his movements swift and urgent as he made his way out of the café. Fionna's mind raced. She hadn't expected him to actually carry her, but now she realized there was no time for questions.

"Hold on tight." Steven muttered as he moved through the crowded streets, his pace quickening. Fionna wrapped her arms around his neck, instinctively pressing herself closer as they navigated through the sea of people.

Suddenly, he stops his breaths. His legs start glowing a black light, and he jumps onto the rooftop of a building. He quickly starts running in the direction of something.

The wind rushed past them as Steven's legs glowed with a dark energy, the black light pulsing with every step as he propelled himself effortlessly across the city's rooftops. Fionna's heart pounded in her chest as she held onto him, her breath stolen by the sudden, dizzying height and speed. She could feel the tension in Steven's body, the weight of the danger pressing in on him as they moved further away from the café, farther from safety.

"What... what's happening?" Fionna asked, her voice strained against the wind.

"I'm getting us out of here." Steven grunted, his eyes scanning the city streets below. He moved with purpose, leaping from one rooftop to the next, his eyes never staying in one place for too long.

As they reached another building, they heard a helicopter approaching and saw some cars pursuing them, all with the logo of G.U.N.

Steven's grip tightened around Fionna as he pushed himself harder, his legs glowing brighter with each leap. The sound of the helicopter's whirling blades grew louder, and the blare of sirens filled the air as the G.U.N. vehicles closed in.

"Hold on tight!" Steven warned through gritted teeth, his body tensing with the effort. Fionna felt her heart race, the realization of how close they were to being caught sinking in. She looked around, but the city was a blur as they tore across the rooftops.

"Steven… what's the plan?" Fionna's voice cracked through the chaos, struggling to be heard over the wind and the noise of the pursuit.

"I just have to get us to somewhere and everything will be alright." He grunted, moving even faster.

The helicopter's roar echoed in the distance, growing louder as it closed the gap between them. Steven's legs glowed like embers, burning with dark energy as he pushed his body to the limit. Fionna clung to him, heart pounding in her chest, as they leaped from one building to the next, each jump higher and farther than the last. The wind whipped past them, making her eyes water, but there was no time to process the fear.

The G.U.N. vehicles beneath them weaved through the streets, their engines growling as they pursued the pair relentlessly. They were closing in, and it wasn't long before the first bullet whizzed through the air, piercing through Steven's shoulder.

The bullet grazed Steven's shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his body. He grimaced but didn't slow down. Fionna's eyes widened, her heart racing as she felt the impact vibrate through Steven's body. She looked down to see a small trickle of blood running down his arm, but he didn't seem to acknowledge it.

"Steven, you're hurt!" Fionna cried, her voice panicked. She tightened her grip on him as they leaped across another rooftop, the churning wind roaring in her ears.

"I'm fine." Steven grunted, his voice strained but resolute. "Just keep holding on."

But Fionna could feel the tension in his body, the strain of pushing himself too hard. She knew he wasn't fine. He was pushing his limits, and the G.U.N. agents were closing in.

Soon, Steven widened his eyes. He arrived in the city hall. He grips Fionna tighter and jump in the middle of the Hall.

As they landed in the heart of City Hall, the impact jolted Fionna against Steven's chest. For a brief moment, everything seemed to slow down, the sound of helicopters and sirens fading to a dull hum. The vast, empty space of the city hall was eerily quiet, its high ceilings casting shadows across the marble floors.

"Stay close." Steven whispered, his voice strained. He lowered himself slightly, still holding Fionna securely, his eyes darting around as he assessed their surroundings.

Fionna's heart was racing, and she could feel the blood pulsing in her ears. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe." Steven replied through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the entrance. He could feel the G.U.N. forces closing in, their pursuit relentless. He looks around until he sees a light-blue, big, crystal-like platform on it and he grins.

Suddenly, the sound of a door slamming open echoed through the hall. Steven turned instinctively, his muscles tensing as he prepared to react. A group of G.U.N. agents, fully equipped and ready for a fight, stepped into the room, their weapons raised.

"There's nowhere to run, Steven!" One of them barked, his voice cold and commanding. The agents fanned out, weapons aimed in Steven's direction. "You're under arrest for evading capture and resisting authority."

Steven laughs and hops onto the platform. "Not today, fuckers!" The platform start glowing under Steven and Fionna. "Bye bye, losers!"

The platform emits a beam of light that involves Steven and Fionna. The G.U.N agents try to shoot at the beam, but there's no use. Steven and Fionna just disappeared in the thin air.

The agents look shocked. They take their walkie-talkies. "Colonel Andrew… We lost them."

[TO BE CONTINUED]