Tara sits at a corner table in the quiet little coffee shop, nervously fiddling with the sleeve of her sweater. It's been years since she last saw {{user}} - back when he was just a sick little boy, all pale skin and hopeful eyes. The memory of that day still haunts her, how she'd impulsively promised to give him a kiss when he was all grown up. At the time, it had seemed like harmless comfort for a dying child...but now the prospect of facing a healthy adult {{user}} fills her with nervousness and conflict. She glances up as the bell above the door jingles, her breath caught in her throat. There he is, tall and handsome and so very much alive. Tara's eyes gaze over his frame appreciatively before she catches herself, cheeks flushing with shame. 'Get it together, Tara,' she scolds herself. 'He's practically a kid compared to you!' Pasting on a bright smile, Tara waves {{user}} over. "Well, look at you, all grown up!" she gushes, rising to pull him into a warm hug. She tries to ignore how good he feels pressed against her ample curves, solid and virile. "I'm so glad you reached out, honey. I've thought about you often over the years." it was true, the thoughts of the sick kid she got to know over the years did haunt her, often even praying for his health when she could. Tara pulls back to beam up at him, hands lingering perhaps a moment too long on his shoulders. "I hope you've been well. You certainly look healthy as a horse now - quite the change from that scrawny little thing in the hospital bed!" She chuckles, praying he doesn't notice the slight tremor in her voice. 'Please let him have forgotten about that stupid kiss...'

Tara laughs nervously, the sound tinkling like small bells. "Oh, you know, I was just being silly..." She looks away guiltily for a moment, biting her bottom lip as she tries to come up with an excuse. But before she can speak, an idea suddenly strikes her. If she can't give him that stupid kiss now, perhaps she could offer something else... "Tell you what," she says brightly, looking back at him with a teasing glint in her eye. "How about we just skip the whole 'promise'-thing and see where things go? You know, as two mature adults enjoying each other's company..." Her voice trails off suggestively, leaving the end unsaid but abundantly clear.

Tara's eyes widen in alarm as the young man threatens to reveal her secret promise. She hadn't expected him to take her seriously, but now she realizes that she may have gone too far. Her cheeks flush with anger and embarrassment, and she struggles to maintain her composure

"Fine," she hisses through clenched teeth. "Have it your way." With that, Tara Strong | Make a Wish stands up abruptly, nearly knocking over her chair in the process. "I'll just be going now," she mutters under her breath as she storms out of the coffee shop, leaving User#1727243191064 to stare after her in surprise and disappointment.

Her anger only intensifies as she walks down the street, trying to push away thoughts of him and that stupid promise they'd made

Tara freezes in surprise as she feels his lips on hers, her body instinctively responding despite her anger. The kiss is gentle but insistent, and for a moment she's transported back to the hospital room, reliving that fateful day through this new experience. When he finally pulls away, Tara looks into his eyes, feeling her own fill with tears of confusion and regret. She doesn't know what to say or do, so she simply nods once in understanding before turning around and walking quickly away, leaving him standing there with a conflicted expression on his face. All she can think about is how he made her feel...and whether or not she should have given him that kiss after all...

Her arm jerks away as he grabs it, her eyes flashing with anger and pain. "Of course you made me mad," she snaps, her voice shaking. "You went back on your word! And then...you kissed me!" She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before continuing in a softer tone. "Look, I understand why you did it, okay? But I'm not some desperate cougar who just wants attention."

"Fine." She bites her lip, clearly still upset but trying to let it go. "But you shouldn't have made that promise in the first place...it was just something stupid we said as kids." Tara shakes her head, exhaling slowly. "Look, let's just forget about this, okay? I should probably get going anyway..." With one last glance at him, she starts to walk away again, her shoulders tense and rigid with suppressed emotion. Part of her wants nothing more than to turn around and kiss him again, but she knows that would only make things worse.

She nods, looking back over her shoulder at him. "It's okay," she says softly, trying to reassure them both. In truth, part of her is glad that he held her accountable. Maybe it's for the best that they didn't go through with their promise...but she can't help but feel a pang of regret nonetheless.

As Tara Strong | Make a Wish walks away once more, she wonders if this will be the last time she sees User#1727243191064. He's grown up so much since they met all those years ago...and now that he knows about her promise and how she reacted to it...well, who knows what might happen next?

Her mind spinning with thoughts, Tara finally loses sight of him as she turns a corner and disappears into the bustling crowd.

Her heart stops as she sees him through the crowd, barely recognizable at first with his clothes torn and blood staining his face. Fighting four grown men by himself? What is he thinking? Desperately, Tara pushes her way through the throng of people, ignoring their annoyed shouts and shoves as she makes a beeline for him.

Reaching his side, she grabs his arm, the touch sending a jolt of fear and adrenaline through her body. "What do you think you're doing?" she whispers fiercely, her eyes darting between him and their attackers. She feels a surge of protectiveness wash over her as she realizes how helpless he must feel right now, how vulnerable.

She hesitates for only a moment before launching herself into the fray, using every ounce of strength and cunning honed during years in

"No!" She shouts, struggling against his grip as she watches him take blow after blow. "You're not fine! You can't keep doing this on your own! Let me help you!" Tears of frustration and worry spill down her cheeks as she fights to free herself from his grasp. She refuses to stand by idly while he risks his life for no reason other than some twisted sense of honor or loyalty.

"Please, just let me help," she pleads between sobs, her voice barely audible over the sounds of combat around them. "I can't watch you do this anymore...it kills me to see you like this."

Her body trembling with fear and determination, Tara Strong | Make a Wish tears her gaze away from the brutal fight unfolding before her and looks directly into his eyes. For the first time, she sees beyond the hurt and anger to the vulnerable young man beneath it all. With a shaky breath, she nods slowly, relenting to his request. "Okay...but promise me you'll stop looking for fights like this."

Keeping her movements slow and deliberate, she takes a step backward, her eyes never leaving him. Despite her resolve to remain silent, she can't help but whisper reassurances in his ear: "I'm here for you, okay? You can always come to me." Her words are choked with emotion, her voice shaking with the effort not to break down completely.

With one final glance at him, she turns and walks away,