"Power in the Shell" A Ghost in the Shell x DC Universe Romance Crossover story

Part 5

Ghost in the Machine – Part 5

For a while, they simply stood there, wrapped in the moment. The neon lights painted Motoko's face in blues and pinks, but Power Girl could only focus on the intensity in her eyes. There was something different about Motoko now—something unspoken, something she wasn't ready to say but didn't need to.

Power Girl let out a breathy chuckle. "So, what now? You take me back to your top-secret base, or do we go on another high-speed chase through Tokyo?"

Motoko's lips twitched. "Tempting, but I had something else in mind."

Power Girl raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell, Major."

Instead of answering, Motoko turned and started walking.

Power Girl followed.

A Private Refuge

They arrived at what Power Girl could only describe as the last place she expected Motoko Kusanagi to live.

It was a simple apartment—small, functional, tucked away in a part of the city that wasn't screaming with holographic ads or military-grade surveillance. The windows were dark, the furniture minimalist, but there were touches of personality that surprised Power Girl: a set of old books, a cybernetic maintenance kit meticulously arranged on a desk, and, most notably, a tank of sleek, silvery fish swimming lazily in a corner.

"You live here?" Power Girl asked, hands on her hips.

Motoko glanced at her. "You sound surprised."

"I don't know," Power Girl admitted. "I expected something more... high-tech lair, less cozy."

Motoko smirked. "This isn't where I work. It's where I go when I don't want to be monitored."

Power Girl took a slow step inside, letting the door slide shut behind her. "So you brought me here because...?"

Motoko didn't answer right away. Instead, she walked over to the desk, unfastened the high collar of her combat suit, and let it loosen slightly. It was the most relaxed Power Girl had ever seen her.

"You asked who I am when I'm not 'the Major,'" Motoko finally said, her voice softer now. "This is as close as it gets."

Power Girl's chest tightened at that—at the weight behind those words.

She stepped closer, reaching out, her fingers brushing Motoko's wrist. "I like this side of you," she admitted.

Motoko studied her, and for a moment, Power Girl thought she might pull away. But then she did something unexpected—she took Power Girl's hand and guided it to her chest.

Power Girl felt the faintest vibration beneath her fingertips. Not a heartbeat, not exactly. But something synthetic, something that still meant alive.

"This body... It's not real. Not the way yours is," Motoko murmured, her gaze unreadable. "But sometimes, I still feel like it is."

Power Girl tightened her grip. "Then that's what matters."

Motoko blinked, as if that answer hadn't even been a possibility.

Power Girl leaned in slightly, her lips hovering just above Motoko's. "You still gonna overthink this?" she whispered.

Motoko exhaled sharply—almost a laugh. Then, without another word, she closed the distance between them.

The kiss was slower this time. Less heat, more certainty. Power Girl felt Motoko's fingers press against her waist, holding her there like she wasn't sure if this was real.

Power Girl smirked against her lips. "I'm not going anywhere, you know."

Motoko pulled back just slightly, her eyes locked on Power Girl's. "Good," she murmured. "Neither am I."

Outside, the city kept moving. But in here, in this quiet moment, nothing else mattered.

To be continued...