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

Part 15

Ghost in the Machine – Part 15

The kiss lingered, slow and deep, as if neither of them wanted to break the moment. Suspended above the dark waters of Niihama Bay, with only the waves and the wind as witnesses, they allowed themselves something neither had experienced in a long time—peace.

When they finally pulled apart, Motoko's gaze lingered on Power Girl's face. The Kryptonian's expression was unguarded, her blue eyes searching Motoko's as if waiting for her to process what had just happened.

Motoko exhaled, her fingers absently tracing the fabric of Power Girl's suit near her shoulder. "You kiss like you mean it."

Power Girl smirked. "I do mean it."

Motoko raised an eyebrow, still somewhat skeptical. "And what exactly is this to you?"

Power Girl didn't answer right away. Instead, she adjusted her hold on Motoko, making sure the Major was comfortable in her arms before floating them toward a nearby rooftop overlooking the bay. The city lights were distant now, the sound of traffic a mere hum beneath them.

Once they landed, Power Girl set Motoko down gently, but her hands lingered for just a second longer than necessary. "I don't do things halfway," she finally said. "Not with fights. Not with people." She hesitated, then added, "And definitely not with you."

Motoko studied her carefully, her mind sifting through every unspoken implication. Relationships—if they could even call it that—weren't exactly in her wheelhouse. She'd always kept things at a distance, even with people she trusted. But Power Girl was different.

She wasn't a shadow in the net, someone Motoko could erase with a line of code or distance herself from with logic. She was real, tangible, and frustratingly persistent in breaking through the walls Motoko had carefully built.

The Major sighed. "You're relentless, you know that?"

Power Girl grinned. "One of my better qualities."

Motoko rolled her eyes, but there was no real irritation in it. "So... what now?"

Power Girl sat on the ledge of the building, patting the spot beside her. "That depends. Are you gonna run from this?"

Motoko hesitated for only a moment before sitting down next to her, their shoulders almost touching. "I'm not running," she said. "But I don't exactly know how to do this either."

Power Girl turned slightly, brushing a strand of violet hair from Motoko's face. "Then we figure it out together."

Motoko scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "You make it sound so easy."

"Nothing about you is easy," Power Girl admitted, grinning. "But I like a challenge."

Motoko huffed but didn't argue. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't thinking about the next mission, the next threat, or the weight of her responsibilities.

Instead, she was thinking about the woman beside her. The warmth of her presence. The ridiculous yet undeniable fact that Power Girl had just flown her across the city and kissed her like she was something worth holding onto.

And maybe—just maybe—Motoko was starting to believe it too.

To be continued...