Nathan jumped buildings as he held tightly onto Michelle, who was cradled in his arms. The night sky was refreshing but also chilling.
"I respect public transit, but there really is nothing like gliding through the air," he said as he landed on top of her apartment building.
"I've never seen it from this view before," she admitted as she stared off into the distance.
"And your balcony is right down here."
Nathan quickly jumped across balconies until he found hers and set her down.
"So that's how you always can get into my apartment," she noted.
"Either that or through the hallway window. It's actually really easy to open."
As Michelle went to put the key into the lock, she found that the door had already been unlocked.
"That's strange, I don't remember unlocking this. I haven't been out on here in weeks," she said as she opened the door.
"Better let me go in first," Nathan said protectively, stepping in front of her.
Who would be in my apartment? Other than-
"Well hey there, handsome," Nathan said with a giggle. "Long time no see."
"Hagi, what are you doing here?" Michelle demanded, stepping in front of Nathan to see Hagi reading a book on her couch. She also noticed her apartment had been cleaned.
"I was awaiting your safe return," he said, closing the book and standing. "I really appreciate that you keep these here, I don't appreciate technology having replaced paper books."
Hagi was being unusually calm having just seen Nathan and Michelle wasn't buying it.
"Uh... yeah," she said, turning to Nathan. "I really appreciate you taking me home. I'll text you later, okay?"
Nathan smiled and bowed before he quickly made his escape out the balcony.
"Now, what's the real reason you're here?" Michelle demanded.
"You assume I'm lying?" Hagi asked, raising a perfect eyebrow.
"Yes, I do. I assume that very much. I haven't talked to you in a while one-on-one and last I checked you weren't the happiest with me... then the day I hang out with your Queen you suddenly gain an interest in me again. Is it wrong that I assume an alterior motive by this point?"
Hagi appeared hurt, then looked away.
"Gahh- and there I go again! I keep saying things I shouldn't and I..." Michelle exclaimed as she shook her head. Hagi quickly walked over and wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't," he whispered.
She didn't argue. Instead, she nuzzled his neck and breathed in his scent, pulling her arms up to the back of his shoulders and pulling him close. He held her tighter. They stayed for a moment before Michelle had to force herself out of his arms.
"I'm tired. Would you mind if I took a shower and we just laid down and talked instead?" she said.
"Of course not," he said. "I'll be waiting."
With that, they parted ways for the time being.*
*After her shower, Michelle dressed in a black lace nightgown and entered her bedroom where Hagi was awaiting her.
"You can sit down you know," she said as she plopped down on her bed comfortably.
He carefully sat down beside her and transitioned into laying on his side casually. He supported himself on one elbow above Michelle's pillow.
"Do you remember when we used to hang out like this every day?" she asked, blowing on a lock of hair that had fallen into her face when she landed.
"I do," he replied with a faint smile, brushing the hair aside and slightly parting her bangs in the process.
"Have you ever just... wanted to go somewhere? Just go anywhere else in the world? I know we both have traveled before but, it's been so long. Some days I just want to disappear... maybe into the snow of Siberia or the forests of Estonia... somewhere so far away from everyone and everything that I could sing again and no one would hear me..."
"I... used to enjoy Paris. Whenever we had the chance to go, I had a favorite place to be... a street. It was the only place I ever felt simply content just for being there."
"We should go then, Hagi," Michelle said, sitting up. "Let's do it. We could leave tomorrow."
Hagi would've smiled, if he didn't remember his obligations.
"Saya could come with us," she added. "It could be fun."
"Saya has other obligations. She must assist Kai at Omoro."
"Well then, Kai could come with too. Everyone could. Hell, we could even take the twins out of their containment cells and drag them along too," Michelle began laughing at the ridiculous thought and slipped back down to her comfortable pillow. "But that wouldn't work, would it?"
Hagi smiled weakly and shook his head.
Michelle turned her face to look him in the eye. "It was a nice thought though, right?"
Hagi nodded.
"And this is nice... just dreaming with you again, just talking like we used to..."
He then bent down to kiss Michelle gently before gazing into her eyes. "I dream of you," he whispered.
Michelle smiled helplessly and put a hand on his cheek. He caught her hand with his left human hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. For a moment they stayed perfectly still with only tension in the air, but in an instant they were locked in a tight, passionate embrace. Their lips, their bodies, their hands all moving together in perfect sync and not for a moment separated. Michelle quickly pulled off his coat and began unfastening the buttons on his shirt before she became too impatient and with chiropteran strength ripped it open, buttons flying.
"I'll pay for another one," she added between kisses.
By this point he was completely wrapped around her, his arms and his legs on either side of her with his weight distributed evenly as if not to crush her but caressing every inch of her. Neither one of them wanted the moment to end.
"But for what it's worth, I think that he honestly believes that he's in love with you." Nathan's words rang in Michelle's mind.
"Hagi, we need to stop," she quickly said before things went too far.
His expression looked quickly pained and he quickly went back to his side of the bed. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"It's just..."
How am I supposed to explain what Nathan said? He'll be even more hurt if he thinks I don't believe that he loves me...
"I'm just tired is all, I've had a long day, you know?" She wasn't necessarily lying, but she wasn't telling the full truth either. "I'm sorry about your shirt."
"It isn't a problem," he replied.
"But uh, if you wouldn't mind... would you please stay with me for the night? I just, I just want to know you're here. You can go to Saya as soon as I fall asleep, promise."
Hagi grinned slightly and nodded.
As they settled in, Michelle began humming to herself.
And will we ever... end up together?... No, I think not. It's never to become, for I am not... the one.
