A/N: 08.25.2021

I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one. This might be one of my favorite OC couples I've done since Basem and Sally. Once you read this, you'll see what I mean. The title and the concept were inspired by the "ships in the night" concept and the Mat Kearney song of the same name.

SYNOPSIS: After Michelle, the former Blaze, moves in with Hayate, they discuss recent events, the future, and their relationship. Post-"Iridescent."

Ships in the Night

Two weeks after Michelle had come back to Gotham and joined the team, Hayate and Michelle walked into Hayate's loft, carrying the last of her boxes from a storage unit.

"I'm really sorry about this again," Michelle said. "I totally forgot I even had all this crap until Waller said she had everything in it sent to me. This is mostly my mom's old junk anyway." She set down the box on the floor.

"Michelle, it's really fine," Hayate smiled. "I told you, I have the room." He set the box down near the others.

"And how. Don't worry. Once I know what's junk and what isn't, these will be out of the way. Like… a week, at most."

"Not a problem at all."

She looked out at the Bay, gazing at the scenery. Hayate's loft was a penthouse, located in high-rise on Gotham Bay, facing the water. The wall facing the bay was a series of window walls, stretching from the ceiling to the floor, and provided a panoramic view of the bay. It provided a beautiful view, all day long. Even at night, the Gotham lights even seemed to dance a bit in water's reflection.

Michelle smiled, "I love this view."

"As do I," Hayate agreed, gazing at the scenery. "It was a key factor in my selection. While it does make it easier to leave for our vigilant activities, I've always found the sea calming."

"I totally get it."

"It probably comes from growing up in Japan. It was pretty easy to find a good view of the water."

"I've always liked the water. A good swim on a hot day! Hittin' up a beach! Nothing like it! Though… I've never been to Japan, seen the water from there." She smiled at Hayate. "I totally wanna visit there, one day."

He smiled back, "That sounds like a lovely trip. One we'll definitely make some day."

"Can't wait." Michelle looked around at the loft. "I just can't get over the size of this place. God, Hayate, you could fit my mom's old trailer in here!"

Hayate chuckled, softly. "Then you are sure this is enough room for you?"

"I could park a car in here and you'd barely notice."

Hayate laughed.

"I should warn you… I do have a habit walking around naked." She gave him a sultry smiled. "Every now and again, anyway. And since my room doesn't have its own kitchen…"

He chuckled softly.

She held her smile then looked around and sighed, her smile falling away. "Ya know… it feels weird to get this new start, gettin' to be a hero. Like… even with the big man's warnings… I feel like that's just as much to protect me as you guys."

"It is. He's crafty with his caring that way. You'll have to endure his rules, but know they come from a good place."

"It's all good," Michelle sat on the floor and opened one of the boxes. "It'll be cool to have a boss that doesn't run the U.S. government."

Hayate smirked. "That we know of." He sat next to her.

Michelle chuckled as she found a lot of pots and pans within the box. "Jeez, Mom!" she grumbled to herself. "Half this crap's got holes in it! Why did you even have this?"

"If you don't mind my asking, where is your mother?"

Michelle scoffed. "That… is a fantastic question. The second I have an answer, I'll let you know."

"I'm sorry," Hayate said. "It was rude of me to ask."

"No, it wasn't. You need to trust me. And I want you to trust me. Nothing wrong with that. Besides… I've let it go. She abandoned me." She looked off. "But… I learned from it." She blinked to keep any possible tears from forming. "Got stronger. Learned to take care of myself. How that worked out in the long run… well, I was arrested, so, yeah."

Hayate studied her. She was hurt but holding it together. He admired that.

"It takes a lot to acquire strength," Hayate stated. "I wish that wasn't the way you gained it."

"Me, too," Michelle agreed. "But… what are you gonna do?"

He examined her for another moment. "You trusted me. I'll return the favor in kind."

She looked at him.

"I didn't get to know my parents."

She blinked. "Why? What happened?"

"We lived in small town a few hours from Tokyo. There was a fire. It was just a simple electrical fire. No one's fault and nothing anyone could've done. My father managed to get me out of the house, but… that brave man died from the smoke not long afterward. My poor mother… never made it out of bed."

Michelle stared at him in shock. "Jesus, Hayate! I'm so sorry!"

Hayate smiled, sadly. "It's fine. They are at peace, and I hope to always honor their memory. It's the least I can do."

"Still…" She scoffed. "I'm never gonna complain about my parents again. Not after that."

"Sometimes, we must vent. You are welcome to do so whenever you want. About anything."

"Your level of nice is really unheard of," she pointed out. "You sure you human?"

He shrugged, "99%. Possibly 95."

She laughed.

"If may ask… what of your father?"

"Didn't know him. Doubt Mom did either. She, uh… she got around."

"Understood."

Michelle sighed. "That's one reason why I keep my family ties a secret. It's not pretty and… it just makes me look like trash."

"That isn't remotely true," Hayate said, immediately.

She smiled. "Thanks." She looked away and sighed.

"What else bothers you?"

Michelle looked at him then turned her gaze back to the Bay. "I'm just worried…" she began, "…worried I'll get this wrong. Or that… I'll only prove myself just so much. I want to be trusted. It's so weird. This is like the first time in my life I've wanted that. But I want this work out. But… I worry I'm not a good person."

"On what do you base this?" Hayate asked. "Before you explain, let me first declare… I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion of you're not a good person."

"That's because you're blinded by my sexiness and that I already promised to walk around naked."

"Those points not withstanding, I stand by my assessment."

She laughed, softly, but her smile fell away. "I know how I am," she admitted. "Abrasive, talkative, and overly-sexual. I'm sure I'm a… not-a-good girl, compared to people like Max and Sally."

"Once you get to know them, you'll find that's not necessarily true," Hayate said, smirking. "They're some of the best people I've ever met, but they both have their not-so-good sides."

Michelle shrugged, slightly, "Well… there's my other problem. I've always said people are quick to judge. Then I turn around and do the same thing. I look at Max and Sally, see them with their superhero husbands, beautiful kids, and 'perfect' lives, not to mention they are both gorgeous and hot as hell! And I think… 'what do they know about bad days?' When… they probably know a thing or two."

"They do."

"I hope I didn't come off as too much of a bitch at lunch the other day."

"You did nothing like that," he insisted. "You were just nervous. They do like you. They think you're funny."

"Point in my favor, can't lie," she replied. "I'll still do my best to… curve my mouth around them."

"Only around the children," Hayate advised. "Max and Sally can be as… talkative as you. In all arenas."

Michelle laughed, "I kinda noticed. I mean, really, I like 'em. Like I said. I'm just nervous."

"I understand."

She stared at Hayate. "So. What about… us?"

He smiled. "What about us?"

"Oooh. You're gonna play the coy role. Okay. I'm down with that."

Hayate chuckled.

"The… us us." Michelle shrugged, "Are… are we… official?" She grunted. "Oh, wow. I can't believe I said that. I swore in high school I'd never say that."

He held his smile. "I've never been… official before."

"Wait, for real? You've never had a girlfriend."

"I've had interests. But nothing ever concrete. I tend to be off-putting with my stoic demeanor."

"Yeah, to losers who don't know a good man when they see one," Michelle replied.

Hayate chuckled. "But… official… wasn't something I ever looked forward to. Until now."

Michelle smiled but sighed. "Okay! So… before we cement it, let me be a total dreg and say… I… wanna… take this slow."

Hayate leaned his head to the side. "How does that make you a dreg?"

"Because for my all jokes, purposefully tight jeans, low-cut tops, and, again, promising to walk around naked… now I'm saying I wanna take it slow. That's… almost not fair to you. I've been promising you mind-blowing sex and now I'm copping out."

"You never promised me that," Hayate chuckled.

"Not out loud!" Michelle replied. "But… I wanna go slow with this. And it's because… I've done the 'jump-into-bed-right-away' thing. It felt good… for all of 15 minutes. Then… it was terrible." She stared at him. "I just… want this to mean something. It already does but… I want you to know it means something… to me."

He stared at her into her eyes and could feel her sincerity. "Michelle. I completely understand."

"Of course you do. I'm being such a jackass."

"You are not!"

"Yeah, I am. I've made every sex joke possible with you and now I'm like 'let's wait'."

"We were flirting before. We didn't know a relationship was possible at the time. Now… it's real. Things changed."

Michelle scoffed. "Damn right they did."

"We can wait as long as you want," Hayate declared. "Truth be told, I didn't want you to think this was about only the physical as well."

"I already knew. I see it in how you look at me."

"I hope you find it favorable," he said.

"You have no idea," she replied. "All this is so different from situations I've been in before. We're just getting started and I'm already moving in with you. I mean… I get it. This is also to keep an eye on me, which I totally understand. And I'm getting my own room and you're such a gentleman you'll never do anything I don't want you to. Problem is… that's a really short list. Just one more reason I want to take this slow is because… ever since meeting you with all that crap with the Graves? You've been the best man I've ever met."

"I strive to be a good man," Hayate admitted. "I don't always succeed." He smiled. "And, let me be perfectly clear, you're assuming I don't have the same… carnal urges toward you."

"Only because you just said 'carnal urges'," Michelle laughed.

"Michelle. I am more than happy to wait, and take things slowly. This is new for us both. Truth be known… I don't want to make any unnecessary movements, either. Relationships… have always been hard for me."

"Preaching to the choir."

"But I've also learned patience is a virtue. One that truly pays off. I met you, after all."

"Keep sweet-talking me. You're gonna find out just how fast this place goes from two bedrooms to one."

"It's three bedrooms, but they could easily be two."

"Keep it up, sexy," Michelle raised an eyebrow. "You're playing with fire."

"Do I look afraid?" Hayate smiled.

"Not once since I first laid eyes on you. Even if I wasn't looking at your face the entire time."

"To be fair… I wasn't looking at yours the entire time, either."

"Oh, baby, I'd be disappointed if you were," Michelle smiled, sensually.

Hayate chuckled.

They leaned closer and pressed their lips against one another. They held the kiss for a while, thoroughly enjoying the feeling. They separated, savoring the feeling, and staring into each other's eyes.

"One day…" Michelle whispered, "I'll be ready. And when I am… when we both are… you better be ready for your world to be unbelievably rocked!"

"I very much look forward to it," Hayate smiled.

"Before we have to go save the world, I wanna do something sickeningly couple-y."

"And that would be?"

"I wanna watch a totally stupid romantic comedy and eat popcorn," Michelle admitted. "For once… I wanna pretend to be normal. You in?"

"It's spending time with you," Hayate answered. "I am absolutely in."

"Alright. And no naughty activities."

"Michelle! I already promised…"

"I was talking to myself." Michelle stood up and walked toward her room while Hayate just smiled.

A/N: And there you have it! I think I'm gonna do more with this couple! We'll see!

Perhaps another Rated-M story. But... located elsewhere! Like I said, we'll see!

Thank you all for reading! Let me know what you think! See you later!