Movie Night
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Naruto x M'gann
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Author's Note
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This is a direct continuation of chapter 1.
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Story Start
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Naruto led M'gann outside, the hush of the Mount Justice interior gradually giving way to the gentle sounds of the night. Cool air caressed their faces as they passed through the automatic doors, and M'gann floated just a few inches off the ground in her usual habit, her fingers still loosely threaded with Naruto's. Outside, the moonlight reflected off the distant water, silvering the rocky outcroppings and tall trees that bordered the site.
They paused at the edge of a cliff that overlooked a small, moonlit bay. This was one of Naruto's favorite spots—remote enough that he could get a clear view of the sky, with only the gentle lapping of waves far below to break the silence. M'gann, eyes shining in the starlight, settled beside him on a smooth boulder that jutted out just near the edge. She rested her hands on her thighs and looked up, scanning the sky for constellations.
Despite the brief awkwardness of their kiss just moments before, the air between them felt warm. Electric. Naruto cleared his throat and settled next to her, letting the hush of the night sink in for a moment.
"You can see them so clearly here," M'gann said, her gaze drifting across the stars. "On Mars, our night sky looks… different, of course. The atmosphere changes everything. But it's still comforting, in a way."
He nodded, pushing stray blond strands from his face as the wind teased them. He wasn't entirely sure how to navigate this sudden shift in their dynamic—a friend and teammate who'd just become something more in a single evening—but he didn't hate it. In fact, his heart gave a pleasant flutter at the thought. "Back home," he began, voice hushed, "I never really took time to look at the stars. Not until I was older, anyway. Where I'm from, there was a lot of light pollution in the village center, so the stars were always kind of hazy. I was busy training. Or on missions. Or… just being a knucklehead."
M'gann tilted her head. "You? A knucklehead?" She feigned surprise, smiling mischievously. "I never would've guessed, Naruto."
He laughed softly. "Hey, I've grown out of it. Mostly." He paused, glancing sidelong at her. "I didn't really see the stars in their full beauty until I started traveling. It was only then I realized how huge the sky was. That's when I… I guess I started thinking differently about things. Like maybe there was more to life than just being the best ninja in my village."
M'gann's eyes flicked over to him. "Well, I'm glad you're taking a moment to enjoy them now," she said gently. She ran her fingers over the rocky ledge, appreciating the rough texture. "And I'm really glad we get to share it."
Naruto felt his pulse leap in his throat. He reached for her hand. Her skin was warm against his, and for a while, neither of them spoke, content to watch the night sky fill with a million glittering points of light.
Eventually, curiosity nudged him. "M'gann," he asked, "does it… bother you that I kissed you?"
She turned his way, hair shifting in the breeze. Her eyes met his and held. "No," she said softly. "I was surprised, sure. But… I didn't hate it. I actually—" She flushed, her cheeks turning that bright scarlet hue for a moment. "I liked it."
That same warm wave of relief and excitement rolled through him. "You know, I was worried about how you felt about Conner," Naruto admitted. "It was always so obvious you were interested in him."
M'gann shrugged. "At first, I guess I just thought Conner was this tall, silent, handsome type—and I'd never met a Kryptonian-human hybrid before. I was curious. But I don't think I ever really got to know him. And I… I don't even think I asked if he was ever interested in me that way. I might have been reading too many Earth romance books, thinking we were destined for each other just because it was 'supposed to happen.'" She gave a self-conscious laugh. "That was silly of me."
Naruto felt a little guilty. "I'm sorry if I was being too pushy tonight. I didn't plan any of this," he said, looking at her intently, "but… I don't regret it."
She offered him a small, genuine smile. "Me neither."
A comfortable lull settled over them again. Below, the waves continued their steady rhythm, and every so often, a wisp of cloud drifted across the moon. After a few minutes, M'gann slid closer, resting her head against Naruto's shoulder. He accommodated her easily, letting his arm slip around her waist.
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By the time they went back inside the Mountain, it was close to midnight. The corridors were dimly lit in after-hours mode, and their footsteps echoed softly against the tiled floors. They walked in companionable silence, occasionally catching each other's eyes and smiling.
Naruto's heart thudded with anticipation. Where did they go from here? Did they just say 'good night' and go their separate ways? Did they talk about it more? For a moment, he remembered the old days back in the Hidden Leaf, when he was too clueless about romance to handle a simple date. Not that he was suddenly an expert, but he'd come a long way—and M'gann was patient and kind.
"Would you like some tea?" M'gann asked, pointing toward the small kitchen area. "I—I'm not exactly tired yet."
"Sure," Naruto said. "Tea sounds good. And after that movie, maybe it'll help you sleep."
She let out a small laugh. "I'll definitely need something relaxing after… that. Honestly, I'm not cut out for slashers."
They navigated to the kitchen. It was small and modern, with brushed steel appliances that glinted dully under the overhead lights. M'gann moved toward the cabinet with the teas, while Naruto busied himself heating the water. He was still getting used to the advanced Earth technology of this dimension—some things were intuitive, like turning on a stove, while others still baffled him. But he managed well enough.
M'gann, humming softly, went on tiptoe to retrieve a pair of mugs. It made Naruto smile—she could hover to reach high places, but she still rose on her tiptoes like a regular human.
When the water was ready, they steeped two mugs of chamomile tea and drifted into the lounge area—much more pleasant than the earlier living room, where the leftover horror-film vibes lingered.
They settled on a curved sofa that faced a picture window looking out on the star-dotted water. Naruto cradled the warm mug in his hands and inhaled the gentle floral aroma.
"I'm really glad you came back here tonight," he said softly, "even though you must've had other places you could go."
M'gann brushed a lock of red hair behind one ear, giving him a curious look. "Mount Justice is basically my home away from home—and you're here too. So it felt like the best place to come." Her lips curved in a gentle smile. "I feel safe here. Especially with you around."
He sipped his tea, letting the meaning of her words sink in. For a moment, he simply let himself feel grateful that he had people he could protect and care about, in a place where he felt truly welcomed. Yes, it was a complicated and sometimes dangerous life, but he was no stranger to that.
"Hey," he began suddenly, "I never asked… how did you handle everything after we got back from that training simulation? The mental one." He was referring to the fiasco that left the team shaken when M'gann's emotional outburst affected everyone. It felt like ages ago, but it was the first time he'd really seen how powerful her psychic abilities were—and how vulnerable.
M'gann's expression faltered for a split second, then she placed her mug down gently on a nearby table. "It was rough," she admitted, lowering her gaze. "I felt so guilty. I know we were told it wasn't my fault, but part of me keeps thinking, 'What if I hadn't let my emotions spiral out of control? Could I have stopped it sooner?'"
Naruto placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We all have regrets," he said quietly. "I've done things I wish I could change, too. But you can't keep beating yourself up over that. Your uncle said it was a freak occurrence, right?"
She nodded. "It was. Even so… I think that's one of the reasons why I like being around you so much. You understand what it's like to have something… inside you… that could hurt people if it's not controlled." She rubbed her hands together, as though a chill had come over her. "You have the Nine-Tailed Fox, and I have… well, I guess it's not the same thing, but it feels like it sometimes. This power that's still too big for me, you know?"
Naruto nodded slowly. He remembered all the times kurama's chakra nearly overwhelmed him, hurting people he cared about. "It's not exactly the same," he murmured, "but I get it. Sometimes it's hard to trust yourself when you know that kind of power is there."
She looked at him, a flicker of relief in her eyes. "Yeah. Exactly. But you always manage to keep going, to push past the fear."
He smiled crookedly. "Thanks. But it's not like I do it alone. I had great teachers, supportive friends… and I have you guys now. I guess that's how I manage."
M'gann's expression softened, and for a moment, there was no horror movie, no deeper worries—just a quiet understanding between them.
"I'm glad you're here," she whispered.
Naruto felt warmth surge through him. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle, reassuring kiss to her forehead. M'gann closed her eyes, exhaling slowly as if letting go of lingering tension. Then she lifted her head, and in one fluid motion—surprising both herself and Naruto—she leaned in to capture his lips again. The gentle sweetness of chamomile still clung there, and Naruto let himself lean into her, mindful not to jostle the tea mugs.
When they pulled apart, there was a faint flush on M'gann's cheeks, but she didn't move away this time. Instead, she rested her forehead against his, eyes closed, breath slightly uneven.
That was how they stayed, simply enjoying each other's presence, until a soft whoosh of the door broke the moment. M'gann drew back instinctively. Both she and Naruto looked up to see a familiar figure standing in the entryway.
"Uh, hi."
It was Kaldur. He appeared somewhat tired—he'd probably just returned from a late mission or debriefing. He glanced between Naruto and M'gann with a composed expression. If he suspected anything was going on, he didn't show any surprise. Kaldur was poised like that.
"Hey, Kaldur," Naruto said, clearing his throat. "Mission done for the night?"
Kaldur nodded. "Yes, we have just returned. Robin, Kid Flash, and Artemis went back to their respective homes. I was merely stopping by to check if everything was all right here. I see the two of you are—" He paused, noticing the flicker of red still staining M'gann's cheeks. "Relaxing?"
M'gann coughed, picking her mug back up in a show of nonchalance. "Yes!" she blurted a bit too quickly. "Just, uh, having tea. We… watched a movie earlier. Sort of."
Kaldur arched a brow, but didn't press for details. Instead, he offered a polite dip of his chin. "Very well. I'll be in my quarters if anything comes up. Sleep well, both of you."
"Thanks," Naruto mumbled, giving a small wave as Kaldur left the room. The door hissed shut behind him, leaving them in relative privacy again.
A moment passed, and Naruto and M'gann exchanged looks. Then both burst into soft laughter. M'gann pressed her fingertips over her lips to stifle the giggles. "I wonder if we looked as flustered as we felt," she murmured.
"He probably guessed something," Naruto said with a shrug, though his face was still warm. "But Kaldur's not the type to gossip or judge. He's a great leader."
They sat together for a few more minutes until their tea was finished. The warmth of the drink and their shared company made the late hour feel less oppressive and more comforting. Finally, M'gann stretched and let out a small yawn, eyes watering at the corners.
"Okay, I think I'm ready to sleep now," she admitted. "I didn't realize how tired I was until we actually relaxed."
Naruto smiled. "Me too. I guess we should say goodnight."
She hesitated, then stood. "Walk me back to my room?"
"Of course."
They left the mug behind in the sink, promising to clean up in the morning, and made their way through the quiet corridors again. It was a short walk to M'gann's quarters. The door slid open at her approach, revealing a tidy room with a personal touch—posters, Martian keepsakes, and bright pillows arranged on the bed.
Naruto hovered in the doorway, hands in the pockets of his orange-and-black jacket. He felt that pleasant awkwardness again, the kind that comes right before you say goodnight to someone you really like, and aren't sure if you should kiss them or just wave.
M'gann solved it for him. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thank you for tonight," she said softly. "For… everything."
He let himself smile. "Any time. Sleep well, M'gann."
She nodded and slipped inside, the door sliding shut behind her. Naruto let out a quiet breath, turned, and started heading to his own quarters. A small grin refused to leave his face the entire way.
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The next morning, Naruto awoke to the gentle hum of the base's morning cycle. Artificial lights mimicked dawn, and the common areas usually grew livelier. He half-expected to find Wally devouring everything in the fridge, or Robin tinkering with the computer system in the lounge. But to his surprise, it was still fairly quiet when he arrived in the kitchen, wearing casual sweats and raking a hand through his messy blond hair.
He rummaged in the pantry, found a pack of ramen cups, and set about preparing a quick breakfast. His stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Halfway through heating the water, he felt a presence at his side. He turned to see M'gann floating inches above the ground again, wearing a bright green sweater and jeans. Her hair was braided today, a style that framed her face sweetly.
"Morning," she greeted, arms folded casually. "You're up early."
"Morning!" He grinned. "I got hungry. You know me, can't start the day without some ramen."
She hovered closer. "If you wait a few minutes, I can make something else for you. Breakfast burritos, or maybe an omelet?" She offered hopefully, remembering all the Earth recipes she'd been learning.
Naruto smiled sheepishly. "That's tempting. But I already started." He gestured toward the kettle as steam curled from its spout. "Maybe tomorrow?"
M'gann nodded, leaning a hip against the counter. "Deal."
A comfortable silence fell between them as he poured the hot water into his cup of noodles. Then, after another brief pause, M'gann spoke again, a bit more softly. "Naruto… about last night. I just wanted to say again—I'm sorry if I seemed a bit… panicked. Horror movies really aren't my thing."
He placed the kettle down carefully. "No, no, you have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I should've picked a friendlier movie."
M'gann shook her head, smiling. "I just don't want you to think I'm that squeamish with everything. I'm not. It's just slasher horror. It's so senseless. Even on Mars, we have stories of dangers and tragedies, but they're usually… I don't know, not that graphic?"
Naruto laughed, stirring his noodles. "Fair enough. Next time, I'll check with you before I pick something. Maybe a rom-com or an action adventure?"
"Sure," M'gann said brightly. "I'd like that."
Before they could continue, there was a whoosh of speed in the hallway, and Kid Flash (Wally) zipped into view, sporting sweatpants and a T-shirt. He nearly skidded to a stop in front of them, sniffing the air. "Is that breakfast?" he asked, eyes gleaming.
Naruto lifted his noodle cup in demonstration. "Ramen," he answered.
"M'gann," Wally wheedled, turning his best puppy-dog eyes on her, "you don't happen to have pancakes in the works, do you?"
She let out a good-natured laugh. "If you can wait fifteen minutes, sure. But I need to gather ingredients, and you're not zipping around me the entire time, got it?"
"Yes!" Wally pumped a fist. "You're the best, M'gann!"
She gave Naruto a helpless shrug, though she looked amused. "Duty calls."
Naruto nodded. "Go for it. We can pick up our conversation later."
She bustled off to the cupboards, and Wally immediately set about getting plates, forks, and any other pancake-related necessities, as if by making himself useful he could speed up the entire process. Naruto couldn't help but smile at the typical Kid Flash antics.
He carried his instant ramen over to the table near the big window. From here, he could see the sunlight reflecting on the same water that had gleamed silver last night. As he ate, his mind flicked back to the quiet moments spent on that boulder with M'gann. The serenity and closeness they'd shared.
He wondered if the rest of the team suspected anything. Then again, maybe it was normal for two members to get close. Robin, for all his teasing, wouldn't likely make a big deal out of it. Artemis would probably raise a sarcastic eyebrow, but not in a mean way. And Conner… well, Naruto wasn't sure how Conner would react. Maybe he'd be indifferent. Naruto was still unclear whether Conner even recognized M'gann's earlier interest in him.
"Well, well, well," came a smooth voice from behind. Naruto glanced back to see Artemis stepping into the kitchen. "Early risers today, or did I miss some top-secret meeting?"
"Just hungry," Naruto replied, jabbing his chopsticks into the noodles. "You know me and my appetite."
Artemis smirked, wandering over to where M'gann and Wally were now bickering about pancake size and thickness. "Morning, M'gann," she said, then glanced over her shoulder at Naruto. "You look chipper. Usually you're not this awake until midday. Something put you in a good mood?"
Naruto rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Just had a restful night," he said, trying not to appear too flustered.
As if saving him from further scrutiny, M'gann levitated the first batch of pancakes from the pan to a plate. Wally practically drooled, and Artemis strolled over to snag a piece of fruit from a bowl on the counter. The typical morning bustle of Mount Justice in full swing.
A couple of hours later, the team had assembled for a routine check-in. Batman's voice crackled over the main computer line, discussing mission updates and assignments. A hush filled the briefing room, the team lined up in front of the large screen. Naruto stood between M'gann and Kaldur, hands clasped behind his back as he listened attentively.
Batman's cowl obscured his expression, but his tone was direct. "Crime rates continue to shift outward from Metropolis, Gotham, and Star City. We need your team to be ready for smaller-scale incidents that might escalate if neglected. We're counting on you, Kaldur, to delegate these tasks effectively."
"Yes, Batman," Kaldur said. "We will coordinate and keep you informed."
"Good." The Dark Knight's gaze flicked across the assembled group. "Kid Flash, Artemis, you'll handle an intel-gathering trip in Keystone City. Robin, you're with me in Gotham. M'gann, I'd like you and Naruto to remain on standby here. Superboy is currently training with Black Canary, but if needed, contact him."
Naruto felt a small jolt. M'gann and I on standby together? He snuck a quick sideways glance at her. She caught his eye and smiled faintly, though both quickly refocused on the briefing.
Batman concluded the call, and the screen went dark. Kaldur stepped forward, turning to the group. "All right, you heard him. Let's be prepared for anything. Wally, Artemis, pack for an overnight—Keystone might take longer than we anticipate."
Wally gave an exaggerated salute. "Aye-aye, fearless leader."
Artemis rolled her eyes in typical fashion, but didn't argue.
Robin, who'd been scrolling through a holographic interface on his gauntlet, nodded. "I'll meet you guys later. I need to check something in the computer logs first." He snapped it closed. "Catch you in a few." Then he was off, boots echoing in the corridor.
Kaldur paused, turning to Naruto and M'gann. "You two, keep monitoring the channels. If anything comes in, you'll deploy as necessary. Clear?"
They both responded with a quick "Got it," and Kaldur placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "I appreciate your readiness. We might be dealing with multiple small incidents rather than one large threat, but it's important to stay vigilant."
With that, Kaldur left to finalize the mission details. Wally and Artemis vanished in a flash, presumably to gather their gear.
Naruto let out a breath. "Looks like we're on watch duty, huh?"
M'gann nodded, stepping closer. "I don't mind. It'll give me a chance to catch up on some studies, too. And we can keep an eye on the monitors together."
Naruto grinned. "Sounds good. Let's do it."
The rest of the morning passed in relative calm. The pair took seats at the main console in the mission control room, scanning the screens for any alerts or suspicious activity flagged by the computer. M'gann had a tablet open in front of her, occasionally reading through Earth literature homework and side glancing at the monitors. Naruto busied himself with a few training logs he wanted to update—various jutsu he'd been refining, how they could work alongside his new environment, and notes on synergy with the team.
Hours ticked by without a single emergency call. Eventually, M'gann closed her tablet with a sigh, rotating her stiff shoulders. She looked at Naruto. "Want to take a break? We could get some fresh air again."
Naruto was about to say yes, but the screens lit up in a flurry of activity, a shrill beep cutting through the quiet. Both jumped into alert mode, eyes flicking to the computer readout. A map of the southwestern United States popped up. There was some sort of disturbance flagged near a small desert town—reports of suspicious energy readings. No Justice League members were in immediate proximity.
"Should we…?" M'gann asked, half-rising from her seat.
Naruto's fingers flew over the console, bringing up more details. "It's basically the middle of nowhere. Could be a false alarm, or maybe something else."
M'gann tapped her communicator, prepared to call Kaldur. But an automated readout scrolled across the screen: Potential meltdown scenario at a small nuclear testing site, staff evacuated. Naruto's eyes widened. "That's not good. If it's meltdown-level, we might not have time to wait for the others."
M'gann nodded, expression firm. "We can at least go check it out—and if it's beyond us, we'll call for backup."
Decision made, they dashed to the hangar and suited up. Naruto threw on his standard gear, leaving behind any heavier mission packs since they had no time to waste. M'gann quickly readied the Bio-Ship—a Martian craft that responded to her mental commands. It shifted and opened to let them board.
As the sleek vessel hummed to life, Naruto settled into the co-pilot seat. His heart pounded with anticipation. He'd come here for a quieter day, but life as a hero rarely allowed that kind of luxury. M'gann expertly guided the Bio-Ship through the hidden tunnel and out into open air. It lifted swiftly, engines nearly silent as they soared off toward the southwestern desert.
Glancing sideways at M'gann, Naruto felt a mix of worry and excitement. This was their first assignment alone since… well, since they'd acknowledged they liked each other as more than just friends. Focus, Naruto, he told himself. There was work to do. No time to be daydreaming about kisses under the stars.
Still, M'gann shot him a quick, reassuring smile as they soared across the brilliant blue sky. Her confidence steadied him—and he realized, with some satisfaction, that they made a solid team. Both in the field, and possibly outside of it.