Grey Line

Off Day

Mika slept most of the day away. It had taken her a long while to fall asleep after the events of last night. A smile crept to her face as she thought about the annoying winged hero being so quiet and kind. She frowned, she almost enjoyed his company.

The phone buzzed, the light making her squint in the darkness of her room to answer.

'We got em all! Fully charged and heading to the big house.'

'Did you even sleep?'

'Nope! I've been awake, making sure this gets finished.'

'Take a holiday you overgrown turkey.'

'Soon! I still owe you coffee first.'

Mika rolled her eyes and set the phone aside, slowly sitting up. Her hair was in wild waves from her braids, paired with tossing and turning. A knock on her window made her jump. She crawled out of the bed and opened it to see the brat himself. She rolled her eyes and shut her blinds, walking into the living room and to her balcony, "Hawks...what the hell?"

He landed and held out a warm cup, "I just told you."

Mika smiled and took the cup, "Thank you."

"I like it when you smile," he teased with a grin.

"Shut up," Mika's cheeks had a slight blush to them.

The blonde laughed, " I'm a man of my word," he motioned to the coffee, "Rocky also says you better rest up."

She raised an eyebrow, "You're on a first name basis now?"

Hawks shrugged, "I'm a people person."

"I've noticed."

"And charming."

"Eh," it was Mika's turn to tease him, "You're okay."

He pretended to be offended, "First you claim I squawk, now you're saying I have no charm?"

She laughed, "I'm saying don't quit your day job." She sipped the sweet nectar of life, "Now what?"

"Now," Hawks looked at his phone, "I am free."

"Go home and go to bed before you get anymore delirious than you already are."

He smirked, "Come with me."

She tilted her head, "Pardon?"

"Come with me," he stretched his wings, "Just to hang out and relax. No work involved."

She thought for a moment, "I dunno-"

"We can eat pizza and watch shitty movies."

"....and drink beer?"

Hawks chuckled, "And drink beer. I'll have you home by curfew."

She rolled her eyes, "Behave while I get dressed."

He sent a few messages while he waited, telling Tokoyami to keep an eye on things for a few days. Truth was, he was exhausted. But, he wanted to give her a positive experience after last nights heavy encounter.

"Is this fine," She wore grey sweatpants, pulling a hoodie over her head.

He smiled, "It's perfect." He wrapped his arms around her and took off, "Still scared?"

"Of course I am," her hands gripped his shoulders, "I've decided if you drop me, I'll just beat your ass."

Laughter rumbled from his chest as he made his way. Once they landed, he let her go and opened his door, letting her inside. Mika casually looked around as he ordered pizza, his golden eyes watched her hands move over the books on his bookshelf. She smiled when he hung up, "I wouldn't take you for the reading type."

"What makes you say that?"

"Mmmm," she eyed him, "You're street smart."

He tilted his head, "What does that mean?"

"Most people who are street smart," she pointed out of his window, "are not book smart," she pointed to the books.

He gave a charming smile, "I'm the best of both."

He watched her as she looked around, "It looks different now that I'm not bleeding out."

"Makes sense," he shed his jacket, headphones, and goggles, tossing them on the counter lazily.

"You should really get some rest," she crossed her arms and looked at him.

"I will," he smiled, "I promise."

He opened his fridge and handed her a beer. Mika smiled and leaned on the counter, "So, homeschool?"

Hawks took a long drink and nodded, "Something like that."

"You know my deep dark secret," Her grey eyes looked at him.

The normally cocky blonde sighed with a smile, "That's fair..." His phone buzzed, "Lemme get the food first."

Over their food, Hawks talked about his past. He told her of his training as a child, how he worked as a double agent, and how he got to where he was now. Mika sipped her beers, listening quietly. You would have never guessed such a happy go lucky hero came from all of that.

He finished his third beer and huffed, "Now, the real question: what kind of movies do you like?"

Mika chuckled, "I haven't watched a movie in ages, so I honestly couldn't tell you."

He scoffed, "You're no help at all." He got up and walked over to his TV, "I'll just scroll and guess."

Mika shed her hoodie and settled on the comfortable leather couch in amusement. The sun was set, as she looked out of the window, the news had claimed it would snow tonight. Her attention was pulled away from the window as Hawks plopped down, hitting play.

They made idle chatter through the first half of the movie, commenting on the actors and guessing plot lines. Soon after, Hawks was quiet, too quiet. Mika smiled when she looked over at him, he had fallen asleep. She looked around for a moment before getting up, grabbing a blanket from a nearby chair. Gently placing it on him, she sat back down, casually hold a pillow as her eyes continued to watch the movie.

Golden eyes opened sometime later, looking around the apartment before settling on a sleeping Mika. He removed the blanket she gave him, and placed it on her before pulling out his phone, checking in on things. Movement out of the window caught his keen eye. He stood and walked up to see snow freely falling from the black sky.

"Did it actually snow," Mika's sleepy voice asked as she wrapped the blanket around herself.

"It's working on it," he turned and smiled, "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's fine," she yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes, "You fell asleep first, I guess it was contagious."

A thought crossed his mind as he made his way to the couch, kneeling down in front of her, "Stay the night with me."

Her grey eyes blinked, "What?"

"You heard me," he stood and held out his hand, "no funny business, just company."

Mika paused, thinking. She had slept here before, under different circumstances. Why did this feel so different? It was snowing outside, making him fly her home would be cruel, not to mention she didn't exactly dress for the weather. Her hand carefully rested in his as he helped her up, turning off the TV.