One Flesh, Infinite Stars

The sun rose over Metropolis, painting the Hall of Justice in gold. Metro Man leaned against the roof's edge, arms crossed, watching the city stir. He'd spent the night there, not out of need but habit rest was for mortals, and he'd left that behind long ago. The air carried echoes of last night's chaos: Brainiac's tech still hummed beneath the earth, a faint pulse he could feel in his bones. Trouble was brewing, and he was itching for it.

Footsteps approached light, deliberate, unmistakable. Diana emerged from the stairwell, her armor polished, lasso coiled at her hip. She carried a shield now, its edges glinting like a promise. Metro Man straightened, grinning. "Morning, princess. Sleep well?"

"Well enough," she said, her voice smooth as the tide. "You?"

"Don't sleep," he replied, tapping his temple. "Perk of the gig. What's on the agenda? More Brainiac cleanup?"

She stepped closer, her gaze steady. "Later. First, I want to test you."

He raised an eyebrow, grin widening. "Test me? Thought I aced that with Blue yesterday."

"Superman measures strength," she said, resting a hand on her sword's hilt. "I measure spirit. Fight me."

Metro Man laughed, the sound rolling across the rooftop. "You sure? I don't pull punches."

"Nor do I," she countered, her lips twitching upward. "No holding back. I want to see your limits."

"Limits?" He cracked his knuckles, the pop like gunfire. "Haven't found those yet. But for you, I'll play."

She nodded, stepping back to widen the space between them. "Here. Now."

The duel began in a blur. Diana lunged, shield raised, sword slashing in a silver arc. Metro Man sidestepped, casual as a stroll, letting the blade whistle past his chest. She pivoted, fluid and fierce, slamming the shield's edge toward his jaw. He caught it with two fingers, stopping her momentum cold.

"Nice form," he said, tossing the shield aside like a frisbee. It clattered across the roof, denting steel.

She didn't flinch, spinning into a kick that could've shattered stone. He blocked with his forearm, the impact rippling the air, and grinned wider. "Feisty."

"Focus," she snapped, drawing her lasso. It flared gold, looping toward him like a living thing. He blurred left, then right, dodging its coils until she anticipated his move, snaring his wrist mid-step. The lasso tightened, glowing hotter, and for a split second, he felt its truth-seeking pull.

"Truth, huh?" he said, yanking the rope. She held firm, boots skidding across the roof. "Here's mine: I'm having fun."

Her eyes narrowed, but a spark of amusement flickered there. She released the lasso, charging again sword high, shield recovered in a seamless roll. Metro Man met her this time, grabbing her blade mid-swing. Metal groaned as he twisted it free, tossing it skyward. It spun into the clouds, a glinting dot.

"Oops," he said, shrugging.

Diana didn't pause. She slammed her shield into his chest, a thunderclap echoing over Metropolis. He staggered barely then laughed, grabbing the shield's rim and flipping her over his shoulder. She twisted midair, landing in a crouch, breathing hard but unbroken.

"You're fast," she said, rising.

"You're faster than most," he shot back, dusting off his suit. "Ready for round two?"

She nodded, and the dance resumed. She came at him with fists now, each punch a blur of divine power. He blocked, parried, dodged letting her push him back step by step, testing her rhythm. Then he shifted gears, catching her wrist mid-strike and spinning her into his grip. For a moment, they froze her back against his chest, his arm around her waist, her breath warm against his neck.

"Gotcha," he murmured, voice low.

She twisted free, elbowing his ribs. He didn't budge, but he let her go, stepping back with a grin. "Point for style."

Diana retrieved her sword it had landed point-down in the roof and sheathed it, her chest rising and falling. "You're holding back."

"Maybe," he admitted, crossing his arms. "Don't wanna break the princess."

"I'm no fragile thing," she said, stepping into his space. "Again. Full strength."

He met her gaze, seeing the challenge, the fire. "Alright. You asked for it."

This time, he moved first. He blurred forward, a golden streak, and tapped her shield light as a feather, hard as a meteor. It flew from her grip, embedding in the wall fifty feet away. She countered with a punch; he caught it, the force cracking the roof beneath them. He pushed back, sending her skidding, but she rolled with it, springing up with her lasso already mid-throw.

He didn't dodge. The rope snagged his torso, pinning his arms. She yanked, pulling him toward her, and he let it happen crashing into her with controlled force. They hit the ground together, rolling once, twice, until she pinned him, knees on his chest, lasso taut.

"Yield?" she asked, breathless, her hair spilling over her shoulders.

He grinned up at her, unbothered by the bind. "Not yet."

With a flex, he snapped the lasso golden threads bursting like fireworks. She gasped, a rare crack in her composure, as he flipped them over, pinning her instead. His hands braced the roof on either side of her head, their faces inches apart.

"Yield?" he echoed, smirking.

She stared up at him, eyes fierce but searching. Then, slowly, she smiled a real one, small and sharp. "Not yet."

He laughed, rolling off her and offering a hand. She took it, rising with him, and for a moment, they stood there, catching their breath. The roof was a mess cracked tiles, dented steel, her shield half-buried in the wall but neither cared.

"You're a warrior," she said, brushing dust from her armor. "More than strength. You've got heart."

"Flattery?" he teased, mimicking her earlier tone.

"Truth," she replied, echoing his own words. "But you're reckless. Untamed."

"Guilty as charged," he said, stepping closer. "You gonna tame me, princess?"

Her gaze held his, steady and deep. "Perhaps I'll try."

The moment broke as alarms blared from below. Diana's comms buzzed Superman's voice, urgent. "Diana, Metro Man Brainiac's drones are hitting the eastern seaboard. We need you."

"On it," she said, then glanced at Metro Man. "Ready?"

"Born ready," he replied, cracking his neck.

They launched off the roof together, a streak of gold and a flash of silver against the dawn. Brainiac's drones swarmed the coast sleek, insect-like machines spewing plasma. Metro Man dove in, punching through one, then another, metal crumpling like tinfoil. Diana followed, her sword slicing drones in half, her shield deflecting blasts.

They moved like a storm, fluid and unstoppable. He caught a drone midair, hurling it into a cluster of others; she lassoed a straggler, slamming it into the sea. Within minutes, the sky cleared, wreckage sinking into the waves.

Superman landed beside them, surveying the damage. "Efficient," he said, nodding at Metro Man. "But we've got bigger problems. Brainiac's main ship is cloaked somewhere close."

"Let him come," Metro Man said, fists clenched. "I'll punch him into next week."

Diana sheathed her sword, her eyes on him. "We'll face him together. You're one of us now."

He glanced at her, feeling that pull again stronger, sharper. "Guess I am."

Back at the Hall, the League strategized, but Metro Man lingered by the window, Diana at his side. The sun climbed higher, casting their shadows long and tangled across the floor. He didn't say it, but he felt it: this world, this fight, her it was waking something in him he'd buried in Metro City.

"You're still a mystery," she said, breaking the silence.

"Good," he replied, turning to her. "Keeps things interesting."

She smiled again, faint but real, and walked away. He watched her go, the rhythm of her steps echoing in his chest. Brainiac loomed, the League buzzed, but for Metro Man, the real challenge wasn't the fight ahead it was the woman who'd just matched him blow for blow.