𝓙𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓭 || D. Grayson

ꜰᴀᴛʜᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ

Recognized: Green Lantern, 0-5

"Someone ordered a Green Lantern who wasn't tormenting planets for sixteen hours?"

"Dad!" I exclaimed, pushing Captain Atom aside and sprinted into Hal's arms. "I missed you so much!"

Hal caught me mid-run like he'd been waiting for it, arms strong and steady, wrapping me up in a hug that knocked the breath out of both of us. He laughed, gruff and warm and so unmistakably Hal, his gloved hand coming up to cradle the back of my head.

"Missed you too, Zaria," he said into my hair. "You have no idea how much."

I buried my face in his shoulder, the sharp scent of flight oil and ozone clinging to his uniform, a scent that somehow always meant safe.

"You're not staying long, are you?" Kyle asked, joining in on the hug.

"I'm playing diplomat and lawyer for the League. Sadly, I only got a few hours."

"Figures," I mumbled into his uniform, reluctant to let go. "The universe is always on fire, but hey, let's give Hal Jordan a lunch break."

Hal chuckled, gently nudging me back so he could get a look at me.

"You look exhausted."

"Kroloteans, catching up with the Team, the Black Ring tormenting my life... It's a miracle I haven't gone crazy yet."

"She just needs a nap," Kyle waved it off. "It's been a hell of a few days since we got back."

"I really do. We still haven't fully unpacked at the apartment," I chuckled and Hal turned to me. "It's been a rough few days! I've only fully slept there like twice!"

"Unpacked? You're sleeping where?" he asked, voice sharp but not unkind. "Don't tell me you're sleeping in the Cave, Zar."

"On the couch at the Cave with Nightwing passed out on the coffee table." Kyle smirked and jumped back when I tried to hit him. "See, I at least take the bedrooms, but she prefers a couch and sleeps in a position that will probably do permanent damage to her back."

Hal pinched the bridge of his nose like he was personally offended by the idea.

"Oh great. So not only are you not unpacked, you're giving yourself spinal trauma and letting the ex-Boy Wonder drool on your paperwork. Fantastic."

"It's not that bad," I grumbled. "The couch is... fine."

"Zaria, that couch is the color of regret and probably has at least two bat-trackers sewn into it," Hal said, deadpan. "I should know. I took way too many naps there too."

"Hey, have you seen Mom today?" I quickly asked. "She got her hair done and-"

"Spent most of the day with her. Don't change the subject." He interrupted and I pursed my lips. "You're a Lantern, Zar. One of the strongest. One of the smartest. And right now, you're sleeping like a war criminal in a concrete bunker with zero lumbar support. How exactly do you expect to take on the universe when your spine folds like a deck chair every night?"