Chapter Text
In a blink, Hal had found himself in Bruce’s arms. He wondered if the disorientation came from the head injury he had suffered from recently. He didn’t remember how he had gotten there, just that he had been asking Clark about his soulmark.
“Is Diana okay ?” he asked Bruce, pushing him away.
Bruce frowned. Hal had been distraught ever since their announcement during the meeting but he looked even more upset at the moment.
“I think she reacted quite well. Is there -”
“You told her ? You could have - Nevermind, Clark’s soulmark is gone. Where is Diana ?” Hal asked.
“What - no, I am sure Clark had it when we left the meeting room. What made you think about it ?”
“I want to see Diana.” Hal said, shaking his head and going to the door.
Bruce followed him in the corridor.
“Hal, you don’t want to go back there now. Let hot heads cool off.”
“What are you talking about ? I have to see Diana.” Hal said through barred teeth. “Don’t you care ?”
And he left Bruce in the corridor, walking fast to the meeting room and breaking into it without a second thought. Murmurs stopped as Hal caught sight of Diana’s luxurious black hair.
“Diana !” Hal called and she turned around.
He joined her. She looked the same as always, if a bit surprised. She had been talking to Clark, apparently.
“Hal ?” she said with a touch of uncertainty as she watched Bruce walking toward them.
“Are you alright ?” Hal asked, taking her hands in his.
She was alive. Her skin was warm to the touch. Relief flooded Hal.
“Yes. Are you ?” she said, squeezing his hands a bit too hard in return.
Those were the risks when you worked with people way more powerful than you. Hal turned to Clark, checking his face.
“You still have your mark.” Hal noticed in a low tone, and he had to refrain from touching it.
Diana was alright. She hadn’t died - she wasn’t Becky. Hal shook his head. He had thought he had accepted his soulmate’s death a decade ago. Apparently, things weren’t so simple and he got some lingering fears out of it.
He thought of the blemish on his skin, the absence of a mark where there had been one once. But Clark’s soulmark was still there. Diana was fine. Nobody had died.
“My - yes ? Is everything okay ?” Clark asked, touching his own face as if he could feel the mark under his fingertips. Maybe he could, with his enhanced senses.
Diana brushed her hair away to touch her own soulmark in reaction, a similar double half-diamond placed on her temple.
“Hal. We should go back to our rooms.” Bruce said quietly, taking his arm.
Hal had almost forgotten his presence but he didn’t jump. It had taken him some years to manage it but he was no longer jumping whenever Bruce surprised him.
“I… okay.” he whispered back.
He felt oddly empty. He let Bruce guide him back to their rooms silently, Bruce supporting him with a gauntleted hand in his back.
“Is your head okay ?” Bruce asked him as he entered their room after Hal.
“I am fine.” Hal murmured, sitting.
Bruce closed the door behind him and then proceeded to sit on the bed next to his lover, their knees bumping. Hal refused to look at him stubbornly.
“You think I am inventing things.” he said, looking at the polished floor.
Bruce started changing in his ordinary clothes - Hal was so lost in his thoughts he barely spared him a glance.
“I think you’re overtired, emotionally affected and that you’re still healing from a bad injury.” Bruce said after some time.
“That’s the same thing. You want me to be examined.” he said, his shoulders tense.
The Lantern felt the weight and the warmth of Bruce’s arm wrapping around them. He could feel his muscles relaxing.
“That would be my preference, yes. But I am going to settle for you resting for now. We’ll talk about what comes next after.”
Hal sighed, looking up at the ceiling to dodge Bruce’s intense gaze.
“Hal. I am sorry. I know you’re upset and I understand why - I wish it could have been different.” Bruce said, leaning his head against Hal’s shoulder.
It got Hal’s attention. He turned to look at Bruce, forgetting he had been avoiding to meet the perceptive eyes.
“What do you mean ?” he asked, letting his fingers run through Bruce’s hair.
The cowl had messed it up again.
“Less prejudice, more understanding. A kinder universe for people like you and me. A world like that has to exist, don’t you think ?” Bruce said.
Hal froze, letting his hand fall at his side. Bruce almost growled at the loss of contact.
“Can you repeat that ?” Hal asked urgently.
Bruce frowned. He wasn’t sure what had bothered Hal in his sentence.
“Less prejudice, more -” he repeated but he was cut off by Hal quickly.
“No. You said that somewhere else not having a soulmate might be more accepted. You were surprised by my mark and Clark didn’t have one. What if…” Hal mused aloud.
Bruce’s eyes were now quite full of confusion and a hint of worry.
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Hal. And when would you have gone away ? You were with me when we came out to our friends and -”
Hal interrupted him again.
“I wasn’t. I swear I wasn’t. I don’t have that memory, and I swear it’s not because of the head injury.” Hal said firmly, looking straight into Bruce’s eyes.
Bruce affronted his gaze without a word for a few seconds.
“Actually, it could make sense. That was why you seemed so out of it. It wasn’t you. That’s... a lot of things to absorb. How long have you been gone ? Do you know ?” Bruce asked.
Hal made a face. It seemed he hadn’t been there for a rather defining moment of their lives and it was upsetting - he hadn’t been there to support Bruce and Bruce hadn’t been there to comfort him in a time of need.
“Well, I had this strange sensation just before the meeting and then again - I didn’t remember how I went from our discussion in the corridor to our room, just before I asked you about Diana. Bruce, I am under the impression we didn’t go to the same meeting.” Hal said.
There was a few seconds of silence.
“I outed us to our friends. I thought you were at my side but you weren’t, if I am understanding well ?”
“Yup, didn’t happen wherever I was. I was late and you just started the meeting as if we had nothing to say, and then when I cornered you in the corridor to talk about it, you said to Clark’s face and mine that we weren’t in a relationship.” Hal said, wringing his hands together.
“Hal, how could you believe I would ever do something like that to you ? I told Clark about us not being soulmates a few months ago. I am not hiding you. I promised you, you do remember that ?” Bruce said with feeling.
Hal nodded.
“What did he say ?”
“He was supportive. He doesn’t mind. Many people don’t, you know.” Bruce said. “In the League, at least.”
It was true, the League was a more understanding audience than many.
“But some do care, right ? How was it ?” Hal asked.
“Not as bad as you’re making it sound. People here respect our work. Some may need to adjust their worldview but they will do it. Let time do its work.” Bruce asserted.
“I wish I have been there too.” Hal said softly.
He didn’t doubt Bruce had been hurt by some reactions - you could never be sure of people’s reactions, and bracing yourself for it was rarely enough. You couldn’t always avoid the hurt.
“Well, your replacement tried to play the part. Quite awkwardly, now that I think of it. Actually, maybe you not being there wasn’t such a terrible thing. That other guy looked quite upset about how the event unfolded and he was a mere observer.” Bruce said.
Hal shook his head at him.
“You can’t protect me against the unfairness of the world.” he said.
“Watch me.” Bruce answered stubbornly.
Hal laughed quietly.
“God, I miss yesterday. Everything seemed so simple back then.” he said quietly.
“I know.” Bruce said, letting his head fall on Hal’s shoulder again.
“Can’t we just ignore today ?” Hal asked.
“No. But it can get better.” Bruce said, kissing Hal’s neck.
Hal wrapped an arm around him.
“You think ?” he asked.
“Yes. That’s something you’re good at. Making things go better.” Bruce said, looking up a little.
Hal captured his lips with his.
“I love you, you know that ?”
“I do. I love you too, Hal. So much.”
“Okay, now that we’re comfortable, tell me. What happened when I was gone ?” Hal asked.
Bruce and he were having coffee in the manor’s kitchen.
Hal had woken up several times in the night, only to feel Bruce’s arms tightening around him and a sleepy, raspy voice muttering “it’s me”. So Hal had gone back to sleep until the sun was quite high in the sky and Bruce deemed them sufficiently rested to allow Hal to get out of bed.
Afterwards, they had showered and changed. Hal had borrowed some clothes to Bruce that fitted him better than he would have expected. And then they retreated to the kitchen. Alfred had settled the table for a late breakfast despite Hal’s protests and left the room, pretending he needed to attend to the garden.
Hal had caught him and Bruce in the middle of a battle of glares right before the butler’s departure.
They had eaten breakfast almost silently and cleared the table. Bruce had offered to make coffee. They were now facing each other, Hal leaning against the table and Bruce against a countertop, about a meter away.
They had been staring at each other for a while when Hal had spoken.
“So, tell me, what happened that first day ?” he asked, taking a sip of his drink.
Bruce assessed him for a few seconds before talking. Hal already looked better than he had earlier. There was more life in his eyes.
“You were late at the meeting, it started without you. But when you went there, you kept glaring daggers at me. You followed me when the meeting ended. I had no idea why, our arguments tend to be public.” Bruce started explaining.
He took a sip of his coffee and Hal did the same, waiting.
“You started complaining about my lack of attention towards you and then you got upset about something I was supposed to remember. You were quite emotional about it.” Bruce said, remembering.
That Hal had seemed quite devastated. The Hal in front of him made a face.
“Coming out. They were supposed to come out as non-soulmates to their friends. And stop saying ‘you’. I wasn’t there.”
Bruce nodded his understanding. That would explain it.
“Ah. I tried to direct you to the medbay because something was obviously wrong.”
“And you came to the obvious conclusion that it was my brain.” Hal snortled.
Bruce shrugged. Hal didn’t know how it had looked like back then.
“You were talking about our family life. I am sure you would have done the same if our situations have been reversed.”
It had been so disturbing to hear Hal talk about his family as if it was his. Bruce had never thought he would share his family life with someone else that way.
He had more or less serious relationships before, but never with someone interested in being part of a family.
Bruce shook his head to let his thoughts go and met Hal’s patient gaze.
“I asked Clark to check on Hal. He said it was you but that there was a noticeable mark on your arm. Hal’s arm, I mean. Hal looked quite upset at its mention. He said we were involved and looked furious when I denied it.”
Hal chuckled softly.
“Must have been awkward.”
“You have no idea. Clark kept looking at me as if you and I were having a secret affair I’ve kept from him. Hal looked quite hurt. He said he had had a soulmate and that she had died. It sounded metaphorical but then -” Bruce said, not finishing his sentence.
He paused as he remembered that Hal’s face, and the tenseness of it.
“Then ?” the Hal in his kitchen coaxed.
“He said that he and I - well, Bruce, really - weren’t soulmates. It seemed to be quite a revelation. I thought he was hallucinating or something. He said something about Clark not having a mark - apparently he should have had one. Hal thought it meant Diana was in trouble. And then he changed places with another Hal but it took Clark and I a few minutes to figure things out.” Bruce concluded.
“Clark and Diana were soulmates in this world, then. It’s not the only world where it happens. Do you know if they’re involved in our universe ?” Hal asked, tilting his head.
Bruce took his time to answer. Surely Diana and Clark wouldn’t thank him for sharing what he knew but he doubted Hal would share it with anyone else.
“They had something, a few years back. It didn’t last.” he said briefly.
“And now ?” Hal grinned.
Bruce rolled his eyes at him and Hal laughed. “That’s really you, uh ?” he said, smiling.
“Yes, it’s me. And that's why I am not playing matchmaker with you.”
“Come on, it would be fun.” Hal said with exaggerated enthusiasm, leaning forward to touch Bruce’s shoulder briefly.
They had become much more comfortable with touching each other lately. Almost needed it. They would have to address this at some point. But not now.
“Tell me about what happened to you when that other Hal was here.” Bruce asked.
“I went to the meeting with Bruce and he said to the rest of the League that we weren’t soulmates. I was a bit more shocked by the fact that everyone seemed to think we were a couple so I didn’t pay it that much attention at first but I knew pretty quickly that I wasn’t in the right place.” Hal explained.
He stopped then, wondering what to say next. He didn’t have to think about it for long, as Bruce spoke again.
“Hal seemed to think that not being soulmates wasn’t good. How bad did the others take it ?” he asked.
“The atmosphere went quite tense. He made us leave and we talked in a room. Ours, it would seem. I think he was trying to comfort me. He told me that soulmates were only important for society, that it didn’t have to affect us much.” Hal said.
Kind, loving words. Hal remembered them well but he didn’t want Bruce to freak out. Well, Bruce had cuddled with him all night, maybe he wouldn’t be scared of affectionate words.
“That’s all ?” Bruce asked, as if he was reading Hal’s mind.
“There isn’t that much to say. Well, you were taking your suit off as we talked, so I may have missed a thing you said or two.” Hal said, smirking.
“He, Hal, he. I wasn’t there.” Bruce said, laughing quietly.
Hal waited for a second to answer it, wondering how much he should share. What he wanted to share.
“Yes, he. He was about to kiss me when I jumped dimensions a second time.”
“Really ?” Bruce said.
“Really. I didn’t get my kiss.” Hal said, looking pointedly at Bruce.
“I’ll fix this.” Bruce answered.
He put down his cup of coffee, now empty. Hal mirrored him and waited as Bruce took a step in his direction. Another one and he was in Hal’s space.
Smiles were shared. A strand of hair was brushed away. Hands wrapped around necks. Heads tilted. Lips brushed hesitantly.
And then they were kissing. Softly at first, but it took a passionate turn quickly.
“I’ve wanted to do that all morning.” Hal said when they separated.
“You only had to ask.” Bruce answered, smiling against his lips.
Their foreheads were touching. It felt nice. And then -
Then, the door burst open and one of them must have jumped because they bonked heads. Hal hissed and Bruce bore his hand to his forehead as other people invaded the room.
“Hal !” some of them cried happily.
“Tell me why we told them you were back, again ?” Bruce muttered, taking a step back.
Jessica, Barry, Oliver, Dinah, Diana and Clark were all there, babbling about how great it was to have their friend back.
Bruce sighed, massaging his skull. No doubt he was going to have a bump on his forehead. He was about to leave the room and let Hal to those reunions when he felt a tug on his sleeve.
“Bruce.”
Hal’s eyes met his. His hand was on his elbow.
“I am going to give them a light summary of what happened but if you still want to talk about the whole thing, we can do that after, right ?” he asked.
“Of course. We can do that.” Bruce nodded his assentiment.
“Do you want us out of the Manor ? We could go out -” Hal started saying but Bruce stopped him.
“No, no. It’s good. Plenty of room here. However you should take your fanclub to the living-room, it would be more comfortable. I’ll be in my study.”
“I didn’t want to prevent you to stay with us -”
“Hal, it’s alright. You’ll tell me all about it later. We can’t stay glued to each other all day. I won’t disappear, and you won’t either.” Bruce asserted, holding Hal’s wrist in his hand.
Hal nodded, unable to say anything. He knew Bruce was right. It didn’t make their separation all that easy.