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Hal let out a groan as he sunk into the hard wooden chair, and the others around him snickered. “Jesus H. Christ, Hal,” Kyle huffed in disbelief. “Are you thirty-six or sixty-two?”
Guy and John cackled whilst Hal merely grunted in return, grabbing his beer mug. “Piss off, jerk. We had PT today. I’m allowed to feel old.”
“What’s PT?”
“Physical training. Military usually does physical fitness testing twice a year to weed out those who aren’t keeping tip-top shape,” John explained with a smirk. “Aren’t I glad I got out. Missing civilian life, aren’t you, Captain Jordan?”
“I hate you guys,” the pilot grumbled, nursing his mug to his chest. “(Y/N) wouldn’t treat me like this.”
Kyle perked up. “Speaking of (Y/N), when’s he supposed to get here?”
“Said he’d be here in about twenty minutes,” Hal murmured. “He was taking some of the Political Science Club kids home since they didn’t have rides.”
“I’m still reeling that you managed to get wrapped around a teacher’s finger. You’re like every high school teacher’s worst nightmare,” Guy remarked.
“You’re one to talk,” the pilot retorted. “Problem child.”
“So, in this scenario, are you the teacher, John?” Kyle chuckled, watching John shake his head at the two men leaning across the table to get in each other’s faces.
“You guys are acting like children,” he admonished. “Seriously, people are looking at us.”
“LET ‘EM LOOK!” the two shouted simultaneously, then glared at each other. “SHUT UP!”
Kyle burst into laughter while John merely shook his head. “Children,” he muttered, casting his eyes to the door as it opened. In walked a younger man and he raised his hand, waving it until the man caught it and his face split into a giant smile as he hurried over.
“Hi!” he greeted, leaning down to kiss Hal’s cheek. “Sorry I’m late. Miguel and Rebecca were just going at each other’s throats about the Treaty of Westphalia.”
“I didn’t understand a single word that came out of your mouth, (Y/N),” Guy nodded in a greeting. “But it’s good to see you.”
(Y/N) smiled. “It’s good to see you too, Guy.” His eyes followed the others. “John, Kyle, good to see you both too. You look well.”
“Can’t complain,” John grinned, and Kyle nodded at (Y/N)’s shirt.
“I love your shirt.”
He looked down, pulling the hem out. “Do you? The LGBTQIA+ club made them for Pride month! They made specifications for people who asked.”
Hal leaned forward and read aloud, “Self-Made Man and Proud…” he looked up. “Those are the trans flag colors, right?”
(Y/N) nodded. “They are. Good on you for remembering, honey.”
“I try to impress,” he cooed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders to pull him close; he kissed his temple. “Did you get me a shirt too?”
He chuckled. “Of course. I got everyone shirts!” (Y/N) pulled them out of his bag and handed them to everyone. “I didn’t want to assume preference, so I just had Ally put on most of them. Hal, yours says Bi, so…”
Hal took it with a grin, flipping it around to see, “More fly than a Bi-guy” written on the front. His head tipped back as he cackled and showed the others. “Ah God, I love it, babe,” he chuckled, kissing (Y/N)’s temple again. He handed the shirt back. “Keep it safe for me?”
“Of course,” he replied, putting the shirts back in his bag. “So, what are we celebrating tonight?” he asked, glancing around at the glasses. “I’m assuming my order hasn’t been placed yet?”
“You usually change your drinks from time to time, so I wasn’t sure if you wanted a strawberry daiquiri or a glass of wine.”
(Y/N) nodded at Hal’s comment and stood from the table. “I’ll go to the bar. You guys want refills?” the others agreed, and he wandered off.
Kyle nudged John in the ribs, nodding at Hal who was still watching his lover’s back with a dopey grin. “Can you feel the love tonight~”
The two started snickering as Hal shot them a glare. “Shut. Up.”
They looked at Guy who grinned like the cat that had swallowed the canary. “Who you think you’re kiddin’? He’s the earth and heavens to you~” the three started dissolving into laughter as they reached around one another and sang loudly, “You can’t deny it. Who you are is how you’re feeling.Baby we’re not buying. Hon, we saw you hit the ceiling. Face it like a grown-up. When you gonna own up that you got got got it bad~”
Hal cheeks had turned a bright scarlet as his best friends gathered the attention of the entire bar with their performance. He turned his head, putting a hand up to block them from his sight. “I don’t know them,” he said to people walking by; his eyes drifted up as (Y/N) walked back over and all at once, the embarrassment was forgotten when he saw the look on his lover’s face.
“(Y/N)?” he asked when the man stood before them, expression drawn in confusion. “Babe?”
“I…” he started, trailing off lowly. “We have to leave?”
The others gazed at him curiously and Kyle questioned, “Is something wrong?”
(Y/N)’s shrugged, admitting, “The uh, the manager of the bar asked us to leave.”
“For what?” Guy griped, face pinching in annoyance. “What’d you do?”
“I didn’t do anything,” he snapped in return. “He said we weren’t welcome here.”
The men fell silent around him, jaws going slack, expressions either confusion or offense. Before anyone could ask, someone cleared their throat behind (Y/N) and he turned, seeing the same manager. “My boss asked me to escort you from the premises,” he said, only looking at (Y/N).
He glared but stayed civil. “I know. We’re leaving.”
As they started to get up, the man said, “You four don’t have to leave.” He looked at him. “Just you.”
His eyes went wide. “Me? Why only—” (Y/N) suddenly went quiet as a rush of heat his face and he unconsciously touched his chest. “That’s why, isn’t it?”
“It’s just the policy,” the manager explained.
“I’m confused,” Guy blurted out. “What’s going on? Why is (Y/N) the only one of us that has to leave? He didn’t do anything.”
Before the manager could speak, (Y/N) answered. “It’s because I’m transgender.” His face pinched. “You don’t like LGBTQ in this bar, do you?”
“Look lady, I—”
The glasses clattered against the table as Hal shot to his feet and he reached over, curling a hand in the manager’s shirt. “Apologize.” He warned. “Or I’ll break every bone in your body.”
“This is assault!” he cried. “I’ll call the police!”
“Call ‘em. I’m not afraid of the blue boys,” Hal growled. “Now apologize to my boyfriend or I’ll—”
“Hal,” (Y/N) murmured, resting a hand atop the pilot’s arm. “Let him go.”
“But he—”
“It’s not worth it,” he said, meeting the man’s eyes. “Let’s just leave.” (Y/N) looked to the others, pleading with his gaze. “Let’s go.”
John let out a quiet sigh and got to his feet, tossing a few bills on the table, which prompted Guy and Kyle to follow in suit. As they passed, they gave the management the cold shoulder and deathly glares.
(Y/N) waited until Hal finally let the man go to take his hand. “C’mon. Let’s go,” he urged quietly. “The last thing we want is USAF showing up.”
Hal let himself be tugged away, but then his feet dug into the floor, and he spun, thrusting a finger in the manager’s face. “This man,” he started, pulling (Y/N) back. “is more of a man than you’ll ever hope to be. He’s the type of man I want to be.” He glowered at the staff and patrons of the bar all watching. “He’s more of a man than any of you assholes will ever be!”
He turned and stalked off with (Y/N), leaving the bar behind and when they got outside, (Y/N) murmured, “I think I’m going to head home, if that’s alright with you.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Hal softly questioned, quite a turn from his anger just moments ago.
He smiled sadly. “No,” looking at the others, he added, “This is the first time in a while that Guy and Kyle came back from Oa. You four go to the bar on Fifth Street and have a good evening.” He gestured to his bag. “I have tests and assignments to grade anyway.” (Y/N) was talking even as he walked off. “I’ll see you at home, Hal.”
And the pilot merely watched him with pained eyes.
***
He heard Hal come in through the front door, but he didn’t take his eyes up from the grade-book he’d been marking through. “Where’s your head at?” Hal murmured, shrugging off his jacket, coffee eyes watching the man on the bed.
“It’s still here,” He replied, glancing up to see him pulling off his shirt and start at his belt and jeans. “You and the others have fun?”
He nodded. “We did. Got some food for you, it’s on the counter.”
“Thank you,” he murmured, following Hal as the man walked over and sat on the bed beside him. “Hal,” he started when the man gave him that look. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay,” Hal stressed, face contorted in anger. “It wasn’t right what he said. What they did.”
“It happens. There’s always going to be somebody who doesn’t accept me. Us.” (Y/N) took his hand. “As long as you and the people I care about accept me, I can deal.”
The pilot gazed at him. “You know I know who you are, don’t you?”
“I do,” he whispered, letting Hal pull him close.
“I love you for you.” His hand fluttered up (Y/N)’s shirt, gently tracing the scars across his chest from the mastectomy he’d had some few years ago. “I love every part of you,” he professed, kissing his shoulder. “And I meant every word in that bar.”
“Hal,” he breathed, feeling the corner of his eyes start to sting. “You’re going to make me cry.”
The pilot reached around underneath his shirt, holding his waist. “I’ll hold you together if you do.” He leaned up, pressing forehead to his. “I love you, (Y/N). You are the greatest man I’ve ever known.”
“Besides your dad,” (Y/N) offered with a watery laugh, tears starting to run down his cheeks.
Hal nodded. “Besides my old man.” He kissed him. “You are handsome and beautiful and smart and funny, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Is that a marriage proposal?”
“Marriage, family, old age. I want to have it all with you.” Hal gazed at him with teary eyes. “I want you to be my mine forever.”
(Y/N) burst into tears, wrapping his arms around the pilot. “Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend who’s afraid of commitment?”
Hal barked a laugh and rolled them so (Y/N) was pressed on top of him. “I’m trying to be sentimental and you’re making jokes!”
“It’s a defensive habit!” he giggled, wiping the tears from his face, and looked down. “You really want to marry me?”
“Really really,” Hal murmured; he brushed the side of (Y/N)’s face, expression morphing into something solemn yet soft at the same time. “Give me tonight, (Y/N), and every day for the rest of our lives.”
(Y/N) stared down at him and pushed past the lump in his throat. “Yes,” he whispered. “Yes, a million times, yes.” Leaning down, he kissed Hal with all the love he’d ever felt in that moment. “I love you,” he murmured between kisses. “I love you so much, Hal Jordan.”
The man smiled against his fiancé’s lips, hands holding the man’s cheeks, thumbs brushing over the soft skin. “I love you more,” he professed. “And I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life proving it to you.”