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Injuries are old news to me. I’ve collected so many through my career that I looked into my genes to see if I was meta. Fortunately, I am not. Somehow, though, the injuries affect me worse when I’m protecting a child. It makes me feel fuzzy and I end up taking longer breaks afterward.
A loud, “Spooky!” yanks me from my thoughts. Hal. “Didn’t expect you to be here,” he continues, smirking when I turn around. “It was one of JL’s only parties not held during the day,” I explain. Plus, Dianah would kill me if I miss something this important to Wally, but I won’t say that out loud. I clear my throat. “Why is it held during the day? This is a New Year’s Party, it would make sense at night.” Hal shrugs, replying with a simple, “Beats me. Maybe they really wanted you to show!” I give him a short grunt in acknowledgement. I didn’t think I would end up having a conversation about hobbies and telling stories with Hal Jordan of all people; and he didn’t so much as throw one harsh remark my way. He’s likely more laid back around me right now due to the calming nature of being surrounded by colleagues rather than being under the impulsiveness and adrenaline of running into battle, but I still expected something snarky to come out of him. Still, the few minutes our conversation lasts is genuinely..enjoyable. Until the power abruptly shuts off.
I don’t waste time hushing everybody as I scan the room to the best of my abilities. Wally should’ve booked a place with windows. For just a moment, I consider that I may be overreacting. The sound of motion indicates otherwise. I try to yell, “Dodge!”, but I’m not fast enough and W’s caught on a net, confined to the floor. Get your head on right, Bruce! I dodge the slash of a sword, it being inches away from my face. Thankfully, Diana grabs the man, effortlessly throwing him to the side. I nearly miss the woman running out of the building, something unknown in her hand. Not wasting another second, I chase after her. In a split moment, she has disappeared. I swiftly glance around the room, confused on how she managed to get away. She must still be in here! Today already began badly, why is it continuing this way?! I’m grabbed by my right arm. I try my best to twist out of it, only to be flung into the wall with an amount of strength no human should possess. I’m dizzy. I’m upset for no reason. Honestly? Dying sounds fine right now. Flashes of green light come to my aid. Flashes. Clanging. Dark. Nighttime. Loud noises. Gunshots. My parents. Their dead. “Bruce!” the voice exclaims. Only then do I realize it’s Hal.
He leans down to my level with a chuckle, attempting to play off worry. I hadn’t even realized that I was on my knees. “You got banged up, huh?” His tone immediately changes as he gets a more accurate look at my face. “Bruce?” I bite down on my bottom lip, attempting to stop the quiver as though stopping that will end my headache. I..want it to g’way. I can’t find my voice. I want mom and dad…. I don’t expect him to do anything at first, but when he takes me in his arms I realize I am safe. “Uhh…you want to go watch TV?” he asks. I shyly nod “yes”, which makes him smile. The guy he knocked down groans. Only then do I remember other people are here, but for some reason I don’t mind all too much.
The evening was..nice. Nobody asked, they all just mutually agreed to watch Bambi.
This. I think I’m fine with it staying like this.
Hal gives my hair a little ruffle as Alfred pulls up. “I can come with you if you ever need it,” he offers. I shake my head “no” in response, but I’m happy he offered. “Stay safe, Kiddo,” he tells me before leaving with a wave. I’ve never smiled so widely before.