Work Text:
"The military called me up...."
Hal is holding a letter in his hands.
Barry freezed "What? Hal but you...I thought you quit?"
The pilot nodded, slowly: "I did, but as long as I'm alive it's my duty to serve our homeland..."
His voice is calm, he got the letter today, not realizing it was true. Never thought of that possibility anymore since he wore the ring, since he worked for Ferris Air.
Hal felt numb.
---
A week later the whole JL came to say their goodbyes. Barry watched his best friend shaking hands with everybody, his heart ached, it is never a good sign when military calls and you have to prepare yourself of not coming back.
How ironic....Barry was less worried when Hal has duties off planet than when he....like this....it was weird.
"Bar?" Lost in his thoughts he looked up in surprise when Hal stood in front of him with a little smile.
The speedster pulled together and smiled back at him. "We are waiting for you"
Hal nods when they hugged each other.
"Please be careful", he whispered into Hals ear.
Hal just nodded again, and the two looked into each others eyes before Carol called him to get into the car.
Barry watched him, heartbroken when the woman took Hals hand as he went to the car.
"Please come home safe and sound Hal..." Barry murmured to himself.
---
Barry watched the news every day whenever they showed something about the military especially when it came to the fight pilots.
Iris and Wally were a big support during the time Hal wasn't here.
They know how the Flash felt about the Lantern, but against a woman, he had no chance.
---
A few months later:
Barry was late for work, as always, he rushed down the stairs out of the big building where he lived when he saw Carol, leaning against her car, arms crossed and smiling.
Barry was surprised "Carol? What are you doing here?"
"She was kind enough to drive me"
The speedsters turned around in shock when he saw Hal in his jacket, his jeans and with a cocky smile. He saluted "I'm back..."
"Hal....", he sniffed "Jesus Christ...Hal" he rushed over to him and hugged him tight. Alle worries are gone, the stone in his chest gone, dissolved in tears which now ran across his cheeks.
The Green Lantern oofed, he didn't expect that kind of reaction but he felt relieve, Barry felt like home....
Barry hid his face in Hals neck and cried, all the pressure gone.
Feeling the texture and smelling the familiar scent of the flight jacket once was property of Hals father calms him down.
"I missed you so much Hal....so damn much..."
"Me too Bar...", with that he looked at the speedster and whiped his tears away.
Barry sniffed a few times and leaned into the loveful gesture, closed his eyes and smiled.
"I'm not gonna miss it again", the speedster said. Hal wanted to ask what he meant by that but was suddenly caught by soft lips.
At first surprised but then Hal responded to it, and Barry leaned more into it, his joy having Hal back was bigger than any feeling he had in the last few months.
When they part they both know without words what the other wanted to say.
And and with that, they sealed it with another kiss, the world around them forgotten.
And Carol? She was already on her way home, leaving Hal and Barry enjoying their moment.