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Hal soaked in the atmosphere of Coast city beach.Finally,he’s been able to visit his favourite place right next to the airplane hangers in Ferris Aircraft!
He can feel the warmth of the sun and the scent of the salty ocean.Hearing the waves brings back memories of surfing with his brothers while their parents watch them from the shore.
“Hope you don’t melt when you come out Spooky!”
Hal could see Bruce rolling his eyes as he exited Hal’s car.
“How many times have I told you to not call me that off duty?”
“Eh, too many to count but I don’t care.I love getting a rise out of you!”
Bruce was wearing a loose white button down shirt with matching bottoms.The set probably costed Hal’s monthly salary.More than that even.
Hal was just wearing a Hawaiian shirt with his ‘I love Coast City’ shirt and khakis.Bruce was amused by what he was wearing when he picked the Gothamite up from the airport.
“Remind me why you dragged me here again,Jordan?” He threw his arm around the questioning man.
“To relax! We’ve finally gotten a week off from work and I figured I owe you a tour of Coast City. It’s no good to sit in a cave for hours on end Bats!”
“Again,don’t call me that.But what if-“
“Clark said that the rest of the League has got it and so far,nothing bad is happening so I say we deserve a break!Now come on! I wanna set our stuff up.”
Hal dragged Bruce by the hand as they power walked to a spot on the beach, somewhat near the ocean. They (well, mostly Bruce) set up.
Sunscreen on? “Yes sir!” Hal jokingly responded which made Bruce shook his head.
(It did made him laugh a little at how endearing Hal can be)
Umbrella? Check.
Towels? Check.
Food and drinks? Check.
Everything seems to be in place except for-
“I’ve forgotten my book!”
Bruce rummaged through his bag and unfortunately,his new book is nowhere to be found.
Hal,halfway sipping on his soda,glanced at him with his sunglasses on.
“Were you actually planning to read while being here?”
Bruce nodded and Hal let out an amused chuckle at that.
“Don’t you want to go for a swim at least?”
Bruce sat on the towel,contemplating.Probably about the book.
“Come on Bruce! It’ll be fun to go swimming! Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the water.” Hal teased him.
Bruce’s ears turned pink and looked away,hoping it wasn’t obvious.
“Now who would’ve thought the same man who beats up criminals for a living would be scared of the ocean!”
“Hal,shut up.”
“Hmm..make me.”
Bruce rolled his eyes but still feel flustered.He can swim but he just doesn’t like being stuck in the water for so long.That’s why he has a Bat-jet ski in the cave.
The thought of getting in for longer than a minute does not appeal to him.Not even a bit.
But it’s more than that ; he hates the feeling of slipping into the abyss.He hates losing control of everything around him.
Nothing to ground him.
Bruce doesn’t notice Hal looking at him,thinking about how to make his friend feel more relaxed.
“Hey Bruce,you okay?”
“Sorry,it’s just…I don’t really like being in the ocean for so long.”
“You know there’s no sharks here-“
“It’s not that.I don’t…feel like I can relax after a long time.Not even now.I’m sorry to disappoint you.”
Bruce looked ahead,feeling bad that Hal brought him here for nothing.He should’ve stayed at home instead.Hal probably could’ve brought Barry or Oliver.
He doesn’t even know why he’s here.Or why he said yes to this outing.
Hal looked at him,the sunglasses now in his hair.He hates seeing Bruce like this.He knows he’s feeling guilty for being like this,thinking he’s like a child throwing a temper tantrum for no reason.
He understood how the raven head feels.Feeling like you can’t be yourself because of people’s expectations of you.It felt like you’re never good enough for anyone.Or anything.
He placed his hand over Bruce’s.
“Hey,don’t need to apologise.I could help you get a book from the gift shop-“
And then it hit him.
“Or we could try dipping our feet in the ocean?Nothing too crazy of course but we could just chill and enjoy the view. No talking if you want but I can’t guarantee that I’ll be silent the entire day.”
Bruce chuckled at the last part and faced Hal for the first time since they’ve arrived.
It’s nothing he can’t handle.
“I’d like that.”
“Okay good! But hey,let me know if you’re overwhelmed and we could just pack up.”
“But I don’t want to be in the way of you enjoying the beach.”
“You’re not.Bruce,I could always come back here anytime but it’ll be hard for us to visit together again with our schedules.”
Hal was right.
“Plus,I get to spend time with you.I missed you.A lot.”
Bruce couldn’t tell if his mind is playing games with him but he can sense there was something more in his sentiment and smile.
(The same smile that he loves to see being directed at him)
So,they sat on the spot where sand and water meet.They dipped their feet in the calm tides with snacks and drinks in their hands.They cheered to a peaceful day,clinking their soda cans together.
Surprisingly,Bruce found himself relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
For the first time in a while,he felt the weight on his shoulders lifted.
He’s not Batman.
He’s not Brucie Wayne.
He’s just a man enjoying his time on the beach with a friend.
He doesn’t have to worry about villains going rogue or an alien wanting to invade Earth for the nth time.Hell,not even cameras flashing and being up in his space.
He’s just like anyone else ; that’s all he could ask for.
Bruce glanced at Hal,who was looking at the waves and clear sky.
He’s grown to like Hal’s company over the years despite clashing heads with him most of the time.
His first opinion of him? Cocky,reckless and bold.But as he got to know him,he realised his opinion of him has changed.
Instead, he knew ;
Hal is cocky because he believed in himself.
He’s reckless because he knows life is too short to not be living and time is not forgiving.
He’s brave because nothing can scare him.
As time goes by,he brought out the softer side of Bruce that anyone rarely sees asides from his family and his two best friends.
Bruce knew what happened with Hal’s family history.But yet,he still keeps going; being a beacon for anyone to see.
He’s the opposite.He thrives in the dark.He’s a master planner and detective.
But one of the few things they share is that their light brings comfort to people.
He wondered if he could also be a beacon for Hal.
☆°・*:.。.☆†☆.。.:*・°☆
The sun was setting in a bit.
Hal can’t believe he gets to be here without any interruptions despite having the ring with him.
Whoever is looking out for him up there,thank you!
Being in the dark vast of space for long periods of time was draining.
Of course,when he first became a lantern,he felt like he could do anything.
But days blend into one whenever he’s out on a mission and it sucks the soul out of him sometimes.
It’s always trying to stop a war with two communities or being the middleman in a negotiation.
He loved helping people, he always has.
But he can’t help but admit that he wishes someone else take the reins off him for a bit.
With the green lantern corp expanding,he’s grateful to have more hands on deck despite doing things solo.Cause he’s been used to that,being the only human lantern there.Well, he was the only one.
He could handle anything life has thrown at him.
But why was it so hard to breathe with Bruce leaning on his shoulder,dozing off?
He was mustering up all his strength to resist the urge to hold him.
God, he’s so touch starved! Being in space away from humans can cause that.
He turned his head to look at the sleeping Gothamite and man ;
How can one man be more gorgeous than him?
He’s had the privilege of seeing Bruce take off the mask first so he knows what he looks like all too well.
But he looks peaceful.There’s no scowl on his face but instead a relaxed expression.
His eyebrows aren’t scrunched or raised whenever someone says something stupid.
His soft lips slightly open and he’s snoring.
Like actually snoring!
Hal can’t believe this is the same man who would scare off anyone by just existing.
But he missed seeing his arctic blue eyes.
Despite the cold exterior he has as Batman,his eyes reminded Hal of a clear sky. It brings him to the thought of a sunny chill day,walking the dog and running errands around the city.
Batman may be a blunt man with nothing much to say but it made you believe that his words are genuine.
He may be a billionaire himbo to the public but to anyone who’s lucky to know him well enough,he’s more than that.
He’s the type to always be there for you even when you’re mad at him.He will love you for you and never want you to forget it.He showed his love through actions because in his words, “actions speaks louder than words” .
And Hal was lucky enough to be here with him.
Bruce may be a stubborn crazy bastard at first but being with him makes him have a few epiphanies too.
His stubbornness comes from love and wanting the best outcome for everyone.
His craziness is a charade to hide his identity to protect the ones he loves.
(And perhaps it’s something Hal comes around to love)
And well,he’s no bastard but he can be hard to figure out.
Hal may not be the smartest member in the Justice League but he has managed to figure out how to get Bruce to open up and be a human being.
Annoying him was definitely a choice but look at where it has landed him ;
Enjoying their time off in paradise.
So he’s glad to have Bruce as a friend despite their differences.
Deep down,he’d love to see Bruce let go more because he deserves it.He’s been working hard for so long that Hal can’t help but feel like he needs to do something about it.
(And perhaps part of him wants to be the one that Bruce comes to anytime he needs to relax and be himself)
He’s got a soft spot for the man.And gods,he can’t help but admit that.
Before he could turn away,he felt Bruce waking up.
☆°・*:.。.☆†☆.。.:*・°☆
The raven head slowly blinked his eyes open to chase the sleepiness away.
He saw that the sun was coming down,getting closer to the water.
He felt more refreshed than he has for a long time.He also felt a presence next to him.
Hal.
He was looking at Bruce with so much warmth it could rival the sun right now.
He has never seen the local look at him this way.He’d usually look smugly at him whenever he did something right or concerningly at him after a battle.
But not this.
It got Bruce feeling butterflies in his stomach.He could feel himself burning up under his stare but in a good way.
(He’s a grown man for goodness sake.He can’t be falling for him, can he?)
“Evening sleepyhead.” Hal greeted him softly.
“Hmm”
“You’re just in time for the sunset.You’re gonna love it spooks!”
They turned to see that the sky has turned into a beautiful mix of orange and pink.It looked like it could belong in a canvas hanged on a museum.
Hal was right.
Bruce rarely saw sunsets because he would be busy getting ready to be Batman.Plus,Gotham wasn’t particularly a scenic city in general.
But if he could repeat a moment in his life forever,it would be now.
Seeing Hal’s sun kissed skin and his brown hair bathed in the sunlight made Bruce feel breathless.
His brown eyes reminded him of fall ; his favourite season.
Seeing Gotham with leaves falling from the trees makes him feel one with nature.He remembered playing in the piles of leaves with the kids and enjoying some latte afterwards.
Though his eyes are darker than the drink.It’s more like a cup of hot chocolate, which is his favourite. It reminded him of snuggling under a blanket with the fireplace cackling.He would be enjoying a book,preferably “A tale of two cities”.
(He imagined cuddling up to Hal in his manor and being curious about what he’s reading.)
He also loved how expressive Hal can be.Even during serious times.
He still thought about the disgusted face Hal made when an alien was being too flirty with him during a mission. He also thought about the feeling of jealousy lurking in his gut.
Or when Hal made a small fist pump to himself after hitting Barry with a paper ball during a meeting which Bruce scolded him for. He did resisted the urge to snicker at Barry’s glaring towards Hal.
He loves-
“I’ve always loved this.” Hal started rambling.
That caught Bruce off guard.
“I remember enjoying this view with my dad and it never gets old.I’ve talked to him about how I want to explore the skies like he did and he told me that he believed that I can do it if I set my mind to it.Since then, I just keep going even when I feel homesick.”
“I love being in the air but getting my feet on the ground feels..peaceful. Sometimes, I forgot how amazing home can be when you’re light years away.”
Bruce stared at Hal,studying him.
It’s gotten darker now but Hal still feels bright against him,especially the way he lights up talking about his dad and flying.That makes Bruce’s heart flutter.
He just loves him.
He’s afraid to fall down this line of thoughts but deep down, he believes it.It’s hard for him to admit but he loves Hal Jordan.
“Bruceee?” He felt water being splashed on him. Usually he’d hate it but the water feels light on his skin.
“Did you just throw water on me?” Not that he minds when it comes to Hal.
“Gotta get your attention somehow.You looked spaced out which is a rare sight.” Hal beamed at him and god,he wanted to kiss him so badly right now.
Instead,he smiled back and shook his head.He splashed water back at the brown haired man.
“Hey!”
“You started it Lantern.”
“Oh okay! We’re actually doing this?”
The two lovebirds men started a water fight that had both of them laughing.
“Gotcha!” Hal pulled Bruce in the ocean by his hand.Bruce fell into the water and came up the surface with his hair and clothes sticking to him.
For once,he’s not scared of the water.
Or anything at all.
“Oh shit! Spooky you okay?-“
He pulled the same trick on Hal.It got a genuine laugh out of him when he saw how Hal looked coming up from the sea.
Hal was captivated by the sight.He’s never seen Bruce like this before but he definitely will cherish this for the rest of his life.He’d do anything to see him be this happy even if it meant looking like a soaked cat.
He’s sure as hell knows that he’s falling in love with Bruce Wayne.He wanted to pull the man into his embrace and kiss him but he settled on ;
“Haha you got me, Wayne.” He sent a sheepish smile towards the other man.
“Well, you should’ve seen it coming, Jordan.”
They both guffawed at the state that they’re in right now. It feels right to them.
☆°・*:.。.☆†☆.。.:*・°☆
Eventually,they got out and dried themselves.They’re still wet but dry enough to not leave a huge mess behind.They packed up their stuff and threw the trash away,making their way to the car.
After they put away everything in the trunk,Bruce faced the brunette.
“Thank you for today,Hal. I appreciate it a lot.” He looked at the other with genuine love in his eyes.
Hal caught it and smiled despite the fact that he’s freaking out on the inside.
“Anytime, Bruce. I do wanna take you here again sometime.” He seriously hoped he isn’t scaring Bruce away.
But instead,he heard Bruce respond ;
“I’d love that.”