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When Hal finds out that the UN is considering sponsoring the League, he goes to find Guy, at League headquarters, to talk about it seriously. He tried calling first, but Guy didn't pick up and it is important, so Hal's choosing to ignore the fact that Guy's probably pissed at him.
"You're the first Green Lantern, right?" Mr. Miracle says.
"Yes", Hal says, smiling his dealing-with-the-public smile. It's very winning. "I'm here to talk to Guy, have you seen him?"
"Well, he was supposed to be on monitor duty while we were away, but he seems to have ditched it", Mr. Miracle says. "Hey, d'you think you can get him to stop doing that?"
"Stop doing what?" Guy says, leaning on the door, making Miracle jump and Hal - not startle, because he's a cool and good hero, but it is very surprising.
"Oh, sorry", Guy says, sounding completely honest. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"What the fuck", Hal says.
"You shouldn't talk like that", Guy says, "You're a hero."
"Wow", Miracle says.
"J'onn, if this is you trying to be funny I will tell Batman about the incident in Kasnia", Hal says.
"The what?" Miracle says, sounding very interested.
"What? Ha- Lantern", Guy says, "It's really me, I promise."
"Lantern", Hal repeats. "Lantern? You've never called me Lantern in your life."
"Well, I know how much your secret identity means to you", Guy says reasonably.
"Are you on drugs", Hal says, "Am I on drugs? Am I dream- Oh, Hammod, if you're in my head again, stop it, I'll make the guards up your dosage."
"Are you alright?" Guy asks, sounding so earnestly concerned. "Did you hit your head?"
"No, I'm not alright!" Hal says, "Did I - Shit, did you hit your head?"
"Not that I recall", Guy says, casually, "But I did just wake up under a table with no idea how I got there, so I might've."
"Oh, fuck", Miracle says, and Hal swirls around to face him.
"What."
"Batman knocked him out", Miracle says. "Before we went on our mission."
"Batman knocked him out", Hal repeats. "How?"
"Batman knocked me out?" Guy says. "Why would he do that? That seems out of character for a man as collected as him."
"Uhm", Miracle says, "Guy challenged him to a fistfight and Batman punched him in the face once?"
"So hard he was unconscious?" Hal says.
"That's impressive", Guy says.
"That's attempted murder", Hal says, "How long ago did you wake up, Guy?"
"Uh, I dunno", Guy says, "I came here as soon as I woke up, though."
"How long was your mission", Hal demands of Miracle, feeling - just a lot. Very much.
"Four hours?" Miracle says, shrinking away from him.
"So, let me get this straight", Hal says slowly, c a l m l y, "Batman knocked your teammate out cold, hours ago, and then you all what, left him lying on the floor and forgot about him?"
"Well, when you say it like that it sounds really bad", Miracle says awkwardly.
"Right, of course", Hal says, smiling, because he is calm and collected. "It's the phrasing that's the issue, of course."
"Uh huh", Miracle says, edging backwards slowly.
"Hal, I think you should take a few deep breaths now", Guy says, putting a hand on Hal's shoulder gently.
"I'm fine", Hal snaps, because if he stops being mad, he'll start crying. "We're going to the hospital."
"Why, are you hurt?" Guy says, sounding concerned again.
"No", Hal says, turning to face Guy and pulling his hand from his shoulder gently. "No, Guy, you could have died, or ended up in another coma. We're going to the hospital to get you checked out."
"But I feel fine", Guy says, "And I'm sure Batman wouldn't have done anything to hurt me."
"Great", Hal says, "Great! We're still going."
"If you think we should", Guy says, shrugging.
"Something wrong?" Captain Marvel says, "Hey, aren't you the first Green Lantern? Did something happen?"
"Yes, I am", Hal says, because that would normally make Guy start sputtering and cursing at him, which is funny, but now -
"He's taking me to the hospital", Guy says cheerfully. "He thinks I nearly died!"
"Yupp, exactly", Hal says. "Let's go."
And then he leaves, pulling Guy with him by the hand he's still holding, ignoring the alarms going off in the background.
"Uhm, Green Lantern?" Miracle calls. "Aren't you going to stay and help?"
"If you need a Lantern, call the others", Hal says, "Unless it's a literal alien invasion, we're busy."
"What's wrong with him", Marvel mutters.
"Don't you think that was a bit rude?" Guy says.
"Oh, I see", Marvel says, "That's... unsettling."
Hal takes them to the hospital that treated Guy before, because, hey, they might still have his files around, right?
He also keeps holding Guy's hand.
If anyone were to ask, he'd tell them he was doing it so that Guy didn't run off, which is a lie.
He knows that, and Guy knows it too, if the knowing look he gave him earlier is anything to go by, but the way he is now, he won't contradict him, so who cares?
Hal keeps holding Guy's hand, and pretends it's not the only thing keeping him from shaking.
"Hello", Hal says to the startled receptionist when they arrive at the hospital. "Sorry to burst in like this, without an appointment, but my colleague got hurt in a fight earlier today and as far as we know he was unconscious for a few hours. He used to be a patient here, a while ago -"
"Uh, yeah", the receptionist says, "Guy Gardner, right? I remember. Um. Sorry, big fan of both of your work. I'll find you the next available appointment."
"Thank you", Hal says, smiling.
"It can wait", Guy says, "I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone."
"It's no trouble, Mr. Gardner", the receptionist says. "You can - uh, maybe the waiting room isn't the best idea, you'd get swarmed - Nicole! Nicole, can you show the Green Lanterns to room 207? The one that used to be the pediatric -"
"Sure", the nurse who must be called Nicole says. "Follow me."
So, Hal and Guy sit in a mostly empty room, waiting for a doctor to come see them.
Guy seems worried about him, and keeps smiling, and reassuring him, and Hal feels like he's watching his father's plane crash all over again.
Small, helpless, and scared.
He kind of wants his mom to hug him, too, but she's dead, and died hating him and refusing to see him. So. Not a reasonable want, really.
Guy had been doing better, lately. Things were going fine! This isn't fair.
"Mr. Gardner", Nicole says, opening the door. "Dr. Smith will see you now, if you'll follow me?"
"Sure, thanks", Guy says, and jumps up cheerfully.
"We normally only allow family in the room", Dr. Smith says, giving Hal a skeptical look.
"He can stay, it's fine", Guy says. "He's very worried, and Kari stayed too."
"Well", Hal says, tensely, because if Guy calls him his boyfriend he'll have to lie and that would suck, but he's not leaving.
"My secret identity isn't his girlfriend", he says, jokingly, smiling, "But I don't think he's up for doing this on his own right now."
"I see", Dr. Smith says, "If Mr. Gardner doesn't mind, you can stay, I suppose. You could be his brother, as far as I know. So, Mr. Gardner, the receptionist informed me that you took a hit on the head?"
"Uh huh", Guy says, "Green Lantern and Mr. Miracle said so, but I don't remember."
"Yes", Hal says, taking over. "He got hit in the face during a fight, and knocked unconscious. We lost sight of him afterwards, but as far as we can tell, he woke up at least once, moved around and passed out again. He might've only been unconscious for a few minutes, but - it could be up to four hours."
"Oh, dear", Dr. Smith says. "I see why you're worried. How do you feel, Mr. Gardner?"
"You can call me Guy", Guy says, "And I feel fine."
"Alright", Dr. Smith says. "Does your head hurt? Even just a little?"
"Yeah, a bit", Guy says, "Right there. But it's not that bad."
"Can I touch your head?" Dr. Smith says, "Just to check if I can feel a bump."
"Sure", Guy says, and sits very still as the doctor moves around to stand behind him.
"There's definitelytivly something there", Dr. Smith says. "Was that the hit you saw him get?"
"No, that one was from the front", Guy says, and Hal gives him a startled look.
"I thought you didn't remember it?"
"I don't", Guy says.
"Well, we're definitelyitivly doing a brain scan", Dr. Smith says. "Are you dizzy at all?"
"Maybe a bit", Guy says. "Is that bad?"
"It's a sign that you have a concussion", the doctor says. "I'm going to check your pupils now, okay? Tell me if it hurts. And, done - they're the same size, so that's good. Have you noticed any other symptoms, like nausea?"
Guy shakes his head, and Hal shifts uncomfortably.
"His personality changed", he says, after giving Guy a look. "A lot. It was - the same thing happened after he woke up from his coma, but in a different direction, I guess."
"I haven't changed", Guy says, and the doctor looks between them.
"Guy", Hal says, and then flounders.
"I'm just not mad right now", Guy says petulantly.
"You've been mad for almost a year straight then", Hal says, "Until you hit your head today."
"Oh, yeah", Guy says. "Funny."
"Hm", Dr. Smith says. "Your case was unusual, even back then, I remember. You brought him in back then too, right, Mr. - uh, Green Lantern?"
"Yeah", Hal says. "He was actually injured in the line of duty, by a telepathic attack, but we couldn't say that, because he hadn't gone public with his identity yet. I remember that the prognosis wasn't very good, for a recovery, back then."
"No, it wasn't", Dr. Smith says. "Your recovery was quite the miracle, in our hospital here."
"Yeah, 'cuz the guardian healed me", Guy says. "But not all the way, he said it was enough for the mission, and I'd get better over time."
"Oh!" Dr. Smith says, "I see? And the guardian is... involved in the superhero business too?"
"No", Guy says, "They're the people who make our rings. But they're -"
"Guy", Hal interrupts, "Sorry, Doctor, but I don't think we should tell you more about this. They're powerful but distant, and very selective of what they use their power for, so we can't ask them for another dose of healing or what they did, sadly."
"Alright", Dr. Smith says slowly. "Let's get the brain scan done, and then we'll see what we should do next."
The rest of their appointment goes - fine, Hal supposes. Guy is nice, and very helpful, and charming and Hal slowly starts to relax, until they check Guy's eyesight, and the doctor asks him to read out the first letter.
"I can't", Guy says, completely calm.
"You can't see it?"
"No, I can see it perfectly", Guy says, "I just can't read it. I know I used to know it, but - it's gone."
"I see", Dr. Smith says, calmy making a note of it in Guy's file, and Hal very calmly leaves the room before he starts screaming.
By the time Guy's done, and they leave the hospital, Hal is just about ready to kill Batman with his bare hands.
"Here", Guy says, handing him a stack of papers. "Some information about brain injury, and my treatment plan and stuff. Might help ease your mind."
"Sure it will", Hal mutters sarcastically. "Thanks."
"I don't get it", Guy says. "Why are you so weird about this? I'm fine."
"You're really not", Hal says.
"Alright", Guy says, rolling his eyes fondly. "Then I'm just as fine as I was before. Stop worrying."
"I worried about you before, too", Hal says.
"The first thing you did when you saw me was start a fist fight with me."
"Well, you were desecrating a grave", Hal says, smiling at Guy, who looks guilty.
Hal looks away, gut squirming with an unnamed feeling.
"You can't read anymore", Hal says quietly.
"I can still read a bit", Guy says, "And the rest I'll relearn. It'll be fine, Hal. I lost a lot of words the first time, too, you know? Hey, at least this time I can ask for help!"
Guy laughs, and Hal just feels sick.
"I'm gonna kill him", he says.
"Batman?" Guy says, and grabs Hal's arm gently.
Everything Guy does now is gentle.
"Don't start a fight on my behalf", Guy says, "I'm serious, Hal."
"He'd deserve it", Hal says, feeling like a child, helpless and petulant.
"That's my decision, and not yours", Guy says. "And I'm telling you I don't want you to start a fight with him."
"Fine", Hal snaps, and puts on enough speed to leave Guy behind him, just for a second, before feeling bad and waiting.
"Sorry", he says when Guy catches up to him.
"It's alright", Guy says. "You'll get used to it."
"I don't want to get used to it", Hal says. "This isn't you."
"Yes, it is", Guy says, "Don't interrupt me, Hal, listen - This is me, just as much as the angry Guy was me. You got used to that one, you'll get used to this."
"But", Hal says, and then doesn't know what to say anymore.
"Let's land somewhere, and talk", Guy says gently, and steers him towards an empty rooftop.
"I used to be like this", Guy says, quietly, when they've sat down. "You knew me, before."
"Yeah", Hal says, unable to meet Guy's eyes. "I guess. But you still had a temper."
"I know", Guy says, laughing. "But I tried so hard to be like this, instead of giving in to my anger. And I did it, more often than not."
"You did", Hal says. "You were so much chiller than me."
"Yeah", Guy says, grinning. "You dragged me into the most trouble I'd ever gotten in since High School."
"It was good for you", Hal scoffs. "You needed some adventure in your life."
"It was fun", Guy agrees, knocking their shoulders together playfully.
Hal leans into him, resting his head on Guy's shoulder.
"I'm still going to talk to Batman", he says quietly. "I'll try not to start a fight, but this wasn't okay and he needs to get told that."
"Shouldn't that be my job?" Guy says, sounding genuinely curious and understanding.
"Are you gonna do it?" Hal asks.
"No", Guy admits freely. "I don't like conflict."
"Right", Hal says, eyes burning.
"Really", Guy says, laughing. "This isn't so bad, Hal, honestly. Being angry and hurt all the time isn't much fun, you know? I'd rather stay this way. Having to relearn reading and writing is worth it, for this freedom. I finally feel like me again, Hal."
"Right", Hal says, voice cracking as he stops trying to hold back his tears.
Guy turns towards him, and pulls him into a hug, and Hal just buries his head on his shoulder and cries.
"This isn't such a bad thing", Guy murmurs, "You'll see."
"Hal", Bruce greets when Hal flies into the cave, a few hours later. "Good to see you."
"Really wish I could say the same, Bruce", Hal says, and then takes a calming breath as Bruce turns his chair to look at him. "Listen, I promised Guy not to start a fight with you over this, so I'll try to be polite."
"Gardner made you promise not to start a fight", Bruce says incredulously.
"Yeah", Hal says, "And you should be glad, because you'd deserve it. What the hell were you thinking?"
"Excuse me?"
"You knocked Guy unconscious", Hal says, "And then you left him there, out cold, on the floor, for hours."
"Don't be dramatic", Bruce says, "I barely hit him hard enough to knock him out. He was just sulking."
"He was just-", Hal repeats. "Bruce, he has brain damage!"
"I was under the impression he had been healed", Bruce says, slower, and Hal barks out a short and bitter laugh.
"No", he says. "The Guardians brought him out of his coma, they didn't heal shit. Why did you think he's like that? Well, was like that now, because you hit him hard enough to exacerbate it and now he's -"
Hal cuts himself off, shaking his head.
"He's had another personality change", he says, when he can be sure he's not gonna yell. "Among other things that I will not tell you, because they're none of your business. He's off duty completely for the rest of the week, and not allowed to get into situations where he might get hit on the head again for a month minimum."
"If you think he will listen to me", Bruce says, and Hal cuts him off.
"He will", he says. "And he's not going to give you shit for this, or demand an apology, but you absolutely should apologize. You could have killed him, Bruce, and I swear to god if you ever put a teammate in jeopardy like that again I will make sure you never get to be part of any League ever again."
"That", Bruce says sharply, "is not your call to make."
"I'll make it anyways, Bruce, and that's a promise", Hal says.
"He had it coming, and if you'd seen how he acted -"
"Oh, I'm sure he did", Hal interrupts, "What? I'm friends with him and Dinah, I got to hear his version and the real version of all his great arguments. But leaving him on the floor was not okay, regardless of how he acted. That would not even have been okay to do to a villain, and Guy's your teammate."
"You may have a point", Bruce says grudgingly. "Fine, I'll apologize for not getting him treatment sooner. I... admit that I wasn't aware his brain injury was still a concern."
"Alright", Hal says.
Hal flies towards the GL embassy soon after, intending to get as much sleep as he can.
He might be more worried than he lets on.
Guy's not helpless, he knows, but - before, he could always rely on Guy either getting himself out of any trouble he got himself into or making such a ruckus that someone would notice and come help. Even if Guy didn't appreciate it.
Now, he's worried that Guy might get kidnapped just because he doesn't want to be impolite.
It's silly, right? Guy's still a Green Lantern. He can handle himself.
Hal's just fretting.
He makes a beeline to his room, pretending he doesn't see Kilowog's questioning glance, and when he opens the door -
"Hey, Guy", Hal says, feeling himself relax at the evidence that Guy's not dead or in trouble.
"Hi", Guy says, sitting at Hal's desk, and paging through one of his books. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, it's cool."
He lets his uniform disappear, and hangs his jacket over the dresser, watching Guy as he does so.
"You have a strange taste in books", Guy comments, turning another page and frowning. He has a pen in his hand, Hal notices, and a half filled piece of paper before him.
Guy taps the pen on the desk a few times, before writing something down slowly. This is what he must have looked like as a teacher, too, all serious and calm.
"I thought you couldn't read", Hal says, walking over to look at the book over Guy's shoulder.
"I think I'm missing letters more than words", Guy says. "I can recognize a lot of words, if I try hard enough. Is this book about vampires? I thought it was a romance."
"Hm", Hal says, scanning the page. "Yeah, no, that's my porn. He's giving her a hickey, not sucking her blood."
"Oh", Guy says, turning the book to squint at the scantily clad woman on the cover. "I didn't want to judge her, but it did seem weird that she's not wearing pants."
"Nice of you", Hal says, grinning.
"Can I spend the night here?".
"Is that a come on?" Hal asks, turning his 'leaning over Guy's shoulder' into more of a hug.
"No, I just want to cuddle", Guy says, completely taking the wind out of Hal's sails. "I mean, we can - you know, if you want to."
"I'm fine with just cuddling", Hal says slowly.
"Great", Guy says cheerfully, "I love hugs."
"Well", Hal says, "Now that I think about it, you have always been a big cuddlefucker."
"Uh huh", Guy says, and then - he starts crying.
"What's wrong?" Hal asks, feeling wrong footed.
"Nothing", Guy says, turning away. "I'm just - my head hurts."
"Maybe you should leave the reading for tomorrow and go lie down", Hal suggests, trying to be diplomatic. "Rest is good for head injuries."
"But", Guy says, then hesitates. "Oh, alright."
"You don't have to -"
"No, no, it makes sense", Guy says. "I'm just - nevermind."
He gets up and flops onto the bed, and Hal is left watching him, and biting his lip indecisively.
Guy has already stopped crying by the time Hal decides that he should probably try to talk to him more and walks over to him.
"Do you... want to talk about it?" Hal asks, awkwardly. He is so bad at this.
Guy laughs at him.
"Not really, but thanks for asking", he says, and then gets a considering look on his face that activates Hal's fight or flight reflex because it's usually followed by a completely bat-shit insane action.
This time, Guy just grabs Hal and pulls him down with him.
"Omph", Hal says, and feels Guy laugh under him.
It almost feels normal.
Then Guy starts talking again.
"It just feels unfair", he says slowly, measuredly. "I did nothing to deserve this. I don't want to complain, because it could be so much worse, but - it's just unfair. Have I ever told you about my dad?"
"You said he was shit", Hal offers, shifting around to get more comfortable.
"He really was", Guy says. "He said - he called me a lot of names, and stuff. I don't want to repeat it. He hit me, too, but that never hurt as much. My brother could do no wrong, because everything was my fault. That wasn't fair. And I tried so hard to be better, and make something out of myself, and then - it wasn't fair."
"I'm sorry", Hal says.
"It wasn't your fault", Guy says, "But thanks."
"If I hadn't given you a ring", Hal starts, because they fought over this, and Guy blamed him and -
"You didn't know", Guy says. "You couldn't have known. It's easier to be mad at you, but it really wasn't your fault. It was just... bad luck. Like my dad, deciding which kid to hate. Random bad luck."
"My mom refused to see me on her deathbed because she was mad at me for being in the air force", Hal says, "So I got myself dishonorably discharged, and when I got to the hospital afterwards, I found out she had died earlier that same day. My older brother blamed me for it."
"Horrible timing", Guy says, hugging him closer.
"Really fucking bad luck", Hal says, closing his eyes.
"And mean", Guy adds, startling Hal into laughter.
"You could say that again", he gasps out, "God, you're such a fucking weirdo now -"
"Don't say that", Guy says, and breaks into heartbreaking sobs.
"Shit, what -" Hal says, raising his head to stare at him.
"Don't be mean", Guy sobs, and Hal is so confused.
"I didn't - I wasn't", Hal stammers out. He feels so wrong footed. Guy's crying, over a small comment, when usually he'd just get pissed - oh.
"Oh", Hal says. "You can't get mad, so you're crying. Are you always hurt when you're mad?"
"N-no", Guy says, "Sometimes you're just annoying. But I'm sensitive!"
"You didn't use to be."
"Yes, I did", Guy says, turning away. "I was just better at hiding it."
"Fuck", Hal says. "I didn't mean anything by it."
"I know", Guy says, still crying. "I'm just..."
Hal sighs, and leans forward to press a gentle kiss to Guy's jaw, and then rests his head right there, half on the pillow, half on his shoulder, until Guy stops crying.
"You gonna sleep in your uniform?" He asks then, and Guy huffs out a laugh.
"'M not wearing anything under it", he says.
"Really?"
"You should try it", Guy says, "It's comfy."
"I'll pass, thanks", Hal says. "Want me to lend you some pjs? I don't mind you sleeping naked, though."
"I'll take the clothes", Guy says. "Thank you."
"No problem", Hal says. "But I'm not sharing my toothbrush."
"That would be unhygienic anyways", Guy says. "I'll just make a construct."
It feels so strange, getting ready for bed with Guy like this - they've never actually just... spent the night together on purpose. It was always more or less incidential, being too tired to move after sex. Or maybe that was just a pretense, Hal thinks, as Guy lays down next to him, resting his head on his shoulder.
Hal brings an arm around Guy's shoulders, feels him relax under it, and closes his eyes.
When Guy's breathing has even out, and he's started snoring slightly, Hal opens his eyes again and stares at the dark ceiling.
It feels so strange. Domestic. It makes his guts squirm.
They're not dating, or anything.
Hal... isn't good at that, and he might still be in love with Carol, even if they haven't been together for ages, and he hasn't seen her in over a year.
She's the only person he has ever been in love with, he's pretty sure. She's definitely the only person he ever felt that way about, so it must be true love. Or whatever.
Not that it matters, because she's flying around god knows where in the universe, and might actually murder him if they ever meet again. So - it doesn't matter, what Hal feels for her.
Not that it matters at all, because he and Guy aren't dating. They're just... fooling around regularly. Fuckbuddies. Friends with benefits.
Even before Guy's coma, when they used to be real - more normal? - friends, they weren't - they fooled around a bit, but it wasn't like either of them were out and Guy was weary of getting caught.
At least, that's what he said.
Now - Hal's not... publicly out by any means. Ollie knows, because he's his best friend. Barry used to know, but he's dead.
Bruce might know, because he's a creep and too smart for his own good. So might Superman, now that Hal thinks about it. Not because he's a creep, but because he's a very observant person and Hal's really not trying that hard to hide it.
In private, at least. If the media catches wind of it, there'd be a shitstorm and he'd really, really prefer to avoid that.
Guy's - uh. Complicated. Absolutely not out and very vocal about it. If Hal told anyone he'd kissed Guy, they'd think he got punched right after. And they'd think he was insane.
So Guy's not going to tell him he loves him, or anything. Right? That'd be ridiculous. Hal's just being weird because of his own hang ups.
He's reading too much into this.
Guy wouldn't usually do this, anyways, he's just - he just came over to hang out and cuddle, because he enjoys Hal's company.
And Hal's glad to have him here. Because Guy's his friend, and he's worried.
He has been in relationships with more people than just Carol, and they were fine, mostly. They didn't work out, because - Hal wasn't in love with any of them, and there was always something more important.
If Guy asked him - this is so stupid, Hal is being so stupid. Guy's not going to ask him to be in a real relationship. They're not like that.
But Hal might say yes.
Because - it's what you do, right? And he wouldn't mind. At least Guy couldn't complain about asking him to marry him.
He falls asleep sometime during his musings, and wakes up with Guy's hair in his mouth and the man snoring peacefully on his chest.
The first reminder of what happened yesterday is the fact that they're wearing clothes.
There's probably something really poignant to be said about that, but Hal doesn't actually have to get up yet, so he pulls the hair out of his mouth and shoves Guy off him before going back to sleep.
The next time he wakes up, the sun has risen and Guy is awake and looking at him with such a soft expression that Hal can't hold eye contact.
Guy stays with him until Hal has to leave, and then makes a comment about hanging out with his friends in the Justice League, and wanders off.
"Friends", Hal mutters to himself, and then shouts after Guy. "You're still on sick leave!"
Guy constructs a giant thumbs up, so Hal thinks the message got received.
He's back in the evening, working on his writing again, and something in Hal's chest relaxes at the proof that Guy's still fine.
Especially because his day was so shit.
"Hey", Hal says, and makes a beeline for his alcohol stash.
"Bad day?" Guy says, squinting at him.
"Carol tried to use Arisia to kill me", Hal says, pouring himself a shot, "Which she could do because Arisia is in love with me."
"Isn't she thirteen?" Guy says.
Hal takes his shot, and pours himself another one.
"You know, drinking to deal with negative feelings puts you at high risk for addiction."
"You do not have a leg to stand on in this conversation", Hal snaps.
"Yes, I do", Guy says, "I'm not stupid, I don't drink when I'm sad."
"Whatever", Hal says. "I had a horrible day, and I'd like to drown my sorrows without your moralizing now, so why don't you just fuck off?"
"I was only trying to be nice", Guy says, voice wobbling.
"I'm not apologizing just because you start crying", Hal says.
"I'm not doing it on purpose!" Guy protests, wiping a hand over his face.
Hal bites back his reply, because he's not really mad at Guy, and picks up a beer instead of something harder.
"Do you want a beer?" he offers, as an olive branch.
"No, thanks", Guy says, shutting his book decisively. "Do you want me to make you feel better?"
"Are you offering me a blowjob?" Hal asks.
"Yeah", Guy says.
"Sure", Hal says, putting the beer down unopened.
This is the nicest lead-in to sex they've ever had. Usually, it starts rough, an argument escalating in a strange direction, or a need that grows too big to be contained.
Now, Guy pushes him down on the bed gently, and proceeds to patiently take him apart, until he can't form a coherent thought anymore, much less be sad about Carol.
After, Guy crawls up his body, looking unbearably smug.
"Dude", Hal groans out.
Guy looks even more smug, so Hal pulls him down to kiss the look off his face.
Guy sleeps over again, and Hal again questions his feelings.
It's awful.
One hit to - his friend's head, and Hal's sitting here like a confused teenager, unsure of what an emotion even is.
It's too early for this, Hal thinks, and extracts himself from bed to get coffee.
John's already there when he comes in, which is great, because it means there will be great coffee already made.
"Morning, John", Hal says, stretching.
"Hello", John says, voice carefully diplomatic, and Hal squints at him, trying to figure out what he's done.
John returns his look neutrally, and pushes the coffee pot towards him, because he's nice like that, even when Hal... he's not sure what he's done, still, but John will probably tell him soon.
He waits until Hal's done with his first cup before clearing his throat.
"I thought we agreed that Guy was banned from the embassy."
"Uh", Hal says, intelligently. "Would you believe it if I said I forgot?"
"Really."
"Yes", Hal says, "And he's not gonna cause trouble, anyways, because - have you talked to him, the last few days?"
"No", John says, "Unlike you, I like to avoid him whenever possible."
"Right", Hal says, feeling his cheeks heat up. "You - ah. Hm, you remember his brain damage?"
"Yes", John says, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"So", Hal says, drawing the word out until he finds the right way to continue. "He's recently acquired more."
"More... brain damage?" John asks, "Is he alright?"
"Yeah", Hal says, "But it gave him another personality change, in the complete opposite direction. So he's not gonna cause trouble, because he's - very sweet, right now."
Hal waves a hand vaguely, hoping it'll be descriptive.
John looks unconvinced.
"I can go get him, if you want", Hal offers, "You'll see what I mean."
"If you think he'll be able to be civil", John says.
"Much higher chance than usual", Hal says, grinning.
"You know, we would have offered him his room back, if you had just told us what's going on", John says as Hal pushes himself up. "You didn't have to hide him in your room, or deal with waking him up every hour alone."
"Right", Hal says too quickly. "That's why he's in my room, because he had a concussion."
"Oh", John says in realization, and Hal freezes as he suddenly feels very, very awake.
"John -"
"Relax, Hal", John says, "I'm not the type to make a big deal out of things like that. I'm not married to a woman, am I? I just - him, out of all people?"
"In my defense", Hal says, "We were friends before he got brain damage the first time. And it's not like we're dating, or anything, we're just friends. With some - you know what, I'm just gonna go now."
"No, no", John says, "Keep digging that hole, it's fascinating."
Hal flips him the bird, and pretends he's not fleeing the room as he leaves.
Guy has managed to stretch out over the entire bed when Hal leans over him to shake him awake.
"Whuzzut", Guy mumbles, and Hal grins.
"Good morning", he greets cheerfully. "Wanna have breakfast with me and John?"
"Mornin?" Guy mumbles, and then closes his eyes, seemingly settling in to sleep again, before looking at Hal very alertly. "Food?"
"Yeah", Hal says.
"I like food", Guy says.
"So is that a yes to breakfast?"
"Gimme five minutes to get ready."
"Hi, John", Guy says, and Hal grins at John, who looks floored.
"Good morning", he says, and gives Hal a shocked look that only makes him grin wider.
"So what food do you have here?" Guy asks, looking around the kitchen.
"Just coffee, so far", Hal says, "Feel free to help yourself to the fridge, though."
"Hm", Guy says, opening the door. "What are the worms for?"
"Kilowog", Hal says.
"Cool", Guy says, starting to pull various containers out of the fridge.
"Cool", John mouths at Hal incredulously, and Hal stifles a laugh behind his hand.
"You want some coffee, Guy?" Hal asks, mostly to watch John's reaction to Guy's reply.
"Sure, thanks Hal", Guy says, "Do you want me to make you something specific or are you alright with eggs and bacon? Same for you, John."
"Nah, I'm good with that", Hal says.
"I ate at home", John says, "But I wouldn't say no to something sweet."
"Cool, I'll make pancakes then", Guy says, "They go with bacon too."
John watches Guy in the kitchen, and Hal watches John watching Guy, enjoying himself immensely.
John's expression goes heartbroken as Guy adds four spoons of sugar to his coffee, which is already half milk.
Guy hums, pleased, and Hal laughs, quietly.
John looks at him, and Hal grins, unrepentant.
"So, Guy", John says, awkwardly, "I didn't know you could cook?"
"Oh, I wouldn't call myself a good cook, or anything", Guy says, mixing pancake batter together without a recipe, "I can do the basics, like everyone should! It's just necessary to live a good life."
"Right", John says.
"I burnt spaghetti once", Hal offers.
"You're ridiculous", Guy says. "Do you want me to teach you?"
"Sure, if you want to waste your time", Hal says.
John seems to have gotten over most of his shock, and manages to keep up a steady stream of small talk for the rest of the morning, and somehow he and Guy agree to bake a cake together later.
Because Katma and John were on a date in this bakery in Paris, and she liked one of their cakes a lot, and John managed to get the recipe in secret and he would like to surprise her with it.
Newlyweds, Hal thinks disdainfully. Disgusting.
Wonderful and so romantic, Guy calls it.
On the positive side, at least Guy and John are friends now?
"I should bake something for the League", Guy says. "Maybe muffins? We're gonna move in together tomorrow, did you know? In an embassy."
"I heard", John says, "I assume you'll be staying in the American one?"
"Yeah, mostly", Guy says, "Unless it's necessary to go somewhere else. I don't speak Russian, and most of the others don't either. We're a lot of americans, when I think about it, for an International League."