Only Heroes Get Parades

RP blog for Guy Gardner of the Green Lantern Corps.

[hotheadedlantern]

H%&^a e@ $%&%rth# a*sdv,o}{kn 'a&$%#d^l vw@%(*dv %$#%okn! Gu'y$@ d`~`wv^&@$ %&wqT#$ dv\], \]re$g/./\g]v ok*()d@ #$^vl)*(= l)_* ^(k@$ %#$%&nas... ,<:[ ldt& #$ %kn. T%$#% vl%$k% %as%$* &(dn\][v l,a%%^&@$$s nd^v. *The Martian begins to draw in the dirt with his fingers* *It quickly becomes clear that he is drawing the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, then wiping clear the Little Dipper* *he draws the Little Dipper again and points to the position of Polaris* Hg@ j#e hj$@g@ x~j'lo&s $%^fs, Gu'y$@?

Guy scrutinizes the Martian's drawings, recognizing the iconic tails of the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.  "Yer right..." he looks at J'onn, and holds his hands out, palms up, to show he doesn't have the answer, but realizes that might be confusing.  He pointed to the sky, and nodded to show he understood the drawings.

"No Little Dipper," he agreed, "No North Star."  One star winking out, while really unlikely, was possible.  But an entire constellation...

"That ain't our sky, J'onn," he frowned. "One way or another, the sky's all wrong. We're not on Earth, or those stars up there aren't even real..."

[taisirifrezi-deactivated2021060]

Powerless

Kyle woke up the next morning, but not in the normal sense.  His one good eye flickered awake and he stared up at the heavy wood beams in the rafters.  A golden colored wood.  Kyle knew names: mahogany, teak, pine - but he’d never bothered to really connect the names to the actual wood. 

He was laying on a long table, the type you see in community centers, for booths. He knew this, because when he turned his head to the left, Bruce was a few feet away on a table of his own.  Bruce.  Bruce Wayne.  He didn’t look like Bruce Wayne right now, covered in injuries; he looked like something unrecognizable.  Teak or pine or mahogany.  Kyle didn’t know what.

Kyle knew other people were about as well, but at the moment his brain wasn’t registering them.  Seeing other people meant he’d have to think about things like their names and their individuality and then the bigger picture; and Kyle wasn’t going to do that.  They were all just pine or teak or mahogany right now.  He looked at Bruce; and beyond the other man was a large high window set into the building they were in.  So Kyle stared outside.  The sky was a washed-out blue and Kyle didn’t like it.  Still, he settled on focusing on that.

His body was still in so much pain. So much pain.  It was likely that whatever Kyle felt was only half of the agony Bruce Wayne was experiencing; but Kyle simply wasn’t used to it this.  Even as a Green Lantern, being bested mostly came from wooziness and discombobulation, not pain.  Pain didn’t factor in to Kyle’s day-to-day, not like this.  The ring was a constant morphine drip. The ring was a drug and this was withdrawal.  He refused to move or acknowledge anything.  Moving hurt, but thinking hurt even more.

Bruce Wayne and beyond that, a pale, ugly blue sky.

[hotheadedlantern]

It was his head movement that first alerted Guy that Kyle was waking up. He'd been frightening still all night, but although it had been slow the turning of his head looked deliberate. Conscious.

Guy moved out of his seat and hovered over his charge, gazing down at him; Kyle was looking off to his side, in Bruce's direction. "Kyle?" he spoke calmly, relief washing over him that he was awake at last. Awake was good. Awake meant eating and drinking and living.

Behind him, Cass stirred. Bless her, she'd stayed with them both all night, asleep in the chair next to him. "Kyle's awake," he told her, and he sounded eager and excited even to his own ears. "Can you let Steph know? I think she's around here somewhere..."

Turning his attention back to Kyle, he said his name again, a bit more firmly this time, then frowned - he wasn't responding, not even moving his head back to the direction of Guy's voice. "Kyle, look at me...it's Guy.  You're gonna be okay, buddy..."

No response.  He just stared through one open eye.  Guy's concern grew as he moved around the table.  Maybe there was something wrong with his hearing?  Oh God, oh God, please, don't let it be brain damage. Not that. Anything but that...  He cursed his lack of  ring at that moment, as he caught himself aiming his fist at Kyle to scan him for vital signs. He had no ring to speed his friend's healing, or move him painlessly to a bed, or even construct IV equipment, or anything. Frustration didn't even begin to describe what Guy was feeling along with his rising concern.

If Kyle wouldn't -or couldn't - look at him, he'd move into his line of sight.  "Kyle...Kyle..." he repeated, the second time more insistently. "Hey, buddy...good to see you awake.  Ya thirsty?  I got some water here..."

[neverwasoneforgrandgestures-dea]

tesserae

[cassashadow]

Her eyes had been trained on Bruce since she woke up in this unfamiliar place. She was vaguely aware of the movement around her. The other’s crying out and trying to find each other, slowly trickling up and out of the stagnant pool. Damian was there, Steph, Dick, Bette, Kate…they were all here and for the most part safe for now, and Bruce too. He was and wasn’t though.

She felt frozen in place as she watched Kate and Guy move about him, and she finally found her feet as they lifted him away from where Kate had dragged him. Following the group up the ladder slowly, and kneeling beside Bruce and Guy once they were on solid ground she inched a finger toward Bruce’s side. Her touch connected lightly as if anything firmer would destroy him.

"What do we do?" she asked to no one in particular, finally realizing this wasn’t a test. It was all too real.

[hotheadedlantern]

"Easy, Bats," he told him, “I got ya…let’s get ya outta here an’ see what the hell’s goin’ on…"  He looked up at Kate, and got her to help him steady Bruce while he got a shoulder under him and hoisted him up, moving carefully to the base of the ladder.  It was slow going, trying to get him up there while balancing Bruce over his shoulder, but he was helped when he got to the top.

Kate Spencer was there moments later, helping him lay Bruce down on the grass, and getting his jacket off so she could inspect him for injuries. He was tempted to put it on himself, the air chill against his wet skin, but instead he pillowed it under Bruce’s head instead. “His pulse is weak, but steady, Sweetheart. I think he’ll be okay.  …Where the fuck are we?"

[thepeoplevspencer]

The Kates, Kane and Spencer, helped get Bruce over Guy’s shoulder, and Kate—Spencer—then met Candy’s eyes, saw that she was as thrown by this as anyone. It appeared Kyle wasn’t doing much better than Bruce, and Mar’i looked injured as well, which led Kate to wonder what the hell they had been doing for everyone else to appear mostly in one piece.

The four of them, in one way or another, all made their way up and out of the pool, away from the mess and effluvia that she was trying desperately not to think about Bruce breathing in. Infection, disease, the fact that he couldn’t move much save in reflex, these were all very, very bad things, despite Guy’s optimistic outlook. Though maybe they were very bad things that were an excellent distraction from the fact that, to the best of Kate’s understanding, they were all incredibly fucked. Fucked and apparently at goddamn Girl Scout camp.

The fact that Guy hadn’t used his ring to lift Bruce, nor Kyle his to heal himself, or Clark to move them all? That added to the overwhelming sense of dread that hit Kate in the gut. She was almost at the point where she was about to scream, tell everyone to calm the fuck down, which was a time-tested sign that she was not in the best place, mentally speaking. She closed her eyes for a moment, tried to center her thoughts, then cleared her throat.

"I have no fucking idea," she said, voice very low and wry. “Alien zoo disguised as summer camp? That’s where I’m at, really, if I had to guess. He needs a doctor," she added, too casually, gesturing at Bruce, and had to close her eyes again, calm down, ease the shock that was threatening to set in, that was tempering her words. After a moment, she clarified, eyes still closed, “We don’t know how long he wasn’t breathing. Kyle looks bad too. Not that that I know where to find one."

After a second, she looked up, around them, saw Clark carrying J’onn towards a long low building. “Let’s go that way. Get out of this sun."

[hotheadedlantern]

"Yeah, good idea," Guy caught his breath. "Cass, Kate, get his legs..."  Together, the three of them brought Bruce inside the long, low building he'd seen them take J'onn into, and placed him on a wide windowsill that had been designed to serve as a window bench.

"We should get him cleaned up, as best we can..." he said grimly, pillowing Bruce's head with a hoodie someone had tossed him.  He'd have to find some clothing for himself soon, as well, now that he was out of the sun.  Great...he could sunburn, or freeze.

[neverwasoneforgrandgestures-dea]

tesserae

The pressure was back. The pressure was back, goddamnit, and it was angry and Bruce felt his head loll, wanting to shout, the way the old man had, fury and rage frothing at the corners of his mouth, but he couldn’t. All he could do was allow the pressure to take him.

A bone snapped, it almost pinged, and he wanted to pay attention to that too, but then the water was being forced out of his body, aborted filmy pieces of rot snagging in his teeth, the smell of it now fully able to sink into the passages of his sinus, like sweat and grime, mushy bits of offal lining the soft, pink cavities of his nose and mouth and—

Air. Air filling his lungs and scooping out the water that still vibrated inside of his lungs, like a death rattle, his eyelids swollen and shut, mouth split down the middle, blood caking the cartilage shells of his ears. He tried to lift his head, to speak, because if the air was back, then he was back, wasn’t that the way it worked?

Bruce vomited, prayed he was still in a direction that would mean he wouldn’t asphyxiate on it, and staggered, staggered, under the darkness, as it took him. 

[hotheadedlantern]

The man in his arms coughed and hacked, and Guy held him steady, letting Bruce do what he needed to to get breath again.  He had to fight him a little, the powerful body trying to move away, half-conscious. He didn't know where Bruce thought he was, but he'd keep him safe in the meantime.  When his head bowed and he went limp, Guy knew Bruce had lost consciousness.

"Easy, Bats," he told him, "I got ya...let's get ya outta here an' see what the hell's goin' on..."  He looked up at Kate, and got her to help him steady Bruce while he got a shoulder under him and hoisted him up, moving carefully to the base of the ladder.  It was slow going, trying to get him up there while balancing Bruce over his shoulder, but he was helped when he got to the top.

Kate Spencer was there moments later, helping him lay Bruce down on the grass, and getting his jacket off so she could inspect him for injuries. He was tempted to put it on himself, the air chill against his wet skin, but instead he pillowed it under Bruce's head instead. "His pulse is weak, but steady, Sweetheart. I think he'll be okay.  ...Where the fuck are we?"

[hotheadedlantern]

*you have blacked out. when you wake up, you find yourself in a large enclosed space with all your League colleagues. you realize it is an outdoor empty swimming pool. you are dressed in plainclothes and no meta-powers are functioning*

He was aware of confused voices around him, some of them calling out names in alarm - familiar names: Zatanna, Bruce, Steph, Uncle Kyle, Mia - wherever he was, at least he was among friends.

There was a dank, foul smell in the air, and he felt cold.  Guy wasn’t used to feeling cold, not ever; his ring always saw to that.  He shifted and felt an even colder, hard surface under him even as more voices joined in to the background buzzing in his head from regaining consciousness, some were frightened, others reassuring…and one was outright panicked, begging someone to not die.

People are dying. You have to move. NOW!

Guy opened his eyes and saw blue sky above him, and friends moving around in his periphery, staggering, pulling themselves out of the bracken water he himself was lying in.  Whatever had happened to him, looked like it had happened to them all.  He groaned and rolled onto his side, and realized he was naked, lying in four inches of water…no, not naked, he still had on his boxers.

“Someone goddamn help me!" a woman’s voice rang out, close by. 

Kate.

He willed that his uniform appear and he fly to her, but nothing happened. He couldn’t feel his connection to the ring at all. Dead. Must’ve run outta juice. That’s why I’m in my underwear.  “Comin’!" he called back, and staggered towards her into the deeper water, tripping over Zach as he did.

Bruce wasn’t moving, and water was dribbling out of his open mouth. Christ, he drowned…or…almost...  Kate had him in a semi-sitting position, and Guy moved around behind him, dropping to his knees. He had to get the water out of Bruce’s throat, and if that didn’t work, he hoped to God he remembered CPR. He reached around Bruce from behind, placed a fist just below the man’s ribs, held it with his other hand, and hauled up and back to force the water from his airway with the Heimlich maneuver.

Brown water and spittle burst from Bruce’s mouth, and again, and Guy stopped when he heard the sweet sound of a rasping intake of breath, and felt the chest he was holding begin to convulse.

[hotheadedlantern]

He watched Clark flip the steaks, enjoyed the sound of the sizzling, the flames licking up from below, and the smell of the cooking meat. “I wouldn’t say they turned out at all as I hoped, in Hasa or back here in the US of A, but…" he took a sip of the raspberry ale, “They did turn out for the best, an’ that’s pretty darned good too, y’know what I mean, Blue?" 

[clarkkentmanofsteel-deactivated]

Clark smiled thoughtfully, eyes trained on the smoking grill.  Things hadn’t turned out as he’d hoped lately, either, but maybe they had been for the best overall.  Zee needed some time away.  She and Kyle both needed to confront whatever they were feeling for each other.  Maybe it prevented something more drastic from happening somewhere down the road. “Yeah, Guy.  I do know what you mean.  I think I needed to be reminded of it, too."  He plated the steaks and the ears of corn that’d been grilling alongside them and carried it to the patio table, stepping inside for a moment to retrieve one of the honey beers Guy had brought over. "Not bad," he declared as he took a sip; it wasn’t as sweet as the raspberry, but it wasn’t unpleasant either, and Clark appreciated the gesture either way.  He gestured for Guy to fix himself a plate from the platters in the middle of the table as he did the same. “So what are you doing now that you’re back home?"

[hotheadedlantern]

The Green Lantern leaned over the platters and helped himself to some green salad and pickles. "Big plans, Big Blue!  Basically, puttin' my life back together after Darkseid an' Parallax messed it up.  I'm not only rebuildin' the bar, I'm puttin' a Sector House in Coast City for the Corps. The Mayor's pushin' through the permits, I can start diggin' next week!"

He bit into his corn and rolled his eyes at the sweetness of it. "Woah, is this straight from the Kent farm, I'm guessin' picked today?  It's wonderful!"  He nodded at Clark's beer, "An' glad ya like it.  Wait'll ya try the wheat ale, it's real light, an' got some citrus undertones, I think you'll enjoy it."

"So how about you an' yours? Any plans for the summer?"

[hotheadedlantern]

Guy touched town in their backyard shortly afterwards, ringing on sandals, shorts, and a t-shirt. He’d brought with him a sampler of craft brewery wheat beer and honey ale, for Clark to try as well.  "Hey, Big Blue!" he greeted him cheerfully, “How’s yer summer?  Hey, nice house!"

[clarkkentmanofsteel-deactivated]

Clark clapped Guy on the shoulder and stored the beer he brought in the fridge, pointing out the remaining raspberry beer to him briefly.  The smell of smoked meat wafted through the glass sliding door when they returned to the backyard, the thick, marbled steaks sizzling as Clark flipped them on the grill.  “Thanks! We really love living here.  Billy and I have been doing a lot of fishing— a future angler, that boy, I’m telling you— and Zee recently went on tour in Paris.  She’s glad to be home again." He glanced over at the honeysuckle growing wild against the wooden fence. “Heard about your work in Hasaragua," he said, gesturing for Guy to hand him a bottle of marinade from the patio table.  “Glad to see you back.  Everything turn out how you hoped?"

[hotheadedlantern]

Guy passed him the marinade and tried the beer in his hand. It was certainly flavourful, the raspberry scent complimented the hops but didn't overpower them, and it certainly wasn't too sweet, either. "Paris, huh?  Man, I loved Paris.  Hard to believe it's already been a year since I was there with Dick!  The lights, the sights, l'amour...heh."

He watched Clark flip the steaks, enjoyed the sound of the sizzling, the flames licking up from below, and the smell of the cooking meat. "I wouldn't say they turned out at all as I hoped, in Hasa or back here in the US of A, but..." he took a sip of the raspberry ale, "They did turn out for the best, an' that's pretty darned good too, y'know what I mean, Blue?" 

[hotheadedlantern]

clarkkentmanofsteel replied to your post: Guy, I found a beer I like! It tastes like raspberries! I’ll save one for you :)

Doing well! You know Ma and Pa: they always have a project for me! But it’s at least 90% a ruse to get me to bring their grandson over :) About to throw some steaks on the grill if you’re hungry.

[Ring Txt] Now that is an offer I can't refuse! Keep yer comm open, I'll hone in on your signal, be there in ten!

Guy touched town in their backyard shortly afterwards, ringing on sandals, shorts, and a t-shirt. He'd brought with him a sampler of craft brewery wheat beer and honey ale, for Clark to try as well.  "Hey, Big Blue!" he greeted him cheerfully, "How's yer summer?  Hey, nice house!"

[hotheadedlantern]

Touching Base

[hotheadedlantern]

"No, no, it’s okay, I know ya care, Kate," he inhaled sharply when she was finished. Christ, even seeing it coming and bracing himself, it still hurt. “If ya didn’t, ya wouldn’t bother explainin’ it, you’d just nod an’ say you’d keep it in mind or somethin’. I appreciate ya bein’ straight with me, like you’ve always been, no matter what."

Intense and serious… and yet, she didn’t seem at ease, or relaxed to him. She seemed edgy, and he considered if it was his imagination. Maybe he wanted to see her feeling less than wholly positive about her new relationship, to give himself false hope? He mulled that over…no, that wasn’t it.  He wanted to see evidence that the new person was making her happy - at least as happy as she had been when he was seeing her - and he wasn’t seeing it. He wanted to make sure she was all right, then stopped himself from asking those questions - Kate was a self-aware, self-controlling woman, who knew what she wanted and needed. Her happiness was in no one’s hands but her own, and and there it would stay. Guy had to remind himself, it wasn’t his job to ensure happiness for her, and it never had been.

It didn’t stop him from wishing it for her, though, or giving a damn about her life.  He still loved her as much as any of his exes.

"So who is it, this new person?" he asked, watching her eyes as she responded. Would they light up a little when she said his or her name? Would they look pained, or unsure? Her eyes would likely tell him what he wanted to know, but was hesitant to ask.

[thepeoplevspencer]

Kate fiddled with her coffee mug a little, slid a fingertip against the side of the fingers wrapped around the handle, for a moment. She couldn’t help herself, she bit her lip a little even as she thought for a second to herself; hurting Guy hadn’t been on her radar, and it upset her to do it even like this, something where they talked it out.

"We’re not really talking about it with other people yet, Guy, I’m sorry," she said, expression softening around the edges for a moment, a little wistful, perhaps. “It’s…still fairly early days, all things considered." She blushed a little, downed a sip of cold coffee to cover it, because it was so damn embarrassing to be blushy about this kind of thing.

"If…If you’ve changed your mind about the bar, if you feel it’s too awkward to work with me this closely…" she noted, a thought suddenly crossing her mind and making her brow crease again. “I mean, I understand, we could make some arrangements if you want. I still want to do it, but I don’t want you to feel…" She smiled hopefully. “It’s your bar, this whole thing’s for you—I can be less involved, if you rather. I don’t know where you stand on being friends."

[hotheadedlantern]

Seeing the colour rise to her cheeks confirmed it for him; he had made her blush like that, once upon a time.  Whoever it was, she was happy.  God help them if they didn't know how lucky they were.

Still, he twisted a little inside; it was in its early days, she'd said, and he was pretty sure it didn't exist before he left. If he hadn't gone to Hasa, or if he hadn't waited until he was certain of his future with the Corps, maybe things would have turned out differently for her and him. Maybe this other person would have been turned away right now, instead.

But, that wasn't what happened. He smiled tightly, as another thought occurred: maybe this accounted for Ollie's sudden interest in playing matchmaker, if there was a new 'Hal' in the picture. He'd just been pissed Guy didn't rush after the bone he'd tossed him as a consolation. No. No, that wasn't it. Ollie'd been trying to do Dick the favour - Guy just messed up his plans by turning him down. Either way, his and Kate's dance card was full. Well good for them.

That tight smile faded as she asked if he still wanted to partner with her with the bar business.  He was confused as she elaborated.  Had she really thought his interest in doing this with her was contingent on her interest in sex with him?  His look was a little hurt, but he found himself rising from his seat and going to her.

"Kate...Jesus, the bar was never..."  He shook his head, "I know it's charity disguised as a business proposition, Kate, but I never expected anythin' from you.  When I make a commitment, I see it through, and..."  He paused and inhaled deeply, "I thought it would be fun to do it together, an' either way, I'm going to pay you back, like we agreed. As long as you're enjoyin' it, then you be as involved as ya please. But ya don't know where I stand on being friends? REALLY?"

He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Yer gonna have to try a lot harder than that to get rid of me, Sweetheart," he spoke tenderly into her hair, and gave her a tender kiss on her temple.  "Yer happy.  That's really all that matters, in the big picture."

[hotheadedlantern]

13/07/05

Hello, journal, long time no see.

Hasaragua was... well, it happened. Maybe I'll write about it someday, but the memories are still percolating, sorting themselves out. Marianela is behind me now, and I'm okay with leaving her there and moving on.

I made the choice to report my emotional problems to the Corps. It doesn't happen often, but the Guardians did something right by me this time, though to be fair it was really all Soranik Natu and Mogo who made the real effort. On one hand I don't feel all that different, day-to-day, but since I got back I noticed that shit that normally would piss me off doesn't so much, so maybe that's noteworthy - I can say 'fuck it' more easily. I'd analyze it more closely and put my psych degree to some good use, but frankly I'm not all that interested. It just feels good to feel good, and that's enough for me.

Kyle's doing good, or at the least, he's working hard at convincing me he is.  He slipped into babbling a few times when we talked, and I haven't decided if that means he's just kinda gleeful I'm still in the Corps, or he's doing the I-don't-want-to-talk-about-it thing. It's Kyle, it really could go either way.  Best thing is to just let him know I'm around, I'm here for him, and hopefully he'll feel easy enough around me to take advantage of that if he needs me. I worry that Parallax still haunts him. And, I won't lie, it would feel good to feel needed by him for a change, instead of needy of him, but that isn't as important as Kyle himself.

I solved my housing crisis. The Corps is funding a new Sector House on Earth, and in exchange for building it, I'll be living there. It'll be nice to have people dropping in unexpectedly again, if not from the League, then at least from the Corps. 

Yesterday was the 4th of July. Had a great time in Coast City, shmoozing with the mayor and other members of the town council. I don't think building permits are going to be much of a problem. Even got the property picked out, and the ring did the rest as far as surveying and blueprints (though I ought to call them greenprints). I need to make a copy for the city records that doesn't include the secret, subterranean parts of the building, but I'll have this thing done in no time.

It's good to be back.

[hotheadedlantern]

Guy, I found a beer I like! It tastes like raspberries! I'll save one for you :)

Guy reads the texts with delight, not because of the promise of beer, but because he doesn't usually hear from Superman. He realizes, he's missed Big Blue a lot.

[Ring Txt] Sounds great Clark! How're ya doin'? Long time no talk!

[Ring Txt] Yer folks got ya busy on the farm in between newspaper assignments?

[hotheadedlantern]

What is more important for a Green Lantern: fearlessness or trustworthiness?

Trustworthiness.  You can overcome fear more easily than you can re-earn trust, and the Guardians can't place that kind of insane power in the hands of a corrupt, disloyal, or unstable Green Lantern.  We've seen what happens when they do.

[taisirifrezi-deactivated2021060]

  Kyle grinned, happy to hear that Guy’s and his entrepreneurial baby on Oa was doing well.  "That’s great.  Who’s managing it now?  When it got destroyed, I didn’t think it’d ever get rebuilt again.  Good to know that our establishment was popular to get a second chance, Guy."

[hotheadedlantern]

"Vandor’s kinda runnin’ the place, but Kilowog’s the real manager. He’s keepin’ a good eye on it.  It’s real popular with the recruits, more for the booze than the food, but the vets are the ones that keep the kitchen busy," he explained with no small amount of pride in the legacy they’d built together.

He gave Kyle a grateful smile when he offered him money.  "Aw, Kyle I appreciate it, buddy, really. But I’m fine.  Better n’ fine.  I talked Salaak into lettin’ me rebuild a Sector House here on Earth, since Parallax destroyed Hal’s. He gave me enough gold to purchase land and buildin’ materials."  He grinned wide, “And ya talked me into it, no better place for it than Coast City, amirite?"

[taisirifrezi-deactivated2021060]

"Kilowog! Ah!"  It was great that Kilowog had taken on the bar, especially because it was likely he was adding his own Bolovaxian flair, and running it like a ship.   “I knew it was only a matter of time before he got his big ol’ mitts into that place, ha ha."

He smiled, splitting the bill for the pizza with Guy so they were completely square.  "I’m so glad you are finding ways to keep yourself happy, it’s really great that you have all these plans.  Good stuff, man."  After being paid up, they headed outside into the bright sun.  Kyle turned to Guy and clasped his arm warmly. “Well, I’m going to head home and get some work done.  We’ll talk more later, okay? Keep me updated on all things to do with Guy, I’d love that."  

[hotheadedlantern]

"Uh-huh. Listen, Kyle..." he fixed him with a serious look, "That goes same fer me.  It goes both ways, buddy.  We're partners, so, I'd love to know what's goin' on with you, too. I've been outta yer life long enough, y'know? I get the feelin' I've missed a bunch."

He clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a nod, "We'll see you for fireworks tomorrow, Kyle. Lookin' forward to it!" he said as he changed to his uniform and lifted off the ground, to fly back to the Watchtower.

[hotheadedlantern]

"Hey, sounds great. You do that, an’ in the meantime, I’m gonna do a little house-huntin’. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of settlin’ down here, an’ not just associatin’ this town with Kari," he nodded at the waiter as he refilled their waters, grateful for the generous amount of ice included. Once he moved off, he added, “They sure love a Lantern here, but they’re not all creepy fanboy about it."

"I didn’t stop by the canteen. I just had long enough to conduct a bit of financial business with Salaak, an’ check in on the Big W.  It’s doin’ great, by the way. The place was packed when I walked in."

[taisirifrezi-deactivated2021060]

"Financial business?" Kyle looked over in concern. “Is everything okay? If you need money or space bucks or something, I’d be fine lending you some.  With interest or whatever you need to not feel indebted to me. My job right now is pretty sweet, and hopefully they’ll keep me on for the Fall as well."

Kyle grinned, happy to hear that Guy’s and his entrepreneurial baby on Oa was doing well.  "That’s great.  Who’s managing it now?  When it got destroyed, I didn’t think it’d ever get rebuilt again.  Good to know that our establishment was popular to get a second chance, Guy."

[hotheadedlantern]

"Vandor's kinda runnin' the place, but Kilowog's the real manager. He's keepin' a good eye on it.  It's real popular with the recruits, more for the booze than the food, but the vets are the ones that keep the kitchen busy," he explained with no small amount of pride in the legacy they'd built together.

He gave Kyle a grateful smile when he offered him money.  "Aw, Kyle I appreciate it, buddy, really. But I'm fine.  Better n' fine.  I talked Salaak into lettin' me rebuild a Sector House here on Earth, since Parallax destroyed Hal's. He gave me enough gold to purchase land and buildin' materials."  He grinned wide, "And ya talked me into it, no better place for it than Coast City, amirite?"

[hotheadedlantern]

[hotheadedlantern]

My childhood hero, and a patriot, General Glory.

[hotheadedlantern]

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And though the nightmares should be over, some of the terrors are still intact I'll hear that ugly, coarse, and violent voice, and then he grabs me from behind, and then he pulls me back