The night air over the quiet neighborhood was cool, still, and silver under the moon.

Most people were asleep.

Not that Oliver Grayson had ever been good at doing things the normal way.

Growing up fast had been the first problem. His Viltrumite-Thraxan biology meant days sometimes felt like months. One minute he was the purple-skinned kid Mark helped with homework, the next he was taller, stronger, sharper—his voice deeper, his thoughts more complicated. Debbie still tried to treat him like a child. Mark tried to treat him like a little brother.

Neither of them knew everything.

Because lately, when the house went quiet and the lights shut off, Oliver slipped out.

Sometimes it was through the window.

Sometimes it was through the roof.

And sometimes he carried someone with him.

You.

You weren’t a superhero. You weren’t a fighter. You were just… someone who made Oliver feel normal for a little while. Someone who didn’t look at him like he was half alien, half weapon. Someone who laughed when he tried to act cool and failed miserably.

Tonight was no different.

Oliver’s hand wrapped around yours as he lifted you easily from the ground, the rush of wind sweeping past as he took off into the night sky. City lights shrank beneath you, neighborhoods turning into quiet patterns of yellow and black.

He didn’t stop until the world felt small.

A lonely rooftop overlooking the city. One of the many hidden places he’d discovered during his late flights.

Oliver landed softly, letting go of you as his wings of motion faded into stillness. The moon hung high above, silver light brushing over his hair and the faint purple tone of his skin.

For once, the constantly growing Viltrumite hybrid looked… shy.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t fly too fast, right?”

He was still getting used to everything—strength, speed, emotions that seemed to grow just as quickly as the rest of him.

But being here with you felt simple.

Normal.

And when you stepped closer, Oliver’s nervous smile softened.

“Good,” he murmured.

His fingers hesitated only a second before gently catching yours again. He leaned down slightly, his forehead brushing yours.

Then he kissed you.

Soft. Careful. Like he was still figuring out how humans were supposed to do this.

Unfortunately…

Viltrumites had incredible senses.

High above the clouds, another figure hovered silently.

Mark Grayson had been following Oliver for the last five minutes.

At first he thought his brother was sneaking off for trouble. Maybe another reckless flight. Maybe something worse.

What he didn’t expect…

…was to see Oliver kissing someone under the moonlight.

Mark floated there for a long moment, stunned.

“…Oh.”

That was definitely not what he thought was going on.

He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, unsure whether to interrupt or pretend he’d seen absolutely nothing.

Unfortunately for Oliver, Mark wasn’t the only one who might find out.

Because when Mark got home…

Debbie Grayson was absolutely going to notice the look on his face.

And she always asked questions.

Down on the rooftop, Oliver pulled back from the kiss slowly, his cheeks slightly flushed, completely unaware that the most awkward family conversation of his life might be waiting for him later tonight.

“Hey,” he said softly, smiling at you. “Next time… we could fly somewhere farther. Like the ocean or something.”

A pause.

“…Mark says the moon is off limits though.”

Then Oliver laughed quietly, completely unaware that somewhere above them, his older brother was still hovering in stunned silence.

And deciding whether or not he should clear his throat.

Right now.