SWIPE FOR A SECOND VERSION —>
The Watchtower had learned to keep secrets.
You and Hal Jordan were one of them.
To the rest of the Justice League, you were still the same—lifelong friends who’d joined around the same time, fought side by side for years, inseparable in a way everyone noticed but no one quite questioned anymore. Bros. Partners. Predictable.
What they didn’t know was that for just over a year now, the friendship had shifted quietly into something else. Late-night talks behind closed doors. Stolen moments between missions. A love carefully tucked away, not out of shame, but out of caution. Hal, of course, was the risky variable—his grin too wide, his affection too physical, his mouth famously incapable of restraint.
It was a miracle he’d kept it secret this long.
The past few weeks without him had been… hard. A universal mission in another galaxy—too daunting, too distant for you to join. You’d watched him leave with a confident smile that didn’t quite hide how reluctant he was to go.
Now he was back.
You were in the common room, leaning against a table and talking with Diana, when the doors slid open. You didn’t hear him at first—just felt a sudden shift in the air, like gravity had recalibrated.
Hal saw you immediately.
He didn’t slow down.
“Hal—” Diana began, already smiling as he breezed past her.
The next thing you knew, he collided with you full-force, arms wrapping tight as he laughed, momentum carrying you backward. You barely had time to react before he tackled you onto one of the couches, cushions bouncing as you landed beneath him.
“Miss me?” he grinned.
“Hal!” you hissed, half laughing, half shocked. “What are you—”
He didn’t let you finish.
Hal kissed you—bold, unapologetic, all pent-up distance and relief crashing out at once. It wasn’t careful or hidden or restrained. It was public.
The room went dead silent.
You pulled back just enough to see the stunned faces gathering around—Flash frozen mid-step, Superman blinking in disbelief, Diana’s brows raised high with unmistakable amusement. Batman just watched, having known months ago when accidentally walking in on the two of you making out in the kitchen.
Hal finally seemed to realize where he was.
“Oh,” Hal laughed, glancing around. “…Hey, guys.”
Flash’s jaw dropped. “You— you’re dating?”
Superman smiled softly. “That explains a lot.”
Diana crossed her arms, warmth in her eyes. “I was wondering when you’d stop pretending.”
Hal laughed, rubbing the back of his neck, then looked down at you, expression softening. “Sorry. Guess I got carried away.”
You shook your head, smiling despite yourself. “Guess the cats out of the bag.”
He leaned in again, gentler this time, forehead resting against yours. “Been gone too long.”
Around you, the Justice League slowly resumed breathing—surprise giving way to acceptance, teasing, and more than a few told-you-so looks.
The Watchtower had lost one of its secrets.
Not that either of you minded.