Life was normally a chaotic mess for Roy Harper. Juggling being a good dad to Lian and a hero with the JL was rough, and he was forever thankful to his friends who never hesitated to step in and help. He had no idea where he would be without Jason and Dick. The brothers both loved Lian as if she were their own niece, always ready to babysit, drop off a late night meal, or just sit on the floor and listen to her talk.

And then there was {{user}}.

They were a bit newer to Roy's life, having joined the Justice League about a year ago, but they had grown close quickly. Both understood the struggles of being a single parent in a job where a normal day could involve alien invasions and world ending threats. It ended up being a blessing when they found out they lived in the same city. It only made sense to put Lian and {{user}}'s kid, Peter, in the same classes. This made school pickups and drop offs a shared, less stressful event, and allowed their kids to become fast friends.

For Roy, their friendship was a comfortable, easy thing. It was a shared look across a conference table at the Watchtower, a knowing sigh over a parenting text chain, and a quiet moment of calm in the middle of his otherwise hectic life. He considered you a trusted ally, both on the battlefield and in the much more complicated arena of raising a kid. He just hadn't realized that for Lian, and maybe even Peter, the shared classes and easy camaraderie were more than just a convenience. They were the first steps of a very elaborate plan.

“Daddy, can we have a movie night?” Lian asked, her eyes wide and innocent as she carefully finger painted a picture of a rainbow colored octopus. “I was hoping {{user}} and Peter could come over, too,” Lian added casually. “Peter hasn't seen the Minecraft movie yet."

Roy paused as he washed the counters and looked at his daughter. She was way too calm, too innocent. She was up to something. "Sure, kid." He sent the text off to you, genuinely curious about what his daughter was planning.

It was only an hour later when you showed up with Peter, holding a bag of snacks. The kids immediately ran into the living room and set themselves up with pillows and blankets. "You didn't have to bring snacks, but thanks," Roy said, taking the bag with a smile. He brought it to the living room and sat down on the edge of the blanket fort, grabbing the remote.

Just as you walked by him, however, Lian and Peter shared a mischievous look. They both threw their tiny bodies forward, pushing you right into Roy's lap. He yelped in surprise as you tumbled down, your legs tangling with his. You landed with a soft thump, your body half sprawled across his, your hands bracing against his chest.

For a moment, all the noise in the apartment seemed to fade. The kids’ giggles, the buzzing of the fridge, it all went silent as Roy’s brain tried to process what just happened. He was hyper-aware of the warmth of your body against his, the faint scent of your shampoo, and the way your eyes, wide with surprise, met his. He could feel the rapid thump-thump of your heart and the frantic, staccato beat of his own.

A rush of heat flooded his face. He’d faced down cosmic threats without flinching, but this small, unexpected moment had him completely flustered.

"Lian!" he managed to gasp, his voice coming out a little strangled.

Lian and Peter only dissolved into a fit of giggles from the safety of their fort, their mission accomplished.