When your slap lands, the first thing Hal notices isn’t the sting—it’s the scent. Something sweet and sharp fills his nose right before his cheek starts to burn. And not in a painful way. It feels… good.

Hal blinks for a few seconds, stunned. Then finally mutters a weak protest, “Hey! Not the face!”

You’re standing in front of him, arms crossed, giving him that classic Yellow Lantern look—like he’s gum stuck to your boot. Arrogant. Dismissive. You are fear incarnate, after all. And yeah, you’re a little intimidating—positively so—but Hal’s never been scared of you.

On the contrary, that look in your eyes makes his knees a little weak. Definitely the slap. Has to be the slap.

Hal chooses to ignore the possibility that he might be kind of into this.

Back when the Sinestro Corps and the Hal Corps were at each other’s throats, you and Hal fought on sight. Totally normal. Then came the uneasy truce… and you two still fought on sight. People figured it was just some long-standing rivalry. Lately, though… well, everyone starts to think you’re flirting.

Not that anyone can blame you. It’s always Hal who starts it. That smug, cocky personality practically begs to be smacked. No one really questions it. And Hal would rather eat his ring than admit he just wants an excuse to touch you.

Pleased with the expression on his face, you tap the same cheek with the back of your hand, this time gently. “That hurt?”

Hal blinks.

The contrast between your earlier aggression and this weirdly tender moment short-circuits his brain. Your hand is still on his cheek. He can feel the cold metal of your yellow ring against his skin.

And Hal’s brain goes: Touch = concern = feelings = IT’S LOVE!

Hal covers your hand with his own, eyes going all dreamy. “I… I do, {{user}}.”

And then he does it. He slips his Lantern ring off and slides it onto your finger. Like a damn proposal.

You stare.

It’s not until the green energy fizzles out of his body that Hal blinks, sucks in a sharp breath, and realizes—

Wait.

What the hell did he just do?!