Writing the Hassel

Kon-El and Ker-El.

Superboy and Match.

Conner and Kent.

They belonged together; Conner belonged with him, not Tim... not Bart. Conner belonged to him.

Superman - Kal-El... he gave Match a name... a Kryptonian name. Ker-El. He claimed Match to the house of El. Match was so happy...

Match had two names... three, if you counted the one he gave himself... Match and Ker-El... and the only human name he had, he'd given himself. Conner's was... Conner Kent, right? Match had decided he'd be Kent Connor, then - Conner's other half. His opposite.

Because that's what he was. Conner's other half.

So he was a Kent... but it didn't feel right.

"Matt..." Conner breathed, arching under Match's mouth on his cock, fingers tangled in the darkly dyed hair. Match flushed hotter,  his concentration thrown. He wasn't even sure if he was giving a good blow job (also, no blowing involved... so why was it called a blow job, he wondered) he just knew he liked the noises coming from Conner and...

He was pretty sure the other had just nicknamed him.

It was the first syllable of his name. Match. Mat. But a nickname was a nickname. At least, Match hoped he'd just been nicknamed and he wasn't just being delusional like Conner always accused him of.

"M-Matthew..." Conner half-whined, a hum quivering in his voice as his fingers tugged at dyed locks. Match grunted around the older Super's length, moaning softly; finding it odd how Conner tugging at his hair felt so nice - and again, becoming partially distracted.

No way - Conner just gave him a name, right? He wasn't saying someone else's name? Match didn't think there was anyone Conner knew that was named Matthew... Was it his name? He was pretty sure Conner just named him.

Matthew. Matthew Kent. He liked that. They could both be Kents, like their dad (who still didn't seem to understand what it meant when half your DNA came from one person, and the other half from another person.)

Match could imagine it now, though, telling Clark -

"I was giving Conner a blow job, or trying to since I didn't know how, and he named me Matthew. What do you think?"

- maybe not tell him everything of how it came to be. He was still learning what was acceptable to tell people, and he was pretty sure that wasn't okay to tell Superman.

Match grunted, feeling saliva and precum on his lips and at the corners of his mouth, feeling messy but sucking harder to try and not look silly (he was an adult, he shouldn't be drooling). However, as he bobbed his head and rolled Conner's testes in his hand, Match found it very difficult to not drool... perhaps that was supposed to happen then...

"Nnnh - M-Matty..." Conner moaned, hands tangling in dyed locks and tugging, but then pushing Match's head down as the older of the two bucked and pumped into the natural blonde's mouth and throat, hips moving unevenly and frantically.

Match let him. He'd promised to please him instead of hurting him this time (like earlier when they'd tackled each other through walls.) He did like the noises Conner was making, and despite how awkward it felt to have his face humped, Match didn't mind so much because Conner.

"M-Match -- Matthew--!" despite Conner's vice hitching, he really hadn't expected the older to bury his cock into his throat and, hips undulating and rocking as he rode out his orgasm, spilling into the clone of the clone's  throat, then mouth; just as Match had gasped in surprised and pulled up, several strings of cum striping Match's face as Conner went limp on the mattress, eyes fixated at the younger male.

Match licked his lips, breath labored and brow furrowed in curiosity, smearing cum and saliva across them. It was... sweet? But salty. It didn't taste too terribly bad. It could be worse.

"It's sweet."

Conner hummed, nodding, "Tim makes me eat a lot of fruit. Because it's good for me." the original clone rolled his eyes, like as if he found Tim's efforts a pain in the ass. Match had to agree with Conner, though. Fruit was unnecessary. He liked meat better himself.

Still, Match gave him a confused look.

"What does fruit have to do with... this?" Match motioned to everything before him, hand then moving to start wiping his face clean.

"If I ate more meat, it'd be more bitter."

Match, however, just looked more confused. What in the world? Was that made up or real?

Conner nudged him in the face with the inside of his thigh, an eyebrow cocked. Which only seemed to make Match more determined and stubborn, puffing up his chest.

"How do I...?" the clone of the clone deflated a bit then, shoulders drooping, "...without hurting you?"

He promised afterall.

Conner paused, looking puzzled, "I like it rough... why do you care so suddenly?"

In turn, Match looked to the side, sitting up between the original super teen's legs; the main difference between the two right then? Conner was naked -Match was still fully dressed. The younger "twin" fidgeted with his shirt before peeling it off and dropping it to the side, somewhere off the side of the bed, "Well... you said I hurt you a lot when we were fighting each other... and I did ask to pleasure you."

Both Kryptonian men's cheeks flushed.

There was a long, pregnant paused, even as Conner leaned up to undo Match's jeans, the younger male watching Conner's hands.

"Is this technically masturbation?" Match suddenly asked, getting an odd look from the first son.

"Dude..."

"Technically it is, right? So it's not like... it's wrong or anythi-" Conner covered Match's mouth, glaring at him.

"Match. Shut up."

He'd been demoted back to Match... he missed "Matthew" already. Match pouted after Conner as the older flopped back over - looking miserable. That was his fault, wasn't it? Emotions were so stupid and weird...

Oh wait, maybe another blow job?

Match wiggled to lean down between Conner's legs again, giving his cock a lick along the ridge of the head, pushing his own pants down his hips and off, as Conner gasped in surprise. The older male reached down, grabbing at Match's hair and tugging him up roughly, causing the younger to wince this time.

"Matt - don't..."

"Let me give you pleasure. You can say I made you."

"...Do you even know what you're saying?" Conner had a hurt look on his face but Match had no idea why, really. Could it be he was concerned? That would be nice; he'd like it if Conner was concerned about him.

"Yes. But people hate me already... All I need is Superman, you, and Thad." he paused, then nodded, "And Thad's cat."

"No, Matty." Conner mumbled with a heart-heavy sigh, hands moving to cup his face, "You aren't forcing me, you idiot, no matter how much of an asshole you are."

"But Timothy--" Match's brow furrowed, jealousy evident, but relaxing as Conner bumped their foreheads together.

"Let's stop talking about Tim."

"What about Bart?"

"Match." clipped.

"...Sorry." pouting.

"You need to stop harassing my friends." Conner sighed, thumbs petting Match's cheekbones.

"They're stealing you from me." Match claimed, lips pursed stubbornly.

"I'm here, aren't I?"

Match stared at Conner, feeling hesitant and like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Conner, however, just smiled lightly at him, surprisingly patient (and amused) as he held Match's face, almost as if he were waiting for an answer. Instead, however, Match reached down, hands grasping Conner's ass cheeks and spreading them, making the older of the two, flush and gasp softly, eyes widening.

Conner lifted his thighs, hugging Match's hips, and still holding the younger clone's face, eyes daring, "Do it already, Matt."

Still, he had a name~ A name Conner gave to him~ How exciting~

"Matthew." impatience.

Match shifted forth a bit, using a hand to take hold of himself as he pressed his hips forward, plunging deep and hard into Conner's unprepared hole, both males feeling two distinct different kinds of stinging from the motion as Match dropped his head to the natural brunette's shoulder with a long, low moan at the tight heat that also enveloped his aching, quivering cock; whereas Conner arched with a sharp cry, both hands clawing Match's bare back as he tilted his head back into the mattress, thighs flexing at tan hips and heels pressing hard at the small of Match's back, walls spasming and throbbing around Match's length.

"M-Matthew~!"

Match knew that taking someone unprepared usually hurt both parties, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle and Conner sounded far from hurt. What Match didn't know was Conner enjoyed the burning of the stretch, the feeling of being suddenly full. What he did know was that he really liked the way Conner called his name. Called his name.

He had a name~

"Matty... Matthew - move."

He should probably stop getting distracted.

Nonetheless, Match obeyed. Experimentally, since he was still winging it, he rolled his hips, pulling out part way, only to immediately, and suddenly thrust back into Conner deeply, evoking a gasp as Conner's hands drew blunt nails along Match's back - thus began a chain effect. Everytime Conner drew his nails down Match's back, he left long, raised, very temporary grooves, which lead to Match snapping his hips, thrusting deep and hard, faster with every pump, which, in turn, caused Conner to squeeze around his cock and claw along his back, leaving more angry, red marks against tan skin.

"M-Matt--"

Encouraged by Conner's sharp cries and moans, Match curled closer, teeth biting into Conner's shoulder as he thrust harder, the bed complaining loudly, creaking and thumping from the force, smacking against the wall.

To Match, this felt so much better than the previous time. To him, it was easier to feel Conner tremble and arch, to hear raw, breathless moans and cries pull from him; to feel Conner's hands on him.

But all too soon, did he feel his climax approaching, he could feel his cock aching as it strained and his balls tighten, his hips stuttering as each thrust became more frantic and desperate.

Conner gave a loud cry, shaking as he yanked Match's head up, crashing their mouths together in a heated, passionate kiss, painting both their bellies in his cum. Match felt Conner tighten around him, squeezing his cock in a kind of rhythm - driving the younger male over the edge as he buried into Conner, leaning so heavily into his body that he practically lay atop Conner.

Moaning, both young men kissed, breathless as their passionate kiss became lazy and gentle, tender. Conner pet his fingers through Match's hair, massaging his scalp as their tongues and lips danced and moved against each other, not really fighting for dominance, and basking in their shared afterglow.

Humming, Conner was the first to break the kiss, petting Match's hair as the younger male ducked his head to bury it to the crook of Kon's neck, laying on him and getting comfortable, not wanting to pull out or away quite yet.

"Mmm... you got a lot better at kissing than you were an hour ago." Match could hear the humor in Conner's voice, but he didn't care to retaliate as he was too comfortable to do so. Instead, he simply grunted.

Damian shifted in bed, surrounded in a mass of blankets and pillows with a dark haired woman in his arms, light shining through the curtains so very early in the morning. Inhaling her scent deeply, the middle-aged man squeezed her slightly in an embrace, comforted by her very presence. Lightly did he draw his fingers along her back, calloused, tan fingers tracing soft, tan skin, feeling every little dip of the Kryptonian woman's vertebrae. The sleeping woman shifted in his arms slightly, head tilted to rest on the pillow as well as Damian's arm, and twisting her hips to lay on her side, bare back side pressing to his bare front as she flung a leg over his.

The demon possessed man drew his fingers down her side, watching the slight twinges in her frame from her wiggling slightly. Her wriggling caused her to press back against him more, his morning erection pressing easily between her open thighs and sliding against her moist sex, resting as both adults ceased movement for the moment.

Damian inhaled deeply again, breathing in her glorious scent of coconut and mint, raising a hand a moment later to pet her hair back out of her face, earning a content sigh from the Kryptonian woman. Lightly, he brushed her hair from his own face before drawing calloused fingertips along her neck, feeling the slightly quickened pace her pulse was running at, and feeling her shoulders flex and shift slightly back against his chest. The dark haired man nuzzled his face forward, lips brushing her ear, feeling her flex against him and her thighs slightly hug his length.

"Kon-El..." he murmured, voice deep and lulling, almost a hum; he trailed his fingers down to her chest, following the fall of a breast and cupping a breast, forefinger and middle resting on either side of a pert nipple. Gently did he shift his forefinger back and forth, petting a small part of her breast and gently pinching the rosey-tan bud. As soon as he started the motion, he could feel her flexing again, thighs trembling as they shifted enough to hug his cock between them and against her sex, where he could feel just how wet she was due to the natural juices coating part of his length.

Inhaling her scent again, the man from the distant future pulled his hand from her breast, down her side, and her hip, slipping to the back of her thigh, lifting the limb carefully as he kissed gently along her lobe, across the edge of her jaw and to the center of her neck. Carefully, he slipped her thigh over his forearm, hooking at his elbow, and sliding his left leg (the one he was not laying on) between her spread ones. Damian curled his arm, her leg still hooked over his arm, to grasp himself, rubbing the head of his cock gently between the lips of her vulva, at the opening of her vagina, to her clit, and back, relishing in the soft, little sighs and short hums that left the woman.

Damian's gaze flittered up slightly, from where he was kissing and nibbling her neck, to watch her fingers flex and curl in the bedding around them, having been discarded sometime in the middle of the night. Gingerly, he brought the head of his cock to the opening between her nether lips, pushing into her moist warmth slowly and carefully, his breath catching in his throat as Kon let out a low, wanton moan, her hips dipping as she arched against him.

"'amian..."

He nibbled at her neck, sucking skin between his teeth as he ran his tongue over the trapped flesh, caressing it almost. Carefully, he squirmed his way up the bed slightly on his side, just enough to make it easier to make love to her in their positions. Releasing his length, Damian moved his arm back to hold her thigh just above the knee, lifting it higher as he rolled his hips, sighing on a hum as her heat surrounded his cock.

"Ahh - Damian...~"

The Kryptonian woman tilted her head back a bit, more towards the pillow to let him stay at her neck, her breaths coming in breathy moans as Damian rolled and snapped his hips, spreading her with every little, gentle thrust. The ex-assassin released her neck in favor of nipping towards her shoulder, kissing the richly tanned flesh there before biting lightly, sucking as he rolled his hips to mostly face his front to the bed, straddling her right thigh as he hooked her left at his left hip, suddenly and fluidly spearing the mass of his cock deep into her; so deep that she could feel the pressure he presented as he brushed over her cervix - it wasn't painful, no, if it all, it made her squirm and give a small cry, both hands grasping the blankets tight and twisting them.

"D-Dami...Damian~"

The demon possessed man didn't stop there, though, as he rolled his hips back, fluidly, and glided back into her, stuffing his entire length into her at a slow, calm pace with every intent to let her become fully aware to the world feeling every inch of him. Keeping at the current slow, languid pace, he moved his now free left hand to smooth along her belly, pressing lightly to see if he could feel how deep he was, or if it would just be her. His right arm held him up, bent at a ninety degree angle near her back, as he ran his mouth along her collarbone, teeth grazing the trail.

With ever withdraw of his hips, he pressed upward, and with every undulation of his hips, he pressed back down into her, though at their positions, to her it would feel like he was pressing in towards her right, and drawing back out along her left. Gently, Damian drew his hand up her belly, her ribs, and to her chest, pressing her lightly to roll her upper half to the bed, back first. Not only was his own breathing lightly labored, but Kon's voice was coming out in hitched whines and wanton moans, accompanied by light but deep panting as she sleepily opened her eyes to gaze at him through sky blue eyes, licking her lips.

"Mmm... Da...mian~" the Super cooed, lips curled in a happy, sultry little smirk, tan cheeks stained with heat; purposely, she flexed around his length, causing his hips to stutter and give several, short thrusts deep inside of her, grinding something that caused her to arch and protrude her chest towards him with a lewd, soft cry.

"Kon--" Damian breathed, long dark lashes fluttering to a content close only momentarily. He paused most movement to slip both arms between hers and her sides, grinding her walls gently as he rolled his hips, buried inside of her and causing her to gasp and squirm, pulling at his hair and drawing blunt nails harshly across a shoulder blade, her legs jerking and kicking slightly at his hip and between his knees, flexing.

"D-Damian...!"

Aforementioned acrobatic man bowed his head again, mouth capturing a pearled, rosey-tan nipple between lips, teeth lightly tugging at the sensitive nub as he sucked, tongue rubbing firmly. Damian rolled his hips back, snapping back into Kon suddenly; but this time, when he pulled back, he started a much faster and more shallow pace than previously, pumping faster and harder into the Kryptonian halfling, causing her to bend her knees and curl her legs to hug both his hip and thigh, her hands scratching at his back and tugging at his hair.

She could feel butterflies dancing through her entire chest, felt her body quivering with every thrust, and felt her body flood with that oh-so-pleasant tingling sensations joined with wave after wave of heat as Damian took claim of her body; took care to drive her to climax first.

A whimper drew from Kon's lips as Damian's mouth moved from her right breast, letting out a startled gasp as cold air brushed the saliva-slicked nub, and moaned with heavy desire as his lips took claim to her left nipple; and arched with a cry, cumming and hips jerking against his wildly as Damian's teeth tugged lightly at the sensitive pearl, her walls flexing and clenching his cock, her toes curling as she trembled, riding out her orgasm.

At that, Damian's thrusts became frantic and short, plowing her harder and thrusting into her fast as he lifted his head to kiss her deeply, lovingly. He came only upon the third or fourth thrust, drilling into her as he helped her to ride out the rest of her own orgasm, as well as his own, emptying into her with each pump of his hips. Kon hugged his neck, kissing him back with fervor as her walls flexed and throbbed with the treatment, enjoying the warmth filling her very core with a loud, happy moan, her breasts pressed firmly to his bare chest, their tongues and teeth and lips locked in a bout of passion.

Slowly, Damian's hips came to a still as he settled, buried inside of her, cock throbbing and pulsing as he softened, both individuals lip-locked now in a tender, lazy battle of pecks and fleeting little kisses. The older man dare not lay on her, even though he knew she could handle his weight, for he didn't want to have her pull a muscle with him laying on her at an odd angle. Casually, Kon moved a hand to card her fingers through his hair, nails running lightly along his scalp. Finally, they Damian rest his forehead to Kon's, both their cheeks flushed from contentment.

"Mmm... good morning, Kon..." there was a purr to his low voice, his deep, navy blues staring lazily into her sky blue orbs, a tiny smile on his lips that she returned with a quirk of her own.

"G'mornin', Dami..." she pet his hair, scritching his scalp tenderly, watching his lashes flutter, "I liked that wake up~"

A small chuckle rumbled in the tall man's chest as he practically nuzzled her fingers happily, "I thought you might... We'll go to breakfast in just a bit, I'm comfortable..."

Kon hummed, but then nodded lightly, "Oh alright, but only if you make it up to me for depriving me of my breakfast."

"It's ten minutes."

- Part 1 -

August 16

            "Lance, what are you doing out here?"

            The teenager in question turned, cheeks hot as he looked at the birthday girl, Jaya, his teeth on his lips as he chewed them nervously. It was her 10th birthday, but it was the first birthday that she would have at the manor.

            "A-air... Too many..." men, "... people."

            The birthday girl looked confused, twirling a lock of dyed black hair around her finger, "There isn't that many... it's just Bruce's friends from the League, right? And the office?"

            Office. Yeah. The thirteen year old wasn't sure how none of them noticed some of the crooked businessmen. Of course, they hadn't suspected Grantland Stark, either, now had they?

            "I... I guess..." Lance mumbled, fingering his birthday present for her behind his back. He was also, quite honestly, embarrassed. Most people wouldn't understand this gift. But she would. She definitely would, she played the game, too.

            ... But mostly, he still didn't like people. He couldn't help but -

            - Nope! Not today. It was Jaya's birthday, and she needed to be treated properly.

            "Look... if I stay with you out here for ten minutes, will you come back in with me?" she even pouted at him.

            Dammit.

            Lance was nodding before he thought to stop himself, but she smiled and clapped her hands together happily, "Perfect!"

            He offered her a return smile as he looked at her, heart pounding, "J-Jaya... you look really pretty today..." and she did, dressed in a pretty, green and white dress.

            She blinked in surprise before flushing, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling shyly at him, "You really think so?"

            "I know so! You're so pretty, I could just die!" he blurted out; but it made her laugh, so that was okay and reduced his embarrassment slightly.

            "Okay, but don't die, it's my birthday and your death would so suck..."

            "I didn't mean literally...!" he went wide-eyed, alarmed.

            "Lancelot! Relax! It's okay, I was just teasing you~"

            He flushed in embarrassment, "O-oh..."

            Jaya stalked up to him, and around him, examining him, making him more nervous (accidentally).

            "Lanny... what's in the box?"

            Oh... duh... she was circling him, how could she not see the box?

            "Um..." he shifted, holding the box in front of him, thumbs feeling along the edges nervously, "... a birthday present."

            "But I already opened your present." Jaya's cheek colored. He'd made her three blankets - one crocheted, one knit, and one quilt; all in different shades of green and all King sized (and shut up, men could make things like that, too).

            "I uh... I got you another... Not for anyone else to see... It's only for you..." Lance was fighting to not stutter and to not flee.

            "O-oh... it's not something weird, is it?" Jaya asked as he finally passed her the box.

            "That depends on your definition of weird but I don't think so..." Lance trailed off, his brow furrowed as Jaya started to carefully open the box.

            She glanced at him before withdrawing a lightly beaded, blue feather from the box. The feather was a vibrant blue, and as long as Lance's hand from wrist to the tip of his middle finger, the plume was thick and undisturbed.

            Jaya gasped, flushing - she knew exactly what it meant. Lance looked down, red-faced.

            "L-Lance..."

            "I j-just... we both like Harvest Moon and..."

            "... Lance... take me to try on dresses tomorrow... okay?"

            Lance paused, looking back up and at Jaya's smiling face before nodding slowly, almost shyly, cheeks hot.

            "Okay..."

- Part 2 -

December 2

            "Lance, what are you doing out here?"

            Aforementioned seventeen year old lifted his head, pale eyes bright as he spotted Jaya, a playful, happy smile spreading across his lips, dimples showing. In return, the dyed brunette smiled just a bit wider, pecking the older on the lips.

            "Just getting some fresh air~ Thinking... you know?"

            "Yeah... but it's cold."

            And Lance knew it was, even though he usually ran warmer than your average human being and didn't feel the cold as much... because she was pert through her shirt (and her bra, it looked like).

            Though, if he told her that, she'd surely smack him, no matter how intimate they have been, especially the past year.

            "Well, why didn't you bring a jacket?"

            Jaya's cheeks pinkened, causing Lance to chuckle, and especially look amused as she stammered, "I... I figured you'd come inside." Lance cocked an eyebrow, lips curled in an amused smirk.

            "Come inside?"

            The fourteen year old colored darker and smacked his arm, "Did you just--?!"

            He chuckled before shrugging his jacket off, swinging it around Jaya's shoulders. She was much more likely to get cold than he was. Almost pouting, she looked at him pointedly, brow creased curiously.

            "Jaya~" Lance murmured on a coo, a loving smile on his lips as he pulled both sleeves of his jacket, pulling Jaya closer to him. He saw a look of worry flitter across her features, replaced by curiosity once more.

            "Lance? We're in the garden..."

            "Shhh... relax..." he chuckled, shaking his head, "We'll save naughty time for later~" the very words even had Lance himself blushing.

            Even as Jaya rose her voice in a hushed whisper, "L-Lance...!"

            "I'd apologize but I'm not sorry~" he chimed, chuckling as he got down on one knee. It seemed to take jaya a moment to get some kind of idea of what he was doing...

            - before she smacked him lightly, "No, you pervert! Bruce is waiting inside for us..."

            Apparently the wrong idea.

            "No no no - hold on, I was just..." Lance laughed, fishing around in his pocket for something. Did she have no idea? She didn't expect what he was doing... perfect~

            "Just... what? What are you doing, Lance?" Jaya asked skeptically, voice lowering.

            "Jaya... I've loved you... ever since I first laid eyes on you. Since we were kids... through the good and the bad... fighting with and against each other... I'll never stop loving you." Lance glanced back up, holding a small, green velvet box in his hand, "I never want to be out of your life... and I need you in mine. I will always do anything for you. Anything."

            He watched as Jaya lifted her hands to her face, teary eyed and red-faced, sleeves of his jacket dangling.

            "And of course... I'll stand by your decisions... I'll support you... I'll do whatever I can for you. As much as I'd love to be your only one... I'll understand no matter what you choose..." he flipped open the box, taking one of her hands as she lowered the both of them - but only briefly as she lifted one hand back up to press her fingers to her lips again.

            "OhmyGod..."

            "Jaya Todd, will you accept this promise ring? With the promise to one day marry me? To one day have our own family? To love one another, even after death?" there, Lance's voice cracked - but could you blame him? He was pouring his heart out to her, putting his hopes and dreams into this pair of rings, holding so much confidence even though he partly wanted to hide.

            "OhGod - Lance --"

            Would she say no? Just like that, that brief thought deflated his ego.

            "Yes - yes, of course!" there was a bounce where she stood and a couple tears that she quickly wiped away. The smile returned to Lance's face as he smiled, pulling the ring free and sliding it onto her finger, just before she dropped to her knees, hugging Lance's neck for dear life.

            "Oof -- h-hey, it's okay, Jaya... just breathe, okay?" he knew they were happy tears, but he still didn't want her making herself sick. With a soft chuckled, he wrapped his arms around her protectively, hoping she hadn't hurt her knees when she'd dropped to them.

            "I kn-know that, dummy..." she sniffled, face pressed to his neck, "You... you have one, too, right?"

            "Huh? Yeah, you know... just in case you'd said yes..."

            "Of course I'd... oh, just gimme the ring, you dork." lightly, she papped him upside the head, still hugging him even as he retrieved the second box; from his coat (which she was still wearing, of course). Quickly, she swiped the box from him, popping it open with her thumb and fiddling with the box.

            "Ah - you fiend!" he laughed, shifting a bit to hopefully make it easier for her to do what she wanted, only to pout as she pulled away and grabbed his hand, slipping the thicker, matching titanium band onto his left ring finger.

            "Oh shush, you love me." she laughed, slapping his shoulder lightly.

            "Well... that's true." he chuckled, enveloping her in another embrace, standing with her as Jaya burst out into a fit of giggles, hugging Lance's neck.

            "I love you, my Lancelot~"

            "And I love you more, Jaya."

            "Pfft, you wish!"

            "Oh, I know so! I'm older, see, so it totally counts!"

            "Cheater! It doesn't even work like that~"

- Part 3 -

October 15

            "Lance, what are you doing out here?"

            Red Hood turned, hearing his name, lips formed into a small frown under the helmet, "Names, Jaya."

            "Oh, relax... what are you doing outside my room?" she asked, rubbing her wet hair with a towel, brow creased. Reaching up, the twenty-five year old stepped into her room, removing the helmet and tossing it onto her bed, before turning to the young woman.

            "I... sorry, I didn't want to wait until day time and Bruce is in the city right now and your window was open and Alfred gave me a cookie..." and there he went again, as usual, babbling away nervously.

            A heavy sigh left Jaya's lips as she held her bathrobe tightly shut around her frame, letting the towel settle on her shoulders. Lance babbling was never a good thing. She had learned that a long, long time ago. "Lance. Focus."

            "Huh? Oh... right... uh... I don't actually know if you still want to..." he fished around in his pockets, going towards her and kneeling down on one knee.

            As soon as the twenty-two year old saw the gunner's hands disappear in his pocket, Jaya could feel her heart speeding up. Lance getting down on one knee had her cheeks colored a bright red and her mouth already open in shock, "Lance...?" Oh God, what was he doing?

            "I uh... before you... were gone... when we were teenagers..." Lance smiled fondly, "I asked if you'd... if you'd marry me when we were older..." his cheeks colored, hot and red, his pale blue eyes showing his obvious nervousness, "and I was just wondering... if you'd... if you'd still like to..." he withdrew a little, dark red, velvet box, thumb rubbing it a moment before offering it up and flipping it open, presenting her with a titanium band, a peridot shaped heart in the center with three, small diamonds lining a curve on either side of the heart, "To marry me?"

            That smile... the smile alone already had her choking up with emotion, nevermind being reminded about the fact that she had been promised to him. Tears stung her eyes as he continued and her hands flew up to cover her mouth. He was proposing?! Now?!

            "O-oh..."

            When he opened the ring box, Jaya couldn't contain herself. The tears started flowing instantly and she found herself nodding. Bruce could shove it. She was still in love with the man before her... Nothing either of them could do or say would ever change that. That smile... that smile still grabbed her.

            "Yes... Yes, Lance..."

            Relief flooded his features as she accepted; honestly, he'd been prepared for her to say no, even if they'd promised themselves to each other years ago. He'd been so used to things not going his way, or in a good way, that he'd forgotten what it was like to legitimately feel good.

            However, she'd said yes. She'd said yes, to him. Even though she lived with Bruce, she said yes... to him.

            Shaking slightly from nerves, he pulled the ring from the box and took her hand, slowly slipping the ring on before standing and cupping her cheek, "I love you, Jaya..." a relieved smile rest on his lips.

            Laughing softly, tears escaping down her cheeks, she looked at the ring settled on her left ring finger, her nose burning and tingling from trying not to cry. The titanium was like a dark, gunmetal color, a strong metal. It definitely wasn't silver, it was too dark, too hard. But... it had a peridot, her birthstone, in the very center, as a heart. The diamonds accentuating the peridot and making it look more vibrant.

            Then she remembered that Lance's birthstone was diamond.

            The ring... was it how he felt?

            The titanium was a strong foundation... housing the peridot heart, the center - her... with himself.

            Swallowing hard, she tugged him up off his knees, flinging her arms around his neck. Maybe she was imagining things, but she probably wasn't. He was always sentimental and thinking with his heart first (despite the trouble he usually ended up in).

            Lance wrapped his arms around her, lovingly, sighing in relief over her shoulder as she shifted, "You better have a ring, too."

            Giving a light chuckle, he nodded a bit, "Mm... in my jacket pocket, yes, I do..."

            Shifting to sneak a hand into his jacket, her knuckles brushed one pistol, and another she actually didn't know he had there before finding a small bulge in a pocket. Sneaking her hand into the pocket, she retrieved the velvet box, pulling it free and holding it between them, running her thumb over the material. Humming lightly, she thumbed the box open, pulling herself free to grab his hand, tugging the glove off his left hand after undoing the strap holding it in place. Carefully, she slipped the ring onto his finger, grabbing his hand and ducking her head to peer at the details. It was a simpler version of hers - thicker band, no curves, the peridot was still a heart, three diamonds in a line on either side in uniform.

            She didn't even notice Lance lift his other arm, not until he jerked her towel back over her head and rubbed the towel at her scalp. She eeped, released his arm (as it joined the other), and held onto his hips, letting him.

            "I still... I still have my promise ring, Lancelot." she voiced, which seemed to cause him to stop. Jaya reached up, pushing the towel from her head again.

            "I thought... it was lost when... you were overseas or..." she knew he was trying, almost desperately so, to not say she died, but she knew what he meant - he was talking about the explosion or being buried.

            "I hid it in my room before I left..." her memories were pretty scrambled, but she remembered that. The ring felt... safe, "... so I didn't lose it."

            She chanced looking up at him; his brow furrowed, lips parted, eyes surprised.

            "Mine's in the picture frame of us beside my bed." he blurted out - then blushed, hard, embarrassed. Jaya blinked, then giggled, covering her mouth with her fingers a moment.

            "I know... I saw~"

            Lance grunted, blushing still as he remained embarrassed, wrapping his arms around Jaya, "I love you, my Queen~"

            "Not as much as I love you, my King~"

            "You wish~"

            "Oh, I know so~"

            "I'm older, so I love you more~"

            "Pssh, what~eeeever~"

- Part 4 -

December 2

            "Lance, what are you doing out here?"

            The twenty-six year old jerked, temporarily choking on his own air intake and pounding on his chest, startled. Spinning around, brow furrowed, looking up at Jaya half-dangling from the window accusingly.

            "Air. Why are you hanging out the window? I'm not supposed to see you for a few more minutes."

            "You act like it's bad luck..."

            "It is! You said so!" Lance protested.

            The twenty-three year old bride laughed, shaking her head, "Oh - gotta go, see you in a few minutes, Mr. Bruner~"

            Lance blinked, tilting his head, then smiled, "Very well, Mrs. Bruner, I love you~"

            She giggled, blowing him a kiss, "I love you, too~" she withdrew, pink-faced, just as Dick flung the door open, grabbing Lance's arm.

            "Bear! You were supposed to be inside ten minutes ago!" Lance half-flailed in protest, mostly letting Dick drag him inside unhindered.

            "Stop callin' me Bear, we aren't kids anymore...!" Lance audibly protested, embarrassed as he was dragged past the guests to the altar.

            It was odd, people he used to call 'friend' were there, people from before Red Hood... and they weren't trying to apprehend him (besides Dick, apparently). Even Bruce was there - except Bruce looked the most proud, oddly enough. Lance was sure Bruce wouldn't have shown, was sure most of the people who were there wouldn't have shown. And why would they?

            But there was Clark and Lois, and their adopted son, Chris was standing, but only momentarily before he zipped over to sit with the kids his age - Damian, Lian, Irey, Jay, Nell, little miss Sin Lance...

            Of course, it looked like Tim was having a hard time getting his friends, Bart and Conner, to sit still. Behind them sat Wally and Linda, Iris next to her nephew, and Barry on her other side - even Jay Garrick and his wife, Joan, were there. Across the aisle from Jay was Alan Scott, jibing across at Jay even as Hal literally poked at Alan. John Stewart's hand was pressed to his own face as Carol Ferris and Guy Gardener argued with each other on either side of him. Kyle looked like he was drawing on something and...

            Lance jerked as he heard the cheesy chiming of "Here Comes the Bride", looking immediately towards the double doors where Bruce (unsurprisingly with his magical Bat-teleportation powers) was hooked to his stunning bride by the arm. The blonde's breath caught in his throat as his heart took off like a squirrel on a sugar rush.

            Everyone seemed to fade out; their voices, their presence...

            The only thing he saw, the only one he saw was Jaya.

            His bride, the love of his life, the one he would do anything for. No matter what.

            Jaya. She was his... and he was hers...

            Watching her walk down the aisle in such a perfect, accentuating dress that she complimented was... difficult and agonizing. He wanted, so badly, to make love to her right on the pedestal (but that wasn't such a great idea, now was it?) He felt chilled, but he knew it was from nerves.

            As Bruce brought her up, Lance finally looked away from Jaya's smiling, beautiful face, only briefly and only because he felt Bruce's gaze bore into him. Except when he looked at him, a small smile spread across his adopted father's lips - which felt weird, so he immediately looked back at Jaya, red-faced.

            He turned to follow Jaya, watching her step up next to him at the altar and facing the priest (well, it was J'onn, really, just in case some super villain tried to crash the wedding).

            The proceedings came as a blur, Lance and Jaya facing each other, holding each other's hands - standing far closer than most people did at their weddings.

            His beautiful, beautiful bride... with her pretty smile, and her electric but ghostly blue eyes that used to be teal... her dimples were evident and her natural rich skin was only put more on display by her wedding dress. Her burgundy hair held a beautiful shine and bounce to it...

            She really didn't need to do much, she was already beautiful and perfect. But what she did so... left him breathless.

            Honestly, he never expected this day to come. He'd given up on marriage, love, a family... happiness... when she'd died. In a way... he'd died with her... with their child...

            But now she was back... she was alive... she may not be able to have children, but they could adopt or something.

            Right now... here they were... her hair in curls and waves past her shoulders, a diamond brooch of a hair clip keeping her hair from her eyes - simple and complimenting of her dress. A white, strapless dress, leaving her shoulders bare; a lace and rhinestone flower-patterned slip over the main dress, covering her feet and spanning behind her in a circle, but falling in front of her in waves, and a diamond brooch following the curve of her neck and collar, dangling from several strands of pearls braid together.

            So simple... but so amazing.

            There was so much more work put into her outfit than his; he was dress in a black suit, his tie purple, his cufflinks silver, shirt white and the vest under his jacket was purple as well - at the request of Jaya.

            Jaya. She did so amazingly well with the wedding arrangements. She had him pick a day, and she did the rest... and Bruce offered to pay for it.

            So here they stood in a grand hall, white and decked in silver and purple; helitropes, sweet peas of purple, pink and white, scarlet poppies, and a mess of red, purple, and white roses littered the hall and accented wrists, lapels and the ends of benches.

            "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jaya Todd and Lancelot Bruner. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."

            Lance swallowed thickly, returning Jaya's nervous smile.

            "Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through the combined effort and mutual support provided in love, commitment, and family."

            Lance pet his thumbs over Jaya's hands, his touch lightly, Jaya's head tilting slightly as she smiled more proudly at him.

            "To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate Jaya and Lancelot the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make today."

            Jaya gave a small, weepy little laugh.

            "True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends, your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of togetherness becomes a little clearer each day."

            Lance felt his stomach flip - the vows were coming, his was a list of what he thought of her but... maybe he could just...

            "If I understand, the bride and groom have... written their own vows. Jaya, would you like to go first?"

            "Ah - yes, I would... <Jaya's vows>."

            Red-faced and biting his lip, Lance eyed Jaya, so much love and affection in his gaze, and the barest hint of tears in his eyes. He smiled at her finally, trying not to sniffle (she'd kill him, because then she'd start crying, too).

            "Lancelot. It's your turn..." J'onn's voice was smooth, warming, inviting - almost like Bruce's used to be, and that was nearly the straw that broke the camel's back. But he persevered (he was not a crybaby, screw you).

            "Right..." Lance cleared his throat, inhaling deeply and looking a bit embarrassed, "Jaya... I don't know how many times I tried to write out how I... felt... but I didn't succeed. However..." he licked his lips, looking apologetic at her momentary look of disappointment, "... I'm pretty good at talking as I go. Jaya... I have loved you since the moment I met you. Since that moment Bruce brought you home to the manor and Alfred let us all stay up together and have milk and cookies."

            There were a few chuckles around the room and from Jaya as Bruce gave a soft huff and Alfred just looked proud of himself in his very English manner.

            "I didn't know it was love at first, though. I'd just turned thirteen, and Dick was twelve, and you were nine... I just knew I wanted to spend all my time with you. It was weird, because I didn't much like most people, but then you came along, and I wanted to spend time with you. Even to do dumb things like spend an hour arguing over the last slice of pizza, only for Dick to come steal it." Lance grinned as Jaya laughed and nodded, and he assumed that even if she didn't remember that at least it was funny and made her laugh, "And that love... for you... only grew from there and over the years no matter if we spent time together or apart... I always thought about you. Even when you were gone and I was... alone... I only thought about you..."

            Everyone hushed and Jaya looked saddened; but it was true, drunk or not, every plan of his involved revenge for Jaya and their child, even if the opposing had nothing to do with their deaths.

            "But then you came back. I'd been lost for so...so long... with no real purpose or aspiration and nothing but hate... but you came back... and just seeing you again reminded me what love was... Jaya... you are my heart... you're my very soul."

            Jaya but her lip, bringing a hand up to her nose and mouth as a soft sob left her, and Lance's eyes widened, his nose and eyes burning as he tried in vain to not let tears fall.

            "H-hey, Jaya... i-it's okay..."

            "Y-you jerk..." she laughed lightly, sniffling as she used her pointer to catch the tears before they ruined her make-up.

            J'onn cleared his throat, "Do you, Jaya, accept Lancelot, as your partner in life, to support and respect him in his successes and as well his failures, to care for him in sickness and in health, to nurture him, and to grow with him throughout the seasons of your life together?"

            "I do." Jaya half-whispered, looking intensely into Lance's eyes as he looked back at her.

            "And do you, Lancelot, accept Jaya, as your partner in life, to support and respect her in her success and as well her failures, to care for her in sickness and in health, to nurture her, and to grow with her throughout the seasons of your life together?"

            "I do." Lance spoke louder than Jaya, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

            "The rings?" from Lance's side, Dick stepped forward long enough to hand the small, white velvet adorned with silver metal, with purple velvet inside, to Lance, and Babs leaned forward in her chair to give Jaya hers, both groom and bridge turning to face each other again, removing the rings and giving the boxes to J'onn, who passed them both back to Dick and Babs respectively.

            "You have for each other special rings - symbols that love -"

            "With this ring, I thee wed..." Lance murmured, taking Jaya's hand and slipping a Celtic carved ring made of titanium onto her finger as J'onn spoke. The style was called "Lancelot" after the Knight of the Round Table. Which still made Lance blush.

            "- is the most precious element in your life together." J'onn continued, undisturbed, "The ring has no beginning and -"

            Jaya took Lance's hand, slipping his Celtic carved titanium ring on, entitled "Guinevere" before she cleared her throat, "With this ring, I thee wed..."

            "- no ending, which symbolizes that the love between you will never cease. You place these rings upon each other's fingers as a visible sign of your vows this day, which will make you husband and wife."

            Jaya and Lance both laughed very softly, holding each other's hands, looking at each other lovingly.

            "And now, by the power vested in me by the planet of Earth, I hereby pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss."

            Lance was already moving before J'onn was even finished, cupping Jaya's cheek as he kissed her lovingly.

            "Family and friends, I present to you, for the first time, Mr and Mrs Bruner."

            They, Jaya and Lance, more heard than saw everyone shuffling to stand as they applauded and cat-called... only because they were busy in an innocent-turned-heated kiss.

            After another moment, Bruce cleared his throat, "Ah... Jaya, Lance; everyone's still here."

            Lance took another moment before pulling away, licking his lips, satisfied; however, Jaya...

            "Oh please, you've seen us much worse, Bruce."

            "Ooooh! Burn!" Wally called, half-cackling, causing several people to snort and some to laugh and Lance and Jaya to both smirk proudly. Surprisingly, Bruce threw a playful but smoldering look at Wally - who eeped, flushed, and rubbed at his neck.

            This time, J'onn cleared his throat, "Now... if everyone would meet at the dining ha-"

            CRRRASSHH

            "Well, well, what do we have here - a rich kid wedding. Everyone get down and put your valuables in the bag; do that, and no one'll get hurt."

            There were dual growls of irritation from bride and groom alike, and suddenly, Bruce, Dick, and Tim were nowhere to be found (briefly, of course), and there was a glint of something metal in Damian's hand -

            - wait, did Damian bring his sword to the wedding?!

            Well, needless to say, robbing a superhero slash antihero wedding wasn't the brightest of ideas (not that the robbers knew that).

            "Wow~ Maybe we should steal the bride~"

            Anger and unbridled rage filled Lance as a disgusted scowl spread across Jaya's face - well, only momentarily, as Bruce jumped on the leader and both Dick and Tim jumped down on two each... taking care of all five.

            And severely upsetting a now-pouting Damian.

            With a giggle, Jaya tugged at Lance, reaching up to hug his neck, "You'd think people would learn to not rob anything when the Wayne name is involved."

            Sighing, Lance wrapped his arms around her, letting their guests resume as if nothing had happened and proceeding to an equally decorated dining hall, "You would think... but they didn't seem too bright."

            "I would've been very upset if they'd interrupted earlier~" there was a menacing tone in her voice, despite the loving, beautiful smile on her lips.

            Lance laughed, bowing his head as he kissed her, "Would've been a shame to get blood on the decorations~"

            She pouted a bit, "You promised no more killing unless it was absolutely necessary..."

            "I wasn't talking about me~" he gave her a look, amused, "I love you, Jaya..."

            "Mm... yes... but I still love you more~"

            "What? We've talked about this~ I'm older, so I love you more~"

            "That has nothing to do with anything~"

            "Ah - you--"

            "Hey, you two! It's too early to start fighting!"

            "Go away, Roy!" they chorused, smirking at each other.

- Part 5 -

December 2

            "Lance, what are you doing out here?"

            The older gentleman turned his head, sleepy and lazy, but a happy smile on his lips as he spotted his wife.

            "No particular reason~"

            The woman pushed at Lance, laughing. Bother their hair was streaking white rather than gray, but both their eyes were still full of playfulness and jovial humor, the electricity in their eyes still vibrant and ghostly, but wisdom evident. For their age, they were still fit and didn't have too many dramatic wrinkles.

            Bat-tradition. Looking good for their age.

            Not that they minded. It may be more taxing to fight but... if needed, they still did.

            After all, they had children... grandchildren... and now, even great grandchildren, left to worry about.

            Now, if they could only figure out how they lasted to seventy-six and seventy-three respectively. Hell, how'd they even get past forty?

            It was probably Bruce's fault; they old man was probably laughing at them from beyond the grave.

            What an ass~

            "So you're out here, in the cold, in Gotham, in the middle of the night, for no reason?" Jaya challenged, sounding amused.

            "Wellll..." Lance turned to face her, wrapping his arms around his (still) oh-so-lovely wife, causing Jaya to laugh and hug his neck, "... maybe I had something naughty in mind, Mrs. Bruner~"

            "Oh, you dirty old man~" Jaya teased, kissing him with a smile. Lance returned the smile, then the kiss.

            "Or maybe I got excited about midnight hitting just before you came out here~" he cooed, "Let's see... sixty-four years since we met~ sixty years since we promised each other... fifty-one years since I officially proposed~ and... fifty... years... since we married~"

            Jaya's cheeks were flushed as she laughed, "Mm, and a happy anniversary it will most definitely be~"

            Lance looked at her, determined, but smiling, "Did you know that I chose December 2... because -"

            "- that was the day we promised each other." Jaya intervened, voice soft and loving, much like her gaze, and her smile.

            "Hey~!"

            "You only tell me that every year, love~"

            Lance chuckled in response, amused, "You ruin my run~"

            "Do I? Whatever shall you do?" Jaya teased.

            Just as she asked, Lance pulled back, withdrawing a small, purple velvet box from his pocket as he slowly knelt (with only a little trouble). Jaya looked positively surprised as he flipped the box open.

            "Mrs. Bruner... would you do me the honor of marrying me again for our fiftieth anniversary~?"

            She laughed, then hummed, "Well..." and actually pretended to think about it, evoking a pout from Lance.

            "Jaya!"

            "Oh, I'm just kidding~ don't get your panties in a twist~" she laughed, amused as he beamed and simple slid the diamond plated, black titanium ring onto her right ring finger. She examined it thoughtfully before giving him a look, "Lancelot, you better have one for you, too."

            "I do... just..." he got up again, slowly, groaning lightly, "Ugh, I'm getting too old to do that..."

            Jaya giggled, reaching into Lance's jacket to locate the other box, removing the ring, and sliding the exact same ring onto Lance's right ring finger.

            "You are such a butt~"

            "We both still have nice butts~ You're a GILF - Granny I'd Like to Fuck~"

            Jaya shook her head, smacking his arm with a smile, "You are terrible~ Just horrible~"

            "It's not my fault you stir my loins like no other~"

            That earned him another smack and a laugh.

            "You aren't going to propose again if we reach our one hundredth anniversary, are you?"

            "Of course I am~"

            "Lance!" Jaya laughed, shaking her head.

            "What? We'll be heads in jars, like Futurama."

            "No." she laughed, giving him a look.

            "Aw... well... I love you anyway. Even if you're going white~"

            She smacked his arm, laughing, "You were going white first!"

            "Yeah, but I'm a sexy Grandpa~"

            "Oh reaaally? What's that make me?"

            "The sexiest Grandma ever~" no hesitation at all.

            "You are such a butthole~!"

            "But you love me~"

            "For some reason or another~"

"COLE HELP!"

The mercenary sighed heavily, half tempted to smack his head into the table just from hearing Lonnie cry for help. Normally, Cole Cash would be up and over, but he already knew exactly why Lonnie Machin was shouting. Anarky's shouting, in this case (for the past hour), had been due to one type of occurrence and one type only (at least for today).

Their team leader was drunk and kissing on their teammates. He'd already smooched Bette Kane and Stephanie Brown, as well as himself and dear little Kitrina Falcone (who wasn't actually that little outside of height). Simply because they hadn't resisted, Cole would think.

"COLE! COLE HE HAS M' FA'E!"

Lonnie sounded a bit... muffled, and from the sounds of it, his face just might be currently squished. Sighing heavily again, Cole straightened his bath robe and slipped his slippers back on after slipping off the bar stool.

The only reason he knew of any of this, was because for some dumb reason, he decided it was a good idea to offer Lance Bruner some vodka (as Jason Todd had suggested after telling Cole to not be a dick to Lance least everything devolve into chaos via pranks that even sometimes got Batman.) Though, it wasn't entirely his fault, no one had warned him - not even Bette or Steph (they'd giggled; he should have known from just that that something was up.)

"COOOOLLLLE!"

"Oh for fuck's sake..." Cole shuffled towards the screeching, shoving his hands in his robe's pockets. Where was Jason? He'd called the little shit as soon as the chaos had started an hour ago. The anti-hero had had a good laugh at the team's misfortune brought on by Cole, but had said, "be there soon," over what Grifter had supposed were Roy and Koriand'r asking what was going on.

Cole tilted his head as soon as he cleared the doorway, cigarette unlit and between his lips. The blonde, scruffy man watched as Lonnie kicked and flailed and pulled at Lance's arms, trying to pull his face free, despite their ridiculous leader not moving closer and simply making kissy faces at the young man.

Young Anarky, however, continued to panic. And he looked confused. Surely he could surmise there were different kinds of drunks, and could perhaps guess that Nighthawk was the overly affectionate, ridiculous kind.

Wait, did Lonnie even know Lance was drunk?

"Nonono! I'm not ready for this! My body is not ready!"

Huh... probably not.

"Ah - " Cole watched as Lonnie accidentally made them topple over, mid-flail, and Lance landing on the younger man with a tiny, "oops..."

"Looooooonniiiie~ You made us fall~"

"I made us fall? I'm trying to get away! Did someone drug you!?" the youngest blonde shoved at Lance's face, frantic, "You're acting weird!"

"But I just love you so muuu~uuu~uuuch~"

Lonnie let out an indignant shriek, twisting under the lighter man, and attempting to claw his way to freedom, via pulling himself across the carpet.

Cole facepalmed.

"Lance! Stop making people sexually frustrated!" well, look what the cat dragged in.

"Took you long enough." Cole retorted as Jason pushed past him and both Koriand'r and Roy stood (or floated in the Princess' case) next to Cole.

"Oh shut up - "

"Jason~!" came the unmistakably happy cry from Lance, as the blonde rolled onto his back.

"Hey dumbass, what are you doing?" Jason sighed and crouched, offering his hand to help the blonde, drunk man sit up.

"I'm expressing myself~"

"Yeah? You look like you're trying to traumatize people." although, Jason sounded amused, especially as Lonnie was finally able to free himself and sit up, rise to his feet, and escape through the doorway. However, at the doorway, Lonnie turned around to peek back into the room, probably curious to how the exchange would end up.

"Noooo, just give people kisses. Everyone needs love~" Lance quipped happily, despite pouting literally three seconds beforehand.

"Not everyone can handle your level of love, owlbutt."

"Awww, but Dickie says love is good."

"Yeah, well, Dickie's a player." Jason retorted, letting Lance play with his hand.

"Of chess?" the dancer asked, puzzled and distracted by the younger man's hand. Cole had to stop himself from smacking his head into the wall as Roy stuffed his fist into his mouth, stifling his laughter.

"We weren't talking about chess, Lancelot."

"I wanna kiss youuuu..."

"I'm sure you do..." Jason shook his head, still watching as Lance carefully examined his fingers. One by one, he curled Jason's fingers, looking awed. Cole sighed, wondering what the girls of the team were up to - obviously not babysitting the drunk team leader (though that was his fault, but technically, Jason's as well.)

"Ahhh!" Lance suddenly shouted, looking alert for all of a second and nearly pulling Jason over, "Jason, you gotta help me! I need to give Lonnie-Lon-Lon a kiiiiiss."

"That is not my name..." Anarky muttered, peeking into the room and tensing as Koriand'r settled a warm hand on his shoulder. Roy, however, was having a hard time not completely coming undone, despite the muffled laughter.

"I'm sure you've traumatized your team enough for the day, Lan." Jason curled his fingers, watching Lance get distracted all over again by the digits.

"What trauma...? Hey, you have long fingers."

"Yes I do, you dingbat... I think you need a nap - come on." Jason grabbed at Lance's hands, putting his knees on the ground for the sole purpose of not falling over.

"Noooo, I already sleeeeept..." Lance whined, loose as he was tugged on, not cooperative but not making it any easier either.

"Yeah, well, it's seven in the morning and you're already drunk. Don't you think it's too early?" Jason asked, huffing as Lance just seemed to crumble back and definitely shaking his head as he whined in protest, "Too bad, blondie, it's time for a nap so you can sleep this off."

"But I don't wanna..." Lance protested loudly, limp, making it harder for Jason to pick him up, "If I go to sleeeeeep, you'll go awaaaaay..."

"If you behave, I'll let you hug me..."

There was a pause as Lance lifted his head to stare at the marksman, contemplative, "...A cuddle."

Beside Cole, Roy bent forward, choking on laughter, both hands clasped to his mouth as he crouched, shaking as he flushed from trying so hard to stifle his laughter. Cole simply shook his head. How often did one get away with asking the Red Hood to cuddle?

God, their leader was ridiculous.

"Lance--"

"A cuddle." Lance pursed his lips, looking the definition of stubborn. Jason sighed heavily, brow furrowed.

"Will you behave?" the younger man asked, looking skeptical, but then Lance nodded happily, smiling cheerfully at the marksman. Jason sighed again and shook his head, "Fine then, you big brat."

The dancer laughed goofily, flinging his arms up to be picked up; in which Jason pulled him up to his feet then hoisted him over his shoulder, rising up and moving towards the currently cluttered doorway where he paused, waiting for the people occupying the space to part. Cole moved to one side, with the archer as he stood back up, tears in his eyes from laughter, and Lonnie nearly backed into Koriand'r.

As soon as Jason cleared the doorway, Lance wriggled and jerked, frantically reaching for Lonnie and giving him a fat kiss on the cheek, then whined as he reached for Kory, then Roy, then Kory again, earning a swat over his ass.

"Goddammit, Lance - stop wiggling your fat ass."

However, Lance successfully reached for and grabbed the currently semi-cackling archer, lips pressing to the red-head's cheek - but then whined as if he just realized what Jason said.

"'m not fat!"

Jason squeezed Lance's ass with a gruff sigh, "That's not what your ass says."

Lance let out a startled little laugh as he flailed and then whined louder, kicking, "Am not, am not!"

"Such a child." Jason sighed, stalking away with the blonde over his shoulder, one arm wrapped around Lance's thighs, and hand resting near a knee.

"But I'm older!" Lance protested, making grabby hands at the four they were leaving behind, "Byyyyye~"

Koriand'r smiled and waved after in return as Lonnie ducked behind her; Roy continued to laugh, and laugh, and laugh, as Cole turned away, feeling like banging his head on the wall.

"You coulda fooled me - you're like... five years old."