#aquafam

By the time the Titans were formed he was the only original Justice League founder who was sidekick free. However, as close friend to both Ollie and Barry, he acquired the title of uncle immediately. Roy and Wally love their uncle Hal, and every time they have a fight with their mentors they show up at Hal's apartment claiming political asylum.

Hal adores this kids with all his heart, so he lets them stay. This start changing things for him, because he can't always buy the kids junk food right? it's not healthy, so he starts keeping an actually stocked fridge and learn how to cook, then he buys board games because the kids need entertainment, and new blankets for the colder nights, and an actual decent first aid kit for the times they come hurt. All in all, it becomes not just an apartment he crushes in sometimes, but a place that resembles a home. Hal also gives Roy and Wally a pair of keys each for when they need a place where to stay and he's in space.

This is the first domino, because once established that Hal not only won't kick them out, but will also spoil them rotten, Roy and Wally start bringing company. One day they show up with Donna in tow, which is fine, Hal has more trust in that little girl than in most other adults he knows, she is a delight. Then Garth shows up, and Hal is not so close to Arthur but the kid is polite and seems hungry, so he stays.

Then, they bring Dick Grayson. Dick is aware of Hal and Bruce's rocky relationship, so he's actually a little bit hesitant about coming into his home. Hal takes one good look at this hyperactive, smart as a whip, bright smiled kid that all the others look at with stars in their eyes, and just says: "First rule of the neutral zone, you don't talk about the neutral zone, or anything that happens in it. This secret club thrives in the shadows. Jump in".

It's an avalanche from there, because the Titans pass the information to the newer heroes. They tell the younger ones that if they are ever in danger, or need a place where to stay away from their mentors for a while, there is this place in Coast City that takes in basically anyone who's polite enough to ask. If you find him home, the Lantern will feed you and make sure you're alright, if he's not there you'll find supplies and a safe environment anyway. And Hal knows about this, but he let them, because with time passing he's more and more in space, so he might as well have a good reason to keep paying rent (and a reason to return home. Who will keep all this young, reckless little menaces fed and safe if he doesn't come back once in a while to restock everything? He has to return alive in order to do that).

All the other heroes have no idea where their kids go when they disappear after a fight, they refuse to reveal their secret hideout. Some begins to have some ideas tho, because how the hell does Hal knows every member of every team of young people even if he's always in space? and why is he telling Batman to lay off his kids back about that one patrol? Or telling Arthur that if he hears anyone is giving Garth troubles because of his purple eyes again he's gonna come down to Atlantis himself? and why does he knows Kon and Cassie's usual Starbucks order? Why is Mia casually walking beside him and telling him that he's out of chips?

aqualads past and present

I lost it here and snorted though. I love Garth so much <3