Archive of Our Own ^beta

Gotham’s skyline felt surreal—the kind of view that came out from those monochrome films, but with colors and realistic dialogues.

At least, as Hal likes to describe it.

In reality, Gotham City is a shithole that came out as human straight from hell—something Hal and Superman collectively agreed upon. Both of them weren’t here for sight-seeing. 

Something notified their little band of earthly heroes about a cryptid running around Gotham, almost like a myth, seeing as no one had taken one proper look at the said creature. According to the residents, it had been running around Gotham for almost a decade, but is relatively harmless.

Which quite confused the League, considering the said cryptid attacks those that dared to touch it, but is friendly when it comes to children. This made the parents couldn’t stop worrying for their young. The cryptid is unpredictable.

According to the children, the cryptid gave them candies then presumably left soon after. Nothing seems wrong with those sweets, and the creature even lets them touch it. They said; the cryptid had long pointy ears and a lucid pair of white eyes, the cryptid had no mouth and nose. They said it was much taller than their fathers and its body was covered in pitch black, it had large scary wings that sometimes hide the children when it’s being playful or hide them when it gets cold. A child—probably no less than 6 years old, allegedly said that the creature helps them run away from bad people who almost took him away from home.

All of this alerted the Justice League even more. And it seems children were more involved with the cryptid as time ticks by. None of this made sense!

So, they send two of their members to investigate what the hell was going on with Gotham.

Hal should’ve been careful. 

He should have!

After patrolling Gotham for three consecutive days, both him and Clark had been reasonably voted to go for very simple causes:

• Clark is a literal overpowered alien;

• Hal is a fricking space cop;

• Their uniforms are bright enough to draw attention to the said cryptid;

• Their civvives are valid enough to pass up as “normal”;

• They both can fly and are smart enough if anything shit happens.

And now? Hal is stuck in some cave.

Clark might be frantically looking all over for him, as he should, because his own Gotham patrol partner has been kidnapped! It pisses the Green Lantern off. 

Somehow, the cryptid is aware of their presence, hiding behind the shadows as it observes them flying around. When Hal put his guard down for a moment, that’s when the bastard decided it was the perfect opportunity to strike. 

The whole process left Hal bewildered at how fast the creature was. As if the cryptid was naturally born soundless from wherever or whatever it came from. His mouth was then stuffed with some kind of cloth, rough branch-like callouses covering his sight and another holding him firmly close to his kidnapper’s chest(?). He’s pretty sure the said cloth had some sleep-induced drug in it, no wonder he fell asleep so easily. You know, like an actual kidnapping process.

Anyway, it’s a weird and downright terrifying process.

Hal is pretty sure Gotham City just hates him.

Maybe that’s why Spooky—a lovely name Hal decided to bestow upon, took him to his hidden lair. Probably, to get his stomach full just to cook him up for the next day or two. How lovely. That definitely did not horrified Hal to the brim, nope, nada. He’s too young and handsome for this.

What’s more, his ring was missing! Fuck! Spooky definitely hid it away and he can't willed it back, as if it knows he’s powerless without his ring! There goes his hope of contacting reinforcements. Well, jokes on him, Hal used to be part of the Air Force! He ain’t that helpless.

As the Emerald Knight panicked, a blur charged at him. Lucky for him, he caught it. Yay. He couldn’t see clearly thanks to the darkness of the cave, but based on the size, it was seemingly small. But definitely a wild one—it likes to thrash around at Hal.

Tiny kicks and little arms struggling to break free, at least, that’s what Hal hopes he thinks.

Hal didn’t let go when another one popped up from behind.

Hal yelps, his hold on the smaller(?) one breaks free from his grasp. This new one seemed to take a liking at yanking his hair out. He did not like that one bit.

The Green Lantern eventually broke out after a minute or two. That’s when he realised something…

The cave’s natural dimness suddenly became brighter, unlike when he awoke from being freshly kidnapped. Its unnaturality sends shivers down his spine. Hal definitely does not like the implication of his life being in deep danger—probably more than what Sinistero had inflicted. It’s too strange and weird. Is this how kidnapping feels like? Hallucination and paranoia, really?

Fuck, he is so screwed, isn’t he?

As Hal squint his eyes from his surroundings, he noticed the small little thing—probably the one that decided Hal deserves a little welcome, it was fucking tiny. Then the other one when he turned his head behind him—weird little shit number two. And that one was a bit bigger than number one, but overall, tiny.

And if that’s not enough weird shenanigans for today, another dropped itself from the ceiling. Like, what the fuck? That mysterious little shit is bigger than number two, but still tiny. It drew close to the tiniest one and held it close. Had this been in a different circumstance, Hal would find those two fucking adorable.

Then, thanks to the sudden brightness inside this creepy cave, Hal noticed a few more appearing from the shadows. There’s one more, and two, three… four… What the fuck is going on? Are they going to eat him?! Is this his end?! Seven?! Or were there more of them still in hiding?!

None of them moved soon after giving Hal an existential crisis. It was odd to be surrounded by even more tiny blobs of humanoid creatures that totally do not have an uncanny resemblance to actual human children—”Wait, what?” he suddenly let out.

The newcomers tilted their head, most likely a child-like curiosity. 

One of them drew itself closer to Hal, it seemed braver than the rest, much more similar to number one and number two but far a lot more calmer. Hal froze in his place, didn’t know what to expect with this horde of children(?), especially with one.

The tiny creature number four poked him in the knee, all while those creepy familiar white eyes stared at his soul. Its eyes blink once, then twice. Then a chirp from it came enthusiastically, its eyes curve in a crescent shape. It seemed happy… “What the fuck?” he mumbled underneath his breath.

Tiny number four gestured to the others, its little arms flapping excitedly and had let out another chirp. Tiny number three beamed, its eyes shaped like a crescent, it then began chirping out loud. The others then followed suit.

Hal did not like this. At all. He had this strange gut feeling that something does not seem right. Clearly.

Before Hal could stand to form an escape plan, all of the tiny blobs tackled him. They all chirp happily against him. Hal is downright confused.

If Clark does not arrive with the help of his stupidly enhanced hearing, Hal would have no choice but to do it himself.

Hal sighs, accepting his fate. The tiny blob seemed to take a liking at him. That’s good..?

Just, what on Oa is going on?

Elsewhere, Clark is panicking. 

He'd been frantically flying all over Gotham, looking out for every sign of Hal. He already contacted the team regarding the Green Lantern’s MIA. 

Barry and another Lantern—John, joined him looking for their missing colleague.

The three of them alongside the rest of the Justice League are on guard, even alerting the Justice League Dark for some supernatural support—though, the cryptid itself is clearly out of this world. 

Diana went back to Themyscira to find clues regarding this cryptid, but found no records of one. Same goes for Arthur, he browsed through his vast records at his palace yet found nothing. 

Oliver and Dinah went on multiple charity galas to Gotham, hoping to find a sign of both the Bat and Hal himself. Their PR team is not happy with this, by the way. 

Guy went to Oa just to locate wherever the fuck Hal went. And according to the Guardians, he's in deep shit. They couldn't locate Hal’s ring, but they're sure it is within Gotham. But hidden. 

No shit, Clark. 

Guilt crept into Clark after hearing various reports from his colleagues. Despite being reassured—that treacherous part of his mind blamed him for his friend's disappearance. 

Though, not all hope is lost. Hopefully. 

Clark would not forgive himself if Hal ended up dead without notice. 

First off: the concept of time is different when you’re in a dark place.

Hal had to learn how to adjust. Turns out being trapped with literal children is almost calming—something he hadn’t felt in a long while. Still, his sense of time was deprived of him. Normally, he can tell exactly what time it is now with his ring. Though, he adapted—and he’s good at it.

He’s being held against his will for a week now—according to Bruce.

Hal noticed one of the children—Sunny, he named, always woke up and slept first before the rest of his siblings did. Hal still couldn’t tell their genders. Anyway, Sunny often awoke them all, Sunny is always the first one to get ready, second to him was Baby—the youngest of the horde. He’s now using Sunny to tell how long he’s being held, Hal had to be a subtle asshole for the greater good of his survival.

Flippy—the oldest was the third one to wake up, followed by Creepy, Angry, and Chatty. Though, Sleepy is always the last one to get up and go to bed, vice versa. However, Hal never saw Spooky sleeping, or did he just never catch the patriarch sleeping on his own? 

He does not know, and frankly, he does not care.

Second: they're also quite domestic…

According to the reports, Spooky is relatively harmless, unless provoked intentionally or not. He’s friendly with children and has either played with them occasionally or rescued them from the bad guys. No wonder he’s good with children, Spooky is a family guy. The children like to chatter around him; Baby always demanding to be carried, Flippy goofing around at his shoulders, Sunny and Sleepy hugging his legs, Chatty chirping loudly, and Creepy snuggling at his chest.

It's so cute, if only Hal had a camera to capture this scene, ignoring the fact that he’s technically kidnapped.

Third: Bruce always bought them all food from somewhere. 

Hal had yet to figure it out, Bruce is a sneaky bastard most of the time. How the cryptid managed to scavenge some food wonders in his head. Was there an exit somewhere in this cave or what? A secret passage, probably? 

Hal would like to know, thank you very much. 

Lastly, Angry always—like always, was the one to first approach him. 

Hal did not know what he did to deserve such attention, but nonetheless, it wouldn't hurt to welcome a single adorable blob circling him. 

Spooky didn't mind this development. In fact, he remained neutral amidst every interaction Hal and Angry made. 

Even if Angry is a rude bastard in nature, the child slowly developed a liking(?) towards Hal. If Baby demands to be carried by its father, then in turn, Angry demands to do the same with Hal. 

It made Flippy and Chatty want one too. 

It really feels domestic… 

Hal hadn't experienced anything similar since his mother decided to chase him out of the house. That was his bad. Still… 

It felt like a deja vu whenever Hal felt Spooky’s gaze all over him. 

Hal felt like he fucked up. 

He didn't know how it happened, but against all odds, it did. 

It didn't matter when—not like he's able to tell the time anyway, but he would very much love to know how. 

“Ma…” Angry began speaking, Hal is impressed but also terrified of whatever this kid meant to say. “Mama..!” 

Spooky is definitely going off for his head. Except, he's not..? The fuck is happening? 

Angry have been snuggling onto Hal for a while now. Its siblings are curious at the display yet paid no mind. In fact, they would sometimes rub their heads(?) against his arms and chest. 

Hal soon spirals. 

Do these kids think he's their mother or something?! Cause he's clearly not a woman, thank you very much. Let alone a mama. 

He knows some planets outside their solar system that are intersex or some shit—anyways, he's biologically not, okay?! That's just absurd. 

Not only that, he finally learned the bastard’s name! Bruce! Hooray! 

Anyways, ever since Angry began following Hal like a cute duckling—though he's not sure what kind of species(?) they are—Spooky has been intruding what he called his “personal space”. Is this part of something called “Stockholm Syndrome”? 

Nah, definitely not right? 

Wrong. Maybe. That just sounds so wrong.

Meanwhile, two months had already passed. 

The Justice League is in shambles. 

The Jordan family—Hal’s family, has been asking wherever the heck Hal is since his disappearance. 

Clark is going nuts from guilt. Dinah made fucking sure his brain stayed intact, lest Lois does it herself. 

Barry made multiple rounds around Gotham, and there's still no sign. Oliver has been giving them updates on the cryptid’s appearances, but none of them are connected to Hal in one way or another. 

They even consulted with the Justice League Dark! 

Constantine told them Hal is in deep shit with the cursed Bat cryptid. No shit, John. They knew that damn well. Even Zatara agreed with him. 

Raven, on the other hand, had a different opinion. 

The Bat needs a mate. 

And holy shit, hell’s definitely on the loose. 

The Green Lanterns are not loving this (not one does, Guy). The Oans themselves said so.

Unfortunately, there's still no sign of one single Hal Jordan. 

Where in the fucking Gotham is he?! 

Waking up in the morning with back pain is as normal as one would get. But with a literal horde of children fast asleep in your chest? 

Welcome to parenthood, then. But that's just too much, especially if you're not their actual mom. 

Hal would like a refund. 

He looked around and saw Baby who hogged onto his chest, Angry clung onto his right forearm with its head resting at the shoulder. He's pretty sure Sleepy was the one at his left forearm, Flippy by his left waist, Sunny at the right waist. Meanwhile, Chatty and Creepy are probably at each of his legs. 

Is it morally wrong to think they're cute? Nope. But is it wrong to fling them out of him? He can try, and Spooky will beat the shit out of him. 

Not when the said cryptid gently took Baby from him. The youngest whined at the sudden departure, causing its siblings to wake up as well. 

Angry awoke first, followed by Flippy and Sunny. The three snuggled at Hal who finally managed to sit up—Sleepy was supported by the eldest, still fast asleep. 

“Ma! Mam!” Baby loudly whined, his hands reaching for Hal. 

Creepy aroused, but still clung at Hal. Chatty whines from the sudden noise, having its sleep disturbed by the youngest. 

Spooky merely chirps, his gaze went to Hal—who by the way, had his brood all over him. He put Baby onto Hal. Only then Baby quieted down, snuggling to Hal. 

Spooky coos. 

And fuck, Hal desperately need a camera for this. “Hi, Baby.” 

“Ma!” the youngest squeals, its feet kicking from excitement, knocking Angry’s head to the side.

Hal internally sighs—over the past weeks? Maybe months? He’s become mundane to his life among the Bats. 

Bruce sometimes talks to him in hush tones, not wanting to awaken his children. Sometimes he’ll give him clothes to replace his old ones, though they’re a bit loose and large for his size, he’s still grateful nonetheless. He didn’t exactly want to wear an old greasy shirt, his old high school gym shorts, and a pair of socks around. Speaking of children, Hal didn't know what their actual names were, let alone their gender. Bruce didn’t disclose it nor care about it. This confuses Hal, because he did something to it a few nights ago.

“Are you sure they do not have any names?” Hal once asks the recluse cryptid.

“I’ve never named them.” Bruce softly replied, almost passively.

“No genders?”

Bruce thought for a moment, “From eldest to youngest: male, female, male, female, male, male, male.”

“So, two girls and the rest are boys?”

“Yes.”

“Do you mind if I named them?”

“No.”

End of the discussion.

To be honest, Hal hasn't named them yet. He kept calling them whatever he had nicknamed them. Like Spooky for Bruce.

Hal never thought he'd become a mom parent(?). Children were never on his priority list—let alone, start a family of his own. With everything that’s been happening in his life, it just never crossed his mind. Even with his whole affair with his boss, though short-lived, nothing really made him pause and think about his future.

Hal looked around the other children that surrounded him. He went back to Baby and its amused expression. He smiled, booping his nose against the child. “What should I call you, little guy?”

Baby merely tilts his head, its siblings perk in curiosity.

Hal let out a soft grin thinking about this whole ordeal, he needs to take notes naming them all.

Holy shit.

Hal can probably hatch an escape plan with this information.

There’s a staircase hidden among the darkness. Hal saw Bruce exiting it some nights ago, then made sure he simply wasn’t hallucinating it for the second time. 

Hal is pleased by this recent development. 

When the children finally fell asleep, Hal tiptoed away from them. Footsteps creaked against the old floorboards, Hal took a deep breath from making so much noise. 

The path upstairs is dark—there’s nothing on the walls that illuminate it, unlike the cave system downstairs where he’s previously been. His feet can feel dust and gaps filling in, his socks are gradually dirtied every time he takes a step. The railing itself is made out of metal, old and rusty, Hal tried not to injure himself, he can tell this place is old.

As soon as he passed that, a doorway revealed itself to him. Hal grinned at the thought of finally getting out of this place. As he leaned in, the place was like an old office of some kind. The seats are covered with some dust cover, yet due to time, most of the furniture had worn down and collapsed. One of them was completely broken down.

Hal tried not to trip, or worse, stumbled upon a loose nail or splinter. He didn’t have shoes to protect him from those, even his socks aren’t made for those. He passed by the broken door—someone must’ve kicked it, if his judgement was still intact after everything. He’s now standing in the hallway.

It was empty—devoid of life, no indication that someone had been living here.

Despite it all, Hal is happy he had the chance to escape. The Justice League are probably all over the planet looking for him. And his family—good god, his family might already plastered missing posters all around the world.

He has to get out. And fast.

Tiptoeing yet again, Hal felt lost.

So what did he do best during this situation? Yes, he panics.

Hal wished his earpiece stayed relatively intact during his whole kidnapping fiasco, but apparently, his kidnapper was smart enough not to let anything slip.

Well, too bad. Hal is one slippery bastard, thank you very much.

So what he is best at, you might ask? He runs.

Finding the exit is proven difficult, especially in a house like this. Is this place a fricking mansion? Probably. He’s been wandering around like a lost kid trying to find his parents at a mall, currently looking for a staff member to get him back to them. He felt stupid right now.

Hal’s pretty sure he had found the exit. Specifically, the front entrance of this whole goddamn place. That is, if all those movies prove him correct.

And it did exactly just that. 

Large doors are right by the front staircases, there's a chandelier hanging a bit loosely from above. But Hal didn't care about that. 

He bolted towards the doors, giving his all as he pulled through the rusty screws. To his surprise, it wasn't locked at all. The door screeched loudly, it probably alerted a certain cryptid, but who cares. Hal has people looking for him. 

Even with a small crack open, Hal can finally escape! 

He stepped at the front marbled porch, leaves and dirt sweeping through with anyone maintaining its cleanliness. Torn bushes and an unkempt pathway greeted him. There's an old nonfunctioning fountain, covered in vines and erosion. 

Hal wondered what this place looked like before it deteriorated like this? 

He started to walk away from the big house, a few steps at most. 

And there, near the large imposing gates, stood Bruce. He looked awfully different. Too familiar, and unfamiliar at the same time. Hal paused, he's not sure if he's hallucinating. 

He wanted to scream. Pour it all out—his frustrations, the homesickness, and all that jazz. He wants his home. The life before all of this mess. 

Before he could march towards the looming figure, something stopped him in his tracks. Hal looked over from his side—there, Sunny stared at him. Hal stared back. 

Another came up to him from his other side—Chatty hugged him and sobbed loudly. Hal is taken aback. 

“Kids—stop!” Hal knew he couldn't waste his time playing house with his kidnapper's children. Let alone, playing as their mom of all things. 

Another one tugged at his shirt—it was Angry. Soon, Flippy, Creepy, and Sleepy followed, tears streaming down their eyes. They all screamed at him not to go. They want their mama to stay. That he shouldn’t leave them. 

Hal can't stay. 

Their cries pulled his heartstrings without much effort. Even Helen couldn’t pull it off that easily. All at once, it felt too much. Hal became a fixture to their cozy recluse lives—he shouldn’t be. He’s not their mom—he’s a guy for fucks sake!

He gritted his teeth in frustration, he pulled himself away from the children. He needs to get out and fast.

He speeds up—not wanting to bear it altogether. Hal didn’t know how long he’s been stuck in this place, the Justice League are looking for him. The rest of his fellow Earth Lanterns. His brothers might held a fucking funeral, Carol might be there to mourn an empty casket. Barry, Ollie and his stupid goatee. And Helen—gods, his niece is too young to attend a funeral, like he was with his father.

Hal pushed him through, not caring if he’s developing some foot blisters.

Once he’s about ten steps away from Bruce. A familiar cry made him pause from his tracks.

“Mama!”

Hal abruptly looked back behind him. The youngest among the brood immediately tackled him to the ground—begging him not to leave. They both fell to the ground. Hal instinctively wrapped his hands around its small body, the child clings to him in return.

“Shh. I’m here, don’t cry—” his voice shook, offering comfort to his youngest. Staring at those eerily pure sclera takes him back on a memory lane. He felt like a child—angry and alone, praying to whatever god took his father’s life, begging them to bring his father back home.

It’s all too much.

“I won’t leave you, okay? Shh, sweetheart, please don’t cry.”

That’s it. Stupid stockholm syndrome and his indecisive brain functions towards children.

Why can’t he leave them? He’s not their mom—not their parent. How is he so attached to them? There’s definitely an explanation for this, right? The drug that Spooky fed him all those weeks ago might be taking its effect, right? 

This shouldn’t be happening. He’s a Green Lantern for fucks sake! Anything extraterrestrial and alien-related is within his job of expertise! That’s what glowing space cops in tights are fucking for! Why is he so useless now?!

Before Hal knew it, he started hyperventilating from the madness he’s accumulated. Darkness eventually lulls him unconscious. He barely remembered Bruce catching him before he could ever hit the ground.

In the end, he couldn’t escape. He already signed up to become the children’s other parent, so unknowingly at that.

He is, but a man. All men makes mistakes*, after all. Hal is no longer sure whether he’s making one or not. For all he knew, he already treated these kids like his own. 

(* a quote from Sophocles)

Meanwhile, Clark hears a familiar heartbeat and ditches his work in a flash. 

It was on Gotham—he had no time to explain to Lois, but thank Rao, she’ll understand the urgency behind it.

He flew at the place where he heard Hal’s heartbeat after three fucking months of MIA.

Then it was gone as soon as he reached the said place.

Fucking hell—

Hal woke up from something soft—warm even.

Against the bright rays of sun greeting his face, he groans awake. Sitting up, only to realize the weight that’s been holding him down.

He found himself surrounded by the children at some bed, clinging onto him. Unlike all those weeks ago at the cave, he can clearly see their faces thanks to the sun.

All of their features are similar—yet so much different from when he first met all of them at once. 

He can see a mirror of his own—wait, no. That's not possible. 

The youngest was closer to him, Hal stared at its features for a moment. His baby is indeed a little boy—rouggly around three years? Gods, his baby had his nose and hair color. Why didn't he notice it sooner? 

Hal looked at the rest of his children—he could feel his heartbeat racing from how uncanny they looked. Flippy has his brows, Creepy has his dimples. Angry has his jaw, Chatty—his nose, Sleepy—his hair and eye shape, and Sunny has his hair. This should be possible. 

They're his babies. His own children whom he didn't know he had one—let alone this many. Gods, he's spiraling. This has to be a dream. 

“Hal.” 

That snapped Hal from his own thoughts, he turned around—and Bruce was there. Hal wanted to scream. 

“How did this happen?” he blurted out. 

When did he conceive them? When did it happen? How did they—this shouldn't be possible! Hal never met Bruce in the beginning! It shouldn't—then how can he explain Flippy’s—? 

“Bruce, please tell me—” his tone desperate, he wanted to know how on earth did it take him to become a mother—he had to. “I need to know, Bruce!” 

“Shhh.” Bruce crouches near Hal, pulling him close to his chest, cradling the sobbing mess Hal becomes. “They are ours, Hal. It's alright.”

“No!” Hal cried, “I couldn't remember a single damn thing! They're mine, but I forgot about them!” holding onto Bruce's arms. “Did I forget about them? Why did I? How could I—”

Bruce kisses his temple, then his jaw, “Hal, look at me.” 

Hal breathed, he looked up towards Bruce. Now that Hal thought about it, this is the first time he's seen Bruce upclose, never in sunlight—just the dark. Bruce looks as normal as any ordinary human being does. He has blue for eyes, jet black for hair, about the same age as Hal—if Bruce were some famous model. It unknowingly made Hal breathless. He can see Bruce's resemblance to their kids. Gods. How on earth did he manage to get laid with such a hottie? Let alone procreate with? 

“It's not your fault, Hal.” Bruce said, his hand cupped Hal’s cheek. “Someone took you away. Made you forget us. I've been looking for you, Hal. All of us do.”

Hal turned his bed, his youngest was already wide awake, watching them. And god, he's a beautiful combination of them both. 

“Mama?” his baby quietly chirps. How could he dare leave his family? This has to be a dream, right? It has to be. “You not gon’ leave?”

Hal stifles a sob, “No baby, I'm not. I'm going to stay this time, okay?” was this really real? Did he really create a family with a cryptid, only to forget about them for he didn't know how long, until his partner(?) took him back home? 

This has to be a trap, right? 

It didn't feel like it. 

Hal pulled his youngest towards him, leaning his weight against Bruce's arms as he embraced his baby as tightly as possible. 

Soon enough, one by one, his children throw themselves at Hal. Engulfing all over him, Hal burst his tears form the sight. Bruce merely holds them all, silently comforts his partner. 

Hal suddenly felt like a child all over again. 

The Justice League had a new set of extraterrestrial invaders, yet again this week. 

Hal Jordan is still fucking missing. 

Fortunately for the team, Clark learns to better cope it out by soloing their unwanted guests. 

It was not a pretty sight. Where the fuck are you, Hal?! 

The next few days flew by, Hal gradually fit perfectly right in. The children are practically glued towards him, not wanting to ever part from Hal for more than a minute. 

Hal still didn't know what his children's names are. Bruce never gave it, stating that he's free to name them whatever he thinks best. 

So Hal did just that—he couldn't exactly call them by his initial names, they need something more permanent. 

Though, Hal did manage to get a surname out from Bruce after much of chargain. 

Wayne. Bruce Wayne. 

Sounds fitting for someone who lived in a rundown place, Hal couldn't exactly complain since he's now roommates(?) with a recluse cryptid. He shouldn't be surprised as he literally fought aliens and all that jazz as a space cop. 

They no longer slept at the cave. They all moved at the so called “family nest”, Hal pretty much could tell his babies are birds, while Bruce is the big old bat. Hal liked seeing the kids piling at the nest after playing all day. Where is the camera when he needed it most?! 

Hal named their eldest son, Richard. If this home of theirs were in a perfectly good condition, then Richie is a fitting name. Cassandra for their eldest daughter, Hal had some sentimental shenanigans with this name—and no, it wasn't from an ex or a past fling of his. Jason for their second son, for some reason this is a name Hal finds cool and would like to name a pet with it. Stephanie for their youngest daughter—the name reminds Hal of his first highschool crush, just the name, not the person behind it. Timothy for their third son, Timmy is a good name for spoiled cats, Hal once knew a cat named Tim at his old neighbourhood owned by nice old lady during his childhood. Duke for their fifth—Hal thought it's befitting, he learned that the younger children of a family often named royalty-like names, on one planet he once visited. Finally, the youngest is Damian—a named Hal would like to honor a former comrade form his Air Force days, who sadly passed away during a conflict at the Middle East. 

Bruce simply grunts in approval after hearing their names. Occasionally, when the children are looking, Bruce sometimes became a bit intimate. 

Hal thought it's because of their shared history as a couple—though, he's not quite sure how exactly it had happened. Bruce do knows how to get him arouse without trying that much. Which is frustrating for Hal. 

At one point, Bruce kisses him. Caress his jaw, a hand on his hip, and those oddly cold lips of his. Even their children pretends not to notice this detail behind their backs. 

Hal slowly accepted this new life. He misses his life outside of it, but he'll be damned to miss anything more of his own family's life. He already did that a bunch of times to those whom he cared about, and honestly, his prison became his vacation, then a home where his family awaited him. 

It's a bit sad, but at least, he had gain a family out of it. 

Hal wouldn't dare trade it for anything else. 

It took Hal some time, but he could stop thinking about it. 

He only knew Bruce for a short amount of time—if he guessed correctly, about almost 4 months, minus their alleged history together. 

Hal tried to pry into their past out of him, but only received silence, or a brief make out between them. The children would interrupt them at the worst moments when things got incredibly hot. He would later find Bruce brooding at some corner. 

Hal couldn't extract that information, yet he didn't have his eyes intact for a reason. He can feel Bruce always watching him, one way or another. Especially at the bathroom. Hal didn't know how, but somehow, he would put up a show just for him. He would later find Bruce shirtless in return. 

The children did not like this. 

At some point, both of them just talks. Mostly Hal, Bruce just sits there and listen. Maybe with a kiss or two. Hal appreciates the silence out of it. 

Though, sex is an entirely different thing. Bruce might initiate it, but never crosses the line. Few many times are closed calls, due to the fact that both of them are often not alone, they're parents for gods sake. 

But when Hal looked Bruce in the eye, he can see the lingering thoughts behind them. He can imagine how desperate Bruce wanted to take him right there, and put another bun inside him. 

It would be a lie if Hal denied he wasn't bothered how it turned him on. They've been dancing around after the reveal, after all. 

At least, now when Bruce finally initiates. As soon as the night begins, the children are soundly asleep at the family nest, Bruce took him away from them. 

Bruce took his hand, the cold callouses firmly wrapped around Hal’s. Hal did not flinch from the touch, nor did he back down. Hal took one more glance at the sleeping horde, before turning back at Bruce, he reluctantly nodded but stayed silent.

The cryptid led him somewhere within the dilapidated Manor, the floors creaking with every little step as dust and webs make way for their path. 

Bruce occasionally looked at him—softer, his eyes held something he couldn't quite place. He had led both of them at the end of the hall here at the so-called “family wing”. He pushed open the wooden-carved door, it creaked a noise due to how old it was.

Hal is gently tugged inside, his eyes carefully trailed at the interior. The room looked like it had been occasionally used—large, a hanged painting that looked old enough was half-covered with a slipcover, a lamp that was clearly no longer functioning was sitting at the bedside table, the rug looked faded enough to be considered as ancient, a walk-in closet that had been a wreck. 

And a bed of some kind… 

Hal’s copper hues met with the cryptid’s deep blue, a strange feeling emerging from his chest. It was weird. 

He had a gut feeling about what Bruce would want to do tonight. As much as he trusts this piece of emotional constipation of a wreckage—minus Stockholm shit, he knows what Bruce wants to do to him isn't so innocent. Or was it..? 

Wait—

Before Hal could form words from his mouth, Bruce dived his and met Hal’s. Soft, oddly warm lips kissed him senseless in a fervor. A hand slid through his waist. He seemed to can't push the cryptid away. 

Bruce pulled away, leaving Hal processing what had just happened. Hal blinked once, twice. They just both stared at each other as they fell into silence. 

Then, Bruce pulled him closer to his chest by the waist. His hand crept its way at Hal’s face. He then kissed him again. 

And yet—against all odds, knowing this is a stupid, bad idea. 

Hal returns it back, his arms abruptly flung themselves around the cryptid’s neck. His longing for human company wears him down enough to overpower him by such desire. 

Bruce responded with equal intensity as Hal. His grip had tightened around Hal’s. His mouth then pulled back—going lower; from pinching Hal’s ear with his teeth to leaving idle marks around the neck. Soft, oddly warm lips from a cryptid made him feel things that shouldn’t be possible. This is definitely a bad idea. And yet.

Hal couldn’t bring himself to push the other away.

Bruce slowly pulled back, letting him process it all at once. He stared through Hal’s eyes, their nose touching. Both of them fell into silence. Bruce rested a hand at Hal’s face, his hand paved way into his waist and pulled the other towards him.

Hal still did not pull away from him–he doubts he had the strength to do so. Instead, he let Bruce have his way. 

Eventually, both of them collapsed on the bed. Hal pulled back, inhaling a good chunk of air before Bruce took him again. He doesn't care what's happening—it's unbecoming of him. 

When Bruce spreads him apart, taking off his nightshirt in an instant. It's not like he had anything else to wear. Taking Hal over and over, till he's overstimulated from pleasure. Before Hal could react, Bruce bit him on the nape. 

It stings. Yet, it felt oddly pleasant. Hal didn't know what it meant—must've been some kind of cryptid-related shit. Who cares? 

Nevertheless, he felt claimed. Something he hadn't experienced ever since he and Carol broke up. He got over it, eventually. 

For now, Hal took Bruce and made him face him. Staring at those soft blue hues made him feel all warm inside. Bruce only melted at his touch. He kissed him—eyes closed without an ounce of hesitation. Once. Twice. Then he lost count… 

Hal never felt adored this much. 

“Just in, Harold Jordan—a 25 year old Southern Californian man, mysteriously disappeared after entering Gotham City. The GCPD are still investigating his cause of disappearance—”

Both the Jordan family and the Justice League are now at a full blown meltdown. 

According to Bruce, six months had already gone by since Hal started living alongside them. 

He and Bruce often shield away from the children's ears—preferably somewhere secluded. There, they've been consummating their courtship(?) behind closed doors. 

Hal wouldn't say he's in love—their relationship is Stockholm enough, but he's certainly wasn't complaining during sex. 

His life among them gradually gets better, Hal still doesn't know where Bruce acquired their food, and water too! 

Despite the conditions they were living in, they still had a source of water running somewhere. There's no electricity though. Hal made sure of it—he looked for a source, but couldn't find any! 

Whenever Hal got bored, he would clean the house for as long as he wanted to. Sometimes, he renovated some furniture here and there, though he didn't exactly have the necessary materials to replace some though. 

It turned into a lively routine. 

Breakfast with whatever Bruce had magically provided, bathing the pups, Bruce nowhere to be found or somewhere nearby, laundry work, morning done. Lunch came, cleaning and renovating, Bruce came back and they both played with the children, afternoon done. Dinner was later served, putting the kids to bed, and lastly, some sexy time with the husband. 

Gosh, Hal feels like he's gradually becoming a housewife. He still wonders how it is possible for him to carry a child… 

Probably, another cryptid-related shit right? Oh well, Hal will figure that out in the near future. 

As soon as Hal exited the kitchen, holding a filled pot. He walked towards the dining room, over to the center of the dining table, he carefully placed it there. 

“Lunch is ready!” he called. This is a routine. 

Yet, no footsteps came. Not even a hint of laughter. Strange. Hal suddenly felt uneasy. 

He took off his apron and abandoned it at the chair, Hal then stormed off towards the living area, took a peak inside and found no one was there. 

Hal then walked off towards the family nest, the pups normally napped there after playing. As he approached the said room, a chill crept up to his spine, like a deja vu. 

It's probably paranoia. He's used to it ever since living with the family. He missed his old life sometimes, yet this is also home. 

Hal stood at the doorframe, he's about to call them out for lunch. That's when he stood there in frozen shock. Color drained from his face, and then he screamed. 

One by one, the children are melting. Their small bodies are oozing in black liquid-like blobs. 

Hal watches in horror as he witnesses his children dissolved into nothingness, his hands spilled in their puddle of goo as he reaches out to one of them. 

With a final chirp from his youngest—he's all alone now. 

No chirps of laughter, no fights breaking out. Nothing. 

It sickens him. 

“Looks like the illusion couldn't last any longer.” a familiar voice, the sound of his feet approaching. 

Hal slowly turned his head at the figure, his face shaken with unbearable grief and horror. “What the fuck does that suppose to mean?” his voice trembling, hinting with rage. 

Bruce pauses in front of Hal, his expression stoic, though an eyebrow was raised in amusement. “The children are an illusion, Hal.” he replied, “No one cannot have their own young without a partner.” 

Hal froze on the spot, “Then why?” voice shaky, “Did you create them for fun?” how dare he? Hal had been stuck in this godforsaken place for six months! He learned to accept his fate all those time! And even parent those children like his own, they're supposed to be his too. Or were they? 

Why does this bastard play with his heart? That's mental and emotional abuse! 

Hal abruptly stood up, he grabbed Bruce by the robe. “Why pretend they're real, when they're not?!” he roared in his grief, “It made me fucking believed they're actually alive, Bruce! Told me I'm their mother! You made me part of their life, for god’s sake!” heave a sob. “I treated them like my own… They're also my pups, Bruce.” 

“You said they're mine too…” Hal stifles a sob, tears trickling down his cheek. 

He couldn't believe it. Bruce took him away from the world to become his mate—and a mother for his adorable horde. It took him time to accept his new life. 

Stupid Stockholm syndrome! 

Months ago, he's Green Lantern Hal Jordan of Sector 2814. One of the vital members of the Justice League. He's a brother, an uncle, and a friend. 

Now, he's just Hal. Mate of Gotham’s local cryptid and proud mother of 7 adorable children. 

It all vanished. The warm domestic life he had shared with Bruce went poof without trace. And Hal had his heart shattered into pieces. 

“Are you happy?” Hal scowls at the cryptid. 

Bruce gave him a smirk, “I supposed.” he cupped his mate's chin, “You really do fit to become a dam, my dear.” his nose hitching close at Hal’s neck. 

Hal pushes him away, disgust plastered on his face. 

“It was merely a test, Hal.” Bruce stated like it's a fact. “I had to, that way, I would know I chose a good mate to procreate with.” he took a step closer, his hand reaching for Hal’s. 

“No!” Hal takes two steps back, refusing to play this twisted game. He turned his heels around, and sprinted towards upstairs. 

Bruce let out an amused laugh, and walked to where his beloved was heading for. Looks like he had a stubborn mate to punish, maybe filled him up with a pup or two. 

As Hal grew frantic with each step, he finally saw the sight of the exit. He couldn't stop now and looked back. Hal pulled the door open, his head peeking through before his body did. Then runs for freedom he has longed for months ago. 

His breathing grew heavy, adrenaline rushed through his bloodstream. His legs began to shake, and his feet were desperate to keep going. 

But his body gave up and failed him. Hal stumbled into the ground. 

Panting from exhaustion, beads of sweat forming. He tried to stand, but his legs couldn't stop shaking. What the fuck is happening? 

Then, those footsteps followed, slow and loud. Bruce didn't appear surprised, just a slight curl on his lips. “Did you have fun, Hal?”

Hal, “What's happening..?” trying to ground himself from panicking, he turned his head towards the cryptid. “What the fuck did you do?” he hissed. 

Bruce merely gave him a smirk—one that shows his fangs. 

Hal was tossed at the nest. The soft bedding hit his back, its scent felt calming. Hal hates how it knows how to calm him down. His body was paralysed from earlier, and his laboured breathing had yet to recover. 

Bruce was never far away, he's standing in front of Hal at the edge of the rest.

“Bastard.” Hal scoffs, his eye blazing with contempt at his supposed ‘mate’. 

Bruce coos at his mate squirming in their nest. His eyes leering towards Hal’s tanned thighs. He grabbed his wrists with both hands, them from both sides of Hal’s. 

“You lying bastard!” Hal screams, his legs desperately kicking him off. 

Bruce merely chuckles, he settled himself in between Hal’s parted legs. “And yet, you believed that lie. Willingly immerse yourself in an illusion I've constructed.” leaning down, “Admit it, Hal. You loved every single moment of it.”

Fuck. Hal couldn't believe he fell for a trap. “Shut up.”

“You craved that warmth, Hal.” Bruce taunted humping his hips that met Hal’s rectum. Unfortunately, Hal did not have an underwear, “You participated, you even let me have my way with you. Didn't you say you want another child while being throughly fucked in my bed?” 

“I said, shut up!” Hal poured his strength onto pushing Bruce off of him, yet to no avail, he couldn't overcome such strength the cryptid had without his ring. 

Bruce laughs, “Stop denying it. You'll strain yourself, my dearest.” cooing, “We still have work to do.” he let go of Hal, and the other immediately pounced on him, squirming out of the nest. 

Bruce let him try, groping his hips instead, he then dove lower as Hal miserably shoved him off. Bruce's eyes met with a newly developed vulva, just right below the almost depleted manhood. “How pretty.” he coos, “It took us two months to fully develop your womb. You are finally ready to carry our pups, Hal.”

Hal cried, “Stop!”

Bruce paid no attention, his mouth diving into it. His tongue rolled over the clitoris, lapping at the inner labia, his saliva coated the opening assisted with his two fingers. 

Hal screamed from the assault, the weird new sensation made him thrash around. His tears streamed down his cheeks. Alas, Bruce firmly holds him down with just one hand, as he's doing his work. 

It was only a matter of time when Hal’s body betrayed him. His manhood hardened and his cunt finally lubricated themselves against his will. Hal can only cry in horror as he watches Bruce drooling from below. 

Bruce pulled his fingers away, he climbed back up and resettled himself in between Hal. He aligned his cock on him, the head just right at the rim of Hal’s pinkish cunt. 

“Bruce, please, don't do this.”

Bruce raises a brow, “I thought you loved me inside you.” wiping the tears away, lowering his hand down to Hal’s neck, caressing that one spot he'd marked not long ago. “You loved being filled. Behaved so good, just for me to dump my seeds onto you.”

“Don't—” before Hal could finish, he was cut off from a choke on the neck inflicted by Bruce. He tried taking it off, only to get abruptly interrupted with the other slamming his shaft inside to Hal. 

Bruce smirks at the reaction. He repeated it a few more times, getting a tear or two from Hal, before fully rutting at that sweet-looking cunt of his. 

Due to Hal’s stubborn willpower, he thrashed, making Bruce pinning him down even harder. It's when Hal finally felt the exhaustion that Bruce could dump his release. 

And without warning, Bruce went for another round. At this point, Hal doesn't have the strength to stop him. He can only weep—trapped in a perfectly constructed gilded cage, lured by an illusion before realising it's too late to step back. He can only take what's been given. 

Hal tore his gaze from the cryptid, closing his eyes shut, hoping this nightmare would end soon. Even with how good Bruce felt, he shut his mouth just to keep himself from giving Bruce some form of satisfaction. 

Bruce let him—he already took away freedom, manipulated his life, and caged him to his bed. Mouth forcing its way to Hal’s, tongue tracing the bite from his nape, and marks littered his skin. 

He's no longer Earth's mighty hero, taken from his friends and family, tricked into believing he had children. Hal became a cryptid’s breeding whore—whose purpose is to produce his captor as many pups as possible, ultimately caring for them. Then the cycle repeats. 

If Hal knew this would lead him into serious trouble, he would've killed himself before it got absolutely worse had he known of this. 

It's been a year since Hal’s disappearance. 

His family mourns the loss, the team did not stop looking for him. 

The JLD hit a dead end in the seventh month, with no other explanations as to how he went MIA. Eventually, Doctor Fate intervened after Clark practically begged him for help. 

Doctor Fate stated that Hal Jordan is safe, physically. What does that supposed to mean?! And had proven Raven’s theory to be true. That absolutely did not track. 

The whole team was in the middle of a meeting to finally track down Hal on Gotham, assembling the available heroes, developing strategies and organising their positions. When it happens… 

Beep. Beep. 004.

Before the team could react, Hal Jordan was already standing there. Dressed in thin layers—possibly a nightshirt, a coat draped over his shoulder, and some fluffy slippers as footwear. Worse of all, he had a large bump over his stomach. 

“Hey guys.” Hal tried to small. 

Clark’s face morphed into five stages before bursting his eyes out. “You're alive!”

Ollie, “Where the fuck have you been?!”

Barry, “Do you know how worried we are?! How worried am I?!”

Everyone combust within seconds, ushering Hal inside, bombarded him with questions, and contacting his worried family. 

Barry, “Also, are you fucking pregnant?” asked him all of the sudden. 

Clark lightly elbowed the speedster, “Barry, that's not nice.”

Ollie scoffs, “Chill down, big blue. Let Barry cook.”

Arthur, “I am unfamiliar with the terms, dear friend.” 

Dinah stared down at Hal, her expression stoic, “You have been missing for a year, Hal.” she said. 

Hal paled at her words. What. he mouthed. This reaction didn't go unnoticed by the team. 

Dinah crouches down to where Hal sat at, “Hal.” she took his hand, squeezing it tight, not averting her gaze. “We want to know where you have been.”

Hal let out a shaky breath, “There's no way..?” his expression morphed into half-laughing, half-crying. “A year..? That's impossible, Dinah.”

Dinah, “Hal—” 

“No! You don't get it!” Hal sobs, his voice irregularly horrified, “Tell me you're joking!”

The team grew overwhelmed with concern for their colleague, we're rightfully confused. 

Dinah, “Hal, none of us are joking with your situation.” she confirmed. “You have been for over a year. We have been tracking you down in Gotham, seeking help from the JLD. Even your family reported you missing.” 

At this point, Hal broke down crying. Barry immediately went to his side, Hal leaned to his shoulder as he cried. Ollie merely patted him in the back, offering some tissues. 

“It's been 18 years!” he claimed, “Or I don't know!? I've been stuck in that place!” 

Right there, it clicked through their minds. Raven’s theory was correct according to Doctor Fate. He was right. Hal became that cryptid’s partner, and now they're staring at the fruit of what Hal is carrying. 

One of their resident Green Lanterns was kidnapped, no ring in sight, assaulted, and had possibly given birth to plenty of its children before carrying another. Hal Jordan went through a cycle of abuse. 

Victor, “But how? You're here!” 

The only possibility was that Hal managed to find a way to escape. However, he's carrying a child, which is proven difficult unless he has the ring. Which he did not. 

“That's because I'm with him.”

Everyone collectively felt a chill running down their backs. All heads turned to the source, weapons drawn. Hal froze from his seat. 

Ollie raised his bow, ready to take an aim. “Who the fuck are you?!”

They all know who it is. 

The cryptid ignored the archer, “Time's up, dearest.”

Hal, “No! You said you'll give me a day alone for myself!” he cried, a hand of his tugged Barry. Barry, in turn, shielded him from his captor. 

“I did.” the cryptid admitted, “Yet, you've come here for almost a day of walking. You have little food in you, dearest, you're hurting yourself.” Hal practically starved himself just to get out?! 

Diana gasps in shock, “Hal! That's dangerous!”

Hal ignored the comment made by his friend, “You don't fucking care about me, you bastard! You only cared for this kid!” gesturing at the large bump. 

The cryptid let out a pained groan, “Your assumption is wrong. I do care for you both.”

Hal, “I'm not going back, and that's final!”

The cryptid let out a sigh, “Very well. You have left me no choice, my love.” he gave a low whistle. Hal shifts uncomfortably behind Barry. 

Suddenly, shadowy figures emerged from the cryptid’s shadow. Hal screamed, fully knowing what its intention was. The figures morphed into humanoid-like figures, their features looked exactly the same as the Bat. 

“No!” Hal cried. 

“Mama…”

“Don't leave us, mama…”

“You said you love us…”

“Mama, please…”

Seven of them are standing to their feet. All looked young, yet they're awfully different. The one who seemed to be the youngest is being carried comfortably by the father itself. 

The Bat commands his children, “Let's bring back your mother to the nest.” he claimed, “He is near his due, after all.”

They all syncingly agreed. 

Soon, the Watchtower fell into chaos. Fighting off the children and the Bat simultaneously, all while protecting Hal from it. Cyborg immediately overrides the systems into lockdown and alerts the JLD to assist them quickly. Diana and Dinah became Hal’s shield, leading him somewhere safe. Clark and Ollie go for the Bat, while Barry and Arthur distract the children from following the three. J’onn acted as the main mode for communication while assisting the latter two. 

In the end, the team was outmatched. The Bat brought a shiny rock and some fancy gadgets. Hal was unfortunately taken away, for the second goddamn time. 

Hal tucked his newborn gently onto his arms. There are no smiles, no sparks of joy in his eyes. His expression only held sadness. 

The rest of the horde celebrated a new addition to their growing family. The rest of the pups cooed at their adorable little sister. Bruce smiled at the sight, his hand wrapped protectively around Hal’s waist. 

“You did well, my love.” attempting to comfort an unwilling mate, “I love you, Hal.” kisses his temple. 

Hal made no reaction—no replies. That didn't bother Bruce at all. Instead, Bruce poured all of his attention at his newborn pup. 

Helena. Bruce named her. Hal already named their previous pups beforehand, his illusion was the proof of it. 

Hal has it all. No stress from work, a loving husband who could chase his problems away in bed, a stay at home mom, an adorable horde of obedient children. A family. Hal should feel lucky. He's not. Why? 

Because he's a bird trapped in a fancy cage.