Hal's hands clenched tightly against the console of his ship, staring as it docked into its bay in the Watchtower. He could see that some of the others had gathered, not expecting him back so quickly.

He turned sharply on his feet as the ship stopped, pausing only long enough for the ramp to lower before he continued his march through the Watchtower, ignoring how his friends were shouting at him to stop.

The shake was back in his hand, his ring pulsing against his finger. He couldn't stop, he needed to reach Gotham. It felt like the walls were caving in, trying to stop him, but he pushed through, trying to stop his legs from buckling.

"Hal!"

Hal dodged the hand as he continued to move past them. He wasn't sure which one of his friends they were, except that they couldn't stop him from going down to check on his partner.

"GL!"

Hal glanced over at Barry as the man sped in front of him, the speedsters hand on his chest. "Let me go, Barry," Hal said sharply as he looked back towards the door that contained his way to Gotham. Hal stared sharply over at Barry, glaring at him as the other man tried to push him back towards the other. "Move."

Hal didn't waste a second, moving while the speedster was caught off guard. He was through the doors and hand hovering over the input screen before the others could process his glare.

His hand was shaking worse now, his chest aching. Bruce was human, mortal, there was no way he could be back. He shouldn't be getting his hopes up. But Hal couldn't help it, he was grasping at the straws that told him he could go home and hold his partner again.

Taking a deep breath, Hal plotted the coordinates for the Batcave and stepped onto the platform, closing his eyes.

Hal stumbled as he appeared in the Batcave, his knees buckling beneath him with a sound that echoed. His breaths were shaky again, deepening the ache in his chest as he grabbed hold of the closest handrail. He scanned the area, noticing the lack of life. The room looked untouched, like he was the first to enter in weeks.

The lights were dim, not turning on automatically like Hal had come to expect. There was a faint smell of dust; a vast difference from the normal damp but clean smell Alfred used to maintain here. And if he looked closely, he could see the Batmobile covered up by protective sheets.

The place looked untouched. No folders on the desk, no coffee next to the computer. No machines whizzing as they worked out the newest Joker toxin. The cave was silent, and that was so loud. The emptiness rang, pressing down with him. The cave had not been touched in weeks.

His hand tightened around the handrail, the metal creaking beneath his fingers. Hal choked on his breath. Bruce— Bruce wasn't here.

He felt the ring on his finger fizzle, the suit disappearing from around him. He felt so much weaker. The low buzz of power fading from his system, bringing back all the pain that plagued his system. The choking feeling of everything disappearing, that he was going to be left alone.

Hal rested his head against the rail, feeling the cool metal against his forehead. He shouldn't have got his hopes up, he shouldn't have believed it.

It was a sick twisted joke. His partner was gone and he was kneeling in the man's once sacred space. It took him years to get permission to enter the cave, and now he just barged in. God, what kind of partner was he?

Failed to save him, failed to attend the funeral, then barged into his space with no respect. Hal glanced at his ring, feeling like he was being mocked. So much for him being the greatest Green Lantern, he couldn't even save his partner.

Hal focused on his breathing techniques again, trying to get his breath back under control. He startled as he realised his cheeks felt cold, and brushing his fingers against them, Hal realised they were wet — that he was crying.

He bit his lip, trying to control the shaking as he got back to his feet. He couldn't give up now, not until he had exhausted every last avenue. He staggered forwards, choking on the dust and his tears as he checked all the hiding spots within the cave.

But there was nothing. No signs of life, not even the bats that used to live within the cave. It was like they were mourning the master of the cave.

Hal stepped into the elevator. He knew this led up to the mansion but he's never used it before. Bruce had always forced him to use the front or back door previously. Gosh, hHal was a terrible partner. He didn't deserve him.

The elevator was smooth, no flicking lights as it rose from the cave to the manor. It didn't whine like Hal would have expected it to with the lack of use. Hal ran his hands over the mesh cage, admiring the thought that Bruce would have had a plan to keep it running so well even beyond the grave.

Hal chuckled as the elevator released him behind one of the mansions many bookshelves. He watched as the shelf moved back into place, shutting to remove all evidence of the secret it hid. Such a classic hero hiding spot, he never realised Bruce fell into that cliché.

The mansion didn't look any different to its normal state. The floors were clean, there wasn't a layer of dust over the furniture. The manor looked maintained, like someone still lived there. Hal felt his lips twitch, of course Alfred would refuse to let the mansion fall to a state of disrepair.

The floorboards groaned beneath Hal's feet, the sound echoing through the halls. The mansion was huge, hundreds of rooms, and Hal had no idea where to start his search. Does he check the libraries, the offices, the living rooms, ballroom? He had no idea what he was meant to do.

Alfred would know, Alfred always knows. Hal breathed in deeply, trying to ignore the trembling in his hand again. Alfred would know what to do, but he didn't want to get the older man's hope up. He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. Alfred would be in the kitchen now, washing up after dinner.

Hal turned, orienting himself towards the stairs that would take him to the correct level. He worked quickly, peaking his head into any door that showed signs of life. There weren't many, the frames looking to be unopened for weeks, if not longer.

He felt his lips twitch slightly as he smelt the turkey and gravy in the air. His chest felt lighter at the thought of Alfred continuing the routine. He's had the Christmas dinner here before, and Hal is not sure he's ever tasted one so good before.

Standing on the opposite side of the dining room door, Hal paused. His hand was shaking so hard, feeling weak. He clutched at it with his other hand, trying to calm himself as he rotated the Lantern ring on his finger. He took in a deep breath, trying to ignore the shaking of his breath before he opened the door.

Hal felt his breath catch in the back of his throat as he stared into the room, his hand stilling as his body froze. "Bruce—" His chest ached, as if physically pained by the sight in front of him.

Bruce looked up sharply, his breath catching in his throat. His chair fell backwards as he stood quickly, uncaring as he made his way over to Hal. "Hal?" Bruce questioned in a whisper. His hand shook as he reached for his partner. Hal wasn't meant to be back at Earth yet, his mission should have kept him away over Christmas. "How—?"

Hal felt Bruce's fingers brush against his skin and his muscles sagged. He fell forwards, digging his fingers into Bruce's clothes with a choked sob. "Bruce—" Hal's throat caught with another cry, "I— You're—" His vision was blurring from his tears, and he still couldn't believe it. His partner was standing in front of him. Bruce was alive—

Bruce cupped Hal's head, holding onto him tightly as he caught his partner as the man fell forwards. He closed his eyes, resting is forehead against Hal's forehead as he tried to calm his breathing. "I'm here," he whispered, opening his eyes as wiped away the tears from Hal's cheek. "But why are you here? Your mission— you shouldn't—"

Hal moved his hand to hold onto the side of Bruce's head, mimicking the others move to wipe away the tear. "Ended early," Hal said, his chest tightening briefly, "needed to come home."

Bruce scanned Hal's face; the dampness on his cheeks, the red rims to his eyes, but the slightly upwards corner to his lips. "Your debrief?" Bruce questioned. Hal always whined about how long debriefs were on Oa.

Hal licked his lips, noticing the slight shine to Bruce's eyes, the amusement in his gaze at already knowing the answer. "Screw the debrief," Hal said, releasing a wet chuckle. He felt his ring buzz on his finger as Bruce leaned into it.

Bruce couldn't help the chuckle that burst from his lips, echoing the one Hal released. "Screw the debrief?" Bruce questioned, chuckling wetly as Hap nodded before leaning into his hand. "I think I'll let it slip," Bruce said, feeling his ring warm against his finger, "this time."

Alfred watched silently as Master Bruce and Mister Jordan reunited. His eyes were drawn to the green and white glow coming from their fingers. He already knew about Mister Jordan's Green Lantern ring, however, he did not know about any matching ring on Master Bruce's finger.

Alfred looked closer, noticing the matching design. Maybe it was some sort of engagement ring of sorts, quite touching. Master Bruce had been down in the cave experimenting with different steels before his untimely departure. They do seem so fond of each other. Alfred smiled slightly, he'll have to see how long they take to announce the engagement.

"Master Bruce, Mister Jordan," Alfred called out watching as the two men jumped away from each other like they'd been shocked. "I do believe it is time for dessert, I believe a yule log?"

Hal grinned, glancing over at Bruce just in time to watch the man wipe his cheeks slightly. "That sounds lovely, Alfred," Hal replied, seeing Bruce nod in agreement. His ring continued to pulse around his finger, the aches of his body missing as he looked over at his partner.

Bruce nodded his head. "Lead the way," Bruce said, motioning forwards. He watched his partner move, appreciating his two family members getting on so well.

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