[Being married legally really won't change much about their relationship, or their level of commitment to each other. They've been through thick and thin together already, through good and bad, a hell of a lot of bad. It would make their lives easier when it comes to all of Dawn's necessities, though, he has to admit that, so the idea of getting married is... a practical one.
Even if Barry hates thinking about it like that. He's not the one who doesn't care for marriage. He was married once before, even, and- maybe there is a part of him deep down that loves the idea of being married to his best friend now. It's not something he ever needed to be happy with Hal, of course, but...
His thoughts are racing a mile a minute.] It's not ridiculous. It would make it a lot easier for you to legally adopt Dawn, and then we don't have to deal with all this nonsense.
[He leans back in his chair, reflecting briefly on how this is the least romantic proposal in history, probably, but- finding he doesn't care.] Alright. I'll make an appointment at the courthouse. Uh, are you okay with Jay and Joan being our witnesses? They have the most free time.
[This is...such a weird situation for Hal. Marriage isn't something he ever saw himself doing. It's not something he ever wanted. In fact, it's one of the major reasons why his relationship with Carol never worked out. She wanted to get married and he didn't. Now though...it's weird, but he's not as opposed to the idea as he thought he would be. It's still not something he ever would have brought up if they weren't in this situation but here they are.
To be fair, being committed to someone is something he never thought he'd do either and he's done that for a while now with Barry. He also never saw himself raising kids and yet here he is, raising a kid with Barry. Maybe the real answer is that Barry is an exception to all things when it comes to Hal. He's honestly never questioned anything about his relationship with Barry. It just...is. He's always been someone who isn't sure of what he wants but...that was before Barry. How unbothered he actually is by all this is surprising even to him]
Why would I not be okay with that? I like Jay and Joan. [Who else would they pick, honestly? Not only do Jay and Joan have the most free time, like Barry said, but they're also genuinely good people]
[When hasn't the trajectory of their relationship been weird? Weird, and not what Hal had in mind for himself. Things were pretty simple when it was just the two of them, they didn't need definitions or overt statements of commitment, they didn't have to think too hard about anything. And then Dawn came along, and Barry had to come to terms with being a father, and Hal... Hal had to decide if he wanted to stay childfree or stay with Barry.
The fact that he stayed, that he's also parenting their child, when he never wanted children, still feels like a stroke of luck.
Maybe that's why he still feels stunned that Hal would even suggest marriage, if only to get around all this complicated legal paperwork. His hand tapping the pen against paper stills, and he stares at Hal for a minute as he works through this in his head at super-speed.] I know you do. I just wasn't sure if you'd want someone else to be there as well, like John or Kyle.
I'm not overthinking this. I think I'm giving it the right amount of thought. You just proposed.
[Hal's done a lot of things he never thought he'd do for Barry. He's always had a knack for making Hal feel like everything's going to be fine. Why not just go all the way with it?]
I could have asked John or Kyle. [The lack of mention of Guy would be funny if Hal were at all focusing on that] But then we'd have to work around their schedules. Jay and Joan are better choices.
You're overthinking it. That barely counted as a proposal. [It was about the least romantic moment in history. And if Hal feels bad about that (he does, now that Barry's phrased it like that), he isn't showing it]
Okay. I'll schedule an appointment at the courthouse on Monday. We can go with Jay and Joan, and take Dawn out for ice cream after. [As long as Hal is okay with that, so is Barry. It's a practical choice - this whole thing is very, very practical. To the point where he puts his head in his hand and laughs helplessly when Hal says it barely counted as a proposal.]
I'm not overthinking it! It was barely a proposal, though. [He teases, sitting up again and starting to pull the paperwork back into a neat stack. If they're going to elope, then they'll have a new set of paperwork to do anyway - one that will take far less time and hassle. Having his husband adopt his daughter, who only has one legal living parent, should be a lot quicker of a process.]
[It was his idea, so it'd be rather silly if he wasn't okay with it. You never really know with Hal, though]
I'm sorry, should I do it again? Just more romantically this time? [He stands from the table and moves around to the other side where Barry is sitting, leaning down to kiss him]
You're a pain in my ass. It never mattered to me if we were married or not. I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with you regardless and being married isn't gonna make me love you any more or less. There's no one else I ever want to be with. But if it matters so much to the state of goddamn Missouri, I'm happy to marry you.
[Barry watches his best friend as he comes around from the other side of the table, still smiling wryly. He leans up into that kiss, and then he's about to make a smart-assed retort, when Hal keeps talking.
Honestly... he wasn't expecting a better proposal. He wasn't expecting one at all. Because the things Hal says, that he loves him and marriage won't change that either way, those are things that Barry knows. Deep in his bones, he knows that, and he really was fine with marrying for legal purposes. But the things he says are also things that Barry always likes to hear, even if Hal calls him a pain in his ass.
He can probably tell just how pleased Barry is by this, from the slight flush in his cheeks, and the warmth in his blue eyes.] That was a much better proposal. [He teases, laughing, rising from his chair and looping an arm around Hal. This man, honestly.]
[He can fully tell that Barry loved every second of that, which is most of the reason he did it. There's just always been something about Barry that draws things like that out of Hal. Maybe that's why this relationship is the one that's finally sticking]
Glad you approve. Anything for you. [He leans in to steal another kiss and then gives Barry a light swat on the ass, just because]
Why don't you call Jay and Joan, make sure they're available?
Anything for our daughter, too. Just one of the many, many things I love about you. [Barry says warmly, sincerely, wanting to say it even if Hal already knows. There is no one else he'd rather marry, even if they'd never planned to do so. Hal is his best friend, the person who is closest to him in the world, and so of course he's happy about this.
That's why he returns the kiss, and only laughs when Hal swats his ass, pinching Hal's hip in retaliation.] Yeah, okay.
[He turns back to the table to grab his cell phone, and dials Jay, putting it on speakerphone so they can both talk.] Hey, Barry. How's it going?
Hi, Jay. We're good. You know how we were dealing with sorting out Hal's adopting of Dawn? I guess to solve that we're going to elope at the courthouse on Monday and we were wondering if you and Joan are free to act as our witnesses.
[He means that so sincerely. For someone who never intended to be a parent, he's completely dedicated to his daughter. She means the world to him, just as much as Barry does.
He lets Barry get his phone but doesn't stray too far, draping over him as soon as he gets close again]
Hi Jay. I'm being guilted into marriage by bureaucracy. [His tone very much says that that's a joke and he's fine with this. Especially with the way he leans in to kiss Barry's cheek, not that Jay can see that]
[Hal turned out to be a better dad than really anyone thought he would be, before Dawn showed up in their lives. But no one can doubt it now whenever they see him with her, and how much she adores him, how much he loves her too.
He's feeling a little warm all over as he gets his phone to call Jay and Joan, happily lets Hal drape over his back, tilts his head to kiss his cheek too.]
Wait, you're serious? You two are really getting hitched? I thought you both didn't want to.
It cuts down on a lot of legal trouble if we're married. [Even as he says that, he sounds absolutely pleased as punch, though.]
Sure, I can see that. And you two are great together, so it makes sense. But no wedding at all, just a trip to the courthouse?
Yeah, we don't really need to go through all that hassle just so we can skip some adoption paperwork. [Barry says with a chuckle, but Jay hums on the other line, continuing good-humoredly,]
Is your kid going to be okay with that? "Flower girl" is basically the dream job of all little girls age 2 to 12, far as I've seen.
I don't think she's old enough to come to that conclusion, Jay.
What about when she's older and wants to see pictures of her dads' wedding?
I don't think the flower girl idea has been planted in her head yet.
[A wedding sounds like so much hassle. Hal just wants to get this done, honestly. A wedding is gonna hold things up so much]
I don't think she'll care that much. I never really cared about seeing pictures of my parents' wedding. [Granted, they were in the living room for everyone to see so...maybe not a great example]
[A wedding would be a hassle. It would be, and Barry gets why Hal would like to skip all that and just handle the legal stuff. But he does go a bit quiet when Jay mentions Dawn getting older and maybe wanting to see pictures from her dads' wedding.
He's still got his own parents' wedding photo. He still has his and Iris's wedding photo, tucked away somewhere. They're comforting to look at sometimes, when he's missing them. But with any luck, Dawn is never going to have to miss them like that.]
You never know. Maybe think about it, before you just decide to elope. I know there are plenty of other people in your lives that would love to celebrate with you, more than me and Joanie. Have you even called Alan, Hal?
[Hal notices the way Barry goes quiet. Even he has to admit that Jay raises some good points, much as he doesn't want to admit it. Then he brings up Alan, who Hal hadn't even thought of in all this. Alan isn't technically Hal's father but...he's taken on the responsibility all the same, ever since Hal came back from the dead. He's done so for all four of the Earth Lanterns. Even Guy and John, who he doesn't see as often, get their fair share of fathering from Alan when they're around]
Damn. Alan. No, not yet. [He hasn't told...anyone, actually. Including his three Lantern brothers and his two biological brothers. He gets the distinct feeling this is about to become way more complicated and can only sigh as he buries his face in the crook of Barry's neck. He's already picturing his conversation with Alan, especially after he tells him there isn't going to be a wedding] We're about to be guilted into having a wedding, aren't we?
[Neither of them have their real parents with them anymore, so Alan and Jay really are the closest things to fathers they have. That's why they're both 'grandpa' to Dawn, and why they're always invited for holidays and big events. Barry loves that they still have a family for her, even if it isn't biological. So when Jay brings up Alan, Barry winces slightly, because yeah, he'd probably like to know Hal is getting married.]
You were our first call, to be fair. We haven't told anyone else yet. We only just decided, like... ten minutes ago? [He'll defend Hal, a little, on this one.]
Son, listen, no one can tell you both what to do. You're grown men. If you're bound and determined not to have even a small wedding, that's your choice. Tell your family, though. If you don't call Alan next, I will.
[Jay has a point. If they don't tell their family, and get eloped in secret, they'll never hear the end of it. Barry brings a hand up to smooth his fingers through Hal's hair, humming.]
[Hal groans at the threat because he's fully aware that Jay can and will call Alan. Having your sort-of father in law be best friends with your sort-of father is so inconvenient sometimes]
Trust me, I know you will. We'll call him next. [He huffs] And then Wally, because if we tell Kyle before Wally, that'll be a big superspeed temper tantrum.
[Barry winces sympathetically, shifting so he can tug him into his arms instead, letting Hal lean on him if he wants. He's fine to just stand here for a bit before they call Alan to give him the news.]
We don't have to have a wedding if you don't want that. We don't have to do what everyone else wants us to. [They don't always, anyway. Barry and Hal are both stubborn in their own ways.]
[Hal doesn't really need to be comforted or anything but he goes into Barry's arms all the same. It's not even that any of this really bothers him. He can just sense the ordeal it's about to become]
It'd just be easier if we could just go to the courthouse and get it done. We'll see if you're still saying that after we call everyone, though. Especially Wally. [Because that? Is going to be a whole phone call] It's fine. I'm calling Alan now.
[In typical Alan fashion, he picks up after two rings. Hal puts it on speaker so Barry can hear and talk too]
Are you dying? No, no, better question. Is Guy dying?
[That at least gets a little huff of laughter out of Hal]
No, last I checked Guy was on Oa. If we're lucky, though, he's dying somewhere in space as we speak.
Be nice, Hal.
That was me being nice. Say hi to Barry, by the way. You're on speaker.
[Alright, maybe it's for Barry too, to help him feel like he's not forcing his best friend into a wedding.] Okay. [He agrees, and kisses the side of Hal's head just for luck while he dials Alan.
Their exchange makes him laugh quietly too, tipping his forehead to rest against Hal's shoulder.]
Hi, Alan. We had some news. Hal and I decided to get married.
[Honestly Barry had about the same 'need to process' reaction as Alan, so fair. He does laugh, though, when Hal doesn't give him any information on why.]
It'll make it easier to have Hal legally adopt Dawn if we're married. Less paperwork. He says he's being blackmailed into it by the state of Missouri. We were thinking about just eloping at the courthouse on Monday.
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Even if Barry hates thinking about it like that. He's not the one who doesn't care for marriage. He was married once before, even, and- maybe there is a part of him deep down that loves the idea of being married to his best friend now. It's not something he ever needed to be happy with Hal, of course, but...
His thoughts are racing a mile a minute.] It's not ridiculous. It would make it a lot easier for you to legally adopt Dawn, and then we don't have to deal with all this nonsense.
[He leans back in his chair, reflecting briefly on how this is the least romantic proposal in history, probably, but- finding he doesn't care.] Alright. I'll make an appointment at the courthouse. Uh, are you okay with Jay and Joan being our witnesses? They have the most free time.
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To be fair, being committed to someone is something he never thought he'd do either and he's done that for a while now with Barry. He also never saw himself raising kids and yet here he is, raising a kid with Barry. Maybe the real answer is that Barry is an exception to all things when it comes to Hal. He's honestly never questioned anything about his relationship with Barry. It just...is. He's always been someone who isn't sure of what he wants but...that was before Barry. How unbothered he actually is by all this is surprising even to him]
Why would I not be okay with that? I like Jay and Joan. [Who else would they pick, honestly? Not only do Jay and Joan have the most free time, like Barry said, but they're also genuinely good people]
I can feel you overthinking this from here.
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The fact that he stayed, that he's also parenting their child, when he never wanted children, still feels like a stroke of luck.
Maybe that's why he still feels stunned that Hal would even suggest marriage, if only to get around all this complicated legal paperwork. His hand tapping the pen against paper stills, and he stares at Hal for a minute as he works through this in his head at super-speed.] I know you do. I just wasn't sure if you'd want someone else to be there as well, like John or Kyle.
I'm not overthinking this. I think I'm giving it the right amount of thought. You just proposed.
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I could have asked John or Kyle. [The lack of mention of Guy would be funny if Hal were at all focusing on that] But then we'd have to work around their schedules. Jay and Joan are better choices.
You're overthinking it. That barely counted as a proposal. [It was about the least romantic moment in history. And if Hal feels bad about that (he does, now that Barry's phrased it like that), he isn't showing it]
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I'm not overthinking it! It was barely a proposal, though. [He teases, sitting up again and starting to pull the paperwork back into a neat stack. If they're going to elope, then they'll have a new set of paperwork to do anyway - one that will take far less time and hassle. Having his husband adopt his daughter, who only has one legal living parent, should be a lot quicker of a process.]
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[It was his idea, so it'd be rather silly if he wasn't okay with it. You never really know with Hal, though]
I'm sorry, should I do it again? Just more romantically this time? [He stands from the table and moves around to the other side where Barry is sitting, leaning down to kiss him]
You're a pain in my ass. It never mattered to me if we were married or not. I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with you regardless and being married isn't gonna make me love you any more or less. There's no one else I ever want to be with. But if it matters so much to the state of goddamn Missouri, I'm happy to marry you.
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Honestly... he wasn't expecting a better proposal. He wasn't expecting one at all. Because the things Hal says, that he loves him and marriage won't change that either way, those are things that Barry knows. Deep in his bones, he knows that, and he really was fine with marrying for legal purposes. But the things he says are also things that Barry always likes to hear, even if Hal calls him a pain in his ass.
He can probably tell just how pleased Barry is by this, from the slight flush in his cheeks, and the warmth in his blue eyes.] That was a much better proposal. [He teases, laughing, rising from his chair and looping an arm around Hal. This man, honestly.]
Yes. I'm happy to marry you too.
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Glad you approve. Anything for you. [He leans in to steal another kiss and then gives Barry a light swat on the ass, just because]
Why don't you call Jay and Joan, make sure they're available?
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That's why he returns the kiss, and only laughs when Hal swats his ass, pinching Hal's hip in retaliation.] Yeah, okay.
[He turns back to the table to grab his cell phone, and dials Jay, putting it on speakerphone so they can both talk.] Hey, Barry. How's it going?
Hi, Jay. We're good. You know how we were dealing with sorting out Hal's adopting of Dawn? I guess to solve that we're going to elope at the courthouse on Monday and we were wondering if you and Joan are free to act as our witnesses.
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[He means that so sincerely. For someone who never intended to be a parent, he's completely dedicated to his daughter. She means the world to him, just as much as Barry does.
He lets Barry get his phone but doesn't stray too far, draping over him as soon as he gets close again]
Hi Jay. I'm being guilted into marriage by bureaucracy. [His tone very much says that that's a joke and he's fine with this. Especially with the way he leans in to kiss Barry's cheek, not that Jay can see that]
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He's feeling a little warm all over as he gets his phone to call Jay and Joan, happily lets Hal drape over his back, tilts his head to kiss his cheek too.]
Wait, you're serious? You two are really getting hitched? I thought you both didn't want to.
It cuts down on a lot of legal trouble if we're married. [Even as he says that, he sounds absolutely pleased as punch, though.]
Sure, I can see that. And you two are great together, so it makes sense. But no wedding at all, just a trip to the courthouse?
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[Barry may have been okay with never getting married but Hal can tell he's really happy with this outcome. That alone makes this worth it to Hal]
I mean, we don't really need a wedding. Courthouse would be way quicker.
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Is your kid going to be okay with that? "Flower girl" is basically the dream job of all little girls age 2 to 12, far as I've seen.
I don't think she's old enough to come to that conclusion, Jay.
What about when she's older and wants to see pictures of her dads' wedding?
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[A wedding sounds like so much hassle. Hal just wants to get this done, honestly. A wedding is gonna hold things up so much]
I don't think she'll care that much. I never really cared about seeing pictures of my parents' wedding. [Granted, they were in the living room for everyone to see so...maybe not a great example]
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He's still got his own parents' wedding photo. He still has his and Iris's wedding photo, tucked away somewhere. They're comforting to look at sometimes, when he's missing them. But with any luck, Dawn is never going to have to miss them like that.]
You never know. Maybe think about it, before you just decide to elope. I know there are plenty of other people in your lives that would love to celebrate with you, more than me and Joanie. Have you even called Alan, Hal?
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Damn. Alan. No, not yet. [He hasn't told...anyone, actually. Including his three Lantern brothers and his two biological brothers. He gets the distinct feeling this is about to become way more complicated and can only sigh as he buries his face in the crook of Barry's neck. He's already picturing his conversation with Alan, especially after he tells him there isn't going to be a wedding] We're about to be guilted into having a wedding, aren't we?
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You were our first call, to be fair. We haven't told anyone else yet. We only just decided, like... ten minutes ago? [He'll defend Hal, a little, on this one.]
Son, listen, no one can tell you both what to do. You're grown men. If you're bound and determined not to have even a small wedding, that's your choice. Tell your family, though. If you don't call Alan next, I will.
[Jay has a point. If they don't tell their family, and get eloped in secret, they'll never hear the end of it. Barry brings a hand up to smooth his fingers through Hal's hair, humming.]
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Trust me, I know you will. We'll call him next. [He huffs] And then Wally, because if we tell Kyle before Wally, that'll be a big superspeed temper tantrum.
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I'll make sure we call everyone. I'll let you know what we plan to do, okay Jay? Give our love to Joan.
Will do. Good luck, fellas.
[Barry hangs up, and exhales a breath.] Well, I guess we're telling everyone that we're getting married.
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[Hal sighs too when Barry hangs up, covering his face with his hands]
Guess so. Should I call Alan now?
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We don't have to have a wedding if you don't want that. We don't have to do what everyone else wants us to. [They don't always, anyway. Barry and Hal are both stubborn in their own ways.]
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It'd just be easier if we could just go to the courthouse and get it done. We'll see if you're still saying that after we call everyone, though. Especially Wally. [Because that? Is going to be a whole phone call] It's fine. I'm calling Alan now.
[In typical Alan fashion, he picks up after two rings. Hal puts it on speaker so Barry can hear and talk too]
Are you dying? No, no, better question. Is Guy dying?
[That at least gets a little huff of laughter out of Hal]
No, last I checked Guy was on Oa. If we're lucky, though, he's dying somewhere in space as we speak.
Be nice, Hal.
That was me being nice. Say hi to Barry, by the way. You're on speaker.
Oh, hello, Barry. To what do I owe the call?
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Their exchange makes him laugh quietly too, tipping his forehead to rest against Hal's shoulder.]
Hi, Alan. We had some news. Hal and I decided to get married.
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That's what he said.
[There's silence on the other end, probably as Alan tries to process what he was just told. When he responds, he sounds amused]
So what happened to Mr. "I'm never getting married", then? Change of heart?
Don't start.
Not that it isn't good news, of course. Just surprising.
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It'll make it easier to have Hal legally adopt Dawn if we're married. Less paperwork. He says he's being blackmailed into it by the state of Missouri. We were thinking about just eloping at the courthouse on Monday.
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