See? I knew I'd been friends with Jay all this time for a reason.
[The sad part is, Hal's pretty sure Alan has more interest in this than his actual father would. Since becoming a father himself, he's really had to admit that his own father was not the greatest]
If that's what you two ultimately decide to do, I'd be happy to be there. And Hal?
Yeah, Alan?
I'm proud of you, son. I had my doubts when you were younger but you've really matured.
[Hal makes a face. All this genuine emotion is painful. It's also not that he doesn't want a wedding it's just...honestly, he's never given it much thought. He doesn't know what he wants. Par for the course in his life, honestly]
Ugh, Alan.
What? I'm just glad things have worked out for you. Is that so wrong?
When you say it like that it is!
[Alan chuckles, clearly getting a kick out of making Hal cringe]
Fine, fine. God forbid. Listen, whatever you two decide to do is fine. I support you. But give the wedding at least a little consideration?
[Barry smiles warmly as he listens to Alan tell Hal that he's proud of him. Good, his best friend deserves that kind of fatherly pride, that kind of love. Hal doesn't accept it without an attempt at a groan, of course, but Barry knows it means something to him.
It's a nice moment to be present for.] We'll consider it. I already promised Jay we'd think about it. [Whether it winds up being a yes or no, they'll have to decide that for themselves. Probably should consider before they call anyone else, or they'll just get the same lecture about how they should at least think about having a real wedding.]
You'll be first to know what we decide on, unless Jay weasels it out of us first.
[It means a lot to Hal. He just still to this day isn't sure what to do with people caring about him]
We both know Jay's going to hear first. But I appreciate the sentiment, Barry. I'll talk to you boys later.
Bye, Alan.
[Hal ends the call, making a face down at his phone]
Shoulda put Alan in charge of telling Kyle, Guy and John for me. Then again, if I had tried that, he would've just told me it was my responsibility. So either way, I guess.
[Barry can only laugh at that, because it's probably true. No offense to Alan, of course, but- Jay is just a city away, and for a speedster, that means he's only seconds away if he wants to know anything about what they're doing.] Bye, Alan.
[The face Hal makes has Barry stifling a smile.] Maybe we should decide what we're doing before we make any more calls. Otherwise it's going to be the same conversation over and over.
What do you want to do? [This is becoming much more of an ordeal than Hal anticipated. He’s not sure how he feels about that. He’s finding that he doesn't regret bringing up getting married, though. It's just...so much]
And don't say some bullshit like you wanna do whatever I wanna do. That's not what I asked.
[Barry winces slightly when Hal clarifies his question in rigid terms, because yeah, he was going to say "whatever you want to do" and leave it up to his friend. Hal knows him too well. As he should, probably, since they're going to get married, and already have a child together, and have spent this many years together...]
Would you be mad if I said I thought maybe a small wedding would be nice? Just something for family and close friends, nothing big. [That's still... several people, but still. It'd be nothing like the scale Dinah and Ollie's wedding reached.]
[Hal is well versed by now in how Barry's mind works. And he got the distinct impression during their calls with Jay and Alan that he was thinking about something]
No, because I did ask what you wanted to do. So if that's what you want to do, you should be allowed to say it. [He sighs] You realize that, for us, "just family and friends" is still a lot of people, right?
Yeah, I know that. [He smiles sheepishly.] But we wouldn't have to do anything crazy. A small ceremony in the backyard and a BBQ after? Some photos?
[Which, now that it's out there, he should probably explain why he thinks it might be nice.]
I know you don't care much about your own parents' wedding pictures, but I still have my mom and dad's photo, and it's... comforting to look at sometimes, when I miss them. Maybe Dawn will feel like you do in the future, or maybe not. It might be nice to give her that.
[Now that Barry's put it like that...well, Hal can't deny that maybe he has a point. While he may not care about his parents' wedding photos (which he's fairly sure Jack has now), he has held onto his father's bomber jacket since he died. Kind of like a security blanket. So maybe he can see how having an actual wedding would be good for Dawn. How it would be nice for her to have something to look at and remember them years and years from now when she's grown up and they're gone. These are not things he's ever wanted for himself but...he can't see denying Barry a wedding now that he's expressed a desire to have one. And he can't see denying Dawn the chance to have that kind of memory of them. He sighs, folding his arms over his chest. It was never a fight or anything but Barry has definitely won this one]
Fine. Fine, okay. A small wedding. Small. I'm talking less than 100 people, here.
[Honestly, there's a reason he wasn't pulling this reasoning out when the question was first posed. He didn't want to come off as manipulative, using their daughter to get one answer or another out of Hal. Because Barry knows Hal - he knows he'd do anything for their little girl.
So he knows that Hal will eventually agree to a wedding, but he hopes he won't be upset about it. When he specifies less than a hundred people, Barry laughs, leaning in to hug him.]
Less than fifty, if we can manage it. Family and close friends only. I am not inviting half the League. [They probably won't get away with less than 50 people, but definitely can manage less than 100.]
[It's not manipulation so much as it is...helping Hal make a decision. There are times when he's not so sure what he wants and needs a little push to get there. This is one of those times. He's not opposed to a wedding, it just sounds like a lot of fuss. But if Barry wants one, then he'll deal]
Less than fifty people would be even better. And while we're at it? No one better be showing up in costume. This isn't gonna turn into a circus act like Ollie and Dinah's wedding did. [He has to bring it up because of what a nightmare it turned into] And if you even think of inviting Bruce I'm demanding a divorce before we're even married. Just saying.
Absolutely no costumes. [They're having a civilian wedding. As small a one as possible. That way it'll be way less of a target for possible supervillain attacks and other cape fuckery. He would like their tiny daughter to be able to attend safely, after all.] And we'll keep it as small and stress-free as possible.
[Barry smiles wryly at the threat of divorce.] No Bruce. I was just thinking Clark and Diana from the League, actually. [Both are decent friends, and not at all likely to start drama or arguments at a wedding.]
Guy is going to be rowdy enough without inviting anybody else that you're going to spend the whole wedding arguing with.
Imagine anything being stress-free in this community, Barry. [Nothing in the cape community is known for being easy. But one can hope]
Okay. I'm fine with Clark and Diana. [Honestly, his line with inviting the League is just "no Bruce". But Clark and Diana are the ones they both most consistently talk to. Besides, Clark loves weddings. Are either of them prepared for the puppy dog eyes they'd get if they didn't invite Clark to their wedding? No, they are not]
Who said we're inviting Guy? [He's kidding. Of course he's gonna invite Guy]
It'll be as stress-free as possible for you, I promise. [Which won't be 100% stress free, but it's the least Barry can offer, since he's going along with this whole wedding thing. Since he's marrying Barry period.]
Ha. I'd be delighted if we weren't inviting Guy, but I know you, and so we're inviting Guy. [Guy is Hal's family, somehow, no matter how Barry feels about him. He's just making fun of him right now though, he isn't upset about him coming.] It's fine. It's just going to be a casual ceremony and a BBQ for the reception.
Unless you want something fancy, but somehow, I don't think you do.
Don't say it like that. That makes it sound like...I don't know. [The phrasing just bothers him. No, he doesn't know why]
Was that permission to not invite Guy? Because I might take you up on that. [He won't and they both know it. Hal might find Guy incredibly annoying but...he's kind of attached to the guy. They're brothers. Brothers who sometimes have full on street fights over nothing but still brothers]
Why would I wanna do fancy? The wedding's not the point, right? Being married is.
Okay, okay, I just meant I'd take care of anything you really didn't want to. [Just like he's sure Hal will take care of some things so Barry doesn't have to.]
Hey, you don't need my permission to invite Guy. You're going to do it regardless. [No matter how much he jokes that he won't.]
Right. Being married is the point. [And here Barry can't help but soften, smiling at Hal and looping his arms loosely around his neck to pull him in for a kiss, slow and easy. Look, he's happy to be getting married, alright.]
Fine. Okay. I can accept that. [They're in this together. Also he is, 100%, going to invite Guy. They both know it]
See? Though I guess the wedding is a little bit the point. For you, apparently. I don't really care what kind of wedding we have. [He settles both his hands on Barry's hips, leaning into the kiss] Because no matter what, I get to have you. And that's all I really want anyway.
[Barry just laughs when Hal says the wedding is a little bit the point for him.] I wasn't going to push for one. It isn't that important, but it'll be nice to have the family together.
[And then Hal says that, and Barry's grin stretches from ear to ear, as he brings his hands up to cup Hal's face with a sort of tender affection.] Now who's sappy? I feel the same, though. I'm excited to be married to you. And maybe to pick out a flower girl dress for our daughter.
You weren't even going to admit you wanted one. Not until Alan and Jay basically guilted it out of you. [Which is fine. Hal's not a big wedding person and having one himself was never something he considered but...he'll do it for Barry]
Mm, shut up. [He leans in for another quick kiss] That's probably gonna be her favorite part, too. Until there's cake. Then that will be her favorite part.
Because I didn't want to pressure you! [Their guilting definitely helped, though. Alan and Jay are right about some things and maybe a little dramatic about others. But he really would like to have a small-ish, somewhat casual wedding.
Barry laughs as he returns that kiss.] Yeah, she'll have a blast. I think it'll be worth it for that, at least. And for some nice photos of us and our family.
And yet here we are. [He doesn't feel pressured. And maybe Alan and Jay were the tiniest bit dramatic about certain things but...they had good intentions. Their concerns are very fatherly. It's nice that they care as much as they do]
As much as I still think it's gonna be a pain in the ass...yeah. She's gonna have a good time. That'll be nice. [Again, he'd do absolutely anything for Dawn] So, what do we think the chances are that Jay hasn't already called Wally and told him?
And yet here we are, going to get married and have a wedding and everything. [Barry laughs, and steals another brief kiss, because he can.] Jack is never going to believe this.
[He thinks everyone else will, at least. Wally will definitely be excited.] Jay wouldn't do that. At least not yet. It's our news to tell. Kind of unfortunately, because I'm not looking forward to making all those phone calls.
How the fuck did that happen? [He knows how it happened. He’s stupidly in love with Barry. That's how]
God, don't remind me that I have to call Jack. He’s gonna talk shit. [He loves his brother, honestly. But the man is a dick] Yeah, me either. But we started this fuckery so now we're finishing it. Might as well get it out of the way.
No cursing, the baby will hear you. [Barry says with a laugh, even though the baby is still quite occupied with her toys in the living room, in her playpen, and not paying attention. It would be just his luck if she started paying attention the moment Hal said "talk shit" or "fuckery", though.]
The baby isn't even paying attention to us. And anyway, she's got Guy Gardner in her life. Which I know is my fault, before you even say anything. So I wouldn't complain about me cursing every now and then with that in mind, if I were you. [How did Guy ever become a family member? Who let that happen? (Hal. It was Hal)]
Do you need to ask? Wally. If he finds out we told anyone else before him, he'll explode. [A brief pause] Even if I think it'd be kinda funny to tell Kyle first. That'd really set him off.
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[The sad part is, Hal's pretty sure Alan has more interest in this than his actual father would. Since becoming a father himself, he's really had to admit that his own father was not the greatest]
If that's what you two ultimately decide to do, I'd be happy to be there. And Hal?
Yeah, Alan?
I'm proud of you, son. I had my doubts when you were younger but you've really matured.
[Hal makes a face. All this genuine emotion is painful. It's also not that he doesn't want a wedding it's just...honestly, he's never given it much thought. He doesn't know what he wants. Par for the course in his life, honestly]
Ugh, Alan.
What? I'm just glad things have worked out for you. Is that so wrong?
When you say it like that it is!
[Alan chuckles, clearly getting a kick out of making Hal cringe]
Fine, fine. God forbid. Listen, whatever you two decide to do is fine. I support you. But give the wedding at least a little consideration?
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It's a nice moment to be present for.] We'll consider it. I already promised Jay we'd think about it. [Whether it winds up being a yes or no, they'll have to decide that for themselves. Probably should consider before they call anyone else, or they'll just get the same lecture about how they should at least think about having a real wedding.]
You'll be first to know what we decide on, unless Jay weasels it out of us first.
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We both know Jay's going to hear first. But I appreciate the sentiment, Barry. I'll talk to you boys later.
Bye, Alan.
[Hal ends the call, making a face down at his phone]
Shoulda put Alan in charge of telling Kyle, Guy and John for me. Then again, if I had tried that, he would've just told me it was my responsibility. So either way, I guess.
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[The face Hal makes has Barry stifling a smile.] Maybe we should decide what we're doing before we make any more calls. Otherwise it's going to be the same conversation over and over.
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And don't say some bullshit like you wanna do whatever I wanna do. That's not what I asked.
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Would you be mad if I said I thought maybe a small wedding would be nice? Just something for family and close friends, nothing big. [That's still... several people, but still. It'd be nothing like the scale Dinah and Ollie's wedding reached.]
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No, because I did ask what you wanted to do. So if that's what you want to do, you should be allowed to say it. [He sighs] You realize that, for us, "just family and friends" is still a lot of people, right?
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[Which, now that it's out there, he should probably explain why he thinks it might be nice.]
I know you don't care much about your own parents' wedding pictures, but I still have my mom and dad's photo, and it's... comforting to look at sometimes, when I miss them. Maybe Dawn will feel like you do in the future, or maybe not. It might be nice to give her that.
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Fine. Fine, okay. A small wedding. Small. I'm talking less than 100 people, here.
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So he knows that Hal will eventually agree to a wedding, but he hopes he won't be upset about it. When he specifies less than a hundred people, Barry laughs, leaning in to hug him.]
Less than fifty, if we can manage it. Family and close friends only. I am not inviting half the League. [They probably won't get away with less than 50 people, but definitely can manage less than 100.]
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Less than fifty people would be even better. And while we're at it? No one better be showing up in costume. This isn't gonna turn into a circus act like Ollie and Dinah's wedding did. [He has to bring it up because of what a nightmare it turned into] And if you even think of inviting Bruce I'm demanding a divorce before we're even married. Just saying.
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[Barry smiles wryly at the threat of divorce.] No Bruce. I was just thinking Clark and Diana from the League, actually. [Both are decent friends, and not at all likely to start drama or arguments at a wedding.]
Guy is going to be rowdy enough without inviting anybody else that you're going to spend the whole wedding arguing with.
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Okay. I'm fine with Clark and Diana. [Honestly, his line with inviting the League is just "no Bruce". But Clark and Diana are the ones they both most consistently talk to. Besides, Clark loves weddings. Are either of them prepared for the puppy dog eyes they'd get if they didn't invite Clark to their wedding? No, they are not]
Who said we're inviting Guy? [He's kidding. Of course he's gonna invite Guy]
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Ha. I'd be delighted if we weren't inviting Guy, but I know you, and so we're inviting Guy. [Guy is Hal's family, somehow, no matter how Barry feels about him. He's just making fun of him right now though, he isn't upset about him coming.] It's fine. It's just going to be a casual ceremony and a BBQ for the reception.
Unless you want something fancy, but somehow, I don't think you do.
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Was that permission to not invite Guy? Because I might take you up on that. [He won't and they both know it. Hal might find Guy incredibly annoying but...he's kind of attached to the guy. They're brothers. Brothers who sometimes have full on street fights over nothing but still brothers]
Why would I wanna do fancy? The wedding's not the point, right? Being married is.
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Hey, you don't need my permission to invite Guy. You're going to do it regardless. [No matter how much he jokes that he won't.]
Right. Being married is the point. [And here Barry can't help but soften, smiling at Hal and looping his arms loosely around his neck to pull him in for a kiss, slow and easy. Look, he's happy to be getting married, alright.]
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See? Though I guess the wedding is a little bit the point. For you, apparently. I don't really care what kind of wedding we have. [He settles both his hands on Barry's hips, leaning into the kiss] Because no matter what, I get to have you. And that's all I really want anyway.
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[And then Hal says that, and Barry's grin stretches from ear to ear, as he brings his hands up to cup Hal's face with a sort of tender affection.] Now who's sappy? I feel the same, though. I'm excited to be married to you. And maybe to pick out a flower girl dress for our daughter.
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Mm, shut up. [He leans in for another quick kiss] That's probably gonna be her favorite part, too. Until there's cake. Then that will be her favorite part.
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Barry laughs as he returns that kiss.] Yeah, she'll have a blast. I think it'll be worth it for that, at least. And for some nice photos of us and our family.
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As much as I still think it's gonna be a pain in the ass...yeah. She's gonna have a good time. That'll be nice. [Again, he'd do absolutely anything for Dawn] So, what do we think the chances are that Jay hasn't already called Wally and told him?
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[He thinks everyone else will, at least. Wally will definitely be excited.] Jay wouldn't do that. At least not yet. It's our news to tell. Kind of unfortunately, because I'm not looking forward to making all those phone calls.
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God, don't remind me that I have to call Jack. He’s gonna talk shit. [He loves his brother, honestly. But the man is a dick] Yeah, me either. But we started this fuckery so now we're finishing it. Might as well get it out of the way.
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Alright, I guess let's get to calling. Who next?
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Do you need to ask? Wally. If he finds out we told anyone else before him, he'll explode. [A brief pause] Even if I think it'd be kinda funny to tell Kyle first. That'd really set him off.
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