Chapter Text
“Guysyou’renevergoingtobelievethis!” Barry said as he sped into the common room of the Hall, sliding on the tiles because of his socks, nearly crashing into the other wall.
“What?” Ollie asked distractedly, idly scrolling through something on his phone. It was a quiet day, so much so that the group hadn’t even bothered to change into their hero get-ups, instead choosing to take the sweet free moments together to lounge and relax.
“Hal’s back from his mission.” Barry stated dramatically, slowing down so he could enunciate each word.
“And? What’s wrong now? Broken bone, stab wound, alien std?” Arthur asked sarcastically.
“Another concussion, perhaps?” J’onn spoke up from his seat at the table. The speedster shook his head, a smile making his way onto his face,
“He checked himself into the med bay.” Everyone froze, save for the glass that managed to slip from Clark’s stunned grasp. The alien looked embarrassed but nobody was looking at him, instead, they all stared at Barry with various levels of disbelief, shock, surprise, and caution.
“He did?” Ollie asked anxiously, “he’s not like, dying, right?” Again, the speedster just shook his head, still grinning.
“His worst injury is a sprained ankle, but other than that he’s fine!”
“This is cause for celebration, so why do I feel so uncertain?” Diana asked, shaking her as she stood.
“Because Hal would only seek medical attention if something was really wrong,” Bruce started, eyes narrowing, “he’s probably been replaced. Or he’s hiding something and doesn’t want any of us to know.”
“No, guys, I swear! It’s really Hal! Trust me,” Barry whined, “I was shocked too, but I talked to him and he just feels bad about hiding stuff before, and he promised last time that he would start going to the med bay whenever he gets back.”
“It’s true,” Clark said softly, carefully picking up the shattered glass, “I think he got tired of us all hovering, especially after what happened when we all went out for dinner.” Ollie put his head into his hands, scrubbing his eyes with his fingers. Hal? Mr. ‘I come back from missions half-dead but hide it so that I nearly actually die until I’m forced into receiving medical care?’ Likely story.
“I feel like I’m going crazy.”