002
- a glance at happiness -

April 6, 2021
Spencer's Bowling Alley, 1:34 pm

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A REALLY LONG TIME, THEY WERE ALL HAPPY. Dick and Kory cheered and laughed as they watched the others bowl, they had split into two teams, Hazel, Cole and Terran versus the others, naming their teams Bowling Gods and Bowl Hero. The score was ever so slightly in the Demi-Gods favour, but that didn't stop Cole and his constant teasing. Tim got the most of Cole's teasing every time he hit just below a spare, which was quite a lot. Gar and Conner were doing fine, Gar mostly worried Conner would use too much strength and end up destroying the alley. Rachel was their real problem, but somehow in the last 15 minutes, none of the siblings had missed, all getting strikes.

Terran quickly slipped her long coat off and rolled up the sleeves of her white button up shirt before grabbing the luminescent bowling ball. She walked up to the alley way, Cole and Hazel cheering her on as she lined up her shot. "Please miss!" Tim shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. Terran reeled her arm back before taking a step forward and let it fly from her hand, sending it racing down the alley and through the pins, knocking them all down.

"No!" Rachel yelled, dropping her head into her hands, "But also awesome!"

Terran spun back around, pointing at her sister, "You. Up." Terran ignored Conner's long, annoyed groan and plopped herself back in her seat.

Hazel shed her long red jacket and stood, wiping her hands against her painted jeans. She grabbed the heavy orange ball and did a small shuffle run as she slid the ball, curving the ball's trajectory. It barrelled through the pins at lightning speed, knocking them over at once. "Oh yeah!" Hazel called jumping up, her yells of joy overpowering Tim's complaining.

Rachel jumped up next and high fived Hazel as she moved to sit. "Let's go, Rachel!" Terran hollered with a smile. Rachel was just as quick to send the ball down the lane, making it spin as it left her hand like Hazel had done and she scored a strike. Obviously. Rachel did a little dance, smiling to herself as Cole complained along with the other boys, though her team was more annoyed that they had yet to gain a strike.

"How?" Gar shrieked, throwing his hands up. Tim held his hand out and Rachel spun quickly to high-five him.

"Every time," Conner groaned, slumping in his chair.

"Wow," Tim panted.

"That is just talent," Rachel cooed.

"You should lend some to your team," Cole teased, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees, "You guys seem to need it."

Before Rachel or Tim could spin to argue with him, Conner let out a long groan, "How did you- How did you guys even do it?" Conner questioned; his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Pure skill," Terran hollered, Hazel reaching to high five her.

"Alright Conner, let's see you live up to the Super in your name," Hazel snarked with a smile. He pushed himself from the seat and picked up the blue bowling bowl, sending a mocking face at Hazel.

"C'mon Con!" Gar shouted, clapping his hands. "Just don't break anything!"

Conner stepped up and threw the bowling bowl, resisting the urge to roll it as hard as he could. It rolled fast and his score ticked up as he got a strike. "Okay!" Conner shouted in excitement, throwing his arms up.

"Whoo!" Kory cheered from the tables, throwing her arms up. Tim shouted in celebration and jumped into Conner's arms.

"You did it!" Gar celebrated with a smile.

"See that?" Conner commented snidely and Hazel high-fived him. "Thank you."

Tim stepped up next and Cole started to clap. "Come on Timothy!" Cole shouted. Tim grunted as he rolled out the ball. The ball hit the pins, toppling over six. "Not bad. Not great." Tim turned to him, raising both hands to flip him off.

"Back away, Robin. Pick up the spare," Gar said while laughing, rocking from side to side on his feet.

"One sec," Tim called, running for his phone that had started to buzz.

Cole huffed and stood, grabbing Tim's bowling ball as the machine spat it back out. Terran started to question him, but Cole quickly shushed her. "They need the assist, little sis," Cole shrugged. He quickly spun around to the lane, rolling the ball from his hand. It raced down the lane, knocking through the pins Tim had missed. Conner cheered and Gar thanked him like his life depended on it.

Cole bowed dramatically but he looked up at Tim standing by the upper tables, with his back turned to Cole. He sighed and sat back in his seat; his shoulders slumped. Hazel looked at her brother, trying not to smile and he shook his head at her.

Conner picked up Gar's bowling ball and tossed it toward him like it weighed nothing, but Gar grunted, and his knees buckled slightly as he caught the ball. "You got this," Conner nodded, patting his back. Rachel rushed off and ran to the new round of milkshakes Kory ordered, Terran jumped to her feet, following after her.

Hazel whistled through her teeth, clapping as she did, "Go Tiger Boy!" Gar looked back at her and smiled before stepping up to the lane. He took a breath and raised the ball, hiding his growing smile while letting his arm transform into a thick green tentacle and wrap around the ball. He threw his arm out, flinging the ball halfway down the alley.

Terran looked up from her milkshake and she threw her arms up, "What the fuck?!" Terran shouted and Dick laughed, almost snorting as he sipped his drink. The bowling ball sped down the lane, striking through the pins at once. "Hey! Bro-!" Terran set her drink down as ran to Hazel, her arms still flailing as she yelled, "You green freak, that's not fair! No transformation!"

"Hey, everyone's gotta bring their skills," Conner defended and Gar spun back to him, high fiving him with his tentacle, which stuck to Conner's hand for a moment.

"No, it's fine Te," Hazel insisted, pushing herself to stand. "All three, even with Rachel's help would still have to score two strikes to even catch up." Conner huffed softly, his arms dropping to his side, even Rachel shouted an offended hey. Gar scoffed and flung his arm around and swiped the slimy tentacle over Hazel's shirt. She squeaked which only made Gar laugh as she hit the tentacle away. "Hey! Garfield Mark Logan! You ass!" Hazel screeched jumping back as she tossed a heap of petals toward him, which struck to the tentacle.

Hazel plopped herself back in her seat, trying to wipe the slime from her cropped singlet, Gar still laughing even as he picked the petals off. "Hey," Terran whispered, knocking Hazel's knee as she sat next to her. Hazel looked up and Terran motioned to Tim who stood by the end of the chairs, awkwardly staring at Cole. "He hasn't stopped staring since Cole undid his buttons."

Hazel laughed as Cole fluffed out his shirt, the top three buttons undone. Hazel shook her head, chuckling to herself, "Yeah cause it's so hot in here."

Cole walked back to Terran and Hazel, sitting beside Terran. "It is hot in here; you both took off your jackets." Terran scoffed and Hazel laughed at Cole, her head dropping back as she covered her face.

Kory laughed and walked down to the others, Rachel close behind. "Who was that?" Rachel asked, looking up at Tim who moved quickly to dump his phone on the table.

"Oh, Dad," Tim explained with a shrug. "He's worried we're already into something."

"Hey, did you explain to him that sometimes we go hours without saving the world?" Gar questioned, glancing at Kory beside him who laughed softly.

"Yeah. I think he just wanted an excuse to call," Tim shrugged and moved to the seat next to Cole. "My phone's been blowing up ever since we left."

"Aw. It's nice to have parents that miss you," Kory cooed.

"Yeah, nice to have parents," Rachel commented and Hazel laughed softly.

Dick rushed next to Kory, pocketing his phone with a giddy smile. "Look who's back," Kory hummed. She stared at him a moment longer and her brows creased slightly, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Everything's fine," Dick nodded quickly.

"You have that I have news look on your face," Kory countered.

"Well, I do have news," Dick confirmed. "Just got off the phone with Bruce-"

"No!" Everyone shouted at once. Dick's eyes shot wide open as he stared at everyone.

"No. We're not going back to Gotham," Kory said, shaking her head.

"We're not doing that," Terran ordered.

"Way too soon," Conner added.

"We just left," Tim counted, motioning to Cole.

"For the record, I don't mind going back," Gar shrugged and Hazel kicked his shin softly.

"Okay, hang on, this isn't about Gotham," Dick said quickly, calming everyone down. He paused for a moment before turning to Conner with a smile, "It's about Metropolis." Conner's eyes widened and Tim grabbed Cole's arm. "Bruce and I have been talking about you wanting to meet your dad. So, Bruce made some calls and. . . and he wants to meet you."

"Superman wants to meet me?" Conner asked through the shock, a smile growing on his face. "Are you serious? He- he said that?" Tim smiled, grabbing Cole's arm tighter in excitement, shaking him softly.

Dick laughed, his smile growing as he watched the boys, "He said you need flying lessons, actually. But, um-"

"He what?"

"What?" Tim reached forward and gripped Conner's arm.

"No, no. I'm. . . I'm joking," Dick laughed, patting Conner's shoulder. Conner and Tim groaned, muttering playful curses at Dick and Hazel echoed that with a small boo. "But he does wanna meet you," Dick nodded.

Conner stared at Dick for a moment, a giddy smile taking over his face, "This is incredible. I- I can't even believe it's really happening," Conner stuttered.

"It is. Nine o'clock sharp at S.T.A.R. Labs."

"Wait, S.T.A.R. Labs?" Tim questioned, pushing himself forward, almost falling over his feet. "The S.T.A.R. Labs?"

Dick smiled at Tim, shaking his head softly, "Special Projects team heard we might be visiting and went into overdrive," Dick relayed, "Apparently, they've been trying to get their hands on us for some time. Bruce said there might be some surprises. Whatever that means."

Dick looked at Kory and she shrugged softly, matching his smile. She shook her shoulders out and walked around to grab one of the bowling balls, spinning it in her hands, "Well. . . Sounds like Superman isn't the only one that wanted to meet us."

"Please don't burn down the bowling alley," Dick mumbled as Kory lined up the shot.

"She definitely will," Gar nodded.

Kory sent the ball out, getting a strike. "Whoo!" Kory cheered, Dick cheering her along as the others clapped.

"Hey, just wanna point out that's my ball, so those points go to our team," Hazel spoke up.

"What?!" Tim shouted, spinning on his heel to face Hazel.

Hazel shrugged softly, "We're already down one player."

"Okay, okay," Dick said, stepping between them. "Go finish up your drinks and pizza, we'll leave in 20. Who's coming with me to get the RV?" Dick clapped his hands at Conner, and he reluctantly nodded, kicking his bowling shoes off and grabbed his own, following Dick. Terran and Rachel sprung to their feet, running toward the arcade machines, Tim chasing after them. Cole grabbed the bowling ball, Kory cheering him on.

Gar grabbed his shoes and sat beside Hazel, knocking his knees against hers softly as he swapped his shoes over, "I'm gonna grab a drink for the road, you want one?"

Hazel hummed, thinking it over. "Mmm, just get me whatever you're getting. Oh! I would kill for more of the chocolate covered peanuts," Hazel said, leaning back in the uncomfortable bowling booth seats. She smiled at Gar, "I'll share them with you."

Gar laughed and grabbed his jacket, "I'll see what I can do."

Hazel smiled at Gar, watching him walk up to the counter before turning back to watch Cole who missed both shots. "Whoa! What happened to my super cool bowling brother?" Hazel complained, throwing her hands up. Cole turned back to her, hanging his head slightly. "Tim not here to impress anymore?" Hazel wiggled her eyebrows at her brother who flopped into the seat beside her.

Cole huffed as he began to untie his shoes, "How 'bout you stop teasing me and worry about the two chicks throwing themselves at Gar."

Hazel furrowed her eyebrows and spun in her seat, looking over her shoulder at Gar standing at the counter, with indeed two girls practically throwing themselves at him. One had leaned against the counter, trying to push her chest into his eyesight but Gar was too focussed on searching the snack bar.

Cole said something to Hazel, but it all was muffled in her mind, her eyes too focused on how the second girl basically draped herself on Gar's arm to point at something. She didn't know how it happened, but the light above them smashed, then the one above the counter did the same. The girls' milkshakes were not any safer, the glass shattering all over their clothes and cutting their hands.

"Hazel?" Kory's voice made her jump and Hazel realised how hot her skin had grown, almost burning. Hazel shook her head, muttering an excuse before rushing from the building.

She stepped outside, the sun bright in her eyes as she walked around to lean against the brick wall of the next building. The air was cold, it had barely stopped raining 20 minutes ago but no matter how cold everything seemed to be Hazel's skin continued to burn. Hazel looked down at her hands, bright red light building underneath her skin and lighting up her veins. She looked at her arms, the light moving upwards in strange shapes as if they were trying to write something on her skin.

Hazel shook her hands, trying to shake the light away but it refused to leave, still making her skin glow and burn. Hazel looked down the alley, spotting the large, half empty skip bin pressed haphazardly against the brick wall. She looked around before throwing her hand out, bright red light springing from her hand and barrelling through the skip bin, partially melting whatever wasn't caught in the explosion. Hazel looked down at her hands, the glow gone from her skin, the sparks of red light fading as they danced between her fingers.

She patted down her pockets, her hands trying to find her pack of cigarettes on instinct, but she paused. Hazel hung her head back and took a deep breath through her nose. She spun on her heel, walking back inside the building. She walked back to the bowling booths, sitting beside Cole. "Fuck was that?" Cole asked, his eyebrows creased.

"Uh, I got really sick," Hazel mumbled, a flimsy lie.

Cole's face grew more sceptical, "Sick? We don't do-"

"Yeah, but do you know how much chocolate I ate today?" Hazel interrupted, pulling her lips into a tight smile. "I mean I finished of Gar's and Kory's freaking chocolate peanut things."

"You're a terrible liar, y'know?" Cole scoffed. Hazel shrugged softly and began to untie her shoes, pulling on her red converse. Cole watched her closely, noting her shaking hands, "Are you using again?"

Hazel's hands froze, looking up at Kory who was too far to hear them. "What?" Hazel's gaze snapped up to Cole.

He glanced up at Terran who ran past them and over to Kory. Cole sighed softly and shuffled slightly closer, dropping his voice to a whisper, "Well I haven't seen you drinking, and I haven't smelt any smoke on you," Cole shrugged. "So, I just thought you were using again."

"Using what Cole? I smoke socially yeah-"

"Yeah, but it always starts with that, then it doesn't work anymore so you do something stronger," Cole rambled. "My aunt was like that; she was the cool stoner then suddenly she was doing everything as her skin and teeth- Oh my god her teeth were all cracked and black and-"

"Cole," Hazel said sternly, placing her hand on his shoulder, "I'm not using. And we can still be sick just not get sick."

Cole narrowed his eyes at Hazel, but Kory strolled over, stopping him from questioning Hazel any further. Kory sat across from them, pulling her shoes off, "Who's sick?"

"Me but it's fine," Hazel said, waving it off.

Kory hummed softly, leaning forward to press her hand against Hazel's forehead. "You are a little warm." Hazel furrowed her eyebrows and Kory laughed softly, taking her hand back. "Then again, you are a human sun." Hazel laughed softly, grabbing her jacket. "But still, if you feel sick just let us know we'll grab something."

"Who's sick?" Gar asked Tim at his side.

"No one. No one is sick," Hazel huffed, slamming her hands to her knees as she stood. "Are we going yet?"

"Yeah, Dick's out front," Tim nodded.

Hazel nodded and walked past him, headed for the exit. Gar caught up to her, holding out an orange flavoured soda, "I couldn't get chocolate peanuts, so pretzels."

Hazel's jaw dropped slightly as she grabbed the bag, spinning it even as Gar held the pack, "Aw no way I didn't know they had these."

Hazel tried to grab them, but Gar moved his hand back, "I spent like 7 bucks on these. Are you going to share them?"

Haze hummed softly. "Maybe," she said with a grin.

Gar handed the pack to her, and his eyebrows furrowed as his hand brushed hers. "Whoa! Your hands are warm," he said in surprise, quickly grabbing her hand, which was still very warm. "Are you finally human?"

Hazel pulled a face at him as she tried to open the bag, but Cole ripped them from her hands before she had the chance. "Hey-!"

"You were sick, these are mine now!" Cole grinned, spinning back and running off, Tim steps behind.

Hazel scoffed, "You owe Gar 7 bucks!"

Metropolis, S.T.A.R Labs, 3:38 pm

THE SUN SHONE OFF THE DAMP STREETS OF METROPOLIS, DANCING ON THE PAVEMENT LIKE DIAMONDS. The RV rolled to a stop in front of the large building, the centre shaped like a dome at least 15 stories high, entirely made of glass that sparkled in the sunlight. Tim practically ran to the RV door and threw himself out, staring up at the enormous building in front of him. Cole was steps behind, stopping at his side as he stared up at the expanding wings of the dome that connected to even more buildings.

"They have the best medical facility in the world, but it's barely even mentioned on the Wikipedia page because it isn't that important," Cole rambled, glancing at Tim who shared the same giddy smile. "Can you believe that? The best medical facilities are one of its minor achievements."

The others had jumped out as well, Conner walking over to the large Superman statue placed front and centre of it all. Hazel walked to his side, looking up at the tall steel statue. Hazel glanced at Conner and smiled. "A real man of steel," Hazel teased, making Conner chuckle. She rocked on the balls of her feet as she smiled up at him, "I heard he's a real humble guy, don't be nervous."

Conner looked down at Hazel smiling softly, "You're telling me if it was your father in there you wouldn't be nervous?" Hazel hummed softly, scrunching her nose up slightly.

Dick walked up to them, letting them linger for a moment longer before placing his hand on Conner's back. Conner looked back at him, and Dick smiled, "You ready."

Conner looked between the statue and Hazel before nodding, "Ready."

Tim heard Conner's voice somehow before anyone else and had thrown himself onto Conner's shoulder, nearly knocking him over in his excitement. Conner had tried to steady him, but he was already running forwards, "Let's go!" Tim cheered and the others laughed at him, following him to the door to S.T.A.R Labs.

Inside was pristine whites and light blues, everything designed down to the smallest details. Doctors moved through the building, making their way through different facilities, some even commenting on what information the large holograms displayed, data, news and fun facts about the universe.

Tim spun around, looking at everything around him with a wide grin. "S.T.A.R. Labs," Tim called in excitement. "Scientific and Technological Advance Research Laboratories. Built by Garrison Slate in 1971. Dedicated to pure scientific research, but no private or governmental affiliations."

"Nerd," Terran muttered, trying to cover it with a cough.

"You wanna be a bioengineer, let him be a nerd," Hazel said, looking back at Terran. Rachel laughed at her and Terran slapped her arm softly as she cursed out her sister.

A group of researchers led by a man in a very clean fitted vest and suit pants walked towards the group, a friendly smile on his face. "The Titans, I presume," He called.

Dick stepped up, meeting him halfway with a handshake and a smile, "Bernard. Good to see you."

"Good to see you again, Mr Grayson," Bernard said, nodding. He took his hand back and held them behind his back as he turned to address the others. "Everybody. I'm so, so happy that you're all here. My name is Bernard Fitzmartin, and I am the Director of Special Projects here at S.T.A.R. Laboratories." He paused for a moment and motioned to the two women standing beside him. "This is Doctor Espenson, the Director of Applied Sciences, and this is Doctor Kruger, Director of the ET Division."

"ET meaning Extraterrestrials. Just like the movie," Doctor Kruger spoke up with a smile, her cheeks crinkling as she did. "And we have got a very big day planned."

Doctor Esponson stepped up, handing out security badges to the Titans. "We've been scrambling a little since we heard you were coming today, but we've managed to put together a few things for you," Bernard confirmed with a nervous chuckle.

"So, why don't I show you what we've been working on, and you show us what you can do," Dr Espenson requested with a smile, stepping back slightly.

"If you'd follow the good doctor," Bernard ordered and the Titans followed, Dick and Conner staying behind with Bernard.

- rapture -