a/n: in honor of Hal's birthday, enjoy the last part of the flashback chapters in which he's becoming the absolute DILF he was destined to be (and a mention of Carol too because i adore her and she needs more love)

"So, your Ring won't allow you to hurt yourself?"

"Would take an insane amount of willpower to do so. I've only done it once and I was unconscious for like a week." I shrugged, flying next to Zaria as we circled around Earth's orbit before I took her home. "Remember that willpower can overcome any emotion on the spectrum, even rage if you have enough will."

"So, and this is a theory, if I somehow develop enough willpower-"

"You might will yourself to repel your Ring. But remember that your Ring is your lifeline, so it might come with a risk."

"But isn't that what we've been working on? Using will to overcome my rage?" Zaria asked and I sighed.

"What we're working on is in controlling your rage with other emotions on the spectrum. Willpower is easier because it's literally what I represent on the spectrum, but we've been working on the other ones as well." I explained and she frowned slightly. "You've been doing great, Zar. You've don't what no other Red Lantern has done and I'm so very proud of you for that."

"You're... proud?"

"I am, kid. We're family after all."

"Family?" Zaria widened her eyes and flew up to hug me tight. "You are my family?"

"I'll be your family if that's what you want, Zar." I smiled and she nodded frantically. "Alright, then I guess I'm your family now."

"Then I'm your family as well."

"That you are, little Red... Now, come on. I'm test flying a jet in Gotham and it's 'bring your kid to work day' because I say so."

"Gotham?"

"Yeah! And I'll even let you fight the crazies before we go to your new home. Heard there's a clown and everything!"

"Can't wait."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

"Why so many clothes? On Tamaran, we don't wear such constricting clothing."

"Because the people on this planet are pervs, especially to little girls." I rolled my eyes, pulling Zaria closer as we walked inside Wayne Enterprises and saw a couple of people staring at her. "Eyes on the roof and hands away from your pants, dickheads. She's ten for crying out loud."

"Your planet is full of odd creatures, Hal Jordan." Zaria whispered, clinging to my arm. "And I cannot use my Ring when I'm dressed like this?"

"Only when suited up and nobody can know your identity. They aren't too kind to people like us here."

"I don't like secrets."

"Sometimes it's necessary to protect those we love, Zaria." I sighed and fixed my sunglasses when Bruce Wayne walked down with a kid around Zaria's age. "Mr. Wayne! Hope you don't mind that I brought my kid. She's been dying to see my day job and come to Gotham."

"Not at all, Jordan. I brought my ward as well for the test flight. He's been wanting to see the work we do here." Bruce smiled, shaking my hand and crouched in front of Zaria. "What's your name, kid?"

"Zaria." She answered, hiding behind me.

"It's nice to meet you, Zaria. My name's Bruce Wayne and that's my ward, Dick Grayson."

"Uhh... I think your kid's doing cartwheels over there." I pointed at Dick who was cartwheeling around the secretary's desk and Zaria laughed. "Grayson? As in the infamous Flying Graysons?"

"Papers went through this week after months of arguing with Social Services and he's officially my ward. I couldn't let him go through what I went through when I lost my parents." Bruce sighed and waved Dick over. "That kid's full of magic and he doesn't know it yet."

"I know what it's like. I've been fighting for two years to have Zar with me and she's finally able to."

"Custody battle?"

"Agency issues. Apparently a test pilot isn't enough for-" I was interrupted by Zaria letting go of my hand and walked up to Dick, the boy immediately starting a conversation with her. "That's new. She normally doesn't like talking to people."

"Like I said, that kid's magic." Bruce laughed and I nodded. "Lucius will show you the way and explain everything. I'll take them to my office until you're ready to fly."

"Uh... I'd prefer if Zar stays with me. It takes her time to adjust to new surroundings."

"I think she's adjusting just fine." He pointed at the two and I raised my eyebrows watching as Zaria did a cartwheel with Dick guiding her. "The sunglasses are personal preference or-"

"Eye condition." I quickly lied and he nodded. "So... what exactly am I flying today, Wayne?"

"Follow me."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

"I don't think I've ever seen something fly so fast, Hal!"

"Just wait until you see what I fly for a living back home." I laughed and adjusted her mask. "Remember, we're not in space and we have to be really careful in using our names. I think calling each other by our colors should be easy enough until we come up with something else."

"It's uncomfortable." Zaria whined. "If I already have to wear those sunglasses, why do I have to-"

"A precaution, Red. I'm looking out for you... humans don't take too kindly to strangers and aliens."

"You did."

"I'm one of the few exceptions and I'm a Lantern." I sighed and leaned over a building. "Okay, why is there someone dressed as a bat with a child taking down that clown? Better question, why is there a child fighting crime?"

"Is he a warrior like me?"

"No, Red. That's called child labor and it's fucking illegal... this town is full of deranged lunatics."

"Should we go and help?" Zaria winced, watching as the Bat was thrown to a wall by what seemed to be a behemoth.

"Yeah... and we're never coming back here again." I sighed as we both flew down. "Just follow my lead and don't speak."

"Seems easy enough."

Floating above the clown, Zaria and I both constructed chains to hold down the behemoth while the boy kicked him across the face and the Bat destroyed the tubes on his back.

"Human!? That thing's a human!?" I exclaimed, watching as he turned back to normal and laid unconscious. "Dude, what the hell is this city!?"

"That's Gotham for ya. Full of crazies." The boy laughed and helped Zaria take down the clown. "Awesome ring!"

"Robin!" The Bat scolded and he tensed. "Who are you?"

"Two people who just saved your life. You're welcome, by the way." Zaria sassed and I stifled a laugh. "Your turn."

The Bat narrowed his eyes at Zaria and I stepped forward, forcing him to step back.

"You're pretty spooky, y'know that?" I smirked and tilted my head when he didn't say anything. "What? Nobody asked you to prom, so now you dress up as a Bat and take this poor kid to fight lunatics all night and then prowl in your parents' basement?"

"You got the last two parts right." Robin called out as the Bat shielded him.

"What's this do?" He asked, lifting my Ring and I widened my eyes, changing back to my flight uniform and fully shielded Zaria from him. "No buttons... I assume it works off concentration."

"H-how did you-"

"You weren't concentrating." He smirked and was taken aback when a red hand took the Ring and placed it on my finger.

"You will not be doing that again." Zaria sneered, her eyes glowing brighter and the tips of her hair started burning.

"I'd listen to her. You won't like her when she's angry." I grinned and Robin widened his eyes.

"Stay the hell out of my city." The Bat warned.

"And leave you to fight the lunatics? Seems like a plan, Spooky. Hasta la fucking vista."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

"Honey, I'm home!"

"Two months... I believe that's a new record." Carol called out and I smiled, ushering Zaria inside. "Is she here?"

"Zar, meet Carol. She's my girlfriend." I introduced and kissed her. "And I missed you."

"I didn't. I was at peace for once." She smirked and waved at Zaria. "Hal explained everything to me. You can take off your sunglasses if you want."

Zaria slowly took off the sunglasses and my aviator jacket and looked around the apartment.

"This is your new home, Zar." Carol smiled and she nodded shakily. "Do you like it?"

"It's different from what I'm used to... but I could get used to it."

"Baby steps, Zaria. It's a big change, so we'll take it one step at a time." I promised and gestured to the TV. "Now, come on. It's movie night in this household."

"Hal, I think she'd like to bathe first. I think it was a long flight from the other end of the galaxy here." Carol rolled her eyes.

"It was." Zaria nodded, stifling a yawn. "I... I don't have anything to wear."

"I'll grab you something in the meantime and tomorrow we'll get you set up with everything you need... bathroom's the first door on your right. Carol will be there in a sec." I said and she nodded, walking away. "So... what do you think?"

"You're in way over your head with this, Jordan. Not only are you gonna have to finish raising her, you're gonna raise, train, help her adjust, and keep that anger under control." Carol crossed her arms and I sighed, walking over to my room to pick out some clothes for Zaria. "It's not gonna be easy and you do have a reputation about getting ahead of yourself."

"I know, but I think this'll be good for her, babe... for all of us. If she stayed in Oa, it'd be less time I spent here with you, and she would probably be killed over there because a Red Lantern's in the Green Corps."

"She's in the Corps!? Hal, you said-"

"It was the only way I could keep her safe and with me. Besides, we'll just be guiding this sector until she's a bit older and properly trained. Which means less work for me." I grinned and handed her a pair of boxer shorts and a shirt. "There's clean underwear in the bag by the door."

"You still don't have any clue what you're getting yourself into, do you?" She sighed and kissed my cheek. "Just... try to be a good figure and mentor to that kid. You're gonna need her almost as much as she already needs you."

"Believe me, I know that."

*.·:·.✧ ✦ ✧.·:·.*

~Present Day~

"That kid's been through hell, Hal."

"And that's not even half of the story. If I told you, I'd have to kill you... and I'm not joking about it." I shrugged and heard a door open. "You alright, little Red?"

"Hungry." She grumbled, making her way to the kitchen. "Pancakes."

"Try not to burn yourself again."

"Mhm."

"So, with Superboy, should I-"

"Be patient and be nice. It worked with me." Zaria shrugged. "Where's the-"

"Fridge door, second shelf next to the milk. And make me some, please." I called out before turning back to Clark. "Seriously, man? I told you the one thing I refuse to tell the League and you didn't learn anything? Didn't they teach you life lessons through story time or something?"

"I didn't! Mine were stories of death!"

"You shut up before I send your ass back to bed."

"And leave me to starve? I'll call Carol again."

"What exactly happened with Carol after that?" Clark asked and we both sighed.

"She's a Star Sapphire and continuously tried to kill me... We're still working past that." I waved it off and stood up. "Think about the whole thing and make the right choice, Clark. But don't give that kid hope if you can't deliver."

Clark let out a small nod and waved at Zaria before leaving the apartment.

"I thought we weren't ever gonna tell the story of how we met, Hal." Zaria smirked and I rolled my eyes.

"Desperate times calls for desperate measures, Zar. Sure as hell gave him something to think about."

"Maybe. But I have to ask, Hal-"

"I wouldn't change a damn thing, Zaria. You're my kid... doesn't matter from what part of the galaxy we're from." I assured and she smiled before passing me a plate full of chocolate chip pancakes. "Maple or chocolate?"

"Your choice, Hal." She chuckled, grabbing a few spare plates. "Can we watch South Park? Or the Simpsons?"

"Your pick, Zar." I teased and ruffled her hair.

Thanks for saving me, kid. I just hope I gave you the life you deserved.