games of hide and seek

[bossymarmalade]

Kyle sat down on his hammock, swinging without a care in the world. It’s night out, the few stars breaking through light pollution twinkling along side those from airplane headlights. Then, from no where in particular, Roy’s voice interrupted his thoughts.

“First name basis huh Rayner?” Kyle’s ears twitched as Roy’s voice continued. “You getting lucky~ with someone?”

“Whatchu talkin bout, Willis?” He chastised aloud, thinking he was just hearing things because he wanted to be with his friend.

“That Calender of yours. Harley Quinn.” The voice paused and Kyle could almost feel Roy nudging him. “Come on, don’t hold out on me bro.”

That’s when Kyle realized there was no way he was talking to himself. “Where are you?? Why am I hearing a disembodied voice???”

Making a face, Kyle looked onto the sky, sage like almost. “I don’t answer to ghosts, even Roy-ghosts.”



“Why not?” He asked playfully, almost taking a boastful edge to his tone. “Roy ghost is best ghost.” He finished resolutely.

“I’m talking to your ring silly. I snagged Ollie’s comm from Marvel and it’s got your number right here.” There’s another beat and Roy’s voice is sharp in its tone.

“You sleeping with my old man too, huh?” He asked with a hint of anger and spite.

“WAT,” and Kyle’s protest is more of a combination of shock and horror. He distracts himself by talking more.

“Ahhh right…ring.” He makes a tiny construct Roy from his ring on the back of his knuckles, “that’s better…and NO that’s NASTY, Roy.” Construct Roy gives Kyle a face before Kyle looks away and continues.

“Anyway, that’s what Harle - I mean, that’s what Dr Quinn calls herself.”

Roy smirks. “Uh huh. You know you don’t have to lie to me muchacho.”

“I’m NOT sleeping with your old man, I’m uh. Sleeping with your old man’s old man. this is just getting weird….Hal. It’s Hal.” Roy deadpans at Kyle and Kyle quickly adds, “you better not hang up on me. I’ll track you, fool.”

“………….” Roy’s silent for the longest time that Kyle thinks he may have actually hung up. “Ew seriously Kyle?” he starts, startling the hell out of Kyle with his response. “HAL?”

“YES SERIOUSLY and wth is wrong with Hal. Mia loves him and she has good taste. I know b/c she doesn’t think I’m attractive at all, so that’s 2 Arrows who like Hal.” He waits a beat and then continues. ”……….You’re way cuter.”

“He’s just so…ew.” He amends and maybe it’s because Hal’s been more of a father than Ollie has or maybe it’s the romantic way Hal’s always been a cockblock or maybe it’s because Hal just makes him realize how unworthy he is of everything good in his life repeated.

“Maybe it’s cus he shags my dad too.” He replies his tone going bitter again. “You lanterns. Always getting a turn before me.”

“….oh Roy. Well if it helps you’re way way waaayyy cuter than your pops.” Kyle lets out adamantly because he’s serious.

“You know this is why I left.” Roy whispers softly.

“Buddy I have no idea why you left, I just miss you—…wait a turn with what? what?” Kyle asks, confused out of his mind.

“You’re sleeping with him.” Roy states blandly.

“With Hal…? yyyyeah,” and Kyle doesn’t sound very convincing when he says it.

“It’s okay Kyle. I know rejection when I see it though, glad I ain’t there to punch you.” He half teases but then again, from the get go Roy’s been off kilter with the entire conversation. “Cus oooh boy. I feel like punching you right now.”

“…wat,” Kyle responds intelligently, giving construct Roy a put out expression. ”WHAT?? Where is this coming from!?”

“This is why I left.” Roy repeats.

“You left because…you needed space from Dick and Wally, I thought or wait what are you saying Roy, please just tell me?” Kyle begs, urging Roy to tell him that this isn’t his fault. That he wasn’t the one who drove his friend away.

“My emotions are out of whack, let’s just leave it at that.” Roy gives him instead.

“Roy…” Kyle pleads, eyes watering at the construct.

“Rayner.” The tone in his voice is just as devoid as his face.

“Don’t call me that, bro. that’s what Jason calls me.” Kyle retorts quickly, hating every minute of this conversation right now.

“Yeah?” He asks defensively. ”And what’s wrong with Jason? Sleeping with him too?”

“EIW GOD NO!” Kyle shouts, completely thrown off guard and disgusted.

Roy waves his hand dismissively. “Yea okay. You haven’t been telling me nothing true from the start so. How am I supposed to tell?”

“What??!! nothing true??” Kyle looks at his friend, scandalized. “you’re killing me here, man. I have no idea what this is about, I…”

“Last we talked you had a thing for the clown. Now you denying it and sleeping with Hal?” Roy looks up at him, wagging his construct little finger. “When’d you flip so twervy Kyle? I thought we were bros?”

“I’m not denying anything!” He protests loudly. “I like Harley, of course I do!”

“So where the Hal thing come from?” Roy asks, trying to find the directional switch.

“I liked Zee too, but…” Kyle mumbles, interrupted by Roy’s;

“He’s old. Old enough to be yo—aw, now that’s cute.” Roy smiles widely at Kyle.

“Geez…” He lets out softly, not liking where this is going.

“You kiss her? Man, you and Zatanna would be adorable.” Roy boasts helpfully.

“yeahhhh that ship has sailed, bro.” Kyle stops resolutely. He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face, sighing. “I really miss talking to you.”

“The hell Kyle? What is this? Relationship bomb central?” Roy’s not even kidding when he asks that.

“You know you’re the first person who’s managd to see the Bigger Picture of Kyle’s Failed Love Life? This is why I miss you, man. I miss you.” Kyle lets out a relieved laugh and stares sadly at the construct.

“Did you send nukes out to destroy things? What happened man? What aren’t you tell me?” He tries to get out of the Lantern before asking. “You miss me smacking you around? That means you’re in worse trouble than I thought.”

“noooo no no no no no it’s all worked out now, actually!” Kyle quickly talks over Roy, grinning like a goofball. “I just have to tie up loose ends, that’s all. Everything’s all just happening so damn fast, it’s hard to keep up.”

“Hal said he loved…he’s in love with me, Roy. And it works, because…because I don’t have to risk, like. Anything.” There’s so much excitement in Kyle’s voice, Roy nearly forgets to speak.

“….What do you mean? You have to explain. I don’t speak old Lantern.” He teases.

“You know what I’ve been through. Everyone I’ve been with, all my relationships, they got killed…I got them killed. After Jennie, I told myself never again, no matter how badly I wanted to be in a relationship. I just couldn’t take that risk, bro, because it just. kept. happening.” Kyle’s just always slapping the blame on himself and he tries to come back to full circle with Hal. “but Hal’s…safe? because he’s all soulmates or whatever with your dad, so…so it works.”

“Kyle..” Roy says and it’s almost like he’s pleading.

“So he loves me, but you know…I don’t have to worry that I’ll fuck everything up by virtue of being me. Plus he’s a Lantern…not that that’s any guarantee, but…” Kyle explains excitedly, practically bouncing on his toes.

“Honey, no..” He starts, frowning and fuck he’s beginning to sound like Ollie. “This isn’t..” He trails off.

“Oh Roy…I miss you so much.” Kyle admits again, smiling sadly, actually almost hopeful at the construct.

“I miss you too buddy.” Roy would touch his shoulder if he could. “And I want to be there to help you right now with what I’m about to say but..It may have to wait because you’d need a hug. You need me to be there to make it seem real.”

Sternly, Roy gives Kyle a look. “I don’t like it Kyle. I love you to pieces and I don’t like it at all.”

“…I, no….Roy amigo, I need to be certain I’m doing the right thing.” Kyle begs again, almost breaking down because he can’t have his friend telling him no. Not Roy, anyone but Roy. The construct frowns, shaking its head.

“…..I’m not going to ruin this for you Kyle…I can’t.”

“Dios…Oa help me.” He plead in gratefulness. “You’re an amazing person, Roy.” And then Kyle’s back in Kyle mode when he changes the subject from himself. “I can’t believe you’re letting me whine at you like this when you’re the one on the self-imposed exile…please tell me you’re okay?”

“If you want to believe that, sure.” Roy means for that to be about Kyle’s question on his health. Kyle takes it as Roy having self esteem issues.

“That you’re amazing? I wouldn’t think anything else about you. Who else is gonna, Mister Bitter-melon?” He asks with a laugh.

“No one. But maybe that’s why I—” Roy looks away then, making a soft sound as he stares hard at the ground. ”Kyle..”

“Yes Roy…” And Kyle touches at the hologram Roy.

“I don’t think I’m coming back.” Roy whispers softly.

“….no, no.” Kyle starts and once he starts he can’t stop. ”No. No Roy.”

“I’m sorry..” He says in the same resigned tone.

“Lian, Roy. You can’t do that to your baby.” Kyle pleads, knows that its his only tether to getting Roy home. But Roy just grits his teeth, shaking his head.

“I know but..she’s better off with Ollie. Everyone’s better off with him. I’m just getting in the way.” He responds and it sounds like the opinion is from the heart. Kyle gets so mad he almost losses concentration.

“Roy, dammit we BOTH grew up without papis, do NOT do that to your babygirl, por favor…”

“My parents died because of me Kyle.” Roy states plainly. “Everyone dies when they get near me..I’m giving her a fighting chance..”

“Ahhhhh Roy! If I could find away around that curse, dammit you can too.” Kyle’s brain is already shutting down with panic as he tries to think of more things to say. “And NOT by leaving, Roy, baby c’mon.”

“I’m sorry Kyle,” and then suddenly there’s static interrupting the communications link.

“No Roy -” His panicking is peaking and he can’t sit still as he strains his ears to listen. “dammit dammit dammit.”

“You can—[static] stop. [more static]”

“ROY DAMMIT!” Kyle shouts, glaring at the slowly dissolving construct. “Ring, locate Roy Harper…”

There’s initial intereference the first time Kyle tries, making the Lantern curse. ”That clever bastard…” Kyle needs to find DNA evidence of Roy, and maybe use Guy’s or Hal’s help in this. But he’s fretting so fucking much, his brain won’t stop running in circles. OMFG ROYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. He thinks before immediately clamping onto the only stability he can count on right now.

Kyle decides to call Jaime.

And sleeping soundly in bed, all the way in El Paso, Jaime Reyes tiredly answers the phone, blinking back the urge to go to sleep. “Mmm, yea?” He answers intelligently.

“Oh mierda it’s late,” Kyle realizes before he’s rushing to think of apologies because he hates being the reason someone losses rest, “I’m sorry kiddo, it’s just me, it’s Kyle, I just needed…oh don’t worry about it, sorry sorry.”

But the moment it sounds like something’s wrong, Jaime sits up, Kyle’s panicked tone enough to get him up and about. He frowns as he wakes almost immediately. “Woah, woah, woah, Kyle. Cálmate. Está bien. ¿Qué se necesidad?”

“It’s, I’m…are you home? In El Paso?”

“Yeah. In my bedroom, you need me to come over? I can be over just like that, you won’t even notice I’ve hung up.” Jaime explains, already climbing off his mattress.

“Si, si.” Kyle barely keeps the urgency out of his tone. “I’ll be on the roof.”

“Okay. I’m coming.” Jaime doesn’t even bother with clothes, slips on some pants and lets Khaji take him as fast as he can to get to LA and at the roof of Warriors. He just barely reaches the roof when he drops out of transformation from his suit, hissing at the pain and rushing towards Kyle.

“Okay, I’m here. Crisis averted, I’m here.” he panted worriedly, half naked as he looked around for some sign of an attack. Kyle half-laughs at how adorable and sweet Jaime is to rush over barely dressed. Kyle comes towards him and sweeps him into a tight hug.

“Ahhhhhh Jaime. Come come, it’s chilly vatoooo, let’s go to my room.” Kyle ushers Jaime down and puts him in a Battlestar Galactica t-shirt

“I’m a cylon :I ” Jaime jokes loosely at the shirt and watches Kyle as he tries to figure the other out, clutching at his hand in a tight squeeze

“mmmno you’re from Caprica, duh…” Kyle retorts back easily.

“Who do I have to beat you?” He asks almost immediately. Kyle holds Jaime by his arms.

“My friend…do you know Red Arrow, he’s…he left on some sort of hiatus and we just talked and…jesus he said he’s not coming back but….”

“D-Did someone die?” Jaime asks worriedly because that’s the worst sort of news to hear over the phone. “Is that why he isn’t coming back?”

“I don’t know!! Roy’s not stable and…no no no no one here is dying but I’m worried that ROY might….” Kyle bites his bottom lip and he stares at his hands because he really doesn’t know and goddammit Roy for dropping this on him like this.

“And no, I don’t know him. Don’t think I met him either.” He offers, trying to connect the dots. “You’re worried your friend might kill himself.”

Kyle nods, biting his nails. “I tried using my ring, but I don’t have…it doesn’t work that way, and I have to wait and ARGGG”

“Woah, calm down buddy.” Jaime says, lifting his hands in surrend, trying to get Kyle to settle down.

“I dunno if he told anyone else about this, I needed to TELL someone who wasn’t going to go ballistic.” Kyle explains loosely, still not so sure on the whole thing in the first place.

Jaime pulls Kyle’s hand from his mouth and looks at him sternly. “Take a deep breath. Come on, I know it’s lame but bear with me.”

Kyle smiles a bit and breathes. ”Sorry, he’s just…he’s jumped off this roof - my roof- before, a month ago and…jesus, I’m so worried. Dammit Roy.”

Jaime arches a brow. “Uh, Kyle, this is a two story building. I’m sure any superhero, meta or not can survive from that.”

“N-Not to be all mean about you freaking out, I’m just saying.” He quickly adds in a rush, rubbing Kyle’s arm helpfully. “Maybe he’s just messing around? You know how assholes are. They say stupid shit they don’t mean and right now, that’s what your friend sounds like. An asshole.”

“Bahhh I know that mijo, I know he wasn’t trying to kill himslf on the roof, it was just…things escalate, si? Maybe that was a warning sign and this is the real deal. He didn’t sound like he was kidding about coming back and that’s bad enough.” He frowns when he thinks of Lian again. “He has a kid. Who he loves to death. Which means…”

“He’d never leave his kid.” Jaime finishes for him. “Only assholes leave their kids Kyle.”

Kyle looks down and Jaime, looks at him still, with that serious, totally calm face. “Are you seeing the pattern here?”

“Nooo…? What pattern?” Kyle asks, lost again.

“Your friend is an asshole for making you go through this and I swear to god I’m going to beat him up for it. There’s no way you’re friends with an asshole Kyle. Look at you. Nice guy and awesome hair.”

Kyle smiles again softly. “No, he’s a good man. He’s just very - hey you like my hair? Wow gracias!”

“Only nice people stick together so, this friend, he’s got a rough patch and you need to stop panicking.” Jaime finishes resolutely, enjoying the sight of Kyle’s smile before he frowns.

“Khaji for christ’s sake SHUT UP ALREADY.” he shouts, breathing hard and looking back to Kyle, hugging him Kyle Rayner takes a step back in surprise, accepting the hug anyway.

“Whatttt?”

“I’m sorry..I’m sorry..your friend..he’s being a little drastic. Okay?” He explains into Kyle’s chest. “Blowing hot air, like those people that write suicide notes. They do it first, they don’t tell someone beforehand. And why would he tell you if he was already determined? You know? Why not just, cut yourself off completely and just. Go like you said? Why say. You aren’t coming back. Why would you say that?”

Jaime’s trying so hard to make Kyle see the logic in his words because honestly, he’s a high schooler and this stuff is like common sense 101 to all of them. Kyle leans his head on top of Jaime’s. “You are one seasoned kid, you know that? Well seasoned. You…you’re right, Jaime. I see what you’re saying, mijo.”

“Good…I mean, think about it this way Kyle. If /you/ were running away from home, would you tell your family? No. Because they’d stop you. So obviously, your friend isn’t saying he’s leaving He’s trying to convince himself he is by talking with you. So, keep pressuring him….maybe I can get Khaji to look for him or something…” He offers slowly, fidgeting at the floor with his toes.

“Khaji can do that?” Kyle asks, surprised.

“Well, if I can meet his kid, yeah.” Jaime doesn’t entirely want to get into the logistics just yet of how that’s possible. Or why.

Kyle feels Jaime’s back curiously…his ring already in his pocket, away from Khaji.

“Did way back when I first started out. Didn’t even know he could do it. Turns out he ca—aah!” Jaime blushes, arching at Kyle’s prodding fingers. ”W-whatareyoudoing?”

“Oh sorry!!” He pulls away completely. “I keep forgetting it - he’s under your skin, ahhh.”

Jaime bows his head, flustered and staring at the floor in interest. Kyle clears his throat, coughing away the awkward.

“Anyway…yes si let’s do this. We’ll find him.” He runs had through his hair. “We’ll see Lian tomorrow, and we can track him, and…yes, thanks Jaime. I’m so glad I called you, heh.”

Jaime grins softly, looking up at what Kyle says because that makes him happy as well. “Really?”

“Oh cheezus yes! You really helped, man. You knew what to say, I clearly called the right person.” Kyle smiles, feeling relaxed.

“I’ve dealt with runaways before. Milagro tried it once.” Jaime explains.

“If I called like and of Roy’s friends or family, they’d gone nuts.” Kyle nods quickly before he smiles and does that face everyone makes when they find something cute. “Aww, too cute…jesus I’m exhausted. You wanna stay here or will your rents think you’ve been kidnapped?”

“No it’s cool. I’ll send mom a text.”