(Thank you, dlargecat! This one was a challenge to figure out something for. I loved it!)
It was supposed to be a fun night out. Jay had invited Hal and Barry to one of his Justice Society get-togethers, and they'd blackmailed Ollie into babysitting Wally for them. Hal really liked talking to the legendary heroes that had come before him, and it was always hilarious hearing them retell old 'war stories'. Last time they were invited, Hal got to meet all of the founders of the long-disbanded team and then some. Ted Grant, Kent Nelson, Wesley Dodds, Rex Tyler, Al Pratt – they were all the larger than life heroes that Hal's dad had grown up idolizing. It was beyond cool to be allowed to sit down with them in their civilian identities, drinking and trying to best each others' stories like they were old friends.
The only problem was Alan Scott – technically Earth's first Green Lantern. He and Jay were best friends, which meant that of course Alan was there tonight. Hal kept getting shot disapproving looks and had to endure supposedly 'innocent' little comments from the distinguished Lantern. Even though he had never been anything like a mentor to Hal, Alan still felt like it was his duty to let Hal know when he thought he was screwing up. They didn't have anything remotely close to the almost father-son relationship that Jay and Barry did.
Alan made holier-than-thou jabs at Hal, and Hal jabbed right back.
But not tonight. This was Jay's turn to host the annual reunion, and Joan looked so tickled to see so many of her friends again laughing and having a good time. Hal refused to ruin it for them by getting into a fight with Alan. So, when his temper reached a boiling point and he couldn't take it any longer, Hal grabbed a glass of scotch and retreated into the back rooms of Jay's house to cool off.
He took a sip of the amber liquid to calm the shaking in his hands, wandering to the end of the hall until the living room chatter was a faint hum. Hal veered left into what looked to be a study, leaving the door cracked open behind him.
The room was tidy and all wood-paneled walls and studded leather couches. A flat desk sat in one corner beside a leafy, potted plant and slender floor lamp. Framed paintings of landscapes hung between packed bookshelves like separators, and Hal found his eyes going wide at the sheer number of odds and ends squeezed onto the shelves along with weathered hard covers. He hadn't really taken Jay for a collector.
Hal downed a good bit of his scotch and set the glass on an end table. He went up to one of the bookshelves, surveying the different titles and recognizing some of the classics but not really interested in any. His irritation slowly faded away in the peaceful study as he walked his fingers over the bindings, just enjoying the quiet and isolation. Then, he came across the next bookshelf stuffed end to end with something much different.
Records.
"Whoa…" Hal breathed out, scanning floor to ceiling the colorful record sleeves that were meticulously dusted and arranged in alphabetical order. This collection was clearly someone's pride and joy. He pulled out one of the middle records halfway, smiling at the worn cardboard of the album cover. The 1940's cover art was a bit faded, but still in great condition. Hal replaced it on the shelf with a low whistle. There had to be over 400 records here. Jay and Joan had probably been putting this collection together their whole lives.
He had a sudden thought of a much younger Joan and Jay getting together and excitedly sharing records that the other was missing. Oh, how cute. Hal breathed out in a quiet chuckle, crouching down and running one finger along the printed edges as he looked for ones he knew. He'd always loved old records. Hal didn't own any – vinyl record weren't exactly convenient nowadays – but he sorta wished that they hadn't been replaced by CDs. He remembered his grandma showing him how to use her antique phonograph with the giantass horn attached when he was little.
Hal spun around, eyes darting all over the room until he found what he was looking for. There, in the opposite corner, was a modern-looking record player console. Oh, score!
He went back to perusing the records for one of his favorite music artists, feeling giddiness buzzing inside him as he looked. Towards the bottom shelves, he found the name he was looking for and plucked it from the others with a triumphant grin.
"What are you doing back here?"
Hal jumped for a second as the voice startled him, but he knew it was Barry without even needing to turn around. His heart started calming down from its jolt.
"Escaping Alan's eternal disdain for me," Hal joked wryly. He held up the record in his hands for Barry to see, still practically drooling over it. "Did you know about this treasure trove?"
"Jay's record collection? Of course," Barry was leaning in the doorway watching him. He pushed off from the frame and strolled into the room, eyes sweeping over the shelves with mild interest. "Used to brag about it to me all the time when we first met – about bored me to tears."
"What?! No!" Hal gasped, cradling the record to his chest and rising to his feet. "These are amazing. Look at this one: 1964, Frank Sinatra, 'Fly Me to the Moon', original acetate!"
Barry's expression turned sweet and amused at how excited Hal was getting. He came over and looked down at the cover over Hal's shoulder, "I didn't think you were a Sinatra fan."
"Are you kidding?" Hal snorted with a wide smile. "Smooth, debonair, confident. That's like the definition of me. Sinatra is my spirit animal."
Barry burst out laughing.
Encouraged, Hal hopped over to the record player and lifted the glass lid, "Oh, just wait~"
He gently lowered the record onto the spindle and turned the machine on. Hal set the speed to the correct RPM, carefully moved the tone arm over the song he wanted, and placed the needle down onto the groove. The record spun around as Hal turned the dial for volume, and a smile spread across his face when the old timey orchestra issued from the speakers.
When he turned around, Barry was still grinning warmly at him from the leather couch. Hal swayed side to side to the beat, holding out his hands to Barry in an invitation to dance. It only took a moment of coaxing, and then the speedster was taking the offered hands and letting Hal pull him to his feet.
Hal immediately tugged him closer and slipped an arm around Barry's waist. He twined their fingers together with the other hand and swung Barry around in a clumsy foxtrot. Sinatra's crooning voice drifted out around them as Hal stepped on Barry's foot. Barry nearly pitched them sideways. They knocked shoulders painfully. Hal tried to spin Barry around, and it ended with the speedster stumbling into his chest.
"Hal," Barry laughed breathlessly. He tried to step away, but Hal kept them turning in a sloppy circle. "We're gonna break our necks. Neither of us knows the girl moves."
"Pfft. Who needs girl moves?" Hal tried to get a handle on his laughter and keep upright. He pulled Barry snug against him and started making up steps of his own. It only took Barry a few awkward turns before he caught on to the pattern, and then they were both laughing at each other and trying to keep the pace steady.
Hal braced all his weight on one foot and tipped Barry back in a low dip. He waited for the right part in the song and then used his very best Sinatra impression as he sang along, "You are all I long for, all I worship and adore."
Barry turned a bit pink as he struggled to keep a straight face.
"In other words, please be true~" Hal yanked him back up, turning on the swagger and his most handsome grin. Barry let Hal lean in until their noses were brushing together, his smile turning affectionate when Hal pressed a kiss to his cheek and started singing right into his skin. "In other words…I love you~"
Gorgeous blue eyes slid closed, and Barry tilted his face to rest his forehead against Hal's. They swayed to the beat with easy steps and content smiles, every movement making Hal forget that they weren't the only two people in the world.
"You've gotta sing to me more often," Barry mumbled dreamily and held Hal closer.
"Whatever you want, baby," Hal vowed, surrendering the lead to Barry as the song faded to an end and the next one started up with flaring trumpets and a much faster beat.
Neither of them noticed Alan and Jay sneaking up to close the door and give them some privacy.