May 28th
Gotham City
1000 EST

"The cleanup work is impressive." Aasha said, walking down the empty Gotham street. Up and down what used to be the main drag of Old Gotham, dozens of empty lots sat, filled with huts of different varieties. Some were the coral-ite huts that the Atlanteans could grow in a matter of a couple of hours, many more were prefabricated shelters donated by several corporations, cities, and even a few smaller nations. What wasn't easy to see were giant piles of rubble.

"Kris handled a lot of that the day of the quake." Deke said as they walked towards the Atlantean camp, though he paused to stifle a Big Belly Burger burp. "I saw several buildings dissolve instead of collapse while I was doing the job. You weren't kidding when you said over a quarter of the buildings in the city were abandoned."

"Legitimate statistic." Barbara replied, waving to one of the many police cruisers currently tooling around the city. "I just can't believe Dad was able to back the Deputy Mayor and the Governor down from declaring martial law over all of this."

"I can, your Dad's got a will strong enough to warrant a Lantern ring." Deke said, though the face Barbara made when he suggested it said she wasn't keen on the idea of seeing her dad in a green energy detective's trenchcoat. "What was school like?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Not bad at all really. One of the generators was beneath the building across the street from our apartment building, but school was far enough out to avoid the worst of it." Barbara said optimistically. "Aside of some cracks in the drywall, and the huge tent city in the courtyard, you'd never know. Those generators were small, but there were a lot of them."

"I bet that's got Batman climbing the walls." Aasha said, not knowing how right she was. When Barbara gave her a knowing look, she got a better handle on just how much. "Pretty bad huh?"

"Yeah, pretty bad. The one in Star city was huge, about the size of a small car. These were closer in size to the Reach's magnetic field disruptors. Much less output, but so many more. Batman's still sifting data and evidence on how they got into the city without him noticing." Barbara said sourly. Her city was hurting, but the injuries were already beginning to scab over.

"Myrrh oil?" Deke offered, having no other input on the situation. This wasn't at all his wheelhouse.

"I mentioned it, but it's easier to get lost in the shuffle here than say, a box truck or a prison cell." Barbara said, the trio passing the steel skeleton of Roland Dagget's forgotten building, where she and her boy first met up with The Question two years ago. "Not much farther now."

"Good, this walking is killing me." Deke complained, rubbing his thighs with the heels of his hands. "I thought you said the Atlantean trucks were good for giving people lifts."

"They usually are, but people are starting to get over the shock and supplies aren't coming in as regularly as anyone needs. STAR Labs offered use of their Zeta network, but the power demands are too high for what's up in the city's grid. One problem at a time I suppose." Barbara said, before tapping her boy on the shoulder. "There's the camp."

Indeed it was. Several Quonset huts were set up, with a large pavilion style tent nearby. Outside, several very obvious Atlanteans were milling about, most dressed in what looked like basic coveralls, though more than a couple were decked out in some kind of light armor, and had a staff style weapon casually cradled in the crook of their arms. It was one of these who noticed the trio, and approached them hastily.

"This is an Atlantean safe zone, surfacer camps are nearby. I can direct you if necessary." He said brusquely, though he made no motion to brandish his weapon.

"We're here to speak to Duchess Pacifica, and Guardsman Koa." Aasha said, having no time for the security's attitude. "We'll wait here while you fetch them."

The looks her tone drew from her lovers were both comical, and impressed. "Someone's feeling herself today." Barbara commented, her tone clear she felt proud of her girl, something Deke could both confirm and agree with.

"I miss Liho hugs." Aasha said simply as the guard dashed off quickly. "It's a shame we were in our other outfits when we were accepted as his salt family."

"Right?" Deke said, his expression brightening when he could sense the very familiar mental process and presence of his very best friend on the planet. When the big man emerged from the large tent, and immediately dashed towards them at a dead sprint, all three of them grinned widely.

"You made it! Howzit?" He called out, crossing the distance and immediately wrapping Barbara and Ash in one armed hugs, one in each, and squeezing them at about one tenth of his strength.

"Ugh! We're good Liho!" Barbara said, thinking one of her ribs might have begun bending. "Bit much there."

"Goodness yes it was." Aasha said, though she hadn't let go, even after he'd backed it off more. She gave it another beat, and let herself get set down, feeling much more satisfied at having a proper Liho hug.

"Hey bruddah!" Liho said to his salt brother. Deke nodded with a grin and rolled his shirt sleeve up, offering a bro hug. When they clasped hands first, the pair paused to flex, which brought groans from both Barbara and Aasha, the former facepalming while the latter shook her head.

"Predator? Seriously guys?" Barbara said. "Good Lord the two of you. Liho, you said you had some good news." She added, trying to brush some of the testosterone away.

"Yeah sistah, I got real good news." He said with a broad, happy smile. He turned and waved at Pacifica, who waved back and approached them. "But she got something to do first."

"I do have something of great importance to do first. Deacon, Liho, can you excuse us please?" Pacifica asked sweetly. Deke shrugged, and let Liho lead him over to the mess tent. It was clear Liho knew exactly what was going on.

"Forgive me for asking the men away, but I have a piece of business I must discuss with the two of you." Pacifica said once the men were within the mess tent, ostensibly already cutting up as the two of them did.

"Of course, what's up?" Barbara asked, following Pacifica towards Liho's hut, where a few folding chairs had been set up by the front door. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not at all." Pacifica answered, taking a seat and gesturing for Barbara and Aasha to do the same. Once they both did so, she continued. "You are both sisters to Liho, by his own admission, and in Aasha's case, the law of Atlantis. I am correct in this?"

When both girls nodded in agreement, Pacifica continued. "It is the tradition of Atlantis that I ask your permission to wed your brother. In times past, this was to ensure that the groom's family would not be overburdened by having his time occupied by a wife. Now, it is tradition to ensure that the bride is accepted and welcomed. Do I have your permission to accept him as a husband?" Pacifica asked, looking smaller and more endearing than either other woman had ever seen her before, almost like a schoolgirl.

"You certainly have my permission Pacifica." Barbara said, and glanced over to Aasha, who was sitting there with a look of barely contained joy on her face.

"I knew this was coming eventually. I took a course in Atlantean art and culture in school." Aasha said, sniffling and wiping at her eye. "Sorry, this kind of thing gets me emotional. I grant my permission, but only if you don't keep him from us."

"We are Movers Aasha. I could no more keep him than anyone else." Pacifica said, patting the small woman on the knee while she fought to contain her happy tears. "In accordance with tradition, I give my word that I will not keep him from his sisters. Do you have any conditions which I must meet?" she asked of Barbara, turning to look her in the face more fully.

"I think Aasha nailed it. Will the ceremony be held underwater?" Barbara asked, getting all manner of inquisitive, as Barbara's do.

"Ceremony? There is no ceremony to speak of. I have no brothers for Liho to petition, so once we part, he and I will inform the King, and it is done. There will be a small ceremony among the peerage to recognize Liho as a Duke of Atlantis and House Atua, but the only peerage available currently is King Orin, as Queen Mera has returned to be with the Prince before she returns with sorcerers to raise the additional island." Pacifica explained patiently. She imagined as more of her people spent time among the surfacers, their concept of marriage would change, but for now it was a simple affair.

"Duke? Liho's becoming a Duke?" Barbara asked, blinking at her surprise. She should have expected something of the sort, but she'd been so occupied lately that it had never crossed her mind.

"Yes, he will be known as Duke Liho Atua among Atlanteans. His salt siblings will be henceforth respected as Lords and Ladies among the court, for what little that is actually worth given King Orin's streamlining of the nobility. I believe Liho said 'that, and a dollar, will get them a bottle of pop.' Which I confess I do not understand." Pacifica explained.

"It's okay, it means exactly that I suppose." Barbara said, reaching into her pocket and handing Aasha a tissue. "I'm very happy for you Pacifica."

"We both are." Aasha said, daubing at her eyes with the tissue. "Will you be living in Atlantis now full time?"

"No, and that is something that Liho had wanted to tell you, but he did not ask I keep it secret. House Atua has a population of thirty four people, counting Liho. We will be the first Atlantean house to live on the surface. Queen Mera has dispatched the necessary bureaucrats to Oahu in order to secure a lease on the land surrounding Liho's home there. He has already insisted on helping to build. In addition, Atlantis is opening an embassy in Honolulu." Pacifica said with pride.

"Oh that's wonderful news. Are you going to try for children straightaway?" Aasha asked, finally getting herself back in check. She knew Deke and Babs' opinion on the matter, but she wasn't sure about Liho and Pacifica, given the suddenness.

"I will not be fertile again until autumn of next year. We will try unsuccessfully of course, until then." Pacifica said with a devilish smirk. "When the time draws nearer, we will discuss it more fully, but I imagine it will be some time further before we seriously consider a family."

Once again, Aasha was shaking her head. As far as she was concerned, they were two peas in a pod already. "Well then, I can't argue that. I'm going to hate myself for asking this, but I'm guessing you two?" she said, hemming and hawing around her question.

"We went to the sand last night, yes. It was much more enjoyable than expected but I imagine you are not interested in details, so I will spare them. Suffice to say, your salt brother is a kind and caring man who captured my heart fully." Pacifica said dreamily, her answer seeming perfectly suitable to both women, especially Barbara, who was beaming at her statement. She'd had no doubt at all that Liho would eventually captivate someone just by being himself.

"That's romantic." She said. "I love it."

Aasha nodded and stood up, tucking the tissue in her back pocket. She might need that later. "Shall we let them go get married then? I imagine if we leave Deke and Liho alone any longer, that mess tent is going to turn into a frat house."

"Ash, you are so not wrong." Barbara said, coming to her feet. When Pacifica rose, Barbara hugged the woman, careful not to get a face full of boob when she did it. The girl was taller than Wonder Woman, and that was saying something as Diana could look Deke straight in the eye standing up. "Congratulations Pacifica."

"Thank you sisters. Let us gather our men. You are all welcome to attend the presentation to King Orin if you would like." Pacifica said, trying to give them at least a little something. "I look forward to the grand ceremony you and Deke will share."

"Oh I dunno about grand. There'll be plenty of people, and we'll make it fun, but grand isn't my thing." Barbara said, feeling Aasha grasp her hand. "I think we're more interested in the reception than the ceremony."

"It's the party afterwards." Aasha explained to the curious Pacifica. "People dance, eat, drink, all manner of festivity, and then the couple wander off and go to the sand. I really like that euphemism now that I said it."

"It's pretty cool, yeah. Up there with ditching knickers." Barbara said, squeezing Aasha's hand as they walked.

"Liho further explained he promised the use of his, er, our home for your marraige vacation. I will absolutely not interfere with him honoring that offer." Pacifica said, remembering their discussion the night before. "I recall you seemed quite enamored of the place when we first met."

Barbara nodded. "Yeah, but I'm not going to drive you two out of your house either. We'll think of something, don't worry. Honestly, we might not even be able to afford a honeymoon given the state of Gotham right now." Barbara said, hastily adding to her statement. "Though Atlantis has been a remarkable help."

"You are kind. I am pleased to be a part of this, as I am sure you are as well. It is shameful that your real name will not be known for your works here." Pacifica replied. "There is no fighting or singing from within the mess tent. I will take this as a good sign."


"So, you were first, and here you thought it was gonna be me." Deke said a few hours later. He was sitting with Liho on a low seawall not that far from the Atlantean surface camp, having a truly rare commodity in post-quake Gotham, a cold beer. "How's it feel?"

"Brah, not different at all. Like, same today as yesterday, except she call me Husband sometimes now." Liho said, taking another swig of his beer. "But it different too, hard to say, y'know?"

"No, I get it; I feel it coming off you." Deke replied. "You feeling Ducal yet?"

"Oh yeah, that I do. Everybody treating me different. I kinda don't like it either. I wanna tell people quit saluting and everything, but they ain't gonna listen. Pacifica say the House treat me like a person though, which is good." Liho said, the rare frown crossing his face for a minute.

"Well it's something. You gotta kiss ass now or anything?" Deke asked, getting genuinely curious.

"No, I'm a warrior, and I'm Liho. As long as I act like Liho, ain't nobody gonna worry about me not being frilly. I get to keep the job with the Queen too, which is awesome. I really like that gig." Liho explained with some small relief. "Now I gotta ask you stuff brah. How you really feelin'?"

It was Deke's turn to frown. "Sore still. I'm getting better but not fast enough. Babs says my clone went to ground and hasn't shown back up yet, but I know he hurt me worse than I hurt him. He'll be up and running sooner'n later, and I wanna be better when he does."

"You woulda kicked his ass if you weren't still getting over being bitchslapped by Darkseid bro." Liho said, pulling another bottle from the cooler and popping it open. He wished it were a Longboard, but the Metropolis craft brew stuff wasn't bad.

"See, that's what I said!" Deke exclaimed. "You don't have to remind me it was a legit bitchslap though. I'd rather be here anyway. Home's nice and all, and it's good having Ash around and everything, but it's the disaster relief stuff I started out doing. I know this shit inside and out."

"You and me both. That's why I'm glad Mera say I can stick around and do this. What's Cap'n Atom sayin' about you comin' back?" Liho asked. Having his bro around to help with the work would make things a whole lot faster, safer, and a hell of a lot more fun.

"He messaged me this morning. I've got two more days before he's comfortable letting me saddle up again, and I think that was mostly Babs or Bats telling him I'm coming a hair of doing it anyway." Deke said with a shrug. "Speaking of, Babs is at the cave right now, which means Ash is hanging out with Pacifica, and if I know her, she's hungry."

"Pacifica feed her if she say somethin'." Liho said, and remembered Aasha was British and therefore feared being a bother more than any other force or entity on Earth or elsewhere. "We better go."