Back-to-back installments! That's probably a first for me tbh. While cringing over some of my old art yesterday I stumbled across my first-ever comic (well, attempted comic). So a lot of the conversations in this first half are from that very piece of "art", but I did update SOME of it to appease myself.

"Tell me about my son."

She watched as his eyes thinned, most likely in thought of some witty or condescending comment that would leave her irritated, and with more questions than answers.

Her stomach turned - his masked eyes boring into her skull before he tore his gaze away - dismissing her.

She didn't know her heart could sink anymore than it already had, but leave it to Batman to drag her further than rock bottom. He began typing away with a deadpan tone of voice. "Knowledge of the future will most likely-"

She didn't care what the repercussions of her actions were; she shut down his entire monitor without a second thought. The satisfying hum of the computer shutting off filled the tense air between them. His permanent glare deepened as his attention drew back to her. Her voice felt trapped, but she sighed in hopes of getting through this difficult conversation. "Bruce... please."

"No," he said. His firm tone hinted with warning and something else she didn't recognize, startling the Thanagarian momentarily. "-Ask John."

Hearing his name did something to her. A rage spilled out of her like she'd never felt. She could feel every muscle in her body tense, her blood boiled, her wings flared in anger, and she simply didn't have the energy to bottle down her emotions like she normally did. Her fist flew - shattering the entire monitor's control panel, shards of keyboard flying at the impact of her fist, electricity sparking from the wound.

"He get's to meet our son?! See him face to face? Touch him, hear his voice, fight alongside him, but I don't even get to know his name?! ...All I get is his alias and the knowledge that he exists in some parallel future? Wonderful! Thank you for letting me know! I'll sleep so much better at night knowing I'll never fit into John's perfect -"

"Rex."

Her anger melted and her lungs refused to intake air. She never knew a name could have such an impact on her.

"-His name is Rex Stewart." Bruce said again to reaffirm her doubts. "-The man we met wore Nth metal armor and sported artificial wings, capable of flight. He had John's hair and build - your skin tone and eyes," Bruce explained without further prompting.

Shayera watched as he lifted himself from his chair, pulling something out of his utility belt before inserting it into a machine.

"And like you both - he's stubborn. He protects the people he cares about at any cost, diving into battle headfirst like someone else I know." He aimed his attention back to Shayera at his last remark.

Shayera smiled sadly at that, words escaping her completely. While she knew she needed to hear all these things, she didn't know what to do with this knowledge now that she had it. She stared down at her empty hands. Perhaps she hoped this would bring her closure, but she felt even more lost and confused. Batman's description of Rex - her son - rang in her head on repeat, beating her down. She tried with all her might to solidify Batman's words into reality within her mind, but she knew she was fighting the impossible. She was battling destiny, fate, and time - with no clear enemy to strike. The existence of a child was held so unsteady within the recesses of her mind and willpower, and the resistance of his own father who wished to avoid playing puppet - as he had so eloquently phrased - effectively crushing her heart into pieces. She bit back her emotions, swallowing her anguish for a later time.

Whatever Batman was working on - the file printed and he folded the paper as he neared her. "When John and I went to the future, I met my older self. He had no memory of ever going to the future." As he offered the document to her, he held it firm as though he was second-guessing giving it to her. Either that, or he was silently asking if she was certain she wanted it. She couldn't tell which.

"-You're a smart enough woman. I don't think I need to explain to you what that could mean. Now ...answer me this," he said. His eyes narrowed as he asked his question. "Why did you come to me?"

She equaled his steely gaze with one of her own, fighting back her crumbling composer.

"You're a smart enough man, Bruce... Why ask what you already know?"

Thinking back to her final answer before she stormed away, he had always wondered whether giving her that drawing of Rex would cause a negative ripple effect. It wasn't like John hadn't already created that particular train of events simply by telling her of their trip to the future. Still, those thoughts plagued him nearly every day that followed.

Until now.

Vivid green eyes looked up at him, blinking at the world around him. His little balled-up fist swung in the air as he scrunched his nose - his tired mother and proud father awing over the newborn - completely unaware that his very existence caused the Dark Night many sleepless nights. He found morbid comfort that the two parents would be feeling his pain within the next, following years.

"Hi, buddy." The soft voice of Wally West sang next to him as the speedster neared the infant, smoothing back his black curls atop his head.

"I'm your Uncle Wally, little dude. You and me are gonna drive your mom and dad crazy. Okay? I'm gonna introduce you to so many cool movies. We're gonna eat so much junk food, and play so many violent, video games together... oh man! We're gonna have a blast! You and me, kiddo."

The baby boy babbled and cooed, earning a soft kiss on his head from the Flash. "You hear that, guys? He's already excited to hang out with me... I'm definitely gonna be his favorite."

"You sure we should let Wally babysit?" John murmured as he gently rubbed his wife's back.

Shayera smiled and turned her attention to the newborn. "Not even an hour old and you've already got a full schedule ahead of you." He yawned as if in response, sinking deeper into Shayera's embrace. She could hardly believe he was here, and yet - every time she blinked - he was still there as her eyes opened. The love she held for this little boy entered her heart the second she learned of his existence and continued to grow from there. She felt John kissing her temple and she leaned into his touch, watching as he rubbed soothing circles against their son's reddened cheeks.

"Have you two decided on a name?" Clark asked from his place next to Diana and Bruce, stealing Shayera from her thoughts.

John smirked at Shayera in knowing as he looked at the group, settling his gaze mainly on Bruce. "Buford."

Eyes widened around the room before they could help it - awkward smiles fitting most faces. "Oh wow! That's a, ugh... a lovely name, you guys," Wally said, avoiding eye contact as he rubbed the back of his neck. Bruce frowned, glaring at John and Shayera.

She laughed softly, careful not to jostle herself or the newborn in the process. "Rex," she corrected, running her fingers gently through his hair. "-His name is Rex Stewart."

Before anyone could comment, Wally groaned loudly. "Oh thank God!"