By the Source, Scott hated this.
The one time, the one time he actually wanted to see his father, he was running late. Of course, of course he was running late.
Oh, but of course, if he could wait a thousand years to be lifted out of that hellhole, what were a few hours more?
It was the angry part of him talking, but it was like
If nothing else, he was more than happy to be alone with his thoughts regarding this holiday.
His wife sat this one out, not that he could blame her, really. She never knew her father, nor did she wish to feel like she was intruding on this reunion. Mother's Day was more than enough for her.
From what he could gather, Father's Day was supposed to be a holiday celebrating, well, fathers. Of course, knowing his life, that wasn't exactly something he was eager to do. He had his fair share of problems with his birth father, Izaya, but he's been slowly warming up to him, especially after his talk with Avia last month.
His adoptive father, on the other hand…
He clenched his cape as dark reminiscing overtook him…
Apokolips, many eons ago…
He was chained. His physique was that of a frail twig. His eyes were sore from neverending tears as his head was buried in his arms. He was scared to go to sleep, but a small part of him wanted to. Awake from this nightmare that was Apokolips and go back to New Genesis where he belonged.
He knew that wouldn't happen.
The doors then slid open, but no light shined on him. No, the light was blocked by a figure who absorbed it with His very presence. His hands were behind His back and adorned in a simple black tunic that complemented his granite-colored skin and inferno-red eyes. His gaze could pierce the mind and soul of any being, no matter how strong they were.
Darkseid.
Scott crawled to the corner of his cell to the best of his reach as the chains only extended so far. The stone tyrant looked at him like one would stare at a panicking animal. With complete and utter contempt and not a single ounce of pity towards the distressed creature.
Scott buried his face and averted his gaze, hoping the cruel despot would go away, but he knew better. Darkseid was everywhere. In the darkest thoughts of all mortals, in the blackest shadows of every room, He lingered. He was as eternal as the passage of time, perhaps even more.
Scott refused to look, but to no avail. He was compelled to do so against his will. A will that had limits.
Darkseid's will, however, was absolute. He was the rock, the chain, the lightning. The end of all things.
Scott looked and gazed into the abyss, his pupils dilating in horror as the abyss gazed back. The unrelenting gaze that will foul paradise beyond repair. The revelation. The tiger-force at the core of all things.
Henceforth, the moment Scott screams out in pain and from his most haunting nightmares - it is Darkseid that he sees.
Darkseid is.
"Scott?"
A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. It was elderly-sounding, but kind, and warm. The kind of voice that can reassure the shakiest of men.
He turned around, seeing an old man. His beard was long and as white as snow, adorning a slightly wrinkled face with bushy eyebrows. His eyes held a regretful look.
Izaya, the Highfather.
Scott suddenly had a lump in his throat. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't. He didn't know what to say, let alone why it was blocked. Was he going to make some angry, snarky comment? Was he going to make some heartfelt speech about why he still loved his father against his better judgment? He didn't know.
Likewise, Highfather didn't know what to say either. He wanted to apologize for his tardiness, but no amount of apologies would save it. Especially for the son he practically abandoned.
Scott just rushed forward and hugged his father, burying his face in his shoulders as tears formed in his eyes.
Izaya returned it back, dropping his crook to use both arms, tears falling down his face from an act that was long overdue
"I missed you, my son." Izaya choked on his own words.
Scott just hugged him tighter, "I missed you, too, father."
Barda decided to celebrate Father's Day her own way: By building a small little stone cairn in her backyard. A memorial of sorts, to the fathers who loved their children unconditionally.
She won't pretend like she knew her father. Not at all. For all she knew, he sold her to Granny's Orphanage for drinking money. But she knew countless others who did know their fathers and the good men they were.
She knows of Thomas Wayne, a flawed man who made a few bad deals, but a man who wanted to set the best example for his son.
She knows of Jonathan Kent, a man who never stopped loving his son in spite of how different he was compared to everyone else.
She knows of Silas Stone, the man who played god with technology beyond his understanding just to save his son's life.
And she knew many in the League who were fathers in their own way. Batman has quite the big family. Black Lightning has two metahuman daughters of his own and can never stop gushing about them. Superman just had a son, named after his adoptive father, Jonathan.
Thinking about all the great fathers, she rubbed a hand over a noticeable bump in her belly. Soon, her own husband will join the ranks.