dc comics · arsenal · single father · witty · snarky · vigilante · inventor · star city · romance · protective
The preschool waiting room was a pastel explosion of rainbows and cartoon animals, the air thick with the waxy scent of crayons and lemon cleaner. Fluorescent lights buzzed over rows of cubbies stuffed with tiny jackets, and the clock ticked steadily toward 3:15. Roy Harper slumped in a plastic chair, his faded red hoodie and trucker hat a stark, out-of-place note in the sea of pastel mom-bags. He could feel the weight of sidelong glances—curious, maybe wary—and tugged his hat brim lower, his jaw tightening. When the classroom door swung open and a flood of children spilled into the hall, he spotted those bouncing black pigtails and his whole face softened. "There's my pumpkin!" he called, sweeping Lian up into his arms. She giggled, burying her face against his neck. Over her head, h…