#danny kinda thinks it was his fault somehow and gets kinda obsessive in finding hal's ghost

[wisecloudnightmare]

What if we add to this the au where green lanterns are ghost king's guardians/guards?

After Hal "died," Danny disappeared from the face of the earth. He finally accepted the role of the King of the Infinite Realms so that he can access the ability to locate its population.

A year has passed since then, and there's no sign of Hal's ghost. Slowly, Danny learns to accept that Hal is gone gone.

(That's what he tells Jazz anyway.)

However, while trying to stay awake in the super important meeting/party (because ghosts hate boring events), like, formally establishing ties between realms level of importance, the Ghost King is introduced to Green Lantern Corps.

When he asks why they're here even though they look like they want to be anywhere but (while wording it more politely, of course, it's a formal event.), one of them explains that they were just learning of their true roles, which are protecting the realms citizens and managing the flow of ectoplasm in the living realm, before coming to the meeting. So, they want to give an official apology for unknowingly neglecting duties and maybe schedule another meeting to discuss the matter at another date, bla bla.

(I don't remember the exact details or which person I osmosis this headcanon from. Sorry. Can someone throw me a name or a link, please?)

Danny zones out since the first ten seconds. No one knows because of the veil he wears over his face.

(Other green lanterns also find this boring, scattering to find their friends so fast Danny can't get a good look at most of them.)

After telling the Lantern to talk with Lady Jasmine, Danny spends what feels like eternity accepting greetings and gifts from a long line of other important people/heroes.

Even heroes who are known aliens can't hold his interest. They only make him think of the alluring darkness of space, the bright sky, the brighter smile of—

His attention snaps back at the familiar sound of laughter—

No, Danny, you're just missing him so much you hallucinate his voi—

But what if—

Pull yourself together. You're a Kin—

Then it means he can do what he wants.

Ugh, Jazz and Sam are going to be sooo mad.

Danny turns, ignoring the hero he doesn't remember the name of.

His gaze lands on lips that stretch into a familiar grin.

("Next time I will take you even higher.")

(There is no next time.)

Strong jawline.

("I'm here." The comforting weight on Danny's shoulder echoed the sentiment.)

("Where are you?" The weight of the crown is far heavier.)

Flushed cheeks.

("Remember me when you finally reach space, okay?" He always felt so strongly but asked for so little.)

(Was Danny asking too much?)

The bridge of his nose.

(The braver of the two brought his face close. "If I ask, will you stay?"

Danny closed his eyes.)

(Someday he doesn't want to open them.)

Danny swallows the lump in his throat. There are many things he regrets. However, taking the time he spent with Hal for granted and refusing to give him an answer are what has been haunting him since Hal's "death."

He won't let this chance slip away.

He takes off the veil.

"Hal."

************

(123456) this is a memory || before Hal's "death"

(123456) this is Danny's feeling relating to what he is remembering || after Hal's death

Short DPXDC Prompts #874

Danny’s high school grades have destroyed his chance of becoming an astronaut so he turns to the next best thing that doesn’t require anything besides his High School Diploma: the US Air Force. He becomes good friends with a fighter pilot at the Broome Lake Air Force Base; Hal Jordan.