The news of his return spread through the Watchtower like wildfire, faster than any official communication. It was a feeling, a tremor in the bond that connected the League members.
Only a few hours after Martian Manhunter had left his apartment, Marcus's door opened again, without even a knock. Awkgirl stood on the threshold, her armor still smudged with soot and dust from a recent mission, her wings half-unfurled as if she had flown here at full speed. Her breath was short, her golden eyes, usually so proud and hard, were wide, shining with a raw emotion.
She didn't say a word.
She crossed the room in three strides and pulled him into a hug with a strength that would have broken the ribs of an ordinary man. Her fingers clenched on the back of his t-shirt, burying her face in his neck. Marcus felt the slight tremor in her shoulders.
"I thought I lost you," she whispered in a muffled voice, so low it was almost a secret. "They took you, and those damned rules... those laws..." Her voice broke, unable to continue.
Marcus held her waist, surrendering to the embrace. The familiar scent of her armor, metal and sky, made him realize just how much he had missed this. How much he had missed her.
"I'm here, Shayera," he whispered against her hair. "I'm home."
They stood like that for a long moment, silent, until the sound of a throat being discreetly cleared made them part.
On the threshold, Wonder Woman was smiling, her arms crossed. "Sorry to interrupt," she said, her warm gaze moving from one to the other. "But when a storm named Awkgirl blows through the Watchtower, shoving everyone aside to race to Japan, one assumes the occasion is special."
Flash appeared in a whirlwind of leaves that had invited itself into the apartment. "Hey! Is it true?! He's back?! Awesome!" He hugged Marcus so fast it was almost a vibration. "We were worried sick, man! Even Bats got grumpier than usual, if you know what I mean!"
Green Lantern and Superman arrived next, more composed but with the same gleam of relief in their eyes. John Stewart gave Marcus a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Good to see you back in one piece, Utopian."
Superman placed a firm, comforting hand on his other shoulder. "Next time, we're coming for you. Rules or not. You have my word."
The room, a silent sanctuary moments before, was now filled with laughter, questions, and the palpable warmth of friendship. Marcus looked at the circle of faces surrounding him – these heroes, these legends – and saw more than colleagues. He saw a family. Awkgirl hadn't moved away from him, her shoulder remaining firmly against his, a silent, solid presence.
He was home. Truly.