The game room was everything Hikaru had imagined a superhero headquarters would have—and more. Multiple monitors lined one wall, gaming consoles stacked beneath them in an organised chaos that spoke of frequent use. Bean bags and couches clustered around the screens, controllers scattered across every available surface.
"First stop on the grand tour!" Kid Flash announced, sweeping his arm dramatically. His grin was infectious, the kind that made it impossible not to smile back.
Beast Boy bounded ahead, already transforming into a monkey to swing from an overhead beam. "And the most important stop, if you ask me."
Hikaru followed them in, taking in the space. "Not bad. Though I'm sensing a theme here—you two spend a lot of time in this room, don't you?"
"Only when we're not saving the world," Kid Flash said, flopping onto a beanbag. He grabbed a controller and waggled it enticingly. "Speaking of which, racing game. You and me. Right now."
"I thought you were giving me a tour?"
"Multi-tasking! We can talk and race."
Beast Boy transformed back, landing on a couch. "Dude, he's gonna destroy you. The guy moves at light speed."
"Yeah, well, I've got finesse." Kid Flash was already loading the game. "Being fast isn't everything. Sometimes it's about precision, timing, knowing the track—"
"You're gonna lose," Hikaru said, settling onto the couch next to Beast Boy.
Kid Flash's grin widened. "We'll see about that."
They did not, in fact, see about that.
Hikaru won the first race by half a lap.
"Okay, okay," Kid Flash said, jabbing frantically at buttons. "Best two out of three."
"I thought you said being fast wasn't everything?" Hikaru didn't bother hiding his smirk.
Beast Boy cackled, transforming into a parrot to perch on the couch arm. "Dude, you're getting smoked!"
"Shut up, I'm concentrating!"
The second race was closer—Kid Flash actually knew the shortcuts—but Hikaru still edged him out at the finish line. The speedster stared at the screen in betrayed silence.
"Want to go again?" Hikaru offered.
"...No." Kid Flash tossed the controller aside. "I'm saving my dignity. What's left of it."
"You'll get 'em next time, man." Beast Boy patted him on the shoulder, still grinning.
Kid Flash shot to his feet. "Whatever. Kitchen's next! And Cyborg's making dinner, so you're about to experience actual heaven."
The kitchen smelt incredible.
Hikaru caught the aroma before they even rounded the corner—garlic, herbs, something sizzling that made his stomach clench with sudden hunger. He'd grabbed lunch at school, but that felt like years ago.
Cyborg stood at the stove, apron on, wielding a spatula with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what they were doing. He glanced up as the three of them entered, grinning.
"Right on time. Dinner's almost ready."
"It smells amazing," Hikaru said honestly.
"Course it does. This is my domain." Cyborg gestured around the pristine kitchen with clear pride. "You want food, you ask nicely. Or you leave the place as spotless as it is now. Those are the rules."
"Noted." Hikaru leant against the doorframe, watching him work. "I'm not much of a cook anyway, so you won't get complaints from me."
Cyborg flipped something in a pan with a practiced flick of his wrist. "Good man. Stick around, you'll taste why I'm serious about this."
Beast Boy transformed into a dog, sniffing the air. "Is that tofu stir-fry? Please tell me that's tofu stir-fry."
"For you, yeah. Everyone else is getting the real deal."
"Tofu is the real deal!"
Kid Flash zipped to the fridge, pulling out a sports drink. "You say that every time, and every time you're still wrong."
"You carnivores just don't understand culinary sophistication."
Hikaru snorted. "Pretty sure tofu doesn't count as sophisticated."
Beast Boy's jaw dropped in mock betrayal. "You too, new guy?!"
"Just calling it like I see it."
Cyborg laughed, a deep rumble that filled the kitchen. "I like him already."
The tour continued. The training room—already familiar from earlier—got a brief revisit so Beast Boy could show off the equipment storage. Weapons, gadgets, spare parts for Cyborg's gear, all organized with military precision.
"We spend way too much time here," Beast Boy grumbled, eyeing a training dummy with suspicion.
"I can see why, though." Hikaru ran a hand along one of the racks. "It's impressive. Beats the rooftop sparring I used to do."
Kid Flash zipped around the room's perimeter. "Movie nights are mandatory, by the way. Common room, every Friday. Non-negotiable."
"I can live with that."
They showed him a closer look the common room next— the same room they had the little question and answer session. With massive windows overlooking the bay, a ridiculous television, more couches and bean bags. It was clearly the heart of the tower, the place where the team actually lived rather than just worked.
Hikaru could already picture it: film marathons, arguments over what to watch, someone falling asleep mid-movie. Normal teenage things.
"And here's your room!" Beast Boy pushed open a door with a flourish. "It's got a great view."
Hikaru stepped inside.
The space was bigger than his entire apartment back in Japan. Clean white walls, simple furniture—bed, desk, wardrobe—and a huge window that offered a perfect view of the bay. City lights sparkled in the distance, reflecting off dark water.
"Bathroom's through there." Kid Flash pointed to a side door. "You can decorate however you want. Make it yours."
Hikaru set the bag he flew back to his apartment to pack, down, taking it in. "This is...actually really nice."
"Right? Way better than your place in Japan—uh, I assume." Beast Boy looked momentarily uncertain.
Hikaru laughed. "Yeah. Definitely an upgrade."
Kid Flash checked his watch—or pretended to, since he wasn't wearing one. "Dinner's in an hour. Settle in, get comfortable. We'll come grab you."
They left in a flurry of noise and movement, the door clicking shut behind them.
Silence.
Hikaru stood in the center of his new room, alone for the first time since arriving at the Tower. He began to unpack, taking his time. Laptop on the desk. A few books on the shelf. The Seraph costume went carefully into the wardrobe.
He paused at the window, looking out at Jump City over on the mainland. Watching the lights flickering.
New city. New team. New life.
His wings stretched out, catching the last rays of sunlight filtering through the window.
From somewhere in the distance, he heard laughter. Muffled voices, someone shouting something that was probably an insult but sounded friendly.
Hikaru smiled.
Not bad.