DC: The Brave and the Bawdy

Legends of Tomorrow: Darhk Days

John recited an ancient sumerian chant as he sat cross legged and naked before an arrangement of candles. He let out a quiet moan as he felt the spiritual energy enter through his skin, rolling his eyes back as he concentrated on that power. A spot of cold traveled down John's stomach as the deity drew from his life force. Many of John's powers came at a price. A portion of his life was a smaller price than most.

Not long ago, John Constantine had died. After decades of doing battle with black magic, demons, and the undead, John had come face to face with Neron and given his life and soul to save his friend Chas. Neron had taken John to Hell, but he had been saved by the timely arrival of the time traveling Legends of Tomorrow, who snatched him and his soul out of Hell and whisked him away to the future.

The Legends had saved and recruited John because they needed his help dealing with a magical temporal anomaly known as the Cult of Darhk. He had agreed to help and been granted a small room aboard their time traveling spaceship: the Waverider.

John heard a knock on the metallic door to his room. He let out one final phrase and the candles snuffed themselves out, the smoke in the room gathering around John before seeping into his body and sealing the contract. John rose and approached the door, hitting the 'open' button beside it.

"Oh!" gasped Ray, instinctively covering his eyes and turning away, face flushing until he was a light pink, "John! Sorry! I didn't... Uh..."

John recalled he was still naked and scoffed in amusement.

"One moment, big man," he assured, closing the door.

When John returned a few minutes later he had changed into his more familiar look of a button down and a red tie. Ray sighed with relief. His brain had just completely short-circuited. He had no social roadmaps with how to interact with people like John. It was intimidating at times.

"I, uh, wanted to see how you've been," said Ray after a moment.

"I'm fine," assured John, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"John," said Ray, "We literally pulled you out of Hell."

"How many times do I have to say 'thank you,' huh?"

"You haven't once asked to go back and see friends or family," said Ray plainly, losing his patience, "Aren't you worried about them?"

"Maybe I don't have any friends or family to see. Ever think of that, eh?"

"John-"

"Listen here, big man," said John, now impatient as well, "I'm here to put an end to this Cult of Darhk, but I'm not getting all touchy feely just because we're on the same team. Stopping that evil is the priority."

"Maybe," said Ray, "but we need to be able to trust each other. We need to have each other's backs."

John paused for a moment, considering his response.

"That attitude will get you killed," he said bitterly, "Now bugger off. I have some more ethereal pacts to make before we get this party started."

John closed the door. Ray sighed. He had never met someone as revolted by help and kindness as John. He wasn't quite sure what to do with it. He didn't want to approach John more than he wanted to be approached, but it was hard not to worry about him. Ray just wanted to help.

"Johno giving you a cold reception?" asked Charlie.

Ray looked over and saw the shapeshifting punk femme strutting down the hall in a leather jacket, plaid skirt, fishnets, and combat boots. Charlie had known John from before either of them joined the Legends and Charlie had in fact been the one to personally rescue John from Hell.