For Barry

[cold_n_calculating]

It's half past 7 on a Tuesday night when Len finds himself stirring a pot of cocoa on the stove slowly to keep it from burning as it heats up. He's wearing dark jeans, a long sleeved shirt, and his blue slippers that have little silver snowflakes on them. They were a gift from Lisa and it's not like anyone's around to see him wear them. It's chilly, winter is refusing to leave the area just yet and there's a light snow falling tonight. Perfect time for cocoa.

He muses silently to himself as stirs thinking about everything that's happened as of late. It's odd being back in Central instead of gallivanting off with the Legends...it's odd knowing that the Multiverse is gone...that things are so different even if they feel the same.

Mick chose to stay on the Waverider and Len can't fault him. It's likely the first place outside of Len where he's felt at home even if it didn't start that way. Lisa is off doing Lisa things and Len is glad she's happy and content in her life. Maybe he should do that too. Find something simple to do and just be. Just enjoy living for a little while.

Comments

[chosenbylightning]

A text should rouse him from his thoughts.

Hey, want some company tonight?

Barry doesn't know when it became habit to seek out Snart when he was feeling blue. Really, he doesn't. But tonight is harder than usual after Iris and Eddie's engagement party and he should be hanging around because he's Best Man but he just can't.

Iris and Eddie are getting married. Cisco has Kamilla. Even Ralph and Frost have their Not Thing and Barry?

He's feeling very alone.

Some paragon.

[cold_n_calculating]

Len's phone beeps and he pulls it from his pocket and sets it on the counter. He taps in the password and reads the message. He chuckles lightly and opens the message to type a reply.

Don't you have Best Man duties tonight?

He's pretty sure he remembers Barry saying something the last time the Speedster had invaded his home. That's another thing. Barry Allen now knows where he LIVES. Actually lives! Not a safe house, his HOME! And surprisingly he doesn't mind all that much. Barry is easy in that he doesn't seem to require much from Len except company. Usually he's quiet and doesn't snoop too much, not that there's much to snoop really.

[chosenbylightning]

Yeah, I'm not feeling it tonight. I told Joe I had some work to catch up on. Not that he has to lie to Joe, he knows better, but he needed to get away.

And I'm already done with that.

I'll bring some sushi?

[cold_n_calculating]

<font face="courier>Potstickers too. I've got cocoa almost ready. Doors unlocked.</font face> Len sets the pot off the eye and moves to unlock the door knowing Barry has to get the sushi before he comes over so he has a least a few minutes. He returns to the stove and slowly adds the cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla to the milk and continues stirring it. Cocoa and sushi might not be the best combo, but it would still be good.

[chosenbylightning]

Barry is on the move, picking up the potstickers he likes and enough sushi and dessert for the both of them. He lets himself in without even thinking about it, calling out once he's through the door. "Hey I'm here."

Shoes toed off at the door and his jacket hung up neatly before Barry wanders into the kitchen. He feels better already. Safer. Relaxed.

ugh...bad coding. Sorry

[cold_n_calculating]

Len tries not to think how easy Barry seems to have settled into his life. He really isn't used to people coming and going but with the meta it's not so difficult to make room for him. He hears Barry come inside and lets himself smile when he hears the other hang up his jacket and the sound of his shoes hitting the floor just moments before Barry appears in his kitchen. "Hello, Scarlet."

Len has just poured two glasses of cocoa, added little snowmen marshmallows Lisa had bought him as a joke, and a little dusting of additional cocoa to make it look festive. "Do you want some water too?" He asks because having water would likely be good with the sushi.

Haha, no worries. Happens to all of us

[chosenbylightning]

"Hey," he calls back with a smile, relaxed as he pads into the kitchen. The hot cocoa smells like heaven and he takes his mug with a smile. "Yes please. Water."

The food is unpacked and he digs in with a happy sound. Already he feels better. "Thanks. I couldn't," he sighs, his shoulders sagging. "I am happy for them."

"It all just reminds me how alone I am, you know?"

[cold_n_calculating]

Len sets his cocoa down and fetches two glasses of ice water for them before taking a seat across from Barry while the other unpacks the food. Len opens a pair of chopsticks and gracefully picks up a dumpling, dunks it, and puts it into his mouth chewing thoughtfully while he listens to Barry. He gives what he hopes is a sympathetic humming noise before he swallows his food and gives Barry a rather calculating look.

"Are you feeling alone because all of your little friends are in relationships...or because of something else?"

[chosenbylightning]

Barry pulls a face at the question but he really should know better. Len's always been able to see through him.

"Both?" He hazards. "I'm happy for them but it feels kind of hollow too. Barry Allen, Paragon of Love and I'm the painfully single one of the group." Barry sits back and picks up his cocoa. "It's stupid, I know."

[cold_n_calculating]

"Love, the verb, encompasses a lot more than just romance, Scarlet. You love this city and the people in it, it's one of the reasons you don the cowl and zip around in your little red tights." He doesn't downplay Barry's feelings though, because they are just that...his feelings. Barry is allowed to have them, and Len respects that.

He sets his chopsticks down and gives Barry a rather intense look. "I'll deny I ever said this, and I know I've teased you about this more than once, but you being the Paragon of Love was not a surprise at all Scarlet. No more than Kara being the Paragon of Hope or Sara the Paragon of Destiny."

[chosenbylightning]

His expression shifts to one of fond exasperation at the mention of his costume. Barry sets down his food and smiles quietly at him. "And you? You're the Paragon of Certainty."

"No really. You make me feel.. grounded in a way I don't feel anywhere else."

[cold_n_calculating]

Len scoffs a bit at Barry's declaration that he's a Paragon of anything. He chuckles and shakes his head before picking up his chopsticks and reaching for some more food. "Something's wrong then, if you feel like you're better off with me than your friends."

[chosenbylightning]

He snorts and accidentally goes for too much wasabi on his next piece, "That's not what I meant. I'm just.. better here. I'm Barry here, or Scarlet or whatever."

"I don't get that chance very often." He knows that his friends try, they do. Ralph invites him for wings and he still has movie nights with Cisco and Kamilla but it's not the same.

[cold_n_calculating]

Len doesn't understand really what Barry is trying to say. He can be himself around Len but not his friends? How does that work?

"I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but if you feel safe here then you're welcome." Len says as he slowly picks at the food. He eats not even 1/4 of what Barry eats but he's always been like a bird and grazes throughout the day.

[chosenbylightning]

Barry can't even explain it, but he feels more settled with Len and it's.. nice. He doesn't feel so lonely. He sure as hell doesn't feel sad, not with Snart's wit and banter to keep him pulled out of his head.

"Thanks." He finishes his sushi and cleans up, wrapping his hands around his mug. "I don't suppose I could convince you to be my plus one for the wedding?"

[cold_n_calculating]

Len is sitting back with his own mug in hand when Barry asks him to be his plus one at the wedding. He can't tell if Barry is joking or if he's serious. He thinks the young man is being honest and serious yet...he has reservations.

"I doubt your father would approve." He says instead because he's not sure just how he feels about the invitation. Sure he cares about Barry but that's about it. The rest of the team aren't really people he spends time with or knows well at all. Most of them even still consider him a criminal even though he's been with the Legend's for several years now. "And gunshot wounds aren't exactly a picnic to recover from."

[chosenbylightning]

Yeah that was probably too much. Barry pushes down any sense of disappointment in favor of focusing on Len's deflection. "Joe would not shoot you," he counters. "Besides, I'd catch the bullets before they got close."

He shrugs, "Forget it. I guess I should get out of your hair, let you have your night back."

[cold_n_calculating]

Len could argue that Joe West would indeed shoot him if he knew the kind of thoughts He had about Barry. But that’s not something he dwells on.

“You don’t have to leave, Barry. I meant it when I said you were welcome here.” He says honestly. He’s actually gotten used to the kid showing up randomly.

[chosenbylightning]

The reassurance helps and he stops fidgeting. "So let's talk about something other than my incredibly single way of life."

And how it'll probably be that way forever. "What have you been up to this week? Anything interesting?" Barry doesn't want to dwell on what he doesn't have, it's enough to be able to visit with Snart when he needs company and to know that he won't be turned away.

[cold_n_calculating]

"You do realize I too am single?" Len muses out loud to the speedster before chuckling a little bit. "As for me, a little of this, a little of that. You know me Barry. I never reveal my plans." He winks and sips his cocoa. "I did finish a book you might like. Let me get it." He gets up and heads into his bedroom to fetch a handsomely bound book that he then passes to Barry. The leather binding it is supple and well cared for. It's clear this book is new but still Len always takes care of his items. And it isn't stolen either. It was a gift.

[chosenbylightning]

"Yeah well you don't vibrate when you get worked up," he mutters into his cocoa. At least Leonard could find someone to spend his time with and not necessarily give up his alternate identity.

He looks up as Len offers over the book, taking it reverently as he runs his fingers along the warm and soft leather. This isn't just a paperback to read and set aside. This is something to be kept and re-read over and over. "That's a beautiful book."

A grin as he reads the gold lettering on the side. "Tolkien, huh?"

[cold_n_calculating]

"Beg pardon?" Len raises his eyebrows in a small amount of shock at what Barry had said into his cocoa. "You do what now?" Of course he'd let the conversation go by fetching the book for Barry. He knew the young man would appreciate it for what it was.

"I thought you might like to borrow it."

[chosenbylightning]

Barry's smile softens as he takes the book. "I'd love to, Len. Thank you." He sets it on the table for the moment, "I used to read the trilogy at least once a year before the lightning."

And he probably owes him an explanation but it's not like Leonard would use it against him. "When I get exited, I.. I vibrate." He's blushing hard enough that Len can probably figure out what he means by 'exited'.

[cold_n_calculating]

Len raises an eyebrow and gives Barry a small smirk. "I suppose that does make it difficult to have a short fling." He agrees with a slight nod of his head. "More cocoa?" He asks as he stands to refill his own cup. "And we can move to the sofa instead of the kitchen table."

[chosenbylightning]

"Sure," and Barry hands over his mug, perching on the counter while Len makes more cocoa. "We could watch a movie?" He's just happy to sit and relax here with him and not think about what Iris and Eddie are celebrating without him.

[cold_n_calculating]

Len doesn't stop Barry from sitting on his counter. Lisa does the same thing and he's glad the younger man feels comfortable in his home. Even if he still doesn't quite understand it all.

Len reheats the cocoa and pours it into their mugs before adding more marshmallows and then sets the empty pot into the sink. "Alright. I do believe tonight is your turn to pick." Len says as he had chosen 'There Was a Crooked Man' the week before.

[chosenbylightning]

"Mind if I pick a musical?" They always make him feel better and while Len never seems to mind, Barry still likes to ask. He can curl up in a corner of his couch and hug a pillow to his chest while he watches.

It isn't perfect but it's pretty close to it.

[cold_n_calculating]

Len has started to notice that when Barry is feeling particularly down...or it's pouring down raining outside, he prefers watching musicals. He hasn't commented on it or asked questions because he can tell it comforts him. But he is a touch curious like he is with most things regarding Barry.

"Of course." He hands Barry the remote and takes his customary position on the couch on one end, feet propped up on the coffee table. Barry might notice a blue and white checkered throw blanket has appeared on the back of the couch. Len typically keeps his apartment cooler than most people like owing to his preference for long sleeves. He's noticed Barry sometimes seems chilly.

[chosenbylightning]

The routine is comfortable and Barry smiles as he tugs the blanket around himself. It's warm and soft and smells faintly of Len's cologne. He breathes it in as the movie starts and the familiar music washes over him like a comforting wave.

He doesn't tear up during the movie.
It's just itchy eyes.

Really he's fine. He's just tired and lonely.

[cold_n_calculating]

If Barry stretches out on the couch Len might shift to let his feet wind up in his lap, and if they do he'll gladly and gently rub/massage them without making any notice of it. He doesn't tease Barry about his itchy eyes and he sure as heck will not admit to spending most of the film subtly watching Barry instead of the screen. He doesn't like how sad his Scarlet seems. Maybe he should plan something...give something for him to do.

[chosenbylightning]

It's been a long time since anyone's touched him with any gentleness and he's half asleep by the time the movie is over, soothed by familiar music and skilled fingers.

"Mn," a dozy hum, "I feel like I could fall asleep right here."

[cold_n_calculating]

"You can if you want." Len says softly. "There's spare toothbrushes in the bathroom. If you want to stay, Barry you may." He says still gently rubbing the others calves through the blanket. The movie has ended and the home screen of his streaming service is up, but he could care less.

[chosenbylightning]

Barry groans when he finds a sore spot on his calf, remnants of a broken leg the day before. "But if I go to sleep you'll stop." He rubs at his face and blinks over at him.

"I keep saying thank you. But I really mean it Len. It means a lot."

sorry, had to fix food

[cold_n_calculating]

Len notes the groan and gentles his touch even more in that spot. "Did you hurt yourself?" He asks mindful of the area and is now paying more attention to Barry's reactions just in case there is another tender spot.

"I wont stop if you don't want me too." Len says moving to start something silly and mundane for background noise in order to make Barry feel less awkward and self-conscious.

[chosenbylightning]

"No no, that feels good," he reassures. "I was catching a runaway car yesterday and broke my leg." Another silly movie started and Barry relaxes with the touch.

"I heal up quickly but it still hurts for a few days after."

[cold_n_calculating]

“Both Barry Allen and The Flash take care of Central City. But who takes care of Barry Allen and The Flash?” Len asks before shifting to the other leg to give it the same attention and love.