Archive of Our Own ^beta

Central City was oddly quiet this evening.

Not that Barry wanted to complain. Not in the slightest.

The past days had been a struggle, new enemies, old enemies. His dad being released from prison, but Barry himself had been too occupied to even spend an hour alone with him. There had been one thing after another until everything had come to an end. A very unexpected and unsatisfying end.

Zoom had been defeated, or rather surrendered. It had been a very awkward situation, him fleeing after threatening to kill Barry’s dad. It had thrown Barry off. The speedster had not only wanted his speed, no, he wanted Barry to suffer, wanted him to feel the same as he did. Wanted to excuse his actions with his past and that just didn’t sit right. Barry’s mother had been killed and he hadn’t turned to the dark side. Losing his father wouldn’t have accomplished that either. It would have destroyed Barry inside, but he would never have gone on a killing spree.

He’d wanted to yell that at Zoom, but his throat had locked up, unable to form the words that ran through his mind. Seeing his father so vulnerable, yet calm. That alone had almost killed him. For an eternal second (and yes, sometimes it was the worst to be a speedster) Barry had thought he would lose his father too. He was already seeing a repeat of what happened to his mother and all Barry wanted was to throw himself in between and receive the killing blow. Not even to fight, just to keep the last parent related to him by blood safe.

Instead his father had smiled at him, told him that everything was fine, Barry would never be alone because Henry’s love would be with him for all eternity.

It had caused Zoom to stop, clearly shaken by something Barry couldn’t grasp as he himself couldn’t stop the tears flowing down his face. It had caused the evil Speedster to drop his father like a hot iron and to vanish without another word.

And with him the attackers.

No new Metas were sent from Earth Two to their Earth to stop Barry or to hurt him or his friends. It was eerily quiet after the whole incident. It made Barry’s skin itch with a dark premonition that he just couldn’t shake. This couldn’t be it, could it?

Why would the man suddenly stop coming after them. His father’s words hadn’t been for Zoom, they had been for Barry and there hadn’t been anything else to distract the man. Barry also knew that Zoom didn’t have anyone in his corner, no Cisco and no Cait. No Harry. No one that gave him advice or scolded him for doing something dumb or reckless. No one to encourage him to do better. It had always been Zoom all alone.

When Earth 2’s Flash had appeared again, wearing the very same face as Barry’s father, Barry had tried to take some time off to be with his father. The world could save itself for a day, Central was quiet enough for Barry to be able to take a day, or even two.

Surprising everyone and especially Barry, Henry had excused himself to spend some time alone in the woods. Bought himself a little cabin to live his life there.

To say that it had hurt Barry would be an understatement. He’d pictured all the things that he would do with his father, all the time they had lost, that they could now make up for, instead he now felt as if he was abandoned.

It had hurt to see the other world’s Flash who was nothing but kind, and who spoke almost sadly about Zoom, or Hunter as he was called in their reality. Barry knew the man wanted to distract him, but it was not enough.

Spending time with someone wearing his dad’s face was not the same as spending time with his actual dad. Flash had tried to explain that his father needed time, but Henry had had all the time he’d spend in prison. Why vanish now? Maybe he’d been more shaken by the whole ordeal with Zoom than he wanted to admit.

Barry knew he needed to tell him that it was okay, that he wasn’t alone, that he didn’t need to suffer through it all, that a whole bunch of people had, to support him whenever he needed.

Instead of finding his father alone and traumatized in his cabin, he’d found his father with unexpected company.

Zoom.

Barry had been so startled, seeing the villain near his father. He had been clad in a long bathrobe and comfy looking sweats, curled on the couch with his head in Henry’s lap. His wrists were metacuffed and fisted into Henry’s shirt who had softly patted the man’s head while the very villain who had tried to actually kill him, cried like an infant. Completely oblivious to Barry’s presence.

Barry had locked eyes with his father who’d smiled back at him, eyes kind and full of sadness. He’d shaken his head slightly, indicating Barry to not interfere and to come back at a later date, but this hadn’t soothed his worries in the slightest. Hadn’t answered any question. Hadn’t calmed the storm in Barry’s mind.

They had talked to each other after that, Henry telling him that he’d indeed taken in Zoom, but for Barry not to worry. The man had come to him after freeing his hostages, had asked for forgiveness and help. And who was he to deny a man medical attention and an open ear.

Barry hadn’t understood, but his father had only shaken his head wistfully, begged him to stay quiet and not tell anyone. To trust him. Which just felt wrong, but it was his dad and he never begged for anything. Barry just hoped that he would be okay, not trusting Zoom for a second.

But he’d promised.

He’d promised to trust his dad and let him handle it.

Therefore Barry did the only thing he knew he was good at.

Barry ran.

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

The air was crackling with energy, a faint hum that Barry knew with every fiber of his being.

It was the thrum of the speed force, the energy that ran through his veins every time he tapped into it to get faster than anything possible, the same energy that had changed everything and yet nothing.

Barry stopped running, scared for a second. Was it Zoom? Did he finally show his real face? Barry was about to turn back to the cabin, check on his father, when a faint crack appeared, almost like one of Zoom’s portals but this one was bursting with speed force energy.  A lightning crackle and suddenly something big and hard slammed into his chest, threw him to the ground before he was able to step back. 

Barry yelped and grabbed the thing, hugging it to his chest on instinct.

A louder crack and the portal was gone again, leaving Barry on the ground staring up into the sky and blinking confused, clutching something that seemed to be a warm, a really warm stone.

“What the…”

Only in Central.

Another second later he got zapped by the stone, a shock that would have made his hair stand up in every direction if not for the suit’s protection.

“What the....” Barry yowled and clutched it closer to his chest, so he wouldņt  just throw it away. What mistake that might be, he didn’t want to think about, especially as the shocks didn’t feel like an attack, more like a tease, the same way he sometimes took joy in zapping Cisco when Caitlyn wasn’t around to scold them both for playing with those powers. Interestingly it also left a new sensation in his mouth. Rather… not new. Like an amalgamation of lightning, ash, and snow. Same he smelled and tasted when he got hit by his favourite nemeses’ guns.

Which was certainly an odd thought. He hadn’t seen them in weeks.

He also didn’t have any favourite enemies, whatever those guys, and his friends were hinting at.

The zapping stopped and Barry carefully lifted the stone, taking a closer look at it only to almost get hit in the face when he let it fall, if not for his superpowers that made him catch it at the last second.

It was translucent.

And there was a creature inside, moving as if this wasn’t a stone but an egg.

Four legs, tail and what was that? Wings?

Barry almost squealed when he thought about what that meant.

This was a real dragon egg from another earth!

How did it come here?!

Who would just yeet dragon eggs into other dimensions? That didn’t make any sense.

On the other hand he really didn’t want to worry about anything making sense right now, as his life certainly did not. And he didn’t have his team with him and wouldn’t want to call them back. They would strangle him for keeping the egg from them for the time being but he needed a bit of space and they needed a bit of vacation. Not even a dragon egg would change that.

Still in awe he managed to get up into a seated position, turning the egg around carefully to look at it from all sides. The dragon inside moved with it and it’s tiny wings fluttered a bit. Then, out of the blue it suddenly curled up in a ball. Its wings closed around it and it stopped moving altogether. Quickly followed by the egg growing cooler and the light inside dimmed. It almost looked more like a stone now than a dragon egg.

Hopefully this didn’t mean that the egg was dying… It wasn’t moving anymore!

Barry needed to warm it up. As fast as possible.

STAR Labs was out of commission, his friends were on vacation and he was alone and honestly, he didn’t even know if it would be enough to douse it with warm water.

There was only one thing that came to his mind that would warm up a dragon egg for sure.

And yes, maybe he was a bit desperate and wanted to know how they were faring when he bolted in the only direction he could think off.

There was a safe house on the fifth that he knew belonged to one suspicious Leonard Wynters and one even more suspicious Mick Heathen. A safe house he knew would be occupied because of course he was keeping tabs on his enemies. It was essential to know if they were still there or had moved.

For safety measures of course. Especially after the Rogues had been so quiet in the last few weeks.

Not because he really missed the easy bantering and the puns and the fighting.

What Barry didn’t think about was that they might not be alone when he sped right into the biggest room, eyes fixed on Leonard Snart who was standing at the end of a long table, blueprints behind him and on the table itself.

Papers flew and the blueprints on the pinboard fluttered dangerously but kept hanging.

The Masterthief only slowly lifted an eyebrow, not in slightest bothered by the Flash’s appearance.

“Well look at what the blizzard blew in.”

“It’s mid-June?” Barry asked confused, especially as the other eyebrow travelled the same way as the first, while Captain Cold looked at him expectantly.

Barry would have loved to ask questions, but the egg in his arms was rapidly growing colder and his eyes fixated on the table, running over Weather Wizard and Pied Piper, only to end up at Heatwave who lounged in his chair, both hands on the table, playing with one of the blueprints. He was ripping off some tiny pieces and frowning at Barry.

None of the Rogues moved.

Not that he really paid them any mind.

“I need your Heatgun!” Barry blurted out, trying to ignore Snart who slowly leaned forward, watching the encounter slightly amused. As if this was going to be a good show.

“No way.” Mick Rory frowned deeper and grabbed the gun, earlier carelessly leaned against his chair, now protectively cradled in the man’s big hands. “It’s mine.”

“But I need it.”

“Get yourself your own.”

“I… I have an egg!”

As if to underline his point he showed off the now really cold egg, that looked more like a grey stone at the moment. In egg shape.

The arsonist lifted an eyebrow, just like his cold counterpart did before.

“Good for you kid. Now shush. Adults need to work.”

There were snickers to be heard from the rest of the table and Barry looked startled when he saw that they weren’t alone. Of course, he’d seen Mark and Hartley a second before but now that he looked, all of the Rogues were lounging around the table, staring at him with different reactions on their faces. Some of them were irritated, but none really frightened that he would fight them. Also, none of them tried to fight him. That was good. Wasn’t it?

Axel was looking at him in slight awe, staring at the egg and back at Barry’s face.

“Are you high?!”

Barry took a step back, clutching the egg closer to his body again, hopefully keeping it somewhat warm. And maybe shielding it a bit from the rest of the Rogues. Dangerous or not he wouldn’t trust those people to know how to treat an egg right.

“Of course not. Drugs are bad for you.”

Barry didn’t like the disbelieving looks on the Rogue’s faces. He’s seen some shit, okay, and he really didn’t want to encourage anyone into doing some illegal substances.

“As funny and delightful it is to hear you talking about your no-drugs campaign.” A slow drawl interrupted his thoughts. “We need to work. And either you try to fight us now or you go back to your little friends and get your brain checked out. Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold next time we fight.”

Barry frowned. How they wouldn’t take this seriously was beyond him.

“I…”

He opened his mouth only to get interrupted.

“It’s also very rude of you to just burst into this house. No doorbell, no knock, just rushing right in. Ever heard something about private property, cutie?” Lisa Snart smirked at him, but he saw the calculating look in her eyes.

None of them knew how he got into the house in the first place. It wasn’t as if they let the doors unlocked. Or maybe they did. He hadn‘t checked. Also none of them knew how he knew where they were. They didn’t know that he was able to phase through bricks. 

“As funny as it is to see him fidgeting, he’s right.”

Barry could have kissed Pied Piper out of pure joy that someone believed him.

The Rogues turned to Hartley, waiting for another explanation. The young man frowned.

“I can hear a faint heartbeat, slowing down. Where did you find this? I don’t know of any animal that lays an egg like that.”

“It’s a dragon egg.” He stated proudly. “I ran through the city when a portal opened and it hit me square in the chest. It was warm in the beginning and you could see it moving! But now it’s cold and please. I really need the gun. It’s the only thing that can warm it up fast!”

Barry could see the interested gleam in the arsonists eyes and almost let the egg fall when the man opened his mouth.

“No.”

“NO?!”

Barry almost screamed, just almost. It was a close thing. He’d never thought Heatwave of all people would be able to kill an unborn dragon. Somehow his chest hurt more from this betrayal than it did when they attacked him.

“Do you wanna fry the egg, kid?”

Snart chimed in, leaning onto the back of a chair, watching Barry with those piercing eyes of his.

“I… no?”

“Give it to me.”

He hadn’t even seen Golden Glider get out of her chair and stand next to him, her hands sneaking around the egg to take it from him. Barry let go, knowing that she wouldn’t do anything vile. She wasn’t a bad one. None of them here were for real. And if something happened he would be faster for sure.

Barry watched her wrapping the egg in a scarf, handing it over to Mick who cradled it to his chest. It looked so tiny in those big hands.

“Please. I don’t want it to die.”

“I’m out.” Weather Wizard interrupted and stood up from his chair, rolling his eyes. “As fun as this is, boss, I don’t think we’ll get anything done tonight and I have a date.”

“I need to study for my exam!”

“I need to sleep.”

As if Mardon had broken a silent sound barrier, all the Rogues started to speak at once, talking about what they were going to do rather than stay here and watch the Flash staring at his enemies and the egg that was wrapped in Heatwave’s jacket now. For a moment Barry felt as if he’d been thrown into a classroom with excited people talking about the prom. Or into the Cortex when they found out a new thing. It was oddly charming that people being together could be so different and yet so similar.

The whirring of the cold gun stopped the talking and everyone stared at Captain Cold as one, all talking ceased. Even Barry stood still and waited for what he was going to say.

“You’re dismissed. We will go through this heist again, once our red leather-clad friend here is gone and we have an additional dragon as a backup.”

That meant that they were taking care of the egg, didn’t it? Barry’s shoulders slumped, he didn’t get it.

He was such a bad excuse for a hero, hadn’t even thought about them planning another big thing. Or that they would openly admit to stealing the dragon from him.

“Don’t worry.” It was Shawna that appeared in front of him with a telltale blopp, looking at him with a shy smile. “It’s in good hands here.” She winked at him and vanished in a cloud of smoke.

“I’m not…” He wasn’t worrying in fact he hadn’t even thought about them denying him his wish to help the tiny creature. They’d betrayed him more often than he could remember, and still he came running whenever they could help somehow. Like an idiot that didn’t learn his lesson.

“You coming or what?”

Startled Barry looked at Heatwave with wide eyes. Somehow the rest of the Rogues were gone and he was alone with only their leaders, minus Golden Glider who’d excused herself too.

It was a strange feeling to have the attention of both Captain Cold and Heatwave, without them drawing weapons on him.

He was at a loss, his brain refusing to catch up.

“To make sure that we won’t harm the egg or raise the thing  to be an evil beast? Like the true hero you are.”

He was sure Cold was mocking him there but there was also genuine interest in his eyes that made Barry nod. He looked at the egg and licked his lips, suddenly dry from all the running and the stress.

“Better make sure.”

Without hesitation he stepped up to Heatwave, unaware of the concerned looks both of his enemies threw at each other.

They led him through the untidy storage room, through a door, right into what looked like a lived in and well-loved living room?

Barry stopped right in his tracks, only for Heatwave to run into his back. So sue Barry for tapping into the speedforce and snuggling a bit longer into the well formed muscled chest. It was a crime in itself that both Leonard Snart and Mick Rory were so damn hot. He didn’t dare to enjoy it for too long, but he could see a knowing smirk on Heatwave’s face when he looked up.

Barry blushed and forced himself to focus forward again fast enough to almost get whiplash. 

He couldn't let them get underneath his skin. They were criminals and bad, so very, very bad. He really shouldn't fall for the bad boys that would only break his heart and laugh in his face. But maybe... maybe he was allowed to look a little bit. No one would be angry at him for not leaving a potential dangerous creature in their hands unsupervised, would they?

It was just an inconvenience that Joe always looked at him like he knew what was up whenever he needed to fight one or both of them. It wasn't his fault that he had one of those faces that couldn't hide their emotions, okay. It didn’t help either that Joe had told him he would love him, no matter who he chose as a partner. Just to be careful and keep himself and his heart safe.

Who was Barry even kidding?

He could have taken the egg to STARlabs, it would have been easy to heat it up there, but like an idiot he had brought it to the first person still on earth that could find joy in a real life dragon and who he also wanted to impress a bit with what he had found. He felt a bit like a bird during courting time. Here look, I have a shiny stone. Do you like me now?

„Why so sad, Red? The Dragon will make it, no worries. Ain't no heroes, but that we can do.“

As if Barry would have brought the egg to them if he'd ever thought one of them would hurt it. He knew that the dragon egg was safe. He knew that he was safe too, that's why he hadn't checked if any of the Rogues were there. (Not because he was too reckless, no thank you Ollie! He knew what he was doing.)

That's why he thought of them first when he needed help. Needed to get away.

The egg had been a welcomed distraction from everything going on. No way they would let him leave with it as long as it wasn't hatched, and no way he would leave it with them. Maybe it was bad that he’d just snuck  himself into their lives like that, especially as Len's knowing look met his...

Technically, they could have chased him out.

They could have shot him and just stolen the egg, there were still safehouses he hadn’t found.

There were the ones he knew his nemeses needed to feel safe. But they'd been pretty obvious about those safehouses he knew now about. They could be sneaky, but they were obvious to him which ones they used, as if they wanted him to find them.

Okay, it could be his imagination, but the hand on the small of his back from one Captain Cold and the softer than normal smile from Heatwave was something he wasn’t imagining. Or was he?

„Now come on, Scarlet. Sit down.“

They even had a little fireplace. Barry was sure it was to keep Mick occupied, but it also looked so domestic, being in the middle of the living room in front of a cozy couch. A little bit bewildered he let his nemesis take the egg and push him into the couch he had ogled a second before.

Mick smirked and took out the gun, he dialed it down to the lowest setting before laying it onto the table, aiming the stream at the egg. It took a bit maneuvering to get the stream to surround the egg without giving off too much heat.

Barry stared at it with wide eyes, lightning flicking at his feet, trying not to jump right up and snatch the egg out of the fire. He was only alert in case something went awry, whereas Leonard had his Cold Gun in his hand. It was still powered down, but Barry knew how fast the man could operate it.

At first nothing happened, they could see the flames, could feel the heat, hear the flickering of the fire.

Then, endless speedforce seconds - but only normal seconds for everyone else - later he heard the same little chirping noise he had heard when the creature in the egg had greeted him for the first time.

Barry instantly relaxed.

Strangely, it looked as if the other two relaxed too. Just small signs, Len’s long fingers stopped twitching on the Cold gun, Mick’s squared shoulders relaxing, muscles softening.

It was as if a switch had been flipped.

The egg slowly lost his ashen appearance, but didn't clear up as nicely as it had been.

Barry frowned.

„Something wrong, Firebug?“

Barry ignored the strange nickname for a second, never having it heard before, but still knowing that it was him they meant.

„I don't know. I mean... It's talking like it did when I first encountered it but it isn't the same color. It was more translucent than it is now?“ He tried to explain.

„Maybe it will take some time?“ The frosty thief grinned and Barry knew what was coming. „Sometimes you need to take things *slow*.“

Barry groaned goodheartedly and smiled when Mick did the same. The arsonist shook his head with a soft smile and patted Barry's shoulder.

„’m hungry. You wanna have something too?“

„He means you Scarlet.“ Leonard pointed out when Barry didn't react. He had thought Mick was talking to Len, but obviously the shoulder patting was him getting an invitation.

„I...“ His stomach answered for him with a loud grumble, Barry was pretty sure his cheeks were matching his suit. „I could eat?“

„Sure.“

With that, Mick vanished and left him alone with Captain Cold who laid down his Cold-gun and took off his Parka to reveal a long sleeve, black Henley. Barry wanted to get up and open one of the buttons, just to mess with the man, but he didn't know if he could see the revealed skin.

„See something you like, kid?“

Barry deflated and looked away, biting onto his lower lip. That's why he knew he would never have a chance with the man. He didn't see Barry as an adult, as someone for a potential relationship. He would always look at Barry as a kid. A child that didn't know better, a child that he was happy to play with, and not an equal. But that was okay. Len had Mick to be happy. And they really looked good with each other, domestic and content.

„What's with the long face?“ Mick's gruff voice joined them a moment later, interrupting the awkward silence. He brought food with him and Barry had never been more happy to hide behind a big bowl of wonderful, delicious stew.

The meat was melting on his tongue and the flavours almost made him moan. Scratch that, he did moan and almost choked on the food when he looked up and his eyes met two piercing pairs. Barry turned his eyes back to the food, digging in and trying to ignore how the two thieves had their attention on his face. He blushed slightly, but couldn’t be bothered to worry about. It was too delicious, they could think whatever they wanted, good food was always a win with him.

The food was gone faster than he would have liked, and Barry’s stomach gave a sad rumble when he looked at the empty bowl.

He almost didn’t let go of the bowl when Mick took it from him, too surprised when he was given another full one.

“Eat. Could use it. Scrawny things like you and Snart over there are the worst.” The arsonist grumbled and went to the kitchen to get some more, while the thief in question only snarted into his food. He’d been eating it methodically and was only halfway through, even with the bowl having been less full than Barry’s.

Barry frowned.

“Always eating like a fucking bird. At least you’ve got some good appetite.”

Barry looked up to Mick who sat down next to Len, knocking their knees together. It was a small thing but Barry had seen Snart flinch away from touches by almost everyone.

Except from Lisa. And Mick.

And Barry.

An oddly proud feeling swelled in his chest, but he tried to kick it back down. There was no way Snart was feeling something for him, something more than friendship. It couldn’t be, not with the way Snart looked at Heatwave, the way he pressed his knee slightly back.

“I need a lot.” He blurted out, trying to pull his thoughts away from that. “Food, I mean. My powers… I need way more than a normal human, even when I don’t run.”

“Is that so?” Snart stopped eating and turned his whole attention towards Barry only to get nudged into the side. The man made a huge deal of sighing loudly before resuming eating. Barry smiled, when he saw the playful eye roll of the notorious arsonist.

They were a good team.

“So, Scarlet. Why’s that you come to us to take care of a vulnerable, most likely dangerous when hatched, creature? Don’t you have a whole team of fancy good-doers to help you deal with that?”

“Hasn’t it been six months since the last heist? I figured I’d keep you busy so you don’t get bored.” Barry shot back, stunned for a second that he came up with that so fast. He didn’t want to tell them the true reason, that he didn’t want to go to STAR all alone. He knew that Snart had upped his game and they had been planning a big one when he came in. 

The two thieves watched him in silence for a moment. Then suddenly Heatwave started laughing. A full belly laugh that shook the couch and made his cold counterpart look slightly peeved.

“You’re something, Red.” He shook his head and let it fall back against the couch, looking at Barry with an almost feral grin.

Snart only shook his head when he was elbowed in the side, but there was a little telltale twitch in his smirk that looked like a fond smile. But only if Barry squinted really hard.

Which he didn’t.

No way.

“So… Guess you need to stay here now, as we won’t let the egg go, and if you want to have it back you need to wait for it to hatch.”

“Jury’s still out if we won’t keep it then.”

“Seems as if you need to keep a speedster then too.” Barry shot back jokingly, but was met with surprisingly serious expressions. Maybe Heatwave hadn’t been joking…

“Guess we keep both then.”

Barry licked his lip nervously, then looked at the empty bowls and decided that yeah, he could tune this out for a second or two, and stepped into the speedforce to take the dirty dishware and clean up the kitchen. It gave him enough time to not think about anything, as his mind was coming up blank anyway.

He couldn’t believe Heatwave had agreed to keep them both, just like that. It wasn’t as if he was opposed to the idea, not in the slightest. He would be rather pleased with them having him around. A thing he never wanted to tell anyone.

A thing that would be difficult to hide, if he stayed with them for any longer.

It was all for the dragon’s egg’s safety, nothing more.

At least that’s what he would try to tell himself he decided and flopped down onto the couch, speedforce leaving him with a sizzling caress he always felt when he was a bit off balance.

Barry was met with twin frowns when he looked at his hosts.

“What?”

“No powers in the house.”

“I. What?!” He couldn’t believe it. He’d just done the dishes and cleaned everything, and not even a thank you?

“There is a no powers rule in every safehouse, Scarlet. Every Rogue knows that.”

“I’m not a Rogue.”

"If you stay here, you behave like a Rogue. Which means you will follow the house rules.”

Barry bristled and wanted to point out to Snart that using the heat gun wasn’t appropriate in that case, but it wouldn’t help his cause, it might even make them stop helping him. He deflated and sighed quietly. 

“I’ll try, okay. But no funny business, you hear me?”

Barry didn’t like the sharkish grin that rewarded him as an answer.

“Of course not. We’re the paragons of virtue.”

Barry rolled his eyes, but there was no heat behind it. After that the two criminals turned to some magazines, in Snart’s case a comic book. They made themselves cozy, Snart sprawled on the couch like a giant cat with his feet in Rory’s lap and his head on the armrest, Barry could make out the cover of it and choked on thin air.

It was the first edition of FLASH Rebirth and was worth more than two months of Barry’s salary. The first edition of it had also mysteriously vanished from the printers, but Barry hadn’t known about that until some coworkers were reading a few later ones of the collection and complained about them never being able to read the first one except online.

Barry knew he was gaping, especially when he saw that Snart was watching him over the edge of the comic book, surely having a telltale smirk on his face.

Damn.

“Can I read that when you’re done?”

“Sure thing, Scarlet. Make yourself comfortable, this may take some time. I like taking things slow. ”

Barry groaned at the pun and took off his mask. He would be staying there for a bit and he wasn’t going to wear it the whole time, sometimes it felt like his brain was being crushed by it. Maybe he should get a haircut. Or ask Cisco to make it a bit wider. Then again he didn’t know if he wouldn’t lose it running, that would be a bummer, exposing himself like that.

Carefully he laid the mask onto the table, mindful of the flames surrounding the egg and took off the shoes too. Comfortable as he could be with most of the suit on.

That’s when he looked up to see that Snart had laid down his comic book and was watching him with barely suppressed laughter and Rory was staring at him wide-eyed.

“Uhhh…”

“Well, I didn’t tell him.” Was all he got from the grinning thief, making Barry groan and hide his face in his hands.

“For real?!”

“Not a word.”

So much for accidental exposure.

Whatever. He’d already come this far and no way he could make that unhappen now. Better make the best of it.

“Hi… Barry Allen, CSI. You don’t have something more comfortable for me to change into, do you?”

The two criminals were sharing a look that seemed to last an eternity before Snart lifted his feet to let Rory get up.

“Only you, Scarlet. Only you.”

Just as he was about to steel himself to be judged, the thief opened up the comic book again, unfazed by what had happened, and all Barry could do was to wait for Rory to come back and end his misery. Instead the arsonist came back with a sparkle in his eyes that should have sent him running.

“Really?!” Barry gasped when the man dumped a Flash pajama into his lap.

“It’s Snarts’.” Rory answered and was rewarded with a “It was a present from my sister. Don’t let it go to your head!” yelled at his back.

“He’s got a Funko Pop of the Flash on his bedside table too.”

The pillow that hit Rory’s head almost fell onto the table and right into the flames if not for the arsonist grabbing it at the last second and throwing it back.

“Careful Mick. This is a special edition.”

Barry smiled and shook his head, throwing a grin in their direction before he changed clothes. In a flash.

“No powers!”

With a quiet snicker he let himself fall back onto the couch. It was refreshing to be here. They were technically his enemies, but he just felt like he was at home. A strange feeling. It was like he was right where he belonged and even if he knew that it was just temporary, that they would betray him the moment they saw fit, it still warmed his heart.

It shouldn’t. He should remember to think of them as Captain Cold and Heatwave, should think of them as Snart and Rory, not as Len and Mick.

Leaning back into the terribly comfortable cushions now that he was out of the suit proved to be a trap. His eyes were on the egg, looking at the flames, at how nicely the egg was warming up, how it was slowly losing the stony appearance. His stomach was full of good, warm food, and the pajama, despite the protests, seemed to be well worn and soft. Cozy. Barry couldn’t pinpoint the time he last felt so safe and content.

Maybe it was this, maybe it was the exhaustion of the past days, Barry didn’t know. He’d closed his eyes, lulled by the soft whisper of pages getting turned, by the sizzle of the flames. The next thing he felt was the weight of something covering him, a touch to his hair that was certainly no hand but a pair of lips, so light that he may have dreamed it, and then he was asleep.

Barry didn’t know how long he slept and when he woke up it felt like it had been a century and more, and like it had been damn worth it. The surface he was sleeping on felt soft and cozy and without a second thought he dragged the blanket a bit closer around his body, drifting away for a second time, a content smile on his face.

It was the smell of bacon and fresh coffee, and the sound of low voices and that finally urged him to sit up, slowly opening his eyes, blinking away the sleep.

“Hnn…” He managed to get out, eyes only halfway closed, when a mug was carefully pressed into his hands. Without a second thought he brought it up to his lips only to have it taken away again.

“Easy there, Red. Didn’t know you liked it that hot.”

The voice was oddly familiar, but Barry couldn’t care about figuring out why, and reached out for the mug to cradle it protectively against his chest, inhaling the wonderful scent of freshly brewed black gold. The scent of heaven.

Barry closed his eyes again and almost moaned when he finally was able to take a sip, still hot, but not that much and with the right amount of sugar and cream. This really was a dream.

Only normally his dream didn’t laugh at him. Crankily he opened one eye to look right into the amused face of Heatwave.

“And that’s why I have no hair.”

“Huh?” Barry blinked confused and looked up when he heard footsteps approaching.

“Cute.”

The cold thief smirked at him and let his eyes roam over Barry’s face, and up, to his hair. Barry blushed. His hair never did what he wanted it to in the morning.

He was saved by Mick who elbowed Snart in the side.

“Stop flirting and bring the beanstalk some food.”

Before Barry could defend himself, the frosty thief turned and kissed the arsonist straight on the lips, throwing a wink towards a very frozen Speedster.

“Can’t let a guest starve, eh?”

Barry kept sitting still for a whole endless second before he bolted.

In retrospect it wasn’t something he was particularly proud of, but at the moment it had seemed like the only good solution.

Barry didn’t even know why it hurt so much to see Len kissing Mick. It had been crystal clear that they were in a relationship, even to someone who barely knew them. And if not in a relationship then in a deep and long partnership that didn’t have any open spaces for confused speedsters who didn’t know when to stop being cozy with his villains.

Stupid burning chest.

Maybe he’d gotten sick and should check it out. Maybe the dragon egg had hit him a bit harder than he’d thought.

The dragon egg.

Barry groaned and almost ran back for it and to steal the heat gun, but that was something he just couldn’t do to them. They had been nice and polite, and even let him sleep on the couch, fed him with delicious food - and a growl in his stomach that was way too loud and angry reminded him of the fact that he had bolted before even tasting it. Damn.

He’d even left his cowl with them. Barry stopped running when he was far enough from any civilization that he could flop down to the ground without being seen, gasping to get a bit more air into his lungs. This had been exhausting on an empty stomach.

Barry curled up, hugging his knees to his chest and laid his head on them. He sighed. Why couldn’t anything in his life ever be simple. Why had he thought this was a good idea with the egg? He was pretty sure that they and the egg would be gone when he went back to the safehouse, and he didn’t know which would be worse - them still being there, or gone, and him on a merry goosechase after a potentially dangerous creature. Maybe if he went back right now? He could play it off. Or just not say anything. Maybe he could just write it off as a Metahuman-attack?

Or he could just not go back.

Go to work for a day or two. Try to train in the Cortex. Try to clear his head and what better use than to run on the treadmill. At least that way he wouldn’t run down the streets of Central anymore than he already did. He was pretty sure that the Major would be glad if he stopped ruining windows and the asphalt.

And maybe his problem would magically solve itself.

If only anything was so easy in his life.

The Cortex was dark and quiet, a thin layer of dust already on the consoles, and how could that even happen in the few days while no one had been here? The clean up was quickly done and even if he hated to clean it gave him something to do that wasn’t thinking about his situation. Stuffing himself full of energy bars that tasted like nothing he tried not to think about the breakfast he could have gotten.

Tried not to think about the kiss.

Barry tried to run faster, burn through the anxiety, through the doubts. Tried not to think of his dad either, or Zoom in that matter. He didn’t even know how much time he spent there until exhaustion got the better of him and he flopped down on the treadmill to catch a little bit of sleep. Not the most cozy place and surely not the best in his sweat-soaked clothes. Thank god he ran hot and had a higher metabolism, making him less prone to getting sick.

When he woke a bit later, he was covered with something soft and cozy and Barry hummed content with his eyes still closed, curling up a bit tighter underneath the fluffy thing. It was surprisingly warm and smelled like heaven, and it was literally everything he ever wanted and didn’t know it yet.

Though something didn’t feel right. Something felt off.

Slowly he opened his eyes, blinking away the sleep only to shriek and scramble back when he saw the face that was propped up on gloved hands.

“Good Morning, Sunshine. How did you sleep?”

It was drawled in Snart’s Captain Cold voice and sent shivers down his spine that had nothing to do with the fact that he went to sleep sweaty.

“I… what are you doing here Snart?!” And yes, maybe his voice was a bit more high pitched than he would have liked and maybe he dragged the cozy thing a bit closer to himself, which, now that he could see the white fluff must be the man's trademark Parka, and really. Did he buy them in bulk?

“Course I do. Can’t run around in patched-up things. I fear no one would recognize me if I suddenly turn up in a suit.” If the smirk got any wider, Barry was sure he would die on the spot.

He hadn’t thought that he’d talked out loud, but judging by the soft chuckle he had, again.

“Come on home, Scarlet. You don’t need to sleep here.”

Barry wanted to object, telling him that he could sleep wherever he wanted.

“Mick has cooked and it’s enough to feed a Speedster.” The man held up one of the discarded Energy bars with unhidden detest. “And if I tell him about this, he won’t let you leave again.”

Barry stared as the man got up, patted the dust off his black trousers and held out a hand (for Barry).

“You can even keep the Parka,” the man said casually when Barry grasped the hand, and looked awfully innocent when he made Barry stumble with the next comment. “Didn’t know you wanted to catch a Cold that badly.”

“I-” Barry wanted to start talking, defending himself, but Snart only tutted and pulled the Parka closer around him after wrestling Barry’s arms into the sleeves. He closed the jacket and gave Barry a once-over before he nodded.

“I’ve got a second helmet. It’s not as fast as you can run, but it will give Mick time to get the dessert into the fridge so that it’s ready when we want to eat it.”

It was confusing and completely against everything Barry had learned to do, but he let himself be led towards the motorbike, let Snart fix the helmet for him and adjust Barry’s arms around his waist.

If he leaned a bit closer and closed his eyes to enjoy it without judgement, well no one needed to know.

Barry didn’t know where Snart got the confidence to just reach out for Barry’s hand and lead him back into the safehouse, where Rory was already waiting for them. The man didn’t look bothered by their laced hands, and only when Snart led him to the table that was already set for three people, he remembered that Snart had told him to come home .

It must have shown on his face because Len - it just felt wrong to call him Snart in his head right now - smiled at him. Not his trademark smirk, a smile Barry had only seen on his face when the man talked to his sister or did something particularly soft. Which already should have told him everything he needed to know.

Suddenly there was a tug at his back and his sight was obscured by the fluffy fur of the parka’s hood. He couldn’t help the smile when he felt the big hand on his head.

“First food, then thinking, Red. A hungry stomach brings the worst ideas.”

Barry smiled and looked onto his plate, unwanted tears blurring his vision. The warm and heavenly scent of lasagna filled the room and he didn’t object to Mick putting a good portion onto his plate. Enough melted cheese on it to feed an army. Neither of the two men reacted to his tears, giving him space and not asking any questions, which he was grateful for.

It reminded him why he thought that they both were good for the Rogues. Not only were they better organised, didn’t cause as much damage to people and property, but also seemed to be more stable. The Rogues looked happy and content. A found family that would have never been possible without these two. This only showed Barry that he was right about them, they were good people at heart, even if they were rough and enjoyed breaking the law.

They ate in silence, until Barry helped himself to a second serving, quietly took off the Parka to hang it on the back of the chair.

Mick and Len were sitting next to each other and Barry knew they would be sitting closer if he hadn’t reacted so strongly before. He couldn’t talk about this one right now though. He leaned back into the comfort of the Parka.

“Do you… do you remember Zoom?”

Everyone remembered Zoom. He could see how their movement stilled and grip on their  cutlery tightened. Zoom breaking his back had been all over the TV. Barry knew that they had broken out of prison very short after that, he’d been too overwhelmed by his fear and recovery to really care. He’d also never really thought about why there hadn’t been as many meta attacks later, just people being sent to the CCPD. The Rogues had fought for their territory was what everyone had thought. Now he could see the hard lines of their mouths, and felt hope blooming in his chest. They’d taken care of the city because of him.

“One day he kidnapped my dad.” Barry closed his eyes, letting the pain and devastation of the moment wash over him. “I am sure you know him? He was convicted for killing my mom, but he didn’t do it.”

“Doc Allen. Good man.” was what he got in return and smiled a bit at that, of course they knew him. “Always knew he was innocent. Too soft for his own good. Like father, huh?”

Barry tried to mock glare at Heatwave only to get a grin in return, and conceded with a shake of his head and a softer smile.

“He really is.” Then his smile vanished. “Zoom wanted to kill my dad in front of me. Told me that I would turn into... Into him . He wanted me to suffer through the loss of both my parents.” It was hard to talk further and he squeezed his eyes closed, taking a deep breath.

“There is a thing Speedsters can do.” Barry laid down the fork and lifted his shaking hand, only to have it vibrate strongly enough to go through something solid, which he showed with the table. He heard their sharp intake of breath. He’d never used something like that against them or any of his enemies. It wasn’t something you did. It was okay to phase through objects but not. Not living beings.

“I can phase through walls. No need for doors. Others use it to crush organs.” And he’d seen it before. It made him sick to his stomach. “He wanted to kill my dad .”

Barry stopped talking, his voice almost breaking.

“Is he...” Len stopped talking but the question hung in the air. Barry shook his head.

“No.” Barry opened his eyes just the moment he could see them relaxing a little bit. “No, Zoom didn’t kill him. My dad said something and Zoom just bolted.” He shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know what happened, but he stopped sending metas, he stopped attacking me. My dad moved into a cabin in the woods.” And here he couldn’t help himself becoming bitter, a frown on his face.

“I wanted to visit him, didn’t want him to disappear so soon after almost losing him. I. I wanted to have more time with him. He was in prison so long and I didn’t have my dad and he just goes and leaves me again.”

He’d never uttered it aloud, but now with them sitting in front of him, actively listening instead of judging he was able to pour it all out.

“When I went to look for him I found him with company. Zoom was with him. But not... He wasn’t attacking him. He was laying in his lap and he was crying and my dad saw me but he shook his head and wanted me to go.”

The frown on his face got deeper.

“I don’t know what happened. My dad hugged him.” He couldn’t sit still anymore, instead he left the table to pace in front of it, gesturing with his hands.

“Can you believe that.” He turned around to look at them. “That man tried to kill him and what is he doing? Inviting him to his home and snuggling him on the couch. I mean what does that even mean?”

His shoulders sagged and he flopped back onto the chair, dragging the Parka over his shoulders, not caring how the material stretched. Len had broader shoulders than himself, it would be fine.

“It’s really weird he lets his enemy live in his house.”

“Let’s him eat his food.”

“Gives him shelter.”

“Gives him a couch to sleep on.”

“Really weird.”

“Wonder what that could mean.”

Barry glared.

They smiled innocently at him and Barry felt something in his chest dissolve.

“That’s different. You’re good and Zoom isn’t…” He wanted to object, frowning into the Parka. It really was soft. “I don’t want him to hurt my dad.” 

Barry knew it wasn’t. He knew that no one would agree with him that it was better to fall for these two criminals than... Actually it was better. Zoom had committed much worse crimes.

“He’s a killer and you are not.”

He could hear Len sigh, while Mick stayed quiet, watching him. Barry couldn’t meet his eyes.

“We killed too. We grew up stealing, robbing and killing.”

“And we loved what we were doing.”

“That’s different!” Barry chimed in. “You follow the rules.”

He knew the moment Len fancied him with a look full of pity that it wasn’t that simple. The man’s blue eyes were piercing and Barry needed all his strength to not fidget and look away. It was like the man stared right into his soul.

Of course Barry knew what Snart had done. Probably had done way more than Barry already suspected. Rory too. The arsonist had done a few things that Barry would like to question and yet he didn’t. It wasn’t his place to ask. If they wanted to share then yes. He would hear it and try not to judge. He’d known of their backstories and he already mourned his fair share of happy childhood and perspectives they could have had.

“The only difference was one person. Seems as if this is an Allen-trait.”

The thief smirked when Barry looked at him slightly puzzled. 

“You upped the game. You gave it a purpose we had lost.”

“What Snart wants to say is that he saw your pretty little ass and your bambi eyes and was a goner.”

Heatwave grinned wolfishly and gracefully evaded a pointy elbow.

“I… what?” Barry wasn’t sure if he wouldn’t die on the spot. Had he heard right? Or was it just them teasing him again? Always them and the teasing.

His shoulders sagged.

“Please. I can’t take it when you do that. I can’t take more people playing with me at the moment.”

Barry was tired. He just wanted to be happy and wanted to know where he stood with them. He didn’t want to fight right now, he just wanted to be happy for once.

The criminals exchanged a series of looks that Barry couldn’t decipher. Another thing where he couldn’t keep up, even with his speed. They had been together for longer than he’d been alive! Which, not true in fact, but he felt like it.

They’d gone through so much together. They were so much alike. There was no need for someone like Barry. Someone who was not a criminal, who was a hero that tried to change the world into something both of them would despise.

Suddenly both of them were at his side, carefully guiding him towards the couch, Mick’s hand on Barry’s shoulder and Len’s on the small of his back. They were surprisingly gentle and it didn’t help Barry stop the tears from rolling down his face.

Barry Allen was a lot of things.

But if he and his family and his friends knew one thing, it was that Barry could be terribly clumsy.

Especially when he was emotional.

Especially when he couldn’t see anything through the veil of his tears.

So technically it wasn’t his fault that he tripped over his own feet and crashed into the table, halfway held up by the two men, but still heavy enough to wobble the table. The table where the innocent dragon egg was lying on. Being kept warm and cozy by the heat gun.

Barry could only stare in shock when the heat gun fell to the side, setting the couch on fire as well as the carpet, almost comically how easy it was for the stuff to start burning. He could see the time slow down when he stepped into the speedforce, could see Heatwave turning around, trying to shield him which was awfully cute. Len reached for his Cold gun, powering it up and shooting at the couch, aiming carefully to not hit the egg that was wobbling closer to the edge.

Barry saw the two had the fire under control and he stepped fully into the speedforce, reaching out in lightning speed to catch the egg from falling and shattering on the ground.

Everything happened in only seconds and the three men stopped in their tracks the moment the immediate danger had been taken care of.

Barry would have laughed at the sight, him lying on the floor in the same position as he had been when he found the egg, or the egg had found him.

The couch was slightly burned and covered in a thick layer of  ice, while Mick cradled the Heat Gun against his chest, uncaring that the still hot gun charred the shirt he was wearing.

“Barry.”

Len’s face was a frozen mask as he slowly lifted the gun, pointing it at Barry.

He wouldn’t hurt him, would he? Nothing that had happened was his fault, he swore!

“Barry, put the egg down.”

Confused he stared at the egg. There were cracks in it!  That were widening rapidly! His eyes opened wider, not able to look away, or let go of it.

“Barry, we don’t know if it’s dangerous. Get away from that egg.”

The voice was more piercing, urgent, now that he looked up he could see that the guns (Mick had pointed his too now) weren’t pointed at him, but at the egg in his hands.

“Don’t hurt it!” He whined, carefully shifting it so that it was more securely wrapped in his  arms, covering it with himself.

“Barry.” Len started again, more urgent. But it was the “Please.” That followed, that made him look wide eyed and to set down the egg. Carefully in between his legs, staring at it with wonder, as he slowly got up on his knees.

Mick reached out with his gun, nudging the egg a bit farther away, and it made Barry glare at the man who only shrugged. 

He kneeled next to Barry, laying a hand on his shoulder, causing Barry to lean into the steady, grounding  presence. Len kept standing, gGun not unwavering from the egg, clearly not caring that they both sat on the ground like two children in front of a Christmastree, waiting to open up the presents.

It somehow was like watching a present unwrap itself.

They heard a loud click, could see how the dragon shoved it’s head against the shell of the egg., The cracks in it got bigger and, soon the first piece of the shell broke off and fell to the ground. Mick and Barry leaned forward like one, eyes gleaming with joy.

Actually Len seemed to be the only person caring about any potential immediate danger, the others too excited by what was about to come. And honestly with both of them and him and his speed, what could go wrong?

Small shards were falling, until finally a big one came off, and  one of its wings poked out and got stuck at an awkward angle, causing the little dragon to whine pitifully. Barry almost reached out to help, but was held back by Mick who shook his head.

“Don’t, or it might imprint on you, and then you need to care for it all the way.” As if he’d had planned to do otherwise.

Not that he had planned anything. He was about to ask what they could do to help it when the egg flopped to the side, broke open and the little creature fell out, landing on it’s back, all four, or rather six… (seven with the tail?) limbs spread wide. It made a tiny noise and stayed still, tail twitching, but nothing more. Barry watched it rather concerned, it had its eyes closed and he was almost about to reach out for it again, when the dragon sneezed and made another, rather cute noise that sounded almost like a snicker.

A little flame set the rug on fire again and the dragon squealed in delight. Uncaring of the three man staring at it, it opened it’s eyes and watched the fire dance around. The dragon slowly sat up, still wobbly but mesmerized by the flames, yipping happily and in a way that made his voice sound almost like a song.

“Good little dragon!” Mick boomed on Barry’s side, making him laugh at the absurdity trusity of the situation. Of course Mick would love that the dragon was as lured in by the fire as like himself.

The creature turned it’s head, almost losing balance in trying to look at all three of them, chirping fast in a way that indicated it was talking to them. The tone was happy and it reminded Barry of the babbling little childs (children) were doing when they were telling their parents or other people something rather interesting to for them.

It flapped a bit with his wings and Barry dropped the speedforce alltogether, to sit down onto the floor and beam at it. His eyes went up to Len who still had his gun trained on the dragon. Even though there was a twitch around the corners of his lips that might indicate an upcoming smile.

“You’re both terrible at taking care of yourself.” The thief stated and shook his head, the small smile winning over his features and making his eyes shone (shine) with glee when he saw both of them on the floor, watching the little dragon.

Just as Barry could feel Mick shift on his side, surly to remind Len that he wasn’t the most healthy example to them he tried to picture, a portal opened right in the living room.

Before any of them was able to react- and wasn’t that funny, as he was a speedster- a red, scaly head was shoved through the hole.

“There you are.” Came a rumbled, yet quite human sounding voice.

The hatchling turned it’s head and flopped over, yowling pathetically and trying to get attention.

“Don’t move Scarlet.”

Barry who was about to reach out and sooth the poor dragon, maybe even cuddle it a bit, jerked his hand back in the last moment.

“I wasn’t.” He lied without becoming red. Barry didn’t need to look at Len to see the eyebrow slowly rising. He could feel it.

“Why shouldn’t I?” asked the dragon at the same time, head slowly turning towards Len. Barry moved a bit to put himself in between, in case something happened. He was dragged back by a cold hand in his neck.

It was only a moment later that Barry made a confused sound, not really knowing why the dragon had answered Len, when it was him that he’d talked to.

“You’re Scarlet too? How weird.”

“Who are you talking to Scarlet?” Came a much darker, raspy voice, that sounded a lot like someone Barry knew. By the stunned expression on Len’s face and a short look to his partner, Barry was convinced the man had heard it too.

“Humans, I think, hot stuff. They have our little one.”

The angry roar made Barry pale and zapp in front of the men he wanted to protect. He wasn’t sure how much chance he would have against a real dragon but he would try to keep them safe, whatever the cost.

The red scaled dragon rolled it’s eyes and it would have been hilarious if he wouldn’t be so alert that something bad could go down any second now. 

“You’re a speedster.” It looked at Barry with intense eyes, little sparks suddenly appearing in it’s eyes. Barry could feel the speed force in himself reacting to it, gasping out loud.

“You’re one too!”

“Peachy. Now give us back our child. ”

The hole opened wider and they could not only see the red dragon better, but the other two too.

They were massive.

The red one they had seen first not only was a light red but had yellow in it’s scales too, almost similar to Barry’s suit. The other two were way too familiar. Gruff and dark red, buff and scarred was flanking the Speedster dragon on the right, a mirror to Mick standing next to Barry. The dark blue, partly covered with white Dragon puffed out icy breath and glared at Len. 

Speedforce dragon instead flopped down onto his hindlegs and let out something that sounded like a happy laugh.

“No wonder our little one hatched. It must have confused them with us.”

“They are nothing like us.”

The Mick dragon growled and took a step closer, making the little dragon growl right back and wriggle with it’s little wings.

Both Speedsters cooed.

“This is ridiculous. Are you taking the dragon back?”

Barry could feel Len almost bursting with tension and he didn’t even think about it when he reached out his hand to intertwine his fingers with Len’s. A blush formed on his face when his other hand was taken by Mick. Rough, calloused big hand holding his own almost tenderly. 

“Of course we take him back. He’s ours.”

“Well, someone did a shitty job with it when it got thrown into our world.”

Barry tried to squeeze Len’s hand a bit harder, no point in angering the dragons that were clearly bigger and if Barry was guessing right, had the same powers as them.

The Speedster dragon sighed and laid down onto the floor, halfway in their world, face close to the little dragon that watched it curiously.

“Speedster dragons are the worst!” He explained. “They play hide and seek and you need to search them all the time. Normally they do go dormant and only wake up and hatch again when the parents or at least one of them is close.”

“You might have used the same powers than we have, to have him hatch.” The icy dragon stated analytically, eyes not leaving them for a second.

“That might be it!” Scarlet exclaimed and purred when the dragon suddenly jumped onto his snout. “What a mighty hunter already!” He flopped down to the side, causing the earth to shake a bit, and the dragon to claw on for dear life.

It poked confused at the unmoving Speedster, that had his eyes closed and his tongue stuck out for good measure. After nothing happened it whined quietly and yawned, flopping down from the snout and tapped towards the speedsters belly to curl into a tiny ball of scales there, leaning against it. The scarlet Speedster opened one eye, cooed again and laid a wing over the in comparison, tiny dragon.

“It’s okay, sleep my little one. Hatching is awfully stressful.”

“Come on, let’s go home.”

The speedster dragon carefully nodded to his companions and turned it’s head back to Barry, Len and Mick.

“Thank you for taking good care of him. It would be nice to have you come over and tell us about yourself. Love that we three are together in almost every universe!”

“I we. What?”

“Course we’d love to visit.” Mick interrupted Barry that wasn’t sure how to explain that no, they weren’t together.

“Though we need to go on a date first to be together.” Len squeezed his hand back, carefully lowering the weapon.

“Careful. They want to talk about feelings.” The ice dragon chimed in, gleeful in getting glared at by Barry’s counterpiece. They could halfway hear the bickering that followed, short before the portal closed again, little hatchling tucked away underneath a wing.

“So.”

Barry didn’t dare to look at either one, but they were still holding onto his hands so he thought it might not be his imagination that they might like him a bit like he liked them.

“So?”

“Now that we got you and you can’t run away again.” Len started, Barry could hear his grin at the pun, and his hand got squeezed a bit. “ We, as in Mick and I, are not exclusive. There hadn’t been another option yet. But if you will have us...”

It was a little bit of a question at the end, an unsure glimmer in the most of the times so confident thief’s eyes.

“I though you might not want me.”

Mick groaned on the other side of Barry and took a step closer, cornering him more into Len, whose  chest was unbelievable warm and did Barry mention before that he really liked how Len smelled? Or how Mick smelled of ash and fire and reminded Barry of happy times with his dad and his mom in front of the fireplace.

“Less talking, more kissing.” The arsonist decided and kissed his cheek carefully, as if testing the waters.

Barry blushed.

“That’s not a real kiss.”

“It really isn’t Mick. Let’s show you.”

Contrary to his chest, Len’s lips were cold and tingled, but the latter might just be Barry humming of happiness and brimming with the speedforce.

Somehow it felt quite right. Somehow he now suddenly felt as if everything would be okay again.

Barry laughed into the kiss, soft and yet predatory without crossing any boundaries that needed to be set for a healthy relationship, they might want to form, if he guessed the possessive “Mine” coming from Mick, encircling both his arms around the two of them, right.

Yes.

Everything would be wonderful. But first they needed to talk, and maybe, maybe he would take them with him to his father and introduce them. Maybe he did get a bit out of what was happening with Zoom and his dad but that was something he didn’t need to figure out right now.

First he would enjoy what they had.

And they would go see the dragon again. 

Life was good.