[it's a testament to how out of it he really is that he doesn't realize what len's done until he's being hit in the head. the scowl he throws back is halfhearted at best though, and it isn't long before he's crunching away at the chips. and possibly trying to buy himself time in the process.]
You get that there was an earthquake, right? There wasn't exactly time to go eat.
[or rather, he didn't make time because that meant abandoning potential casualties. even if it would've only been temporarily, he couldn't bring himself to do that. not when every second counted.]
Do you or do you not have superspeed? Hitting up a grocery store for snacks shouldn't take you more than a few seconds.
[ barry could even leave an IOU at the register, if he really wanted to. point is, he made a choice. and that choice has landed him here. with leonard sitting on the end of his bed, opening a bag of twizzlers, and throwing one at his face because len is the Most Mature. ]
Yeah, well...I guess I need to work on my priorities or something.
[it's a muted response, the admonishment enough to have him feeling bad about it. this may not be len, but that doesn't mean he wants to let him down either. but then there's yet more food being launched at his face and the surprise of it is enough to put an end to his brief dip in mood. it leaves him blinking back at len as he catches up with what just happened.]
Uh-- I was told overnight, but I'll probably ask to leave today instead. [a shrug] There's no point taking up a bed when I can sleep this off somewhere else.
You might as well stick around. [ he says around a bit of licorice. ] Everybody's either here or holed up in the gym. There's enough beds here that you're not taking one from someone else, and you're not a hundred percent yet.
[ as if to prove his point, he grabs another bag of chips and tosses it at barry. he hasn't caught one thing yet, and it's not because leonard has terrible aim. ]
I'm f-- [well, possibly not fine, considering the word is interrupted by yet another bag of chips being thrown at him. though at least this time he's able to protect his face with his arm. catching the bag seems to be a little beyond him right now.]
Dude. Are you seriously going to spend all day throwing things at me?
[because, oh would you look at that, the entire cart of food is somehow now down by his end of the bed instead. which would probably have been a much smoother move if it didn't leave him winded in the process.]
[ he tilts his head to the side, pulling an exaggerated face as he thinks that over. ]
Nah. Takes the fun out of it when you do something like that. [ leonard gestures to the pile of snacks that are not where they were two seconds ago. ] But if you try any of that "I'm fine" bullshit, I might start up again. Let someone else take care of things for a while.
But I am. [though he's quick to add--] I just need to finish eating and take a nap. Then I'll be good to go.
[he purposely avoids saying the f-word, simply because he'd rather eat those snacks than have more of them thrown at him. digging through the pile, he finds another few candy bars, wasting no time in finishing off another one before he says anything else.]
I know I haven't said it yet but, thanks. For all of this. [whether he's talking about the next bar he's unwrapping or something else, he doesn't clarify. but it's gratitude that extends beyond len's agreement to empty those vending machines for him. it's for his patience, for giving him a chance to navigate his way around their friendship and not push for answers. the words may be far from enough, but it's a start.]
[ some of the teasing vibe fades from the room into something more sedate. this whole situation is more than a little fucked up. and while leonard can't know what it's like to deal with everything from barry's side, figuring out how things are working with him and sara has given him enough of a hard time that he can make a guess. it blows. and there's no easy way around it. all they can do is muddle through and be aware of each other.
he looks away, nudging barry's foot with his elbow. ] If you really want to thank me, don't be the asshole patient nobody at the hospital likes. And don't tell anybody I'm willingly spending time here.
I wouldn't dare! The people working here-- They're heroes. I wouldn't even think of trying to annoy them.
[even though he's fairly sure he's managed that already, to an extent. he's been the cause of many an exasperated sigh already, thanks to his requests to leave. though in his defence, he really does know that all he needs to do is eat and sleep. so why stay here and cause more work for the nurses when he could just go to the gym instead?]
You know, I don't think anybody would believe me if I told them you were here. [a slow, teasing grin and--] My knight in shining armour.
[ the look leonard gives him is so thoroughly disgusted that it's bound to get a laugh. but he can't help it. that just sounds so wrong it puts his teeth on edge. ]
For a moment there, I actually thought you were likable. [ but not anymore. never again will he make that mistake. ]
[as expected, len's expression leaves barry doubling over with laughter. something he doesn't even bother trying to stifle in any way. after everything that's happened, it feels good to be able to just let loose, even if he does go a little over the top with it. but it's needed, and len just happens to be in the wrong (right?) place at the right time.
when he does finally manage to calm himself back down again, he shoves at len's side again with his foot. a nudge, and he tosses over a bag of (what he's assuming are) m&m's.]
[ oh no. m&ms, his one true food weakness. leonard glares as he opens the bag and pops an m&m into his mouth. ]
No, you're not. [ he's very transparent. but it's hard to begrudge him the laughter when he looks so pathetic in the hospital bed and clearly needs a laugh. len just wishes it could've been at something other than his expense. ]
You're lucky you're more tolerable than most in this place.
Well, I'm not going to get anywhere here if I scare everybody off.
[never mind the fact that he purposely tries to be nice to everyone back home too, no matter how many times that's been used against him before. he trusts people far too easily, and despite all the issues it may have caused him and his team before, he's loathe to change his ways.]
I've been told I'm adorable.
[even though that word does come with a grimace. it's not exactly a descriptive he's proud of. but given that the rogues had used it multiple times in eudio, it comes with fond memories too.]
[ the fact that leonard is still here gives lie to that. sure, barry may occasionally be annoying in his chipper do-gooder ways. but for some odd reason, len's fond of him. ]
You want adorable, you should head down to the obstetrics wing. Some of the little handfuls there could charm the skin off a snake.
[and that's another piece to the puzzle. while len may have only meant it as an off-handed comment, barry can't help but read in to it. can't keep the smile off his face as it all starts to come together.
len was in the hospital.
he was in the hospital, but not as a patient.
he was there, not as a patient but as a visitor to the obstetrics wing.]
You were helping them out. [...sorry, len. but there's awe in his voice at that. he can't help it.]
[ he looks down at the bag of m&ms in his hand as he roots around for blue ones, specifically. ]
Like I said--I've got a particular set of skills that came in handy, and if I want to get that wish I've got to get some points with the locals.
[ once he's got a decent handful of chocolate, he cuts a sideways glance at barry. ] Don't read too much into it. [ because he doesn't think he can handle barry actually thinking of him as too much of a good guy, much less him saying something like that in all seriousness. even doing this much has him feeling a little like he's wearing a jacket that doesn't fit quite right, even if he doesn't much mind helping with the kids. ]
[he's silent for a while, fidgeting with the twizzler he still hasn't gotten round to eating. there's something he wants to say. something he needs to clarify. he just isn't sure how well it'll be received.]
So, I'm going to say something. And I know you literally just told me not to read too much in to things, but it's more than just this. It's-- I need to say it. So just...give me a chance?
[not that he has any idea of how to word it all. which is why he takes a few extra moments. why he has to force his hands to still and piece together his thoughts all over again.
right.]
You know, when I said there was good in you, I didn't mean that you were a "good guy". [not that he considers len a "bad guy" either anymore. but that's beside the point.] You're still a criminal. Still pretty much The Flash's toughest challenge. [speedsters aside.]
You're just now a time-traveling criminal who happened to give up his life to save all of time itself, but...details. [a shrug. an attempt at playing that off a little. he's trying to get a point across, but he knows he's walking a fine line here.]
What was it? I see the good in you, and you see the bad in me? I think that's just how we work. [have done, from the first time they really met.] So, I get that you don't want me to read in to things, but-- I can't help it. You kind of...give me hope? And I know that's a lot to say and that I've probably just scared you off or made you want to hit me or something but I reallyjustneededtosayitsopleasedon'thatemeforitI'msorry.
[ he watches carefully as barry fidgets, as he takes his time getting his thoughts together and says... all of that. it's nothing leonard hadn't already suspected, but it's also more than that. it's a reassurance that he didn't know he needed. whatever it was that happened in that other city he doesn't remember, it wasn't anything that made barry put him on a pedestal. it's an idea he didn't realize he was chafing against until now. ]
Takes more than a little rambling to scare me off.
[ leonard sets aside the bag of m&ms and takes his own moment to think, hands crossed at the wrists and laying placidly in his lap. it's a somewhat defensive posture, even if it doesn't look it. ]
You know why I am the way I am. [ after he'd seen lewis and gotten a glimpse of what leonard had grown up with, how could he not? ] This life may have chosen me and not the other way 'round, but I've stayed in it. I'm comfortable with who I am. Best in the business, and with a reputation for being cold, even before I put on the parka.
[ there's a point here that he's slowly getting to as he tilts his head in barry's direction, not quite looking at him. ]
Then along comes this punk kid who makes me up my game in more ways than one. [ his eyes flicker up to catch barry's gaze. ] Makes me rethink what I can and can't do. [ what he can and can't show to the world in general. emotions and attachments are weaknesses when you play the kinds of games he does. but damn if barry--and the legends, later--didn't make him want to throw that rule out the window. ]
You're right. I'm not a "good guy." Never will be. Doesn't mean I don't get where you're coming from. [ this may be the closest he ever gets to saying "the feeling is mutual" or even "thank you." because it is, and he is grateful. ]
[he'd be lying if he didn't say that there was a part of him that actually enjoys their confrontations. as much as len may think he forced him to up his game, it's the same in return. his planning is second to none, and running head first in to the fray hadn't gone well for barry during any of their encounters. he may not be a meta, but in a lot of ways, len's a lot more dangerous than most. the fact that he'd been willing to make their deal in the first place is a testament to just how clever the man is.
but they're thoughts he keeps to himself for the time being. ones he's fairly sure that len may already be aware of. every confrontation had been a learning experience for the two of them, some steeper than others.]
You know, I kind of miss going up against someone who isn't trying to kill me. [and the fewer speedsters he has to take on from here on out, the better too.] That doesn't mean I'm giving you an excuse to start stealing again here. [though given how many other "heroes" there are in cadelle, he has a good feeling that len's already started planning out a heist or two. sure, the risk may be a little greater than it'd be back home, but this city-- well, barry wouldn't necessarily be surprised if he was able to talk the administration in to letting him stay if he was caught.]
We've been over that already. [ he says very non-chalantly as he pops another m&m into his mouth. ] I'm not planning any heists when it can get me in trouble with the people who literally hold my life in their hands.
[ ... while this is technically true, it's also kind of bullshit. because he's already stolen something. not a big thing! depending on your definition of the word big. just... a thing. that he needed. and that was easier to grab with mick than paying for it. he's also not going to mention this to barry, but he's awful calm for someone who never wanted to give up the game of thieving.
in any case-- ] You probably shouldn't have admitted to missing me, though.
[except that's a complete lie, but for very different reasons. reasons he has to pointedly keep himself from straying towards. it isn't fair on either of them for him to hold this len up against the one he knew before. so after how badly their last meet up went, he doesn't want to ruin all this by getting hung up on the past again.
turning his attention back to the snacks, he speeds through eating another couple of chocolate bars, only vaguely registering the fact he's done it once time slides back to normal again. a quick, sheepish look in len's direction and--]
If you're not planning anything, then I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I won't need to be there to stop you.
[--because there's no way he'd let one of the other heroes get involved without him. len and mick are his...enemies? nemeses? -- partly-reformed criminals. that'll do.]
Nope. [ leonard twists up the bag of m&ms in an attempt to seal it and shoves it in his pocket as he stands. ] But I do have to check in with the head of the volunteer crew before too long, so you're gonna have to let me go.
[ he pauses, then pins barry with an unimpressed look. ]
Don't be stupidly stubborn. Stay here tonight. Or the next thing I steal will be something of yours.
[ ... the next thing he steals may be something of barry's anyway. just because he's now got the beginnings of an idea brewing in his head. one that'll hopefully prevent him from getting too restless and give barry a little bit of entertainment. ]
[well, other than a couple of dogs. and his suit. those thoughts combined have him narrowing his eyes at len, suspicion already starting to sink in. dognapping may not be on the cards for him, but he wouldn't put it past len to go after his suit. perhaps he should start taking it with him to work. he wouldn't risk walking in to a police department to steal, right?]
I'll just sit here, taking up a bed for no reason when I could be out there helping instead. It's fine.
[and if it was anyone else, he'd be trying to use those words to guilt his way out of there. but he knows better than to try it with len. knows that it'd be a wasted effort. so instead, it's said with a hint of resignation. he'll stay until the morning. but the second he's allowed to leave, he'll be out of there.]
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You get that there was an earthquake, right? There wasn't exactly time to go eat.
[or rather, he didn't make time because that meant abandoning potential casualties. even if it would've only been temporarily, he couldn't bring himself to do that. not when every second counted.]
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[ barry could even leave an IOU at the register, if he really wanted to. point is, he made a choice. and that choice has landed him here. with leonard sitting on the end of his bed, opening a bag of twizzlers, and throwing one at his face because len is the Most Mature. ]
How long they want you to stay here?
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[it's a muted response, the admonishment enough to have him feeling bad about it. this may not be len, but that doesn't mean he wants to let him down either. but then there's yet more food being launched at his face and the surprise of it is enough to put an end to his brief dip in mood. it leaves him blinking back at len as he catches up with what just happened.]
Uh-- I was told overnight, but I'll probably ask to leave today instead. [a shrug] There's no point taking up a bed when I can sleep this off somewhere else.
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[ as if to prove his point, he grabs another bag of chips and tosses it at barry. he hasn't caught one thing yet, and it's not because leonard has terrible aim. ]
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Dude. Are you seriously going to spend all day throwing things at me?
[because, oh would you look at that, the entire cart of food is somehow now down by his end of the bed instead. which would probably have been a much smoother move if it didn't leave him winded in the process.]
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Nah. Takes the fun out of it when you do something like that. [ leonard gestures to the pile of snacks that are not where they were two seconds ago. ] But if you try any of that "I'm fine" bullshit, I might start up again. Let someone else take care of things for a while.
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[he purposely avoids saying the f-word, simply because he'd rather eat those snacks than have more of them thrown at him. digging through the pile, he finds another few candy bars, wasting no time in finishing off another one before he says anything else.]
I know I haven't said it yet but, thanks. For all of this. [whether he's talking about the next bar he's unwrapping or something else, he doesn't clarify. but it's gratitude that extends beyond len's agreement to empty those vending machines for him. it's for his patience, for giving him a chance to navigate his way around their friendship and not push for answers. the words may be far from enough, but it's a start.]
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he looks away, nudging barry's foot with his elbow. ] If you really want to thank me, don't be the asshole patient nobody at the hospital likes. And don't tell anybody I'm willingly spending time here.
[ he's got an image to maintain, after all. ]
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[even though he's fairly sure he's managed that already, to an extent. he's been the cause of many an exasperated sigh already, thanks to his requests to leave. though in his defence, he really does know that all he needs to do is eat and sleep. so why stay here and cause more work for the nurses when he could just go to the gym instead?]
You know, I don't think anybody would believe me if I told them you were here. [a slow, teasing grin and--] My knight in shining armour.
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For a moment there, I actually thought you were likable. [ but not anymore. never again will he make that mistake. ]
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when he does finally manage to calm himself back down again, he shoves at len's side again with his foot. a nudge, and he tosses over a bag of (what he's assuming are) m&m's.]
Sorry. [except he really isn't.]
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No, you're not. [ he's very transparent. but it's hard to begrudge him the laughter when he looks so pathetic in the hospital bed and clearly needs a laugh. len just wishes it could've been at something other than his expense. ]
You're lucky you're more tolerable than most in this place.
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[never mind the fact that he purposely tries to be nice to everyone back home too, no matter how many times that's been used against him before. he trusts people far too easily, and despite all the issues it may have caused him and his team before, he's loathe to change his ways.]
I've been told I'm adorable.
[even though that word does come with a grimace. it's not exactly a descriptive he's proud of. but given that the rogues had used it multiple times in eudio, it comes with fond memories too.]
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[ the fact that leonard is still here gives lie to that. sure, barry may occasionally be annoying in his chipper do-gooder ways. but for some odd reason, len's fond of him. ]
You want adorable, you should head down to the obstetrics wing. Some of the little handfuls there could charm the skin off a snake.
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len was in the hospital.
he was in the hospital, but not as a patient.
he was there, not as a patient but as a visitor to the obstetrics wing.]
You were helping them out. [...sorry, len. but there's awe in his voice at that. he can't help it.]
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Like I said--I've got a particular set of skills that came in handy, and if I want to get that wish I've got to get some points with the locals.
[ once he's got a decent handful of chocolate, he cuts a sideways glance at barry. ] Don't read too much into it. [ because he doesn't think he can handle barry actually thinking of him as too much of a good guy, much less him saying something like that in all seriousness. even doing this much has him feeling a little like he's wearing a jacket that doesn't fit quite right, even if he doesn't much mind helping with the kids. ]
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So, I'm going to say something. And I know you literally just told me not to read too much in to things, but it's more than just this. It's-- I need to say it. So just...give me a chance?
[not that he has any idea of how to word it all. which is why he takes a few extra moments. why he has to force his hands to still and piece together his thoughts all over again.
right.]
You know, when I said there was good in you, I didn't mean that you were a "good guy". [not that he considers len a "bad guy" either anymore. but that's beside the point.] You're still a criminal. Still pretty much The Flash's toughest challenge. [speedsters aside.]
You're just now a time-traveling criminal who happened to give up his life to save all of time itself, but...details. [a shrug. an attempt at playing that off a little. he's trying to get a point across, but he knows he's walking a fine line here.]
What was it? I see the good in you, and you see the bad in me? I think that's just how we work. [have done, from the first time they really met.] So, I get that you don't want me to read in to things, but-- I can't help it. You kind of...give me hope? And I know that's a lot to say and that I've probably just scared you off or made you want to hit me or something but I reallyjustneededtosayitsopleasedon'thatemeforitI'msorry.
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Takes more than a little rambling to scare me off.
[ leonard sets aside the bag of m&ms and takes his own moment to think, hands crossed at the wrists and laying placidly in his lap. it's a somewhat defensive posture, even if it doesn't look it. ]
You know why I am the way I am. [ after he'd seen lewis and gotten a glimpse of what leonard had grown up with, how could he not? ] This life may have chosen me and not the other way 'round, but I've stayed in it. I'm comfortable with who I am. Best in the business, and with a reputation for being cold, even before I put on the parka.
[ there's a point here that he's slowly getting to as he tilts his head in barry's direction, not quite looking at him. ]
Then along comes this punk kid who makes me up my game in more ways than one. [ his eyes flicker up to catch barry's gaze. ] Makes me rethink what I can and can't do. [ what he can and can't show to the world in general. emotions and attachments are weaknesses when you play the kinds of games he does. but damn if barry--and the legends, later--didn't make him want to throw that rule out the window. ]
You're right. I'm not a "good guy." Never will be. Doesn't mean I don't get where you're coming from. [ this may be the closest he ever gets to saying "the feeling is mutual" or even "thank you." because it is, and he is grateful. ]
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but they're thoughts he keeps to himself for the time being. ones he's fairly sure that len may already be aware of. every confrontation had been a learning experience for the two of them, some steeper than others.]
You know, I kind of miss going up against someone who isn't trying to kill me. [and the fewer speedsters he has to take on from here on out, the better too.] That doesn't mean I'm giving you an excuse to start stealing again here. [though given how many other "heroes" there are in cadelle, he has a good feeling that len's already started planning out a heist or two. sure, the risk may be a little greater than it'd be back home, but this city-- well, barry wouldn't necessarily be surprised if he was able to talk the administration in to letting him stay if he was caught.]
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[ ... while this is technically true, it's also kind of bullshit. because he's already stolen something. not a big thing! depending on your definition of the word big. just... a thing. that he needed. and that was easier to grab with mick than paying for it. he's also not going to mention this to barry, but he's awful calm for someone who never wanted to give up the game of thieving.
in any case-- ] You probably shouldn't have admitted to missing me, though.
[ he's gonna have fun with that. ]
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[except that's a complete lie, but for very different reasons. reasons he has to pointedly keep himself from straying towards. it isn't fair on either of them for him to hold this len up against the one he knew before. so after how badly their last meet up went, he doesn't want to ruin all this by getting hung up on the past again.
turning his attention back to the snacks, he speeds through eating another couple of chocolate bars, only vaguely registering the fact he's done it once time slides back to normal again. a quick, sheepish look in len's direction and--]
If you're not planning anything, then I guess it doesn't matter anyway. I won't need to be there to stop you.
[--because there's no way he'd let one of the other heroes get involved without him. len and mick are his...enemies? nemeses? -- partly-reformed criminals. that'll do.]
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[ he pauses, then pins barry with an unimpressed look. ]
Don't be stupidly stubborn. Stay here tonight. Or the next thing I steal will be something of yours.
[ ... the next thing he steals may be something of barry's anyway. just because he's now got the beginnings of an idea brewing in his head. one that'll hopefully prevent him from getting too restless and give barry a little bit of entertainment. ]
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[well, other than a couple of dogs. and his suit. those thoughts combined have him narrowing his eyes at len, suspicion already starting to sink in. dognapping may not be on the cards for him, but he wouldn't put it past len to go after his suit. perhaps he should start taking it with him to work. he wouldn't risk walking in to a police department to steal, right?]
I'll just sit here, taking up a bed for no reason when I could be out there helping instead. It's fine.
[and if it was anyone else, he'd be trying to use those words to guilt his way out of there. but he knows better than to try it with len. knows that it'd be a wasted effort. so instead, it's said with a hint of resignation. he'll stay until the morning. but the second he's allowed to leave, he'll be out of there.]