Chapter Text
Joe watched as his daughter inspected the letters found on the counter of the west family home. Only after noticing Barry’s handwriting did he warily reach for the one addressed to himself.
Dear Joe,
I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being a waste of money in the house, I'm sorry for making you spend time on me that you could’ve been spending on your real kids. I'm sorry for all the wasted Christmas presents, and college funding. I’m sorry you were the one that ended up being stuck with me. I’m sorry to be bothering you even when I'm dead.
That’s beyond the point, I’ve already started so I might as well finish, as you can tell; I'm currently very, very dead. I know you might not care, or might not want to hear this. But I’m sorry Joe, you have always been a second father to me, even if I know you never truly saw me as your son. Joe, I have always trusted you, always given in way to easily when it came to telling you things; which is why I'm surprised to see that I kept this big of a secret from “THE” detective Joe West, and that’s why I owe you an explanation more than I do anyone else.
I only found out about my cancer returning a week ago, the doctor explained to me that there was barely any chance of survival. My inner scientist broke out, so I offered to donate my. body to research. The fastest the doctors could prepare the procedure was a week. During that week I wrote four letters. As you can probably tell by my only moderate forgetfulness, I wrote yours first.
It was strange having to write my will, having to figure out who would receive all of my meaningless possessions, I know if you were to have helped me it would be a lot easier. But I knew that I couldn't put you through any more than I already have. My will is inclosed in this envelope, it has already been viewed by lawyers and it is a valid will. I have also left the lawyer’s numbers for you in case anything comes up.
Thank you, dad.
-Barry Allen
Joe pulled out the sheet, white and thin, of cardstock that held his son's final wishes. It seemed unreal. In his head he knew this was wrong, a father should never outlive his child. Somewhere in the world there had to be a mistake. A document error, anything that could prove Barry Allen was not truly dead. He couldn't be dead, how could the world have extinguished its brightest light? How could the kindest soul be wiped from existence? How can someone who has done so much good die without anyone noticing?
He took a moment to think, what was the last interaction he had with his son. He wasn't hugging Barry, nor telling him how much he loved and cared for him. He was punching him. The last interaction he will ever have with his son was hitting him in the face. What kind of father he was, letting his child die alone. Letting his child die believing no one loves him. Letting his child suffer emotional turmoil all by himself.
Going against his thoughts, Joe unfolded the surreal paper in his hand and began to read.
This is the last will and testament of Bartholomew Henry Allen
Occupation Forensic Scientist, CSI for the CCPD and CEO of STAR Laboratories
REVOCATION
I revoke all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and I declare This to be my last will
AGE OF MAJORITY
The age of majority of this will is 24 years of age
For information purposes, at the time of this will, I have never been married, and am the father of no children
I hereby appoint Joseph L. West as a personal representative of this will, with full power and authority to sell, transfer, and convey all property [excluding STAR Laboratories and any relating properties], real or personal which I may own at the time of my death, at such time and place and upon such terms and conditions as my personal representative may determine, without the necessity of court order.
I hereby appoint Francisco Ramone as a representative of this will, with full power and authority to sell, transfer, and convey all properties pertaining to, or relating to STAR Laboratories real or personal which I may own at the time of my death, at such time and place and upon such terms and conditions as my representative may determine, without the necessity of court order.
X Bartholomew Henry Allen
X Frank Pascarelli, probate attorney
267-675-9867
Joe was frozen in agony for his son, somehow understanding how hard it must have been for Barry to fabricate this piece of paper. No matter how simple it might have seemed, Joe knew the only reason for lack of detail was Barry being emotionally unstable at the time, and dealing with this all on his own. Unable to do any more, Joe simply leaned over on the kitchen counter, shedding silent tears, as he listened to his daughter fall apart one room over.