Chapter Text
How many have died because of your reckless actions, Flash?!
The sentence was resonating in Barry's mind
How many of your friends, how many citizen?!
He felt the tears coming to his eyes, as Eddie, Ronnie, and his mother's face appeared in his mind
And you dare call yourself a hero, when you can't even protect the people around you?!
He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder
-Everything alright Scarlet?
He turned to look at Len, who had this one face, when he tried to look emotionless, but he was still frowning a bit. He only had this face when he was worried. They were both sitting on the couch, watching some random documentaries that was playing on tv a tuesday evening.
-Hum... Yeah, don't worry, I was just... Thinking
Technically he wasn't lying, but Len didn't seems convinced
-Are you sure? You seem weird since you came back from this meta attack
One hour ago, Barry was fighting against a meta human who had the power to search in anybody's memory, and he didn't hesitate to use what he found in Barry's mind
-Yeah, don't worry, I'm just tired, I guess
Len's frown grew, making Barry look away
-Alright Scarlet, I wont push
Barry closed his eyes, thinking "Thanks god"
-Just know that you still aren't a good liar
Barry sighed
-I'm not lying Len
Len grabbed the tv remote, and turned off the tv
-But you're definitely not telling me the whole story here!
-And why does that matters?!
Barry snapped, turning toward Len, he could feel the tears in his eyes, threatening to fall. Len's face hardened in front of Barry's sudden snapping
-Why does it matters so much! Nothing happened alright? I caught the meta, he's in Iron Heights, that's it!
Barry swallowed difficultly, trying to make tje lump in his throat disappear, as a tear rolled down his cheek, quickly followed by another, and another. He closed his eyes, to stop the tears from flowing, without success. He slightly jumped when he felt a hand on his cheek, and a thumb softly brushing the tears away. Barry leaned his head in Len's hand, opened his eyes slowly, looking at Len. Len slowly opened his arms, inviting Barry in a hug. Barry approached, and gently laid on Len's chest, his face hidden in the older man's neck. One of Len's hand went into Barry's hair, the other was tracing soft circles in Barry's back. After 5 minutes of silences, Barry whispered, his voice a bit broken
-Do you think I'm... Really a hero..?
Len frowned
-What do you mean?
-The people around me... The people I love end up dying.. Because of me being the Flash, and... I litteraly can't do anything about it...
Len closed his eyes, and, slowly, rolled them, so that he was on top of the speedster
-Barry, look at me.
Barry looked at Len, hazel irises meeting ice blue ones. Len put a soft kiss on Barry's lips
-You are a hero, Scarlet. You can't save everyone, and that's the tragedy of being a hero. You loose people, it happens. But you also save lifes, so much! At this point you probably already saved half of the citizen of this city. So yeah, people die, that's life, there's nothing you can do about it. But trust me, the people you saved are more than grateful you choose the path of the hero with your powers
Barry was looking at him, his face streaked with tears. Len kissed the tears away, with a softness almost uncharacteristical. Barry whispered, his voice a bit broken
-I'm just scared something might happen to you...
-Meh, I'm a tough guy, don't worry
A little smirk appeared on his lips
-You put me back into Iron Heights enough now to know I'll always be a pain in your ass
Barry smiled a bit, a little laught escaping his lips. They stayed here, for how long, neither of them knew, staring at each other's eyes. After some times, Barry whispered
-I love you
Len smiled, and put a little kiss on the speedster's lips
-I love you too, Scarlet