Chapter Text
Mark's life had changed a lot in the last two years. He had lost a brother, gained God-like powers, and been trapped in a cage. After escaping from his captors and then being arrested, for real this time, Mark figured he was about done. Sitting in the Meta Human Wing of Iron Heights wasn't great. It mostly consisted of solitary confinement and showers. Then Snart had come and broken him out with the promise of opportunity spilling from his lips. So now Mark was here, in a refurbished warehouse on the docks. The HQ for a team that Snart had dubbed The Rogues. Mark snorted as he sipped his beer, “Dramatic asshole.” he grumbled as he flipped channels on the television. Mark wasn't really complaining though. He was still free and with the Flash off his back. Sure, Snart had his stupid rules. But they weren't too hard to follow if Mark really tried.
Mark stiffened when a soft crack filled the air. He subtly turned down the television and listened harder. The crack was followed by a creak and then a few muted thumps, footsteps. Mark got to his feet silently and turned to look in the direction of the sound. There was a slight pop sound and the clanking of glass. Mark's eyes narrowed in on the door that led to the warehouse break room. That had been the sound of the fridge door opening. As quietly as possible Mark slunk across the room, making sure to keep his shadow placed out of the door's line of view. Once positioned next to the door Mark drew one of his hands up to his chest. The ice started to form there as he spun around the corner with a yell.
Mark actually took a step back when a high pitched scream was his response. The ice ball in his hand dropped as he brought both up to cover his ears. His wide eyes took in the sight before him. A kid, maybe nine or so. A little girl. A little girl with baggy pants and a hoodie that looked like she was drowning in it. The clothing was dirty and had holes in places. Her long brown hair looked matted and tangled even as it fell over her shoulders. Green eyes were wide with terror and seemed to pop out of the pale face attached to them. Tiny hands were holding up a carton of OJ like a shield as she cowered back. Even as Mark watched those eyes they filled with tears and a whimper came out, “Please don't hurt me.”
Mark blinked and slowly lowered his hands, “I wasn't...” he stopped. Saying he hadn't been about to hurt her would be a lie. He had been. But that was before he had known she was just a kid. A homeless kid by the looks of it. Mark cleared his throat and asked in a slightly stern tone, “How did you get in here kid?” just because he wasn't going to hurt her didn't mean she had any right to break in here. The very fact that she had was impressive. Snart had the place locked up tight.
The OJ was lowered slightly but those green eyes still shimmered with unshod tears, “Through the secret door.” she explained. She followed up quickly with, “Mr. Len said I could!”
Mark blinked again, “You mean Snart?” she nodded, “Snart told you how to get in here?” she nodded again. Mark was having a really hard time understanding this, “Why?”
She shifted in place, drawing attention to the fact that her feet were clad in nothing but bedroom slippers, “Because he always does.” she stated simply, “He let's us stay here when we can't find anywhere else.”
“We? Who is we?” Mark felt like his brain was short circuiting
“Just...” she shifted again, “Some of us who live under the bridge.”
Mark felt like he had been punched in the gut. He and Clyde had grown up not to far from the bridge area. It was a well known hang out stop for runaways and homeless kids. It was the most ignored smudge on the shining city. Mark's shoulders sagged and he grinned, “Well, looks like Cold has a warm fuzzy side” he muttered to himself before stepping forward. He stopped when the kid flinched back, “Hey, it's cool kid. I was just thinking of making some dinner.” he walked forward again and ignored how she still scurried to get out of his way. He spent a moment digging around in the sparsely populated cabinets before he chuckled, “Score.” he pulled out the yellow box he had found, “Mac 'n Cheese.” he made a show of examining the box and frowned, “Damn, I can't eat this much by myself.” Mark looked over his shoulder at the little girl who had positioned herself awkwardly in the center of the room, “You want to share with me?”
The girl blinked, her fingers gripping the OJ carton tightly for a moment. Then she nodded and gave a little smile, “Okay.”
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Mark was in the middle of trying to tame Mindy's, the little girl's, hair when the front door opened and Lisa Snart entered, “Mark, are you still...” Lisa's eyes landed on their position on the couch and she beamed, “MINDY!” she called and held her arms wide
“LISA!” Mindy jumped out of Mark's lap and ran across the room to leap in in Lisa's waiting arms. She laughed as Lisa swung her small body around. When she was finally put down she beamed up at Lisa, “I met Mark. He was scary at first but then he made Mac 'n Cheese. He even tried to brush my hair.” she motioned to the side of her head that Mark had managed to untangle
Lisa giggled and shot Mark a smug look. Mark blushed and turned away to stare at the television, “Well Mark isn't very good with hair. How about we go to my room and I'll braid it for you.”
“Awesome!” Mindy shouted excitedly before running off in the direction the offices that had been converted into room for the Rogues.
Lisa followed slowly behind Mindy, pausing behind the couch. Mark jumped slightly when her hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed slightly, “Good work Mark. I'm guessing Lenny forgot to mention our little charity project. Just know she isn't the only one who shows up sometimes. Try and keep a hold on that itchy trigger finger.”
“Won't be a problem.” Mark assured
Lisa hummed in approval and then Mark listened to her heeled footsteps walk away.
Yeah, life was different now.