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q-u-a-rantine-high-school · 6 months

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A 5k fic??? For me??? Ohh, this is like the reverse of that one fic where Barry keeps traveling to the future at different times, and Len has to explain to him that he's in the future. I love the ending, thank you so much :)))

Trick or treat :)) Coldflash, please :))

okay. so. it was supposed to be 500 words and it may or may not have ended up as 4.6k... anyway, hope you like it!

here's the ao3 link or you can read it here on tumblr

So Long, Scarlet Speedster - 4.6k

The first time Len met Barry, he was eight years old. He was nursing a bruise on his right side and a black eye. He told his teacher it was from playing baseball with his dad.

His father had come home from work in a sour mood that day and was drinking himself through a six-pack while going over plans for his next score.

Len slipped out the back door and made his way across their small backyard, coming to a stop in front of a large tree. He placed his hands against the rough bark and traced the cracks with his fingers. They were like little paths connecting everything together, but leading far, far away.

There was a sharp noise, and the smell of ozone singed Len’s nostrils. He turned around and found himself looking up at a tall man in a bright red superhero suit. He gasped in surprise as the man frantically looked around, eyes finally landing on the small child. He squatted down in front of Len and offered him a smile.

“Hey there,” the man began in a voice kinder than Len had ever heard, “What’s your name?”

“Leonard,” he said quietly. Something on the man’s face changed at that moment. His eyes focused as if he was seeing the kid for the first time.

“Leonard Snart?” the man asked. Len nodded and watched many emotions he didn’t fully understand yet flash across this man’s eyes. Then, he saw the man’s gaze linger on his black eye. Finally, with a hardened look, he asked, “What happened, Len?”

“My dad and I were- I mean…” Len tried to rattle off the story his father had made him practice, but for some reason, he felt compelled to tell this man the truth. It was those eyes, so green and bright. So kind. So understanding. It reminded Len of his mom.“It’s from my dad.”

The man nodded slowly, then took a deep breath.

“Len, how old are you?”

“I’m eight.”

“I made it back over forty years?” the man breathed out incredulously. “I never thought-” he cut himself off. He shifted his focus back to the young boy in front of him. “How would you feel if I told you that one day it all gets better?”

“Better?”

“One day,” the man continued, “You’ll be a very powerful and smart man, with lots of people around you who care about you very much.” He leaned forward and whispered, “And your dad won’t be around anymore.”

“He won’t?” Len said shakily.

“Nope,” the man said with a pop of his lips, “And you’ll be just fine.”

“Are you a superhero?” Len blurted out. He had been trying to hold it in, but he simply had to know.

“Something like that,” the man said with a lopsided grin. “And one day you will be too. You’ll make it through all of this and you’ll be great. Until then, take care of yourself, Len.”

And just like that, the man vanished, leaving Len alone in the yard. He waited for a few minutes, hopeful that the strange man might return.

He didn’t return for five more years.

Len was thirteen and trying to disarm an alarm system inside of the museum his father was attempting to rob. His small hands worked quickly, rewiring the system before his father accidentally triggered the alarm.

He was nearly finished, when suddenly there was a loud crash outside. He glanced up at the back exit that led to the rear parking lot, and back at the main door that led into the museum. He could hear the soft squeaking of his father’s shoes against the tile floor and he focused his attention on the wires once more.

There was a second, more muffled crash, followed by some groaning. Len finished with the last wire and slowly crept towards the exit. He grabbed a box lying near the back door to use as a prop for the door. He pushed the door open slowly and peered out into the night air.

There was a man lying in a heap of cardboard boxes next to the dumpster. He was struggling to stand up when a small hand appeared above him.

“Need a hand?” Len asked.

The other man gaped up at him. Then, he took the hand.

Len heaved him up with surprising strength, and when the man was brought into the light it was Len’s turn to gape.

“Len?” the man asked cautiously.

“I thought I made you up,” Len said mostly to himself.

“What year is it?” the man asked.

“It’s ‘85,” Len answered. He took a step back and sized up the man dressed head to toe in what looked like red leather. “What’s your name?”

“You remember,” the man said, a small smile curling on his lips.

“You’re hard to forget,” Len shot back. “But I never got your name.”

The man considered this for a moment, looking around at the backside of the museum and the vacant employee parking lot.

“I’ll tell you my name if you tell me why you’re here,” the man said playfully.

“I’m robbing the museum with my dad,” Len said with no hesitation. The man gaped at him.

“Why would you admit that to a stranger-” he was cut off by Len.

“Something tells me you’re in a hurry. Figured you wouldn’t have enough time to rat us out.”

“Your puns are even insufferable when you’re a child,” the man groaned. Then he took a few steps and crossed the distance between the two of them. He pulled down his cowl, revealing a mop of brown hair and piercing green eyes. “Barry Allen,” he said as he reached forward and offered his hand.

Len shook it firmly and smiled.

“Well, I better get back inside before my dad realizes I’m missing,” Len said. “Wouldn’t want to make him mad.”

Barry nodded and pulled his cowl back up.

“I better get back too,” Barry agreed.

“Back to where?” the kid asked suspiciously. A mischievous glint flashed across Barry’s eyes.

“Bye, Len.”

With that he was gone, leaving a trail of red and yellow light in his wake. Len stared at the spot where the man had just been standing and saw a light scorch mark on the pavement. Then, he took a deep breath and headed back into the museum.

When Len was fifteen his sister was born. It didn’t matter that they had different mothers, when Lisa came into his life he finally felt he had a purpose.

Lewis would get nasty when Lisa cried. He’d yell at her mom and Len to shut her up before he had to. She was just an infant, and Len would already do anything to keep Lewis away from her.

On nights when Lewis was out drinking with his cop buddies and Lisa was put to bed early, Len would go out and sit on the back porch. He enjoyed the evening air whipping through his short hair. It was the only time he felt at peace.

He would watch the tree in their backyard sway against the breeze and wondered when the breeze would carry that odd man back into his life.

Len was seventeen, freshly released from juvie, walking home with nothing but the clothes on his back. His house was a few hours' walk from the detention center, and Len knew Lewis wasn’t going to come and pick him up. He was walking through one of the nicer suburbs when he heard a friendly voice call out.

“Need a ride?”

Len whipped around, and there he was, just standing on the side of the road in broad daylight where anyone could see his outlandish getup.

“Barry,” Len said in disbelief.

“Len,” Barry said with a smirk. “What year is-”

“1989,” Len answered before he could finish the question. Barry stared at him for a moment before he finally formed his next question.

“How did you know-”

“You’re from the future, aren’t you?” Len asked casually. Barry’s mouth was agape at this point. Then, he started laughing.

“Only you would figure that out so fast. You’re always so quick on the draw, Len,” Barry said easily. Len stored this information away for later.

“I’m guessing I can’t ask you anything about the future, the law of causality, and all that?”

“I’m impressed, you know your stuff.”

“Got a lot of reading done in juvie,” Len said.

“Wait- if it’s ‘89, then… You’re freshly out of juvie aren’t you?”

“On my way home now,” Len replied, gesturing to the road ahead. Barry considered this for a moment before he stepped closer to Len.

“Well, since you told me something, I guess it’s only fair I tell you something,” Barry explained, a small smile playing across his lips. He took another step closer, coming into Len’s space.

Normally, Len would bristle and steel himself, ready to rear a fist back and connect it with the jaw of whatever idiot risked getting that close to him. Normally, his instincts would take over and he’d take a step back.

But right now they were the farthest from normally that Len had ever been.

“I’ll show you a secret,” Barry whispered.

“Don’t you mean tell me-” Len was cut off by the feeling of being pulled into Barry’s arms and, for lack of a better term, whisked away. For a brief moment, he was surrounded by streaks of light, tinged in reds and yellows as the world spun around him in a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colors. Then, in the blink of an eye, it was over. His feet were gently set under the ground beneath him. When he looked around he realized they were on the side of his house, tucked under a window, hidden in the shadows where no one would see them. He rounded on Barry.

“I knew it! You’re a fucking superhero,” Len whispered excitedly. Barry took a moment to pull his cowl down, shaking his hair from side to side and running his hands through it a few times.

“You were right from the start,” He confirmed. Len couldn’t help but grin. Barry’s face reflected his own for a moment, but it quickly fell. He took a step back and scratched his neck absentmindedly. “But I’ve already been here too long.”

“I get it,” Len said, nodding, “Can you tell me something?”

“Depends.”

“Lisa, does she… is she okay? When you’re from?” Len asked in hushed tones. Barry’s eyes softened, and his hand fell onto Len’s shoulder.

“She’s alright.”

Len gave him a tight nod and felt a deep pressure in his chest finally release. Barry squeezed his shoulder lightly, then stepped away letting his hand fall back to his side.

“Well, you should probably get back,” Len said.

“You know, you’re taking this really well, all things considered,” Barry added.

“I like to keep an open mind,” Len offered casually. Barry chuckled and took a step back, fixing his cowl back into place.

“Glad to know you never change. Now, I have to run, no pun intended,” Barry amended quickly. Len chuckled.

“I’ll see you later, Barry.”

Later turned out to be five years. Len was in the middle of a jewelry heist, one of his first missions where he was running point and not taking orders from some meathead calling all the shots. They had just secured the cargo and were loading it into their getaway vehicle when it happened.

One minute Len was slamming the back door of the van shut, and the next he was being slammed up against a wall. He took one look at the man before him, clad in head-to-toe red leather.

“Snart,” Barry practically snarled at him.

“Barry,” Len started in a friendly tone, “Funny seeing you here.”

Barry flung himself backward as if Len had stung him. He sized Len up, eyes raking up his body and lingering on his hair. Len’s brows furrowed.

“Is everything alright, Barry?” Len said cautiously. Barry took a tentative step forward.

“How do you know my name, Snart?”

“What do you mean? You told me,” Len said, thoroughly confused.

“I haven’t even told Iris-” Barry said, abruptly stopping mid-sentence. Len put a hand out in a calming gesture and took a step forward.

“You haven’t met me yet, have you?” he asked.

“I’ve met you, Snart. Just not-”

“Yet,” Len finished for him. “This is your first time isn’t it?” Len said incredulously.

“First time for what?” Barry asked carefully.

“It’s 1994,” Len said with a note of satisfaction in his voice. Barry stared at him for a long moment before ducking his head and peeling off his cowl. He ran a hand through his hair and dragged it down over his face, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“This is so not how I thought it would go when I made it over two decades back,” he said, exasperated. Len considered these words and watched as Barry’s hand fell away from his face. He looked young.

“How old are you, Barry?”

“I’m- I shouldn’t tell you that,” Barry exclaimed, nearly slapping a hand over his mouth as if to stop the words from escaping. Len put up his hands innocently.

“I won’t make you, but I do have to say you have impeccable timing.”

“What do you mean?” Barry asked.

“I’m kind of in the middle of something right now, aside from being slammed into the wall by a man clad in red leather.”

A light flush crept up Barry’s neck and dusted his cheeks.

“You mean the robbery,” Barry stated. Len shrugged and took a step closer.

“You’re not here to lecture me on ethics, are you, Scarlet? I think we both know that would be a waste of time,” Len slipped out smoothly. He took another step forward and sized Barry up, tilting his head appreciatively as he met Barry’s eyes and watched the blush deepen. “Besides, you know you can’t meddle with the past. That’s time travel basics.”

“I’ve already said too much, done too much, I should-” he shook his head and pulled his cowl back up.

“Leaving so soon?” Len teased. Barry looked up at him, blush still visible under the mask.

“Sorry, I’ve gotta run,” he said with a slight smirk. Len snorted and gave him a wave.

“Until next time, Barry,” Len said with a wave of his hand. Then, Barry was gone.

Six years passed before Len found himself landed behind bars again.

“Henry, meet your new roomie,” the guard said, nudging Len into the cell. He held out his hand.

“Leonard Snart,” he said not unkindly.

“Henry Allen,” the middle-aged man offered, reaching forward to shake Len’s hand. Len took it and shook it firmly. The guard nodded and left.

“So, what landed you here, Allen?” Len asked conversationally.

“They say I murdered my wife,” Henry started softly, “The only one who believes I didn’t do it is my son, Barry.”

Len felt his heart stop. Henry Allen, the name had been plastered on the front page of every newspaper and news channel in Central City over the past few months, His name, along with his wife’s name, Nora, were known by nearly everyone in the city at this point.

It seemed that somehow the articles had left out one key detail: their son. Someone had paid to keep his name out of the papers, that much was certain. And it was just Len’s luck that he would end up cellmates with the time traveler’s father.

“Did you do it?” Len asked. Henry blinked, his eyes searching Len’s face.

“No, not that it matters,” he sighed.

“Now you have two people who believe you,” Len said, stepping forward to give the man a pat on the shoulder. Henry relaxed and gave Snart a small smile.

“What landed you in here, Snart? Or should I even ask?”

“It’s probably better if you don’t.”

“Well now I have to know,” Henry joked. Snart looked around the cell and took stock of his new temporary home. His eyes circled back around to Henry.

“Just a couple charges of armed bank robbery and killing a few of Santini’s goons. Nothing too exciting,” Len assured him.

“The men you killed - they were criminals too?” Henry asked. Len nodded.

“They had gang tattoos that tallied their kill counts at over twenty each, and I may or may not have had a chat with the drug dealers that hang out around the high schools.”

Henry laughed and took a seat on his bed.

“I think we’ll get along just fine, Leonard.”

“Please, call me Len.”

Len didn’t stay in jail for long before Mick broke him out. He offered to take Henry with him, but the man made it clear he didn’t want to end up on the front pages a second time.

“Barry’s been through enough,” he said tiredly. Len understood.

“If you ever change your mind, I’ll come back for you,” Len promised.

“Just… be good, Snart. I know you have it in you. Don’t let the darkness in your life snuff out what little light you have left. If you do… they win. And something tells me you don’t like losing.”

“I can’t change who I am, Allen,” Len reasoned.

“You don’t have to,” Henry stated. Len gave him a curt nod.

“I’ll see you later, Doc,” Len said before disappearing into the night.

Two years later, Len found himself eating lunch at the bar in the Motorcar while surveying the Precinct. The diner was empty for all but him and an elderly woman savoring her cup of hot coffee by the window. He was about to take a bite of his burger when the little bell above the door jingled. Len looked over his shoulder and couldn’t help the smirk that spread across his face.

“Long time no see, Barry,” he called to the man, turning on his stool to face him. He was dressed casually, no super suit this time, just blue jeans and a red t-shirt tucked under a brown leather jacket. When his eyes met Len’s a warm smile spread across his face.

“Len,” he said in a soft tone. He crossed the distance between them and wrapped him in a warm hug.

“Good to see you too, Scarlet,” Len said stiffly. He forced his arms to cooperate and awkwardly patted Barry on the back. When the younger man pulled away, Len nodded to a corner booth. They both made their way over to it, Len bringing his food with him. They sat down and Len pushed the basket of fries towards Barry, who accepted them happily and began digging in.

“Thanks,” Barry said around a mouthful of fries.

“Anytime,” Len said easily. He watched Barry for a moment before following suit and digging into his burger. The two ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, glancing out the window to watch the people rushing back to work as their lunch hour ended.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Len asked after he had finished his burger and wiped his mouth off with a napkin.

“I was in the neighborhood,” Barry offered.

“So you just decided to pop in and pay a visit to your favorite criminal?”

“Something like that,” Barry said with a stupid lop-sided grin. He leaned forward. “Gotta get my energy back before I head home.”

“And when is home?”

“Don’t you mean where-”

“No, no I don’t,” Len corrected him. He raised an eyebrow. Barry shook his head and let out a small laugh.

“Always one step ahead,” he mumbled. Len grinned.

“So, what’s the real reason you’re back in 2002, Barry?”

“I have some… business to take care of,” he admitted.

“Business? Do tell,” Len said, taking a drink of his sweet tea. He set it back on the table and left his hand next to it, running his fingers along the glass.

“You know I can’t.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

Len watched Barry’s face as the younger man gazed out the window. He seemed a couple of years older than the last visit, smile lines a little deeper, attention more focused.

“Listen,” Barry said, focusing his attention back on Len. He reached across the table and took Len’s hand in his own. “I know I shouldn’t be here. I just- I needed to see you again. It’s been-” he looked away, blinking rapidly to stop the tears welling up in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” Len asked, feeling as though he had missed something. Something big. Barry offered him a watery smile.

“It’s just good to see you, Len,” he said, voice slightly raw. He ran his thumb over the back of Len’s hand and gave it one final squeeze before he stood up. “Be good,” he added. Len couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up in his chest.

“Your father said the same thing to me,” Len said, tone playful, “Right before I broke out of prison.”

“You’ve met my dad?” Barry squeaked.

“We were cellmates,” Len added casually. Barry dragged a hand through his hair and let out a sigh.

“Of course you were. The universe loves to play twisted ironic games with my life,” Barry ground out. Len stood and offered him a pat on the shoulder.

“I could say the same thing.”

Barry stared at him for a long moment, before bridging the gap and pulling Len into a tight hug once more. This time, Len hugged back.

“Don’t do anything stupid, alright?” Barry whispered softly. Len gave him a light squeeze.

“I’ll try my best,” he agreed. Barry pulled back just a fraction and kissed Len’s cheek softly.

Len didn’t have time to process it before Barry was out the door. He lifted his hand to his cheek and stared out the big glass windows, watching everyone else go about their normal lives.

Over a decade went by in a flash of sporadic crimes and prison breaks. Len was no longer just a petty thief, he had made a name for himself in Central City. He was the head of his own operation, ordering his highly trained teams to help him carry out his missions.

They had their sights set on a transport moving a costly collection of original paintings - more than a few of which Len had been hoping to snatch to use as home decor for his safe houses.

He was on his motorcycle, approaching the transport from the left, when suddenly the wind whipped around him and he found himself standing atop a building. He nearly lost his footing and flung out his arms, grabbing the nearest thing to stabilize himself.

As it turned out, the nearest thing was a man in a red leather superhero suit.

“Barry,” Len said breathlessly. His grip on Barry’s shoulder tightened, and he pulled the taller man into a tight hug.

“Len - uh, good to see you too,” Barry said as his arms slowly found their way to Len’s back. He hugged the man uncertainly. Len could feel the tension in Barry’s shoulders and pulled away.

“What brings you to 2014?” he asked, taking a hard look at Barry. There was a trace of confusion that flitted across his face, that, combined with the awkward hug, gave Len all the information he needed.

“I can’t tell you that,” Barry said slightly scandalized. He took a step back and raked his eyes over Len. “But you know that already.”

“Guilty as charged,” Len said, putting up his hands in defense. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“What are you playing at, Snart?”

“Back to last names, are we, Allen?”

“Just answer my question.”

“Not until you answer mine.”

“There’s a- look, it’s complicated, and I don’t have the time for this,” Barry huffed.

“But you had time to stop me in the middle of a job?” Len pointed out. Barry smirked.

“I always have time to fight crime.”

Len rolled his eyes and stepped forward into Barry’s space once more.

“Let’s cut to the chase, Scarlet. You just can’t leave me alone,” he said, tapping his finger against Barry’s lightning symbol on his chest. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were obsessed with me.”

Barry flushed, ripping off his cowl and grabbing Len’s finger.

“Listen, Snart, as long as you are here committing crimes I will be here to stop you.”

“That’s what I’m counting on,” he said, a little too pleased with himself. Barry sputtered for a moment, the red flush deepening on his cheeks. Len slowly reached his hand up to Barry’s face and cupped it gently, Barry’s hand still cupping his own. “So, when will I see you again?”

“Soon enough.” Barry leaned away from the touch and tried to take a step back. He lost his footing and tumbled backward. Before he could hit the ground, swift hands caught him, looping under his back and head.

Barry looked up into Len’s eyes and felt his heart stop. The piercing blue felt like it cut straight through him and peered into every corner of his soul. He opened his mouth to say something, but it died on his tongue. With one fluid motion, Len pulled him back upright. He dusted off Barry’s shoulder and offered him a small pat.

“Until then,” Len said.

“Behave yourself, Snart.”

“If I behaved I wouldn’t get to see you falling all over yourself for me,” he replied smoothly.

“I- I go after every criminal, not just you!”

“And here, I thought it was always personal for us. You sure know how to make a man feel special.”

“We are not doing this right now,” Barry said with a shake of his head. He pulled his cowl back up and turned to walk to the edge of the roof. “I’ll see you around,” Barry said, hesitating for a moment.

“The least you could do is give me a lift, Barry,” Len called out.

“In your dreams, Snart,” Barry called over his shoulder, then he plunged off the side of the roof and disappeared into the night air.

Central City had never been the same after the particle accelerator explosion. It caused a rippling effect that touched every corner and dark alley within the city. The streets were now the playground for a red streak, racing through to stop crimes and save lives.

A red streak that looked awfully familiar to Len.

He had a plan that had been in the works for months, and he didn’t plan on postponing it just for the friendly neighborhood superhero.

“Alright boys, we’re going over the plan one last time,” Len started, turning to the small team sitting around the warehouse. “There’s a big museum exhibit opening this month. The main exhibit is a nearly priceless jewel known as the Kahndaq Dynasty Diamond. And our plan is to snatch it before it ever gets there.”

Everyone nodded along as Len went through the excruciatingly detailed plan and three backup plans. After everyone knew what their job was, they headed home for the night to get a good night’s rest before an early morning robbery.

Len was left alone in the warehouse, and he walked himself up onto the roof to look out over the city. It was a surprisingly good vantage point that gave Len eyes on every major road around him.

In the dim glow of the city at night, he could see trails of red streaking up and down the streets. He couldn’t help but smile.

“See you soon, Barry.”

#coldflash #captain cold #leonard snart #barry allen #the flash #dc cw universe #fanfic #5k words

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