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Fire licked at Barry’s heels as he skidded to a stop, and he danced in place for a moment to work out the residual energy tingling in his feet. He was keenly aware of the civilians that gawked at him from the sidewalks, pressed close to nearby buildings in a half-assed attempt to clear the street.
The sound of the cold gun charging to life shot anticipation through him, a bolt of lightning that raced down his spine at the weapon’s familiar whine. He looked up, breath coming quicker as he locked eyes with his nemesis.
“Glad you could finally make it, Flash.”
Cold’s drawl echoed off the buildings, vowels drawn out long like pulled taffy. Barry wet his lips, imagining how good the words would taste if he licked them from Cold’s mouth. He forced himself to frown, planting a fist on each hip as he and Captain Cold circled each other in the cleared-out intersection.
“What do you want, Cold? I’ve had a long day and I’d like to go home sometime soon.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Cold snarked, one hand resting on his chest in a show of mock insult. “I didn’t realize I was keeping you from your Jeopardy and cold pizza. My bad.”
Oh, Barry was going to get him for that one. Len knew he loved watching Jeopardy after work!
“Don’t you have better things to do on a Friday night besides...” Barry looked around, finally taking in the scene around him with furrowed brows. “What are you doing here, actually?”
“Ex-cuse me,” Cold’s voice went flat, eyes narrowed and hard. That had hit a nerve, apparently. “If I do all this work to stage a heist, the least you could do is perform a little reconnaissance.”
“Right, right, of course. I forgot that very important part of nemesis etiquette,” Barry snarked back at him, throwing up a loose pair of finger quotes and getting a scoff in return.
Making sure to pause right when Len was making an unfortunate face – eyes mostly shut, brows quirked judgmentally, lips pursed in the formation of what was surely a devastating comeback - Barry settled into the Speed Force, zipping around the intersection and checking each building to see what his boyfriend had actually gotten up to.
Finally he discovered his prize – a note stuck to one of the control valves for the main water line under the street. Snatching the note, Barry read the scrawled text with a grin; If you’re reading this, I’ve planted fake bombs along the water line. Play along and I’ll make it worth your while. -LS
He may or may not have taken a quick photo of Len before he moved back to his spot, but that was for him to know and for Lisa to find out.
Barry paused for a moment once he’d returned to his spot, drawing on old memories and feelings that would help him fuel the charade that was to come. Only once he was confident he’d be able to pull it off did he let time flow naturally again, snarling angrily as he gestured at Cold with the note.
“What the hell is this?” The raw anger in his voice startled Len for a moment, Barry could see it in his eyes, but the older man caught on quickly.
“Well, I see someone’s done his homework.” Cold smirked, sauntering forward with one hand resting on the handle of the cold gun. “Care to share your findings with the class?”
“You think this is a joke?” Barry shouted, willing his fists to shake and spark, making his anger evident to everyone around them. “You planted bombs on the water main!”
Barry stared into Len’s eyes as a flurry of gasps and shocked exclamations went up around them. He longed to reassure them, wanted to tell them It’s okay! It’s just a game! but Len kept him steady, the eager look in his eyes promising that the payoff was worth it.
“That I did. You see, I’ve gotten tired of the mayor cutting back on resources to my side of town.” He was – Len had been staying with Barry while he tried to find ways to fight back against the corrupt mayor’s influence over the poorer neighborhoods’ water systems. “I thought this was a bit more... direct than sending a letter, don’t you agree?”
Cold pulled a small remote from his pocket, waving it mockingly in Barry’s direction. It wasn’t hooked up to anything, Barry knew, but the perceived threat of it sent fear racing down Barry’s spine all the same.
“I’m not gonna let you get away with this.”
Lightning danced around Barry’s legs as he watched Cold pocket the device and tug his goggles back on, the thrill of an impending fight ratcheting up his excitement.
“I’d like to see you try, Flash.”
In a blur of electricity and heat, Barry raced forward, narrowly dodging a patch of ice Cold had sprayed on the ground in front of him. They ducked and weaved around each other, pretending to land a majority of their hits but letting a few slip through.
Len had admitted, during one very heated makeout session, that he actually enjoyed their fights better when he went home a little bruised. He said he liked taking off his clothes after a ‘playdate’ with the Flash and seeing the evidence of Barry all over him.
“I know how powerful you are, Scarlet.” Len murmured, running a fingertip over Barry’s bottom lip as they lay in bed. “That means when you do choose to hit me during a fight, you make an effort not to hurt me. Because you know you can, you know just how easy it would be, and you don’t want to.”
When he put it that way, it was hard for Barry to deny the logic in it. And besides, who was Barry to deny his lover his pleasures?
When they were both breathing heavier, punches and jabs evolving into forceful gropes and pinches at sensitive skin, Barry knew it was time to call and end to their game. Using his speed he lifted Len up by his waist and slammed him against a nearby car hard enough to set off the alarm. Len grunted at the rough handling and reached up to grip Barry’s shoulders. Barry bit back a growl as the sound of Len’s quiet, shaky moans reached his ears.
“I don’t have time for this, tell me how to disarm the bombs!” Barry hissed in Len’s face, pressing close enough that it would seem to anyone else like he was threatening Cold, using the motion to disguise how he pressed his raging erection against Len’s hip.
“Give me one good reason why I should do that, Red.” Len tilted back slightly to disguise how he’d gone lax in Barry’s grip, breathless at the show of power.
“Because, Cold.” Leaning in closer, Barry pressed one thigh firmly between Len’s legs and pressed in tight against the other man’s aching dick until he gasped and twitched. They had recently discovered the parka covered anything… untoward… and had been eager to take advantage of that. “If you don’t, I’ll hand you over to Batman. See if Arkham is more your style.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Len ground out, eyes barely open as he willed his hips not to arch forward. “Fine, fine. You win. There is no bomb.”
“Don’t mess with me, Cold.” Barry hissed in Len’s face, vibrating his thigh just enough to make Len bite his bottom lip and screw his eyes shut. Barry had to fight not to grin triumphantly, feeling Len’s rumbling groan where their chests pressed together.
“I pinky promise, there’s – ah – no bomb. See?”
Len brought up his hand to show Barry – and the nearby civilians Barry had definitely remembered were there – the remote, which was actually just Len’s DVD player remote with a little RC car antenna taped to it.
Barry felt his patience snap so hard it threw off sparks, and he didn’t even bother to toss out a final remark before he whisked Len away to his apartment.
The moment he phased them through the door, he and Len were all over each other – kissing desperately, tugging at zippers and buttons and clothes, pressing each other into whatever furniture was nearby.
“God, Len, that was – I love when you set up heists like that, love fighting you, fuck,” Barry groaned, mouthing along Len’s throat as he attempted to wrangle his boyfriend’s pants open.
“Love playing with you like that, Scarlet, so hot when you show off, and all mine – “
Barry shoved Len into the bathroom, pushing him until the other man was sprawled back on the countertop, still partially tangled in his shirt and pants. With a snarl, Barry tugged Len’s pants and boots off and then gripped behind Len’s knees, forcing them back until Len was bent in half.
“Fuck, Scarlet-!”
He hardly had time to speak before Barry was moving, licking into Len with long strokes of his tongue. Len frantically reached down and wound one shaking hand through Barry’s hair, gripping tight and holding on for dear life as Barry ate him out like he was starving for it.
“God, you taste so good,” Barry groaned, pushing his tongue in deep and vibrating it, moaning when that made Len shout and scrabble against the countertop. “Could eat you out forever.”
“Barry-!”
Moaning at the feel of Len clenching around his tongue, Barry moved up until he could suck Len’s sensitive cock into his mouth, swiping his tongue around it while he shoved two fingers into where Len was wet and open for him. He curled his fingers, fucking in hard until he felt Len start to tense up under him, legs squeezing around Barry’s head.
“Ba-Barry, Barry, wait, oh fuck- “
They both groaned as Len spasmed and gushed all over Barry’s hand, his entire body twitching from the intense sensation. Once Len stopped spasming and his legs fell open once more, Barry thrust in harder, deeper, pulling moans and choked gasps from his boyfriend. He didn’t stop until Len jolted and shook through an orgasm, eyes rolling back in his head.
Even though Barry wanted to keep going until Len was so sensitive he kicked Barry in the ribs, he relented and leaned up, kissing his trembling lover.
“You’re so hot Len, so good for me, so fucking good,” Barry panted against Len’s mouth, working to get his own cock out. “Can I fuck you, baby? Please?”
“If you don’t get in me right now I’ll fucking shoot you,” Len hissed at him. He was flushed red and starting to sweat, pupils huge with lust. “I thought you were the fastest man alive, hmm? Hurry up.”
“So fucking romantic,” Barry snarked, leaning in to lick the retort out of Len’s mouth.
Gripping the base of his cock, Barry lined up and sank in deep in one smooth movement. They groaned into each other’s mouths at the feeling, the perfect fullness and connection they’d been desperate for all evening.
Without pausing to let Len adjust, Barry set up a quick, heavy rhythm, fucking into Len hard enough to bounce him against the bathroom mirror with each thrust. Len didn’t seem to notice, eyes closed and mouth slack in bliss.
Barry gripped the backs of Len’s thighs and pushed down, pressing until Len grunted from the force of having his knees next to his ears. Knowing the position sometimes hurt for his boyfriend, Barry kept his thrusts shallow, the feeling no less incredible despite the limited movement.
“Nghrrk-“
Barry looked down at Len’s face and groaned. His face was screwed up in an expression of overwhelmed pleasure, the hands clawing at Barry’s chest only contributing to the effect.
“Good?” Barry panted, keeping the same pace but adding in vibration.
“Fu-!”
Len’s hands scrambled, clenching around Barry’s arms as he gushed over his cock. Barry snarled and pounded into Len, lust searing through his gut. The added wetness made every thrust that much louder, lewder, more obscene. It made the whole scene feel so much filthier, and before long Barry could feel his orgasm barreling toward him like an avalanche.
He gripped Len by his lower back and lifted him until he was arched off the counter, fucking in hard enough to make Len see stars.
“Fuck, Len, oh God, I’m gonna-!”
“Yeah, do it-!”
With a shout, Barry slammed into Len one last time and came, vibrating hard enough to pull a keen from the other man. Without pulling out, Barry reached down and started swiping his vibrating thumb over Len’s aching cock, relishing the tight moans it pulled from his boyfriend.
In less than a minute Len barreled over the edge, breath catching in his throat as he shook and twitched against Barry’s hand. Barry kept his movements slow, easing Len down off the edge until he shoved Barry’s hand away with a wince.
They didn’t move for a moment, letting their brains come back online as they looked at each other. Finally, Barry couldn’t help himself and laughed, pulling a grin and a questioning look out of Len.
“Something funny, Scarlet?”
Barry pulled out with a grunt, helping Len off the counter and kindly ignoring Len’s groans as he stretched out his sore hips.
“Nah, just…” He kissed Len tenderly, slowly, eyes closed as they smiled against each other, content. “Tonight was really fun. I’m happy.”
Len smiled up at him, a soft, sweet thing that was so rare Barry practically fell in love with him each time he saw it.
“I had fun, too.” The way he said it, a quiet murmur, told Barry all he needed to hear.
They kissed again, sweet presses of lips as they swayed in the bathroom, before Len pulled back with a sigh.
“Start the shower for me, will you? Much as I’d love to stay like this, I should probably take care of my…”
“Ice box?” Barry grinned down at him, eyes sparkling with barely concealed mirth.
“Watch it.” Len glared at him, but there was no real heat in his eyes. He turned and walked out of the bathroom, not bothering to dress, heading to the kitchen for his post-sex ritual. “Want any orange juice?”
“Sure!”
He was gone barely a minute before Barry heard the bedroom door slam, heartrate picking up as he sped out to see what had happened.
“Len-?”
“Iris is here.”
Barry blinked at him for a moment, parsing the information. Len stood pressed against the back of the bedroom door, hands cupped over his face.
“She’s… here?”
“She’s in the living room.” Len monotoned, fingers gripping his hairline. “I walked out to the kitchen and almost didn’t notice until she yelled.”
“Oh… God, okay.” Barry let out a breath, running a hand through his hair as he considered. “I’m sure she won’t say anything, Len. It’s not that- “
“I have fluids leaking down my thighs, Barry.” Len hissed at him, gesturing with his hands. “Does she even know we’re together?”
“I… Fuck, I haven’t told her yet…” Cupping his hands over the back of his head, Barry stared down at the floor in horror. This wasn’t how he wanted Iris to find out.
“So what-?”
They startled at the sound of a knock at the bedroom door, Len pulling away to stand next to Barry.
“Hey, guys?” Iris spoke through the door, voice just loud enough to be heard through the heavy wood. “Come out here when you’re done panicking so we can talk about this. Make sure you’re wearing pants this time.”
Once the sound of her heels couldn’t be heard clacking across the floor, they looked at each other, eyes tight with dread and nerves.
“I guess we should shower, then…” Barry sighed, turning back toward the bathroom. He hoped the water was still hot.
“Do I have to be here for this?” Len griped, following Barry into the steamy bathroom. “She’s your best friend. I could repel out the window or something, catch up with you later.”
Barry snorted at his boyfriend’s dramatics, pulling Len into the shower and situating him under the warm water. He began washing Len’s hair, massaging his temples to get him to relax and smiling when Len’s eyes drifted shut.
“You could, but then how will I convince her you’re not some evil older man determined to take advantage of sweet little me?”
The scathing glare Len cast his way ripped a deep laugh from Barry’s chest. He had to lean back and brace himself against the wall from the force of his laughter, the sight of Len’s intense judgement paired with the foamy crown of suds atop his head too much for Barry to handle.
“First off, if I ever hear you call me an ‘evil older man’ again, you’ll find out just how much I’ve been holding back from breaking into the Labs.” Len counted his points off on his fingers, ignoring Barry’s delighted grin. “Second, there is no ‘sweet little’ anything about you. You’re an enormous nerd with godlike powers and a guilt complex that could put the Catholic Church out of business. Just so we’re clear.”
“Oh, crystal.” Smiling so hard his face nearly hurt with it, Barry leaned down and kissed the frown off Len’s face, licking into his boyfriend’s mouth with a contented hum.
They were a little pruned and very late to their talk with Iris, but her easy acceptance of their relationship was probably aided by the fact that they couldn’t stop smiling (just the eyes, in Len’s case) at each other.
------------------------------------
“Oh, I’ve known about this for a while now.” Iris stated, gesturing at them with that look in her eye she always got while writing a story. “I’ve just been waiting for you two to come clean about it.”
“Wha- What do you mean, how?!”
Barry and Len exchanged glances, wondering how she possibly could have figured them out. They’d been pretty careful in the time they’d been together, making sure they weren’t seen on dates or caught kissing in their suits.
“You went to Coast City a few weeks ago for a conference, some chemistry thing?” She waited until Barry nodded in confirmation before pulling something out of her purse. “Well, Linda Park recently moved to Coast City and recognized you. She saw you with someone and texted me this.”
It was a photo of them outside a bistro, a little hole in the wall they’d decided to have dinner one night. Their conversation had hit a natural lull and they had been gazing at each other for a moment, content to be together in the quiet and normalcy.
The photo was of the moment they’d kissed, one of Barry’s hands curled around Len’s jaw and Len’s arms looped around Barry’s waist.
They couldn’t look away, the image bringing back such pleasant memories it drew smiles to their faces unbidden. Almost without noticing, they reached for each other’s hands, twining their fingers together and squeezing.
“Iris… I meant to tell you, really, I just…” Barry trailed off, biting his lip.
“You were scared?” She sighed when Barry looked up at her, eyes wide and nervous. “I get it, Barr. Dad’s not going to like this, and I didn’t at first. But I can see how happy you two are, even if I don’t really get it.”
Turning to Len, Iris narrowed her gaze as if she were trying to read his thoughts. Len sat up straighter, refusing to give an inch.
“What do you want from him, Snart?” She ignored Barry’s hushed protests, waiting silently for an answer.
“What anyone wants from a relationship, I suppose. Comfort, affection, attention…” Len trailed off, gazing at Barry with soft eyes. “But what do I want? To make him happy. To wake up next to him each day. To have someone laugh at all my puns.”
He punctuated the last point with a wink, pulling a laugh from Barry, who leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Barry sighed happily and rested his head on Len’s shoulder, heart fit to bursting at the rare display of emotion out of his normally closed off lover.
“…Do you love him?”
“Iris!” Barry shot up from his position, glaring at Iris. They hadn’t said those words to each other yet, though Barry wanted to so badly, had to bite them back each day. “You can’t just-!”
“Yes.”
Barry whipped around to stare at Len, mouth dropping open in shock. Len was looking back at him, eyes firm but unable to hide a sliver of anxiety.
“You… do you mean that?”
“Yes.”
Len’s voice was little more than a whisper, jaw tight with tension. Barry leaned forward and kissed him, longing to wipe away any doubt that he felt the same. Len melted into him, gripping Barry’s shirt front and kissing back with languid presses of lips.
Pulling back, Barry rested his forehead against Len’s and sighed, smiling when Len rubbed their noses together.
“I love you, Len.”
It was barely audible, but Barry heard the breath catch in Len’s throat. He couldn’t hide his smile, pressing another quick kiss to Len’s lips.
“It’s weird that you two are so… cute.”
They jumped apart, having somehow forgotten that Iris was there. She looked between them for a moment before she settled on Len, pointing a finger at him with a considering look on her face.
“I don’t need to give you a shovel talk, do I?”
“I doubt yours would be any worse than Lisa or Mick’s was.” Len drawled, staring back at her blandly.
“Wha…” Barry blinked, and he and Iris blinked at Len, bewildered. “Mick and Lisa threatened… you? To not hurt… me?”
“Of course, Scarlet.” Len kissed the back of Barry’s hand, scoffing at the question. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. They’d kill me if I did anything to hurt you.”
Barry and Iris continued to stare at Len, wide eyed, as he smirked back. Finally, Iris clapped her hands and stood, gesturing at them as she walked towards the front door.
“Well it’s official, then!” She paused with her hand on the doorknob, keys in hand. “I’ll see you Friday night for family dinner? 7 o’clock?”
“Wha- both of us?” Barry gestured between him and Len with their connected hand, lightly jostling his boyfriend in the process.
“Of course! When else are you gonna tell Dad?”
The slam of the front door echoed throughout the apartment like a shockwave. Barry and Len could only sit on the couch, faces slack with horror at the realization of what they’d just gotten into.