Archive of Our Own

Being neighbors with Leonard Snart was, surprisingly, not difficult at all.  He was quiet and kept to himself.  No crazy visits from Rogues, or anyone else that was loud and unruly.  He was friendly enough when they would see each other. “Snart-Sightings”, as Barry liked to think of them, were usually a greeting of “Hey” or a “Scarlet” that included a nod, then they’d keep going about their business.

Barry seemed to see him quite often.  He was usually wearing a baseball hat, and sometimes glasses or sunglasses.  He had to laugh at how comic book logic about disguises actually seemed to be working for Len.  He wondered if he had truly not noticed the man around the neighborhood before, or if he noticed now simply because he was aware of the possibility of seeing him.

He and Charlie were doing the groceries in early December, and Barry had just put a box of hot chocolate in the cart.

“We can’t put up the Christmas tree tonight without hot chocolate. Right, Charlie?”

“Wight, Daddy.”

Len passed them as Barry was looking at the shelves, one hand on the cart, the other holding Charlie’s hand.  He put a bag of mini marshmallows in Barry’s cart without saying a word or stopping.  When he looked back, Charlie was looking at him. He put a finger to his lips and winked at her.  She smiled at him and waved.  He returned the gesture.

Barry had been confused, and quite suspicious, as he unpacked the groceries at home.  He looked at the front door as if he had x-ray vision and just shook his head as a small smile played on his lips.

Later that evening, Len had to laugh at the grunts and groans that he heard through the door as Barry, Eddie, and Joe tried to man-handle the tree into submission going up the steps leading to his apartment. It was accompanied by giggles from Charlie and Iris, who were standing at the top of the stairs waiting. He heard Iris say, “Told you we should have used the elevator.” And then someone else, probably Thawne, said something about it being too big. He almost looked out the peephole, but figured that might be a little too stalkerish. 

The entire month of December was throwing Len for a loop.  He would catch the sounds of Barry singing Christmas carols as he passed by his door.  Sometimes he even sang them as he was coming or going. He had a nice voice, and Len cursed himself for longing to hear it up close and in person.  

On Christmas Eve, Barry and Charlie knocked on Len’s door.  

When Len answered, he looked down at Charlie.  She was dressed in her Christmas pajamas and she was looking very sleepy with a wrapped plate of cookies tilting in her tired grip. 

Len smiled softly, “Don’t you look festive.”  

When Len looked back up at Barry, who was also in Christmas pajamas, he was surprised by the calmness and peacefulness on the man’s face, since he was, after all, standing with his daughter at a criminal’s doorstep.

Barry had been looking down at Charlie, but when he looked up and their eyes met, he said, “Charlie and I made cookies for Santa.  We had a lot of extras and wondered if you’d like some?”

Len raised a surprised brow, holding eye contact for a moment, then looking back down at Charlie.  “Are those for me, Charlie?”

“Yep.  Chocolate chip.  Daddy said they’re Santa’s favwit.” She leaned against Barry’s leg.  Not because she was afraid, but because she was so very tired. It had been an exciting day as they had gotten ready for Santa.

“That’s right,” Len said as he squatted down to her level. “Santa has good taste.  They’re my favorite too.” He held his hands out and Charlie put the plate on them, then wrapped her arms around Barry’s leg.  Len stood, “You better get to bed, Charlie.  Santa’s already started his rounds, and he’ll be in Central pretty soon.  Thank you for the cookies.”

“Welcome,” She said through a yawn, making Len and Barry both chuckle.

Barry bent down to pick her up.  He smiled warmly at Len, and just before he turned around, said, “Merry Christmas, Len.”

Len inclined his head, “Merry Christmas, Barry and Charlie.”

He watched Barry walk back into his apartment that looked fully decorated and warm with holiday spirit.  Charlie had her head on Barry’s shoulder already, eyes sliding closed.  The only thing Len could think at the moment was how lucky Charlie was to have Barry Allen as a father.

Lisa and Mick came over to Len’s the next day for their Christmas celebration, even though Len and Lisa were Jewish.  They had never had much of a “faith” one way or another.  It was more like being told what you were and that was that when they were kids. Lisa had always preferred Christmas, simply because of the hoopla surrounding it.  Len didn’t care either way, as long as Lisa was happy.

Mick was bringing in the bags of food he was going to prepare and set them on the counter.  He noticed the plate of cookies.  

“You baked, Snart?”

Lisa looked intrigued. She loved when her brother baked, since he was really good at it.

“No.  My neighbor and his daughter brought them to me last night.  They had extra when they made cookies for Santa.”

“Awe.  That was sweet.”  Lisa was watching Len closely.  There was something in his voice when he told them that.

“Hope they’re good,” was all Mick had said.

“They are.  I had a couple last night.”

“So what’s this neighbor like?” Lisa asked her not-at-all-innocent tone.

Len glared at her, “He’s a good dad… Young, probably straight, and totally not interested in an old thief like me.  Drop it, Lis.” 

“So no mom involved?”

“She passed away, but they weren’t together.”

“You’re friendly enough with this guy that you know that?”

Len shrugged, “We’ve talked some.  Drop it, Lisa.”

“I didn’t say anything!” she said in mock offense.  “And you’re not old, by the way.  40 is the new 30.”

“Mhmm. If we’re taking ten years off, then that would make him a teenager, which is too young.”

“You should let him decide that,” Mick said, not looking up from starting to prepare dinner.

Len looked at him as if he betrayed him, “Mick!  Not you, too!”

“What’s the kid like?” Lisa asked.

Len shrugged again, “I don’t know.  She’s cute as a fucking button. Young. Maybe 4 or 5.  Can’t pronounce her R’s correctly half the time, just like you when you were a kid.” He sighed, “Look, it was just a nice gesture.  Can we please drop it now?”

“We just want you to be happy, Lenny.” He looked at her sternly. “Okay, okay,” she laughed. “Consider it dropped.”

Len doubted it.

Len had just gotten his coffee at Jitters on New Year’s Day when he noticed Barry and Charlie sitting at a table near the back entrance. Charlie was eating a muffin and Barry was drinking his coffee as the two of them talked quietly.  

Once his coffee was in hand, he started heading towards the door.  When he glanced over at their table, Barry was looking at him.  He gave a little smile and nod, which Barry returned.  It was Charlie that made him stop.  She had turned to see who her dad had smiled at and when she saw Len, she smiled too.

He couldn’t help but smile back.

He approached their table and addressed Charlie first, “Did Santa seem to like his cookies?”

She lit up and nodded quickly, curls bouncing adorably as she did. “He ate allllll of them!”

“Well, if they were as good as mine, then I can’t blame him. They were probably the best he had all night.” Charlie beamed.

“Did you have a nice holiday, Len?” Barry asked, gesturing to the empty seat perpendicular to himself and across from Charlie.

Len hesitated a moment, but sat, honored in a way that struck him by surprise, at how Barry must like and trust him enough to ask him to join him with Charlie present,  “I did.  Mick and Lisa came over for Christmas. They also enjoyed your cookies. And now I’m nursing a hangover from having too many of Mick’s secret cocktails last night.”

“Who‘s Lisa and Mick?” Charlie asked, looking at Len.

The way she spoke sometimes made Len think she seemed older than she was. It wasn’t  always what she said, but how she said it. If she was anything like her dad, she must be pretty smart. “Lisa is my sister, and Mick is my best friend.”

“My best fwend is Zoey.  She likes unicowns too, just like me.”

“Mm, unicorns are very special.  All of their magic is in their horn.  Did you know that?”

Charlie’s eyes got huge and she shook her head.  Len couldn’t help but smirk at how much she looked like her dad with that expression.  He nodded, “That’s why no one has ever been able to catch one.  They can magically disappear when they want to.”

“Wow!” Charlie smiled.  

Barry sat and watched the two of them interact as he sipped his coffee.  He shouldn’t be surprised that Len was good with kids, since he practically raised Lisa himself.  But the softness of his voice when he spoke to her, and the fond look he gave her… It was doing something to Barry, and he wasn’t sure how he felt about it.  

He had always been attracted to Len.  He was a beautiful man, yes, but what attracted Barry to him the most was his intelligence.  The man could outsmart most, which is why, before superheros were a real thing, Len was never caught after he got out from under his father’s thumb.

He was also attracted to Len’s sense of humor.  Most people found the puns corny, even cringy at times, but Barry thought they were hilarious.  He had always… enjoyed their little battle of the wits when he and Len went toe to toe.  Now, having an occasional conversations with him that didn’t involve trying to stop his nefarious ways, well, that was icing on the beautiful cake that was Leonard Snart.  

Now Barry just had to decide how hungry he actually was.  

The real answer was, he was starving.  He was starving for adult companionship.  For touch. For love.  Sure, he got love from Charlie that was utterly unconditional, but that didn’t mean he didn’t crave a partnership.  A lover.  But he needed someone faithful, trustworthy, and kind.  Was that really Leonard Snart?  As much as Barry could see the good in Len, he doubted it. He knew Len could be those things to Lisa and Mick, but he wasn’t sure they were on the same side enough that he could be those things to him, too.  Especially now that he had Charlie to consider.  Whoever he ended up with would have to want what was best for both of them.

He had to push these budding feelings aside before they became a problem.  

The next time Len saw Barry, it was not good.  He had just finished doing his laundry in the laundry room that their floor of the apartment complex shared. It was just before 8 in the evening on a Wednesday, so it was just a humdrum kind of night.  Nothing exciting was happening.  So he thought.  He had his basket in front of him as he walked out of the open door, directly across the hall from the rarely used elevator.  Then a ding was heard, and the door to the elevator slid open to reveal a terribly beat up Barry Allen.

Barry had been called into a meta fight that evening.  Iris had rushed over to watch Charlie, and he made it to the scene of the fight just in time to save Vibe. This meta was strong and powerful.  It’s full powers were unknown at that time, but Barry was on the losing end of this round.  When he could barely stand, he forced himself and Vibe to bail, and he headed straight back to Charlie.  He always had to come home to her, no matter what.  He couldn’t be as self-sacrificing as he was before her.  

Len dropped the basket at his side and rushed toward Barry as he stumbled out of the elevator.  He caught him around the waist, supporting him, upper body to upper body, before he could collapse.  He shifted them so he could move one of Barry’s arms around his own shoulder to support him, “Jesus, Barry, what the hell happened?”

“Meta.”

“Obviously.  Why aren’t you at the labs with Dr. Snow?  She needs to take a look at your injuries.”  They were slowly walking toward their end of the hallway, Barry barely able to use his left leg.

“Need to be with Charlie.”

“Not right now, you don’t.  She can’t see you like this, it'll scare the crap out of her.”

Barry paused his steps, leaning heavily on Len. Why hadn’t he thought of that? He took a shaky, miserable, breath, like he was going to break down at any moment. He started to say something, but couldn’t.  He was frozen, ironically, leaning against Captain Cold for support.

“Come on, Scarlet, let’s get you inside.”

Barry frowned in confusion.  Len had just said that he shouldn’t go inside to Charlie. And he was right.  Barry had just been desperate to get home to his girl.  But then Len was leading him to his own door.  Huh.  He was going to find refuge… in Leonard Snart’s apartment.  The night just kept getting weirder. But then again, this didn’t surprise Barry when his brain caught up. Not really.  They have developed a sort of friendship now.  So this, he could accept.

Len helped him to the couch.  He surveyed Barry as he laid there.  He was wearing his Flash suit, but the cowl was pulled down, and he was wearing a sweatshirt over the top part of the suit.  

“Where’d you get the shirt?”

Barry smirked a little, “Stole it.”

Len couldn’t help but huff out a laugh at that. “Shame on you, Scarlet. I couldn’t get you to join the Rogues, so you go freelancing on me instead?”

“You never asked.  Can’t have what you don’t ask for.” 

Every word Len had said had been laced with worry, because every word Barry had said had been through strained control and gritted teeth, even if they were a bit flirty.

“Timing wasn’t right then.  You know how I am with my timing.”

Barry hummed in confirmation.

“Just stay put.  I’ll be right back.” He quickly went to his bathroom to get a fresh washcloth and a first aid kit.  When he got back, Barry hadn’t moved in the slightest, though there were fresh tear tracks on his cheeks.  Len spoke gently, more so than Barry had ever heard, “I need you to take off as much of your clothes as you’re comfortable with.”

Barry sat up a bit with a groan and Len helped him take off the sweatshirt.  He was having a hard time raising his arms above his head, so there were probably some broken or bruised ribs.  Barry found the zipper of the top part of his suit and unzipped it.  When he pulled it apart as far as he could, he heard Len gasp. 

“Shit, Barry.”  He was black and blue nearly all over. “Can we call Dr. Snow?  Was she injured?”

“Wasn’t there. Night off,” Barry answered with ragged breaths.  “She’s probably with Cisco.”

“Where’s your phone?”

“Labs.”

“Damnit,” Len muttered.

He sat on the edge of the couch and tended to the wounds that he knew he could help with. It was intimate in a way that was unexpected, dabbing a cloth on Barry’s busted lip, and a cut on his cheek.  He put medicine on the open wounds, then got him ice for the black eye then returned to sitting on the edge of the couch by Barry’s waist.  “As much as I want to wrap your ribs, I really don’t think I should until the doc sees them.  What about your ankle?  Or is it your leg?”

Barry had been watching Len the entire time he worked on him. He watched the careful movements, concerned looks, and felt the gentle touches.  He was in so much pain, but this was almost just as painful - that he couldn’t have this all the time. Without the injury part, of course.

“Scarlet?  You with me?” Len asked, placing a gentle hand on Barry’s uninjured cheek.  

Barry covered Len’s hand with his own and nodded as they looked each other in the eye. Len let himself indulge, just a little, and caressed the skin of Barry’s cheek with his thumb. He pulled himself out of their little trance when he thought about the fact that Barry was probably just in a lot of pain and was desperate for help. He needed to get him better so he could get home to his daughter.  

He took a deep breath before removing his hand, “Is Iris with Charlie?”  Barry nodded.  “Okay.  This might make things complicated, and probably difficult for you come tomorrow, but how about I go over and ask her to put Charlie to bed for you?” He looked at his watch, “It should be about that time anyway.  Then I can help get you over to your own bed while Iris calls Dr. Snow. I’m sure you’ll be well enough for Charlie to see in the morning, right?  Sound good?”

Barry nodded.  As soon as Len was on his feet, Barry grabbed his wrist.  He looked up at his one-time nemesis, “Thank you.”

Len twisted his arm until they were holding hands.  “You’re welcome.”  He gave a little squeeze and headed towards the door. 

“Oh, Len.”

“Yeah?” He turned to look back in Barry’s direction.

“Tell Iris I told you to tell her ‘it’s the steel trap’s downfall’ .  Otherwise, she’ll never even open the door for you.”  

“Got it.” He’d have to ask the meaning of that phrase someday, but not right now.

Len closed his own door, then walked the few steps it took to get to Barry’s door and knocked.  He listened closely and heard footsteps as Iris approached.  There was a pause, then he was pretty sure he heard a gasp. So before she had the chance to back away, he quickly said, “Barry said to tell you that ‘it’s a steel trap’s downfall’ , Ms. West.  Please open the door. I promise I mean no harm.”

After a moment, he heard some beeping, which pleased him, since it meant that Iris had set the alarm, then the door slowly creaked open.  Iris looked up at him from the few inches she had allowed the opening to be, “Where’s Barry?”

“Barry needs you to put Charlie to bed now.”

Iris narrowed her eyes at the fact that not only was Captain Cold at Barry’s door, but he also knew about his daughter.  What the hell? And that’s exactly what she said. “What the hell?”

He spoke in hushed tones, “Yes, I know about Charlie.  I live right across the hall- a fact that you will keep to yourself- and Barry and I have been on good terms for a while now.  Charlie even knows me, shared Christmas cookies with me, and calls me Len.” He lowered his voice even more, “Now, I found Barry getting off the elevator looking like he’d been put through the ringer.  His phone is at the labs, so what we need you to do is put Charlie to bed so she doesn’t see him like this, then call Dr. Snow.  I’ll bring him over as soon as I know Charlie won’t see her father looking like he went three rounds with Mike Tyson.”

Iris looked…shocked….at all of it; Snart living next door, knowing who Charlie was, apparently having Barry in his apartment, and even having a plan for how to work all of this out.  She looked at the door across the hall and pointed to it with a raised brow. 

He nodded his confirmation.

“Who is it, Aunt Iwis?”  Charlie said from behind Iris, obviously trying to push through her legs to get a good view of who was on the other side.  

Len looked Iris in the eyes and nodded.  

Iris sighed and moved a little so Charlie could see.  She watched as Charlie’s face lit up as she smiled.  

“Hi Len!”

He smiled at her, “Hi Charlie.  I was just telling Iris that I saw your daddy earlier.  He said he was running late at work and that Iris should go ahead and put you to bed. He said Iris would read you your favorite book and that he would make you pancakes in the morning.”

Charlie smiled, “I love Daddy’s pancakes!”

“Well if they’re anywhere near as good as Santa’s cookies, I’m sure they’re fantastic.”

Charlie nodded, “Goodnight, Len.” She turned and walked away.

“Night’, Charlie,” he called to her.

Iris looked completely baffled, but looked at Len and nodded, “Give us at least 20 minutes, but be really quiet when you come in.”

Len nodded and walked away as she closed the door.  He paused before he opened his own door, then turned to go down the hall to grab his forgotten basket of laundry.  Luckily, it was still there, untouched. 

When he got back to Barry, the speedster hadn’t moved much.  He seemed a little more alert and in a little less pain, but not much.  “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a bus instead of a train.  So that’s an improvement, right?  How did it go?”

“She had set the alarm, which I’m happy about.  She opened after I told her what you wanted me to.  Charlie pushed her way through and helped confirm that I wasn’t there to hurt them.  Not that I ever would.”

Barry nodded and sighed, “I know you wouldn’t, but remember, Iris still thinks of you as the guy who kidnapped two of our friends.  On separate occasions.”

“And you don’t?” He waited on baited breath for a response.

“I don’t.  But I don’t know exactly what I think, either.”

“I’m complicated, I know.”

“You are,” Barry gave a dry chuckle.  “But complicated doesn’t always equal bad, Len.  We all have good and evil in us.  It’s a matter of which one wins.”

“You have evil in you?” Len knew some of the bad in Barry.  It made him respect how good he was even more than he would someone who showed no sign of any evil at all.

“I imprisoned people without due process. Yes, I have evil in me.”

Len could tell that talking was hurting Barry, probably in his ribs, so he dropped the conversation after a nod of agreement.

After a few minutes of silence, Barry quietly asked, “Did Charlie seem upset?”

“Not after I promised her you’d make her pancakes in the morning,” Len smirked.  

Barry shook his head as a small smile curled on his lips, “Of course you did.”

When it had been twenty minutes, Len stood from his chair and approached the couch.  He stretched out an offered hand, “Ready?”

Barry nodded and grabbed Len’s hand.  He made some pained noises as he was pulled to his feet, then Len pulled Barry’s arm around his own shoulders before they made their way across the hall.  Len slowly and quietly cracked open the door and listened.  When he heard nothing, he opened it fully and helped Barry inside.  He assumed Barry’s room location mirrored his own, so they headed straight there.  

He gently sat Barry down on the bed, then helped him turn and get his feet up.  “What else can I do for you, Scarlet?”

Iris gently closed the door to Charlie’s room as she came into the hallway.  When she peaked into Barry’s room she gasped.  Len was there, taking off the rest of Barry’s Flash suit. Barry didn’t even look at her as he tried to wiggle his way out of the legs without causing too much pain.

“Just hold still and let me do it,” Len said as he gently pulled the pant leg over the part of Barry’s leg that was hurt.  He turned to Iris, “Was the gasp at the fact that Barry looks like shit, or was it because I’m getting him naked?”

Barry chuckled.  He couldn’t help it.  Len looked back at him with a half smile and bounced his eyebrows.

Iris shook her head, “Both?  I mean, this is not something I would have ever thought I’d see.” She stepped in closer, “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty much how I look.”

She nodded, “Caitlin is taking care of Cisco at the labs.  She’ll be here as fast as -” She was interrupted by her phone ringing.  She answered quickly.

Barry watched her as her expression changed to near panic.  “What’s wrong!?”  He tried to sit up, but Len gently pushed him back down.

Iris shakily pulled her phone away from her ear and hung up as tears flowed down her cheeks, “I gotta go. Eddie’s in the hospital.” She seemed to be in shock.  

“I’ll call you a cab.  You shouldn’t be driving while you’re upset,” Len said, immediately doing what he said he would.

“What happened?  Was it the meta?” Barry asked worriedly.  “Is Joe okay?”

She nodded, “Yes, the same meta.  Dad is fine.  He said Eddie is in pretty bad shape.  Oh god,” Iris began to sob and sat down on the edge of Barry’s bed.  

He quickly grabbed her hand, “Shhh, It’s going to be okay.  Eddie is strong. And I’ll be on my feet soon, and I’ll take care of the meta. I promise.”

A few minutes later, Barry had managed to get Iris to stop crying, and Len had gotten Barry another pack of ice for his eye and leg. Len checked his phone as he went back into Barry’s bedroom, “Iris, your cab is here.”

She looked up at him, “Thank you.” She looked back at Barry, unsure of what to do.

“Go.  I’ll be fine.  Give Eddie a hug for me and tell him I’ll be in to see him tomorrow.”

She nodded and bent down to kiss Barry on the forehead.  She stood and paused, unsure of what to say to Leonard.  Finally, she said, “Thanks again.  Take care of him for me.”

Len nodded as she passed him, then turned back to Barry once Iris was out the door, “Well, that went better than expected in some ways.  She didn’t shoot me.”

“It’s progress.”

“Tell me about this meta.”

“Can you reset the alarm first?”

“Of course.”  Len went to activate the alarm, then got an uneasy feeling.  When he returned, he was frowning, “Are you nervous about the meta coming here, or was that just a habit at this point?”

“Both,” Barry sighed.

A breach opened in Barry’s living room, and Len noticed the light.  He immediately went to the door, completely on guard.  He relaxed when he saw Dr. Snow.  He jerked his head towards Barry’s bedroom and she nodded silently.  Iris had told her to expect Leonard, so she wasn’t surprised. 

When she entered, Barry had the sheets and blankets down around his waist.  His bruised ribs were on display and she shook her head, “That maniac did a number on you.  How are you feeling?”

“Fine.  How’s Cisco?”

Caitlin heard Leonard scoff at Barry’s answer.  She turned to him, “Don’t worry, I know he’s lying.” She turned back to Barry, “Cisco will be out of the game for a few days since he doesn't speed heal like you, but he’ll be okay.  He broke his wrist, but other than that, he’ll be back at it by next week at the latest.”

“Good.  It was a close call. I got there just in time.  He could have been killed.”

“You could have been, too,” Len said as he stood at the foot of Barry’s bed with his arms crossed. “What’s with this meta? What are his powers?”

“Not completely sure yet.  Strength.  He’s fast, but not speedster fast.  He’s big.  Like, maybe 7 feet, muscular, and mean.  I don’t know about any other powers.  He didn’t seem to need much other than strength.”

“Barry,” Caitlin said cautiously, “Cisco said the guy called you by your first name.”

Len frowned as Barry looked at Caitlin and lost all of the color that was left in his face. 

“I…I didn’t hear that. Oh my god.”

Len didn’t hesitate.  “I’m going to get my cold gun and make a few phone calls.  I’ll be back.”  He left before anyone could say a word.

When he got back, went straight to Barry’s room.  Caitlin had wrapped his ribs and leg and was headed back to the labs, so now all Barry could do was wait to heal.  

“Where did you go?”

He sat on the edge of Barry’s bed, “Called the Rogues.  Mick and Lisa are going to keep watch outside our building throughout the night, and Mardon, Boo, Piper, and Axel are going to keep a lookout for him around the city.  I’m planting myself on your couch so that you and Charlie can be safe while you can rest and heal.”

Barry was so touched. “You don’t have to do that,” he whispered.

Len decided honesty was the best policy in this case. “I do, actually.  I told you I wouldn’t hurt Charlie, but that I also wouldn’t let anyone else hurt her either. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something happened to her. Or you, for that matter. She’s already lost one parent, she can’t lose both. I kinda like not fighting you.” There was a lot unsaid, and they could both feel it.  Len took a deep breath and carried on, “If this guy knows your name, that’s not a good sign. You know as well as I do, that with a name, he can easily have an address. You can’t argue with me about this, Barry. I’m staying.”

Barry shook his head, “I won’t.  Thank you, Len.  I can’t tell you how much better it makes me feel.”

Len nodded, “Good. Now get some sleep.” He started to head out to the living room when Barry called out to him.  He stopped and turned towards his former nemesis.

“Will you please check in on Charlie?  It would really ease my mind.”

“Sure, Scarlet.”  He closed Barry’s door and took another deep breath.  That was…heartwarming.  Barry wasn’t fighting him about staying and was even grateful.  The fact that he wanted him to check in on his daughter was just making the feeling even better.   

He approached Charlie’s door and listened carefully.  When all he got was silence, he slowly opened the door and peeked inside.  He smiled at the mop of curls on the pillow and the peaceful, innocent look on the sleeping angel.  He looked around the room at the unicorn theme and remembered his adorable conversation with her at Jitters.  When he looked back at her, he silently made a promise that he would do anything to protect her.  Even if it made him break his no-kill promise he had with Barry. 

He closed the door to Charlie’s room, then went and sat on the couch with his cold gun in his lap. Restless, he went to the windows and looked out, checking the view and noting any potential hiding spots for someone with less than ideal goals.  He turned back and noted the surroundings in the room, studying it like a map.  

He noted Charlie’s toy box in the corner, and her play kitchen by the dining area.  He noted the bookshelves that flanked the entertainment unit, the entryways to the other rooms, furniture placement, and decor.  If someone were to break in, he wanted to have the advantage of knowing his surroundings better than they did.

When he was satisfied, he sat back down on the couch and let his mind wander a bit.  Sitting on the Flash’s couch, keeping watch as he protected the superhero and his daughter, was not where he thought he’d be. An evil meta was the last thing he wanted Barry to have to deal with, but if he was allowed to help in any way, he was going to take that as a win.

The sun was rising and Len had just gotten off the phone when he heard the pitter patter of little feet.  He quickly slid the cold gun under the couch and made his way to the kitchen.  He smiled slightly as he heard Charlie’s door open and the pitter patter became faster as she rushed across the hall to the bathroom.  

Len was getting out the pan and some pancake mix when he heard footsteps that could only be Barry’s.  

“Don’t forget to wash your hands, Sweet Pea,” Barry called through the door.  He rounded the corner into the open kitchen wearing a t-shirt and sweats, only limping slightly. His smile was small, but warm, “Morning.”

“Good morning.” Len turned to face him, “You know, for some reason I would have thought that it would have taken a lot more to wake you up.”

Barry smiled, “Before Charlie, it would have.  My ‘Parental Alert System’ won’t allow that anymore.”

Len smirked and nodded towards the stuff he had gotten out, “You have pancakes to make.”

Barry nodded, “I do.  You’re staying, right?”

Len hesitated, but Barry looked…hopeful.  How did puppy dog eyes work on a guy in his late 20’s?  He narrowed his eyes, “That’s not fair.”

Barry frowned asked with an innocence that was very Lisa-like, “What’s not fair?”

“The puppy dog eyes.  You’ve never used those on me before.”

Barry smiled a thousand watt smile and raised his brows, “Did they work?”

Len sighed, “Fine. They worked.”

Barry chuckled and got busy on the pancakes.  

When Charlie came into the room, she smiled at Len, “Hi!”

Len watched her go straight to Barry, who picked her up to hug her and kiss her on the head. “Hi, Charlie. I hope it’s okay if I have some of your Daddy’s yummy pancakes too?”

“Yeah!” She pulled on Barry’s shirt after he put her down. She always did that when she wanted to sit on the counter.  He turned and picked her up to sit her just far enough away that she wouldn’t be able to reach the burners on the oven.  

“You want to help me mix, Charlie Girl?”

“Yeah, Daddy.” 

He handed her a bowl of pancake mix, “Try to get all the lumps out.  Smoosh them and then stir them in.”

Len couldn’t help the small smile he had when he watched Charlie bite her bottom lip as she concentrated on her job.  He focused on Barry, “Hear anything yet?”

“Nothing.  You?”

“Yeah.  It’s taken care of.”

Barry turned so fast, it was almost at superspeed, “What do you mean?” He looked like he was so hopeful, but it was tinged with a bit of worry.

Len held up his hands, “Don’t worry. The problem will be safely tucked into its own cozy 6 by 8 soon enough.  Shawna dropped em’ off at the precinct about fifteen minutes ago.” He almost laughed at the looks he imagined on the cops faces when Peek-a-Boo poofed in with a suspect.

“How?”

He shrugged, “Mark and Shawna make a good team.  He distracted while she poofed in with some lifted dampener cuffs. He may be a little worse for wear, but she dropped him off at the precinct just before you woke up.”

The relief that washed over Barry was palpable.  “Thank you.”

Len nodded, but had to look away, “Of course.”

Barry cleared his throat and turned to his daughter, “Is it ready yet, Charlie?”

“Mhmm,” she hummed around a finger full of pancake batter. 

Barry bopped her nose with a finger as he grabbed the bowl with the other hand, “Hey!” he laughed, “We need that for the pancakes.” She giggled as he turned to Len, “Chocolate chip, blueberry, or plain?”

“I like all three, so I’m game for anything.”

Barry looked at Charlie, “Hmm.  Chocolate Chip?”

“Yum,” Charlie answered.

Barry was getting the bag of chocolate when his phone alerted him to a text message.  He reached for it and read it while he worked at adding the chips to the batter. 

“Everything okay?”

Barry glanced up at Len quickly, “Yeah.  Yeah, just a text from my captain.  He said to take the morning off and go see Eddie once I’m feeling up to it.  He said Eddie’s doing well and that things are all under control at the station, though he seemed a bit confused.”

“Does he know?” The captain’s text seemed to elude to undertone of him knowing Barry was the Flash.  Why else would he say “when you’re up to it” if he wasn’t aware that Barry had been injured?

“Yeah, he figured it out once I stopped making so many appearances.” Barry nodded towards Charlie, indicating that he meant that the Flash stopped showing up so much after Charlie came into his life. “That and Vibe is pretty easy to recognize.  He pieced it all together and confronted me about it a couple months ago.  I kinda wish I had told him from the beginning. It would have made my two roles so much easier.”

“I’m sure it would have.”

“Flip it, Daddy!”

Barry smiled and flipped the pancake into the air from the pan. Charlie clapped a couple of times, then brought her shoulders up to her ears as she smiled.  Len couldn’t help but smile too.  As he caught himself doing it, he realized that, since getting to know Barry and Charlie better, he hadn’t smiled so much in probably his entire life. The thought was unsettling.  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be around them, it was that he did. He wanted a lot. He had to get his feelings under control before he messed up this blossoming friendship.  

Once the pancakes were made, the three of them sat down to eat.  They mostly talked about what Charlie was learning in school and what she was looking forward to in class and playtime today.  

When she was finished eating, Barry looked at her and asked, “Do you know what you’re wearing today?”

“Yeah, Aunt Iwis helped me pick out my outfit last night.”

“Okay, good.  Go brush your teeth first, then get dressed.  I’ll fix your hair when you're done.”

“M’kay.” She took off down the hall.  

“I’m gonna go while I can get my gun out unnoticed.” Len took his plate to the sink, but when he turned around, Barry was blocking his way. He stood and waited for Barry to say something, since it was obvious that he wanted to.

Barry stuck his hands in his pockets to keep from fidgeting too much, “Len… I don’t even know where to begin in thanking you.  I don’t know what I would’ve done if…”

“Hey.” Len took a couple of steps closer, “Don’t even think about that. If you ever need me, Scarlet, you know where to find me.  Please don’t hesitate.”

Barry had tears in his eyes that he was willing to not spill over.  He nodded, “Okay.  Thanks.” 

He stepped aside and Len put his hand on his shoulder as he walked past him.  He reached for the cold gun under the couch and headed for the door.  He looked back, and raised his voice, “Bye Charlie!”  He smiled a bit when she yelled ‘bye’ back.  He looked at Barry, who was now standing next to the door, “See ya around, Barry.”

Barry nodded, but caught Len’s arm as he tried to walk out.  Len looked at him questioningly.  Barry let his hand slide down Len’s arm until their hands caught.  He held on tightly for a moment, then gave a little squeeze before letting go.  Barry’s stomach did a little flip, but he had no words that could really do what he was feeling any justice.

Len gave a subtle nod and headed to his own door.  When he closed it behind him, he leaned against it, finally able to breathe again.