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Barry really thought he'd finally gotten through all the time issues he could handle. This was a new one.
"I'm here to kill Eobard Thawne."
Said speedster was on the floor with what looked like a dagger lodged in his leg. The female held a gun in one hand, and strapped back an extra knife at the side in her pouch.
When the alarms in Star Labs went off, they all reacted. No one expected to see Eobard on the floor. Barry was a bit impressed that you were even able to land a blow, much less leave him in such a state.
You stood over Eobard with the gun aimed at his head. Barry had his hands out.
"Not that I'm against putting down a bad guy, but how did you get in here?" Cisco questions. Eobard sent a glare at the engineer.
"Let's all take a step back and talk." Barry says with his hands raised.
You frown.
"I don't have any business with you Barry Allen." Barry's hands lowered, looking a little more guarded.
"You know who I am?"
You nod, and Eobard huffs.
"I don't think that's the biggest issue here!!"
Right.
Harry still had his weapon aimed in your direction. Caitlin swallows, and Cisco takes a step back.
"Why do you want Thawne dead?"
He could understand that Eobard probably pissed off a lot of people in his time. After his last escapade, Barry had locked him in the pipeline until they could figure out how to stop him permanently. He was getting tired of the speedster coming back and raining havoc.
"It's nothing personal, there's a bounty for his head in my time. Dead or alive. I'm a bounty hunter. Given his record I figured it'd be easier if he wasn't breathing." You cocked the gun and Barry flinched.
"W-Wait!!"
Titling your head, you're a bit confused.
"Why do you care what happens to him, he's your enemy."
Hell, of course he wanted Eobard to pay, but he could never truly bring himself to kill the speedster. A part of him still wonders if it's possible to save him, even if he seems far gone.
"I think the better question is how you managed to stop him with just a blade." Cisco marvels. You smile proudly.
"There's a power dampener in the blade. I made it myself. " You pull out the other one to show him and Cisco approaches.
"Damn girl that's sick." You smile.
"Thank you."
"Ramon!" Harry calls annoyed. He coughs,
"Oh yeah, sorry." Harry rolls his eyes.
"We can't let you kill him, I'm sorry." Barry finally removes his cowl. You watch him for a few seconds, a bit lost.
"I really don't understand you. I know you're a hero. In my time you're worshiped but this is..it's crazy. He killed your mother."
Barry doesn't need the reminder. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't wonder what it would be like if his mother was still alive. A part of him is fortunate for the time he had during his mistake creating flashpoint.
"I believe that he can change." Eobard chuckles.
"You must be more of a fool than I thought Barry."
"Not helping." Barry grumbles.
You study Barry for a moment, and you can actually see the pleading in his eyes. You lower your gun, taken by the compassion he's willing to show a man who'd literally taken everything from him.
"Fine."
You holster your weapon, and Barry relaxes.
"I have a few other bounties that I can catch, and honestly no one really thinks they can actually catch this guy. It's not like I'm disappointing anyone."
"So you're going back to your time." You shook your head.
"Nope. Eobard here has a month to prove that he can change. If he can't then I'm going to put a bullet in his head."
Cisco swallows.
"T-That's seems a bit extreme."
"Necessary."
Eobard's heated gaze is now firmly planted on you. He's still very much bleeding on the floor. You walk over, yanking the blade roughly out of his leg, he grunts, hissing. The second he's up, he tries to rush at you. He yells in pain when he receives a shock. His body hits the floor, and he looks up disoriented.
You smile, tapping on your watch.
"I'd advised against making any stupid decisions. I'm fully equipped to handle anything you throw at me. I'm not the committee's best hunter for nothing. My nickname's Kraven. Kind of old school, but if you ask me, I usually live up to the hype."
Barry feels like he's just walked into a whole different situation. You turn back to the hero.
"I'm not trying to put you in a tough spot. I don't take pleasure in killing people. Truthfully I've only killed a select few of my targets. The ones I viewed as true monsters. I respect what you do, and I know what you stand for. You'd never take a life. If it comes down to many others losing their lives, then I'm willing to make that sacrifice. My humanity for the wellbeing of many others. It doesn't sound that bad to me."
On a level, Barry can relate. You sound an awful lot like Oliver. You step closer, holding out your hand.
"Do we have a deal?"
He wasn't one to put someone's life on such a bargain, but he didn't really have a choice. It's clear that you were going to do it with or without his consent. If it gets to that, maybe he'll be able to persuade you to give Eobard more time. He takes your hand, shaking it.
"Deal."
Eobard groans, dropping his head on the floor.
"Just great."
~Week One~
"Barry the kids!!"
Caitlin's yell over the coms has him reeling. He's currently trying to get all the employee's out of a flaming building.
"I'm tied up, Thawne!"
"Why should I save the little menaces? It should be common sense that if a building is coming down you avoid the area."
"THAWNE!!"
He speeds over, and the two children are moved out of the general area, now standing in a park. You're sitting in the cortex with your feet propped up on the desk, gobbling down a burger.
"These are so good." You hum. Caitlin and Cisco send you a look from the desk.
"Is there a lack of beef in the future?" The engineer asked.
"Don't worry about it, if Eobard doesn't become a good guy, beef shortages will be the least of your problems trust me." Cisco raises a brow, but you just go back to snacking. Eobard comes racing back into the cortex with a deep frown.
"Are you happy?"
"You saved two kids, good work. Still not enough to let you off the hook."
His eyes turn red, and he raises a vibrating hand. He doesn't make it within ten feet of you before his knees buckle. He groans at the shock that runs through his body. Barry slides into the lab, noticing the male buckled in pain on the floor.
"Two points deducted for going all dark. You're back at zero Thawne. Gotta do better." You stretch casually.
"Well I'm gonna get some more of those burgers." You smile making an exit, and Eobard growls.
"I hate that woman."
"I don't know, she's kind of growing on me." Cisco pipes in with a grin. It was nice seeing the speedster at a disadvantage for once.
~Week Two~
"Barry, you have to steer the wave away!"
"Got it!"
He's about to pull the tsunami in the other direction, the sparks of his speed hitting off the water. In times like this, he knew he'd have to call Eobard. He's just about to do that, but there's a rip of red torrents on his right side. Eobard is running on pace with him, and Barry grins as they both manipulate the water. A few seconds of running, and it's pushed back, out of harm's way. Barry's feet touch the ground, and the citizens in the background are cheering. Eobard comes not long after, eyes looking at the water that has now evened out.
"Good jo-"
Eobard is gone again, and Barry just turns, following. When they make it back to the lab, Barry and Eobard are walking through the hallways.
"You saved the day. They were cheering for us." Eobard spins around, the red now prominent in his orbs.
"You! They were cheering for you Barry. Know the difference."
His words are spat out with venom. He turns quickly. They both seem oblivious to your form standing behind the pillar, listening to the conversation. You smile, looking down at your feet as you walk away.
~Week Three~
Typing at the computer, you smile. You'd assured Team Flash that you would hold down the fort so they could have a night to themselves. There was very little objection since they really looked like they needed the break. You assume you have the place to yourself, but the sound of feet walking through the cortex has you looking up. You smirk, and the male glares.
"Come to plan something devious Eobard?" You tease.
"I was hoping you would be gone."
"Sorry to disappoint."
You just offer a smile, and he keeps his eyes on you as he walks over to see what you're doing. He does it so cautiously. You know he's a little worried you'd zap him again.
"Stand down, as long as you're a good boy I won't hurt you." His eyes stay planted on the text, the foreign inscriptions easy for him to read.
"You're sending a message to your family."
You click on your computer, nodding as you send in the last message.
"My siblings miss their older sister. They're pretty much grown now, but they are still worried." He doesn't truly say anything, but his eyes are still planted where you once had your laptop. A part of you wonders if he has family somewhere. He's still human at the end of the day, despite the many bad choices that he's made in life.
"Did you have someone waiting for you back home? Before the whole villain thing I mean." He's silent, and from the look on his face, it's like he's reminiscing.
"No, no one."
This time he looks at you, and you could have been mistaken, but he looks...lonely.
"What's stopping you from getting that now?"
There's a brief change, anger you presume.
"Are you mocking me!"
"I'm asking you a question."
You sigh. His temper really needed some work.
"Those people that you try so hard to hate, a part of them seem to actually care about what happens to you. Barry, more than anyone he should despise you, but for some strange reason he still cares."
Eobard catches a blue glow that reflects off your irises, and he takes a step forward. You look up at him a bit startled at the lack of distance.
"W-What are you-"
"Your eyes."
You gulp, trying to move back, as he locks you against the desk. The only reason he's not on the floor right now is because this is the one time he's not using his speed. Nor is his approach dangerous. He touches your shoulder, and you gasp, closing your eyes. But he doesn't allow it. He tilts your chin up, and your eyes open as you stare at him unsteadily. He didn't imagine it, your eyes were glowing.
"You're a metahuman."
He's not sure how he missed it. But there's something different. His finger brushes your cheek, and you tense as your body slightly quivers.
"L-Let me go.."
He didn't think it was possible for you to look this vulnerable. He knows you're fully equipped to incapacitate him if need be, but this, this was different. There's something about his touch that is making you react. His hand lowers, and he leans in, nose nudging your neck as he leaves a kiss. You let out a shallow breath, and Eobard pulls away.
"You're an empath."
Your lips quiver and you shove him back. He staggers, but doesn't take his eyes off you. Your breathing is labored, and he straightens. The reason you were struggling so much is because you weren't just reacting to his obvious want, but your own. Navigating through another's emotions took strength, so he knows it must be doubled when you have to sift through your own. Grabbing your laptop, you pace out of the room, Eoabrd just watches.
~Week Four~
"Today's the day."
Barry plays with his hands nervously, and Cisco pushes his shoulder.
"Dude, you're making me nervous, stop it."
"Sorry."
Catlin offers a comforting smile. She knows Barry has a speech memorized just in case you still weren't convinced. Eobard has a long way to go, they all know that, but Barry feels like there has been actual progress. You come strutting through the hall.
"(Y/N) listen-"
"I'm not going to take him, he's free to stay here." Barry's mouth falls open.
"Really!"
You nod, avoiding his eyes.
"Yeah, he passed. The guy's a menace, but he's changing. I'll take my leave. Make sure and keep him in line or I'll be back." Barry notices that you're apparently in a rush to leave.
"H-Hey, wait you don't have to run off so fast."
You want to make an excuse that you have other bounties that need your attention since you've been slacking. Any excuse that could get you away before he-
"Leaving already." The very man appears, and your resolve seems to be shaking.
Barry is ecstatic.
"She says that she isn't going to take you back." Barry is proud to give the news, but Eobard is otherwise occupied.
"I bet she did." Eobard's tone is a bit confusing to them all.
"Why don't you look happy? She's gonna let you live, man."
Cisco is right, he should be overjoyed that he had one less problem chasing him down. You still sort of avoid his eyes.
"Look at me and tell me that you don't feel it."
Now Barry is completely puzzled.
"What are you talking about?"
"(Y/N) is an empath." They all look surprised.
"Like Cecile." Caitlin speaks in interest.
"Exactly like her. However (Y/N)'s abilities are a bit stronger. It's why she caved so easily when Barry pleaded for my case. Why she made such a verdict even though it's clear I don't deserve another chance."
"What does he mean?" Barry questions.
You finally meet their eyes.
"I can feel a whole lot. Your compassion for him was strong. Usually I wouldn't think twice about executing enemies. It's what I do. But what I feel from you is completely different. It's like a paradigm for something bigger, cosmic. I couldn't ignore it. That's why I gave Eobard a second chance. At first I thought it was a lost cause, but Eobard's energy, it's starting to give off the same energy that you possess. "
"What.."
Barry knows the reason behind the energy you feel. The paradigm of love. But he never thought that Eobard could possess such a power. His eyes turn to the speedster in disbelief.
"I was right."
Eobard wasn't beyond saving.
"He has the potential to be great if he stays on his current path. With the power you both have, you'd be next to unstoppable. Changing the fate of time like that, from enemies to allies, it'll leave a great imprint on time. One that could bring about extraordinary things."
Cisco doesn't truly believe it all, but they all now see the blue light that overtakes your eyes. It fades out after a few seconds, and you smile.
"I have you to thank, so thank you Barry Allen." He isn't sure what to say, he wants to run over and hug you. If anyone should be grateful, it's him. But you look so sad, and it makes his eyebrows furrow.
"Why do you look so sad then?"
You move to step back, and Eobard rushes to your side. You flinch, and Cisco winces, preparing for the shock, but it doesn't come. Eobard is still standing, awfully close to you actually. You've somehow backed yourself into another corner, metaphorically of course. Eobard's eyes are like a wall, one you know you may not be able to get past.
"Look at me."
"E-Eobard don't-"
"Look at me..." You can't.
Everyone else in the room is watching this unravel.
"Bro are they like..." Cisco whispers to Barry. He shakes his head.
"No idea." He mutters back.
"They're standing right there." Harry says unimpressed.
"Whatever you think you feel, it isn't real." You try to be firm with your words.
"I was just reacting to the power I felt, and so are you. This isn't real. You have to understand that Eo.."
His hands take your cheeks gently, and your words fall off. You can't bring yourself to tell anymore lies to protect yourself. This was unheard of. You'd never fallen for a target before. You aren't even sure how it happened. You notice that look in your eyes, and you're about to protest, but he kisses you, and the very thought leaves your mind. Cisco yelps, Barry just stares, and Caitlin coos.
"How romantic."
"Are you kidding me! Just a few weeks ago she wanted to kill him." Cisco states.
His hand slips behind your neck, pulling you in to deepen the kiss. You're fighting to keep up. The emotions that are rushing off his body with each tender kiss has your entire body in a flustered mess. You usually have a better handle on it. But with him, it feels like so much. He finally pulls back, and you collapse into his arms. He hoists you up, bridal style. You're still pretty much panting, and Barry wonders if he should interrupt, because he's still very much baffled on when this happened. He feels like he would have noticed such a development.
"You're mine."
You grip into his shirt, heart hammering.
"H-How do you know it's real?"
Eobard just smirks at you, and your cheeks color.
"It's real."
He doesn't elaborate, and just like that, he's gone.
They all just sort of stand there, gaping.
"I can't believe it, he tries to kill us like a million times and he gets laid. I think I'm doing this whole thing wrong. Being a villain is where it's at." Cisco grumbles as he walks away.
Barry is still standing there, adorably stomped.
"A-At least he's a good guy now."
There was that.