Another Path Chosen

[chosenbylightning]

He called himself Savitar. God of speed.
What an asshole.

Barry had no interest in the metal suit, the promise of immortality or any of it. He just wanted to be left in peace. And maybe run a few con jobs on the side. But damnit, as soon as Savitar threatened other versions, other Barry Allen's who might have had better lives than his?

Screw it.

He had to try. He had to go. Running through time until the very fabric of reality shattered. The least he could do was warn the guy, right?

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[adultflash]

"Yeah, I'm good with it. Consider it a thank you, even if you showed up late," he says, teasing this new version of himself a little.

"But yeah, time can be weird like that when you're dealing with the Speed Force. Hopefully you weren't gone too long. Are you also the Flash, like me?" he asks, curious. Just because his self was a speedster doesn't mean he's taken that route.

[commanderspecs]

Barry lets out a breath he doesn't realize he had been holding. He goes right back to checking on the pies and pulling them out before they burned up. They could talk Flash things.

He opens the door and pulls out the tray, smiling at how it always reminds him of his childhood and his mother.

"Are you also a CSI on your Earth?"

[chosenbylightning]

"Yeah, a few months late at that." His nose wrinkles. That'll teach him for trying to do something right. He sets down his beer at the question. "Am I the what now? Flash?"

He tips his head at the second question. "Do I look like a CSI? I run cards, the odd job, but what I do isn't what you'd call legitimate earnings."

"I don't know about you guys but after my old man killed my mom I bounced around foster homes until I aged out of the system."

[adultflash]

Barry just kind of stares at himself for a minute, before finally taking a seat across from him. Because he really needs to sit down. "He didn't. Kill my mom. It wasn't him. He was blamed for it, got thrown into Iron Heights, but I knew it wasn't him, and I was right. It was another speedster who had traveled back in time, but dad got charged for her murder instead."

He'll get to the Flash thing in a minute, but his brain is kind of stuck on that.

[commanderspecs]

It’s hard for him to hear. Both of them can say that Nora was no part of their lives. It sounded like Henry was not a part of their lives either. Barry remains silent. It had been strange to hear his mom describe the phone call that he never made.

When the time is right, he reminds himself, then he’ll take Barry and perhaps this other Barry to his parents. He looks down at the three pies that are cooling and carefully takes them over to the kitchen table.

[chosenbylightning]

"Yeah well, different worlds, right?" His smile is bitter as he salutes his double with his beer. "Your world your old man didn't do it, you got to become a CSI and a Speedster. Me? I got bounced around some crap homes and wound up on the streets. Lucky me."

He rakes long fingers through his hair.

"Different worlds I guess."

Barry's gaze flicks to the quieter version in the kitchen. "Lemme guess. You're the lucky one." His voice isn't bitter, it's simply resigned.

[adultflash]

"Lucky or not, you're still one of us," Barry murmurs, giving his self from Earth 2 a significant glance. They're going to have to talk about how they can help the newest addition to the Barry Allen club.

"And I can only speak for myself, no pun intended, but my home is always open to other versions of me," he insists. "Speaking of which, this smells amazing, thank you. You didn't have to go to all this effort." He helps himself to a pie, savoring how it smells before he digs in.

[commanderspecs]

Barry sits down at the table, placing the napkin neatly on his lap and looking over to the rake. There's no anger there, no hate, no pity, just a sadness. He can be considered the lucky one with Nora and Henry in his life. But he isn't the one that bravely goes out into the world like the other two. He keeps his opinion to himself.

"You both better eat up, then. Because I did not make this many just to be stuck back in the icebox. I've already got a cake in there that I put in this morning."

[chosenbylightning]

This is all.. weird. And not just sitting down to eat with two other versions of himself. The apartment is warm and homey, there's freshly made food and voices that are kind.

He hasn't had this in so very long Barry isn't sure if he wants to run from it or bury himself in it.

Then his stomach reminds him that maybe he should stop thinking and just eat. And he eats. And eats. And the food is better than good, it's amazing. Tender chicken, soft crust, bright and sweet vegetables.

"I can't remember the last time I was actually full." Then Barry is up in a blur, dishes done in a moment because that's easier than thinking about his past or facing more questions.

It's also the closest he can manage to a thank you.

[adultflash]

Barry inhales the meal too, enjoying every tasty bite thoroughly. It does bring back fond memories, but not in a way that makes him sad. Just warm and content. "That was incredible, Barry, thank you. Remind me to cook for you one of these days.

When his self does the dishes in a blur, Barry follows his movements (he is a fellow speedster, after all), and when he's done, he stands to wrap him in a gentle hug. "Any time you need a warm meal, you come to one of us, okay?"

[commanderspecs]

He is barely done with his own by the time both of them finish. The sight of empty plates does make Barry swell with a sense of pride, only for it to be gone within the blink of an eye, leaving Barry sitting there with his hand in the air where his fork had been. He looks over to see the dishes washed, dried and neatly stacked in a gust of wind.

Barry shakes his head, amazed at how quickly he has gotten used to the rush of air that signals Barry's presence and beginning to use paperweights to keep any of his work down. This new Barry...Barry's heart goes out to him, with his rough life. He gets up as well and moves over, nodding and hugging the both of them.

"I'm on Earth-2. Or what he calls Earth-2. We, obviously, don't call ourselves Earth-2."

[chosenbylightning]

He's looking for a reason to go, obviously he's intruding on something warm and special between them both. But then his speedster double is wrapping him up in a hug and he goes rigid for a long moment.

When was the last time he was hugged like that?

There's the barest shudder as he dares to lean into it. Their lives are domestic. Stable. Things he used to dream about as a kid.

"I'm not sure what number I'm on," he admits, hating the way his voice cracks.

[adultflash]

"We'll figure it out, okay?" Barry reassures him, sliding one hand up to run his fingers through his self's hair. He expects he'll like it as much as they do. The group hug is really nice for him, too, and he settles into it easily, leaning his head against his Earth 2 self's shoulder.

"Both of us are CSIs, actually. I'm just the Flash in my spare time. I wear a red suit, and try to protect Central City from any threat I can."

[commanderspecs]

Barry simply holds both of them. Both...well, both had super powers. And both in need of something he, just Barry Allen, could offer to both of them. A warm home and meal to come home to. He leans and touches his forehead to the new Barry's temple, offering him another means of comfort.

"I'm just...Barry Allen. I'm a CSI in Central City and try to protect the city that way," he offers, "But if you ever come by my Earth, you always are welcome in my apartment as well."

[chosenbylightning]

A hero in a red suit. Both of them cops.

Him? He was nothing. Just a criminal and a con man struggling to get by and to cope with his speed while dodging the assholes at STAR Labs. But now that he's seen not one but two versions of himself? Maybe he can change too. Maybe he can be something a little better than what he was.

"I'm a criminal," he confesses softly. "I started stealing because I had nothing. Because I couldn't trust anyone else."

"I can't promise a decent place to stay or even good food." His eyes close. "But if you call.. I'll come."

[adultflash]

"That's important too," Barry says, his tone utterly genuine. "Just as much as being cared for. If I can count on you...it means everything to me. I'm not going to judge you for being a thief."

He chuckles a little. "Besides, you wouldn't be the first thief I've been friends with." He might inspire him to be a hero, but it's not actually something he does on purpose.

[commanderspecs]

Barry pulls away for a moment, then shakes his head and hugs them again.

"My life has taken a real humdinger of a twist," he chuckles. "Time remnants, facing metas, breaches." Still holding onto both of them, he grins a little. "This just means one more for our Commander Carl marathon. I've brought the entire first season and formatted this copy to fit the devices here. Oh you're going to love it, Barry."

He gives his Barry a gentle squeeze then grabs the other Barry by the arm.

[chosenbylightning]

Did he just say 'humdinger'? His brow furrows in confusion before his arm is grabbed and he is tugged towards the couch by the force of nature that is non-speedster Barry Allen. Sure he could break free of his hold without even using his speed, but he doesn't.

He could even protest when he was sat down and the other proceeded to ramble on excitedly about Commander whoever and the other thingy that sounded a little science related as he set up the TV.
But he doesn't.

He simply glances back at his other self. "He's always like this, isn't he?"

[adultflash]

Barry laughs and happily returns that gentle squeeze, following his selves to the couch and getting comfortable. "He is, yeah," he says, with a fond smile. "I'm not much different sometimes. You're stuck with a couple of intensely nerdy friends now."

[commanderspecs]

He just continues to babble as he sets up the television and looks back at them about how the writing has changed his life when he notices how they both are sprawled on the couch. Barry smiles. It's such a strange sensation to see other people who look and sound like himself but at the same time, not. He knows that Iris tuned him out whenever he talked about Commander Carl but he knows, at least, both of these men would follow along easily.

Perhaps, if things work out, they could keep Barry here. No matter what, he's determined not to let him go back to that awful Earth. He knows that, perhaps, there is some good to be done there, but he can already feel a fondness for him.

"Hey, hey, excuse me, I am not a nerd."

For the first time, his mouth sets into a thin line and his brows furrow a little. Just as quickly, it goes away and Barry gets up from where he's fiddling with the channel changer, to keep his hands busy and decidedly not call it a nervous tick.

[chosenbylightning]

There's an old fondness kicking up as he listens to the nerdier version of them ramble happily on about his favorite show and how much he thinks that they'll both like it. As much as Barry would like to tamp down on the instinct, he can't help but want to protect him, to make him happy and keep him safe no matter the cost.

So when there's a visible fidget with the controller he rests a tattooed hand over his. "You're going to have to get me up to speed on who's who if you guys have already been watching it." Engaging him to talk about his favorite thing and to confirm that he is indeed going to pay attention.

[adultflash]

Barry sits up when it seems he's made his twin uncomfortable. "I'm a nerd too, remember? Bullied and everything," he reminds him gently. "But I think it's cool. I mean, most of my friends are some kind of nerd or about something or other, even if they're not book smart. It's definitely not a bad thing to me."

[commanderspecs]

The reminder that he isn't the only one that was bullied gets him to relax. He gives his Barry a fond smile, not sure if he could walk over and just kiss him for his troubles in front of...their guest. Instead, he settles with them and hits play.

"Then it's perfect that it's all good company here."

[chosenbylightning]

The fond smile speaks volumes for Barry as they settle in, but before he can observe anything else the show starts and his twin is happily explaining everything to him. Who is who, what's the history, all of it.

It's.. it's cute.
God help him it's cute how enthusiastic he is and it isn't long before he's engrossed in the series with him.

[adultflash]

Barry's pleased when his self relaxes, and he settles against him when he joins them on the couch. He's not even really doing it intentionally, but he rests his head against his self's shoulder as the show starts.

He's just as chatty as his selves are, drawing parallels to shows he watches and offering theories, and happily rambling about the science of it.

At least, for the first couple of episodes. Eventually his chattiness starts to fade, and he's dosing. He's talked about his sleeping problems with his Earth 2 self before, largely as a result of his time in the Speed Force. But when he's curled up with him like this, it's surprisingly easy to fall asleep.