fastest man alive

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     “That’s true…I can’t really remember the last time that I got home early. Let alone on time” the redhead laughed. It was a tough job, but Wally also knew that he would never find anything that felt as thrilling or rewarding and he needed the adrenaline. There was something about feeling the thrum in his chest as his blood raced through his veins that made Wally feel alive. “I never said you didn’t have good ideas….just that this was the best one” he teased, shaking his head. “I’m always hungry too - that’s a given - so I will always humour your food related ideas, Bar” he smirked. “No time for dating?”

-

Barry flashed the younger man a grin as he spoke. “How often are you on time, period?” he said. It was a funny question to ask a speedster of all people, but Barry himself was still late plenty of times in his life, and he could go at the speed of light. He grinned again. “Yeah, well, I was a pretty smart guy even before the whole lightning thing, so let’s not forget that,” he teased in return. He shrugged. “Oh, you know,” he said vaguely, as if that really answered the question. “I’m not really very good at that,” he said, with a crooked little smile. “I wouldn’t know where to start out here.”

There was a fleeting moment of wistfulness at the thought of what his grandfather would have ACTUALLY been like in his old age hadn’t he died before making it there. He’d heard so many stories about the hero, but meeting him was something else entirely. All the elder heroes he’d ever met were pretty sharp though, so there was a good chance Barry would have remained so as well. If he’d been given the chance, that is. “Eh. Agree to disagree.” He continued the lie, enjoying the light banter of it all (banter with his grandpa!). “I mean– actually, it kinda might be? Given that my whole existence technically depends on it.” So many technicities of it, but Bart couldn’t help but forgo to mention the biggest one. That he didn’t care if he ceased to exist, just as long as his future did along with him. “I mean—” It was kinda shocking his grandparents hadn’t hooked up yet, given how in love they supposedly were. It was a forgone conclusion in one world, but maybe not this one. “You and Grandma ending up together, from everything I’ve heard, it’s kinda like the sky being blue, grass being green.” It just was, something that wasn’t questioned because it just stood on it’s own naturally. 

-

Barry couldn’t help but smile a little as the young man spoke. He definitely reminded Barry of himself -- and he wondered how much of that was due to influence and how much of it was due to genetics. You never knew what might happen to you from one day to the next, and it was clear this kid was being cagey about something. Maybe it was something that happened to Barry. He supposed he’d find out when the time came, and there was no point in worrying about it now, especially not with the kid still right in front of him. “Oh, wow,” Barry murmured in response to Bart’s words, a broad grin spreading across his face. “I knew it.” He looked down, trying to master his expression, so he would stop grinning like a fool. “She…” He didn’t really know how to describe the way he felt about Iris West to anyone, let alone his apparent grandson that he’d met only a few moments before. “She’s amazing. Do you know her?”

“Man gramps you’re super smart like they all said, in your youth I mean cause obviously I knew you as an oldie and your math skills aren’t as sharp there.” Lie lie lie, Bart felt a stab of guilt in his stomach for how easily they came out of his mouth. No, he only heard Barry of being good at math he’d never met the man. Not to mention Bart’s skills in maths were just as sharp, but he needed to underplay it (no matter how much he wanted to show off and have his gramps be proud of him, then again Barry might not really be believing him right now). “Yeah you’re the best at advice! When you’re making sense.” He joked, and though the smile felt nice he didn’t feel great about the lying. Actually I’m here to change the future, not not-existing isn’t my priority. But he didn’t say that, he couldn’t. “Wha- so you ARE with Iris?” He mentally patted himself on the back for not letting grandma slip in there. Oh come on Bart, knowing they’re endgame won’t change anything. “Or I guess I should call her Grandma?” 

“Hey--” Barry frowned as Bart implied that he was losing his grip on his faculties. “I’m sure I’m as sharp as ever in the future, thank you.” He raised his eyebrows as the younger man spoke. He got the feeling that he was trying too hard, but he couldn’t figure out why Bart was bothering to lie to him after being so open. Maybe he was trying not to change too much about the future by keeping Barry in the dark about the details -- then again, if that were true, he’d already given away a pretty big one. “It’s not really any of your business who I’m with,” he said, and then frowned. “I mean, I guess it is, because it depends on -- anyway, I don’t want to talk about that.” He felt his stomach flip as the younger man spoke and he looked at him. “Grandma? I don’t know, should you be calling her that?”

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     “He probably went home for the day” the redhead snorted, shaking his head. He had missed Barry a lot more than Wally cared to admit. It was just easier having another speedster around, he always felt as if he didn’t have to explain himself too much when it came to Barry. “Buffet chinese might be the smartest idea you’ve ever had” he smirked widely. “Sounds perfect. And it gives you plenty of time to catch me up on all of the stuff I missed”

-

Barry laughed. “Well, I’m glad I could help him out, then,” he said. “Everybody likes to get home early.” He grinned as the younger man spoke. “Actually, I’m full of great ideas, thank you very much,” he said. “And a lot of them happen to be food-related. It’s not my fault I’m hungry all the time.” He gave a little chuckle. “I’m sure I’ve missed more with you,” he said. “You know me, it’s just work and home.” He grinned crookedly. “And then, you know, work again.” The second iteration being the speedier one.

“well lucky you.” noire smirked with an impressed look on her face. “fastest man alive, coming to my rescue.” honestly, she hasn’t had much run-ins when it comes to superheroes. usually she somehow accidentally befriends and or pisses off villains without even realizing it. so this was a good change of pace, she liked to think. “well, define dangerous. would hunting me down for my past sins count as dangerous? either way i think i can handle them.” she shrugged, with a bit of pride. he already had saved her, the least she could do was handle the rest of it on her own.

-

Barry smiled faintly and shrugged. “Yeah, well, it’s the gig,” he said. He raised his eyebrows underneath the cowl, forgetting for a moment that she couldn’t see his whole expression. “Dangerous, as in, they could hurt you,” he said. “Or worse. Or they could hurt other people to get to you.” He couldn’t help but frown a little, not liking the idea of anyone being hurt. It was part of his job to protect people, one of the most important parts to him. “How?” he said. “What are you going to do to them?”

Ah, the whole non-believing thing. Bart somewhat expected as much, though he had the speed and blood tests to prove differently. “Ooh good question, wish I had a good answer but I do not cause ya know MATH.” Okay actually he knew EXACETLY the difference in years but he wanted to keep the future details on the downlow. “Ah it’s a pick and choose situation, pick what you want to be known and choose what may actually impact the future– you told me that yourself gramps!” He tacked on. It actually wasn’t Barry who told him, but rather a friend of Barry’s. Nonetheless it helped nail in the point he hoped. “If you can’t guess I’m not sure I should tell you.” He confessed, more sheepish than he usually was. “Might mess with the whole badaboom of it all.” Badaboom. Ew. 

-

“Math,” Barry repeated. “Math implies an equation of some sort, knowing what year it is just basically means being able to read. Or count, at most.” He raised his eyebrows. “Did I?” he said, and despite himself, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That’s pretty convenient for you and pretty good advice from me.” Not that it really sounded like something he would say, but he was already doubting enough of the kid’s story. He figured he should give him a little something. He snorted. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t let you not-exist,” he said. “As long as your grandmother is willing, of course.” Consent being extremely important and all. Barry’s frown deepened as Bart spoke. “I’m guessing it’s not Iris,” he said, the corners of his mouth turning down a little. He always held a kernel of hope for him and Iris West, even if they were with other people. Maybe it wasn’t fair to either one of them, but he couldn’t help himself.

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     “He was probably wondering how you were going to eat them all” Wally laughed, knowing that look. “Maybe I’ll have to grab a hotdog sometime, then. I’m trying to avoid just going for pizza all the time, you know?” But it was such an easy option. “Not right now, I was actually just going to find somewhere to eat lunch, so…that actually works out perfectly” he grinned. “Where did you have in mind?” It would be great to catch up with him, and Wally was never going to turn down food. 

-

A broad grin came to Barry’s lips, and he shrugged. “Yeah, probably,” he said comfortably. “But I’m sure he wasn’t complaining once I paid for them.” He grinned again. It definitely wasn’t cheap, but they were good hot dogs. Barry smiled, glad that he and Wally could make time for each other. They understood each other in a way that a lot of people didn’t, and it was nice to spend time with him. “Mmm, what about Chinese?” he suggested. “Plenty of helpings of that. If it’s buffet-style we may even get away with eating as much as we can without people judging us,” he added, another playful smile coming to his lips.

Closed Starter for @barrygofast​

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     “Oh - Hey Bar, what’re you doing here?” the redhead paused in his tracks upon spotting the other speedster. You’d think living in the same city that the two might run into one another more often but Wally supposed that with the speed that they were moving around at, the chances of them being in the same place for too long was extremely slim. “I’m glad I ran into you, actually. I kept meaning to swing by but, uh…well, you know how it can get”

-

Barry smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “I was grabbing lunch at the hot dog cart,” he said, making a vague gesture behind him. “They have the best relish. You should have seen the look on his face when I told him how many I wanted.” He gave another little smile. “Yeah, I get it,” he said. “It’s okay. I’m glad to see you, though. Are you busy?” He grinned at him. “I just ate, but…well, you know. I can always eat more, if you’re free for lunch or something.”

“Yeah- uh- well-“ Less funny more reasonable, more passing down the family name. Maybe he had been too quick to confront Barry and tell him of their relation. Bart was used to being too hasty in many matters but he didn’t usually regret it like he currently was. “Yeah thats the thing— I’m from the future.” He explained, grinning as he did (he didn’t feel terribly confident but he sure acted like he was). “Like tons and tons of years into the future!”

-

“Oh, okay,” Barry said, in a flat tone that indicated he thought that was about as likely as pigs flying. “How many years, exactly?” He paused, his eyebrows drawing together. “Are you even allowed to tell me this stuff?” he asked. “I thought time travelers weren’t supposed to tell people stuff. I mean—” He definitely had, but that was more of a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ type of thing. He wondered if the kid also had a Cosmic Treadmill or if they had evolved beyond that from whatever point of the future he was allegedly from. “Okay, so who’s your grandma, then?” Presumably that was whoever he had this kid’s parent with.

☆ﾟ*·ﾟEDWARD’S EYES WIDENED as he felt someone grab his wrist and pull him out of the way. His chest moved up and down with each breath, perhaps a little too quickly and forcefully. “I’m okay, yes, I think,” he worried that he’d stutter through everything he’d said. This was an active crime scene, one that he hadn’t been part of. If he had, there wouldn’t be this much mayhem. That wasn’t part of his tactics. Running his hand through his hair, he turned to face him. “Are they… Is everyone okay? What happened?”

-

“Yeah?” Barry prompted gently, noticing that the man definitely looked flustered and out of breath. Not that Barry could blame him at all. A lot had happened in the past few minutes. He glanced around. “I’m not sure,” he hedged. He was never really comfortable with telling people things about a crime scene -- whatever he said, it usually felt like the wrong thing. There was probably a reason his job didn’t interface with the public that much. “It’s still active.” He smiled. “I’m just the CSI tech, I don’t really have a lot of jurisdiction to answer any questions.”

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Hal looked at the other smirking softly “Yes so naturally they are catching the view as you run away” He winked at the other after all he had very little shame when it came to Barry Allen but that was just how well he cared for the other. “Ohhh I do so love a good challenge, Let’s see you get off at 5 today? Sounds like I’ll have to invite you to my place for a nightcap so I can all the pretty compliments to spill from your lips.”  he teased his friend before shrugging “heck if I know, I’ve been bugging Dinah thinking it would pull the troll out from wherever he has been hiding yet no luck.” He replied before nodding his head “There are times I wish…I didn’t qualify for my other job but at the same time…I also know it was my calling to be him.” He replied honestly before winking at him.

-

Barry snorted softly. “Yeah, well, if you can see my ass while I’m running that fast, more power to you,” he said. “Maybe Superman could clock me.” He raised an eyebrow as Hal spoke, a dry chuckle leaving his lips. “I work for the city, I don’t think you’re allowed to talk to me like that,” he teased. “And I only get off 5 as long as there’s not a crime scene waiting for me, which considering where we live, isn’t particularly likely.” He laughed. “He’ll show up when he feels like it,” he said. “Guys like him and Bruce, they always do. In the meantime, I’m guessing you’re mostly bugging Dinah because she’s gorgeous and fun to be around.” He smiled a little as Hal spoke, shrugging. “Yeah, I get that,” he said. “Most of us didn’t really ask for this. But if not us, who?”

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Hal smirked at the other’s attempt to check himself out “I mean I’m usually behind you in certain situations of course I’ve looked at your ass, don’t lie and say you haven’t checked me out Bar” He teased his friend before poking his head to regain his attentions once again. “Yes, you can be leaving me out to dry, can’t hang out with Ollie since he’s busy, and your working all the time.” He pouted cutely before shrugging “We are kind in the outs again about my other job, I feel like we are fighting more and more about it to the point where I’m kinda over it” He replied honestly before smirking “I’m the best damn wallflower you’ve ever seen” He smirked at the other.

-

Barry grinned at him cookedly and shrugged. “Yeah, well, most people are behind me in certain situations,” he teased back. “I don’t think they were looking at my ass.” He grinned again, glancing over at Hal. “I don’t think that’s something you’re gonna get me to admit without a few more drinks in me, buddy.” He snorted softly. “What’s Ollie been busy with?” he said. “Brooding and having a cleft chin you could drink water out of?” He looked over at Hal as he spoke, a thoughtful little frown pulling his eyebrows together. “Yeah, I know other jobs tend to come in between people,” he said. “Been there.” He snorted. “Okay, yeah, that’s what I’d call it, for sure.”

noire had seen the people following her, this she was definitely used to. and she was ready. just as she was about to take out her pocket knife, seconds later after she blinked, and she was suddenly in the back of a random car. at first she thought she was begin kidnapped—what a pathetic way to go out—but once she realized who saved her, her shoulders tensed and her brows furrowed in slight confusion. “wow, um, thanks flash.” she glanced around for the people that were following her, only to see nothing. “i saw the guys too but i guess you had a much quicker response than me.” which was definitely saying something. “fuck, have i gotten rusty?” she mumbled to herself.

-

The takeout food looked like bliss in paper bags and cardboard boxes. Heaven wrapped up inside greasy food that would bring him to bliss. Not to mention, there was a certain joy to the realization him and his grandpa had the same taste in food. Not that Barry knew he was his grandpa yet. “Ah no problem it’s all crash! Danger is my middle name! Well actually it’s Henry but that’s totally a common saying right?” He had heard some elders use it from time to time back in his time. a time period which would hopefully be wiped out. “Your grandson!” He said, mouth full of food. Finishing, he continued. “Bart Allen AKA Impulse and I’m your grandson from the future!” Swallowing down the good, he rushed over in a flash, giving Barry a hug. “Super crash to meet you!” 

-

“Uh, yeah--” Barry started to say, trying not to laugh. The kid’s energy could probably power the entire city on its own. “Oh, Henry, huh? That’s funny, my dad was named Henry.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, the kid was talking again, and this time he was saying something that Barry hadn’t seen coming. “Wait -- my what?” he said. “I don’t, uh…I don’t have any kids, I’m pretty sure that’s a prereq.” He froze when Bart hugged him, though a moment later his arms automatically came up in a half-hearted hug. “What?” he repeated. “My -- wait, who are your parents? You gotta slow down.”

“ yeah, yeah, i’m okay… are you okay? “

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Barry realized they were probably stupid. Okay, definitely stupid. It was pretty likely that Koriand’r hadn’t really needed his help in the first place, but his instinct had kicked in. Not to mention seeing her powers up close was pretty damn cool, to say the least. He would also bet that she was far too kind to point out that she hadn’t really needed him, but he grinned sheepishly at her anyway. “I didn’t get in the way, did I?” It was partially a joke -- given he could run faster than the speed of light -- but partially a genuine question.

“ that was for saving my life. “

Barry pushed the bulging takeout bags full of food at the younger man, knowing from experience that the kid was likely to be staring. He himself was always hungry, especially after he’d been running around, like the kid had been. “You really didn’t have to put yourself in danger like that,” he said, a little frown coming to his lips. It was clear the kid was a speedster, and so it was perfectly clear that he could take care of himself -- but still, Barry wasn’t comfortable with someone risking their life for his, especially someone this young. “Who are you, kid?”

“ what the hell were you thinking?! you could’ve been killed! “

Barry held the phone away from his ear as Iris continued to yell at him, not needing speaker phone to make herself perfectly clear. Her words came through crystal clear, probably audible to Reed as he stepped into the room, but Barry was glad to see him, anyway. “Oh, I -- yeah, I know, I’m -- well, I gotta -- yeah, Dr. Richards is here, I have to…” Before he could say go, there was a click in his ear, making him wince. “Oh, hi, Dr. Richards,” he said, offering him a soft smile, his face a little warm. “I’m sorry about that. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m a huge fan of your work.”