fire on fire;

Daisy regards him with sad eyes, his words ringing in her mind. She doesn’t believe any of those things he says - and yet the certainty in his eyes as he speaks isn’t something she can argue much with. For a while, she struggles with what to say in response. She nods slowly, chewing on her lower lip. ‘ I know you believe that. But I don’t. I think you are worth saving. ’ she pauses, then takes a step closer to him. ‘ If you want to stay in the dark, then fine. I doubt I can convince you. But what if I stay with you? ’

Caitlin’s eyes give away the sadness behind her statement, & at first she won’t meet his eyes, gaze fixing on a certain spot on the floor because she doesn’t want him to see how much confusion she is feeling. Keeping this relationship secret was fun at first, but now Caitlin’s insecurities are getting the better of her - she can’t stop herself from wondering if she’s just a STAND-IN, someone to fill the space until Iris is ready. Even though these thoughts are irrational, sometimes she can see things that make her believe that. ‘ That’s not what I mean, Barry. I’m not saying we point out every date location we’ve ever been, or even BE like a couple in front of them. But our closest friends don’t even know we’re together, the people we see every single day. ’ she sighs, stung by his words. ‘ Well, I can’t speak for both of us. I’M doing this because I love you, & no matter what you do or say, I think I always will. ’ she can’t help herself as she reaches out for him, taking his hand in hers. ‘ I’m just afraid that maybe...maybe you don’t really want this & you just don’t want to hurt me... ’

It’s not often that Oliver stops to think about ANY of his scars - after all, he has SO MANY. But today as he changes his shirt in front of the mirror, he pauses, looking at them, remembering each & every story tied to them. Selen’s voice makes him jump, & he pulls his shirt on - he’s not often s h y, but the vulnerable look in his eyes will be visible to her anyway, so why should she have to see the scars too? Her words make his lips twitch slightly upwards. ‘ That’s...poetic of you. But thanks. ’ he says, kindly. ‘ It’s just hard not to think about what caused them. That’s never fun when it comes to thinking. Leads down a dark road. ’

‘ I mean, you TOTALLY are. What I didn’t know you are is a p o e t. That sounded like a quote from a book or something. That’s a good thing, by the way. ’ Cisco says with a smile, eyebrows raising as he studies Selen - not in a creepy way! Just observing her mannerisms, really. He’s sure she’s on their side of things, don’t get him wrong on that, but sometimes - she really is a mystery. Cisco isn’t the best when it comes to understanding girls, but Selen in particular is quite hard to crack - just like Caitlin, so he supposes it’s in some way hereditary. Or maybe, Cisco, maybe you just suck at understanding girls. ‘ Although, you know, you don’t have to be UNCERTAIN about anything. In your heart of hearts. you know who you are. It doesn’t matter if others don’t get it. ’

‘ Oh, that’s so unfair! That makes it a little boring - I see myself in the mirror every day, new outfit or not. I rarely see you in anything more...feminine. Besides, how else can we find out if I should go into fashion in the future if we don’t try out some of my ideas on you? ’ she means it in the kindest way possible. ‘ Try on new clothes with me, & I’ll make it three. ’ Lydia replies, smirking as she loops her arm through Allison’s - she likes to think she’s pretty good at negotiation. 

"Stiles lets out a low sigh, despite the fact that Lydia’s words are compliments. He just doesn’t believe that it’s true - the scars that remain on his body from every threat they’ve ever faced make him feel so s m a l l & FRAGILE, & for him, there’s nothing worse than feeling those things. Still, he looks at Lydia & attempts a smile, although it’s a pretty pathetic one that he knows she will see straight through. ‘ You...you really think so? ’ he’s flattered - after all, love coming from Lydia Martin to h i m still felt like a birthday gift. But he just can’t get the memories out of his head - the REASONS he has these scars. ‘ They make me feel pretty low sometimes. ’

Barry really CAN’T think about losing Iris - she’s been a part of his life for the LONGEST time, she’s the reason he is the hero that he is today - or one of the biggest, anyway. He’s seen her die once, & that’s shaken him to his very core, but all he can think about is how to prevent that. He won’t lose Iris - he will never be the same after that, & he knows it. He would smile at Selen’s care for him at any other time, but right now he can’t. ‘ I appreciate it. ’ even looking at Selen hurts him, because he still can’t believe how much time they have MISSED - she’s Savitar’s daughter, but he holds no resentment for her - none of this is her fault. ‘ Never mind that. How are YOU doing? This mess can’t be easy for you. ’ typical Barry Allen, always caring about others far more than himself. 

Beth manages a tired smile - fighting off that many walkers has left her body a c h i n g, but some part of her is used to it by now. After all, the road to survival requires a lot of FIGHT, something she has somewhat come to terms with in her mind. Sometimes she still falters, but on those days, Lucille is there. Like she is right now. ‘ I’m always alright. I’m glad YOU are. ’ she sighs, then speaks her mind - for if there’s anyone she trusts with her thoughts, it’s the woman beside her. ‘ I just...sometimes I wish we didn’t have to do this every day. ’

Rachel stops to think about it - what really does stir her soul? For so long now, it’s been about CONTROLLING her powers, p r o t e c t i n g her friends, trying to survive in a sometimes cruel world. But until now, she’s never really wondered what it is her heart truly longs for. She chews on her lip slightly, the fact that she doesn’t know weighing on her a little. Maybe it’s about time she actually stops to think about herself. ‘ Right now...I don’t know what it is my soul wants. ’ Rachel admits, looking up at Barry with a small smile. ‘ I have a lot of time to figure it out, though. I just...really don’t know where to start. Got any advice on that part? ’  

It’s clear that Frost doesn’t believe him - but what he’s saying is true. It’s not just Caitlin he cares for - although he doesn’t always agree with Frost’s METHODS, he’s come to care about her too - she’s part of his family now, & seeing her get hurt would BREAK him as much as it would with anyone else. It doesn’t seem like she’s listening right now, though, so he sighs, nods at her, & speeds himself & the meta back to Star Labs. Once the meta is dealt with, he sits in the Cortex alone, waiting for her to come back. He wants to talk this out with her properly, to somehow PROVE to her that he does care, although it seems it won’t be that easy. She’ll never make it that easy for him - but that certainly doesn’t mean Barry will stop trying. He’s a stubborn guy, after all. When she does arrive back, he speaks up. ‘ Go ahead. Let it rip. I’m sure it’ll make you feel better. But when you’ve said what you wanna say, will you listen to me? Please, Frost. ’