luminescence

a flush rises to his cheeks at that and he lets out a quiet huff. “you still could have left money or something, the people in there are working hard and it’s not like they can do everything quickly like we can.” actually, that was a good idea. maybe barry could start working at the pizza place to get a little extra cash. it would definitely be an easy enough job. “i still used them to help save the world and i’ve done..other stuff with them so i wouldn’t call it a complete waste of talents. i think stealing is worse.” eyes widen and he nods like that makes sense. “yeah, i mean, it was in a lab obviously - not just anyone who gets struck by lightning is able to run fast but that’s how i got my powers. a mutant? obviously, yeah totally. makes perfect sense. like, uh, like - killer croc! i think he was born that way. i really don’t remember, it’s hard to keep track of all of the different people.” and he’s getting off track again and making a fool of himself. what else is new. “i just-don’t really know how to have a conversation with people? everyone else is so...slow, do you know what i mean? like when you meet someone and they start talking about the weather even though we both know what the weather has been like the past few days? what’s the point?” his smile in return to the oth-peter’s is genuine. eyes crinkling slightly with excitement. “i’m barry! we could go to mine. wait-” he wouldn’t be able to hide anything embarrassing before the other noticed it, “-yours!”

“i thought maybe it’d be a good idea to get out of central city while i do my college work? meet new people, um, what other reasons do people have for moving?” barry tilts his head to the side thoughtfully before shrugging at the next question. “not yet but i obviously can’t get into apartments without permission so maybe they’re here and they haven’t been wandering around. or something. i bet the rest of the team will show up eventually! maybe not arthur though, i got the impression that he didn’t like me very much.

“i heard that too, that’s probably why there’s a line.” his words are followed by a slightly awkward laugh before his shaking his head, “oh! there’s nothing wrong with cheese pizza. i prefer more toppings but who can ever say no to a good old fashioned cheese pizza? delicious.” a very brief pause. “i’m barry, by the way.”

it was strange, being in a new place without any of his friends or family from back home. it was something he needed, an new setting to help him get over everything that had happened in hawkins but that didn’t make him any less lonely and what was he supposed to do it something happened and no one was around to help him? maybe that’s why there’s an overwhelming sense of relief when he’s on a walk and he comes across mike wheeler. one of his best friends and his grin is blinding when the other stands up to face him. there’s little hesitation, despite the fact that he just watched mike wipe his hand on his overalls, to pull him into a tight hug. “mike!” his own clothes were paint stained anyways so it probably didn’t matter if they got more dirty. “what are you doing here?”

barry considers the question for a few moments before just shrugging. “i’ll eat just about anything you put in front of me. one time i ever tried a mac and cheese pizza because it was all the store had left when i got there? which sounds disgusting when i talk about it but it was actually pretty good. although i do have to say that i have a soft spot for taco pizza, that’s like...two amazing foods in once.” he forces himself to press his lips together after a moment, not wanting to ramble too much and scare her off.

he can’t help but snort, “totally not judging! i’ll eat almost anything you put in front of me. i’d probably prefer my pizza without pineapple but i’ve had it before and it’s not as bad as everyone says it is.” barry glances away from the guy for a moment and is disappointed and more surprised than he should be that the line hasn’t moved. “is this taking longer than it usually does? it feels like it’s taking ages.”

“i can’t really dance, it’s actually sort of terrible how bad i am at it.” but barry is grinning as he watches the other dance around. “i-uh-don’t actually know the lyrics, i’m jewish so learning christmas carols always seemed sort of...counter productive because i didn’t...celebrate it.” and he feels bad because he could probably befriend this guy if he was willing to dance around a little bit at least. 

barry opened his mouth to reply to the other when he started to move and it takes him a split second to realize that he’s using the speedforce and that has him practically tripping over his own feet to follow him. he doesn’t stop him in the pizza store, despite watching him take the pizzas. that would be awkward to explain to everyone if they just appeared in front of them all. instead he follows until the other stops, immediately putting a hand on his shoulder. “hey you can’t just steal those! that’s-that’s a crime!” wow, barry, what a brilliant thing to say. “i can run too and you don’t see me just taking the pizza, even though i’m starving.” and he’s not talking about the most important part of all of this. he had never encountered someone as quick as him before. except superman but that was different because superman was an alien and not just a normal person. not that he even knew this guy was normal. “were you struck by lightning too? i’ve never met someone who could run that fast before, besides myself but you can’t technically meet yourself? so technically i’ve never met someone that can run that fast. i just know that i’m also capable of running that fast.” there’s a very brief silence. “do you want to share some of that with me? i won’t report you if you do, i’ll just like...leave them some money for it later or something.”

feet smack against the pavement in a blur as barry gives himself what he had dubbed the “self-guided” tour of the town. stopping only momentarily in some of the shops to mutter a quiet “cool”. the only way normal people would know he was around would be from the very brief flicker of blue lightning that trailed behind him. his trip ended, of course, in front of the pizza place. “oh, wow, of course there’s a line.” fingers tap against his thigh idly as he continues to mutter. “love lines..they’re just the best. my favorite thing. yep...love waiting.” he turns around at the sound of something behind him and gives an awkward grin, “hi! you waiting in line too? what’s your favorite kind of pizza?”

“oh, hey!” barry’s head whipped up from where he had been studying his shoes. “this is going to sound totally weird but i was wondering if i could borrow your shower. mine is broken-” definitely not broken from him messing around with it, no way. “-and i just went for my morning, uh, jog so i need to clean off.”

barry shifts on his feet, fingers tapping against his thigh thoughtfully for a few moments before he nods. “yeah, of course! the pizza place has good drinks.” not that he had really tried drinks in many other places. pizza was his go to food whenever he was in desperate need of some calories, plus it was one of the cheaper options when it came to food.

technically, barry didn’t have to work at the record store, this place was meant to be a chance for him to relax and work on his college studies that he could help his dad but studying really didn’t him that long and he liked have a lot of things to do, it kept him from doing anything stupid.. most of the time. “oh, yeah, totally, i have amazing taste in music. like, the best. for sure.” barry glanced around the shelves and picked up a random record. “what about this one? it’s amazing. i’d recommend it!”

hello my friends, my name is trista and i’m 21 years old. i’m technically a college student but i graduate in less than two weeks so that’s terrifying. i’m also really sick rn but yeah i am very excited to be here! i was here for a bit when it first opened but went inactive because school was too much for me but now we don’t have to worry about that! right now i only play the loml barry allen but i’m sure i’ll pick up new characters in like two seconds tbh