Leonard Snart

The man was leaned against a wall, looking as disoriented as she felt. Truthfully, Bobbi didn’t look a whole lot better than him. She was pale, her eyes bloodshot from squinting against the gas, and her legs were shaking. But she prevailed, she always did. It was part of her endurance training, and part of her core makeup.

She refused to use the wall as support, simply because she was too proud. The Syndicate couldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing how effectively they’d weakened her, should they have eyes inside of this place, suffering amongst the crowd. “Are you sure about that?” She questioned, her eyebrows raising. She stumbled slightly as another wave of nausea overcame her. “Door,” she repeated, the words not quite registering until she’d spoken to them. “There’s one around the corner, but people are all congregating around it. You don’t be able to reach it. We could try a window?”

Len felt worse than the first time he got drunk, thirteen and stupid. Stolen his father’s beer in spite and hid it away to drink it all. The only thing it got him was a hangover and two broken bones and bruises when his father found out about it. He could barely keep his eyes focused, but at the same time, was very aware of everything happening in the room. It all still blurred into a confused messed, though.

“I can never be too careful.” Barry grinned, buzzing with excitement. Even if this really was only temporary, he was thrilled to see what kind of hero Len would make. If a guy like him protected other people the way he protected Lisa, the speedster had no doubt in his mind that he would be great at this.

“We’ll see how well it catches on.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “As tempting as that sounds we’re not trading roles. We’ll start out small but by the end of the week I hope you’ll me able to help me if a meta shows up. The Rogues being an exception.” If any of them decided to cause trouble this week, he would take care of it himself rather than force Len to fight his teammates.

It took all of Barry’s willpower not to laugh as he turned his lips into a frown, pouting at the thief and using the best puppy eyes he could conjure up. This look even worked on Caitlin and it got him out of trouble with Joe more times than he could count. “Come on, Cisco worked hard on this. Are you going to let it go to waste?” He stared at Len expectantly, pushing it further into his arms. If this didn’t work there was one more option but that would probably be too embarrassing to be worth it.

Barry honestly looked way too excited about this, it was making Len all suspicious and wary. He didn’t know what the speedster had planned for them, and maybe he should’ve put more thought before agreeing, but the idea intrigued him. And besides, this gave him a more inside scoop on how Team Flash worked, and how he could better beat them next time they went head to head.

Len hummed, not quite agreeing or disagreeing, merely smirking. “Pity, you’d make a good thief.” His smirk grew, “Breaking in and out in a flash.” As hilarious as it would be to face off with one of the Rogues, Len’s glad Barry was considerate enough to make that exception. “Much thanks.”

For once in her life, Selina wasn’t trying to stir up any mischief. She was perfectly aware of how important this meeting was. How what happened here today would impact things, whether it be significant or not. Didn’t mean she had to be completely void of her usual personality.

 "So, are you here for the actual notion of peace, a chance to lay eyes on our gorgeous heroes, or the booze?” She questions the person nearest to her with an amused hum, attempting to strike up a conversation.

“Well,” Len drawled, leaning back against the counter of the bar, “How about a mix of ‘em all?” Though he wasn’t exactly a fan of peace, nor was he interested in getting drunk. The heroes running around all high and mighty, however, he could stand to watch. And then maybe knock down a few pegs.

“I’d say I’m more here to acquire a few trinkets.” Because parties were always an actual party for thieves and pickpockets. Len already had a few stolen wallets and maybe a pretty jewelry or two in his. He’s sure they’d go to much better use than donating to the panel.

Barry wouldn’t deny that in all his zipping around he had looked to see if anything was stolen. The speedster saw good in Len but he wasn’t stupid. The guy was still a thief and a good one at that. He also didn’t want to face the wrath of Cisco or Caitlin if something went missing thanks to this mission he had convinced them was worth it.

He highly doubted that the other man would leave his gun behind since that was his only way of keeping up with people like Barry and the people they would be fighting this week. “I think that this week, you’ll be Citizen Cold,” he retorted with a broad grin. The speedster was definitely having too much fun with this.

Approaching the new, temporary hero, he held up the outfit against him to judge that it would actually fit. Cisco had told him he took care of the measurements but Barry didn’t want to know what he meant by that. “Put this on and we can start your week as a hero. You can change over there.” He nodded to the medical room that was just off the cortex. His expression held nothing but amusement as he waited for Len to take the outfit and mask.

“Didn’t steal anything if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m a hero now, remember?” Len smirked as he picked up a pen lying beside one of the computer screens and examined it. Pretty pen. He might keep it. When Barry wasn’t looking. For now, he set it back down.

Len made a face at the name, “Doesn’t ring as well as Captain.” But if Barry said so. He was, after all, supposed to be the boss today. At least until Len got bored of all this hero work. “Do I get a week of you doing a bit of breaking and entering for me? A day, at the least?” Though he very much doubt Barry would say yes to that. It would be a blast if that ever happened.

           It had been quite a while since she’d last been out on the town – And by a while, it in fact, only meant forty-eight hours. Felicia had never quite been one to find herself in such predicaments such as slipping into an apartment that was currently occupied by someone who clearly armed. However, the feline stood there with someone pressed against her back, a chill finding her despite the warm her suit provided. “I sure hope that’s a heat ray, because it’s kinda chilly in here.” Felicia states, lips pulled into a slight smirk.

In situations like these, especially situations like these, it wasn’t the right time to make jokes or tease people who had weapons, but Felicia is a risk taker and unable to keep the barbs to herself. Especially when she feels another chill, this time causing her skin to prickle with goosebumps and a tremor force her spine to curve in an attempt to avoid it. Felicia twists on her heels, the weapon now pressed to her chest instead of her spine, her emerald hues staring the man up and down for a moment.

“Is it always so cold, because a girl could really use some warning if she’d going to break in.” She comments, realizing that the situation could easily be handled, but she wants to see where it goes, especially with such an interesting weapon in front of her. 

@robberofatms

One of Len’s favorite pastimes was breaking into random apartments to see what he could snatch from them. Once in a while, there was a safe or two to crack up. If not, there usually were strange potteries and a glimpse at the life of whoever lived there. It was disturbing at worst and hilarious at best. And maybe, just maybe, Len sometimes gave the police a little tip at the more disturbing ones. Ones even he wouldn’t want around the streets.

This apartment was normal, so very domestic. Nothing out of place, leftovers in the fridge, a laptop charging on the couch. Nothing of worth to take, so why was someone else breaking in here? The whole night just got a lot more interesting. Thankfully, she hadn’t heard or saw him until his cold gun was pressed up against her back. “Look what the cat dragged in.” Len drawled, amused by the sudden appearance of someone else. “Well, the cold never bothered me anyways.” He answered, voice quiet in the stillness of the apartment.

“I hear the disdain in your voice,” Kate sniffed. “And I’m gonna pretend you’re only joking, because honestly, no one’s that heartless. They need volunteers to help keep those places going,” she said, though she had a feeling her explanations would fall on deaf ears. “Yeah, there is. Like, if you lie to your ex-boyfriend and tell him you totally didn’t break up because he wore too much cologne,” she said, shaking her head. This guy was definitely one to steer clear of, but she felt herself growing more curious. “Former rich girl. Gave it up,” she said fiercely, a little smug. She was proud of what she’d done, even if it made things ten times harder now. “What, should I waste my time going to fancy parties and pretending things aren’t going to hell in this city? Because that’s not me, bro. Empathy is a human thing, ya know? I can’t just switch it off.”

“Hmm, no one’s that heartless?” Len repeated, chuckling slightly. “Do you live in the same world as me? There’s no way you’re actually that naive, right?” He gave her a look, fake disbelief mixed with a bit of mocking concern. Had this girl ever heard of politicians or government agencies, or hell, even the jury at times? People as a whole could be very heartless and selfish. “Yes, what a step up of an example that was.” He rolled his eyes, not even attempting to argue with that one. It would just be a waste of his time. This time, Len actually gave a small laugh. “Well, Ms. Former Rich Girl, you’re one to think in the present and not the future, aren’t you?”

Of course, Barry was running late for Len’s first day and he knew the thief was perpetually on time in a way the speedster never would be. After getting off the phone with Cisco who had designed and made Cold’s costume in a single, he flashed over to STAR Labs. For the first day it would just be him and the thief since Cisco was helping the meta human task force and Caitlin was at a science convention so it urged him to get there faster, knowing that Len would be alone.

“Hey! Sorry I’m late,” he apologized as soon as he appeared in the cortex, hair windswept but his breathing even as he flashed around the area, looking for a variety of things.

“Did you bring your cold gun?” He asked when he finally stopped, holding a blue color schemed outfit in his hand. Since Len loved to tease him about the Flash suit he definitely got a say in Cisco’s design and he couldn’t wait to show it to the other man. Whether or not anything productive came out of this, he was sure it would be a fun time for the both of them.

Len looked up from his position at the lab’s console, there were many trinkets and such there. Probably Cisco’s, he assumed, since it was usually where the engineer sat at. Barry would be proud to know that Len hadn’t touched any of it, only because he was a little wary that they might blow up in his face. STAR labs held more dangerous things than an armory sometimes.

He waited patiently as Barry zipped around, cocking one eyebrow up when the speedster finished. “Yes, who do you think I am?” Len drawled, patting the side of his thigh where his holster and gun was. There was no way he’d left his gun for this, Len was only human after all. And the things Flash went up against, well, it definitely required a bit of firepower (or in his case, cold power).

“Of some sort,” Kate repeated, nodding, her grin more than a little smug. She’d made her own costume too, all the costumes for the Young Avengers – but she probably shouldn’t spread that around. Not with the Accords, and how little she knew about this guy. He had a distinctly shady look about him, but maybe that was just his cynicism turning her off. Kate shook her head. “There’s good lies and bad lies. I mean, okay, that was a bad example,” she admitted, shooting him a look. “But still. Some lies don’t hurt people, and some lies do. And I do care, thank you very much. I might’ve grown up with money, hello privilege check, but I used to volunteer around soup kitchens and women’s shelters.” Superheroing had taken up most of her time recently, maybe she should pop by the old places and see what good she could do. It wasn’t illegal to volunteer, yet anyway. 

“Oh yes, you do such good work, volunteering for soup kitchens and such.” Len waved a hand, almost dismissively, tone sarcastic. “Is there actually such thing as a good lie? Unless you’re pranking someone, I suppose.” He scoffed. As a chronic liar, even he knew there rarely was any good in lying, just excuses or to protect yourself. Good intentions, perhaps, but selfish all the same, either for yourself or for others. A lot of problems could be solved by just telling the truth, but then, where was the fun in that? “Ahh, so you’re a rich girl.” Len smirked, “And what’s a rich girl like you doing feeling bad for others?”

“No one in this world anyway.” he responded quietly. This one at least seemed easy enough to deal with, and his machinations would go much more swiftly with a little help. “Of course. Killing really is so easy, and life can also be easier when you eliminate a threat rather than simply, putting it off.”

He cocked his head slightly, noting the bitter tone, still he wouldn’t pry. His own past wasn’t one he wanted to share. “Well, I can assure you, with me? We’ll both get happy endings. What we deserve.” he chuckled quietly, “Of course. Though I have no money to give.” Not a great deal anyway. “What I can offer, is your own mirror.” he said quietly, “One which can make, any who look in it, do, well…” he smiled at Len, “Whatever you wish. Provided you tell me what that is.” His enchantments had limits, but almost anything was possible. “So, do we have a deal?” he asked, holding out a hand to shake.

“Maybe, but everyone’s definition of perfect is different.” Len pointed out and now he was imagining some otherworldly being with no flaws or something. Now that just sounded boring. “People really should do it more often, save a lot of trouble.” He chuckled.

Star Labs was still so easy to break into, barely any security system. Len thought they’d at least upgrade it a little by now, but apparently, when you have a speedster in your midst, security was overrated. How team Flash managed to keep all their assets from being stolen was a complete mystery. It would be so easy.

If Len was being honest, he was looking forward to this whole thing with Barry. Not the hero part (him, a hero, ha), no, but the fact that there was a chance of it being completely entertaining. It was going to be so much fun to get Barry to look completely exasperated, either by their banter or puns. Yes, Len was looking forward to that part. Maybe he should keep score.

Speaking of Barry, where in the world was he? For a speedster, Len checked the time, Barry sure was prone to being late. He was planning on making a dramatic entrance, didn’t work so well when the audience wasn’t even there. Guess he’d have to settle for poking around the lab a bit, maybe there was something worth stealing.

“Unfortunate for us that summer is on its way,” she mused, offering him a tight smile. “Coming from Russia, I’ve never been a fan of the heat, particularly with how humid it can be in New York.” She stepped to the right, using the man she was speaking to as a prop to obscure the cops view of her entirely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leonard. Are you from around here?”

"Yes, the smothering heat, all the people spending time outside. It's such an inconvience." Len sighed dramatically, giving his shoulders a high shrug. He watched her movements carefully, smirking when she seem to be hiding behind him. For himself, he made sure to stay facing away from the cops. Wouldn't be good for them to recognize him in any way. "No. I'm from Central City."

Clint returned Leonard’s grin with one of his own. “Bet it’s real chilling to hear in battle, huh?” Puns were stupid, but Clint kind of dug them anyways. “What about those stairclimber things? You need one of those? I’ll pitch in.” He tried to imagine Len slowly ascending up a staircase on one of the devices, laughing at the mental image. 

“I could be invincible,” he said again, a note of protest in his voice. “Maybe I’m a god. Like Thor or something. Hey, what if I’m Thor?” Anyone who’d seen any coverage of Thor would know that Clint’s former teammate was a little more muscular and blonde than he was, but a guy could dream, right? “Yeah. If everything was easy we’d all get bored fast.” He’d always liked a challenge, always liked taking the impossible shot.

“Uhhh…” Clint studied the menu for a minute. “Large coffee with, like… three shots of espresso. Or four. How many are you allowed to put in it? Is there a rule?” The barista gave him a look, rolling her eyes and wordlessly tapping her computer. When Clint glanced down at the screen, he saw she’d put him down for three shots; maybe there was a rule.

Len couldn’t help but grin wider, “Yes, certainly sends shivers down everyone’s spine.” The puns were ridiculous, but that was what made him love them so much. That, and it usually pissed people off. Len loved pissing people off. “I'm perfectly capable of climbing stairs myself." He shook his head, amused. "I think you might need one, tell me, are windows the only thing you fall out of?"

"I'm pretty sure Thor is blond, carries a hammer. I think he can fly, too?" Len gave Clint a look, giving him a once over. "Sorry, but I'm really not seeing it. Maybe in your next life. And technically, if you’re Thor, wouldn’t you be older than me?" He nodded, agreeing with Clint's next words. "Yes, life should be full of excitement."

(✉ → i h8 u): i h8 u (✉ → i h8 u): dnt b a diick. ew both knwo im moer into teh other snart

“Doesn’t seem worth debating to me,” Natasha agreed. If it wasn’t America, she would have taken the concept more seriously. Norway had made it work, as had France, in their own way, but America was far from that kind of economical stability. “I’m a fan of the cold, too. Snow happens to be my favourite.” A side effect of growing up in Russia, she supposed. “What’s yours?” She paused, stepping closer to the wall to obscure the police’s view of her. “Natasha, by the way.”

Len eyed the police that seemed to be trying to find someone. He could guess who exactly it was, considering how quickly he was pulled into a conversation. “Then let’s leave that debate behind us.” Probably for the best, he wasn’t very educated in education costs, anyways. “Ohhh, I love the snow. Winter, ice, anything cold and frozen is good.” It wasn’t even him living up to his moniker. The cold reminded him of being in his grandfather’s ice cream truck, the only safe place away from his father. “Leonard.” He said, politely giving up his name as she had hers.

(✉ → world’s worst thief): Really?? Are you sick? (✉ → world’s worst thief): Nvm, no take back until you try it! (✉ → world’s worst thief): Trust me. It won’t be boring  😉