Pieces of a heart
First entry for #CCweek2018 put on by @writing-multifandom This is also a REALLY late prompt fill I got from an anon.
Set in an extended/alternate S1
Pre-Relationship
Sara walks into her quarters, sparing only a quick glance to the figure sprawled across her bed. “Comfortable Crook?” She asks, moving to the small closet for a change of clothes.
He makes a hum that she takes as affirmation, flipping another page in whatever book he’s brought tonight. It’s become so normal, to find him in her room (or for her to show up in his) that they’ve stopped being surprised by the others presence.
Sara makes her way to the shower, washing away the seat of training and humming softly to herself. She returns to find Leonard exactly as she’d left him, shaking her head at his sprawled out form. She tosses her dirty clothes into a pile, swatting lightly at his foot so he will pull his legs up.
“So,” he drawls, book lowering to rest on his knees as she props herself up at the free end of the bunk. “How was training with the hawk?”
She shrugs, “she’s doing well, still a lot to learn.” She tilts her head slightly, “tired of chess with the professor?”
A smirk plays at his lips, “figured I would give him a break, pretty sure he’s still puzzling over how I beat him yesterday.” She chuckles, grabbing one of her knives and a wetting stone from the shelf near the bed. They fall into a companionable silence; Leonard returning to his book while she sharpens the knife.
Eventually Sara’s attention is drawn back up at the sound of cards being shuffled. The game begins wordlessly, both shifting to make room for the cards between them. Sara fetches a bottle of Rip’s scotch they’d stolen earlier in the trip, the pair drinking straight from the bottle tonight.
Leonard loses the first hand, looking at her expectantly as he reshuffles. She thinks a moment, then tilts her head curiously. “You ever have pets?”
“No,” he shrugs, “though there was a stray cat that would come around the house sometimes.” He frons, dealing out the next hand. “Disappeared after one of my trips to juvie.”
They bounce back and forth a few rounds, sharing childhood stories, guilty pleasures and old flames. Sara’s lost another hand, waiting expectantly for his next question. He sits quietly for several long seconds. “You’ve spent a lot of time seducing the locals lately.”
She raises brow, “is there a question in there, Crook?”
“You seem so willing to give pieces of your heart to strangers,” he shrugs, “makes one wonder what is so different about the people who have your back.” His voice drops, and she’s not entirely sure she’s supposed to hear the next words. “Why keep me at arms length?”
She looks at him in surprise, “Len…”
“Forget I asked.” He gathers the cards, flashing a smirk before beginning to shuffle them once more. “none of my business.”
“It’s because you scare me.” She replies; instantly regretting the words as she sees the flash of horror in his eyes, quickly hidden under ice. She shakes her head, words tumbling from her lips. “I’m not afraid of you Len. I’d trust you with my life, no hesitation.” She toys with the knife in her hands, “I’m afraid of what happens if I take that step.”
His frown says she’s still not been clear, so taking a moment to settle herself she begins again. “The others you are talking about, one night stands through time.” She waves a hand dismissively toward the door, “Ships passing in the night, a physical distraction.”
Leonard is watching her, suddenly more guarded than she’s accustomed to when they are alone. But he doesn’t speak, doesn’t move, so she presses on. “But with you…” she shakes her head, “it could never be just sex. Not when I…” she cuts off, cursing the scotch even when she knows it’s not at fault. She’s on her feet then, hand running through her hair as she wills her heart to quit racing, prays to whatever is out there that she’s not just broken the first real friendship she’s had in years.
“Good,” she spins at the word, finds Leonard has also risen, leaning against the shelf at the head of the bed.
“What?” it’s the only word I can find, a million new questions racing through her head.
“If all I wanted was a warm body, to blow off steam, I would hardly choose someone on the team.” He pushes off the wall, only advancing a couple steps. “To messy, choosing someone who knows how” He frowns, “…damaged…I am.”
“Yeah,” she offers a self-depreciating look. “We’re both pretty screwed up I guess.”
“That’s the point,” he sighs when she offers only a questioning look in return. “The others here, the heroes.” He motions to the hall, “they’ve had the moral high ground their whole lives, believe that everything is a choice between good and evil…but you.”
“Know what it’s like to be pushed into a corner where there are no heroes or villains, just people doing what it takes to survive one more day.” She finishes, an understanding that had drawn them together to begin with.
He nods, “you said we could change our fate.” He shrugs, coming another step closer, but careful to respect her personal space. “Maybe it’s thinking about that…about becoming something different. Has a way of making one think about what it is they really want.”
Sara’s drifted closer, captivated by the warmth of his icy eyes. “And? What is it you want, Snart?”
“You,” his voice drops, usual drawl all but gone. “And me.” He reaches out, fingers just brushing against her wrists. “together, changing the hands we’ve been dealt.”
“I don’t know that I’m a white picket fence kinda girl.” She raises a brow, but doesn’t pull away from his lingering touch.
He scoffs, “I’m not changing that much, assassin.” He smirks, “but maybe it’s time we stop trying to be what others say is good, is right?”
Her fingers curl around his, gazes locked. “It won’t be pretty.”
“Real things rarely are,” his head tilts slightly, “it will likely require a fight.”
A smile is curling at the corner of her lips, “The best things in life always do.”
“So how about it, Lance?” His voice is soft, “willing to risk your heart on a criminal?”
She smirks, “Guess we’ll see how good of a thief you really are.”
He chuckles, free hand coming up to settling along the side of her neck. “Challenge accepted.” He leans in, lips brushing hers in a kiss that sparks something inside. Awakening a little girl who used to believe in happy endings.
