#hawkvibe

☆ WestAllen (Barry Allen/Iris West): I hate this ship. Not only because Iris at the beginning was just "the crush of the hero" and didn't show why Barry was in love (I usually need to see how the crush develops, if not it's not a good ship for me) but because of what happened between Iris, Eddie, and Barry. Iris was in love with Eddie. She was going to marry him. But then, at the end of season 1, Eddie died. And Iris didn't even seem to grieve him in season 2. She just suddenly feel attracted to Barry when it was previously shown that she didn't see him like that. And her character just went downfall after season 4. Yeah, she was the love interest in the comics. But forcing a ship in a show just because "it was canon in the comics" it's a bad idea: if the ship doesn't work in the show, it doesn't. Choose a better ship, even if it wasn't canon in the comics. Or maybe, you know, write the ship better, like it was done in the comics. 2/10.

☆ SnowStorm (Ronnie Raymond/Caitlin Snow). To be honest: they were soulmates. They had chemistry, they were cute together, and when Ronnie died I cried because I really wanted them to be happy. They were going to be married, and were made for each other. I hated how they had such a tragic ending. 10/10.

☆ Goldenvibe (Cisco Ramon/Lisa Snart): Part of the reason why I like this ship so much is because it's enemies to lovers, but it's true that the chemistry between the characters was very good. I'm just sad Cisco didn't end up with her. 9/10.

☆ Westhawne (Eddie Thawne/Iris West): I loved it. I'm serious. I loved all the scenes between them, and I really expected them to get together. Not only because they made a good couple, but because that would make Barry finally let go of his crush on Iris (that basically defined all his character). 9/10.

☆ Cynco (Cisco Ramon/Cynthia): Same thing as Goldenvibe. I liked it for the enemies-to-lovers vibes, but also because they had chemistry. And surprisingly they didn't make Cisco an idiot to make Cythia more powerful or to highlight her character, so that's another point. 9/10.

☆ Barricity (Barry Allen/Felicity Smoak): I feel like they dated just to not feel alone (since Barry was in love with Iris and Felicity with Oliver but their love was unrequited), but I liked them together. Maybe in another world, they could have worked. They for sure had more chemistry than Westallen. 8/10.

☆ Parkallen (Barry Allen/Linda Park): Like in Barricity, I get the feeling that they made Barry date Linda to make him "overcome" his crush on Iris, since at that point of the show Iris didn't love him back. But to be honest I like them more than Westallen, even if they're not the "perfect" ship for most of The Flash fans. 8/10.

☆ Spallen (Barry Allen/Patty Spivot): From the moment they met, it's obviously clear their chemistry, and how they compliment each other so well. Everytime they appeared in the screen together I smiled, and I hoped them to be endgame. But the writers had to ruin this perfect canon ship to make Westallen work. 10/10.

☆ Hawkvibe (Cisco Ramon/Kendra Saunders): Although this isn't an enemies-to-lovers ship, I loved their relationship. Cisco was very supportive of Kendra when she needed support, and it is very clear that they both care about each other. The only problem of this ship is that it's doomed for the narrative because Kendra is supposed to be the soulmate of Carter Hall. But it's true that without Carter, Kendra could have dated Cisco and they could have been endgame. And for me, that wouldn't have been a problem. 10/10.

☆ Quickwest (Wally West/Jesse Wells): At first, they were cute, and they didn't have problems. But later Jesse became a speedster and Wally wanted to be one too, what made him act a little inmature for some characters. Now, their relationship might have had problems because of that, but at the end of the day, no relationship is perfect, and although Wally should have acted differently, I think that having problems makes the ship more believable. Besides, I also find their chemistry very obvious from the start. 8/10.

☆ Snowbert (Julian Albert/Caitlin Snow): As friends, they were good, but the potential as a couple was also great for me. I literally was expecting them to get together, or at least keep being friends after the ending of season 3. But then they had to ruin not bringing Julian in season 4, what probably could have made better that season for me. 8/10.

☆ Snowjay (Hunter Zolomon/Caitlin Snow): After it was discovered that Hunter Zolomon was Zoom, Hunter was toxic towards her, that's true. I'm not gonna deny it. And I didn't like it. But a part of me always wondered what would have happened if Hunter wasn't truly evil. What would have happened if Caitlin was the only one who was capable of redeeming him. And for that "What If AU", I like them, in another universe where Zoom was a little more human. 8/10.

☆ Snowbarry (Barry Allen/Caitlin Snow). I love it. For the powers, and for all the support and understanding they give to each other. Everything about them is perfect for me, and I appreciate a lot how their friendship evolved through the first seasons. I just wished they showed more scenes between them. 10/10.

Oooh fun choices!

Savitar

How I feel about this character: Unfortunately, I am obsessed with him. Not because he's a good character in canon (he really isn't, aside from like...the few scenes he's unmasked), but because the idea of him is so, so intriguing. And MAN Grant could really pull off suave manipulator when Savitar was allowed to be out of the suit

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Iris, Cisco, Reverb, and Mirror Iris! Which is just Barrisco and Westallen in various fonts 😅 Saverb and Savimiris in particular have my heart because...evil Barrisco/Westallen!!

But Saviris is a very compelling tragedy (if only the writers took advantage of that more), and Savisco is sooo interesting. Like...Cisco is one of the people Savitar lists as someone he hates for shunning him, and yet he never hurts Cisco directly. Triggers his trauma, threatens his best friend, yes, and neither of those are harmless, but...Savitar never directly goes after Cisco himself. He always makes Killer Frost do it. And yeah, sure, Killer Frost has to be the one to freeze off Cisco's hands, but Savitar could absolutely hurt Cisco himself too, and yet...he repeatedly puts it on Killer Frost. Interesting indeed...

Neither of these (Saviris and Savisco) are healthy relationships ofc, but both still speak volume about how Barry-like Savitar is: he has soft spots for the same two people that Barry does!

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Barry, simply because doppelgänger platonic relationships are sooo endlessly compelling to me. Would've also been Killer Frost, but like...they're not even toxic in an interesting way. He's just flat-out abusive to her for no reason. To this day, I have no idea why people love them so much (honestly I might’ve even been intrigued by them as a ship if not for this, but I def would’ve loved their platonic dynamic. As canon stands tho…nah)

(Morgan fits into this category, though a) Savitar is a more compelling villain in all versions of the Morgan AU and b) I cannot elaborate, you just have to trust the process 🙏)

My unpopular opinion about this character: the fact that I don't consider Savitar a good villain in canon. In his unmasked scenes? Absolutely! But those scenes are like...2-3 out of so many, and unfortunately, they still can't make up for how incoherent he is as a villain, how his motives make no sense...and how he really could've been anyone else and the season would've changed very little. Like. Seriously. Other than 3x21, can you think of any episode that would've actually been super different if Savitar had been, say, Wally instead? Because I sure can't! And that's not good!

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: Get rid of the scar (ever since I learned it was only included to mark him as "damaged"/"broken", and especially since it's never explained, I've been so pissed it was included at all), let him impersonate Barry and mess with his life. Honestly, you can even keep the scar if you really want to (for some reason), but let him then use HR's device to impersonate Barry! Mess up his life...not in big ways, but in small ways:

A conversation with Cisco that Barry doesn't remember (because Savitar had it), a date with Iris that Barry missed (because Savitar set it up), Caitlin being secretive around him (because Savitar "subtly" excluded her and sowed distrust for her within the Team...maybe this could even lend to why she keeps a piece of the Stone hidden). Stuff like that.

AND and!! Explore how he's Barry's dark side! Show Barry making a ruthless choice, and maybe Team Flash is wary and/or Savitar commends him for it. And Barry's blood runs cold. Ex: Savitar directly calls out his time manipulation in 3x22, where he snatched Snart out of the timeline for the sole purpose of saving Iris, not caring about the consequences. "I would've done the same thing," says Savitar, "maybe we're not so different after all," and Barry feels sick to his stomach. Stuff like that!

(Also, Savitar and Mirror Iris playing the happy couple would've been SOOOO compelling. I realize there was no plausible way to bring Savitar back after s3, but like...they brought him back in s5 even tho it made no sense. They could find a way for s6)

Cisco Ramon

How I feel about this character: I love him! Like...genuinely, what's not to love. He's protective of the ones he loves, he's compassionate, he's funny, he gives his all to everything, he's a badass (even if the show forgot that. Often)...I just love him sm and he deserves nice things

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Barry, Kamilla! Also sometimes Caitlin, Kendra, and Lisa. Also Iris in a Barriscowest way

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Iris and Harry! I also really love his and Caitlin's friendship (I go back and forth on shipping them lol)

My unpopular opinion about this character: He was valid in his anger towards Barry in early s3. Like...listen. Did Barry have valid reasons not to want to time-travel again? Absolutely. Did Cisco have valid reasons to be pissed at him anyway? ABSOLUTELY!

I mean...consider that Barry learned the lesson of time-travel being timeline-altering and dangerous in season 1. That's the reason he ran his choice (to save his mom) by everyone in 1x23 - he knew it would affect all of them! He wanted everyone to be okay with it! And he did the same in 2x17 - making sure his Team was all onboard. But then...in 2x23, he's faced with the SAME choice as 1x23. And I get that he was in grief because he'd just lost his dad. But then why does 3x01 act like Barry is just now realizing how dangerous time travel is? It's just bizarre. He been knew!!

And my gripes about Flashpoint aside...Cisco is still valid to be mad at him. Dante (for some reason) died as collateral damage of Barry's time travel*, and this is when Barry sets the boundary of "no, I can't time travel anymore." And we, the audience, understand why! But Cisco? He's grief-ridden, and so angry, because from his POV, Barry is willing to time travel to save his own family, but not Cisco's. It feels personal, even though it's not. More importantly, it feels like Barry's being a hypocrite...and the thing is? Cisco's not totally wrong to feel that way. I mean...look at what Barry does in 3x22! He manipulates time again, to save Iris! That should've resulted in another Flashpoint. Can you imagine? Cisco is a saint for not getting pissed at Barry again after that because...wtf dude.

*listen I still think Eobard Thawne killed Dante himself - it would explain his whole "everything is back to normal...well, for me, anyway. For you..." thing, and he knows about Cisco's family life, so you just know this mf would bring it up to Cisco, expecting a "thank you" (because if you take a cue from the comics, as I do, Thawne has a very messed-up concept of family. Of love in general, really, but especially family). This might become a fic one day, who knows 👀

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: He should've kept his powers, and he and Kamilla should've stayed in Central. I get that they wrote him off because Carlos wanted to leave, and I respect that! But it was so bizarre for Cisco as a character (and for Kamilla too, really, but this is a Cisco-focused ask)

the first one is an obvious one but it's the naming of the other as a superhero. Barry comes up with the name Vibe, and it's the only time, or one of the only times where he does and, especially, he takes it so seriously after Cisco insisted it had to be absolutely perfect. and Cisco loves it so much too, he approves and is happy with it.

Cisco is the one who names Kendra, Hawkgirl, and i know that naming is his jam. he does it very rarely for good guys though and the only other example i have in mind right now is Plastique who he totally had a big crush on. so it is something and it has a bit of a special meaning, and Kendra's smile in response, she loves it and is so happy too.

now the second one is my favorite and it's about their powers and how they work.

Cisco is the one who helps Kendra accept her powers and learn how to use them. while Carter had focused on the warrior and the anger, more negative emotions, Cisco told Kendra to be the priestess, the nurturer and basically to connect on the person inside of her who is good and kind and generous. that's how she got the most important memory from her first life and managed to free her wings however she wanted. and whenever.

on a similar note, Barry is the one who taught Cisco not to be afraid of his powers and to open a breach. Harry focused on the fear and stayed there, and Barry reassured and comforted Cisco, the total opposite, and reminded him that he was someone good, someone who helped and assisted and who wouldn't turn evil with his powers like Reverb had.

third one is how Cisco got excited and giddy over Kendra's powers after he saw her fly, just like Barry did with Cisco's powers and his breaches.

in both cases, they even got all hyped preemptively, even before they saw the powers used for real, right there, in front of them. Cisco giggled at the idea of the person in his vibe being an angel and Barry was in full fanboy mode when he described and theorized about what Cisco might be able to do.

Oh gosh these two were so cute.

He’s got the whole thing planned out. They’ll start with a dinner at his favourite restaurant this side of town. Kendra, unlike some people (*cough* Barry *cough*) can handle spice and Cisco’s delighted about this fact, can’t wait to show her this little gem of Central City’s.

Then they’re going to go to a late night movie, a rooftop showing, a little piece of Gem Cities culture because she’s still new in town. Then they’ll finish up with a nightcap back at his, if he can convince her, but of course he’ll be a gentleman even if she does come up for a drink, and he’s already got a monster movie planned as a back up if she doesn’t want to -

feeling sick, can we raincheck? :((((

He flops down on his chair, despondent. Dammit.

sick for real? not just afraid dinner will be too spicy for your pretty mouth

He curses himself as soon as he sends it, the most awkward and weird text in existence

lol no!! we’ll do ghost peppers next time i see you, we’ll see who’s the one sweating

you’re on. shame about tonight, i had a b-movie marathon prepared

… which b-movies?

Piranha, Attack of the Crab Monsters, and the modern-classic, Sharknado

There was a long pause with the ‘…’ in the chat. He hung his head, cursed his own hobbies. The phone vibrated eventually and his heart beat a little faster.

so i’m sick and gross, but i have a dvd player in one of these boxes (i just went and made sure) that i haven’t unpacked yet. so if you can handle some germs… movie night in? 

And just like that, his smile is bright and possibly contagious.

It’s not about the coffee.

That’s just what she latches on to, her last tenuous hold on a “normal life.”

She didn’t even really like it. Being a barista.  She prefers tea, over coffee. Spicy chai, rich black, bitter green. So many varieties. Coffee all tastes the same to her, and she chokes it with milk and honey to get it down.

But once he came back--Carter, Prince Khufu, whatever--there was no more normalcy. She knows it’s not his fault, but he carries the scent of death on his wings, and she doesn’t want this. 

She doesn’t want it, she doesn’t, she really really doesn’t, she wants light and love and laughter and beauty. She wanted Cisco, she wanted Ray, she wanted kindness and softness and warmth.

Carter tastes like coffee in her mouth, and she tries to sweeten him up with milk and honey, and it works. Somewhat. If she can mask the taste, if she can dredge up the past enough, maybe she can be happy with him.