Hi, let's just say a few things before you begin to read this story. There are going to be some changes in past of particular characters. I hope I will update regurarly, but as I know myself very well, there are going to be some ups and downs, unfortunately. I would also gladly say, that this is my first fanfiction about these two and also about two men together, so I hope you will like it. And I would gladly apologize for any grammar errors, because with me there is always a possibbility they will appear, considering the fact that English is not my first language. And an important fact is also that in this story the Green Arrow, the Flash or other superhero roles don't exist. They are perfectly normal, no „five years on a hellish island" no „struck by lightning" or anything. OK, I think that's it, so enjoy .
„What?! You are firing me?! You've gotta be kidding me" Barry said hysterically, not believing this was happening.
„Considering your late arrivals, if you care to honor us of your presence at all, and your not so professional behaviour, you really think that I am?" captain Singh replied.
„So you're going to get rid of me just like that? After all that happened?" Captain Singh sighed, rubbing his eyes he later said: „Look, Allen. I know that you don't have it easy. Loosing a mother as a child is something, that will never leave you and I get that. I know that your father being held in prison for her murder had to make some impacts on you as well. But it was all like that before and you had no problem at work." Barry just sat there, refusing to look at him, not saying a word, but captain Singh could clearly tell he was angry and pissed off of everything, but he made that decision and he wasn't going to change it.
„And I understand that what happened then was just too much for you. Life hasn't been tolerant to you and when it happened I gave you every inch of time you needed, but you came to me and reclaimed, that you were OK and could get to work without any problem. I was skeptical, I'm not going to hide that, but I ignored that and let you work. Even when you started to be a total douche at work, I was doing my best to let it go. However, it's been two years Barry and I think it's time to get back to reality."
„Look, captain, I know I've been acting badly, but I can change that. I will be here on time every day, I will work hard as before, I promise. Just give me last chance. Please," Barry said showing his miserable face thinking back about what happened two years ago.
„You see, here's the thing; I don't believe you, Allen. Because if what you are saying was true, you would do something about it before. I don't actually believe you want to work here anymore, Allen. It just reminds you of her every day and that's why you are refusing to come here as many times as you should. I think that this change of work in your life could be really good for you. And I know that I'm the last person you probably want to hear these words from, but you need to accept what happened and move on. You are not the only one in this world or in this city or even in this building who had it rough. You are a smart kid, Allen, you will find yourself a new great job in no time and who knows, maybe you will once thank me for firing you today." Barry looked at him with a non-believing look on his face. „And what if not?" Captain once again sighed and drank from his cup of coffee.
„Then I will accept that I fired the amazing Barry Allen and destroyed his life like no one else before. I cursed him with all my might, but even after that I will move on, because there would be no other thing I could do. You should take an example from me," he smiled sarcastically, but Barry didn't return him that smile. Not a word came from his mouth, he just simply nodded and refused to fight for his rights. He then stood up saying his farewells to the man in front of him and went to his lab to pack his things. There wasn't much to pack, though, so when he was finished he headed to the main exit. It was no surprise for him, that he met Joe before he could leave the building.
„Hey, I'm sorry, Barry. I tried to change his mind, but he refused to listen to me," Joe spoke up.
„Don't apologize, Joe. Singh was right, this is all on me and I need to accept that, move on and find myself a new job," Barry quoted his former employer.
„I'm sure you won't have any problem with that, you are a brilliant kid and this town knows that, so when everyone finds out that you are searching for a new job, offers will appear."
„Well, thanks, Joe, but unfortunately, I don't have the enthusiasm and belief like you do. However I'm going to try," Barry slightly smiled and left the building. When he was outside he gave it the last look, saying his farewells to this chapter of his life, afraid of what might come next.
It's been a couple of weeks since he got fired and since then he haven't found himself a new job. He was turned down everywhere he went and no one had an explanation for that. It was like the fate or God didn't want him to get these jobs and Barry started to be really depressed about that. His self-confidence was slowly fading and both Joe and Iris saw that. They tried to help him, but he refused saying that this was all his mess, and that he was going to fix it. However, Barry soon after that stopped going outside. For him there were no reasons to go to see the outside world. No one wanted him, so why should he bother to show up at all? Joe was laughing a little at that thought, because this feeling was the reason why he got fired in the first place and now this was happening all over again. Yet Barry denied that and stopped talking to him after that. He kept himself at distance, because he envied them. Both Iris and Joe had perfect jobs, Joe was helping people like Barry always wanted and Iris had the job of her dreams. Barry didn't have that luxury no matter how hard he tried. And it had a huge impact on his life. He stopped taking care of himself. There was no longer a point in that. He ate a very little, took shower even less and his apartment turned into a dump. It couldn't be worse, so Joe made up his mind and came to a decision it had to stop.
It was Saturday morning when Joe came to Barry's apartment and knocked on the door. As always no one was answering, but Joe wasn't dumb, he knew that Barry was inside. Yet he was still worried of what he was going to find inside. And considering the fact, he knew Barry so well, his worries were justified.
„Barry, I know that you are in there, so please open the door," Joe spoke up with a calm voice, but he didn't get any answer.
„You've been there for too long and it is time to come out, son." Still no answer came and Joe was starting to be little annoyed and also he was really quickly running out of patience. So he gave it the last try.
„Barry, I've been a cop before you were even born. If I wanted to I could break through this door without any sweat and you know who would have to pay for that," he said now with a little upset voice. Barry noticed that and after a few moments Joe heard footsteps behind the door. And what was behind this door was even worse than he imagined. Barry's messy hair proved that times that he took shower could be counted by one hand. The circles under his green eyes didn't help him either. And the same could be said about his clothes. Torn dirty t-shirt and an underwear didn't make Joe believe that Barry was OK. And the fact that Barry after not so long time lost some weight made it all even worse. Normal people wouldn't see that, but Joe was very observant when it came to this. Barry was slim even before and the thought he would lose more was troubling Joe. But he was glad, that he came in the right time.
„Oh my god," was all he said to Barry, who refused to look into his eyes. He was ashamed of what he had become; a total looser who wasn't even capable of finding himself a new job. He had a good job and he screwed it up. It was no mystery he hated himself for that. But he refused to say anything to Joe. He just couldn't right words to vindicate his doings and decisions, because he no longer believed they were right either. However he wished Joe would begin with the talking thing. It didn't matter to him if he shouted or not, at least Barry wouldn't be the one who needed to begin and Joe saw that in his eyes. With a big sigh coming from his mouth he started talking: „This needs to stop, Barry." After that he simply passed through the open door into Barry's apartment not thrilled about what his eyes saw there. The trash and the expression it looked like after an explosion was one thing, but the dark everywhere because of the covered windows and a stale air was another thing, which made Joe even more upset. He quickly came to te windows, uncovered them and opened them so some air would find its way there. With the light finally there Joe could see how miserable it all looked and Barry didn't react to the light from sun so well. He immediately covered his eyes and moved to the windows to do that with them as well, but Joe stopped him before he even made any move.
„Don't even think about that," he said in a little threatening voice, but he was just worried, he didn't wish to hurt Barry in any way. But he needed to make sure this wasn't going to continue. Barry turned away from the light and laid on the couch covering himself with a blanket. Because of the mumbling and grumbling which were coming Barry's mouth Joe let himself smiled a little and sat beside his son. Even when he wasn't biologically his, he was one for him and honestly he couldn't ask for a better one.
„Can't you just leave me here? I was doing fine in here by myself for now," Barry said.
„It seems like the word ‚fine' has a different meaning to you than to me. Did you really think that I would never come here and do something about it?"
„Of course I did think about it, but I always hoped that it wouldn't be today."
„Well, it is today, which means you and I are going to have a coffee together just like old times."
„Joe, I don't think I'm so old, that I could do some things and refer to them as ‚just like old times'."
„But I am, so you will do me the honor and go with me."
„You see, there's the problem here, Joe; I don't really want to."
„Like I care, Barry. You are now going to take a shower, get dreassed to something appropriate and then you are going to get your ass out there to the CC Jitters," Joe said with a strong demanded voice. And to that Barry couldn't said anything. He stood up and with another grumbling comments he went to do as he was told. Meanwhile Joe did his best to made from a dump, where he was standing, a home again. There was much to do, but Joe was very quick in these things so doing the dishes wasn't the big deal for him. And the same could be said about cleaning the mess in the rest of the apartment. He collected pieces of used clothes and put them into washing machine. After that he collected all trash he could find and put them aswell to their righful place. And when Barry came out of his bathroom fully prepared to leave this place, everything was taken care of and Barry couldn't believe his own eyes. It was like nothing ever happened.
„How did you...?" Barry started astonished, but Joe interupted him: „What? This? That was nothing. You are underestimating me, Barry," Joe looked serious like he was still upset, but it didn't take long until Barry broke into a laughter and Joe soon joined him. „I would never dare," Barry said with a smile.
„Not exactly the best way how to save it, but OK, I forgive you. Shall we go?" he asked and pointed to the doors. Barry simply nodded and they both headed to the CC Jitters, their favorite coffee shop.
„You know I always wondered why you didn't work here. I think they would accept you considering the fact they accepted Iris," Joe smiled. Barry looked at him annoyed and replied: „Yeah, very funny. But you know you once told me, that I was a brilliant kid and that finding a new job wouldn't be any problem for me."
„And this statement would be right if you looked more and maybe let others help you," Joe said as they were standing in queue at Jitters.
„That's not true. I looked into everything," Barry protested and suddenly Joe's phone started to ring. „Oh, I need to take that, but when I return I want to hear the truth from your mouth finally," Joe said and took his call elsewhere. Barry, still unsure of what Joe might have meant, just stood in queue waiting on his turn. And when his time came he ordered two coffees, paid for them and started to look for a table. However, he was still deeply in his thoughts because of what Joe had said and that made him oblivios to other people or objects. Thanks to that he crashed into someone and one of his coffees ended up on this man's clothes. When Barry realized that he started to apologize immediately, but it was still done and he couldn't take it back.
„Oh god, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you," Barry started putting the other coffee on the table nearby and taking napkins to minimize the damage he did.
„I bet you are," man said annoyed of all the things that were happening to him these times. He was just clearly having bad luck for no reason. It was that time, when Barry noticed his voice sounded familiar to him. He looked to his face and his cheeks reddened when he realized to whom he bumped today.
„You are Doctor Harrison Wells, aren't you?" Barry said with a shaking voice.
„Apparently I am," the man replied. Barry couldn't believe it. The owner of S.T.A.R. Labs was standing right in front of him. Since Barry was a child he wanted to be just like Harrison Wells. That has always been his dream. And now I finally met him... and I spilled a coffee on him. Oh my god, I spilled a coffee on him, he thought to himself, horrified of what he did.
„Barry Allen, I'm a big fan," Barry said with an awkward smile and when he saw Doctor Wells didn't return it, his smile quickly disappeared.
„Charmed," Harrison replied sarcastically, obviously not being in any mood to socialize. That left Barry confused, because he had no ide what to do now. He wanted to ask so many questions, but the fact he just made such a perfect first impression wasn't giving good cards to his hands. That was the reason why was Barry so happy and relieved when Joe made his way back there to him.
„What happened here?" Joe asked shocked when he saw Barry standing there shaking like someone was dying.
„It's nothing, Joe. I'm alright. Just a coffee attacked me, I guess, with a help of your foster son here," Wells replied. Barry was shocked when that words came form his mouth. He wasn't aware that legendary Harrison Wells knew him at all. Barry's cheeks reddened again, considering the fact that this moment was by the time even more awkward.
„But I must say, he made quite an impression," Wells said sarcastically.
„Yeah, I believe he did," Joe agreed looking at Barry, who was red of embarrassment more than Joe has ever seen.
„How is possible, that you know who I am?" Barry finally found some words, although he said it in shaking voice, still amazed by the man standing in front of him.
„Everyone who have that luxury to call Joe his friend is well aware of your existence, Barry Allen," Wells replied with a little smile.
„So you knew who I was before I said my name?"
„And would it help if I told you that I did?" Barry then thought about it a little, considering everything and he came to a result, that it would probably made him feel worse. So he shook it off.
„And how do you know each other?" Barry asked.
„It started with one robbery at S.T.A.R. Labs and continued with them improving some of our equipment. But nothing dangerous, I swear. Did I never tell you that I knew Harry?" Joe asked pretending to be dumb, but Barry did not believe it for a second. He just felt more and more embarrassed. Harry, huh? This has to be some kind of joke, he thought to himself.
„No, you didn't," Barry replied a little upset, that the two men in front of him were obviously making fun of him.
„Don't be mad at him, it wasn't his fault. It just must have slipped through his mind," Wells joined.
„Yeah, it must have, then I suppose I also forgot to say, that Harry has been looking for someone to work in S.T.A.R. Labs." Barry almost exploded, but he resist the temptation to be happy, because this just seemed too good to be true. So he kept his uninterested look and said: „Yes, you did forget to mention that. But it doesn't matter considering the fact, that Doctor Wells would never employ someone like me."
„I must disagree on that with you, Barry, because as a matter of fact, your name wasn't the only thing I know about you. Joe also mentioned how smart you are and what you had achieved. Brilliant kid, who got early on high school and finished you college aslo sooner than anyone would have expected. And I also know that you would be lying if you told me, that forensic science is your only expertise. But it's up to you. I can imagine that there are plenty other companies or places that would be so astonished and thrilled to have you. Comparing to them the S.T.A.R. Labs are no bigger than a fly," Wells said and Barry was really getting annoyed by his sarcasm, but he shook it off, when he considered what was Wells really saying.
„So you would consider giving me the place?" Barry asked in a naive tone, hoping the answer was going to be yes. However Wells frowned on that thought with a big sigh coming from his mouth.
„Well, I would, but there is nothing to consider because why would the incomparable Barry Allen work for me, when he has so many other great options?"
„And we can't forget the fact that he is so satisfied of staying in his apartment for whole days, without any contact with outside world," Joe remarked. This was another time when Barry blushed again and both Joe and Wells thought it was hilarious, but neither of them refused to laugh about it, because this teasing was just too much of a fun. Barry just wondered how many other things Doctor Wells knew about him and how many things Joe has said to him. But then he took a deep breath, let his cheeks get more of their natural color and spoke up: „That might be true, but I believe it's still worth a shot. And even if I don't have much chances of getting that place, I'm willing to try." After that Wells thought about it a little and replied: „I suppose it wouldn't hurt if you tried. You are going to be at S.T.A.R. Labs at 9 am and please make sure you will come on time. I'm sure it wouldn't give you any credit if you showed up on your first day late." Barry smiled so brightly and Joe was sure he haven't seen him so excited and happy about something for a long time.
„I will be there on time," Barry laughed with enthusiasm, still not believing this was really happening.
„And I will do my best to believe you, but considering the fact I know how you lost your last job, it is not going to be easy. And you probably know the way there." Barry simply nodded still excited as a child who just got a toy of dreams. „Alright, I must get going. See you later, Joe, Barry," Wells excused himself from them heading away from Jitters.
„Well, look at that, you finally honor the world of your presence and tomorrow you are working at S.T.A.R. Labs. World is strange, isn't it?"
„Why couldn't you tell me this sooner, Joe?" Barry asked.
„You never asked and you also refused to talk to me, remember? What was I supposed to do?"
„I hate you," Barry said with a smile, which broke into a laughter and Joe joined him. They were both happy like this, because Joe got his Barry back like he was and Barry was possibly going to get a job, finally. And there was no one who could ruin that moment for them.