Fast and Fast

Chapter 1

My name is Barry Allen and I am the fastest man alive. But right now I'm completely lost and very far from home right now. We're constantly seeing if I can go faster, to what the full extent of my powers are and to discover just all that I'm capable of doing as the Flash. I was training in the wide open space of the abandoned Ferris Air Testing Facility, STAR Labs is great but sometimes I need more room when I'm running and pushing my boundaries.

So I was running.

Running fast.

Moving forwards fast.

And getting faster.

And without realising it I kept getting faster.

So fast I entered the Speed Force. It was like the time I went back in time but this felt different somehow. I wasn't travelling through time, it felt more like across time. The same moment happening again. And again. And again. Then I realised I was travelling across dimensions. Universes, hundreds of different universes.

Panicking I stopped running and in my moment of panic I left the Speed Force. I had ended up somewhere that I didn't recognise. I pulled the mask of my speed suit off to get a better look at what was around me. It was seemingly natural but I could hear sounds of a city nearby.

Still trying to get my bearings - and trying to figure out if maybe I had actually been wrong and this was not a different universe at all – I saw a silver and blue blur pass by. Wherever I was this was clearly a place with a speedster, but why silver and blue? Clearly they weren't an alternate version of me or Reverse Flash. I pulled my mask back on and started to run after this speedster. They were fast but I am faster and I very quickly caught up with them. The other speedster noticed me and came to a halt. I stopped too and we stood looking at each other.

I could now see that the other speedster was a man, I'd guess he was around the same age as me and about the same height as me. He wasn't wearing a speed suit like me, but had a tight blue and silver top, I couldn't help noticing how it nicely showed off his muscular physique. I also found myself surprised that I'd noticed his body yet as I looked at him with his striking hair and captivating features I realised that I was attracted to this man.

"Who are you?" He asked me in a voice thick with an accent I didn't recognise but would guess was probably Eastern European. I quickly realised that I liked his accent too.

"I'm the Flash." I didn't know if he was friendly so I thought it would be best not reveal my secret identity just yet. "And you are?"

"Pietro Maximoff. Also known as Quicksilver when I'm with the Avengers. What's your real name?"

He said he was an Avenger, which sounded good, right? Might as well tell him. I pulled my mask down and spoke. "My name is Barry Allen. Who are the Avengers?"

"You don't know? I thought all the world knew."

"I wouldn't be asking you if I knew."

"We're a team. 'Earths mightiest heroes', if there's a problem – like Loki or Ultron- we go in kick ass, sort it, save the day."

So sort of like what Oliver and I do but on a bigger scale. I guess that confirmed he could be trusted and I really was a long way from home. "How'd you get your powers?"

"Experimented on by Hydra. I volunteered and I don't want to say anymore. That's all you need to know. Now how'd you get your powers?"

"When the particle accelerator in Central City exploded I got struck by lightning. I was in a coma for 9 months, when I woke up I had my super speed."

"Where's Central City?"

I looked at Pietro in stunned silence. I guess that finally confirmed it. This was not my universe, this was not my version of Earth, and this was not my home.

"It's in Missouri… Several universes back."

"Several universes?"

I nodded in confirmation. "I think I've… I can run fast… And I… I think I've run so fast that I've crossed universes. To me this is an alternate universe. One with the Avengers but without the Flash, without Central City…" I broke of speaking, feeling myself getting close to tears.

I sat down on the grass for a moment and started to cry. At first a little but that quickly became big ugly sobbing. I felt stranded in this strange new world with no way to get back home. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to make it back home again. I might never see Joe or Iris or my dad ever again. Everything just hit me about how alone I was. Normally I'm an optimist but in that moment everything just seemed completely hopeless to me.

I hadn't noticed but whilst I'd been crying Pietro had sat next to me. The first I was aware of him was wen he placed a comforting arm around me and pulled me into a sort of hug. I looked at him and smiled back slightly in return, drying my eyes a little.

Pietro broke the sad silence between us by speaking in a soft voice. "I kinda get that feeling that you can't go home again because everything has changed. My home was mostly destroyed by Ultron and I'm changing as a person, becoming Quicksilver, Sokovia just is no longer the home it was to me." His voice comforted me. "Until you can find a way to get back home I'll look after you. It sucks but we're speedsters and we always keep moving forward."

His voice comforted me, made me feel like I was less alone in this strange new world. I was glad I'd found a friend, although I couldn't help wondering (just the same as I'd noticed his physique) if part of me wanted Pietro Maximoff to become more than just a friend to me.

"Thank you Pietro." I said as I dried up the last of my tears.

He smiled at me. "Avengers HQ is nearby, you can stay with me there, my room is big enough for two. And maybe you could even become an Avenger if you wanted to."

"I'd like that, living with you and training as an Avenger. But I can't repay you, all I have on me is my Flash suit."

"Don't worry about money, Stark is rich enough to share and I've gotten good at guilting money out of him. And whilst I'd be lying if I said I didn't like how your suit looks on you, I'm sure we can get you some regular clothes."

"I'd like that a lot if you're certain it would be no problem." I said smiling at him. "Want to lead the way Pietro?"

"My pleasure Flash."

He grinned and ran off and I ran after him. It felt so good to be running and it felt even better to be running with someone who was fast like me and even better still that as each moment passed I found myself liking him more and more.

But all too soon we came to a stop outside a high tech ultra-modern building that I assumed must be the Avengers HQ. It looked very impressive but also a bit intimidating.

"So I'm guessing this is it?"

He nodded. "Correct Flash, we're at the new Avengers Facility in upstate New York."

"You know you don't have to keep calling me Flash."

"I know but I like it Barry."

"Yeah, I think I'm starting to like it to." What I said next I didn't mean to say out loud. "I think I'd like whatever you called me." I blushed as bright red as my suit and looked say from him in embarrassment mumbling that I was so sorry and I hadn't meant to say that.

"Huh, I guess you like like me Flash." I nodded. And he rested a hand on my face, holding me so that I was looking him in the eyes. "I like like you too Flash."

He leaned in and closed the distance between us, crashing his lips against mine and pulling me into a kiss. I have never had a kiss as good as that kiss with Pietro in front of Avengers HQ. Our lips felt so good together like we were meant to be. A shared speed energy ran through both of us and tingled as we kissed, there was probably literally sparks! I found myself wondering, had I been drawn to this universe because of Pietro.

"Pietro."

The kiss was broken by the presence of someone joining us outside. I turned to see who it was. He was very muscular and dashingly handsome (though obviously not as handsome as Pietro). I guessed this man must be one of Pietro's Avenger team mates.

"Yes Cap."

"Who's this and why ae you kissing him in front of HQ?"

The question had been directed at Pietro and I wasn't quite sure how to answer so I shut up and let him speak.

"This is the Flash, also known as Barry Allen, also known as my boyfriend. Oh and he has speed powers like me."

I was surprised that I had been introduced as Pietro's boyfriend but also I can't be happier that was how he saw me.

The guy introduced himself to me. "Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America – the leader of the Avengers." He offered his hand for me to shake. "How'd you do?"

I shook his hand. "Feeling better." I decided it was best to wait before I filled him in on the full story. "A lot better actually." I glanced at Pietro with a smile as I said that last part.

Steve nodded. "I'm guessing there's a reason Pietro has brought you here."

I nodded.

"I need to ask you though, any affiliation whatsoever with HYDRA?"

I looked completely baffled. I guess some kinda security check made sense but this was … unusual. "Hydra? As in the monster from Greek Mythology with the heads?"

Steve put his hand to his ear, I realised to answer someone over a Bluetooth ear thing. He nodded and looked at me. "Sensors indicate that you genuinely have no knowledge of HYDRA so that means you're cleared to enter. So welcome to Avengers HQ Barry Allen."

I smiled at Steve but I wonder what I've got myself into.