Perhaps the Fear
"Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power."
― John Steinbeck, The Short Reign of Pippin IV
Nothing promised to throw Len's day into chaos quite like Barry Allen striding through the doors of Saints and Sinners with his eyes glinting in determination.
Len played idly with the rim of glass and watched him out of the corner of his eye. The suborn pull of his lips as he wove through the degenerates that frequented Len's favorite bar made him look petulant in Len's opinion, but he also knew that meant Barry was there for business.
Well, good. Len's week had been boring.
When Barry slid into the booth across from him, Len did not bother looking up. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked.
"I need your help," Barry spoke confidently. He leaned forward with his eyes boring into Len's. As always, the intensity of his gaze drew Len's own, and he forced himself to break the eye contact before the moment dragged on too long.
It was harder to do so now. To Barry, their last encounter had been a couple months ago, but to Len, he had not seen the speedster of this time for almost a year.
"Still trying to get me to play the hero, I see," Len said before taking another bite of his food. He gestured with his fork at Barry, "Thought you would've learned your lesson by now."
"This isn't about you, Snart," Barry spoke in a rush, as if afraid Len would walk away before hearing him out. "It's about innocent people who are suffering."
Of course it was.
"And why should I help you?" Len drawled. "Going to put somethin' on the table to make it worth my while?"
Barry laughed humorlessly. "No, no more deals with the devil for me. One bargain with you was enough for a lifetime."
Well, at least the kid had learned something since the last time he had stormed into Saints and Sinners seeking Len's help.
"If you have nothing to offer and don't want to sully yourself with devils, why come to me at all?"
"Because you owe me," Barry said.
"Do I now?" Len replied flippantly as he leaned back in his seat. He gave an amused smirk to the ceiling rather than return Barry's weighted stare.
It did nothing to deter the other man who, as always, gave as good as he got. "Unless you think breaking into my house and warning me that people I know hate me want me dead is worth your sister's life."
Len stopped playing with his glass. It was not that Barry was wrong- Lisa's life was worth more than he could ever repay- but it was the uncharacteristic way Barry was throwing what he did in Len's face. Barry Allen was not the type of person to save a life for a favor- that was the type of person Len was. Barry saved and helped and annoyingly forced his way into people's problems to lend a hand because he was good in a way very few people were.
The fact that he was willing to call in a favor for such a thing was evidence of Barry's desperation. As much as Len prided himself on being able to read Barry, he could also admit that Barry saw things in him that no one but his sister and Mick ever could, and without the history he had with them.
He must know that Len would take a favor involving his sister's life seriously in a way he would not for anything else. Maybe Barry was simply trying to prevent another disaster like Ferris Air, but Len had a hunch it was more than that.
Len finally dropped all pretenses and gave Barry his full attention. His narrowed gaze swept over him and took in all the details that Barry's expression and posture had been telling him since he first walked into Saints and Sinners. The furrowed brow, the fidgeting left leg, the uncomfortable shifting every minute or so- something had spooked the Scarlet Speedster, which was enough to pique Len's interest, if not fuel his unease with the conversation.
Len hid his revelations from his expression effortlessly and quirked an eyebrow. "And what's so important that you'd run to me to cash in on such a worthy debt, hmm?"
Len's tone was careless as he resumed eating, but Barry's posture immediately relaxed as if he knew that Len mentally had already agreed to help.
The patrons of the dive bar knew how to mind their own business, but Barry lowered his voice with a wary look around to see if anyone was listening. "You've seen the reports of the meta team on the news over the last month, right?"
No, he had not. Len had only been back in 2016 for a few days, and because the Waverider could not manage to get them closer to the actual date they left, Len had missed quite a lot.
His priority had been finding Lisa and adjusting to the unsettling loneliness that crept in whenever Len thought of the team he had lived with for almost a year. They were back enjoying their lives with their families and friends while Len realized that things with Mick would probably never be the same and he did not even know what country his sister was in. Lisa was not living in any of their safehouses and the last number he had for her was now out of service. She probably started lying low after Len and Mick dropped off the face of the earth.
But if Barry did not know that Len was so out of the loop, Len saw no reason to change that.
"Not really," he said, "Why don't you catch me up to speed?"
Barry opened his mouth, paused as if only just picking up on the pun, and shook his head before deciding to ignore Len's antics. A pity, really.
"About a month ago, two metahumans, a brother and sister by the names of Jack and Molly Wren, began terrorizing Central City. As far as we can tell, they were just simple thieves that did not care if they racked up a body count, but they've only been getting more and more dangerous. Caitlin thinks their powers are increasing for some reason or they're just becoming more willing to use them on anyone who crosses their path."
"And those powers are…?" Len gestured with his hand for Barry to elaborate.
Barry huffed. "Invulnerability and strength for Jack, which would not be much of a problem alone, but his sister's abilities are trickier."
Len waited patiently for Barry to finally address what had made him so willing to seek out Len's help once more.
"She- we don't even know, it makes little sense- but Caitlin and Cisco- we're pretty sure she can uhh change people," Barry fumbled his explanation.
"Change people," Len deadpanned.
Barry ran his hand through his hair and bit his lip but did not go on.
Frustrated, Len rolled his eyes and wondered why he had missed the kid, "Into what? Other people? Dogs? Lamps?"
Barry threw him a look. "Nothing like that. They're still them, except also not? It's like she changes them into other versions of themselves, versions that reflect their fears or other people's."
"You're right," Len said after a beat, "That doesn't make sense."
"We don't know how it works, but there's a pattern that gives us a general idea," Barry said. His eyes were dark and worried. "A sober man who had grown up with an alcoholic father gets touched by her and suddenly begins drinking himself to death. A single mom who saved money her entire life for her children's education spends herself into debt in a matter of weeks. One of the officers I work with, Officer Hughes, was the biggest pacifist I had ever met, but he burst into the station three days ago and went on a shooting spree after a run in with her."
"So she's lowering people's inhibitions?" Len asked as he considered the implications of such powers. It was like Roy Bivolo's except far less limiting and more dangerous.
But Barry shook his head. "No, it's more focused than that. She's not just causing them to do whatever, she's specifically playing off their worst fears to turn them into what they're terrified of becoming; they aren't acting on impulses they've repressed so much as turning into something they're most afraid of becoming.
"Officer Hughes," Barry's voice tightened as he said the name, and Len wondered if they were close or if Barry was just so empathetic and horrified that he responded to the tragedy this way, "He always spoke of how scared he was that his job would force him to compromise his beliefs and take a life. He was so adamant that violence shouldn't be a solution before she got ahold of him. Now, he's killed seven people and is consumed with a bloodlust that gets worse every day."
"So it turns people into the types of person they would hate most," Len concluded. His stomach rolled with the thought. "And that's why you want me to help you? Too afraid to face your own demons?"
Len watched Barry's reaction carefully because he could not help but be curious as to what Barry was so afraid of becoming.
"I'm asking for help because I can't do this alone," Barry said seriously. "I can't divide my attention between the two of them and allow myself to be taken off guard. If she touches me-"
Barry looked away for a moment to compose himself before leveling Len with a look of pure steel, "I've seen what can happen when someone with my powers uses them to hurt people. If I didn't care, if I attacked my friends and family, ran rampant through Central- I won't allow that to happen."
Len finally had his answer. Barry was willing to throw Lisa's life in his face for the sake of preventing Central from being at the mercy of a speedster without a conscience. It was typical Barry, really.
"Look, Snart, I don't have anyone else that can back me up on this," Barry continued after Len had remained silent for too long in contemplation. "The people I usually would go to, well, they're dealing with some craziness of their own, or they can't be found anywhere."
That last bit was muttered under his breath, clearly not meant for Len, but Len could not help but wonder if he were referring to Kendra, Jax, and the Professor or any of the others. If Barry had looked for them even just a week ago, he would not find a trace of them. Had no one really told Barry and his friends at Star Labs that they were going out of town and out of time?
Len considered pushing Barry to go to their doorsteps for help instead but decided against it. Kendra had never wanted the hero's life and roping her into this when she finally got a break after lifetimes of persecution seemed unfair, even by Len's standards. Jax and the Professor deserved time with his mother and wife respectively, too.
Len had no one. He had nothing. Truth be told, he really could use another adventure before he went stir crazy.
He told himself that he did not miss saving the world and being a part of a team, but figured if he did, the sentimentality would fade with time. For now, he could indulge the silly impulses and get the Flash to owe him another favor while he was at it.
Len drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "I'll think about it," he said as he rose to leave.
Barry's hand shot out, too fast for anyone but the Flash, and stopped him before Len could leave the booth.
Barry was one of the least malicious the world had to offer, but the unexpected touch to his wrist to restrain him had Len fighting back the instinctive flinch. Len was sure he barely tensed, but Barry saw and released him quickly.
"Don't think about it too long," Barry said without acknowledging Len's reaction. "The effects of the meta get worse by the day. The alcoholic's son began by drinking a beer every other day; four weeks passed and now he can't spend a minute sober. We don't know what else could happen if they remain under Molly Wren's influence. We need to capture the meta and figure out how to reverse the effects before it's too late."
"That sounds like a hero problem," Len could not resist retorting.
"Then it's a good thing you're more than just a criminal, Snart."
Neither moved as Len stared at Barry with what he hoped conveyed how deeply unimpressed he was. He must have failed because Barry's smile never wavered.
Barry looked over Len's shoulder and gave a nod to someone Len could not see. "Also, this time dinner's on you," he said cheekily as the waitress arrived with the check.
Barry grinned mischievously as he turned around and left. If Len were a different man, he would have laughed. As it was, he had a hard time wrestling down his smile into a smirk.
No one was thrilled with the idea of working with Snart again. Barry had expected that and, to himself at least, could admit that part of him also wondered if it was a good idea.
Snart was a better person than he would like to believe, had good in him, had love and loyalty in him for his sister at the very least, and a whole lot of potential to be more than he was, but that did not mean Barry could trust him.
Sure, Barry trusted Snart not to kill him when his guard was down or to go around killing innocents for his own amusement, but that was a pretty low bar. Snart was unpredictable sometimes, and Barry knew he had to be careful.
"This is a bad idea, Barry," Caitlin said, her voice a mixture between worried and admonishing. She had her arms crossed as she paced the cortex.
'Yeah, like the worst idea ever," Cisco added from his seat behind the monitors. "Which we know because we have already tried this and had it blow up in our faces only like a year ago."
"Yeah," Barry said dryly. "I remember."
"Then why are we debating this again?" Cisco asked around the red lollipop in his mouth.
"Because I need help, guys," Barry said exasperated. "Snart is tactical and the Cold Gun works from a distance, which is ideal when dealing with a meta who can ruin your life with a single touch."
Cisco snapped his fingers. "The Teal Tormentor." When Barry and Caitlin just looked at him, he added, "You know, because she wears teal as she torments people with her powers."
Caitlin wrinkled her nose. "Her outfit is really more green than teal."
"Yeah, well, Green Tormentor sounds stupid," Cisco argued petulantly. "I'll keep working on it."
"Maybe just the Tormentor?" Cailtin offered helpfully.
"Ugh, no. Caitlin, you are not allowed to name anyone after 'Rainbow Raider'," Cisco shuddered comically.
Caitlin pouted. "It wasn't that bad."
"Guys, focus," Barry said impatiently. "I know we all have our reservations about Snart, but you can't honestly tell me things are the same as they were last year. We know him better now, and he's changed whether he wants to admit it or not."
Barry thought briefly about how Snart acted in the bar. In the months since Christmas, Snart had already changed more than maybe the man himself realized. There was something less hostile, less guarded and dismissive, in the way Snart leveled with Barry a couple hours ago.
Barry wondered if something big had happened or if he was just capable of seeing through Snart's affected bullshit now.
"After everything with Lisa and their dad, you can't tell me you see him the same way," Barry said.
"Yeah, he's not like Zoom or Reverse Flash level evil, but he's still not Firestorm level trustworthy either," Cisco said.
"We don't know where Jax or Professor Stein are, so it doesn't matter," Caitlin said. "And we can't allow the situation to get any worse. They're beginning to target police officers and government officials. She could send the city into chaos if they're not stopped soon."
"But if Captain Cold betrays us again and teams up with them…" Cisco began.
"Snart wouldn't do that," Barry said at once. Of that, he was sure. It was not his style.
Cisco and Caitlin did not argue, and Barry was grateful. It was strange how compelled he felt to defend Snart.
Cailtin had a thoughtful look on her face. "There's something else to consider besides Snart betraying us."
Barry was mostly sure Snart would not stab them in the back this time, but Caitlin's expression made him feel oddly hesitant. "What is it?"
Caitlin pursed her lips. "Did you ask him what would happen if the meta touched him?"
"He wouldn't tell me if I did," Barry replied. "Besides, no one else is going to be affected. I won't let it happen."
"Bet he's afraid of wearing normal, weather-appropriate jackets," Cisco joked. "Or maybe wearing colors and not making ridiculous puns actually."
Barry laughed at the image and shared a smile with Cisco, feeling lighter now that he knew his friends were not judging him for approaching Snart.
Caitlin's lips quirked up as well, but she smoothed her expression quickly. "Just don't let her touch you, Barry."
Barry's skin crawled as he thought of what could happen if he were under the meta's influence. He did not have to imagine a world where a crazed, evil speedster ran amok and ruled in terror. He saw Earth 2 and knew that losing himself to the meta's whims could not be allowed to happen.
Len still listened to Central's cops' radios, so the second the meta pair struck again, Len was dialing Barry.
"Hello?" Barry sounded out of breath, probably only taking the call from the unknown number of Len's burner on the off chance it was someone he loved needing help.
"Kid, are we doing this or what?" Len drawled as if he could not be bothered to care either way.
"Snart?" Barry's voice was now hushed and incredulous. "How did you get my- wait, never mind, I don't care. Where are you?"
Len rattled off an address and was not disappointed when he was swept away to a parking lot filled with overturned cars and panicking civilians not a minute later. People were climbing over the metal fence that surrounded the area in their haste to get away from the chaos but so many were still trapped behind.
The first thing Len noticed upon arriving was a woman dressed in all green reaching down to touch the face a trembling teen while his father screamed in horror too far away to help.
Without hesitating, Len drew the Cold Gun from his holster and shot. She started when she finally noticed them, but it was too late for her to move. Before the blast could touch her though, a man, taller and more muscular than Len, threw himself in the way.
The man stumbled back only a step before literally shaking off the frost that had covered his skin a second ago. Right, invulnerability.
Luckily, the teenager had taken his opportunity to run into his father's arms and disappear into the masses fleeing the scene, so it was not a wasted effort. If the Cold Gun had little effect on Jack, Len should focus on Molly and let Barry take on him. Barry's abilities required close range attacks for the most part, which put him at risk when it came to the woman's powers.
"Flash, you brought a friend," Molly cooed. She appeared unremarkable with short brown hair tied back and unexceptional features, but her expression… Len knew the face of people drunk on their own power and relishing their dominance over others.
"This ends now," Barry declared, all righteousness as he stepped forward.
"Why stop when we're having so much fun?" the woman wondered aloud.
Out of the corner of his eye, Len saw the movement and was about to dive out of the way of the car hurtling at him, but Barry was always faster. One second Len was by a lamppost at the south end of the area and the next he was on the other side of the parking lot with Barry's arms wrapped protectively around him.
The tension that typically accompanied a sudden touch was fleeting as Len found himself strangely comforted by Barry's presence.
Barry removed himself quickly and did not wait around long enough for Len to tell him about his proposition that they should divide and conquer. The kid was really too reckless.
Jack was already grabbing a second car and throwing it Barry's way while the Flash barreled towards him heedless of the danger. Len jogged over to the fight in time to see Barry attempt to punch the invulnerable meta with little reaction. Molly darted towards them in an effort to reach Barry and no doubt subject him to her powers when Len shot another blast of cold her way.
She turned to him with a scowl but had been able to dodge this time. Len was too far away and there were too many cars preventing a clean shot.
"Flash," he called. "We need to separate them." As long as they were together, the meta siblings actually stood a chance at winning. Jack provided a distraction while Molly wormed her way closer and went in for the proverbial kill as he did. It was a good plan and precisely why Barry could not take them both on at once.
Barry glanced over at him and nodded. He took a step back to reevaluate, which was a welcome change from his typical rush headfirst into things approach.
Unfortunately, Molly changed tactics and began working her way towards a trapped group of people in a car that was looking a little worse for wear. The car's entire hood and roof were crushed, as if Jack had thrown other cars at it to prevent them from escaping.
The windows were crushed, and Molly reached inside with a sickening smirk on her face as the injured civilians cowered. Len could not hear what she was saying as he ran at them, but their screams of terror and cries for help filled the air.
Len was close enough now to be able to get Molly should he fire the Cold Gun, but he was guaranteed to hit at least one of the innocent passengers as well given the angle. He raised his gun in preparation to take the shot anyway but found himself hesitating.
In that moment, Barry suddenly was on the scene, grabbing the first passenger and speeding him away before anyone could blink. Molly's head whipped around in surprise when Barry came back for the second civilian in a whoosh.
Len holstered the Cold Gun and sprinted towards them hoping to get close enough to help.
When he returned for the third, Molly had recovered from her shock and was ready for him.
But Barry would never think of himself before saving someone else, so when Molly reached out to Barry's exposed face while he grabbed the final passenger, Barry did not spare her a glance. Foolish, reckless kid.
Len did not know why he did it. He clearly was not thinking at all. All that was running through his mind was what would happen should Molly get her claws into Barry; it would destroy Central, it would destroy Barry.
Maybe that was why Len found himself hurtling into Molly and knocking her to the ground before she could touch Barry. Molly and Len rolled onto the pavement painfully while Barry whisked the last civilian away. Len let out a grunt upon impact as his knee and elbow were jarred in the crash.
But Len was already pushing himself to his feet when he felt it. Two hands, uncomfortably warm on his skin, cupped his face with a softness that belied the ill intent. Len met Barry's panicked eyes as he stopped two feet away in horror before his vision tunneled and disappeared. Len's heart constricted as if someone had slipped a hand under his ribcage to squeeze it.
Then Len could not focus on anything except the voice whispering against his face- close, too close- in a voice that was almost childlike.
"Oh, I can see your fear, so many fears." the voice cackled gleefully, a sound that echoed in Len's foggy brain, as enchanting as it was alarming. "It's going to destroy you both."
Then there was no terror at all, it drained out of Len with a dizzying rush. Len was not even disturbed or curious; everything was calm, and he was nowhere and everywhere at once. The words washed over him like an ocean lulling him to sleep.
He did not feel the unforgiving pavement as he toppled over.
That's chapter one, hope you enjoyed it whoever's still reading!
Let me know what you guys think and if there's any interest in me continuing. I've never written a DCTV fanfic before and am not sure I'm getting the voices/characters right.