A/N - Because I know some people aren't interested in this sort of thing, here it is, upfront - this story will have a slash pairing/romance in it. That being said, it'll be slow-burn and only hinted at the first several chapters...

The pairing in question is in the character list, if you missed it.

Edit - Fixed the chapter heading...

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Prologue

The singularity gaped in the air, its blue light illuminating the entire chamber of the particle accelerator. In its depths, darkness juxtaposed to its luminosity - two reverses come together. It was strange and entrancing to watch its inexorable progress. Eobard, however, soon had eyes only for the time sphere that sat before it, bathed in the soft glow.

"It's beautiful," he commented, appreciating the flawlessness of this device, the way it reflected the light, the smooth controls inside, the comfortable curve of the seat. But its beauty did not lay in its physical aspects alone; instead, it resided in its purpose. This device would take him home after so much wasted time.

"Rip Hunter would be impressed," the Reverse Flash added. "He built the first one of these. Interesting man." He knew his small talk was pointless, comparable to uttering his words into the black of space - an empty gesture, time misused. He didn't know why he'd spoken at all.

He turned his gaze to Cisco, and he realized why he had wasted his breath. Somehow, a part of him, in a subconscious way, had missed the days in which he'd been an ally to these people around him, had missed the easy conversations they'd once held, had missed the sense of camaraderie and companionship. But what they'd all had - it mattered no more, he thought, pushing away that notion. It would all fade when he became Eobard Thawne again, as he'd once been, a young man searching for vengeance, a means to end his foe. Still, he felt he owed it to Cisco, to give him one last recompense for his efforts.

He strode over to the young man, whose face was unreadable.

"Thank you, Cisco." He wanted the appreciation he felt to be conveyed to the one who was so much like a son he'd never had. He wanted it said, even if they never spoke again. Simple gratitude, expressed in nothing more than words, could not return the favor this prodigy had done for him...but it'd have to do. There was no time for more.

Cisco averted his gaze. "Don't ever come back," he replied, voice cold.

No forgiveness, either. Not that he'd asked for it, or ever would. He didn't want to be forgiven, because he didn't regret his actions. Also, he couldn't blame the other for his coldness, his anger. It was fitting, expected, and in the end, it didn't matter. When he returned home, hundreds of years would have passed - hundreds of years in which the chance for this brilliant young man's death to occur would increase. Pushing away any lingering emotions, he turned to the time sphere, climbing into the seat.

Starting with a whirring, the sphere turned and crept toward the wormhole.

A plethora of new emotions filled Eobard. He was going home. No more Harrison Wells. No more helping the Flash - his greatest enemy, his mortal foe - or his teammates. No more misguided attachments. He was ready to be done with this charade. He'd be done with all of these people that he'd grown a fondness for. He'd be free. And he yearned for this freedom with a passion that outweighed everything he'd experienced in the last sixteen years.

"Home." Such a simple and profound word, with so much meaning.

He guided the sphere into the the singularity, confident. The darkness swallowing the light would guide him home. It was fitting, he thought, because he was the Reverse Flash, and darkness overcoming light suited him.

Chapter 1

"Let her go, Thawne."

Eobard held the unconscious woman before him, the blood glistening on his gloves from the other lives he'd claimed. Past his captive, he saw the Flash, glaring at him, the glow of the setting sun burning on his outfit. The hero of Central City didn't know this woman. She was a perfect stranger, another face in a crowd, and yet Eobard knew that he wouldn't hesitate to give his life for her, if there was no other choice.

Pathetic.

"Even if I did release her," Eobard returned, shifting his hold, "you can't save everyone. You couldn't save them...and you won't save her."

Flash moved, blurring into the air. He understood.

Just as Eobard did.

This woman would die.

He sunk his hand into her heart. More blood poured, painting him for what he was, a killer, a murderer - a monster. He flung the body away just as his nemesis reached him. A roar of anger exploded from the Flash, and Eobard was met with the full fury of the enraged speedster.

"That's the spirit!" Eobard snarled, deflecting a series of punches.

The Flash got in a strike on his jaw, sending him reeling. Before he could recover, his foe launched into the air, his fist plunged, wreathed in lighting. The jolt of it jumbled Eobard's thoughts, but he caught himself before he collapsed.

"You didn't have to kill them!" Flash thundered, all judgement, righteousness, goodness.

Everything Eobard loathed about him.

He chuckled, spitting at the metallic taste in his mouth. His lip had split. First blood. Good. There would be so much more. "Yes...I did..." He responded, vision clearing. "And now I'm going to do the same to you."

He sensed a flare of Speed Force. With the weight of a magnet train, a heavy blow struck his chest. The world spun away, and he crashed against a window, greeting the ground just on the other side. The glass rained on him. He felt the blood, now, running down his face. He looked up, blinking, confused. The Flash hadn't moved, he was certain. He had been on guard the entire time. In fact, his nemesis rolled on the ground, also looking as if he'd taken a hit. Eobard pushed up, feeling glass crunch under his palms. He steadied himself, looking around for who or what had landed such a solid hit.

In a burst of Speed Force, it appeared, an answer to his silent question. It was dark and large, jagged claws on each hand. Dark fog surrounded it, shifting and flowing. It growled, fixing baleful, glowing-gold eyes on him. He could feel the Speed Force being twisted around it, through it, flickering as lightning along its body.

"What the hell?" He asked aloud, forgetting to vibrate his voice, trying to comprehend this creature before him.

The Flash was also on his feet, tense. "What the hell are you?" He demanded, fist clenching.

The beast spoke, a rich voice that vibrated with distortions, like a bass drum echoing through a steel tunnel. "Who I am, is unimportant. Know simply that I am here to stop you."

There was another burst of lightning, and the creature vanished. He saw the Flash fall, hitting the ground hard. Eobard tensed, racing forward. He raised a fist, ready to fight. There was a blur, and his stomach lurched. Disoriented, he tumbled through the air, striking the hard ground. A crunch, a terrible pain, and he was certain that something was broken. It was difficult to breath. He heard a buzz of electricity. He looked up, the being standing over him, casting a twisted shadow.

"Enough, you cannot resist this," the beast said.

Thawne never saw the fist, but he felt it strike him in the face.

Blackness overcame him.

Eobard, chest burning, mind foggy, forced open his eyes. He squinted against the white light shining down on him. He shifted his arms, pushing himself into a sitting position. He regretted it. Dizziness flooded him. He paused, taking deep breaths until it passed. Gaze focusing, he became aware of the walls around him, gray, lifeless. They appeared to be made of a metallic substance, glimmering. From them, he sensed a buzzing, like lightning. An electrical current of some kind?

What kind of prison is this?

To his annoyance, he saw the Flash, leaning against the opposite wall, mere feet away.

"Great," Eobard said, "the only thing worse than being locked up in a cell, is being locked up with you." He shook his head. "Judging from your expression, there's no escape."

Flash looked at him, grimacing. "You're welcome to try,"

Eobard grinned back. "You know what? I've got a better idea."

"What's that?"

"To kill you."

Ignoring his pain, he launched himself at the other, hands outstretched. Flash avoided his strike by a mere instant. "Really?" He seethed in the lull.

"Yeah, really," Eobard returned, "if this is the end for us, then I want the satisfaction of destroying you personally." He tensed, and rushed forward again.

Flash deflected his strike, shoving him back, pushing himself forward. Eobard collided with the wall, ducking the next blow which thudded against the metal over his shoulder. Reverse Flash didn't waste a moment. He landed a solid hit in the other's abdomen, expelling a gasp from him. It was a satisfying blow, one he knew would leave a nasty bruise. There was an attempt to return the favor, but it failed, despite the chain reaction it set off.

In seconds, they traded countless blows through, on, and around each other's hits, seeking to injure any available inch of each other. With nothing but hatred flowing through him, Eobard lashed against the flurry, landing just as many punches as his foe. Like a twisted dance, they fought with a combination of fury, thrill, and adrenaline that only they could generate.

After several minutes, he twisted away, aching, sore, his exhaustion threatening to overwhelm his anger, his strength, his pride.

"Just stop!" Flash snapped, winded. "You cannot...overpower me."

"I'll damn well try," Eobard gasped, lurching at him.

Another series of blows, and he hit the ground, winded. He started to rise again, but his trembling muscles began to refuse, telling him he'd had enough. He ignored it. He managed to stagger to his feet, but his next swing missed by several inches.

The Flash thrust him against the wall, eyes burning with rage. He bared his teeth. "If you...don't stop...I'll knock you out...and I'll keep doing it...for as long as...necessary." Eobard could see that he was also struggling to maintain his stance, likewise exhausted, trembling, trying to catch his breath in equal measure.

Equals?

"Pft," Reverse Flash replied, letting the Speed Force he tapped into drain away. "I'm done." His red lightning dissipated.

"Just like...that?" his enemy asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Yeah... I don't think..I'll be able to stand...for much longer."

Flash released him, reeling back.

As predicted, Eobard slumped to the ground, trying to ignore the pain of both his damaged body and pride, which was more prominent without the fire of their fight. He leaned against the wall, every part of him protesting the decision to move at all. "I must have...gotten hit...harder than you...by that thing."

"Yeah right. You just aren't good enough to defeat me, Thawne, admit it."

Eobard inhaled, trying to steady his breathing. "Well, you aren't good enough to defeat me either, Allen." He exhaled.

"We'll see. As soon as I figure out how to get out of this damn box."

Eobard decided not to reply, but lay his head back, closing his eyes.