Chapter Six

Barry stared at his phone, trying to puzzle out if it was too soon to call Piper.

He'd never been very good at timing these things. Luckily for him, Iris hadn't cared much for gender roles, and she'd been more than happy to call him herself whenever she felt it was time for another date. She'd always been incredibly accommodating of his shortcomings (except tardiness; she drew the line at tardiness).

He was still trying to figure out if two days was too soon when the phone rang. Startled (even though he'd been staring at it), Barry picked up. "Hello?"

"Hey Barry. What's up?"

Of course it was just Hal. "Not a whole lot. Well, I mean a lot's going on at work, day job and the other one, but at the moment it's pretty quiet. What are you up to?"

"Trying to get an obtuse friend of mine to clue me in about his date. How'd it go with the cute red head?"

Barry felt his face flush. He sat down on his couch as he thought about how to answer that one. "It was…overall it was pretty nice."

"Overall? What happened? You didn't put that bow tie back on, did you?"

Barry scowled. "No, I didn't put the bow tie back on. It was just kind of awkward at a few points."

"Oh. Well that's normal."

Barry was pretty sure throwing rocks at moving cars, brawling with teenagers, and then running from them wasn't normal first date awkwardness, but he didn't really want to talk about it so he let it go.

"Are you seeing him again?" Hal asked.

"Yep. Not sure when though. Um…how's it going on your end? Have you met a fella you liked yet?"

Hal took a moment answering, and Barry frowned. "I've met…one or two fellas I've liked."

"Oh jeeze Hal…how many guys have you slept with?"

"Since we last talked or overall?"

Barry scowled. "You and Ollie are still getting regular blood tests, right?"

"Of course we are. And I promise; I'm using protection like a good little boy."

"Okay then."

"So have you slept with your guy yet?"

"Hal," Barry yelped. "We've been on one date! Why would you even ask that?"

"Because I'm curious," Hal answered with a healthy dose of facetiousness in his tone. "Well when you're ready, I bet it's going to be fantastic."

"…really?" Barry wasn't so sure himself. He'd thought about it often enough since he'd admitted to himself that he was attracted to Piper, but only about half of his fantasies of seduction and sex ended well. He'd never been terribly adventurous when it came to sex, and there was a lot he didn't know even about heterosexual activities. He wasn't sure he'd be very good at pleasing his partner, and maybe it was a carryover from the antagonistic and competitive relationship he'd had with Piper so far, but he really wanted to impress the guy. The thought of disappointing a former Rogue in bed was just mortifying.

And from what he understood, fellas couldn't fake it to make you feel better.

"Yeah, I'm sure it'll be great," Hal continued obliviously. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I haven't sworn off the ladies or anything, but sleeping with guys is fucking fantastic. Seriously, the way these men touch you, the way they gauge your responses…I mean, it's wonderful. I've been having some of the best sex of my life."

"Uh huh…" Barry muttered, wishing Hal would talk about something else. He turned on the TV and switched to the news, just in case someone started a rampage downtown that gave him an excuse to end the call early. Grodd going nuts in downtown Central would be convenient (of course the stupid gorilla never timed these things in Barry's favor).

"Plus that Piper kid's an amazing kisser. And he's really responsive too."

'Oh great,' Barry thought bitterly. 'Remind me again how you made out with him after ditching me, because that was fabulous, is what that was.'

"And since you're being a gentleman about this…I just bet it'll be better when there are feelings involved. I haven't found anyone for that yet."

Barry muted the TV, suddenly invested in the conversation again. He didn't like talking to Hal about his promiscuity (at this point it was almost more a matter of boredom than their contrary morality; Barry simply had nothing to add to a conversation about sleeping around), but he could certainly discuss relationships and unrequited loves. "Are you looking for a boyfriend?"

"Of course I am. Or a girlfriend; I don't intend to be picky. I'm not going to brood over Carol forever."

"I hadn't realized…" It was definitely a positive step. Hal was capable of monogamy, but he'd shied away from it after some terrible experiences. And it didn't seem like a matter of changing preferences, as Hal had claimed. It really seemed like he was shying away from deeper connections because he was damaged.

Barry had tried bringing that up once, and Hal and Ollie still gave him hell for it.

"You've been treating this like you were just messing around," Barry said.

"Well sure, when I'm hanging out with you in Central. Not real practical to start a relationship with a guy who lives in a different state and doesn't realize I can cheat and travel the distance with my superpowers."

Barry hadn't thought of that. "But when you're in Coast you're looking for a commitment?"

"I dunno…some of the time. At any rate, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and the kid. Glad the date went well…or well enough for a second date. Any thoughts on when that's going to be?"

"Um…"

"You still need to call him, don't you?"

"I've been busy this week!" Barry snapped. At least that answered his question about whether or not it was too soon though (and he hadn't even had to ask).

"Can I trust you to pick out your own clothes this time?" Hal teased.

"I should hang up on you for that."

"And yet here you are. I should get going anyway though. Tom and Jim are coming by, and if the ring doesn't drag me out of the man cave we're going to establish, we might be able to watch the game."

Barry had been so busy with work and superheroics that he wasn't even sure what season it was anymore. "What are you guys watching? Basketball? Football?"

"…I have no idea, actually. But I'm looking forward to watching athleticism and violence surrounding whatever ball happens to be in play, and I'll be rooting for the home team. Oh Jesus, I probably should have asked. Knowing Tom, there's a chance we're watching soccer. I hope it's not soccer."

Barry laughed under his breath, said goodbye, and then resumed his staring match with the phone. After a bit more silent contemplation, Barry finally picked it up and gave Piper a call.

Barry hoped to God Piper wasn't punctual.

As he frantically dressed while attempting to simultaneously tidy up his apartment, he thought back on every interaction he'd had with the man, and decided that his death traps and master plans were usually timed incredibly well. He probably was punctual.

Dammit.

Rather than try to find another dinner venue that would keep them away from familiar faces (Piper pointed out that it probably wasn't a great idea to frequent his hang outs either; some of the Rogues wanted to remain friends with him even though he was quitting, and they weren't overly fond of cops), they'd decided to just order a pizza and watch a movie at Barry's place for their second date. It had sounded harmless enough when he'd made the arrangements, but now that they were within five minutes of date-time Barry was starting to rethink the plan.

He managed to hide his dirty laundry, get his dishes in the dishwasher, and do a light dusting and sweeping, but he couldn't do much else in regards to cleaning in under five minutes, even with superspeed. Left on his own for clothing, he'd opted for a sweater and those black jeans he'd purchased to be his club clothes.

He placed a few pizza menus on the coffee table, pulled out a few videos he thought Piper might like, then he ran through the apartment one last time to make sure he hadn't accidentally left anything suspicious lying around (there were some Flash rings on an end table, but that would only be a problem if Piper noticed the lightning insignia on them; he still stuffed them in a drawer just in case). Satisfied that he wasn't going to accidentally blow his secret identity, Barry sat down to wait for his guest.

After a few minutes (that felt like hours to a tense speedster), there was a hesitant knock on the door. Barry went to open it, and found Piper waiting for him with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his baggy coat, a warm smile on his face. "Hey. I tried to run a little late for you. How'd I do?"

Barry glanced at his watch. "Two minutes."

"Oh. Well I actually got here early, so I was sitting on the sidewalk for a bit." He kicked his boots off by the doorway, shrugged out of his coat, and took off the green knitted scarf he was wearing. He still had a satchel with him, but he held on to it as he stepped into the apartment.

"You didn't have to do that."

Piper smirked at him. "I figured you'd be getting ready up until the last second, considering what you said about always being late."

"Well yes, that is true. But you still didn't have to wait outside in the cold." Barry took the coat and draped it over an armchair. He waved Piper over to the couch and indicated the menus. "What kind of pizza do you like?"

Piper shrugged. "Anything meat free, really."

"You…don't eat meat?"

"I can give you a humanitarian lecture about preventable deaths from hunger and cattle feed grain redistribution if you like, but most people prefer to just skip it and accept that I don't eat meat." He sat down on the couch and smiled cheekily.

"I…think I'll take your advice." Barry glanced at the menus with a frown. He usually only ever got cheese or peperoni. "Um..."

"This one looks good. Spinach and feta?"

"Sure. I'll call it in." While Barry was in the kitchen ordering their pizza, Piper unpacked some of his own movies from his satchel.

They were all musicals. Really, Barry guessed he should have expected that.

Barry put his own movies away, more intrigued by what Piper had brought, and they ended up settling on a bizarre (and somewhat cruel) parody of Fantasia called Allegro Non Troppo. The movie didn't really hold Barry's attention (and neither did the food when it arrived; he didn't trust that white crunchy stuff Piper insisted was a kind of cheese), but that was fine because his companion certainly did.

Barry liked looking at Piper's face under normal conditions (well, since meeting him at the bar anyway; the sadistic supervillain cackling expression hadn't done a thing for him), but seeing his lovely blue eyes light up as he watched a movie he clearly enjoyed, and listening to him rant about the music and the jokes Barry wasn't getting, well, he just looked radiant. It was almost intoxicating.

He had so much passion. It was a comforting thought to realize that Barry never had to worry about all that creativity and energy going into a convoluted plan to ransom the city ever again.

About halfway through the movie, Piper set his pizza on the coffee table and regarded Barry with a wry smirk. "You haven't been listening to a thing I've said all movie, have you?"

"I…caught some of it," Barry said, with a self-conscious smile. "I was a bit distracted."

"By what?"

"You."

Piper frowned. "Me? The guy who picked out food you don't like for the second time in a row and is now forcing you to sit through a movie that's boring you? Are you distracted by how much I'm fucking up this date?"

Barry sat up, startled at the outburst as he'd actually been having a good time. "I liked the veggie burger-"

"You were freaked out by the corn kernels."

"I just didn't expect them to be in a burger patty. They still tasted fine. And I'm not bored, I promise. I'm enjoying myself." He gave Piper's hand a reassuring squeeze, and finally got a small smile out of him. "Aren't you?"

"This is really nice. Unless you're not actually having fun, because if you're not we can watch something else. I won't care, I prom-"

Barry stopped him with a kiss. Piper made a startled noise, then switched to a throaty purr as his eyes slid closed. Barry wound his fingers through the sleek red-gold hair he'd been dying to caress since the man had walked through his door and nudged him closer.

"Mm…so movie night still really means making out even when you're dating a nice guy?" Piper asked playfully.

Barry frowned. "I'm sorry, did you want to watch the-" And then suddenly the skinny musician was straddling him, and there was a tongue in his mouth, and Barry figured that meant that no, Piper did not want to watch the rest of the movie.

It provided unusual background noise while they kissed and groped each other though.

Hal had definitely been right about Piper being a good kisser. Barry had experienced that particular joy on his own a few times before the second date, but the make-out session confirmed him in his belief. The chemistry and attraction they'd both been feeling manifested wonderfully in kisses and caresses. Maybe having sex with Piper wouldn't end in horrifying embarrassment.

Barry wasn't really sure how many dates counted as a gentlemanly amount before sex in the homosexual community (and he wasn't quite sure he was ready for it either), but if the third date went well he was considering bringing it up. And he was starting to really care about Piper.

Unfortunately, try as he might, they couldn't seem to get a third date to work. Barry wound up accidentally vibrating himself into an alternate universe on Wednesday, and it took him until Friday to get back to Earth. Then there was a hostage crisis and two bank robberies Friday night, and Saturday Gorilla Grodd made one of his untimely rampages through town (because the blood thirsty monster had the worst timing imaginable). When Barry called to apologize for out and out missing the date that night he got the feeling Piper thought he was intentionally blowing him off. The guy sounded angry, at any rate.

Feeling a bit desperate, Barry did something that he usually considered a last resort, and called his sidekick.

The boy sounded a bit groggy when he answered the phone, which was odd because it was only eleven thirty and usually Wally stayed up much later than that. He tried to sound alert when he realized who it was.

"Is everything okay?" Barry asked.

"Fine, yeah. Mostly. Just been having these weird dreams lately about some strange mystical chick. She's asking me to reform the Titans. Crazy, huh?"

Barry frowned. In their line of work, that might not just be a dream. "Are any of your former teammates having dreams like that, Wally? It might be worth looking into."

"I guess. Well what's up with you?"

"I was hoping to ask you for a favor."

"Oh, sure. What do you need?"

He needed Wally's blind hero-worship of the Flash to keep the kid from asking too many questions. "Can you come by Central City and keep an eye on it tomorrow? I need to take some time off for personal reasons, but every time I try the city winds up in peril."

"Yeah, supervillains always seem to know when you need downtime. I swear, they do it on purpose. But yeah, I'll cover you no problem. I'm really glad you picked me."

Barry wondered if he should tell Wally that he'd also talked to Ralph, and that the Elongated Man was also going to be keeping an eye on things. He decided against it. Clearly this gesture meant a lot to Wally. He exchanged a few more pleasantries with the kid, then hung up and called Piper. Piper still sounded surly about being blown off for so long, but he agreed to come over again for another pizza and movie night.

Barry hung up the phone, and tried to feel hopeful.

"He thinks I'm an idiot," Piper informed his empty apartment.

He'd just hung up with his pseudo-boyfriend, who'd just made another set of plans that he was probably going to break, because he was the fucking Flash and he thought Piper hadn't noticed. Even though they'd only had two successful dates, things were getting pretty serious between them pretty quickly.

Piper would really appreciate it if his former nemesis would tell him that he was Piper's former nemesis. As far as he was concerned, the relationship couldn't really progress if Barry tried to keep that from him. It was a pretty obvious sign of a lack of trust.

He still showed up at Barry's the next day though, carefully dressed and armed with a selection of movies he didn't need to pay attention to. And he tried to keep his guard up; he tried to stay just a little bit icy. This was a man that had humiliated him for the better part of three years, and was currently keeping a significant secret from him.

This was an absolutely fucking gorgeous man who was tenderly brushing hair out of his eyes while he asked him how his week had been.

God dammit. Piper still hated the Flash, but Barry was so sweet...

And he'd bought a vegetarian cookbook (he hadn't been able to actually make anything in it yet, but he showed it off anyway and proudly proclaimed that he was reasonably confident he knew what went wrong during his practice veggie stew, and that a second effort would be edible). The sweetness was really throwing Piper off balance.

Piper put a movie in while Barry ordered them another pizza, and then he flopped onto the couch and waited. After a couple minutes Barry sat down next to him and squeezed his hand. "I got a spinach and mushroom this time. I'm sorry, but I really didn't like the feta."

"That's okay. You could have gotten half-meat. I'm not trying to convert you or anything." He'd chosen not to hear the rant, after all.

"It's fine. I don't mind being veggie for a night. So what are we watching?"

"I thought Fantasia was a pretty obvious follow up for Allegro Non Troppo."

Piper curled up next to Barry and let the man wrap an arm around him. Eventually he was going to have to have a talk with the guy about gender roles, and remind him that Piper was a man and liked to be treated like one every now and then. For the moment though, he'd be the small spoon for cuddles, and let Barry buy the pizzas and set up the dates. There was no ill-intention behind any of the feminizing behavior; the guy was just flustered.

"I'm sorry I couldn't see you all week," Barry said. "I did try."

He was tempted to make a glib comment about how taxing inter-dimensional travel could be (Piper had read about the Flash's temporary disappearance and ensuing adventures in the paper), but Piper wasn't supposed to know that. He settled for nuzzling against Barry's neck with a contented sigh. "It's okay. We're here now, and this is nice."

It really was. So far this was turning out to be the best, most healthy relationship of Piper's life, and they were hiding so much from each other. It was really pretty sad.

But that could all be fixed later. Piper did his best to enjoy the pizza, enjoy the movie, enjoy the cuddles, and when the movie was over and Barry still hadn't been called away for Flash business, he really enjoyed a night in Barry's bed.

Later that night, Barry crept out of the room wearing only his robe and retrieved his phone from an end table in the living room. He dialed a number, and as soon as Hal picked up he whispered, "You were right about Piper. It was fantastic." Then, before his friend could answer, he hung up and went back to his bedroom.

Piper had used the two minutes of absence to sprawl in the center of the bed. His soft red hair was beautifully fanned around his head, and the low light of the moon and a few nearby streetlamps was playing marvelously well on his smooth, pale skin. Barry slipped his robe back off and crawled into bed next to him, then threw the blanket back over them. Piper instantly curled around him and tucked his head under Barry's chin. "Where'd you go?" he murmured sleepily.

"I just had to make a quick phone call. Go back to sleep beautiful."

"Okay sunshine."