Ray was talking animatedly with Professor Stein when the hatch of the ship opened. Everyone looked over as Rip entered, followed by a stranger and the rest of the team. They noticed Len looked annoyed and Sara looked amused. Rip cleared his throat and introduced their guest.
"Everyone, this is Axel Rondish. Axel, this is Kendra Saunders, Ray Palmer, Professor Martin Stein, and Jefferson Jackson." He then turned around to face the others. "And, you've already met Sara Lance, Mick Rory, and Leonard Snart." Green eyes turned to Len.
"Yes, I have." Axel said, eyes running up and down the other's form. Len, for his part just glared at the man. Mick came up behind his partner and murmured in his ear.
"Can I burn him now?" Sighing, Len responded.
"I wish you would."
"Aw, you don't really mean that." Axel said, having overheard their quiet conversation. "Tell me, what's a guy like you doing hanging out with someone like this." he said, motioning to Mick, who growled in response. Mick was about to move forward, but Len put his hand on his chest to stop him.
"Number one, that's the worst pick-up line I've ever heard. Number two, leave me the hell alone or I'll put you on ice." With that, Len stormed off, presumably to go to his quarters. Everyone else on the bridge stood awkwardly, staring at Axel.
"Well, that was either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. I haven't decided yet." Jax said in awe. Sara and Kendra just laughed as the men tried to decipher exactly what was wrong with the new arrival. Mick, with a scowl, approached Axel.
"Hey, stay away from my partner." he growled, stalking out of the room.
~x~x~x~
Len was laying on his back in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was thinking about what had happened earlier. He wasn't used to people showing him that kind of attention. Though, on the rare occasion that they did, they usually wanted to use him and nothing more. He didn't know what Axel's game was, but he decided to steer clear of him. He didn't need anybody. Not a moment later, the door slid open and Mick came through. 'Well, I don't need anyone besides Mick.' he silently corrected himself.
Mick looked agitated. He was pacing the floor, making Len motion sick by just watching him. He was mumbling to himself and looked like he wanted to set the entire ship on fire.
"Mick, what's wrong?" he asked, going for detached interest.
"That guy." he growled. "Who does he think he is?! We've been partners for decades. He can't just cut in on that." Len sat up to better look at Mick.
"Calm down. He's just flirting."
"Yeah, well, I don't like it!" That took Len by surprise. There was absolutely no reason for Mick to be that upset over some flirting. It wasn't like Axel was going to come between them as partners. Len would never let that happen and Mick knew it. So, what was it? Before Len could ask, Mick exhaled loudly and left the room, leaving Len staring after him. He looked down at his feet on the floor trying to figure the other man out. When the door slid open again, he didn't look up, figuring Mick had returned to finally tell him what the hell was going on.
"That didn't look good." The voice had Len whipping his head up to look directly into smiling, green eyes. Len stood, scowl in place.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" he asked. Axel just smiled at him. Len was taken aback. The other's expression was so open and genuine.
"Just came to check on you. Mr. Rory, there, seemed quite unhappy when he left the bridge."
"That's just Mick. He wouldn't hurt me." Len didn't know why he was humoring Axel, he just was. Perhaps it was the way he looked at him, like he was the most beautiful thing the man had ever seen. It felt good to be held in such regard in such an honest way. Len had watched Axel on their way back to the ship. He had flirted with Rip and Sara a little, but hadn't looked at either of them the way he was currently looking at him. It was unnerving yet, at the same time, exhilarating.
"Are you so sure about that? He seems like a loose cannon."
"He's loyal." Axel smiled again, taking a step closer.
"I can see how anyone would pledge loyalty to you." Len felt himself blush slightly, but covered it with a scowl.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You act so cold and calculating, but I can tell that you're the kind of person who cares too much. You try to hide it, but I can tell. I'm good at reading people." Len just stared at Axel, trying desperately to figure out what to say, what to do. In the end, he and Axel ended up talking for several hours. He wasn't that bad of a guy after all.