CHAPTER 7: Lightning Storm

King Leonard entered the Great Hall and stopped at the overwhelming sight. He unconsciously smiled. He thought that he was going to find a very annoyed Lisa for making her wait while he was talking to Prince Bartholomew, but to his surprise what he saw made him feel wistful. Lisa was laughing and joking with the young prince's friends, with the annoying King Oliver and his fiancé. Lisa seemed so happy. She was beaming next to the weird inventor from Central Kingdom, who was obviously smitten with her beauty.

He had forgotten what was having laughter and happiness in the castle. He missed seeing his sister happy and the worst part was that he was aware that it was his fault; he had deprived his sister from this happiness for two long years, it was his responsibility to make her happy and he failed. He felt hollow, they used to have so much laughter and music, and love and warmth in the palace and then with Mick's death everything changed, he lost his way and he had forsaken everything, his sister and his duties. He changed. And now what remained of him was a lost man with shattered dreams.

Lisa couldn't stop laughing from a bad joke Cisco made about Oliver's aim, when she turned to the door and saw Len standing there alone near the great arched door. He looked utterly defeated and miserable. She frowned worried and excused herself from the cheerful conversation and walked towards her brother, leaving behind the warmth and laughter she had been waiting to enjoy for years. Leonard smiled shyly when he saw that she was coming his way. She was so beautiful and he was a really proud and over-protective brother.

'Lenny are you okay?' – said Lisa holding tenderly Len's face with her hands. He saw Lisa's concern in her softer blue gray eyes. 'I saw you standing here all alone and you seemed absent.'

'Don't worry Sis, it's just that I remembered that the last time we had so many guests in the palace was when Mick and I we were celebrating our anniversary two years ago. It feels like it was in another lifetime. I still can't believe we were celebrating ten long years of marriage. My memories seem like scenes from a different life… a different me.'

Lisa smiled. 'I know… sometimes I feel the same way.'

'Can we please go back to those days?'

'Those were really good times Len, but you know we can't go back.' - Lisa said smiling sadly and understanding Len's feelings. 'It's impossible to travel through time.'

'You know…in that moment I never thought that good times could end. I felt invincible next to Mick. Strong and fierce Mick. My fire.' – murmured Len remembering his beloved husband. 'But everything faded away and now only ashes remain.'

Lisa nodded and Len gave her a shy smile.

She cherished so much those memories when they used to be a happy family.

'Do you remember the surprise we made for him that day?' – the King asked Lisa.

The Princess felt her eyes start watering with the memory but she smiled through the silent tears that refused to fall. 'Of course I remember silly. We almost burned the Great Hall and our guests. Your brilliant idea of having a show with fire for Mick literally backfired and one of the dancers tripped and her torch landed on the wooden table and it caught fire and then hell went loose…'

Len laughed remembering the chaos. 'Mick was so thrilled.'

'We were so drunk that we just sat there laughing while the flames burn the Great Hall…' added Lisa. 'I still remember that the guests were totally scared and they started running from the chaos and then General Mark Mardon caused a huge storm inside the castle to try to extinguish the flames, but he was so drunk that he couldn't control his powers and he broke all the huge stained glasses of the high arched windows with the wind and the lightning he involuntarily caused. Mick couldn't stop laughing… his laugh was so contagious.'

'You know looking back I wouldn't change a thing of our rogue family.' – murmured Len. ' Everything was so perfect. I miss him so much...'

'I know. I miss him too but he is gone Len and you have to move on. You need to be strong. Those memories we shared with Mick they'll always stay with us, but we can create more good memories if we open to new possibilities.'

He nodded feeling the cold ring on his left hand and sighed. She was right.

'I will try.' – he said lifting his gaze to take a glimpse of Hartley who was laughing with Mardon and Shawna at the end of the long table.

She smiled thinking that maybe Leonard will finally start considering a new beginning and a new story, hopefully with Barry… Barry…where is Barry?

'By the way Len…' she asked nervous. 'Where is Prince Bartholomew?'

'He stayed outside with Lord Thawne…' - Len answered uninterested until he saw Lisa's beautiful face contort in to fear.

'He what?'

Len surveyed Lisa's reaction with curiosity and repeated himself.

'He is with Lord Eobard Thawne outside talking.'

'He is with Thawne? You left them alone? Oh my god…' – she said feeling her heart start beating so quickly that it was almost painful. She had a dreadful feeling in her gut. 'Shit.'

'What? - Len asked suddenly worried with his sister's reaction. 'Lisa what's wrong?'

Lisa didn't even bother answering her older brother as she started running towards the balcony. 'Barry, please be safe.'

Len followed her completely shocked and confused.

Barry felt forsaken and lost. He saw King Leonard disappear, without looking back, leaving him alone in the dark facing the murderer of his parents. Not that Leonard was aware of that, Barry reminded himself, but he still felt betrayed and scared. For a moment naught was heard but the rushing wind and the thunder of a lightning that fell in the distance that illuminated briefly Thawne's face revealing his twisted smile.

'It seems your pitiful plan is meant to fail Your Highness. You must be so desperate.'

Barry was petrified but he was trying to show Eobard that he wasn't frightened, but he was noticeably failing to do so and to Barry's horror that seemed to excite Thawne even more. The prince shivered, he wasn't sure if it was caused by the cold, disgust or the fear. The wind was getting stronger and some cold drops of water started falling on his face.

'Clearly King Leonard isn't interested or concerned about you.' – said Eobard leaning into Barry's personal space. 'If you were to choose me Barry, I would never leave you like that. So vulnerable...defenseless and exposed.' – added the man tracing Barry's arm tenderly with his right hand. Barry shivered and closed his eyes. He wanted to disappear. Thawne smiled… he loved to see Barry's reactions.

'Tell me Bartholomew, how does it feel to be discarded like that?' - said the older man with a frightening grin enjoying the pain and hate reflected in Barry's eyes.

'I… I wasn't discarded.'

Thawne was going to continue teasing the young prince but he suddenly stopped and remained silent gazing at the younger prince. He studied Barry for a good minute and he found himself beyond surprised.

'Don't' tell me…' – said the man looking again at Barry's hazel eyes. 'It can't be…'

Eobard started laughing loudly startling the young prince. Thawne's laugh sent cold shivers trough Barry.

'You have fallen for him, for the coldhearted King' – the older man stated amused. 'I can see it in your eyes… and he isn't even thinking of you as a proper suitor, you're just a nuisance to him. This is rich.'

Barry swallowed hard trying to ignore Thawne's words. He wasn't falling for Leonard. 'Impossible'. The man was cold and unreachable. The King loathed him and besides he didn't even know Snart… he might have rescued him from dying, but the King just probably did it for diplomacy and decency.

'I'm not.'

'Oh yes you are my prince… you can try and deny it all you want Bartholomew, but this look on your face is exactly the same you had when you thought you were in love with Lady Iris West and your love was unrequited. I know you Barry. Oh this is gold. You want King Leonard to fuck you and he isn't even interested… I wonder what Leonard would think if I were to pound your perfect ass first. Here… right now.'

'You sicken me.' – said Barry sounding braver than he felt.

Eobard scoffed. 'Poor prince it seems your new love isn't interested in you again…it looks like you are destined to never be loved. What a sad fate.'

Barry was hurt, he knew that he wasn't lucky in love and he wasn't even expecting to find love in the Winter Realm with the arranged marriage, but he wanted to believe that maybe some day he was going to find someone who would truly love him.

'I can't love you Barry. I don't do love.' – Thawne said licking his lips. 'But I promise I could make moan in ecstasy every night.'

The man was disgusting and he just trying to provoke him. 'Just ignore him and escape'. The prince pushed Thawne and tried to get away with his speed but Eobard matched his speed and grabbed Barry's right wrist painfully and pulled the prince hard towards him with a charge of electricity. Barry hissed in pain feeling his eyes watering.

'Where do you think you are going Barry? We are not done yet.'

'Anywhere… far away from you.' – the prince replied boldly.

'Were you going to look for King Leonard?' – teased the man smirking. 'Do you want him to save you Bartholomew?'

'I don't need to be saved.' – spat Barry with rage. 'Release me, I don't want to fight you Thawne.'

'Oh no…you want to, but you can't… there is a difference Barry. You want to kill me, but you know that if Leonard were to find us fighting here, he would blame you not me. I am part of the High Council of the Winter Realm and I have a great reputation here. Who do you think they would believe Barry? Me or the spoilt prince of Central Kingdom?'

Barry knew that he couldn't fight Thawne, he couldn't fight a noble of the north, and his actions could cause a political trouble.

'Just let me go Thawne.' –murmured the Prince. He didn't want to give the King another problem and another reason to think that he was weak.

'Never and specially not now that I finally found you again. You need to know that I will follow you to depths of the earth if I need to. You can't escape me Barry I am as fast as you are.'

'Release me at once, Thawne.' – ordered Barry fixing his hazel eyes on his enemy.

'Make me.'- murmured the evil speedster with a crooked smile. 'I want to see you try.'

'Fuck you!' – groaned Barry regretting instantly his choice of words. 'Well done Barry…' he reproached himself on his mind.

'Yes. I will like very much to fuck you but I'll be on top.' –replied Thawne with lust imagining Barry under him and begging for him all sweaty and flushed, arching his back in pleasure. Barry glared feeling his face turn a scarlet shade.

'Blushing for me Barry? I feel flattered…' – he said leaning forward. 'So beautiful... Leonard must be blind to leave you here with me. He is an idiot.'

Eobard laughed feeling the rain pour and the storm unleash over them. They were both wet from head to toes and Barry started shivering.

'Get away from me Thawne I swear I will kill you…'

'Again with the empty threats Bartholomew? Don't you ever get tired?'

Barry struggled to get free.

'So innocent my prince…let me change that….'

Eobard leaned so quickly, that Barry couldn't even react when he felt Eobard's fingers entwine in his hair to pull Barry's head back forcefully, Barry moaned in pain and Eobard lowered his lips grinding a hard rough kiss on the prince's perfect lips. Barry quickly jerked his head free of the revolting kiss, but he could not free himself of Thawne's strong grip.

'Sooner or later Bartholomew you will be mine, I won't let Leonard touch you, or anybody else for that matter, if you are not mine, you won't be anybody else's. I swear I will kill you before anyone touches you. I promise I would make you suffer the same pathetic fate of your parents.'

Barry felt fury when Eobard mentioned his parents. He snapped. He didn't care anymore. He was going to kill Thawne. 'You are dead Thawne!' – Barry whispered with a death glare charging his lightning speed to end for good his foe.

Princess Lisa and King Leonard Snart reached the large balcony almost out of breath and what they saw left them completely speechless. They saw Eobard grab Barry's hair and pull it back forcefully, Barry moaning in pain, and then Thawne kissing roughly the prince. Leonard felt his heart drop. He was going to kill the man for touching the kid like that. That abusive bastard unconsciously reminded him of his sadistic late father King Lewis.

Lisa gasped and Leonard was going to shout to Thawne to stay away from the Prince, when they saw Barry whisper something and then an explosion of a red streak and yellow electricity sparking in the dark night as they impacted each other over and over again. The clash was impressive and destructive. Lisa and Len felt the vibrant energy in the air, it was almost tangible and electrifying. Leonard felt a shudder run through his body. Never, in his forty and three years he had witnessed such display of power. Prince Bartholomew and Lord Eobard were going in full strength with the speed force and no one was holding back.

'They are going to kill each other!' – yelled Lisa through the sound of the unforgiving thunderstorm and the sound of the howling wind. The scene was intimidating but she still tried to get near the speedsters fighting in the balcony but their energy was too strong and they were causing a whirlwind of lightning.

'Lisa don't get so close to them!' - Leonard yelled grabbing her sister roughly by her hand. 'Are you crazy? It is too dangerous!'

'We need to save him!'- She yelled feeling the cold hard rain and seeing the red and yellow lightning strike the outside wall of the castle. They were destroying everything.

'Barry!' – yelled Lisa alarmed but the speedsters didn't seem to stop.

'Len we need to stop them before Thawne hurts Barry.'

Len stood next to his sister watching in awe the display of strength the two speedsters were showing. He could use his powers to stop them but there was a high probability that he could hit Barry and he didn't want to hurt the kid now that he knew that the cold was really bad for the speedsters and that those wounds were really hard to heal.

'Do something!' – shouted Lisa watching her brother helplessly.

'I can't use my powers.' – he roared angry.

'Why?' – Lisa yelled frustrated. 'What do you mean?'

'I could wound Bartholomew badly…' – he yelled. 'They are too fast and I can't get a clean shot.'

Lisa grasped the situation. They needed to do something, but Len was right, the cold was very bad for speedsters and she didn't want him to accidentally harm Barry. The two speedsters were trading punches in an unimaginable speed and Lisa saw how on the balcony's floor blood was starting to pool under them. Someone was badly hurt. Hopefully Thawne. For a second Lisa and Leonard saw how Barry lunged forward striking Eobard in the face with his fist covered in electricity. The older man stumbled but laughed. This was a sick game to Eobard and the prince was definitely using all his strength; he wanted to end the duel fast. He wanted to kill Lord Eobard.

'Len we need to stop them!'

'Yes I know, but do you have an idea on how to do it without injuring the prince?'

'Shoot the fucking floor!'

Len immediately understood Lisa's plan and used his channeling ability to freeze the entire floor of the large balcony using the water that lay accumulated on the ground thanks to the strong rain. A blue blinding light appeared from the Kings hands and the cobblestone surface turned into slippery ice and Prince Bartholomew and Lord Eobard quickly slipped, falling instantly to the floor. Barry grunted in pain and Eobard fell hitting his head and remained unconscious and motionless on the cold hard ground. The prince registered a lot of aching in his head and torso, Eobard had connected a lot of punches directly in to his chest and his wounds were probably going to bruise badly. Barry spitted some blood and frowned as he stood back up. His face was bloody and his eyes were full of rage and hate. He was in frenzy.

'Barry!' – Lisa shrieked. 'Barry stop! Look at me!'

The Prince didn't respond, he just raced towards Eobard and grabbed the unconscious man by the neck. He needed to finish this now. He needed to kill Eobard and avenge his parents. He needed to end his nightmares. Defeat his unfair past.

'Bartholomew stop.' – said Leonard rushing to stand in front of the Prince. 'Release the man. It's over.'

'It will never be over. Nothing can take the pain away.' – stated the prince coldly watching directly to Leonard's deep blue eyes. 'There is always going to be the unforgiving pain from losing the ones you love before their time.'

Leonard shivered. There was so much strength and hate in Barry's gaze and so much truth in his words. He could relate to the feeling of losing someone he loved. He didn't know much about the Prince's past but something must have triggered that rage and pain.

'Kid stop it! Snap out of it. You can't kill Lord Thawne, he is part of our High Council and that could cause a war.'

'A war?' – Barry laughed feeling his warm tears stream down his bloody face. 'You would declare a war against me if I were to kill this man?'

'I didn't mean it like that kid…' – replied Len irritated. 'If you do this… there is no going back. There would be consequences.'

Barry exhaled. He wanted to do it but he couldn't. He wasn't a murderer. Thawne was right about that. He felt his hot tears falling from his eyes mingling with the cold and hard raindrops that stubbornly kept falling. He couldn't do it. Thawne was at his mercy and he wasn't going to be able to kill him and finally avenge his parents. Barry hesitantly released Eobard and the man fell hard to the icy floor. Leonard saw how Barry slowly returned to his normal self trembling from the rage and probably cold. But there was something off with the kid. The King turned his gaze to his sister for an explication but Lisa was more interested in Barry's safety than in Leonard's curiosity. The Princess went directly to the young Prince.

'Barry! Oh my god! Are you okay? You are bleeding really badly.'

'I'm fine.' – Barry answered. His voice was hoarse. 'I told you that I could protect myself.'

Lisa nodded sad. 'Yes, I saw...'

'What the fuck was that kid?' –Leonard enquired infuriated feeling his adrenaline and anger explode. 'Why the hell were you trying to kill a Lord from the High Council in my castle? Are you insane?'

'Insane?' – snapped Barry trying to wipe some of the blood from his face. 'Don't you dare to judge me Leonard! You haven't earn that right.'

'It's my castle kid! My rules and I judge whoever I want in my Realm.'

'I give a damn about your rules Snart.' – replied Barry through gritted teeth

'Leonard please stop.' – said Lisa warningly. 'Calm down'

'Lisa don't tell me what to do and stop defending him.' – said Leonard coldly. 'Go call the guards, order them to take Lord Thawne to the healing wing and to put him a choker rune, I don't want him running off.'

'Fine Len, just don't say something that you will regret later.' - said Lisa fuming and she turned around leaving the Prince and the King alone in the ruins the two speedsters left after their fight. The rain was still falling unforgivingly. Leonard waited for Lisa to disappear to vent his feelings and anger to the reckless prince.

'What the hell you think you were doing? Since the moment you arrived to this realm the only thing you have brought to me is trouble, I thought that maybe you deserved a chance to prove that you are worth the problem, but your behavior is shameful. You can't just come as a guest and start beating to death a member of the High Royal Council you just met.'

Barry saw the motionless body of his enemy on the floor and tried to explain the situation. He didn't want King Leonard to hate him.

'He is the murde-'

Leonard reached the Prince and grabbed him with a strong grip by the arm. Barry hissed in pain, Leonard's grip was strong and his arm was badly hurt. Barry closed his eyes.

'I don't care what were the reasons Bartholomew. You are Prince! You can't act like this! You must think before you act. Didn't your parents teach you something called diplomacy?'

Barry gasped at the mention of his parents and he clenched his fists in despair and frustration.

'Don't you dare to speak of my parents.' – shrieked the young prince hurt. 'And what are you talking about Snart? You can't come and tell me how to act when you are clearly a pathetic excuse of a King, to the point that your sister needed to reach for help out of the Winter Realm and ask for an arranged marriage for her older brother… pathetic…Your people is dying Leonard, the cold is killing them, they have no crops, no cattle and they are constantly raided by the Santini family, they need a ruler not a shadow. You disappeared and left them to die. You are a disgrace.'

'Don't speak of what you don't know Bartholomew. You don't know me...'- snapped the King releasing his strong grip on Barry and the young prince panted he was clearly aching all over.

'Yes I don't know you, but at least I tried to get to know you Leonard, but you on the other hand you just shut me out, I tried to reach you and you rejected me twice. Now I understand why they call you the coldhearted King. I thought that those rumors of the court were wrong but you showed me that for the first time they were right.'

'Yes they are right Bartholomew; I am a fucking criminal. I am the Demon of the North.' – said Leonard leaning in front of Barry. 'Now that you know it, what are you going to do?'

Barry exhaled, he was so angry and wanted to punch the King so hard in the face. 'This was terrible idea and a waste of time… I shouldn't have come to the north' –said Barry feeling a massive headache. 'I thought I could find help in the Winter Realm but all I found was a shattered Kingdom and a joke for a King.'

'You speak as if you were so innocent and perfect Bartholomew, but you just wanted the marriage for your own interests, to make me fight this demon that is following you and threatening to destroy your Kingdom. You wanted to use my powers, my army and me! You must be pretty desperate to come ask for my assistance and for wanting to be my fiancé.'

'Yes I am desperate.' – roared Barry feeling attacked.

'Yes I can see it, you came in to my home and tried to use my sister to get to me.'

'I would never use Lisa!' –added Barry overwhelmed. 'I don't understand why you are saying that or where did you get that stupid idea, but dismiss it because it makes no sense at all. I would never do something like that, I tried to talk directly to you and you were the one that rejected me.'

Leonard exhaled and turned his gaze away from Barry.

'And yes Leonard, I wanted your help, I was desperate, Zoom almost killed me, he broke my fucking spine and I couldn't move for a week. I fear him because I know what he is capable of, he is stronger and faster than me, and I saw how he destroyed a lot of villages in the South, you have no idea of what I have seen! So yes I hate to admit it but I need all the help I can get to defeat that monster. I want to protect my people and I will do whatever it takes to achieve it, even if I die.'

Leonard scoffed. 'Ever the hero… It seems to me that almost dying is what you do best, so why would I choose you Bartholomew? What on earth make you think that I would ever choose you as my husband? Your can't defend your own Kingdom, and you come here to ask for my help, you are worthless kid.'

Barry inhaled feeling hurt. He felt his heart shatter in a thousand pieces. Thawne was right King Leonard just saw him as a nuisance and he inexplicably and foolishly was falling in love with the handsome cold Winter King. He sighed defeated.

'You are right I am worthless…' – Barry felt his eyes fill with tears. 'I will leave the castle the day after Lisa's birthday party, and I officially withdraw my offer as a suitor because it seems it is just an humiliation for you.'

Len was shocked with the withdrawal and he was going to speak but Barry stopped him. 'Don't…' The prince's face was glazed, he frowned, his lips pursed together and eyes unblinking, his piercing look was heartless.

'You are right I can solve my problems on my own I don't need anyone saving me as you can see and I am going to defeat Zoom or at least die trying, but I am going to do something, I won't hide like you.'

'I'm not hiding kid.'

Len's gaze was intense and didn't waver from his own, and Barry found himself wanting to turn his head to the side, but he forced himself to stare directly to the King's blue eyes, he need to show him he was not afraid of him.

'Yes you are hiding, but you are too blind to see it. Snart there is a whole world out there and it is in danger and you aren't doing anything. You are afraid. You could do so much good but you are… frozen, numb...'

'You have no idea of what I've been through! I died two years ago Bartholomew.'

'No Leonard, King Mick Rory died, but you are still alive. I didn't knew your husband but I am certain that he wouldn't want to see you like this.'

'Don't talk about him kid.' – murmured Leonard feeling the anger boiling in him.

You are so full of it Snart! – Barry said exhaling. 'I give up… I give up on you, don't worry Leonard I won't bother you again, I don't need you, but if I were to fail in my mission to stop Zoom in Central Kingdom, be warned, the black speedster is going to come for you. Zoom is not only my enemy he is your enemy too.'

'I doubt it' – Leonard replied coldly.

'He will destroy Central Kingdom…'

'Not my problem…' – stated Leonard stubbornly.

'And your beloved and forsaken Winter Realm, Zoom won't stop, he wants to rule everything on the mortal domains and you won't-; Barry closed his eyes and breathed in deep through his nose, he felt his sight began to get blurry and dark in the edges. He was going to faint.

Leonard noticed the kid swaying.

Are you okay?' – Leonard asked still angry but worried.

'Bartholomew? Look at me.'

Barry steeled himself and looked at the King's blue eyes.

'I'm okay…'- continued Barry weakly. 'You won't even have a chance to fight Zoom and defend the ones you love. Remember this Snart, the only thing that Zoom leaves on his path is death and destruction.'

Leonard glared at the young Prince, he was so angry with the kid. For a moment he remained silent. Truthfully he was angry with himself. He hated to admit that the prince was right about a lot of things and that…was hurting his damn pride. He studied the young man standing in front of him who was defiant and arguing with courage against him. He couldn't deny that Prince Bartholomew Allen was something else. The prince was obviously in pain and hurt but there he was fighting against him trying to make him realize his errors. Barry was panting. Thawne really did a number striking him with full force.

Barry sighed. He wanted to leave. He was dizzy, he tried to move, to walk away from the scene, from the chaos and from Leonard, but he swayed. The King tried to approach the young prince to help him but Barry stopped him with his hand.

'Don't…I don't need your help.' – muttered the young prince hurt.

Barry felt how his blood started to pound in his ears, his headache was killing him and his vision was narrowing on to Snart, he felt his legs giving out under him and he was suddenly falling.

'Bartholomew?!'

Barry felt strong arms wrap around him, catching him before he collapsed on the icy ground. Barry groaned clinging involuntarily to Leonard who was now holding him up. He was feeling weak and tired. He used too much energy and he hadn't eaten enough food.

'I…I'm sorry.' – said Barry barely standing. His hands were clutching Leonard's strong arms and his legs were shaking badly, basically the king was anchoring him in place. He was feeling warm and he was sweating. 'I'm sorry… I just need to eat, my power requires a lot of energy and food and fighting Thawne burned it all.'

Leonard nodded understanding and Barry blushed realizing his forehead was pressing into the King's strong chest. He could hear Leonard's heart beat. It sounded fast and rhythmic. Was he nervous? Barry closed his eyes briefly wondering if someday he would be lucky enough to find someone who will love him. Barry inhaled and he sensed the cold scent of the King, it was intoxicating and fresh, like a forest. The prince opened his eyes and took a breath to try to stand on his own. He released Leonard and he noticed how he already missed the touch of the older man. The King was watching Barry with curiosity and longing.

Suddenly both of them were startled with the noise of the armors of the two strong guards who were following Lisa to the balcony. She ordered them to grab the unconscious Thawne and to secure a traditional collar full of runes on Eobard's neck to subdue his powers. The royal guards did as ordered and then disappeared taking the evil speedster immediately to the healing wing of the castle. Lisa approached the King who seemed lost in thought and Barry who looked disappointed and hurt. She could feel the tense situation.

'Barry you should let Caitlin check that gash on your eyebrow is bleeding a lot.'

The prince touched his forehead and felt the warm red liquid on his hand. He suddenly realized that he was trembling and he didn't want Leonard to see him like that…afraid and weak.'

'I will. Now if you would excuse me, I don't want to trouble you both anymore.'

Lisa glared at Len after hearing the young prince's words and Barry left quickly the balcony feeling lost and brokenhearted. The prince entered the Great Hall and his appearance caused the music to stop abruptly and all of his friends gasped, but he didn't want to deal with them, he was exhausted and in pain and he wanted to be alone, so he made a last effort and flashed in seconds in to his room, disappearing from the Great Hall leaving his friends in shock and wonder.

The prince entered his room and went directly to clean his bloody face and to change his clothes that were wet and freezing. He wanted a hot bath but he was too tired to enjoy it or even wait for the maids to prepare it, so he just changed in to his white sleeping shirt and loose black pants and collapsed over the bed. He was surprised to notice that what hurt him most of the eventful evening were Leonard's words.

'Almost dying is what you do best…what on earth made you think that I would ever choose you as my husband? You are worthless. You must be pretty desperate to come ask for my assistance and for wanting to be my fiancé.'

Barry felt how his tears started falling again without his permission. He was hurt not only because Leonard hated him but also because he was starting to fall in love with the strong cold-hearted king. He could still feel Leonard's heart beating and he closed his eyes trying to feel again his warmth, he let a shaky breath and curled into himself. Thawne was right; King Leonard Snart didn't care about him. 'Worthless.'

King Leonard and the Princess entered the warmth of the Great Hall, with their garments soaking wet from the rain. Lisa lifted her gaze and saw that everyone remained in silence and in shock watching them. They probably didn't notice the fight that occurred thanks to the music and the hard thunderstorm outside generating so much noise. General Mark Mardon quickly rushed to his King side, while Lady Caitlin and Sir Cisco Ramon rushed out of the Great Hall probably to go out and look for Barry in his private chambers. King Oliver, Lady Felicity and Sir Harrison Wells on the other hand seemed furious of seeing the prince appear in that disheveled look wet from head to toes and with a deep gash on his brow bleeding and they were probably waiting for a proper explanation from Lisa or the King himself.

'What the hell happened?' – asked General Mardon anxious.

'I am wondering exactly the same thing.' – said Leonard pissed off looking at his sister. 'Lisa would you mind explaining what the hell is going on?'

'The prince seemed hurt.' – continued Mardon. 'Was he attacked? Is he okay?'

Lisa exhaled trembling; she was freezing and she was feeling terrible for Barry.

'I was going to tell you Lenny, it seems that Lord Eobard Thawne is the murderer of Prince Bartholomew's parents.'

'That's impossible.' – added Mark overwhelmed with the information. 'The murderer of the King and Queen of Central Kingdom, was pronounced death fifteen years ago.'

'It seems that the execution never occurred.' – Lisa explained. 'It seems Eobard escaped Iron Heights and came to hide in the north, Len you now our father wasn't a good man, I am afraid he might have helped Thawne regain his title and fortune, knowing of his past.'

Leonard was stunned and he had no idea how to properly digest that information.

'So Lord Eobard killed Barry's parents?'

Lisa nodded sadly. 'I think he did it and worst of all is that the man is obsessed with the Prince.'

'That fucking lying bastard.'- barked Leonard furious thinking of Thawne and all the years he was free deceiving the people of the Winter Realm, deceiving him. 'Why didn't you tell me sooner Lisa? Why did the kid didn't say anything?'

'I couldn't, I didn't have a chance to talk to you and maybe Barry wanted to tell you too, but you never listen Len.'

'Of course I listen.'

'Don't lie, Lenny you have been avoiding him since he arrived to the Palace and today when he was attacked by that sick bastard you started yelling at him like crazy.'

Len remained silence. She was saying the true he had screwed up –royally.

'Lisa I didn't know. How the hell did you want me to react? The kid was going to kill a Lord of the North; you know the punishment for that. What do you think the Council would have done to Barry? I was trying to stop him before he did something he would regret later. I wanted to protect him.'

Lisa looked up to meet her brother's deep blue eyes; he just called involuntarily Prince Bartholomew, as 'Barry' and he didn't notice it. She grinned. Maybe there was still hope; maybe with a little push Len will finally see what she already knew. Leonard did care for the kid and he was slowly falling for the prince.

'Lenny, he was probably scared to death and you just left him there alone with the assassin of his parents who was clearly trying to abuse of him, you saw the kiss…he defended himself of his attacker and then you went coldhearted mode and started blaming it on him what happened.' Lisa sighed angry. 'You need to fix this Lenny.'

Leonard sighed. 'Well Fuck'. He screwed up big time. He remembered Barry's scared face when Thawne approached them, it hadn't been his imagination the kid was terrified and he was silently pleading him to stay with him…. and then his hurt expression when he told him that he wasn't worth all the trouble. That he was worthless. 'I am an idiot.'

'I can't fix this Lisa, it is over.' – added the King remembering Barry's words.

'What are you talking about?'

'Prince Bartholomew withdraw his offer as suitor.'

Lisa and Mark gasped in unison.

'Are you serious?' –asked Lisa incredulous.

Len nodded.

'What did you told him to hurt him so badly? The kid was clearly falling for you Len.'

'I may have told him that he was worthless.'

'LEN! What the hell possessed you to tell him something so cruel?'

'I was angry Lisa. I'm sorry okay. I am a broken old man and the kid said some truths that I may have been avoiding for this two years and I overreacted. '

'No shit…' – said Lisa annoyed. 'Len, you need to fix this.'

'I can't he probably hates me, he sees me as a joke of a King.'

'Right now you are.'

Len glared annoyed.

'He is leaving the day after your birthday party.'

'Then you are lucky Len, you still have one day to show him that he is worth it.'

'He hates me Lisa, he won't talk to me.'

Lisa laughed. 'You are an idiot Len, that kid has a really good heart I know that if you try to reach out to him he is going to let you in.'

Len sighed watching his sister and then he glanced at Hartley.

'I don't know what to do.'

Lisa followed Len's eyes and saw Hartley watching them and she exhaled.

'Listen to me…' – she said grabbing her brother's arm. 'I know you like Hartley, I also like him, the kid is useful and sometimes funny and obnoxious, but you don't love him Len. Hartley has been a good lover and help for you since Mick died but you are still broken and suffering. You haven't move on from Mick and I really think that Barry, with time, can heal you.'

'How? How on earth do you know that Lisa?'

'Look… Barry has been with us half a day and he already made a chaos of you.' – she explained calmly. 'You haven't noticed it but you are feeling again, you are not frozen anymore. Barry made you fluster, angry, sad, worry and he make you remember what was to feel alive again. I have tried to reach you for two years Len and with one fight Barry achieved what I couldn't. He made you see that you are wrong, that you need to wake up from the mourning. That you are alive and you need to keep going.'

Len seemed baffled and Lisa smiled.

'Hartley couldn't reach you either... he tried but he failed.'

Len lifted his gaze and saw his sister to her eyes. He was startled.

'It seems like you finally understood.'

The King recalled of all of the feelings that Barry made him feel in this short time and he was suddenly speechless. How didn't he notice his feelings before? He was confused, bewildered, dazed… He remembered that the first thing he felt for Barry was curiosity of his power as a speedster, and when he saw the kid in the Azure Lakes fight he was amazed and impressed with the speed, the Scarlet Speedster. The kid was smart. And then he recalled the scene of the Mist dropping an unconscious Barry to the ground and it made his heart clench. He remembered his first thought. 'Kid don't die on me.' He reminisced the beautiful deep and captivating green hazel eyes looking right at him, he was so confused and then Barry's soft lips. Then there he was at night next to Barry's bed thinking how attractive the young prince was and he lustfully started wondering how good would it feel to kiss the Prince's slightly parted soft lips and then trail his long neck with his kisses, then down to his chest and… Len swallowed. He remembered a very submissive and vulnerable Barry lying in the bed. Who was he kidding? The kid had captivated him since they first met. The prince was indeed quite charming and endearing, but he didn't want to feel anything again, that's why he has been avoiding Barry, because he was falling in love with him. His damn cold heart was melting. But he was afraid of caring again, caring too much and then losing again. He couldn't lose again. Lisa was right he was afraid. He closed his eyes feeling guilty remembering Barry's eyes pleading him to stay next to him and he left him with Thawne. He didn't want to admit it but deep down he had a weakness for the kid. No it wasn't weakness…it was that Barry was everything he wanted, he was all he needed to feel alive again. He was falling madly in love with the kid and he had been to slow to notice it and now he had royally screwed up, he needed to talk to Barry, and he needed to fix this now.

Hi! Sorry for the long wait! This chapter was a huge challenge! Hope you guys enjoyed it! Let me know what you think! Feel free to comment and leave a review or feedback! :D Follow & fave this story for more updates! Thanks to everyone who has commented, read and bookmarked this story. You're the best! :D Thank you!