CHAPTER 16: COLD FEAR
Fear: Forget everything and run or Face everything and rise?
Hi guys! I'm back with a new chapter! This is a really long chapter so...I hope you guys like it!
Let me know your thoughts! Enjoy! :D
***Warning: explicit sexual content.***
Winter watched Barry intently. The small cub started pawing Barry's legs for attention and started licking the Prince's hands. Barry was silently crying in the dark. He could feel his tears falling to the ice-cold floor. He had lost track of time. He glanced down to Winter and saw the wolf's deep blue eyes. Beautiful blue eyes like Len's. He felt a pang of pain in his heart. He couldn't do this alone. The speedster patted the wolf's head tenderly between the fluffy ears. Winter started wagging his tail eagerly. Barry half- smiled remembering the moment he saw Len with the small wolf in his hands in the wood. He looked so handsome and captivating. He blushed remembering Len's strong body, his smile, his voice… his laugh. Barry's hands were trembling. His heart was aching so badly. He closed his eyes. He needed to calm down and find a way to fix this…
"Fuck everything!" He wouldn't let Zoom win. He needed Len and he was going to fight for him.
Barry quickly stood up startling Winter and rushed towards the chair where Len's royal blue coat was discarded. His bare feet were splashing with every confident step he took on the cold water on the ground. He wiped the tears in his eyes and reached carefully for the heavy coat and he put it on. The coat was big on him… Len was definitely more brawny than he was. The long and warm stylish garment smelled like fresh winter pine. It smelled like Len. Barry smiled feeling the small comfort and warmth that the coat gave him momentarily.
Len had saved him from the Mist, from Thawne and Santini and now it was the time for him to fight for the stubborn Winter King. Len was worth fighting against all the obstacles and odds. If they manage to go through all that was meant to tear them apart they will definitely come out stronger than they were before and that will definitely annoy Zoom to no end.
Barry walked slowly out of the frozen room and outside in the passage he slowly started recovering his speed and his warmth. He quickly vibrated his body shaking of all the frost in his hair. His healing abilities returned and the reddened skin from the frostbite started to recover and turn back to normal. Barry turned around and saw the King's frozen room. Everything was a mess. That was going to be hard to explain to his friends in the morning. He glanced at the long deserted hallway and released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Thankfully there were no guards or soldiers dead…it seemed that Len's rage induced by Bivolo didn't get to murderous levels. Barry sighed. He needed to find his fiancé as soon as possible. He started walking and Winter followed him expectantly while nipping Len's coat playfully. The flapping material seemed irresistible for the wolf. Barry smiled and bent down to grab Winter fondly.
"Hey…don't bite it…it's Len's favorite coat. He is going to kill me if you ruin it…not literally of course but… you know…"
The puppy released the grip on the coat.
"That's better…" Barry said softly and Winter tilted his head to the side. Barry released a soft laugh. "That's cute." Barry flashed them to his old room and left Winter on the comfortable bed. He quickly started the fireplace to keep the wolf warm during his absence and turned again. "Stay here…." Barry whispered and Winter gave him a soft howl. "Wish me luck I really think I'm going to need it." The prince used his speed to go to the only place he could think Len would be probably hiding.
Len was angry. He was so angry with himself that he could feel his powers dropping the room's temperature. He was scared of what he had become. He was sitting on the floor with his back resting against his wooden old desk. Len felt his cold tears falling to the ground. He had never hurt somebody he loved like that. He didn't even know what to do. He was trembling badly. He needed to kill Bivolo and Zoom for ruining everything. He knew that no amount of guilt could ever change the past and no amount of worrying could possibly change the future, but killing them at least would give him the satisfaction of revenge…a thought that Barry probably wouldn't approve.
Len closed his eyes and dropped the back of his head against the hard wood of his desk releasing his breath. Everything was so messed up. He was so sick and tired of his fate. He was suffocating...falling down. He felt like always tripping over and over again with nowhere to go. It was a cruelty of life that a heart could keep on beating even after it has been broken. Some times he couldn't help to think that maybe he should have died two years ago with Mick, he couldn't relive the pain again…the pain of losing someone, the slow agony of having your heart being ripped out of your chest.
He sighed. He wanted so badly to go back to the room and comfort Barry but he knew that he wasn't worthy of him after what he did. Maybe he needed to let him go, cancel the wedding and forget this happened. Maybe he wasn't what Barry needed. All of the doubts that were filling his mind somehow made him feel more lost and insecure. He had royally screwed up. How is he going to tell Lisa that the reason he is calling off the wedding is because he abused and almost killed his fiancé…that he turned into something worse than their father. She was going to be so disgusted of him. But it was too late. He couldn't go back…. but he didn't want to think of his life without Barry. He couldn't even imagine it. In a few days Barry had brought him back to live. He had given Len a reason to live…without him all that was left is loneliness, grief, heartache… He didn't want to feel all the pain inside him again. He was just starting to heal from Mick's dead…and now he was losing Barry too.
The King groaned cradling his head in his hands. All he could feel was despair and misery. Regret. Shame. It was a void…a fucking dark endless void consuming everything and his only light was the only thing he couldn't have. Without Barry he was lifeless...lost. He was going to become the empty shell he was for the past two years. Len glanced to the side and saw the black small box ornamented with silver and red precious stones on one of the shelves of the room. He slowly stood up and reached for the box. He tenderly opened and saw his old wedding band.
"Mick…"
Len felt nausea swirled unrestrained on his empty stomach. The jeweler was due to come in the morning to make the new wedding rings for him and Barry. He had wanted something special for Barry…he had wanted to surprise his fiancé with a beautiful design, but now it was meaningless.
Suddenly all the letters and manuscripts that were lying around in the room flew in to the air caused by a strong gust of wind and the King lifted his gaze startled to see Barry's yellow lightning and his dazzling fiancé enter his private studio wearing his blue coat. His heart clenched painfully. He wasn't ready to deal with the prince.
"Barry what the hell are you doing here?" Len said with a flare of anxiety hitting his chest.
"This isn't over Len! I won't let you sulk here alone!" the Prince said fiercely. "Fuck Zoom! Fuck Bivolo! Fuck Thawne! I'm so fucking tired of having people screwing my life. I won't let them anymore!" he said determined looking at Len's tired eyes full of shock and surprise.
Len stared silently at the young speedster and Barry slowly lowered his eyes to the box Len was carefully holding in his hands and he felt his resolution waver instantly. He felt his heart drop…it was Len's wedding ring with Mick…maybe he shouldn't have come… maybe he had rushed his actions again.
"Barry I think you should go…" Len offered.
Barry felt something heavy fall in the pit of his stomach and lifted his hazel eyes startled.
"Do you want me to go?"
The King sighed silently turning his face away from Barry. He couldn't answer. If he lied Barry will notice and if he tell him the truth it would be a selfish request. He didn't know what to do. Barry was clearly in shock when he glanced at the ring in the box. It seemed that he couldn't stop hurting Barry with every single stupid choice he make.
"Len do you really want me gone? Do you really want to end everything here?"
Len pursed his lips with a frown and closed the small box and left it on the wooden desk.
"Because I can leave…" Barry continued. "But I don't want to…I really don't want to."
The King stiffened. Barry was anxious and desperate.
"You should go…"
Barry groaned he could easily see the shadows of guilt on Len's heart hanging heavily causing him pain.
"You know what...say what you will Len but I know you want me to stay!"
Len shook his head. "I think it's the best for us…for you… to put an end to this illusion. I can announce to the court the withdrawal of the marriage agreement."
Barry couldn't believe he was hearing this. He grabbed tightly the sides of his coat, well technically Len's long coat… anxiously.
"Len you don't know what's better for me."
"Well no…but I at least know that it's not me…come on Barry wake up I almost killed you. I abused you…look at your face…your neck."
Barry slowly lifted his hands to touch the marks Len left on him. They didn't hurt. He knew that they were healing fast. Soon the marks would disappear and there would be no evidence of what had happened.
"This will heal and fade…you know that." Barry added softly. "Everything will fade…"
"Yes Scarlet… but I'm not only worried for the scars outside…"
Barry felt the emotions choking him.
"I scared you… I knew that after Thawne attacked you, you were afraid of being restrained and I did just that to hurt you." Len's throat felt thick and closed up. He was going to be sick. The memories of Barry defenseless begging him to stop were killing him.
"You were telling me to stop and I wanted to but I couldn't."
"It wasn't your fault Len… I saw you fighting Bivolo's power…you were really fighting for me so here I am fighting for you…."
The King couldn't forgive himself. He was falling apart, all walls coming down. "How the hell was Barry forgiving him?" He thought with remorse feeling his tears streak down his face and he furiously wiped them away. He steeled himself quickly.
"We can't heal this Scarlet."
Barry's eyes widened. "What are you talking about? Yes we can Len… I need you and I love you and I want to be with you… I want to fight for you. Please don't push me away anymore… I don't want to let you go."
Len's eyes were full of tears. He didn't want Barry to see him cry, but his emotions were so intense. He couldn't hide it anymore. He couldn't stop his tears.
"You don't understand Barry! You could never understand the demons that I face. The demons that hunt me day and night."
The prince's features softened. "Then explain it to me Len… please…don't drive yourself away..." Barry said walking towards the King. "We can fight this together…"
"Don't…." Len said dryly. "Don't get closer to me Scarlet."
Barry halted feeling hurt. He only wanted to embrace Len. He wanted to reassure his stubborn fiancé that he wasn't going anywhere. That he wanted to fight for him.
"I turned in to my worst fear..."
The prince remained silent and motionless.
"I think I've lost...I lost all control and I turned in to a monster just like my father! I turned in to the thing I hate the most. I became the monster I killed years ago for breaking my sister's heart! I abused you…I hurt you…I despise myself." He said hiding his face in his cold hands. "I can't forgive myself."
Barry's eyes widened. He finally understood and he felt his heart shatter. Len was afraid of becoming like his father… like King Lewis Snart.
"Len…"
"I felt so much hate consuming me…" the King continued explaining without looking at Barry. "I couldn't stop hurting you. I could hear you pleading me to stop and I tried to stop it but I couldn't fight it and I just kept going and I was so excited to see you so vulnerable so weak under me… I am worst than my father…I don't deserve your forgiveness for what I did."
"Len…you are not like your father at all…" Barry said quietly.
"Look at me Barry..." the King said and the Prince obeyed. "You think you know who I am but the truth is… that you will never know me… because right now I don't even know who I am inside. What if those feelings were really mine? Maybe I was just showing you my real self?"
"That wasn't you Len… I know you wouldn't act like that…everything you said sounded more like Thawne…I know it wasn't you."
Len remembered repeating the disgusting words of Lord James Jesse. "How the hell did he say that to Barry?!" He was feeling so disgusted with himself. He was an idiot.
"I am afraid of what you think of me now…Bivolo messed with my head so bad…and I said things I- I didn't meant… I am sorry."
"I know…" Barry said running a hand through his messy hair. "But that's why I am here Len!"
"I wish I could turn back time Scarlet…and kill Bivolo the moment he entered here…but I can't and I need you to give me some time to deal with this."
"I'm sorry but I can't…" Barry replied stubbornly.
Len scowled. "Barry…I'm not worthy of you…and this is wrong. I don't want to hurt you more."
"No Len… I'm sorry but I won't give you time to hate yourself over this. I can't let you do this to yourself. It's time that you realize you're worth a hell of a lot more than you think. I won't abandon you and I am going to fight for you. I will go through heaven and hell if I need to…"
Len lifted his glance to meet hazel eyes. He was going to speak but Barry stopped him.
"I want you to understand that I'd rather have bad times with you, than good times with anyone else. I'd rather be beside you in a storm than safe and warm by myself. I'd rather have hard times together than have it easy apart."
"Bar-"
"I'm not finished…what I'm trying to say Len is that you're my safe haven in an endless, stormy sea and I'm not giving up on you."
They both fell silent. The only sound was the cracking of the fire in the fireplace.
"Barry what am I supposed to do when the best part of me has been you and I almost killed you? I am afraid of hurting you…" Len said with blue deep eyes full of tears. "I can't harm you again…"
"You won't…"
"You don't know that…"
"I know…" Barry said leaning in front of the handsome King who was surprised to see that Barry seemed to know him better than he knew himself.
"Len I want to steal your pain away... I promise everything with time will heal and everything will get better."
Len stepped back away from Barry's warmth. He felt like falling to pieces. "Barry nothing you say is going to stop the guilt and the pain I feel."
"Then I won't say anything else."
Len lifted his gaze confused. "W-what?"
"I will show you..." Barry said unwavering. "No more words…no more talking… I want you to hold me now."
Len exhaled shaking his head slowly in denial. "Scarlet are you crazy? …I can't."
"Lie with me and just forget everything…forget Zoom, the world, the pain, the regret, the guilt… for me?"
The King stared at Barry. It was a selfish and reckless request.
"I can't…" Len said weakly with regret. The young speedster looked beautiful. He was wearing his favorite royal blue long coat over the red nightshirt of silk that caressed his skin like cool autumn breeze, his hair was messy and his hazel eyes were so full of expectation, of hope and love. Barry was tempting.
"I can't…and you know why…this is madness Barry."
Barry shrugged. "Some times bad ideas are the best ideas…so why not?"
"Because I may hurt you…lately all I give you is pain."
Barry frowned. "If that's true Len then this pain you gave me… can you take it all away?"
Len stared at the Prince. He wanted to touch Barry so badly but the idea that Barry could flinch away from his touches made his heartache. He didn't want to confirm that maybe he had scarred Barry for life.
"Scarlet I'm serious..." Len said backing away from the Prince, never breaking eye contact. He wanted to hold him but his senses were telling him to stop. That it was a really bad idea.
"I am too…" Barry said walking forward. Len could tell from Barry's eyes how deeply the speedster cared about him and how serious he also was about this.
"I want you to erase what happened. I want you to make a new memory with me…"
Len saw Barry's eyes full of confidence in his crazy, stupid and reckless plan. Len felt like stumbling. He knew there was nowhere to go. He needed to take the chance. Move forward. They already touched rock bottom, things couldn't probably get any worse.
"Please Len…"
"I'll be damned." The King said. He needed to be honest with himself he would try anything to fix things with Barry and if the stubborn prince thought this could help them he would do it. He would walk through hell just to be next to Barry. He didn't want to lose his Scarlet Speedster. He was tired of losing everything he hold dear.
"I still think that this isn't a good idea Scarlet…" he said unsure.
Barry smiled eagerly and it was like warm sunlight on Len's face.
The King half-smiled. "And where do you-"
Len couldn't finish his idea when he felt Barry jump in to his arms and wrap his legs around his waist kissing him from above. Barry slammed his soft lips against Len's knocking all the wind from the King's lungs. Len tumbled hard against the wall bookshelf and smiled in to the kiss holding Barry up by grabbing Barry's naked tight and back hard and closer to him. He could feel the thrill of their passion. Len deepened the kiss roughly when the Prince parted his lips with a soft moan. Barry's mouth was so hot…so wet. Len could feel his lust run deep inside his veins. He wanted to pull away before he lose himself but it was too late, his senses could only feel Barry and he couldn't think straight anymore. Len bit Barry's sinful lower lip and Barry moaned loudly. It was a fiery and demanding kiss.
Len swiftly turned them around and slammed Barry's back to the wall of bookshelves for support and Barry groaned. Len's heart was beating so loudly he couldn't concentrate. He felt like it was going to explode. Kissing Barry was an electrifying experience. Their lips were moving in perfect sync. It was addictive and intoxicating feeling. Len could feel Barry's erection and he smirked in to the kiss. The King moved his hand up from Barry's lower back to the back of his head and his fingers tangled in the smooth chocolate hair, lightly pulling him forwards to add more pressure to their lips. Barry's hands moved to Len's sides of his handsome face.
They paused for air. They were looking into each other's eyes. Barry swallowed hard and arched his neck back with sharp panted breaths. Len took the opportunity to kiss Barry's neck and to nip at Barry's Adam apple. Barry closed his eyes feeling Len kissing the marks on his neck that were slowly fading away. Barry could feel the heat in his groin and Len's hard-clothed member near his ass.
"Len…ahhh I think we should.. mmm …go back to the room."
Len agreed nodding and Barry flashed them out of the studio in to the royal bedchamber. Barry released the King next to warm fireplace and Len steadied himself. He still needed to get used to Barry's speed. Winter was startled with the noise and moved from the bed to the divan and curled to sleep.
Len could feel their bodies so closely pressed up against each other and only a few thin layers of soft fabric between their bare skin. Barry's body was so hot and he could feel their erections rubbing together. Len pressed his cold lips against Barry's soft lips. The prince gasped breathlessly at the spike of pleasure that ran through him with the fiery kiss. Barry couldn't help but moan softly when the kiss deepened even more. Len's cold hands slipped underneath the red silk nightgown and Barry shivered with the cold of the night. He could feel his sensitive skin heating where the King traced delicately his fingertips. Len watched Barry's cheeks turn a pretty shade of crimson.
"Are you sure about this Scarlet?" Len asked voice rough and low with arousal looking at the deep emerald eyes, bright and brilliant staring back at him. Barry closed his eyes and nodded affirmatively.
"I promise I have never been so sure about anything in my life before…"
The speedster slowly took off the blue coat he was wearing. It fell from his shoulders leaving him in only his red nightgown. The wavy folds of the silk caressed softly the lean body of the prince. Len couldn't help but passionately kiss the young speedster again. His chest almost feeling like it would explode with lust and affection.
Barry wrapped his arms around the taller man's body and lifted himself off the ground so they were level, wrapping his legs around Len's hips to support his weight. Len wrapped his strong arms around Barry's lower back and carried him over the four-poster bed easily. Len placed Barry onto the mattress, breaking the kiss and quickly stripped himself of his long black coat and black shirt. Barry stared at Len's muscular torso and he was tempted to praise Len's body but he knew it was unnecessary. The King always seemed to know what he was thinking.
Len walked towards his nightstand and took a small crystal bottle with scent oil and placed it next to Barry whose gaze was fixedly on him. Len smirked knowingly Barry was admiring his body. He moved forward so he was kneeling on the bed looming over the lean speedster. Barry was beautiful. His hazel eyes were reflecting unspoken passion and the prince's body was hot and so tempting. Len's hands started roaming tenderly all over Barry. He touched the prince chest and navel feeling the cold texture of the red silk. He touched Barry's naked tights and palmed his lover crotch through the thin fabric.
"Ahhh…Len" Barry moaned throwing his head back to the bed. Len's touch felt like heaven to Barry. He had been so fully hard and throbbing since they started kissing in the studio. He wanted this so badly. Barry raised his hands to feel Len's chest and Len shivered. Barry's fingertips were electric; wherever they touched, Len could feel tingles in frenzy static. Barry smiled looking at the handsome King gasping with his touch. In the twilight room their fingers caressed each other's skin as if afraid a heavier touch could break the magic. Len leaned in and closed his mouth over Barry's neck. Barry tilted his head back feeling tickles and he writhed beneath the strong King.
"I want you so bad Scarlet." Len whispered.
"I want you too."
Len could feel how hard Barry was and it only made him grow impatient feeling himself straining in his pants. He kissed down Barry's collarbone and chest and moved away to Barry's waist trailing kisses over the soft milky skin. He stopped and pushed Barry back while he removed his pants leaving himself naked. Barry was looking at him with a desperate and lustful gaze. He was lying half naked on the bed and Len gently reached the prince's legs and pushed them apart, situating himself in the middle. Barry was feeling so hot and exposed. Len stroked the inside of Barry's thigh and laid a soft kiss on the sensitive skin, while taking the small crystal bottle. Len poured the peppermint scent oil over Barry's naked navel and hardened length and even on his tights. Barry's face turned a darker shade of pink. Barry could feel some oil starting to leak on his sides on to the bed sheets but Len didn't seemed to care that they were going to get the bed dirty. The King set the bottle on a side of the bed and dragged his fingers over Barry's flushed body. Len moved his hands upwards, pinching a nipple and the other one to support himself so he could start grinding their cocks together. He stifled a moan at the first skin on skin contact. The crisp smell of the scented oil made the sensation even more pleasurable. Len shifted his weight to the other hand and backed up a little to slid his oil coated fingers in between Barry's buttocks and press them carefully up against his hole. Barry bit his lip when he felt the first finger slip into him easily; the oil was slick and enough to help the advance. Len shifted his position and with better access he twisted his finger and added a second finger and Barry moaned feeling the intrusion. Barry clutched the sheets feeling Len's fingers inside of him. He was gasping.
"Oh god…Len"
"Breath Scarlet…"
Barry took a few deep breaths, chest rising and falling quickly and Len continued moving his fingers in search of Barry's sweet spot. Len added a third finger and twisted his wrist and Barry shouted in pleasure, his body convulsing around Len's fingers. Yellow lightning enveloped the prince's body and he started to vibrate.
The scene was enough to shatter all Len's control and he pulled his fingers out. He moved swiftly and grabbed the bottle of oil once again and poured the content on his own hard throbbing length and stroked his member a few times looking at Barry.
"Are you sure Scarlet...?"
Barry nodded firmly without breaking their eye contact. "Yes… Len please fuck me!"
Len lined himself up with Barry's entrance and the speedster wrapped his legs around him assuring him that this was what he wanted, what he needed. Len tried to go slow but when the tip slipped past the tight ring of muscle he couldn't hold back anymore and pushed forward hard, stretching the young prince out. Barry groaned loud as he opened for Len. Barry gave up holding the sheets to clutch Len's back, pulling him closer, and digging his fingers to Len's skin every time the King's cock pressed against his prostate on each thrust. Len felt shockwaves of pleasure run through him every time he pushed in to Barry. The King leaned forward and kissed Barry feeling his cock sheathed deep in to Barry's tight hole. Their hips collided against one another. Barry was panting and moaning hard. The prince rocked his hips up and squeezed tight around Len's cock and vibrated and Len gasped and moaned.
"Fuck…Scarlet"
Barry tightened his legs around Len's waist and the King started moving again feeling the vibrations. Len pushed deep in to Barry. Firm thrusts and the speedster was a moaning mess underneath him feeling all the pleasure and wanting more.
"Len…h-harder!"
Len's stomach went tight with desire and his cock impossible hard inside the tight heat of Barry. They moved together Barry was pushing his hips back and Len forward. It was desperate, fast and slick with the peppermint scent oil. Len's head was spinning with a haze of lust and Barry's pupils were so blown his eyes looked black.
"F-Faster…please…"
The King wasn't about to say no so he increased the rhythm and Barry's eyes rolled back in his head as he shuddered, hands now clutching the headboard of the bead. Len was losing it Barry's body was so tight, so good and hot around him. Another vibration with lightning wracked Barry and Len let out a hard moan. "Fuck Scarlet!"
"Har-der...Len… please!" Barry rasped out. Barry was panting for air with each thrust. Len thrust inside of him and pressed as deep as he could go while Barry clenched around him and Barry moaned arching his back feeling his climax wash over him like a powerful wave.
"Fuck!" Len moaned watching Barry gasp and coming hard. He gripped Barry's hips and slammed into him speeding up and driving his cock in deep seeking for his orgasm. Barry's body contracted and vibrated around Len's hard cock and he was done. He moaned against Barry's chest coming so hard his vision went wide, filling Barry with his hot seed spilling out deep inside the young speedster's body, shuddering until he was spent. Barry moaned breathlessly once more, his body twitching with the aftershocks of his orgasm, and he was sure that he could've come again just from feeling Len's fluids spreading through his lower body. Len collapsed mostly on top of Barry, sweaty and unwilling to move. They were both breathing shallow and heavy.
"Fuck Scarlet…" Len rasped when he finally caught his breath.
Barry smiled dreamy. "Yeah…"
"That was…"
"I know…"
Len finally moved and pulled out of Barry and rolled on to his back beside the prince. Barry rolled onto his side and up onto his elbow to look at Len. The King raised his hand to the back of the prince's head and leaned up to kiss Barry softly.
"I love your bad ideas Scarlet…"
The prince laughed. "I bet… give me second…"
Barry flashed out from the bed at lightning speed and reappeared seconds later clean with some blue loose pants, sitting on the bed offering a warm cloth for Len to clean himself.
The King was impressed. "That was fast and useful…"
Len cleaned himself, stood up from the bed, went for his comfortable black sleeping pants and returned to the bed swiftly, he lay back over the pillows and Barry moved under his arm resting his head over Len's strong chest. They rested silently staring at the darkness around them.
"Barry I'm sorry for everything I did and said."
The prince lifted his eyes to see the King. "Len…if it makes you feel better I forgive you but I would never blame you for what happened."
Barry leaned up and pressed his lips over the King's lips. It was a gentle and comforting kiss that pushed all of Len's doubts, hate, insecurities and pain away. If Barry could forgive him, he was going to try to forgive himself.
"We don't need to tell this to anyone…" Barry continued. "All that happened with Bivolo could stay just between us…"
Len appreciated the thought but knew that wasn't going to happen.
"And how are you planning to explain the chaos in my frozen room Scarlet?" Len asked raising an eyebrow. He asked just for curiosity.
"Maybe we could say that we wanted to try new things like mm…rough sex." Barry said playfully. "I doubt that they want any details on that…"
Len scoffed. "Rough sex? Really Scarlet?"
Barry shrugged… "Do you have a better idea?"
"Of course not… believe me Scarlet there is no logical explanation for using the fucking cold wave in our room. That is going to raise a lot of questions…"
Barry laughed. "I support the rough sex idea and then I blame you… saying it wasn't your greatest idea…"
Len hummed entertained with Barry's terrible lying skills.
"I'll think about something tomorrow…" Len said tired. "Something more believable…"
Barry smiled sweetly. "My hero…"
Len scoffed. "I'm no hero Scarlet…"
"You may not think you're a hero, but you're a hero to me…" Barry whispered slowly feeling dreamy. "I am alive because of you. You saved my life several times." Barry said closing his sleepy eyes, resting over the King's strong chest listening to Len's soothing heartbeat… his favorite sound in the world. "I love you…"
Len smiled feeling Barry's warmth. They stayed liked that until Barry fell deeply asleep. Barry was comfortably tangled up on him and Winter moved from the divan and now was sleeping on the far end of the bed curled like a ball near Barry's legs. The King raised his hand to remove Barry's hair from his face. He wanted to take a better look at the beautiful sleeping speedster. His features were much softer in sleep, the lines that usually creased his brow with worry were replaced with peace and that gave him a more youthful appearance. Also the scars from his attack already faded completely. Len smiled feeling his heart beating in accordance of the slow, shallow breaths escaping from Barry's parted lips as he slept. He wished they could remain like this forever. Len kissed Barry's forehead gently.
"I love you too Scarlet. You saved me from myself." He whispered silently closing his eyes hoping for an eternity like this with their hearts beating as one… feeling that maybe… just maybe love could conquer all.
It was late in the morning and the sky was a dark bluish gray when Lisa and Cisco decided to take a walk through the gardens. Last time Lenny had interrupted their walk and Lisa wanted to show Cisco the fountains located in the far north of the palace gardens so she insisted that they should go and Cisco obviously agreed. Caitlin and Ronnie remained inside the palace complaining about the cold weather so they stayed behind playing chess near the fireplace of the Great Hall. Oliver and Felicity stayed in their room and Wells and Martin Stein were working together in the library in some new device for the Prince to fight Zoom. Wells didn't want to explain the project to Cisco yet, but the young inventor already had an idea of what it probably was. Lisa on the other hand was happy to finally have some time alone with Cisco.
They were walking together and the chill wind gave them shivers.
"Today is really cold and windy…" Cisco stated glancing amused at Lisa who was fighting with the wind trying to fix her hair.
"Yes…probably a storm." she said smiling and glanced at Cisco who was smiling. "Are you mocking me?"
Cisco laughed. "I wouldn't dare Your Highness."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "So…Cisco what were you discussing so eagerly with Caitlin at breakfast?" Lisa asked with curiosity. "I saw Wells roll his eyes several times listening to your debate…he looked like he was in pain just from hearing you and Caitlin."
"Harry always looks like that." Cisco said laughing while walking at Lisa's left side. "We were just wondering the average number of bugs the prince probably swallows while running."
"W-what? Eewwk Cisco…" Lisa burst out laughing. "Well now I understand why Wells appeared unimpressed…I thought you were discussing something more important…and I don't think that Barry runs with his mouth open…that would be weird."
"I think you are imagining it the wrong way…" Cisco smiled. "But come on it is a fascinating subject for discussion… "
Lisa laughed rolling her eyes. "I doubt it…"
After walking for a little while they reached the fountains and Cisco was beyond impressed. It was a breathtaking view. He already knew that Leonard was an art lover and had an exquisite taste for artistic treasures and for Barry…he thought smiling… but he didn't knew he was also in to impressive architectural achievements like the gloriette and now with this amazing fountain.
"Lenny is a patron." Lisa explained watching Cisco's fascination.
"He is?" – Cisco asked shocked. "Well that explains quite a lot…for example the design of the gardens, the absurd amount of sculptures lying around the halls, the paintings…everything here is beautiful."
Lisa laughed. "Yes, he supports a lot of artists…and he takes particular pride in his sumptuously decorated hall of mirrors. We haven't had like time to show you guys the palace but maybe when Joe, Iris and Eddie arrive we could show you all the highlights."
"That sounds like a great idea…but to be honest a hall full of mirrors sounds a little terrifying."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "Wait until you see it…it's beautiful. We used to have concerts and theater performances but we haven't used the place since Mick died. Two miserable depressing years…until you guys came…and Barry saved Lenny from his sadness."
Cisco smiled. "We are glad we here Lisa. We truly are."
"I know." she said smiling.
Cisco observed the majestic fountain and Lisa surveyed Cisco. She was delighted with enjoying their time alone away from Lenny's annoying surveillance. She was happy. Cisco was everything she always wanted. He was sweet, smart, funny and sexy. Cisco started talking about some legend that the fountain remind him off and he was talking with so much passion that she couldn't resist and leaned forward and stole a chaste kiss startling him. Cisco's eyes widened and she smiled.
"There's always time to steal a kiss…" –she said teasingly.
Cisco laughed surprised and closed their distance and he properly kissed her back. After a couple of minutes unexpectedly General Mardon approached them clearing his throat followed by General Singh. They were walking fast and followed by soldiers.
Cisco broke the kiss and Lisa frowned annoyed.
"Princess Lisa…"
"General Mardon, Singh…" she said trying to smile politely. She hated interruptions.
"We have a problem." General Singh added urgently looking at Cisco and Lisa narrowed her eyes confused.
"What's wrong?" – Cisco asked feeling that Lisa had immediately tensed.
"We think something may had happened last night to the King." – Mardon offered quickly.
"What do you mean General?" Lisa asked afraid. "Where is he?"
"We don't know…the servants went to the King's room to clean and arrange the room but they found the west wing of the palace floor full of water and the door to the royal bedchamber was locked, they don't have the permission to enter the royal chambers if the King is inside… just you Your Highness and the King's studio was also a mess, we don't know if someone entered the room to steal something."
Lisa nodded and turned to Cisco alarmed. "Will you accompany me?"
"Of course."
Lisa and Cisco followed General Mardon hastily to the west wing of the palace. The place was indeed a mess. Lisa walked over the cold puddles of water and Cisco followed her amazed by the eerie and cold scene before them.
"Holy shit!" Cisco murmured in disbelief. "King Leonard used the cold wave."
"He did what?!" Lisa yelled and she heard her voice echo through the hall. "Could it be that they were attacked last night?" Lisa said worried turning to the Generals.
"Mardon did the soldiers reported something?" Cisco inquired looking at the damage in the hallway. "Where were the guards?"
"Yes…there were several reports. The King yesterday was in his studio, he asked his royal guard to deliver a letter to the stables and the soldier said that he saw an unknown man enter the studio. When he returned the King was acting weird and ordered him to leave…later they reported that the King came to the west wing and he ordered his two soldiers to close the wing and forbid anyone to disturb him and Barry."
Lisa's eyes widened feeling that something was off. She rushed to the room and Cisco opened the frozen door scared of what they could find inside. The four of them entered to the royal bedchamber and gasped at the sight. It was literally raining inside the room. Well…not literally but the cold ice on the roof was unfreezing and the water was falling slowly to the ground. The ice on the walls was crying. Melting slowly down to the ground. Lisa turned to Cisco confused and scared. Cisco shrugged and walked towards the four-poster bed to found the headboard destroyed.
"What the hell happened?" asked Lisa feeling her heart beating fast.
"Nothing good…"Cisco added and General Singh frowned.
"Mardon have you seen those two idiots today?" Lisa asked worried.
"No…no one had seen them"
"Well obviously they couldn't sleep here, so maybe they are at the Prince's room." – Cisco added. "They are probably just sleeping…"
Lisa nodded nervously. "Mardon please ask the servants to clean and fix this room immediately as well as Len's studio. We are going to check immediately on my brother and Barry."
"Yes, Your Highness." General Mardon replied bowing courtly.
The group followed the Princess and they arrived to the Prince's room. Lisa knocked the door and started calling desperate for her brother to come out. The Winter King opened the door annoyed.
"What the hell Lisa? Are you mad?" Len groaned looking like he just woke up.
"Lenny what the fuck did you both did last night? You scared the hell out of us! Are you both crazy? You destroyed your room and the studio!"
"Do you really want to know Sis?" Len asked smirking mischievously.
"Yes I really want to know." She added defiantly.
Len was taken for surprise; he didn't expected Lisa to really want to know.
"We…" Len said nervously and Lisa glared at him expectantly. "We wanted to try some…rough sex…Barry's idea and I couldn't say no to him…"
"Oh my god Lenny!" she said flustered turning red.
Cisco, Mardon and Singh cringed in shock with the information.
"Lenny! Seriously?!" She continued. "Oh my God! You are an idiot!"
"You asked…"
The King smiled and turned to Cisco who besides being uncomfortable with the information was clearly stressed out. "We are okay Cisco… relax. Barry is unharmed."
"You really used the cold wave…for sex?" Cisco inquired feeling betrayed that his invention was used in a totally dirty way.
"We did…" Len said rolling his eyes internally. He wanted the earth to swallow him right now.
"Did it work?" Lisa asked worried.
"The rough sex or the cold wave? Len asked.
"Oh God! I hate you!" Lisa yelled.
General Singh frowned. "With all due respect Your Highness, we need to check that our Prince is safe."
Len nodded. "Right…" The King opened the door for General Singh to enter quietly in to the room and check for himself that the heir to Central Kingdom was lazily asleep.
"I think it was too much for him…" Len added crossing his arms and leaning to the frame of the door. Lisa groaned. The prince was indeed asleep with Winter next to him. Singh turned to Cisco and nodded. "Everything is fine." Singh said bowing respectfully to the Winter King. "Thank you, Your Highness…sorry for the inconvenience."
"I understand General that's your duty." Len added. "I'm sorry we scared you all. We were just playing and things got a little out of hand."
"Clearly…" Lisa said eyeing suspiciously at her brother.
General Singh and Cisco bowed respectfully and started walking away giving the Princess privacy to talk to her brother. Lisa remained looking at Len with her eyes narrowed.
"We still need to talk Lenny…I'm not buying that shitty lame ass excuse of rough sex…that sounded like one of Barry's bad attempt of lying…you can do better… I know that something did happen and I'm glad both of you are fine, but -"
"It was trap…Roy Bivolo or Rainbow Rider, it was one of Zoom's followers he controls emotions and I got hit by his powers and I almost killed Barry." Len interrupted and Lisa suddenly understood everything. She had heard Cisco and Caitlin talking about Roy Bivolo before so she was aware of his powers. But still she was in disbelief for a completely different reason and her eyes widened in shock.
"Just like that?"
"What?" The King asked annoyed.
"Just like that you are telling me the whole truth…"
"That's what you asked for."
"You know what I mean Lenny…"
"I'm trying this new thing that is called talking…sharing…Barry's idea really." Len said glancing to his side bored.
Lisa laughed. "Well I'm proud." she said smiling. "I will ask Mardon to increase the security and look out for Bivolo."
Len nodded.
"Is Barry okay?" – she asked a little bit worried. "Do you need anything?"
"No he is fine, thankfully he heals fast…and you know the cold wave is for immobilizing not killing… I did scared him but he is okay…" he said weakly. "Thanks Sis…"
Lisa lifted her light blue eyes to stare at Len's ocean deep blue eyes.
"Thanks for what exactly Lenny?"
"Not judging me." He said mortified. He was still afraid of being judged by his mistakes…for falling in Zoom's trap, for falling under Bivolo's power…for abusing Barry.
"Are you an idiot? Why the hell will I judge you Lenny?"
Len frowned. "I did terrible things to Barry." He said with a sad look on his face. "Things… I would give anything to forget. Things like our father… and I almost-"
Lisa raised her hand to stop him.
"Len whatever you did it wasn't you and you are not our father…don't be so hard on yourself and it seems Barry forgave whatever you did so forget it and move on... besides what if Barry was the one under Bivolo's power? Would you blame him for his actions?"
"Of course not…" Len replied quickly.
"There you go… so don't feel bad."
Len gave her a shy smiled and nodded. "I will try…"
"I love you idiot..." she added kissing her brother on the cheek. "Don't worry we will catch Bivolo and Zoom...and Lenny there is a jeweler waiting for you downstairs…I'm guessing is for something important…"
Len had completely forgotten about the jeweler. "Shit I forgot…"
"Evidently…" she said laughing. "Don't be late…" she said blinking an eye at him. She smiled sweetly and turned to walk towards Cisco who was waiting for her at the end of the hallway. Len smiled. She seemed happy with Barry's best friend and honestly he really liked Cisco, he was smart, funny and kind to Lisa. Not that he was going to tell him or Lisa any time soon. He loved to annoy his baby sister.
The King closed the door and leaned his back for support. He was tired and remembering what happened made him feel sick but sharing the also gave him peace. He sighed relieved. Len closed his eyes and he heard a soft sound from the bed. Barry was moving in his sleep. Len walked silently towards the four-poster bed and saw that Barry's breathing was slightly uneven and there was a shiny sheen of sweat on his skin. Barry moved and the covers of the bed were now half covering him and half way down to the floor. Winter also woke up from Barry's movements and walked over the bed towards Len. Barry was clearly afraid and agitated having a nightmare. The King felt his heart sink.
"Barry? Can you hear me?" Len murmured softly hoping not to scare him. He touched Barry's cheek gently. "Scarlet…please wake up you are having a bad dream."
After a few tries Len managed to wake Barry and saw the speedster's hazel eyes blink at him.
Barry was shocked and gasping softly. "Len?"
"Are you okay?" the King asked worried.
Barry nodded and gulped. "Yes…"
The King couldn't help but wonder if he was the cause of the nightmare but he didn't dare to ask afraid of the answer. Barry was shivering. The King took the sheets of the bed to cover the prince properly. Barry glanced at Len's blue eyes and his hazel eyes were suddenly full of tears.
"Scarlet…what's wrong?"
Barry shook his head silently.
"I - I saw him killing you…and I couldn't save you… I wasn't fast enough… I couldn't save you."
Len moved to the bed and embraced Barry. "I'm here Scarlet…I'm okay."
"I was so scared. I don't want to lose you."
"You won't…I promise, whatever happens I will always be beside you."
Barry nodded feeling calm. They stayed for a couple of minutes in a tight embrace until Barry calmed down and the King moved.
"Oh shit! Barry fuck I have to go…" he said kissing Barry on the lips. "I have an important meeting right now and I totally forgot." Len explained moving out of the bed and looking for clean clothes and started changing his outfit quickly. Barry stared at the King entertained it was the first time he saw Len lose his cool. It was a weird sight. He wondered how important the meeting was.
"I'll be back later to take a bath and I will see you at lunch." Len explained quickly.
"Sure…" Barry nodded watching Len comically putting quickly all his clothes on. Winter moved to Barry's lap lazily and Barry caressed the white wolf.
"See you later at lunch Scarlet…"
Barry scoffed seeing the King leaving their room…happy?
Later in the afternoon Wells, Cisco and Barry were walking down the hallway to the Great Hall. Winter was following them happily waving his tail. They were talking about Zoom when Lisa and Len exited from one of the rooms at the left and joined the group.
"How was the meeting?" Barry asked his fiancé. Len smiled and kissed Barry in the lips.
"Perfect." He replied and Lisa and Cisco smiled.
"Barry ready for some food?" asked Lisa.
"I'm always ready for some food." He confessed happily.
"Dude you are always starving…" Cisco added and Barry glared at his friend.
"You know it's my fast metabolism…I can't control it."
"We know…" Lisa and Wells replied together and Barry laughed.
The hallway was long and at the end they were surprised to see General Mardon and General Singh waiting for them with another high ranked soldier.
"You Majesties…" added Mardon bowing. The air sudden felt heavy.
"This is Commander Clay Mardon, my brother." General Mark explained. "I sent him to scout the surrounding areas of the palace... and we have bad news."
"Bad news?" Lisa asked having a dreadful feeling.
"Did you found Zoom's army?" Cisco asked.
The Commander shook his head in denial. "No we found the Central Kingdom royal carriage destroyed near the crossroad in the forest." Clay explained. "Twenty soldiers killed and all the horses. They took Lord West, Lady Iris West, General Thawne and there was a fourth person in the carriage… Sir Harrison Wells daughter Jesse Quick."
Darkness washed over them and time suddenly stopped. No-one spoke. They were in shock, frozen in place. Wells felt his world fall and Barry paled with the news.
"W-what?" Wells asked with tears in his eyes. His hands were trembling. "Are they alive?"
Len felt a cold chill down his spine with the question.
"They were taken by Zoom's men." Commander Mardon explained. "We don't know where they were taken but we suspect they are alive…probably taken as hostages. We already took the bodies of the soldiers to the village."
"Do you know who attacked them?"
"Not yet…" General Mardon explained. "We still don't have that information on Zoom's followers. We will send a second group to scout the area and look for-"
Barry felt his whole world collapse. He couldn't hear or understand a word of what Mardon was saying. His breathing was erratic, deep and then shallow. Len noticed that Barry tensed and he turned quickly to Barry to stop him from doing anything reckless but he wasn't fast enough...he only saw the yellow lightning disappear out of the hallway leaving everyone in shock.
Barry flashed to the road outside the castle. The sky was gray and the wind was howling loudly. His heart was beating wildly. He could see a storm was coming. He needed to inspect quickly the woods before any clue of what happened to his family get washed away. Barry ran to the place Commander Clyde Mardon said the carriage was attacked. When he arrived to the crossroad he felt his heart halt. The royal carriage was completely destroyed and the place looked like a battlefield. The woods gave him an eerie feeling. He remembered that Clyde mentioned that whoever attacked them killed the horses and all the soldiers except one that they spared to make him deliver the message to the Winter Palace.
Barry frowned while walking slowly trough the chaos. With every step he took he could hear the crunching sound of the dry leaves on the ground breaking. He was tense. There were no sounds of birds or animals, just the howling sound of the wind. There was blood everywhere and there was a smell of death lingering in the air. He shivered. Twenty soldiers were cold-bloodedly killed because of him and his only family taken away. The red flags of Central Kingdom with the golden symbol of lightning were lying on the ground like old dirty rags. Thankfully Commander Mardon already ordered his soldiers to take the bodies to the village to give them a proper burial or the scene would have been ten thousand times worse.
Barry bent down to inspect the damage on the ground. There were a lot of deep fissures on the road. The wheels of the right side of the carriage fell inside one of the fissures getting stuck and turning over to the side. The splits of the ground were like the aftermath footprint of several small earthquakes.
"Geomancer…" - Barry murmured lifting his eyes slowly from the ground to the wooden carriage, taking in all the small details of the sight. The door of the carriage was slashed and burned with a sharp and long weapon. "A scythe… Rupture."
He leaned forward and inspected the inside of the carriage and it was empty. They had sacked everything of value. Barry stood up frowning feeling cold drops of rain starting to fall on his face. He observed the level of destruction and felt guilty. This was a nightmare. His family was taken because of him and now the Winter Realm was going to face a war because he decided to seek for Len's help…he was an idiot. He knew it was too late to dwelt on guilt but it was inevitable. He needed Cisco to vibe the carriage as soon as possible… maybe they could at least find the location of Joe, Iris, Eddie and Jesse. He needed to go back quickly and tell Len about Geomancer and Rupture. Barry felt a strong gust of wind and saw blue lightning and suddenly his back collided with a tree hard and he hit the ground. Barry gasped in pain and quickly fought to right himself. He stood up, his vision was a little bit blurred and he felt a pain in his back. An oddly deep and distorted voice laughed from somewhere in the woods sending shivers down the prince's spine.
"Missed me?"
Hi guys! I just wanted to say thank you again for everyone who is still reading this and for giving this story a chance! :D
Writing this has been a really fun experience, this is my first fanfic ever…and it has also been an interesting challenge for me and I was so afraid to publish this at the beginning and here we are now in chapter 16! 90k words and yesterday I was doing the outline and I realised that there are only 6 long chapters left! :O
So thank you again for all the support, for the reviews and fav and follow! I love this fandom! :3 You guys are great!
Again sorry for the angst and the little cliffhanger… I will try to update Zoom I mean soon!
I would love to know what you think! About the story so far and the chapter!
So feel free to give me some feedback or review! :D
And remember to always face everything and rise!