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Axel really liked Barry. He was a good playmate. He had taken Mark to one of the safe houses safely, without innuendo, with a slight touch of flirtation according to Mark and although he had stayed all night to check on Mark and make sure he didn't do anything stupid, Barry had been like a gentleman. Axel had come to the house the next morning to check on the situation and see Mark. He had been very worried about him the night before, but seeing Barry had suddenly stopped, unsure how to proceed. He didn't usually go on many dates and the ones he did go on didn't usually last more than one night. One day he would end up like Mark, but having the rogues' support made Axel feel less alone.

Barry Allen didn't seem dangerous, he wasn't like Len's other friends. He had no tattoos, he wasn't stocky, he didn't look mean, and he definitely didn't have the look of a prostitute. Axel could swear that Barry had never done anything wrong in his life, so he didn't understand why Snart trusted Allen so much. But if Snart trusted Allen, the rogues could trust him. There was no reason to worry. Maybe Axel and Barry had met once, Axel could tell that he recognized him from somewhere, only Axel couldn't place him. Barry and Mark had slept on the sofa, Mark would tell him later that Barry didn't want to let him out of his sight in case he thought of doing something stupid. For that reason alone, Axel liked him enough not to try any of his new inventions on him, those were only reserved for the Flash and for those who hurt his family, although he tried not to let the Flash find out when that happened.

Axel could feel the tension in the air, so he decided it would be a good idea to cook them breakfast. He must have done wrong, because the minute he turned on the vitro, Mark and Barry rushed over to him, demanding that he get out of the kitchen. Apparently they didn't trust his culinary skills. He could understand it from Mark, because Axel had burned down the kitchen of the rogues' safe house several times when he had tried to bake, fry, cook… but Axel had to try to cook! The day he became independent and lived he was only going to have a problem if he didn't know how to cook the most basic things. But why did Allen look so alarmed? He and Axel didn't know each other, unless it was because Allen knew he was the Trickster.

So Axel stayed in the kitchen, watching them cook. He would never say it, but Mark and Barry complemented each other, it was as if their bodies were used to being close to each other and they knew in advance what the other's move was going to be. Axel was fascinated, he couldn't stop looking at them. He wondered if this was how the rogues and Flash looked when they battled or if this was typical of people in love. Because even though it had been less than twenty-four hours since Mark and Barry had been formally introduced, Axel believed in true love. There was a kind of spark in the way Rose and Sam interacted, it was the same spark that Axel could see in Barry and Mark.

- Are you making pancakes? -Axel asked with a mischievous smile. -That's a breakfast for the morning after sex.

Mark and Barry immediately stopped and looked at each other in horror. Axel started laughing out loud. For this moment alone, his visit had been worth it. But Axel wouldn't let Barry go that easily, he wanted to spend time with him, see what kind of a man he was, make sure his brother Mark, who had cared for and supported him since he joined the rogues, was in good health hands. Last night Len had indirectly given them his blessing, now it was Axel's turn to assess Barry.

"Do you play videogames, Barry?" Axel asked, looking at him seriously.

- A little.-Barry admitted blushing.

-Then, you would play virtual darts with me.

At Barry's uncertainty, Axel pouted pointedly, knowing the effect they had on people. Mark tried to hide the smile from him, but Axel could see it anyway. The three ended up playing video games.

Axel could tell how he was a person from the way he held the controller, chose the characters or the way he played. He could see that Barry was gentle and that it wasn't something fake, just by the way he handed the command over to Mark so he didn't have to bend over. Mark smiled at him in thanks. Of the three, the best player was Barry. Axel noticed it immediately.

"Do you play often, Barry?" asked Axel.

- I don't usually like this kind of games, I prefer the speed ones.

Axel paused for a few seconds as if something had clicked. He lost that game too, but he didn't care. He watched Barry closely, taking in the details, seeing him in profile, seeing his jawline and his running body. Without knowing why, he pictured him in a red leather suit. Axel's eyes widened at the realization. But it was impossible, it couldn't be true. Had Captain Cold really arranged and given his consent for a date between the Flash and the Time Wizard? Wait! Was he seriously playing virtual darts against the Flash? Men! He was so excited! Here he was, the Trickster, playing video games against the world's greatest hero.

Suddenly Axel started laughing. Mark and Barry looked at each other uncertainly, but that only made Axel laugh harder. Oh, the look on Mark's face when he found out!

- I bet you always win, right, Barry? -Axel had tears in his eyes from laughing so much.

Barry kept quiet and continued playing, apparently he hadn't gotten the joke. It would be four hours later when Axel released Barry stopping the game. Axel adored Barry Allen, he hoped that whatever happened with Mark and him, Barry would continue to play with Axel. He hadn't felt this good in a long time. He could rest easy, he knew that Barry would treat Mark well, because the Flash never hurt his rogues even intentionally.