It's just a jump to the left.

[mostlyajerk]

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[gotspeed]

"I think we should talk."

Cisco was very much pro-'let's bring Hartley into our home and lives' right now, which was odd for so many reasons, and apparently it fell on Barry to make the call on whether or not they should do this. Especially since Doctor Wells wasn't here right now. Yes, it was a team decision but apparently the future version of him seemed to imply it was a good idea he spoke to Hartley and now here he was after peer pressure from Cisco and a pointed look from Caitlin. How was any of this fair? He didn't want to talk to Hartley.

Hartley seemed like a bit of a dick. But too late now, he guessed. He was here, there was no going back. Maybe he wasn't so bad.

[mostlyajerk]

"I think you should redecorate." Hartley was leaning back against the wall, sitting on the floor, because there literally wasn't another option. He looked at the Flash, wondering once more just how young he was. He looked really young. Harrison definitely had a type. The younger the easier to manipulate, he supposed. But there was something strange about him. How had he known about his plan? Or what had made him suspect it, at any rate? What had been the creatures following him?

Hartley didn't know and so he simply watched the Flash now, raising an eyebrow. "Some pictures, maybe. Brighten up the place."

post timeline jump and parents dinner, probably a day or two along

[mostlyajerk]

[gotspeed]

That's real nice, Hartley. Yeah. Lol.

to Cisco, in Spanish in case Barry looks over

[mostlyajerk]

Cisquito, can I ask you something?

[viber]

In Spanish? Daaaaamn. This must be top secret.

Shoot, dude.

[mostlyajerk]

[gotspeed]

It was your evil twin? Do you have an evil twin? Is this like a Cisco deal? Oh man, what cool name does yours have? Black Piper? Dark Piper? Or is it like a new instrument? The Pied Violinist???

Also dude, don't be sorry. I think I owe you a sorry.

pre ruining of the timeline

[gotspeed]

[mostlyajerk]

Nice dog.

[mostlyajerk]

"I can't remember the last time I've been on a beach." Hartley mostly said this just to fill the silence that had ensued after Barry had pulled him away from the party to walk along the beach instead, without any explanation as to what he was doing why. He was also still holding his hand and Hartley was very unsure about whether he should draw attention to that, so instead he just cleared his throat and kept walking.

The party had been fun, in a way, a welcome stress relief as it was supposed to be. Cisco and Caitlin had been dancing, Barry had some girl come up to him to talk and Hartley felt ever so gay, surrounded by all those heterosexuals. But he hadn't been about to complain, wouldn't exactly be fair to drag all of them to a gay club instead and - in case of Barry and Cisco - potentially not safe.

So he had been having a good enough time, drinking a fruity drink, as that was all everyone did at a beach party, and looking away from any girls that tried to get his attention. Cisco had thrown his hands up in desperation, since 'how is this fair?' and Barry had paid for another round of drinks and then some shots and that was something that really wasn't fair, because judging by how Caitlin and Cisco were dancing they were less than sober, Hartley felt his own head swimming and of course Barry was entirely unaffected.

At least that was a good reason not to let go of his hand, because he wasn't so sure how long he'd be able to walk straight. "I don't think I'm wearing the right shoes for this." What were the right shoes for walking on the beach? None, probably.

[gotspeed]

"The last time I was on a beach, I was with Joe and Iris. It was really nice, the sun was up and the water was like that perfect blue it gets in the summer. It was just like a picture you'd hang on the wall. Except there was a lot of people. Like a lot. So many kids." This was much quieter. It was late, there weren't many people and yet the beach still looked beautiful. Perhaps his plan to take the money he inherited from Eobard and invest a good chunk of it into a trip to Coast City wasn't the wisest thing to do with the money but they all needed to get away and what else could they do with that blood money? Barry loathed he'd even inherited it.

His father was free, though he'd left without hanging around and STAR labs could keep functioning with the grants they had and the deeds in Barry's name but the left over money? It was supposed to be 'for Barry' and that alone made his skin crawl.

So he burned it on this. An evening of buying expensive drinks, going to clubs and watching Cisco try to get some girl to like him. It wasn't going great, poor guy. Barry had all the girls after him, which was also weird, but he wasn't really interested. Not drunk enough to be into it, not invested enough when sober. He wanted to be away from it. He wanted to be with Hartley and he wanted to see the beach, that was better. It was easier. He held onto Hartley's hand and he had no idea why, he just knew he wanted to do it. That it was grounding right now.

"I don't know, they're nice shoes. They may get ruined but I think we can use the party/trip money to buy you new shoes. Honestly, I've got about a grand left." Whatever remained when they got back was going to a charity, he'd already decided. "I think in the grand scheme of things, Eobard owes you shoes."

[mostlyajerk]

I know you left two hours ago and spent ten minutes just awkwardly looking at me and shuffling your feet, but my head hurt and I had no idea what was up, so.

NOW.

I kissed you.

[gotspeed]

You did.

Yep.

You also called me pretty.

[mostlyajerk]

Hey, I'm sorry to bother you. I need something.

[gotspeed]

Go for it?

[gotspeed]

This was a mess. Again.

He tried this time, he tried to not make a mess, he tried to fix it and look at how it blew up in his face anyway. He lost his speed. He lost Caitlin. He had nothing but a bruised throat and pain all up his back, something he wasn't really used to any more, long term pain. Zoom had to be stopped still, he knew that, but how? He was worthless without his speed.

Barry didn't move from the room he was in, still sitting with the treadmill, still feeling every ache and pain and not wanting to speak to anyone. He shut the door for a reason. Barry didn't need their concern, he just needed answers. He needed to fix this. He lost his access to the speedforce, he lost what made him special.

And as hard as it was, he'd do it again and again if it meant no one got hurt. Hartley got to live. That was more important.

[mostlyajerk]

"Hey." Hartley's voice was quiet as he made his way into the room. He didn't agree with the choices that had been made, but he wasn't here to kick Barry while he was down. Instead he quietly walked into the room and sat down next to him, saying nothing. Then, after intense inner conflict, he finally made himself reach out and put his hand on top of Barry's hand.

[mostlyajerk]

"Hello, Barry." They were on a beach and it was night. It wasn't the Central City beach and Hartley looked at Barry with a smile, a sweet and open, a loving smile. "I've missed you. Glad you could stop by." Without waiting for a response, he took Barry's hand and started walking along the beach with him. "This doesn't seem familiar, does it? Your timeline is missing a lot of highlights."

[gotspeed]

"No... where am I?" This was trippy. This was so weird, he had no idea what was going on or where he saw, all he knew was that he had to be here, that leaving wasn't a wise idea. Or an option. He looked around the beach, trying to recall it but it just didn't ring any bells. He looked at Hartley and paused, frowning ever so slightly. "This isn't right. You can't be Hartley." It just didn't fit. Hartley wasn't wearing this earlier and they definitely weren't at the beach. Like ever!

[mostlyajerk]

Hey, you said you liked that new gyros place, right?

[gotspeed]

Oh god yeah. Why?

[mostlyajerk]

[gotspeed]

[gotspeed]

I remember.

I remember everything.

I'm so sorry. God, I'm just

Sorry. I ruin everything.

[mostlyajerk]

Barry, this is Hartley.

Wrong number.