Tag: p: rogue barry

stolenscarlet.

“No no, really.  It’s not that I just ah, I was kind of a horrible person in high school and I want to address that because I’m really not that person- not that I’m exactly great now but I’m  really different so..”  As if he needed to say that; Sebastian Smythe would have been smooth and casual from the second they spotted each other the other day, while Barry was fumbling as awkwardly as ever and making no sense.

He pinches the bridge of his nose.  “Okay that didn’t help my case at all so I’m going to hang up and meet you there and I’ll explain.”  Good enough.  He only waits a moment before hitting the end button and nearly throws the phone blindly in his exasperation with himself.  But that was that, so he had somewhere to be and he wasn’t going to be late on top of it all so he pulls up a map and ignores the looks he receives from a few teammates, making it obvious they heard his end of the conversation.  He really was only this bad when he was particularly nervous like this.

Blaine was about ready to tell Sebastian that he had nothing to worry about.  They were kids and as far as he was concerned?  Sebastian more than made up for the quote unquote unforgivable mistakes he made at the beginning and middle of their friendship.  Why would he hold those things against him now? It was years later and they were both grown men.  Letting go of negativity is the only way to truly survive in life.  Somethings might be a hell of a lot harder to release than others but Sebastian’s ‘crimes’?  They didn’t earn him a life sentence as villain in Blaine’s world.

Nothing but silence and his wallpaper when Blaine pulled the phone from his ear after wondering if Sebastian really did hang up on him.  That’d be a yes.  The rest of the ride was spent in silence with Blaine’s thumb hovering over Sebastian’s name while debating if he should call back.  In the end?  He settled for walking into the familiar comfort of the Stonewall. Here–people recognize him.  They know his voice and the songs he likes to play on nights where he can steal a an open mic spot.  A few wave at him and he waves back.  Crimson shoes hook on the rungs of the his stool and his eyes fail to wander too far away from the door as he waits hoping that hang up wasn’t the first sign that Sebastian was going to not show up.

cryptic much?

“Sounds good.”  He says with a smile even in his voice.  Completely justified nerves aside, it was exciting to see and catch up with Blaine again.  He hopes he’s doing well.  Blaine had been ambitions as long as Barry had known him, hopefully it got him somewhere.  Now that he thinks about it, it would actually be a let down if he didn’t.  One of those good people that manage to infect everyone with their smiles, those people should get what they’re striving for definitely.

A warning that he had something not so great to fill him in on sits on the tip of Barry’s tongue.  He’s not sure if he can or should say it though; what would it do?  Say that the evening might not be as fun as expected.  But then, maybe Blaine would want to back out once he found out, a heads up would be nice then.  Or he’s just going to sound weird considering how long it’s been since they’ve seen each other.
“Hey uh- this is going to sound really weird but um it’s- I’m looking forward to this, but I’m not going to feel right about it if I don’t come clean about some things first?  But it feels kind of rude to say it over the phone so I’ll just tell you there but uh, heads up I guess.”  Definitely weird.  He pinches the bridge of his nose.

Okay.  Sebastian had his attention before the weirdness began to overtake their otherwise conversation about where they’d meet.  Blaine’s eyebrows screwed towards one another as he took the steps down into the station.  “You’re right, Sebastian.  That did sound weird.”  What did Sebastian have to tell him that needed a warning label before they had the conversation?  What did he have to ‘come clean’ about?
“Most conversations don’t come with caution tape to get through before they even start.  Unless they’re bad ones.  Or that could just be my track record with them.”  He dropped the token in the turnstile and spun it with his hip as he entered the landing.

“Are you sure you want to do this?  I didn’t pressure you too hard to meet me.  Did I?”  Was that what this was about?  Even so–he hoped for the best and found a seat before they were all taken.  Either way? If the answer was yes?  Having a drink wouldn’t be a bad idea and he might need one anyway. “Because if it is?  I mean–I didn’t mean to if I did..”

reconnecting.

For someone who was still iffy about revealing the truth, Barry was rather eager to get a call from Blaine.
He’s not sure what it is; It’s unlikely his morals are giving him a need to correct the situation, it’s not like he can be sure that they were ever really friends before when Blaine essentially didn’t know Barry at all.  And wasn’t that just a sad truth.

When the call does come, Barry springs to his feet to get into another room, throwing a couch pillow at Hartley as soon as the other’s mouth opens with assumably another wisecrack about his high school sweetheart come back from the past– insert overdramatic sigh here.
“Hey.”  Barry answers.

Fingers nervous plucked at the hem of his cardigan as he listened to the ringing tone.  –Please don’t let the voicemail pick up.–  
He was too excited to keep waiting for a chance to see Sebastian again.  The days went by far too slow between their run in and him having enough free time to devote a good chunk of his evening to his old friend. Now that he had it?  Blaine was brimming with eagerness and hoped that he wasn’t interrupting like he did the first night they saw one another.

His feet touched down onto the floor from the coffeetable they were resting on when Sebastian’s voice greeted him on the other end of the line.  “Hey.”  An ear to ear grin could be heard in Blaine’s voice.  Though he was thankful that the warmth on his cheeks–and the color he knew it had to brush over his skin–couldn’t be seen.
“So about that meet up?  Would tonight be good?  I’ve got an idea.”

see you soon.

Barry typed quickly filing out a new contact in Blaine’s phone, glancing up a few times to catch that look on his face; like he was honestly excited, everything Sebastian had done under the bridge and forgiven leaving him now just an old friend.  Barry doesn’t doubt that it was how Blaine felt, but he can’t really see how.  Kurt had the right idea continuing to be at least suspicious of Barry’s new self after that announcement was made.

Barry chuckled a little lightly, handing back the device.  “Almost hope not, something tells me being CSI back home is easier than here, no offense to New York’s roads but..”  This city, much like most like it, had the reputation of nasty streets but great everything else and the amount of useless samples Barry would end up collecting seemed longer- not that that would truly be the reason why he couldn’t move even if he does wants to.  It was however the first thing that came to mind, funny enough.

“Anyway uh I should probably go,”  he glanced back over his shoulder briefly.  “they’re gonna actually leave me stranded if I get too far behind but text me or something sometime?”

Blaine moved his mouth like he was ready to ask another question but then closed it and bobbed his head in a nod instead.  It could wait til later.  He’d already bombarded the poor man with enough.  And they had plenty of time to catch up when they saw one another again. Excitement danced in hazel eyes–brightening them as he took his phone back and shoved it in the pocket of his navy blue peacoat.

“Yeah.  You should,” he stuttered after it dawned on him he momentarily forgot about Sebastian’s company that was waiting.  A flush of heat colored his cheeks when he realized he was holding him up.  Though he would be sorely pressed to say he was sorry considering the outcome of his butting in.  “Don’t get stranded.”  Would they really leave him?  By the sound of it–the answer was yes.  Even more reason to set him free from hogging up his time.

“Sure.  I will.  It was good to see you, Sebastian.”  The shorter of the two smiled and bid farewell with a small wave before heading out with more pep in his step than he’s had all day.

[The End]

stolenscarlet.

He could work with this.  He could, he just had to figure out how to explain everything. Luckily he’ll have time to think on it before seeing Blaine again, and his teammates wandering off ahead of him was a good excuse to hurry this meeting up.
He wished he was so ready to run off though.  Nervous, yes, but Blaine was one of two honest to god friends in Ohio.  The first friend he had aside from Iris..  Barry missed him.  He thought about telling him the truth back then too.  But then he was convinced, absolutely convinced that who he was would land him in the same anxious, regularly bruised position he was in back home.  It probably would have, he still thinks now, but better that than being an asshole with a fake name.

“Yeah, yeah sounds good.”  Barry nods, a smile pulling at his lips.  “I can give you my number?  It- I had to change it in college.  I’ll be around for about two weeks, so I mean, whenever.  No actually plans that I know of.  Yet.”  Which isn’t quite true, but what’s left to do in planning for the job could be played off as spur of the moment ideas, and Barry himself might not be needed anyway.  Rock-paper-scissors usually decided who did Len’s scoping out if he didn’t feel like doing it.

Barry debates for a moment dropping some kind of hint at least to the truth, some part of it for now.  Blaine and his curious, kind heart probably would still want to talk to him too..  The very reason he left an impression on Barry.  

There couldn’t be anymore excitement gleaming from his eyes as he quickly dug his phone from his pocket.  His hand shook with how much anticipation and eagerness that was radiating from a smile that just wouldn’t quit.  Blaine quickly unlocked the device and handed it over.
He knew Sebastian changed his number after a rather unfortunate incident a little over a year ago that had him calling him in the middle of the night.  Only to have a woman who wasn’t very happy with receiving a call that late pick up on the other end and give him a piece of her mind. The number was hesitantly erased right after.

“Two weeks?  Great!  No plans,” he gave a slightly confused look in the path that Barry’s friends wandered off to but then glanced back.  Not everyone had to go on a trip with a purpose in mind.  Occasionally?  It just felt good to be somewhere else.  Right?  Though he did wonder if he was keeping Barry from somewhere he should be.  After they exchanged information–he’d let him go.  What was a few extra minutes between friends that were reconnecting after years of not seeing each other? 

“Well,” Blaine perked up and gave the taller man a ‘well would you look at that’ smirk.  “Now you have some.  Or–you will once we decide.  See?  And if places like this–nice as it is–are what you’ve seen so far?  Then you’re in for a surprise.  Who knows,” he teased with nose scrunching wicked grin, “You might fall in love with this place as much as I have.”

familiar face–not so familiar story.

He catches it, that glance.  He’s acting about as Sebastian-like as ever, which is to say, not in the slightest.  His confidence was in science, in his speed, in the criminal activities that he was technically here to do.  Not confrontations, no matter that they’re disguised as.

“Living the dream after all.”  He jokes.  It was nice to see that Blaine got to live where he used to talk about.  Memories resurface, talking about plans of the future and goals big and small.  He can’t believe Blaine actually humored him with friendship, given his behavior.. Although, the worst of it was hidden for a little while, wasn’t it?  He wasn’t flaunting how he talked to Kurt in his face-  Right.  Kurt.  Barry almost looks around for him right there; they were probably a far better couple than Barry gave them credit for if they survived his rain of terror.

“I got some time off work,”  He says with a shrug of his shoulder.  “Some friends thought a vacation would be cool so I figured why not tag along, right?  Never got to see this place.. We should- we should catch up sometime, while I’m here.  If you want to.”

Living the dream.  Close enough.  Blaine loved the city.  He loved his life here.  But the road getting to that love?  Was made up of bumps and swerves.  A detour or two that left him chasing the chance to let himself fall in love with it again after a rather tumultuous love story between him and his place of dreams.  “Yeah.  I guess you could say that.  It’s home and there’s no place I’d rather be.”  There was nothing but truth in that statement.  Even if she threw him a hardball to the face now and then? New York City would always be home.

So–Sebastian was going to be here for only at least a little while?  Hearing that news brought a smile to Blaine’s lips and an excited sparkle to his eyes.  “Yeah. Yeah!  I’d love to.  How long will you be here?” It’d been years and he hoped they’d run into each other again someday.  But–like a lot of high school relationships–life had a way of breaking promises of not falling out of touch for a lot of people.  He hadn’t meant to let it happen between the two of them.  Though it wasn’t either’s particular fault.

“Whenever you have the time?  I’ll make the time.  I could show you the not-so-touristy places. If that’s something you’d like,” he searched the other’s green eyes and decided on one thing he had to get out of the way first.  With a palm fit against the back of his neck, he smiled softly. “It is really good to see you again.”

catching up.

The very reason he had to have this conversation alone; that name.  Years spent around and then living with Iris and Joe, Barry was smart enough to not create a fake life and use his real name with it.  One search and it all would have come crashing down.  Now he’s not sure if he should correct Blaine or leave it be, wondering what the odds are that they see each other again after this.  But god he’s missed that aura of positivity.

“Oh no- don’t worry about it.”  He hurried to say.  Barry smiles back- smiles, not smirking like was basically his default in high school.  There were at least two options with this conversation that he had no time to think about, otherwise he’d be fine catching up with an old friend – even if he did try to take said old friend away from friend’s boyfriend – but as it is, he’s clueless and nervous and shoving his hands in his pockets before he can start picking at his nails.

“It’s-”  Barry, not Sebastian. “it’s good to see you too.  What’re you doing here?  In town, I mean.  Obviously..”  And this was just going so well.  Barry rubs the back of his neck and hopes he’s coming off more casual than he thinks he is.

Blaine couldn’t take his eyes off that familiar face he’d missed much more than he realized now that they were standing face to face again.  Sebastian was a good friend in spite of the mistakes that happened between the two of them resulting in a distance Blaine didn’t know how to stop from growing wider before it was too late.

On top of that?  He may not want to admit to it but Sebastian was one of those people who might always be the definition of what if.  A whole string of them that had Blaine looking a little too hard at him before he cut his thoughts loose and focused on the present rather than the past.  Was Sebastian nervous?  Blaine’s stare casually dropped to Sebastian’s hands as the other shoved them in his pockets and then quickly met his eyes again, his own lighting up as he rocked back on his heels happy to hear Sebastian was just as glad to see him.

“I live here.  Have for a while now.  I came here for school and never left.  I don’t think I could see myself anywhere else.”  He waved off any further explanation knowing if you got him talking about the city that he loved–he might never stop.  Genuine bewilderment tugged his lips into a smile at the very corner before he dropped them open and took in a sharp breath exhaling it in an ‘ahh?’.  “The real question is–what are you doing here?”

suddenly–here you are.

Part of the fun of out of town heists is that Barry otherwise wouldn’t travel much at all. He didn’t have time between work, hero business, and criminal activity. He didn’t feel like he had much free time before he got his powers either, though he clearly wasted that time.

New York City was one of those daydreams he had in high school. Things change but he was still pretty excited. It was a big heist, too. They’d be in town for ten days before the job, making sure everything was air tight, details that couldn’t be accounted for in Central were taken care of. Another week at least after that to make sure when they leave it won’t be under a magnifying glass.
Plenty of time to enjoy himself as long as he’s back at the temporary base whenever he needs to be.

It was going to be fun, anyway. He goes out to eat with Shawna and Hartley the first afternoon after arrival, which was also nice, until he spotted Blaine Anderson.
Barry was glad to have left high school in the dust, drape a veil over it never to be touched. And here it was, meeting his eyes across the room. It’s old habit at the sight that a grin pulls at his lips. It was only fake half of the time back then, at any point.. He is far from that person. The grin falls as he ducks his head, gets back to the conversation.

It’s not until they’re leaving that what he really hoped wouldn’t happen, does. Blaine approaches as friendly as ever. Barry glances between him and his teammates quickly, not quite sure what to do with the situation.  Hartley looks at him like he’s trying to decide what to think off of appearance alone and Shawna gives Barry a look that he doesn’t bother getting the message of and instead only nods to the door.  Confused, surely, but it’s not like Blaine is a threat so there’s no protest or question.  Not until later, he’s sure.  Barry turns to fully face Blaine then with a somewhat sheepish smile.  “Long time no see.”

Another term at NYU was starting and Blaine was busy finishing up all the last minute details he had to take care of before going back for his final year. His Master’s Degree was within arm’s reach and he couldn’t wait to graduate.  Thus the scatterbrained excitement that had him venturing out yet again.  A bag stuffed full of supplies he only just now remembered he needed was at his feet. That–hopefully–should be it.  Now–it was time to reward himself with a lunch break and coffee.

Funny how fate can work that way.  If it wasn’t for his thoughts being as jittery as his lack of caffeine shakes that his second cup only just now chased away–he might’ve darted off after finishing his food and never caught sight of something rather someone who he hadn’t seen in how long?  Sebastian.  

Blaine noticed him moments before Sebastian ever took note.  

His expression never changed from the excited look of recognition when their gazes met.  That grin.  He missed that grin more than he’d like to admit and was quickly reminded how much the moment he saw it again. A faint hint of pink blazed over olive cheeks.  He ducked his head when Sebastian did and wasn’t rude enough to interrupt but not polite enough not to steal several glances his way as Sebastian talked with his company.

Seeing them all getting ready to go Blaine quickly approached–too thrilled at the possibility of speaking with his old friend to think of the fact that Sebastian was going to leave without saying hello. Any nervousness about approaching him with a couple of friends flanking him went out the window–too.  “Sebastian?  Wow!  It’s good to see you..”  His ever-present smile repeats the greeting to the others and he politely bids them farewell with a bow of his head.  Now?  His attention is fully on him and his smile is as wide as can be.  “Yeah!  How are you?  I’m sorry..  Am I holding you back?  I just really wanted to say hi…”