Barry nods thoughtfully. "Yeah, I can see that. When I met my doppleganger from Earth 2, I also met his Iris, who was really different from my Earth's Iris. Also we were married there, and we weren't even together yet here. It was really confusing. Then there was time remnant me who was trying to kill her and everyone else I loved, so at least neither of you are evil versions of you.
I think the best thing you can do is just...remind yourselves that you're different people, like you said. It's like if either of you had twins. The twin would look the same, but be a totally different person. Well, maybe with some similarities. My Earth 2 self was a lot like me in some ways."
He'll bite his tongue about how some might try to argue that about Mick, at least the people from his world that had known Mickey. They are so different, and even different definitions of 'good' people, and it's easy, so easy, to just look at Mick and see what he hopes the world sees most days instead of the true man beneath the mask he wears. "There is that, at least."
"Logically, I know that," he admits with a nod. "But... unlike the Leonard Snart of this world, I am not quite so ruled by logic, as I am my heart." He pulls a face. "It gets me in trouble sometimes."
Barry gives him a warm smile. "Trust me, I know how that goes. And I think Leonard was more ruled by his heart than he'd ever care to admit to anyone. But maybe that's what both you and Mick need. Just be honest with him about how you're feeling when you look at him. He might not quite know the best way to respond, but he'll understand you."
"Not by any account I've heard, but I'll take your word for it." He's not sure he would recognize the person in front of him, if he'd found this Earth in time to have met his doppelganger. "Maybe," he nods his agreement. "And... maybe a day or two apart will help, too." Give them both time to cool down from the heated argument they'd gotten into earlier.
"Emphasis on the 'ever caring to admit it to anyone' part. We're talking very deep down, here," Barry replies, with a chuckle. It had taken even him a long time to see it. "And yeah, I'm sure it will. You're welcome to crash here for the night, if you want to stay. I'd offer my apartment, but I'm honestly not sure I can make it there yet."
"No problem, I can make a bed anywhere." Such is the life of a world like his. Comfort is so frequently trumped by necessity. Having a bed of any kind, even if it's only a cot in a lab, is better than some of the choices at home. "Someone's gotta make sure you don't do something ridiculous before you're healed, anyway."
Leo presses his lips together as Barry trips over his own words, one more than the last every time new ones spill out. He patiently waits until he stops before he actually responds, both eyebrows arched, focused a bit more on that last part than anything else. "I'm afraid we don't quite know each other that well yet, Barry. I'm going to have to pass."
Beat.
"Why exactly are you suggesting that, anyway?" Because he's sure he didn't mean it how it sounded, if the awkward look on his face was anything to judge by. Poor guy, his mouth works faster than his brain.
"Sorry, you're right," Barry says, blushing a little. "There's a lounge with comfy couches nearby, or probably a cot somewhere you can locate. And I just meant...I get really antsy when I have to stay in one place for too long. It's hard for me to rest. Speedster problems, I guess."
It's brutal, really, the level of adorable that takes up residence in this one man. The kind of thing that doesn't seem like it should exist, yet somehow still does, despite or perhaps in spite, of everything in his life that says he should be less this. Harder. Colder. Barry's none of those things.
"Speedster problems," he echoes in a quiet, musing sort of way. "There seem to be a lot of those."
“Maybe, but there are things about being a speedster that I love. The rush from running is incredible, and I can help people in ways I couldn’t before. Like I mentioned before, I was in prison recently, and honestly the worst part about it was not being able to help anyone.”
He says it with such sincerity that it would leave no doubt that it’s a genuine sentiment. “I love being a speedster, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
"You were more capable than you probably think, before. You can't possibly think that your powers are the only reason you can do that now..." That last statement actually sounds all-too incredulous. He can't fathom that Barry would attribute everything he does, and all that bright and shining goodness in his heart to nothing more than the powers he has.
"No, of course not. I mean, that's why I had my day job as a CSI. Because I wanted to help people. But having these powers just allows me to help more people in more ways than I ever could have dreamed of being able to do. It allows me to protect my city, and be a symbol of hope for people." He doesn't know how else to explain it, but his powers just amplify that goodness in a way that nothing else could.
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Date: 2019-01-20 05:11 pm (UTC)I think the best thing you can do is just...remind yourselves that you're different people, like you said. It's like if either of you had twins. The twin would look the same, but be a totally different person. Well, maybe with some similarities. My Earth 2 self was a lot like me in some ways."
no subject
Date: 2019-01-22 11:40 am (UTC)"Logically, I know that," he admits with a nod. "But... unlike the Leonard Snart of this world, I am not quite so ruled by logic, as I am my heart." He pulls a face. "It gets me in trouble sometimes."
no subject
Date: 2019-01-22 12:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-01-22 06:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-01-27 06:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-01-29 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-01-29 10:36 pm (UTC)"I'm pretty sure you're probably going to have to tie me down." Yeah he should just. Stop talking.
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Date: 2019-01-30 01:34 am (UTC)Beat.
"Why exactly are you suggesting that, anyway?" Because he's sure he didn't mean it how it sounded, if the awkward look on his face was anything to judge by. Poor guy, his mouth works faster than his brain.
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Date: 2019-01-30 10:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-02-05 02:42 pm (UTC)"Speedster problems," he echoes in a quiet, musing sort of way. "There seem to be a lot of those."
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Date: 2019-02-05 03:17 pm (UTC)He says it with such sincerity that it would leave no doubt that it’s a genuine sentiment. “I love being a speedster, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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Date: 2019-02-05 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-02-05 05:23 pm (UTC)