Chapter Text
It had been a month since Barrys dad was released and had decided to leave. He still couldn't fully understand why his father would leave him so soon after being reunited. To be honest he was even a little angry, but he carried on and did his best to be the hero his father wanted.
Barry sat upon the rooftop ledge of star labs and looked out at the city. It was a peaceful night, a rarity these days. His thoughts wandered to the night before and he sighed.
The team of course was amazing but they had almost been too late. He had almost been too late. It frustrated him because it happens a lot, and every time it did he always ended up thinking about Harrison. He hated himself for it but he longed for the days where he was ignorant and Harrison was just his science idol turned team mate/friend. Barry knew now that the reason the man had been so helpful is because of being a speedster himself. But the genius had been there, the friendship, the laughter, all of it. The man he remembered before it all happened had never faltered and never let him down.
Barry couldn't help but be amazed at Harrison. He remembered the fondness in the mans eyes shifting from fondness to hatred and wondered what his future self must have done to the man. And then even with all that hatred Harrison at the last moment chose to free his father.
Barry huffed. "Not that it matters. He left anyway. Wells was right, I'm not happy."
"Told ya so."
Barry sputtered and turned, nearly falling off the roof in the process.
A hand reached out to steady him.
"Careful Barry."
Barry blinked and gaped.
"Wells, Eobard?"
The man smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Please, I think we should just stick with Harrison don't you?"
Barry kept back and ran across the roof to separate himself. Harrison followed slowly.
"Come now Barry. Not happy to see me?"
"What? No! You're not real. You're dead. You died. How?.." He flailed and took a step back.
"I'm hurt Barry. Not very nice. But no, not dead. The universe is a funny place, paradoxes, black holes, you'd be surprised what happens when universes clash the way they did. So many unexpected results."
"So what, you're going to try and kill me again? Because I–"
Harrison cut him off. "No. What would be the point? I tried and failed. It wouldn't do me any good in the long run. Besides, I've realized something, and I feel rather stupid for not noticing it earlier..you see, you aren't him. You will never be him. This timeline is so drastically different but similar enough that I know now that punishing you for his mistake is pointless. Because you Barry, you are so much better than him."
Harrison moved forward and reached out to touch Barrys cheek.
"I never lied about that Barry. I hate him, and I care about you."
He lowered his hand and smiled.
"I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."
And then he was gone in a blur.
Barry stood there gaping. His brain was melting a little. He reached up and touches his cheek, feeling the lingering warmth.
He shook himself out of it.
"So that just happened." He whispered into the night and then sped off towards home.
...'.....