"I'm all alone and I need you now..." [ with lightninggavemeabs ]

[wreakinghavok]

The attack on Warren had thrown the whole X-Mansion into turmoil as everyone tried to figure out what had happened and what, if anything, was the best course of action. Everyone had opinions, but as Scott's brother, Alex knew how heavily it was weighing on his brother's shoulders that he had to make the final call with Emma. And even then, there was no being sure that everyone would go along with the plan, because John was so angry at this point that Alex wasn't sure what he might do.

But after the week they'd both had, Alex was convinced that the best possible thing for them was to try and rest and spend some time together. There was so much on both their minds, and there were things that Alex needed to talk to Barry about, too... Like the fact that, when Barry had been unconscious after inhaling noxious gasses, Alex had gone to S.T.A.R Labs to sit with him, not even coming close to fully explaining himself to anyone. He just needed to be near Barry. It was only when Caitlin assured him that Barry would be fine that Alex allowed himself to be called back home for a project he'd literally left the lab in the middle of.

Now Warren was hurt... Warren was hurt and Barry had been terrified that it was Alex... That was a heavy thing that they were both going to have to learn to face in their relationship -- the almost constant fear that came with the recognition that your other half put his life on the line on almost a daily basis to help and protect people. And now that it was sinking in just how much it fucking hurt facing losing people you loved, Alex wanted to hide away with Barry where they could be as safe as mutantly possible and just fucking hold onto him for as long as he could.

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[wreakinghavok]

Barry was definitely exhausted. Alex could tell, which was why he was fighting so hard to get Barry to stay here tonight. He needed to stay the night, get some rest, and think things over a little before he disappeared. And if he were being honest, after the hell Barry'd been through tonight, Alex was a little bit scared that, if he left, he might never come back again. Not that he could really blame him for that. Scott had made this an absolutely painful experience for Barry, when Alex knew full well that his boyfriend hadn't done anything wrong. Scott could claim all day that Alex didn't know Barry well enough to trust him, but that wasn't true. There were few people Alex had ever met who were as truthful and genuine as Barry. He knew that his boyfriend wasn't lying. He hadn't had anything to do with Warren getting hurt. Alex would believe that as long as he lived.

Alex gently helped Barry ease his suit off, realizing that this may even be more uncomfortable for longterm wear than the suit that Alex wore. "I... I guess it could be suicide, but... Sort of a weird way to go about committing suicide, don't you think?" He listened quietly as Barry, clearly upset, and deservedly so, explained how crappy he felt about this whole thing. "That isn't true," Alex assured him softly. "I care. About you and about your innocence. So do a lot of us. Rahne and Bobby... We believe you, babe." His arms wrapped around, pulling him against him quietly. "I believe you. For what it's worth."

[lightninggavemeabs]

It was only when Barry looked down to push the suit further off that he realised he still had smears of Warren's blood on his hands. He just paused, the sight knocking the wind out of his sails and took a few steps back to sit on the end on Alex's bed. His shoulders were slumped, and he kept his fingers curled over as he scratched at his temple with the back of his wrist with a heavy sigh. Maybe it was naive of him to just want to run (literally) out and helped people who needed him. He wasn't naive and he wasn't always a sweet, understanding guy. He could have a fierce temper on him, and he could hold a resistant grudge when wronged. But he didn't want to form some sort of angry feeling against an of the X-Men. In fact, he had been harbouring this probably romantic ideal that they could work together with a common goal on some level... or at least be functioning allies. Now all this had happened and he was pissed off, but in light of Warren's condition, the anger wouldn't do anyone any good.

He stood up and got the suit off, in a lot less efficient way than he usually divested himself of it, and let it drop to the floor at his feet. His tank top and underwear were damp from sweat, and only in place to stop chafing. "I mean suicide by default of being complete lunatics. Reckless suicide. Who gives a fuck? They tried to kill someone and I think they deserved what they got. But that makes me an accessory. What if they all go out there and tell the world The Flash is a murderer? I could share a cell with my dad, we might get discount rates."