When Barry glanced up at the sky at the sound of thunder, his distress was evident for anyone who as much as glanced his way. Thunder– the possibility of lightning to be more specific, made him particularly nervous. He had survived being struck by lightning before, and it wasn’t as if he was not fast enough to dodge a striking bolt, getting Blaine to safety in the process as well. But having had his speed taken from him before, just like that, like it were but a loosened possession rather than his very DNA, anything remotely related to how he had gotten them to begin with genuinely scared him. Almost like he had read the other’s mind, his own pace accelerated as he wondered how long he would have to stand under the building’s stoop, waiting for the rain to lighten or to cease altogether. He turned his head, perhaps hoping to see he wasn’t the only one as discontent with the weather, so he wouldn’t feel as bad for carrying a pout on his lips. One look at Blaine’s face and he turned it to a smile. “You’re not one, like– of those guys who ran around in masks, are ya’?” When he turned his head to look at him, he arched an eyebrow and narrowed his eyes, as if he were trying to picture him in the suit of any of the vigilantes he was acquainted with. “I– Yeah! I mean…” It seemed as though he was getting less and less free time every week, now that he thought of it. But he certainly got enough free time as a CSI to be able to carry out a less than conventional second job on the side. “– I get some time, I guess, yeah. How about you? How much leisure time have you got?”
Blaine normally didn’t mind thunderstorms. Now. As a kid–he was petrified of them. Ohio had some pretty bad ones that shook the house and wind that made the windows and shutters rattle. Then–the older he got? The more he started to like them. And the rain? If they were inside? The downpour would’ve been beautiful to watch from his balcony. So there was no real reason for a spark of nervousness to make him walk just a little bit faster once Barry caught onto the fact that he sped up. Other than the storm they were in when they met. His ever present smile turned into a jovial laugh that had a heat burning over his cheeks at the look Barry was giving him. Well! He–technically–was a superhero at one point. Who was he to shrug off Nightbird and say no? Years had passed since he embraced his inner superhero but he wouldn’t dare insult the masked avenger he once was! “Um. Only when necessary. I haven’t donned my mask in a while. Ever since my superhero best friend and I started living in separate states. Sort of hard to be a team when you aren’t a team anymore. Alas,” he sighed heavily and shook his head with a lopsided grin, “My days of that are on an extended hiatus.” Looking back up at him–Blaine smiled and motioned to the brownstone a few buildings away but didn’t miss Barry’s discomfort. “That one’s mine,” and back to Barry’s question, “Now that I’m on break? I’ve got plenty. A couple nights performing a week.. That’s it. Hey. Are you okay?” Blaine paused, bit his lip and seemed to be considering if he should ask what came to mind or not. He decided on the latter–for now–as more thunder rumbled hard. “I promise if this lasts all night? We can call you a cab. But..” Okay. His for now didn’t last that long.. Maybe he should offer Barry a means of getting out of the storm for a bit? He did look rather unsettled. Enough that Blaine was concerned but didn’t want to push the matter and embarrass the guy. “Would you like to come in and see if it passes? I could make us some tea or coffee..even some dinner? It can be my way of saying thanks for the umbrella.”
pianokeysandbowties 