bakerstreet | body heat, the meme.

[No matter what Mick (~~or any icon keywords~~) says, heat was not better than cold.

At least not generally speaking. Right now?

His teeth hurt from how hard he clenched them to keep them from chattering and he not only had his arms wrapped around himself and his knees pulled up to his chest, but also rubbed his arms with his hands, for all the good that didn't do.]

Second time this happens to me and the irony isn't any funnier this time around.

[ Fuck the Soviets, seriously. ~~HANDWAVES SOME SORT OF MoM PLOT.~~

Mick hates the cold in the best of times, and this is pretty far from the best of times.

He's huddled into a ball, the single blanket around his shoulders. He feels bad about being the only one with the blanket. But not enough to give him it.

His teeth chatter when he talks; he doesn't have the willpower that Cold does. ] N-not funny at all.

[ Gotta keep talking. ] When was the f-first time?

Not that long ago.

[More or less. Time travel, so who can even say?]

Our spaceship was attacked by pirates and me and a friend were stuck in a very cold place. Almost froze to death right there.

[There's the hint of a smile in spite of what he's talking about. He's focusing on Sara, not the way Mick betrayed him and all the bad that came from that and not on the part where he'd almost died just then. At this point, dying doesn't seem that bad any more.]

Don't get me wrong, this is special too. But you know what they say, you never forget your first time.

[He looks at Mick, considering moving over to lend what body heat he has. But they are still them and, hell. Even looking at him for that long has probably made him uncomfortable. A self-depreciating snort and Len just leans his head back against the wall instead.]

Ain't the worst way to go.

[ Mick is watching his face, then he looks away. That smile. He shouldn't be smiling like that at a time like this. Guilt eats at him. ]

I'm gonna say no, freezing to death... [ He pauses, shivering violently. ] Used to be my biggest fear, y'know?

[ He pulls the blanket closer, thinking about how his Cold would probably be fine with freezing to death. Well, except the dying part. Guy was a survivor. Except that one time. But that didn't count.

In a way, thinking about that makes him oddly angry. If Captain Cold would refuse to die in a situation like this, there's no way Mick is going to let himself die either.

He looks at Len again, and he knows what he has to do. Body heat. It's obvious. And he'd feel really bad if he let this Cold shuffle off the mortal coil when the guy sacrificed his own life for him. Alternate him. Mick isn't even sure what the difference is anymore. ]

To hell with it. [ And he gets up, sits next to Len and puts the blanket around both of them with an air of "don't say a fucking word". ]

Tell me about the pirates. S-space pirates?

Edited 2016-07-17 01:00 (UTC)

[When Mick had looked like himself but not been himself, been Chronos, known all they were supposed to be but stopped being them and threatened Lisa as if it was nothing, Len had felt something break inside him, with sudden violence and pain that, frankly, still hadn't really faded. They had only just begun to heal and then Alexa and then nothing. Then this.

Now there is Mick and it's different. Worse? Maybe not. Instead of violent and utter pain, it is many stabs along the way and the constant reminder of things being off. A man that is supposed to be his partner, barely knowing him. Disliking him.

Sometimes it's easy to forget and that's the worst about it. When he looks at him and almost touches, with an ease he just doesn't have with just anyone. It happens now, Mick is next to him and he almost presses against him. Like phantom pain he can actually feel it, what it would be like to run his fingers over the base of his neck, fingers drawing lazy circles. He digs his nails into his arms until he can feel them even through the fabric of his clothes. Not his Mick. But he's not about to let him freeze to death.]

I barely got to meet them. You went over with some of the team. Scouting out another ship. Guess you wanted space.

[And space he got. Len hates retroactively realising his mistakes and he can practically pinpoint the moments he could have avoided Mick becoming Chronos. His fault, not because they both weren't thick-headed idiots, but because he's supposed to be the one with foresight. He should have prevented it. As he finally foresaw what he'd have to do in the end. At least that went as it should. And this? A post mortem he'd not wish on anyone.]

You got space. Sa-- A friend, she was trapped with me for most of it. Then you tried mutiny. It was a day.

[ Mick had chosen space pirates because 1) that sounds like a really good story and 2) it sounded like a more lighthearted topic than "how I almost froze to death". Instead he got another reminder of how things went differently between them.

He tries to cover it up, unsuccessfully, with a joke. ] Trouble in paradise?

[ Probably the wrong thing to say. Then again, Mick wasn't sure if anything he'd say would be the right thing to say. He didn't think Len liked him very much. Not his other self-- Mick had no doubt Len liked that one -- but he felt like that was the only reason Len put up with him at all.

He shivers, bringing his legs closer to his chest and stuffing his hands under his armpits. They'd probably be warmer together but there's no way Mick's gonna close that gap. He was the one who made the first move, the ball's in Len's court, he thinks, stubbornly.

Great. He is gonna freeze to death because freezing to death is less awkward than the alternative. ]

Least you had someone with you- when I got locked in a freezer I was on my own. Wouldn't recommend it.

I made mistakes.

[Short way from paradise to hell, as it turned out.]

I can imagine. She'd not have been the worst to die with.

[The last person to touch him before... The person who brought Mick to safety. Sara's special. Special enough that he sometimes misses her almost as much as his Mick. Maybe even more, she'd be better at dealing with this crap than he is.

Maybe it's that thought that finally makes him move. He shuffles, staring straight ahead when his body lines up with Mick. He puts his arm across Mick's shoulder, hands finding his neck the way he could so vividly imagine. The familiarity is there, but the scars are missing. New wounds to be made, he supposes.]

It's not that cold here. You won't die from this.

[He pulls his knees up even higher, his free arm sliding around his own legs while he massages just under the base of Mick's skull. Soft skin and so much tension. He props his chin up on his knees and finally just rests his head on them, turning it to the side so he can look at Mick.]

I'd not let you die.

[ He wasn't sure what he expected but this wasn't it. At least his heart got a jump-start, the sudden increase in tempo getting his blood moving again. ]

I'm a human thermometer, remember? It's cold.

[ Mick is so desperate for warmth he leans in, doesn't question the fingers on his neck that feel more affectionate than practical. He doesn't think about how weirdly okay he is with this turn of events. ]

I won't let you die either. Owe you that much.

[ If his other self can't repay the debt, Mick will. Then maybe he'll stop feeling so damn guilty about it.

Even though he knows he wouldn't let Len die even without that.

Even though he knows he wouldn't let his Len die either.

It's all jumbled up, universes slipping into each other. Would Captain Cold hold him like this and would Mick be fine with that too? Or is this Len different, special? ]

If we get out of this, not a word to the others.

Of course not. Wouldn't want to embarrass you.

[It's easy to roll his eyes at the insistence. Easy to gently mock it. A lot easier than to think about why it hurts so damn much.

Leonard's fingers still, but he's gradual about it. Yet another mistake made and at least he can pretend he hasn't made it. He curls his hand into a fist, just leaves his arm around Mick, because they are freezing and he doesn't want him to freeze.

He turns his head to the other side, since as it turns out, as boring as the wall might be to stare at, it's also easier.]

Although it might do you some good to burn with shame.

[It's a stupid line, but it has a pun and that means that he can make Mick feel warmer for a few moments at least.]

I didn't mean it like that.

[ Except he kinda did. But he didn't mean that Cold embarrasses him. Only he's not sure what would be worse: Trickster ribbing him, or giving him a knowing look with waggley eyebrows. And he doesn't want to have That Conversation with Piper. (Thoughts he does not particularly want to examine.)

Warmth floods into him after that pun. He has never in his entire time in this world been grateful to the Porter for giving people powers, because that absurd pun power is the best thing he could have right now, other than his gun.

He has to keep Len punning. Words he never thought he'd think. ]

You wouldn't be embarrassed, though, you're too cool for that.

Edited 2016-07-17 14:47 (UTC)

I don't know about that.

[But he knows what Mick is doing, he knows what he has to do, so here it goes.]

I miss you like burning.

[Len inspects the wall. It's white, it's dirty, there is really nothing to see there. But what else is he going to do, look at Mick again?]

[ The pun works, heating him up briefly to tolerable levels. He almost feels it wasn't worth it. Almost. It's like a punch to the gut, and he looks up and stares at Len. He's fully aware of why the man isn't looking at him.

Mick looks away. The concrete floor is so fascinating. ]

Him, not me.

[ He takes a shivering breath, glad his teeth have stopped chattering. This probably isn't the right time for his next question, with Len pressed up against him. He's not even sure if he wants to ask it at all other than he feels like if he's going to, now might be his only opportunity. And he needs to know.

Quietly: ] Do you love him?

Yeah.

[It's a simple enough answer. It's not simple to say. He's never been the type, they haven't been and even between them, Mick is the emotional one.]

And I checked, but apparently I ain't gonna stop just because it makes you people uncomfortable.

[He racks his brain for puns and comes up empty for longer than a comfortable silence could last.]

Damn. You're hot. Whatever.

I'm not asking you to. [ That came out sharper than he intended.

He stops, letting that last pun warm him and give him time to think. Did it make them uncomfortable? He can't speak for Trickster or Piper. So, him. Did it make him uncomfortable.

Honestly? He doesn't know what he feels. For every emotion, there seems to be a contradictory one that he feels simultaneously. And there's so much that he just does not want to deal with, that he copes with by staring into fire. And he can't do that now, so he focuses on the heat from the puns instead. But that only goes so far. ]

You're allowed to have feelings. You don't have to be a cold bastard all the time. [ When he says "you", he's thinking of it in plural. ]

Never really seen the advantage in having feelings. Especially not in letting anyone know. These days, I don't reckon there is any point to them.

[Other than leading him further down into depression, that is.]

Just lets everyone know your weakness. So relax. I ain't gonna tear up. Things aren't about to get heated between us. As hot as I'm sure you are for me.

I'm sure we can ignore the sparks between us.

[That should last for a while, he hopes.]

[ Save him from Leonard Snarts who don't know how to deal with feelings.

Mick flushes, and not all of it from the puns. Nope. Nothing at all going on between them. That'd be weird. And that would be uncomfortable.

He grinds his teeth a little. ]

Maybe if the Leonard Snart I knew had let anyone know his feelings, things would've been different.

[ Mick is getting dangerously close to voicing something he's been thinking about since him and Trickster first started talking about the true nature of the relationship between his alternate self and Len.

So. In an obvious "changing the subject" voice, he says: ] Almost makes you miss Florida, huh?

Edited 2016-07-17 17:29 (UTC)

I will never miss Florida. No one misses Florida, we could just chop it clean off.

[He will let the subject be changed, but only very temporarily. Some things need saying.]

I find it funny that you get on my case about sharing my feelings when you can't even look me in the eye and ask what's on your mind.

[A given value of funny, at least.]

I ain't the only one holding back, Mick.

[ Len has a point, honestly. That's mildly irritating.

He makes himself look at Len, mouth twisting. Then he sighs, thinking of a flickering candle flame to calm himself. ]

You wanna know what the truth is? Truth is, I don't hate you. Not you you, and not the other you. Well, maybe sometimes. He's frustrating.

But we were also friends. Mostly. [ He looks down again. ]

He wanted me to stay with the Rogues. But he was one of the reasons why left. Don't get me wrong; I don't regret reforming. I only wonder what would've happened if he'd actually talked to me instead of lashing out or acting like -- like... a clingy ex.

[ Beat. Somewhat uncertainly: ] Not literally.

Not literally. Of course not. No homo, bro.

[Leonard chuckles, shaking his head. It's interesting, even though he has actually been able to guess at most of this by now. But at least Mick is finally talking instead of just lashing out sometimes.]

Who knows. I know I have never been good at the heart to heart. Guessing he isn't either. Maybe even worse.

[Time to heat things up again, by way of puns. What is his life?]

I met you on my first day in juvie. I was new, the smallest kid, a Snart, I had a group attacking me. Fought back, but one pulled a knife. I'd have been dead if not for you. You always looked out for me, in your way. But you were hotheaded. Burning with so much emotion all the time and, of course, drawn to the flame.

[Always a sensitive topic, but it's not as if Mick doesn't know that Len is aware.]

I could never really control you. Burned too bright. I guess that was part of the draw for me. I need a challenge, I get bored.

[ ~~Maybe a little bit homo?~~

He whistles at juvie story. ]

You weren't kidding when you called me your oldest friend.

[ He is not surprised at the drawn to the flame comment though, he had already pinged on that similarity.

Cold getting bored sounds a bit familiar too. Seems fair to make this a back-and-forth thing, so Mick shares a little bit too.

He also moves in a bit closer to Len, since he's the warmer one of the two now -- gotta share that body heat. Under the blanket, he wraps an arm around Len's waist. ]

I first saw Captain Cold on the news. I was in a bad place at the time, needing direction. Being a Rogue… it seemed exciting. An escape. A lifestyle, and I wanted in. [ He smiles a little. ] I admired him.

Didn't tell him that, made up some excuse when he asked.

Sometimes partners, sometimes rivals, often worked with the Rogues -- we had a whole thing going on. Then I left. And like I said earlier, he didn't take it well.

Edited 2016-07-17 23:43 (UTC)

For most of my life, you might have been my only friend. That's why I spent so much time avoiding you.

[It seems like the way his heart is beating should be loud enough for Mick to hear and that thought alone is so unbearably high school that Len almost gets up to go freeze to death by himself.

Nobody touches him like this.

Nobody but Mick.]

A whole thing, huh?

[Of course he had to repeat that part, ever so slightly suggestive. It's easier to accept than how different things went in their two worlds.]

You were pissed at me, because you thought I wanted to play hero. You told me that deep down I'm still the same punk kid you saved in juvie. Don't think you were wrong about that.

[ And there it is. The guilt. He perpetually swings between frustration, a desire to reassert himself as his own individual, and almost wishing that he was the Mick that Len knew. For multiple reasons. It'd make things easier for sure. He wouldn't have to live up to someone he isn't. And Len would have his not-husband back.

And here he is, worrying about Len's happiness at a time like this. ]

I don't blame you.

[ He's been avoiding Len a little bit too, reminded so much of the Captain Cold he knew, but so very different. A different person.

He uses his current tactic of casually ignoring implications, and focuses on the rest. ]

I was mad at you for playing hero? That's the most backwards thing I've heard from you yet.

[ He pauses, very aware of their bodies pressing together, and the cold seeping back in. He keeps himself from pressing closer, feeling that maybe it was getting too close to cuddling.

He knows he's not the one Len would like that from. ]

I dunno, I think you could be a hero. Hell, if I can, you definitely can.

They probably think I was. I'm less convinced.

[Was, of course, because he isn't anymore. Not back where he's from. He's gone, he has to be. Explosions are hard to survive when one is right in the middle of it.

Len notes that Mick is shivering again and he racks his brain, trying to focus on a pun instead of the near-comfort the cold seems to give him right now. Something slow and steady, in comparison to what his heart is doing.]

You look like him. But you're missing the scars. I suppose you have more will to control yourself. He never wanted to bother with that. Uncontrollable. Even for me.

[Puns. Damn it, they are harder to come by when he needs them.]

Here it's like a moth to a flame, only it seems like we both get burned.

Suit helps.[ He mumbles. ]

Maybe it would work better if you stopped trying to control him. [ He phrases it as a suggestion, and tries his best to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

And that last pun was particularly apt. He stares at the ceiling, flushed. ]

You know I can heal burns, right?

[ He meant it as a joke, but when it leaves his mouth he is not entirely sure what it means -- he tries to save it. ]

I just mean... it's probably good we're actually talking about it.

I stopped for a while. Then I tried a different approach and recently, it got out of hand. I wanted you safe and with me and I made mistakes. You made mistakes. We both paid, but your price was higher. Maybe we're even now.

[That's not why he did what he did and he realises belatedly that he's switched pronouns again, from third to second person. You. Mick. Damn it all.]

Is it? Ain't so sure. Maybe healthier than just making out.

body heat, the meme.

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rei, who lets me rp

i'd pay you to rp, if you didn't exist i'd have to invent you

sempai noticed me

noticed you're hella fine