accelerate | ETRAYA INBOX.

You don't bring her up. You don't speak about her, you don't think about her. The moment you do, this whole thing is off.

[ How does one avoid killing Eobard Thawne? By taking away his one hot trigger: Nora Allen. ]

Agreed.

[ (He will think about her but Barry isn't the thought police) ]

Anything else?

[ Wow! That was… easy. He had a whole argument planned. ]

I reserve the right to add anything to these rules.

[ Yeah!!! He literally has no other rules. Don't you love a concise and simple man! ]

Fine, but on the condition that I also have the right to add anything to rules. We should also both have the right to veto any rules, within reason and good argument.

[ Because like hell he's going to just give Barry a blank check to dictate his every action. ]

My turn. You don't get to tell anyone I'm the Reverse Flash. If they figure it out on their own, then that's on me, but do not run your mouth about me.

[ The offense he feels by Thawne's belief he'd inform everyone of his secret—true—identity outweighs his other frustration. (No, he doesn't want Thawne to have any right in changing the rules.)

He's his. Thawne is his. Informing everyone else (god, informing the likes of Damian) feels stupid. It is stupid. Barry has never liked sharing Thawne with his friends. He's his problem. He's his. ]

Fine.

I wasn't going to, anyway.

[ It feels like a petulant addition. Why does he care what Thawne thinks about him? ]

I want to know about anyone finding out about you.

[ Hm. He had a feeling Barry wouldn't, but having it in writing is just smart for him in the long run. Eobard can't run from this place. The good news is he also doesn't seem to be chased anymore by... that monster in a black speedster suit. Small comforts. ]

Fine, but I can't tell you what I don't know.

[ i.e. if someone discovers his ID but he doesn't realize it. it also gives him a little plausible deniability. ]

Next, and I'm deadly serious about this: no imprisonment. I do not want to be in a cell, a cage, or any kind of trap designed to strip me of my speed. I am not an animal and you cannot treat me as such. Your cowardice in killing me doesn't mean you get to lock me up and throw away the key.

[ ??? He keeps saying he gets locked up—

Remember, time travel exists, Barry. This Thawne knows a Barry who Barry hasn't become yet. Let's take it in stride. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't. Thawne's clearly passionate about it; it's best to try and tame his wild anger. ]

Fine.

Anything else?

[ Wow! His turn to expect an argument that didn't happen. ]

Nothing else.
This isn't an ideal situation for either of us, but I'm willing to put things aside for now if you can be mature and reasonable about it as well.

[ ??? ]

Did you just admit you're not always mature and reasonable?

[ What is happening ??? ]

No I said YOU'RE not mature and reasonable.

[ He wants to leave it at that but no, he's so annoyed now ]

You're such a moron, I cannot believe I'm stuck here with you!
It makes me miss the Flash I know, and that's saying a lot because he's a pain in my ass but at least he isn't stupid!

[ omg

He's tempted to thread into their rules that Thawne can't go on his usual rants, but Barry feels he's denying Thawne his ability to be… himself. ]

Great display of maturity there, Thawne. You're an inspiration to everyone here.

I honestly can't wait to see you make friends.

[ deep breath, eobard, do not let him get to you ]

When you've been a time traveler as long as I have, you come to realize everything is finite. Friends, family, relationships.
Your need for it all is a symptom of an ailment I inflicted upon you.
You'll understand what I mean one day.

You inflicted upon me the need to want people?

[ LOL ]

Dude, that's just life. It's a basic human need. Everyone wants to belong. Wanting people around me is a strength, not a weakness.

I'm not surprised you don't understand that.

[ Barry cannot see him past the screen, but his face shifts into an eerie stillness. ]

Once again, you misunderstand.

The you I knew, he was never so... dependent on others. In need of validation. I saw it during the months we spent in the Flashpoint together. And I can only conclude that my actions played a part in this ailment.

You're sick with grief. You are lonely and fear being alone. And all your actions are rooted in this fear.

[ ughHHH tl;dr!!!! ]

You'd know about that, wouldn't you?

[ Pokes… the ""friendly""… bear??? ]

You've always been afraid, Thawne. You wanted me to help you get home, and I get that, I really do. Being stuck in a time and place with people you don't belong with would suck big time. Being powerless to the consequences of your actions sucks.

But who's waiting for you at your home?

[ His brow creases deep. ]

I know so much about you, and yet you know nothing of me. You seem completely incurious of me in fact. The irony of it all.

Maybe you'll actually learn something during our extended period stuck here.

[ … Okay, there's absolutely no need to call this out. ]

Would you want that?

[ This isn't what he'd wanted to ask. ]

It's not up to me.

[ They are infinite beings trapped in a cycle, perpetual motion machines experiencing each other out of time. Right now he's dealing with a Flash not even a few years into being a hero. A child compared to his lived experience. Maybe that's why this is so frustrating, among other factors. ]

I'm nothing but a ghost anyway. Figure things out for yourself.

You do realize getting to know someone requires answering questions, right?

Add that to the rules.
I ask a question, you answer properly.

[ through the entire conversation, it's this moment that gets at him the most. but unlike his fiery outburst from before, this is just a cold splash of water to the face. reading this message doesn't anger him - it's tiresome. ]

You have all the pieces but refuse to put them together, then dare ask me to give you the solution?

Your request is rejected. This conversation is over.

[ Pieces or not, how can Eobard expect Barry to trust him after all his lies? But there's no point in saying as much. ]

You really don't know how to be normal.

[ Barry's message is left unread ]

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