2 🐻 VIDEO.

[accelerate]

( BACKDATED TO DEC. 1 )

[ it's evident barry's at the bar — or a bar, given how his phone's sort of sitting on the top of a tipped over bowl that had held peanuts — with a few empty bottles around him. his efforts to get drunk have proven fruitless, but barry allen is determined. ]

So, uh … [ barry looks a little tired, hair a slight mess, but he's not slurring his words. he wishes he was. ] What are you supposed to do when someone leaves? Does time kind of stop? Do rabbit holes appear out of nowhere for people to fall upwards out of?

[ it wasn't really covered in the pamphlet how you're supposed to react when someone just up and disappears. barry's never been good at that. he's tried running and he's almost going to catch a cold with how wet he always is. (his clothes are a little damp from running so fast and him winding up spluttering in the pool.) ]

Iris — Iris West, she went home. [ without him, but that's implied by how his tone drops and then picks up quickly, almost like barry doesn't need to take a breath. ] Can someone bring me a brownie? I kind of ate all the ones I brought with me and all I've got is peanuts. [ he flicks a shell a little too fast, a very brief flash of gold sparking. ] And maybe a broom. I kind of made a mess. Sorry ...

Comments

[accelerate]

[ unfortunately for them both, anders' teaching in which liquors are best and which ones give barry the ultimate buzz may actually be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. what he doesn't think to do is correct anders that that lesson will always be one-off unless wonderland decides to whip him back into being human without the meta. it's a nice offer; barry's not going to knock back getting to taste different things (especially when he can still enjoy the taste, even if it's not quite the experience) with someone whose company isn't quite replaceable. ]

I don't know if I have any acroynms for you, man. [ he scratches behind his head. the ones he has are brb and g2g, which are a little too depressing given he's always liked making the school of bamf one that's exciting and uplifting. ] But we can always pull a Coyote Ugly and dance on the bar if you don't have two left feet.

[ and to think the education ever stops. ]

[circlejerked]

_{[Anders plays along with the joke by smiling and waving his hand in a it's fine, it's fine way.]}

You've given me plenty already. We're all right to take a short hiatus, we can make up for it in the new term.

_{[While he takes the time he needs to adjust to what living here in Wonderland means minus a close friend from home, whatever that adjustment may look like. Doubtless that one will need to happen, though. Anders doesn't envy him that.]}

You forget, I've seen you try to run on carpet. I don't suppose Iris would appreciate it if I let you break your neck and lose a life because you slipped on a peanut shell.

[accelerate]

I've gotten better at running on carpet.

[ because now, when he runs, it's within a flash! ]

[ he'll leave the puns to cisco. ]

[ but barry appreciates it, even though the mention of what iris may or may not appreciate makes him want to dig his heels deep into his own sadness. but he's never been the type to really do that, preferring to dig them right down into that stubborn, unrelenting ground of not giving off the impression he's not okay. ]

Barry Allen, lost a life via peanut. [ he shakes his head, like that's the most devastating thing in the world. ] Can we brainstorm over how to make me sound like a badass in death over peanuts? I figure they deserve a say in how they take me out.

[circlejerked]

Oh, I've got this one.

_{[His index finger goes up. Wait for it, wait for it...]}

I'll tell everyone you fought back bravely. When they ask for a description of the suspect, I'll say he was assaulted.

_{[A salted. Assaulted. Let that sink in. Savor it.]}

[accelerate]

[ it only takes a second for the denseness around the joke to break away (thanks to his super quick ability to process everything). barry laughs. ]

I can't even be salty over that. I don't even want to hear the obituary you've written for me. I have a feeling it'll be way too sweet.

[circlejerked]

Good, because you aren't supposed to hear yours before the big day, anyway. Like a groom seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding.

_{[Those two things... are nowhere near the same, Anders. But the light way he says the words suggests he either doesn't notice or doesn't care.]}

I'll meet you down there? I'll bring that broom.

[accelerate]

[ barry thinks they go well perfectly together! he's discovering anders has a great sense of humour and pun game going on. it's exactly what the doctor ordered for the speedster — someone who's going to challenge him to process things quickly and discern the answer within seconds. ]

Dude, I'm wearing my best converse shoes. I'll save the best seat in the house for you. I'll even clean the peanut shells off it!

[ so yes, please come down, and know here comes the bride is the song that should be playing when he does. ]

[circlejerked]

You dressed up. I'm flattered. I'll put on a nice robe before I get there, that's only fair.

<sub>[He's still not sure what makes Converse shoes different from any other pair of shoes, but whatever keeps Barry smiling. Even a half-hearted smile that Barry doesn't feel is better than a frown.

Anders, for his part, fires off a crooked grin that kicks one side of his mouth higher than the other, giving it a mischievous cast.]</sub>

See you in a flash.