Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Barry loved being a part of the Justice League! He never would have dreamed of getting the opportunity to meet THE Superman or Batman and now they're his friends!

Well kind of, Clark will actually talk to him and listen to him ramble on about forensics which most people find really boring. Bruce can be a little cold but he's never been mean to him so Barry will take that as a win.

Hal and Oliver are probably the two he is closest to. He talks to them about everything and they're always there to listen. Hal usually says something dumb and funny and Oliver is usually more serious and concerned.

Arthur was always stern and brooding, never really saying much but always giving Barry small smiles.

He loves them, he really does but at the same time, he's terrified of them. They are a pack of giant strong alphas who never bother to cover up their scents. They always reek of alpha and whenever he stays over, the blankets, couch, pillows, and everything else smell strongly of alpha.

It's not that he necessarily disliked Alphas, they just scared him. They were all alphas and they had been nothing but kind to him but they didn't know he was an omega, and that's why he couldn't join their pack. If they ever found out he was an omega... well Barry knew how alphas treated omegas and it wasn't with kindness or respect.

Everyone in the League thought that he was a beta. He was on suppressants so he smelled neutral, just like a beta would.

Currently, he was at Bruce's house with the rest of the league for dinner and a movie which he had been looking forward to all week!

"We're ordering food Barr, what do you want?" Hal screamed from the other side of the room a smile on his face.

"Where are we ordering from?' Barry shouted back

"We've been fighting over this for an hour, just pick somewhere Barry," Bruce said with a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

Barry started to panic a little bit. What if he chose a place the alphas didn't like? What if they got mad at him? What if- he had to take a deep breath and remember that they didn't know he was an omega. As long as they thought he was a beta, he'd be safe. He knew alphas and they didn't hurt betas like they did omegas.

"How about pizza" Barry finally called out.

That was a suggestion that everyone could finally agree on. Bruce went around asking everyone what they wanted and then placed the order. Barry lied and said he wasn't that hungry and would just grab a piece of whatever looked good.

However, he had an enhanced metabolism and could eat 35 large pizzas by himself but he didn't want the alphas to think that he ate too much or that he was getting fat. Nobody liked a fat omega.
When the food arrived everyone started tearing into their pizzas while Barry just stole a piece of Hal's cheese pizza.

"You sure that's all you want Barry, we don't mind sharing," Hal said as he looked at Barry who had already finished his one piece and was just watching everyone else eat.

"Yeah, you'd think that with how fast you run you would have like a super metabolism or something," Oliver said as he took another bite of his pepperoni pizza.

"I guess my appetite isn't as big as you guys," Barry said, trying his best to plaster on a smile, even if it was fake.

"Well like we said Barry, feel free to help yourself to any of our pizzas," Clark said

They probably wouldn't be saying that if they knew he was an omega, Barry thought as his stomach cramped with hunger.

Chapter Text

By the time they had decided on a movie, everyone was already done with their food. They were watching some stupid action movie when suddenly the tv went off.

"Aw fuck", I think the power went out," Bruce said with a sigh as he got up.

"Man, it's storming bad," Hal said as he looked out the window. And it was indeed storming badly. It was super windy and dark. It was snowing and hailing and lightning was striking the sky every few seconds.

"Are you going to be able to get the power back up, in a storm this bad" Clark asked looking worried.

Bruce just glared at him with the most dead-panned look and then walked away to go fix it.

"You do know Bruce is a genius when it comes to like everything, especially technology," Oliver asked looking at Clark

"Yeah but the storm is really bad, the hail is the size of baseballs," Clark said hoping that they'd see where he was coming from

"Bruce could still get the power back on if the world was literally on fire and being taken over by power-eating aliens," Hal said with a chuckle, from the window where he was closely watching the storm

Before Clark could say anything else the power was back up and Bruce was walking back into the room.

"Power's back but you guys should probably stay here tonight, it isn't safe to travel in that storm," Bruce said

"I can't!", Barry almost shouted which caused all eyes in the room to snap to him

Barry had to take suppressants every single night. They were mainly for children who presented too early and needed them for safety. They weren't meant for adults and they certainly weren't meant to be used for years. Especially with his enhanced metabolism. Usually, the pills only had to be taken once a week to work but he had to take them every 12 hours like clockwork, and he didn't bring any with him.

If he stayed the night, they would definitely find out that he was an omega and he couldn't let that happen.

"Why not?" Arthur said from across the room

"Uh, I-I just have somewhere I need to be" Barry stuttered out quickly

"You didn't have anywhere you needed to be a second ago," Bruce said sternly, starting to give Barry a suspicious look.

"It's really fine. I have super speed. I can run home and be there in a second. Thanks for the offer but um I r-really don't need to stay the night" He explained

"Barry, you do remember that cold is your worst enemy right? It slows you down faster than anything else. There's already about a foot and a half of snow out there and it's hailing. It isn't safe for you to try and go home tonight" Oliver said matter of factly

Barry felt like crying. He wasn't going to get out of this and by morning they were all going to know that he was an omega. What would they do to him? Would he even be allowed in the league anymore? Would they stop him from being Flash?

"Hey Barry, are you alright," Hal asked as he placed his hands on Barry's shoulders

"Yeah, I'm just ready to go to bed", he said as he flinched away from Hal's touch.

"I'll have Alfred show you to your room"

Chapter Text

"Was it just me or was Barry acting super weird?" Hal asked after Barry had been escorted to his room for the night

"He was definitely acting strange but then again Barry's always a little strange" Oliver replied with a shrug

"Maybe he just didn't want to inconvenience Bruce by staying the night" Clark added

"Yeah or maybe he just-

"He was hiding something," Bruce said cutting Hal off mid-sentence

"Come on we can't just go accusing teammates of lying to us," Hal said jumping to Barry's defense

"No Bruce is right, he's keeping something from us" Arthur spoke from his corner across the room

"Okay, so what? Maybe he doesn't want us to know something. He probably just sleeps with a stuffed animal or talks in his sleep and doesn't want us to know about it"

"No, that's not it, this is something serious" Bruce responded coldly

Bruce knew this wasn't some small embarrassing secret. No, this was something that Barry feared them knowing. That for whatever reason he thought that this one secret would make the entire
league turn against him. He had urgency in his voice when the idea to spend the night was first proposed. And Bruce didn't miss the large flinch he gave when Hal put his hand on his shoulder.
"I don't know what he's hiding but we need to find out," Bruce said sternly, Arthur and Clark nodding in agreement.

"Are you fucking kidding me! So what, he has a little secret, it's none of our business" Hal almost yelled

"Hal, you know as well as the rest of us that this isn't some small secret. Don't tell me you didn't feel how violent that flinch was when you placed your hand on his shoulder. Whatever this secret is, it's big and he's afraid to tell us" Arthur explained trying to reason with a very clearly upset Hal

"Oh yeah because that's exactly what we should do. We should go harass and bully one of the sweetest people I know into telling us something that he is afraid to tell us like that'll make him any less scared" Oliver said joining Hal in the argument

"No one is going to harass or bully Barry into telling us anything but we do need to find out what is making him so afraid. Whatever this secret is, it's making him scared. Not there's a spider kind of fear either, I mean real fear. Now I agree Barry is probably the sweetest person any of us have ever met, so you're really telling me that you don't what to figure out what or possibly who is making him so afraid? He could be getting hurt or blackmailed and we'd be letting him continue to get hurt" Bruce said harshly

"Okay so it's settled, we'll talk to him tomorrow morning," Bruce said after the room had remained silent for a few minutes

"Fine but I'm not going to force him to tell me anything, he struggles enough already being the only beta on the team," Hal said almost angrily.

"Hal I promise you we aren't going to force Barry to say anything. We're going to talk to him because we need to know what the issue is but we are not going to force it out of him. We all really care about him and just want to make sure he is safe" Clark responded

"Well, if that's all, I'll have Alfred show you to your rooms," Bruce said

Chapter Text

Barry laid on his bed staring at the ceiling. He had been up all night and could already see the sunlight start to creep into his room from the window. He could smell his own strong omega scent filling the room, stronger than usual because it had been so long since he'd been off suppressants.

He was getting ready to try and sneak out. The storm was over and he could just run downstairs and leave a note for Bruce and they'd never know. Well, he'd probably leave his scent in the room but at least he wouldn't have to face them when they found out.

He got up and made the bed and just as he was ready to enact his escape plan, he heard a knock on the door.

"Hey Barry, we just wanted to make sure you were okay, you seemed a little off last night" he heard Clark call from outside the door.

"U-um I'm fine, I-I was just tired last night but really I'm fine, nothing wrong here, I'm fine, completely one hundred fine" He stuttered out praying that they'd leave him alone.
"Can we come in Barry?" Bruce asked seriously but not unkindly.

Could they smell him through the door? Barry had thought that Bruce made all the room pheromone proof but maybe that's why they were all out there. They knew he was an omega and they were going to hurt him.

Maybe if he just listens to them they won't hurt him as badly. Maybe they'll let him continue being the Flash.

With tears rolling down his face Barry rolls up into a ball and tucks himself into one of the corners of the room before responding with "Whatever you want Alpha"

Now that they knew he was an omega, they'd be mad if he didn't call them by their alpha titles.

On the other side of the door, the alphas were very worried.

"Bruce, did he just call you Alpha?" Hal asked seeming very worried

"Shit, it sounds like he's crying," Oliver said leaning his ear against the door

"Should we still go in, I don't want to make things worse and I don't want him to think that he has to let us in" Clark whispered not wanting Barry to hear him

"We still need to go in, he doesn't sound okay, and my top priority is making sure he is safe and I'm not sure he is right now" Bruce whispered back

"Barry we're coming in," Bruce said in the gentlest voice he could muster

The crying got louder as Bruce reached out for the handle and pushed the door open.

As soon as the door opened all the alphas were hit with the very strong scent of omega in distress.

Hal immediately ran over to Barry who was curled into a corning sobbing. "Hey Barry are you okay," Hal asked crouching down next to Barry

"I'm sorry Alpha, p-please don't hurt me, please, I-I'll be good I promise, please" Barry pleaded, somehow managing to scoot himself further back into the tight corner.

Chapter Text

“Barry I’m not going to hurt you, I’d never hurt you,” Hal said gently backing away to give Barry some space.
“B-but I’m an Omega,” Barry said through sobs

“Is this what this is about Barry? You think we’ll hurt you because you're an omega?” Oliver asked seeming hurt

“Please I-I just want to continue being Flash, p-please,” Barry said not seeming to process the question that Oliver had asked.

“Barry, no one is going to take the Flash away from you. Can you tell me why you think we’ll hurt you just because you're an omega?” Bruce asked calmly

“I k-know how Alphas treat omegas, ‘m not stupid” Barry responded very quietly.

“How do you know Barry?” Bruce was starting to get angry but trying to keep that anger out of his voice and scent.

“I’ve b-been ar-around alphas before, and I k-know,” Barry said still crying and shaking

“How’d those Alphas treat you? What did they do to you Barry?” Bruce asked already having an idea of what those horrible alphas had done to Barry.

Barry didn’t respond, he just started crying harder and curled further into himself.

“What the hell did they do?” Arthur shouted letting out the strongest of angry alpha pheromones in the room.

“Arthur,” Bruce said sternly, trying to tell the man to shut up and clam down

“No Bruce, someone was abusing him, you don’t fucking hurt omegas especially not Barry. I’ll fucking skin whoever made him feel this way. I’ll fucking kill every fucking alpha who made him afraid of me” Arthur said starting to get angrier and angrier.

“Arthur your not helping! Look at him, he’s terrified! You really think you getting mad, stinking up the entire room, and yelling about how you're going to kill people is making this situation any better!” Bruce yelled at Arthur.

“Barry I promise you on all of Atlantis that I will never ever hurt you,” Arthur said before leaving the room, knowing what Bruce had said was true.

“Barry, I don’t know what those horrid alphas did to you but real alphas don’t hurt omegas or make them feel small. It is an alpha's job to protect omegas and make them happy. Any alpha who would take advantage of or hurt an omega isn’t much of an alpha at all” Bruce explained gently slowly getting closer to Barry

“Yeah Barr, none of us will ever hurt you or try to take the Flash away from you. This might change our dynamic a little but not in a bad way. We care about you Barry and I’ll be damned if I ever let anyone hurt you” Hal said smiling at Barry who had raised his head up.

“Y-you guys promise?” Barry asked seeming unsure

“Yes Barry we all promise,” Clark responds gently

“Even if I make you upset or don’t do my j-job right,” Barry asked starting to shake a little again

“What do you mean job? Do you mean the Flash?” Oliver asked a little confused

“No-no, my omega jobs,” Barry said meekly

“I'm sorry Barry, I’m not sure we understand what you mean,” Bruce said

“Omegas are only good for cleaning, cooking, sex, and child-bearing,” Barry said like it was a mantra that he’d been forced to memorize

After the omega had said that, the smell of angry alpha couldn’t be concealed, the entire room reeked of it.

“Barry that isn’t true, please, believe me. Barry, you're worth so much more than that. You don’t have to ever cook or clean and we don’t expect sex from you just because you're an omega. Your worth so much Barry, please believe me” Hal pleaded looking like he wanted to cry

Chapter Text

“Barry just slowly nodded his head” Not fully seeming to believe what Hal had said

“What do you need right now Barry? Anything and it’s yours” Bruce said gently

“I-I just wanna take a b-bath and maybe get s-something to eat Alpha” Barry said like he was going to get punished for his response

“Barry, you don’t have to call us Alpha, you can call us by our names, it won’t make us mad, I promise. I’ll run a bath for you and breakfast will be ready by the time you're done okay?” Bruce explained
“Okay Alp- Bruce,” Barry said correcting his mistake

After that, all the alphas left the room allowing Barry a moment to calm down and collect himself.

Bruce went into one of the many bathrooms and started to fill the tub with warm water making it slightly hotter as he knew that heat comforted omegas.

He then put some lavender and vanilla soaps into the tub, watching as suds started to fill the ginormous tub.

He then gathered all the candles he could find and placed them around the tub before lighting them.

He knew how stressed and scared Barry was and he wanted to make sure the omega had something to help him calm down and relax him.

He set out a few fluffy towels for Barry to use before heading to Hal's room in search of clothes for Barry to wear.

Most of the league stayed at Bruce’s home for at least half the year if not more but Barry had never even stayed the night and now he knows why.

He grabbed one of Hal’s old hoodies that he hadn’t worn in years and then went to Oliver’s room to grab an old pair of sweats before going to his room to grab a pair of underwear from a pack he hadn’t opened yet.

He set the clothes out on the counter hoping that none of the clothing had the scents of the alphas on them, knowing that would only stress Barry out more

Bruce then headed to Barry's room to let him know his bath was ready. Barry was sitting on his bed with a puffy red face. He had stopped crying but he still looked shaken.

Bruce walked up to him slowly “Hey Barry, your bath is ready, come on I’ll show you the way”

Barry hopped up, albeit a little clumsily, and followed Bruce to the large bathroom.

When Barry stepped inside, his jaw dropped. “T-this is f-for me?” he asked shyly

“Yes, Barry this is for you”

“But I don’t deserve it, I’m an-

“Barry you deserve the world and hopefully someday you’ll believe that. Enjoy your bath, take as long as you need, we’ll have food ready for you when you get downstairs,” Bruce said cutting Barry off
“Thank you” Barry whispered, letting a small smile spread across his face.

Bruce left and went downstairs to see Arthur, Clark, Hal, and Oliver trying and failing desperately to make something.

“I thought you guys were supposed to be making breakfast,” Bruce asked smiling

“We are!” Hal exclaimed

“Nothing you guys are making looks or smells very edible,” Bruce said with a chuckle

“Well it’s not like you could do any better,” Arthur said, still clearly frustrated.

“That’s exactly why I didn’t sign up to help in the kitchen, I’ll just order something, what’s Barry’s favorite breakfast foods,” Bruce asked picking up his phone

“I don’t know, he doesn't ever eat much but I know he loves orange juice. He drinks it all the time, breakfast, lunch, dinner. I’m pretty sure he goes through like at least two gallons of that by himself a week” Hal said

“Okay so lots of orange juice and I guess I’ll just get a little bit of everything or a lot considering how much you guys eat,” Bruce said as he tapped away at his phone

Chapter Text

Bruce had ordered a very large breakfast which was spread out on the table. All the alphas were sitting around the table waiting for Barry to come down.

"You think he'll like the food," Hal asked

"Bruce literally ordered every kind of breakfast food there is, he has to like something here," Oliver responded

Just then Barry entered the kitchen shyly, taking the smallest steps he could. His hair was still wet from his bath and little droplets of water would fall onto his face. He was wearing Hal's hoodie which looked like a dress on his small frame.

Bruce realized Barry was not wearing the sweatpants he had given him. "Were the sweatpants too big, I can find you a different pair?" Bruce asked

"U-um yes they wouldn't stay up but I don't need another pair, I'm okay Alpha" Barry responded sounding scared.

Bruce wanted to say something. Wanted to say something about Barry once again calling him Alpha. He wanted to say that he wasn't mad and that getting him a new pair of sweatpants was the least he could do. But he didn't want to upset the Omega any more than he already had so he didn't say any of those things.

"Why don't you sit down and get some breakfast, Barry," Clark said kindly

Barry looked nervous and for a moment just stood there frozen eventually, he started walking but surprised all the alphas when instead of sitting in the empty chair, he kneeled down on the floor next to Clark.

The room was immediately filled with the smell of angry alphas.

"Barry, why are you on the floor," Clark asked calmly, trying to reign his anger in.

"Omegas don't deserve to sit at the table with alphas. An omegas place is on the floor kneeling at an Alpha's side," Barry responded almost robotically

"Barry, sweety, you can sit at the table with us. Omegas aren't any less than Alphas and whoever taught you that was wrong. They wanted to hurt you but Omegas are precious and they deserve to be pampered and treated with dignity and respect. Please sit at the table with us Barry," Clark said trying his best to comfort the obviously terrified Omega.

Barry nodded his head a little bit before standing and sitting down in the open seat between Hal and Oliver.

"What do you want to eat Barry, we got some of everything because we weren't sure what you liked," Oliver asked

"I-I'm not very hungry Alpha, I'll just have some orange juice if that's okay with you."

"Bullshit! I see how fast you run, there is no way you are not hungry. You're basically skin and bones. And please Barry stop referring to us as "Alpha" and you don't have to ask permission to get juice”, Arthur said loudly, on the verge of yelling

"I'm sorry I just d-don't wanna get fat. N-nobody likes a fat Omega and i-isn't it rude for an omega to call an Alpha b-by their name." Barry asked as tears started streaming down his face.
"No Barry it isn't rude. We want you to call us by our names and you aren't fat, not even close. We want you to eat and be healthy. Real alphas like healthy omegas, not ones who are starving themselves. Eat as much as you want to Barry, we don't want all this food going to waste," Bruce explained.

Noticing Barry staring unsurely at all the different options, Hal grabbed a plate and scooped various foods on it before handing it to Barry

"Thanks, Hal," Barry said before slowly bringing a piece of bacon up to his mouth.

Chapter Text

Barry had eaten two pieces of bacon and was slowly chewing his third piece with his eyes down-cast.

“Hey Barr, I know this is really hard for you, but I think we need to talk about what happened today,” Hal said gently looking at the scared omega

At hearing this Barry dropped the half eaten piece of bacon back on his plate and started to curl in on himself.

“Hey, Barry your okay, I’m – we’re not mad at you we just…” Hal trailed off not knowing how to get his point across

“I think what Hal is trying to say is that we aren’t upset with you or the fact that you’re an omega we’re just concerned about you and want to figure out what’s going on,” Bruce explained calmly
“W-what do you want to know, A-Alphas”, Barry stuttered out, still not raising his eyes from the table

“Barry, can you please look at me”, Arthur said calmly

The table sat in awkward silence for a view moments before Barry slowly lifted his head and looked up at Arthur, tears in his eyes.

“I’m sorry that I got upset earlier. I need you to know that I wasn’t mad at you, not even a little bit. I’m mad at whoever hurt you, at whoever made you feel like you needed to hide the fact that you’re an omega”, Arthur said gently, finally keeping his alpha pheromones' under control

“Barry, earlier you said you knew how Alphas treated Omegas, can you tell us about that please”, Clark interjected with a warm smile on his face

“You don’t have to, if you don’t feel ready Barry”, Oliver whispered to him

“It-It’s okay Ollie, um you guys know how my mom was killed when I was eleven right?”

Barry waited for all the alphas to nod their heads before continuing his story.

“U-um well I had presented as an omega a little before her death and you know um my dad went to jail… well I got put in foster care but it wasn’t long before a family took me in. They seemed really nice but everything changed when I got back to t-their house,” Barry managed to get out through tears

“Barry, you can stop there if you need to, I know this is hard for you,” Hal whispered gently

“I-I just w-want to get it over with but um can I ask for something really stupid?” Barry asked, eyes back to the table

“Of, Course Barry,” Hal respond gently “Nothing you could ask would be stupid”

“Um, I’m really sorry and I k-know this is really disrespectful but can I please hold your hand Hal, please, just while I talk a-about what happened. I’m really sorry, I know you p-probably don’t want to hold some dumb omega’s hand but-”

“Of course I’ll hold your hand Barry, that isn’t stupid at all”, Hal said cutting off Barry’s rant as he gently reached for the Omegas hand.

Barry gave Hal a small grateful smile before continuing. “The f-family that took me in were all alphas, um except for the mom she was a beta. Um but they had four alpha sons. T-they sat me down the minute I got there and gave me a set of rules. They f-forced me to memorize them all”

“Do you still remember the rules,” Clark asked, concern lacing his voice

“I don’t think I can ever forgot them, Alpha”, Barry whispered quietly

“Can you tell us what the rules were, Barry?” Bruce asked keeping his composure

“Um yeah, I think I can do that, Alpha” he responded

Barry took a deep breath before starting, “Never say no to a request from an alpha, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are expected to be prepared daily, only refer to Alphas with their Alpha title, no removing my collar, no speaking to other omegas, the house must be fully cleaned everyday, I must kneel by an Alpha's side during meal times and eat whatever they decide to feed me, I can’t get fat or let myself go, I am not allowed to argue or talk back to a beta or alpha, my body is not my own, and most importantly m-my only purpose is to clean, cook, provide sex, and to bear children,” Barry recited before breaking down into sobs.

After hearing how Barry was forced to live, every Alpha in the room was furious but trying to remain calm for Barry’s sake.

“Your body was not your own? Barry did they…”, Clark stopped unable to get the word out. Barry just started sobbing louder.

“They raped you Barry, didn’t they?” Bruce asked quietly, trying to suppress is anger as well as he could

“Y-you can’t r-rape an omega, that’s w-what we’re m-made for,” Barry managed to get out through sobs that were shaking his entire body.

At this no alpha in the room could contain their anger and the smell of enraged alpha started to completely engulf the room, causing Barry to curl in on himself.

Hal who was the most composed and still holding on to Barry’s hand began to speak, “Barry whoever told you that was wrong, so very wrong. What happened to you – what they did to you was awful and it was rape. You being an omega doesn't make you any less of a person. I want – no I need you to know something. You’ll never have to follow a single one of those rules with us. We’ll never touch you when you don’t want us to or abuse you like they did. They were bad people, Omega’s are beautiful and precious and deserve the world, you deserve the world Barry”.

Chapter Text

Barry sat at the table, his sobs turning into hiccups. “M-my dad was an alpha and my mom was an omega a-and he always treated her so kindly but I thought he was just different, th-that most alphas didn’t treat their omegas like that,” Barry whispered just loud enough for everyone to hear

“Barry, the way your father treated your mother is how Alphas should treat Omegas. The way you were treated by your foster family is not how any real Alpha would treat an omega I promise you that Barry” Oliver said

Barry just looked down at his hands not seeming like he truly believed what Oliver had said.

“I-is it okay if I take a nap, I d-didn't really sleep last night and um I'm just really tired”, Barry asked his eyes glassy

“Of course you can Barry, you don't have to ask our permission” Bruce responded happy that Barry didn't refer to them as “Alphas” again.

“Um can I still sleep in my bed, I-i understand if you don't want me to have it anymore”, Barry said tugging down the sleeves of his hoodie over his hands

“Barry I promise you we are not going to take anything away from you. Everything you had before is still yours now. Of course you can sleep in your bed”, Bruce responded trying to get his point across.

At that Barry gave a small jerky nod before scurrying up to his room.

After they were sure Barry was in his room, they finally let there anger show.

“We need to find the sick bastards that did this to him and fucking kill them” Arthur said loudly through gritted teeth.

“For once I agree with Fish brain over there,” Oliver said his knuckles turning white

“Guys, I know that you're all angry, believe me so am I but our focus has to be on Barry right now. He is terrified and God knows how long he has been on those suppressents. He needs 100% of us right now,” Clark said

“So what we can't go torture those sons of–”

“Clark is right. Barry needs us right now, all of us. Our focus has to be on him right now. He is absolutely terrified, ashamed to be what he is and we need to fix that,” Bruce said cutting Hal off
“I know – I get that this sounds really sheltered especially in our line of work but I didn't think an alpha was capable of hurting an omega that badly” Hal said rubbing his hand over his forehead
“Any alpha that would so much as make an omega purposefully cry is no Alpha at all,” Arthur said matter of a factly

The room sat in a still silence for a moment before Bruce took a deep sigh.

“Gotham can be a cruel place but even some of the most cruel alphas I have met wouldn't dare to hurt an omega. I'm not saying I've never seen an abused omega, because I unfortunately have, but not to this severity. Anyone who'd abuse an omega is the absolute lowest form of human life,” Bruce said starting to get a little worked up

The room went back to silence them. The smell of enraged Alphas suffocatingly strong.

“Should we go talk to him,” Oliver asked with a tired sigh

“No, he needs some space right now. I'll go talk to him later today and I'll bring him some lunch. He doesn't need all of us ambushing him,” Bruce said standing up from his seat at the table.
The frustration was felt throughout the room. Although no one questioned Bruce. He out of all of them was usually able to remain the calmest and keep the most level head. They all wanted to help Barry but for the first time in a long time felt completely powerless because they didn't know how to help him.

Chapter Text

After a few hours had passed and the rest of the league had settled into his home theater, Bruce went up to Barry's room, a plate of food in hand.

He was prepared to knock but found the door completely open. He couldn’t help but worry that this was another stupid rule that Barry had been forced to follow. He was stripped of everything; why would they allow him to keep his privacy?

He shook that thought from his head, and he slowly entered the Omegas room. Barry was curled up in the center of the bed. On top of the comforter, not under a blanket. He wasn’t sleeping; his eyes were just blankly staring at the wall.

He placed the plate of food on the bedside table, his eyes never leaving the speedster rolled up on the bed.

"Barry," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Are you okay?"

He knew it was a dumb question the minute it left his mouth. Of course, Barry wasn’t okay.

Barry looked up at Bruce, his eyes red and wet as he forced a small smile. "I’m fine, alpha," he whispered.

Bruce cursed in his head at the mention of the word alpha but didn’t comment on it.

“Barry, you know that it is okay not to be okay," Bruce said

"Barry, what you went through is something that no person, especially not an omega, should ever have to deal with. We all love and care about you, and we are not going to hurt you for being sad, angry, crying, or just not being okay" Bruce explained in a soft, low voice.

"T-that's just really hard for me to believe; no- no one ever c-cared how I felt,” Barry said, tears starting to once again stream down his face as he looked down at his hands.

Bruce nodded, his expression filled with understanding. "I can only imagine. But you're not alone, Barry. We're all here for you, every step of the way."

Barry gave a jerky nod, but his eyes remained downcast as if he couldn't bring himself to fully believe the words.

Bruce sighed, the sadness in the room evident.

"I know it's not enough, Barry. I wish I could take away your pain. I wish I could go back in time and prevent anyone from hurting you, but I can’t. But what I can do and what all of us will do is be here for you, Barry.” Bruce said with a determined look in his eyes.

Barry seemed to get lost in his mind for a moment, still lost in the dark memories of his past.

"It's um not just the pain," Barry said, his voice barely above a whisper, seeming so unsure of himself.

"It's the—I'm ashamed. I’m a stupid omega living with the Justice League. A stupid, abused omega who couldn’t even protect himself. Maybe I -- Maybe I deserved it," Barry said, getting more and more worked up the longer he spoke.

"You didn't deserve that. No one deserves that, especially not you, Barry. You are not defined by your past. You are so much more than what happened to you. And your omega status is not something to be ashamed of. It's a part of who you are, and it makes you so perfect and special." Bruce said, trying to display a warm smile.

Barry looked up at Bruce, his eyes filled with tears. "It's just so s-so hard to believe that. After everything that happened. After being told for so long that I was worthless,

Bruce shook his head, his expression fierce with protectiveness. "You are not worthless, Barry. You are a hero, a member of this team, and you have so much to offer the world. Don't let what those monsters did to you define you.” Bruce said.

Barry took a deep breath, steeling himself for his next request. "Bruce," he said, his voice hesitant, remembering not to call the man alpha. "Would you mind staying with me for a while? I know you're really busy, but I just... I just feel really alone r-right now."

Bruce paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful. But then he nodded, his smile softening. "Of course, Barry. I'd be happy to stay with you for a while. Whatever you need."

Barry's shoulders relaxed, a small sense of relief washing over him. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

It crushed Bruce to know that such a small gesture made Barry feel so grateful.

He took a deep breath before carefully taking a seat next to Barry on the bed. The two sat in silence for a while, the air between them filled with an unspoken understanding. But it was a comfortable silence.

Bruce looked at the omega, who had finally laid down. He grabbed a blanket off the foot of the bed and gently pulled the blanket over Barry, though he noticed the speedster's body tense up slightly. He paused, giving Barry a moment to adjust.

"Barry, let me know if you need me to move or if you're uncomfortable," he said softly. "I don't want to do anything that makes you feel unsafe."

Barry nodded, relaxing slightly. "I'm okay," he said, his voice soft and sleepy. "T-thank you for caring," he whispered

Bruce gave a small smile, his expression still filled with concern. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, giving Barry space to breathe.

"I'll stay for as long as you want me to," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Just tell me when you want me to go," Bruce said calmly

"You don't have to go," Barry said, his eyes already closed. "I like having you here."

Bruce just smiled and watched as the omega fell asleep, noting that he'd have to reheat Barry's lunch later.

Chapter Text

Barry slowly opened his eyes, still half asleep. It took him a moment to adjust to the lighting of his room, and as he did, he realized that Bruce was still sitting on the edge of his bed, watching him with a gentle expression etched onto his features.

Barry's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't truly believed that Bruce would stay with him, and yet here he was, waiting patiently for Barry to wake up.

As Barry sat up in bed, Bruce's expression softened further, and he reached out a hand to gently rest it on Barry's shoulder. Barry flinched at the sudden contact, despite his best efforts to control it. But Bruce didn't seem to mind, and instead, he gave Barry a reassuring smile. 'It's okay, Barry,' he said softly. 'You don't need to be afraid. I'm here for you.'"

Barry took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He knew that Bruce was trustworthy, but he couldn’t just let go of all his insecurities and fears. Still, he couldn't help but be touched by Bruce's kindness and understanding. “Thank you, Bruce,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.

They sat in silence for a moment before Bruce turned to Barry.

“Hey, Barry,” he said gently. “I wanted to talk to you about something. I know that physical touch can make you feel uncomfortable, given your past experiences. Is there anything you want me to keep in mind in terms of how I interact with you physically? I want to make sure you feel comfortable and safe whenever you’re with me”

Barry felt his face flush with embarrassment, and he dropped his gaze to the floor. “I... I don't know,” he stammered. “I mean, I don't mind you touching me if you ask first, I guess. It's just... Alphas always just touched me without my p-permission”

Bruce nodded, his expression patient and understanding. “Those Alphas had no right to touch your Barry,” he said trying to repress a growl “And I promise to always respect your boundaries and ask for permission before I touch you. You can trust me, Barry.”

Barry hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you, Alpha,” he said, reverting to the more formal address.

Bruce smiled sadly. “You're welcome, Barry. But please, just call me Bruce. I'm your friend, not some sick alpha who wants to hurt you. I'm here to support you, Barry."

Barry nodded again, feeling a sense of warmth flood through his body. Together, the two made their way downstairs to join the others in Bruce’s home theater.

Barry tentatively took a seat next to Bruce, giving a shy wave to all the other alphas in the room who offered him gentle smiles.

As the movie played, Barry found himself getting caught up in the story. He felt himself relaxing, despite being surrounded by alphas.

As the movie played on, Barry couldn't help but notice the relaxed and easy bond between the alphas. They seemed to have such a close relationship, and Barry found himself yearning for that kind of connection with them.

Oliver had made some stupid joke about the movie and all the alphas in the room burst out into laughter.

Barry smiled, feeling more at ease as he listened to the alphas' banter. As the movie was coming to an end, Oliver cracked another joke and this time Barry allowed himself to laugh along with the alphas.

Arthur looked over at Barry, a smile on his lips. "Hey, Barry. You seem to be feeling better. How are you doing?"

Barry felt a small blush rise to his cheeks. "I'm doing okay," he whispered a small smile forming on his face.

Chapter Text

As the credits to the movie ended, the alphas began to chat amongst themselves, and Hal turned to Barry with a concerned expression.

"So, Barry, where exactly have you been living?" he asked.

Barry hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth. But Hal pressed him further, sensing his discomfort.

"Come on, Barry. You can tell us, we just want to help."

Barry sighed, knowing there was no use in lying. "I've been living alone in an apartment in central city," he admitted.

Hal's expression turned to one of shock. "Alone? But Barry, you're an omega! That's not safe at all. You need to be with a pack, where you can be protected."

Barry bristled at Hal's words, his anger growing. "I'm not some weak omega who needs protecting," he snapped. "I'm the Flash! I can take care of myself."

As soon as the words left his lips, Barry realized his mistake. He had never meant to yell at the alphas, but his emotions had gotten the best of him.

"I'm... I'm sorry," he stammered, tears welling up in his eyes.

Barry's tears fell faster, his breathing growing increasingly labored as he struggled to calm himself down. He felt like he was losing control, and he didn't know what to do.

"Alpha," he whimpered, turning to Hal. "I'm sorry, alpha. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm so sorry."

Hal's expression softened, "It's okay, Barry," he said. "You have nothing to apologize for, if anything I’m sorry"

But Barry couldn't stop himself. He turned to each of the alphas in turn, his eyes pleading for forgiveness. "Alpha, alpha," he repeated, his voice growing more desperate. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

He felt like he was spiraling, his emotions overwhelming him completely. He couldn't stop crying, and he couldn't stop saying sorry. It was like he was stuck in a loop, unable to break free.

"Barry," Oliver said, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't need to keep apologizing. You’re human, you’re going to snap. You didn’t do anything wrong"

But Barry couldn't hear him. He was too far gone, too lost in his own panic.

"Alphas," he repeated, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry."

The alphas exchanged worried glances, unsure of what to do. They had never seen Barry like this before, and they weren't sure how to help him.

"Barry," Arthur said, kneeling down in front of him. "Look at me. It's okay. You're safe. We're here for you."

Barry's gaze met Arthur’s, and for a moment, it seemed like he was starting to calm down. But then he burst into tears again, burying his face in his hands.

"I can't do this," he sobbed. "I'm not strong enough. I'm not strong enough."

"Barry," Arthur said, his voice soft and reassuring. "You are strong enough. You've been through so much, and you're still here. That's a strength all in its own."

Barry sniffled, his shoulders trembling. "But I can't keep doing this," he said, his voice small and defeated. "I'm scared all the time, and I feel so alone."

"You're not alone, Barry," Oliver said, his voice firm. "We're all here for you. And we're going to help you through this, every step of the way."

Barry nodded, his tears slowing to a trickle. "Thank you, Alphas" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The alphas offered him smiles of encouragement, trying to not show their sadness for the beautiful omega in front of them.

Oliver began to speak, "Listen, Barry," he said. "Hal wasn't trying to call you weak. We all know how capable you are, and we respect you for that. But as alphas, we also have a responsibility to protect and care for our omega family members, and you are a part of our weird little family” Oliver said with a slight chuckle.

"As an omega, you have certain needs that are essential to your health and well-being," he began. "Security, for one. Omegas need to feel safe and secure in order to thrive. Without that, stress and anxiety can easily build up and lead to physical and emotional harm. That's why it's important for you to be surrounded by people who can provide that sense of safety and security to you"

He paused for a moment, letting Barry absorb the information.

"Omegas also need companionship," he continued. "You need people to be there for you, to hold you and comfort you, to tell you that you're loved and valued. It's human nature to want to feel connected and supported, and omegas especially. are no exception."

"And, omegas need nurturing," Oliver said. "You need people who can provide you with nesting materials, who can help you create a safe and comfortable space for yourself. You need people who can help ease your stress and anxiety, who can provide you with emotional support. All of these things are essential for your well-being, and they can only be truly fulfilled by being part of a pack."

Barry nodded, his eyes red and little sniffles escaping him. "I see," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I-i guess that makes sense, I don’t really… I don’t um knwo h-how to be a proper omega a-anymore"

“Barry you don’t need to be a proper omega”, Hal spoke gently. “We love you the way you are, we just want you to be healthy and happy and we think you could have those things as a member of our pack”

Barry's eyes widened in surprise. "You r-really want me to join your pack?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "You're all so... so amazing. I can't believe you'd want me to be a part of it."

The alphas smiled, their expressions filled with acceptance. "Of course we want you to join our pack," Clark said. "We've been discussing it for a while now, even before we knew you were an omega, and again earlier today. We've all agreed that we want to make this place our full-time home. And we want you to be a part of that."

Barry's jaw dropped as tears once again filled his eyes, except these were tears of joy. "You want me to move in?" he asked, his voice trembling with excitement and disbelief.

"Of course we do Barry," Oliver said. "We all care about you, and we want you to feel safe and supported here. Like I said earlier you're a part of our family"

Barry couldn't believe that these incredible alphas, these heroes, wanted him to be a part of their pack. It was a dream come true, something he had never even dared to hope for.

"Thank you," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what to say. I'm so grateful, and I promise to do everything I can to contribute to the pack."

The alphas smiled, their pride evident. "We know you will, Barry," Bruce said. "And we're all here to help you along the way. It won't always be easy, but we'll be with you every step of the way."

Barry nodded, feeling overwhelmed but also incredibly excited. He couldn't believe that he was finally going to have a true pack, a family, even if he was still a little scared.

Chapter Text

"With Barry joining our pack, things are going to be a bit different," Hal said, with a smile directed towards Barry. "Since you're our only omega, we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to support and care for you."

"We want to make sure you feel comfortable and safe at all times, Barry. That means respecting your preferences and boundaries, and being available when you need us," Clark chimed in.

Bruce nodded, adding in, "And we want to make sure you have everything you need to thrive. A comfortable nest, nutritious meals, emotional support and guidance — you name it, we're here to help."

Barry smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and acceptance wash over him. He was grateful for the alphas' understanding and care, even if he struggled to believe all of it.

As the alphas talked about their plans to support Barry, he felt a sudden wave of anxiety wash over him. He knew that being part of a pack would require him to follow certain rules, and he wasn't sure what those rules would be.

"Umm... I was wondering," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "W-what are um the rules that I need to follow? I mean, I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right."

The alphas exchanged glances, their expressions filled with understanding. "Barry," Bruce said, his voice gentle. "We don't have any strict rules, per se. We only expect all members of our pack to treat each other with respect and kindness. We want to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone, especially you."

"And we understand that you may have some anxiety about being in a pack, given your past experiences," Hal added, giving Barry a sympathetic look. "But we promise to be patient and understanding with you. You don't need to be perfect or meet any impossible standards — we just want you to be yourself and feel comfortable here."

Barry was still confused though. They were offering him so much, they had to want something in return.
"But... what do I need to offer you?" he blurted out, his voice growing more frantic. "I mean, I'm the only omega here. What can I do to please you? I want to be useful, I want to contribute."

The alphas exchanged looks of concern, their expressions softening.

"Barry," Bruce said, his voice firm but kind. "You don't need to offer us anything. You don't need to prove your worth or your usefulness. You are valuable just as you are, and we are honored to have you as part of our pack."

Barry's panic continued to rise, his words tumbling out in a rush. "But I can cook! I can clean! I can do whatever you want me to do," he said, his voice growing louder. "I can... I can offer myself to you. M-my body. Anything you want."

The alphas all tensed, their faces paling at Barry's words. They exchanged worried glances, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was heading.

"Whoa, Barry," Hal said, his voice firm. "That's not what we want from you at all. We're not looking for you to be a servant or a slave. We want you to be a valued and respected member of our pack, not someone who has to earn their place through submission."

Barry's face fell, his expression turning to one of shame. He realized how he must have sounded, and he felt foolish for suggesting something so inappropriate.

"I'm sorry," Barry said, his voice quivering. "I didn't mean to suggest anything like that. I just... I'm not used to this. I don't know how to accept it without feeling like I need to give something in return."

The alphas' expressions softened, and they all nodded in understanding.

"It's okay, Barry," Clark said. "We understand that it's going to take some time for you to adjust to our pack dynamic. But we're here for you, and we'll help you through it, every step of the way."

Barry nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. It was strange and new, this idea of being accepted for who he was, without any conditions or expectations. But he was starting to see the possibility of a better life, a life where he could finally feel safe and supported.

Barry’s body and mind were still exhausted from all that had happened. He could feel his eyelids getting heavier and heavier.

Clark noticed Barry drifting off on the sofa and gently scooped him up in his arms. Barry barely stirred as Clark carried him to his room, tucking him in and making sure he was comfortable. As Barry's eyes fluttered closed, he felt safe for the first time in a very long time.

Chapter Text

Barry slowly opened his eyes, the sunlight filtering through the curtains. He was disoriented for a moment, unsure of where he was. Then, he remembered. He was in his new home, surrounded by his new pack. He let out a sigh of relief.

As he started to sit up, Hal stepped in through his open door, carrying a bundle of clothes. "Hey, Barry," he said. "I brought you some clothes to wear. I figured you might not have any of your own here."

Barry nodded, accepting the clothes gratefully. "Thank you," he said. "You've been so kind to me."

"It's no problem," Hal said. "We're just glad you're feeling a bit better. How are you doing today?"

Barry took a deep breath, feeling a little more at ease. "I'm doing okay," he said. "I-it's been a bit overwhelming, but it feels good to be here, um with you guys” he whispered a blush reaping up his face

Hal let out a chuckle, “These are my clothes, I can find you something else to wear if the scent bothers you”

“It’s okay, your scent and um the rest of the pack's scent make me feel safe,” Barry said turning a bright shade of red

Hal smiled. "I'm glad to hear that," he said. "We want you to feel comfortable and welcome here. You're part of the pack now, and we want you to know that we'll do everything we can to help you feel at home."

"Thank you," Barry whispered. "It means a lot to me. I haven't had anyone I could depend on for a um really long time."

"Well, that's all changed now," Hal said. "You have us, and we're not going anywhere. We're here to support you, and to help you recover from everything you've been through."

Barry nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Hal. "I'm not sure what I did to deserve this," he said. "But I'm grateful. I never thought I'd find a place where I truly belonged."

"You deserve all the happiness and support in the world," Hal said firmly. "And you'll find it here with us. We'll do everything we can to make sure of it."

Just as Hal was getting ready to exit, Bruce stepped into the room, his face friendly and reassuring. "Good morning, Barry," he said. "I'm glad to see you're doing better. I wanted to talk to you about getting some of your things from your old apartment."

Barry's face fell slightly, the mention of his old home bringing up painful memories. "I'm not sure I'm ready to go back there," he said hesitantly.

Bruce nodded sympathetically. "That's understandable," he said. "We're not trying to pressure you into doing anything you're not comfortable with. But we do want to help you get some of your things, if you want them. We can make it as easy on you as possible."

“Okay, we can go, I-i just don’t want to be there very long,” Barry responded

Bruce nodded. "That's okay," he said. "We won't force you to stay any longer than you're comfortable with. If you need to leave at any time, we'll bring you back here. No questions asked."

Barry nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with the idea. "Alright um I’m going to change but then we can go if that’s alright?" he asked

Bruce and Hal both nodded their heads before leaving the room to give Barry some privacy. Hal’s clothes absolutely drowned the small omega, making him look adorable. Bruce and Hal both wanted to coo at Barry but reframed.

The three left the house, heading towards Barry's old apartment. As they walked, Barry felt his heart begin to race, not wanting the alphas to judge him.

"It's okay, Barry," Hal said, sensing his unease. "You're not alone anymore. We're here with you."

Barry nodded. They arrived at the apartment building, and Barry took a deep breath before following Hal and Bruce inside.

As they stepped into the apartment, Barry's scent hit Bruce and Hal hard, the overpowering scent of a scared and lonely omega filling the room. They both froze for a moment, their faces reflecting their discomfort.

"I’m sorry," Barry said, his voice shaking slightly. "It always smells like this."

Bruce and Hal exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. They both wanted to be supportive, but they also didn't want to make Barry feel worse.

"It's okay," Bruce said, his voice gentle. "We're not judging you."

"This was the only place where I could let myself feel anything. I was always so scared and lonely, and I didn't have anyone to turn to. This was the only place I didn’t need my suppressants,that's why it smells so strongly of my old scent,” Barry explained in a low voice

Bruce and Hal exchanged glances, their faces filled with understanding. They both knew how hard it must have been for Barry to live in such a state of fear and isolation.

"You don't have to feel that way anymore," Bruce said. "You have us now. You don't have to bottle up your emotions or hide who you are. We accept you just the way you are."

"That's right," Hal said. "You can be yourself around us. We'll never judge you or make you feel ashamed."

"You don't need to take everything with you. Just take what you really want, and I’ll replace the rest. I'd rather you have new things that smell like the pack, and not like the past you're leaving behind." Bruce said firmly, leaving no room for disagreement.

Barry nodded, understanding Bruce's reasoning. He looked around the room, trying to decide what he wanted to take with him. He picked out a few items that he held dear such as a photo of his mom and dad.

"Alright," he said, turning to Bruce and Hal. "I think I've got everything I want."

Bruce smiled. "Good," he said. "We'll take care of the rest. And don't worry, everything we get you will be filled with the scent of the pack. You'll never have to feel alone or scared again."

Chapter Text

“Hey, Barry since we’re already in Central City I think we should discuss your job at the CCPD. Now that you’ll be living in Gotham–”

“I don’t want to work there anymore,” Barry blurted out interrupting Bruce

“Barry, you don’t have to quit, you’re still the Flash you could be here in the snap of a finger. But with you going off suppressants there is a lot we have to c–”

“It’s fine I don’t want to work there anymore,” Barry blurted out, once again interrupting Bruce, something Barry just now seemed to realize

“I’m so so sorry Alpha I didn’t mean to interrupt you. I wasn’t thinking and I’m so so–”

“Hey you’re fine, I’m not mad at you,” Bruce said, interrupting Barry this time. “But you seem very excited to quit a job I thought you loved, do you want to tell us why that is?” Bruce asked calmly

When Barry remained silent Bruce could tell that there was something wrong. Something that Barry didn’t want to tell them.

“Barry, what exactly happened at the CCPD?," Bruce said keeping his voice low and gentle.

Barry swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. He didn't want to relive those awful experiences, but he knew that Bruce and Hal were trying to help.

"I don't really want to talk about it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was bad."

"We understand," Hal said. "You don't have to tell us everything if you don't want to. But we're here to listen if you change your mind."

Bruce nodded. "It's okay to take your time," he said. "You don't have to rush into anything. If you feel comfortable talking about it, we're here for you."

Barry took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few weeks pressing down on him. He didn't know how much more he could take.

"It's just that... I was being pressured," he said, his voice shaking. "By people who were supposed to be my colleagues. They knew I was an omega, and they used that against me."

Hal and Bruce both looked grave. "That's not okay," Bruce said. "You shouldn't have to put up with that kind of behavior from anyone, let alone people who are supposed to be working with you."

"At first it was just stupid comments um they’d say things like

You know Allen, omegas are supposed to be naturally submissive
You should listen to your superiors you Omegan Whore

But um things started to get worse. They started asking me to do things for them, things that weren't part of my job,

Barry, can you stay late and do this report for me? I know you'd love to do it

I f-felt like I had no choice but to agree. But it uh it just kept getting worse. They'd ask me to do things that made me feel really uncomfortable Like, they'd ask me to get them coffee or to do their paperwork. They'd say things like

You're our omega, so you should be happy to do whatever we ask
You’re our own personal little omega you should be grateful for anything we give you

I-i couldn’t say no to anything! They started to touch me. They'd put their hands on my shoulder, or brush against me in the hallway” Barry took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down before continuing.

“I tried to brush off the comments and the touching, but it it just got harder. They started talking about how they expected me to be available for them, how they wanted me to be at their beck and call

Omegas are meant to serve alphas
Omegas like you were meant to obey, weren’t you Allen

It got really bad though. One day I-i was working really late and he um came in. He told me that I was beautiful and that he wanted me to “serve him."

I tried to push him away, to tell him that I wasn't interested. But he just kept getting closer, and his comments became more and more gross. I tried to run away, but he grabbed me by the arm. He was too strong. He was so aggressive, and I just couldn't get away," Barry said, his voice shaking as tears streamed down his face.

Hal and Bruce were doing everything in their power to hold back their rage

"I kept trying to push him off, but he was just too strong. I just closed my eyes and prayed that it would be over soon, it felt like hours before he left me. I just stood there, trying to catch my breath," Barry said. "I was so scared and confused. I didn't know what to do, or where to go."

"I just wanted to crawl into bed and never come out," he said. "I didn't want to think about what had happened, or about how I was going to tell anyone what had happened."

Bruce and Hal were outraged! Hadn’t Barry been through enough? Hadn’t he already suffered enough?

"You don't have to go back there if you don't want to," Bruce said, his voice full of compassion. "We'll take care of everything for you. You can just focus on healing."

Hal nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure that you never have to work again if you don't want to," he said. "You can take as much time as you need to recover from this."

"Thank you," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don’t ever want to go back there”

Chapter Text

When they had arrived back at the mansion, Bruce filled the rest of the pack in on what Barry had told them, with Barry’s permission of course.

To say they were angry was an understatement. Let’s just say Bruce and Oliver took a trip to Central City.

They walked into the CCPD, a look of determination on their faces.

The whole prescient including Captain Singh were taken aback by the two richest men in the world walking into the department like they owned the place.

Singh quickly recovered his composure and invited them into his office. As they sat down, the tension in the room was palpable.

"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Captain Singh asked, trying to maintain his professionalism.

Bruce and Oliver exchanged a quick glance before Oliver spoke up. "Captain, we've come here today because someone we care deeply for was harassed and assaulted at the hands of his coworkers," he said, his voice firm and steady.

Captain Singh's brow furrowed as he listened to Oliver. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said, his tone sympathetic. "Can you give me more information about what happened?"

“Barry Allen”, that name immediately gained Singh’s attention "was harassed and assaulted here for weeks just because he’s an omega,” Oliver said anger lacing every word

"An omega?" Singh voiced in confusion, his eyes widening in surprise. "Are you sure?"

Bruce and Oliver nodded, confirming what they had just said.

Captain Singh was shocked. He had never encountered an omega officer before, and he couldn't help but wonder what this revelation would mean for the CCPD.

The captain tried to compose himself, but his mind was racing with questions and concerns. What did it mean for Barry to be an omega in a predominantly alpha-dominated profession?

He knew that there were still biases and prejudices against omegas in society, and he was starting to link that Barry may have faced discrimination or mistreatment because of his status.

As he processed these thoughts, he looked back at Bruce and Oliver, who were waiting for his response.

"This is... unexpected," he said finally, his voice slightly shaky. "I'm sure you understand the gravity of this situation, and the implications it has for the CCPD."

“I don’t give a damn what implications it has for the CCPD. Barry was demeaned, humiliated, harassed, touched, and raped just for going to work!” Bruce said starting to get very angry

"That's absolutely unacceptable," Singh said, his voice firm. "I assure you that I will do everything in my power to ensure that justice is served."

Bruce and Oliver nodded in agreement. "Which you should have done from the start," Oliver said. "We're counting on you to make sure that this type of behavior is not tolerated in the CCPD."

Captain Singh nodded, his expression solemn. "You have my word," he said. "I will do everything in my power to ensure that this type of behavior never happens again"

Bruce leaned forward, his expression stern. "Captain, I'm not leaving this office until those officers are fired," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "If you don't take action, I will personally make sure that they are all removed from the force and never find employment again not even at a Mcdonalds'"

Captain Singh swallowed hard. He knew that Bruce was not a man to be trifled with. "Mr. Wayne, I understand your concern," he said, trying to keep his cool. "But firing officers is not something that can be done on a whim. There is a process that must be followed..."

Bruce's expression darkened. "With all due respect, Captain, I'm not interested in your processes," he said, his voice rising slightly. "Those officers assaulted and raped an omega, MY omega. They need to be held accountable for their actions."

Captain Singh could see that Bruce was not going to back down. He took a deep breath, trying to find a way to defuse the situation. "I understand your frustration, Mr. Wayne," he said, his voice calm. "But we need to make sure that we follow the proper procedures in this situation. If we don't, it could lead to further complications..."

Bruce's jaw tightened. "Captain, you need to understand that I have the resources and the influence to make sure that these officers are held accountable, one way or another," he said, his tone cold and serious. "I suggest you do the right thing and fire them now, or I will make sure that it happens and you’ll like my way a hell of a lot less."

Captain Singh was left with no choice. He knew that Bruce was not bluffing and that he had the power to make good on his threat. "Very well," he said. "I will see to it that the officers in question are fired immediately"

Bruce nodded, a satisfied look on his face. "Thank you, Captain," he said. "I'm glad we could come to an understanding."

With the matter of the officers now settled, Oliver turned his attention to Barry's employment at the CCPD. "As for Barry," he said, "I am quitting on his behalf. He will not be returning to work at this precinct."

Captain Singh looked surprised. "But Mr. Queen..." he started, but Oliver cut him off.

"There is nothing to discuss, Captain," he said. "Barry will not be coming back here, and that is final. I will see to it that he is compensated for any losses incurred as a result of this situation."

Captain Singh nodded, resigned to Oliver’s decision. "Very well, Mr. Queen," he said. "I understand."

Chapter Text

Barry carefully gathered up the bits of fluff and fabric he had been saving, his heart beating fast with nerves. As an omega living in a house full of alphas, he had never felt comfortable enough to build a proper nest before, but today he felt a strong urge to create a safe space for himself.

He glanced around the room, double-checking to make sure that none of the other men were watching him. Bruce, Clark, Hal, Oliver, and Arthur were all absorbed in their own activities, and Barry let out a sigh of relief.

He started to arrange the materials he had collected, trying to create a cozy space for himself. But as he worked, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being vulnerable, scared that his pack might discover his nest and judge him for it.

Barry's hands trembled as he continued to build his nest, his anxiety growing with each passing moment...

Barry finished building his nest and crawled inside, feeling a sense of comfort and security that he hadn't felt in a long time. He had always been on the more submissive side of omegas, and living with five alphas had only heightened his insecurities. But in his nest, he felt safe and protected, like he was finally in a place where he belonged.

As he settled in, he heard a noise outside his room and tensed up, afraid that one of the alphas had discovered his secret.

And someone had, Bruce peeked his head in, a gentle smile on his face.

"Hey, Barry," he said softly. "Are you building a nest in here?"

Barry's eyes widened, and he felt his body tense up as he heard Bruce's question, and he immediately began to apologize. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'll take down the nest right away if you want me to," he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

Bruce's expression softened, and he shook his head. "No, Barry. It's okay. You don't need to take it down. I want you to feel comfortable here, and if building a nest helps you do that, then you have every right to do so."

But Barry couldn't help but flinch at the word "right". He had never been given any rights in his past, and he wasn't used to having them now. He lowered his head and whispered, "Thank you, Alpha. I'm sorry for being such a burden."

Barry felt that was all he had been. With the CCPD and everything else he had been so much work.

Bruce's heart ached at the sight of the terrified omega. He knew that Barry's past had left deep scars, and it would take time and patience to help him heal but danm it he just wanted to pamper and spoil Barry rotten.

"You're not a burden"

"You are not a burden, Barry," Bruce repeated, his voice gentle and reassuring. "You're a valued member of this pack, and we're here to support you. You don't have to be scared anymore. Not of us, not of nesting, not of anything"

Barry offered a smile but huddled deeper into his nest, his eyes darting around nervously.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," he whispered again. "I just... I'm still learning how to trust a-all of this."

Bruce nodded in understanding. "It's okay, Barry. Trust takes time, and you've been through a lot. We'll go at your pace, and we won't push you to do anything you're not comfortable with. But know that we're here for you, and we won't let anyone hurt you again."

Barry's chest tightened at Bruce's words, and he felt a tear slip down his cheek. He had never had anyone stand up for him before like his pack alphas were, and it felt really nice to feel taken care of for once.

Over the next few days, Barry was surprised to find that the other alphas in the house followed Bruce's lead and began bringing him items to add to his nest.

Clark brought him a fluffy plaid blanket, its soft texture comforting against Barry's delicate skin. "I thought you might like this," he said with a warm smile. "It's from my family farm back in Smallville, and it always makes me feel safe."

Hal brought him a hoodie, its scent still carrying a trace of his own unique alpha musk. "Here you go, Barry," he said. "You can wear it whenever you need an extra layer of comfort or use it as a pillow for your nest"

Oliver brought him a pile of old masks, their material oddly inviting to Barry. "These masks always made me feel stronger. To me, they represent my survival and that's what you've done Barry, you've survived. You should be proud of that" he said a smile dancing across his face.

And finally, Arthur brought him a seashell, its smooth surface glistening in the light. "This is from my home under the sea," he said. "I thought it might bring you a sense of peace. If you put it up against your ear you can hear all of Atlantis."

Barry was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the alphas, and his nest soon became a cozy and safe place for him, filled with their scents and warmth.

As Barry's nest continued to grow, he found himself feeling more comfortable and secure than ever before. The presence of the alphas' scents soothed his nerves, and he finally felt like he had a place to call his own.

But even as he began to relax, Barry couldn't help but feel guilty. He felt that he wasn't worth their generosity.

As he was placing a new item into his nest, Barry broke down in tears. He felt like an imposter, undeserving of the all the items he had carefully used to construct his nest.

Oliver, however, who had been keeping a watchful eye on Barry, who still never closed his door, rushed to his side.

"What's wrong, Barry?" he asked, concern written all over his face.

Barry sniffled, unable to meet Oliver’s gaze. "I don't deserve any of this," he whispered. "I'm not good enough."

Oliver shook his head firmly. "That's not true, Barry," he said.

Barry still couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't good enough, no matter how much Oliver tried to reassure him. Every time one of the alphas brought him something for his nest, he felt a twinge of guilt.

"I'm taking advantage of their kindness, your kindness," he whispered. "I shouldn't be accepting all these gifts. I haven't earned them."

"You don't have to earn them Barry," Oliver said sadly.

But as the days passed, Barry began to withdraw into himself, refusing to accept any more items for his nest. He couldn't bear the thought of taking anything else from the alphas, no matter how much they insisted or he wanted the comfort the items brought him.

Clark tried to convince him otherwise, but Barry was adamant. "I'm not worth it," he said, his voice wavering with emotion. "I'll just make a mess of everything."

The alphas were confused by Barry's behavior, but at Barry’s refusal started giving him less and less items for his nest.

Chapter Text

Despite Barry's protests, Hal was determined to find a way to help. He had noticed Barry's growing discomfort and wanted to do something to ease his worries.

Hal approached Barry and sat down next to him. "Barry, can we talk for a minute?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

Barry looked up at him, his eyes full of doubt and insecurity. "I'm not sure there's much to talk about," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

But Hal didn't give up. "Listen, Barry," he said. "I know you've been struggling with accepting the gifts we've given you for your nest. But I want you to know that you're worthy of all of it. You deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, just like anyone else."

Barry's eyes welled up with tears as Hal's words sank in.

Hal reached out and placed a hand on Barry's shoulder.

"Barry, I know you're going through a lot," Hal continued. "But I want you to know that you're not alone. We're all here for you, and we want to help you in any way we can."

Barry sniffled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "I... I don't know what to say," he stammered. "I've never had anyone care about me like this before and I know I keep saying that but all of this is just so- it's just so foreign to me"

"You're okay Barry, I promise and we're here for you now," Hal said with a smile. "And to show you just how much we care, I have a little surprise for you."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a pile of hoodies, all different colors and styles. He could pick up the smell of each alpha coming from the box, these must be their hoodies. Barry's eyes widened in shock.

"These are all for you," Hal said, his smile growing even wider. "I know how much you like hoodies, and I figured you could use a few more for your nest."

Barry was speechless. He had never received such a generous gift before, and he wasn't sure how to respond.

"I...

Barry hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. But then, slowly, he reached out and took one of the hoodies from Hal's outstretched hand.

"Thank you, Hal," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "I... I really appreciate it. I don't know what to say."

Hal smiled, his eyes warm and understanding. "You don't have to say anything, Barry," he said. "Just know that you're valued here, and we'll always be here to support you."

Barry's heart swelled with gratitude, and he carefully placed the hoodies into his nest. It felt like a small step, but it was a big one.

As he sat there, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of his nest, Barry felt a sense of peace wash over him. He took a deep breath and looked up at Hal. "Hal, would you... would you mind if I invited you into my nest?" he asked hesitantly.

Hal's expression softened, and he nodded. "Of course, Barry," he said. "I would be honored to join you in your nest, if you're comfortable with it."

Barry nodded, his heart racing with nerves. He carefully scooted over, making room for Hal to sit down next to him.

As Hal joined him in the nest, Barry's anxiety melted away, replaced by a sense of warmth and comfort. He felt safe and protected in Hal's presence, and for the first time in a long time, he felt truly at ease.

As Barry and Hal sat together in the nest, a comfortable silence fell over them. Barry felt himself relaxing more and more, his worries and insecurities fading away like mist in the morning sun.

He couldn't help but be amazed at the transformation that had taken place since he had first moved in with the alphas. He had gone from feeling alone and unwanted to feeling like he belonged, like he was a valued member of a family.

Hal must have sensed his thoughts because he reached out and placed a hand on Barry's shoulder. "You're a part of this family now, Barry," he said. "And we're all here to support you, no matter what."

Barry smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. "Thank you, Hal," he said. "I don't know what I would have done without you and the others."

"That's what family is for," Hal said with a smile. "We take care of each other, no matter what."

Barry nodded a wave of gratitude washing over him.

As they sat together in the nest, Barry couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. He had never experienced such genuine affection and care before, and it filled his heart with a warmth he had never known.

Hal gently wrapped his arm around Barry's shoulders, and Barry felt himself relax even more. He had always been hesitant to let anyone too close, but with Hal, it felt different. It felt right.

He leaned into Hal's embrace, his eyes closing as he savored the feeling of safety and comfort. But just as he was starting to drift off to sleep, a sudden noise from outside the room made him flinch.

Hal immediately noticed Barry's reaction, and he tightened his hold on him, offering a soothing presence. "It's okay, Barry," he whispered. "You're safe here."

Barry's body slowly relaxed, and he let out a deep sigh. He had never felt so safe before, so protected.

As Hal continued to hold him, Barry's eyes grew heavy, and he drifted off to sleep, his head resting on Hal's shoulder.

Barry slept peacefully in Hal's embrace, completely unaware of the disturbance outside the room. But Hal was keenly aware of it, and he was not happy about it.

He waited until Barry's breathing had evened out before gently disentangling himself from the omega and heading out into the hallway.

As he stepped out, he saw Clark standing there, a look of concern on his face.

"Hey, Hal," he said. "I'm sorry if I woke Barry up. I didn't mean to make any noise."

Hal frowned, his eyes narrowed. "It's not just about waking him up, Clark," he said. "You made him flinch, and that's not okay. You know how sensitive he is."

Clark's expression fell, and he nodded in understanding. "You're right, Hal. I'm sorry. I didn't realize that my footsteps would be so loud."

"It's not just about the noise," Hal continued, his voice firm but gentle. "It's about being mindful of Barry's needs and making sure that we're not adding to his stress and anxiety.

Clark nodded, his expression turning serious. "You're right, Hal," he said. "I should have been more mindful of Barry's comfort. It won't happen again."

Hal gave Clark a nod of approval. "Thank you, Clark," he said. "I appreciate you being so understanding."

Clark smiled, a look of relief crossing his face. "Of course, Hal. Barry's well-being is just as important to me as it is to you. I'll be more careful in the future."

As they spoke, Barry remained asleep in his nest, completely unaware of the conversation taking place outside his room. But even in his slumber, he felt a sense of calm and security, knowing that he was surrounded by people who cared for him.

As the hours passed, the sun began to set outside, casting a warm glow through the window. Barry stirred slightly in his sleep, nestling deeper into his nest.

As Hal turned to leave, he found himself unable to resist the urge to check on Barry one last time. He gently pushed open the door to Barry's room and peeked inside.

Barry was still fast asleep, his face peaceful and content. Hal couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Without a second thought, he slipped back into the room and carefully climbed into the nest beside Barry. He wrapped his arms around the omega, holding him close and offering him warmth and protection.

Barry stirred slightly, nestling closer to Hal's chest. And for a moment, Hal simply held him, content to offer comfort and companionship to the omega.

As the night wore on, Barry's breathing became slow and steady, and Hal eventually drifted off to sleep as well, his arms still wrapped around the omega.

And as the house fell into a peaceful silence, the two of them slept soundly, wrapped in each other's embrace.

Chapter Text

The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, gently coaxing Barry and Hal from their slumber. Hal was the first to stir, his arm draped protectively around Barry's waist.

Barry slowly opened his eyes, blinking sleepily as he adjusted to the light. He looked up at Hal, who was smiling down at him, his hair messy and his eyes still heavy with sleep.

'Good morning,' Hal murmured, hesitant to make any sudden moves that might startle Barry. He gently removed his arm from Barry's waist and sat up.

Barry sat up as well, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Good morning," he replied, his voice still heavy with sleep. He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at the loss of Hal's warmth.

There was a moment of awkward silence as Barry and Hal both searched for something to say. Finally, Hal cleared his throat and said, "I hope you slept well"

Barry nodded, his cheeks turning pink as he remembered the dream he'd had about Hal. "Yeah, I did," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "You?"

Hal smiled. "Like a baby," he said. "Your nest is so cozy, Barry"

Barry felt his heart skip a beat at the compliment, casuing him to smile shyly

"Thanks. I'm glad you like it" Barry said, blush spreading across his face.

Hal locked eyes with the omega who immediately shifted his gaze downward.

Hal gently put his fingers under Barry’s chin, bringing their eyes together again.

"Can I kiss you Barry," Hal asked looking at the beautiful omega as the morning sun made his skin glow just perfectly.

Barry let out a little whimper as he gently nodded his head.

Hal's hand brushed against the soft skin of Barry's face tilting his head slightly sideways. Thumb teasing against the omega’s bottom lip. Hal just stared at the perfect little omega in front of him for a few moments holding him in that position.

“Are you sure about this Barry?"

Barry gave a small nod, a small smile spreading across his blushing face.

Hal leaned in connecting their lips. It was a soft gentle press as the alpha took control of the kiss.

They kissed slowly until the Alpha gently pulled away, not wanting to overwhlem the omega.

Barry once again shifted his gaze downward. "I-i don't understand why you want me. You could have any omega, a p-proper omega" Barry said, voice trembling as he voiced his fears to Hal.

Hal's eyes softened as he listened intently to Barry's words, determined to reassure him of his worth

Hal gently cupped his face, wiping away the tears that had started to fall.

"Barry, you are so much more than your past experiences. You're brave, and strong, and you deserve to be loved and cherished. I don't want a "proper" omega, I want you. You're perfect just the way you are, and I'm honored to be here with you."

Barry's heart thudded in his chest, and for a moment, he allowed himself to believe Hal's words. Maybe, just maybe, he could trust that Hal saw something in him that he couldn't see in himself.

With a tender smile, Hal leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Barry's forehead. "Let me show you how much you're worth, Barry. Let me love you the way you deserve to be loved."

The omega melted into Hal's arms, allowing himself to be vulnerable and open to Hal's affection.

Hal pulled back slightly, his expression serious. "Barry, you have no clue how much we all want you. Oliver, Arthur, Clark, Bruce, they all want you just as much as I do. You're not just desirable to me, you're desirable to the whole league. You're so special, Barry, and I'm so grateful to have you"

Barry's eyes widened in shock as Hal's words sank in.

"They all want me?" Barry asked his voice slightly shaky

"Yes Barry, there going to be so jealous that I got to kiss you first" Hal said with a small chuckle.

Barry's face turned to a slight frown, as thoughts started spirling in his head. Would they be mad at him or worse would they be angry at Hal?

Hal noticed Barry's panic and immediately wrapped his arms around him. "Barry, what's wrong?"

"A-are they going to be mad at us?" Barry asked softly, fear lacing his voice

Hal reprssed another chuckle, "You don't have to worry about the others being angry with you or me. They might be a little jealous, but they'll understand"

Barry bit his lip, still hesitant. "Are you sure? I really care about all of you, and I don't want to cause problems."

Hal smiled gently, stroking Barry's hair. "I'm sure, Barry. The league cares about you deeply, and they'll respect your choices. If you want to be with us, we'll make it work. No one will ever pressure you into something you don't want."

Barry nodded, feeling the tension leave his body. With Hal's reassurance, he felt a little more confident.

Chapter Text

The tension in Barry’s chest slowly began to ease as Hal's words wrapped around him like a warm, comforting blanket. For a moment, it felt like the weight of the world had lifted, and he was just Barry, no longer the anxious omega caught between his fears and desires.

Hal gently cupped his face again, his thumb tracing over Barry’s soft skin. "I’m so glad you're trusting me," Hal said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. "I know it’s not easy for you. But you don’t have to face anything alone. I’ll be here every step of the way."

Barry met Hal’s gaze, the warmth in the alpha's eyes making his heart flutter. He felt like he was on the edge of something important, something real. But the uncertainty still lingered, like a shadow in the corner of his mind. Was he ready for this? Could he handle the weight of the affection Hal was offering?

Before he could voice his lingering doubts, there was a soft knock on the door, followed by the sound of it creaking open. Barry's heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively straightened up, pulling away slightly from Hal. Hal, ever the calming presence, didn't react, he simply kept his arm loosely around Barry's shoulders.

The door opened fully, and in stepped Oliver, his usual smirk in place, though it faltered when he saw how intimate the scene was.

"Morning, lovebirds," Oliver teased, his tone light but his eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "I hope we’re not interrupting anything too... personal."

Barry immediately blushed, feeling a hot flush spread across his cheeks. Hal chuckled softly, squeezing Barry’s shoulder reassuringly before standing up to greet Oliver.

“Not at all, Oliver,” Hal replied, keeping the mood light. "Just getting to know each other a little better.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, clearly catching onto the subtle tension in the air. “I see,” he said with a knowing grin. "So, things are moving forward then?"

Barry shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Hal for support. He wasn’t used to being the center of attention, especially not like this. But Hal seemed unbothered by Oliver’s teasing, offering a small, reassuring smile as he stepped toward Barry.

"Yeah," Hal said, his voice firm but gentle. "It’s all new for Barry, so we’re taking it slow. But everything’s okay."

Oliver nodded, his grin softening into something more sincere. "I get it," he said, his tone shifting. "Just... don’t think you’re getting away without telling the rest of us when it’s time." His gaze flickered to Barry, and his smile widened slightly. "We’ll all be here for you, Barry. Always."

Barry hesitated, still unsure of what to make of this. "You um you're all okay with this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Oliver’s expression softened. "Of course we are. We all care about you, Barry. And we respect your decisions. If you’re happy, that’s what matters."

Just as Barry was starting to process Oliver’s words, the door swung open again, and Arthur entered with a cheerful "Good morning!" His bright smile faded slightly when he saw the tension in the room but quickly recovered. "Is this a bad time?" he asked, glancing between Barry and Hal.

Barry, still overwhelmed by the conversation, just shook his head. "No... it's fine," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

Arthur’s gaze shifted to Hal, then back to Barry. "You two look... good together," he said, his tone warm but still carrying a hint of playful teasing. "But remember, we’ve all got your back. Whatever happens, we’re in this together, okay?"

Barry nodded, feeling a warmth bloom in his chest. The support of his friends, the ones who had always been there for him, was more than he had ever expected. They weren’t just accepting him; they were embracing him.

"Thanks," Barry said, his voice quieter now, but full of genuine gratitude.

Hal reached out and squeezed his hand, offering a quiet smile. "Thanks, Arthur. It means a lot to both of us."

Arthur clapped Hal on the back with a grin. "Just don’t get too carried away," he teased. "I can only tolerate so much sweetness in one morning."

Barry laughed softly, feeling the weight on his shoulders lighten a little. "I think I can handle the sweetness," he whispered, his tone teasing back. "But maybe we can tone it down for the others."

Oliver chuckled at the exchange. "Good luck with that. Hal's got a reputation for being a softie. It's his kryptonite."

"Hey, I’m not a softie," Hal protested, though his grin gave him away. He nudged Barry playfully. "Right, Barry?"

Barry blushed but nodded, his smile shy. "Yeah, he’s a softie."

Before the teasing could go on any further, Clark entered the room, his calm presence immediately soothing the playful tension. He smiled gently, his deep voice steady as always. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything important," he said softly, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Barry. "But I couldn’t help but overhear that things are... progressing?"

Barry blinked in surprise but found himself nodding. "Yeah, it seems like they are," he replied, his voice growing just a little steadier as he spoke.

Clark smiled warmly, his eyes filled with nothing but kindness.

Barry felt his heart swell with the kindness surrounding him. The others—his team, his friends, his new family—weren’t pushing him into anything. They were offering him the space and patience he needed to figure it out, without pressure.

Hal squeezed Barry’s hand again, his thumb brushing over the back of it. "Thanks, Clark," he said. "We’re just taking things one step at a time. No rush."

Clark nodded, his smile never wavering. "Take all the time you need," he said, his voice full of understanding. "But I’m glad to see you both so happy."

The room was filled with an easy silence for a few moments, each of them exchanging small smiles. Barry felt a strange sense of peace wash over him, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in so long. Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to believe that things could be different this time. That they could be better.

Hal turned to the group, his eyes serious for a moment. "Listen, I know it might be overwhelming, Barry," he said. "But I just want you to know, you don’t ever have to worry about being pressured into anything you’re not ready for. We all care about you too much to do that."

Barry swallowed thickly, his voice almost a whisper. "I just... don’t want to mess anything up," he admitted, the vulnerability in his words making his heart race. "What if... I’m not what you all expect?"

Hal stepped forward, pulling Barry into a tight embrace. "You’re perfect just as you are, Barry," he murmured, his voice steady and filled with warmth. "I’m not going anywhere. And neither is anyone else."

Chapter Text

The morning carried a sense of warmth Barry hadn’t expected, the teasing and kindness of his friends doing wonders to steady his nerves. Yet, beneath the lighthearted atmosphere, Barry couldn’t shake the lingering memory of Hal’s kiss. It was a quiet, unspoken thing, something he hadn’t dared to bring up, not that it mattered.

The others found out anyway.

They were gathered in the spacious living room, laughter filling the air as conversations crisscrossed the space. Barry perched quietly on the edge of the couch, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, his shy demeanor keeping him mostly silent. He didn’t mind; listening to them joke and chatter was enough.

Until Arthur spoke up.

“So, Barry,” Arthur began, his tone casual but curious as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Hal kissed you, huh?”

The room fell silent.

Barry’s breath hitched, his wide eyes darting to Arthur, then to Hal, who froze mid-sip of his coffee. “I—I...” Barry stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. He could feel his face burning, the heat spreading all the way to his ears.

“Wait a second,” Oliver interjected, his eyebrows shooting up. “What do you mean Hal kissed Barry? When did this happen?”

Hal set his mug down with deliberate calm, a slow grin spreading across his face. “It wasn’t a big deal,” he said, his tone light, though his eyes twinkled with mischief. “Just a little kiss. Right, Barry?”

Barry made a soft sound, somewhere between a squeak and a whimper, unable to meet anyone’s gaze. “It... it was just...” He trailed off, his words evaporating under the weight of everyone’s stares.

Clark chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “So that’s why Hal’s been acting so smug today.”

“I knew something was up,” Oliver added, crossing his arms with a mock pout. “Hal gets to kiss Barry first, and the rest of us don’t even get a chance? That’s not fair.”

Barry’s head snapped up, his eyes wide. “W-wait, what? I—I didn’t—”

“Relax, Barry,” Arthur said with a grin, leaning back in his chair. “We’re just teasing. Mostly.”

“Mostly?” Barry squeaked, his voice barely audible.

Oliver stood, stretching dramatically. “Well, I for one think it’s only fair we even the playing field.”

Arthur nodded in agreement, his grin widening. “Agreed. We can’t let Hal hog all the glory.”

Clark shook his head, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. “Are we really doing this?”

Before Barry could protest, Oliver was already approaching him, his expression softening as he crouched down to meet Barry’s gaze. “Don’t be shy,” Oliver said gently, cupping Barry’s cheek in his hand. “I promise to be nice.”

Barry’s breath hitched again, his wide eyes flickering to Hal, who gave him an encouraging nod. Tentatively, Barry nodded back, his voice barely a whisper. “O-okay...”

Oliver leaned in, his lips brushing against Barry’s in a kiss that was surprisingly tender. It lingered just long enough to leave Barry breathless before Oliver pulled back with a grin. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

Barry blinked, his cheeks flushed. “Y-you didn’t have to—”

But Arthur was already there, gently tugging Barry to his feet. “My turn,” he said with a wink, his hands settling on Barry’s waist. Barry barely had time to register the movement before Arthur’s lips met his, the kiss deeper and more confident than Oliver’s. Arthur’s grip was firm, grounding, and Barry couldn’t stop the soft whimper that escaped him as Arthur pulled away, his grin impossibly wide. “Told you I’d take my turn.”

Barry turned to see Bruce standing off to the side, his arms crossed and an unreadable expression on his face. But when Barry’s eyes met his, something in Bruce’s gaze softened. He stepped forward slowly, his presence commanding as always, and reached out to cup Barry’s face in his hand.

“May I?” Bruce asked, his voice low and steady.

Barry nodded wordlessly, his eyes fluttering shut as Bruce leaned in. The kiss was intense, more so than any of the others. Bruce’s lips were firm and deliberate, leaving Barry breathless and clinging to his shirt for balance. When Bruce finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against Barry’s for a moment, his voice a quiet rumble. “You’re stronger than you think, Barry.”

Barry’s eyes filled with tears, though he wasn’t sure why. He nodded again, unable to find his voice.

Before he could fully recover, Clark stepped forward, his expression soft and full of warmth. “Barry,” he said, his voice gentle, “you okay with one more?”

Barry looked up at him, his lips parting in a soft gasp. “Y-yes,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Clark’s smile deepened as he leaned down, his hands resting lightly on Barry’s shoulders. The kiss was tender, achingly gentle, like Clark was offering comfort rather than claiming a moment for himself. Barry felt his knees weaken, a quiet whimper escaping him as Clark pulled back.

“You’re safe with us,” Clark murmured, his hand lingering briefly on Barry’s cheek before stepping back.

The room was silent for a moment before Oliver clapped his hands. “Well, I think it’s clear who the favorite is around here.”

Hal rolled his eyes, standing to drape an arm around Barry’s shoulders. “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s not overwhelm him.”

Barry let out a soft laugh, surprising even himself. “I... I think I’m okay.”

Hal smirked, brushing a strand of Barry’s hair from his forehead. “Told you they’d all love you.”

Chapter Text

The atmosphere in the room had softened after the earlier conversation. Most of the League had spread out to relax, but Barry sat on the couch, his posture hunched, fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve. His gaze darted around, never settling, as if trying to find the courage to speak.

Clark noticed and leaned forward, his voice gentle. “Barry, is something on your mind?”

Barry’s lips parted, but no words came out. His cheeks flushed, and he gave a small shrug. “I… it’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Bruce, ever observant, narrowed his eyes slightly. “Barry, you’ve been awfuly quiet.”

The words made Barry shrink back slightly, his shoulders tightening. “I just… I don’t know how to say it. It’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid if it’s bothering you,” Arthur said, his voice unusually soft.

Barry hesitated, his fingers twisting together. “It’s just… sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough. Or like… I don’t always know what to do, and it makes me feel… lost.”

His voice dropped to a whisper. “And scared.”

Hal leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he locked eyes with Barry. “Barry, you’re part of a team for a reason. You don’t have to know everything. That’s why we’re here, to help you, to guide you.”

Barry glanced up at Hal, then quickly back down. “But… I don’t just want help. I want…” His words trailed off, and he shook his head, frustrated.

Clark’s voice was calm, patient. “Barry, take your time. You can say anything here. We’re listening.”

Barry’s cheeks turned pink, and he shifted uncomfortably. “I… I don’t want to always think so much. I just want to know what to do. Like… if someone tells me what to do, I don’t have to worry if it’s the right choice because I trust them.”

He bit his lip, his voice barely audible now. “Does that make sense?”

Oliver leaned back in his chair, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It makes perfect sense, Barry. You’re saying you feel more comfortable when you’ve got clear direction.”

Barry nodded hesitantly, still not meeting anyone’s eyes. “Yeah… but it’s more than that. I just… I want to follow. I don’t want to mess up. I want someone else to take charge so I can focus on what I’m supposed to do.”

Arthur tilted his head. “So, you’re saying you feel better letting someone else lead? That’s not a bad thing, Barry. It’s just how you work best.”

Barry’s breath hitched slightly, and his fingers gripped his sleeve tighter. “I… I guess. I don’t know. I just want to feel like I’m doing the right thing without overthinking it. Like… like I can trust you all to guide me.”

Bruce’s voice was steady, reassuring. “You can. Submission isn’t a weakness, Barry. It’s a choice, one that requires trust and strength. If letting us take the lead helps you focus, that’s a good thing. It means you know yourself.”

Barry’s head shot up, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You… really think so?”

Clark smiled warmly. “Absolutely. And we’ll always be here for you, Barry. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.”

Hal reached out, resting a hand on Barry’s shoulder. “It’s what the League is about, trusting and supporting each other. We’ve got you.”

Barry’s lips trembled, but he managed a small smile. “Thank you. I… I was scared to say anything. I didn’t think you’d understand.”

“We more than understand,” Oliver said with a grin. “And we’re here for you whenever you need us.”

Barry hesitated, his voice dropping again. “There’s… one more thing.”

The team waited patiently as Barry gathered his thoughts. Finally, he spoke, his words halting and shy.

“I’ve been using suppressants for… you know… my scent. But they’re not safe anymore. And I don’t know what to do now.”

Hal frowned, exchanging a glance with Bruce. “You’re right not to take them anymore, Barry. But don’t worry, we can work on a solution. Maybe scent blockers built into your suit?”

Barry blinked, looking up at Hal in surprise. “You’d do that?”

“Of course,” Bruce said simply. “Your health comes first. We’ll figure it out together.”

Barry’s face softened with relief, and he nodded. “Thank you. I… I feel better knowing you’re here.”

Clark’s hand rested on Barry’s other shoulder. “And we always will be. You’re not alone, Barry. You never have to be.”

The room settled into a comfortable silence, the weight Barry had been carrying finally beginning to lift.