Leonard shivered as he pulled his coat tighter around himself, the bouquet of roses in his hand brushing against his face. Sneaking into the cemetery after it’d closed had been easy enough, they didn’t call him a master thief for nothing, after all. He made his way to the tall tree that stood in the middle, the grave just in front of it belonging to his love. He set the bouquet down, sinking to his knees, his eyes red rimmed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
The man in question hung his head in shame. “You’re dead and it’s my fault.”
He looked up, blinking rapidly, as a figure emerged from the tree. The figure was ghostly, like smoke, and Leonard’s heart stopped. He recognised those boots, those jeans, and that red pullover that was always softer than it looked. The figure’s hair was brown and tousled, those blue eyes shining the way they always used to.
“Hi, Lenny.” The figure smiled sadly.
“This isn’t real. This can’t be real. You’re dead. You died.”
“You died right in my arms and I couldn’t save you. I couldn’t- Barry.”
“I’m here, I’m here, it’s alright.” Barry kneeled by the other man. “I’m not leaving you.”
“You’re dead.” Leonard whispered shakily. “You’re never coming home.”
“They blame me. All of them - your team, your family. And they’re right. I should’ve done better. I should’ve saved you, Barry, I-”
“Lenny it wasn’t your fault.” Barry said gently. “There wasn’t nothing you could have done.”
“I could’ve done better!” Leonard yelled, unthinkingly reaching for the spirit of his lost love.
He wasn’t expecting his hand to touch anything. He was expecting his hand to go straight through, only it did. He was touching him - sort of. Barry was cold, and not quite solid, but there was something. It was almost like the feel of liquid, but it wasn’t wet. Almost as if his fingers were drifting through steam.
“What-” Leonard swallowed heavily. “What.”
Barry glanced to the headstone that was his. “I’m not real, Lenny. This isn’t my body. This isn’t me.”
Leonard reached up, doing his best to cup the ghost’s cheek. “I’ll find a way to bring you back.”
“Leonard. Stop. You’ll only hurt yourself doing this.”
“I’m already dead without you.”
“You’re my world, Barry Allen. Life isn’t worth living without you. You’re everything.”
“I love you, Lenny.” Barry’s voice was soft. Quiet. A ghostly tear slipped down his face. “I want you to be happy.”
“I’m only gonna be happy if you’re breathing.”
Barry sighed. “I still don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Tough.” Leonard laughed wetly. “You feel in love with a stubborn bastard, scarlet.”
“I love you.” Barry repeated. “I love you so much.”
