Leonard Snart // Captain Cold - IC Inbox

[hypothermic]

ID: coldasice

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[billionerd]

[ Ray rubs the back of his neck, visibly uneasy. He keeps his eyes on Mick and shrugs a little. ]

Because the person responsible is gone, but a different version of them showed up and this new person doesn't know anything about it, obviously. [ He takes a deep breath before continuing. ] And they asked for food and shelter and Leonard's understandably angry about it, so he told me to tell you the whole story so you'd decide if it's cool to help this person.

[ Honesty is always the best approach, right? ]

[charbroil]

[ Mick isn't anticipating the scoff that falls out of him, but once it's out, he owns it. Wry amusement plays over his features in the form of a grimace. ]

You didn't think maybe that was just another way to say "no"?

[billionerd]

[ Ray can't help smiling at him. ]

When Len wants to say no he's very clear about it. He's annoyed and wanted to see what I'd do.

[charbroil]

He doesn't hit what he doesn't have to. Every single one of those little digits is worth six figures.

[ Mick passes his free hand through the air, wiggling his gloved fingers in a way that's almost mystic. ]

And he knows if he tells you to kiss his ass, that's not going to stop you.

[ He turns to twist the heat down to low on the soup, as the unwatched pot has nearly come to a roiling boil. The way he looks at Ray as he picks up the lid and wafts some of the steam from it into his own face is nothing less than suggestive. Just because he doesn't always act on his compulsions doesn't mean Mick doesn't have them, doesn't fantasize about what would happen if he chose the worst possible course of action next.

The lid clanks a little as he fits it on top of the pot. ]

Talk.

[billionerd]

[ Ray's gotten used to Mick's looks, he doesn't always know what they mean, but he's fine with it. They know each other pretty well by now, Mick's right, Ray would help even if they said no but he'd find a way to do it somewhere else. The warehouse belongs to all three of them, Ray wouldn't try to monopolize it. ]

Okay, okay. [ He considers for like half a second to maybe skip over the part with Eddie, but he decides against it. ] So, when Len first got here he got into a dumb argument with Eddie and he thought it'd be funny to kidnap him and post pictures in the network... so, he did that. People overreacted, they went searching for Eddie and couldn't find him, a woman— Russian spy, actually, found Len instead and beat him up to try to get him to give up the info. He didn't.

[ He's kind of getting angry just remembering, which is dumb of him since it's been so long. ]

[charbroil]

[ Mick resumes his position of arms crossed over his chest as Ray begins to explain. The rather mean little smirk that starts to form at the antics with the cop ( he thinks Leonard's actions were funny too, no surprise there ) fades just as quickly when they reach the part about a Russian spy torturing his partner for information. ]

Nothing to give up if he tried. Doesn't take long to figure out nothing stays put for long.

[ He knows that's not new information, but: ]

So if she'd been here for more than a couple of days, she wasn't really looking for information. That or she's one dumb Russkie.

[ The way Mick shifts his weight from foot to foot should let Ray know he's not the only one getting irritated. He doesn't doubt Leonard gave this woman no satisfaction of a response, though. He was too used to being beaten for bullshit reasons. ]

What makes you think she's not gonna find another excuse?

[billionerd]

[ For someone who doesn't really hold grudges, Ray's given this an absurd amount of thought. ]

I don't know. She posted a picture; it was her, looking really proud of herself, a soldier, who I think was just there as a voyeur. And Leonard beaten up in the background. It happened pretty soon after Len posted a pic of Eddie beaten up, so part of it was definitely payback. They— both her and the soldier got angry at me when I pointed out the hypocrisy.

[ But that's not the point right now. There's no use in getting worked up all over again. ]

But this new person isn't her and I won't hold it against her. And I really hope you and Len won't either.

[charbroil]

It is her.

[ He objects, his eyes growing a little wider with the added strength of his voice. It isn't a shout, but it's a louder volume, heavy and blunt.]

Just 'cause she doesn't remember doesn't mean what she did goes away. And the reason you can't say she won't do it again is because you know she could. Other than that, I bet you don't know shit about her.

[ If he knows Snart, it's not just Ray his partner thinks he's testing. It's not just for Mick to guess his expectations now, but decide what is best. It isn't usual for Leonard not to call the shots up front.

He has a decision in mind, but he's not ready to give it just yet. There's a very rare opportunity here for him. ]

Ever think maybe you just can't say "no" to anyone that asks you for help, Ray?

[billionerd]

[ He needs a drink. He thinks this new Natasha is a different Natasha, much like Caitlin was not the crazy woman who almost got him killed. But Mick's right in that Ray doesn't know for sure, he very deliberately avoided Natasha to avoid confrontation so even if he learned more about this new one, he'd have no way to know if she'd do the same thing again.

He lets Mick speak, though, arms folded. He can't argue with his logic. Also all three of them know Ray can't say no to people. ]

All the time. And I've been thinking, would I have said yes to that first woman? [ He's not sure, which again, weird of him. He wouldn't hesitate usually. ] And probably, yeah. Maybe with caveats? I really don't know. I just know the woman who asked for my help isn't the one who hurt Len. Just looks like her.

[ It's complicated, Ray tends to think people are good deep down and circumstances turn them mean. Natasha isn't an exception. ]

[charbroil]

[ The fact Ray's clearly given it some thought gives him pause enough to think as well. The other man's attitude, quite frankly, boggles his own mindset. Does he lack the imagination or naiveness?

He's not used to thinking for three. Two was hard enough, and often it could be argued that even one was one too much to consider for the likes of Mick Rory. ]

Bring her in.

[ He finally says, at length, with a small roll of broad shoulders. ]

I wanna see her. And if one or both of us wants to come talk to her, you don't trip over yourself to get between us. It's our place and our work too, got it?

[billionerd]

[ About once a week Mick does or says something that throws him completely, this is this week's thing. He stares at him for a moment, then smiles broadly, then stumbles over his own words. ]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely! I'll stay out of it! And if she does or say anything she finds someplace else to crash.

[charbroil]

[ That broad smile seems to have a line directly connected to Mick's scowl, as reflexive as tapping a mallet against a nerve. He turns his head away slightly, as if he were looking directly at the sun instead of some optimistic idiot he gave at least half of a damn about. ]

She'll run out of here with her hair on fire. I don't do Cold Wars.

[ He picks the lid off the pot, stirring it intently. For some reason he feels like a hug is imminent, and pretending to be busy elsewhere is his only defense. ]

[billionerd]

[ Ray stands up and walks up behind him as he talks, very animatedly. ]

She's a redhead so it'll suit her.

[ And he's hugging him from behind because he's happy and Mick is a good, understanding friend. ]

[charbroil]

[ Mick stiffens in the younger, but taller man's hold, turning his head. ]

If you don't let go of me in the next three seconds, you'll never live to see it.

[ A soft, brimstone snarl. He's a furnace for Ray to hold on to, and nothing soft save for where his belly has pooched with a few too many years, and beers as of late. ]

One.

[billionerd]

[ He lets go before two, he's pushed it enough for a month. ]

Thank you, Mick.

[ The grin is still firmly in place and not going anywhere. ]

[charbroil]

You know, Haircut, I kinda worry about you. [ Stir stir stir. ] You spend so much time on other people, I just hope you're saving some of it to go fuck yourself.

[billionerd]

[ Mick's probably not aiming to get Ray to laugh out loud but that's exactly what he gets, full laughter. ]

I am, I mean. No one else is taking care of it.

[charbroil]

[ Maybe not exactly why he said it, but he doesn't really hate it, either. ]

Think my charity quota's full up for the year.

[ He pulls up a spoonful, then sticks it out between them. ]

Huh. Taste it. Beans are still kinda hard, but I don't think I got any...

[ Ham and beans and some bits of vegetables have already made the broth thick and savory. His lips start to purse to blow on the thing, but he manages to stop himself at the last moment. ]

[billionerd]

[ That's okay, Ray can blow on it himself. He tries it and immediately wants a bowl. ]

It's great! When can I have more?

[charbroil]

[ A hand up, pressed to Ray's breast, halting. Even if he can see the possibility for flattery, Mick huffs in a way that suggests he's suppressing a smile. ]

Another hour at least before the beans tender up. Bad idea to come into a kitchen hungry, Punch Buggy.

Don't you have some baking to do?

[billionerd]

... right, yeah. I guess.

[ He glances back at the stuff he brought in. ]

You don't happen to know how to bake do you?

[charbroil]

I know it's all about following the instructions and I'm not good at it.

[ He offers. ]

I can do pancakes and waffles. I was a line cook for a couple years. Anything else, you better have some sort of recipe.

[billionerd]

I'm going for homemade bread but I don't have a recipe and haven't done it since I was a kid.

[ He looks sheepish about it. But baking isn't that hard once you have the ingredients and are willing to do a lot of trial and error. Ray's very used to working at something until he gets it right so he's not that worried. ]

I'll figure it out, it'll just be messy.

[charbroil]

Lookin' forward to it.

[ He confesses, with a small cut of teeth. ]

Kitchen staff usually do it for you?

[billionerd]

I cooked for myself, but I buy bread already made. [ Mick probably thinks he lived in some manor with twenty staff members. ] I had loft, a housekeeper came over once a week to dust and vacuum.