crimson_graces | (no subject)

[She's on the phone with her dad when the news breaks about two speedsters racing in downtown Central City. The first speedsters in the city in decades and Iris knows one of those two is her baby girl even before a picture of purple and yellow lightning is plastered all over the screen. It might have been decades since she's seen that familiar gold in person and even longer since she gave off purple lightning herself but it wasn't something she'd ever forgotten. And of course, Nora leaves a trail a perfect mix of her parents' behind her.

The fight's over almost as soon as it started, with only one of the speedsters in Iron Heights. She did it, Nora won, and the swell of pride mixes harshly with the sickening fear that the speed force won't be any kinder to her daughter than it was to her husband.

There's no sign of the other speedster for over an hour. Dad promises to call in favors across the city. He might be retired from the force, but he still knows people everywhere. So does Cecile, who chimes in the background that she'll do the same. Iris tells the reporters at CCC that the first person to locate the other speedster gets a substantial bonus along with a promotion and only feels a little guilty at using her employees to stalk her daughter. She even calls Wally, and lets him get in one 'I told you so' before practically begging him to come back and help. There's at least a dozen new messages on Nora's phone, not that she actually thinks she'll listen to them.

Iris is even about to pick up the phone and call the fucking Justice League or what's left of it to ask them to come to Central City and find her daughter. They haven't spoken in years, not since Barry but Bruce Wayne owes her so maybe--

Something speeds past her, rustling papers and charging the air with lightning, before a door slams. There's no way Wally is here already. And she might actually kill Barry if he comes home right now.]

Nora?

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[ he clacks her teeth and tries to pull away. she really does know dad well huh. ]

He wanted to send me home right away actually. So... I told him he disappears in the Crisis. He changed his mind pretty quick.

[ she thought saying she wanted to spend time with him was enough to convince him, but when it wasn't she opted to tell him the truth. ]

Nora.

[That is a horrible spoiler to lay on her father's shoulders. They've known since the beginning about Crisis. In fact, keeping that headline intact was a year long mission of theirs when Savitar threatened her life. Telling Barry that he never comes back, it's almost cruel.

Iris lets her pull away, mostly so she can fix her with a Mom Glare. Look, she said she wouldn't back off.]

Was it worth it?

Was it worth it to get to know the dad I never met?

[ said with a sarcastic edge of 'no shit it was', but she sees that glare and sighs soft. ]

He deserved to know. If we have these powers then it should be our responsibility to use them for good. What greater good can there be than saving the Flash?

[Nora was almost lamenting the fact that she thinks her father hates her now. So yeah. The question stands, whether or not it was worth it to disappoint her hero and make Cicada into a larger problem than he ever used to be. Iris gets it. She'd probably change a serial killer or two's destiny to see Barry again too.]

I think he'd say protecting you was far more important.

I don't need protection, I need my family to be whole! Central City needs the Flash, and we need dad.

[ the only thing nora laments is that she can't go back to 2019 without her dad 'feeling her' in the speed force, whatever that means. maybe she should give it a try and see how many times he rejects her until he gives up... ]

I need to go back. I just don't know how without him stopping me.

Nora, wait.

[Because she knows you, young lady. She's been there for every day of her life and Iris knows exactly how stubborn and impulsive she can be. Nora got that from both her parents, so she really never stood a chance.

Just barely, Iris resists the urge to wrap her fingers around her daughter's wrist like a leash, like that will actually do anything against a speedster that wants to leave.]

Maybe you need to take a minute to calm down. I'm not saying you don't need your dad, because you do, honey. It's not fair that you never got to know him before and it's not fair to leave it like this but sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back. I know it's a hard concept to you speedsters, but taking a break isn't a bad thing. Regroup. Really think about what you're going to do next.