StopLight

submission dated 8-01-10
author: FireCracker
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.
Warnings:

Pairings: Barry Allen (Flash II) / Hal Jordan (GL)


TEMPTATION

Hal took an inward breath before reaching for his cell.

_This is ridiculous, I'm acting like some secret side or something._

He draped his jacket over a chair in Carol's living room and glanced at the wall clock. He had no idea when she'd be back from her errands.

Hal dialed Barry's private line, often used in emergencies. He grinned. _Not always emergencies, Barry. We haven't had much private time recently. You'll probably wonder what the deal is._

Merely two seconds later, familiar baritone answered. /Hello?/

"Hey, Flashy guy. What's up?"

/Hal, good to hear your voice. What's going on? Trouble?/

"No, nothing like that. I was just thinking, we haven't hung out since the parade. You free later on?"

/I don't think it's a problem. I'll check with Iris and see-/

"I kind of meant just the two of us. There's a good comedy show at FusionFire tonight."

A slight pause. /What time is the show?/

Hal didn't like the slow response. "Nine O'clock. Hey, everything okay? You sound a little odd."

/I'm fine, it's just...there's been developments./

"Like the rumors at JLA? Carol told me."

/How did you know I would mention that?/

"We still click, Barry. Always did."

/Yeah, at this rate we'll be finishing each other's sentences./

"Some things never change."

/Which is why it might not be wise./

"What are you afraid of? Can't friends hang out?"

/You're playing with fire, hotshot./

"Sounds like a challenge. I'll be on my best behavior."

/Not really. You forget, I know you./

"And I know you, golden rod. Will you come with me tonight?"

/Be careful what you say, Hal. You know how I can get!

"I'm counting on it. Well?"

/I'll double check with Iris and get back with you./

()

Hal waited five minutes before the return call came.

/Hal, Iris says hello. Seems like everything is set for tonight./

Jordan lowered his voice a little. "So you'll come with me, then."

/Stop talking like that or I'll be at your door!/

"Down, Barry. Can't take a little joke? It's a public place, you have nothing to worry about."

/I handle my affairs in private./

Hal's cock twitched against the fabric of his jeans. "Interesting choice of words. Should I pick you up, or?"

/Sounds good. Around eightish should give us enough time. I'm in the mood for a fast ride./

Hal felt his cock jump once more. "It's time to hang up. See you later."

/Wear something nice./

()

"This really is a beautiful car, Hal."

Barry leaned back in Hal's stunning black Jag. Soft jazz music played across a stereo bass system.

"Cost me a nice piece of change, but I figured I'd splurge." Hal smiled widely as they drove through busy downtown streets in Central City. A muted sunset displayed a rainbow of colors from rust oranges to blues and purples.

"Saturday night is always crazy. Look at this traffic."

"True." Hal glanced over at the blonde. "You look great, by the way." It was true. Barry wore a red silk shirt and tailored black slacks over Italian shoes.

Bright blue eyes winked. "Not bad to look at yourself, Hal. It's nice seeing you out of that jacket sometimes."

Hal grinned. "Yeah, well..." he'd paired a black shirt with gold cufflinks and deep gray slacks.

"You didn't wear a tie."

"Neither did you."

"Hmm." Barry glanced out at traffic. "Guess we're just open shirt guys, huh?"

Hal grinned. "Well, a bowtie would look pretty weird with your outfit."

"Iris likes bow ties. I'm pretty neutral to them."

"Not too many dudes can carry those off, Barry. Maybe you'll start a new fashion wave."

"Maybe." fading sunlight glinted off golden hair. "Were you talking dirty to me earlier on the phone?"

Hal smiled. That was all Barry, straight to the point. "It wasn't intentional."

"Liar. Don't confuse me, Hal."

"I don't follow."

"Iris is back. And you're with Cowgirl-"

"Sort of."

"Again with Carol? What the hell are you doing?"

"I don't know, Barry. I'm...I feel incomplete."

Barry glanced away quickly. "I see."

"It's not the same with them. You know what I'm talking about!"

"We can't go back, Hal. No matter what we feel."

Hal gripped the steering wheel hard. "This isn't about nostalgia. It should never have stopped."

"I was in the speed force, remember? The last few years have been crazy for both of us."

"Yet, when we battled Nekron's zombies it was if nothing had changed."

"We do make a helluva team." Barry admitted, his tone muted. "But I can't...I love Iris."

"And I love Carol. And I feel strongly for Cowgirl. It _still_ isn't the same."

Barry inhaled deeply. "I knew this would be a bad idea."

Hal pulled into the parking garage of FusionFire. "No, we're going to enjoy ourselves. I don't want this getting too deep."

Barry looked into his eyes. "It already is."

()

They had a table near the first five rows. Various comedians came out on stage and performed against a glitzy curtain background. Modern paintings dotted every wall. Plants and trees were framed in overhead lighting. Black marble floors gave a snazzy, contemporary look to the club.

Barry and Hal nursed their drinks during intermission. Conversation buzzed everywhere and busy waiters attended the patrons.

"Maybe you were right, Hal." Barry sipped his glass.

Hal was encouraged. "Oh? Is that an offer?"

Barry glared at him. "Idiot. I'm talking about the atmosphere here. Nice."

"Food isn't bad either. You want another plate of ribs?"

"Hmm. I am still hungry-"

Hal pitched his voice so only a speedster could hear. "Your appetite never ceases to amaze me."

Barry didn't miss a beat. "I thought we weren't going to do that here. Now order some red potatoes with the ribs, please. And steamed green beans."

Hal snapped his fingers for a waiter. "You got it. Want another scotch?"

"Sure. And I have a question."

"Hmm?"

"I don't see any women here. What's the deal, Hal?"

"I, er...coincidence?"

Barry gave him a look.

"Okay, okay." Hal shrugged innocently. "It's a regular club, but maybe this is a feature night."

"Creature night is more like it." Barry glanced about. "You see that bearded guy in the orange pinstripe suit and purple shoes?"

"I was trying not to."

"He weighs 708 lbs."

"Barry, you notice the weirdest stuff. And how do you know what he weighs?"

"Vibration distance of mass against solid matter-"

"Don't go all technobabble on me tonight. This is mellow time."

"Okay, he's fat."

"No crap." Hal winced at the sight. "They've got him sitting on two love seats. The chairs won't fit."

"You set me up for a date, Hal."

"No, we're hanging out. You're too suspicious, Barry."

"And you're a horndog."

"Guilty as charged."

()

Both men were considerably more relaxed after the show. They waited at the entrance of the garage for the valet.

"Nice night, I'd say." Hal smiled at his friend.

"The ribs were some of the best I've had in a long time." Barry smiled back. "Sorry for being so..."

"Tight, Barry?"

"Cautious. I wasn't sure if you were charging into something or not."

"Did you enjoy yourself with that English gentleman?"

"Of course. But I found him a little annoying since he kept asking for your phone number."

"He did until you went all Neanderthal on me."

"It's hard to slow down most of the time."

Hal smirked. "For someone singing about Iris, you sure got possessive-"

Barry noted the valet bringing the car up. "This is _so_ not the place for this conversation."

()

Hal drove at a measured pace back. Barry stared out the window.

"Why so quiet?"

"Enjoying the view. The ride. And the company."

Hal smiled. "My pleasure. Besides, I promised Iris I'd get you home before three a.m."

Barry glanced over, his eyes soft. "I don't think we'll need a chaperone."

Hal caught his glance. Warm hazel eyes sparked in response. "It's all over again."

"What are you talking about?"

"What I feel for you, Barry. I can't stop myself. Lord knows I've tried."

"Hal, keep your eyes on the road."

"Did you hear me?"

The speedster was agitated. "Yes. Now stop talking like this!"

Hal gave a lopsided grin. "I knew I wasn't wrong. You feel it too!"

Barry breathed deeply. "Feeling it and doing something about it are two different things-"

Hal swerved the car suddenly and picked up speed.

"What do you think you're doing?! Barry bounced in his seat. "You want a ticket?"

"Cops aren't in this area this late." Hal swung into an alley.

Barry caught the hint. "Are you crazy? We aren't making out in this car!"

Hal turned off the ignition and faced his friend. "Then a hotel room. My place. Wherever you want!"

Crystal blue eyes were wide. "You're out of your mind, Hal!"

Hal shook his head quickly. "Damn. You're so _hot,_ Barry-" hands roamed along red silk, squeezing firm flesh. Heat practically rose from the chiseled chest.

Barry started to vibrate. "Don'tstartsomethingwecan'tstop-"

Hal lunged across the seat into a kiss. He was caught and held. Fingers gripped through sable brown hair as the kiss deepened. Long legs kicked out, as both men angled for more room. Limbs tangled in a frenzy of heat.

Barry had had enough. "Get on top." he growled between kisses. Hal happily obliged him, clambering on as best he could. The front of a Jag was far too cramped for two ample sized men.

Not that Hal and Barry noticed. They were too busy tearing into each other. Shirts were ripped. Barry lost a shoe. A blur of motion unzipped Hal's fly. Hal yanked down Barry's slacks and grabbed an ass cheek.

_Does he ever wear underwear?_ Hal wondered foggily as an impossible tongue rattled his tonsils. Sweat beaded down his back.

The car rocked back and forth as the two grunted and strained, still tangled in clothing. Hal arched and cried out but was silenced by another hard kiss from Barry. Strong hips ground together furiously as they clutched blindly.

And then Barry vibrated. Soft and hard, side to side, up and down. Every inch of skin turned into motion and sensation. Hal wondered if he'd died and gone to heaven.

Or some form of it anyway. White light flashed across his eyes even as sticky heat burst sweetly between them. Then a sharp pain, and the world was moving.

"Oh, God." Hal moaned softly, gasping for oxygen. He couldn't move, but something was still strange as he lay draped over Barry.

"Hal!!" Barry reached over a sweaty back and yanked on the gearstick. The car lurched and came to a stop.

Barry lay back quietly and closed his eyes.

Hal managed to turn his head. "What happened?"

"Besides the obvious? You hit the gear stick and yelled out."

Jordan gave his most roguish smile. "Oh. Your own fault, golden rod."

Barry managed an answering smirk. "Bastard. I should kill you."

Hal held his aching head. "I think you already have."

Barry cradled him close and stroked soft hair. "We need to get it together, hotshot."

Hal glanced down at their clothing. "Unbelievable. It happened so fast, I could have sworn our pants were off."

"You shouldn't have gotten me hot, Hal."

Hal kissed a corded throat. "We're a wreck, that's for sure." he glanced down at his friend. Barry was flushed and sweaty as himself. The pale golden skin had a lovely sheen that highlighted bright chest hairs. He stroked the lantern jaw. Barry was one of the few men he'd ever seen that looked hot in a buzz cut, though he hoped to see it grow out a bit.

"Yes, sir, sergeant, _sir."_

"Very funny." Barry smiled at his rogue lantern. Hal had a beautiful body, dusted with soft hair in all the right spots. He teased a lock of loose hair. Hal's warm and hazel eyes were inviting as ever.

Hal was serious suddenly. "I suppose we can admire each other all night, but I had something else in mind."

"Don't say it, Hal. We can't."

"It's too late for that, Barry-"

"No. This was crazy, out of nowhere. We didn't even do anything, really."

Hal felt a tremor between them. "Only a speedster would say that. Are you nuts? My body is still buzzing."

"So is mine, but we never got undressed."

"I copped a feel on your ass. Do you ever wear underwear?"

Barry snickered. "I was wearing a g string, but you were too gone to notice."

Hal blinked. "Oh."

"Surprised?"

That familiar grin reappeared. "Just thinking what Ollie would say. He's so convinced you're straight from the puritan era."

A blonde brow lifted. "Ollie is an ass hat liberal. And ass hat liberals think the whole world is square."

Hal stole a quick kiss. "Believe me, I'd vouch for you."

"I thank you tremendously."

Hal lay across his friend again. His hands were moving once more.

Barry gasped. "E-easy, Hal."

Hal breathed in his ear. "Dammit, I can't come down...not yet. I need you."

"Only...make it worse." Barry strained to sit up. He buttoned his shirt shakily.

Hal eased up. "Let's go somewhere, Barry. _Now._ And do it for real."

Barry faltered, his eyes low on Hal's exposed chest. "I...just drive us home, Hal. I need to think."

"There's nothing to think about."

"Not for you. I have a wife, remember?"

Hal cursed silently at his selfishness. "You...you're right." he tried rubbing his ache away.

"Do this for me." Barry grabbed the busy hand and put it on the steering wheel. "Drive fast. With the windows all the way down. And don't think about anything!"

Hal gritted his teeth. "Not easy, Barry."

"No."

Hal touched Barry's thighs briefly. Cable like muscle was knotted and vibrating.

"It's hard on you, too."

Barry inhaled sharply. "You have no idea. Start the ignition, Hal."

Hal nodded. "Hang on, I'm hitting the freeway."

Barry sat back carefully in his seat. "Floor it, Hal. But close your shirt up first, or things could get awkward."

They pulled out of the alley. "Not so much for me, Barry. My apartment complex is dark on one side and I can make it to the garage unseen. What are you going to tell Iris about your clothes?"

"She rarely stays up this late. Besides, I can change into pajamas and get these things in the washroom in a blink."

"Yeah." Hal shifted in his gooey pants. He gave his friend a sideways glance. "You drive me crazy, you know."

Barry seemed almost regretful. "Mutual. But I meant what I said, Hal. Nothing can come of this."

"We'll see about that, Barry. What happened tonight was unexpected."

"You've just proven my point. It can't happen again."

Hal paused as they hit the freeway. "It's not over between us, golden rod."

Barry stared out the window and didn't reply.


THE END


Next: Secrets