The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive (Male Reader Insert)

1.11 No Friend Left Behind

The three scientists were all gathered in the main room of their warehouse laboratory. No one had said a single word since Y/N turned himself in to Eiling. They were all silent, lost in thought. Not a single eye was clear, all bloodshot and full of both anger and sadness.

Caitlin looked down at the engagement ring on her finger. After a moment, she grunted and pulled it off forcefully. The angry woman threw the ring down to the ground, shouting at it. After that, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the vial containing the ice sculpture.

She was about to throw it down as well but stopped herself. She couldn't do it. Even though it was meant to represent her and Ronnie, she couldn't bring herself to break it. It was something made by Y/N, a man just trying to cheer her up with an act of kindness. To her, it no longer represented Ronnie's "love" but rather Y/N's kindness.

Staring at the vial, Caitlin broke down and crouched down to the floor. Cisco walked over to her, putting his hand on her shoulder. A tear ran down his own eye. 

Ramon thought about Ronnie, about someone he thought was his closest friend. He then thought about Y/N as well, about the fast man who shared in his excitement for science and fun games. Despite knowing him for a short time, he already felt like they had grown close. It felt real, unlike Raymond's facade.

Harrison was lost in thought. He was carefully taking everything in, blaming himself for their situation. After a moment, he took a deep breath and broke the silence.

Wells: This is my fault. All of it. I trusted Ronnie. I let my hubris get the better of me. I gave Eiling exactly what he wanted. 

Cisco turned to him, giving a sympathetic look.

Cisco: Dr. Wells, you couldn't have known. None of us knew. We all trusted Ronnie. The accelerator would have worked if he hadn't sabotaged it.

Wells: We don't know that, Cisco. I was too blindsided by my work and the rewards from it that I didn't see the dangers I was putting us all in. 

He was silent for a moment before looking over at something on the floor.

Wells: The one good thing that came from it, and I let that slip away as well.

The others turned to see what he was looking at. It was the metal helmet with wings on it. The cap was lying on the floor nearby. Caitlin pulled herself up and walked over to it. She gently picked up the object and put it neatly onto a small table in front of her. 

The brunette leaned against the table, staring at the helmet. After a bit, she sniffled and turned around.

Caitlin: We have to get him back.

The other two looked at her with sunken eyes, both in despair. They weren't quite sure what to do. 

Caitlin: Y/N stuck his neck out for all of us. He gave himself up to spare our lives. And while he was here, Y/N did not hesitate to go out there and help others. While we all hid behind our lab sheets and monitors for months, he rushed out to save people he didn't even know from monsters we created. And he brought back Ronnie knowing how much we cared about him. He put himself at risk to help everyone but himself.

Cisco looked up at her. His face grew brave as he thought about their friend.

Cisco: For nine months, I've been hiding out here, wondering what to do with my life after the... incident. But in just two weeks, Y/N has shown me what I need to do. Even if this isn't our mistake as we initially believed, I still want to make things right. I want to help my friends.

Caitlin shared a light smile with her colleague. The two then turned to their boss. Dr. Wells thought for a moment before giving his response.

Wells: When you two came to help me, I was confused as to why you would risk your safety to save a man you didn't even know. You looked up to me and I let you down the first time. But I think I should be the one who looks up to you. Now I think I need to be more like you. All three of you.