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Barry’s strolling over to the cabins when a familiar voice calls his name. He pauses mid step and spins to see a girl with two other people behind her, approaching him. Her blonde hair is tied back in a neat ponytail and her teeth sparkle as she smiles at him. Although impossible to make out, contact lenses cover her eyes, ditching the glasses that would give her that wise aesthetic associated with Athena, as well as her children. Around her neck is the brown thread, two vivid beads hanging there. She wears the vibrant orange Camp Half-Blood shirt and the shoulder strap of her case holds it closer to her body, unlike the other two who are lacking the orange attire. Not wearing the camp shirt usually means only one thing around here.
“Guys, this is Barry Allen, son of Hermes.” Felicity looks at the two as they reach him. “Barry, this is Cisco and Caitlin. They’re our most recent arrivals,” Felicity introduces, gesturing to each respective person.
Cisco’s hair reaches his shoulders and grey long sleeves poke out under his shirt with a sort of galaxy print on it. He looks like a five year old that just entered Disney Land. He extends a hand with a gigantic grin on his face. “Hi, I’m Cisco. Actually she just said that, but for formalities sake.”
Barry laughs as a bright smile also graces his lips. He shakes Cisco’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Uh, welcome to camp! We promise you’ll be safe here,” Barry assures, although that line must feel stale to them by now. Camp being a safe haven for demigods is kinda the central reason for coming here and the point used to persuade said demigods.
“That’s what we’ve been told,” Cisco agrees, his energy dimming but his smile staying strong.
The girl next to Cisco then offers her hand. “I’m Caitlin Snow,” she states politely, her lips resting in a neutral line. She’s buttoned in a beige trenchcoat and her brunette ponytail hangs longer than Felicity’s. Barry shakes her hand as well. “Everyone here are really demigods?” she questions, and Barry can’t decipher whether her tone is curious or skeptical.
“Mhm!” Felicity hums eagerly. “We’re all daughters or sons of the Olympians. Well, not all of us. There’s also the satyrs, the nymphs, the centaurs, but they all work here. The campers are all demigods. Not to say that the nature spirits are less than us just because they work here and we’re the campers, they’re really nice. And not that being nice is the deciding factor of them being equals-”
Barry places a hand on Felicity’s shoulder and raises a brow.
“Right,” she mutters to herself, softly pumping a fist. Felicity inhales and waves an arm in a gesture behind Barry. “These are the cabins. It’s where all the campers stay.”
Barry moves aside so they have a clearer view and they begin a slow walk. “They’re beautiful,” Caitlin says earnestly. Barry can’t blame her for thinking that. The twelve alluring, uniquely coloured and designed cabins fitted between emerald green trees is a gorgeous sight.
“Yeah,” Felicity dreamily sighs. “There are twelve cabins. One for each of the Olympians.”
“Dionysus, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hera, Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, Apollo, Hephaestus, and Hermes,” Barry quickly lists.
“Exactly.” Felicity smiles. “The children of the Gods stay in their parent’s assigned cabin.”
They stop when they stand a distance’s way before the Hermes cabin. “So cool!” Cisco expresses. “It’s like Harry Potter. Although instead of the sorting hat it’s left to our parent and a God do- you know what? Never mind.”
Caitlin rolls her eyes at him, though there’s no heat to it. Then her brows begin worrying. “What if… what if you don’t know…?”
Felicity and Barry both nod in understanding.
“There’s a way to find out?” Cisco excitedly asks, and Barry internally winces. “Caitlin, you’re finally going to know who your mother is!”
It shatters Barry when Caitlin hopefully looks at the two of them, Felicity giving her a sorrowful look. Barry is very glad it isn’t his job to welcome new campers. “Technically there is, but it’s not in our control. It’s up to the Gods to come forth and claim their children. I’m sorry,” Felicity apologetically tells her.
“A lot of people here are unclaimed, so you’re not alone,” Barry promises Caitlin. It’s obviously not the answer they were wishing for, but there’s at least some hope.
Caitlin doesn’t say anything, only nodding in acknowledgement. A deflated Cisco sharply looks at them. “So where will Caitlin stay? You said there’s only cabins for each Olympian. Not the…” Cisco trails off.
“Any unclaimed demigod stays with me—not with me. I mean the Hermes Cabin.” Barry quickly tries to amend. He drags a hand down his face.
That brings out Felicity’s smile. “Hermes is the God of travelers,” she explains. “He houses any travelers including unclaimed demigods.”
“You’ve been promised safety here. That includes a roof over your head,” Barry adds, attempting recovery. “So you’ll be staying in the same Cabin as me until you are claimed, and you will be treated as a sister in the eyes of Hermes’ children,” he assures, smiling encouragingly.
He doesn’t get a smile in return, but does get a half-hearted, “Thanks,” from Caitlin.
“Well, it might be time to show you guys to your cabins. Cisco is a son of Hephaestus,” Felicity tells Barry before facing Cisco, “so I’ll take you to his cabin. Barry, do you mind showing Caitlin Hermes’ cabin?”
Barry nods. “Sure.”
Felicity leads Cisco down a branch in the pathway, leaving Barry and Caitlin on their own. “We’re just here,” he says to Caitlin, nodding his head in the cabin’s direction. She follows Barry up the steps and through the door. A few prying eyes are already pinning onto her, but Caitlin looks tired so he spares her the embarrassing, cabin-wide introduction as tradition.
Caitlin stares wide eyed at the crammed campers within Hermes’ cabin. The cabin definitely shelters the most demigods in Camp Half-Blood, making it extremely crowded. Privacy’s not really a thing in here, but there’s always room for everyone.
Barry finds Caitlin a free space that will allow for a sleeping bag and other small belongings she may carry. He apologises for there not even being a mattress, and promises her he’ll try to find one later. Barry considers giving her his own bed for the night, but the still floor has to beat the restless demigod on the bottom bed of his bunk.
— — —
In the late morning the next day, Felicity and Barry had agreed to meet with Cisco and Caitlin. There’s one major thing camp offers, and it’s a good way to start settling in. They explain to the new campers—now fitted with Camp Half-Blood shirts and bare necklaces—training is the main activity to participate in here. And training differs depending on what the demigod is good at.
Cisco being a son of Hephaestus, the forge is their first destination. Other Hephaestus children Cisco had met yesterday show him around, and Cisco fits in like a puzzle piece. His craftsmanship is already curiously extraordinary and Barry imagines it’s like Christmas coming early for Cisco when he’s shown all the toys.
Cisco finding his calling isn’t where it stops, however. Both demigods need to learn how to fight. They need to learn how to keep themselves safe if and when it comes to it. Felicity and Barry first take Caitlin around to all the activity options—blacksmithing hadn’t particularly sparked her interest or capability. Although not fighting based, Caitlin and Cisco are introduced to where sporting events happen, arts and crafts, and the rock wall. Cisco stares up in awe at how, “insanely dope,” a rock wall with actual flowing lava is. Caitlin is shocked at the insane safety hazard.
They finally arrive at the archery range and Barry is very disappointed when he doesn’t spot someone there. Caitlin and Cisco are given their go with a bow and arrow. This is the last time they will use a bow and arrow.
Their final destination is the armory. Felicity and Barry watch as a trainer—one of Athena’s kids, Barry thinks—teaches Cisco and Caitlin the fundamentals. Cisco struggles with holding a sword and the motions don’t come that naturally, but that’s common for beginners. Caitlin handles it better, although struggling the same as Cisco.
They try their hand with something different. Cisco is shown some simple movements with a dagger, so at least he can use a knife (to some extent). Caitlin goes for a spear though, and it’s like everything clicks into place. Her motions are fluid and she understands the spear’s balance. The trainer promises that with some practice, she’ll be quite exquisite with the weapon.
Barry hasn’t seen Caitlin crack a smile for as long as she’s been here, but finally finding something she’s good at tugged at the edges of her lips. Still not a full smile, but she’s close.
— — —
After lunch at the Dining Pavilion, Barry invites Caitlin to a picnic their friend group is having, just like Felicity is with Cisco. Yes, they just ate and picnics are usually accompanied by food, but it’s more of a relaxing hangout. They found a time when they’re all on break from chores, so all of them can come together. Barry smiles when Caitlin agrees to come.
Along the hill near the archery range is a free space that feels like it was made for a picnic. All fauna within Camp Half-blood is pristine and there’s something satisfying about the verdant grass underfoot brushing skin and clouding the air with the scent of fresh dew.
When Caitlin and Barry make their way up the hill there’s a large rug spread out in their designated spot. It’s maroon red and wide enough to keep a family dry from the glossy grass. Cisco and Felicity are already here. Felicity’s hair is out and waves freely over her shoulders and by Cisco’s admiring gaze, he’s fascinated by something he’s conversing with Diggle about.
John Diggle is a son of Ares and he’s the oldest in their group. His hair’s clipped short and his clothing’s always kept neat, even the ridiculous Camp Half-Blood shirt is tucked in and straight. Unlike some of his half siblings, he doesn’t bask in violence or crave conflict. Sure, he has that overpowering and strong aura about him, but in the way of a loyal soldier who’ll withhold his duty to protect no matter what. Diggle’s the most intimidating teenager he’s ever met, is something Barry would say if he didn’t know Oliver Queen.
Oliver is sitting in one of the rug’s corners, eyes squinting at Cisco as the new demigod speaks. Oliver is the camp’s best archer, usually outshining the other children of Apollo. He’s won every archery competition he’s partaken in so far, his aim deathly and his patience even more so. His little sister, Thea, was right behind him before the last break from camp—a monster attacking their family at home and killing their mother. Oliver returned to camp this Summer. Thea didn’t. Oliver doesn’t know where his sister has gone, and tends to take that out on other people or the poor archery targets.
Him and Diggle both wear two beads on their necklaces, mirroring Felicity’s. Oliver’s hair is a gorgeous, dirty blond which seems to be cut shorter every year. He’s wearing a thin jacket, the hood hanging behind his shoulders and the Camp Half-Blood shirt stretched over top. His arms prop himself up against the rug, outlining his biceps’ muscles. His eyes are a hypnotising sky blue as he stares at the two approaching campers. Oliver’s lap is occupied by his boyfriend. His boyfriend’s name is Barry Allen and Barry just earned himself the best seat in the house.
Oliver huffs a laugh as Barry settles against him. “Hello to you too.” Oliver presses a kiss into Barry’s hair and wraps an arm around him. Barry sighs in satisfaction.
Caitlin’s head tilts slightly at them and sits beside Cisco. Cisco grins up at her. “Hey!”
“Hello,” Caitlin greets, not just to Cisco but to Diggle and Oliver as well.
Diggle warmly smiles at her. “You must be Caitlin, welcome to Camp Half-Blood. You’ll be settled in before you know it,” Diggle says to her as if it’s written in stone.
Caitlin nods in appreciation. “Thank you, …erm…” Her lips move uncertainly.
“You can call me Diggle. And this is Oliver.”
“Hi.” Barry grins as Oliver fails to keep his composure whilst being used as a cushion.
Caitlin gives them the same look from before. “I know we only met yesterday, but you didn’t think to mention you had a boyfriend?” Caitlin asks Barry with a hint of amusement.
“Uhm…” Barry tries to understand what she’s actually asking. The camp isn’t known to be judgemental towards this sort of stuff. The Gods themselves ignore gender sometimes. But it’s still not uncommon. Oliver’s arm slightly tightens around him.
“Not that you having a boyfriend changes anything,” Caitlin clarifies. “I’m just happy that you have a partner. That you both do.”
Barry appreciatively smiles at her and Oliver replies, “Thank you.”
Cisco has the opposite reaction, wincing, and it doesn’t go totally unnoticed. “Do you guys have someone?” Felicity curiously asks Cisco and Caitlin.
Cisco gazes at Caitlin. “Caitlin did,” he says softly.
Something twists in Barry’s chest and Felicity’s brows shoot up. “‘Did’?” Felicity echoes.
Caitlin smiles sadly at Cisco. “Ronnie was the third demigod traveling with us to camp. He was a son of Hephaestus like Cisco. We were ambushed by a group of monsters and Ronnie got separated from us. He didn’t make it,” Caitlin’s voice gets quieter as she speaks.
Cisco places a hand on her shoulder and Felicity mimics him, Barry rising to his knees to comfort her as well. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” Felicity says sympathetically, making sure Cisco knows she’s saying it to him too.
“I’d rather not talk about it, if it’s all the same to you,” Caitlin finally says, her voice forcedly steady.
Barry solemnly nods. “Of course,” Felicity agrees.
“Just know that you’re not the only person who’s lost someone close to a monster, you’re not alone. If you do want to talk about it, there’s people who understand what you’re going through,” Barry gently tells her.
Caitlin gazes around their group. “You guys have lost people too?” she questions softly. Barry slowly nods. It’s a night Barry will never forget. The night a monster picked up his scent and took his mother from him. He was taken in by a family friend. The person his mother had told the truth about Barry’s lineage in a panic close to her demise. The person that never accepted the truth but took care of Barry anyways. Well, until he saw what Barry can do. Then he was enlightened by the truth.
“Regretably, we have,” Oliver speaks, and all eyes are on him. “That’s why camp is so important. We need to train to be prepared. To prevent losing anyone ever again.”
Caitlin’s eyes fix with Oliver’s and she resolutely nods. Barry gives her one last touch of reassurance before resting back against his mate, comforting him with a squeeze of his hands. Oliver returns the gesture.
“Well, on that depressing note-” Felicity drags a basket closer. “I have grapes, strawberries, and more fruit snatched from lunch,” Felicity announces. Diggle chuckles at the reveal.
“How’d you steal that?” Barry manages a grin, mildly impressed.
Felicity flicks open the basket and centres it between everyone. “It’s adorable that you think I can’t outsmart a few Dryads,” she teases.
They lie together on the rug for a while, gobbling down fresh pieces of fruit until it’s all gone. The breeze is calm and it plays with their hair as it cools them down. It’s quiet and peaceful where they sit, the sound of other campers distant.
Cisco and Caitlin are successfully introduced to their group and Barry gets some quality time with his boyfriend. And by quality time he means lying lazily with him and failing to chuck grapes into each other’s mouths. This is what camp should be about—feeling safe and having a good time with friends—not having to worry about the hundreds of monsters wanting to kill you.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Cisco says around a piece of apple. “These necklaces, what are they for?” His fingers curl around the band. “At first I thought they were about who our parents are, but you three have two identical beads, Barry only has one, and Caitlin and I have none.”
“Yeah, they signify how many Summers you’ve spent at camp—how long you’ve survived type of thing. At the end of this Summer you’ll get one too,” Felicity explains.
“Awesome!” Cisco declares. Felicity chortles.
“Surviving also means making it through training,” Diggle remarks through a grin. “Do you guys know what you’re specifically training for? Or training with? You kids of Hephaestus like your… unique builds.”
Felicity taps Cisco with the back of her hand. “He’s asking what’s your choice of weapon,” Felicity clears up, which must be a bit of an odd feeling for her.
Cisco hums dramatically long. “I may have something in the works,” he says cryptically, undoubtedly on purpose. “But Caitlin seems pretty settled with a spear.”
“Fine choice. I’d say it’d fit you pretty well,” Diggle tells Caitlin.
“Give me to the end of the Summer and it’ll fit me better than ‘pretty well’,” she playfully challenges.
Diggle grins. “I look forward to it.”
Cisco chucks a grape into his mouth. “And what about you, big guy? What’s your ‘choice of weapon’?” he mocks with a smile.
Diggle stares at him amused, raising his hand curled into a fist. On his middle finger is a rectangular, bronze ring. When Diggle clicks the side of it a soft mechanical hum is heard, the ring sliding and snapping until it whirls into a large, circular plate. The shield is patterned with red and browns, a depiction of a dog painted in the middle. The shield rests at Diggle’s arm, leather straps keeping it in place.
Both new demigods look awed at the shield. “Okay, I’ll admit, that was pretty cool,” Caitlin says.
“More importantly-” Cisco points a finger. “Does it have a name?” He grins.
Caitlin sighs. “Cisco kind of has a thing with nicknaming. I’d be careful if I was you,” she teases. Cisco scoffs at Caitlin and his palms face the sky in exasperation.
“No, I agree,” Diggle says. “Every great weapon has a name. Mine is Sirius.”
Cisco squints his eyes at Diggle. “Serious?”
“Sirius,” Felicity corrects.
Cisco stares at her. “That’s what I just said?” he says slowly.
Barry quietly sniggers and Oliver flicks him on the arm. “No.” Caitlin softly shakes her head and places a hand on Cisco’s arm. “As in the Dog Star. It’s the brightest star we can see from Earth,” she muses.
“Oh,” Cisco elongates the word. “Hence the dog and the animal’s association with Ares. Dope.” That earns a laugh from a few of them. “Hey, I have respect for good name making,” he defends through a smile.
“You better be as good at name judging as you are with building weapons,” Oliver interposes. “One’s going to protect you better than the other.” Barry can’t help but join Felicity in rolling their eyes.
Cisco’s arms cross against his chest. “I assure you when my weapon is complete you’ll be begging to trade your string tied to a curved stick for it.”
A ghost of a smile appears on Oliver’s lips. “Not everyone has the skill required for archery, but you lay a finger on my bow and your battle capability will be put to the test.”
Cisco’s mouth is left ajar. “We’ll see,” Cisco finally decides. Oliver gives him a curt nod, and Barry knows Oliver’s satisfied with Cisco standing his ground.
Felicity looks up from checking her watch and pouts. “I guess time does really fly by when you’re having fun,” she says. “Chiron and Mr. D come past these ranges around this time so we gotta be cautious not to be caught ‘slacking off’.”
“None of us have duties on, right? I’m sure they’d let it slide,” Barry reasons, not too eager to leave just yet.
“Generous of you to think Mr. D ‘let’s things slide’,” Oliver huffs.
“I’m more reliant on Chiron making Mr. D let things slide,” Barry retaliates and he feels warm all over when Oliver can’t resist smiling that beautiful, white-tooth grin. He considers their situation for a moment before sighing. “Though I guess you’re right. They’ll find something productive to force us to do.”
“Oh no, the horror. Barry Allen being productive,” Felicity teases, a hand dramatically meeting her forehead like she’s about to faint.
“Almost as impossible as Barry Allen being on time,” Oliver smoothly adds.
“Hey!” Barry says as a laugh escapes him.
“It is beyond me how a son of Hermes manages being that late.”
“Every demigod has quarks from their human side, mine just tends to be tardiness,” Barry steadily tells him. Oliver fondly shakes his head at him.
“If chores is the main thing we want to avoid-” Felicity reaches behind her, picking something up and showcasing what was hidden in the grass. “How about some friendly group training?”
Felicity presents a long spear, decorated with blue accents, clasped in both hands. Caitlin tilts her head and stares at Felicity. “Is this for me?”
Felicity excitedly hums. “My sibling owed me a favour and he thought this one would suit you.” Caitlin is handed the spear and she’s careful not to hit anyone when she twirls it.
“Thank you,” she tells Felicity through a smile.
“You’re welcome! And to be clear you don’t owe me anything for this. It’s simply a welcome to camp present,” Felicity says cheerily. Caitlin’s smile lingers as she fiddles with the spear.
“Well, if training is what we want,” Oliver starts. He flips a piece of the rug back and retrieves his bow. “We can train.” He side smirks.
“Oh my- of course you brought that,” Barry deadpans. “That thing’s attached to your hip more often than me.”
“B-”
Barry swipes the bow out of his boyfriend’s hand before he can say anything.
“Hey!-”
Oliver pursues after Barry when he slips up and away, laughing his heart out at Oliver’s grouchy expression. Barry’s chased around the rug and to the archery targets until he’s tackled to the ground. Barry adoringly stares up at Oliver. “Oh look, we’re here.”
Oliver’s lips curl into a proper smirk. “You know, if you want the bow that badly I’ll show you how to use it.”
Barry rolls his eyes and pushes Oliver off of him. “Holding that death trap was a first and last time for me. I’ll stick to what I know, thanks.”
Oliver titters, offering Barry a hand and helping him to his feet. Barry brushes the grass off of his clothing and looks to see their group relocating to the archery range, the rug and basket packed away. Felicity places their stuff beside some trees before tying her hair back into its usual ponytail.
His heart skips a beat when he spots Cisco and Caitlin staring at him with wide eyes. It freaks him out enough to look behind him, expecting a monster that somehow surpassed the camp’s magical boundaries. There’s only grassy hills and his boyfriend obtaining a quiver. “What’s wrong?” he asks them, concerned.
“Nothing!” Caitlin quickly answers, failing to hide her… surprise? Shock?
Barry slowly speaks, “Okay-”
“You moved faster than we could blink, dude!” suddenly bursts out of Cisco.
Oh.
Barry is a rare occurrence amongst his siblings. It’s pretty unheard of for Hermes’ children to inherit his speed, well, really, Barry hasn’t either. He doesn’t have that super speed associated with his father, his reflexes are just super quick. It’s how he can bug his boyfriend, taking things from his hands before he even registers it. It also makes him quick on his feet, and if he tries hard enough he can dash a few meters.
“Another thing you failed to mention?” Felicity tells him as she joins them.
Barry huffs through a smile. “I got the lucky genes, I suppose,” he settles on. “It’s not a lot. I’m just quick with my movements.”
That seems to satisfy the two demigods. Cisco waves his hands in a gesture. “All I’m saying is super powers inherited by Gods needs to be the thing people lead with.” Barry’s lips lift at one side.
“Caitlin, would you like to spar with me?” Diggle offers, readjusting the strap of Sirius. “Spears aren’t my speciality, but I can help you get the basics down.”
Caitlin’s spear spins in her hand. “I’d appreciate that.” They find their own spot where they’re safe from hitting anything.
Thwip. Thwip. Thwip.
Cisco’s head twists at the sound but the noise is too familiar for Barry. Three arrows are lodged into a target, all sitting within the smallest circle. Oliver pleasedly grins at Barry and he finds himself fondly smiling in response. “You said you’re sticking to what you know, so let’s see it,” Oliver encourages him.
Barry reaches under the helm of his slightly oversized shirt—smaller sizes stopped too short on his longer torso—and slides his twin daggers out of their sheaths, one in each hand. He twirls one of them, but instead of approaching the targets he opposes Oliver. Barry gives him a toothy grin. Oliver returns it with that challenging gleam in his eye.
“Ready,” Oliver calls.
Barry’s grip on his knives tighten. “Set,” Barry calls back.
A small smile stretches on Oliver’s face before he charges at Barry. The bow is swung at him and he stops it with the edges of his daggers. Oliver doesn’t hesitate to follow the attack with a punch to the face. One thing you need to know about Oliver Queen is his singular piece of advice: don’t hold back.
Barry recoils and barely dodges the bow striking at him again. He catches it with a dagger and sends an elbow to Oliver’s chest. The demigod only stumbles back slightly and the bow comes free. Oliver goes for another hit but this time Barry catches his fist, leaving Oliver open. Barry delivers a speedy punch and it’s enough to make Oliver stagger further away.
The demigod whips an arrow out, swiftly nocking it and releasing it. Barry’s reflexes are quick to catch it before it skewers his chest. “Is this your way of telling me you want to break up? Because that catch was determining whether you still have a boyfriend or not.”
“Good,” Oliver says, satisfied. Barry’s brows shoot up. “When you’re shot at for real I’ll know I still have a boyfriend.”
Barry has to fight hard against his cheeks going rosey. Oliver’s not the most revealing when it comes to emotions, but he still cares in his own… Oliver way. For the demigod, that means protecting everyone he cares about.
Oliver brushes against his shoulder when he passes, giving Barry a knowing smile. “Again?” Oliver asks once he’s reset.
Clang. A new sound meets their ears. Clank- tink. The sound of a spear clashing with a shield. Only somewhat awkward and slow, Caitlin seems to have picked up the basics quick. She’s moving better and the spear beats against Sirius. Although it’s definitely no threat to Diggle, who, as stoic as ever, calmly blocks each of Caitlin’s strikes. He goes the further mile when he’s given the opportunity, swiftly grabbing the spear and throwing Caitlin back, disarming her.
Diggle tightly smiles. “You’ve got potential. Just put some time in with that back hand.” The spear rotates in his grasp until the dull end is extended at Caitlin. Caitlin grabs hold of it and Diggle helps her up.
“Physically fighting seems like a lot of effort,” Cisco observes from his and Felicity’s spot of spectating. “Taking people down from a distance feels more appealing.”
Felicity claps her hands together. “Finally, someone who speaks my language,” she exclaims. Oliver fixes her with a look. “Work smarter, not harder,” Felicity directs at Oliver.
“I’m assuming that’s your entire brand, daughter of Athena,” Cisco grandly says Felicity’s title. Felicity simply smiles at him. She pulls around the case that always hangs at her side, carefully zipping it open. She pulls out the instrument, propping it up on her fingers to display it to Cisco. The flute is bronze with majestic leafy and yellow ornaments swaying from it like keychains.
“A gift from Mum,” Felicity tells Cisco.
“Rad,” Cisco says as he reaches out to touch the flute, Felicity moving it away before he does. Cisco catches Felicity’s look of ‘really?’ and his hands retreat into his pockets. “But uh, how is a wind instrument going to take down bloodthirsty opponents?” Cisco twists his head at her.
Felicity brings the flute closer to her mouth. “Like this.” She purses her lips.
“Umm, Felicity-”
“I’m only going to play it for a second,” Felicity promises Oliver, cutting him off. She purses her lips again and blows over the embouchure hole of the flute. A sweet tune plays out of it, echoing around them. It’s bright, and it’s green? Blue blurs together with it and he has to know where he is. He feels anchored—made of stone and too heavy to move. When he takes a step the green rushes closer. His hands snap to underneath him like they have a mind of their own, catching his fall and his head is inches from the grass.
Grass? The green before him are blades of grass. They bend and swirl around each other, casting shadows beneath them and sheltering the dirt. Barry looks up and there’s trees surrounding the open field. And there’s Oliver, who too is lying on the grass, eyes scrunched shut and shaking his head. Oh. Right.
Barry groans and a hand clutches the side of his head as he stands on his feet. “I hate it when she does that,” Diggle complains as he wobbles to stand up.
“You didn’t hate it when a fury was towering over you,” Felicity amusedly reminds.
“That’s because I had wax plugging my ears,” Diggle mutters as he picks up Sirius.
Cisco sits up on the ground beside Felicity, hands checking his ears. They all eventually shake the dizziness off. “Don’t antagonize the smart one. Got it,” Caitlin jokes, her lips pressed in a smile at Felicity.
“Damn straight.” Felicity grins.
Cisco’s hands brush down his pants once he stands. “If it weren’t for the migrane… or being the one taking the hit, I’d say that was the sickest thing ever.” Felicity nods her appreciation while securing the flute back into its case. Cisco gives her a giddy grin. “Does it have a name?”
Oliver’s arm bumps into Barry’s when he stands beside him. Barry snickers at his red tinted face and ruffled hair.
“You weren’t kidding about the naming,” Felicity says to Caitlin. She looks back to Cisco, zipping the case up. “Err, no?”
Cisco snaps his fingers. “Siren,” he immediately decides. “Their song is music to the ears ‘til it betrays you.”
“No- well- actually… okay. I guess that works,” Felicity relents.
Barry smiles to himself, gazing at everyone. Caitlin grins as she trains with Diggle. Cisco and Felicity laugh as they share something amongst themselves. Barry watches as Oliver practices his aim, his muscles tensing as he draws. Yeah, Barry thinks. This is a good group. Camp life is the best.