Within Seconds: Sylas & Allen

Baby Brother K.O.

Through the revolving door of S.T.A.R. Labs came Parker's baby brother. He caught sight of his sister. His jaw fell. "Park.. What--"

"I was shot. I'm fine," she dismissed at once.

Dylan wrapped his sister in a tight hug. "Shot? By who?"

"My job can be dangerous, which is exactly why you cannot come here to look for me ever again," Parker said. Dylan opened his mouth in protest, and she interrupted, sisterly authority filling her tone. "Do you understand?"

"I understand," Dylan sighed, then he punched her arm. "I've missed you."

"Me, too, kiddo. I'm sorry I haven't been around much," she said.

"Derek and Peter had that phase, too. Mom's not mad about it. I am, though," Dylan said, his tone oddly happy for someone who claimed to be angry. Parker asked for an elaboration. "How dare you introduce me to geek culture, then not share the experience with me? I still haven't seen The Force Awakens. It's been a month."

"One day soon, I'll take you and Cisco," she promised.

"Crisco?" repeated Dylan.

Parker bit back a smile and nodded. "Yes. His parents were big cooks. Now, what's wrong with Mom? Do you think it's a medical thing? Menopause? I think she's hit that age."

Dylan scrunched his nose. "It's nothing medical."

"So, there's nothing seriously wrong?" asked Parker.

"Yes, there is," Dylan said. He took a dramatic inhale, his face in a scrunch. "Mom might have a boyfriend."

Several silent seconds passed before Parker blinked. Slowly, irritated, she said, "I left my trip from Star City so you could be disgusted about our mother possibly moving on from our deceased father? Are you serious?"

"And just what was so important in Starling that has you all angry?" asked Dylan, a slight pout on his lips.

"My friend died in an explosion," said Parker, having already decided on an excuse.

Dylan's eyes widened. "You knew Ray Palmer?"

"I know a few billionaires. And possibly the new Mayor for Star City," said Parker casually. "But that's not the point. Point is: Mom has been single for years. Now that we're all older, she deserves time for herself."

"She still has me," disagreed Dylan.

"She's lonely."

"That's what I'm here for."

Parker tried to take another approach. "She wants different company."

Dylan gasped. For a second, Parker thought he understood. That was not the case. "You're saying I'm not good enough company for her. Makes sense-- I've been caught up in the new Black Ops lately. I can wait to finish the game. What do I do to win her back?"

Parker grabbed his face in her hands. "Dylan, stop being such a suck-up and back off."

"But is there another option?" he asked.

"Get a girlfriend," Parker suggested. Dylan gagged. "You're a teenage boy; a horny little bastard. How do you not want a girlfriend?"

"Girls are nice to look at, of course, but I haven't found any girl who thinks meta-human's are awesome. All the girls I know are afraid of them," said Dylan.

"You think meta's are cool?" asked Parker, desperately trying to sound casual. "What about the Flash?"

"He's all right. Outfit's a little much. All the leather--"

"Reinforced tri-polymer, thank you," interrupted Parker. She continued on to mentally scold herself for fading from the casual talk.

Dylan looked amused. "When did you get so obsessed with the Flash?"

"I'm not," she said. "I just think it'd be cool to get to know about him, or maybe know him."

"Like he would tell you. Nobody knows who he is," insisted Dylan.

Parker raised her brow. "Believe me, more people that know than you think."

Dylan squinted his eyes. "Okay, are you some sort of Flash expert?"

"Of course not. But you can't deny he's interesting."

"I like his villain's more. Especially Captain Cold, he was so cool."

"Punny," laughed Parker.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Unintentional."

Parker's grin dropped when she felt her phone buzz wildly in her pocket. Turning away, she answered. "Didn't I ask our friends to tell you I'd call when I was ready?"

"Cisco followed through. But I worry," said Barry.

"Well, quit it. I stopped at S.T.A.R. Labs."

"That would be why you're not here."

"Good job, Sherlock."

"We're on a farm. It's still relatively early in the day, I thought we could do some romantic stuff here.. Maybe take a walk.."

"I can't walk," Parker mumbled.

"Right. Right. Pet the sheep..?"

"I sneeze around farm animals."

Barry failed to suppress his sigh. "Can you ride a horse?"

"I can," she agreed. "Might hurt my leg a bit, but I'm down."

"Good. All right. I'm coming to get you," he said.

Parker inhaled a quick gasp. She tried to shout a warning, but it was too late. Barry had ended the call.

"Park?" asked Dylan, seeing the panic in her mannerisms.

Understanding time was running out, and fast, Parker came to a decision. "I am very sorry about this," she said quickly.

Dylan asked what his sister was doing, but he was rudely interrupted, by Parker knocking him unconscious. As he hit the floor, Barry skidded to a stop in the Cortex. "Parker! Who is that?"

"My brother," she sighed.

"And you knocked him unconscious?!" yelled Barry, crouching to ensure the boy wasn't harmed.

"There's a lot I would do to protect your secret, since you're not cautious of it yourself," snapped Parker. "Just come on. Help me get him to my house."