27 December, 11 a.m

Len decided to prank Barry again and this time he wanted to pretend cutting his finger. First, he bought fake blood a the store when Barry was working on CCPD. And then, he pretend to make some food while Barry was trying to focus on his work, even if it's Christmas and New Year vacation for many others. Len knew Barry was extremely tired and overworked but he loved to joke with him. So, he made some settings for his plan and decided to start the prank.
Len was enjoying to make food for Barry when he could, and especially because he loved his Scarlet so much.

"What do you want to lunch, Scarlet ?" Asking Len to Barry with a big smile in this face.

"Well... I want anything you want." Tell Barry to Len, visibly so busy. He looked at Len who was in front of him. Len was almost ready to turn off his computer. "What ?"

"Can you just stop working, a moment ? You're so tired, it's not good for you. You can take a break, you know ?"

"I really want to but, I have to finish this case. I am almost finish it, I promise." Tell Barry before kissing Len.

"I'll make you your favorite food then." Says Len with enthusiasm.

He went to the kitchen and started to make some food. He was thinking about things, about him and Barry... He wanted to propose to him but he didn't know how to do it proprely. Plus, he didn't know if it was in Barry's projects. A few minutes later, he started to put his prank in place and put fake blood on his hand.
He waited for the right time to drop the knife and began to play his part.

"Ow ! Barry ! I cut myself, come right now. It hurts so bad." Tell Len who was gripping his hand covered in blood. Barry rushed at his side letting his computer on the couch.

"Len ! There is so much blood... Just take this towel and put your hand in." Barry was panicking in seeing Len with so much blood in him. "How did you that, you were dreaming or something like that ?"

"I wasn't dreaming, the knife just slided on one of my fingers !" Len saw that Barry was starting to panic more and more and more and that he was dizzy. "Barry just don't start to panic, it's just my fault and it's just cut, I am not dying."

"I am not panicking, I am a cop and... I'm used to it... just you're hurt. And I..." Barry gone very pale and was almost ready to faint but Len didn't notice this yet. Barry then squatted down without realizing it and took his head in his hands.

"Hey, hey, Scarlet it's just a prank... I am good, look. Hey, Scarlet !" Len shook him carefully to make him come to. He didn't think he was going to react that way. He cleaned his hand quickly to prove to him that he had nothing.

"But your hand Len... You were bleeding a lot and..." Barry was stopped by Len who was already hugging him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you so much. I'll bring you some water."

Barry was really confused and dizzy, seeing Len covered in blood reminded him, some of his nightmares. He didn't tell about them to Len yet because he wasn't ready. Len gave a bottle of water to Barry who was drinking it now.

"How are you feeling now ?" After this question, Barry began to cry. Len didn't expected that. "Don't cry... You're mad at me... that's was almost expected."

"I... was so scared... and this "blood"... just I know I never tell you before but..."

"But what ?"

"My nightmares... I always see you almost dead... I never tell you that before because I wasn't ready to share that but... I am sonscared to lose you and so scared to see you hurt... I'm so sorry for being so weak."
Barry sobbed and Len hugging him tightly.

"I'll never make those kinds of jokes again. I promise. It's alright, shht calm down, Scarlet."

"Don't leave me, please."

"Never and I promise you that I love you so so much. Forever. But promise me, tell me when you have these nightmares, don't endure them alone. I will always be with you."

Barry thought before answering : Me too but it's also war time...