── ⚡ ──

Years ago...

"Maggie, you gotta hold onto the handlebars," Twelve-year-old Jesse Brager told his ten-year-old sister, the little girl had a wide toothy grin. "But I wanna be free like Remy!" Magnolia called out happily before the bike fell unsteady causing Magnolia to fall, Jesse's quick reflexes caught her before she could hit the ground. "Oopsie," Magnolia told her brother before letting out a sigh. "Remy is seventeen, he's been riding longer than you have," Jesse told his sister before moving the bike to the side.

"Jess..." Magnolia whispered as the two stood up. "Yes, Maggie?" Jesse asked with a kind smile on his face, lifting Magnolia's bike from the ground so he could walk it with him as they headed home from the park. "Why was mama and papa fighting last night?" Magnolia asked Jesse who sadly sighed. "I'm not sure, Maggie. Sometimes people fight," Jesse told her with a small reassuring smile, he didn't want her to worry about something that's out of their control.

"But they love each other, right?" Magnolia asked Jesse, her doe eyes had worry within them. "Of course they love each other. But even when in love, there are ups and downs that everyone faces," Jesse explained to her in a way he hoped she could understand. "Why?" Magnolia asked with a small sniffle. "Well, its like when I take your stuffed owl from you and you get upset so we argue... but it doesn't mean I don't love you, 'cause I do and I always will," Jesse expressed.

"Oh, so they are just having a small unhappy exchange?" Magnolia asked getting a nod in response. "I understand. Also, I love you too, big brother. Always," Magnolia told him before hugging her brother. "MAGGIE!" A young Leonard Snart called out with a grin on his face, the brunette girl gasped happily at the sight of the boy. "Can I?" Magnolia asked her brother with hopeful eyes. "Go on. Mama isn't expecting us yet," Jesse answered. He smiled as Magnolia ran into Leonard's open arms, the two kids laughing.

Jesse only hoped that the downfall of his parents marriage wouldn't spoil the light in Magnolia Haylee-Noelle Brager's heart. She was an electric soul with every opportunity to become an incredible woman as time goes by. Jesse understood the path his father was taking, the crimes he committed alongside Leonard's father were getting more risky and it wouldn't be long till it all caught up to him. Jesse held high hope that the decisions of his father wouldn't impact the future of the Brager siblings futures.

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Years Later...

"Haylee!!" Jesse called up the stairs, he turned his head to his uncle with a tired sigh. "We're coming down!" Haylee called back, she rolled her eyes before turning to Barry, the two picked up their bags. "Do you think Tony will a problem today?" Barry asked Haylee shyly, despite being friends for almost three years now, he still had his shy moments. "Don't worry, Barr. With me by your side, I won't let them hurt you," Haylee assured Barry before he opened the door letting her walk out first.

"I know. I just... I feel bad because I should be able to fight my own battles," Barry expressed with a sad sigh, he admired Haylee's will to help him and others who Tony bullied but he wished he could fight back and stand his own ground. "You've gotten braver, Barr. And honestly, there is nothing wrong with fighting alongside others in your battles. That's why they take armies to war rather than a singular soldier," Haylee explained as the two made their way downstairs. "She has a point," Iris spoke as she walked up beside Jesse.

"It's important to remember, Barry Allen, you are never alone because we'll always have you back whether you want the help or not," Haylee told the brunette boy before kissing his cheek. "It doesn't matter if you're down the street or halfway across the world ─ no matter the situation between us ─ I'll have your back," Haylee finished off before making her way out of the house leaving Iris grinning, Jesse smirking and Barry in a lovestruck gaze for the girl.

"Think he'll wake up and make a move?" Iris asked Jesse who laughed instantly and shook his head. "I doubt it. But if he does, he'd better do it soon... I heard that Sebastian wants to ask her out," Jesse replied to her gaining Barry's attention instantly. "Wait, what?" Barry asked with wide eyes, focusing on Jesse who smirked. "Just a warning, Barry," Jesse told him. "Better make a move," Iris teased before heading out, Jesse following behind her as Barry mumbled incoherently making Jesse chuckle.

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The night he learned the truth...

Jesse pulled up to Star Labs, leaning back against his seat with a sigh. He had high hopes that returning to Central City would result in him finally making the move to make Iris West his but once again, he was too late. But no matter how he felt, seeing the smile on her face was enough for him. Jesse shrugged the lingering jealously off before getting out of his car, closing the door behind him before heading into Star Labs. His focus was on his phone as he walked through the corridors into the Cortex with the intent to talk to Dr Wells then Cisco.

The silence pulled Jesse's attention from his phone bringing it to the room where three scientists ─ within their respective fields ─ and one Barry Allen were staring back at him with wide eyes. Jesse's gaze focused back on Barry, the lifelong friend of his was in The Flash suit and he immediately put the pieces together. "Oh, my God! You're the Flash!?" Jesse asked, he looked from Barry to Cisco, the tech genius did jazz hands awkwardly before clearing his throat.

"You cannot say anything to Haylee or Iris!" Barry instantly told Jesse who shrunk under the request, the older Brager rarely kept secrets from his little sister and now, he had no choice. "I won't say anything to either but... God, you do realise that both will work it out eventually, right?" Jesse asked as he walked in further. "I'm hoping we can trick them safely," Barry replied before looking down with doubt. Jesse knew Haylee's past, he knew she'd work it out especially with her growing feelings for the city's hero.

"Never underestimate my sister, Barry. Haylee is a certified genius and if you don't tell her yourself, she'll hold a minor grudge just to spite you," Jesse advised before sitting on the chair by the main desk. "Yeah, I know all about those," Barry muttered back before running his fingers through his hair. "I'm certain that everything will go the way it's supposed too," Dr Wells expressed happily to the group. Jesse nodded in agreement before shaking his head, "It's gonna be chaos when all is revealed," Jesse told them before silence fell over them.

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Before Barry changed the timeline...

Jesse, Barry and Iris rushed out to the park after Iris received a call from Mark Mardon informing her that he currently held Joe West hostage. "Do you think he'll be okay?" Iris asked as Barry checked the surroundings, something was telling him to call Haylee. "Is that a tsunami?" Iris suddenly asked as she looked toward the water. "This is not how I wanted you to find out," Barry expressed while Jesse nodded in agreement. "Definitely not ideal," Jesse muttered as Barry flashed into his suit revealing his identity.

"You're the Flash?" Iris asked with wide eyes, Barry rushed to deal with the tsunami. "We didn't tell you to protect you, Iris," Jesse told her with a sad expression. "I had to protect you," Jesse added before placing his hand on the side of her face, a part of him mumbled to step back but another part of him screamed to make his move. "I love you, Iris West. I always have," Jesse added before she could speak, he could see the hurt in her eyes about the secrets but the relief that she knew the truth now.

"I... I waited a long time to hear you say that," Iris replied to him before the two leaned in. The moment Iris' lips pressed against Jesse's, a strange pulse of electricity soared through him. He allowed her an opportunity to pull away but she deepened the kiss, Jesse responded immediately. The euphoria that filled Jesse in the moment was unexplainable, he felt like everything in his life was pointing in this direction and he finally felt whole. The two pulled away with smiles, resting their foreheads against each other as Barry sped through time.

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Present time...

Jesse looked down at his sister, her pale skin and lips were signs of her unhealthy condition and yet, they were still unsure about the cause of her situation. "We always have each other's back, no matter the distance... so come back to us, Haylee... come back," Jesse muttered to her, he was rubbing his thumb across her cold knuckles. "No improvements?" Eddie asked as he walked into the room, his focus on Haylee as she took better breaths then the day before. "She had some brain activity but Caitlin isn't sure what it could mean," Jesse explained.

"You know, I'm not exactly a scientist with an understanding of this... stuff, but if her whole thing is electricity, then shouldn't she be connected to some sort of power source?" Eddie asked shyly, he didn't want to make any assumptions but he hated seeing her like this. "Dr Wells didn't want to risk making things worse than they are, he and Caitlin agree that it could make things worse rather than better," Jesse replied to Eddie, the older Brager wanted to know the way to help her as he felt useless and only hoped that she'd be waking up soon.

"There has to be something underneath causing this," Jesse muttered with a breath, he leaned back in his seat and rubbed his face with his hands. "Has anyone spoken to Oliver?" Eddie asked knowing their past. "Yeah, Felicity and I spoke with him. He's doing what he can from his side," Jesse answered before looking back at his sister. Oliver had been angered and a mess when he heard about Haylee's condition which only plagued his mind alongside his decision to potentially join the League of Assassins. Everything seemed to getting worse for everyone.

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Author Note
This is a shorter chapter to add some insight into Jesse's mind and character. Some scenes are purely just so you can learn more about Jesse and his bonds. Plus, some details outside of the canon script, so I hope you enjoyed.

Rosemary <3
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