[Barry’s hands grip harder, his words hitting like weapons against a stalwart wall. He’s ready to just let it happen to him, but like he knew would happen (or maybe just what he was hoping), he lets him go. But the depression is worse; he hates the way he tilts his eyes towards him again and sees all that pain. It’s easier when it’s anger. When they can scream and fight. Not this. Not heartbreak, not the knowledge that nothing’s going to be the same again, the issues he’s creating in the wake of it all.

Part of him does want to stop. Part of him doesn’t like the change.But that part of him is wishing less to forgive her and more for all of it never to have happened. He wants to go back, to before Lup disappeared, and run off with her together. Or just keep her with him. It doesn’t matter.

It’s the flash of a moment where he understands why people used the Relics. Why Lucas spent so much time in bringing back his mother, why June held onto the cup for what was probably years, why even Lydia and Edward used the Bell for so long to keep themselves going. No one wants to be alone, huh? No one.

What does that make him? The villain?

Maybe.]

You know what I know about family, Barry?

[His voice is more level than it has been the rest of this conversation, but Barry should know Taako’s flat, even tone just means he’s given up on caring.]

I know that aside from Lup, in the end, they give you up. They use you for what they want and they fuckin’ toss you to someone else who can do the same. And she did. She wiped us, used me to enact her plan, and now it’s just over.

[He levels directly at Barry, face expressionless.]

I don’t call people my family I can’t fucking trust. So no. She’s not.

[Not anymore.]