dear_mun | (no subject)

Not jumping the gun and getting in over your head might be good for a start.

What do you classify as jumping the gun?

The same things anyone else would, probably. Charging into a situation that's dangerous, making snap decisions just because they sound like good ideas, that kind of stuff.

[A pause, and then, more pointedly:] Not throwing down with things you know can kill you and you know you can't kill probably wouldn't hurt either.

[...That sounds too familiar. Barry might already be guilty with everything listed there. He grinned sheepishly.]

Well, in that case, I've already jumped the gun a few times over. I usually make snap decisions and think about the consequences later.

[Barry thought about all the side trips he took to investigate unusual situations. Someday he'd find that missing connection he was looking for.]

You can't know your limitations if you don't attempt the dangerous stuff.

[Welp, that just about confirms the passing resemblance between this guy and that kid in the red hood isn't a coincidence. Davis is trying real hard not to lineface right now. With, it must be said, limited success.]

Take it from a guy who drives an ambulance, living like that's a surefire way to get real hurt real quick if you're not careful.

[Davis remembers only too well that kid Ollie Queen had gotten to help him. The beast hadn't killed him, but that'd been a matter of pure dumb luck.]

There's testing your limits and then there's just plain being reckless.

I work for the Crime Scene Unit, I understand how badly it can go in a split second. Sometimes the best decisions are ones you make in a flash. You don't realize how reckless it was until afterwards.

[Like his trip to Starling. Who would have guessed it would turn out like it had?]

Have you been in any situations like that?

CSU, huh?

[Davis whistles softly, a new respect in his eyes.]

Sometimes I think you guys have a tougher job of it than we do. We have to move fast to help whoever needs it, but you're the ones that have to stay behind and piece it all together.

[Given Metropolis's high rate of violent crime, it was inevitable he'd bump elbows with them at some point. Usually they tend to be a cautious bunch, though. Meeting one that's openly impulsive is a change.]

A few, yeah. [His tone becomes more guarded.] When people's lives are on the line we don't have the time to measure our options. So I can kind of see where you're coming from there.

[Barry shook his head. His job wasn't that hard, he didn't have to save anyone. He just worked the scene for evidence and left behind clues, and sometimes if he was lucky, he could remember something to help as The Flash at a later time.]

No, you are the real hero here. [Barry smiled at him.]

I just pick up what you leave behind and then hope I don't leave anything behind.

[Barry's face turned thoughtful.]

React first and hope you made the right decision later. Saving a life is worth breaking a little protocol.

[Barry tried to follow the rules, but he's tried to be in two places at once before. It was worth it.]

[Davis looks down at his feet, trying not to smile himself. Okay, so this guy seems like good people. And not quite as impulsive as he was afraid he'd be. Maybe he's the hooded kid's level-headed older brother.]

I'm not any more a hero than you are. [Davis meets his eyes when he says that.] We're both just doing our jobs the best we can.

You do more than that. When there's people responsible, you make sure they're found and held accountable for what they've done.

[There's a flicker of guilt on Davis's face for a moment. He got crimes of his own he hasn't yet been held accountable for.]

Saving lives includes saving your own life though. If you get killed trying to stop something too big to be contained, you won't be able to help anyone.

[Davis is thinking mostly of his violent other side, but there's other monsters out there too. They might not be as hard to kill, but sometimes they can be just as dangerous.]

I'd say buy me a drink but I think that might be bit soon.

Avoid Spandex.

If it means more potential advice, I'll buy you a whole bottle.

[The only pointers Barry's getting are from someone who barely likes him. Not the best person to do it.]

What's a better option?

...Do you have a fake licence or something?

[ Yes. He's totally teasing how young you look. You can tell by the teasing smile on his face. ]

Something that's still form fitting but can take a hit or two. Spandex totally hurts when you hit the ground.

Try WayneTech.

Edited 2014-07-06 05:36 (UTC)

Your best?

It's all you can do.