It had been a few months since Barry and Iris had been engaged. They already had a place together and everything seemed to be going well. Iris got a promotion at her job, while Barry upped his speed. The crime rate in central city had dropped, which was excellent news.
It was Friday night and Barry stood in the mirror switching back and forth between different outfits. He didn't want to be overdressed but he didn't want to look like a bum either. Tonight was a lab party at Star Labs and Barry wanted to look his best.
Iris came strutting out in a tight red dress and silver heels. It complimented her figure nicely. She looked at Barry amusingly as he couldn't decide on which outfit to wear. "Barry what are you doing? It's just going to be the five of us. No need to dress so fancy." She laughed. "Look who's talking?" Barry replied.
Iris leaned in planting a kiss on his lips. Usually he would have enjoyed this, but there was something about it that just didn't feel right. Maybe he just wasn't in the mood. Barry pushed the thought to the side, leaving with Iris.
They had just arrived and the decorations had already been put up. Early 2000s punk rock played through the speakers. Barry and Iris were watching Cisco and HR argue about whether or not GMOs were safe. Iris was more so entertained than Barry. Barry begin tuning them out losing interest.
There was one question that was on his mind. Where was Caitlin? He wasn't sure why he was thinking about her, but he was. As if they had some sort of telepathy, Caitlin came walking through the door causing Barry's heart to pick up speed. She looked absolutely mesmerizing. She wore a tight black dress that showed off her cleavage and complimented her figure.
Barry's mouth went completely dry. This confused him. Why was he feeling this way about Caitlin? They had known each other for a while, but lately Barry felt that something was different. "Hey Caitlin!" Everyone greeted in unison except for Barry. He was too busy staring at her.
When their eyes connected it was like as though they were the only two in the room. "Hey Barry." Caitlin greeted softly. "Hey.." Barry replied placing his hand on the back of his neck nervously. He gazed deep into her eyes then looking down at her lips. Caitlin tilted her head in confusion. "Everything okay Barry?" She asked.
Before Barry could answer Iris came up grabbing his hand. "Hey Barry, you should try this dip HR brought." Before Barry could protest, Iris was pulling him away. A feeling of regret washed over him. He looked back at Caitlin who he could have sworn looked slightly disappointed. He had begun questioning whether or not he had chosen the right girl. He had always wanted Iris and he had gotten what he wanted. The question was when you get what you want, do you have what you need?
—-
Barry tried not to think about it. Pushing it away. He was going to enjoy this night and hang out with the people he loved the most. When a radio hit song came on they turned up the speakers and had begun dancing. Barry danced with Iris but couldn't help but keep his eyes on Caitlin. She looked so beautiful. The way her hair hung past her shoulders. The way her eyes brightened.
She was dancing with Cisco and Barry envied him. Iris noticed that something was up with Barry. "Earth to Barry!" She called snapping him out of his trance. "I'm sorry Iris." Barry replied switching his attention back to her.
"What is wrong with you? You've been acting weird all night." Iris complained. "I'm sorry. It's nothing. I need to use the bathroom. I'll be back in a sec." Barry said nervously, rushing out of the room and leaving Iris confused.
He needed some space. He felt that he would suffocate if he stayed here any longer.
—
He stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Images of Caitlin flashed in his mind. As well as earlier times they had spent together. Talks they'd had. That night they had did karaoke at that bar. He begin thinking about when they had went back to her place and she asked him to stay with her until she fell asleep.
That was before he had feelings for her. He was so fixated on Iris that he hadn't realized Caitlin was a better match for him and how close they were. How much they trusted each other and how selfless she was. Selfless. That was a word that sadly he couldn't use for Iris. He mentally scolded himself for comparing Iris and Caitlin.
He needed to get back to the party. He was engaged to Iris. It was too late. He couldn't be thinking these thoughts now. He left the bathroom about to walk down the hall when he bumped into someone. "Oh!" A feminine voice cried. He quickly placed his hands on her hips before she could fall. Looking up he realized it was Caitlin.
His cheeks flushed. He hadn't moved his hands yet. "Barry...hi." Caitlin said awkwardly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you. I was on my way to the—" "Bathroom?" Barry finished for her. "Yeah!" She smiled. "Yeah…" he replied awkwardly. He mentally scolded himself for his poor response.
"Is everything okay? You seem pretty off tonight." She asked with concern. Both of them had suddenly noticed that they hadn't taken their hands off of each other yet. Barry's hands still rested on her hips while hers were on his shoulders. Their faces turned a bright red making them both remove their hands.
"Yeah...I...just.." Barry sighs in frustration. "Is something on your mind?" Caitlin asked taking a step closer to him. Barry could smell her perfume. Strawberries. God why was she so pretty? This was going to be difficult. "I'm not happy." Barry suddenly blurted out surprising himself.
"...with Iris?" She asked. He couldn't believe what had came of his mouth. But he needed to say something or he was going to lose his mind. Barry took a deep breath. It was hard looking into the girl's eyes. "Barry?" She asked taking another step toward him. They were only a few inches apart now.
Barry couldn't help but stare down at her lips. They were perfect. He'd give anything to kiss them. "You can tell me. We've always told each other everything. I remember when I lost Ronnie, you were right there." Caitlin took hold of Barry's hands were so soft. Barry felt his heart speed up.
"I haven't been happy with Iris because…" Barry began. Caitlin encourages him to go on. "Because I have feelings for someone else." Barry confessed feeling more free than he had expected. Caitlin flashed him a warm smile. "Oh, and who might that be Mr. Allen?" She asked almost teasingly. This confused Barry. Did she already know who he was going to say? It was now or never. He had to tell her before iris would come looking for him.
"You." He replied slightly afraid of her answer. She looked completely shocked. She hadn't said anything. Fuck….what had he just done? Barry mentally scolded himself. "Caitlin, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I don't know what I was thinking forget that I said—" "—I'm just kidding." She whispered smiling, placing a hand on his cheek.
They inched closer until their lips crashed together. Barry was feeling a million emotions at once. He lips felt soft. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he did with her waist. He could feel her tongue begging to enter, which he happily let her. Their tongues fought for dominance. She lightly sucked on his tongue, causing him to moan.
Was this actually happening? He suddenly heard the clicking of heels approaching from around the corner. They quickly pulled away from each other. "Barry and Caitlin? What are you guys doing back here?" Iris asked coming into view. "Iris! Barry was just settling a debate I was having with Cisco earlier. House Stark or House Targaryen?" Caitlin asked cheerfully.
"What?" Iris asked confused. "Game of Thrones." Caitlin responded before walking down the hallway. Barry looked out of it. "Some other time Barry." Caitlin said. She gave Barry a small smile before disappearing down the hallway. He looked as though he was in a daze. "Honey, we should get back to the party." Iris said looking at him strangely, then planting a kiss on his lips.
He felt nothing. It wasn't electric like the kiss he had with Caitlin. He missed her already. Iris linked her arm with his as they walked down the hall. Barry couldn't believe what had happened tonight. He had kissed Caitlin. They had kissed each other. The problem was that he was engaged to Iris. How was he going to tell her? He knew one thing for certain. He wanted to be with Caitlin.