Happy birthday Serena 3.
'the wedding date' au
It plagues him for weeks, the phone call he made. The contract he entered into. She seemed so sweet on the phone, a voice that could lull you into a sense of security. A voice you could fall in love with.
And he thinks that maybe men do; she only worked weekends and he was lucky that she was free when he needed her. It may have been fate and destiny, if he believed in such things, that the hour before he called her for a wedding in six weeks time, the person who had booked her for that very weekend cancelled. She had said so, rambling on, her voice so bubbly and joyful, a smile spreading across his face without him realising. They had paid her a significant amount, and she admitted she'd taken the next week off to relax. She bemoans that she wouldn't be able to spend that week as she'd hoped, resigned to spending the week at home, binging on Netflix. It is a gift from the heavens and he offers to pay for that week too if she'd spend it with him. He confesses that he'd been planning on telling them all she'd only be available for that weekend, but if she could just - She interrupts him, gushing her thanks as she accepts his offer. He can hear her smile as she tells him how excited she was, asking about the weather and what clothes she should pack.
Harry almost hates to cut her off, his secretary watching him outside his glass office door, her hand tapping her other wrist, an imaginary watch on. He raises his eyebrows, but she isn't afraid, only doing it back in response. He sighs, holding his hand out for five extra minutes. She huffs in response, eyes narrowing as she nods and returns to her desk.
"What do you want me to do with your plane ticket?"
The agitation rolls off of Harry; business class was nice, the room on the aeroplane spacious - but he couldn't feel constricted. He gets up, needing to go to the bathroom - fearful and expectant of her seat being filled when he returned. Splashing water on his face he mutters to himself of weakness and regret; he never should have done this. But it was Jesse getting married - Jesse who had been so worried about him, even before her engagement, Jesse who he had lied to, saying he had met a woman and that he was dating. Jesse who all but insisted he bring her along to the wedding so she could meet the woman who swept her father off of his feet.
The moment Harry Wells sees Caitlin Snow for the first time is something that will be permanently etched into his mind. She steals his breath without realising, without ever trying. It is pure beauty, the sunlight shining through the window beside her, the brilliant smile on her face as she jokes with the flight steward. It takes him a moment to compose himself, allowing himself that time of weakness, to just stop and stare. His shoulders slump and it doesn't make sense, he should be more nervous seeing her with him there, but she was relaxing him without trying.
He finally does make his way to her, pausing in the aisle, Caitlin turning to him immediately. "Hi, I'm - "
"Doctor Wells," she finishes, her gaze flickering over him, a small smile on her face, almost bashful. "I know, I researched you." She stills when she hears her own words, eyes owlish as she tries to explain. "I knew who you were before that. One doesn't work in the scientific fields and not know Harrison Wells. And I research all my clients, don't worry." And softer, "I've had some bad experiences with some that's all." And he didn't think his heart could feel again, not after just meeting the girl. But it breaks for her, the pain laced in her words tugging at his heartstrings. He wonders what he should do- take her hand, pat her on the shoulder? She seems so morose and he so awkward.
"Right," Harry says gruffly, clearing his throat. A change of topic would be ideal, he thinks. Distractions were always the best. "I was thinking we would need to create a backstory for how we met." Caitlin looks up at him, a weak smile of gratitude playing on her lips, eyes a little watery, and the flare of anger inside him wasn't something he was expecting, not at all. "I don't think saying you're an escort will convince my daughter we're serious." She laughs at that, so honest and pure, her head leaning back and her eyes shut, and he knows in that moment that he won't forget her, forget this. It takes him by surprise, the effort needed to control his wandering thoughts, to school his expression toward neutrality.
"I meant that you could say we met at work, I do have degrees in biochemistry and bioengineering, I'm sure we could say we met at a conference and you came up to me, dazzled with my smile and wit." Her eyes are dancing as she speaks, a cheeky grin on her face as she teases him.
A bark of laughter leaves him, Harry shaking his head in response. "She wouldn't believe that. Not that your smile isn't dazzling," he backtracks, "but I'm not the type of person who approaches anyone." He fingers the spot where his wedding ring used to be, now empty and cold as he thinks about Tess once more, of how she would have wanted him to move on, years ago. Of how he couldn't, how he didn't. He doesn't realise that his face falls at the memories, eyes dimming at the memory of her. But Caitlin sees it, sees the smile fade from his face, the dimples that she had been admiring disappearing. And she wants them back, wants his smile back, wants his happiness back.
"Hey," she takes his hand, startling him out of his slump. "I get it." She pulls out her necklace, a ring hanging on the chain. "My fiance died in a fire, I didn't think I could ever move on from that." He watches her, watches how her eyes dim and fall, how she pulls herself away from him, his hand now cold as she lets go, linking her two hands together. "You have a great reputation Doctor Wells, I'm sure saying I approached you for some insight wouldn't be too much of a stretch of the imagination for your daughter." Caitlin can sense his anxiety, her eyes softening as she continues to watch him. "We met at a convention on genetic mutations and the potential of increasing body speeds; you gave a talk, I had some questions. We started emailing each other, grabbed dinner a few times, I asked you out, you accepted. How's that?"
"Yeah," he breathes. "That would be perfect."
"Great," she relaxes, tension seeping out of her, ducking her head as she catches his eye. She doesn't understand why she feels so flustered, looking down under his scrutiny, blue eyes shining as he watches her. The silence between them stretches, Caitlin biting her lower lip as she searches for something to say. But she can't find words, can't think, not with his unwavering gaze on her. "Is - Is there something wrong?" she asks eventually, pushing a lock behind her ear, stealing a glance of him before looking back into her lap.
He lets out a breath. "I'm not going to lie, I thought you would be a bit older."
"Oh," and her cheeks darken. "Is my age going to be a problem? I usually have younger clients trying to get back at their exes getting married. I didn't think about my age." She shrugs. "Sorry?"
"Nah, it's fine." But his posture said otherwise. She can see the anxiety in his expression and so Caitlin reaches out, a comforting hand on his shoulder, a smile on her face as she tries to calm him. But he isn't meeting her gaze, staring outside the window, staring at the clouds in the sky.
"Are they really the type of people who would care about that?" she asks hesitantly, her nerves showing through the cracks of her confidence. "Because the way you talked about them," she pauses. "You can hear the love in your voice. And I don't think that's a one-sided thing."
He looks at her with that, truly looks at her. And what he sees is stunning.
"I think you should call me Harry," he says drily, a hint of a smirk on his lips. He hears her laugh again, the soothing tones washing over him. She tests it out on her tongue, smiling warmly as she repeats it until he starts chuckling at her antics. It's nice, he thinks, she sounds nice, an almost perfect fit to the dynamic he'll be returning to back home, one she'll be thrown into with him. "Okay," he interrupts. He doesn't realise just how large his smile is, how his eyes sparkle. How it has her faltering and her heart skipping a beat. "I think you've got the hang of it now."
"And what are you going to call me?" she asks in response, eyebrow arched.
He takes a second to respond, letting the word savour in his mouth. Her lips quirk into a smile, head tilting as the silence lengthens, confusion slipping into her expression. "Snow," he says finally. "I'll call you Snow."
The flight is relatively smooth, Caitlin falling asleep, a smile on her face as she rests. He doesn't know how she could do so, but then, he thinks, she wasn't the one who was lying to her family and friends. It would be a small thing, and she already knew so much about him from background checks. But it worries him, the greatest aspects of his life were the ones that she couldn't find on the internet - his desire for adventure, his love of his daughter. Caitlin was good, he acknowledged, picking up on his general disposition toward Ramon and to a lesser extent Allen (picking up on his affection even as he grumbles about them). She knows that he approves of Wally, knows it will be difficult giving his daughter away - the only family he had left.
(He had picked up on things too, the hitch of her breath as he mentions that these people are his family, the quiet sniffle as he talks about how much he wants his daughter to be happy on her special day. His fear that showing up alone will only worry her.)
But, he thinks, would it be enough?
The landing on the tarmac isn't smooth, and Harry worries that it would only a sign of things to come. There was a lingering fear, no matter how much she told him it would be fine, that it would change everything. And he wasn't sure whether he would be ready for whatever would come next. The rush of the crowd around them snaps him out of his thoughts, and he realises that Caitlin still hadn't risen from her slumber. Harry tries shaking Caitlin awake, allowing himself a fond smile as she brushes him away without ever opening her eyes, head rolling onto his shoulder, smiling as she readjusts herself to the new position. The passengers all rush to leave the plane, but he lets them wait a moment, giving her time before trying again. "Snow," he murmurs, softly at first, but louder when she ignores him.
She moans in reply, lifting her head off of his shoulders, stretching as she yawns. She blinks the tiredness from her eyes, gaze focussing on him. "I wouldn't wake up, huh?" He laughs, and the sound takes her by surprise, honesty ringing in the noise leaving his lips.
"Let's go," he replies instead, waiting for her to exit her seat before leaving with her, grabbing their overhead luggage and following her outside the plane. The wait for the rest of their luggage is relatively short and they make it through the checkouts without and real issues. They slide into a limousine, Caitlin unable to hide her shock at the vehicle, nor the driver acknowledging him with a firm nod, barely responding to her presence.
The car trip is silent, which suits Caitlin perfectly, the woman watching the passing scenery, a hand put on Harry's left knee in what she hoped would be a soothing manner, given the constancy of the jostling of his leg. He stops immediately. She steals a glance at him, his lips pursed together, Harry looking forward, his eyes unblinking. She would have thought he would be excited to return home, to see them all but, judging from Harry's quickly changing attitude, he wasn't.
They pull up to a mansion, steel gates opening up as the car pulls into the driveway, parking near the entrance. She hops out, thanking the driver before bounding to the boot where their luggage was. But then she feels a strong grip on her forearm, Harry by her side, pulling her along, telling her over his shoulder that he would have people bring it in soon.
He rushes her into the house, unlocking the front door with his spare key and dragging Caitlin upstairs before she could have a word to anyone who may be in the house. The dinner would be in two hours and they needed to prepare themselves. He needed to prepare himself. She stumbles into his room after her, eyebrows raised as she looks at him disapprovingly. But he ignores her response, pacing across his bedroom floor, hand travelling a well worn path in his hair.
It feels so much more real now, having her in his room, preparing for tonight where she would meet his daughter.
"I don't think I can go through with this, I don't think we should go through with it at all." Caitlin stands still, watching him walk up and down, remaining silent as he watches the ground below his feet instead. "I can fake illness, jetlag. No, I can't leave you with them alone." He pauses, his head whipping towards her. Can you fake a sickness?" She pulls a face, not too impressed with his actions.
"No." She doesn't sound it either.
"I'm paying you aren't I?" It is a weak rebuttal, but firmly put, voice sharp as his eyes narrow.
"I'm not faking an illness because you got cold feet Harry," she snipes. Her spine straightens and her eyes are hard and yet still he persists, ignoring the warning signs down the path of his fall.
"Then what's the point of you if you won't listen to a thing I say?"
"You're paying me to be your fake girlfriend, not a slave," she hisses, storming of into the bathroom. The departure sends the winds out of his sails, Harrison sighing in defeat, sitting on the bed his head in his hands. He knows she is correct, knows he should apologise, but the idea of discussing the upcoming evening leaves him feeling out of sorts. He hears the water turn on, and knows that he has a small moment to pull himself together.
He doesn't budge, not until the water switches off, Caitlin humming off-key to herself behind the closed door. "Snow," he calls out, standing only centimetres in front of the door. His hand is raised, as if to knock, but he can't find the strength to commit, fearful she may just open the door so they have the conversation face-to-face.
She is standing in front of the sink, arms bracing on the sides of the vanity, knuckles turning white as she grips it tightly. She can barely recognise herself in the mirror, can't see the happy smiling girl from hours before, instead a picture of seriousness in its place. She can hear him behind the door, shuffling around, calling out her name. She wonders what would happen if she didn't respond. Would he continue to wait until she left the bathroom? Would he leave her be? Would he finally say what was on his mind? She doesn't wait long, Harry dropping the last name. "Caitlin I -" Her face softens at his struggle. "I'm sorry Caitlin, you didn't deserve that."
"It's okay Harry." And it was, but she couldn't face him, not yet. And so she injects enthusiasm into her voice and hopes that it soothes his nerves. Caitlin waits with bated breath, confused when she hears his hesitation to leave his place by the door.
"You don't have to lie to me Snow, I'm a genius but even I can screw up sometimes." She barks a laugh at his brash words, genuineness ringing in the syllables. It brings a smile to his lips and it's only then he walks away, slipping into his formal clothing before resting on his bed, hands behind his head as he leans against the headboard, eyes closing as he awaits her to finish preparing herself. He thinks he falls asleep for a moment, eyes fluttering closed until he hears a door open.
Her head sticks out from the door, hair still in curlers, face covered in green cream. "You go ahead." She finally says, cheeks red as she averts her gaze. He raises his brows, whether in response to her appearance or the clear embarrassment on her face he isn't quite sure. "Go," she urges before slipping back into the bathroom. He sighs, pursing his lips before he gets up off the bed and leaves the room. He tells the driver to wait for her, tells him the location of the gala before slipping into his own car and driving off. Anxiety eats at him - fear of his daughter's reaction to Caitlin, fear that his secret would be revealed. But he bites it back, forces it down as he lowers the top of his convertible, the breeze ruffling his hair.
His life was changing, he could feel it in his bones.
And he wasn't sure how it was going to all eventuate.
She enters the ballroom hesitantly, so alone without Harry by her side, whispering facts about the people. His presence had been a comfort, his eyes sparkling as he would talk about his daughter. It was a distraction from the knowledge that she would be at this event for longer than usual, surrounded by his closest friends and colleagues, all of them geniuses. The chances of slipping up were high, and the chances of them catching even the smallest mistake higher.
If Caitlin hopes to slip in unnoticed she fails to do so, descending the stairs, anxiety starting to rise up inside her. When she finally reaches the bottom there is a small woman striding towards her, the bride to be, her father nowhere in sight.
"So you're the lady my father won't stop talking about," Jesse exclaims with a smile, throwing her arms around her in greeting. Caitlin looks like a deer in headlights, awkwardly returning the hug, eyes searching for Harry who let a flicker of a smile through, approaching them quickly. He was nervous, and it showed terribly.
"I didn't realise you talked about me so much," Caitlin says over Jesse's shoulder, the younger woman not letting go. She raises her eyebrows and he looks pointedly at the back of his daughter's head as to not meet her gaze.
"I don't," he says drily, levelling a look at his daughter when she pulls away from Caitlin to greet him. She has a bashful look on her face, but it vanishes instantly, eyes lighting up as she sees the flicker of a smile on his lips. "Hey Jesse," he whispers in her hair, eyes closing as he immerses himself in the embrace of his daughter. He feels peace washing over him, like an explorer finally making their way home, a comfort he would always crave no matter how far he roamed.
"Okay, not a lot. But you're smart and beautiful, and you make him laugh." The atmosphere shifts as she drops her gaze, eyes darting around. "And I don't get to see that very much now." Caitlin's eyes widen, taken aback by the raw honesty. She schools her expression very easily, a soft smile on her face, almost adoring as she looks at him. It's unnerving, how well she appears to the world to be completely smitten with him, but he can see the cracks in the facade, the tightness in her lips, the excessive blinking when no one is paying attention. But he is.
"I'm sure he was exaggerating," Caitlin murmurs, biting the inside of her cheek.
Jesse pulls herself out of her father's arms, a sly look towards Caitlin and then back to him. Caitlin flushes at the look, a smile on her lips all the same. "I think I hear someone calling me, see you later." She winks at them, flouncing off into the crowd, leaving them both alone. Caitlin approaches Harry, taking his arm when he seemed unsure what she wanted, a silent laugh as he finally takes her arm back, pulling her close to his side. She leans closer, teasing him about how awkward he was with physical intimacy. His voice is gruff as he threatens to not help her blend in, refusing to identify the other friends she had known by name only. With so many people, colleagues and friends and distant relatives from both sides, it would be difficult to determine who was who. A slight elbow in his side is enough to have him groaning, rescinding the threat. She steals a glance to him, a softer smile on her lips as they manoeuvre their way through the crowds, Caitlin often stopping as Harry would talk to old family friends and workmates - Jesse had grown up at his labs, and they had all taken her under their wings as she expressed her interest in every field she was exposed to. They laugh over memories, mourn the speed of life. It is a different side to Harry, Caitlin observes - he is so open, his love for Jesse pouring out of him. He loves so strongly she notes, so wholeheartedly. And yet he was so alone, had been for so long. And against her reason she feels her heart pang in sorrow for him.
At her touch he startles, confusion hazing his gaze until he remembers just why she was here. The smile on his face is easy as he puts an arm around her. But even with action, his hold is still, a distance too large to be natural between them. They move on eventually, wandering through the crowds, Caitlin's eyes fluttering across the multitudes of people. She leans into him subconsciously, stopping when his hand around her waist flexes in response. She steals a look at him, but she is caught like a thief and much like a thief she is punished, Harry dropping his hand around her to adjust his glasses, arm falling to his side. Caitlin finds herself missing his touch.
He sighs and she isn't sure if it's in relief or exasperation. She thinks its a mixture of both as they approach a crowd of young people. He whispers in her ear their names, Cisco and Iris and Barry and Wally. She slips her hand into his, more for comfort than the facade, Caitlin reciting the facts on them in her mind.
There is a silence when the group catch sight of the couple and Harry stiffens at the looks on their faces. It drags on, disbelief and shock written across their expressions.
"I didn't think you were serious when you said you had a date," Cisco says finally. "Didn't think anyone would be crazy enough to voluntarily spend time with you." He cracks a grin, "I stand correctly."
"Ramon," Harry says, a tight smile on his face. "Shut. Up." It is instinctual, the soft elbow in his side as she turns to him, her lips pursed, disapproval evident. Laughter erupts around them and she feels herself go red as she realises just what she did. She ducks her head, flickering to his face, afraid of his reaction. But she sees a smirk, amusement making his eyes dance, and she feels herself relax, smiling back at him.
Iris coos over how cute they are until Caitlin flushes, pulling herself closer to Harry's hold, resisting the urge to bury her face in his chest. She compromises by resting her head on his shoulder, causing them all to tease her all the more. "Are you sure you didn't pay her?" Barry laughs, and Harry tenses under her touch.
"Maybe I found men my age a little too immature." The connotations of her words were not at all hidden, Iris and Cisco unable to stifle their laughter as Barry pauses, ears going red as he processes her words. He pouts, ignoring his girlfriend as she tries to placate him, Iris throwing Caitlin a wicked smile as she leads him away. Harry relaxes after that, his gaze lingering on the woman holding his hand, her head tilted back in laughter at something Cisco said. She's clearly a consummate actress, if that indicated anything, but she was beautiful and not even she could fake the kindness that shone in her eyes, the beauty of the soul.
He still needs some guidance from Caitlin, the woman taking initiative, pulling his arm around her waist, entwining their fingers. It wasn't much, subtle hints to the world that they were together, but nothing that should make him uncomfortable.
Which is why he couldn't find a reason for why he was escaping.
He finds himself on the balcony, overlooking the landscape, focussing on the skies, on the stars painted on the inky black canvass that was the sky.
"Hey." He doesn't flinch at her presence behind him, doesn't acknowledge her as she leans on the barricade with him. "It's beautiful out here. The stars," she pauses, a long exhale leaving her, almost wistful as she continues to marvel at the creation around them. "They're missing you, you know. Jesse won't say anything, but she keeps turning her head to find you in the crowd." She stops beside him, hands resting on the rail, a hairbreadth away from his own. But she doesn't look to him, not yet.
"I'm sorry." It tumbles out without permission; his head drooping as he says the words that had been on his mind.
"For what?" She sounds genuinely confused, brows furrowing as she turns to face him, gaze scrutinising as she watches his every flicker and tick.
"About this afternoon."
"That's not what you're apologising for." She is astute, he notices. He grins despite himself.
"Okay true," he concedes. "But I - I haven't really been the greatest fake boyfriend in the world, not with the awkwardness." She hums in agreement, but the weight of her gaze makes him feel like she's waiting for more. "I'm not making your job any easier," he adds, "especially by doing what I did this afternoon. You're helping me and I'm not really helping myself." She grins at his words, turning to look at him, the distance between them extending at the move. He isn't quite sure how he feels about that. And he certainly isn't sure why it is such a big thing for him to notice.
"Well you're forgiven." Her eyes seem to smile at him, moonlight shining at the sight leaves his mouth dry. "We still have a while before they actually get married, I don't think it would be a good idea to hate each other for the whole trip." He manages to huff out a laugh, eyes flickering over her as she continues to watch him. "That does mean you can't seem so scared every time I touch you."
"It's ah," he stumbles over his words, unsure whether he should be telling her anything at all. "It's been a while since I've had anyone. After Jesse's mother died..." He drifts off, head jerking up as he feels her hand on his, the intensity of her gaze burning through to his soul. He thinks about how difficult it was to fall in love after his wife, his fear of opening up to another only to have her taken away once more crippling the possibility of ever meeting someone. "I had Jesse," he says instead, "I had my daughter and my work and I didn't need anyone else." She squeezes the top of his hand, and he shifts it so he could hold it more easily, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. He stares absentminded at the movement, hypnotised, as though it were not him that was doing it. "I'll try and be better."
"We should probably go back then," she suggests.
But he doesn't want to, doesn't want her to either. He thinks that in other circumstances that thought might scare him, but in that moment all he feels is peace. "You go," he responds, "I think I'll stay out here for a bit longer."
"Come on back," she takes a step closer, head tilted up to look him in the eyes. He holds her gaze, only breaking it once, a flicker down to her lips, so fast she wouldn't notice. It's not the first time he would admit she was a beautiful lady, but it's the first time he really thought about it.
"I don't think I ever told you about how beautiful you look tonight." he distracts with. She flushes in response, a smile on her face as she watches him through her lashes. "You do," he leans closer to her. "Absolutely remarkable." His hands glide over her forearm, the hairs on her skin rising at the touch. Her pulse quickens, and he can see it in the gentle moonlight, gaze sliding from the side of her neck to her darkened eyes, mouth slightly parted. He affects her. But she just as easily affects him.
His hands find her neck, thumb brushing over her pulse point, the frequent throb has his heart pausing for a moment. He thinks he should walk away, thinks he should stop the growing fondness he has for her. He can't. He leans closer.
Cisco clears his throat, bouncing on the balls of his feet, a chesire grin on his face as they jump apart, Harry glaring at the intruder.
"Party's in here guys." Cisco smirks at them, turning on his heel, whistling to himself. They go red, trailing behind him as they return to the friends they had left behind. But there is a change, and Harry does make an effort, his hands always brushing against her lower back, pressing against it at times. It leaves Caitlin flustered the first time he does it, Caitlin stopping mid-sentence to meet his gaze. The others laugh, but she smiles, a step closer to him, the hand falling on her waist instead. He presses a kiss against her temple as she continues to regale a story to them, Harry focussing more on the gentleness of her voice and the softness of her body than the words coming from her mouth. He tries to seem in love with her.
(He thinks that the acting may come a little too easy for him).
"So Caitlin," Iris starts. "Tell us how you met Harry and knocked him off his feet."
He huffs, letting go of Caitlin to cross his arms over his chest. "And why do you think she asked me instead of the reverse?" He glared as they all laughed at his words, turning it towards Caitlin as she pats him consolingly on the shoulder before softening.
"Well did you?" she asks, laughing as he turns his head from the group, grumbling to himself. "Is that a no?" Iris teases, eyes sparkling as she watches Caitlin nod.
"I was at a conference, he was there. I took him out to to coffee to pick his brain for a bit and we just hit it off."
"You hit it off?" Wally interrupts sceptically, smiling innocently as Harry threw him a withering glare.
"Okay fine, he was a little prickly. A lot prickly," she amends, biting back her smile. "But he was smart and I admired his intelligence. And he isn't that bad to look at." Caitlin winks at him, playful laughter leaving her mouth and he finds himself responding in kind, a smile on his lips.
"So wait -" Jesse interrupts, wrinkling her nose at Caitlin's previous words. "You actually enjoy his science babble? Like - you really enjoy it?" There is mock disbelief in the girl's tone, and Caitlin finds herself laughing at it.
"Given I have 2 doctorates and a PhD, I'm sure I'm just as guilty as he is when it comes to science babble." They look at her, a mixture of awe and admiration.
"Okay come on," Cisco cries. "You cannot be that perfect. It's not fair to the rest of us. Intelligent like me, patience of a saint if you're dealing with him."
"Okay you got me," she sighs dramatically, "I'm a serial killer." They all turn to her, some scrutinising, other's in disbelief. One fearful. "My name is Killer Frost and I feed off other people to live." She shrugs, "and maybe just for fun too."
"Ha ha," Cisco mutters sarcastically, his lips twitching with a smile wanting to be released. "You're hilarious. A real comedian. You guys really are soulmate's."
"Well," Jesse interrupts, a smile on her face. "You're going to fit in well here. Just a bunch of nerds geeking out over science a lot."
"Hey!" Iris jokes, "I resent that." Jesse shrugs unapologetically, and Barry presses butterfly kisses across her cheek and forehead in recompense. It's a distraction neither of them complain about, Jesse and Caitlin discussing biochemistry, Harry and to an extent Cisco chipping in. It then diverges, Jesse and Caitlin talking far too advance for the boys to keep up with, Cisco and Harry finalising the younger man's transition to STAR Labs in a few months. But then there is a lull, the group of them unsure how the dynamic works with an extra person asses in the mix.
"So," Cisco starts, a smirk plastered on his face as he eyes the couple. "How is the old man with romance? Didn't think he had a romantic bone in his body."
"Oh there are small things," she blushes, stealing a quick glance at him. "He does pay attention, he studied some biochemistry just so that he could keep up with my conversations. And if I'm ever kidnapped by a telepathic gorilla, he's offered to rescue me, so that's good." They laugh and his eyes twinkle in amusement, a look shared between the pair of them. She doesn't look away as she continues, a bashful smile on her lips as the words come out. "He may have seduced me with science, but I fell in love with his heart, his dedication. There is nothing he won't do for those he loves. And I don't regret a thing."
He pulls her against his side, a kiss against the side of her temple, lingering as his eyes close. Harry knows it is fake, that he is paying her for every word, but for a quick moment he pretends that it is real, that there is someone that feels that way for him. He hadn't felt such a longing for it in a long, long time, but it had returned with a vengeance, striking him in the heart. And he refuses to acknowledge the part of him which desires it to be her.
He tries to ignore it the entire night.
He fails.
They go home, awkward as Jesse sits in the back seat, rambling on about the upcoming wedding, pestering Caitlin about details of her father outside of home life. Caitlin answers as vague as she can, using whatever information she had gathered before hand. Jesse seems satisfied and exhausted, nodding off as Caitlin explained the details of their first date, fake as it was, with a smile on her face, fondness in her voice as she talked of renting a observatory, dinner beneath the stars.
They arrive at Jesse's apartment, Harry unbuckling himself to open her door, nudging her awake. There is such a tenderness in his movements, the soft whisper of Jesse's name on his lips, the gentle hand on her shoulder as he attempt to rouse her, it feels like she is intruding on a personal moment and Caitlin averts her eyes in guilt for watching. Jesse does wake up, confusion in her voice when she questions where they are.
"Your apartment." His tiredness leaks into his voice, a little rough as he snaps at her.
"No" she moans, her eyes drooping closed as she shakes her head. "We thought it'd be cute to not share an apartment until we get married. I've been living in your house for a month now." She grumbles silently to herself, crossing her arms and pouting. "I thought you would have noticed my stuff in the house. And the fact you actually have edible food in the fridge."
Harry looks at her in disbelief, unable to turn to Caitlin, afraid of her reaction. The plan had been to move Caitlin into Jesse's old room while they were going through with the charade, her things were only to remain in Harry's room until the engagement party had finished. He didn't want to turn his mind to what this would mean for them. The tension is thick when he returns to the driver's seat, not that Jesse notices, the girl falling back to sleep. There is a rigidness in Caitlin's frame that he had never seen before. It worries him. The drive there is far too quick, Jesse jumping out of the car as soon as she wakes up, Caitlin and Harry leaving it far more reluctantly. They drag their feet into the house, watching the younger girl run up the stairs.
"You can take the bed," Harry mutters, cursing their luck. "I think I'll take the other spare." And he moves to do so, grabbing blankets and spare pillows. Caitlin hovers over his side, wringing her fingers as he prepares for bed. She follows him around, waiting by the bedroom door as he slips in, changing from his suit into some pajamas. She jumps as the door opens beside her, eyes averted as he wanders out, pants hanging low and chest bare. "All yours," he sighs, moving his glasses so that he could rub his eyes, dragging his feet as he moves passed his room to the other bedroom.
"What are you doing?" Jesse's sleepy voice rings out, startling them both as she wanders up the stairs, a cup of milk in her hands.
"I was going to sleep."
"Where exactly? Why aren't you both in his room." The assumption awakens them more than her sudden appearance, Harry's heart like a jackhammer in his chest, and he would have sworn Jesse could hear it, the girl looking at him strangely, brows furrowing as she continues to stare.
"Oh no no no." Caitlin sputters, "we don't - it's not like that. I -"
"You guys don't need to lie to me," Jesse teases, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust. "I know what adults do when they're in love. I don't care as long as I don't hear you." Caitlin turns a healthy red at the implications of her words, and Harry raises an eyebrow, at a loss for words. " 'kay good night you guys." Jesse presses a kiss on his cheek and waves goodbye to Caitlin, leaving them both in front of his door.
Her eyes flirt around the hallway, unable to meet his own. He huffs in annoyance before tugging her inside, cursing his daughter and her meddling habits. Caitlin grabs her clothes and locks herself in the bathroom, hesitantly approaching the bed. "We can share a bed, that's completely fine. Yep." He laughs at her nerves, no shame in his expression as she glares at him, slipping underneath the blankets.
That silences him, and they lay there, awkward and unsure how to proceed.
"Tell me about yourself." His voice startles her, but he sounds no less lucid than she feels.
"What are you looking for?" she asks. "You know everything about my education, where I grew up."
He hums in reply. "Tell me something you don't tell your other clients then."
There is silence, and he thinks that maybe she had elected to ignore him. He moves to roll over when she breaks through the silence. "I was engaged once. His name was Ronnie." Her voice was strained and it eats up at him, the pain far too much for what was supposed to be a light conversation. "He died in a fire accident," her breath hitches. "He was only there because I really wanted to have our wedding there. He went to scout the place for me, and he didn't know how to not help the other people inside when it lit on fire." A sound suspiciously like a sniffle echoes through the room. Neither of them acknowledge it. "They found his body lost in the burnt rubble."
He is lost for words. A thought flutters through his mind, of pulling her close, into his chest. Of whispering comforting words into her hair. The thought scares him. "I'm sorry." He looks for more words, remembering how he hated those particular one's when his wife left. "But what's most important is who we become when we lose those we love. And you're a beautiful person Caitlin, never forget that." He watches her in the darkness, her shoulders shaking slightly. "I - I shouldn't have said anything."
She turns to him quickly. He can see the tear streaks down her face, hands itching to wipe them away, to wrap themselves around her and pull her to his chest. It scares him how much he feels, how fiercely he wants to protect her. Whether it be from her own pain, or something as ridiculous as a telepathic gorilla. "No, don't do that." She wipes away her own tears, and her movements are bewitching, stealing his attention, his thoughts away from his control. "Please don't apologise. It's true. And I've moved on," a wet snort leaves her mouth. "I swear I have."
"Why did you choose this?" She laughs at his sudden change in topic; it was watery and thick with tears. It was beautiful. "Surely you would prefer spending all your time studying genetic anomalies and the effects of the metaphysical world."
"Oh I do," her eyes light up. "And I can't imagine doing anything different. But those degrees are expensive," she shrugs. "It's a good way to pay off my debt - I get paid a lot, I choose my hours. I set guidelines." She cocks her head, digging it more firmly into the pillow. "What about you? Why are you doing this?"
And he doesn't know what it is about this woman in his bed, about the darkness of night that makes him forget consequences. "Jesse's mother died years ago, god so many years ago. Time blurs after a while, and I was fine without all of -" he struggles for a words. "Without this. But Jesse, she doesn't get it." He sighs. "She worries about me, she thinks that I'm alive, but I'm not living."
"You must really love her to do that." His gaze is piercing, and she wonders if facing him was a terrible mistake. "You care about the opinions of very few people. And even then, not enough to do this."
"Yeah, well, she's the only thing I care about." It saddens him to hear the words out loud; he had accepted that truth long ago, his work and his daughter all he ever thought about, but hearing, seeing the reaction on her face at his words, the way it falls - it makes him think that maybe he was missing out. But she had youth on her side, a future. He didn't have access to that.
"And she loves you too." She smiles at him and he finds himself reciprocating. "I'm good at my job because I can read people, and that girl - there is no one she loves more than you." She dimples at him, "Maybe Wally though." He growls playfully at her, tickling her until there was a bang on the wall, Caitlin muffling her laughter with her hand as he cracks a wide smile, before yawning. It is a pleasant shift in the atmosphere from before, and he feels lighter. "They all love you, you know that right?" And she sees something in his expression, she must, because the smile fades, a more sombre expression taking its place. "You love them and they love you," a beat, then a whisper. "I want that." She shifts onto her back, not able to face him any more, the words out in the open. It takes him aback, Harry watching her silhouette, her struggle to retain her composure.
"You will," he rasps, and god he had never wanted to be more right in his life. "Look how much they care for you already, you won them over in one night. Of course you'll find it easily."
She laughs sharply. "They like who you paid me to be."
"Aren't you being yourself?"
"I'm being your girlfriend. That's the title and the only thing they care about. That i'm smart enough for you, that i'm kind enough, that I'll make you happy... and after this wedding, we'll both go back and I'll never see any of you all again anyway." Her words are like a vice around his heart, squeezing it tightly.
"Snow," He whispers into the air helplessly, lost.
"Maybe I'm not meant to be happy." And he can't stand it, can't stand those words, can't stand hearing them from her lips, can't stand the idea that she would believe. He takes her hand, the only thing he could think of to show his support for her. She turns her head to face him again. There are no tears this time, but the sadness still shining in her eyes. "No one's watching" she teases, "you don't have to pretend to be my doting boyfriend." He squeezes her hands at her words. She squeezes back.
"I don't care."
He wakes up with his face in her hair, his arm around her waist. He wakes up happy.
He's hesitant to properly wake at all.
They all go out for coffee the next day, Iris' glowing recommendation of a bistro called CC Jitters leaving Caitlin excited at the thought. "Don't you think you should cut down on your coffee intake," Harry whispers in her ear as the group stroll down the footpath to the place. Caitlin has to force herself to remain calm, even as his hand on her waist burns through her clothing, his thumb running small circles against her hipbone. She turns her head at his comment, eyebrow arched as he maintains eye contract, refusing to back down, not even from this.
"No."
The group watch them with large smiles, Jesse taking photos on her phone, hiding it with a laugh as Harry left Caitlin's side to lunge for it. She feels a little lost without him by her side, exposed to the others. But then Cisco sidles by her side, asking about her work at Mercury Labs. It's nice to talk about her work with someone who was excited to hear about it, the man almost skipping as she laughs about synthetic genetic mutations and the potential of 'metahumans' with him. She almost forgets that she'd only met him yesterday, the pair of them shooting off ideas with each other, Caitlin promising to get him in touch with Felicity, a technical whiz she was best friends with, the hacker most definitely willing to help Cisco with his own skills. Her cheeks ache from smiling and laughing, Cisco turning his warm eyes and bright smile to her as he asks if he could steal her away from Harry, denials and confessions of devotion to Harry on her tongue. Cisco clicks his tongue and snaps his fingers, a cheeky grin on his face as Harry turns to watch them, a scrutinising look as his gaze flickers between the two of them, distracted from the conversation with Jesse.
They enter the small coffee place, heading for the largest booth they had available, Iris waving her friend over so they could all order together. They all order promptly, Caitlin glaring at Harry as he tuts quietly under his breath. They all order but Cisco, the young man stuttering at the waitress' presence, Iris introducing Kendra to Cisco, her voice low and teasing and thick with innuendo. He takes his time, twirling a lock on his left index finger, biting his bottom lip as he scans the menu.
"I'd like one tall mocha please," Cisco orders, a smirk on his face as he winks at her. His confidence fades however, when she pauses, eyebrows raised. "No, no, no. that wasn't a pick up line, I really do want a mocha, not you." He winces at the choice of words, completely missing the beginnings of a smile on her lips. "Not that I don't want you either. I mean, you're beautiful and you have a great smile but I really do just want the drink."
"Alright then." And Kendra walks away, smiling to herself.
"Gosh, guys you could have stopped that at any time," he bemoans leaning back against the support of the chair, eyes closed and head facing heavenward as he prays for those last moments to be reversed, for someone to run back through time and give him the opportunity to start their conversation over.
"And miss you squirm like that Ramon? Never," Harry laughs, a deep rich tone that had Caitlin sitting up straight, her insides melting at its smoothness.
"You live here Cisco, you're going to face her every day if you want your caffeine fix." Iris grins, her coffee buddy moaning at her words.
"Oh gosh," he whimpers, the realisation striking him. "Kill me now."
"Gladly Ramon," Harry snaps, "the world would be a much quieter place."
"I can perform a lobotomy," Caitlin hisses under her breath, a challenge sparkling in her eyes. "That might help you."
Cisco pouts, arms crossed as Harry barks out a laugh, the arm around Caitlin's shoulder pulling her closer against his side. "I'm not sure I'm going to like you anymore."
"I like her," Jesse nods, eyeing them with a hint of a smile on her lips.
"So do I and since I'm the only opinion that matters here..." He tugs her closer to him, his arm around her shoulder tightening until she gives in, leaning against his side, looking up at him with a beaming smile on her face. He looks down, meeting her gaze, a reciprocal smile on his own.
"Good," she murmurs softly. "Because I really like you too."
It is Cisco who gets the last laugh, crowing over them when he finds on his napkin her name and number.
They can't all spend the entire day together, Iris and Barry heading off to work, date night afterwards, Cisco pouting that he'd be the fifth wheel with everyone. Caitlin tries to comfort him, a strange affinity with the man, telling him to stay. But he laughs off her attempts, telling her about his lab and the inventions he worked on in his spare time. He invites her and she briefly considers saying yes, stealing a look at Harry while contemplating it. And she catches sight of him, blue eyes twinkling as he watches Jesse in adoration, Jesse unaware her father was watching her, Harry unaware of his date watching him. He's an attractive man, she can't deny that, but his intelligence, his fierce love of those close to him, it was a small piece of perfection in human form. She must linger for too long because Cisco only gets her attention back by laughing, the sound startling her back into looking at him. The mock gagging is a bit much, but the accompanying smile as he tells her to stay with the love of her life is enough to have her beaming back towards him. She tells herself later on it is because that means they were convincing, but that isn't enough to explain the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of them ever being together.
They have a double date of sorts, Harry driving them out into parkland, eyes twinkling as he pulls out a picnic basket from the boot of his car. Jesse runs to him, throwing her arms around his neck, squealing in his ear as she thanks him over and over for the surprise. He grins at her embrace, returning it, his eyes closing as he basks in one of the joy of the moment.
Caitlin stands off to the side, watching as they pull away, teasing whispers exchanged, Wally joining in. She doesn't know what to do, smiling awkwardly as he gazes over his daughter's shoulder, catching her eye. Goosebumps erupt across her arm as she watches him disentangle himself from them, a soft look in his eye as he approaches her. It is a casual stroll, his hands in his jean pockets, wind blowing his hair around.
She laughs as he finally stands before her, Caitlin's hands raising, running through his hair, attempting to straighten it out. Her smile is like sunshine, and she is so distracted by attempting to control his hair she doesn't notice the shift, not until her eyes drop, catching his own. Caitlin's hands still, her breath hitches. His nostrils flare as he tries to control his breathing, light blue eyes no longer like a clear sky but a stormy sea.
"Harry?" It's like a question, her eyes searching his. And she isn't sure of the answer, Harry shutting his eyes tight, jaw clenched, tendons in his cheek moving underneath his skin.
It's beautiful, she thinks, her hand drifting from the top of his head to the side of his face, stroking the muscles beneath her fingers. It is enough to trigger a reaction, eyes opening, flaring as she continues."Snow." It's a guttural sound, a plea, torn from the deepest part of his soul. She isn't quite sure what he's asking, with his tortured voice and burning eyes. She leans closer, pulled by an invisible force, lead by something she couldn't control. She could see the flecks in his eyes, could see the lines in his skin, could feel the hot puffs of air. Just a little closer and she -
"I could cut the sexual tension here with a knife." They jump apart at Jesse's voice, her grin wide, their faces sheepish. "You guys don't have to stop on my account," she teases, laughing at his grumbles. Caitlin pouts as he pulls away, opening the boot and grabbing the picnic supplies. She stares wistfully at him, confused by her feelings, unsure of what she should be doing - drawing closer or running further away.
"Alright, let's go." It is brisk and he is already ahead of them all. She doesn't move for a moment, brows furrowed as she watches him march off determinedly. They were supposed to be a couple, they were supposed to at least try and pretend, but the signals she's getting are confusing to her - she can't imagine how they'd be to the others. She starts as she feels an arm slide into her.
"Sorry, I forget how difficult it is for him to show emotions sometimes."
Caitlin huffs; it wasn't supposed to be blatantly obvious to the others and yet. "I thought he would be more relaxed around you guys."
Jesse snorts, arm tightening around Caitlin's, tugging her closer. "I think he'd be worse." At Caitlin's look, she elaborates. "He's worried about our reaction. Which is ridiculous, but also, he struggles to express himself sometimes. When he's around strangers - who cares because he'll never see them again and well," she purses her lips, "I don't think they matter that much. Us though, we all mean the world to him whether he'll admit it or not." Jesse throws Caitlin a smile. "We all love you, but he's just worried. Don't worry, he'll loosen up soon. And when he does -" she rolls her eyes, cheeks aching from smiling so hard. "- Heaven help us."
"How can you be so sure?" Caitlin doesn't know why her voice comes out so small, a small quiver in her tone.
"You would have thought he hated Cisco when I first saw them together." At Caitlin's look, Jesse snickers. "Okay, fine. But it was a lot worse I swear. Caitlin listen to me." And she stops, holding Caitlin back. She struggles against her instincts to avert her eyes, fearful of what Jesse would see. But all Caitlin can see is honesty shining in Jesse's eyes, guilt welling up inside her. "He will soften up in front of us, don't worry. He's not ashamed I swear. Don't give up on him. Please." There is an intensity in her voice that makes Caitlin pause, something bubbling up inside her.
"I won't, I swear." She smiles at Jesse, the pair of them starting to walk again. "I think I'm just going to..." She drifts off, her eyes settling on his frame, her teeth tugging her bottom lip. Jesse eyes her, a sly smile on her lips as she lets go of Caitlin's arm, nudging her forward, an encouraging smile slipping on her face as she catches Caitlin's uncertainty. And she takes the moment in her grasp, striding forward, her steps faltering as she is by his side. He doesn't look at her, not for a while. But then she hears a sigh, eyes flickering to Harry as she hears rustling, eyes caught by the movement of him swapping the picnic basket from the hand between them to the hand on the outside. Her bottom lip is tender from the constant biting, and it's still caught between her teeth as she smiles at him, Harry's lips twitching as a shadow of a smile crosses his mouth. But it's enough for her, Caitlin turning ahead to watch the scenery. His hand sliding into hers is a delightful surprise, stealing her attention, even as he looks determinedly ahead.
She entwines their fingers, a giggle escaping her as she swings their hands around. He lets her do it, an amused expression on his face as he watches her light up at the action. There is someone playing the strings of his heart, and he feels like it's her, whether she realises it, whether he's allowed it, she has the power over him. And the idea will terrify him later on, but now.. now he will enjoy every blessed moment. She calms down after a few minutes, drifting closer to his side. "We're almost there," he murmurs, gaze fluttering around.
She lifts their hands, a kiss pressed against his knuckles. She smiles against his hand, Caitlin mouthing words at him. He can't understand them however, he can barely think outside the chaos of his mind, the thunderous beating of his heart. He wants to stop walking, wants to steal her away from the prying eyes of his daughter and her fiance, wants to ask for answers, demanding to know how she could affect him so much. But he does none of those things, only quirking an eyebrow at her, hoping that he would seem composed when he was anything but.
"They're watching," she whispers, and god, if it isn't a blow to his stomach.
He clears his throat, tearing his eyes away from hers, afraid of what might be shining inside them. "Yes, of course."
She throws him a confused glance, one he doesn't respond to. Harry doesn't let go of her hand, the warmth of her palms seeping through his skin and wrapping itself around his heart, but he isn't as relaxed as before, muscles taut as he picks up his speed, almost dragging her along.
They reach their destination quickly, Harry dropping Caitlin's hand as though it were burning, busying himself with pulling out the picnic blanket and setting it all up. She offers to help, but he brushes her aside, barely a glance as he tells her to keep the other's company. There are words on the tip of her tongue which would sound suspiciously like 'I want to keep you company' if they were to come out, but they don't, Caitlin huffing at his antics and crossing her arms across her chest while Jesse and Wally meander their way up the path.
But soon the tension dissipates, Caitlin and Jesse exchanging the horror stories of a degree in biochemistry while eating sandwiches, Wally piping in, more focussed on stealing from Jesse's pasta salad than getting his own share. And Harry, Harry watches them all. He leans back, resting against the palms of his hands, a smile on his lips as he watches them all interact. There is a light, fluttery feeling in his stomach that leaves him breathless.
They eat until they can eat no more, Wally standing, stretching, before bowing lowly, hand outstretched before Jesse. "Would you give me the honour, ma'am, of allowing me to escort you around the gardens?"
Jesse laughs even while taking his hand, Wally pulling her up. "I should never have watched Pride and Prejudice with you. This obsession with walking around is ridiculous." But there is such fondness in her voice, Jesse pressed against his side, a soft kiss on his cheek as they tell Harry and Caitlin that they'd be back shortly.
She worries that it would be awkward after the couple leaves, worries that the tension from before would return - but it doesn't, Harry asking questions about her research. She gets so swept up in what she is saying, of Mercury Labs and Dr Tina McGee, that she doesn't realise she's rambling until his soft chuckle interrupts her. She blushes furiously, biting the inside of her cheek to keep herself together.
"You're remarkable Snow, truly remarkable." There is nothing mocking in the statement, a genuineness ringing in his tone that has her blushing once more.
"I'm thinking you just like seeing me go red," she mutters, ducking her head in embarrassment. Harry says nothing in response, just smiling at her. They are distracted by the vibrations of Caitlin's phone, the woman reaching for it blindly.
But then her face pales at the sight of the name on her phone, not moving to answer or decline the call. He reaches for her knee, squeezing it tightly, her eyes finding his own. He takes her in, pursed lips and clenched jaw, eyes as hard as flint. "I'm just gonna..." she drifts off, motioning her head off to the left, opposite where Jesse and Wally were currently strolling. He nods to her and her shoulders fall a fraction, as though a small weight had been lifted off of her. She leaves him alone, Harry choosing to lay across the mat, eyes on the clouds floating above them. He must fall asleep because he's awaken to a shadow crossing over his face.
"Dad are you okay?" The voice of his daughter startles him, and he cracks his eyes open, Jesse hovering above him.
"I am allowed to relax," he snipes. "And if you even think of calling me old I'll make you regret it." She smiles at him, but her attention is soon stolen by something in the distance.
"Dad, is something wrong with Caitlin?"
"She had a phone call, why?"
"I think that call is over." And he lifts himself up, turning his head to see her a small distance away, Caitlin sitting on the ground, her knees pulled against her chest and face buried between them. "I think you should - " But he was already moving, pushing himself into a standing position, not a word directed to Wally or Jesse, his eyes firmly focussed on Caitlin.
He wanders to her, hand outstretched before her. She lifts up her teary face, eyes squinting, as though she couldn't see him properly, as though in disbelief. The moment stretches on, and he wonders if he should retract the hand and walk away, but before he can act she slides her thin fingers into his open palm. He tightens his grip on her, Caitlin using him as an anchor to lift herself up from the ground.
He takes advantage of the moment, Harry tugging her towards him, Caitlin falling into his chest, her own heaving as she sobs against him. It aches in a place deep within him to hear her ragged breaths, to feel the wetness of her tears soak his shirt.
"Mother, she raised me alone after my father died, and I love her." Her sentence cuts off, a choked breath as she tries to control her emotions. "But god, she can be so cold sometimes." He presses a kiss to the top of her head, rubbing her back as she cries her tears away, holding her tightly. Seconds, minutes, hours later, he isn't quite sure, but she stops crying, a tear stained face pulling away from his chest to look him in the eyes, her own blood shot and puffy, a weak smile on her lips. Gratitude shines in her gaze, even if no words are spoken. He nods in response, hand raising to cup her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks, the wetness on his thumb pads a knife to his heart. It is though time stops around them, Harry forgetting they had come with other people, forgetting that this was all make believe. Because her emotions, his emotions - they were all very real to him. This urge to hold her, to protect her from the cruelties of the world, to care and adore her the way she deserved. Her eyes shine under the sunlight, and he hates that they are still glazed from the tears earlier, that this image of beauty before him had brushstrokes of pain throughout it.
"We should ah -" He is temporarily at a loss for words, knowing what he wants to say yet unable to get them out. Especially when they are so diametrically opposite to what he wants to happen. "We should join them again, shouldn't we?" Harry doesn't know why or how those last words slipped out, only knows that he wants her to say no, wants her to wrap her arms around his torso and lean into him, this world away from reality so much more appealing than anything else.
Caitlin doesn't answer for a long while, eyes searching his own. She lifts her hands to the side of her face, her smaller palms surrounding his larger one's, lightly pulling them away from the sides of her face, keeping them close to her face. She doesn't look away from his gaze, the plethora of emotions shining in them sending her inside twisting. She doesn't look away, not as she brings each hand to her, pressing a soft kiss on the insides of his wrists, the touch so delicate he thinks he would have imagined it all if not for the fact he was watching her unblinking, unable to look away. The second one lingers. His breath hitches. "Yeah," she concedes finally, dropping their hands down, and Harry for the life of him, has no idea what she's agreeing to. "We should go back. Don't want them to worry."
And they do reluctantly return to the other pair, cheeks red as they walk in on Jesse and Wally exchanging heated kisses, muffled moans turning into horrified shrieks as Jesse tries to hide herself from them in embarrassment, Wally shielding her from their sight, laughing as she curses them and their terrible timing. Harry glares in response, muttering under his breath about how she was still his daughter and that he didn't need to see things like that. He is only distracted by a muffled laugh, turning his accusatory gaze to Caitlin who was hiding her laugh behind her hands.
It is enough to soften him, the shift from earlier a welcome change.
With a loud voice he declares the picnic over, relenting to Caitlin and Jesse's soft pleas to wait for sunset. And it is a wonderful decision, the couples leaning into each other, quiet whispers and gentle touches exchanged. Caitlin leans into his chest, a soft gasp as the sky turns pink and the sun sets beyond the horizon. "Thank you." Her voice breaks the silence that had descended upon them with the sunset, and his eyes drop down to her face, his heart beating hard at the look in her eyes.
"It was nothing," is his gruff reply, but he can't bring himself to look away from her.
"It wasn't. It was everything."
It's odd now, to slide into bed with each other after the day they had together, so much more odd than twenty four hours before. They weren't strangers, not anymore. And she couldn't deny the thrum of attraction in her veins, the urge to turn around, to curl into his hold. To touch him. It drives her to the point of distraction, Caitlin unable to sleep knowing that he was less than a foot away. And all it does is allow her to think, think about the feelings he was bringing out, the confusion inside her. He was intelligent and sweet, but he was paying her and didn't mean a thing.
She is restless, atmosphere thick with heat. She wants to kick the blankets off, wants to run run away from him, for her mind to be calm, to be unaffected by his presence, by his touch. But she's supposed to be professional, she shouldn't. She's struggling.
"That's it," he grumbles, his hands on her hips, pulling her flush against his chest. She blushes, especially with him burying his face in her neck. "Now stop it."
It leaves Caitlin speechless, the feeling of his body and hers, no space between them. And she tries to focus, choosing on his breathing, trying to steady her own, aligning them together. It's nice, she thinks. It's something she could get used to.
And she falls asleep.