Barry rubs the back of his head, his costume had a new itch that he was not a particular fan of. He walked through the halls of Star Labs, everyone had left. For once, he didn't mind the peace and quiet. With everything that had happened in the last few months… it was nice.
Barry took off his gloves, followed by his shirt. He looked around the labs a bit… "Ah, shit" he muttered to himself. He had just realized Jay Garrick never gave him his Star Labs shirt back. He walked around the labs for something that didn't smell like three year old socks to wear.
Though he loved running and being the fastest man to ever live, he like to take it slow and walk around every once in a while… though he would never ever give up his speed. While these thoughts were running through his head, he turned the corner and slammed straight into a familiar redhead scientist.
They both toppled to the ground, Barry was quick to regain his balance, he sped to his feet and immediately went to Caitlin's attention. He knelt on one knee as she sat upwards "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry… I didn't think anybody was here" he explained. Barry helped Caitlin to her feet, she rubbed her head "I'm fine Barry" she reassured him.
"I'm so sorry Caitlin" he apologized again. Caitlin gave him a smile "Don't worry about it Barry, really I'm fine" she reassured him again. Barry ran a hand through his hair, "Do you need anything? Water? Ice?" he questioned. Caitlin just shook her head "What I need is for you to stop worrying about me… I just fell, I'll be fine"
Caitlin had just realized her hand was placed on his bare chest, her face went to a deep shade of red… she hoped that she wasn't drooling. She yanked her hand away "Umm… and maybe a shirt" she suggested. Barry quickly scanned her body "What's wrong with yours?" he asked, Barry wasn't making this easy, "No… you're not wearing a shirt…" she explained awkwardly.
Barry looked down at his chest, he scratched the back of his head "Oh… S-sorry" he apologized, he sped throughout the labs. He showed up a few seconds with a star labs sweat shirt on and some jeans, also he held an ice pack in his hand.
He walked up to the scientist, he held the ice to her head "I found my shirt" he joked, she smirked "Good" she retorted. Barry held his hand to his chest, as if he was hurt by the words that escaped her lips, "You wound me" he kidded.
Caitlin took the ice from his hand "Thanks" she smiled, Barry took a seat next to her "So, what are you doing here?" he asked. Caitlin shrugged "You know… Science stuff" she joked, Barry chuckled, "I was just working on a few possible Meta Human cases" she explained, Barry had his usual smile on as he nodded his head.
"What about you Mr. Allen?" she wondered, Barry rubbed the back of his head "Funny story…" he chuckled "I may or may not have gotten evicted from my apartment last week" he gave Caitlin a goofy smile. Caitlin pinched the bridge of her nose "Explain. Now." She ordered the speedster.
Barry sighed "Apparently… I might have missed a rent payment. I've been crashing here for about a week" he explained. Caitlin sighed "Let's go" she ordered, she stood, took his hand, and pulled him out of the lab.
Barry cocked his head as they headed towards her car "Where exactly are we going" he asked. Caitlin looks back at him "We're going to my place" she explained, Barry smirked "At least take me to dinner first" he joked.
"That's not what I meant…" she blushed lightly "You're going to stay at my place, the fastest man alive cannot sleep on the floor in a lab" she reasoned. Barry skidded to a stop "Caitlin, I can't ask you to do that" he stated "I'll be fine" he finished.
"Barry Allen. Get in the goddamned before I throw you in" she threatened. Barry knew she would, but he couldn't help but smile. She had the cutest wrinkle in her brow when she got mad… Barry mentally shook his head back into reality as he realized that Caitlin was staring at him with her hands at both sides of her waist.
Barry nodded and got into the car. They got into the car and Barry turned his head toward Caitlin who had just pulled out of driveway of Star Labs. Barry moved his hand and gently touched her hand, Caitlin turned her head to face his "Caitlin… thank you" he said with a smile.
Caitlin blushed and nodded "N-not a problem" she stuttered a bit. There was something about Barry Allen that made Caitlin's heart flutter, she tried to distract herself with a certain Earth Two speedster, but she couldn't stop herself for adoring the way his dimples showcased when he smiled or the way the ends of his mouth twitches when he tried to hold his smile back.
In order to protect their friendship, they didn't take it farther than that – Friendship.
Barry and Caitlin chatted about things such as – Dr. Wells 2.0, Jay, and of course Zoom. Caitlin turned into a parking spot and Wally sped them up to her Apartment. Caitlin smiled at Barry "I'll never get used to that" she admitted, Barry smiled back at her "How do you think I feel" he retorted, Caitlin giggled a bit.
Caitlin rubbed the back of her head "So… we'd better get to bed, got to get to work tomorrow… and do… science stuff" she was a loss for words, Barry had never been in her apartment. Barry smiled "Good point" he gave her a heart melting smile.
Barry flopped on the couch and crossed his feet. Caitlin smiled and nodded "Yeah…" she walked away and into her room.
This is just like a 90s sitcom, Caitlin thought to herself as she sat on the edge of her bed with thoughts of the brunette Speedster still in the back of her mind.