February 2016. Current Day.
The door opened. Barry wasn't sure what he was going to find in his Earth 2 doppelganger's apartment. Earth 2 Iris seemed to think it hosted something evil in there, but what could be so bad that Earth 2 Iris avoided his doppelganger like the plague?
He stepped into the apartment and was overwhelmed with the scent of blueberries. It was a cozy loft styled apartment in Central City. A few dishes were left in the double sink on the left side and white breezy curtains swayed by the large open window in front of him, a window so large that he could see an amazing view of the city. A huge couch was laid perpendicular to him as he stood at the door, facing a mounted large screen TV that was held over a fireplace. A freshly made batch of blueberry cupcakes laid on the counter top island in the kitchen. It looked very similar to the ones he used to have back home, his own home.
9 months ago.
He gingerly picked one up, bringing it to his nose. Without thinking, his hands peeled back the paper, and he ate it. It tasted just like how he remembered them to taste.
His eyes darted around the room, gently finishing the cupcake as he did. Licking off the frosting from his lips, he placed the wrapper on the counter, quietly walking the large living room towards the hallway on the right of the entrance.
He passed by the first room on his left. It was a nicely furnished guestroom with the door wide open. He continued down the hallway, passing by a large bathroom and gently pushed the door to the last room. The door creaked open. It was the master bedroom with a large bed in the middle and huge windows to the left. A dresser was placed across from it but what was most amazing was the photographs all lined up on top of the dresser and on the board mounted on the wall over the dresser.
It was pictures of Reed and him. Smiling. Laughing. Kissing.
Barry walked over in front of them, standing in awe and his eyes switched between them all. His hands reached to grab one.
"Bare" a soft voice gushed out his name. Barry froze. His hands twitching to close in a fist. Was he dreaming again?
Soft arms wrapped around his waist, weight falling on his back like a cushion.
"I thought you were working late tonight?"
Barry slowly turned around. His eyes met with brown eyes peering through soft light brown hair that was so long, it tickled his hands as he unconsciously laid one on her waist and one gripped her face.
"You're here" he whispered. The words leaving his mouth before he realized it, "how-what?"
Her head tilted into the comfort of his palm, eyes closing as she turned to kiss it before opening them again.
"Of course I am. I told you I had the next few days off, didn't I?" she said back with a teasing grin.
Reed stood on her tip toes, her arms snaking up his body for them to wrap around his neck. Barry's arms wrapped around her waist in response. Reed kissed him, softly but with pressure. Barry couldn't help but close his eyes, kissing her deeper, pulling her closer, his fingers dancing up and down her sides, her body clothed in nothing but a loose t-shirt and some underwear, her chest pressed right up against his.
'I'm home.' he thought.
Reed slowly pulled away. He followed her, unwilling for his dream to end. Reed laughed against his lips, slightly smacking his shoulder with her right arm, and he relented, letting her lips go.
Barry opened his eyes, staring back into her eyes. The same shade without the fade from his memories, the twinkle in them as bright as he could ever remember.
"I love you Reed" the words fell off his lips in an absent minded thought, "I love you so much." his voice cracked.
Reed furrowed her eyebrows, her eyes narrowing in confusion and hurt, stepping back to look at him more closely. Barry's heart fell out.
"Who's Reed?"