Caitlin looked at her reflection in the mirror, at the dress she was holding up to her body and sighed in frustration as she threw it to the ground.
"I have nothing to wear!" Caitlin ground out in frustration.
'What was wrong with that dress?" Cisco asked for the umpteenth time.
"It didn't look good, Cisco," Caitlin muttered and watched as Cisco sighed.
"Caitlin, they all looked good. Stop being so nervous, it's just Barry," he replied softly and she closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Of course he would say that, he didn't understand why this date was so important. It was her first date after Zoom had released her, her first date after Ronnie died. She wanted it to go well.
Cisco stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders, making eye contact with her reflection in the mirror.
"Listen to me, Caitlin, that guy is crazy about you. That's not going to change based on what you're wearing," he said softly. Caitlin stared at him. She knew deep down he was right. Sighing, she nodded her head.
"Wear the black one," Cisco encouraged before leaving her to get changed.
After he left, she changed into the simple black dress, before adding heels. Her makeup was already done and she only needed to add a bit of volume to her curls. Once she was reasonably satisfied with how she looked, she made her way out into her living room and spotted Cisco sitting on her couch. He looked up at her arrival.
"Beautiful," he smiled softly and she nodded her head gratefully.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Remember, it's just Barry. A guy who finally worked up the nerve to ask out the girl he's liked since forever," Cisco stated.
"Don't over think things," he added. Just then, there was a soft knock on her door and Catlin jerked her head towards it.
"I'll get it," Cisco said with a soft smile before making his way towards the door.
After letting Barry in, she looked at him with a smile.
"Hello, Barry," she murmured.
Barry took in her appearance before smiling.
"Cait, you look beautiful," he said and she blushed.
"Thank you," she replied softly.
He handed her the flowers he had in his hand and she took them, smelling their fragrance.
"Thank you Barry, they're beautiful," she hummed.
"Alright, kids, have a good time tonight. Barry, get her home at a reasonable hour and remember, no funny business," Cisco ordered before showing himself out.
Caitlin rolled her eyes fondly.
"Why do I feel like I just got warned by an older brother?" Barry asked worriedly and Caitlin laughed.
"Trust Cisco to make an under the table threat," she agreed lightly.
Barry held out his hand.
"Shall we?" Barry asked softly and Caitlin nodded, lacing their fingers together.
"Let's go," she sighed happily before locking up her apartment and walking out. Once they made it outside, she spotted a car.
"I thought you didn't have one?" Caitlin asked in confusion and Barry shook his head.
"I don't, I borrowed it from Joe," he replied with a sheepish grin and she nodded her head.
"So no flashing us there tonight? Thanks." Caitlin laughed and Barry nodded his head
"Figured you wouldn't like if I set your dress on fire tonight," he joked.
"You figured right," she agreed and he smiled at her.
After he held the door open for her, she slid into his car and waited for him to join her.
"Where are we going?" Caitlin asked curiously but Barry shook his head.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," he replied with a chuckle and she knew better than to question him further so simply sat back and enjoyed the car ride. It was filled with talk and laughter and she felt herself relaxing significantly. Cisco was right, it was just Barry, the guy she had been crazy about. She shouldn't have felt like it would've been awkward; the two had never made their friendship awkward before.
Once they made it to their destination, Caitlin looked around and realized they were in a park on the edge of the city. She smiled happily as Barry walked around to her side of the car and offered her a hand to help her out.
"Stay here," he murmured before walking to the trunk and popping it open.
She watched him curiously as he pulled out a basket and a blanket.
"Are we having a picnic?" Caitlin asked excitedly and he nodded his head.
"That would be correct," he agreed and she smiled warmly.
"A picnic sounds great," she replied and took the hand he was offering to her.
The pair walked a little bit to a secluded spot and he threw out the blanket before they settled on it.
"What's for dinner?" Caitlin asked and watched as Barry opened the basket.
"I figured we could just do sandwiches and snacks," he said and she nodded her head.
"Sounds good to me," she replied and began eating the sandwich he offered her. The two spent the first part of the meal in comfortable silence, not needing to fill it with endless chatter.
After they finished, Barry looked at her.
"Thanks for agreeing to go on a date with me, Cait," he murmured and she smiled.
"You're welcome. You have no idea how long I've been wanting to go out with you," she said softly and he smiled hesitantly.
"I may have an idea because I've been wanting to ask you for a long time," he replied and she felt like her heart could burst.
"What took you so long, Allen?" Caitlin asked teasingly and he laughed quietly before sobering up.
"I just thought you needed time to heal with everything from Ronnie and Jay," he explained and she nodded her head appreciatively.
"Thank you, for knowing me," she said and he smiled.
"You're welcome," he said.
Barry glanced up at the sky and, after looking at him curiously, Caitlin followed his lead and gasped.
There were thousands of stars lighting up the sky.
"You don't get a view like this in the city," she uttered and he shook his head.
"Definitely not," he agreed warmly.
"How'd you find this place?" Caitlin asked curiously and he looked at her.
"After my mom died," he began quietly, "I needed a place to escape to and Joe showed me this place. It was like my own personal sanctuary when things got too tough to handle."
She smiled warmly at him.
"Thank you for showing me," she said softly.
Barry looked at her, red blush tainting his cheeks.
"Cait?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I kiss you?"
Caitlin felt her heart flutter against her ribcage and nodded her head.
He leaned in and placed his hands gently on her cheeks, cradling her head in his hands. Then, ever so gently, brushed his lips against hers' and she felt it in her toes. Sighing happily, she leaned into the kiss. When they broke apart, he pressed his forehead against hers' and smiled.
Caitlin couldn't help but laugh.
"What?" Barry asked curiously.
"I just realized we broke the rule of 'no funny business'", she said softly and Barry laughed, too.
"Oops," he replied but she really didn't have it in her to care. She stole on more kiss, feeling completely at peace with her life for the first time in a while.
Author's note: Lucyy, here you go!