Author Notes: This is my first FanFiction ever so it probably isn't that good but I hope you guys enjoy. I have always loved Arrow and have recently become addicted to the flash. I have been a huge Snowbarry shipper from the beginning. This chapter begins partway through the last one but from Caitlin's POV and may feature some more of Barry's depending on how long I decide to make this chapter. As always, I hope you enjoy and leave me a review! :D
Caitlin's POV:
I watched Barry leave the lab slowly for once. A small frown again appearing on my face, deepening even more as Ronnie made to follow him out. For some reason, the thought of those two talking to each other on their own made me more than a little nervous. As if by them speaking to each other, I would be caught doing something wrong, with my hand in the metaphorical cookie jar. But that was ridiculous! Barry had been acting strange though. I was sure that he would be happy for me. He knew better than anyone how hard losing Ronnie was for me. Though he went through the motions, his smile had never reached his eyes. It was not the same smile as the ones I had grown so accustomed to sharing with him. The initial look on his face when I announced my plans to get married this weekend was actually something very familiar to me. It was the look he had permanently etched on his face for months watching Eddie and Iris get closer. Wait… was he jealous? No… what if he had feelings for me too? No! That's impossible, he loves Iris and what do I mean "too"? He's my friend nothing more. That kiss last week wasn't even with him and I was only responding because it had felt so good to be close to someone. After being alone for so long I forgot how nice it felt, but none of that mattered anymore… I had Ronnie back. I was about to get everything that I'd ever dreamt about since the particle accelerator explosion. How many people got to get their fiancé back from the dead? Who else was lucky enough to get this kind of second chance? So I should be happy… right?
Breaking free of this train of thought, before I could spiral out of control, I focused on this weekend, returning to the conversation with Cisco and Wells, almost forgetting everything that had happened recently. It was if things were back to the way they were a year ago. I happily chatted about what I was planning for this weekend as I saw Ronnie slip back into the room. He came over with a smile wrapping his arm around my shoulders. The rest of the day passed by quickly with talk of the future yet my thoughts never strayed far from my scarlet speedster… out there… running on his own.
Barry's POV:
My aimless running didn't last long and without consciously deciding to do so, I found myself at the bar where Caitlin and I had performed our rendition Summer Lovin. Of course I end up here! I ran to get away from everything related to Caitlin and I end up in the place where it all began. Because I now realized this was the beginning, the beginning of our new relationship, the next phase in our friendship that lead to these feelings. It began here even if I didn't realize it at the time. I had been too focused on getting over Iris to realize that I already had.
Since I was already here, I took a seat at the bar ordering a drink out of habit before remembering my predicament ever since becoming the Flash. So not wanting to return to S.T.A.R. Labs, and not having anywhere else I felt I could go, I wasted away my afternoon, moping in sweet sobriety, though I did try to prove Caitlin's theory wrong… over and over. When I had sufficiently sulked about how much my life sucked, I decided it was time to face my friends. Even if Caitlin and I were never to be together I still needed to be there for her, just like she was there to patch me up every time I got hurt. I owed her that much.
When I arrived back to S.T.A.R. Labs I braced myself and steeled my emotions. I affixed a smile on my face and flashed into the room only to stop when I realized I was alone… or almost alone. A voice spoke from behind me for the second time today making me almost jump out of my skin, "Hey, Barry. Everyone's already left for the day but I just stayed behind to set up some of my stuff." Damn it! Why did he always have to sneak up on me?!
"Hey…" I begin cheerfully, "Ronnie. That's ok was just coming in to drop off the suit and check in." I realize after an awkward moment of silence that I had made no move to do what I had just said. So cursing myself internally I walked over at a normal speed to place my suit into the case in the other room. I was going to have to get used to talking to Ronnie eventually now that he was going to be around all the time after marrying… I couldn't even finish the thought so I seized the opportunity to prove that I could hold a normal conversation, "So, this weekend, huh? The big event!" Perfect Barry! 'The Event.' Just generic enough that it could be anything. Oh god, I'm referencing myself in the third person now. I need help.
"Yeah, I don't know if I'd call it the big event as we want to keep it low key…" he replied with his voice trailing off at the end. For the first time I'd ever seen I saw Ronnie look sort of nervous before continuing, "This may sound a little odd, I know we don't really know each other that well, but would you be my best man? I don't really have anyone else."
To say I was shocked would be an understatement but I somehow managed a weak reply, "Wow… ummm. Wouldn't you rather have Cisco? You guys worked together for years?"
"Cisco's great and we are really close but, well, like I said before, you were there for Caitlin when she needed someone. I know she thinks of you of a really good friend and that's who I want in our wedding. Plus Cisco kept talking about getting ordained online. I thought he was kidding but I'm sort of scared to find out." He said with a grin.
"Sure… I would lo-, that will be great," I continued my stuttering for a moment more before finally getting my mind straight as it went on to darker thoughts. "We'll have to make sure to find a way to keep Wells busy this weekend. Maybe a conference he can't miss or something… I don't know," I continued rambling off ideas before noting Ronnie's confused expression.
"What are you talking about? Dr. Wells is a great friend of mine. A mentor. He's like family. Why wouldn't I want him at my wedding?" Ronnie asked, obviously unaware of the recent discoveries we had made.
What I said next I am not proud of. The moment it came out of my mouth I know I shouldn't have said it. I was better than that. I don't take cheap shots like that at someone. I'm the Flash. I'm a hero, but you know what it felt pretty good. "What? You don't know? Caitlin didn't tell you?" I said, hearing the sense of smugness in my own voice.
To be completely honest, I did almost tell him right there. I almost told him about my past, about how his mentor was not the man he thought he was, was not the man we all thought he was but that small part of me that was enjoying this moment made me hold my tongue. Caitlin must not have told him for a reason. It's not my place to intrude… right? I quickly got up before my conscious could overpower me. I wished him a good night and left him sitting there still looking slightly confused and hurt. As I ran home I couldn't help the small smile on my face. I still had my Caitlin and even though it was probably not a good thing, I was happy that there were still things she wanted to share with me and not him. Cisco sent me a text soon later saying Ronnie was inquiring about what was going with Wells but he hadn't said anything, thinking it was best for him to talk to Caitlin. This small moment of euphoria didn't last long though as Ronnie's words replayed themselves in my head: I know she thinks of you of a really good friend… A friend, and that was all I would ever be no matter what I do or who I love.
Author Note 2: Another chapter before reaching one of the main events. I keep on finding more details I want add in first. Next chapter will deal with the Wedding finally though… all may not go according to plan. That's all I'll say. ;) Again, don't worry! Snowbarry will be ever stronger after going through all of this to realize how much they mean to each other. Thanks for reading! Please leave me a review and let me know how I am doing. Hope to have the next chapter up on the weekend. It will be a longer one I think so may take a few days to write.
