AU prompt where Barry and Caitlin were together before the particle accelerator exploded. I'm hoping to get to the other prompts that were requested soon, but my updating schedule is a little sporadic. I'm hoping you guys won't have to wait long. Prompts accepted in the comments!

Hunched over, eyes barely able to stay open, Caitlin gently stroked her thumb over Barry's knuckles. Her fingers intertwined with his, she placed a kiss to the back of his hand, hoping...praying, that maybe he would finally open his eyes. She swallowed back a sob. "Please wake up, Bare. Please don't leave me."

Five agonizingly slow months had slithered by since the particle accelerator explosion, since Barry was struck by lightning. The city was still recovering, mourning over the loss of loved ones. Star Labs was categorized as a class four hazardous location, leaving it non-operational. Anyone who worked at the facility had abandoned it the moment people started rioting, blaming Dr. Harrison Wells for the pain he had caused the citizens of Central City.

Caitlin and Cisco were the only ones still loyal to their mentor.

But that didn't mean guilt wasn't eating her alive from the inside out. She had helped with the construction of the particle accelerator, meaning she had helped put Barry into this unconscious state. The moment she got the call from his adoptive father that he was in the hospital, she felt her entire world stop.

Running with heels was no easy task, but she would risk the broken ankle if it meant getting to her boyfriend. Trying -but failing- to hold it together, she reached the emergency room, spotting Joe and Iris West. Pain was written across their faces as they watched the team of doctors and nurses work on Barry.

"Joe," she weakly called out, her voice coming out in a rasp as tears threatened to spill. The detective spun around quickly and didn't hesitate in wrapping his arms around her small frame. During the two years they had been dating, Caitlin had become like another daughter to Joe. The older man was so happy when his son announced he had found someone. He had known of his infatuation for Iris for years, though his daughter was none the wiser. While she was going on dates with other guys, Barry was secretly pining after the only West daughter. Joe feared Barry would never move on.

Then Caitlin came into their lives.

The eyes that slightly dulled as the years of Iris not knowing how he felt had gotten brighter, and Barry found himself smiling just at the mere mention of Caitlin Snow. Joe had never seen his son so happy.

Waiting for the doctor on Barry's case to approach them was pure torture. They were forced to move to the waiting room in the ER, their presence not allowed in the trauma room. Knees bouncing, fingers twitching, Caitlin wrapped her arms around herself, freely letting the tears roll down her cheeks. Her phone had been vibrating in her pocket for the past thirty minutes, but she didn't have the strength to look at the small device. She knew who was trying to get in contact with her, though.

Cisco.

The two had become fast friends when Cisco was hired to work on the particle accelerator, and both had shared a disliking for Hartley Rathaway. After introducing Cisco to her boyfriend, the three became best friends, always hanging out whenever they could. Caitlin was both happy and relieved that her two favorite guys had gotten along so well, in fear that they wouldn't like each other. She couldn't contain her wide smile when their first meeting went well.

A hand resting lightly on her back had Caitlin's head snapping up, so into her thoughts that she had tuned out the rest of the bustling room. She couldn't bear to look at other family members waiting on news on their loves ones.

"We had a stupid fight," she croaked, turning her head slightly so she could look at Joe. "We were supposed to meet at Star Labs for the launch of the particle accelerator, but he was late." Sniffling slightly, she rubbed her nose with the back of her hand. "I snapped at him. I didn't mean to, but I'm exhausted. I've been so nervous about tonight that I haven't slept well all week."

"You've also been working almost twenty hours a day," Even if she hadn't have mentioned the she wasn't sleeping well, the bags under her eyes were a dead giveaway. "You need sleep, Cait."

"I still shouldn't have yelled at him. A-And he tried apologizing, but I wouldn't listen." Sobs began to rack her body, forcing their way out of her mouth. "This is my fault. It's all my fault."

Joe immediately gathered the young woman in his arms, all the while sharing a concerned look with Iris. He noted the tears in her eyes and brought his daughter close to him as well. He closed his eyes, praying with all his might that this was just a dream. He would wake up and Barry would be okay, gushing about an upcoming date with Caitlin. His heart absolutely broke for her.

Caitlin had no idea Barry was planning on proposing.

The three sat in silence, almost frozen, with only the occasional sniffle breaking the quiet. It wasn't until a doctor called out for the Allen family did they jump out of their seats, eager to hear what he had to say. But as he explained Barry's condition, no emotions flickering across his features -his doctor face- all three couldn't stop from letting tears fall.

"He's in a coma?" Caitlin asked, muffling her sobs with her hand.

The doctor nodded. "It's hard to say how long he'll be in this comatose state, but he'll be constantly monitored."

"Will he wake up?" Iris brokenly asked. She couldn't imagine losing Barry, her best friend and brother. He just had to be okay.

"We don't know for sure."

Five months later and there were still no signs of Barry waking up. She had hoped that once he was transferred to Star Labs, where their equipment was more equipped to handle his special case, he would finally open his eyes. Dr. Wells seemed positive he would wake up, but Caitlin's hope was dwindling.

"Hey," Laying a hand on her shoulder, Cisco handed the brunette a cup of coffee, knowing she needed the caffeine. Caitlin had been spending her nights at Star Labs, rarely going home. She didn't want to be away from Barry, in fear that his condition would worsen. She was not only his girlfriend, but his physician.

Too bad the line that separated the two were blurring.

"Thanks," she gave him a weak smile, grateful for her best friend. She took a long sip from her drink, letting her eyes close for a moment.

Cisco couldn't stop the frown that settled on his face. Though Barry was his best friend as well, the love he and Caitlin shared made this situation all the more difficult. She was so focused on Barry that she was neglecting her own health. "Have you eaten today?"

"I'm fine."

He knew that was a no.

Cisco sighed. "Cait,"

"Please don't. I'll eat later, okay?"

She never did.

Xxx

Fast forward to four months later, and the trio at Star Labs was nine months post the particle accelerator explosion. Not a day went by where Caitlin wasn't by Barry's bed side, holding his hand as she talked about her day. She found that talking to him -even in his comatose state- brought her hopes that he would eventually awake back up. Joe and Iris stopped by Star Labs each day, despite their slight resentment to her boss. She could understand where they were coming from, because she had put herself in that same position.

Except the resentment was towards herself.

There was a part of her that didn't understand why Joe and Iris didn't hate her. They didn't blame her for what Barry was going through, only comforted her and loved her like she was part of the family. Joe had even invited Caitlin to live with him and Iris so she wouldn't have to stay in her and Barry's apartment alone. Caitlin was brought to tears at that simple gesture and graciously accepted, hugging Joe so tight he was pleasantly surprised by her strength. He didn't know such a small girl could be so strong.

After actually spending the night in a bed -Barry's bed at the West home- she felt refreshed and energized. She stopped at Jitters for some coffee and donuts before heading to Star Labs, her steps slowing when she heard the music in the Cortex.

"Why are you playing Poker Face?" She questioned, placing the coffee and donuts on the table.

With his feet propped up on the desk, he grinned, a red Twizzler wedged between his teeth. "This is his favorite song, isn't it? I mean, he can hear everything."

Caitlin had to agree. "Auditory functions are the last sensory faculties to degenerate."

Just as she was reaching for her coffee, the scent of mocha already filling her senses, Barry shot up with a gasp. Simply forgetting the drink, she let it fall to the floor and hurried over towards her boyfriend, who was looking around the lab in confusion. She was careful of the nasal cannula still in place and cupped his face in her hands, tears immediately filling her eyes as she looked into his green ones.

"You're awake." She murmured over and over, unable to stop. She let out a laugh of disbelief.

He calmed down slightly, but still looked confused. "W-What happened?"

Cisco was the one to answer, noticing that Caitlin was in too much shock to do so. "You've been in a coma, dude. It's good to have you back."

"A coma?" He repeated, eyes widening in the slightest. "How long?"

Caitlin sniffled and lowered her hands so she could hold his. She hoped they'd stop trembling. "Nine months."

The next two hours was spent answering questions and running tests, in which Caitlin was surprisingly quiet throughout. It wasn't until Barry said her name, so soft and gentle, did she finally break. Barry held his girlfriend tight, whispered soothing words in her ear.

"I'm okay, Cait. I'm right here." He rubbed his hand up and down her back, coaxing her to calm down. "I'm okay."

"I thought I was going to lose you," she buried her face in his neck, her tears landing in the crook.

"Hey, hey, look at me." Gently prying her head out of his neck, he flashed her a smile. It screamed I love you. "I'm not going anywhere. Not now, not ever. You're stuck with me."

"But I'm the reason you got hurt. It's my fault you went back to your lab."

Barry shook his head firmly. "Don't think for one second that I blame you. That's never going to happen."

More tears filled her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Barry. I never meant to snap at you. I was just so tired and stressed and-"

His gentle laugh cut her off, and God, did she miss that sound. She truly feared she would never hear it again. "Cait, stop. I'm not mad and you don't have to apologize."

"But-"

"Stop."

"Can't I-"

"Nope."

She sighed in resignation and amusement, wrapping her arms around his waist as she looked up at him. "Are you ready to go see Joe and Iris?"

He nodded, but didn't move from his place. He simply dipped his head down and pressed his lips to Caitlins. Nine months had passed without a single kiss from the man she loved, and this one felt like their first. Her heart was racing, lips tingling. She pressed herself closer to his body, needing, craving the contact.

"Can I just say one thing?" She murmured against his soft lips.

He hummed.

"I'm so glad lightning gave you abs."