Chapter Three: Human For A Day
Barry had taken Kara straight to his apartment and sat her down on his bed while he went racing around the city to find some appropriate clothes for her to wear before they went exploring Central City. He came back ten seconds later with some trousers and blue shirt to drop on her lap.
"Here you go. Get changed first." He said and Kara stood up. "Because if Cisco is right about one thing it's that you can't go around the city looking like a rogue patient who- whoa hey, hey! Not here." His eyes were wide and he covered them up lightening fast when she stripped her shirt off.
She looked back at him with the new shirt partially on now. She looked unsure. "You said get changed."
"Yeah but in the bathroom or somewhere I can't see you." His cheeks on fire now and she noticed his change in complexion before looking amused.
"Oh. Sorry."
"It's- it's okay I… should have clarified first."
She continued to get changed anyway and was done just as fast as he would have.
"Finished." She said and he turned back around.
"Okay. Good. Um… Shall we?" He gestured and led her out the building. Everything was so new to her that he didn't know where to start. There was so much to see and they had superspeed. But he didn't want this day to be about using their powers, he wanted her to feel like she fit in a little. They'd have to be human.
That's why he took her around his favourite park in Central City, went to the mall where mannequins freaked her out, went for coffee where she spat it back out in disgust to then finally getting ice-cream from the parlour.
"So?" He nudged her playfully. "What'd you think?"
"Why didn't we do this first?"
Barry laughed. "I knew you'd love it. Who doesn't like ice-cream."
"Better than that brown water."
"I've already apologised for that."
"Still not enough."
He chuckled and turned into another park. "Is this better than being stuck in Star Labs?" The full trees created an archway down their path. The sun shining brightly above them.
"I don't mind the lab that much. It still has you there." She stated innocently.
Barry's gaze lingered before smiling down. "I'm glad you feel that way, Kara. I was worried."
She frowned; all confusion. "Why?"
"Because this is all different." He shrugged. "I can't even begin to imagine what this must be like for you."
"I've visited other planets before this one."
"You have?" He asked and she nodded. "Your civilisation must have been much more advanced than ours."
"In some ways. But we didn't have ice-cream." She pointed out and he had to laugh again.
"Score one to Earth."
She smiled too and then noticed another pair of people who passed them. "I have another question."
"Oh yeah, shoot." He encouraged each of them.
"Why do people keep holding hands with each other?"
"Oh." He laughed. "You didn't do that on your planet?"
"No… I don't think so."
"Well here on Earth it's what you do when you like someone, I guess."
"Should we be holding hands?"
Barry laughed nervously this time. "What? No! Of course not."
"You don't like me?" She titled her head.
"I- I like you! Just… That's not the same way I meant. Those people who like each other are in a relationship."
"Oh, you mean they're mated to one another?" Realisation taking over.
"Err sure, that's another word for it." He scratched the back of his neck out of nervous habit. He decided to quickly change the subject. "So I was thinking about what we could do next, moving forward after today I mean, and if you wanted to move out of Star Labs one day and come stay with me. I could help you adjust to Earth."
"You'd do that?"
"I'd love to. I was so gifted when I woke up from my coma, not just because of these powers but because of the people that stuck around to help me. It's time I gave back. This is my chance to do the same."
"Will they even let me leave Star Labs?"
"I'm sure they're going to want to keep a close eye on you for a while longer, but if you're with me then I'm sure it won't take much convincing. I am the Flash after all." He cocked a smug smile and she grinned.
"The Flash? Because you run fast?"
"Hey, it's a cool name."
"Are you the only human who can do that then?"
"There are some others with abilities but it's in the minority."
"Do I have to hide mine?"
"Yes, for now."
"For now?"
"Well, maybe one day if you're feeling up to it," Barry shrugged casually as they continued their stroll. "You could choose to be a hero like me and help people. I could teach you."
She glanced forward with a doubtful smile. "I'm not much of a hero."
"You could be." He defended.
"I don't think so." She thought back to her parents. They'd saved her but not themselves, didn't that make her the coward for letting them send her away. Granted, she was only a child but she still should have known better.
"Sure you could." Barry interjected her thoughts with his optimism. "But there's no pressure. You still have a lot to learn about this planet before we think about putting you in a cape."
