Author's Note: Wow guys, thank you much for all of your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the last one shot. So, this one is quite different, because I love watching fairytales during Christmas. This is me trying to do something else and I really hope you just roll with it and give it a chance :)

To all of you celebrating St. Nick's Day, have a great day!

Reviews would be welcome as always ;)

The Hero and the Princess

Summary: Once Upon a Time there was a hero, who was in love with the beautiful Snow Princess. When the Captain of the Police throws a ball, the hero finally takes up the courage to confess his feelings.

Couple: Barry and Caitlin

Words: 4378

"We should not cry over what we have lost, but celebrating what we found."

Edward Duke of Castlebury, A Princess for Christmas (2011)

Once upon a time in a kingdom not so far away called Central City, there lived a Hero. He was fast as lightning and brought hope to all people who needed it. The Hero saved his kingdom countless times from evil monsters, like the talking Gorilla, the Man-Shark or the Weather Wizard. People adored him, even though they had no idea that behind his mask, the Hero was just a young man. A courageous, kind man nevertheless. He was always there for his friends and those in need, also never quite on time. He was handsome and his smile let the sun rise. But behind his smile, he hid the pain from his past. A cruel villain took his mother away from him when he was just a boy. Though he eventually found this villain, he lost friends on the way of defeating him. Still, the Hero never gave up hope and tried the best he could to live a happy life.

In the center of the kingdom, there was a castle that reached for the stars. Because of that the people loved to call it the Star Castle. It was a magical place full of wonder and surprise. Inside the castle there was a Princess, the Snow Princess. People said she was quite beautiful, kind and warm-hearted. But the Snow Princess did not see herself that way. She once lost the Prince who was supposed to be her husband and closed her heart ever since. She tried her best to overcome the sadness inside of her, but she was afraid to fall in love again. She was scared that if she decided to open her heart to someone else, she would lose him as well.

The Hero and the Snow Princess were great friends. He was the only one who understood her pain and could make her smile. She was the one who always cared for him when he got hurt. They made quite the pair, though neither of them could really see what that meant. The Hero thought the Princess could never love someone besides her Prince and the Snow Princess believed that the Hero wanted to wed his childhood friend, a beautiful Maid and daughter of the most loyal guard of the kingdom.

They were so blind they couldn't see what was right in front of them.

What the Snow Princess didn't know was that the Hero did love the beautiful young Maid, but only as his sister. He slowly realized that his heart belonged to the Snow Princess, but he did not know how to tell her or if he should do so at all.

The Snow Princess herself was falling in love with the Hero more and more each day, but she didn't allow herself to openly show those feelings. She thought herself cursed. That every man she fell in love with would be taken from her and she could not lose the Hero. She rather denied herself happiness, than to put him in danger.

It was quite a difficult situation for both of them.

One day when the Hero was at the kingdom's guardhouse together with his best friend and squire, a young genius who could build everything he wanted, the Captain approached him together with his most loyal guard, the Maid's father and the Hero's caretaker.

"I had a splendid idea the other day!" The Captain said, delighted by himself. "Or rather my husband, but I have to organize it."

They waited with anticipation. The Hero feared it would be something he might did not like, the Captain had a way with that.

"We are having a Christmas Ball this year!"

That was a surprise to the Hero. He expected everything, but that. A ball meant fancy dresses, tuxedos, music and dancing.

"That is a wonderful, idea!" The Squire was overjoyed. "How can I help?"

The Captain put his arm around him, causing a little bit of confusion for the Hero and the Guard. Usually the Captain wasn't that nice to the Squire.

"I want stars in the ballroom. A night under the stars. And something Christmas related. Surprise me." He trusted the Squire because he knew in his heart that he could make miracles happen.

"You all can bring someone if you like." The Captain said before returning to his work.

The Squire didn't hear him at all, he was too busy thinking about stars and Christmas, while the Guard decided to bring his beautiful daughter.

The Hero however suddenly had an idea. It was the opportunity to confess his feelings for the Snow Princess. A ball would be perfect and worthy of her.

He decided to ask her right away, before his courage would leave him. Facing all the terrifying monsters in the world wasn't as scary as asking the woman he loved to a dance.

When he reached Star Castle, she was there as she always has been. She was talking to the Wizard from the other World about magic and people with powers, just like the Hero.

"Ah, good to see you. There is something you need to check out for us." The Wizard said, but the Hero wasn't really in the mood. So he promised the Wizard to head out as soon as possible, but that he needed to speak to the Snow Princess first.

They went into another room, because the Star Castle was quite big. He was nervous and afraid she would turn him down.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked him, with nothing but concern in her voice. She knew him like she knew herself, maybe even better.

"I need to ask you something." He took her hands into his. A little blush crept across her face and she hoped he would not notice it. "The Captain throws a ball for Christmas." He explained to her. "And I wanted to ask you, if you would like to go me." He looked into her eyes, hopeful and in despair at the same time.

The Snow Princess was shocked. She did not expect for him to ask her to go to a dance with him. She wanted to scream yes, because it was all she ever wanted, but the pain from her past held her back.

The Hero's face fell. He looked sad and disappointed and believed that the Snow Princess didn't feel the same way about him as he did about her.

Nothing could have been further from the truth.

Seeing his sad face, she could not bear it any longer. She smiled at him and said: "Yes, I would like to go with you."

His face lit up, shining brighter than the most beautiful Christmas tree in the world. He bowed down to her and kissed her hand. "I can't wait for it."

He then rushed out of the door like a red lightning bolt to fight for the safety of his kingdom. And oh he did well the following week. He was always strong and heroic, but that the Snow Princess agreed to go to the ball with him made him unstoppable.

The whole kingdom, or rather all that were invited, got ready for the ball with high expectations. The Squire worked every day and every night to create a sky filled with stars within the ballroom. He also worked on a magical surprise he wouldn't tell anybody about.

So when the Guard asked him about it one day, fearing the Squire would be over his head and trying to reach the impossible, he just smiled mischievously and said: "You wait and see."

The Maid was getting a brand new dress from her father, a shining green one that made her look like a Queen. She was happy her father decided to invite her along for this most spectacular of all events. She also knew that the Hero finally had the courage to ask the Snow Princess to dance with him.

"It took you long enough." The Maid teased him one afternoon, when they were having coffee and Christmas stollen at the best tavern in the kingdom, called Jitters.

"I still don't know if she sees me like that." The Hero said.

But the Maid knew exactly the right words to say, she always knew.

"She does, believe me. You might not notice the way she looks at you, but I do." What she didn't tell him was that not only she knew about the feelings the Hero and the Snow Princess tried so hard to hide, but everyone else around them as well.

Especially the Squire worked hard to finally get them to see the truth, that has been in front of their eyes for so long.

Meanwhile the Snow Princess was feeling anxious. What if she made the wrong decision? What if she read the signs wrong and the Hero just wanted her to accompany him as a friend? What if she wasn't ready to open her heart just yet? What if her curse was getting in the way of true happiness again?

When the Hero send her a message that he could not pick her up at the castle the night of the ball, because he had obligations to the Captain of the Guards, she interpreted it as a sign. She shouldn't go. Her relationship with the Hero was good the way it was, why risk something that worked perfectly for so long?

So she sat down at her window bay and watched the wind blow through the leaves outside, trying to ignore her broken heart. She did not want to admit how much her heart longed for the Hero, but the sign fate just sent her was obvious.

Well, she did not expect fate to also send her the Maid.

She suddenly appeared in the Snow Princess's chamber, a kind and gentle smile on her face.

"What are you doing here?" The Snow Princess asked confused, "Shouldn't you get ready for the ball?"

"I'm here to help you get ready." The Maid answered, as if she knew that the Snow Princess was too scared to go.

"I cannot go." The Princess said. "It is not right. I never should have agreed." She did not believe her own words, but she said them nevertheless. Sometimes it is easier to hide what is deep inside your heart, instead of letting light and love shine through.

The Maid however did not change her mind. "I know you are scared." She said and took the Snow Princess by the hands. "But you cannot hide forever. You deserve happiness and so does he."

The Snow Princess did not know what to answer. The Maid was right, but she couldn't admit that.

"Listen," The Maid said again, "I know you have been hurting, but it is time to let happiness back into your world. What happened in the past is not your fault, there is not curse." She tugged the Princess's hair behind her ear. "He loves you."

The Snow Princess gasped. She was not sure if she was awake or captured in a magnificent dream. She heard those words too many times when she closed her eyes, only was it always him telling her that.

"And you love him."

The Snow Princess nodded. Her head moved on its own, like she was put on a magic spell. She did not wish to confirm her feelings, but it was hard to lie when the heart took over the mind and decided to speak the truth. "I do." She confessed.

The Maid stood up. "Very well." She said. "What do you plan on wearing tonight?"

The Snow Princess showed the Maid a simple, ice blue dress she owned for years. People always told her it would fit her very well. Except for the Maid. She did not like the dress at all.

"I have something better for you." Suddenly the Maid transformed. She revealed herself to be a guardian angel, the Snow Princess's very own Fairy Godmother and performed a magic spell to make a gorgeous red dress appear. Red like the Hero's costume. A perfect match.

"This is too much." The Snow Princess said, her hand running over the soft fabric. "I can't accept that."

"Well, you have to." The Maid was stubborn, she wouldn't take no for an answer. "Take it and make the most of it."

The Snow Princess couldn't believe how lucky she got. She laughed with her whole heart and hugged the Maid. "Thank you so much."

At nightfall people started to enter the ballroom. The Captain was pleased with himself and so was his husband.

There were tables with delicious food: fruits, chocolate fondue, cheese and meat. So much that no one could eat it all.

There was a dancefloor, already filled with gentlemen and ladies in beautiful gowns, dancing to the soft music of a string orchestra.

Since it was Christmas time, a tree was in the corner of the room and shone brighter than the brightest star.

Speaking of stars, they of course weren't missing. The Captain promised a night under the stars and the Squire helped him fulfill it.

Looking up at the dark ceiling of the room, hundreds of little lights were shining down on the guests, making it appear to be the clearest night sky the kingdom has ever seen.

"How did you do that?" The Hero asked his friend.

The Squire grinned, he was proud of his work and quite rightly. "Mechanical drones. The mini edition." He explained. "Look at it as big, mechanical fireflies."

The Hero never ceased to be impressed by the Squires talents. "That is amazing."

The Guard joined them and also expressed his admiration. "But say," he asked the Squire with suspicion in his voice, "What about that surprise you couldn't stop talking about?"

The Squire shrugged, which the Guard did not like at all. "When the time is right, you'll see."

More and more guest were coming, but the Hero had yet to spot the Snow Princess. He got worried. Instead of her he only saw the Maid coming.

He gently took her by the arm and pulled her away from the crowd. "Have you seen her?" he whispered.

"She will be here soon. She forgot her purpose and will take a cab."

That calmed him down, but only for a while. The time was running and running, but she did not show.

The Guard, the Maid, the Squire and even the Captain assured him that there had to be an explanation.

Too bad they were right.

The Hero suddenly got an urgent message from the Wizard. A terrifying villain showed up and terrorized the kingdom. The Hero immediately got into his costume and rushed to the fight, when the Wizard told him the horrible news, the villain attacked near the street the Snow Princess had to take to make it to the ball.

The Snow Princess was indeed captured inside of her cab. The villain, who turned out to be an evil sorcerer, threw fireballs at people and hurt whoever came near enough to stop him.

She tried to talk to the cab driver but he was unconscious. Her dress didn't allow her to move freely enough to get out of the cab. It was hopeless.

Then like lightning the Hero showed up and caught the Sorcerer of guard. He threw him as far away as possible to give the people time to escape.

He shouted the Snow Princess's name. Over and over and over again. The weather was getting worse, like some higher force was working against him.

"I'm in here!" she managed to scream.

He found her cab, turned around at the corner of the street. Using his speed her crushed the door and helped her out.

"The driver." Was all she said, but he could sense her relief.

"Got him." The Hero said. He then wanted to take the Princess as far away as possible, but the Sorcerer reappeared.

"Stay here." He told the Snow Princess. "You look beautiful, by the way." He winked at her before leaving for battle.

She wanted to help him, but had no equipment with her. She could only watch.

It seemed like an easy match at first. The Hero was too fast for the Sorcerer to catch him with his fireballs. Then suddenly, the tables were turned.

The Sorcerer shouted some ancient spell in a demonic language the Snow Princess never heard before. If Evil could speak, she imagined, it would sound like that.

The whole street was covered in a dark matter. It did nothing to hurt the Princess, but the Hero suddenly fell down.

"Well, well, well." The Sorcerer walked towards him. "Seems like magic wins over speed after all." He smiled the most vicious smile the Princess had ever seen and started to throw more and more fireballs at the hero, who still couldn't move.

"Hey, you!" The Snow Princess yelled. She had no idea what had come over her, only that she needed to save the Hero and get the Sorcerer's attention.

And oh, that she got.

"They kicked you out of Magic School or something?" She yelled again, stepping backwards.

He licked his lips and made his way towards her.

The Hero could only watch in horror as the woman he loved put her life on the line for him.

"I thought real wizard's use a wand." She knew that she was playing a dangerous game, but she promised herself that she would let nothing happen to the Hero.

"Fireballs are also unimpressive. A Cold gun, now that is something." There were abandoned cars and fallen trees everywhere, even if she tried to run she wouldn't make it far.

"Isn't that a brave little Princess?" The Sorcerer said.

"You have to run." The Hero said as loud as his voiced allowed it. "Please, run."

The Sorcerer looked at the Hero and then back at the Princess. He needed one of look to understand their feelings for each other.

"Oh, I see." He laughed out loud. "Guess I'll make you suffer first, before I kill you, hero." His hands formed a fireball, bigger than the once before. He aimed at the Snow Princess who only managed to close her eyes. If death would get her, than she would at least sacrifice her life for the person she loved most.

It was Christmas time however, a time for miracles. It was also the time of love. And love really managed the impossible.

The Hero suddenly appeared right in front of the wizards, despite that the magic spell that kept him down was still working. He ran through the fireball, ignoring the heat and pain and threw the Sorcerer into the ground.

The Sorcerer winced. "How is that possible?"

"You messed with the wrong woman." Then he ran and ran and created a lightning bolt, bigger than ever before and threw it at the Sorcerer, defeating him.

Good triumphed over evil.

The Hero took one last look at the Sorcerer making sure he could not get up again, before breaking down.

"No!" The Snow Princess rushed to his side, but he did not response to her. "Please no. Answer me!" She lost every rational thought that would have told her what to do, instead she blamed her curse. She was ready to open her heart and something happened to him. She leaned down and cried on his chest. "Stay with me. I love you."

A cough.

Did she dream that?

"You need to let me breathe…"

She couldn't believe it. He was fine. Exhausted, but fine. She let go of him, allowing him to set up. "Don't cry." He wiped her tears away with his fingers, a lazy grin on his face.

She wasn't sure he heard her confession, but right now she didn't care. She swung her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"I think we have a ball to attend." He got up and offered her his hand, which she gladly accepted.

The Wizard took care of the Sorcerer and the Hero and the Snow Princess finally made it to the ball.

When they entered the ballroom, all eyes were on them. The Snow Princess didn't care that both of them might looked a bit in disarray due to the fight, she was just happy to be with him.

"May I have this dance?" the Hero asked her.

"Yes." Maybe her curse was finally broken. He was here, with her, alive despite everything that had happened.

He guided her towards the dancefloor, passing the Maid who smiled encouraging. He put his one arm around her waist and took her hand with the other.

"Play something romantic." The Captain ordered the orchestra.

The Hero smiled at the Snow Princess as the orchestra softly started to play a waltz, beautiful enough to even make flowers dance in the snow. They were floating over the dancefloor, not every step perfect, but perfect for them.

The stars above them seemed to shine brighter than before.

"Now it's time." The Squire said to the Guard.

He pulled out a little device and pushed a small, red button.

Snow started to fall from the ceiling. More lights started to shine.

The Hero and the Snow Princess waltzed through snow and stars.

"It is beautiful." The Princess said.

"I heard you, you know." The Hero said.

She needed a moment to understand his words. "You heard what I said?"

He smiled and leaned closer. "Yes."

They stopped dancing. The room disappeared, so did the people. They imagined themselves in alone, under the star filled night sky, snowflakes softly dancing around them.

"I know you are scared." He said. "But so am I. Maybe it's time to stop being scared."

She smiled at him and it made his heart jump. He had never seen anything more beautiful than her. She was glowing in the dark, looking like a flame in her red dress. She was part fire, but snow. She was the Snow Princess after all and he would not change that for the world.

"You are the one that I want." He confessed. "You are warm and kind, gentle, beautiful and so much smarter than I am." He grinned.

She laughed lightly.

He bowed down, like he did before and kissed her hand. "I love you, my Princess."

"And I love you, my Hero."

He leaned down and when his lips finally touched hers, they both knew it was true love's kiss. And they lived happily ever after.

The End.

The mother finished telling the story and kissed her daughter's cheek.

"That was a beautiful fairytale, Mommy." She said. "But I have one question."

Of course she did, she always did. She was their daughter after all. Curious and smart and never satisfied with an easy answer, despite her young age.

The mother laughed. "Well, asked me cupcake."

"What happens after happily ever after?" she looked at her mother with innocent eyes. That girl. "I mean they don't dance and kiss forever right? What happened next?"

The mother sighed. That was clearly a tactic to make the story longer and prevent bedtime. How cunning. Her daughter smirked playfully when she noticed that the mother had no idea how to answers. She got that from her father.

"They got married of course." A voice suddenly said.

The daughter started to grin like a Cheshire cat. "Daddy!" She shouted and stretched her arms out.

The father made this way over to his daughter's bed, hugged her deeply and greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek.

"So you know the story?" The daughter asked.

He nodded. "Of course, I do." He smirked, the same smirk his daughter did before and winked at his wife. "That's why I can assure you that they got married and even had a little Princess of their own."

"Really?" The little girl asked.

"Really, really." The father answered. "She is a lot like you actually. Smart and beautiful like her mother –"

"Always hungry like her father." The mother added.

"And she always tries to charm her way out of bedtime." The parents exchanged a look.

The daughter giggled. "You got me."

"Time to sleep, cupcake." The mother tugged her into her favorite bright red blanked, with the Flash emblem on it. "We're at Grandpa Joe's tomorrows for Christmas and you don't want to oversleep that."

"Never!" she said, reaching for her favorite plush bunny. "Auntie Iris promised me all the cookies I can eat."

The father chuckled. "Of course she did." He leaned down and kissed his daughter's forehead. "Goodnight, sweetheart. We love you."

"Love you too." She said with a big yawn as her parents left the room, only keeping a lamp looking like Santa Claus on.

"So, everything alright?" The mother asked as they made their way downstairs.

"Yeah." He said, "It's taken care of. Wasn't anything huge. Cisco is still determined to dress up as Santa tomorrow."

She groaned. "He does a horrible ho ho ho. She never believes that."

"Smart. Just like her mother." He took her hand.

"What are you doing?"

He walked her outside the house and into the backyard. Only a few Christmas lights were shining like distant stars and snow was softly falling down to earth.

"May I have this dance?" He asked and bowed down.

She laughed. "Barry Allen, sometimes you are impossible." She took his hand.

"Hey, you just turned our life into a Hallmark movie." He wrapped his hand around her waist.

"It happened that way." She protested. "Almost." She giggled.

"Just so you know, you are my Princess, Caitlin Allen."

"And you are still my hero." She got on her tip toes and kissed him.

Under the stars. Snow falling. Just like in a fairytale.

* The villain is loosely based on Flash villain Abra Kadabra

** In case it wasn't obvious, the song for the dance is supposed to be "Waltz of the Flowers" from The Nutcracker, such a beautiful piece of music.