A/N: Hey guys! This chapter was requested by a Guest reviewer, so I can't credit the idea, but I honestly loved writing it. I think it's a really beautiful SnowBarry moment - I hope you all enjoy it!

One pale hand smoothed a couple strands of hair back into the loose bun arranged on top of her head, her fingers trembling.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

It was today. Well, it would have been today. Should have been today.

With a sigh, Caitlin closed her eyes and slowly pivoted so that she was facing the mirror. She didn't know why she was doing this to herself, why she was putting herself through this kind of torture, but she couldn't seem to stop herself.

She let out a trembling breath as she glimpsed her reflection in the mirror, one hand rising to cover her mouth and the other smoothing down the silky fabric over her stomach. Feeling more tears trail down her cheeks, she sniffed and brushed them away with an impatient touch. This was a bad idea.

Her eyes rose to meet her reflection's again. Her mirror image smiled sadly at her, the expression at odds with the elegantly beautiful white wedding dress she wore.

It should have been today.

…

"Do you think I should see if she's okay?" Barry asked. It was the third time he had asked that same question in the last ten minutes. He didn't really expect a different reply, but he just felt so helpless in this situation. He hated that feeling.

"Dude, relax," Cisco leaned back in his chair and shot Barry a knowing look. "I know that you and Caitlin have-" a pencil smacked him in the face, cutting him off. He glared at Barry who was trying to look innocent. "Hey man, not necessary. Fine, I won't mention that you two are in l-" another pencil hit him and he just sighed and held up his hands in surrender. "Fine. Go check on her."

"Thanks, Cisco," Barry grinned triumphantly and jumped to his feet. Maybe Cisco was right; maybe Caitlin did want to be alone today so that she could deal with her feelings. However, Barry couldn't shake the impression that she needed him, that being alone would only cause more problems and just intensify her depression. And besides, he hated being far from her, especially when he knew that she was going through a hard time.

"Just," Cisco added before Barry could leave, "take care of her okay? And give her a hug for me."

"Will do," Barry promised, clapping his friend on the shoulder and then speeding off.

…

The door to Caitlin's apartment was right in front of him. Closed. Locked. He had knocked a couple of times, but there was no reply. However, Barry could see lights on inside the apartment through the window and he knew that she had to be inside. Feeling the way he knew she did, there was no way she would leave the house. He knew her too well.

"Caitlin?" he called, knocking a little louder. "Caitlin, I know you're in there."

"Go away," a choked sob replied after a couple moments of silence. "I'm fine."

"You're not very convincing," Barry grinned. He always found it adorable when she tried to hide how she felt - she was probably one of the worst liars he had ever met and she wore her emotions on her sleeve. "Can I come in?"

"I'm serious, Barry." The sound of her sobs got louder and Barry could hear them clearly even through the door. "You don't need to see me like this."

"I want to," he replied, his voice imbued with all the compassion he could muster. "Please."

For a second, everything was silent.

Then, finally, Barry heard a click - the lock being released. "Thank you," he breathed as he reached out and turned the handle, letting himself into her apartment.

The sight that met his eyes nearly broke his heart. Caitlin was crumpled on the floor next to the door, her head in her hands. He could hear muffled sobs coming emanated from her. However, it was the white wedding dress that hurt him the most - seeing her like that, ready for what should have been the happiest day of her life, made him sadder than he could express.

"Hey," he whispered, sinking onto the floor next to her and wrapping one arm around her shaking shoulders, "I'm here now."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, leaning up against him. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Barry said reassuringly, pulling her closer against him. "It's okay to be upset."

"Not that," Caitlin replied, raising her head slightly. Her mascara was smudged and had left trails of black down her cheeks, and her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Barry didn't think he had ever seen her that vulnerable, and he found it beautiful. And the fact the she trusted him enough to let him see her like this… "I didn't want...it's just that...you and I…" she mumbled, her eyes meeting his. "I didn't want…"

"It's okay," Barry soothed her, rubbing his hand comfortingly along her arm. "I understand."

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered. "What we have...it's so new…"

"Caitlin," Barry took her face in his hands and gently rubbed the black teary smudges from beneath her eyes. "You were in love with Ronnie. You were engaged to the guy, and today was the day you were going to marry him. I understand."

"You do?" she asked, her eyes pleading him.

"Yeah," he smiled tenderly at her. "I like you exactly the way you are, past heartbreaks and all. I know I'm not the only man in your life; I know you've been in love before. I just hope I'm the only man you kiss from now on."

She laughed weakly. "I think I can safely promise that."

Barry smiled at her. Hearing her laugh also made everything better. "That's a beautiful dress," he commented, glancing down at the smooth white fabric spread around her. He knew that she was through the worst of her emotions right now, but also that talking about the wedding plans would be good for her. Sort of a catharsis so she could get it all out.

"It's the perfect dress," she stroked the fabric gently. "And Barry, thank you. For listening and for being there for me. And, for the record, I'm not so sure it was a bad thing that I lost Ronnie, as painful as it sometimes still is."

"I think I should be the one saying thank you," he returned, forcing himself not to jump for joy at her words. "For trusting me enough to let me in."

She leaned in and kissed him tenderly, then settled back against the wall. "I was going to do violet," she said wistfully. "With lilies in the bouquet."

Barry smiled sadly and just held her, listening as she told him about the fairytale wedding she was supposed to have had. Inside, he was filing away all the information, hoping that one day it could come in handy. After all, she already had the perfect dress.

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