Photograph Chapter 21: Fresh Eyes, a flash fanfic

A/N: I am truly sorry for the lateness of this chapter... Life got busy, and every time I found time to write a bit, I wasn't as inspired as I usually was. And then I got carried away and this is probably the longest chapter I've ever written in a multichapter story xD So yeah...

Also, as you've probably understood, this story is coming to an end soon... It'll take some time for me to get the last few chapters out, but I just wanted to let you know ;)

On another note... did you guys see the latest Flash episode? :D

I don't own anything :)

Chapter 21. Fresh Eyes

"I got these fresh eyes, never seen you before like this
My God, you're beautiful
It's like the first time when we open the door
Before we got used to usual

It might seem superficial, stereotypical, man
You dress up just a little and I'm like, "Ohhh, damn"

So suddenly I'm in love with a stranger
I can't believe she's mine
Now all I see is you with fresh eyes, fresh eyes"

"Fresh Eyes – Andy Grammer"

"I knew it! You have absolutely no idea where we are! And we're lost…"

"No we're not! I know exactly where we are!"

"Oh yeah? Then tell me genius, where's the north?"

The young couple had decided to go away for their last weekend together before Caitlin's departure to Central City. They had long debated on where they should go for a couple of days, until Henry had reminded Barry of a camping trip they used to do when he was a kid. Caitlin had instantly agreed to it.

So on Friday early afternoon, after having packed their bags and camping gears, they had driven towards a camping site a couple of hours away. Leaving most of their stuff near their designated spot, Barry and Caitlin had gone to wander through the forest, to enjoy the other's presence and the delightful weather swinging through the trees.

And after a few hours of free wandering, Caitlin had her doubts on where they were exactly. And especially on the fact that Barry knew where he was going. Seeing him walking haphazardly was quite the show. Eyebrows crunched together, squinty eyes, hands messing with his hair, legs not really knowing where they should go next… He kind of looked really cute.

A hand going to scratch his head again, Barry turned on himself to study his surroundings. After a couple of minutes of turning in circles like a lost puppy chasing after its tail, he faced Caitlin again. He randomly pointed over his shoulder with his thumbs. "There?" His voice sounded everything but convincing, hoping north really was in the direction he was pointing to.

Caitlin snorted and she instantly lifted a hand to her mouth to contain the laughter.

"Hey!" Barry instantly protested with a pout and crossed his arms on his chest. "Don't make fun of me. I'll find the way back, I promise!"

Caitlin rolled her eyes and continued to giggle, one hand still in front of her lips to try and contain it. "You've been saying that for the past 30 minutes." She pointed out softly.

The young man huffed. "And I'm going to keep saying it because I've already done this trail, I shouldn't get lost."

"Don't worry about it, I'm not mad, sweetie. It was a long time ago…" She tried to comfort him but he wasn't listening.

"Wait wait!" Barry suddenly stopped, sprawling his arms. "I know this place!" He exclaimed.

Caitlin curiously looked around her and raised a sly eyebrow in his direction. "Yes, that's because we've been here like 3 times today."

"No we haven't." He protested in a higher voice.

Caitlin's chuckle intensified. "Yes we have. Look at the scratch on that tree. That's where you wanted to prove that you could be cornier than you already were by carving our initials on a tree. I stopped you before you could finish your point because you were being ridiculous."

Barry approached the tree where, indeed, a couple of hours before he had begun to carve the letter 'C' in the dark wood.

"Okay, so maybe we've already been here." Barry finally admitted in a huffed tone. "But I can feel we're close to the main road."

"Again, not the first time you've said that today..." Caitlin shook her head.

He rolled his eyes. "You know you're not helping at all, right?"

Caitlin shrugged with a secret grin on her lips. "Yes, I do know that. It's just really fun to tease you." She sang in a clear voice.

Barry groaned and buried his hands in his pockets, making her think of a moody teenager. A smile still on her lips, Caitlin turned around; ready to continue wandering aimlessly.

"Yeah right..." Barry mumbled under his breath. "You're lucky I love you... But you know what?" He pointed a finger at her back. "You'll act less smug when I'll find the way back. I'm going to show you I can do this. Then it'll be my turn to gloat and to…" He suddenly stopped talking as he noticed the young woman hadn't interrupted him like she usually did during their banters. Instead, she was frozen where she stood, her back to him, tensed shoulders and fists clenched into balls. "Cait, are you okay?"

Very slowly, she turned to face him, furrowed brows and clenched jaw. Her whole demeanour exuded anger, except her eyes. They seemed lost until they found his face.

"What… What did you just say?" Caitlin stuttered, which was a very rare occurrence.

What had they been talking about again? It took Barry a few seconds to gain back control over the reality. "That I'll be able to gloat?" He answered unsure.

She shook her head and took a small step forward, her eyes never leaving him. "No, no before that."

Well now she had lost him. He had not a single clue about what was happening right now. And how was he supposed to remember what he had said? He sometimes didn't even remember what he had eaten the day before.

But the look of determination that had replaced the puppy look on Caitlin's face, forced him to dig deeper in his short-term memory. "That I'll find our way back to the camp site? Look I'm sorry I got us lost, but I didn't think you'd get mad about it. You don't have to worry, I'll do everything to get us back, and I'll protect you and…"

"Barry…" She cut him off in a trailed-off voice, her tone almost pleading. Even though she had only whispered his name, he had heard as is she had shouted it. Her features were now kind of different, more strained than tense, almost as if she was suffering from not having the right answer.

The young man frowned, not really understanding what she wanted to hear, but also itching to soothe away the wrinkles on her face and to put her mind at ease. He hated her seeing her anything but happy.

And then his eyes opened wide.

"Oh." He simply said, the single word almost getting stuck in his throat.

Instantly, nervous sweat began to gather itself on his temple as he watched her stiff position. Her face suddenly turned completely blank and unreadable.

"I didn't… That's not… Not how… I…" Barry tripped over his words, absolutely incapable of speaking correctly. He had no idea how he was supposed to handle this. Should he lie about it? Should he admit his feelings? Were they ready for that?

A few days ago, Caitlin had admitted feeling like she was falling in love with him again. But did it mean she wanted him to tell her he loved her? Would she feel pressured to say it back? He had thought about that precise moment while watching her fall asleep in his arms during the last few days. He didn't want to pressure her into anything. But he also wanted to protect his heart.

Barry knew he was, and would always be, completely in love with Caitlin Snow. But she had a habit of running away from him. He had been hurt before because of that. He knew he was already too far gone, but not telling her those three little words felt like a kind of protective armour. Were she to leave, then yes, he'd be hurt. But less than if he'd poured his heart out to her. Except his heart had decided otherwise. Maybe it was best to just ignore that pumping organ making a mess out of him.

Barry took a deep breath and shook his head. "Look, Cait… It just slipped up…"

Her eyebrows shot to the sky at his words and a flash struck in her iris. "It just slipped up?!" She repeated very slowly as she took threatening steps towards him.

Barry swallowed with difficulty as he took a couple of steps backwards. "I... Yes... I'm sorry...I swear I..."

She kept coming closer, and he kept taking steps back until he hit a tree with his back. He glanced behind him to check if there were any escape routes. But when he turned back towards her, Caitlin was almost pressed against him, one hand on his chest to keep him in place.

"Don't you dare take it back or I'll swear I'll be mad." She whispered with a twinkle in her eyes, a single finger poking at him at each word.

"Wh-what?" Barry stuttered, his brain completely lost.

Her eyes instantly softened and briefly went to his lips before focusing on his deep green sea again. "Don't take it back, please." She whispered, her voice barely loud enough to be heard.

But he did understand her words perfectly.

"Oh." He said again, but this times it came out more as a relieved breath.

For a few seconds, they just stayed there, staring at each other, barely space between them. All trace of anger or worry, or anything of the kind, had disappeared from Caitlin's face. A secret smile was now hovering over her lips while her eyes were shiny and bright and she simply looked breathtaking.

Barry leaned his head slightly towards her, his nose brushing against hers, while his eyes fluttered close for a second. When he opened them again, Caitlin was still staring at him like he was the most wonderful thing she had ever seen in her life.

"I was scared you'd freak out." He finally whispered.

Caitlin softly shook her head, her nose bumping against his, making both of them chuckle. "I told you. I don't want to run from you again. I need you by my side."

"Good. Because I plan on staying." He replied sweetly.

"It's the best thing I've heard all day… All week even." She hummed against the skin of his cheek as she brought him closer with a hand behind his neck.

Barry pulled back slightly and frowned at her. "What is? Me planning on staying or the other thing?"

Caitlin rolled her eyes to the sky. "You're impossible."

A huge grin instantly stretched his lips. "Yes, but you want me to stay." He cheered like a little kid.

"Oh shush."

"And I know you want to hear me say it again, but I'm thinking maybe I won't and I'll…"

His teasing monologue was cut short by Caitlin's lips pressed against his in a bruising kiss. It took Barry half a second to catch up on what was happening before he grabbed her waist tightly and turned them around so that she was the one with her back pressed against a tree.

And he answered to her kiss with passion, making her moan to his greatest pleasure. One hand lost in his hair, the other gripping at the lapel of his shirt, Caitlin rose on her tiptoes to have better access to his mouth.

"I love you." He mumbled against her lips, as they slightly pulled apart to catch their breaths.

And Caitlin pulled him back to her, not caring about air filling her lungs to make her organism work. She could manage without. Right? She had no clear notion of the time passing by around them, nor the wind, nor the more than limited space between them… She was lost in him. For a moment, Barry Allen became her whole world and she felt like the missing pieces of the puzzle were getting back together.

Her heart swelled to a point she was convinced it would burst out of her chest. But for nothing would she give that feeling up. She could stay there, in his arms, for as long as he would have her. She didn't want anything to pull them away from one another. But yet, saying those three little words back to him still felt like a huge step.

So instead, she decided to show him how she felt by kissing him even harder than before.

That was until voices broke their little safe haven.

"There you are, you two lovebird!" A deep mainly voice cut through the trees. "We were worried about you!"

Following was a higher voice berating the first one. "Shh, come back here Jack!"

"But I found them!" The first voice protested again.

That was the moment Barry and Caitlin seemed to realise they weren't alone anymore. Breathlessly, they pulled apart, hands not leaving the other though.

"Yes but maybe they wanted some alone time." The woman's voice retorted in stern voice. "Now come on, let's go back."

Barry glanced over his shoulder to see the old couple that had walk on them making-out. He instantly recognise the two persons as the old couple occupying the camping spot right next to them. A few hours prior, Barry had nicely asked them if they could keep an eye on their stuff while they were gone.

"No pumpkin." Jack replied to his wife, not noticing that the younger couple had taken their presence into account. "It'll be dark soon, I can't leave them out here without making sure they are okay."

"Well of course they are okay." The older woman hissed, throwing a hand towards Barry and Caitlin, who were now both facing the older couple with curious eyes. When she saw they were looking in their direction, the older woman let her hand fall along her body, rolling her eyes at her husband. "Well at least they were until you interrupted their kiss."

"Hi." Barry cleared his throat and waved at the older couple, a shy smile gracing his features.

"See? They want to talk." Jack gloated to his wife, approaching Barry and Caitlin. "Young people, we came to look for you both because we were getting worried."

"That's very nice of you sir." Caitlin replied with a similar smile, putting one of her arm through Barry's, ignoring her heated cheeks. "Actually, we would like help to get back to the camping site."

Jack's grin widened and sent a 'I told you so' look towards his wife, before replying to Caitlin. "Sure thing, follow me."

Barry and Caitlin shared an amused look before following the older couple back to the camp (they were, indeed, very far from the right path to get back to it). But they didn't care, the moment they had shared was totally worth it.

"So are you here to pop the question?"

Barry choked at the question and spurted the water he had been drinking. After getting back to the camping place, Barry and Caitlin had joined the other people to share a joyful dinner followed by a huge campfire, reenacting old camping traditions. Other women had pulled Caitlin to the side, while Jack had decided to keep Barry company. Both men were now sitting on a log of wood in front of the fire, having a casual conversation.

Well at least that was until he asked that question.

With difficulty, Barry cleared his throat and watched the older man with wide eyes. "Whaaaat?" He croaked.

"Pop the question? Ask her to tie the knot? Get hitched!" Jack insisted.

The more synonyms the older man said, the wider Barry's eyes got. "Yes yes, I know what you mean by that but…" Barry shook his head vigorously. "Nooo!"

Jack seemed confused at Barry's reaction. "Why the hell not? You two seem quite the team."

"And we are. But it's way too soon, sir." He shook his head again, as if it would help to pass the message over.

"Oh please call me Jack." The older man pointed out before frowning again. "What do you mean it's too soon? You two seem very much in love."

A small blush crept up Barry cheeks. "Yeah but we've been together for just about 10 days."

It was Jack's turn to choke on his gulp of beer. "10 days? I don't believe you."

Almost proudly, Barry smiled widely. "10 days sir. Ask Caitlin if you don't believe me."

"But… How… You… You already act like an old couple."

"Hum... Thank you?" Barry answered unsure, not knowing if he was supposed to take that as a compliment or not.

After a small chuckle, Jack explained his comment. "What I mean is, there's a lot of chemistry between you two. But the way you interact isn't just the fruit of that chemistry. You seem like you lived more than 10 days together."

"Well it could've been 10 really intense days…" Barry suggested with a sly smile.

"Was it?"

Barry shrugged before contemplating his glass of water. "Kind of… but I think that's not what you're seeing…" He stayed silent for a few seconds, considering his next words. "Caitlin and I… We go a long way back. We were together in high school and drifted apart without ever really getting any closure on that. And once we found our way back…" He trailed off again, not knowing what words could do justice to what he felt for the young woman. "Anyway, I think that's what makes us seem like an old couple. We know each other pretty well already. We've gone through a lot together."

"That's quite the story, young man."

"Thank you." Barry replied kindly, looking up again. "So no, I'm not here to ask her to marry me. Maybe in the future, but let's put at least a couple of years before that."

A deep laugh escaped from the man's mouth. "I get you. Sorry for jumping to conclusions."

Barry chuckled and waved his comment away with a hand movement. "No worries. Oh and by the way, I have to thank you guys for getting us back to the camping spot. Or Caitlin would've frozen me to death with a single glare."

"Oh, Marian does the same to me. Glad I could help!" Jack fished behind him to take something out of his cooler. "Here, grab a beer."

Barry smiled at the older man and thanked him for the drink. As he was opening it, two delicate hands came to rest on his shoulders, giving a light squeeze, and Barry instantly knew who it was.

"Mind if I interrupt your guy talk?" Caitlin softly asked as she sat next to him on the log, leaving a hand behind his neck to play with his short hair there.

The young man smiled brightly. "Not at all."

Lips curled up and shiny eyes, Caitlin leaned her head on his shoulder, fingers still playing with his hair while his hand was on her thigh. For a short moment, they didn't speak, only watching the fire grow and soothe their souls. It was beautiful and Caitlin was glad they had decided to go away for the weekend.

It took a few minutes for Caitlin's curiosity to win the better of her. "What were you two talking about?" She finally asked, discreetly nodding towards the older man that had turned his attention towards other people.

Barry lovingly glanced down at her and dropped a light kiss on her head. "Nothing that concerns you, my dear."

Eyebrows shooting up on her forehead, Caitlin pulled away slightly to take a better look at the man next to her. "Oh really?"

"Yes, really." Barry chuckled.

She instantly stopped playing with his hair and crossed her arms on her chest, a light pout appearing on her lips. "Oh I see! You just don't want to tell me!"

He took a gulp of beer before agitatedly shaking his head. "Uh huh, I won't break the bro-code."

Caitlin snorted while rolling her eyes, dropping the fake-hurt act, her hand instantly going back to its favourite place: his hair. "The bro-code, seriously?"

Barry shrugged with a sheepish smile. "Didn't find anything better…"

She seemed to consider her next move for a short moment, before leaning closer until her lips grazed against the shell of his ear. "Well, I have my methods to make you talk…" She whispered mysteriously, making shivers crawl all over his body.

The young man swallowed hard and his eyes darkened a few shades.

"What… what kind… of… methods?" He asked with difficulty.

She pulled back for him to see the seductive grin on her face and the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh I'm sure your pretty little head can come up with that without my help." She pointed out, letting her thumb slowly stroke his left eyebrow. And then, as quickly as it had appeared, her flirty behaviour disappeared and she pulled completely away, running a hand through her own hair. "Anyway, I don't think I'll stay up for much longer, I'm kind of wiped. I'll go lie down in the tent." She informed him innocently, giving him a light squeeze on his shoulder. "Don't hang out too long with your 'bro'." And with one last little wink, Caitlin stood up and made her way to their camping area occupied by their little tent.

It didn't take long for him to finish his beer, say goodnight to the other people and to join Caitlin. When he stepped inside, he could tell she was almost sleeping already. He didn't mind one bit. After all, the day had been long and tiring. And it wasn't as if they were going to do anything more anyway, considering the number of people around them…

So Barry just changed into his pyjamas, slipped into the sleeping bag next to her and she instantly turned around to wrap an arm around his waist and to rest her head on his chest.

"G'night, Barry. Love ya." She mumbled sleepily against his t-shirt and he could've sworn he heard his heart skip a beat at her words. He knew it wasn't the same declaration of love he had given her earlier but simply a tired association of words. And for now, it was more than enough for him. She was getting there. And he would wait eternity if he had to.

Wrapping his arms around her, bringing her a little closer, Barry dropped a kiss to her hair and whispered a goodnight and an 'I love you too'.

The warm feeling of a ray of sunshine passing through the tent was what woke her up early the next morning. Caitlin stretched her limbs in contentment, her grin widening itself when she took note of the man lying behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, his chest pressed against her back.

Softly, she ran her fingers along his arm and he slightly stirred behind her, nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck as he hummed. "Go back to sleep, Cait." He spoke, his voice muffled by her hair.

Caitlin slowly turned around to face him, her fingers going to stroke his jaw and cheek. "But I'm not sleepy anymore." She whispered back lovingly.

Barry cracked a single eye open, watching her curiously, one brow raised. "You're crazy, how can you not be sleepy anymore?" He mumbled after a short moment, slightly shaking his head in disapproval. "It's probably like… I don't know… 3 am?"

"It's 9 am, you goof." She chuckled lovingly, tracing the line of his hair with the tip of her fingers. Barry sighed in contentment and closed his eye again, bringing her a little closer if that was even possible.

Slowly running her fingers though his hair, she spoke again. "I know you want to keep sleeping, but honey, let's go outside enjoy the dream weather we've got. We're not staying that long here, I want to make the most of this trip."

At her words, his eyes snapped open. Silently, he watched her intensely, as if trying to read her thoughts. Caitlin's heart swelled a little at the sight of his goofy smile that slowly stretched his lips, his messy bed hair and his shiny sleepy eyes. He looked like a cute little puppy. She leaned her face closer to his to drop the sweetest kiss ever on his lips.

After pulling away, bumping her nose against his, she whispered: "I want to spend a wonderful day with the most amazing man I know."

He put some space between them and arched an eyebrow. "Oh yeah? And who can that be? I must meet that man."

She had to roll her eyes at that. "Oh shush. There's only one man I'm falling in love with, and that's you mister, you know that."

"I feel truly blessed." The young man teased with a smirk gracing his face, though his eyes told her way more than his words. Barry was gazing at her as if it were the first time he ever saw her.

The intensity of his stare instantly made her blush and look away. She softly swatted him on the chest with her hand. "Stop looking at me like that…"

"Like what?" Barry inquired curiously, still not looking away from the young woman.

She reared her head back, bowing slightly under the attention. "I don't know… like that!" She squealed.

Barry tugged her closer to him, a chuckle travelling all along his chest. "Well I can't help it, that's just me looking at you."

"Well would you stop?!" She protested again, hiding her face in his shirt.

"Why?" He asked in disbelief, completely dumbfounded on why she wouldn't want him to look at her the way he currently was. Cupping her face with both of his hands, he made her look at him.

Her cheeks were now crimson red and her pupils blown open. His heart instantly stopped beating.

She was simply gorgeous.

And her next words made his still heart burst in his chest.

"Because it makes me want to kiss you and never leave your arms again."

It was a simple murmur, yet it resonated in his head, over and over again like a mantra. How had he gotten so lucky?

A beaming smile appeared on his lips. "And that's a bad thing because…?"

She looked away again, softly disentangling herself from him, and his smile disappeared into thin air. "Because I'm leaving…" She breathed out.

"Cait…" Barry began to pull her towards him again to try and soother her, to avoid having her pulling away from him, when she suddenly crashed herself against him, throwing her arms around his neck and clutching at him like dear life, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"And I don't want to." Caitlin quietly whimpered against his skin.

"What?" Barry was at a lost for words. Her behaviour had shifted so quickly and so many times in the last few minutes that he had a hard time following her string of thoughts.

"I don't want to leave you." She repeated; her voice still muffled.

As if the cloud – which had been hovering over the understanding part of his brain – suddenly decided to cloud someone else's brain and Barry finally got the meaning of her words and the struggle she was going through. He sighed and softly ran his fingers through her hair. "Are we doing this again? 10 years later and still the same problem?"

He felt her relax in his arms and she shifted her head slightly so wouldn't hide her face anymore. "It's different." Caitlin whispered.

He cautiously shook his head. "It isn't, not really. I will tell you the same thing I told you last time. I won't let you stay, you have to go."

Instantly, she pressed her hands to his chest to push herself off him, sitting back on her haunches. She gave him a very Snow-like scowl and frowned. "Barry!"

A laugh burst out of his lips as he also sat up, releasing some of the tension in the air. "Hey, hey, sweetheart, we'll find a way, I promise." Barry cheered, his fingers going to grasp hers lying on her thigh. "But one thing's for sure: you have to go back to Central City for your own good. You have to go get that job. You have to get back the control over your life."

She slowly nodded, the reasonable part of her knowing he was right. "But you…"

"There's no 'but' Cait." He gently cut her off. "You don't need me for that part. You're the strongest person I've ever known. You can do this, I know you can."

Her lower lip trapped between her teeth, her head slightly cocked to the right, her eyes shiny, she watched him longingly. He loved that she didn't say anything to refute the part where he said she was the strongest person he knew. She knew her worth. And that, in itself, made her strong and powerful.

"But what about us?" Caitlin finally asked.

"I don't have all the answers yet. But, I love you and there's no chance in hell I'm letting go of you now." His fingers left hers to go tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, and he heard her breath catch in her throat. "Sure, things aren't always going to be easy for a while. But Central City isn't that far. I'll visit. We'll talk. We'll get through this together."

Still worrying her lower lip, eyes welling up, Caitlin nodded before leaning her forehead against his. "Why don't you come with me?" She whispered.

A small head movement to brush their nose together, Barry smiled. "You know I'd love to. But I told you I had to look after Lily during the summer break, since neither Eddie nor Iris are available for that during the usual school time."

Caitlin slowly nodded, remembering him telling her his plans for the summer quite a few times since she had been back. She also remembered Lily bragging about spending the summer break with her favourite uncle. It had been so cute, how could she have forgotten that?

She sighed, letting a long puff of air run along his cheeks. With his thumbs, Barry chased the few tears that had managed to escape her eyes away, before kissing her lovingly. And Caitlin kissed him back with all she had, hands clutching at the back of his neck. Yet, the kiss stayed soft and sweet and perfect.

When they pulled away to catch their breaths, Caitlin cleared her throat to speak again. "Okay, let's stop talking about that and let's go enjoy the beautiful weather outside!" She sang out, a beaming smile and twinkling eyes shining on her features. "Are you following me?"

His heart missed a beat, spotting way more meaning in her simple question than a simple bystander would. It sounded like a challenge.