100 Ways

83. Stay there. I'm coming to get you.

Barry zipped around the house trying to look for his phone, cursing his forgetfulness.

"Shitshitshit," he said on repeat under his breath. What was the point of super speed if you still spent five minutes looking for your phone?

He was about to consider tearing the couch apart when he heard it start to buzz. Then he was quickly able to locate it on top of the spice carousel, which for the life of him he couldn't remember putting it there.

"Eddie," he breathed happily when he answered the phone, "you are a lifesaver."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, couldn't find my phone."

Eddie laughed on the other end, and Barry wanted to lose himself in it, but he was late enough as it was. "Well, you're welcome. You know, in exchange, you could do me a favor."

"What kind of favor?" Barry asked suggestively.

"Ah, pick up me and Joe?" Eddie asked, his voice rising in embarrassment. "Assuming you haven't even left yet. Which, based on your track record…"

"Okay, okay, you're right, I haven't left yet. Let me grab Joe's keys." Those Barry could locate without any difficulty. "What happened?"

"Cruiser broke down. We don't know why," Eddie said.

"I think it's the battery!" Barry heard Joe call from a distance.

"And Joe is trying to play mechanic."

Barry laughed. "Stay there. I'm coming to get you."

"Thanks babe. I'll text you where we are."

"See you soon."

Barry arrived within in ten minutes, and Eddie kissed him chastely on the cheek when Barry got out of the car to toss the keys to Joe.

"Thanks, Bar," Joe said.

"Anytime," Barry replied easily as he walked around to the passenger seat.

"Looks like your tardiness came in handy this time."

"Yeah, be sure to tell that to Singh," he replied, and Eddie snorted with laughter.

They arrived to the crime scene fifteen minutes later. Parking was tough, so they ended up a block and a half down, and Barry and Eddie chatted about their mornings as they walked.

"Hey, look!" one of the uniformed officers called when she spotted them. "Our favorite couple is back together!"

Barry scrunched up his face. "We were never—"

"And they got West to chaperone them," the other teased.

"He's not—"

"And keep your hands to yourselves, boys," Joe said, loud enough for the officers to hear, which made them burst into laughter.

Eddie patted Barry on the shoulder. "I think we're losing this one, pal."

Barry sighed heavily, overexaggerating his annoyance. They'd been back from their break for two days now, and every time Barry saw him he thought his heart was going to burst. So he could take some teasing from the other officers as long as he could have Eddie.

"In all seriousness," Joe said, turning back to them, "they're gonna tell Singh, and you know what happens next."

They rolled their eyes and chorused, "Talk to HR, we know."

"He'll be so proud," Joe replied with an amused grin.

Barry and Eddie looked at each other and smiled. Barry thought about the past week, and how much he'd missed the little moments like these: talking about nothing, getting teased by their friends, and just being near each other. He'd never take it for granted again.