100 Ways
93. I believe in you.
Barry raced up the stairs to Eddie's apartment, phased through the door, went straight to the bedroom, changed into his civilian clothes, and exited the bedroom at a regular speed.
Eddie startled when the bedroom door opened, peering around the corner from the kitchen. "Bar?"
"It's me," Barry said, collapsing down onto the sofa. "You have no idea how nice it is to come straight here to change instead of going home or something."
"Does it really save you that much time?" Eddie asked.
"Yeah, about ten seconds!"
Eddie laughed, coming out from the kitchen to join him on the couch. "How was patrol?"
Barry sighed heavily, leaning his head back, and Eddie scooted in closer to him. "That bad?"
"Patrol was fine," Barry said. "Too fine."
"No yellow speedster?"
"Not a single sighting," Barry replied with a frustrated tone. "I just want to know what his endgame is. I want to know why he's here and where he came from. I want…" He took a ragged breath. "I want to know why he killed my mom."
"You know, it might not be the same guy," Eddie said gently, placing a hand on Barry's knee.
"It might not be," Barry agreed, "but I have this feeling in my gut that it is. I recognize him from that day."
Eddie's hand squeezed his knee briefly in a comforting gesture.
"Also, I'm worried about you," Barry said, turning his head to face his boyfriend.
"Me?"
"You've read comic books, you've seen movies," he elaborated. "The bad guy always uses the good guy's relationships against him. Dating me puts you in danger."
"I can take care of myself," Eddie replied.
"I know, but anything can happen," Barry said. "What if he figures out who I am and gets the drop on you? What if I'm not there to protect you? What if he does one of those 'you can only save one' things with you and Joe, or Caitlin, or Cisco, or Iris."
"Well," Eddie said slowly, "it's not like breaking up would really fix that. You're right, I've seen the movies, and that never works because it's obvious we still care about each other."
Barry huffed out a short laugh.
"We're in this together, Barry," Eddie told him. "I'm here for you, and I know you'll be here for me."
"But—"
"Hey, no more of that," Eddie said firmly. "You're going to catch this guy, okay? It's only a matter of time. I believe in you."
Barry smiled at him, then reached out and pulled Eddie against him, tucking Eddie's head underneath his chin. "Thanks, Eddie. You always manage to say the right thing."
"That's my super power," he replied.