100 Ways

100. I love you.

"Well I think you deserve an award," Cisco said when Barry ran back into S.T.A.R. Labs ten minutes later. "I think that's the fastest you've ever stopped a meta. What's with all the extra energy?"

"I'm excited," Barry said, hopping from foot to foot.

"Care to share?" Caitlin asked.

"Eddie asked me to move in," he replied, "and I'm going to tell him I love him."

Caitlin squealed and clasped her hands together as Cisco exclaimed, "Well it's about time!"

"I know, I know," Barry said with a laugh.

"I'm simply curious, and this isn't meant to be judgy," Caitlin prefaced, "but what's taken so long?"

Barry rubbed the back of his head. "Well, there was a lot of baggage to overcome. That's why it took so long for us to get together in the first place, too. Even with each step forward we took, there was something else we had to deal with. And then, I just got comfortable with where we were. But what I realized with the Reverse-Flash incident was, you have to tell the people you care about how you feel." He looked at them. "I love you guys."

"We love you too," Caitlin said, walking over and hugging him tightly.

Cisco hugged him too, then clapped him on the shoulder. "But we already knew you loved us. Now go tell your man."

Barry grinned and ran off without another word. He phased through the front door off Eddie's—their—apartment and called out to him. He heard the ringing of a tiny bell and ran into the bedroom, thinking something might be wrong. But when he walked into the bedroom he found Eddie in perfect condition, smiling at him like Barry had hung the sun in the sky just for him.

"Hey, why the bell?" Barry asked.

"I need something," Eddie replied.

"What is it?"

"I need to tell you that I love you."

Barry's heart dropped into his stomach, and he opened his mouth to respond, but Eddie kept talking.

"I love you so much, Barry Allen," Eddie said, smiling widely. "You are the most amazing man I've ever met, and you've changed my life in so many ways. I'm so in love with you it hurts, but that might just be the gunshot wound."

Barry's face turned to one of concern, and he'd just started to raise his hand to fetch the pain meds and water off the bedside table when Eddie shook his head and laughed.

"I'm kidding, I'm fine," he said, and Barry rolled his eyes. "I love you," Eddie repeated. "I especially love you in that uniform."

Barry blushed, remembering that he hadn't changed yet, and did so quickly.

"Aw," Eddie said with a slight frown as a plain-clothed Barry crawled into bed beside him.

Barry's fingers lightly touched Eddie's face, and they gazed at each other for several moments.

"I love you too," Barry whispered. "I never thought I could ever have this kind of love."

Eddie reached up and took Barry's hand from his face and intertwined their fingers.

"I can't believe you beat me to it," Barry said.

"Yeah, well, you do have a reputation for being late."

Barry chuckled, squeezing Eddie's hand. "I love you."

Eddie squeezed back. "I love you too."

Thank you to everyone for going on this long journey with me! Feel free to check out my other stories or find me on tumblr: kiconwrites

Happy reading!

~Ki