Another short one, but I need to split up the theme of the chapters, so I'll write another today. Maybe.
Barry was surprised to find that Oliver was happy for him, and not staring down at him with shame. Everyone else gave him disapproved looks and pointed. Even going to work sucked more than usual. They know the law, and they think that what Barry did was very wrong. He knows all of that, they didn't have to keep saying it.
As the days went on, people became more and more distant from him. Christmas passed, and he was invited to all the parties. All he did was sit in the corner with his daughter, who now nearly stays with him 24/7. If Iris even tried to pick her up, Autumn would scream. Iris didn't like to deal with that, so she simply handed it to Barry. She was nearly going through a mental breakdown. As much as Barry wanted to help, everyone pushed him away. Almost like they disowned him. He felt just as broken as the first time he came to Joe's house. Small and no one to look up to.
Was what he did really that wrong? Was it really his fault? Or was it maybe Iris'? She is the one who nearly came at him, pushed him to his room and pulled off his clothes. She did this to herself, and now he's getting the blame for it. The sad part is, he felt like Cisco and all of his other friends bonded with Ryan more than himself. Apparently the years they spent together meant nothing to them. Oliver was still there though. He didn't care about the faults Barry did. No flashpoint or affairs would get in the way with their friendship. And for that Barry was grateful. At least now he had one person to trust.
" Barry, you're needed at the 114 Buckley street. Some sort of rampage," Cisco said with no emotion towards him. They were all sitting at Joe's house having a beer and pizza. It was pleasant until they got alerts of citizens needed help.
" Okay," He said while trying to hand Autumn off to Joe. Except he couldn't. She screamed and held on. Huge tears escaped her blue eyes as she clung to her daddy. As loud as she was shrieking, the whole city could hear her.
" It's alright baby," Joe said while trying to grab his granddaughter. But Autumn continued to kick and scream.
" Just take her, I'll go," Wally said getting up.
" Are you sure?" Barry asked straightening out.
" Yeah, I'm pretty sure I've been a speedster long enough to know how to stop a simple rage fest," Wally snarled and left.
Ouch, Barry thought. Wally hates his too?
The moment he held Autumn tighter in his arms, she stopped most of the crying, all that was left was a small whimper.
" She's definitely a daddy's girl," Joe said trying a laugh.
" I'll say," Barry said returning to his corner.
It turns out Caitlin got the dates wrong. The twins were due in March. By now it was February, and everyone was feeling anxious. The new dad to be felt like he was being push out of his new son's lives, and he could do nothing about it. He felt like he himself was about to have a mental breakdown. He was sitting upstairs at Joe's house. He just got Autumn to sleep, and he was exhausted. He sat outside the doorway with his knees to his chest.
What will happen when the twins are born? Will he ever get to see them? He's lucky he's even able to be at Joe's house at all. How can he raise his daughter all alone. Singh took some of his paycheck to give one of the other officers a raise. Apparently he wasn't doing the best quality work that he could do.
Well sorry, he though, if I've been a little busy trying to care for my own daughter.
Now he has even less money to help pay for formula, diapers, baby food, baby power, wipes, blankets, teething tablets, his own food, cloths, and rent. God knows Iris didn't help.
Although he had a fairly good job, his money was now even more limited. It's not like his other friends would want to help either. They couldn't see him shaking and softly crying on the floor of the hall. He felt too overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and scared. He started to breath faster, and he closed his eyes. He told himself that he needed to calm down, but the shear panic that was ripping through him wouldn't ease up. He couldn't catch a breath, he just couldn't breath!
" Barry," he could hear a voice come from down the hall. Whoever it was could see him.
" Oh, Barry," who he know knew was Oliver came over and sat next to him and pushed him slightly forward. Barry put his head between his knees and his hands on the back of his neck. Not knowing what to do, Oliver put a hand on Barry's back. Barry was shaking and crying. He just looked miserable.
Barry didn't know if he should appreciate it or laugh. He couldn't do either, because he couldn't breath.
" Man, you need to calm down,"
All he got as a reply is another panicked breath and whimper.
He started to rub smooth circles on his friend's back and sat there in mostly silence. After about ten minutes, Barry's breathing evened out. He felt so exhausted and tired. So much so he started to fall asleep on his own lap. He hasn't slept in about 2 days. It was about time.
" Come on, let's get you into a bed," Oliver said grabbing Barry by his arm. Barry was only slightly conscious, so getting him to cooperate wasn't easy.
Oliver had to nearly carry Barry to the second bed that was in the room. He looked at ease now. He looks like he desperately needs sleep. Dark circles took a liking under his eyes, and his cheeks seemed sunken in. There's no way he's getting all the nessesary food a speedster needs while he's caring for this baby. Now maybe three, if Iris will let him. He needs to be let in. He needs his friend to be there. Oliver promised himself that he'd be there for his friend, even if no one else will, and he gets rejected. This man has save all these people several times. He finds it hard to believe that are leaving him out of their closed circle. Barry could stay in his. He has enough room.
There will be another one soon. Sorry for any mistakes.
