Inspired by fandm_writer's one-shot 'Breaking the Fourth Wall'

As well as inspired by the song 'Skin' by Sabrina Carpenter

A huge THANK YOU to shyesplease for looking over and helping me out!

"Ugh!" Caitlin moans and throws her phone in front of her on the couch. She buries her head into her knees as she pulls them close to her chest.

All the words. All the rumors. All the hate. It's starting to get to her and she is so fed up with it. It's getting to be too much for her to handle. Before she can get too lost in her own thoughts there is a soft knock on her apartment door.

"Who is it?" she asks, not moving an inch for where she is sitting.

"Barry. Can I come in?" his raspy voice speaks from behind the door.

She bites her lip - debating. The thought and reminders of not getting to see him for a while cracks through her mind. "It's open," she shouts back and watches the doorknob turn.

He opens the door and gives her a look of disappointment. "Why is your door unlocked? Have you learned nothing from being kidnapped?" he huffs with his hands on his hips.

She rolls her eyes. "I'm fine. We aren't shooting, so no bad guys remember?" she stresses the last word then buries her head back into her knees.

Barry's features soften and he quickly walks over to her side, closing the door. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asks, sitting in front of her on the couch.

"Nothing," she mumbles, refusing to look him in the eyes. Because she knows if she does, she will crack.

"Cait, don't shut me out, please," he begs as he unwraps her arms from around her legs. "We've been through too much to shut each other out," he reminds her, pulling her legs to lay across his lap. "Talk to me," he adds, tilting her chin so she can look him in the eyes.

Before she can say a word, the glow of the phone screen catches her attention as more alerts blink the device on. She sighs, shaking her head, and pulls away from his touch. She creates distance by standing up and walking over to the window with her arms crossed.

"Cait," he calls with such sadness. "Talk to me," he begs and stands up, ready to walk over to her but watches her body language first. "I haven't seen you since you supposedly 'left'," he references, thinking of the last time they stood in her apartment. "I didn't even realize you were back," he adds.

She scoffs, running a hand through her hair. "You can blame the writers for that one."

"I do. They are the reason I've barely been alone with you. And don't get me started on them writing you off like they did," he argues as anger fills his body.

She heavily sighs, looking out the window. "Maybe it's for the best, Bare," her voice so low he almost didn't catch her words as she bites her bottom lip.

With a shock, mixed with disgust, look on his face, he storms over to her side. He grips her shoulder and forces her to look at him. He didn't want to seem too harsh but her words stung his heart. "Like hell, it is," he huffs then softens his face to see her sad eyes. He sighs then gently takes a hold of her hands in his. "Cait, why haven't I heard from you? Why didn't you call and tell me you were here?"

Caitlin looks into his pleading eyes - eyes that are searching hers for answers. She wants to let him in, but she is too afraid to tell him everything she has read. Biting her lip, she looks over his shoulder to see her device still blinking on and off.

He notices and looks over to where her eyes cast to see the small box glowing on the couch. He looks back at her and cups her face into his hands. "Cait, what is bothering you that you can't tell me of all people," he practically begs at this point. It is hurting him to see her in pain. He can see it in her eyes. He has always been able to truly read her when no one else does.

"It's nothing," she lies, pulling away from his grasps. "Nothing for you to worry about," she tries to wave off, brushing past him to walk back over to the couch.

Barry grips her arm, holding her in place, and looks at her. "I thought we don't keep secrets from each other," he arches an eyebrow with his patience starting to wear off.

"Yeah, well that wasn't my choice. The writers don't really like me telling you personal things anymore," she huffs, pulling her arm from his grip.

He huffs in frustration. "And right now, the writers don't have a say. You do. And you are refusing to let me in," he pushes, crossing his arms. Her silence is deafening as he watches her go to pick her phone up. Continuing to keep an eye on her, he notices her facials drop even more as the screen brightens her face. He can't take it anymore and rushes over to take the device from her hold.

"Barry! No!" she yells, struggling to get it back from him. "Please! Give it back!" she moans, fighting him for it.

However, it is too late. He scans the notifications on her phone. Reading each hate comment after the next that has her username tagged in. His face scrunches in disgust, still holding back Caitlin, and looks at her. "Caitlin," his voice stressing her name.

"Barry, I told you it was nothing."

"Which is a lie! I saw how your face fell reading these off your phone and don't deny it," his voice stern with a hint of frustration.

Her face softens as she steps back from him. With her eyes casting to the ground and her teeth creating a deeper indention on her bottom lip, she shrugs her shoulders. "It's nothing," she breathes. "Just words from strangers," she adds before slowly looking back into his eyes.

"Caitlin," he breathes, his free hand removing a few stray strands of hair from her face, before cupping her cheek. "Let me in, please," his voice so soft and comforting.

She isn't too sure if it were the words or the way he said those words that cause her to break. It is Barry being Barry - her Barry. Her arms wrap around his waist and her head buries itself into his chest. He is quick to wrap his arms around her, securing his hold with a gentle kiss on her head.

"I got you," he whispers repeatedly into her ear. "I'm right here," he breathes, kissing her temple.

Caitlin releases a heavy sigh of relief that she didn't know she was holding in all this time. "I missed you," she cries. "I missed this so much," she chokes out, burying further into his chest to keep as minimal distance as possible.

He coos into her ear as his hand softly rubs circles on her back, comforting her. "I've missed you too Cait," he kisses her temple then lays his head on top of hers. "I've missed us," he sighs, tightening his hold on her.

"I'm sorry for shutting you out," she says as she slowly pulls away to look into his eyes.

He half-smiles then lifts the hand still holding her phone. "So what is all this about?" he asks with concern, shaking the device.

She looks away then back at him before puffing a breath. "It's about us," she lets out and watches as Barry's face scrunches in confusion.

"What about us?"

Biting her lip, her thoughts fight in her head before she gives in. "People... fans," she drags. "They don't seem to like the idea of there being an us," her voice shaking as she fidgets with her hands.

"So?"

Her head snaps up and looks at him with a mix of concern and confusion. "What do you mean 'so'?"

Barry's attempt to let a chuckle slip out of his mouth is short-lived when he sees the seriousness in her eyes. "Cait, " he can't help but laugh. "When have we ever let what others think influence how we feel about each other?"

Caitlin's shoulders slump in defeat. "I know, it's just after our 'goodbye' scene there were so many cute and sweet comments about our interaction. It made my heart feel full that being able to hug you again and be with you - alone on screen - made others feel just as happy," she smiles with a twinkle in her eye. "It gave me hope to one day be able to be with you, you know?"

"Yeah," he smiles at her, nodding. At the same time, his free hand finds its way back, cupping her face with his thumb lightly stroking her cheek in comfort.

She leans into his hand, melting at the affectionate touch. Her train of thought slipping away until Barry gives her that look to continue with her explanation. "Until," she sighs, placing her hand over his and giving it a light squeeze before removing his hold to just hold his hand for strength.

"Until what Cait?"

"Until the hate came," she releases as her voice cracks, thinking of all the messages. "It had seemed that for every one sweet, kind message I got five hateful messages," she chokes out as the tears begin to build in her eyes. "So much anger and hatred. All because the idea of there being an 'us' disgusted them. That I am not meant to be yours. That you only belong to -," she rambles as the tears fall down her face.

"Hey!" he snaps, squeezing their joint hands, stopping her from continuing her sentence. "Stop. Breathe Cait. I need you to breathe," he stresses then tries to reflect on the actions he is telling her to take. He smiles as she follows his lead. "Better?"

Caitlin bites her lip and sadly shakes her head no.

Barry pouts, tilting his head then a gentle smile spreads on his face. "I know just what will make it all better," his eyes smiling as he pulls their joint hands to lead them over to her couch. He sits first, pocketing her phone for the time being. Then he pulls her down on his lap, wrapping his arms securely around her waist.

She giggles as she bounces onto his lap then leans back into his touch - soaking it all up. She smiles as he kisses her temple while tightening his hold, enjoying the moment of pure bliss. She turns in his hold, to sit sideways on his lap, so she can lay her head on his chest to hear his heartbeat. The slow rhythm confirming to her that this moment is very real.

"I wish we can stay like this forever," she whispers as her hand ghostly plays with his shirt.

"Me too," he breathes then looks down at her. He lifts her chin so their eyes meet. "Cait, I need you to know that no matter what others say or do, we will always belong to each other. The writers, the 'fans'; they have no say on how we truly feel." His thumb strokes her chin as a smile grows across his face. "On TV, Barry and Caitlin may not be together, but when the cameras stop rolling, my heart will always be yours, understand?"

Looking lovingly into his eyes, she lost the ability to breathe. Slowly nodding her head with a soft smile, he smiles back at her, leaning in so their foreheads touch. Her fingers brush over his cheek, as his warm breath hits her face but their eyes don't stray from the other. The moment so intimate.

"I love you," her voice is so soft, it's barely audible. But, she knows he heard her.

Barry leans in, kissing her forehead then her nose to stop at her lips. "I love you too," he smiles, leaning in closer as his lips graze hers.

The vibration from her phone breaks the tension causing him to groan in frustration. Caitlin giggles, moving off him so he can fish out the device. He glances at the screen and rolls his eyes before shutting the device completely off. "And I am cutting you off from social media. I don't want these idiots getting under your skin or into your thoughts. Do you hear me? You are cut off," he huffs, shaking the device.

"Barry," she giggles. "I still need my phone to talk to people," she reminds him as he shoves her phone back into his jean's pocket.

"But not this second," he smirks, pulling her back onto his lap.

"Smooth Mr. Allen," she smirks back, snaking her arms around his neck.

He wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Only for you Dr. Snow," he adds, nuzzling his nose against hers. "I love you, no matter what other people say," he breathes, hovering over her lips. "Don't let them in, Cait. They don't deserve you," he adds.

She bites her lip and nods against his head. Her hand sneaks up his neck to play with the ends of his hair. "I love you, no matter what," she whispers back. "And that's why I only let you in," she smiles pulling his head down so their lips can collide.

The kiss is sweet yet passionate. Everything they needed to remind them of their love together. Caitlin slowly pulls away, smiling at him. He smiles back, leaning his forehead against hers to keep her close. Her fingers trace his lips then she looks back into his loving eyes to fall right back into his spell. Her smile widens and the words just slip out.

"You are totally worth breaking character."

fin.