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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 031: Barry Allen/The Flash

Movie: Justice League, 2017

Prompt: Hamburger

Chapter Warning(s):

Author's Note:

KH*BA*KH*BA

Tokyo, Japan

Barry Allen pushed his hood back as he entered the now-familiar family restaurant. His eyes darted all over the place, checking for exits and entrances, and his fingers wouldn't stop fiddling with his jacket's zipper. It was triggered by compulsion, his body's need to continuously move. His superhuman abilities had changed his life in more than one way, and he couldn't say if he liked it or not.

But he had the Justice League now, so he supposed he was blessed in that aspect. He had people who understood him; people who saw him as useful and important instead of as a freak. Not many others could say the same.

"Ah, Allen-san," an older man's voice greeted, catching Barry's attention, "Back again, I see." Behind a pair of square glasses, his kind, wise eyes gleamed. "Would you like your usual table?"

Barry's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and his fingers increased their fiddling if possible. "Y-Yes, please," he answered.

"Right this way."

As soon as Barry sat down, a menu was placed in front of him – not that he needed it. He ordered the same thing every time. He was addicted, and he wasn't ashamed to admit it. But it wasn't just the food he kept coming back for…

"Barry-kun," a sweet, accented voice chimed out. His brown eyes instantly snapped up to the owner of said voice. His hands finally stopped playing with his jacket's zipper as his entire focus was centered on the beautiful young woman, with raven colored hair and the most amazing amethyst eyes he'd ever seen. "Welcome back."

He gave a little, nervous wave of his hand. His facial features twitched with the desire to smile but struggled with the right expression he wanted to present. Why was he always second-guessing himself with this particular young woman? He wanted to be cool and smooth, like Bruce Wayne, but he knew that would never happen.

"H-Hi, Kagome," he greeted back.

Kagome smiled brightly. "Would you like your usual order?" she inquired, head tilted like a curious puppy.

Barry released a nervous chuckle. One hand came up to sheepishly rub the back of his head, further messing up his dark hair. "Am I that predictable?"

"Well, you've been coming here practically every day, at the same time, sitting at the same table, for about three weeks now." She giggled, the sound like wind chimes to his ears. "So, yes, I'd say you're a bit predictable, Barry-kun."

A fingernail started picking at the corner of the plastic menu. "The hamburgers here are really good," he said. But that wasn't the only reason why he kept coming back. Running at super speed from Central City to Tokyo wasn't the most convenient trip he'd ever taken. Neither was learning a little conversational Japanese, but that skill could only help him in the future. And Kagome's English wasn't half bad either.

Kagome lightly laughed, her pen jotting down his order onto a piece of paper. "One hamburger – extra sauce – with fries, and a chocolate milkshake. Is that right?"

"Sounds perfect," he replied, smiling boyishly.

"Coming right up. I'll be back with your shake in a few minutes, okay?"

"Thank you, Kagome."

When he was alone once more, Barry sighed as his fingers went back to fiddling with his jacket's zipper. He was even tempted to pull his hood back over his face to further hide his expression and overall embarrassment. He was screwing up with her. He was always screwing up with Kagome. Why couldn't he say something flattering about her? Compliment her, even, instead of talking about food and his obscenely huge appetite.

Barry felt like bashing his head against the nearest brick wall. Or maybe he should curl up into a ball and start rolling around on the floor out of despair. Either sounded like a good option.

He didn't know how long he had silently sat there, stewing over how much of a screw up he was, but the next thing he knew Kagome was back and placing two glass cups of chocolate shakes on the table. He blinked, surprised. What…?

"I thought I would join you," Kagome announced, voice shy but determined. She stood near the seat across from him, obviously unsure of her welcome. "If that's okay with you, Barry-kun…?"

"Yes," he exclaimed a little too loudly but not caring. Still, he lowered his voice as to not be disruptive. "I mean, go-go ahead. I don't mind."

"Thank you." With that, Kagome took the seat across from the Metahuman, beaming a beautiful smile directly at him. Unknown to her, his heart skipped several beats – and it wasn't because he was running at super speed or facing a dangerous opponent.

Barry fiddled with the cold glass, not yet taking a sip of the frozen treat. "So," he started, hoping he wouldn't stutter too harshly, "a-are you on break or something?"

Her cheeks heated with color, and her eyes wouldn't meet his. "My boss said that I could take my break early…" she trailed off, coughing discreetly to hide her discomfort.

"And you decided to spend it… with me?" Hope had entered his tone, and he gazed at her with adoring eyes. He couldn't help it. His absolute dream girl was sitting across from him. In all of his fantasies, this would be his perfect first date with Kagome. Of course, there was that voice in the back of his head that said this couldn't be real, that she couldn't possibly be interested in a guy like him. He lacked self-confidence (except when he was The Flash – and even then it was questionable), and he knew how nerdy he could be.

"Why wouldn't I?" Kagome responded, tearing Barry's attention away from his self-recrimination. Her confused, rhetorical question spoke volumes and had his heart beating a mile a minute. The way she bit her bottom lip nervously was adorable. "Like I said, you've been coming here practically every day… I was kind of hoping it was because of something more than the hamburgers…"

It was Barry's turn for his cheeks to heat, though he couldn't help the goofy, boyishly charming grin that stretched across his face. Confidence boosted his next words out.

"Yeah," he answered. "Don't get me wrong – the hamburgers here are the best I've ever had, but…" He could feel the redness of his blush spread but he pushed forward. This moment was too important to screw up. And Barry Allen was done screwing up. "You keep me coming back, Kagome."

The sweet, happy smile that appeared on her face was worth everything he'd gone through to get to this day.

"I was hoping you would say that," she replied, laughing happily at his confession.

With a grin that couldn't seem to waver, Barry finally brought up his shake and took his first drink.

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!

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QUESTION: Which character was your favorite to be paired up with Kagome, and why? Please choose from the amazing male leads that have already been posted and leave your answer in a review (:

~Celestial Law