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The difference with Need and Want

Barry woke slowly, awareness creeping back into his body one limb at a time as he fluttered his eyes open. He felt absolutely exhausted. So much so he was considering just closing his eyes again straight away. But the view in front of him wasn't the one he was used to seeing upon waking every morning.

Looking around he recognised Caitlin's living room and that sparked off his memories of the previous day.

He rubbed his shoulder where he remembered hitting that building after being thrown, wracked his brain for what Cait had said about the effect the meta's powers had had on him and winced at the awkwardness of bring her the next advent present whilst getting caught having not followed her doctor instructions. The box was no longer in his hand though so she must have taken it. He couldn't remember her reaction at opening it so he guessed he must have fallen asleep before she did, annoyingly.

Barry moved slightly as if to get up but instantly felt dizzy and slumped back down. He felt aches all over his body, all the way down to his bones. His physical injuries seemed to have healed, there were no more cuts on his arms, but the lethargy was obviously an after-effect of Siphon's abilities.

But he couldn't just sleep all day. He had work and plans and what if the city needed the Flash?

"Good morning."

Barry turned to see Caitlin entering the room holding a tray made up with breakfast and coffee. He must be really out of it to not have heard her making any of it or coming over to him.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, setting down the tray and perching on the edge of the couch, next to his hip.

"Tired," he rasped out. "Unbelievably tired."

"Well you've slept for nine hours straight, so hopefully that means your body has rested and is on the mend. However I think you should stay where you are and get some more rest. You went through a lot yesterday."

"Is that doctor's orders?"

"Are you going to listen to them this time if I say yes?"

Barry smiled up at Caitlin, happy to see a teasing light in her eyes as she spoke. She could have been still mad from last night and Barry wouldn't have been able to blame her if she was. But she was playful with him, bantering with him even; everything was ok.

"Of course," he answered as demurely as he could.

Caitlin smiled but shook her head, her emotions easily read by him; trust in the smile, disbelief but with a faint touch of hope in the head shake.

"Are you hungry?" she asked.

Barry thought about it for a split-second. "Starved. But I also feel like I don't have the energy to eat."

"That sounds about right. I imagine you're system needs a hefty intake of energy right now as it's still recovering. I made pancakes and bacon and there's some fruit too."

"Thanks Cait. You didn't have too."

"I wanted too," she replied with a shrug. "I like to cook and you needed to eat. Plus I got to put the recipe in my new recipe book."

Barry grinned as he realised she was talking about one of the earlier advent presents. "You liked it?"

"I loved it," she beamed. "I love all of them. They're amazing."

She pulled back her hair, tucking it behind her ear and he saw there were silver snowflakes on her lobes.

"Pretty," he murmured. "Though lightning bolts would have looked better."

Caitlin rolled her eyes.

Barry's stomach then chose that moment to let out a very loud growl.

"Food," Caitlin said instantly and starting filling him up a plate.

Barry took what she offered him and began to wolf it down. The pancakes were fluffy and light, just how he liked them, and he covered them liberally in syrup before scooping up some bacon. Once he was finished with those he moved on to the fruit. He ate quickly and a bit messily, but now that he had food in front of him he was ravenous and couldn't stop himself. Fruit juices dripped down his chin.

Caitlin had finished the small selection she had made for herself and was now watching him with concerned eyes.

"Sorry. I'm making a mess."

"It's alright," she said. "Just so long as you get the nutrients your body needs. You'll probably need more rest too and go back to sleep after this."

"I don't want to," Barry said immediately.

"I didn't say want," Caitlin softly replied. "I said need."

Barry leant over to put his plate on the coffee table nearby, rubbing his leg against Caitlin's in the process. Little tingles of awareness shot through him but he tried to put it aside.

Barry's eyes got heavy and he inwardly cursed when he realised Caitlin was right; his body was going into rest mode again. Unfortunately that meant he was falling asleep on Caitlin again.

"Cait," he mumbled.

"Ssh," she whispered and Barry felt gentle fingers trace across and down his hair, ending up at his neck when warmth seeped out from her touch. "Just rest. You're safe here Barry. I'll take care of you."

He wanted to say that she always did, and just how much her caring meant to him. But between his exhausted body and the lulling motions of her hand he was back asleep before he could do anything but think of the words he desired to say.

Barry next woke up to darkness. He felt much better and managed to sit up and stretch, the lethargic feeling gone. He reached out for his phone, saw a few messages from Joe, Iris and Cisco but nothing that was important enough to have to be dealt with right now. But then he saw the time and swore.

It was almost six in the morning, meaning he'd slept nearly the entire day and he was late for getting Caitlin's gift.

He stood up slowly and carefully, testing out how his body felt but there were no more aches and his mind felt clear. Next he needed to try out his speed.

Barry flashed to the kitchen, a short distance, but he needed to make sure he wasn't going to collapse again. He knew Caitlin would definitely have a problem with that. But the quick trip was fine he was sure, and he felt good.

Deciding to go for it before he talked himself out of it or his energy drained again, Barry sped out of Caitlin's apartment, got back to his, located box 9 and went back to Caitlin's. He placed the box on the floor in front of her bedroom door this time, thinking it might be good to change it up a little bit.

He then collapsed back on the couch and pulled the blanket back over himself, deciding more sleep probably wouldn't do his body any harm.

Barry woke up some time later to the sound of a door opening. He shifted upwards slightly and peered over the top of the couch, watching Caitlin as she opened the box and pulled out the present inside. Her face burst into a smile and she giggled quietly to herself.

Barry grinned back, unable to help himself, and just glad she seemed to like it. He hadn't been one hundred per cent on this one but Caitlin seemed happy with it. And that was all that mattered to him.

Caitlin lifted the snow dog plushie into her arms and gave it a squeeze before backing back into her bedroom.

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