Barry had been thinking about the kiss they shared all night. He didn't even notice Iris crawling into bed next to him. She had said something but he didn't hear a word she was saying. "Barry?" She called. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts.
"Barry!" She called again finally getting his attention. "Huh? What?" Barry answered absentmindedly. When he snapped out of it he felt as though Iris had taken him away from the place where he spent the most time with Caitlin, his thoughts. "What's wrong?" She asked confusingly. "Nothing's wrong." Barry lied. It didn't sound the least bit convincing.
Barry was a terrible liar. "You've been acting weird all night. Especially after you and Cai—" "You know, I've just been tied up with this case and catching this bad guy. I just need some sleep." Barry replied hoping this was convincing enough. To his surprise it was. Iris gave in turning off the nightlight.
He felt her snuggle against him. Not too long ago he would have loved this, but now he couldn't stand it. But she was his fiancé. He had to. After all they were destined to be together right? Yeah they were. They had so much in common. He tried thinking about it, but nothing came up. No. Of course they belonged together because they were Barry and Iris. He silenced these racing thoughts deciding to get some sleep.
Church bells rang through the air. Everything seemed to be in place. Barry stood in front of Iris and the priest read. He stared at the beaming woman across from him. "Do you Barry Allen take Iris West to be your lawful wedded wife till death do you part?" Barry started to panic. Iris looked so hopeful, but he couldn't do it.
He looked out at his friends and family watching. None of them seemed to be thrilled. Their faces were lifeless which gave him chills. He took a deep breath looking back at Iris who now had the face of a skeleton. He stepped back, falling over.
Barry woke up in a cold sweat. He looked right next to him seeing that Iris was still fast asleep. The clock read 3am. He made his way out of their bedroom. He paced back and forth in the living room. He needed some water. He poured himself a glass of water then stepped out onto the balcony they had recently installed.
He gazed out at the Central City skyline. Neon illuminated the city before him. He breathed in the fresh early morning air. What was he doing? Were these nightmares going to be a common occurrence? He began thinking of the way it felt when he and Caitlin had kissed. It was almost similar to how he felt when he still had feelings for Iris. Only this felt better.
He had decided that he needed someone to talk to. He quickly grabbed his cellphone, returning to the balcony and dialing Cisco's number. It rang a few times. It was way too late to be calling. He knew that. But he couldn't help it. He needed someone to talk to.
"Duuuude...do you know what time it is?" Cisco asked sounding sleepy and annoyed. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry Cisco, I just needed someone to talk to. I've been having some trouble." Barry answered truthfully. "Sure dude, shoot." Cisco replied encouraging him to go on.
Barry told him everything. When he had started losing his feelings for Iris, the kiss with Caitlin, and everything else up until now. When he was finally finished, the line was silent. "Cisco?" He called hoping he was still listening. "Woaaaah dude. You and Caitlin...I ship it." He replied.
"You ship it? What does that even mean?" Barry asked confused. "I've always felt like there was something going on between you two. Or at least that something should have been going on between you two." Cisco laughed. "No, this is wrong." Barry replied feeling ashamed. "I'm engaged to Iris. It's always been Barry and Iris." Barry went on.
"Not from where I'm standing." Cisco replied. "What…?" Barry wasn't understanding where he was going with this. "When you lost your father, Caitlin was there to talk to you. She was the only one that was able to relate to you because she lost hers. I also remember that karaoke night you told me about where she asked you to stay with her until she fell asleep." Cisco continued.
"Yeah so…?" Barry replied. "Sure you and Iris grew up together, but it's always been Barry and Caitlin. You remember when she went all Killer Frost and lost control of herself? What brought her back?" Barry thought about everything he was saying. It all made sense.
"Me…" he answered "Exactly. So when are you going to realize that—-" "Barry? What are you doing awake?" He heard Iris said stepping out onto the balcony. He told Cisco that he had to go, hanging up the phone. "I was just uh talking to Cisco about some star labs stuff." He replied. "It's late. You should come to bed." She answered, pulling him back into the apartment.
As he made his way back to his bedroom. He couldn't help but think of what Cisco has told him. Would leaving Iris for Caitlin be the right thing to do?
Iris, Barry, and Joe sat at a table in the coffee shop. Iris held Barry's hand as she spoke to her father about their wedding plans. Barry faked interest in the conversation and spoke when they'd ask him a question. "You know, if there was anyone who I'd think was best for my daughter it's you Barry." Joe smiled.
Barry forced a smile feeling a pang of guilt wash over him. Joe trusted him to take care of Iris. He would probably kill him if he broke her heart. Sure he was in a way his son too, but no one wants to see their kid heartbroken. Barry had began to think that maybe breaking off his engagement with Iris wasn't the best idea.
After all maybe these feelings for Caitlin were only temporary. Maybe if he didn't think too much about it, they'd go away. He glanced at Iris giving her hand a loving squeeze.
Suddenly the door to jitters opened and in walked Cisco and Caitlin. Obviously here for their early morning coffee run. Barry's heart stopped. It was as though everything was going in slow motion. He and Caitlin locked eyes instantly. She flashed him a sweet smile, giving him a small wave. "Hey bro hey!" Cisco greeted as he and Caitlin walked over.
Everyone at the table greeted back. Iris rambled about their wedding plans but Barry wasn't listening. His eyes fell on Caitlin who just so happened to be staring back at him. There it was. The chemistry they had. It was as though their eyes were having a conversation. A look of longing showed in both of their eyes.
Cisco took notice to this intense eye contact trying to hold in a smile. Joe looked at both of them strangely. "What's with you two?" He asked causing them to break eye contact. "Nothing!" They both replied awkwardly in unison. Barry scratched the back of his head while Caitlin's eyes shifted to the floor.
Iris and Joe gave them weird looks. "Hey, I know you're nervous about the wedding, but it's going to be great don't worry." Iris replied assuringly giving him a light peck on the lips. Barry's eyes shifted to Caitlin who looked disappointed. "Hey I just noticed something!" Cisco said out of nowhere.
Everyone turned their attention to Cisco urging for him to continue. "Barry and Caitlin are matching!" Barry and Caitlin both laughed nervously. Blush crept on their cheeks. "They are…" Iris said with a hint of resentment in her voice. "Hey Barry, why don't we ever match?" She asked.
Barry's face grew hot. He looked at the ground, then back at Caitlin who had that worried look she always wore when he was in trouble. He quickly looked back at Iris. "I don't know. It's not like we do it on purpose." He replied earning a laugh from Cisco and Caitlin. Iris didn't seem too thrilled about this.
Iris shot them both death glares causing both of them to stop. "Uh Barry! I need you to help me with something." Caitlin said. "With what?" Barry asked his heart skipping a beat. He wasn't sure why he even asked. He didn't care. He would do anything as long as he got to spend time with her.
"I'm getting a new couch in my apartment and I'm going to need help getting it in. I was wondering if Barry could come with me?" Caitlin asked looking back and forth between Iris and Barry. "I'm sure Barry would love to help. Cisco wore a smug look on his face.
"Great! Let me just grab a coffee and we'll be on our way." Caitlin chimed making her way toward the counter. Barry felt a warm feeling inside. Even though it was just a piece of furniture, he'd get more time with Caitlin. Part of him felt guilty for his excitement.
"I think I like that one. What do you think?" Caitlin asked as they stood in front of a pastel blue couch in the furniture store. "I think it looks fantastic." Barry replied. The employee that had been helping them, gave them a smile. "Alright, be back in a sec." the employee said before walking toward the back.
They were alone again at last. "Thanks for coming with me." Caitlin said. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Barry replied with a laugher. "Couch shopping with your coworker?" Caitlin asked sounding surprised. "No, Barry replied." "Couch shopping with Caitlin Snow." This causes her to turn a deep red.
"It kind of feels like we're this couple shopping for furniture for our apartment." Caitlin giggled lightly. The two hadn't noticed until now that they stood a few inches away from each other. Barry glanced down at Caitlin's lips. They looks so soft and inviting.
"You two lovebirds make the cutest couple!" The employee said rolling up with the couch in a box. "Oh we're not.." Barry and Caitlin quickly moved away from each other. "After you." Barry said motioning for her to follow the employee to the front of the store.
"That should do it!" Barry said as he plopped down on Caitlin's new couch. It was so comfy. Barry couldn't help but rest his head back. "Thanks for the help Mr. Allen." Caitlin said teasingly walking over toward him with a glass of lemonade.
Barry gulped it all down before she sat down. They had suddenly noticed how close they were sitting. Barry could smell a hint of vanilla perfume. It was Barry's favorite smell. "You smell good." Barry whispered. This was a bold move.
"Thank you." Caitlin smiled. Luckily it was Friday. So they had decided to settle on a scary movie. Barry had texted Iris earlier and told him that he'd be staying a little later. Luckily Iris was fine with it.
It was a scary part and Caitlin had ended up jumping on Barry's lap. She buried her face in the crook of his neck. Barry laughed holding her tightly. "It's okay." Barry said trying not to get too excited over how close they were. Did she notice how close they were? Barry knew this was wrong, but nothing felt more right?
When they were together it felt as though everything was right in the world. He didn't have to put on a fake personality, or live up to unrealistic expectations. Caitlin liked him for him. She suddenly looked into his eyes resting her hands on his shoulders.
They glanced down at the other's lips. "Barry…" she whispered. Barry couldn't help it anymore. He needed her. His hands rested on her back. Her eyes started swelling up with tears. She placed her hands on his face. "You're so beautiful Caitlin" Barry whispered. Caitlin closed gap between them.
Barry's head was spinning. He felt as though it had been a millennium since he had felt her lips on his. The kiss became passionate. He opened his mouth allowing for her tongue to enter. Their tongues danced around each other's mouths. Caitlin shifted her position so that she was straddling his lap instead. The light from the tv casted an eerie glow.
Hushed breathe and moans sounded throughout the room. It felt electric. How was she able to make him feel like this only by kissing him. When she pulled away they rested their foreheads together. "I don't want to go back." Barry said running his hands through her hair. "Then stay." Caitlin whispered before kissing him again.
Barry couldn't remember the last time he had felt such happiness. This feeling of euphoria. Maybe it was when he had learned how to ride a bike, or when he went to his favorite theme park with his parents. When he realize how to master his superpowers. All he knew was that being with Caitlin made him feel this again.