AN: And I'm back! Finally. I'd spent forever trying to think of an idea to weave in that would actually compliment the previous chapter...and then this hit me in the face and I felt like an idiot. And it's fairly AU, because I cant recall exactly what happened after that episode.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Flash.
Zoom just as well should have shredded his own heart...it sure felt like he did. Right in front of him...his dad, one of the very most important people in his life, even now, was killed. First his mother, and now his dad...it made him want to keep all his friends in a locked box -just to keep them safe. Every time he shut his eyes the event seemed to replay vividly. He wasn't sure how much more hurt he could take. Dragging his feet around STAR Labs didn't go unnoticed by everyone. Caitlin paid extra attention, and she couldn't keep up with it much longer.
"Barry," She said one evening, once again when STAR Labs was closing for the night. Cisco noticed the interaction and left the room.
"I know what you're going to say, Caitlin," Barry started, "And I'm fine,"
"Really, Barry? Are you?" Caitlin said, stepping closer to him. She grabbed his hand lightly, "It's alright if you aren't,"
"Cait, I'm fine," Barry said, growing flustered.
"We both know that's not true," Caitlin said softly, "And that's perfectly okay. You were there for me -let me be here for you,"
Barry didn't reply. Tears welled in his eyes, and Caitlin could see he was fighting very hard to not let them spill over. After the tension had grown unbearable, Barry couldn't fight the tears back. As one dribbled down his cheek, Caitlin wiped it away with her thumb, tears starting to appear in her own eyes. Barry gave her hand a squeeze. Caitlin took this as a sign that he would let her help him, let her be there for him when the going got tough. He wrapped her in a hug, his face tucked away in her shoulder to hide the tears.
Caitlin didn't think it to be fit to say some cliche line, to tell him that it was going to be okay. So she held him, for a change, as his racking sobs quieted. He had his arms around her tightly, as if she might slip from his grasp as well. She held him back just as tightly, letting the gesture speak her mind rather than words.
She wasn't going anywhere.
She was going to be by his side whenever he needed her, because he had done the same for her. She had always vowed that, someday, she would be able to thank him for pulling her out of that sinking pit. And he did, and she was grateful for that more than words could express. He had been her rock, and now she was going to be his. They kept a little light shining, in the hopes that maybe, maybe someday, it would be better. Things wouldn't be so harsh. It wasn't easy right now for him, but she could try and make it so.
Thinking of this, she dared to loosen the embrace just enough to kiss him lightly on the cheek. She didn't look back up to see his face, only leaned into him once more. He placed his head against her...and she could feel him smiling.
"Thank you, Caitlin," Barry said, and those three simple words were all she needed to hear to know that he meant it.
"Anytime, Barry," Caitlin said, and she meant it with all her heart. She didn't care if it was four in the morning, she'd be there if he needed her. She would be there until that someday, the day when they could just be normal again. And maybe, just maybe, there would be something more to this comfort agreement they had.