Within Seconds // Barry Allen

Unexpected Inmate

Parker narrowed her eyes. For once, Cisco beat her in an argument. She sighed and looked at Barry.

"I'll settle for calling it our suit."

While the boys and Parker were discussing the usual suit dilemma, Caitli had analyzed Barry's speed compared to other missions and came to the conclusion that Barry had ran faster than ever that night.

"Your training is paying off. That couple is alive because of you," Dr.Wells said.

"I can still get faster, I know I can," Barry disagreed.

"And you will one day, for sure. But for today, I'm sure you've fulfilled your safe quota. Proper rest is all we need."

"Better yet, what we all need is drinks!" Cisco offered. "So, who's up for a round?"

"Sorry, man, it's date night for us," Barry declined.

Parker's head snapped her neck to look at Barry. He answered directly after the question was asked, without hesitation, and not even a glance to Parker.

And then, Barry slipped one foot behind the other and performed a dorky spin move to face her.

"Where were we, Park? Going back to your apartment?"

"Are we gonna make out?"

"With Hercules in the background?" Barry suggested.

Parker's mouth dropped, making Barry's eyes widen in excitement. Just like that, Parker wasn't kidding anymore.

"Barry, yes! That's the best idea you've ever had!"

Barry held his hands out and Parker pushed herself from her chair, hopping into his arms. They wished everyone a fast goodbye and left the lab as fast as possible.

"They're such dorks," Cisco grumbled.

"Agreed," Caitlin and Dr.Wells chimed.

>>>>>>

"I'm going to put on something more comfortable," Parker said when they made it to her apartment. 

She left without a word, leaving Barry to put the movie on.

Barry gulped. He could feel a blush creeping up his neck. So early in their relationship and Parker was already trying to..

Not that he wouldn't. He knew he eventually wanted to share that experience with her. But sex wasn't what he wanted from her.

He wanted three a.m. conversations, the deep ones where they truly get to know each other; he wanted dorky moments that made them giggle when it was supposed to be serious; he wanted to be at peace with everything when he was with her.

If they accomplished that, and more things on his checklist of the perfect girlfriend, then he would give himself to her. As far as he knew, she was already breezing past the requirements.

"Okay, I'm baaaack!" Parker called, hiding behind the wall. "Are you ready to see my outfit? I just bought it. You're going to love it."

"U-Um--"

Parker used her fuzzy socks to slide across the floor, truly making an entrance to show off her outfit.

Barry's sigh of relief was loud enough for her to hear. He dropped his tense shoulders, mentally called himself an idiot for overreacting, then actually looked at her pajamas.

Parker's fingers were pointing to her black t-shirt. On the front, it had a pink heart with the words, "My boyfriend is a forensics scientist." Her eyes were scrunched with the smile that showed her excitement.