SNOWBARRY: Sometimes Runs, Sometimes Can't

Chapter 10 - Something Unusual

When Barry and Caitlin finally returned to S.T.A.R. Labs, the "creepy truth-wielder" was sedated and secured in the med bay, a cocktail of powerful aesthetics keeping him unconscious while they figured out what to do next.

Caitlin was already working on an antidote tonic. Cisco, there, too, leaning against the console, his expression unreadable, which for Cisco usually meant trouble.

"Barry... ehm, you know who stopped by today?" he asked, awkwardly dragging out the words.

Barry glanced up from the meta's monitor. "Who?" His tone was distracted, more focused on keeping their new guest contained than on social gossip.

Cisco scratched the back of his neck. "Iris."

The name hung in the air like a cold draft. 

Caitlin froze mid-step. It was the sting of reality. The reminder that Barry's heart had always belonged somewhere else, the same way hers had once belonged to Ronnie.

She looked at him, quietly bracing herself, watching for the tell in his eyes.

"Iris? Did she say why she came by?" Barry asked, his voice steady. 

He caught Caitlin's gaze and he gave her a quick, reassuring smile, as if to silently say, You don't need to worry.

"I don't know, dude," Cisco admitted. "I had to improvise. But you should talk. Call her. Like  soonish.. okay?"

Barry's jaw tightened. "Don't worry, Cisco. Next time she shows up, you won't have to lie. I'll handle it."

And that was that.

***

Barry joined Caitlin at the workstation, and together they began running tests, brainstorming an antidote that could help the man without harming him. The hum of equipment filled the air.

After a while, Caitlin spoke without looking up. "Barry... can I ask you something?"

"Of course. What's on your mind?"

She hesitated, twirling the pen between her fingers. "I know this isn't the time... but"

"You don't have to finish," he said gently, already knowing where she was going.

He turned to her fully. "Caitlin, I've been thinking. As much as I want to just hold you right now and run away until you forget all your doubts, we have to deal with our truth-wielder over there." Then his mouth curved into a mischievous grin. "Unless, of course, you want to know my deepest, most secret thoughts about you..."

Her lips curved despite herself. Mission accomplished, he'd gotten her to smile. For Barry, making her laugh in moments like this was almost as important as saving the city. Maybe more.

By the end of the day, Caitlin had figured it out. Figured Kevin's condition out, but she didn't share, not yet;  she waited for the results to come out and confirm it first.

Cisco had secured a safe place to keep Kevin, the meta-human, under observation. 

He stretched, glancing at the clock.

Everyone was tired.

"Alright, team, it's nearly midnight. I say we call it"

 Caitlin's shoulders stiffened. Was it the idea of going home that felt heavier than usual? Was it the silence? The memories of Ronnie she'd made peace with, until Barry had started stirring something new in her...

"Yes. It's time. See you tomorrow," she said, forcing brightness into her chipped words before heading for the door.

She'd just slipped behind the wheel when a sudden flash of light flooded the car. Of course, it was him.

Barry leaned down to her window, grinning,  that boyish smile always undid her more than she cared to admit. "Didn't you forget something?"

"I might have..." she replied, matching his tone.

For a moment, neither of them moved. They were just looking at each other. He noticed the sadness in her eyes, and she wondered what was hiding behind his determination.

Then he broke the silence. "Come on. Let's go for a walk. Clear our heads. Do something unusual."

Her eyebrow arched. "Unusual? Need I remind you that it's midnight, so anything we do from now on would classify as unusual?" She chuckled and cleared her throat. " But lucky for you, I like unusual, so" she tilted her head in question. What's next?

"Good. Unusual doesn't require cars," he winked.

Before she could answer, he'd already opened her door and scooped her into his arms. She laughed, pretending to protest, but didn't mean it.

The wind tore past them as the city blurred, the world narrowing to the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. In his arms, she felt weightless like a bird finally set free. She could feel his pulse, the strength in his muscles, the warmth of his touch, and beneath it all, the truth she didn't want to name.

She didn't want to let this go.