SNOWBARRY: Sometimes Runs, Sometimes Can't

Chapter 11 - Stop Me If You Want

"I could run like this forever," Barry whispered against Caitlin's ear as the city lights spread endlessly beneath them.

He loved his speed; it gave him a new purpose in life, and it shaped the person he is today.
Yet in this very moment, running was not the thing he enjoyed the most.

They'd landed on the roof of the tallest building in Central City, the wind tugging at her damp hair.

The sky was gloomy, stormy, but the air was surprisingly inviting, comfortable, so Caitlin embraced it and finally said.

"Forever is a long time, Barry," eyes sparkling as she watched him watch her. It felt too vivid, too perfect. Like a dream, she might wake at any second.

"Long is good," he replied with a quiet smile, slipping his hand into hers.
"This is where I come to think," he gestured.

"Hmm," was all she said as she took a step back, closer to the ledge.

Barry's hand squeezed her tighter.

"Where do you think you're going?" Barry asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I'm going to be fine..." she laughed as she led them closer to the edge of the building.

"But you're scared of heights." He followed, ready to grab her if she stumbled.

"Not when you're here." The words slipped out too easily, so she quickly added with a playful smirk, "You'll just catch me like you do with all the other clumsy people in the city."

"I'm always going to catch you," he said, his voice suddenly softer, almost serious, as he stepped in front of her, making sure she felt the weight of it.

And then lightning lit up the sky, followed by a rumble as the sky opened.

Rain began to fall, slow, gentle, and deliberate, like the city itself was in on their moment.

"Unusual, you said?" Caitlin tipped her head back, letting the raindrops kiss her skin.

Barry shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, then pulled her into his arms. She didn't feel the chill anymore, only the solid warmth of him, the city lights blurring through the rain around them.

They stayed like that for a long moment.

Finally, Caitlin broke the quiet. "You know what would be nice right now?"

"I can't think of anything nicer than this," he said, "but tell me?"

She continued, "A hot coffee with..."

"Two sugars and a pinch of cinnamon," he'd finished the sentence with her.

They laughed, the fact that they said it in unison making them laugh harder.

Barry's chest tightened, warmth blooming where there was none a moment ago. The thought that she remembered the smallest things about him..

"I can't say no to that," he said, tightening his hold on her before the world blurred and they were back outside her building.

Barry noticed her shiver. "You're cold. Let's get you into something dry first, then coffee?"

"Look at you," she teased, unlocking the door, "Saving me from evil clothes.. again."

His grin widened. "Wait, so you do remember that?"

"Not exactly something one would forget," she said, heading toward the kitchen. "The Flash undressing you, putting you in PJs when you're drunk. That doesn't happen every day."