SNOWBARRY: Sometimes Runs, Sometimes Can't

Chapter 12 - Something New

Barry stood before her. He didn't want to rush this.

He wanted to take in every heartbeat, every breath, every bit of Caitlin Snow. The woman who had carried more strength and grace than anyone he'd ever known.

She was something rare, irreplaceable. And Barry knew that if he ever had the privilege of holding her like this, it had to mean something. It had to mean everything.

When she stepped even closer, he felt her shiver. Without thinking, he pressed his lips to her neck, lingering there, feeling her pulse quicken beneath his mouth.

Her breathing changed. His heartbeat louder than the thunder outside, and he knew, he knew she felt it too.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, the words quiet but certain, before letting them fade away into their touch. Into his kisses.

Because words weren't enough. Not tonight.

Their connection had always been there. Threaded through late nights in the lab, the quiet comfort of shared coffee, the way they could read each other without speaking. The banter. The unspoken bond they had.

Barry's hands traced over her skin.

Curious and hungry to know this side of her. The warmth of her skin anchored him in this moment.

He ran his thumb over her lips, her jaw, down her throat, studying.

For once, he was the one examining her.

His other hand slid down her back, holding her, gripping her, scared she'd slip away.

He lifted her effortlessly, carried her to the bed where so many nights he had sat beside her, watching over her, keeping the nightmares away.

Only this time. This time was different. This was something new.

He kissed her again as he lay her on the bed. Her skin, soft and warm. Eyes burning. Full of mischief.

She wanted this... he thought to himself.

With every kiss, his own want and desire sipped through him. He looked at her for a moment as if giving her time to reconsider, but when she simply adjusted herself, pressing his body to hers, he took that as a sign.

He trailed the inside of her legs with a finger.

He slowly removed her blue lace underwear, peppering her with kisses in the process.

The sound of her breathing, the sight of her laid bare before him in nothing but high heels, was a vision and it was driving him mad.

No. He was going to take his time with her. Study her. Learn her inch by inch.

When he reached that spot. The little noise she made. The way her back arched as he traced his finger in circles.

"Caitlin.." he finally pleaded, towering over her, "That moan of yours is going to be the end of me".

She blinked her innocence away, eyes on him and full of playful challenge.

"You mean this one..." She let out another one in invitation just as his grip on her tightened.

His eyes grew darker.

"Well, if that's how you want to play," was all he managed to say, almost growling in return, as he pinned her down. Opened her legs, accepting the challenge, and slowly, so slowly, lowered down... to study her further.

***

The city was quiet. The storm still whispered against the glass, but all Caitlin could hear was Barry's heartbeat beneath her ear.

She studied the lines of his face as he slept, the curve of his jaw, the way his lips softened in rest.

All her careful walls felt useless now.
He shattered them all, every last one of them.