~More Than A Program~/// Bart Allen x Reader

Chapter 17

"Really?" You didn't even have to look to know his green eyes had surely lightened up in childish excitement.

Giggling, you turned to face him, not bothering to break free from his pleasant embrace. "Really."

Acknowledging his hair which was, frankly, sticking out in all directions and defying the very laws of gravity, you raised a brow in amusement. "Don't move, just let me..." Your voice trailed off as, leaning on your toes to reach him, you gently weaved your hands through his crazed locks, attempting to smooth them out. You were much too focused to acknowledge Bart's warm breath hitting your neck, and the small smile that tugged at his lips. He watched you quietly, and secretly noticed the way your shirt had lifted to give way to some of your soft-looking skin.

After a moment, you pulled back, satisfied. "There."

Blinking affectionately down at you, Bart leaned in slightly, and murmured, "Thanks (Y/N). You're the best."

And he kissed your cheek.

You felt his target catch on fire as, like if this were completely normal, Bart stuffed his hands into his pockets and left the room, surely to go tell Wally that lunch was soon to be ready.

Let me tell you, you completely forgot about the jacket you were supposed to return.

Awed, jaw dropped, you slowly brought your hand to the place he had pecked. ...You couldn't recall having ever blushed this hard. Or having heard your heart thud this loudly. Or having felt such a spark ignite beneath your skin, making a shiver of pleasure wash over your body.

You were now more confused than ever. Why did you react this way? Why did you feel so... Excited, happy?

And why in the world had Bart kissed your cheek like this?

Those questions were what you had in mind as, that evening, you hesitantly approached your office, where you knew a specific Kid Flash would be working.

You just had to get all of this off your chest, it wouldn't stop tormenting you for a single moment! And... Perhaps Wally would have a few answers. He was, after all, a speedster, just like Bart. Maybe he'd know why the young boy had been acting so much more openly affectionate lately.

Your hope at all an all-time high, you reached out, about to gently push the door open when-

"(Y/N)!" At the sound of your name, you halted, and spun in place to find none other than the person who was troubling you so much. Talk about perfect timing

He eagerly made his way over, his face bright with delight at seeing you. "You finally left your room!"

Letting out a nervous laugh, you unconsciously tugged at a loose strand of your tied hair as you swiftly replied, "Sorry about that, I got caught up in my book." Wrong. You had actually been trying to get away from him in order to make out head and tails of your confusing situation. Not that it had helped. Not one bit.

Bart gave a quick nod before eventually, he seemed to acknowledge where you were at. "...Were you going to see Wally?" At your confirmation, "He's really busy with his research, y'know. Why were you gonna see him?"

You hesitated for a moment. Should you tell him? After all, this was an ideal opportunity to get the truth out of him, to finally blow away the dust that covered all of this troubling mystery. ...But what if it'd make things awkward? What if you were just freaking out over something that could possibly be typical?

Letting out a shaky breath to stabilize yourself, you decided to go for the first option, as risky as it was. Whatever you did, things would surely be awkward anyway. Either awkward because you'd feel bothered and unsure about what was going on, or awkward because you'd have confronted him about his normal, friendly gestures. Therefore, you had to go for it. You wanted to know why Bart was acting like this, to know if you should be worried.