Barry loved his job. Being the Flash, the rush of the speed, capturing bad guys, and knowing he was keeping the city he loved safe, had its perks. He couldn't, and wouldn't even try, to deny that.

But, following evidence, coaxing out the story of what happened, well, that was pretty amazing in its own right. The science and the logic of it all, pieces fell together and he got to follow that trail right to the heart of it. He mostly did it alone. He worked with the police force, yes, but it wasn't really that much of a team effort. He found the evidence and gave his reports to the guys in blue who would finish off the edges of that puzzle he'd started solving.

Then Eddie had come along. Eddie didn't just want the reports, he spent as much time in Barry's lab as he did out on the streets and Barry let him. He asked questions, wanted to understand the science, the reasoning behind it. He'd insinuated himself into Barry's space and the absence of him made the whole room feel cold.

Barry traced his finger along the edge of the table of equipment in front of him and heard the faint laughter of a memory. Eddie was everywhere and nowhere all at once.

When Eddie had first started poking into the lab, Barry had felt a slight annoyance at the idea the Detective didn't trust his abilities. Eddie won him over with an eagerness to understand, and now, Barry could see it for what it was.

Eddie wasn't unintelligent, at all. He also wasn't all that into science that went beyond the fiction aspect, either. Barry hadn't minded, he had other avenues for that kind of a connection and when it came to Eddie's own unique smarts, he hadn't exactly been able to keep up either. Judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree and all that.

No, Eddie had been trying to engage him on his own turf. Maybe he'd sensed a skittishness in Barry that said come to me, I won't go to you. Not an unfair assessment, he supposed. How long had he held a torch for Iris? Barry wasn't sure of many times he'd actually been the one to step out onto limbs. There were reasons, of course, a psychologist's wet dream worth of analyzing could be done on reasons.

Didn't change the end result at all, though.

He was trying to concentrate on the case in front of him but there was a trophy on his desk. Nothing fancy, just a cheap, plastic golden hand that was supposed to be a high five. He remembered the day it had taken up residence, and because that was a much better mental place than the reality in front of him, he closed his eyes and tried to re-live it from all angles.

It had been a good week. One of those rare hiatus moments when the city was calm and it almost seemed like real life again, before the lab blew them into the comic book they currently starred in.

Barry was pretty certain that Eddie had captured a cloud, not a wispy one but a dense one like a cumulonimbus, wrapped it in a sheet and proclaimed it a bed. The light was beginning to bleed in through the windows and he closed his eyes against the warmth, enjoying the feeling of being engulfed in the softness of the mattress combined with the weight of a sleeping Eddie beside him. All in all, he was really starting to understand the phrase "Easy like Sunday Morning".

A hand sliding against his chest brought him out of the light doze he'd settled into. He watched Eddie as he shifted up onto his elbow with a lazy smile.

"Good morning."

Barry brought his hand up to Eddie's face, intending to show him just how good a morning it could be when they were interrupted by a violent growl from his stomach. Eddie laughed and pulled back, sliding out from under the covers.

"Where are you going?"

"Breakfast."

Barry started to pull himself away from the cloud but Eddie raised a hand to stop him.

"No, you stay. I'm bringing it back here."

Not needing much convincing, Barry let himself sink into the softness again. The sounds of the city waking up around them were muted to a pleasant hum that mixed well with the sounds coming from the kitchen, the smell of coffee and eggs with sugar made him smile. Eddie was making swedes, he wasn't sure this morning could get any better really. He contemplated getting up to watch because Eddie made the best face every time he managed to successfully get one from pan to plate and twisted without touching it with his hands. However, knowing his boyfriend's speed at this task due to using multiple pans at a time, Barry figured he had about ten minutes to wait and he was okay with that.

He remembered the first time Eddie had introduced him to the breakfast.

"Swedes? As in the people who live in Sweden?"

Eddie had assured him that he wasn't serving up Swedish citizens but instead, a very thin type of pancake slathered in butter and sugar then rolled up and devoured shamelessly.

"It's what my grandmother always called them." He'd stated with a shrug. "Every year, on Christmas, we'd stay there and on the first morning we woke up to swedes, the second waffles."

"What about the third?"

"Make it yourself, why are you still here." Eddie's imitation of his grandfather had been gravelly and thinly veiled with laughter.

Eddie interrupted the memory with a cup of coffee and plate that Barry took from him happily, inhaling the aroma while Eddie went to retrieve his own. He looked up when he felt the weight dip on the other side of the bed.

"Thank you, babe. This is perfect."

They settled into a quiet routine with the occasional groan of appreciation from Barry breaking up the clinking of silverware on plates. Shoulders bumping, first on accident and then with growing purpose until the plates had been abandoned and Barry had Eddie pinned beneath his hips.

"I win" he declared, sweeping his arms in a wide arc.

A wide arc that happened to make contact with the now lukewarm coffee on the nightstand, his hands curved in just the right way to send it careening onto the mattress and himself.

"Um..oops?" Barry quirked his shoulders, Eddie sighed.

"Allen…there is coffee soaking into my bed and your clothes."

"Yeah, okay. A shower is definitely in order." Barry paused, "Any chance of a double? We really should conserve water, y'know."

Eddie barked out a laugh.

"I think I'm needed out here to save the 'cloud' as you call it."

"I can see the logic, but have you considered-"

"Allen? The shower is that way." Eddie pointed towards the bathroom and Barry gave up with a roll of his eyes.

He may have spent more time than necessary under the spray, just to give Eddie a chance to change his mind. When he came out of the bathroom he realized that had been a futile effort, Eddie was standing in the living room, sheet in hand and lost in the television. They must have left the media server streaming after they went to bed; because it had ran through the episodes they'd been watching and straight into the downloads he had for his and Iris' Disney marathon.

Barry stood, taking in his goof of a boyfriend who was absolutely absorbed by Sleeping Beauty. He considered ways to announce his presence and decided that go big or go home was a good motto for the moment.

Stepping forward he tossed the sheet to the side, grabbing Eddie into a wide sweeping dance.

"I know you I walked with you once upon a dream," Barry sang, "I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam." Eddie's confusion had melted into a grin and he'd relaxed into the lazy circles Barry was leading him through. When they coasted to a stop Barry's eye's fell on the sheet he'd tossed aside and a great idea began to take root.

"Hey, babe?" Barry asked.

"Yeah?"

"You make the snacks, I got the venue."

Eddie looked like he wanted to question further but instead nodded and headed for the kitchen.

"And no peeking!" Barry called out after him.

Once he was sure Eddie was safely out of sight, Barry surveyed the living room looking for anchors and the perfect site to begin building. He was definitely going to need more sheets…and pillows.

When Eddie returned with kettle corn and drinks Barry had transformed the living room into a sheet fort. He'd moved the tall lamp behind the couch, using it to hold the ceiling of the sheet and various books and other objects scattered around to pull the sides out. There were pillows and an extra blanket piled on the couch, the tv had been pulled closer as well. Eddie could see the screen paused on the older Disney logo.

"Is that?"

"Of course." Barry patted the couch beside him, "We couldn't have a Disney marathon without your favorite."

"I haven't seen Sword in the Stone in forever!" Eddie practically bounced into his seat, mirroring Barry who was leaning against the opposite arm rest, their legs tangled together.

They spent the rest of the day watching movies, changing position and occasionally having rousing sing-a-longs when they'd reached Mulan. As Robin Hood began to wind down they'd found themselves both lying down. Barry on his back and Eddie against the back of the couch using Barry's chest as a pillow.

"Hey, Bar?" Eddie poked his chest and looked up, propping himself on his elbow.

"Yeah?"

"This is an awesome fort."

"I know, right." Barry smirked, "I build the absolute best forts, just ask Iris."

Eddie's eyes sparkled and his mouth widened.

"I have an idea!" he blurted, planting a quick kiss on Barry's surprised mouth before jumping up and heading towards the bedroom.

Barry pulled himself into a sitting position just as Eddie came back with the high five trophy in his hands and a look of satisfaction on his face.

"I wasn't sure I still had it," he presented it to Barry, "I didn't have time to engrave it, but, a trophy for the builder of forts."

"I humbly accept." Barry grinned, taking the trophy and looking it over. He leaned forward to steal a kiss, "Thank you."

Back in the present day, Barry picked up the trophy and turned it over in his hands, thinking. There was an idea there, barely formed, an inkling of a plan.

He was going to get Eddie back.

Grabbing his jacket, he typed out a number and held the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Cisco, I need to borrow your projector. I'm on my way now…and maybe some sheets."

The sun was setting as he put the finishing touches on the fort. It'd been a little more difficult as he was building it outside, on a roof, but he'd managed to make it fairly decent. The second sheet was hung on the wall he'd moved the couch to face. The projector set up behind it, plugged in the media server with all of his Disney movies queued up.

He pulled out his phone to message Eddie, he knew he was putting a lot on faith that Eddie would even come up here; but at least he knew Eddie was home. He'd seen him coming in earlier from the street.

"Meet me on the roof? I'll supply the snacks and venue."

Message Read

…..

Barry watched the moving dots, trying to find that confidence he'd had earlier that this would work.

"Okay."

Okay, well, that was less enthusiastic as Barry'd hoped, but, it was something. At least Eddie was coming right?

Barry paced in front of the couch, trying not to look at the door and mentally do the math of how long ago Eddie should've reached it. He'd just about reached the conclusion that he'd pushed too far when it creaked open. Eddie stepped out, looking as though he was still debating whether or not he was supposed to be there.

Barry suppressed the urge to rush him, to wrap him in a hug that would pull them both together again, all those rough pieces meshing together until they were whole. Instead he took a deep breath and faced Eddie, stepping forward to meet him. Eddie let him take his hands and started to open his mouth.

"I know," Barry interrupted softly, "I know there is a lot between us right now. I have a lot to say, to apologize for. I think I'll be apologizing for those for a long time to come. I know you have a lot you need to get off your chest, and things I have to explain. There is so much to talk about and work out."

Barry sighed, feeling a sting against the back of his eyes.

"But," his voice wavered, not quite breaking "Can we—can we just not right this second. I've got lasagna and wine. I've got kettle corn and your grandmother's hot chocolate. I've even got Sword in the Stone ready to go. I made us a fort, and—and I just, can we just, for an hour? I promise everything will still be there and I will listen then. I will answer anything and I will accept whatever you decide. Just, give us this hour and that talk before you do decide. Please?"

Thoughts flitted across Eddie's eyes before he finally nodded.

"Okay, Allen."

Barry let out the breath he'd been holding and led Eddie to the couch. He needed this, he needed to show Eddie what they could be, the best of what they were, before the talk about what they are now.

"That smells amazing." Eddie took the plate Barry offered.

"Full disclosure, it's a frozen one. I wanted to do homemade, but you've met me and that would've been a disaster."

Eddie smiled, "Yeah, okay, I'll give you that."

"I did preheat the oven and take off the foil at the right time to cook the cheese."

"You're a regular Ramsay."

Barry felt the knot start to loosen in the pit of his stomach at Eddie's quip.

The movie was an odd mix of tension and familiar. Small glances at each other, quiet conversation that became more animated as time (and wine) wore on. Hands began brushing against each other. Small touches that increased when they decreased the space between them. They were knee to knee, half turned onto the couch, arms stretched across the back when the movie ended.

"So." Barry picked at a thread.

"So.", Eddie brought his arms inward towards his lap, "I don't really know where to start, to be honest. I feel like, well, at first I didn't think I could ever explain to you how much was wrong with our whole situation. But, the messages, I feel like maybe you do understand?" His voice was cautiously hopeful.

Barry cleared his throat and gathered his thoughts, "I know that sorry doesn't come close to covering anything, but it's really the only word we have. I'm so sorry. Eddie, I messed up so much. Not just the Flash thing, I want you to know that yes, I do understand now. I understand all the other stuff, I get it, the Flash was just the icing on the crappy way I was treating your trust."

He scooted forward, bolstered by the fact that Eddie did the same.

"I can't go back, okay, well I could maybe go back, but we don't really understand that one and it just seems to cause way more—"

"Allen."

"Sorry.", Barry apologized, "Look, I can't change what I did. But I can learn from it, I can promise you that I will tell you everything I can, and when I can't tell you something I'll tell you that and I'll tell you why. I will be your partner from now on, no more secrets."

"Speaking of secrets," Eddie cleared his throat, "I won't be a secret, either. I don't want to sneak around anymore, Barry. If we're going to do this, then we're doing this all the way. In the open. And you will not hide anything from me because you think you're keeping me safe. I'm a lot safer if I know what's going on instead of stumbling in the dark. I can't even try this with you if you can't promise me at least those two things."

"No, you're right. If I can't tell you everything, then we can't be equal here. I promise everything, no hiding anything. From now on, you are my person."

"Did you just quote Grey's—"

"Shut up, I'm not finished."

"Okay, but I'm Yang right?"

"Thawne," Barry fought the urge to kiss that smirk off his face, "Let me finish."

"You're right, sorry."

"As for the first thing, I'm there. I am beyond there. I'm ready to tell the world. Eddie Thawne is mine and I love him. I'm ready to shout it from the rooftops. In fact."

Barry jumped up, jogging towards the edge of the roof.

"MY NAME IS BARRY ALLEN AND I LOVE EDDIE THAWNE!" he bellowed to the sky.

"Bar!" Eddie called him back, "Get back here."

"Oh no, you can't keep me quiet now."

Barry jogged to the opposite side of the roof.

"MY NAME IS BARRY ALLEN AND I LOVE EDDIE THAWNE!"

"What?!" Barry and Eddie both turned towards the new voice coming below Barry.

He looked down to see a very confused woman leaning out of her window.

"I said, my name is Barry Allen and I love Eddie Thawne!" he called in a lower volume.

"That's nice dear." She called back, "But, I'm trying to sleep down here, so can you love him a little quieter?"

"Yeah, okay, I'm sorry." Barry apologized.

She nodded and retreated back into her apartment. Barry turned to walk back to the couch.

"You're insane." Eddie laughed.

"I mean it." Barry took Eddie's hands again, "I'm all in."

Eddie leaned further into the space.

"Okay." He nodded.

"Okay?"

"Yeah, okay." He let out a short breath, "All in. Let's do it. I want to fix this."

"Yeah?"

Barry pulled forward, forehead resting on Eddie's.

"Yeah." Eddie whispered against his lips, hands snaking around his neck and landing at the bottom of his hair.

Barry opened his mouth, he poured every thought and feeling he had in him into it. Hoping Eddie would understand like he had that night. The first night Barry had felt that emotion bubbling up, no knowing the name but clearly labeling it now.

"I love you." He pulled back slightly, keeping his forehead against Eddie's. "I love you, more than I thought I could. I didn't know, at first, I didn't know what that feeling was or that I could feel it. But I know it now. I love you, Eddie Thawne."

"I love you, Barry Allen."

They sat there for a moment, the projector had flickered off leaving the view of the sky clear and beautiful.

"Will you watch the sunrise with me?" Barry asked quietly.

Eddie looked at the couch and back at Barry, a slight worried expression wrinkling his forehead.

"No, we don't have to—we can just lay here. I just want to be here with you, watching the sky and hearing you breathe. I just, I missed that. I missed you. So, clothes stay on and hands stay above, pinkie promise." He smiled, trying to break the tension that had settled.

Eddie seemed relieved.

"Yeah, we can do that. I'd like that, actually."

Barry settled across the back of the couch and waited for Eddie to take up his spot in front of him. After they'd adjusted he was still for a moment. Head resting against Eddie's shoulder, palm against his chest and just counting heartbeats. Eddie had dozed off at some point and now was sleepily rolling over until he was facing Barry.

"Wake me for the sunrise." He mumbled sleepily.

Barry ran his fingers along Eddie's hairline.

"Absolutely."

Barry must have dozed himself because when he was woken up by a stray elbow as Eddie rolled over again, the bottom of the sky was becoming tinged with light.

"Eddie," Barry nudged him, "the sun is coming up."

"Mmm, mkay." Eddie yawned, grabbing Barry's hand and bringing it against his chest again.

They were quiet as the colors spread across the sky until they all merged into shades of blue and white.

"Thank you for not making me watch the sunrise alone." Barry murmured against Eddie's ear.

Eddie brought Barry's hand up to his mouth, kissing the knuckles.

"I'll always watch the sunrise with you."

He paused, leaning forward quickly to grab something and laughing as he held up the thermos.

"We forgot the hot chocolate again."

"But, I remembered the spices."

Eddie grinned, opening it and taking a drink. He nodded after.

"Just the way it's supposed to be."

Barry took the thermos and leaned into Eddie's face to pull him into a kiss.

"I agree, this is just the way it's supposed to be."

Barry pulled back slightly out of breath.

"But, I'm totally Yang." He covered Eddie's mouth again before he could protest.