I wanted to write one more chapter as a thank you for this event because why not? Inspiration hit when I was listening to a song on a radio when I was driving and I couldn't let this one go but before I end this story, I first want to do a shoutout to all the people who left reviews/follows on this story and a congrats to simplysnowbarry for organizing this.

Chapter 8: First Date

He was speechless.

His mouth dropped slightly, awestruck at the beautiful sight standing before him. It took Barry a few seconds before normal brain function returned and even then, he was still speechless.

Just moments ago, Caitlin walked out of her room in a red evening gown, strapless and backless, the vision of her left him breathless. The words left his mouth without even trying. "Wow. Just wow." He murmured. There were about a hundred different words he could have used but that was all he could manage.

She giggled and did a small twirled, almost if she can read his mind because when he looks at her with those deep green eyes of his, her heart skips a beat. "How do I look Mr. Allen?"

He blinked twice, still unable to tear his eyes away from her. "Gorgeous." He answered, "Completely gorgeous." He unconsciously tugged on his red bow-tie, which was a gift from Caitlin just a few hours earlier before their first official date. Standing next to her, he was suddenly very aware that he probably looked like a mess and was starting to second guess his style of clothing tonight.

"Don't do that Barry." Caitlin said, her black stilettos clacking against the hardwood floors as she quickly crossed the room. She laid her hand on top of his, stopping him from taking off that bow-tie "I think you look rather dashing." She complimented, smiling as she fiddled with it. Her fingers tweaked it slightly but, in her mind, it made him look very handsome. "Perhaps you can give me a clue on where we'll be going tonight."

"That's a secret Cait." He coyly replied, secretly enjoying the close proximity between them. "I promise that you'll love it though."

"How can you be so sure hm?"

She was teasing him of course, they both knew it but he could see that light in her eyes, the ones that made him fall for her in the first place. It didn't happen overnight, his feelings for her. It was a slow start, even for the fastest man alive but they were always there. It took him years just to learn who Caitlin Snow was and he'd happily spend many more to learn what was in her heart.

He might never get there but he's going to try.

If it's ten thousand hours or the rest of his life.

"Because I know you." He whispered, taking the opportunity to interlace their fingers together. It was a small, intimate gesture but he was pleased that her cheeks blushed as well. He took a voluntarily step back to get a better look at her, the sight of her still leaving him breathless. "Shall we?" He asked, gently squeezing her hand.

Caitlin smiled in return, "Yes, we should. Should I grab my car keys... or...?" She purposely left her question open, hoping that Barry would at least provide a clue but he didn't rise to take her bait. She pouted but her mood didn't diminish at all. She was finally going on a date with the man she's been secretly in love with for years.

"We won't be driving." Barry pointed out and then walked over to her closet, pulling out her winter gear. He saw the confused look on her face and knew what she was about to ask so he gently pressed a finger to her rosy lips, eliciting a blush on both of their faces. "Just play along with me please?"

Her brown eyes darkened before she decided to press a small kiss against his finger, an action that caused Barry to blush even harder. "Only for tonight." She whispered, her warm breath sending chills down his back. He started to stutter, trying to formulate some kind of sentence but she didn't let him. She liked how nervous he was. Pressing one last kiss against his finger, she tugged on his other hand, smiling as she pulled him out the door.

"Hold on."

Before she could react, she found herself in his strong arms, holding her against his chest. "Barry?" She asked, tilting her head upwards to look at him. "We're not going anywhere local, are we?" The rumblings from within his chest answered her question so she playfully sighed and decided to press a small kiss onto the side of his neck. She felt his arms loosen as a result and she giggled, shaking her head. "Don't drop me Barry."

"Never."

Her lips tugged upward into a little smile, her stomach churning from the way he was staring at her. It made her feel like she was the luckiest woman in the world tonight, to be going out with a man who was not only her best friend but with someone who truly loved her for who she was.

His words, his actions... everything about Barry Allen left her with hope and love. It was something that she came to know about him over the years.

Ever since he woke up from the coma.

Ever since he showed her that the world wasn't only black and white.

She's come to trust her heart with him and hopefully, his with hers as well.

.

.

.

Grótta, Iceland

The crackle of the open fire filled the comfortable silence between them as they sat together on a heated sofa in the openness of Iceland. True to his word, Barry didn't give her any hints on where their first date would take place so when they arrived to find a glass room in the middle of the field, she was very surprised. There was a single, white table-clothed table in the middle of the room with dinner already prepared for them.

It was one of the best experiences in her life and definitely one of the best first dates ever but what she enjoyed the most was the playful conversation between them. It was different to see this side of Barry who wasn't the CSI Barry or the Hero of Central City Barry. This was her Barry Allen. The one who she fell in love with. Midway through dinner, Barry lead her over to a sofa where she thought they were going to snuggle.

To her surprise, snuggling was only the afterthought because when they sat down, he immediately gestured to the sky and what she saw left her speechless.

"So what do you think of the lights Cait?" Barry asked as he pulled out several blankets from his side of the sofa. He draped them over their legs and then stared off into the endless night-time sky with her. "I hope this was worth the wait."

Caitlin didn't know if he did a play on his words but it didn't bother her. Not when she enjoyed the position that they were currently in. She was snuggled into his side, resting her head on his shoulders as their feet remained entangled together. A happy sigh escaped her lips as she turned her head to look at him. "The lights were just the cherry on top Barry." She answered. "You could've taken me to Big Belly Burger and I would've enjoyed that date. You know that right?" It was just for a moment but she saw that hesitation in his eyes, disappearing as quickly as it came. She couldn't help but smile, reaching upward to cup his cheek with her hand. "I would've followed you anywhere Barry Allen." She whispered.

And that was true. How they ended up here was a journey years in the making. From the moment he woke up from his coma, she found herself drawn to him. She wouldn't act on those feelings of course. It wouldn't be ethnically professional but over time, her feelings grew. Even when they were apart and with other people, there was this pull that eventually led them back together.

"How did I get so lucky?" He murmured. "You're amazing Caitlin. Any guy would be so lucky just to have a second of your attention but here I am... sitting in a seat that was probably meant for someone else..."

"Barry... That's not -"

"That's okay though." Barry interrupted, reaching for her hands at the same time. He gave them a gentle squeeze but he didn't let go. Her hands felt cold but he didn't mind it. Not when his hands were little warmer than most. "All it proves is that I have to try harder to make sure that I keep that heart of yours safe."

Hearing his words, the soft and sincere tone that followed, her eyes started to water. She blinked a few times, trying to keep her emotions in check but the way that he looked at her, it was hard enough. Just when she thought she couldn't love this man even more, there was this whole other side to him that she didn't even know existed.

"I might not be the richest man in the world like Oliver and I might not be the smartest man in the world like Harry but I want to be the man who will always put you first Caitlin. I want to put your happiness above all else because at the end of the day, I want to be running home to you."

At this point, tears were slowly falling down her face. She reached over and gently cupped his face, pressing a light kiss against his lips. She felt his arms wrapping themselves around her and she leaned further in. Her heart was so full of happiness that she didn't think it would ever be possible. "You are my home Barry." She said as she kept kissing his lips. "You could be the Flash or you could be a CSI and I would love you either way."

"Isn't it way too early to tell me that you love me Cait?" Barry teased, breaking apart and brushing away the stray tears from her beautiful face. "It is only our first date you know."

Caitlin pouted but she let the matter go. Even if he wasn't going to say it back to her, she knew in her heart that he was the one for her. There wasn't anyone else that could come close. "You know me Barry. I've always been sure of what I wanted."

He pulled her into a tight hug, closing his eyes as he savior the moment. There would be plenty more of these for days to come but tonight... This was their first date... and there was only one of those. "Do you think we should tell Cisco?" He muttered and then he felt her pinching him. "Ouch!" He whined but kept the smile on his face. "Too soon?"

"Too soon." She grunted. "I'm here with my boyfriend, in one of the most romantic places in the world and all he could think about is our other best friend?"

"Sorry." He apologized but then pressed a kiss against her temple. "But you know he can spot us from a mile away. There's no way we can hide it from him. Not that I want to hide it. I want to show the world just how amazing you are."

She sighed but decided that dealing with Cisco would be for another place, another time because tonight, it was going to be about them. "Cisco will be fine Barry. He's a big boy and I don't think he'll be all that surprise." She cryptically answered.

"You told him already didn't you."

"How did... I didn't..."

Barry laughed and then pulled her into another hug. It was his way of telling her that he was fine with it. Even though there were no words exchanged between them, he knew she understood. This was one of the many reasons why he fell in love with her and even though he didn't say those three words back to her, he knew that she knew.

It was only a matter of time.

~Fin.

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