#flash oneshot

There had been the near-kiss during movie night when his face had been right there in the glow of the screen, and you chickened out because Gar and Vic had barged in with popcorn. There had been the one almost-kiss after a training session when he leaned in so close you thought it was going to happen- but he sneezed, and the moment shattered into laughter.

And maybe that was the problem. Being with Wally was easy, Kissing him? That felt like it would change something. Something big.

"Okay, breathe," you muttered to yourself, blowing into your hands to fight off the chill. "It's just a kiss. People do this all the time."

"Talking to yourself again?"

You jumped so hard you nearly tripped over your own feet. And there he was- red hair tousled by the wind, green eyes lit up with mischief, a grin tugging at his lips. He wore that battered old hoodie you liked, the one with a faded Keystone City baseball logo on the front. And of course, he had that speedster smugness, like he'd been standing there for ages and you were the one late to the party.

"Wally?" you scolded, pressing a hand to your chest. "Don't do that!"

"What, show up?" he teased, strolling closer with that casual confidence that somehow didn't look rehearsed on him. "Or catch you having a full conversation with... yourself?"

"I wasn't-" you stopped, narrowing your eyes. "Okay, maybe I was. But that doesn't mean you get to make fun of me."

"Who said I'm making fun? I think it's adorable," he said smoothly, leaning on the railing beside you. His arm brushed yours, warm even through your jacket.

You tried to play it cool. You really did. "You always sneak up on people like that?"

"Only on the people I like." His tone softened just enough to make your stomach flip.

There it was. The thing he did- the disarming honesty beneath all the bravado. You glanced at him, but he wasn't smirking this time. He was just looking at you, like he couldn't quite believe you were there.

Your heart thumped. Loud. Too loud.

"So," he started after a beat, his voice lighter again. "Why are you hiding out here? Don't tell me you're avoiding another one of Vic's karaoke nights."

You laughed, grateful for the deflection. "No. Just needed some air."

"Hmm." He studied you, head tilted. Then, before you could blink, he darted away- literally- and returned in less than a second holding two mugs of hot chocolate, steam curling from the tops.

You blinked. "Did you just-"

"Zoom down to the kitchen?" He smirked, handing you a mug. "Yeah. Perks of dating the fastest man alive."

"You're impossible," you said, but you smiled as you wrapped your hands around the cup.

"And yet you keep me around." He bumped your shoulder playfully.

The night settled around you, quieter this time. Just the two of you, the city lights in the distance, the stars overhead. Wally sipped his hot chocolate like it was the most important task in the world, and you felt the weight of unsaid words pressing against your tongue.

You wanted to kiss him. God, you wanted to kiss him.

But how? Do you just... lean in? Do you wait for him? What if you missed and ended up bumping noses? What if-

"You're staring," he said suddenly, a teasing lilt to his voice.

Your face heated. "I am not."

"You are." He turned to look at you fully, green eyes sharp and soft all at once. "Which, you know, I'm not complaining about. I like it when you stare."

"Wally..." you warned, though your voice was more breathless than stern.

He leaned closer, close enough that you could count the freckles across his cheeks, close enough that your heart felt like it might sprint right out of your chest to try and keep up with him.

"You know," he murmured, "I've been trying to find the right moment."

Your breath caught. "The right moment?"

He smiled, softer this time. "Yeah. To do this."

And then- finally- he kissed you.

It wasn't flashy. It wasn't rushed. For all his speed, Wally kissed you slow. His lips brushed yours like he had all the time in the world, like he wanted to savor every second. Your hand found its way to his hoodie, clutching the fabric as you melted into him. His free hand- because of course he hadn't let go of his hot chocolate- rested gently against your waist, grounding you.

When you finally pulled back, the world felt a little different. Brighter, Louder. Like every atom in your body had been rewired.

Wally grinned, his forehead resting against yours. "Worth the wait."

You laughed, a little breathless. "Yeah. Definitely worth the wait."

He kissed you again, quick and sweet this time, before pulling back with that trademark smirk. "So... when do I get to brag to the others that I finally kissed my girlfriend?"

You rolled your eyes, but your smile gave you away. "Let's keep it to ourselves. Just for tonight."

"Deal," he said, and you knew he'd keep it- because for once, Wally West wasn't in any rush.

Barry winked an eye at me, making me giggle at his silliness, right before he swept me up in his arms.

I always ended up with a queasy stomach and temporary dizziness, but the Flash Express sure beat walking all the way back.

*

After coming back from our heroic deed out there, Barry and I took a moment to recover from the instant travelling before actually walking into Star Labs. I only felt stable enough to do so when Barry, as always, gave me that kiss in the forehead he usually gave me.

“Hey, Y/N” Cisco immediately greeted me, rushing to stand up and get by my side. “Just in time”

“For what?” I curiously stared at him, but when he pulled out a plastic cup I rolled my eyes, knowing the answer already.

“My slushie melted” My friend pouted cutely to talk me into it.

“I’m not an ice machine, Ramon” I stared at him with my special icy –pun intended- look that I perfected over the years. It worked, because he reluctantly looked away and made me smile.

“I know” He mumbled lowly, slowly letting his eyes fall over me again with a charming and shy smile. “But you know what you are? A lovely person”

Barry was just passing by when he said that, so he laughed out loud at it.

“You’re a dork” I gave in, snatching the cup from his hands.

I hovered my hand over the cup and the melted green colored liquid turned into ice again easily. Then I smirked proudly and gave it back to him.

“You love it” Cisco replied jokingly, gladly taking his slushie back and sucking on the straw in delight.

“Dude, are you flirting with my girlfriend?” When I turned around to glance at Barry, he was casually leaning his arm on the desk and grinning widely. “I’m right here!”

“No shame” Caitlin mumbled, briefly joining the fun, as she walked by with a folder that probably contained important information.

“She’s not my type” Our friend wrinkled his nose in mock disgust.

“Am I too cold for you?” Over time I had learned to put up with the puns and ended up embracing them.

“Does that mean I’m too hot for you then?” Cisco raised an eyebrow, obviously beaming because of his fast and witty reflexes.

To top his smugness he placed a hand on my shoulder, with a fake concerned look as though asking me if I could recover from his comeback.

“Sorry, Cis” I teased him, placing my hand on his shoulder as well. “Then I would be dating you and not Barry”

Even Caitlin laughed at that, and Cisco himself had to smile.

“I’d say use your powers on him, Y/N” Barry kissed me in the cheek playfully. “Because that was a huge burn!”

The euphoria filled me as I kept chatting with my friends. It sure added to the previous exaltation from being a hero in the city and using my powers to help people.

*

Barry

I hadn’t seen Y/N in a few days, ever since we last went together as our alter egos. I missed her, but I was sure that she would eventually show up like she always did. She probably needed time for herself and I wanted to respect that.

I finally reached Joe in the CCPD and lifted my arm so he would notice my arrival. His eyes indeed directed towards me and he motioned for me to get closer.

“Wanted to see me, Joe?” I knew he had something important to tell me, so I shoved my hands in my pockets and listened intently.

“Yeah, Bar” He placed a hand on my back and I followed him to a more private part of the room so we could talk freely. “There’s interesting news”

“What is it?”

“A new criminal has made appearance on Central City” He began to say, shortly looking around us to make sure no one heard. “I think the Flash should keep an eye on her”

“So it’s a girl” I observed quietly. “What do we know about her?”

“Not much” He sighed tiredly, scratching the back of his head. “Just that she’s really smart and always manages to leave before any of our men can make it to the crime scene”

“Description?” 

“We haven’t got one, no one was fast enough to see her”

“How do they know it’s a girl?” 

“She’s smug about her crimes and always leaves a note with lipstick on it” 

“Is she a metahuman?”

“Most likely... I-“

I looked up at him, trying to find out why he interrupted himself. He was too busy staring at something, surprised, so I followed his glance.

“Is that Y/N?” I had told him I was restless that she had disappeared.

“Yes?” It definitely looked like her, but there was something different.

Y/N had beautiful blue eyes and blond hair, but that girl… she had black hair and dark eyes. Even though everything else seemed completely identical.

“Hey, Y/N!” I called her on an instinct despite the fact that my unease didn’t completely wither.

She looked over at me and stared at us in an enigmatic way, immediately then approaching us. As she did, I quickly glanced at Joe, who watched puzzled.

“Hi there” Even though a hint of cheerfulness filled her voice, it didn’t sound like her. The sound of her voice was the usual, but her mood seemed… changed.

“Why the change?” I grabbed a tuft of her hair and was amazed by how well she got it dyed. Even though it was odd looking into her eyes and see such a different color. Looking into them made me feel different from usual as well.

“Wanted to try it, I guess” A sly grin made its way to the corner of her lips, which I found to be really enticing. “How do I look?”

“It’s an interesting change” Joe opined honestly.

“I like it” I gently smiled at her, holding her hand. “It just might take some time to get used to”

“You’re so sweet” Y/N took a step closer to me while her fingers curled up against mine.

She felt warmer than usual, because of her powers she got very cold from time to time. Even though it was the perfect excuse to hug her and/or cuddle.

“Why were you M.I.A for the last few days?” I asked, concerned, feeling Joe’s eyes over us.

“It’s a long story” She shrugged nonchalantly. “Don’t worry about it”

“Hey, Barry!” Iris approached us, lighting up her entrance with a bright smile. “Hey, dad”

“Hi, baby” Joe kissed her daughter on the cheek and I mumbled a greeting that I accompanied with a smile of my own.

I noticed how Iris had immediately noticed Y/N’s change of look and opened her mouth to comment on it, probably to complement it. But then my girlfriend piped up.

“I have to go, Barry” Without thinking twice, her arms flew to my neck and she pushed my nape until we ended up in a lip lock.

The kiss that followed was very passionate and ardent. Very dominant from her part, which usually wasn’t as much. She could be dominant at times for flirting sake and for her own fun, but… There was something going on with her for sure.

Besides, I knew when I kissed her. Something was different about her, almost like she wasn’t herself.

I softly broke away seeing as she didn’t mind that we were in public and probably becoming the center of attention. But I did.

She just shrugged it off and left without a word.

“Is it just me or is Y/N behaving strange?” Joe had his eyes wide open.

“What’s gotten into her?”

“She didn’t call me ‘Bar’” I mumbled in suspicion. “And Y/N never calls me Barry”

*

The next day, when Y/N walked into Star Labs, the three of us turned silent. I had mentioned my doubts to Cisco and Caitlin, they had agreed that something strange was going on with my girlfriend, just like Iris did.

“Hello” She mumbled, her eyes falling over us and analyzing our behavior just like we were hers.

“Hi” Cisco piped up, seeing as neither Caitlin nor I spoke up. “Barry wasn’t joking when he said you were trying an extreme makeover”

Y/N, who still was blond and with black eyes as Cisco observed, smirked.

Our friend took a step closer to her, flinching a little bit, and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I personally like it” As he finished the sentence, Cisco got pale and shut his eyes tight.

“Cisco, are you okay?” I quickly went to his side and held his arm seeing as he seemed a little unstable.

I know that look on his face, we all did. He had just vibed something, more likely about Y/N.

“Yeah…” He whispered, taking a deep breath and staring at Y/N in an enigmatic way.

“You look dizzy” Y/N mumbled, that hint of smugness that was on her lately remaining on her features as she glanced at him. “Did you have something to eat today?”

That was the definite proof that the person standing next to us wasn’t Y/N. First of all, she knew better than to ask Cisco that, knowing his sweet tooth. But second of all, she should have known that he wasn’t dizzy. He had vibed something.

The three of us noticed that but none said anything about it.

“No…” Cisco hesitated, eyeing her up and down. “Would you mind getting me something to eat, Y/N?”

Y/N just shrugged and left the room. Not that she looked too worried about his wellbeing anyway.

“I vibed her” Cisco confirmed our suspicion. “That is definitely not our Y/N”

“Then who is she?” Caitlin whispered, keeping an eye on the entrance to make sure the fake Y/N didn’t come back.

“I don’t know”

“Well, we need to find the real Y/N” I was starting to get scared for her.

“And how are we gonna do that? She’s not picking her phone, is she?”

I sighed restlessly. 

I would search the entirety of Central City looking for her, tell Joe that she went missing, do anything in my power to look for her. I’d do anything to find her. Just as long as I got her back safe and sound.

*

As soon as Y/N left on her own, the three of us began discussing what could have happened to her. Who was that impostor and where was the real Y/N.

We had to wait a long time, because we didn’t want her –whoever she was –to think that we suspected her even though we definitely did. In the end she got bored of our working routine and walked away from Star Labs.  

Then we exposed our hypothesis about what could be happening. That could be some sort of evil twin –Cisco’s suspicion- or her Earth 2 doppelganger, or just Y/N herself, but that meant that something had changed her. 

I preferred to believe that my Y/N was somewhere in Central City, that she was alive and okay. That I would get to see my sweet, playful and lovely Y/N again and hold her one more time.

So, with the help of my friends, I went on a mission to find her. I told Joe to keep an eye on any news the CCPD might have about it, I warned Oliver and his team just in case she made an appearance in Star City or anywhere around, and I travelled everywhere at super speed looking for her.

Yet no one managed to locate her whereabouts and we had no clue of her for a few days. 

Until she randomly appeared in Star Labs.

Caitlin, Cisco and I had been doing our research, focused in our work, when she walked in. Just as cheerful and beautiful as always.

Even if I wouldn’t believe it was actually her until I wasn’t completely sure.

*

Y/N

I could never explain what had happened to me during those few days. It was definitely something mysterious and crazy that Bar and the rest would relate to. Some time travelling, multiverse kind of wacky event. Almost like it happened inside my head, in a dream perhaps. But something told me that it was very real.

Hoping my friends would have answers and would help me piece together the hazy memories from my strange trip to multiverse town and explain how the hell it had happened, I went back to Star Labs.

I smiled to myself when I saw the three of them, working hard and with their eyes focused on Cisco’s screen.

“Hi!” I greeted them cheerfully, making them turn their heads to me sharply.

I immediately noticed their reluctance, their… fear, almost. They looked at me like I was someone else, like they didn’t recognize me.

“What’s going on here?” I cautiously took a few steps forward, analyzing their reaction. “I’m not a ghost or anything”

Barry was the one who dared to approach me first. Even if it was obvious by his behavior that he didn’t trust me, for whatever reason. I suspected it had something to do with whatever strange events had happened to me recently.

“Is it really you, Y/N?”

“Of course it’s me, Bar!” As I spoke, throwing my arms in the air in exasperation, I noticed his lip quivering in a hint of a smile. “Who would I be, the Queen of England?”

“Sounds like Y/N” Cisco observed restlessly from his spot.

“She called me Bar” My boyfriend observed, slightly relieved.

“Sorry” Caitlin intervened, approaching me as well. Yet cautiously too. “But we have to make sure it’s you”

“How?”

“Tell us something only the real Y/N would know”

“Bar’s the Flash” I spit out quickly, thinking that they would notice if I took too long to answer. “And he has time travelled and…”

“Okay…” Cisco cut me abruptly. “But that doesn’t prove anything”

“I can’t think of anything that would prove she’s Y/N” Caitlin frowned in concern.

“I do” I noticed how Barry gulped as he got closer to me. As in kiss distance from me.

He let out a barely audible sigh and held my hand tenderly. Like always, I flinched a little because my hands were always freezing. He did too when he noticed the icy touch.

I decided not to react too much as he kept getting closer because he was definitely testing something. So I let him, yet startled and hesitant.

Then he very slowly leaned in until our lips met. I gave into the soothing and warm touch of his mouth, the sweetness and softness as well as the passion.

We melted in the kiss, gently embracing each other as we deepened the contact. Barry and I only broke away when our friend cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Dude...”

“It’s Y/N” Barry confirmed with a delighted grin on his face.

I smiled back at him, happy and relieved.

Then he engulfed me into the tightest hug we had ever shared, which was saying something. And he laughed happily.

I could almost feel how an immense weight disappeared from his shoulders as he sighed and relaxed them.

“Then who was the other girl we saw?” Cisco wondered, glancing at me. “She looked just like you, but with fair hair and dark eyes”

“I honestly have no idea” I sighed in annoyance. “This bizarre thing happened to me, I’ll tell you guys about it later”

“Can she be your doppelganger?” Caitlin asked me gravely.

“I don’t know… What is that, exactly?”

“Like, an Earth 2 you” Cisco clarified, even though I was still a bit confused.

“Like a twin” Barry explained more plainly. “Someone who looks like you but is very different”

“The multiverses, remember?” Caitlin asked me, staring at me in a way that made me frown in confusion.

“Oh, yeah” I replied, eyeing her back. “I just didn’t realize we were speaking about it”

“We need a way to find your doppelganger, Y/N” Bar told me, holding my hand. “And send her back to where she belongs”

I nodded determined and glanced directly into his eyes. The situation concerned me and made me uneasy, but watching his kind green eyes made everything better.

“Mornin’!” Cisco’s voice happily came, so I looked over my shoulder to him.

“Hi” I greeted him with a smile as he walked over to his own desk and took his coat off.

“Hello there, Y/N” Openly winking at me, he came to my desk and left a little bag on it. “This is for you”

I opened it, curious as to what he brought me, and chuckled a bit in appreciation. It was filled with candy: lollipops, gumballs, licorice and other sweet goodies.

He was such a sweetheart! We both had sweet tooth, and he probably bought me all that as he passed by the store to get some for himself.

“Thanks, Cisco!” Excited, I quickly picked a lollipop, took the wrapper of and shoved it in my mouth. I was craving it!

“We’re candy buddies after all” He joked as he sat at his desk and made his chair spin like a child.

We did share our snacks all the time, it was like our thing, apart from the usual chatting and being nerds together.

“Sorry I’m late!” Just then, Caitlin rushed in, waving at us.

“I’m writing this down, Cait!” Cisco teased her, smirking at her slip up.

“Don’t worry, he just got here” I tried to reassure her, to which she smiled.

“You look cute today, Y/N” Caitlin complimented me briefly as she rushed to organize herself for the day ahead.

“Look who’s talking” I told her back, taking the lollipop off my mouth so she would understand me.

“What about me?!” Cisco joked, pretending to be offended.

Barry happened to be walking into the room just then, so he followed along.

“Sorry, buddy” He laughed, making our friend pout. “You have nothing on them”

I laughed as I faced my screen once everything was on.

I loved working there so much, because not only my friends were the best. But I was helping no other than the Flash. I worked in an amazing place with amazing people and also aided a superhero to save Central City. What else could one wish for?

*

A disturbing tingling in my neck told me something was wrong as I made my way home from Star Labs. Like I was being watched or followed.

I rested my hand inside my pocket, against the phone just in case I needed to call someone to be safe. And that someone would probably be Barry for obvious reasons.

Not only because of his speedster status, but because he was probably the one I was closest with out of the three of them. And he was so kind and protective that I almost considered him like an older brother, I definitely loved him as such.

I looked over my shoulder, restless, and spotted a suspicious looking man walking behind me. It actually looked like he was following me.

Restless, I picked up my phone and called Barry. I really hoped he would answer, because I was getting really scared.

Whether it was to scare the man away once he saw me on the phone or to get Barry here with me, I didn’t care. Both of them would make me feel safe.

After a few seconds, he replied. Not even his friendly voice made me feel better about my apprehension.

“Yes?”

“Barry” I whispered worriedly.

“Y/N? What is it?” He told me, concerned as well. “Are you okay?”

“There’s a man in the street” I looked over my shoulder, hoping he couldn’t hear me. “I think he’s following me”

“Where are you? I’ll be right there!”

“I’m-“ I was about to tell him when I heard fast footsteps behind me.

He was getting closer.

“On my way home from work” The footsteps were barely a few inches behind me as I finished the sentence.

“Hold on, I’m on my way” Barry told me just as I felt two hands settling in my shoulder.

“Barry!” I yelled in panic, just before I dropped my phone and everything turned dark.

*

When I came to I felt confused, dizzy and disoriented. I opened my eyes, which felt painful because of the intense headache that spread all over my skull.

I tried to sit up when I realized my hands were tied behind my back. I was sitting in a cold metal chair that made me feel heavy and left me with a cold fear.

“You’re finally awake” A scary and hoarse male voice said from somewhere in front of me.

Everything felt confusing and surreal, which was probably explained by my headache. I might have a concussion.

“Where am I?” I asked him weakly, feeling my voice feeble and low. “Who are you?”

“How am I to question an unconscious subject?” He smirked, completely ignoring my questions.

“Question?” I cringed in fear at what that could mean and imply.

“Just one simple question” He held up one finger and took a few steps closer to me. “Who is the Flash?”

“Who is-“ I repeated, dumbfounded. “How am I supposed to know?!”

Even with a concussion, it was clear what was happening. I was a part of Team Flash, and that man somehow knew about it. Most likely, he was an evil metahuman who was trying to take down his arch enemy. The Flash.

“Oh, that’s easy...” The man got so close to me that I averted my eyes, tilting my head the other way. “I know you work with him”

“I don’t!” I exclaimed, loyal to my friend. It would be better if I played dumb. “And I have no idea who he is!”

“We can do this the easy or the hard way” That guy looked angry, and I did not like that. “Now tell me, what is it gonna be?”

I still looked the other way, until he held my face with rough hands and made me stare at him. I shut my eyes tight, uncomfortable and frigthened.

“Who is he?!”

“I don’t know!” I shouted, already shaking in fear. “I swear, I don’t know!!”

“The hard way it is then” His voice sounded extremely intimidating as he held a hand up.

I had no idea what powers he had, but I knew something for sure. I wasn’t going to like it.

*

I couldn’t stop crying. Everything felt so terribly wrong that it was the only thing I could do.

After that torture the metahuman put me to, I was sensitive all over. Every muscle sore because of the strain and pain I was subjected to, making my body shake and my muscles tense.

Not to mention the fact that I gave up. I had betrayed Barry by confessing.

I told that man who the Flash was. I spoke Barry Allen’s name. The words just slipped from my lips before I could stop them, screaming in the hopes that the nightmare would stop.

What I didn’t think about was the fact that I was no longer useful to him. I was probably going to die. And feeling so low and miserable, I was starting to believe that I deserved it.

After all, I broke Barry’s trust. I had betrayed him by exposing his secret identity and hence putting him and all of Central City in danger. And I would never forgive myself for that. I didn’t mean to do it, I didn’t want to talk, but I just couldn’t take any more of that terrible pain.

“Y/N!” A whisper came. “There you are, finally!”

“Barry…” I sighed in relief at the sight of him. Even if the guilt stirred my insides in a very unpleasant way.

“I’m here” He whispered soothingly yet worriedly. “It’s okay, I’ll get you out of here”

My friend untied me from the chair and then swiftly picked me up in his arms. Then his sweet green eyes fell over me as he observed me in concern. He probably didn’t like to see me so wounded and weak.

“Are you okay?” He asked me as he pushed me against him to comfort me.

I just nodded and hid my face in his shoulder, shaking like a leaf. However, it felt like I didn’t have the right to look him in the eyes after I discovered his secret identity to one of his enemies. It felt wrong, I felt wrong.

We moved quickly, and I knew that he was taking me out of there with his powers. It made my unease to lessen slightly because that man wouldn’t hurt me anymore. But nothing could ever reassure my tortured mind.

As soon as he carefully put me to my feet, I glanced at him and took a deep breath to gather all the courage I could.

“Barry, I need to tell you something” That was the least I could do, confess my mistake. My horrible and unforgivable mistake. “I told him who you are”

“What?” He observed me carefully.

“He took me to get to you” I explained, sobbing out of shame and fear still. “He… tortured me and I couldn’t… I ended up telling him your secret identity”

“Y/N…” Barry whispered sadly.

“I know, I’m despicable!” By that point, I was already crying. “You should have let him kill me, I deserved it!”

“Hey, no, no, no” Gently, he wiped my tears and spoke softly to me. “You don’t deserve to die, never! I know you had no other choice, I understand that!”

“But, Barry!” I complained, not wanting to let him forgive me because I couldn’t even forgive myself. “I put you in danger for my weakness! And with that, all of Central City!”

“You’re my friend, and I love you” Barry gravely told me, fixing his eyes on me seriously. “No matter what, okay?”

“So you’re not mad?”

“No! I know you didn’t want to do it. I don’t even want to think about what he did to you so you would talk” He shut his eyes tight, cringing at the thought. “The important thing is that you’re here, safe with me”

“But I told him your secret!”

“I know, but we’ll figure it out” He nodded and gently placed his hands on my shoulders, squeezing them fondly. “We will find a way to fix this, together”

“I can’t believe you’re still my friend after this” I sniffled, trying to get a hold of myself.

“I said no matter what, Y/N” He grinned a little to cheer me up. “Well, unless you were to do something terrible or something like that. This is really not so bad…”

I chuckled at his joke and glared at him in a thankful gesture that he understood.

“Let’s get those nasty wounds healed, okay?” Gingerly, he brushed his thumb against a cut in my cheek.

I nodded silently and sighed shakily, slightly wincing at the pain of my wounds.