Written by: caitlinsfears
Prompt:Ā Ā Barry arranges a picnic for Caitlin, what turns out to be their first date
Characters: Allen, Caitlin Snow
This one shot is made for Snowbarry Spring, prompt: scenic route.
"I think the moment has come, Barry Allen. I mean the one when I remind you that you have a superhuman speed and you don't need a bike."
They both are standing in front of Star Labs, and while Barry tries to attach the basket to his bike, Caitlin looks at him with her hands on her chest. She squints her eyes at the sun, what makes her look even more irritated.
"I think you should be a little less skeptical and more optimistic, Caitlin," he answers, then claps his hands. "Okay, it's ready. Do you like your bike?"
Caitlin takes a peep at the second bicycle. It's definitely a retro one with a pastel blue frame and a soft saddle. Catlin looks again at Barry, then at the bike. Her bike. Since when does she have a bike?
"It's cute, but why do we need these bikes?" Confusion isn't a word enough to express what Caitlin feels. "You said you wanted to take me somewhere. I don't understand what buying bicycles has to do with this."
"Oh, Cait, isn't it obvious? We're going on a bicycle trip and a picnic. I came across this idea when I saw these great bikes on the garage sale. Easy, I didn't pay much. I hope they won't break down on the road."
She gives him a frightened look and he bursts into a laugh. Barry seems to be ready to make fun of her today, but she feels a sudden excitement. She has to spend the whole day with Barry in the open air and it might be a really good idea.
While Caitlin approaches her bike and touches the steering wheel, Barry pulls out his sunglasses of the basket and gives them to her.
"Thank you, my hero," she says, with the relief sheltering from the sun. "So, where is our destination?"
"You'll see," he answers mysteriously and gets on his bike.
Their trip begins. Barry goes ahead, Caitlin behind him. None of them remember the last time they went cycling. Caitlin is used to driving a car, Barry beats every distance in a few seconds on his own feet. Now they have to use some effort and it gives them more fun than they could admit.
Sometimes he turns away to make a quick glimpse at Caitlin as if he needs to be sure that she's still there. Caitlin begins to wonder if even on such a beautiful day she may be forced to patch him up when he falls off his bike. The thought of it involuntarily makes her giggle.
"Oh my God, Caitlin Snow, is it a laughter I'm hearing from you?" He teases her. "It can't be!"
"Shut up or I'll freeze you out," she threatens him, but in spite of the menacing tone of her voice, a smile can't go down her face.
"You just joked about your frosty powers what you haven't done since... okay, you've never done that," he points it out and Caitlin has to admit that he's right. "Fresh air has a good effect on you. Or maybe it's just my company."
She tries to remember when she felt as happy as she does now and nothing comes to her mind.
"Do not flatter yourself, Barry." She takes a sharp breath as she starts to realize how cycling affects her legs. "How much longer?"
After a while, it turns out that they are almost there. Caitlin feels that her dry throat needs water and her legs could use some rest. They stop at a small, empty car park. Barry jumps off the bike and unlocks his basket.
"Are you sure that leaving our bikes here is a good idea? I know you said that I shouldn't be skeptical, but I kinda like this piece of lumber."
"There is no one here, Cait. Nobody will steal them. Come on, I'll show you a beautiful place." He sends her a lovely smile and she can do nothing but grab his arm and let him lead her to that mysterious place. "Piece of lumber? For real, Caitlin?"
They climb a small hill and Barry feels like his heart is trying to get out of his chest. He hides the stress under his smile but he's really afraid that Caitlin won't like what he has prepared for her. She doesn't even realize how important this day is to him. How this sunny day can change everything.
When they arrive, Caitlin doesn't know what to say. Her gaze wanders around the city, which spreads beneath their feet. They can see the buildings, the cars driving the streets, even Star Labs, they just have to look closely. Barry doesn't pay attention to any of this, his eyes watch Caitlin's reaction. When he sees the calm on her face, he immediately loosens up.
"I guess you like it," he concludes, not being able to take his eyes off her.
Her hair flutters in the wind, and her face brightens as she turns to look at him. Barry would like to keep this moment just to be able to come back to it.
"Thoroughly," she asserts him, her voice gentles. "I've never thought that such a place like this may exist. You know how to amaze me, Barry."
Before she can say anything, Barry uses his speed to make a picnic. After a few seconds, Caitlin sees the blanket on the grass, and the delicacies on it, including sandwiches, fruit and champagne. She doesn't even pay attention to the fact that her jaw dropped from surprise.
And suddenly she realizes that she couldn't be here with anyone else. Not even with Cisco. She knows that it's something more than just a picnic of two friends. The flush creeps her face and she can't help it.
He grabs her hand and makes her sit beside him on the blanket. When he pours champagne, she decides to see if her conclusions are right.
"This place is so beautiful. And romantic. Wally and Jesse would like it."
"Probably, but I'd rather keep this place as our sweet secret." He hands her a glass.
Caitlin wishes she knew what to do to stop her heart from skipping fastly. She takes a strawberry and looks at the city.
"You know, one day you may fall in love and I think this place is a great choice for a romantic date." She doesn't look at him, knowing how stupid it sounds.
"That's why I took you here, Cait."
For a moment they're not saying anything. He massages the back of his neck, and she wonders if it's really possible for a heart to beat so fast. Maybe she only imagines it as she imagines that she's on a freaking date with Barry Allen.
"So it's a date?" She's surprised by the fact that she's still able to sound normal. Her first instinct is to start laughing or turn it all into a joke, even if she's so bad at kidding.
"Only if you want it to be," he explains quickly, thinking that he might have ruined everything. "I'm sorry, I should have asked you out first."
"I see that people really like to surprise me," she snorts, taking another strawberry. "Last Saturday, Cisco took me to a movie screening. He said it was a marathon of comedy movies, so I agreed. I didn't look at the titles of the films because I fully trusted the taste of Cisco. My bad. You can't imagine how surprised I was when it turned out to be a horror marathon. I thought I would kill him when the big clown showed on the screen. I hate clowns."
Barry must put down a glass so that he doesn't pour champagne. His joyful laughter spreads through the meadow. Strangely, his reaction doesn't make Caitlin angry. In fact, she gives him a lopsided grin.
"Don't laugh at me," she says, but starts laughing too.
"Sorry, Caitlin, I just imagined it and I'm sure you both looked ridiculous. You know, Cisco feeling pretty chilled and you being annoyed with him. I assume you left the cinema."
"No!" She lifts a chin and takes a sip of champagne. "I decided to keep my dignity so I stayed. Later I couldn't sleep, but at least I didn't give Cisco reasons for jokes. Actually, he was more frightened by those clowns than me."
He smiles slyly and nods his head, although he doesn't believe her at all. Now he has a moment to think about how wonderful he feels. However, there's one more thing left to make him truly happy. He wants to see Caitlin's eyes, so he reaches for her glasses. Caitlin holds her breath as his hands touch her face and gently remove her glasses. Brown eyes stare at him carefully, but nothing he can read from them. They sit so close that he feels her breath, her knee comes in contact with his.
Without thinking of what he's doing, Barry tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear. Caitlin's hand wanders to his face and shyly touches his cheek, then his chin. Neither of them says anything, their looks lead their own conversation. He can only gaze at her with affection when she gently studies his skin with her fingers.
His hands rest on her shoulders, then slide down her back and pull her closer. To his surprise, his heart is not jumping so fast anymore. He calms down, under the influence of her touch his body relaxes.
"Do you kiss on your first date, Cait?"
"Only with you," she answers, putting his face in her hands. "Kiss me, Barry."
Caitlin doesn't know where this sudden courage comes from, but she doesn't care at all. The most important thing is what she wants, and she wants him.
Her eyes close as his lips find hers. Barry kisses her slowly, savoring the taste of her lips. She rakes a hand through his hair and moves away to look at him once again. Then she leans back and they share a deep, passionate kiss for a few seconds.
When some time later they descend from the hill holding hands, smiles don't leave their faces. If Barry had to describe how happiness looks like, he would describe Caitlin walking beside him and smiling sincerely.
He hardly looks away and stops, surprised by the fact that the car park is completely empty. After a moment he hears a laughter beside him and watches Caitlin cover her mouth with her hand.
"It seems like someone stole our bikes," she states the obvious thing, enjoying the chance of vengeance on Barry.
"You mean piece of lumber," he sighs but then chuckles. "Well, we still have another conveyance."
And before she can react, he takes her in his hands and a breath of wind carries her laughter, as he carries her home.
