Bittersweet Love

15. Drinking Till I Am Numb

It had been a week since Team Flash had been working on taking away Eddie's speed. Their collaborative work brought Barry and Iris closer than ever and also made it clear to Caitlin who Iris chose at the end; Barry.

Sighing sadly, she walked over to Harry who was busy replicating his device that he used on Barry to snatch his speed under Zoom's command. "Where is the diode?" Harry questioned, noticing her empty hands.

"Huh?" Caitlin blankly looked at him.

"The diode." Harry repeated.

"Oh right, sorry. I will just go get it." She scurried away from him, being embarrassed.

After rummaging through a cabinet in Cisco's lab, she happily stared at the diode in her hand. She was about to hurry back to Harry, however Caitlin instantly stopped when she heard giggling.

Peeping through the corner of the door frame, she witnessed Barry and Iris have the time of their lives. They had never been so happy without any external problems that needed to be solved instantly. Their relationship was always kept at second priority while the first one always being able to save the city from harms away.

"Wait, we are doing this but what if Eddie doesn't agree to giving up his speed? We can't just force him." Caitlin heard Barry ask.

"I will convince him." Iris replied with determination.

"Are you sure that is a good idea? I mean he is furious with you." Barry reasoned.

"I have my ways." Iris sighed.

"Is it okay if I come with you?" Barry requested.

"Sure." Iris smiled and lightly pecked his lips.

Caitlin turned away leaning her head against the wall. Her body slipped down as her hands played around with the small diode. She had promised herself not to cry over Barry Allen but it was just too damn hard! She pulled her knees into her chest and rested her chin on them. Soon, she heard footsteps approaching to the lab. Caitlin slightly looked up and saw Ralph frowning at her posture.

"What's wrong?" He asked, taking a seat beside her.

"It's...complicated." Caitlin exhaled heavily.

"Yeah, well we sort of created complicated." He scoffed, looking around the lab.

"I guess some things never change."

"Do you want it to change?" He questioned, noticing her behaviour.

"If it will take the pain away, then yes I want it to change." She dismissively replied.

"Hmm, maybe I can help with that." Ralph chimed.

Caitlin scrunched her face in confusion. In front of her eyes, she witnessed Ralph's skin stretch and shorten, twist in inhumane ways causing her to almost hurl. Though the process was disgusting, the results were creepy. Her eyes widened as his body transformed into a familiar one. A very familiar one; Barry.

"W-Why did you change into Barry?" She asked, her tone laced with shock.

"Please," 'Barry' rolled his eyes. "Everyone knows that you have feelings for him. And that him being with Iris is hurting you more than you show." Ralph being Barry explained. The fact that he got Barry's voice exactly how the real Barry does made it more frightening.

"Wait, how long has it been since you guys found out that I have feelings for Barry?" Caitlin jumped up.

"Since the day I saw you guys arguing about the bus victims when I first came here. I could see the pain in your voice when you talked to him. I could see the way you looked at Barry and Iris, hoping that it would be you. I could see the way it killed you to not show how worried you were every time Barry turned into The Flash." Ralph listed. "Plus, I am a private investigator. Nothing remains hidden from me." He shrugged.