In A Blink ➳ Barry Allen/The Flash

13.

chapter thirteen ; empty shells in 1308

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"Good morning, Barry," Natalie said in a song-like voice as she walked into the lab for work on Saturday, her morning coffee from Jitters in hand and a bright smile on her face.

Barry looked up, previously immersed in an article, and smiled when he saw her, "Good morning, Natalie. You seem very happy today."

"Well," she started as she set her coffee and purse on the desk that she claimed her own, "I had a very nice date last night with a very nice man. Plus I have coffee. I think that amounts to my level of happiness."

Setting the article down, Barry got up from his seat, walked over to Nat, and leaned against her desk, "I'm glad you had all those nice things last night.

I'm sure that nice man had a nice time too."

"What's with all this..nice going around?"

Natalie and Barry both turned their attention from each other to the detective walking into the lab carrying a bag from Jitters.

"Morning, Joe," Barry said, tensing up when he saw him, a slight wave of panic and guilt washed over him.

He hadn't told Joe about his date with Natalie, his growing feelings for her, or the fact that he was no longer in love with Joe's daughter. "We were just talking about nice..things.."

Joe gave him a flat look before he cracked the smallest smile, "I know you two went on a date last night."

Natalie's eyes went wide and her cheeks reddened as Barry let out a series of 'uh's' and 'um's'.

"How..how did you know?" Barry asked before let out a loud sigh and he and Joe spoke at the same time, "Iris."

Joe set the bag down before he took a seat on a stool, "She was just so happy for you, Bare. That you found someone you like.."

"Joe, that's nice but could we please talk about this at home," Barry interrupted, he was a bit worried about what Natalie might think hearing this. He didn't want her to think he was a stalker or in love with her, they had only known each other a little over a month and had just gone on one date. His palms started to sweat as the different worse possibilities of her thoughts raced through his head.

Joe continued, oblivious to Barry's worry, staring off at the ground, "Also you came home late last night and you were practically singing-"

"Okay, but later we can talk about this-"

The detective snapped his head up and saw Barry, a pleading look on his face and finally heard his words. "What? Why would.. Oh I see! You don't want me talking about this in front of Natalie-" Joe said, starting to chuckle at his realization.

"Um I just-"

"You don't want me to embarrass you!"

"Kind of yeah but-"

"Well Natalie, I should tell you about the time when Barry was 12 and he-"

"Please no-"

Natalie stood there, biting down on her lip to keep from laughing, watching Barry and Joe start teasing each other. When they were done, the lab was filled with dying laughter.

Joe grabbed the bag from Jitters and began to slowly take out its contents, "Well Barry, I got you your usual and I also got Natalie something since I knew you would be here. Also it's a bribe to get to know you even more than I already do, since you and Bare are getting..closer and eventually might get serious-"