flash point (parallel path)

SETTLING IN

Barry Allen sprinted through the streets of Central City, the wind whipping past him as he raced towards STAR Labs. His mind raced as fast as his feet, thoughts swirling with the events of the day—the strange vortex and the criminals he had just apprehended.

As he burst through the doors of STAR Labs, Barry was greeted by the sight of his friends and colleagues—Harrison Wells, Caitlin Snow, and Cisco Ramon—huddled around a bank of computer monitors, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"What's going on?" Barry asked, coming to a stop beside them.

Harrison glanced up from the monitor, his brow furrowed in concentration. "We picked up a strange energy reading near jitters," he explained, tapping a series of keys on the keyboard. "But it disappeared before we could pinpoint its source."

Caitlin nodded in agreement, her blue eyes scanning the data on the screen. "It's unlike anything we've ever seen before," she added, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Cisco leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Maybe it was a glitch in the system," he suggested, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he pulled up more data. "Or maybe it was something else entirely."

Barry considered Cisco's words for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. Whatever the energy reading was, it was clear that it had caught their attention for a reason. But for now, there were other matters that demanded his attention.

"I wouldn't worry too much about it," Barry said, flashing his friends a reassuring smile. "It may come up again, but for now, we have more pressing matters to attend to."

With that, Barry turned towards the door, his thoughts already drifting to his next destination. He needed to meet with Joe at the CCPD and get some work done, but he knew that his friends would continue to investigate the energy reading in his absence.

As Barry made his way to the door, Caitlin and Cisco continued their conversation, their voices fading into the background as he stepped out into the hallway.

Once Barry had left, Cisco turned to Caitlin with a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, Caitlin, settle this age-old debate for me—tacos or pizza?"

Caitlin chuckled, shaking her head at Cisco's antics. "Oh, that's easy," she replied with a grin. "Tacos, hands down. There's just something about that perfect combination of flavors and textures that you can't beat."

Cisco raised an eyebrow, a mock look of disbelief on his face. "Tacos, really?" he exclaimed, feigning shock. "But what about the gooey cheese and crispy crust of a pizza? It's a classic for a reason!"

The two of them bantered back and forth, each defending their favorite food with fervor and passion.
"You fail to understand that pizza, is the lifestyle. It is in fact a way of life" Cisco said twirling a pen in his hand.
"And tacos is not?" Caitlin asked with a smirk to which Cisco simply said no.

And as they continued their playful debate, Caitlin couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these.
.....
As Ethan sits alone in jitters, his mind consumed with worry and uncertainty, he barely notices the young woman approaching until she's standing right in front of him—a familiar face with dark brown hair and a warm smile.

"Hey there," she says softly, her voice laced with concern. "You look like you could use some company. Mind if I join you?"

Ethan's heart skips a beat as he recognizes her—the face that graces the television screens of Central City as one of its most prominent reporters, Iris West-Allen. Despite his surprise, Ethan manages a small nod, gesturing to the seat beside him.

"Sure, go ahead," he replies, trying to hide the turmoil swirling within him.

Iris settles herself on the stool beside Ethan, her gaze filled with genuine concern. "You seem a little lost," she observes gently. "Is everything okay?"

Ethan hesitates, unsure of how much to reveal to someone he only knows from TV. But there's something comforting about Iris's presence, something that makes him want to open up.

"I'm... I'm not from around here," Ethan confesses, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I don't know where to go or what to do."

Iris's expression softens, her eyes filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that," she says, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Ethan's arm. "But you're not alone. We'll figure this out together."

After a moment of silence, Iris's eyes light up with a sudden realization. "I have an idea," she says, her voice tinged with excitement. "My dad works at the CCPD. Maybe he can help us find a place for you to stay."

Ethan's eyes widen in surprise at Iris's suggestion. He hadn't expected her to offer such a generous gesture, especially to someone she just met. But deep down, he's grateful for her kindness, for her willingness to help him in his time of need.

"Th-thank you," Ethan stammers, overcome with emotion. "I... I don't know what to say."

Iris smiles, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "You don't have to say anything," she says gently. "Just know that you're not alone. We'll get through this together, I promise."

And as they sit together in jitters, Ethan can't help but feel a sense of hope stirring within him.
As they continue to talk, the door to jitters swings open, and a familiar figure strides in. It's Barry Allen, dressed casually in a dark hoodie and jeans, a thoughtful expression on his face as he scans the room.

Iris's eyes light up with recognition as she spots Barry, and she waves him over eagerly. "Barry! Over here!"

Barry's gaze lands on Iris and Ethan, and he offers them both a warm smile as he approaches. "Hey, Iris," he says, his voice filled with warmth. "What's going on?"

Iris gestures to Ethan, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Barry, this is Ethan," she says, turning to face Ethan. "He's new in town, and I was just telling him that my dad might be able to help him find a place to stay."

Barry extends a hand to Ethan, his eyes scanning his face with a sense of familiarity. "Nice to meet you, Ethan," he says, his tone friendly. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

Ethan shakes Barry's hand, his heart pounding in his chest. He knows that Barry saved him earlier, but he can't bring himself to reveal that fact, not when he's trying to keep a low profile.

"I don't think so," Ethan replies, forcing a smile. "But it's nice to meet you, Barry."

Barry nods, seemingly satisfied with Ethan's answer. "Well, if Iris thinks we can help you out, then we'll do our best," he says, his voice filled with determination. "Welcome to Central City, Ethan. We're glad to have you here."

As Barry and Ethan exchange pleasantries, Iris can't help but feel a sense of pride welling up inside her. She may not know exactly what the future holds for Ethan, but she's determined to do everything in her power to help him find his place in this world like her dad did for Barry years ago.