In A Blink ➳ Barry Allen/The Flash

30.

chapter thirty ; war of the heart and mind

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Felicity immediately hooked her arm through Natalie's once the two climbed as gracefully as they could out of the cab in their dresses and heels. Natalie stared at the door of the restaurant before glancing down at her body, the dress covered by her coat, a wave of panic flooding her veins. "You look amazing," Felicity reassured her as she rubbed Natalie's coated arm.

Nodding her head, Natalie took a deep breath and shot a wide smile at her new companion, "Let's go in. It's a bit chilly and I'm hungry." Felicity chuckled at her comment and shook her head as the two walked towards the doors, which were opened by an employee of the restaurant. Felicity immediately went into Ray's welcoming arms as Natalie stood in the doorway and shrugged off her coat, shivering a bit as the air hit the bare skin on her back.

Barry looked up from his seat by Eddie and Iris at the bar to see Natalie, his mouth slightly ajar. His eyes traveled down her body, the black all-lace, short-sleeved dress teasing the bare skin of her arms and above her chest only to be covered in a thicker black below, all hugging her body tightly. As she turned to hand one of the employees her coat, he saw the oval-like cut out revealing the skin of her back, a small strip of lace closing the oval just below where her dark brown hair was pulled into a styled, messy bun.

"Close your mouth. You're drooling Barry," Iris teased as she nudged Barry in the side after looking at Natalie. Eddie looked back at smiled before turning to Barry in disbelief, "How have you not had sex yet? Look at her, Barry." Barry snapped out of his trance and raised his eyebrows as Iris lightly smacked Eddie on the arm as she glared. Desperate to get away due to Eddie's comment and the troubled couple, Barry set down his drink and walked to his girlfriend, the smile returning to his face.

"You look amazing.. gorgeous, I mean beautiful. Whatever you want to hear," Barry stumbled out as he took her hands in his. Natalie blushed down at the ground, muttering a 'thank you' and smiled at Barry. "I think sexy is a good word, right Barry?" Felicity added from Ray's arms. Barry smiled and turned to Natalie, "Yeah, sexy is definitely a good word."

Ray straightened as a waiter approached him and said a few words, "Let's have dinner, shall we?" The three couples walked into the dining area of the restaurant only to be met with empty chairs and empty tables. "I thought it'd be nice if it was quiet, so I bought out the entire restaurant," Ray announced proudly as the rest stood in a happily shocked but mutual disbelief.

Barry pulled out Natalie's chair, being the gentleman that he is, and intertwined her hand in his once he was settled down as well. "You know, you look amazing, handsome, stunning. Dare I say.. sexy in that suit. Whatever you want to hear, sweetie," Natalie whispered to Barry as she leaned into his side.

Barry laughed as she played off of what he told her when he first saw her in the dress, "Sweetie?" Natalie shrugged in response as she smoothed down his tie, "Thought I would try out a nickname. Any good?" He nodded his head and nuzzled his nose against the side of her neck, "Whatever you wanna call me, babe." Natalie smiled and pursed her lips, "Okay, sexy dork."

The two finished their side affection when Ray cleared his throat and stood up, "I would like to start off this evening with a toast to each and every one of us for having the wonderful partner beside us tonight, to friends, and also, an amazing glass of red wine." The group raised their glasses, once they were filled, and clanked them together towards Ray's short toast.

Small conversations picked up here and there, fading and dying as the tension between Iris and Eddie ensued. Natalie only started to lose attention as Iris began to not-so-subtly call Eddie out. Barry and Natalie remained silent through the ordeal, instead silently focusing on each other as the other couples talked. "Oh thank god the food's here," Barry sighed in relief as he looked at the waiters over Natalie's shoulder. Natalie stared warily at the bowl set in front of her containing around three spoonful's, unable to decipher what the lead waiter had called it.