Barry sat in a huff, he wasn't upset over breaking up with Leyla, in fact he was relieved. It was just the fact that his friends had been avoiding him, they were barely at the lab the past week. Felicity still hadn't gone to Starling City, but she hadn't even spoke to Barry for longer than ten minutes before having to rush off. He span slowly in his chair, the cortex lifeless, not even an echo of Caitlin's heels or yell of Cisco. Silence. Barry couldn't help but feel left out of something. He'd tried to keep Caitlin in her lab when she did his check up but she eventually left, taking Cisco with her, they'd been gone ever since.
He perked up hearing heels approaching and grinned when saw Caitlin speeding in, ignoring Barry and dashing into her lap as though Barry was hurt in there. He frowned, following her as he saw her searching through each of her little draws.
"Your back then?" Barry spoke up, Caitlin kept her focus on her drawers, continuing to search.
"Um, no. I need some money and...I keep a stash tapped to the top of one of these, just for emergencies" Caitlin mumbled, then froze. Closing her eyes and sighing, quickly looking up at him, her hand still half in a drawer. "Don't you dare tell anyone Barry Allen...or take any"
"Your secrets safe with me...why do you need extra? What are you guys doing? It's boring here alone, can't I come with you?" Barry questioned whining, watching as Caitlin's eyes widened.
"No!-I mean we're uh, we don't need any extra hands" Caitlin winced, knowing how cruel that might sound and saw the hurt look on his face and walked over. She hated keeping secrets from him. "How about I spend the day with you tomorrow?"
"It's my birthday, you'd better" Barry smirked, leaving him sad mood behind. Pushing himself the post and helping search her draws. Getting to the third one on the left side and feeling a lump on the roof of the box and carefully took it off, wiggling it at Caitlin. There had to be at least $500 there. Caitlin beamed, taking hold of the money and wrapping her arms around Barry, pulling away slightly so she was still slightly in his hold.
"Thank you" She muttered quietly, hesitating but gave him a quick, short peck on the cheek. "That uh, was a thank you too"
"Uh, a-anytime" He stuttered, he could feel the heat rise to his cheeks. Caitlin let out a little laugh before heading out of the lab, Barry frowning and following her. "Do I really have to stay?"
"Barry, if you came many people would be mad at me, you don't want that, do you?" She asked playfully, nudging him lightly, the corners of her lips curling into a shy smile. Barry rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"No...I guess I'll see you tomorrow then" He shrugged, scratching the back of his neck. Caitlin nodded, moving towards him for a hug goodbye.
"I'll see you tomorrow" She murmured into his shoulder, he smelt a wave of her vanilla shampoo hit him, a smile spreading across his still blushing face.
"I won't forget the coffee this time" He grinned, hearing her laugh softly before pulling out of his hold and heading out of the cortex. Barry quickly felt the loneliness hit him once again, eventually ending up joining Joe at work. Luckily Singh had a stack of papers to keep him occupied, this one time, he was glad he had work.
