Felicity had let Caitlin skip the last preparations for Barry's party so she could keep Barry company, she suggested Cisco to go but Caitlin wanted to, besides she did tell Barry she'd spend the day with him. Felicity needed Caitlin to lure him into the large industrial warehouse, the place looked great but the problem was that it was abandoned and Caitlin was sure Barry would refuse. One, he'll say it's not safe for them to be wandering a warehouse. Two, he'll ask questions and three, she couldn't think of a third. But looking around the place it looked great. Felicity had brought extra tubs of body paint, Caitlin helping to pay for it and flicking it at the walls for decoration, Cisco had handed out the invites, going door to door of their friends, making calls to their friends out of town. All of them able to make it. Caitlin headed towards the cortex, Barry flashed in, bringing the wind with him almost knocking her over. He was in and out of his costume in a second.
"Caitlin, you're just on time" He smiled excitedly, clearly happy to have some company after three days. Caitlin couldn't help but smile seeing his shine bright.
"Morning Birthday boy" She giggled, pulling him into a short hug before rummaging through her bag and pulling out a blue shiny parcel. He took it and smiled, not being able to hide his excitement of getting a gift. He opened the package carefully not wanting to look greedy and god he was happy he did. The minute he opened the box, his heart clenched. It was a wooden designed plaque, his fathers quotes of advice engraved in it, and beside it a photo frame of a photo Barry kept in his wallet he'd shown it to Caitlin once. It was his favourite photo of him and his mum and dad, they were happy. Barry knew he had other photos where their all smiling but in this photo they were truly smiling. Barry saw a tear drop onto the glass of the photo and frowned. He felt his face, he hadn't even realised he was crying, he searched his pocket for a tissue but Caitlin held out one and he took it gladly, wiping the tears from his eyes. He placed the gift carefully on the desk and this time he was the one to hug her, burying his face in her caramel locks, holding her tightly.
"Your something special, Caitlin Snow" He whispered, hoping she heard it, he held her for a little longer then kissed her temple. "Thank you so much"
"I'm sorry I couldn't remember all the things you told me your dad said, I remembered a few but you can get it engraved with more, I just...Henry was a great man...your mother too" Caitlin replied, shrugging as if it was no big deal, but to Barry it meant the world.
"Caitlin...it's perfect"
"Well...I'm glad you like it" She smiled genuinely, Barry flashed off with the gift and returned empty handed. He saw her puzzled look.
"I hung it up in my room and the photos by my bedside" Barry responded, Caitlin nodded understanding and shuffled.
"What do you want to do today then Mr Allen?"
"I still need to save this city, so we'll have to stay in the city" Barry answered, his thinking face appearing. "You know, I have no clue"
"Then...we'll just take a stroll until you see something you want to do" Caitlin instructed, taking holding of his hand out of habit and tugging him gently beside her, smiling up at him. He grinned back nodding in agreement of the idea. They spoke about anything and everything all afternoon, Barry not finding anything interesting to do they just browsed the stores and played on the arcade games at the pier. Barry winning most of them. Then her phone went whilst Barry tried to win Caitlin a purple bear, she still had that giant one he'd brought her. Felicity said it's time. She began to freak out, she hadn't been thinking of a plan to get him there, they were having to much fun. Before she couldn't relax her face from the freaking out, Barry was before her, holding out a purple bear. The loving smile reappeared on her face, as she took hold of the bear. She entwined her fingers with Barry's and headed in the direction of the warehouses which weren't all that far from the pier, making it easier for her.
"Here" Barry smiled, holding out a pink, fluffy candy floss. Caitlin felt her eyes prick with tears, she blinked them back and took the candy floss.
"Its supposed to be your birthday, not mine, Barry"
"Well...I wanted to thank you for the present again. And I know you love candy floss" He held her hand tightly, glancing up at the sky getting darker, and the place they were heading, the amount of people were dropping off quickly. The street quickly becoming quiet. Barry tugged Caitlin's hand so she stopped, she'd just about finished off her candy floss to but dropped it at Barrys sudden pull. She frowned up at Barry. "Sorry, I think we should head back the other way, I've got a bad feeling about this place"
"No, oh come on Barry, are you scared of a little darkness?" Caitlin teased, hoping he'd listen and stay. "Can't we explore one abandoned warehouse? Just one?"
"My Caitlin wouldn't explore an abandoned warehouse" Barry tilted his head slightly in questioning, Caitlin staring wide eyed at him, her cheeks lighting up.
"Your Caitlin?"
"You know what I mean" Barry muttered, although Caitlin could see the flicker of red on his cheeks too. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously but shrugged. "Fine, but any sign of danger and we're out of there in a flash got it, even if it's just a mouse...I've lost enough loved ones, one more isn't necessary"
Caitlin smiled in glee, she felt her phone go off again, knowing it was Felicity and scrambled for her phone, passing Barry the teddy, walking to the side away from him.
"Where are you? I messaged you like fifteen minutes ago" Felicity screamed down the phone.
"I'm like ten minutes away ok, he didn't want to come over here, your lucky he's agreed to come...I'll be there soon just make sure everythings ready" She hissed into the phone, hanging up. "That was Felicity, she wanted to know if I'd be back at the job tomorrow"
"Right. Guessing you still don't need me help?"
"Nope sorry, now come on" Caitlin chuckled, taking the teddy back running lightheartedly Barry's hand in hers, trying to pick up her speed. Barry ended up flashing them in front or the rows of warehouses, making Caitlin sigh happily, she didn't want Felicity snapping at her again. They passed warehouses, Barry confused of why she wasn't going into one but kept close to Caitlin not liking the idea of wandering in such a dark place. Caitlin eventually found the right warehouse, all was quiet and Caitlin held her breath and pulled Barry in front of her. "I like this one"
"Then, lets go in" Barry approved and Caitlin grabbed the handle and she pulled him into the dark building. Immediately their eyes squinted at the light from the glow in the dark paint because they'd been used to the darkness outside. Both of them jumped hearing hundreds of people yell happy birthday, even though Caitlin expected it. She looked like a child, in her normal work dresses and a medium purple bear and squeezing Barry's hand. Barry looked shocked, stunned by the amount of people before him and the look of this old warehouse had transformed into this huge glow in the dark party. He gazed down at Caitlin, still staring at the decorated warehouse proudly, her hand still gripping him. He chuckled, snatching her attention and she smiled shyly.
"Happy Birthday Barry!" She called over the noise that had started up, people suddenly poured over to Barry greeting him. The two quickly being separated by the herd of people, wishing him a happy birthday. He knew Caitlin must've planned this, that must've been what she'd been doing all this time. Cisco and Felicity too. He felt a sharp pain of guilt that she might've spent her emergency money on him. But he stayed where he was thanking the guests. Olivier and Diggle being two of them.
