WHEN HEARTS CONNECT...

Aftermath

"OMG! What was that? You finally realized that dating can be a part of your 'busy' life" Cisco said playfully.

"Cut it out Cisco. We just had a brief conversation for God's sake..." Barry said wide eyed.

"Whatever..."Cisco replied rolling his eyes.

Soon after the celebrations,it was dinner time and everyone went to the restaurant to have dinner. Barry sat at the table with Ollie,Cisco and Eddie while Caitlin sat with Felicity and Iris(who happened to arrive a day later with Eddie).Having wished each other goodnight,they went to their respective rooms to have some good sleep.

Soon they were at the table having breakfast. Caitlin went to the buffet spread get another serving of pancake and when she turned around,she accidentally ran into Barry who was standing just behind her.

"Oops...Hey good morning" said a blushing Caitlin.

"Good morning" said Barry with his signature flirty smile."Why don't you girls join us at the table? I'll introduce you to my friends"

"Yeah sure. I'll bring Felicity and Iris.They must be busy getting ready and checking out their clothes  for the hundredth time." said Caitlin with a smirk.

After having joined the boys and had a sumptuous breakfast,they all decided to go on a tour around the beach city. They went on the open top double decker bus. Since Barry and Caitlin wanted to get to know about each other better, they sat together while the couples sat together. Cisco sat next to a Colombian lady and couldn't stop admiring her beauty. Classic Cisco. Meanwhile,Oliver was happy to see Barry and Caitlin having a light hearted conversation. He couldn't help notice the smiles and subtle jokes between them. Barry and Caitlin spent the whole bus ride talking and taking selfies while Cisco was trying his best to photobomb.

The girls proceeded to go the local markets to do some shopping and the boys went to play football with the local boys. 

Soon,they found themselves going on a cruise along the serene waters of the Atlantic ocean.

"So how's Miami? Looks like you're quite liking it" said Barry who joined her at the stern of the ship.

"Yeah it really feels good  to be on a vacation after a long time and being with my friends" said Caitlin looking at the sun setting in front of them.  "I had a lot of fun today,with you,Barry. Thanks"

"Hey that's what friends are for . Don't thank me cause I too had fun today. It's been a long time since I've had a genuine friendship with someone other than Cisco and Ollie" he said holding one of her hands. The feeling of butterflies erupted in them and they shuddered at the brief contact.

Barry felt a scar on her wrist and he turned her wrist to see a pale white mark.

"What happened to your wrist Caitlin?" he asked as he softly touched it.

He could feel her tense up immediately when he mentioned about it.

"It's totally fine if you don't want to talk about it" he said as he withdrew his hand. He missed the contact between them.

Caitlin took a deep breath and said   "My parents had multiple fights when I was young. My dad used to come home drunk and hit my mom. My mom tried her best to protect me from my dad and one day when he slapped my mom on the face, I just ran and pushed him and tried to fight with all my might. Overcome by anger, he threw the beer bottle on the floor and the glass piece went into my skin". Tears had formed in her eyes.

"Later on, my mom got a divorce and we live together now. But I'm still deprived of a father whom I've always dreamt of having" she said in between sobs.

"Hey don't cry okay? You have proved to be very strong at a tender age. What matters now is that you are emotionally and mentally strong and you care for your mother. Don't let the past haunt you"Barry said wiping her tears.  "I too lost my parents when I was 11 when they met with an accident. Since then I've been living with Joe,my foster dad." he said  in a quivering voice.

Caitlin was overcome with sympathy towards Barry who was in the verge of crying. He was facing the sunset when Caitlin took his hands in hers and hugged him. He hugged her back and both of the were holding onto each other.

After a couple of moments,they separated with smiles on their faces. They joined the rest of the gang and spent the rest of the evening with their friends.

While they were going back to the hotel by bus,Barry and Caitlin were listening to songs on her earphones. When they reached the hotel,she was asleep on his shoulder and he couldn't stop looking at her beautiful face. As he shook her gently,she woke up and groaned softly. Realizing that she had fallen asleep on his shoulder she covered her crimson cheeks with her brown locks.

Before they went into their rooms,Barry said "It was really nice of you to open up and tell me more about yourself. Not many people would have the courage to do that. " 

"It's just that I felt comfortable telling you about it."

"So um I-I think we gotta go have some sleep" he said scratching his neck awkwardly and blushing.

"Y-yeah w-we've had a tiring day" she stuttered not knowing what to say next.

He didn't know what came over him and he swiftly came close enough for her cheeks  to feel his warm breathe. He kissed her on the cheek.  "Goodnight Cait" he whispered into her ear and smiled and he went into his room.

Caitlin couldn't resist the blush forming between her cheeks  and stood there in the corridor smiling like an idiot.