Great Scott, Barry! (A Barry Allen x Reader Fic)

Chapter 7

Déjà vu? More like déjà fait.

The questions about your job. Reaching for the popcorn at the same time. Even the classic movie date arm move. It was all happening again before your eyes on the very familiar Galaxy Plunders date. The only real significant difference was this time you got to see how that alien came to be on Dean Cain's back (star-powered alien cannon).

But it's not like this all feels boring because you have already gone through it all. No, actually, you relished in it. You took more notice of Barry's actions and cute facial expressions because you weren't nervous this second time around. In fact, after the movie on the walk home, you were the one who made the first move and reached for Barry's hand to hold. His ears totally turned pink!

You both reach your apartment, but you have no plans on going inside since Barry's only going to run away on you anyway. And since on that night you never got that kiss from him...

"I had a really great time with you, Barry."

"Yeah, I did with you too, (Y/N)." Any second now his phone is going to go off, so you decide to beat it to the punch. You take his face in your hands and plant a big kiss on him. He hesitates at first, put a little off guard at your quickness, but then returns your kiss ardently. In the middle of your short-lived makeout session, Barry's phone chimes as expected. He looks so torn when he sees the notification.

"Oh no. There's an emergency. I'm so so sorry but I have to run." You give him an understanding nod. "Can I call you later?"

"I'd be insulted if you didn't," you say, playfully tugging at his suit jacket. And there he goes pretending to be a slow runner again. Oh, Barry.

"I'll call you, I promise!"

"I know you will," you say to yourself.

*

Since the timeline had been altered (whoops), various moments leading up to your kidnapping were bound to be different from what you've known. For a very current example, Past You saw Galaxy Plunders yesterday in order to write the review early to make up for the poor impression left on Monday. And so, when your Barry called Past You to set up a date, they agreed on bowling – which was to take place the same night as your date with Past Barry. You rush to head over to the Central City Bowling Alley to catch a glimpse of their date.

And to get a 'good seat' for what Cisco has planned.

You duck into one of the booths positioned before the lanes with Barry and Past You in sight. They're giggling about something, probably something Barry said or did most likely. You can't help but notice he's being very touchy-feely with her. Were you jealous? Maybe. Which is a weird thing to feel when it's you he's with, essentially.

Past You is up to bowl next. She grabs a ball and throws it down the lane kind of awkwardly. It slowly curves into the gutter. That makes no sense... You're great at bowling. Barry walks up to stand behind her, placing hands on her waist and her throwing arm, and helps her with the next throw. All the pins fall except one. Past You lets out a happy squeal and kisses Barry on the cheek.

Ooh, I'm a crafty girl.

Barry bowls his turn and then says he'll be right back, that he's just going to grab some snacks. You meet him at the snack bar and tap his shoulder.

"Hey, how's the date going?"

"Hey, really great. Wait, should you be here? What if you're seen?"

"It's fine. I'll be careful. Are you ready for Cisco tonight?"

"Yeah, we went over the plan. Should go smoothly." When his snack order is ready he grabs them and before he heads back to his date, he says jokingly, "When we get back, I'll have to take you bowling for some lessons, haha!"

"Sorry to burst your bubble Barry, but I'm faking it," you say with a wink. You retire back to your spying booth, leaving him and his shocked face standing there.

Even from your seat, you can tell by the body language that when Barry confronts Past You about holding back on your bowling skills, she looks pretty well embarrassed. When they finish up the game, from the looks of it, Past You beats Barry by a long shot. He gives her a cuddly congratulations and they get packed up to leave. You slink down in the booth as they walk nearby to the exit. And like the creepy stalker you have become in this whole ordeal, you keep a safe and inconspicuous distance. You follow them for a few blocks as he walks her home, waiting for Cisco's big surprise move. Then, a short dark figure moves out from the shadows. They jump out at the strolling pair, wearing a mask and holding something resembling a gun at Past You.

"Gimmie all your money!" says the male voice in a forced manner.

Cisco.

Past You doesn't shriek but you can tell what's going on inside her since, well, she is you. Her heart would feel like it would have leapt out of her chest. She would be holding her breath in out of pure fright. And okay, there would be shrieking, but only in her head (plus a lot of curse words).

She complies, as you would have, on account of not wanting to potentially get shot, and hands over her bag. But in the handoff, Barry chops the gun out of Cisco's hand. When the gun hits the floor, it sounds plastic, but who could really tell in this charged moment? Barry goes on to elbow him in the gut, causing him to keel over on the ground. Cisco pretends to writhe in pain.

"Oh my God!" Past You shouts.

"Not today, pal," Barry says handing back the bag to her. Wow, that all looked pretty believable. "Let's get out of here."

They walk briskly away from the scene. Before you go to help Cisco up, you hear Past You exclaim, "Barry, you're like a real life superhero!"

*

You three masterminds reconvene at Cisco's place after the well-performed set-up. The plan was to create a scenario in which to save Past You, to create that special bond, as the first meeting of saving you never happened. And now that this bond was set in place, all that's missing is one thing.

"Captain Cold," you say. "Past Barry will have just put him behind bars. He has to be free in order to kidnap me and set the next steps in motion. But how on Earth do we bring him into the mix now?"

"I think I have an idea," Barry says. Cisco seems to be on the same page as his friend.

"Yeah, and I think it'll involve some major fire power."