"Daddy?"
"Yes, sweetie?"
Barry adjusted himself on the edge of the bed as he tucked his five-year old daughter in for the night. He searched for her face under the light coming from the lampshade only for him to find it scrunched up in a way that almost rivaled her mother's expression.
"I have a question."
She asked so seriously and he had to suppress a laugh at that for it didn't sound like it's coming from a little girl like her but more from a middle-aged woman who's probably asking herself why it seemed like she had chosen all the bad decisions in life.
Noticing that something is clearly bothering her, Barry's curiosity spiked so he immediately asked, "What is it, sweetheart? Is something bothering you?"
She fiddled with the blanket with her little fingers, eyes a bit hesitant before saying, "Why do people have to kiss when they're under the mistletoe?"
He was a bit taken aback by it for honestly, a question like that is what he least expected to come from his daughter. Or should he say, questions regarding this (or just about anything that has to do with love), is one of the things he hoped she'll never have to bring up because no matter how old she'd get, she'll always be his little princess. And heaven knows how he wanted it to stay that way.
His impending heart attack was avoided when he heard her continue, "Uncle Cisco told me that if you don't want an awkward kiss with a stranger then it's best for you to distract them with a little bit of mistletoe history and then make a run for it."
Barry's eyes went wide at her statement, making a mental note never to trust Cisco again with babysitting (he knew he should've listened to Caitlin before). His mouth opened and closed trying to form some words while digesting the scene unfolding before him.
"I-uh, what-why would Uncle Cisco tell you that?" He asked as he leaned backward and crossed his arms over his chest.
"We went to see the decorations in the park yesterday and I noticed how Uncle Cisco kept on looking above his head. When I asked him why, he said he's just being mindful of the mistletoes, didn't want to have a repeat of The Kisstastrophe of '09."
She had her mother's confused expression as she said those words - clearly, it was too much for her five-year old brain to comprehend - how brilliant it may be. He would always find it amusing how much she takes after her mother but in his opinion, it's not the right time for that. Not when his daughter's innocence is slowly being tainted by his very best friend.
He was about to give his "fatherly pep talks" (as Cisco calls it) when she beat him to it with another question.
"What's a kisstastrophe, Daddy?" She asked, being very mindful that she pronounced the word right.
"I have no idea baby. But I do know that it's not actually a word so don't say that again, okay?"
"Okay. But can you tell me now why people have to kiss under the mistletoe?" Her expression went from confusion to pure curiosity, something they have to keep up with for having such intelligent daughter.
"It's uh-kind of a tradition, Ellie." He replied shortly, hoping she wouldn't prod any further. But knowing how she gets all excited for learning something new, he didn't even get surprised by her follow up question.
