(no subject)

[callmenoah]

Central City wouldn't have been Noah's first guess, when it came to places Claire might settle down. He would have thought New York or California, to be closer to family. She'd been running for long enough, he thought she might choose a place where it'd be easier for her to plant some roots. But no, she was adamant about going somewhere she could start fresh. 

He held back his 'I told you so' when she told him about the bar fight, purely because when she described the attack, it wasn't something either of them could have foreseen, not even him with all his years in the field. Meta-humans were completely unfamiliar to him, and from what he'd been told, had the potential to be more even powerful than evolved humans. There wasn't much that scared him, but this certainly was unnerving, especially if Claire had found herself in their crosshairs so quickly. 

She was shifty about the reasons why, which indicated that it was something important to her. He didn't press for too much in the way of details, instead letting her feed him the information however she was most comfortable doing so. It had taken years to adjust his communication style in this way, but considering how much his daughters trust in him had grown, it was worth the effort. 

They'd been in regular communication, and she had seemed to be in especially high spirits after her date. Considering how private she had been about her love life since Gretchen, when Barry's name kept coming up, Noah paid attention. As far as he could tell, she was over the moon for this guy. Sure enough, after the date, she talked about wanting to introduce them. It was entirely unlike her, or at least what he'd observed from her in the years after she had left Arlington and entered her nomadic lifestyle. This was serious. 

Noah had been content to wait a few more days for his trip to see her, but when she suddenly dropped off without warning - at least before her date she had reminded him she'd be busy for the evening - he assumed the worst. Fortunately Peter was ready with a quick 'port to Central City, though he was unable to stick around while Noah started his search. He'd promised to pop back after his shift and help if she wasn't found. Fortunately that wouldn't be necessary. Claire had expressed concerns about Peter's empathic powers in the presence of Metas, and neither had the chance to explain it to Peter. Even going off what little he knew, Noah shared those concerns, as well as concerns about Sylar being able to acquire Meta-human powers. 

Just piling on to the list of reasons he was here. First and foremost, though, he had to see Claire. He parked in the garage, then made his way inside and up to her door. With a breath to calm himself, he knocked. 

A moment later, Claire's smiling face appeared as the door swung open. "Hi, Daddy!" She sounded just like she had on the phone - like she knew she was in trouble. But there was no stopping a grin from taking over her face.

"Hello, Clairebear," came his response, half a grumble, because he couldn't stay mad. Not when she looked so happy. She rushed into his arms and he caught her easily for a big hug, head tucked down to press a kiss into her hair. "Please don't ever scare me like that again." 

"Sorry, Dad..." Claire looked up at him sheepishly. "We can explain, I promise!" She stepped back, and he followed her inside. Two pairs of shoes on the rug. It made sense; her text had said we're home. Had he moved in already, or was she just being concise? Her voice broke through his thoughts. "Dad... this is Barry. Barry, my dad." 

He'd never seen her look at anyone like that before. Not Gretchen, not... that stupid boy who could fly, whatever his name was. Definitely not that scumbag quarterback. This was different. Noah stepped forward, offering a hand. "I've heard so much about you, I almost feel like I know you." He tried to make it sound light-hearted and friendly, not threatening. "It's nice to meet you, Barry. Call me Noah."

Comments

It did!

[infinite1ups]

She made a mental note to ask Cisco about panic button for her dad, just in case he got too busy. It wasn't clear exactly what the New Company setup entailed, but she had a feeling he might get a bit swept up with it all.

No wonder Barry loved Claire, then. "He's a Pomeranian! So a sassy little thing. But he can be a snuggler too, he loves his lap time."

There was a smile as he kissed her hands, albeit a slightly sad one. "I'm... alright. Or I will be. Mostly I'm just glad he likes you. I knew he would, but seeing it? Ah, my heart is so full."

Yay! They must've FINALLY fixed it after all these years. XD

[feelthelightning]

"Small, sassy, and loud!" Barry laughed "I can't wait to him and your mother." He just wished he had any kind of mother figure to inteoduce her to. He knew his mother would've loved her.

Barry pulled her in close and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm glad he liked me too. I'm not sure what I would have done if he hadn't."

Yeah! I didn't get a notif for your first comment on the post but other than that now it's perf~

[infinite1ups]

"My mom is gonna adore you. And her cooking is even better than mine." Sandra already loved every single thing Claire had told her about Barry. Which had been a lot, except of course for the secrets that weren't hers to tell.

Thawne targeting her mom scared Claire more than just about anything. But for now she was doing her best to keep that fear under wraps.

She cuddled in close, resting her head against his chest as she got her arms around his middle. It would never get old, how happy and safe she felt whenever he had his arms around her. "He would've come around eventually," she assured him. "He'd have to. I'm not letting you go for anything."

I completely forgot he's living with Cisco rn. XD

[feelthelightning]

"Well, I can't wait to meet her and Mr. Muggles! And you're going to have to let me cook for you some time, you know." Now that they had down time, she was definitely going to wake up to breakfast at least a couple times. ...and probably a crash in the kitchen at least once, because he's gotten too used to using super-speed to do basic things.

Barry kissed her tenderly and rested his forehead against her. "I'm just glad we didn't have to find out." He would absolutely have fought for approval for her. "You're my everything."

omg the cutest roommates! how long until he moves in w/Claire? XD

[infinite1ups]

"I cooked for you, so I guess it's only fair." It was so dang adorable that he wanted to, how could she say no? She didn't mind being the one to cook most of the time - she'd been fending for herself for so long, now. Maybe it was be nice to be treated sometimes.

The kiss made Claire relax even more, practically melting against him. Her grin turned into something more like a dreamy little smile. So. Smitten. "And you're my everything. I... I think that might be obvious to anyone who sees us together, actually."

She'll have to ask, because he hates to presume.

[feelthelightning]

"Dang right it is!" He half cheered and laughed. "We'll split cooking duties whenever I'm here." His heart was fluttering so happily he thought it might jump out of his chest.

"I think you're right." Cisco kept humming Kiss the Girl from the Little Mermaid every time he'd talk about her before Cisco even met her.

oh it'll burst out of her sooner or later (probably sooner)

[infinite1ups]

Claire laughed right along with him, but she also gave him about as stern a look as she could muster. Which... wasn't very stern, but she was trying. "If you cook, I clean. 'Cause you cleaned when I cooked."

Just one more thing that would just be added to the pile of reasons she liked Cisco if she knew about it. That was her co-bestie, right there. "Y' know, I really did get myself all hyped up for our downtime but, now I almost don't even know what to do with myself."

Then he'll have his things in hand in a *Flash*.

[feelthelightning]

"That seems wildly unnecessary when I can have the cleaning done before you even realise there are dirty dishes." He grinned playfully. Barry wanted her to feel like a princess when he could.

"How about we spend our time snuggling and looking at puppy pictures?" His phone buzzed but he didn't pull away. He just freed up one hand to grab it and check the message. "Looks like Cisco's in the parking lot getting the van. He says Cait and Jesse are still working on the antidote. He wants to know if we need anything."

"in a Flash" will never get old for her tbh.

[infinite1ups]

She was getting the sense that he might want to spoil her a little bit. As much as it was in her nature to insist she could do it... Claire could let it go this time.

It really was difficult to say no to that face of his. But also, it didn't seem right to deny him if he really wanted to put in the effort for her. She'd just find other ways to make it up to him.

Puppy pictures and snuggling sounded ideal. She was already getting started on the latter part, her head nestled against his chest. "I don't think so? Just tell him to be careful with all that broken glass. The windows all shattered, it's probably a mess."

Good, because it's his favourite pun. XD

[feelthelightning]

"Yeah, I saw that when I got the pen and paper. I cleared most of the glass from the seats but I'll let him know anyway."

Barry started walking them to the couch without untangling as he typed with his other hand on the phone at lightning speed. Unfortunately, it was then that the venom tripped him up and he fumbled, accidentally flinging his phone across the room. "Shit!"

[infinite1ups]

The phone suddenly being launched made her jump a little, and she gasped softly. "Oh, damn! That didn't sound good."

Claire disentangled herself from Barry so he could retrieve his phone. Her features darkened with a worried frown. "The venom again? If it's busted, I can text Cisco with mine."

[feelthelightning]

"S-sorry! Didn't mean to scare you!." He mumbled quickly, embarrassed. When he was loose, he scooped up the phone and shook his head. "My phone's been Cisco'd. It can take a beating. It's fine. But yeah, that was probably the venom. It felt the same as in the Speed Lab."

He finished texting Cisco, but at a human speed then flopped on the couch, mentioning for her to join him. "I'm fine. It's fine. Just a hiccup in my speed, is all. That's why we're taking it easy." It had been an hour or better since his tumble in the Speed Lab and he still had a cut, though it looked more like a cat scratch than a deep laceration. So it was affecting certain aspects of his powers differently.

"You. Me. Cuddles. And puppies. Or kittens. I'm down for either." He smiled.

[infinite1ups]

"Nah, I'm just jumpy." At least she didn't jump when things really mattered. Then again, it was because of those more important things that her startle response was so strong in the first place.

It was hard not to worry too much, but Barry had a point. This was exactly why they were taking these days off. At least the cut on his head had noticeably healed - that made her feel better. She joined him on the couch, legs curled under her as she leaned into his side.

"I've always been more of a dog person. This is not gonna help my puppy fever, though," Claire laughed. Yeah, she was still thinking about getting one.

[feelthelightning]

"I don't want you to be jumpy around me." He said earnestly.

He lifted his arm and tucked her under it when she curled onto the couch, snuggling her close. "Is there a breed you prefer? Since your mom's a breeder, you might be particular." He would be happy with just adopting a mutt, but he hadn't grown up with show dogs.

[infinite1ups]

"It's apparently a trauma thing. I don't know how to turn it off." Claire had tried therapy, but trying to find a therapist who specialized in issues like hers? It didn't go well. She didn't get the hallucinations as much anymore, though she did occasionally still have panic attacks and nightmares.

It meant the world that Barry wanted to make sure she felt safe, though. That by itself helped more than she could say.

"Nah, I'm not too particular. Maybe more of a medium to larger size breed than Muggles? Or... whatever lovable mutt picks me when I go to the shelter again. I like to volunteer there, but I wanted to wait until I felt more settled to adopt." Translation: until she felt less like she was going to change her mind and start running again. She wasn't having to fight those feelings as much anymore. "I don't think I can get much more settled than this," she added, laughing softly.

[feelthelightning]

He winced. Awkward as always, Barry. "I'm not making light of your trauma." He said softly, though she probably knew that already. "Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" Lord knew they both had trauma of different flavours.

That she didn't have a breed in mind made it easier. It meant they could just organically find let one fall into their laps. He liked the idea of getting a rescue. And it just now occurred to him that he was thinking of adopting a dog with her. His cheeks flushed and he ducked his head to hide his face. She was talking about being settled and he was just being a disaster.

He'd had his own place for a while, until Iris moved out of Joe's. Then Joe started moping about and Barry eagerly moved back in to keep him company. But now that Wally was there, it was cramped again, so he was bunking with Cisco and helping him pay rent. Adopting a dog with his girlfriend wasn't a wise decision just yet. Right?

"At least now that you know my secret, I don't have to worry about your puppy recognising my scent as The Flash any more."

[infinite1ups]

And it was Claire's turn to wince. "Sorry... I didn't mean to sound snappy. You're already doing so much," she assured him, kissing his cheek. In truth, she really couldn't name anything else he could possibly do that he wasn't already. She shifted, stretching her legs out across Barry's lap instead of having them curled up under her. Much better. "I don't get much more comfortable than this."

The way he ducked his head didn't escape her notice, though. She wondered what that might be about. Was it the puppy talk? Or maybe the talk of her being settled and how much these next few days of off time were really going to seem like he'd all but moved in with her. The conversation from that morning with Harry suddenly popped into her head, how he thought her asking about Meta and evolved human compatibility was to have kids.

Barry was already blushing, so she decided not to mention that right now. Even if it had been really funny. It felt like one of those things that would be even funnier down the line, though.

"That's true. Ideally my dog will like you as much as they like me; they'd probably blow your cover pretty quick." More like their dog, but she didn't say that. "And, because I realize now I didn't say it earlier, it was so cool to get to see you suited up."

So cool was kind of an understatement, actually. She couldn't put into words just how proud and in love she was.

[feelthelightning]

"No, you weren't snappy." He assured gently and combed his fingers through her hair. He shifted as she settled her legs over him so he'd be a more comfortable lap. "I'm so in love with you, Claire Bennet, it's almost suffocating." He admitted quietly. "I wanna make you happy, and ease all your fears. I wanna chase away all your trauma." He leaned in and kissed her softly.

"I hope so. Otherwise I'll just have to spoil them with treats until they do like me." He joked. Then he looked flustered again. "I can't own any of the style points of the suit. Cisco made it. He's our tech genius. But, uh, I'm glad you finally got to 'meet' The Flash. And it wasn't because of a catastrophe." It was nice to get to show her the suit and his speed without needing to use it to save lives in the moment. And the fact that she thought he was cool? Yeah, that had him riding high.

[infinite1ups]

"I'm just as in love with you, Barry Allen. More than I ever thought possible." Their lives had entwined so fully, they fit together so seamlessly in just about every way. Love - romantic love - had never been so easy for her before. "You do all of that, and more."

If there was anyone who'd understand the mental and emotional wounds healing even slower than the physical, and how that disconnect could become a mess, it'd be Barry. He'd understand that disconnect; the physical damage was gone, but the hurt was still there.

"Okay, Cisco gets design credit. Buuut you get all the points for looking damn good," Claire said, her appreciation obvious. She too was glad he got to see The Flash in action without there being some kind of crisis involved. As worried as she'd been when he'd taken that spill in the Speed Lab, she knew it could have been way worse. "If you were tryin' to show off for me, it worked."

Though there really wasn't any 'if' about it, from what Joe had said.

[feelthelightning]

Don't mind him as he got lost in her eyes when she said that. He leaned in and kissed her on the lips soft and slow. Like she was his lifeline. And in some ways, she was.

"That sounds like a good compromise." He laughed. She'd come to learn that he took spills worse than that fighting bad guys. Most couldn't touch him, but occasionally, there were exceptions. Thawne and Zoom were two huge ones. Even Snart had hurt him pretty decently before their truce. Though, that gun was designed specifically to take down Barry by Cisco, so it made sense that the Cold Gun packed a punch.

"Oh, I was definitely trying to show off for my hot girlfriend. But, like, without destroying your ears. If I broke the sound barrier in that room, the sonic boom would've deafened us, and probably have hit like Hartley's gauntlets for a split second. Not deadly, but concussive. A sonic boom is a hundred and ten decibels, and in this concrete room, it would be contained and reverberate like an echo chamber. So I was keeping my speed under Mach 1." Nerd alert.

[infinite1ups]

Claire returned that kiss tenderly, her hand gentle on his cheek. Barry was just as much of a lifeline for her in a lot of ways. It was almost a little scary how strongly she felt in such a short period of time. There was no going back now, and she sure as hell didn't want to go back. Like she told Harry, she was going to fight for the life she was building for herself now.

"I think I already experienced enough decibels for one day," she joked. "But like, once we get the all clear from the lab... you can totally show off more if you want. Your hot girlfriend will appreciate it." Her head tilted as she looked at him, almost thoughtful, but there was also a hint of playfulness in her smile and a flash of attraction in her soft green eyes. "Yep, still hot when you talk nerdy to me."

Even hotter, actually - don't let her fool you, Barry.

[feelthelightning]

"Hang around the lab more and you can hear me talk nerdy all the time." He teased and bumped his nose into the crook of her neck, smiling against her skin.

"Okay, puppy time!" He pulled up his phone and just typed 'puppy' in google. "Let's get the serotonin going." He was going to hold onto her and this slice of happiness for as long as he could.

[infinite1ups]

"I fully intend to," Claire promised, sighing softly as he leaned in against her neck. More time with Barry and their friends, their family, plus all the nerding out... there wasn't anything she wanted more.

"Gosh, I dunno if my serotonin levels can get higher now." Considering the events of the day, and the heavy subject matter of a lot of the conversations she'd had, she was really riding high now. "The puppies are cute, but you're the cutest."

[feelthelightning]

"I think you're doing puppies a disservice." He teased. But part of him was elated to hear her say it. "I think we're going to die of a sugar coma before we're cured of this poison." Barry tucked her hair behind her ear and went in for another kiss.

[infinite1ups]

She melted at the kiss, hand on his cheek. It had her blushing when she pulled back a few moments later to catch her breath. "You're definitely the cutest." And then, with a thoughtful hum, "I think we're not just immune to this kind of sweetness, we almost thrive on it. It's the kind of medicine that always works."