Look After You
"Change your mind," mused Barry.
"You heard me," said Parker.
"Then we're going to spend a day together this weekend. You pick what you want to do. So long as it's not rollerskating."
In the midst of shrugging her coat on, she groaned. "That wasn't the plan, but that sucks. Who doesn't like rollerskating?"
"Sorry to be a disappointment," joked Barry. "Leaving already?"
"I've got a girl to see."
"Iris?"
Parker squinted at him suspiciously.
Barry shrugged. "She's your only female friend."
"Stalker," chimed Parker.
"You would love to be stalked by me," replied Barry. After he realized what came from his mouth, he frowned.
Parker rubbed her temples. "We literally suck at flirting."
"I agree," Barry said, sipping his coffee. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Actually, tonight."
"What?" he asked.
"You dream about me, don't you, Barry Allen?"
××××
Parker sprinted the steps to the West house. Loudly and quickly, she banged on the wooden door, feet shuffling excitedly beneath her.
Iris swung open the door. "Whoa, Park, what brings you around?"
"Is Thawne here?" she whispered.
"No, but my Dad is. If that infiltrates your plan, we can go somewhere else," offered Iris.
Parker didn't care if Joe heard the conversation. She slipped past Iris. She kicked off her shoes, then collapsed on the coach, imitating a faint.
Carefully, Iris followed her to the couch.
"So, you know how I was a little hesitant to like Barry?" asked Parker.
"Of course."
"He came to my house. He invited me out for coffee, so I went. I confessed, Iris! It just kind of came spilling out of my mouth, like, vomit except with words! Anyway, he asked what he could do and I told him he could change my mind, and he suggested that we hang out, so we made a date for Saturday."
Iris pushed herself into a standing position and started jumping on the couch, screaming, "I'm a matchmaker, I'm a matchmaker, I'm a frickin' matchmaker!"
"Iris, Iris, Iris!" said Joe, emerging from the kitchen. "Honey, please, stop jumping on my couch. What are you screaming? I thought this phase was over."
"I'm setting up Parker and Barry!"
"Huh. You two would actually be cute. Good luck dealing with Barry and his awkward ways," he said. With a hopeless guffaw, he kissed Iris' head, high-fived Parker, then left for work.
"What are you two trying to do on Saturday?" asked Iris.
"I don't know. I'm thinking dinner, movie, dancing?" asked Parker.
Iris laughed heartily. "Barry can't dance. That boy would need a lot of teaching to get rid of those left feet."
"He can't be that bad," protested Parker.
"I just don't think a club would be his date spot, you know?"
Parker thoughtfully nodded. "Movie, then?"
"A zombie movie. Barry likes those," suggested Iris.
"I watch The Walking Dead. No zombies can compare to those," she dismissed.
"Okay, then what has the perfect mix of comedy, action, and romance?"
The two stared at each other. At the same time, their eyes widened. "A Disney Movie!"
"Which one?" asked Parker.
"Does it need to be one you can sing to? I bet he'd swoon if you sang to him," squealed Iris. "Oh, goodness, I need you to call and tell me everything when you finish."
"You can count on it."
××××
Saturday at noon, Parker had everything set in place. The DVD was in the player, blankets were draped along the couch, and a pizza was ready to be put in the oven. She was waited for him to arrive.
Four knocks hit the door, as he had last time.
"If it's Barry Allen, please enter!" she called.
Barry's head emerged through the door first. He caught sight of her, then fully entered the house, locking the door behind him. "That's extremely dangerous, you know. You definitely shouldn't leave your door unlocked," he noted.
"I'll try to remember that next time," she said.
"What movie are we watching?" he asked.
"Hercules. There's pizza in the freezer. I can put it in whenever."
Barry held his finger in the air. Using his speed, he bolted into the kitchen, then returned to his spot on the couch. "I was hungry," he defended.
Parker started the movie. About halfway through, she caught one of Barry's glances. She tilted her head questioningly.
"I don't have cooties," teased Barry.
"I'm not going to invade your personal space bubble."
"Then, I will invade yours."
A protest wasn't able to occur. Barry used his speed to quickly change position and recline across the couch, his head positioned in her lap. Parker waited for her hair to settle from the sudden wind before she glared at him. The corners of his mouth innocently tilted up.
"Just watch the movie," she sighed.
Previously, despite Iris' protest, Parker promised herself to avoid singing. She devised a plan to tap her fingers along to the song, instead of letting her mouth follow. By the time Meg and the Muses began to sing, she found her promise shattering.
"No chance, no way, I won't say it, no, no," she mumbled.
Barry froze, absolutely entranced by her lovely voice. She took one glance at him, then flicked his chest, punishing him for staring. "Stop that. You just have a fantastic voice," he complimented.
"Oh, yeah?" challenged Parker. "Let's hear yours, pretty boy."
Barry couldn't pass up a challenge. He muted the television, then grabbed the computer from the coffee table. In searching for the perfect song, he hid the screen from her. Then, when it started, he tapped his fingers along the keys, awaiting the instrumental part to finish.
"Wise men say, only fools rush in," started Parker.
"But I can't help falling in love with you," sang Barry quietly.
"Shall I stay? Would it be a sin?"
"If I can't help, falling in love..."
"With, you," they slowly chorused. As one, their voices sounded blissful.
Barry held out his hand. "So, won't you take my hand?"
Parker slowly inched her frail fingers into his soft palm. "And take my whole life too," she continued.
"Because I can't help... Falling in love with you."
Hands intertwined, foreheads together, Parker waited for him. A kiss to seal the deal, and she was all his.
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