Guy's Night Out

[run_barry]

After everything that's been going on lately, the time has come for a break. A planned visit from a friend is just the thing and with no major crisis going on at the moment, it's the perfect time to make that happen.

So, with an itinerary that includes science, food and video games, Barry is excited to bring Yamato in from Milliways for another trip to Central City.

Opening the door from the bar that's a broom closet in S.T.A.R. Labs, Barry gestures Yamato through.

"Here we are," Barry says with a smile. "Welcome back, dude."

The corridor, like most of rest of S.T.A.R. Labs that doesn't get used by Team Flash much, is usually pretty dimly lit, but today the passageway is bright in anticipation of their guest and the science that's about to commence.

Nodding down the hallway, Barry says, "Cisco and Caitlin are in her lab and we're all set up for you."

Comments

[run_barry]

"What? No," Barry denies. "I just want to make sure you get the full Central City experience."

[makes_the_toys]

"He's like an addict," Cisco tsk's. "Hey Yamato, don't tell Barry, but we should probably stage some kind of intervention or something."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"At the very least, we should find some kind of anonymous group for him to go to," Yamato says airily.

[run_barry]

"Ha ha," Barry deadpans. "You're both hilarious."

[makes_the_toys]

"It's for the best, really," Cisco says to Yamato, grinning as he turns into a neighborhood. It's a quiet street with cheerful bungalow houses and well kept yards and shade trees.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Huh, this place is nice. A far cry from Odaiba, where most of the residential areas have people packed on top of each other, at least.

"We nearly there?" He asks, with maybe just a hint of nervousness, because being nearly there means meeting Joe.

[makes_the_toys]

"Yup, yup," Cisco answers, pulling over in front of the house where an unmarked police car sits in the driveway.

"Good thing, too, I'm starving. I had Big Belly for lunch, but the bird burglar back there yanked my food from the desk."

"ARAWWW!" GP squawks hearing 'Big Belly'.

[run_barry]

"All that fast food can't be good for him," Barry notes.

Unbuckling his set belt, Barry reaches up to give Yamato's shoulder a pat; waiting to make sure Yamato's alright before he opens the door.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"GP can't steal, because all food belongs to him anyway," Yamato says reasonably. "You were stealing from him."

He glances around at Barry, before giving his hand a quick pat and unbuckling his seatbelt, opening the door and hopping out. He's nervous, but that's fine. He knew he would be.

[makes_the_toys]

"Oh sure, take the freeloader's side," Cisco says, grabbing his keys and getting out of the van; ready to follow Barry up to the house.

[run_barry]

Barry gives Yamato a nod and then slides the door open and gets out of the van. He waits for GP to hop down and then closes the door, taking the lead position up to the front door.

Unlocking the house, Barry pushes open the door.

"Welcome to the West house," he says to Yamato, holding the door and standing aside to let Yamato and Cisco in.

The prevailing feeling of the house is warmth, from the sunny walls with wood trimming to the inviting furniture. To the left of the door is the living room area with a couch and chairs and pictures on the walls and mantel place. Straight ahead is the dining area with a big table and the kitchen just beyond. A staircase to the right leads up, and looking close at the corner of the wall at the foot of the stairs there are notches to be seen; growth marks carefully etched and labeled 'Barry' or 'Iris'.

Even though it isn't a large space, it's all very welcoming. A space that just feels homey.

Kicking off his shoes at the door, Barry calls out, "Hey Joe? We're here."

From up the stairs a voice calls back, "Be down in a sec."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato pads inside, taking it all in. His eyes go to exits and entrances first, like they do whenever he enters a new space, but that only takes a second, and after that, he takes the rest of it in.

It seems ... nice. Warm and homey in a way the Ishida apartment never has been, that's for sure.

He tenses up slightly at that voice from upstairs, but busies himself taking off his shoes, setting them neatly by the door.

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco removes his own shoes and then picks GP up and sets him on his shoulder. Wandering right past Barry and Yamato, Cisco heads into the living room space and flops down on the couch.

"Hey Joe? Did you replenish the soda supply? It was dangerously low the last time I was here... "

[run_barry]

"C'mon," Barry says, nodding to Yamato. "Let's check out the kitchen. You can see what's here and if you need anything else."

Before Barry can lead the way there are footsteps on the stairs and Joe comes walking down.

"Sorry, just got home a few minutes ago," Joe apologizes, looking over the three young men. "Hey, Bare."

Joe gives Barry a hug and then casts a not quite enthused look and deadpan greeting over to the man slouching on his couch. "Hey, Cisco. Cisco's bird thing."

Turning his smile back on, Joe steps forward towards Yamato and offers his hand. "You must be Yamato. Joe West."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Man, Yamato wishes he had Cisco's confidence here.

"Right. Yeah," he says to Joe, a little hesitantly, before reaching over to shake his hand. "Yamato Ishida. It's nice to meet you."

[makes_the_toys]

"Hey, Joe," Cisco replies, tossing a salute Joe's way.

"RAW!" GP squawks with his own greeting.

Here now Cisco's approach comes off as confidence, anywhere else and it would just be more evidence of his lack of self-preservation skills.

[run_barry]

"Nice to meet you," Joe returns, giving Yamato's hand a firm shake. "Sorry I missed you the last time you were in town. That flu-bug-- "

Joe shakes his head, giving a kind of shudder at the thought of it.

"I appreciate you helping out like you did," Joe adds, taking his hand back.

Barry stands by smiling, pleased to have this meeting finally happening.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I-I didn't really do anything," Yamato says, shaking his head, trying not to look too nervous. "Barry was the one running around keeping everything under control."

[run_barry]

"Kept him from running himself into the ground," Joe returns, looking over at Barry. "He was more and more exhausted every time he came by to check in on me and Iris. For awhile I was worried he might've been catching it, and then Central City would've really been in trouble."

There's no reprimand in Joe's voice, just a quiet relief for the turnout of something over and done with, and gratitude towards Yamato.

"He also helped take down a bad guy meta and his gang," Barry pipes in.

"That too," Joe says, nodding towards Barry and what he's said.

[makes_the_toys]

"Gave him a terrible name though," Cisco says with a 'tsk'. "Also? Totally junked my robot, but I'm over that now."

Obviously.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato's gaze flicks over to Barry when he talks, raising an eyebrow, as if he doesn't really believe Barry thinks he helped.

"Thanks," he says to Joe, ducking his head a little more. "But really, all I did was read a few maps. Barry would've been just fine without me."

He glances over at Cisco. "... You know I'm pretty sure I apologised for junking your robot, kid."

[run_barry]

Barry feels a flicker of something that's almost hurt on Yamato's disbelief, there and gone again in a heartbeat, but Barry plays it off with an easy smile and a shrug. The gesture and Barry's expression conveying, 'It's true.'

Joe studies Yamato and makes a thoughtful sound. "Hm. May not seem like much to you, but it means a lot to us."

Yamato may want to continue denying how much he did or not, but Joe doesn't leave much room to try and do so. Turning, he nods Yamato, and by extension Barry, to follow.

"You want something to drink?" Joe asks, heading for the kitchen. "C'mon, let's get you set up in here. Barry didn't say what you were cooking, but if we're missing something you need just let us know."

Passing the couch, Joe notes to Cisco, "I don't know what this robot did, but I feel like it's to the good of everybody that you don't have it anymore."

[makes_the_toys]

"And I'm over it," Cisco replies to Yamato

Cisco pouts at Joe and mutters, "Well that's rude."

Just because his adventures in robots so far have turned out bad doesn't mean he shouldn't have one!

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato gives just the faintest grumble at Joe's remark, but he doesn't push it, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly instead.

To Cisco, he remarks: "You know, I left it mostly intact." It was just missing an arm! And a head. And a hand.

"Something to drink would be good," he says to Joe, following him towards the kitchen. "Thanks for letting me use your kitchen, too, er, Joe-san."

Yamato's not used to using honorifics with people, and it feels weird, but he's trying to make a good impression and that involves being less abrupt and rude than usual.

[makes_the_toys]

"You took it's head off," Cisco responds. "Besides, the idea of that creepy peeper Camera Commander driving it around gives me the willies. You might've given him the boot out of our tech and he might be in lockup, but it's still weird."

Cisco shudders.

"It's that same feeling like knowing someone else has worn your underwear. It's not going away."