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

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco shovels what's left on his plate into his mouth and grabs one more dumpling for GP and nods.

"'Mf 'one," he says with a full mouth.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato quickly scarfs down another okonomiyaki and a takoyaki, then gives Barry a thumbs up.

"Yeah, all done here, Gramps."

[run_barry]

Yamato's signal is Barry's 'go' and once it's given Barry moves; clearing the table in a speedy blur, then hitting the kitchen next.

"See?" Joe says to Yamato. "But it's not just the showing off. Barry's always been very... mm, domestic?"

Joe chuckles, sipping his coffee. "Which, lucky for me, because with him I had at least one kid who liked keeping a clean house."

[makes_the_toys]

"Wish I had a speedy maid," Cisco says, breaking off pieces of his last takoyaki and feeding them to GP. "I've gotta settle for an upgraded dishwasher."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Wryly: "I approve of domestic-ness. I'm pretty sure if my old man was left to look after our apartment, it'd be uninhabitable in two weeks."

In fact, he knows it would be.

He glances at Cisco. "... You upgraded your dishwa -- you know what, I don't need to know, you probably fitted rocket boosters on it or something."

[makes_the_toys]

"Rocket boosters? No, that would be crazy," Cisco scoffs.

"I was thinking lasers... " Joe muses about Cisco's dishwasher, then shakes his head to get rid of the thought. He'd rather not know, either.

"What does your father do?" Joe asks Yamato.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato just gives Cisco a Look. They both know he'd put rocket boosters on anything.

"He's a journalist," he says to Joe, rather than trying to press Cisco on his dishwasher upgrades. "Although I think these days he mostly does editor work."

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco returns that Look, and he'll keep on denying it up until the day he actually does put rocket boosters on a dishwasher.

"A journalist. That seems like a pretty interesting profession," Joe comments.

A little too interesting considering how Iris has been gravitating in that direction with her blog, and how there have been dangers that have come from that, but Joe tries not to let his thoughts go there right now.

"Must keep him busy."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato's parents have both ended up in their fair share of danger because of their journalistic pursuits -- Yamato would be worried about Takeru's apparent interest in going into journalism, except the kid's in more danger from being a Chosen anyway.

"Yeah, pretty busy. I've got the apartment to myself most days," he says with somewhat forced nonchalance, rubbing the back of his neck.

Of course, he's acutely aware that his father's unwillingness to come home has always only been partly to do with work, and partly to do with not knowing how to deal with looking after a kid.

[run_barry]

Joe nods, not commenting but definitely noting Yamato's answer and actions.

The slight din that's been going on in the kitchen this whole time cuts off and Joe lifts his voice a little when he replies to Yamato.

"Oh, and you haven't burned the place down yet?"

"That was one time," Barry says, suddenly back in his seat.

"Happened a few times," Joe says evenly.

"A few times," Barry corrects, "but the one big one wasn't even fire, just a little smoke."

"A lot of smoke," Joe says, giving Yamato a look that says 'you see what I had to deal with?'.

"A lot of smoke," Barry amends again, "but it was fine."

Totally fine.

[makes_the_toys]

"I wish I was left home alone," Cisco sighs. "Even when my parents were around I was still stuck with my brother."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato hides a smile behind his hand at Joe and Barry's conversation. There may be a brief, momentary snort of laughter, but he'll deny it if asked.

"That reminds me, I still need to introduce you to Takeru sometime, kid."

Because hey Cisco, your brother might suck, but Yamato's brother is an angel who is perfect in every way. Yamato's not biased about that at all.

[run_barry]

Barry rolls his head in Yamato's direction and informs him, "It was for science."

"He also almost burnt down the school gym," Joe lets Yamato know.

"W--w--well that was a total accident," Barry says emphatically.

[makes_the_toys]

"Always the quiet ones... " Cisco comments with a 'tsk', then throws a bright smile at Yamato.

"Hey, yeah! You think he could be my rival?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I never knew Barry was a secret arsonist."

You learn something new every day.

"... I guess he doesn't have one yet," Yamato says thoughtfully, because despite Daisuke's attempts to strike up a rivalry with Takeru, it's never really stuck.

[makes_the_toys]

"Awesome. So, when you say 'little brother' how little are we talkin'?" Cisco asks, then holds his hand out down as low as he can reach from his chair and slowly raises it, giving Yamato a look that wants Yamato to tell Cisco to stop when he's at the right height.

[run_barry]

"I'm not," Barry says, laughing. "Just... sometimes a little accident prone."

Joe just grins; it's so fun embarrassing your kids in front of their friends. It feels about time though, so Joe decides to relent.

"Well, I've got more stories, but I guess I'll save them for next time," Joe says, setting down his empty coffee mug. "You boys got video games and whatever waiting for you over at Cisco's."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato waits until that hand is about chest level (well, his chest level, not Cisco's) then gives Cisco a thumbs up.

"'Bout that little."

He gives Joe a quick smile, ducking his head. "Thanks for the material to embarrass Barry with," he says. "And, er, thanks again for letting us use your place for this."

[makes_the_toys]

Cisco considers the height Yamato stops him at. It's taller than he was hoping for.

Still... that might be a size Cisco could deal with.

"Hrmm... "

He'll have to think on it.

Now though, it's time to hit the road again.

"Thanks for letting us hang here, Joe," Cisco says, boosting GP up to his shoulder.

[run_barry]

"Anytime," Joe replies to Yamato. "Next visit, I'll do the cooking. Return the favor."

Joe gestures at the table to indicate the meal they just had.

That sounds like a promising note to end things on, and Barry smiles at both Yamato and Joe, and then stands.

Joe follows suit and the two exchange a hug.

"Thanks, Joe," Barry says, patting the man's back. "Have a good night."

"You too," Joe replies. He lets go of Barry, then offers a hand out to Yamato. "It was good to meet you, Yamato."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato smiles quickly, ducking his head, because if Joe is talking about cooking for them, then it seems fair to conclude that he's okay with Yamato, despite -- everything about Yamato's past and what he does, and nearly freezing the city, and stuff.

"Y-yeah, good to meet you too, Joe-san," he says, shaking Joe's hand.

[run_barry]

Joe gives Yamato's hand a firm shake, drawing it out just a moment to meet the young man's eye, then gives a nod and lets go.

To Cisco, Joe says, "See you later, Cisco. Cisco's bird-thing."

Barry leads the way to the door, pulling on his shoes before heading out.

[makes_the_toys]

"See ya, Joe!" Cisco says, popping off a salute and GP mimics the motion with a wing as they pass.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato meets Joe's gaze with his own, holding it for that moment, then gives him a nod in return and a quick smile.

Then he pads out after Barry, pulling his shoes on carefully before stepping out into the winter air.