Caffeine Fix

[run_barry]

Things are finally starting to calm down in Central City. The epidemic is starting to let up, and those affected are on the road to wellness. The antibodies Caitlin developed (and farmed in Cisco) were shared with CCPD first and now the department is regaining its ranks from the previously bedridden.

Barry could probably do with a vacation sometime soon, but with Yamato's help, and short stints at the comm from Cisco and Caitlin, The Flash has seen Central City through the crisis.

With a break in the chaos achieved at last, there's only one way to celebrate. Coffee.

Holding the front door to CC Jitters open, Barry gestures Yamato inside with a flourish.

"And here we are, best cup of coffee in Central City."

It's the typical trendy sort of joint, high-tables with modern stools, couches and overstuffed chairs, and a hipster huddled with their laptop in every semi-dark corner.

The air is fragrant with the smells of fresh-ground roast, and behind the counter an espresso machine sputters under the deft control of a barista, while another woman loads fresh pastries into the bakery case.

Comments

[makes_the_toys]

"I know," he replies, the false modesty faking false bravado covering actual embarrassment.

"I am bummed I missed most of your first trip to Central City, though. Team Flash and the Chosen taking down bad guys and I was a lame snot factory for all of it." So unfair.

"Next crossover event I totally wanna be a part of it."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'd say you were a cool snot factory, but I get your point," Yamato teases. "I look forward to working with you on the next, er, crossover."

Beat.

"Just be careful, Barry might try to convince you to make me a super-suit. He's already menaced me with terrible superhero names."

[makes_the_toys]

"Yeah, I heard a couple of those names," Cisco says with so much disapproval. "You sure he wasn't the one getting bopped in the head?"

Because seriously, Clobberman?

"That said, I know you want a suit. Just admit it. It's okay to want to look awesome and have functional clothing at the same time."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"You're as bad as he is," Yamato mutters. "You're both menaces to society, trying to turn poor, unsuspecting bystanders into superheroes."

[run_barry]

Returning at last with more drinks, Barry catches what Yamato says and laughs.

"Menace? Hardly," he laughs, setting down Yamato's mug in front of him and then taking a seat.

[makes_the_toys]

"And you're hardly unsuspecting," Cisco adds.

"Where's the baked goods, man?" he asks Barry. "Crumbs on Yamato's face says he got fed."

Obviously Cisco deserves baked treats, too!

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I am an innocent victim of your," he points at both Barry and Cisco, one after another, "relentless attempts to turn me into a hero."

Truly, his suffering is endless.

"Hey, I earned my food. By stealing it from Barry, mostly, but still."

[run_barry]

"Which he only did because he had an accomplice and they ganged up on me." Not to mention his speed was neutralized.

"And there's not 'turning', you're already a hero," Barry informs Yamato. "You can't blame that on us."

[makes_the_toys]

Reaching over, Cisco nudged Yamato in the arm.

"Steal me one, then."

Hook a friend up, Yamato!

Smiling on what Barry says, Cisco nods. "Yep. Just wanna help you look the part now. That's all."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"It was a very daring heist," Yamato says, somberly, glancing over to see if Barry has any more food he can steal. Don't worry, Cisco! He will acquire food for you somehow.

He rolls his eyes, even though that particular remark is making him turn red. He'd argue the point, except he's pretty sure he'd lose, especially with the two of them ganging up on him. "You're both ridiculous."

[run_barry]

"Yeaaah, but you love us," Barry says with full confidence.

Barry has a slice of coffee cake, and it is his coffee cake and he's going to keep it right close to hand to prevent any thievery of said coffee cake.

"Y'know, I was thinking about what Iris said, about the sites. If you want, I could totally run you around Central City and show you all of them." Literally running, and literally all of them.

[makes_the_toys]

"Ha, you better bring along a fire extinguisher," Cisco says, chuckling. "Since Yamato refuses to wear a suit."

And Barry still sometimes catches things on fire.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Pass. Don't get me wrong, moving fast is a lot of fun, but having no way to get my bearings or any control over where I'm going isn't," Yamato says.

He's reaching for Barry's coffee cake as he says that, but slowly, while keeping eye contact, in the hopes that Barry won't notice.

[makes_the_toys]

"What? You mean you don't like screaming around places like your duct taped to a rocket on a collision course for everything?" Cisco asks, mock astounded.

[run_barry]

"Fair enough," Barry allows.

Barry totally sees Yamato's sneaking reach and he starts to look down, but then Cisco's words pull his attention.

"What? Since when do you have a problem with my running?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

While Barry's distracted, Yamato moves a little quicker, trying to snatch the coffee cake and hand it off towards Cisco.

[makes_the_toys]

"It's not that I have a problem with it, per se," Cisco replies. "It's just generally not my favorite mode of-- thank you."

Cisco's distraction providing explanation ends in him giving his thanks to Yamato after Cisco accepts the pilfered coffee cake.

Stuffing his face with a big bite of the cake, Cisco throws a grin at Barry. "I'm gonna admit, I didn't actually plan that one out, but I'm so glad it worked because this cake is delicious."

[run_barry]

"You guys are literally the worst," Barry informs the pair.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"If I successfully steal from you twice, does that technically make me a supervillain? Just asking."

He grins, nudging Barry's shin with one foot.

"Do you want me to go get you another slice? Without stealing it, I swear."

Sure, he doesn't have any cash on him, but it's fine! He's long mastered the art of persuading and bartering his way to free food!

[makes_the_toys]

"Does seem like it's started," Cisco notes. "Fought too hard against becoming a hero, and now you're the villain."

Breaking off another piece of cake, he pops it into his mouth.

"It's tragic, really."

[run_barry]

"That was actually the last slice of coffee cake they had," he informs Yamato, confirming Yamato has in fact become a villain.

"It's fine though," Barry says wistfully. "I'm sure I won't starve or anything."

Can you see him, Yamato? Practically wasting away in front of you.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Well, guess I had to become your nemesis sooner or later," Yamato says, amicably. After a moment, he adds to Cisco: "Although you're eating it, so that makes you a worse villain than me."

Barry's remark about not starving does prompt a tiny smirk and a raised eyebrow from Yamato, just to make it clear that he is, for Barry's sake and to not tip off Cisco, stifling a barrage of jokes and sarcastic comments about Barry and starving.

[makes_the_toys]

"Hey, I have to keep my strength up. I'm recovering from being down with the sickness and donating gallons of my blood to save this city," Cisco argues.

[run_barry]

"C'mon, it was not gallons," Barry says, shaking his head.

Realizing what he's brought up without intending to, Barry casts a look at Yamato and reads that lifted eyebrow.

Changing his tune rather quickly on trying to milk the situation, Barry declares, "It's really fine though. I'm alright."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Right, right, cool," Yamato says, nodding firmly. "Just say if either of you want more food, though."

He may be trying to lean back just out of Cisco's eyeline and, through a series of eyebrow gestures and one enthusiastic thumbs up, indicate to Barry that now would be a great time to bring up That Whole Thing.

Or put another way: Someone has to be first on the chopping block and Yamato's willing to argue for it to not be him, as a few more aggressive eyebrow gestures indicate a second later.