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

[run_barry]

Barry gives a short snort that sounds like a stifled laugh (because it is) on Yamato's comment, wearing a private smirk for a moment.

Busily trying to get his hair sorted, Barry pauses to cast an uncertain look Yamato's way after hearing Yamato's cheer.

"Yeah, sure," Iris says cheerily, missing anything that might be off. "I'm sorry I missed your visit this time. Barry's probably told you, I've been sick. But, Eddie and I always have fun hanging out with Barry and his friends."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato throws a momentary smirk of his own at Barry when he hears that stifled laugh, taking another bite of the scone.

(He doesn't react at all to that uncertain look Barry gives him. After all, what could possibly go wrong with him and Eddie in a ring? It's the best idea.)

"Barry did mention that you and a whole bunch of other people were sick. Bad luck on my part, I guess I managed to arrive in the middle of a bug," he says. "But I'm glad to see you're doing better. And the city seems over the worst of it, at least."

[run_barry]

"Well that's because of The Flash," Iris says of the worst being over, with enough matter-of-fact attitude and pride to make that statement absolute fact.

"Iris... " Barry starts to admonish, because he has to, but she's quick to turn that aside.

"My blog site has been blowing up all week with sightings of the Flash all over the city," she informs Yamato earnestly, perhaps hoping to convert another believer in The Flash. "He basically single-handedly took care of Central City while the police department was down."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Sounds like a pretty cool guy. Seems like the whole place would've descended into chaos if he hadn't been around," Yamato says, with a quick grin. "The city's very lucky to have him."

[run_barry]

"See? He gets it," Iris declares. "I like you, Yamato. I sure hope you got to see some of the sites while you were here."

Barry just gives a helpless and awkward shrug, to Iris it probably looks like he's giving up arguing with her about The Flash. Really, he's just trying not to look as embarrassed and pleased as he feels.

Victory over this round in hand, Iris pats Barry's shoulder.

"I better get back to work. I've gotta wrap up here and then get going. It was really nice to meet you, Yamato. I hope you have a safe trip home."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato doesn't quite manage to stifle a smile at Barry's reaction. It's gone fast, though, and Yamato's pretty sure it can pass as just a sympathetic smile for Barry not having the will to argue anymore.

"Thank you, it was really nice to meet you too," he says to Iris. "And I'm sure if there's any major landmarks I didn't get to see, Barry will drag me to them next time I'm here."

[run_barry]

She nods, then gives Barry's shoulder a squeeze.

"We'll catch up later? You should get some rest when you get a chance, you look tired."

That said she gives Yamato a parting wave then heads off, picking up a few empty mugs on her way before trekking back down the stairs.

Barry turns his head to watch her go, then turns back around to take a drink from his mug and face Yamato.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"She's right, you look like you've been running all over the city or something," Yamato says, once Iris is gone.

He pauses for a moment, contemplating exactly how much he's supposed to be dancing around the elephant in the room, then remarks, very innocently: "She seems nice."

There are a few notes of 'I approve of your not-girlfriend, Barry!' in his tone.

[run_barry]

Barry huffs a short laugh and rolls his eyes. "I'm fine."

Sipping on his drink again, Barry glances in the direction Iris went, then gives a quick nod to Yamato.

"She is. I'm glad you two got the chance to meet," he replies, either purposefully missing any undertones in Yamato's comment, or just tragically oblivious.

For his part, Barry plays it completely casual, either by practice or plain denial.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Right, right, so when I say I'm fine, it's 'you need stitches, Yamato' and 'stop bleeding on me, Yamato,' but when you say you're fine, it's totally cool," Yamato teases, nudging Barry's shin with his foot.

He eyes Barry for a moment, trying to figure out if Barry really is that dense, or if he's just very good at circling around this particular topic.

"Shame her boyfriend's a jackass," he says, taking a sip of his coffee. "But Iris is cool. And I think that's probably the best first impression I've made on someone since coming here."

[run_barry]

Barry throws a shrug. "Some guys are just better at self-assessment than others."

It's tragic how Yamato isn't.

The eyeing gets a 'what?' nod from Barry, because clearly there is nothing to be being eyed about.

Because even though there are those who would call it obvious, Barry still has spent enough time trying to duck and dodge the subject to be considered seasoned, if not pro.

"You can't fight Eddie," Barry says, shaking his head. "Iris is cool, but to be fair to Caitlin and Dr. Wells, this situation was a little less... crazy?"

After all, CC Jitters isn't a secret hero headquarters and they didn't mention the end of the universe to Iris so...

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato just arches an eyebrow at that. Really, Amazing Hypoglycemia Man? You want to talk about self-assessment?

"But I really want to. Consider it a point of honour," Yamato says, reasonably. "I promise I won't kill or seriously injure him. Or intentionally break any of his bones."

Can't ask fairer than that, surely.

"Yeah, I don't blame either of them for being wary And at the very least, once Caitlin adjusted to the whole thing, she didn't seem to have a problem with me. And Wells seemed pretty fine, at least as far as I can tell."

[run_barry]

Barry looks skywards, then his eyes trail across the ceiling and down so that he's looking out over the crowd below rather than seeing Yamato's eyebrow arch, because clearly Barry has no clue what Yamato could be hinting about.

Getting back to Eddie, Barry shakes his head again.

"Oh, well if you're going to promise all that... " You're nuts, Yamato. "He's Iris's boyfriend, and she really likes him. Besides, he's not that bad. He's a pretty nice guy."

Does it pain Barry to say that? A little, but it is true. Eddie is nice enough, when he's not shooting at superheroes who're just trying to help.

Anyways...

"Caitlin takes a little while to warm up to people. Dr. Wells even longer. But, based on what I saw they thought you were alright." Which is high marks by their standards!

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'll believe it when I see it," Yamato says, dryly. "But hey, if I get the chance to go a few rounds with him, I promise I'll play nice. Besides, you never know, maybe he'll be the one kicking my ass. After all, he's apparently in pretty good shape."

Yamato's making no secret of the fact that he absolutely does not think Eddie could actually kick his ass.

"They seemed okay with me. And I can understand taking time to warm up to people, it's not like I'm much better."

[run_barry]

When Yamato repeats what Iris said about Eddie Barry rolls his eyes.

"Right. Well, he at least throws a pretty solid punch," Barry says, then adds quick, "Not that I've fought him. Back when he and I were working the Tony Woodward case he kind of showed me a few things."

Which Barry had actually appreciated. That and Eddie actually offering advice and help rather than ragging on Barry for having a bully like some other guys would've done.

Cracking a grin, Barry gives Yamato an expression full of mock surprise.

"What? You've always been super warm and friendly every time I've met one of you."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I know, you mentioned him giving you some tips," Yamato says, wryly. "I'm still interested in testing those boxing skills of his out for myself, if the opportunity ever arises. Maybe I'll have a better opinion of him by the end of it."

Although he doesn't think that's likely. The guy still shot Barry, and Yamato is still furious over that.

"Please, as if you've had any problem befriending any version of me," he adds, shaking his head. "You seem to get along just fine with every Yamato you meet."

[run_barry]

"Just don't make me have to run anyone to the hospital, alright?" Barry says, relenting to the hypothetical future-scenario.

"That's because I know the truth," Barry informs Yamato. "And that's that Yamato Ishida is a really nice guy, and a great friend. And definitely deserves a super cool name like 'The Friender'."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I won't, cross my heart."

What Barry says next makes Yamato turn bright red and try to shrink behind his coffee. "That's not -- ... I don't -- ... You're an asshole and I hate you," he says. "And that name is the second worst you've come up with today."

'Clobberman' is still worse. It just is.

"Don't make me tell Cisco on you again. I'll do it."

[run_barry]

Barry just grins, and he might be teasing, but it's also totally true.

"Only second-worst, huh? That means I'm whittling it down, then. You'll have a code name before you leave, and then Cisco can start on your suit."

Speaking of Cisco, the front door downstairs opens and in walks the man.

Barry doesn't notice, but he still asks, "Tell him what? Don't tell him. Which thing are you threatening to tell him? Because you shouldn't. Because I will. Eventually."

Maybe.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato shakes his head. "This isn't going to happen. This whole plan you've got to make me a superhero a little bit at a time? Not going to happen."

Barry's reaction to the threat makes him pause for a moment.

"-- I mean, I meant I'd tell him about the bad codenames, but you still haven't told him about nearly dying, huh?" Yamato asks. Then, sheepishly: "Yeah, er, me neither."

Beat.

He spits on his hand and holds it out to shake. "I'll be in your corner when you tell him, if you're in my corner when I tell him. Safety in numbers."

[run_barry]

"It's gonna happen," Barry promises. "And then you and I will be total Super Friends."

Or Yamato will get annoyed enough to finally throttle Barry. One or the other.

Realizing what Yamato was actually threatening, Barry ducks his head.

"Oh." Rubbing the back of his neck, just as sheepish, Barry nods. "Yeah, I guess he did ban me from the codenames."

His face squicks when Yamato spits, and Barry shakes his head. "I'll totally back you up, but I'm not gonna spit in my hand."

He will shake though, tentatively, and ready to grab napkins right after.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Good enough," Yamato says, once they're done shaking, and takes a napkin to wipe off his palm. "I'll back you up as well. We can do a whole united front, teamwork sort of thing, it'll be fine."

[makes_the_toys]

They're chance is arriving as Cisco tops the stairs and walks over carrying to over-sized mugs.

"Can you believe what they're charging for three espresso shots?" he gripes. "The lady at the counter threatened to have me sign a waver when she realized I was going to drink all six."

Settling himself at their table he smiles and says, "Hey, guys."

[run_barry]

"Totally fine."

Barry turns his head, surprised, then looks into his empty mug.

"I'm going to need more coffee for this... "

Standing up abruptly he says, "I'm gonna go grab one. Yamato? Another?"

He's not running away, per se, Barry just needs a moment to fuel up, and compose, before they do this.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Yeah, I, er," Yamato says, rather awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll take another of the same."

This is going to suck.

To Cisco, he adds, possibly a little too cheerfully: "Hey! How's my favourite plague vector in the whole world doing?"