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

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Your ego's writing a check that your Barry can't cash," Yamato grins, giving Cisco a quick, light shove. "Don't cry too much when I beat him into next year, okay?"

He stands up, giving Barry's shoulder a quick squeeze. "Sure, let's go. I'll even let you speed me over there, if you really want."

[makes_the_toys]

"Oh-ho-ho, when the time comes I'm so putting money down on this," Cisco promises.

Watching Yamato and Barry get up, he throws Yamato a grin.

"Hey, for real though, thanks for your help with everything. I'll catch you in the bar soon." Having just escaped the lab, Cisco wasn't looking to head back so soon. He might hang out for another triple-espresso, actually.

"In the meantime, try not to almost die anymore, alright?"

[run_barry]

"We can walk," Barry says with a grin.

They can totally walk, outside. But as soon as they're there Barry is so going to speed them back to the Labs, because he can.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I'll match any bet you make," Yamato replies, shaking his head. The thanks makes him go a little pink, though, and he ducks his head awkwardly, looking away. "It was no problem. And I'll do my best not to almost die, I promise. Catch you soon, kiddo."

He gives Barry a nod, following him outside, entirely expecting that Barry will, at some point, decide to use speed instead. He's braced for it, so even though he tenses up a little as they go, he relaxes as soon as they stop again.

[run_barry]

Barry takes them back to the Cortex, and as soon as he puts the breaks on he steps away, giving Yamato back his space while grinning at the young man.

"See, not so bad. And for the record, I'm pretty sure there was a time when you swore you'd never let me do that." He would just like to point that out and remind Yamato.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"What's your point?" Yamato asks, a little gruffly. "This is a one-off, it doesn't mean I'm going to let you speed me anywhere else."

[run_barry]

"Oh, nothing," Barry says, casual and innocent. "Just that it's obviously inevitable the next thing you'll let me do is give you a superhero name."

Clearly Yamato should just surrender to it now.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato just glowers at Barry for a moment.

Then: "Clearly low blood sugar is making you delirious. Maybe I should find Caitlin and tell her how concerned I am for you."

[run_barry]

"Oh, uh, actually... " Barry turns around and on cue Caitlin steps out of her lab, a metal tray in her hands.

"Oh good, you're here," she says, casting a sunny smile on Yamato.

Barry steps aside to let her pass as she heads straight for Yamato.

"Sorry, dude," Barry says, the reason for his apology possibly evident given that Caitlin's tray has everything necessary to give one a shot.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato's reaction upon seeing that sunny smile and that tray is the exact same ratio of nervousness to betrayal to muted alarm as a puppy who's just realised the car is pulling up at the vet's office.

"I, er, I'm fine, I don't need any ... I was actually just leaving," he says, putting a hand on Barry's shoulder and trying to ease behind him. "But I think I saw Barry sneezing earlier."

[run_barry]

"Yep, I know," Caitlin says, sunnily and undeterred. "This inoculation will keep you feeling fine. Given you've been exposed to all of us and you're going back to the place where this bug came from, you definitely want this."

Barry steps sideways and twists, trying not to let Yamato use him as a human shield.

"C'mon man, it's fine. Just a real quick thing," Barry tries to assure Yamato.

"Have a seat," Caitlin says, gesturing at a nearby chair. She's still cheerful about it, but it's obvious she expects him to comply.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

As Barry sidesteps and twists, Yamato's agile enough to move with him, keeping him between them, gripping his shoulder a little tighter in case he tries to speed away.

It's like boxing footwork, except the goal is to hide from anything that looks like a needle.

Except that that's definitely an order for him to sit down, and Yamato's half-convinced that if he doesn't, Caitlin will find a way to get him in the chair anyway.

"... Yes, ma'am," he mutters, giving Barry a sour look before heading to the chair and sitting down.

[run_barry]

Barry bends under Yamato's strong grip on his shoulder.

"Hey, Ow," he says, reaching up to try and pull Yamato off.

Rubbing his shoulder when Yamato lets go, Barry stands by while Caitlin moves in and makes ready to administer the shot.

"Don't worry, it'll be over in a sec," she promises Yamato. For his cooperation Caitlin will definitely be as gentle as possible.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato would be apologetic -- forgetting his own strength is a recurring problem -- except he's still sore over being lured into getting a shot.

He rolls up his sleeve for Caitlin, giving Barry his best murder glare as he does so. Why, Barry. Why have you abandoned him to the horrors of appropriate medical precautions.

[run_barry]

"Thank you," Caitlin says, then sets about swabbing Yamato's arm.

Barry grimaces a bit under that intense glaring, mouthing another 'I'm sorry' at Yamato. And Barry really is sorry! Even if he does believe it is a good and necessary precaution.

Ready now with the syringe, Caitlin gives Yamato a reassuring nod.

"Ready now? On three, one, two-- " She goes on two, delivering the shot with a practiced hand.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato keeps glaring at Barry through the apology, but Caitlin's query does at least make him stop glowering and look over at her, giving her a quick nod before staring fairly intently at the needle and his arm.

He doesn't really react at all as he gets the shot, instead just staying very stony, then tugging his sleeve back down when he has the chance.

"Thank you," he says to Caitlin, inclining his head a little.

[run_barry]

Barry winces for Yamato, then throws up a quick smile when it's all over.

"You're welcome, and you're all set," Caitlin says, patting Yamato's other arm.

"Thank you again for all your help," she says as she packs up her tray to head out. "I hope we get the chance to see you again."

"Thank you, Caitlin," Barry adds in as she wraps up everything to go.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato ducks his head, scraping a hand along the back of his neck. "No problem. I'm glad you're all feeling better."

He's pretty quick to get out of the chair, now firmly designated in his mind as the Bad Needle Chair, and puts a few steps of distance between himself and the tray, throwing Barry another glare.

[run_barry]

As Caitlin exits, Barry offers Yamato an 'see that wasn't so bad we're totally cool' smile.

"Nothing to it, right? You need anything else before we get you back?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"I hate you," Yamato says, deadpan, meandering over to rest his chin on Barry's shoulder. "That was the worst thing to ever happen to me."

His suffering is truly great.

"I didn't need a shot, but no, I don't think I need anything else."

[run_barry]

Barry reaches up and pats the top of Yamato's head.

"It's not that bad. We should go though, because Caitlin was pretty keen on the whole 'person from another world' thing and may or may not be interested in studying you."

Is Barry kidding? Probably. But, they are all scientists and Yamato represents quite an interesting phenomenon so... maybe Barry's not kidding.

"Let's head back downstairs, hopefully the door is working."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Yeah, let's go, otherwise you're just going to stand there saying it's not so bad while she vivisects me or something," Yamato grumbles. "Lead the way."

[run_barry]

"She would definitely never do that," he says, shaking his head and starting to walk.

"Not until she was sure she could put everything back where it belongs, at least."

Out in the hallway, Barry leads the way down the curving corridor, glancing over at Yamato.

"So I know everyone else has already said it, but thanks again for your help, Yamato. I seriously owe you big time."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato grumbles a little, ducking his head.

"You don't owe me anything, Gramps, c'mon."

Although Yamato will be taking vengeance for getting stabbed with a needle at the earliest opportunity.

[run_barry]

Barry steps into the medbay they first entered from Milliways. The room has been cleaned up and is in much better shape than it was then.

Approaching the door that should open into Milliways, Barry sets his hand on the handle. "Whatever you say, Friendship Fighter."

That perfect name given, Barry opens the door and lo, there is a bar on the other side.