125

"Awh man." I huff, throwing out another burnt pancake, setting the batter on the pan once more, placing two pieces of bread in the toaster, cutting up fruits and berries.

I hum along to my music quietly, the smell of Jitters coffee overpowering the burning smell of the toast.

Suddenly, the smoke alarm goes off, causing me to gasp and runs towards the toast, and for me to slip on water right after I grab the plate, falling right into my ass, the toaster flinging the two pieces of bread up, both pieces landing on the surface of the plate I held, as I held it with both hands, looking down at the food in disappointment.

"What are you doing?" Nora's voice catches me off guard, as I sigh knowing that soon, Barry would come down too.

I huff in defeat, standing up straight, putting down the plate with toast on it, grabbing an empty one, putting the pancakes on the plate, "Well, I'm trying to make breakfast- and usually- Barry's the one doing stuff around the kitchen because I have only ever used boxed meals- but- today I decided to actually give it a whirl and make breakfast for everyone- just go back to bed."

Nora chuckles, "Like I could go to sleep after the smell of Jitters coffee."

Nora starts to pour herself some coffee, looking around at the mess I had made, "So, uh, I see you still know your way around the kitchen."

"What's happening?" Barry's voice fills my ears, as I looked up, his hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie, his hair slightly a mess from just waking up, a slightly tired but awake look on his face.

"Uh, hey, babe." I greet him, placing the plates of food on the dinner table.

"Good morning." A confused expression crosses Barry's face, noticing the huge mess.

"Um, I was thinking that we could have breakfast together." I looked at him, "Right? Like a family."

"I love it." Barry's lips form into a wide smile, his teeth shining between his lips, "Do you need any help?"

"No, no." I shook my head, "You guys just sit."

"Okay." Barry trailed off, as we all sat at the dinner table, "What do we have here?"

"Well- those are pancakes- and then there's some toast- and you know-" I trail off, "Well, the batter kind of got away from me, and the pancakes look deformed- but I mean- you can tell right?"

"Yeah, yeah." Barry nods, just happy to see that I tried, "I totally see it, yeah."

Nora positions her phone over the pancakes, snapping photos of it, catching my attention, "What are you doing?"

"Uh, I am just getting evidence that you make lumpy pancakes in every time period." Nora looks up at me.

Barry clears his throat, cutting into the pancake, "Let's try it out."

He places the bite into his mouth, the sound of crunching coming from him, as his expression changes instantly, only to switch back into happy when I looked at him, as he tried his best to force it down, "Mmm. Lumpy, but delicious."

I shot him a look, not buying it, slowly slipping my orange juice, then holding the glass, "Really?"

"Yeah- oh- whoa-" Barry pretended to be very pleased with the food, immediately washing the burnt pancake down with orange juice, the smile not leaving his lips, his expression over the top to keep me satisfied.

Barry continued to eat the pancakes, my attention now elsewhere, "When did you get a phone?"

"Uh, Dad got it for me a couple days ago." Nora simply told me.

"Mm-hmm." Barry forcefully swallowed, a smile on his face, his eyes landing on my expression that remained the same, confused and straight.

Barry's eyes widen, starting to quickly explain himself because they had left me out of it, putting another bite of the pancake in his mouth, mid-chewing, "Nora suggested it. I mean, I thought it was a great idea. We're always in and out of Star Labs, so I just- you know, it'd be easier to text and call."

"Yeah, Yeah- totally." I nod, looking down at the food I hadn't touched yet.

"You guys excited to cheer me on at the charity softball game?" Barry smiles at us.

"Softball, schway." Nora laughs lightly.

"I just hope- I don't get stuck in right field this year." Barry sips his orange juice.

"You, uh, gave your number out already?" I asked Nora.

"Yeah, just to the team and Sherloque." Nora nods, "Actually, this text message, I think, is from him."

"I don't think he's much of a texter." Barry shrugs.

"No-" Nora shakes her head with a chuckle, "He, uh, wants us to come to Star Labs, I'm gonna go get ready."

"You haven't had anything to eat yet." I looked at her once she got up.

"I'm not really a breakfast person." Nora says, leaving Barry and I at the dinner table.

I sigh in defeat, slouching in my seat, "You know, I thought having her here, we would finally have a chance to connect, but it's like every time we take a half-step forward, we end up taking six steps back."

"I-I mean, don't give up." Barry weakly smiles at me, "She'll come around. I have a feeling."

"Yeah- I guess so." I sat up, cutting into the pancake, finally taking a bite of the pancake, Barry staring at me, slowly sipping his juice.

I cringe at the taste, letting the food sit in the side of my mouth, "Well, not if I keep making food like that."

"Hey, no, this really is good." Barry quickly sat up, "It is. I mean, it's a little, like- dark, but It's really good."

"Oh my god- you poor thing." I looked at him, a pout on my lips, not getting myself to swallow the bite, grabbing his hand, "You sat here and ate your entire plate-"

"No, Zee- I'm serious- this was really- good-" Barry held my hand, looking at me.

"Really?" I stare at him, not buying it.

"Yeah-" Barry stammers.

"No- stop-" My pointer finger comes forward as I pointed right at him, my chin resting on my arm, "I'm not going to listen to you lie to me any longer."

"Zee-" Barry began, "It was good- it really- filled me up-"

"You lost your appetite because of how bad it was-" I pout, sitting up, "You know what, next time, I'm just gonna have you make the breakfast- I'm such a disappointment in the cooking department."

"Yeah, maybe that's for the best-" Barry mutters, causing my jaw to drop, my hand hitting his arm instantly.

"I was kidding-" Barry lets out a small chuckle, kissing my hand, "Don't hit me again, please-"

"I knew the food sucked-" I pout, my entire tone changing as if I was a five year old, my eyes scanning the food, the non chewed bite still sitting at the side of my mouth.

"Babe, it was really good-" Barry began to try and convince me otherwise once more.

"It's fine- I'm going to make you a banana." I let go of his hand, standing up, grabbing our plates.