Chapter 17: It was fun...

"That one's cool"

Barry pointed at a fierce-looking replica of a jaguar, its lifelike features meticulously crafted, surrounded by artificial trees and grass that lent an air of authenticity to the scene. 

Beside him, Caitlin stood with a slightly perplexed expression, her curiosity piqued as she wondered what exactly was so "cool" about the display.

Currently, they found themselves in the forest exhibit room within the museum, surrounded by meticulously crafted replicas of the diverse array of creatures that inhabit such habitats.

As they continued to explore, Barry and Caitlin stumbled upon frames adorned with images of unfamiliar spiders meticulously arranged on the wall. 

Beneath each arachnid portrait where informative texts provided details about the species, enlightening the viewer about their unique characteristics and habitats. 

And intrigued by the diversity of spiders showcased before them, Barry and Caitlin leaned in closer, eager to learn more about these fascinating creatures that often remained hidden from plain sight.

"Huh..."

With a mix of curiosity and fascination, Barry and Caitlin observed the deceased spiders neatly framed inside the display case. Their eyes scanned the accompanying texts, absorbing the detailed information provided about each species.

Despite feeling slightly unsettled by the sight of the framed spiders, Barry resolved to push past his discomfort, recognizing Caitlin's apparent ease with the situation. With a determined effort, he suppressed his unease and focused on absorbing the information presented before him.

"This one's fascinating"

Barry, who had been perusing the exhibits with a facade of interest, suddenly came to a halt as his gaze fell upon the information about a particular spider. 

His eyebrows raised in genuine intrigue as he absorbed the details presented before him as a flicker of genuine interest sparked within him, delving deeper into the intricacies of the spider's description, captivated by the unique attributes and behaviors outlined in the text.

"Hyptiotes cavatus, the triangle weaver spider"

As Barry read the information beneath the framed spider, his interest was piqued even further, particularly upon encountering a specific title that caught his attention.

"The fastest spider in the world, huh..."

Barry brushed his chin in contemplation, a small smirk playing on his lips as he continued to read through the rest of the description below. 

With each passing sentence, his intrigue deepened and his mind buzzed with newfound knowledge and insights about the spider before him.

As Barry reached the end of the description, his eyes widened in surprise as he noted the name of the author written below. Tilting his head to the side, he blinked in confusion, his mind grappling with the unexpected revelation.

"Nora Thompson...?"

Barry's mind raced as he repeated the name silently, a sense of familiarity tugging at the edges of his memory. 

After a moment of intense contemplation, a sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning, causing his body to tremble with the weight of the revelation.

"This..."

Barry's shock deepened as he made the connection, realizing Thompson was Nora's maiden name, a detail he distinctly remembered from his past, knowing it was her name before she married Henry and subsequently changed it to Nora Parker.

But after the initial shock subsided, a surge of excitement coursed through Barry's veins. 

Finally, after three long years, he stumbled upon a clue that could potentially unravel the mysteries surrounding the incident.

"Barry?"

As Barry was lost in his thoughts, Caitlin noticed his distant expression and called out his name, her voice gently pulling him back to the present moment. 

Startled, Barry turned around to face Caitlin, his mind still reeling from the revelation he had just experienced. With a faint smile, he refocused his attention on her and reeled down his excitement for the time being.

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"You've been standing there for a long time, is everything okay?"

"Ah... of course, I was just interested in this exhibit"

Caitlin, curious about what had captured Barry's attention, leaned her head to the side in an attempt to get a clear view of the framed spider that was partially obscured by Barry's body. 

Peering around him, she strained to catch a glimpse of the exhibit that had seemingly captivated him moments ago.

"Hm..."

Observing the exhibit more closely, Caitlin nodded in agreement, acknowledging that the spider did indeed seem intriguing, especially given its designation as the fastest spider in the world, as stated in its description. 

"It was fun"

Barry's sudden comment caught Caitlin by surprise as she sensed he wasn't referring to the exhibit but rather to the time they had spent together, making a smile spread across her face.

With a soft nod of her head, she silently affirmed Barry's sentiment, acknowledging the significance of their shared experiences today.

As Caitlin reflected on the events of the day, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and contentment wash over her as this day had been a rare oasis of relaxation and enjoyment amidst the tumult of recent years. 

The laughter, the shared experiences, and the moments of genuine connection with Barry had lifted her spirits in a way she hadn't experienced in a long time. It was a precious reminder of the joy that life could offer, and she cherished every moment of it.

And Caitlin had always carried a heavy burden of loneliness and depression within her heart, a weight she concealed from those around her, even to Cisco. However, today was different. 

In the presence of Barry, she found herself opening up in ways she hadn't dared before, allowing the floodgates of her emotions to burst forth. 

It was a liberating experience to finally release the pent-up feelings she had been bottling up for so long and to share her vulnerabilities with someone who offered understanding and support without judgment.

Although Caitlin's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to the special moments she shared with Barry earlier as a blush crept onto her cheeks, coloring them a deep shade of red. 

The memory of the warmth she had felt from his hand sent a shiver of excitement down her spine, stirring emotions she had long kept buried. Overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings, she instinctively hid her face, seeking refuge from the vulnerability that threatened to consume her.

'It was nice...'

With her hand pressed gently against her chest, Caitlin felt the rapid rhythm of her heart, its beat quickening in response to the flutter of emotions stirring within her. 

Secretly stealing a glance at the side of Barry's face, she found herself captivated by the sight of him lost in his thoughts as a warm smile graced her lips at the mere sight of him.

"Right... before we leave, let's stop by the manager first"

Barry suddenly turned around, facing Caitlin with a smile, and

startled by his abrupt move, she flinched in surprise as her heart skipped a beat when their gazes met. 

Swiftly regaining her composure, she masked her true emotions behind her usual passive expression, a facade she had mastered over the years to conceal the turmoil within. 

Though her heart raced with the intensity of her feelings, she maintained a calm exterior, determined not to betray the vulnerability she had briefly glimpsed in his presence.

"Why?"

"Well, I just wanted to ask... a few things"

"...?"

"It's nothing important, don't worry about it"

Barry shrugged his shoulders and waved his hand in a nonchalant gesture, his smile reassuring Caitlin that his request was of no consequence. 

Catching his cue, Caitlin simply nodded in response, opting not to press any further into the matter and Barry appreciated her understanding.

"And Barry..."

"Hm?"

With a delicate motion, Caitlin tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear before slowly turning her face to meet Barry's gaze. 

As their eyes locked, she couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth and affection welling up inside her, and with a radiant smile that illuminated her features, she bestowed upon Barry the brightest smile he had ever seen from her. 

At that moment, the weight of her past troubles seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of peace that radiated from her entire being.

"I had fun as well"

Barry felt a momentary flutter in his chest, his heart skipping a beat as he found himself entranced by Caitlin's radiant smile, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still as he was captivated by her beauty and the warmth of her expression.

However, with a conscious effort, he quickly regained his composure, clearing his throat to disguise the flush of embarrassment that threatened to betray his feelings. 

"Yeah..."