Description: Caitlin Snow: Doctor, scientist, Bio-Engineer, meta-human...and Tie Specialist. Or alternatively, five times Caitlin tied Barry's tie for him.

Hello all, so this was just a really random concept I got from a story I read in another fandom and it grew from there. I hope you guys enjoy. :D

...

Caitlin Snow unconsciously shifted in her seat, eyes scanning over the computer screen. Steadily, she scrolled down the page, trying to soak up every detail. The team was after a meta-human, one that could hold the key to defeating Zoom. Which was why Caitlin found herself going over old reports before they left for the art gallery. She was trying to make sure they were as prepared as possible.

Absently, she listened to the sounds that drifted through the otherwise quiet lab. There was Cisco in his shop, rigging her up a last-minute com device. Harry was a few rooms away, scribbling down equations and muttering to himself.

Then there was Barry. Barry had been sitting across the room, struggling to tie his tie for the past 10 minutes. Caitlin had been watching him from the corner of her eye, tying and untying it for the umpteenth time. Though he appeared calm, she could tell he was getting frustrated with it. The doctor glanced over her screen one last time before closing the tab and shutting it down altogether. With a quiet sigh, she stood, smoothing out her blue dress.

"Need any help?" Caitlin offered, her voice echoing a little in the empty room.

"No," he said, a bit too quickly. "I mean, it's okay. I...I got it," Barry added, calmer this time. An instant later, his hands became a blur as he used his speed to tie it once more.

"There," he presented it with a proud smile. The tie was a crooked and uneven jumble of fabric. Barry's expression fell as soon as he saw the monstrosity. He let out a defeated sigh, his shoulders and head slumping.

Caitlin only smiled. "Here, let me," she spoke softly, already starting to untangle the mess of a knot.

"Thank you," Barry replied, sincerity in his tone.

He stood straight and tilted his head upward, allowing her better access to his shirt collar. As Caitlin began the process, the familiar motion brought back memories. Memories of her father and his illness, memories of tying his tie on the days he had not been able to. Her mother had never been particularly good at it, so Caitlin had taken it upon herself. One day, she had sneaked away an old tie and had spent hours practicing in the mirror until she got it just right.

Caitlin quickly pushed those memories (and the sadness that came with it) aside, focusing on the task at hand. She went through the process like she did with all her procedures and operations. Steady and methodically, taking time to make sure every detail was in place.

"I'm sorry," Barry stated quietly, his voice breaking her out of her reverie, "I don't usually wear one, and tonight I'm just..." he trailed off.

"Nervous," she supplied, eyes briefly flickering up at him.

"Yeah," Barry nodded.

"It's okay," Caitlin assured, pulling the tie taught. "I get it. We've all been a little nervous lately."

She returned her focus to the cloth, putting the finishing touches on the near-perfect Windsor Knot.

"There," she announced, stepping back to examine it one last time. "All done."

Barry thanked her once more.

"Don't mention it," she said lightly, placing a hand on his shoulder. Caitlin then moved away, intending to go check on Cisco's progress.

"Hey, Cait," Barry's voice halted her.

"Yes," she turned back to face him.

He opened his mouth to speak, then abruptly closed it. Barry appeared to struggle with whatever he wanted to say for a few more moments before coming to a decision.

"You look really nice," he finally spoke.

Caitlin smiled warmly. "Thank you. You look pretty sharp yourself."

A bright grin spread across Barry's features, a bit of confidence settling into his demeanor.

"See you there," he answered quietly.

"See you there," she echoed.

He was gone in a flash.

...

It was grey and gloomy outside, raindrops softly pattering against the window. It seemed fitting, as if the very sky was mourning along with them.

Caitlin could count on one hand how many times she had spoken to Henry Allen. But it only took once for her to know he was an incredibly kind man, one who didn't deserve the cards that life had dealt him. And she didn't even have to meet him to know how much he meant to Barry. So yes, Caitlin was morning him for herself. But mostly, she was morning him for Barry. She knew what it was like to lose a father, she knew how hard it was.

Caitlin took a deep breath and collected herself, slipping on her black jacket. She grabbed an umbrella and headed for the door, knowing Cisco would be by to pick her up any minute now.

Caitlin walked out of her apartment and into the hall, jumping the moment she saw a flash of black in her peripheral. It only took her a moment to realize it was Barry, she just barely managed to conceal her reaction. In all honesty, it probably shouldn't have scared her as much as it did. But after everything...she was still a bit jumpy.

Barry was sitting on the floor beside her door, a black suit on and an umbrella of his own beside him.

"Hey," Caitlin greeted, her voice nearly a whisper.

Barry regarded her with red-rimmed eyes. Caitlin stood there a bit awkwardly for a few moments, waiting for Barry to give her any indication as to what he was doing. When he didn't, Caitlin made a calculated decision. She put down her umbrella and slowly took a seat next to him. Moments stretched on as silence reigned, the pair leaning back against the wall. Eventually, Barry spoke, pulling a black piece of fabric from his pocket.

"I couldn't get it right," he stated, his voice raw and horse.

Caitlin nodded in understanding, gently taking the tie from him. She pivoted to her knees and positioned herself correctly, draping it around his neck. Her movements were the same as before, though there was a heaviness to them this time. In under a minute Caitlin finished, returning to her spot next to Barry.

"Thanks," his voice was still uneven.

"It's nothing," she assured, resting her hand atop his.

Barry fell quiet once more and Caitlin let him, she wasn't about to push him to do anything.

"I...I don't know if I can do it," Barry whispered soon after, tears brimming in his eyes.

Caitlin knew what he meant.

"I mean I owe him that much, but I don't know if I can go there and..." Barry continued, his voice breaking and fading away altogether.

Caitlin's fingers curled around his hand, her own eyes becoming misty.

"What if I went with you?" She inquired, her gaze meeting his.

It seemed like a silly statement, but to them, it had a deeper meaning. Because it was obvious she was going, they all were. But it meant more than just the literal to them, it was an unspoken reassurance. A reassurance that he wasn't alone. A promise to be there for him, in any way she could. Barry tightened his grip around her hand, giving a shaky nod. A silent understanding passed between them.

Then together they stood, ready to face the inevitable.

...

The world was quiet and still.

Morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, shards fracturing across the tile floor. Caitlin inhaled the earthy aroma of her coffee, warmth from the cup slowly seeping into her palms. It had been a good morning so far. There had been no meta-alerts or catastrophe's, no emergencies or calls, it was just quiet and calm. Caitlin had grown to appreciate moments like that in the past few years.

The knock that sounded at her door was familiar and on-time. She knew it was Barry by the number of raps, (after one too many kidnappings, the team had developed their own system.)

"Come in," Caitlin called, taking a sip of her coffee.

At this point, he really didn't need to knock, but she was grateful that he was so courteous about it. An instant later, Barry appeared in her kitchen with a soft gust. Caitlin glanced up at him, regarding the tie draped over his shoulder.

"Good morning," she greeted, setting down the mug and rising to her feet.

"Good morning to you too," Barry smiled, a spark in his eyes.

Caitlin picked up the tie, examining it to make sure it matched his shirt. She didn't know exactly when it had become their routine, but it had. Barry had taken to wearing the accessory more often, and as a result, he would come to her for help nearly every morning. And if she wasn't available, he wouldn't wear one at all. A certain part of Caitlin couldn't help but wonder why. She was sure he could figure it out if he really wanted to. But for whatever reason, he seemed perfectly content letting her help him. And in the end, Caitlin didn't mind. So it had simply become a thing for them.

She fussed with the fabric a little more, before finally smoothing the tie down and tucking it in. Barry thanked her, as he always did. After that he began to take his leave, promising to see her at the lab.

"You know, you could stay for breakfast if you wanted," Caitlin offered. "I'm beginning to think you only love me for my tie tying skills," she teased, crossing her arms.

"That's not true," Barry argued, though there was a hint of mischief in his tone, "I love you for your medical skills too."

Caitlin gaped in mock offense, eyes alit with playfulness. Barry laughed at her reaction, just barely dodging the swat she aimed at his arm. Once the mirth died down, Barry turned to her with a serious expression.

"Actually," he began, "I love you for more reasons then I can count."

Caitlin gave him a soft smile, warmth spreading through her chest. After that, they settled into pleasant and easy conversation, enjoying the rest of their morning together.

...

Caitlin's stomach did somersaults as she stood in front of the full-length mirror, smoothing down her white dress.

Felicity and Cecile had stepped out to take their places a few moments prior, leaving the bride alone with her thoughts. In short, Caitlin was nervous. She couldn't seem to pinpoint the exact origin, it was like it was everything and nothing at once. Every other, meaningless thing. It was the timing, and the powers, and the newest meta-human terror that had everyone on their toes. Surprisingly, it wasn't because she had cold feet, no pun intended. In fact, marrying Barry was the one thing she wasn't nervous about. She loved him, and she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. And in the end, she supposed that was all that mattered.

Caitlin closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to relax. She was snapped back into reality when the soft sound of knocking echoed from the other side of the room.

"It's open," she informed, assuming it was Cisco coming to escort her down the aisle.

Much to Caitlin's surprise, it was Barry who stepped through the door, his hand placed firmly over his eyes.

"Barry," Caitlin blurted, though there was no bite to her tone. "What are you doing? You know it's bad luck.

Caitlin didn't know how much she believed in that, but given their track record with weddings, she didn't want to take any chances.

"I haven't actually seen anything," he pointed out innocently.

"Still," she spoke flatly.

"I know, I know," Barry said, a hint of agitation in his voice. "I just...I couldn't get it," he informed, holding up his black tie.

"Really?" Caitlin gave him I incredulous look, aware he couldn't see her.

"Liar. You had it just a minute ago and then you took it off," Cisco's muffled voice called from the other side of the door.

"Traitor," Barry rolled his eyes beneath his hand.

Caitlin couldn't stop her lips from tugging upward in an amused smile.

"Alright, you caught me," Barry sighed softly, turning his attention back to her. "I could get it. It just didn't feel right.

"Today's a big day. I had to consult my Tie Specialist," he added, a hint of humor in his tone.

"Oh, so that's what we're calling it now," she raised her eyebrow.

"I thought it was catchy," Barry answered, a goofy grin on his lips.

Caitlin simply shook her head and smiled, taking the material. From that moment on, she knew everything was going to be alright.

...

Caitlin once again found herself standing in front of Barry, hands repeating that familiar motion. He stood with his chin tilted up and his hands in his trouser pockets, rambling on about the schematics for a new AI he was designing.

They both knew it was Gideon.

Caitlin listened intently and continued to fold and loop the tie, the muffled sounds of the kids getting ready for school upstairs cutting in from time to time. This had been their routine for ages now. It wasn't just that though, this was their life. This was their home.

On impulse, Caitlin leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Barry's lips.

"I'm not complaining, but what was that for?" He inquired, wrapping his arms around her.

"Just because," she beamed.

Because she was happy. Happy with the life they had built together.

The End.