"Why didn't you tell me?" Leonard glanced over his shoulder, meeting the eyes of his soulmate.
"You wanted me to tell you that you were fated to a criminal?" He turned to face her, a cold laugh escaping his lips. His eyes meeting hers. "You wanted m...
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"Does that include twerking?" Iris inquired, but Barry remained undeterred as he confidently encircled the dot.
"This encompasses everything we can uncover through the Particle Accelerator. It's a revolutionary perspective on physics!" Barry exclaimed with enthusiasm.
This will fundamentally transform how we view... well, absolutely everything! From the minuscule building blocks of matter to the immense reaches of the universe! Ayana exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. She had missed this: the joy of geeking out with her brother, Iris's eye-rolling and playful mockery. It had been so long, yet the feeling was still so familiar.
Iris expressed astonishment as she stated, "You really need to find a girlfriend," her voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "And you need a boyfriend."
Ayana, leaning against her brother who stood alongside her on the counter, honestly revealed, "I've tried that before, but it didn't work out. I'm okay with waiting until my supposed soulmate decides to appear—maybe not even then." She sensed Barry tense up upon hearing her words. He had made a promise to their father to protect her, and if he suspected what she did, he was likely blaming himself for not being there for her.
Barry's expression softened, his voice filled with both regret and determination. "Ayana, I'm sorry for not being there for you."
Ayana turned to face Barry, her eyes shimmering with gratitude. "You don't need to apologize. I'm the one who chose to leave."
Barry's gaze met Ayana's with a mix of understanding and empathy. He gently squeezed her hand, offering a reassuring gesture. "I understand that you made that decision for your own reasons, and I want you to know that I respect and support you. As your brother, it's my responsibility to care for your well-being, especially during tough times."
Ayana felt a sense of tension release from her shoulders as she absorbed her brother's words. The warmth of his support enveloped her, bringing her a sense of comfort. "Barry, you've always been there for me, even when I pushed you away. I can't express my gratitude for all the things you've done for me."
Iris chimed in, injecting a playful tone to lighten the mood. "Enough dwelling on the past, you two. You've got a whole universe of geeky adventures waiting for you."
A genuine smile formed on Barry's face as he nodded in agreement. "You're right, Iris. We should focus on the present and the future."
As Ayana leaned against her brother, a sense of warmth and belonging washed over her. The wounds of the past couldn't be erased, but the bond they shared as a family was resilient. Together, they would navigate the complexities of life, supporting each other through ups and downs and cherishing the moments of joy and togetherness they had missed for far too long.
"Iris, leave him be. He's busy working," Detective Joe West intervened, oblivious to the presence of the girl leaning against his foster son.
"Hey, Dad," Iris greeted with a warm smile, Ayana clenched her teeth. She had never had that chance. She was never allowed to experience that kind of relationship with her father. Joe turned to greet Barry, only to stop dead in his tracks upon seeing his foster daughter.
"Ayana?" His voice was filled with disbelief.
"Hi, Joe," Barry's machine chimed, interrupting their reunion.
Barry's eyes lit up as he glanced at the screen, his expression screaming 'Eureka.' Ayana hopped off the counter, the sound of her feet hitting the ground.
"Wait, Ayana, come look at this!" Barry exclaimed, turning towards her, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes. Eagerly, Ayana closed the distance between them, her curiosity piqued by her brother's infectious enthusiasm.
Barry pointed at the screen, his finger hovering over a cluster of data points and graphs. "The fecal matter I discovered on the street near the location where Mardon made his getaway turned out to be cow manure," Barry explained, his voice laced with a hint of intrigue.
Ayana's eyes widened as she absorbed the information. Without hesitation, she took over Barry's computer. "There are ten dairy farms within a hundred-mile radius of Central City."
"There are faint traces of Oxytetracycline, an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary practices," Barry informed, looking over his sister's shoulder.
"Only four farms in the entire area still administer antibiotics to their cattle," Ayana added, eyes scanning over the screen.
A grin formed on Barry's face as he concluded, "I bet you'll find a nice Corvette parked at one of those farms."
"The getaway vehicle might be waiting for you guys." Ayana grinned.
"I see our precious flower has truly returned." Joe grinned. She responded with a smile.
"Dad, considering that Barry has solved your 'poop problem,' how about allowing him to go to S.T.A.R. Labs?" Iris chimed in, her voice dripping with sweetness.
"Alright, go ahead," Joe grumbled, still holding onto his frustration from earlier. Iris affectionately kissed her father's cheek.
"Do you want to come along, Aya?" Iris asked, turning her head towards Ayana.
"Oh, I don't want to intrude. Besides, I have some things to take care of," Ayana replied, and Iris rolled her eyes.
"Ayana Alyssandra Allen, you will never be an imposition," Iris stated firmly. Her words brought a smile to Ayana's face.
"Before you even think about going anywhere, you owe me a long overdue hug, little one," Joe declared, his voice filled with warmth and affection. He swiftly enveloped Ayana without hesitation, pulling her into a tight embrace. Ayana couldn't help but laugh, feeling a sense of comfort and security in Joe's embrace.
"I promise you, Joe, I'm not going anywhere this time," Ayana reassured him, her voice muffled against his sturdy shoulder. She could feel the genuine concern and love radiating from him, easing any lingering doubts or worries she may have had.
"Trust me, little one, I wouldn't let you go even if you tried," Joe replied, his voice filled with determination and tenderness. Leaning down, he planted a gentle kiss on the top of his adopted daughter's head, a gesture that spoke volumes about the depth of their bond.
Ayana felt a profound gratitude for having someone like Joe in her life. He had been a pillar of strength and support, always there to catch her when she stumbled and to lift her when she needed it the most. His unwavering love and commitment to her well-being made all the difference.
Joe's hug was a reminder that Ayana was not alone. She had a family, not just by blood but by choice, who would stand by her side no matter what. It reminded her that she was cherished, valued, and deeply loved.
"I have a long overdue visit," Ayana spoke softly, gently pulling away from Joe's embrace. The words carried a weight of significance, and Joe instantly grasped the person she was referring to.
A mixture of emotions flickered across Joe's face as he nodded, his eyes filled with understanding and a touch of sadness. He knew precisely who Ayana was talking about
"Enjoy yourselves, you two," Ayana called back as she walked away. "I'll swing by later to see you," she added, directing her words to Joe before departing from the lab.
