The hospital was silent, just the steady sound of machines and the distant murmur of footsteps in the hallways. The door opened slowly, and there stood Barry, holding a vase full of flowers somewhat awkwardly, as if unsure if it was enough for the situation.

"Hey…" his voice was soft, almost nervous, as he approached the bed "I know flowers aren't going to fix what happened, but I thought you'd like them."

He sat down next to you, placing the flowers on the small table. His eyes, filled with concern, scanned every bandage, every trace of the attack that had brought you there. For a moment, he stopped being the fastest man alive and was just Barry, the friend who blamed himself for not getting there in time.

"I promise I won't let something like that happen to you again. Not while I'm here." His gaze met yours, sincere, vulnerable, filled with the determination that defined him as much as his red suit.