Chapter Text
“Welcome to mi casa Barry.”
Her dad had gotten up from his seat to approach Barry and stretched out his hand in greeting.
“Detective.”
“Barry you’re in my house now, I’m just Joe here.”
“Ok. Joe. Here are the reports you requested.”
Iris was watching the exchange with an amused look on her face. Barry looked really uncomfortable and her dad seemed very unaware of the fact. She thought she had better intervene.
“Barry, we were just about to have dessert. Do you have any plans or can you stay?”
She hoped very much that he would stay. He looked directly at her, smiled then nodded. A second later he realized that didn’t answer the question.
“I mean yes. Yes I can stay. Not yes I had plans already. So yes. Thank you. Dessert would be nice.”
He was stumbling over his words. Iris found it adorable and hid her laugh behind her hand so as not to embarrass him.
“Make yourself comfortable, I’ll go see if it’s ready.”
She bumped into her dad and whispered sharply into his ear.
“You think you’re slick huh?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
She nudged him playfully before walking into the kitchen.
"So.... Barry's here."
Eddie ducked behind a cupboard.
"Fancy that," Linda said.
She punched Linda.
"Don't be coy with me Miss Parks."
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about."
"Whatever you guys. He's staying for dessert, so we’re gonna need an extra bowl."
"You mean like this one I’m holding right here, entirely by coincidence?"
Linda had a wicked look in her eye. Despite herself Iris laughed and grabbed the chocolate cake from the kitchen table. She heard Linda hiss "Coward" at Eddie before following behind her with the dishes.
"Hey Allen," she greeted Barry. "What's a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?"
"Erm.. I heard there was free food?"
Linda chuckled.
"You're kidding! That's why I'm here too."
"Speaking of food, Barry have you actually eaten?" Iris asked. "Because there are some leftovers if you want any."
Barry looked at her dad, as if he was asking for permission. That was cute.
"You'll never taste anything better than Grandma Esther's chicken," Joe said.
Barry turned back to Iris with a big smile.
"I guess I'm having Grandma Esther's chicken."
Slowly throughout the course of the night, Iris found herself alone with Barry. Her dad had retreated to his room and Eddie and Linda had said their goodbyes. She sat on the sofa with her legs tucked underneath her while facing him, leaning her arm on the back of the sofa. He had his body facing her as well, while his arm stretched over hers on the back of the sofa. She cocked her head to the side and looked at him with a smile.
"What?"
"You're just really interesting."
"I've been called a lot of things in my life. But never interesting."
"How can anyone not find you interesting? You've studied in Europe, done marathons, built homes for the homeless, back-packed through Asia."
"I’ve never back-packed through Asia," Barry laughed.
He had a nice laugh. Iris loved hearing it.
"I know, but it sounded like something that should be part of that list."
"Maybe one day. I would love to see Japan."
Iris sat up in excitement.
"Oh my god me too! Do you know how many people look at me like I'm crazy when I say that? Even Linda, who I'm 100% positive has Asian ancestry."
They laughed and talked excitedly of new experiences and adventures they would like to go on. Then it was just a comfortable silence.
"I've noticed," Barry said, breaking the silence. "Your eyes get really big when you're excited."
Iris giggled.
"Oh really Mr Perceptive? What else have you noticed."
Barry shifted in his seat and looked intently at her.
"Well, your nose crinkles up a little when you're frustrated. Like this.”
She laughed as he tried to imitate it.
“You have a special smile for when you talk about your family, so you must love them, like a lot. And the way you made sure I had something to eat tonight, well that just makes me think you like to look after people.” He paused. “And that necklace, you play with it whenever you're deep in thought."
She was playing with it now as he spoke, thinking about how soft his voice sounded as he spoke about the little things he had noticed about her that past boyfriends never did.
"So, what are you deep in thought about?" he asked gently.
Should she tell him? Should she tell him about how she was struggling not to fall for him just because his voice was so soft and gentle? Should she tell him that the sound of his laughter was infectious and made her heart feel light? Should she tell him that hearing the stories of all his adventures made her want to create new ones with him? Should she tell him that the way he stumbled over words with her was so adorable she just wanted to kiss him?
"I told you. I just find you really interesting."
She was just gazing at him in wonder now. Was this really the first time they had talked? She felt like they had known each other forever. He blushed and shifted in his seat, unable to look at her face when her gaze was so intense. He looked at his wrist.
"Aaand I don't have a watch."
"It's on your other wrist Barry."
Iris giggled as he blushed again.
"Ok... I need to go. I'm starting early tomorrow."
Iris got up as he did. He looked at the wine she had been drinking.
"Do you need a lift anywhere?"
" I'll just crash in my old room for tonight. Thanks Barry. That's really sweet of you to offer."
She walked with him to the door and as she opened it they paused to face each other. He was looking down at her from his great height, his green eyes soft.
"It was nice to finally meet you Iris," he said softly.
"Me too," she replied. "As in, it was nice for me too. To finally meet you...too."
Barry grinned at this. How did she manage to mess up such a simple sentence? She blamed his eyes and the softness of his voice. He turned to go and Iris felt the loss of his proximity immediately. As he reached the steps he turned back to look at her.
"Iris. I was wondering...only if you think it's a good idea though...if I could come and see you tomorrow. Not here, I know you don't live here, not that I want to see you where you live...I mean I'm sure it's very nice..."
"Barry," she said with a smile.
"Sorry. Sorry. I was wondering if I could meet you after work, maybe we can grab some food? Maybe?"
Iris smiled.
"I would love that."
And one day, she thought to herself as she watched him walk away, I think I'm going to love you.