Work Text:
The first morning of the New Year should have been spent asleep after the events of the night before. Maybe at Barry's, both of them together.
Instead Iris was walking into Central City Hospital.
It was crowded. They'd probably had a busy night, and there were still people drifting in and out from the accelerator explosion. But there were people leaving, with their families and friends.
It was the first day of the year. A day for fresh starts and resolutions that would be forgotten in a handful of days. A day for new beginnings.
Iris didn't want a new beginning.
She just wanted Barry back.
The lights were flickering. Again.
Iris' heart sank and she started running for Barry's room.
Why were there so many people? And they were all so happy and in her way, she had to get to Barry, she couldn't lose him-
"Woah!" the guy Iris almost ran into said. He had long hair and there was a Star Trek pun on his shirt Barry would have laughed at. "Hey, are you okay?"
"My best friend, I have to-"
The lights flickered and Iris' legs buckled under her.
"Hey," the guy said, gently offering his hands to support her arms and keep her upright. His hands were warm, and calloused, and his smile was kind.
"He's dying," Iris said.
"Do you need help to get there?"
She nodded and he helped her push through the crowd.
Barry's room was right there.
The lights shut off.
"Ms West," one of the nurses said. Other people were rushing into Barry's room.
"Barry, he-"
"Wait outside, we'll do all we can."
She rushed into the room and Iris sank into a chair and buried her face in her hands.
"Do you want a cup of water or something?" the guy asked.
Iris looked at him.
"There's not much that's going to help, is that?" he said.
Iris shook her head and he sat next to her.
"I'm Cisco, by the way. Are you here alone?"
"Dad's at work," Iris said. "Every time they lose power, he seizes and his heart stops."
Tears fell down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry," Cisco said.
"They told Dad it's getting more frequent," Iris said. "They get flickers and it just races, when it goes out it stops, and they've tried different life support units, they switch to generators when the main power goes but even that is enough of a gap Barry doesn't seem to be able to support himself and it shouldn't be and they're going to ask Dad about taking him off life support, I know they are."
"I'm really sorry."
"He won't wake up and they don't know why so they're just going to give up. He's twenty-four. He can't die now."
Cisco offered his hand for Iris to hold if she wanted to.
"He wasn't even meant to be in his lab," Iris said. "What are the chances of being struck by lightning while standing inside?"
"I'm really sorry," Cisco said again.
"You're-"
"Oh, it's fine. I'm just here to see my b- friend. My friend. He broke his back, they think the paralysis is permanent, but he can still... I'm really sorry about your friend."
Iris nodded. The lights were back on now.
The nurse stepped out the room.
"He's stable, Ms West, you can go in now," she said.
"Thank you," Iris said. She stood up and turned to Cisco. "Thank you."
"I hope things get better soon," he said.
Iris stepped into Barry's room.