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Iris didn’t like her brother.
At first Barry had assumed he hadn’t been introduced to Rudolph West because he lived in Blue Valley instead of around the Central area like Charlotte. He’d met Daniel though maybe they shouldn’t bring up that one. He had met Wally and Wallace; they’d come to Central to stay with Iris for the summer.
Barry adored Wally.
He’d met Ira West. Of course he had, Iris was incredible and passionate and the most amazing person Barry had ever met and had been very clear about wanting to get married and no one was going to stop her getting married.
But she loved her father and Barry had gone to ask his blessing before he proposed. And get a second opinion on his plan to propose. He’d even nodded at Barry’s proposal being with an empty box, because if Iris was going to be the one wearing the ring, then she should get to choose what she wanted. And if she came, they could make sure the ring definitely fit her.
But he’d wanted to propose before asking her to come ring shopping because they had talked about whether they wanted to get married, but Barry still wanted it to be a surprise that it was happening right now not some distant thing Iris was going to have to drag him into.
He’d fumbled his words though. He’d rehearsed the speech over and over but then he’d been sitting with Iris at the top of the Ferris wheel, the box in his hands, and the moment had got to him and he’d forgotten everything he was going to say.
Thank goodness for Iris West.
He loved her so much. She was the kindest, most wonderful person Barry had ever met.
And she clearly despised her brother.
Everything about the whole meal had been tense. They’d driven five hours for the most uncomfortable, awkward lunch Barry had ever been part of and he was Barry. Just ask Director Singh, Barry was very good at awkward. Or Iris. She knew him better than anyone.
Even Wally was quiet. When Barry had attempted to break the silence with a question, Wally’s answer had been so short and nervous Barry hadn’t the heart to ask him any more.
The only one who had chattered happily, utterly oblivious of the discomfort palatable around the table was Wallace, and he was two so Barry could understand why he wasn’t picking up on the tension even a toddler’s happy babbling couldn’t cut through.
No wonder Iris never visited her brother. They had a once-a-month phone call that lasted five minutes if that and Barry could understand why now.
Iris’ hand was clenched around the knife she was holding and her face was downright murderous.
The bare minimum would mean she got to see Wally. Iris adored her nephew. More than anything. Barry was pretty sure she’d have married him regardless of what her father said, but if Wally had disapproved, she’d have turned Barry down without hesitation. Cut him out her life in an instant.
Or maybe she wouldn’t, but impressing Wally had been Barry’s priority the moment Iris had brought him up, just knowing how important he was to her.
Barry was pretty sure they weren’t staying after lunch. No matter how much Iris wanted to be near Wally.
Well, they had Wallace to get back to his mother, Iris said. It was a long drive for such a small boy, and his mother probably wanted him back soon, even if she had been glad to have a day to herself. And night, because Wallace had stayed with Iris for the night after they’d visited Charlotte and Inez yesterday, so they could leave early enough to get to Nebraska for lunch.
And Wally had school in the morning, so Wally couldn’t come back with them. Well, he could, but Barry was fairly certain Rudy and Mary West were entirely unaware their son had superpowers.
Which meant Wally had been running around doing all that- doing a lot, Barry got a weekly paper from Blue Valley just so he could keep up with what Kid Flash had been up to- and his parents hadn’t noticed.
Iris had hugged Wally tight. Barry had hugged Wally tight. And Barry had noticed Iris keeping watch out the mirror as they drove away. Still so quiet.
Right up until they were sure Wallace was asleep.
“He’s a bastard,” Iris said. “You can say you didn’t like him.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Barry said. “I don’t like your brother. Do I have to ask him to be a groomsman? Can I just ask Wally and Wallace?”
“Wallace would be a very cute groomsman,” Iris said. “Forensic scientists deal with murders.”
“You asked me out at a murder scene,” Barry said. “August still won’t let it go.”
“But you know how to find evidence that points to a murder suspect,” Iris asked. “So in theory, if I were to ask you how to avoid leaving any evidence for a script I’m writing...”
Barry glanced in the mirror, the house and Wally long out of sight.
“Are you marrying me because you think I might know how to cover up your brother’s murder?” Barry asked.
“No, I’m marrying you because I love you,” Iris said. “I’m not going to ask you anything about my brother and hypothetical murders.”
“But you do want to know how to cover up a murder right after introducing me to your brother,” Barry said.
“Neither of them are good parents,” Iris said. “And Wally flinches when people get angry around him and he had a bruise he wouldn’t explain last time he visited.”
“Are you sure?” Barry asked.
“I’ve been just trying to be there for Wally for too long,” Iris said.
Barry nodded.
“I’m the Flash,” he said.
“That explains some things,” Iris said. “And I just asked a superhero how to cover up a murder.”
“Oh, I’m telling you because it means we can be in Nebraska and then minutes later we can be seen in public in Central City by several witnesses,” Barry said. He raised an eyebrow.
“Now that would be helpful,” Iris said.