Work Text:
Click-clack-click-clack
They sounded across the pavement.
Echoing like thunder in her ears. Competing with her own racing heartbeat. Drummers performing solos that were jarringly out of sync. Through it all Iris tried to tell herself to breathe. Long, deep, breaths. Just breathe.
Still she heard those steps behind her, felt eyes on her, all around her. So she quickened her step and walked with her gaze to the ground. Too scared to look up lest she made eye contact with one of those stares that were looking back at her.
This was why she hated leaving the house. Her house was safe. Four walls, made into subdivisions by more walls. She knew where everything was and what to expect at the turn of every corner. Home was warm, free of judgment or sudden danger. Home had no eyes, or random conversations with strangers, or streets that needed crossing where the probability of getting run over made every step feel like gambling your life away.
Home had no…wait was that a kitty?
Before her, scratching itself against a tree trunk, was a small orange and white tabby cat. The animal looked quite the opposite of how she felt, contently rubbing itself against the dark bark of the tree. Iris couldn’t help but smile. Animals had always been a weak spot of hers.
“Hey Buddy, are you lost?” she asked while approaching with caution and crouching down with an outstretched hand in hopes that allowing it to smell her first would make her seem less intimidating. She knew all too well that cats had a rather introverted nature and socializing wasn’t their usual activity of choice. A personality trait she could respect given that she was much the same way, and often just as misunderstood.
Her anxiety long forgotten, Iris’s attention was solely directed towards the charming feline that seemed to take a liking to her as it approached with little caution or hesitation and freely let her pet it. “You’re a friendly one aren’t you?” She mused as she let her hand glide over the cat’s smooth fur. It was surprisingly soft and well taken care of, not at all what she was expecting from a stray.
A red, leather collar decorated its neck and a cute little yellow lightning bolt charm hung from it. This wasn’t just any stray, but a stray who had most likely recently strayed too far from home.
“Someone’s probably looking for you, huh?” she asked while taking a chance on the possibility of being scratched and picking the cat up. She flipped the lightning bolt around and low and behold there was a name and phone number.
“Bolt? Hmm. That’s such a dog name.”
As if in agreement, the cat let out a meow and Iris chuckled.
“I’m glad we agree. And I’ll be sure to let your owner know that. Come on Bolt. Looks like you’re coming home with me.”
°დ……
5 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔰 𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯…
“I brought the wine!” Iris exclaimed as soon as Barry opened the door. On one hand she brandished a rather large bottle of wine and on the other, a bag filled with groceries for their weekly-weekend, dinner. It was a tradition they had picked up at the beginning of their friendship having both been in college and in separate schools. It started as an opportunity for Iris to see and spend time with Barry’s runaway cat, Bolt, but in time it grew to become their… “thing”.
“Just in time too, I’m getting the cinnamon rolls out of the oven.”
Iris made a face that said that she was not impressed and Barry immediately matched her displeasure with his own.
“We had brownies and ice cream the last two weekends, Iris. No.” He said simply and she sighed.
“Fine.”
Walking into the house, the warmth of cinnamon and vanilla gave her a warm bear hug and welcomed her into a place that had become a second home away from her family home. Barry took the wine and grocery bag from her while Iris took off her coat and shoes, replacing the thin heels for a pair of warm slippers in her size that Barry always kept in the coat closet for her.
“So what’s for dinner chef?” she asked, as she joined him in the kitchen. Barry was already halfway through washing some of the vegetables she’d picked up on her way there and his station was prepped for chopping and peeling and whatever else process he was going to have to put those through.
“I was thinking about keeping it simple. Good ol’ boxed mac and cheese you know?”
He smirked at her over his shoulders and the smile of disbelief on her face made him burst into laughter. Iris picked up a nearby dish cloth and threw it at him, Barry was too late to dodge it and his shoulder caught the blow, making the cloth hang from it almost like a rehearsed stunt.
“Wow, thanks Iris. I really needed that.” He affirmed and proceeded to wipe his hands while Iris simply shook her head.
“I swear if you weren’t my best friend…”
“What? What would you do if I weren’t your best friend?” Barry asked in a confrontational (yet teasing manner) and invaded her personal space, as much as he could with a small island between them. His face was so close, Iris could almost count every single one of his long eyelashes and she felt the air between them grow thin.
I would kiss you.
The thought came and bounced back, taking her by surprise as these thoughts often did. Iris turned her face to the side and closed her eyes, willing the image of his piercing green eyes out of her mind as she faked a cough.
“I think someone overdid it on the garlic bread.” she tried to cover up her shakiness.
“What?” Looking back at Barry, she found him checking his breath and suddenly felt horrible for her lie but had no idea how to take it back without admitting that it was a lie in the first place.
“It’s…not that bad.” She tried to soften the blow but there was no taking it back and seconds later Barry was rushing up his loft stairs, presumably to the bathroom.
“Barry! Where are you going?!”
“To the bathroom! Can you put the wine in ice please?! I’ll be right back!”
“But Barry!”
There was no use. He was gone. Iris sighed. Why did she have to make up such a stupid lie?
She knew why, because admitting the truth meant possibly facing rejection, and possibly making their friendship awkward and possibly losing her best friend, who she’s been crushing on for the past five years, for good.
“Ugh.” The groan was followed by her forehead meeting the counter top and she sighed feeling completely trapped and hopeless in her situation. The feeling of something fuzzy on her leg made her jump but she looked down to see the oh so familiar figure of Bolt the cat.
“Hey there buddy! I was wondering when you were going to show up.” she cheerfully acknowledged his presence while bending down to pick him up. Taking his usual position, Bolt scrambled up to rest his head on her shoulder and Iris simply chuckled as she held on to and caressed the cat.
“This is why Barry says I spoil you too much.”
“And you do spoil him too much.” Barry reappeared and along with him came a blast of mint.
“I do not. I just give him the right amount of love. It’s not my fault that he’s more receptive to me than he is to you.” she retorted.
Barry simply shook his head, clearly disagreeing with her opinion.
“You can deny it all you want, it won’t change a thing. Isn’t that right Bolt?” She sweet talked to the animal as she scratched it gently beneath the chin. Bolt simply closed his eyes as he enjoyed the welcome tactile attention.
“Well you and your best friend can move on over to the couch please, I don’t want to serve dinner with a side of fur.” Barry suggested as he positioned himself in front of the chopping board.
“I’m sorry chef but I can’t comply with your orders.” Iris said as she slowly put the feline down. He dislodged from their embrace with a tiny leap and landed soundlessly on the gleaming wooden floor.
“Iris, come on, I’m sure neither of us want to be coughing up hairballs.” he said with a small smile in his voice though his focus was completely consumed by the carrots he was julienning to near perfection.
He was so enraptured, rhythmically gliding the knife through the crunchy orange slabs, that he barely noticed Iris approaching.
Which was all well and good for her because it gave her time to act out the war happening within her.
Part of her told her to do it. It would be so easy to just wrap her arms around him and say something silly that would make him laugh. Yet the emotions she’s been trying so hard to suppress were taking center stage and yelling into the mic that it wasn’t a good idea. That it would give her away completely. That friends didn’t do that. Yet, a third voice of hope, or denial maybe, told her that it was exactly what she should do, because it was the most natural way to act.
The emotions slammed into each other like bulls butting horns and her chest grew tight. Iris shut her eyes tight and took deep breaths. She needed to calm down.
She needed to calm down.
It was just Barry.
This wasn’t the time to get anxious.
He was her anxiety pill. Remember?
°დ……
5 𝔶𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔰 𝔞𝔤𝔬…
Iris looked at the feline that sat poised on her desk, its gaze contemplative. She knew that it was crazy, but somehow she felt like the animal was judging her. In all honesty she wouldn’t blame it.
Afterall, she was freaking out over the prospect of making a phone call.
“Deep breaths Iris. You can do this.” She told herself for what was probably the 50th time without exaggeration and despite the sea deep breath she inhaled, the sledgehammer in her chest wouldn’t slow down.
Still, drawing what little bit of courage she could grasp from some deep and unknown reserve within, she shut her eyes tight and hit dial on the number that’s been burning her screen for the past hour.
“Go for Barry.” Came the voice on the other end after three rings. Who answered an unknown call like that? Then again who named a cat Bolt?
“Um…Hi…Is this umm…Is this Bolt’s owner?”
“Oh you found Bolt? Oh Thank God! Gosh I’ve been worried sick.”
“Actually, I think he found me.”
“Well, whatever the case is I’m glad he found someone kindhearted and responsible.”
“What?” That took her by surprise.
“Oh there’s no need to be surprised. That kitty ran away from home three days ago. I’m sure you’re not the first person he’s come across and yet you’re the first call I’ve received. So thank you. Really.”
“Oh…Um…It’s my pleasure.”
Her hand unconsciously moved towards the feline's head and it accepted it welcomingly, sitting still and simply basking in her show of affection.
“So, how do I get him back to you?”
They planned a day, time and place to meet for her to give Bolt back to his rightful owner and once the call was over, a trembling Iris sank to the floor clutching the phone to her chest and trying to remember how to breathe.
Bolt jumped from his perch and joined her, seeming to sense her distress and rubbing himself on her to get her attention. It worked and Iris began to slowly caress the animal's soft fur, its gentle purring working like a serum on her nerves and calming her down.
“Thanks Bolt. I’m gonna miss you.”
°დ……
𝔄 𝔣𝔢𝔴 𝔡𝔞𝔶𝔰 𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔢𝔯…
A gentle gust of wind drew a spiral in the air with the leaves that had fallen from the surrounding trees. The ground was painted in an ombre mesh of orange, yellow and brown matching the warm coating of the still heavy branches. Sat on a park bench, Iris took it all in fully aware that in a few weeks, those branches would be bare and ready to receive the load of snow that was destined to cover them next.
On her lap , slept a curled up Bolt, seemingly oblivious to all the autumn magic that unfolded around him. The scenery and the warm comforting feeling of Bolt on her lap, reassured Iris and distracted her from her usual socially anxious woes.
Her focus was taken by each leaf that parted ways with its mothering branch on its way to a new adventure wherever the wind may blow. She had no space in her mind to dwell on who might be judging the way she was seated or the length of her knee high socks.
Slowly, her hand drifted in subconscious back and forth motions across the cat’s fur, deepening its slumber and…
“Are you Iris?”
The voice came from a silhouette bathed in shadow. The sun casting a halo behind the figure. Iris squinted her eyes against the luminary contrats unable to make out any features as yet she stood holding Bolt close protectively, her anxiety showing tell tale signs of a visit.
“I...uh…I am, yes. You must be…uh…”
“Barry! Yes! Nice to meet you.”
A large hand came out to greet her and Iris simply analysed it for a split second before accepting it shakily and looking up to properly address its owner. Her eyes met orbs that reminded her of family vacations spent by the ocean, warm, blueish-green and cheerful. Her mouth went dry and the anxious heart beats were replaced with a ticklish flutter that spread through her chest.
“It’s nice to meet you too.”
She managed to squeeze out in a tiny voice and the man’s bright summer smile seemed to brighten further making Iris’s legs jello out. She needed to sit before she fell and made a fool out of herself in front of the incredibly handsome stranger.
“Are you okay?”
He asked, seeming to notice her flustered state and it was all Iris could do to nod.
“Maybe you stood up too quickly, come on, sit back down.” He instructed while politely helping her, his hands never actually touching her seeing as they had just met and weren’t that acquainted as yet.
Following his lead, she took a seat, and as she did, Bolt put his front paws on her shoulder resting his head on the crook of her neck. Iris chuckled.
“Thanks Bolt. I’m alright, I promise.” she said and caressed the kitten who seemed desperate to calm her down.
“Wow. He…uh…he seems to really like you.”
Iris smiled, her attention still on the sweet animal in her arms.
“Yeah we’ve grown close over the past week.” She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against the soft fur within reach.
“I can see that.” His voice sounded amused but not at all displeased and Iris was so enraptured by the affection of her feline friend that she barely noticed how Barry watched their interaction in admiration.
A few minutes passed before she finally came to and her face flushed.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She rushed flustered, as she tried to carefully yet clumsily hand Bolt over to his rightful owner.
“No, no. It’s perfectly alright.” Barry responded as he accepted the cat who didn’t seem all that happy to part ways with his new friend but was soon comfortable in his owner's arms.
“Hey there buddy. Did you have a fun time?” Barry asked as he scratched under the cat’s chin and Bolt purred in response.
“Oh, so that’s how he likes it.” Iris said as she observed with a smile.
“Yeah. But by the looks of things, you didn’t seem to be needing any tricks. You got his heart just fine on your own.” Barry chuckled and Iris felt her cheeks heat up.
“Well, he’s a friendly cat.”
“Yeah, my roommate might have a thing or two to say about that.” Another chuckle and the fluttering feeling from earlier returned with a vengeance only this time it spread to her stomach and Iris wondered if it was wise to skip breakfast. On cue, a growl sounded from the hungry pit of her stomach.
Iris wished she could stuff her head in the earth and never come out.
“Do you like waffles?”
His voice was gentle and nonchalant and when she turned to face him she found him playing with Bolt, not paying her or the embarrassing symphony in her stomach any mind.
“Um…Yes, I uh… I do like waffles?”
“Great. I know this pet friendly place and it’s close by. Let’s go. My treat. As a thank you, for taking such good care of Bolt, and I won’t take no for an answer.” he stood as he spoke and Iris followed suit, fully intending on rejecting his offer but he anticipated every single one of her rebuttals and by the end she was left with no option but to smile and accept.
They fell into an easy stroll side-by-side. Barry handed Bolt to Iris, allowing the two to spend some more time together and conversation seemed to flow as naturally as the autumn breeze blew between them. Their brunch was a fun event, marked by laughter as Barry told the many tales of Bolt the curious cat, though his curiosity didn’t always work out to his favour, and by the end of it neither Barry nor Iris wanted to part ways. So they decided to walk a little more, neither having anywhere else to be.
Afternoon slowly faded into evening, and as the sun set, night seeped into day like paint seeping into water. The sky was a canvas of blue and orange and pink and purple, a romantic marvel for all those who stood beneath it.
Being the gentleman he was raised to be, Barry insisted on walking Iris home and she, having also been raised to be a lady, made a show of refusing before finally giving in to what she truly wanted.
It was at her door, with both feeling like they’d known each other a lifetime, and neither wanting to part ways, that the idea to see each other the following weekend surged.
And so it had been, every weekend since.
°დ……
𝔓𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔱 𝔡𝔞𝔶…
His back felt warm against her cheek and she smiled warmly, reminiscing how naturally they clicked that very first time.
“Wha- Iris? What are you doing?” Barry chuckled and she joined in, her arms squeezing his abdomen slightly.
“You wanted me to take my best friend to the couch. Well. My best friend is right here.” she explained and Barry shook his head as he chuckled at her cuteness.
“Don’t you want to be my cat instead? You give me a lot more love than Bolt ever did.”
Iris was glad at that moment that she was pressed up against his back, because she felt her face flush and internally cursed herself for her own reaction.
“I don’t think that would work.” she responded, trying to keep her voice steady despite the shake in her knees.
“I wouldn’t give you much love either if you named me Bolt.”
“Really? This again?”
“Yes. This will always be a point of conversation. You gave a dog name to a cat.”
“I’ve already admitted my fault and apologised to my victim with the best kitty treats I could get my hands on. What more do you want from me?”
She pretended to think for a minute.
“Nothing. I just like reminding you of that blunder. It’s justice for Bolt. He has to live with that name for the rest of his life, you know.”
Barry sighed, knowing very well that there was no winning that battle.
“Alright. Fair enough. Now if you may, I need to cook. So please be a dear and go cuddle your second best friend with an unfortunate name.”
He knew very well that that would bite him back but he didn’t mind her teasing all that much. In a way, he kind of liked it. It was a way of knowing he had her attention. Barry liked that.
He wasn’t quite sure when it started but he’d been noticing for some time that Iris had gelled her way into his life and somehow became indispensable. He found himself counting down the minutes till their weekly get togethers and every telephoned conversation left him feeling refreshed. Everything around him reminded him of her, from the most insignificant of things like a song or an ice cream flavor and he found himself being elated each time he could make a connection.
He'd considered her beautiful from the moment they first met and the more he got to know her personality the more beautiful she became. Yet, in recent times Barry found himself allowing his gaze to linger on her features. The smoothness of her skin, the sheen of her skin, the shade of lipstick on her lips. At times the smallest of gestures or facial expressions would catch him off guard and have his heart beat picking up speed.
She’d become almost synonymous with his happiness, and Bolt seemed to agree. Well…if the way he purred and clung on to her any time she was within reach was anything to go by.
Sneaking a glance over his shoulder at the two, Barry found Iris with her eyes closed simply reveling in the feeling of cuddling with the feline almost like an infant with a teddy bear. He couldn’t help but chuckle. Yep, his cat was a goner for the woman.
Maybe its owner was too.
°დ……
“I couldn’t eat another bite.” Iris huffed leaning back in her chair in a defeated collapse and Barry laughed.
“For someone who was displeased about my dessert choice you sure seemed to enjoy the cinnamon rolls.”
“Okay, let me stop you right there. Nothing! Will ever beat brownies and ice cream okay? But dessert is dessert.”
Barry laughed. “You are something else Ms. West.”
“Thank you Mr. Allen.”
Barry simply shook his head with a laugh and got up, taking this plate and reaching for hers but Iris jerked up and immediately stopped him.
“What are you doing?” She asked alert like he might have lost his mind.
“Cleaning up?” He answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Barry. Five years. Really? You cook, I clean up after. Is it really that hard?” She whined and Barry flashed her one of those smiles that turned her insides to mush.
“Let’s just say that it is and this time you let me take care of it while your body tries to process my incredible culinary skills.” He replied.
But Iris wouldn’t have it and soon she was elbows deep in rubber gloves and soap suds, whipping away the evidence of their dinner. Warm arms wrapped around her waist, catching her by surprise and almost making her drop a plate. Barry’s chin rested on her shoulder and Iris tried hard not to visibly take deep breaths.
“What are you doing?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady and her focus on the dishes in front of her.
“Payback for earlier.” Barry answered and Iris mentally kicked herself for getting herself in over her head.
“Alright, fair enough. You’ve had your fun. Now let me do my dishes.”
“Mmm just a little more.”
“Come on Barry. Let go.” she chuckled.
“Make me.”
“Really?” Iris asked and turned her head to the side to face him.
Big mistake.
He was so close that she could count every eyelash and his every breath whispered past her parted lips.
Her stomach dropped to her toes as words fail her and-
Time completely halted.
It was unclear who moved first, but sure enough, what inches existed between them vanished until her luxurious burgundy tinted lips met his clear lip balmed ones. The contact lasted a fraction of a second and the milli-moments that ticked by after encapsulated an eternity of time.
Neither spoke, both trying to process what had just happened, the meaning behind it, the possible shift in their-
Iris acted first, taking her rubber gloves off and wrapping her arms around Barry’s neck, all sense of reason momentarily forgotten. Her anxiety, her overthinking, her usual caution seemed to have been dulled by that single touch of the lips.
She pressed her lips to his, this time with intent. Her movements were calculated, each caress and each stroke sent a message of all she’d been dying to say but, all the while, was too afraid to. Barry’s hands gripped her waist and held her close, as he responded with equal enthusiasm, swept up by the moment and yet not a hint of hesitation was felt in his actions.
His grip tightened around her waist and Iris felt her feet leave the ground as he hoisted her off the ground and onto the kitchen counter. A miss calculation in their movement resulted in a glass falling to its untimely demise.
The sound of shattering glass ripped the two from their passionate exchange and as they both began to sober, alarms started going off inside Iris’s head.
What was she doing?
Was she really making out with Barry? Her best friend?
Was this really what he wanted?
Or was he just going with the flow?
Should she ask?
Should she pick up the glass shards?
Should she go home?
He knows how she feels now, what if he doesn’t feel the same way?
A familiar knot began to form itself in her throat and Iris could feel the sting of tears beginning in the corner of her eyes. She needed to get out of there before she made an even bigger fool of herself.
“I have to go.” is all she said before sliding off the counter and taking off.
“Wait, what, Iris! Wait!”
Confused, whiplashed and caught completely off guard Barry ran after her and managed to catch up to her at the door.
“Iris, wait, where are you going?”
“Barry, please, not now, I… please just let me go.” she pleaded, unable to face him.
“Are you okay?” He asked, clearly worried.
“Yeah, I, uh…My period started. And I don’t have any pads here. And I checked. The emergencies you keep for me are out. So I have to go. I’ll call you. When I get home. I’ll call you.”
“Um…okay. Let me know when you get home then. I guess.” Barry says, stepping aside and letting her go even though his gut told him something wasn’t right. She was lying. He tracked her cycle and knew that her period wasn't due for another week. Though that could change due to different factors, he could give her that. If only she hadn’t lied about the pads too. He’d gotten a fresh pack just that morning.
Still, if she was desperate enough to lie to him to leave, there must have been a reason. He only hoped it wasn’t what he thought it was.
Shaking all pessimistic thoughts aside, Barry made his way back to the kitchen to clean up the glass before Bolt got hurt.
დ……
The call never came.
He got a simple text saying she was home, exhausted, cramping like crazy and super grateful for dinner but needed to sleep. That was it. Not even mention of the kiss.
Did she regret it?
Did she want to act like it never happened but didn’t know how to say it?
Barry felt his chest tighten at the thought. He wasn’t sure he could go back to being just friends after that kiss….that kiss…. It put things into perspective.
He wanted more, now, wanted more with her. He wanted to try and build something other than friendship and see where it took them both.
But if she didn’t feel the same way, where did that leave them?
These thoughts drove him insane the whole week with Iris’s weird behavior acting as a catalyst. She barely called with work as an excuse, she took hours to respond to his texts and to top it all off she suddenly had a work trip that weekend to chase a lead on a story and couldn’t make their weekend dinner.
It was starting to look like his worst fears may be right.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the line, Iris had been driving herself insane trying not to think about the kiss but simultaneously analysing every last detail surrounding it. Did she kiss him first the first time? Did she coax him into anything? Was he just being nice? But it felt like he wanted it just as much as she did or was that just her brain wanting him to want it as much as she did?
The frustration kept her up at night and drained all her batteries during the day.
To top it all off, she was actively avoiding the one person who was able to silence her mind in its rush and calm her heart in its storms.
It had only been two weeks but Iris missed Barry like crazy. She felt his absence in her life almost tangibly. Perhaps because he’d alway been a physically affectionate friend. Perhaps because that kiss opened doors she’d been trying so hard to keep shut for the past 5 years. Still, she craved his presence, his touch, his laughter, his smell, his-
The sound of her phone ringing cut through her day dream and Iris looked at the hollering device that begged for attention beside her on the bed. Exhausted, she didn’t think much before answering the call and bringing the phone to her ear.
“Hello?” Her voice was hoarse from hours spent in silence and holding back tears.
“Nice of you to finally pick up.” Came Barry’s voice on the other end sounding every bit as angry, hurt, irritated, annoyed and every other negative sentiment she could think of at the moment. Shoot! She thought to herself, she should have checked the caller ID.
“Heyyyy Bear, what’s up.” She tries to be casual but the shaky, high pitch of her voice gives away the awkwardness of the moment.
“Don’t you Heyyyy Bear me. Iris what’s going on?”
“Nothings going on. What do you mean Barry?”
“You know what I mean Iris. Don’t play dumb. Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“Yes you are. You’ve skipped our weekly dinner twice in a row this month and with excuses that I knew didn’t cut it but brushed off anyway. What’s going on, is this about the kiss?”
“No!!”
“Iris?”
“Maybe?” she gave in, too tired emotionally and physically to fight any longer. “Ugh, look Barry, I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Well we’re talking about it, cause I kind of want my best friend back. I miss you.”
Ouch. Best friend. After a kiss like that, he still considered her his best friend. Guess she had her answer. The sting brought an angry outburst out of her in what’s supposed to be a feeble attempt at protecting her pride…
“See, see this is the problem. You keep sending me mixed signals and I just can’t take it anymore Bear.”
“What? Mixed signals? What are you?”
…But….
“I like you Barry. Like, like you, like you. As in more than just friends. And I was okay pretending and tagging along and just being your friend. I was okay staying by your side that way but after that kiss, I just… It made me want something I know I can’t have all that much more. And having you confirm it to my face… I don’t… I’m not ready for that yet okay? That’s why I’ve been avoiding you. Because I’m trying to build my walls strong enough to take that blow. Can you just give me some time? Please?”
There was a period of silence stretched so long that for a moment Iris thought the call had dropped and that she’d in fact been rambling on to nothing the entire time, until:
“Are you home?”
“What?” The question caught her completely off guard and it took her a moment to register what he was saying.
“I asked if you’re home.”
“Um, Yeah, I am. Why?”
“Then please open the door.”
Once again, Iris found herself speechless.
“What?”
“Open the door Iris, I’m outside.”
“You’re what?!” dropping her phone on the bed, Iris rushed to her door and flung it open. Sure enough, there he was in all his tall, dark haired, green eyed glory.
“Barry! What are you…”
He swallowed her words along with her breath as he took her by surprise and stopped her heart with a rushed press of his lips to hers.
It was aggressive, but not with malice. Rather, he seemed to have a point to get across, like he had been waiting to do this all his life.
Stunned, Iris stood statuesque at first as her brain attempted to comprehend what was happening. Still, her body takes over soon and gives in to the sensations of the moment. Her eyelids flit shut as her hands rest on either side of his waist, the heat from his own hands enveloping her cupped face. Their lips move in unison and Iris pulls him closer, wanting to draw nearer just in case this was the last chance she would ever get to do this. In case this was just some bout of momentary insanity that will wear off any second and Barry will come back to his old self and realise that this, in fact, wasn’t what he actually wanted. So she’ll enjoy her brief fantasy for however long it lasts.
For those few seconds that their breath allowed, Iris slipped into a world where Barry wanted her as much as she wanted him. Where his heart fluttered when she walked into the room. Where her touch lingered on his skin long after they’d parted. Where her scent seemed to be embedded into the fibers of his sensory recognitive nerves.
They part, breathless, their eyes still closed as both tried to catch their breaths.
“Barry…” She managed to whisper, once her lungs had revived enough for her voice to somewhat function.
“Shh…Don’t say anything.” He stopped her. “Not yet.”
He enveloped her in a hug then, drawing her closer than he ever had before. That’s when he said. The words she’d been longing to hear and never thought she’d get from him.
“I like you too Iris.”
A gasp was all she could conjure in response and her eyes widened and she jerked back just enough to look up at him in disbelief.
She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t dare ask him if…
Did he mean it? Did he really mean it?
Barry leaned over and kissed her once again. Softer this time around, simply letting his lips linger on hers as if to answer her burning question without a single word.
And when they parted he looked into her eyes and asked:
“Will you be my girlfriend?”
°დ……
𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔬𝔴𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔢𝔢𝔨𝔢𝔫𝔡…
Barry was in the kitchen when he heard fidgeting at his door. Iris must have arrived.
He washed his hands and wiped them off on his apron as he made his way to greet her, arriving just as she managed to get the door open while holding the groceries and her overnight bag.
“Honey, I’m…Hey, you’re not supposed to be waiting for me at the door.”
Barry chuckled and relieved her of her bags before stealing a peck from her lips.
“Welcome home.” he finished for her and Iris smiled.
“Oh no you don’t.”
With that she wrapped her arms around his neck, and stood on the tips of her ballerina pumps to reconnect their lips in a kiss that was much slower and deeper. Holding bags in either hand, Barry was left completely at her mercy, relishing in the feel of her full lips moving against his, and her fingers teasing the hair at the base of his neck. Iris ended the kiss with a playful peck and a grin soon crept onto Barry's lips.
“I should tease you more often if that’s what I get for it.” he teased and Iris scoffed, playfully hitting his chest. A meow was heard before a furry feeling grazed between the two of them. Iris’s eyes lit up as she stepped back to pick the cat up.
“Hi baby!” she said enthusiastically and Barry shook his head.
“Jealous much?” he asks the cat who’s now safely cradled in his girlfriend’s arms.
“Don’t listen to him, Bolt. He’s the one who’s green with envy.” Iris, cooed as she pet the kitten and walked further into the loft, making her way to her usual spot in the living room. Meanwhile Barry closed the door and followed close behind, returning to his kitchen to prep their lunch and steal occasional glances at his best friend turned girlfriend. Same old routine, new normal.