A/N: I wrote this story for fangirlu as a birthday gift. I don't usually write Westallen, but after binge watching the first nine episodes of The Flash I decided to give it a try beyond a drabble. This story takes place after the mid-season finale after Barry tells Iris that he loves her.
It was weird now between the two of them, at least that's how she felt. Iris had barely heard from Barry since he revealed his feelings to her during Christmas. Her mind hadn't had a moment of peace since his confession and she felt more confused than ever.
She'd always loved Barry, had always cherished their friendship, but now... She didn't know how to feel. Did she love him? Yes, of course she did. Barry was sweet, loving, and the most adorable nerd. They were always so open and honest with each other and could tell each other anything. But did she love him? She didn't have an answer for that.
Why did he wait this long to tell her how he felt? Why didn't she see it before he ever told her? She knows everything about Barry. Every tick, every smile. She knows when he's stressed or when he's hurt. She's seen him at his happiest and at his lowest. She knows him. Why didn't she see it?
Ever since he'd awakened from the coma, it felt like he'd been keeping something from her. Was this it? Was this the only thing? Something in her gut told her that while his romantic feelings toward her was part of the reason why he was acting so strange, it wasn't the only thing.
They needed to talk. She and Barry needed to work this out, whatever this weirdness was between them. They had to work it out and move past it. She needed to figure out how to get their friendship back on track. She needed to figure them out. Barry had said he was happy for her and Eddie, but was he? Iris had thought she was ready to move in with Eddie to start the next phase to their relationship, but was she?
"Ugh," she groaned as she rolled over to turn off the alarm clock on her nightstand. Another night of restlessness and tossing and turning. She'd actually need the double shots of espresso she'd be serving at work today.
Eddie had asked her why she hadn't been staying over at his place for the night, especially since he gave her a key. He'd asked her if she was still ready to go to the next level in their relationship or if she'd grown cold feet. She'd told him she was fine and that she was just packing some of her things so they could start the new year together. That answer was only partially true.
Yes, she'd been packing her things, but she'd been going about it as slowly as possible. Honestly, she really did have cold feet now, and she knew the longer she remained indecisive, the more likely it would be for Eddie to see right through her. He'd know something was up, he'd ask why she was so restless, and she'd have no believable excuse to offer.
Her phone vibrated and beeped with a special tone letting her know that she had a notification on Google alerts. She swiped across the screen of her phone to unlock it and read the alert. There had been another spotting of The Flash last night. She rolled her eyes and tossed the phone clattering back on the nightstand. She hadn't written much about him on her blog since their falling out after he attacked Eddie.
It had felt so out of character for him. Sure, she'd only known him briefly, but there was something about him. Something she knew in her heart was good about him. He'd said that he wasn't himself, but the men she had trusted and loved more than anything had warned her about him. For once, it was time she listened to her father and her Barry— er, her best friend.
Groaning again, she pushed herself out of bed and got ready for the last day of 2014.
"How long has he been on that treadmill?" Caitlin asked Cisco as she settled in the seat next to him. She glanced at the speedometer and saw that Barry was hitting immensely high speeds, faster than his "normal" pace.
"He's been at it for a couple hours now," Cisco answered distractedly while eying Barry's vitals.
"This is the sixth day in a row. He hasn't said anything about what's been bothering him?"
"Nope. My bets are on this being about Iris. He hasn't spoken to her or had a 'rooftop rendezvous'," he held up his hands to make an air quotes gesture, "as The Flash in quite a while."
Caitlin cut her eyes at Cisco. "Seriously? Air quotes?"
He shrugged his shoulders and raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. "Hey, say what you want, but our guy's got it bad."
"Well, heartache or not, he shouldn't keep at it like this. He could injure himself." She pressed the button to communicate with Barry over the intercom. "Hey, Barry... How about you give the treadmill a break? Um... Cisco has some improvements he needs to add to it so it can keep up with the higher speeds you're able to reach now." It was a lie, but the way Cisco's eyes lit up, she knew that he'd make good on her fib.
Barry continued to run, ignoring both of them.
"Barry," Caitlin tried again, but was ignored once more. Releasing the intercom button with huff, she leaned in to monitor Barry's vitals along with Cisco. If Barry wasn't going to listen to them, at least they could keep an eye on him to make sure he was physically okay.
"So what are your plans for tonight?" Cisco asked. "Going to any parties?"
She shook her head. "Nope. I'd planned to stay in and watch the ball drop on TV."
"Doesn't sound like much fun," he replied with a frown. "You know what? We should go out and celebrate, all of us. Make a few more shots of 500 proof alcohol for Barry and we can paint the town red. Get it? Red?"
Caitlin resisted the urge to groan at his joke, and turned to the sound of a phone ringing on the table nearby. Getting up to avoid accepting Cisco's invitation, she grabbed the ringing phone. Seeing who the contact was on the screen, she smiled and pressed the button to the intercom again.
"Barry, you've got a call." Looking at the numbers increase on the speedometer she knew he was trying to ignore her again. "It's Iris."
Before she could blink or even lift her finger from the button, the phone was removed from her hand, and loose sheets of paper flew around room, signaling Barry's exit.
"Felicity was right. We should get more paperweights." Cisco went to pick up the paper littered across the floor. "So how about hanging out later, you in?"
Caitlin smiled at her friend and accepted. "Sure. I'll work on those shots just in case Barry joins us."
Barry managed to freshen up and change clothes before he answered Iris' call on the fourth ring. "Hey, Iris," he answered casually. More casual than he felt, actually. It had been nearly a week since he told her he loved her and he'd literally tried to run away from his problems.
"Hey Bear! Happy New Year!" Iris' cheerful voice on the other end never failed to make his heart stop.
"It's not a new year yet." He smiled at their long standing tradition of her wishing him a Happy New Year on New Years Eve. She always wanted to be the first to say it, so to beat him to the punch she'd say it the day before.
"It's a new year in Australia," she replied. He could imagine the fake pout on her pretty face now.
Oliver's words echoed in his mind, souring the warm feelings he now felt.
That's not gonna work out for you. You need to let her go. For both of your sakes. Guys like us don't get the girl.
It had only been six days, but God he missed her. As much as he hated every waking moment of it, knew he needed to give her some space after his confession. He didn't want to make things weirder between them and he didn't want to lose their friendship, even if that was all he would ever have with her. It would kill him, but as long as she was happy, then he would be happy for her. Even if she found that happiness with Eddie.
He felt a sharp pang in his heart at the thought.
"Barry? You still there?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern. She may not love him in the same way he loved her, but he knew she would always care about him and his wellbeing.
He hadn't even realized he was brooding again. "Yeah, I'm here. I just... got a little distracted."
"Well, if you're busy right now I can call back later—"
"No!" He cleared his throat. "No, I'm fine. So... How are you? Any plans tonight?"
"Actually, that's why I called. I was wondering if... if... you know... If you didn't have any plans that maybe we could celebrate New Years like we used to?"
Every year they would have an all night marathon with movies of each person's choice. It would alternate each year. One year, he'd be stuck watching sappy romcoms or old black and white films with Humphrey Bogart, and the following year she'd be stuck watching horror movies or Adam Sandler comedies.
"Don't you have plans with Eddie?" he asked, curious about her wanting to spend time with him when she should want to bring in the new year with her live-in boyfriend.
"Oh," she replied with surprise. "Well..." He could hear her hesitation. "Not really, but um... I'll work that out."
"Are you sure he would be okay with that?" As much as he wanted to spend alone time with her, he really didn't want to be the reason for any conflict or strife in her relationship.
"He'll be fine. Come on Barry, just make sure you have the popcorn and Goobers on standby. I'll bring the root beer and ice cream. And I'll bring the movies."
"Wait, wait, wait. Isn't this my year to choose the movies?"
"No, we watched The Waterboy, Big Daddy, and Happy Gilmore last year."
"But last year I was in a co— oh..." An awkward silence fell between them as her words sunk in.
She'd spent New Years Eve by his bedside last year and still carried on with their yearly tradition, watching his favorite movies. His heart soared at the implication of her actions, but he refused to make it more than what it was. There was only so much his heart could take.
Breaking the awkward silence and building tension, she spoke once more. "So I'll see you tonight at your place, right? I'm sure my copy of Pretty Woman is still over there."
"Yeah, yeah I think so."
"Alright, see you later." She hung up before he could respond.
He stared at his phone in confusion. She'd acted like nothing had changed between them, which was a good sign, but he also had his doubts. She seemed almost too anxious to get him to agree to hanging out tonight. Was the other shoe about to drop? Was this her way of telling him that they could only be friends, letting him down easy?
Refusing to look this gift horse in the mouth, he shook away those negative thoughts and headed towards the store to purchase her favorite microwave popcorn and a huge box of Goobers.
