Chapter 1: I Could Get Used To This "To those who have given up on love: I say, 'Trust life a little bit.'" Maya Angelou

"What are you doing here?" Iris asked with a trained frown trying not to cough up a storm. Barry dismissed her glare as he walked through the door, further entering her apartment.

"I come bearing the necessities. Chicken noodle soup, Nyquil, cough drops, tissues and brownies if you behave." he smirked placing said bags onto the kitchen counter top. Barry rolled up his sleeves revealing his pale freckled skin. Iris closed the door with a sigh and cautiously walked towards the kitchen. She found herself seeking purchase against the frame, tugging at her sleeves. Barry began organizing the items before putting the chicken noodle soup in the microwave to warm up. He was in his element, taking care of her. After a few moments of silence, Barry looked up to lock eyes with her sad ones.

"Iris." he stated worriedly. The microwave hummed in the background.

"Today is not my day." Iris began. He immediately approached her.

"What happened?" he asked peering down as they slowly retreated from the hug. Their height difference was always prominent when they were within close proximity. Barry stood at a sturdy 6'2'' while his Iris barely reached 5'5''. It was one of his favorite features about her. She was tough, ambitious, sweet, smart, and beautiful all at the same time. His best friend still looked beautiful even with sad, tear-stained eyes as she looked up at him.

"Cameron broke off things today." she stated simply.

"Isn't he out of town?" Barry asked with annoyance. How dare he break up with her from a different continent? He always had a bad feeling about that guy…

"Yup, he's in Tokyo doing business for that stupid software. He said our relationship was one-sided. He just didn't know how to break things. He wanted 'more'. There was nothing I could say because I kind of felt the same, to be honest. I just feel so lost now you know... Things between us were OK and I guess I had a feeling that things between us could be way better..." she trailed off looking while away rubbing her arms slowly.

Barry was never really fond of Cameron but kept quiet to keep Iris happy. Although, Barry currently appreciated the guy for being honest with her even if he took the coward's way out.

"So are you saying it was kind of a mutual breakup? Why were you crying so hard?" Barry asked with deep concern tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"What if I never find that special love?" she whispers wiping newly formed tears. He quickly understood. He also went through a depressed state at never being able to find a woman as special as her. As much as it broke his heart to see Iris in such a depressed state, he was determined to make her feel better.

"You will; I know you will. I promise it's probably closer than you think." he whispered giving her another tight hug. And with that, she cried a little more wiping her eyes with the back of his white, long sleeve shirt.

"Hey!" he pretended with mock offense.

"Uh-uh, you can't be mad at me. I just went through a breakup and I'm going through a love crisis." she said playfully nudging his stomach.

"True." he smiled while thinking he could forgive her for anything. The microwave beeped signaling the timer.

"Soups ready." he said more to himself as he walked away from her.

"You still wanna stick around with me?" she asked with surprise.

"I always wanna stick around with you. Haven't I always?" he smirked back.

"That you have." she nodded taking a fresh deep breath. She already looked better.

"Go sit on the couch. I'll be there in a few." he ordered. She would have argued back, but was too sick and worn out at the moment. He smiled at himself as she walked away with attitude. Barry wanted to take things slow before he told her how he really felt. The truth was that the feelings he had for her went beyond friendship. Especially when she looked the way she did. She was wearing his university sweater, flimsy lilac short-shorts with white socks that only she could make look cute. She was all legs despite her height. Her brown skin was shiny with the lemon scented lotion she obsessively applied in fear of looking ashy. Her hair was in a messy bun showing off her delicate neckline. After a few moments, his focus returned to the task at hand.

Iris could not believe how lucky she was that Barry was here to keep her distracted. Her heart always felt at peace around him. Of course, he was determined to take care of her physically and emotionally. He was always attentive about her needs despite the independent face she always had on. He knew her almost as much as she knew herself. That is what happens when you've been best friends your whole life, she thought to herself. However, Iris began to doubt that that was only a result of their strong friendship. The way she felt towards him was questionable under the realm of friendship. She side-eyed herself for compulsively finding and wearing Barry's university sweater to comfort herself after the call from Cameron. He looked delicious tonight with dark jeans and a white long sleeve shirt. She noticed his hair was extra fluffy looking when he walked through the living room door. He was holding a tray that placed the steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup, Nyquil, water, and her favorite brownies. He took a seat next to her on the couch after carefully placing the tray onto the couch table.

"You've outdone yourself, Bar." she almost purred snuggling up to him.

"I hope you still feel the same way after you take this medicine." he joked.

"You're going straight for the Nyquil, huh? Lemme have the brownie first." she pleaded.

"Iris," he warned because he knew she was going to get her way.

"Please." she persisted with puppy dog eyes. It was exaggerated because of her red stain eyes and a broken heart. He was already leaning towards the brownie until she coughed and proceeded to sneeze twice.

"You almost got me." he smiled her. The spoon containing the medicine made its way back towards her face. She gave him a nasty glare before swallowing the disgusting concoction. She motioned for the water to dampen the taste. Her gulps were audible in the room.

"OK doctor, I've done what you've ordered now pamper me." she smiled snuggling back into his warmth.

"It's still really hot so get close." he warned about the soup. She didn't know if she could get any closer until he pulled her legs onto his lap with her head resting on his shoulder. She could definitely get used to this. He dipped a new spoon into the steaming soup and softly blew. She didn't think she could love him anymore. If only relationships could be as effortless as things were with Barry.

Barry's eyes opened slightly landing on the DVR that displayed the time in glaring, green lights. It was 2:00 am. His nostrils were filled with a familiar scent. Lemon and vanilla: Iris. He smiled at the sight of her sprawled in his lap.

His arms were wrapped around her lithe frame. He had fed her spoonfuls of soup as they watched reruns of her favorite TV show, House MD. They hadn't moved from the couch. Right now, her breathing was labored matching his in up and down waves. He could get used to this. Barry was concerned about her posture and questioned if he should move to her the bedroom. What if it puts off the wrong message right after the breakup? He thought to himself for a moment. Iris began to squirm in his lap further motivating him that they should lay down. Not wanting to wake her up, he stood up with her in his arms. She unconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Barry..." she murmured in a voice he hadn't heard her use before. As he finally made it to her warm bedroom he deposited her onto the big bed. He never understood why she had a king size bed all to herself yet appreciated it now more than ever. She almost woke up when she noticed he was gone. He quickly made himself comfortable next to her and she snuggled up close to him, laying her leg over his stomach. He smirked at her sleepless state.

"Goodnight Iris, I love you." He whispered almost inaudibly. He was positive she didn't hear him but the way she hiked her leg up further his abdomen made him doubtful. She would know soon enough. He and Iris were meant to be.