who can love you like i love you baby?

A.N: I've been missing, it's true. Two of my stories are on hiatus, it's also true. Honestly, I don't know if I'll write anymore after this. I'm quite content to simply read fics - my writing habits are almost as dried up as Black Flash.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, including the song that the title is based off (It's Insecurities by Syd, if anyone is interested, although there's no relevance to the fic - I just really like the song).

xXx

It was always something unexpected with Barry Allen.

The day - or night - he was struck by lightening and was in the 9 month coma.

The day he woke up from said coma.

The night he told Iris West that he was in love with her (since he was old enough to know what love was).

The night she realised that he was the Flash.

The day he realised that just because he made mistakes, didn't mean he wasn't any less of a human (because Central City needs The Flash, and so does she).

The day he re-taught himself to stand, and to walk, after Zoom broke his spine in one dreadful, time-stopping moment outside Star Labs.

The day he exploded into nothingness, only to return from the Speed Force stronger, faster, more confident (The Speed Force is with us).

The night he ran into the past to change the future in a way that he had only dreamed.

The day he returned with newer memories and had no recollection of the life he had supposedly lived in, including the death of Dante Ramon, the existence of Julian Albert, the fight between Iris and Joe, the threat of Alchemy and Savitar.

The day he asked Iris West on a date.

The day he asked Iris West to move in with him. ("Where are we?" "Home.")

The day he asked Iris West to marry him.

The day he broke off the engagement.

The point was, that Barry Allen did not do what was expected of him.

So when he pressed play on his phone, the tune "Runnin' home to you" quietly filling the apartment they hadn't shared in a while now, Iris West did not expect what was yet to come.

Not the beautiful voice that serenaded her, almost as beautiful as the earnest green eyes staring at her all the while.

And certainly not when he pulled out his mother's ring for the second time and on one knee, asked The Question. Again. ("Iris West, will you marry me?")

xXx

A short drabble to reflect on 3x17. This could possibly be a goodbye, but I'll know for sure in June/July.

- westallening