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Chapter 10: "Can't you see? I can't do this sober!"
Summary:
Barry runs out of options of trying to cope with his new reality.
Notes:
DISCLAIMER : I will only upload the next chapter if I get a good response from on this one. Trust me, you wanna read the next chapter ASAP! Its my favorite one so far!
Chapter Text
Previously
"Uhh, It's Eddie." She paused. "Eddies birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks." She explained as she gently lifted her head to look at him. "I thought it would be nice to you know, throw him a little surprise soiree for the big day." She then quickly adds, "I swear I was gonna tell you about the party."
"That sounds very fun." Barry lied.
"Barry, you don't have to come if you don't want to. You know, if its gonna be uh... I totally understand if-."
Barry interrupts, "No, I want to." He lifts himself and sits next to her on the cold counter top. He then turns to face her and replies. "Besides, Eddie and I have are slowly but definitely becoming good friends. I'm talking slumber parties and braiding each others hair. The whole shebang. We're getting there." Barry tries to prove to Iris that he was fine with attending by attempting to lighten the mood.
Iris playfully smacks his shoulder as she bursts into laughter, "Yeah,... right!"
Barry loved the sound of her laugh. It sounded like a heavenly harp being played by a new born. So, he decides to keep going.
"I'm telling you Iris, he'll notice if I don't show up and, probably shut down the whole thing. And, you wanna avoid that because I'm warning you, it won't look too great on your part."
Still trying to contain her laughter, she nods. "Nope, you're very right. I could never recover from that." Another burst of laughter erupted between the two.
"The best friend and the boyfriend running off together? Now that's a movie I'll pay good money to see!" Iris jumps off the counter and stands in front of Barry and looks him in the eye.
"Iris, I'm totally fine." Barry reassured her.
"Whatever you say Allen. Let's get outta here." Iris pulls his arm as he jumps off.
Iris grabbed her jacket from the coat rack and led the way as they locked up and drove home.
Barry was left with the million dollar question of his life;
What kind of present does one give their best friend's (whom he's in love with) boyfriend.
Clearly, he did not think this through.
"Can't you see? I can't do this sober"
DISCLAIMER :I will only upload the next chapter if I get a good response from on this one. Trust me, you wanna read the next chapter ASAP! Its my favorite one so far!
Iris had it all planned. This wasn't her first party planning rodeo after all. In college, she had interned for a very prominent interior designer for a full semester. Because she solely took the position for the pay, she did not expect to enjoy the process as much as she would like to admit. She got a peculiar high from actively planning and seeing the designs slowly come to life.
"You know you have an eye for this, right?" Mrs. Delphine had mentioned one afternoon when she presented her first solo project.
Iris could have easily swept the complement under the rug but, Mrs. Delphine wasn't one to stop and acknowledge anything; especially an intern.
Since then, Iris never missed an opportunity to use her skills to make those around her feel special.
"Check!" Eden yelled from across the room.
"Iris, we've gone over your to do list 3 times now! You have nothing to worry about."
Eden tries to reassure Iris who currently looked like a legitimate crazy person. She had stayed up all night putting the finishing touches on the surprise party she was throwing for Eddie.
"I know, it just has to be... perfect!" Iris sighs.
The plan was simple. The party was taking place in Eddie's childhood home; his parents house.
She hadn't exactly met his parents in person considering that they lived two cities away. She had spoken with them over a FaceTime call. Eddie had insisted it was imperative that his parents met the one person who could make him euphoric just by simply being present in his life.
It was a little awkward at first but a few minutes in, she quickly discovered where Eddie got his impeccably humble and loving character.
To say his parents were literally the perfect couple would be an understatement. For a second, she found herself comparing them to her own parents but thought it smart to quickly shut that chamber door before any monsters sneaked out.
Two weeks ago, she contacted his parents for lunch and went over the plan with them. She wanted them to be there especially because they barely saw their son who spends his work days literally in the eye of danger.
"You could use our house!" Mrs. Thorne eagerly suggested.
Iris originally planned on hosting it at the West house but hadn't quite considered the length of the guest list.
"Are you sure? You don't..." Iris questions.
"Don't be silly. You are using our house. Edward hasn't been home in a while. If this is what it's going to take to bring our son home, I'm not missing out on the opportunity, Iris."
They all share a laugh.
"You should know, he's never introduced any of his girlfriends to us in the past." Mr. Thorne chimes in.
"Don't go embarrassing the girl now, Thomas." Mrs. Thorne interjects as she watched Iris slowly shift in her seat as she quickly sent a shy but appreciative smile their way.
It was all set. The party was happening at the Thorne Residence. She had invited Eddie's younger sister, Gemma, a few of his college friends, the Star Labs team and some of his coworkers.
When Iris told Gemma, she warned her surprising Eddie was going to take a lot of hard work. She had figured it would be as he was a detective after all. But luckily, she had a huge advantage as she was raised by one.
The day was finally here. She sent him a Happy Birthday text early that morning but promised they would go out for dinner since she had to "work" late. It read:
Iris: Happy Birthday love! I'm so sorry I have to work all day but I can't wait to do dinner tonight. Also, I have a surprise waiting for you at the end of the night ;) love you!
Eddie: Nothing would make me happier. Love you more!
He replied with a heart eye emojis attached.
Joe was responsible for getting Eddie to the party. Although his planned strategy of telling Eddie they had received a 911 call from his childhood neighborhood was very much unorthodox, Iris had to let it be since she obviously couldn't come up with a better idea.
6:47pm.
Over at Star labs, Cisco and Caitlin were getting ready. They had planned on bringing their clothes to work so they didn't have to waste time by going home after work to change.
"Poor Barry." Caitlin remarks as she carefully applied her mascara using her computer monitor as a mirror.
Cisco continues to adjust his blue and yellow polka dotted tie. "Yeah, yeah, but I'm soooo ready for the darrrraaaamahhh that is going to be this party!" He smirks to his reflection on the transparent sliding glass door.
"Cisco!" Caitlin shakes her head.
"What?! Don't try pretending like you're not even a tiny bit looking forward to the darrraaammahh that is going to be Eddie's surprise party." Cisco calls her out.
Caitlin exhales in defeat and rolls her eyes, "Fine! But they are our friends. I'm just saying that we shouldn't be..."
"Sobriety!" Barry audibly declares cutting her off as he saunters into the cortex through the huge double glass doors.
He heads directly to the cabinet of chemicals behind Caitlin. He begins moving test tubes around as he tightly scrunches his forehead in determination.
Cisco and Caitlin share a confused look before Caitlin decides to call out, "Barry?"
Barry remains focused on his mission as he continues rummaging through cabinet after cabinet.
"Dude, everything alright?" Cisco inquires.
Barry moves on to the next cabinet, flings it open and starts picking up jars. In the process, a small bottle drops to the floor and shatters loudly.
Harrison Wells peacefully rolls into the Cortex to find a distressed Barry trying to wipe up liquified ricin with his barehands.
"Allen!" He exclaims sternly.
Barry slowly turns around only to meet his team staring at him with worry.
"I can't..." He breathes as he presses the heel of his hand to his forehead.
Harrison inquires a few moments later. "Mr. Allen, what can't you do?" His tone coming down a couple of notches with every word he utters. "What is it you can't..."
"I mean, I basically invited myself ... and ... but... i don't think..." Barry starts hyperventilating as he slowly drags his back against the wall before finally squatting down.
Cisco sprints towards him, "Dude, you don't have..."
Barry ignores him. He quickly gets up and runs up to Caitlin.
"Where is the concentrated alcohol solution?" He stares down into her eyes. "I can't do this sober Cait, where is it?" He begs.
"Barry, trust me. That is not going to help the situation. If anythi..." Caitlin attempts to reassure him as she slowly places her hand on his shoulder.
"Dammit Cait! I've never asked for it before now. Why can't any of you understand? I need this!"
He widens his gaze towards her. "Please!" He turns his back to her and yells.
"Barry Allen! You will pull yourself together this very moment." Harrison matches his tone.
"Boohoo, the girl you love doesn't love you back. News flash! You are not the first guy in history to experience heartbreak. So, I suggest you pick up the pieces and take it like - a - man!"
Harrison starts rolling towards him as his tone escalates. "You're the f****g Flash for heavens sake. Start acting like it!"
Barry clenches his jaw in frustration.
"If you want to be a coward and take the easy way out. Please, go right ahead! I can have Dr. Snow cook up a glass of concentrated alcohol in a matter of minutes. But, while you're left sulking like baby who just got his favorite toy taken away, just know that you're doing Iris a favor. It sure will make her feel more confident in choosing Edward Thorne over your pitiful entitled deadbeat carcass. Or, you can take it like a gentleman."
A tear rolls down Barry's left eye as he scrunches his hands into a fist.
"We can only control how we respond to the things we cannot control, Allen." Harrison finishes.
Barry suddenly punches the wall in an attempt to release the anger.
"Excuse me." He whispers as he quickly walks past them with his head down.
He speeds off into the particle accelerator and starts running as fast as his legs could carry him. Running felt like the only way he could release the pent up frustration that was hindering his breathing and thinking. With every minute, he felt a little less worse.
A quarter hour later, Cisco and Caitlin decided to check up on him. When they found no trace of him in the accelerator, Caitlin reached for her phone to text him. She found a text from him from a minute ago.
Barry: Went home to change. Back in a 3.
Before she could finish reading the text, he was in front them carrying a small gift bag.
The two give him a puzzled look.
"Before you start, I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I've had some time to clear my mind and, you have nothing to worry about. I promise!" He reassures them.
"So... what's in the bag?" Cisco had to know. The curiosity was eating him raw. He even tries seizing the gift bag from him.
"We're gonna be late." Caitlin rolls her eyes as she walks past them.
I'll only upload the next chapter if I get a good response from on this one. Trust me, you wanna read the next chapter ASAP! Its my favorite one so far!
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