jealousy & faithfully

"That is not the face I expected to you be wearing at my wedding Barry Allen," Iris West (Thawne really, as of just a few hours ago) says, sliding onto her chair at the head table in the banquet hall. She's wearing a beautiful white dress, her hair pulled expertly back and has the same mischievous grin on her face that got him in trouble so often as a child.

Blinking, startled from his preoccupation, Barry looks up and grins reflexively. "Sorry Iris! You know how happy I am for you and Eddie right?" He feels like he needs to immediately amend—uncertain what his face looks like but pretty sure it's not a positive one and not wanting his bed friend to think for a second it's because of what's happening around them.

Because she knows him almost better than he knows himself, Iris just laughs and waves her hand (her beautiful new ring glinting in the low light of the candles) at his apology. "I'm teasing Barry, seriously. Of course I know you are, your speech was beautiful." She feels incredibly lucky that, over the years, they have all become such a tight knit group of friends that Eddie had wanted Barry as his best man. In fact, it had been Eddie to notice the cloudy expression Barry was wearing and asked her about it, prompting her visit in the first place. "Really though, if you keep looking at them like that, you're going to start his suit on fire."

A flush steals across his face, something she can easily detect even in the low light, clearly not expecting to be caught staring. (It shouldn't surprise him, this is Iris: one of the best reporters in Central City, noticing things is her job.) Despite his embarrassment, he doesn't actually move, so Iris just follows his gaze pointedly, smiling at the picture before them: Caitlin Snow, dressed in silver and blue like her other two bridesmaids, curls bouncing and a smile on her face, dancing with Eddie's brother, whom she'd been paired with for the wedding party. The two had been talking amiably though the whole experience, and if she's being honest, Iris has quite enjoyed the way their friendly interactions have been distracting Barry at every turn. About time the loveable dummy started to catch on and pay attention.

"Seriously Bar, if you want to dance with her, go and ask her. Rob's just being friendly because Caitlin's one of the only people he knows here that isn't related to him."

He sighs, heavily, finally turning his gaze away (the first time all night, Iris suspects) only to shake his head and address his best friend. "She looks like she's having fun, I don't want to interrupt." The dejection in his tone is audible, Iris isn't sure if she should sigh or roll her eyes at him.

She does know he's being an idiot. She knows that he's jealous, every time she catches him watching them together, he starts to sulk—torn between wanting to be with her and not wanting to tear her away from anything that makes her happy. So a selfless idiot really, but an idiot nonetheless. "If you really think she'd rather be dancing with him than you, then I am completely taking away your brilliant, genius nerd card: you don't deserve it."

His eyes fly up to Iris's immediately, surprised. Grinning, she shakes her head fondly and lays a hand against his arm, squeezing out her support and reassurance. "You've been watching her with puppy dog eyes for months Barry, and you've totally missed her doing the same but the rest of us have noticed the way you close yourself off whenever she talks to some other guy." They all go out fairly regularly, enough for Iris to know that this brooding isn't a one-time thing. Enough for everyone to know it isn't a one time thing. "So go out there and do something about it."

And with that she stands, gives his shoulder a little shove and goes to find her husband.

Barry waits for the song that's playing (fairly upbeat, more of a group dance than a partner one) to fade out and is a little surprised by the timing of the next song—Faithfully, by Journey: slow, solemn, one of his favorites. (He's a little less surprised by the choice when he sees Iris has made a pit stop by the DJ and is now shooting him a grin. Barry has spent too much time as The Flash learning that perfect opportunities are rare even when you can time travel, so up he gets and takes the hint).

Sending all my love, is echoing over the dance floor when Barry, wearing his most winning smile, taps on Rob Thawne's shoulder. "Mind if I cut in?" Eddie's brother has the exact same, easy-going grin that Eddie does, which makes Barry feel a little guilty as he immediately passes Caitlin's hand to him (he'll later learn, through Eddie, that even Rob had read the signals between the two and had known he never stood a chance, which will make Barry feel both better and worse).

But the smile on Caitlin's face, soft and warm and pleased, erases those feelings immediately. "I was wondering when you were going to ask me to dance," she teases, tangling easily with him, both so familiar with one another. He wraps his arms around her, shrugging beneath the press of her hands.

"Sorry to keep you waiting Dr. Snow, I was—"

"Jealous." She cuts him off, her smile now a knowing grin.

He has the decency to look sheepish, the flush from earlier returning. Apparently he has been particularly obvious about his growing affections for his favorite doctor and teammate. "Maybe just a little. Forgive me?"

"Only if you sing for me." So he does, tugging her a little closer and laughing a little when she joins in, off beat and out of tune and utterly adorable all the same.

So, in case you haven't noticed, I don't really do big/angry jealousy because a) I just don't think I write it well, b) I'm not a big fan of that in relationships, I mean a little jealously, you bet, but none of that possessive stuff and c) as we've seen from the Iris/Eddie stuff, Barry isn't really like that and the one time he is, is completely ashamed (rightfully so) by it (with the Rainbow Raider emotions stuff).

Totally wanted to make a nod to the Barry/Iris friendship and want to start writing some more Iris/Caitlin and whole group friendship stuff as well. I really like the idea of them all eventually being close friends, even if canon events likely won't make that a reality. Feedback always greatly appreciated!

Best Wishes & Take Care,

AOR