Iris was pressed against the front door of The West home, cornered by Barry, who had his right hand perched above her head, and his left around her waist, arm bushing dangerously close to the swell of her behind.
Yet, somehow it was his mouth which was stealing kiss, after kiss, after kiss, that she had to watch out for. Well, not exactly stealing, as Iris was enthusiastically allowing it to happen.
At least until he turned his attention to her earlobe—one of many weak spots of hers he'd found over their last month of reconciling and light exploration. Try as they might, they'd had a couple of close calls in their efforts to abstain from sex, mostly because Barry couldn't seem to control himself.
Not that she minded.
Usually.
"Alright. That is enough, Mr. Allen," Iris said, with a hint of flirtation, as she broke away. "It's late."
"Then come home with me," he said, with a tender smile that nearly made her melt. "We can fall asleep in each other's arms, then I can make breakfast for us in the morning, and…you're not buying any of this, are you?"
Iris folded her arms, intensifying the glare directed at the man towering over her. "Nuh-uh."
"So you don't believe me?"
"What I believe… is that If you really wanted me to 'sleep' with you, you would have controlled your roaming hands the couple of nights I tried to stay at your place."
Barry lifted his hands. "Roaming hands?" He asked, aghast.
Iris rolled her eyes. "Short memory, I see."
"I'll be good, I promise."
Iris laughed. "We both know you're incapable of being completely good."
He pouted. "Please."
"I wish I could but."
"You have an early shift," he said with a sigh.
"So do you," Iris said, tugging Barry's blazer back down to its rightful place. Her own hands had apparently done a little roaming of their face fell. "Yeah, I do."
Iris sighed. That was more than the acceptance of Iris's resignation. This was about Patty, who he still had to work with until the police department found his replacement. "Things still tense?"
He nodded. "Tense is…probably not how I'd describe things. "More like," he continued, scraping his bottom lip with his teeth, as he searched for the right word, "contemptuous. She's pissed at me, and has completely refused to meet with me about dealing with our case. And I can't even blame her, because of how badly I hurt her, you know? I feel absolutely awful."
As much as Iris wanted to pry a little further, a resigned "Oh?" that was all she could scrounge up. Even as she and Barry were rebuilding their trust, and rekindling their relationship, some conversations still weren't easy to have. Their divorces were obviously a touchy subject with them both. Iris was dealing with her own guilt regarding their situation, not to mention the bullshit Scott was putting her through.
Add in their jobs, and Barry's heroics, it didn't leave nearly as much time for her and Barry as she'd liked, so they'd made it a priority to focus on each other when they were together, and not worry about anything else.
Iris trusted that Barry would tell her the big stuff she needed to know regarding their proceedings, and how things were unfolding in court. Sometimes, though, the topic still bled into their conversation, like now.
Barry sighed. "And I've killed the mood, haven't I?"
"Hmm! No, of course not," Iris attempted to assure him, though it did bother her a little. "You're human baby. You have a conscious. I'd be concerned if you didn't care about how this was impacting her."
"But you wish I didn't have to care about her. That I didn't have so much baggage?"
Iris chuckled. "Of course I do. But I have a ton of baggage of my own. And this is your life, what you're dealing with. I want you to talk to me. And I love you, Barry so the things that affect you affect me."
"What was that?"
"Huh?"
That you said," he said, hand to his ear. "It wasn't clear."
"I want you to talk to me?"
"No, not that part. After."
Iris smiled knowingly. "Ohh," she said, tapping her forehead. "The things that affect you affect me."
Barry shook his head, closing the space between him and Iris. "No, the thing before that." he said, gently moving her hair from her face.
Iris smiled. "Oh? I love you," she added, scrunching up her face.
He returned his hand to her waist, and pressed his body against hers, as his hands found her hips. "Say it again."
"I love you, okay?" Iris said again, sweeter this time.
"And I love you too...more than anything. So get all of these doubts about what I feel, or what I want out of your head. Because you, Iris West, are absolutely it for me. Okay?"
Iris let out a breath. Even when she held some of her cards to her chest, Barry had a way of addressing some of this pesky concerns which always found their way into her thoughts.
"Okay, Barry."
"So are we good?"
"We're great, Barry. I just wish that we didn't have to deal with all of this extra stuff, my stuff especially. I mean, I understand the process that has to take place, but still."
"And we'll get there. As long as you don't shut down on me every time something bothers you, okay? Because I'm 100 percent dedicated to you and this relationship okay, as long as you'll have me."
Iris smiled. "Okay, baby. Now, if you don't stop looking at me like that, I won't be getting a lick of sleep tonight."
He tightened his embrace around her. "Well, you know-"
"GoodNIGHT, Barry," Iris said, slipping out of his grasp. "I have work tomorrow morning, and court tomorrow afternoon."
"Oh, right. Scott," Barry said, voice dripping with resentment. "You sure you don't want me to be there? Just for extra support?"
"No, I'm hoping that the presence of our lawyers will make Scott behave. Besides, my dad will be there. And like I said before, he's not that stupid."
"For his sake, I hope not. You know I'll be there in a heartbeat if he even looks at you wrong, Iris."
"I know, babe. And that is exactly why I need you to let me handle this. You're a bit of a hot head when it comes to Scott."
"How could I not be? You're the woman I love" He said tenderly trailing a gentle hand over her cheek, while gazing down into her eyes.
Iris caught his hand in hers and kissed him softly on the lips. "And you are the man that I love."
Barry Allen let out a deep sigh before he entered the Captain Davis's office. It was coming up on six weeks since he'd officially left Patty, and she was growing more abrasive with him with each passing day. Though neither had officially let their coworkers in on their divorce, which was crawling forward at a snail's pace due to Patty's noncooperation, it was obvious that there was tension brewing between them.
So far, everyone had been respectful enough to stay out of what they assumed was your run-of-the-mill marital drama, but Barry could just feel that the office was buzzing with gossip about the once happy couple. More importantly, the once happy Patty...who just wasn't the upbeat, bubbly woman she used to be.
Barry wasn't heartless enough to ask Patty to pretend that they were still on, for the sake of their reputations, but he assumed that she would at least keep things professional until they decided to make a formal announcement. Of course, he'd been wrong about that too. Some days she ignored him completely, but some, she couldn't even attempt to hide the discontent she felt for Barry.
It was human nature to lash out at someone who constantly shot jabs at you, but Barry was learning to suppress those urges, due to the fact that he was the reason she was acting so out of character. He couldn't bear to hurt Patty more than he already had. Because of this, he had opted to stay holed up in his lab as much as he could, so she wouldn't even have to see his face, but that was growing old...fast.
That's why, today, Barry was going to meet with Captain Davis to see how the search for a replacement CSI was coming along, and if possible, if the process could be sped up.
"Morning Captain," Barry said, as he entered the office.
The older man nodded. "Allen. What brings you by? Oh, yes. You're trying to leave us. As much as it pains me to let you go, I do appreciate you staying on until we find someone on your level to take over."
"It's my pleasure," Barry said, lying.
"You sure there's nothing I can offer you to get you to stay? A raise? More vacation days?"
Given everything that was going on with Patty, and the fact that he was probably going to have a involve a lawyer-the last thing he wanted- to get their divorce rolling along, it was foolish of him to turn down a raise, but he had to think about his peace of mind.
Hers too.
He shook his head. "I'm sorry sir. Not that I haven't enjoyed my time here, I have but I think it's time to move on."
"Gonna let Spivot be the sole breadwinner, huh?" Davis said with a chuckle.
Oh right. Captain didn't know either. "Well, no. Not-"
"Hey Baby," Patty said, in a buoyant tone Barry hadn't heard in ages. "I mean, CSI Allen," Patty corrected herself, in the direction of the captain. "Sorry sir."
Barry turned, eyeing her curiously. She was wearing a bright smile and even brighter red dress. The same one he'd bought her for their first-anniversary date.
"Hey, no need for formalities Spivot. Especially if you could talk your husband into staying on here at the department."
For a moment, Patty's face fell. But just as soon as it did, it was replaced by a slightly sunken smile. Barry sighed, this was not the way he wanted her to find out he was leaving, but it's not like she'd given him a chance to be straight up with her.
"Oh right. Barry's leaving the force," Patty said flatly.
"You seem surprised?" Asked Davis looking back and forth between husband and wife.
"Oh no, at this point, nothing Barry does could surprise me," she said, voice laced in concealed anger. Davis didn't notice, but Barry definitely did.
"Patty," he attempted to plead.
"Cause I wouldn't hold my breath though, sir," she continued. If I know anything about my husband, it's that if he finds something bigger, better, shinier, he's going to go for it. Right, Barry?"
"Uhh Sir," Barry asked, looking back to their boss."You'll keep me posted about the replacement?"
"Of course, Allen. Thank you. Patty, a word?" Barry asked.
"Of course, baby," she said, smiling brightly.
"What are you doing, Patty?" Barry asked in his lab, as leveled as he could, though he clearly didn't appreciate whatever mind games Patty was playing with him.
"Whatever do you mean?" She asked, smiling, hands clasped together.
"What I mean, is I've been trying to peacefully, respectfully meet so we could manage to untangle our assets, and...I've gotten nothing from you, other than snark, and low blows. Or dead silence, but you decide to waltz up into my meeting with Davis and pull this, this act."
Patty spun around, hands flailing in the air. "Excuse me for being angry, and for experiencing a range of emotions after my husband up and left me overnight. Do I not get to be erratic? Do I not get to feel things, Barry? You act like you stole my lunch from the community fridge or something. You stole my LIFE from me."
"P-"
"And I think I've handled things pretty well all things considered. Because I haven't plastered your face across a billboard, with the word cheater over it. And I haven't set your remaining clothes and other belongings in OUR home on fire yet," she continued voice breaking. " So excuse me, if I've had a few shitty days."
Barry lowered his head, shaking it gently. This is exactly what he was trying to avoid.
"What, you don't have anything to say? Did you want to have a conversation? Talk."
"Oh, you meant just about our divorce, right," she continued, spitefully. "So you could be free of me to live in sin with Iris until her divorce is official. You don't give a single damn about how another little piece of me dies every single day you didn't walk through those doors. How I watch all of our stupid home movies each evening before I cry myself to sleep while wearing your unwashed pajamas because they still smell like you. You don't want to talk about any of that, do you?"
"God, I'm so sorry I hurt you. I never wanted this."
"But not enough to come home, right? To work this out? Wait. Don't answer that. I can literally smell her perfume on you. And do you know what else? I've seen you in passing, when she texts you in the middle of the day, how your eyes light up. So what do you want? Oh right. You're leaving. That goes for Flash too? I mean, Fuck Matherville citizens right?"
"I wouldn't withdraw Flash's support without notice, but I will eventually transition myself and him back to Central City full time. "
"Losing Barry Allen is one thing, but I'm the leader of the Meta Human Task voice. I'm the one credited with bringing Flash here. What am I supposed to tell the Captain? That we're just, ass out?"
"You don't have to tell him, I'll tell him."
She nodded slowly.
Barry took her silence as his cue to leave.
"And my family?" She called, just as he made it to the door.
"What?" He asked, still facing away from her.
"The Flash, I suppose, that can be explained. I can't exactly control a man with super speed, but how do I explain your absence to my family?"
"I don't...know," Barry said, rubbing a hand up and down his neck. "I wish I could make this easier for you. Truly, I do."
"Well, then another question: How am I supposed to live without you?" She asked, voice trembling wildly. She could hear the pain in the echoes of her voice.
Barry spun around. "We can be friends," he offered, knowing that it was the only thing he had left to give her.
Patty scoffed. "Friends with my soon-to-be ex-husband, the man I'm in love with, despite the fact that he doesn't give two shits about me." She wiped the tears trailing down her face like she was angry at herself for allowing him to see her this way.
Barry took a step closer to her. "I do love-" He started, cutting off his train of thought.
Patty gasped. "No. Go on, Barry," Patty said, stepping closer to him. Finish the sentence. Iris got so much of you, I can't have a simple 'I still love you?' I mean it's six weeks and two days since you last said it. Is it not true anymore? Was our love so weak, that 45 days with Iris could wipe it out?"
"True or not, it's best that we stay away from stuff like this."
"Wow. She really hit the jackpot in the men department...this time," Patty snarled."
"Patty."
"No really, I mean it. She's so powerful. She ignored you for years, but then one visit, and she has your right under her spell. I mean, I don't even get divorce sex. You know, the really intense, you'll definitely regret it in the morning, but you just can't help yourself self, sex. I didn't have you fully as my boyfriend or my husband, unbeknownst to me, might I add, and now I can't even grieve properly because Iris needs you. Well, gotdamn Barry. Make sure you put the lid on the trashcan you threw me in. It's cold out here, okay?"
"I'm sorry-"
"If you TELL me you're sorry one more time, I swear to you I'm going to do something stupid and irreversible. I can only take so much," she said as she clutched her stomach in a way that made his head spin wildly.
"Wait. What? Irreversible?"
Just then Barry's phone dinged.
"Of COURSE!" Patty said throwing her hands in the air. She angrily charged towards the door.
"Patty wait!" Barry said as he pulled his phone from his pocket to see Iris's face lighting up the screen.
She stopped in her tracks, arms folded, back now to him.
"Hello? Yeah, hey, Iris. Can I call you back? No, still at work, I'll be over in a just a bit, okay? Okay. Great."
"Wow. Iris made to wait a whole extra five minutes. Am I dreaming?" Patty said, in between sniffs.
Slowly, Barry walked over to Patty her where she stood.
"Patty, what were you saying just now?" He asked, unable to hide the concern in his voice.
Patty whipped around. "What do you THINK I'm saying, Barry?"