Prompt from Arglebargles. Iris and the Flash argue, and he forgets to disguise his voice.
Barry was scared. Iris had followed him to an active crime scene a few hours ago. She had nearly been killed. In the process of saving her, he had let the criminal get away.
Joe had been furious, not about Barry losing the guy obviously, but about Iris putting herself danger. Barry was not surprised when Joe asked him if there was anything 'the other guy' could do about it. Barry had choked down a laugh when he referred to the Flash as 'the other guy.' He understood that the only reason he said it that way was because they were in a crowded area, but it was still felt a little ridiculous.
"I'll see what I can do." Barry told him.
"Do better than last time." Joe said referring to his accidentally convincing Iris to put her name on her blog. Joe was stern, but Barry knew he didn't blame him.
"Yeah." Barry's eyes were downcast, just because Joe didn't blame him, but that didn't mean Barry didn't blame himself for the danger Iris was in. He wouldn't let her be put in anymore danger.
"Iris, please." Barry began, while vibrating his vocal chords. Iris immediately knew where he was going.
"No, I will not stop writing. No, I will not stop following you." Iris assumed her 'give it up I'm stubborn and you're going to lose' pose. Barry had seen it many times. The crossed arms, stern eyes, tight lips, wide stance that meant there was nothing in the world you could do to change her mind, and yet it had never swayed Barry. He was her best friend and he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
"Please," He met her eyes and they seemed to soften just a little. "You could have died tonight."
"But I didn't. You saved me. You have always been there to save me."
"Iris, there have been people that have died because I couldn't get to them. I don't want that to be you."
"I took care of myself for 24 years before I met you. I can by myself the time I need to allow you to get to me, or like with William Tockman, I can save myself." She raised her voice with each word and stepped closer to him.
"In those 24 years you never went up against a metahuman or someone equipped to fight a metahuman. Believe me when I say William Tockman was an easy target. The worst he could do to you was shoot you. There are metahumans out there who are capable of killing with a glance." Barry spoke slowly and deliberately for his last plea. "Don't make yourself more of a target, Iris. I need you. I need you to be safe. I won't always be there to protect you if you go looking for trouble. It would kill me." Somewhere along the line, he wasn't sure where, he had spoken to slowly. His voice stopped vibrating and Iris could hear his real voice.
"Barry?" Iris swapped her stubborn stance for one of shock. Her mouth hung open and her eyes were wide and soft.
He nodded. "Do you understand, now?" He met her eyes. He hadn't meant to confess his secret, but maybe he could make some good come out of it. "I could not live with myself if so much as a hair on your head was harmed because I wasn't there to get you out of trouble. I can't let you put yourself in danger trying to find me."
"Barry?" She repeated.
"Yeah, it's me."
"Why didn't you tell me?" She looked hurt but there was also a splash of curiosity in her expression.
"The same reason why you can't follow me. It wasn't safe to tell you."
"So, why tell me now? You're warning me to be safe and telling me a secret you hid to keep me safe. That doesn't make any sense, Bear."
"If knowing I'm the Flash has a chance of keeping you out of the danger you out yourself in, it's at least worth a try. I know I can trust you to keep my secret, hopefully I can keep people from knowing you're close to me."
Iris was silent for a while.
"Please talk to me." Barry begged.
"Does that mean these nightly rooftop talks have to end?" Iris asked quietly.
"Yes, it does." Barry replied sadly.
Iris knew how he would answer, and they both knew they would still be able to spend that time together, but it would be different. There was something new and exciting about Barry's cryptic nature when he talked to her as the Flash. Barry would miss being able to openly flirt with her without it feeling awkward and out of place. Iris was embarrassed to admit it, even to herself, but what she would miss the most was the feeling of being swooped into Barry's strong arms even if it was only for a few seconds. She knew Barry would hold her in his arms as long as she wanted him to, but it would be weird. What if that creepy request was the final thing that drove her amazing best friend away?
Both of the friends wished things could stay as they were, but neither was able to think of a legitimate reason to keep up their clandestine meetings after Jitter's closing time.
"We should go home." Iris broke the silence.
"Yeah." Barry agreed simply.
"One more thing." Iris said hesitantly. She was afraid. "Carry me? One last trip."
"Whoever said this was the last time I would carry you? I will give you a ride as often as you would like me to."
Iris's smile returned to her face.
Maybe things won't change all that much. Barry thought. Or maybe he and Iris needed a change. Felicity had mentioned that maybe change wasn't a bad thing.