The song for this chapter is Beyonce - Haunted...yes from 50 Shades of Grey...don't judge me yall.

IRIS'S POV:

I tossed and turned practically the whole night. All I could think about was what I was going to do about Eddie. Sure, I didn't really know him, but it could go somewhere. I didn't want to be alone forever. The thunder and lightning didn't really help. Thank God tomorrow or I guess this morning is Saturday.

With an irritated groan, I put the pillow over my head and kicked my legs in the bed. If I was as irresistible as Barry let on why didn't I have a date before now?

My door creaked open an inch and my heart stopped in my chest. My dad still wasn't home what if we were being robbed? I was about to die. Or they were going to still my laptop and I was still watching The 100 because of those stupid commenters on my forum...surprisingly good show. I have to find out if Bellamy and Clarke get together, that's not an option. So I stealthily rose to my feet and yanked the door open with a stern look.

"Barry?" I relaxed, then I stilled again.

His bruises were practically invisible in the dark. He had on grey sweatpants that were just as distracting as the invisible shirt he had on. Hard vanilla planes taunt and on display for my eyes. He stepped forward. "I couldn't sleep alone."

Awww. I made a pouty face as I pulled him inside my room. We got into bed and I thought maybe I'd be able to get some sleep now. I laid on my side, giving him some room. Honestly, Barry was a big guy, tall and not too muscular. Then he wrapped that well-defined arm around my waist and pulled me to his bare chest, his mouth right by my neck.

"You comfy?" He asked, his breath made me shiver.

"Yup."

With his hand on my stomach, I couldn't help but imagine it going deeper until it was in my panties.

"Why is your heart beating so fast, Flower?" He teased.

"Eat me, Allen."

That was not the words to say because he grunted and it went down to my lady business. "Don't tempt me."

With the sensations he was giving me right now I had to get comfortable because I couldn't fall asleep like this tonight or ever. Only my butt brushed up against his very attentive you know what.

"Would you stop moving around?" He huffed.

"You're the one that came over here all shirtless and wounded. You think this is easy for me?"

He stayed silent for a bit until he said, "Do you want me to go?" He removed his arm.

My leg swung over his to pull him back as I pulled his arm back, his big strong hand pressed against my stomach. I should've felt self-conscious about that, but somehow it made me feel even more wanted. I wiggled into him and finally got comfortable.

"So I guess that's a no?" He chuckled.

With a roll of my eyes I asked, "How's Cisco? You took him home, right?"

"Actually, he's sleeping in the guest room at my house. We stayed up talking for a while. I think we're going to be good."

Cisco's words kept coming back to me, that was partially why I couldn't sleep. I really wanted to ask Barry about it, but I knew that would lead to an beyond awkward conversation neither of us was willing to have at this point in time or like ever.

"Are you going to ever tell me what it was about?"

His forehead rested on my shoulder, his breath fanned across my back. "We've talked about this, Iris. I can't have you involved."

"What? You don't trust me, is that it?"

He popped his head up. He pulled me over so he could look me in the eyes. "You think I don't want to tell you what's going on with me? I want to tell you everything, but I can't." His hazel eyes worried.

Nervously, I bit my bottom lip.

He sighed, his eyes on my mouth. "Linda and I broke up today."

My heart stilled in my chest as gulped. "Sorry?" Even though I felt bad for him I was a little happy about that. I really did try to fight the smile on my lips, but it came through anyway.

He gave a small laugh then his forehead creased. "So you were really on a date with that Eddie guy?"

I nodded, glad for the topic change. "Yeah, it was going great. Totally unexpected though."

He looked off to the side. "Is there going to be another date?"

"I'm not sure. Things got kind of heavy tonight. Then there's the little fact that he knows we're not exactly conventional."

His eyes met mine, his brow lifted. "Are you saying I'm in the way?"

"No, not at all." I turned around to face him better, his hand now on the small of my back. "It's just things are a bit complicated between us and it kind of feels strange to talk to you about it."

"Well, I don't want to stand in the way of your happiness."

I wanted to tell him he made me happy, but I knew that wouldn't help anything.

"So you're saying I should date Eddie?"

He nodded and it looked like it pained him to do so. "Yes, if it makes you happy."

Dating Eddie was something I wasn't even sure was on the table. Barry telling me to date Eddie stung a little, not going to lie. I didn't want to cry in front of him so I just snuggled up under him, his chin rested on my head.

BARRY'S POV:

I couldn't fall asleep after telling Iris to do what made her happy. I wanted her to be happy, but not with Eddie. So I stayed awake for the remaining hours of darkness, thinking about how ironic it was that I just got out of a relationship and she was about to start one. Fucked up, right?

A noise came from downstairs and my first thought was Joe was going to kill me for sleeping in Iris' bed without a shirt. I disentangled from her, grinning as she made a kissy face.

"You're dirty." She muttered.

Huh?

She giggled.

My eyes narrowed. She sleep talked?

"Mmh, Barry."

Too shocked for words I had to rush out the room before I could process what just happened. I shuffled down the stairs to find Joe resting his head on the door. He glanced back at me with tired red eyes.

"What happened?" I asked him.

He sighed, his hand squeezed his forehead. "Chyre died last night. Where were you?" His eyes narrowed. "Why are you shirtless? You and Iris didn't...?"

My hands raised in front of me protectively. "Not what you think, I promise." I glanced back up the stairs. "She's sound asleep. There was something I needed to talk to you about and I know you're going to freak so try to remember that I handled it as best as I could?"

He stepped forward, a predatory glare in his eyes. "What did you do to my daughter?"

"Nothing, I swear. It's just some guys from the team beat up Cisco downtown last night and and Iris was there when I pulled it apart. She tried to stop it and Drew hit her by accident and I lost it and I don't know how I stopped hitting him because I really wanted to kill him because all I could see was Iris' shocked face and I knew he had to pay for what he did." I rushed out nervously.

He stared at me with confused and angry eyes. With a grunt he headed up the stairs. "Go home, son. I'll deal with you later."

I nodded. My hand on the doorknob, I turned back. "Joe, I'm really sorry about Chyre."

He gave a curt nod. "Me, too."

I left.

With everything on my mind I walked around for a bit, not caring about the no shirt in freezing weather thing. Honestly, I think my nipples would break off if I flicked them. Probably not a good thing.

Something hit me on the back of the head, my vision blurred as I fell to the ground.

I sat up with a gasp. My eyes glanced around in a hurry. Where was I? Monitors, arrows, and a green suit was the only things in this place. My head throbbed.

"You're awake. Good."

I turned around at the deep voice. A guy with longish hair and a polo on stood near what had to be the exit. My eyes flashed back to the suit, then the arrows. No way. "You're him?!"

He gave a stiff nod. "We need to talk."

I jumped off the stainless steel table. "This is awesome. This is your hideout?" I grinned.

He crossed his arms. "You're not being careful enough, Barry."

"How do you know my name? Wait, you hit me on the head to get me here."

"Sorry."

"You couldn't have just asked me to come?"

He shrugged. "I couldn't have anyone knowing where you were. Anything leading back to me is dangerous for my loved ones, which is exactly why I brought you here." He gestured for me to follow him. He pulled up various pictures of me around Central City. Some in the Flash suit, some with Cisco and Iris. Some by myself. "If I can figure out who you are, far more powerful people can, too. They can use your identity against you. They can make you do whatever they want, they can threaten and kill your loved ones."

My mind went to Joe, Iris, Cisco, and my dad. "What can I do to stop that? I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"Then you do what I tell you. You need a more sophisticated system. You and Mr. Roman won't cut it."

I nodded. "There's this guy, he wants to help me, but I don't know if I can trust him. Can I trust you?"

"You know my secret and I know yours. You can trust me."

I wanted to believe him. He was the Arrow after all. His methods were rumored to be a bit violent, but he fought far bigger fish than I did. Wait...

"Aren't you Oliver Queen? You went missing a few years ago. I thought the police cleared you of being a suspect."

He stood. "I orchestrated my arrest. My cover is all I have. Follow me. We have a lot to do."

A/N: Apologies for the short chapter. I'd much rather give yall longer chapters, but I like to upload frequently and longer chapters take longer time. Also, shoutout to Ravenbabe321, her fanfiction The Bear and The Flower inspired me to write this or at least to use the whole "Bear" and "Flower" nickname thing. Yall should check it out! s/11193490/1/The-Bear-and-the-Flower

Please review!