Blame it on the Wine
"That's incredible!" Barry exclaimed, "If we had that kind of technology on this earth, it would completely change the way we identify unknown persons!"
"That's just forensic odontology," E2 Barry said just as enthusiastically, "Wait until I tell you about our advancements in forensic toxicology!"
The two continued to animatedly talk about forensic science, much to the amusement of the two Irises that were standing in the room.
"You done with this, babe?" E2 Iris asked her husband, grabbing his plate. He nodded absently at her, still talking to the earth 1 version of himself, explaining in full detail the viral analysis software he had created.
E2 Iris grabbed both their breakfast plates from the table and brought them over to the sink where the other Iris was washing the dishes.
"I don't think we're ever going to get them to stop," Iris laughed, nodding towards the two Barrys.
"Well, once you get my husband started on analytical forensics, he can talk for ages," E2 Iris said, watching him fondly as she started to dry the dishes, "And now it looks like he's found the perfect person to discuss it with him."
Iris laughed, "Does that technically count as talking to yourself?"
E2 Iris laughed too, "Well, if it does, that means we're guilty of it too."
Both women laughed and then continued to wash the dishes and listen to the two men talk as if they were old friends who just hadn't seen each other in a long time and had quite a bit of catching up to do.
"What's it like?" E2 Iris asked her suddenly, "Having a superhero for a best friend?"
Iris smiled thoughtfully.
"I don't know," she said, "I haven't really thought about it before. Barry has been my best friend much longer than he's been the Flash. I think to me, he's always going to be just Barry, you know? We've been best friends since we were kids."
"Same here," E2 Iris said, smiling down at the plate she was drying, "My Barry and I have known each other since we were kids. He's my best friend and my partner."
Iris considered her words for a moment before speaking.
"When…" Iris paused, not sure whether or not to ask, "When did you two realize you were more than friends?"
Before E2 Iris could reply, however, Joe walked back into the room.
"We should probably all head over to STAR labs," he said to everyone, "We still have to figure out a way to take down Zoom."
Although the rest of the team had told the earth 2 couple that they didn't have to help, E2 Barry and Iris wanted to contribute. They wanted to take down Zoom just as badly as the rest of them, and they wanted to do anything they could to help.
E2 Barry went to the computer monitors in the Cortex. He started to pull up all the files that he had collected on Zoom (thanks to Wells' software that allowed him to access data from another universe). The group worked all day on devising a plan against Zoom. By that evening, they were all exhausted as they headed home.
Joe decided to open a couple bottles of wine for the group of them to enjoy with their dinner that night. After a while, once they had all had a glass or two, the five of them were all laughing and joking around as they discussed the differences between their two worlds.
"Wait, wait, wait," Joe said, holding his hands up and laughing, "So you're telling me, that on your earth Leonard Snart is the mayor of Central City?"
"I still don't understand what you find so funny about that," E2 Barry said, laughing into his wine glass as he took another sip.
"Trust me," Barry said to him, "If you knew Snart on this earth, or Captain Cold as we call him, you would find it funny too."
The group of them laughed. E2 Iris poured herself another glass of wine.
"Would you like some more wine, Barry?" she asked, seeing that Barry's glass was nearly empty.
"No, no, I'm good," Barry said smiling and placing a hand over the top of his glass, "I wouldn't want to waste it."
Upon seeing E2 Iris's confused expression, he added, "Alcohol has no effect on me."
"Oh," she said in surprise, "Really?"
Barry nodded.
"That's fascinating," the other Barry said excitedly, "Is it because you digest it too fast to absorb the alcohol, or does your liver just process it too fast for you to feel its effects? Or maybe your kidneys just excrete fluids at a faster rate. Then there's always the blood brain barrier to consider when you're talking about CNS depressants like alc—"
"Babe," E2 Iris said, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder, "You're doing it again."
"Oh, sorry hun," he said, grinning sheepishly.
"Sorry," she said to the rest of them, "He gets a bit chatty once you get a few drinks in him."
"At least I don't get clingy," he teased, gesturing to his arm that she had interlocked with her own.
The others laughed somewhat uncomfortably. They were interrupted, however, by the sound of Barry's phone vibrating. With a groan, Barry suddenly stood up from his place at the dining room table.
"Sorry, gotta go guys," he said, "There's a fire on Mongolia Blvd."
With that, Barry was gone in a second.
"Wow," E2 Iris laughed, "I don't know how you guys ever could get used to that. One second he's there, and the next, whoosh."
Joe and Iris both laughed.
"Yeah, you don't ever really get used to it," Iris admitted, "He's pretty fast, but he still manages to be late for everything somehow."
"Gee, now who does that sound like?" the other Iris said, looking pointedly at her husband. He held his hands up in defense.
"Oh, come on," he laughed, "I'm not late for everything."
"Hmm, our wedding?"
"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" he grinned.
"Nope," she smirked, "I've got something to hold over your head for eternity. Or at least, 'as long as we both shall live'."
The couple gazed dreamily into each other eyes for a second before remembering that they weren't the only ones in the room and that they were being somewhat rude. They both scooted slightly away from each other, turning back to Iris and Joe.
It wasn't much later that the group of people decided to turn in for the night. Like always, Joe left the front door unlocked for Barry for when he returned, and they all headed up the stairs to their rooms for the evening.
…..
Iris woke early in the morning. She descended down the stairs quietly, making her way for the kitchen. She wanted to get an early start making breakfast for everyone before they all woke up. Her father, however, had already left the house, having gotten called in early to work.
From the stairs, Iris could see Barry sleeping on the couch and tiptoed silently down the remaining steps. She cringed when the last step creaked loudly, but Barry didn't wake up.
Iris moved closer to him without thinking. As she crossed the room, she nearly tripped on one of his boots that he had left on the floor, along with the rest of his Flash suit. When she got closer to him, she realized with a jolt that Barry was in just his boxers, all of the blankets discarded onto the floor.
Then she remembered. His clothes were upstairs in his room that was currently occupied by their earth 2 doppelgangers. He must have left the clothes he had been wearing before at STAR labs when he changed into his suit, and clearly he had been too exhausted to run all the way back there for them.
Barry was lying on his stomach, feet dangling over the side of the too small couch. One of his long arms hung over the edge, his fingers grazing the floor. The position didn't look at all comfortable to Iris, but it must have worked well for him because Barry was dead to the world as he slept, his face smooth with closed eyes and slightly parted mouth.
A faint whiff of smoke reached Iris's nostrils, no doubt from the fire that Barry had left to put out last night. She found the smell mingled with Barry's usual natural aroma strangely alluring. Looking at his peaceful face, Iris couldn't help but notice how handsome Barry really was, and she couldn't stop her eyes from then scanning over Barry's bare back, taking note of how toned and muscular it was, particularly around his shoulder blades. His skin looked so soft…and touchable.
Iris gave herself a mental shake. What was she doing? Standing here practically drooling over Barry while he slept. She must still be a bit tipsy from the wine she had had last night. That had to be it. She turned away from him and made her way to the kitchen. She was somewhat taken aback when she entered the room.
It was a complete mess. Food boxes and wrappers and dishes covered the entire counter. Clearly, Barry had come home late last night, ravenous after using his superspeed as the Flash. Normally he cleaned up after himself, but he must have been too exhausted to the night before. Iris didn't mind cleaning up for him from time to time. Really she felt bad for him. He never seemed to get a rest from his Flash duties, and when he finally did, poor Barry was always two things: hungry and exhausted.
Iris had just managed to get the kitchen cleaned up when Barry walked in. No. Not Barry. Earth 2 Barry. It was a good thing he had glasses and wore his hair differently, or she would have had a hard time telling the two of them apart.
"Morning," he said to her, taking a seat at the counter. His wife soon followed him, wearing just a short, silky morning robe. She smiled warmly at Iris. Iris took in her long bare legs, and blushed. She didn't normally prance around the house in just a thin robe like that. Her counterpart was clearly more comfortable with displaying her body openly, making Iris feel a little uncomfortable.
To her surprise, E2 Barry offered to help her make breakfast. Apparently he was quite the cook. She found this somewhat amusing considering the fact that her Barry couldn't cook worth shit. She found it adorable actually. Every time Barry tried making anything, he would somehow mess it up, whether it was from using salt thinking it was sugar or just downright burning everything he touched. He couldn't even make mac and cheese right, always over or undercooking the pasta. His hopelessness in the kitchen was just part of his charm though.
Iris always told him he'd have to find a good wife who could cook for him or he might starve. He had always used to retort by saying, "I've already found a good cook. You make everything just the way I like it." She hadn't realized the hidden meaning in his words at the time. Now looking back, she can't believe she hadn't seen that he had had feelings for her all those years. Really, it had been so obvious.
"You seem distracted," E2 Barry said, glancing at her. Iris laughed it off.
"What makes you say that?" she said lightly. He gestured to the pan of eggs she was making. They were burning.
"Whoops," she said, quickly turning them over, "I guess the eggs are going to be a bit well done today."
E2 Barry laughed. Iris was surprised by how his laugh sounded exactly like her Barry's laugh. Really, why would it be any different though?
"Morning, everyone," her Barry said brightly, entering the kitchen fully dressed. Iris noticed his eyes widen ever so slightly when he laid eyes on her doppelganger in her silky robe. His eyes lingered over her exposed long, dark legs for just a second longer before he looked away, recovering quickly.
"Oh my god," he said suddenly, "I'm so sorry about the mess I left in here last night."
"No worries, Bar," Iris laughed, "It didn't take long to clean up."
"I wish you had just woken me," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck, "I meant to clean it all up before everyone else woke up."
"Bar," Iris said, "It's fine. You were exhausted last night. Seriously, I didn't mind."
"Thank you, Iris," Barry said gratefully, "Do you guys need any help with anything?"
"No!" Iris said quickly. She laughed, "Sorry, Barry, but you're hopeless in the kitchen."
Barry shrugged with a crooked smile. He couldn't help but agree with her there.
"What time are we going to STAR labs today?" E2 Iris asked, buttering toast for everyone.
"Sorry," Barry said, "But it's Monday, and I have a day job to get to. I won't be able to go to STAR until this afternoon."
"You're going to the CCPD?" E2 Barry asked excitedly, "Mind if I tag along? I'd love to see your lab setup!"
"Oh," Barry said, surprised, "Um, yeah I guess. As long as no one sees you of course. Two of me might be a bit difficult to explain if anyone there saw the two of us together at the same time."
"With your abilities, I'm sure we'll be able to avoid that," E2 Barry said dismissively. "Do you mind, dear?" he asked his wife.
"Not at all," she said, "It'll give me and Iris some girl time to get to know each other better."
Iris smiled back at her. Today was going to be an interesting day.