Previously
A quarter hour later, Cisco and Caitlin decided to check up on him. When they found no trace of him in the accelerator, Caitlin reached for her phone to text him. She found a text from him from a minute ago.
Barry: Went home to change. Back in a 3.
Before she could finish reading the text, he was in front them carrying a small gift bag.
The two give him a puzzled look.
"Before you start, I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I've had some time to clear my mind and, you have nothing to worry about. I promise!" He reassures them.
"So... what's in the bag?" Cisco had to know. The curiosity was eating him raw. He even tries seizing the gift bag from him.
"We're gonna be late." Caitlin rolls her eyes as she walks past them.
"Let me kiss you... please?"
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Exactly 45 minutes later, they arrived at the party.
Standing only a few feet away from the front door, the three could not believe the grandness that was before their eyes. The only thing surrounding the illuminated mansion was a vast forest that spread out as far as the eyes could see.
To say Eddie came from money would be nothing shy from an understatement. Cisco had never been to the white house but he was more than confident in that this was the closest he'll ever get that.
Before they could even knock, Iris was already opening the door. She met her friends with the most sincere of smiles as she wrapped her arms around them in unison.
"I'm so glad you guys could make it!" She exclaims with her hands palms pressed to her chest. "Come on in!" She steps to the left and ushers them in.
"I'm sorry, did we just step into a freaking movie set?!" Cisco whispers to Barry. "Where are the cameras?" He began to look around.
Elegantly dressed guests were evenly scattered across the ballroom - esque living room space; each dressed in designer from head to toe. The older crowd mingled at the bottom of the spiral staircase and sipped on bourbon as they pompously laughed at each others jokes.
Meanwhile, the younger crowd claimed the spiral stairs that lead to what Barry could only guess were the bedrooms as he could barely see its end.
In the far back end, a sign illuminated by neon lights read "Bar". To Barry's surprise, it was the least populated area in the entire house.
"Iris! You need to get dressed. They'll be here in 30!" Eden suddenly appears before them and pulls Iris by the arm, dragging her up the myriad of stairs.
"I'm so sorry. I'll be down in a few! " She manages to call out. She then succeeds in sending an apologetic smile Barry's way. As much as every inch of him didn't want to, he couldn't help but return the smile.
Moments later, Cisco made his way up the staircase to meet a short blonde who had been giving him interesting looks since he walked in. Caitlin shook her head in absurdity as she dragged Barry to the bar.
As soon as they were seated, the Bartender approached them. "What can I offer the lovely couple this fine evening?".
Barry noticed a slight Australian accent in his prose. He also took notice to the way he directed the question more so to Caitlin.
She pauses to take him in. He was of course dressed in his bartender uniform; a white button down long sleeved shirt that embraced his arm muscles oh so dearly. It was tucked into a pair of black slacks and an oxblood tie. His had his long hair in a man bun and most remarkably, he had the most finely defined chiseled facial structures she'd ever seen on a guy that wasn't David Beckham. His hazel eyes could mesmerize the devil himself.
"My good friend here is on... designated driving duty tonight and... " She smirks as if to dare him, "surprise us". She tilts her head to the left and slyly winks at him.
He laughs before slowly turning around and picking up two tall bottles.
She slowly rests her chin on the heel of her hand as she watches him mix their drinks.
Barry watches their interaction very closely as the bartender returned with 2 glasses, only glancing over at him for a second.
"A sloe gin for Ms...?" He charismatically presented as he placed the drink before her; not intending on breaking eye contact.
"Snow. Caitlin Snow. And you are?" She smiles as she extends her right hand.
"Dazed, stunned and... uhhh obviously loosing my cool in front of the loveliest lady I've had the pleasure of serving all evening..." He smirks shyly and blushes as he sluggishly shakes her hand.
Caitlin pauses for a moment in shock before chuckling and almost spilling her drink all over herself.
"Charlie - for short. Charles Kelly." He laughs at her efforts at trying not choke on her drink by coughing miserably.
"Maybe... try leading with that? For future reference." Caitlin suggests still obviously trying to pull herself together. "This is my friend, Barry."
She motions over to an open mouthed Barry who appeared to be looking straight past them. They both follow his gaze which lead to none other than Iris West in all her splendor.
She was wrapped up in a flared fitted rose red romper. The fabric which ended just below her hips not only exposed but accentuated her long caramel legs.
The black Christian Louboutins engulfing her feet perfectly added to her already alluring stature. The neckline which showed just enough cleavage to keep the mind guessing was decorated with the present she had received from Barry for Christmas.
She hurriedly tried to make her way down the stairs and across the room to encounter an elderly couple Barry could only guess were Eddie's parents.
Not wanting people to start sending questionable looks their way, Caitlin decided to shake him out of his apparent trance. He turned his head only to see two sets of eyes fixed on him.
"Here. You clearly need it more." Caitlin pushes her drink towards Barry.
"Caitlin, thanks. But, i'm fine." Barry replies.
"Dude, heads up! She's coming over." Charlie warns the two before moving on to his bartender duties.
Iris steadily struts towards them, trying not to trip on her high heels. The light simultaneously highlighted her curvaceous body and the bounce of her now curled and pinned up hair.
She finally reaches them and picks up the drink in front of Barry, Caitlin's drink. "I'm so sorry about earlier! Its been so hectic all - day - long."
Barry couldn't help but intently stare at her neck as she starts gulping down the contents of the glass. His eyes slowly move farther down her color bone, and then to her chest where the necklace he had given her laid effortlessly.
He knew he was probably staring a little, no; a lot too much. But for some reason, this time, he just did not care.
Caitlin motions to the entire house in awe. "Iris, this party is just ... WOW!"
Iris manages to nod as she concentrated on downing the entire glass.
She finally sets the glass down and rests her elbow on Barry's shoulder to takes a breath.
"Thanks Cait! God, I've been looking forward to that all day!" She motions to the glass before continuing. "I have to give all the credit to Eddies parents. They've seriously been too generous."
As she continues talking with Caitlin, she began to notice that Barry hadn't said a word to her all evening. She slowly turns to find his eyes fixed on hers; his expression very serious... like he was trying to solve a very difficult puzzle or... something.
For the first time, she could not not read him. She was about to say something when Caitlin chimed in.
"Don't even get me started on that outfit." Caitlin reaches over to feel her romper.
Before she could reply, her phone lights up.
Dad: "7 mins away."
"They're almost here!" She exclaims before running to the DJ and asking for the music to be turned off. She then takes the mic and timidly announces.
"Hello everyone. For those of you whom I haven't had the pleasure of properly meeting, I'm Iris West, Eddie's girlfriend."
Cisco, Caitlin, Eden and a few other blurt out, "Woo's!", "Yeah's! and "We love you Iris'!" followed by clapping.
"I just wanted to thank you all for coming and showing your love and support for Eddie on his Birthday! I just got an update from my dad saying they're five minutes away. So, in a couple of minutes, we will be turning the lights completely off. When they arrive, the lights will come back on. That will be our cue to yell... 'Happy Birthday'! So, please take the next minute to find a spot near the entrance. Again, thank you!"
Everyone begins to make their way around the staircase and the entrance. Iris puts the mic down and immediately spots Caitlin, Cisco and Barry standing at the back end of the forming semi circle. She rushes towards them and they quickly make space for her in the middle.
"You were really good up there!" Cisco compliments her.
"So were you!" She motions over to the short blonde who was now very obviously checking Cisco out.
They all share a good laugh as she tries hide his blush by hugging him. Well, almost all of them.
Still laughing, Iris turns to face Barry. He still had the same mysterious expression on his face. The one she couldn't read; his eyes still locked with hers.
She knew this was the last place he wanted to be. She had to constantly remind herself that he had insisted on coming despite their... despite everything.
She decides to lighten the mood by making a sarcastic comment about the entire situation just as the entire house goes pitch dark and completely quiet.
Now obviously out of options, she chooses to wait and confront Barry after they successfully surprised Eddie. Today was all about him after all. She told herself as she put on a happy countenance in preparation to surprise her beloved boyfriend.
Almost immediately, she felt a warm breath on her neck.
Before she knew it, her hair was tenderly being moved and slowly being tucked behind her ear.
A voice she immediately identified belonged to Barry almost inaudibly whispered in her ear; followed by hot breathing down her neck.
"Let me kiss you."
Barry could feel her chest rapidly rising and falling and her breathing escalating.
"Please." He adds; his breathing now correlating with hers.
He slowly positions his left hand around her neck, pulls her in, and softly places a faint kiss on her lips. When she didn't move or do anything that hinted that she wanted him to stop, Barry decides continue; this time, deepening the kiss. He hungrily massages the rims of her upper and bottom lips with his tongue as he repeatedly begged her for entrance.
He then curves his right hand to fit her slim waist. Almost immediately, she parts her lips in a pleasure filled moan. Without hesitation, he buried his tongue inside her mouth; wanting to explore every wall and crevice.
She tasted like gin. For some reason, that seemed to excite him even more; if that was even possible at this point.
Although very faint, he could feel her tongue move against his here and there. That was enough encouragement for him to intensify the kiss even more by biting and pulling on her lips; desperate to taste more of her.
Completely captivated in the moment, the two had failed to hear the cheerful "Happy Birthday" wishes or notice the now fully lit room.
Barry felt two hands harshly pulling him away from Iris. Before he knew it, Eddie was throwing him to the floor and repeatedly punching him in the face.
Iris opened her eyes to find everyone, including Mr. & Mrs. Thorne staring at her. She was then greeted by the sight of her boyfriend mercilessly beating the shit out of her best friend.
"Eddie! Eddie! Stopppp!" She tried to pull him off Barry who wasn't even trying to fight back or showing any ounce of pain.
"Eddie, please! Stop!" Iris cried out.
Eddie gave Barry one final blow before standing up and turning to facing Iris. The sight of her filled him with so much rage and anger; but also simultaneously, so much love towards her that he didn't even know what to say or do.
Iris couldn't help but reach towards him. "Eddie, listen to me. It's not..."
He backs away to avoid her touch. Not really knowing what to do, he finds himself smiling at her.
"I always knew we..." he paused, "... you were too good to be true."
"Eddie, I love you! Don't - " Iris cries out; tears rolling down her eyes like a waterfall.
He turns around and starts heading towards the door.
Still sobbing, Iris follows him out. "Eddie, wait!"
Cisco finally helps Barry get up. He had a split lip, an almost swollen shut eye and a bleeding cut in his cheek.
"Dude, your face is like messed up!" Cisco chuckles at the sight of his friends face.
Barry brings his hands up to his face to feel the wounds. He brings his hands down to see it completely covered in blood.
He smirks, "Worth every second."
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