The way Storm moved was like a full-on, well, rainstorm; and Iris was a house of cards, as delicate as her namesake flower. She wasn't usually so fragile, but there were exceptions to every rule, and her exception was the aptly named Storm. She knew that, with the slightest little effort, Storm could blow right through her and blow her away.
She just moved with such power, purpose, and poise, and it made Iris totally weak in the knees. She felt like a fool for admitting it, but when her knees started to feel like jelly, how could she possibly hope to deny it? Storm just had this kind of reckless that should've sent Iris running, but she kinda knew that even if she tried, she wouldn't get very far. For one, Storm was definitely faster. For another, Iris knew she'd find a way to get turned around and run right to Storm rather than away.
Ah, and there she was now, making her way over to Iris with a confident, determined stride. Already, Iris felt her heartrate increasing and she had to fight back a goofy smile. She tried to look cool, but ultimately settled on just trying to look normal, since "cool" was a bit beyond her level, especially while standing beside someone like Storm.
"Hey, Iris, you up for some training?" Storm asked as she drew nearer. Iris' heart skipped a beat, but she managed not to show it.
"Sure!" She gave the other woman a pleasant smile. Now, they were close enough to touch… Close enough that Iris hoped Storm couldn't see by the look on her face what sort of things she was thinking of…
Gah! What's wrong with me today? Iris shook her head, trying to clear her mind. I mean, yeah, I know she and I are friends now, and all that, and that's great! But… what is with me?! I… I'm not usually like this around her… Or anyone… And it didn't used to be this way! … I think…
Granted, their relationship got off to a rocky start. In the beginning, Storm hadn't been able to stand Iris. She saw the other woman as nothing more than an annoying little brat. An impatient, overly squealy, hyperactive child! Although, to be fair, Storm couldn't stand most people, so the way she treated Iris back then was pretty normal. But there were exceptions to every rule, and her exception eventually turned out to be Iris.
After a mission gone wrong, the two started to grow closer, first out of necessity and then by choice. Eventually, that closeness turned the tide of their relationship, and they could at least say that they were no longer rivals or enemies. Now, though, they both felt as a crossroads. The next logical step was to call it a friendship, but Iris was hesitant. With her new feelings blooming so suddenly, she didn't want to accidentally rush things. As for Storm, well, for a woman who didn't typically get along with anyone, it was hard for her to decide when and where to call it a friendship.
So, for the while, they'd been… amicable acquaintances. But now, though, there were all these new feelings, at least on Iris' side. Why did she get so giddy every time she saw Storm? And why did she feel exceptionally flustered and pleased any time Storm's attention was directed at her? Even for the entire walk over to the training forest, Iris' mind was spinning with thoughts she knew she'd never have the courage to say out loud.
Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain, race me through the forest, take away the pain, 'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile…
In the same way Storm was not a people person, she wasn't much of a smiler either, but Iris could still remember that very first one. It happened not long after their mission gone wrong. Iris, as the more inexperienced one, also ended up as the more injured one. She expected Storm to be mad at her, but never once did that happen. Instead, she only ever saw concern, and then relief, from the other woman, and it was after the danger was over that Storm gave Iris her first, genuine smile. That wasn't where these strange fluttery feelings started for Iris, but ever since those fluttery feelings began, that smile became something she loved more and more each d-
"Focus! Iris! Focus!" Iris was interrupted both by Storm's sharp command, and a sharp whack from her sword.
"Oww," Iris complained, rubbing her head. Storm hadn't hit her that hard, but it certainly took her by surprise.
"Well, if you were paying attention, that wouldn't have happened!" Storm smirked. "You had plenty of time to block me, or parry."
Ahhhhh! That smirk! Iris short-circuited again. She didn't try blaming it on "brain damage/a concussion", though. She knew Storm would only remind her that she hadn't hit Iris that hard.
Honestly, Iris' ego and pride hurt worse than her head. It was so embarrassing to make such a rookie mistake! Especially in front of someone like Storm! Not only was she someone Iris very dearly wanted to impress and please, but she was also one of the best soldiers of their time. Iris really had her work cut out for her if she wanted to impress Storm. But, whether due to the "head trauma" or not, Iris' mind forgot to remind her that maybe all of this was a bad idea. Instead, she only shook off the pain and raised her sword. This time, she'd be prepared!
By the end of training, Storm patted Iris on the back approvingly. You touch me once and it's really something…
"You're even better than I thought you were!" she said. "You were a little slow in the beginning," she smirked again, "but once you finally put your mind to it and focused, you did very well!"
"Th-thanks!" Iris cursed herself for sounding so squeaky again, but what else was she supposed to do when Storm clapped her on the back and complimented her? First a smirk, then a smile, this Storm was far more dangerous than the one she was sparring with just moments ago.
On the entire walk back to the center of camp, just like on the walk out, Iris could do nothing but stare at Storm and dream. I could wait patiently but I really wish you would get me with those blue eyes, baby, as the sun goes down. Give me something that'll haunt me when you're not around, 'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile…
ooo
Well, despite her impatience, time was on Iris' side, and her patience eventually paid off. In an ironic reflection of how they first became "amicable acquaintances", Storm was, once again, the one to make the first move. She insinuated, awkward and uncertain, that she might've had some feelings for Iris. Even though her earliest hints were so subtle that Iris kept missing them like an idiot, there finally came a time when she caught onto them, and once Storm gave her that little green light, Iris didn't hesitate to rush right on in. She finally jumped, then fell.
Even if Storm confessed first, Iris was the one that practically steered them through the beginning of the relationship, all of her pent-up emotions finally free to come roaring out. She was also, definitely, the bigger romantic of the pair, as well as the more emotional one in general. But Storm and Iris understood each other so well that Storm's more emotionally reserved nature didn't get in the way of anything. Iris still "spoke" Storm's love language, so that was all that mattered.
One night, they were watching a lightshow celebrating one of their country's holidays. A rainbow of fireworks arched across the sky, their glittering light shining in Iris' purple eyes. They were on a rooftop, Iris sitting upright and Storm lying down, her head in Iris' lap. Iris ran her fingers through Storm's hair, the blonde looking gold in light of the fireworks. While Storm looked up, Iris looked down. Yes, the fireworks were spectacular, but Storm was an even lovelier sight in her opinion. Her blue eyes were so easy to get lost in…
Storm considered herself the lucky one. Since she was lying down, she was able to watch Iris and the lightshow at the same time. It was funny to think, just a few months ago, she never would've imagined herself to be the romantic type. She was always fine to live on her own, but then Iris came barreling into her life. Despite the rocky start, they had quite a magical present, and even though Storm still felt unaccustomed to affection, it was just wrong enough to make her feel right.
She remembered just half an hour ago when Iris led her up the staircase to the rooftop, stars in her purple eyes as she held both of Storm's hands. That was another thing Storm never thought she would be fond of: physical touch. But with Iris, it was really something. Storm might've been on guard for the rest of the world, but with Iris, it was no good. Iris was her exception to the rule. She'd waited patiently, but around Iris, her brain would sometimes blank and forget to remind her that maybe this was a bad idea.
Now, though, there wasn't a doubt in her mind that confessing her feelings to Iris, no matter how awkward and embarrassing it had been, was actually the best decision of her life.
Finally, she whispered, soft and slow, "I'm captivated by you, baby, like a firework show."
Drop everything now, hold me 'neath this shining rain, kiss me on the rooftop, take away the pain, 'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.
Storm finally sat up, and soon as she was in the proper position, she and Iris kissed. The rainbow lights went wild in their minds and the fireworks between their lips was, in their opinion, infinitely better than the ones bursting over their heads.
I love your purple eyes, Iris, as the lights go down. Give me something that will that'll haunt me when you're not around 'cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.
She only pulled away for one brief moment, to make sure Iris was doing all right.
"Better than all right!" Iris cried, giggling like a schoolgirl with a crush. She saw her own ecstatic smile mirrored on Storm's face for about five seconds before she pulled the other woman in for another kiss. Maybe she couldn't see the smile anymore, but she felt it, and that really made the sparks fly.
AN: This is another top favorite of mine from "Speak Now". Honestly, this whole album is a very close second behind "Reputation" for me. Also, funnily and ironically enough, when I was slowly making my way through Taylor's discography, I got into SN around the time I was writing this Storm/Iris story, so I've always associated SN with their world. It's also fitting that Taylor's dress on the cover is purple, which is Iris' signature color (for obvious reasons, LOL).
