eloquentness | mask or menace

As finished as it's gonna get.

[ Iris leans forward, inspecting her handiwork. The bride had asked for lots of pinks - peonies, roses, smaller fern leaves and greenery poking out underneath. As Iris ties it with a giant bow, she can't quite help returning Barry's smile. Now she's truly finished for the day. ]

I've gotta say, this whole arranging thing's actually getting easier. [ Maybe it's because of her devotion to keeping a job that pays the bills, or the small stack of books on the language of flowers and the art of arrangements, but her bouquets and vases feel (and look!) more and more professional.

After she sets the flowers aside, Iris comes around the counter to give him a quick peck on the cheek. It's still so surreal, to act so casually in-love with him after a lifetime, but she grins into that kiss all the same. ]

But enough about flowers. What'd you wanna talk to me about?

[ barry does his best not to smile, but when she kisses his cheek she perhaps gets to feel that smile form on his lips and push against his cheeks. he's pretty sure there's a little blush, too. when she pulls away, his hand automatically lifts to press his fingers against the skin she'd just kissed. ]

[ it's now barry feels gratitude for the job he's been given. flower arrangements require too much patience and a slowness that he can no longer inhabit. he likes running around, expected to go from one end of the city to the other and come back again within an unrealistic timeframe. it keeps his legs busy in a way that he's been trying to still since he arrived in the alternate universe he likes to dub "puppies and rainbows", but it's left him feeling too restless here. ]

[ he doesn't get it, but maybe that's why fate's handed him what it has now — the flash is too restless, not being utilised to his full potential, and so a bat's swooped down from his cave to plant a seed in his head. and, of course, given how impatient barry is by nature, it's begun to grow into a fully formed tree for all the irises to grow beneath and bats to hang upside down on. ]

[ fiddling with his hands, he slots his fingers together and looks at her arrangement. it's very pink … not very much his colour, to be honest. ]

Uh … [ tempted as he is to pick a flower from the bouquet, he stops himself. this self-restraint is getting better and better with time. ] I kind of got invited to head some sort of group of superheroes. [ he sounds so unsure, and he's grateful, at least, that that doesn't come out like a question. those fingers of his don't stop twining together, arms twisting, and his head tilts to the side. ]

[ Isn't that good news? Ever since Iris had arrived on this Earth, she'd felt the void that Team Flash had once filled in their lives - they didn't exactly have S.T.A.R. Labs anymore, and this invitation could be the perfect opportunity. For Barry to make a difference. For everyone to know just what the Flash is capable of. And maybe, for him to finally find his place in this universe.

Sensing that uncertainty - and the restlessness too, she reaches over for his wrist, lightly wrapping her hand around it. ]

Wow. [ Her laugh's a quiet one as she envisions what that might be like. Her Barry, training the next generation of heroes - or even possibly the current ones running around this universe. It fits him like a glove. Or it would, if there wasn't that nervousness that she so badly wants to take away. ] That's - that's good, right? What kind of group is it supposed to be?

Batman said we're called the Justice League. [ he frowns, wondering if he's recalling it correctly. it sounds like a name that belongs in the universe, but barry allen had never thought himself to be an integral part of it. ] I think the Flash exists on his Earth. To be honest my ears stopped working when he said I'm going to be a founding member.

[ it's now that barry's embarrassed not to have been switched on during the conversation. he should be used to people telling him the things he's going to be and do, right? the newspaper article thawne had projected onto the wall in s.t.a.r. labs should've shaken this surprise right out of him. one thing thawned failed at: he hadn't broken barry's drive to never think too highly of himself. ]

[ to know thawne admired and loathed the man he'd become is intimidating. barry allen has the poorest perception of himself, believing he's not doing enough, he's not being enough — to have the validation he becomes everything he's aspired to be and more is incredibly frightening. the man of 2024, who marries iris west and vanishes in blinding light, who becomes a hero that a man feels compelled to travel back in time and kill him as a kid — it doesn't belong with bartholomew henry allen. ]

[ and now this. thawne had never hinted about the justice league. he'd never let on the flash becomes so integral to the superhero culture of the universe. and barry, honestly, finds it too overwhelming. he may be the fastest man alive, but he's never been a good swimmer. and now, he finds himself sinking. ]

I don't know … [ he shakes his head, the tension not shifting one bit. he fiddles with her hand without realising it. ] I don't know how I'm supposed to keep doing this.

[ Iris may not know Batman, but she knows the Justice League. Mick had mentioned it to her a couple of times - about the Flash being the "best of the lot" - and it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together.

Barry had been a cornerstone of this team in one world, and this Batman expects him to perform the same magic all over again. It fits him, even if he doesn't consciously realize it. Her best friend would make a great mentor and teacher, and he has the strength of heart to keep a bunch of superpowered jocks on the straight path.

She peers at him, like she'd almost expected that self-doubt to rear its ugly head and insist that he wasn't capable. His brain weasels are lying to him again, because she's seen otherwise, time and time again. ]

The same way you've always done it. [ Her smile is faint, but still warm. ] One step at a time, with the warmth, and the love, and the faith you have in everyone. I may not know this Batman, but he made the right choice in asking you again.

I don't know.

[ who didn't see that one coming? ]

[ barry turns, and he's plucked a flower from her arrangement to twiddle with it between his fingertips. a part of him tells himself not to begin plucking the petals to the justice league wants me, the justice league wants me not. ]

That Barry's different to me. He'd be more experienced, and faster. He'd be the one that drove Thawne to go back in time — [ and murder nora allen as a substitute for not getting barry. the flower goes still in his hands, his fingers gentle against the stem. shaking his head, he opens his mouth, but no words come out in that instance. ]

[ looking down, he notices he has a flower in his hands, and he spins on his feet to place it back into the arrangement. it's a good distraction, even though it's a short one. ]

I don't know if this world needs me. [ he says it to the flowers, then turns to face her. ] It's not Central City. We don't have a band of superheroes there. We don't have this — and it's not like Team Flash. I don't really want to be running and have Batman's raspy voice in my ear. [ his hands fall against his sides. are you with me? is what he wants to ask, but bartholomew henry allen knows the answer. iris ann west is always with him. always. ]

[ with a sigh, he seems to digress. it's almost like he's had a conversation with himself, with iris as the witness. it's now, as though the conversation with barry, with his audible rambling, trying to work through all the obstacles he has place in his own way, has ended. ]

You really think this is a good idea?

[ She gives him a very Pointed look. She feels like she must've heard this before, when he wasn't sure he wanted to lead one of his college clubs, or when he wasn't sure about who-even-remembers-anymore. But he did it, didn't he? The experience broadened his horizons, and made him a stronger man than he was before.

The misplaced flower's nothing, in comparison to the worries he's bringing to the table. Even if, she thinks, they're worries that will surely disappear in time. ]

Yeah, I really do.

[ Her expression only grows warmer as she walks towards him, with confidence that she desperately wishes she could hand over. Iris knows it's buried in him, deep down. He just has to dig a little to find it. ]

It may not be the Team you're used to, but you'll figure it out as you go - and you've still got me. I'm not going anywhere.

[ She doesn't know how she'll help, just that she will. (Probably in a non-official, non-Justice League capacity.) How Batman picks League members, Iris will also never know, but Barry is a natural and perfect pick. She only wishes he could see it for himself. ]

[ that's all that matters to him — iris still being there. the flash can exist without iris, but barry as the flash likes having iris on his team. she sees things he isn't ready to see, knows things he is a little too stupid to know. though he may be the leader of team flash, given he's the title name, he knows that cisco is lead in technology, caitlin the lead in health and medicine, wells the lead in alternate universes. iris is the leader in terms of faith and direction, and barry knows the flash will be directionless without her. ]

[ having her go-ahead that this is a good idea is all he really needs. ]

[ there's just one problem. ]

It feels like I'm betraying the team. [ he shakes his head, lip curving upward. ] I know it's crazy to think, but … the League isn't Team Flash.

[ due to the super secret identities of his colleagues, he suspects that's the reason why batman isn't letting just anyone come into the league. but iris isn't just anyone — she's iris west. he supposes the league will need to learn that for themselves. ]

I don't want you to think I believe I can do this without you. [ he steps forward, and impulsively, instinctually, takes her hands. fingers playing with her own, his thumb brushes up against her palm. ] There's no Flash without you. You were the first person I saved, and the first person to believe in me.

[ It's awfully sweet that Barry believes that she's offended at the lack of an invitation. Maybe she would've been, had she not asked around and unofficially heard about the League before Batman put it all together. But they don't seem like the type to want hero-support.

This makes Barry's inclusion that much more important. He notices and cares about these things; hadn't Mick or someone called the Flash their heart? The League needs his light and his love. Briefly, she peers down at their hands, then back up at him. ]

You're not betraying me, Bear. [ She shakes her head fondly. ] I don't need to be part of the League to know how much good you're gonna do with them. [ ... ] Though you should tell Batman yes if you haven't already.

[ she wonders about this Batman's (kind of irritating if understandable) need for secrecy, and if that guy has ever known the warmth and love necessary to keep the clashing egos of a hero team together. Maybe that's why he asked Barry to help. Every team needs that light. ]

[ it simply feels weird, that's the problem. the flash always been part of one team, and that team has always been made up of his family. but his family stands before him now, telling him he better have said yes. ]

[ it's simply another chance to showcase the flash being a source of good, but barry wonders if he remembers what that feels like. flashpoint had slowed his runs down to a crawl, and his natural impulsive reaction to leap toward danger had been nullified in that alternate universe. ]

[ when he ran back in time, had he changed a significant part of himself? ]

[ lifting a shoulder, he appears sheepish as his face scrunches up. ] You know how my mouth is sometimes. Runs faster than my legs, which really means I should be known as The Mouth.

[ he said yes. ]

[ She breathes a sigh of relief. For once, Barry's tendency to blab his thoughts had worked in his favor - he'd said yes, and he would take another step towards being the guy with the giant museum downtown.

Iris can't say she knows what the future will look like, beyond her hyphenating her name, but she does know that no matter what, Barry is going to be great at what he does.

Without thinking twice, she rushes forward for another hug - because hey, she can't have too many of those. ]

Good. [ She laughs, ] 'Cause if you hadn't, I would've dragged you there myself.

[ the fastest man alive can still be surprised. he hadn't predicted for her to rush toward him, but once she does, his arms are around her before he even realises it. burying his face in her hair, he can't help but smile. it doesn't waver, not once — if barry didn't have iris, he wouldn't know what he was capable of. all the great opportunities this earth presents are endless, promising to challenge him, to even exceed his expectations. he wouldn't be leaping toward them without iris in his ear and at his back. ]

I remember the last time you dragged me anywhere. My arm hurt for a week. I'm pretty sure you dislodged by arm socket. [ he's lying, she pulled out his fingers from their place, too. ]

It was for a worthy cause! [ Iris can't be stopped once she sets her mind on something, and she knows that the multiverse needs to see Barry's strength and courage and intelligence for itself. The world's a better place with him.

Hell, she's better with him. Everything feels like it's supposed to, and she doesn't want to let go anytime soon. ]

You're gonna be so great, Bear. Just save me an exclusive, okay?

[ barry grins, cheeks smarting, his face almost as red as the flash suit. pulling away from her, he ducks his head, and feels heat flood his face and settle there permanently. iris' faith has always been akin to the speed force hitting him at its most powerful speed; it has been so overwhelming and unrelenting every time she says the words "i believe in you". it's made this entire life change easier. ]

Of course. [ he says it with conviction, and a little bemused furrow to his brow. it can't be helped. for anyone to think the flash would give anyone the first ever exclusive who isn't iris west is absurd. ] Anything you want to know, it's yours. I wouldn't want to talk to anyone else. Ever.

Okay, but you kind of have to, or else I'm gonna look suss for getting all the exclusives, all the time.

[ Trust her logic! It's gotten her this far - or well, it's gotten her a solid freelancing gig with a Heropa paper. She's gonna go places, as long as she bides her time and polishes up that portfolio. She just also hopes that with the League, Barry's gonna go wherever he's meant to.

She doesn't want to pull away, so she reaches for his hand and attempts to intertwine her fingers with his. Murmured: ] We should go out and celebrate. Maybe grab some Thai instead of our usual take-out?

[ barry throws his head back, making a noise of disgruntlement. does he have to talk to other people? really? that's the last thing he wants to do! the other reporters don't ask the questions iris does. now that they're out of central city, can't he start playing favourites? ]

[ his sulking comes to an end when he feels her fingers more strongly in his own. he glances down, but the mention of food immediately draws his head back up. it's a distraction, both good and bad — he doesn't have the time to enjoy it, nor does he have the time to get all flustered and barry over it. ]

[ he tries to hide his smile, failing spectacularly. ] You know how much I love Thai. [ then he quickly glances around the shop. ] Can you leave? I mean ... Who's going to look after all the flowers? They're hungry, too, Iris.

[ Iris squeezes his hand lightly, reluctantly turning a little so she can start closing up shop - ] Well, yeah. My shift's about to end.

[ At the time, Iris hadn't understood why most shops closed around 5:30 or 6. Wouldn't people want flowers on their way back from work? But she loves the hours, and can't complain when it means she can lock the place up and grab dinner with her favorite person in the entire world. ]

They won't mind if we duck out, though I'll give the little guys extra food in the morning. [ . . . ] Just in case.

[ with his hands in his pockets, he takes note of the store while iris speaks. it'd be pretty easy to close up shop if she was quick enough to do it in the blink of an eye ... but there's a reason why barry hasn't sped at super speed inside of the store. the flowers are merely innocent bystanders who don't deserve to have their petals torn off their buds from the speed force. ]

[ he does hop a little on his feet, though — barry allen, after all, can never stand still. ]

Are you sure? [ he cocks his head in the direction of yellow flowers, instantly assuming their species. ] The sunflowers told me that you haven't been favouring them. Sunflowers, Iris. [ he shakes his head, feigning disappointment. ] What have they ever done to you?

They know exactly what they've done. [ She laughs, taking that giant wedding arrangement and kicking the back door open so that she can place the bouquet in the walk-in cooler, where it'll then be picked up the following morning. Flowers take a lot more work than they look! ] They got a little too impatient, but I'll make it up to them.

[ Alas, she's a little slower than usual, so she'll crane her head towards what remains of the flowers inside - ]

Speaking of? Could you grab them and help me put them in the cooler?

[ barry pivots on his feet without lifting them from the ground, looking at the flowers she gestures towards. his brows shoot up and then down — the way barry "helps" these days would kill the flowers. the last time he had ever done something "normally", it'd been in front of the captain ... and the force ... and regular people. around iris? he's stopped pretending to be someone he's not. ]

[ pivoting back to iris, he throws his thumb over his shoulder. ] Like grab them in a Barry way or in a Flash way?

[ the answer is so simple, barry. use those long legs of yours and go grab the flowers. easy! ]

[ She raises her eyebrows at him, almost bemused, ] In a "you're stronger than me" kind of way?

[ duh, Barry. Super-speed isn't the name of the game here, though she would probably appreciate it if he didn't decapitate these innocent bystanders. The flowers deserve love! And slow, steady hands!! ]

[ visibly looking put-out, he slouches his shoulders and grumbles lightly. with heavy footsteps, he goes to fetch the flowers she wants and at a painful human pace, he begins his return back to her. yelling, ] This would be so much easier if you had Flash-proof flowers!

[ then realising there was no need to yell, at a much more normal volume: ] I totally thought these flowers would block my voice. [ but he appears, looking at her expectantly. ] Where do you want them Miss West? [ he smiles, ] Just know I'm going to need a tip after. Flowers are heavy.

[ What did those poor, innocent flowers ever do to him???

She beams, opening the cooler door with her back, ignoring the sudden burst of cold, dry air - ]

You'll get double the Thai for this. Promise.

And uh, take the middle shelf. [ She amends, suddenly remembering her Barry's height, ] Or anywhere I don't need a ladder to reach.

[ please note: barry waits until he's placed the flowers on the shelf — tucked securely and neatly away — before he does his little victory punch in the air. ]

[ smiling, ] I can always go for extra Thai. [ brushing his hands together, he looks around, as if searching for something else to fix or take down from a too-high shelf for iris west. ] Or anything you want to eat. Contrary to popular belief, I, Barry Allen, am not that fussed. [ he shrugs his shoulders before taking a step toward a shelf and removing a pot from it. he places it somewhere in the middle, sliding it loudly against the shelf. ]

[ Her paycheck - and half their food fund - thanks him kindly for that consideration. ]

Nuh-uh. I promised extra Thai, and we're gonna get some. [ She takes off her apron and nametag, finally, and turns back towards the door so they can get out of the cold and right back into that Florida heat and humidity. But! She's feeling a little silly, so she holds out her arm - ] As long as I get my Tom Yum soup, of course.

Edited 2017-10-28 18:22 (UTC)

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accelerate - 2017-10-29 20:21 (UTC) - Expand

mask or menace | ic contact

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