Chapter Text
Iris feels the beat of the music as the alcohol coarsed through her veins, getting lost in the sensation it evoqued. Normally that wouldn't be her scene, despite her looks she wasn't really the party girl most people usually assumed, she was more the kind of person to sit at home with a bottle of wine and a marathon of classics as she worked to meet deadlines. That was before though, when she was still indulging her father on her back up career choice.
But this night was different, this night was about "enjoying the youth we wouldn't have for much longer" as Linda had put it.
Of course that hadn't been her idea, rather she was accompaning her friend as she celebrated the freedom after the end of a three years relationship. Linda and Scott had had a office romance since the day they started interning on CCPN. Against Iris advices that 'work romances never work' her friend was quick to jump the gun with her colleague. And it did work ouf for a while, until it didn't. So they did what they would always do when one of them was going through a rough patch: one night of recklessness and escape.
This time had been the new club that had opened last month in the city nearby, Vedant. The place was really snobby and above their price range but Linda had been adamant on "treating themselves as they deserved", which Iris didn't contested as she knew how her best friend was hurting bellow all that big talk.
So Iris indulged her friend for a bit in this escapade. They got 2 bedrooms in the hotel nearby as Linda insisted she wouldn't be locked outside the room for a random hook up. Iris had fought the urge to roll her eyes to that as she was certain Linda meant herself. The recently promoted to sports journalist was the one that was looking for some quick and easy rendezvous, not her.
Truthfully Iris wasn't exactly enthusiastic about this night at all, being way too worried about the first day in her new work place instead. As much as she had loved to work as a journalist for a while and was eternally grateful to have met Linda when she did, Iris knew that wasn't the path she wanted to take. It had taken years for her father to be ok with the idea of her joining the police force but in the end she won the battle of stubborness with him.
Monday would be her reward for that, finally after completing her training and becoming a detective she would be able to work on the place she really wanted to be, the Central City Police Department. So the idea of getting drunk out of her mind the weekend before was nervewrecking to say the least.
But this was Linda they were talking about. And Iris would never leave her best friend hanging like that.
The two girls went straight to the bar once they got there and Linda asked for 3 rounds of shots to start the night. Iris knew she was already in trouble by then, all her attempts of following her friend in her drinking adventures never worked well. For someone so small Linda had an iron liver since college, being able to drink most jocks under the table on her nights out.
"Cheers to freedom! May I never be stupid enough to not listen to your advice again" Linda yelled to her friend as she raised her glass, trying to make herself heard with the music playing loudly in the background.
"Amen!" Iris agreed, downing her drink. She wouldn't be the kind of person to say 'I told you so" but she wasn't that big of a person to disagree with her friend about it either.
Linda gave her a soft glare for that, quickly forgetting about it afterwards as one of her favorite songs started playing in the dance floor.
"Oh my God we have to dance this one! Come on!" she pulled Iris as she made her way through the crowd. Dancing as they felt their bodies and minds being overtaken by a haze of intoxication.
Barry was cursing himself mentally for allowing Oliver to drag him there for the night. The two heroes worked together perfectly and their last battle against captain boomerang was one of the prime examples of that, however personality wise they were as different as they could probably get. He was feeling the reality of that as he struggled to find any enjoyment in their night out.
Oliver had been quick to try and convince him to celebrate their latest victory with a party. The playboy billionaire had changed a lot during his jorney to become Star City's vigilante but somethings never changed as he was still always up for a wild night out. The idea of opening this club to give him an alibi for his night job had fit like a glove as he often enjoyed their parties after a job well done.
Barry on the other hand dreaded any kind of crowded event, especially ones that involved dancing and inebriated people.
The speedster watched bitterly as his friend drank his weight in alcohol, feeling envious of the way he could let himself get lost in a haze of booze and boldness. Not that Oliver needed help with the latter, the rich archer had no problems in the confidence department.
"You know... you are going to burn a hole through his forehead if you keep glaring at Queen like that" Cisco joked, watching his friend.
"It's just... I really miss having the ability to get this loose" Barry mumbled.
Cisco raised his eyebrow at that, metahuman metabolism aside he knew for a fact that Barry would never at the same level of recklessness and party spirit as Oliver, no matter how drunk he got.
"Ok I don't miss having it, but I really wish I could at least experience it once" he admitted, feeling his friend's judgement on him.
"Well maybe I could help you with that... Not the frat boy persona, but the drunken part" the engineer said excitedly, ready to show his newest project.
"What do you mean?" Barry asked, intrigued.
"Cait and I had been trying some things while studying your powers and I kind of did a sort of... concoction, that could bypass your speedy metabolism and get you drunk like the rest of us" Cisco explained with a proud tone.
"That's what you guys do in your free time?" Barry asked, amused at the idea.
"Hey, do you want to get wasted or not? Don't judge people's hobbies!" Cisco lectured him, showing the blue vial as he did.
"I would never. Please give it to me" Barry said with a chuckle, extending his hand.
"Good cause for the record" Cisco said as he started to dramatically point to himself "greatest best friend ever!"
Barry rolled his eyes as he downed the drink, feeling the burning sensation on his throat.
"God Cisco what is that? Rocket fuel?" he asked as he felt his body tingly from the effects of it.
"It's best you don't know" the long haired man said as the tapped his friend on the back before walking away to join Caitlin. "Just enjoy your normal reckless night out"
"Sure... ok" he said, closing his eyes to enjoy the long forgotten alcohol buzz.
If someone asked Barry what he felt once he opened his eyes to the dance floor he would tell them it was like he had been punched in the gut by a myriad of emotions. It was as if he was watching the scene of a movie in slow motion, she was in the center of everyone dancing as if she hadn't a care in the world.
Her body moved to the beat of the song in moves that accentuated her curves, molded into a form fitting thigh lengh red dress perfectly contrasted against her brown skin. Her hair tied in a messy bun as she felt the heat of the crowded room.
She was a vision, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. He thought has he felt his already rapid beating heart pick up speed.
"Well seems like you are already having more fun" he heard Oliver approaching, his eyes still glued on the girl. "You should go there"
That made Barry look his way "What?" he said in a high pitched voice "N-No I don-'t"
"Barry you are a superhero who moves faster than sound and fights time travelling psychopaths. Get your ass to the dancefloor and go talk to the hot girl" Oliver said, with an arm on his shoulder as pushing his friend to the crowd as he handed him a drink.
"Live a little" he added before backing away to the bar, having spotted Felicity ready to try her hand with a shot.
"Right... I can do that. No problem" he mumbled to himself as he fixed his hair. The alcohol running high in his veins as his friend's words echoed in his mind.
Iris was completely involved with the music when she felt his hand on her back, needing to look up as she turned to see the tall man arrive. He was hot in a cute way, his hair ruffled as if he had gone his hand through it a few times and cheeks flushed in a mix of tipsiness and shyness. He wore a navy blue social shirt with jeans and converses, and didn't look like he belonged there at all. Which she liked.
She smiled endeared as she saw him sublty take a deep breath as he spoke in her ear. "Can I buy you a drink?"
And yes. He was totally her type.
Her smile widened as she saw the mix of surprise and elation go through his face when she agreed, already completely enrapted in this stranger's bashfulness.
They went to the bar and exchanged names and pleasantries, keeping the exchange of information to a minimum as neither really thought beyond that moment. Completely immersed in it.
They danced and she was surprised to see that he had a sort of sexy confidence once he got past the shock. Joining his body with hers in fluid movements that made her mind wonder and her body grow hot.
Once she turned herself to stay his face he leaned in, reaching her lips as she leaned back to his touch. The kiss was hot and desperate, with her arms roping his neck as his hands on her back pulled her closer. For such a bashful guy at first he sure knew how to kiss, she thought as his tongue invaded her mouth, demanding.
And after a few songs she gathered enough confidence to pull him down to her as she whispered in his ear "Wanna get out of here?"
She knew she made the right choice as he looked at her with wide eyes before his mouth broke into the widest grin "Yeah. I do. Please"
She started guiding him by the hand, stopping to look at Linda that glanced back with a knowing look. The sport's reporter winked at her before turning back to the hot blond man she was dancing with.
They made their way out of the club with some difficulty as they navigated through the crowd then the five minutes walk back to her hotel.
Their lips joining like magnets in the elevator. His body covered hers as he leaned, deepening the kiss with one hand on her cheek as the other pulled her flush against him by her waist.
They struggled to part as they reached her floor, rushing down the hall to her room.
His lips were hot on her neck while she opened the door, closing it with a loud thud as they went inside.
"God you're breathtaking" he breathed between kisses. Not believing his luck.
she giggled at the praise while her hands unbuttoned his shirt, pausing to stare at his surprisingly toned body once he was rid of it.
"You're not bad yourself" she said, licking her lips in a movement that made Barry completely mad with desire.
He closed in the distance again with a kiss that made her gasp in his mouth, his hands roaming her body, fighting the zipper of her dress.
Once they managed to get rid of the clothes she stepped out of it to find his stare burning on her, his green eyes turned black with lust.
He picked her up and took her to bed so fast it made her briefly question how wasted she really was. The thought quickly forgotten as he placed himself between her legs.
"Do you have?" she questioned before she got too lost on thrill of it all.
"Yeah" he got up to take the square from his wallet, getting rid of the rest of his clothes as he did.
She felt the heat spread to her core when she saw his manhood spring free, wondering when his body would stop surprising her and hoping to God it never did.
He smirked at her expression, a mix of wonder and desire. Getting back to his place, covering her small body with his.
He trailed kissed from her mouth to her breasts in his way to where she needed him. His mind running with the sensations of Cisco's drink and the complete elation of the moment.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen" he whispered against the skin of her thighs before he buried himself on her.
Whatever Iris was feeling until that moment paled in comparison to the mindblowing pleasure she felt, gripping the sheets as he worked her with his tongue and fingers.
"Barry!" she screamed as she reached her peak for the first time tonight, gasping for air as she came down from the high. He laid beside her as she did with a smug grin she wanted to kiss off his stupid face.
Once she caught her breath she did him one better and moved on top of him, straddling his waist. The surprised look on his face was briefly replaced with a grin as she bent to kiss him, his touch desperate on her.
They stayed like this clinging to each other's form until the need was too much to bear. Iris took the foil from the dresser and rip it with her teeth, putting it on him before she sank.
Barry closed his eyes at the feeling, his mouth agape as he felt the most overwhelming feeling. She kissed his lips closed as they began to move, frantic in the sea of emotions. They fit together in a way neither could wrap their head around.
The room was filled with the sound of moans and labored breaths as both worked themselves to nirvana. She felt it first, burying her head on his neck to muffle her cries. The sound of her voice in ecstasy triggering his own.
They stayed connected afterwards in a tight embrace, feeling each other's breathing evening out until it became to umconfortable to stay like that.
He moved first, going to the bedroom to clean himself up as she laid there basking in the afterglow.
"That was..." he started when he came back, still dazed with the image of her naked body in the bed. Not quite believing what had happened.
"Yeah" she agreed shyly, feeling the intensity of his stare.
"Do you want me to..." he tried again, wondering if he should leave but not really wanting to.
"Not if you don't want to. You can stay" she cleared, he had earned himself a nap. Actually he had earned himself a lot of things.
"Ok" he smiled, laying back down as he felt his body growing heavy after everything it had gone through the day.
The rest of the night was quick to pass when sleep overtook both, dozing off in each other's arms.
Barry woke up the next day with his had pounding, feeling the effects of drinking he didn't quite miss. Trying to remember the night before. His mind hazy for a second before realizing where he was and what he had in his arms.
He looked down to see her sleeping peacefully in his hold. His breath hitched for a moment as his mind flooded with memories of that dream-like night. He stay there for a couple of heartbeats, completely stunned to realize it had all been real. She was even more beautiful than he remembered, something that he had thought to be impossible.
He was shaken out of his daze by the sound of his phone vibrating on the floor, real life trying to catch up with him.
It took all he got to move from that place, wanting nothing more to remain in her arms forever.
He maneuvered himself carefully to not wake her, getting out of bed to take his phone and clothes from the floor. A string of messages wondering where he was and notifying the group of a new threat after last night's supposed victory.
"Unbelievable" he muttered, scrolling down the texts while he dressed himself.
he glanced back at the woman deep in slumber and his heart tighten at the sight.
This is why he didn't do one night stands, he wanted nothing more than to stay there until she woke up and maybe even try and see if she wanted something more. He was hard pressed to believe he would ever find someone so... perfect as she was.
One more message from Cisco took him out of his musings, reminding him that he was needed. He left her a note then, with his name and number. Hoping she would want that too.
Iris woke up with the sunlight in her eyes, her hangover raging in full effect. It took her a moment before realizing she was alone in bed.
"Of course" she said to herself. She was well versed in the ettiquete of one night hook ups and briefly berated herself for thinking this time would be different, but then she caught a sight of a paper of the headresser. A name and a number. Barry Allen.
She stared at the paper wondering what she should do with it, flashes of the night before going her head.
Before she could do anything she heard a know in the door, Linda speaking loudly for them to start their day. She put it aside for the moment then, focusing on getting ready for the rest of the weekend.
(...)
The next couple of days passed quickly with the rest of the rogues being dealt with in record time. The team had spent their spare time in Oliver's house before getting to real life for the week day.
Cisco was already lamenting being away from Laurel and the rest of team Arrow while Caitlin was glad to be busy again, though Barry could tell her annoyance had something to do with Cisco's behavior while there.
Barry had become used to their teammates consulting for CCPD and was grateful for having more people like him in the middle of the police department.
Truthfully he didn't really like cops all that much. He had been raised by one after his father was arrested but unlike Chyre most of the detectives in the department were a pain in the ass. Singh was thankfully a good boss but co-workers like Eddie Thawne or August Heart were just hell to work with.
He felt like he was back in high school again with a new iteration of bullies and jocks while he was stuck in the "nerd squad". Which by the way was the nickname most cops used when addressing the forensics and tech department, which always made him and Cisco mad out of their minds.
It was annoying how they both were powerful metahumans that could wipe the floor with their faces and yet they had to put up with this behavior from the whole precint.
"Do you hear we are going to get one more cop today?" Cisco asked him as they went downstairs to hear the captain's announcement.
"Urgh that's just great, one more dude bro to handle on a daily basis" Barry complained.
"Actually apparently it's a woman. Not that it makes much of a difference cause detective Morris and Richards are as bad as the guys" Cisco corrected him, looking sideways to the two women talking excitedly in the corner.
"Yeah either way it doesn't matter to me. It's one more person to call us the nerd squad" he said rolling his eyes.
"Excuse me everyone!" captain Singh called, trying to get everyone's attencion. "As you know our department has been growing and with that comes the opportunity to hire more personnel and the chance to get more assets for our team. I'd like everyone to be welcoming to detective Iris West, the newest addition to our precint"
Barry's heart stopped when he heard the captain say her first name, still looking down to his papers as he thought he couldn't possibly be talking about the same person. He raised his head slowly as he heard her thank Singh and greet the rest of the room, her melodic voice unmistakeable to his ears.
He stood there frozen as he looked at her. She was as pretty as he remembered, prettier even with her form fitting linen pants and black social shirt, her hair tied in a bun. Her badge stuck out stuck to her belt, a clear indication of who she was.
And he nearly faultered when her scanning eyes met his gaze, widened in surprise.