High school (AU)

by astoldbyablackgirl

Summary:

When entering high school childhood friends Barry and Iris have a falling out causing a rift between them, when Barry is asked by Iris father Joe to look out for her, he try’s to rekindle their once loving relationship.

Notes:

Hi, something new I’ve been working on I appreciate anyone who reads this 🩷

Chapter 1: The first spark

The final bell rang, reverberating through the corridors of Central City Elementary. Barry Allen, an unassuming ten-year-old with tousled brown hair and a freckled nose, let out a sigh of relief as he gathered his scattered papers and crayons from his desk. Today had been long, filled with math problems that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Yet, amidst the routine chaos of school life, something felt different.

 

As Barry walked toward the exit, he spotted her—Iris West—standing by her locker with an energy that was almost magnetic. Her curly hair bounced as she laughed at something her friend said. In that moment, she was a whirlwind of color against the backdrop of muted browns and greens that dominated their school’s walls.

 

Barry’s heart raced as he remembered how his mom always told him to be brave when it came to new friendships. He took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage he could muster. “Hey, Iris!” he called out hesitantly, his voice barely rising above the din of students rushing past.

Iris turned, her dark eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Hey! You’re Barry, right?” she asked with a smile that made his stomach flip like he’d just ridden down the steepest slide at the park.

“Yeah! I... uh... I was wondering if you wanted to ride the bus home together?” The words tumbled out before he could second-guess himself.

Her smile widened even more, revealing a small gap between her front teeth that Barry found endearing. “That sounds great! I’ve seen you around but never really talked to you.” She closed her locker and fell into step beside him as they exited the building together.

The afternoon sun bathed them in golden light as they approached the bus stop. The old yellow bus rumbled into view like an ancient beast awakening from its slumber. Children jostled for position in line while others climbed aboard noisily.

As they settled into their seats near the back—Barry nervously fidgeting with his backpack straps—Iris glanced at him sideways. “So... what do you like to do for fun?”

 

“Well,” Barry started, feeling suddenly shy under her gaze. “I love comic books! Especially ones about superheroes.” He paused for effect; this was his chance to impress her without sounding too nerdy. “I mean… who doesn’t want superpowers?”

 

“I know right!” Iris exclaimed enthusiastically. “If I could have any power, it would definitely be flying! Just imagine soaring over Central City!”

“Flying would be awesome!” Barry agreed fervently. “But I think running super fast would be cooler… Like zooming past everyone before they even knew what happened.”

“Oh yeah? You’d be like a blur!” She giggled at this thought, then leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice dramatically. “But can you outrun your homework?”

With laughter bubbling between them like soda fizzing over a glass rimmed with ice cream—something sweet yet unpredictable—they shared stories about their favorite superheroes and secret ambitions during that short ride home.

As they reached their stop—their laughter spilling into quietude—it struck Barry how effortlessly they connected in those fleeting moments on that yellow bus filled with noise and excitement around them.

Stepping off together onto familiar streets lined with maple trees shedding their leaves for autumn’s arrival felt surreal yet comforting all at once—a promise of new beginnings woven into every fallen leaf swirling in crisp air.

“See you tomorrow?” Iris asked as she waved goodbye outside her house; sunlight silhouetted her against a backdrop of vibrant orange foliage.

Barry nodded eagerly, unable to suppress his grin as warmth spread through him like sunshine breaking through clouds after rain—his heart racing not from fear but from joy.

“Definitely!” His voice rang clear through dusk settling softly around them like a blanket—a promise hanging in delicate balance between childhood innocence and burgeoning friendship blossoming anew amidst laughter and shared dreams aboard an old yellow bus destined for adventure. —

***present***

Iris West stepped out of her house, the morning sun warming her face as she adjusted her backpack. Junior year loomed ahead, promising both challenges and changes. She glanced at the small figure beside her—her younger brother Wally, bouncing with uncontained energy. Their mom had already left for work, leaving them to navigate Central City together.

“Are you ready for school?” Iris asked, ruffling his hair.

“Yeah! I can’t wait!” Wally beamed. “Do you think we’ll see Dad this weekend?”

“Of course,” Iris smiled softly, memories of their father’s laughter filling her mind. They visited Coast City every weekend, a rhythm that kept their family connected despite the distance.

 

Barry stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his backpack. The first day of school loomed ahead, but he was already late. His heart raced—not from excitement, but a familiar tension that filled the air.

“Barry! You need to hurry!” his father, Henry, called from downstairs.

As Barry grabbed his shoes, he heard raised voices filtering through the walls—the unmistakable sound of an argument between his parents. It was like thunder in a clear sky.

“I can’t keep doing this, Nora!” Henry’s voice cracked with frustration.

“You don’t even try to understand me!” Nora shot back, her tone sharp and laced with hurt.

Barry froze, one shoe half-laced. He had hoped today would be different—a fresh start. Instead, all he felt was the weight of their discontent hanging over him like a storm cloud.

He rushed down the stairs and caught a glimpse of his mother wiping away a tear before she noticed him. She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Morning, sweetheart! Are you ready for your big day?” she asked brightly.

“Uh… yeah,” Barry replied, glancing at his father who stood with clenched fists by the kitchen counter. “Is everything okay?”

Henry sighed deeply. “Just some adult stuff, buddy.” He tried to mask the tension with a weak smile that crumbled under scrutiny.

Nora nodded too quickly. “Right! Just focus on school today; it’s important.”

Barry felt hollow as he grabbed an apple from the bowl and headed for the door. “I’ll see you later.”

“Wait!” Nora’s voice trembled slightly as she reached out but hesitated. “Be safe.”

“I will,” Barry said softly before stepping outside into the cool morning air.

A slight chill lingered in the air, but the promise of warmth was just beyond the horizon. Barry stood by his car, an unassuming sedan that had seen better days, but it felt like home to him. He checked his watch, aware that he needed to wait for Iris and her younger brother Wally for school—a favor from Joe , who had insisted on arranging this ride.

As he waited, Barry's thoughts wandered back to his complicated relationship with Iris. Once they were inseparable friends, but after a series of misunderstandings and unspoken words, things had soured between them. The tension hung thick in the air whenever they were in proximity; today would be no different.

A moment later, he spotted them approaching—the West siblings. Wally bounded forward with an infectious enthusiasm that contrasted sharply with Iris’s hesitant demeanor. She lingered a few steps behind her brother, eyes darting towards Barry as if weighing her options.

“Hey! Barry!” Wally exclaimed, his smile bright enough to rival the sun as he reached Barry first.

“Hey there, buddy,” Barry replied warmly as he ruffled Wally’s hair. “Ready for your first day of school?”

Wally nodded vigorously. “I can’t wait!

“Iris,” he said tentatively, trying to break the ice that had formed between them like a thick fog.

“Barry.” Her voice was flat, devoid of its usual warmth.

With a resigned sigh that seemed to echo all their past grievances, Iris climbed into the back seat while Wally hopped into the front passenger seat beside Barry. The car smelled faintly of old coffee and a hint of vanilla air freshener—comforting yet tinged with memories both sweet and bittersweet.

As they drove through Central City’s winding streets lined with trees shedding their leaves for fall, silence settled awkwardly among them. Barry stole glances at Iris through the rearview mirror; she stared out her window as if searching for answers within passing clouds.

“So… how’s school?” Barry ventured cautiously.

“It’s fine,” she replied curtly without looking away from her window.

Wally chimed in enthusiastically. “We’re learning about space! Did you know Jupiter has 79 moons?”

“That’s awesome!” Barry smiled at Wally’s enthusiasm; it was refreshing against Iris's coldness. “Do you have a favorite moon?”

“Callisto! It has ice on it!” Wally declared proudly.

“I’d love to see that one day,” Barry said while trying to maintain eye contact with Iris through the mirror—a small attempt to bridge their chasm of silence.

But Iris remained quiet; she leaned against the door as if hoping it would open and free her from this uncomfortable situation.

As they navigated traffic toward West Central High School, tension bubbled beneath the surface like an impending storm ready to break loose. Finally unable to contain herself any longer, Iris spoke up unexpectedly.

“Why did you agree to do this?”

Surprised by her sudden intensity and directness, Barry hesitated before responding carefully. “Joe asked me… I thought it might help us all.”

Her brow furrowed slightly as she processed his words. “Help us? Or help you feel less guilty?”

The accusation hit hard; guilt washed over him like a cold wave crashing against rocks—but he refused to let it drown him completely.

“I’m trying here,” he admitted earnestly. “I know things are... complicated between us.”

“That’s putting it lightly.” She turned sharply now, finally meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror—a flash of vulnerability mixed with anger ignited something within him too.

“I never meant for things to get so weird,” he confessed softly. “I miss our friendship.”

Silence wrapped around them again—the kind that filled gaps where emotions threatened to spill over but didn’t quite make it out just yet.

They arrived at school moments later—an ordinary brick building now looming ahead like an unsuspected challenge waiting for them both—but something shifted subtly in their interactions during those brief minutes together in the car: acknowledgment of what lay between them rather than avoidance or resentment.

Wally bounded out first—his joy undiminished by adult complexities—and waved goodbye cheerfully before rushing toward his friends waiting at the entrance.

As for Iris? She hesitated just a moment longer before stepping out herself but turned back towards Barry one last time; uncertainty danced across her features mixed with something softer—perhaps understanding?

“Maybe we can talk later?” she suggested quietly before disappearing into school grounds without waiting for his response—yet somehow leaving behind hope lingering in those morning rays filtering through leaves above them—a new beginning amidst uncharted territory awaiting exploration together again someday soon…

And perhaps that ride wasn’t just about getting them where they needed to go after all—it was merely setting foot onto roads yet untaken together once more.

Central City High, is a bustling environment filled with teenage drama and unspoken feelings.

Cisco glanced sideways at Barry as they walked to class . The walk was short , but an uncharacteristic tension hung in the air. “So, you and Iris, huh?” he ventured, raising an eyebrow.

“Come on, man. You’re driving her to school again,” Cisco teased, but beneath his playful tone was genuine curiosity. He hadn’t realized they were talking again.

Barry shrugged, his brow furrowing slightly. “We’re just friends.”

“Friends?” Cisco echoed incredulously. “You sure about that? Last I heard, you two had some serious history.”

Iris walked towards her math class , staring into space as she walked . The noise of students mingling filled the air outside, laughter and whispers blending together like a chaotic symphony.

“Iris!” She heard Linda call from her. The warmth of their friendship was palpable; it was a comfort amidst all this gossip about her relationship—or lack thereof—with Barry.

“You won’t believe who I saw you with!” Linda exclaimed excitedly.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Iris cut in before she could continue. “And it’s not what you think.”

Linda rolled her eyes playfully. “Oh please! Everyone's talking about it! You and Barry? Come on!”

“I swear we’re just friends,” Iris insisted, though a small part of her wondered if maybe there was something more there—a flicker of something she couldn’t name.

“Then why are you getting all defensive?” Linda challenged with a smirk.

Iris opened her mouth to respond but paused; perhaps there was truth in Linda’s teasing after all. But no matter how many times she denied it, she couldn’t shake off how much having Barry around lately meant to her.

As classes resumed and friendships intertwined amidst confusion and mixed signals, both Iris and Barry faced their own internal battles—a reflection of adolescent uncertainty wrapped in layers of friendship that begged for clarity.

Chapter 2: The Uncomfortable Ride

Summary:

Patty confronts Barry about their relationship and Barry learns some unfortunate news from his mother.

Notes:

Hi, I appreciate anyone and everyone who reads this, I’ve been busy with school so hopefully soon I will have time to update this more often. Thank you🩷

Barry stood by his car, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the parking lot. He spotted Iris emerging from the building, her usual smile brightening his day.

"Hey, Iris! Need a ride home?" he called out, leaning against the vehicle with casual ease.

"Sure!" she replied, her enthusiasm evident as she approached him.

But before they could set off, a familiar voice cut through the air like a sharp knife. "Wait up!" Patty raced over, irritation etched on her face. “I’m coming too.”

Barry glanced between Iris and Patty, a tension rising in the air. “Uh, okay? I mean… if you want.”

The three of them piled into the car—Barry in front with Iris next to him and Patty sulking in the backseat. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words.

As Barry started the engine, Iris turned slightly to Patty. “How was your day?” she asked genuinely.

“Fine,” Patty snapped, folding her arms defensively. “But really? You just had to take his offer? Didn’t think about how that’d look?”

Iris’s brow furrowed as she faced forward again. “What do you mean?”

Patty scoffed. “Just saying it looks pretty obvious he likes you.”

Barry felt heat creep up his neck but kept his gaze on the road ahead. “Um… we’re just friends,” he interjected awkwardly.

“Right,” Patty said with a roll of her eyes. “Friends who drive each other home after school.”

 

The silence grew heavy as they approached Wally’s school. Barry tried to break it with light chatter about homework and weekend plans, but every attempt was met with curt responses or disinterested huffs from Patty.

“I can drop you both off first patty,” Barry suggested hesitantly as they neared their destination.

“No way! We should all go together!” She leaned forward as if trying to exert control over their shared space.

With a reluctant sigh, Barry made a U-turn instead of heading straight to Wally's school; he didn’t want to choose sides but felt trapped in an uncomfortable ride filled with animosity and passive-aggressive remarks from Patty aimed at Iris.

Minutes passed like hours until finally—thankfully—they pulled into Wally’s school parking lot. Relief washed over Barry as he parked and turned around to face them both.

“Iris,” he said softly while eyeing Patty's glare from behind her seatbelt, “thanks for riding with me today.”

“Yeah,” Iris replied with a warm smile that seemed to cut through the tension like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Patty huffed in annoyance but remained silent, arms still crossed tightly over her chest—a fortress against perceived threats.

As Wally bounded out of the school doors and approached them with an excited wave, Barry couldn’t help but feel grateful for this chaotic moment—a reminder that even uncomfortable situations could lead to unexpected camaraderie among friends... even if some were more difficult than others.

Barry pulled up in front of Iris's house, the engine humming softly. The atmosphere was heavy, a mix of lingering tension and unspoken words. Iris and Wally hopped out first, shooting them both a quick smile before heading inside. Barry turned to Patty, her expression stormy.

“Did you really have to act annoyed in front of Iris?” Patty snapped, her voice low but fierce.

“What do you mean?” Barry replied defensively.

“ Honestly Barry, why?” she shot back, frustration bubbling over. “It’s like you don’t even care about how I feel!”

Barry sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Patty, we’re not dating. We agreed on that. Just friends with benefits.”

“That’s exactly the problem!” She leaned closer, intensity radiating from her. “You’re using me for sex and don’t give a damn about my feelings!”

“I’m not using you!” Barry protested, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. “I like spending time with you; it’s fun! But you’re getting too invested…”

“Too invested?” Patty interrupted, incredulous. “This isn’t just casual for me anymore! You can’t just compartmentalize everything.”

He felt cornered by her emotions; he had always been good at dodging complexity, but this felt different—darker.

“Then maybe we need to rethink things,” he said slowly, his heart racing as he processed what he had just suggested.

Patty’s eyes widened in shock. “You want to end it?”

“No! I’m saying…maybe we need to talk about where this is going,” he fumbled through his words as the silence wrapped around them like fog.

“You mean your way of ‘friends with benefits’ is all you can offer? No real connection?” Her voice softened slightly as vulnerability crept into her tone.

“It doesn’t have to be that way!” Barry insisted desperately. “I enjoy our time together! But if I can’t give you more than that…”

“ I care about you beyond… this.” She gestured between them with frustration mixed with fear. “I love being with you, Barry! It’s not just about physicality; it’s about us—about connection.”

Patty pulled back slightly, looking away toward Iris's house where light spilled from the windows—a stark contrast to their darkening conversation.

“I guess I just hoped for something deeper,” she whispered.

Barry’s heart sank as understanding washed over him; they were standing at a crossroads neither had anticipated.

“If that’s what you want…maybe we need some space.” His voice cracked slightly as he said it.

Patty nodded slowly, tears glistening in her eyes but refusing to fall. “Maybe that’s best.”

As she opened the car door and stepped out into the cool night air, Barry watched her walk away—each step feeling heavier than the last.

In that moment when he walked back into his house , he realized that they might never become anything after crossing such a fragile line.

Barry stepped into his home, the weight of the argument with Patty still heavy on his heart. He had always been quick to tell the truth but that only made him the villain, but today, he felt trapped in an emotional labyrinth.

As he walked into the living room, the sight of his mother, Nora, startled him. She was curled up on the couch, tears streaming down her face. The sight pierced through Barry’s turmoil.

“Mom?” he asked softly, dread pooling in his stomach. “What’s wrong?”

Nora looked up, her eyes red and puffy. “It’s your father,” she managed between sobs. “He…he wants to take a break from us.”

Anger flared within Barry like a flash of lightning. Confusion swirled—how could this happen? “A break? What does that even mean?”

“It means he needs space,” Nora replied, her voice trembling. “He feels overwhelmed…”

“Overwhelmed? By what? Us?” Barry clenched his fists. It felt unjust for them to be left hanging in such uncertainty.

Nora shook her head, trying to gather herself. “He says he needs time to think about everything—the pressures of work and family…it’s all too much for him.”

Barry moved closer and sat beside her on the couch. He placed a comforting hand on her back but struggled against the rising tide of emotions within himself. “Mom, I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

“It’s just so hard,” she whispered, leaning into him for comfort.

Silence enveloped them for a moment as Barry processed it all ~the frustration at his father’s decision battling against a fierce desire to support his mother.

“Mom,” he finally said, breaking the heavy silence that hung between them like an unwelcome guest. “Is Dad… is he having an affair?”

Nora looked up from her hands—her hands trembling ever so slightly. The worry lines around her eyes deepened as she met Barry's gaze. He could see it then; the flicker of pain that passed through her before she composed herself. “Barry…” she began softly, but her voice cracked under the weight of truth.

“He is,” she confessed quietly, each word like a stone dropping into an abyss within him. “But… it’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” Barry echoed incredulously, his heart racing with anger and confusion. “Mom! How can this be complicated? He’s cheating on you!” His voice rose involuntarily, filled with a mix of disbelief and despair.

Nora reached across the couch, taking his hand in hers—a gesture meant to offer comfort but only amplifying his turmoil. “He’s seeing someone else… but he wants to end things,” she said, tears pooling in her eyes as if they were held back by sheer force of will. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

“End things?” Barry felt bile rise in his throat; how could this be happening? The man he looked up to—the superhero who taught him about resilience—was crumbling under the weight of betrayal. “You need to tell him to leave! You deserve better than this!”

“I don’t want to lose him,” Nora whispered brokenly, and with those words, everything shifted again—his mother wasn’t just broken-hearted; she was willing to forgive.

Barry recoiled from her touch as if it burned him. “How can you say that? How can you even think about forgiving someone who would hurt you like this?” Anger surged through him—not just for Henry but for Nora too; how could she accept such treatment?

Nora's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she shook her head slowly. “Love isn’t simple, Barry,” she murmured, her voice trembling under the weight of unspoken fears and unresolved feelings. “Sometimes people make mistakes…”

“No!” Barry shot back fiercely, rising from his chair and pacing their small kitchen—a place filled with memories now tainted by doubt and sorrow. “This isn’t just a mistake! This is dad ruining our family!”

For a moment they stood there—two souls trapped in their respective storms; one engulfed in rage while another battled hopelessness—a chasm forming between them that threatened to swallow their bond whole.

“Maybe we should both just let go,” Barry whispered finally after silence enveloped them again—a fragile truce hanging between sadness and acceptance.

Nora’s breath hitched at his words—the thought alone cutting deeper than any knife could have sliced through flesh or bone; it was a reality neither wanted yet couldn’t escape from either.

“I don’t want us torn apart too.” Her voice broke again as hope shattered against reality’s cruel edge—an echoing reminder that sometimes love wasn’t enough to stitch together hearts so deeply fractured.

As night crept in around them enveloping both mother and son in its somber embrace—a sense of inevitability took hold within their hearts—a tragic acceptance that some things might never be whole again.

The evening sun cast long shadows across the Allen home as Barry stood in the living room, heart pounding in his chest. The air was thick with tension, every tick of the clock a reminder of the elephant that loomed large between him and his father, Henry.

"Barry..." Henry's voice trembled as he leaned against the wall, eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. The weight of his affair hung heavily over them both—an unbearable specter that clung to their shared space like a toxic fog.

"How could you?" Barry's voice cracked, barely holding back a tide of rage and hurt. He felt like a child again, powerless in front of the man he had idolized for so long. "You betrayed Mom… you betrayed me."

"I didn't mean for it to happen," Henry replied, desperation lacing his words. “It was a mistake.”

“Just a mistake?” Barry shot back, fists clenched at his sides. “You call tearing our family apart just a mistake?”

Henry’s expression shifted from regret to frustration. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this! I thought—I thought I could fix things without hurting anyone!”

But fixing was not what they needed; healing was something different altogether. Barry took a step closer, feeling the heat radiate off his father's body—a mixture of guilt and defiance swirling within him.

“I trusted you!” he yelled, raw emotion spilling out uncontrollably now. “You were supposed to protect us!”

Before he knew it, Barry launched forward, shoving Henry hard enough that he stumbled back against the wall. Anger surged through him like electricity; it coursed through every fiber of his being until it threatened to consume him whole.

“Stop!” A familiar voice cut through the chaos like glass shattering on concrete. Nora—his mother who should have been lost forever—stood at the entrance with wide eyes filled with fear.

“Mom,” Barry gasped, momentarily distracted by her presence.

 

“Barry, please,” she pleaded softly yet firmly. “This isn’t how we handle things.”

But all he could see was betrayal reflected in both their faces—the love turned sour and twisted by lies.

“He cheated on you!” Barry spat back at her defensively before turning on Henry again. “And you think this can just be fixed?”

Nora moved slowly towards them but her heart raced as she sensed the volatile energy crackling between them; she reached out toward her son first—a tentative bridge over an ever-widening chasm.

“Barry,” she said gently. “I know you’re hurt... but fighting won’t help.”

Henry straightened himself up, but there was a shadow creeping across his features—a flicker of shame mixed with anger now directed towards Nora as well.

“This is between me and my son!” he barked defiantly.

“No!” Nora insisted sharply; there was an urgency in her voice that caught both men off guard. “This is about family! We need each other right now more than ever.”

“Family?” Barry scoffed bitterly as tears brimmed in his eyes; they felt foreign yet justified all at once. “What kind of family lies to one another? What kind of family breaks apart so easily?”

In that moment of overwhelming grief and rage intertwined into one painful knot within him, something inside Barry snapped completely—the pain spilled over into fury as he threw himself toward Henry again.

Nora stepped forward desperately; fear clawing at her throat as she reached out to stop them from destroying whatever fragile remnants remained among them.

“Please! Don’t do this!”

Her words fell upon deaf ears; passion erupted into violence as fists flew amid shouted accusations—each punch fueled by years of pent-up disappointment and despair while Nora cried out futilely for peace amidst their storm.

But nothing could calm the raging tempest inside Barry’s heart or heal what had already been shattered beyond repair.

Finally breathless from exertion and loss alike, he shoved past both parents—his body trembling from adrenaline mixed with sorrow—as tears cascaded down his cheeks unchecked while he stormed out into the night air filled with uncertainty…and heartbreak.

As he slammed the door behind him—an echo reverberating throughout their home—it left behind not only physical remnants but also echoes lingering long after footsteps faded away…

A family fractured beyond recognition; haunted by ghosts lurking in corners where love once flourished but has since wilted beneath betrayal’s heavy hand—a tragedy unfolding quietly within four walls too familiar yet forever altered.

Notes:

I’m new to writing and I would appreciate any feedback on anything I’ve written on here. Thank you reading 🩷

Chapter 3: Heartbeats in the Silence

Summary:

Iris gets some unfortunate news and Barry’s goes to Cisco for a safe haven.

Notes:

Repost.. thank you for anyone who reads this. I just want to say i’m a westallen fan always have been anything that happens in this story is that just a story it’s for the plot so don’t worry Barry and Iris will be together.

The engine of Barry’s car roared to life, a stark contrast to the tempest brewing within him. He slammed his palm against the steering wheel, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Just hours ago, he had faced his father’s unyielding disappointment over an affair that shook their already fragile relationship. The words echoed in his mind like a haunting melody, each note sharper than the last. With every mile he drove towards Cisco's house, he felt both a sense of urgency and an overwhelming need to vent.

Meanwhile, Iris stood in her living room, her heart heavy with news that felt like lead. Her mother had just informed her that their father wanted Wally—her younger brother—to come live with him. The bittersweet taste of this revelation lingered on her tongue; she longed for Wally to have a better relationship with their father but felt the sting of abandonment all too sharply.

As Barry pulled up outside Cisco’s house, he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. The street was quiet, save for the chirping of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves in the evening breeze. He stepped out of his car and ran a hand through his tousled hair before heading toward the front door.

Cisco opened it almost immediately, concern etched across his features as he took one look at Barry’s stormy expression. “Hey man, what happened?” he asked, pulling Barry into a quick embrace before ushering him inside.

Barry sank onto the couch while Cisco grabbed two beers from the fridge. “It’s my dad,” he started, running a hand down his face. “He just… doesn’t get it! All I wanted was for him to see me—not as some failure or disappointment because of his own mistakes.”

Cisco handed him a beer before settling beside him on the couch. “You’re not a failure,” he replied firmly. “You’ve done more good in this world than most people ever will.”

Barry chuckled darkly but didn’t respond immediately; instead, his thoughts drifted back to Iris—how she would always find ways to light up even his darkest moments with her infectious laughter and unwavering support.

Barry sighed, pacing the floor. “ I confronted my dad last night about how he treats me and mom. Just because I’m not the version of me he wants me to be. It’s like… he doesn’t even see me.” His frustration bubbled over. “It’s always something with him—he’s a control freak.”

“I’m sorry, man,” Cisco said softly. “That sounds rough.”

“Rough? It’s worse than that! Sometimes I feel like he doesn’t care about me at all,” Barry continued, his voice rising slightly as old wounds resurfaced. “It’s always name-calling or belittling my choices. And then there are those moments… you know?”

Cisco nodded solemnly, understanding lurking behind his eyes.

“He had violent outbursts after I confronted him and of course mom got in the middle,” Barry confessed, running a hand through his hair. “I remember once when I was ten; he threw a lamp across the room because I got a B on my report card.” He paused as memories flooded back—fearful nights and silent tears.

“That’s not normal dude ,” Cisco said firmly. “No one should have to put up with that kind of treatment.”

Barry stopped pacing and met Cisco's gaze, vulnerability breaking through his bravado. “I don’t want to hate him... but it feels like I’m constantly walking on eggshells around him.”

“Have you tried talking to him?” Cisco suggested tentatively.

“I’ve tried! But every conversation turns into an argument.” Barry clenched his fists in frustration. “It’s like he sees me as this failure instead of his son.”

“Maybe it’s time to set some boundaries,” Cisco offered gently.

Barry considered it, feeling a flicker of hope mixed with dread. "But what if it just makes things worse?"

"Or maybe it will finally make things better," Cisco countered thoughtfully.

Silence fell between them as Barry wrestled with the idea of confronting Henry head-on—the potential for peace or further chaos looming large.

Finally, he spoke again, uncertainty creeping in. “Do you think people can change?”

Cisco shrugged but smiled reassuringly. “If they want to—yes."

Barry took a deep breath; determination slowly replaced doubt within him. "Okay... I'll try."

“Can we talk about your… relationship with iris?”

Barry's eyes widened as if Cisco had just suggested they jump off a building while wearing capes made of spaghetti. “Relationship? What relationship? We’re just friends! Enemies! Frenemies?” He tripped over his words like they were banana peels on the floor.

Cisco rolled his eyes and leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically as if they were discussing top-secret information that could endanger national security. “Dude, I’m pretty sure you care about her more than you admit.”

Barry ran a hand through his hair, which looked particularly windblown today—. “I don’t know how I feel about Iris anymore!” he blurted out suddenly, throwing his hands up dramatically.

Cisco raised an eyebrow. “You mean that you’d ‘friend zone’ Iris? Dude, even in superhero terms, that's like being stuck in slow motion during an epic chase scene.”

“It’s not like that!” Barry protested defensively. But deep down, he knew it kind of was. How could he explain the way his heart raced—like running away from giant gorillas—but every time Iris shot him one of those killer smirks?

“Okay then,” Cisco continued smugly. “Let’s break this down scientifically.” He pulled out a napkin and scribbled furiously like it held the key to time travel.

“Step one: Do you think about her when you’re alone ?”

“Yes!”

“Step two: Do you get butterflies when she’s around?”

“Yes!” Barry sighed dramatically.

“Step three: Have you ever considered that you might be falling for your friend-enemy?”

Barry groaned so loud it startled an elderly couple sitting nearby. “Why do you have to phrase it like that? It sounds so… weird.”

“But is it weird?” Cisco challenged, gesturing animatedly as if he were giving an impassioned TED talk on teenage emotions. “Iris has always been your biggest supporter—and also your biggest pain in the butt! That’s classic romantic comedy material right there!”

Barry grimaced at the thought of future encounters with Iris involving nothing but crickets chirping and uncomfortable silence. He glanced towards Jitters where Iris often worked behind the counter—her playful banter always brightening his day.

I messed up, Cisco. I don’t know how to fix this.”

Cisco raised an eyebrow. “You mean with Iris? Look, man, it’s going to be tough. But you need to be honest.”

“Honest? I hurt her—how can I even face her again?” Barry’s voice trembled at the thought.

“Start by saying you’re sorry,” Cisco suggested gently. “Tell her why it happened, show her you understand the impact of your actions.”

“I wish it were that easy,” Barry sighed.

“It might not be easy, but it’s necessary,” Cisco affirmed. “And you need to give her time afterward—she’ll need it.”

Barry nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of his friend’s words. “Right… So how do I actually say it?”

“Listen,” Cisco said sincerely now, tapping Barry's shoulder lightly. “Life is short; we’re teenagers! What’s worse? Fumbling through feelings or wondering ‘what if’ until we’re old men sitting on park benches?”

Barry stood up straight and nodded decisively. “Okay! Maybe I’ll tell her how I feel… “

“Sure,” Cisco chuckled. “Nothing says I'm sorry like slurping down lukewarm coffee first.”

As they both burst into laughter at their ridiculousness—the best friends plotting love amid caffeine high jitters

The late afternoon sun poured through the half-closed blinds in Iris’s room, casting stripes of golden light across her cluttered desk. It should have been a warm and inviting scene, but the air was thick with an unshakable tension. Iris sat cross-legged on her bed, heart racing as she stared at her phone, its screen glowing with Linda’s name. With trembling fingers, she finally pressed the dial.

“Hey! You okay?” Linda’s voice came through—cheerful and bright, a beacon in Iris's turbulent sea of emotions.

“I… I don’t know,” Iris replied softly, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her chest like a heavy stone. “Can we talk?”

The conversation flowed uneasily, weaving between the mundane and the monumental. Linda listened intently as Iris spilled out her fears about her parents’ impending divorce—the whispered arguments that had become all too familiar and the way they looked at each other now, as if they were strangers.

“It just hurts so much,” Iris confessed, tears welling up in her eyes. “I thought they were happy… I thought we were happy.”

Linda paused for a moment before responding gently, “Iris, it’s not your fault. Sometimes people change.”

But there was another change swirling in Iris’s mind—a feeling that had bloomed quietly over months but now felt impossible to ignore: Barry. Her ex-best friend turned stranger. The boy who once made everything seem easy had suddenly become an uncharted territory filled with confusion and longing.

“So about Barry?” she asked tentatively.

“Yeah,” Linda replied slowly. “What about him?”

“I can’t stop thinking about him,” Iris admitted, biting her lip to suppress a sob that threatened to escape. “It feels wrong when everything else is falling apart.”

“Feelings are messy,” Linda said sympathetically. “But maybe this could be something good for you—”

“No!” Iris interrupted harshly, frustration spilling over into despair. “He doesn’t even talk to me anymore! He... he just vanished after we stopped being friends.”

“It started innocently enough,” Iris confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I started feeling distant... I thought it was just my imagination.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“But then…” Tears pricked at Iris's eyes as she recalled that fateful day when she walked in on them together—Barry's gaze filled with regret while Patty laughed like nothing mattered.

“He cheated on me,” Iris continued shakily. “And when I confronted him… he said he didn’t mean for it to happen but... it did.” Her voice cracked under the weight of betrayal.

“How could he do that? I thought he cared about you.”Linda asked sadly.

“He did care! Or at least... I thought he did.” The bitterness settled in her throat like ash as she recalled Barry’s hollow apologies—empty words that couldn’t mend what had been broken between them.

They talked late into the evening until darkness cloaked Central City like a shroud; every shared word echoed with silent understanding amidst their grief.

“I wish things were different,” Linda murmured softly over the phone.

“So do I,” Iris replied quietly, reflecting on how love can be both beautiful and cruel—a tapestry woven with threads of hope yet marred by betrayal.

Days turned into weeks after that fateful day she found out . The sun continued to rise over Central City, but Iris felt trapped in perpetual twilight. The laughter that once filled her heart was replaced by echoes of their last conversation—their friendship now lying in tatters like shattered glass.

She wandered through familiar places alone: their favorite diner where they used to share milkshakes, the park bench under which they carved their initials into the wood—all reminders of what once was. Barry had become a ghost haunting her memories; his absence loomed larger than any presence ever could.

Chapter 4: safety-net

Summary:

Barry and Iris talk things through.. plus a sweet blast for the past.

*Flashback*

The warmth of a fading summer day in Barry’s backyard wrapped around fourteen-year-old Iris like a comforting blanket as she sat cross-legged on the grass in Barry Allen’s backyard. The air was thick with the scent of freshly cut grass and blooming flowers, but all she could focus on was the boy sitting beside her. Barry had always been there—her best friend, her confidant—but today felt different. A current hummed between them, something electric yet unspoken.

“Did you ever think we’d be here?” Iris asked, tilting her head to look at Barry. His sandy hair caught the last rays of sunlight, and she felt a flutter in her stomach as he turned to meet her gaze.

Barry shrugged, a hint of his trademark awkwardness surfacing. “I mean… I always thought we’d be hanging out somewhere cooler than my backyard,” he chuckled nervously. “But I’m glad it’s with you.”

His sincerity made her heart race. She had often caught herself daydreaming about this very moment—longing for it without fully understanding why.

“Yeah,” she replied softly, biting her lip to suppress a smile. “Me too.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the distant sound of laughter from kids playing down the street and the chirping crickets beginning their evening symphony. But it was that silence that pulsed with an unvoiced tension—the kind that makes your heart pound louder than any noise around you.

“What if…” Iris hesitated, feeling bold yet vulnerable. “What if we kissed?”

Barry’s eyes widened, and for a fleeting second, she feared she might have crossed an invisible line. But then a slow smile spread across his face—the same smile that had always made her feel safe—and he leaned closer.

“I think I’d like that,” he said quietly.

Time seemed to stretch as they moved toward each other, their breaths mingling in the soft twilight glow. Iris could see every detail of his face—the way his freckles danced across his nose and how his green eyes sparkled with excitement and fear alike.

“Okay… on three?” Iris suggested playfully, though her heart raced uncontrollably at the thought.

“Sure,” Barry nodded eagerly.

“One… two… three!” They both leaned in at once, their lips brushing tentatively before melting together in an innocent kiss that sent shivers down Iris's spine—a perfect mix of sweetness and surprise.

The world around them faded into nothingness; there were no kids laughing or crickets singing—just them sharing this moment suspended in time. When they finally pulled back, both breathless and wide-eyed with wonderment, they couldn’t help but laugh nervously at what they had just done.

“That was… wow,” Barry said softly, still lingering close enough for her to feel his warmth radiating against hers.

“Yeah,” Iris breathed out slowly as reality began to settle back in around them. She knew this would change things between them forever—but somehow it felt right; it felt like destiny folding itself into their lives.

They sat side by side again under the golden light that melted into dusk—a moment etched forever in their memories where childhood innocence met blossoming feelings—a first kiss filled with promise and possibility amidst whispers of future adventures yet to come.

**flashback end**

Barry stood at the door of Iris' house on a quiet late night , heart racing as he raised his hand to knock. He could hear the muffled sounds of her laughter from inside—a sound that had once brought him joy but now felt like an echo of what they had lost. He took a deep breath and knocked.

Iris opened the door, surprise flickering across her face before it was quickly replaced by a guarded expression. “Barry.”

“Can I come in?” he asked softly, unable to hide the remorse in his voice.

She stepped aside, letting him enter but keeping a distance that felt like an ocean between them. The air was thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” she said, crossing her arms defensively.

“I needed to talk,” Barry replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry for everything—what happened with Patty...”

Iris cut him off. “You mean cheating on me?” Her eyes narrowed, pain reflecting back at him.

“Yes,” he admitted. “It was a mistake. I thought... I don’t even know what I thought.”

The silence stretched between them as Barry’s guilt hung heavy in the air. Iris finally broke it, her voice trembling slightly. “You shut me out completely”

“I never meant to hurt you.” His words were laced with desperation as he stepped closer.

“Then why did you? You knew how my father made me feel—abandoned and unwanted.” Her voice cracked slightly as she fought back tears.

“I was scared too,” Barry said earnestly. “But that doesn’t excuse what I did. You deserved better.”

“Better?” she echoed bitterly, shaking her head in disbelief. “I felt thrown away like yesterday’s trash while you were out with someone else.”

“I know,” he whispered, taking another step forward, their proximity igniting old feelings buried under layers of betrayal and hurt. “And I hate myself for it.”

A moment of vulnerability hung between them before Iris spoke again, quieter this time. “Do you still care about me?”

“More than anything,” Barry replied without hesitation. “But can you ever forgive me? Can we fix this?”

Her gaze faltered as she pondered his question; hope battled against heartbreak within her chest. “Forgiveness isn’t easy.”

“It wasn’t easy for me either,” he confessed gently, searching her eyes for any sign of understanding.

Iris sighed deeply, shifting her weight from one foot to another as if weighing both their hearts’ burdens in her mind. “Maybe we need to start by being honest about everything—the past and what we want moving forward.”

Barry nodded vigorously; honesty was where they had gone wrong before—a chance to rebuild trust together instead of letting it slip away again.

As night enveloped Central City outside Iris’s window, two young hearts dared to dream again—not yet whole but willing to try together once more.

Notes:

Hi, I’m new to writing and really appreciate any one who reads this🩷

Chapter 5: A Fractured Future

Summary:

Barry confesses about his lap in judgement with Patty to Iris. Later Barry apologizes to Iris hoping to fix what he broke.

Notes:

Hi, so I know the Barry cheating is shocking but I want to remind some this is a alternative universe, I want to write about many things and hope that fact won’t turn you off from this story and I hope you keep and open mind. I appreciate anyone who reads this. Ps I accidentally deleted some comments don’t know if I can fix that. Im also open to taking suggestions for this story. Thank you again 🩷

**Flashback 7 months ago**

The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting a grid of light and shadows across the cluttered floor of Barry’s room. It felt like a world frozen in time, but inside, emotions churned like a storm. Barry sat on the edge of his bed, fingers nervously drumming against his thighs as he waited for Iris to arrive. He could sense that something was wrong; she always had that look—a mixture of determination and fear that made his heart race.

When Iris stormed in moments later, her eyes were ablaze with accusation and despair. “Barry!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling yet loud enough to drown out every thought he’d been trying to gather. “I think I’m pregnant.”

A silence fell between them, heavy and suffocating as Barry’s mind raced with disbelief. “What do you mean… you think?” His voice barely rose above a whisper.

“I took the test,” Iris replied, her fists clenched at her sides. “It came back positive! Do you understand what this means?”

He swallowed hard, panic clawing at him from the inside out. This wasn’t supposed to happen—not now, not ever. “Iris… I can’t—” His words stumbled over each other as he struggled to find a way out of the spiral they were both trapped in.

“Barry let’s just talk about it,”Her eyes glistened with tears threatening to spill over.

“I just… I’m not ready for this! We’re just kids!” Barry retorted defensively, feeling the walls close in around him.

“Kids?” Iris shouted, throwing her hands up in frustration. “We’re not kids anymore! We’ve made an adult decision! And now you want to pretend like it’s all fine?”

“Don’t make this about me!” Barry shot back. But deep down, he knew it was about him—his fears echoing louder than any truth he could utter aloud.

“You don’t understand,” Iris cried as she sank onto his bed, the weight of despair crushing her spirit. “You don’t know how it feels…” Her voice cracked under the strain of emotion.

Barry clenched his jaw and took a step back; anger and guilt twisted inside him like barbed wire. “Iris,” he began slowly before stopping short—he needed to confess something painful buried beneath layers of fear.

“I slept with Patty.” The words hung in the air like an ominous cloud ready to burst open with rain.

“What?” Iris gasped as if struck by lightning.

His heart pounded painfully against his ribcage as he watched her face drain of color—the anguish palpable as it washed over her features like a tidal wave crashing upon unforgiving shores.

“Barry…” she whispered incredulously, betrayal seeping into every syllable.

“It was just one night! I was drunk… I didn’t mean for it to happen!” He stepped closer but stopped when she recoiled as though burned by fire.

“You think that excuses you? You think this makes it okay?” Her voice grew sharper—each word slicing through him like glass shards scattered across the floor.

“No! That’s not what I meant!” He tried desperately to reach for her hand but found only emptiness where once there had been warmth and understanding.

“Get away from me,” she spat bitterly, eyes aflame with hurt and anger. She stood up abruptly; the gravity between them shifted entirely—an invisible line drawn in shattered trust that neither dared cross again.

“Please… Iris,” he pleaded softly as she moved toward the door—the finality evident in every step she took away from him—a slow-motion disaster unfolding right before his eyes.

But she paused just before leaving; tears streamed down her cheeks as though cascading waterfalls born from heartbreak itself. “You’ve broken us,” she said quietly before stepping out into the hallway without looking back—a silhouette fading into nothingness amidst whispers carried by winds of loss surrounding them both.

**Present**

The walls of Barry's room were painted in a soft blue, the color of the sky on a clear day. Posters of the Flash adorned his walls, reminders of heroism and speed that felt painfully ironic as he sat on his bed, feeling trapped in slow motion. The echoes of his parents' arguments crept through the thin walls like shadows at dusk—always there, always lurking,a safe haven filled with memories of laughter and love, now shrouded in the weight of silence and sorrow.

“Do you even care?” His mother’s voice cracked like thunder, shaking him from his thoughts. “You think this is easy for me?”
“I didn’t plan this!” His father’s reply was laced with desperation, but all Barry could feel was a growing storm inside him—a tempest fueled by betrayal and anger. He clenched his fists, wishing he could outrun the chaos swirling around him. But as much as he wanted to escape, he couldn’t ignore the truth brewing beneath his own surface.

It had been months since that fateful night when he had let Iris down—months since he'd allowed himself to be pulled into the allure of temptation. He remembered her smile so vividly; it lit up even the darkest corners of his world. How could he have betrayed that light?

He turned away from the door just as another fight erupted downstairs. “I can’t believe you would do this to us!” His mother’s voice trembled with pain and fury.

Barry felt sickened at what was happening below him; it mirrored what he had done to Iris. The realization crashed over him like a wave—he was no better than his father. He had shattered someone’s heart too.

As tears threatened to spill from his eyes, Barry picked up an old photo from his bedside table—a picture of him and Iris at Jitters during happier times. They were laughing over coffee, faces alight with joy that now seemed painfully distant.

“Hey,” he whispered to the photo as if it could hear him. “I’m so sorry.”

His phone buzzed beside him—a message from Iris: *Can we talk?*

The text felt like a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters. Heart racing with dread and hope alike, Barry hesitated before typing back: *Yes.*

Minutes later, he stood at her door; her expression was guarded yet hopeful as if she were approaching a wounded animal rather than her ex-best friend.

“Barry…” She began softly but faltered under the weight of unspoken words.

“Iris.” His voice broke slightly, revealing how fragile he truly felt inside. He beckoned her in, shutting the door behind her with an air heavier than lead.

They stood facing each other; silence draped around them like a heavy cloak until Iris finally spoke again: “I’ve been thinking about us…about everything.”

He swallowed hard against the knot forming in his throat; this was where they would either heal or break irrevocably apart.

“What happened between us… It hurt me more than I can express,” she continued cautiously. “But I want to understand why.”

Barry looked deep into her eyes—the beautiful brown orbs that held so much warmth—and suddenly everything came crashing down on him—the guilt, shame, regret—all converging into one moment fraught with anguish.

“I cheated,” he confessed rawly, each word cutting through him like shards of glass. “And I thought I could justify it... But there’s no excuse.”

She flinched slightly but held her ground. “Why did you do it?”

“I don’t know!” He shouted suddenly before falling silent again as reality settled upon them both like an ominous fog.

“I see my dad hurting my mom,” Barry admitted at last; vulnerability pooling beneath every word spoken aloud now hung heavily in the air between them. “And I realized…I’m becoming just like him.”

Iris stepped closer until they were inches apart; she searched his face for answers even while betrayal lingered bitterly in their past.

“You’re not your father,” she said firmly though uncertainty fluttered behind her determination like wings against a cage.

“But I hurt you! Just like he hurt Mom!” Despair seeped into every word as fresh tears brimmed in his eyes again—how ironic that heroes could fall so far.

Silence enveloped them once more before Iris finally reached out and grasped Barry’s hand tightly—a tether binding their shared pain together despite everything that had happened between them.

“Then let’s be better together,” she urged quietly yet powerfully—a spark igniting within their darkness even if shadows still loomed overhead threatening to consume them whole once more.

In that moment—with brokenness laid bare—they found a glimmer of hope amidst tragedy's grip over their lives…and perhaps within each other lay strength enough to rebuild what had been lost after all…