A/N: Epic line given to me by @contrarily-me. Hope I do it justice!

...

She didn’t know what she was thinking, hiding away like this. Surely Barry would find her eventually and demand an explanation for her sudden disappearance. She had perfected the art of lying and making it sound believable, but somehow she didn’t think he would fall for it this time.

The way those girls had been all over the Flash though... It made her blood boil!

He was probably used to being flirted with as the superhero of Central City, but for the first time Iris was not okay with it. He was hers, damn it, and she hated that she couldn’t claim him. At least not as the Flash.

“Iris?”

His face peeked around the corner where she was hiding, and then a gentle smile and laugh accompanied it.

“What are you doing here?”

“I needed time to think.”

His eyebrows raised, amused.

I’m glad he thinks this is so funny, she thought.

“About what?” He crouched down in front of her and reached for her hand. She refused the olive branch, and he frowned. “I thought we were having a good time on our walk.”

She huffed, accepting the inevitable. She would have to tell him what was wrong.

“I was. We were.”

“But?”

“But then you had to go flash off, and-”

“Those girls were being robbed, Iris. I couldn’t just stand there, and-”

“Couldn’t help being flirted with either, I suppose,” she muttered under her breath.

Suddenly the dots connected.

“Iris, are you... Are you jealous?”

She huffed, then got up onto her knees and took his hands in her own. His teasing smirk faltered, and he searched her eyes, concerned and soft.

“You make me feel...right, Barry.”

His brows furrowed.

“No one has ever made me feel that way. Not Eddie, not anyone. Only you.”

“You make me feel right, too, Iris.” He smiled, then lifted her hands to his lips to kiss. Her heart fluttered.

“I hate not being able to tell people I’m the Flash’s girl,” she finally admitted.

That made him smirk. “The Flash’s girl, huh?”

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

He laughed. “Hard not to.” He pulled her close and then brought them both to their feet. He kissed her lips, and she didn’t resist. “You are the Flash’s girl,” he said quietly. “My girl. And everyone knows it.”

“No one knows it.” She pouted.

“Everyone knows who his favorite reporter is though.”

Her lips parted. She hadn’t thought of that.

“That’s pretty close, right?” He winked.

The tension left her shoulders, and she relaxed.

“Yeah, I guess.” She took a breath. “Okay.”

“Okay.”

A/N: Line also supplied by @contrarily-me (thanks, love!)

...

Eddie Thawne.

Iris’ late almost fiance.

It was a bitter subject for Barry. Not just because he had been the major roadbloack to him and Iris getting together sooner, but because he still felt largely to blame for the sacrifice Eddie had felt he needed to make. Iris had called him her hero too. He deserved to hear it - on his death bed, if not sooner - which made Barry feel guilty about being annoyed, but it didn’t change anything.

Some part of him wondered if the speed force was right. Would Iris have gone ahead and married Eddie had he lived? Was Eddie’s death the only reason Iris had realized she had feelings for him she wanted to pursue?

Probably.

He hated that fact, but it probably was the case.

So when Iris decided to go back to counseling without him, and to discuss Eddie, Barry had to fight to keep his reaction in check.

Was Iris still mourning him? Was she still in love with him? Did she wish he was here and not Barry?

Of course he knew she didn’t wish himself to be gone. She’d mourned him for six months in the speed force, and she was so relieved when he returned. She was so devastated when he left her that she hadn’t really let out how angry it made her until he was back with her. There was no question but that she loved him. His ring was back on her finger after all. She definitely wanted to marry him.

But was he enough for her?

The question haunted him. And even more so when she came back from the session looking exhausted time and time again.

“You okay, Iris?”

She sighed and nodded. “I will be.”

And she never went into it. It made him worry even more that she was afraid she’d say something that would hurt him.

One afternoon he caught her in their bedroom looking through old photos of her and Eddie. It stopped him dead in his tracks, and as soon as she realized he had caught her, she shut the photo album and rushed to explain. He sped out of there before she could. Hoping she’d be asleep by the time he returned, he stayed out till almost midnight, just running and brooding and assuming their relationship was over.

Well, Iris wasn’t asleep when he got back. She was sitting on the couch, the photo album beside her, and tears staining her cheeks.

Had she spent all this time crying over Eddie?

It made him feel sigh to his stomach.

“Come here, Barry,” she said, a sniffle in her voice.

He swallowed hard and walked over to her.

“Sit down.”

He sat across from her, too afraid to be so near that photo album and memories that were a lifetime ago.

“What you saw... What you think you saw-”

“Iris, am I not enough for you?”

His voice was quiet but firm in the stillness between them.

She rushed over to him and held his hands in her grasp.

“Barry, no. You are...” She licked her lips. “Yes, I’ve been talking about Eddie on my own, and yes, I was feeling kind of nostalgic. I loved him, Barry.”

“He was your first love.” He nodded.

“You know that’s not true.”

He sighed. “It is, Iris. I was your second choice.”

“That’s not-” She shook her head, willing him to understand. “Barry, you are my best friend. You always have been. And if I’d just been willing to see beyond that sooner, you would’ve been more before Eddie ever came along.”

“But he did come along.”

She sighed. “Barry, if I ever lost you. Like, really lost you. I would never get over it. You want the truth? Yes, I’ve been talking about Eddie on my own because I knew it would make you uncomfortable and start to doubt my feelings. But I’m not talking about it because I’m not over him. I’m talking about it because the last time I was almost engaged, my near-fiance died. He killed himself, sacrificed himself, to save all of us... And then you went and did almost the same thing, and I guess I’m just...”

“You’re afraid of losing me?”

“Yes. But Barry?”

He met her eyes.

“Not enough for me?” She shook her head. “You are everything.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and he pressed his lips to each one as they fell down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I love you.”

She sighed shakily, then rose up to hug him.

A/N: Also sent to me by @contrarily-me

...

It was a small reception. Just something to bring their closest friends and family together before they took off for their honeymoon. But it was great. It felt right. And everybody was having the time of their life.

Speeches were made, dancing was had, food was devoured, but the most special time of the night was when Iris rose from her seat at the table and made a speech of her own.

“Thank you, everyone, for coming. It was a...crazy ride getting here, but I’m glad we’re back and here to celebrate all in one piece.” She pursed her lips, then looked down at her now husband who smiled encouragingly and ran his hand over the small of her back.

“I said it in my vows, but for those who were not there to hear - Barry has been in my life for almost all of it.” There were chuckles and nods around her. “And he’s been such a great companion, such a source of support and laughter when I needed it. And he always stood by my side, no matter what. I can’t even...” Tears filled up her eyes, and she had to pause before continuing.

“Sorry. I’m just...I’m emotional. It’s my wedding day!”

Warm smiles spread throughout the room.

“I guess what I’m really trying to say here is that... When you’re a kid, you assume your parents are soulmates. I know Barry definitely thought that of his. But my kids? Ours?” She took a shaky breath. “They’re going to be right about that.”

Cheers and clapping surrounded the room. And when the clinking of forks against glasses came, Barry and Iris shared a warm, sweet kiss, lingering after they broke apart.

“I love you,” Barry whispered, and Iris smiled.

A/N: Last drabble, here we go! This one was sent to me by @minnie2697. Thanks, dear. :)

...

He couldn’t believe it.

All this time...his Iris had never been with him. It had been some weird mirror version of her. He knew he should’ve stuck with his gut. Countless times he’d felt something was off, but he’d never pursued it. Never in his darkest nightmares would he have suspected there was a mirror universe with dark dopplegangers of everyone he knew.

He hated himself for not seeking the truth sooner, but now - here in Eva’s old office, his speed restored due to the construction of a makeshift speed force, he vibrated his entire body and phased through the mirror.

“Barry!” Iris choked. Then she ran to him and jumped into his arms. “Is it really you? I can’t believe- How did you-”

“I will always find you,” he said, cupping her face as tears streamed down. “I’m sorry for not realizing it sooner, but-”

“No, it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here. I missed you so much. Your arms and your voice...” She reached up and brushed her fingers across his lips. “She touched you here.”

“Never again, Iris.”

And he kissed her passionately, heatedly, hungrily, yearning for more of her and only her.