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natedelmore · 3 years

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Nathaniel “Nate” Delmore

Chris Evans & he/him, cis-male ‷ watch out , Nathaniel Keaton Delmore has crash-landed into roswell !! he looks 40 years old and celebrates his birthday on June 13th . He is from Washington, D.C., resides in Moonbeam Gardens and is currently working as CFO of Delmore, Inc.. one thing you should know about him is he loves stargazing with his ESD Cosmo - Written by Steph

The Basics:

Nathaniel Keaton Delmore

Age: 40

Birthday: 13 June

Nationality: American

Gender/Pronouns: Male, He/Him

Sexuality: Heterosexual-ish

Marital Status: Single

Occupation: CFO of Delmore, Inc.

Note: Mirrors Cargill

Physical Appearance:

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Blue

Height: 6′0

Build: Fit

Distinguishing Marks:

Scars on chin, throat, back, wrists, and ankles

Various tattoos on his arms and chest that are not visible when in a shirt with sleeves / professional attire

Other Details: Due to kidnapping for ransom in college, Nate has PTSD and has an emotional support dog (ESD/Service dog) to alert him when he’s triggered. He struggles with large gatherings and crowded places, as well as with unexpected loud noises.

Personal:

Profession: “Glorified Accountant” and Delmore “Poster Boy” at fundraisers

Hobbies: Reading, writing poetry, stargazing, jogging

Languages: Fluent in English, Spanish, French; Proficient Japanese and Chinese

Residence: Large estate in Moonbeam Gardens

Note: Property is owned by the Delmore family and is not to Nate’s taste. He owns a cottage in the suburbs around Boston that is very much his style and then a townhome in D.C. and penthouse in NYC that are owned by the family and not to his taste.

Birthplace: Washington, D.C. but considers Boston ‘home’

Religion: Christian (non-practicing), considers himself to be ‘spiritual’

Fears: Crowded places, public speaking to strangers

Relationships:

Spouse: None

Children: None and reluctant due to his age and family

Parents: Mother and father are married and live in Wayzata, Montana with homes in various locations around the world “for business”

Siblings: Older sister (Samantha goes by Sam/Sammy with Nate and is 48)

Other Relatives: Yes, all working for the family company and living in various locations depending on their job.

Pets: Cosimo, who Nate lovingly refers to as Cosmo or Cosi, is his service dog and as close to a pet as a service dog can be.

Traits:

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between / Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Biography:

Nathaniel Keaton Delmore was born into Delmore empire, a leading company in the United States. Being part of the one-percent had a singular perk: never having to worry about money. Nate learned pretty quickly that that was where its benefits stopped. He was the second of the Delmore children, and his mother never let him forget it. While she had reluctantly taken time off to care for his older sister, Samantha Marion Delmore, they waited until she was eight before they had him and more often than not they left Sammy to take care of him as if he was part living doll and part puppy. Developmentally it delayed him in walking because he was either carried or strolled around. It had also resulted in a stammer that was made worse by his parents frustrations in his inability to articulate words correctly. Though he would overcome those issues with little to no trace it left him with anxiety and a fragile sense of self.

He learned that if he kept good grades and kept his head down there wasn’t really anything his parents wouldn’t let him try. Anything he showed a natural talent for they supported until he was no longer the best in show, once again treating him more like a pet than a person. Be it piano, singing, basketball, horseback riding, or fencing; Nathaniel found himself having to find his own way. In high school, when his interests turned to debate and forensics teams because of a friend, his parents tried to put their foot down. Despite the lack of a stammer, they told him he’d be no good at it, seeing their quiet son as damaged once more. It was with his uncle’s support that he managed to make excuses and even attend summer camps. Public speaking became a way for him to face his anxiety and, with practice, he became unbelievably good at it, but not without anxiety.

With no support for college unless he legally agreed to major in microeconomics, Nathaniel finally left home to experience a slice of the real world. MIT was practically an entirely new planet for him and, despite being low key, there was really no surprise that people figured out who he was with the last name of a major American business. Just when he thought he was settling into a routine after a few years at MIT with a bartending job (much to his parents’ dismay), a co-captain position on the forensics team, and a close group of friends, he was kidnapped, tortured, and held for ransom.

After his rescue, Nathaniel would find the hardest part of the ordeal being the realization that no one knew he was missing for weeks. His job thought the rich kid had quit, though he never flaunted his money other than picking up the tabs shitty people cut out on. His friends thought he was sleeping with ‘that one girl’ that kept flirting with him at every party, though he swore there wasn’t anything there- just lending an ear to a heartbroken friend. His professors’ T.A.s were too overwhelmed to note his absences in the large classes. Then the forensics team thought his parents had finally pulled the plug on his participation because he’d divulged that they never really supported it when they didn’t attend any of the big competitions.

Through physical therapy his body healed from the torture, even though the scars remain. Concerned that therapy would look bad for the family they decided to allow him a service dog that was discretely trained and, after a hefty donation to the university and NDA paperwork, Sirius was allowed to follow him into his classes and any place around campus. Trying his best, the rest of his college experience was very much left in recluse. He took to reading and running to clear his head and avoid the reality that upon graduation he would be stepping into the CFO position of Delmore, Inc. Life seemed to be filled with dread outside of the travel the job would entail.

Managing to coerce his parents into agreeing to a masters, he delayed the inevitable a bit longer. Now, a decade later, he was settled into the monotony of corporate life and after Sirius passed and he took on a new service dog with the refusal to hide that part of his life any longer. It wasn’t lost on him that Samantha’s pep talk to do so likely stemmed from her own desire to climb the corporate ladder. The result was the same, his parents used him as the mouthpiece for the company’s charity work. They called the dog Cosimo, he called him Cosmo. They called him a survivor, he held his tongue that they’d treated him just as poorly. Through it all, he remains a dutiful, loyal, reserved; if not a bit more inclined to speak out against injustices than the average person. His decision to live in Roswell was out of a fib of convenience that he could fly out to west and east coast meetings best if in the central part of the U.S. So long as he plays his part and stays in line, they’re not going to complain.

#ref: character development #ref: nathaniel delmore #roswellintro #kidnapping tw #ptsd tw #anxiety tw #mental health tw

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demitgibbs · 7 years

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What’s Hot Central Florida: August 2017

Friday, July 28

Southern Nights Orlando’s Flex Fridays celebrates DJ Chris Tavalare Birthday! Doors Open at 9pm, with no cover before 11pm 21+ (18+ Welcome). They will feature Drag Shows at 11pm & 12:30am with Roxxxy Andrews, Tasha Long, Maya Andrews & Chevelle Brooks as well as DJs Ants and Tavi. The Flamingo Resort presents Code: Glow Party with DJ Shannon C, sexy male dancers, and glow sticks provided.

Saturday, July 29

Parliament House presents South Beach Invasion starring TP Lords, Fantasia Royale GaGa, Missy Meyakie Lepaige, and Elishaly D’Witshes, as well as the men of Miami with beats by DJ Brianna. Flamingo Resort presents Customer Appreciation Night with a complimentary late night breakfast and Late Night at the Improv, uncensored, hosted by Iman at 11:30p.m., with doors opening in the Blu Room at 10:30p.m.

Sunday, July 30

The Dr. Phillips Center features La Bayadere at 5pm, presented by the Russian Ballet Orlando. Set in legendary India, La Bayadere tells the story of the doomed love between the noble warrior, Solor, and the beautiful temple dancer, Nikiya, who is murdered by her jealous rival, Gamzatti. In the aftermath, Solor’s grief brings him to the heavenly realm of the Kingdom of the Shades in an opium-induced dream, where his beloved appears among the many shades and tenderly forgives him for his betrayal. However, Gamzatti’s murderous triumph is short lived as her actions provoke the wrath of the gods. In retaliation, the gods destroy the temple, killing all who are responsible for Nikiya’s death, and Nikiya is reunited with her beloved Solor beyond the reach of man. Ticket are $55.

Wednesday, August 2

Southern Nights Orlando presents Orlando Drag Race Live Season 4 hosted by Kitana Gemini. Admission is $10 with the season pass costing $45 (saves you $17, and gives you additional perks throughout the entire event season including reserved seating) and can only be purchased on Wed, August 2 or before. The dates for Drag Race are: August 2, August 9th, August 23rd, August 30th, September 13th and September 27th and is hosted by PePe. The cast for this season is: Waka Shame, Lacy Lane, Avery Valentino, Dollya Black, Juno Vibranz, Sorcha Mercy, Rita Bane Stone, Cara Cavalli, and Josie Milan.

Thursday, August 3

Wena’s Nightclub and Show Bar is featuring a benefit for Juno Vibranz to send her to Miss National Comedy Queen. Please join Miracle of Love, Inc. at their first feast taking place at Rubio’s Coastal Grill in Winter Park from 6-9p.m. If you mention Miracle of Love to your server, Rubio’s will donate 20% of the proceeds from your meal to Miracle of Love, Inc. – All proceeds will go towards their SMART Ride 14 fundraising efforts. For more information, contact Brett Yancey at 954-299-0554.

Tuesday, August 8

The Straz Center presents Motown The Musical starting tonight and going through August 13. Motown The Musical is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy’s journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit Motown The Musical! Ticket Prices start at $28.50.

Thursday, August 10

Wena’s Nightclub and Show Bar is featuring 2 Club Kid parties this month. The first being tonight with the theme “Trailer Trash,” and the 2nd being Friday, August 25 with the theme “Marvel Vs. DC.” They will both be featuring Kitani Gemini , 92 Era Lords and special guests.

Friday, August 11

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena presents Multi-platinum-selling artists, multiple Grammy Award-winners and music icons, Lionel Richie: All The Hits with very special guest Mariah Carey. Tickets start at $36.20

Saturday, August 12

The Straz Center presents Pole for a Purpose inside the Jaeb Theater. The annual Pole for a Purpose pole dance and aerial arts showcase features performers from around the United States in this spectacular demonstration of strength and skill. Joining for the greater good, the Pole for a Purpose charity event has raised $23,000 in the past six years. For more information, visit poleforapurpose.com. Tickets start at $37.50.

Wena’s Nightclub and Show Bar features “A Night of Comedy Queens” as they feature Bev (Miss Gulf Coast Comedy Queen), Juno Vibranz, Kathryn Nevets and Daphne Ferraro.

Sunday, August 13

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena will host John Mayer Search for Everything World Tour at 7p.m. This tour will be comprised of a full band, solo acoustic and John Mayer Trio sets of music. Tickets start at $45.25.

Friday, August 18

The Flamingo Resort presents their annual Employee Turnabout hosted by Kenya Black (Miss Flamingo) with ShowTime at 11:30p.m. in the main bar along with raffles and lots of blackmail picture opportunities (LOL).

Saturday, August 19

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena will host Monster Jam Triple Threat Series, which is a points-based format that showcases the best lineup of Monster Jam vehicles that deliver what fans want to see most…more trucks, more racing, more freestyle, more donuts, more wheelies, more action! This series tests the versatility of the athletes as they go head-to-head in seven different competitions driving three different vehicles — Monster Jam trucks, Monster Jam Speedsters and Monster Jam ATVs. These athletes battle for points in challenging racing and freestyle events that push themselves and their machines to the limit. Tickets start at $15.

Tuesday, August 29

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena presents Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Ed Sheeran with special guest James Blunt. Ticket prices start at $39.50.

Hot Stuff

Hope & Help Center recently moved to a new location at 707 Mendham Blvd, suite 104, Orlando FL 32825.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/27/whats-hot-central-florida-august-2017/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/163489326420

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cynthiajayusa · 7 years

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What’s Hot Central Florida: August 2017

Friday, July 28

Saturday, July 29

Sunday, July 30

Wednesday, August 2

Thursday, August 3

Tuesday, August 8

Thursday, August 10

Friday, August 11

Saturday, August 12

Wena’s Nightclub and Show Bar features “A Night of Comedy Queens” as they feature Bev (Miss Gulf Coast Comedy Queen), Juno Vibranz, Kathryn Nevets and Daphne Ferraro.

Sunday, August 13

Friday, August 18

Saturday, August 19

Tuesday, August 29

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena presents Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Ed Sheeran with special guest James Blunt. Ticket prices start at $39.50.

Hot Stuff

Hope & Help Center recently moved to a new location at 707 Mendham Blvd, suite 104, Orlando FL 32825.

source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/27/whats-hot-central-florida-august-2017/ from Hot Spots Magazine http://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2017/07/whats-hot-central-florida-august-2017.html

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hotspotsmagazine · 7 years

Text

What’s Hot Central Florida: August 2017

Friday, July 28

Saturday, July 29

Sunday, July 30

Wednesday, August 2

Thursday, August 3

Tuesday, August 8

Thursday, August 10

Friday, August 11

Saturday, August 12

Wena’s Nightclub and Show Bar features “A Night of Comedy Queens” as they feature Bev (Miss Gulf Coast Comedy Queen), Juno Vibranz, Kathryn Nevets and Daphne Ferraro.

Sunday, August 13

Friday, August 18

Saturday, August 19

Tuesday, August 29

Tampa’s AMALIE Arena presents Multiple GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Ed Sheeran with special guest James Blunt. Ticket prices start at $39.50.

Hot Stuff

Hope & Help Center recently moved to a new location at 707 Mendham Blvd, suite 104, Orlando FL 32825.

from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2017/07/27/whats-hot-central-florida-august-2017/

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backtothestart02 · 6 years

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Batch 1 - 50/50 - Barry & Iris Icons (3x03 - Magenta)

*for Girls Inc #IStandWithCandicePatton**

#candice patton #iris west #westallen #backtothestart02 fan art #istandwithcandicepatton #girls inc fundraiser perk #i did it!#i made 50 icons!#i hope you like these guys!!!

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backtothestart02 · 6 years

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Batch 1 - 30/50 - Barry & Iris Icons (3x01 - Flashpoint)

*for Girls Inc #IStandWithCandicePatton**

#candice patton #westallen #iris west #girls inc fundraiser perk #backtothestart02 fan art #fp!iris west #barry allen #fp!westallen were so cute #i couldn't not make icons of their preciousness #i had a couple other ideas #may still make them but i'm unsure #i've been liking doing a different ep for every 10 icons heh

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backtothestart02 · 6 years

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A Kiss That Crackles - 1/1 | westallen fanfiction

A/N: It is here! My sole exception to my WA-free writing month. (Unless I get some more donations ofc) This is a super cute pilot canon divergent fic I think you guys will love, and is inspired by @valeriemperez‘s latest obsession ship in this scene that gave me so many WA feels I had to write this asap. I hope you enjoy!

*Many thanks to @valeriemperez for beta’ing.

(P.S. If I get enough donations, the next fic I’ll write will be of Barry taking Iris right against their front door after everyone leaves from Cecile’s baby shower in 4x20. IF THAT’S ANY INCENTIVE.)

Iris West bit her lip and tried to relax in the chair adjacent to the couch in Barry’s living room. She tried not to stare at him as he vibrated different parts of his body, sometimes accidentally, sometimes intentionally. Usually his wide-eyed expression would give him away, but discerning between surprise at his abilities and shock at displaying them accidentally was actually more difficult than she’d thought it would be.

Super speed.

Who would’ve thought?

A particle accelerator, a mass of floating chemicals, a lightning strike, and a coma… Nine months later, and her best friend had woken up with super speed.

It had taken him a little while to explain to her why he was so agitated over little things that seemed to be perfectly normal around her, but inevitably were very different to him. Or at least they would have been if he hadn’t sensed the outcome and diverted them from happening. The concept itself was as overwhelming to her as it was to him.

She was glad he had told her. It must’ve been terrifying waking up that way – though he did say he hadn’t realized what was happening until after they reunited. She wondered why that was, stifling down the reluctant boost it gave her ego that she’d more or less activated her best friend’s super powers.

Dr. Wells – the man Barry had admired for years – had a whole lot to say to him about his new powers and what he should be doing with them, as did the two people who had remained loyal to him despite the assault he’d faced from the media and the public by essentially throwing the city into panic with his failed particle accelerator. To their credit, Barry said they were less overbearing than the man who flat out told him he couldn’t be a hero just because he had super speed – that he needed to only use it to be studied for scientific purposes. As if he were nothing more than a lab rat to be tested on.

It made her furious just thinking about it, and equally bitter when she remembered how her dad had lashed out at Barry for still believing his father hadn’t murdered his mother, for insisting that there were others like him. ‘Metahumans’ – people who had gained powers following the particle accelerator explosion.

In times like these they only had each other.

He’d been halfway to Star City, which confused her, but she didn’t press as to why. Instead she offered to listen if he needed to talk, and he nearly crumbled on the other end. She wished they had been in the same place, so she can hold him.

And then they were.

He was in front of her in the home they grew up in, and her mouth was hanging open in disbelief, a million questions racing through her mind, when he answered them all in one fell swoop.

“I have super speed.”

He dashed across the room one, two, three times, so she’d believe him, but he didn’t have to. She would’ve believed him if he told her he could fly. Though it was certainly nice to have proof.

“The coma?” she’d asked.

He nodded. “The coma, the lightning…” he trailed off, and then proceeded to tell her everything that had happened throughout the day.

He wanted to do good with these powers, to make a difference – her Barry, of course he did.

But people who didn’t really know him or didn’t believe in him kept telling him what to do. It made him want to run and never look back.

He probably wouldn’t have run forever, he assured her. Which she told herself she should be comforted by. He’d been on his way to Star City because there was someone there he thought he could seek counsel from. Someone he’d met when he’d been there on assignment.

Again, she didn’t ask who. He would tell her when he was ready.

When he was finished talking, he stopped pacing, stared right at her and waited for her to respond. She hoped he wasn’t expecting rejection, but she didn’t make him wait long. She could hear his heavy breathing from across the room.

She licked her lips, debated what to say, and then abandoned any cleverly crafted reassuring words she could have offered. Instead, she walked over to him, stopped a foot away, and then closed the distance between them by hugging him close. She pressed her face to his chest and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

“I’m glad you told me, Barry,” she finally said.

The tension in him melted away, and he returned her hug.

“Want to do a movie night?” she asked after a while, making no effort to let him go.

A heavy sigh came out of him.

“I really don’t want to be here when Joe comes home, Iris…I need time before-”

“Your place then,” she said, lifted her head so she could look at him.

He smiled wryly.

“It’s a mess, Iris.”

She shook her head and smiled. “It’s not.”

His brows furrowed. “It’s not?”

“Nine months ago, it was.” She stepped away and patted his chest. “Now it’s not.”

He was still confused, but he didn’t ask how she knew. He got the explanation when they walked in the door and the place was spotless, with even a few pieces of furniture replaced.

“Did…” He turned to face her. “Did you do this?”

She shrugged. “I had to do something while you were gone.” She swallowed hard, ordering her tears not to fall. “I was here most days, anyway.”

The heartbreaking look on his face when two tears managed to escape made her wipe at her cheeks furiously.

“Don’t, Bear. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

He forced a smile, then nodded.

“I’ll order a pizza. You pick out a movie.”

He did as he was told. They spent the night forgetting the day, snuggling on the couch watching movie after movie, and ordering a few more pizzas. She didn’t question why he was so hungry and how he could eat so much. Maybe it was because he hadn’t eaten for nine months, maybe it was tied to his new powers, or maybe he just wanted to forget. Regardless, he didn’t seem aware of the strangeness of it. By the time midnight came, he appeared to have filled his stomach and was contentedly close to falling asleep.

She watched him from where she sat beside him, her legs tucked beneath her, her knees brushing his thighs, her hands in her lap mere inches away from his elbow. She’d missed him so much. She missed his smile and his laugh and his height and his humor and his heart. She’d missed all of him. She wanted to hold him close and never let go. She wanted to stay there forever, because the past nine months had been a living nightmare she never wanted to experience again.

She wouldn’t stop him if he wanted to run into danger now to help people. She would simply help him do that. She would be by his side, whether anyone else was or not.

She leaned her head on the couch, watching as he slipped away, and suddenly knew it wasn't his coma affecting her now. Because for months she’d agonized over his absence in her life, over the possibility that he might never wake up. When she was awake she convinced herself that was impossible, but at night the ‘what if’ haunted her. In the quiet moments when she was working at Jitters and it was slow, she’d slip into that place too. One of those times, her co-worker, Stacy, had taken notice of it.

“Barry?” she’d offered up knowingly.

Iris had blinked and looked at her, surprised and then confused.

“How many days has it been?” she asked gently.

Iris sighed. “Fourteen.” She scowled then. “Is that pathetic that I miss him this much? It’s been two weeks. People can stay in a coma for months, years. Families in pain for much longer than I’ve been, and yet here I am—”

“He’s your best friend, Iris,” she said, squeezing her arm gently. “It’s okay to be sad.”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

A few seconds passed, then Stacy cleared her throat and added, “Maybe he’s more than that.”

It had taken a while for Iris to digest what she was suggesting, but by the time she thought to question Stacy, a customer had arrived, and it had gotten busy. Once they were freed up enough to talk, Iris was too scared to remind her what she’d said. It had never been brought up again.

But it had stayed with her. It made her start to wonder. For years, for as long as she could remember really, her dad and Barry had been her constants. She’d dated, she’d had flings, but it had never been serious. She’d never needed a serious boyfriend, because she got all her non-familial fulfillment in Barry. And yet he was family in a way. He was the total package. She just never stopped to think that maybe he was everything she needed in other ways too.

She was able to bury the thought, because what bad timing was it to discover she maybe had romantic feelings for Barry when he was in a coma? What if she didn’t just have a secret crush? What if she was in love with him? What if she was in lust with him? What if he didn’t feel the same way? What if he could never tell her he loved her back in that way? What if they never had sex?

That last one seemed to horrify her more than the others, mostly because the question had floated so easily into her mind when she hadn’t even considered it before or really wanted it – or had she?

She thought back to their adolescence, about the times when she’d passed down the hall and Barry’s room had been opened a little and she’d thought a lot about the fact that he’d stripped his shirt off to put on another, even if she’d only seen it out of the corner of her eye and never thought twice about it in the moment.

She remembered how jealous she’d gotten when he dated Becky Cooper, and how unbelievably satisfied she’d been when they broke up – especially because Barry wasn’t too upset about it.

She remembered the starstruck look in his eyes when she got dolled up for prom and took him as her date, and how he’d barely been able to form sentences for a good half of the night. She’d teased him about it endlessly, but secretly her stomach had been filled with butterflies. She told herself it was the endless compliments he dished out to her, making her feel beautiful when the guy she’d most recently had a crush on took someone else to prom. But she hadn’t thought about it.

She hadn’t really thought if any of this meant anything except her really loving him as her best friend.

Until Stacy said that; and until Barry walked into Jitters and her heart raced as she jumped into his arms, feeling like she was home again. Like she’d been wandering a cold, desolate wilderness ever since that fateful night, and now she was rescued.

There hadn’t been many quiet moments after that one, but right now with him almost asleep, the question beat inside her, the yearning to know – did she have feelings for Barry Allen?

She wanted to know. She had to know. But she didn’t want to ruin the amazing friendship they had when she’d just gotten it back if she didn’t really feel that way. Especially if he didn’t feel the same way. It was possible he did, but it was also possible he was sweet to her because he was a sweet guy in general.

No, she needed to test her theory before she broached the subject with him at all.

She searched her mind for something to prove this possibility – or not. When she landed on it, her heart nearly stopped. Her fingers tingled. She felt hot all over. She suspected that was a good sign, and almost convinced herself that was more than enough proof and she didn’t actually have to go through with it.

She licked her lips, debating, then decided she should. She needed to. She wanted to.

She wanted to kiss Barry Allen.

Just to see if there’s anything there! She insisted to herself.

But a skeptical mini Iris in her mind rolled her eyes, and muttered a “Sure, Iris.”

His breathing had evened out, suggesting he’d fallen asleep. His mouth wasn’t hanging open and his face was pressed against the couch toward her. Everything was set up perfectly so she could do what needed to be done then pull away and see if she felt anything.

So, slowly, cautiously, she shifted her positioning slightly, grabbed the back of the couch for support, and leaned in. She gulped, took a breath, then crossed that final distance, pressing her lips to his as he slept.

Instantly chills spread throughout her whole body. She felt as if she’d been lit on fire and was running, screaming through the night, dancing until dawn because wow, she felt incredible. And he hadn’t even kissed her back. He’d slept, and she felt that. How would she feel if-

But she lingered too long. By the time she opened her eyes, his eyes were open too. Groggy as he was, she could tell that wasn’t the only reason he was looking so confused.

“Iris?” he ventured, his voice raspy.

“I’m gonna go home,” she whispered back, her heart pounding. “It’s late.”

It took her a while to move away from him, but she didn’t make it off the couch before he grabbed her wrist, so she couldn’t get too far.

“Stay with me,” he requested.

She turned back to look at him, thought of all the reasons why now that probably wasn’t a good idea.

But she couldn’t deny him.

“Okay,” she said, allowing him to pull her into him so they could sleep together on the couch.

It took her a while to relax – and not just because his bed would’ve been far more comfortable than his couch. She was so aware of him now, aware of his body, of parts of it she wanted to touch, and things she wanted to say. And he was aware of none of it. It nearly drove her out of her mind.

Morning came though, and she had managed a few hours of sleep. She’d also decided that everything she realized she felt and the things she wanted to say to him should probably be forgotten. Her needing him in her life was far different from her testing out to see if they worked romantically. She needed him in her life. She didn’t need him as a romantic partner.

So, when he asked, confused and a little embarrassed as he did so, “Did we…kiss last night?” she believably chuckled – congratulating herself for that one.

“No,” she informed him, shaking her head so she wouldn’t have to look him in the eye at first. “What made you think that?”

He shrugged, too embarrassed to make eye contact now too.

“Must’ve been a dream.”

“Weird dream,” she commented lightly.

“Yeah.”

Silence lingered, and she wondered if she should just tell him. But then he was called to a crime scene, and his powers unexpectedly spazzed out, and he called her in a panic because he didn’t know what to do. She found a reason to get off work, and then calmed him down. He was able to return to CCPD after that, and she was at his apartment by the time he wandered home.

She managed to cook him her macaroni and cheese specialty – the sole food she actually succeeded at making, and that she knew he absolutely loved. He hadn’t touched it, though. He was sinking into himself, testing out his speed as he remained stationary, half-worried he’d go haywire and fly out the window.

“Barry,” she said a few times, then tapped the rim of his bowl with the spoon sitting inside.

He shifted his gaze to her suddenly and stopped vibrating his hand.

“What?” he asked, accidentally vibrating his vocal chords instead.

Just barely, she stifled her giggle.

“Why don’t you eat something?” She glanced over at the bowl. “My special mac and cheese, for instance?”

He paled, then blushed. “Right. Sorry.” He speed-ate it, finishing before she could tell him to slow down. Seconds after he set the bowl back down, his stomach growled lightly.

She laughed when he frowned.

“I think that might have something to do with my speed.”

She snatched the bowl up and traveled the short distance to the stove, so she could refill it.

“Maybe you should ask your people at STAR Labs.”

She could feel his glare from across the room. It was still there when she set the bowl back down in front of him.

“Maybe not Dr. Wells, but…maybe the other two?”

She picked up the bowl and shoved it at him when he wouldn’t so much as move. Finally, he took it, and she sat down beside him.

“There’s just so much we don’t know about your speed, about what it means for you when it comes to everyday things. You saw what happened today. You screwed up a whole crime scene because you accidentally sped across it and through important evidence.”

He withered slightly, so she quickly wrapped her hand around his forearm.

“Which isn’t your fault,” she assured him. He nodded numbly. “I’m just saying that…you were at STAR Labs for the majority of the time you were in your coma, and because of their treatment you woke up. You don’t have to tell them you plan on being a hero. You could go in on the pretense of being studied. Deal with the rest later.”

“I’m a terrible liar,” he informed her, as if she didn’t already know.

She laughed. “I’ll help you through it.” His expression changed. “Trust me on this.” She gripped his shoulder to get his full attention. “It can’t possibly be worse than kissing me.”

The words tumbled out before she could stop them. It had the exact effect she’d feared it would. They were both absolutely silent, staring at each other, tense but unable to move. Finally, she looked away, released her grip on him and scooted away from him, not leaving the couch but not getting any closer.

She made no attempt to take back what she’d just said, more than anything because she wasn’t sure she could speak after that life-changing, relationship-changing moment.

“So, it wasn’t a dream,” he said. It wasn’t a question, but he was looking for an answer.

She could only bring herself to shake her head slightly. His gaze was impenetrable. She felt stuck and hot. She wished she could run out of there and erase time, make it so those words had never slipped passed her lips.

But she couldn’t do that.

“Why did you lie to me?” he asked, more confused than angry. Not angry at all even. Maybe she was angry with herself.

“I didn’t know how you felt,” she finally said, her eyes flitting up to his for a second. “And I didn’t want to ruin things between us.”

He frowned. “Ruin? How could you ruin…”

“If it was real,” she said. “If you…and I…if we tried…and it didn’t…” She sighed and looked up at him fully. “Your friendship means more to me than anything. If things got awkward…if we tried to change things and it didn’t work and we put up walls between each other, I just…I couldn’t…” Tears welled in her eyes. “I couldn’t handle that. That’s worse than you being in a coma.” She quickly wiped away her tears as they tumbled out of her eyes. “Besides,” she said casually. “The moment was awkward. It’s good you didn’t know it was real; intentional, I mean.”

He was silent for a long time, and she returned to the shared silence.

“What about now?” he asked quietly.

She looked back up at him, the reality of what he was asking slamming into her.

“It would be awkward now too,” she said quickly, pushing for that because it was better to be disappointed now in the short term than devastated in the long term later.

He looked dejected, and she felt bad about that, but… She couldn’t risk it.

Right?

Her brain short-circuited again, not granting permission to anything flowing freely from her mouth.

“But…”

A breath. One. Two. Three.

Then he’d crossed the short distance between them, bracing his hand on the arm of the couch behind her, invading her personal space, not hesitating for even a moment before covering his lips over hers.

Firecrackers, sparks, chills ripped through her again.

This was no lingering peck like what she had given him, though. His lips had closed over hers, but they were urging her to kiss him back, to part her lips, to let him in, to let them have this.

It felt like a century before her lips moved of their own accord, opening for him, and slanting across his. Her eyes closed completely as he continued to kiss her, a quiet moan escaping her when he shifted beside her and cupped her face with one hand, sinking his fingers into her hair.

Her hand moved of its own accord, to his waist, his chest, his face. Not once in her whole life had she loved threading her fingers through his hair as much as she did right now.

And when his hand moved down her body to settle on her hip and then squeezed, she broke away, because wow, they were moving fast. A very big part of her wanted to move even faster, but the common sense in her told her they needed to talk.

“Wait-wait-wait.” She braced her hand on his chest and felt his pounding heartbeat beneath her palm.

“Too fast?” he rasped.

She locked her eyes on his. “A little.”

“S-sorry.” He looked away shyly for a bit. “I’ve just…wanted to do that for…a very long time.”

Her eyes widened. “You have?”

He nodded.

“You mean…” She licked her lips. “You like me? Like that, I mean. Like, you really like me. As more than friends.”

His laugh that slipped out was full of amusement.

“I’ve liked you as more than friends since the moment I met you, Iris.”

He looked like he wanted to say something more, to add to what he’d just said, but he held back. She wondered if maybe she didn’t want to hear what he had almost said, maybe she wasn’t ready for it.

“Oh.”

He smiled a little, and she melted.

“I…I just realized…yesterday, when you were in a coma…” She paused to take a breath. “I really don’t want to ruin what we have, Barry,” she said, desperate to get that point across.

“I know,” he said, cupping her face again. “I don’t either.”

“Well then-”

He kissed her again, lingering a little before kissing her quickly once more and pulling back to look into her eyes.

“I want to be with you, Iris.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Do you want to be with me, too?”

Not thinking, she nodded in response.

“Then be with me,” he said.

She sighed softly and smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him towards her – to which he went very willingly.

She kissed him. The single flick of his tongue against hers drove her wild even in her satiated state, sending a zip running down her spine. He tasted incredible.

The after-effect buzz on her lips from the pressure of their kiss thrilled her, making her toes curl but her body immovable.

“Okay,” she said, and kissed him again.

*Also posted on AO3 and FFnet.

#westallen #fanfiction #backtothestart02 fanfiction #candice patton #iris west #istandwithcandicepatton #girls inc fundraiser perk #canon divergent

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