Eddie

[run_barry]

After a second run-in with Tony Barry had decided to take a break in Milliways. To heal up, to train, and maybe to find a better headspace where Tony wasn't living.

Of the three, Barry is at least no longer battered and bruised when he finally heads back to Central City. The rest is kind of a mixed bag.

Stepping back into the moment he left after weeks in Milliways is strange, but not half as strange as spending time with Eddie.

Things with Eddie have always been a little… weird. First and foremost, the man is Iris's boyfriend, which, well…

Eddie is also Joe's partner, which is another 'well', given that Barry never exactly won over Joe's old partner.

On top of that, waking up from a nine month coma and finding a stranger firmly inserted into the lives of two of the people Barry cares about most was jarring, and awkward. And since Barry doesn't need any help with being awkward, he's been doubly-unsure on what to make of Eddie. Which makes an invite from Eddie to blow off some steam a surprise that Barry only really accepts because Joe tells him to.

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Tony Woodward is in the wind, having left the city in a stolen car and now in another jurisdiction. Eddie is upset about losing the man and somehow it all ends with Barry upstairs with Eddie, holding onto a heavy bag while Eddie throws punches at it, working out frustration.

"So, I heard you and this Woodward guy have a history," Eddie says conversationally while he lights up the bag and Barry is bopped around with each blow.

Barry has almost no desire to be here with Eddie and is even less eager to open up about things with Tony with him. That reluctance must show in Barry's expression, because it draws a chuckle from Eddie and a reply of reassurance.

"Hey, Allen, it's okay. Trust me. I had my fair share of bullies at school."

Glancing over Eddie, a rather well-built CCPD detective who's been dubbed 'Mr. Pretty' in the precinct, Barry casts a doubtful look on the man.

"Yeah, somehow I find that hard to believe."

Eddie is easy about admitting that he wasn't always the hotshot cop, an admission that surprises Barry. It isn't just hearing that Eddie wasn't always Mr. Popular, but that the man would be so open about it with Barry now.

It's enough to prompt Barry to ask Eddie what he did about his bullies.

"I got my ass kicked. A lot," Eddie replies with a good humored chuckle. "Until my gym coach took pity on me. She said the key to fighting is patience."

Interest piqued, Barry listens as Eddie goes on to explain the lessons he's learned about punches, and how all you need is one that counts.

"Choose your spot and drive through it, like it's six inches behind the target," Eddie instructs, holding the punching bag now for Barry.

Still unsure, and feeling a bit awkward to be doing this with Eddie, Barry's first few punches don't amount to much.

Eddie sticks with him, throwing encouragement at Barry.

"Harder!"

Drawing a breath, focusing on what he's doing, and channeling everything he's been told or learned up to this moment, Barry swings; throwing a form-perfect punch that drives his hand through the bag's canvas and lands with enough force to knock Eddie backwards.

Sand spews from the hole punctured into the heavy bag, and Barry digs his hand out, surprised with himself.

"The seam was starting to split," he says dumbly as excuse and explanation while trying to smother a pleased smirk.

After that, Barry is eager to see what he can do and learn with Eddie. They move from the heavy bag to practicing quick punches, with Eddie donning punching mitts and instructing Barry who works out throwing rapid punches while remaining mindful of his footwork.

It's actually fun, and Barry is feeling good when they wrap up.

All of that disappears though, when an officer steps into the room and calls them both out.

The detail Eddie put on Iris after Tony Woodward had stopped by to see her has been attacked and now, Iris is missing.

[ooc: dialogue taken from episode 1.6]