run_barry | The Flash

Taking Tony Woodward down is probably one of the most satisfying things Barry has ever done.

Even if it did hurt like hell.

He ends up not needing Caitlin's help resetting any bones though. In fact, by the time Tony is in the pipeline Barry is healed enough to stand tall and proud when he reveals to Tony that it was Barry who beat him.

"You used your gift to hurt people. Not anymore," Barry informs Tony before walking away from the irate ex-bully.

The feeling of satisfaction is indescribable, and Barry rides that high the rest of the day until finally making his way to CC Jitters to check on Iris.

She's clearing tables when he arrives, the whoosh of his trip fading behind him as he opens the door. Maybe it's that sound that turns her around with an expectant smile.

"Hi," Iris greets warmly before her smile drops into an expression of unexpected surprise. "Oh, I thought that you were someone else."

Trying not to let her disappointment hurt, Barry flashes her an apologetic and hesitant smile, awkward given the way things have been between them the last few weeks.

"So, Joe told me what happened," he says, using the words as an excuse to be here, but unable to hide the concern and caution from his features. "How's the hand?"

There's a beat before Iris gives him a smile and holds up her hand.

"Not broken, so that's something."

With the opening Barry breaks into an apology only to have his words overrun by Iris who tries to give her own 'I'm sorry' at the same time.

The both of them stop and embarrassment breaks out into light laughter.

"I've missed you," Iris admits.

"I've missed you, too," Barry replies, and in the moment a confession pours out. "When I heard Tony took you, I-- I just, I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you."

Iris smiles at him, reassuring and easy, "Well, my guardian angel's looking out for me."

Barry ducks his head, hiding his expression from her.

Gesturing at one of the coffee shop chairs, Iris invites him to sit and he lets her know that he's happy to talk about whatever she wants. Including the Streak.

"I know it's important to you."

Given the chance, Iris leaps on the topic, gushing in excitement not only about her hero, but about the possibility of others out there like him. Those with powers in Central City.

"I've been trying to get answers from him," she says about the Streak, both excitement and perplexity in her voice. "Where does he come from? How does he do what he does? But he dodges everything. Literally, with this superspeed power."

Shaking her head, her smile grows and there's admiration in her voice and expression as she describes him, and Barry can't help feeling something flutter and swell in his chest hearing it, even knowing she doesn't realize the man behind the mask is him.

"When he moves, Barry, you don't even see him. He comes and goes in the blink of an eye, in a-- "

"Flash?" Barry supplies and something lights in Iris's eyes.

"In a flash. Yeah."

When she says it, it just feels right. When she writes it in her blog that night it catches on quickly.

And when Barry thinks about it he realizes, he's found his name.

The Flash.

[ooc: dialogue taken from episode 1.6]