Barry's phone buzzed while he was catching his breath.
Text from Iris.
"Just finished writing the Queen Consolidated piece. Want to read it before I submit?"
Barry hesitated. He should say no. Stay focused on his plans. But pushing Iris away completely would damage their relationship.
But his perception told him she was reaching out for a reason. Seeking validation. Wanting connection.
He typed back: "Sure. Send it over."
The article came through as a document link. Barry opened it on his phone, reading while still lying on his apartment floor.
The piece was good. Really good. Iris had interviewed several financial analysts about Queen Consolidated's stock volatility.
Discussed the risks of the Queen family's public profile being so tied to company performance. Raised questions about succession planning and leadership stability.
She'd even included a quote from a hedge fund manager about the potential impact if something happened to Robert or Oliver Queen. "The stock would crater overnight. We're talking 30, 40 percent drops in the immediate aftermath. Queen Consolidated's entire value proposition is built on the Queen family name."
Barry's noted the irony. Iris had no idea she was writing about something that would happen in seven days. The article would seem prophetic after the yacht sank.
He typed back: "This is really good. You should definitely submit it."
"You think? I'm worried it's too negative."
"It's realistic. That's different from negative. You're raising legitimate concerns about corporate governance."
"Thanks Barry. You always know what to say."
There was a pause. Three dots appeared indicating Iris was typing. Then disappeared. Then appeared again.
Finally: "Want to grab dinner this weekend? Celebrate me maybe getting published?"
Barry stared at that message. Dinner with Iris. Not coffee. Not casual hanging out. Dinner. The word choice was deliberate.
He could read between the lines. Iris was interested. Not just as childhood friends. As something more. The coffee date had planted seeds.
Now she was watering them.
This was getting complicated. Barry's meta-knowledge told him that in the original timeline, he and Iris eventually ended up together.
But this wasn't that timeline. And Barry had different plans. Plans that involved Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Killer Frost. Multiple relationships. A harem that the original Barry Allen would never have had the confidence to pursue.
But that was future Barry. Years away. Right now, he was still building the foundation. Still weak. Still ordinary.
And Iris was here. Real, available, and interested.
Barry made a calculated decision. Romance wasn't the priority, but it also wasn't something to avoid completely.
Especially not with someone who mattered. Someone he genuinely cared about even if his feelings weren't the desperate, all-consuming love the original Barry had felt.
He typed back: "Saturday night? I'll pick the place."
"It's a date."
Barry smiled despite himself.
A date. Iris had actually called it a date. No ambiguity. No pretending it was just friends hanging out.
This was happening.
He set the phone down and went back to exercising. Planks this time. Holding position until his whole body shook. Two minutes and eighteen seconds before he collapsed.
Getting stronger. Slowly but surely.
His phone buzzed again. This time a news notification.
"Queen's Gambit Sets Sail Friday Morning. Robert and Oliver Queen Embark on Pacific Journey."