[hr] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Y5dBzhA.png[/img] [b]PART ONE: ROGUE TAKEOVER[/b] [sup][i]CHRISTMAS IS COMING[/i][/sup] [sup][sup][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6mom9pSCyE]Music[/url][/sup][/sup] [/center] [hr] [hr] Iris knocked on the door before waltzing in, arms spread wide. [color=#ff9900][b]"It's CHRISTMAS!"[/b][/color] She chuckled as she ran into the room, jumping into her father's arms. William West stumbled slightly as his fully grown daughter jumped into him as if she were no older than eight, embracing her he braced his back and pushed her back onto her own two feet. William chuckled, a hearty laugh that always reminded her of what Santa used to sound like on television, it’s probably how he had managed to play such a convincing one every year for her and Barry. Sadness crept into the edges of her mind, but she forced it out. This was a time of celebration, not mourning. Iris had done that, months of it. To truly honour his memory, she had to push on.. [color=#ea9999]“Not quite yet, you’re always in a hurry. Slow down and enjoy the moment” [/color]He lead her into the living room, sitting down on the sofa. Iris managed to slide herself in amidst all the decorations that sprawled along the sofa waiting to go up on the tree. With Christmas so close, she was surprised that he didn’t have them up yet. She opened her mouth to speak, but her father bet her too it, waving his hand dismissively. [color=#ea9999]“Don’t get on my back, it’s been crazy in Investigations for the past three months. I’ve not had the chance to put the decorations up yet.”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“I could have helped Dad.” [/color]William merely shrugged her comment off. [color=#ea9999]“You’ve had problems of your own honey. I didn’t want to burden you.” [/color]He cast a sad smile in her direction, and it took all her willpower not to roll her eyes at him. Ever since Barry had died her dad had treated her like something fragile, as if saying the wrong thing or looking at her the wrong way would shatter her into pieces. [color=#ff9900]“Dad…” [/color]He picked up her change in tone, low, sympathetic. Before Iris could finish what she was going to say he stood up and started fumbling with the Christmas tree. [color=#ea9999]“Barry was like family Iris, and he was something else to you entirely-” [/color]She opened her mouth but he was hearing none of it, throwing a look at her that she hadn’t seen since she was eighteen and tried to go out wearing a mini-skirt. [color=#ea9999]“-I don’t know what it was, and you probably don’t know either. He was taking from you too soon. Just know this honeybear-”[/color] Oh there was the honeybear, if things continued to get more emotional he was going to start crying. If he started crying, then that meant that she would start crying. [color=#ea9999]“-you’re my daughter, and I love you. You’re all the family I have and I’ll do anything to help you.”[/color] Iris stood up and hugged him, holding him tightly. She may have been the big superhero but she never felt safer than when she was in her father's arms. She pushed back, hands on his shoulders. [color=#ff9900]“Thanks Daddy.” [/color]She smiled at him, she could feel a tear clinging to her left eye. Willed it to stay where it was. Taking a step back she shifted awkwardly on her feet. [color=#ff9900]“I’m not the only family you have though…”[/color] William took a step bath, exhaling air in a [i]‘huff’[/i] as he turned around and grabbed the nearest decoration and shoving it onto the tree. [color=#ea9999]“Daniel made his intentions clear years ago when he broke the law. I’ve not spoken to him since he was sent away, and I don’t intend too. I don’t want anything to do with him-”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“Dad-”[/color] [color=#ea9999]“-No Iris. End of discussion, you bring this up every year. End of discussion young lady.”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“But Dad-” [/color]There was a knock at the door and she sighed as he merely pointed to the door. It was so frustrating dealing with someone who was just as stubborn as she was. Opening the door she was surprised to see a kid there, standing eating a burger. Something eerily familiar about him as his hair was just as red as hers was. [color=#ffff00]“Uh, hey. Iris right?”[/color] [color=#ff9900]“Yeaaah..”[/color] [color=#ffff00]“I’m your cousin Wally, you mind if I crash with you for a while?”[/color] [center][img]https://pre00.deviantart.net/d574/th/pre/f/2016/361/a/2/wally_west__earth_27__commission_by_phil_cho-dat1nnj.jpg[/img][/center]