Places for Breathing

Timeline: AU to 1X04 "Going Rogue". What if Cisco had been fired by Wells after finding out he created the cold gun.
Rating: R (language, violence, sexual situations)
Authors Note: Through this story, there will be a lot of different ships occurring, I believe sexuality is fluid and especially with the chemistry. There will be gay and straight couples, I will not list them because it will take away from the plot and I will not take requests.

Look around you
Do you see what you've got
With something so beautiful
Afraid it would drop
Into a thousand regrets
And i bet you were left there
It's getting me down
And I can't understand
Why everyone Stares when i crash at the landing
and around were they stand
Everyone talks again
We try to say with confidence
That were picking up oblivion
-Revis, Places for Breathing

Barry Allen had to admit, StarLabs had lost its light, its joy. Cisco Ramon was gone. Barry didn't blame Harrison Wells- okay, maybe he did a little. He didn't understand why Wells couldn't forgive Cisco when Barry -the potential target of the cold gun- had.

It was a few weeks later when the metal man appeared that Barry wished like hell Cisco was around.

When Barry dialed Cisco's number for the millionth time, he finally picked up.

"Yoooooooooooooo," came a long drawl. He sounded sleepy, which was a tad weird since it was 7 pm. Usually Cisco was energetic almost twenty-four seven.

"Damn it, Cisco, where have you been?" Relief was prevalent in his voice.

There was the sound of a female giggle and Cisco shushing. "Around."

That hit Barry like a ton of bricks. "Oh."

There was pure lust in the "Yeah," that followed.

"Come on, dude, please focus!" Barry snapped, trying to hide his disgust.

There was rustling and a female 'hey!', then footsteps. "Okay, sorry. Talk to me."

"I have a man made of metal, dude's almost killed me twice-"

"Are you okay now?" Cisco interrupted. "Did you heal-"

Barry smirked. It was comforting to hear the concern and panic rise in Cisco's voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Any ideas?"

Cisco thought for a moment. "If you try to hit him while running, you'll shatter."

"I know. I don't know what to do, it's why I'm calling you." Barry insisted.

Cisco chuckled. "I take it Doctor Wells doesn't know?" When Barry 'noped', he continued, "Well, if you ran fast enough -like mach one and at the the right angle- you could win."

"How fast is that?"

Barry heard soft humming on Cisco's end. "Over 800 miles per hour...and you'd have to do so from over 5 miles away," he answered. "Just be careful. I won't be able to see what happens." As an afterthought, Cisco added, "If you survive, meet me for a drink, okay? Usual spot?"

"Deal. Thanks, buddy."

"Anytime. Now go show that metal guy who's boss!" Cisco cheered as the phone went dead in his ear.

It was late when Barry entered the bar. It wasn't busy, but the gentle hum of conversation was enough to block anyone from listening in. Cisco was sitting in a back booth, nursing a beer. His legs were bouncing under the table, free hand drumming on the table top. Barry slid into the empty bench and Cisco jumped with surprise.

"Dude, I was starting to think you were dead!" Cisco exclaimed, looking relieved.

Barry laughed. "Almost! I did just regenerate all the bones in my hand, but your plan worked. Tony is safely locked away."

"Tony?" Cisco asked. "The metal man?"

"Yeah." Barry grimaced. "Turns out he was a childhood bully of mine that died the night of the accident and became a metahuman."

Cisco signaled the waiter for another beer. "Wanna get mine next?" He offered, making Barry laugh.

"I don't think so, dude. Now tell me about your distraction."

Cisco's smile widened, but Barry could also see a blush staining his cheeks. It was an endearing sight, given Cisco was never one to shy away from anything. "Her name is Lisa, Lisa Starr-"

"Wait a minute- Lisa Starr, wasn't she that skater who almost got to go to the Olympics, but messed up her knee?"

Lisa Starr was one of the Central City darlings, and though she didn't make it to the Games, the citizens still treated her with respect and awe when they met her. Barry had seen her around once or twice and had to admit she was stunning. How Cisco had landed her was beyond him.

"Yup," Cisco confirmed.

Barry couldn't help blurt it out. "No way!"

Cisco chuckled. "Way," he retorted, and pulled up his phone. After thumbing through it for a moment, he passed it to Barry for him to see. On the screen was a picture of Cisco and Lisa at an ice rink. The next was of them out at night (it was too dark to tell where). The last was another picture of them, but this time with way too much exposed flesh. Barry's eyes widened and he slid the phone back. Cisco apologized but didn't look too sorry.

"No offense, Cisco, but how?"

Cisco just grinned. "I got game, dude!"

Barry snickered and shook his head. "Alright, now what really happened?"

"I, uh, crashed into her while ice skating and landed right on her chest. With my quick wit I made her laugh, and we went for coffee the next day," Cisco preened.

"You can skate?" Barry said incredulously.

Cisco shrugged. "Nah, not really. I was with Caitlin, she likes it. Anyways, Lisa likes me for some reason. I'm not about to question it. She's way out of my league, so I'm taking it each day at a time."

"Are you two..." Barry asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

Cisco shot him a perverted grin. "Like bunnies."

"Delightful." Barry deadpanned, facepalming.

"Hey, I was in a dry spell! I will never turn down sex when offered- which has led to some weird hook ups, now that I think about it. But hey..." Cisco shrugged.

"I'm totally regretting this conversation," Barry groaned.

"No you're not, you're just curious." After a beat of silence he asked, changing the subject, "So...does Doctor Wells miss me?"

Barry sighed. "You know him and his people skills. I spoke to him and he refused to budge. If anyone should be upset it's me and I forgave you."

"He's a particular one, that Wells..."

"I'm going to see if I can ask him to take you back." Barry suddenly announced.

Cisco arched a brow. "Won't do no-"

Suddenly, Barry was gone. "-good?" He finished to the empty air. With a sigh Cisco signaled for another shot.

When Barry arrived in StarLabs he found himself at a loss for words. He quickly ducked out of sight when he saw Caitlin on her knees before Wells. He peeked around the corner to see her hands entwining through his.

"Please?" She was asking.

"I cannot believe you're doing this right now," Wells replied, laughter filling his voice. Barry hadn't heard him use that tone before. It was soft, affectionate.

"You wouldn't listen any other way, Harrison."

Barry had never heard her call him by that name before. There was something about their tones that was telling him he was walking into something intimate. Barry felt wrong for listening, but he couldn't seem to move his feet. Damn his curious nature.

Wells was tugging her up, moving his hands up to cup her face. "Don't beg me on his behalf, Caitlin. He made his choice."

"But we need him back. I need him back. He was my joy."

Wells smirked. "And what am I? Just-"

Barry almost let out a noise of disbelief when Caitlin leaned down and kissed him.

"You're more than just. You are my friend, my rock, my lover. I was asking you as a coworker and now I am asking as a significant person to you. Forgive him. He stood by your side through everything, just like me." She was quiet for a moment. "It was a mistake, but we didn't know what Barry would be, or who he was. It was only logical. You know you miss him, you know the love and warmth he brought here. You know we are emotionally distant but with him here, it felt like home."

Wells captured her lips in another kiss. "True, but he needs to learn his lesson." He looked into her pleading eyes for another moment, then sighed and finally conceded, "I will keep on eye on him for a month, then bring him back. Okay?"

His voice was soft and kind. Caitlin smiled. "Okay. Now, dinner?"

With that, Barry sped back to the bar. In the time he had been gone Cisco had ordered some nachos and fries. When Barry landed back on the worn bench seat, Cisco jumped at his sudden presence.

Cisco quickly recovered and offered, "Snack?"

Barry immediately dug in. After a minute or so he asked, "Dude...uh...so how close are Caitlin and Doctor Wells?"

"Did you walk in on them?" Cisco countered.

"No." Barry shook his head. "They kissed and were discussing you."

Cisco chuckled as he munched loudly on a nacho.

"At least you didn't walk in on them doing it." Barry's eyes widened and Cisco continued, "Let's just say, I've been enlightened to the fact that Wells is quite capable in the sack." Barry narrowly avoided choking on a french fry. "They kinda always had a thing for each other, but it really blossomed after the accident. They would also hook up at the Christmas parties until before she was with Ronnie."

"I didn't realize-"

Cisco bobbed his head. "You know them, they don't like to show emotions much. It's just how they are."

Barry brighted. "You know, Wells is going to take you back in a month or so. He just wants you to learn a lesson."

Cisco grinned. "That's great! Caitlin will be so happy."

"Yeah. She said you are her joy," Barry confirmed.

Cisco smiled. "I know, she's told me before. I became everything to her, especially after Ronnie died. She lost herself and she couldn't turn to Wells, as he was a mess himself. So she turned to me. I helped rebuild her as best I could: holding her when she cried, making sure she ate, and listening to her as she rambled. I've done everything for her and I would do it again. She's my girl."

"I thought Lisa was your girl," Barry teased, snatching up the last nacho.

"Dude, Lisa is way out of my league. I will worship her as long as I'm with her. But as much as I would love for it to be serious, I really doubt it will be."

Barry arched his brow. "So what do you do with her?" He quickly added, "Besides have sex because as much as I love you dude, I do not need to know about your sex life."

"Awww, why not? It's interesting, I promise!" Cisco chirped. Barry narrowed his eyes and he laughed. "Lisa's trying to raise awareness and safety for women of the city. I'm helping design-"

"Dude! No! That's what got you into this mess in the first place!" Barry just about shrieked.

Cisco raised an eyebrow. "I'm not arming them with cold guns! Geeze dude! A little faith?" He grabbed his phone and began poking through it. "It's an elegant design; something simple and hidden. For defense!"

Barry took the phone. On it were some sketches and a rough draft of a product. "It's a ring," He stated.

"Yeah. We're working on what to do with it. Perhaps make it spray mace, or hypnotize attackers or something. Also, I'm working on her skates."

Barry frowned and handed the phone back to his friend. "Just be careful, Cisco, okay?"

"Barry, I know going in this isn't the real deal. It's temporary, and she's most likely using me for my brilliant mind and incredibly sexy body. I'm not stupid."

Barry laughed. "But you may be a bit delusional."

"Hey!" Cisco squawked with mock offense. "I'm sexy and I know it."

They laughed for a bit up until a sudden wave of emotion came over Barry. "I've really missed you, Cisco."

"D'aaaaw hermano, that's so sweet. I've missed you too. It'll be nice to get back to StarLabs. I mean, yeah I've got Lisa, but I liked working. Besides, Armando won't stop trying to get me to do gigs with him, and I really don't want to go home to do that."

This was the first Cisco had even brought up the subject. "Armando? Home? Tell me more."

It was last call before they parted ways. Barry sped Cisco home before heading to his apartment. As he flopped into the bed, he felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest. Soon Cisco would be back, and things would return to normal.

Well, as normal as a world with metahumans could be.