Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that will be mentioned in this fanfiction, be it based on DC comics or others. I may have written this fiction loosely based on a few fictions I have read here, you will know yours when you read them—all in all, I own nothing, thus will be the disclaimer for the next and upcoming chapters (if any). Oh, and this happens post season 2 finale, minus the part Barry go mess-up the timeline because I don't want to get too technical. Oh so anyways, enjoy!
Johann Pachelbel was undeniably a musical genius. His arrangement for the infamous Pachelbel's Canon in D was, and still is treasured by many throughout the globe. It has not only been a symbol of joyous celebration of the union of two hearts and soul in holy matrimony but also a somber celebration for some when finally getting long awaited closure. The miracle of arrangement did not just capture the right amount of sentiment but perfectly resonated a somewhat dearth tranquility—a sensation unbelievably close to serendipity. But this is not a story of what a genius Pachelbel is by composing the ultimate heartwarming musical piece, neither is this a story of how he did us all a favor by coming up with the piece. Oh, no, but this is a story about friendship and family, possibly love too and the instrumental song— just happened to have impeccable timing.
…
It was a rather fine day at STAR Labs, with nothing to narrate on, seriously. Caitlin and Cisco finally got their chance to do exactly what they initially signed up to do when they first recruited. Joe, Barry and Iris still figuring out a way to cope with everything that had happened all at once, meaning a rather detached week for the three of them from the lab. Wally, for a change in the West household is the only sane being to be up and running his not-so-ordinary routine, but that was probably because he had more catching up to do on the whole 'everything happened all at once' part. In a nutshell, it was a really boring day at STAR Labs until the second Cisco decided he was going to do Caitlin a favor and drop by Jitters to get them coffees. At least, that was when things started to get interesting.
Why? Firstly it was because a few minutes after Cisco went out, Iris came crumbling uncharacteristically to Caitlin about Barry and her love life, and not to be confused as a single issue since Barry and Iris had finally talked about whatever it was between them and settled on a resolution, these are two separate issues.
"I know, he needs time to cope with this—whatever he's feeling, and I know I told him that I will wait for him as he waited for me to be open about us. I just need another perspective on this, other than Barry's and mine." she started by dumping her handbag on an empty slot on the table and slumping into an empty seat, without question grabbing Caitlin's full attention.
"Good morning." Caitlin offered considering she was not so sure how she was supposed to be reacting around Iris when she was being uncharacteristic. Caitlin did not meant to be rude, but she and Iris were not exactly Barry and Cisco or Barry and Iris or even Joe and Wally for the matter of fact. They were just plainly Caitlin and Iris, the only things they shared in common were Barry and their instinct of keeping their city and loved ones safe. "What did Joe said?" she added since it was only logic that asking for Joe's advice is the right thing Iris should be doing rather than blurting her burden to someone who was equally emotionally drained like Dr. Caitlin Snow.
The question was replied by another uncharacteristic groan. "You know, I've got this feeling for a while. The feeling that my world and my life revolved around mostly men. I mean, I have friends, female friends, and they are great."
"But you can't help noticing the major influences in your life revolves around men." Caitlin offered her habit of completing someone else's sentences to Iris, receiving an approving nod. "I see." she said. "Well, you know, as a doctor, there's a few things I could suggest to you for your predicament." she quipped, putting down her pen and setting aside her notes to move closer to Iris. "Whatever you thought you should be doing about Barry's coping with whatever he is dealing with right now, it's yours to decide either to do it or not. As an acquaintance or friend to both you and Barry, I'd say, if you do believe in destiny, in all of the signs sent that you two were meant to be together, in your love, if you believe in them, give him the time and support he needs." her hands found Iris' and held them tightly in assurance.
Iris felt her lips quivered as she fought back her tears of exasperation for how closely similar the advice is to her father's and a hint of desperation for needing a woman's company for a change in the midst of men-chaos happening in her life right now. "Do you think there's any chance for us to have some bonding time, just us girls?" she asked.
Caitlin gave Iris a smile that never had she realized that Caitlin had a smile that could brighten up any room up to this moment. "I thought you'd never ask." she said as she reached for her purse and sifted through it. "As a matter of fact, Cisco did say once that I didn't have a life, and you are from what I've gathered from the past, a rather fun person to be in company with, so why not?" she offered Iris her name card. "Besides, something tells me you are a really good friend." she shot her a smile that leaked a single tear from Iris.
…
Secondly, Cisco met a girl at Jitters that he took a liking while waiting for his turn and really fighting his nerves because the last time he felt this way to a barista, that person happened to have an ancient warrior persona who already have a soulmate. When will he ever find his soulmate is a question he, himself feared to ponder, he just rather concentrate on not being turned into Reverb instead. Nonetheless, excuse him for being so nervous when his turn came up and all he wanted to do was to be swallowed by the floor beneath him, but the weirdest thing happened to him, his anxiety that was threatening to end his life a few seconds ago was gone, he was still nervous, but it was not as bad as before.
"May I take your order?" Cisco glanced at her tag that said 'Rhen'. This time around, he had no problem telling her his order and at least he did not go full retard on her even though he was dangerously close on going there. As soon as she turned her back on him, the life threatening anxiety came back rushing into his system and he swore he was close to revisit his episode of epilepsy until she returned with his order. Just like that, like before, whatever he was experiencing, the moment was gone. She casted him a customary smile before handing him the coffees.
That was when the next interesting thing happened, or how Cisco met a girl became interesting. He was right feeling nervous about this girl, not for the same reason as Kendra, no, he did not saw her sprouting wings from her back. What he saw was this Rhen, whoever she is, she was dressed beautifully and was playing a violin accompanied by a pianist, and that too, was being done beautifully. Cisco gave her an awkward smile in return because he can never really understand how his vibe thing worked exactly. Little did he know he was going to find out what his vision meant. There was one thing Cisco knew for sure, he was going to have to expect some STAR Labs-worthy stuffs from Rhen.
The next time Cisco saw Rhen was when his brother insisted him to attend the recitals he claimed to be his breakthrough in being a pianist. It turned out the pianist who was going to accompany her was his own brother. True enough, she did look stunning with the knee length black dress adorned with glitters that made her seemed as though veiled by the starry night sky and she looked even more stunning when she played the note on her violin. Why Dante had never insisted him on going to his recitals before, even to gloat? If this was the beauty he was to experience, he was willing to sit through it all. Well, honestly, maybe not all of them, just the part where she is concerned.
"Cisco!" Dante hollered at him from afar when the recitals ended, gesturing him towards the backstage. "Since you are so willing to be here and sit through my awesomeness, I'm inviting you to the celebratory party and the after party following it." Sheer excitement showed effortlessly in his tone and Cisco was already scheming various incidences for emergency exit but faltered when Dante added, "Come on. Meet my beautiful and talented partner, Rhen."
"He only says that because I play a very different but conveniently complementing instrument from and for him, and that tonight was a huge success. Usually he'll introduce me as his sister in musical performance, leaving both of the beautiful and talented part altogether," she laughed heartily as she turned her look from his brother to him. "Have we met before somewhere? Your face seems familiar, but you know, these past days I can only remember so much with this kind of event on my plate." she asked pointedly to him.
"You two have met? Oh good, then I'll leave you two be to catch up what's need to be caught up. I think that's a bunch of music producers over there that I simply have to approach." Dante cut through as he began to rush over some seemingly wealthy people. "We're still on, right, by the way?" he stopped for a while and shot a knowing look at Rhen.
"Of course." Rhen casted Dante the customary smile Cisco knew from their previous encounter. "Back to the topic, have we met?" Rhen returned her attention to Cisco.
"Yeah, once at Jitters. I was the dork with the awkward stare and awkward smile at the end of our encounter." he told her to jog her memory. That comment, however demeaning it was actually, got him another hearty laugh from Rhen that Cisco grew to like and he was not sure if was supposed to be liking it or not, but he decided to let his future self to decide that for him.
"Hey, those are one third of my customers you're talking about." she replied when her laugh died down. "But yeah, I remember you from Jitters." she added before a silence fell between them for a moment. "Oh, but Dante hadn't introduced us to each other. I mean, it's not fair that you know my name. I just know you as that dude I met over the counter at Jitters." she quipped.
Cisco could not believe his luck. This pretty lady here is smooth with her talk that it tantalizes his awkwardness, and he was not going to deny that part one bit. Then, a few moments later his guard went up because the last time he met a smooth talking girl, she happened to be a sister to a crook and a crook herself. Sure, she flirted with him back and forth, but that girl was toxic. "I'm Cisco Ramon."
"Ramon. Related?" she inquired.
"Brothers." he nodded.
"Pleasure." she held out her hand and that was when the next how Cisco met a girl became interesting happened. Awesome.
…
