Cisco's POV
It had been a very long week, most of which consisted of moping around his room or kitchen.
Even video games had lost their appeal. They only served as a reminder that Barry wasn't here anymore, seeing as Barry had been his co-op partner for three years. Up until a few months ago when the Savitar stuff really picked up, they used to spend every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday night playing a wide variety of games together.
Now video games only made him feel sad. Losing ones best friends ruined quite a lot of things.
The only time he didn't feel as crappy was when Cynthia was around. After that first time, she'd been coming around every night to check on him. She let him curl up next to her while they both fell asleep a few nights, and the other times she just stayed until he fell asleep before leaving.
She was still a bounty hunter after all, and he couldn't expect her to stay with him all the time. Even if he really wanted her to.
It was almost like he could feel their connection growing stronger with each passing moment they spent together. Now he could sense her coming before a breach even opened.
He hadn't talked to anyone else from Team Flash (could they even still call themselves that anymore?) since that night. He didn't know how they were doing or what they were up to.
He felt like he should go check on them but he couldn't find the motivation. The future was so unclear now. How were they even going to remain a team when the reason for their coming together was gone?
He groaned and closed his eyes, tipping his head back against the couch. It was eleven am and he really felt like he should be doing something.
He felt that familiar tug from somewhere in his chest. And sure enough, the wall opposite him glowed blue and the sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor alerted him to Cynthia's presence.
A gentle smile tugged at his lips as he turned around and placed his cup of coffee on the table, the sight of her filling him with a sudden warmth.
"Hey you." She smiled, grasping his purple hoodie and pulling him in closer so she could kiss his cheek.
"Hi." He sighed in contentment. "To what do I owe this pleasure? Usually you come by much later."
He stood up and followed her as she stepped into his little kitchen.
She went about pouring herself coffee into a to-go-mug, smiling at him from over her shoulder. "I have a bounty to collect on Earth-74, but I wanted to check up on you first. I'm not sure how late I'll be tonight."
Cisco almost blushed, but he found her concern for him adorable. "Awe, are you worried about me?" He teased lightly. It felt good to do that again.
She raised an eyebrow at him, her free hand on her hip. "Don't make me kick your ass, Vibe."
He put his hands up in mock defense. "Sorry, sorry. I just find it flattering that you're so worried about me. It's nice though."
"Yeah, well don't make me take it back. I don't have to come here every night." She sipped her coffee, her smile betraying the clipped tone she used.
"I won't say another word on the matter." He pretended to zip his lips.
He knew feelings weren't her strong suit and that she was very guarded about those feelings, so he let it go.
Plus, she'd been coming by so often after the Savitar incident that he was afraid bringing it up would remind her about whatever weird thing they had going on before.
If pity was the reason she was coming around more, he'd take it. She was the only thing keeping him from losing it right now.
"Good." She put her cup on the counter and walked back over to him. "So, how are you feeling?" She asked, slipping her arms around his waist. The move was so coupley, Cisco couldn't help but smile down at her.
Then he remembered she asked him how he was. So he just shrugged. "As well as can be expect. I feel better when you're here." He mumbled.
She kissed his cheek. "I wish I could help and be around more." She kissed his cheek again before clearing her throat. "Maybe you should think about contacting one of your friends?"
"I don't want to bother them." Cisco brushed it off. He did not want to go there yet. He wasn't ready.
She nodded. "What are your plans today then?" The way she looked up at him told him she wasn't going to let the friends thing go. Sneaky little minx she was, she was trying to word it differently to throw him off.
Nope, even when depressed and tired as hell, Cisco Ramon was still on top of things.
He glanced around the room and gestured as he did so. "Um, this? I dunno, I thought I'd shower, maybe tinker with some stuff." He shrugged.
"Look, I know you don't want to talk about it, but I really think you should talk to someone else. What about Wells? He's probably still at Star Labs all by himself. And the Wests, maybe they could use a visit from someone who understands their pain."
What she was saying made complete sense and he knew she was right, but he still wasn't ready to deal with anything right now. It had only been a little longer than a week.
"And I will eventually, I promise. But what good can I do right now? I'm still just as depressed, it'll probably just make them feel even worse. Plus, it's only been eight days." He slumped down in the nearest chair.
She sighed, "Right now it's eight days Next thing you know it'll be eight weeks and you'll still be using that excuse. Look, take it from someone who let their guilt and sadness fester until it exploded and I went on a one-woman-mission to destory Kadabra; you'll never get better unless you move forward and live your life. Otherwise you're stuck in a rut, feeling horrible about everything."
Cisco opened his mouth to argue but she raised her hand to silence him.
"I don't mean to be demanding or pushy, Cisco. I just want you to feel better. I see how you are when you're around your friends. You're happier, lighter. I just think it'll make you feel better."
Cisco groaned. "Damn. Why do you have to be right all the time?" He buried his head in his hands.
"It's something you learn after being around me this long." Cynthia grabbed his face and forced him to look up at her. "So what do you say? At least talk to Wells first, that will be the easier task."
He looked up at her and traced all of her adorable freckles with his eyes, smiling slightly. "For you? Alright."
"Thank you." She smiled back, leaning over to kiss his bottom lip before pulling away and chugging the cup of coffee she had set behind her while Cisco chuckled.
"Do you really have to go so soon?" He asked, giving her his best pouty face.
"Yep." She laughed at his mock-hurt expression. "I'll be back later. I do have a job ya know."
"Okay, okay. But, you should know that I will do my best to woo you one of these days." He said seriously.
"Woo me, huh? And how exactly do you plan on doing that?" She teased.
"I have yet to take you out on a first date. And that simply won't do."
"Is that right? Well in that case, I can't wait to watch you woo me. Do you already have it planned?" She asked, one eyebrow raised. He could see the pink tinge appear on her cheeks that betrayed her cool attitude towards the subject.
"I've had it planned since the night you first kissed me." He chuckled even though he was perfectly serious. "I like to be ahead of the game when I'm wooing a girl. Not that, you know, it happens a lot."
She shook her head. "I can't imagine why. You're pretty adorable Cisco Ramon." She smiled up at him, a full-blown blush now on her cheeks.
It was quite a feat, he thought, to reduce this hardass woman to blushes. It made him feel powerful in a sense. Not that he thought he wielded any power of her, but because he liked being the one to turn her mushy.
"Not as adorable as you." He countered. Hey, any excuse to keep her around and keep her talking to him. He was so not looking forward to going to Star Labs.
"I think you underestimate the power of that cute smile and insanely sexy hair." She teased, pulling away. "Now stop stalling and go get dressed, okay? I have to get going."
He sighed at the loss of contact but nodded in response to her orders. "Yes ma'am?" He leaned in, hoping for a kiss.
She smirked and leaned in too, only to pat his head and throw her fist to the side, creating a breach before jumping through it.
Cisco scoffed and pouted, glancing over at the counter. She even took his favorite cup with her.
But as reluctant as he was, she was totally right.
So that's how he found himself dressed in a Star Wars tee, jacket, and jeans, walking into the rubble that was Star Labs.
Being here was so, so painful. This was the place his life had changed so many time. But this last time, was by far the worst. Looking at the shattered remains of his once amazing life, Cisco plucked up the courage to walk into what remained of the Cortex.
He was surprised however to find it slightly cleaner than when they last left it that night. There was a small area by the main computer that had a new chair, the computer itself was semi-repaired, and there was a single lamp on the desk next to it.
"You know, I've been wondering what that's about." A voice startled him, making him leap in the air a bit and his hand shoot to his heart.
"Geez! Announce yourself next time please." Cisco shuddered as Harry smirked back at him. It wasn't quite the same smirk he remembered, maybe a little sadder.
"Judging by how shocked and jumpy you are, I'm guessing this isn't your handiwork?" Harry asked, walking up next to him.
Cisco glared at the other man but shook his head. "Nope, this isn't me. I thought it was you."
"No I haven't come up here. There are a couple rooms downstairs that didn't take as much of a hit in the explosion so I've been staying there."
Harry said it so casually but Cisco couldn't help but feel a little guilt well-up in his stomach.
"Look, Harry, if you need somewhere to stay, you can crash at my place. I've been so wrapped up in myself I didn't even think about you or Jay."
Harry waved him off. "We've all been dealing with things, Ramon. And uh, I know I made a promise to Barry that I'd stay on Earth-1, but Jesse needs me. So I think, in a couple weeks, I'm going to go back to my earth."
Cisco tried to push away the feeling of dread that yet another person in his life was going to be leaving him. Harry had a daughter and she was the most important thing to him. Cisco had to respect that.
"Barry would want you to be with your daughter. If you don't need to be here anymore, I understand. I can breach you there whenever you need."
Harry nodded, putting his hands on his hips. Cisco followed the motions of his arms and wondered to himself how Harry had even changed his clothes.
"I'll stick around a bit longer. Make sure everyone and everything is in order though." Harry coughed awkwardly and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "So what are you doing here then? If you're not here to check the computer."
Cisco shrugged. "I just wanted to check on everyone. Cynthia said I should."
"She's still here then?" Harry looked around as if expecting to see her.
"Not on Earth-1. She just comes by my place every once in a while to see me and steal my coffee." He smiled slightly.
Harry nodded, his eyebrow raised with a slight smile. Almost like he was approving of Cisco's situation. "Good for you, Ramon."
And there it was again. That feeling like he was currently having a chat with his father. No matter which Wells it was, Cisco had a feeling he'd always be like a father to him. It was both a blessing and a curse.
The two men shared a slightly awkward but genuinely friendly smile.
"So, what do you say we figure out who's been messing with the computer?" Cisco clapped his hands together.
"I'd say let's get cracking on our mystery hero. Whoever it is really knows what they're doing with the wiring. It's almost perfect."
"You know, maybe we should also think about fixing up the lab a bit more. Hardly in working condition." Cisco threw out there, eyeing Harry who seemed to be seriously considering it.
After a moment, Harry nodded. "Lets do it. I can spare an extra day or two. Whatever it takes to get this place in working condition."
And that's how Cisco and Harry ended up spending the entire night hanging out. Like, actually hanging out. Even though Harry would never admit it, they had fun talking tech, eating Big Belly Burger, and studying the handiwork done by their mystery hero.
Best part was, Harry only ended up calling Cisco a dumbass twice. That was quite the record for them. Usually they hit at least five times if they were working in close quarters.
Cisco glanced over at Harry as he shoved some debris out of the way and huffed in irritation and Cisco smiled. This felt familiar, this felt right.
Cynthia was right, he was already feeling a little better. Being with a friend, having something useful to do, it was already making him feel more like himself.
Next hurdle? Checking up on the Wests.
Two chapters in one night? Yeah, I've been sitting on these for a while. Just been too busy to post them.
Sorry if you don't like Cynco. I've become pretty obsessed with them myself so you'll see them sprinkled throughout other chapters and probably featured heavily in Cisco-centric chapters. I just really wish we could've seen more on how their relationship progressed and how they got to the point they're at now. And I hope we see Cynthia/Jessica again soon. ^_^
Until next communion!