Hey! Is anybody still out there?! Where did everybody GO?! I know it's been three months, but I warned you all this would happen. Come back! I'm here!

Well, like the title says, many happy returns, I'm back! I'm here to announce that the hiatus is over and season 4 is on its way with this trailer. Props to anyone who can tell my inspiration. Hint: it's in the name.

It had only been a month following Savitar's defeat and Caitlin and Barry's temporary departure from the team.

Barry and Caitlin had given the duty of protecting Central City on Cisco's shoulders along with Wally, which he was glad to do. Cisco had always wanted to get out in the field more often, but he just wished it didn't have to be because of all this.

When Barry left, he placed full control of STAR Labs into Cisco's hands as well. At least until he returned, which was awesome. Who didn't dream of being the owner of a successful company? But now, Cisco was starting to learn to appreciate everything Barry did in order to keep their place of work and secret hideout running.

And so, this was one of the days Cisco had designated himself to dedicate towards making sure STAR Labs would still be a functioning business by the time Barry or Caitlin returned.

He was just looking at the monthly fees for the company vehicles when he heard his doorbell ring. That was strange. Cisco wasn't expecting any company today.

That made Cisco just slightly suspicious. He'd been the official superhero of Central City for the past month. He deserved to feel a little paranoid when somebody unexpectedly showed up at his front door.

Keeping a hand on his goggles, Cisco looked through the peephole on his door only to see it was Joe on the other side with a box of items.

Instantly relaxed, Cisco unlocked the door and greeted Joe politely. "Hey Joe. I wasn't expecting you."

"I'm sorry to just spring up on you like this, but I found some things in the house that I thought you might like," Joe said, gesturing to the box in his hands.

"What is it?" Cisco asked as Joe placed the box on his table.

"Some things Barry left behind before he decided to leave. It's addressed to you." Joe said.

Immediately, Cisco's attention was drawn to the box. What could Barry have left him? Barry had already left him with the company, but that was proving to be a double edged gift. "What's in it?"

"I didn't think it was right to look through it. It's yours." Joe said.

"Wow, thanks Joe," Cisco said, half-heartedly. It was immediately picked up by Joe.

"You know he's not gone. Neither is Caitlin. They'll both be back someday. We just gotta give them time." Joe consoled him.

"I know." Cisco nodded his head. "Doesn't stop me from wishing that they'd be back by now."

"I get it. I'll leave you to it then." Joe promptly left the apartment and closed the door behind him.

As soon as Joe left, Cisco released a deep sigh and glanced over the box of contents Barry had given him. Decided he needed some alcohol in him before he managed to pull himself to face this, he went to grab himself a beer.

Sitting at the table after he took a sip of his beer, Cisco started rummaging through the box of items. It was mostly things Cisco had lent him over the years. Comic books, posters, a couple movies he'd actually been wondering where they were.

Now that Cisco knew, he kinda wished Barry had kept all this stuff because it would mean Barry would still be here to keep using them, instead of who knows where in the world.

Cisco was about to stop when he noticed a USB that had a writing on it saying 'Cisco's Birthday'. That obviously was Barry's personal gift instead of returned items.

Cisco was hesitant, because his last birthday had been spent all alone. It was still in the time when Cisco had been avoiding Barry after the reveal that Barry had created an alternate timeline that had wound up killing his brother. Cisco was still mad at Barry during that period, so he was slightly concerned about what would be on the video.

Even though they'd mostly decided to put that time behind them, it was still a sore spot that hadn't been mentioned since Cisco had gotten the courage to return to STAR Labs.

Cisco didn't need to watch this. Cisco could go his whole life without needing to know what Barry decided to give him for his birthday this year since there wasn't even a birthday at all, but it was still very nice that Barry was still thinking of him when they were at odds with each other.

Curiosity won out in the end. Cisco took out the USB from the box and slipped it into his laptop. He pressed play and let the video begin.

"The red light is blinking so that means its recording." Barry's voice came out as he stepped away from the camera.

"I know how to work a video camera. I'm a fully licensed doctor. I know how to do this Fleet Feet." Caitlin's voice sounded. She was probably the one holding the camera up. Cisco had heard that it was only the two of them at STAR Labs during this time, as even Joe and Wally avoided that place like the plague for a few weeks, only coming if they had to.

"Just don't destroy it with your powers Ms. Frosty. I need to do this."

"Why are you doing this again?" Caitlin asked.

"Because it's Cisco's birthday and we're not together to celebrate it. The least I can do is make him a video." Barry explained.

Cisco smiled at the thoughtfulness Barry displayed despite being, what can only be described, in the darkest time of their friendship.

"How thoughtful." Caitlin said exactly what he was thinking. "But you couldn't have just left him a voicemail or something? There is a thing such as a phone? Maybe you've heard of it?"

"Cisco's blocked me. I can't leave him a message. This'll just have to do." Barry replied. "Why is Cisco not spending his birthday with his parents?"

"He said he had a thing. Didn't exactly elaborate." Caitlin answered vaguely.

Cisco actually remembered that. He'd been avoiding his parents for the longest time. And he definitely wasn't looking for their company. Sure Dante had died, but that didn't mean all the bad blood between them had just evaporated. Even in death, Dante still cast a larger shadow than Cisco ever would. At least in his parents' eyes.

"Well yeah. Only lies have detail. Seems like he just didn't want to see them, which makes sense since they don't exactly like him." Barry answered.

"Can we just get started? We've been recording for the past few minutes and you still haven't wished Cisco a happy birthday." Caitlin said tiredly.

"Sorry, I just don't want this to sound lame. You know how I tend to rant and ramble, especially when I start getting nervous." Barry said, feeling awkward.

"You won't sound lame. You never sound lame." Caitlin encouraged him.

"Was that a compliment Ms. Frosty?" Barry asked cheekily.

Cisco could practically hear Caitlin roll her eyes. "Don't get too big of a head Fleet Feet."

There was silence on the video with Barry just staring off into space. "Sorry. Just, give me a moment to think about what I should do."

"I can tell you what you can do," Cisco rhetorically answered. "The both of you can come back home."

"Okay," Barry seemed to unknowingly answer Cisco's request. Cisco jumped at the shock of hearing the prerecorded video that seemed to have talked to him.

"Okay, I'm ready," Barry continued. Cisco realized that Barry wasn't even addressing him.

Barry cleared his throat before looking straight at the camera. "Hello Cisco. This is Barry. Allen. Duh."

"Duh, he can see you Fleet Feet. This is Caitlin by the way," Caitlin said, waving a hand in front of the camera.

"Duh. Of course it's you Ms. Frosty!" Barry retorted.

"Duh!" Caitlin exclaimed in response.

Cisco just chuckled. It was nice to see his friends' antics. He just wished he could have actually been there along with them. It was a bittersweet feeling.

"Anyway, we're here to wish you a happy birthday. And I know that this year hasn't gone the way any of us wanted and I know it's all my fault. I don't blame you for wanting your space, but just know that you're still my guy Cisco. You're still my best friend,"

"But you were my best friend first!" Caitlin cut in.

"Caitlin! Just shush!" Barry yelled at her.

"I don't see why you're the only one who gets to wish Cisco a happy birthday."

"Just… shush." Barry shushed her. "Cisco, despite everything, you need to know that I'm always going to be there for you. That hasn't changed."

"Me too!"

"And Caitlin," Barry reluctantly added. "Caitlin and I are always going to be there for you when you call us. Many happy returns. Hopefully, we'll be seeing you soon."

"Happy birthday Cisco!" Caitlin shouted from the background, but the sound of the alarm system turned on, drowning out everything else.

"Put the camera down! What's happening?" Barry demanded.

"New metahuman." Caitlin reported. "It's a speedster!"

There was a sound of a shuffle and the view of the camera became tilted before it cut off. That explained why he never received the video. They probably got too occupied with the speedster, Clariss most likely judging by the time frame, and didn't get to edit it.

Honestly though, Cisco preferred it better like this. It made him feel closer to his friends this way.

Grabbing the mouse, Cisco rewinded the video to the start and pressed play.

"The red light is blinking so that means its recording." Barry's voice came out as he stepped away from the camera.

So just an little insight between seasons 3 and 4. We're seeing how Cisco is holding up without his two friends. And it was never stated when Cisco's birthday was, so I don't know. That was just an excuse to make the video.

To be honest, I expected to be gone for another month. I fully expected to be gone until August, but inspiration for season 4, to be blunt, was lacking, and it ended up shorter than I thought.

Either way, we're good to go for season 4, which is coming next week on July 9 2021. Hope to see you all there.