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[ Cisco jumps, wheels around to see Harry standing there behind him like a complete creeper. He clutches at his chest and says (okay, yells) ]
What the HELL, Harry?!
[ That is so not okay. ]
What the HELL, Harry?!
[ That is so not okay. ]
[ Perhaps the right question for Cisco to ask would be How did you find me so fast?. But it doesn't even occur to him to wonder. Instead, he berates: ]
Are you trying to give me a heart attack, man? 'Cause you're on the right track.
[ Cisco heaves a long, exasperated sigh, dropping his hand from his chest and rolling his eyes. ]
Are you trying to give me a heart attack, man? 'Cause you're on the right track.
[ Cisco heaves a long, exasperated sigh, dropping his hand from his chest and rolling his eyes. ]
[ Harrison shrugs his shoulders, giving him a brief pat on the back before nodding towards the door. ]
You're fine. It's not far, come on.
[ Which at the very least is more than he would have said a few months ago. At least. He walks back over to the door, pushing it open and holding it for him, gesturing. ]
You're fine. It's not far, come on.
[ Which at the very least is more than he would have said a few months ago. At least. He walks back over to the door, pushing it open and holding it for him, gesturing. ]
[ Cisco follows after him, heading through the door and thinking that is griping is done - for now, anyway. If Harry happens to get lightly pranked sometime in the near future, though, he'll really only have himself to blame. ]
I still think this place likes you better than me.
[ He hadn't been the one to find a Big Belly Burger, after all. Then again, maybe Harry just wanted one a lot more than he did. He has always been strangely devoted to the place.]
I still think this place likes you better than me.
[ He hadn't been the one to find a Big Belly Burger, after all. Then again, maybe Harry just wanted one a lot more than he did. He has always been strangely devoted to the place.]
Think that all you want. It still makes me scavenge for supplies for the workshop.
[ Though it was kind enough to provide a bed for Jesse in the loft — just one that he had to assemble. Still, something was better than nothing.
He approaches a frosted glass door with the Big Belly Burger logo on it and pushes it open, revealing a familiar layout. Even in an interdimensional nexus, the fast food joint remained exactly the same. ]
Well?
[ Though it was kind enough to provide a bed for Jesse in the loft — just one that he had to assemble. Still, something was better than nothing.
He approaches a frosted glass door with the Big Belly Burger logo on it and pushes it open, revealing a familiar layout. Even in an interdimensional nexus, the fast food joint remained exactly the same. ]
Well?
That is very sad. :( But I suppose there is always a price, even if your schooling was supposed to be free.
(It's good that you and Caitlin did not know me when you went to school, because I would have likely punched them in the face for what they did to you, and insult their manhood as well.)
It does sound strange to me. But people on my world accept things that sound strange to you. It depends on where you come from, I suppose.
: D
I could write down the stories from my world. The best ones aren't always in books.
(It's good that you and Caitlin did not know me when you went to school, because I would have likely punched them in the face for what they did to you, and insult their manhood as well.)
It does sound strange to me. But people on my world accept things that sound strange to you. It depends on where you come from, I suppose.
: D
I could write down the stories from my world. The best ones aren't always in books.
[ As soon as they're inside, any traces of bad mood over not being able to find it himself and over Harry startling him vanish. He never would have thought that he would be so happy to see a fast food restaurant. But it's not just that - it's a little slice of home. Something he hadn't even thought to miss, until it was gone.
He supposes that must be what it was like for Harry, on Earth-1. Something familiar in the midst of the bizarre, unfamiliar city.
It's a little strange, that it's totally empty, but Cisco's gotten weirdly used to that. Just like he's gotten used to the way that food just shows up on the counter, whatever it is he most wants. ]
Sure looks right, but does it taste the same, that's the real question...
He supposes that must be what it was like for Harry, on Earth-1. Something familiar in the midst of the bizarre, unfamiliar city.
It's a little strange, that it's totally empty, but Cisco's gotten weirdly used to that. Just like he's gotten used to the way that food just shows up on the counter, whatever it is he most wants. ]
Sure looks right, but does it taste the same, that's the real question...
Let's find out.
[ What he doesn't want to say is that he'd been waiting for someone else to try it out with him. Both Jesse and Snow were still (mostly) staying in; he'd bring his daughter back some once he was sure it was authentic (and safe, he adds idly). Which left Allen and Ramon, and when it came to experiments and various— things that most definitely weren't shenanigans of any sort, Cisco was his go-to these days.
Or he could just be denying to himself that he wanted to share the experience with a friend. Whatever.
Harrison approaches the counter and a tray appears a moment later with his meal. He gives Cisco a brief smirk before heading over to a booth. ]
[ What he doesn't want to say is that he'd been waiting for someone else to try it out with him. Both Jesse and Snow were still (mostly) staying in; he'd bring his daughter back some once he was sure it was authentic (and safe, he adds idly). Which left Allen and Ramon, and when it came to experiments and various— things that most definitely weren't shenanigans of any sort, Cisco was his go-to these days.
Or he could just be denying to himself that he wanted to share the experience with a friend. Whatever.
Harrison approaches the counter and a tray appears a moment later with his meal. He gives Cisco a brief smirk before heading over to a booth. ]
and it's not a high price. there's no way i could do the things i do now if it weren't for public education. it gave me a chance to make something of myself. make my life matter.
(please, if you'd punched a bully for me in school we would've been friends for life)
you should totally do that! i would read the crap outta those. 😎
(please, if you'd punched a bully for me in school we would've been friends for life)
you should totally do that! i would read the crap outta those. 😎
I'm pretty sure there are entire teams of engineers out there who can't top Tali's work. You should definitely be good if she's helping out.
[ a minute or two go by before he replies to the second half of the text. ]
Seeing Ashley is a relief, actually. The situation we were in... It got bad, fast. Our CO had to choose between saving one or the other. I think Ash and I both spent our fair share of time tangling with guilt over it.
So it's good to know she's still out there somewhere, even if it's in another universe.
[ a minute or two go by before he replies to the second half of the text. ]
Seeing Ashley is a relief, actually. The situation we were in... It got bad, fast. Our CO had to choose between saving one or the other. I think Ash and I both spent our fair share of time tangling with guilt over it.
So it's good to know she's still out there somewhere, even if it's in another universe.
I think I'm gonna start with gang member and make my way from there.
[ Cisco follows after him, grinning like someone who knows when he is participating in a shenanigan and is not afraid to admit it to himself. He doesn't sit in the booth so much as fling himself onto the seat and then sprawl. He's learned that the best way to survive this place is not to pass up any opportunity for fun: to take the moments of peace and happiness that they are allowed and seize them with both hands. ]
Alright, moment of truth.
[ He snags a french fry from the tray, shoves it in his mouth, and makes a sound of profound contentment. ]
Tastes just the same to me. What d'you think?
[ He gestures for Harry to try it, too, beaming. ]
Alright, moment of truth.
[ He snags a french fry from the tray, shoves it in his mouth, and makes a sound of profound contentment. ]
Tastes just the same to me. What d'you think?
[ He gestures for Harry to try it, too, beaming. ]
[ Harrison picks up a burger from the tray and eyes it suspiciously for a moment. It smells the same, but that could mean anything, not that it was guaranteed to taste the same. He frowns and then takes a bite, chewing slowly. It takes a moment or two before he swallows and nods with satisfaction. ]
It's the same.
[ Which seems to open the floodgates for him. He makes quick work of the burger — the surest sign that he's more than happy with it — and then starts working on the fries. ]
It's the same.
[ Which seems to open the floodgates for him. He makes quick work of the burger — the surest sign that he's more than happy with it — and then starts working on the fries. ]
[ Him both liking Tali and highly valuing her and her work is a very quick way for Kaidan to get on Cisco's good side. Because he thinks Tali is pretty damn great, plus she's also told him that Quarians don't always have the easiest time earning people's respect (an understatement), and also he is an engineer and biased in the favor of people who value their engineer friends. ]
i'm telling her you said that.
[ His CO - that must be Shepard, right? Cisco really really doesn't envy her in this situation - being trapped in a pocket dimension with Kaidan and Ashley, when by the sound of it, the point of divergence between their two universes was her decision which of them to save. That's some mind-bending, heart-breaking stuff right there. ]
i think i get what you mean. kind of. not really the same, but there someone here who i knew back home. he sacrificed his life to save the rest of us. so... running into him again was sort of a lot to handle.
i'm telling her you said that.
[ His CO - that must be Shepard, right? Cisco really really doesn't envy her in this situation - being trapped in a pocket dimension with Kaidan and Ashley, when by the sound of it, the point of divergence between their two universes was her decision which of them to save. That's some mind-bending, heart-breaking stuff right there. ]
i think i get what you mean. kind of. not really the same, but there someone here who i knew back home. he sacrificed his life to save the rest of us. so... running into him again was sort of a lot to handle.
[ Cisco watches with some amusement as Harry silently devours the food. For a little while he is content to eat in silence, too, enjoying Harry's company and the familiar fare. But silence never lasts too long, when Cisco is around, so soon enough he is saying: ]
Too bad this wasn't around when you went all speedster for a day.
[ Somehow the image of Harry going through 40 burgers the way Barry does sometimes is a very amusing one. Cisco dips a french fry into his milkshake thoughtfully before he continues: ]
Too bad it doesn't have a lock. Eobard finds out about this place you know he's gonna be in here like, all the time, right?
[ Maybe he should have let Harry finish his meal before he starts imagining the worst and trying to plan for eventualities, but it only just then occurred to Cisco that Harry probably doesn't know his fondness for the restaurant is one he shares with his doppelganger. Not really any gentle way of breaking that news. ]
Too bad this wasn't around when you went all speedster for a day.
[ Somehow the image of Harry going through 40 burgers the way Barry does sometimes is a very amusing one. Cisco dips a french fry into his milkshake thoughtfully before he continues: ]
Too bad it doesn't have a lock. Eobard finds out about this place you know he's gonna be in here like, all the time, right?
[ Maybe he should have let Harry finish his meal before he starts imagining the worst and trying to plan for eventualities, but it only just then occurred to Cisco that Harry probably doesn't know his fondness for the restaurant is one he shares with his doppelganger. Not really any gentle way of breaking that news. ]
[ Harrison pulls a face at that, tossing a fry in Cisco's direction. The last thing he'd wanted to think about today was Eobard Thawne; he'd managed to mentally push him aside more recently, so any reminder is like nails on a chalkboard. ]
So. No one tell him. We'll see how long it takes him to find it. [ A beat. ] Same with Zolomon.
[ He glances around, eying their surroundings. After a moment, he heaves a sigh and scratches at the back of his neck. ]
. . . we can just take it to go in the future.
[ Just like he did back in their Central City. Come to think of it, it's been awhile since he's been able to really sit down in a public restaurant and enjoy a meal. Harrison used to do it all the time back home but after crossing the breach, that was out of the question for obvious reasons. At least here, he can sort of do it, but it's not the same, not when everything around them appears to be empty. ]
So. No one tell him. We'll see how long it takes him to find it. [ A beat. ] Same with Zolomon.
[ He glances around, eying their surroundings. After a moment, he heaves a sigh and scratches at the back of his neck. ]
. . . we can just take it to go in the future.
[ Just like he did back in their Central City. Come to think of it, it's been awhile since he's been able to really sit down in a public restaurant and enjoy a meal. Harrison used to do it all the time back home but after crossing the breach, that was out of the question for obvious reasons. At least here, he can sort of do it, but it's not the same, not when everything around them appears to be empty. ]
I think you could do whatever you wanted if you wanted it enough. It'd just be harder. And you might not be allowed to wear cat shirts while you do it.
(Good. But I still would have gotten you in trouble, like i did here.)
Then I shall! Jon can write you some too, he likes telling stories even when he pretends to be a man grown and the best leader in the North or something like that.
(Good. But I still would have gotten you in trouble, like i did here.)
Then I shall! Jon can write you some too, he likes telling stories even when he pretends to be a man grown and the best leader in the North or something like that.
[ Cisco dodges the fry and doesn't even look irritated doing it. For once, he can't really blame Harry for it. He would be just as irked if someone pointed out a similarity between himself and Reverb, and he isn't even half as bad as Eobard is. But still, annoyance or not, Harry had to know. At least, that's what Cisco's paranoia tells him. Better forewarned and forearmed. ]
Hopefully it'll be a long time before they do.
[ He addresses that half to Harry, half to the Big Belly Burger itself. If only his wishing it could be enough to make this place inaccessible to anyone they didn't want there. Unfortunately, he knows by now that it doesn't really work like that. No harm in trying, though.
Cisco fishes around in the bag his food came in and discovers, with a tiny laugh of delight, a toy in a wrapper. He takes it out and tears the plastic, finds a tiny bright red kazoo, which he blows into without a second's hesitation.]
Hopefully it'll be a long time before they do.
[ He addresses that half to Harry, half to the Big Belly Burger itself. If only his wishing it could be enough to make this place inaccessible to anyone they didn't want there. Unfortunately, he knows by now that it doesn't really work like that. No harm in trying, though.
Cisco fishes around in the bag his food came in and discovers, with a tiny laugh of delight, a toy in a wrapper. He takes it out and tears the plastic, finds a tiny bright red kazoo, which he blows into without a second's hesitation.]
Edited 2016-06-11 18:41 (UTC)
[ Any concerns are immediately shoved to the side when Cisco starts tooting on that damn kazoo. Harrison bristles — almost comically, and all too familiar to anyone who's spent enough time around him — and lets out a huff. ]
Really, Ramon? You're not five.
[ He glances over at the play area at that, then looks back at Cisco and raises an eyebrow, almost daring him to. Frankly, it was more surprising to Harrison at this point that Cisco hadn't dived in face first into the ball pit already. ]
Really, Ramon? You're not five.
[ He glances over at the play area at that, then looks back at Cisco and raises an eyebrow, almost daring him to. Frankly, it was more surprising to Harrison at this point that Cisco hadn't dived in face first into the ball pit already. ]
exactly
[ OH NO WHAT HAD HE BEEN THINKING, encouraging Arya to be violent is the last thing he should be doing, what kind of idiot is he? ]
well i wouldn't want you to get in trouble, true
he told you a lot of stories growing up?
[ It's a pretty heartwarming mental image. ]
[ OH NO WHAT HAD HE BEEN THINKING, encouraging Arya to be violent is the last thing he should be doing, what kind of idiot is he? ]
well i wouldn't want you to get in trouble, true
he told you a lot of stories growing up?
[ It's a pretty heartwarming mental image. ]
[ If there is any method more immediately effective than a kazoo to snap Harry out of a potential spiral of worry and unhappiness over the evil speedsters that so unfortunately plague their lives, Cisco has not found it. As soon as Harry complains and calls him five years old, Cisco blows into the thing again. It's perhaps a fine line to walk - annoying Harry pretty much always brings him joy, but he doesn't want to go far enough that he will actually attempt to wrestle the toy away from him.
When he points out the ball pit, Cisco is sorely tempted. His food is almost finished, and contrary to what Harry might think, it's actually been a really long time since he went in one. ]
I bet you've never been in a ball pit in your life.
[ Is that a dare? It definitely sounds a bit like one. Cisco is a little surprised they even have them on Earth-2, that Harry isn't asking him what the purpose of it is. Somehow, he can't imagine Harrison Wells, genius, as a child, playing in a ball pit. He can't really imagine him as a child at all with any ease, but if he did, he would probably be off solving equations and generally acting like a 60 year old in a 6 year old's body. Probably. ]
When he points out the ball pit, Cisco is sorely tempted. His food is almost finished, and contrary to what Harry might think, it's actually been a really long time since he went in one. ]
I bet you've never been in a ball pit in your life.
[ Is that a dare? It definitely sounds a bit like one. Cisco is a little surprised they even have them on Earth-2, that Harry isn't asking him what the purpose of it is. Somehow, he can't imagine Harrison Wells, genius, as a child, playing in a ball pit. He can't really imagine him as a child at all with any ease, but if he did, he would probably be off solving equations and generally acting like a 60 year old in a 6 year old's body. Probably. ]
Edited 2016-06-12 05:18 (UTC)
[ He absolutely seems annoyed, but he also doesn't seem ready to lunge across the table to snatch up the kazoo. Instead, he sits back and crosses his arms, eying him flatly in mild irritation. His eyes flick over to the play area again at Cisco's retort — he can sense a dare from him almost immediately and rolls his eyes. ]
What's your point, Ramon.
[ It's more a rhetorical question than anything. Harrison already knows what Cisco's point is — that he doesn't know how to have fun. ]
What's your point, Ramon.
[ It's more a rhetorical question than anything. Harrison already knows what Cisco's point is — that he doesn't know how to have fun. ]
My point is... like a week ago Caitlin made a really impassioned defense of your ability to have fun. She was totally insistent. Now, I figure you've got two options.
[ Cisco pulls his device from his pocket, clicks through to Caitlin's inbox before raising his eyes to Harry again, smiling. He's probably pushing his luck here. But also: he does not care. What would life be without a little harmless trolling? ]
Either I text Caitlin and tell her she was wrong... or you meet me in the pit.
[ He raises his eyebrows in challenge. ]
What's it gonna be?
[ Cisco pulls his device from his pocket, clicks through to Caitlin's inbox before raising his eyes to Harry again, smiling. He's probably pushing his luck here. But also: he does not care. What would life be without a little harmless trolling? ]
Either I text Caitlin and tell her she was wrong... or you meet me in the pit.
[ He raises his eyebrows in challenge. ]
What's it gonna be?
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