[ Cisco sighs; is it just wishful thinking, to frame it like that? A truism designed to absolve him of guilt over the fact that his own happiness might come at the expense of Iris'? Iris, who deserves happiness so much more than-
He has the thought, but for once, stops it halfway. Iris does deserve happiness. But... that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it a little, too. Maybe. ]
Besides... Iris is really tough. And if I were her, getting to talk to you after so long would totally outweigh everything else.
[ Probably, anyway. Cisco doesn't know Iris as well as Eddie does, so it's possible that he's wrong. But he thinks that it is Eddie's guilt talking, right now. ]
[A soft exhalation, eyes closing as he keeps his face buried against Cisco's hair. Eddie isn't convinced that Iris will want to be with him here, want what they had back. She hadn't said anything to imply that she does, and Eddie doesn't want to assume that either - but he knows that no matter how she feels, there's going to be hurt.
Cisco is right. There isn't any way to avoid either him or Iris being hurt in this situation, there's too much history, there's his death, there's Barry and a dozen other things that make it too complicated to avoid pain.]
I feel that way too, about her. I'm so happy to just...be able to catch up with her, hear about her life and how she's grown. I think she'll be fine.
[A pause, the hand not pressed against Cisco's chest rubbing up and down his narrow shoulder, then down against his breastbone, not sexual but intimate. When he speaks, his voice is pitched soft, concerned.]
Are you? Going to be fine, I mean. How can I help make you feel safe, with me?
[ That question makes Cisco's breath catch in his throat - quiet, but audible. The fact that Eddie is willing to go so far to accommodate what amounts to Cisco's petty insecurities is touching to him. It's, frankly, unprecedented. He doesn't know how to answer, how to say just asking is enough. Instead, let sighs, says quietly: ]
I'll be super. And if I start to feel not-super, then... I promise I'll tell you, alright? And we can take it from there.
[ It might not sounds like much, but it's a promise of honesty - even if it's hard. And it's one that Cisco intends to keep.
He sinks a little lower in the tub, resting a bit more of his weight back against Eddie's chest. The next few days are probably going to be pretty rough for the both of them - between helping Caitlin, talking things out with Iris, between Eddie's guilt and Cisco's fears. But they've gotten through worse. They can get through this, too. ]
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[ Cisco sighs; is it just wishful thinking, to frame it like that? A truism designed to absolve him of guilt over the fact that his own happiness might come at the expense of Iris'? Iris, who deserves happiness so much more than-
He has the thought, but for once, stops it halfway. Iris does deserve happiness. But... that doesn't mean he doesn't deserve it a little, too. Maybe. ]
Besides... Iris is really tough. And if I were her, getting to talk to you after so long would totally outweigh everything else.
[ Probably, anyway. Cisco doesn't know Iris as well as Eddie does, so it's possible that he's wrong. But he thinks that it is Eddie's guilt talking, right now. ]
no subject
[A soft exhalation, eyes closing as he keeps his face buried against Cisco's hair. Eddie isn't convinced that Iris will want to be with him here, want what they had back. She hadn't said anything to imply that she does, and Eddie doesn't want to assume that either - but he knows that no matter how she feels, there's going to be hurt.
Cisco is right. There isn't any way to avoid either him or Iris being hurt in this situation, there's too much history, there's his death, there's Barry and a dozen other things that make it too complicated to avoid pain.]
I feel that way too, about her. I'm so happy to just...be able to catch up with her, hear about her life and how she's grown. I think she'll be fine.
[A pause, the hand not pressed against Cisco's chest rubbing up and down his narrow shoulder, then down against his breastbone, not sexual but intimate. When he speaks, his voice is pitched soft, concerned.]
Are you? Going to be fine, I mean. How can I help make you feel safe, with me?
no subject
I'll be super. And if I start to feel not-super, then... I promise I'll tell you, alright? And we can take it from there.
[ It might not sounds like much, but it's a promise of honesty - even if it's hard. And it's one that Cisco intends to keep.
He sinks a little lower in the tub, resting a bit more of his weight back against Eddie's chest. The next few days are probably going to be pretty rough for the both of them - between helping Caitlin, talking things out with Iris, between Eddie's guilt and Cisco's fears. But they've gotten through worse. They can get through this, too. ]