[ Was he? Not really. If Harrison had to hazard a guess, it was probably an amalgamation of many, many things — how the clock interpreted him, the off-the-cuff suggestion, among other things. It had gotten him out of his room again, after all, shifting his focus back to the clock's mechanics rather than holing up away from Zoom or Reverb or the like. It had successfully distracted Jesse, too, not to mention the fact that just days ago, he would have a hard time imagining himself allowing Ramon back into the loft without a moment's hesitation. Even Thawne had been drawn out (unfortunately).
But Cisco was here and far more likely to react to it than anyone else, and Harrison did always find it hard to not poke at him with a stick more often than not. ]
Sure I am. Think about it. [ He allows himself to be shifted again, rolling his eyes. ] What's the name of your cat, Ramon.
[ Harrison turns at that as Cisco straightens up, giving him a bit of a smirk. That fades almost immediately when the string is dangled in his face; he eyes it flatly, crossing briefly before he swats it away with one hand. There's a pause and he lifts his hand again, ready to idly give it another swipe before the realization settles in. He'd noticed some small changes beyond the physiological ones. When Ramon had asked about side effects, he'd skirted it, though it was hard to hide it now as he slides his hand back into his pocket quickly with a huff. ]
[ When Harry brings up the fact of Harry-the-cat's name, it's a pretty hard argument to refute. Cisco doesn't even try. The thing with King Shark had been a stretch, but it's true that naming his pet after his friend was maybe a bit weird and that could have contributed to this ongoing situation. ]
Okay... point. But you know I only did that 'cause you both knock shit on the floor so much.
[ And yes, he can see the paper towel roll and knows he's a hypocrite.
Cisco grins from ear to ear when Harry bats the string the first time. It isn't until he goes after it the second time that Cisco laughs, silently at first, shaking with it. It's not just the fact that Harry swipes his hand at the string - it's the look of intense, laser-focused attention he gets on his face the split second before he does. He looks precisely like a cat would during play time and it is honestly too bizarre and weirdly cute for Cisco to handle right now.
He scoops up the jeans that Harry laid out and brings them, along with the string and his bag, back to the couch. It should be a quick job, if he's careful - there's no tech to work in, no tests that need to be run. Just some jeans in need of alteration. As he's fishing through his bag for the fabric scissors he finds a ziploc bag, is momentarily confused - that's not sewing supplies - before he remembers and has to struggle not to laugh.
It's probably Cisco Ramon's finest piece of acting, the way he pretends to still be absorbed by the search for his scissors as he holds the baggie out to Harry and says, offhand. ]
Hey hold this for me.
[ It'd be too suspicious if he told him to open it or smell it or anything like that, but knowing Harry and his nosiness, well.... he doesn't have to. ]
[ Harrison follows him over, shaking his head when Cisco holds out the small bag and snatches it from his hand roughly. Leave it to Ramon to bring . . . what was it exactly, anyway? He furrows his brows down at the bag, turning it over in his hand. It looked like some kind of herb, maybe? But what would he . . .
That thought dies in his mind as he glances up, eyes narrowing just a bit over at him. ]
Do I even want to know what this is, Ramon?
[ Though the smell was— well, it wasn't cannabis, he could tell that with his enhanced senses. It had to be something, though; he could feel his hand shake just a bit as he questions Cisco, distracted. At least, distracted enough that he doesn't notice a nail (a claw, though he'll never admit it) catch on the side of the bag, tearing it slightly and letting some of the contents spill, the odor almost immediately wafting up to him.
And in a matter of seconds, the bag is on the ground along with Harrison Wells and though he seems thoroughly intent on rubbing his face against the bag, a calm seems to have come over him. There may even be a soft yowl or two.
It isn't long before he swipes a hand out at the paper towel roll on the floor, batting it to one side, before following it along with his hand and lazily batting it back. ]
[ Cisco had expected him to have a reaction. He'd hoped Harry would have some reaction. But he had never thought it would be this intense or this immediate. One second he is tearing the bag and the next he is laying on the floor and rolling around in it like an absolute lunatic, getting it on his face and in his hair and legitimately, 100% unironically making cat noises.
It is so funny that it momentarily bypasses funny and is a little frightening. Harry can't OD on this stuff, right? Catnip is harmless? Cisco reaches down and plucks up Harry's glasses before he scratches them trying to jam his face into the bits of catnip stuck to the floor. He sets them on the coffee table, a pair of jeans still clutched in one hand.
Only when Harry starts batting the paper towel back and forth does it really sink in enough for Cisco to laugh. But once he starts laughing, he's not sure he'll ever stop. He collapses onto the couch, clutching at his side and choking on it, hardly able to breathe through his mirth. ]
[ When Cisco reaches in to take his glasses away, his only response is to briefly brush against his legs with a muffled hum. The intensity starts to leave him almost as quickly as it seems to have come as the calm settles over him. He even manages to ignore Cisco's laughter, too dazed and focused on that damnable paper towel roll and its inability to stay in one place.
It's about ten or fifteen minutes before some of Harrison's faculties seem to clear up. There's still a sort of fuzziness in his head as well as a few cravings (he'd been to college, he knows how it goes), but his eyes start to focus more. He lifts a hand up to his hair, picking out a few pieces of the herb before swiping a hand over his face once or twice. He'd have to shower to get out some of the smaller pieces, but for now, this was fine.
What he really wants to do is yell at Cisco for a stunt like that — go to town on him. But he doesn't have the energy for that and, more importantly, he doesn't have the heart. It wasn't that long ago that the thought of even the most casual of contact with Ramon made him flinch; now, Reverb was a distant memory, replaced by burgers and catnip betrayal.
Harrison pushes himself up, briefly avoiding eye contact as he shakes his head, brushing more of the herb out of it. The avoidance doesn't last more than a few seconds though as he sits down right nearby on the couch, arms crossed, looking thoroughly unimpressed. He clears his throat but doesn't speak just yet, out of concern that the cat may, quite literally, still have his tongue. ]
[ Cisco does nothing but watch Harry for the first five or so minutes, giggling on and off. The only thing that keeps him from snapping a photo and immediately posting it to the network is sheer altruism. But he definitely does snap a few quick pics, to keep in case he ever has need of them.
Then, when Harry just keeps laying there and lazily rolling the paper towels, he turns his attention back to the jeans. He keeps Harry in his peripheral view as he measures out the right spot and starts to cut the first of the tail holes, carefully. Cisco doesn't actually remove any fabric, but cuts it into segments that he folds back into the inside of he jeans and then sews down, before quickly stitching around the gap, strengthening it.
He sees Harry begin to pluck the catnip from his hair and figures that some self-awareness must be returning. It's a lot quicker than he expected, but that probably makes sense. Who knows how fast Harry's body is metabolizing things, right now. How much of his brain chemistry has actually been changed by the transformation.
Once Harry sits up and crosses his arms like a grumpy school principal, Cisco figures he's over his high. Even though he knows he'll probably get an earful for it, he doesn't regret anything. The smile still stretches from one ear to another as he says: ]
Lemme tell you, that stuff worked a lot better than I thought it would.
[ That damnable smile is probably the only thing keeping Cisco from getting an earful right about now. Part of Harrison is seething internally, while another part is almost placated by that. He can still remember how hesitant he was, how he'd looked after Harrison had flinched away from his touch. It was like night and day now.
So instead of immediately laying into him, Harrison reaches over from his end of the couch with his foot and nudges Cisco's leg with it — enough to be annoying, but not so much that he'd jostle him while he was working on the pants. ]
For science, huh.
[ It's said about as dry as it gets with him, and Harrison eyes Cisco flatly at that. ]
Not a word to anyone else about this.
[ Though— he hates to admit it, but it was useful to know. He'd figured his physiology was also altered to some degree, though he hadn't exactly tested for that yet. If it were anyone else, he'd have run them through the gamut of tests by now. As the subject in question, it's difficult for him to be a neutral observer. It wasn't Cisco's intention — at least, it probably wasn't, knowing him — but it had been somewhat useful in the end.
Not to his pride, but still.
Harrison shifts his positioning, moving closer so he can keep an eye on Cisco as he works. ]
Yep. For science. Only for science. 100%. Nooooo other motivations whatsoever. Just testing your brain chemistry.
[ He knows he's not fooling anyone; Cisco keeps on grinning and sewing, though he looks up and pauses to pluck another bit of catnip out of Harry's hair for him. Because that's what friends are for. Probably did him some good to relax, even if it was only for a quarter of an hour or so. Harry has a stressful life - they all do, here in this place. It's a wonder none of them have gone stir crazy, but at least Cisco and most of the rest of them know how to have fun and blow off steam and distract themselves. Harry, though, it's all work work work with him. ]
Not even Caitlin? Could be medically relevant...
[ Cisco's tone of voice makes it clear that he is joking, though there is a kernel of truth to it. He turns his attention back down to the jeans, stitching away. The denim is tough but he has a thimble and plenty of experience with plying a needle. Probably he could manage these with a machine, but he didn't look for one. It'll be better hand-sewn, anyway, and who knows how long Harry will be like this.
When he finishes up that first pair, Cisco holds them up, measuring, looking for stray threads, before he shoves the jeans at Harry. ]
[ If he seems more mellow than normal (which, to be fair, is any amount of mellow whatsoever), it's because he is. Though it's more like his behavior has become muted in some ways, movements having just a touch of lethargy to them. If Ramon wanted to know whether or not he could get stoned off of catnip? He definitely had a solid answer by now.
Harrison nudges him once or twice more with his foot at Cisco's remarks. It's not a rough nudge — just enough to be annoying at best. ]
Not even Snow. This? [ At that, he gestures between the two of them idly. ] Is between us.
[ He snatches the pants as he stands, heading around a corner to change into them. Modesty at this point is down the drain with him, particularly after the one-two punch of Grodd and Spivot, though he'd never had much to begin with. It's more for Ramon's benefit than anything, and he rolls his eyes at that thought, tugging the pants on. Carefully, he feeds the tail (and it still makes him raise an eyebrow a day later, that damn tail) through the hole Cisco had made before zipping the jeans up, turning to glance over his shoulder at it.
Harrison steps back out a moment later with a shrug, walking back over to the couch. ]
It'll do.
[ Which is basically high praise coming from him. ]
[ Cisco is finding it weirdly hard to argue with this relaxed, lethargic version of Harry. There's no fun in it when his reactions have become so muted. And, well. Cisco's not a snitch. There have been a couple exception, of course, but generally speaking, he is careful with other people's secrets. So he just heaves an exaggerated sigh, rolls his eyes and says: ]
Fiiiine.
[ While Harry is off changing he flips through the pictures he'd snapped of Harry while he was rolling around on the ground. He smiles at them as he deletes them, one by one. There's a temptation to keep them as potential blackmail fodder, but if Harry is embarrassed enough that he doesn't even want Caitlin to know, it's probably for the best. That little incident with Harry's inbox had taught Cisco to be even more wary that the contents of a device did not always stay private, despite best intentions.
When Harry comes back and utters his grudging praise, Cisco beams as if he'd said it was the best sewing job he'd ever seen, pulling that second pair of jeans into his lap so he can start work on it. He starts making the measurements again and asks Harry, offhand: ]
So would you say it's more like being drunk or being stoned?
[ "Relaxed" is a good word for it. So much so that when Harrison makes his way back over to the couch, he flops down on it right next to Cisco. He was never one much for proper posture to begin with; while he'd sit up straight and take long, measured paces during work-related events, he was far more inclined to hunch over in his chairs when working and stretch himself out during breaks or otherwise. That seemed to only be amplified with his current state as he drapes one arm over the back of the couch, craning his neck to peer over at Cisco's work.
And as much as he hated to admit it, he finally felt more comfortable as his tail curls up alongside him. It's almost elegant with its fluff — or at least it would be if it weren't for, well, everything surrounding it. Harrison reaches over to swat it away, knowing full well that it's a futile motion at best since the appendage seems to have a mind of its own at times.
He glances back over at Cisco when he speaks, eyes narrowing slightly. Harrison knows him well enough by now to know when he's seriously asking something and when he's being himself. But there was no harm in it, so— ]
Stoned.
[ His response is nonchalant, said with a shrug. He merely raises an eyebrow before continuing. ]
[ Cisco looks over, eyebrows raised, when Harry flops bonelessly onto the couch, much closer than he had expected. He knows that it is the influence of the catnip, but he cannot help being a touch relieved. Even if it took chemicals to make it happen, it's nice to see Harry unafraid of coming close to him. He picks up the scissors and starts making deft little cuts in the fabric, hands steady. Cisco pauses to watch Harry batting at his own tail, which is actually quite funny, and he almost makes a Dr. Strangelove joke, but it would probably be over even a sober Harry's head, so he lets it be. ]
What was it like before now?
[ He pins the fabric in place, turns to look at Harry. Initially, he is just checking to make sure that he is actually okay, but any worries he might have about Harry feeling sick or paranoid because of the catnip have vanished. He looks... happy, and Cisco reaches up and brushes his fingers against one of those intriguing cat ears, because he thinks Harry will let him get away with it, and he just can't resist. ]
[ When Cisco's fingers brush against his ears, he immediately leans in to the touch quietly. The ears are soft and the same color as his hair, blending in almost seamlessly. There's a pause, and then Harrison shifts so he's pretty much curled up at Cisco's side, tilting his head towards his fingers.
It's another long moment before he murmurs again. ]
I know what I'm doing.
[ He may still be influenced by the catnip, lowering his inhibitions enough for him to succumb to the cat-like urges he's had for over a day now. But even then, Harrison knows that he wouldn't be doing any of this if some part of him didn't want to. He could be in a corner, sulking and waiting for it to wear off, but he's not. The only other place he'd rather be right now is curled up next to Jesse, with one of the old books that she used to love. ]
[ Cisco had expected a glare at best, or a couch pillow thrown at his head at worst. But Harry doesn't seem to mind Cisco touching the cat ears (which feel exactly like normal cat ears, if a touch bigger). Of course Cisco's first thought is that Harry's high and he should quit it, because his judgement is impaired. But then, as if anticipating that response, Harry reassures that he knows what he's doing. And that's enough permission for Cisco. It's...bizarre, sure, but this whole thing has been bizarre from the start. This place makes bizarre happen.
So Cisco scratches very lightly at Harry's scalp just behind the ears, in the place where most actual cats seem to enjoy being petted. ]
You do know I'm never gonna let you live this one down, right? Like, never
[ But he doesn't bother hiding that there's fondness in his voice even while he's teasing. ]
[ He lets out a soft huff in response to that outburst. ]
I was 20 once, Ramon.
[ And the 80s on his Earth were something, to say the least.
Cisco's teasing him, but he doesn't even care. Maybe that's the catnip talking, or maybe that's just how done he is with everything these days. They're safe from Zolomon, from Killer Frost and Reverb, and they're (mostly) together. Allen leaving wasn't the greatest thing in the world, but Harrison can only hope that he's going back to a better situation, one where he'll get his powers back and grow stronger. That's the hope, anyway.
He leans in to the touch, like an itch that he couldn't quite reach finally getting scratched. ]
Mm. Well. [ There's a pause as he considers that. If Cisco won't ever let him live it down, then— ] Keep an eye on your bed, then.
[ Because he's not beneath making a dry crack about dumping dead birds onto his bedsheets. Thankfully, that's not an urge he's had in the past 24 hours (for him or Snow or Jesse), but Ramon doesn't need to know that.
After a moment, he starts to murmur again. ]
You know. That's why this happened, I think. Partially. [ For real, he means. Harrison glances up at him before he continues. ] For a number of reasons. The clock isn't malicious for the most part. Though Reverb and Killer Frost put that theory to the test. [ There's a small eye roll at that. ] But. Think about it. I want a project. Snow, to some extent, wants a distraction after Zolomon and then Frost. Jesse needs a distraction. You . . .
[ At that, his voice trails off. What did Cisco want, besides a distraction like the rest of them? There's a long pause. ]
. . . need whatever. [ Eloquent. "Whatever" seemed to always sum up Cisco's interests. He could leave it there, he knows, but there's more to this theory and all of the information is pertinent, so. ] And— I need you. So. The clock takes all of that. Puts it together, comes up with a way to satisfy as many of those conditions as possible, to push people. [ A beat. ] I still blame your cat, for the record.
Yeah, well, I was 20 a few years ago and I definitely didn't do acid. That shit stays in your brain stem. [ Cisco gives Harry a considering look and adds, with warmth and a touch of amusement: ] Actually that could explain a lot about you...
[ The crack about keeping an eye on his bed makes Cisco smile, shaking his head as he continues to scratch lightly at Harry's scalp. ]
Careful. If you show up like this - [ He flicks Harry's cat ear, indicating his current state ] - original flavor cat Harry might get territorial. That's kind of an interesting question. I wonder if she would treat you different...
[ He is seriously thinking about suggesting they go over there and test it out (for science), but then Harry keeps talking, and gradually the idea slips from his mind. Part of him feels guilty; Harry is so much more talkative than usual, and that's got to be down to the catnip. But another part of him is pathetically grateful. The mention of Reverb makes his stomach twist with anxiety, but then Harry is saying that he needs Cisco, and his hand goes still for just a moment with surprise. It's so unusual, hearing Harry say he needs anything. Hearing him be so... honest about it. ]
Maybe you're right.
[ Cisco hadn't considered that possibility before - that all of this was part of some elaborate plan to help everyone with their problems, including the awkwardness between Harry and him, since his stint as Reverb. He's not quite as convinced of the Clock's benevolence as Harry, but it's an interesting theory. But it's hard to focus on theories and all the effects of this one change when I need you is echoing in his head. Maybe it's pathetic, wanting to be needed as badly as he does. Cisco knows it's probably not healthy, craving validation as much as he does. But since he has no way of changing it, he just sits there quietly for a while, basking in it quietly, happy and radiant. ]
I'm sure she would be torn up by guilt if she knew.
[ Harrison rolls his eyes at the comments about acid. If he were more with it, he'd argue that point, and he worked very hard to be the way he is, thank you very much. Instead, he reaches over and knocks some thread off of the couch with one clean swipe of his hand. That's about all he can really muster at the moment, as he leans in to touch against his scalp, rambling on idly as one does when they are, for all intents and purposes, good and stoned.
Still, he can feel Cisco pause for a moment, and then— he's glad. Ramon is glad and Reverb is a thing now firmly in the past, much like Turtle and the Thawne accusations and the entireity of the first week they'd met. Though, Harrison notes idly, that doesn't include the catnip by any stretch of the imagination. He'll give Cisco a piece of his mind later, when he's more coherent. Something has to temper how insufferable he'll be after digesting all of this, anyway.
But right now, Cisco is glad and Harrison can't help but feel almost content with that.
Almost. ]
Focus, Ramon.
[ And he gives him a nudge at that, gesturing at the needle work before starting to mutter out directions idly, taking his ramblings in an entirely different direction. It's not long before Harrison is settled in firmly at Cisco's side, critiquing a few of the stitches as they're being made and questioning at least one of the cuts. He'll wander off for a nap shortly when the fatigue really starts to set in, to sleep off the rest of the effects. But not before he's made sure that the stitchwork is impeccable and Ramon doesn't try to insert lasers or god knows what else he has up his sleeves. ]
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But Cisco was here and far more likely to react to it than anyone else, and Harrison did always find it hard to not poke at him with a stick more often than not. ]
Sure I am. Think about it. [ He allows himself to be shifted again, rolling his eyes. ] What's the name of your cat, Ramon.
[ Harrison turns at that as Cisco straightens up, giving him a bit of a smirk. That fades almost immediately when the string is dangled in his face; he eyes it flatly, crossing briefly before he swats it away with one hand. There's a pause and he lifts his hand again, ready to idly give it another swipe before the realization settles in. He'd noticed some small changes beyond the physiological ones. When Ramon had asked about side effects, he'd skirted it, though it was hard to hide it now as he slides his hand back into his pocket quickly with a huff. ]
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Okay... point. But you know I only did that 'cause you both knock shit on the floor so much.
[ And yes, he can see the paper towel roll and knows he's a hypocrite.
Cisco grins from ear to ear when Harry bats the string the first time. It isn't until he goes after it the second time that Cisco laughs, silently at first, shaking with it. It's not just the fact that Harry swipes his hand at the string - it's the look of intense, laser-focused attention he gets on his face the split second before he does. He looks precisely like a cat would during play time and it is honestly too bizarre and weirdly cute for Cisco to handle right now.
He scoops up the jeans that Harry laid out and brings them, along with the string and his bag, back to the couch. It should be a quick job, if he's careful - there's no tech to work in, no tests that need to be run. Just some jeans in need of alteration. As he's fishing through his bag for the fabric scissors he finds a ziploc bag, is momentarily confused - that's not sewing supplies - before he remembers and has to struggle not to laugh.
It's probably Cisco Ramon's finest piece of acting, the way he pretends to still be absorbed by the search for his scissors as he holds the baggie out to Harry and says, offhand. ]
Hey hold this for me.
[ It'd be too suspicious if he told him to open it or smell it or anything like that, but knowing Harry and his nosiness, well.... he doesn't have to. ]
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That thought dies in his mind as he glances up, eyes narrowing just a bit over at him. ]
Do I even want to know what this is, Ramon?
[ Though the smell was— well, it wasn't cannabis, he could tell that with his enhanced senses. It had to be something, though; he could feel his hand shake just a bit as he questions Cisco, distracted. At least, distracted enough that he doesn't notice a nail (a claw, though he'll never admit it) catch on the side of the bag, tearing it slightly and letting some of the contents spill, the odor almost immediately wafting up to him.
And in a matter of seconds, the bag is on the ground along with Harrison Wells and though he seems thoroughly intent on rubbing his face against the bag, a calm seems to have come over him. There may even be a soft yowl or two.
It isn't long before he swipes a hand out at the paper towel roll on the floor, batting it to one side, before following it along with his hand and lazily batting it back. ]
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It is so funny that it momentarily bypasses funny and is a little frightening. Harry can't OD on this stuff, right? Catnip is harmless? Cisco reaches down and plucks up Harry's glasses before he scratches them trying to jam his face into the bits of catnip stuck to the floor. He sets them on the coffee table, a pair of jeans still clutched in one hand.
Only when Harry starts batting the paper towel back and forth does it really sink in enough for Cisco to laugh. But once he starts laughing, he's not sure he'll ever stop. He collapses onto the couch, clutching at his side and choking on it, hardly able to breathe through his mirth. ]
Oh. My. God.
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It's about ten or fifteen minutes before some of Harrison's faculties seem to clear up. There's still a sort of fuzziness in his head as well as a few cravings (he'd been to college, he knows how it goes), but his eyes start to focus more. He lifts a hand up to his hair, picking out a few pieces of the herb before swiping a hand over his face once or twice. He'd have to shower to get out some of the smaller pieces, but for now, this was fine.
What he really wants to do is yell at Cisco for a stunt like that — go to town on him. But he doesn't have the energy for that and, more importantly, he doesn't have the heart. It wasn't that long ago that the thought of even the most casual of contact with Ramon made him flinch; now, Reverb was a distant memory, replaced by burgers and catnip betrayal.
Harrison pushes himself up, briefly avoiding eye contact as he shakes his head, brushing more of the herb out of it. The avoidance doesn't last more than a few seconds though as he sits down right nearby on the couch, arms crossed, looking thoroughly unimpressed. He clears his throat but doesn't speak just yet, out of concern that the cat may, quite literally, still have his tongue. ]
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Then, when Harry just keeps laying there and lazily rolling the paper towels, he turns his attention back to the jeans. He keeps Harry in his peripheral view as he measures out the right spot and starts to cut the first of the tail holes, carefully. Cisco doesn't actually remove any fabric, but cuts it into segments that he folds back into the inside of he jeans and then sews down, before quickly stitching around the gap, strengthening it.
He sees Harry begin to pluck the catnip from his hair and figures that some self-awareness must be returning. It's a lot quicker than he expected, but that probably makes sense. Who knows how fast Harry's body is metabolizing things, right now. How much of his brain chemistry has actually been changed by the transformation.
Once Harry sits up and crosses his arms like a grumpy school principal, Cisco figures he's over his high. Even though he knows he'll probably get an earful for it, he doesn't regret anything. The smile still stretches from one ear to another as he says: ]
Lemme tell you, that stuff worked a lot better than I thought it would.
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So instead of immediately laying into him, Harrison reaches over from his end of the couch with his foot and nudges Cisco's leg with it — enough to be annoying, but not so much that he'd jostle him while he was working on the pants. ]
For science, huh.
[ It's said about as dry as it gets with him, and Harrison eyes Cisco flatly at that. ]
Not a word to anyone else about this.
[ Though— he hates to admit it, but it was useful to know. He'd figured his physiology was also altered to some degree, though he hadn't exactly tested for that yet. If it were anyone else, he'd have run them through the gamut of tests by now. As the subject in question, it's difficult for him to be a neutral observer. It wasn't Cisco's intention — at least, it probably wasn't, knowing him — but it had been somewhat useful in the end.
Not to his pride, but still.
Harrison shifts his positioning, moving closer so he can keep an eye on Cisco as he works. ]
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[ He knows he's not fooling anyone; Cisco keeps on grinning and sewing, though he looks up and pauses to pluck another bit of catnip out of Harry's hair for him. Because that's what friends are for. Probably did him some good to relax, even if it was only for a quarter of an hour or so. Harry has a stressful life - they all do, here in this place. It's a wonder none of them have gone stir crazy, but at least Cisco and most of the rest of them know how to have fun and blow off steam and distract themselves. Harry, though, it's all work work work with him. ]
Not even Caitlin? Could be medically relevant...
[ Cisco's tone of voice makes it clear that he is joking, though there is a kernel of truth to it. He turns his attention back down to the jeans, stitching away. The denim is tough but he has a thimble and plenty of experience with plying a needle. Probably he could manage these with a machine, but he didn't look for one. It'll be better hand-sewn, anyway, and who knows how long Harry will be like this.
When he finishes up that first pair, Cisco holds them up, measuring, looking for stray threads, before he shoves the jeans at Harry. ]
Try them on?
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Harrison nudges him once or twice more with his foot at Cisco's remarks. It's not a rough nudge — just enough to be annoying at best. ]
Not even Snow. This? [ At that, he gestures between the two of them idly. ] Is between us.
[ He snatches the pants as he stands, heading around a corner to change into them. Modesty at this point is down the drain with him, particularly after the one-two punch of Grodd and Spivot, though he'd never had much to begin with. It's more for Ramon's benefit than anything, and he rolls his eyes at that thought, tugging the pants on. Carefully, he feeds the tail (and it still makes him raise an eyebrow a day later, that damn tail) through the hole Cisco had made before zipping the jeans up, turning to glance over his shoulder at it.
Harrison steps back out a moment later with a shrug, walking back over to the couch. ]
It'll do.
[ Which is basically high praise coming from him. ]
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Fiiiine.
[ While Harry is off changing he flips through the pictures he'd snapped of Harry while he was rolling around on the ground. He smiles at them as he deletes them, one by one. There's a temptation to keep them as potential blackmail fodder, but if Harry is embarrassed enough that he doesn't even want Caitlin to know, it's probably for the best. That little incident with Harry's inbox had taught Cisco to be even more wary that the contents of a device did not always stay private, despite best intentions.
When Harry comes back and utters his grudging praise, Cisco beams as if he'd said it was the best sewing job he'd ever seen, pulling that second pair of jeans into his lap so he can start work on it. He starts making the measurements again and asks Harry, offhand: ]
So would you say it's more like being drunk or being stoned?
[ He wants to know for science, obviously. ]
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And as much as he hated to admit it, he finally felt more comfortable as his tail curls up alongside him. It's almost elegant with its fluff — or at least it would be if it weren't for, well, everything surrounding it. Harrison reaches over to swat it away, knowing full well that it's a futile motion at best since the appendage seems to have a mind of its own at times.
He glances back over at Cisco when he speaks, eyes narrowing slightly. Harrison knows him well enough by now to know when he's seriously asking something and when he's being himself. But there was no harm in it, so— ]
Stoned.
[ His response is nonchalant, said with a shrug. He merely raises an eyebrow before continuing. ]
Now, anyway.
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What was it like before now?
[ He pins the fabric in place, turns to look at Harry. Initially, he is just checking to make sure that he is actually okay, but any worries he might have about Harry feeling sick or paranoid because of the catnip have vanished. He looks... happy, and Cisco reaches up and brushes his fingers against one of those intriguing cat ears, because he thinks Harry will let him get away with it, and he just can't resist. ]
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[ Another shrug. ]
Something like that, anyway.
[ When Cisco's fingers brush against his ears, he immediately leans in to the touch quietly. The ears are soft and the same color as his hair, blending in almost seamlessly. There's a pause, and then Harrison shifts so he's pretty much curled up at Cisco's side, tilting his head towards his fingers.
It's another long moment before he murmurs again. ]
I know what I'm doing.
[ He may still be influenced by the catnip, lowering his inhibitions enough for him to succumb to the cat-like urges he's had for over a day now. But even then, Harrison knows that he wouldn't be doing any of this if some part of him didn't want to. He could be in a corner, sulking and waiting for it to wear off, but he's not. The only other place he'd rather be right now is curled up next to Jesse, with one of the old books that she used to love. ]
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[ Cisco had expected a glare at best, or a couch pillow thrown at his head at worst. But Harry doesn't seem to mind Cisco touching the cat ears (which feel exactly like normal cat ears, if a touch bigger). Of course Cisco's first thought is that Harry's high and he should quit it, because his judgement is impaired. But then, as if anticipating that response, Harry reassures that he knows what he's doing. And that's enough permission for Cisco. It's...bizarre, sure, but this whole thing has been bizarre from the start. This place makes bizarre happen.
So Cisco scratches very lightly at Harry's scalp just behind the ears, in the place where most actual cats seem to enjoy being petted. ]
You do know I'm never gonna let you live this one down, right? Like, never
[ But he doesn't bother hiding that there's fondness in his voice even while he's teasing. ]
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I was 20 once, Ramon.
[ And the 80s on his Earth were something, to say the least.
Cisco's teasing him, but he doesn't even care. Maybe that's the catnip talking, or maybe that's just how done he is with everything these days. They're safe from Zolomon, from Killer Frost and Reverb, and they're (mostly) together. Allen leaving wasn't the greatest thing in the world, but Harrison can only hope that he's going back to a better situation, one where he'll get his powers back and grow stronger. That's the hope, anyway.
He leans in to the touch, like an itch that he couldn't quite reach finally getting scratched. ]
Mm. Well. [ There's a pause as he considers that. If Cisco won't ever let him live it down, then— ] Keep an eye on your bed, then.
[ Because he's not beneath making a dry crack about dumping dead birds onto his bedsheets. Thankfully, that's not an urge he's had in the past 24 hours (for him or Snow or Jesse), but Ramon doesn't need to know that.
After a moment, he starts to murmur again. ]
You know. That's why this happened, I think. Partially. [ For real, he means. Harrison glances up at him before he continues. ] For a number of reasons. The clock isn't malicious for the most part. Though Reverb and Killer Frost put that theory to the test. [ There's a small eye roll at that. ] But. Think about it. I want a project. Snow, to some extent, wants a distraction after Zolomon and then Frost. Jesse needs a distraction. You . . .
[ At that, his voice trails off. What did Cisco want, besides a distraction like the rest of them? There's a long pause. ]
. . . need whatever. [ Eloquent. "Whatever" seemed to always sum up Cisco's interests. He could leave it there, he knows, but there's more to this theory and all of the information is pertinent, so. ] And— I need you. So. The clock takes all of that. Puts it together, comes up with a way to satisfy as many of those conditions as possible, to push people. [ A beat. ] I still blame your cat, for the record.
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[ The crack about keeping an eye on his bed makes Cisco smile, shaking his head as he continues to scratch lightly at Harry's scalp. ]
Careful. If you show up like this - [ He flicks Harry's cat ear, indicating his current state ] - original flavor cat Harry might get territorial. That's kind of an interesting question. I wonder if she would treat you different...
[ He is seriously thinking about suggesting they go over there and test it out (for science), but then Harry keeps talking, and gradually the idea slips from his mind. Part of him feels guilty; Harry is so much more talkative than usual, and that's got to be down to the catnip. But another part of him is pathetically grateful. The mention of Reverb makes his stomach twist with anxiety, but then Harry is saying that he needs Cisco, and his hand goes still for just a moment with surprise. It's so unusual, hearing Harry say he needs anything. Hearing him be so... honest about it. ]
Maybe you're right.
[ Cisco hadn't considered that possibility before - that all of this was part of some elaborate plan to help everyone with their problems, including the awkwardness between Harry and him, since his stint as Reverb. He's not quite as convinced of the Clock's benevolence as Harry, but it's an interesting theory. But it's hard to focus on theories and all the effects of this one change when I need you is echoing in his head. Maybe it's pathetic, wanting to be needed as badly as he does. Cisco knows it's probably not healthy, craving validation as much as he does. But since he has no way of changing it, he just sits there quietly for a while, basking in it quietly, happy and radiant. ]
I'm sure she would be torn up by guilt if she knew.
[ In a softer voice he adds: ]
And if that's why it happened, then... I'm glad.
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Still, he can feel Cisco pause for a moment, and then— he's glad. Ramon is glad and Reverb is a thing now firmly in the past, much like Turtle and the Thawne accusations and the entireity of the first week they'd met. Though, Harrison notes idly, that doesn't include the catnip by any stretch of the imagination. He'll give Cisco a piece of his mind later, when he's more coherent. Something has to temper how insufferable he'll be after digesting all of this, anyway.
But right now, Cisco is glad and Harrison can't help but feel almost content with that.
Almost. ]
Focus, Ramon.
[ And he gives him a nudge at that, gesturing at the needle work before starting to mutter out directions idly, taking his ramblings in an entirely different direction. It's not long before Harrison is settled in firmly at Cisco's side, critiquing a few of the stitches as they're being made and questioning at least one of the cuts. He'll wander off for a nap shortly when the fatigue really starts to set in, to sleep off the rest of the effects. But not before he's made sure that the stitchwork is impeccable and Ramon doesn't try to insert lasers or god knows what else he has up his sleeves. ]