IC Inbox

[franciscoramon]

ID: goodvibrations

✉ ☏ 📷

Comments

[franciscoramon]

[ Okay he'd been planning on explaining in more detail why a lot of atoms are needed in an atom bomb but he gets sidetracked by realizing he doesn't know when Eddie's birthday is. He goes back and reads the text before and asks: ]

how belated?

[causational]

[This is a good chunk of why he hasn't mentioned it, because frankly? His birthday is a little embarrassing.]

Oh. 25 days belated.

[Yeah, it's July 4th.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco doesn't bother to do the math to count back to the exact date. 25 days ago was since they started dating. Hell it's since they started getting serious. Since Iris had arrived. Maybe even since they first dropped the l-bomb. ]

oh my god i missed your birthday
i didn't even know
i didn't even realize i didn't know until you brought it up
i am the worst boyfriend in the history of the world

[causational]

[Honestly, Eddie doesn't care, particularly, about his birthday. July 4th has always been about Independence Day and his birthday has always come a distant second. He hadn't even noticed it when it happened.]

Hey, hey babe, come on.
There's no need to say that, even if you're not being serious.
I didn't tell you, and you had no way of knowing.

Honestly, so much was going on at the time I completely forgot until about a week ago.

Also, I don't know your birthday either. And you're the best boyfriend in the history of the world.

[franciscoramon]

i'm being serious and there is a need and there was totally a way of knowing i could have ASKED

wait what was going on at the time? [ And now he finally counts back and asks: ] july 4th for real?

[ It wasn't like the place had been decked out in red white and blue or anything, now that he thinks about it. Guess that was too specific a holiday for this place. ]

mine's october 3rd
not for quite a while

[causational]

Yes July 4th. As I'm sure you can see, I am pretty used to not bothering to celebrate.
And at the time we were just. Busy. It wasn't a good time for me to even mention it, and like I said, I forgot.

There is no need to say that. You are seriously the best boyfriend I could ask for.

October 3rd.

I'll remember it. I need to spoil you.

[franciscoramon]

well the fact that you're used to not celebrating is all the more reason to do it if you ask me

i'm sorry i missed it

idgaf about america's birthday but i'm throwing a party for yours i don't care if it's a month late

i get to spoil you, first. 🎂 🍻 🎉

[causational]

This is what I mean when I say you're the best boyfriend ever. The fact that you care about me more than all of America. Or just that you care about my birthday in general. I haven't really celebrated it since I was 21, and before that it was when I was a kid.

You don't have to spoil me. Though, I mean, if you're offering, I might ask you to cook me something...

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco still thinks 'wants to celebrate his birthday with him' is such a depressingly low standard for Eddie to set, but instead of pointing that out now and potentially making Eddie feel self-conscious about it, he is just going to work that much harder to make the celebration that much better. He's already got a piece of paper out so he can jot down ideas, things he knows Eddie loves, traditional stuff and a few things that are a bit more off the wall. ]

oh i'm gonna. it's decided.

naturally. any requests in particular?

you want me to throw a get together or you want to keep this a just-us thing?

[ Most of the decisions Cisco feels comfortable making on his own, but that is a big one, and he will leave that up to Eddie. He knows that his boyfriend is much more introverted than him, might prefer to keep things intimate. Then again, maybe he will want a big crowd... ]

[causational]

[It's not just 'wants to celebrate his birthday with him' - it's a lot more than that. It's everything Cisco does for him and how much he cares about doing it.]

Okay, okay, fine.

Hm. That's a tough question. This might sound weird, but maybe something from your culture? Something I've never tried.

I don't know. Who would we even invite? I guess Caitlin and Arya, maybe Caroline...

I don't know if anyone else would want to come.

[franciscoramon]

i think i can manage that

[ True, he doesn't know what Eddie has and hasn't tried, but he knows a few dishes that his mom always made that you couldn't really get at any restaurants he'd been to in Central City. Cisco would need to do some looking around for ingredients today, but he's going to be out finding presents and other supplies anyway. Suddenly his schedule just got a whole lot busier. ]

that's your call, eddie! i'm sure lots of people would love to, the question is how big a deal you want it.

[causational]

Yeah? That's awesome. :) I'm really excited to try it.

Are you gonna surprise me?

I...don't know. Maybe a little gathering, with a few people and some drinks? Whoever you think might like to come. I don't really feel like being the center of a lot of attention and I don't need presents or anything seriously, but some dinner might be nice. Maybe I could fire up the barbecue or something, and we could have some beers?

[franciscoramon]

i was thinking about it.

oh i'm definitely getting you presents, but we can always open most of those after everyone goes home.
and you better be prepared to be the center of my attention at the very least. 😘
barbecue would be dope you know i'm aways down for that

[causational]

I'd like that. I think I'd like anything you cooked me.

You spoil me, you know that?
Seriously. Best boyfriend.

And you know I never mind being the center of your attention. ;)

Alright. If we're actually doing this, then just let me know. I'll make those burgers you like, and some steak.

[And he feels a little self-conscious and silly about it but...he's excited about this.]

[franciscoramon]

cool, traditionally prepared calf brains coming right up

(i'm just kidding, i would never)

[ He doesn't spoil Eddie, not really. But he sure is going to, for his makeup birthday. He's already brainstorming things that he can give him. Things he knows Eddie likes - things that Eddie might be too embarrassed to get for himself or not even realize he wanted. ]

oh, we're doing this. day after tomorrow. it's on.

[ That's enough time for Cisco to make all the preparations and let all the potential guests know, but soon enough that Eddie won't have to wait. ]

[causational]

Oh wow, is that seriously a traditional dish?

(I'd try it, for the record. I've eaten chicken feet and congealed cow's blood rolled in peanuts on a stick, I'm willing to try anything.)

Alright. I'll make sure not to have any plans.

[And, a few moments later.]

Thank you, Cisco. You're really good to me.

[franciscoramon]

breaded and fried, better believe it.

ok i would totally make it and indulge your adventurous gustatory side but i've never actually cooked it before and i'd be kind of worried about messing it up and giving you some kind of horrible disease neither of us have heard of, or you know just making it really gross, so maybe we can save that one for some other day.

but there will be plenty of other stuff you've never had, i bet. trust me.

it's no trouble.

i'm just sorry it'll be a little late.

[causational]

Sounds like that would be a really interesting texture, not gonna lie. Have you tried it?

And I'm looking forward to whatever you make. I just really like the idea of trying your cooking.

Don't be sorry. It isn't your fault, and I really, really don't mind.

[franciscoramon]

yeah i've had it. it's not awful or anything but it's kinda slimy for my taste. at least it's not as gross as liver.

it is kind of a classic romantic thing, isn't it? cooking for my man 😉

[causational]

Slimy? Really? I thought it'd be kind of rubbery.

You don't like liver? I actually don't mind it. But I really do not like cooked onions, in big chunks? That is slimy.

I feel like I should be ashamed of how much I like the sound of that.

[franciscoramon]

both? can something be both at the same time? idk maybe my palate is not sophisticated or whatever but i'm just not that into offal.

i don't think i've ever met an onion i didn't like. but i'll keep that in mind and cut up the onions extra small in the [DISH NAME REDACTED]

maybe i'll put on a cute apron and send you a selfie while i'm putting something in the oven. you know, just kind of lean in to the cheesiness.

[causational]

Yes, something absolutely can be both. Believe me. I've been going to dim sum for years and I've tried everything there. And it's not really about a sophisticated palate, it's just taste.

I love how they taste, but they feel gross.

Oh my god. I'd set it as my phone wallpaper. And you know, if you ever want a picture of me cooking for my man, you can snap away. ;)

[franciscoramon]

always ready with a diplomatic answer 😚

i feel like i'm learning this whole other side of you. there any other food aversions i should know about? wouldn't want to ruin your birthday.

well now i'm definitely doing it. and i'll remember that. 📸

[causational]

One of the best skills I've picked up through dealing with Joe and Iris all at once.

Oh. No, not really. I have an extremely mild citrus allergy but I eat it all the time anyway.

Alright. I'll make sure to look extra cute next time I bake you cupcakes.

[franciscoramon]

it's a great skill and i know bc i've never come CLOSE to having it. you wouldn't believe some of the faux pas. you wouldn't B E L I E V E.

that's badass.

i like how you say that as if you don't look totally cute literally all the time.