[ Brief as it is, Cisco catches sight of that smile, and it fills him with a sudden rush of happiness, expanding in his chest like a balloon. He's spent a lot of his life trying to make people smile; nothing quite like it, for a rush of confidence and joy. The fact that Harry is not exactly a person who smiles easily only makes the feeling all the more potent. (Cisco has always liked a challenge).
That smile was honest - the forced faintness of his praise is the act which Harry puts on to guard himself. Cisco doesn't know how it is, that Harry got it into his head that he can't just say how he feels, can't just show when something pleases him. But whatever the reasons, it's at least a predictable pattern, something Cisco can see through, can interpret like a code. So he knows that it'll do means it's lovely, you chose well.
Once Harry has got the blanket settled, Cisco waits for him to sit down, first. The benefit to that, of course, is that he can choose how close he wants to sit to Harry - and he chooses to sit quite close. Not quite cuddled up to one another - he doesn't think that Harry would permit that - but close enough that their legs are touching, and Cisco could lean his head against Harry's shoulder, if he wanted. ]
This is pretty near the college, actually, I used to come here a lot back in the day.
[ A small enough detail - not really a story, not really consequential. But telling it to Harry is giving him a little piece of the puzzle, another thread in the tapestry that makes Cisco who he is, today. He's been mentioning things like this to Harry, the last week. Here and there. Not too much, and not with any kind of ceremony. Just slowly, bit by bit, letting Harry in.
As is his custom, Cisco offsets the moment with a bit of humor. ]
And before you even ask, yes, I did make the lunch and no, it's not gonna give you food poisoning.
[ He'd thought about just bringing them Big Belly Burger - something he knows Harry will enjoy, a safe pick - but in the end he'd opted for this. It's nothing too special: BLTs with avocado, crackers and cheese, some watermelon slices, a few beers. Not exactly cooking, per se, but Cisco still thinks it totally counts. ]
[ Harrison glances over at Cisco as he settles in. The only surprise is that he doesn't get any closer — which is fine by him. Nevermind any potential issues with PDA that he may have. It's summertime, it's hot out, and he's still far too fond of the color black to vary his wardrobe in any way, shape, or form. That, and he has to eat at some point, which can be difficult without at least a bit of personal space.
He gives him a slow nod, eying him sidelong at the college remark. That contemplative gaze turns to eye rolling quickly when Cisco makes a jab at his own cooking, and he reaches over to open up the picnic basket, starting to pull things out. ]
We'll see about that.
[ Tit for tat, mostly.
But okay, seeing what he's put in — fair enough, Harrison hardly has any room to complain. He sets things down and then starts to munch on a cracker idly as he takes in their surroundings. It's nice, really. In the spring and summer, he used to take his books outside and curl up under a tree trunk, soaking it all in. As time had passed, it got harder and harder for him to be out and about without getting recognized in some capacity. Today, it was almost like the old days again. Almost.
[ He doesn't know whether Harry is looking for a real answer, but it's the truth. At that moment Cisco is entirely, thoroughly satisfied. The two of them pass some time in agreeable silence (unusual for both of them: the silence on Cisco's part, the agreeableness on Harry's) eating the lunch that Cisco prepared. There is a faint breeze rustling the leaves of the trees and the whole thing is idyllic. Almost too idyllic. Cisco hates himself for thinking it, but it seems like it can't possibly last.
And soon enough, someone comes along to disturb the tranquil mood. It doesn't take much - just a group of young, student-looking dudes who are walking past, who keep glancing their way, leaning in to whisper to one another. Cisco feels his heartbeat picking up, and it's stupid. He should ignore them. But then he thinks, what if they look more carefully. What if they recognize Harry as Harrison Wells?
After that thought crosses his mind, the right choice is clear. He springs to his feet, arms outspread, shouts: ]
[ It's a rough growl as Harrison reaches over to tug at his sleeve, shooting him a warning look. Was he insane? Drawing attention to themselves was the last thing they wanted to do. At this rate, Cisco would blow everything to hell, which would be unfortunate since he'd only just started to unpack his things. ]
Will you just—
[ He had to do something, anything to draw the attention that Cisco had now drawn away from them. An idea occurs to him suddenly — not a good idea, but an idea all the same. He pinches at the bridge of his nose briefly, weighing the pros and cons before he pushes himself up and grabs for Cisco's collar, pulling him in for a kiss. A kiss that, "coincidentally", happens to block his face from everyone else in the vicinity. ]
[ Harry isn't usually quite so proactive when it comes to kissing him, so it catches Cisco off-guard. But he recognizes the tactic for what it is - the way that Harry turns and positions the two of them. Cisco thinks that he had the situation perfectly under control, thanks very much, but he is more than happy to change course. He tilts his head back, rests his hands on either side of Harry's waist. As much as Cisco would like to lose himself in the moment, he cracks an eye open after a minute or so to check that the dudes are gone, and no one else is looking.
He keeps kissing Harry for a couple moments longer, the tension leaving his back and shoulders, before pulling away and smiling lazily. ]
Well... if I knew you were gonna do that I woulda paid someone to pretend to gawk.
[ Harrison rolls his eyes in response, pushing him away and going back to his food. He wasn't mad necessarily; "annoyed" would be more like it. ]
Were you trying to draw attention to us, Ramon? Because that? [ He nods his head back in the direction of where the students had been not too long ago. ] Was drawing attention. Ignore it the next time. It's worked for me so far.
[ So much for the "idyllic" picnic. Then again, if it were really idyllic, it wouldn't be them. This was more like it, in his mind. So even as he's snapping back roughly, there's something almost soothing about it in the back of his mind, like everything is in its proper place. ]
[ Cisco's smile fades slightly when Harry pushes him away. So unnecessary, especially when he was the one who noticed the problem in the first place. But it's not all that unexpected - Harry often feels the need to do something rude or prickly after he's said something nice or shown affection. Even if it had been affection for show, apparently. ]
No, I was trying to draw attention to me and away from you. Obvi you didn't notice but they were already looking. A lot.
[ He sits down on the blanket hard again and raising his eyebrows at Harry when he says he should have just ignored it. ]
You really sure you're qualified to offer advice about flying under the radar, Mr. "If I Break Into Mercury Labs In a Snapback No One Will Recognize Me".
[ He shakes his head at that. Maybe they had been lingering, but they wouldn't have stayed for long if they hadn't made a scene. Probably. The remark about Mercury Labs gets him a raised eyebrow, though. ]
Apples and oranges, Ramon. [ He reaches over to pick up his beer, swishing the liquid about briefly before taking a sip. ] Time and place. And, may I remind you, pressing matters.
[ Though grabbing Doctor McGee's attention had had some unintended side effects. Snow had mentioned her wanting to speak with him at some point, "when the dust had settled." He'd dodged that the first time by leaving the entire universe, but it wouldn't take long for anyone in the know to figure out that he was back in town. Damnit. ]
I thought you planned this thing, anyway.
[ Back to deflecting things away from him and back onto Ramon it is. ]
[ Cisco rolls his eyes, but he puts it aside, confident that he is right and Harry is wrong. At this point if he goes on it will devolve into a 'nuh uh' 'yeah huh' catastrophe and he doesn't want that. Not when it had all turned out okay in the end, and he'd gotten a kiss out of it. But he files away in the back of his mind the need to find some way to re-introduce this Harrison Wells to the people of Central City here, on Earth-1. That way, Cisco will know that if anyone is staring, it's just because they are two guys on a date, not because anyone thinks Harry is an undead murderer.
Harry's deflection works well; Cisco plucks Harry's beer from his hand and takes a drink from it (he'd finished his own a few minutes before) and says: ]
Yeah, I did plan it, and if you're not nice you won't get to see what comes next.
[ There's always the danger that Harry actually doesn't care what Cisco had had in mind for after their picnic - that he'll say he'd rather go back to S.T.A.R. Labs and work, anyway. Cisco hopes not. ]
[ He narrows his eyes briefly at him when the beer gets nicked neatly from his hand, but he allows it, mostly because it does serve as a decent distraction. A snort escapes him when the "threat" of being denied the rest of the date gets leveraged against him. ]
Really. [ A pause, and he shrugs. ] Shame.
[ It's almost a coy response — is he interested or is he not interested in the slightest? It sounds as though it could go either way. Truth be told, Harrison is idly curious as to where Cisco plans on taking this and how much of a train wreck it'll end up being when all is said and done. And it's a welcome reprieve from the heaviness that surrounded Zoom's onslaught and their bittersweet victory over him. Allen was still . . . off. Snow was in mourning in her own way. Both Harrison and Cisco needed some sort of distraction, something to lighten the mood and for better or for worse, this served that purpose well. ]
[ Well.... maybe it wasn't the ideal response, but it could have been snarkier. Cisco will take it. He gives Harry back his beer and abruptly changes the subject to something less likely to cause a stir. As the two of them finish up the picnic he chatters away about dates he'd thought about taking Harry on but decided against. Some of them clearly had been actual options, while others he has thrown in merely for comic effect.
By the time they finish, the cool breeze has picked up a little, and the picnic blanket almost blows away as they are packing up. Cisco manages to grab a corner of it, cursing under his breath, muttering at the inanimate object indignantly even as he folds it up and shoves it with the now-empty tupperware and bottles into the basket. ]
So. Wanna see what's next.
[ Cisco loops his arm in Harry's before he even has time to say 'no', walking the both of them in the direction of the rather large pond in the center of the park. It becomes pretty clear where they are headed when he turns off the path and towards a little wooden pier that is surrounded by brightly-colored paddle boats, with a middle-aged woman standing by renting them out. Cisco looks over to Harry, raises his eyebrows, grinning. Classic date activity, right? Surely, he can't have any problem with this... ]
[ Harrison looks to the paddle boats, then back to Cisco, making a face almost immediately. ]
You've got to be kidding me.
[ It's a dry statement, mostly because he has a sneaking suspicion that no, in fact, Cisco is not kidding him in the slightest. Cisco "I failed gym class" Ramon wanted to take him out on the pond in a paddle boat. Harrison glances down at himself briefly, idly wondering just how attached he was to the clothes he was currently wearing, because they were bound to be drenched before this was over.
If anything, it was making him resolve to plan the next date. "Date." Which would likely involve board games and Chinese takeout and several items at hand for him to inevitably hurl at Ramon's head. It sounded more their speed, anyway.
Harrison crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow. Cisco had insisted on the date, which— fine. They'd gone out, had a picnic, spent a reasonable amount of time together outside of the lab as well as the apartment. The boat was pushing it. Besides, the geese were starting to close ranks out there on the water. ]
[ Cisco has no thoughts about his own athleticism or lack thereof. He has no worries about what will happen if they fall in the water. To him, it seems an obviously romantic option. When he'd been in college he'd always seen loads of happy, stock-photo-that-comes-in-the-frame couples out on this pond, paddling away, laughing, looking happy. And sure, maybe he and Harry aren't that couple. They are never going to be. Maybe it's still to try to act like they are. But how are they gonna know if they don't even give it a try, once? ]
Come on, there's a spot over there on the far side of the pond with some willows and it's so pretty, you're gonna love it.
[ He tugs at Harry's arm, meeting his eyes and doing his absolute best puppy face. His ultimate "look at how cute I am, come on, you know you can't resist these big brown eyes" expression. Not a tactic he's really tried on Harry before, but surely he can't be totally immune. ]
[ Just hearing "it's so pretty" makes him want to dig in his heels. Since when were they ever the types to take in the natural beauty of the world around them or whatever the hell purple prose someone wanted to use that given week? He makes a strangled noise in his throat, glancing off to the side for a moment at the ridiculousness of the whole situation. Paddle boats, really?
But it's that look that gets him. It's always the looks. ]
Damnit, Ramon.
[ He lets out a huff, scratching at the back of his neck. He can't very well say "no," not when there's no real reason to beyond the fact that he thinks the whole thing is completely stupid and wouldn't they have more fun kicking their feet up — possibly on each other — while watching Cosmos or whatever else they had in their backlog after that?
It's a strange thing, Harrison thinks, but for all that he complains about things, he doesn't need much to be content in life. Science. The people he loves. A warm, comfortable place to hang his hat at the end of the day. A Big Belly Burger would be nice, too. Beyond that, he's satisfied, really, beneath it all. ]
[ Cisco grins, almost as happy about Harry's disgruntled sigh as he relents as he is about the prospect of the boat ride itself. He goes and pays the person working at the boat stand, picks out the bright red boat with a white-and-red striped canvas shade, and then, carefully, starts to climb down into it.
(And though he does not know it, the difference in their enthusiasm levels might have something to do with the difference in their ages. Cisco is mature for his age in some ways (and not, in others), but there is a certain insecurity to being his age that Harry has had time to get over. He might be sure of himself, of who he is, of what he needs in the world, but Cisco is much less so. ]
Here, take my hand, it's a big step...
[ He helps Harry to get down into the boat and then beams at him as the two of them settle down in seats with pedals at their feet. The plastic of the boat is a little hot from sitting in the sun, and Cisco has to sit at the edge of his seat to reach the pedals (honestly why are they SO far away, he isn't even that short, these things are poorly designed...). ]
[ He grudgingly allows Cisco to help him into the boat, even if the "big step" isn't all that much to worry about when he's paying attention to things. Harrison takes only a brief moment for him to glance over the workings of the paddle boat before he plants his feet on the pedals, reaching up to adjust the covering above them. If he's going to get wet (and by climbing into the boat, he's already accepted that inevitability, however grudgingly), he's at least going to avoid getting sunburned as well.
Harrison gives the pedals a test spin, glancing over at Cisco's feet. Already he can tell that the chances of them pedaling in circles ridiculously for an hour while the geese honk in annoyance at them are high. ]
Yeah.
[ That "yeah" carries heavy undertones of "let's get this over with" and also, "why." Though that does beg the question. Harrison starts to pedal slowly, glancing over at Cisco again with a raised eyebrow. ]
[ It's a little more awkward than Cisco expected, getting the thing started. He has to really put his weight into the pedals, and it isn't exactly helping that Harry is acting like a kid being dragged on an outing against his will. Cisco doesn't get it - it doesn't involve interaction with other people, it's not crowded, it's not a thousand other things that Harry might reasonably dislike. So why is he so set against it. ]
Why not paddle boats, Harry, huh?
[ Once they get a little bit of momentum, pull away from the pier, the pedaling gets easier and Cisco thinks that maybe Harry's question wasn't TOTALLY unreasonable. But it's like a joke - if he has to explain it, then the point of it is lost anyway. ]
'Cause it's fun, and I've never done it before, and it's the kind of thing you can do on a date and then actually tell someone about. [ Not something Cisco had had in mind when he planned this, when he suggested the boats, but as he says it he knows it's true. ] I keep thinking if people ask about us what am I gonna say? Oh, this one time we were in the lab and ended up kissing. And this other time, we were also in the lab and Harry laughed at one of my jokes.
[ He realizes a bit too late that he is pedaling a little too vigorously and sending them into the beginnings of a circle. Cisco eases off, reaching over the side of the boat to skim his fingers in the warm water of the pond, which he promptly flicks in Harry's direction. ]
[ He's pinching at the bridge of his nose when Cisco flicks the water at him, so he's unable to really block it. Granted, it's only a small bit of water, but it's pond water. The geese have been in that.
So naturally, like a mature adult, Harrison retaliates by doing the same, flicking a bit of the water right back at him before going back to pedaling slowly as he considers that. Of course Ramon would want to do something like this on a date for those exact reasons — it makes perfect sense now. He remembers distinctly when he was younger and had several half-baked date plans of his own that she ribbed him for repeatedly later on. This was no different, except for the fact that he was on the other side of the equation and didn't have her patience.
But still, it strikes a chord in him, so he doesn't roll his eyes, doesn't make an irritated sound in the back of his throat. He doesn't need to ask why Cisco cares so much about what he'll say if people ask about them; he already knows the answer to that question. Instead, he spends maybe a moment or two grappling with words before speaking. ]
So— talk about the projects we're working on.
[ The ones that aren't classified, and even the ones outside of the lab. Granted, some would require careful rewording, but some of it's still universal. ]
I don't know if you've noticed this, Harry, but a lot of people just get this glazed look in their eyes the moment you start talking about tech, no matter how much you dumb it down for them.
[ There are some people like Joe, of course, who is smart but has no training in the field, and who will at least make a few attempts to understand before giving up. For people like that, Cisco is willing to go to whatever lengths to get his point across, to get them just as excited as he is. But not everyone's like Joe. Some people just flat-out don't care, don't even attempt to understand. Cisco's family had always been like that, and Kendra, and plenty of other people. And while Harry probably just wouldn't waste his time with that type of person, Cisco's not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater. ]
And besides, if I just talk about work when I'm talking about you, people will think we're just colleagues. And.... and whatever the word is for what we are, it's not only that.
[ Cisco has talked himself into a moment of embarrassment, focuses on steering the boat around a patch of water lilies and towards the center of the pond. He recovers quickly, amusement coming into his voice as he says: ]
Besides, if I can put up with you rearranging my apartment, you can totally put up with pedaling around on a boat with me for half an hour.
[ He says it so calmly, so naturally, like it's not a big deal or a struggle for him to find a label for it. But it encompasses so much in his mind that it's hardly a box to place them in at all. They're partners in the lab, complementing one another with ease to great results. Partners in their Team Flash roles, working together to help Allen apprehend whatever metahuman has been giving them problems that particular week. And then, partners in other aspects of their life. It's simple but fitting. Harrison gives him a shrug. ]
We have other projects, you know. [ It's a pointed remark, and he raises an eyebrow at that. ] Unless you have another word for all those movies you keep throwing at me.
[ He slows his pedaling to match Cisco's as he continues, taking on a more caustic tone again. ]
[ Cisco had not been expecting that; it catches him off-guard enough that his feet still on the pedals, though only for a moment. Partners. He would have settled for a 'we don't need a word for it, Ramon' or some light teasing about how he is acting like an insecure high school girl. But instead Harry settles it so decisively, so simply. And Cisco is maybe a bit more pleased than he ought to be by how... equal it makes them sound. Most of the time, he is certain that Harry respects him, under the façade. It's still nice to be reminded, though.
So he ducks his head forward, tucks his hair behind his ears, biting his lower lip with happiness. ]
I don't know that I would call introducing you to the finest Earth-1 cinema has to offer a project.
[ He doesn't bother to argue that last point, because the fact is that the space is put to better use, now. Cisco isn't an interior decorator, and while he could fire back that Harry is only better at that kind of thing because he has so many more years of experience, he thinks he'll keep that one to himself for now.
There is a moment of quiet, a lull in which they paddle around in comfortable silence. For all his objections, and huffing and puffing, Cisco catches Harry smiling, out of the corner of his eye. And just as he is feeling smug, like this was a good idea after all, he sees a swan break away from a few of its friends and swim in their direction. He nudges Harry with his elbow, points in its direction. ]
[ Harrison glances over in the direction that Cisco points in, frowning. Swans tended not to approach people for the most part, right? Unless they had food of some sort, which they didn't. Or unless they were aggressive. He squints, tilting his head to one side. ]
Swans.
[ Plural. The swan's friends seem to have caught wind of another presence on the pond and swim along behind it in formation. ]
Ramon. When's the nesting period on this Earth for avian species?
[ Because if Harrison had to hazard a guess, it would be right about now. The swans start honking and hissing at them as they approach, beating their wings. He turns back towards Cisco, pointing towards the pedals furiously as he speaks in a hurried manner. ]
[ He'd been confused by the sharpish tone in Harry's voice, for just a moment. But even if he's no expert on swans or water fowl of any kind, Cisco knows that those sounds and that body language do not bode well in any animal. Worse, there are a bunch of them headed for the boat now. Cisco fumbles to get his feet on the pedals, which is harder when he can't tear his eyes away from the advancing animals. But then he finds his footing and starts to pedal, or at least tries to. Harry is going faster than him which means that he is only helping to turn their boat in circles, rather than get away. ]
Stop! Stop, we gotta math, c'mon!
[ Cisco finally looks away from the swans, keeping an eye on Harry's legs so that the two of them can pedal in unison. Internally he is wondering the best way to fight a swan. Punch them on the nose? No, that was sharks...
The boat seems to go as slow as molasses as the two of them finally manage to get it moving. ]
[ It's an urgent hiss, though it lacks any of the anger that usually accompanies that sort of tone. Harrison's too concerned with getting away from the swans right now to be angry. His eyes shift back and forth between their legs and their trajectory as he matches Cisco's pace all while the honking grows louder and louder behind them.
Through grit teeth, he mutters: ]
Paddle boats.
[ Of all things, why did it have to be paddle boats?
As they approach the shore, the swans seem to slow their pursuit, fanning out instead and continuing to honk and hiss in their direction. Harrison leans forward once it seems like they're safe enough close to the shore, panting heavily. ]
[ He knows that it is just the intense stress of being chased by large and rather murderous birds, but Cisco feels more than the usual amount of annoyance when Harry sees fit to grumble under his breath about their predicament. Cisco doesn't slacken his pace when he snaps back: ]
Oh yeah, great, thanks Harry, the muttering's really a big help right now!
[ Cisco's hair keeps whipping him in the face every time he looks over his shoulder to check how far away the swans are. There was a moment or two when he thought they wouldn't get away, but they get close to the shore quickly and the birds seem appeased, staying near them and staying alert, but keeping a healthy buffer of distance. He is out of breath, too, from the sudden exertion and also the fear. ]
I don't get it. That guy who rents the boats is here all the time, you'd think the local fauna woulda adjusted to it by now, but no, that'd be too easy. What kind of Hitchcock nonsense...
[ He buries his face in his hands in exasperation. ]
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franciscoramon) wrote2015-02-21 01:38 am
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That smile was honest - the forced faintness of his praise is the act which Harry puts on to guard himself. Cisco doesn't know how it is, that Harry got it into his head that he can't just say how he feels, can't just show when something pleases him. But whatever the reasons, it's at least a predictable pattern, something Cisco can see through, can interpret like a code. So he knows that it'll do means it's lovely, you chose well.
Once Harry has got the blanket settled, Cisco waits for him to sit down, first. The benefit to that, of course, is that he can choose how close he wants to sit to Harry - and he chooses to sit quite close. Not quite cuddled up to one another - he doesn't think that Harry would permit that - but close enough that their legs are touching, and Cisco could lean his head against Harry's shoulder, if he wanted. ]
This is pretty near the college, actually, I used to come here a lot back in the day.
[ A small enough detail - not really a story, not really consequential. But telling it to Harry is giving him a little piece of the puzzle, another thread in the tapestry that makes Cisco who he is, today. He's been mentioning things like this to Harry, the last week. Here and there. Not too much, and not with any kind of ceremony. Just slowly, bit by bit, letting Harry in.
As is his custom, Cisco offsets the moment with a bit of humor. ]
And before you even ask, yes, I did make the lunch and no, it's not gonna give you food poisoning.
[ He'd thought about just bringing them Big Belly Burger - something he knows Harry will enjoy, a safe pick - but in the end he'd opted for this. It's nothing too special: BLTs with avocado, crackers and cheese, some watermelon slices, a few beers. Not exactly cooking, per se, but Cisco still thinks it totally counts. ]
no subject
He gives him a slow nod, eying him sidelong at the college remark. That contemplative gaze turns to eye rolling quickly when Cisco makes a jab at his own cooking, and he reaches over to open up the picnic basket, starting to pull things out. ]
We'll see about that.
[ Tit for tat, mostly.
But okay, seeing what he's put in — fair enough, Harrison hardly has any room to complain. He sets things down and then starts to munch on a cracker idly as he takes in their surroundings. It's nice, really. In the spring and summer, he used to take his books outside and curl up under a tree trunk, soaking it all in. As time had passed, it got harder and harder for him to be out and about without getting recognized in some capacity. Today, it was almost like the old days again. Almost.
He turns back to Cisco with a huff. ]
Satisfied?
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[ He doesn't know whether Harry is looking for a real answer, but it's the truth. At that moment Cisco is entirely, thoroughly satisfied. The two of them pass some time in agreeable silence (unusual for both of them: the silence on Cisco's part, the agreeableness on Harry's) eating the lunch that Cisco prepared. There is a faint breeze rustling the leaves of the trees and the whole thing is idyllic. Almost too idyllic. Cisco hates himself for thinking it, but it seems like it can't possibly last.
And soon enough, someone comes along to disturb the tranquil mood. It doesn't take much - just a group of young, student-looking dudes who are walking past, who keep glancing their way, leaning in to whisper to one another. Cisco feels his heartbeat picking up, and it's stupid. He should ignore them. But then he thinks, what if they look more carefully. What if they recognize Harry as Harrison Wells?
After that thought crosses his mind, the right choice is clear. He springs to his feet, arms outspread, shouts: ]
What? What're you lookin' at, huh?
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[ It's a rough growl as Harrison reaches over to tug at his sleeve, shooting him a warning look. Was he insane? Drawing attention to themselves was the last thing they wanted to do. At this rate, Cisco would blow everything to hell, which would be unfortunate since he'd only just started to unpack his things. ]
Will you just—
[ He had to do something, anything to draw the attention that Cisco had now drawn away from them. An idea occurs to him suddenly — not a good idea, but an idea all the same. He pinches at the bridge of his nose briefly, weighing the pros and cons before he pushes himself up and grabs for Cisco's collar, pulling him in for a kiss. A kiss that, "coincidentally", happens to block his face from everyone else in the vicinity. ]
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He keeps kissing Harry for a couple moments longer, the tension leaving his back and shoulders, before pulling away and smiling lazily. ]
Well... if I knew you were gonna do that I woulda paid someone to pretend to gawk.
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Were you trying to draw attention to us, Ramon? Because that? [ He nods his head back in the direction of where the students had been not too long ago. ] Was drawing attention. Ignore it the next time. It's worked for me so far.
[ So much for the "idyllic" picnic. Then again, if it were really idyllic, it wouldn't be them. This was more like it, in his mind. So even as he's snapping back roughly, there's something almost soothing about it in the back of his mind, like everything is in its proper place. ]
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No, I was trying to draw attention to me and away from you. Obvi you didn't notice but they were already looking. A lot.
[ He sits down on the blanket hard again and raising his eyebrows at Harry when he says he should have just ignored it. ]
You really sure you're qualified to offer advice about flying under the radar, Mr. "If I Break Into Mercury Labs In a Snapback No One Will Recognize Me".
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[ He shakes his head at that. Maybe they had been lingering, but they wouldn't have stayed for long if they hadn't made a scene. Probably. The remark about Mercury Labs gets him a raised eyebrow, though. ]
Apples and oranges, Ramon. [ He reaches over to pick up his beer, swishing the liquid about briefly before taking a sip. ] Time and place. And, may I remind you, pressing matters.
[ Though grabbing Doctor McGee's attention had had some unintended side effects. Snow had mentioned her wanting to speak with him at some point, "when the dust had settled." He'd dodged that the first time by leaving the entire universe, but it wouldn't take long for anyone in the know to figure out that he was back in town. Damnit. ]
I thought you planned this thing, anyway.
[ Back to deflecting things away from him and back onto Ramon it is. ]
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Harry's deflection works well; Cisco plucks Harry's beer from his hand and takes a drink from it (he'd finished his own a few minutes before) and says: ]
Yeah, I did plan it, and if you're not nice you won't get to see what comes next.
[ There's always the danger that Harry actually doesn't care what Cisco had had in mind for after their picnic - that he'll say he'd rather go back to S.T.A.R. Labs and work, anyway. Cisco hopes not. ]
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Really. [ A pause, and he shrugs. ] Shame.
[ It's almost a coy response — is he interested or is he not interested in the slightest? It sounds as though it could go either way. Truth be told, Harrison is idly curious as to where Cisco plans on taking this and how much of a train wreck it'll end up being when all is said and done. And it's a welcome reprieve from the heaviness that surrounded Zoom's onslaught and their bittersweet victory over him. Allen was still . . . off. Snow was in mourning in her own way. Both Harrison and Cisco needed some sort of distraction, something to lighten the mood and for better or for worse, this served that purpose well. ]
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By the time they finish, the cool breeze has picked up a little, and the picnic blanket almost blows away as they are packing up. Cisco manages to grab a corner of it, cursing under his breath, muttering at the inanimate object indignantly even as he folds it up and shoves it with the now-empty tupperware and bottles into the basket. ]
So. Wanna see what's next.
[ Cisco loops his arm in Harry's before he even has time to say 'no', walking the both of them in the direction of the rather large pond in the center of the park. It becomes pretty clear where they are headed when he turns off the path and towards a little wooden pier that is surrounded by brightly-colored paddle boats, with a middle-aged woman standing by renting them out. Cisco looks over to Harry, raises his eyebrows, grinning. Classic date activity, right? Surely, he can't have any problem with this... ]
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You've got to be kidding me.
[ It's a dry statement, mostly because he has a sneaking suspicion that no, in fact, Cisco is not kidding him in the slightest. Cisco "I failed gym class" Ramon wanted to take him out on the pond in a paddle boat. Harrison glances down at himself briefly, idly wondering just how attached he was to the clothes he was currently wearing, because they were bound to be drenched before this was over.
If anything, it was making him resolve to plan the next date. "Date." Which would likely involve board games and Chinese takeout and several items at hand for him to inevitably hurl at Ramon's head. It sounded more their speed, anyway.
Harrison crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow. Cisco had insisted on the date, which— fine. They'd gone out, had a picnic, spent a reasonable amount of time together outside of the lab as well as the apartment. The boat was pushing it. Besides, the geese were starting to close ranks out there on the water. ]
You can't be serious.
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[ Cisco has no thoughts about his own athleticism or lack thereof. He has no worries about what will happen if they fall in the water. To him, it seems an obviously romantic option. When he'd been in college he'd always seen loads of happy, stock-photo-that-comes-in-the-frame couples out on this pond, paddling away, laughing, looking happy. And sure, maybe he and Harry aren't that couple. They are never going to be. Maybe it's still to try to act like they are. But how are they gonna know if they don't even give it a try, once? ]
Come on, there's a spot over there on the far side of the pond with some willows and it's so pretty, you're gonna love it.
[ He tugs at Harry's arm, meeting his eyes and doing his absolute best puppy face. His ultimate "look at how cute I am, come on, you know you can't resist these big brown eyes" expression. Not a tactic he's really tried on Harry before, but surely he can't be totally immune. ]
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But it's that look that gets him. It's always the looks. ]
Damnit, Ramon.
[ He lets out a huff, scratching at the back of his neck. He can't very well say "no," not when there's no real reason to beyond the fact that he thinks the whole thing is completely stupid and wouldn't they have more fun kicking their feet up — possibly on each other — while watching Cosmos or whatever else they had in their backlog after that?
It's a strange thing, Harrison thinks, but for all that he complains about things, he doesn't need much to be content in life. Science. The people he loves. A warm, comfortable place to hang his hat at the end of the day. A Big Belly Burger would be nice, too. Beyond that, he's satisfied, really, beneath it all. ]
One lap around the pond. That's it.
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(And though he does not know it, the difference in their enthusiasm levels might have something to do with the difference in their ages. Cisco is mature for his age in some ways (and not, in others), but there is a certain insecurity to being his age that Harry has had time to get over. He might be sure of himself, of who he is, of what he needs in the world, but Cisco is much less so. ]
Here, take my hand, it's a big step...
[ He helps Harry to get down into the boat and then beams at him as the two of them settle down in seats with pedals at their feet. The plastic of the boat is a little hot from sitting in the sun, and Cisco has to sit at the edge of his seat to reach the pedals (honestly why are they SO far away, he isn't even that short, these things are poorly designed...). ]
So, shall we?
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Harrison gives the pedals a test spin, glancing over at Cisco's feet. Already he can tell that the chances of them pedaling in circles ridiculously for an hour while the geese honk in annoyance at them are high. ]
Yeah.
[ That "yeah" carries heavy undertones of "let's get this over with" and also, "why." Though that does beg the question. Harrison starts to pedal slowly, glancing over at Cisco again with a raised eyebrow. ]
So. Why paddle boats, exactly?
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Why not paddle boats, Harry, huh?
[ Once they get a little bit of momentum, pull away from the pier, the pedaling gets easier and Cisco thinks that maybe Harry's question wasn't TOTALLY unreasonable. But it's like a joke - if he has to explain it, then the point of it is lost anyway. ]
'Cause it's fun, and I've never done it before, and it's the kind of thing you can do on a date and then actually tell someone about. [ Not something Cisco had had in mind when he planned this, when he suggested the boats, but as he says it he knows it's true. ] I keep thinking if people ask about us what am I gonna say? Oh, this one time we were in the lab and ended up kissing. And this other time, we were also in the lab and Harry laughed at one of my jokes.
[ He realizes a bit too late that he is pedaling a little too vigorously and sending them into the beginnings of a circle. Cisco eases off, reaching over the side of the boat to skim his fingers in the warm water of the pond, which he promptly flicks in Harry's direction. ]
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So naturally, like a mature adult, Harrison retaliates by doing the same, flicking a bit of the water right back at him before going back to pedaling slowly as he considers that. Of course Ramon would want to do something like this on a date for those exact reasons — it makes perfect sense now. He remembers distinctly when he was younger and had several half-baked date plans of his own that she ribbed him for repeatedly later on. This was no different, except for the fact that he was on the other side of the equation and didn't have her patience.
But still, it strikes a chord in him, so he doesn't roll his eyes, doesn't make an irritated sound in the back of his throat. He doesn't need to ask why Cisco cares so much about what he'll say if people ask about them; he already knows the answer to that question. Instead, he spends maybe a moment or two grappling with words before speaking. ]
So— talk about the projects we're working on.
[ The ones that aren't classified, and even the ones outside of the lab. Granted, some would require careful rewording, but some of it's still universal. ]
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[ There are some people like Joe, of course, who is smart but has no training in the field, and who will at least make a few attempts to understand before giving up. For people like that, Cisco is willing to go to whatever lengths to get his point across, to get them just as excited as he is. But not everyone's like Joe. Some people just flat-out don't care, don't even attempt to understand. Cisco's family had always been like that, and Kendra, and plenty of other people. And while Harry probably just wouldn't waste his time with that type of person, Cisco's not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater. ]
And besides, if I just talk about work when I'm talking about you, people will think we're just colleagues. And.... and whatever the word is for what we are, it's not only that.
[ Cisco has talked himself into a moment of embarrassment, focuses on steering the boat around a patch of water lilies and towards the center of the pond. He recovers quickly, amusement coming into his voice as he says: ]
Besides, if I can put up with you rearranging my apartment, you can totally put up with pedaling around on a boat with me for half an hour.
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[ He says it so calmly, so naturally, like it's not a big deal or a struggle for him to find a label for it. But it encompasses so much in his mind that it's hardly a box to place them in at all. They're partners in the lab, complementing one another with ease to great results. Partners in their Team Flash roles, working together to help Allen apprehend whatever metahuman has been giving them problems that particular week. And then, partners in other aspects of their life. It's simple but fitting. Harrison gives him a shrug. ]
We have other projects, you know. [ It's a pointed remark, and he raises an eyebrow at that. ] Unless you have another word for all those movies you keep throwing at me.
[ He slows his pedaling to match Cisco's as he continues, taking on a more caustic tone again. ]
Your apartment needed rearranging.
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So he ducks his head forward, tucks his hair behind his ears, biting his lower lip with happiness. ]
I don't know that I would call introducing you to the finest Earth-1 cinema has to offer a project.
[ He doesn't bother to argue that last point, because the fact is that the space is put to better use, now. Cisco isn't an interior decorator, and while he could fire back that Harry is only better at that kind of thing because he has so many more years of experience, he thinks he'll keep that one to himself for now.
There is a moment of quiet, a lull in which they paddle around in comfortable silence. For all his objections, and huffing and puffing, Cisco catches Harry smiling, out of the corner of his eye. And just as he is feeling smug, like this was a good idea after all, he sees a swan break away from a few of its friends and swim in their direction. He nudges Harry with his elbow, points in its direction. ]
Look, Harry, we've got company!
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Swans.
[ Plural. The swan's friends seem to have caught wind of another presence on the pond and swim along behind it in formation. ]
Ramon. When's the nesting period on this Earth for avian species?
[ Because if Harrison had to hazard a guess, it would be right about now. The swans start honking and hissing at them as they approach, beating their wings. He turns back towards Cisco, pointing towards the pedals furiously as he speaks in a hurried manner. ]
Start pedaling, Ramon. Now.
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[ He'd been confused by the sharpish tone in Harry's voice, for just a moment. But even if he's no expert on swans or water fowl of any kind, Cisco knows that those sounds and that body language do not bode well in any animal. Worse, there are a bunch of them headed for the boat now. Cisco fumbles to get his feet on the pedals, which is harder when he can't tear his eyes away from the advancing animals. But then he finds his footing and starts to pedal, or at least tries to. Harry is going faster than him which means that he is only helping to turn their boat in circles, rather than get away. ]
Stop! Stop, we gotta math, c'mon!
[ Cisco finally looks away from the swans, keeping an eye on Harry's legs so that the two of them can pedal in unison. Internally he is wondering the best way to fight a swan. Punch them on the nose? No, that was sharks...
The boat seems to go as slow as molasses as the two of them finally manage to get it moving. ]
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[ It's an urgent hiss, though it lacks any of the anger that usually accompanies that sort of tone. Harrison's too concerned with getting away from the swans right now to be angry. His eyes shift back and forth between their legs and their trajectory as he matches Cisco's pace all while the honking grows louder and louder behind them.
Through grit teeth, he mutters: ]
Paddle boats.
[ Of all things, why did it have to be paddle boats?
As they approach the shore, the swans seem to slow their pursuit, fanning out instead and continuing to honk and hiss in their direction. Harrison leans forward once it seems like they're safe enough close to the shore, panting heavily. ]
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Oh yeah, great, thanks Harry, the muttering's really a big help right now!
[ Cisco's hair keeps whipping him in the face every time he looks over his shoulder to check how far away the swans are. There was a moment or two when he thought they wouldn't get away, but they get close to the shore quickly and the birds seem appeased, staying near them and staying alert, but keeping a healthy buffer of distance. He is out of breath, too, from the sudden exertion and also the fear. ]
I don't get it. That guy who rents the boats is here all the time, you'd think the local fauna woulda adjusted to it by now, but no, that'd be too easy. What kind of Hitchcock nonsense...
[ He buries his face in his hands in exasperation. ]
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