franciscoramon | riverview ∆ ic inbox ∆ @ciscodelamancha

You know, I can see that. It would be my luck.
And if I had to hear I told you so from anyone, it would be you. I'd be okay with it.

Wow. All that huh? I think you're just flattering me.

If I have to get old, I'm gonna be that guy. Anyway, this isn't about getting old, not really. I just saw one of the older guys, close to retirement, mostly works a desk now. He was dancing with his partner earlier, and I just got thinking, you know?

I guess I just hope that's us someday.

all that and more.

come on getting old isn't so bad
don't think of it as a 'have to'
think of it as a 'get to'
better than never aging and being like that cricket guy from the greek myth

[ Cisco is stunned by the last text, and takes a little longer to answer it than the last few, because he has to blink at his phone for a moment, heart suddenly racing. How is it Eddie can make him get that butterflies-in-his-stomach feeling, all fluttery and light and scared and giggly, with just a sentence, even after all the time they've been together. ]

were they doing the funky chicken?
i need to know for science
(i hope that's us, too)

[ That joke is doing very little to hide how earnest his answer is. ]

I seriously think you're biased.

Okay fine, you're right. I tap out. Growing old isn't so bad. Especially if you get to grow old with someone you care about. I think that's what scares me the most, the idea of doing it alone, you know?

They weren't. But we will be. ;)

how dare you!
i am a scientist!
edward thomas thawne i will set up a double blind study to confirm my words don't you tempt me

well yeah okay
THAT i understand
i'm with you there
the idea of being long term alone = instant spiral of existential terror

hell yeah
or whatever will be the equivalent of the funky chicken in 50 years

Hey, last time I checked, emotions weren't really a scientific thing. Don't you middle-name me.

I was thinking about it a lot after Iris and when I first got here. It's honestly just awful to think about. :(

But now I have you.
And I am pretty sure I'm gonna have you for a long time if you want me to.

everything is a scientific thing if you believe in yourself
and i'll middle name you as much as i like thanks very much

well it was a huge life transition
i can see why you'd be worrying big-picture like that
but there's no reason to assume the future's gonna be bad

[ Cisco pauses before he answers the rest; if he thinks about his words too much he's going to end up tongue-tied (finger-tied?) and overthinking, so after that pause he answers in a rush, not even giving himself time to reread once before hitting send. ]

and i'm pretty sure you're right about that
barring environmental catastrophe, body snatching, plague, apocalypse, or other unknown calamity
i'm pretty sure you got me for the long haul

So, while I grab another rum and coke, you should explain how emotions are a scientific thing?

Francisco Paco Ramon.

;)

[The next text comes a few minutes later, because he can tell this is something he maybe shouldn't be talking about a bit drunk and over text. But he wants to.]

Life transition...can you still call it that if it was me dying??

Good. Because you're everything I want. Everything I've ever wanted.

i guess i brought that on myself huh?
you already know emotions have a basis in science, baby
i mean look at our powers.

it was you starting a new life
new apartment, new friends
new job, new department
new universe

you sure about that?
even though i eat too many skittles
and text you too many memes
and middle name you
and make body snatching jokes when i ought to be serious?

Okay, you have a point there. But I think there are certain parts of emotions that are undefinable by science. The physical responses and how they affect our bodies, sure, that's science. When I look at you and my heart speeds up and I can't help but smile, that's science. Hormones affecting the body.

But knowing that I'd do anything for you, that I'd step in front of a bullet to keep it from hitting you, that's not hormones. It's something else. More like magic.

I know that sounds dumb.

I love you even when you eat too many skittles. You never text me too many memes, I love all of them. You're the only person who can get away with middle naming me.

And I love your sense of humor. It's attractive.

dumb, no. cheesy, a little.
but i love your cheese

(and you better not be planning on jumping in front of any bullets
you've gotten shot like ten times and i never have
it's totally my turn dude)

well now you're just making me blush, detective thawne

Well, that's a relief, because being cheesy is part of who I am. ;)

(It will never be your turn to take a bullet. If there's a bullet and you, I will step between it every time.)

Pics or it didn't happen.

🧀 ❤️ 🧀 ❤️ 🧀 ❤️ 🧀 ❤️ 🧀 ❤️

not if i step in front of you first

[ Is he joking? Or is he serious? Perhaps both. Cisco snaps a quick selfie - he's wearing a hoodie, and his hair is damp from a shower. His cheeks are, in fact, a tiny bit flushed - more from happiness at the conversation than embarrassment at the praise. ]

That is never, never going to happen, babe.

[When Cisco sends the selfie, he stares at it for a long while, just admiring the way Cisco looks, his soft smile and the way his skin is warm and slightly pink, admiring his dark eyes and the slight dampness of his hair.]

God you're gorgeous. Remind me again how you exist without collapsing the universe?

how about neither of us get shot?
i like that option best

what can i say?
science doesn't have an explanation for it yet!

fair's fair
you send me one, too
yes, before you say it, unflattering bar lighting and all

Good call there.

And here I thought you could make anything into science. ;)

Oh man. It's gonna be bad. But.

[A moment later, Cisco will receive a selfie of Eddie in the bar, his hair a bit messy, a bright smile on his face, backlit by bright fluorescents.]

i said 'yet'!
that's the great thing about science
it's never done!

you look gorgeous
how'd i ever end up with such a gorgeous man?

Very smooth, Mr. Ramon.

You know, I think the same thing every time I see one of your selfies. Except it's me thinking 'how did I end up with such a gorgeous man?'

Because you are drop dead gorgeous sexy hot perfect.

[ Cisco really doesn't even know what to say to that (it's so much praise - too much, even if Eddie is a little buzzed) so he sends another selfie, this one of him blowing a kiss towards the camera. ]

[And Eddie saves that to his phone. Sets it as his wallpaper.]

Thanks. Love you babe.

riverview ∆ ic inbox ∆ @ciscodelamancha

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