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[As Cisco sits, Eddie cautiously brings the bag of food over toward himself and pulls it open, tugging out the sandwich and veggies. Something in his shoulders relaxes, when he sees what it is - protein, vegetables, a bit of carbs - and he opens the container of veggies. Pushing the dip aside, he puts a carrot in his mouth and bites off a piece, exhaling softly as Cisco says that this is what friends are for, that he's the only other meta here and they have to stick together.

For a moment, Eddie's quiet, chewing and swallowing his carrot, and then looking up at Cisco. Catching his eyes with his own a little wide.]

Oh wow. I am a meta, aren't I? Wow...that's... [He swallows again, glances down and then back up at Cisco's face, smiling.] That's kind of amazing. You know...I always had kind of a daydream I was actually a meta, that I could fight crime like the Flash did, you know?

[Licking his lips, he exhales, slips a snap pea into his mouth and gathers his thoughts while he's chewing.]

Dodger's robot dog contacted me with a glitchy message and a recording of a fight between Dodger and Ivar starting. So of course I ran there to break it up before anyone could get killed. They've almost killed each other before. So I found them, they were both really, really messed up. It was awful, and Ivar was still standing, he threw an ax at Dodger and even though Dodger got out of the way in time, I lunged forward, held my hands out, and there was a blue glowing sort of shape in the air between them, coming from my hands. Like a shield, you know how you have to hold them? But just. Coming from my hands.

[A pause, and he pulls a piece of raw cauliflower from the cup, is about to put it aside when he realizes the white flesh and florets are marbled with bright red, and that it's some sort of alien vegetable after all. Taking a curious bite, he chews a few times, and then finishes it, trying to gather his thoughts.]

After that, I turned to check up on Dodger, who looked a bit worse than Ivar, and my hands were glowing again. It didn't do a lot, but some of the bleeding stopped.

Yeah. Yeah, I think you are.

[ Cisco is smiling softly as he says it, because he can see it in Eddie's body language, hear it in his voice, that he is not recoiling from the thought, the same way he had done himself. But that, Cisco understands now, had been a very specific set of circumstances. It doesn't have to be like that for Eddie. He won't let it be like that for Eddie. As Cisco rolls his chair a little closer and sets his hand against Eddie's forearm, he feels a fierce protectiveness rising up in him. ]

Don't look now, but it seems like that daydream might be coming true.

[ And there are things he could do, to help usher that dream into reality, if Eddie is still interested. He had helped shape Barry into the Flash, after all. The superspeed helped, of course, but there had also been a process behind it. A costume, a name, a foundation of support. He could be that, for Eddie. Here, in this place.

But he's getting ahead of himself. He listens to Eddie's story, reaching out at one point to steal just one of the tiny carrots, absent-minded. It gives him something to fiddle with and nibble on, while Eddie talks. When there's a pause, Cisco observes: ]

Sounds like maybe you were feeling like... it was almost inevitable, one of them killing the other, and you were feeling like you wanted to stop that. Get in the way of sort of- the inexorable?

[ It's a stab in the dark, just a guess at what might have been the particular emotional trigger, if there were one at all. But Cisco doesn't want to linger too long, there. Instead, he prompts gently: ]

What did it feel like? Could you feel - was it more like pulling energy out from your body, or maybe gathering something together out of the air and changing it into something solid? Or maybe it happened too fast to tell - that's okay, too.

[When Cisco rolls a bit closer on his chair and puts his hand on Eddie's forearm, something inside him tightens, goes warm and bright, and he smiles suddenly. Because Cisco is telling him that his dumb daydream about being a meta-human hero is coming true, and sure, it doesn't mean as much here as it had at home because every second person has powers here, but it still sends a little thrill through him. That Cisco is calling him a meta-human and holding his arm and saying that he'll help him train.

It's a little thrilling. He remembers, after all, in that last day before his death, how useless and helpless he'd felt, without powers, without scientific genius, unable to do anything. Like he was just taking up space, getting in everyone's way. STAR Labs and everything to do with Team Flash had always made him feel just a little bit helpless and meaningless, and what Eobard had told him in that dark little room definitely hadn't helped with that feeling. But now...this is something different, this is the start of something new, he has meta-human powers now, he can do something, he's not the guy who has nothing going for him but his gun and his insider cop knowledge.]

Yeah, it was sort of like that. Like it was coming and I needed to do something to stop it. Like I had to get between the violence and the person it was aimed at. Sort of a protective instinct I guess. And...

[A little pause, while he considers how it had felt physically, tries to remember all the details of it, the things he had picked out.]

It was coming from me, out of my body, but it wasn't my energy, if that makes sense.

[ Cisco listens, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, dividing his attention between what Eddie is saying and his own speculation. From the sound of it, protectiveness is a component, and maybe a certain degree of tension or urgency, but not (hopefully) terror. Not the same way it was, for Cisco. Which would make replicating the scenario in a lab setting less unpleasant - hopefully. Cisco's already half concocting ideas, about machines launching water balloons of ice-cold water, Eddie halfway between him and the impending frigid unpleasantness, not dangerous, but worth protecting from.

But those specifics can wait. For now, he just wants to be sure of a few things. ]

I know this is gonna sound weird, but try to hold onto that and remember what it felt like. That way, in theory anyway, it'll be easier the second time. Still might take a bit of work, but I've already got some ideas.

[ And gently, Cisco coaxes Eddie's free hand (that he's not eating with) away from the chair arm, turning it over between his hands, looking closely for any sign that anything had changed. While he's looking so intently, he says: ]

It makes sense. I know, I know, I'm gonna sound like the world's weirdest yoga instructor or whatever right now but can you... try feeling that feeling again, right now? Like you're pulling that other energy out of your body?

[While Cisco is parsing what Eddie's told him, working through the explanation so he can put things together, Eddie continues nibbling at the vegetables, sharing them openly with Cisco as he does, before picking up the sandwich and taking a look at what's on it. He's halfway through taking a bite when Cisco says to hold onto the memory of how that felt, to make it easier to do a second time.

Swallowing hastily, with a little gulp, he licks his lips and nods as Cisco takes his hand and turns it over in his own. Glancing down, Eddie admires the way his hand looks in Cisco's for just a moment before turning back to that moment. Wanting to put himself between someone else and death. It's a simple enough feeling. Eddie's felt it hundreds of times, in the line of duty and with his work with the flash. Personally, too, with Cisco and some other people.]

Okay.

[It's soft, and he focuses, his breathing a bit even as Cisco asks him to try feeling that feeling again, like he's pulling the alien energy out of himself again. Furrowing his brows, he holds onto that slightly urgent feeling of wanting to take a blow for someone else, and trying to push the energy and emotion into his hand. It doesn't work, not at first, but when he imagines it's Cisco on the floor instead of Dodger, he sees his hand glowing faintly blue.

Jerking his head up, he looks at Cisco, eyes wide.]

Oh my god. Did you see that?

[ Cisco sees it before Eddie does; Eddie is focused internally, on the process of calling forth that energy, going through whatever mental or emotional hoops he has to, to coax it out. But Cisco sees the moment there's a faint shift, and Eddie's skin seems to pale. He realizes a moment later that it's because a faint blue light is coming from it, washing his hand out before blurring and obscuring it.

The smile that spreads across Cisco's face is soft with delight and wonder. He looks up at the same moment that Eddie does, and for just a moment that smile falters. Cisco just stares, because Eddie's eyes have gone white - entirely, but enough to make it very eerie. There's a glow, that same color of blue as had been coming from his hands, surrounding them. ]

Eddie... your eyes...

[ It's instinct that has Cisco reaching a hand into his pocket, pulling up his phone quickly to switch on the camera, so Eddie can use it as a mirror to see himself, see the change that has come over his face. Cisco laughs, not even quite knowing what to say. It is just... bizarre, seeing Eddie's face like that. ]

It happened with Firestorm, too. Not quite the same, but almost. When Ronnie and Stein were combined, their eyes would go all white.

[For a moment, Eddie just stares at Cisco, trying to hold onto the energy and the emotion so Cisco can figure out whatever he can from what Eddie is doing. It's hard, takes a lot of concentration, and Eddie's brow is furrowing by the time Cisco smiles and looks up at him, says something about his eyes.

Eddie manages to keep his grip on the last of the energy as Cisco pulls his phone up with the front-facing camera and it's the view of his face with his eyes white in the center and glowing blue around the edges that distracts him enough to drop the energy. Breathing heavily, chest rising and falling hard, Eddie looks up at Cisco, barely registering what he's saying about Firestorm, Ronnie and Stein, because he's too distracted with what he just saw in the mirror.]

My eyes...they looked like blue versions of his. Eobard's.

[Swallowing hard, he furrows his brows a little bit.]

Oh my god. What if it's a Thawne thing? What if this is...is just me going evil, like him, or something?

[It's ridiculous, paranoid, he knows that even as he says it, but it comes out anyway, raw as an exposed nerve, something he wouldn't have said to anyone he trusted less than Cisco.]

[ Even as he'd been saying that Eddie's eyes looked like Firestorm's, something had been nagging at the back of Cisco's mind. Because there was something else, some other thing they reminded him of, only he didn't know what. He'd thought, stupidly, it must be something from a movie. A special effect.

But the moment Eddie says his eyes looked like Eobard's, Cisco's stomach feels like it's been filled with lead. Of course. The Reverse Flash, with those glowing, awful red eyes. That had been what it reminded him of. Of Eobard. Eddie's descendent. Cisco's face goes noticeably paler, but the moment Eddie starts asking those half-frantic questions, his brain kicks back in. ]

Hey. Hey hey hey, c'mon.

[ Cisco reaches up, holding Eddie's face in his hands, forcing him to look at Cisco and focus on his unblinking gaze. There's no trace of that weird blue glow, now. Just Eddie Thawne's light blue eyes, framed by those pale lashes, looking a touch glassy as a new worry cast its shadow over them. ]

You know that's not how this works, okay? ...I mean, okay. There was a certain. There was a resemblance. A little. I'm not gonna deny it. But that doesn't have anything to do with you going evil- [ Cisco lets his voice drip with sarcasm over the words, as if the mere suggestion that Eddie could go evil is so absurd that he can barely say it with straight face. ]

Your powers emerged because you wanted to save people. And not just... people who were useful to you, or your friends, or whatever. You were saving two annoying shits who've caused a whole heap of trouble. That about as far opposite of Dr- of Eobard as you can get, alright?

[Eddie sees it, the moment it dawns on Cisco that he's right, that Eddie's eyes looked like Eobard's and that maybe they have some things in common. The moment he sees Cisco's face go a bit pale, his eyes widen like that, Eddie shifts, draws back a little from Cisco to give him space, to let him decide how he wants to deal with this. For a moment, his gut feels cold, his heart is beating hard, and he licks his lips, watching Cisco as if he's a frightened animal Eddie's a little afraid to touch.

But then Cisco is speaking to him in that gentle, reassuring voice, saying 'hey hey hey' over and over, taking his face between his hands in that gentle way and looking him in the face. Eddie's about to apologize when Cisco starts explaining. He's quiet and lets Cisco talk until he's done, until he's explained where he's coming from, and then Eddie smiles, just a little.]

I guess you're right. I don't feel evil. I just...you know I worry, because somehow, Eobard and I...we come from the same family, the same blood, and what if that's in it?

[ It's encouraging, to hear Eddie say that Cisco might be right, but there's more to do. Cisco knows, from his experience, how an idea like that can fester. He has to uproot it, completely, before it can ever dig in to the soil of Eddie's mind. He has to protect Eddie from getting caught in the same kind of reasoning that's still got its tendrils wrapped tightly around his own feelings about his powers.

He is already shaking his head before Eddie finishes. ]

Good and evil aren't encoded in your genes. That's something I have absolutely no doubt about - for you and Eobard or for anybody else. Your genes are just... genes. They decide if you're gonna be blond, not if you're gonna be a psycho murderer, alright? It's not like... he didn't do the things he did because he was born evil and had no choice in the matter.

[ There's an edge to the way he says that, harsh and unforgiving. He remembers, for a moment, all the bullshit excuses Eobard had made, about how he was only doing what he had to do, what anyone would do in his place. What complete fucking nonsense. ]

He decided to be a murdering creep. Just like you decided to be a badass detective, who wants to keep people safe so badly that he'll do whatever it takes. Sacrificing his life, or building a shield out of pure energy. Okay? Blood doesn't mean shit.

[ And then Cisco makes a quick decision. It's... unconventional, and a little strange, but he doesn't know any better way to cut through to Eddie. He takes the hand that had glowed, just now, and carefully, deliberately brings it up to hover a millimeter away from his chest, right over the heart. Cisco swallows, but he locks his eyes with Eddie and says: ]

See? That's how certain I am.

[It's a worry, digging at the back of his mind, and Eddie clings to what Cisco is saying, tries to believe him, that good and evil aren't encoded in the genes, that it's something that he chooses for himself. That Eobard hadn't been helplessly born evil, and the way Cisco says that, the firmness of it, his voice tinged with a kind of harsh, judgemental certainty, makes Eddie feel a little more secure, a little reassured about that. There's no doubt Cisco believes what he's saying, that Eddie isn't like Eobard, that being evil doesn't run in families, that it's not in his blood, in his DNA, that it's about the choices he makes.]

I guess, I just...it's hard not to worry...

[Licking his lips, he falls quiet as Cisco shifts and takes his hand between his own, lifts it and brings it up to his chest, leaving it there, barely a millimeter from his chest, close enough that Eddie can feel the heat of his body through his T-shirt. Eddie's blue eyes flick back up to Cisco's face, and he exhales a little, resists the urge to press his palm against Cisco's chest, to touch.]

Okay. I trust you.

[Laughing softly, he shakes his head.]

I just don't trust myself, you know? All of a sudden, I'm thinking about every bad and uncharitable thought I've ever had, all the times I've had to keep my temper, and the times I've given in.

[ When Eddie says it's hard not to worry, the tiniest flicker of a smile pulls at one corner of Cisco's mouth, and he nods. He knows that, all too well. Is he expecting too much, wanting to keep Eddie entirely free from worry, when he is still so plagued by his own doubts and fears about going evil? This is certainly a case of "do as I say and not as I do" if there has ever been one. It's such a hard balance to strike - not wanting to enable Eddie, to entrench that worry at all, but also not wanting to demand a superhuman amount of acceptance from him. ]

I get it. If you can't stop worrying entirely. I mean... you know how hard it's been for me to stop even a little. I just- I don't want you to go through the same thing. I don't want him- hurting you, I guess. Not any more.

[ Cisco gives a little tiny shrug, at that. He releases Eddie's wrist, but he doesn't back away, or break eye contact. His heart is racing so fast he almost thinks Eddie should be able to feel it, despite that small space between them. But it's not fear. He trusts Eddie, enough to put his hand that close to his heart. And regardless of how much Eddie will understand the impact of that gesture, Cisco knows it. He's doing it for himself, too. Affirming to himself that he trusts Eddie, more than... well, anyone.

He nods, a touch glumly, when Eddie talks about how he's suddenly re-evaluating his flaws, his temper, thinking about how he might misuse his powers. Quietly, with just a touch of dry humor, Cisco remarks: ]

Golly, this is sounding familiar...

[ It's not funny - not really. But there's no point in trying to hide it. They're very different men, in many ways. But it would seem that, when it comes to getting superpowers, many of their concerns run parallel. Which means that, hopefully, Cisco will know what to say, to lessen Eddie's fears. ]

Even the best heroes aren't perfect. Barry's got a temper, and plenty of uncharitable thoughts. He's messed up before, but he's still the Flash. I think... I don't think it's bad, to be wary. But you're not on your own. You've got me, and I've got your back, and I won't let you go dark side, okay? If you don't trust yourself... trust me, not to let that happen.

[When Cisco says he gets it, and that he doesn't want Eobard hurting him, not anymore, something unwinds a bit in Eddie's chest, and he manages a smile, eyes on Cisco's face. Eddie's hand is still close to Cisco's chest, and after a moment, tentatively, he curls his fingers forward and brushes them against the warm fabric of Cisco's shirt, cautiously, carefully.]

I get that. I don't want him hurting you anymore either. So I know...how you're feeling, I guess.

[Eddie falls quiet when Cisco starts quietly reassuring him, that even the best heroes aren't perfect, that Barry has flaws and a temper and he's still the Flash, and a hero. That it isn't bad to be cautious, but that he's not alone, he's got Cisco, who won't let him go darkside. Eddie laughs at that, softly, a little tentatively, he doesn't have to know the reference to understand it, and he nods a bit.]

How about this? You have my back, and I have yours. You help me with my powers, and I'll help you with yours? Neither of us is going to go darkside, okay?

[ When Eddie moves his hand forward, touches his fingers to Cisco's chest, he doesn't flinch, or move away. His eyes flicker down, for just a moment, and his breath catches in his throat; Cisco doesn't want to think it's fear, making his heart beat so fast, so he leans forward just a little, into the touch, showing that he isn't worried. If anyone in the precinct is watching them, it is going to look very strange, but right now Cisco doesn't care. He keeps his eyes on Eddie's, matching the soft smile that follows his little laugh. ]

It's a deal.

[ And strangely, Cisco actually is kind of looking forward to it. Less so the part about working on his own powers, of course, but Eddie had already seen the worst of those, in the forest that day. And his stupid vibes had contributed to their whole ill-advised hookup during the blackout. As far as shame and embarrassment go, for his powers, he's kind of already passed that first hurdle, with Eddie.

Cisco shifts the conversation gently, seeing the opportunity to bring Eddie's mind back to the positives, to the good he can do and the way that this is, quite literally, a dream come true for him. ]

Does this mean I get to pick a name for you, since you're going to pick one for me? And you better believe I'm gonna make you a suit, once I know enough about how your powers function that I can work in some tech to enhance them and help you with control.

[When Cisco doesn't flinch, doesn't draw back as Eddie touches his chest, Eddie relaxes just a bit. Cisco's breath catches, it's impossible to miss that, but it's only a moment of hesitation before Eddie is gently pressing his palm against Cisco's chest too, feeling the warmth of his body soaking into it, while Cisco looks him in the eyes and smiles at him.

And of course it looks strange, in the middle of the precinct, but the fact is, Eddie doesn't care, because this is what he needed, after all the fear and confusion over the past few hours. He'd needed someone to say that they believed in him, to say that they trusted him, to offer to help him train.

It always seems to be Cisco who comes through for him like this, lately.

Eddie's smile widens when Cisco asks if he can pick a name for him, and he laughs, a little self-deprecatingly.]

I mean, I think it's a bit early for that, and I definitely haven't thought up a good name for you yet, but...I definitely need to practice before I get a name and a suit.

[Taking a breath, he calms himself, then drops his hand from Cisco's chest and picks up the sandwich he brought again. For a moment, he distracts himself with taking a bite, chewing and swallowing, enjoying the sensation of eating, and then, quietly, he speaks again.]

Thanks, Cisco.

Well, then, practice it is.

[ Cisco thinks about saying that Barry hadn't known what the he was doing when he first got his suit, that he had had a name almost before he'd actually saved anyone. But Cisco doesn't want to give the impression that he is rushing Eddie. It's a lot to process, and if he says it feels early for those things, Cisco isn't gonna question it.

That won't stop him from making plans in his head, though. Like, for instance, the fact that Eddie costume is going to have to be a deep blue, the same as the color of that energy that had glowed through his skin for just a moment. Cisco doesn't think he'd ever seen a blue quite that rich. It's different, from the tinted shade of his vibes, from the energy he had shot from his hand that one time. Darker, more intensely saturated, more... warm. ]

Not today, though. I think you've had more than enough excitement.

[ Cisco wishes he could drag Eddie from the precinct and back home at once, but there's a distinctly ominous look about all that paperwork sitting by his elbow. Probably a lot more to do, considering two civilians had almost killed each other, and are probably in custody, and apparently there is a robot dog involved somehow??? ]

You look like you've still got some stuff to finish up - how 'bout I cook dinner, for once? Least I can do. And maybe we can watch a movie after? I'm thinking something with swords and realllll stilted dialogue, what do you say?

[ He wants Eddie to see that this is not the end of anything, that the world hasn't turned completely upside-down (even though it has). One of the strangest things for Cisco had been how life simply moved on, from day to day, in all its banal details, even when he was, impossibly, somehow, suddenly a metahuman. ]

Practice sounds good.

[Something in Eddie relaxes when Cisco says that they won't be practicing today, that he's not going to pressure Eddie to take up a mantle and name and start superhero work right away. It's something he'd be interested in, maybe, but the idea of it is too overwhelming right now. First, he needs to know what he's doing, to be confident and comfortable before he relies on them.

When Cisco suggests he go home and make dinner and they watch a movie together, Eddie smiles broadly at him, reaches out and takes his hands and squeezes, tight and warm.]

I would love that. Something brainless and actiony sounds perfect, especially if you're cooking. I don't think I've ever had an actual meal you cooked before, I'm excited.

[The excitement is obvious, genuine on his face, and he exhales.]

Seriously, thanks again. I feel so much better than I did earlier.

I know, I've been totally taking advantage of the fact that if I just wait long enough, you'll make something amazing and I can just steal some. Time to step it up.

[ Cisco gets to his feet, but also takes a moment to rather theatrically push up the sleeves of his shirt, like he is getting ready for some sort of important and arduous task, and he wants to be ready. ]

Pressure's on. I better go get planning.

[ He doesn't know what he'll make, but it is only logical that it should be something a little special. That he should make today into a bit of a celebration. Help to drive home the idea that Eddie's new powers are something good, something to cause joy rather than worry. Cisco doesn't have the time or skill for anything really elaborate, but he thinks he can manage something nice enough it'll be clear he was aiming for a special meal.

When Eddie thanks him one last time, Cisco just beams at him, claps him on the shoulder, and then heads out. Maybe some kind of curry, or some arepas... that would be pretty easy, and Eddie might not have ever had them before... ]

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