[ Cisco eats in silence for a few moments, not knowing that Genji is feeling rather solemn at that moment, too. It's drifted into his mind on and off, since he'd pulled Genji out, how his situation is similar to Eobard's. Cisco had tried not to think about that, but it keeps coming back. Eobard had been willing to spy, and manipulate, and murder, all to get away from Cisco's time, to get back home. And he didn't even, as far as Cisco knows, have someone he was trying to get back to. What if they make little progress. What if Genji is stuck for long enough that he starts to-
But Cisco cuts off that line of speculation. It wasn't being trapped in the past that made Eobard evil. He already was. He'd come back to murder a child, and Genji is a member of Overwatch, who sounded like they were pretty much superheroes. No need to go borrowing problems from the future. ]
I'd love to meet them. It sounds like you guys are fighting the good fight.
[ Cisco smiles at Genji's careful politeness, in how he phrases that. Sinking a little lower on the couch, Cisco says: ]
D'you know, he's actually the third Wells I've worked with? True story. Well, okay, technically the second, kinda, depending on your point of view. HR is from Earth-19, and before he came here I used to work with Harry Wells from Earth-2, who's a real piece of work, and before that I was working with a guy I thought was the Harrison Wells from this Earth, except he wasn't at all, he had just been literally body-snatched by a supervillain, who was none other thannnnn-! You guessed it. The Reverse Flash.
[ It's so ridiculous there's nothing to do but laugh about it, honestly. And Cisco just wants to make extra sure that Genji understands how very accustomed he is to complicated situations even worse than 'helping out a nice ninja guy from the future'.
Cisco glances over, to check that Genji is doing okay, and can see just the tiniest bit of Genji's tattoo peeking out over the collar of the STAR Labs sweater. His earlier reservations about bringing it up seem less important, now. Probably because he's tired. Still, he says: ]
Love the tat by the way. It's dope. Totally on-brand with the whole dragon spirit theme.
[ Belatedly, and with horror, Cisco realizes that maybe he should have just kept his mouth shut, and that he might be giving entirely the wrong impression. Hastily he adds: ]
I'm not- that wasn't- I'm not like. I wasn't looking or anything I just couldn't help noticing it earlier. I... I just wanna be super clear, just in case, that that wasn't me hitting on you, I was just saying it's. A nice, um. It's a good tattoo.
We are doing our best. The world being a chaotic place is not something you can fix, only manage. Some things always stay the same.
[ He takes another bite of burger and listens to Cisco little spiel about the apparent different world versions of Wells, not to mention the body snatching. Genji swallows his bite very carefully and deliberately, tilting his head a little. ]
I am... going to compartmentalize that information and deal with it later. I can't even begin to fathom the concept of alternate worlds. [ He smiles a little though. ] I suppose I am glad I am probably not the strangest anomaly you have ever seen, it gives me a little comfort.
[ He goes back to munching on his food as Cisco compliments his tattoo; he has a mouthful so he doesn't immediately respond, but that leads into Cisco's admittedly very endearing embarrassed babble.
He swallows before he can choke and starts to laugh, tilting his head back a bit. It's not a mocking laugh, one of genuine amusement. He scratches the back of his head, shaking it a little. ]
Do not worry, I didn't take it that way. Men are allowed to compliment each other in the future, you are fine.
[ Society will never be perfect, but it's a little farther along sixty or so years in the future. ]
But thank you. It's tied to my ability, a way to ground the spirit to my body and soul. It runs in the family, as I said.
[ He affects a tone, clearly imitating his father and grandfather and everyone who had said it before him. ] 'Only a Shimada can control the dragons.'
[ That is not even close to the strangest story Cisco could tell, but Genji has plenty to process already. He takes that as an unintentional (but helpful) hint not to heap any new information on the poor guy tonight. There's a time and a place to explain multiverse theory, but this isn't either. ]
Okay, uh. Good. Yeah.
[ Cisco's face is hot with embarrassment, but of the possible responses, laughing wasn't a bad one. Much better than if Genji were visibly creeped out, or angry. Cisco rubs a hand against the back of his neck, feeling mortified, taking a big bite of burger to just stop himself from saying any more stupid shit he's going to regret.
He's extremely grateful that Genji starts talking to him about the tattoo, so he can just pretend that whole awkward exchange never happened. ]
That's so cool.
[ It definitely makes him think of Game of Thrones but he's wary enough after his little rambling session just now not to say that, both because the reference will seem super outdated to Genji if he gets it at all, and because he can't quite tell if this is the sort of thing he's allowed to joke about. Yeah, sure, Genji doing that affected old man voice seems like he's poking a bit of fun at himself, but that doesn't mean he wants other people to poke fun, too. And it's related to family and something that sounds not entirely un-religious and those are two bears that Cisco does not poke lightly, thanks. ]
So is there just one spirit?
[ Him traveling back in time might mean there are two, then... his and his great-grandfather's or whatever. That could be a complication. Cisco makes a mental note for tomorrow. For tonight, he's going to leave the timeline to fend for itself. ]
[ Genji moves past it as well, not wanting to embarrass him. They just met, after all, definitely not at the 'friendly teasing' point yet. (Although it makes him think of his friends, McCree, and he aches a little.)
He takes another bite and shakes his head lightly, swallowing. ]
No, there are multiple. My brother has two, tattooed along his arm. [ He gently wiggles his left arm. ] Because he's older, I assume.
[ After a second, he seems to catch on to what Cisco might be getting at. Time shenanigans... but considering his dragon hasn't been making any sort of ruckus or become uncontrollable, it shouldn't be an issue. ]
The dragons themselves are ancient and eternal beings. I was always told that an ancestor of mine gained their favor, or became indebted to them, it differs on who tells the story. [ He huffs. ] Considering mine protected me, one can assume 'time' means little if nothing to them.
[ A pause. ] Which might be why this Reverse Flash was so threatened by it.
[ Cisco isn't sure if there's a cultural significance to having the tattoos on his arms, rather than his back. Could be a future thing, could be a Japanese thing, hell just could be a family thing. But he can guess at the rest of Genji's line of logic. Older sibling, more responsibility, twice the dragons. He remembers what Genji said earlier, about wanting to get a message to his team, his brother, so they wouldn't worry. ]
Tomorrow we should see if - if we can first of all make some kind of time capsule message that'll survive a few decades and get into trustworthy hands. Won't be any risk of messing up the timeline if I program it not to open before, like, an hour after you disappeared. Go full on Hari Seldon on that motherfucker. That way they'll at least know you're not dead, and you're working on getting back.
[ The how isn't as important as the idea itself; the benefit of being stuck in the past is that the future is staying where it is, and they have plenty of time to figure out a way to send information into the future. (How did so much of his life become worrying about the future? First stopping Savitar from killing Iris, now this?) ]
Okay, that's really good. I just wanted to check.
[ Cisco gives a small, distinctly bitter snort at Genji's guess, adding a sharp: ]
He always did anything he couldn't control.
[ Today has had really about 400% more thinking about Dante and talking about Eobard than Cisco wants in any given day. He gets to his feet, then, wandering towards the fridge and asking: ]
You want a beer? I know it's, like, Tuesday, but...
[ Genji has wondered if there was one himself. The next heir's tattoo being in such an obvious place, that is near impossible to fully hide. An eternal reminder of the life you are tethered to. The second child, Genji, able to hide his easy.
He wonders.
Genji is quite impressed by Cisco's plan and he smirks, nodding. ]
Hari Seldon indeed, I like the sound of that. I suppose the question is who to leave it for...
[ McCree, despite how much Genji is quite deeply in love with him, is far too impatient. His brother... no. Angela sounds like the best idea, having the levelheadedness that all combat medics need.
Genji won't press any further on this villain issue, as Cisco is more tied to the evil things he's done than Genji at this point. No use continually picking at fresh wounds, he should know.
He huffs. ]
I cannot get drunk, so if you don't mind wasting one on m...? [ He knocks on his chest. ] My body filters everything.
[ Cisco's eyebrows raise, a little surprised and a lot pleased that Genji got the reference. It's good, too, that he likes the plan. That indicates a degree of patience, in a person. It's nowhere near as emotionally satisfying as trying some no doubt seriously risky stunt with a vibe or the speedforce would be. There's going to be danger enough in getting him back, thanks. But there were plenty of people who would have a hard time, no matter how foolproof they knew the plan was, just going on faith and accepting that their friends would know, but that they wouldn't be able to talk to them just yet. ]
Either somebody close to you who you know can keep a secret, so it would make sense that they had it all along and had never mentioned it to you or anybody who would have told you. Or... I think the safest bet is a neutral party. Somebody trustworthy who you barely know at all, who can contact your friends and hand it over to them on the day you go missing. Maybe even an institution. A library, a church or temple or whatever, some place that's not going anywhere.
[ Cisco knows that in proposing that he's running a faint risk of finding out a little about the future, but he's going to try not to read into Genji's choice or ask for details.
He's popping the cap off one beer as Genji says he can't get drunk but would like one anyway, and Cisco's head pops back up over the refrigerator door. Curiously: ]
Is it a metabolism thing? 'Cause Barry's got, like, super metabolism and accelerated healing, but I got this special elixir that does the trick for him. You... could try it?
[ It... probably wouldn't hurt Genji, even if it's a little strong for him. Probably. Cisco can give him half of one, in some tonic, maybe. ]
[ Genji seems to slowly brighten as Cisco continues to explain, glad he had. He has an even better idea now. (Not that Angela wouldn't, he realizes she's just as emotionally tied to him as any of his other friends from Overwatch.) ]
I know the perfect place, then. A place in the mountains in Nepal, if you are able to get it there. I have the exact coordinates too. [ He taps at the side of his head. Being a cyborg came with absurdly specific perks from time to time.
He shrugs and mimes both of his hands up and down, as if to say 'either or.' ]
The nano-biotics that keep my systems going attack any sort of bacteria, virus or 'toxin' as quickly as they can. You know how people have to have their immune systems repressed for organ transplants in this time? [ He drums his fingers on his chest again. ] Same principle.
[ He pauses and smiles, leaning towards him with a look of faux-conspiracy. ]
But I became close friends with the doctor who worked on me, and she's said that alcohol is the least potentially damaging substance. So, sure, why not?
Yeah, absolutely. If you think that'll work, sure. When we've got the time capsule all ready and you've recorded what you wanna say, we can get Barry to run over there and stash it someplace.
[ Barry's run to the various parts of the world before; nothing much to the Flash, considering he can run on water at thousands and thousands of miles per hour.
Cisco listens to Genji's explanation, intensely curious about his nano-biotics, not for the first time today, but choosing to tuck that interest away for later. He matches Genji's smile and says: ]
Why not? Yolo. Or, you know, yog..sit...po. You only get stranded in the past once.
[ He grabs one of the small containers of bright pinkish-red liquid, closes the fridge, and comes back to the couch. ]
Worst case scenario it just doesn't work, and it's not expensive to make or anything, so, go nuts. Can't promise it'll taste very good. I kinda aimed for strawberry, but...
[ The stuff is like 7 million proof, there was no way of making it not taste like rocket fuel. Cisco hands the small glass cylinder to Genji, clinks his beer against the side of it, and says: ]
[ Cisco smiles at that - a little hesitantly, at first, like he thinks Genji is going to laugh and take it back. Then, when he doesn't, that small smile stretches into something wide and bright that makes his eyes scrunch up with happiness. He didn't think it was all that funny, but he's glad he could get another laugh out of Genji, and glad that Genji seems to like him.
And of course, Cisco being Cisco, he definitely hears and registers Genji saying his sense of taste is dulled and files that away. The only reason he has this nasty rocket-fuel is because Barry and Wally couldn't get drunk off the normal stuff, and it seemed unfair that they would be left out of the fun. Good-tasting food is one of those things about life that is fun. He might not know about future tech and nano-biotics, but... maybe he and Caitlin could cook up a way (ha) to increase his taste sensitivity, even if it's only temporary. A supplement or something he could take before meals...
Of course getting him back to his time if the priority, but Cisco can work on more than one thing at once. Usually he has about five plates spinning in the air, proverbially speaking, at any given time. ]
Told you it was strong.
[ At the comment about being drunk and twenty, CIsco gives a tiny laugh that is half snort, shaking his head: ]
You too, huh?
[ Okay... he hadn't been that wild, really. It only seemed like it, compared to now. He'd been freshly out of college, new to S.T.A.R. Labs, with an apartment of his own and a fake I.D. There had been clubs, and girls, and guys. Sure, during the day he was nose-deep in schematics and working to build a particle accelerator, but... he'd blown off plenty of steam, too. ]
You grew up in Japan?
[ It's a tentative question, one that can be answered with just a 'yes' if Genji doesn't feel like talking about his life, but Cisco is curious, wants to open the door in case Genji feels like talking. And it might be good for him to talk about home a little. Remember it's still there, and he'll get back to it. ]
[ Genji laughs again. He quite instantly feels pleasantly buzzed and he puts the cylinder down for now. If there's one thing Genji learned from his reckless youth it was that getting absolutely shitfaced drunk in a new friend's home was extremely rude.
He finishes up his burger and chuckles. ]
You are quite the genius.
[ He settles back down in the couch, losing the 'proper' posture he usually holds. Completely off guard, casual, spine liquid and malleable. Genji chuckles. ]
I was wild in the 'desperate for someone to pay genuine attention to me' way. Superficial connections were easier and less difficult.
[ He nods with a pleased little hum. ]
Yes. And expected to learn English the second I spoke my first few words, although my accent wasn't hammered out of me like my brother's. I lived there until I became a cyborg ten years ago, joining Overwatch.
[ That part is vague, said in not a harsh way but in a very... clinical sense. 'Don't ask me more' is tucked in between the lines.
He's on good terms with his brother now. Genji doesn't want Cisco to have a soiled impression. ]
[ Cisco giggles at that compliment; he's not too flustered by it because it's clear that the booze is working on Genji, big time, and people are just like that when they get drunk. They exaggerate and get complimentary. It's pleasant, but doesn't ultimately mean much.
He sprawls out on the couch as well, although he's nowhere near as tipsy as Genji. A few sips of a beer aren't going to affect him much. But he's never been one for formality, and he wants Genji to be comfortable. After all, he's the one stuck in a strange place, with a stranger, all by himself. ]
Damn, you sure you aren't my doppelganger in disguise? 'Cause that's a little close to home, dude.
[ Not exactly something he would bring up about himself unprompted, but, well. He's not hiding it, either. In hindsight, Cisco can recognize that he'd been looking for validation, trying to prove he was grown-up and sophisticated and worth something. ]
I wasn't that wild. I was more... lab coat by day, stamps from six different clubs on my wrist by night... kinda guy.
[ He hadn't seemed to need to sleep much, back then. Then again, who knows how much excess energy he would have now, if he weren't part of a small team that tries to protect the entire city - and sometimes the world - from threats that are sometimes extraterrestrial, sometimes extradimensional, sometimes from the future, sometimes immortal creeps from ancient Egypt. It's a tiring gig! ]
I like your accent.
[ Even as circumspect as that answer was, there was... stuff to unpack, there. 'Hammered out' was pretty strong wording. So was 'the second' he spoke his first words. Strict family? Made sense, maybe, what with the whole 'keepers of an ancient mystical dragon spirit' thing. Still, Cisco hears the warning there, and he doesn't push. Instead, he opens a different door, seeing if that one is a little more agreeable. ]
Overwatch sounds dope. I mean, you met pretty much everybody on Team Flash back at S.T.A.R. Labs, but we're not official or anything. We just kinda operate all on our own, in secret.
Experiences are universal, throughout time and space evidently. [ He chuckles, linking his hands together and resting them on his middle. ] You were still better than I was, I wouldn't be home for days at a time. Usually in a bar, club or arcade. My brother usually ended up having to bail me out of the drunk tank.
[ One of the many strains on their relationship.
Genji lulls his head to Cisco and smiles. It was never something he was insecure about, truthfully. ]
Thank you. [ Which was said in Japanese.
Then he laughs a little, shifting. ]
Well, we aren't official at the moment. Things might change, but the Overwatch of old was. Truthfully, I think the original Overwatch's downfall was it's sheer size. It's... easier being small now. Less chances for betrayal.
[ Said like he's had plenty of experience with it. Genji shifts again and brings up his wrist, reaching behind an ear with his other hand and fiddling. After a moment, a mini holo projector screen pops up from his wrist with a picture of (most of) the current group in the revived Overwatch.
Himself, his brother, his master, McCree, Lena, Angela, Dr. Zhou, Lúcio, Reinhardt and Winston. There were others not in the photo, but the main group. The look on Hanzo's face is pinched, but in the way that only Genji could know that he's trying not to smile.
And McCree looks as rugged and handsome as ever. Genji's chest aches a little, still so frustrated with himself for not saying anything yet. He hopes he will get the chance to again. ]
[ It catches Cisco off-guard, this time. He'd been feeling happy and relaxed, joking about his semi-sordid past, delighted that he and this person who seems so utterly alien had something in common after all. Then, Genji mentions his brother bailing him out of the drunk tank, and it's like he's been dropped into ice water. The pain on his face, for just a moment, is awful. He quickly dips his head, hair blocking his face as he plays it off (unconvincingly) by gathering up some of the strewn wrappers from their food. He shoves the crinkly paper together in his hands and uses it as an excuse to get up from the couch, to go into the kitchen and throw it away. It gives him the few seconds he needs, to shove all the thoughts of Dante, drunk and grinning and unrepentant, out of his head.
He comes back to the couch, drinks some of his beer, and hopes Genji will play along that everything's normal. It really shouldn't bother him, he thinks. It all just feels close to the surface because he's tired and approaching tipsy, and he hadn't been braced for something that reminded him of such a specific memory, one he hadn't thought about since before Dante had died. ]
Hey, I even understood that! Somewhere that Duolingo owl is feeling mad proud.
[ Best way to distract from anything: make a joke! Besides, he really does know 'thank you' in Japanese, at the very least, though it is one of maybe a dozen phrases he'd picked up. And, let's be honest, it had been from video games and anime, rather than a language-learning app.
He watches Genji holding up his arm, waiting to see what he's doing, curious... and then the holo image pops up, and Cisco gasps, curious at the technology, first, but then looking at the actual people in the picture. Genji had mentioned a few of them back at S.T.A.R. Labs, but Cisco had had no idea what they might look like.
After looking over the group for a moment, Cisco points to Zenyatta and asks, cautiously: ]
This is... an Omnic, right?
[ Then, a little less carefully, he points to Winston and asks: ]
[ Genji isn't drunk enough to miss Cisco's body language and expressions, or miss that he seems to get pointedly quiet when he brings up his brother. It isn't his place to ask, not yet anyway, so Genji obliges and acts like nothing is wrong. But he won't mention his brother again, at least not for a while.
Genji tilts his head, bemused. ]
Duo... oh that. [ He snorts. ] Indeed. I learned by being metaphorically tossed in the lake without a life jacket.
[ Thrust into meeting with English speaking affiliates of the clan, expected to know what went on in them. Their mother was usually kinder about it...
As they look at the picture (and Genji tries not to look too terribly heartsick over McCree) he nods at his first question. ]
Yes, that is my master Tekhartha Zenyatta. He is quite amazing and can make friends with anyone.
[ But then he snorts. Oh, right, he hadn't thought of that. ]
Ah, yes, that is Winston. He is a genetically modified gorilla... from a science lab on the moon. [ A pause. ] I guess that's a spoiler, that we put a science lab colony on the moon full of gorillas.
[ He clears his throat. ] But he's the one who made the chronal accelerator for my friend Lena— [ He points to the girl with short brown hair, her orange goggles around her neck. ] —so he's quite the brilliant scientist.
Damn, with anyone? That's a hell of a superpower. Wish I'd got that one. So he's... your teacher?
[ To Cisco, he looks... well, fake. Like some very intricate prop for a badass movie set in space. It's only a small holo-image, and somehow that isn't what he'd been picturing when Genji mentioned Omnics. But he believes Genji, that he is amazing. They all look amazing, honestly. He doesn't know what he'd been expecting, given Genji's distinctiveness, but they're all just so... unique and intriguing-looking. ]
So I'm guessin' Winston is an okay dude, and not, like, a homicidal psychopath that can mind control people.
[ Before Genji can even ask: ]
We had... a couple incidents with a genetically modified gorilla named Grodd. Long story short, we tricked him into going through a breach and he's in the jungle on Earth-2 now. Apparently they got a sanctuary for gorillas that got experimented on over there.
[ The girl, Lena, actually look a little bit like Barry - and for a hilarious moment Cisco wonders if... maybe... they don't know yet if meta-genes get passed down to children, but hell, Eobard had been Eddies great great grandkid. This stuff does happen.
He is enjoying this game, now, feeling a little buzzed and happy to hear about interesting people and not think about... his life or friends or any of the hard awful stuff they'd been through recently. ]
Okay, who's the cowboy [ He points, obviously, to McCree. ] And who's the total hottie? [ He points to Lúcio, hoping his gamble will pay off and Genji won't mind a bit of humor. ]
Yes. I was very lost for many years, but when I crossed his path he helped me find peace.
[ And that story sure is... something. Although when Genji thinks about it, Winston had mentioned something about the experiments done on them being similar to something that had been done years ago, just more humanely. So he supposes it correlates, although the rest of it was certainly not common knowledge. ]
I see. Well, I guess it's a good thing you were able to do... that.
[ He's very glad all Winston wants is a jar of peanut butter and nobody to touch his glasses.
Ah, yes, moment of truth Genji... don't sound too forlorn when talking about the cowboy of your heart. ]
That's Jesse McCree. In the original Overwatch, we were teammates in the black ops division. He's perhaps my closest friend.
[ And thankfully he starts to laugh a little when he asks about Lúcio. ]
Lúcio. He's a world famous DJ who figured out a way to use sound waves to kick start the healing process. He joined is because he wanted to do the right thing.
[ Cisco doesn't know what it was that left Genji so lost - he could make assumptions, but he still knows so little about the man - but he does know that peace is hard to come by, and that anyone who helps others to find it is one of the good guys. He remembers again what Genji said, that the Reverse Flash had been harassing Omnics, hurting them. Had that been targeted, or just convenient? Cisco wouldn't put either past him. In any case, robot or not, this Zenyatta sounds alright in Cisco's book. ]
Gotcha.
[ If there is any forlorn-ness to be detected in Genji's voice, Cisco doesn't overanalyze it. He believes Genji, when he says that McCree is his best friend. He knows that if he were separated from Barry, or Caitlin, he would be fairly distraught, too.
(He wonders though, whether black ops still had quite the connotation then that it does now...) ]
He looks interesting. We'll get that message out tomorrow and he'll know you're on your way back.
[ That is, of course, if he had survived the remainder of the battle with the Reverse Flash, but Cisco isn't going to say that. Neither he nor Genji can help any of them in that time, so it's best not to dwell on their helplessness. Better to finish his beer, give a fake groan and say: ]
Oh no, his name is Lúcio?! And he's a DJ!? That's bad. That's so bad. 'Cause see, I was only lying about getting you home before, but now I'ma have to do it for real, just so I can get his number.
[ It couldn't be more obvious that Cisco is kidding - about the lying, at least. Whether or not he means the bit about the phone number isn't as clear. ]
[ He's not quite ready to have the 'I'm secretly in love with my best friend' talk. Save that for another day... which hopefully there won't be too many. Not that he isn't enjoying Cisco's company, it just— ]
Yes. It's hard to think about them not knowing where I am. Or assuming I'm dead.
[ Especially his brother. Hanzo spent ten years punishing himself for thinking he caused Genji's death, he can't imagine what he would do if he thought Genji had died when he wasn't even there to protect him. He knows Jesse will be keeping an eye on him, no matter what happens.
That is, if Jesse isn't drowning himself in bourbon too.
But Cisco playfully mooning over Lúcio takes him out of his pensive thoughts and he laughs. ]
Well, I am relatively certain he's single. He's never mentioned a significant other. So you may have a chance? It'd certainly be a long distance relationship.
[ He's teasing too. Although he does think Cisco and Lúcio could be good friends; they seem to have a lot in common. ]
[ Slowly, making sure he gives plenty of time for Genji to give an indication or move away if he's not into it, Cisco reaches over and sets a hand on his shoulder - bracing, and reassuring. ]
Your friends are strong, right? I mean, they looked strong, to me. And you've all been through a lot together? I'm sure they won't give up hope so quickly. For all we know, they're gonna find you a way home faster than we will. I mean, you said your friend is a speedster, right? Or she uses the speedforce, anyway? Well, then they gotta know there's a chance you're just fine somewhere. All you gotta do is take care of yourself til you can get back, and they'll be happy to see you when you do.
[ It's clear that Cisco has given many of these speeches before - to boost hope, to lift spirits - but that this isn't a bunch of canned cliches. He means every word. After all, he knows that if the situation were reversed, he would be worrying, too. Genji seems like maybe the kind of guy who always worries about other people, just like Cisco is.
And for now, he's going to play up his (very real) sudden attraction, just because it might make Genji feel a bit more lighthearted: ]
I mean, just 'cause he's single doesn't mean I got a chance. I bet a guy like that's got people hitting on him day and night.
[ Then, with a musing air: ]
I could do long distance, though. For that face? I could do long distance like that! [ He snaps, for dramatic effect. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
franciscoramon) wrote2017-05-20 05:42 pm
no subject
But Cisco cuts off that line of speculation. It wasn't being trapped in the past that made Eobard evil. He already was. He'd come back to murder a child, and Genji is a member of Overwatch, who sounded like they were pretty much superheroes. No need to go borrowing problems from the future. ]
I'd love to meet them. It sounds like you guys are fighting the good fight.
[ Cisco smiles at Genji's careful politeness, in how he phrases that. Sinking a little lower on the couch, Cisco says: ]
D'you know, he's actually the third Wells I've worked with? True story. Well, okay, technically the second, kinda, depending on your point of view. HR is from Earth-19, and before he came here I used to work with Harry Wells from Earth-2, who's a real piece of work, and before that I was working with a guy I thought was the Harrison Wells from this Earth, except he wasn't at all, he had just been literally body-snatched by a supervillain, who was none other thannnnn-! You guessed it. The Reverse Flash.
[ It's so ridiculous there's nothing to do but laugh about it, honestly. And Cisco just wants to make extra sure that Genji understands how very accustomed he is to complicated situations even worse than 'helping out a nice ninja guy from the future'.
Cisco glances over, to check that Genji is doing okay, and can see just the tiniest bit of Genji's tattoo peeking out over the collar of the STAR Labs sweater. His earlier reservations about bringing it up seem less important, now. Probably because he's tired. Still, he says: ]
Love the tat by the way. It's dope. Totally on-brand with the whole dragon spirit theme.
[ Belatedly, and with horror, Cisco realizes that maybe he should have just kept his mouth shut, and that he might be giving entirely the wrong impression. Hastily he adds: ]
I'm not- that wasn't- I'm not like. I wasn't looking or anything I just couldn't help noticing it earlier. I... I just wanna be super clear, just in case, that that wasn't me hitting on you, I was just saying it's. A nice, um. It's a good tattoo.
[ He is an embarrassment to mankind. ]
no subject
[ He takes another bite of burger and listens to Cisco little spiel about the apparent different world versions of Wells, not to mention the body snatching. Genji swallows his bite very carefully and deliberately, tilting his head a little. ]
I am... going to compartmentalize that information and deal with it later. I can't even begin to fathom the concept of alternate worlds. [ He smiles a little though. ] I suppose I am glad I am probably not the strangest anomaly you have ever seen, it gives me a little comfort.
[ He goes back to munching on his food as Cisco compliments his tattoo; he has a mouthful so he doesn't immediately respond, but that leads into Cisco's admittedly very endearing embarrassed babble.
He swallows before he can choke and starts to laugh, tilting his head back a bit. It's not a mocking laugh, one of genuine amusement. He scratches the back of his head, shaking it a little. ]
Do not worry, I didn't take it that way. Men are allowed to compliment each other in the future, you are fine.
[ Society will never be perfect, but it's a little farther along sixty or so years in the future. ]
But thank you. It's tied to my ability, a way to ground the spirit to my body and soul. It runs in the family, as I said.
[ He affects a tone, clearly imitating his father and grandfather and everyone who had said it before him. ] 'Only a Shimada can control the dragons.'
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Okay, uh. Good. Yeah.
[ Cisco's face is hot with embarrassment, but of the possible responses, laughing wasn't a bad one. Much better than if Genji were visibly creeped out, or angry. Cisco rubs a hand against the back of his neck, feeling mortified, taking a big bite of burger to just stop himself from saying any more stupid shit he's going to regret.
He's extremely grateful that Genji starts talking to him about the tattoo, so he can just pretend that whole awkward exchange never happened. ]
That's so cool.
[ It definitely makes him think of Game of Thrones but he's wary enough after his little rambling session just now not to say that, both because the reference will seem super outdated to Genji if he gets it at all, and because he can't quite tell if this is the sort of thing he's allowed to joke about. Yeah, sure, Genji doing that affected old man voice seems like he's poking a bit of fun at himself, but that doesn't mean he wants other people to poke fun, too. And it's related to family and something that sounds not entirely un-religious and those are two bears that Cisco does not poke lightly, thanks. ]
So is there just one spirit?
[ Him traveling back in time might mean there are two, then... his and his great-grandfather's or whatever. That could be a complication. Cisco makes a mental note for tomorrow. For tonight, he's going to leave the timeline to fend for itself. ]
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He takes another bite and shakes his head lightly, swallowing. ]
No, there are multiple. My brother has two, tattooed along his arm. [ He gently wiggles his left arm. ] Because he's older, I assume.
[ After a second, he seems to catch on to what Cisco might be getting at. Time shenanigans... but considering his dragon hasn't been making any sort of ruckus or become uncontrollable, it shouldn't be an issue. ]
The dragons themselves are ancient and eternal beings. I was always told that an ancestor of mine gained their favor, or became indebted to them, it differs on who tells the story. [ He huffs. ] Considering mine protected me, one can assume 'time' means little if nothing to them.
[ A pause. ] Which might be why this Reverse Flash was so threatened by it.
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Tomorrow we should see if - if we can first of all make some kind of time capsule message that'll survive a few decades and get into trustworthy hands. Won't be any risk of messing up the timeline if I program it not to open before, like, an hour after you disappeared. Go full on Hari Seldon on that motherfucker. That way they'll at least know you're not dead, and you're working on getting back.
[ The how isn't as important as the idea itself; the benefit of being stuck in the past is that the future is staying where it is, and they have plenty of time to figure out a way to send information into the future. (How did so much of his life become worrying about the future? First stopping Savitar from killing Iris, now this?) ]
Okay, that's really good. I just wanted to check.
[ Cisco gives a small, distinctly bitter snort at Genji's guess, adding a sharp: ]
He always did anything he couldn't control.
[ Today has had really about 400% more thinking about Dante and talking about Eobard than Cisco wants in any given day. He gets to his feet, then, wandering towards the fridge and asking: ]
You want a beer? I know it's, like, Tuesday, but...
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He wonders.
Genji is quite impressed by Cisco's plan and he smirks, nodding. ]
Hari Seldon indeed, I like the sound of that. I suppose the question is who to leave it for...
[ McCree, despite how much Genji is quite deeply in love with him, is far too impatient. His brother... no. Angela sounds like the best idea, having the levelheadedness that all combat medics need.
Genji won't press any further on this villain issue, as Cisco is more tied to the evil things he's done than Genji at this point. No use continually picking at fresh wounds, he should know.
He huffs. ]
I cannot get drunk, so if you don't mind wasting one on m...? [ He knocks on his chest. ] My body filters everything.
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Either somebody close to you who you know can keep a secret, so it would make sense that they had it all along and had never mentioned it to you or anybody who would have told you. Or... I think the safest bet is a neutral party. Somebody trustworthy who you barely know at all, who can contact your friends and hand it over to them on the day you go missing. Maybe even an institution. A library, a church or temple or whatever, some place that's not going anywhere.
[ Cisco knows that in proposing that he's running a faint risk of finding out a little about the future, but he's going to try not to read into Genji's choice or ask for details.
He's popping the cap off one beer as Genji says he can't get drunk but would like one anyway, and Cisco's head pops back up over the refrigerator door. Curiously: ]
Is it a metabolism thing? 'Cause Barry's got, like, super metabolism and accelerated healing, but I got this special elixir that does the trick for him. You... could try it?
[ It... probably wouldn't hurt Genji, even if it's a little strong for him. Probably. Cisco can give him half of one, in some tonic, maybe. ]
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I know the perfect place, then. A place in the mountains in Nepal, if you are able to get it there. I have the exact coordinates too. [ He taps at the side of his head. Being a cyborg came with absurdly specific perks from time to time.
He shrugs and mimes both of his hands up and down, as if to say 'either or.' ]
The nano-biotics that keep my systems going attack any sort of bacteria, virus or 'toxin' as quickly as they can. You know how people have to have their immune systems repressed for organ transplants in this time? [ He drums his fingers on his chest again. ] Same principle.
[ He pauses and smiles, leaning towards him with a look of faux-conspiracy. ]
But I became close friends with the doctor who worked on me, and she's said that alcohol is the least potentially damaging substance. So, sure, why not?
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[ Barry's run to the various parts of the world before; nothing much to the Flash, considering he can run on water at thousands and thousands of miles per hour.
Cisco listens to Genji's explanation, intensely curious about his nano-biotics, not for the first time today, but choosing to tuck that interest away for later. He matches Genji's smile and says: ]
Why not? Yolo. Or, you know, yog..sit...po. You only get stranded in the past once.
[ He grabs one of the small containers of bright pinkish-red liquid, closes the fridge, and comes back to the couch. ]
Worst case scenario it just doesn't work, and it's not expensive to make or anything, so, go nuts. Can't promise it'll taste very good. I kinda aimed for strawberry, but...
[ The stuff is like 7 million proof, there was no way of making it not taste like rocket fuel. Cisco hands the small glass cylinder to Genji, clinks his beer against the side of it, and says: ]
Here's to getting you back home in one piece.
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Indeed. You know, I think you and I will become good friends Cisco. I have no doubt.
[ With that admission, he accepts the little cylinder offered to him. Genji snorts. ]
Well, I also have an extremely dulled sense of taste so you don't need to worry about that.
[ He returns the gesture and smiles. ]
Yes. And for all to be safe and sound.
[ With that, he takes a very, very tiny sip of the concoction. And after a second he blinks a few times, and there's a faint whir behind his chest. ]
Oh, you weren't kidding. Wow. This is how I felt the entire time I was twenty years old.
[ It's only a mild exaggeration. ]
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And of course, Cisco being Cisco, he definitely hears and registers Genji saying his sense of taste is dulled and files that away. The only reason he has this nasty rocket-fuel is because Barry and Wally couldn't get drunk off the normal stuff, and it seemed unfair that they would be left out of the fun. Good-tasting food is one of those things about life that is fun. He might not know about future tech and nano-biotics, but... maybe he and Caitlin could cook up a way (ha) to increase his taste sensitivity, even if it's only temporary. A supplement or something he could take before meals...
Of course getting him back to his time if the priority, but Cisco can work on more than one thing at once. Usually he has about five plates spinning in the air, proverbially speaking, at any given time. ]
Told you it was strong.
[ At the comment about being drunk and twenty, CIsco gives a tiny laugh that is half snort, shaking his head: ]
You too, huh?
[ Okay... he hadn't been that wild, really. It only seemed like it, compared to now. He'd been freshly out of college, new to S.T.A.R. Labs, with an apartment of his own and a fake I.D. There had been clubs, and girls, and guys. Sure, during the day he was nose-deep in schematics and working to build a particle accelerator, but... he'd blown off plenty of steam, too. ]
You grew up in Japan?
[ It's a tentative question, one that can be answered with just a 'yes' if Genji doesn't feel like talking about his life, but Cisco is curious, wants to open the door in case Genji feels like talking. And it might be good for him to talk about home a little. Remember it's still there, and he'll get back to it. ]
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He finishes up his burger and chuckles. ]
You are quite the genius.
[ He settles back down in the couch, losing the 'proper' posture he usually holds. Completely off guard, casual, spine liquid and malleable. Genji chuckles. ]
I was wild in the 'desperate for someone to pay genuine attention to me' way. Superficial connections were easier and less difficult.
[ He nods with a pleased little hum. ]
Yes. And expected to learn English the second I spoke my first few words, although my accent wasn't hammered out of me like my brother's. I lived there until I became a cyborg ten years ago, joining Overwatch.
[ That part is vague, said in not a harsh way but in a very... clinical sense. 'Don't ask me more' is tucked in between the lines.
He's on good terms with his brother now. Genji doesn't want Cisco to have a soiled impression. ]
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He sprawls out on the couch as well, although he's nowhere near as tipsy as Genji. A few sips of a beer aren't going to affect him much. But he's never been one for formality, and he wants Genji to be comfortable. After all, he's the one stuck in a strange place, with a stranger, all by himself. ]
Damn, you sure you aren't my doppelganger in disguise? 'Cause that's a little close to home, dude.
[ Not exactly something he would bring up about himself unprompted, but, well. He's not hiding it, either. In hindsight, Cisco can recognize that he'd been looking for validation, trying to prove he was grown-up and sophisticated and worth something. ]
I wasn't that wild. I was more... lab coat by day, stamps from six different clubs on my wrist by night... kinda guy.
[ He hadn't seemed to need to sleep much, back then. Then again, who knows how much excess energy he would have now, if he weren't part of a small team that tries to protect the entire city - and sometimes the world - from threats that are sometimes extraterrestrial, sometimes extradimensional, sometimes from the future, sometimes immortal creeps from ancient Egypt. It's a tiring gig! ]
I like your accent.
[ Even as circumspect as that answer was, there was... stuff to unpack, there. 'Hammered out' was pretty strong wording. So was 'the second' he spoke his first words. Strict family? Made sense, maybe, what with the whole 'keepers of an ancient mystical dragon spirit' thing. Still, Cisco hears the warning there, and he doesn't push. Instead, he opens a different door, seeing if that one is a little more agreeable. ]
Overwatch sounds dope. I mean, you met pretty much everybody on Team Flash back at S.T.A.R. Labs, but we're not official or anything. We just kinda operate all on our own, in secret.
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Experiences are universal, throughout time and space evidently. [ He chuckles, linking his hands together and resting them on his middle. ] You were still better than I was, I wouldn't be home for days at a time. Usually in a bar, club or arcade. My brother usually ended up having to bail me out of the drunk tank.
[ One of the many strains on their relationship.
Genji lulls his head to Cisco and smiles. It was never something he was insecure about, truthfully. ]
Thank you. [ Which was said in Japanese.
Then he laughs a little, shifting. ]
Well, we aren't official at the moment. Things might change, but the Overwatch of old was. Truthfully, I think the original Overwatch's downfall was it's sheer size. It's... easier being small now. Less chances for betrayal.
[ Said like he's had plenty of experience with it. Genji shifts again and brings up his wrist, reaching behind an ear with his other hand and fiddling. After a moment, a mini holo projector screen pops up from his wrist with a picture of (most of) the current group in the revived Overwatch.
Himself, his brother, his master, McCree, Lena, Angela, Dr. Zhou, Lúcio, Reinhardt and Winston. There were others not in the photo, but the main group. The look on Hanzo's face is pinched, but in the way that only Genji could know that he's trying not to smile.
And McCree looks as rugged and handsome as ever. Genji's chest aches a little, still so frustrated with himself for not saying anything yet. He hopes he will get the chance to again. ]
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He comes back to the couch, drinks some of his beer, and hopes Genji will play along that everything's normal. It really shouldn't bother him, he thinks. It all just feels close to the surface because he's tired and approaching tipsy, and he hadn't been braced for something that reminded him of such a specific memory, one he hadn't thought about since before Dante had died. ]
Hey, I even understood that! Somewhere that Duolingo owl is feeling mad proud.
[ Best way to distract from anything: make a joke! Besides, he really does know 'thank you' in Japanese, at the very least, though it is one of maybe a dozen phrases he'd picked up. And, let's be honest, it had been from video games and anime, rather than a language-learning app.
He watches Genji holding up his arm, waiting to see what he's doing, curious... and then the holo image pops up, and Cisco gasps, curious at the technology, first, but then looking at the actual people in the picture. Genji had mentioned a few of them back at S.T.A.R. Labs, but Cisco had had no idea what they might look like.
After looking over the group for a moment, Cisco points to Zenyatta and asks, cautiously: ]
This is... an Omnic, right?
[ Then, a little less carefully, he points to Winston and asks: ]
Is... is one of your teammates a gorilla?!
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Genji tilts his head, bemused. ]
Duo... oh that. [ He snorts. ] Indeed. I learned by being metaphorically tossed in the lake without a life jacket.
[ Thrust into meeting with English speaking affiliates of the clan, expected to know what went on in them. Their mother was usually kinder about it...
As they look at the picture (and Genji tries not to look too terribly heartsick over McCree) he nods at his first question. ]
Yes, that is my master Tekhartha Zenyatta. He is quite amazing and can make friends with anyone.
[ But then he snorts. Oh, right, he hadn't thought of that. ]
Ah, yes, that is Winston. He is a genetically modified gorilla... from a science lab on the moon. [ A pause. ] I guess that's a spoiler, that we put a science lab colony on the moon full of gorillas.
[ He clears his throat. ] But he's the one who made the chronal accelerator for my friend Lena— [ He points to the girl with short brown hair, her orange goggles around her neck. ] —so he's quite the brilliant scientist.
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[ To Cisco, he looks... well, fake. Like some very intricate prop for a badass movie set in space. It's only a small holo-image, and somehow that isn't what he'd been picturing when Genji mentioned Omnics. But he believes Genji, that he is amazing. They all look amazing, honestly. He doesn't know what he'd been expecting, given Genji's distinctiveness, but they're all just so... unique and intriguing-looking. ]
So I'm guessin' Winston is an okay dude, and not, like, a homicidal psychopath that can mind control people.
[ Before Genji can even ask: ]
We had... a couple incidents with a genetically modified gorilla named Grodd. Long story short, we tricked him into going through a breach and he's in the jungle on Earth-2 now. Apparently they got a sanctuary for gorillas that got experimented on over there.
[ The girl, Lena, actually look a little bit like Barry - and for a hilarious moment Cisco wonders if... maybe... they don't know yet if meta-genes get passed down to children, but hell, Eobard had been Eddies great great grandkid. This stuff does happen.
He is enjoying this game, now, feeling a little buzzed and happy to hear about interesting people and not think about... his life or friends or any of the hard awful stuff they'd been through recently. ]
Okay, who's the cowboy [ He points, obviously, to McCree. ] And who's the total hottie? [ He points to Lúcio, hoping his gamble will pay off and Genji won't mind a bit of humor. ]
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Yes. I was very lost for many years, but when I crossed his path he helped me find peace.
[ And that story sure is... something. Although when Genji thinks about it, Winston had mentioned something about the experiments done on them being similar to something that had been done years ago, just more humanely. So he supposes it correlates, although the rest of it was certainly not common knowledge. ]
I see. Well, I guess it's a good thing you were able to do... that.
[ He's very glad all Winston wants is a jar of peanut butter and nobody to touch his glasses.
Ah, yes, moment of truth Genji... don't sound too forlorn when talking about the cowboy of your heart. ]
That's Jesse McCree. In the original Overwatch, we were teammates in the black ops division. He's perhaps my closest friend.
[ And thankfully he starts to laugh a little when he asks about Lúcio. ]
Lúcio. He's a world famous DJ who figured out a way to use sound waves to kick start the healing process. He joined is because he wanted to do the right thing.
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[ Cisco doesn't know what it was that left Genji so lost - he could make assumptions, but he still knows so little about the man - but he does know that peace is hard to come by, and that anyone who helps others to find it is one of the good guys. He remembers again what Genji said, that the Reverse Flash had been harassing Omnics, hurting them. Had that been targeted, or just convenient? Cisco wouldn't put either past him. In any case, robot or not, this Zenyatta sounds alright in Cisco's book. ]
Gotcha.
[ If there is any forlorn-ness to be detected in Genji's voice, Cisco doesn't overanalyze it. He believes Genji, when he says that McCree is his best friend. He knows that if he were separated from Barry, or Caitlin, he would be fairly distraught, too.
(He wonders though, whether black ops still had quite the connotation then that it does now...) ]
He looks interesting. We'll get that message out tomorrow and he'll know you're on your way back.
[ That is, of course, if he had survived the remainder of the battle with the Reverse Flash, but Cisco isn't going to say that. Neither he nor Genji can help any of them in that time, so it's best not to dwell on their helplessness. Better to finish his beer, give a fake groan and say: ]
Oh no, his name is Lúcio?! And he's a DJ!? That's bad. That's so bad. 'Cause see, I was only lying about getting you home before, but now I'ma have to do it for real, just so I can get his number.
[ It couldn't be more obvious that Cisco is kidding - about the lying, at least. Whether or not he means the bit about the phone number isn't as clear. ]
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Yes. It's hard to think about them not knowing where I am. Or assuming I'm dead.
[ Especially his brother. Hanzo spent ten years punishing himself for thinking he caused Genji's death, he can't imagine what he would do if he thought Genji had died when he wasn't even there to protect him. He knows Jesse will be keeping an eye on him, no matter what happens.
That is, if Jesse isn't drowning himself in bourbon too.
But Cisco playfully mooning over Lúcio takes him out of his pensive thoughts and he laughs. ]
Well, I am relatively certain he's single. He's never mentioned a significant other. So you may have a chance? It'd certainly be a long distance relationship.
[ He's teasing too. Although he does think Cisco and Lúcio could be good friends; they seem to have a lot in common. ]
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Your friends are strong, right? I mean, they looked strong, to me. And you've all been through a lot together? I'm sure they won't give up hope so quickly. For all we know, they're gonna find you a way home faster than we will. I mean, you said your friend is a speedster, right? Or she uses the speedforce, anyway? Well, then they gotta know there's a chance you're just fine somewhere. All you gotta do is take care of yourself til you can get back, and they'll be happy to see you when you do.
[ It's clear that Cisco has given many of these speeches before - to boost hope, to lift spirits - but that this isn't a bunch of canned cliches. He means every word. After all, he knows that if the situation were reversed, he would be worrying, too. Genji seems like maybe the kind of guy who always worries about other people, just like Cisco is.
And for now, he's going to play up his (very real) sudden attraction, just because it might make Genji feel a bit more lighthearted: ]
I mean, just 'cause he's single doesn't mean I got a chance. I bet a guy like that's got people hitting on him day and night.
[ Then, with a musing air: ]
I could do long distance, though. For that face? I could do long distance like that! [ He snaps, for dramatic effect. ]