riverviewlogs | [closed] i've been thinking that i should see someone

[ Date night is precious, now that Eddie is healed enough to leave the house. Cisco's got to admit that even he has grown a little tired of spending all their nights together curled up in their apartment. It's a great apartment, and he loves it, but... it's nice to have a change of scenery, a little romance.

They've both dressed a little fancy for the occasion; Cisco's made sure his hair looks extra great, had used the fanciest of his products - the one that he knows Eddie loves the smell of, in particular. He hadn't gone as far as a tie - that would be way too much - but he's got on his nicest jeans (black, plenty tight) and a button-down with a subtler pattern than is his usual.

He'd noticed, while he was getting ready, a certain degree of heat in his face, a quickness to his heartbeat. But, understandably, Cisco had just figured it was nerves and excitement at their fancy date. It was never too far into a relationship for butterflies in your stomach. Those were butterflies, right? Definitely.

It goes well, at first. There's wine, good food (some fish that Cisco's never heard of, light and beautifully cooked), and Eddie is at his best - relaxed, funny, with all those little crinkles he gets around his eyes when he's truly happy. Cisco laughs at his latest tale of gossip from the police station, leaning back in his chair and fanning himself with the cloth napkin the restaurant provided. They're at an outdoor table, but for some reason he's boiling. Isn't it still supposed to be spring? ]

I can't believe they didn't think they were gonna get caught!

[It's nice, to finally be out of the house, getting some fresh air, being upright somewhere that isn't home. Eddie's been missing work, even though he's been doing a bit of it from home. It's more the whole part about being out and about, running into people who aren't him or Cisco, hanging out in places that aren't home. Of course he loves their apartment, wouldn't change it for the world, but it is nice to get out, to interact with the world.

Even better? It's date night, and Eddie's been able to dress up a bit, on top of going out, and Cisco's dressed up too. Getting ready together had been almost idyllic, both of them sharing the bathroom, doing their hair (Cisco had used that hair stuff that drives him crazy with how good it smells) and shaving, patting on cologne, teasing each other while sharing glances in the mirror. Now, they're sitting at the table in a decently nice but not too-nice restaurant, and Eddie's feeling just a touch tipsy, dressed in a waistcoat and button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up a bit, tie tucked in neatly.

There's a nice breeze, they're outdoors, and everything is perfect, but Cisco looks uncomfortable. Raising his brows, Eddie makes a soft hum.]

Well, they wouldn't be criminals if they thought they were going to get caught...

[A pause, and then.]

Are you okay babe?

[ Eddie's question catches Cisco by surprise. It takes a moment for him to even guess what prompted it, since, obviously, Eddie is feeling the heat, too. That's how temperature works. ]

Huh? Yeah, it's all good. Tell me the rest of the story.

[ And while Eddie does that, Cisco is just going to drink the rest of what was left in his water glass. There are a few small pieces of ice still left, and he crunches those up and swallows them, too, then rests the glass against his cheek. It feels very cold, and very good, and he lets his eyes slip closed a moment, still listening to Eddie, not thinking much of it. He's a little lightheaded, despite the fact that he's only drunk a small glass of wine with dinner. ]

This fish is so good. Kinda wishing we sat inside, though, I'm roasting...

Edited 2018-05-11 02:01 (UTC)

[Sure, it's warm, but not as warm as it should be for Cisco to be feeling the way he's obviously feeling. Cisco hasn't had much wine, but he's a little flushed, and Cisco doesn't flush easy. He has a slight sheen of sweat at his hairline, and it's warm but not warm enough for that.

Eddie raises his brows a bit, but laughs as Cisco crunches at his ice cubes and continues with the story. It's one of the funnier ones that's happened to him lately, and he tells it with gusto, sipping at the last of his wine and his water as he tells it, face expressive, brows raising, his own cheeks flushing a little.

When Cisco says he's roasting, though, Eddie blinks.]

What? No. I mean, it's balmy, but not exactly hot...

[ Cisco's brow furrows with confusion, and he's half waiting for Eddie to make some cheesy joke, guess you're just too hot or something of that sort, and then admit that he also feels the same. But that shoe doesn't drop. ]

Really? Huh.

[ Cisco shrugs, sets down the glass, and does his best to think cool thoughts. When that doesn't work, he at least tries to pretend that he's not feeling as hot as he is. The waiter comes by and refills their waters, and Cisco drinks his a little too enthusiastically. And also... a little uncoordinatedly. Or maybe his hands are just a little shaky today for some reason.

(He's not dumb; some part of Cisco's mind is starting to suspect maybe something is up, but this is date night! Date night is sacrosanct! Nothing is allowed to go wrong on date night.)

Tucking and twisting his hair to the side so it's off his neck, Cisco bravely forges on, pretending to himself that that feeling of light-headedness isn't increasing: ]

Have I ever told you how fucking sexy you look with your sleeves all pushed up like that?

[ He leans forward, reaching across the table to touch Eddie's forearm, aiming to be a little flirty, a little silly. Damn, Eddie's skin feels really good, actually. Cool, against his palm. ]

[It's immediately obvious how confused Cisco is - that he was expecting Eddie not to be serious about how hot he's feeling.]

Yeah, really.

[Reaching out across the table, he brushes his fingers against the edge of Cisco's forehead and down his cheek and jawline. His fingertips come away slightly damp, and he's very aware of how warm his boyfriend's skin feels. Brows furrowing a little, he draws his hand back and smiles as Cisco pulls his hair off his neck, eyes flicking down to watch the way he pulls it back, the way his hair slides off his skin. For a moment, it's mesmerizing and Eddie completely forgets what they were talking about.

Blinking, he glances back up at Cisco's eyes, licking his lips.]

What? Sorry, I was distracted by how good you looked pulling your hair back like that...

[A pause, and then his brows furrow deeply, and he rests his hand over Cisco's.]

Oh my god, babe. You're burning up.

[ The coolness of Eddie's hand, combined with the look of worry on his face, his concerned tone of voice, all confirm it. Cisco pulls his arm back, rubbing his hands over his face and saying, a little muffled: ]

Uh-uh. Nope. Not allowed. It's date night, I'm not allowed to be burning up.

[ But this, at least, is clearly annoyance rather than real denial. He lets his hands fall to his lap (if he really is sick he shouldn't be touching Eddie, anyway. At least not without washing his hands, and Eddie's still recovering from surgery, he really can't afford to catch anything right now...) ]

I feel okay, though. We don't have to leave or anything. I'll go to bed a little early tonight and feel totally fine tomorrow. I mean, you know me. I never get sick. I've told you that. I'm a neurotic mess but my immune system is jacked.

[ Just then the waiter is passing again and, as if to demonstrate how very okay he really is, Cisco waves him down and asks for a dessert menu. Except a moment after he's gotten the words out, he inhales wrong and ends up coughing, and there's definitely a bit more of a rattle to that cough than there ought to be. ]

[When Cisco protests, Eddie raises his brows and offers him a slightly sardonic smile, gently teasing.]

I wish it were that easy.

[Reaching out, he brushes his fingers against Cisco's face again, smoothing his fingertips against hot skin, shaking his head a bit as Cisco says that he feels okay and they don't have to leave, that his immune system is jacked. When Cisco starts to cough, Eddie shakes his head again.]

No. Uh-uh. We can get dessert to go, if you insist, but there's no way we're staying out.

[Which kind of sucks, because Eddie has had a lot of ideas about tonight. About scoping the restaurant out as somewhere to maybe propose. Had been thinking about doing it tonight, if the chemistry was right and things worked out. But this is kind of throwing a wrench into the whole thing, and he can't help but be a bit disappointed. Still, he's not going to do any of that while Cisco is obviously coming down with something.

Biting his lower lip, he takes the dessert menu from the server and opens it, leaning forward on an elbow and offering a soft smile to Cisco, reaching out to rest his hand over his boyfriend's.]

It's okay babe. We can spend the rest of the date hanging out at home together.

[ When he puts his mind to it, Cisco can be every bit as stubborn as Eddie can be, but the truth is, he doesn't really have the energy to disagree right now. That in itself is probably a sign that he shouldn't. And with the lightheadedness not getting any better, the idea of laying down is starting to sound better and better. So he just heaves a big melodramatic sigh and pulls the biggest cartoon pout that he can, but then agrees: ]

Okay.

[ He takes the menu from Eddie and flips over his other hand, to hold onto Eddie. Even as he does it, he says: ]

I shouldn't be touching you, I'm gonna get you sick, too...

[ But even as he says it, he makes no move to break the contact. He's been feeling unusually clingy since Eddie's near-brush with death, and the thought of not touching him is a genuinely awful one. He orders a fancy shaved ice, forgoing his usual preference for more decadent fare in favor of the dessert that sounded the coldest. ]

We can play a board game or something.

[ Then, with sudden renewed brightness and a gleam in his eyes: ]

Or we could play never have I ever, like we did during the blackout, remember?

[ He knows, of course, that Eddie will remember, and more than actually thinking it is a good idea for how to spend that evening, Cisco wants to remind Eddie of that night. Who could've foreseen, at the time, how important it would be? All the factors involved should have made it wretched: Eddie getting burned by the acid rain, being stuck inside, the lights going out, the cold that followed. But that had been, in a clumsy and lovely way, their first night together as something more than just friends. Maybe tonight would be, if not as important, just as good, despite the circumstances. ]

[Eddie can see Cisco trying to be stubborn and then giving up, just leaning forward and pouting at him while he takes his hand and looks at the menu, declaring that he shouldn't be touching him. But he doesn't let go, and Eddie is glad for it, just curling his fingers around Cisco's. He opts to skip dessert, just stealing a spoonful of Cisco's shaved ice as he eats it (there's no way to bring it home).]

It's okay. I'd rather be a bit sick than not touch you for a week.

[Gently, he squeezes Cisco's hand while he eats his way through the shaved ice, running his thumb gently over Cisco's knuckle, eyes on his face. When Cisco suggests a board game or playing Never Have I Ever again, his eyes bright and expression warm, Eddie laughs.]

Sure. No booze this time, though. Or acid rain. I'm definitely fine with the cuddling and the rest of it, though.

[Tilting his head, he smiles at Cisco across the table, expression softening, warm and fond.]

That was a good night. I really wish I'd just gone with my gut then. Deep down, I knew. I knew I was going to be with you.

[Still gentle, he brushes his thumb over the sensitive skin between Cisco's knuckles. For a moment, he's sorely tempted to ask Cisco to marry him, just casual and calm like this, in a moment where they're having a real connection.]

For a long time. Forever. You know?

[ Cisco is glad that Eddie doesn't move his hand away, though he's getting fuzzy-headed enough that his movements feel a bit mechanical now as he eats the shaved ice. He is grateful for the coldness going down his throat, closing his eyes and just feeling that, listening to Eddie talk. ]

We figured it out in the end.

[ He'd been full of regrets, at first, over how the next morning after the blackout had gone, but now, all traces of that pain are long gone. It's just strange, now, remembering how uncertain he'd been, how hard he'd wept. He hadn't known, deep down in his bones, that he was going to be with Eddie. He knew that he wanted that, but he was far more used to wanting things and not getting them than the reverse.

So he just nods slowly as Eddie keeps talking, saying romantic things, about being with him a long time, forever, and the words register, but Cisco is distracted, unfortunately, by a distinctly unromantic sensation. ]

Me too. And please, don't let the sincerity of that at all be ruined by what I'ma say next, but, I think we should- pay and get outta here, 'cause, I think I'm gonna be sick, like, real soon, and the food was really good, and I don't everybody else out here thinking I got food poisoning.

[ Cisco sounds fairly wretched, saying that, his expression apologetic, gaze a little unfocused now as he concentrates on just keeping it together until they're at least somewhere quiet where he can just throw up in peace. He feels bad for ruining the romantic moment, mutters a miserable: ]

'm sorry, Eddie.

[Cisco always excuses it with that - that they'd figured it out in the end. That they'd ended up together, that they have what they have now. Eddie can't help but think about what could have happened, if he hadn't been such a wuss after that night in his room, curled up in the bed together. If he hadn't left in the morning, if he hadn't broken Cisco's heart that first time. If, instead, Cisco had come to visit him at work and he'd asked him out instead, if they'd been together since then, how far along would their relationship be now?

But it isn't really something he should be thinking about. Not right now when Cisco is in front of him feeling ill and needing help. When they're talking about their future.

Or at least, they had been.]

Oh no, babe.

[Standing, Eddie reaches for Cisco's hand, helps him get up, leads him away from the table and toward the bathroom, helps him inside.]

Come on, you can...just go into the stall...

[Eddie considers for a moment, before just going in along with Cisco and crouching down to help support his boyfriend, pulling his hair back from his face.]

It's okay babe. I'm here.

[ Cisco really is in no position to argue. Eddie is right, of course; he'd been overestimating his own ability to keep it together for the time it would take to square away the check, math and all, and leave with dignity and inconspicuousness. By the time they're in the bathroom stall, he already feels so nauseous his knees are shaking a little, and he's glad of the help when Eddie pulls back his hair.

It is still hard to take, though, that their date night is ruined to the degree that he throws up all of that lovely food, and Eddie is crouched down and holding his hair out of his face while he retches and makes all manner of very unromantic sounds. Cisco thinks he's a little entitled, at that moment, to feel sorry for himself. Once he has emptied his stomach, and the last awful spasms have passed, his breath hitches in a little sob. ]

I'm really really sorry.

[ He pulls at the toilet paper, using it to wipe his face clean, to blot away tears as he shakily stands back up. He tries to do it too quickly, wanting to show he's okay, and ends up so faint that he has to lean against the wall of the bathroom stall. Whatever this disease is, he thinks then, it came on fast. Really, really fast. Suspiciously so, even. ]

Can you- can you go pay and. I'll get cleaned up and wait for you at that bench out front?

[Honestly, when it comes to Cisco and taking care of him, Eddie couldn't care less about dignity and inconspicuousness. Sure, maybe when it's Eddie himself being looked at, he wants to blend in and not catch any attention, but as far as he's concerned, Cisco is perfect the way he is, and if anyone takes a sideways glance at him, Eddie will tell them off.

But he's not really thinking about how they look, right now. He's more preoccupied with twining his fingers through Cisco's hair while his boyfriend retches and vomits into the toilet. Lifting his other hand, he gently rubs at Cisco's heaving back, his voice comes out in soft little exhalations, making hushed noises of comfort, sounds that Cisco probably doesn't even hear over his own sickness. And then his sobs and apologies.]

Shhh, hey babe, come on. It's okay. There's no need to apologize.

[Eddie keeps rubbing at his back until Cisco's done wiping his face, and he slides his fingers out of Cisco's hair as the other man stands up and then lean against the wall.]

Okay. [A pause, and then-] You sure you'll be okay in here by yourself? You're looking a little unstable.

[Eddie's expression is genuinely concerned, his eyes on Cisco's face.]

I can wait if you need me to.

[ Cisco shakes his head vehemently, regretting it as soon as he does. It makes him dizzy, makes the nausea stir fitfully in his stomach again. But he stills his head, keeps his eyes closed as it passes, and insists: ]

I'll be okay. Just gonna- gonna splash some water on my face.

[ He can tell even before he opens his eyes that Eddie is still hesitating. Sure enough, he's standing there, gorgeous and worried. The bright lights of the bathroom make him look even paler, so the blue of his eyes stands out. Cisco reaches up, touches Eddie's cheek, a quick brush of his fingertips. ]

The sooner we pay, the sooner we can go home. I promise I'm fine. I'll see you out front.

[ And, with careful balance and dignity, he makes his way to the sinks and turns one on, bending down so he can splash some of the water on his face, and not straightening up until he hears Eddie go out the door. It's a relief, to be alone just for a moment. Cisco can set his burning forehead against the cold ceramic of the counter. Maybe not the most hygienic, but it feels nice. He allows himself a small, pitiful noise of frustration before he straightens up again, pushing his hair back and trying to look like he isn't miserable. He washes his mouth with water, straightens his shirt, and makes his way out to wait at the front of the restaurant.

He isn't sitting there long before Eddie joins him, which is probably a good thing. He's got his elbows braced on his knees, and he's resting his head in his hands, and it still feels like the world is tipping and swaying a bit. They had taken a leisurely walk, to get to the restaurant, and it's not all that far to get home, but: ]

I texted a cab. They're on the way.

[ Then, even though he'd thought about waiting to mention this until he was sure, Cisco just kind of blurts out: ]

I got sick too fast.

[Eddie's noticed it too, how quickly Cisco got sick, how fast the symptoms came on and how hard they hit him. He'd been flushed when they left the apartment, and now it's obvious he can barely keep himself upright, that he's fighting the nausea so he doesn't throw up again. He'd gone from wanting to stay and claiming that date night was sacred, to asking Eddie to leave him here alone and go pay so they can go home sooner. It's worrying, and Eddie is extremely loathe to leave him alone even long enough to pay, worried about abandoning him to stumble his way outside.

But when Cisco reaches out, touches his cheek, and promises that he's okay and he'll see him out front, Eddie just swallows hard and nods a bit, eyes on his face.]

I trust you.

[Exhaling softly, he lifts his own hand and strokes Cisco's hair back behind his ear before heading out the door to the main area of the restaurant. Thankfully, paying doesn't take very long, Eddie distractedly taps his device to transfer the money, he absently adds a substantial tip, and then heads outside into the sunshine to where Cisco is sitting outside. Without hesitation, Eddie sits down beside him and hooks an arm around his waist, nodding when Cisco says he's called a cab.]

Good. I think some air conditioning and a quick trip home so I can put you in bed with Shadow and a movie and some ginger ale would be the best idea.

[Lifting his free hand, he gently strokes back Cisco's hair again, working his fingers through it and looking at his face, trying to read his expression.]

Yeah. The whole thing happened in what, 15 minutes? This isn't really right.

[A pause.]

Would you rather go see Beverly, maybe? The hospital or just...you know, at her place?

[ Cisco stays where he is, but he leans his head into Eddie's touch, just a little. Just enough to show he appreciates it, without needing to move or upset the balance that he's found which is keeping the dizziness at bay. ]

I was so excited we were getting outta the house...

[ But when Eddie makes that next suggestion, suddenly their home doesn't sound like a bad option at all. Cisco's reply is swift and vehement: ]

Fuck, no. Not unless it gets really bad.

[ He's had enough of hospitals to last him for a long time, and he's certainly not going to just show up at Beverly's place while she's off duty and impose on her. ]

I just think- maybe it's not natural. But I'm okay. I mean, I feel like shit, but not bad bad. Probably some magic bullshit...

[ What else was new? There was usually some or other magic bullshit going on, and the both of them are used to it by now. Truth be told, all the strangeness of this place has just become a part of the fabric of their lives together. They laughed about it, complained about it, enjoyed it, were glad when it was over, but Cisco would be weirded out if too much time went by and something bizarre didn't happen.

Just then, the cab pulls up, and Cisco lets Eddie help him in, settling down and keeping his eyes closed as another wave of nausea grips him, but he manages to keep it cool. The car starts to move, and Cisco doesn't immediately notice, in the way that is normally so starkly clear, when he slips into the vibe. He already is filled with a strange feeling of movement, from the nausea and the car's movement. One moment he's there and the next he's standing by a table in a library, brightly lit by fluorescents. At the table, bent over a stack of books, is a younger Eddie. He can't be more than twenty or so, but his face is softer, clean-shaven. Still, that little way he scrunches his forehead when he's thinking hard - that hasn't changed at all.

The vibe is a quick one, and Cisco emerges from it with a slightly noisier inhale, blinking rapidly. ]

[Eddie lets Cisco rest for a few more moments, listening to him bemoaning how he'd been so excited to get out of the house. And he can't help it, he laughs softly, shaking his head.]

Well, I guess the Quarantine has other plans...but you know, I think that as long as I'm with you, everywhere is a great place to be. You feel me?

[It's a very Cisco turn of phrase, and Eddie can't help the little grin he gives his boyfriend, cuddling against his side while they sit there, trying to ride out the few moments until the cab pulls up. As they get into it, Eddie helps him, supports him, and when they're curled up in the back, Eddie gathers him up against himself as much as he can without jostling him.

Eddie notices immediately when Cisco slips into the vibe - he goes from holding himself carefully tense, holding back, to limp and motionless, and Eddie carefully supports him, strokes his hair. He knows by now that none of that registers to Cisco while he's in the vibe, that he can't feel the way Eddie touches his hair, can't be comforted, is completely gone, but he does it anyway, just in case. So that when Cisco wakes up, he'll wake up held in his arms, comforted and secure.

When Cisco wakes up, inhaling and blinking abruptly, Eddie gives him a wan smile.]

You okay?

[ Cisco appreciates it, that Eddie's arms are around him as soon as he comes back to himself. It's the same as when he went into the vibe - the transition between the two feels smoother, less of a jolt than it usually is. But it's also unpleasant, because when the vibe ends and he's back in his body, as it were, he notices how much it aches, how hot he feels and dizzy. So it's good, to have something he can cling to, to feel like Eddie is holding him together. ]

Yeah. Yeah, I just. 'm not scared or anything, I don't know why I vibed. Saw you studying. College I think

[ He lets out a tiny shaky sigh, glancing out the window to see how close they are to home. He's not even worrying about the driver, about how any of this might look and sound. ]

You were so cute.

[Eddie's wondering that too, why Cisco might be vibing now, without any fear or other trigger, wonders if it's something to do with whatever illness he has, maybe his fever - because Cisco is absolutely burning against him. He knows that fevers can cause hallucinations, wonders if that's what's making Cisco vibe when he normally wouldn't, and worries quietly about his boyfriend, kissing his forehead.]

Maybe it's the fever making you vibe? I'm...I'm glad you saw something good, anyway. Or at least, what passes for good in that twisted little head of yours.

[Eddie forces a grin despite his worry, leaning down to kiss Cisco's forehead and temple again, eyes falling shut as he nuzzles into his hair, exhaling a warm huff of breath.]

You'r burning up, baby. Maybe we can take a lukewarm bath together when we get home, just to take the edge off?

[Just then, the cab pulls up in front of their building, and Eddie distractedly pays, helps Cisco out of the car, hands gentle and firm.]

Come on. Almost there.

[ Cisco, feeling guilty again for causing all this fuss, does Eddie the favor of not resisting or trying to do it on his own. He thinks he could manage it (probably, maybe) but that Eddie wouldn't like it. He does, however, go for his keys and get the door open on his own - only to stop with his hand on the doorknob, face going blank as he slips into yet another vibe.

This time, it's not the past he sees, but the future. He can tell that because he sees himself and Eddie heading out the door, and he's wearing a shirt that he definitely does not own yet. Eddie's got a canvas bag slung over his shoulder and sunglasses pushed up in his hair. They're both in flip flops, and Cisco's got a beach ball clutched between his hands that he is distractedly inflating. It's not hard to guess where they're going. The Cisco in the vibe asks: ]

We're meeting them there, right?

[ Who the 'them' is, Cisco has no chance to figure out. Before he can look for more details, he slips out of the vibe, back to the present. To the present where his knees are just starting to give out, and his lightheadedness has gone from 'distracting' to 'just do whatever you can to try to stay standing'. Cisco reaches out towards Eddie, is relieved to find him close, and sags against him with considerably more of his body weight than is polite. ]

Sorry.

[ A moment or two later his legs feel less like they're made of matchsticks, and he pushes back, supporting himself again and moving in the house. He crosses his arms over his chest, tucking his hands in close, trying not to touch anything. Shadow runs up to greet them with a trill and a stretch, like usual, but Cisco passes by without the customary pat, making his way up the stairs. ]

Bath's... probably a good idea.

[ It's odd, how Cisco can feel that his responses are delayed, over-simple and sluggish. To know he's impaired, but not really know what to do about it. His head is normally filled with so many thoughts at any given moment. But things have narrowed, now. Simple tasks. Up the stairs. Start the bath, coolish water. Take off shirt. Some instinct in him knows to break things up into these little steps that he can get through. ]

You'll stay with me, right?

Edited 2018-05-18 18:26 (UTC)

[It's true, that Eddie wouldn't like it if Cisco tried to brush him off, to keep him from helping - Eddie doesn't do well with being helpless, likes to be able to support someone. Not needed, but wanted, and Cisco insisting he could do it himself would feel a bit like a brush off. So it's a relief, and Eddie doesn't mind that Cisco opens the door on his own, at least until he falls still as he touches the doorknob, goes blank like that.

Immediately, Eddie steps forward and wraps an arm around his waist, supporting the weight of him against his body until he comes back into himself. Then Cisco is leaning on him, heavily, apologizing, and Eddie is shaking his head a bit.]

There's no reason to apologize, baby. Believe it or not, I like taking care of you.

[His voice is rich and warm with fondness, completely genuine, and he helps Cisco get into the apartment, to the bathroom, hovers around while Cisco gets his shirt off, gets the water started at a decent temperature. And when Cisco's hands start getting fumbly, Eddie takes over, gentle and careful, helping him get his shirt all the way off, undoing his pants and helping him slide them off, undoing his shoes and pulling his socks off, looking up at him lovingly.]

You couldn't make me leave if you tried, Cisco Ramon. I'm gonna get in there with you.

[Ducking his head, he kisses Cisco's bare knee, rests his chin against the overwarm skin, and smiles softly up at him.]

I love you.

[And with that, Eddie turns off the tap to the bath, he strips himself quickly and helps Cisco to his feet, helps him into the bath and gets him settled in it, running his fingers back through Cisco's hair and then climbing in himself. Wincing and hissing breath in through his teeth, he shivers slightly and then pulls Cisco back against himself, arms around his shoulders, scooping up water and letting it spill over Cisco's shoulders.]

You feeling okay, baby?

[ Cisco just shakes his head - slowly, careful of causing himself any extra dizziness - when Eddie says he likes taking care of him. There's fondness and confusion in the gesture, but not disbelief. After all, they're not just words. Eddie has shown it with his actions, incomprehensible as it might be to Cisco. But then, he hadn't minded looking after Eddie while he was recovering from the gunshots and the surgery. Maybe it's not so surprising, after all.

He laughs softly as Eddie kisses his knee, voice amused and full of wonder as he says: ]

I love you, too.

[ The water of the bath feels cool against his skin, and Cisco shivers with his whole body. But it's a wonderful coolness, and he adjusts to it quickly, sitting down with a little help from Eddie and making room as his boyfriend joins him. Hearing Eddie's hiss, Cisco says: ]

Is it too cold? [ It must be unpleasant to Eddie, who doesn't have a fever, no matter how good it feels to have Eddie pouring the water over him in handfuls like that. ] I don't want you making yourself sick, too...

[ But it's a feeble protest, soon silenced as Cisco closes his eyes and leans back against Eddie's chest, grateful for the support - both physically and otherwise. He swallows, lets out a very slow exhale. His heart rate, which has been just a little too high for quite some time, starts to creep back towards something a little more normal. ]

A little better. Not vibing anymore. Didn't like that very much.

[When Cisco asks if it's too cold, Eddie shakes his head, makes a soft 'mm-mm' in his throat, continuing to scoop water over Cisco's shoulders and chest.]

It's fine. Nowhere near cold enough for me to catch a cold. It's just that you usually expect baths to be hot, you know?

[A little laugh, and he leans in to kiss the crown of Cisco's head. His boyfriend's skin is almost painfully hot against him, and he sighs softly, continuing to scoop water over it, trying to bring his temperature down. It's obvious when Cisco settles, relaxes against him and closes his eyes. Gently, Eddie drapes an arm around his shoulders, holding him close, reaches out idly to pick up a face cloth, which he dips in the cool water and squeezes out, starts to pat against Cisco's overwarm face.]

I bet. Probably gets a little disorienting.

[For a while, Eddie is just quiet, continuing to tend to Cisco, cleaning and cooling his face with the cloth, scooping water over him, pulling his hair back from his temples.]

Do you think it's the fever making you vibe so much?

[A soft hum, and then.]

Let me know when you're feeling cooled down, just before you start feeling cold, then we can get you dressed and in bed. I'll make you some tea with honey in it.

Little bit, yeah. But I saw a cute t-shirt I know I'm gonna buy now so that's a silver lining.

[ He's trying hard, the way he almost always does, to find the scraps of humor in the situation. If he lets himself think about all the ways tonight has been ruined - Eddie listening to him puke and hauling him around, rather than having a lovely date night - he knows he'll feel even worse than he already does.

The question about the fever and the vibes draws a little shrug out of Cisco. ]

Maybe. Can't tell if it's correlation or causation. Either something's messing with me and giving me a fever and that's giving me vibes, or somethings messing with me and giving me a fever and also giving me vibes itself. Doesn't really make much difference.

[ Because there is no way all this is normal. Cisco's never heard of a disease that developed this rapidly. And besides, he remembers now that he'd heard some faint rumors. Weird symptoms. People getting sick really fast. He hadn't paid much attention. But now... ]

Feels different than normal. Less of a transition. Normally it's, like, super jarring. But it was just sort of blurred together.

[ A brief pause, and then, softly: ]

I didn't like it.

[ But he isn't going to worry about it. He isn't going to let himself, while Eddie is holding him, pulling his hair back and breathing in that steady, reassuring way. ]

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