riverviewlogs | [open] cancel your reservations

Entry tags:

[open] cancel your reservations

who: cisco + anyone!
what: catch-all, amnesia event
when: august
where: anywhere; if you want a starter, please hit me up!
warnings: discussion of murder, use of alcohol to cope, will add more as needed

i. pre-amnesia (august 5-10)

[ Cisco knows that he is probably opening himself up to a world of headaches and unnecessary trouble, but there have been plenty of new arrivals, and more and more he is noticing that people who show up from non-technologically advanced worlds simply have no support system to really teach them all the cool things they can do even with their phones, not to mention other machines and devices. So, one day when there's a lull between projects for the RPD and other emergency services, he goes to a print shop and has flyers made:

TECHNOLOGICAL CULTURE SHOCK??? NEED LESSONS ON HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE, LAPTOP, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC GADGET??? STOP BY THE ADDRESS BELOW FOR A FREE INFORMAL LESSON!!!

Normally it's the kind of announcement he would make over the network, but what if someone is really struggling and can't even get on there? No, flyers seem like the way to go for this crowd. Cisco adds some fine print at the bottom, below the address for his workshop, but all it says is:

*NO HIDDEN AGENDA JUST A HELPFUL DUDE WANTING TO SHARE THE WONDERS OF TECHNOLOGY, LESSONS ARE FREE BUT TRIBUTE PAID IN CANDY IS ALWAYS ACCEPTED]

ii. amnesia (august 12-19)

[ The changes in Cisco are not, at first, as obvious as they may be in other people. He remembers Riverview, and everyone he has met here, and all the details of his life in this place. He remembers his name, all the movies and video games that he loves, all the technical skills and scientific know-how necessary for his job. He even remembers most stuff about his own past - that he worked at S.T.A.R. Labs, that he's a member of Team Flash and friend to Barry Allen. That he is a metahuman, with various abilities tied to manipulating multidimensional energy.

The only thing that has been carved away from his memory is, in fact, Eobard Thawne. Cisco doesn't remember his mentor's betrayal, or being murdered, or the circumstances that surrounded him discovering his powers. All of the shame and dread he's been carrying about his powers, because of Eobard and the things he'd said and done, has just vanished. In addition, Cisco's trauma over that whole experience is, for the moment, covered over. To anyone who knows him even a little he will seem inexplicably younger. Quicker to smile and laugh, volumes more trusting, and also a lot more inclined to talk about some guy named Dr. Wells in a positive, even devoted manner.

Cisco will spend this week doing what he usually does - working at his workshop (still offering those lessons), trying out new restaurants, shopping for graphic tees and games and movies, exploring the safe parts of the city a little - but with an extra spring in his step. If you've wanted your character to find out about him being a metahuman, now would be a good time for it! ]

iii. post-amnesia (august 20-31)

[ The not-remembering? Had been good. But when that's done, and all of Cisco's memories are restored to him, the transition is... rough. Putting it mildly. Back when all of it had happened, there had been so much going on - one life-or-death situation after the other - that he hadn't had time to linger too much on how he was changing, being shaped into an older, sadder, more broken version of himself.

Now, though, there is no big crisis, no distraction to divert his attention. One minute he is the old, sunny Cisco - the one he still thinks of as the person he was supposed to be - and the next, it all comes rushing back. The contrast is stark, and it's kind of fucking him up a little. Or, rather, a lot.

He goes back to having nightmares almost as often as he did in those first weeks after his death, which means he isn't getting a whole lot of sleep, and it shows in the dark circles under his eyes. Cisco withdraws somewhat - not enough to worry that he's abandoning anyone, but he takes longer to answer texts, doesn't reach out to people first, doesn't go out and about in the evenings. He is quieter, with considerably more strain behind his smiles. He throws himself into his work, staying in his workshop long hours, sometimes falling asleep there, for a few fitful hours. When he can't work any more, he spends a little more time than he should in some nearby bars, drinking a little more than he ought to, trying not to think about the person he is now compared to the person he was the week before. ]

iv. misc

[ Come plot something! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Eddie feels a little self-conscious, when Cisco looks at him, clears his throat, but it's not because he feels judged. It's because this is the first time he's worn this little clothing around Cisco since they were in that bed together in the darkness, and because hair washing, bathing, is such an intimate thing. Personal and private. And Cisco is going to be helping him with it.

But he manages to keep himself from showing too much discomfort or anticipation or anything else that gives away the nervous internal turmoil he's experiencing at being in his underwear in Cisco's bathroom. Stepping into the tub, he sits down on the stool and leans back a little bit, eyes flicking up to Cisco's face.]

Alright. I trust you.

[And then Cisco is pulling the showerhead down and turning it on, getting the temperature of the water right, and Eddie keeps his eye on him.]

Should I lean back more?

Yeah, just a little, about right... here. You can put your arms on the sides, probably more comfortable. Or, y'know, don't and just make this like, some kinda workout for your core. Multitask it up in here.

[ Cisco might not be a fitness dude, like Eddie, but he can replicate the lingo, a little. And so he chatters away as he brings the shower head up and starts to wet Eddie's hair, the water falling down and into the tub. A few droplets may trickle down Eddie's back, but for the most part, the improvised solution works.

Once he's got Eddie's hair wet enough, Cisco rests the shower head down in the tub and squirts some shampoo into his hands, starts working it into Eddie's hair, gentle and, yes, a bit practiced. That hadn't been a lie, about working a little in his cousin's salon. He lathers up Eddie's hair thoroughly, working the suds through the pale strands, making sure to get all the way down to his scalp. ]

What even constitutes a core, anyway? 'Cause I feel like one time Oliver said it's not just your abs or whatever, but like, thighs too? Is that true, or was he jerking my chain? I could never tell when that guy was joking or not.

[When Cisco suggests he make this a workout for his core, Eddie actually laughs, bright and happy and open, for the first time all day.]

You know, I think you've got a point there. Good suggestion, but don't judge me if my voice gets all tense, it's just the workout.

[A little smile, and he leans back, the muscle in his chest and belly tensing as he looks up at Cisco, mouth curved warmly and eyes bright. Cisco wets his hair with hot but not too hot water, and it feels good, beyond good, to have the water running through it. Even better, when Cisco squeezes some shampoo into his hands, and Eddie recognizes that scent, the smell of Cisco's shampoo, and then Cisco is lathering it into his hair, strong hands firmly massaging it through his hair. The moment Cisco is doing it, Eddie remembers how hair is washed, but he knows, somehow, that he's going to forget again shortly, it's a fleeting, vague thing that's already fading from his mind by the time he acknowledges that he's remembering.

Instead, he just focuses on how Cisco's hands feel while he scrubs his fingertips against Eddie's scalp, almost like a massage, and he closes his eyes, pale lashes fluttering. When Cisco asks what constitutes a core, Eddie laughs softly.]

All the muscles in your torso. I mean, thighs aren't really part of it, but your butt definitely is.

[A pause, and then curiously.]

Do you mean Oliver as in Oliver Queen?

I think we can just declare everything past the top stair a judgment-free one, 24/7. That's a Cisco Ramon guarantee.

[ It's just nonsense, mostly, to keep himself talking as he works the shampoo into the roots of Eddie's hair, making sure he gets every last bit before he is picking up the shower head again and rinsing, careful, one hand ready to stop any suds that might try to make their way down Eddie's back. It's a little messier, than when he'd just been wetting down Eddie's hair, but he manages. Still, splitting his attention means there is a brief pause before he asks 'hm?' and the meaning of Eddie's question sinks in. ]

Yeah, Oliver Queen. He- wait did you guys never meet? Do you not know?

[ There's a touch of delight in that last sentence, because... how could Eddie know? Oliver had been off faking evil for the League, once Eddie knew about Barry being the Flash. Probably no one had ever mentioned to him about Oliver's other life. ]

He's the Green Arrow. And would totally kill me if he knew I was telling anybody, but. He's not here, is he?

[ Cisco feels Eddie's hair after the rinse, decides that one more shampoo would be a good idea, just to be on the safe side. So he repeats that same process - dab of shampoo in his palm, work it into Eddie's hair until there was a proper lather, massage his scalp while working in the suds. Cisco scratches a little at Eddie's scalp, half by instinct, massaging just by his temples, and just above the nape of his neck, watching for Eddie's reaction to see if he liked that, at all. Which is... probably a little creepy, but Cisco just isn't going to think about that right now. ]

[Eddie manages to laugh at that, even while Cisco keeps massaging the soap through his hair, then lifts his hand and starts rinsing it out - and he tries to hold back, but can't, quite, when Cisco's warm hands start working water and suds through his hair. He groans, softly, in his throat, because it feels good, way too good.

A moment later, he's licking his lips and trying to focus on what Cisco is saying about Oliver.]

Good thing about that judgment-free zone, seriously. And uh, yeah. I've never met him, but I know of him. He was on Iris' three list.

[A shrug, and he's a bit surprised by how little that hurts to say, now, almost half a year removed from home. He's getting over it, bit by bit.]

And what, wait, really? Oliver Queen was the Arrow?

[His eyes are a little wide at that, and then Cisco is shampooing his hair again, and Eddie lets out another little groan of enjoyment, especially when Cisco's fingers dig in a little, just above his temples and at the nape of his neck, soothing away tension. It had been a rough few days, and the touch feels way better than it has any right to. With a soft hum, Eddie opens his eyes and looks up at Cisco.]

I'm still trying to reconcile silly playboy Oliver Queen with violet vigilante the Arrow. Weird.

[ It's just the steam from the warm water, Cisco tells himself, that makes him suddenly feel hot all over when Eddie groans like that. Only the steam and nothing else - definitely not going to let himself think about any other noises Eddie has ever made when he was very happy about being touched. No way. Not... gonna think about that. ]

Wait, she had a real list?

[ Privately, Cisco thinks Oliver isn't a bad choice for a list like that. Or, he thinks he would have thought so, before he'd interacted with him much. Between working with him a few times when Barry was around, and going over to Starling to redesign the Arrow cave and make new costumes for Oliver and his whole team, Cisco's gotten to know him a bit better. Now, he knows what a hot fucking disastrous mess it would be, and some of the shine has worn off. Sure, Oliver's gorgeous, and physically very much Cisco's type, but he's also an emotional trainwreck and incapable of having even a modicum of chill about anything, ever. Not a trait to be desired, in a sex partner, if you ask him. ]

Yep. Which I totally called, by the way. Well... mostly. He was on the short list for sure.

[ Eddie really is testing him with those groans; this time, Cisco can't help it. His hands pause, just for a moment, when Eddie makes that sound. He draws his bottom lip between his teeth, but there's no good way to say "quit it, that's kinda hot and it's distracting me" without immediately making things an 11/10 on the awkward scale. So instead he just tells himself to suck it up, and goes back to washing Eddie's hair. And it's pure altruism and platonic care that makes him repeat what he'd done to elicit that second groan, switching to a more deliberate scalp massage, pressing a bit harder around the base of Eddie's skull, working in small and hypnotic little circles. ]

I mean, you know about the whole castaway for years thing. We're not exactly buds, and it's not like he talks about it much, but... I get the strong sense that it wasn't all coconut trees and building signal fires. Pretty sure he actually spent a lot of that time with some really bad people getting tortured or whatever and came back with heaps of PTSD, intense archery skills, and not the greatest emotional support network. Which is a real bad combo for just about anybody.

She did.

[He laughs, softly, and shrugs.]

I did too, but I think she took it a little more seriously than I did. There was some real mooning going on when he was in town and hung out with Barry at Jitters. I heard all about it and, you know, it's hard to compete with a guy like Oliver.

[That, it turns out, does still sting, and he frowns a bit as Cisco comments that he called it, that Oliver was at least on his short list of people who might be the Arrow. Eddie tries to focus on that instead of remembering how he'd felt about Iris mooning over Oliver - not jealous, not really, but certainly inadequate.

It's easier to shift his focus from that when Cisco starts gently massaging his head. Eddie may not remember how to wash his hair, but he's pretty sure this isn't part of it, the way Cisco's fingers gently dig into his temples, around the base of his skull, rubbing away the tension. And honestly, he couldn't care less, because it feels good in a way Eddie hadn't realized he needed after a tense day taking care of dozens of people affected by amnesia. Softly, he groans again as some of the tension drains out of his muscles under Cisco's expert care, and some of the headache he's had off and on all day drains away with it.

He's only half-listening as Cisco explains why he thinks Oliver turned into the Arrow, but he makes a hum of acknowledgement in his throat, because he has the general idea. Opening his eyes a bit, making another little involuntary noise of pleasure in his throat, he sighs softly, looking up at Cisco.]

I guess when you put it that way, it makes sense.

[A pause, and then he speaks again, quietly.]

How did you get so good at this? There is no way a few shifts at a salon made you this good.

[ Cisco doesn't say anything, but from the brief lift of his eyebrows, he's not all that surprised. He'd already heard Barry complaining about that same mooning. At length. Barry had been feeling particularly insecure about the whole thing, and it would seem that, even with the distance of time and in an entirely different universe, Eddie's feeling a little insecure, too. ]

You're right. No competition. You're way better.

[ Oddly enough, that feeling of awkwardness, over his not-all-that-platonic feelings for Eddie, isn't really an issue when he declares that. This feels less like an admission of personal attraction and more like an objective statement of how not-all-that-desirable-after-all Oliver Queen is. ]

Sure he's got the jawline and whatever, but you've got that, too, and come on. Anybody that intense and gruff and incapable of taking a joke would be terrible in bed. Just terrible. I mean, think about it.

[ All the worst sex Cisco had had, had been with people who refused to just come out and actually communicate what they wanted, what they liked, or who were so over-serious that there was no joy in it, just anxious over-compensation and pretense.

It's gratifying, to see the way the simple scalp massage renders Eddie so totally blissed-out. He looks so serene, with his eyes closed, pale eyelashes resting against his slightly flushed cheeks. Cisco huffs a quiet laugh at the compliment, reaching down for the shower head and rinsing Eddie's hair once more. ]

Think I missed my true calling? If I ever get sick of being an engineer, maybe I got another option.

[ He finishes getting the last of the shampoo out, gently squeezes the excess water from Eddie's hair before he reaches down the conditioner. Once more, he puts some of it into his hands (less than he uses on himself, because Eddie has considerably less hair - both in length and to a degree in volume) and starts working it into Eddie's wet hair. ]

I can give you a shave, too, while this sits for a few minutes. I'm not really good at the whole rugged stubble thing, but I can shave you clean and you'll be back to being just the right amount of prickly in a couple days. Hopefully by then all this will be over and you can take it from there, and if not... we'll figure it out. Sound good?

Edited 2017-08-16 03:39 (UTC)

[Eddie blinks when Cisco says that there's no competition, that he's better than Oliver, and his head jerks up a little bit, eyes flicking up to Cisco's face. It's not the answer he was expecting - Eddie's seen Oliver Queen, with his perfect body and perfect amount of stubble and mysterious brooding and piercing blue eyes and all his money and charisma, and Eddie's got no idea why anyone would think that he was better. In any way, physical or not.

Cheeks flushing, he remembers for just a moment, the sensation of Cisco squirming against him, the noises he'd made, the soft gasps for breath, the way Cisco had touched him and how quickly things had amped up - it's a little easier to believe. And it's impossible not to feel a bit relieved when Cisco says that he thinks Oliver would be terrible in bed, because that probably means that Cisco hasn't slept with him. Eddie tries very hard not to think about why he's so relieved about that, especially when Cisco is rinsing his hair again, fingers combing gently through it, the tips of them rubbing gently against his scalp.]

I mean, I guess. But that guy is totally ripped, and he has a really good face, and a lot of money, you know? I don't have that. Not the same way. Anyway, it doesn't really matter, because he's not here, and neither is Iris, so there's nothing to feel threatened by, right?

[Licking his lips, he stays still, closing his eyes against the spray of water until Cisco is done rinsing his hair squeezing the excess water out of his hair. When Cisco asks if he missed his true calling and quips about having an option besides engineer, Eddie is too blissed out from the sensation of Cisco rubbing something else into his hair (he wasn't paying attention when Cisco picked up the bottle) to really do anything other than make a low, pleased 'mmmmm' of pleasure in the back of his throat. After a moment, though, it registers, and he exhales, opening his eyes.]

You're too good an engineer to give it up, but you could make a killing doing this as a side job. I'd pay you for it.

[A little grin, and he blinks a bit at the suggestion on a shave.]

Oh man, that would be great, I feel like...I don't know. Like someone glued a whole haystack to my face. It's itchy and gross right now, and you know what, usually I go clean shaven and then just leave it for a couple days.

[A little smile, and he sits up straight, facing Cisco a bit more, eyes on his face and bright with happiness and gratitude.]

You are seriously my lifesaver. How do you want me?

Right.

[ Cisco knows that Eddie is too relieved and relaxed right now to be guarding what he says too carefully, and it is rather interesting, hearing the way he talks about himself. Like there's some kind of checklist for perfection and he is constantly aware of how he ranks. To Cisco, it wouldn't really occur to him to break Eddie or Oliver down into subdivided categories (wealth, muscle mass, etcetera) and establish some kind of rubric. The fact that Eddie does think about himself like that sounds stressful, not to mention exhausting.

But he doesn't quite know how to articulate that observation without it sounding like psychobabble, or worse a criticism. He turns off the shower, goes to fetch his razor and some shaving cream from behind the bathroom mirror as he reassures simply: ]

Even if he were here, though, I'm telling you. No threat at all.

[ Cisco pulls down a washcloth, turns on the tap and waits for the water to get nice and hot. He puts a drop or two of lavender essential oil onto the cloth and rubs it in, because if he's going to do this, he might as well do it right. Once the water is hot enough it's steaming, he puts the washcloth under it, and says over his shoulder:]

You can stay right where you are, I got this. You might wanna sit up straight, though.

[ He turns back around, looks at where Eddie is sitting, patient and trusting, his hair damp and dripping a little on his shoulders. It looks darker, wet, and makes his eyes stand out more. Cisco has been trying to avoid looking at his body too much, because the last thing he wants is to make Eddie uncomfortable. But all that talk of Oliver had made Cisco think about the time he'd taken his measurement, so he could make the new Arrow costume. And that made him think about Oliver's scars, and in turn, meant scars were on his mind as he quickly glanced at Eddie where he sits.

Cisco turns off the tap, comes back over, perching on the edge of the tub once more and rubbing the now quite hot and aromatic washcloth carefully over Eddie's mouth and chin and neck, taking his time, knowing that this is one of the better parts of the whole process. Once he is finished, and starts applying the shaving cream itself, he asks: ]

Where'd you get that scar on your chest?

[The truth is, Cisco has perfectly assessed how Eddie's brain works, when it comes to perfection and his own self-judgement. And it is exhausting, constantly assessing himself based on this rubric of what a perfect guy should be, trying to improve his score on that internal rating, constantly judging himself. Eddie never feels good enough, not for anyone else, for himself, and he's feeling that way right now. Not quite good enough.

But Cisco is still reaching for the things he needs to shave him, while Eddie internally agonizes over whether he's anywhere near the league of Oliver Queen when it comes to being attractive and having money and a decent career and, apparently now also fighting bad guys in the streets. When Cisco says that even if he were here, there'd be no threat at all, Eddie blinks a bit, and smiles, eyes flicking up to Cisco's face as he brandishes a washcloth and razor.]

Okay. I'll stay right here.

[He's smiling a bit, at least until Cisco suddenly asks where he got the scar on his chest. Brows furrowing, Eddie looks down at the pink scar on his left pectoral from where he'd shot himself when he died. Cisco's seen it before, he's felt it before, they've talked about it before - Eddie's more than a little confused about the question.]

I got shot, remember?

[A moment after he speaks he remembers - amnesia, people forgetting things, and maybe this...Eddie's death...is something that Cisco's forgotten. Brows furrowing a bit more, he shrugs, tries to change the subject, because he isn't sure he wants to explain his death right now.]

Anyway, I seriously doubt that if Oliver Queen were here, I'd be any kind of competition for him. He'd probably own this place in a week.

I think you are overestimating his ability to accomplish anything without Diggle and Felicity there to help. The dude's great with a bow and arrow, but strategy and like, planning? Not his strong suit. And don't even get me started on people skills.

[ Cisco feels just the tiniest bit bad, for dragging Oliver this much, but only for a moment. If it'll be a little boost to Eddie's ego, what's the harm? And besides... it is true. When he'd been on his own, Oliver had pretty much just murdered people and thought that was a sustainable way to fix things.

He finishes smoothing the shaving cream over Eddie's neck, chin, jaw, and up his cheeks as far as it needs to go. Cisco picks up the razor, and takes a moment to orient himself. He may have washed hair for other people plenty of times before, but he's never shaved another person before. Still, he is relatively confident in his manual dexterity.

During that pause, he looks again at Eddie's chest, unembarrassed now that it's clear he's not just checking him out. His stomach seems to drop a little at what he sees. He reaches out with his free hand, cautious but also curious. ]

I know Tockman shot you during the blackout 'cause Barry talked about seeing you in the hospital. [ He gently touches a fingertip to the small round scar nearer to Eddie's shoulder, which looks older than the other scars. ] And I know John stabbed you a couple months ago... [ He moves that fingertip to the scar that more clearly looks like it was made by a knife, and which also looks the newest. ] ...but there's this one, too. Did you get stabbed and shot twice?!

[ He again slides that fingertip over to the small scar directly over Eddie's heart, a little furrow forming between his brows. He looks up at Eddie, confused, but a little in awe, too. ]

I swear to god you've got nine lives, dude.

[Eddie smiles a bit, tilting his head, eyes falling half-shut.]

Maybe, but if he came here, you would be helping him, and I'm pretty sure you're better than Felicity and Diggle combined. No offense to them, especially Diggle, who is someone I don't actually know at all but who has kind of a silly name. And I don't know about my people skills, but okay.

[A pause, and then he laughs softly, watching as Cisco sprays shaving cream into his hand and then tilting his chin up so Cisco can rub it onto his face. He doesn't anticipate how good it's going to feel as Cisco starts rubbing it into his face, his jaw and throat and cheeks, scraping fingertips over his stubble.]

Mm. [A little noise of pleasure.] But fine. I'll let you pretend you like me more than Oliver Queen.

[The more Cisco rubs the shaving cream into his face, the more distracted he gets, his eyes sinking shut as Cisco does it, making another little hum of pleasure, and this isn't fair at all, how good Cisco is with his hands. And how much the timing is against them, how much he wants to kiss him again, right now.

But then Cisco is asking about the scar again, and touching it with his fingertip, so gentle and tentative, and that cuts right through his distraction. Blinking, Eddie looks up at him. For a moment, his brain flusters and scrabbles for something to tell him, because right now he doesn't want to talk about how he'd died, doesn't want to make Cisco stop smiling like that, doesn't know the extent of what he's forgotten.]

I got shot just before I came here. It's not really important though, it's okay.

[A pause, and then, when Cisco says he's got nine lives, something in Eddie's gut twinges, and he can't help the way he glances away, his expression tightening.]

Yeah...I guess.

[ Cisco chuckles in delight when Eddie jokes about Diggle's name being a little silly, because yeah, it is. He's thought that too, before, but never actually said it to anyone. ]

I like you way more than Oliver Queen.

[ He doesn't know what's going on with Eddie, but he's being pretty uncharacteristically vague about that scar. Usually, Eddie is more than willing to come forward and just explain things, even when it's a little bit unpleasant. So the fact that he doesn't is kind of a hint. It makes Cisco really fucking curious, but he decides to drop it, giving a little shrug and then starting in with the razor.

He is cautious, taking his time, making sure to go against the grain, to get as close as he can but not press too hard or cut. Cisco is most tentative right when he begins, but then he gradually settles into it, using his other hand to tilt Eddie's head this way and that as needed. He knows that Eddie can't really speak while he's doing this, for fear of messing him up, so Cisco takes it on himself to fill the silence. ]

So my dad was gone a lot of the time 'cause of work stuff, which is... a whole other conversation but it means that I learned to shave from my big brother, who for once in his life decided not to be a total dick and was actually pretty patient all things considered.... I was one of those kids that started getting facial hair pretty young and I was like, soooo dramatic and worried about cutting myself, like one little nick and I was gonna start gushing blood like a firehose and die on the spot... but he made sure I knew how to hold the razor right and which spots would be tricky and how to go slow but not TOO slow...

[ Talking while he works has the added bonus of calming the last of his nerves, helping him to focus on the actual manual task of shaving Eddie. Stroke by stroke he makes his way across Eddie's neck, then jaw, eyes never moving away from the task. After almost no time at all, all the having cream is gone, and Cisco reaches forward, absently tracing along Eddie's skin for any patches he might have missed. ]

[Eddie wants to protest that Cisco is biased, but he has to keep his mouth shut because Cisco is shaving him now, drawing the razor against his skin with careful, delicate precision. There is something about this that makes Eddie feel more cared for than he has in years, pampered. The room smells faintly of lavender and shave cream and conditioner, and the unique blend of scents makes him think of Cisco, because these are his products, the things he uses to groom himself. When Eddie leaves here, he's going to smell just a little like Cisco, and that feels nice, in a way that Eddie is a little ashamed of.

There's something else, also shamefully nice, about the careful and gentle way Cisco shaves him, being incredibly careful not to nick him or cut him, scraping off the hair and the shaving cream as he drags blades against his skin, that he knows is going to linger in his mind. The fact he trusts Cisco to do that, something so intimate and that runs the risk of injuring his face or throat, and that he trusts him without question feels good and safe and wonderful.

When Cisco tells him that story about Dante, Eddie's eyes track to his face, and his mouth curves into a slight smile. It's a cute story, though it has sad undertones, like most of Cisco's stories about his family, and Eddie listens to every word, because Cisco doesn't often talk about his family, especially not good stories about how his brother hadn't been an asshole for a while. And while Cisco is looking for places he might have missed, and Eddie can talk again, he smiles a bit wider.]

You're biased, by the way. About me versus Oliver. Anyway, it seems like Dante was a good teacher when he wanted to be, because my face feels amazing. And you know, I'm gonna smell like you now, for a while.

[He regrets it the moment he says it, and his cheeks flush, but he doesn't take it back, just glances off to the side.]

[ Cisco opens his mouth to ask why on Earth he would be biased, but he thinks better of it before he even starts. Did Eddie mean because the two of them have messed around? Or maybe... because he knows that even after their agreement that friendship was all that there could be between them right then, that Cisco was still pining after him, wishing for things he knew he could probably never have?

(And of course, the amnesia prevents him from even considering the fact that Eddie had saved his life from Eobard, saved all of them.) ]

Yeah. Dante had his moments, every now and then. We used to get along better, when I was a really little kid.

[ Then Eddie is saying something about going off smelling like him, and Cisco's stomach gets all fluttery, which is absurd. But the fact that Eddie even knows what he smells like, in a distinctive way, is... something. God, he really is desperate, isn't he?
He swallows, and then asks, voice just a little too cheerful and amused to be quite genuine: ]

Hope that's not a bad thing. I can leave out the lavender next time, if we have to do this again.

[ Cisco knows it isn't exactly the most masculine scent, but he's always been fond enough of it not to care. He grabs a fresh washcloth and sets about rubbing Eddie's face clean, doing one last check that he didn't leave any patches of stubble. Then, he turns on the shower head once more, says: ]

Just, uh, one more rinse and you'll be free, okay?

[ He presses Eddie's shoulder gently, encouraging him to lean back a bit as he starts rinsing the conditioner from Eddie's hair. As he does, he says quietly: ]

Thanks for letting me help.

[In Eddie's mind, Cisco is biased for a host of reasons - because they've messed around, because he knows Cisco still has feelings for him, because he knows he has feelings for Cisco too, because Cisco is kind to his friends and they're friends. Funnily, the concept of Eddie having saved Cisco's life and that being what's biased him doesn't even cross Eddie's mind.

He tilts his head back as Cisco wipes at his face, gently dragging that warm cloth against his skin, which feels smooth and soft from Cisco's gentle ministrations. It feels nice, almost too nice.]

Yeah? I'm sorry things changed. I didn't have any siblings growing up, but from what I know, they can be really awesome, except when they're not.

[Eddie's feeling a little silly about smelling like Cisco too, and when Cisco asks if that's a bad thing, he shakes his head right away.]

No. I like it. I mean. You smell good, you always do. And there's something...you know, really nice, about smelling someone you associate with good things. And I associate you with a lot of good things, so...

[He shrugs, glancing away while he leans backward to allow Cisco to rinse the conditioner out of his hair. Eddie's blue eyes flick up to Cisco's face, and he keeps watching him as he cleans the goop out of his hair, gently running water through it with his hands. When Cisco thanks him for letting him help, Eddie laughs, soft and abrupt.]

Thank you for helping me. This is such... [He shakes his head a bit.] It's gross, isn't it? Thank you for being willing to touch my gross hair.

[ When Eddie says he associates Cisco with good things, he feels a fluttering in his stomach, all butterflies and nervous happiness. Eddie could have just said he didn't mind lavender, but instead, he had said he likes it in part because of Cisco. And that's... really flattering.

He can feel Eddie looking up at him as he rinses the conditioner from his hair, but Cisco keeps his eyes on his task, only meeting Eddie's gaze for just a few seconds. But during those seconds, he smiles, and it is bright and joyful. ]

It's not gross.

[ He sifts his fingers a little more deliberately through Eddie's wet hair, enjoying the weight and texture of it, and the warmth of the water, and the whole process. ]

You were all rinsed about a minute ago. Now I'm just doing it for fun.

[ But once he admits that, he knows he should stop. So Cisco reaches for the taps and turns off the spray, then gently squeezes the excess water from Eddie's hair. He grabs down a towel and drapes it over Eddie's bare shoulders before announcing: ]

Okay, all done. You can sit up, now. It'll dry on its own soon enough. I don't really know your usual styling routine, but it's clean at least.

[Honestly, the smell of lavender never really came into the equation - it was always about Cisco, and how he smells, and how that smell makes Eddie feel. That feeling is sort of the epitome of how he feels right now, trusting Cisco enough to be vulnerable in front of him. When Cisco smiles at him, bright and happy and genuine, and says it's not gross, Eddie smiles back.

It's a little surprising when Cisco says that he was actually all rinsed about a minute before, and Cisco is just doing it for fun now. Eddie can't help it, he laughs softly, brows raising.]

That's fun, for you? And here I thought I was the only one enjoying this.

[When Cisco turns the tap off, Eddie sits back up and huffs out a breath, picking the towel up. As Cisco talks, he wraps it around his head and dries his hair, scruffing the towel through it, shaking his head.]

Honestly, I have no idea what my usual styling routine is either. But clean is better than nothing.

[Licking his lips, he pauses, the towel back around his neck.]

Thanks Cisco. Seriously. You're a lifesaver. I'll have to get you back for this, somehow.

[ There is something so sweet and honest in Eddie, in the way he thanks Cisco like he really means it. Not a distracted, obligatory thank you. Not because he knows it's what he's supposed to say. But like he is truly grateful. Cisco's heart seems to miss a beat, and he wonders with just a momentary twinge of sadness if he is ever going to get over this stupid crush, hopeless as it might be. ]

What're friends for?

[ He gets to his feet, wiping the tiny bit of excess water from his hands onto his jeans and proclaiming: ]

Now, come on. You had a long day, and that means we're getting take out and watching a movie. No telling how long all this amnesia stuff is gonna keep going for, and you'll probably need all the rest you can get so you can be ready to help out all those confused peeps tomorrow and the day after. We can sub out a Fast and Furious for the Buster Keaton, if you want, or I can just start that one over. Your call.

[ And he offers a hand to Eddie to help him up, smiling. ]

[Eddie looks up at Cisco, takes his hand and stands up, stepping over the edge of the tub, and dries off his shoulders, his chest, getting the last of the moisture off his skin and he exhales a long, slow breath. It feels nice, the way he always feels after bathing, comfortable and clean.

As Cisco invites him back down for Fast and the Furious or more Buster Keaton, Eddie smiles at him, his eyes warm. While Cisco restarts the movie, Eddie changes into more comfortable clothes.]

Let's do Buster Keaton. That movie looked pretty funny.

[And it is funny, and enjoyable, even moreso when he's sitting there curled up in his PJs with Cisco, his arms around a pillow and their feet comfortably sharing the middle cushion.]

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