The Fallout
"Ronnie Raymond" Cisco says grinning from ear to ear seeing his best friend walking through the doors. Ronnie smiled seeing Cisco walking as fast as he could get to him, scooping him up in the tightest hug possible.
“Cisco" he breathed against his ear. "I missed you so much".
“I missed you too" Cisco says pulling back slightly, but not stepping back from the hug. Mainly because Ronnie wasn't letting him go. Cisco moved his hands from his shoulders to rest on his biceps. Ronnie smiled looking Cisco in his eyes. He was so lost in Cisco he forgot the other people were in the room. Moving forward he gave Cisco a peck on the lips. Any other time Cisco would have thought nothing of it. But considering he learned about his best friend being in love with him, it became a little awkward. But it felt good none the less.
Barry cleared his throat, causing the pair to break apart. Cisco peeked over at Barry, he could have sworn he saw a hint of jealously in his eyes.
"I shouldn't have locked you in there" Cisco says looking to Ronnie.
“Hey... don't" he says grabbing Cisco's face in his hands.
“Welcome back, Mr. Raymond" Wells says wheeling around the corner.
"Dr. Wells. Caitlin told me what happened to you. I'm so sorry" Ronnie says wrapping his arm around Cisco shoulder, who smiled up at Ronnie and return the gesture by wrapping his arm around Ronnie's waist.
“I’m responsible for putting myself in this chair. You are responsible for my still being alive... thank you" Well confirms.
"You said you'd bring him back, and you did. Thank you" Caitlin smiled rubbing her brothers back.
"You're welcome".
“Excuse me? Are we all planning to sing Kumbaya next?" Stein asked.
Wells looks to Stein "Professor Stein, I presume".
"Harrison Wells. Do you have somewhere I can freshen up and get a change of clothes?" he ask.
“Of course. Right this way, Professor" Well says leading them both to the lab.
Ronnie followed Cisco to the changing the room, handing him another hoodie and some clean pants for him to take a shower.
“Head to the lab when you’re done" Cisco says before heading to walk out.
“Wait" Ronnie says grabbing his hand. “I want to talk to you".
“About?" Cisco smirks, crossing his arms and raising his eyebrow already knowing where this was going.
Ronnie noticed Cisco's smirk and smiled. “Cait told you didn't she?" he said closing his eyes embarrassed.
“She did" Cisco says leaning against the corner. “The real question is why you didn’t".
Ronnie sighs and sits down on the bench looking at the hoodie in his hands, choosing his next words wisely. All the time he spent trapped inside his own body he had rehearsed this a hundred times, but standing in front of Cisco now he had no idea what to say.
Ronnie never looked up from the hoodie in his hands. “I was scared of losing you”.
“ I kept thinking what if he hates me after I tell him, what if I tell him and things don’t work out” Ronnie says finally looking at Cisco.
“I loved what we had Cisco, you’re my best friend and I didn’t want that to change because I couldn’t control my feelings for you. I didn’t want to hurt you” Ronnie admitted.
“How would you hurt me?” Cisco asked kneeling in front of Ronnie, taking the hoodie from his hands.
“I’m not exactly good with relationships Cisco” Ronnie says pointing out the obvious. I mean come on look at my train wreck of a relationship with Hartley.
Cisco laughs. “How would you know? You’ve never even tried one”.
“I did…..with Hartley” Ronnie shivers at the memory. God what was he thinking “and that lasted a month”.
“That’s because Harley was an obsessive controlling asshole” Cisco reminded him. “Who you should have never even considered a candidate for a boyfriend”.
Ronnie laughed at the comment, too this day he still doesn’t know what he was thinking when it came to Hartley Rathaway, maybe desperation. “I guess”.
Ronnie took Cisco's hand and pulled him into his lap. “If I have learned on thing from everything that happened this year it’s that you should always tell the people you love how you feel. Because that moment could be taken from you in an instant, and you never know if you'll ever get the chance too".
“I want to give this a try if you are willing Cisco, I want to give us a try" Ronnie says smiling at Cisco leaning in to give him a kiss, before his lips could touch Caitlin’s voice came over the intercom.
“Ronnie, if your dressed we are ready for you".
Ronnie chuckled and dropped his head on Cisco's shoulder, Cisco smiled and stood up. “Maybe you should get in the shower".
“Yea" Ronnie says getting up and walking to the shower.
Cisco walked outside the bathroom and shut the door, leaning against it and sliding down until he was on the ground. Taking in a deep breath he tried to gather his thoughts. He wanted so badly to give things a try with Ronnie. Who would be better as his first boyfriend than his best friend? Ronnie was everything he wanted in a man, the full package. The only problem was his feelings for Barry clouding his judgement, telling him that he should just wait and maybe one day he would have a chance. God he was so stupid, he hated feelings! They were over complicated and always got the best of him. The perfect guy looking him in his face, and he was pawing over a man who was in love with someone else. He stood up when he heard the shower go off.
Cisco was brought out of his thoughts when the door opened, causing Ronnie to jump when he saw Cisco standing there. “Sorry, thought I would wait".
Ronnie smiled at Cisco wrapping his arm around him and pulling him towards the Medical lab. Caitlin and Barry were already waiting, while Stein talked to Wells.
Barry saw Cisco and Ronnie approaching and jealously immediately took over when he saw Ronnie's arm wrapped around Cisco's neck and Ronnie whispering something in Cisco ear.
“Where have you guys been?” Barry asked with somewhat of a tone. “Caitlin’s been waiting”.
“No, I haven’t” Caitlin says turning to Barry and raising her eye.
“What were you guys doing anyway” Barry asks.
“We were talking if you must know, so back off” Ronnie says annoyed with Barry, if he didn't know any better we would swear he saw a hint of jealously in his eyes.
Cisco stood between the two. “Ok guys, lets chill out. Ronnie, Caitlin’s waiting".
Ronnie looked to Caitlin then back at Barry before finally moving to take a seat and let Caitlin check him over.
"Your vitals appear to be normal, except you have a slight fever of 100.6" Caitlin says smiling at her brother.
"Cait, I'm fine, I promise" Ronnie assured her.
"So I did a full medical workup on the Professor. It turns out that now that he and Ronnie are separated, they no longer possess the ability to harness nuclear energy" Wells says bringing the others up to speed on Stein.
"Professor Stein, you seem to be running a little hot as well. Same as Ronnie... 100.6" says Caitlin.
"Hardly a sweat, Dr. Snow. And hopefully now the only thing Ronald and I have in common..." says Stein before Ronnie quickly cuts him off. "It's Ronnie".
“Hey? You going to miss being able to fly?" Cisco asked waiting to ease the tension in the room at bit. Between Ronnie and Barry, and Ronnie and Stein the tension in the room was so think it would break a knife.
"Yeah, maybe if I was the one holding the controller" Ronnie says.
"Meaning?" Stein asks somewhat offended.
“Meaning, you weren't the most conscientious body-mate" Ronnie explains.
"So you do not consider keeping you alive to be conscientious?" he asks moving a step closer.
"Alive? We were living under a bridge, eating garbage" Ronnie says raising an eyebrow at the fact Stein thought he was doing them any good by living on the streets.
"I did not determine that it would be my mind that would dominate our existence, but thank God it was. I could feel your fear and panic, emotions that likely would have gotten us killed in that state" Stein says defending his actions.
"You kept me buried down. You kept me from them" Ronnie says pointing to Caitlin and Cisco.
"Which is likely why they are still alive" Stein states putting an end to this meaningless argument. He did what he did to protect the people they loved, and he wouldn’t take it back. "Now I believe you and I have spent quite enough time together. I would like to go home to see my wife”.
"Mr. Allen will take you".
"Thank you" Stein says making his way to the door, he couldn't spend another minute in that room.
Ronnie sighed and rolled his eyes, he hasn’t been back for a day and already made two enemies. "I need some pizza" he says turning towards Caitlin.
“You got it".
"And the boomerang goes flying through the cortex, smashing everything and Cisco's all, “My bad. This one's on me" Caitlin laughs explaining yet another one of their adventures at star labs since he had been gone. Ronnie missed so much, Caitlin was glad to have her brother back to be able to share some of the memories.
”Sounds like you had some crazy times" Ronnie says chuckling and taking a sip of his coffee.
"Yeah, we have" Caitlin says smiling at the memory.
“Are you ready for life to get back to normal?" Caitlin asked Ronnie, for the last year he had live his life trapped in his own body. Getting back to normal might take some time.
Ronnie smiled not taking his eyes off his coffee. “What is normal?" he asked.
Caitlin laughed. “What do you want to do now?"?
Ronnie looked at her and sighed. “I don’t know, I would like to try and get my life back. Maybe help you guys at star labs...........”
“We would love to have you" Caitlin says cutting him off, voice full of excitement.
Ronnie laughed at Caitlin’s excitement, and went back to looking at his cup. Caitlin noticed how distracted Ronnie was and took his hand to get his attention. “What’s up?"
Ronnie sighed and sat back. “Cisco".
“What about him?" she asked.
“I talked to him earlier....I told him how I felt and what I wanted" Ronnie says with a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“And????" Caitlin asked.
“I didn't realize it until now but I think Cisco has feelings for Barry" Ronnie said running his hands over his face and threw his hair.
Caitlin sighed, she remembered when Cisco finally told her he had feelings for Barry. It’s not like she didn't already know, between Cisco constant blushing whenever he came into the room or how nervous he got whenever Barry was up close to him, or the fact he was always staring at him 24/7. Seriously everybody knew but Barry.
From Caitlin’s silence Ronnie knew it was true. “I’ll take your silence as a yes".
“Have you told him how you felt" she asked.
Ronnie raised an eyebrow, and Caitlin threw up her hands. “Hey! I thought you were dead".
Ronnie sighed and shook his head. “It’s been a year Cait......a whole year. You would think that maybe my feelings would be gone, but as soon as that elevator door opened and I saw him again. It was like I feel in love even more".
“Ronnie" Caitlin says grabbing Ronnie attention. “Cisco may have feelings for Barry but you’re his best friend and he loves you".
“Don’t give up hope" Caitlin says giving him a small smile.
"Do you guys need anything else? We're about to close up" the waiter asked grabbing the empty cups.
"I'm good. Cait?" Ronnie asked looking to Caitlin who looked at him wide eyed, before Ronnie could ask what was wrong Caitlin was grabbing him and pulling him under the table.
"Ronnie, get down!!!”
Barry was currently standing at Eddie's door, he hadn't knocked yet but he felt like he needed to be there.
That Ronnie Guy
Who did he think he was, having his hands all over Cisco! HIS CISCO! Wait he didn't just say his Cisco, no no no! He didn't see Cisco in that way, they were friends that all. Barry didn't understand why he was so worked up about Ronnie being affectionate towards Cisco, they were friends and so what if they got together. Good for Cisco, he deserved the happiness he had with Eddie. He loved Eddie more than anything, and nothing would change that. He finally got his dream guy. Yea, so what if they got together.
Barry was just about to knock on the door when his phone with off
911
Without a second thought Barry took off out of the building.
Barry stood watching Stein and Ronnie rubbing out the stiffness in his neck, the fragments were finally out but he body was terribly sore.
"I'm still inside Ronald" Stein stated.
"There has to be a better way to phrase that" Cisco says at the awkwardness of the statement. Barry blushing at the statement, Caitlin noticing.
“Beta, Alpha, Theta, Delta... all your brain waves are perfectly in sync. The chances of that happening are next to impossible" Caitlin says directing her attention back to Ronnie and Stein.
"Impossible just another Tuesday for us, remember?" says Barry.
" Yeah, but this is like some Twilight Zone level stuff, and I say that knowing full well that we have a guy locked up in our basement who can turn himself into poison gas".
“Wait, really?" Ronnie asked turning back to look at Cisco.
“Dude, that was, like, week three" Cisco says smiling at Ronnie.
“Look, if this Eiling is as dangerous as you say, then I need to warn Clarissa" Stein says quickly trying to make his way to his jacket and keys.
Barry stopped him. "I promise, I can get Clarissa out of the city in time, but we need you to stay here. Professor, I need you to trust us".
"Very well" Stein says walking out of the room Cisco following. Caitlin turned to her computer. Barry looked to Cisco then back at Ronnie whose head was down, it was obvious something was on his mind.
"Hey. Are you okay?" Barry asked.
Ronnie looked to Barry and frowned." Yeah. Yeah, it's just not the S.T.A.R. Labs I knew".
"Ronnie, this isn't the world that you knew" Barry stated pointing out how much things have changed.
"Tell me about it" Ronnie says leaving the room to join Cisco and Stein.
Barry never took his eyes off Ronnie and he watched him walked to Cisco, obviously saying something funny because Cisco had started laughing.
“Sooooooooooooooooo, this is awkward" Caitlin says never taking her eyes off the computer screen.
Barry looked away and starred at Caitlin confusion written all over his face. "What?"
“Well, it’s just your in love with Eddie, but have feelings for Cisco" she said finally peaking over her shoulder.
“What!?" he laughed. “I don’t....."
“You can’t take your eyes off him, and you've been nothing but jealous since the moment Ronnie walked through that door" Caitlin stated turning around to face Barry. “You love him don’t you?"
Barry said nothing and started pacing, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. “Caitlin I care about Cisco a lot, but I am in love with Eddie".
Neither Caitlin nor Barry saw Cisco standing in the doorway listening, Cisco quickly walked away from the room and leaned on the nearest wall where no one could see him. Hearing those words hurt more than anything.
Caitlin smiled at Barry and patted him on the back before heading to the door. “Hmmmmm. maybe we should head back in the room with the others" she says walking out of the room.
Caitlin left Barry there with his thoughts. In love with Cisco, is she crazy? She knew how much he loved Eddie and how long he waited to have what they have now. He was just being over protective of Cisco….yeah that was it. Overprotective.
“You guys can stay down in Iris' old room. It's kind of small, but...“ Barry looked around the house hoping to not run into Iris. It would be just his luck that she would be stopping by today, thankfully he saw no sign of her.
“Hey. We have guests” Joe asked making his way over to the group.
“Yeah, we do. I hope that's okay” Barry asks knowing this was sudden.
“Mi casa”.
“This is Ronnie” Caitlin says introducing her brother with pride.
“Nice to meet you” Joe says quickly coming to the realization. “Ronnie, the... Dead brother?”
“Right” Ronnie smiles.
“Beer?” Joe says offering Ronnie the beer he had gotten originally for himself. This day seemed to be full of surprises.
"Thanks” Ronnie says accepting the beer from Joe. Just then then the door opened and Cisco walked into the house.
“Hey guys, sorry got caught up at the lab" Cisco said walking to stand in front of Ronnie.
“Are you spending the night too?" Joe asked raising an eyebrow.
“Yea Ronnie wanted me to stay with him tonight, I hope that's ok" he says.
"After everything you guys have done for me and Barry. My home is your home" Joe says smiling and heading back to the kitchen for a beer for himself and Cisco.
“Wait, you’re staying?" Barry asked rubbing the back of his head uncomfortable with the idea.
“Yes" Cisco frowns.
“It’s just that it’s my childhood home and........" Barry starts but cuts himself off when he sees Cisco crossing his arms, a look of interest at were that comment is going.
“What do you think we are going to do Allen?" Ronnie asked stepping in front of Cisco placing his hands on his hips.
“I...." Barry started.
"Cisco and I are just friends and even if we were together, what we do is none of your business and I would never disrespect Joe's house" Ronnie rolled his eyes and made his way over to Caitlin he had enough of Barry and his jealous attitude today.
Cisco lowered his eyes to the ground not knowing exactly what to say to break the uncomfortable silence in the air.
“Well, Iris should be here, soon she’s fixing us Dinner tonight” Barry says heading towards the door. “I have to meet Eddie so I’ll be back later”.
Quickly Barry moves out of the house, and speeds of towards his boyfriend.
Eddie opens the door to his apartment after debating if he should grab his gun because of the loud banging on the door. He was very thankful he didn’t when he saw Barry standing on the other side.
“Barry, what the…….” Eddie was instantly cut off by Barry grabbing him by the waist and kissing him with everything he had. Barry pushed Eddie into the apartment kicking the door shut as he did so, Eddie was just about to protest when Barry lifted him up, wrapping his legs around his waist.
Eddie pulled away from the kiss, trying to catch any air he could get. “Barry, what…..” his words instantly cut off when Barry started to tease the sensitive spot on his neck.
"Oh god Barry" Eddie says feeling his back hitting the bed, and Barry beginning to remove his clothes.
Barry didn’t know what got over him but right now he needed Eddie more than anything.
Cisco was currently holding his stomach laughing and reminiscing at old times he and Ronnie use to have. He was sitting on the counter, grabbing dish to dry as Ronnie washed. Ronnie offered after dinner and Cisco decided to help so he could spend more time with Ronnie. He really did miss his best friend.
“All I'm saying Cisco is you weren’t as innocent as everyone claimed you were" Ronnie says face full of laughter.
“I liked it that way, prince by day villain by night" Cisco says smiling at the comment. Soon the laughter died down and there was a pregnant silence.
"I miss this" Ronnie says almost sounding like a whisper.
"Me too" Cisco says placing the towel on the counter.
"So, I'm assuming you haven't noticed Barry's jealously towards me" Ronnie says smirking at Cisco's blank expression.
“Jealously?" he asked. “Why would Barry be jealous of you?"
“Hmmmmmmmm.....I don’t know probably because he likes you" Ronnie stated pausing to studying Cisco's reaction.
Cisco bust out into a fit of laughter. “That’s funny".
Ronnie smiled and moved his hands to his hips. “What’s so funny about it"?
“Uhhhhhhhh, I don't know maybe because Barry has been obsessed with his boyfriend the day I meant him" Cisco states.
“Plus why would Barry like me. He has a very gorgeous cop boyfriend to come home to every night, why would he want me" Cisco said looking down at the dish towel in his hand.
Ronnie walks over to him and removes the towel. “Why do you do that?"
“What?"
“Putting yourself down like you’re not good enough for anybody. Barry may have a boyfriend but that doesn't mean he can't still be attracted to you. Your amazing Cisco, successful, funny, loyal.....”
Ronnie moved closer and lifting Cisco chin to look him in the eye, standing between his legs. “And you’re the most beautiful person I have ever meant in my life, and if any guy can't see that. Well than he is an idiot".
Cisco smiled and lowered his head again trying to hide his blush.
“Look Ronnie, I've been thinking....." Cisco's comment was immediately cut off when Ronnie dropped to the ground catching himself quickly on the counter. Cisco jumped off the counter and grabbed him pulling him to a nearby chair.
“Hey, you ok?" he asked voice full of worry.
“Yea" Ronnie says shaking off the dizziness. “Yea, just got a little dizzy for a second".
Ronnie gives Cisco a reassuring smile and stands up to prove his point, Cisco not taking the bait pushes him back in the chair. "I'll get you a glass of water".
Barry was currently looking at the ceiling, loss of breath and covered in Eddie and sweat at the moment. He didn't know what had gotten into him lately, but he just knew for some reason he needed Eddie, he need to know that their love was still strong that that connection was still there.
“What’s gotten into you?" Eddie asked lifting his head from Barry's chest and looking him in the face.
Barry's face twisted in confusion. "What do you mean?”
“4 times Barry? We never gone that many rounds before" Eddie points out.
Barry sighed taking a deep breath. “I....ahhh...guess I'm just trying to spice things up".
Eddie laughed and laid his head back on Barry's chest. “I like this kinky side Mr. Allen".
Not even a minute later, Barry could feel how heavy Eddie felt against him and the small snoring that soon filled the air let him know that he had fallen asleep. Barry looked down at the beautiful man in his arms and smiled. He gave Eddie a small kiss on the top of his head and turned off the light ready to take it down, when his phone went off.
He felt Eddie stir in his arms but thankfully it didn't wake him.
“Hello" Barry whispered holding the phone in one hand and rubbing Eddie's arm with the other one.
“Barry get to Star labs NOW! It’s Stein".
Everyone was currently at Stein’s house saying their goodbyes to the pair. After everything that happened at the army base, they found it was safest if they went somewhere where they could learn more about their powers and how to control them better.
Ronnie walked over to Cisco smiling at him and pulling him in his arms. “I’m going to miss you like crazy”.
“I’m going to miss you too, but we can still talk on the phone right?” Cisco asks.
“Of course” Ronnie smiles.
Cisco leaned up and gave Ronnie a kiss on the lips, Ronnie not expecting the kiss grabbed Cisco’s face in his hands, pulling back slowly he smiled. “What was that for?”
“I was thinking, if you still want too. I’m willing to give us a try” Cisco says shyly.
“Cisco Ramon are you asking me to be your boyfriend?” Ronnie asks smirking.
“No” Cisco frowns crossing his arms.
Ronnie’s grin immediately dropped. “I’m taking you up on your offer, to be my boyfriend”.
Ronnie laughed, and pull Cisco in for another kiss this time using to tongue to part Cisco’s lips and depending the kiss. Barry peeked around the corner at the pair and took a deep breath moving back and leaning on the wall, he couldn’t explain it but seeing the pair like that almost felt like heartbreak. He blink a few times before taking a deep breath. Come on Allen, you have the guy of your dreams. Cisco is your friend. Barry nodded to himself and walked off to join the rest of the group.
Ronnie pulled back leaning his head against Cisco forehead. “I love you” he whispered.
“Love you more” Cisco says.
Ronnie chuckled. “Impossible”.
Cisco smiled, and grabbed something out of this pocket. “This is for you”.
Ronnie looks down at Cisco hands and notices he is holding out a phone, Ronnie frowns but takes the phone and raises his eye to Cisco in confusion. “Its encrypted and you can only call one phone number but at least you will have someone to talk too without having to worry about anyone tracing the phone”.
“Ready Ronald” Stein asked making his way over.
“Stop calling me that” Ronnie rolled his eyes and walked over to Caitlin giving her a big hug. “Promise I’ll be back this time.
She smiled. “I know you will”.
“Love you Sis” he says.
“Love you too little brother”.