goddammits | (no subject)

[ That beer is already mostly empty by the time Eddie arrives, if that's any indication of how Cisco's day has been. He didn't go home to change, so he's still in the slightly-singed graphic tee he wore to work that morning. ]

Hey, man, it's the thought that counts! And believe me, I would've waited if I wasn't having pretty close to the worst day ever.

[ He gestures to the scorch marks on what used to be a t-shirt he really liked. ]

[Eddie notices the scorched t-shirt about half a minute before Cisco points it out, and winces when he says he had close to the worst day ever.]

Let me grab a beer and then you can tell me all about it.

[Because, from the looks of things, Cisco's probably having a worse day than he is. He heads over to the bar, grabs his favourite beer - a microbrew from a nice little brewery in Heropa, as well as an order of nachos to share with Cisco - and settles in at the table again.

He takes a sip, and then leans in on an elbow, looking at Cisco.]

So, I'm guessing you blew something up?

[ He follows Eddie up and orders a second beer. It's nothing as fancy as Eddie's, just whatever cheap bottle they have on special this time of day. ]

Ohhh, nachos. My one true love.

[ He picks a couple loaded chips out to chomp down, washing them down with his beer. ]

I blew up either a week's or a month's worth or progress, all over one tiny miscalculation that I should've seen from a mile away. So it's kind of been a bad day.

Really? I thought that was Red Vines.

[He says it with a little grin, and picks up a chip himself, popping it in his mouth, eyes falling shut. Eddie doesn't often eat this kind of crap - he still has to work hard and avoid indulgences to maintain the shape he's in.

Another sip of beer, and his brow lifts as Cisco explains what happened.]

Seriously? That sucks. But, I mean, everyone has a bad day and loses ground. It's happened to me tons of times. You're smart, you'll catch back up. [A reassuring little smile, the words genuine because he truly does believe in Cisco's genius.] Anything I can do to help cheer you up?

Shhh, Red Vines are the side bae.

[ He winks and downs some more of his beer. Eddie may not eat a lot of nachos and beer, but Cisco lives on the stuff. How he's still this skinny is anyone's guess.

Eddie's optimism and faith in him makes him smile, though, ducking his head and rubbing at the back of his neck. He's glad that he's not terribly quick to blush visibly. ]

You—and the nachos—are already helping. I had a hot date lined up with Netflix, but this is way better.

Edited 2016-03-19 05:47 (UTC)

Oh, whoops. Wouldn't want to expose your double life.

[Grinning, eyes bright, he picks up another nacho and puts it in his mouth, making a noise in his throat as some cheese drips down his finger. Putting it in his mouth, he raises his brows at Cisco as he says he had a hot date with Netflix. Sliding his finger out of his mouth, he picks up a napkin and wipes at it, laughing softly.]

Well, I'm glad to hear that I'm a better date than Netflix. Or is that the nachos?

[Another soft laugh.]

I mean, I know I've got nothing on your one true love.

[ Watching Eddie eat nachos really shouldn't be getting Cisco a little hot under the collar, but damn. He hastily swallows a quick swig of beer to cover for the fact that he's staring at Eddie's finger a little. ]

Ehh. A little of column a, a little of column b...

[ He offers a smile that he hopes isn't as shaky as it feels. He doesn't want to make anything awkward between them; he values their friendship too much for that. ]

[For all that he's gone from the fat kid to a reasonably attractive man, for all that he's aware of how he looks, Eddie will never quite get used to other people thinking he's attractive. Most of the time, that lack of awareness registers as gestures that are unthinkingly sexual - like sucking cheese off his finger, like how he licks his lips when he's nervous or thinking too much.

Eddie's completely unaware of the effect he's having, and though he is observant enough to notice that Cisco's a little thrown off, he assumes it's because of his terrible day.]

Seriously, though. I want to help. Let me get you something for the next round. I mean...I had a rough day too. Maybe we could do some shots?

[Shots aren't usually his style, but tonight is kind of worth an exception.]

[ The way Eddie licks his lips when he's thinking does Cisco in every time. He's well aware of his own oral fixation, but he hadn't previously realized it extended to being fixated on it in other people until he started hanging out with Eddie. He's fantasized more than once about his own tongue brushing over Eddie's lower lip.

He finishes off his beer, trying to cover for the moment of awkwardness. ]

Hey, I'm always up for shots. It's Friday, I don't have anything to do this weekend. Why not?

[When Cisco agrees, he grins a little, and stands up.]

I'll go get some, be right back.

[It takes a few minutes before he's back with a small tray and six shots, some slices of lime. He sets it down with a little flourish, and slides in across from Cisco, leaning with his elbow on the table and resting his chin in his palm.]

Well, we're gonna regret this tomorrow, but I think, after the day we've had, this is a great bad idea. Right?

[His smile is small, hot and bright.]

Ohhh, dude, tequila? We're absolutely going to regret this tomorrow. I can't wait.

[ He wolfs down a couple more nachos first, to prepare himself for the shitshow he is about to become. ]

[Eddie's grin widens, and his eyes are bright as Cisco says he can't wait to regret this tomorrow, and he laughs softly.]

Right?

[He snags a chip himself, and reaches for two of the shots, plunking one down in front of each of them. He raises a brow, and picks up the salt shaker, giving Cisco a pointed look.]

Go on. Lick.

[ "Go on. Lick." How three syllables can make his stomach flip like that is beyond him, but there it is. He grins, though, and licks the side of his hand and reaches for the salt shaker. ]

Here's to bad decisions.

[Eddie's enjoying the moment too much to notice any hesitation or edge to Cisco's grin, he just watches with a slightly wicked expression as he licks the side of his hand and takes the shaker from him.

When Cisco's done, he takes it and repeats the action, sliding his tongue against the side of his hand and then shaking salt on.]

To tomorrow's regrets.

[He licks the salt from his hand, and downs his first shot, scoops up a lime and pops it in his mouth after, sucking at it. The smile in his eyes is obvious.]

[ Cisco follows suit, shaking his head when the lime is spent. He kind of wish he had beer left for a chaser, but nachos will have to do. ]

Damn! You didn't go for the cheap stuff, huh?

[Eddie shoots Cisco a little grin as he watches him suck the lime, and this is nice. It's really nice, to be out with a friend, doing shots, having fun on a Friday night. It's been a while since he had the time or the friends to do this kind of thing. Everything had kind of been a struggle since he left Keystone.]

What? Hell no. [A little grin.] Seriously, they're 'cheer up Cisco' shots. You deserve the good stuff.

Thanks, man. I think I really needed this.

[ He's already feeling the buzz from his first two beers, and his throat and stomach are warm from the spreading heat of the tequila. His smile comes easier, everything a little softer around the edges now. ]

So, hey, how was your day?

Good. And I better catch up to you, man.

[Eddie's feeling a bit of a buzz too, but he's also fully aware that Cisco has a couple beers on him. Taking a long pull from his, he raises a brow just a little.]

Oh, just long. I worked both jobs today, so I'm pretty beat.

Man, I can't believe you manage to do both. You're like, a superhero, even if you didn't have powers.

[ He's not kidding. Cisco absolutely admires that even though Eddie would be well within reason to stick to just one job, he works his ass off for both. Just one more thing that adds up to Cisco's horrible crush. ]

[Eddie laughs and it's rich and honest, shaking his head a little as he downs half his beer, throat bobbing as he gulps it, then runs his tongue over his lower lip. He's a little flushed, now, both at Cisco's compliment and the first buzzing hints of intoxication.]

Oh please. I'm just a cop. And if I left the hospital, I'd miss all the people there. I mean. The nurses always tell me they feel safer with me around.

[His eyes are bright, and he shrugs, then finishes his beer and pulls two more shots over.]

I'm gonna grab another beer. This microbrew is really good. You want one?

Just a cop, uh-huh. And I bet the nurses feel safer with you around.

[ There's an eyebrow waggle that accompanies his comment that definitely implies the nurses are getting something other than just safety out of the bargain. Hell, if his job had the added bonus of getting to watch Eddie Thawne stand around in uniform, he'd feel "safer", too. ]

Yeah, sure. Thanks.

[Eddie laughs, and shakes his head.]

Yeah yeah, I know they're flirting. [The smile stays in place, and he stands up, going around the table and nudging Cisco's shoulder with his hand.] Don't worry, I only have eyes for you.

[It's jocular, teasing, but there's a certain level of truth to it - Eddie isn't really looking for a relationship with a woman right now. Every time he thinks about it, he thinks of Iris and the thought hurts. Right now, his friendships are far more important.

He's back in a few minutes with two beers, and sets one down in front of Cisco.]

So. Second shot, or do you wanna wait?

[ Teasing or not, that brings heat to Cisco's cheeks, and makes his stomach flip again in a way that has nothing to do with the alcohol. He's still a little flushed when Eddie comes back, but he tries to cover it by gulping down a mouthful of beer. ]

I'm good, let's do this.

[ Because doing shots is easier than thinking about the warm feeling Eddie flirting with him gives him. He knows nothing's going to come of it. He knows Eddie still misses Iris and everything they had that he gave up to save their friends back home. And that just makes him feel like kind of a bad friend for lusting after him. ]

You're a brave man.

[The flush on Cisco's cheeks could be easy to miss under the half-light, but Eddie's observant, he's paying attention. But he also figures Cisco's probably just half-drunk and that's why he's feeling a little warm, resolves to grab him a glass of water next time he's up at the bar.

Eddie can't help being a little clueless - he's still not used to being the object of crushes, and aside from the pretty blatant flirting from the nurses, he doesn't usually detect them. So he simply licks his hand, eyes on Cisco's face and a smile playing around the corners of his mouth, and sprinkles salt on it before handing the shaker over.]

Alright. Let's do this thing.

[ He can't help but watch Eddie's tongue dart out over his hand, but he shakes himself a little, internally. He's being pathetic, there's no reason why he should ruin a fun night out with his friend by pining like this. So he licks and salts his hand, clinks shots with Eddie, and downs it, sucking a lime and chasing the whole thing with his beer as he sets the shot glass down. ]

Cheers!