Hartley hears the 'now what', even if Cisco doesn't say it. He's in agony. All he wants in the world is to close the cold distance between them, hug Cisco tight, soothe him and tell him that everything's going to be okay, that he'll never fuck up like this again.
But what if Cisco pushes him away again - or even uses that infernal sound device on him?
His mouth works for a moment. He doesn't have the answers. He doesn't have a strategy. This isn't how this was supposed to go at all. "Shouldn't we..." He pauses, swallowing. "I know you don't want me," he mutters. "But it'll only get worse if we don't at least..."
He stops. Every word he can think of sounds ridiculous. Cisco doesn't want to cuddle on the sofa. Yet Hartley nods his head towards the piece of furniture anyway, raising and lowering his shoulder in awkward invitation.
Cisco stands, frozen to the spot as he watches Hartley awkward his way through an explanation. He opens his mouth to say something, but the words don't come. Probably because he doesn't know what to say. "I--" A laugh escapes him, but this one is pure nervous energy because ho-oooly shit, how is this happening?
Except he doesn't have any good alternative suggestions. And he doesn't know what to say. He pushes his hand through his hair and moves over to drop down onto the couch.
Cisco laughed at him. But at least he's going to the sofa. Hartley can barely believe it, but it gives him a little, tiny, smidgen of hope.
He steps over to the couch and hesitates, then plunks himself down next to Cisco. Uncertainly, he raises an arm, giving Cisco the room to scooch under it if he's willing to.
Maybe it's the Bond, maybe it's the fact that Cisco has always been a giant freaking teddy bear, but that silent invitation is something he just can't find it in himself to resist. So, Hartley may find himself a little surprised how easily Cisco curls against his side.
For all of this that feels awkward because never in a million years did Cisco expect to find himself like this with him, there's something about it that feels inherently right and comfortable.
But Cisco is horrible with silences, and even worse with awkward or uncomfortable ones, so it isn't long before he finds something to say, just to fill the space. "Is it...weird that this doesn't feel as weird as I think it should?" His voice is quiet and small, somehow seeming younger than he is.
From Hartley's perspective, it's pretty reassuring that Cisco doesn't seem reluctant to cuddle up. He wraps his arm around Cisco's shoulders and lowers his head slightly, stopping himself just short of pressing his lips to that soft hair, which is delightfully soft and smells faintly of Cisco's shampoo.
The unhappy pounding of his heart eases as Cisco curls against him, and fits just so perfectly it truly is as if they were made for each other.
The silence draws out, but not very long. If there's one thing Cisco can be counted on for, it's to fill a silence. Hartley breaths out softly. "I don't know," he admits. "I've never really studied soulbonding intensively. I suppose... it's probably to be expected."
He bites his lip. "Can I...see your Mark?" It feels so real, but he isn't sure he'll really believe this is happening unless he sees that their Marks actually match.
Whether he wants to admit it or not, Cisco can feel a wash of comfort settle over him as Hartley curls his arm around his shoulders. He can't deny how perfectly he fits next to him, like two pieces of a puzzle.
"Me either," he admits when Hartley says he's never studied soulbonding too deeply. "I kinda thought it was one of those old wives tales, yanno? Something people tell themselves because it makes them feel better about being so... lonely." He stumbles over that last word just a little because...well, he was. Bone-deep and achingly lonely.
"Oh, um...yeah." he's never so readily been willing to show the Mark off and he wonders if that's because of Hartley. He doesn't dwell on it and instead untangles himself from Hartley.
"I'm not-- trying anything weird, I just--" There might be the slightest flush of color flooding his cheeks but it's easily missed if Hartley isn't paying attention as Cisco shifts and undoes the top of his jeans so he can push the fabric out of the way to show the Mark on his hip.
Hartley had never really loved showing off his own, though of course sometimes you just get naked and that's just how it goes. He pulls away as Cisco does and blinks at him as Cisco starts blushing and stammering - as if Hartley might worry that he was coming on to him.
"Wouldn't mind if you did," he blurts out, but he pushes his glasses up his nose and leans forward to see the Mark.
It's exactly like his own. With an indrawn breath, he reaches out as if to touch the swirled symbol - a little something like an eye, a little something like sound waves. He never understood it, but now he's starting to.
He jerks his hand back before he can violate Cisco's personal space like that and looks up. Then, he draws up his shirt, showing off the exact same Mark just under his ribs. "It's the same," he says. "It really is."
Cisco is left a little dumbfounded at the sudden rush of words that tumble out of Hartley's mouth. But it's only seconds and his words seem to fly out without thought in a blurred and quiet rush, "You can touch it if you want." His cheeks burn a little hotter but he doesn't sound insincere at all.
When he lifts his shirt to show him his own, Cisco leans towards him to study it for a moment. "They're...they're identical." Two halves of a whole.
To say he's a little stunned--proof of the thing he thought to be little more than a legend for so many years staring him in the face--would be an understatement. "Wh- I--" A nervous sound that lands somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle escapes him, completely astonished and uncertain of what this means, what happens next. "What now?" He's kind of come full-circle, echoing his unspoken sentiment from when they'd first arrived.
Did they just...date because some weird Mark says they're supposed to be together? Is this proof enough that actual factual Fate exists? Were they supposed to trust it? Truth is, he's kind of nervous about it, but then he'd be nervous if Hartley was someone he'd met at a bar or Jitters, too, so maybe that's not a good indicator of anything. Cisco had never really considered what would happen if he ever found his soulmate. And he'd never expected them to be right there for so long without any clue.
Hartley was only now realizing that on some level he had always believed in soulmates. The whole concept was illogical and scientifically unsound, but particularly in the last few years, there had been some comfort in the idea that somewhere out there was someone who existed just for him. Someone who would love him, for who he was.
If it weren't for how reluctant he assumed Cisco to be, he would never have thought twice about whether or not to date him. He's been so incredibly lonely over the last few years, he ached for this.
Though Cisco invited him to touch his Mark, he doesn't do it just yet. Instead, he takes Cisco's hand in both of his, and looks into his eyes. "What now? You tell me. If you need to take me back to your prison, then I'll go. I was going to finish what I was doing with you and escape, but I can't do that now. I'm not going anywhere you're not going to be. So you tell me...what now, Cisco?"
Cisco's a little bit at war with himself just now. The logical part of him is fighting the idea of it, wants to back out because how could he let this decide something so big for him? But another part, probably being led by the Bond, wants to just curl up and stay here with Hartley forever. The differences are jarring and confusing.
"I don't kn..." but the words die on his lips as Hartley takes his hand. Cisco's breath hitches in his throat, that warm tingle he'd felt before was back and it's such a strange sensation, but it's kind of nice, a little distracting with the way it seems to crawl across his skin, starting at the Mark on his hip and radiating outward.
He opens his mouth to speak again, but his mouth moves wordlessly, caught up in his uncertainty. He rolls his lips together and his gaze drops to their fingers tangled together. Jesus, this just feels so natural, so right and he feels down in his marrow this is where he's supposed to be. Slowly, carefully, he looks back up at Hartley. and tries again, "I think it's kinda crazy," probably not the best opening statement but he's got too many thoughts racing in his head. He licks his lips and continues, "but...I-- I think I need this. You."
The admission makes his stomach flip nervously, his heartbeat picking up, but there's nothing that indicates he's anything less than honest.
It wasn't really romantic, but Hartley will take it. It's an affirmation that Cisco's willing to try, and that's more than he feared would happen.
His fingers tighten on Cisco's and he leans closer. "It's crazy," he agrees softly.
And he kisses Cisco. He tells himself it'll just be the once, just once so he knows what his soulmate's lips taste like. If Cisco doesn't want it, so be it, he'll never do it again. But he just can't resist just this one time.
He knows it's coming before it does and for the first time since this entire situation has started, Cisco doesn't fight it. He doesn't think, he just reacts and sinks into the kiss. It's soft and sweet, but there's something else and he's not sure any other kiss he's had has compared to this.
A soft moan bubbles up from the back of his throat and he twists the material of Hartley's shirt in his fingers.
It's like no kiss Hartley has ever had before. There's no push and pull of power, for one thing. But more importantly, it's sweet and perfect, and the flavour of Cisco's lips is immediately his favourite.
He sighs out helplessly and presses forward, arms sliding around his soulmate and drawing him close, deepening the kiss so his tongue flirts with Cisco's mouth, seeking entrance.
It's perfect, and he doesn't want it to end. It may be his only chance, and he intends to savour it.
Cisco lets him deepen it without a fight, easily allows him the space to explore his mouth, another moan rolling out of him. His free hand slides up to tangle in his hair.
He's been so lonely and this, here, with Hartley... It's like he's filling all the spaces that left him incomplete.
He's reluctant to eventually break the kiss when he needs air, but he arches toward Hartley, almost desperate not to lose the contact with him. "That was..." his forehead rests against Hartley's own and he can't stop the grin that breaks across his face. "You're amazing."
"I don't think you could if you tried," he says, an amused huff escaping him before he steals another quick kiss from Hartley. It's funny, because before now, he'd have balked at the mere idea of kissing Hartley, but now that he has, Cisco kind of never wants to stop.
Hartley shakes his head, and suddenly a shudder hits him out of nowhere. Tears prick at his eyes and he tightens his grip, struggling to swallow the lump that closes his throat. He's been so goddamn lonely it nearly drove him insane. Maybe it did drive him insane.
And here he was, with someone sweet and kind, who actually did want him around, and it was slowly breaking him, piece by piece.
There might be a soft sniffle, as he presses his face into Cisco's neck and shivers.
The reaction is more instinct than choice as Cisco wraps his arms tighter around Hartley as he curls in on him and tries to stifle the tears. Only after he's already, wordlessly, started trying to comfort him does Cisco let himself feel the skip of panic in his chest because he doesn't know what's wrong.
"Hey...it's okay," he keeps his voice gentle, and cards the fingers of one hand through his hair while the other runs along his back. "I'm here." He doesn't move or even speak for a little while, just continues trying to comfort him and keep him calm.
But he's still worried and eventually he has to ask, "What's wrong? Talk to me...please?"
Hartley's parents had never been particularly demonstrative or affectionate, particularly his father. In all the years since he'd been disowned, no one had been there to comfort him or show him compassion when he was sad, so he just...hadn't allowed anyone to see it.
As Cisco comforted him, he found the tears coming faster. Though he cried softly, with only a few shuddering sobs escaping, the catharsis was almost painful.
"Nothing's wrong," he gulped, raising his head and scrubbing his eyes with the palms of his hand. He opens his eyes and looks at Cisco with a beaming smile. "Everything's great."
"Are you sure?" he asks, a tiny twist of amusement in his tone that mostly existed because Hartley had a bright look about him suddenly. "Cause I don't think your eyes agree." He's teasing, but there is still that note of concern in his voice and it's echoed in his touch as he reaches up to brush a stray tear away, thumb sliding across Hartley's cheek.
Mostly, he just wants to be sure, despite the brilliant smile and positive words, that he's okay. Really okay. Because in this moment, little else outside of the man in his arms even matters.
Cisco's a little surprised by sudden, heated kiss, but he isn't complaining. He melts into it, into Hartley, because there's nothing better than this. "Okay...good." He presses another soft kiss to Hartley's lips. "Cause I want you to be okay." He reaches over to thread his fingers through Hartley's, smiling a little at the way they seem to just fit together perfectly.
Hartley nods. His eyes are dry now, though still a little red, and he can't quite stop smiling. His fingers squeeze Cisco's. "I guess it's just been a long time since anyone actually cared," he admits softly. "You don't have to worry about me, Cisco."
"If someone told me two years ago that this is where I'd be...I would've laughed and called them crazy," he runs his thumb across Hartley's hand gently. "Now? I can't imagine wanting to be anywhere else. And I think worrying kinda comes with that territory." he admits, smiling a little.
And as much as he hates to drag reality into this... he does get curious. And he has to find a way to handle it. "How'm I gonna explain this...? I can't take you back there." The mere idea of putting him back in the cell in the pipeline makes his chest tight. But the rest of his team...they won't understand.
Hartley's eyes flick away. He knows he made a mistake, mostly because it's going to cause problems for Cisco. He has little remorse for calling Doctor Wells out, but he wishes he hadn't started on this little revenge quest now. If he'd known where he'd end up, he'd have simply Bonded with Cisco and never made himself an enemy of the others.
"I understand if you don't want to tell them," he says unhappily. "I know I screwed up, and you shouldn't have to pay the price for it."
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Date: 2017-02-19 07:04 am (UTC)But what if Cisco pushes him away again - or even uses that infernal sound device on him?
His mouth works for a moment. He doesn't have the answers. He doesn't have a strategy. This isn't how this was supposed to go at all. "Shouldn't we..." He pauses, swallowing. "I know you don't want me," he mutters. "But it'll only get worse if we don't at least..."
He stops. Every word he can think of sounds ridiculous. Cisco doesn't want to cuddle on the sofa. Yet Hartley nods his head towards the piece of furniture anyway, raising and lowering his shoulder in awkward invitation.
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Date: 2017-02-19 07:29 am (UTC)Except he doesn't have any good alternative suggestions. And he doesn't know what to say. He pushes his hand through his hair and moves over to drop down onto the couch.
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Date: 2017-02-19 07:27 pm (UTC)He steps over to the couch and hesitates, then plunks himself down next to Cisco. Uncertainly, he raises an arm, giving Cisco the room to scooch under it if he's willing to.
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Date: 2017-02-19 10:17 pm (UTC)For all of this that feels awkward because never in a million years did Cisco expect to find himself like this with him, there's something about it that feels inherently right and comfortable.
But Cisco is horrible with silences, and even worse with awkward or uncomfortable ones, so it isn't long before he finds something to say, just to fill the space. "Is it...weird that this doesn't feel as weird as I think it should?" His voice is quiet and small, somehow seeming younger than he is.
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Date: 2017-02-19 11:16 pm (UTC)The unhappy pounding of his heart eases as Cisco curls against him, and fits just so perfectly it truly is as if they were made for each other.
The silence draws out, but not very long. If there's one thing Cisco can be counted on for, it's to fill a silence. Hartley breaths out softly. "I don't know," he admits. "I've never really studied soulbonding intensively. I suppose... it's probably to be expected."
He bites his lip. "Can I...see your Mark?" It feels so real, but he isn't sure he'll really believe this is happening unless he sees that their Marks actually match.
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Date: 2017-02-20 12:51 am (UTC)"Me either," he admits when Hartley says he's never studied soulbonding too deeply. "I kinda thought it was one of those old wives tales, yanno? Something people tell themselves because it makes them feel better about being so... lonely." He stumbles over that last word just a little because...well, he was. Bone-deep and achingly lonely.
"Oh, um...yeah." he's never so readily been willing to show the Mark off and he wonders if that's because of Hartley. He doesn't dwell on it and instead untangles himself from Hartley.
"I'm not-- trying anything weird, I just--" There might be the slightest flush of color flooding his cheeks but it's easily missed if Hartley isn't paying attention as Cisco shifts and undoes the top of his jeans so he can push the fabric out of the way to show the Mark on his hip.
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Date: 2017-02-20 01:26 am (UTC)"Wouldn't mind if you did," he blurts out, but he pushes his glasses up his nose and leans forward to see the Mark.
It's exactly like his own. With an indrawn breath, he reaches out as if to touch the swirled symbol - a little something like an eye, a little something like sound waves. He never understood it, but now he's starting to.
He jerks his hand back before he can violate Cisco's personal space like that and looks up. Then, he draws up his shirt, showing off the exact same Mark just under his ribs. "It's the same," he says. "It really is."
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Date: 2017-02-20 02:26 am (UTC)When he lifts his shirt to show him his own, Cisco leans towards him to study it for a moment. "They're...they're identical." Two halves of a whole.
To say he's a little stunned--proof of the thing he thought to be little more than a legend for so many years staring him in the face--would be an understatement. "Wh- I--" A nervous sound that lands somewhere between a scoff and a chuckle escapes him, completely astonished and uncertain of what this means, what happens next. "What now?" He's kind of come full-circle, echoing his unspoken sentiment from when they'd first arrived.
Did they just...date because some weird Mark says they're supposed to be together? Is this proof enough that actual factual Fate exists? Were they supposed to trust it? Truth is, he's kind of nervous about it, but then he'd be nervous if Hartley was someone he'd met at a bar or Jitters, too, so maybe that's not a good indicator of anything. Cisco had never really considered what would happen if he ever found his soulmate. And he'd never expected them to be right there for so long without any clue.
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Date: 2017-02-20 04:20 am (UTC)If it weren't for how reluctant he assumed Cisco to be, he would never have thought twice about whether or not to date him. He's been so incredibly lonely over the last few years, he ached for this.
Though Cisco invited him to touch his Mark, he doesn't do it just yet. Instead, he takes Cisco's hand in both of his, and looks into his eyes. "What now? You tell me. If you need to take me back to your prison, then I'll go. I was going to finish what I was doing with you and escape, but I can't do that now. I'm not going anywhere you're not going to be. So you tell me...what now, Cisco?"
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Date: 2017-02-20 05:49 am (UTC)"I don't kn..." but the words die on his lips as Hartley takes his hand. Cisco's breath hitches in his throat, that warm tingle he'd felt before was back and it's such a strange sensation, but it's kind of nice, a little distracting with the way it seems to crawl across his skin, starting at the Mark on his hip and radiating outward.
He opens his mouth to speak again, but his mouth moves wordlessly, caught up in his uncertainty. He rolls his lips together and his gaze drops to their fingers tangled together. Jesus, this just feels so natural, so right and he feels down in his marrow this is where he's supposed to be. Slowly, carefully, he looks back up at Hartley. and tries again, "I think it's kinda crazy," probably not the best opening statement but he's got too many thoughts racing in his head. He licks his lips and continues, "but...I-- I think I need this. You."
The admission makes his stomach flip nervously, his heartbeat picking up, but there's nothing that indicates he's anything less than honest.
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Date: 2017-02-20 06:08 am (UTC)His fingers tighten on Cisco's and he leans closer. "It's crazy," he agrees softly.
And he kisses Cisco. He tells himself it'll just be the once, just once so he knows what his soulmate's lips taste like. If Cisco doesn't want it, so be it, he'll never do it again. But he just can't resist just this one time.
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Date: 2017-02-20 06:22 am (UTC)A soft moan bubbles up from the back of his throat and he twists the material of Hartley's shirt in his fingers.
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Date: 2017-02-20 06:25 am (UTC)He sighs out helplessly and presses forward, arms sliding around his soulmate and drawing him close, deepening the kiss so his tongue flirts with Cisco's mouth, seeking entrance.
It's perfect, and he doesn't want it to end. It may be his only chance, and he intends to savour it.
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Date: 2017-02-20 06:43 am (UTC)He's been so lonely and this, here, with Hartley... It's like he's filling all the spaces that left him incomplete.
He's reluctant to eventually break the kiss when he needs air, but he arches toward Hartley, almost desperate not to lose the contact with him. "That was..." his forehead rests against Hartley's own and he can't stop the grin that breaks across his face. "You're amazing."
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Date: 2017-02-21 05:41 am (UTC)He closes his eyes, forehead resting against Cisco's, and clings to the other man.
"I won't let you down," he breathes.
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Date: 2017-02-21 02:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-22 05:35 pm (UTC)And here he was, with someone sweet and kind, who actually did want him around, and it was slowly breaking him, piece by piece.
There might be a soft sniffle, as he presses his face into Cisco's neck and shivers.
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Date: 2017-02-22 05:56 pm (UTC)"Hey...it's okay," he keeps his voice gentle, and cards the fingers of one hand through his hair while the other runs along his back. "I'm here." He doesn't move or even speak for a little while, just continues trying to comfort him and keep him calm.
But he's still worried and eventually he has to ask, "What's wrong? Talk to me...please?"
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Date: 2017-02-23 03:21 am (UTC)As Cisco comforted him, he found the tears coming faster. Though he cried softly, with only a few shuddering sobs escaping, the catharsis was almost painful.
"Nothing's wrong," he gulped, raising his head and scrubbing his eyes with the palms of his hand. He opens his eyes and looks at Cisco with a beaming smile. "Everything's great."
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Date: 2017-02-23 03:33 am (UTC)Mostly, he just wants to be sure, despite the brilliant smile and positive words, that he's okay. Really okay. Because in this moment, little else outside of the man in his arms even matters.
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Date: 2017-02-23 04:18 am (UTC)He doesn't have words, so he just kisses Cisco heatedly. "I'm fine," he whispers against Cisco's lips. "Now that I've got you."
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Date: 2017-02-23 04:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-23 04:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-02-23 05:03 am (UTC)And as much as he hates to drag reality into this... he does get curious. And he has to find a way to handle it. "How'm I gonna explain this...? I can't take you back there." The mere idea of putting him back in the cell in the pipeline makes his chest tight. But the rest of his team...they won't understand.
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Date: 2017-02-23 05:38 am (UTC)"I understand if you don't want to tell them," he says unhappily. "I know I screwed up, and you shouldn't have to pay the price for it."
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