myheadisaprison | {Don't be gone when I get home, you're all I have

[He nods a little, trying not to let those words get to him. To ignore the tightness in his chest as Dante points out how much family means to him. Because it's one of those things he always hoped was true about his own brother, something that let him hold onto the hope that one day, eventually, they could let go of all the bitterness and be... more like this.

Cisco is fine until he gets serious. Until Dante reaches over and puts his hand on his shoulder and says that. It's not the same, not really. He's not saying it to him, exactly, and he's the wrong version anyway, but it doesn't matter. Because this is his brother's face, his brother's voice, and any composure he had is gone, tears flood his eyes and spill across his cheeks as he squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn't care. He doesn't care that he's not his Dante, he doesn't care that he's probably going to punch him for what he's about to do. Without hesitating, Cisco tugs on the hand on his shoulder to pull Dante into a hug and for as long as he'll let him, he just clings.]

[Dante and Paco aren't big huggers, not since they'd grown up anyway. They'd hugged twice as an adult - when Paco got married and when Paco came back from the dead. Usually they found other ways to celebrate their happiness around each other, not being a touchy family for the most part but this version of Paco, Cisco, he was the kind who seemed to want this sort of thing. He wanted to be loved, to touch and feel. He still so young. Yeah, he knew that Paco and Cisco were the same age but he just seemed younger, he seemed more like he needed this kind of comfort and it was hard to see his brother like this.

That upset and that desperate.

So the hug isn't rejected. Dante holds him tight and pulls him in close, letting the other cry against him and just standing there, trying to handle all of these emotions.] S'okay, Cisco. Come on, it's going to be okay.

[It's a huge relief when Dante doesn't push him away, but it's so much it almost makes it worse, it makes Cisco's chest tighter so it's hard to breathe. He had been so certain that he wouldn't let him do this, that he'd be rejected and instead, it seems like Dante's instinct as a protective big brother pushes his own aversions to the side and gives into Cisco's needs instead. It all means more than he knows how to put into words.

Luckily, he's here with someone who isn't big on them, and probably doesn't really need them anyway.

Cisco isn't sure how long he stands there, clinging to his brother--he's his brother, he doesn't care, it doesn't matter that it's a different Earth's version, he's his brother--and trying to remember how to breathe, but eventually he calms down enough to pull away, swiping both hands under his eyes, looking away awkwardly now that things slowly sink in and back to normal. Or as normal as they can be.]

Sorry. [He mumbles, his voice a little scratchy from the crying. He clears his throat and tries again.] I just... [His eyes dart back up to catch Dante's, his voice quiet, and still a little more vulnerable than he'd like, but it's all genuine.] Thank you.

It's fine.

[It's weird, uncomfortable and he's definitely going to make Paco pay for getting him into this mess in the first place but it really is fine. Clearly Cisco needed this and he could do the right thing and play the role of brother for him. After all, it wasn't like the one that died was much of one in the first place and Dante felt a strange, new desire to protect build in him. This so wasn't fair, throwing people at him who looked just like his brother.]

You okay now? [He looks at Cisco carefully before reluctantly forcing himself to reach out again. Yep, more contact but apparently that was what tonight was about and he was just learning to live with it. He rubs his upper arm lightly and then, because he was an older brother and he reserved that right, he punches Cisco on the arm. Not hard, just enough to distract him from his misery.] Come on, you can't cry all day, someone will think it was me that did this to you. I'll end up with my ass kicked by a speedster. Or that hot chick you were talking to.

[There's a beat as something dawns on him. Shit.] Wait-- was that chick Killer Frost?

[It's not fine, it's weird and awkward, but...Cisco's still grateful for it, and glad that he'd indulged him for a little while.

He nods a little at the question, and even manages a half-hearted chuckle at the punch in the arm.] Yeah, don't worry, I'll set 'em straight.

[That name, however, has him instantly on edge. His voice goes from the softer, vulnerable place it'd been moments ago to something firm and a little snippy.] No. Her name is Caitlin Snow.

[So. Yeah. Killer Frost. He knew her name, he sort of knew her, he personally preferred Ronnie though. Annoying person, no self control but he was really fun to play against at cards. He had so many obvious tells.

He's sensing it's a sensitive spot so he holds up his hands and nods, not pushing the issue any further.] Got it, got it, Caitlin. My bad.

[What's all that baggage about? Whatever.] You feeling okay now? All good? [No more bursting into tears, right?]

[He's glad Dante doesn't press any more about Caitlin. He really doesn't feel like getting into that just now.

He huffs softly, a little amused, and nods.] Yeah, all good.

{Don't be gone when I get home, you're all I have

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject