Cisco wandered about the city, using every ounce of his being to not use his powers willy-nilly with each corner he turned. There was already enough destruction still crippling the city after what he’d done. He leaned against the building and pushed a button on the side of his glasses, turning on his nightvision as he scanned the street, whistling “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”
The pain subsided slightly and Hartley let out a sigh. “Hey, why don’t we go back to your place and figure out what to do with my ears and then when I can focus we can just talk, alright? We can just start over like we never hated each other.”
“How do you suppose we go about that? After your bitterness from the moment we met, I didn’t think there was any hope. There is no hope. I suggest you stay away from me. I could hurt you again.” He said, taking a step back from Hartley. “We can go back to my place though. You just have to understand that things aren’t the tidiest right now.”
If there was one thing that absolutely grind her gears to a halt, it was the use of pet names. Yet, Rea remained strong in that stoic expression, despite the annoyance that coursed through her veins. But then there was that tickle that seemed to bring her hair to stand on edge, the familiar itch in her core that made her feel like she was losing control of her own ability yet at the same time she was well aware she wasn’t. “That’s cute”, she mused, hand resting on her waist within reach of the gun tucked safely within the band of her jeans. “I could be, maybe I am, but that’s not what makes me dangerous, honey.”
“What makes you dangerous then, cutie? You look harmless.” He smiled, watching her movements closely. He noticed her hand movements, and prepared himself for what might happen next. “I’m probably more dangerous that you might ever be.”
“Well, it was one. Do you want me to try again? I’m sorry.” Hartley felt the ground rumble underneath him and the change in frequency caused his ears to react negatively. “Hey, listen, this is really awkward because I understand that this will probably make this worse but you really need to calm down, okay? I want to help you, I honestly do. But I can’t do that if you keep changing frequencies. It’s really fucking me up. Already my regulators are gone so keep it in your pants for at least until I figure out how to make this worse.” As he spoke, Hartley moved closer to Cisco, his voice relatively meek.
“I am calm.” Cisco said through clenched teeth. Despite his boiling temper, Cisco felt the energy stop eminating from his limbs, and it confused him. Was he actually gaining more control?
He looked down at his clenched fists, his knuckles white as the skin was pulled taut across the bones in his hands. Cisco slowly released the fist, fingers aching and blood on his fingernails. Was he really that angry that he physically hurt himself but didn’t feel the skin break in his palm? He looked down at his hands in horror, and when he looked up, Hartley was closer to him. “I’m sorry, Hart. This is all my fault.”
Was the kid actually trying to intimidate him? It was impressive, this new swagger and terrifying new confidence that Cisco had. Too bad the same cockiness he was displaying was beginning to piss Cold off.
The good captain kept the scowl on his face, and watched the younger man with hard eyes. “Since you know so much, Vibe,” the slight emphasis on the chosen name for Cisco had a biting edge to it. “You’ll know that I don’t tolerate fuck-offs. In celebration of your fall from grace, I’ll be lenient. Once.”
Len’s sharp smile turned to a half-snarl. “I say no to somethin’. It means. No. Got it?”
Cisco stared back at the man. “Okay, Snart. I’ll see you in a few days then. You won’t be disappointed.” He said, stuffing his hands in his back pockets.
Len considered. Cisco was ill-suited to be a Rogue. But if he went off on his own or teamed up with someone else, the consequences could be terrible. At the same time, Len didn’t want the Rogues attached to city-wide destruction, and body counts in the hundreds.
“We have rules,” Len finally said. He waved his hand in the direction of the wake of moderate damage Cisco had left behind. “A bit of destruction is fine when we’re on a job. This isn’t. You join us, you gotta follow the rules Cisco. Think about that. Get yourself under control. Then come talk to me.”
“I know you have rules, Snart. You think I don’t read up on the rogues? Plus, I’m hardly destorying. Some garbage cans and streetlights? It’s not like I’m making buildings crumble or shatter glass. It’s harmless.” He laughed, walking towards Len. “I’ll be back in a few days, I’ll show you that I am fully in control.”
Cisco backup 