Mar 11, 2019
Can you write a short story about ghosts?
Psst anon, I accidentally turned this into a Klaus & Dave fanfic. Hope that’s cool! It’s also more drabble length than short story, anyway…here you go!
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Chile
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Brazil
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Türkiye
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Togo
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
Can you write a short story about ghosts?
Psst anon, I accidentally turned this into a Klaus & Dave fanfic. Hope that’s cool! It’s also more drabble length than short story, anyway…here you go!
Hello my love.
You looked sad today.
That thing you said was funny.
I hope you’re okay.
I miss you more than can be said.
These are the things he would have said, if he could. He would have spoken them with love, in a voice that sounded like heartbreak and relief all at once. It would have been a confliction of sadness and happiness.
Sadly he could not say any of these things, or any of the various comments he would have made.
He could only watch with a sad ache in his chest, where his heart should have been beating, were he still alive.
His consolation prize was getting to watch, so he watched his lost love, day in and day out. Living on and mourning.
He was a silent supportive watchful ghost.
He hoped for a day where maybe once, just once, his love would hear him. His love would see. A day where they could be reunited, where he could say the things he wanted to say.
You’re not alone.
I’m here.
He watched his love clutch onto the last reminder of him, held close in his hands near his heart. The ghost of his heart ached at the sight.
Klaus.
I love you
I miss you too.
Asked the dogs their opinion on my idea for renaming character cause yep that’s, that’s who I got to talk to about my story…
Edits one page
Me: okay, can I be done now? This whole story is bad.
Day 7 for @goldenvibeweek!
(Ao3)
Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time
She walked up beside him from behind. It was like a parallel of how they met, only this time she didn’t intend on kidnapping him. He was sitting at the bar leaning over his drink. The expression on his face looked lost. It wasn’t how she was used to seeing him. She didn’t like it. She slipped into the seat next to him. “Well hey there Cisco,” Lisa greeted shining a flirty smile in his direction.
Cisco turned in his seat to look at her. The smile he gave in return was weak. It was small and didn’t reach his eyes. “Lisa Snart, we have to stop meeting like this.” He remarked. The impersonator of his smile still playing about his lips.
Lisa focused on it, frowning a little. Why wasn’t Cisco smiling like normal? What was wrong? She turned her attention away from it and back to Cisco as whole. It was now her mission to make him smile for real. First step, find out what stole his smile in the first place.
She laughed, “if I recall you invited me here.” She waved for the bartender’s attention.
Cisco tapped at the glass his drink was in. “Touché.” He returned to staring at the glass intently.
Lisa sat beside him observing. She watched him, noticing how tense he was. His shoulders were slumped, his expression sullen and his all around vibe and general atmosphere wasn’t the same as Lisa was used to it being. Cisco had always radiated the tiniest bit of positivity. Her concern for Cisco started to grow, the longer they sat next to one another. He didn’t make any attempts to say anything, he just stared at his drink. Occasionally he’d pick it up and take a drink. The music playing in the bar and the other patrons around them conversing made up for the silence between them. People came and went around them at the bar. The bartender set Lisa’s own drink down in front of her. Her focus was locked on Cisco.
She nudged him in the side. “Hey,” Cisco looked in her direction. “Please talk to me?” Lisa ventured forcing a smile.
Cisco raised his eyebrow at her frowning at her. Lisa remained smiling hoping he’d crack a smile. “Last time you said that to me it didn’t play out how I thought it would,” He remarked. He sounded surprisingly hurt.
Lisa frowned, “I know, I’m sorry.”
Cisco nodded, looking away from her. He stared down at his feet for a second. In a quick blur he shook his head and looked up at Lisa. Lisa stared back at him surprised. “I’m sorry, this wasn’t the plan,” He said before downing the rest of his drink. “I asked you to meet me to distract myself not wallow.” He remarked.
Lisa narrowed her eyes at him. She tried to piece together whatever he could mean from that but came up with nothing. “What are we wallowing about?” She dared to ask.
Shaking his head, Cisco sat up and looked around the bar. He stopped searching when his eyes fell on a DJ’s booth. “Nope, no more wallowing.” He declared. “I’ll be back.” He got up from where he was sitting and walked off leaving Lisa sitting at the bar alone.
She frowned at him confused. “Okay?” Lisa said sounding confused. She glanced over her shoulder watching as Cisco walked further into the depths of the bar. Frowning in confusion Lisa shook her head and turned back to the bar. Something was up with Cisco and she was going to find out. She wasn’t sure how she planned to go about it but she’d find out. She picked up her drink reading to take a sip from it.
"Liissaa!!“
The sound of Cisco’s voice amplified through a sound system echoed throughout the bar. A few people laughing followed. The music’s volume had been lowered. Lisa paused her drink raised half way to her mouth. She frowned at the sound of her name. Refusing to look back where she assumed Cisco was. Lisa waited a few seconds and waited to resume her attempt at drinking her drink. Cisco had obviously somehow gotten into the sound system. Her name was called out over the speakers again.
"Lisa!”
She set her drink down and turned in her seat. She found herself looking at Cisco who was standing in the DJ’s booth. He was staring in her direction, waving at her. The DJ’s microphone was in his hand and the DJ did not look pleased. Lisa stared back at him with a curious expression on her face. His mood appeared to have changed just like that. She watched as the DJ yanked the microphone out of Cisco’s hand. The DJ motioned for Cisco to leave. Lisa almost laughed as Cisco scowled at the DJ in return. Cisco proceeded to head in her direction.
Lisa tried to figure out the mood change but before she could Cisco was in front of her. He had a dopey smile on his face. It lit up his face and made his eyes crinkle. It was the smile Lisa had been missing. The one she’d been searching for a hoped she’d manage to get him to smile. But it didn’t seem right. Something was still troubling him.
"Hey,“ Cisco slipped into his seat and waved for the bartender. He kept smiling.
She smiled back, a small smile. The mood change still puzzled her. She eyed him curiously trying to piece it together. It didn’t make sense, and yet the positivity was contagious. Lisa looked at him with a playful smirk, "I thought I was supposed to be the criminal in this relationship?”
Cisco laughed, “what?” He said sounding a little nervous. He had probably never been called a criminal before. Lisa continued to smile at him. “I’m not a criminal.”
She looked at him thoughtfully, “then what were you doing with the DJ, Cisco?”
"Seeing if they had karaoke.“ Cisco responded taking a sip from the new drink the bartender had given him.
Lisa laughed shaking her head at him.
"Whaaat,” Cisco stared at her. “I like karaoke!” He defended.
She continued to laugh smiling at Cisco, “nothing, I just didn’t expect that from you.” Lisa admitted with a smile.
Cisco laughed and gave a small smile in return, “oh.” He said turning back to face the bar.
Things almost seemed and felt like normal. Lisa could almost for get the way he had acted not that long ago. The way he tapped on his glass reminded her, there was something bothering Cisco.
"We should go somewhere that has karaoke next time,“ Cisco said before drinking.
It threw Lisa for a loop. She blinked at him shocked. "Next time?”
He nodded, sipping at his drink. “Mhmmm, why not?”
Lisa narrowed her eyes at him. “Cisco,” her voice took on a serious tone. Cisco’s head perked up and he looked at her narrowed eyes. “If there’s something-”
"Uh-uh!“ Cisco shook his head and turned his attention back to the bar. "No. None of that. Just, just drink and weren’t not talking about it.” He said.
Lisa frowned. “Cisco,” she sighed.
He shook his head drinking his drink. With his other hand he pushed Lisa’s forgotten one closer to her. She looked down at the drink and sighed. Cisco’s text had simply said to meet him at the bar, it had implied nothing. But from his behaviour Lisa could tell something was wrong. She moved to pick up her drink, while considering her options. Go along with Cisco’s line of action, forget and ignore whatever was bothering him. The course of action she probably would normally have taken, had it been anyone other than Cisco. Or, she could be the grown up person and make him confront it. However she was supposed to do that. Lisa glared at the glass in front before picking it up and downing its contents. She nearly slammed the glass down onto the bar top. Cisco looked at her shocked. His eyes wide, mouth open in surprise.
Lisa turned so she was facing him. “Look, Lenny’s gone.” She said trying her best to keep the hurt tone out of her voice. “He, and Mick are gone. I don’t know where they are.” Cisco stared at her listening. His expression reverting back to the same sad one it had been before. “I can’t find them and no one knows anything. I’ve already lost my brother, Cisco, I’m not losing you too, so just tell me what’s wrong.” She looked at him with a pleading expression.
Cisco stared, an expression of hurt and understanding on his face. He tried to form the words he wanted to say but nothing sounded right. “Lisa,” he could tell his voice was off, a lump of emotions forming in his throat. “I know how you feel.” He said quietly.
She looked at him a hurt expression on her face. It was mixed with a hint of annoyance. “No, you don’t.” Her emotions were going from frustrated concern to anger quickly.
Cisco frowned, “I do.” Lisa didn’t notice how his whole demeanour changed. His shoulders slumped and he shrunk in on himself looking down at the bar. “My brother,” his voice was quieter, hardly able to be heard over everything in the bar. “Dante, he,” Cisco could feel the lump in his throat. He didn’t want to say it. He didn’t.
Lisa stared at him. Her frustration vanishing in place sympathy and worry taking it’s place. She didn’t know how to comfort him that well. She’d considered putting a hand on his arm. She did, Cisco barely reacted to it.
"He died.“ Cisco swallowed around the lump in his throat. He found himself being consumed by the same grief and pain he’d been wanting to forget earlier. Because he was still hoping, maybe, maybe one day Barry would agree. That Barry would go back and save his brother. It was never going to happen but Cisco…Cisco still wanted to hope. He wanted to hope some day he’d get his brother back. That they could be brothers finally. Because he still loved Dante even though they hadn’t gotten along.
"Cisco, I-” Lisa stopped speaking. She was going to say the standard “I’m sorry for your loss” but she knew that that never helped. It didn’t help her when anyone said it about Len. Why would it help Cisco about his brother. Lisa looked at Cisco sadly. She tried to figure out what would make him smile. Nothing seemed like a good fix. She should have just left it alone and kept drinking with him.
Sighing in defeat Lisa slid her hand down his arm so she could take his hand in hers. “I’m sorry.”
He squeezed her hand, nodding in acknowledgement. He still wouldn’t look up though.
"So we both lost our brothers.“ Lisa remarked quietly.
Cisco forced out a laugh, "yeah, and they both were jerks.”
Lisa looked down sadly, “but we still love them.”
"They were the only ones we had.“ Cisco slipped his hand out from hers and picked up his drink. He drank it. Any trace of his previous good mood was gone. He looked sullen and grieving. Lisa guessed he was mentally going through a list of what ifs. What could he have done to stop his brother’s death from happening? She hated herself a little bit for making his good mood go away.
Frowning Lisa was determined to get him back into the good mood he’d been in.
The catchy beat of the music playing in the bar caught he r attention. The bass vibrated through the floor of the bar. A small smirk made it’s way to the corner of her mouth. She got an idea on how to cheer up Cisco. She grabbed and tugged on Cisco’s hand as she stood up. "Come on!” She declared.
Cisco looked up at her confused. “Wha-”
"Come on, we’re going to go turn this place into a karaoke bar.“ Lisa declared with a wicked grin on her face.
A nervous laugh came from Cisco, "um, no we’re not.” Cisco disagreed looking around awkwardly.
Lisa pouted at him, “now where’s the fun in that Cisco?”
He frowned pulling his hand away from hers. “Not in the mood.” He said turning back to the bar.
She sighed frowning that her plan hadn’t worked. Slipping back into her seat beside him, Lisa frowned at him. “Alright,” she said. “But I don’t think this is how your brother would have wanted you to be spending your night.” She remarked.
Cisco looked at her. Lisa shrugged. “That’s a low blow, Lis.”
Lisa shrugged, “but it’s true.” She argued.
He nodded frowning at the bar top. He wasn’t sure what Dante would have wanted him to be doing to be honest. Cisco sighed.
"Cisco, I know how you feel. You said it yourself,“ Lisa said with a small smile. "But, let’s just, let’s get out of here and go have some fun alright? Sing bad karaoke until they kick us out?” She offered.
"You’re not letting up on this are you?“ Cisco asked.
Lisa smiled. "What do you think?”
Cisco sighed and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. “Alright,” he agreed getting up and pulling on his jacket. “For the record, I rock at karaoke.”
Laughing Lisa grinned from ear to ear, “I’ll be the judge of that.”
Weeelp here’s day 5 for @goldenvibeweek.
(Ao3)
Goldenvibe Week - Day 5: High School AU
Meeting In Detention
The door to the detention room slammed shut behind him. It sounded ominous and sinister. Cisco stood in the doorway staring at the line of desks for the delinquents to sit in. He observed that most of the seats in the back and all of the window seats, aside from one were taken. There was a whole assortment of students in the room and Cisco hardly recognized any of them.
Cisco felt completely out of place. Yet the slip of paper he held in his hand stated that he was meant to be there. He did not belong in detention. If his parents found out they would throw a fit. His father would be disappointed and his mother would go on about how Dante never once ended up in detention.
Maybe he had accidentally caused an explosion in his science lab. But it hadn't been his fault, and no one had actually gotten hurt. Well, one his classmates had nearly caught on fire, but their hair should be been tied back anyways. Plus, Cisco had been the first one to notice the fire, so he really should have been thanked rather than sent to detention. Then again, Cisco was lucky he was only getting sent to detention and not expelled. He could not imagine having to explain that one to his parents. His teacher, Mr. Stein, had reasoned that Cisco was one of his best students and accidents happened in the lab sometimes. Of course it had been a pretty big accident, so Cisco was sent to detention.
The teacher sitting at the desk in charge of the detention room cleared his throat. Cisco had no idea who the teacher was he'd never seen him before. Cisco looked in his direction, wide eyed and oblivious to what he should be doing. He'd never been in detention before. The teacher held out his hand, glancing to the slip of paper in Cisco's hand.
Cisco blinked "oh!" He handed over the slip.
The teacher took the paper looked it over, "Ramon," he read off. His voice was deep and bored sounding. He marked off what Cisco assumed was his name on an attendance list and gestured to the desks. "Take a seat."
Cisco nodded. Moving awkwardly, holding his bag close to his chest, found himself a seat in the third spot closest to the door. It was his own little secluded area set apart from the other students. He dared a glance over in the direction they sat in. One looked like it could have been Mardon from his English class but he hardly showed up for Cisco to be able to recognize him. Setting his bag down on the desk Cisco sat awkwardly. What did people do in detention?
The bell rang. Indicating the lunch period was over. At the front of the room the teacher stood up and addressed the room. "Alright, no talking, and no electronics. Work on any school work if you have any, or just sit quietly."
School work, Cisco could do school work. He went to go into his bag to retrieve his notebook. All he had to do was pass the time. It was just an hour. How bad could it be?
The classroom door opened, letting in a girl who looked like she probably did belong in detention. Cisco stopped what he was doing to stare. He didn't recognize her and couldn't remember seeing her around the school before. He would have known if he'd seen her before. She was very pretty. The door shut behind her and she stood in the doorway assessing the room.
"Snart," the teacher said frowning at her. She smiled at him. "You're late," He sighed, "again."
The girl smiled a sinisterly sweet smile. "Sorry, Mr. Garrick, mother nature called," She said, sass lacing her words. Cisco stared in shock. "Couldn't ignore her call." He'd never heard anyone speak to a teacher like that before. Cisco adverted his eyes quickly when he noticed she'd caught him staring. She eyed him with a curious interest.
Mr. Garrick sighed gesturing to the remaining seats. "Just sit down, Lisa."
"I was getting to it." She said with a huff.
"Hey Lis," one of the other students on the other side of the room greeted her.
Lisa smiled in response, giving a little wave.
"Quiet." Mr. Garrick ordered.
Lisa, sat herself in the desk right in front of the one Cisco was sitting in. She turned so she was sitting in her seat sideways glancing in Cisco's direction.
He avoided making eye contact or acknowledging her at all. Busying himself with getting his notebooks out of his bag as well as his pens. Cisco color coordinated his work. It made things easier. She watched him intently with a curious expression. He fumbled with his pens and one slipped out of his hands rolling to the floor. Cisco stared after it in horror.
Lisa stepped on it before it could roll away any further. She dragged it closer to her using the heel of her boot and leaned down to pick it up. "You dropped something," she said with a grin. She held out the green pen to him.
Cisco stared at her and the pen. Awkwardly, not saying anything and not moving to take the pen.
"Do you not want your pen back?" Lisa asked narrowing her eyes at Cisco in question.
"Uh, no, I, um, thank you." Cisco struggled to form words reaching out and taking the pen.
Lisa smiled. It was a nice smile that lit up her face. Cisco smiled back at her, with his own small smile lighting up his face.
He returned his attention back to his work. Setting the pens down next to the notebook and slipping his bag down onto the floor. Lisa watched curiously. On the other side of the room a couple of the students were whispering to each other. Cisco couldn't tell what they were saying but he had a feeling it was about him. He decided to ignore it and focus on his work.
In front of him Lisa readjusted her sitting position. She was straddling the seat backwards, arms folded over the back of the chair, chin resting on them. Cisco looked up at her confused. She smiled. "You're new in here," she remarked.
He nodded, "um, yeah." He agreed. He looked passed her to the teacher. He was reading over some papers, oblivious of the detention rules being broke. "We're, uh, not supposed to talk." Cisco informed her.
Lisa laughed quietly. "Don't worry newbie. Everyone breaks those rules." She reassured him.
It didn't make Cisco feel any better. He shrugged and picked up the black pen out of his pens and opened his notebook. Lisa observed with a curious expression. He managed to answer a question and a half before he was distracted once again by her.
"So what are you in for?" Lisa asked. She nudged one of his other pens, so it rolled onto his notebook to get his attention.
Cisco looked up at her with a confused expression. Lisa stared at him waiting.
"C'mon, what'd you do, newbie?" She pestered.
"I, uh, um, accidentally blew up the science lab," Cisco mumbled. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a finger. "A bit."
Lisa's mouth fell open. "A bit?" She laughed.
Cisco nodded. He felt like he wanted to sink into his seat, and disappear. Why couldn't she just leave him alone and let him do his work in peace?
She continued laughing. "My brother's friend would like you."
Cisco frowned in confusion.
Lisa leaned closer and motioned for Cisco to lean forward. He cautiously moved closer. "Was it really by accident?" She whispered eyeing Cisco intently.
He found her gaze intimidating but gaped at her shocked. "Y-yes!" He exclaimed.
"Pity." Lisa pouted. "We could have gotten into a lot of fun together." She said with a wink and flirty smile. Cisco blinked at her shocked. Lisa chuckled amused at his reaction, "what's your name?" She asked.
"C-Cisco."
"Cute name," Lisa praised. She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled open a package of gum. She took out a piece and offered it to Cisco. He shook his head. Lisa frowned at him. She blew a bubble popping it loudly. "So, Cisco, how'd a nerd like you, accidentally" she rolled her eyes with a grin. "Blow up the science lab?" Lisa inquired staring at him quizzically.
Frowning looking down at his notebook Cisco sighed. "Miscalculated." He grumbled.
Lisa raised an eyebrow, "really?" He nodded. A laugh escaped her.
Cisco scowled down at his notebook. He readjusted his glasses. He noticed that Lisa's lower lip was swollen and split and there was a bruise on her jaw.
She noticed him staring at frowned. "What?" She snapped.
"What uh-" he gestured to his own face.
Sighing Lisa shook her head. "A jerk punched me because I called him out when I overheard him harassing some girls." She stated.
Cisco blinked shocked. "So he hit you?"
Lisa nodded blowing another bubble and popping it. "Course that was after I hit him because he grabbed my ass." She remarked casually. His eyes widened in surprise. Lisa smirked, "no one touches me unless I say so."
Cisco nodded. "But if he hit you, shouldn't he be in here as well?" He asked.
Lisa was looking over her nails with a bored expression. They had chipped gold nail polish on them. "No," she responded with a shrug. He stared confused. Lisa didn't seem too motivate to elaborate so he let the topic drop.
Cisco went back to his work and was surprised when Lisa didn't bother him with anymore attempts at conversation. Lisa ended up stealing one of Cisco's pens and doodling on her arm. Cisco finished his work before the time was up. He found himself watching Lisa draw intricate designs on her arm, almost up to her elbow.
It was just random things. There was no real pattern or design that he could tell. Swirly lines traced up her arm and circled off. There would be the occasionally flower hidden in the swirls. She'd occasionally switch out the blue for the red or the green. The black outlined everything. She seemed very focused on it. Cisco was fascinated by it.
Lisa looked up and caught him watching. She grinned and before he could stop her, Lisa had taken a hold of his wrist and pulled so his arm was lying out on the desk. His t-shirt gave her access to his whole arm. Lisa smiled at him. "Do you mind?" She asked before pressing the pen to his skin.
Cisco shook his head. He honestly didn't know how to say otherwise.
Lisa beamed. "I won't do anything too elaborate." She said flicking her hair over her shoulder. "Cool shirt."
He blinked confused glancing down having to remind himself what shirt he was wearing. A t-shirt with the poster for Star Wars on it. "Thanks."
She smiled and leaned over the desk, her attention turning to his arm and her doodling. With the pen she started at his wrist.
Cisco narrowed his eyes trying to figure out what it was she was drawing. The feeling of the pen tip against his skin tickled but he managed not to flinch away. Lisa's hair fell over his arm, the sensation tickled even more than the pen. Cisco let Lisa draw on his arm, waiting for the time in detention to be over.
When the bell finally rang indicating they were free. Lisa looked up at the clock and glared at it. Cisco blinked shocked. She let go of his wrist arm and caped his pen offering it to him. "Thanks for the entertainment." She said with a smile.
"Welcome." Cisco said taking the pen back. He didn't even bother to look to see what she'd drawn.
Lisa grinned and picked Cisco's bag up for him as she stood up. "I'll see you around, Cisco." She said a flirtatious lit to her voice.
He hummed nodding in agreement rushing to stand as well. He took his bag from her.
Lisa laughed at him, with a smile on her face she leaned towards him pressing a kiss to his cheek. "You're pretty sexy for a nerd." Lisa remarked as she turned to leave the classroom.
The corner of Cisco's mouth turned up in a smile. He looked down and noticed the spot in his bag where he kept his wallet was empty. Cisco's head snapped back up and he ran out of the classroom looking for Lisa. She was nowhere in sight. The halls crowded with students. Cisco cursed slinging his bag over his shoulder. He spun in a circle unsure of what he should do.
"Hey Cisco," a familiar voice called.
Cisco looked up spotting Barry and Caitlin standing on the other side of the hall. Caitlin waved at him. He slipped his way over to his friends. Barry smiled at him, "so, how was detention?" He inquired.
A nervous laugh escaped him. He tucked his hair back behind his ear, "well, there was this girl, who wouldn't stop flirting with me," Cisco told him. They both looked at him with surprised expressions. "And, uh, I think she stole my wallet."
"What!" Caitlin exclaimed.
Cisco tucked his hair back again. It was a gesture he did when he was nervous. He laughed sounding uneasy. "Yeeah." His phone went off in his pocket. He fished it out to check it.
On the screen from an unknown number read: Hey Cisco ;) - L
"Oh, and she stole my number." Cisco reported before sending back a text.
Caitlin made a judgemental scoffing sound. That generally meant she didn't like something. Barry laughed. "Hey, uh, what's on your wrist?" He asked.
Cisco looked up at him confused. Barry pointed to Cisco's arm Lisa had drawn on. Cisco looked down at it and grinned. A trail of stars circled his wrist until at the side there was tiny drawing of the rebel alliance symbol. He chuckled at it and couldn't stop grinning.
His phone went off again. It was Lisa. Detention hadn't been so bad after all.
Day 3 of @goldenvibeweek: Fake/Pretend Relationship
So from my fp!Goldenvibe fic is where you’ll find context for their previous encounter. Buuut here is what I came up with for this. Hope you like it! :)
Fancy Meeting You Here <- Ao3 link
Being the richest man in America and the owner of a very successful business had its perks. It also had it’s downsides, like when it came to mandatory functions he had to attend, that he didn’t really want to go to. Cisco would have much rather not gone. The party was for a company that he had just signed on to assist in a deal. Him appearing at the event was apparently part of the deal. Cisco wouldn’t have minded it so much, if it had been his company that was actually throwing the party. Or if he had some decent company. Unfortunately he hadn’t been able to scrounge up a date last minute. Surprising given who he was. Cisco went anyway, rather reluctantly.
He’d wandered around, greeting the people he had to. Smiling for any and all cameras pointed his way. The press always loved to get pictures of him when he attended these type of events. Cisco had trained himself to smile perfectly when faced with a camera. It was yet another of the downsides of who was.
Cisco made his way over to the bar in search of something to drink. He stopped a few feet away from it, staring in horror at the sight of one of the women at the bar.
"You.“ He breathed out quietly.
She wasn’t an ex of his, or anything like that. It was someone much, much worse. Cisco could only see her side profile but he knew, he just knew it was her. She had the same hair, color and style, even her nose had the same slant to it. It had to be her.
He resumed walking towards the bar, preparing himself for what was to come if it was her. As he neared the bar, she turned away laughing, a bright wide smile on her face. Her eyes were lit up with delight, a drink in one hand, clutch in the other. She looked like just another guest at the party. But she wasn’t. It was her, Lisa Snart.
She didn’t appear to notice him. He must have just blended in appearing to be just another guest to her as she walked away from the bar. Technically he was, after all. The question was, was she? Cisco couldn’t imagine a woman like Snart having any connections to either company. Which led him to believe she was there with an ulterior motive. He had stopped her from robbing his company before. She was probably there to do the same. Rob them blind while attending their own celebration party. Cisco wasn’t surprised, it was a typical Snart play. He watched as Lisa continued to walk away disappearing in with the other party guests. Cisco his best to keep his eyes trained on her. It was easy enough, all he had to do was look for the black and gold dress she wore.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ramon,” a blonde reporter said as she approached him. She wasn’t a young as the normal reporters who interviewed him. She had an air of experience and power.
Cisco put on the fake smile and nodded in acknowledgement. While still keeping an eye on Lisa’s disappearing figure.
"Cat Grant, from Catco Worldwide Media" the reporter introduced holding out her hand. “Could I get a moment of your time?”
He looked from the woman’s hand back to the growing crowd of party guests where he had seemed to have lost Lisa. Cisco searched frantically with his eyes until he caught sight of the golden sparkle of her dress. She was standing near a member of the wait staff sipping at her drink. Nothing looked suspicious about it, other than her eyes continually flickered from exit to exit. “I’m sorry,” Cisco said to Cat sounding rather unfocused. “There’s been an urgent matter, that I need to attend to.” He said maneuvering around her.
Cat narrowed her eyes at him, watched suspiciously. He glanced over his shoulder. Lisa moved from her spot by the wait stuff member and was headed down into one of the hallways.
"As soon as possible, if you excuse me me, Miss. Grant lovely to meet you.“ He said before turning away.
Cisco tried to maintain his appearance as a business man and not break out into a full out run after Lisa. But he couldn’t deny the idea had been tempting. He walked in a brisk pace after her.
When Cisco had finally caught up with her, he walked up alongside her from behind grabbing her elbow. He noticed how Lisa jumped at the contact. She instantly turned to see who it was, she looked at him momentarily shocked but it was quickly replaced by a smirk.
"Fancy meeting you here, Mr. Ramon.” Lisa greeted. Her voice still held the same honey sweet flirtatious tone she’d used in his office during their first encounter.
Cisco glared at her. He let his hand move from her elbow to her hand. Lacing their fingers together keeping her hand in a tight grip, Cisco pulled her along with him as he walked off to a more secluded area. “What are you doing here, Snart?” He demanded.
Lisa pouted as she followed him. “You didn’t miss me?” She inquired.
Cisco faked a laugh, “as if I would miss a thief.”
She rolled her eyes, “I don’t know,” Lisa began with a thoughtful expression. “Do you kiss everyone like you kissed me, or was that special?” She asked twisting around so they faced one another, their hands still joined together. Cisco was standing closer to Lisa than he would have liked. “Was it because I’m a thief that you kissed me like that?”
"Like what?“ Cisco bluffed. He knew exactly what she was talking about.
Pouting Lisa stepped closer to him. "Do you need a reminder?” Her eyes flirting for her.
Cisco dared glancing down at her lips. He considered it. It was a tempting offer. If it had been anyone other than Lisa then… He stepped back from her, staring at her with a serious expression. “Why are you here Lisa?” He demanded.
Lisa huffed rolling her eyes. She pulled her hand out from his, “can’t a girl enjoy a party?” She replied sounding a little annoyed.
"It’s invite only.“ Cisco retorted, narrowing his eyes at her.
She laughed, reaching into her clutch she pulled out a piece of paper. "You mean like this one?” She challenged waving the invite in front of his face.
Cisco scowled snatching it from her to read it. Lisa smiled smugly crossing her arms. His eyes scanned over the invite in his hands and he found it matched the one he received. Scoffing at it Cisco looked up at her, “how did you get this?”
Lisa smirked plucking the invitation out of his hands. “Let’s just say they won’t be missed.” She said, a wicked gleam in her eyes.
He looked at her eyes wide. His imagination running wild with what her statement implied.
A laugh, that was whimsical and sinister all at once came from Lisa. She smiled at him. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Ramon, there’s a party we’re ignoring.” Lisa said moving to step around him.
He reached out instinctively, grabbed her hand. Cisco knew, he just knew Lisa was up to something. The fact that she was at the same party as him couldn’t be a coincidence. Lisa looked at him shocked. She quirked an eyebrow silently questioning his action. Cisco wasn’t sure what he was doing. He wasn’t a hero, he didn’t do heroics. He did business, money and…and yet he couldn’t just let Lisa slip away to go do whatever she was there for. He couldn’t let her out of his sight.
"Why are you really here,“ he demanded gripping her hand tightly.
Lisa glanced down at their hands a small smile forming at her lips. "Enjoy holding my hand?” She teased, batting her eyelashes at him with a flirty smile. Cisco scowled at her. Lisa rolled her eyes, humming. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten I’m not the only one with light fingers.”
He narrowed his eyes at her.
"You robbed me of what stole from you.“ Lisa said her voice taking a different tone to it.
"Thought that would make us even.” Cisco remarked. “You stole a kiss.”
Lisa laughed, leaning closer to speak in his ear. The smile on face wicked and flirtatious. Before Lisa could speak they were interrupted.
A camera flashed. Lisa backed away from Cisco blinking shocked. Cisco blinked temporarily blinded. Internally he was groaning. Flashes, cameras and Lisa and him were not a good mix. He could tell this would not end well. He was still holding on to Lisa’s hand. Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Cisco noticed that Lisa appeared to be a little intimidated by the cameras. He didn’t notice how he squeezed her hand to comfort her.
"And who is this?“ A reporter asked.
"Mr. Ramon is this a new girlfriend?” Another one, the one who had stopped him before asked. Cat.
Cisco looked from the reporters to Lisa. Lisa was starting at them with a curious expression. She almost looked like she was accessing the situation she found herself in.
"Are you two together?“
"Love your dress, dear.” Cat complimented Lisa. Lisa smiled in response.
He opened his mouth to speak, to deny that they were together. Lisa was quicker speaking first. “Thank you, Cisco got it for me. I’m Lisa,” She said plastering on a bright fake smile on her face. She leaned closer to Cisco and put a hand on his chest. “We’ve been together for, a while now,” she continued to lie, “haven’t we Cisco?” She glancing at him.
The reporters around them were frantically taking notes. A couple more cameras went off.
Cisco gawked at her for a moment appalled. He was quick to switch to a smile, when he remembered the cameras. Faking a laugh, “have we? Honestly I’ve lost track when it comes to you, babe.” He replied.
Lisa laughed batting her eyes at him. Cisco couldn’t tell if the reaction was part of the act or real. “You’re such a charmer.” She said leaning into his side and resting her head on his shoulder.
He continued to smile, and wrapped an arm around her. On the inside he was trying to figure out how he was going to recover from this. On one hand he now had a reason why he’d be stuck to Lisa’s side for the remainder of the party. But on the other hand, he had just agreed to being in a relationship with her. Which he was not. The only relationship they had was she was his own personal nemesis. She was a thorn in his side. A very pretty thorn.
"Where have you been hiding this lovely girl?“ Cat inquired eyeing them.
Cisco laughed awkwardly. "She just shows up.”
Lisa beamed, stifling her laugh into his shoulder.
"Ooh, mysterious,“ Cat remarked. "Interesting.” She eyed them like they were now her favourite thing in the world. “How did you meet? Is this” Cat pointed between the two of them. “Serious? Are your bachelor days over, Mr. Ramon?”
Cisco had to steel himself to the questions and not react. Unlike Lisa who’d raised a hand to her mouth, covering it to keep herself from laughing. She looked over their shoulders to avoid the cameras. He smiled at Cat. “We’ll see.”
Lisa looked at Cisco with a playful smile. “Will we?”
Cisco nodded, smiling at her. It was an act. Just an act for the reporters. Seeing Lisa smile at him, he had to admit he probably wouldn’t have minded if it wasn’t an act. If she wasn’t a thief.
A camera flashed again. They looked away from each other.
Lisa laughed. Cisco could have sworn there was a tiny blush on her cheeks. “Excuse me,” she said, moving away from Cisco. “Nose needs powdering.” Lisa shrugging laughing stepping by the reporters. He stared after her and caught the devious smile she sent his way. “Try not to miss me, handsome.” She said with a wink.
The reporter, Cat laughed, clearly amused by the interaction.
Cisco let her go. There was no reason why he could stop her. He tried to cover up his frustration of her escape with a small smile. He was left with the group of press that had congregated around him. Doing his best to answer the questions asked and amuse them. Subtly watching for Lisa the whole time, looking for any sign of her. Eventually the reporters got bored and dwindled away. Cisco made an escape, saying he should probably rejoin the party to those, -Cat, who didn’t leave on their own.
Free Cisco resumed wandering the party in search for Lisa. He was looking around trying to appear causal when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Spinning around he stopped finding Lisa behind him with a grin on her face. “Looking for someone, darling?” She taunted. In her hands she held to glasses of champagne, she offered one to him.
He took the glass, sparing it a glance. “Is this drugged?”
Lisa laughed before sipping at her own glass. “I don’t drug my boyfriends, dear.” She said grinning at him. Cisco scowled at taking a sip from it. Lisa kept on grinning latching herself to his arm. “Don’t be like that, Cisco.” She whined with a pout.
"Mr. Ramon.“ Cisco corrected glancing down where she held his arm.
"You make your girlfriends address you formally?” Lisa inquired. She hummed sipping at her champagne. “I’m going to have to reconsider this relationship.”
Cisco turned so he faced her, a frustrated expression on his face. “Lisa, what are you up to?” He demanded keeping his voice quiet. She blinked at him acting innocent. Cisco sighed, “what game are you playing?”
The corner of her mouth quirked up in a smile. “Afraid you don’t know the rules?” She retorted. Lisa shook her head downing the rest of her drink. “It’s not a game.”
"Then what is it?“ Cisco demanded.
A small smile graced her lips. She set her glass on a nearby table. Cisco watched curiously. Lisa put her hand by his elbow, before leaning in for a kiss. It shocked him momentarily, but just like before he kissed her back. She smiled pulling back, her lips hovering over his. "A heist.” She breathed before kissing him again.
There was the sound of a door being thrown open, and a gun going off. Somebody screamed. Worried murmurs were heard all around. Cisco jumped away from Lisa turning around. Cisco gaped at the sight of Lisa’s older brother strolling into the party like he owned the place.
Leonard Snart was smirking ear to ear, standing amongst the party guests. “Nobody move, nobody panic or scream,” Leonard instructed. “Follow those rules and no one gets hurt.”
Glancing around Cisco noticed that were few of the wait staff and the one of the bartenders also were armed. They were part of the heist as well. He turned to look at Lisa. She smiled at him sadly. “Never managed to get out of your brother’s shadow.” He remarked.
Lisa frowned at him. “Lenny’s smart.” She a had her gun in her hand. The clutch she’d had was on the floor forgotten. “I’d do as he says,” She added holding the gun up to him. “Babe.”
It was the second time she’d held a gun to him. Cisco stared at her with a cold gaze. He could still taste her lips on his.
Lisa smiled, “I told you I didn’t forget,” She said. “Now, we’re even.”
The next day Cisco groaned throwing the paper down onto his desk. He ran his hand over his forehead, glaring at the paper. Of course. Of course. A fancy party gets crashed by a group of criminals but no, the newspapers headline. The main story of the newspaper.
Ramon Industries owner, Francisco Ramon romantically involved with criminal? Trouble in paradise?
The article was complete with two images. One of Cisco and Lisa’s kiss. The other Lisa holding him at gun point.
Cisco glared at the images.
In his head he could hear her voice, smug and flirtatious as she and her brother made their escape. “Bye Cisco.” Lisa had even dared to blow him a kiss.
He picked up the paper and tossed it in the trash. It looked bad and he would have to fix it. Cisco regretted going to the party. But something was telling him, that was not that last he’d seen of Lisa. After all, they were dating now.
btw shout out to @raynbow-shimmer for all the encouragement cause otherwise I probably wouldn’t have written this. Thank you Shimmer! <3 You rock!
Alrighty Day 2 of @goldenvibeweek...I bring you this: Night Off <- Ao3 link but also gonna put it under the cut...
Goldenvibe Week - Day 2: Earth AU
Night Off
It started as just another assignment. Just another job. A scare tactic really. Inform Mayor Snart Zoom was in charge of the city now. Obviously Zoom had sent one of his best to complete this mission. One of his top lieutenants. He'd sent Reverb. One of the most powerful metas; possibly the most powerful one in the universe. He was probably even more powerful than Zoom himself.
Reverb had done the job. He'd gone and delivered Zoom's message. Not without catching the eye of the mayor's sister.
He'd sauntered into the mayor's office, after blasting open the doors with a vibration boom. It was safe to say he had everyone's attention. They'd all stopped working and stared at him. Reverb had stood silently observing. His eyes were hidden behind his goggles, expression blank. He moved an inch and one of the secretaries cowered in fear. A smug grin played at the corner of his mouth. He was powerful and he knew it. It was good that they learned it as well.
"I'm here to speak with the mayor." He had announced, looking around the room. His voice was cold and confident.
No one appeared like they were willing to volunteer the answer of where mayor Snart was. They all looked too afraid of Reverb to speak. It was wise, but also annoying if he was running on a schedule. He wasn't, but Reverb didn't like to be kept waiting.
Reverb let out a bored sigh. He looked down at his hand, twisting it in contemplation, lips pursed. There continued to be no answer or indication as to where the mayor was. He raised his hand, shooting a burst out at one of the glass walls. Glass shattered into a thousand pieces littering the floor, striking the employees nearby. Employees' screamed, ducking in fear.
Reverb stopped himself from smiling. Arrogance radiated off him. "I won't repeat myself."
They continued cowering, staring, frozen in panic.
He'd considered firing the next boom at someone. Maybe then his message would get through in their heads. He began to raise his hand when someone stepped out catching his attention.
A woman stood apart from the other employees. Staring at him defiant and unafraid. Brunette, tall, blue eyes, professional appearance in her dress. He knew who she was. The mayor's baby sister, Lisa Snart. Reverb stared at her intrigued. The corner of his mouth almost quirked up in a curious grin. She was beautiful and quiet, simply gazing at him.
He blinked, daring to remove his goggles. He quirked an eyebrow waiting for Lisa to say something. She had stepped forward, was she going to say something or was she just wasting his time. Reverb cleared his throat preparing a remark about how she was in fact not the mayor, only the mayor's sister. There was a difference. He opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm here," Mayor Leonard Snart said walking out from an office. He was followed by his personal bodyguard Mick. Snart moved so he stood in between his sister and Reverb. Behind him Mick even went so much as to tug Lisa aside out of Reverb's view.
Reverb smirked, replacing his goggles on his face. "The city is Zoom's," He declared. "Try to fight or resist him and you all will die."
Snart nodded. He didn't look pleased but he was a smart man. He knew what battles to fight and which ones not to bother with. Zoom wasn't something he could fight. He knew that. Snart looked Reverb over, "and you are?" The mayor asked his voice cold. He eyed Reverb warily. Reverb wondered if he'd seen his power display or not.
"Reverb," he answered with a mock bow. He noticed Lisa leaned had passed Mick and her brother to see him. They made eye contact, Lisa didn't look away. Reverb smiled smugly noting the spark of interest in her eyes.
That was how it started. How it progressed was a mystery of its own. Unexpected run ins and crossed paths at impromptu times. Stolen kisses in the darkness of night. Flirtatious remarks that would lead nowhere good.
It turned out the mayor's sweet good little sister wasn't that good after all. She had a thing for bad boys and when it came to Reverb, Lisa didn't care. She didn't have to worry about having to be the perfect little sister. The good girl who did no wrong in the public's eye. She could be herself. Not always having to be nice or say the polite or correct thing. It was freeing and exhilarating.
Every moment she spent with him Lisa found herself discovering a new side of herself that had been buried under the image that was "the mayor's little sister." Lisa discovered she liked making snarky remarks, when Reverb -Francisco, spoke sometimes. His real name was Francisco, when he'd been younger friends and family had called him Cisco, but he didn't use that name anymore. There was nothing threatening or intimidating about someone with a name like Cisco he'd explained. She had rolled her eyes at him and in return fired out yet another of her newly loved witty comebacks. She learned that if she laughed hard enough she'd snort. It had surprised them both the first time it happened. Lisa had been so embarrassed, Reverb had shrugged acting like nothing had happened.
It turned out she loved dancing. That had been a night she wouldn't forget. Following a dinner with her brother for some charity she'd gone to, Lisa had found Francisco lurking outside in the dark by her apartment. When he saw her his eyes lit up and he'd grinned at her like a cat who'd gotten the canary. She'd never understood that expression until then.
She'd approached him cautiously. "What?" Lisa had asked nervously forcing a laugh when he just continued to stare at her.
Francisco stepped up to her pulling her closer. "You don't know how beautiful you are." He'd whispered before whisking her away. Twirling her around and spinning her, beginning to slow dance right in front of her apartment under the streetlight with no music.
Lisa had laughed and tried not to let herself get carried away in the moment. She'd known, she knew, feelings weren't supposed to be apart of it. Francisco didn't work that way. He'd warned her. And that was fine. But Lisa...Lisa found herself breaking the promise she'd made herself. Don't fall for the bad guy.
Dancing in the street at near after midnight clinging to him was the first time Lisa had feared she'd end up breaking that promise.
Holding onto her as they moved in a swaying pattern in the street, Francisco found himself mentally humming a song he'd played as a kid. It was music only he could hear and only he would know he thought of it. But he thought it nonetheless. He knew he wouldn't love her, but he cared about her, deeply. There on that street he contemplated, imagining what it would be like if maybe, he did love her. If maybe they were in a normal relationship together. Not just midnight meetings and random drop bys. Actual dates, actual conversations.
Maybe in another life. A life where they weren't who they were in this one. On another world. In another timeline. Where Francisco wasn't working for a monster and Lisa wasn't in a spotlight having to be little-miss-perfect-nice-goodie-two-shoes. Francisco hated whenever he saw her in the public eye now. From the media's perspective, she was completely different person than the one he knew. Her smiles were less and her laugh was quieter. He didn't like it. He wanted to find a way that would make it so she'd never had to fake her smile again.
That wasn't his job though. His job was to do what Zoom said. And what Zoom said was basically law.
Looking back he wondered if maybe she was part of what had spawned his plot. Surely she had to do with some tiny part of it. Francisco would have guessed it would have been that night that influenced his thoughts towards it.
They had danced in the street until Lisa's feet hurt. No one hardly went out after midnight anymore so they weren't bothered. After he'd carried her inside while she'd laughed loudly repeatedly telling him not drop her. Francisco had shushed her saying he wasn't going to drop her. He did eventually drop her, on to her mattress where she didn't stop giggling till he shut her up by kissing her. Later when Lisa had fallen asleep and he couldn't sleep he found the words to the song that had been playing in his head slip out. He whispered the lyrics to her while combing his fingers through what remained of the curls in Lisa's hair from the night.
He pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder and slipped out before she woke. It wouldn't phase her, and it wouldn't be the first time he'd done it. It was part of the deal of whatever they were. He shrugged his leather jacket back on taking one last look at Lisa. She was still beautiful, just less quiet now after their thing had begun. Secretly Francisco was amazed she was still, good. That he hadn't ruined that part of her...yet. He left her apartment locking the door behind him. Lisa didn't wake up, she slept peacefully content in her dreams. In another life, another world, maybe one day he'd be able to stay. This wasn't that world or life. He had a job to do.
That was how it went for the longest time. Reverb was Reverb, Lisa was Lisa but at night they were whatever. At night in the wee hours of the morning they were together.
He should have known it wouldn't last. Francisco should have seen it. But he'd been too preoccupied. To distracted to notice the lurking shadows outside her apartment watching when he left. Ignored the feeling of being watched in place of enjoying her company, listening to Lisa laugh till she snorted. Francisco should have known, should have expected it. Nothing could stay good forever. Not in this world.
Just like every other night, he'd slipped out of her apartment closing the door and locking it behind him.
"You come here a lot," a chilly hollow sounding voice that was all too familiar said from a distance away.
Francisco slowly turned around to face them. Just as he expected Killer Frost and Deathstorm stood at the end of Lisa's steps. He didn't panic. He didn't react. Or if he did, he internalized it like a pro. He flipped out of Francisco and to Reverb just like that. Glaring at them both he walked down the steps to the apartment without sparring them a second glance. If he didn't react, it didn't give them the power they thought -they knew, they had over him. Because they didn't. He was more powerful than both of them combined. Reverb kept walking down the street, putting distance between himself and Lisa's apartment.
"So what is it about the mayor's sister that has you coming back here," Deathstorm, -Ronnie asked. There was a fake lightness in his voice, like it was a casual regular day conversation. He was almost even pulling out a laugh. "Almost every night."
He stopped walking. They had been following him. The apartment was just almost out of sight. Killer Frost laughed. The cool giggle that sounded fake no matter what. They knew. They knew. And if they knew it was only a matter of time before he knew. Reverb turned to face them. He didn't look afraid even though that was apart of what he felt. He didn't say anything either.
"So what is it about her?" Deathstorm asked. He sounded genuinely curious this time.
Reverb remained silent. His expression was a blank mask hiding the annoyance he felt towards the pair.
"Must be something special," Killer Frost remarked rolling an icy replica of snowflake around over her knuckles, like how a magician rolled a coin. "If you're not talking." She looked him in the eye smiling. It was wicked cold smile that spoke words she dare not say.
Glaring at Frost, Reverb scoffed, "how special could a powerless socialite be to me?" He retorted.
Killer Frost raised an eyebrow and diminished the snowflake in her hand. "Good question," she said with a wicked grin. "Maybe we should ask her."
It was a challenge. It was a bait. Reverb could tell from a mile away. He wanted to react. Wanted to threaten Frost and Deathstorm for even think of going near Lisa but if he did that. He'd just be playing right into their hand. It had to be clever, had to be done right. Worded just so, it wouldn't give anything about Lisa away.
He stepped towards Frost putting forward the arrogant power he knew he possessed. "Question me again and I'll will shatter every nerve in his" he glanced at Deathstorm "body, before you can even blink out an icicle." Reverb threatened striding closer to her as he spoke. Voice hard and cold, never wavering.
Killer Frost started at him, fear in her eyes. She stumbled back a step or two nearly tripping in her heels.
Reverb laughed shaking his head. Their power play hadn't worked out like they'd wanted it to. But he still wasn't in the clear. He could tell they still suspected something. Francisco would have to be smarter than them. They recoiled when he walked passed them. Good.
It shouldn't have surprised him when Black Siren brought it up.
"What's going on between you and the mayor's sister?" She asked casually one night while they were out on a job together.
Reverb did his best not to react. So Killer Frost and Deathstorm hadn't kept it to themselves. He scoffed shaking his head, "nothing."
Siren frowned, "Frost says otherwise." She sounded bored. Her heels clicked on the pavement.
"I didn't know you enjoyed partaking in teenaged gossip," Reverb fired back.
An annoyed huffed was all Siren had to respond with. Reverb resumed glaring despite his eyes being covered by his goggles.
"Just remember, breachers aren't going to catch themselves." Siren said to him once the job was done. "We don't get time for distractions."
Reverb said nothing in response. He watched her walk away, heals clicking, head held high with an superiority all the lieutenants seemed to have. Once she was gone he set off a boom at a wall. The wall crackled but it didn't fall. Dusts puffed up and he felt a little relieved.
It was probably those two nights, along with the following one that made him come up with the plan. The inspiration and instigation. It could be done and he would do it. He'd overthrow Zoom. Reverb would take control for himself. He'd be the all powerful one. The one they all feared and answered to. He'd be a god.
The following night was the night before all hell broke loose. It was the night before the breachers would come. Reverb had seen it. Seen his doppelganger and the Flash from that earth arrive on his world. But he didn't tell Zoom. He didn't tell anyone. Reverb went about his day as he normally would. It was good. With his doppelganger there, he could be even more powerful against Zoom. They both could be gods. Reverb just had to bide his time.
Zoom summoned him. Something about it, something in his gut told him things were not going to end well. Reverb stood before the monster clad in black adverting his gaze to the ground. He listened as Zoom reported how, Killer Frost, Deathstorm and Black Siren had informed him of Reverb's indiscretions. Reverb had wanted to laugh but he remained silent. He silenced his feelings. Silenced his annoyance, silenced his anger. Everything. All of it.
He said nothing, only listened to the snarl like voice that came from Zoom. Reverb only remembered a few words of what exactly it was Zoom had said to him. Words like: weak, distraction, loyalty, love, useless, disappointment, and choose. And phrases -more like threats like: dead or alive, no contact, she dies. He barely remembered saying things like: they're wrong, I have no feelings for her, don't love her, she's irrelevant, means nothing.
None of it mattered, what he did remember clearly in the demonic voice was "prove it. Choose, she lives or she dies."
Reverb had nodded and left. He made his way to Lisa's apartment.
That was how it ended...at least, how it began to end...
Lisa was surprised when she found him in her apartment, in the middle of the afternoon. Shocked but not annoyed. She picked up on his mood right away after she'd kissed him in a greeting and he'd hardly responded. He was quiet and even moodier than he normally was. Didn't even crack a smile when she tried to make a joke. Francisco usually faked a smile at best. He just sat in the corner seat of her kitchen set, silently, staring at the floor.
Lisa stopped putting away her groceries to stare at him. "What's wrong?" She demanded standing before him. Her voice was powerful and concerned.
Reverb -Francisco, hadn't known the two could ever coexist before. He laughed and looked up at her. He was so tempted to just bitterly lay it all out for her. To tell her everything. How Zoom had threatened her thanks to his, -thanks to Frost, Siren and Deathstorm. But looking up at Lisa's face, he couldn't. He couldn't put that on her. Make her fear for her life more than she already had to in the world they lived in. He frowned looking down at the floor. He had to be smart. Smarter than them all. Smarter than Zoom.
The plot had hatched in his mind already, this just furthered it. He would do this. He would end things with her, but once Zoom was gone and out of the picture, he'd come back. Sure she would be mad, possibly even hate him. But once he explained, Lisa would understand. Lisa would know Francisco had done what was the best course of action. She had to know that, being the sister's mayor, sometimes you had to make difficult bad decisions for the greater good. Like bowing down to a power hungry demonic speedster.
"Francisco," Lisa snapped getting his attention. She was closer now, more in his face. He looked up blinking at her. She frowned worried, reaching out to cup his face. "What's going on?"
He could hear anger mixing in with the worry in her voice. He hated it. At the beginning he had warned her. He'd told her, don't let your feelings get involved. Do not think this will end with feelings. It isn't some happy romance, it isn't a love story. He wouldn't fall in love with her. She had agreed. Lisa had laughed saying there was a fat chance she'd ever fall in love with a guy like him. He'd grinned and said good before kissing her once more. She'd lied. Maybe so had he. Maybe after all he'd fallen for Lisa just as much as she'd fallen for him. But that didn't matter. Their feelings didn't matter when it came to the matter of Lisa's life or death.
Francisco cleared his throat, pushing himself up out of the seat and out of Lisa's reach. He couldn't look at her but he had to. Looking her in the eye, he tried to muster all the composure, self-confidence and superiority he possessed. "This is over." Francisco stated.
Lisa stared at him. She opened her mouth and closed it a couple times. Blinking in confusion and trying follow what he said. Trying to understand. Doing her best not to seem completely caught off guard and like his words stabbed her in the heart and hurt to no end. "Um, excuse me?" She said. Her chest hurt and she worried she was going to start to hyperventilate as she found it difficult to breathe. "Did you just s-"
"It's over." Francisco repeated, his voice cold. Just like the day they had first met. Disconnected almost. "Whatever this," He said gesturing between them, "was it's done."
She forced out a laugh, "are you joking?"
Francisco did his best not to let any hurt show in his expression. He sighed acting like he was bored by her, like he didn't care. "No. We're done, Lisa. It was fun." He shrugged turning to leave. "But now, it's done."
Her eyes burned threatening tears. She was stupid, so stupid. The dumbest most idiotic, she'd fallen for him. Lisa had broken her promise and she felt like a fool. She'd known. She had known. He'd warned her. From day one. From the first time she'd laid eyes on Francisco Ramon. That was why it hurt. But that was why she fought the tears away and forced out a laugh. "Okay," she agreed laughing putting on a fake smile.
Francisco looked at her puzzled.
Lisa had wondered if it was a bluff. She figured she'd just called it and laughed. Shaking her head at him, staring with a hurt expression. "Why are you sayin-"
"This can't continue, Lisa. It's done. We had our fun." Francisco said. He noticed how Lisa bit down on her lip. It was what she did when she was stopping herself from saying what she really wanted to say. He sighed. Internally he wanted to scream at her that Zoom would kill her otherwise, but no. No he wasn't going to use that. He was already being a dick. It was best she hate him.
"Fine." Lisa snapped. Her eyes wet. "Fine." Her voice got louder. "It's done. Get out." She ordered pointing to the door.
Francisco laughed. "You're kicking me out?" He eyed her up and down before shaking his head. She surprised him.
"I am." Lisa agreed nodding. "Get out!" She yelled pointing at the door again. "You've broken up with me, now leave my home." She hissed glaring at him.
Francisco could never recall seeing her so upset. He hated that he was the cause, but couldn't help antagonizing it further because it was good. Good, let her hate him. Let her hate him with everything she had so she forget what it was like when she thought she could love him. He laughed, "sweetheart, we were never really together. None of it was real. It was just something to pass the time."
Lisa stopped, staring at him hurt. The pain in chest tripled and she could swear she felt her heartbreak even more.
The slap of her skin against his, across his face shocked him. He hadn't expected it. Never. He raised a hand to spot she'd hit touch it gingerly. It stung a bit. Lisa stared at him. He saw all the hurt and pain in her eyes mixed with the tears. In that expression, in that slap, Francisco realized no matter how angry he made her it wouldn't drive out the stupid feelings she felt. It'd only make them hurt her worse.
"Get out." Lisa whispered her voice cold. It reminded him of his when he'd threatened Frost. Francisco blinked at her. "Now. Leave and don't ever, ever, come back here." He gaped at her. "Leave Reverb!" She screamed tears falling from her eyes.
Francisco nodded. This time he didn't fight. It was the name that pushed him out. Not Francisco, not even Cisco -which she had called him on the rare occasion. Reverb. He let one foot after the other move their way out of her apartment, just like they'd done countless of times before. He left shutting the door behind him and tried to ignore the fact that before he'd shut the door he heard Lisa break down sobbing. He glanced through the crack and saw she'd collapsed to her knees on the floor.
It wasn't supposed to have gone like this. This wasn't how he'd planned it. Lisa shouldn't have gotten involved. She shouldn't have fallen for him. But he knew deep down, he had fallen for her as well. His chest hurt just as much. He longed for nothing more than to go back inside her apartment to comfort her until she stopped crying. To explain everything to her. But he couldn't.
Zoom would kill her. Zoom would kill her. He had to repeat it to himself like a mantra as he made himself walk away. Walk away and never return, just like Lisa had said. He wondered if he'd finally done it. If he'd finally broken her, made the part of her that had been good just as broken as he was. He hoped not.
Maybe once his plan was over and Zoom was gone. Maybe then he could come back but not now. Now Lisa needed him gone. Gone and far away. So Francisco would go, and in his place there'd be only Reverb. Reverb would take control. Not just of his life, but of the city. He'd overthrow Zoom. He could do it. He had to. He would become the god he knew he was powerful enough to be. He'd channel all the emotions he was feeling into rage and anger and use it against Zoom. He'd use his sadness as a power. Rather than the weakness Zoom had claimed it was. Emotions and weakness didn't suit him. They didn't suit the powerful god Reverb would become.
Brushing away his own few stray tears, Reverb kept walking away from Lisa's apartment. He had a job to do.
How it really ended was with the sound of a phone ringing, waking Lisa up. She groaned and patted around searching for her phone. When she found and answered it was her brother. Lenny called her. Lenny never called. Unless it was something serious.
He started the conversation casually, asking how Lisa was. She chose not to reply, questioning why he was really calling. Lisa heard her brother sigh from the other end of the phone. A heavy weight found a place in Lisa's gut. Lenny sighing was never a good sign. It never led to anything good. What he had to tell her was most definitely not good if he started off with a sigh.
They had found a body, in an abandoned warehouse. He told her. Lisa frowned not following what her brother was saying. What did this have to with her? Lenny carried on explaining how detective West and her partner had gone there the previous night based on the tip that they'd find Killer Frost there. They had found Killer Frost but she hadn't been alone. Deathstorm and Reverb had been there as well. Lisa tried to stop herself from gasping. The body wasn't Killer Frost's.
Lisa felt the heavy weight build up. A sick nauseous feeling joined it in her stomach. "Who is it Lenny?" She asked her voice shaking. A lump forming in throat. She didn't want to know, but part of her already knew.
He sighed again. "It's been identified as Reverb. Also known as Francisco Paco Ramon." Leonard said, his voice sounded regretful. It was heavy of the burden of having to tell his sister this news.
Her breath shook with a sob, tears poured out of her eyes. Lisa wanted to know how but she couldn't get the words out.
"His brother, Dante, confirmed it's him. The cause of death is unknown, but the wound suggests it was Zoom." Leonard relayed. Lisa continued to cry nodding even though he couldn't see her. "Lisa, are you alright?"
"M'fine Lenny." She lied trying to keep her voice from shaking as she cried. "I-I have to go." She said. Before her brother could say anything she hung up and tossed her phone away.
Lisa pulled her legs to her chest hugging her arms around them and rocking herself. He was gone. He was dead. Reverb -Francisco was dead. Lisa loved him and he was gone. Tears poured out of her eyes and she couldn't stop crying. The pain rivalled and matched the pain from the other day when she kicked him out. Lisa replayed all of what Leonard had said in her head. The wound, cause of death unknown, suggested Zoom. Zoom. She had known who he was, she had known he worked for Zoom but she'd never...never imagined this. Zoom had killed him. Francisco was dead.
She choked on a sob and got up rushing to her bathroom. The nauseous feeling was too much, Lisa was going to be sick.
Francisco was dead. Francisco was gone. He was dead. Zoom had killed him. It repeated over and over inside her head as she threw up. Her chest and throat hurt. Her eyes burned from crying.
Lisa wished she'd kept her promise. She wished she'd never met him. She wished things had been different. Maybe in another life, another world -since there were such things. Maybe in one of those she and Francisco could have been happy. Maybe in one of those she didn't love him. Or maybe he was just simply still alive and they had never met. Who knows...
Lisa didn't.
Francisco had.
@goldenvibeweek‘s Goldenvibe week - Day 1: Soulmate / Disney AU
Went with Disney and came up with this…Story Time
Btw thanks to @raynbow-shimmer for helping with support to write and chatting about names and stuff :) you da best