Hartley's time in the Pipeline hadn't been pleasant. His cell had been too small for a bed or toilet, and he was pretty sure he developed mild claustrophobia by the time he was finally free again. But sticking around, even imprisoned as he had been, had been worth it. It gave him the opportunity to plant seeds of doubt in team Flash and prepare them (as much as anyone could be prepared) for Harrison's inevitable betrayal. It also meant he was around when that betrayal finally happened and hadn't been left in the dark about sociopath Harrison turned out to be. There were many reasons Hartley can't regret sticking around as long as he did, he thinks his number one reason is sitting right in front of him right now. They never would have gotten to this point if it hadn't been for all the time they spent together while he was in the Pipeline. Somewhere along the line, they began to respect each other and now that was turning into something new.
It's getting harder by the second not to lean in and kiss Cisco, and he has to remind himself that he wants their first kiss to be somewhere more private, where they can focus on each other without worrying about an audience. Hartley gives him another warm smile, ignoring the way his heart is pounding in his chest for a moment and allowing himself to just be grateful that Cisco seems to trust that he doesn't want to hurt him. Because he doesn't. Maybe there was a time when he would have jumped at the chance to hurt Cisco in some way, but that isn't who he is anyone. Cisco isn't his rival or his enemy. He's someone Hartley might actually have a future with.
Hartley nods his head, pleased that Cisco agrees with his suggestion. It puts his mind at ease knowing that the first time he puts the flute to the test, Cisco will be there as an observer and not as a test subject. "Good, we're agreed, then," he says with a sigh of relief. There are so many ways this could go wrong, but at least now they won't be putting Cisco's safety in jeopardy with an untested hypothesis. "You can tell Barry and Caitlin if you want, but I'd rather it just be them." He'd rather if Cisco didn't tell anyone, at least not yet. He has his own concerns about his work ending up in the wrong hands, but he supposes if there's anyone he can trust, it's team Flash.
He doesn't have the chance to say any of that, however, because waitress comes back with their food. He's a little disappointment that the hand holding has to come to an end, but there's plenty of time for more of that later. He waits until the waitress leaves again before meeting Cisco's eyes again.
"I like this too," he murmurs. "I don't get the chance to do this sort of thing often. There aren't many people I trust. But I'm glad this is something I can share with you, and I like that we're getting to know each other better."
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-07-14 11:16 pm (UTC)It's getting harder by the second not to lean in and kiss Cisco, and he has to remind himself that he wants their first kiss to be somewhere more private, where they can focus on each other without worrying about an audience. Hartley gives him another warm smile, ignoring the way his heart is pounding in his chest for a moment and allowing himself to just be grateful that Cisco seems to trust that he doesn't want to hurt him. Because he doesn't. Maybe there was a time when he would have jumped at the chance to hurt Cisco in some way, but that isn't who he is anyone. Cisco isn't his rival or his enemy. He's someone Hartley might actually have a future with.
Hartley nods his head, pleased that Cisco agrees with his suggestion. It puts his mind at ease knowing that the first time he puts the flute to the test, Cisco will be there as an observer and not as a test subject. "Good, we're agreed, then," he says with a sigh of relief. There are so many ways this could go wrong, but at least now they won't be putting Cisco's safety in jeopardy with an untested hypothesis. "You can tell Barry and Caitlin if you want, but I'd rather it just be them." He'd rather if Cisco didn't tell anyone, at least not yet. He has his own concerns about his work ending up in the wrong hands, but he supposes if there's anyone he can trust, it's team Flash.
He doesn't have the chance to say any of that, however, because waitress comes back with their food. He's a little disappointment that the hand holding has to come to an end, but there's plenty of time for more of that later. He waits until the waitress leaves again before meeting Cisco's eyes again.
"I like this too," he murmurs. "I don't get the chance to do this sort of thing often. There aren't many people I trust. But I'm glad this is something I can share with you, and I like that we're getting to know each other better."