Work Text:
Bats were a simple shape, right? And little paper bats weren't that hard to make, right? So why were all the bats around Star Labs, umm, poorly made? The wings were all different sizes and the ears sometimes were cut in half. The pumpkins looked fine; Caitlin made those. The witch hats also looked good, Ronnie's handy work. The bats were the only thing off.
"Who made the bats?" Cisco asked.
"Not sure, but they need to be redone," Caitlin said, looking at a bat with two different-sized wings, "The party is this weekend, so someone has to do that tonight."
"I could stay and do them, whoever did them. Who else will be staying after today to work on the party decorations?"
"Hatley making the paper mache rats." She gave Cisco a sympathetic look
"Ew, but I will do what must be done. Also, free snacks." Caitlin chuckled and went off to work. That afternoon Cisco sighed with exhaustion, time to make little bats. The temporary crafting room was filled with all the crafting supplies a person could need. Hartley was already there mixing the mixture needed to make his army of rats. Cisco said nothing and got to work remaking the bats.
"Weren't the bats already made?" Hartley appeared over Cisco's shoulder.
"Ah! Don't do that! And yes they were but did you see how bad they looked?"
"They looked fine, I was working instead of being worried about an unnecessary party." Hartley rolled his eyes and started on his first of twenty little rats.
"They looked horrible, and it will be a good time to have fun, but you hate that..." Cisco plugged in his headphones and hummed the tune while he cut and glued the bats. He was almost finished before Hartley's shadow was cast over his desk, "Yes?" Cisco took out his headphones.
"I'm done."
"And?"
"I can do the last few, you can go home."
"I can do it, here you can do half." Cisco handed him four pieces of black paper. Hartley sat across and in a few seconds, Cisco realized who had made the terrible-looking bats, "Hartley that's not how you make a bat, give me the paper back and let me show you."
"No! My bats look fine!"
"Just let me show you." Cisco grabbed his hand before he could make another cut and he picked up a new piece of paper, "Watch." Cisco explained how to make the bat even by folding the paper and how to do the red eyes.
"I could have figured that out on my own," Hartley grumbled with red cheeks, "You just spent more time on useless art classes."
"I- this is basic level art." Cisco chuckled at a grown man getting upset over not being able to make paper bats correctly.
"I'm going to grab some food on the walk home, care to join me?" Hartley changed subjects
"Sure, what kind?"
"Thai of course." Hartley got up, "Let's clean up." Cisco grabbed the glue bottles and extra paper, "Why are you asking me to dinner, have a sudden change of heart?"
"No reason, just need to prove my art skills."
"By dinner?" Hartley nodded while carefully storing his rat army. Cisco wouldn't question the sudden change in attitude, maybe Hartley would stop following him around and correcting him on every little thing. Cisco also wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to finally be good at something Hartley isn't, even if it is just paper bats. After everything was stored away properly Hartley led the way to 'the best restaurant in town' according to him. Cisco let him ramble about how wonderful the food is and what dish Cisco would like. At the place Cisco took his advice and what dish to get, the tom yum goong.
"So how are to going to prove your art skills."
"Don't worry about it. " Cisco was going to worry.
"If it helps your rats turned out good."
"Thank you, I had good references. All were based on my children."
"You have kids?" Instead of answering he pulled out his phone and turned it around to show Cisco a photo, of three rats, "So you're a rat dad?" Hartley smiled, for once not a smirk, and started rambling about all of his fur babies. Cisco listened intently, listening to people talk enthusiastically about something their passionate about was one of the best things.
"Do you have any pets?" Hartley asked after the food arrived.
"Not right now, I am looking into getting a cat though."
"What are you looking for in your new friend?" Cisco chuckled.
"I love long-haired cats, but that needs more grooming so probably just a short-haired one. Of course, I want a playful one."
"A playful one would match you perfectly." After making fun conversations and Cisco learning that Hartley wasn't always a jerk. Hartley offered to walk him home.
"I had a fun time! So, wanna finally tell me what art you're good at?"
"The art of seduction, do you feel seduced?" Hartley laughed at the face Cisco made, "I'm kidding, I just wanted a excuse to take you to dinner, maybe we can do this again?"
"Of course." With that Hartley mentally screamed in delight and Cisco decided to do arts and crafts with Hartley one day.