Chapter Text
Cisco had always been an understanding neighbor, even if he wasn't home often.
When you found his underwear in your laundry, he apologized and thanked you with a blush on his face. When you found them again, you joked that maybe he was doing it on purpose, and his blush deepened. He definitely was cute when he was embarrassed.
But when you moved in, you had just gotten out of a long relationship, and the breakup was messy; in fact, it was why you had to move. You just weren't ready to even flirt. Plus, you'd seen a devilishly beautiful girl hang around his door. But, even after a few months of living there, he was still the only person whose name you knew, and that was only because because his pizza had been delivered to you by accident your third night living there.
You were coming home after a particularly ridiculous day at work as IT for an office, your beloved mini laptop in hand, when Cisco saw you in the hall. He must have noticed how ragged you looked because he actually stopped you.
“Hey, you okay? You seem stressed.”
You try your best to muster a thankful smile. “Thanks; it's just been a long day.”
Cisco nods. “You and me both.”
You walk past him to get to your door when he suddenly turns around, knocking your laptop out of your hand and onto the floor. Bits of plastic and metal break off the edge.
Cisco held his hands frozen in midair, both of you staring in horror.
“Oh my god, I am so sorry!” He leans down and picks up your laptop as well as the bits. “I can fix it for you, if you want. Completely free, of course.”
You sigh, taking your laptop from him. “No, it's fine. I can do it. But thank you.” He reluctantly hands you the bits. You almost turn away, but you see his face, a mix of shock and deep regret, and suddenly you realize that neither of you really want to be alone that night.
But a few months doesn't compare to the years you spent with them. It wasn't time yet.
But then again, what was the harm of one drink.
You sigh again, not believing you were doing this. “But, if you wanna pay me back, you could come keep me company while I fix it, maybe have a beer or something?”
The Hispanic man looks at you in shock. “Wh-fb-yeah, I'd love to,” he manages to stutter out.
You smile at him and lead him to your door and into your apartment, dropping your stuff on your kitchen table. You tell him to make himself at home on the couch while you grab some beers and your tools.
“Tools?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, for fixing my laptop. I've been building computers since my dad taught me when I was nine.”
Cisco looks at you, impressed. “I never would have guessed that. You don't seem…”
“Geeky?” You give him a sly grin and hand him a beer from the fridge. “You haven't looked at my TV yet, then.”
He glances around the corner at your living room. He snaps his gaze back to you, mouth half open. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Are you referring to the signed Star Wars poster or the Uncharted PS4?”
“I was actually talking about the entirety of the Stargate universe sitting on your shelf, but those are equally astonishing.” Cisco smiles at you like he has an idea. “You thinking what I'm thinking?”
You look up at him from your seat, where you have already started fixing your laptop. “That the quicker I get this done the sooner we can indulge ourselves in my massive Sci-fi collection?”
Cisco shoots finger guns at you, grinning from ear to ear. “I'll make the popcorn.”