Action/Locked to Harry and Mick

[goodviberations]

He can still hear Gideon's voice echoing in his head. I'm afraid that they will die.

The anguish that thought causes him is suffocating. They will die. No. No, he won't let that happen.

Unfortunately, a background in mechanical engineering isn't exactly helpful when it comes to radiation sickness. But he does happen to know a man with a pretty solid knowledge of literally everything biology. He's never been more grateful to have access to a Harrison Wells.

It's no surprise to find him invading Cisco's workshop, especially since he's actually fondly started to think of it as their workshop. Normally there would be a snarky comment in place of a greeting, but Cisco doesn't have it in him. Not now.

"Harry," he says, voice tight. "I need your help."

Comments

[bringstheheat]

Mick isn't completely under. He drifts, always coming close to awareness when there's movement nearby. Touches are quick and clinical, replacing ice packs, checking vitals. Nothing like the sort of touch he's quietly craved his entire life. Care. Gentleness. Mick knew growing up that touch could mean things that were good, even if his old man only delivered pain and his mother was too terrified to reach out.

So the warm weight of a hand taking his, fingers curling around his, is enough to force him towards awareness.

It's different. People don't reach out to him like that.
At least people who are still around.

"Nngh," a groan as he opens his eyes.
Oh. Cisco. Not Ramon, not Nerd, not Hairdo or anything else like that. Since arriving here he's just been.. Cisco. His friend. Mick's fingers twitch in response. He shouldn't have vanished on him like that. He shouldn't. But Mick isn't that great at processing grief and loss and the last thing he wanted to do was lash out at him.

God he's so bad at this.

"'m sorry." That's a start, right?

[goodviberations]

The groan almost makes him let go of Mick's hand. He's afraid. Rejection is something he's dealt with his entire life, and he isn't sure he can handle it. Not now. Not from Mick.

But then his fingers tighten just slightly, and the tension in his stomach relaxes. Maybe he can have this. It isn't much, but it's enough.

"Hey," he says softly. Mick's eyes are open, but they're a little unfocused. It doesn't make him any less worried. "You don't need to apologize."

[bringstheheat]

The fever and the crashing headache aren't really helping his focus, but Mick stubborns his way through at least turning his head towards Cisco. Hand still in his. He's not letting go.

"Shouldn't have ghosted on you like that." Which was probably for the best, but all the same. Mick knows from a year on the Waverider that isolation isn't the way to deal with grief and loss.

[goodviberations]

"I've been there, man," he assures. "Sometimes you need space." He would have liked a heads up to prevent some of the worry, but he understands the need to get away to be alone with your grief.

The haze over Mick's eyes makes his stomach twist with concern. "Harry's working on getting you better," he says softly. "We're gonna figure this out."

[bringstheheat]

They're working on it. Mick believes him.
But he also knows that the fever is going to kill him even if the radiation poisoning doesn't. He weakly squeezes Cisco's hand again. "s' okay kid."

"You've been a good friend."

[goodviberations]

Cisco's heart squeezes in his chest.

"Don't talk like that, Mick," he pleads. "We can figure this out. We're working on a way to create dark matter to counteract the temporal radiation."

[bringstheheat]

Ah. So they figured that much out. Good.
Mick hums in reply, trying to think through the fever. "I ain't goin anywhere," he promises. "This isn't the first time I've nearly died." He has a friend. A little dragon. A weird as hell life but it's his and Mick is going to hold on to that with all that he has left in him.

"You nerds'll figure it out. You always do."

[goodviberations]

He really doesn't need a reminder that Mick's life is in danger on a pretty regular basis. Especially when saving him is up him and his friends. If something happens to Mick, that's on Cisco.

"You should get some sleep, Mick," he says softly. "We'll do everything we can."

[bringstheheat]

"I know." And he does. He has faith in the nerd squad that something will happen and they will find some way to keep him alive.
He has faith in Cisco.

Mick squeezes his hand again before his eyes drift closed and he falls into another feverish doze. Not once does he even think of letting go of the fingers curled in his, even if Cisco's brain would be better served working with the rest of the science minds.

[goodviberations]

Cisco is just selfish enough to stay, even after Mick falls asleep. Harry had told him to sit with Mick, and he needs to do that. For himself. Just a little bit longer.

Even unconscious, Mick's grip is tight on his hand, and Cisco feels the faintest flourish of hope in his chest. But now isn't the time for that. Everything has to wait until Mick is better. After that...well. Time will tell.