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Hey, no, hey!

[It is a very heartfelt attempt to make Cisco stop paying off his tab, while also trying to hop off the stool without seeming as drunk as he is, and by the time Taako is steady it's already too late.

He does his best to look Very Disappointed.]

Dude, c'mon, I was gonna cover your drinks, you came all the way out here for me.

[The look of disappointment is probably ruined by the fact that Taako winds his arms around one of Cisco's, because he absolutely needs to be holding onto someone to manage the whole walking thing.]

[ Cisco doesn't even acknowledge Taako's attempts to stop him from paying for both of them, acting like he can't even hear Taako til he has it squared away. Once Taako's arm is around his back, and it feels like he's steadied himself enough to walk a bit, Cisco starts walking towards the door of the bar. He rests his hand on Taako's back, ready to grab his shirt if he should stumble and need to be caught.

Taako keeps on pouting, acting like it's some huge favor Cisco is doing him. Which... is actually kind of sad, if he thinks about it, so he doesn't dwell too much. Cisco just smiles instead, soft and quiet and fond. He doesn't speak again until they're out of the bar, in the crisp air of early night. Then he says, simply: ]

Don't worry about it, alright? Look... I promise you, once of these days, it's gonna be me having a really bad night. And maybe when that happens, you'll pick up my tab for me. Kay?

[ There is a kind of sincere certainty in the way he says it - both that their situations will be reversed at some point, and that when they are Taako will have his back. ]

[Outside is... actually pretty great, actually, distracting Taako for a moment as he breathes in air that doesn't smell like stale beer and looks up the stars.

He used to figure out the constellations in each new world, sometimes, make up fake astrological signs for all of the crew, like a stupid little game they could play to ignore the fact they were living through an endless cycle of apocalypses.

When Cisco speaks again, it takes him a second to respond, but he gets there.]

I hope not. [Wait, that sounds bad.] I mean, I hope you don't have a shitty night. If it does happen I'll be there with money for your bar tab and my great singing voice for shitty karaoke, for sure.

[Taako still isn't sure exactly when it happened, but Cisco is one of his closet friends here.]

[ Cisco can't imagine what Taako's thinking, when he pauses to look up at the sky. But he waits, patiently, 'til he comes back to himself. Eventually, Taako responds - not with a joke, but honestly. And Cisco's soft smile widens into a grin. ]

Hell yeah. We can make a while tradition outta it.

[ There are worse traditions to have, than pushing awake sadness with singing. It's kind of a classic combo, honestly. Cisco asks which way they should be headed to get to the karaoke place, and together the two of them set out, making their way there. It's not too crowded out, and anyone walking near them is smart enough not to get in their way. Cisco has a high enough tolerance that two shots aren't going to get him drunk, but they're enough that he has a proper buzz started once they reach the door to the place. Hard to miss it, with the thumping of overloud music leaking out from the building. ]

So I get to pick a couple songs for you, right? That's how this works?

[Despite the unreasonable amount of alcohol that he's consumed, Taako does a pretty decent job of walking in a straight line, grateful that he had the foresight to go for boots rather than high heels when he left the apartment earlier. The walk shakes loose some of the shitty feelings clinging to him, at least, helping to clear his head.]

I'm saying yes, but if you make me regret it I'm gonna take you to some pocket dimension and leave you there.

[He's probably capable of actually doing that, but it's an empty threat regardless.]

Only good stuff, promise.

[ Cisco raises his free hand to draw a little X over his heart, just so Taako knows he's legit. Then again, he's not entirely sure the gesture will translate, but it doesn't matter, because they're pushing open the door to the bar and are immediately greeted by a very dramatically delivered, very pitchy version of Mariah Carey that has Cisco almost doubling over in silent laughter. Between giggles he manages to gasp out: ]

This... bodes... well!

[ Despite the lack of foot traffic outside, the bar is pretty full: it takes Cisco a minute of looking to spot a little two-person table in a back corner, and they wind their way around other customers to claim it. ]

I'm putting our names on the list and I'm getting you some more water, don't wander off.

[ And without waiting for a reply Cisco leaves to do those things, coming back a few minutes later with the promised water (plus a beer for himself) and a big grin. ]

I put us down for two duets and one solo song each, we'll see how we're doing after that.

[Taako immediately has to let go off Cisco in order to free up his hands to cover his mouth, not wanting to interrupt that lovely rendition with a burst of giggles.]

Fucking amazing.

[He's still laughing as they head over to a table, eyeing up the "competition" while Cisco goes off to do his thing. Maybe he should have started at a bar like this, where the energy is a little more positive than a shitty dive bar, because he already feels a whole lot better.

That might just be thanks to his company though.

When Cisco comes back, Taako matches that grin.]

So, uh, seems like the bar is set pretty low, we're gonna be totally fine.

[At least he knows Cisco can sing, after their fun truth serum adventures.]

[ They have a few songs before it is their turn, so Cisco gets comfortable, lounging in his chair, drinking his beer and listening to the people who come before them. Taako wasn't kidding, about the bar being set low. The next woman who goes doesn't have a bad voice, or anything, but she is timid, keeps shying away from really committing herself to the song, which means it really doesn't come out that great. ]

What d'you think, should I set up my phone to record us while we're up there, or is this a 'what happens in the karaoke bar stays in the karaoke bar' type situation?

I need to be at least like, fifty percent less drunk for any kinda recording to be acceptable.

[He'd be fine with it in theory, but he does not need proof that he got this fucked up and then went to sing karaoke, even if the karaoke part won't be terrible.]

[ Cisco nods without argument; Taako doesn't him to record it, he won't, even if he thinks his friend is holding up pretty damn well, all things considered.

They sit through another song, this one not half bad, and one more after it, which is a truly obnoxious overenthusiastic rendition of a particularly grating country song. Pretty much the world's easiest act to follow. Their name comes up on the 'up next' screen halfway through it, and Cisco reaches out, grabbing Taako's hand. ]

Let's do a tag team one first, c'mon.

[ And he half-leads, half-drags Taako up to the machine where they select the song they're going to be singing. Cisco scrolls through, finds 'Feeling Myself' (which he is glad they have) and glances over to Taako, eyebrows raised as if to say "you sure?". ]

[He does not need to be dragged, tyvm, but he doesn't protest at the hand holding, laughing to himself as he follows Cisco up towards the stage, matching those raised eyebrows with a challenging look of his own.]

Hey, if you wanna be a coward...

[Because obviously Taako is not.

(Debatable).]

[ Cisco's never been the type of guy who really minds being called a coward - of all the many and varied things he has insecurities about, that isn't one of them. But all he'd been waiting for was confirmation that Taako hasn't changed his mind. Clearly, he hasn't, and Cisco presses the touch screen decisively.

They wait out the last, uncomfortably intense minute or so of the guy's song and then he's hopping off the small stage to scattered, strained applause. And all at once, Cisco does feel a surge of nerves, looking at that empty stage. He hesitates, but then glances over at Taako, nods, and goes up, standing by one of the microphones.

It's a little daunting, looking out at the crowd (he's usually more drunk, when he does this), but he reminds himself that none of them know who he is, that he's doing this not just for fun but to make his friend feel better. And those thoughts have Cisco standing up straighter, flipping his hair back (an unconscious gesture that earns a brief but loud whistle from the crowd, much to Cisco's embarrassment.)

He looks over to Taako, grin a little bit wild now, and asks: ] Ready?

[Although their little foray into weird kinks during the expo established that Taako does, in fact, have a little bit of shame, it's not something that extends to situations like this. His life in Fearun might have been fake in a way, but performing is something that he's comfortable doing.]

Always, pumpkin.

[When the song starts, he throws himself into it with all the flair necessary to pull off a song like this. The singing itself is easy enough, but it's the performance where he really shines, including mimicking the brief stare and grin from the film clip (which he's pleased Cisco plays along with) as well as Nicki's trill, something he can do perfectly. Even when it's not his turn to sing, Taako keeps up the performance, either dancing or playing off whatever Cisco is doing to make the whole thing more fun.

By the end of it, he's breathless and laughing, but he's all but forgotten the whole reason he came out to get drunk in the first place, at least for a little while.]

Edited 2017-07-19 07:17 (UTC)

[ Cisco starts off with less flair than Taako, but after a few bars he loosens up, stops thinking so much and just lets himself get lost in the song. There's a screen prompting them with the words, but he doesn't even glance at it; this one he definitely knows by heart. And it would be impossible not to be energized, with Taako giving it 110% just a foot away from him, dancing and mimicking bits of the music video, all unapologetic enthusiasm and joy. It's silly, and loud, and just... fun.

It seems to last for ages, and also to be over in the blink of an eye. At the end, Cisco can't help grinning from ear to ear. He and Taako link arms and together do a ridiculous, over-the-top bow. And that's definitely not his imagination; the crowd in the bar is cheering much louder for them than they had anyone else since they came in. Hell, there's a couple people actually on their feet, and definitely more than a few whistles and whoops. He isn't thinking right then about why they came here, either.

Together the two of them stumble off the stage, wind their way over to their table, past quite a few people who are holding out hands for high fives or fistbumps. Cisco doesn't sit down so much as throw himself into his chair, laughing with sheer exhilaration and then burying his face in his hands, in mingled embarrassment and delight. ]

[A few of those people asking for high fives are treated to a little shimmy as Taako walks past, laughing the whole way, even once he's back in his seat and taking a needed sip from his glass of water.]

Fuck Carnivale, my dude, that was way more fun.

[Not that he didn't have a shitload of fun at Carnivale, but maybe this just feels better as a comparison, from how antsy and stressed he was feeling less than half an hour ago, to delighted and laughing with Cisco now.]

[ Cisco moves his hands enough that he can at least peer over them, which is worth it, to see Taako, who is looking just as flushed and giddy as Cisco is feeling. Even as the next singer goes up and starts their song, Cisco catches a few people sitting at the little tables around the stage craning their necks, looking back over at the two of them. It's flattering, and a bit scary, and wonderful. ]

Taako. Hey, Taako. Sometime when we're sober, we gotta do that again and record it and then like, full-on re-create the video. I feel like we owe it to the universe.

[ It's not something Cisco would agree to, much less suggest himself, at a regular moment. But this isn't a regular moment - he feels invincible, like he could do anything, say anything, without fear or embarrassment.

He breaks off into more giggles, actually a little shaky with happiness and the gradually fading adrenaline from performing. A man stops while walking past their table, and Cisco looks up at him, ready to answer whatever question he's got (maybe he's from a universe without Beyoncé, what a tragic thought). When the guy picks up one of the little cocktail napkins from the table and starts writing something that very much looks like a phone number on it, Cisco quickly waves a hand as if to stop him. ]

Hold up, hold up, he's taken, dude.

[ Because, obviously, this dude must be wanting to give his digits to Taako. Cisco never stops to even imagine it would be anything other than that. But the guy just keeps writing, drops the napkin right in front of Cisco, instead, then walks off with a smile and not a single word. And Cisco goes back to hiding his face in his hands. ]

Blood pact, right now, we're fucking doing it.

[Taako is entirely serious about re-creating the entire video from start to finish, including sexy back up dancers (Lup would be down) and he does not want Cisco to back down when he's feeling less of that post-performance adrenaline.

The blood pact would probably be a little too much, though, which is why it's good that there's an interruption, and Taako's expression goes from pleased to absolutely fucking delighted as he realizes what's happening. When the dude is gone, he gives Cisco a congratulatory punch in the arm. It's a very dude bro thing. Please forgive him.]

You better keep that or I will keep it for you.

[ They might not have gotten a chance to do a blood pact (is that even a real thing? a real magical thing?), but while Taako is proposing it, Cisco looks totally on board. He even nods, and that could be taken as a kind of promise or contract, couldn't it? Taako will have ample evidence to draw on, if he wants to convince Cisco later that it's a done deal and he's already agreed.

Cisco doesn't even respond to the arm punch. When he surfaces again his face is even more flushed than it had been before. Maybe the guy wouldn't have looked twice at Cisco if Taako hadn't been on stage with him in the first place, and maybe he'd been writing the number for Taako at first and then given it to Cisco as a smooth recovery, a second-best option. But also... maybe not. ]

I can't believe that just happened.

[ Cisco peers over towards the bar, where the guy had wandered after passing their table. His timing is terrible, because he manages to look, very obviously, just as the guy has turned to be facing them. The bar isn't exactly brightly lit, but that was definitely a wink, definitely at Cisco, who looks away immediately.

He reaches out for the napkin, shoves it into the pocket of his jeans without ceremony. Cisco isn't about to go setting anything up without checking the guy out, first (Lisa Snart can feel proud somewhere for that extra layer of caution), but he's not going to throw it away, either. Especially not when Taako saw the whole thing and seems like he is more than willing to play matchmaker if he has to. ]

You should totally pick my solo song, if I'm picking yours.

Oh, I can.

[He's still grinning and delighted, but he genuinely means that, rather than it just being an extension of his slight incredulity of how this whole night is shaping up.]

Are we limiting songs to shit we both know?

[While Cisco was scrolling through the songs, Taako noticed a couple that he was actually familiar with, from before coming here.]

[ Cisco can feel the sincerity in it, that Taako is almost more excited by a guy giving Cisco his number than Cisco himself is, because he's just that kind of friend. He shakes his head a little, grinning from ear to ear, and lets it go. ]

Seems fair, I mean, neither of us wanna get up there and not know the tune.

[ He knows exactly what he is going to pick, and knows that it's a song Taako is familiar with (he'd made a joke about the music video once, weeks and weeks ago, but Cisco had remembered). And now that he's actually seen how much effort Taako had put into their dual performance, well. He's pretty excited to see how it's going to turn out ]

You wanna go next, or should I?

I'll go, but I'm buying you another drink first, only seems fair.

[He's not sure how that's fair exactly but it seems like a reasonable deal, since Cisco needs to catch up a little more than he already has. He's not expecting Cisco to totally catch up, but there's nothing wrong with getting a little more tipsy.

He also needs time to think about a song to pick for Cisco, since he's fairly well versed in Earth media by this point, but a couple extra minutes won't hurt.]

[ In response to that, Cisco finishes the last of the mostly-empty beer that was in front of him, beaming at Taako as he heads to the bar for the drink. He watches him go, thinks back to earlier, to how miserable Taako had sounded in his texts. Maybe he'll be able to convince Taako to crash at his place, just for the night. They've got drunken karaoke as their excuse, after all. And if the situation really is so tense in his own house, Cisco doesn't want to just abandon him to it, especially now that Taako's managed to shake off the gloom for a little while.

Cisco pulls a pen from his pocket and writes out YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT: TOXIC BY THE ONE AND ONLY BRITNEY on a napkin, folds it up and scoots it over to Taako's side of the table. Not really necessary, no, but might as well add a little suspense to the situation. ]

[Things Taako comes back with: two drinks, and a number for their table because apparently he ordered food while at the bar (looking at the menu was a Mistake but one he's willing to live with). The beer is set down in front of Cisco, while the colourful drink in a martini glass is for himself, and he holds up a hand as if expecting the protest.]

It's a mocktail, promise.

[He just got bored with water.

And then the napkin catches his attention; Taako opens it up with a suspicious look at Cisco, as if unsure what it might be, before promptly grinning once he's read the contents.]

You sure you can handle this? You sure they can handle this?

[It's gonna be a lot.]

[ Cisco had even opened his mouth to comment that Taako probably did not need any more alcohol in his system, but before he can get the words out, Taako has anticipated them and cut him off. Cisco laughs, feeling predictable, but also grateful. He can't help but fuss, sometimes. It's just in his nature.

He waits eagerly as Taako looks at the song written on the napkin, but it's clear that as soon as he sees it, he's happy with it. Cisco grins, eyebrows raising as he nods: ]

I don't know about all of them, but I, for one, was born ready for this.

[ It's fun, to hype Taako up; Cisco is quite certain that his performance will not disappoint. ]

[This is either the best or worst decision that Cisco has ever made, because Taako takes a little sip of his super non-alcoholic drink, then delicately sets it down on the table before practically skipping up to the stage. He puts the song in as he waits for the person before him to finish, chatting idly to someone at a nearby table because apparently he can't go thirty seconds without having a conversation.

And then he's ready to go, and this is where Cisco gets to decide whether or not he regrets this, cause Taako immediately casts minor illusion, changing his outfit to, well, that little airline hostess number from the video. At least he's got the legs for it, although the hat looks a little silly.

Looking a little silly isn't going to stop him, once the music kicks in and he starts singing along. A handful of the people in the front row get thoroughly eye-fucked through the performance, because that's the only way to sing Toxic. He doesn't get quite as into it as he did with the duet, since it was fun to play off Cisco, but he still gives it a pretty good shot, enough to earn another round of applause once he's done.

Taako curtseys, blows a kiss to someone, and then ambles his way back to Cisco looking appropriately smug.]

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