Hartley: I’m gay, Cisco. That’s why I was a pseudo celebrity. I haven’t been out at a public event since I was still a Rathaway. And I’m not sure I would be able to help myself from being close to you. I’m quite horrible at hiding my feelings. But if you want me to go, I will go. I will follow you wherever you go, Cisco.
Cisco: You’re still a Rathaway in my book. Being gay doesn’t mean you suddenly lose that title. Your parents are jerks, and I’ll tell them that if we run into them. And If you don’t want to come, you don’t have to. I can just irritate my sister all night. -pause- I’m sure you look great in a suit, though.
Hartley: Do you realize that you would be outed, Cisco? “Hartley Rathaway shows up to Gala for the first time in 12 years with a male date.” There will be tabloid pictures. My parents will probably try to pay you off or destroy your life. Either or. -sigh- I’m willing to go if it means I can be by your side but you have to understand what you’re opening yourself up to.
Cisco: -scoff- What, so girls can bring other girls as their plus one and not get questioned, but as soon as a dude brings another dude flags are raised? -deep sigh- People were going to find out eventually, I can’t hide in my apartment forever.
Hartley: -silence before finally speaking quietly- Cisco. You know I’d love to spend all my waking hours with you. But you also know I haven’t been to a gala since I was 16. What is the gala for? Oliver Queen? The Rathaways always do their best to attend social events where they can invest their money in political candidates. I don’t think I could face them in public, Cisquito.
Cisco: That’s why you’ll be with me! You don’t even have to talk to them, I’ll save you from their judgy stares. Oliver is hosting it, but I’d rather be anywhere but here. If you were here it would make it all much less painful. Pleaaaaaaase?
“Means you’re important,” she said coming up beside him. Sara hadn’t seen him since the accident but she could sense he’d reeled back from his mental break.
“I’m not important,” Cisco shrugged as Sara came up beside him. “Sara, hey! Long time no see!” He still didn’t remember their encounter during his episode, but his brain was tugging him in that direction. “I feel like it hasn’t been that long, but its been what, a few months or something?”
“Me either, to be honest. I’m only slightly acquainted with Mr. Queen.”
“Same. He and I aren’t on the best of terms right now.” He said plainly. Cisco decided to leave out details of being shot on multiple occasions by the man. It didn’t matter here.
Cisco: -ring-
Hartley: Salve, Cisquito.
Cisco: So there’s this thing tonight that I feel obligated to attend. This stupid gala that Oliver invited me to, and I feel bad not going and wasting my /paid/ portion of alcohol and food. -pause- and I hate monkey suits. God, why are they so uncomfortable. Do you have a suit at the ready? I /need/ you to be my plus one.
“Probably because you’re part of the team. And Oliver thinks highly of you?” He would have invited Cisco, regardless of what he had done previously.
“Oliver has literally shot me. Twice. I don’t think he likes me all that much.” Cisco sighed, “At least he hasn’t shown me that he takes any kind of liking to me.”
Cisco backup 