[ Taako's expression as he readies the spell doesn't inspire confidence; Cisco's shoulders sag when there is no result, not even a tiny spark. But he doesn't have time to be discouraged, especially not when he glances over, almost compulsively, sees Sazed draping himself over Taako, and he feels nauseous. He can't even imagine, how much worse it must be for Taako, especially considering... well. When Eobard had betrayed Cisco, he'd responded in a certain way - by obsessing over it, by reexamining everything he could remember, looking for hidden clues, replacing old happiness and joy with a new patina of disgust and bitterness and dread.

Taako, though, from what Cisco can tell, has mostly just been avoiding thinking about it, and this oh so helpful dream is forcing the situation. And Cisco has to do something to stop it. Anything.

Or at least, almost anything. ]

I'm not killing you. Not when I don't know what's gonna happen.

[ But he has to do something, and quick, because he hears dream-Taako utter a little laugh, and it's the worst thing yet, because Cisco's heard that laugh - it's the laugh of Taako's that only happens when something catches him off guard, soft and a little dorky and not quite as performative as some of his other laughs. And it's just... awful. ]

This is just a memory, right? Just- some fucking magic making us see shit and hear shit that ain't here. So... let's not fucking let it. Try closing your eyes and covering your ears, okay? Look- don't even- I know it's dumb, just- try.