[The way that Cisco is reacting to all this almost makes it worse, but only because the anger and worry are because he knows, because Cisco is all too aware of how much this is fucking with Taako, how awful this reminder of Sazed's betrayal feels. Cisco is only upset and frustrated in response to Taako's own distress and it makes him feel vulnerable in a way that he hates being, even with friends. This is different, than Cisco seeing him upset over Lup, it's even different than the aftermath of his fight with Lucretia. This is ugly and painful and the last thing Taako wants to do is admit how much it hurts, except he's already made it clear that it does.

He can't take that back, he can't undo those moments of panic when he realized what this was, but he's not--]

I can't fucking-- I'm not gonna hide like a fucking kid. It's bullshit, anyway, this whole thing is fucking bullshit and Sazed is bullshit. I only gave a shit cause I was-- cause Lup wasn't there.

[He's not sure who he's trying to convince.]