"This is embarrassing," Clu sighs. He and Tron each take one of Flynn's arms, hoisting the user to his feet. He's dead weight, drunk and laughing and no help at all. Tron can sense Clu's annoyance as other patrons of the EoL point and snicker. Tron adjusts his hold on Flynn, protective.
"You can stay," he says. "I've got him."
Clu raises a brow. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Tron says. "I'll make sure he gets back to the portal in time."
"Alright." Clu extracates himself from their Flynn-sandwich. "Just don't let him fall in the sea."
Flynn swats at his program, grumbling. Tron keeps him from tipping over. "That happened—one time."
Clu snickers, side-stepping the user's swipe. "Be careful. Both of you."
"Yeah, yeah," Flynn grumbles.
Clu returns to the bar as Tron steers Flynn towards the exit. Programs in the crowd gawk and laugh, and Tron can't really blame them. They're an odd sight—the System Monitor half carrying an impaired user through a club. Still, the crowd's laughter is good natured. They part to let the pair pass.
Once they've finally made it in the elevator, Tron leans against the back wall, holding Flynn against his chest. It's nice to have the user to himself, behind closed doors.
Flynn seems to agree. His head lolls against Tron's shoulder now that they're still. His breath is warm; it tickles Tron's circuits.
"Hi, Tron," Flynn murmurs, sleepy.
The user presses closer, looks at Tron with glassy eyes and leans in for a kiss. He tastes like the drinks he downed earlier, and he's all but buzzing with energy. Tron holds him tighter as the elevator plummets. Flynn hums into his mouth.
"My temperature is within standard parameters."
"Maybe." Tron tries not to smirk. "You're drunk."
"Nuh-uh," Flynn says, insulted. He hiccups. Then sighs dramatically, dropping his head back to Tron's shoulder. "Oh man, there's something I've been meaning to ask you, but this might be a bad time."
Trepidation prickles up Tron's spine.
"Mmmm. Ok. But promise—you'll be honest with me. No matter what."
Flynn looks up at him with big, sad eyes. Completely earnest.
"Would you still love me if I was a gridbug?"
Tron doesn't know what he expected.
"Of course," he says, deadpan. "You already act like one."
The elevator doors open. Flynn squawks as Tron scoops him up and carries him away.