"Yup, definitely an improvement" Sydney said.
The Smoke Room couldn't hold a candle to La Cerva, one of Payton's three gay bars. It was neatly packed between two restaurants, and had a single large window, revealing the rainbow floors and walls. Neon lights began to provide ambiance as the sun set behind the buildings.
"Welp, first time in one of these" Carl said, "Wish me luck."
"Liar" Flynn said, "You lot barged into The Smoke Room back in Echo."
"Only to save you!" Carl said, kissing his scaly boyfriend in the lips.
TJ looked into Sydney's eyes and they two shared a kiss.
Hand in hand, both couples entered La Cerva.
***
"And what will you have?" a serval bartender said.
"A Gin Rickey for me" Sydney said, before turning to Flynn "You wanted a Bramble?"
"Nah, just order pink lemonade."
"Alright, one Gin Rickey and three pink lemonades."
"For a group in a bar you sure are anti-alcoholic" the serval snarked, "But you do you."
"Oh, you really don't want those two drunk" Sydney said, pointing at Carl and Flynn.
"Hey!" Carl said indignantly, "You're the one who gets into pirate songs with three beers!"
"What can I say, I'm a fun drunk. You're not, though."
"Please don't actually get drunk" TJ said.
"For you babe, just one drink and I'm done."
Sydney kissed TJ in the lips, and the lemonades and Gin Rickey arrived at the counter. The four amigos took small sips of their chosen bevaraje, eying the PDAs and conversations of the other patrons.
"This is a nice place" TJ said.
"A boring one" Flynn said
"You're hoping there's a dark room, aren't ya?" Carl said, hooved hand passing softly over scaly skin.
"Nah, I'm past that."
Saying that, Flynn grabbed Carl by the hand and both headed to the dance floor. Carl looked midly uncomfortable, and so TJ and Sydney joined them.
"Thanks, guys" Carl said, and slowly he began to dance, enjoying the rhytmn of the music.
***
"So, should we repeat?" TJ asked.
"Sure, was nice" Flynn said.
"Alright, let's head home" Carl said, and the group crossed the street.
As they drove away, TJ looked one last time at the bar. Indeed, it was nicer than anything Echo could offer.
