Four months. Four long, dreadful months they had went without seeing each other... And somehow, it felt like many years as they sat across from one another at the small table set up just for them. Silence filled the room as they began to eat, both men sneaking shy glances at the other. Would this be it? The redemption that Brian was looking for? Or would they eat dinner and go their separate ways once more? The questions terrified him, and he hoped that it wasn't the latter. He'd give anything to be with Brock, but god, he didn't know how this evening, or even the next few days were going to play out. What if the spark was gone?

Brock's dark eyes were hesitant as he watched Brian fork some of the food into his mouth. For some unexplainable reason, he felt incredibly nervous. Butterflies swarmed his guts and anxiety made his hands shake with fever. Was it really unexplainable? Or did he know why he felt like this? Maybe it was because his feelings for the Irishman still lingered... Maybe they had never gone away at all. But would he be able to forgive him if things worked out for the umpteenth time? He wasn't sure. All Brock did know, was that Brian still looked as beautiful as ever, his crystal blue eyes shining brighter than the stars that night. Oh how he had missed him during their separation; but, it had been for the best. Was that still the case?

Each of them too afraid to speak, but when someone finally did talk, it was Brian who interrupted the silence. "Just so you know," He hesitated as he looked up, getting struck and stumbling on his words as he made eye contact with Brock. "I had nothing to do with this." He gestured to the table, as if to let the older man know that he wasn't trying to win him back. Or was he? "The visit, the dinner, I'm just as confused as you." He chuckled a bit and Brock felt his heart skip a beat. His laugh was still and always would be the best thing in the world. It was like old times, when Brian had first moved to LA, when things were not so complicated between them.

Brock sighed, placing his silverware back on the table, struggling to keep eye contact with the younger man. "I knew Evan sounded weird when he dropped me off," A slight smile graced his lips. "They all did this, didn't they?" He was referring to their friends, and hell, he had to admit they did a pretty damn good job with the whole set up. After all, Vanoss knew Brock was a romantic at heart, that was probably why he was so sure that this would work.

Brian nodded, "I think it's meant to be a date..." He trailed off, scratching the back of his neck, realizing that the atmosphere had just gotten a bit awkward. It shouldn't have been though. After everything that he and Brock had been through? His Brocky? Things shouldn't be uncomfortable in even the slightest, but they were, and it killed him inside. He just wanted everything to go back to how it was before, and now... Now that she wasn't in the way, and his parents weren't in the way? Maybe they could since there was nothing holding them back. They could really do it this time, but Brian was still unsure if that's what Brock really wanted. Maybe his heart had changed after the long separation.

"They did a pretty good job." Brock admitted, playing with his hands under the table, nerves taking over his body. Evan from just looking at him, Brian made him feels things that nobody else could. Throughout their long friendship, and even their short relationship, Brock believed that nobody would ever make him feel like Brian did. And being here with him right now? Well that was a godsend, and he was captivated by the way they could interact with each other like nothing had ever happened, even if the atmosphere was a little awkward. They were both awkward people so that was to be expected.

The Irishman nodded, "Yeah, they did." He took another bite of food, and couldn't help but to look back up at Brock, noticing that the older man was fidgeting quite a bit. He cleared his throat before he spoke, "Uh, you don't have to stay here with me if you don't want to, okay?" His voice got gentler in that moment, and Brock immediately caught on, feeling his heart soften. Brian was so considerate, even after all this time.

He smiled, "I'm here because I want to be."

"You sure?"

"Yes, absolutely." And suddenly, neither of them could tell what it was, but something had clicked.

"Listen, Brock..." Brian sat up, making direct eye contact with the older man. He had to get this off his chest, he had to say something about the elephant in the room before his heart vaulted straight out of his ribcage. "I just want to say that I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt-" He shook his head as he said those words, but Brock had cut him off in the middle of his sentence.

His voice was soft, yet firm. "You don't have to apologize." He got out. "And I don't want to talk about the past anymore. I should have helped you instead of blaming you, because you were going through so much Brian, and I was selfish. But now, I just want to put everything behind us." Brock looked up, noticing Brian's glassy eyes. "The guys went through all this trouble to set this up and get us here, let's just have a nice dinner and we'll take it from there... Do this thing for real this time." He sighed once he finished, smiling if only slightly. "Does that sound okay?" Brock inquired, reaching across the table to wipe the few tears that had fallen down the Irishman's flushed cheeks. It was inevitable; they were soulmates, they were meant to be together. Both were fools who just couldn't see it.

"I would like that very much," Brian replied. "Thank you." Dinner continued, each of them eating their food and enjoying small conversation with one another. They caught up on what they were missing out on in each other's lives, and somewhere between dinner and dessert, Brian had moved his chair so that he was sitting directly beside the older man instead of across from him. Their hands casually found one another's under the table and the skin on skin contact was almost too much to bear. It had been so long, too long. And now to be back with the other like this? Both men were in heaven. It was just like old times; like when they had to share an air mattress in Brian's new apartment, or when they went grocery shopping together and couldn't sleep because each man made the other too giddy. The connection was deep, and there was no denying it.

After hours of food and conversation, Brock didn't want this night to end, especially after it was going so well. "Now what?" He inquired, hoping that Brian wanted to spend more time with him as much as he did. They'd be inseparable once more.

"Let's go somewhere," The Irishman said once they were finished with their food.

Brock didn't even have to ask where. "Okay." He merely agreed and let Brian take him by the hand to a cab. A short ride ensued, but Brock knew exactly where they were going. His thoughts were confirmed when they reached their destination and got out of the vehicle. It was the beach they had visited time and time again when Brock had come to LA; and more specifically, it was the pier where they had had their first kiss and where their relationship began. So many memories filtered through their heads... Like the time they came swimming in their underwear and had to use the blankets in Brian's car to keep warm. Or the time where Brian won Brock so many stuffed animals. They had so many moments together it was nearly unreal. "I love this place," The older man got out.

Hand in hand, they walked in silence, and Brian knew that this was it; this was his chance to redeem himself and everything that he was made of. They made their way to the edge of the dock, where they had watched fireworks here so long ago. "Do you really want to do this with me? After everything I've done to you? Because you can change your mind, I won't blame you. We went through a lot." The Irishman was rambling as he reached for Brock's hand.

"I've never been more sure of anything ever," The older man answered with a small smile. "I want this, I want you."

"Do you trust me?" Brian inquired.

"Yes."

"Then close your eyes." The younger man ordered and it didn't take long for Brock to oblige. His eyes closed, with his long lashes brushing against his cheeks. He squeezed Brian's hand, mostly from nerves, but mostly from excitement as well. "Do you remember what happened the first time we came here together?" He inquired.

Brock nodded, keeping his eyes closed, "I kissed you."

"You did." Brian replied. "And now I'm going to kiss you." He said softly before pulling Brock closer to himself. He let go of his hands, and wrapped his arms around his broad body instead before gently pressing their lips together. There were no fireworks that night, but dear god both men felt them. Their heartbeats thrummed away in their chests like a fast freight train, almost derailing from the tracks. It was never enough, especially not with those two. When they finally pulled away from each other, it was because they needed to breathe, and even then, their foreheads stayed linked together as they felt each other's hot breath fanning across their faces.

"I love you." Brock said.

"I love you too." And just like that, Evan's plan had worked.