Clash

As Brian walked into the dinner he could almost feel the icy wind and every instinct in his body told him to retreat – but he knew he couldn't. It was best to face these things head on. Moving silently across the patron filled restaurant he made his way over to where Michael was already sitting.

"Hey," his best friend greeted him. "What the fuck did you do?"

Brian slumped into his side of the booth and gave him a confused look.

"What do you mean?"

"To Justin," Michael added. "What the fuck did you do to Justin?"

"Christ," Brian hissed. "Wait . . . what makes you think I even did anything?"

"Because you always do," Michael said blankly. "And pissed doesn't even begin to cover it. I don't even think there is a word in this language to describe how he is right now. But I'll tell you this, remember that time when we were 15 and we totaled her car?"

Brian grimaced.

"Fuck," he said pointedly.

It was then that the teenager decided to make his appearance, bringing Michael his ordered French fries in a basket in one hand and a sandwich on plate in his other hand. He carefully placed Michael's food before him and told him his hamburger would be a little while longer before he then turned an icy stare on Brian before handing him his plate, letting it clang on the table.

"I didn't order this," Brian said braving to make eye contact.

"It's what you were going to fucking order anyway isn't it?" Justin asked harshly.

Soon after the words left his mouth, Brian lowered his gaze as Justin walked in through backdoor and into the kitchen.

"Fuck," Brian muttered again under his breath.

"Brian," Michael began as he ate some of his fries. "what. the. fuck. did. you. do?"

His friend could only shrug his shoulders as he reached to take a bite of his magically preordered turkey sandwich but before he could, Debbie came running over to him and placed a sturdy hand on his wrist.

"Honey, don't eat that."

Brian's lips developed into a thin line and he dropped the sandwich back on its plate.

"That's it," he said moving to rise.

"Where are you going?" Debbie and Michael asked in unison.

Without giving them an answer Brian walked briskly back into the diner's kitchen ignoring the stares of the other customers and employees. Michael and Debbie turned towards the door as a sudden loud clash was heard followed by the unmistakable sound of Brian and Justin yelling back and forth and a barrage that was the entire kitchen staff stampeding from the kitchen. The diner had gone quiet as a result of the rather lively but hidden feud but the elevated voices were slightly muffled by the thick walls and door. After a few more tense moments, the yelling died down and everyone gradually went back to eating and their conversations, including Debbie and Michael.

Nearly 20 minutes later, Brian came sauntering out of the kitchen. Coming to sit across from Michael again he sighed heavily and ran a hand through his mussed hair as he leaned back into the booth. Michael stared at him blankly for a long moment before he spoke.

"All better now?"

Brian smirked and lifted his eyebrows once in response as Justin came walking through the door as if on cue with two more plates in his hands. Smiling slightly Justin put Michael's burger down in front of him before replacing Brian's sandwich with a new one.

"Thanks," Brian said softly.

Before Justin could pull his hand away Brian managed to take hold of it and give it a good and tight squeeze, only letting go when he got the smile he was seeking.

"Come over after work?" he asked.

Justin released his hand from Brian's grip.

"I'm not that easy, Brian," he stated.

"We just fucked in the kitchen - "

Michael dropped the hamburger he had just bitten into and immediately reached for his glass of water.

"And you're now telling me that you're not easy."

Justin leaned in.

"Fine, easy – not stupid."

Brian nodded once.

"Hmm, so I should expect you around 8:30?"

Justin grinned and leaned in to kiss his lips.

"More like 9," he said as he walked away.

Brian watched him start to distribute other people's orders before he looked back Michael who was staring at him incredulously whilst desperately picking imaginary bits of burger out of his teeth.