"This place is.... it's amazing," Michael said looking around in awe at the fancy, high class setting. "I've never imagined coming into a place like this." He paused. "Well... yeah I guess I've imagined, but I never thought it would actually happen."
"Life surprises you sometimes," David smiled, gently sipping his wine. "For example..." he set the flute back down on the table. "I thought for sure that you would turn me down tonight."
"Me?" Michael laughed.
"Yeah. I was almost positive that you would have already been... involved with someone."
Michael smirked. "I can count the amount of actual dates I've had on one hand and still have a couple of fingers to spare." he laughed. "The world of the relationship has not sat well with me... for some strange reason or another."
"Those guys just don't know what they're missing. You're sweet, considerate." David paused, watching the smile emerge on Michael's face. "You're real, Michael. Nothing phony, nothing hidden."
"What you see is what you get" Michael smiled.
"Exactly. That's exactly what I mean."
"That's a good thing, right?" Michael chuckled.
"Absolutely." David said. He pushed himself away from the table for a moment. "Can you excuse me?"
"Sure," Michael said. David stood, walking off and right passed Brian.
"Can I help you sir," the hostess asked.
"I'm meeting someone here..." Brian said looking around, spotting Michael sitting alone, conveniently at a corner table. "Ah... I see him, thank you." Brian slowly made his way over to Michael's table. "Hey, Mikey. Long time no see."
Michael's eyes widened, staring up in shock at Brian. "What the fuck are you doing here?" he said
"Dinner" he smiled, taking a seat.
"Bullshit," he said "Emmett told you, didn't he? Jesus, Brian I wanted to wait to see if it went well before I said anything to you."
"Hey... you've got a date. This is a monumental event. I just wanted to make sure that you were dressed properly..."
"With Emmett as a roommate?" Michael laughed.
"That's my point." Brian laughed as Michael looked around for David. "What's the matter Mikey?"
"Nothing." he said still looking.
"Well while I'm here, why don't I join you two?"
Michael's gaze suddenly shot back to Brian. "You're kidding, right?"
"Should I be?" he said "We're best friends. We usually scope out guys together."
"This is different, Brian." he said "This is a date. An actual real life date. I don't get to go on those too often. Hell, I never get to go on those."
"You know I called you like six times today." Brian said.
"And I was going to call you back" Michael said. "But I got your messages last minute..." Michael looked around again, spotting David heading back to the table.
"Are you trying to get rid of me Mikey?" Brian said
"Look, Brian... I'm sorry." he said "This is a date. You don't do dating, you don't do relationships, remember? I do. I need to. That's what I want."
"Everything OK here?" David asked, standing before them.
"Yeah," Michael smiled. "David, this is my friend Brian."
"Right" David said. "Brian..." he went to shake his hand.
Brian didn't extend his hand. "Dr. David." he said. Brian was amazed at the fact that the man was probably ten years older than Michael. "Man of the hour." Michael brought his hand up to his face in embarrassment, praying that Brian wouldn't say something to truly ruin the rest of the night. Brian looked over at Michael. "I'll see you later then. You doing Babylon?"
"Probably not." Michael said, eyes still closed, wishing this whole situation away.
"Won't be the same without you," Brian prodded.
"I'm sure you'll have a great time," Michael said. "Really."
"Suit yourself," Brian said. "Doc," he eyed David down before turning from the table.
Michael let out a deep sigh. "Sorry about that" he said. "Brian can get like that sometimes."
"How long have you two known eachother?" David asked.
"Since we were fourteen." Michael said. "He's been my best friend ever since."
"Never more?" David asked.
Michael looked at him speechless for a moment. "Brian? No. No, Brian doesn't do boyfriends. We're just friends. That's all. Never more than that." Michael said as the food arrived for a while growing strangely silent.
"Where's Michael?" Ted asked above the music as Emmett found his way through the crowd at Babylon.
"Our little boy is growing up" Emmett wiped a mock tear from his eye. "He snagged himself a doctor."
"Michael's on a date?" Ted said. Emmett nodded. "A real one?"
"Dinner and everything" Emmett beamed.
"Wow..." Ted said as they went back to looking out over the dance floor. "Well good for him." Brian came up beside them , beer in hand. "Did you hear about Michael?" Ted said.
"Fuck off." Brian said placing his drink down and heading off heated to the dance floor.
Ted looked after him in shock. "Was it something I said?" he asked Emmett.
Brian made his way out to the middle of the floor, keeping his eyes on his target, a muscular man of about Brian's own height, tight leather pants, rock hard abs. He approached, whispering in the man's ear.
"He's at it again." Ted said.
The man gave Brian a sly smile and a nod. Brian led him off to the backroom.