"Oh come on, Michael" Ted said. "You know how Brian can get. You can't let him ruin your whole day." Ted and Emmett stood in front of Michael who had thrown himself down on the couch in his apartment.
"Who's day is ruined?" Michael said. "My day's not ruined. No way, not a chance. I'm going to have a wonderful day. Just perfect." Michael leaned back. "I don't have to go to work. I get a nice long weekend..."
"Oh, honey" Emmett said. "You just had a fight with your best friend in the universe. You don't have to put on a strong face for us. Me and Teddy, we know that you're hurt."
Michael shook his head. "It's just like Brian though," he said. "Act first, ask questions later. Never give a shit about what anyone thinks...."
"Brian doesn't know what he's talking about." Ted sat beside Michael. "Of all people to give you advice on relationships, Brian Kinney should be the last on that list." Michael slowly nodded.
"You were so happy before," Emmett said. "That... glow you let off walking into the diner..."
"A glow?" Michael couldn't help but laugh.
Emmett smiled, gently nudging his shoulder. "See there ya go. A little bit of laughter, now doesn't that feel better?" Michael was silent as Emmett nudged him again. "Come on," he said
"Alright" Michael smiled. "Yeah. It does. It feels better."
"Good," Emmett said. "So now... tell us all about your date."
"You get to share your endeavors with the less fortunate." Ted said.
"There really isn't much to share." Michael said modestly. Emmett nudged him again. "We had dinner, we went for drinks.... that's really it. Pretty simple evening."
"And he really wasn't looking for sex." Ted said.
"No," Michael smiled. "It's strange but.... last night seemed like so much more than just jumping into bed. David and I.... we really connected."
"Wow," Ted said. "That really is incredible. Who'd have thought civilized dating even existing?"
"So what do you think about him?" Emmett bounced. "Do you like him?"
Michael didn't say anything for a moment, looking between Ted and Emmett before nodding. "I do"
"Can we add a little more hesitation to that next time?" Ted said.
"It was a pause for dramatic effect," Michael justified.
"I think you should leave the drama to the actors," Ted said patting Michael on the shoulder as the phone rang. Emmett stood to answer it.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind next time." Michael laughed as Emmett returned with the phone in his hand. Michael looked up. "Who is it?"
Emmett beamed. "David."
"Bullshit," Michael said in disbelief as Emmett handed him the phone. "Hello?" he answered. "David, hi..." he smiled. "Good, good.... yeah I had a really great time last night too...Really?... No, no that's great. That sounds great... I'd love to... Eight o'clock.... right... bye." Michael hung up the phone.
"That sounded like a date." Emmett smiled. "That was a date, wasn't it?"
"That was a date" Michael smiled. "Dinner at his place, tonight." The phone rang again and Michael picked up. "Forget something?" he smiled.
"Mikey?" Brian's voice was heard on the other end.
Michael grew silent for a moment. "What do you want?"
"To talk," he said
"What more could you possibly say?"
"Humor me, Mikey" Brian said. "We can meet somewhere.... we'll hang out tonight..."
"Can't" Michael said interrupting him. "No, I can't. I'm busy tonight. You go on off to Babylon, throw yourself a party. Invite a few friends. Doesn't matter if you can remember their names or not. Doesn't make a difference to you any way."
"Come on Mikey, I'm try to..."
"To what?" Michael said. "To do what, Brian? Apologize? I know you well enough to know that you don't apologize, not about anything. I'm busy. I have to go."
Brian heard the phone line go dead as Michael hung up. He slammed his cellphone shut, leaning forward in the booth at the diner, where he still sat.
"He didn't take it well?" Lindsay asked.
"What the fuck do you think?" Brian said. "You're sitting right there."
"Well don't get pissed off at me because you fucked up." Lindsay said.
"I didn't fuck up" Brian said. "That doctor, doesn't deserve to be with Mikey."
"And who exactly does Michael deserve to be with?" Lindsay asked. "You want him to keep waiting... you want him to keep waiting for you to stop acting like such a self involved asshole and tell him how you really feel?"
"You're out of your fucking mind."
"Bullshit," Lindsay said. "That's bullshit and you know it. Michael is in love with one person. And nothing will ever change that. He's in love with you Brian. I could tell, since the first day I met both of you." Brian was silent. "I know you say that you don't believe in love. But when are you going to open your eyes, Brian? When are you going to open your eyes to what's been right in front of you for sixteen years?"