Ben walked into the Liberty Diner alone the next morning. Michael had taken off early, hoping to hit the hospital before visiting hours had started. In Ben's opinion, Michael had attached himself to Brian way too much, but being there was important to Michael, so Ben didn't object.
"Morning, honey," Debbie said, pouring him a cup of coffee. She looked around curiously. "Where's Michael? Running late?"
"No," Ben said. "Michael's... skipping the diner this morning. He was in a hurry."
"Too much of a hurry to stop in and say hello to his own Goddamn mother?"
"It was unavoidable, Debbie." Ben said, calmly.
"The hell it was. Is he OK?"
"He's fine," Ben laughed. "He's just doing a favor for a friend."
"A friend?" Debbie said. "What friend?" Ben raised his eyebrows, sipping his coffee.
"Morning, Debbie!" Emmett sang, pushing into the diner with Ted. They took a seat at their usual booth. "Where's the other half of our party today?"
"Michael's not coming," Debbie said.
"And Brian?.." Ted said.
Debbie looked at Ben, who was silent still, sipping at the coffee. "A friend?" she said
Ben checked his watch. "Look at the time. I've gotta get to class." He leaned over the counter, kissing Deb's cheek.
Debbie let her mouth hang open as Ben said goodbye to Ted and Emmett and hurried out the door. "What the fuck is going on that I don't know about?" Debbie said.
"Deb..." Ted said. "I can say with confidence that I am right in the same boat as you."
"You know Michael," Emmett smiled. "Him and his great big heart."
"A lot of good that fucking heart of his is doing him. Fucking Brian..." Debbie added under her breath.
"Now now, Deb," Emmett said. "That's one thing Michael is definitely not doing." He coaxed her to sit. "He is really happy. And Ben is happy. All is divine."
Debbie shook her head with a sigh. "What can I get you boys?" She didn't even pause, continuing before either Ted or Emmett could speak. "The usual? Fine."
"Mr. Kinney," the nurse said, standing in the doorway to Brian's room. "Mr. Kinney, you can't just leave..."
"I can't?" Brian said sarcastically, throwing his sleeveless shirt on over his head. "Then what do you call this? I call it me walking out the fucking door."
"Mr. Kinney..."
"You're not keeping me here another day because of the fucking shits."
"Don't give the lady a hard time, Brian. She's doing her job." Michael said from out in the hallway. He slowly entered the room.
"I am not staying here for one more Goddamn minute and they can't make me. I don't have the fucking plague. I have food poisoning... and I feel better." He banged on his chest, directed towards the nurse. "Tip-fucking-top." Michael let his shoulders fall, giving Brian a disappointed look. "Don't give me that, Mikey."
"The lab hasn't come back with all of you're test results," the nurse said.
"Listen to me," Brian said. "Are you reading my lips? I'm leaving. You just call me when you get my fucking results back. OK? OK." He walked passed the nurse. "You coming, Mikey?"
Michael's mouth hung open, watching for a moment as Brian made his was over to the nurse's station and signed himself out. Michael shook his head but followed after Brian.
"Do you really think that this is such a good idea?" Michael said. "Brian?"
"It's the best fucking idea I've had in days." Brian stepped out of the hospital. "Where'd you park?"
"The lot..." Michael began as Brian had already begun in that direction. "Bri... Brian! Christ, will you just slow down a minute."
"What are you losing speed in your old age?" Brian laughed, slowing only slightly for Michael to catch up. "Where are we heading?"
"I'm bringing you to your car and then I am going to work."
"To spend another day with Superman and Captain America," Brian said as Michael opened the car doors. "The world is now a safer place thanks to the great and powerful Michael Novotny."
"I think you're confusing me with The Wizard of Oz." Michael laughed.
"Nope, no mistaking, Dorothy," Brian sat back.
Michael began to drive, heading towards Liberty Avenue. "Where's your car?"
"Babylon," Brian said, leaning back in the passenger's seat.
"What, were you starting early last night?" Michael laughed. "Was there some kind of celebration I didn't know about? Nine inch night isn't until Friday, right?"
"I was preparing for my own private nine inch night." Brian said. "I had a nice ten and a half set up. I was going to throw myself a party." Michael pulled up in front of Babylon. "But I bet it's nothing like what you and... Ben had planned." Brian said sarcastically.
Michael almost quivered with Brian's last statement. Just the sound of Brian's voice seemed hurt. "Nah," he said. "Just dinner and..."
"Oh it's OK, Mikey," Brian teased. "You can say it. You were going to fuck like a bunch of animals." Michael's eyebrows raised in a shocking disbelief. "Commitment." Brian said. "Makes me want to hurl even more than I already have to." Brian stepped out of the car.
"Are you going to be OK getting home?" Michael asked.
"Don't worry mother," Brian said. "You go off and have a wonderful day at work." Brian began to turn "Oh. And be sure to give my undying love to the Professor." he added with a hint of sarcasm.
Michael rolled his eyes, waiting, watching Brian get into his own car and drive off towards his loft. Michael remained behind the wheel for a moment, taking a deep breath, before parking the car, deciding to head to the diner before opening up the store. He hadn't gotten any shit from Debbie that morning. How could he start his day without it?