Evan had been waiting at the restaurant with Syndicate, anticipating Brian and Brock's arrival. He had decided to bring Tom along at the last minute, because he honestly didn't want to be a third wheel between his visiting friends. Not that he minded, he just knew that with Tom, things would be less awkward, and Brock would be thanking him for that in the long run. Plus, who didn't like going out for dinner and a few drinks? Tonight would be a good night, he was sure of it, and maybe just maybe, he'd be able to talk some sense into Brock about finally confessing his feelings.

Brian and Brock's cab was just around the corner, but the LA traffic was at its peak again, typical for a friday night. It was warm out still, the air moist with humidity, and the two boys chattered away in the backseat. Brock however, couldn't stop thinking about how he almost let his feelings spill out at the beach earlier. God, he wanted to tell him so bad, he just wanted to get it off his chest, be done and over with it, but he knew he could never. He was too shy, too nervous, too anxious; his guts would wind and wind and wind until he felt like he was going to be sick... And only Brian did that to him.

"Something on your mind, Brocky?" There it was, that damn tone of voice and cheeky fucking smile.

Brock swallowed the growing lump in his throat, "Just thinking about the food." He lied, giving a small nonchalant grin.

"God, I know, I'm starving." Brian replied, hand instinctively going to his stomach as if to prove his point.

The older man sighed, and his gaze averted to the window. Why did he do this to himself? He knew it would be like this when he got here, he knew it would be like this when he spent time with Brian... So why did he let him bring him down so much? Internally, he was thinking that Brian would have to catch on sooner or later, but in all actuality, he knew the Irishman was quite oblivious to most things. This particular thing wouldn't be any different. "Are you sure nothing's wrong?" He asked once more. Okay, so maybe he was catching on, or maybe, Brian was just trying to be a good friend.

"Bri, I'm fine, really." Brock insisted.

After sitting in traffic for another ten minutes, the two boys just decided to walk the rest of the way to the restaurant. It was only right around the corner, and Brian didn't want Evan to wait for he and Brock any longer. Hell, he had already received a few texts from the asian man. So they walked beside each other, content in the moonlight, until the restaurant came into view. The younger man opened the door, allowing Brock to head inside first, and they immediately saw Evan and Tom at a small table in the corner. "Sorry we're late." He apologized as they took their seats. "Traffic really is a bitch."

"Yeah well," Evan grinned. "That's something you gotta get used to since you live in LA now."

Brian chuckled, "Looks like I won't be leaving the house much then." He glanced up at Vanoss on the other side of the table. "You didn't tell me you were bringing Tom." He added, "No offense Tom, you know I love you." It had been a while since he'd seen the small man, so it would be good to catch up with him. Hell, Brian had almost forgotten that he lived in LA.

"I figured he'd want to hang out." Evan shrugged, picking up the menu and letting his eyes scan it. Now that Brian and Brock were here, they'd be able to finally order their food. Tom didn't know Brock and Brian's situation; Evan was a good friend, and he wasn't going to let Brock's secrets out there like that. He merely kept Syndicate on a need to know basis, and the only thing that he knew was that the two men had a thing for each other, a thing that both of them were completely oblivious to. And Tom had promised not to say anything or make things awkward at dinner, and Evan was thankful for that. "How have you been, Brock?" The asian asked, dark eyes going across the table once more. It had also been long time since those two had seen each other in person.

"I've been okay." Brock answered honestly, "It's really good to see you guys again."

"Yeah Moo, I've noticed you don't get out to LA as much as you should." Tom chimed in.

Brock shrugged, "I'm just here to help Brian move."

Brian rolled his eyes, "Give yourself some credit Brocky, geez." At the mention of that nickname, Evan had to stifle whatever was about to come up his throat. Brocky? Really? He had no idea that Brian called the older man that outside of the videos they made together. "Brock is my best friend, he's not just helping me move in, we haven't seen each other in while... A visit was a must." Brian continued as Vanoss and Syndicate watched him speak. They ordered their food after that, small talking about life, youtube, and future projects. It was nice to catch up to one another. And Brock was thankful that it wasn't awkward between them, and he was glad that Vanoss wasn't hinting at anything or trying to play matchmaker with Tom.

"Alright, who wants a drink?" Tom offered, standing up from the table. "Everyone? Good, Brian come help me get the drinks." He said and began to walk away from the table. Brian stood up, following the smaller man, hoping that when they came back to the table, their food would be there. The restaurant was busy, but again, that was typical for a friday night. But a drink sounded like a god send right now, and after a long day like today, he definitely needed one. It would help him relax, unwind... And maybe just maybe, if Brock got enough alcohol in him, he would finally admit what had been bothering him earlier. Brian was stupid, but then again, Brock wasn't a big drinker.

Back at the table, Evan was beginning to make conversation with Moo. "So, what did you guys do today?" He inquired.

"We got breakfast when we woke up, and went to the beach." He answered in reply. "It was a lot of fun." He admitted.

"He's happier when he's around you, you know that?" Evan pointed out.

"I suppose so." The older man replied, dark eyes finding Brian who was standing at the bar with Tom. He had gotten some sun at the beach today, his cheeks were slightly tinted, pink coloring them, but Brock thought he looked adorable in that way. He was talking excitedly with Syndicate, his crystal eyes sparkling in the dim light of the restaurant. A pang of something made its way through Brock's chest, zapping him in the heart almost, and he wished for the umpteenth time that'd he been in LA that he could just come out and confess to the younger man. "I almost told him today." He revealed as he turned his head to look back at Evan. "By accident, at the beach."

"Why didn't you?" Evan asked.

The older man shook his head, "It's not the right time." With that, Tom and Brian had returned to the table with a few alcoholic beverages in hand, and the waiter brought their platter of food as well. They ate, and laughed, and told jokes and overall just had a good time with each other. The company was good, the company made Brock forget for a little while that he was in love with his best friend who didn't feel the same way about him. It was all about distractions, and dinner with Tom and Vanoss was a very good one. However, he knew later tonight, when he and Brian were alone, the pain would come back and hurt worse than ever. The agony would be too real. And he wondered right then and there why he even put up with it.

When dinner was over, they ordered dessert as well, and it was getting late. All of them men, surprisingly handling their alcohol well, were getting ready to head home. Brock and Brian had been waiting for another cab, liquor on their breaths and slight slurring in their speech. Tom and Evan were just going to take Tom's car to get home, but they were waiting for the other two men to leave first, make sure they got in their cab okay. "Thanks for dinner Evan." Brian said, "And it was good seeing you again Tom." He added as they started their walk out of the restaurant door.

"You too Brian." Tom smiled. "And don't be a stranger Brock."

"I won't." Brock replied.

"See you guys later." Evan waved as he watched his two friends leave the restaurant and get into the cab. They'd be going back to Brian's apartment and hopefully going back to bed. And it was quiet between Tom and Evan as they paid the bill and shuffled into Tom's car. The parking lot of the restaurant was packed, and they knew it would be awhile before they got home. "That went well, don't you think?" Vanoss asked, attempting to make conversation. He had noticed that ever since Brian and Tom came back from the bar with the drinks, Tom looked as though he had something on his mind. Or he was just being very unusually quiet.

"Yeah," He nodded. "Thanks for inviting me." He added in response. It was quiet for a few moments before he spoke again, "Keep an eye on Brock, yeah?"

Evan let out a small laugh, "For what? Did something happen with you guys at the bar?"

A sigh, and a look that made Evan question everything all escaped from Tom. "Brian has a girlfriend."