To say breakfast was awkward, was a total understatement. Despite Brian's mother's attempts to keep the conversation going, it always fell flat. One or two words were spoken, and inevitable silence followed after. It was definitely a struggle, and the younger man had just about had enough of all of this nonsense. All morning had been like this, and Brian was beginning to regret this trip to Dublin... He was beginning to regret bringing Brock here after all. His parents were wishy washy on everything and he and Brock were caught and stuck in the middle. Brian couldn't believe that his father was being like this, even after his mother had tried to talk some sense into him. Sure, he had always been stubborn, but never this bad; what had gotten into him? Brian wasn't sure why he was acting this way.

So, all they did was eat their food in unbearable silence, air consisting of tension between the four of them. And Brian couldn't help but to send small, apologetic glances to Brock every now and again. He felt horrible for doing this to his boyfriend. In his mind, this trip had gone better, it was supposed to have gone better... But it was far too late to be having thoughts like that now. He shook his head at the thought as his mom interrupted the silence for the umpteenth time already that morning. "So..." She trailed off, using her fork to get another bite of food. "Do you two have plans for the day? Dublin has got a beautiful garden right by our house." She had a smile written on her face and Brian had to thank her for at least trying.

"We're not sure yet," Brian answered. "But we're supposed to do something." He wasn't able to meet her gaze and he felt horrible because of it. It wasn't his mother's fault, it was his dad's. And yet he still felt so uncomfortable right here in front of them, afraid to talk; and if he felt like that, he could only imagine what Brock was feeling like right about now. His stature was stiff, his hands shook gently, just barely enough for Brian to take notice, and his cheeks were stained a light pink. He was blushing, either from nerves or from embarrassment, the Irishman couldn't tell. This whole thing had gone to shit.

"Brian is pretty creative when it comes to dates..." Brock trailed off, looking towards his boyfriend's mother.

"Well isn't that just sweet?" She replied, smiling fondly at her son. "I knew I raised a gentleman." Brian could see his father's fist tighten around his fork at his mother's words. She was making him angry, and he knew it would only be a matter of time before it started to really show. But his mother kept jabbering on, asking questions and pestering, not that the couple minded, but Brian knew that his father oh most certainly did. "Or maybe he gets it from his father," She continued. "I've been on some pretty great dates myself."

"How did you two meet?" Brock inquired, trying to make the conversation last for more than a minute.

"High school, if you can believe it." She grinned. "I helped Brian's dad with some homework and that's how it all started."

"She was the smartest lass in school," Brian's father finally jumped into the conversation and Brian and Brock were both a little shocked. Maybe that meant things were changing? It was hard to tell. But he started talking about how they met and their first date and other things of that nature. Breakfast had seemed to take a bit of a turnaround as everyone ate what was left of their food. However, when the waitress brought the check to their table, that was when things went south again. "She's a nice looking girl, huh Brian?" His father's voice was sarcastic, smart aleck in its own way, and Brian could feel his stomach churning at what he had said. He knew he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up. His dad would always be stubborn, angry, and closed minded. He would never be accepting of the kind of love he and Brock had, no matter if his mother was on his side or not.

"Dad..." Brian trailed off shaking his head. "Brock and I would really appreciate if you didn't say things like that."

"It's not necessary..." His mother chimed in, resting her hand on her husband's arm.

"Like it or not, Brock is my boyfriend, okay? We're together." It was like saying that word out loud had triggered him or something, and Brian could tell. Gears were turning in his head, and he was realizing that this was real. It was real and Brock was here and they had to deal with it. However, how they chose to deal with it was another discussion for another time... Because right now? Brian knew that this situation had gone horribly wrong. He knew that there was no way in hell he'd be able to appease his father now.

It was silent for a moment, and Brian couldn't help but to eye his dad as the older man stared down at his empty plate. He knew he had something to say, he was just trying to think of how to say it. And finally, he took a deep breath before letting it all out. "I don't know how you can sit there and pretend like all of this is normal..." His voice was calm and everyone at the table was taken aback. It was definitely not something they expected to come out of his mouth. "I look at you Brian... And I can't help but to think that I don't even know my own son anymore." It was menacing when it came out; the calm before the storm, and Brian could feel Brock reaching for his hand underneath the table. He had tears in his baby blues, but he wouldn't let them fall. He wouldn't give his father that satisfaction.

"I am the same person. I haven't changed." Brian replied, staring straight ahead, tightening his grip on Brock's hand.

He shook his head, "You're not like this." After that, he stood up, placing a napkin over his plate. "If you'll excuse me I'm going to take care of the check." He picked up the piece of paper and walked away, all eyes on him. And Brian felt empty, his chest hard and he was struggling to take breaths. Had his father really just said all of that? Was this even real? He squeezed Brock's hand, letting him know that he was somewhat okay. Hell, Brock was just as shocked as the younger man. Nobody could have anticipated that this was what would have happened when they got up this morning and got ready for breakfast.

"Honey, I'm so sorry," His mom interjected. "I had no idea he was going to-" Her eyes were full of unfallen tears.

"It's okay." The younger man's voice was monotone. "Brock and I are just going to go." His heart was heavy and he didn't know how to feel about all of this. Maybe he should have never come on this trip... Maybe he shouldn't have brought his boyfriend that he planned on spending the rest of his life with. Why couldn't anything just ever work out for him? He stood up, as well as Brock, and their hands stayed linked together as they maneuvered through the tables and exited the restaurant. Fresh air felt like heaven, and as soon as they got outside and down the sidewalk, Brian broke down, inhaling air in deep gulps like he was drowning. He was upset, he was angry, he was a mess of emotions and Brock stood, holding him, holding him together, unsure of what to say or do. Brian had always been the one in control of his emotions, always the one so level headed.

"Brian, relax." Brock spoke, breaking the unbearable silence between the two of them. He could feel his heartbeat, thrumming violently in his chest, and he didn't want him getting all worked up like that. It wouldn't be good for anyone if he did. "Breathe." He commanded, lips at his ear, voice softer than velvet.

The younger man exhaled, breaths shaky with each bout of air. "Brock..." He trailed off, digging his hands into his boyfriend's shoulders, burying his face in the crook of his neck. People watched them as they walked by, but neither of them cared. This was and would always be a dire situation.

"Shh..." The older man insisted. "It's okay, don't talk... I'm here." And he just stood there and held him. He wasn't sure if he was crying, he wasn't sure if he just needed to be held... And he wasn't sure of how much time had passed either as they stood there, a mess on the sidewalk. But none of that mattered, none of that mattered and it never would. The only important thing was that Brock was here, and he wasn't going anywhere. "You're okay," He coaxed, rubbing small circles on his back.

"I can't believe he said that..."

"Just don't think about it." Brock instantly replied. Usually, it was Brian comforting him, and now he knew that this was his chance to repay him for all the times he was there for himself; and he wanted to do an equally good job of calming his boyfriend down, he had to. After all, this was what he was here for... This is what they agreed to when they started their relationship. They were going to be here for each other no matter what. "Try to calm down, okay? Don't get all worked up Bri." His voice was so smooth, so gentle, and all Brian could do was melt into it, relax, and take deep breaths. His father's words echoed to him in his mind, but Brock was right. He couldn't think about that right now. The older man could feel his heart beginning to slow. "Hey," Brock crooned, "Are you alright now?"

Brian pulled away, face red, eyes itchy, and he found his boyfriend's hand once more as he nodded. "Let's go somewhere." He said, before pulling Brock down the sidewalk, getting as far away from that damn restaurant as they could.