Brennan, Booth, and Zack were eating a quite breakfast in the diner. A lull in the conversation prompted Booth to stir his coffee noisily, clinking his spoon against the standard white cup. Bones looked up from her eggs.
"Please stop."
"What? It was an awkward silence," Booth defended.
"I liked the silence," Zack offered.
"Thank you, Zack." Brennan went back to eating.
"Yeah, thanks, Zack," Booth said sarcastically. "Hey, if we're going to eat together, can we at least engage in some, you know, morning conversation? Energy? Wake up, people?" "I'm awake, but if it makes you happy..." Brennan trailed off. It was silent again. Booth's cup clinked against the saucer as he raised it to drink.
"So, Zack," Brennan started, "How is your newfound homosexuality?"
Zack's head snapped up. Booth choked on his coffee, spilling a little on the table. Brennan innocently watched the reactions.
"What?" She asked, confused.
"Are you serious? Zack?" Booth had an incredulous smile on his face. Zack nodded, turning red. "I wouldn't have guessed," Booth shrugged.
"Dr. Brennan," Zack started quietly, "I would prefer you not share that information with others." Brennan knit her eyebrows.
"Why? In some cultures you would be revered." Zack eyed Booth warily, fully aware of his religiousness.
"Not this one," he remarked sadly. Brennan looked expectantly at Booth. Her expression screamed, "Say something!" Booth sputtered a little.
"Zack, you know I...I don't care what goes on in...your home. I like you. I've always thought well of you. I still do, and you know, I know I'll keep doing it." He looked at Brennan for confirmation. Brennan made a face as if to say, "You could do better." Zack looked impassive. "Look," Booth said, "I wouldn't do it myself, but it doesn't bother me that that's your choice."
"It's not a choice," Zack and Brennan said simultaneously.
"It's true, studies show," Brennan added. "It's part of his mental makeup." Booth waved his hand as if to clear his words out of the air.
"I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to say that I'm supportive." Zack nodded.
"Thank you for your support."
"Thank you," Brennan mouthed to her partner and placed her hand on Zack's.
"No seriously," Booth began mouthing rapidly, "I didn't mean it lik-" Brennan raised her hand to shush him.
"It's alright, Agent Booth. I know," Zack said.
They went back to eating.
"So," Booth started, pushing his food around on his plate, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Not at the moment, no," Zack responded without making eye contact.
"He only just experienced the self realization, Booth, you haven't given him much time," Brennan interjected.
"It's alright, Dr. Brennan," Zack said. "It's a perfectly predictable question."
"Thank you, Zack," Booth said with more sincerity than the last time. "See, Bones? I'm perfectly predictable." Bones made a face.