The news struck him in the chest like a ton of bricks. "A girlfriend?" Evan's eyebrows were scrunched together on his forehead, the look of confusion covering his face completely. Brian had never spoke of a girlfriend, hell, Evan and the guys didn't even know that he was romantically inclined towards someone. And now to be hearing it from Tom of all people in this moment, made his heart ache for Brock. Because if the other guys didn't know, then there was no way that Brock knew about it. He would be heartbroken for sure, when he eventually found out. Evan was in awe, shock, and he didn't know what to say, didn't know if he should intervene or not. Really, it was none of his business, but he wanted to look out for his friends. If Moo ended up getting hurt it would be partly his fault.

"You guys didn't know?" Tom questioned.

"Are you sure? Evan retorted, as Syndicate finally pulled out of the restaurant parking lot.

The brit chuckled a bit at the sudden question, "Yes, Evan, I'm sure... He was talking about having his girlfriend come visit after Brock went home up at the bar." Tom explained as he began the drive back to Evan's apartment to drop him off. "I can't believe you guys didn't know, I can't believe he told me of all people." He rambled on as he drove, the asian man still sitting in the passenger seat in shock.

"Shit... We have to tell Brock, I have to tell him." He was frantic, and he could only imagine how Brock would take the news of Terroriser already being in a relationship with someone else. He had had his sights set on Brian for a really long time, they had been close for a really long time. They were best friends for god's sake. Why wouldn't Brian share that kind of information with his best friend? It only made Evan more confused as he sat there in the car and tried to work out all this information in his head. Maybe it would be best if he didn't try to work it out. But hell, he was so damn curious. And he really wanted to know why Brian had been keeping his relationship a secret... Maybe it was because he had feelings for Moo all along. But Evan knew he couldn't make assumptions like that, not until he knew everything.

"I wouldn't." Tom replied. "It's not your responsibility. If Brian wanted Brock to know, he would have told him already."

"I know... But Brock is my friend." He said, "I can't just watch him get his heart broke."

Tom sighed, "Evan, listen to me. The only thing you can do is be there for him after it happens." He gave good advice, and Vanoss listened intently to take the words to heart. Tom was right; it wasn't Evan's responsibility to keep his friends happy, it wasn't his responsibility to play matchmaker for them. The only thing he could do was sit back and let it all play out, let whatever the hell was going to happen take its course. And albeit, it wouldn't be pretty, he knew that it was his only option. "Do you think you can do that?" Tom asked.

He hesitated, but nodded. "You're right Tom. Thank you."

Meanwhile, Brian and Brock's cab had just arrived back at the apartment, the feeling of the alcohol they had drank at dinner still settling deep within their bones and bellies. Dinner had went well, and both of them had thought so. But now they were alone, and that daunting feeling was coming back to tease Brock with everything it had. He tried to tune it out, but it didn't work, it never worked. The Irishman fumbled with the keys in his hands, struggling to get the front door to the apartment open. Brock watched on and tried not to laugh, Brian was never that well at handling his liquor. Few words were exchanged as they managed to get inside, exhausted from the long day.

"Tired?"

"Yeah."

Both of them were just ready for bed. Brock helped Brian spread the sheets over the air mattress, making the bed, before they laid down beside each other, staring up at the ceiling like the night before. The only sounds were their gentle breaths, which reeked of beer, and the occasional sound of a cicada outside the cracked window. There was no conversation, no banter, only silence. It felt strange that the alcohol was keeping them quiet.

The older man rolled over, facing Brian in the dark room, studying him as he laid there. His cheeks were prominently red now, the sun staining them at the beach earlier today, and his hair was a disheveled, loving mess; falling in front of his forehead ever so slightly. He was beautiful, and if it were even possible, Moo found himself falling harder and deeper in love with him. "I had fun today." His voice was quiet as he spoke. "I usually don't get to go to the beach." The moment felt too vulnerable, too exposed as the two men laid beside each other.

Brian grinned, turning his head slightly so he could look at his best friend, "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Brocky."

"Furniture comes tomorrow, right?" The older man inquired, dark eyes wandering, swimming, in Brian's crystal blue ones. He dreaded it; because once he helped Brian move in, that meant he would have to head home. Of course, he remembered Terroriser saying something about how he could stay for as long as he wanted, but still, he didn't want to wear out his welcome, best friend or not. Maybe he would just break down and ask the Irishman if he could stay longer. It seemed like a good idea in that moment, but did he really want to keep torturing himself with Brian's unreciprocated affections? Brock didn't know.

The younger man nodded, "Yeah... We'll have a lot of work to do. I really do appreciate you coming to help me." He added as he stared on at Brock. He had to admit, for a guy, he was pretty. Soft skin, gentle eyes, and lips that were rosy. Was he attracted to Brock? He was pretty sure that Brock was attracted to him. What did they have going on here? The Irishman asked himself that question a lot; he had to. As many times as he gotten butterflies from talking to Brock, or thought about him in a more than platonic way, he had to question the predicament of their relationship. Friends? Best friends? Potential lovers? The feelings were all there, it was just acting on those feelings that didn't happen. Sometimes he wished it would. "You mean a lot to me Brock, you know that?" Brian continued, sighing.

"It's what friends do." Brock quietly replied, feeling bittersweet about the whole ordeal. Why did he feel like this while talking to Brian? Was it because he knew that deep down they would never be anything more than friends? Or was it because of the simple fact that no matter how much he advanced on the younger man, he would never do it back? Why couldn't they just get passed all of this nonsense, all of this avoiding, and just be happy together? Brock knew better though, he knew that love was never that easy; there were always some kind of games involved, something to hinder what could never be.

He yawned, "Aren't you tired?"

"A little." The older man answered. "You?"

"Hell yeah..." Brian trailed off, "And I can't believe I got fuckin' sunburnt." He cursed.

Brock stifled a laugh, "I didn't want to say anything, but your cheeks are pretty red." He chuckled.

"I know." Brian shook his head, "I can feel it."

"Don't worry," Brock teased, "You're still cute."

The Irishman let out a laugh, turning over in the bed so that he was completely facing the older man, "Yeah, but I feel like out of the two of us, you're definitely cuter." He grinned sweetly.

Moo could feel his face heating up, "You think?"

Brian nodded, "Oh for sure."

The older man laughed and smiled sarcastically, "That makes me feel pretty good."

Terroriser felt himself chuckle. "Go to bed Brock." He managed to get out, before another yawn attacked him. Sleepiness consumed them, and before they knew it, both of them were drifting in and out of consciousness until finally, Brian was the first one to drift off between the two. Brock could tell he was finally asleep by his loud snores, and surprisingly, he found them quite relaxing. They made the reality that he was actually there with the man he loved even more real. But even though Brock was tired, sleep wouldn't come. He found himself thinking too much, studying the lines on the ceiling, studying the details on Brian's face, pining, reveling, and recollecting. It made his heart hurt.

He hated this feeling... The tastelessness of unrequited love; close and yet so far away the whole time. What would he even do if Terroriser felt the same way? He had no clue, no clue because he was sure it would never happen... Not in a million, billion years.

An hour or so later, he was still wide awake, still tossing and turning on that tiny air bed, still questioning his future with Brian. He needed some air, because all at once he was too overwhelmed and he felt like he was going to puke. Brock threw the covers off him carefully, not wanting to wake up the sleeping Irishman beside him, and headed outside the front door. The night air in LA was cool, crisp, and he knew it was late, he knew he should be sleeping, so why wasn't he? He sat down on the front steps, resting his head on his hand, watching the late traffic go by. In just a few days, he'd be back in Utah, away from all of this, away from Brian. He couldn't believe that he had almost confessed at the beach earlier. He couldn't believe that he was this close to letting his feelings out. What the hell was wrong with him?

The sound of the door opening brought Brock out of his thoughts, and he turned to face the man who was causing all of his inner turmoil. "Brian?" His voice was low in the night, and he watched with dark eyes as the younger man came to sit beside him on the step.

"I thought I felt you get out of bed," He trailed off quietly. "I woke up and you were gone." Brian said simply, his voice thick with the little amount of sleep that he had managed to get.

"Couldn't sleep." Brock replied.

"You should have said something..." Brian replied. "I would have stayed up with you." Their legs were touching, and it made goosebumps arise on his sun kissed flesh. Only Brock made him feel this way, only Brock could do this to him. And he was so confused as to why he felt this way about his best friend. He looked at him with his blue eyes, and found Brock staring back at him with innocent doe orbs. In that moment, Brian wanted to kiss him, but he knew he couldn't.