Golem

When Michael - who had moved back in with Emmett after his not-so-triumphant return from Portland - failed to come home one night, Emmett automatically assumed that Michael had hooked up with someone the night before. He mentally rejoiced for his friend and resolved to pump Michael for details over breakfast at the diner - if, that is, Michael actually showed up like he was supposed to.

Michael did, in fact, make it to breakfast that morning. When Emmett arrived at the diner, Michael was already there, sitting next to Brian, who was lolling in the corner of the booth with his arm stretched across the back. Across the table from them, Ted was alternating between talking to Michael and eating. Emmett slid inte boe booth next to Ted and immediately launched his interrogation.

"Someone didn't come home last night," he said brightly. "I want details, honey. Dish."

"There's nothing to tell," Michael said, shoveling a forkful of eggs into his mouth. Beside him, Brian huffed a laugh.

"If there's nothing to tell, then where were you all night, hmm?" Emmett asked, relentless in his pursuit of gossip.

"Nowhere!" Michael replied rather forcefully.

"Nowhere. Really," Brian chimed in. Something in his eyes and in the tone of his voice said that he knew exactly where Michael had been the night before. Michael glanced sideways at Brian, looking shamefaced, which only added fuel to the flame - so to speak. Emmett settled for a non-verbal attempt at getting Michael to communicate, leaning his elbows on the table and staring intently at his friend, who refused to meet his eyes. "He was with me," Brian said after a minute.

"What did you tell him for?" Michael demanded loudly.

"Michael, sweetie, it isn't a big deal. So you spent another night babysitting Brian instead of getting laid. It isn't the end of the world," Emmett said soothingly. Michael flushed and pushed the remains of his breakfast around on his plate.

"Who said he was babysitting?" Brian asked in an infuriatingly smug tone. "And who said he didn't get laid?"

Emmett's mouth dropped open in shock. Beside him, Ted looked similarly stunned. "You didn't," Emmett said after a minute, his voice full of concern. "Michael, tell me you didn't."

"Michael didn't what?" Deb interjected, appearing at their table with a pad and pencil, ready to take Emmett's order.

"Nothing!" Michael snapped, throwing his napkin down onto his plate.

"Michael," Brian said in a quiet, soothing tone. He dropped his hand from the back of the seat to the back of Michael's neck. "Does it really matter what they think?"

Deb, shifting instinctively to mother-hen mode, shooed Emmett aside so she could squeeze into toothooth beside him. She leaned forward and caught her son's eye. "Michael, sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong!" Michael snapped. "I just want everyone to mind their own goddamn fucking business." He jerked out of the seat and stalked toward the door.

"Fuck!" Brian breathed. He pulled out his wallet and tossed down a couple of bills - more than enough to cover his and Michael's meals - before hurrying after Michael, leaving Deb, Ted, and Emmett to wonder what the fuck was going on.

*

"Michael!" Brian shouted as soon as he had cleared the door of the diner. He jogged down the sidewalk, trying to catch up with the other man. "Michael...fuck." When he managed to catch up with him, he grabbed Michael's arm and spun him around. "I thought you were sure about this."

"I am," Michael insisted.

Brian looked skeptical. "Then what was that about?"

"I'm just not ready to deal with...that. With Ma doling out advice and telling me to be careful, and Ted telling me I deserve better, and Melanie asking what the fuck I'm thinking..."

Brian rolled his lips in his mouth and folded his arms across his chest. "I told you last night that it was all or nothing, Michael. I don't have the en... I don't have time to play games."

"I'm not playing games! I just don't see how it's anyone's business but ours."

With a sigh, Brian reached out to rub the back of Michael's neck. "You're right," he conceded. "But they're going to try to make it their business. Sooner or later, you're going to have to deal with it."

"I'd prefer later. Much, much later," Michael admitted. He stepped closer to Brian and smiled up at him. "Can't we just go back to bed and forget this morning ever happened?"

Brian huffed a laugh. He opened his mouth to tell Michael that they couldn't just go back to bed because he, Brian, was going to the gym as planned, but he stopped himself. He leaned in and kissed Michael softly on the mouth. "Not a bad idea," he said.