Michael looked around with an uneasy feeling. Tonight definitely wasn’t turning out the way he’d thought. Even knowing that Justin and his (uninvited) boyfriend were going to be there, hadn’t prepared him for this bizarre turn of events.

First Nathan showing up, then the proclaimed renewal of friendship between him and Brian and finally what he’d witnessed, or more importantly almost witnessed, between Brian and Justin in the restroom, were all situations even the most imaginative pessimist wouldn’t have dreamt of.

He looked at all three of them now as they stood at the bar with Ted and Emmett. Michael still didn’t quite know how Nathan or Justin had managed to get invited to Babylon. That certainly hadn’t been his intention.

He’d convinced his uncle to take his mother home and then coerced the others into agreeing to leave. He’d then gone to find Brian, but when he’d reached the bar he’d found Nathan stood alone. He’d immediately assumed his cousin had upset his best friend, and was about to let rip, when he had been informed of his whereabouts.

He was relieved as it meant he could get Brian to leave without any awkwardness. When he got to the restrooms however, it seemed that awkwardness was the name of the game. Brian had tried to be his flippant, offhand self, pretending that everything was fine, but Michael had known him way to long to buy that bullshit. He’d seen the way the two men had jumped apart when he’d entered, and the icy stares the blond had been sending his way, indicated that he was feeling more resentful towards him then usual.

Michael just hoped with all heart that Brian wasn’t getting drawn back in where Justin was concerned. He knew that, despite the daily show Brian put on, and as much as Michael himself would like to believe it, the older man wasn’t over his ex lover. Justin had somehow worked his way into Brian’s life, and although he wasn’t physically around much anymore, a part of him was still clinging on.

That’s why Michael wished, with hindsight, that he had mentioned Babylon to Brian in private. The trouble was he hadn’t known what else to say at the time. He could have kicked himself (or Brian) though, when he thoughtlessly invited the blond. 

Brian hadn’t actually said anything, but the Italian had learned a long time ago, that words were rarely needed where the two lovers were concerned. They had always seemed to know what the other was thinking or feeling simply from a raise of an eyebrow, or a bite of the lip.

Michael was pretty good at reading Brian’s expressions too, but it had taken him a long time and he’d always felt he was only seeing as much as Brian wanted.  Justin, on the other hand, had seemed to be able to see right into the older man’s soul from the moment they‘d met. On the few occasions Michael thought objectively about the blond, he found that it was something he admired. 

He wasn’t exactly sure how he did it, but he supposed it was something to do with his innocence and naivety regarding life. And of course his complete and utter blind devotion towards the brunet, coupled with the unyielding belief that the feelings were 100% reciprocated, regardless of Brian’s continual protestations to the contrary.   

At least that used to be the case, before Justin decided he’d had enough of playing the devoted follower and realized he preferred the violin. That’s why Michael was so confused about what he’d seen. The last he knew Justin and Ethan were making goo-goo faces at each other and Brian was pretending he wasn’t totally freaked out about seeing Nathan.

Seeing Nathan. That was something Michael hadn’t thought about in a long time. It was funny how something that was once so normal now seemed so surreal and could cause so much pain. And he knew that it had, despite Brian trying to hide it. Brian had always found it hard to keep up his cool front around Nathan.  

Michael thought back to the time when he’d first suspected that something was going on between his best friend and his cousin. It had been during their second year at college. The two men had always had a very flirty and tactile relationship and Michael was aware that they had fucked on a couple of occasions, but had always assumed it was harmless fun. One day however, he noticed they seemed a little different around each other. Instead of the innuendo’s and the playful groping, there was intimate looks and gentle caresses. 

They always seemed to be sharing some private joke that only the two of them were in on. Michael watched silently from the sidelines waiting for whatever was happening between them to pass, until one night a gorgeous guy tried to take Brian to the backroom and he brushed him off without even a second glace. That was it as far as Michael was concerned, something needed to be done. He needed to talk to Brian, but he knew he had to be diplomatic. 

“What the hell are you doing with Nathan?” (Diplomacy never really was his thing) 

Brian looked at him like he’d grown a second head.

“You two have been acting really weird recently and I wanna know whats going on”

Brian looked at him for a moment like he was going to tell him to mind his own fucking business, but then his expression changed  to that of nonchalance and he calmly said the words that would forever be burnt into  Michael’s memory.

“We‘re in a relationship, so the fuck what?” and then he walked away and that was the last time they talked about it.

Michael now knew that he had to have another one of those conversations and for a moment he thought about leaving it alone, but he had so many questions going round in his head, like what had happened after Brian and Nathan had gone to the bar? And how had his best friend ended up in the men’s room about to do God (and the whole of Pittsburgh) knows what with Justin? 

Michael put down his drink and decided he had to find out. He was also going to find out what the hell Brian had been thinking when he’d nonchalantly asked Nathan if he ‘fancied a trip down memory lane’ with a visit to Babylon. Michael had felt a small stab of satisfaction that Justin had seemed as perplexed and annoyed as he was about it.

He moved towards the group of men and was glad that both Nathan and Justin were pre-occupied by whatever story Emmett was regaling them with, leaving Brian standing slightly off to the side. Michael took this as the opportunity he needed to talk to his best friend. He took a deep breath before moving towards him.

He knew that Brian wasn’t going to like what he had to say, but as the best friend he saw it as his duty to help.

At least that was the idea. In reality however, he majorly underestimated just how much Brian wasn’t going to like what he had to say. He’d also forgotten that, as well as he knew Brian, Brian barely had to glance in Michael’s direction to know what he was thinking. 

“Don’t start Mikey,” Brian stated in an annoyed tone.

“I didn’t even say anything!” Michael complained, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

Brian sighed and turned his full attention towards the other man.

“How long have we known each other?” 

“Huh?”

“How long Michael?”

“Too long,” Michael muttered, beginning to sense where this was going.

“And in all that time have you ever known me to talk about my feelings?”

Michael shook his head.

“Then why the fuck would you assume that it’s something I’d suddenly want to do now?”

It was a perfectly valid question and the dark haired man knew the answer, but for some reason he just couldn’t leave it alone.

“Maybe because the supposed love of your life waltzed back in tonight after 10 years, and then you almost fuck the guy who almost replaced him, in the men’s room of Woody’s, which, I know isn’t exactly anything new for you guys, except he’s got a boyfriend and is supposedly doing the whole monogamy thing, and now less then an hour later you’re all having a drink together as if nothing’s happened!”

Michael finally took a breath and waited for Brian to speak.

 The brunet had the beginnings of an amused smile playing on his lips, but as he spoke his expression changed to one of those Michael couldn’t read.

“Firstly, he was not the love of my life, I don’t believe in love remember? Being in a ‘relationship’ is just one of those things you try when you’re young, like drugs or alcohol - or Lycra! Secondly, I was not about to fuck Justin in the men’s room of Woody’s, or anywhere else. Whatever there was between us is over,” Brian raised his eyebrow, “and despite what you obviously think, I can control myself when left alone with a hot guy.”

Just as Michael was about to point out just how untrue that statement was, he felt someone bump against his shoulder. When he turned around Justin was standing with his patented sunshine smile plastered across his face.

“What are you so happy about?” Brian asked amused. “Remembered you’ve got a pasta coupon you haven’t used yet?”

“No,” the blond laughed smacking the older man on the arm. 

Brian mouthed the word “Ow!” as he rubbed the abused spot. Justin grinned even wider. Michael wanted to gag.

“I just forgot how much I love this place.” 

As he looked out across the dance floor filled with writhing bodies, coated in sweat and glitter, a nostalgic look crossed his face, replacing the smile.

All three of them stood in silence for a moment lost in their own individual thoughts.

“And what are you three ladies up to?” Emmett asked floating over to them.

“Just watching,” Justin answered indicating towards the dance floor.

“Well that just won’t do sweetie. Code #105 of the ‘How To Be A Good Homosexual Handbook’ clearly states that it is against the law for anyone with an ass as good as yours to merely stand and watch. God has given you a gift young one, now let’s go use it!”

Once finished, he grabbed the blond’s hand and pulled a laughing Justin behind him into the middle of the dance floor. 

Michael watched for a moment as he remembered all the times he had witnessed this exact scene. He wondered if Brian was thinking the same thing and glanced at him out the corner of his eye. The brunet was staring after them with an intense look. Suddenly, he seemed to jolt himself out of whatever half trace he was in.

“Honeycutt’s right, a good homo is all mouth and all action, and I intend to make the most of it.” 

With that he walked off in the direction of the backroom without looking back.

“So what’s going on there?” Michael jumped slightly at Nathan’s voice.

“Where?” 

He knew perfectly well what Nathan was referring to, but wasn’t in the mood to play along.

“Between Brian and Blondie.” 

“What makes you think there’s anything going on?”

“Um, because I have eyes in my head.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Hmm, one that’s about to have a sequel by the looks of it.”

Michael thought that he detected a sour note in his cousin’s voice. He didn’t say anything, but as much as it pained him to admit, the sinking feeling in his heart said he agreed.