Mike & Bones

II. Names and their Meanings

The producer was speaking loudly about how things were going to change soon. They wanted more historical programmes. Something like that. Mike wasn't paying attention. He was looking at Bones. He was wrinkling his frown, but it was a sad expression. He looked miserable. During the reunion, he didn't even look up.

The reunion finished and Mike went for a coffee. The dining room was empty, and the coffee maker hadn't any coffee at all, so he had to make some. When he was waiting for it, he saw Bones approaching with his cup on his hand. He snorted and crossed his arms on his chest.

When Bones entered and saw Mike, he stood there for a moment and opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, but didn't speak. For a moment, it looked as if he was going to leave, but he stayed. Mike rolled his eyes and Bones noticed.
"Damn, I-I'm sorry, can I..?", he stuttered nervously, pointing at the coffee maker.
Mike shrugged. "Well, yes. I don't own the building", he looked snooty.
Bones blushed. He walked to the coffee maker and saw it was still making coffee so he waited.

Both kept quiet, avoiding each other's eyes. Mike bit the inside of his cheek, looking at the floor, with his arms crossed on his chest, leaning on the counter. Bones sat on a chair near him, observing Mike out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to say something. Anything. But Mike was rejecting him. However, Bones himself was feeling insecure and didn't know what to say.

Mike was indeed upset. But what made him angry wasn't the fact that Bones didn't sleep with him. Not at all. It was his behaviour the next day, when he remembered what happened during the party. It's been two days, and none of them spoke to each other to make clear what was all that. If Bones explained something, like 'I didn't mean to do it, I just got confused, but I'm sorry, I hope you understand', or 'I was just drunk', or 'I really don't know what the fuck happened but we can be friends', perhaps, PERHAPS Mike could understand better and relax. But Bones was being a coward. Why had the detective asked Mike to go to the party? Anyways, he gave a shit now.

But Bones actually wanted to say something. He just felt a bit ashamed. He liked Mike, that was the truth. And he wasn't sure how to act.

When the coffee was ready, none of them moved. Mike looked at Bones.
"Are you getting a coffee or not?", he asked, perhaps a little bit rude.
Bones smiled dolefully and stood up. He served the coffee and looked at Mike.
"I, er...", he began to say.
Mike looked up at him, raising his eyebrows. "Yes?", he said.
"No, I just... I'm sorry, yes?", he said, looking down.
Mike frowned. He realized Bones was trying to say something. He appreciated the fact that, despite being obviously ashamed, at least he tried to talk to him.
"It's alright, Bones", he said.
Bones looked up and for a moment their eyes met. Right then, the detective remembered something, like a flash. Both of them, making out in the toilets, the other day. He shook his head.
"Okay, see you later", he said, and walked away.
Mike sighed and served his coffee.

Hours later, he was ready to go home. He went outside and found Bones again, standing on the sidewalk. He was going to ignore him but he felt better now. He could show Bones he wasn't as silly as he was. He walked towards him.
"Hey, are you alright?", he said.
Bones startled a bit, and grinned shyly when he saw Mike. He scratched the back of his neck.
"Yes, I, er, I'm waiting for a cab", he explained.
"Really? Well, I have my car. I can take you to your home, if you want...", Mike offered kindly.
"Oh, no, it's fine, don't worry", Bones frowned, shaking his hands.
"Come on, Bones. Please. It wouldn't be the first time, I've taken you before...", the reporter rolled his eyes.
"Yes, but... I thought...", the other man smiled, "Well, I saw today that you were quite upset. I noticed as soon as I saw you and I felt bad... I hate to be the reason of your bad mood and, if I am, I don't want to make it worse".
"Bones...", Mike sighed, "do I look upset now?".
The detective half-smiled and shook his head.
"Come on, Bones, it's okay. It is what it is, nobody declares a war just for a snog", he mumbled, pulling the other man by his arm.
Bones laughed softly and walked with Mike to his car.