Attention

Misunderstandings

Unlike last time he tried to work on his art project, Mike's fully focused now. The image in his mind has become clear again and he's inspired. That doesn't mean that he doesn't think about Brad. Quite the opposite. He can't stop thinking about him. Nor about what Dave told him.

Is it a good sign that Brad didn't push for sex? That remains to be seen. He wants to believe Dave, of course, and the guy is usually right about things like this, but a small part of him; one that is run by self-doubt, tells him he shouldn't be celebrating just yet. Maybe Brad didn't push for more because he doesn't want more, even if he's tried flirting with him in the past or it could all be a game to him and Mike be just another name in his long list of conquests. Who knows with Brad? For much Mike's known him since they were kids, Brad is still somewhat a mystery to him, which both thrills and frustrates him.

Ironically, Brad's a bit of an antisocial. He has no problem flirting with others or making them laugh, and anyone looking from outside would think of Brad as a social butterfly. Mike knows better. He knows Brad uses humor as a shield to keep people at bay. They think he's the funny guy who makes them have a good laugh, but that's as far as it goes. He never lets any of those guys get too close. Yes, Mike's noticed. Once he's gotten what he wants, Brad runs.

Last night was special for that exact reason.

While they were cuddling and looking into each other's eyes, Mike was privy to a new side of Brad, one he's sure not many get to see. Even if there were no exchanged words between them and they were both fairly clothed, Brad seemed bare and almost vulnerable in a way Mike had never seen before. There was a deeper connection going on between them and for the first time, Mike felt like Brad wasn't partially hiding from him. It was very intimate.

Mike sets the brush aside. He's done for the day, but only because he can't possibly go on until all the paint as dried out completely. Satisfied with his progress, he puts his art supplies away and looks at the time. He hasn't stopped working for ten hours straight and he's made so much progress he'll be done in half the time if he keeps the same pace. Interesting enough, thinking about Brad the whole time didn't distract him. It helped.

Back in the house, Mike curses when he looks at the time again. It's 10:00 pm. Too late to see Brad. Then he remembers him mentioning something about having to study all day and night while they were saying goodbye that morning. It's quite possible he's awake and he's forgotten to eat. He's probably as hungry as Mike is.

Jumping into his car, he drives toward that Thai food place Brad loves and gets enough food for three, in case Dave's still up or they are both too hungry for just one portion, then continues driving the fairly short distance to Brad's place.

He climbs up the steps two by two and once he's standing outside Brad's door, Mike looks through the small window next to it and spots Dave moving about in the kitchen, so he knocks.

"What a nice surprise, Shinoda!" Dave greets him with a teasing tone. "Did you miss me that much you had to come visit me at...ten thirty?" he finishes, looking over his shoulder at the time in the video cassette.

"Of course I came to see you too," Mike replicates Dave's overly cheerful tone as he walks in. "I even brought food for three!"

"You are my savior," Dave says with adoration and closes the door. "I was considering making some pasta just now. I got here only a few minutes ago and I'm starving."

"Late shift?" Mike asks, setting the bag of warm food on the coffee table.

"Yeah, I had to cover for a friend," Dave says, sitting on the couch and diving inside the bag. "Oh, by the way, Brad's not back yet."