Justin and Brian were on their way to Emmett's apartment. Justin wanted to change his clothes and make sure that his cousin wasn't still at the apartment worrying about him.
When Justin used the key, that Emmett had given him, to let himself and Brian in, he saw Emmett sitting on the couch. Emmett quickly turned to face them when the door opened, and sighed in relief.
I'm sorry, Em. I was with Brian, I didn't mean to worry you. Justin signed.
Emmett nodded and signed, Fine. But, next time find a way to let me know if you're going to be staying out all night. Okay? Justin nodded with an apologetic smile.
Looking at Brian, Emmett started speaking. "You'd better not hurt him, Kinney. Or, so help me God, I will make you wish you had never met either one of us. Are we clear?" Brian cocked an eyebrow, while Justin gave a little smile, having lip-read what Emmett had said. Justin knew without a doubt that Emmett could take care of himself. And, Brian had a feeling that if he did hurt Justin, Emmett would be able to follow through on his promise.
"Crystal," Brian dryly replied.
"Good." After grabbing a light-weight jacket, he asked, "You two ready to head to the diner?"
Justin held up his right index diner, to indicate for them to hold on a minute. He quickly looked in Emmett's closet and found something that would work for him. After quickly changing into a pair of black jeans, a tight black t-shirt, and his own white tennis shoes, he looked in the mirror. He smiled. Not to Butch, but not too feminine. He thought that he looked pretty good.
He walked out into the livingroom, and saw Brian raking his eyes over him and smiling. 'Evidently he doesn't think I look bad, either,' he thought with satisfaction.
When they were outside, making their way to Brian's jeep, Justin spotted Daphne walking toward them. He smiled and gave her a wave. She waved back. When she reached them, she signed, Hey, Justin. I told you I'd come and visit and figured today was as good a day as any. But, it looks like you're going somewhere, so I'll come by again later.
Justin shook his head. No, it's okay. I'm glad to see you. We're heading to the diner on Liberty Avenue. You can come, if you want. I'm sure they won't mind.
Turning to Emmett, Justin signed, This is Daphne. I met her on at the bus station in Mississippi. Can she come with us?
Emmet nodded. Talking to Brian, he said, "Justin wants to know if Daphne can come with us."
Brian nodded. "Sure." Talking to Daphne, he said, "You'll have to hop into the back with Emmett."
Daphne smiled, "Thanks. I'm Daphne Chanders."
"I'm Emmett Honeycutt, Justin's cousin. That's Brian Kinney. Nice to meet you, sweetie."
About fifteen minutes later, all four of them were walking into the Liberty Diner. Spotting Ben, Ted, and Michael at a booth, Brian lead the way. He did the introductions. "This is a friend of Justin's. Daphne. Daphne, this is Ted, Michael, and his partner Ben."
"Nice to meet you all," Daphne said as she slid into the booth.
"You, too," Ben said with a smile. Ted just nodded in greeting.
As Brian, Justin, and Emmett slid into the booth, Michael started. "Now you're bringing friends of his around? Brian, what are you thinking?"
Daphne raised her eyebrows at Michael's whining tone, as everyone else at the table frowned.
"Stop, Michael," Brian warned.
"Okay, so you fucked him last night. He can't be that good! Now, you act like you're boyfriends or something!"
As a few heads turned in their direction, Justin blushed. Brian looked Michael in the eyes, his own blazing. "Michael, shut up!," he hissed.
"Baby, calm down. This isn't any of our buissnes," Ben said as he laid a soothing hand over Michael's right hand.
"I deserve to know. I'm his best friend." Looking back at Brian, he said, "You had him last night, now dump him. You don't do boyfriends or a trick more than once. You're Brian Kinney, for God sakes! Besides, who would want a deaf boyfriend?"
Justin's blue eyes had turned into shards of glass. Pushing at Emmett, he made his way out of the booth. When he was standing, he angrily signed at Michael.
You're a bastard! I can lip-read, you moron. I think that you're wanting Brian and that you're jealous, asshole! With that, Justin stormed out of the diner.
"What did he just say?" asked a confused and whining Michael.
Making her way out of the booth, Daphne glared at the black-headed geek, and said, "He said that he could read lips and that he thinks you're jealous. That you're wanting Brian, and I think he's right." She mumbled," Asshole," as she left the diner.
Having seen the commotion, Debbie had made her way over to the booth, just as Emmett started talking. "That's my cousin, Michael. And, if you can't be civil to him, then just stay away from both of us."
After Emmett left, Debbie looked at the four men that were left, and asked, "What was that all about?"
"Your son's an idiot," Brian replied before he, too, left; leaving behind a shocked Debbie and Michael, an embarrassed Ben, and an uncomfortable Ted.