Murmuration

Sean’s scowling at him, but Mike’s ignoring it for the time being. Walter looks between the two of them, then does a double take when his gaze lands on Sean. His eyes narrow and he switches off the grill before stomping out of the kitchen. “Get outta here with yourself,” he says.

“I’m fine,” Sean says through gritted teeth.

“Part of the deal, and you know it,” Walter says. “You work for me as much as you want, but you tell me when it gets bad. You didn’t tell me, therefore I’m sending you home. And if you’re not good in the morning, you stay home. I can run a few tables. One of the girls can come in and help too.”

Sean glares at the both of them, and Mike doesn’t even feel the tiniest bit guilty over it. Sean huffs and unties his apron, lifting it up and over his head and tossing it at Walter, who catches it against his chest.

“You take him right home,” Walter says as Sean grumbles his way back toward the office to get his wallet and coat. It’s cooler in the mornings than it is at night, and Sean gets cold easily. He lowers his voice as Sean rounds the corner. “Sorry, Mike. Didn’t even notice. Working the grill, I kinda get into the zone, you know?”

He does, and he’s not blaming Walter for this. Sean’s hardheaded, and Mike knows it. “I’ll take care of it,” Mike says.

Sean’s still grumbling as he comes back out from the office, and he grunts at Walter before heading toward the door. Walter just waves after him and winks at Mike before he moves back toward the kitchen.

Mike’s on Sean’s heels, the bell ringing overhead as they leave the diner. The sun is setting, the sky lit up in reds and oranges, and Sean is already walking down the sidewalk.

“Hey,” Mike says, but Sean keeps walking. “Hey.” He gently grips Sean’s elbow, not wanting to hold on too tight in case Sean wants to pull away.

He doesn’t, and he stops. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I can take care of myself, Mike.”

“I know.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah,” Mike says, because he does. He may not like it all the time, but he’s old-fashioned that way. And it’s nice to be needed every now and then.

“Yeah,” Sean says, and maybe it’s a little meaner than he normally is.

Mike waits.

Sean deflates soon after. “Sorry,” he mutters. “Just been a day.”

“After lunch, huh?”

“Yeah. Got off the phone with you and got little bit worse later, got slammed with it.”

“You have your meds?”

He sighs. “No. Left them at home.”

“You could have called me,” Mike says evenly. “I would have gotten them for you.”

Sean shrugs. “You had the book club. I know how those ladies get.”

“Stuff like that isn’t important, Sean.”

“Tell that to Mrs. Richardson.”

He’s a little frustrated now. “Sean.”

“Look, Mike. I know, okay? But I’ve been dealing with these longer than I’ve known you for, and it is what it is. Most days I’m fine. Sometimes I’m not. It’s not the greatest deal in the world, but it’s what I’ve got.”

“I just don’t like it,” Mike says. That might be an understatement. He loathes that there’s something wrong he can’t fix.

Sean’s face softens. “I know, big guy. But I just need some quiet and I’ll be right as rain. You’ll see.”

Mike thinks hard for a moment before coming to a decision. “I’m staying. For a little while. With you.”

“Mike—”