3am.

“Honestly, it’s good to see you, even if you’re a little late,” Beau continued, resting his elbows on the table. “Life’s been kind of weird lately, and I could use the company. How’ve you been, besides battling your alarm clock and losing?” He tilted his head, his curiosity genuine as always.

"Have they ever been?" He chuckled. He took the water, taking a sip of it before setting it back down and picking up the menu to look at it, despite knowing that he'd order the same thing he'd always get.

"Kinda weird? What's up, buttercup?" He squinted a little at the other. "I've been alright. Not really doin' to much. Ava and I decorated the house the other day for Christmas." How he slept in yet with a small child was beyond him. Thankfully, she was pretty good at just playing with toys if she woke up before him.

She had been browsing in Sunflower Trinkets for a few minutes when someone spoke to her. "No clue, I just pick whatever looks nice and hope it works out."

Well she seemed cheerful.

The Christmas spirit couldn't be with everyone. And honestly, he wasn't exactly looking forward to it much. Raven's Peak was a lot more quaint than Chicago christmases. At least in the Bennett family. He'd be at work, setting things up for the crew that was working to still have a nice holiday, a warm meal, some little gifts.

"Something nice, and hope it works out," he repeated slowly with a small nod.

She glanced up as the man spoke with her and laughed a little, "Does he like this stuff?" She asked looking back at the items, "And what does he usually like?" She asked picking up a cool bracelet with different shiny beads on it.

Mitch looked back at the bracelets before shrugging. "I honestly have no clue. She's got a bit of everything. She likes nice lookin' things but I don't know what types of stones and shit she'd appreciate." When it came to his ex-girlfriend and one of his best friends, he should have known, but none of this made any sense to him.

Beau sat at a corner table in The Golden Spoon, absently stirring his iced tea with a straw as the midday bustle of the café carried on around him. The usual comforting hum of clinking dishes and soft chatter felt muted today, like it couldn’t quite drown out the noise in his head. He shifted in his chair, glancing toward the door, waiting for his lunch companion to arrive.

Lately, something had felt...off. Not wrong exactly, but different. His brothers, usually so boisterous and teasing, had been quieter around him. Conversations trailed off when he entered the room, and their jokes, normally affectionate and playful, felt careful. Too careful. Even his mom’s hugs had felt more hesitant, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Beau let out a soft sigh, leaning back in his chair as he rested his hands on the table. Was it something he’d done? Had he unknowingly upset someone? He’d always prided himself on being in tune with his family, but now he felt like he was out of step.

He shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe it was nothing. Still, the nagging feeling sat heavy in his chest as he looked up just in time to see his lunch companion walk in. He smiled and waved, brushing the unease aside for now. "Hey, I hope you don't mind I already ordered a drink."

Mitch was running late. In his defense....he had none. He had overslept after a weekend off. He was never great at mornings. He almost ran into the door as he was walking into the dinner.

He looked around until he found Beau, walking over to him with a small huff. "Hey, shit man I'm sorry." He flopped himself down across his friend. "No that's cool. That's my bad. I have no fuckin' idea how I snoozed my alarm." Unless it was a fire alarm, he tended to tune it out.