"Don't touch me!" It was almost a shout, though Emmett didn't realize he'd said it at first. Tab was staring at him, wide eyed, one of his hands inches from his arm.

"I was just... trying to wake you up "

Emmett sighed, rolling as far away from his reach as he could manage in the car. "Sorry, what is it?"

Tab looked dissatisfied with the lack of explanation but didn't argue. "I was about to stop at a diner for some food if that's alright? I found one along the way with some good reviews."

Emmett lit a cigarette, turning to look out the window. "I don't trust diner food but I'm fine with stopping." Some coffee would be nice and something light to eat.

Tab gave a slight nod and guided the car to the diner's parking lot. It was good that it wasn't quite dinner time. The lot was already nearly full and a couple of the larger parties were loitering at the door.

"Should be pretty good." Tab said with confidence as he led the way to the door.

"We'll see."

It was crowded and noisy. Emmett never would have chosen such a place to eat on his own, though, he wouldn't have chosen to eat out anywhere. Tab looked happy though, especially once they were seated and he had the menu in front of him.

"It all looks so good… what're you gonna get, Emmett?"

"Something sweet."

There was silence. Emmett looked up to find Tab regarding him expectantly. "Oh, you were serious?" Tab waited a few seconds more but Emmett had nothing more to add. "You just don't seem like a sweets kind of guy."

"Is it the black clothes; the cigarettes? Sometimes I do want to taste something that isn't ashes."

"Fair enough."

When the waitress came by Tab ordered for himself some sort of ridiculous burger topped with an extra patty, onion rings, loads of cheese and even more onion rings on the side.

"And for you, hun?" The waitress asked, brandishing her notepad.

"I'll take the four stack of french toast, bananas foster, a side of bacon please and coffee."

"It'll be right out for you dears." The waitress said happily, leaving two waters and a coffee on the table.

"That's a lot of food." Tab chimed in once the waitress had gone.

"You know as well as I do that I haven't eaten all day." Emmett answered as he leaned back in the booth, biting idly at a fingernail with chipped polish.

"True." Tab answered distantly. His phone had chimed and his eyes were now glued to it. "The only thing I've seen in your mouth so far has been cigarettes."

"Oh? Guess that means I didn't pay you any favors." Emmett made a stroking motion directed into his mouth, just in case Tab wasn't following.

Tab gave a bark of laughter, looking around the diner as his face reddened. "Who's being unprofessional now?"

"I already told you that I don't have to be." Emmett slid a leg forward, brushing in between Tab's, making him jump.

"I'd almost say you turn into a different person in the evening."

"And do you prefer one to the other?"

"I haven't decided yet."

"Coward. Obviously you'd prefer the one who lets you fuck him over the one that calls you an idiot."

Tab's face was bright red but his laugh this time had less humor. It seemed like he was about to say something but the waitress returned to refill their cups and he dipped his head back to his phone. "Sorry, I have to take care of a few messages."

"No big deal, I'll just go smoke a couple."

Tab only looked up long enough to nod as Emmett excused himself.

The number of people outside had only increased and Emmett didn't want to deal with any cold stares should he try to light up nearby. He circled the building and was relieved to actually find a quiet spot.

He was just blowing out the first long sigh of smoke when there came a knock at the window nearest him. Emmett turned to find that Tab had moved tables and had his phone held up ready to snap a picture. Without thinking, Emmett's face slipped into a haughty smile, years of modeling bringing the expression out automatically.

Behind the glass Emmett could hear Tab give an audible gasp. Emmett turned away, blushing despite himself. Awe and praise was not something that he'd heard in a long while.

Another tap at the glass.

Tab was holding his phone up to the window, screen facing outward. Emmett leaned down to look at the picture.

Look at that pretender.

Emmett shook off that thought as best as he could. Technique, lighting, composition. Focus on those. Tab did seem to have a natural eye for a shot. Too bad he isn't using a real camera… and that his model isn't in the best shape at the moment.

Emmett shook his hand in a so/so gesture and Tab stuck his lip out in a pout. The kid went back to looking at his phone so Emmett went back to smoking. Before long there came another knock at the window, this time to announce that their food had arrived. Emmett snuffed out his cigarette on the side of the building and went back inside.