The hand on his back is a big comfort, and he relaxes a little more. Okay, so it's probably not as bad as all that. Gabe's still mad but he's here, isn't he? He still notices if Johnny's like this, and reaches out to him to help.

He forces a dry chuckle at the nineties comment and rubs his palms on his jeans. "He can do a ridiculous amount of shit," he says to Mako. "Remember when I told you about Godzilla showing up? All him."

He still feels horrendously awkward making small talk, and it's a relief when their server returns with their drinks. He reaches for the sake at once, but she stops him, reaching in to take it for him.

"In Japan it is not polite to pour your own sake," she says in tentative English, and fills the little cups for each of them. "You always serve your friends."

He nods, feeling nonsensically sheepish, and lifts his cup. "Kanpai," he says weakly.