Running Towards A Place

When You Were Young

Eddie's POV

My sleep was interrupted and not great. The only good thing was that I got to snuggle up to Brandon, inhaling his intoxicating scent in when I couldn't sleep. A few times he would also stir when I awoke but I didn't want to disturb him. However the final time I woke, it was half 4 and the sky outside was starting to brighten. I had given up fighting sleep so I got up and tried to move about to stretch as best I could.
"Darling what's the matter?" I heard that sweet voice ask lowly, bringing my attention back to him.
" I can't sleep, I'm just stretching" I replied quietly, conscious of the volume of my voice, "I also need some painkillers" I used my crutches to hobble over to the kitchen where my pills lay on the counter. As I stood at the counter I felt Brandon's presence behind me. His lean arms enveloped me, pulling me into him.
"Let me look after you" he practically whispered into my ear.
"You already are" I turned my head slightly, wanting to see those gorgeous chestnut eyes of his, "and I really appreciate it" I managed to peck a kiss against his cheek, now dotted with stubble.
"No I mean really look after you" he added, hugging me against him securely. "I want to make sure you're ok" he returned a kiss to my cheek before allowing me to turn to face him in his arms. "I love you Eddie, I want to look after you" he continued, his eyes still dark and tired. "Go sit back down and do some stretches, I'll make us coffees" he kissed my forehead tenderly before insisting I go sit down. I did as I was told while Brandon pottered about in the kitchen. Quietly, I admired the view, my messy haired, tired eyed boy faffing about the kitchen wearing only a striped t shirt and boxer shorts. That I could get used to.

Moments later he arrived on the sofa beside me, handing me a steaming brew. I had put some news channel on to entertain us while we adjusted ourselves to the new day.
"Eddie?" Brandon began randomly, turning to face me slightly. I turned my eyes to meet his. "Move in with me" he shot, surprising himself with the directness of his statement. I was lost for words. "Serious, you'll have so much more space... if you want" he spoke, convincing himself as well as me that it's a good idea. "You don't have to but I can look after you and well, it's up to you" he shrugged, nerves clearly taking over. Without a word I moved my hand to cradle his face, stroking a thumb against the sharp cheekbone, taking in his beautiful chestnut eyes.
"I thought you'd never ask" I spoke quietly, a smirk growing on my lips. I gazed into his gorgeous eyes as the news clicked and his nerves subsided.

After a coffee and a cuddle on the sofa, the pair of us fell back asleep for a few hours. Both of us sat still facing the tv but with my head resting against his chest. We reluctantly got ourselves ready and broke the news to Steph before hastily packing up a few bags of my things and heading to Brandon's.

"Ed?" Brandon spoke up, as I sat sketching and he sat writing, later that afternoon. I broke my concentration and looked to him. "I-I was wondering, I know you've mentioned your mum briefly a few times but- you don't have to answer- but - you're parents, how come you hardly talk about them?" He stammered, obviously very aware of his words. He fiddled with his pen anxiously, his eyes flirting around. I swallowed hard, putting my pencil down.
"It's ok, it's just complicated" I began, picking the pencil back up and fiddling with it.
"Oh it's ok-" Brandon shook his head.
"No no, I'll tell you" I insisted, valuing honesty in a relationship. "M-my dad, you know, he wasn't around when I was young" Brandon nodded along, recollecting brief past conversations. "Well he wasn't around because he died before I was born" I swallowed, avoiding eye contact. I could hear Brandon's heart drop. He instantly, dropped his pen and reached for my hands.
"Oh Ed" He exhaled, his eyes burning into mine.
"It's ok, and then my Mum, well, I've told you she's a bit of a business woman. She's always been like that, I think she just threw herself into work since dad left and her heart went cold" I shrugged, focusing my eyes on Brandon's fingers entwining with mine on the desk. I tried to resist the tears but when I gave in and glanced up at Brandon the tears surged. Brandon leapt up and instantly came to my side. He held me so tightly into him but my emotions overwhelmed me so much I couldn't react.
"Oh Eddie, I'm sorry" he exhaled, sounding teary himself as he perched on the desk and cradled me against his chest. There was a moment of quiet, only my weak sobs to cut the silence. "Darling when you got hurt- you said you wanted your mum?" He asked, concern lacing his voice.
"That must have been the concussion"! I swallowed regretfully, "I've never asked for my mum, I've never needed her" I gulped, taking a deep breath.
"-until then?" Brandon queried, craning his neck to get a better look at me. That thought hadn't even crossed my mind, I had rejected any feeling about my mum for so long. I let out a strained sob, triggering Brandon to squeeze me tight. "Oh my darling" He cooed, kissing my forehead tenderly. "I'm here, you got this far without her, I'll look after you now" he kept talking, soothing my soul. Just feeling his strong arms holding me tight, was enough to comfort me. His silky voice, talking lowly was an added bonus, healing my mind and easing the pain I didn't realize I had.

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Brandon's POV

What was I thinking, asking her about her parents, of course it would be like opening up a can of worms. Eddie sobbed quietly against my chest, it was breaking my heart.
"I'm sorry" she pushed away from me, her fingers against the dampness of my t shirt, "I'm getting your top wet" I lovingly pulled her straight back into me. I didn't care about her tears making my shirt wet.
"Don't be silly" I soothed, rubbing her back. Her breathing relaxed slightly.
"My dad" she began bravely, sitting back slightly to look at me with her tearful eyes. "He-He was a police officer, and he-he- they stabbed him" her voice wavered. I fluttered my eyes shut, the words making my skin crawl. "He was a good man, they say" she looked regretfully up at me. Once more, I squeezed her into me. She was much calmer now, still upset but she was breathing steady. Time froze as we stayed cemented in an embrace. I didn't want to move in case she broke.
"I love you Brandon" she sighed eventually, breaking the silence.
"I love you too darling" I replied, " I'm never going to let you go and I mean it" I told her seriously. Vowing to myself to keep hold of her.

Now, having moved to the sofa, we relaxed, our energy zapped by the heart to heart. I could tell Eddie was drained, she was quiet and a bit more affectionate than usual. As the tv flicked before us, she regularly peppered kissed along my neck and cheek.
"Bran?" She asked timidly, leaning against me, looking up at me through her long lashes. I glanced at her, prompting her to continue. "How come you don't drink?" She asked, catching me off guard. I gulped, taking a moment to organize my thoughts.
"It turns me into an awful person. I came to rely on it too much when I was young" I began, taking her hand in mine, a way to ease my nerves. "I couldn't go on stage without downing a bottle of whiskey, I may as well have been digging my own grave" I looked anxiously at Eddie who was fixated on me. "And I found my faith again so everything started to get better for me when I started living cleaner" I shrugged, rubbing my thumb against the back of her delicate hand. "My Mom was terrified that she was going to lose me" I shamefully admitted. Eddie laid her head against me, hugging into my side.
"How was your relationship with her?" She pondered. Ah fuck not the Mom question.
"I was a real Momma's boy" I chuckled lightly, triggering the fond memories. I felt Eddie's hand clasp onto my bicep comfortingly. "Being the youngest, y'know" I smiled, the memories whizzing through my mind like a movie reel. "I was her little boy, all I've ever wanted is to make her proud" I swallowed, the tears pricking at my eyes.
"You have Bran, she'll be so proud of you baby" she pressed her lips against my cheek, bringing me back to reality. I gave her a weak smile. "From what I've heard, she was a great woman, she'll definitely be proud of the man you are Bran. I am" she gazed into my eyes with a seriousness that made me speechless. I couldn't find the words so I just kissed her. Long and passionately. I felt our souls entwine.

After the double heart to heart session, we changed the topic to something much lighter and easy on the emotions. Food. I've never been a huge eater and the meds were seriously messing with Eddie's appetite. We hadn't eaten all day so we figured we should probably order something. We made the decision to order some Mexican so we didn't have to worry about anything except just eating some good food. I opted for tacos and she requested fajitas. As expected, she just had to try some of mine, giggling innocently as she did so.
"I love you" I told her, watching her shove one last forkful of chicken into her mouth. She paused mid bite to acknowledge what I said. Embarrassed, she quietly finished the mouthful, hiding her mouth with her hand.
"I love you too, even if you watch me eat and creep me out" she chuckled, resting her form down and turning her attention to me.
"You're gorgeous" I shrugged before pushing myself up from the table, she copied.

After our food went down and the sun had set, we decided to go for a short walk. With Eddie's knee we couldn't go far but a stretch out would do her some good. As we walked steady, we discussed how we were going to fill our time in the coming weeks prior to her surgery.  Eddie was to have physio 3 times a week, she also had college work to be getting on with. College told her to only attend the essential classes, the others would be sent to her, to save her driving to school every day. So it worked out that she was only in school on Tuesdays which meant a full day of school and she'd sometimes stay and watch the soccer practice. Monday's, Thursday's and Friday's she'd have physio but on Friday's she'd spend most of the day with Steph. For me, the band was getting ready to ramp up the recording for the next album. Demos were ready so we were starting to lay down the actual tracks which meant studio time. I loved making music, especially when I felt as confident as I did about this one, but leaving Eddie was always such a challenge, it never got easier.