Neighbour

9.

"Thanks again for driving me home. You didn't need to," Eddy said as they stepped into the elevator. "And for paying for bubble tea and lunch. I promise I won't leave my wallet in my violin case next time." 

Brett just shrugged, pressing the button for their floor with his pale hand. 

"Don't worry about it at all. You pay tomorrow," he smiled up at him as the doors closed in front of them. "And for the driving - you do realize I'm literally losing nothing by giving you a ride, right? I have to drive here anyway." 

Eddy couldn't help but chuckle at that. He was right, of course, but getting a ride without saying thank you felt wrong. 

"I know, I know. You're missing out on some quiet time, though," he pointed out instead, feeling the elevator move.

"I don't need more quiet time than I get when the conductor runs through stuff with the winds anyway," Brett snorted, shaking his head. "It's alright, it was nice having some company for a change." 

"Yeah, and I'm only here to bother you for a little while, anyway," Eddy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I think it's only for this project, but I don't really know." 

"I guess we'll have to see what happens to Max," Brett said, a bit sadly. "I hope he will be okay." 

"I hope so too. Truly," Eddy said, placing a hand on Brett's shoulder just as they heard the familiar ding of the elevator and the doors opened. 

Eddy could feel the smaller man tense up for a moment before taking a quick step away from him. He didn't really understand why, but figured maybe he didn't fancy being touched. They barely knew each other after all. 

"Hey sexy," he heard a voice say as they both got out of the elevator, and Eddy knew instantly the voice wasn't talking to him. He looked up and saw Brett's boyfriend leaning against the doorframe of their apartment. 

"Hi Mike," Brett mumbled, a lot quieter than before, more like Eddy was used to hearing him until today. "I didn't know you'd be home already?" 

Mike walked over to the smaller man and gave him a kiss that looked almost forceful, but Eddy just figured that was their thing. They did seem to like it rough in bed already, so it made sense. 

"Well here I am. I've been waiting for you," he said, taking his hand firmly and pulling him towards their apartment door. "Come on." 

"I'll see you tomorrow," Eddy said with a small smile, but Brett barely had time to respond before Mike had shut the door. A small smile was all he managed before the familiar bang of his boyfriend shutting a door was heard. 

Eddy unlocked his own door with a click and headed inside. He took his shoes off and placed them neatly on the shelf before shuffling into his living room. The violin was placed in its usual spot by the end of the couch before he belly flopped down on the soft cushions. He was exhausted, but was really looking forward to the rehearsal the following day a lot more than before, and it was all thanks to his new friend who had made his first day a million times better than he had imagined.