Neighbour

26.

It eventually got quiet, but Eddy didn't really dare to make a sound in case he would accidentally wake Mike. He didn't want to cause any more hurt for Brett. Sure, it sounded bad before, but he had never seen any marks on the man. Not one bruise, not one cut. Those had started blossoming on his pale skin after he had begun meddling with it, after he had taken things into his own hands thinking he knew best when he clearly didn't.

He just didn't want to be the reason Brett was being hurt anymore. 

That's why he froze when the knock came on the door. Maybe he shouldn't open? Maybe that would make it go back to what it was, with less pain for Brett? 

On the other hand, was any pain really good enough? Eddy didn't think Brett deserved any pain. Brett deserved warm hugs, gentle touches and all the love in the world, and it was so damn frustrating that this asshole wasn't giving it to him! Eddy would have loved to give that to him, would love to be his safe person. 

A quiet sob was heard through the door, and Eddy realized he had just been sitting there on the floor. He got to his feet quickly and took long strides over to the front door, opening it just in time before Brett opened the door and disappeared back into the lion's cave where the nasty lion hopefully was fast asleep. 

"Brett?" Eddy whispered, stopping the smaller man just in time before he touched the door handle to his own apartment. Eddy could see that his t-shirt was ripped, even before he turned around slowly. Doing so revealed a bad black eye, a bruised cheek and jaw and yet another cut on his lip. 

"I… I'm sorry…" Brett whispered back to him, running a shaky hand through his hair. Eddy couldn't help but see the red marks on the delicate wrists as he did. "I didn't mean to wake you." 

"You didn't," Eddy assured softly, still keeping his voice as a whisper. Accidentally waking Mike now would be the worst that could possibly happen. "Wanna come inside? I'll make you some tea and get you some ice for your eye and cheek." 

Eddy never got a proper answer. Only a squeak escaped Brett's lips as he choked back a sob. With quick steps, he made it over to Eddy and hugged him tightly, clinging to him like his life depended on it. To avoid any sound that could potentially wake Mike, Eddy carefully shifted them inside and closed the door before carefully. Then he placed his arms around the fragile man and hugged him tightly. 

"It's gonna be okay, you're safe here," Eddy said softly, holding his neighbour securely as he cried into his chest. The poor man seemed terrified and heartbroken at the same time. "He can't get to you here, I promise. I won't let him." 

Eddy reached over and locked the door behind them before bringing Brett inside. He wasn't taking any chances.