Allegro con fuoco

VI

When he woke up it was still light outside. He lifted up his head to look at the clock. Seven, and he was absolutely starving. Jesus, when had they even last eaten? 
"Hey." Brett's soft voice was soft, and warm. It was love. "You good now?"
Eddy blinked at the clock and then turned around. He suddenly felt silly and shy. Why had he cried like that? There hadn't been anything wrong with him, really. It all felt like a bit of an overreaction, so he found himself avoiding Brett's gaze. 
"Yeah. Er. Sorry about that."
Unexpectedly, Brett chuckled lightly, then put his index finger under his chin and tipped it up. Eddy kept his eyes down for another second, then looked Brett in the eye quickly and cast them back down. 
Brett's mouth on his was just as soft and warm as his voice had been. 
"Don't be so hard on yourself, my love." he whispered lightly, and Eddy could feel the tears instantly threaten again. Jeez, what was with him? Brett wasn't crying, was he? 
"I'm hungry." he said, because he was, but also because it was a safe thing to say. 
Brett nodded. 
"Yeah, we kind of skipped lunch altogether. Wanna go see if there's any life coming from next door?"
"Sure." 
He got up after a quick kiss and shot into some clothes. The languidness of his limbs reminded him of where he had been, under the shower just before all his drama, and he smiled to himself. 
Oh man. What a day. 
They were already at the door when Brett's hand on his shoulder held him back. 
"Eddy... you know I was worried too, right? And you were much closer to it."
Eddy nodded. Look, what was he going to say? How could he explain how awkward he felt for losing it like that? He knew very well that Brett wouldn't see it that way. 

The door to Todd's and Ian's room was open, and Todd's sober eyes were on him the second he stepped into the door opening. Eddy could see the difference in them straight away.
"Well, hello there! Did you crash out?"
Eddy blinked in surprise. Todd was fully dressed, and Ian was sitting on the bed with his phone in his hands, but his eyes were fixed on Todd. 
"Wow, er, yeah, kind of. I'd kind of thought this door would be closed tonight."
Todd laughed and walked over to him, unexpectedly grabbed him in one of his bear hugs. He was all confidence, now, all smiles and beach boy charm. 
"Nah. We have all night. We need to celebrate with our greatest friends. Dinner's on us, tonight."
"Oh! Wow, okay, well, lead the way then."

They walked quietly through the busy streets of Taipei. People where everywhere, selling stuff, buying stuff, laughing and chatting quietly. Eddy took a deep breath. Oh, he loved this place, and he loved the effect it had had. When Todd bumped in to him by accident he turned to him and smiled. 
"You good?"
"More than good, Eddy. You know, I was just telling Ian in our room earlier about how you found out about how I felt about him, back at the con, when you guys recorded that video in the practice room, remember? Turns out he liked me even then. Am I stupid, or what?"
Eddy put his hand on Todd's shoulder for just a second.
"Nah. None of us knew. He's not someone who shows a lot, you know that. He's hard to read. 
Todd chuckled and waggled his eyebrows. 
"Yeah, I can tell you it's getting easier by the minute though."
Eddy shook his head at that particular innuendo, but before he could think of anything clever to say in retort Todd pointed to a little restaurant on the right. 
"All you can eat hotpot. Go in?"
"Yes please." Brett said happily. "They may rethink that sign after I'm done. I could quite literally eat a horse right now."
"I'd love to see you try." Todd laughed, and led the way into the restaurant. 

A/N. So... surprise! You asked, you shall receive. I've just published the first chapter of Todd and Ian's story in a separate little book. It'll be a short, sweet story, so go check it out, and go see what Brett and Eddy look like through the eyes of their friends! Link will be in the comments or you can find it through my profile. 
Lots of love from Author-san.