Allegro con fuoco

XLI

"Hey." Brett said after a moment, after he had pulled out gently and crashed on Brett's chest. Brett wiped one of the tears away. "You okay?"
Eddy nodded. 
"What happened?" Brett asked. 
"Um." Eddy said as he avoided looking at his love. "I'm sorry. I struggled for a moment."
"What are you sorry for? I... I'm sorry. I couldn't hold it back."
"No!" Eddy said as he did look up. "I... I took too long."
Brett smiled vaguely and moved them both, so Eddy's head would lie on his arm.
"Eddy, my sweet, just so you know this was awesome. I loved it so much. Jesus, did you see how hard I came?"
Eddy paused for a moment. There was no doubt in his mind that Brett was telling the truth. 
"I only came because you did." he confessed then. "I just couldn't get there. You unblocked me."
Brett's wide eyes became even wider, then he stroked Eddy's head gently. 
"For real? Wow." 
Eddy nodded. 
"It's been quite the day, Eddy mine. I don't think it's strange that that impacted you."
"You fixed it for me though." Eddy told him softly. "Like you do so many things."
"Do I?"
Eddy eyed him. Brett's eyes were open, and honest, and they were inviting him to carry on talking. How had they suddenly got here, like they had entered the confessional or something? 
"Yeah." he said. "Like... you know I sleep better when you're there. I'm more... secure with you around."
Brett blinked at him, but he said nothing for the longest time. Then he nodded, once, twice. His hand was on Eddy's back, stroking gently.
"You know..." he said quietly. "I used to get so sad before. You know, when we were still at home, and I'd be alone. Too sad, where I wanted nothing, apart from just to bury myself under a quilt and not exist anymore. Well... you fixed that for me."
It was all Eddy could do not to let his mouth fall open. When had Brett ever volunteered something like that about himself? He'd seen glimpses, of course, when they had been younger. But even then Brett had always been so strong, so self contained. 
"I'm so glad you told me." he said gently, and Brett shrugged. 
"I would have anyway... it's just that I never want you to think less of me."
"What, for not only ever being the strongest guy in the world?"
Brett shrugged again. 
"Yeah. Maybe that's not a realistic goal?"
Eddy smiled. 
"No, I don't think it's a realistic goal, Bretty. Plus, you're already the best guy in the world."
Brett smiled his adorable, bashful smile. 
"Yeah, yeah. Sure."
"Hmhm."

The mood changed subtly, then. 
"So." Brett said. "You said I fixed the whole not being able to come thing?"
Eddy nodded. Look, what was there to be embarrassed about anyway, when you had just been so open with each other?
"Yeah. Think so."
"Hm. Wanna test that theory for a round two?"
"Hell yes."

They never made it back out of the room until way after dinnertime. And by that point, of course, it was a walk of shame. Eddy knew he was going to get the look, the eyebrows, the comment, and Todd didn't disappoint. 
"Well, hello there!" Todd said, his tone dripping with glee. "If it isn't the prodigal, or maybe promiscuous, sons."
"Yes, fuck you, Todd." Eddy said as he walked to the kitchen and lifted up the lid to the pan. "Ooh! What's this?"
"Pasta and carbonara sauce. I got all the stuff from the farmer's market, freshly made pasta, huge free range eggs, so it's really great. I figured you guys could heat it up when you were... um... done."
Brett grinned as he walked to the cupboard and dragged out some bowls. 
"Yes. I could remind you of a few instances of yours there, Todd, if you'd like?"
"Please don't. Just heat up your pasta and stuff your faces instead, ey?"
Eddy shook his head as he turned on the fire. 
"The pasta smells great, Todd. Thanks for cooking and keeping us some."
'Sure thing, bro. I gotcha."