Neighbour

39.

"Here we are, finally," Eddy said softly, closing his apartment door behind them. The ride back to the apartment building with Officer Hahn had been a quiet one, and Eddy was relieved to be home. He carefully began taking his shoes off, but noticed that Brett just stood there, staring at the duvet he was holding in his arms. Eddy got his shoes off and put them on the shoe rack before carefully standing back up and taking the step over to his new roommate. He placed a hand gently on his back.

"Hey, are you oka… oh."

Before Eddy could finish his sentence, Brett had simply puked all over the duvet they had collected from his apartment a moment ago. Tears ran down his bruised cheeks as he just stood there, allowing it to happen.

"That's okay, you're okay. I'll take care of the duvet and everything. Come," Eddy said to try and assure him, gently leading him into the bathroom. "Drop the duvet, Brett, I'll get it."

"I'm so sorry," Brett squeaked quietly, flinching from Eddy's touch. "I didn't… I…"

"I get it, you're nervous and scared and hurt," Eddy assured gently, carefully taking the duvet from him. It smelled vaguely of cigarettes and possibly something else Eddy couldn't put his finger on. It would need to be washed anyway. "Let's just put this down for now."
He did what he said as he spoke, and then opened the bathroom door for Brett so he could step in.

"I can clean it, I'm so sorry," Brett whispered, trying to wipe the corner of his mouth free of puke. His hand shook slightly.
"I promise it's okay, Brett," Eddy said softly, finding a washcloth and wetting it for him. "Take your sweater off too, I'll wash that as well."

Brett froze when he was asked to take his sweater off. Like a deer caught in the headlights of an approaching truck, eyes big and scared.
Eddy didn’t notice until he turned around, seeing his reaction.
"Oh, I mean, if you feel okay to do so. I can step out while you do, if you would prefer that," he added quickly, offering the washcloth. "I can go get another one of your sweaters in the meantime if you want, or you can borrow one of mine…"

"If… if that's okay…? I'm sorry, I keep asking so much of you and I don’t give you anything for it…" Brett said quietly, carefully taking the washcloth he was offered. "If there's anything you want me to do or… or anything…"

"There is actually one thing you can do," Eddy hummed softly on the way out of the bathroom, turning to look back at him.

"Anything," Brett said, licking his lips. He looked terrified, visibly shaking.

"Promise you'll tell me what you need to feel better. It'd make it so much easier for me to help you," Eddy said gently, really wanting to just hug him better. "Please."

Brett hesitated, his lower lip quivering as he did his best to decide what to say.
"That's… really just helping me more, though…" he stuttered, letting his gaze drop to the floor. "I can't ask more of you, Eddy."

"Well, I really want to help you feel better," Eddy said softly with a small shrug. He really thought Brett deserved the world and was set on giving it to him, even if he hadn't told Brett that. Even if he probably never would. At this point it would both be unethical and it would push him away. "And you telling me how to do that would really help."

Brett hesitated for a moment, but then nodded.
"Okay. I'll try."