Neighbour

41.

Once the duvet was washed, dried and sprayed with air freshener, Eddy had found a duvet cover to put on it from his own collection and made the couch ready for Brett to sleep on. He really hoped it would be okay, and that he'd feel safe enough to sleep there. Getting the smell removed was a good first step, at least.

"Oh, I… I could've put… the duvet cover… I could've done that myself," Brett stuttered as he re-entered the living room from having brushed his teeth and changed into something better to sleep in. The worn white t-shirt hung loosely over his shoulders, the wide neckline showing his collarbones while the hem almost covered the gray sweatshorts he had chosen to go with it. Eddy blinked one extra time to keep himself from staring.

"It was no trouble at all," Eddy said with a small, assuring smile. "Don't worry about it. I hope the couch isn't too uncomfortable."

Brett carefully sat down on the couch, running his hand over the duvet cover Eddy had just put on. The bruising on his wrist has turned a yellowish colour rather than the blue that had been there before, a sign that it was healing up, and the cut on his lip was merely a faint red line compared to the paler pink around it.

And just like that Eddy had caught himself staring at his neighbour's lips once again. He looked away, but felt the heat spread over his cheeks.

"Is uh… is it okay if… if you keep the door to your room open?" Brett asked softly, pulling the duvet over his lap. He looked and sounded unsure and nervous. "I'll try not to bother you at night too, but… but just so I can…"

"Of course, Bretty. And if you feel nervous or scared, just come join me, yeah?" Eddy interrupted him gently. "It's really no trouble at all, and I really don't mind."

Brett opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but looked like he immediately changed his mind and just nodded a bit instead. His gaze focused on the duvet.
"Okay, thank you," he said softly. "For everything you're doing for me."

"It's really no trouble, I promise," Eddy repeated with a gentle smile. "Make yourself comfy, and wake me if you need anything."

"Okay, thank you. Goodnight then," Brett said softly with a hint of a smile passing over his lips. Eddy felt his heart skip a beat, fluttering in the way it definitely shouldn't, considering the circumstances.

"Goodnight, Bretty. See you tomorrow," Eddy hummed, and with that he slipped into his bedroom to finally lay down. It had been tough sleeping in the hospital in an uncomfortable comfy chair, so he was looking forward to a good night of sleep in his own bed.

He didn’t waste any time reading like he normally would, just turned the reading light off and closed his eyes as he relaxed properly into the mattress.