Love Syndrome - Rewritten

26

Third Person P.O.V

"What night is he talking about Brick?" Day asks through clenched teeth. He was desperately grasping at the remaining strands of his patience but the thought of this stranger knowing something about his relationship that he didn't, really pissed Day off. 

"I don't know, he didn't tell me much but...well, let's just say he was not doing too good. Oh, right, and that was the night we met." Pete answers before Brick has the chance to say something. 

God, it's like I'm not even here. Please don't say something that will mess this up for me P'Pete, Brick silently prays. 

"And him being "not too good" has what to do with a stranger. How did this result in you two becoming friends? And what fight is he talking about, Brick?" Day asks, his jaw now slightly more relaxed but his food was barely touched. Neither Day nor Brick could eat now but Pete was munching away at his pastry, a subtle smirk on his face. 

He was upset that Brick would choose Day over him, assuming Day was the one who caused sweet, kind Brick to be so badly hurt. He knew if it was him, who was Brick's boyfriend, he would never treat him like that. 

"I am a good person, so I helped him, took him to dinner, and then bing bam boom, we became close friends. Isn't that right, Brick?" Pete answers, taking a bite of his pastry. 

Close friends, as if. I would know if they were close. Hmph.  

Day promises, in an attempt to convince himself not to scare Brick off again, that if he catches this punk on the street, he is dead meat. 

"Ha ha." Brick laughs awkwardly. "It was...," Brick clears his throat trying not to give off the vibe that things weren't simply platonic between them, "the day we...took a break." Brick finally reveals this to Day. 

This has the other man confused though, because he still can't understand why that would mean that Pete and Brick met. 

But, he decided Brick could tell him at the apartment, later...Where he could tease the truth out of him, in private. 

"Okay, well things are fine now, so there is no point in bringing up the past. Brick, eat your food before it gets cold, you'll be sad otherwise." Day's unbothered reply bothers Brick, who sits there, wide-eyed at the very man who had called him a "man-whore." 

No. Brick, leave it in the past. Please, focus on how good he is treating you now. Pete's presence was bringing back the horrible memories, and Brick wanted them gone. 

You never even questioned why or how he has changed so much. He forced himself on you and even locked you in a room for a white lie. That's psychotic behaviour, you don't just simply stop being crazy, Brick. Get a grip. 

It was like an angel and the devil were on his shoulder. Brick's heart was being torn in two as he got lost in his own mind again. What he didn't notice were the odd stares Day and Pete were giving him.

The only thing Brick registered was a very cold hand wiping away something on his face. 

Am I crying? 

Wait, I'M CRYING?!

Brick was back and he looked into Day's eyes which shifted from concern to anger. He had no idea why, until he realised that if Day was in front of him, the person who was now gently at his side, rubbing the back of his hand and wiping away tears, was Pete. 

Brick turned and gently pushed Pete away, before clearing his throat and ending this hellish breakfast. "I-I think P'Day and I should go, plus I'm not really hungry anymore."

And with that, Brick got up, with Day following him, an arm wrapped around his waist, while the other held Brick's hand. Brick welcomed the calming and warm presence. 

They paid quickly, ignoring Niran who was concerned and asking Brick questions, and left the building. 

Pete was left dazed and stranded...and he also realised he was about to be late for work, so he quickly paid and left as well.

Of course he was worried for Brick, especially when he would be around what can only be predicted to be an abusive partner...but...was he glad that Brick and Day might end now - maybe. 

The walk back to the apartment for Brick and Day was silent.

Yet when Brick looked into Day's eyes, they were swimming in emotions. 

Little did he know, it was taking all of Day's strength to not fight with Brick, right this moment, and have all his questions answered. 

You can't do that. He is not a spy you're trying to break, or a drug-selling college kid doing business on your group's turf. He is your boyfriend. Be nice, be patient. Please Day. 

Day repeated similar things to himself the entire walk back. It was harder than he imagined to reign in angry Day.

And God, the things he might do if what he suspects actually happened were to be true. He knew his thoughts were wrong, that what he wanted to do was wrong...but the thought of doing them and having control back over his life almost got to him. 

But right now, he needed to make sure Brick was okay enough to actually have a conversation, that was the priority. 

Once they entered the apartment, and the lock clicked shut, Day sat Brick down on the couch and sat down next to him.

Brick snuggled up to his side and Day wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. 

Leave it be for now, you like him and he likes you, that's all that matters, they both think, and mentally decide to stay like this until their emotions calm down.